Emotions will be displayed as: text {emotion} (*) in script will indicate writer's notes. Note: /$(name) isn't meant to be said its just to make clear who says the line. Note: // dialogue taking up one line is the Soldier's / Player's dialogue (Left in for more context) Note: This script is from the beta so there might be some weird things going on and there might be changes to the dialogue in the future. Businessman is a greedy capitalist who does not care for those he considers lesser. He gets his ticket stolen and suffers the consequences. Ticket Collector is an overworked service worker. Malic is a friendly Roughworks worker who rides the train to Espren when the murder occurs Maddison is a young women from the Citadel who is riding the train when the murder occurs. Flinn is one of the people riding the train when the murder takes place. Very annoyed with the Roughworks and has become cynical and jaded. General Levi is a general of the Fruma military. Telati is the caretaker of the train when the murder occurred. Maury/Constable Maury is one of the constables meant to protect General Levi. Harvin/Constable Harvin is one of the constables meant to protect General Levi. Demma is a student of the royal university who is riding the train when the murder occurs. Very passionate with her work and very obsessed with snails. Cemor is a snobbish man coming from the Highlands who is riding the train when the murder occurs. Is actually the one who kills General Levi and is secretly a member of the Highlands resistance cell. Businessman: Tch... Another filthy poor... No, I won't give you any money. {disdain} Businessman: I don't care if you're struggling to get by. In this world, you've gotta put in some work to make it through. {dismissive} Businessman: Besides, I've talked to enough of you hobos for one day. I'll be glad to take the Subway out of here. {annoyed} Businessman: ...Heh... That look on your face... You don't know about the Subway? {mocking} Businessman: Wow, I thought taking a ride on that thing was the dream of every peasant around here, what with the way my proles are always going on about it. {condescending} Businessman: Well, it's an underground transport system that goes all over the province... Not that that matters for a beggar like you, of course. You'll never be able to afford a trip! Ha! {arrogant, amused} Businessman: Now, if you'll excuse me, my train to Auburn arrives in a few minutes. I have important business there. Nothing for you to worry about. Toodles! {self important} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ticket Collector: Sigh... Welcome to the Timasca subway station. Got a ticket? {tired} Ticket Collector: Alright... I'll stamp your hand to mark that you're allowed on the train. Give me a moment. {routine} Ticket Collector: There. You should be good to go now. {normal} Ticket Collector: The train gets here in about fifteen minutes. Happy travels... {detached} Ticket Collector: You might as well look around while you wait for the train to arrive. {apathetic} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Businessman: Grumble... grumble grumble... {irritated} Businessman: ..Y-you? You're waiting for this train? {surprised} Businessman: Eheh... I must have had you all wrong. Let's, er, put aside our past grievances. {awkward} Businessman: Say, buddy, could you do your new friend a favor? I've got a meeting in Auburn soon, I need to get on this train. {insincere/friendly} Businessman: What do you say you... Give me your space? Just tell the clerk over there that you'll sacrifice your spot for me. {manipulative} Businessman: Please? {pleading} Businessman: Sigh... Was worth a try. {resigned/annoyed} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ticket Collector: Hey... Didn't I just ask you not to cause trouble? Could you stop that, please? {irritated} Ticket Collector: Ugh... {frustrated} Ticket Collector: Listen. I don't feel like calling the guards over, okay? I'm asking you to please stop. {strained/patient} Ticket Collector: You're really annoying everyone here, including me. Thanks. {sarcastic/irritated} Ticket Collector: Sigh... Whatever, it's not like they're paying me enough to care... {defeated} Ticket Collector: Sigh... Happy travels... {exhausted} Ticket Collector: (By the Queen... Must I really say this to every customer?) {mentally drained} Ticket Collector: Hey! What are you doing? The rails aren't safe! If you want to get to the other side, take the overpass! {alarmed} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Oh, hey, stranger. Looking for a chat? Sure, it'll help kill some time, I guess. /$Malic {casual/friendly} Malic: The name's Malic, nice to meet you. I'm guessing you'll be taking the train to the same place as me? To Espren? {friendly/curious} Malic: I'm pretty excited about it. Around these parts, people never really get the opportunity to travel the Queen's Line. Too expensive for us, typically. {excited} Malic: It's always been a dream of mine to see what other parts of Fruma are like, though, so I... well, I saved up for a long time. {hopeful} Malic: Don't really know what the Auburn Forest'll be like... I can't wait to find out. If it's anything like its Sovereign, it should be pretty great. {eager} Malic: Heh. Enough yammering from me, though. You probably have your own stuff you wanna talk about, right? {lighthearted} // Price of the trip Malic: You have a ticket, so don't you know the price? Ah, whatever- it's like, 5 Liquid Emeralds. That's a LOT. {matter of fact} Malic: Saving up's been a real nightmare, I tell ya. What with the price of rent and food, it's hard to hold onto any money at all! {frustrated} Malic: In order to afford this trip, I've been working overtime every day for the past year, and even eating less just to save on food. {weary} Malic: I'm glad the nightmare's finally over, though. Once I'm back from this trip, I'm never doing anything like that again! {relieved} Malic: Anything else you wanna talk about? {normal} // About your job Malic: My job? I work at a tool factory up in the north, we make stuff like nice cutlery for export to the other regions. {informing} Malic: Really, I don't get why we can't keep some for ourselves... We're the ones who put in all the work, why do THEY get rewarded for- Agh, whatever. {resentful} Malic: ...Anyway. The factory's let us all take a week off. Usually we only get a day off at this time of year, since the Festival's in town, but... {normal} Malic: It turns out the old steelworks next to the station most of us use to commute to work had a slag beetle infestation, so said station had to be closed. Nasty critters, them, they destroy metals. {matter of fact} Malic: Ended up working out for me, though- it's the perfect time for me to finally put my holiday plans into action! {optimistic} // You look tired Malic: Yeah... Working overtime every day does that to ya... {tired} Malic: I've also been expending a lot of energy preparing for my trip... Yawn... {exhausted} Malic: Say... I could go for an energy drink. There's a vending machine in this station. Wanna come? {casual} // Nah. Malic: Oh. Alright, then. {slightly disappointed} // Auburn Forest Malic: I have high expectations for Auburn Forest. I've heard it's beautiful over there- a couple of my buddies are lucky enough to work at the Auburn Lumbermill. {hopeful} Malic: I've never seen what it looks like, personally. The Wall of Xima has made sure of that. But apparently they've got beautiful trees there, trees with golden leaves... {dreamy} Malic: Sadly, I'm just slightly too late to get to see what the Queen's Festival there is like. I can't imagine it's much different to ours, though. {mildly disappointed} Malic: I bet the people there are lovely, too, just based on what I've seen from their Sovereign. Although, he is apparently a Highlander... Still! Can't be worse than our bunch. {optimistic} Malic: Gosh, I'm so excited to get there. This is gonna be the highlight of my life, for certain. {thrilled} Malic: Enough of this, though, or I'll get too excited. Anything else you wanna talk about? {playful} // Other people in subway Malic: Oh yeah, right, those people. I've not talked with them, but maybe I should. {thoughtful} Malic: Just judging from their attire, as well as the odds, they're probably not from around here. Probably tourists. {observant} Malic: It'd be interesting to hear from them what their regions are like... D'you think one of them might be from Auburn? {curious} // I've got to go. Malic: See ya in a bit! {friendly} Malic: Hey again! Anything to say? {cheerful} // Sure! Malic: Sweet. Follow me. {enthusiastic} Malic: You hear about that new Majin PEACOCK POWER stuff they're selling in these? {casual} Malic: Me personally? I'm sticking to Zhirao Sleep. PEACOCK POWER is too... flavorful for my tastes. {honest} Malic: ...On top of that, I... Honestly, just don't really like Highlanders. {hesitant} Malic: ...I mean, seriously! Every time one of them visits the Roughworks, they're always so... inconsiderate. They act like we live in filth... Like they're somehow better than us... {frustrated} Malic: And Majin is the embodiment of that. I mean, he is the Sovereign of the Highlands, so, y'know... His drink doesn't really appeal to me. {dismissive} Malic: Oh, yeah. It's ridiculously expensive, too. {annoyed} // Soda Malic: You want to hear more opinions on the soda from me? Zhirao Sleep's pretty nice, the branding feels tasteful, and just... understanding of us. {approving} Malic: Majin's is all about HIM. Just HIM. And the soda itself? It's basically just the same drink as Zhirao Sleep but with a bit more flavour. Too much, in my opinion. {critical} Malic: Pretty much everyone seems to feel this way about it, too, but its advertising is inescapable... It's tiring. {exasperated} Malic: Sigh. Anything else you wanna talk about? {tired} Malic: Ah, alright. Well, do come back if you do want to talk about anything. {friendly} Malic: Oh, shoot. The train's here. I'll catch you later, I guess? