#iwtv#interview with the vampire#the vampire armand#amc tvl#assad zaman
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i've mostly been talking in the discord but wanted to share this: been playing the new tomodachi life and these two got together
in previous games it was always the mother who held the baby when they showed it to you and in hindsight i think it's just a coin flip now but this was too funny to not make a doodle about
they named her ivy btw
i still need to tweak jetsam's makeup to look more like the other miis, i made him earlier on and haven't changed it yet
2-12: 9-O'Clock Showdown
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Saturday May 24th, 20XX. 8:47 AM - Defense Lobby
Reiker: Mmmnnnh… Morning, Yanshu.
Yanshu: Good morning, Mr. Strait!
Yanshu: Oh… I don't mean to be rude, but you look awful. Did you sleep last night…?
Reiker: Eh… Even after I left the office, I couldn't stop going over the case in my head. It's just so… Odd.
Yanshu: Well, what about it's bothering you?
Reiker: I just-… If Tony didn't do it, then who did? I don't want to point fingers at Ms. Pikmei, but if all of this happened so quickly and it wasn't her, where was the culprit, and where did they go? It's like they vanished into thin air!
Yanshu: Yeah, it is tough, but… Maybe it'll click during the trial? There's gotta be something we're overlooking!
Reiker: Well, of course there's an answer, but relying on something to come up during the trial is cutting it a little close, don't you think?
Reiker: … By the way, did Flash manage to get the data from Radika's Phone? I don't wanna sound desperate, but there could be a big piece we're missing that could be a life saver.
Yanshu: Unfortunately, no… He's gotten it online and to the homescreen, but cracking the password has been… Tough. Eggman's security measures sure are something, even for consumer models.
Reiker: Agh…
Tony: Heyyy, lawyer dudes! How's it hangin'?
Yanshu: Good morning, Tony!
Reiker: O-oh, Tony! Are you, er… Ready for the trial?
Tony: Ha! You know I'm ready! I'm gonna get out there n' beat some sense into that half-baked egghead! He'll never know what hit him!
Yanshu: No need! You just sit back, relax, and Reiker will do all the verbal beating for you!
Tony: Oh, right… This is a words thing, innit?
Reiker: Please tell me you didn't come in here expecting some sort of brawl…
Tony: I thought we were gonna get to throw books at people?
Reiker: I-… That's a figure of speech.
Tony: … Oh!
Yanshu: [Snrk-]
Guard-Bot: CURRENT TIME: 0900 HOURS. ALL TRIAL PARTICIPANTS ARE TO RELOCATE TO THE COURTROOM, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
Yanshu: Well, I guess that's our cue!
Reiker: Oh, already? Today's already going by fast…
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9:00 AM - Courtroom
[Gavel gavel]
Eggman: We now convene for the trial of Tony Danforth. Are the prosecution and defense ready to begin?
???: The prosecution is ready, yer honor.
Reiker: The defense is… As ready as it can be, your honor.
Reiker: (So this is the prosecutor I've been hearing so much about. This…)
Reiker: I'm sorry, I don't think I ever got your name?
???: Well, shoot. I guess you didn't, did'ja?
Lawbot: The name's Lawbot. Not that names'll matter when yer client's pronounced "guilty," Mr. Strait~
Reiker: (Gah… Guess he already got my name. There goes any chance at introductions…)
Reiker: ... Rather literal, isn't it?
Eggman: Ah, naming him wasn't my primary concern. That Payne fellow was the last prosecutor I had on retainer, so I had to make Lawbot in a pinch… Even so, he was built using state-of-the-art technology!
Reiker: That… Seems concerning for my position. Are you going to replace me with a robot, too?
Eggman: Well, I've tried in the past - before I hired you - but they never did very well. There’s something about your position I just can't program effectively.
Yanshu: Forgive me for asking, sir, but what’s so different about prosecutors?
Eggman: Ah, Ms. Dryll, I-
Eggman: … Wait, why are you here?
Reiker: She’s, ah… Acting as my legal aide, your honor.
Eggman: Oh, really?
Yanshu: Y-yes, sir! I’ve been taking notes and keeping track of stuff and… Y-yeah!
Eggman: Very well. I’ll allow it so long as you don’t cause trouble.
Lawbot: Well, howdy, lil' lady. It’s a pleasure to meet ya~
Yanshu: ... 💧
Eggman: Alright, alright, that’s enough of the pleasantries… It's about time we get on with the trial.
Yanshu: Huh? B-but you never answered my-!
Reiker: Yes, your honor, the defense is ready.
Eggman: Good.
Yanshu: [Sigh…]
Reiker: Sorry, Yans. I’m sure you can ask again later?
Eggman: Now then, will the prosecution please give their opening statement?
Lawbot: Of course, yer honor.
Lawbot: This here’s a simple open n’ shut case, one that can be confirmed ‘cross witnesses n’ evidence alike.
