Second Shield | The Case of the Dwarven Scammer

[detectiveforhierophant]

Sender: King Arthur/Firebird | Ryotaro Dojima/Eustace

Recipient: Everyone

[If you noticed Dojima’s handwriting before, it could be a bit chicken scratch- not from a lack of penmanship, but simply because his work had him writing up a lot of reports, and you had to do it quickly. This time however, his handwriting is noticeably neater and careful, trying to make sure no one can misread the information.]

Notice to All Aspects.

Within the recent months, a scam artist has been making the rounds in the Index, going after both locals and Aspects alike.

Based on description, the culprit is likely a Dwarf, who’s hair varies in colour, possibly dying it or using magic to change it.

If you or anyone you know has been involved in some sort of scam, please let either me or Eustace know; we’re currently involved in the investigation. Information on what the scam entitled, the date it occurred, the scammer's appearance, and location would be a great benefit.

[The handwriting then switches to something a little cleaner and not necessarily elegant, but neat.]

There are suspicions that there may be multiple individuals, making it a crime ring. If you think you found one, don't do anything stupid. There haven't been reports of any violent exchanges, but we don't need this to become more complicated than necessary.

However, if you do manage to capture one, bring them to the nearest law enforcement.

Feel free to respond to us here, or come to us in person at the Index Guard house where we’re currently stationed.

[Notes: Dojima did most of the talking, Eustace is the colored text. Reminder that all threads are open to everyone, so feel free to respond to each other to swap notes or be reminded of clues. The official "plotting" posting is here and anyone can still sign up if they want to! We can work out follow-up threads if desired and last reminder that players are free to come up with random clues to help flesh out the dwarves and scams.]

Comments

[flamekthunder]

[He gives her a slight look...but she has a point.

Without saying anything, he moves from one door to the next, noting the various scents as well as any other physical clues.]

...It seems they've used all these doors before...however, the trail is freshest here. [He stops at the middle door, eying it before he reaches out to try and open it.

This time, it's not locked.]

[arrogator]

Let's go then!

[Sorry Eustace, she's just going to push past him, through the door and into the hallway? Next room? Whatever it is she's charging in there, hoping the scammers'll be on the other side. Which they probably aren't.]

[flamekthunder]

[.....Mordred, please stop reminding him of certain people he knows back home.

It's not necessarily a good thing.

Even though he can't smell or hear anyone else around, he can only sense so far so who knows who or what could be waiting, if anyone. So he just frowns before rushing after her. If there is anyone, she'll just have to serve as the main attraction and he can clean up after.

But fortunately, they don't have to worry about it. Through the hallway and an open door leads to what looks like a cellar that had been recently cleared out. There are some remaining furniture like tables, chairs, cabinets, as well as trash and other papers, but whoever used to be here was long gone.

Seeing a stack of those coupons, Eustace picks one up.]

This must have been their on site base.

[He then walks over to Mordred—and smacks her upside the head.]

[arrogator]

Hey! What the hell was that for?

[She tenses up, basically everything about her expression and posture screams that she's ready to throw down here. She probably should look around the makeshift base, but now she's pissed off at him instead of just at the scammers. ]

[flamekthunder]

For being an idiot.

Did you even have a plan when you rushed in here?

[arrogator]

Yeah? Of course I had a plan. I was going to put my foot in the ass of whoever was on the other side of that door.

[Not the greatest plan, but a plan!]

And you should be lucky I don't have my sword, that's a good way to lose a hand!

[That's more anger talking than anything else though.]

[flamekthunder]

Hmph. It wouldn't matter if you did.

[Try it Mordred. But he just continues to look sternly down at her.]

Regardless of whether you could handle it or not, you would have compromised the entire investigation with that kind of recklessness.

[arrogator]

What do you mean?

[She has absolutely no idea how she could've done that since if there was someone on the other side, she doesn't think they would've gotten away. And of course that's really the only thing she's thinking of since she's pretty new to this whole investigating thing.]

[flamekthunder]

If there had been a group of people, not only could they escape, but the sound would have alerted anyone outside.

[arrogator]

They wouldn't have gotten away!

[She's got nothing on the alerting someone outside thing though. She didn't think that one through.]

[flamekthunder]

[He just sighs.]

Just think before you act, or at least give a warning.

[Not that there will be a next time. Unless the circumstances call for it, he is never bringing her on an investigation ever again—]

Now look around, see if you can find anything that might tell us where their next location is.

[arrogator]

Fine.

[She'll start with the cabinets since that's where they found dye and paper before.]

Hey, while I'm doing this check the trash. Maybe they threw something away and since it doesn't smell as bad, you shouldn't have a problem with it, right?

[Yeah, still a little mad here.]

[flamekthunder]

[Does he look like a bloodhound??

...

All right, fine. He's just going to be giving her a hard look, but he can't really say her suggestion is wholly unsound.]

Just watch where you step, especially near the buckets. Apparently there weren't any bathrooms nearby.

[That's all he goes to say before he begins his own investigation.]

[arrogator]

I'm not checking the damn buckets!

[Thanks buddy. Thanks a lot. She'll just make sure to avoid those because she hates everything right now.]

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a small smirk as he continues to look through, "sniffing out" what could be relevant and what's just trash.

There are a few interesting pamphlets, some reading like other scams they could be hustling, some seemingly random items like other tickets, post card, etc that at first might seem like trash but could actually be other clues as to what they're thing. There are also numerous bottles of hair dye (some full, some empty), paint buckets, dirty clothes and costumes... Even if most of it is clearly used and look more like rags, it's a pretty good haul.]

[arrogator]

[She's found much of the same in the cabinets over here. Some blank stacks of paper that could be turned into pamphlets and the like, more supplies, that kind of thing.]

Man, they really had a big operation going, didn't they?

[flamekthunder]

So it would seem, possibly bigger than we expected.

[A small frown as he thinks it over.]

Here.

[He tosses over some bags used to collect evidence.]

Collect some of those while you're there, and try not to get your fingerprints on them. We'll leave after we gather the evidence.

[arrogator]

How the hell-

[Never mind, she can figure out how to do that. She'll just kind of start scooping some of it into the bags. No fingerprints there!]

Sounds fine with me. If they're not down here or coming back, I don't really see a reason to stick around.

[flamekthunder]

[He trusts that she'll manage. Maybe. Kind of??

After he does his sweep, he takes one last look around. Even though they didn't catch the scammers, they're not coming out of this empty handed.]

This is about as much as we can do for now. Ready?

[arrogator]

Yeah, sure.

[She'll just shove the bags at Eustace because finding things from evidence is your job, buddy.]

You better catch them, I don't want this to have been a waste of time.

[And maybe she's learned something about not...messing up crime scenes. Maybe.]

[flamekthunder]

[Rude. But he takes the bags and puts them in his bag before making his way towards what is likely the door to exit this place.]

You'll be one of the first to know, along with the other victims. I'll also note your cooperation and contribution to the investigation.

Might be able to get you a real meal ticket in compensation.

[arrogator]

[That gets the first real smile out of her today because like her dad, she's a glutton. Mordred's just more honest about it.]

Really? You think so?

[She hopes that's the case. If she doesn't get to kick the crap out of the culprits at least she'll get a meal out of it.]

[flamekthunder]

It's the least I can do, especially since this turned out into a substantial lead.

[Oh look, he finally gives her a small smile of his own.

Despite the odd bickering and difficulties, he can recognize and appreciate her efforts. She deserves at least that free meal.]

[arrogator]

I'll be expecting it then.

[Just learn from Dojima's mistakes and don't let her order.]