Luministi

[without warning, a short beeping is issued by all the CATs, and every resident in Luministi inexplicably passes out for exactly one minute. when they awaken, they will find themselves completely restored to their normal forms]

[as usual by now, all CATs and vidscreens then activate. this song plays in accompaniment to a montage of scenes of the town, finally ending in a picture of this house. the image then cuts to a typical black-and-white scene. the Mayor is sitting at a desk in a lavish study, accented with wood panelling and full of artwork and patterned rugs. the desk is made of fine-grained wood and is decorated with statues--wooden lions, a marble Poseidon, and a bronze lion sitting front and center in front of the man. the Mayor looks like himself again--calm and cheerful, with his suit in a neat and immaculate state and an easy smile on his face. he might even have a twinkle in his eye]

Citizens of Luministi, I am here today to announce a joyous occasion! Two of our own dear citizens--[pauses, taking a deep breath and wiping at one eye, looking slightly overcome with emotion]--two of our own dear citizens, who have met and grown closer through their shared experiences in our beloved town, have decided to tie the knot officially and become our first new Luministi family! [he is positively beaming at having shared this announcement] Yes, I have the pleasure of announcing that the Doctor and Sophie Hatter will shortly be married here in town. In honor of this most special of occasions, I will be officiating myself at the ceremony, and I would like to invite you all to my home to share in the celebration! I look forward to seeing all of our extended Luministi family there!

( OOC: Plot Details )

[if anyone is near the town square, they might just notice the cloud of gas begin to dissipate. moments after it's gone, all CATs and vidscreens turn on, showing the black and white image of the mayor, but the smile on his face doesn't even come close to reaching his tired eyes. in the background, one can hear this song playing faintly.]

Greetings, citizens of Luministi. I have a few announcements I'd like to make this lovely Saturday afternoon on behalf of our very own Verita. First of all, our other dear friend, Dr. Resarci, is still on a leave of absence after what seems to be a horrible, stubborn cold struck him sometime last week. And during his well-deserved vacation, even! Probably all for the best he was unavailable and missed former Deputy Drew's execution late last night. My condolences to the families of his victims as well as to his own. Let us observe a moment of silence for our lost citizens.

[he bows his head, the music in the background ceasing while a moment passes in silence. as he looks up again, the music resumes playing]

Secondly, it seems the strange fog that has been hanging about the town has finally decided to move on, and just in time too! Our very own Janus Theatre will be showing double features on its outside screen every night for the next week as part of the celebration of the opening of its new arcade wing. Might want to bundle up, though. I have been informed that we are expecting an unusual cold front to be coming in. Might even see some frost on those lawns in the early morning if we are lucky. Highly unusual for this time of year! Why, I cannot remember--

[in the middle of his speech about the weather, the transmission on only the new residents' CATs cuts out suddenly, leaving the vidscreens still broadcasting the Mayor's rather boring announcement. a moment later, however, a new transmission begins with the Mayor yet again--but something seems wrong, from the disheveled state of his normally perfectly coiffed hair to the buttons of his shirt left undone, even the dark circles under his eyes that are normally covered with a judicious application of make-up. he isn't looking at the camera, nor does he have his normal piece of music on. instead, his eyes are focused on just below the sightline of the camera.]

This is one step too far... I knew hiring him would be a risk, but now this?! [he covers his face with one hand] Oh my poor little girl... I never should have--no, I'll make this right somehow. I never thought it would go like this. This isn't what I wanted! [he clutches a ragdoll of sorts to his chest]

[he falls silent for a long moment, and when he speaks again, his voice is calm and evenly measured] We need to find him. We need to tell--[he notices the camera is on at last]--has that been recording this entire--

[the new transmission cuts out only to be replaced with yet another. a third, but brief, transmission begins, showing the flickering image of what appears to be a grab machine or rather, a whole row of them. a voice exactly like the one heard in the phone booth before its destruction speaks:]

Find it before it's too late.