Lawbot: Yesterday afternoon, Ms. Radika Bodacious, a rather famous name 'round these parts, was found dead at one of ‘er local haunts, shot straight through the heart.
Lawbot: That bein’ said, the identity of the criminal is a rather obvious one.
Reiker: And how would it be so obvious?
Lawbot: Well for starters, that client of yours's barely got a two-point IQ, n’ that's bein' generous.
Lawbot: He left multiple pieces of evidence behind, runnin' straight into a witness just seconds after the act was committed.
Lawbot: The moment a couple’a SWAT-Bots arrived on-scene, our culprit here booked it 10 blocks on foot ‘fore gettin’ 'imself tackled.
Reiker: I was told that Tony stayed and cooperated with police, but was arrested regardless…
Lawbot: Would’ja like to see the footage? Funnier than a coyote chasin’ a roadrunner, that one.
Reiker: … I’m good.
Reiker: Thanks a lot, Tony…
Reiker: Can I ask why you chose my client as the prime suspect over the witness?
Lawbot: Tryin’a pass the blame, huh? I figured as much.
Lawbot: Yer honor, if you could kindly bring in the detectives assigned ta this case, I believe they'll have the answers this tender-talon's lookin’ for.
Eggman: Gah… Does it really have to be those two?
Lawbot: Aren't they the resident fact finders, yer honor?
Eggman: Unfortunately, yes, but… Isn’t there anyone else you could call to the stand?
Lawbot: Pardon my askin’, yer honor, but have you built anyone else lately? S'far as I know, I'm yer latest invention.
Eggman: … Fine, but you should know that robots with your level of snark rarely make it far.
Lawbot: Loud n’ clear, yer honor.
Lawbot: Could the witnesses kindly identify themselves?
Orbot: Oh, no need! We're on the network.
Lawbot: [Sigh] Fer all the organics present…?
Orbot: Oh, them… Of course, prosecutor.
Cubot: Cubot, lead investigator, serious crimes division.
Orbot: [Ahem] Orbot, co-lead investigator-
Cubot: Hey, you said you'd be assistant!
Orbot: We’re a team, Cubot. Is it really that important?
Cubot: But I was assistant last time!
Orbot: On a case that was primarily assigned to me!
Eggman: QUIET, BOTH OF YOU!
Orbot & Cubot: Y-yes, doctor!
Eggman: Now, can either of you tell me what’s going on here!?
Cubot: Yes, your honor!
TESTIMONY 1: THE DETECTIVES' REPORT
Orbot: The victim is Ms. Radika Bodacious, a well known Extreme Gear racer. She was murdered via a shot directly through the chest.
Cubot: She was spotted after a nearby witness heard a loud BANG. No one else but the defendant was present at the time.
Orbot: We have yet to find the murder weapon, but we believe it to be a pistol stolen from the Extreme Gear Training Facility.
Cubot: We think Tony's on-foot pursuit was to get rid of the weapon, but all we still haven't been able to find anything…
Reiker: (Good Gaia, I'm nauseous… I already feel like I'm at a disadvantage here.)
Reiker: (Okay, breathe... This is just like Yanshu's case. I may not have much, but I can feel the discrepancy somewhere. I just have to press it and strike while the iron is hot!)
[ Next > ]
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hello everyone! note from cayde here: from this point on, EA will be updated on AO3 shortly after the usual tumblr posts, and people there will be encouraged to interact, too! if you know someone who doesn't have a tumblr but might be interested in our little game, they can now join in instead of just reading along!
2-10: Alcost & Jetsam
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Reiker: Do either of you mind telling us what you were doing around the time of the incident?
Alcost: Well, it was the day after our last match. The team and I usually recap the highlights before getting ourselves ready for the next one.
Alcost: I had gotten to the training grounds around 11:45am and started setting up, and Radika came in around noon.
Alcost: On time, mind you.
Jetsam: I was just cleaning up, okay? Stupid shower wouldn't work...
Yanshu: ... So Radika was here?
Alcost: For a time, yes. We were all supposed to be here, but Radika was the only one who came in. I'd say she was training for about 15 minutes before she went to look for Seth and Tony.
Jetsam: I showed up, like… 5 minutes after she left. I texted her right when I got here, so I guess she went to find Tony next. If I'd have gotten here on time, I could'a told Radika to just forget that loser hawk and get back to the race track.
Jetsam: (Sigh) Maybe if I did, sh-she wouldn't have-…
Jetsam: ………
Alcost: Listen, Seth… None of that is your fault, got it?
Alcost: We all made mistakes leading up to it, but you gotta recognize that she made her own, too. You and I both knew what'd come from associating with riff-raff like that, but she insisted that he got to stick around. All we can do is take that and learn from it.
Jetsam: … Sure.
