DiscoDude: ---BEGIN SESSION---
DiscoDude: Session logging commenced
GM: You have everything you need; now you’re on the way to make the arrest.
The crime? Conspiracy to murder. The culprit? Akaia Maishiki; CEO and President of Maishiki Planning.
Nor is driving; you’re on your way to their headquarters in Paradisio now.
Harry: "Pretty big collar, this one," Harry says. "Oughtta put you two on the map."
Norwick: Norwick is still mulling over what his underground boss texted him, and looks over at Harry a few times while driving the van. He doesn't seem very happy with the set of choices given to him by the looks of things. "Hey, Harry, mind lending me an ear?" He asks, while keeping his eyes on the road.
Andie: Andie breathes a sigh of relief, glad to finally done with this case. "Man, I was gonna cry if we couldn't find anything here!" she chirps, her eyes wandering between the window outside, Cola, and Norwick's driving. She's not protective of a van, it's just a vehicle after all, but one could never be too careful. Maybe he was a bad driver and she didn't know! Anything could happen.
Harry: "That's the thing about rich crooks," Harry says, almost idly. "They're stupid in the end."
Norwick: Norwick sits in silence for a couple of minutes, continuing to drive, "I'd really appreciate you listening to me, Harry." He speaks up again, this time a bit more urgency in his voice.
Harry: Harry frowns. "Go on."
Norwick: "Lean in for this one." Norwick says, and begins whispering, "I'd rather not bring Andie into this, like you said, this shouldn't involve her, my stuff."
Harry: Harry looks at Andie, as if asking her whether she wants to be looped out of this conversation.
Andie: Andie lifts an eyebrow, "Does this have something to do with the case?"
Norwick: Norwick takes a deep breath and stays silent for a while, keeping his eyes on the road before giving a meager, "...Kinda."
Harry: "Then it concerns her," Harry says. "Now, out with it." A hint of that "old world" accent slips into his voice.
Norwick: "Some people don't want her facing justice..." He says, taking a bit of time to say this, "...And are asking me to turn her over to them, because of a favor I did, that went south because of Haffner." He continues on, "Remember that guy that Haffner nearly killed at the bar, yeah...That was my favor. To keep watch and protect Candy."
Harry: Harry has questions but he keeps it to one: "So the important thing is, that's why you're behind the wheel. Because once we arrest Akaia, we're not taking her back to the station. That sound about right?"
GM: (To be clear, it’s been left rather ambiguous whether Akaia will face a much better or much worse fate if you turn her over to your friends - the only thing you do know is that you’ll never see her again either way.)
Harry: (well aware, but to Harry, the important thing is that fulfilling the favor means we don't take Akaia in)
Norwick: "Well...No. I haven't decided to what I want to do yet." He says, keeping his eyes on the road. "If I don't do this favor back and return it, I might lose some...leverage in the future, y'know?" He pauses, "Need a lil but of guidance, should I, turn them into my friends, or serve Justice?"
Andie: "Wait, what, leverage?" Andie's leg starts jigging, "Just what exactly are you wrapped up in?"
Norwick: "Only reason we got this far was because I was alerted that Haffner was at the bar when my friend got nearly killed, and the only reason we got this far with so much evidence."
Harry: "...I'm gonna say something. And I'm gonna say it with the girl in full earshot. I don't give a shit about 'justice.'" He leans forward. "I care about those I care about getting what this piece of shit world we live in owes them. Maybe your friends want to string up Akaia. Maybe they want to see her off to a cushy resort isle. I don't give a shit. What I do give a shit about..." He looks at Andie. "...is what failure to bring our perp in means for her."
Harry: His accent thickens. "You know we discussed this before."
GM: (... A different cushy resort isle. XD)
Norwick: Norwick sighs, "Yeah, fair enough..." He says, looking at the road, "Yes, I know we discussed this before, that's why I wanted to keep this between ourselves and not get her involved, but you forced my hand. However my hand is weighing on we get more help later on, and give Akaia over to them, or risk cutting ties with them and only being good for interrogating nuts."
Harry: Harry hmphs, then leans back in his seat. "The least you could do is give her the choice. So what'll it be, Andie?" He turns to her. "We bring Akaia in, it's a nice feather in the cap for you and the kid, could get you promoted off this detail. Or we fulfill his promise, Akaia goes someplace else, we probably take the rap for it, we stay here fighting the good fight, and the kid keeps his connections."
Andie: Andie is stunned silent. While she feels like she barely knows much more than hse previously did, she's suddenly gotten a much better idea why her father was never too keen on Harry.