[and finally, both transmissions cease altogether just as the Mayor is wishing everyone a great day.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

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!]

[every CAT device in town activates just in time to hear the thunk of something large hitting the ground. the shop shown on the broadcast may be somewhat familiar to some. the butcher's shop is a wooden building, full of exposed wooden panelling, and though the CAT is broadcasting in the back room, a doorway can be glimpsed over the transmission that leads into the shop proper--a bit of the front window and part of the counter is visible through the open door.]

[but what really stands out about this transmission is Sheriff Iussus, standing in the back of the room, in uniform this time. he has one hand on the door of the meat freezer and the other holding his gun. he finishes opening the freezer door and--]

Aw, shit on shingle...

( A murder most deadly )


[ooc: Please feel free to talk and interact with the Sheriff!]

[sometime in the afternoon, the CAT devices and vidscreens turn on but this time, there is no video montage, but if anyone is listening closely, this song can be softly heard in the background of this recorded message. this time, residents get a view of Mayor Caligin's bowed head, his hands pressed to his temples. he looks up slowly as he begins to speak, a tired and world-weary expression on his face. there is no glistening smile today.]

Oh, dear, dear citizens of Luministi, it wounds me to the core to think such an event could happen in our town and on the most joyous of occasions that was our town's founder's day celebration. My heart aches at the very thought that I could have lost even a single one of my precious citizens to that horrid occurrence. I almost closed The Chrysalis in a moment of blind anger--! [he closes his eyes and sits up straight in his chair, that moment of anger passing in an instant.] After a long and dogged investigation into the incident, I decided not to close the restaurant. The Chrysalis is under new management now and will resume business sometime next week once all old food and drink products have been done away with.

If it weren't for the Doctor Resarci and his team, as well as a few special citizens, many lives would have been lost. As such, I am awarding special commendations to award those whose service has saved our great town from a potential tragedy.

The perpetrators of this heinous crime have yet to be found. The Luministi Sheriff's Office is working around the clock in search of these miscreants, and any tips or clues as to who might have done it will surely be welcomed. As of right now, I am imposing a town curfew. Between the hours of 9 p.m.and 6 a.m. any citizens caught outside without prior permission obtained from the Sheriff's Office will be punished and fined. All businesses have been made aware of the curfew and all will close early. I understand The White Rabbit will only continue to serve patrons who have reserved a room for the night, and the Janus Theatre will host lock-ins every Tuesday and Thursday. Do see both respective businesses for more details.

Until the perpetrators are found or step forward to claim responsibility for their crime, the curfew will remain in effect indefinitely. A few additional members of our town have been deputized recently to increase security in our town. Their services can be called upon to escort you home if you feel unsafe walking alone or find yourself in a situation where curfew violation is inevitable.

I do regret taking these actions, my dear citizens. But this is for your own good.

[as soon as the Mayor's transmission ends, the soft sound like that of a phone ringing can be heard, and soon new residents receive this text message from an unknown CAT device:]

"No time to talk. Find the booth, don't get caught. Come between midnight and one. More to come later."

( OOC: Plot Details )

[a new face appears on the CAT this time--that of a man with dark, thinning hair and square-framed glasses. he is in an office of some sort, which appears very white and sterile, and there are medical implements on the desk behind him. perhaps unsettlingly, he is wringing his hands and looking quite agitated. he seems unaware that the CAT is broadcasting at first. the hint of a voice can be heard from off-screen, and the man jumps] It is? Already. Oh my! [he turns then, looking head-on at the listeners, and gives a thin smile that does little to cover his obvious nervousness] Hello residents, I am Doctor Ernesto Resarci. It is good to meet you. [pauses, nodding as though to acknowledge those who are watching. the pause continues for a bit more time than is perhaps natural, and the good doctor's smile fades as he opens his mouth but clearly has trouble convincing himself to begin speaking]

