Odyssey Investigations: AEAEA - Chapter 0

[GBA]

[As the elevator descends]

(Guess I should at least feign interest in this glorified magic show. If we're lucky, maybe we'll find something that catches Efi's eye. Most of the magic mumbo jumbo would probably go over her head, but they've got magic cakes n' shit here, right? She can understand dessert, at least. I just hope any samples are free...)

Oh, Miss...Soleil, right? I introduced myself in the lobby, but we didn't get a chance to speak earlier; I didn't wanna interrupt while you spoke with the others. I came here for the conference, but this resort is quite the spectacle itself, eh? From what the concierge told us, it sounds like you've been helping out around the island for a while now, even before being promoted to full-time. Suppose you must like it here, then? Enough to stick around, at least. Your job must be hard with the place so...chronically understaffed, but I'm sure you get to experience some real unforgettable things here.

[As the elevator reaches its destination and the conversation concludes, Leo and Efi step out onto the landing of the conference floor]

Uwahhh...There's so much STUFF down here! Do ya think there's anything tasty at those stands?

I think I heard something about a brewery?

That doesn't count! Dummy!

[Leo ignores her, his eyes drifting toward the Casino]

P-Papa? What about the stands? I think this place is...too classy for those bunny girls you like...Papa!!

[Her plea falls on deaf ears, as Leo saunters over to the Casino and the adjacent lounge. She hurriedly trots after him.]

AT LEAST DON'T GET CAUGHT CHEATING...!!

You examine the Casino and Lounge. There are lots and lots of slots and slots. The Giant Roulette Wheel is practically a functional club and dance floor, with casual lounge seating for tired patrons. It has an obvious roulette theming, with a giant inflatable event ball one can get in and roll around inside. The fancy light up floor is probably rigged to give you the same number every time, though...

Such a room seems absurdly out of place for a serious mage conference, yet, Chaos in itself is a type of magic we've yet to comprehend. Perhaps this is a kind of resonance yet to manifest elsewhere.

Is what you would think, if you were some stuck up mage. Instead, you should probably be questioning why you brought an underage dragon girl into a casino.

 

[Roserade]

. . .

. . . And so the spirit is heard.

Bless you for your business!

What a lovely specimen, that Dr. Lackhof. Gave me some dutiful insight I'd be happy to share... with an associate. Company secrets ought not to get leaked! Isn't that right, Detective Sholmes?

 

[GBA]

Ah, theres a lot of representatives for plantlife Dr. Buxbaum. I'm always so fond of their topics myself! Let's see... Dr Thornwhip... no, he rejected this year... Valerie Knotweed studies invasive plants, but focuses on critters... Cassia might be an expert chef, but she's a herbalist who also knows a lot about grafting plants, and plant hybrids, Dr. Dendron is a talented botanist who discusses-... Dr Bramble, Dr. Thornwhip Sr... Dr...

She keeps going on until the elevator ride ends, then beams with a tired smile as you all escape.

A-ah! Leonhart. You caught me off-guard. Yes, I've been here a while, and theres never an eccentric guest or two or six hundred who doesn't cause some kind of medical ruckus. But you take the shadow with the sun, ahehe. There are many positive things about AEAEA, and getting to meet talented experts is one of them.

Aldrich wasn't always the concierge, yet put a good word in for me anyway because of the work I'd do as its doctor. It's... hard to say no to him. I think he's got this place at heart.​

 

[Lin Beifong]

Ah, theres a lot of representatives for plantlife Dr. Buxbaum. I'm always so fond of their topics myself! Let's see... Dr Thornwhip... no, he rejected this year... Valerie Knotweed studies invasive plants, but focuses on critters... Cassia might be an expert chef, but she's a herbalist who also knows a lot about grafting plants, and plant hybrids, Dr. Dendron is a talented botanist who discusses-... Dr Bramble, Dr. Thornwhip Sr... Dr...

She keeps going on until the elevator ride ends, then beams with a tired smile as you all escape.

A-ah! Leonhart. You caught me off-guard. Yes, I've been here a while, and theres never an eccentric guest or two or six hundred who doesn't cause some kind of medical ruckus. But you take the shadow with the sun, ahehe. There are many positive things about AEAEA, and getting to meet talented experts is one of them.

Aldrich wasn't always the concierge, yet put a good word in for me anyway because of the work I'd do as its doctor. It's... hard to say no to him. I think he's got this place at heart.​

A-ah! Yes! Thank you so much for that enlightening information!
Well, I'm looking forward to the event.