Andie: While the idea of gaining clout and abiding by the law were appealing to her, she thinks back to how she ended up in Paradisio in the first place. The idea of getting a promotion meant nothing if she ended up back here a year later.
"...What would we do about Cola," she whispers, gesturing behind herself, "if we do go through with... this?"
Harry: "Him? That depends." He turns to Norwick. "Your friends say anything about what their plans for Akaia were?"
Norwick: "Well, I don't know. Cola wants to see his sister from time to time. I-" He turns to Harry, "No, just that they want Akaia in their hands. I could pry them more, I also did ask if I could do something else to repay the favor."
Harry: Harry turns back to Andie. "Y'know Akaia isn't going to take Cola selling her out lightly. If she dies, gets thrown away in some shithole, or worse, that's the end of it. If these friends have other plans for her, she might end up coming back with a vengeance, and it's Cola who'll be first on her agenda. Without knowing more, it's impossible to say."
Harry: He turns to Nor but says nothing. There's clearly something on his mind but the time isn't right to voice it.
GM: If Nor is going to question his contacts, he’ll have to do it alone in the van; the Maishiki Planning office has come into view. You’ve arrived.
Norwick: He turns to the others, "...I think I'll risk losing my connections, there's too much at stake, even if I lose the connections that got us this far in this case with Haffner, it's not worth having other people die."
Harry: Harry nods. "It's a hard choice, kid. But the right one."
Norwick: He puts the van in parked, "I honestly want to keep my connections, it's helped us out in this case, I just hope that another way to repay this favor isn't gonna be higher than this one." He sighs, "Anyways, let's go."
Harry: Harry puts a hand on Nor's shoulder. "Tell your friends I'll owe them one."
Norwick: "...You sure? I know you got experience, but I don't want to get you dragged up in all this too."
Andie: Andie steps out of the van without a word.
Harry: "I already am."
Norwick: He sighs once more and begins to exit the van, "Alright...I'll make some calls with them telling them I'll be introducing some new meat." He says before exiting out and closing the door behind him.
Harry: Harry is the last to leave the van.
GM: Inside, the lobby of Maishiki Planning is colorful yet... shallow. The receptionist - an LED-visored android with feminine custom accessories - casts a sterile gaze up at you three as you come in; attentive without expression.
“Welcome to Maishiki Planning,” she says. “We aren’t accepting freelance clients at this time, unfortunately. If you wish to inquire about our projected... availability...” She seems to notice your uniforms. “Can I help you?”
Harry: Harry flashes his badge. "We're here to see Akaia Maishiki."
GM: “Ah... Processing... Please wait... Procedure states to inquire about how she’s already been questioned, and to request a warrant.”
You know you actually do have an outstanding warrant from the chief herself, after you called in with your new evidence.
Harry: "We have a warrant."
GM: “I... see.” She pauses to check that claim against records. “Right. I’ve unlocked the elevator for you, officers. Miss Maishiki is in her office on the 5th floor. I’m pleased to report that you aren’t interrupting any meetings,” she says with a customer-support smile.
Harry: Harry nods. "Come on." He heads for the elevator.
Norwick: Norwick follows along with Harry.
Andie: Andie purses her lips in a smile that suggests her deep displeasure at being held up at all before following Harry.
GM: The elevator ride is uneventful. When you reach the top, you find Akaia facing you from behind her desk, her hand in one drawer.
Her glare this time is piercing, but after a moment of awkward silence, she simply says: “Officers.”
She takes her hand out of the drawer - the hand is empty - and slides it closed, deciding against whatever line of action she was considering.
“My receptionist informed me; so you were able to find something in my foolish brother’s house after all, then?”
Norwick: "Yup." Norwick looked at Harry and Andie, "You two mind me telling her what was there?" He says, looking back at Akaia, "I want to really finish up my last thought of stuck up rich snobs back at the interrogation room."
GM: (Guess that’s a “I do mind” to Nor’s question. XD)
Harry: (OH! I'm sorry, i thought he said "do you mind telling her")
Harry: Harry nods. "Go on, kid."
Norwick: (( It was initially, but that was wrong I and I edited it aha, whoop. ))
Norwick: Norwick looks at Akaia, "Your lawyer's fingerprints was found at the lil safe room's surveillance control room, meaning he was there to take the footage, cherry pick, and then erase them." He folded his arms, "We also found your feather in the garage, where we also found you in there in the footage he gave us, guess he didn't cherry pick that good of a batch, huh?" He smiles, "As well as wipes that were the same at the crime scene where Cola was knocked out as well, what a coincidence huh?" He turns to Harry, "Anything I missed, you can show now." He smugly folds his arms and looks at Akaia.
