( TRIAL - WEEK 3 )

[abhoth]

At exactly 11:30 am, all residents who are still asleep will be jolted awake by a sharp, burning pain that spreads across their whole body. A simple look will reveal no visible injuries, oddly enough, and the pain will fade away as soon as they're properly awake. Those early birds who are already up and about will feel nothing — except maybe a strange, mysterious sense of relief as they go on about their business. Lucky them. Moments later, an announcement will come through the static-filled PA system: "This is Craftly speaking. My apologies for the rude awakening [not really], but your presence is required in the Dining Hall. Our second trial is about to begin. Please do try to be there before noon. My staff members have simply too many duties to tend to, to be escorting each and every one of you out of your quarters. Good day." And true to his words, anyone who doesn't make their way to the Dining Hall before noon will be dragged kicking and screaming regardless of where they've sequestered themselves. Sucks to be you, huh? Upon arriving there, however, residents will be given the menu, one copy of the rulebook, one pencil, one notepad, and a cheque folder. Lunch and dinner will be served at the appropriate times, and appetizers, desserts and beverages (of the non-alcoholic variety) will be available throughout the trial. All you have to do is ask one of the faceless men, and your food will be delivered to you in ten minutes or less depending on what it is. The Dining Room itself looks about the same as it does any other day — save for the fact that the lights have been dimmed. Why this, you ask? Because the projector is now in use. Transparencies containing each resident's profile will be displayed on the pull-down screen, with one of the staff members rotating through the images every minute. The profiles of the deceased are included, and if current discussion deems it necessary to focus on one particular resident, anyone is free to ask the faceless man to pause on the appropriate profile for a while. A small area has been sectioned off with a transparent, plastic curtain right next to the pull-down screen. Its use will become rapidly apparent once the victim's corpse has been wheeled in. Anyone who wishes to step into this area will be asked to wash their hands, and will be given a pair of latex-free gloves and a hairnet by a staff members who is stationed nearby. Residents are required to dispose of both items before returning to the dinner table; a trash bin is available outside of the curtains for this purpose. Evidence found during the investigation, on the other hand, will be displayed in the back of the room. Two, long tables have been taken out of storage for this occasion, and any items found by the residents on Friday will be displayed here for further examination. Finally — a clock above the pull-down screen displays the current hour. Please do remember you have until 9:00 PM to figure out whodunit and cast your vote. ( victims ) Characters will be given nine (9) hours to discuss everything related to the investigation to hopefully solve the mystery behind this week's murder. No one will be allowed to leave the Dining Hall, and all characters must cast their vote before 9PM EST. You may do so on this week's voting page. If you have any questions or doubts, shoot us a PM or a PP over at yuggoth. ( quick navigation ) voting | profiles | menu | locations | ic rulebook

Comments

[rextenebrae]

... I hope you managed to have gotten enough rest.

[ Seriously. Though, that being said, he goes straight to business. ]

I do have a question, however. Why did you leave your room?

[perceptions]

Not really. But thanks. [She'd much rather be in bed right now.] I was woken up before the grandfather clock bell - Saya, my roommate, was still asleep in her bed. There was an intense pounding in my head... not the fun kind either. I don't remember too well, but there was a voice.

[rextenebrae]

[ Poor Mira...he looks appropriately apologetic, but presses on, giving a nod at what she's said. ]

A...voice? If you're able to remember, did it sound like it lent towards a certain gender? Or do you happen to remember if there were any words you could make out?

[perceptions]

[She pauses for a moment, before shaking her head slowly.]

That voice... it wasn't man or woman. All I remember was that it was the worst sound I ever heard in my life... loud and screeching.

[rextenebrae]

[ That's ... disconcerting. ]

Do you remember if it lasted very long--or was it rather short?

[perceptions]

Long. It wouldn't stop for a second once it began, and I thought I was going to go insane. The room spun... and I felt myself move, but there was nothing but darkness in front of me.

When it finally stopped, I was at the lounge.

[vitamin_a]

Could that have been the Ghost's work?

[It does sound like you were being possessed, at least]

[perceptions]

Maybe it's that. Maybe just this place trying to make me vulnerable for a kill. All I know is I'll be having nightmares about it.

[rextenebrae]

[ He can easily see why she would. ]

...By the way, do you remember if Marty had been wearing gloves at the time he was attacking you?

[perceptions]

[She pauses for a moment, recollecting the scene.]

...Without. His hands were bare.