[color=lightgray][center][h3][color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color], [color=lightpink]Olivia[/color], [color=F26522]Kazumin[/color], [color=9AF781]Leo[/color], [color=9354FF]Fritz[/color], [color=ab274f]& Wulfric[/color]
 [color=ab274f]Part 3[/color][/h3][/center]
[color=9AF781]Time:[/color] Evening - [color=red] 5pm - 2 hours before timeskip at 7[/color]
[color=9354FF]Location:[/color] Vikena Estate
[hr]

Charlotte gestured to Kazumin, [color=D0B4EC]“Kazumin here attended, so I was hoping maybe he could provide further insight if he recalls anything…And this is Olivia.”[/color] Lottie glanced at her and smiled warmly, [color=D0B4EC]“She is staying at my house this season. Friend of the family… I apologize for the surprise guests, but certainly if need be I can ask Olivia to step into the kitchen a moment.”[/color] Though, she knew Olivia would find a way to listen regardless.

As fun as this strange grouping was to see in perspective, this was also meant to be important. His attention turned to Olivia and Charlotte momentarily; the prince was someone who could help. Why, getting him as an ally was certainly important; all his info he must have and Leo, while in his current predicament, was a friend of Wulfric, so his support would go with him too.

Pondering over what had been discussed up to now. [color=f26522]“Yes, very true! As Lady Charlotte has eloquently put it, an honor again to have you with us this night, my lord.”[/color] A proper bow of the head. [color=f26522]“Your discouragement to continue any further is understandable considering-”[/color] A wide wave of the left hand holding the cane to indicate the gathering. [color=f26522]“Poor timing on both that of sir Leo and my own, for I had a previous affair where said letter found me.”[/color] He held up the folded-up letter in his right hand, as proof this suit situation wasn’t intended for this meeting; even he knew this. Worse yet, this suit was both suffocatingly hot and heavy.

[color=f26522]“And it is true, I was indeed with the group. I can remember the faces of all those in the cart quite well, but details of the party, sadly, save for fragments, I cannot say the same.”[/color] Frowning as he said this, he held up a finger. [color=f26522]“But! Though they are hazy, there is one thing I wish to suggest, far-reaching as it may be, yet as a person very experienced with drunks,”[/color] he motioned, clapping Leo on the shoulder as he stated this, [color=f26522]“that while booze has inhibited, it was booze that was the focus of this party’s mystery, it seems, and perhaps…could be the thing to help dislodge some memories.”[/color] Miming his mind scrambled beside his head.

[color=ab274f]“Absolutely not,”[/color] the prince immediately refuted. [color=ab274f]“Nagasa, I shan’t stop you if you wish to test your hypothesis on yourself, but we are not drugging someone who is already under the influence, and in a plainly troubled situation.”[/color] Though reluctant to continue this, he stepped further inside, away from the temptation of making a prudent retreat through the nearest exit. [color=ab274f]“Leo, it seems you are somewhat capable of sharing the results of your investigation.”[/color] He indicated the piece of paper the lord had passed to Count Hendrix. [color=ab274f]“So, let us get on with it, shall we? As long as we are merely discussing the accounts of those who have attended the after-party, I do not frankly care who hears it. But for all of you who wish to involve yourself any further than that, you best consider [i]very carefully[/i] what your stakes in this are, and at what risks. So far, I am convinced only for [i]one of you[/i],”[/color] he nodded at Fritz, who returned the gesture, [color=ab274f]“that you are committed.”[/color]

Leo tore two more pages from his notebook, detailing the information he’d gotten from speaking with Ana and Nahir. He set them on the table, then picked up the paper about Fritz’s glasses. He crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it at Hendrix’s face. [color=9AF781]“No secrets,”[/color] he insisted, still expecting a real answer about the glasses, especially given how interested Charlotte seemed in them.

