Roleplaying
2004 Archive
2005 Archive
Seminars
| When: | 6 December 2004 ("Tears of God" Plot Event) |
| Who: | Arthur, Elizabeth, Ellen, Megumi |
| What: | Megumi appears to be trying to frame Arthur for a crime, then offers to find Ellen a cat. |
The University
The campus of the University of Texas at Austin stretches over several square miles. The most striking area of the campus is the clock tower, which looms over the rest of the campus and glows depending on when the school wins a victory in something it considers important. The West Mall is also another large part of the campus, housing the school's Union and having an open grassed area in front of it with enough trees to give it suitable shading.
The southwest corner of the campus is where the Harry Ransom Center is. A massive library and archive area that has several rare books and artifacts that make it of special interest to Yves. Finally, the last place of major interest is a Tokamak reactor buried deep beneath the Math and Sciences Building; the reactor a source of constant interest by both servitors of Jean and Vapula.
Another University day. Nothing spectacular, really, since the protests have been going on. A few students even commented on Arthur's sudden disappearance after that last one, since nobody's seen him for a couple weeks. Nicodemus has been keeping low too, making visits but not publicizing them.
Regardless, onto the campus walks Arthur, giving casual waves to people he recognizes as he proceeds towards one of the class buildings.
Megumi walks along, carrying a heavy paper bag. She has gotten used to carrying it around while at the University just in case... Megumi hears someone say 'Hey Arthur', and nearly trips over her own feet twisting around. She spots him! "Bloody..." She swears, irritated at his superego, and clenches the bag to her chest as she makes her own path towards that very class building. No Keitaro, but no pain no gain they say.
Elizabeth stands outside the building, as has become her custom at this time of day of recent weeks, taking in some fresh air and people-watching. As she spots Arthur, her eyebrows lift ever so slightly. An ungainly motion catches her eye as Megumi twists, and she schools her expression to blandness, while casually moving into earshot of Megumi's projected collision point with Arthur. She pulls a brochure out of her handbag - one of Arthurs flyers from the rally, as it happens - and makes a pretense of reading it, not looking directly at either Megumi or Arthur.
Arthur walks towards the building, stopping for a moment as he notes Elizabeth reading one of his flyers. The student smiles a bit, and offers her a wave as he continues towards the building, apparently not having detected Megumi's approach.
Megumi wouldn't have noticed Elizabeth if it wasn't for the wave. Megumi smiles, waves towards Elizabeth as well, and then sneaks on up to Arthur...She tries to get nice and close into whispery range. If successful, she murmurs 'Nice Sneakers' to Arthur, 'I found a pair just like them.' She doesn't mind looking suspicious.
Elizabeth sighs, a bit exasperated at her subterfuge being so easily undone by /someone's/ cheery good nature. She folds the flyer back into her bag and approaches Megumi and Arthur openly. "Good day, Megumi," she says politely. "Mr. Harding."
Roll by Arthur: (1) (1) (2)
Arthur stops as Megumi gets close, and turns around to fix Megumi with an inquiring gaze as she approaches. He's not entirely oblivious, after all. Blinking at the whispers, he shrugs at Megumi. "That's nice... Did you get them for a good price? I usually have to get mine from a Payless." He turns at Elizabeth, tilting his head slightly. "Hello to you as well. What's going on?"
Megumi says, "It's been a while, Elizabeth, I'm happy you appear to be unbruised this time around. Very happy. Welcome! I was worried about Arthur, since he hadn't been in school for so long, I suppose you're worried about him missing classes,", that last bit -is- an assumption, as Megumi looks back over to Arthur, "Actually, I didn't have to pay for them, they were just lying around. Found a shirt too, amazing what people just throw away."
"I might ask you the same question, Mr. Harding," Elizabeth says calmly. "As Megumi says, your recent absences have not gone unnoticed. Coming so soon after your high-profile activism, there have been a few concerns voiced. If someone has made threats to induce you cease your protests, the proper course of action is to inform the university and the police."