Uh.... Please excuse me for a moment. I need to go splash some water on my face to quell my excitement.
Miss Soleil. Mr. Sholmes. I will be back momentarily. Don't look for me.​

---

Dr. Buxbaum separates from the tour group before anyone can say another word.
With his mind clouded by a sudden maelstrom of thoughts, he steps into one of the long hallways; cautiously at first, but then breaking out into a brisk walk that takes him all the way to the western stair well.

Only once everyone is left behind and he finds himself alone does he stop. He ducks into a shaded corner, leaning against a wall to steady himself, palms touching the cool stone behind him. There he stands motionless for a few minutes, pressing his back into the structure as if beckoning it to consume him.

---

. . . . .



. . . . .

(loud, panicked gasp for air)
HHHhhhhh...!!!!!

I knew it! I knew it I knew it I knew it!!!

I've made a mistake!!!

Coming here was a huge mistake! What was I thinking!?!?
I'm going to jeopardize the entire mission! I'm going to...

Ahhh!!!

G-Get... Get a hold of yourself you jolly green idiot!

Shit!

What is everyone going to think!?! Herlock is relying on you!!
Stop panicking and PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!!

You can do this!
You can do this!
You! Can! Do! This!

God crap compost corn smut fiddle-de-dee!
You helped blow up the goddamn god rabbit, you can make it through this as well!

Hahhh! Breathe! Hahhhh!

. . .​

 

[Fun With Despair]

Reginald, are you alright?

...Well, there's a few lavatories upstairs... and I suppose a water chute in the Casino nearby if you nee-

Ah, he's gone. Well, I can't suppose I blame him. I'm finding myself suffering from no small degree of jet-lag myself. That and a continually empty stomach. I'm sure he'll be right as rain soon enough. Hm.​

. . .

. . . And so the spirit is heard.

View attachment 52661​

Bless you for your business!

View attachment 52662​

What a lovely specimen, that Dr. Lackhof. Gave me some dutiful insight I'd be happy to share... with an associate. Company secrets ought not to get leaked! Isn't that right, Detective Sholmes?

...Well - I can't say I know of whom you speak. I've not yet encountered a Dr. Lackhof on my travels, nor am sure of their relevance to the matters at hand. Yet I'd be remiss to pass on an offer of assistance from a skilled practitioner of the Somatic arts, especially as the Astral Plane maintains a certain amount of importance to the subject of my idle investigations.

Something I'm sure you've picked up on, perhaps.

...But I've been well acquainted with many a lawyer in my time as a detective - and I know full well that I'd be a fool to agree to a binding contract without engaging in the art of negotiation. Of course, it's no sign of distrust on my part, but I'd simply like to know more about the deal you propose - and the reach of its particular conditions.

Would you be willing, by chance, to join me in the Casino for further discussion?

The Astral Plane is a sensitive matter, I'm sure you'll agree - and if you'd prefer our subsequent exchange remain between the two of us, I'd prefer we do it someplace with less potential eavesdroppers. Besides, a certain someone is tied up in conversation with a green-haired mutual acquaintance, and I've done a fine job so far of avoiding association with her and her censor-pushing garments.​

 

[GBA]

Investigations are now locked. All existing investigations will be addressed in due time. You are free to resolve player-player/npc interactions and use role powers on the day's results, and these will be sent to your cabin.

Thank you for participating in this ride so far.

 

[Roserade]

But of course! I take you as no fool, Detective Sholmes. I expected further discussion of my terms. I'll join you in the Casino; we should spruce up this scenery.

I hope your assistant will feel alright! It can be so hard to find a bathroom sometimes...

 

[Lin Beifong]

Gah! Enough! ENOUGH!!
You've wallowed in self-pity enough!

There is a CASE at hand!

I need to return to Mr. Sholmes.
If I know the entourage we usually travel with, BB will have made a nuisance out of herself again!

Someone needs to shield him from that headache.​

After composing himself to the best of his abilities, Dr. Buxbaum attempts to locate his partner once again. He tracks him down to the Casino.
However, he seems to be in a conversation right now. Unwilling to interrupt the important discussion, the doctor turns his attention to a lonely potted plant someone dumped on a spinning roulette wheel.

That's no way to treat a ficus...​

---

Pick up the spinning plant and caress its leaves to comfort it.