Luministi

[as usual, all the CATs and vidscreens in town activate simultaneously. Verita is in the Town Square, looking out at the residents--but without her usual energy. without further ado, she begins speaking]

Residents, I am here today to report that the murderer who has ravaged our town has been caught! [her tone is, on the surface, cheerful, but her usual energy and flair for theatrics is definitely missing] Sheriff Iussus has discovered, to his depressing dismay, that Deputy Drew, one of his own officers, was responsible. [sighs, her expression quite tragic] But the deputy is now in custody, so there's nothing more to fear, residents. You can live your lives calmly again! Thank you, and, as always, remember where to look to for the news that's meaningful to you!

[the CAT feed cuts out then. but only seconds later, it cuts in again--but only to the CATs of the new residents. all of the vidscreens remain blank. when the transmission starts, it is showing the side of Verita's head as she talks to someone off-screen] Is it working? [pauses, and a muffled reply can be heard] Oh, good! Okay, here I go. [Verita takes a deep breath as she turns to face the CAT] New citizens of Luministi. I come before you today to announce an injurious injustice!

[Verita is, in fact, looking quite put-out now that she has begun her proper transmission. she crosses her hands over her chest, and a severe pout mars her normally-cheerful expression. but residents can just hear the other person with Verita say something then, and Verita blushes, lowering her voice] But keep this between us, all right?

I am soaringly sorry to report that the murder investigation might not be as simple as our dear sheriff is claiming. Now, residents, please listen before you act! I don't mean to sow any seeds of dangerous discord among us, and I'm sure the sheriff has gallingly good reason to suspect Deputy Drew, but...I think he's worryingly wrong! After speaking with you, our new residents, I think you're right and that...[pauses, reluctant]...that our own Doctor Resarci might be more involved than he pretends to be. But the sheriff won't listen to me! So the deputy is behind bars and the dubious doctor remains free. [frowns, frustrated]

And it gets worryingly worse. [sighs, her expression becoming very worried indeed] I don't want to scare you, dear residents, but earlier today, Doctor Resarci announced a gas leak. He claims it's just a minor leak and won't harm a fly, and he said I shouldn't even announce it so I "wouldn't cause panic." [makes a face] But after everything that's happened, I think you need to know! So, there you have it. I don't know what might be coming, residents, but I will be sure to give you all the news as soon as it's known!

[glances at her observer, possibly on the verge of cutting the transmission, when she hesitates again. turns back to the CAT briefly] And be cautiously careful, please.

( 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!]

[all CATs and vidscreens turn on suddenly and without ceremony. sitting in this room is Sheriff Iussus, his feet up on the desk while he regards the broadcasting CAT device.]

Attention all new residents of Luministi. None of you are in trouble, so don't think that, but I do have some questions for you. And I do mean all of you. Consider this an official summons from your sheriff. If you want the paperwork provided, I can send a deputy to your location, but let's see if we can save a tree today, huh? Lord knows we have enough paperwork to do lately.

Anyway, come down to the office as quick as you can. Might want to bring a book, though. Could be here a while.

[he turns the CAT off]

And now, we wait. [folds his hands over his stomach and relaxes until people arrive]

[ooc: Come one, come all! The sheriff has put out the call and he wants you! Feel free to knock, barge in, etc. to get the sheriff's attention.

EDIT: Also, please be sure that when the Sheriff dismisses you, that you reply back. It's important.]

[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!]

[the sound of a police siren splits the late evening's general silence. for those who happen to be in sight of the Janus Theatre and White Rabbit Pub, streetlamps light up the yellow police tape that has been set up in a wide perimeter, cordoning off that section of the block. the deputies who have been patrolling the town all week can be seen milling about, snapping photographs of whatever is beyond the yellow tapes, and telling off the crowd of townspeople who've gathered around, each one trying to see what has happened. if one happens to look, a traumatised Audrey can be seen at the window of the pub visibly shaking before Verita takes her gently by the arm, the pair retreating further into the building.

a middle-aged man wearing jeans and a leather jacket exits the pub with the air of authority and ease about him. he sighs a bit before holding his hands up in supplication, stepping forward towards the crowd of rubberneckers.]

All right folks, let's get moving along here. We've got a job to do and I'm certain most of you do, too, before curfew begins. I think everyone's favorite deputy is pretty fond of polka music these days, so unless you want that noise following into your dreams, you'd better leave right now. You don't want to spend the night in a cramped cell together, do you? [the look on his face says he means what he says. the townspeople, thankfully, catch his drift and begin wandering away. any nearby businesses draw their curtains and some are even closing up early. once most of the crowd has dispersed, he turns to face the deputies and the crime scene, a grave expression on his face.]

What a mess. What an absolute, fucking mess. And we're sure this is--no, the clothing is enough of a clue. Fuck me... Just when I was beginning to enjoy an early retirement. [he falls silent for a moment] All right, finish bagging and tagging the evidence, find me the goddamn murder weapons, then take care of the body. I'm sure Ernesto will be ecstatic.

[he turns away and taps a star-shaped pin on the lapel of his jacket and when he does, his CAT device turns on, as do the CATs of everyone in town as well as the vidscreens.]

If I can have your attention; this shouldn't take too long. This is former-now-no-longer-former Sheriff Iussus speaking. Some of you may be wondering where Sheriff Teger is, and it's my unfortunate duty to tell you all that his body was found outside the White Rabbit Pub about fifteen minutes ago. I won't give you exact details, but he did not die a peaceful death. Not unless you consider multiple stab wounds and a gunshot wound to--[he stops himself.] The point is, people of Luministi, there is a murderer amongst us. Mayor Caligin has asked me to step in and make sure you all stay safe while we're tracking down the suspects. If you know anything or saw anything strange today, call the Sheriff's office and we'll set up a time for you to come in for questioning. Even the smallest, seemingly most insignificant detail can blow a case like this wide open.

This goes without saying, but stay safe. And for the love of god, don't do anything stupid like trying to find the suspect yourself. I don't want to find your corpse next.

[as he steps away, just before he turns his CAT off, the smashed remains of a phone booth can be seen behind him. poking out from under a sheet on the ground, a bloody hand, covered in glass shards, is seemingly reaching toward it.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[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 )