PROLOGUE ; INVESTIGATION

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... PROLOGUE - WEEK 0??? Narrators Remain ; The clock begins to chime, and on the first note, curfew lifts. Your doors swing open, whether you are ready or not. Leaving your room is a blur. The person you fell asleep beside — are they still there? Have they vanished? Were they ever there at all? You can't seem to recall clearly. What you are most aware of is the pervading sense of wrongness in the air, and how you can't hear anything but the chime of the clock. Even the sounds of your own voice and your own footsteps do not reach your ears. By the time the time the clock strikes nine, you know one thing to be true: blood has been spilt. Search the castle carefully — you wouldn't want to miss a single important detail, would you...? Welcome to your first investigation post! This time, as it is tutorial week, we will be posting toplevels for searchable locations; moving forward, you will post your own toplevels for locations you wish to searh. Evidence — or lack thereof — will be noted in these threads. We ask that group threads consist of no more than 3-4 characters. After the discovery of the body (or bodies) and any pertinent evidence, an IC announcement concluding the investigation will go up. You are then free to make your own toplevels on this post for any threads you would like to have between the end of the investigation and the start of the trial. If you have any questions, please ask on our Discord server or ping us on plurk. Please direct pings to Danielle (entrappings) and Britt (bloodthirstiest), as we will be taking point on this investigation! full navigation. locations taken (statuses) stories (profiles) info & faq wishing well private conversations

Comments

[londonstar]

[ ink. at the question, waver shakes his head, unsure. ]

I've yet to be injured, and I'd rather not find out yet.

[ however, he frowns when he sees the pipe, but decides to look at some of the other fabrics strewn across the room for something else. ]

There is only one person I have seen smoking a pipe. However, in relation to the ink...if we imagine that this is the case and our blood has been replaced by ink, then this would be the site of a physical confrontation.

[vigilantics]

[ she opens her mouth to say something in response to belph, but then closes it. right, there's more important things to deal with. ]

Come on. Let's go find the others.

[randori]

Nobody else would want to. [ hisses through gritted teeth. It's never something somebody wants to do—- forced is a different story, cornered and left with no option, those are things he might be able to swallow a little easier.

He stares after Fitzgerald for a bit, then turns to Kyouka or Dazai, whoever's closest to the body because he's still refusing to be within ten feet of her. ]

Her neck. Does she bleed properly at all if you press there? Maybe it's not really her.

[ Or is this a Dangan thing where everybody has bright happy ink blood ]

[asswipe]

... There was one guy who sounded like he wanted a pocket knife to injure himself a couple of days ago. Maybe he knows.

[Calling Dazai the heck out here. Jesus.

That said, she takes a look at the area surrounding the clothing rack for any signs of a struggle. Is it just the pipe that looks scuffed up, or is there something else?]

[nivation]

[ Kyouka gives Natsuo the briefest of glances. Her tapestry says assassination, and it's not a lie. She knows there's no excuse for it. Just so, Fitzgerald is right, too. ]

If those two wanted us all dead, we would already be dead. [ She sounds certain about that. ]

If... the purple stains were blood instead, it would make more sense.

[ She's seen her fair share of blood splatters to have some knowledge. ]

[thesettingsun]

Purple blood's not exactly common. Even I don't have that.

[That said, he's gonna press down on Gi-gan's neck just to make sure there isn't any blood in there somewhere.]

[thesettingsun]

[HE HAD A PERFECTLY GOOD REASON]

[themodsgrimm]

[The clothing rack itself is vaguely scuffed up. It is, apparently, not good quality enough to stand up to a violent scuffle.

The three of them will notice one other thing as they wrap up their investigation: a letter opener and some broken pencils that were here earlier in the week have gone missing. That's all!]

(frozen comment) CONCLUSION ;

[themodsgrimm]

Gather 'round, dear Narrators, for this little rhyme
so to hear the next chapter of who has run out of time
With each new part of the Great Beasts' tale
Take caution and tread lightly lest you should fail
You've entered the castle to play along
but listen closely, Narrators, for one of yours is gone…


Once upon a time, there were 38 Narrators. Together, they began to mingle and get to know one another, forming bonds and alliances. However, one day, the Tiger and the Dragon appeared and told them the tale of their great war.

"Every week, at least one murder will occur. An investigation will follow the killing on Fridays and a trial thereafter.

This is a game to determine the winner between the forces of good and evil, a battle royal that requires blood. This is our story, and this is the way that things are."

