Murder Game XIV: Monokuma's Awakening

[Atomyk]

"... What... five, ten minutes?"

Holder seemed to think on this, but his expression shifted to one of concern.

"Listen up, lil' detectives, you gotta look at it from every angle possible. If an angle exists, you glance its way. Were the tapes deleted at that time to point at one of us, or is it as simple as it looks. Try to think it through, yo."

@Yun Lee

@Final Trial​

 

[Yun Lee]

"... What... five, ten minutes?"

Holder seemed to think on this, but his expression shifted to one of concern.

"Listen up, lil' detectives, you gotta look at it from every angle possible. If an angle exists, you glance its way. Were the tapes deleted at that time to point at one of us, or is it as simple as it looks. Try to think it through, yo."

@Yun Lee

@Final Trial​

"You mean, someone could've deleted that footage in order to frame one of you? In that case we're dealing with someone crafty! Okay. We need to figure out who fits our culprit: it was someone who wanted to expose Jefferson, who knew about his bunker out there. Someone who wanted him to suffer, shooting him in the stomach before shooting him in the head. Someone with skill at security footage editing who was there that night...this is probably useless, but was there any difference in the two gunshots? Could they have been at different times? Can you even tell that by looking at them?"
​

@Atomyk

 

[York]

​

Replies

"Well it had to be one of you!! Can we check the footage before ten that night? We may see someone out there!"


@The Tactician @Atomyk @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi​

Jamie let out a vexed noise. "Seriously? The mayor's initials are D and R, and I know for a fact he wasn't at the casino that night."

"Why would he when Jamie does everything for him?"

"Unfortunately," Jude said, pointing to the monitors, "both Horne and Holder are unaccounted for a while before ten. All we can see is Holder entering his room a few hours earlier and Horne entering his office at nine."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi

@FinalTrial​

"Damn! Another dead end...hmm...when does the footage from today start? After deletion?"


@The Tactician @Atomyk @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi​

"The only footage of today that exists is everything before we arrived..."

@Yun Lee

@FinalTrial​

"So...it had tobe someone who was back there after we got there. Horne we know, but Holder? Wait...Holder, you checked the tapes as Jude, Shuten-Douji and I investigated the back! How long was that timeframe?"


@The Tactician @Atomyk @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi​

"... What... five, ten minutes?"

Holder seemed to think on this, but his expression shifted to one of concern.

"Listen up, lil' detectives, you gotta look at it from every angle possible. If an angle exists, you glance its way. Were the tapes deleted at that time to point at one of us, or is it as simple as it looks. Try to think it through, yo."

@Yun Lee

@Final Trial​

"You mean, someone could've deleted that footage in order to frame one of you? In that case we're dealing with someone crafty! Okay. We need to figure out who fits our culprit: it was someone who wanted to expose Jefferson, who knew about his bunker out there. Someone who wanted him to suffer, shooting him in the stomach before shooting him in the head. Someone with skill at security footage editing who was there that night...this is probably useless, but was there any difference in the two gunshots? Could they have been at different times? Can you even tell that by looking at them?"
​

@Atomyk

​

Jack Frost
@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @Atomyk @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi @Trial Folks

... Honda was right, it seemed like the suspects were most likely to be either Horne, or Holder, as Jamie didn't appear to arouse suspicions as of yet, minus that little meeting that was scheduled by Jefferson of course, hmm... Whatever the case, he had his attention focused on Holder too, for the time being, Honda brought up a very interesting point, which started to get him thinking... If Monokuma hadn't interfered with the tapes himself, then it was very possible that Holder had taken the little time he had to mess with the tapes. Either that, or... There just wasn't any footage to begin with, for one reason or another.

... But what if they were looking at the kill all wrong? Perhaps it was not that the suspects here had any beef with Jefferson... But, the other way around... Hmm... If that was the case, then whatever beef he had must have been with Horne, or Jamie, though Jack was leaning more towards Horne if anything.