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: ...Wow... Fascinating... I wonder what the cat symbolizes... {captivated} /$Maddison Maddison: Oh, hi! Are you from around here? My name's Maddison, I'm a tourist from Aelumia. {friendly} Maddison: I've been travelling the Queen's Line all around Fruma to see what the rest of the province is like! It's been a fun time so far! ...Well, mostly... {enthusiastic, slight hesitation} Maddison: This region has been... It's not quite what I expected. There's quite a unique culture here, though! Check out the cool wall art! You never see that back home! {appreciation} Maddison: I'm really looking forward to seeing what makes Espren different- that's where I'm headed next. So far, everywhere has been really unique! {excited} Maddison: I'm just sad I'll miss their Festival... The one here went... bad. {disappointed} Maddison: It's just a shame I didn't schedule this trip properly... I could have seen the Queen's Festival both here AND there, and now I'll miss both... Oh well... Maddison: ...Anyway, is there anything you'd like to talk about? {polite} // Roughworks Maddison: Roughworks? Oh, right, that's what the people here call it. To me, it's the Industrial District. {thoughtful} Maddison: I always imagined this place being a bit... cleaner. Maybe the people here are just used to it being messy, though? {uncertain} Maddison: A lot of the people I tried talking to were, well, not very nice. They didn't seem to like tourists all that much... {uneasy} Maddison: Overall, this... has probably been the low point of my trip. I think it's just not for me, really. But there were some parts I liked! {honest/reflecting} Maddison: I already mentioned the pretty murals, but there was a bunch of other cool stuff, too. Did you know the people here fight to resolve disputes? {intrigued} Maddison: ...Or, wait. You would, since you're from here, right? Or... no, you're dressed pretty different. Where are you from? {awkward, curious} Maddison: ...I guess I shouldn't pry. Sorry. {apologetic} Maddison: ...Anything else you'd like to discuss? {polite} // Aelumia Citadel Maddison: Aelumia Citadel's beautiful. I've lived there my whole life, it's my home, it's precious to me. {fond} Maddison: It's just... When you've lived somewhere for that long, it starts to feel... small. Samey. Especially when you're boxed in by those towering city walls. {restless} Maddison: Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to live in the Queen's royal city, but... I needed something new. A change of pace. That's why I decided to go on this trip! {determined} Maddison: I'm lucky enough to be the daughter of one of the University's best-paid professors, so I was able to afford such a privilege. Those tickets aren't cheap... {matter of fact} Maddison: ...Anyway, sorry, that was a bit of a tangent. Overall, Aelumia's great if you enjoy the city life, it just... gets boring, eventually. {self aware} // Your trip Maddison: So far, the trip's been pretty great! It's been really refreshing to see how different each region of Fruma is! {enthusiastic} Maddison: I've only been to the Highlands and here, though. Both have been enlightening, in their own ways. {reflecting} Maddison: The Highlands may be the most beautiful place I've ever seen... Not that that's saying much. The landscapes were incredible, and oh, the flowers! {in awe} Maddison: This place? It's... I guess I've come to learn that some people live by different standards to me, which is... interesting. {thoughtful} Maddison: I'm a little sad the trip's coming to an end after the next stop... Fruma is so big, yet so small, isn't it? {melancholic} Maddison: I hear people used to live in the Mistwoods and the Penitence District, but they were moved out. I wish I could go back in time and experience their culture, too. {wistful} Maddison: Oh, well... Anything else you'd like to discuss? {gentle} // Auburn Forest Maddison: I think this might be the stop I'm most excited for! {excited} Maddison: My dad teaches biology, and he's been all over the place studying the province's wildlife. His travels honestly inspired me to go on this journey. {admiring} Maddison: Growing up, he told me stories of his trips... Auburn Forest was always the place that stood out the most, of the ones he described. {nostalgic} Maddison: It sounds like nothing you'd ever see anywhere else. Golden leaves, beautiful traditional architecture, and the kindest people... {dreamy} Maddison: Needless to say, I've dreamed of going there my whole life. Of course, I also dreamed of going everywhere else, too. But Auburn most of all. {longing} // Other people in subway Maddison: Ah, them. I've not really spoken to either. {normal} Maddison: I tried talking to the one with the funny shirt, but they didn't seem much for conversation. {awkward} Maddison: The other guy? He seems to be from around here, and, well... {hesitant} Maddison: ...I don't have anything against the people of this District, but their attitudes differ from mine, and... {hesitant} Maddison: ...I'm just a little tired of being berated by them for coming here, okay? {frustrated} // I've got to go. Maddison: Thank you for the chat. See you on the train! {warm} Maddison: Hi again! Want to talk? {cheerful} Maddison: Oh, alright. See you around! {polite} Maddison: Oh! The train's here! ...Uh, Guess I should catch you later? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: ... /$Flinn {irritated} ???: ...What. What do you want. /$Flinn {hostile} ???: You want to talk? Sigh, fine. Fine, I guess. /$Flinn {reluctant} Flinn: I'm Flinn. {flat} // What's wrong? Flinn: Ugh. Well, see, I'm from Auburn Forest. I... don't like it there. So I wanted to see what the Industrial Distict was like. {irritated} Flinn: Having been here yourself, I'm sure you understand well how that turned out. Now, I'm heading home. {bitter} Flinn: Really, at this point, I don't know if anywhere in this province is worth seeing. It must all be like this. {cynical} Flinn: ...But enough about me. What do you want to say? {impatient} // Your trip Flinn: I chose this place because it was the cheapest ticket... I had to exchange so many materials for those weird emeralds they use here. {annoyed} Flinn: I had high expectations, thought seeing another part of the province might restore my hopes... It didn't. {disappointed} Flinn: I hoped, at least, that the Festival here would be cool, and instead, it was a complete disaster. On top of that, I missed the one back home... {frustrated} Flinn: I don't even want to witness whatever mess the Festival here's going to end up being. It couldn't possibly compensate for missing the one back home. Flinn: I'm just heading home. I guess I'll have to just... learn to like Auburn. Ugh... {resigned} Flinn: Anything else? {curt} // What's with your shirt? Flinn: This shirt? Ugh... I forgot about this stupid shirt. {annoyed} Flinn: On the way here, some guy came up to me and begged on his knees for me to buy his shirt. It was hard to refuse... I felt bad... {reluctant/sympathetic} Flinn: I guess "TC" stands for Timasca City. For the record, I do NOT love Timasca City. {irritated} Flinn: In fact, this shirt doesn't even hold any value to me as a souvenir. I don't want to remember this trip. {dismissive} Flinn: I'm going to have to destroy it, or perhaps trade it for something. I never want to see it again. {resentful} // Auburn Forest Flinn: I just... Sigh. {frustrated} Flinn: It feels like we're living in squalor for no reason! You always hear these wonderful stories about other regions, like that the Highlands have beautiful, huge lakes. {angry} Flinn: If that's even true, why can't we get some of that water? Why must we put up with the pathetic trickle we get from the dam? {outraged} Flinn: And yet, everyone back home is just so... Okay??? With it??? They think the government couldn't wrong them. They build shrines to the Queen in their homes! {exasperated} Flinn: It's just so... Frustrating!!! Why can't they see things the way I do??? The region itself is mostly fine, it's the people I can't stand! {angry} Flinn: I don't even believe those stories anymore though... I think everywhere is just awful in its own way. {defeated, cynical} Flinn: We were always sold this idea of the Industrial District as this beautiful place where proud workers labored for the Queen amidst beautiful crop fields... You've seen it, haven't you? {bitter} Flinn: I bet everywhere is just as bad. I just don't know what to think of anything anymore. It all feels like a lie. But maybe I'm just asking for too much, I don't know... {conflicted} Flinn: Sorry about that, I got... Madder, than expected... Anything else you'd like to discuss? {embarrassed} // Other people in subway Flinn: Other people? The girl tried talking to me, but she left me alone when she realized I didn't want to talk. {dismissive} Flinn: And that other guy? I didn't notice him until just now. {indifferent} Flinn: ...Anything else you'd like to discuss? {impatient} // I've got to go. Flinn: Bye... {dismissive} Flinn: What? {annoyed} Flinn: Then leave me alone... {irritated} Flinn: ...Train's here. Stop talking to me, please... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Make way!!! /$General Levi {authoritative} ???: Step aside, citizens. We're here on important business. /$General Levi {commanding} Malic: The general of the Constables Division..? I wonder what's going on... // Also ??? {curious/concerned} ???: Keep your nose out of our matters, citizen. Our activities will have no impact on your trip. // General Levi {stern} Malic: ... {uneasy} ???: Hey! What's the holdup? All aboard! Come on! /$Telati {urgent} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Hello passenger! I hope that the subway experience has been to your liking. /$Telati {cheerful/professional} Telati: I am Telati, the attendant for your journey today. I am sorry I did not say hello when verifying your stamp, I was a little, uh, shocked by how many people were taking the train today. {apologetic} Telati: We don't get passengers often, to be honest with you, so to have even this many... That was a surprise. Not to mention General Levi being here, too. {nervous} Telati: Anyway, we should be arriving in Espren in an hour or two. Until then, feel free to talk with your fellow passengers, or take a nap. {professional} Telati: I hope you have a good trip! And, if there's any issues, do not be afraid to speak with me. {warm} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flinn: ...You again? Was it not clear enough that I wanted to be left alone? {annoyed} Flinn: ...Fine. We can talk more. {reluctant} Flinn: Having been there yourself, I'm sure you understand well how that turned out. Now, I'm heading home. {bitter} Flinn: Really, at this point, I don't know if anywhere in this province is worth seeing. It must all be like that. {cynical} Flinn: What do you want to say? {impatient} // Train Flinn: It's the same experience as before, just... different. {reflecting} Flinn: The first time, I was amazed... It's so comfortable and nice... I was so excited to see what awaited me in Timasca... {nostalgic} Flinn: Now? It all just feels like a facade. I can't enjoy it the same way. {disillusioned} Flinn: Ugh... Anything else? {tired, irritated} // Military Flinn: Oh, yeah, they're here, I guess. {dismissive} Flinn: I don't really care, as long as they don't find some way to make my trip even worse... {wary} Flinn: They're agents of the Queen, and I don't really know what to think of that anymore. I can't tell if she hoards all the wealth for herself, or if she tells us everything's good just to make us happy. {skeptical} Flinn: ...I have a lot of thinking to do, basically. It would be easier to do that if you left me alone... {irritated} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: I TOLD you, idiot, ya need to wear Aelumia purple! Since we're not assigned to the Roughworks anymore! /$Maury {angry} ???: Lighten up, Maury. At least I used the right colour for my sword's hilt. /$Harvin {defensive} Maury: NO, Harvin, that is NOT GOOD ENOUGH. We're already on thin ice after the sewage incident. {furious} Maury: Bein' assigned to the General is a BIG DEAL! We can't screw it up, or we're OUT. {stressed} Harvin: I still think the sewage incident was way overblown, but whatever. {dismissive} Maury: I agree, but that's not the p- Oh, hey there, citizen. {abrupt politeness} Harvin: Drop the act, Maury. They were there for like half the argument. {blunt} Maury: WHAT? Why didn't ya tell me??? {shocked} Harvin: Well, I thought you knew. {casual} Maury: Ech... Whatever. You. Whaddaya ya want. You wanna chat? Got a problem to report? What's goin' on. {gruff} // What's going on? Maury: That ain't fer your ears, kid. {dismissive} Harvin: