( 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

[curedham]

Do you truly think that outcome so likely? I have conquered demons whose powers would make the ones at work here seem like...at the risk of seeming crass, child's play. I will far sooner face the unknown.

[blacktailed]

I know how demons work as well - better and more intimately than you ever could. Do you think the years I have lived are a lie?

[so much for keeping that hardcore under wraps. but she's stressed, and scared, and she'd rather show her fangs than shrink away. she barely keeps the words I am one from slipping out.]

And I know that this would only make them laugh, and make our deaths that much more painful if any of this could be perceived as a slight. Walk into the unknown, but don't be surprised if you come back missing part of yourself if you come back at all.

[curedham]

[L'Arachel tilts her head just so, perhaps catching an implication without being willing to insist on it—but there's a look of fierce certainty on her face.]

You underestimate my experience and skills. [A slight, condescending sort of harrumph as she lifts her chin.] I shall not walk into the unknown. I shall march there once more, boldly as ever. This will not be the first time I have done so, nor the last. All this time, my own light has been enough to keep me whole, and I have no doubt this will persist as well.

[blacktailed]

This is bigger than whatever you've dealt with. And here, we have nothing to combat it save our wits.

[no claws, no wings. no magic that hums beneath her borrowed skin and is fed with blood.]

If you've fought off demons while being nothing but human, then my sincere apologies, but it's not something a pure human is capable of. The risk is too high.

[curedham]

I see. Then you truly do not understand.

[She turns her face away, just so.]

Your apology is acknowledged and met with appreciation, but not acceptance. Humans have the very light necessary to see these beings brought to their ends. It is told in the stories of the Demon King's birth, and I have not only witnessed it but brought it to fruition with my own hands come his revival and second, eternal vanquishing.

In this world, I've no proof to offer of the power this took and the strength of the forces slain by my hands and my army's. I can only offer assurance of my utmost certainty in my skill, and in my understanding of the darkness. I know well what I have seen and what I have done.