The Alien Wars 6: Fumoffu

Cosplayer Panic! Round 2

Session Start: Sun Oct 13 00:00:00 2024
Session Ident: #fumoffu
<DeathStar> 5
<DeathStar> 3
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-762.1.27
<DeathStar> Location: Risokyo - Secondary Fumoffu Club
<DeathStar> *Taiga and Ren are tangled up in the room in their fox form, the two rolling around*
<DeathStar> *one white fox, one dark wolfish fox*
<DeathStar> *Adeline sits on the couch, watching the two*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *steps into the new club room* "Mmmmm...."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Hello, Noire
<Seraphna> **Si cheers both on as wife and momma**
<Seraphna> Jaime> This is nearly as entertaining as watching Saga and Thena tumble.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "..mmmm? And what is all this, then?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Ren ate Taiga's last snack while she was asleep
<DeathStar> *eventually, Ren seems to come out on top*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Jaime dear
<Seraphna> Si> The ancient rite is complete, here is your bonus snack. **she tosses Ren a box of pocky**
<Seraphna> Jaime> Yes my darling?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...then buy more snacks." *spoken flatly*
<DeathStar> *Ren grabs it and chews on it; Taiga looks even more heart broken*
<Seraphna> **Si picks her up and gives Taiga kisses... and sneaks her a snack**
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I'd like something to drink~
<DeathStar> *Taiga eats it huffily, then poofs back to normal, as does Ren, stretching*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves to sit on the couch*
<DeathStar> *as Noire sits down, there's a knock at the door; Taiga turning her head to see "Erevis" standing there, holding something in her hand*
<DeathStar> *Ren jerks and tries to act casual on the floor*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Can we help you? <"Erevis"> Is this not the place where you deal with strange occurances?
<Seraphna> **Jaime produces a bottle of wine and pours her a glass**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Ren, go take down her information."
<DeathStar> *Ren steps over, and Erevis hands what looks to be sheet of paper* <Ren> A massive Cosplayer event? <Erevis> Yes. There has been a strange murder there that the local police are a little confused on due to the nature of it, but it appears the people running the event are not willing to shut it down either. If it is not your type of case, I can look into it for you
<DeathStar> *Adeline sips her drink* Interesting. *she notes on multiple levels*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm? Cosplay?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> It looks like it's some major event with money on the line
<DeathStar> <Ren> A competition with cosplayers needing to bring various outfits to match themes. <Taiga> I can take a look I guess
<Seraphna> Jaime> I suggest we bring in an expert consultant on this.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Well since it looks like this is already underway it's not like we have a bunch of outfits
<Seraphna> Jaime> We do.
<Jackieness> <Noire> *stands and smooths out her skirt* "...what are the themes?"
<Seraphna> **Jaime sighs** "Thena, Thena, Thena."
<Seraphna> **Thena poofs in** Someone invoked my name!
<DeathStar> <Ren> We'll need to talk to the organizers and sign up if they're still allowing it and get the themes there.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm....very well. Let us go."
<Seraphna> Thena> Oh the Cosplay show?? Sure!
<DeathStar> *Taiga raises an eyebrow* Thena being involved makes me scared
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...I could have handled the cosplay event."
<DeathStar> *Adeline finishes her wine and then stands up, clapping her hands together* Lets do it
<DeathStar> *she marches right past "Erevis"*
<DeathStar> <"Erevis"> You do not mind if I join you, do you?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm? You? Is a cosplay event not your sort of soiree?"
<Seraphna> Jaime> Mmm, I just realized I have every costume needed myself too.
<Seraphna> **Jaime follows her wife, changing her gown into a PAX uniform with a short skirt for emphasis**
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> Let us just say I am curious
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Mega City
<DeathStar> *the group arrives at the location and indeed the event is massive, with lots of cosplayers about, even those not competing.*
<DeathStar> *there's idols playing music for the place, like Athena who is singing and dancing in what appears to be a popular game character decades ago*
<Seraphna> **Thena looks innocent while another Thena is up there singing with Athena**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...how were we not aware of this until now?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> A lot has been going on
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "It is a mystery."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl clears her throat behind them* You all here to have fun or investigate the murder?
<Seraphna> Thena> You should be reading my emails, Noire.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Both.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Huh. Well, if you're investigators, I can help you cut some red tape at least.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Follow me
<Alicia> * Astra is here, in almost the easiest cosplay ever. A pink track jacket, grey pleated skirt, black socks and brown loafers. Yeah, it's just Bocchi.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..." *moves after Cheryl*
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> *looks at Astra* Who are you?
<DeathStar> *as they walk past, they run into what looks to be a cosplay of Zero - the idol*
<Alicia> <Astra> "Ahh... this character is... Gotoh Hitori."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Oh, nice."
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> Nice to meet you, Hitori
<DeathStar> *she follows the others toward the employee area* <Cheryl> So, let me bring you up to speed
<Alicia> <Astra> "I don't know how much I can help, but I'll do my best."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> One of the contestants that made it to round 2, about 20 of them after the initial wave was cut, was found dead in one of the rooms provided dead; her insides were completely burned out as if someone used high amounts of energy to melt them
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> After the death the number dropped to 14
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...show us the room where she was found."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl shows her ID badge and waves at the others; each of them getting badges to allow them to move freely now*
<Alicia> <Astra> "Maybe I shouldn't have bothered with the cosplay..."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "If we need to blend in, then at least you are ready."