Arthur frowns, and shakes his head. "What makes you think I've been threatened? I had to leave town for a while on a vacation. I did all my homework ahead of time, so my grades won't fall." The commentary about the shirt draws a questioning look from Arthur. "I assume you washed them or something before using them? You might get something nasty if you aren't careful wish discards."
Megumi smiles, "Well, I think the reason Elizabeth thinks you've been threatened is because three of Nicodemus's workers...well, I'm guessing they work for Nicodemus since the word on the street is that they work for the Mob. And while the Mob is very big, I think it's a bit of a coincidence if they weren't Nicodemus's men. Elizabeth might be a little worried that these killings could be blamed on you since as we all know, Nicodemus isn't a very respectable individual, and might get a little hasty. I know the news reports say a Wild Animal did it, but the Mob is a suspicious and cowardly lot. I'm ... -We're- here for you if you need us, Arthur."
"When you've been loudly agitating about a man on the grounds that he has organized crime connections, it's not that much of a leap, Mr. Harding," Elizabeth says with a nod to Megumi. "If your accusations are correct, then Mr. Lyman could be a very dangerous man to antagonize."
Roll by Elizabeth: (2) (4) (3)
Roll by Arthur: (1) (2) (6)
Arthur looks a bit surprised. "Really? Three guys? Well, I'm not sure why you guys would think I would have had anything to do with it... I mean, I'm just a student. What happened to them again? I didn't catch the news."
Megumi says, as cheerfully as ever, "We didn't say you had anything to do with it, Arthur, we just said that we were worried they'd blame you for it. It was a Wild Animal, remember?"
"Megumi is correct; I am not accusing you of having anything to do with that incident," Elizabeth says blandly.
Roll by Elizabeth: (3) (1) (1)
Arthur shrugs. "Perhaps not, but like I said, why would I be blamed for it? The concern is nice for a change, but I don't think I'm in all that much danger from the mob."
Megumi says simply, "But you are. Arthur.", she sighs, and rubs her forehead for a moment, "You do not need to hide the Truth from us, Arthur.", she says pleadingly.
Roll by Arthur: (6) (4) (3)
Elizabeth arches an eyebrow at Megumi. "A bit melodramatic there, aren't you?"
Roll by Elizabeth: (1) (2) (3)
Arthur sighs, rubbing at his forehead. "Maybe not, but I don't want anyone else to be putting themselves on the line like this. I can't reveal my full hand all at once, or I'll just lose everything."
Megumi glances to Elizabeth, "I just... Well, the thing is, Arthur. Some people already know what happened. Oz.. er, he's a friend of mine... for -some- reason investigated the scene and gave me this.", she reaches into the bag and holds out the torn, black shirt (just like Arthur's!) that Keitaro gave her. "He found this at the crime scene, I checked it out myself, since I was worried after Oz brouht this to me and....", she takes in a deep breath, "The full hand is revealing itself whether you do it on your own or not. And if you don't, you'll lose more. Please do not make me take the other object I have in this bag. I think you know what's in there, Arthur."
Roll by Megumi: (4) (4) (5)
"Full hand?" Elizabeth asks skeptically. "Are you saying that you actually have more resources in your campaign against Mr. Lyman than you've already displayed, Arthur? If you had more evidence about his activities, why didn't you bring it forward earlier? And Megumi, what on earth are you talking about?"
Roll by Elizabeth: (6) (1) (4)
Roll by Arthur: (3) (1) (4)
Roll by Elizabeth: (5) (6) (3)
Arthur looks at the black shirt skepically. "It's a shirt. What about it?" And he looks back to Elizabeth. "You don't know anything about finesse, do you? If I just dump everything on him at once, it won't have the same impact as spacing things out."
Megumi rubs her forehead again. "How about you tell me, Arthur, what about it? It's yours, isn't it?", she starts reaching into the bag again, "Looks just like yours except for the tears.", she reaches into the bag again, "And I have these sneakers that are just like yours here too, I didn't wash them either.", she starts pulling up, but she doesn't remove what's inside -quite- yet, she looks up and gives Arthur one last look.
