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

[transparentanswer]

No dice, Prince Fancypants. You're just gonna make yourself look more suspicious.

[trettende]

Ah... very well, then.

[ HAha... well, he's gonna strip, right. Except well, when he takes his sweater off, something kind of falls to the ground?

Just, uh.

Well.

Guess who has the third knife.

Yeah, it's Hans. ]

Um. I can explain.

[happydreamed]

I would very much appreciate it if you explained.

[trettende]

[ You would question a man when he's half-naked??? ]

I took this knife last night. For self-defense.

[ Being cautious never felt so bad. ]

With this many strangers and all that talk of murder, I thought it'd be safer to arm myself, you know?

MODS

[happydreamed]

[ABSOLUTELY]

I see. I can understand the feeling.

[However, he's still going to pick up that knife and examine it for anything on it. More hair fibers? Clothing fibers? Tiny flakes of blood?]

[jinglehellmods]

[ There's nothing on this knife. Nothing but Hans' last dreams of credulity, anyway. ]

[happydreamed]

[Sigh.]

This knife is clean. Without further evidence, I would be willing to believe that you are merely paranoid and not a murderer.

But you will still have to take off the rest of your clothes.

[transparentanswer]

Are you kidding me?! You can't...you can't hide shit like that!

[HE LOOKS LIKE HES ABOUT TO SHOVE YOU BUT DOESNT]

[trettende]

Well, it doesn't really work to keep me safe if I tell everyone about it, does it?

[ Kind of puts a huge target on your head, dude. ]

[transparentanswer]

Did you have that in our room!?

[codeofmisconduct]

[The guys being together for this does you a great disservice. Because guess who's eye's are narrowed on you.]

I especially would like to hear it.

[trettende]

[ Urk. He's gonna die. Arai's gonna kill him. This is the second case already. ]

It's like I said... I took a knife from the knife block yesterday night so that I could defend myself in case I was attacked! Haven't you ever had to sleep with a knife under your pillow? Even my brothers did that much.

[ yeah, it's always about your bros ain't it, hans ]

[commemoration]

... I have never rested like that before? Is that the appropriate way to do so?

[princesstarshine]

No. Oh my god, you're so pure, don't listen to this guy.

[commemoration]

Why? Did he say something wrong?

[trettende]

It's something of a figure of speech, but it can become more literal if you're used to being terrorized at night by your family.

[ Dead stare. Hans... Just Hans. ]

[commemoration]

Oh dear... that's a terrible predicament to be in...

[codeofmisconduct]

And you didn't think to mention it even after a murder occurred? It would have been much better to say half an hour ago or so, rather than this way-- don't you think?

[he's taking a step. two steps... closer... yeah bye Hans.]

[trettende]

When exactly was I supposed to mention it?

[ Maybe around here? ]

"Oh, I see there's been a murder! How awful! This is exactly why I carry a knife with me at all times."

That would have been an admission of guilt if you'd asked anyone!

[thatdarkmage]

[ What a terrible liar. ]

[viperess]

[ STERN. LOOK. hans ]

[originallutece]

You do realize how suspicious this makes you look, yes?

[BUDDY SHE LIKED YOU . . . ]

[trettende]

Yes! That's why I didn't say anything sooner.

[ I mean, he's not that dumb (is he?) ]

[originallutece]

[That's fair, and she tips her head, acknowledging that.]

As it stands, while this is . . . unfortunate, it doesn't automatically mean you're guilty. None of the other evidence lines up-- your hair wasn't a match, and though you're armed, the knife appears to be unused.

[trettende]

Exactly! It's not unheard of for a man to arm himself when placed in a dangerous situation.

[ Which this undoubtedly is... ]

My knife is clean. I haven't used it, I was merely keeping it hidden in hopes of keeping myself safe.