Game 105 - Trial 2 - You are the Ocean's Gray Waves

[Vulpix]

Jan 27, 2024 7:39:14 GMT -6 Peregrine said:

SmolBagel said:

”[...] Also a blood soaked sweater hidden in Yuri’s suitcase inside her room.”

"..."

"That was—"

Natsuki searches for the words to explain.

"Well, I have these first aid kits, see?"

She pulls one from her satchel—she seems to have a habit of finding them, since there are at least three. She opens up the one she took out to show to everyone. It contains (among other things) a plastic bag of coagulated blood.

"Yuri was... she started freaking out at, like, [A2]. I didn't know what to do—it was freaking me out. So I just panicked and threw the thing I had in my hands at her. I hoped it would snap her out of it, but it didn't..."

"I'm really sorry, okay?!"

She sniffles back her tears, trying to get herself under control again.

"Anyway, that's why her sweater was covered in blood."

Jan 27, 2024 14:44:41 GMT -6 verylukely said:

Jan 26, 2024 23:51:21 GMT -6 Ktoasty said:

"The second time was in the middle of A3. After I took the tram back to Central Station, I went to the Docks to pick up some shells for Doemu's home. Petra burst out of the water with arms full of shells, it looked like the ones for Sayori's necklace. She gave me some before diving back underwater. It must have been a power word ability, because she didn't come up again for the full 10 minutes I was there."

"We know her power word ability is related to water and named "Ocean"... As evident by causing the flood in the last trial. But even if it's something vague like "Manipulating the Ocean" it still seems like a stretch to use that to breathe underwater..."

"Additionally, for her to use her power word so nonchalantly when she knew she could be a target seems exceedingly foolish for her. I feel like it is more likely that this was her passive ability, meaning that her power word ability may have still been in play during the crime."

---

Jan 27, 2024 11:42:44 GMT -6 Skullmaster4 said:

"Ah- but there was something weird about the smoke- When the computer exploded into a mess of smoke and sparks, the fog seemed to latch onto the smoke, spreading it out, making it impossible to see. M-Maybe I'm thinking too much into it, but could it have been a power word?"

"Power words, huh?"

"Hmm. I suppose now we can't deny their potential involvement... I will entertain this line of questioning and go down the list of suspects."

"Monika's power word was "Console"... We don't know the details, but perhaps this could have been used to manipulate computers somehow? That seems like a stretch. Was the Monika we knew a tech wiz of any sort? The alternative definition of Console would perhaps be calming emotions, that would be a useful tool if you were being attacked... I don't see how that could have been involved, though."

"Petra's, well, even I know that water destroys computers. But surely that would have left behind some trace, no?"

"Finally, we must consider an unknown third-party power word user. Well... this gets in speculation territory beyond my capabilities. However, we can at least discuss people that we have already seen use a power word ability."

"Yuri's is clearly showcased before us. And, while concerning for the purposes of this trial, seems useless for the purpose of causing a computer malfunction."

"Mine has been activated near the beginning of both trials. Nobody else wishes to take credit for the locked question mysteriously unlocking, yes? And I think that it goes without saying that this does not hack a computer."

He leans back, thinking deeply.

"Really? Surely there's been more than two... Is there anybody who I'm missing?"

"And Petra couldn't have used her powers tonight."

"Because I used her word!"

"Last night, she did something bad, and she hurt my friend's feelings. I was mad! So I guessed her word. I took away her powers so she couldn't use them to hurt anybody again."

"But that Monika, or Veronika, or whoever she was... I don't trust her. I gave her a present. I baked some cupcakes especially for her. I gave them to her at [A3], and we rode the Orange Tram together with Gary to the Central Tram Station. I was still feeling upset about what happened with Yuri, so I didn't try talking to either of them. But Monika also didn't say anything, which seems kind of weird since today she kept trying to talk to me as if she knew me. She didn't even say thanks for the cupcakes!"

"By the way, Sanji, thanks for the cupcakes! There are too many for me to eat by myself, so I brought them with me to share here. Anyone wanna try one?"

Natsuki offers the tray around.

"It's a good thing I investigated the Inn, otherwise I'd never have gotten them. I hand-delivered the cupcakes I made to Monika. Did... did you find any... um... around her body, MC? I hope she at least tried one..."

[⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆]

Zoro raises his eyebrow at Natsuki.

“You used Petra’s power word? Did you do anything with it or just say it so she couldn’t?”