<DeathStar> *then takes them to the room. It is an overly cute room, bed, dressers, a bell to call an assistant to help with the cosplay* <Cheryl> Well I been talking with it and if the killer is after the cosplayers, we might have to fill in the vacant 6
<DeathStar> *Cheryl points at the spot in front of the mirror*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves over to exmaine the spot at the mirror*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> It looks like they were doing makeup. *points at the door* It was lockpicked we think and the killer snuck in behind her and did it
<DeathStar> *the seat can be seen slightly charred*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Presumably no one say anything."
<Alicia> * Charlotte checks the angle of the charring
<Jackieness> saw
<DeathStar> *it appears the victim was sitting facing, likely jerked forward as something was applied to her back from behind and begin to twitch, then slammed against her dresser*
<DeathStar> *judging by the damage to it and the charring*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl holds out the rounds*
<DeathStar> *handing it over*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *steps back and examines the door*
<DeathStar> *Ren reads it over, sniffing the air* I'm not getting much of a scent. Whoever was in here either masked or didn't have one
<DeathStar> *the door doesn't show any signs of forced entry, so either they're really good at lock picking or had the key*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I'm not even sure what they did."
<DeathStar> *Erevis? turns to Jaime* Is this what your little club does every day? *turns to Charlotte* I can hazard a guess
<Seraphna> Jaime> Often, though we spend much downtime simply relaxing.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "What do you think it was?"
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> If they have melted insides with signs of high energy, either a high energy weapon was applied to their back. Or, the person was the weapon.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "No sign of forced entry. No scratch marks, so f it was a lockpicking job, it was a pro... which is unlikely. I'd say someone got a hold of the key."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Hmm... I guess it might not have been point blank, most energy weapons would apply force..."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We'll have to pull in censors if someone tries to use anything like energy weapons to ... *she glances at Erevis, not saying hyperspce*
<DeathStar> *sensors
<Seraphna> Jaime> You can say it, it is but one of many energy types.
<DeathStar> <Ren> Well, if you all plan to play the cosplayer game
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Right... it might be the case that it's a natural ability... that or a pro smuggler."
<Seraphna> Jaime> However, hyperspace does tend to leave a signature.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "A professional thief would not being doing hits on cosplayer... a professional assassin, perhaps... tell us more about the victim."
<DeathStar> <Ren> Seems to be make a cosplay that brings your best innocent side/good girl out. <Ren> Round 3 will be your best goth/dark cosplayer. Bad girl accepted. And Round 4 is a free for all. You can make whatever you want for the last found
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> That's just it. Ordinary down the road. Parents - not that wealthy, doesn't stand out.
<DeathStar> *she gives the patient's info*
<Alicia> <Astra> "Oh... do I need to change my cosplay?"
<DeathStar> *Ren studies it* You can keep it for the final round I think
<Jackieness> <Noire> *looks at the victim's info*
<DeathStar> <Ren> If you plan to be part of the competition
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...of the original contestants, who remains?"
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> 14 still remain. I been slowly going through their background. I can assure you none of them are jumping out as killers though
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Cross reference them with the victim, if you have not done so already."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I--- *she turns when a reploid from Repliforce enters* What are you doing in a crime scene. Please leave.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Cheryl...is there something you are not tellign us?"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "We were investigating... I'm sorry if we're getting in the way of your own."
<Alicia> * Astra bows apologetically, perhaps overly so, backing out of the room
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Just annoyed. Technically, our reploid friend here is right - this is technically Repliforce jurisdiction. *the reploid eyeing them all suspiciously as Cheryl leads them out of the room*
<DeathStar> *Adeline, Ren, and Erevis? follow, with Taiga hmmming, then spins out*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...how annoying. We had not finished with the crime scene yet." *shakes her ehad* "...what cosplays did the victim do or have planned?"
<Seraphna> **Jaime gives the Reploid a curteous nod and follows, Thena hands him a treat and follows**
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> That I can't tell you. Her assistant said she had something she felt was going to win the competiton. *as she says that, a speaker goes through the building, alerting everyone that Round 2 will begin shortly*
<DeathStar> *The Reploid shuts the door and locks it after they're gone, with him inside*
<Alicia> <Astra> "...think I could handle Round 2?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> You think you can get an outfit ready that belays something innocent/cute/pure real fast?
<Seraphna> **Thena holds up a round 2 costume** You can try!
<Seraphna> Thena> Thena has all the cotumes. Specially made by dark vixens and idol scientists!
<Alicia> * Astra is already cosplaying Bocchi/Hitori Gotoh from Bocchi the Rock
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...I'll go." *grabs the hem of her skirt and then pulls, poffing into her miko outfit* "...and what is more pure than a shrine maiden?"
<Seraphna> **Thena gasps** Noire has a sacred power.
<Seraphna> Jaime> I can do that. **changes her outfit**
<Seraphna> Thena> We knew that already.
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I feel like some of us are at a disadvantage
<DeathStar> *Cheryl leads them to the desk* Come on, lets register your names and then what you're cosplaying as for this round
<Seraphna> Jaime> You look sexy in anything dear.
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Alright, I'll go nude
<Alicia> * Charlotte decides to cosplay Zero. "What's more pure than an idol?"
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Then continue the investigation if you cnanot get a costume in time. There are alot of people to watch."
<Seraphna> Jaime> I'd have to disintegrate the audience.
<Alicia> <Astra> "...please don't."
