melodiesoflife | Event || Cluedo

There's a commotion in the 11th district when Ales walks out from his house. Various scenarios pass through his mind: Graham got upset with his work and deciding lying in the middle of the street was the best solution. One of the idiot Heroes was breaking boxes out of anger. Someone was doing street acrobatics. There may be a new invention on display.

He had to check it out in case it was the last one.

His snout caught the smell of blood before he spots it. A lot of blood. It was more than what could possibly be spilled from a battle. He rushed through the crowd of gawkers to find the two Crystallis natives on the ground. This could only mean that there was a killer in Aqures Ixen, living right where the Heroes lived. It would be a shame if one of the people trying to help the world was killed for now reason, wouldn't it?

"Did anyone see who it was?" Ales called out. There had to be witnesses, and he wasn't going to investigate a bunch of bodies right away.

[Ib had just been out shopping when she stumbled onto the scene. At first, with Jade lying peacefully on the ground, she'd thought maybe he was sleeping. Or maybe he and Kidd were playing a game. She'd run up cheerfully, intending to ask if she could join them. But then she saw the red blood spreading. And the small hole in his chest. She freezes.]

He.. he's.... What did you...?

[Her first scrambled thought is that Kidd had murdered Jade. Which meant she had to get away. To tell someone. She flees. As she's running, she notices the other two bodies, but no one just stops when they're potentially fleeing for their life. You also probably shouldn't keep glancing backwards while running forwards, but Ib is just a little out of sorts right now.

She's probably about to smack right into someone. Maybe you.]

[Edgeworth is found kneeling beside Jade's body, his eyes wide. This crystal....it's a very good imitation of his housemate. But why is there blood? And there is a hole in the chest, as if there were a stabbing. Edgeworth's face is slightly pale.]

Is this some sort of sick joke.....?!

[Lailah had witnessed the commotion and after the second day's murder spree, she decided that it was her duty to look into things. Too bad her seraphic artes weren't available here. In any case, she's looking around town and searching for clues and witnesses. Does she come up to you and ask if you've seen anything, or do you stumble upon her lifting a random planter to try to find prints?]

"Help! HEEEELP! NEED HELP!" Ruby was in a panic - she had seen something terrible and she thought she found someone else. Right now, she needed help. Anyone can do right now as she's in quite the panic.

Saori once again cordoning off another crime scene. This hit way too close to home now. She looked again at the crystallized heroes, all three she knew.

"This murder is mocking us," she said with fists clenched. "They went out of their way to bring them out here from the hospital? Damn them to hell!"

If this was one of their Assassins, they had crossed the line many times. They turned against their Mentor, Malik and a fellow Assassin, Reno. What also boiled her blood was the body count of the victims. Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent. It was one of the three tenets the Assassins followed.

"The method of killing is much different too. If this murder is trying to send us a message, I wouldn't be able to make heads or tails of it."

With the third set of bodies found, Ales knew that someone was in Aqures Ixen targeting all of the Heroes and any unlucky native that happened to be nearby. Each murder was days apart, and while the Heroes could come back after a week or two, dying meant being unable to help protect the world. This was aserious damper on their work. Not only that, but they targeted some of the most useful people among them. Why Jade? He was one of the most useful Heroes. Was this really the work of the Cult?

On the 20th, Ales put out a notice for the Heroes of Light and for residents of Aqures Ixen to come to a meeting at the Observatory. There had to be a pattern behind all of this, and the clues found at the other places would help. He had rearranged the chairs in the meeting room to form a circle, making it easier for everyone to share their thoughts. He picked the largest and most comfortable chair for himself, of course, because he was clearly the most capable Hero among then.

He tried not to come off as condescending when everyone had gathered and he stood up to speak. "I'm sure we don't need a reminder as to why I've gather you all today, but allow me to explain it to the ones that only recently heard of recent events. The past few days, we've found Heroes of Light targeted and murdered in the streets, and by now I'm certain that this is a deliberate act against everything we work for. We need to find this person and apprehend them.

"Now, I can tell with certainty that each murder was carried out by someone different. The killing methods are different and reflect various skillsets, but I believe that they were under the orders of another party. What we have to do first is to pinpoint the culprits and work on from there.

A simple goal to work towards, but Ales had a theory on his mind.