Yanshu: Oh, dear… He seems really torn up about this, Rikey…
Reiker: Yeah, I know…
Reiker: But if that's what Alcost really thinks, why'd he put so much emphasis on Seth being late…?
Reiker: (Those guns in the trophy cabinet… The lock doesn't seem very secure.)
Alcost: Hey, feathers! Don't be getting any smart ideas about that trophy case! There's already been one theft, and I don't want another.
Yanshu: I thought that gap in the display was odd. Do you… Sharpshoot?
Alcost: Nah… Those aren't real guns, they're starter pistols. Y'know, the kind that shoot blanks.
Reiker: Oh! Uh... You have quite the collection there.
Alcost: I like to show off different colors based on the event and location. It's too bad the blue one is missing… That's what I was gonna bring to the E-Stadium next week.
Reiker: Hm… When's the last time you saw it?
Alcost: Well, it was there yesterday… Noticed it was gone this morning when I came in.
Alcost: What I wanna know is what schmuck would be dumb enough to steal a starter pistol, but seeing Tony behind bars, I'd say he about fits the bill. Caught him picking his way into one of the lockers, once. I swear, that boy's always up to something…
Reiker: (What a rude thing to say about one of your understudies...)
Reiker: (Still, it might be relevant to the case. Better write that down…)
> The Missing Gun has been added to the Court Record!
Reiker: About the-
Jetsam: Grr... What else is there to talk about? She was barely here, then she left, end of story.
Reiker: Sorry, I didn't mean to step on any tails. I just-
Alcost: Look… Don't take it personally. Not only has there been horrible tragedy, but we've already had every detail about that mess dredged up by that cowboy, er… Detective? Lawyer? Policeman? Thing. Whatever that 'bot was supposed to be…
Reiker: O-oh, right, um… I'm sorry for your loss.
Alcost: Pay it no mind. If you've got what you need, though, we'd like to get back to training. Trying to keep our minds off the whole thing, you know?
Reiker: Alright, well… If anything comes up, please be sure to contact us.
Alcost: Will do. Good luck out there.
Reiker: (That was… Fast, but they're standing pretty firm. Don't want to push too many buttons like with Vivienne…)
Reiker: (That description he gave of this new prosecutor paints an interesting picture, too, if that is who he was talking about. I can't help but wonder what exactly I'm gonna be up against…)
Reiker: Well, Yanshu, I think that's all we can do for today. Why don't we go check on our client? Talk with him about what we've found?
Yanshu: Oh, yeah! I know I was pretty antsy waiting for my trial… I'm sure he'd appreciate the update!
Reiker: Okay, so that was our first official investigation. I wanna make this quick - gotta prep for the case tomorrow - so let's just hope he doesn't ask about-
Tony: Heyyy, my two favorite court-dudes are back! I was startin' to think you got lost or somethin'!
Tony: So, uh... Any luck findin' my board?
Reiker: (Damn it.)
Reiker: (Well, I guess it's time to report on our findings…)
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2-19: Changing Gears
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Reiker: Alcost may claim the league has no knowledge of the DCZ, but as you can see from this sheet, they have records of them training there!
Reiker: That leaves us with at least four people who were aware of this location, unless you can come up with another "DCZ" this sheet could be referring to.
Alcost: You've gotta be kidding me... It was one time, and at Radika's request!
Lawbot: … So you were present at this location?
Alcost: [Sigh...] Fine… We were there, but keep it down, will ya? While it may be a good track for balance training and stability, puttin' it out there doesn't do any favors for the league's public image.
Reiker: Well, given its clear relevance to the case, I would like to postpone this trial until we can conduct a proper investigation of this "Dank Cave Zone." Any evidence we find there could ascertain whether or not the skate park was the true scene of the crime!
Lawbot: ………
Reiker: (Wait… Is he actually considering it!?)
Lawbot: … Seems you put a lil' chink in my armor, tender-talon. I didn't think you had it in ya.
Lawbot: Can't find a good reason to deny this mystery location's importance, so I'll have to agree that further investigation's needed to get the full picture.
Lawbot: That is… If you'll allow it, yer honor.
Eggman: Well, if both sides are in agreement…
Eggman: [Ahem] This court will be adjourned until tomorrow at 8 AM. I expect a better explanation of events by then, and that goes for both of you.
Reiker: Y-yes, your honor!
Lawbot: Yes, sir.
Eggman: Well, then… Get to it!
Eggman: Unfortunately I'm going to have to deal with the paperwork…
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[11:10 AM - Defense Lobby]
Reiker: Whew… I was really hoping standing in that courtroom would be less stressful this time.
Yanshu: Maybe so, but you still did great, sir! This will open up so many opportunities!
Tony: DUUUDE, THANK YOU!!! Just gotta pick up my board, then-
Tony: … Y'all want some ramen? I know a great place for ramen. Your treat!