[after that awkward pause, he does eventually recover his composure and begin to speak, though his tone does little to conceal his nervousness] I do not plan to alarm anyone, but I am afraid I have some rather serious news. It has come to our attention that a...how do I say...a foreign element was introduced by an unknown party into much of the food and drink served recently at our prestigious Chrysalis restaurant during its grand opening. But not to worry! This third party has, graciously, left us a clue to the antidote. The best medical minds in town are currently working on unraveling this clue, and as you know, Luministi has only the most qualified employees here at the Resarci medical clinic. And at the very least, our testing of the food and drink informs us that the poison is slow-working. It takes four days for it to begin to affect those who have ingested it, meaning that no residents should be experiencing any ill effects until... [pauses, counting days on his fingers] Oh dear. [smiles tightly] It seems residents may begin to experience symptoms of the poisoning any time in the near future, but please, do not be alarmed! We are continuing a thorough analysis of the food and drink in question, and we will also have the clue to the antidote solved very soon. But, just in case any residents would like to--how do you say it? "Take matters into one's own hands," yes? I will share the clue with you. This does not mean that we are having difficulty solving it! Quite the opposite, I assure you. Here. [produces a crisp, white sheet of paper from somewhere off-screen. he holds it up for a moment, giving the CATs a full view of the neatly typed document. then he pulls it down in front of him and reads:]

The venom you'll find is a special kind
From a secret source, smaller than a flea
More deadly than the wrath of the sea
Hounding you discreetly ever since your happy revelry

All hope is not yet gone
As long as you mind the time and don't take too long
To find your salvation, you must seek and unlock

First, you must find the eye of the beast
And with it, you must visit the guardian of time
Find the slot to unlock, at the base of his place
With both steps accomplished, all will then be safe

You see? The solution is simple. We will have it for you soon. [smiles thinly] But if you have any ideas, please share, yes? I will keep a CAT channel open for...tips. We will talk again when we have the solution! Do not worry, we will take good care of you. [gives one more thin smile before the transmission ends]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[no matter where the residents are when their CAT units begin to beep, about three seconds later, they will find themselves falling asleep where they stand--or where they're sitting or even in mid-stride--and the next minute, residents will wake up to a town that has greatly changed once again. how they fell asleep is anyone's guess...]

[just then, before anyone can access their CATs properly, the CATs and all vidscreens turn on, a video montage of the town leading up to the town hall fills the screen with a different accompanying tune this time, and soon shows the face of the smiling Mayor Caligin. he doesn't seem to show any sign of distress from the recent invasion of his town. in fact, he looks really excited, if that extra little twinkle in his eye is any clue.]

Greetings, citizens of Luministi! As most of you are aware, we're nearly upon the anniversary of the town's founding--that is, the day this very town was established, for all our new residents out there--and the town council and I have decided we're going to start things a bit early this year! [as if on cue, a bunch of confetti begins raining down on him] Starting right now--yes, right now!--the Founder's Day Festival has begun, but ahhhh, we still have some surprises in store for you. After all, the real Founder's Day has yet to come. This year's festival has graciously been funded by the Resarci Medical Clinic, so do be sure to stop by and thank the fine people down there for all their work!

Instead of me wasting any more of your time, here is a little flyer explaining the features of this year's festival--but really, the best way to see what's there is to come on down to the town square or even stop by the park. There is something for everyone to enjoy and we do hope you all enjoy the festival. It is, after all, very special. [for a split second, something flickers in the mayor's eyes, a hint of melancholy briefly betraying the excitement in his voice]

So enjoy the festivities and have a wonderful day, Luministi!

[and as promised, an image of the flyer appears on all screens and devices the moment the mayor is done speaking, automatically being saved in the databank of every CAT]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[the first thing the CATs--and only the CATs, not the vidscreens--will show when this staticky broadcast starts up, the faint tinny sound of music accompanying it, is the following video. how it's being shown is anyone's guess as no one speaks or in fact even appears to be there. it doesn't even say who the broadcast is from.

but what appears on the flickering screen is a box. an ordinary, unassuming box made of cherry wood sitting atop a pedestal that is soon closed off behind black curtains. the image pulls away slightly to show a cluster of pine trees in the background before it and the music ceases, leaving nothing.]