"... Would Jefferson have any reason to go after any of you?" He asked suddenly.

Though it seemed logical that Horne for instance, would not harm one of his biggest sources of income... Perhaps Jefferson was not so happy about losing so much of his money? Especially if Horne was basically being paid Jefferson's salary, or perhaps he felt that Holder was treading on too many toes for his liking... And one of them had killed Jefferson in self defense? But... If that was the case, why the heck would they hide the body?

His question was asked, but still... Jack Frost felt no closer to the case than he had started off... Then, something occurred to him, that planted jacket. Either someone was trying to help them out, or maybe they were trying to air Jefferson's dirty laundry (no pun intended). Hmm, though he wasn't positive the person who planted the jacket was the same person that had killed Jefferson, he was more confident that there were only so many people that could have guessed a group would search the back rooms... After all, it took a detective, to understand a detective's way of thinking, right? ... So while he did not say this out loud, he had to wonder if Holder was the one who had planted that jacket there in the first place.
​

 

[Kaykay]

"We don't necessarily know the killer wanted Jefferson to suffer. Any capable shooter will aim for the body first, then shoot the head once the target is immobilized. The chest is a larger target than the head. In addition, framing one of them is exactly what he meant by pointing to one of them. He means the killer might have just deleted the footage to prevent themselves being caught in the act, right? That's the first, obvious conclusion of the missing footage, after all."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @Atomyk @Crow @Josh M @york @Takumi @Final Trial​

 

[Yun Lee]

​

Jack Frost
@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @Atomyk @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi @Trial Folks

... Honda was right, it seemed like the suspects were most likely to be either Horne, or Holder, as Jamie didn't appear to arouse suspicions as of yet, minus that little meeting that was scheduled by Jefferson of course, hmm... Whatever the case, he had his attention focused on Holder too, for the time being, Honda brought up a very interesting point, which started to get him thinking... If Monokuma hadn't interfered with the tapes himself, then it was very possible that Holder had taken the little time he had to mess with the tapes. Either that, or... There just wasn't any footage to begin with, for one reason or another.

... But what if they were looking at the kill all wrong? Perhaps it was not that the suspects here had any beef with Jefferson... But, the other way around... Hmm... If that was the case, then whatever beef he had must have been with Horne, or Jamie, though Jack was leaning more towards Horne if anything.

"... Would Jefferson have any reason to go after of you?" He asked suddenly.

Though it seemed logical that Horne for instance, would not harm one of his biggest sources of income... Perhaps Jefferson was not so happy about losing so much of his money? Especially if Horne was basically being paid Jefferson's salary, or perhaps he felt that Holder was treading on too many toes for his liking... And one of them had killed Jefferson in self defense? But... If that was the case, why the heck would they hide the body?

His question was asked, but still... Jack Frost felt no closer to the case than he had started off... Then, something occurred to him, that planted jacket. Either someone was trying to help them out, or maybe they were trying to air Jefferson's dirty laundry (no pun intended). Hmm, though he wasn't positive the person who planted the jacket was the same person that had killed Jefferson, he was more confident that there were only so many people that could have guessed a group would search the back rooms... After all, it took a detective, to understand a detective's way of thinking, right? ... So while he did not say this out loud, he had to wonder if Holder was the one who had planted that jacket there in the first place.
​

"We don't necessarily know the killer wanted Jefferson to suffer. Any capable shooter will aim for the body first, then shoot the head once the target is immobilized. The chest is a larger target than the head. In addition, framing one of them is exactly what he meant by pointing to one of them. He means the killer might have just deleted the footage to prevent themselves being caught in the act, right? That's the first, obvious conclusion of the missing footage, after all."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @Atomyk @Crow @Josh M @york @Takumi @Final Trial​

"But who could possibly gain from Jefferson's death? The person had to have known about what was going on...wait a minute. Jamie. Two things. First, how did that meeting with Jefferson go? And second. Why did you try to kill Horne?"

@Atomyk @york @Kaykay ​

 

[Atomyk]

"... Who fits all that?" Diana asked.

