The Legacy: Fruit of the Shadowflower (Original Horror) (contains Magical Girls)

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Adhoc vote count started by Solarstream on Nov 26, 2023 at 4:49 PM, finished with 7 posts and 3 votes.
  • [X] I don't like it, but I ought to stick with my niece while she's like this. Maybe I'll get lucky later...
    -[X] Since we've leaving the area, I'll decide what I'll do in the morning as well:
    --[X] Get an actual explanation from my niece
    [X] I don't like it, but I ought to stick with my niece while she's like this. Maybe I'll get lucky later...
    -[X] Since we've leaving the area, I'll decide what I'll do in the morning as well:
    --[x] See if anyone is at the Dunbar estate
Click to expand...


vote's closed; writing now~
 
Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (6)
  • Threadmarks
    • Winning vote:
    [X] I don't like it, but I ought to stick with my niece while she's like this. Maybe I'll get lucky later...
    -[X] Since we've leaving the area, I'll decide what I'll do in the morning as well:
    --[X] Get an actual explanation from my niece

    Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (6)​

    There's a small part of me that wants to follow the girl with orange lizard eyes and her Diamondwood pursuer.

    ...but...

    I ignore it. My family comes first. I relax, and so does my niece. She takes a seat on a nearby bench and I sit beside her, waiting for her to catch her breath. A few passersby give us curious looks, and a couple even asks if she's doing alright. She waves them off with an excuse about college stress, and I nod in agreement. They tell her to hang in there and then walk off, dissolving back into the crowd. We're then silent for a few minutes.

    My niece would be the one to break the silence, flopping over and sinking into the bench.

    Sarah: Ughh.... sorry, Uncle Ken...

    I shake my head at her, and then give her a side hug.

    Me: No worries... though I do want an explanation. A real one.

    She sighs. If she could sink into her seat further, I think she would.

    Sarah: Can it wait until the morning...?

    I nod.

    Sarah: Thanks. Now let's get out of here...

    Me: Of course.

    I then get up and lead her into the train station. Her stop in the Mon Meadows is on the way to my stop in the South Hills so we ride together for quite a while before saying goodbye. Most of the ride is spent in silence – me watching the scenery fly by, and her on her phone. She occasionally mumbles something, but I mostly tune her out – except for one line.

    Sarah: How am I going to explain this to Violet and Aster...?

    ...her roommates? What do they have to do with anything?

    I don't ask her about it, and so don't have an answer by the time we split up.

    Not long later, I've returned to the South Hills. The streets grow more and more silent as I make my way home. Mary's house is dimly lit by candle light, unlike all the other houses around with the usual electric lights. I could go and talk to her... but I think I'd rather turn in for the night. I could use a good night's sleep after an odd day like today.

    .

    .

    .

    It occurs to me when I wake up that Sarah and I never decided when or where we were going to have that talk.

    It's around 9 in the morning on an overcast Saturday, with a threat of rain later in the day and into the night. After showering and getting dressed in...

    [][Outfit] something formal (Ken wears the same suit jackets, button-downs, and slacks that he wears while teaching pretty much all the time)
    -[][Outfit] (write-in more details as desired)
    [][Outfit] something balanced (Ken usually wears button-downs, and switches between slacks and jeans, but skips the suit jacket on most occasions)
    -[][Outfit] (write-in more details as desired)
    [][Outfit] something casual (Ken fully dresses down while not at work, usually into a T-shirt and jeans with various designs and colors)
    -[][Outfit] (write-in more details as desired)

    ...I start to head out for the Mon Meadows, sending Sarah a message letting her know that I'm on the way. I can eat breakfast there... actually, I may as well treat my niece to another meal while I'm interrogating her. It's not like I can't afford it.

    I don't get far though before Mary practically leaps out of her front door to interrupt me.

    Mary: Kenny~! Good morning~!

    She seems eager for something. She's in her usual red dress with a small black purse.

    Ah, she must want to go somewhere.

    Me: Morning Mary. Can't stick around – I have places to be.

    Her happy expression is consumed by confusion. She blinks.

    Mary: Huh? You have plans today?

    Well, not for the whole day, but I do right now.

    Me: Yeah, I'm heading to the Mon Meadows to chat with my niece, Sarah.

