[PQ] [SE] burn this house to the ground

Rhiannon

If Rhiannon had known that tonight was some kind of murder mystery event when she'd showed up at the restaurant, she might have elected to stay home. After all, such events were usually better with friends, and Rhi had shockingly few. But here she was, in the middle of the restaurant, halfway through her meal, when suddenly, the lights dimmed. There were a few surprised shouts from patrons who, perhaps, were just as clueless as Rhiannon, before the lights came back on to reveal a body on the floor in the middle of the restaurant.

Rhi started to her feet, but before she could do anything, an announcer appeared. Welcome to our first murder mystery party! he announced jovially. Rhiannon froze, then relaxed back into her seat. At least there wasn't a real dead body that she'd have to investigate. The announcer continued: Poor Felix has been murdered, and it's up to you to determine who the killer is. They're somewhere in this room... but you'd better hurry, before they kill anyone else!

Rhiannon looked around surreptitiously, sizing up the sudden competition. Maybe it would be fun, even if she wasn't sure there was anyone here she knew well enough to enjoy it with. Besides, she could hardly run out on the bill just because she didn't want to play some game. Perhaps there were others nearby she could ally herself with... at least until they found some clues.

---

This is a murder mystery PQ for the Ludo game SE! Please post your characters arriving and then we will get started.

1. Rhiannon
2. Lena
3. Zavien
4. Persephone
5. Talyson

lately I've been dressing for revenge

It had been a long day of making local deliveries in and around Snowcloak, and Boreal had already gone back to the upstairs rooms of the courier station they'd built a couple years back to take a well-earned nap. The dragon had been stuffed full at lunch, but Tal's stomach had started rumbling two deliveries back, and he hadn't wanted to spend the time and energy trying to cook something for himself. The restaurant had seemed like the perfect answer to his hangry dilemma, though it had been a lot busier than he'd expected. He'd taken a seat at the bar for a glass of vodka and some fried ningo, and had set upon his food with single-minded focus.

At least he'd made it halfway through the basket (and most of the way through the glass) before the lights went down and came back up on--

He was already out of his seat and looking for the door before the announcer explained that it was all a game. A very macabre game, in Tal's opinion, but no one had asked him. He grimaced and finished the vodka in a single burning gulp, then glanced around to see what everyone else was doing.

To his surprise, he actually recognized someone further into the restaurant, and he raised an arm to wave in greeting even as he raised his voice. "Rhi! Over here! D'you know what in hail we're s'posed t'do?"

---

Tal is halfway through his dinner and wondering if he needs to order another drink! But he recognizes Rhiannon and asks for help.

Lena

News and announcements broke through the haze of good company and a satisfying meal – eyes widening over to the body lying on the floor. Lena too nearly found herself reaching for her healing staff (tucked neatly in her bag), before her mind realized, recalled, what was going on. Zavien had probably mentioned it before they’d come, but with her mind initially on the date, food, and the Halovian atmosphere, she’d forgotten about the other aspects of the evening. “Did you know about this?” she leaned over the table and whispered to the Dragoon quietly – with a hint of a smile to discern she wasn’t upset about it – mostly amused.

Though, she’d have to be sharpen up her practically non-existent sleuthing skills.

sunlight on mist; summer lightning
your choices outweigh your substance

Zavien

Despite knowing about the events, Zavien still nearly flew from his chair at the sight of the 'dead body.' His heart raced and his muscles tightened, itching to reach for his sword. He nearly laughed aloud at his response, running a hand through his hair to calm the nerves. It helped to see Lena's subtle smile. She'd been told about the fun game one their way in, but it'd been a fleeting mention amongst pleasant conversation. It wouldn't be surprised if she'd actually forgotten. Leaning forward, he gave her a playful wink. "Of course not. How was I supposed to know someone was going to be 'murdered'?" 

Zavien glanced around at the other patrons suspiciously before settling his gaze back on his date. The green of his eyes sparkled with mock accusation as he whispered softly, "You didn't do it, did you?" He couldn't keep the smile from his face, knowing full well that he could trust her.

Be like a solid tower
whose brave height remains unmoved by all the winds that blow.

Rhiannon

A familiar voice had Rhiannon looking around, and she grinned when she saw Tal, suddenly relieved that she wouldn't be going through whatever game this was alone. She made her way over to the courier and ordered her own drink, matching Tal's vodka with a rum cocktail she was particularly fond of. "I guess we're supposed to solve the crime," she said with a shrug, her eyes roving over the crowd, many of whom were now milling around aimlessly.

Fortunately, as a soldier, Rhi thought she might have a bit of an advantage over the others, and she was more than willing to take up the mantle of investigator now that the surprise and initial wariness was out of her system.

The 'dead body' had risen from the floor, a grin on his face as he marked out where he'd been on the floor. Rhi supposed it might have been boring for him to simply pretend to be a corpse for the duration of the event, so she couldn't blame him for going about his business. As she looked around, she noticed that there were a variety of items scattered throughout the restaurant, marked by little crime scene numbers. Clues, she supposed, that might help them piece together the puzzle.