Jude pointed to his head, mimicking the motion of a gun firing. "The two shots were similar. Same weapon, probably both shots made around the same time. As for Jefferson going after them... I don't think that can be ascertained. If he did have a reason, however slim, why would they tell us?"

"Jefferson wouldn't want to come after me. That doesn't make any sense. Look... the meeting with him went fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. I just--" Jamie winced, looking pained. "... Allegedly tried to kill Horne, you mean. And if I did want to kill him, let's say maybe he made the wrong people angry. Hypothetically."

"... Hm. You know what?"

"For once, I think I'll be making the first vote. Back in that other game... there was a situation like this one. We were made to vote who among us was a traitor. I had no idea then... and honestly, I'm not sure I know any better now. But I'm not letting things fuck up this time. Like... I owe it to Neon and everyone else." Diana placed her hands on her hips as she stared down the four suspects laid out for them. "I'm voting for the detective, Holder. Guy seems a little too cool for my liking. He's been a big help, but Honda had a point... he goes to check the tapes while you guys just conveniently find a jacket pointing to the bunker? Yeah, no way."

"Not so fast," Jude said, holding a hand up toward Diana. "Are you sure that makes sense? Why would Holder help us as far back as the college if that were the case? I think you're on the right track, however, which is why I'll be voting too."

Jude turned, fixing Stan a sad look. "Stan... What we found in that bunker is awful. I know something like that would have crushed you... maybe pushed you to do something you regretted. You had access to the back rooms, and while you have an alibi for the times the tapes were initially deleted, we can't be sure the time of death occurred exactly in that time frame. Placing the jacket allowed us to find the bunker where the lock on the barn door had already been broken. We found the truth with your help, so that we may put away Rosie's killer."

"Killer?" Stan stood frozen, eyes boring holes into Jude. "Are you telling me my little girl... is dead?" The man was trying to keep his cool, but any standing next to him could see he was shaking.

"I'm sorry, but I think you already knew. I have to vote for you, Stan."

"Show me the proof. Show me the proof right this instant! I knew that fucker was up to something!!"

"Hey now, calm yourself--!"

"Hey!" Victoria yelled as loud as she could, hoping to grab the attention of everyone.

"Why are we looking at either of these two? Rant's totally right, something is wrong with Mr. Horne. You say Holder's being too cool, Diana? I think Horne is too. It's all really convenient he just, like... was in his office for hours. Couldn't he have made any of his staff delete those tapes? Mr. Jefferson frequented this casino, so what if he spent too much money? Hear me out. If someone gathered a big enough debt, do you really not expect someone like this weirdo wouldn't eventually do away with them? Mr. Jefferson was meeting someone with the last name starting with 'H'... Horne fits!"

Junko sighed contently. "All these different truths! They all sound justified, don't they? But only one truth can be real, even down here~"

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite

@FinalTrial​

 

[Yun Lee]

"... Who fits all that?" Diana asked.

Jude pointed to his head, mimicking the motion of a gun firing. "The two shots were similar. Same weapon, probably both shots made around the same time. As for Jefferson going after them... I don't think that can be ascertained. If he did have a reason, however slim, why would they tell us?"

"Jefferson wouldn't want to come after me. That doesn't make any sense. Look... the meeting with him went fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. I just--" Jamie winced, looking pained. "... Allegedly tried to kill Horne, you mean. And if I did want to kill him, let's say maybe he made the wrong people angry. Hypothetically."

"... Hm. You know what?"

"For once, I think I'll be making the first vote. Back in that other game... there was a situation like this one. We were made to vote who among us was a traitor. I had no idea then... and honestly, I'm not sure I know any better now. But I'm not letting things fuck up this time. Like... I owe it to Neon and everyone else." Diana placed her hands on her hips as she stared down the four suspects laid out for them. "I'm voting for the detective, Holder. Guy seems a little too cool for my liking. He's been a big help, but Honda had a point... he goes to check the tapes while you guys just conveniently find a jacket pointing to the bunker? Yeah, no way."

