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

[fortune_sought]

All right. [Sophie starts to do the same--although with far less efficiency. realising that none of this is going to make such sense to her, however, she soon gives in and sets aside the folder she was perusing]

I'm going to check the rooms within. Perhaps he's left something lying about.

[collector]

[A slight smile.] Yes, of course. I'll get to the technical equipment in a bit; I have a feeling the Doctor and I will want to use these parts.

[fortune_sought]

Have you found anything in his papers? [Sophie heads into the next room, eyeing quite a lot of technical equipment for which the purpose is not immediately apparent to her. she just looks around for a moment. good thing she brought Brax along]

[collector]

Yes, I've... found information on that poison. The one from last year. And on the antidote. [He frowns for a moment longer before tucking the papers away.] I'll look it over more closely later.

[fortune_sought]

[surprised--and suspicious] Now why would he have that out? Do you think it could be related to our current troubles?

[collector]

Potentially. I'll certainly be keeping the notes. I think the Doctor and I could replicate the antidote with the equipment here. [Which is all the more reason to 'borrow' it.]

[fortune_sought]

[nods; that's a relief!] That's good to hear.

Do you think there's any way to find out if the poison was used on...poor Audrey?

[collector]

Yes, with this equipment, I think so. I'd need a sample from her body first.

[fortune_sought]

[frowns--what an unpleasant thought] I imagine that wouldn't be difficult.

[collector]

Indeed not. I can take care of that part. [he notices that squeamishness]

[fortune_sought]

[nods, glad not to have to be part of that] Yes, thank you. Could you let me know what you discover? And I'll see if I can find out what our fellow new residents have found about town as well.

[collector]

Yes, of course. And thank you for coming with me, Sophie.

[fortune_sought]

[she smiles, still quite glad that he was willing to go this time] You're very welcome.