Elizabeth looks at Megumi dubiously, her eyebrows arching. "Oh, go ahead, Megumi. By this point you've gotten my quite curious, too. Although I must confess to wondering; if you're /not/ attempting to accuse Mr. Harding of something, then why are you making such a big production of whatever you have in the bag? And why would you be insinuating that the clothing is so similar to Mr. Hardings?"
Roll by Elizabeth: (6) (1) (5)
Arthur is looking mildly irritated by now. The student waves a finger in a circle. "Big deal. You can buy those shirts and sneakers at any clothing store. What are you accusing me of?"
"Yeah, you can.", she holds the bag upside down and two sneakers fall out. They look just like the ones Arthur's are wearing now!
Except there's blood on them. Dried by this point, but blood.
"Except these have blood on them." Megumi continues. "The reason I made this production is because I wanted you to say what happened of your own volition. I did not want to take them out. I -didn't- want to do this. They are your size too. Both your shirt, and your sneakers, both -your- size, were found at the crime scene."
Megumi doesn't look irritated, even though she is.
"Megumi, how on earth would you know if this stuff is Arthur's size or not?" Elizabeth points out reasonably. "I doubt that he's been confiding his sizes to you in hopes of getting a new wardrobe for Christmas."
Arthur crosses his arms, a defiant expression on his face. "Whatever. What are you saying, Megumi? Anyone could have picked up a shirt and sneakers and put some blood on the sneakers. I'm not going to sit here playing this stupid game with you. I wasn't there. Deal with it."
Roll by Elizabeth: (2) (1) (3)
Megumi says, "Okay, so let's say it wasn't you, Arthur. But how about you try them on? We can play the Cinderella, see if they fit. I mean, Elizabeth -does- have a point, maybe I misjudged your shoesize. And if you didn't put them there, then someone else did. And if someone else did, then someone's trying to frame you. But whomever's they are, I'm giving them to the police next and they might want to play even stupider games than I plan on."
She glances towards Elizabeth again and then adds, "Or DNA tests on the blood. Do some checking to see who bought those particular sneakers, I think they can do that with the helpful tag, but that's just a guess."
Megumi presses her lips together before adding, "That, and nobody saw you around during that time. That -will- ruin whatever your plans are, Arthur, but if you tell us -everything- you're up to, your plans will be safe."
Roll by Megumi: (4) (6) (3)
Arthur eyerolls. "Oh, and get my DNA all over the clothes, brilliant. So now you're not only accusing me, but now you're trying to frame me. The police aren't going to take that stuff from you, either. You're not a police officer or detective, last I checked."
Elizabeth wrinkles her nose. "Eeew, you want Arthur to stick his foot in a bloody sneaker? That's gross! And besides - right, Arthur - if he /did/ try it on, then the police forensics unit would definitely find his DNA on them! Right now, you've already gotten your own fingerprints and skin flakes on them, Megumi. Why don't you just leave criminal investigations to the cops?"
Roll by Elizabeth: (2) (1) (2)
Megumi says, "I never touched the sole of the shoes, nor did I let my skin touch the shoes either." she thinks about that, however, "But I wasn't referring to -actually- trying them on, Arthur. I was referring to cross-examining your shoesizes, as there would be a tag in the middle, you know that.", she glances to Elizabeth, "I will. I'll give this to my policeman friend, who probably has enough time on her hands just to do checking out of curiousity," she pauses again and adds, "Besides, if the policemen were competent, they would have found these. Duh. Instead of relying on the goodwill of the citizenry of Texas.", she bites her lip, as if weighing her options.
Ellen comes along. As she sees Elizabeth, Megumi, and Arthur, she quirks a brow, watching quietly, then strolls over to the trio. "Hello, all."
Arthur snorts. "Or, if you actually did find those at the scene, you took them before the police got there. I know how long it takes for them to respond to anything in this city."