"Not so fast," Jude said, holding a hand up toward Diana. "Are you sure that makes sense? Why would Holder help us as far back as the college if that were the case? I think you're on the right track, however, which is why I'll be voting too."

Jude turned, fixing Stan a sad look. "Stan... What we found in that bunker is awful. I know something like that would have crushed you... maybe pushed you to do something you regretted. You had access to the back rooms, and while you have an alibi for the times the tapes were initially deleted, we can't be sure the time of death occurred exactly in that time frame. Placing the jacket allowed us to find the bunker where the lock on the barn door had already been broken. We found the truth with your help, so that we may put away Rosie's killer."

"Killer?" Stan stood frozen, eyes boring holes into Jude. "Are you telling me my little girl... is dead?" The man was trying to keep his cool, but any standing next to him could see he was shaking.

"I'm sorry, but I think you already knew. I have to vote for you, Stan."

"Show me the proof. Show me the proof right this instant! I knew that fucker was up to something!!"

"Hey now, calm yourself--!"

"Hey!" Victoria yelled as loud as she could, hoping to grab the attention of everyone.

"Why are we looking at either of these two? Rant's totally right, something is wrong with Mr. Horne. You say Holder's being too cool, Diana? I think Horne is too. It's all really convenient he just, like... was in his office for hours. Couldn't he have made any of his staff delete those tapes? Mr. Jefferson frequented this casino, so what if he spent too much money? Hear me out. If someone gathered a big enough debt, do you really not expect someone like this weirdo wouldn't eventually do away with them? Mr. Jefferson was meeting someone with the last name starting with 'H'... Horne fits!"

Junko sighed contently. "All these different truths! They all sound justified, don't they? But only one truth can be real, even down here~"

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite

@FinalTrial​

Ignoring all the votes flying around, Honda cocked his head at the one person who didn't have his name pop up. "Allegedly? You said you missed! If not Horne, what the hell were you shooting at?! Speaking of...what transpired between the Horne-Jamie meeting, exactly?"

@Atomyk @york @Kaykay ​

 

[Midnight Maiden]

Totally and completely not because her player hadn't been able to catch up, it appeared Tarlotte had wound up knocked out yet again. Truly, one had to wonder just how and why this kept happening, but for now? It looked like the involuntary catnap was over, with golden eyes fluttering open and looking around in a state of confusion. Her mind was still heavy with exhaustion and--

...

"Oh, not mew!" she hissed upon sight of Zinnia, the trial lost to her ears. Looked like she was being useless.

@Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

 

[Kaykay]

"I think the case where Monomi was the culprit shows that sometimes, the motivation is simply going to be something we fail to grasp." Chikage didn't like admitting that, but in this case, it was the truth. "So instead, let's use evidence. Based on Holder's expression upon realizing we'd figured out he had time to mess with the tapes, the fact he did have time to edit the tapes, and his name fitting the meeting with 'H,' I will vote for Holder."

It was also possible that Holder had used the tapes to cut out two people that didn't do it if he really was on their side, or that they were being framed. But in the end, the weakness of reasoning was that it could be used to justify so many different results. So until convinced otherwise, the jujutsuka would stick to her guns.

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Atomyk @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite

@FinalTrial

​

 

[Atomyk]

Jamie groaned, but flashed Honda a small amused smile. "Not very humorous, are you? I don't know what you're looking for here... Whatever issues me and Benjamin have don't got anything to do with you or Jefferson."

Holder did not choose to comment on the two votes for him. "I'm holding on to these," he said to Stan, gripping the red folders. The older man looked ready to vault over the podiums, but he stayed put for the time being.

@Yun Lee @Kaykay

@FinalTrial​

 

[Yun Lee]

Jamie groaned, but flashed Honda a small amused smile. "Not very humorous, are you? I don't know what you're looking for here... Whatever issues me and Benjamin have don't got anything to do with you or Jefferson."