Harry: "I think that's everything, kid," Harry says, smiling as he crosses his arms as well.
GM: She only stares back. Several thoughts seem to flash across her mind.
“I know nothing of this ‘wipe,’ but if it was in Cola’s car when it came back, it’s only natural for the attendant caring for him to ignore it - she isn’t involved in the slightest. I also suppose that my lawyer - should he be guilty - would be banking on the fact that he had an innocent reason to touch the console, thus making a tampering from a third party afterward more credible. And the feather?”
She sighed.
She walked out from behind the desk, and held out her hands, talons closed and palms up.
“I thought I was careful about leaving no feathers, but if one dropped as I was walking out, I suppose that can’t be helped. I’m in your care, officers.”
Harry: Harry takes a deep breath, then pulls out the cuffs. "Akaia Maishiki, you have the right to remain silent," he says, approaching her. "Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law..."
Harry: (good place to cut the scene, i think?)
Norwick: ( Yup, good enough for me. )
GM: (One last bit.)
GM: As you exit back out into the lobby with Akaia in tow, you realize that Cola has arrived after you. Noticing you, he pales.
“S-sis?”
GM: “I’m not talking to you.”
“Y-you said you would always protect me, so why-“
“I was protecting you,” Akaia suddenly spat. It almost felt like she was going to yank her cuffs out of your grasp, but she makes no further movements. “If you had just listened when I told you that man was trying to close the same deal - the same scam - on both of us behind the other’s back, that would have been the end of it! And you think this is the first time I had to clean up after one of your blunders?”
GM: Cola just seemed stunned, while Akaia looked back at the three of you.
“... No further comment,” she said. “Let’s get on with it, then.”
Harry: Harry gives Cola a nod, then continues on with the perp in tow.
Harry: After they're out of earshot, he tells Akaia: "Y'know, my life woulda been a whole lot different if we'd had a sibling like you. Someone to shield us from the consequences of our actions." He scowls. "I would've ended up as big an idiot as your brother."
GM: “He certainly is an idiot, isn’t he?” Akaia scoffed. “He’s my brother, though. I can’t help but care for him. Make what you will of that.”
Harry: "You sure as hell didn't do him any favors."
Harry: And that's all he has to say on the matter.
GM: “... No comment.” The feeling is mutual.
(Now I’m ready to end the scene.)
Harry: 👍
Norwick: He looks at Akaia, and simply says, "Any idea why some shady people would have wanted you? I'm curious." Norwick peaks up.
Norwick: ( Last thing I want to know aha. )
GM: “I’ll reiterate; no comment.”
Norwick: He folds his arms, "Fine then, keep your secrets."
Norwick: ( And that's it from me. )
GM: (Since you collected enough free invokes against her that even a perfect roll won’t save her in court, I won’t even roll for it. Ready to proceed into the denouement, Andie?)
Andie: Andie shoots Norwick a look at "keep your secrets", but decides against saying anything.
Norwick: (( Oof XD ))
GM: Akaia’s trial is a media maelstrom. She doesn’t go down without a fight, of course, but the overwhelming amount of evidence eventually ends with her nailed to wall for conspiracy and accessory to murder (and obstruction of justice to boot). Haffner pleading guilty to murder, resisting arrest, and three counts of assault - one of which was against officers of the law - and agreeing to testify circumstantially against Akaia certainly didn’t hurt. The three of you were each called to testify in both cases, and there weren’t any mishaps to speak of when you did.
GM: Soon, the court case ends with Akaia behind bars, awaiting transfer to a more permanent prison off-planet. Cola musters all of his composure for a public apology for his sister’s behavior in an ensuing press conference. He’s currently doing his best to keep their company together, assuring Paradisio’s share-holders that Maishiki Planning’s consultation will continue work on their agreed contracts. Privately, he’s on high alert against any more “offers” people might try to give him; he promised his sister he wouldn’t make any waves without her okay.
GM: Soon, things finally start to die down. The three of you have received commendations at the station - with raises.
One of you decides to treat the others for a celebration of the case. Who is it, and where have they decided to take the three of you?
Harry: Harry, obviously. There's an old bar he frequents - not the most high-end establishment, but it's one where they know his name, and no one minds him being around.
Norwick: (( definitely not Norwick aha ))
Harry: Certainly they'll be happy to let Nor and Andie drink on his tab. And eat; they've got some good snacks there as well.
