Take...Responsibility?

[kingmakereffect]

Unlike previous weeks in the Vault, there was no specifically allotted time for investigation; for the first time, this weekend the elevator doors remain closed at the end of the first floor corridor. There's no getting down into the courtroom from here – but then, you don't need to. After all, no one is dead. Just the same, however, a crime has been committed; perhaps not one that warrants any sort of death penalty, but one of your number was attacked by someone else still walking among you. The dining hall has been chosen as the allotted meeting place for the day; it's not the same as the trial circle by a long shot, but even so, the portraits of the deceased watch the proceedings from the far wall. Ten Survivors still remain. Let's see who wanted to lower that number by one – or nine.

Comments

[cherryblooded]

We're not executing anyone, captain.

[Something about her tone strikes Cherryblod as a little strange.]

It's nothing for you to be worried about. We'll find out who did this and come up with an appropriate punishment, but no one is dying today.

...As for me, all I found was that a sink was still running in the first floor men's bathroom and there was a pool of water on the floor around that sink.

[captainobnoxious]

Yeah, yeah, I know. If there's no need we won't do it. Few enough of us as is.

[She gives his evidence a thoughtful look though.]

... And that sounds normal, honestly. Anyone else?

[cherryblooded]

Not to mention that this isn't a 'real' trial, so anybody 'executing' the culprit would probably count as a culprit themselves. It's not just unnecessarily cruel, it's a bad idea.

[Just putting that out there.]

[captainobnoxious]

[Yeah... Yeah........]

Unless this is the one time that bastard would allow it, which I wouldn't put past him, but... Yeah. I know.

[cherryblooded]

It'll be fine, so you can put your all into this trial like you do with every other one. More so, even. Alright?

[captainobnoxious]

I'd be able to do that better if I wasn't hungry. I mean, we can't help it when we're down there, so I wanna get it done as soon as possible... but with the kitchen so close, isn't it just a waste not to go and fix something for ourselves first?

[cherryblooded]

I can grab you something from the fridge if you promise not to find the culprit in the next minute or so.

[There are sandwiches and everything, it'll take about that long.]

[amygdalae]

We probably should plan for a break.

[Even Bruce doesn't want to sit here and discuss 'whodunnit' for hours after doing it for all these past few weeks.]

[cherryblooded]

Lunch break it is. How long from now?

[captainobnoxious]

Let's bring out something for everyone! No harm in talking it out over some food. I'll help out.

[C'mon Cherryblod let's get everyone some grub.]

[cherryblooded]

If it's for everyone, Bruce has the right idea about having a break in the middle.

[Maybe not yet.]

[notjustawriter]

A lunch break sounds great, actually.

[cherryblooded]

Is it time for lunch yet? I always lose track on Fridays.

[isafraid]

[kinda looks at her.]

You want breakfast in the middle of an attempted-murder investigation?

[captainobnoxious]

The kitchen's right there.

[So, yes.]

[isafraid]

Well... it is a far bit closer then during the normal trials. If this goes on for that long we could always have a break for lunch.

[...]

Makes you wonder why no one ever brought food into the trial room.

[amygdalae]

Just water? Nothing else?

[cherryblooded]

Just water. I checked for blood, don't worry.

[He didn't actually see the crime scene.]

[amygdalae]

...to be honest, there's not much to make of that. Water is perfectly normal in a bathroom after all.

[Somebody could have just forgotten to turn off the tap or something...?]

[cherryblooded]

Unfortunately. The faucet wasn't even on that much - just a little bit like someone didn't turn it off all the way.

Sorry, Bruce.

[amygdalae]

[Shakes his head and quickly waves it off.]

It's perfectly fine. Don't hang yourself over it.

[cherryblooded]

Of course.

...Now, if you wouldn't mind, could someone describe the crime scene for me? I wasn't there, and it might help to go over the important details anyway.

I mean I can guess some from Gabriel, but...

[amygdalae]

[yes... time to get to that.

Bruce turns over to address the group at large.]

Detective Mouri and Stan were looking around the room, so they'll talk about what they have on their own end; for myself I more or less only investigated the mark around Gabriel's neck. The mark matches the chain of his tailsman, and from the pressure and the way the marks look its most likely that he had been attacked from behind, like so.

[Bruce closes one hand in a fist and holds it from a distance behind his head, simulating the chain being yanked from behind.

(Also look at this, Bruce using everyone's first names now. Isn't that amazing.)]

[garudynamic]

So it was probably a crime of opportunity?

[penduli]

From behind? [ ...huh... ] I guess that's one way to make sure your victim doesn't see your face.

...or would-be victim in this case. [ No one died, after all. ...gabriel has probably just realized whether or not he's into asphyxiation ]