FIRST TRIAL

[whimsicalism]

Honestly, if all you're going to do now is try to smoke out the castle I think it's time for a trial.

A trial, yes, a trial, Alice! Let's find out who it is. Come to the stairwell, everyone. I'm feeling better so I'll even be able to meet you there.

[The wall at the top of the stairwell is gone by the time everyone arrives. In it's place is a giant teacup being held by a doll's hand. For some reason it has a hinged door that swings out and closes shut once everyone gets in. It's big enough to hold everyone inside comfortably. Well, at least, as comfortable as you can get with a possible murderer in your midst.

While there are buttons for various other 'floors' in the castle none of them currently work. It takes a moment before the giant doll arm begins lowering. The visible area around you is just a dirt hole. It's as if you're descending down a rabbit hole as the teacup starts to descend quickly.

Eventually the teacup lands with a thunk in a room that's definitely more suitable as a place for a party than a park. It's a large outdoor room with great hedges surrounding the entire area. White roses dripping red paint (blood?) stand out among the green foliage. In an elevated area, safe from any potential angry 'friends, the Alices can be seen behind a desk emblazoned with a familiar symbol.

Down on ground level, though, there's a circle of podiums with a copy of your portrait to tell you where to stand. Both Ib and Violet's portraits are currently crossed out in red.]

Welcome to the trial room! Well, trial court? Mm... doesn't matter, I guess. I'm feeling better today so I'm glad that I can at least make sure that someone doesn't mess everything up for everyone.

[The cat, in Alice form, looks away.]

That said, time to find out who killed Violet. Trial, begin!

Comments

[ballooncaged]

[Mizuki has been following the investigation and keeping her emotions in check as best she can but it all bursts out at once:]

Your idea of self-defense is a brick to the skull?

[rhododendronhoney]

...I wouldn't call it self-defense. But there's only one way to definitely stop a killer.

[That smile is getting faker and faker.]

[imozon]

ai spoilers

[ballooncaged]

Yeah, because you'd totally read her mind! [Angry tears begin to pour out.] After everything she'd been through... you think she'd ever...?

You're pathetic! You're lamer than Ota, I didn't think that was possible!

[rhododendronhoney]

...I wish I knew who that was so I could understand your meaning better. Still...I wouldn't doubt it.

ai spoilers

[ballooncaged]

[Wiping her eyes in one fierce motion of her forearm.]

He's this... dumbass who lives in his mom's basement... but when our best friend was kidnapped by a serial killer... he saved her life.

So when I go on about working together, I'm not being naive and taking it easy...!

[rhododendronhoney]

...I never thought you were. If anything, this proves...we need even better communication, don't we?

[ballooncaged]

I'm not sure! You were in my sector! You came to my party! You—

[Turns away.]

God. Can't believe we have to have another awkward sleepover.

[strictura]

Pretty poor logic for this kind of game when you weren't even sure what she was doing. It's not like she was actually aiming a weapon at someone, so there was no immediate danger to a third party.

[ballooncaged]

Are we going to just beat Nigel to death because he got his laser gun out of the vending machine?

[BITTER JOKE JUST SO WE ARE VERY CLEAR]

[strictura]

[ Sighs and shakes his head... Sorry this had to happen with your team. ]

I hope everyone takes this as a lesson in not jumping to conclusions.