❧ Paper Faces on Parade

[luministimods]

[at last, the final person has seemingly returned to town and at that moment, all preparations for the 701st Founder's Day Festival finally cease! music starts up that can be heard all around town, and all the fancy, sparkling decorations reach as far as the townhomes. oddly, the sky has darkened to look like night even though moments before, the sun was out and shining.

by now, the town square has been transformed into an extravagant outdoor ballroom for this gala, and everyone is decked out in full refinery; tuxedos and ballgowns are all around! and most special of all, everyone in the square are donning fancy masquerade masks; be they dancing, dining, or simply standing around and chatting to each other. from the small sea of people in the crowd, it's difficult to tell who is who. no one has done any announcements or welcome speech, and there don't seem to be any plans to.

at least there, anyway.

not too long after the festivities begin, a box with a special mask and a note are sent to each of the residents. each mask is different, but the notes are all the same:]

I know you've been busy, but why not try to relax?
Who knows, you just might get lucky and find me once and for all.
If you miss this opportunity, though...you'll truly regret it.


❧ Plot Details: Paper Faces on Parade **Quick-time Event**

Hear that, everyone? The murderer has called you out! Between all the clues and things found throughout town, people surely must have an idea or two about who it might be, but now you'll be able to find him or her for certain. Except...there is this funny little celebration going on. You won't be able to get anywhere without wearing the mask you were given, at least, but if you do try to go somewhere without it on, you'll just be told that you can't get in (and might get told off for attempting to ruin the spirit of the celebration, but that's if the person you run into is the kind to tell you off for something like that.) Don't worry, though; nothing's been done to the mask itself so it won't poison you or harm you in any way once you put it on or even touch it. It's just a mask, and you have your choice of what it looks like. If you want to get fancy and find one, here are a few links. If you wish to get completely dressed up like the rest of the townspeople, the shops in both plazas have completely restocked to accommodate everyone's possible choices.

The town square itself has been transformed so there are marble-like stone floors in the quadrants of the physical square itself fit for dancing and mingling (though the flower bushes and fountain have merely been decorated to blend with everything better), and there are plenty of tables covered in white silk cloths near tables piled high with fancy foods and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). To the north of the square, however, are what appear to be three archways in front of the Town Hall. The fronts are curtained off, but curiously, none of the partygoers seem to notice this addition.

Will you go in beyond one of the curtains? Or will you be content to mingle and have fun with the other town residents?

The choice is yours, but know that what you decide to do here will lead to one of two things:


• Absolutely nothing. At least for a while, anyway.
  
  or
  
  
• A chance to escape from Luministi early--and to rescue your fellow residents from entrapment in a tiny little town--but there will be a second thing to do in order to accomplish this.


Know that if you do decide to go beyond the curtains, a wrong guess will have a slight consequence. Nothing too severe, though. There are only three archways to choose from, after all. There's even a clue in the note itself about which one is the correct one.

Just know that this plot will only last a week, so this where the quick-time event timing will come into play.

Before I bring this to a close, I do want to mention a little something about the clues and such that were given out in the last plot. Some of them might not seem like they go with solving the mystery of who killed Audrey Ardes, but hopefully now (and as we continue on in the game) they will start to make sense. If people want to discuss what all they've found--some information had been given over PMs, after all--and want to discuss things, you can definitely do so here!

And also, the second Activity Check has gone up! Head over here if you haven't already and check in! If you weren't able to get enough threads in for this time or anything, don't worry. Just give me a heads-up and everything will be a-okay~

That is it! How you want to tackle this plot is up to you guys! If anyone wants to do a joint entry, a full-on party entry, or even individual entries going into the curtained archways, I'm leaving it in your hands! Simply let me know when you do go into one (and which one it is--the left, center, or right one (or 1, 2, or 3 respectively)), and I can tell you which one is correct and set you on your way from there.

Have fun everyone! ♥

Comments

Re: OOC - Fuu's clues

[grandbellknight]

I'd like to think Croix would have offered up his own clues from his own death: the flash of memory featuring the back of someone's head - brown hair, unknown length; and a little symbol on his wrist.

During his investigation with Xion at the shops, they also found quite a handful (well, okay, Xion probably found it all- she's the investigator type, he's more of a soldier XD) They found:
- A bottle of chloroform
- Verita's basket, hidden in a bush, with some old notes about announcements from last season
- The shops look like they were abandoned in a hurry - stuff just left. Including bad food. Ew.
- Beginnings of the festival set-up, like Japanese lanterns, Chirstmas lights and such.
- And a hammer!

I hope this is alright?

Re: OOC - Fuu's clues

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Ohh, his symbol is so much different from the others! (The others that I know about being Fuu's flame and Hawk's sun, both on the ankle.)

...And a hammer! \o/ (lol, guessing that might be one of those things that will make sense later... XD)

Thank you!

Re: OOC - Fuu's clues

[grandbellknight]

Yes, definitely interesting! We were actually wondering if maybe the fact that it points to the right is significant...? Also, it kinda looks like a clock hand. Maybe the sundials...?

