Game 105 - Trial 1 - The Slacker's Slumber

[crazynuto]

As soon as your investigations finish, the Judge escorts you to the Courtroom. A large circular stage has been set up, with spots for each of you (sans Qingque). A large ghostly hourglass hangs suspended from the ceiling, the sands dropping agonizingly slow, one grain after another.

The Judge seats at their Bench, holding a gavel high and slamming it onto the desk with a loud CLANG. The doors seal shut behind you. There's no escaping this now.

"Now begins the trial of The Slacker Qingque, and her murder. By the end of these proceedings, I shall require the following questions to be answered:

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1. What was Qingque’s cause of death? [10 points]

2. Who killed Qingque? [15 Points]

3. When did Qingque die? [5 points]

4. Where did Qingque die? [10 Points]

5. Was this a crime of passion/opportunity, or a planned murder? What evidence can you provide that suggests this? [5 points]

6. Were there any accomplices in this murder? If so, whom? [10 Points]

7. What items were used in this murder, and how? Where were they taken from and where did they end up? [10 points]

Locked Questions (0):

8. What was the accomplice’s role in this murder? [10 Points]

9. Did the accomplice act intentionally or unwittingly? [5 Points]

10. Were any powers used, if so, what were they? [5 Points]

11. What circumstances caused Qingque to be floating in the bay? [10 Points]

12. Just what happened in the theatre? [5 points]

Bonus Questions (1):
What is the Blackened’s Power Word? [Special Reward Only if Exactly Correct]

Trial Difficulty
Hard
Trial Threshold
70%

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You may discuss for 48 hours (with an extension if needed), upon which an Answer Thread (and any remaining locked questions) will be unlocked. For 24 hours after that, you may submit your answers. Each answer will be submitted individually in a Google Form, and we shall take the most common answers as a group consensus.

Oh...and one final bit of detail on the victim:

Number 7 - Slacker

Passive Ability: Slow Day - You slack off so much, the calming energy radiates off of you. NPCs, Objects and Vehicles all act/move/work slower while around you, except when you directly interact with them.

Active Ability: Care for a game of Celestial Jade? - Upon invoking your word, Slacker, you exude a... gaming?? aura, giving everyone in your immediate vicinity a 50% chance to agree to play Celestial Jade with you, forfeiting their action. (And follow you to where you set up the game) If you are Blackened, you can choose a specific target, and they'll automatically fail their next action.

[༺☆Venelop3☆༻]

"Okay will firstly we should get something out of the way as the finder of the body. I believe the important times to not 7:30pm to 8pm (A4). At 7:30pm I was here stabbed the Judge's chair. If you look up there you can see the evidence of that. Sorry I was releasing some anger. I did that for probably about 10 minutes until I was satisfied and then decided to leave. As I left the Courthouse, a large wave of water splashed over me, and covered all of Edict Avenue. The water's current was rough and fast, and dragged me off down the street into the Docks, where I clung onto the docks to avoid being sucked out to open water. Eventually the water flow subsided enough for me to scramble to shore. As I sat on the docks recovering, I saw a lifeless form bobbing up and down by the shore, near the giant Sewer Pipe that was ejecting water. After another glance around, the only thing I saw was a pure white cat with piercing blue eyes. I spent the next half an hour (A5) trying to shout and get peoples attention and after failing that I grabbed a canoe and made my way other to Qingque's body."

