WEEK 1 - Investigation

[al2955]

the pygmalion. . . ONLINE CAPTAIN'S LOG: WEEK (1)

friday (?) survivors Friday careens around the corner soon enough, much like every day preceding it does. This morning, however, is greeted with a surprise — your datapad is making a strange noise. Perhaps it's buried under the duvet you're sleeping under, or at the far corner of the room, maybe you're the forgetful type and left it in the bathroom, or maybe, just maybe, you have it right next to your ear when a song blasts at full volume. Upon inspection, you'll find the accompanying video is playing as well. The song seems to loop, this time being overlain with a voice recanting the history of the band in a steady, robotic tone. Was it the AI? You probably didn't care, and, instead, decided to leave your room. Once you do, the song finally ends. You are free. You may feel rather manipulated right now, or you are just satiated to be away from the music. Either way, it's clear your day has only just begun. ENTER COMMAND_

Comments

[unasking]

Isn't it obvious that's exactly why I'm here?

[That said, there are answers to be found in what Jessie already said. The memory of her profile card flashes in Frankenstein's mind. Well, there's a start.

Then he pauses, observing Jessie before tilting his head. He's spoken with her before so the slight change in temperament is noticeable.]

Are you alright? Have you gotten the chance to wash up?

[toprotecttheworld]

I haven't.

[And her clothes are ruined. Where is the laundry room, anyways?]

And why should I let you in? How do I know you're not the culprit? It's better to keep everyone not involved away from the body, isn't it?

[unasking]

If I were the culprit, why would I leave a body to find?

[He's a fan of total obliteration, honestly.]

I understand the notion behind it, but have you considered the importance of a proper autopsy? I don't mind being supervised.

I simply wish to help.

[There's a murderer on board now - along with many children that he'd rather not see dead next.]

[toprotecttheworld]

Who knows? Maybe you ran out of time. Committing a crime certainly isn't easy, everything never goes according to plan.

[But. Hold on a sec.]

An autopsy? Really? Didn't you give me your occupation the last time we met?

[unasking]

[There's just a small smile - you know something about crimes do you, Jessie?

Oh well, so does he.]

Principal of Ye Ran High School? Yes, that's correct. But I always did specialize in science in my spare time.

[of which he had... a lot]

[toprotecttheworld]

[He should probably remember that.]

...Hm. And you didn't see Elizabeth on the way here, did you? She was supposed to find a doctor. I guess I wouldn't mind letting you look around, just watch where you walk and don't touch anything you don't have to.

[unasking]

[Well, he understands that at least. Upon being given permission, he nods and even gives her a small bow in his appreciation.]

Yes, my lady, to both your inquiry and your instructions.

[But before he steps inside-]

Are you sure you'll be alright? There's no way for this situation to be pleasant.

[breakshot]

Hold on. Did you say autopsies?

[ Guess who else is in the room? Guess who's been waiting for someone more qualified at body poking so he can get a second opinion? He shows up from behind Jessie, arms crossed. ]

Let him in. If we're going to find out who did this, we need to have someone who's qualified to examine the body closely. He might be able to discover things we overlooked.

[toprotecttheworld]

Go right ahead, then.

[She's washing her hands of you, Frakenstein.]

You heard him. Keep your hands to yourself and do your best.

[unasking]

[Well sure, alright. A glance to Jessie.]

Hot herbal tea, when you're able. Breathing exercises and general relaxation methods are also recommended. Take care of yourself, Jessie.

[And then right back to Machias, stepping in -

Which is also when SURPRISE robots are coming in to collect the body.

Wow.]

[breakshot]

[ Damn it and just when they finally found someone more qualified. Putting a hand to his head. ]

... Couldn't they have waited a little bit longer? Ugh. [ unbelievable. this is a terrible morning! ] Still, I can answer any questions about the... body if you have them.

[ that's sure a visible grimace there. it's not like he enjoys body poking. ]

[unasking]

[Frankenstein notes the hesitation and pauses. He considers the notion of suppressing Machias's traumatic memories after this is done but... he hasn't tried it on another person yet. It's too risky.

So he'll make this quick:]

How long ago did you find the body?

[There's a glance over to where he'd seen the corpse before it was taken - the blood stains the floor, thus making him wonder just how recent this murder was as well.]

[breakshot]

Not that long ago. I'd say about under ten minutes before they showed up.

[ He means the robots. Ugh. Also, don't suppress peoples memories like that, that's rude! We don't need another Zemurian afflicted with memory shenanigans. Anyway, Machias is fine, if still a bit grim since... not only is someone like murdered, it's a woman that's been murdered. And that's sort of a Deal to him. ]

The daycare was a mess when the three of us went in to investigate. We found her on the merry-go-round, which had been toppled over. [ He glances back over to it, adjusting his frames. ] From what we could see before they came, she'd been stabbed.

[unasking]

No murder weapon on the scene?

[But of course, why would there be? That'd be sloppy - though he does think that the rest of the situation is sloppy anyway.]

Were there any markings on her body? Her hands? Was her hair in disarray? Signs of struggle on her person?

[Because he can see the deflated ball pit - but that's not enough.]

[breakshot]

None that we've managed to locate.

[ That would be more than a little careless. He shakes his head at Frankenstein's questions. ]

Her hair was a bit disheveled, but there wasn't any bruising anywhere on the body as far as I could tell. I checked to see if the weapon might have left any fragments, but there were none. Whatever it was, the wounds it left were deep and clean.

[unasking]

Where were the wounds exactly? Was the body warm or cold?

[He'll be examining the carousel itself now, doing his best to decipher exactly where the struggle itself might've happened.]

[breakshot]

It was lukewarm. When I went to check her pulse, her body only felt very slightly cool. I can't say for sure, but it felt just a little under regular body temperature. ... As if she hadn't been gone for that long.

[ Knock yourself out, Frank. He'll be right beside you to answer any questions about that too! ]

There were two wounds: one in-between the chest, and another to her stomach. I checked underneath her as well, but I didn't see anything else before they took her away.

[ He pauses for a moment, his expression faltering a bit. Shaking those thoughts aside, he'll point out the rabbit and wolf seats of the merry-go-round, being careful not to step on the blood. ]

That's where we found her. She was trapped right in-between them.

[unasking]

[There's a moment of curiosity in regards to that, rigor mortis can begin to set in approximately 30 minutes after death but if her body wasn't completely cold then it couldn't have had the chance to advance that far. That would still date it to be a few hours earlier.

Then there's a moment as he glances to where she was found - the rabbit and the wolf, how poetic - before he turns to Machias and sets a hand on his shoulder.]

Have you been listening to what I told Jessie? As soon as you can, excuse yourself from the location and indulge in what you need. Tea, a hot shower, and - ideally a game that relates to spatial-memory of sorts.