"Let's look at the evidence," she told Tal, gesturing towards the 'clues.' Her eyes twinkled playfully as she turned away from the bar. "Ready to solve a murder?"

---

Round 1! Let's investigate the clues. For now, Rhi and Tal will work together and Lena and Zavien will work together, but feel free to interact however you'd like! Select an item from the following list to investigate:

1. An unlabeled, broken bottle of booze near the 'body'
2. A playbill for some kind of show near the 'body'
3. A note from someone named Judith, asking Felix to run away with her, which was found on the 'body'
4. An IOU voucher from a horse race, which was found on the 'body'
5. A pocket watch, inscribed with, "My love, E," which was found near the 'body'
6. An ornate broach wrapped in a famous jeweler's packaging near the 'body'
7. A skyship ticket to Torchline near the 'body'

lately I've been dressing for revenge

Lena

Playfully rolling her eyes at both responses, she gave him a shrewd glance (which really meant she narrowed her gaze), “Do you think I’m capable of such a thing?” The answer would undoubtedly be no; so she grinned, and then began to actually take more than a passing gaze at the surroundings. She saw Talyson nearby and gave him a wave, and then there were some announcements and the ‘body’ left, much to her amusement.

Discovering, or noticing, that this might be a competition, she gave Zavien a singular glance before dashing to grab one of the pieces of evidence before anyone else – i.e. the juicy tidbits of gossip, snagging the note from ‘Judith’. Waiting until he’d snagged one too, she figured they could share the notes and puzzle pieces, and at least make some portion of a game of it. Or just entertain themselves, which was the more likely scenario.

--

Lena grabs #3!

sunlight on mist; summer lightning
your choices outweigh your substance

Zavien

He only gave Lena a playful grin and a shrug, an unspoken 'Maybe I don't know you as well as I think I do.' As he bumped against her shoulder amiably, Zavien spotted Tal across the restaurant. It was a pleasant surprise that had him straightening to wave enthusiastically. He almost crossed to greet his friend, but then the 'dead body' rose uncharacteristically, drawing his attention back to the mystery at hand. 

Although he didn't have a lot of 'investigative' skills, Zavien scanned the scene, examining the evidence available to them. He immediately noticed that the engraving on the watch didn't match the name on the note Lena snagged. Picking it up, he leaned in to whisper as he turned the item over in his hand. "Affair?" The irony had him grinning at the Caretaker, eyes glittering mischievously. 

---

Zavien grabs #5.

Be like a solid tower
whose brave height remains unmoved by all the winds that blow.

"Hey, solvin' crimes is more your job'n mine," Tal protested, but he grinned as he said it. It didn't seem like the worst game ever, now that he knew what was going on. Admittedly, he was at a distinct disadvantage without his thinking brain dragon companion on hand to do the deductifying for him, but maybe he could rope Rhi into doing the heavy thinking for them both?

As he looked back towards the body he spotted two hands waving at him and he blinked in surprise and then waved back at Lena and Zavien, surprised to see the two Breakers in Halo but clearly happy for the familiar faces. "Hey, those're my friends over there!" he informed Rhiannon with a nudge, but before he could go into detail the 'body' was up and moving and Rhi was drawing his attention to the clues. "Not much o' a murder," he noted dryly, but he was already moving past her to scoop up the airship ticket and examine it for any dates or notes that might be scribbled on it. And maybe the name of the ship in question, just in case it was one he recognized!

---

Tal grabs #7!

Rhiannon

Rhiannon wandered over toward the body, looking at what remained of the clues. Tal had snagged the skyship ticket, while the pair he'd identified as friends had taken the note and the pocketwatch. Of what remained, she was most interested in the IOU voucher. Murders had been committed for lesser crimes than owing someone money. Perhaps the IOU suggested a motive. "Do you think your friends would want to work together?" she asked Tal as she inspected her clue "We might get further if we consider all the clues together."

Either way, something seemed to be happening in the room as they continued looking at clues. A row of people had appeared, and the announcer called for everyone's attention. These are your suspects, he said. As you search for clues, feel free to come and ask questions. They each have name tags, and any question is permitted - except, of course, for outright asking if they did it.

------

Round 2! Take a look at another clue OR ask a question.

Remaining clues:
1. An unlabeled, broken bottle of booze near the 'body'
2. A playbill for some kind of show near the 'body'
6. An ornate broach wrapped in a famous jeweler's packaging near the 'body'

The deceased: Felix, a club owner

Suspects:
1. Edith, Felix's wife
2. Edgar, a play producer
3. Judith, an actress
4. Duke, a racing track owner
5. Poppy, club manager

lately I've been dressing for revenge

Lena

Pretending to be aghast at his silent insinuation, she gave Zavien a playful gasp, but then it was off into assertions and suspicions. Sharing his own details snagged, her brows raised elegantly, though the touch of airy mischief remained. “How scandalous.” Glancing over at the round of suspects, Lena pondered if it was too early to call, or her immediate suspicions too obvious. “I’m going to grab another clue, just to be safe,” and therein she dashed over to claim the broach. “We could ask one of them if it belongs to them?” Her eyes went over to Judith and Edith specifically; but there was always the possibility of another…or a red herring entirely.

