Luministi

[One by one, the visitors disappear, going back home just as mysteriously as they first arrived. When the final one is gone, there is a change...and then, music begins to play on everyone's CATs as it accompanies a montage video tour of the town until it winds up in the Mayor's office once more. Mayor Caligin smiles warmly before speaking.]

Greetings, citizens of Luministi! As you may know, the 702nd Luministi Founder's Day Festival will take place in less than a week! However, this year's festivities will begin early with a cooking contest held here in the town hall, food and wine tasting in the botanical gardens, and 24-hour film festivals for all ages in our very own Janus Theatre! Throughout the week, there will be various game stations and vendors around the town square, with various rides set up in the park. For those of you with music on the brain, all kinds of musical acts can be found around in and around the gardens.

As always, a health and safety booth will be set up near the park for those who get a little too excited, aren't feeling well, or simply can't make the trek to the clinic.

And this is only the beginning! [Caligin's grin grows broader, his excitement practically oozing out of his pores.] Last-minute volunteers are always welcome to help finish setting up booths and decorations, so direct all queries to Miss Osculia as soon as possible if you're interested.

That's all from me today. Have a wonderful day, Luministi!

[The video feed cuts off then. Bird song can be heard outside. The sun is shining brightly with nary a cloud in the sky, but there is a gentle breeze in the air carrying the sweet floral scents from the botanical gardens.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[the device Nathan left behind finally turns on with a text message on the screen that reads: "Please make sure you're in a quiet, private area in the next five minutes and be prepared to broadcast this message to your friends on a private channel." once the five minutes pass, an audio message begins, Nathan's voice clear and far less strained than it was previously.]

Thanks to your preliminary investigations I've been able to crack into some of the laboratory's systems and should...[he sounds distracted]...be able to have them open in a moment now that I'm fully connected. Now just...know that I'm not entirely sure what doors I'm opening. I'm working with an outdated schematic and even with knowing there's some funny business going on with the--[there's a faint sound of a key being hit and he lets out a victorious little "hah!"] There we go! I'm hoping these will open up some of the labs--at least in theory anyway. I can't see what I've unlocked, but I don't think I've been lucky enough to hit upon Lab #3. No one is that--

[he stops speaking suddenly, and a split-second later, the flurry of keys can be heard. after a moment, he finally starts to speak again, the typing of keys continuing] I--I don't believe it, but--why doesn't she respond?! What's--okay, I'm patching this through. Whoever has this, press record to save this video on the device, all right? Going in three--two--one--

[once he's done counting down, the device lights up with a somewhat grainy video of a now familiar minimalist room with expensive furniture. only this time, there's only one occupant in the room moving about somewhat aimlessly. he's talking on what appears to be a small headset resting in his ear and from his voice, he should be recognizable as the young man Proctor has argued with in the past]

--es sir, we're starting in just a few minutes. [he sits in a chair facing the multitude of screens on the wall, then stands, swivelling his chair a bit before he sits again and stretches, propping his feet up on the empty one next to his. he seems quite pleased with this arrangement] Oh, that? No, no, no...I have something far more interesting planned. Call it...a stroke of genius. They're going to love this far more than the other stunt we had planned.

[his tone shifts slightly; it's less cocky and more on the casually sinister side] After all, once they figured out how to turn the life supports back on, then they'd know what to do every time after that--and besides, they'd die relatively around the same time, and we can't afford that break in the programming. Oh sure, it'd cause a certain amount of distress and sorrow amongst those still alive to see their friends die, but it'd be short-lived! [he gestures with one hand absently] These days, the people want to see the suffering and the struggle and the bickering--and get their money's worth while they're at it, so it's got to be one hell of a show each and every time. People live for that type of real-life painful drama, the sick bastards. So I'm going to give them what they want--and I think you'll be more than pleased.

[he nods, pausing for a second to listen to someone else on the other line] No, I don't need his approval. That's always been more of a...formality. He likes to think he's in control of such things. [another pause and sets a data pad on the arm of his chair, a smirk on his lips] No. Not anymore.

[the video ends just as the young man taps something into a data pad. the screen of the device goes black and Nathan doesn't come back on]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[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 )