We're guarding General Levi on her trip to Fort Torann, where she'll be helping investigate some kind of bre- {casual} Maury: HARVIN, NO. She told us NOT to tell anyone what's goin' on. And this door's thin, what if she hears us? {panicked} Harvin: Right. Sorry. {sheepish} Harvin: I do wonder what happened though. She said it's really bad there, ton of soldiers dead supposedly, plus a Comman- {curious} Maury: ZIPPIT! {angry} Maury: ...We're movin' on before he says any more. Ask about somethin' else. {firm} // General Levi Harvin: Every division of the Guard has a General leading it; she's ours. {informing} Maury: She's scary, I tell ya. {uneasy} Maury: We were just mindin' our business, roughin' up some... miscreants, and then she comes along an' drags us into bein' her guards for this whole shabang. {grumbling} Maury: ...Between you an' us... I don't think she woulda made us come along had she not been in a hurry... {hushed} Harvin: Yeah, more likely, she would have just fired us on the spot. {matter of fact} Maury: SHHH. What if she overhears? Don't give 'er any ideas. {nervous} Maury: Got anythin' else you wanna say? {gruff} // Any stories? Maury: Stories? What am I, yer mother at bedtime? Why would I tell you sto- {mocking} Harvin: We could tell them about the time we were assigned to Hyloch! {eager} Maury: Ohhh, yeah! I love that story. Great thinkin', Harvin. {excited} Maury: So basically, there's this guy who comes up to us, an' he's all like "ooh i'm from house blahblah you must respect me..." {amused} Maury: Us, bein' from the Roughworks, don' give a damn about any 'a that. So he gets mad when we laugh in 'is face. {proud} Maury: He throws a fit, and... {amused} Harvin: ...accidentally knocks over a stall and gets himself totally covered in dyes! {amused} Maury: YEAH, haha, his fancy clothes were ruined! It was awesome. {laughing} Maury: Sadly, I think he actually had some influence, cause we've not been assigned to Hyloch since... {regretful} Harvin: Man, the Highlands were beautiful, wish I could see them again. {nostalgic} Maury: Me too, bud, me too... Ah, right. You. Anythin' else to say? {calm} // Sewage incident Maury: Nope. {flat} Harvin: The sewage incident is not to be spoken of. {firm} Maury: We are NOT tellin' you about that, kid. {defensive} Maury: Talk about somethin' else instead. {dismissive} // I've got to go. Maury: Yeah, you get outta here. {dismissive} Maury: Ugh, what is it now? {annoyed} Maury: Then go away, kid. We have important things to do. {irritated} Harvin: Uh, no we don't? {confused} Maury: SHUT IT, HARVIN! {angry} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telati: Oh, hello there, passenger. Is something the matter? {polite} Telati: ...You just want to chat? You know what, sure, it could be a nice break from my busywork. {relieved} Telati: As I told you before, my name's Telati. I'm... the only staffer on the train today. Besides the driver, Cusef, but he's busy, well, driving. {slightly awkward} Telati: That means I'm the only person here to attend our many passengers today. Again, we don't usually get this many. {tired} Telati: It's... It's okay though. Everyone seems fairly content. Besides that Cemor guy, at least. {uneasy} Telati: Enough about that though. What would you like to talk about? {professional} // Other staff? Telati: There aren't many of us, really. Each train usually has only 3 staffers- a driver and 2 attendants. {informing} Telati: The team for this particular train is Cusef the driver, plus Zathie and I. {normal} Telati: This is typically enough, as the trains aren't very busy. Frankly, I don't know why they bother having this many carriages. {thoughtful} Telati: It's usually only Aelumians and Highlanders who can afford trips, and, well... Most of those guys don't seem interested in seeing other regions. {matter of fact} Telati: This time of year is actually the exception, since the Festivals are on. But, having spoken to a few passengers, none seem to be travelling for that at all. {curious} Telati: For today's trip to have so many people - and such a diverse set too - is an anomaly. It's unfortunate timing, too, since Zathie's on break. {concerned} Telati: We were dealing with all the expected extra traffic from the Auburn Festival being on, and she burnt herself preparing a meal, so she got a couple days off. {sympathetic} Telati: I thought it'd be fine since the Auburn Festival's wrapped up, but... I guess there's still a lot of interest in going there? {uncertain} Telati: ...It's okay. I can handle it... Anything else to say? {reassuring} // Your home Telati: Ah, my home. It may surprise you, but I'm from the Roughw- er- Industrial District. {slightly embarrassed} Telati: I'm lucky to have a job such as this, living where I do. The conditions aboard the train are heavenly compared to where my neighbours work. {grateful} Telati: ...I do wonder why they can't share this quality of life. I suppose there must be a reason for it; I trust Her Majesty's judgement... {conflicted} Telati: ...Anything else to say? {polite} // Cemor? Telati: Ah, him. Yes, he's the Highlander sat in the dining carriage. {normal} Telati: He seems... needy. No- maybe that's just selfish of me to say. {self conscious} Telati: He keeps asking me to prepare him some specific meal, and... listen. The customer is always right, and all, but... {stressed} Telati: I'm not the chef on this train. That's Zathie. I'm scared of messing up the recipe, and also just generally dislike cooking. {anxious} Telati: So... I'm hanging out here as far away from him as possible, hoping he just... forgets about it. {avoidant} Telati: Sigh... Maybe that's immoral of me, I don't know. {guilty} Telati: ...Whatever... Anything else to say? {resigned} // Thoughts on train Telati: The train's like a second home to me. Maybe more of a home to me than my real home... {reflective} Telati: It's the most comfortable place I've ever been. I love it here. {content} Telati: Getting to travel all over Fruma for free is such a privilege, too, I've seen some beautiful stations... {appreciative} Telati: Yes, just stations. They never let me go beyond. But there's some gorgeous sights to see from there alone up in Hyloch or at Fort Torann. {wistful} Telati: ...I've only been to Fort Torann a couple of times. It's military-only and they typically use their own trains to travel there... {matter of fact} Telati: ...But sometimes, there are urgent matters that require the use of civilian trains. Today seems to be one such instance of this. {concerned} Telati: ...Perhaps I shouldn't have let that slip... Uhm... Anything else to say...? {nervous} // I've got to go. Telati: Have a good trip! {warm} Telati: Anything wrong? Or do you just want to chat? {polite} Telati: Oh, alright then. Have a good trip! {pleasant} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Oh, hey, stranger. Looking for a chat? Sure, it'll help kill some time on the ride, I guess. /$Malic {casual/friendly} Malic: The name's Malic, nice to meet you. I'm guessing you'll be going to the same stop as me? To Espren? {friendly/curious} Malic: I'm pretty excited about it. In the Roughworks, people never really get the opportunity to travel the Queen's Line. Too expensive for us, typically. {excited} Malic: Oh, hey again, friend. Nice to see ya! {cheerful} Malic: The train's pretty nice, isn't it? If a bit... empty. {light observation} Malic: I do wonder what was going on with the military presence... It's not every day that you see a General, after all. {curious, concerned} Malic: ...Anyway, what do you want to talk about? {normal} // Train Malic: It's, uh, a lot different to the trains back home. Nicer. {thoughtful} Malic: See, I commute to work on the Industrial Sector Loop, for which I am fortunate enough to have a free pass. {matter of fact} Malic: The trains there are... not like this. The seats are uncomfortable, it's usually packed with people, and it's never as clean. {discontent} Malic: Why... Why are ours different? Why can't this quality be afforded to us..? {frustrated} Malic: ...Let's move on. {restrained} // Military Malic: I'm very curious about their "important matters," it's highly unusual for them to travel with this amount of urgency. {curious} Malic: Typically, the military travel on their own trains, for safety and security. But for someone so important- the General of the Constables Division- to use a civilian train... {uneasy} Malic: ...the Constables Division... I'm... not fond of them, to be honest. I'm sure you've seen, but they patrol all over the Roughworks, and they're just... such bullies. {resentful} Malic: They're always going around, roughing up people for not paying their rent, or stepping even slightly out of line... {frustrated} Malic: I know the General said her activities wouldn't impact the trip, but... I'm not convinced. I hope it'll be okay. {worried} // Other people on train Malic: I've not spoken to anyone else on the train, but maybe I should. Could hear some interesting things about their regions. {thoughtful} Malic: Besides the attendant, Telati, I seem to be the only Roughworker here. To be expected, of course, since none of us can usually afford such a privilege. {matter of fact} Malic: Hm. I'll think about socializing in a little bit. But for now, I'm pretty comfortable, honestly. {content} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Oh, hello. Looking for a conversation to pass some time? Sure thing. /$Demma {polite} Demma: My name is Demma, and I'm a student from the Aelumia University. {formal} Demma: I'm travelling to Auburn for my study project... I can't wait! {excited} Demma: See, I'm from the Blossom House. We study biology, and one of the highlights of the course is getting to travel and do fieldwork. {enthusiastic} Demma: I'm conducting a study of Fruma's snails- they've always fascinated me... They come in so many different shapes and sizes... {passionate} Demma: Auburn forest has some of the greatest... I can't wait to see a Gigastropod in person! {thrilled} Demma: Goodness, I must stop myself before I bore you with one of my rants. I do that all too often. What do you actually want to talk about? {self aware} // University Demma: Have you not heard of it? It's the most prestigious educational institution in the province! {proud} Demma: For those who like learning, it's the best place in the world to be... We've got a huge library with books on just about any topic you can think of! {enthusiastic} Demma: You can only really study one set of topics at a time though, sadly, unless you're super dedicated. {matter of fact} Demma: It's split into 4 different houses- Order, Crystal, Blossom, and Star- each with their own handful of subjects. I'm in Blossom, as previously stated. {informing} Demma: I chose Blossom for the biology, specifically. We also study history and fashion, but I care less about those. {focused} Demma: Almost no-one has ever taken two courses at once. The only exception I can think of is Sovereign Majin, who studied in Order and Star. {impressed} Demma: He really can back up his big talk, huh... {admiring} Demma: ...Let's move on. Anything else to discuss? {composed} // Auburn Forest Demma: Honestly, I could care less about the culture there... It's cool and all, and learning the history of it has been fun, but... {dismissive} Demma: The fauna is what I'm really interested in seeing! There's so many