Rhapsodien op. 79 No.1: Agitato

[collector]

[The video broadcast is of a well-dressed, well-kept man, calm if not at ease. He does not seem happy, but he also seems undisturbed.]

Well, we can't be sure this isn't all somehow a trap, but we may as well go through with it. My name is Irving Braxiatel, if we haven't met; I was here last time. We've been given a pristine crime scene, and I hope we haven't disturbed it since? We need to look everywhere and start collating data, and we need to keep a calm head. We also need to be careful. Dr Resarci is gone, and while I trust myself to be able to operate that equipment--and I hope we have some healers among our number--I don't want anyone taking any chances.

Now. The town is a reasonable size and we have enough people. We need to make a thorough search and collate all our data. We also need somebody to look at the body for any hints. All information should be posted to the network, as should any further developments. Perhaps that's indiscreet and playing right into the hands of those we'd rather not aid, but frankly, we can't spend every moment second-guessing if we're being manipulated or not. It's very tiring and very unfruitful.

I'd like us working in pairs at the least, and I'd prefer if at least one person in each pair is combat capable. If you feel comfortable with it, try staying in the town home of somebody you trust at night. The more we work together, the safer we will be. It may also be useful if one person in each time was here last time.

The Pub and the Sheriff's Office need to be looked into in particular. I'm attaching a list of areas, so feel free to volunteer. Or wander off in disorganised glory and stumble across the truth purely through good luck and heroism, it works for some people, but we'll go with lists for now.

And everybody, please keep in mind that this place tends to have a certain logic to it. Like a story. If something seems to make narrative sense, don't dismiss it as irrational. It may be a clue.

[Text]

[He attaches a map of the town.]

-Luministi Greens East
-Luministi Greens West
-The Chrysalis
-The Sheriff's Office
-The Botanical Gardens
-The Clinic
-The Town Pavilion
-The Pub
-The Janus Theatre
-The Western Shops (including the malt shop)
-The Southern Shops
-The Library

*The Town Hall and mayoral residences are inaccessible.
*We also need somebody to look over the body.

Comments

Audio

[lamb_of_gold]

I examined the body to try and determine a cause of death, right after Fuu alerted me to it. There seemed to be some half-healed head wounds, but I do not think that was what killed her.

Audio

[collector]

Do you have any idea what did?

Audio

[lamb_of_gold]

None. Aside from the head wounds, there's no sign of foul play at all.

[Video]

[manicurious.livejournal.com]

Isn't there a surveillance system around here that we can tap into? I believe it would be useful to have at least one person able to watch the entire town all at once as this little investigation takes place, not to mention the possibility of finding clues from past footage.

[Video]

[collector]

The entire area is under surveillance as part of the study, or at least it was last time. We haven't been able to access that system, as we frankly have no notion how it works or even where surveillance takes place from. [But having a point man would be so great. He wants the Collection's security system back so much right now.]

[manicurious.livejournal.com]

[Rolling his eyes at that,] Of course not. It would be too much to ask for things to work out that conveniently.

Well then, what about setting something like that up for ourselves? I'm sure it couldn't be horribly difficult to cobble something together.

[Open Text]

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Thank you for taking the time to do this, Mister Braxiatel!

I have been through the White Rabbit, but didn't really notice anything. But then, at that time I was mostly looking for people, not clues.

I did notice something weird outside though, between the pub and the theatre. There was a dishcloth on the ground. Usually the town is super-clean, so I remember seeing it. Not sure if it's a clue, but I didn't move it. It should still be there.

Thank you for your suggestion that one person in each team be from last time! It's a good idea!
All the same... I was wondering if you'd like to search one of the places together with me.

Jamie and I have spoken about it, and we will check the Library.

I hope that everyone else is agreeable to following your suggestions!

[Open Text]

[collector]

Why don't you and I try the gardens? They're vast, but we will at least get a nice walk out of it.

[Open Text]

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

A walk with you would be truly a pleasure. And who knows what clues we might find- the gardens had its moments of significance last time!

[grandbellknight]

[He's usually better at the wandering off in disorganized glory and ending up lucky, but for now, we'll stick to order.]

I can investigate the Sheriff's Office. I was going to start my own investigation there anyway. If anyone wants to join me, they're welcome to.

[collector]

[Some of his best friends are masters of the Disorganised Glory technique, and he envies them.] Thank you. We were interviewed last time there was a murder here. One of the old hands might be able to point out any discrepancies.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie is a bit suspicious of this initiative--or rather, of whether or not Mr Braxiatel has any intention of participating in it himself. but it does sound like a wonderful idea to her, on the whole, and there is one thing in particular that's been bothering her...]

After what happened the last time, I think Dr Resarci's equipment would be a good place to start our search. But... [since she doesn't want to say "I don't understand any of it to know what I find if I look there," she pauses briefly] I would like to search with someone more familiar with the devices. Would you care to go with me?

[collector]

Of course. The technology won't be foreign to me. Heavens know I'll enjoy the opportunity to get a closer look at it all.

[fortune_sought]

[surprised] I'm glad to hear that, Mr Braxiatel. Could you join me there shortly?

[Video]

[bonnypiperlad]

Aye, like Fuu said, we'll try the Library, and I've done a wee bit of investigating on my own, but I've not tried to put anything on this fairy box just yet.

I can tell ye one thing right off, though. Apart from those head wounds Mu mentioned, Miss Ardes' neck felt very swollen when ye touched it. I don't know if that means anything or not.

[Video]

[collector]

It does mean something, though I won't be calling what just yet. Thank you, and good luck.

[Video]

[bonnypiperlad]

To ye as well. [He glances down at some pieces of paper he's scrawled notes on, and the next part is more to himself than Brax.]

Now, I know there's a way to get these things to record what ye say, but how did I get that to work before...

Video

[desertdaggers]

Like a story, you say?

Pairing up sounds good. What about the Chrysalis?

Video

[collector]

Good area. Were you here in time for the poisoning that happened there last Luministi Festival?

[video]

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

I'll help. Is there someone who doesn't have a partner yet?

[video]

[collector]

I'm sure there is, and I'd be happy to step up if there isn't. We're covering the Chrysalis, the Sheriff's Office, the Botanical Gardens, the Clinic, the Pub, and the Library so far.

[video]

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[It has been a very, very long time since the Master has seen Braxiatel, but he should at least have the decency to say hello. Well, hello in his own way, of course.

He puts his hand in the air, waving frantically.]

Oh, pick me, Tutor Braxiatel! I can help! And I would love to catch up, it's been ages.

[video]

[collector]

Oh, are you still alive? [He sounds so disappointed.] If you must, I'm sure you have it in you to be useful.

[video forever!]

[vengefulagent]

[hi there, Brax. say hello to your sort-of neighbor!] Well hello, Mister Braxiatel. No doubt the others have other locations covered by now and since we don't have any other authorities in town monitoring us, how about I keep an eye on everyone? My motion tracker has a limited monitoring radius, but I can observe everyone from the top of the library if need be and we aren't exactly in need of any communications devices.

What do you think?

[video forever!]

[collector]

I think that's an excellent idea! It certainly solves one of our major problems. Thank you... Agent Washington, isn't it?