Holder did not choose to comment on the two votes for him. "I'm holding on to these," he said to Stan, gripping the red folders. The older man looked ready to vault over the podiums, but he stayed put for the time being.

@Yun Lee @Kaykay

@FinalTrial​

Honda kept a stone cold gaze on Jamie, but soon grinned and laughed. "GAHAHAHAHAHA!! Okay then, Jamie!" Without even missing a beat Honda looked to the casino owner. "Hey, Horne! What's this smartass got against you?!"

@Atomyk @york @Kaykay @Hospes ​

 

[Atomyk]

"I haven't the foggiest."

Horne didn't seem too concerned by the vote placed against him either. He managed to keep his cool all throughout. "While this has been an incredibly strange day, I can assume the mayor is unhappy with me for more mundane reasons than anything you might be thinking. Not that I really wish to defend someone who tried to shoot me, I imagine he simply took the opportunity presented to him and would not have otherwise been so bold."

@Yun Lee

@FinalTrial​

 

[Klutzy Ninja Kitty]

After hearing quite the diverse selection of votes being tossed around, Zinnia felt like her head was spinning. Childishly, she dropped her forehead against her podium and repeatedly began to pound her head until the skin above her eyebrows turned red. She groaned and pressed a finger to her temples, immediately regretting her action afterwards. It probably wasn't the best thing to do after having received a head injury just the other day. Still, how could she not vent her frustrations in some manner when everyone seemed to have so many different votes?

However, reminded of her head wound because of what she had done, Zinnia thought for a moment. She wasn't really sure who to vote for herself, but someone she trusted just had made a vote. Jude had been one of her decent allies throughout this whole mess, and was someone the draconid always felt as if she could talk to even when she felt so sick, or weak that she wasn't sure of she could go on. If he was correct or not, Zinnia wasn't entirely certain, but she had trusted him before, so why not now?

"I'm going with Stan for the time being," said Zinnia, her voice quiet and hesitant. She really had no way of knowing for sure if the doctor was right, but all she really had to go on was faith at the moment. She wasn't sure if she had enough of a solid idea formed in her mind to make her dead set on voting for any one person.

Shortly after making her vote, however, a rather annoying cat had to go and ruin Zinnia's focused train of thoughts. How insensitive!

"Hey, you shut your meowth over there you rude little furry! Can't you see we're in the middle of a serious trial right now? Don't make me come over there and teach you a lesson!" the lorekeeper cried, sticking her tongue out at Tarotte.


@Atomyk @The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Atomyk @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite @Hospes @FinalTrial​

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Jude's hands gripped his podium, his eyes staring deep into the image before him. "Stiles," he began, not looking away, "didn't you say Wanda's journals mentioned spirits who might possess Shane? I think... Honda was right."

Stiles looked over at Jude and noticed everything that happened and nodded. " Yeah, I remember something about the journals mentioning spirits and well," he turned to the Queen of despair and ignored her. He never finished his sentence and watched as everyone talked." I am voting for Jamie, kind of strange that he decided to interrupt our investigation of Jefferson's room and the safe," he said to the others. He looked over at Wanda. " Hey, do you want your journal back now?" He asked her.

@Josh M @Atomyk @ Final Trial

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

"... I'll put my vote on Stan. That's all."

Lapis sighed as she spoke up after many moments of silence. It was better to try something now than to stand in the sidelines in this trial any longer.

@Atomyk @FinalTrial @everybody​

 

[Yun Lee]

"I haven't the foggiest."

Horne didn't seem too concerned by the vote placed against him either. He managed to keep his cool all throughout. "While this has been an incredibly strange day, I can assume the mayor is unhappy with me for more mundane reasons than anything you might be thinking. Not that I really wish to defend someone who tried to shoot me, I imagine he simply took the opportunity presented to him and would not have otherwise been so bold."