<DeathStar> *Taiga and Ren, shake their heads, not bothering to try*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Taiga, Ren... do dissuade Adeline. The rest of us, come on. LEt's join the competition."
<DeathStar> *The event organizer looks over their sheets* Cutting it close, ladies. Okay, head this way. *he points at a door to lead back stage*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I see I need to work on my humor
<DeathStar> *Adeline shrugs*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *heads to backstage*
<DeathStar> *in the back, they find the others, pacing around, checking themselves out in mirrors*
<DeathStar> *they seem to range from angel cosplays, to cute loli like characters, and so on*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..." *looks over the other contestants*
<DeathStar> *one is a gitari cosplayer of a rabbit character*
<DeathStar> *the manager type steps out* Alright, we're sending you out one at a time to see who the audience favors the most. Try to convey that aura of good girl purity or what not and the louder the audience, the better
<DeathStar> *they start to send in the original competiton, leaving the team behind for now*
<Seraphna> **Thena offers Adeline a costume**
<DeathStar> <Adeline> ...*eyes it* I think it's too late
<DeathStar> <Adeline> But thanks
<Seraphna> ((Thena> My player’s PC crashed.))
<DeathStar> *the man returns*
<DeathStar> <Man> Who wants to go first?
<Seraphna> **Jaime has shifted into a cute cosplay of an anime she saw once, perfectly accurate since her mud can take on whatever she wants**
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I'll lead!"
<DeathStar> *he takes Charlotte out onto the stage*
<DeathStar> *where both men and women are staring at her*
<Alicia> * Charlotte waves to the crowd, doing a perfect impersonation of Zero's usual entrance and greeting. Obviously a fan.
<DeathStar> *the crowd chants sing*
<Alicia> * Charlotte starts singing, less perfectly, but still very well
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...I do realize that I am going out at a disadvtantacge for this one as 'kawaii' will likely win." *clenches ehr fist* "...atill, I shall win some converts with my culturally authentic cosplay!"
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Better be glad the foxes didn't go out then. Foxes are naturally cute
<DeathStar> *referring to Taiga and Ren*
<Alicia> <Astra> "You'll do great."
<DeathStar> *she seems to be back there, but not in a cosplay outfit, just wearing her cowboy hat and normal outfit*
<DeathStar> *Adeline, Taiga, and Ren meanwhile have gone MIA, moving to do something, with Erevis? joining*
<DeathStar> *Charlotte gets a decent amount of applause*
<DeathStar> *her arrow rising up*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Charlotte has some fans."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> If she blew a kiss and acted shy, I bet she would have blew the house
<DeathStar> *the man goes to escort Charlotte while the next one opens the door to see who wants to go out next*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...quite so."
<Jackieness> <Noire> *glances at Jaime* "...do you wish to go next?"
<DeathStar> *the man taps watch*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I shall go next then." *steps forward*
<Seraphna> Jaime> I will go after you.
<DeathStar> *the man escorts Noire onto the stage and leaves*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *waves then holds up the traditional prayer wand and begins performing an accurate miko dance as her performance*
<DeathStar> *the crowd is quieter than with Charlotte, watching in awe*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *completes the dance, hold the rod over the audience dramatically*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl stands with Charlotte when she rejoins the group*
<Seraphna> **Jaime nods** Very graceful. I think they were only quieter due to captivation.
<DeathStar> *the crowd cheers and whistles, louder than Charlotte and the man retrieves her, drumming her up for everyone*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Oh, absolutely."
<DeathStar> *the man gets Jaime and goes to lead her out once the crowd calms for Noire, who is brought back stage*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Not bad
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...thank you."
<Seraphna> Jaime> **Summons her sword, beginning to do an elegant sword dance and display, which goes with her cute outfit of a Magic Knight**
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> .. Interesting
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> A sword dance along with a cute girl theme
<Seraphna> **She finishes it with a flourish and a special effect of flowers blooming along the costume and falling in petal, then bows to the audeince**
<DeathStar> *the crowd claps for her, but it seems to be around or a little lower than Charlotte's, with some whispering amongst themselves, pointing at Jaime as she is led to the back*
<DeathStar> *The man peers out* Anyone else left?
<Seraphna> *Thena nods and pops herself out to the stage**
<Seraphna> **Thena twirls and ends up in a cute idol angel costume and begins to do a singing number on one of her hits, initiating a surprise concert**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...Jaime, you were recognized, I think."
<Seraphna> Jaime> Potentially.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> ... Hmph. *looks annoyed for some reason*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "...I think Thena's going to be recognised too."
<Seraphna> Jaime> Cheryl?
<DeathStar> *it seems Thena is indeed recognize; people are taking pictures*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I just am feeling annoyed. I am just now picturing Thena going to take #1 now
<Seraphna> **Thena smiles and waves, though she seems less interested in winning as she does at getting the attention and cheering people**
<Seraphna> Jaime> She is a professional idol.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...even though she's a celebrity who is suppoed to be performing on the official stage?"
<DeathStar> *Thena seems to the back and seems to have scored #1 with the applause*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Well. She probably won round 2. We'll see how this plays out
<Seraphna> Thena> I will of course hand whoever gets #2 my place.
<Seraphna> Thena> But now whoever did this might have their attention on me, and most of my bodies I can live losing.
<DeathStar> *The managers move over to give the girls rooms to rest in before round 3 and to give them personal space to work on their outfits*
<DeathStar> *the other contestants walk out, eyeing Thena*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Uou do realize that someone is likely going to cry foul for having a professional idol crash the contest, right?"
