#strangulation ment tw ----

[pianofreak]

The feeling of rope around her neck--her breath escaping her until there was none left--and then--and then--and then... what?

Kaede felt fine. Well, not really, but she could breathe. Her breaths started out desperate and heavy, as if she was still compensating for the air she had lost. Her head ached, and she could swear she still felt something against her throat. Tears were falling down her cheeks. She didn’t feel fine, but she felt alive. Her shaking hands began to grasp at her own face and self, almost daring to pinch at her own skin.

She was somewhere unfamiliar again, and she was alive... or, it seemed that way. There was no way someone could survive any form of execution, after all. Was she really alive, here wherever this was? Or, was this... she almost didn’t want to think about that, but, how could she not?

Where else did murderers go after they themselves were killed?

Kaede finally struggled to her feet, all sorts of information pinging around in her skull. Her hand remained at her throat, nervous that another noose may appear if she wasn’t vigilant. Despite her trepidation, the closer she got to any cluster of crowds, they seemed to ignore her. Rather, it appeared that there was some sort of large party going on, aspects of it everywhere.

It was confusing, and Kaede had no idea what to think. Though, if this was Hell, then why wouldn’t they celebrate the arrival of another sinner? Unsure of what else to do, Kaede carefully walked into the throngs of people, hoping to find some answers.

[rewoundcircuit]

t5.2 | hard-boiled (?) | re: kimiko, orpheus, mayura, more check talk

cw: strangulation mention

At Kimiko’s exclamation, Ryuunosuke gives a small start, his shocked expression slowly slipping into one of slight embarrassment.

“Kita-san, it’s alright, I promise! Thank you for considering our feelings..-”

He’s not supposed to admit it, but having someone express anger on his behalf has him feeling somewhat relieved, although he has little time to dwell on it as more checks and evidence are relayed and it’s back to the main order of business.

He sets his eyes on Orpheus and clears his throat, his voice steady and even despite the others’ clear (and justifiable) disappointment regarding his actions.

“Well, I can state at the present that the headband I am wearing is my only one. It is… a precious memento from a friend, and to use it to harm others is… unthinkable to me. The shirt that I am wearing contains a red stripe as well, and as you can see it is undamaged.”

He then proceeds to remove his headband to showcase that it, also, is completely undamaged before putting it back on.

He then returns his gaze back to Kimiko, although what he says next appears to be an address to everyone in the room.

“I… believe based off certain facts we can perhaps draw some conclusions regarding the perpetrator.”

He gives a firm nod before stating very clearly:

“To begin with, they are a coward.”

He lets that statement hang in the air for a few moments before continuing.

“It would appear that, based off the information we know, that the perpetrator was most likely someone who was not that strong. That may explain the state of the bodyguard lab and the employment of a trap, which I assume was to catch Bruckhard-san unaware: that is, they were likely aware that, under fairer circumstances, they would be unable to overpower him.”

He stops before turning to address Orpheus once again.

“Also… if what Mayurakazuemiko-san said is true – that is, if Bruckhard-san was strangled with the fishing line and it created a mark – then perhaps, rather than a scent check, we should present our hands.”

And here he lifts up his hands as if to demonstrate, pointing at his palm with his right hand.

“Perhaps this check will yield nothing in the way of results as well, however, it is possible that the perpetrator would also have a mark on their hands which would indicate that they gripped the fishing line tightly in order to inflict that mark on Bruckhard-san…? I… favor this check above the others simply because the time of death and the time we were notified are rather far apart and I believe it possible that the culprit may have taken measures to get rid of any sort of scent by the time we were gathered…”