"There was something I found unusual about the first murder. The victims' bodies were cold and damp, and James Kidd agrees that they were frozen with ice magic. Or they were struck by an ice weapon, but that's a rare weapon that could give away the culprit's identity. However, that's now how they died. They were killed with a well-placed dagger attack, as if it were the work of an assassin. But only mage classes can use powerful ice attacks."

He paused. This idea was a stretch, but if it were true...there was a hidden discontent among their ranks.

"Using those two skills would be impossible for a native, as they're part of two different Jobs, unless the attacker was a Hero of Light...or one of our enemies that can equip two Jobs at once. I would prefer it to be the latter, but what person with a rare ability would go out to the streets and endanger themselves through petty murder? I can't think of another reason."

The Heroes can protest all they want against that theory, but Ales had no qualms about hinting at betrayal among them.

"What of the other murders? Did anyone find clues?"

Edited 2016-06-20 15:06 (UTC)

[ Yuri's been tailing the whole ordeal since it started and nothing seemed more frustrating and upsetting than finding his crystallized friend outside next to the dead bodies of citizens in this world. Yuri's face was grim, if not a bit pissed off. One of the Crystals contained Rukia.

It was upsetting that he wasn't able to prevent it or be with her when it happened. Surely, he would have been able to stop the matter from happening altogether. Strangely enough he was concerned when the girl didn't show up at home last night and seeing the image as it is right now, he's more or less getting to the bottom of it. He's been looking around for clues and he found nothing yet.

The one t hing he deducted was that the general killings were people and "Heroes of Light." That's all there was to it but nothing connected other than the really obvious fact that whoever the killer was-- they were going after the foreigners. ]

[After the third murder, Alice can be found investigating the crime scenes carefully. You never know what might have been missed. She's paying particular attention to the layout of the area in each case. Places to hide, various escape routes, etc.

Every now and then she murmurs to herself and marks something in her book. Bother her?]

Exactly one week from the moment he was killed, Jade woke up at the hospital.

The first thing he was aware of was a faceful of Moogle. It took a few minutes to detach the wailing Rosepuff from his face, another few to get her to stop crying. Once she finally managed to fill him in on everything that had happened, he was quickly on his way to the latest crime scene.

There, looking as though being murdered had been little more than an annoying inconvenience, Jade strolled up to the first investigators he saw.

"Hello. I'm back."

[A written statement submitted to the police and the Heroes of Light. Jack will respond to further questions if anyone wants to speak with him.]

"On the morning of June 17th, I was patrolling rooftops in the 11th District, attempting to look for residual clues surrounding the murder on June 15th. Equipped jobs at the time were Dragoon and the Custom Job from my home world, Time Agent.

I was looking over the edge, I could see Mr. Kidd and Mr. Kurashiki speaking to one another on the ground level. Then, someone already on the rooftop called my name. I was surprised that somebody could sneak up on me up there. I'm afraid I can't remember the voice, but I did recognize it. It was somebody who knew me. Before I could get a good look at them, they kicked me off the rooftop. It was all too fast for me to activate a Jump. I died on impact."

[Santa wakes up in the hospital on Friday. He lets the doctors prod at him until he’s cleared to go. His first stop on the way out is at a clothes shop, to buy a thicker scarf than the one he usually wears. Even though the injury that killed him is gone, he still feels like his neck is too vulnerable, too exposed. He pauses over colors. Blue was the color of innocence, red the color of blood. White was too pure. Black, then.]

[Once he has his figurative armor on, he will be wandering around the city. His first stop is the scene of his murder. Investigators are welcome to see what they can get from him.]

Okay, this wasn't making any sense. Jade was awake and, apparently, he was frozen by a Limit Break when he was killed. And Jack was kicked off the roof, not knocked off the roof.

But, that just eliminated the two of them from her accusation of the Bending Jobs being used - there was still other victims. Right now, Twilight did have a few running theories here - there's the renewed possibility of a Hero doing this and that there is the possibility of two or more, especially with the fact that there were multiple deaths.

But, right now, Twilight needed proof

After hearing the news from Santa, and with Jack's theory of mind control, Duster was fearful for his friends. Either someone was really good at framing him, or someone was using him as a puppet. Either way, he couldn't let his friends get hurt, whether it was his fault or not.