<Seraphna> **Thena offers them autographs and selfies, and of course, social media posts to boost them**
<DeathStar> *though one stops and congrats her* Hi!! I'm a huge fan. You all were amazing
<Seraphna> Thena> Thank you! You were too!
<Alicia> * Astra goes out before the end of round 2, toughing out the stage fright... as is IC, and playing her guitar. She's been practising for this, specifically.
<DeathStar> *The audiance listens to the guitar song, perhapd judging it against Thena*
<Alicia> * Astra isn't going to beat an idol, but she doesn't mind
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Hm. Despite the strange fright, I think it might work in her advantage.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Playing into the theme of the cute/pure girl
<Seraphna> **Thena nods** She has moe innocence!
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I think that was the reason for choosing this character."
<DeathStar> *The audience indeed seems receptive and claps for Astra*
<Alicia> * Astra beams, thanking everyone profusely, then runs back
<DeathStar> *The girl that would approach them after the others huffiness, gives her name after Astra returns and the others just leave without comment* I'm Gina. I hope we all keep reaching the other rounds together. *she beams at them and nods to Astra, before going to get her outfits ready*
<DeathStar> *Adeline, Taiga, and Ren join them, even Erevis?. Each of them are wearing cosplay outfits now. Adeline in a white lacey outfit that looks like a Maka outfit, tiny angel wings on the back; Taiga and Ren are wearing gothic lolita outfita - Taiga black and Ren white. And Erevis? seems to be wearing... what appears to be a spooky cloak that covers her face*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> ... the hell?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...what?"
<Seraphna> **Jaime is taking pictures of Adeline**
<Seraphna> Jaime> I love it.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Are we in round 3 already?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> You got some time to rest, but yeah. It's round 3.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Lets put Thena in her room and see what happens
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> The rest of you should also take the moment to figure out what you want to wear
<Seraphna> **Thena nods** This one is a clone so even if they get me I'll be able to live and witness.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Round three seems to be a lot of things.
<DeathStar> *Adeline sits on a bench, going through all the contestants since she is not part of the game*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...I already have my costume in mind. So I'll go and perform the motions of getting ready." *goes to a changing room*
<Alicia> <Astra> "A goth... and cosplay is supposed to be of someone you can relate to..."
<Alicia> * Astra pulls out a datapad and starts looking through options
<DeathStar> *As Noire heads for it, she sees a man wearing a hockey mask and purple workout fit approaching, also holding a knife*
<DeathStar> *but is it real?*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...mmm?"
<DeathStar> *The man gets closer, lifting the hand with the knife, then pauses and feels around in his clothes and hands --- a note pad* Autograph?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm....I've never been asked for an autograph before." *pushes up her glasses* "..I'm flattered."
<DeathStar> *Taiga looks at the datapad options Astra is going through*
<DeathStar> <Man> You were really good. *nod*
<Alicia> * She's trying for someone who is (mostly) normal, relatable to her and goth or dark... which limits her options dramatically.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Just wait for my next one." *takes the notepad and signs her name 'Noire' in basic and 'Arakawa' in kanji*
<Seraphna> **Jaime alters her clothing to go for a dark sorceress this time, pulling Kaelan from a shadow to seek a certain spirit's help for flair**
<DeathStar> *The man nods, promising to be there, then continues along*
<Seraphna> **Thena concocts a brilliant cosplay for her next performance**
<DeathStar> <Ren> You could create something new, but use something to inspire it. <Taiga> Or base it on someting from long ago
<Jackieness> <Noire> 8slips into a dressing room and closes a door* "Right." *yank at the hem of her miko outfit, going full Bayonetta for the next round*
<DeathStar> *Adeline studies something intently as Thena's assistant goes into her room to help her if she needs cosplay materials; Noire's knocks on the door to as if she needs materials*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...no, thank you. I have my costume covered. Just getting into character."
<Seraphna> **Thena demands black! All the black! And some hot pink for some reason**
<DeathStar> *as the assistant is helping Thena - we cut back to the team when they hear a discharge in her room*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl stands up and Taiga and Ren stand up. Adeline drops her datapad that she was intently staring at*
<Seraphna> **Jaime frowns** Love?
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> ....the killer has struck again
<Seraphna> **Kaelan pops over there to the door**
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I was was focused on one of the girls. We'll ... get back to it
<DeathStar> *Taiga and Ren head over to the door and try it. It seems to be locked*
<Seraphna> **Jaime nods and warps them to the scene**
<Seraphna> **Kaelan muses, then kicks the door open**
<DeathStar> *it splinters open. Since Thenas vanish easily after being hit or flicked too hard, all there is is the seat being charred slightly*
<DeathStar> *Thena's stuff scattered about*
<Alicia> * Charlotte hurries over, in a military uniform from... some era.
<DeathStar> <Ren> ... I suppose we should .. say some last words
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Huh... so how to we get the her that remembers what happened?
<Seraphna> Jaime> Thena, Thena, Thena.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> You know, each time one of these dies, I wonder if it doesn't cause the prime one to become more unstable
<Seraphna> **A Thena poofs in** I have been summoned!
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "How would you tell?"
<DeathStar> <Taiga> It just goes to show, then, how many have been slaughtered
<Seraphna> Thena> Aww, my stuff is everywhere!
<DeathStar> *Erevis? hmms at witnessing all this*
<Seraphna> **Thena goes to helping Thena put the costume together again**
<Jackieness> <Noire> *joins them, wearing a robe over her costume as not to spoil it* "Mmmmm...I suppose if someone had to make themselves the target, it was best that it was Thena*
<Jackieness> ."