Elizabeth looks over at Arthur and says, "Look, I'd like to talk with you about the stuff you said at the rally at some point. I've found some minor irregularities in the evidence that you presented earlier that I'd like to find out more about, but this clearly isn't the time - or the company. Why don't you stop by my office sometime when you're not running late for lecture, and we'll talk. I'm on the second floor of the Rapoport building, Elizabeth Wilseck."
Megumi shrugs her shoulders at Arthur, "Your shoesize, Arthur. Why aren't you doing something so simple to prove yourslef?", she glances over to Ellen and adds, "Hello Ellen," to her cheerfully, as if she were a lifeboat, "You might want to leave, Arthur went and killed some of Nicodemus's thugs and is trying to hide it to keep people from finding out that he took the diamond Nicodemus stole from that guy.", Megumi has given up on succeeding at this mission for the most part, but she'll be just as happy to make it a giant trainwreck.
Roll by Megumi: (6) (4) (6)
Ellen frowns at the sight of ickybloodshoes, studying the objects carefully before her eyes move up to the people present. Her ears perk up at the discussion of cops and evidence and stuff. Then, she blinks at Megumi's words. "Why... whatever makes you think that, Megumi?" she asks, looking between her and Arthur questioningly, a little bewildered.
Arthur throws his hands up into the air. "Because I have nothing to prove to you. I didn't kill anyone. Now leave me the hell alone, I'm late for class because of this @)*#." He glances over to Elizabeth, and nods. "Sure, sure. I'll look you up later, Elizabeth." He gives a quick wave, and turns to head for the building.
Elizabeth waves at both Arthur and Ellen, saying, "Hello, Ellen. See you, Mr. Harding. Ellen, I have no idea how Megumi got all that into her head. Apparently she and some friend of hers decided to investigate the scene of those murders a while back, and she's decided that poor Mr. Harding is involved based on his wearing the same brand of sneakers as her friend stole from the scene."
Megumi laughs a little, without much humor before looking over to Ellen, "Because why would he be hiding it? It's pretty obvious. -Anyway-," she scoops up the shoes, careful to avoid the soles as she puts them back in the bag. She also takes the shirt and dumps it in, "Shirt -and- sneakers -and- he isn't giving his shoe size. His actions prove he's deeply involved one way or another.", she hefts the bag up, "Do you think Arthur did it, Elizabeth? Or do you think he was framed? It has to be one of the two, otherwise what would they be doing there? Clearly all these coincidences are a bit iffy. But unfortunately, some people chalk five coincidences p as one coincidence.", she pauses for a moment, and then looks at Elizabeth suspiciously for just a moment, before she smiles again, "Oh, I get it."
Ellen listens, looking from the shoes and shirt to Arthur's retreating back. "You found a shirt too, Megumi? What makes you think /that/ was Arthur's?" She hmms, recalling something. "You also said that Nikodemus stole the diamond from 'that guy'. Were you referring to... Mr. Vornamen?"
Elizabeth corrects, "Actually, I believe Megumi said that her friend found the shirt and gave to her afterwards."
Megumi says, "Yeah, had trouble remembering his name. I think it was Arthur's because it looks exactly like the one he's wearing now. He probably bought a new outfit, why he was in hiding so long. Maybe had a new one ready because he knew about the fight ahead of time. Explains why he won.", she pauses, "No, I mean, Nicodemus stole it from Mr. Vornamen remember? That's why he said, or insinuated anyway, and then I think Arthur got it from Vornamen. Otherwise, why would he be sticking around town? And yeah, what Elizabeth said. Oz, you know, the crazy guy who chases bums in cars. So do you think he did it, Elizabeth? I'd like to think it wasn't him, but he's being awfully suspicious."
