FIRST INVESTIGATION

[bathymetric]

To say this week has been intense is, generally, an understatement. Friday dawns like any other day. Some of you may have guessed that something like this would happen. It's not a difficult assumption to make, considering what's at stake. Mayor Fontaine has come forward with clear intent, and maybe expecting twenty-five people to stay strong against it is too much. Or maybe not! You never know!

...For those of you not entirely convinced, however, those visible traces of blood in the elevator might speak differently.

Comments

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy doesn't say much, but he does run to Jonathan's aide and attempts to catch him.]

Hey!

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan vaguely feels someone grabbing onto him, but he barely acknowledges Dandy or even seems to recognize that it's him. His eyes are still firmly locked on the body.]

Why... why must this monster torment us like this...

[Despite everything, he can't blame the murderer, whoever it is. This is no one's fault but Fontaine.

And yet, he knew that they'll be forced to pretend he isn't at fault.]

[bootyhunter]

[It's true.

Dandy, if he could read minds, would find himself in vigorous agreement with Jonathan. None of this violence is necessary, and no matter how badly the Mayor wishes for everyone to turn on each other, he is ultimately to blame.

Dandy allows the younger man a few seconds to speak, simply providing Dracula's former prisoner with physical support for the time being.]

Don't look.

[A beat of silence passes between them.]

He's not in there anymore.

[hotpaprika]

I know... I know he's gone.

[He's shaking, trying so hard to hold back tears. Why can't he look away from the body?]

I don't want to play his game...

[bootyhunter]

And you think I do?

[oh yeah, real scary, especially when ur holding him like a Big Gay anyways]

If we wanna stop this Mayor scumbag, we've gotta be here to do it! Take your time bein' bummed or whatever, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna letcha full-on bail this far in!

[At this point, Dandy shakes Jonathan like a ragdoll.]

You hear?

[hotpaprika]

How?!

[Jonathan cries out in despair. He doesn't care if anyone else hears him, he's too upset to care.]

How on Earth are we supposed to stop him?! This man locked me up for half a day because I slept in the wrong place! How are we supposed to do anything against this monster when we are trapped at the bottom of the ocean with no hope of rescue! The only way out is for one of us to murder everyone else!

[Tears stream down his face as he yells.]

[bootyhunter]

I don't know.

[He doesn't let go of Jonathan. His hold, however, does ease up a bit.]

But we can't just give up.

If we do, we're toast for sure.

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan is quiet for a moment, tears still falling.

Before he suddenly pulls Dandy into a tight embrace and sobs.]

I'm not strong enough... I can't even save myself...!

1/2

[bootyhunter]

[bootyhunter]

I don't think any of us can!

[Oh! He is quelling that weird upticky blip that just blooped in his stomach and scowling something ferocious! Very tsunly, so anyone watching can see... That he is Angry, supposedly-]

Eleanor said the Mayor's been pulling these stunts for years.

[And brainwashing people, apparently.

But that's more of a theory.]

Ugh... Are you gonna barf? Ya big baby...

You can cry on my shoulder if you wanna! But start pukin' and I'm shovin' ya right off. You got that?

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan attempts calming down his crying enough to speak, it only half works.]

I won't, I promise I won't I...

[He gives a shuddery inhale.]

What makes us so different, if he has done this before?

[bootyhunter]

[He can feel it, the pull of all the others. A phantom tug from a giant, invisible hand, grabs at the tippy-top of Dandy's scalp, but stops just halfway.

They aren't here.

For once, it's just him- This Dandy. Alone.]

Well, it all depends on how you look at it.

Some might say nothin' at all.

That we're freaks for pushin' our luck! Why even bother? But, see... Those dorkos don't get the mathy-schmathy stuff- Even if you repeat an experiment a thousand times, the thousandth result just might surprise ya.

On the other hand, they've never had a you in here, right?

[This version of you. This particular Jonathan.

But the poor, decidedly un-galaxy-brained litigator doesn't need to know that.]

Or a stubborn jerk like me.

[hotpaprika]

[His sobbing quiets, exhausted from the crying.]

I'm afraid I wasn't quite useful the last time I was held captive, but... I am not alone now. It's a tragedy you're stuck here with, but I am thankful I have you by my side this time around.

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy will finally return Jonathan's embrace, following it up with a gentle pat to those weepy shoulders.]

If you ever run outta things to do, [why does this sound like the start of one of dandy's many pick-up lines] maybe you could settle for bein' our mascot! Put that pretty face to work- After you chop of that depression beard and flush all the stubbly little nubbly hairs down the can!

Yeah.

That's a great idea!

[What is that disgusting, pompous-ass chuckle afterwords... Someone just died, Dandy.]

I love me.