fascinating creatures in the region! {excited} Demma: Snails aside, I've read so many interesting things about the region's wildlife. Elk that mimic trees, Beetles that hide amongst leaves, even fox-sized bats! {eager} Demma: It's been a joy reading about it, but it'll be even more amazing to see in person! {eager} Demma: You know, I'd love to go on a field study to the Mistwoods too, someday. My teacher, Professor Pestal, has been there a couple times. {aspiring} Demma: Apparently, it's so dangerous in there that you need to be constantly guarded by military professionals... But it would be so cool! I'd love to see a Kivaraptor in person! {thrilled} Demma: ...Ah, sorry, I'm trailing off into tangents. Let's change topics. {embarrassed} // Biology Demma: From a young age, I've always loved animals, so joining Blossom House at the university just made sense. {fond} Demma: I grew up in Aelumia Citadel, so I've not seen much wildlife besides the limited amount that live in the city, plus some from travelling zoos. {matter of fact} Demma: It's been wonderful having the opportunity to go out and see more of it in person. We already did a field study in the Highlands, which was amazing. {appreciative} Demma: Professor Pestal - my teacher - has been all over the place studying the province's fauna. I'd love to be like him someday. {inspired} Demma: Hey... On that note, see that girl sat over there? That's actually his daughter, Maddison. It's crazy running into her here. {surprised} Demma: I've spoken to her before- she's nice. Very curious, always wanted to explore the province, looks like she's finally gotten her wis- {amused} Demma: Gah! I need to stop going into tangents. Sorry. Let's change topics. {flustered} //Snails Demma: Oh, do NOT get me started on snails. I've always loved those little guys. They're so cute, and so interesting! {excited} //Begin speaking rapidly here. Demma: Did you know that they're not bugs as commonly ascribed, but rather, more related to aquatic creatures? {informing/enthusiastic} Demma: It's really fascinating! They're also so different to creatures as we tend to understand them. {passionate} Demma: They're hermaphrodites, which means that any two snails can breed! And, they- {overexcited} Demma: Actually, maybe that's not an appropriate topic of conversation. Well, okay, I can think of something else... {awkward} Demma: Did you know they have thousands of little teeth? They also can't hear! {enthusiastic} Demma: Yet, despite these differences, they like, understand us! They show signs of enjoying human contact! {fascinated} Demma: There's also so many different species of snail, like the one I'm studying, the Gigastropod!!! {excited} Demma: Did you know that Gigastropod shells are tougher than concrete? You can stand on them and the creature will be fine! {amazed} Demma: ...Though, I don't advise doing that- it's probably really scary for the poor snail. {concerned} Demma: Apparently, back in the horrible Great Auburn Flood - you know - the one that kickstarted the New Age... {serious} Demma: ...People survived by clinging onto the Gigastropods, because despite their hardy shells, they're also bouyant! {intrigued} Demma: Speaking of the dam, isn't it fascinating that Gigastropods are so closely related to the Murex Mollusc despite the sheer cliff between them? {excited} Demma: Don't stand on Murex Molluscs though, they're toxic! Plus, their shells aren't as strong. {warning} Demma: Did you know that their slime- {enthusiastic} //Return to normal speed Demma: OH, GOODNESS! I'm so sorry! I... I got carried away. {embarrassed} Demma: I've got a really bad habit of just... infodumping. I'm so sorry. {apologetic} Demma: ...Let's just... Move on to another subject. {flustered} Demma: It's been fun talking. Come back sometime, won't you? {warm} Demma: Got more to talk about? {curious} Demma: Oh, alright then. {polite} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maddison: It's you again! Hi! {cheerful} Maddison: Gosh, we're going to arrive in Espren soon... It's quite exciting, isn't it? {excited} Maddison: I do wonder what was going on with the military activity back in the station... It was cool to see, but... {curious} Maddison: I just hope it doesn't ruin our trip, somehow... {slightly worried} Maddison: Oh, hi! Looking for a chat? My name's Maddison, I'm a tourist from Aelumia. {friendly} Maddison: The Industrial District was... Not quite what I expected. There's quite a unique culture there, though! Did you know they cover everything with gorgeous murals? {curious, appreciative} Maddison: I'm just sad I'll miss their Festival... The one in Timasca went... bad. {disappointed} Maddison: It's just a shame I didn't schedule this trip properly... I could have seen the Queen's Festival in two places, and now I'll miss both... Oh well... // Train Maddison: The train's really cool to ride around on. The spectacle of it hasn't worn off on me, and this is my third experiencing it! {enthusiastic} Maddison: In this area, I'm noticing a bunch of murals in the tunnels... It's fun to watch them, I just wish I could catch the details better. {engaged} Maddison: Can you imagine how beautiful it would be if the train was on the surface instead of underground? You'd get some amazing views of the province, I bet... {dreamy} Maddison: I do wonder why the train only runs underground. Safety, maybe? {curious} // Military Maddison: Having grown up in Aelumia, I'm pretty familiar with the Guard's upper ranks. There's military parades all the time, you know! {matter of fact} Maddison: That scary lady we saw back there? That was General Levi, the leader of the Constables Division. {informing} Maddison: She took on the role a few years ago, when the previous General, General Daimyo, stepped down. She's pretty cool, it was a nice surprise seeing her here! {admiring} Maddison: I do wonder what calls for such urgency though... Usually, she has her Commanders handle most things. For her to need to handle something personally, and on a civilian train... {thoughtful} Maddison: ...Well, she did ask that we stay out of it, so I guess I shouldn't get too curious. {restrained} // Other people on train Maddison: I talked to a few people when I first boarded, but now I'm just going to relax. I'll probably talk to more people later when I get bored. {casual} Maddison: The first person I tried talking to was the attendant, Telati, but he seemed... stressed, so I just let him be. {considerate} Maddison: Then... See her over there? The girl with the glasses? That's Demma, one of my dad's students. We spoke for a bit, it was nice to see her! {warm} Maddison: Lastly, I tried speaking to the posh guy in the canteen, but... he said he was at a good part in his book, so I just left him alone. {awkward} // I've got to go. Maddison: Thank you for the chat. See you later! {warm} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Sigh, what is it? You want to talk? To me? /$Cemor {annoyed} ???: ...Fine. I suppose I can indulge. But you had better leave me to read my book in peace when you're done. /$Cemor {condescending} Cemor: I am Cemor, of House Efelu, a noble house of small repute, though soon it shall surely rise. {prideful} Cemor: I'm travelling from my home, the Highlands, to Auburn. Why? Well, I booked a ticket to go to the Festival of the Queen, but... for the wrong date. {slightly embarrassed} Cemor: I didn't want that money to go to waste, so I'm going to go and visit Espren anyway. There's probably some festival left to experience. {practical} Cemor: But enough about little old me. What do you want to talk about? {aloof} // Book Cemor: Ah, yes. The book. It's very good, I'm glad I chose to bring it with me. {pleased} Cemor: It's called "The Long-Winded and Painful Death of Greenie S. Sweenville," which, I hope, speaks for itself. {dry humor} Cemor: One of the members of my book club back in Hyloch recommended it to me. I'm glad they did- it's a beautiful story. {appreciative} Cemor: But let us move on from that. What else have you to discuss? {impatient} // Auburn Forest Cemor: It's a shame... The Auburn Festival is usually quite good. A few of us Highlanders go down to Auburn to see it. {nostalgic} Cemor: They have games, beautiful cuisine, and a band... Who knew Auburn could put on such a wonderful show. {pleasant} Cemor: I think it's that Sovereign Zhiraok- I hear he busies himself trying to atone for his family's failures. I'd feel bad, if not for him being a Nasin. {dismissive} Cemor: Our own festival is quite a sight to see, too. I'd recommend visiting, but they make those tickets too expensive for the lower regions, don't they? {condescending} Cemor: ...Unfortunate. {feigned sympathy} Cemor: Let us move on. What else would you like to speak about? {aloof} // Highlands Cemor: Ah, the Highlands. Gorgeous place, perhaps the real crown jewel of Fruma. {prideful} Cemor: I question why the Queen doesn't come and live amongst us. Perhaps she fears the people, hence her home being a fortress. {critical} Cemor: Our Sovereign, Majin... He spends far too much of his time trying to outcompete that Nasin, as would a Thalas. {dismissive} Cemor: He should keep his sights on his own region... The Nasins are already disgraced; what does he have to prove? {condescending} Cemor: Moving on. What else is there to speak of? {impatient} // Train Cemor: It's... alright, I suppose. I've had worse train rides. {normal} Cemor: I've also had better train rides, though... Usually, there is another caterer. {critical} Cemor: We'll see how the one caterer does preparing my meal. It's my favourite, whole roast Grookiva, and that's not particularly hard to prepare, so... {entitled} Cemor: ...Anywho. Anything else? {dismissive} // I've got to go. Cemor: Have a good journey. {formal} Cemor: What is it now? {annoyed} Cemor: Ugh. Then leave me to my book in peace, please. {irritated} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //... hey ... something wrong? ... //... oh no ... dead? ... Maury: ...Oh, Harvin, GODDAMNIT HARVIN... We're NOT gettin' let off the hook for this one! We're SCREWED. {panicked} Harvin: ...God Maury, with a messup this bad, they'll send us to Deraj for sure! You know what they do to people in Deraj!!! {terrified} Maury: ...Er. No I don't. {awkward} Harvin: ...Oh, I thought you did. {sheepish} Maury: This is YOUR fault, ya idiot! Where the hell were YOU when I was takin' a nap? {angry} Harvin: Yeah? What were YOU doing napping on the job? What else was I supposed to do when I needed the bathroom? {defensive} Maury: Ach... What're we gonna do... {stressed} Maury: Ah! ...Maybe..! {realization} Maury: If we catch the perpetrator, we'll be... redeemed! Yeah! {hopeful} Harvin: Good idea, but how the hell're we gonna catch them? That sounds... hard. {uncertain} Maury: ... {thinking} Harvin: ...Are you thinking what I'm thinking? {anticipation} Maury: ...Yeah. {agreement} Maury: Ye're under arrest for the murder of General Levi, punk! {forceful} // I didn't do it! Harvin: Oh, but you did! {accusing} // Evidence? Maury: Evidence? Heh. They'll believe it - ye're suspicious-lookin', and have some odd tools on yer person. Don't think we haven't seen 'em. {smug} Harvin: Yeah, what region are you from, anyway? The Secret Mistwoods Civilization? Ha! NOBODY goes around dressed like you. {mocking} Malic: Hey! You can't just accuse them without evidence! That's not fair! {outraged} Maury: Do ya wanna be put down as an accomplice in the murder? Shut yer trap! {threatening} Malic: But- but they were asleep the entire time! I saw it! {insistent} Maury: ...Egh... Fine... Tell ya what. New idea. {reluctant} Maury: You n' I... We're gonna play a little game. {scheming} Maury: If you can prove yer innocence before the train reaches the station... Ye're free to go. Otherwise? We go with Plan A. {authoritative} Maury: All of you, out. This is private business. Get back to yer seats. {commanding} Maury: Alright. Uhh. The best way to prove that ye're innocent would probably be to figure out who actually did it. {practical} Maury: If yer gonna be playin' detective, you're gonna want somewhere to jot yer findings, right? Where are we gonna get ya somethin' like that... {thinking} Harvin: Don't worry, Maury, I have just the thing! {confident} Maury: Yer notebook? The one you were supposed ta use for documentin' suspicious activity? {skeptical} Harvin: Yeah, I never bothered with it. {casual} Maury: ...Me neither. {sheepish} Maury: Uh. Anyway. You. Yeah. A good place to start yer investigation would be the scene of the crime, probably. {directive} Maury: Go poke around at the body and see what ya can find. {commanding} Maury: Go on, inspect the body. {impatient} Harvin: Hey, do you need that? Is that gonna help you with the case? {curious} // ...Yeah. Harvin: Hm... Alright. {agreeable} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maury: Interestin' evidence... this seems highly premeditated, if ya ask me... {analytical} Maury: Well, anyway, that ain't for us ta worry about. You're gonna figure out who did this. {firm} Maury: Ya should go around an' talk to yer fellow passengers, see if they got any dirt. Ya might also spot some physical evidence along the way... {directive} Harvin: Hey, Maury... How are we gonna stop them from just accusing someone random? There would be no point to any of this, and we'd might as well just arrest them instead... {concerned} Maury: Hmm... That's a good point... {thoughtful} Maury: Ye're gonna have to find some compelling pieces of evidence, I guess. We'll say 3. {decisive} Maury: Once ya have 3 pieces of strong evidence, come back ta us and make yer accusation. {informing} // What were you doing on the train? Maury: Hm... She told us not to tell anyone, but I s'pose that doesn't matter anymore. {conflicted} Maury: Well, it was supposed to be a secret, until this dope let it slip. I s'pose we can just say it now, though. {irritated} Maury: We were travellin' to Fort Torann, to investigate some sort of incident. {informing} Harvin: Apparently, someone got in and killed all the soldiers, plus Commander Lilles... Serious stuff. {grave} Maury: She was called there because a lot of the people killed were Constables. That, and Sovereign Zhiraok was apparently desperate for some extra hands. {serious} Maury: Must be bad, if even he needs to ask for some help... {uneasy} Maury: None of it matters now, though. Anythin' else? {dismissive} // General Levi Harvin: Tch, you think we studied this stuff? We don't know much about her. {defensive} Maury: Yeah, all we knew was that she was our highest-ranking leader, aside from the Marshal, Majin. {matter of fact} Maury: Sorry, kid. Anythin' else to ask? {normal} // Where were you during the murder? Maury: Well. Er. y'know, I got... tired. So I... took a nap. {embarrassed} Harvin: I TOLD you it would be a bad idea, Maury. There's a reason she brought two of us! {exasperated} Maury: Well- listen! Bein' made to come here in the morning right after workin' the night shift is a lot! {defensive} Maury: Also, we had a deal. You were supposed ta keep watch while I slept, idiot! {accusatory} Harvin: Yeah, well... I needed the bathroom, alright? What was I supposed to do, go right there in my armor? {defensive} Maury: Knowin' your smarts, I'm surprised ya didn't just do that anyway... {sarcastic} Harvin: ...You were the one worried about screwing it up! Just think how that would have looked, dude, we would have been so fired! {frustrated} Maury: OBVIOUSLY, I'M NOT SAYING YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT, HARVIN. By the Queen, you really tire me, sometimes... {annoyed} Maury: But... Ya know... Ya coulda made some effort to... hold it in..? {grumbling} Harvin: You realize we're saying all of this in front of our detective, right..? {awkward} Maury: Whuh? Oh, yeah. You. Uh. Uhhh. {caught off guard} Maury: Moving on..! {recovering} Maury: Your takeaway from that... conversation... is that the General was completely unguarded. {assertive} // Your takeaway from that... conversation... is that the General was completely unguarded. Maury: Uh... Anythin' else ta say? {normal} // Passengers. Maury: We've not spoken to any of 'em, so we don't really know a whole lot. {uncertain} Harvin: I can vouch for the Highlands guy. He was in the bathroom while I was waiting outside. {matter of fact} Harvin: Took his sweet time in there, I tell you... Maybe I would've been able to protect the General if he had been quicker. {annoyed} Maury: I noticed that the one with the white shirt and red dress was weirdly quiet back when everyone was gathered around... I'm suspcious of 'em. {suspicious} Maury: 's'all we got, though. Any other questions? {normal} // You mentioned a Deraj earlier? Maury: Pal, you must really be kiddin' me. Are ya really tellin' me you've lived in Fruma yer whole life, and haven't heard of Deraj? {incredulous} Harvin: It's the big prison down in the aptly-named Penitence District to the south. Come on, everyone's heard of it... {informative} Maury: Not many people know it like we do, though... Not that we know much at all about it either. {uncertain} Maury: They say the prisoners there live an alright life, that they're just kept out of the way of Fruman society fer everyone else's sake... {skeptical} Maury: But, we've had several, er, acquaintances... who've ended up there. They never came back. {somber} Harvin: You NEVER want to go somewhere nobody ever comes back from. Never! {fearful} Maury: It's hard to know anything beyond that about it, in part because the guy in charge, Sovereign Oru, is never seen in public. Too busy with 'is duties, supposedly. {mysterious} Harvin: I hear he's a scary guy, so honestly, I'm glad... {uneasy} Harvin: Anyway, Got any questions that'll actually help ya with the case? {impatient} // I've got to go. Maury: Yeah, get back ta work. {dismissive} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telati: Oh, you're the one from the murder scene, aren't you? The one those guards accused? {concerned} Telati: ...You didn't actually do it, right? ...Would guards accuse someone randomly..? {uncertain} Telati: As I told you back when you boarded, my name's Telati. I'm... the only staffer on the train today. Besides the driver, Cusef, but he's busy, well, driving. {professional} Telati: That means I'm the only person here to attend our many passengers today. And... The only person here to deal with this horrible crisis. To clean up the mess. {stressed} Telati: It's... It's... Sigh. I'm stressed, alright? {overwhelmed} Telati: Oh, it's you again. You... Those guards were wrong, right? ...Would they accuse someone randomly..? {anxious} Telati: ... {uncertain} Telati: Well... I guess those guards are having you hunt for who else could've done it, so I suppose it is my duty as a citizen to assist. {resigned} Telati: Besides, taking questions from you might help me not think about certain things. Like that I'm going to have to clean up that body later. {uneasy} Telati: Sigh. I'm stressed, alright? {fatigued} Telati: ...What questions do you have? {normal} // See anything before the murder? Telati: Ah, of course. Staffing the train, I've seen a lot today. Let me recount. {composed} Telati: Well, for starters... I was loitering in this carriage, just trying to avoid Cemor. I... didn't want to make his meal. {guilty} Telati: Yes, it was wrong of me. I ought to apologise to him... Anyway, he showed up here to go to the bathroom, so I quickly left before he could talk to me. {regretful} Telati: I headed down to the passenger carriages and spoke to everyone I saw. I was a little stressed, so I don't remember the specifics. {uncertain} Telati: Well, not everyone, I suppose. You were asleep. Malic and I had a chuckle about it. {light} Telati: I also didn't speak to the guards... One was asleep in the same carriage as you, and the other started walking towards the back carriage when I came by. {recounting} Telati: I made my way back to the back and encountered Demma and Cemor on the way back to their seats. I made sure to dash by Cemor. {nervous} Telati: I was going back to loitering when suddenly, the purple guard came barging in shouting for his compatriot, who was in the bathroom. {tense} Telati: Concerned, I followed the two of them, to find that they had found Levi's corpse. Before I could ask questions, they were off running through the train yelling. {recounting} Telati: That's the whole story. {normal} Telati: Any more questions? {normal} // Access to locked rooms Telati: Sure, I do have a master key for all rooms I can lend you. Let me find it... {helpful} Telati: ...W-Whuh? Where is it? I always keep it in my pocket! Perhaps I dropped it somewhere? {panicked} Telati: Oh no... Maybe the killer stole it! Maybe that's how they got into the room! {alarmed} Telati: ...Oh, no no no no... It can't be my fault... It can't... {distressed} Telati: Please, you must find that key. It must be on the train somewhere. {urgent} Telati: Wait, You did? But I have it right h- {confused} Telati: ...W-Whuh? I guess I must have dropped it at some point. {bewildered} Telati: Feel free to use it as needed for your investigation... You're free to enter the janitor's closet. {normal} Telati: Anything else to say...? {calm} Telati: Anything wrong? Or do you have more questions? {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: ...Oh. It's you. The one from the murder scene. /$Flinn {flat} Flinn: Ugh. Well, see, I'm from Auburn Forest. I... don't like it there. So I wanted to see what the Industrial Distict was like. It was bad. {bitter} Flinn: And now, if the trip wasn't already horrible enough, someone's been murdered! Why can't anything be nice? Why can't anything good happen? {frustrated} Flinn: What if the general was only the start??? We might all die!!! {panicked} Flinn: ...You're looking for the murderer, right? I guess I should help. It might end the trip on a marginally positive note if they're caught. {reluctant} Flinn: Alright... What do you need to know? {resigned} Flinn: I chose the Industrial District because it was the cheapest ticket... I had to exchange so many materials for those weird emeralds they use here. {matter of fact} Flinn: I hoped, at least, that the Festival there would be cool, and instead, it was a complete disaster. On top of that, I missed the one back home... {disappointed} Flinn: I didn't even want to witness whatever mess the Festival there was going to end up being. It couldn't possibly compensate for missing the one back home. Flinn: On the way to the station, some guy came up to me and begged on his knees for me to buy his shirt. It was hard to refuse... I felt bad... {uneasy} Flinn: Sorry about that, I got... Madder, than expected... Anything else you'd like to ask? {apologetic} Flinn: What? More questions? {normal} // Care