"I then investigated her body. Qingque's body was incredibly cold to the touch, matching the temperature of the water we were in. She is bleeding from the front right of her head, and is covered in small bumps and bruises. There is then a large amount of  literal faecal matter over her body, I actually had to scrape this off so I could identify her. I presume she came from the sewer pipe. Prodding at the wounds, I could see that her head injury was inflicted by a thin sturdy blunt weapon, likely 2-4 cm wide. The other wounds on her body are all more scrapes and bruises than anything more substantial, presumingly from coming out of the Sewer Pipe. I pressed on her chest and water also leaked out of her mouth. The water is surprisingly salty. There is a question about did she fully die from the blunt force and then swallowed water in the pipe, but is the water in the pipe salty? Is this just leftover water from the docks after? I don't know. Finally however after observing the bloody wound on her head I have discovered that these injuries likely occurred around Action 4. (7:30pm to 8pm) Meaning the wound was inflicted probably between 7:30-7:40pm whilst I was stabbing the Judge's chair. Other things would of been set up pre-emptively? Is there a way to make the docks flood the street during the tide coming in?"

"Anyway, that is all I have that I believe will be helpful to this investigation."

[verylukely]

Allow me to recount the results of my investigation. Ahem

He flips open a notepad and begins squinting at it, recounting his notes.

Docks (2 Credits)

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• Docks entrenched in salty water. Most concentrated at the edges.

• Water Temperature: Ice Cold

• Sewage Pipe to the left of docks. Leaking sewage water into the bay.

• Small sign hidden under lamppost reading "Danger: Heroin! Do not swim!"

• Evidence bag floating at the top of the bay. It is, indeed, Heroin. Leaking into the bay.

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Ah, I must admit, since it's going to come out eventually. The last two points... May have been caused by me. I too, of course, plan on giving testimony. It is natural to suspect somebody who was at the crime scene, but I assure you my actions can be accounted for and properly explained. As soon as I... Think of how to best explain them.

He looks down sadly at the wet, leaking bag of Heroin in his hands, realizing that he may have hastily chosen a poor method of disposal.

Hmm...

Bank (2 Credits)

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• Very messy. (Apparently, it's original state, from what I heard. I did not go there myself.)

• Small amount of gold bars found hidden away in corner of bank. Dusty, but now marked with handprints.

• The following safety deposit boxes have been unlocked:

Unlabeled Box - Singular gold bar inside.

Number 11 - Empty

Number 12 - Empty

Number 14 - Clump of blonde hair inside.

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The hair... I believe I know where that came from, too, but that one was not my fault. This, too, will be summarized in due time.

(He glares at Perv)

[Jackie :3 (Bloom/Pollen)]

“Uh yeah. What they said about the body is right. But uh is Miku going to be okay?” *Gary is nervous but comes back to his senses* “Right. We need to find out who- did this. Uhm I was at the bank from the start of tonight where I took some gold. It was already on the floor and I’m not giving it back [6:10] I then hopped aboard the Tram to ride to the hotel with Perv and Sanji. Haru and [REDACTED] got off though” [6:20] *Gary stops for a moment debating on Something* “when we got there a few others were there including Zoro who started fighting Sanji and then Perv got involved. [6:30]

“I got bedsheets. Don’t ask why or what kind. But I changed my bed so yeah.” [6:40] “With being told to destroy something Valuable to us I took a medal I earned and threw it in front of the tracks. [6:50] “I hopped back on the tram where those two. *Points at Sanji and Zoro* “Were fighting I didn’t get involved. [7:00]

“From this point everything was at the theater for me. Besides the ride to the theater. [7:10] From then to around the end of the play [8:00] everything was normal but then… It’s a blur. I was going to go back to the bank but before I could I got flashed by a camera. Someone fell or at least heard a Thud. And when I got my vision back Miku was on the stage stabbed. Luckily she was alive.”

[Ktoasty]

MC is stunned by the amount of gruesome detail Saya goes into on Qingque's body. Still, it must have been an even worse experience for her seeing it all first-hand. He adds some of his insight after hearing the full autopsy report.

"Qingque was attacked at A4? That's the same time that the show happened at the Moonlight Theatre."

"I was there to see the show. During the first 20 minutes, the rats were performing almost in slow motion, kinda like The Hoarder testified. I couldn't see who was in the theatre until A5 because the lights were dimmed for the performance, but if Qingque was there for part of it, then her passive ability would explain the slowness."