    Mary: Oh! I remember you told me about her. You should introduce me!

    ...Have Mary and Sarah really never met? That doesn't sound right... oh wait, I don't think Sarah (or for that matter, any of my other family members) have visited my house since... in a long time.

    Me: Maybe another time. In any case, I'll talk to you later.

    Mary: Of course~!

    She sounds happy, but I can hear the disappointment in her voice and hear it in her thin smile as she waves goodbye to me. Well, tomorrow's another day, and I can spend some of it with her then if I want.

    As for today, I'll start off in the Mon Meadows and then see where things take me. A short train ride takes me to the center of that neighborhood, which is also the University of Alemonowa area. A bit of a walk later and I've made to Sarah's apartment complex, one of a series of low-rise brick buildings. The students are out and about, but I pay them no mind and they do the same to me. Instead, I quietly make my way to Sarah's apartment and knock on the door.

    Her voice chimes in only seconds later.

    Sarah: Ah!? Is that you, Uncle Ken!? Hold on a sec!

    ...well, it's not like I have anything else to do so, I wait.

    A few minutes later, the door opens and a thick smell of floral incense attacks me.

    I immediately start coughing.

    Sarah: Uncle!? You okay!?

    It smells nice, but it's very thick... ugh...

    Me: Yeah, I was just surprised. We doing this here?

    She's dressed in a long purple skirt and puffy dark blue shirt with her hair fluffed out around her, so she's fit to go outside.

    Sarah: Yeah, I'd rather not be in public for this. Come in.

    She then beckons me in, so I follow diligently... despite the thickening incense scent. I ignore my growing headache and take a seat on the couch. Sarah, frowning at my displeasure, walks off to the kitchen and leaves me alone. I don't hear anyone else here, so looks like her roommates Violet and Aster have stepped out. Maybe they weren't involved after all?

    Sarah steps back in with a glass filled what looks like water.

    Sarah: Here, drink this. It should help you.

    Me: Ah, thanks Sarah. ...!?

    As I drink, a feeling of deep peace pours into me as well. This is some good stuff! It tastes the way a refreshing autumn breeze feels too!

    Me: This is good! What is it?

    Sarah: It's water.

    Me: Hahaha, no way!

    Sarah: I mean it! It's water... though it's not ordinary water.

    She takes a seat across from me in a salvaged pink armchair as I ponder her words.

    Me: ...you didn't lace this with anything, did you?

    She glares at me.

    Sarah: What!? No! I... look, that's magic water, okay! I enchanted it to heal you!

    ...I would be tempted to retort back that this means that she did indeed lace it with something, if I wasn't more stunned by her declaration. Magic water? Is she being serious? She doesn't look like she's kidding... I drink the rest of the glass, but mostly because it tastes good (that and I trust her not to poison me). I don't know if I believe in this magic stuff, but Sarah usually has a good head on her shoulders, so there has to be something odd going on... may as well go with it for now.

    Me: Magic water, huh?

    She nods.

    Me: ...and I suppose that girl's orange eyes were also magic?

    She nods again.

    Me: Are these the same magic?

    She shakes her head. This time, she even elaborates.

    Sarah: No. Her magic was... rancid and evil. I didn't want you go near it, near her. She's filled with wicked intentions. If you were alone with her, there's no telling what she might have done to you. I hope that the other girl was able to protect herself... though I felt something off about her too...

    Me: Both of them...!? But that other girl was a student at Diamondwood High School.

    Sarah: I know, uncle, I saw her uniform too. She could have stolen it from someone, you know.

    Me: Well, I can't rule that out without further investigating, I suppose. I'd doubt it though.

    Sarah: Further...!? Uncle Ken, I just told you that those two girls were dangerous!

    I'm sunken into her couch, totally relaxed, while she's tensed up and leaning forward in her seat.

    I probably should say something to help her relax a bit. It'd be the responsible thing to do.

    [][The Girl] "Oh, I know. I won't investigate them on my own. I'll have to find help from someone else... I don't know who yet though."
    [][The Girl] "You said you didn't want me around her alone... so you should come with me. You have magic too, so you can keep us safe."
    [][The Girl] "Well, it's not like I have to look for her myself. Florence said others were investigating too. Let's get them to look for her instead."
    [][The Girl] (write-in ... you may also add further details to the above votes if you'd like.)
    [][The Girl] Shirk responsibility and investigate on my own from now on. (Are you sure?)

