[Closed Event Post]

[duelacademynpcs]

::Onni, you've been called into an estate built into one of the TOPS Plates, where the owner was celebrating a party. His private vault has been robbed. By the Puppet Princess.

Before heading into the vault, you may observe a British looking woman with red-pink hair with a young girl with African looking skin and hair, together, in dinner dresses. You can talk to them.

Or your mother-in-law in a frilly bratty pink dress with Violet in a female tuxedo. You can tell they're bored out of their minds.

If you don't, inside the vault, which is also part occult office, there's a woman with short blue-purple hair and glasses, in a dinner dress. It seems the owner is busy.

Oh, and the entire vault door has been torn off But that's a minor detail for a 20-30 foot tall vault door, right?.::

Comments

[becomeanwarrior]

[ You might be excused for thinking this is Onni - since he got the nod to investigate personally, as there's been suspicion the phantom thief incidents might be an OOPARTS-related matter, he's dressed for the occasion - white dress shirt, black vest, blue-green tie to match his eyes, black loose-cut slacks (good for formal occasions where you need to go from zero to a dead sprint.

Of course, all of that doesn't matter if you can't perform in the clutch, Onni. You're a detective, so get detecting. ]

This is going to be a pain...

[ Said to himself more than anything. There has to be clues throughout this whole event. A party's the perfect time to conduct a heist - completely in-genre, you could say.

He's already mentally mapping a chart through all the points of interest, but let's start with the people he knows best, which means quietly sliding up to Hiroko and Violet. ]

Why is it you two don't ever seem far from trouble I have to deal with lately, huh?

[ There is some bemusement to his voice, but his face is all seriousness. ]

[morethaneverauburn]

Because I'm cute, duh.

[veeveevalentine]

I just got invited here, honestly I didn't want to come, but Hiroko insisted. Something about a world class chef?

::The fem tuxedo looks very nice on her. She's doing everything to play down the fact she has the sort of figure women around you seem to have.::

[becomeanwarrior]

[ You notice his dress shirt is much the same - it's deliberately been tailored out in the arms and chest to downplay his physique, and he's walking with ever-so-slightly a slouch to downplay some of his towering presence. ]

That's not a good thing, Hiroko. But tell me about this world class chef - was everyone here to see them?

[veeveevalentine]

Yes and no. Supposedly the owner had just recently acquired a bunch of gobblygook magic stuff and was going to show it off, and 'auction it off'.

::Airquotes heavily.::

[becomeanwarrior]

Ah, so that's why they wanted me to look into the case personally... a magic auction, and doubtless some of those relics probably have a checkered past... or passed through the hands of a Skull Servant or twelve...

Do you know what uh, "magic stuff" was on auction, or should I go ask the people in charge about it. Curious what you were interested in, from the layperson's view.

[veeveevalentine]

Mostly, Hiroko whined and whined, I think something appealed to her, but good luck getting a straight answer from my little cherry tree.

::Patting Hiroko on the head. She has three marbles for brain cells rattling inside that empty head.::

[morethaneverauburn]

That's not a bad thing? Right?

::Rattle, rattle, rattle.::

[becomeanwarrior]

[ Patience, Onni, maybe you'll be able to get that single starved neuron in there to fire. ]

Well, Hiroko? Can you remember what appealed to you besides the chef? Surely you didn't just come all the way here for the food...

[morethaneverauburn]

Hrm.

Good food. Got to show off my cute dress. Key of Babylon. Hand of Malevolence. Starlit Codex. The Scintillant Caress. The Aura of The Beast. Elder Ring. Pendant of Eldertide Mystery. ... Hrm.

I'm trying to think, I must have had some reason for coming out... but I just honestly can't remember.

My wife's too pretty.

[veeveevalentine]

Oi oi. Don't go blaming your memory is swiss cheese on me, twerp.

::Noogies Hiroko's head.::

[becomeanwarrior]

So nothing that immediately sticks out as what you were initially interested in. Well, that's fine. I'll probably have to do an inventory of what was supposed to be here, regardless.

[ He takes out a notepad, jotting down the artifacts Hiroko rattled off. ]

Anything I should know about the people running this? Do the vibes seem off? Anything seem weird to either of you? Again, can be anything, just looking for a regular person's eye of the situation before I head in.

[morethaneverauburn]

Uh. The owner of the place is a really fat bald guy from Germany who emigrated and naturalized. I don't remember guys' names well. Or their faces.

[veeveevalentine]

Define the vibes being off. Or weird.

[becomeanwarrior]

... That is a little weird.

And I dunno, anything that screams to your gut that it's. Wrong. Or shouldn't be. Or makes you inherently suspicious.

[morethaneverauburn]

The fact there's a man in Domino that isn't Jinn, you or Shikou?

[veeveevalentine]

... How is a private citizen allowed to own and sell magical stuff, anyways?

That and I think I heard the name Mudoji floating around. That sounds familiar.

[becomeanwarrior]

That first one... is weird. The other name rings a bell, too...

[ Mudoji... like Kamala's friend? And like that politician that nearly caused the Sector Security coup...? Hrm. ]

As for private citizens being allowed to own and sell magical stuff like this, well, that's at least partially what I plan to get to the bottom of.

...I think that might be everything I need from you two, unless you can think of anything else. I would love to chat but, duty does call, after all.

[morethaneverauburn]

If I remember anything, I'll tell you.

[veeveevalentine]

::Presses your chin up, Onni.::

Don't be a stranger, you're always welcome at my place, hun.

[becomeanwarrior]

[ Tips his chin back on instinct. Oh. Uh. Uhm. ]

...R...right. Of course. I'll pay a visit sometime soon, but m-maybe not when I'm on the clock, yeah?

[ Perhaps... perhaps he forgot how scary Violet can be. ]

[veeveevalentine]

Of course. I have my wife to take care of and you have.

::Tapping a finger on your chest.::

A big important case to deal with, Mr. Officer.

::Purring, almost instinctively. Tap. Tap. Tap.::

[becomeanwarrior]

Yes. I might have a lot of power, but these robberies are starting to make headlines, and now that "Prince Katsuyoshi" is on the case, they're going to expect it to be wrapped up. Soon.

[ Moves his eyes off to the side. Deep breaths, Onni, calm and steady. ]

And hopefully, the sooner I get this wrapped up, the sooner I can help you two with your own case. Apologies that this is taking priority.

[veeveevalentine]

I'd prefer things resolved, but, Noriko and Shiyoko are incredibly generous. And I understand.

And it does seem like the Puppet Princess is getting bolder.

::Pause.::

... I do remember something. A perfume that smelled extremely sweet, but almost like it was hiding a scent of rot.

[becomeanwarrior]

... A sweet perfume, with a hint of rot.

[ ...I know a smell like that. It's hard to remember right now where, but it sounds familiar. Quickly, he opens his notebook and jots it down. ]

...I'll keep that in mind, Violet. That's very helpful. But, I think I should get the reports from the other guests and make my way to the vault.