<Alicia> * Astra arrives shortly after, having changed her clothes, but nothing else at this point.
<DeathStar> *information comes over the speaker about Round 3 soon*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...it might be suspicious if Thena shows up at the contets alive and well though... we do not want to tip off the killer that their atatck was a set up."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Of course the staff will wonder where Thena is at
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I guess... I'll have to play Thena!
<Seraphna> Thena> I'm right here dork.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I'm obviously going to play you in a way that lets the killer know they killed you
<Seraphna> Thena> Anyway, the killer came in after my assistant left and used something like a blaster hand.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> A ... blaster hand?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...the point is, Thena, you cnanot be seen in public until the killer has been caught."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "No wonder Repliforce wants this kept quiet..."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> And the public will get antsy if we don't show "you"
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Catch 22
<Seraphna> Thena> Well I couldn't see it, but it definitely felt like one against my back. I guess Taiga could play me.
<Seraphna> Thena> But before that... *hands Taiga a long, long NDA to sign**
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I mean, Thena isn't the first contestant to 'drop out'."
<DeathStar> *Taiga eyes all this* .....
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I'm suddenly willing to go with the drop out story
<Seraphna> Thena> Oh, the person that did it was pretty large in the mirror and they wore a helmet!
<Seraphna> Thena> Now now, just sign there, there and initial there.
<Seraphna> **Thena guides her to signinig it**
<DeathStar> <Taiga> H-Hey!
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Adeline, read Thena's memory and then scan the seccurity system for any footage of someone matching what Thena saw."
<DeathStar> *Adeline grabs Thena and begins to try to read it* This is like trying to read Dias' memory, only this is more like unicorns and rainbows
<Seraphna> Thena> Just don't go into the cave.
<Alicia> <Astra> "...do you need any help?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> From what I'm seeing, there is a high possibiliy the kille might be a reploid but it's not clear enough
<Jackieness> <Noire> "We work with what we have, Adeline... and you have both psi powers and technical skill for hacking the system."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> But if that is a case how was there no burnt mark on the back on itself
<Seraphna> Thena> Also side effects include craving cotton candy and wanting to buy my merch.
<DeathStar> *she motions at Astra to try if she wants*
<Alicia> * Astra pauses a moment, to ask if it's okay to look before proceeding.
<DeathStar> *Astra brings forth indeed a reploid helmet and their body type, looming behind Thena as they jam against her back with the buster cannon. Most of the body is covered up behind behind, but part of their face can be made out*
<Alicia> * Astra tries to focus on that, but can't really draw out memories that Thena doesn't have
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...this explains RepliForce chasing us out earlier if its a rogue reploid."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Lets keep this quiet, at the very least."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I'll see if I can do a match on the face
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Using Repliforce's files
<DeathStar> <Ren> By the way, round 3 has begun
<DeathStar> <Ren> You all should hurry over
<Alicia> <Astra> "Eep. Be right back...there..."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl and Taiga lead them over to where the managers are pacing*
<Alicia> * Astra runs off to finish her cosplay
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Let's go." *heads back to her changing room to deposit the robe*
<DeathStar> *Gina meets them* <Gina> There you all are. *She studies Taiga* You're not Lady Thena
<Alicia> * Astra races over after everyone else arrives, having had to head back to finish up
<Jackieness> <Noire> *then strides into the waiting room backstage in a full Bayonetta ensemble*
<DeathStar> *Gina looks a little confused, most of the other contestants having already gone ahead*
<DeathStar> <Gina> Is everything okay?
<Alicia> <Astra> "Sorry I'm late! It took longer than expected!"
<DeathStar> *Cheryl glances at the others, then shrugs, leaning on the wall as soon it's just the team; Gina looks dubious, turning to Astra* Hello. Lets do well... today...
<DeathStar> *Gina goes out and does her performance, scoring rather well. Which leaves the group now as the managers come in*
<Alicia> * Astra takes deep breaths, reassuring herself. "It's okay if you act a little weird here..."
<DeathStar> *Taiga meanwhile is busy trying to get into the Thena mindset when they ask who wants to go first* I have to act a lot weird
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I will take center stage!"
<DeathStar> *Ren cheers Charlotte on*
<DeathStar> *as she is led out*
<DeathStar> *by now the contestants have been cut down to around 10*
<Alicia> * Charlotte does dramatic but kinda goofy gestures as she introduces herself. "I am the Demon Archer, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Fate Grand Order's Nobunaga-chan! Umu."
<DeathStar> *Ren blinks
<DeathStar> *The crowd seems amused and laughs*
<Alicia> * Charlotte continues to play to the crowd with goofy but prideful antics.
<DeathStar> *it seems Charlotte surprisingly scores quite well*
<DeathStar> *the man switches her off stage*
<DeathStar> <Man> Next?
<Seraphna> **Jaime nods and moves out**
<DeathStar> *the crowd takes pictures of the Empress Cosplayer*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> *once inside* "I'd say The Empress wouldn't count as 'Dark', but I went as Nobu, so..."