"I do not recall hearing Mr. Vornamen say that he was the diamond's original owner," Ellen notes, rubbing her chin. "Only that he wanted to get it. Have you had any contact with him since the time in the diner, Megumi?" Her thoughtful gaze deepens. "And you found this at the crime scene, even though the cops missed it? I did not see any discarded clothing when I was there, and the person I /did/ see was wearing a theatre costume. How far away from the body were those things?" she asks, glancing at the bag with the bloody clothes.
"I don't know if he did it, Megumi, but I think that you may be leaping to conclusions. In any case, neither you nor Oz should be removing evidence from the scene of a crime. If you spot something, the right thing to do it to report it to the proper authorities." Elizabeth then cracks a tiny smile as she admits, "Although your description of Oz does seem apt."
"Really?" Megumi asks, pausing for a moment to look at Ellen, "Hmm.. Maybe he just wanted us to steal it for him. This is exactly why I wanted him and his business outside of the school. You have to agree with that, Elizabeth. None of this trouble, none of this would have happened if he hadn't been so eager to ply his trade here.", she looks back to Ellen, "Well, I don't know where Oz found his, Ellen, I think he told me but I don't remember.", she looks back to Elizabeth, "That's why I have to go to -him-, because he -trusts- me. Nobody ever trusts me, not the littlest bit of faith...And because of that...", she pauses, "Well, nobody wants to hear me whine and complain. So tell me, Ellen, what have you been up to?"
Roll by Ellen: (3) (2) (1)
Elizabeth looks at Megumi blankly. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Megumi. Are you saying that Mr. Harding trusts you? Or Mr. Lyman? Or this Vornamen person? I /think/ you switched antecedents of 'he' at least twice in there, but I'm not sure."
Megumi peers at Elizabeth, "You think -any- of those people trust me?", she seems absolutely dumbfounded, "I mean Oz, of course, -he- trusts me. Even if he chases after bums in a car. Say, did you ever figure out how that big fire got started?"
Ellen blinks again as Megumi's babble starts to make her head spin. The little voice in her head starts to chatter, but she makes it shut up.... for once. "Wait a minute, Megumi, slow down. Who did you want off the campus... Vornamen, Nikolai, or Arthur? I thought it was you and Arthur versus Nikolai, then you and Vornamen versus Nikolai... now I'm not sure who's with who." She gives a quiet nod to Elizabeth's questioning.
Elizabeth shrugs. "Oh, come on, Megumi. You know that that bum is a pyromaniac; it wouldn't surprise me if he regularly carried some sort of incendiary on his person. I'm just glad that no one got hurt there."
Megumi says, "I didn't see any lighter out or anything, and I had a pretty good look.", she peers at Ellen, looks towards Elizabeth, "See?", as if what Ellen just said proved something, and then she looks back to Ellen and continues, "Nikolai off the campus. Remember, Megumi was protesting him. Oz, guy that trusts me. Arthur, guy who won't admit to killings and won't even try to disprove he was involved. Elizabeth, uh, a wonderful lady in many ways."
Elizabeth snickers. "You're trying to flatter me, aren't you? Shall I stick my fingers in my ears and sing the smurf song so that you can tell Ellen what you really think about me without me overhearing?" She grins.
Ellen's eyes flicker from one to the other. Okay, this is confusing. Either Megumi is just plain scatterbrained as she sounds, or she's trying to /make/ it confusing. Something is fishy, at the least. "So... I would take it that at this point you regard both Nikolai and Arthur as the villains in this matter," she gives a thoughtful nod to Megumi. "What do you think of Vornamen's role? Is he still... someone you consider worth associating with?" she probes the girl carefully, watching her to see if she gives away any clues of her own involvement.
Roll by Elizabeth: (6) (6) (5)
Megumi says, "Well if you -want-, Elizabeth, but I mean it! I was just going to add a little something else, regarding little wishes I have regarding our relationship.", she wiggles her fingers in the air. "Arthur is sort of a semi-villain, Ellen. His suspicion... His Paranoia... They make him not trust those whom he should be trusting. As for Vornamen, I don't think I could help him out anymore even if I wanted to, and I'm not sure I want to, there's only so much a highschool student who really isn't supposed to be hanging around can do."