Reiker: (… Our treat?)
Reiker: Oh, um… I'm sorry to say this, Tony, but you're not off the hook yet.
Tony: What!? Why'd you let me get all worked up?
Reiker: I, um...
Yanshu: ... Because we're making such good progress!
Reiker: Hm? Oh, yes, exactly!
Reiker: In order to keep making progress, Yanshu and I need to visit this Dank Cave Zone in order investigate… Would you happen to know how to get there from here?
Tony: Oh, for sure!
Tony: Let's see… So you know how to get to the skate park. From there you go south-ish 'til you see the burger joint - the one with the really good onion rings? You should really try 'em some time - then you turn left and head down to…
[Tony gets distracted by various tangents, going on for quite a while…]
Tony: …and then you take the huge tunnel on the left, but not the first one - that tunnel leads right into some crazy chemical vats... Makes for a sick photo op, but trust me, those fumes are gnarly. Don't need you guys gettin' lost and passin' out down there! Left some tags markin' the way, so just follow those and-
Tony: ... You got all that?
Reiker: Uh...
Yanshu: Second tunnel on the left, follow the tags, and… Got it! Ready to go, Rikey?
Reiker: Oh, yeah, um... Ready!
Reiker: (A secret race track hidden deep in the sewers… If I was told two days ago that this is where my legal career would take me, I would've turned tail and ran, but we don't have a choice at this point… Not if we want to see Tony keep his feathers, anyway.)
[ TO BE CONTINUED… ]
2-16: Reiker's Theory
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IMPORTANT! The 6th image (which is under the cut) contains a full-screen white flash! The gif doesn't loop, but be careful if you're sensitive to that kind of thing!
Reiker: I can't believe I'm suggesting this again, but with the way this case is playing out, it's seeming more and more likely…
Yanshu: … You're not going for that theory again, are you…?
Lawbot: Well, rookie? You're burnin' daylight.
Reiker: (First of all, I've been working here longer than you've existed, so jot that down-)
Reiker: Well… Perhaps this pool of liquid Ms. Pikmei claims to have seen wasn't blood. Maybe it was something that evaporated quicker, like… Water. It was a hot day, after all.
Lawbot: So not only do ya think the body was moved, but that yer lil' mystery suspect tried ta give 'er a bath, too?
Lawbot: Then again, it was a hot day! Maybe they took 'er fer a swim!
Reiker: No, but the manhole cover we saw inside the tunnel did look big enough for a Mobian to enter. Someone could've carried her through the tunnels, then hoisted her out at the skate park!
Lawbot: Ya think someone carried 'er through the sewers!? Now I know you're stretchin' the case… Where do you s'pose they took 'er from? Why would they-
Tony: [GASP] They had to be at the DCZ!
Reiker: The… What?
Tony: Oh, it's one of our super secret hangout spots! Radika n' the guys like to use it for awesome underground racing! One time we-
Reiker: AH!!
Yanshu: AHH!!
Lawbot: Mr. Strait, I demand you keep control'a yer client!
Reiker: (Did he just-!?)
Reiker: Are you saying our theory doesn't have any merit!?
Lawbot: You know just as well as I do that it's not possible for Ms. Bodacious to have been in the sewers! Need I remind you she was already at the official track?
Reiker: (Right, Alcost already testified to that effect, but do I really trust that guy?
Reiker: (Either way, I need more information from Tony before I push forward…)
Reiker: Your honor, a moment's aside for the defense, please?
Eggman: Hm... I could stand a trip to the vending machine. Is the prosecution in agreement?
Lawbot: The prosecution agrees, long as it means no more funny business from the defense.
Eggman: Very well. How's about, ah... 30 minute recess? That should be plenty of time for... Whatever it is you need to do.
Reiker: O…kay…
Reiker: Tony! That was kind of a big thing to just toss out there. Care to explain?
Tony: Heh… Yeah, man, of course!
Tony: … Explain what?
Reiker: (Here we go again…)
[Next >]
2-17: Dank Cave Zone
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Reiker: O…kay…
Reiker: Tony! That was kind of a big thing to just toss out there. Care to explain?
Tony: Heh… Yeah, man, of course!
Tony: … Explain what?
Reiker: SEWER LAND!?
Tony: Ohhh, right… The Dank Cave Zone!
Tony: So I found this place a few months ago, right? It was before the skate park opened, so I was doin' some of my sick corkscrews in those big tunnels down by the industrial sector.
Tony: Well, I kinda got lost for a bit, but then I came across this giant room with a bunch'a pipes n' stuff pumpin' this purple gunk around! Smelled nasty, but the vibes man… Immaculate aesthetic.
Reiker: (How does he manage to sound so wistful about a sewer room of all things…?)
Tony: I told Radika about it, then we started to hang down there when she wanted to get away from the public eye, y'know? No one ever let her catch a break!
