FIFTH TRIAL

[beautifultomorrow]

[As always, the elevator makes it’s journey once again to the club, and John’s voice can once again be heard.]

Cornelia Hale, she…

[But he trails off, soon interrupted by that same distorted voice.]

Y͘o͢u ͞r͘͝ea͏̧͟l͟ly̵ ̡dò͟n̕’t̛͞ ̵̡h́͢͟a̵̡͠v͘͞e͢ ̛t҉͟o̧ ͡do͘ ̸̵i͘t͏ ̛̀t̢͝h̸̸̵i͢͝͏ś͏ ̡̀t̴͝i̴͘m҉̷e͢,̸̀ ͝͠J͠o̸h̸͏n̴̢.̡

I know, but-

I̧t͜͡’͢s̢̢ ̀rȩal̀̕͝ly̶̢ ̴f̵̶͏i̸̕n͏͜e̡͞.҉̢͠

[At that, the elevator doors open once again to the Tip Top Club. With Ursula, Kylo Ren, and Cornelia’s photo’s now in grayscale, the room is starting to look a lot bigger now that so few people are still alive. John is still here, but he is very noticeably sitting further away from the tables sitting in front of the stage. He smiles when the guests enter, but it seems a little off. It’s hard to tell if all the death of innocent people is wearing on him or if he is just genuinely afraid of you guys.]

Feel free to take as much time as you want. I'll be right here if you have any questions.

Comments

[tadaishi]

I mean, were they human or animal?

[lusito]

They were more than likely human, if they were anything like the footprints I found in the kitchen.

[Joshua actually looked around and helped investigate for once, are you guys proud of him.]

[coulombslaw]

How big were they?

shoes check

[lusito]

Oh, my apologies, I didn't go get a ruler to measure it precisely. [Josh] All I can say is that they were human-sized, at the very least.

... Also, I believe it would be imperative to examine everyone's shoes here, as it looks like our culprit may have stepped in some flour while they were in the kitchen.

[For the record, Joshua's shoes are clean]

Re: shoes check

[tadaishi]

Good idea.

[Tadashi's chucks, while well-worn are clean.]

[darnsitall]

[Sally's black shoes are clean]

[stenchus_rodentus]

I take we needn't inspect diminutive feet like our colleague Chippington.

[hallotween]

I mean, the footprints could be fake. Someone smaller could've put them on their hands, or their whole body.

[forgottenfounder]

...They could be?

[... huh.]

You're right. They could be.

[hallotween]

If they think to make a whole trap, they probably thought to try to frame somebody else.

I mean, I could be wrong. Just a thought.

[stenchus_rodentus]

So someone small would have the strength to perfectly imitate human shoes for several feet.

[Riiiight.]

[hallotween]

Shoes are kinda heavy...

[stenchus_rodentus]

Poor Chip would fall over at the first try!

[Any excuse to drag Chip.]

[hallotween]

... You're also small, you know.

[like not to accuse but stop being a dick to dadmunk]

[nocasetoobig]

[YOU'RE LUCKY HE'S NOT DUMB ENOUGH TO WANT TO TRY AND PROVE OTHERWISE YOU SHITHEAD

Chip makes a HMPH sound nonetheless]

[forgottenfounder]

So that probably crosses out Ratigan or Chip. But there are ways to imitate shoe prints.

[lusito]

... in the fairness of Marnie's suggestion, we'll check to see if you have any flour on your clothing or otherwise at the least.

[hallotween]

[shes helping]

[nocasetoobig]

I'm fine with that!

[he's clean]

[forgottenfounder]

[Oswald doesn't wear shoes... but there is some flour sticking to the fur of his feet.]

...I was following the footsteps through the kitchen. I guess I stepped in it.

[lusito]

Really? I don't recall seeing you in the kitchen while I was looking around.

[forgottenfounder]

I followed them into there and all the way to the stairs. That's where they stop.

[lusito]

Ah, I see. [Huh] I wonder why the footprints stop right at the stairs rather than continuing on from there.

[... Unless.]

Oswald. You're able to remove parts of your body, aren't you?

[forgottenfounder]

...Yeah? I'm sure everyone here knows about that by now.

[He nearly gave Dipper a heart attack, remember?]

[lusito]

Would it be possible to remove your feet and walk on your hands instead, if it was necessary?

Or, barring that, would it be possible for someone to steal them for use without your notice?