Take Responsibility.

[kingmakereffect]

For the third time, those elevator doors at the end of the first-floor corridor open up at the end of the allotted investigation period; the ride down is, as ever, smooth and quick-moving. You're down by five. When the doors slide open, the podium circle still stands in stark contrast to that now-familiar black void of a courtroom, and once again, it's changed to reflect your losses – Caren and Mion have joined those with podiums draped in black, their framed greyscale profile portraits staring out at the rest of you. (The portrait of Pearl hasn't been removed from her room, but it seems the Kingmaker has replaced it with another; either way, her photograph is in the courtroom along with the rest.) As before, the Kingmaker waits until everyone is settled at their podiums before he speaks; he still isn't visible, but he can clearly be heard, his voice coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. "Capable has been taken from you. I'll confirm one thing for you so no one will waste time asking – the killer wasn't me. Looks like the guilty decided to take a shot at Rule Seven after all – and whether they succeed or not is up to you." Twenty-two Survivors remain. We'll see how many the group has lost at the end of the day.

Comments

[captainobnoxious]

Alright, I'm really hungry and those snacks did nothing for me, so I won't bother try taking a crack at this order of events or whatever, but have we figured out what that weird metal thing is? Bring it up front and center so we can see if it's something interesting.

[Do that.]

Meanwhile, there's still the bit about the knot. It's a kind of slipknot, which is pretty similar to what you use to hang things with, but it's nothing professional. The kind of thing you'd secure boats and stuff with for a short time. Least, that's all I've known it used for, but I'm sure there's other uses for it too, like... hanging people. I guess.

[capyper]

I'd also like to see the metal thing!

[amygdalae]

It could be what we're actually overlooking.

[notjustawriter]

[Assuming he got it back from Speedwagon, Gabriel will hand it right over, in its helpful plastic baggy.]

HEY MODS.... AGAIN.

[captainobnoxious]

[don't you just love hearing from me--

Sigrun'll take it out of its bag, because why not, and try to figure out what the hell is this thing.

What's its shape. What's its luster. Does it have sentimental value, can it take care of its kids in these troubling economical times. All the details, because we're a group of certified dumbasses.]

[trustharder]

[While it's certainly a good question, it is unfortunately a small piece of metal. You're not going to be finding any dramatic stories here, since we're all normal people with normal vision who cannot find any more clues from said small piece of metal. Sorry, Sigrun. Nice try though.]

[captainobnoxious]

[Is it a chip off of something? Or... someone?]

[trustharder]

[Well, it does look like it was broken off of something.]

[captainobnoxious]

[Gasp! A clue!

...

...

By chance, is the sword damaged? She'll even wipe off some of the blood to find out.]

[trustharder]

[No, it isn't.]

[amygdalae]

...Captain Eide, may I look at it for a second?

[It's a far fetched idea for now but they are all lost in the dark, so.]

[captainobnoxious]

Well shit, there goes that. It's a piece that was broken off of something, but it's not the sword.

[Naturally, her gaze goes to the only metal person she knows, but she doesn't want to really say anything. Sigrun's eyes go back to the piece and she ignores the niggling worry in her mind.]

Alright, I'm done, that's all the thinking I'm due for today.

[ratingspoint]

[Don't worry, he's not offended; he'll notice, but it's fine.]

[garudynamic]

Could it have busted off in a struggle?

[Sorry Mettaton, he does check to see if it matches at all colorwise. Just to be safe]

I would guess you're a bit too sturdy to be chipping off.

[Yeah, he doesn't sound at all like he suspects Mettaon in any seriousness. After all, Mettaon likely doesn't know human anatomy near well enough to do that wound]

[bloodisthicker]

...

[HMMMMMMMMM...]

Can I see that for a second, actually? I think I might have an idea.

[capyper]

Are you done with it yet? I had second dibs!

[captainobnoxious]

In a second! I'm investigating!

[.... she's looking really hard at it is what she's doing. creating magical adventures for this little thing]

[capyper]

Investigate faster, then! I wanna see it too.

[captainobnoxious]

You get it first, then toss it around to everyone else!

[there!! fight for it!!]

[capyper]

[ Aw yes, now it's his turn!

... As it happens, he seems to have an idea of what he's looking for, because he glances down at it and then looks up and around the circle before looking at Mouri. Specifically, the nib pen that he's holding. ]

Ah... hmm.

[pokexplorer]

Have you thought of something, Yato?

[He was planning to ask to examine that metal piece somewhere down the line, so he's been watching everyone else examining it.]

[capyper]

[ He seems a bit startled when he hears his name, and looks up abruptly.

... There's a pause, and then he says, rather sharply: ] No, I haven't. Here, you can have it.

[ Aaand passing it right along. ]

[cherryblooded]

[This is an absurdly stupid question because skinny nerd, but are Colress's glasses chipped at all?

...Yeah, reaching.]

[sleepingkogoro]

[Yep, Mouri still has it. He's just playing with it. When Yato looks at him he raises his eyebrows as if asking 'what, kid?']

[capyper]

[ He's not actually looking at Mouri, just the pen, so it takes a few moment to realize he's also being looked at in turn.

... Then he just sharply breaks eye contact. ]