GM: Are they drinking? Is Harry?
Harry: He's got a shotglass of something expensive, served on the rocks, which he is sipping very, very slowly. More he's interested in spending his first free evening after the circus that was this case with Andie and Nor.
Norwick: Norwick isn't one for drinking, so he just opts for a glass of cold water with ice, however he does decide to order some food, which would just be some salted fries, nothing too over the top. "...Well, that's done and over with. I guess I'll be receiving my text message soon to see how things end up." He taps the counter with his fingers and flicks his tail.
Harry: Harry doesn't comment. Odds are he's going to be asked to do something he doesn't want to do. But hell, it's not like his career had anywhere to go but down.
Andie: Andie's sipping on some cheap beer and slowly making her way through a plate of loaded fries. "I hope it's good news." she says with a shrug, not even knowing what good news could be at this point.
GM: Who have they been texting? Presumably, it’s the big boss Nor answers to directly. What’s their name, Norwick, and what are they like?
Norwick: "Hah, good news would be getting to do some other thing to resolve that favor. And not bringing Harry in with me."
Norwick: (( You've already played out the boss's stuff, he was on the phone with them remember? ))
Norwick: (( Way back when he asked for the favor. ))
GM: (I thought that was a middle-man?)
Norwick: (( I mean, I guess it could have been, I could describe what the boss is like, although name is definitely not told to Nor ))
GM: (Or rather, just the guy who answered the phone.)
Norwick: (( Anonymity and all that ))
GM: (Not even a nickname/pseudonym?)
Norwick: (( Basilisk is what he goes by, and that's all he knows about the boss, everything else has been done by proxies. ))
Norwick: (( and by he, Norwick assumes the boss is a dude, he doesn't know himself, just a name. ))
GM: (Okay, I guess a proxy is who will appear, then.)
Suddenly, a pair of hoofed hands go over Nor’s eyes.
“Guess~ who!”
You weren’t expecting to have your latest text to this proxy answered with him making an in-person appearance, but you know his voice all too well. (What’s this one’s name? I’ll let you decide.)
Harry, Andie, if you were to look, you’d see a Lambdalam - like walking sheep without horns or nearly as much wool - standing behind Nor and covering their eyes. He’s handsome, in a cute, boyish way, but something - maybe the way he wears his business casual suit, maybe the way he sticks out his tongue playfully - screams ’this kid is dangerous’ to you.
Harry: Harry says nothing. He just keeps an eye on him as if he was a loaded gun.
Norwick: Norwick turns and saying "shit...." Under his breath. "Yeah, I see you, what's the word? Does Basilisk have something else for me to do? Or am I officially cut off?" He asks the Lambdalam.
GM: “Huh? C-cut off? But- But that would make me so sad! If he did do that, I’d... I’d!” He seems to tear up, but no one misses the twitch in his eye that accompanied it. He seems to compose himself quickly, however, and continues as though nothing happened: “No, you silly-willy-billy, of course not! Are you, uh... Ya gonna introduce us? That’s him, right?” He points childishly at Harry.
Harry: "Yeah, it's me." Harry says, betraying no outward sign of displeasure. "I take it you have a job for me?"
Norwick: Norwick was about to say something before remaining quiet.
GM: “Yo, did I ask you to speak? C’mooooon Nor! I don’t even know his name, and he doesn’t know mine! Introduce uuuuuuuuus!”
GM: (Naming rights are still open, Norwick, unless you want to officially pass on it.)
Andie: Andie takes a big drink as she tries to pretend to be into whatever sport is being broadcast at the moment.
Norwick: "Alright, alright...This is Bedlum, Bedlum, this is Harry. Bedlum is one of the boss's personal proxies that delivers upon his behalf. I haven't even seen the boss in person, and Bedlum was the one who got me into the mix." He says, shrugging a bit, "That good enough for you?"
Harry: "...pleased to meet you," Harry says, not at all sounding pleased.
GM: “... ‘Kay~” He kisses you on the cheek, Norwick, while engaging Harry in a death-gripping, jerky handshake. “So you’re the ‘new meat,’ huh? Heh, I always wanted to say that.”
Harry: "State your business."
GM: After a solid 10 seconds of jerking your hand up and down, Harry, he lets up.