On Thursday night, all the Narrators were confined to their bedrooms until the clock struck nine in the morning on Friday. It was then the story began:

As several Narrators fled their dormitories, Magnus Chase and Ann Takamaki came upon an unusual sight on the stairs. Confetti, glitter and sequins adorned the steps, sparkling in the foyer light. Scattered decorations from the festival appeared as well. As the group ventured further, they found Reyna at the bottom of the stairs, unconscious and without a clue how she got there. However, before they could approach her body, Reyna's dog interrupted them. They were able to examine her after Magnus calmed the dog down.

In the armory, Souji Okita, Cardia Beckford, Fon Master Ion, and 2B found nothing too odd, aside from some weapons moved from their previous locations. Further investigation, however, through a neatly stacked pile of swords revealed Nico underneath, unconscious and without a clue how he got there.

It was in the tailor that the true mystery began. As Dave Strider, Lord El-Melloi II, and Veronica Sawyer burst into the room, they came across a scene of chaos. Mannequins were knocked over, giving the group a fright; fabrics were tipped askew and splattered with what appeared to be purple ink; racks of clothing were knocked over; and five dresses, a letter opener, and a few broken pencils were noted to be missing. As the group searched further, they discovered Gi-Gan's pipe and tobacco ashes spilled on the floor underneath a rack of clothing.

As others ran downstairs to investigate the first floor, Varian, Fane, and Rebecca Bunch ventured into the dining hall, where breakfast had not yet been served. The three Classic tapestries hung in the air above them, Gi-gan's dripping black ink to the floor. A closer look revealed that black ink was smeared across the floor beneath the tapestry. The group checked under the tables and benches for any other clues but only came upon Ion, unconscious and without a clue how he got there.

Beyond the dining hall in the kitchen, Sanji, Monika, and Abe no Sousei burst into the room. Also unused for breakfast, the scene before them was peculiar, with all five carving knives missing and only butter knives remaining. They discovered Jae-Ha dumped in the corner, unconscious and without a clue how he got there, and were soon accosted by a breakdancing suit of armor.

Out in the halls, Shirasu Kinjou, Stephanie Brown, Belph, and Goro Akechi approached the ballroom despite knowing the room was locked. It was a wonderful idea to check, however, as the ballroom's sign had gone missing, and Sharpay was found propped against the door, unconscious and without a clue how she got there.

But as we reach the climax of our story, dear Narrators, we come upon the place where, for one Narrator, it all came to an end.

In the foyer, Kyouka Izumi, Osamu Dazai, Francis Scott Fitzgerald, and Natsuo approached the area and immediately noticed a suit of armor was missing As they examined the area, they soon noticed that one of the weapons belonging to the remaining suit had been knocked askew, and the helmet of this armor was slightly askew. Before they could open the armor fully, they were accosted by a breakdancing suit of armor.

As the group gathered to pry the armor open, Gi-Gan's body spilled out from the opening. Adorned with a puncture wound on her neck and her chest, and covered in purple ink rather than blood, she fell to the feet of this unfortunate group, who confirmed that this Narrator was dead.

The dancing armor continued to wander the halls, challenging the Narrators to dance battles throughout the day.

With all of the evidence discovered and the story unfolded, the Dragon and the Tiger gathered the evidence and locked it all away behind several glass cases. Standing before the group, they gazed upon them and spoke in unison, although they vanished after they spoke. The glass cases remained in their wake for viewing by the Narrators.



"Captain Gi-Gan has been slain.
The trial will begin tomorrow at noon in the gardens."

[parodeity]

I think fake mannequin murder is all we got. You guys?

[ he stands from his kneeling position and glances around. ]

[faceripper]

Quite a good one, since I've obviously managed to overcome that most dire of afflictions— What is it... Ah, yes. Death.

[ AKA he's absolutely not a doctor, and the sarcasm makes that clear. ]

It does appear that someone stepped in it, though... Gingerly, perhaps? [ He tilts his head slightly as he looks at it, then points towards Varian's foot ] Though it doesn't appear to be complete. The ball of the foot, perhaps, rather than the whole thing?

[ He holds the napkin out to the side, but flat in his palm to let it dry. ]

Does he have ink on his feet by any chance?

[alttitude]

[By the time that you arrive in the Grand Foyer, there are countless slams.

His fingers are already bruised, shaking from his misguided attempts to claw the glass case open. Despite everything he'd said, dragon claws would be truly useful right now rather than these human fingers. They feel brittle, not strong enough to reach his Captain. So Jae-ha fell back on what he remembered, what he knew, and that was kicking down anything in his path that might keep him from what he treasures most.