@Yun Lee

@FinalTrial​

After hearing quite the diverse selection of votes being tossed around, Zinnia felt like her head was spinning. Childishly, she dropped her forehead against her podium and repeatedly began to pound her head until the skin above her eyebrows turned red. She groaned and pressed a finger to her temples, immediately regretting her action afterwards. It probably wasn't the best thing to do after having received a head injury just the other day. Still, how could she not vent her frustrations in some manner when everyone seemed to have so many different votes?

However, reminded of her head wound because of what she had done, Zinnia thought for a moment. She wasn't really sure who to vote for herself, but someone she trusted just had made a vote. Jude had been one of her decent allies throughout this whole mess, and was someone the draconid always felt as if she could talk to even when she felt so sick, or weak that she wasn't sure of she could go on. If he was correct or not, Zinnia wasn't entirely certain, but she had trusted him before, so why not now?

"I'm going with Stan for the time being," said Zinnia, her voice quiet and hesitant. She really had no way of knowing for sure if the doctor was right, but all she really had to go on was faith at the moment. She wasn't sure if she had enough of a solid idea formed in her mind to make her dead set on voting for any one person.

Shortly after making her vote, however, a rather annoying cat had to go and ruin Zinnia's focused train of thoughts. How insensitive!

"Hey, you shut your meowth over there you rude little furry! Can't you see we're in the middle of a serious trial right now? Don't make me come over there and teach you a lesson!" the lorekeeper cried, sticking her tongue out at Tarotte.


@Atomyk @The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Atomyk @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite @Hospes @FinalTrial​

Stiles looked over at Jude and noticed everything that happened and nodded. " Yeah, I remember something about the journals mentioning spirits and well," he turned to the Queen of despair and ignored her. He never finished his sentence and watched as everyone talked." I am voting for Jamie, kind of strange that he decided to interrupt our investigation of Jefferson's room and the safe," he said to the others. He looked over at Wanda. " Hey, do you want your journal back now?" He asked her.

@Josh M @Atomyk @ Final Trial

"... I'll put my vote on Stan. That's all."

Lapis sighed as she spoke up after many moments of silence. It was better to try something now than to stand in the sidelines in this trial any longer.

@Atomyk @FinalTrial @everybody​

"The only person to know about that bunker and not keep it under wraps would be so.eone blackmailing Jefferson! I bet that meeting he did something D.R. didn't like, eh?! You interrupt investigations, lie at the tip of the hat, you tried to frame Stan before with Bullet and you're doing it again, and you tried killing a man!!! My vote goes to Jamie! You're worse than Klim!!!"

@Atomyk @Kaykay @york @Gummi Bunnies @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @LuckycoolHawk9 @Hospes​

 

[BarrenThin]

Genji wasn't sure what to say. This was confusing. Frightening. At the same time, though, he felt a swell of hope. Wanda was alive. At first, he didn't even greet the woman, though. No, he didn't even look at her. "I am also voting for Holder." Eventually, though, he slowly looked at Wanda, though he did not meet her eyes, instead looking at her feet. It took him several seconds to even speak, and, when he did, his voice was quiet. Subdued. "I'm sorry, Wanda. I failed you."

@Josh M @Atomyk @final trial​

 

[York]

​

Replies

"We don't necessarily know the killer wanted Jefferson to suffer. Any capable shooter will aim for the body first, then shoot the head once the target is immobilized. The chest is a larger target than the head. In addition, framing one of them is exactly what he meant by pointing to one of them. He means the killer might have just deleted the footage to prevent themselves being caught in the act, right? That's the first, obvious conclusion of the missing footage, after all."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @Atomyk @Crow @Josh M @york @Takumi @Final Trial​

"But who could possibly gain from Jefferson's death? The person had to have known about what was going on...wait a minute. Jamie. Two things. First, how did that meeting with Jefferson go? And second. Why did you try to kill Horne?"

@Atomyk @york @Kaykay​

"... Who fits all that?" Diana asked.

Jude pointed to his head, mimicking the motion of a gun firing. "The two shots were similar. Same weapon, probably both shots made around the same time. As for Jefferson going after them... I don't think that can be ascertained. If he did have a reason, however slim, why would they tell us?"