No. Not his fault, but if he weren't here, this wouldn't have happened.

Around evening, Duster entered the police station, limping as usual, and stopped in front of the front desk.

"I'd like to turn myself in, please."

Once news of the bodies showed up, Kaji was out the door of the Observatory. Nice of the rain of the last few days to stop for them. The skies are clear, the streets are dry...and the evidence at the murder site might be better preserved this time.

Kaji is not very used to working with other people, but he finds a patrol of the Aqures Ixen officers. See? Totally not alone, Marshall. Following orders.

Minutes tick by, but Kaji is trying to keep his focus, keep his cool, find the murder site. Don't overlook anything...

"There!"

Blood, fresh, reflecting red and wet on the street. One of the officers gets sent off to find the Marshall, let him know what's going on, while Kaji takes the opportunity to see what he can find before anyone else.

"Hel-lo, beautiful." When anyone else arrives on the scene, Kaji is crouched low to the ground, careful not to touch whatever he's looking at. But whatever it is, it's making the man smile.

[ Dylas is a little hard to track down, but at least he makes it clear that he isn't running. He just never stays in one place, fishing through the night and selling his fish in the morning to help cover a room at the inn at night. If anyone asks around, they'll know his deliveries have all been consistent, meaning he's been fishing and selling every night since before the string of murders started happening.

Koporo is with him, dressed in the same ninja gear as always, as Dylas waits to be interrogated. He doesn't seem surprised by this point. He's a little annoyed, but he's always annoyed. He's calmly reading a small book while he waits for someone to come question him. Koporo had sent a short letter to Akane Kurashiki's Moogle as well, because somehow he doubted Midna or Ed would be interested in speaking on Dylas' behalf. Maybe his plan will backfire, but she seems like a sweet girl.

He's going to be quiet until his interviewer arrives, and if he'd been in a holding cell before he spent the entire time quiet as well. ]

[ooc; Anyone who questions Dylas might need to be aware of and comfortable with his permissions post. My preferred tag order is PERSON > DYLAS > WHOEVER TAGS NEXT > DYLAS so that he has an opportunity to reply to everything. Go nuts.]

Edited 2016-06-25 16:25 (UTC)

[The more sharp eyed individuals investigating the murder scene might have noticed Alice's pen lying on the ground nearby. Or perhaps a strange mark on her hand...]

[ The news of another murder spreads across the city like wildfire despite the late hour, so as soon as the crime scene has been properly secured, Ace rushes towards the police station. This time, he isn't returning empty-handed, possessing a piece of evidence unlike any they've come across, so far.

He has seen it happening with his own eyes.

The cadet isn't alone; Kidd walks into the station alongside him, but there's certainly something off about the way he refuses to as much as look at the assassin. His facial expression is that of complete solemnity as he directs his steps towards the investigators currently on duty. ]

I would like to give a witness statement regarding the murders which took place tonight.

A letter sent to all of the Heroes of Light:

"In order to help with the ongoing investigation, I've offered to run some tests at the Crystal Laboratory, but I need the assistance of anyone with the Illusionist Job, and especially anyone with an advanced job that uses Illusionist.

You are not under suspicion of any wrongdoing. I can't stress that enough. I'm asking for help, not pointing fingers. And if we're going to solve this, we need to work together now more than ever. But we realize that there is a significant knowledge gap in what we know and don't know the Illusionist Job can do, and whether or not it leaves any sort of magical trace. So I ask for your help, and the help of anyone else who has a lot of experience with Crystal Research."

An extra letter is sent to Jade Curtis:

"You're one of the experts here, I'd really appreciate your help on this, cover bases that I wouldn't think to. Also, I do have a question for you that I'd rather ask in person."

Jack won't reply over letters, instead, he is waiting at the Crystal Research Laboratory to see who will take him up on his offer.

Kidd leaned back in her chair in the interrogation room, a frown on her face. Her tension, what of it was there was not about the crimes at hand, but rather the circumstances that had lead her here and the number of murders she had been witness to. To her credit, she'd turned herself in this time, knowing full well that she was a suspect with or without Ace's testimony. This was of her own free will.

She had no doubt that she'd be able to clear her name under normal circumstances, but considering some of the murder methods as well as the victims in the incident she did not witness she couldn't help but feel targeted. Was there a Templar in their midst?

