WEEK 1 || act: indict

[foundationmods]

[Saturday dawns, bright and early again - and Undyne comes to the inn, flanked by the Royal Guard...all of the Dogs in the area, in their armor or uniforms.

You all only have enough time to get ready - wash yourselves, put on your masks and clothing - before you're ushered out, guarded so heavily that it's clear they expect trouble. Monsters on the way watch you warily, whispering and either looking angry or shocked.

It's clear they no longer have such kind thoughts of you, after what happened.

You're all lead out past Snowdin and Waterfall, into an area that's hot, and the glow of subterranian lava lights the area. Then, past a large hotel...into an area that looks metallic, where some kind of whitish, rainbow-gleaming liquid can be seen below.

In this area, you are led to a wider platform that is still open to the liquid before, with the handrails in place - where there are some seats around, and a familiar face waiting to speak with you.

This...for all of you, it is a familiar sight.

It is a trial location.

You are here to find the killer...and convict one of your own, in a murder that makes no sense.

But you have no choice.

You can only forge ahead....and try to find out the truth.]

VICTIM: HIMEKO INABA
ACT: VOTE

Comments

[foundationmods]

[In front of you all, before a very clear throne...is the Monster you all first saw. But, instead of the kind, motherly monster you originally met...there is nothing but a queen, staring down impassively at all you, a crown on her head and her robes very clearly made from higher quality materials.

When she speaks, it's with all the bearing and aloofness of a ruler - at those she would call her subjects.]

You have been gathered here today for the murder of a Monster - a child Monster, who came here with all of you.

...We are a kind and peaceful folk. Accidents have occurred, but for over 1000 years, we have not had a murder of our own kind among us....until now. Not until your arrival.

Monsters from the surface. I choose to believe that not all of you are such cruel, callous killers - and so, I am giving you the chance to find the killer among you, and bring them to justice. You will vote on who you believe it is, [Gesturing to the papers, pens, and box set on the table] and then we will imprison them for their crimes.

If a murder occurs after this, we will not be so lenient. We are giving you a chance to atone - an act of MERCY. You will have six hours to discuss among you and find the killer, and if one is not found, then we will imprison all of you.

....

[foundationmods]

[And when she speaks again, after....it's in the tones of a mother.]

I am very disappointed in all of you.

[And then...she goes to sit on the throne, and watch the proceedings.]

EVIDENCE GATHERING

[foundationmods]

[Put all evidence descriptions here!]

Footprints

[soupervillain]

[ Here's Giovanni, looking kind of subdued, which is a pretty big deal, for Giovanni. But it's fine. ]

Okay, so I noticed these footprints near the river.

[ He holds up his smartphone so the others can see a photo of what are clearly human shoe prints. ]

Looks like they were shorter than me, maybe 5'6" or 5'7"? They had blood on their shoes, but it seems like they washed it off in the river and then headed back into town. All I got.

The Body of Evidence of the Body

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He's subdued, the dog mask is on his face today even if it's not needed - what they'll see is a dog with his ears pinned back and tail between his legs. He has his phone and will show everyone pictures he has taken of the scene on request]

I examined the body of the victim. She was shot in the head at close range with a large caliber weapon, most likely a rifle.

After that... Someone stabbed her three times with something thin, like a pick or a thin sword like a rapier or foil - hitting the lungs and her heart and they were deep - it looked as if She was lying on the ground when she was stabbed. They left a handprint impression indicating They're stronger than normal, and they're a little wider and smaller than my own and there were no fingerprints - so we're likely looking for a man.

Miss Clarke managed to determine her death was between 1 and 2 am.

[homeecspacecop]

Near the footprints, we found drag marks. It looked like fabric scraping across the ground when they left.

Re: EVIDENCE GATHERING

[oceanicbutterfly]

There...

[Karen looks shaky. Wasn't she open about expecting murders before?]

There was blood pooled under her.

[ugly_split_ends]

[Fukawa zaps herself with her stun gun long enough to let Genocider Shou out.]

Oh! It's this time, huh? Kyehahaha!

You might not need me to say this, but speaking as a professional, whoever stabbed the victim has definitely had experience doing so. Though in what capacity, that's up for grabs.

Also, the stab marks looked a little off.

[onemolife]

[ He's pale, breaking out in a sweat, and removing himself from whomever he clung on to on the walk to the core. Time to go to the other side of the room from the guards. ]

[cw_suicide]

[probably at least one of the people he was clinging to, and trying not to do that himself honestly. dogs... why... why so many...]

[white_camellia]

[Time to shift the mask onto her face properly and try to be a proper curtain, keep the dogs out of his sight.]

[homeecspacecop]

If you did it, just confess. Don't drag this out longer than it needs to be.

[ugly_split_ends]

L-Like it's ever that easy...

[cw_suicide]

Assuming that there's a choice in that is dangerous. We've had people who've wanted to confess before but couldn't.

We don't know motive or incentive.

[hatesdeerstalkers]

...I hardly think that'll happen.

[JUST. SAYING?]

[le_mat]

[He shakes his head sadly]

Sorry Chuuta. This won't be like before- considering there's no incentive if one of us DID do this... they aren't going to be the type to buckle. Especially now that death is off the table for everyone too.

[ugly_split_ends]

[It's one step above Monokuma showing up on the monitor and telling them to get in the damn elevator. No, she almost would have preferred that compared to this and a whole group of monsters angry at them. In particular, the tone of voice the so-called "Queen" was using was triggering bad memories, and with it, indescribably spiteful emotions...

...but she'll force that down. She has to.]

Nnnnggghh...

[lovecolored]

...you okay?

[ Fukawa-level okay, she means. ]

CAT...HERDING?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[There's a sharp clap from Moriarty, as he straightens up and clears his throat, his face carefully blank and impassive - a far cry from the sorrow he'd just shown.]

Well. I believe the time for deliberation has passed, hasn't it? You have determined the killer, regardless of motive.

...I, Apparently, was the murderer.

Therefore, your duty is to vote.

Re: CAT...HERDING?

[justonezero]

Moriarty...

[He hates this. He hates this so much.]

[finalring]

Are you...certain about this? You don't even remember doing it!

[white_camellia]

...Of course. I do not know how you will be treated here, but... As I have said before. Keep yourself safe. We will do our best to keep her safe on our side.

[accessorytomurder]

We've determined the greater configuration of the murder weapon.

Re: CAT...HERDING?

[oceanicbutterfly]

[...

So they just write down the name of whoever they think was responsible for Inaba's death, right?]

VERDICT - 1/???

[foundationmods]

[The votes are counted - and Toriel, looking as stern as she has, proclaims the verdict.]

...Then, James Moriarty - the Human - is the culprit, as voted by all of you...and confessed to.

[The Monsters around start to hiss and make a fuss - mostly of anger and how they should have never trusted a human - before a side glance from Toriel quiets them down.]

Among the votes was many a plea for MERCY...one that we will be giving. Unlike those among the surface, we will not execute even a Murderer. However, he will most likely never be coming out of that cell again.

[Moriarty, to his credit, doesn't flinch. He remains as calm as he had been upon telling them to vote for him, merely taking out what looks like an act command out of his coat, and tossing it over to the nearest member of the group.

It reads: 'Protect.']

...?

...Captain of the guard. Please, take him away.

2/???

[foundationmods]

Right.

[Undyne seems calm and set, a stark difference from how boisterous she normally is. Such a serious time calls for being serious, though.

She looks over to one of the other guards- the Greater Dog- and nods at him to help her. Then she steps towards Moriarty.]

Let's get you to your cell.