<Seraphna> **Jaime, now looking just enough not like herself that it could easily be someone who just looks a lot like her, does a dazzling display of shadow magic, reciting an evil spell of absolute gibberish but pulling a fox out of her conjoured shadow cauldron**
<Seraphna> Jaime> Behold, dark cuteness! **the fox, Kaelan, wiggles and gives cute eyes**
<DeathStar> *the crowd oooohs, wondering how the hell cosplayers are able to pull this off*
<DeathStar> *clapping ensues*
<Seraphna> **Jaime twirls and vanishes backstage in a puff of smoke**
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Something tells me you guys are going to win the final 5 slots
<DeathStar> *the men poke their heads out and Taiga practically runs onto stage and spins, throwing her cloak off*
<Alicia> <Astra> "I... don't have any cool things to show off for this one..."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Just get in character and act as your character would do."
<DeathStar> *she wears an outfit akin to Etna. usig her fox reality to hide her ears and make her tail to look like a devil tail and leans in, stomping the edge of the stage; worse of all, she looks like someone who looks like Thena but badly on purpose* Listen up~. Who wants to be my minions. *she coos out evilly. Proceeding to roleplay with the crowd about them being her little prinnies, while offering to stomp on them all they'd like. After she is done, she prances off*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I guess you could go psycho like my daughter
<DeathStar> *Taiga poofs back to normal
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Go on then, Astra. Give it a go."
<Alicia> * Astra heads out, taking deep breaths, before greeting the crowd with a "Shiori~n!" and then weird but entertaining chat.
<DeathStar> *Taiga poofs back to fox form and listens*
<Alicia> * It's definitely entertaining, but... alright, it doesn't seem that strange after Charlotte-Nobu and Not-Thena
<DeathStar> *The crowd gives in their votes and the managers applaud her alng with the crowd, which leaves Jaime last I believe*
<Alicia> * Noire, surely?
<DeathStar> *Noire yes
<Jackieness> <Noire> "LEt's dance." *strides out on to the stage* "Don't mess with a witch, darlings." *affects a Brtish accent as she pushes ehr glasses up with the end of one of her prop guns*
<DeathStar> *It seems Noire immediately grabs the crowd's attention*
<DeathStar> *and clapping and hoots can be heard*
<DeathStar> <Ren> That's Noire for you. *she peeks into the back* Adeline might have something - after you're done here come see her
<Jackieness> <Noire> *then starts into a dance performance, imitating Bayonetta's stripperific, poledance moveset while chanting in the Enochian pseudo-language*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> She is really good at those pole dances
<Seraphna> Jaime> Where did the pole come from though?
<DeathStar> *by now it looks like Noie is #1*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Where did your crockpot fox come from?
<Jackieness> <Noire> *then ends the performance by sliding to the edhe of the stage om her knees as her hair streams back; she then stands and waves as she exits the stage*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I was in her robes.
<DeathStar> *the managers applaud, and then bring all 10 contestants out on stage. Gina can be seen praying*
<DeathStar> <Manager> It has been a long fought battle. But tonight, we will announce the results. Round 3's top winner is.... *they have Noire step up*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *steps forward and gives a bow with a flourish*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> *looks at her position on the results board* "It can't be helped."
<DeathStar> <Manager> Our next winnter for this round. *Charlotte*
<DeathStar> *The light then hits Jaime*
<DeathStar> *for fourth it hits Gina, who steps up and looks relieved - and Astra takes the last spot to go into the final round*
<Alicia> * Astra looks overjoyed at even making fifth
<DeathStar> *the crowd cheers them all as the managers walk over* This round you go cosplay and do whatever you think will work. Go prepare
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Oh well. I guess my Prinny stuff didn't work.
<DeathStar> *she eyes being sixth*
<DeathStar> *Gina hurries off to prepare as the group finds Adeline waiting on a bench* Congratulations, love
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...first...did the victim win the first round?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> They did
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Also, I think I may know who the killer is
<DeathStar> <Adeline> This is just a theory
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm....given I'm likely the next target, do proceed with the telling."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> We know we're dealing with a reploid - which means scanning for them mentally isn't going to work. So I contacted Blue at the Repliforce HQ and asked if they wouldn't mind letting us join in the investigation. She said she had no problem and gave me the information on her --- female operative. *she shows the datapad with the operative's number* I tried calling it and it keeps giving me an unable to reach signal
<Seraphna> **Jaime kisses her cheek**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Do you have a dossier on this operative, at least?"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "A name, at least?"
<DeathStar> *Adeline sends it over*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *looks at it*
<DeathStar> *The female operative seems to be named Hawke; she has green hair and us on the short side. Her weapon looks to be an electric harpoon type weapon. Her speciality was investigation and protection*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "And have you seen any short greens around the convention center?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> A ton among the general cosplayer populace
<Jackieness> <Noire> "NAturally...ok...any whose minds you cna't read?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Blue did tell me that Hawke was looking possible stalker of one of the girls. I been looking into it and I have an idea who it might be, but again I can't say with definite proof
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Then do share."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Your fan girl, Gina, their parents work at Repliforce - essentially the departmants where Reploids work in civics areas.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> So Blue sent only the one girl operative. And we can't locate her.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Was she taken out?
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I'm leaning toward it being a high possibility
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "That's worrying."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...what about the reploid who chased us out of the first victim's changing room? Did blue mention them?"
<Alicia> * Astra runs over the face Thena saw and comparing it to the reploid they saw
<Alicia> *in her head
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Well, I've been running the partial face through the database in Thena's memory and I've been sketching his face. But no, Blue did not mention a second operaive
<Jackieness> <Noire> "That is most suspect then. LEt's go check on the original crime scene."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> You going to have time before round 4?