[color=9AF781][i]Anastasia: Ana & Callum have gone to many secret parties, same host (a male friend, identity unknown), all ended with memory loss. Party was in a basement, we both remember going down a staircase—then memories get fuzzy. Ana remembers cupcakes on the floor.[/i][/color] Next to the word “cupcakes” he’d written [color=9AF781][i]Ezra?[/i][/color] and circled it. [color=9AF781][i]I remember a cloudy blue sky. We both remember cocktails—seems likely they drugged the drinks. Ana describes her memories as hazy and dreamlike. I agree these memories seem almost unreal, and the more we try to focus on these memories, the worse the headaches get.[/i][/color]

[color=9AF781][i]Nahir: Remembers flashing lights and floating colors, [b]bright and blinding.[/b] Something about two hands, unsure if this is a clue, but it seemed important to Nahir, almost as if she might be hiding something. I remembered the music, as we spoke, strange thumping like machinery at the warehouse. None of these clues make sense; none of them seem to fit together. Nahir suggests an odd answer—[b]magic,[/b] the more I think on it, the more it makes sense.[/i][/color]

[color=9AF781]“Already drunk,”[/color] Leo commented, thinking about Kazu’s suggestion. [color=9AF781]“Your idea makes sense. Re-question me, dislodge memories.”[/color] Leo patted Kazu’s shoulder in agreement.

A tad bitter at the prince’s cold, albeit expected, rejection, though he held his tongue. Wulfric had chosen to remain; in the end, that was what mattered. He decided to listen for now. For as outlandish as his appearance was, his dedication to the case was real. Unfortunate timing and all that.

The mention of fists and fighting momentarily caused flashes and glimpses in his mind. A flurry of images he could hardly make out. Quick as a blink, they were over, leaving his head pounding and his breathing a bit elevated. Most unsettling was the flash of a heavily bruised woman’s face… and… cupcakes? Why did he suddenly feel a rage towards cupcakes?

Then a clap on his shoulder snapped him out of it, and hearing him praise made him glad and nearly had him saying, “that’s rad!” [color=f26522]“Pleased to see someone approves, and know I suggest so not out of jest. And mind, it would be foolish to have me attempt it as it would take too much, and my usefulness is… unreliable the more I imbibe. And as you have put it, good lord, they’re drunk. Easier, but risky still…comes down to the mettle of your gut. Think it can handle it, Lion?”[/color] He asked with a quizzical brow, giving a playful pat to Leo’s stomach, his form of jesting.

Leo replied to Kazu’s statement with a nod and a quiet, [color=9AF781]“rawr!”[/color], before stuffing one of the pigs in blankets into his mouth.

An amused smirk and respectful nod. Sir Leo was not all too bad, or at least the drunk lion showed there was humor in him yet.

Charlotte moved toward a small board covered in a sheet in the corner, her fingers grazing the edges of the sheet as Leo finished speaking. She hesitated just slightly, biting her lip, before pulling it off. Beneath the cloth lay a meticulously arranged display of everything they had gathered so far on a chalkboard. She wheeled it over to position it before the group. Fritz clapped enthusiastically. [color=9354FF]“Oh, it came out wonderful, Charlotte!”[/color] And she smiled warmly at him in turn.

Her eyes flitted nervously around the room, and she glanced down, almost shy, her fingers tapping against the edge of the board. [color=D0B4EC]"Um… I suppose I will now… add to that,”[/color] she began softly. Her voice wavered slightly, but she took a deep breath, and her mind began to race through the details.

Her gaze lifted, a bit more focused now, and she picked up where Leo left off. [color=D0B4EC]"To add to what Leo has already mentioned, I can confirm some similarities from what Shahzade Munir and Shahzade Farim told me. Both of them, like Princess Anastasia and Shehzadi Nahir, remember descending the stairs into the basement where the party was held, but their memories quickly become fuzzy after that."[/color]

Her hand hovered over the board as she spoke, pointing to a section that highlighted these scattered recollections. [color=D0B4EC]“Shahzade Munir, for one, was adamant that something was amiss. He knew his own limits as a man who often indulges in drink, yet he blacked out almost immediately, Farim’s recollections were similarly scattered—fighting, dancing—and he also said that people were ‘drooling over one another.’[/color] She added with a slight quirk of her lips, [color=D0B4EC]“I’m not exaggerating.”[/color]