"Jefferson wouldn't want to come after me. That doesn't make any sense. Look... the meeting with him went fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. I just--" Jamie winced, looking pained. "... Allegedly tried to kill Horne, you mean. And if I did want to kill him, let's say maybe he made the wrong people angry. Hypothetically."

"... Hm. You know what?"

"For once, I think I'll be making the first vote. Back in that other game... there was a situation like this one. We were made to vote who among us was a traitor. I had no idea then... and honestly, I'm not sure I know any better now. But I'm not letting things fuck up this time. Like... I owe it to Neon and everyone else." Diana placed her hands on her hips as she stared down the four suspects laid out for them. "I'm voting for the detective, Holder. Guy seems a little too cool for my liking. He's been a big help, but Honda had a point... he goes to check the tapes while you guys just conveniently find a jacket pointing to the bunker? Yeah, no way."

"Not so fast," Jude said, holding a hand up toward Diana. "Are you sure that makes sense? Why would Holder help us as far back as the college if that were the case? I think you're on the right track, however, which is why I'll be voting too."

Jude turned, fixing Stan a sad look. "Stan... What we found in that bunker is awful. I know something like that would have crushed you... maybe pushed you to do something you regretted. You had access to the back rooms, and while you have an alibi for the times the tapes were initially deleted, we can't be sure the time of death occurred exactly in that time frame. Placing the jacket allowed us to find the bunker where the lock on the barn door had already been broken. We found the truth with your help, so that we may put away Rosie's killer."

"Killer?" Stan stood frozen, eyes boring holes into Jude. "Are you telling me my little girl... is dead?" The man was trying to keep his cool, but any standing next to him could see he was shaking.

"I'm sorry, but I think you already knew. I have to vote for you, Stan."

"Show me the proof. Show me the proof right this instant! I knew that fucker was up to something!!"

"Hey now, calm yourself--!"

"Hey!" Victoria yelled as loud as she could, hoping to grab the attention of everyone.

"Why are we looking at either of these two? Rant's totally right, something is wrong with Mr. Horne. You say Holder's being too cool, Diana? I think Horne is too. It's all really convenient he just, like... was in his office for hours. Couldn't he have made any of his staff delete those tapes? Mr. Jefferson frequented this casino, so what if he spent too much money? Hear me out. If someone gathered a big enough debt, do you really not expect someone like this weirdo wouldn't eventually do away with them? Mr. Jefferson was meeting someone with the last name starting with 'H'... Horne fits!"

Junko sighed contently. "All these truths being presented! They all sound justified, don't they? But only one truth can be real, even down here."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Kaykay @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite

@FinalTrial​

Ignoring all the votes flying around, Honda cocked his head at the one person who didn't have his name pop up. "Allegedly? You said you missed! If not Horne, what the hell were you shooting at?! Speaking of...what transpired between the Horne-Jamie meeting, exactly?"

@Atomyk @york @Kaykay ​

Totally and completely not because her player hadn't been able to catch up, it appeared Tarlotte had wound up knocked out yet again. Truly, one had to wonder just how and why this kept happening, but for now? It looked like the involuntary catnap was over, with golden eyes fluttering open and looking around in a state of confusion. Her mind was still heavy with exhaustion and--

...

"Oh, not mew!" she hissed upon sight of Zinnia, the trial lost to her ears. Looked like she was being useless.

@Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

"I think the case where Monomi was the culprit shows that sometimes, the motivation is simply going to be something we fail to grasp." Chikage didn't like admitting that, but in this case, it was the truth. "So instead, let's use evidence. Based on Holder's expression upon realizing we'd figured out he had time to mess with the tapes, the fact he did have time to edit the tapes, and his name fitting the meeting with 'H,' I will vote for Holder."

