trustfelled | Take Responsibility.

As before, once the investigation is done the corridor at the northwestern edge of the foyer opens up; it wasn't open, and then it simply was, and the hallway is no less claustrophobic as you enter it.

And the podium circle still stands in the middle of the courtroom at the end of those tightly enclosed walls – though the journey may be a bit less cramped, given that there are fewer of you than there were the last time you traversed it. Rideaux, Chitoge and William have joined those with podiums draped in black, their framed, greyed-out profile portraits keeping a watchful eye over the rest of you.

Presumably, they're doing so along with Juri; he's nowhere to be seen, but judging from the feeling permeating the room, someone – or something – certainly does see you. Either way, you'll be addressed once you've all found your spots in the circle.

"Unconventional is dead; whatever the reason was hardly matters by now. Clearly, whomever acted knew what they were doing; the completion of Rule Seven is possibly on the table for them, as is taking advantage of the incentive if they succeed.

It's your job to hold them responsible. Good luck."

Twenty-four Competitors remain. How many leave this place is up to you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maybe one of those throwing knives landed? But no one here seems wounded that I can see.

That could be where the slivers of metal came from, however.

Do you think they were wearing something metal to protect themselves, then? And maybe the knife hit that?

I believe it's likely.

And no one found what the metal slivers came from when we were investigating?

No. All I know is that the pieces of metal I found were not from one of the throwing knives. Outside of that, I have no idea what they might belong to.

Well, if no one could find it... maybe it's something the killer still has on them?

I think that's possible. Should we do a check on that as well?

Probably, but... we would need a really effective way to check. There's a lot of things that can be metal.

Yeah, the metal might've protected them for a good amount if we're assuming its armor, but...if we're lucky the killer could have it still on them. The thing was a bit shiny right? It should be easy to identify.

And another thought--

Maybe the killer wound up getting wounded anyway-- for all we know one of the knives could have hit its mark and the culprit decided to hide the bloody knife on their person or...in their room I guess. I mean there's only the one wound on the back of the dead guy's head, but somehow there's drops of blood and a giant blood smear on the wall there.

For some reason I doubt the killer would have touched the back of the dead guy's head just because. You mentioned that the killer could have grabbed something involuntarily though, so I think there might be something to that.

Not to mention, it wouldn't really make sense if it were Flemming's hand print on the wall, because with a head wound like that you'd be dead pretty quick.

So... metal check and wound check?

[...]

That probably means stripping for real this time, doesn't it?

Yeah, I'm thinking so.

[ BUT SINCE HE DID THE SUGGESTION LAST TIME STRIP CHECKS CAME UP AS A POSSIBILITY... he's not doing it!! ]

To make it easier, think we're going to want to start with the metal check first.

And if anyone's going to undress, it likely only needs to be the guys since the evidence is pointing at them.

There's no need to make the girls uncomfortable needlessly.

[MAN........... HE DOESN'T WANT TO STRIP...]

Even those of us with slender builds?

[ do you want inigo to strip tho ]

[..............

sacrifices can be made towards this goal]

[Wuss.]

All of us should. Tis only fair.

For fairness's sake, then.

(no subject)

onedrinkwithme - 2016-07-23 19:18 (UTC) - Expand

oasisrose - 2016-07-23 19:13 (UTC) - Expand

onedrinkwithme - 2016-07-23 19:15 (UTC) - Expand

I... have to strip for metal check too, at least partway, so.

...I'm pretty sure we can rule you out, Angel.

didntgetdadslooks - 2016-07-23 19:19 (UTC) - Expand

glaciates - 2016-07-23 19:20 (UTC) - Expand

Then I'm sure everyone else will understand if you opt out. We can worry about it if we run out of leads with the men, and we're far from that.

[She offers an encouraging smile.]

didntgetdadslooks - 2016-07-23 19:22 (UTC) - Expand

We're getting into this again?

[Like if it solves the crime whatever but god people.]

Aw, don't tell me we all have to take our clothes off again.

I know I don't want that.

"Again"? Most people have barely even rolled up their sleeves.