FIFTH TRIAL

[bathymetric]

Quite the spread of evidence, isn't it? You have all you need, make your way to the vault door at once.

[ Once you're all at the door, Angel lets you through and into the elevator as always. And speaking of that elevator... your space to roam inside has grown again as you head down. Four is a heavy number to lose in one week, isn't it, between Nova and the three bodies you've just found? Though the number of things to discuss might be weighing heavier on your mind, if you're one of the investigators. The elevator might seem bigger or smaller than usual, despite the increase in space.

The trial room is as it is most weeks, apart from the newly-red podiums, so at least that's not a surprise by now. The screens are lowered, the familiar spiral displayed as ever. ]

That's three down this week. Up to three parties can be found responsible, when all is said and done - so go forth and find whoever did this, won't you? And to whoever did this... as always, best of luck to you as well.

[ The screens raise.

Welcome to your fifth trial. ]

Comments

[archboxer]

I know what I am. You do not.

Let's leave that at that for now, we can discuss it later.

[blackmass]

...Over a cup of tea, perhaps? I must confess I would rather take coffee.

Which is it you prefer, Rhea?

[archboxer]

Oh? Is this how you are going to try to solve this?

You will have to do better than that. After all... where is the proof?

[blackmass]

I note I've been questioned on my ability to use a sword, but you haven't.

You can, can't you? And additionally to that, you're as nonhuman as Rose Quartz and Jasper are; it stands to reason you might be more adept in combat than mere mortals yourself. In fact, I know you are, I've witnessed you training firsthand.

What's more, you and I had a lengthy argument over flowers recently.

[archboxer]

I will turn aside your arguments. I may be strong and fast, I did manage to pick up Therion last week but the proof that I could not beat a Gem is equally obvious. I could not out speed Jasper when she picked me up during Zelos's trial.

During that argument I derided the use of poison. That was before the motive. Why would I use it now?

As for swords, I cannot deny my skill but why would I use the one found there?

[As always, her sword is at her side.]

[blackmass]

Imbecile.

[Kirei's smile was very fixed, dark eyes entirely devoid of anything resembling emotion.]

Rose Quartz and Jasper are polar opposites in disposition, and this makes all the difference. If you expect me to believe she would attack you to kill, I would call that complete nonsense. You, however? You've killing intent in abundance, don't you?

As for the method? Of course you would use poison--because you derided it. Who would ever look to you with such a method in play, where there is an assassin of the Church standing right here?

[archboxer]

She had the speed and size on me. If she wanted to disarm me, she could easily have done so.

[The air in the room is now filled with... growling?]

She could have easily picked me up. As for the tea, well. It's not a secret that alcohol does not affect my kind -- a fact that everyone saw who came to the meeting! It is not an illogical leap to think poison would have little effect as well.

Why did I not drink the tea?

[blackmass]

A fascinating riddle. And it is, indeed, no illogical leap to assume as much.

But you have not said that it doesn't.

[It almost looked like there was some faint dark flicker around Kirei for a split second--a trick of the light, surely. Anyone between his and Lif's podiums might...want to move.]

Or, for you so obsessed with offerings as our confrontation in the chapel showed, perhaps you merely left it as tribute instead.

[archboxer]

Poison does not affect my kind.

I think that would go without saying. Besides there is a big point you are missing.

How could I boil tea in the kitchen? I do not know how to work a stove.

[bolderfell]

It's not that hard. I figured out how to use the small... portable one the kitchen gave me.

[And he didn't even burn anything down a little bit!]

And people are always eager to teach around here.

[philoxenia]

[ ... ]

Rhea--

[bolderfell]

...You derided it then, yeah. But you didn't when you were talking to me about that student of yours.

[archboxer]

Allowing one of my Knights to use it and using it myself are two different things.

[nothingcanstop]

...But what if it were for their sake.

Would you use it, if it was to prevent something bad from happening to them, Rhea? You would do anything in your power to protect them, right?

[archboxer]

Ah, you do have a point... what could my motive be for all this? Surely you understand what would happen if I were the killer and everyone voted wrong.

Mira would die. Why would I wish that?

[blackmass]

I dare presume it because there was something you thought more important that took priority. Something you would sacrifice even her to achieve.

[nothingcanstop]

[ There's an incredibly low blow. An incredible one. She-- ]

...Loving something and being good to them are two different things. You told me that yourself.

[hardnosed]

You spent millennia trying to bring your mother back. If you're not lying through your teeth, you could try the same for her, couldn't you?

[hardnosed]

Hey. Rhea.

You still owe me a fight.

[archboxer]

Let us save that for after the trial.

[valentinus]

You would use it now precisely because you derided it then as a way to get suspicion off of you.

[archboxer]

To a person I disliked? Would I not have done that in public and after the motive?

[emberserker]

[don't mind me just crying blood over here]

You. You told me he was framing me. But the only one who'd know that could count would be you.

[archboxer]

My behavior during trials has always been erratic, has it not? No one can prove anything based on that.

[emberserker]

That's exactly how we got Zelos, isn't it?