... Yeah!! \o/ (lol I have no idea. XD Or maybe it's a red herring!)

♥! o>

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

The sundials are the epitome of suspicious XD
... I can see the sun symbol fitting in with it, but how does the flame...

pfft. I totally have no idea either. But I love discussing everything like this! (like, I totally never thought of hands of a clock *.*)

[manicurious.livejournal.com]

The obvious solution here is to burn down the Town Hall where the town clock is located.

[painlessfighter]

Natsuo says yes, this!! XD

[manicurious.livejournal.com]

Also we have to do it in broad daylight. 'Cause of the sun picture.

I am a genius.

[painlessfighter]

Starting from the right side of the building.

Or, you know, the clock hands. Whatever's easiest.

[manicurious.livejournal.com]

PUZZLE SOLVED.

I knew playing all those Professor Layton games would pay off some day.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

XD
(Would love to see you guys try it)

[manicurious.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, it's pretty unlikely that Ichijou will get drunk enough to think that's a good idea.

[lamb_of_gold]

BEST IDEA EVER!

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

ROFL--!
Clearly. *passes you a lighter*

But do consider the sundials we do have...

"Another thing the residents are fond of are the sculptures scattered throughout town. One can be found in the southernmost (http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/vampwrite/Luministi%20Stuff/Sundial2.png) part of the park. Another is located in front of (http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/vampwrite/Luministi%20Stuff/Sundial7.png) town hall, to the northwest (http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/vampwrite/Luministi%20Stuff/Sundial15byflickrtim_johnson.png) of the library, and in the small garden (http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/vampwrite/Luministi%20Stuff/Sundial4.png) outside the clinic."

None of them have flame or look like they really have a place for flame...
But given the clock motif and it's proximity to the town hall's clock, it's previous involvement in plot, and that someone has been messing with the trident, I'm thinking Neptune is #1 suspicious.

[fortune_sought]

Well, they could always set Neptune on fire instead >.> But he is suspicious. I wondered if he was referenced only because of the antidote, but maybe he has something to do with the murder, too...

I heard, in addition to the random hammer, that Fuu saw a rolling pin? I wonder if Audrey knocked herself out with either/both of those, particularly as Audrey's blood was on the rolling pin.

I was thinking sun + clock = sundial, but I'm not sure how the flame would fit in. Unless you set Neptune on fire.

[manicurious.livejournal.com]

In any case, all roads lead to setting things on fire.

[fortune_sought]

Clearly that is what should be done.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

*only has wind magic and a lighter*

People with Fire magic, get on this, pronto! XD

[desertdaggers]

Well, we might need somewhere for it to take, but otherwise… :D

clues from the pub

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Mmm. This flame is a trick. I always think literal first, but...
*waves down Jchan for another question!*
Is there an image of a flame on any of the sundials?

Right! Thank you for reminding me about the rolling pin! Fuu didn't think much of it at the time, and it had slipped my mind too. But if anyone talked it over with her, I'm sure they could go back and check it out.

To reiterate the clues from the pub:
-There was a rolling pin sticking out a bit from under the fridge. There are traces of blood on it, and a test will show a 100% match with Audrey's.
-She found a dishrag (part of a set found in the pub) between the pub and the theatre and gave it over to Braxiatel. A test (or keen nose) would show that chloroform had been used on it at some point, but it was dry when Fuu found it.

(If we're right, this brings a whole new meaning to 'knock yourself out'... XD)

[luministimods]

Nope! There aren't any pictures of flames on them. All the pictures found in the Town Features description of them picture the sundials as they are in the town.

(And yes, it does bring a whole new meaning~ *totally cracked up reading that*)

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Daaarn. Figured. XD

(Yah! Glad I can make you laugh in a non-evil-laughing-at-us way ^.~)

[bit_impossible]

Yep! Nice guess though~~

(And I so don't laugh in an evil way! Lies and scandals >.> I just love watching you guys theorize~)

[fortune_sought]

It also just occurred to me that town hall has a clock tower in its center...

You're welcome! I only knew about it because the mod is currently visiting me, and I had a moment of "DID WE NOT SEARCH THE WHITE RABBIT!?" panic. It's very handy to have a mod nearby~ *waves at Jchan*

What did you want to hit up in our thread? I definitely want to get to town hall and check behind the curtain on the right, at least. Did you have any plans for the sundial?

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Town Hall is like... Fort Knox. We have such a time getting anywhere in there... ^.^o

lol! Very handy, that! (I do hope Jchan is not laughing at all our wild and exciting theories...? XD)

Yep, the curtain is my main draw too! I didn't really have any plans for the sundial but to look at it and muse over all of what we've been talking about in here (suspicious sundials, and how does flame fit in... >.>)

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

In addition --

Verita's notes look aged and the writing has been smudged. (To clarify "old notes".)

There is randomly a shortage of building supplies, even though there hasn't been a matching amount of construction. The hammer ties into this, apparently?