It was also possible that Holder had used the tapes to cut out two people that didn't do it if he really was on their side, or that they were being framed. But in the end, the weakness of reasoning was that it could be used to justify so many different results. So until convinced otherwise, the jujutsuka would stick to her guns.

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @york @Crow @Josh M @Atomyk @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite

@FinalTrial

​

Jamie groaned, but flashed Honda a small amused smile. "Not very humorous, are you? I don't know what you're looking for here... Whatever issues me and Benjamin have don't got anything to do with you or Jefferson."

Holder did not choose to comment on the two votes for him. "I'm holding on to these," he said to Stan, gripping the red folders. The older man looked ready to vault over the podiums, but he stayed put for the time being.

@Yun Lee @Kaykay

@FinalTrial​

Jack Frost
@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan @Crow @Josh M @Atomyk @Takumi @Jeremi @Verite @FinalTrial

Jack Frost let out one last sigh... It became quickly apparant that he could not stall his voting any longer, especially if it meant that he would probably miss them all together again. The suspicion that had sprung up ever since Honda mentioned Holder's potential involvement in the misplacement of the tapes, followed by Holder's seemingly hostile attitude. Though it seemed somewhat understandable for him to act that way, Jack Frost had to wonder if what Honda said had more truth to it than he realized... He decided to side with Diana and Honda after some carefull consideration, and spoke.

"I-... I'm sorry but... I am placing my vote on Detective Holder..." He said quietly.

Hopefully he was right?... His gaze lingered upon Zinnia and Tarlotte, about to duke it out again... But this time, he didn't make an immediate effort to stop them; perhaps he would interfere later, if things got too out of hand, but for the time being, he almost envied them... Able to escape the tension of the situation almost too easily, in their desire to "rumble".​

 

[Crow]

"Oh dear..."

Nono stutters.

"What do I do?" Nono turns to Wanda and Kyoko, then towards Jack Frost and Genji.

"Shimada-san, Jack Frost, why do you both vote for Detective Holder... Morikubo doesn't want to make a mistake, so she must know!"

@york @BarrenThin​

 

[Verite]

Junko looked delighted that Kyoko had found her strength. She giggled sweetly as her hands rubbed at the sleeves of her shirt. "Oh, Kyoko~ Are you trying to fill a certain ahoge-boy's shoes right now? That's cute... that's so cute! Still, you're just so much more obtuse than him! You and I both know that the least boring thing in existence is despair. Humans become so unpredictable once you factor in despair! I can't even guess the outcome of this trial..."

Junko took in a deep breath, as if she was taking in a pleasant smell. "... Isn't that so exciting? Anything could happen! You could escape from dear Mother's clutches or you could all become her vessels for all eternity! It is only in this arena of despair that such destinies become two sides of the same coin, gal pal!"

She paused to hear what Wanda had to say, though she only looked like she was mildly listening.

"Yeah, I guess you might have a point. You're certainly the more despairing to look at of the two of us. But this isn't a pity party. Despair isn't about that. You're the queen of chaos all right, which only goes to explain why I can't seem to predict anything you do. That whole thing where you contacted the outside world...? Amazing! I didn't see it coming at all! You're a total anomaly, all thanks to despair. You choosing hope is only another facet of despair... it controls you more than you realize!"​

"..."

Ignoring Junko's bitingly teasing words, feeling Wanda's power heal her of the mysterious fever from earlier, Kyoko had no time to feel "good" or anything, as stated before. She had more pressing matters on her mind, after all. As the others slowly but steadily began to discuss the case that Kyoko seemed awfully quiet about, the lavender haired lass only continued to focus her glare on Junko Enoshima. The bane of her universe's existence.

Tch. She really missed the other Junko Enoshima she'd met in Columbia.

"Unpredictable, perhaps. But so what? Your exasperating fixation on bringing out the worst in people is misguided."

"That's why hope will prevail, Junko Enoshima! No matter how long it takes, the best in people brought out by hope will triumph over the worst in people brought about by despair. It may look otherwise, but you've already been beaten!"

@Atomyk @FinalTrial​