[a few moments later, however, the CATs and vidscreens click on, perfect as can be, and the friendly face of Audrey appears, a hibiscus flower tucked in her hair. she's even wearing nicer clothing than she'd normally wear in the White Rabbit.]

Afternoon, my sugar dumplings! Ohh, I know, you were expecting Mayor Cal, weren't you? Unfortunately, the poor dear has hay fever something awful right now and he asked that I fill in for him since I was finishing things up here anyway! [she laughs] Be sure to wish him well, and if you want to send him a box of kleenex, I'm sure he'll appreciate it!

Oh, before I forget, you'll notice that the weather predicting software has been removed from your CATs. Guess those silly meteorologists were sweating bullets over the thing and sabotaged the whole project so they wouldn't lose their jobs! Sorry for the inconvenience. All weather updates will instead be found on channel 40 on your vidscreens, but in exchange, we've given the CAT programming a bit of an upgrade!

Now that all the business crap is done with, I can finally announce the grand re-opening of the Luministi Botanical Gardens! Mayor Cal's had his brightest eggheads and green thumbs working round the clock on this one and isn't it beautiful? [holds her CAT up, showing part of the inside of a greenhouse] A lot of hours went into cleaning this place up and it really shows. In honor of that, we're throwing a party and someone thought I'd be the best one to cater this shindig, so all you adults can expect plenty of booze! [laughs heartily, but she turns extremely serious a split second later] But don't think any of you kiddies will get a single drop. Over my dead body.

[but then she's all smiles again] You wouldn't believe how beautiful it is down here. I could get lost wandering around here. There's so much to see! To get to our beautiful gardens and the many entrances to the palm house, just keep on walking past the southern plaza, head on over either bridge and bingo! You're there!.

So what are you all waiting for?! Come on down for some free food and drink! We even have a band playing later on today and they are fantastic. Might even see a special someone taking up the bass later on. [winks]

Hope to see you here!

( OOC: Plot Details )

Here ye, here ye, all ye residents of Luministi!

[CATs and vidscreens throughout town activate, filling with the image of a sprightly young lady with a dimpled smile. she is grinning fit to burst, with her arms spread wide and looking really rather theatrical. the town square is visible around her with what residents may be able to accurately identify as the town hall directly behind her]

[giggles] I've always wanted to do that. What'd you think? [strikes a pose with her hands on the sides of her mouth, pretending to yell. then drops it, considering] Bit much? Might be.

But still! [suddenly grows serious, though the twinkle in her eyes remains] Town residents, listen up! If you aren't listening already. Oh...there are a lot of you, aren't there? Well, in case you don't know, I'm the town crier here in Luministi. Which means I am the ridiculously reliable, tauntingly timely, incredibly informative Verita! Ta-da! [holds one hand up over her head and the other down behind her, posing very theatrically indeed this time] And I'm here to take care of all your news needs! Mayor signs a bill into law? You'll be the first to know. Graffiti on our beautiful public buildings? You'll get the scoop even faster than it gets cleaned up. And! [grins] Even better, I am your go-to girl for SPECIAL OFFERS. [pauses for effect, then winks]

So speaking of SPECIAL OFFERS! [pauses again, but this time she just needs a breath after all that spoken dramatic effect] There's one on in aaaall the restaurants in town. Yeah, you heard me, that's ALL the restaurants. And you know what they're offering? Free meals! One per person. But you'd better act fast! Because... [leans forward with a hand beside her mouth, speaking in a stage whisper now] There's an extra surprise, only available here, from me, the veritably vociferous and valorously valiant Verita, face of the news! Only while supplies last. So, good citizens of Luministi, hurry and come claim your special prize. [winks again] After all, there's a hamburger out there somewhere with my name on it, and fate waits for no woman, dauntingly dutiful or otherwise!

( OOC: Plot Details )