The Shattered City: Chapter One

Kaitou Kage · Post by **Kaitou Kage** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 5:01 pm

Cyrus stepped up after Mr. Agale gave his speech.

"Indeed," he said, "The Borcan is correct. In fact, I would even offer my services in recovering your, ah, artifact." The Hazlani pointedly neglected to include the "sacred" part.

So much for what I wanted to do. My rolls were both 1's so I'm not even going to bother posting them.

yalenusveler · Post by **yalenusveler** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:20 pm

"It's a political statement." Kerrian said after a moment's thought. "If someone had hold of these things, with how..." Kerrian paused for a moment, trying to figure how best to phrase this without using terms like disastrous "difficult things have been, they could give whatever they said a lot of weight, good or bad."

Kerrian then stopped speaking for a moment, green eyes flickering from face to face, then back to the Gendarme, and then to this Professor Theroux fellow everyone seemed so eager to see. "This...is going to sound strange, but are there any plants or living animals near where these things were kept? And when did they dissappear?"

The Whistler · Post by **The Whistler** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:33 pm

“Stolen?” The fan went up to cover her opened mouth; the Captain’s declaration produced nothing short of abject shock. “The very symbolic foundation-stones beneath our fair nation? Oh, Captain Reynaud! This is…oh, how supremely distressing! Thank the Lady for the swift efforts of our able constabulary—the prospect of these items’ inevitable reclamation should be my sole comfort in this appalling state of affairs! I am sure that all present must hold similar sentiments.”

She turned to the Borcan lawyer. “Dear M. Agale…I fear your prior point has quite been borne out, and in most horrific fashion! Dame Art, lofty though she may be, must still…ah…”

M. Agale wrote:Now Captain, if I might render assistance in suggesting a course of actions to rectify this unfortunate circumstance Sir.

Mlle. Mourneswaithe wrote:Speaking for myself, I have little to no desire to reveal this ... unfortunate business. The preservation of artifacts of the past is part of my life's work, so if I can aid in retrieving these ..."

M. Isfahani wrote:"Indeed," he said, "The Borcan is correct. In fact, I would even offer my services in recovering your, ah, artifact." The Hazlani pointedly neglected to include the "sacred" part.

“…Oh.” Initially, Celeste looked a bit confused at having her debate on the politicization of art interrupted by a sudden string of volunteers. It was worth remembering that some people, when confronted with a high-profile burglary in a prestigious academic institute, would actually be perfectly happy to let the police continue to take care of it.

Soon, though, puzzlement turned to thoughtfulness. By the end of Cyrus’ offer, she appeared to be working through some deep-seated train of reasoning in silence…well, near-silence, anyway. She could still be heard muttering half-phrases under her breath, at intervals. First, “Shall I?” Pause. “I must!” Pause.

Then: “Captain Renaud, I may remain silent no longer! The singular example of my dear acquaintances has proved an irresistable inspiration—how truly peerless is the company of the adventuring classes! Though my station should dictate that I abstain (for indeed, I cannot hope to match the skill here displayed!), as a lover of Art and Country, I simply must proffer my aid in the recovery of these precious items. Captain, you may consider the full powers of the Viardot family—and the honor carried therewith—at your most eager command!”

She giggled. “Heavens! That was most bracing.”

NeoTiamat · Post by **NeoTiamat** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:12 pm

Guignol Museum, University of Dementlieu, Port-a-Lucine; March 9th, 770, 8:16 PM
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Mr. Agale wrote:First and foremost, discretion is key. Should my new neighbors also agree to remain silent, there is no reason anyone beyond ourselves and your men need know what has occurred tonight, at least in the short run.

"Your assurances of discretion are accepted, Monsieur." Prof. Theroux said formally, with an evil-eyed glare at Captain Reynaud. "It would be better if we can avoid a panic, if it's not too late."

With an effort of visible will, Andre managed to not add several remarks regarding Captain Reynaud to that sentence.

Mr. Agale wrote:"As Mr. Boucher was just remarking, sometimes lies can as well if not better than the truth. That is, at least until the matter is resolved."

"Now that... Is I, I think, the most intelligent suggestion I've heard since this theft was discovered." Prof. Theroux said, regarding Agale with visible interest. "I know a few illusionists who can come up with a reasonable representation of the originals, at least enough to keep people fooled."

"Very well then, we shall see how long your illusions hold up." Reynaud said, though he also looked at Mr. Agale oddly. "Thank you, Monsieur, for your recommendations."