to explain the key I just found behind you? Flinn: W-what? A key? Behind me? {startled} Flinn: ...I SWEAR I did not put that there... Please, believe me... {defensive} Flinn: Maybe the attendant..? No... He didn't stick around... {uncertain} Flinn: Any more questions? {uneasy} // See anything before the murder? Flinn: No, I didn't see much at all. I've just been ignoring everything. {detached} Flinn: The one thing I can recount is that the attendant came by and asked me if everything was to my liking. I ignored him. {indifferent} // What have you been doing? Flinn: I've just been sat right here for pretty much the entire ride. Just thinking. {distant} Flinn: ...Gosh, sorry. I know I said I'd help with the case, but, thinking on it, I've not actually seen much that could help you. huh. {deflated} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Ah, you... The one from the crime scene, yes? /$Demma {curious, cautious} Demma: I'm... I'm Demma. I'm a student from the Aelumia University. {nervous, formal} Demma: I'm travelling to Auburn for my study project... I was excited, but with all that's happened, it's a little hard to keep that optimism... {uneasy, apologetic} Demma: ...You're not the murderer, are you..? No, I don't think you are... Your reaction to their accusation was too... innocent, yes... {anxious, analytical} Demma: What those guards did to you back there... It wasn't right. I'll tell you anything you need to know to find the real culprit. {concerned, firm} Demma: So, let's get right to that, shall we? {composed, cooperative} Demma: Oh, nice to see you again... {startled, polite} Demma: I'm... I'm still in shock about what happened. And, frankly, afraid. There's a murderer in our midst! And I'm stuck in this train! {shaken, fearful} Demma: What if they... what if they... {panicked, spirling} Demma: ...It wasn't you, was it..? No... No, a guility person wouldn't react the way you did. I trust you. {hesitant, reassured} Demma: It wasn't right of those guards to throw the blame on you like that... I'll tell you anything you need to know to figure out who really did it... {earnest, determined} Demma: ...For the General's sake, and for ours. {somber, resolute} Demma: So, let's get to the questionining, shall we? {steady} // See anything before the murder? Demma: Not much, but I can recount some events. {recalling, thoughtful} Demma: The man in the canteen carriage came through here and took a while to come back. Not sure why, though I think it likely he was in the bathroom at the back of the train. {observant, uncertain} Demma: Shortly after, I wanted to get my notebook from my storage to write some thoughts I was having in regards to my research. On the way, I didn't pay attention to where anyone was sat. {reflecting, distracted} Demma: In the storage room, I encountered the attendant, Telati, who seemed to be walking from the back of the train to the front. He asked me if I needed anything, and moved by. {recollecting} Demma: Then, as I was on the way back here, I encountered a man named Malic, who was walking towards the back of the train, and we had a chat. He's now sat over there, with Maddison. {recollecting} Demma: I didn't see where he ended up going, because it was none of my business, and I had no reason to suspect foul play. {practical, dismissive} Demma: I got seated, and then the man from the canteen came back... And then... {uneasy} Demma: ...Shortly after that, those two guards came in panicking, and brought us to the scene of the murder. {tense} Demma: ...That should be everything. I'm sorry I didn't catch all the details. Any more questions? {apologetic, unsure} // I've got to go. Demma: Good luck with the case. {supportive, gentle} Demma: Got more questions? {attentive} // Slime Demma: Purple slime..? Hm. Interesting. I have an immediate thought, but you'd need to check yourself, just to make sure my hunch is right. {intrigued, thinking} Demma: Give me a second to go grab my luggage, I left the book in there... {hurried, focused} Demma: ...Oh, geez... I wasn't expecting to have to unpack this much... {overwhelmed, stressed} Demma: It was so hard to get this all to fit in there to begin with... {tired, complaining} Demma: Sorry, but... I've done you a favour, so I'll ask that you do me one in return. {serious} Demma: Help me put my luggage back. Until you do, I'll not let you read that book. I think that's a fair deal. {firm, insistent} Demma: Well? {expectant} // Help with bag Demma: So you're taking my deal, then? {hopeful} // Nah. Demma: Okay... Until you do, you're not reading that book, sorry. {disappointed} Demma: ...Would you like to talk about anything else? {probing} // Sure! Demma: Thank you. Let's get to work, then. {grateful} Demma: Couldn't manage? Sigh. Alright. Well, I'm still not letting you read the book until you do. {unimpressed} Demma: Oh, thank you so much! It took me hours to pack this the first time, you know. {grateful, cheerful} Demma: You're free to read the book now. I'll show you the page I have in mind. {helpful} Demma: Alright, here. Murex Molluscs. Take a read. {excited} // Book Demma: Interesting, right? It's got info on all the snails in Fruma! Such fascinating creatures... {enthusiastic} //Begin speaking rapidly here Demma: You should read more about the Murex Mollusc than just the bit I showed you. There's so many interesting facts about them. {encouraging, passionate} Demma: I still find it incredible how they're the Gigastropod's closest relative, despite the sheer cliff between them. {analytical, curious} Demma: It makes you wonder- how did they get down there? Or up there? There's actually an interesting query about which came first, the Gigastropod or Murex Mollusc? {thoughtful, excited} Demma: Personally, as someone knowledgeable about the subject, I believe that the Gigastropod would have came first. Why? Well... {confident, explaining} Demma: ...The Murex Mollusc's special adaptations would give the Gigastropod a great biological advantage, obviously! {assertive} Demma: Think, toxins strong enough to bring down even Wooly Rhinos, in the Auburn Forest, with all its bugs? It'd be so strong! {certain, invested} Demma: But then, you know, there is also the argument that the Gigastropod's impenatrable shell would be useful to the Murex Mollusc, too... {considering} Demma: That's why modern researchers, like my professor and I, tend to believe that there used to be other megasnails that served as a missing link between the two. {explaining} Demma: It's believed that they would have lived across the whole province, but went extinct in the Industrial District and Mistwoods, leaving 2 groups to evolve apart. {theoretical} Demma: It's sad, really... If only those snails still lived... A happier world we would have... {melancholic} Demma: It's speculated that the similarly-large Mistwoods Slug of the, well, Mistwoods may hold answers, but it's highly elusive, only living on the branches of massive trees, so... {speculative} Demma: ...we've little data on them to determine the truth. It's dangerous enough to enter the Mistwoods, let alone climb those vast redwoods! {concerned, wary} Demma: I'd love to study the Mistwoods Slug... It's a dream of mine, for sure. If only the region were not so deadly... {aspirational} Demma: Did you know that the Mistwoods has huge creatures speculated to be the missing link between bird and- {excited, eager} //Return to normal speed. Demma: OH! Oh, I'm so sorry... I got carried away... {embarrassed, flustered} Demma: It's just... So fun to share these facts with people... Sometimes, you just don't realize how little they actually care... {apologetic} Demma: Please, hurry and find that killer. For everyone's sake. {urgent, anxious} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ???: Oh, hey, it's you... The person from the murder scene. /$Malic {recognizing} Malic: The name's Malic, nice to meet you. I'm glad those guards saw some sense and let you go. {friendly, relieved} Malic: It'll be nice to get a break from all that. I'm heading to Auburn for a vacation, see. {upbeat} Malic: It's a pretty special thing. In the Roughworks, people never really get the opportunity to travel the Queen's Line. Too expensive for us, typically. {wistful} Malic: It was all going pretty nicely until that murder took place. Now? I'm... a little shocked, a little nervous, but I'm gonna try to keep a positive outlook. {uneasy} Malic: Right. They're making you play detective, right? So you'll want questions from me. Well, go ahead, them, I'll do my best to answer. {cooperative} Malic: Ah, they let ya go, huh? Nice, I'm glad they saw some reason. {relieved} Malic: Being from the Roughworks, I've seen more than enough corrupt antics from dastards like them. It's really tiring. {weary} Malic: What a generally... horrible turn of events. Until that killer is caught, we might all be in danger. I'm nervous, to be honest. {anxious, serious} Malic: I'm still looking forward to my vacation, but... it's definitely been soured by what's happened. {disappointed} Malic: ...Whatever. You're here to take questions, right? To figure out the actual killer? Alright. {resigned} Malic: Well, go on, then. {normal} // See anything before the murder? Malic: I've seen a few people, but nothing necessarily suspicious. Let me recount. {calm, recalling} Malic: To begin with, it's important to note that I was in the seating carriage- the one behind me right now, for much of that time. {recalling} Malic: The first thing I saw was some posh-looking guy walking to the back, with a book in hand. Seems he was going to the bathroom, so I didn't bother him. {recalling} Malic: I then got up to go grab my puzzle magazine from the lockers, and, on the way, encountered the attendant, Telati, who I briefly talked to. {recalling} Malic: During this conversation, I also noticed you, sleeping in your seat. You were muttering something about a snotty businessman, I think. We chuckled about it. {slightly amused} Malic: On the way out of the carriage, I noticed the purple guard taking a nap in one of the seats. Didn't pay attention to anything else going on in there. {matter of fact, indifferent} Malic: When I entered the storage carriage, I encountered Demma, who was walking towards the front, and we talked for a little while. It was nice getting to chat with someone. {recalling, warm} Malic: As I was getting my newspaper, the posh guy passed by behind me, and then I bumped into Telati again as I was walking back to my seat. {recalling} Malic: Then, just when I thought I had a chance to relax and solve some crosswords, the guards came barging in asking everyone to gather around. And now you're filled in. {slightly annoyed} Malic: Anything else you wanna ask about? {cooperative} // Maddison Malic: Ah, her. So, I was headed back to my seat after we all gathered around the scene of the murder, right? And then I notice Maddison, looking quite distressed. {calm, explaining} Malic: I thought it might do her some good to have some company. So I went over and we spoke for a little while, and now we're just hanging out for the rest of the ride. {explaining, reassuring} Malic: ...You know, typically... when people from the higher regions come visit the Roughworks... they're rude. They treat us like filth. But... {reflecting, slightly bitter} Malic: Maddison? She's been nothing but respectful and kind, even if it meant... viewing some things