❧ I shot the sheriff! - Final Act

[luministimods]

Citizens of Luministi! I come before you today with news of the gravest sort!

[a likely now-familiar dark-haired girl appears on the CATs and vidscreens of every resident, her arms thrown out to her sides in her usual theatrical manner, but her expression is very grim indeed]

As you know, our fair town has experienced two maliciously malignant murders already in the past week. And it is my bemoaned burden to have to bring you this devilishly dire news today--there has been a third murder. A murder of someone very close to our own hearts. An--[cuts off, sniffling. she lowers her arms and her head and swipes a finger at her eye. keeps her head down when she begins to speak again, still sniffling] I'm sorry, dear citizens. This murder weighs heavily on my own heart. But I shall, as always, do my doleful duty and report this egregious event. Andre--Andre Ardes, our benevolent bartender, is dead. Hit over the head by one of his own bottles and then...then, with the bottle, his throat... [but her voice catches, and she turns away from the CAT, putting her hands up to hide her face] I'm sorry. [her voice is choked with tears] But Audrey is a melancholic mess. It's not fair! Why is this happening? This was supposed to be fun! [wipes her face, sniffling some more. after spending a moment composing herself, she turns back to the CAT]

I apologize, dear citizens. There is more news to share, and I'm dutifully dependable enough to share it. You see... [lowers her voice] I was told not to share it all, but the news is the news, and I won't let it be stopped! Not in this horrifically horrendous case. So I tell you now, out of nothing more than the insistence of my heroic heart, that a note was found with...Andre... [her voice catches again, and she stops to take a deep breath, but she stays composed this time] It said, "This is what happens to traitors." I... [clenches her hands into fists at her sides, her voice rising again] Who, I ask you, in their right mind could ever think that amenable Andre was a traitor?

[but she takes another deep breath, lowering her voice again when she continues] There is something dark afoot in our threatened town, and it's the news' job to sort it out. So I, as your representative of the news, am going to lead the way in getting to the bottom of this. No one else is going to die on my watch! You see, citizens, I am not only dedicated and dutiful but also boundlessly brave. I'm going to confront the killer and make him or her change their ways!

[a bit sheepishly] Only, I'm not sure who to confront yet... So I come to you with a plea. Who do you think the killer might be? If you have any ideas, come to the Town Square, and we'll go from there, to get that killer out of our hair!

[ooc: Verita is completely serious about confronting the murderer. In this post, you can feel free to interact with her ICly and, if you would like to confront someone, she will be happy to accompany you! Your actions here may have an effect on the further progression of the game. Also, those who were interrogated by the sheriff, feel free to enjoy the effects on your characters!]

Comments

chatty^2 - she's picked up steam.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

By helping us find the factions. Oh, it's really just a general idea and it might not even work, but if we can figure out who was for the program and who were concerned about it, especially once we showed up, then maybe we can find the murderer in one group or the other. If Mister Andre, Mister Bruno and Sheriff Teger were in the concerned group, then there is motive from the 'for' group to do something...

Ah, but I'm so not good at looking at the big picture. All that's way simple, isn't it. I'm sorry, Doctor, I guess trees are much more interesting. But I feel like it's a start... something else. I need something else... [Snaps her fingers]

Okay! Some hints. Assuming that these are true, of course... [Opens her CAT to the unregistered message, so that she has her wording right.]
"The one at fault had the power to save you all but did nothing before, and will continue to do nothing but destroy if given the chance! This person isn't interested in evidence, or any of your lives, despite what has been said in the past."

Then, the message that someone here is a liar and not who they appear to be, and there are more trials to come. We have to keep each other safe.

And the observers behind the shield, and "once they have gone, I will be able to assuage your fears."
Miss Sophie's note, so short, about they got a spot, the 'sweet girl', things are going well, and be ready.
Plus the Doctor's note, where there was clearly two factions. One worried about the people and one that was more concerned with their people and... and... [she closes her eyes and rests a finger along one cheek, thinking very hard to clearly remember the note about the two factions.]

[Her eyes snap open, alarmed]
They'll do what they need to about the ones who don’t agree with them! Ohhh.

Oh-[Fuu presses her fingers to her temple for a moment. Should she have said all that? She had wanted to be careful about what she revealed about the messages to the regular residents! ...Well, too late now.]

[She looks at Miss Verita intensely.]
So who seemed to be interested in our lives, and in evidence? Who had some power in regards to the new residents? Who was doing nothing? Who is interested in profiting the people of this town, even if it means trapping and exploiting outsiders?