Tony: Then coach whiskers showed up one day and suddenly it was an "improvised track" for training or… Whatever.
Reiker: An improvised track...?
Tony: Eh, I never got the deets on that. Somethin' about trainin' to ride on different terrain? Seemed more like "try to knock each other into the sewage" to me, which… Gross, but it might'a been fun if Alcost didn't ruin it.
Reiker: Well, I agree with your theory that Radika could've came from there, but-
Yanshu: Sorry, Mr. Strait, I… Needed a minute. Did I miss anything?
Reiker: Oh, there you are! Well, uh…
[Reiker tells Yanshu what he learned about the DCZ.]
Reiker: But all that leaves us with a bigger problem than we started with.
Yanshu: And that would be?
Reiker: Alcost and Seth both said Radika was at the official track, and, well… It's their word against Tony's.
Yanshu: Right…. Lawbot's whole timeline is based on Radika leaving the training grounds and going directly to the skate park. She'd have no time for a pit stop in the sewers, and it's hard to believe that she would-
Flash: GUYS! GUYS!!
Reiker: Flash? What're you-
Flash: I UNSCRAMBLED RADIKA'S PHONE DATA!!!
Reiker: Oh, thank Gaia!
Reiker: Wait, did you manage to find anything useful?
Flash: Oh, not much… Just all the text messages from the day of the murder!
Reiker: Oooh…!
Flash: Woah!
Reiker: Thank you!!!
Reiker: Okayokayokay, let's go through them real quick! There's gotta be something good in there!
Flash: Heh... Alright, so-
Flash: 12:45 PM, Radika gets a message from Alcost that says they'll meet at "the usual place, usual time."
Reiker: That must mean the official training grounds…
Flash: You would think! But here's the thing… 12:48 PM, Radika sends two separate texts - one to Seth, and one to Tony - both saying that they're gonna meet at some place called "DCZ!"
Reiker: Wait, DCZ?
Flash: That's what it says!
Reiker: So… Tony, if you got a text saying to go to the DCZ, why didn't you?
Tony: Wait, she texted me? I didn't check my phone after I got to the skate park…
Reiker: So that's one recipient accounted for, but why did Seth go to the official track?
Yanshu: And why did Alcost say Radika went to the official track when he actually sent her to the Dank Cave Zone?
Reiker: That is pretty suspicious…
Flash: Ha! This investigation stuff is awesome!
Flash: Well, if you ignore the murder part. I forget that stuff's permanent for you guys.
> Radika's Cell Phone has been updated!
Reiker: Okay, we're about to reconvene, guys. I'm sure we've got this now that we have this new information!
Flash: You've got this!!
Reiker: (I'm getting a sense that the tides are turning… Now I just have to see it through!)
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Eggman: Alright, break's over. Does the defense have control of their client?
Reiker: Yes, sir!
Lawbot: And hopefully you two've decided to throw away that silly sewer notion of yours?
Reiker: Not at all!
Lawly: … I beg yer pardon?
Reiker: Actually, I'd like to call Coach Alcost to the stand to testify about his alleged meeting with Radika yesterday!
Eggman: Now you wait just a minute, Strait! Only the prosecution is the allowed to subpoena a witness!
Lawbot: Oh, don't you worry, yer honor. I was plannin' on callin' the coach in as a witness anyway. I think his testimony will clear up all this sewer nonsense real nice.
Eggman: D'oh, well… Fine. Bring him in.
Lawbot: Will the witness please state their name and occupation?
Alcost: Winifred Alcost, coach of the Sunnyside Extreme Gear League, your honor.
Eggman: Well, it is a great honor to have you coaching our city's aspiring racers! I remember betting on your races at the Westside Island Casinopolis a ways back… Knowing the Lavender Lightning is training my stars? Wonderful!
Reiker: Is Eggman… Geeking out?
Yanshu: It sure looks like it… I've never seen him so enthusiastic!
Alcost: Oh, please… Anything for the love of the sport, doctor!
Lawbot: All flattery aside, how's about we start with what happened at the training facility that day, hm?
Alcost: Ah, yes, of course!
TESTIMONY 5: Alcost's Account
Alcost: It's like I told the both of you - Radika came in, got impatient, and left.
Alcost: She'd stayed for all of 5 minutes after she signed the training sheet, then left to go find the others.
Alcost: Seth came in a few minutes later, but Radika still wasn't back yet.
Alcost: We were expecting her to come back with Tony, but… She never did.
Alcost: We only found out where she went after we saw the news.
Lawbot: So this training sheet… Could you explain that part in a lil' more detail fer the court?
Alcost: Oh, yes! That would be the attendance sheet I have all my racers fill out. It includes all the racers' names, what track they were on, and when they came and went.
Alcost: You can see right here she signed in at the OTG yesterday - the Official Training Grounds.