<DeathStar> *Adeline stands up and heads toward the room*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...fair point. Those not in the competition,do the legwork."
<DeathStar> *As Noire says that, an explosion occurs nearby in the rooms*
<Seraphna> Thena> Since Thena is out, Secret Agent Thena will assist.
<Seraphna> Thena> A clue!
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...and there it goes."
<DeathStar> *thankfully, most of the contestants are out of the game so it looks like Gina and the managers and a few others swarm toward it*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Come on, then. I don't tthink Round 3 is happenign any time soon." *moves along toward the blast site*
<DeathStar> *Taiga and Ren move from the original room toward the exlosion; there they find Noire's room has been exploded and it looks like her assistant tripped it*
<DeathStar> *The manager is mumbling about another one and moaning*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> A damn
<Jackieness> <Noire> *arrives on the scene* "...what? That was my changing room."
<DeathStar> <Ren> Looks like this was meant for you
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Obviously... though this was not the same MO as before. Further, they were rather sloppy."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I think they must have stepped it up. Did they realize Thena was not dead?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "... well, so much for catching them in the act..."
<DeathStar> <Manager> I'm sorry you 5. We'll have to cancel.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "It can't be helped, I guess."
<DeathStar> <Manager> We'll see about giving each of you something
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...then its time to investigate."
<DeathStar> *he moves off to contact the authorities about the death; Gina sighs sadly and goes to pack up*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Well, lets go to where it began
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I am still bothered though... if the intent was to help someone win, then they failed miserably."
<DeathStar> <Ren> I wonder if they didn't have faith in their ability
<DeathStar> <Ren> Rather shitty
<DeathStar> *Cheryl goes to unlock the door and opens it*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Then why go through all these motions at all?"
<DeathStar> *the entire room appears to be the same, but something feels different*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *looks around* "Mmmmmm? Do we have scans of the room as it was before we first arrived to compare with its present state?"
<Alicia> * Astra looks around
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Yeah, I did some preliminary stuff, but not a lot since our Repliforce "agent" removed us
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Work with what you do have."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl brings up the room; the scorched seat is there and the evidence at the mirror, flipping between the two there doesn't appear to be anything different outside a slight mark on one of the walls by the closet
<DeathStar> *the closet even appears to be jammed in the first picture and now it's slightly opened*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmmm?" *moves t the closet to take a closer look*
<DeathStar> *the mark appears to be reploid blood oil in the shape of a fingerprint*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Did he hurt himself? *She sniffs and recoils* Well I got a scent now
<Jackieness> <Noire> "We have a fingerprint."
<DeathStar> *Adeline moves to see who's it is*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Do reploids have particular scents?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I can't tell who's blood it is, but the print appears to be .... *she goes through the faces and it definitely comes up the reploid they met that day*
<DeathStar> *earlier
<Alicia> <Astra> "Isn't that...?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> It says he is named Thunderbolt - a reploid who helps with civic cases. And get this. He apparantly enjoys cosplaying.
<Jackieness> <Noire> *then checks the closet carefully, just in case there are other traps*
<DeathStar> *Ren opens the closest further and points at a dark spot* There's more reploid blood here.
<DeathStar> *Noire would see a huge pile of blood there*
<DeathStar> *soaked through the floor by now*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...there was a body stuffed in here."
<DeathStar> *Taiga taps her ear* We might have a problem
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'll see if I can't find out what happened to the body. *she begins to follow the scent* <Taiga> It seems the manager is putting out an alert - the prize money is gone.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I suspect Hawke was murdered." *glancss over* "...the prize money? Really? All this murder and they steal the prize money?!"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Not like they can win now."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> It could be that simple - steal it at the end. But there might be more.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Sounds like the Thug And Run... **she muses**
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I think we have to make our next move carefully or we might lose them
<Alicia> <Astra> "It makes sense, but it's... really disappointing..."
<Seraphna> Jaime> A scam in which someone is tricked into a distracting crime so someone else can steal something.
<DeathStar> <Adeline> We can try to block all the exits if we all believe it's just the mone
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Then we might have both a murderer and a thief to deal with."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "No, I don't think people would commit murder just to steal prize money."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> But if there is another element we should try to cut them off there too
<Jackieness> <Noire> "First, can Relpiforce track all of their agents?"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I think it's a last ditch attempt to salvage a plan that failed."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> You think the plan being to what?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Win the money."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> But only us girls were competing
<DeathStar> *Adeline works on seeing if blue can find where Hawke was lst; a moment later Adeline hands Noire her datapad showing dot that is not moving*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "There were five contestants."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "LEt's go to where the money was kept so Ren cna sniff them out."
<DeathStar> <Taig> I'll head to the exits
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Incase the killer is already heading straight there and we miss them
<DeathStar> *she eyes Erevis off to the side and takes her*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *looks at the dot on Adeline's pad* "...I'll go find Hawke, though I suspect I know what I will find." *heads after Hawke's dot*
<DeathStar> *Ren takes the team toward the management offices*
<DeathStar> *it looks to be well secured with cameras and a vault*
<DeathStar> *the manager is sitting there depressed*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Alright. Charlotte?