Tomas wrote:What Tomas says is, "What, are they, how you say, enchanted? Whomsoever finds this sword shall become the rightful king of Greater Mordent, that sort of deal?"

Lia wrote:"The ... sacred symbols of Dementlieu?" Lia ... blinks.

Nerit wrote:Nerit nodded toward Lia. "Yes, which sacred symbols do you refer to?"

"I do not believe it is necessary for you to know this." Captain Reynaud said stiffly, drawing himself up with official authority. "As a matter of fact, it may be wise for all of you to depart. This is a crime scene."

"I'd make a comment about closing the barn door after the horse has bolted, but farmers have better sense than you, Severin." Andre said acidly. "You're already trusting their discretion now, too late to have second thoughts."

"I will not take responsibility for compromising this investigation any further." The gendarme said, with an absolutely hate-filled look at Andre.

"Compromise how? You've already had your oafs crawl all over the scene before you even summoned me." Prof. Theroux said. "Fine, if it will make you feel more comfortable when Chantreaux rakes you over the coals, I'll take responsibility for it all."

"Bah! On your head be it, Theroux." Captain Reynaud said, throwing his hands into the air. "When the magistrates come calling, you can all hang together. Do as you wish. I have an investigation to run."

Captain Severin Reynaud turned and barked a few quick orders. With the rest of the gendarmes at his heels, he stormed off, still cursing Andre sulferously under his breath.

"Such a nice man..." Remy murmurred.

"Isn't he just?" Andre sighed. "Well, you're in it now. Lia... Dommer, I take it?" Andre said after a quick glance at Cyrus's vestments. "I'll take any help you can give me. This business needs to be solved before it all goes downhill, fast, and I don't trust Reynaud to solve anything more complicated than a stolen cookie jar. Come on, I'll show you the Exhibition Hall, what's left of it after Reynaud's men pawed all over the place. I can answer your questions there."

================================================

The Exhibition Hall was a fair-sized chamber in the Guignol Museum's East Hall. The room had been decorated in red velvet, which gave it a rather lush, warm feeling, even as display cases of wood and glass stood all over the room. Most of these were still occupied, with rusted weapons and old documents, while paintings hung on the walls, portraits of Leon and the original Council of Brilliance, landscapes of Port-a-Lucine in its earliest days. It was, admittedly, a rather impressive feat of museum-work, to get all these old and historic objects together. An impressive feat that the theft threatened to unravel on a grandiose scale.

Sadly, not everything was so untouched. In the center of the room, there were four display cases made not of wood, but of bronze and glass, and with that faint shimmer of enchantment about them. They stood in a diamond, the four proudest prizes of the Founding of Dementlieu Exhibition.

Each one was empty, the glass casing partially melted away, even though the velvet pillows below were unharmed.

"I only found out about all this an hour ago, even though the theft was discovered around 3 PM, I understand. The guard comes by every twenty minutes, so the thieves must've worked incredibly fast." Professor Theroux waved his hand at the half-melted display cases. "Damn Reynaud and damn intergovernmental politics. Assuming it wasn't Reynaud that stole them in the first place." Andre added darkly.

"The thieves knew exactly what they were looking for, I have to give them that." Andre said, a bit of annoyance mixed with grudging respect in his voice. "They stole the four big exhibits, and nothing else."

"The founding Charter of Dementlieu, that was in the small display case over there. It's a dusty little scroll, bound in a purple ribbon." Andre ticked the stolen goods off on his fingers. "The Mirror Brilliant, it's one of the Levi Mirrors, about nine by twelve inches, Leon used it in his speech calling for the founding of the Council. The Sunburst, Leon's signet ring, used to seal the Charter."

Charles Devereux, looking at the display cases, made a noise not unlike a squished mouse. Andre looked at him, frowning a little, but continued onward.

"And of course the Sword of Leon. It's a four-foot-long bastard sword covered in gems and gold, not exactly what you'd call unobtrusive" Andre said, glancing at Mr. Agale and Kerrian. "You're right, of course. This had to be political. None of the items is enchanted, and while the Sword of Leon and the Mirror Brilliant have some intrinsic value, it's not nearly enough to justify this kind of theft. The only value they have is symbolic."

"Oh, since you asked." Andre said, still looking at Kerrian. "No animals, but there's some potted plants over there." Professor Theroux gestured to some flowers arranged under the windowsills. "Why do you ask?"

yalenusveler · Post by **yalenusveler** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:25 pm

Kerrian wasn't paying much attention to Andre at the moment. Instead, he was looking around the room, his green eyes wide, trying to take everything in..not wanting to miss any details. That he seemed to be listening as much as looking was a bit odd, made slightly more so by his whirling his attention back to Andre when he realized that yes he was in fact, asking a question.