Eggman: I see… The court will accept this as evidence.
> The Training Sheet has been added to the Court Record!
Eggman: Alright then, does the defense wish to perform their cross-examination?
Reiker: You bet I do!
Reiker: (Okay, we definitely have the upper hand here! Let's push forward and see what we can find!)
[Next >]
2-11: Revisiting Tony
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Reiker: (Ack, he's barely giving me time to respond…)
Reiker: Well… The good news is we found it!
Tony: Oh, sweet! I was scared someone might've-
Tony: … Wait, whaddaya mean "the good news?" Don't tell me it's-!
Reiker: If you just slow down for a minute!
Reiker: … [Ahem] The "bad news" is that we weren't allowed to bring it back. It's part of the crime scene, and that makes it evidence, so-
Tony: You let the feds pinch my board!?
Reiker: ... At least you know it's safe?
Yanshu: Don't worry, Tony! The detectives at the crime scene were very serious about their job - nobody's getting past them!
Reiker: Exactly! Because your board was part of the crime scene, they didn't want anyone messing with it. I'm sure it'll be given back once we get you out of here!
Tony: So… I can't have it.
Reiker: Unfortunately, no, but, uh… Hey, you can have this picture! That's definitive proof it's a-okay!
Tony: Oh, uh…
Tony: Thanks, I guess...
Reiker: (He's holding it so tight…)
Reiker: (It feels bad seeing him bummed out like this, but I think the gravity of the situation is finally hitting him.)
Reiker: (Too bad he crumpled that photo… I can't quite put my finger on it, but something about it is oddly appealing.)
Reiker: Hey Yans, do we have a copy of that picture? Maybe we can upload it and-
Yanshu: I'm not sure whats going through your head, Mr. Strait, but whatever it is, um… I don't think now is an appropriate time.
Reiker: Oh, right. Um…
Reiker: (What even was that…?)
Reiker: Listen, Tony… I wanna help you get out of here — get you back to your board, and your life, and everything — but I think I need some more info from you. Is it okay if we talk a little more about the case?
Tony: Uh… Sure, man. Whaddaya wanna talk about?
Reiker: So, we did drop by the training grounds to speak with Seth and Coach Alcost…
Tony: Ah, great… Bet they told'ja I'm a pain in the tail and need to be cut from the team, huh?
Reiker: Not exactly, but it wasn't positive, either.
Tony: Yeah… Think I told ya earlier, but Radika was pretty much the only one there who liked me.
Tony: The other guys never let me know about anything, man… Only reason I found out was 'cuz Radika let me in on their plans. You could tell they were just itchin' to dump me!
Reiker: Mm-hm… Personality conflicts aside, do you think there was any reason they couldn't let you know?
Tony: Yeah, man… If I found out on my own, Radika would step in.
Tony: She stood up for me every single time, no matter what. Said somethin' to them about bullying me and she'd quit on the spot if I wasn't allowed in.
Tony: Sounds kinda silly sayin' it like that, but she had my back, n' she didn't even expect anything in return. She's so real for that, and that's somethin' I really respect about her.
Reiker: (Wow, I didn't know he could be serious like that.)
Reiker: … Surely a stunt like that would've gotten to Alcost after a bit, wouldn't it? He doesn't seem like the type to allow people to pull rank over him.
Tony: Oh, trust me, it did. He never really said anything, but you could just tell he was lookin' for any reason for Seth to replace her.
Reiker: So… Why didn't he?
Tony: [Snrk] 'Cuz Seth suuuuucks, dude!
Reiker: (Aaand... There it goes.)
Yanshu: Well, that's not very nice…
Tony: … Okay, he doesn't suck, but he tries waaay too hard.
Tony: He's fast — real fast — but he's so stuck on winning that he forgets everything else, y'know? Treats it more like a fight than a race… I'm surprised he hasn't hurt himself attackin' those corners.
Tony: I told him to try focusin' on himself, go with the flow n' stuff, but the second he loses the lead? He might as well be dead last.
Reiker: Gotcha…
Reiker: (So Radika wasn't as agreeable as I thought… Even with the friction, her sheer skill was the main reason Alcost kept her around.)
Reiker: That being said, one other thing came up while I was speaking with Seth and Coach Alcost.
Reiker: Were you aware of any sort of break-in at the training grounds?
Tony: A break-in? At the track? What'd they steal, those sweaty gym mats?
Reiker: Well… One of Alcost's starter guns is missing, and he thinks you stole it. I suspect he told the same thing to the prosecutor, which… Isn't good.
Reiker: Now, I'm on your side, but I need you to be honest with me… Did you take it?
Tony: Dude... Why the heck would I steal a fake gun?
Reiker: My thoughts exactly! Besides, what would shooting someone with a fake gun accomplish? There's no bullets!
Tony: Yeeeah, that... Doesn't sound right.
