Third Investigation

[grimgrinningghosts]

[Two people have already died this week, but no matter how you look at it, the requirements for The Narrator to call off the motive still haven’t been met yet. And with a motive that affects so many, it’s hard to believe that no one else will die this week.

At least, when everyone wakes up today, they’ll find that there’s absolutely nothing off with the second floor.

Investigate anyway?]

Comments

[greatwidesomewhere]

[That certainly catches her eye; Belle gasps and bends to pick up the hat that had belonged to her young friend Dipper. Holding it with thumb and forefinger, she inspects it for any stains or damage.]

[grimgrinningghosts]

[It's pretty badly bloodied, actually. I'm sorry about this, Belle.]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[She swallows down her fear, turning over the cap in her hands, and then turning back to Thalia's body. Are there any corresponding wounds on her head?]

[grimgrinningghosts]

[There is not, thank god.]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Thank goodness. Belle swallows thickly, folds the hat up gingerly, and sticks it in her back pocket for safe-keeping. Glancing around, she scans the chapel for anything else out-of-place.]

[grimgrinningghosts]

[There's a knife close to her body as well.]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Squatting down to sit on her heels, Belle reaches out with a tentative hand, willing it not to tremble as she reaches for that knife. You must be fearless. Does it appear to match that awful wound in her neck?]

[grimgrinningghosts]

[It does!]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[OH GREAT.

Now she has...the murder weapon. Just going to hold that in her hand for a second and try not to cry again while she looks around for any more evidence.]

[grimgrinningghosts]

[Nothing really else of note! Good job, Belle.]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Wonderful. Just...wonderful.

Still crouched down next to Thalia, Belle reaches out to touch the side of her face, just lightly. Just once. And then she gets up and leaves, because it's all too much to be dealing with right now.]

[nocasetoobig]

Belle?

[He's looking up at her, bloody as he is.]

Can you help me get back to my room before the trial? I don't...want to go through another one like this.

[Messy, that is.]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Oh, no. Oh, honey. She nods, and bends down to scoop Chip up in her free hand. It's nice and warm, Chip.]

Of course. Anything at all.

[nocasetoobig]

Thanks. [Just gonna. Curl up in here for a while and try to get her hands dirty] You can use my sink if you want. I think if we're quick, we can make it...

[greatwidesomewhere]

Thank you.

[She's...got a bit of blood on her hands. It's not nice.

She carries him over to his room, and sets him down on the counter next to the sink. She starts to run some warm water, gives her hands a quick rinse, and then gestures for Chip to go right ahead and clean up.]

I'll get you a towel.

[nocasetoobig]

Can you get me something else to wear, too?

[There's a few outfits at his bedside table, with little stick-mannequins holding them up. What is it gonna be?]

[greatwidesomewhere]

Of course.

[She goes to fetch a washcloth, which is perfectly chip-sized for a towel, and then peruses the outfits on his bedside table for a moment before choosing that cozy-looking red cloak. When she comes back, she lays them out neatly on the bathroom counter for him.]

How about this? I thought it'd be warm.