[crazynuto]

Jan 27, 2024 10:52:19 GMT -6 ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆ said:

"And I know that Monika chick was pretty angry with Petra for blackmailing her. Plus, there was only rope around Petra, right? Think it's possible Monika wanted revenge for being blackmailed, so she tied up Petra and threw her onto the tracks, killing her? And then she felt so guilty thinkin' her boytoy MC wouldn't like her if she was a killer, so she decided to off herself as well."

QUESTION 11 UNLOCKED

Is this case a Murder-Suicide, Double Suicide, or a Double Homicide? [5 points]

One more to go!

[Vulpix]

Jan 27, 2024 17:03:07 GMT -6 ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆ said:

Zoro raises his eyebrow at Natsuki.

“You used Petra’s power word? Did you do anything with it or just say it so she couldn’t?”

"Well, it's not like I could do much with it."

"At first I thought maybe it meant I could use her abilities, if I said her word. Then I would've turned a basement into a pool for my friends and me."

"But it turns out that's not what happens. You just get to stop them from using their powers, and make them see things that aren't there. So I imagined that everywhere Petra went was slowly filling up with water. That way she would know how it felt to... to..."

"I didn't mean for her to get killed, okay?! If that was what made it so she couldn't defend herself, then I'm sorry! I just wanted her to feel bad about what she'd done."

[⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆]

Jan 27, 2024 17:27:52 GMT -6 Vulpix said:

So I imagined that everywhere Petra went was slowly filling up with water.

"That... probably explains why she looked so distracted during our sword fight. She kept looking around as if she was seeing things behind me, but when I looked, there was nothin' there," says Zoro. "This was during A2, mind ya. So I assume you used her word before then."

[Vulpix]

Jan 27, 2024 17:36:49 GMT -6 ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆ said:

Jan 27, 2024 17:27:52 GMT -6 Vulpix said:

So I imagined that everywhere Petra went was slowly filling up with water.

"That... probably explains why she looked so distracted during our sword fight. She kept looking around as if she was seeing things behind me, but when I looked, there was nothin' there," says Zoro. "This was during A2, mind ya. So I assume you used her word before then."

Natsuki nods.

"Yep. I used it right at the start so she wouldn't get the chance."

"Um... speaking of power words, though, I think Monika used hers. In fact, Judge, I think maybe there's something about the ring you don't know."

Natsuki takes a deep breath in and out, mustering up the courage to make a bold claim.

"I think Monika secretly changed the way it works."

Petra has gained The Ring of Tears, enhancing her abilities!

It sounds like the sobs of Qingque, Hatsune Miku, and Haru Itsuki

Among other secret things, this allows her to protect herself from death once and only once, should she be aware that it's coming.

The ring will sacrifice itself, reviving sparing your soul from moving onto the graveyard

Think of it as a little...bonus for cooperating. Make it so she's not an easy next target.

"I think that's why nobody could find the ring. I think it disappeared. And I think Monika isn't dead."



"I know she looks dead, but... I have a friend, I guess. He's called the Survivor, and he has a special ability that kept him from being killed, just like the ring would. Except he's not exactly alive, either. He's like... somewhere in between. Right, Yuri?"



"If you saw him, you'd probably think he was dead. But he's not. He kind of... lives in a computer, I think? It's not totally clear. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. The point is, I think Monika is like that now."

[crazynuto]

Jan 27, 2024 17:53:09 GMT -6 Vulpix said:

"I think Monika secretly changed the way it works."

Jan 27, 2024 17:53:09 GMT -6 Vulpix said:

"I know she looks dead, but... I have a friend, I guess. He's called the Survivor, and he has a special ability that kept him from being killed

The air grows cold, The Cat leaping from The Judge's lap, staring at Natsuki intensely.

So...it may seem.

The Ring has been altered, corrupted from it's pure and noble purpose. Bringing a corpse back to life is...ridiculous. Insanity.

How would it even...how would He not...

When they die, He takes their very being. What comes back would be...

And this Survivor fellow, I know them not. Mention their location...and I shall be lenient on your punishment.

[Tetsu]

Jan 27, 2024 7:39:14 GMT -6 Peregrine said:

"It's not complicated. I'm a simulacrum, physically indistinguishable from the original. I'm semi-autonomous, but ultimately act at her direction."

"So...how far are you to take her...order, Yuri clone, what are your limits? And you stuck with her all night?"