Yanshu: Well-
Tony: I swear, man, people see you break into a cabinet one time, then that's all they ever think of you.
Reiker: Wh-… You've… Broken into it before?
Tony: Aw, man, don't get sussy on me now! I was just-
Reiker: No, no! Remember, I'm on your side!
Reiker: I suppose what I want to ask is, well… You say that so casually. Was it even that hard?
Tony: Nah, that thing takes, like… 3 seconds with a shim at best. I'm pretty good, though… Radika was askin' me about lock picks a while back, and I was just showin' her my skills. Locked it right back up after… It's like nothin' happened!
Reiker: Hm… Alcost talked about Radika like she was trustworthy and reliable. Just how does a conversation like that come up with a person like her?
Tony: She is! She just… Forgets stuff. We started talkin' about it 'cuz Radika forgot her locker combo again. Lucky for her, I'm ready for anything!
Reiker: There's lockers at the training grounds? I don't think we saw those…
Tony: Oh, they're in Alcost's office. Can't get into them without his keys, so Radika forgets they're there half the time. Then she forgets the combination… Then I gotta break in for her.
Tony: I think it's fun, but she gets kinda embarrassed when she asks too much, so I got her a set for her birthday last month. Since then, it seems like it's been smooth sailin' for her!
Reiker: I see…
Reiker: (I guess that gives us another potential suspect for who broke into the trophy cabinet… Still, we're not much closer to figuring out that mystery.)
Reiker: Well, I can't think of much else… We should probably get-
Yanshu: Oh, wait! There's still one really important thing to talk about!
Reiker: I-… Really?
Yanshu: We haven't even asked about Ms. Pikmei yet! Her account of events is very different from Tony's!
Reiker: Oh, yeah!
Reiker: (Man, I've been doing everything to block that all out…)
Tony: Pick... Me?
Yanshu: Yeah! Y'know, Vivienne?
Yanshu: … You do know her, right?
Tony: ... Ohhhhh, Viv!
Tony: Yeah, I know her. She's like, my best friend!
Reiker: … Is she?
Tony: Yeah, I know shes all pouty n' stuff, but it doesn't stop her from seein' me every day! I'm pretty sure she sends her bug my way just so she has an excuse to come n' talk!
Tony: She totally has a crush on me.
Yanshu: ... Sure...
Yanshu: Do you remember seeing her today, then?
Tony: Yeah! I mean… I was goin' through the tunnel when I noticed that lil' bugger on its way to greet me! It's like I'm its favorite person or somethin'!
Tony: It was a little too close for comfort, though. Had to brake as hard as I could to not run over the lil' guy! Of course, Vivi came running after it, and, well…
Tony: She was runnin' over to talk to me when she must've seen… Radika…
Tony: …......
Yanshu: Oh dear… I can see how she thought it might've been you who, um…
Reiker: Yeah…
Reiker: My question is… If she was right there, why didn't she see the real culprit?
Yanshu: What do you mean?
Reiker: Well… There's only two entrances into that tunnel; the one Tony came out of, and… The other side. Seems odd that neither Tony nor Vivienne saw anyone there, isn't it?
Yanshu: Oh, you're right! That is odd...
Tony: … So we're dealin' with someone who can turn invisible?
Reiker: I mean, it's possible, but I feel like there's a more likely conclusion…
Tony: Well... You seem smart. I'm sure you can figure it out, right?
Reiker: Of course! Just leave it to us, and we'll get you out of here in no time!
Yanshu: Yeah! If all goes well, we'll have you out of here by this time tomorrow!
Tony: ... You guys…
Reiker: (Well, that seemed to help, at least.)
Reiker: (Now if only I could feel as confident as I sound…)
(TO BE CONTINUED…)
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2-4: Tony the Hawk (Extended)
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Reiker: This other racer you mentioned… Could you tell me what he’s like?
Tony: ... You sure like askin' questions, huh...
Yanshu: He’s a bit of a gossip. I mean-
Reiker: Hey! The more information I have on a case, the better my defense!
Yanshu: Well, I was going to say that it’s part of your job to know things…
Reiker: Oh, yes, um... [Ahem] Anyway… I'm asking to see if there are any alternate suspects. Someone who might have a vendetta against you and Radika.
Tony: Ohhh, uh… Yeah, Seth might make sense...
Reiker: Seth being the other racer Radika’s coach is training?
Tony: Yeah, he's pretty, um…
Tony: He n’ Radika race a lot, but he usually comes up short. Dude’s always got this sour look on his face…
Tony: He’s got potential! Maybe he’d get some better times if he loosened up a little and stopped throwing a fit whenever he doesn’t beat his record, or if he actually rocked a stable board instead of those weird shoes.
Reiker: Weird shoes...? I was under the impression this was an Extreme Gear competition.
