15 STRANGERS ROUND 7 TEST DRIVE

[strangerpeople]

15 STRANGERS ROUND 7 TEST DRIVE There are 15 strangers (give or take a few, this time around) on the ship. Regardless, someone wants you all dead. Why? And what is a funyarinpa?... 1. ARRIVAL It's time to wake up in your berth on this not-so-fantastic voyage. Why are you here? What happened to your powers? Memories? Who are these other people that've also been abducted? And...what is that smell?... 2. POWER It turns out you have been...'gifted' a power. It's not something you asked for, but you've got it now. It might be best to figure out how they work. Or don't. It's up to you. From chaos comes order, after all! 3. HOME Well, may as well make yourself comfortable for the foreseeable future on this ship. It's not like Zero is letting you go anywhere they don't want you to go. But perhaps you can find something that can help you get out of this situation! Or...maybe you want to give up and just drink in the lounge. That's an option too! Either way, you and your fellow Strangers won't be bored, at least? 4. MINIGAME Apparently Zero has decided you're not entertaining enough on your own, so now you're being tasked with playing in this game. And why not? You're technically on a cruise ship, so why not have some games? You could put some effort into the game, or maybe you're just done with this [BLEEP] by now-it's your choice on what to do. 5. MOTIVE You knew this was coming. Zero has decided they've waited long enough to see some bloodshed, and have released a motive to incentivize you into killing someone else. How are you feeling about it? What motive has Zero come up with? And...are you thinking about doing it...? 6. DEATH It's happened. One of your number has passed on-killed by another Stranger left in your group. There they lay, clear as day. It's officially time to investigate. How will you do so? Look over the body? Look around the room for evidence? Find a room that you believe is suspicious and search there? Or maybe you aren't up for investigating and would rather mourn your loss or pass out. It's up to you. 7. TRIAL It's time to focus-either you solve this case, condemning someone to death for the murder they committed, or you vote incorrectly, executing an innocent person. You've got a limited time to figure out what happened, and if you get it wrong, everyone dies. Take a deep breath, look at the evidence, and do your best to nail down the guilty party before its too late! 8. GUILTY ...Oh. It turns out you were the one responsible for what happened-you are the murderer! Why did you do it? Was it the motive? Was it something else? Are you sorry? Or was everything that has happened between you and the survivors a means to an end? Now is the time to confess everything-you're not likely to get another chance before you're executed! 9. WILDCARD Have an idea that wasn't mentioned above? Do it! Go crazy!

Comments

Roland Fortis | The Case Study of Vanitas

[godspiousjasper]

Arrival

[ It wasn’t every day that someone decided it was a smart idea to kidnap one of Paris’ chasseurs, let alone managing to do it without him even so much as being aware of it. This was not a great situation and it appeared as if there truly was no way off this ship the ‘easy’ way, though panicking was not going to do any good.

Roland straightened his outfit and made to head out into the hall, a pleasant smile on his face. ]

Bonjour, friend. Did you too arrive here without the slightest idea of how it happened to you?

[ Until he knew who or what was the real threat here, it didn’t mean Roland couldn’t be absolutely pleasant to those around him. No need to be rude or antagonistic to those around him when they didn’t deserve it. ]

Home

[ At some point, Roland did find his way to the rec room and that’s where he currently can be found, inspecting the various things in there out of sheer curiosity. Coming from the 19th century did him absolutely no favors and they were all things he’d never had the pleasure of seeing back where he came from.

Green eyes lit up as soon as someone came in, where he straightened up to his full height and gestured with one hand to the TV and the game system. ]

Greetings! I do not suppose you know anything about how these devices work, do you? I cannot figure out what they’re supposed to do.

[ He’s 150% earnest here and dead serious, though maybe his attire would be a dead giveaway to why he can’t figure things out. Maybe. ]

Death

[ It’s unfortunate that someone would have caved to what their captor wished of them. There’s so much blood and there’s this mix of anger and sadness that’s bubbled up, though on the outside his expression is eerily calm and serious.

He’s somewhat quiet as he conducts investigation, but when all is said and done? One can see Roland back at the deceased’s side, head bowed and hands clasped together with his eyes closed. If they listen they’ll be able to hear him saying a prayer. ]

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her. May he/she rest in peace. Amen. May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Trial

[ There was so much unrest between everyone and they were all talking over each other, to which he cleared his throat and straightened up. ]

Us arguing is not going to help us find the killer. Everyone please calm yourselves. If we take a moment, we will be able to find the killer and bring them to justice for the sake of the one who is no longer with us.