Jan 27, 2024 9:57:40 GMT -6 crazynuto said:

Underneath Monika's fingernails are clumps of dark purple hair and bits of blood and skin.

"What the body investigation mentioned that is still bothering me is this particular fact dark purple hair found underneath...Monika's fingernail. Now, who here could fit the bill I wonder...."

Fu Xuan looks around and lands on one particular person.

"Isn't that right...Yuri and clone?" 

Jan 27, 2024 11:42:44 GMT -6 Skullmaster4 said:

"Ah- but there was something weird about the smoke- When the computer exploded into a mess of smoke and sparks, the fog seemed to latch onto the smoke, spreading it out, making it impossible to see. M-Maybe I'm thinking too much into it, but could it have been a power word?"

"What if, Monika was the one that caused most of the electronic consoles, to malfunction using her Power Word? Maybe that's how her word is supposed to be used, causes a disturbance to some of these powered machines?"

Jan 27, 2024 11:48:14 GMT -6 ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆ said:

Should also note that I saw two people walking on the tracks in the fog during A5. When I called out to them, they ran away from me, down the tracks. Wonder if that was Petra and Monika?”

"Hmmm, weren't you with Petra during A4? Shouldn't you have noticed if she has left in the direction of your gaze?"

Jan 27, 2024 17:53:09 GMT -6 Vulpix said:

"I think that's why nobody could find the ring. I think it disappeared. And I think Monika isn't dead."

"Hmmm, this seems to be very interesting, yet peculiar that it might not be true....though..."


Fu Xuan then conjures a purple orb in front of her again.



"What has been said mostly in line with what was read by the stars. I was at the Arcade on A5 near the end of the night. What was provided by the Tarot Card Reader, was rather ominous, you see. Indeed the information of what card has been revealed but let me reiterate... It was the 13th Card - Death, which indicated something major would have gone down or is about to go down or has already happened. You see, not only that...but the riddle behind this card says something twisting which kind of reminds me of what Natsuki has talked about.

Fu Xuan clear her throat and spoke

"The Hope of One lies on the Memories of Another. If He doesn't act, She will stay in the Astral Plane". That was what was written behind the card. Do as you will with the information before she turns back to Yuri


"Dear, Yuri, would you kindly enlighten us with your whereabouts or better yet, do you have any thing to say about, why is there purple-coloured hair on Monika's finger...hmm?"

[Peregrine]

Vulpix said:

"I know she looks dead, but... I have a friend, I guess. He's called the Survivor, and he has a special ability that kept him from being killed, just like the ring would. Except he's not exactly alive, either. He's like... somewhere in between. Right, Yuri?"

"If you saw him, you'd probably think he was dead. But he's not. He kind of... lives in a computer, I think? It's not totally clear. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. The point is, I think Monika is like that now."

crazynuto said:

And this Survivor fellow, I know them not. Mention their location...and I shall be lenient on your punishment.

Yuri pales.




"N-Natsuki! You—"


Her other self throws an arm in front of her. If they want to play Courtroom, she'll play along.




"Judge! I... I object! She's broken no rules—any punishment would be baseless!"




"I-it would be an admission that you value your own curiosity and pride over the sanctity of this court!"




"Hold me in contempt if you wish, but I demand that Natsuki have the right to remain silent."

[crazynuto]

Jan 27, 2024 18:54:51 GMT -6 Peregrine said:

"Hold me in contempt if you wish, but I demand that Natsuki have the right to remain silent."

Perhaps, for just a moment, you caught the barest hint of a smile under the Judge's cowl.

"My my, I suppose you do have that right. Very well. This conversation will continue tomorrow, should you survive."

Natsuki feels The Cat's eyes staring at her, no matter where she looks. It feels...hungry.

[Skullmaster4]

Sayori has a look of concern over the circumstances her friends seem to have been wrapped up in, but she doesn't really seem to comprehend any of it.

"Natsuki.."

"A-Anyway! I'll tell you what I was up to last night."

"I got a similar request from the rats as every else, but I was ecstatic to see who I had to get a gift, it was The Judge's adorable little cat! I was already planning on checking in on it, so this was the perfect opportunity! Not to mention, I was already in the Market Square [A0] So I started looking for a gift!"

[A1] "I spent searching the market with Tetsuo and Fu Xuan, I gathered fish, knick-knacks and snacked on a bunch of junk food! It was a great time! That was until the fighting started- I believe the fights have already been described at length."