He thinks on the flooding for a moment.

"As for the gush of water, Saya, you said it splashed over you. That means it would've come from above, which is... really weird for salty water. It makes me think someone used their power word to cause the flood on the street."

[Skullmaster4]

Sayori, at least on the outside, seems to have made a full recovery after being hugged by MC.

"Ehe~ Sorry about earlier everyone! I wasn't myself at all! MC is totally right! We have to work together to get out of this situation, so keep in good spirits everyone! Yay~"

She then gets just a little bit somber.




"Oh poor Qinque.. The last time I saw her last night was right before the show. Me, Qinque, Petra and Gary were in our seats early" (Late A3) "Some more people came in after that, but I couldn't see any of their faces. I just don't know what could have happened to her during that time.."

"Did anyone else feel like the show dragged on a little bit?"

[Jackie :3 (Bloom/Pollen)]

“So if it was A4 then why did Qingque leave before the show started or during it? That is what confuses me now. Was it just boring or were they lured out?”

[⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆]

Zoro looks somewhat bruised, and keeps shooting glances at Sanji. He doesn't look like he wants to speak, but he does anyway. Y'know, someone did just die.

"I checked out the Inn. Smelled good, but that's 'cause someone made cookies." Again his eyes flit to Sanji. "The kitchen was where most of the info I got was from. There was a cheesecake with a slice cut out of it and some baking supplies missing. Someone also left a girly ass tea set on a table in the Reading Room. Smelled all herbal and Kuma!.

"Oh, and three doors weren't closed properly. Those would be Natsuki's, Gary's, and..." He swallows hard. "...Sanji's. Natsuki's bed and Sanji's bed looked used and Gary's had new sheets. But I don't know who used the beds, okay? It definitely wasn't me."

For a moment he takes out his frustrations by swinging his swords maniacally at a nearby wall. Then he seems to regain his composure and adds, "Last time I saw that Qinque chick was during A2 when we all got on the tram together at the hotel station. She and Sayori got off the tram together at the central station. And then I never saw her again."

[Ktoasty]

"I can explain why Natsuki's door was left that way."

MC turns to Zoro and shares his account of the start of the night.

"[REDACTED], Sayori, Petra, Haru, and I were all riding to the hotel side with Natsuki after her fall. It was thanks to [REMOVED]'s quick first aid that Natsuki was able to hang in there. Once the tram arrived at the station, I ran to the Inn with her, and the Caretaker was able to treat her in her room."

"We sat in her room for a bit to look through the satchel she got from the Office Complex rooftop, when suddenly Qingque burst into the room wanted to know what we were whispering about. Natsuki ran out fast, so I followed after her, so that's why the door wasn't closed all the way. I passed by Petra, Zoro, and Sayori as I left the Inn. We both got onto the Hotel tram and passed Gary, Perv, and Sanji hopping off there. Finally, Yuri was waiting at the Central Tram Station when our tram arrived."

[Vulpix]

Jan 6, 2024 17:26:59 GMT -6 Ktoasty said:

"I can explain why Natsuki's door was left that way."

MC turns to Zoro and shares his account of the start of the night.

"[REDACTED], Sayori, Petra, Haru, and I were all riding to the hotel side with Natsuki after her fall. It was thanks to [REMOVED]'s quick first aid that Natsuki was able to hang in there. Once the tram arrived at the station, I ran to the Inn with her, and the Caretaker was able to treat her in her room."

"We sat in her room for a bit to look through the satchel she got from the Office Complex rooftop, when suddenly Qingque burst into the room wanted to know what we were whispering about. Natsuki ran out fast, so I followed after her, so that's why the door wasn't closed all the way. I passed by Petra, Zoro, and Sayori as I left the Inn. We both got onto the Hotel tram and passed Gary, Perv, and Sanji hopping off there. Finally, Yuri was waiting at the Central Tram Station when our tram arrived."

Natsuki nods her confirmation.

