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

[radicalsix]

[ She understands, when he shrugs her off. When he turns away. She's seen people grieve. It's part of her job description.

But it really never gets easier to watch it happen. Especially when you're grieving, too.

She stays put, right next to him. ]

...That's not true.

[ None of it's true. It's not stupid. There's a reason to cry. He looks like he's right on the verge of breaking.

And so does she. How pathetic must she look? A grown woman who can't even comfort a teenage boy without looking like she's about to burst into tears-- ]

It's not true at all.

[transparentanswer]

[Shintaro finds himself leaning against her, not because he wants to, but because he might collapse if he doesn't. She's so weak, Diana. Maybe as weak as he is. Probably not as worthless though. What can he even do? What does he have?]

It is true. This is all...just a bunch of nonsense.

It's not worth it.

It's not...worth it...[his voice breaks, a signal for him to shut up]