[A2] "I then went to the courthouse to look for that cat! I went over the unity bridge, and found the cat in the courthouse. I gave it fish, and it seemed to like me! In its own way, of course."

[A3] "I talked with the Judge a bit until 7:10, when I then walked over to the theatre, I wanted to check when the next showing was! I then went over to the Unity bridge, and talked with MC for a bit, something seemed to be on his mind."

She takes a pause in her testimony, and suddenly looks really nervous and defensive.

"Ahah~ T-The conversation we had wasn't particularly- Y-You don't need to know what we talked about. I think it was good for both of us.."

She then looks a little sad all of a sudden.

[A4] "Ah! Where was I.. Me and MC went to the Central Tram Station- We wanted to go up to the Inn. We saw Natsuki and Gary at the station, so we stuck around for a bit. Unfortunately, the tram never came back.."

"Petra and Zoro joined us soon after- Petra handed me the necklace before leaving, how sweet of her. Gary then left shortly after in an opposite direction."

[A5] "Natsuki and MC were looking at the computer of the orange line. Zoro left to try and climb up the orange line track- and I tried to take a nap, but I couldn't sleep, I felt like I was being watched- That's when the computer exploded- I heard Natsuki, MC, and Gary yell out, followed by a young female voice and an older male voice. I hid under a bench, and once the smoke cleared, I saw MC, Saya, Perv, Gary, Yuri, Yuri, and Natsuki."

[Peregrine]

Tetsu said:

"So...how far are you to take her...order, Yuri clone, what are your limits? And you stuck with her all night?"

"What the body investigation mentioned that is still bothering me is this particular fact dark purple hair found underneath...Monika's fingernail. Now, who here could fit the bill I wonder...."

Fu Xuan looks around and lands on one particular person.

"Isn't that right...Yuri and clone?" 

"Dear, Yuri, would you kindly enlighten us with your whereabouts or better yet, do you have any thing to say about, why is there purple-coloured hair on Monika's finger...hmm?"

Both Yuris bristle at the accusation.




"I can move freely, unimpeded by distance. And I've already said that we were not together the whole night. But if it'll satisfy you, I can go into more detail."




A0. "When the clocks struck 6:00 [A0], Natsuki and I were together in the Office Complex."

A1. "She and I travelled together to the Inn, and we used the Kitchen there to bake sweets for our respective gift recipients. Or rather, she baked while I made tea."

A2. "As I said, I used a Power Word ability to create this... copy of myself at 6:40 [A2-1]. Natsuki and I left the Kitchen to speak elsewhere for a while, and I was concerned someone might tamper with the sweets while we let them cool. Violence isn't permitted at the Inn, but a poisoning might not necessarily be considered violent. That's why I wanted to leave a guard I knew I could control and trust. So no, my simulacrum and I weren't together per se, but we were both within the Inn during this time. I don't know who or what she saw while we were separated—I can't see from her eyes."

"And as Natsuki already said, I had a slight... episode closer to 7:00 [A2-3]. The specifics aren't relevant. Suffice to say, she did help me calm down in the end, though I ended up covered in blood."

A3. "I reunited with my simulacrum so she could help me clean myself off. This was when I discarded the bloodied sweater in my room. While I was changing into a set of clean clothes, the simulacrum left on her own. As I mentioned, she's semi-autonomous, so I let her wander. She ended up visiting Serendipity Cove for a short while. I took the sweets intended for The Hoarder, but ended up bumping into them anyway as I left the Inn to go to the Hotel Tram Station, so I handed them their gift. Since it was 7:30 [A3-3], the Tram hadn't arrived, so I waited."

A4: "I discussed this part already. My simulacrum arrived at the Hotel Tram Station at the same time the Tram did, 7:40 [A4-1]. And when it arrived, its brakes activated quite suddenly, and it refused to move again. I didn't know what was happening, so after The Hoarder came and boarded as well, I could only sit and wait alongside them."

A5: "After waiting half an hour, I figured the Tram wouldn't move, so I walked along the Orange Line on foot. That journey took about 20 minutes, and while we were walking, the fog began to thicken over the tracks. I ran the rest of the way to the Central Tram Station, which was already filled with black smoke. I heard the Pink Tram arrive, and the sounds of someone exiting it, but I couldn't figure out who."