I'm sorry, Miss Verita. That's a lot to take in, but does anything stand out to you, as a resident here who knows all the news?

*stares at the text*

[luministimods]

Wow! [whether that's a reaction to the content of Fuu's babbling or a reaction to the babbling itself, Verita is clearly amazed]

Maybe we should think about who's interested in evidence and who irresponsibly isn't? [frowns, tilting her head and scrunching up her face in thought] Or who's lying and pretending to interested in evidence when they're really not! What else did that note say? "Did nothing before"? When was "before"? When did you get that note? Maybe that's important!

*blush*

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Beams a bright smile!]
Yes! That's exactly it, Miss Verita. Way to be concise!

Okay, so that message [she tilts her CAT so she can see if if she wants] was from last Thursday, immediately following my interview with the Sheriff. Like, I was hardly out the door when it was sent to me.

And I suppose, the situations when we needed someone to save us was with the statues coming to life, and certainly the virus.

[Fuu shakes her head. She naturally has a bias against doctor Resarci for his blundering through the virus incident.]
Seriously, how could someone from the town overlook a clue about the sundial? And I had been the one to actually find the antidote. Barely.

[But her instinct is pulling her two ways at once.]

I'm suspicious of Doctor Resarci, to be honest. But I can't help but feel that there's more to this.

I think you're on to something. Who is pretending to be interested in evidence? When I think of evidence, I think of... [Her eyes slide to the north, to the Sheriff's office.] The timing of that last message is so suspicious. But does it fit together?

Tell me, do you happen to know when exactly Sheriff Iussus arrived back in town?

[luministimods]

If you got it right then, I bet it definitely was about the malicious murders!

Doctor Resarci? [curious] What makes you say that?

[blinks] Let's see...I think it was maybe Monday the week before last. Yes, it must have been because I got the news of his mother-and-law's death on Tuesday. And her funeral was that Friday. He was going to leave again after that, but then the sheriff was killed on Saturday, and he had to stay. Does that help?

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

The Monday, ne? Ah, just a couple days too late, I think. Yes, thank you Miss Verita! That does help! I'll just have to put this other idea on the back burner.

[blinks] If I got what right? [blinks again] Oh! The antidote riddle? Sorry, I didn't realize I'd said that aloud. Yes! Let's run with this.

So, doctor Resarci. [Fuu puts a thinking face on, but can't get rid of the happy tone in her voice despite her bitterness for the subject.]

He had the power to help us with the nanobot virus, even by warning us sooner or by contributing something to the riddle, but didn't. He left it up to us, while he was cozy in his lab. Perhaps I should feel lucky that he told us about the riddle at all?
He's supposed to be helping gather evidence from the murdered bodies, right? From that accidental broadcast from the Sheriff, it sounded like the doctor's been taking his time about it.
And a doctor should naturally be concerned for all the people whose lives he's in charge of, but what if he cared more for one group than another?

What do you think? Sounds suspicious, right?

[luministimods]

No, if you got the message right when you finished talking to the sheriff! That's fantastically fishy, don't you think? It must have been about the murder.

[considers Fuu's explanation, frowning thoughtfully] You know, you're really good at this. I think you might be right! But I thought Doctor Resarci was a nice person...

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see, I see! Yes, it is totally fishy, isn't it! But I'm not sure about what else can make the Sheriff a suspect. After all, he hasn't been here. And the warning about the liar was before he returned. But his being here for that first murder also has fishy timing...

But enough about fish - I'm going to be hungry!

[blushes] Oh, thank you... I've never done anything quite like this before... And you're helping me out tremendously!
But I guess we have a suspect. I'm not all that confident about confronting him alone though. Should we call the Sheriff?

[luministimods]

No, Sheriff Iussus only believes evidence. If all we've got is theories, we should talk to him ourselves first and find out more!

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Fuu nods decisively. Her face looks a touch serious, but her tone is still happy and light.]

Okay then. We'll do our best to gain more evidence. Not to worry, though. If doctor Resarci really is a nice person, he'll have nothing to hide, right? And if he's not, we're doing justice.

Should we try to find him at the clinic?

[luministimods]

Yes, I think--oh! No, that's him, by the cinema! [points down the path] He's coming this way!

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Oh, so he is. But what's he doing out here?

Well, one thing at a time. [She takes a deep breath, nervousness warring with the constant happiness in her.] I don't know what I'm going to say but now's our chance. Let's go.

[Fuu impulsively takes Miss Verita's hand and walks over to where the doctor is coming. She offers a slight bow.]