[ For someone who seemed this past week to be somewhat passive and such? His voice is much more firm and commanding, green eyes absolutely serious and almost piercing as he looks over everyone that’s in the room with him.

He would not rest until the killer had been discovered. ]

Arrival

[threwabone]

[I'm sorry Roland, but you have chosen the exact wrong person to talk to at this moment. The teenage girl almost seems like your opposite - panicking and not even trying to be pleasant.]

No, I signed up for this knowing full well I'd get kidnapped away from my family and friends and put on a boat, who knows where, with a bunch of strangers I've never even seen before.

What do you think?

Re: Arrival

[godspiousjasper]

[ This isn't the first time he's had to deal with people who have fairly dour attitudes. His partner being one of them, so he's able to take her words without seeming wounded by them. ]

I am not currently aware of everyone's circumstances and for all we know, some could very well have made agreements to be here that we do not presently know about.

[ In other words? His mood hasn't changed much, but his enthusiasm seems to have softened a little in the face that this young lady was most certainly still a teenager. ]

That said, I do find it quite disagreeable that they have chosen to take someone so young away from their family without her proper consent.

[threwabone]

I'm gonna be pretty surprised if anyone actually signed up for this, and if there were people they could've gotten that actually wanted to be here.

[By people wanting to be here, or the fact they didn't only take people who wanted to be here? Why not both, honestly.]

And thank you, I have enough to deal with as it is, I don't need to be dragged into - whatever all of this is!

[Just. Gesturing to all of their surroundings.]

[godspiousjasper]

I would be interested in finding out if anyone did make the willing choice to be here, and what their reasons were. Then investigating why is it that some were not given a choice and others were.

[ For a second he'd gotten lost in his musings, soon shaking his head and his friendly demeanor returned as if it had never left. He nodded in clear agreement of her words, a sort of softness clear on his face along with the slightest hint of sadness that shined in his eyes. ]

I completely agree. [ A nod of his head. ] I am not fond of civilians being pulled into such an unsavory situation and hope to know what our captors' reasons are for doing so.

[threwabone]

Same here. At least on the last part.

[She didn't care so much about other people wanting to be here if they really wanted it, just why did she have to be here.

Though that wording, it gets an eyebrow raised at Roland.]

Civilians? Wouldn't that include you? Or are priests considered more important figures now?

[She's pretty sure this guy is a priest, anyway. And she hasn't exactly been to church in a while, so she's not ruling out the possibility that she missed some sort of announcement along those lines.]

[godspiousjasper]

[ Once again he was completely unphased by her general wording, blinking a couple times before laughing and shaking his head. ]

Oh, non! That's not it at all!

[ Most people wouldn't just assume the average priest walked around with armored gloves, though him lacking his weapon didn't help any misconceptions. He was absolutely happy to clear this up! ]

I work within a branch of the church, but I am no priest. [ Roland nodded as if that would have explained it. So simple. Though he supposed some elaboration wouldn't hurt. ] My line of work means I engage in dangerous battles frequently, which is why I say I find it truly distasteful that they have chosen to involve underage civilians in such a situation as this.

[threwabone]

[Look, she hasn't been to church in who knows how long, maybe priests were armored gloves now, not like she could really say what they do there!!!

Though that is more...what wording and subject matter.]

You...regularly get into fights? Like, deadly fights? As a member of church branch?

[Is she talking to a crusader? Is this another person who was alive decades - more like centuries ago? Please let it be something else, she is not ready for another Emily, especially so soon after Emily herself.]

[godspiousjasper]

I assure you they are not fights with people, but those of vampires. The majority of them are quite frightening with unusual abilities unlike what most people are capable of.

[ There's an unspoken level of confidence he speaks with, nodding his head though his expression is a touch more serious now. ]

I wish for nothing more than to protect the people and keep them safe from harm.

[threwabone]

...vampires.

[On one hand, this man sounds absolutely insane. Lock him up in a strait jacket in a padded room stuff. A guy so openly talking about fighting vampires and being from a branch of the church that does as much? It just sounds crazy.

On the other hand...literally everything she had to deal with because of Emily...]

And you're just...telling me all of this? About vampires being real, and the church having a whole branch for fighting them off?

Death

[yesorwoof]

[Makima has spent most of her time during the investigation in the second area where there was a lot of blood. Her soft-spoken, dutiful nature has not wavered in the face of this grim task. She stands in place some distance from Roland and the lifeless corpse.]