"Sorry..I.." The next few words out of Kerrian's mouth either pegged him as absolutely insane, or utterly ingenious. "I need to question them. They're witnesses."

OOC:16 on a perception check

Cronax · Post by **Cronax** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:41 pm

"Compromise how? You've already had your oafs crawl all over the scene before you even summoned me." Prof. Theroux said. "Fine, if it will make you feel more comfortable when Chantreaux rakes you over the coals, I'll take responsibility for it all."

At the captain's comments, Mr. Agale raises an eyebrow and is half way into a shrug and appears about to speak. The gesture is cut short however when the professor agrees to take responsibility. He remains silent and follows into the Hall.

"I only found out about all this an hour ago, even though the theft was discovered around 3 PM, I understand. The guard comes by every twenty minutes, so the thieves must've worked incredibly fast." Professor Theroux waved his hand at the half-melted display cases. "Damn Reynaud and damn intergovernmental politics. Assuming it wasn't Reynaud that stole them in the first place." Andre added darkly.

Mr. Agale leaned in and spoke softly enough that the gendarme posted would not likely overhear "You have reason to suspect him, or more accurately, to suspect his superiors as he did not strike me as the sort capable of such deviousness on his own initiative?"

"From a purely objective viewpoint, this is quite the fascinating conundrum. If I might ruminate aloud, three possible scenarios come to mind. Least likely is that it is as you suggest, an ill conceived plot by elements in Dementliu's aristocracy to discredit the university and speed the artifact's return to their normal caretakers.

Most obvious is that these so called anarchists are responsible. That the crime is one of pure symbolism for their cause." he said with a sneer "However, by most accounts, they are a rather disorganized and while their motive is clear, their capacity to commit the crime is doubtful.

A more intriguing possibility is that a better connected and more capable force is to blame and is either trying to incite a riot against the government or blame and discredit the anarchists. A foreign government or disaffected local noble would be the most likely suspects if that were the case.

If it would not be too intrusive, I am curious as to the nature of the precautions taken to avoid just this sort of thing. While you mentioned a guard was present only thrice during each hour, I find it odd that none in the vicinity heard anything." Said Mr. Agale, keeping his distance, but peering over at the melted glass.

Rock of the Fraternity · Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:48 am

"Levi Mirrors?" Lia mutters, sounding a little distracted, as she walks over to the cases and starts to pace around them. "Don't think I've heard ... What was it again?" The Mage sniffs the air around the cases, checking for the scent of acid even as she shifts her perception.

(OOC: Knowledge (arcana) check to detect the residues and presence of magic in the whole room: 20.)

Kaitou Kage · Post by **Kaitou Kage** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:21 am

Cyrus flashed Celeste a sly smile when she piped up, and sidled closer to her as Reynaud led the group into the other room.

"It could be dangerous," he murmured to the pretty debutante, "If something happens, stay close."

* * *

Once inside the exhibition hall, the dommer began circling the room. His mouth curled into a frown, which only deepened when Kerrian opened his mouth. Perception 29 to examine the crime scene

Oh, he's one of those heathens. How quaint.

The warrior-priest paused before one of the cases and turned back toward Andre and Devereux. His brow furrowed slightly when Devereux squeaked. The movement caused the serpent visage on his scalp to shift. Its eyes bored into Devereux as if the Hazlani's viper tattoo had a mind to look for the noisy little prey.

"What's wrong with him?" Cyrus asked. "And do you know of anyone that would have the means to do this? Who is a prime suspect? The Borcan is correct. These agents of Myttri --" here Cyrus fairly spat the word "-- know how to strike to cause the most chaos. But Myttri, like all things, has a head. If we find the head, we can sever it. This nation must know stability."

Nerit · Post by **Nerit** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:48 am

Nerit followed the others into the Exhibition hall, her hands clasped in front of her. At the sight of the melted display cases, she murmured, "Ma Déesse! Lady...now I see," and bowed her head. She mumbled, looking quite devout.

(Arcana:17)

DocBeard · Post by **DocBeard** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:13 pm

Tomas is still recovering from Cherise's justice speech, torn between being impressed and wondering how he is going to get these dumb kids out of this situation alive. Part of him also wonders if this was the reason Andre was suddenly so excited to see his old friends; Tomas likes Andre well enough, but he knows the man isn't above a little subterfuge if it suits his purposes.