--

Lena grabs #6 and makes a suggestion to Zavien.

sunlight on mist; summer lightning
your choices outweigh your substance

"Worth a shot," he agreed with Rhiannon, looking from the skyship ticket to the IOU. "D'you think someone owed him money? Or t'other way around?" He glanced up to see Lena snagging another clue and waved at Zavien. "Hey, wanna team up?" he called to the Dragoon. He waved his own clue over his head to indicate his willingness to share information. "Four heads're better'n two, right?" Though if only one of them could win, at some point things were going to get cutthroat!

He waffled between the clues and the suspects for a bit before grimacing. He just didn't have enough information between the ticket and the IOU to make any good guesses, but maybe he could play bad cop and get some answers by accident? "The racetrack owner seems like a good match for th'debt," he muttered to Rhi, scowling. "Here, trade me. I'm gonna go ask him about it..."

He handed Rhi the ticket and headed towards Duke with the IOU. "Did th'stiff owe y'lots o'money?" he asked bluntly, holding up the clue as 'proof.'

---

Tal invites Zavien and Lena to work with him and Rhi! Then he goes to ask Suspect #4 (Duke) if the victim owed him money.

Zavien

When Tal's voice stretched out across the room, Zavien turned, listening to the suggestion. Without an ounce of hesitation, the Dragoon smiled wide. "Sure!" He glanced to Lena just to confirm that she was comfortable with the plan, but he doubted she'd be against working with the courier. They were here for the entertainment after all, not the prize. And the more the merrier! Lifting his own clue, he added, "You guys want to take the money angle while we take the possible love triangle?"

As Lena grabbed another piece of evidence, Zavien nodded along with her decision. "That's a good idea." It would help if they assessed all the pieces before coming to a conclusion. 

He didn't wait to discuss more, stepping up to the one person who would probably know the most about the victim, his wife. Despite the fact that 'Felix' wasn't really 'dead,' it felt weird approaching her without the usual pleasantries. "Ma'am. I am sorry for your loss. We will do our best to find Felix's killer." Smiling politely, he indicated to the broach. "Who did this belong to?"

---

Zavien asks Edith (suspect #1) if she knows who the fancy broach (clue #6) belongs to.

Be like a solid tower
whose brave height remains unmoved by all the winds that blow.

Rhiannon

Rhiannon watched as Tal invited Zavien and Lena to work with them, then gave up her IOU to Tal to allow him to question the suspect. In the meantime, she looked at the remaining clues and stopped to inspect the broken bottle. It could have been something that the victim was drinking as he was murdered, but it could also have been the murder weapon. She wondered vaguely which it was.

As Rhiannon surveyed the scene, she listened to the answers from the two suspects selected for questioning. The first, Duke, listened to Tal's query and shook his head. "No," he said, shifting uncomfortably, as though there was more he might have said if asked the right question. The second, Edith, looked at Zavien tearfully, thanking him for his condolences. Then she looked at the fancy broach. "Oh," she said, blanching slightly. "I saw that in the store the other day, and I told him I liked it."['say] She bit her lip, as though thinking. "I can't remember if I was with Felix or Edgar that day. Edgar is a friend, you see," she added hastily, as though to stop the group from thinking otherwise.

Rhiannon raised her brows at that. Why would she take a man other than her husband to a jewelry store? It seemed suspicious to Rhi. And the track owner was starting to sweat. She made a snap decision, turning to the track owner alongside Tal and asking, "What was the nature of your relationship with the deceased?"

---

Round 3! Keep interviewing!

The deceased: Felix, a club owner

Suspects:
1. Edith, Felix's wife
2. Edgar, a play producer
3. Judith, an actress
4. Duke, a racing track owner
5. Poppy, club manager

lately I've been dressing for revenge

Lena

Rather than keep her attention fully on the investigation, Lena good-naturedly made room for the stranger and Talyson to come join them within the game. She even stuck her hand out to shake with Rhiannon. “Hello! I’m Lena!”

But then otherwise she was listening, eyes darting back and forth, trying to read body language as well as the clues within. Her brows furrowed slightly as she listened to Edith’s comments, glancing back at Zavien and the others. Simply because it’d been near Felix’s body didn’t mean that man had purchased it, so she slid over to Edgar, the play producer, and decided to be forthright and straightforward. “Did you buy the broach?”

--

Lena asks Edgar a question~

sunlight on mist; summer lightning
your choices outweigh your substance