<DeathStar> <Ren> Can you look at the footage for this room. *she kneels and tries to get a scent*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "On it." *goes to do so*
<DeathStar> *it shows the repliforce - the faker - stepping in and using his ID to look at the money and then seems to stun them all with the power of the electic harpoon, before taking all the money and heading out, turning oddl not for the exit but toward the rooms*
<DeathStar> *Charlotte would see the option to turn the camera to the next area*
<Alicia> * Charlotte turns the camera
<DeathStar> *The reploid encounters Gina and seems to be showing the money and gesturing wildly; she seems to back off and looking afraid which he does not take well, and is gabbed and they both head into the convention proper*
<DeathStar> <Ren> I think I got something
<DeathStar> *she heads out*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *comm* "I found Hawke...or at least what is left of her. Her reploid weapon was torn out."
<DeathStar> <Adeline comm> That would explain the ability to burn a person out
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "...this is rough. What the hell is wrong with them?"
<DeathStar> <Taiga comm> The cosplayer floor is over crowded. I have seen a ton of cop cosplays
<DeathStar> <Taiga comm> And there are 3 exits
<Alicia> * Charlotte heads after Ren, explaining the situation on comms
<DeathStar> <Taiga comm> If he is dragging her along, then that might make it easier to spot
<DeathStar> *Ren and Charlotte step onto the floor and see all sorts of cosplayers*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *comm* "If they are dragging Gina along,find her, find the killer. Just be careful... if he can't escape, he may attempt to harm her."
<DeathStar> *Thenas, Athenas, Dark Ones, a Wind looks to be out there*
<DeathStar> *Wind? sips his drink*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *heads for the convention floor and then waves a hand, scattering small dark matter spheres into the air to let Noire probe the crowd*
<DeathStar> *Ren runs into a cop, who stops her and Charlotte* Hey, I arrest you two for being pretty
<DeathStar> *Noire would spot what looks to be a struggle as a reploid cop is dragging her toward Exit A. Taiga still being near exit B*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *comm* "Got something. Exit B."
<Jackieness> <Noire> *comm* "Got something. Exit A."
<Alicia> * Astra heads for there
<Jackieness> <Noire> *makes her way there as well*
<DeathStar> *Ren knocks the fake cop out and drags Charlotte toward Exit A*
<DeathStar> *Gina struggles as the reploid cop is almost out the door. Taiga hurries and tries to cut them off, but by luck the entire team arrives at the same time*
<DeathStar> *the reploid lifting his buster and aiming it at Taiga first*
<Seraphna> **Jaime muses, then teleports to the other side of the door**
<Jackieness> <Noire> *has her dark matter spheres converge at their location and then tries to use them to tear apart his buster with impacts*
<Seraphna> **Thena leaps up and forms a crystal shield in front of Taiga**
<DeathStar> *the buster blows up in his face and Gina tries to run away*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> *winces at the backflow*
<DeathStar> *the reploid tries to grab Gina*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Get her to safety!"
<Seraphna> **Kaelan pops up a foxhole under Gina**
<Alicia> * Astra tries to help Gina, Charlotte kicking the reploid as he grabs
<DeathStar> *Gina, thanks to Kaelan and Astra, gets out of it's range as Charlotte as it's kicked* <Reploid Cop> No no no no. You wenches.
<DeathStar> *it begins to glow, indicating self-destruct* <Taiga> Who the hell installed that?
<Jackieness> <Noire> *raises a hand and then tries opening a shadowport right over the self-destruct to try to portal it out Thunderbolt's body before it blows*
<DeathStar> *The reploid grabs it'schest and falls over*
<DeathStar> *with no explosion occurring, but it seems to be no longer moving*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> That is one way; at least now it can be repaired quickly
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Check it."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Repaired to what - learn it's motives and then shut it off?
<DeathStar> *Ren kneels and examines it*
<DeathStar> <Ren> It seems to have had it's power core damaged
<Jackieness> <Noire> "This reploid may have been sabotaged and reprogrammed to act this way."
<Alicia> <Astra> "...ewww."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Another pain in the ass something to look into. I'll let Blue know
<DeathStar> *Ren hefts the heavy reploid up*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "That's going to be a delicate topic."
<DeathStar> *Gina looks at the group* Who are you guys? I thought you were just cosplayres
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I mean, I did still want to win, but... freelance investigators."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...I take my cosplay very seriously."
<Alicia> <Astra> "I... came mostly for the cosplay."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Maybe after this is all settled, the 5 of you can be re-invited back to the final round
<Seraphna> Jaime> We are very subtle and little known investigators. **she nods seriously**
<DeathStar> <Gina> I would like that
<DeathStar> *she stands up and shakes each of their hands. Then looks down at the reploid* I wish I knew what made him do this..
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I suspect that another's hand was involved in this."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "We'll try to find out."
<DeathStar> <Gina> I hope you can find out.
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Club Room
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> Well. That was most fun
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Three people were murdered."
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> Yes, but you stopped them
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Three people were still murdered."
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> I was curious why you have been spending day after day in this room
<Jackieness> <Noire> "We have unanswered questions. That reploid was modified with a self desctruct."
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> And I think I know now
<Seraphna> Jaime> Mmm?
<DeathStar> <Erevis?> I imagine it is different for each of you, but you're seeking something to fill a void by doing some good - be it saving lives, or spending time with your friends, or discovering a new location
<DeathStar> *Taiga has written down in her notes to look into the reploid stuff later*
<DeathStar> *rubbing her eyes and staring at her desk oddly. Erevis? then bows and steps out*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Indeed.
<Seraphna> **Si puts snacks out in front of Taiga**
<DeathStar> -END-
* DeathStar changes topic to '| Fumoffu Session 97: The One For Ren | Fumoffu Sun '

<DeathStar> -Minis Open-