luministi | ❧ I shot the sheriff!

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❧ I shot the sheriff! - Final Act

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!]

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[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?

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

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.

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.

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?

[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!

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...]

[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.

[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.

[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]

[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?

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]

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.

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]

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?

[calls behind him] You are hindering my investigation!

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

[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...

[just keeps running]

Well, yes, but... [frowns, looking uncomfortable] You must be right, but since he hadn't answered anything yet, he probably wasn't going to tell us anything else. Shouldn't I get the sheriff instead?

Yes! Call him, please. Maybe he'll answer the Sheriff! I'll stop the doctor.

[Fuu bolts after Resarci. He's widened the gap, but she's not intending to catch up with him, exactly.]

[Calls to Resarci]
Please, stop! Running makes you look more suspicious! You can talk to the Sheriff instead of me. Tell him what's going on! --Please, don't make me stop you!

I'll go find him!

I am a busy man! I will talk to him myself! But I do not have time for this conversation now.

Well, I'm glad to hear that you'll talk to him! Miss Verita will bring him here, and it'll be over very quickly. And I'm sorry to interrupt your important 'work', but this is important too!

[Starts breathing heavily]
Don't you realize how suspicious it looks when you run? Please stop, or I'll stop you!

[he's still running] I will talk to him myself! As part of...the investigation! Not because citizens are...stepping out of line! Good day!

[All so cheerfully] What line would that be?

Ahh, come on. If I were Umi, you'd have been an ice cube by now!
Sorry, I'm done with running... and talking at the same time! Please, don't say... I didn't warn you!

[Stopping she holds her hands out before her.]

Winds of Admonishment!

[The magic wind streams all around, reaching out to gently bind and immobilize the doctor.]

[unfortunately, just before the wind reaches him, he crosses the bridge past his clinic and disappears out of town]

. . .
[Fuu gapes for a moment, then takes a good look around her.]

Oh, really. That is so unfair. Of course he would head for the bridge. One place new residents really can't go - out of town.

[With a sigh she stops the recording on the CAT and starts heading back towards the town square.]

Well, that's what I get, I guess. Really, how does Umi manage? But if I'd been more like her, I would have caught him.
Oh.

[Opens a communication to Miss Verita]
I'm sorry. I'm afraid that doctor Resarci slipped away. But I can give the Sheriff some evidence. Did you find him?

❧ I shot the sheriff! - Final Act

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