    QM Note: Violet and Aster will be prominent characters in Iris's route, and so will not play much of a role in the current scenario.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [x][Outfit] something balanced (Ken usually wears button-downs, and switches between slacks and jeans, but skips the suit jacket on most occasions)
    [x][The Girl] "Well, it's not like I have to look for her myself. Florence said others were investigating too. Let's get them to look for her instead."
     
    [x][Outfit] something balanced (Ken usually wears button-downs, and switches between slacks and jeans, but skips the suit jacket on most occasions)
    [x][The Girl] "You said you didn't want me around her alone... so you should come with me. You have magic too, so you can keep us safe."

    Sarah seems pretty close, but has never met Mary? Someone who it sounds like has always been around in Ken's life? Hmm, I wonder if there's some memory hijinx going on here and Mary isn't as she seems? Or I'm just too paranoid when reading mystery stories.
     
    Violet, Aster (Astra), Sarah. Find the odd one out. :whistle:

    [x][Outfit] something casual (Ken fully dresses down while not at work, usually into a T-shirt and jeans with various designs and colors)
    [x][The Girl] "Oh, I know. I won't investigate them on my own. I'll have to find help from someone else... I don't know who yet though."

    Get the flower girls on the case. Nothing bad ever happens to flower girls.

    Or just carry a bunch of mole crickets with you to throw them at evil lillies.
     
    Last edited:
    need a tie-breaker vote
  • Voting
    • Adhoc vote count started by Solarstream on Nov 29, 2023 at 8:39 AM, finished with 4 posts and 3 votes.
    • [x][Outfit] something balanced (Ken usually wears button-downs, and switches between slacks and jeans, but skips the suit jacket on most occasions)
      [x][The Girl] "Well, it's not like I have to look for her myself. Florence said others were investigating too. Let's get them to look for her instead."
      [x][The Girl] "You said you didn't want me around her alone... so you should come with me. You have magic too, so you can keep us safe."
      [x][Outfit] something casual (Ken fully dresses down while not at work, usually into a T-shirt and jeans with various designs and colors)
      [x][The Girl] "Oh, I know. I won't investigate them on my own. I'll have to find help from someone else... I don't know who yet though."
    Click to expand...


    there's now a three-way tie for [The Girl], so i'd like it if someone could cast a tie-breaker vote, thanks!
     
  • Voting
    • [ ][The Girl] "You said you didn't want me around her alone... so you should come with me. You have magic too, so you can keep us safe."

    That can work too. If someone else doesn't break the tie, you can count my vote as this insted.
     
    [x][The Girl] "You said you didn't want me around her alone... so you should come with me. You have magic too, so you can keep us safe."
    [x][Outfit] something balanced (Ken usually wears button-downs, and switches between slacks and jeans, but skips the suit jacket on most occasions)

    I think the more formal outfit will allow us to blend in via "yes, he's supposed to be here" sort of attire.
     
    cool, vote closed~! next update hopefully out in the next few days
     
    Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (7)
  • Threadmarks
    • Winning vote:
    [X][Outfit] something balanced (Ken usually wears button-downs, and switches between slacks and jeans, but skips the suit jacket on most occasions)
    [X][The Girl] "You said you didn't want me around her alone... so you should come with me. You have magic too, so you can keep us safe."

    Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (7)​

    I have a brilliant idea.

    Sarah: ...Uncle Ken, why are you looking at me like that?

    Her eyes narrow in suspicion, but there's nothing suspicious about me! Imagine having this much doubt in your own flesh and blood. My smile widens and I shake my head at her.

    Me: Oh, no special reason. I just had an idea. You know, you said you didn't want me around her alone...

    Sarah: ...oh, I don't like where this is going...

    Me: ...so, you should come with me~! You have magic too, so you can keep us safe!

    Good news – she's not tense anymore! Instead, Sarah flops back into her seat, letting out a long and deep sigh, saying something about how she should have expected this from me. I narrow my eyes at her.

    Me: Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that, my niece?

    She rolls her eyes at me.

    Sarah: I mean that you're dragging me into your business. Again. Remember when I told you that I was interested in teaching? You had me working under you that same day.