There aren't many men of faith among the Devil Hunters in Public Safety. Your abilities to console the deceased are appreciated.

[An awkward silence. It's really clear that left to her own devices, Makima wouldn't have seen what she could do by stopping here.]

Do you think God will forgive us as well? For the next step of the Inquisition.

[godspiousjasper]

[ Once he had finished his prayer, Roland opened his eyes and straightened up with a bittersweet smile on his face. It was never a pleasant thing, to have to witness souls taken from this world too soon and in this grim moment? Someone had to do what they could. ]

Thank you, miss. I do truly hope their soul is able to find peace after what has transpired.

[ This task never got any easier, after all. He then rose to his feet, turning to face her with a thoughtful look on his face. They were to find the person who had committed this sin of murdering someone and then they too were likely to be severely punished, if not killed themselves. ]

The Lord will see that we seek justice for the departed soul no longer with us. [ A pause. ] I believe as long as we find the one truly responsible, we shall be forgiven.

[ Though he mourns the dead, he would be remiss if he did not address his fellow captives all the same. To be lost in his own thoughts this entire time would not do. ]

How are you faring after everything today, Miss Makima?

[yesorwoof]

[Makima pauses for a long time as if she's trying to remember how to smile.]

...would you believe me if I said that this had actually been the longest period of time I've gone without witnessing any casualties since entering Public Safety?

And yet... [She sighs.] Our enemies were all Devils. No offense intended to Alastor. They were simply a group with quite a few traits in common. We could take solace in gathering information through each fight against them. Here... God willing, we face each opponent only once.

[She shrugs her shoulders in her big coat.]

Do you think you can sense the sins in the culprit's heart, Father?

[godspiousjasper]

[ From her words alone, there was a lot one could surmise about the world she lived in. A reality filled with dangerous beings known as Devils who on the regular caused many casualties, but she sounded truly fond of those people she worked with while also making a solid point. ]

I would. My own home is a land rife with vampires, some of which when cursed are truly capable of some horrific things and it is the job of myself and the other chasseurs to take care of them.

[ A soft laugh escaped him, fingers brushing along his rosary still hanging around his neck. ]

Perhaps it is because we are to face them only once that we need to take the most care in handling them. Find our necessary weapons and do what is needed for those whom we could not save.

[ Surprise flashed across his face minutely, though Roland couldn't help but soon smile softly even as he then crossed his arms over his chest. He no longer wore his armored gloves as they were not needed for the moment, but tomorrow... that was another matter. ]

I am but a humble servant of the Lord working for the church, doing what I can to save innocent souls. I do not feel that title necessarily applies to me. [ He shook his head. ] Though to answer your question, I do not possess such an ability but that will not stop me from doing everything in my power to bring the culprit to justice.

[yesorwoof]

I was referring more to whatever psychological insight you might be able to glean from your role in communities, but... Oh, so it's not that kind of uniform... I should have brushed up on my theology, huh. Japanese Devil Hunters don't have as much to do with a church.

[Good thing she's getting this stuff out of her system now and not. Well, actually this is one of the top three most awkward possible times. At least it's not in front of their entire little group? Or on live television? She continues as best she can:]

After all, our ally the Angel Devil has a bright yellow halo and fluffy white wings.

[It's a happy anecdote to show the closeness and camaraderie that she feels with Roland as it turns out that their missions are surprisingly similar.]

Weapons... I take it we're both commonly in need of physical weapons to face our foes. A quiver full of arrows might be a reassuring mental image to take into the courtroom with us. Do you feel that the quiver is full yet?

[godspiousjasper]

Ah! Sorry about that.

[ His apologetic expression even says he absolutely means it, wondering if he should have been more concise about his position from the very start here. By this point he knows everyone comes from different worlds, and it wasn't as if he knew much about what a 'Devil' hunter really was. ]

It would not be the first time others have thought the same thing, so there's no need to worry. Most people are not aware of my particular branch of the church i'm a part of, but that's from us all being from different places, I believe.

[ His whole face brightened just a touch when Makima mentioned an 'Angel' Devil and it took everything in his entire body not to ask about it, though surely it had to be briefly written across his face. Surely she would not mind if he addressed that at a later point, hopefully. ]

Given what we have unearthed during our investigation? [ Roland gave a curt, confident nod of his head. ] I do. Though I admit it may be safe to bring some form of weapon with us in case our words do not happen to be enough.

[yesorwoof]

Yes, I must agree that even several days isn't enough time to completely pick up the backgrounds of the many people we've met here. Even though there's so much to learn...

