EVENT #17: EPULUM - COORDINATION POST

[abraxasmods]

Event #17 - Coordination

OOC Plotting Post ⦁ IC Event Log ⦁ Nocwich

This post is for coordination while the event is ongoing, to prevent the IC Event Log from being overrun by OOC mod and player communications. The comments section will contain applicable comments and forms for you to reply to as needed.

Use this post to:

◎ Contact the mods
◎ Submit your suspected culprit
◎ Investigate the crime or track ongoing investigations
◎ Submit noticeable actions
◎ Write rapid IC exchanges

Available Forms

For details on each form, see the sections below.
Be sure to reply under the applicable category as required.

Mod Communications

If you have any questions about the limits or scope of what you can do before you formalize it in an investigation, you can go over the details with us here. You can also submit the suspect to Celeste under the appropriate heading. Submitting the name of the suspect is not required to complete the mystery, but doing so may contribute to whether the suspect is caught or escapes.

If you have questions about non-investigative aspects of the event, see the Questions thread on the OOC Plotting Post.

Contact Us

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Submission:</b> (Describe your question OR write the name of the Witness your character will accuse as the suspect)

Investigations

To leave opportunities for others, please limit the scope of your actions per submission. For example, if you'd like to test a key, you must specify a narrow set of locks in a particular section. Additionally, while there are no strict limits on how many investigations you can be involved in, we do ask that you try to stagger them a little to help us keep pace.

You can investigate something multiple times as long as it makes sense for your character to try again. This includes following up with witnesses if characters learn new information. To investigate, fill out the form, then comment under the item you're investigating.

Investigate a witness, scene, or evidence

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Other characters involved:</b> <b>Witness/Scene/Evidence:</b> (What is the witness, scene, or evidence your character is exploring?) <b>Action:</b> (Describe what your character is attempting to do and how. If multiple characters are taking action, include their actions.) <b>Thread:</b> <a href="urlhere">Thread</a> (If applicable. Linking a thread is NOT required, but can help us tailor our responses) <b>Notes:</b> (Anything else)

IC Exchanges

Use this option if you have an interaction you'd like to play out, but setting up a standard IC thread would be impracticable. For example, if your character wants to speak to several people about a piece of evidence, you might want to do an IC exchange. IC exchanges can take place in the real world or the Horizon.

Treat this like an informal IC network thread done in person, where character reactions, snippets of dialogue, and other details can be quickly played out and concluded in-game without committing to a full log thread. Exchanges are game canon, and can count towards Activity Check under the category of a Network thread.

Start an IC exchange

Using the provided form is optional. Begin a thread freeform if you prefer.

<b>Where & when:</b> (Where and when is this exchange taking place?) <b>Purpose:</b> (What's the reason for this exchange?) <b>THREAD START</b> (Write the scenario, your character's actions, and any dialogue as usual)

Notable Actions

Submit any notable actions that are likely to gain attention from other players such as fights or disturbances.

Submit a notable action

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>When:</b> (Approximately when is this incident taking place?) <b>Where:</b> (Where is this incident taking place?) <b>What:</b> (Describe the incident) <b>Link:</b> <a href="urlhere">Thread</a> (If applicable. Actions can be submitted without a thread if they're minor.)

Comments

[thedreamer]

Player Name: Kris
Character Name: The Doctor
Other characters involved: Julia

Witness/Scene/Evidence: Speaking with Retha Zelpha
Action: To begin with, the Doctor & Julia would take the position of just wanting to get to know Retha a bit, put her at ease. They would attempt to ingratiate themselves with Retha, to know her better, and would take the position of earnest, curious newcomers dazzled by the sights; their timing would be such that they'd catch the tail end of her performance and when there's a free moment, they would approach and ask if she had a little time to spare for new fans here in Ikorr for the first time. Depending on if she's willing to indulge, they would start by simply introducing themselves, both to her and to Firewing.

The Doctor would be curious:
-Had she done this routine most of her life?
-Had she ever done any other type of performances like juggling or sword swallowing, was she always called to this and only this? Given her talents (between the acrobatics and the ventriloquism), he would find it easy to imagine her being a dab hand at anything she cared to try.

