on the third day of christmas my true love gave to me a trial to see whodunit

[jinglehellmods]

WHO KILLED CHRISTMAS?

Four hours pass. Thug Dangerzone and Brasco move all the tables together (with no help from Starshine) and the "trial room" such that it is, is set. One long table with plenty of standing room if you aren't feeling like getting buddy buddy with your new best friends. No one seems to have wanted to move the body, so right next to the long table is Kido, sort of covered with the tablecloth. (Was it made to be a reminder, of what you've lost? Or are they just lazy?)

On each spot at the table is a sandwich and apple cider, and that basket sits ominously in the middle of the table as a gruesome centerpiece reminder. Next to the food is a pen and a small notebook, like the kind they use on police procedural.

After everyone is seated, or at least standing awkwardly around, Starshine goes to stand at the head of the table and claps her hands to get everyone's attention. "Hello everyone. I hope you used your four hours wisely!" She sets a piece of paper on the table, with a variety of names. "Here's your suspect list. We were doing a little digging while you guys were busy poking around, so we've determined it's one of these idiots. Please discuss among yourself who did it. When you're ready, write their name on the paper and hand it to one of us and we'll count. When a majority of you have all written the same name, we'll stop. Or, uh, I guess if you waste enough of our time."

She looks from Brasco to Thug Dangerzone and then back to the table and the gathered masses. She waves her hand in a sweeping gesture in front of everyone, "Let the Hunger Games begin!"

23 GUESTS REMAIN

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Comments

[snackhabit]

Do you know if who he was talking to was male or female? That could help dwindle our suspect list a bit. Perhaps you heard more than I did when he was called out of the room.

[happydreamed]

...Ries, you said that you fell asleep last night. Was there any reason not to use the bed?

[snackhabit]

Huh? I did use the bed. I just happened to make it in the morning. I'm used to cleaning and morning duty, so I wanted to make sure the bed was made nice for Kido when he came back...

[She sighs.]

I guess that won't be happening now.

[happydreamed]

[He glances at Chuuya, but he's willing to believe that a nun's definition of 'making the bed' resembles 'pristine and unused', okay.]

Did it not seem strange to you that he had not returned by the time you woke up?

[snackhabit]

Not really? I mean, perhaps they were talking all night. Some people are like that. Or maybe he was hungry and wanted to spend some time in the kitchen.

[happydreamed]

All night?

[...Well, he'd believe that Ries might do that herself sometimes...]

[snackhabit]

Some people just want a midnight snack, okay?

[happydreamed]

'Twas not meant as an attack on your food habits.

[snackhabit]

[She doesn't believe him.]

[doublesmall]

They weren't talking loudly enough for me to tell, sorry. I could just tell it was a couple voices.

[snackhabit]

A shame. I suppose the other person was careful not to disclose themselves.

[doublesmall]

It's not like anyone would think two people having a conversation at night was suspicious, anyway-- at least not before this. Didn't seem worth getting up for.

[snackhabit]

That's true. There was no reason to be suspicious of that at all. I... honestly feel kind of awful now. I... could have saved his life.

[doublesmall]

Yeah, well, at least now we know we apparently need to keep an eye out. "Could have" doesn't do a thing for anyone, don't bother with it.

[snackhabit]

Still...

[She looks distraught now.]

[doublesmall]

You can throw yourself a pity party, or you can put it behind you and focus on what actually matters right now. Pick one.

[snackhabit]

[She snaps out of it at this point.]

I'll focus!