She cleared her throat awkwardly, then continued, [color=D0B4EC]“He remembered that things ended abruptly, with people being rushed out of the venue, and noted that he hadn’t consumed enough alcohol to account for his blackout as well. And what’s particularly valuable is that Farim provided an address for the warehouse: [i]420 Wicker Street.[/i]”[/color]

Charlotte paused, stealing a glance at Wulfric, her nerves momentarily bubbling up again before she forced herself to focus. [color=D0B4EC]“Your Highness,”[/color] she began once more, turning to face him, [color=D0B4EC]“though I wasn’t present at the party, I’ve been able to piece together a few critical elements from what was shared with me thus far. If this Marek Delronzo is indeed the perpetrator, then his confidence is very alarming, especially if we have enough evidence to deduce our foe is intelligent.”[/color]

Her voice lowered, yet her tone sharpened with more conviction. [color=D0B4EC]“...We cannot tiptoe around the idea that magic is very real and was most likely the culprit, given not only the accounts presented, but because some of us here have even stood witness to the presentation of magic… And as fascinating, and [i]perhaps terrifying[/i], as a magical party sounds, it doesn’t quite sit right with me. If someone as potentially well-versed in magic as Marek wanted to erase everyone’s memories, he certainly could have in theory. So why didn’t he?”[/color]

She cast her gaze over the group before announcing, [color=D0B4EC]“I believe this was deliberate. Marek left enough traces—invitations, an address, these fleeting glimpses of the event—because he wants them to remember just enough. This is not carelessness; this is [i]confidence.[/i]”[/color]

[color=D0B4EC]“He’s sending a message—he wants us to know that he can manipulate us, that he can host an event like that and get away with it—[i]I think he’s mocking us.[/i] The idea that he is able to manipulate high-profile individuals at [i]multiple parties[/i] and escape without consequence suggests a deeper rot within this system… However, magic or not, if Marek is bold enough to leave clues, then he must have blind spots. If we can identify those weak points—whether in his operations or among his associates—we can use them to our advantage.”[/color]

With a quick, steadying breath, she pressed on, [color=D0B4EC]“...We also need to be wary of how deeply Marek’s influence runs. If he has connections within the highest levels of society, there’s no telling who else may be under his sway. The safest way to assume is that Marek has eyes and ears everywhere… That said, I think we need to investigate the warehouse, but carefully. Marek’s boldness suggests he has protections in place. And If we can uncover Marek’s associates, we can begin unraveling his entire network.”[/color]

Ryn observed Prince Wulfric carefully as the other two spoke, particularly noting how the prince responded when the word magic entered the conversation. His displeasure was evident, but there was no repulsion nor denial.

Olivia glanced away from the mention of magic, directing her gaze down to the table of food to distract herself.

The investigative board was filled with the group’s findings, every detail neatly written out and organized by Lord Smithwood, Lady Charlotte, and Ryn himself. The interviews—including testimonies from [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5457866]Luz[/url], [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5458813]Dr.Williamson, Lord Ravenwood[/url], and [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5458879]Prince Callum[/url]—all corroborated the existing information. A small notation about the Varian royalty conducting their own quiet investigation was also on the board.

When Lady Charlotte raised the question of just how far Mr. Delronzo’s influence reached, Ryn caught the slight tension in Prince Wulfric’s jaw. [color=9354FF][i]…Oh. Well, that’s not good.[/i] “He may already have control over this country.”[/color] If true, this complicated matters exponentially. …Or perhaps, for Ryn and his kin, it simplified things quite nicely. [i]“Judge them.”[/i]

Picking up a piece of chalk, Ryn added a new section to the board labeled “Possible associates.” Beneath it, he scrawled “People who received invitations during the annual ball.” [color=9354FF]“During the annual ball I saw a man wearing a black mask handing out envelopes to select people—a good number of whom later attended the after-party.”[/color] Ryn turned to Mr. Kazumin. [color=9354FF]“I believe you saw this man when you were with Her Royal Highness?”[/color]

