A Curious Halloween Case
Euden: Are you in here, Heinwald?
Euden: I'm sorry to barge in, but we—
???: Salutations, Euden.
Halloween Akasha: And you've brought your whole entourage. My, my. Well, if it's Heinwald you seek, you'll find him in his laboratory.
Everyone: ......
Notte: I'm gonna go ahead and ask for everybody: Why are you in Heinwald's manor?
Halloween Akasha: Oh, sweet little Notte. You have the most adorable look of confusion right now, with just a hint of accusation.
Halloween Akasha: Let us make a riddle of the answer, shall we? Why do YOU think I'm here? Go on, then. Give it your best shot.
Notte: Wait, we're doing riddle contests now? Oh man, okay. Uh...
Euden: I guess you always were a big fan of riddles, Akasha. Ha ha...ha?
Halloween Akasha: Indeed. What finer labyrinth for the mind? What more tantalizing depth to plumb armed only with the sum of one's wits?
Halloween Akasha: I do hope you'll partake of this one, dear prince. Why is it, do you think, that you have discovered me here?
Euden: Huh. Well, let me think...
???: You can think until smoke pours from your ears, but you'll never find the answer.
Heinwald: For this riddle—like most of those which come from Akasha's twisted mind— in fact has no answer.
Euden: Nice to see you, Heinwald. Oh, and I'm sorry for interrupting your work like this.
Heinwald: Not at all—guests with common sense are a pleasant change of pace. Why, you even deigned to come in through the door!
Cleo: Did someone NOT use the door?
Heinwald: Yes, I fear I've been facing something of an invasion of late and haven't had a moment's peace.
Heinwald: Today included, as you no doubt noted.
Euden: And this invader of yours is...
Halloween Akasha: Let the record show that I DO thank dear Heinwald for the hospitality every time I arrive. I'm not a total boor.
Halloween Akasha: And I'm afraid you're mistaken on one count, Heinwald: My riddle does, in fact, have an answer.
Halloween Akasha: As I've mentioned each passing day of late, I hope you'll take a closer look at my Halloween costume. ...MUCH closer.
Notte: Wait, are we still riddling here? I am VERY confused.
Notte: So, wait. You came over here to show Heinwald your Halloween costume?
Halloween Akasha: My, my! Notte's guessed the answer! Here, you may have this treat as a prize.
Notte: Dude, it's a bat-shaped cookie! I'm totally horfin' this sucker down.
Cleo: Bat cookies to match your vampire costume, is it? How delightful.
Euden: They both suit you splendidly, Akasha.
Halloween Akasha: You are far too kind, and I am touched. Dear Heinwald, I fear, has been a touch more stingy with his praise.
Heinwald: Have I? I think it suits you well. You've captured a certain...ambiance.
Heinwald: An ambiance of something inhuman, but ambiance nevertheless.
Halloween Akasha: That's quite the wicked little compliment.
Heinwald: It is not my intention to be clever. I'm simply giving my honest response.
Halloween Akasha: Mmm, I see. Then I shall take it as a Heinwaldian compliment, sincerely given.
Heinwald: If that is what you wish to think, I'll not stop you.
Heinwald: Now then, Euden. I assume you needed something?
Euden: Yes, actually. I need your help with a certain matter. You see...
Heinwald: ...Serial livestock exsanguination, is it? How very fascinating.
Cleo: The first incident happened right around the start of Halloween.
Cleo: A handful of local farmers complained their goats and cattle were being drained of blood in the night.
Euden: Human footprints were found at the scene, so it appears to be a person doing it, but we don't have a clue who it might be.
Cleo: Then, a few days ago, a human was attacked in the same manner, making the situation increasingly more dire.
Halloween Akasha: How terrible. I hope the victim is all right?
Euden: They'll live—but so long as the perpetrator is at large, other people and livestock are going to be at risk.
Halloween Akasha: That sounds quite dangerous, especially considering all the seasonal festivities.
Cleo: Precisely. The locals here dress up in costumes to celebrate, which makes the region a destination for tourists.
Cleo: All the new people has made it nearly impossible to track down a suspect—not to mention increasing the possible pool of victims.
Euden: Will you help us, Heinwald? I want to nip this in the bud as fast as possible.
Heinwald: A case of Halloween bloodsucking, eh...?
Halloween Akasha: Why not offer your expertise? It does seem to be a case teeming with the sort of luscious mysteries you so enjoy.
Heinwald: Regretfully, I must decline on the grounds that your particular case does not interest me in the slightest.
Notte: So you're fine with people getting turned into flesh raisins?!
Heinwald: Worry not. This isn't the sort of case that comes with a body count.
Halloween Akasha: You speak as though you've already solved it. ...Have you?
Heinwald: It's a meager specimen, as mysteries go— to the point that I'd tell you it's safe to simply ignore it entirely.
Cleo: How can you say that when people have already suffered real harm?
Heinwald: I see no issue. Once Halloween is over, the matter will disappear on its own.
Heinwald: Now, why don't you all get dressed up and enjoy the festivities?
Halloween Akasha: *sigh* You really are quite cold at times. These people are asking for your help.
Halloween Akasha: Well then, if Heinwald is unwilling to lend himself to the matter, perhaps I might help you in his stead.
Euden: You?
Halloween Akasha: Indeed. Mysteries are within my bailiwick as well, so I may be of at least some use.
Cleo: I, for one, would welcome your advice.
Euden: We'll take all the help we can get if you're willing to lend it.
Halloween Akasha: But of course. Allow me to join you in Heinwald's place as we suss out the truth.
Heinwald: To listen to someone more uncanny than a vampire talk of rooting out the truth... Hah! Thank goodness THAT particular storm finally blew itself out of here.
Heinwald: I can only imagine what is to follow. At the very least, it should make for an entertaining show...
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