Pardon me, doctor Resarci. We have some very important concerns relating to the murders that we need to ask you about.

[luministimods]

I'm not sure... Let's find out!

[is clearly surprised to be approached] You should speak to the sheriff. I am afraid that, unfortunately, I have very important work to do.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Of course but... [Taken with a sudden idea, she gives Miss Verita's hand a quick squeeze in reassurance against what she's going to try and do.]

But I think you've been targeted. You see, I've received some messages that seem to point to you. Just a moment while I bring it up.

[Fuu takes out her CAT, and keeps the screen casually but carefully tilted away from Resarci. She starts the voice recording function the way the Doctor showed her, then brings up the message from the unregistered CAT.]

"The one at fault had the power to save you all but did nothing before, and will continue to do nothing but destroy if given the chance! This person isn't interested in evidence, or any of your lives, despite what has been said in the past."

I'm afraid it could very well be talking about you, doctor. Any idea of who would try to do such a thing against you?

[luministimods]

[bristles] That message is clearly just malicious propaganda! Everyone knows that I have been working hard to solve the troubles of the town. Anyone with real concerns would bring them forward through the proper channels. Not try to sabotage the program from the shadows!

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Wow, didn't out-right deny it's about you.

I see. So there are clearly two factions over the program, at least. And who would you suspect of sabotage to the program? Someone on HA's side? Or HR's? Just what does happen to those who don't agree?

[Fuu wonders at the words coming out of her mouth, but stands her ground. She can't help but wonder if the loss of tact due to babbling that she's experiencing is a good thing or a bad thing...]

[luministimods]

[glares at her] Young lady, I have no idea of what you are speaking. If you will excuse me, I have a murder investigation to assist.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Okay, bad thing.]
[But if nothing else, Fuu's 14, and teens are notoriously stubborn. She will get more answers.]

And I think you do have an 'idea of what I am speaking'! If you have nothing to hide and you're a good person like Miss Verita believes you are, then you will answer my questions! Prove you have nothing to do with the murderer by your answers.

[luministimods]

[exasperated] I have been answering your questions! You talk about these "HA's" and "HR's" and they have no meaning. Do they mean something special in your language? I do not understand! And I do not appreciate being accused. [glares at her]

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[An interested look] You feel that I'm being accusatory? I'm trying very hard not to be, despite my feelings. I once made a promise to understand before fighting... I don't want any more tragedies to happen.

No, you've been side-stepping my questions, which residents here seem to be very good at. [Glances at Miss Verita.] Are all residents here so loath to speak of other residents? I have asked you twice if there was anyone you might suspect of being against you.

And I thought for sure that you would know about what happens to those who don't agree with the program. After all, you are the doctor of this town, and their lives are the most important thing to you, right? Particularly if this message [briefly lifts the CAT she's been holding at her side] is 'malicious propaganda,' as you say.
Well then, perhaps you are an observer? If HA and HR mean nothing to you, what about FR3 or MO1?

[luministimods]

I am not side-stepping. You are speaking nonsense, spouting mere letters! And I do not run the program, so its opponents are not against "me." But I do, of course, care very much about the residents, which is why I must get back to this murder investigation! [eyes her pointedly]

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Alright, the letters sound nonsensical, but they mean something to someone. And I suppose that you're right, the opponents might then be against Mayor Caligin, in which case he's being targeted. But something is still not lining up.

Yes, the murder investigation. Doctor Resarci, if I may, are you accustomed to performing investigations, having lived in this idealistic town? When the note about the poisoning came, you ended up relying on us, the new residents, to solve the riddle. You've been charged with assisting in the murder investigation, yet the Sheriff is concerned with how long it is taking you to gather evidence. When I came to you just now with a message that you didn't deny was about you, you didn't ask where or who I got it from.

[luministimods]

I am doing the best I can with the investigations as they happen! You know this town is not accustomed to crime, but I do my duty. And I really must go. Good day. [turns and starts to hurry away]

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

But, He- Hey!

Wait, I still have questions! This is not just side-stepping, this is running from the facts!

[Starts running after him.]

Please, Doctor Resarci, I really just want to understand! If the new residents are here to help Luministi, why won't you let us understand what's going on?

[luministimods]

[calls behind him] You are hindering my investigation!

[Verita calls after both of them] Fuu, wait! Are you sure he knows more?

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Shouting ahead] You- you're- You're hindering yourself! The new residents have received clues--


[Slows her pace and turns around, walking backwards] What? What do you mean? You heard him avoid practically all my questions, and now he's running from us! He's got to know more than he's letting on...