So it happens again and again and again - the slamming of his right leg into the glass that acts as guard between him and the pale, cold Gi-Gan. With each kick, his anger grows, and he snarls viciously. The noise is angry, frustrated, and pained.]

Damn this castle, damn this glass, damn this useless leg...!

[He kicks at the glass again - and it doesn't so much as rattle. Pathetic.

The sting starts to seep in but it barely registers amidst the tornado of his emotions, everything whipping around him like a hurricane.]

Captain...!!

[With trembling fingers, he presses against the surface again, shoulders rattling as he can't find where the rage ends and the agony begins. Gi-Gan doesn't open her eyes, doesn't give a chiding remark, doesn't laugh and call him overdramatic.

Instead she remains there, just out of reach. When he'd left Awa, he never thought it'd be forever. She was always meant to be waiting for him, there for him, just as he'd return to her side because—

You said I'd always have a home with you.

His head bows and he poses a question, voice low.]

What happened... to not doing anything stupid?

[For a brief moment, that's where he remains - waiting for orders that won't come.]

[spondulix]

What do you mean, "even I don't have that"? How can this be blood? If you bleed a different color, then you're not human.

[A beat.]

Unless... [He looks down again at the stains on the floor, then to the dead body.] No. It can't be.

[sanguinairy]

[i like how this entire group is just ready to stab at a moment's notice

Souji will help clear his way out of the swords, though! He understands the importance of making sure your partner ain't dead.]

Someone is missing, yes. This is the only place I've looked so far, so I can't say who it may be.

[Be free, young Nico. They can interrogate him later probably......]

[discardia]

... Jae-ha...

[ she hadn't known this woman. But she's seen that kind of grief, from a little girl much smaller than the man who was breaking before her now. This time... it isn't her help, but it does feel just as terrible.

So Cardia finally reaches out, carefully plucking at his sleeve. ]

[disclosures]

Do you have ink on your feet? I mean we can take your shoes, but it would be for the best if you just showed them to us.

[function]

[ 2b claims to not have emotions, but clearly she understands the pain jae-ha is going through right now. she's prepared to catch his leg should he lash out again, but if he just continues to stand there, she just says, ]

Jae-ha. Snap out of it.

[axilium]

[...

belph doesn't know how to comfort others. he's the worst person to be around during times of grief, really.

so although he watches from a distance, he says nothing. letting jae-ha be alone would likely be kinder than whatever belph has to offer.]

[alchemenace]

[ slightly louder because ion is now a few feet away: ]

Hi Ion! I'm Varian! We thought you were dead!!

[ this is appropriate. Anyway he turns back to Fane ]

Only the balls... Were they walking around on tip toes? That's weird.

[sanguinairy]

[He doesn't know what to do with this, really - with grief and anger so intensely private, spilled out in the open. He's not a comforting person by nature, but he's drawn over regardless, like maybe an idea will come to him on how to comfort if he stands there long enough.

It doesn't, of course.]

...Will you come with me?

[The very least he can do is get him away from the obstacle he can't kick down, for now.]

[themodsgrimm]

[more purple splurts out from her neck when he does that

surprise!]

[fragileprophet]

H-Hello...

[This is very confusing. He blinks blearily outward, slowly allowing the knowledge that they're in the dining hall to take proper shape in his brain. At the question, he obliges without complaint, sticking out his legs so the bottom of his flats can be easily seen. They're white, so there's really no way he could have hidden ink stains. They're completely ink-free!]

I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. What time is it?

[faceripper]

Quite.

[ He dips into a quiet thoughtfulness for a few moments as he waits for the ink to dry, then holds it up. It's probably decent, but not perfect. ]

All I can think of is to perhaps obscure the size of their foot? Though if so, that is quite a bit of thoughtful planning.

[toughchoices]

[Aurum seems to enjoy the petting and the chin skritch, and tilts his head in Ann's direction, curious. Is she going to pet him too?

Magnus, when he picks Reyna up, will manage. What might make carrying her a liiiittle more difficult is the way her eyes snap open now that I'm off the mod journal, and the way she scrambles to sit up.]

What—?!

[disilluded]

[Sousei's another who's watching from a distance, expression tight, hands balled into fists. He had been so certain that if he had just tried hard enough, he could have protected her, no matter what the case may have been. No matter what--

(And somehow, he failed.

His best wasn't good enough, and not Gi-gan is dead and Jae-ha is suffering and Sousei's own fate is up in the air, and he can't even bring himself to care about that right now.)

He watches Jae-ha for a long moment--and then he drags in a slow breath, closes his eyes, and turns to walk away. He'll have to apologize for his lapse in capability later.]