Having settled himself into a chair, absentmindedly rubbing at the ache in his forehead, Kazumin muttered under his breath, [color=f26522]“Were we fighting over it?”[/color] before noticing Fritz addressing him. [color=f26522]“Pardon? Black ma—I mean, yes! The man who approached An—I mean, Princess Anastasia.”[/color] He quickly corrected himself in front of the prince with a small bow of the head and a pull at his mustache. [color=f26522]“I was, to be clear, an add-on merely. And to further add to this whole magic affair, I can attest that magic tomfoolery was afoot.”[/color]

Shifting to place the cane down in front of him to prop himself up, he still felt a bit lightheaded and woozy. [color=f26522]“With my experience in liquor, to knock me out is a simple matter; a barrel or two is just a morning for me. But, to assuage me of my memories? Trickery… devious trickery, could only manage such a powerful feat. This Marek, Lord Prince, and Lady Charlotte must certainly wield it as I dared drink two and still my gumption holds stout!”[/color] He pumped his right fist up partly in defiance of Marek, only to immediately feel ill, forcing him to sit back and cover his mouth. [color=f26522]“Apologies…need…need to catch my breath.”[/color] Memories of that night came rushing back, his head feeling fuzzy.

Charlotte’s gaze softened as she watched Kazumin struggle, her concern evident. [color=D0B4EC]“It’s all right,”[/color] she reassured gently. [color=D0B4EC]“You’ve been through quite an ordeal.”[/color]

Olivia leaned over and patted his shoulder, wishing she could say or do more to help.

[color=ab274f]“Nagasa, stay put until the physician arrives.”[/color] These were Wulfric’s first spoken words since Charlotte had begun her summary. There hadn’t been much of a reaction from him aside from a frown here and a nod there. Now that the unofficial investigative team had elaborated on their discoveries, he strolled to the chalkboard. He borrowed a piece of chalk and picked an empty spot to add his notes. [color=ab274f]“In addition to their strange recollections, their symptoms were quite varied.”[/color] He created a column, writing “hemoptysis, arrhythmia” in the first cell, “deep coma” in the second, “hysterical sobbing” in the third, “rambling” in the fourth, and “dehydration” in the fifth. [color=ab274f]“These are the disparate side-effects I recall witnessing.”[/color] He created another column, this one with only two cells, labeled “lust” and “extreme aggression.” [color=ab274f]“The known active effects of the drugs we know so far,”[/color] he commented.

[color=ab274f]“Just as strange is the duration.”[/color] He noted the estimated times of when the party started, ended, and how long the ‘hit’ and ‘crash’ of the drugs had lasted. [color=ab274f]“Then, of course, there is the obvious.”[/color] He wrote “memory loss” and circled the phrase. [color=ab274f]“Every single person we know of so far exhibited it. Nagasa, you mentioned having had two drinks. What shape were you in when you woke up?”[/color]

The pause and bit of concern helped Kazumin gather his composure. Brief as it was, Wulfric’s simple question reminded him all too well of his… state.

The mere word “dehydration” left his mouth suddenly feeling immensely dry as if a handful of ash had just been stuffed down his throat. A sharp inhale followed by a struggled gulp, his mustache contrasting the paleness of his skin. [color=f26522]“Dry…b-barely coherent.”[/color] He managed to wheeze out before stopping; any further he feared might elicit a coughing fit, so he quietly mimed for a drink.

Wulfric nodded at Kazumin’s recount. [color=ab274f]“So, we can assume the effects were more severe with more drinks, generally speaking. Yet, the memory loss remained consistent. I believe it is safe to assume there would have been the rare few guests who did [i]not[/i] consume any drinks. So, Delronzo would have needed a different way to knock them all out, and to erase their memories.”[/color] He traced a large question mark on the chalkboard. [color=ab274f]“A separate substance or an alternate method…At this point, we may as well call it a spell, I suppose,”[/color] he noted, his lips thinning as he acknowledged the magical nature of this particular crime. [color=ab274f]“Unfortunately, there are too many unknowns. Was it an area-of-effect wherein anyone entering the premises was targeted? If so, did he specifically safeguard his employees? If it was a substance applied, when, where, and how was it done? If [i]I[/i] were the culprit, I would consider deploying a smoke bomb at a predetermined time or signal, so my allies would know to use masks. But perhaps, that is too [i]mundane[/i] for Delronzo.”[/color] He gave a slight twitch of a shoulder.