    Me: But I did that for you! Besides, you love working with the Calderons!

    Sarah: I do and that's the worst part! Ugh!

    She then stomps out of her seat and into her room as she continues.

    Sarah: But this is different! At least the Calderons are nice people. All we're going to get for engaging with that dragon girl or whoever was antagonizing her is an early grave. And I have no plans to die anytime soon! Not like... well, you kno-.

    She then cuts herself off, but I can still hear her rustling around in the distance.

    Sarah: Forget that last part.

    I won't forget it.

    But I don't pull on that thread right now. Instead, I ask the other question on my mind, the first one that popped up.

    Me: ...dragon girl?

    Sarah: That's right. She felt like something monstrous, but I didn't know what exactly until she showed herself. I was sure of it as soon as I saw her eyes – she's got to be some kind of dragon. But I've never faced something like her before, so I don't know exactly what she can do. That's why I want to keep away from her!

    Me: ...wait, then how do you know-?

    Now she cuts me off as she returns and throws something at me.

    Sarah: She feels like a dragon. It's hard to explain. If you had a sense for it, you'd agree. Since you don't, keep that on you.

    I open my hands and see that she's thrown me a... small bag? It's red, feels like flannel, and is warm to the touch. I almost think I hear purring come from it as I run my hands across the fabric. I sniff it and it has a pleasant floral scent. It's light in my hands and lightens my mood.

    Sarah: Keep that on you while we're out. Make sure it stays closed.

    I stuff it in my pocket while asking what's in it, but she tells me not to worry about it. Must be more magic.

    Me: Well, as thanks for your cooperation, let me treat you to breakfast. What do you want?

    My niece thinks it over before deciding on the Black Squirrel Café. I'm surprised she doesn't want to go to Pam's for their pancakes, but there's a line outside the door when we pass it. She also demands that I buy all her meals for as long as we're doing this investigation. The shocked face she makes when I agree makes it all worth it... though, it's not really a problem either way.

    I am grateful to my niece for her help, after all.

    (After we eat, where to?)
    [] Go back to the Elfwoods area and try to track down the dragon girl
    [] Go to the Dwarfpeak area and talk to Mrs. Drake, see if she has any news
    [] Go to the Mount Grandview area and try to get an audience with the Dunbars
    [] Go... somewhere else? (write-in)
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Me: What about these? Mrs. Calderon would appreciate you planting these in honor of her daughter.
    Mary: Oh yes, it's so awful what happened to her. And I'm not just referring to her untimely death...

    Apparently, Lulu was having problems at school, leading to Charlotte withdrawing her kid entirely. I never got the full details, but it must have been pretty bad if she was going to these drastic measures. I didn't pry either – not yet anyway. Nothing had been finalized.
    so we've got sweet flag, which I can't find anything on
    hyssop, which features in the bible a fair bit, and has a lot of culinary usages along with being associated with tea. it's heavily associated with the cleansing of those with leprosy, and thus healing.
    and meadowsweet has both a history in mead making, and from 'petalrepublic':
    Meadowsweet symbolizes peace, protection, beauty, and happiness. It is also associated with courtship and matrimony, as 'courtship and matrimony' and 'bridewort' were old common names for these flowers. The association with courtship and matrimony was due to the sweet smell of the flowers and the astringent fragrance they would emit after wilting.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    since we're in a narrative both with the title and the flower symbolism choosing which arc of the visual novel sorta deal we're going through, or idk the horrorsim route we're going down, I think we should review the symbolism even from a cursory level and see how it maps to other things.
    The flowers have specific symbolism in their arrangement, and the floral sachet we were just given acts as a ward in it's own right against fell forces. If it wasn't for the attacks only being in the last couple weeks I'd do [theory] or [conspiracy] to connect the arrangement to the attacks.
    While the school has been open in this renovated form for years, these attacks have occurred only within the span of the last two weeks.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Five flowers, five victims, right?

    I think we should play it safe and establish one of our known contacts. We already asked about Rosalyn, and encountered someone who wanted us to stay away from that girl (angry about everything).. so why not check in with our former client and get further perspective on what happened to Lulu.

