luministi | ◌ 014 ◌ Who to ask, and what to ask?

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◌ 014 ◌ Who to ask, and what to ask?

[Private text message to Mister Braxiatel.]

Mister Braxiatel, when you were going through the law books I brought to you a few weeks ago, did you happen across anything about capital punishment?
(And although we were under the amnesia at the time, I hope that you were able to return or renew the books before they became due.)

[ooc: relevant link]

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[Private message to Sheriff Iussus.]

Sheriff, if I may have a moment. I was wondering if you have had opportunity to begin investigating the unusual happenings that the new residents have experienced, which I mentioned to you in our interview at the end of last month.
You did say that once the murderer was found that you'd investigate the matter more thoroughly.
Also, I'd like to know if you've experienced a sudden increase in missing persons reports since the weekend. The town seems a little... less busy than usual.

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[Private message to Ms Audrey Ardes.]

[bows] Ms Ardes, we only met briefly once before during the opening of the greenhouse, but may I offer you my condolences over the events of the past month.
If you feel agreeable to it, I would like to hear more about the life of Mister Ardes, as well as Mister Bruno and Sheriff Teger, if you knew them well.

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Yes, I do remember what transpired in our little meeting, Miss Hououji, but if you do remember, I had more than one crime to investigate and that was the poisoning incident at The Chrysalis. Now with all these blasted reports about people going missing, I'm up to my neck here!

I hope you understand that investigating the strange occurrences that took place before my arrival will just have to wait a bit longer. If I had the time and resources, I would if I could, but I can't. My apologies there.

[Ahh, so they still haven't implicated anyone for the poisoning? She'd bet all her yen on Resarci though... But at least another seemingly innocent person hasn't been--]

Thank you, I understand.

You did encourage me about reporting strange incidents, however, so perhaps I should let you know about another one happening right now.

Previously the occurrences affected only the new residents, but now it's got everyone. I believe that the quizzes to enter buildings, the missing persons, and the odd accumulation of dolls around town are connected.
If you could please collect all of the dolls, and see if they are the same number as the number of missing people, that could help prove the theory.

You think so, huh? Well, thanks for that observation and the report.

While your advice was not needed, I will let you know that we've been in the process of doing a count of all the dolls around town instead of collecting them. Best not to disturb the scenes and all, especially if they simply turn out to belong to any of the local kids around here.

One piece of advice for you: if you think you're going to fail in this games or quizzes--whatever the hell they are--then maybe you ought to just stay in one place. Lessens your chance of running into more troub--ah crap, now I've really got to go. Dolls to catalogue, etc, etc.

[just as he's hanging up, he groans:] Aw hell, the judge too?!

[Audrey looks a bit more worn and tired from her normal, exuberant self.]

Fuu, you're such a sweet, young thing. Thank you, my darling. There's only so much I can tell you about Bruno and Sheriff Teger. Both were kind men. Bruno was the kind of guy who'd give you a little extra and not charge you for it and Sheriff Teger always held the door for me no matter what. Sheriff Iussus does on occasion, but it's not quite the same.

Now for Andre...[she smiles wistfully] I loved him, you know. Couldn't ask for a better person than him. He and I pushed each other buttons all the time, but we loved each other all the same. You know, he even bet me that I wouldn't get my liquor license before him. [she laughs, but her chin trembles ever so slightly] Showed him a thing or two. He had to take the course a second time!

That's what we did, though. We challenged each other and took all sorts of risks. Made us the people we are now. [pauses] Or were, anyway.

[Laughs a little with her at her story.]

They all sound like truly wonderful men. Risks and challenges certainly do make us grow, don't they. [Smiles sadly]

I regret that I didn't get to know them. In a small town like this, it must be important to have good relationships with the people around you. Being from a large city, I wouldn't really know...

Well, sometimes it can be a pain in the behind! With everyone knowing everyone else, if you do something stupid or embarrassing, chances are half the town will have heard about it in the next half hour. Things tend to stick around a lot longer. You sorta...lose any kind of anonymity you'd get in a larger city, and even things you don't want other people to hear end up reaching their ears somehow.

Like if I was mad with Andre, he'd know about long before he got to work. [she laughs] Folks would warn him that I was in a mood or would ask him what he'd done this time. 'Course, he'd tell me that after the fact.

[And if someone committed three murders, would it not have created a bigger stir than it did...? Yet Fuu smiles kindly. Ms Ardes is sharing her heart-felt memories with her. Which makes her feel badly about what she wants to ask about next.]

That would indeed be quite inconvenient! That being the case, if I may be so bold to say, it then might make sense that Deputy Drew's trial was not public. However I'm sure that the members of the community would have wanted to hear more about it.

I know it might be difficult to speak of, but would you tell me what you think of the matter? And... if you feel that there has been resolution and closure.

[Fuu couldn't help her emotion from coming out in that last, for she speaks from personal experience. Closure over Emeraude's death - murder - was a long time coming.]

[her smile fades] When you say members, do you mean you new residents? Because I think--well, it doesn't matter what I think. Drew wanted privacy and I didn't want you all to have to see that... I would've told you all otherwise.