in a questionable manner. She's cool. {appreciative} // I've got to go. Malic: Good luck finding that murderer! {supportive, upbeat} Malic: Got more questions? {casual} // Thanks for helping Malic: You're welcome! As I said, 'round where I'm from, those guys are a constant problem. ALWAYS being jerks to people. {frustrated} Malic: Most of us have come to deeply dislike them. A lot of them are just local troublemakers who joined the Guard for a position of power over everyone else. {critical, slightly heated} Malic: ...Maybe I shouldn't be expressing these kinds of thoughts to you, knowing that you're looking for the person who murdered their division leader. {cautious} Malic: Eh. I'd rather tell a dangerous truth than lie to get out of potential trouble. {firm, resolved} Malic: ...Anything else you wanna ask about? {calm} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maddison: Oh... Hi. You're the... the... {startled} Maddison: ...Sorry. I'm a little... rattled, after what's gone down... {nervous, shaken} Maddison: ...Those guards were wrong, right? It wasn't you? {anxious} Malic: Oh, calm down, Maddie. I've talked to them; they definitely wouldn't kill someone. Besides... I don't think they'd hurt you with people around, even if it were them.' {reassuring} Maddison: ...Thanks, Malic... So, you. You're here to take questions, right? To figure out who did it? {uneasy} Maddison: ...Oh, I hope it'll be okay... I'll help you however I can. Levi's killer needs to be found... {worried, determined} Maddison: It could be any one of us! What if they're not done? What if they're a cursed one??? Oh... {panicked, fearful} Maddison: ...I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm Maddison, a tourist from Aelumia Citadel. {composed} Maddison: I'm travelling the province using the Queen's Line, and was about to reach my final stop, Espren, before this disaster happened. {soft, unsettled} Maddison: Uhm... Ask me any further questions you need, I guess. {nervous} Maddison: Ah, well... Basically, I went on this whole trip just to get a break from Aelumia Citadel. I've lived there my whole life, but... it got old. {reflecting} Maddison: I've only been to the Highlands and Industrial District, though. Both have been enlightening, in their own ways. {thoughtful} Maddison: The Industrial District? It's... I guess I've come to learn that some people live by different standards to me, which is... interesting. {careful, uncertain} Maddison: Oh, hey... It's you! Ha... ha... {nervous} Maddison: Uhm... To be perfectly honest with you, I'm a little... rattled about what we just saw. {uneasy} Maddison: I'm really nervous... What if the murderer isn't done? What if they're a cursed one? {fearful, anxious} Malic: I wouldn't worry. Given the covert nature of their previous kill, they wouldn't do it in a room with four people. Besides, the train's not too far off now. {calm, reassuring} Maddison: ...Thank you, Malic. {soft} Malic: If you wanna alleviate your worries completely, I'd suggest helping our friend here with the investigation. Tell 'em whatever they need to know. {encouraging, practical} Maddison: Oh, yeah. You are doing that, aren't you? Right. Okay. {realizing, slightly flustered} Maddison: Well, ask away, then. {composed} // See anything before the murder? Maddison: I've been in this carriage for almost the entire time, so I haven't seen too much. I've just been... staring out the window. {quiet, withdrawn} Maddison: That's not to say that I saw nothing at all, though. Here's my recollection of the events: {careful, focused} Maddison: The first thing I remember is that the guy from the canteen passed by on his way towards the back of the train... Not sure where he went. {uncertain} Maddison: Then, Demma got up and walked away in the same direction. {recalling} Maddison: The attendant, Telati, arrived shortly after, to ask if everything was alright, and then made his way towards the back again. {slightly tense} Maddison: Soon after that, Demma came back, and the guy from the canteen soon followed. {recalling} Maddison: That's all I remember, sorry. {appologetic} // Malic Maddison: Malic's so nice... You know, back when I visited the Industrial District, I found the citizens to be... intimidating, unkind. But Malic? He's different. {warm, admiration} Maddison: ...To be honest, I was feeling a little... negative, about the way things were over there. But... I think Malic has given me a new perspective. {reflecting, soft} Maddison: I'm glad to have met him. {gentle, grateful} Maddison: Anything else you'd like to discuss? {open, calm} // I've got to go. Maddison: Got more questions? {normal} // General Levi Maddison: Uhm... I did know her, a bit. Not personally, but I was familiar with her as a person, you know..? {uncertain, hesitant} Maddison: Back home in Aelumia Citadel, they do military parades all the time. I saw her there a lot. {reminising} Maddison: She was the leader of the Constables Division, and, and... {struggling} Maddison: Wait. {sudden realization} Maddison: MALIC! I think I... No... Uhmmm... {panicked, disoriented} Malic: Ah, the crossword? You got one, finally? {light, teasing} Maddison: I... I don't know! I don't know!!! {panicked, overwhelmed} Malic: Maddie here was telling me of her visit to the Roughworks, and her thoughts on our culture, so I thought I'd give her a quiz, see. {casual} Malic: It's a crossword from my favourite magazine, Puzzle Factory. Thought it might, y'know, help take her mind off things. {upbeat, explaining} Malic: ...Doesn't it look easy..? {playful} Maddison: HEY!!! Well... if it's so easy, SOLVE IT! {sudden anger, flustered} Maddison: You know, I was going to say something else, but now I forgot!!! {frustrated, distracted} Maddison: Uhhm. Uhhhhh. Um. {confused} Malic: Maybe it'll clear your head if our friend here solves the crossword. Proves it's easy. {calm, teasing} Maddison: I promise you it isn't!!! {urgent, protesting} Maddison: Alright, fine! Go on! do the crossword! {challenging, agitated} // Nah. Maddison: SEE??? It's not easy, they're too intimidated to do it. {triumphant, defensive} Maddison: Anything else to talk about? {normal} // Crossword Maddison: Ready to try the crossword? It's not easy!!! {challenging} Maddison: DO IT.... NOW!! {demanding, energetic} // Sure! Maddison: Hahahahahaha.... You will see..! {competitive, excited} Maddison: Hey! That's not how you spell his... oh, whatever, it doesn't actually matter. {frustrated, dismissive} Maddison: SEE??? They couldn't do it. It was too hard! {victorious} Malic: Have you remembered what you were thinking about? {gentle, concerned} Maddison: Uhm ...no. Not yet. {confused, deflated} Malic: Good luck finding that murderer. {calm} Malic: ...Yep. {flat} Malic: As a subscriber to this paper, I'm honestly getting a little tired of the riddles that just talk about how great the province is... Some variation of this question's in like, every single issue. {mildly annoyed, complaining} Malic: Ugh. {exasperated} Maddison: DAMNIT!!! That was so obvious! I had it, I swear!!!!! {frustrated} Maddison: Wait, that wasn't allowed? I thought it was cool... {confused, uncertain} Maddison: Oh, goodness, crossword... Don't make me think of that again... {overwhelmed, uneasy} Malic: Yep, and then it takes even more to hold on to it! {casual} Malic: I've always thought it's, uh, really stupid that they named those trees that. Maddison loves it though? {conflicted} Malic: Man... Heard that didn't go super well this year... {thoughtful} Malic: Dang, shame I'll be out of town for that. {mild disappointment} Malic: There we go! {satisfied} Maddison: UGH, what????? Damnit! I guess I didn't pay good enough attention on my trip... {frustrated} Malic: Honestly, don't worry. Given what you've told me about your own home, I can't imagine the Roughworks are really worth knowing about, for someone like you. {reassuring} Maddison: Oh, right! I just remembered what I was going to say. {recollecting} Maddison: General Levi came from the Highlands, specifically a noble house called House Takshah. {informing, serious} Maddison: Apparently, some people have it out for that house in particular... That's all I know though, sorry. {uneasy, appologetic} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cemor: But enough about little old me. You are here to ask questions. Go on. {composed, mildly impatient} Cemor: ...That blasted attendant... He better give me m- {irritated, frustrated} Cemor: ...Ah, you! You again. They let you go, hm? {surprised, smug} ???: ...Oh, it's you. You from the murder scene. They let you go, hm? /$Cemor Cemor: Lucky. Those Constables... Majin has them stationed around Hyloch for our safety, but they're always causing trouble. I don't trust people like them. {disdainful, suspicious} Cemor: Still, I suppose Levi would have been different, given her high role. How cruel it is that someone cut her life short... {somber} Cemor: You are looking for the perpetrator, yes? I'll tell you anything you need to know. {cooperative} ???: You are looking for the perpetrator, yes? I'll tell you anything you need to know. I suppose the first thing would be an introduction. /$Cemor Cemor: Go ahead, now. Ask away. {authoritative} // See anything before the murder? Cemor: I didn't see much at all, because I was in the bathroom for much of the time. There's only one thing I saw that could be of note. {matter of fact, slightly cautious} Cemor: When I reached the back of the train, where the bathroom is located, I noticed the attendant, Telati. {observational} Cemor: He was just stood around, up to... something. When he saw me enter, he seemed to panic and left the carriage. How suspicious. {accusatory} Cemor: What else have you to ask? {pressing, impatient} // Constables Cemor: Ech. Constables. Always a pain. {dismissive, annoyed} Cemor: They're supposedly stronger than the regular divisional soldiers, but at least those divisional soldiers knew respect. {critical} Cemor: The Constables are often from other regions, so they're not part of the local community- they're less friendly. This makes them HORRIBLE town guards. {bitter, frustrated} Cemor: I speak from experience. Our Sovereign, Majin, replaced the Hyloch guard with Constables a few years ago. Supposedly to better protect us. {cynical} Cemor: Given his lack of improvements to the town besides that, I doubt that's the real reason. He just did it for the praise. {accusatory, cynical} Cemor: If he REALLY wanted to please us, he should have had some of those spangly Wings guard us. They don't do anything but stand around looking cool, anyway. {mocking} Cemor: They're the best of the best, and I'm sure they would serve us better than those unruly Constables. They have the decorum not to scoff in our faces. {prideful} Cemor: Yes, that's right- scoff in our faces. That's how little respect these Constables have for the nobility. It's ridiculous. {offended, self important} Cemor: A friend of mine, from House Krisa, was humiliated by a pair of rude Constables in Hyloch a while back. His handmade clothes were ruined! Covered in dye! {indignant} Cemor: He had one of his friends in House Liftal contact Majin about it, so I'm sure those fools got what they deserved... Heh. {satisfied} Cemor: ...Anyway. All of this is to say: Constables are no good. I am not fond of them. {dismissive} Cemor: But let us move on from that. Any more