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"Hmmmm," Hemera remained nonplussed. This other troll's exaggerated demeanor was just helping her remember who it was. Ah, yes. The exasperating troll at the children's banquet. If memory served correct, Mera had seen the tail-end of a massive smackdown involving this very troll. Remembering that made it harder to be intimidated. "Of course I'm playing it right. It's too simple to mess up." There were literally five keys to it, all on the same hand.

'Is that how he's called?' What a quick and easy way to tell this troll was probably a fraud. If not offensive to a good name. Hemera had little time to express her thoughts considering Eridia was yelling again, and then soon after that messing with the piano. First like she might, might have some respect for the instrument....then very clearly not. Might as well be slapping masses of keys, Mera realized. Her face pinched up a bit despite trying oh-so-hard to keep it cool. She frowned even further at the thought that a personality such as this might have tried playing during an actual ball. Yikes.

"I am definitely knocked. Out, or thereabouts. I could give you some constructive criticism, but I wouldn't know where to start, and there may be more pressing matters at the moment anyway."

For the second time that night, the entire hive was plunged into darkness. It lasted a few heartbeats - and then the lights popped back on. Unlike the first time, no bodies immediately dropped to the floor. As if on some kind of cue, there was a crackle and pop from speakers that had been set up around the hive. They were, presumably, originally installed to trolls when events that evening were taking place, as they seemed to be on the same system as the one Awassi had used at the beginning of the night. The voice that came out of them, however, wasn't the greenbloods.

"Everyone return to the central hive, right now. I don't care if you got your hands around someone's throat, or are dragging the culler out into the light as we speak. There is a real important feelings emergency going on, and if it doesn't get sorted out right this instance, everyone in this hive is going to get to join in." The empress's tone was heavy with aggravation, a slight edge of sarcasm, and the flat monotone of a slowly breaking temper. In the background, a petulant, distressed stream of complaints could be vaguely heard.



Some noted reminders:
Please remember that you lose an investigation if you switch Outgrowths during a party hour!
Please also remember that 100 words are required for EACH investigation that you do.
Finally, please be aware of the players and NPCs when entering a room and be mindful of their presence when you RP! Not only is it good etiquette, there are certain mechanics that rely on being mindful of character interactions.

Investigations from Party Hour 2




The piano is very tempting to play. As you step over to it, you make an effort to see what secrets it may hold... [!]

The lights had gone out, which only really meant one thing. Alifax gave a glance toward Regina, whose hand didn't seem to be budging from that chalk, and made the probably wise decision to leave instead. He could update his charts when she was feeling a little more open to communication, and besides: it didn't really look like anyone was being forthcoming with the important information anyway. He pulled himself out of the room toward the south, surprised to find that it meant he was actually following Rutven. Well, whatever.

He stepped neatly into the ballblock, searching for changes. But it became apparent quickly that the room was now populated. He noted the names of its current inhabitants quickly and returned to inspecting the state of the room. Then...well, it couldn't really hurt to try to get himself on Rutven's good side, to differentiate himself from the other redblood as quickly as possible. Also, now that he knew the guy's full name, it was a lot easier to talk to him. "Alifax Bunsem, Mr. Rutven. You look at home here. Have you been before?" Alifax asked, notebook at the ready. Then he took a glance toward the piano. That was probably the most interesting thing to examine next...

"Thank you," Alifax said when he was done. "Good luck in your investigation," he added.

He walked over to the piano next, glad for the time alone to examine it again. He peeked underneath with some caution - did it look like someone had disturbed it since he'd last looked here? Puchen and more notably Rutven were both in the block now, after all. That was significant.

Next he departed for the trophy block, and was surprised to find that it, too, was occupied. By a number of people, actually. But Alifax's admittedly observant eye was drawn toward something that had not been there before: a lone book that was sitting on the table. He eyed both Ioyana and Comedi nervously. Should they be smoking indoors? What if the substance affected the rest of the guests? Either way, he knew what he'd be checking next.

Well. He didn't know for whom it mattered, anyway. He picked the book up, first, to see what was beneath, before proceeding to flip through the book with an eye on both of the guests. Assuming one of them had brought it in or begun examining it, it might prove illuminating.

Pain washed over her body once more, only greater than she had ever experienced. This whole thing as just pathetic. She sat down near the crest, eyes wide open tears slowly streaming down. She wondered if she would be able to protect Gerard. She lifted one hand up and stared at it back and front. Her legs felt heavy and her gut and chest stung. Eridia convinced herself she was finally dying.Chiara's betrayal was an excellent excuse for her to come back here and check if everything was in order. Which it obviously wasn't. Eridia couldn't find her notes which proved something was off. She had hid it somewhere near the crest. Luckily she'd written her thoughts in code.
I am very proud of-- Lovedad was about to praise her, then he stopped when he saw her moving her lips, attempting to speak. Some trolls were here, better exaggerate the act.
“Dad... why..." She sniffed. "Why did she side with the lowblood?"

I told you she was a horrible acquaintance my dear. Forget her for the time of being and keep on searching.

Eridia nodded and wiped her tears. She approached the photo frames once more and went to her mind palace once again. The things she had to focus about the object of her investigation was the three missing portraits. Eridia took off her gloves, her hands trailed on the voids once more, checking if it was indeed because of the smoke and how old are the outlines. Also she checked her hands if they left any smudges or dust. She looked at the pictures as well, checking if the picture were the same as before and if the ones she opened up were still the same. Eridia opened up a picture looked at it and afterwards wrote 'help' with black pen. In another, she wrote 'no self control.' They seemed to be written in haste, making the message almost unreadable. Quickly she placed one back where it belonged, the other was hanged upside-down.

The piano is very tempting to play. As you step over to it, you make an effort to see what secrets it may hold... [!]

You notice a book sitting on top of on of the display cases. Picking it up, you leaf through it curiously. [!]





You inspect the walls for their many frames. On closer inspection, there are some interesting pictures here. [!]

Aconan had heard (or rather, Loupsus had heard and nudged her) Hemera's approach before the tealblood had spoken, so she was prepared and had tucked her notebook away swiftly and smiled at the tealblood before she asked her questions of the guests, making sure she stepped away so that she wasn't intruding upon their conversations - the new arrival was only one rung up the ladder, so to speak, but it was still impolite to listen into conversations....even if she really, really wanted to for extra clues.

This internal battle to not-listen-in continued for a little while, so she was almost startled when Hemera addressed her. Tilting her head slightly as she listened to the tealblood, she nodded enthusiastically in response.

"It's really weird! I mean, who murders a highblood at the Queen's party? That's just asking to be culled unless you can pin it on someone else, I guess. Which we'd better look out for in our investigation!"

She nodded to herself, and then blinked as Loupsus nudged her, reminding her of her manners.

"Oh yeah! Thanks Dad. I'm Aconan Eyulft at your service, Miss Moachm! Loupsus is doing pretty well, after his behaviour earlier. I.."

She paused slightly, and the next words seemed a little unsure.

"...am obviously saddened by a highblood's death? I mean, he was a loyal servant to the Empire and that's bad, because they all deserve to live and serve the Queen to the best of their ability."

She nodded, more secure in this. Feelings were weird and difficult, but that was an appropriate response, right?