In any case, all she could do is be sure of what she saw, though there was the faint concern that if it wasn't magic at the core of this it might well be a Piece of Eden.

There was no fanfare to herald Rukia's awakening. In fact, there was very little attention paid to her at all. When the time came, the crystal faded, and she opened her eyes. She was a little dazed, but not panicked. Honestly, she was more surprised that she woke up here at all. Her hand sought the back of her head, but found no trace of injury, and no traces of blood on her fingertips when she pulled her fingers forward to examine them.

Hm.

She cast a glance around the chamber of other crystallized heroes, then dusted off the furst of her Beastmaster uniform, and asked to be released.

They watched her nervously at first, but when it was clear she would exhibit none of the homicidal tendencies of the other crystal zombies from Halloween, the residents relaxed and asked her to remain at the hospital because guess what? She'd been murdered.

Rukia blinked hard at that. Had she...? She furrowed her brow, casting back her thoughts to the last thing she remembered. Something had hit her in the back of the head, but it happened so quickly that she hadn't suffered. Very well, she agreed. She would stay for the sake of the investigators who might have wished to ask her questions, but she didn't think she'd have much of value to give to them.

Her stomach growled, and she sighed. Hopefully they would ask their questions quickly, she'd woken up with quite an appetite.

You're going to ask questions, again, aren't you. It took you long enough.

[Dylas hasn't slept since the time he'd been brought in for his first round of questioning. He has bags under his eyes, his ears and tail don't seem nearly as responsive as they usually are, and he looks so distant that he might as well be sitting in a different room.

Like before, he quietly drums his fingers on the interrogation table. Is his hand cuffed this time? Has he slept in a cell? He clearly hasn't left since the first round of questioning, the murder of three people still sitting in the back of his mind regardless of whether guilt was admitted or not.

But he's heard things. A moogle floating by, telling another moogle about the word "antlers" found on a girl's arm. Hooves and fur at the crime scene. He has good hearing—it's not as powerful as it used to be, but he still catches the small words here and there.

Maybe he'd be less tired if it weren't for his job and the fact the sun is high in the sky outside. Or maybe not. This whole thing is awful.]

I'll start. Let's get this over with.

[ooc; this thread is for the fourth group of murders and only that group of murders.]

Edited 2016-07-01 21:35 (UTC)

[There's another meeting after a whole week has passed without another Hero of Light being crystallized. It means they're safe for now, but Ales can't let those terrifying weeks pass without some sort of investigation. He sends out a letter asking to meet at the Observatory again, this time to discuss more than the culprits of each murder.]

As I take it, we're doing well on finding the culprits behind each case. [Even if they're not discovered before the day of the meeting, it's only a matter of time before they put all the clues together.] But there's another mystery we have to figure out. Who's behind all these attacks?

[His voice is quiet, none of that usual cheer of annoyance he delivers with his speeches. Someone is fighting against the Heroes, and they're still out there on the loose.]

It's one of out enemies, that's for sure. Whether it's the same person who transported us to the southern end of the continent two months ago or another party entirely, I don't know. But if I have to pick a primary suspect, I'd say it's those leaders of the Cult of Narayana. They're practically based around the opposite of saving this world.

[He looks around the room, again organized with chairs arranged in a circle.]

Is there anything we found out that can help?

[ It was only for a brief moment, but Mikleo was snapped back into reality as the feeling of numbness faded from his mind. He was standing there staring at the bodies that were all aligned in a specific way, his face scrunched in confusion for a moment before becoming completely horrified by what surfaced in his mind.

He almost falls back with cold sweat dripping down the back of his neck and his hand to his chest as he takes a deep breath. This can't be-- it's not. Why would anything like this happen?! Why were there bodies here? He surely would like to know the answers, but clearly, it looked like he was fighting between being really lost and confused to horrified with what the outcome of his thoughts were.

Someone please tell him this was a night mare! He was just staring at Hisui's lifeless body before everything snapped into reality. ]

June 15th, Investigation | Open to Threadjacking

Open

Open, June 15th

June 17 - OPEN (if you're not a loser)

June 17 - Open

June 20th, open to hijacking

June 20 - Open Dicussion Thread for Investigators/Witnesses/Anyone

June 20th.; Open