questions? {controlled, expectant} // I've got to go. Cemor: Have a good journey, and good luck. {polite, formal} Cemor: What is it now? More questions? {annoyed, impatient} // You seemed mad about something? Cemor: Ugh. It's that attendant, Telati. I asked him for a meal hours ago, and he STILL hasn't even STARTED on it! {frustrated, angry} Cemor: ...Could you do me a favour go and ask him to get a move on? I'm tired of waiting here. {demanding, entitled} Cemor: Any more questions? {brisk} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telati: Oh, no, did he really not forget? Damnit. Damnit damnit damnit. {panicked, stressed} Telati: ...Listen. I'm- I'm really quite stressed, alright? I didn't think I'd be able to make that recipe before, let alone now. {anxious, overwhelmed} Telati: I'm... I'm so sorry to ask you this, but... Could you please make the meal for him? He wanted whole roast Grookiva. {desperate, pleading} Telati: My absent colleague, Zathie, left a recipe book that you can use. I'm sure you can follow it better than I ever could. {hopeful, appologetic} Telati: I give you my full permission to enter the kitchen for this task, it's in the canteen carriage. Thank you for this. {relieved, grateful} Telati: Oh, thank goodness you found it. Thank you so much. {relief} Telati: Feel free to use it anywhere you need. You may even enter the janitor's closet, if you'd like. {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cemor: Good luck. {normal} // Your meal, sir. Cemor: You..? You made it? He really had you do it for him??? {incredulous} Cemor: Goodness... I'm going to be leaving a poor review of this train in the paper, and telling my friends of this disappointment... {outraged, self important} Cemor: ...Speaking of gossip, I just thought of something I heard recently that might be useful to you... {probing} Cemor: Yes, I heard from some friends that General Levi was being called to Fort Torann by Sovereign Zhiraok. {confident, informative} Cemor: Of course, I'm sure you already knew that. My point is this- word was out about what was happening, so I bet whoever killed her had this insider information. {speculative} Cemor: Truly curious... Who might know about that? {speculative} Cemor: Anywho, thank you for the food. Now, ask me questions if you have any, leave me to my meal otherwise. {satisfied, dismissive} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Book in closet Telati: A book? In the closet? Hm, I'm not much of a reader, so I doubt it was mine... {confused, defensive} Telati: ...It was used to hide the knife, you say? That's... worrying. {alarmed, uneasy} Telati: Perhaps the murderer used the closet as something of a staging ground for their attack... {speculative, unsettled} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maury: Kid, you've not even talked to everyone on the train yet. Come back when you've done that, then we'll talk. {firm, procedural} Maury: 'Til then, we're not lettin' ya make an accusation. Anythin' else ta say? {authoritative, impatient} Maury: Ah, yer ready then, are ya? Got someone in mind? {skeptical} Maury: Thank the Queen... The train's gettin' quite close to Espren now, don't ya know? {relieved} Maury: WHAT? Ugh. Well hurry up, then. {startled, annoyed, urging} Maury: ...anythin' else to say before ya get back to it? {flat, expectant} Maury: Alright, I'll gather all the passengers for ya. {resigned, cooperative} //Accusing General Levi Maury: ...You mean to suggest she... No, that's just not possible. {disbelief, taken aback} Harvin: Yeah, why would she? She had important business to do... {confused, doubtful} Maury: Well, Harvin, maybe she got tired of her job? That Majin bossin' her around all the time's gotta get tirin'... {speculative, uneasy} Harvin: Hm... {uncertain, thinking} Maury: You know what? Even if she did do it, I don't care; we need someone to blame. Now COME ON! Accuse someone already, preferably alive this time! {impatient} // Accusing Harvin Harvin: Come on, idiot. We're not going to let you accuse US, obviously. {dismissive, annoyed} // Accusing Maury Maury: Even if it WAS me, there'd be nothing ya could do about it. We're the ones with power here. Now go and select one of the passengers, come on. {cold, authoritative, indifferent} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Accusing Cemor Maury: The Highlands guy? That's who ya think did it? {surprised, skeptical} Harvin: Yeah, what the heck? He was in the bathroom the whole time. This doesn't make sense... {confused} Cemor: Hahaha... HAHAHAHA... {sudden/manic} Cemor: They are right...! It WAS I, Toxic Thistle of the Blossoming Blades, Fruma's deadliest vindicators! {grandiose} Maury: ...??? {confused} Cemor: Behold, lapdogs, the beginning of our glorious revolution! {fanatic} Cemor: Even in arrest, I have won... My brethren who stand against the Queen shall be mobilized by this glorious act of violence... {delusional/triumphant} Cemor: The troubled people of Fruma shall wake to the fact that their rulers are not infallible gods; they shall at last understand that they alone bear the bridles of their own destiny...! {delusional} Harvin: Hey- {interrupting} Cemor: And executed so poetically, too! Think- a titan of House Takshah, slain by merely the poison of House Efelu- even a small Murex Mollusc takes down the mighty rhinoce- {rambling, ecstatic} Demma: Well, actually, Murex Molluscs are noted for being quite large for a sn- {correcting} Cemor: Silence! {sharp, commanding} Cemor: Before you take me away, you must admit... my exploits are impressive, no? {expectant, arrogant} Maury: Er... No. I ain't paid enough to care about whatever revolution thing ya were just talkin' about. {unimpressed, dismissive} Harvin: Yeah, do you really think any of this is gonna make a difference? Nobody cares about some general. None of this matters. {dismissive, indifferent} Cemor: ...Huh? {confused, deflated} Maury: What does matter, though, is that you just made our job REAL easy fer us. {satisfied} Maury: C'mon, punk, the train's arrivin' now. We're takin' you to the slammer. {firm} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Accusing Flinn Flinn: ... {silent} Maury: Hm. I suppose it makes enough sense. They were awfully quiet back when we found the body. {considering} Harvin: I dunno, Maury. Something doesn't seem right about this. {hesitant, doubtful} Flinn: ...it wasn't me, but... {quiet} Flinn: ...having seen what other parts of Fruma are like, maybe prison would be... an improvement... {defeated, resigned} Maury: Works for us, I guess. Just uh, go along with what we tell 'em, alright? {nonchalant} Maury: Good timin', too. The train's about to arrive in Espren. {matter of fact} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Accusing Denma Demma: Huh? {startled, confused} Maury: Yeah, I suppose a university student could get their hands on the weird substances that were involved here. I see it. {speculative} Demma: But- but why would I kill a general? I don't want to hurt anyone! {distressed, defensive} Harvin: Yeah, Maury, I don't really see a motivation here... {uncertain, skeptical} Maury: Hm... Well, whatever, we never were goin' off of actual guilt, anyway. {dismissive, indifferent} Harvin: Yeah, true, I guess this works. {agreeing} Maury: You're under arrest. We're about to arrive in Espren, and we'll be takin' ya straight to the local guard! {formal, procedural} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Accusing Telati Telati: W-what? {shocked, fearful} Maury: I guess a guy like him could grow jaded against the system. He's a Roughworker, after all. {analytical} Harvin: Yeah, and he's the only guy who could possibly have unlocked the door to the private cabin, so it makes sense, really. {justifying} Telati: But... I would never kill one of the Queen's servants... Or anyone for that matter! Please! Have mercy! {panicked, pleading} Maury: Heh. I don't think ya did it. But I don't care. We never were specifically lookin' to arrest the actual perpetrator. {cold, indifferent} Harvin: Yeah, you're believable enough. We'll go with you. {accepting} Maury: Good timin', too! We're about to arrive in Espren. {matter of fact} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Accusing Malic Malic: What? It wasn't me! {shocked, defensive} Maddison: No! He couldn't have... {emotional, distressed} Maury: Yeah, I uh, don' see the angle on this one, pal.. {unconvinced} Harvin: Eh, Roughworkers are pretty disobedient. I think it makes enough sense. {casual} Maury: True... We never were arrestin' based on real guilt anyway, were we? We'll just go with this. {accepting} Malic: But... I'm innocent! {urgent, protesting} Maury: Heh. Tell it to Oru, bub. {dismissive} Harvin: ...Is that something Oru does? Take questio- {confused} Maury: I DON'T KNOW, Harvin. It just sounded cool to say. And now you've ruined the moment. {annoyed, exasperated} Maury: ...Ech. Whatever. Train's about to arrive in Espren, let's get this guy to the slammer. {resigned} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Accusing Maddison Maddison: What? It wasn't me! {shocked, defensive} Malic: What? No! It couldn't have been her! {denial, protective} Maury: Uh... Yeah, I don' see how it could've been her, bud. {skeptical, hesitant} Harvin: Do we care? We were going to arrest our detective here without evidence, anyway, Maury. {indifferent} Maury: I guess yer right, though it might be hard to spin an Aelumian as guilty... They're pretty well-behaved. {thoughtful} Malic: ...This is ridiculous! You can't do this! {frustrated, outraged} Maury: Must I repeat myself? Do ya want to be put down as an accomplice? Quiet, you. {threatening} Harvin: Hey, Maury... What if we arrested HIM instead. It'd be easier to explain, no? {practical} Malic: ... {silent} Malic: ...you know what? Yes. Take me instead. {resigned} Maury: That works fer us! {satisfied} Maury: Hands behind yer back, bub, the train's about to arrive in Espren. {authoritative} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- // ...Looks like that's all- Huh? ???: Hey! You! /$Harvin {excited} Harvin: That guy we just arrested? He was STACKED! LOADED! We're gonna be vacationing in the Highlands with this kind of money, haha! {excited} Harvin: Don't tell Maury, but I felt like you deserved a small cut of the profits. Y'know, for figuring it out, and all. {grateful} Maury: HEY! HARVIN! Didn't I tell ya not to go and give 'em anything? Idiot! {furious, scolding} Harvin: ...Shoot. Guess that's my cue to leave. {awkward, guilt} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Businessman: Grumble... grumble grumble... {wronged/annoyed} Businessman: ...As if it wasn't already enough that I missed that train and had to buy ANOTHER ticket... {frustrated/annoyed} Businessman: ...I get home and an insurgency has taken over the damn place??? What is going on??? {irritated/annoyed} Businessman: OH, OH, AND JUST AS I THOUGHT IT COULDN'T GET WORSE, LOOK WHO SHOWS UP TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY. YOU. {irritated/furious} Businessman: SO, WHAT, HUH? WHAT'S GOING ON? IS THIS ALL SOME SORT OF... DIVINE PUNISHMENT FOR THE WAY I SPOKE TO YOU BACK OUTSIDE THE SUBWAY??? I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, OKAY??? PLEASE... MAKE IT END!!! {furious/annoyed, mock apology, desperate} // No. Businessman: GAAAAHH!!! FINE!!! LEAVE ME IN MY MISERY THEN!!! {annoyed/frustrated}