"Who /should/ Arthur be trusting?" Ellen wonders. "Considering that you found evidence that might put him in jail, if your suspicions are correct." She watches Megumi thoughtfully as she disclaims her involvement with Vornamen.
Elizabeth frowns. "I thought you said that this Vornamen guy was a client of Zachary's, Megumi. What are you doing getting involved with Zachary's clients? He's a defense lawyer; that means that his clients are all alleged criminals. And what's this about stolen diamonds?"
Roll by Elizabeth: (4) (3) (5)
Megumi says, "But I don't want him in jail. If I wanted him in jail, I would have gone straight to the police and saved myself the bother.", she glances to Elizabeth, "I don't think it was that sort of job, Elizabeth. But he asked for Ellen and I to come along. I didn't force myself on him.", she pauses, "It's called the Tear of God, according to Zachary's buddy, but it's the first I heard of it. Have you heard of it? I haven't."
"What do you want for Arthur, then, Megumi?" Ellen asks quietly. "If he... murdered someone, do you want him out on the streets? Or, do you think he was set up?" She then gives a thoughtful nod at Megumi's next words. "I... can't say why he asked /me/ to come along. I know nothing about diamonds or mobsters." She smiles a bit, faintly. "He did have a marvellous cat, though."
Elizabeth shrugs. "The Tear of God? Is that something like the Koh-I-Noor or the Hope Diamond? Must be less famous, though. But why on earth would a client of Zachary's want your collective help? I mean, nothing against either of you, but... a high school student and an aspiring author?"
"It is a mystery to me, as well," Ellen responds to Elizabeth. "Perhaps he invited me only because of the way I was looking at his cat. She was.... beautiful." She smiles fondly, but also sadly; then sighs a bit. "I want a cat."
Megumi says, "I want...The Truth!", she says this as dramatically as she can. "I have very little idea how a highschool author and an aspiring author could help him locate a diamond. I am, however, fed up with the job. Maybe Oz knows what it is, would explain why he's all picking up shirts and stuff.", she looks to Ellen, "I'll get you a cat, Ellen!"
Ellen lifts her eyebrows. "Actually, I was thinking of getting one at that little petshop I saw. I would prefer to pick out the cat myself, Megumi." She smiles, "But thanks for the offer."
Elizabeth says, "Anyhow, I should get going now," Elizabeth says with a sigh. "See you guys around. Goodbye, Ellen. Goodbye, Megumi."
Megumi raises an eyebrow, "I'd know which kind of cat you'd want, Ellen, I know just the type.", she bobs her head to Elizabeth.
Roll by Ellen: (3) (6) (2)
"Oh?" Ellen asks with interest. "What kind?"
Megumi says, "You already know what kind," kindly.
"...Ashley?" Ellen asks, and smiles. "Well, I can't help but admire her..."
"I don't think Mr. Vornamen has her up for sale, though." She chuckles, but her eyes look a bit sad.
Megumi says, "He probably ate her." sincerely, "But there are cats that look like her. And I could find one! In this fine city of Austin."
"Oh, could you?" Ellen smiles. "I do intend to look at the pet shop soon, but maybe you could help."
Megumi says, "Yes.", for some reason she's being benevolent for no reason that's clear to her yet. Oh wait, she's doing this because she's frustrated, and wants to get something to work. Right! "I could help. Plenty of cats without a home in this fine city of Austin."
"I would be happy to give a home to a creature so beautiful," Ellen smiles sincerely.
Megumi cheers, "Hooray!" and throws her arms up in the air, "Actually, I guess I could try another route...", she's not talking about the cat anymore, "I'll get a cat." She goes back on the right track. "Catty catty catty, hooray!", she starts to walk off for some reason. Time to find a corporate office. And get a cat.
"Thanks, Megumi," Ellen smiles warmly. "See you later," she adds as the girl walks off. Right now, Ellen feels nice and friendly, but later on, she'll be confused again.
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