    [X] Go to the Dwarfpeak area and talk to Mrs. Drake, see if she has any news
    - [X]Ask Mrs. Drake if she's received enough support from the community
    -- [x]Ask Mrs Drake if she's heard anything from Rosalyn O'keefe.
    - [X] Ask Mrs Drake what Lulu's friend group, the company she kept was like
    [X]Ask Sarah about various things
    - [X][Magic] if the floral arrangements at Diamondwood High School are similar to the sachet you gave me, did Sarah sense something?
    - [X] Ask Sarah what she thinks about checking with Florence about the girl in Diamondwood uniform. Is there a chance that was Rosalyn? If not, he still might recognize her from the student body.. and the school would want to know about someone running around in uniform.

    The caveat is that we'd better reveal that we were followed by someone to give context to why this person matters rather than being Some Random Girl.
     
    [x] Go to the Mount Grandview area and try to get an audience with the Dunbars

    [x]Ask Sarah about various things
    - [x][Magic] if the floral arrangements at Diamondwood High School are similar to the sachet you gave me, did Sarah sense something?
    - [x] Ask Sarah what she thinks about checking with Florence about the girl in Diamondwood uniform. Is there a chance that was Rosalyn? If not, he still might recognize her from the student body.. and the school would want to know about someone running around in uniform.
     
    I like where @Meridian 's head is at with the flower point, it feels relevant for sure.

    Meridian said:
    [X] Go to the Dwarfpeak area and talk to Mrs. Drake, see if she has any news
    - [X]Ask Mrs. Drake if she's received enough support from the community
    -- [x]Ask Mrs Drake if she's heard anything from Rosalyn O'keefe.
    - [X] Ask Mrs Drake what Lulu's friend group, the company she kept was like
    [X]Ask Sarah about various things
    - [X][Magic] if the floral arrangements at Diamondwood High School are similar to the sachet you gave me, did Sarah sense something?
    - [X] Ask Sarah what she thinks about checking with Florence about the girl in Diamondwood uniform. Is there a chance that was Rosalyn? If not, he still might recognize her from the student body.. and the school would want to know about someone running around in uniform.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
     
    [X] Meridian

    Again, as tempting as it is to go running off towards adventure, Ken seems like a responsible and methodical guy, and that's probably for the best.
     
    okay, this looks like a decisive lead, so i'll be calling the vote here!
     
    Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (8)
  • Threadmarks
    • Winning vote:
    [X] Go to the Dwarfpeak area and talk to Mrs. Drake, see if she has any news
    - [X]Ask Mrs. Drake if she's received enough support from the community
    -- [x]Ask Mrs Drake if she's heard anything from Rosalyn O'keefe.
    - [X] Ask Mrs Drake what Lulu's friend group, the company she kept was like
    [X]Ask Sarah about various things
    - [X][Magic] if the floral arrangements at Diamondwood High School are similar to the sachet you gave me, did Sarah sense something?
    - [X] Ask Sarah what she thinks about checking with Florence about the girl in Diamondwood uniform. Is there a chance that was Rosalyn? If not, he still might recognize her from the student body.. and the school would want to know about someone running around in uniform.

    Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (8)​

    By the time we leave the Black Squirrel Café and head to the nearest train station, we've made our decision. The next step is to talk to Mrs. Drake, and see if we can learn something from her. She'll probably appreciate it too. I doubt she's gotten any news from the cops regarding her kid's disappearance.

    That said, I ought to let her know that we're on the way. Now, where's her number...

    Me: ...oh, Sarah! I got more questions for you.

    As I search for Charlotte's number, an errant thought passes through my mind, and then another. More questions that need answers – and from my niece specifically. She's in the middle of talking to a few people who look to be her fellow university students, and waves them off once I call to her, letting them know that she's busy right now and will text them later.

    Me: Friends of yours?

    She shrugs.

    Sarah: Classmates. Unlike you, I have homework to do.

    I laugh and she glares at me. Glad I don't have to do that anymore. Closest I get is grading papers.

    That said, I don't want to interfere with her education too much.

    Me: The train's about to come. Let's hop on it and talk to Mrs. Drake real quick. Then you can head back here.

    Sarah: Hey now, I hadn't made any plans yet. I can meet up with them tomorrow if you want to search around in Elfwoods tonight.