[color=ab274f]“To tie in with what you have mentioned, Lady Vikena, the warehouse in question has been searched twice so far. Shahzade Farim’s memory of people being rushed out lines up with actions from the crown—the queen led a group of knights to fetch the missing royals and nobles. The warehouse was searched for the first time then, but nothing incriminating had been found. Clearly, these criminals are capable of making themselves scarce at a moment’s notice. The area was searched in the following days as well.”[/color]

He used the remaining empty spaces on the chalkboard for a number of sketches. One was a scaled-down representation of the warehouse area, rows, and columns of squares neatly lined up. He crossed out a number of them. [color=ab274f]“These are the ones Delronzo has rented at the moment.”[/color] He circled one of them. [color=ab274f]“This is where the after-party was held.”[/color] He followed it with a detailed drawing of the interior. [color=ab274f]“All warehouses have this same layout. Basement included.”[/color] A final sketch followed, one that indicated the location and floor plan of the office. [color=ab274f]“Delronzo’s office.”[/color] He added several cross marks, interspersed in the whole district. [color=ab274f]“These are the watchtowers. He has security checkpoints at each entrance to a given premise. All are well-guarded. The security increases at night time.”[/color] He did not draw the next part, pointing it out instead. [color=ab274f]“The patrolling routes are fairly standard—efficient and with good coverage. Sneaking into anywhere is difficult, to say the least.”[/color] He twirled the chalk between his fingers before setting it down.

[color=ab274f]“Delronzo has good reasons for his confidence. I would not assume that a total memory wipe was easily possible—unless, of course, you are secretly an expert on magic?”[/color] he quirked an eyebrow at Charlotte, who shook her head to indicate she was not. Olivia restrained herself from answering. [color=ab274f]“Otherwise, the character analysis is sound. I am sure he enjoyed sowing all this chaos.”[/color] He paced around the room, holding his audience captive, assessing each of them intently. [color=ab274f]“I do not have concrete evidence, but I am convinced he is an influential underworld lord who is in charge of much of the organized crime within Caesonia. He is the sort of man who will blackmail, manipulate, threaten, torture, and kill. He will use your loved ones against you. He will make you suffer, whether by targeting you directly or inflicting grief on those close to you. Moreover, he possesses magic, so you may even end up unaware of all that is happening. If you do not yet understand the severity of my words… [i]You. Will.[/i]”[/color] He looked from Charlotte to Leo to Kazumin to Olivia. [color=ab274f]“[i]If[/i] you choose to remain involved.”[/color]

Olivia’s chest tightened, and she clenched her fists. What the fuck had they unintentionally gotten into? What was the world becoming?

After a tense silence, Wulfric glanced at Fritz. [color=ab274f]“Count Hendrix, add to the list the following names: Alexander Deacon, Marciano Giordano, and Calbert Damien.”[/color] He turned to regard Charlotte. [color=ab274f]“Is it true he threatened you?”[/color]

[color=9AF781]“Prince Callum, too,”[/color] Leo suggested once Wulfric had listed off the names of Marek’s known associates. [color=9AF781]“Heeeeissss planning charity with bacon. Deacon. Deacon and Black Rose.”[/color] Leo rewarded himself with another snack.

[color=9AF781]“Pigs in blankets wrapped in bacon!”[/color] he added once he’d finished chewing, struck with a genius idea. He softly punched Kazu in the arm. [color=9AF781]“Best idea!”[/color]

After the tense exchange, Olivia couldn’t help but snort with derision.

With swift, decisive strokes, the names Alexander Deacon, Marciano Giordano, Calbert Damien, and Callum Danrose appeared on the board. Anastasia Danrose, Liliane Damien, and, after a moment’s hesitation, Violet Damien joined the list. To the side, Ryn drew a silk hat atop a full-face mask with ornate patterns.

[color=ab274f][i]Violet, but not Crystal.[/i][/color] Curious. So was the sketch. If it wasn’t just a whimsy, it might be an allusion to the masquerade ball. Had he missed something there?[/color]