Ultimately, he decides to do the sane thing and heads over to Charles, clasping him on the shoulder. "Are you alright, Professor?"

NeoTiamat · Post by **NeoTiamat** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:11 pm

Guignol Museum, University of Dementlieu, Port-a-Lucine; March 9th, 770, 8:16 PM
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Nerit, Lia, Kerrian, I fear that your checks were insufficient to discover anything. Kage, I've told you what you've found in IM

Mr. Agale wrote:Mr. Agale leaned in and spoke softly enough that the gendarme posted would not likely overhear "You have reason to suspect him, or more accurately, to suspect his superiors as he did not strike me as the sort capable of such deviousness on his own initiative?"

"From a purely objective viewpoint, this is quite the fascinating conundrum. If I might ruminate aloud, three possible scenarios come to mind. Least likely is that it is as you suggest, an ill conceived plot by elements in Dementliu's aristocracy to discredit the university and speed the artifact's return to their normal caretakers."

"I don't have anything specific aside from vague feelings of institutional distrust, no." Andre smiled grimly. "Let's just say that I wouldn't put it past them, given the way relations have been going the last few years. It's a small miracle that this exhibition even managed to be put together."

"Aaaaaactually... now that I think of it, Hugo Delarue has been in the Museum Offices complaining quite a bit recently. Delarue's the owner of the Mirror Brilliant, through some kind of marital shenanigans that possibly left someone with webbed feet. He'd been happy enough to hand the Mirror over when the Exhibition was put together, but starting last month he's been yelling that we took it under false pretenses and is demanding the Mirror's immediate return." Andre pursed his lips, thinking. "I haven't heard anything specific, but maybe he needs the money and wants the Mirror back? I don't know, you'd have to ask him. Delarue's staying in the Governor's Hotel, I think."

Mr. Agale wrote:Most obvious is that these so called anarchists are responsible. That the crime is one of pure symbolism for their cause." he said with a sneer "However, by most accounts, they are a rather disorganized and while their motive is clear, their capacity to commit the crime is doubtful.

"Don't underestimate them. If one of the serious groups like the Bloody Hand was involved, we can probably write off any chance of getting the artifacts back right now." Prof. Theroux said bleakly, then added. "Though this doesn't seem like them. Not... violent enough. If the Bloody Hand was involved, they'd have destroyed the Sword of Leon in public, and probably murdered a few dozen people while they were at it."

"Perhaps someone less violent but equally radical?" Professor Marchand-Renier offered. "Pelay's been roaming about, inflicting his abominable prose upon us. The man cornered me in the hallway yesterday, something alliterative about the 'degeneration of Dementlieu into decadence'."

"Pelay?" Lessard asked, raising an eyebrow. "Anyone I should know?"

"Count your blessings if you don't." Marchand-Renier muttered. "Jacques Pelay is a radical writer, going on about how Dementlieu should return to it's pre-Council days of near-anarchy. I'm sure he'd be thrilled at a chance to destroy Leon's legacy."

"And he's fairly wealthy." Professor Theroux added, musingly. "Even if he didn't have the expertise himself, he could probably hire professionals to do the stealing for him."

Mr. Agale wrote:A more intriguing possibility is that a better connected and more capable force is to blame and is either trying to incite a riot against the government or blame and discredit the anarchists. A foreign government or disaffected local noble would be the most likely suspects if that were the case.

Professor Marchand-Renier and Professor Theroux exchanged a glance. It was Marchand-Renier who spoke first, a single name. "Vedarrak."

"If one country that would benefit from Dementlieu in yet more chaos, it's Falkovnia." Professor Theroux said, continuing. "And if there's one person that could conceive and carry out a scheme like that, it's Ambassador Marcos Vedarrak."

"Rather makes you hope it's the anarchists, doesn't it?" Marchand-Renier said with some decidedly black humor. "Such honest, upstanding folk."

"Mmm... don't remind me." Andre grimaced. "Well, he's smart enough, has the resources, and has the motive, and he comes to the Museum every few months to look at the latest acquisitions and the newest exhibitions."

"And wouldn't it be ironic if after the anarchists or the government have been attacked for the theft," Prof. Lessard said, with a smile that wasn't really one of enjoyment on his face, "if Falkovnia managed to 'retrieve' the artifacts after someone tried to sell the Sword of Leon to Vedarrak."

"Terribly ironic." Marchand-Renier agreed.