    I thank her as we hop on the train. We'll have to take this one to Downtown and then swap to another one to make the trip to Dwarfpeak. So, on the way, I'll ask my niece the two questions on my mind. First – is the flower arrangement in Diamondwood High School like the sachet she gave me? Second – should I let Florence know about the mystery schoolgirl? I add that it's possible that she's Rosalyn and if we're lucky then he'll recognize the girl even if it's not her. Either way, the school might like to know about this.

    Sarah: Hmm...

    She takes a moment to ponder my questions before answering, fingers idly spooling strands of her cloudlike hair.

    Sarah: ...but would that really be Rosalyn? I thought she and Lulu were friends. Sure, you should let him know, but I doubt she'd run off in annoyance after seeing her friend...

    My hands are already flipping through my phone as the full ramifications of what she's just said hit me.

    Me: Wait, you think that girl is-!?

    Sarah: Not so loud, uncle!

    Me: Ah, er... you think that dragon girl was Lulu?

    Sarah: ...do you think she's not? Who else could it be? She's the only missing girl, and she even has a motive.

    Me: ...for turning into a dragon?

    Sarah: For attacking and killing other students.

    Well, she has a point there, but... I'd like more conclusive evidence. We should find her if we can.

    Me: Look, unless you want to tell Mrs. Drake that her daughter's a dragon and also a murderer, I say we not rush to judgement so quickly. Let's try and find that odd-eyed girl after this little visit.

    Sarah pauses.

    Sarah: You know what, you make a good point. Let's not barge into someone's house and accuse her missing kid of being a killer. ...anyway, as for your first question, I didn't sense anything peculiar with the flower scents in the school. They could be used for magical effects, but they're currently not as far as I'm aware.

    She goes on about the particular effects of hyssop for healing and purification as I text Florence. He responds pretty much immediately. The mystery girl had blond hair and green eyes, so unless Rosalyn decided to wear a wig, her orange-red hair doesn't match (though the eyes do). He can think of a few students who match the description, but isn't willing to send out a list of names. I'll need that girl to name herself then.

    Sarah: ...also it's important to keep in mind that 'hyssop' could be referring to any number of plants that smell minty and have healing properties, and-… oh, is this our stop?

    It is.

    We make the transfer and land in Dwarfpeak after crossing the Alle river, past a series of warehouses, factories, and a casino. While we're on the train, I go ahead and call Mrs. Drake to let her know that we're on the way.

    ...well, I would like to do that, but she doesn't answer. I don't bother texting her since I already know she won't respond to that. The two of us get off the train in a relatively dense and urbanized area of the neighborhood, and I try again.

    No response.

    Sarah: ...heeeeey, uncle, you do have her address, right?

    I roll my eyes.

    Me: Of course I do. What, did you think I was going to strand us here? Here, let me pull it up...

    Unfortunately, knowing her address isn't the same as actually knowing where she is. The two of us end up wandering around the Dwarfpeak neighborhood for a bit before we make it to her house. The streets here are lined with colorful maple trees and rows of lean brick homes. Some kids are playing outside in the streets – looks like a game of streetball.

    Before I can knock on Charlotte's front door, we're greeted at first with a low whine from a so far unmentioned member of the family – a golden-furred little cocker spaniel who came out from a rubber flap. He approaches us cautiously, sniffing the air constantly, barking occasionally.

    Followed behind it is a woman's approaching voice.

    ???: Goldie, if you don't get back here this minute...!

    Goldie, the dog, simply barks twice back at the door in response, as if beckoning her out.

    I better speak up.

    Me: Sorry for disturbing you, Mrs. Drake. You have some time to talk?

    She stops fumbling with the door at once.

    Charlotte: And who might you be...?

    Me: Kentarou Kennedy. We talked about my home-schooling your daughter.

    I hear a sharp breath from her, and continue onwards.

    Me: I'm here with my niece Sarah.

    Sarah: Pleased to meet you~!

    Me: She helps me out sometimes.

    Sarah: All the time!

    Me: Anyway, I came here to talk to you if you're willing to speak to me. I'm investigating what's been happening with Diamondwood High School recently.

    She scoffs.

    Charlotte: Those damn people... yeah, hold on a moment.