[So it seems like she might be willing to indulge Roland's spike of interest. She's thinking about how this also limits her insight into the culprits, but doesn't want to longer on the unhappy thought of doubting their comrades. She blinks at Roland bringing up physical weapons as well, and her expression shifts into something a little more vengeful.]

Well... I don't have the usual government prerogative to employ whatever physical force is necessary. I'm not one for vigilantes. So I've been very conservative in arming myself. But I do have experience in ensuring cooperation. I appreciate the thought of having someone by my side who might be willing to approve of desperate measures in desperate times.

[Providing at least some substitute for the government that is such an important source of stability in her life.]

[godspiousjasper]

Indeed there is.

[ A small hum escaped him as he stopped to think about everything. All of them locked up here and placed with heavy expectations he did not approve of. He wished to learn about the others there, to understand them and maybe even try to dissuade some from wishing to commit another murder.

He could only hope others would view him as an open book because he didn't really have anything to hide. The Lord would not let him be swayed by any temptations that could possibly be offered here, he was sure of it. ]

If there are few options left then I truly understand the necessity of desperate measures that may need to be taken.

[ Something dark lingered within his voice and expression for just a fleeting moment but it's soon gone as he offered a confident smile, demeanor much more pleasant once more. ]

As long as you will have me, I will stand by your side and offer what assistance I can in my time here. For I do not desire to see any more people die if it can be properly avoided.

Home

[scaldingsands]

[Kalim bounds up to Roland. Sometimes he forgets this is a murder game. Roland isn’t someone to be suspicious of, though! Right?]

Oh, yes! Of course. [He switches on the TV and game system.] What sort of games do you like to play?

1/2

[godspiousjasper]

[ There is an absolute pause as he registers what's going on, and then a sparkle to his green eyes that's almost childish with glee right afterwards. Definitely not even remotely someone to be suspicious of. ]

Ah?! Truly marvelous!! So that's what they're supposed to do!

2/2

[godspiousjasper]

[ He's looking between the TV and the game system with awe, though there's soon apt confusion as everything does set in and he blinks a couple times as he looked back to Kalim. ]

Beg pardon? Games? How would one play games with this?

[scaldingsands]

I haven’t seen one like this in a while, but… hm!

[Kalim grabs the controllers set to the side, plugs them in, and hands one to Roland. Some people are used to different gaming systems, and others have no experience at all! Kalim totally understands, and he is here to help his new friend.]

It’s fun! Looks like there are a bunch of games already inside to choose from. Let’s see… how about a racing game? I’ll set one up.

[Kalim boots up an 8-bit racing game. Their tiny player characters are cats in top hats on little unicycles.]

You see that “B” button there on the controller, the red one? You push that to move! Go, Roland, go!!

[godspiousjasper]

[ What seemed so normal to the young man with him just absolutely seemed so entirely enrapturing and amazing, turning the controller in his hand over to get a good look at it. He's never seen this where he comes from, this being a new piece of technology that's entirely foreign to him.

Roland can't help but just stop and stare at the screen as Kalim set everything up, though when told what to do? Suddenly he felt at a loss, blinking for a second as he looked down to the controller then just pushed the button and made an excited noise as the one little character on screen began to move. ]

Ah!!! I think it's going! Am I doing it right?

[ God help him. He's going to make a lot of mistakes but he's going to try. ]

Trial

[devouringthesun]

Easy for you to say, you're not getting talked about like you're the token expendable one just because all you're really good at is sh - stuff that doesn't exist here!

[And that's exactly what he said not to do, Katie realizes only after she's snarled it. She slumps back down in her chair, frustrated in a way indistinguishable from defeat.]

Sorry. That... I know this sounds bad, but... sure, I've killed people. They were trying to kill me and my friends and a lot of other people. There's a war going on, back where I'm from. But I swear I'd never murder somebody....

[godspiousjasper]

[ There's a small pause as he listened to what she said, then his expression seemed to soften visibly. Everything about this trial was stressful and a lot was at stake here, so everyone's emotions were all out of whack to say the least. ]

For what it's worth? Not everyone here thinks of you as someone 'expendable'. I certainly don't.

[ Roland doesn't even remotely look upset from her previous outburst and even manages a gentle smile, a semi-distant look visible within his bright green hues. ]

You only did what you had to out of necessity and I understand that quite well. [ A nod of his head, seeming to really think about the situation for a second or two. ] I believe you, Katie. That's why we have to be calm, so we can look at the evidence objectively and make sure the right person is made responsible for their actions.