"Yeah. I don't remember seeing Qingque again after that. MC was with me all night, so I know he didn't kill her."

"I investigated the Courthouse, just in case. And I found some knife marks in the Judge's chair, as if someone was attacking the chair for some reason. Judge, can you verify what happened with that?"

"I wonder if that was the same knife that stabbed Hatsune Miku... Hey, where is that knife now, anyway? Do you still have it, Miku?"



"Or did Yuri steal it already?"

[crazynuto]

Jan 6, 2024 17:47:08 GMT -6 Vulpix said:

Judge, can you verify what happened with that?"

Judge looks at their chair, then does a double take.

HEY WHO DID THI-I mean um...oh of course I know who did this, and I allowed it to happen.

Rest assured they will be punished severely.

[crazynuto]

Jan 6, 2024 16:33:31 GMT -6 Jackie :3 (Bloom/Pollen) said:

And when I got my vision back Miku was on the stage stabbed. Luckily she was alive.”

Jan 6, 2024 16:38:18 GMT -6 Ktoasty said:

"I was there to see the show. During the first 20 minutes, the rats were performing almost in slow motion, kinda like The Hoarder testified.

QUESTION UNLOCKED

12. Just what happened in the theatre? [5 Points]

[SmolBagel]

“Ugh, I suppose I’ll help out if it means I can get out of here sooner. From 7:30 to 8:30 (so the whole of A4 and A5) I was in the Moonlight Theatre. The play started really slow and I don’t mean the story, it was as if the actors were moving in slow motion. After about 20 minutes from the start the actors finally started to move at a normal pace. Weird, but eh, whatever. Would’ve loved it if there were some beautiful women among the cast, but they were all rats. After the play ended, some camera flash blinded me and the whole theatre got covered by some pitch black darkness. In 20 minutes the lights came back on. Hmmm… what else was there… ah right, after the lights came back on Hatsune Miku was on stage with a knife in her shoulder. One other thing, I saw Fu Xuan staring over the water by the docks at 7:20, seems suspicious if you ask me.”

“HHUUU-aaaaAAAAAAAAAHHHH” After yawning loudly Perv continues.

“After we gathered by the docks, I went to the theatre to investigate. There were a bunch of weird flyers lying about. It says the performance is called “The Quest for Cheesetopia” or “Scurry: A Tale of Lost Dream”, eh I don’t really know the words keep changing. The play was suppose to start at exactly 7:30 and run for exactly 30 minutes. There was a red cloak, a pool of blood relatively small in size and a sacrificial dagger which was covered in blood on the stage. I also found a small syringe hidden by the seats, filled about halfway with a liquid that has an odor resembling that of nutmeg. By the red cloak were also a few drops of what I presume to be from said liquid, due to both having the same distinct aroma. There were two rats sharing a slice of cheesecake in the back of the show by an open fuse box, one was a random Valet Rat and the other was the star of the show. The fuse box controls the lighting of the whole building and it is about the height of a rat.“

[Peregrine]

Vulpix said:

"I wonder if that was the same knife that stabbed Hatsune Miku... Hey, where is that knife now, anyway? Do you still have it, Miku?"

"Or did Yuri steal it already?"

Yuri's incredibly good mood appears to have soured once again.




"Could you p-please refrain from the incriminating comments? I did no such thing!"


She takes a deep breath and attempts to speak up.




"I can... corroborate Tetsuo's investigation of the Docks, but nothing more than that. The only immediately relevant information I have is that the Docks are where I began my night. I spent a short while there speaking with the Hoarder, but left to catch the 6:30 Tram to return to the Inn. It was when I arrived at the Hotel Tram Station at 6:40 that I spotted Qingque there with a group of people. I believe that's the only time I saw her all night."

[crazynuto]

Jan 6, 2024 16:38:18 GMT -6 Ktoasty said:

me think someone used their power word to

Unlocked new question!

Were any powers used, if so, what were they? [5 Points]