    I hear chains rattle and latches release. Moments later, Charlotte Drake opens the door. She's rounded and curvy, despite the edges in her voice, and is holding a cigarette in her free hand. She breathes and the sharp smell of cigarette smoke spills out into my face.

    Charlotte: ...you alright?

    Sarah and I cough for a bit, with the little dog going to her side and whining with worry.

    Me: Just a bit surprised. We'll be okay in a second.

    Once we recover, Charlotte lets us in and has us take a seat in her kitchen. Up on the walls along the way were pictures – of Mrs. Drake, of her daughter, of a man (must be her husband), and of them all together. On the table are opened packs of cigs, loose lighters, an ashtray, and piles of letters and newspapers. Some of them are from Diamondwood; others from the cops. A window is open, not that it helps much. The air is thick with the scent of smoke, though I notice it fade away the longer I sit. She asks if we want a cig, and both of us decline. Thankfully, she takes no offense and then offers us both water.

    Goldie lies on the floor between Mrs. Drake and my niece, occasionally glancing at me. Charlotte leans back in her chair and breathes out a thin trail of smoke. She might look casual to someone who didn't know better, but to me she seems like she's sinking into the floor, like she's waiting for the ground to swallow her up any moment now.

    Charlotte: Those bastards tell you anything useful?

    Sarah and I both shake our heads.

    Me: Nothing you didn't know anyway. I heard your kid was being bullied. Sorry that happened to her...

    Charlotte: Feh, nothing you need to apologize for. If those damned administrators had done something, then...

    She cuts herself off with a growl as her eyes sharpen with wrathful life. Breathing out more smoke, she stands up and starts to pace.

    Me: About that... have you been getting any support? And I don't just mean from the school.

    She snorts.

    Charlotte: Support? From them? None. But I have some of my neighbors, my family, and some other disgruntled parents on my side, so I can make do. But I just want some answers! The last place my darling little Lulu was seen was on campus! There's cameras and security everywhere; I've seen them myself! So how could she have just... vanished!?

    I glance at Sarah, and she's just as concerned and surprised as I am. That's a new wrinkle.

    I put a pin in that and ask my next two questions as a pair. Could she tell me a bit about Lulu's friends and if she's heard anything from them (or their families, added by Sarah)? She gives me a confused look, so I clarify that one of the teachers told me that Rosalyn O'Keefe in particular was hit hard by Lulu's disappearance.

    Charlotte: Haven't talked to the kid lately, but her Ma and Pa are almost as pissed off as I am. They've been trying to get something out of the school too, and have been having just as much luck. Lulu's little friends were pretty alright though – she had nothing but good things to say about them. I didn't see them too often though since they don't come round here much.

    Sarah: Because of the smoke, I assume?

    Charlotte: Yeah, Rosalyn's got some breathing problem. The two of them have another little friend – I think his name is John Baker or something – but I don't know much about him. His parents haven't been any help either.

    She takes a seat and lets out a sigh. Her dog whines and leans on her leg, so she picks it up and sits it on her lap, idly scratching its fur.

    Charlotte: ...the smoke ain't bothering you two, is it?

    I shake my head no. It's even the truth. My niece's little charm must be doing something. Can't smell the smoke at all.

    While I'm here, I should probably talk to Mrs. Drake some more. We have plenty of time in the day.

    (Vote for as many as you like; the 3 with the most votes will be addressed in the next update.)
    [] So, why have Lulu go to Diamondwood High?
    [] What did they tell you exactly?
    [] Did Lulu happen to mention any girl bullies?
    [] How are you doing, Charlotte?
    [] (write-in)
    [] Don't ask about anything specific; let the conversation flow as it may. (must be selected on own)
     
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    • [x] So, why have Lulu go to Diamondwood High?
    [x] Did Lulu happen to mention any girl bullies?
    [x]How are you doing, Charlotte?

    On a level I do feel for Charlotte here, but I also have my finger crossed it's the better way of the options to go "hey if we find out anything would you like us to reach out to you via any specific forms of contact?"
     
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    Cool, thanks! Now I just need a tie-breaker vote and I can start writing the next part.
     
    [x] So, why have Lulu go to Diamondwood High?
    [x] Did Lulu happen to mention any girl bullies?
    [x]How are you doing, Charlotte?

    I know there's a mystery, but I can never resist the chance to ask someone how they're doing.
     
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