"That's that. Nearly an hour and a half at the Inn, forty minutes at the Tram Station, and only a scant few minutes spent in town. And while you're concerning yourself with the purple hair under Monika's fingernails being mine, let me ask you..."




"Have you even bothered to look at the second victim? She's right in front of you, you know. Or are you too busy staring at your crystal ball to pay attention to anyone else?"

[jash]

WHY IS EVERYONE SO HELL-BENT ON MURDERING THE WOMEN LIKE PLEASEEEE!!!!

Sanji takes a second to gather his emotions.

Well this certainly has been a lackluster night for myself atleast. My investigation of the Serendipity Cove once again did not turn up much information. The garbage there had an empty to go cup of coffee, and there were pages from a diary scattered about, talking of a person who was once sacrificed to better her world.

My night itself was also fairly tame. I started by being chased by our poor poor Petra into the Market, where I was able to sneak away back to the Inn and prepare some cupcakes for the Little Miss Natsuki, and ended the night in the Cove, which was very foggy (no not from my smoking haha Im so funny please laugh). In terms of the Victims I last saw Miss Monika A3 with Natsuki, and last saw Petra A2 when she went off to fight the Oaf he motions at Zoro

[crazynuto]

(This likely could've been triggered earlier but I was looking for specific wording but eh close enough)

QUESTION 10

How were Petra and/or Monika knocked unconscious? [5 points]

BONUS QUESTION

What is the Blackened's Power Word? []

[verylukely]

Jan 27, 2024 9:57:40 GMT -6 crazynuto said:

"So I investigated the bodies (I do not know if MC posted his results cannot get proboards to work) what I discovered was that Monika's Body lies on the street by the Northern Tram Station, specifically right by the path that the Pink Line Tram goes through. Her face is covered in bruises, and blood is leaking out from her chest, which has been caved in. Judging by her neutral expression and her caved in chest, it seems death was instantaneous. Strangely, her ponytail has been severed, and the rest of her hair a mess, but I couldn't find the rest of it. Monika's clothes have been roughed up, with torn sleeves and she small cuts on her body.

"These facts surrounding the bodies seem essential, yet they are in such high quantity to boggle the mind. What the hell happened to these two?"

"Allow me to provide some commentary on the not obvious injuries."

(This is not an exhaustive list, doesn't include obvious stuff that suggests Petra and Monika had a very violent fist fight, or stuff that implies they got ran over by a tram)

Petra

Fear and Acceptance expression: She knew she was going to die. Maybe she won the fist fight, but didn't have time to get out of the way?

Pinky broken: Was the ring on the pinky finger? Could this be how it was stolen without being activated, if it was no longer considered on a finger because it wasn't intact? That logic doesn't really strike me as correct, but I have no idea how else the ring was stolen. Perhaps the ring was how Petra won the fist fight, "dying" from maybe the rock strike and then getting the upper hand, despite being much more tightly tied up?

Two-Pronged Welt: Electrical burn, perhaps? Batteries may have been stolen but that seems like a stretch. I have no idea what could have created this kind of injury, or even just a burn. I think it's very interesting that this happened in A4, before the major fight occurred. This implies to me that Petra was kidnapped in A4 and brought to the scene of her death by force, and that this attack may have been what was used to knock her out.

Monika

Neutral expression, death instantaneous: Was she knocked out by Petra in the fight, and therefore couldn't react to her oncoming death?

Blood leaking from Monika's eardrums: No clue but seems important. Gary?

Left hand has sharp rock: Responsible for the large gash on Petra's forehead? Probably just something that she grabbed on the ground during the fist fight, but also implies she must have been unarmed otherwise as this seems like a very hastily improvised weapon.

Larger, slap like bruise on head: This doesn't make that much sense to have been inflicted during the fist fight, why would Monika not be facing Petra? There are some scenarios I can think of, like that it was a wake-up slap while Monika was unconscious, or Monika was trying to escape the tracks and Petra slapped her from behind. It's time frame lines up with A5 like the rest of her injuries. But perhaps this was another knock-out abduction injury? Was Monika abducted second, after Petra, and both were tied up at the tracks, and rather than work together to escape they assumed each other to be responsible and fought brutally over it?

Monika's rope looser than Petra rope: It would make sense that if you're trying yourself up, you wouldn't be able to tie yourself up as tightly, so I think that this points to Monika being the culprit. Although, if we assume 3rd person culprit, perhaps it could just be that they just didn't have as much time to tie up Monika before Petra woke up?