Take Responsibility.

[wordsmithery]

The time allotted for this week's investigation passes fairly briefly, but not easily - what with the state of the body and the things that have been found, the mood is perhaps oddly sobering. Either way, eventually the elevator will be waiting for you at the exit of your floor of choice, bringing you up to the courtroom swiftly and easily. There are so few of you now. Two more portraits have joined the ranks of the dead, watching over the proceedings. Gangrel and Orihime's images watch over you with with eyes that see nothing, all colored in greyscale and set up on their places in the podium circle, black fabric draped over each setting. As always, the lectern remains empty and unaffected by what's happened here. After a while, however, once everyone has found their place in the circle, the Wordsmith can be heard addressing the group, voice audible throughout the room. "Sacrificing one to save many—that is ostensibly why Harmonious is no longer among you. Truly, that is the most pragmatic of options in a situation with no chance of victory. I may even come close to commending such a decision. But I must also wonder if the dead can be said to have been 'saved', when they have passed beyond your reach in all but mere messages. Unless you should wish to follow Harmonious and join them, hold the guilty accountable for their practicality." Eleven Apprentices remain. However many leave this place is up to you.

Comments

[matchbreaker]

[ Elda comes into the trial room with gritted teeth and carrying a Bloody Levin Sword, the one that she found in Orihime’s room. Clearly very frustrated, as with last trial she walks right past her own podium and situates herself at Gold’s, between Hanyuu and Lusamine.

This day still sucks.

What evidence she has probably speaks for itself, which is good, because she doesn’t make a big show of it yet, instead sort of loudly enough for everyone to hear whispering, ]

I don’t imagine anyone just wants to confess, huh?

[ Of course not. ]

[feistytrader]

I wouldn't believe someone even if they did confess. It's better to solve this together.

[He's composed for the trial as usual, but he's at one podium to the right today to stick next to Watanuki. He doesn't need to be alone right now.]

[firstaid]

I suppose it's common knowledge I have that sword, though who knows how many of us have one.

[Estelle looks away, her expression somewhat serious.]

[iaspis]

No. Someone might just lie, for whatever reason.

[matchbreaker]

[ The only reason she'd consider believing it is the same reason silver says "together" and if her mood wasn't so bad she might've laughed.

Instead, ]

You're right, of course. [ Sigh ]

[elepe]

Of course they won't. Whoever did this...

[Lusamine looks down to the notebook in her hands, grimacing.]

They know what they did.

[matchbreaker]

Well then let's start there! How many people do have a sword like this?

I'll even volunteer, I do!

[foundfate]

[Thnx buddy]

I'm sure they'll confess when they're caught. Most everyone else has already.

[oyashiromama]

If it was to save the others... Then- if they just...

[...She knows they won't.]

[matchbreaker]

[ This know what they did...

... In a way, they did her a favor. In another way, why was it Orihime. The conflict plays out in her mind- ]

And under the circumstances, anyone so desperate can't say they regret it, can they?!

[ She even laughs a little at that, obviously forced - looking up at Wordsmith's podium ]

[foundfate]

[Look who has evidence for once!

Watanuki places a room key down on his podium.]

It's Orihime's, I checked it on her door. I found it on the floor in her room, near her desk.

[iaspis]

I got one from the machine.

[matchbreaker]

Then it's a play, and we must all do our part.

[ Disgusting. ]

[matchbreaker]

I might add that this bloody sword I have was also in the room. Most likely stored there after it all, no?

[tsugomori]

I have one as well.

[ He'll move to stand in number 25, beside Estelle. ]

[oyashiromama]

[Hanyuu casts a dirty look to the lectern. It's worse than the one she gave Kira, before his execution. The Wordsmith's address does not sit well with her today, and it seems she's having a hard time keeping her tongue.

After a few moments of breathing deep, her fist curled on the podium, she looks away from it, focusing on the others here. The hairpins Orihime wore sit in front of her, not evidence, just...something to hold on to.]

I...examined her. [This isn't getting any easier.] Orihime...she was found in the ballroom She bled out from a wound to her chest, one that would've killed her...instantly, I believe. She was struck by someone who knew what they were doing, as it was right...right in her heart.

However, there was definitely a struggle involved. On her hands and fingers, there were cuts from a blade, and...she had bruising on her stomach. Additionally, there- it looks like the person who attacked her tried to strike for her head first, but missed. A section of her hair was shorter, and I found the hairs, nearby.

[...And-]

And...she looked at peace. She was holding yellow roses. It looked like...like she'd been laid down to rest.

[She says no more.]

[oyashiromama]

I received one.

[acherontiastyx]

I would't be surprised if just confessing right at the start wouldn't count for ol' fuckhead's purposes. Gotta give him time to finish jacking off, affter all.

[elepe]

...Let's get started. I found this notebook in the kitchen.

[Lusamine flashes the notebook, before opening to a specific page.]

I believe our sweet Orihime was planning a party for us--she had plans all lined up in here for decoration, food, and merriment in this notebook. I believe she was out setting these up when she was attacked.

But... [Lusamine opens to the back of the party planning page, pointing at it with a shaky finger.] She knew the risk. "If I die tonight, please forgive"...and then it ends.

[matchbreaker]

[ A snort. But Elda's not so callous - she offers the other woman a hand to squeeze, if only for a moment. ]

[feistytrader]

[...Well, now that we're starting to present evidence, Silver raises a bowl.]

There were some bowls like these in the kitchen. Looks like someone had curry last night. They don't look poisoned, though.

[tsugomori]

[ Well! Time to get down to business; he'll add to what Hanyuu has said, at any rate. ]

I managed to find that someone had placed yellow roses as decorations in the ballroom and that the piano bench had been knocked over, probably during that struggle.

[matchbreaker]

For our end, we would need to be certain anyway.

[firstaid]

Yellow roses? I imagine those were retrieved from the greenhouse. There were a section of them missing there.

[elepe]

[Lusamine's expression quirks at that, but she shakes it off before walking over quickly to pat Hanyuu on the shoulder.]

...We're going to be fine, Hanyuu.