Mr. Agale wrote:If it would not be too intrusive, I am curious as to the nature of the precautions taken to avoid just this sort of thing. While you mentioned a guard was present only thrice during each hour, I find it odd that none in the vicinity heard anything." Said Mr. Agale, keeping his distance, but peering over at the melted glass.

"I wasn't responsible for the security of the Exhibition. The Museum's head curator, Marie Chastel, was in charge of it. Assuming you can find her..." Professor Theroux said, rolling his eyes. "She's been working on something for the Tessier Gallery last few weeks. The woman can be impossible to work with sometimes, barely pays attention to the Exhibitions."

"Still, as far as I know the security was solid. We have guards patrolling fairly regularly, and of course during the day the Museum's crowded. If the artifacts were ever left unattended for more than five minutes, I'd be surprised." Andre tapped the thick, leaded glass of the display cases with his fingers. "Not to mention that the cases were Arcane Locked, and you'd need a sledgehammer to break the glass."

yalenusveler wrote:"Sorry..I.." The next few words out of Kerrian's mouth either pegged him as absolutely insane, or utterly ingenious. "I need to question them. They're witnesses."

"I don't see them possibly objecting... but then, it seems you might know better than I," Andre said. The request was apparently not strange to the professor in the slightest.

"They'll probably tell you they need more sunlight," Alice frowned, examining one of the potted plant's leaves. "Who is taking such atrocious care of these poor things?"

Rock wrote:"Levi Mirrors?" Lia mutters, sounding a little distracted, as she walks over to the cases and starts to pace around them. "Don't think I've heard ... What was it again?" The Mage sniffs the air around the cases, checking for the scent of acid even as she shifts her perception.

"They're... mirrors," Devereux offered, helpfully.

This was deemed insufficient, so after a pause, Devereux added, "Very fancy mirrors."

After a few more beats, and a prompting look from Professor Lessard, Devereux went on. "The... maker is rather... famous for them. They're... popular collector's items, amoung the nobility. My parents... used to own several, but they... sold them, a long time ago."

DocBeard wrote:Ultimately, he decides to do the sane thing and heads over to Charles, clasping him on the shoulder. "Are you alright, Professor?"

"Retired, Tomas," Devereux corrected with a small smile. "And... I'm fine."

It wasn't quite a lie, in that he did seem to be alright, but it was obvious something had affected the professor - but he seemed unwilling to speak any further in front of his tenants.

The Whistler wrote:She giggled. “Heavens! That was most bracing.”

"Terrific. Explain to me how we're talking ourselves into this again?" Thierri muttered, an exceptionally dull expression on his face. He hadn't had a cigarette in over forty-five minutes.

"Because it's fantastic!" Cerise exclaimed, running over the room like a child in a candy shop. "Not the robbery, of course, but the intrigue! The mystery! The artifacts are gone... but noooooobody saw them leave!" She waggled her fingers as she spoke in an overly dramatic voice. "Do you think it was ghosts? I bet it was ghosts. Glass-melting ghosts. Have you tried coating the walls with basilisk blood?"

"But is this really alright, professor?" Alice asked politely, with a kind laugh but a dubious expression. "I think I missed the bit where we all were deputized. I didn't quite expect to be investigating the biggest theft in the city when I went out tonight!"

"I-I'll help in any way I can," Richard offered, looking rather awkward, "but- well, I can't speak for, for everyone here, but sis and I aren't detectives, or adventurers. I don't think I'll be of much use."

Katja ignored all of them. She had walked over to the melted glass cases, looking them over with her single keen eye.

Rock of the Fraternity · Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:22 pm

"Charles?" Lia says, making her way over to Devereux and giving him a fortifying smile. "if you feel up to it, would you please shift your perception and see what you can find as far as magic is concerned? You might see something I have missed -- my own attempt was inconclusive."

At the mention of the name 'Vedarrak', Lia's kindly smile turns into a rather more stony expression. Her eyes almost burn as she turns on Andre and Marchand-Renier. "That snake is still slithering about then, is he?" she asks, her voice flat with dislike. "Still. Are you certain he would dare, considering his academic connections? He wouldn't be very welcome anymore in the international academic community if he was ever discovered to have done something like this, would he?"

(OOC: A brief explanation: when Lia asks Devereux to shift his perception, she is asking him to use his Knowledge (arcana) to detect magic, not anything else.)

DocBeard · Post by **DocBeard** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:43 pm

Tomas doesn't look convinced, but he smiles none the less. It is easier to smile than it is to frown, sometimes. "Alright. Do you want me to get the others out while the investigation is going on?" He wants to, at least, give everyone a polite window out of danger.