“Oh... Yeah. So, you’re the one who convinced Nor-chan to let the nice bird go to the law?” Bedlum shrugs and takes on a slightly more serious expression. “Yup, not gonna lie; that could have ended in total disaster. Though it turns out she’s pretty good about not squawkin’ to the wrong people, you did give us a good scare by handing her the opportunity. You shoulda seen the look on ol’ Basil’s face!” He chuckled, only to take on a deadly serious expression as he deadpanned: “Obviously, we want some compensation from ya.”
Norwick: Norwick takes a sip from his water and looks, "You want more? Alright, what else am I going to have to do?" He says, looking at Bedlum, "Or do you mean from Harry?" He asks, looking him in the eye.
GM: “From the new meat, obviously. Don’t worry, though; we haven’t forgotten about your initial ‘favor’ before the bust-up. And it’ll, be, with...” Bedlum does a little twirl and cups his cheeks like a squeeing fangirl. “Me! Been a while, hasn’t it?” Norwick, you feel an involuntary twitch coming on; he acts like a little kid sometimes, but you can attest from personal experience that he’s a stone-cold freak during your ‘sessions,’ to the point where even you have a hard time keeping up.
“As for the new meat... Specifically? Well...”
He takes on a tentative expression, making a show of scratching his little chin.
“Hey, mister Harry? I heard you were good at solving mysteries, and had experience with... discretion.”
Harry: "I used to have a career in that, yes," Harry says, half-sarcastically.
Norwick: Norwick nearly falls from his chair as he attempted to recline back, completely forgetting it's not an office chair he's sitting in, "I'll prepare myself then, Bedy..." He says before looking at the Bartender, "Can I get a glass of Whiskey on the rocks?" He asks, waving a hand, tonight is gonna be one helluva night for him.
Norwick: "Might as well get smashed a bit." He adds under his breath.
GM: “Well, it should come as no surprise that there are funny little questions that people like us want answered, without having to worry about all the other questions that might get asked about the involved parties, like ‘what kind of work was Mr. Deadguy involved in’ or ‘what’s this building even being used for’ or ‘what the hell was this witness doing here?’ You know, those sorts of inconvenient follow-up questions. It sure would be nice to give you an honest answer to those sorts of things without worry so you can do yer dang job right, but... well.”
Harry: "So you want me to spy for you, then. Feed you sensitive info on cases. Maybe even take on some 'side jobs' outside the department's purview. Am I close?"
GM: “Got it in three! Mostly just the last one; we don’t wanna impose too much. We already got Nor for all that other stuff, assuming he ever gives us a reason to cash it in like with that Haffner business.”
Norwick: "I gave Haffner some info, he better join, as soon as he gets out on his own time." He interjects, "And he better join." He adds as he downs the Whiskey that was given to him, and orders another glass.
GM: “Thanks much for that~” Bedlum hugs you, and turns back to Harry. “So the truth is, we already have a gig kinda lined up. Real grim business about some bones.” He glances at Andie. “The forensic girl’s participation is technically optional, but her equipment will be mandatory,” he whispers.
Norwick: Norwick gives Bedlum a sideways glare, and looks at Harry with clenched teeth as if saying with his pained face, "This was not part of the deal, believe me."
Harry: Harry frowns. "I'm not involving her at all. I'll find my own damn equipment, thank you," Harry says.
GM: “... Okay, suit yourself!” Bedlum backs off, throwing his hands in the air. “I was just giving some advice for what you might need for the job. If you wanna grope around a body that’s been eaten away for months on end without someone who can do forensics, it’s no skin off my back. Don’t come crying to me when you hit a brick wall.”
(How does Andie react to this latest declaration?)
Andie: Andie's eyes tear away from the tv at Bedlum's statement.
"Do you even know how to handle that kind of equipment?" she blurts out at Harry. "If it has to be put to use at all then," she hovers her mug near her lips, "I can do it." she adds indignantly.
GM: (Heh, your line still works. XD)
Harry: Harry stares at Andie in surprise, then finally says: "...if you're sure." He doesn't like this. He doesn't like it at all. The whole point in this was to not get her involved. Still, if she insists...he can't disrespect her wishes.
Norwick: Norwick nearly slams his head in the table when Andie responds, but stops midway to just gently bump his head on the counter, "Bartender...make that 2 more glasses along with the new one I ordered, I positively need to get absolutely blasted tonight..."
Andie: "Same here." she adds before huffing.
Harry: Harry finishes his glass in one gulp. "A water after that, please."
GM: (Those your last lines?)
Andie: (Ye)
Norwick: (( yup, that's mine. ))
GM: ( Harry?)
Harry: (i'm good XD)
GM: (Then let us...)
GM: !end