While the Doctor speaks to Retha, Julia would attempt to charm Firewing through her gain (supernatural charm of animals). Julia would also attempt to flatter her and appeal to her ego, asking her for make-up tips.

Given the bustle around them and mindful not to inundate her with too much all at once, the Doctor will pause to ask her if there's anything he can possibly help with so she can settle (along the lines of, surely after a flurry of performances some cleaning up help would be appreciated, and he works fast!)
Thread: Thread
Notes: There will be follow-up questions if she's willing to accept either of their company for a bit, hoping she might give them "the time of day (night)," possibly back to her dressing room or at least back behind the stage, for a little extra chatter, so as not to make her feel put under a microscope.

[abraxasmods]

Retha approaches with Firewing on her arm and greets them with a demure smile. Her makeup and costume doesn't have a feather out of place despite her physically demanding performance. She will laugh and assure him she has done it many times in her life, but leaves the blades and fire hazards to others.

Fortunately for the Doctor and Julia, Retha is a social butterfly and happy to gossip. She chatters as they walk along the path. Firewing the bird seemingly offers as many makeup tips as Julia wants, and recommends a shop in the Square that sells high quality pigments.

As they walk to her dressing room, they pass by another empty dressing room that Retha seems to glance at with a measure of concern. Once they are inside Retha's own dressing room, she'll take the Doctor up on his offer with a twinkle in her eye that suggests she knows he's buttering her up but she will allow it. She asks him to hold her bird while she grooms Firewing's feathers and plops the bird into his hands without waiting for an answer.

She has about twenty minutes before she must return to work, she explains, so they may have her time until then.

[thedreamer]

The Doctor is noticeably delighted to hold the bird, reverent and gentle with his touch. He thanks Retha and compliments them both on Firewing's feathers; a dazzling color! To continue the conversation:

1. The Doctor would ask Retha how many more performances she has tonight and if she'll be looking forward to resting immediately afterwards or plan to see the sights?

2. Curious if Retha and Firewing (the bird) are possibly linked in some way, the Doctor would also speak directly to Firewing while he holds the bird, asking Firewing their plans after the night of performances is over. Mostly just to see if there's a different response/the same response/and if there's anything notable the Doctor can sense from the bird (separate from Retha) through his ability to speak with animals. If that is even possible, or if that's a dead end.

3. Having noticed her glance at the empty dressing room, they would also try to poke around a bit with a gently prodding question: Is this the usual lineup tonight? Happened to notice that empty room and wondered if that was a performer about to go onstage, or someone not here tonight that they should be sure to catch the next time around?

4. Julia will ask Retha if she can possibly use the empty dressing room to freshen up herself because she thinks all the dancing has her out of sorts. She's also covered in glitter and would like to clean up a little, in PRIVATE. She'll say 'you know how first dates are' with a blushing look at the Doctor, to seem as innocent as possible. As an aside, the Doctor will be noticeably flustered at the word 'date,' awkwardly laugh, and say, I'm told people get the hang of this sort of mutually agreed upon meeting up with someone after a bit? Some people? Others? Anyone else I'm sure.

[abraxasmods]

1. She has one more tonight, and says she has many sights to explore.

2. If he uses speak with animals, Firewing will demonstrate the average intelligence of a cockatoo, impressive but not unusual. It appears that Retha really is speaking on the bird's behalf, which she continues to do so intermittently while she grooms her bird. The bird appears curious by these new guests and will repeat that "something is in the water" to the Doctor, though it is not capable of elaborating.

3. Retha will drop her coy demeanor briefly when he mentions the dressing room. She admits one of her longtime performers fell ill the night before. The role was filled at the last minute, but the entire parade broke down regardless so it appears it didn't matter, anyways. In light of this, maybe Cassia's illness was some good fortune. It'd be a shame if her reputation was marred by such a public disaster.

4. Retha will scrutinize Julia for a long time. However, she'll relent and grant permission, though she tells Julia to make it fast - no one's supposed to be in there. In Julia's absence, she will entice the Doctor to tell her all about how his first date is going.