But you're wrong if you think there's been any resolution or closure in this at all. [she sounds a bit stern and is working herself up--but she's not angry or anything at you, Fuu.] The evidence they used to pin the murders on him is wrong. Whatever real evidence there is is in the hands of the real murderer. Andre's--[she covers her mouth, choking back a sob]--murderer.

I'm sorry, Fuu darling, but I can't... I should go.

No, I'm sorry, Ms Ardes. [bows] Thank you very much for sharing so much with me. [Kindly yet intently] And, what you think does matter. I would be most pleased to speak with you again sometime.

If I can find the time, I would too, but if I don't get to for some reason, keep yourself safe, sugar pie. Can you do that for me?

[Fuu smiles broadly, thinking of the one command she's been able to latch on to in this whole time.]

I will. I'll do my best to help keep everyone safe.
So you keep yourself safe too. And avoid going in and out of many buildings for now.

[Her fingers unconsciously brush the side of her left forearm that is now also felt. No one could help her with games of chance.]

Don't worry, the books were returned on time. I have always been very diligent about returning library books, even in my youth. But yes, there was some information on capital punishment. Is there anything in particular you'd care to know?

Thank you!

Well, as you can imagine, I'm concerned about how Deputy Drew's case was handled. We didn't hear anything between him being in custody and-- his execution. No public trial, nothing.

It's too late to save him, but perhaps something about how the case was handled could point us towards who really is at fault.

That it was not public seems to be by Deputy Drew's request. That, of course, doesn't explain why there were no announcements about the trial or execution whatsoever. The jury were all people of this town. Miss Osculia was kind enough to give me a list of those who were involved in the trial. Curiously, they're all on the list of missing persons that I got from one of the deputies, with the exception of Iussus, of course.

There's another matter. I'm not sure if you want to hear about it. It's to do with the execution itself.

I must admit I'm impressed that Miss Osculia provided that. The residents have a tendency to be less than forthcoming. (Except for Sheriff Iussus...)
And that is very suspicious. It doesn't stop doctor Resarci from being the most suspicious, but I can't believe he acted alone.

Thank you for your concern, Mister Braxiatel. I am prepared to hear about what you found out.

Then it's simply this: I haven't any idea where the execution might have taken place, and I can't find anything about where the body may have gone. No records for the morgue and nothing about his family claiming it.

It wasn't done at the clinic? And no burial? No body? I was going to pay my respects sometime this week, but now-
What an absolute disgrace.

Mister Braxiatel, if I were anywhere else but here I'd say it's crazy, but, do you think that there is a possibility that they kept Deputy Drew alive?

It's certainly possible. But as Iussus is the only one from the trial still around, he is our only lead.

I wonder what he could lead us to...

Were you interviewed by him during the murder investigation? If so, I'm wondering how you got along with him.
I found him to be considerably more open about some things than the other residents. Oh, I trust him about as far as I can throw him, but still.

I have been interviewed by far less agreeable men. I should point out that he very likely doesn't trust us, either.

For all that I wish he would! That any of them would!
I even sent a message to the Mayor, subtly offering help... And I still cannot get a meeting with him. It seems that this 'event' has the residents quite upset - certainly at least the Mayor and Miss Osculia.

Also, I meant to say, I'd wager that you would likely be far more successful than me at getting information from the Sheriff.

Well, they are as affected about it.

If he gives me the time of day. I got the list of jurors from one of the deputies, not Iussus himself.

Which is strange all on it's own. I worried that I was pulling Miss Verita into danger, but for all the rest of the residents to be affected too...

Well, I must say that I got at least that out of him! He updated my CAT clock at my interview.
There is no harm in trying. I think. And certainly he'll pay more attention to a gentleman like you, rather than to a child like myself. (...Unless perhaps I cried. But I'd really rather not do that!)

You can't blame yourself for what others do to people.

I'm not so sure of that. Police forces never seem to take too kindly to me, no idea why.

[Oh, but she does anyways.]

Really? I can't imagine why either...

We have to try something to find out some new information. Even Ms Ardes feels that there has been no closure or resolution to this. I would like to help her find the truth as well.

I'm not completely convinced Ms Ardes is being entirely forthcoming with us. Have you asked her if she has noticed the recent increase in missing persons cases?

No, perhaps not, but don't you suppose that's just because of what she's been through?

But no, I didn't get to ask her about that. But now that you've told me about Deputy Drew's missing body, I feel like I have even more questions for her!

I don't, actually. Call me distrustful, but I've found there's a difference between a desire for privacy and a compulsion to keep secrets.

I see.
...But I don't know that I can tell the difference.

I need to understand the people of Luministi, but whether they are being private or secretive, it still is so difficult.
She seemed so sincere. How can you know...?

Call it intuition.

Might I make a suggestion?

Of course! I value your advice.

I'd like to know a bit more about the history of the Botanical Gardens. You might want to ask her about that.

Really?
Certainly, I could do that. Anything else?

Not off the top of my head. But trust your intuition.

I'll do that!

I'll let you know once I've spoken to her.

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◌ 014 ◌ Who to ask, and what to ask?

From the Sheriff

To the Sheriff

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From Audrey (private video message)

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