Taking a moment to turn, Tomas's gaze deepens, seeming to peer through the damaged glass case...

"Ah!" Tomas stumbles back, holding his face. "My eye! Ver-" Horrible, face melting words in Lamordian follow. There's nothing quite like the language for swearing. "-igner bug in my eye!"

Finally, Tomas pulls the little thing out, tossing it on the ground and stomping on it three times. "huh." Tomas breathes, and blinks in thought. "Um, sorry. It was a really big bee."

(OOC: 1 on the Insight roll.)

The Whistler · Post by **The Whistler** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:58 pm

M. Theroux wrote:"Aaaaaactually... now that I think of it, Hugo Delarue has been in the Museum Offices complaining quite a bit recently. Delarue's the owner of the Mirror Brilliant, through some kind of marital shenanigans that possibly left someone with webbed feet. He'd been happy enough to hand the Mirror over when the Exhibition was put together, but starting last month he's been yelling that we took it under false pretenses and is demanding the Mirror's immediate return." Andre pursed his lips, thinking. "I haven't heard anything specific, but maybe he needs the money and wants the Mirror back? I don't know, you'd have to ask him. Delarue's staying in the Governor's Hotel, I think."

M. Devereux wrote:"They're... mirrors," Devereux offered, helpfully.

This was deemed insufficient, so after a pause, Devereux added, "Very fancy mirrors."

After a few more beats, and a prompting look from Professor Lessard, Devereux went on. "The... maker is rather... famous for them. They're... popular collector's items, amoung the nobility. My parents... used to own several, but they... sold them, a long time ago."

“Oh!” Celeste had jumped slightly at the first mention of the mirrors…then pondered silently for a few moments…then gave a brief, unconscious shake of her head.

No…it is beyond even her.

“…Why, I had no idea of the Mirror Brilliant’s provenance!” She trotted over to its case, giving it a cursory look-over. “Had I but known, I would doubtless have petitioned Sir Delarue accordingly…oh, forgive me!”

She looked up at the rest of the crowd, smiling graciously. “A disclosure. My dear father…Ezra rest him…had shown no small passion for Salvatore Levi’s work; I, as my filial duty must exhort, have taken up a similar interest these past years. And such a worthy calling it has been! So very modern his craftsmanship, even for his time…friend Devereux, you simply must unburden to me the history of your parents’ collection, when a suitable opportunity is presented. I should be most grateful!”

M. Mauganson wrote:"Sorry..I.." The next few words out of Kerrian's mouth either pegged him as absolutely insane, or utterly ingenious. "I need to question them. They're witnesses."

“Oh, how novel!” Apparently, the Levi Mirrors were only Celeste’s innermost passion when someone wasn’t going to interview some plants, as she was suddenly around three feet from Kerrian with a very expectant look on her face.

“How thoroughly singular a talent, M. Mauganson! From whence does it stem? Though I blush to admit it, I have often wished to keep the counsel of my own garden’s residents, but they have thus far resisted every attempt at interrogation.” She giggled, then checked herself. “Ah, but I interrupt! Say your piece, only let me observe the event with the acuity it demands.”

With that, she proceeded to attend to the potted plants, rather as if she expected them to pull a pistol on Kerrian at any moment.

Kaitou Kage · Post by **Kaitou Kage** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:27 pm

Cyrus's expression turned even more frosty when Celeste started gushing over Kerrian's "ability."

Disgusting witchcraft. Who does that hairy barbarian think he's fooling, anyway?

Tomas's dramatic reaction to the bee snapped Cyrus out of his brooding and the dommer glanced down at the cases again. Something was there, something caught his eye. He leaned in for a closer look, and then smiled and stood up straight.

"Interesting," he murmured, "How very, very interesting."

Cerise wrote:"Because it's fantastic!" Cerise exclaimed, running over the room like a child in a candy shop. "Not the robbery, of course, but the intrigue! The mystery! The artifacts are gone... but noooooobody saw them leave!" She waggled her fingers as she spoke in an overly dramatic voice. "Do you think it was ghosts? I bet it was ghosts. Glass-melting ghosts. Have you tried coating the walls with basilisk blood?"

"It was nothing so exciting or superstitious," the Hazlani said with just a touch of disdain.

"Professor?" he called, addressing the assembled academics, most notably Andre, who seemed to have the rank here, "Do you know where someone in Dementlieu would get gal-zuur?"

Café de Nuit

Welcome, friends, to our establishment.

The Shattered City: Chapter One