[thedreamer]

1. While Julia is granted access to the dressing room, the Doctor continues to chatter with Retha. He's respectful of Firewing as he continues to hold the bird; just a bird, but to him, on equal par of importance with Retha herself. He'll speak a little more stunted and at a faster, clumsy pace when Retha prods about the date. He'll go on to joke that having the word date tossed about by Julia to begin with made him think of the sweet stone fruit and his mind had turned to imagining an evening of sticky toffee pudding, not the whole standing less than five feet away from someone and locking eyes for two point five seconds every so often. He's rusty at this, he laughs!

2. In the dressing room, Julia will do a quick sweep to just generally observe the room, looking for anything out of place, then wandering over to the vanity to see if there's anything she can find in there, and making sure to "freshen up" as she actually said she would, in case Retha eventually comes to check on her.

3. In the midst of talking, the Doctor will express concern for Retha's friend taking ill and casually mention that he is a Doctor (never mind not really a doctor doctor), should she need a bit of looking in on. Even if he's just passing through at the moment. Had Retha felt ill at all lately, or anyone else she knows?

4. Though he will remain quite focused on Retha and Firewing, he'll also be scanning the room on his periphery, taking a mental picture for anything out of the ordinary. He'll also be looking for a possible means of capturing a hair or saliva sample at some point before they part.

[abraxasmods]

1. Retha pats his arm sympathetically. The bird offers the Doctor some helpful advice about dating another woman.

2. At the vanity, Julia will be able to use her magic to sense that there is a hidden compartment in one of the drawers. She can choose to open it now and risk alerting Retha. If she chooses to return another time, reentering the room may be more difficult. Since the Doctor is with Retha, it's possible he may be a sufficient distraction with a quick reaction

Alternatively, she may pass the information onto others to see if they'll be able to breach it instead.

3. Retha will answer that her friend is recovering well - it's only that the Draconae so rarely get sick, so it's surprising. No one else has fallen ill. The performances outside of the parade have proceeded very smoothly.

4. The room has many feathers lying around, but unfortunately no samples that can be seen. Julia may have some luck in the next room, but she should move quickly, as Retha will begin to grow suspicious over what's taking so long.

[thedreamer]

1. Is there a hairbrush that Julia can see that she can steal a few hairs from?

2. If the Doctor can stage a distraction, perhaps involving the bird (Julia would ask him on the inbox), could Julia check out the compartment? (Distraction would be along the lines of asking Retha if she might trust him for a moment to groom the bird a bit himself, and then some chatter about how long she and Firewing have been connected, etc. he might "accidentally" drop the brush, laugh at his clumsiness, stall another moment or two as well.)

[abraxasmods]

1. Cassia, the absent performer who fell ill, has a variety of items from which her hair can be obtained including combs, hair pins, and other accessories. They're welcome to test it, but it wouldn't come up as a match. Cassia's hair is white.

2. Deep inside one of the compartments is a small note and a large hairbrush engraved with a feather pattern. The hair attached to this brush is dark, like Retha's.

The Doctor will successfully distract Retha long enough so that Julia can observe these items, but she will get up and knock on the door shortly after. She'll ask if Julia is okay, and if she can come in to help. She has a lot of tricks for cleaning up and makeup Julia can borrow!

Julia will have time to take just one item. The hairbrush may be more difficult to hide though she may risk if it she wants. Otherwise, they can send someone else back into the room another time, and she can take the note.

[thedreamer]

1. Julia will take the note and leave the hairbrush, she will communicate with other investigators later on about the hairbrush. She will put the note into her shirt. She will welcome Retha in and stand, looking like she was just at the vanity like anyone would be. She pulls glittery lipgloss from the other part of her shirt and shows it to Retha. "Too much?" She looks otherwise freshened up and nice.

She'll then whisper to Retha, "Did he say anything about me?" for all appearances really hopeful about her date.

The Doctor will have stood once Retha left the room, casually glancing around, calm and confident, holding Firewing securely until Retha returns, knowing they'll need to take their leave any moment now.

[abraxasmods]

Retha looks somewhat suspicious. However, she does not act on it and tells Julia she looks beautiful. She adds that the Doctor is a lucky man, and answers that the Doctor is very enamored with his date and that she should go easy on him. He seems so nervous!

Firewing (through Retha) will thank the Doctor for taking good care of him. Retha herself says that she enjoyed their time and hopes they'll catch her at her final show, but she won't blame them if they end up busy enjoying each other's company instead.