Tony: Oh, they are Extreme Gear, just a weird model. Think of some fancy in-line skates with board jets strapped on. It’s kinda like, uh…
Tony: You ever see that weird goth dude on TV when some crazy shit’s going down? Whatever he’s got going on.
Reiker: (Weird goth-… Is this another racing celebrity?)
Reiker: Got it… Do you know if Seth was at the scene of the crime?
Tony: Huh? Nah, he doesn’t like to hang out… He was probably at the training grounds with Coach Whiskers.
Reiker: Training grounds?
Tony: I think it’s, like… A repurposed gym? For basketball n’ stuff. Kinda looks like it, anyway. Smells like it, too.
Yanshu: Oh, I know that place! It was built with Extreme Gear racing in mind, having an indoor and outdoor track, but sometimes they clear it out when they need a big space for something… Mostly events where there’s a lot of papers that could get blown around in the wind if they held them outside.
Tony: Yeah, that one! I wouldn’t be surprised if they were still hangin’ around in there… It’s like they never leave the place.
Reiker: (Even if those two weren’t witnesses to the crime, they might be able to give us some clues about the case…)
> You can now travel to the Extreme Gear Training Facility!
Reiker: Speaking of hanging around, do you mind if I ask a bit more about where the crime happened? Who might've been there? Other than you and Radika.
Tony: Oh, yeah! I was hangin’ around at Collision Corkscrew. It’s this awesome skate park mini-zone with plenty of stuff to grind and trick off of! Gives you a real good feel for how your board handles this concrete jungle type terrain. Plenty of big city races to practice for!
Tony: See, the best part is the corkscrew - it's this huge tunnel that cuts through the park, and if you hit the wall just right, you can loop around it, like… 7 or 8 times! Me n' some other dudes painted it with some crazy swirls a while back. Makes it, like... A hundred times cooler.
Yanshu: I don't like what the word "collision" implies...
Tony: Ha! That’s what the headgear’s for, shorty! Reaction time's one of the most important parts of the game!
Reiker: So... You went to this Collision Corkscrew Zone with Radika?
Tony: Well, uh… Not exactly-
Reiker: Oh. Do you know why she was there, then?
Tony: .……..
Reiker: I’m sorry if I’m prying, Tony. This must be a sore subject, but-
Tony:
WHY DOES EVERYONE EXPECT ME TO KNOW!?
Tony: She texted me askin' to meet up, so I was just messin’ around waitin’ for her, okay!? One sec I was rushin’ through that tunnel, then the next she’s face down on the cement! THAT'S IT!
Tony: I keep tellin’ everyone I dunno what happened, but they just keep pushin’ it! Why isn't "I dunno" good enough? What do they WANT me to say!?
Tony: I’m startin’ to wish they’d just throw me in that crazy contraption back there and get this thing over with 'CUZ I'M SICK OF IT!!!
Reiker: Woah, woah! I’m sorry, I-… You seemed so unbothered before-
Tony: You think I don’t care, man!? She was pretty much the only friend I’ve got! I should be plannin’ her funeral or somethin’, but I’m stuck in here with these STUPID ‘BOTS!!
Tony: … [Huff]…
Yanshu: Um… Tony? I… I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I actually got put in that same cell a few weeks ago for very similar reasons, and, w-well… The only person I could depend on was Reiker.
Yanshu: I didn’t really trust him at first either. He said it was his first case, and he seemed kind of disorganized and clumsy, but he got me out, and he figured out who committed the crime.
Yanshu: Now, I know you’re having a lot of big feelings… You just lost a friend and got thrown into this weird, scary place, but you have to trust us when we say we’re doing our best to get you out of here, too.
Yanshu: That being said, I know you don’t know us very well, so… Would you feel a little more comfortable talking about this if we got you something, um… Comforting to you? It might not be much, but it’s the least we could do.
Tony: You guys would do that for... For me…?
Reiker: Yanshu, I’m not sure if-
Yanshu: Of course! Anything to help.
Tony: ... This is gonna sound dumb, and I can’t use it in here, but… I left my board at the skate park, and I’ve been sittin' here thinkin’ it’s gonna get stolen… Could you find it and bring it back here? So I know it’s safe?
Reiker: I don't think it'll get stolen. It's probably-
Tony: You don’t know that! Even the basic boards are hella expensive, and besides, this one’s special! I’ve customized it and everything!
Yanshu: Don’t worry, we’ll get your board and bring it back here! And when we do, we'll be able to put together a solid case for tomorrow!
> You can now travel to Collision Corkscrew Skate Park!
Reiker: (Oof, I cant get a word in edgewise between these two…)
Reiker: (Guess I should add our little fetch quest to the list, but we still have more important things to deal with. I suppose the only question now is-)
Where should they go first?
Extreme Gear Training Grounds
Collision Corkscrew Skate Park
> The Board has been updated!
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