Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
“Can’t meet a good man in good circumstances, huh?” Francis says flatly. With Raphael’s report, the detective’s glance shifts to the host. He tucks his hands into his jacket, and takes a step to angle himself to better watch Augustine. As he speaks, his eyes flick between those still present. “Y’know, Montefiore, heard laywers make poor witnesses. Ain’t sour you prove otherwise.”
Francis procures a small copper flask. He takes a sip, winces at the taste. It doesn’t smell like alcohol, rather smells something like mint. He leads Raphael closer to Augustine, though avoids looking in the direction as he nears. Then, a bit closer now, he repositions himself so that Raphael is between himself and the host. “Talk a moment, will ya?”
Francis nods, though he doesn’t appear to listen. He cracks a fake smile and responds and interjects, intent on having it seem like he is in conversation. All the while, his eyes flick back to Augustine. After around twenty seconds of this, he quits interrupts. “Guess I got a question afterall.” He cocks his head towards Augustine and Reyes, though keeps his eyes on Raphael. “What’s the boy’s deal?”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
The note in itself was rather peculiar - the written words were given a strange attention to detail as to read as if The Man in the Mirror spoke them, rather than how a letter should read. His contractions, his word choice, and his tone seems to have painstakingly attempted to capture his voice. It almost comes off as a performance piece, like attempting to stay true to a stage character.
Didn’t plan to bring Detective Albert here, but might as well.
All at once, Guard officers and infantrymen swarm the warehouse. Their arrival quickly relieves the red-plumed bodyguards hired by the missing Alexander Ravenhall. Though the colonel is nowhere to be seen, several detectives begin to analyze the scene both inside and outside the warehouse.
One particular fidgeting man is familiar: hidden underneath a beige trench-coat, eyes warily flicking around the warehouse was Detective Francis Albert. He smokes, despite being indoors, and wore large, gray circles beneath his eyes. He walks inside, ignoring the occupants, instead lingering on small details throughout the warehouse.
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
For Raphael:
Francis smiles, begins to chuckle, but breaks into a cough. He keeps his hand on the door, waiting to get the last word. After a few seconds, he recovers, relinquishing his grip. “That sour taste ain’t the cases, that’s Roland. That’s the poison we’re drinking, Montefiore. We’ll end up like Abigal, choking on our own bile, only with a waving flag over our heads.” The detective opens the door, you were the last to be questioned, all the others have left. “Be careful, Montefiore.”
Detective Captain Francis Albert is now Friendly towards you.
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
For Raphael:
Francis eyes Raphael now. “Right. A damn bloodbath. No more questions, Montefiore.” Francis breathes in the cigarette. “Free to go.” Francis rises, walking to the door. He stops in front of it, placing one hand over the door handle, the other taking another drag. “Your case,” he pauses, hacking into his sleeve. After a couple seconds, he recovers. “With Bonnet. You hoping to accomplish what exactly? That goes wrong, you're helping the murderers, Montefiore.”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
For Marcus:
”The mirror folk don’t concern this case.” Something annoys the detective. He plays with his fingers, grimacing slightly. He looks at the burned out cigarette, back to Marcus. “And as such, they aren’t part of this investigation or my questioning. Understand my duties concern Abigal and her murderer. That said, you can speak on anything you want. Questioning is over, leave if you want, or keep saying anything.”
For Halcyon:
Francis takes the note of the names. He begins to mouth the beginning of a question, but stops himself. “Say you’re no detective, but you’d make a fine one. Find it’s easier to look for facts than truths. Truths can be misleading. Everyone has their own. Everyone’s carries contradictions. Facts? Neverso.” The detective seems a bit more at ease. His eyes no longer nervously dart around, his fingers are still. For a few moments, he sits comfortably in silence.
“Emile is in the next round to be called in. As is Vincent. I thank you for your cooperation, madam.”Francis leans forward, and extends a hand. “Wonderful to meet you, d’Orsay. Amidst strangers, you seemed to hold your own. Normally refuse outsider help, but you might be a special case." The detective pauses. He almost looks intrigued. "I’ll mull over what you gave me, and if we need your help or continued testimony, we’ll send another letter.”
To Raphael, 5th Question:
It is almost strange how much the captain seems to ignore looking directly at you. He listens, and responds appropriately, but seems to give more attention to subtle body movements than what you are saying. When you do notice when he looks at your face, his eyes quickly dart down to his hands on the table. “Telling the truth, your files were off record. Near everything but your name and family covered in a strange blur where text should be. Stranger, my superior didn’t know where it came from. Which means either a Lieutenant Colonel or the Colonel herself wants something hidden. If you can’t answer something, just say you can’t, understand?”
The captain extends a hand into his pocket, removing a half burnt cigarette. He begins to light it with handheld flint and steel set. “Of Galatine’s military might, what do you think?” He removes another cigarette, this time fresh, and holds it out for you.
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
Halcyon, Question 5:
”Perrine Vallin.” The detective scratches the back of his head, somewhat amazed by the honesty. “Quite the answer. I’ll stick to d’Orsay, it matches what the notes I was given say. As for your father, if he’s not the colonel or the murderer, then I couldn’t care.” Francis begins to play with his fingers as the answers to the questions come in.
The detective looks at the card, and hands it back to Halcyon. “Something was poisoned, you weren’t far off. Coincidence in the cards or not.” The detective waves his hand over his face quickly, trying to inspire a reaction. He rises from his seat, and his jacket jingles. He places the coat around his chair and stands up, nodding as Halcyon recites the events.
Halcyon wrote:
"If you had been at the party and I had told you, would you have assumed I was correct and started an investigation on the spot?”
Francis walks around the seated Oracle, watching her talk. The detective chuckles softly.“A detective doesn’t assume, d’Orsay. Wouldn’t assume it was true nor false, but I’d be a foolish detective not to look into the matter. If every murder had an Oracle and Detective on hand, this city would be a lot...” he trails off, lost in the thought. "Brighter," he finishes.
When Halcyon gives her insight, Francis rushes back to his seat, hastily grabbing a pen from his coat and grabbing a loose piece of paper. He writes in the margins of what appears to be a suspect list of another case.
“Blair Rey. Quite an accusation, but the bigger they are…” he frantically fills the margins in small writing. Several moments are filled only with his jotting. “Fratricide. Almost treasonous to say aloud.” He smiles thinly, looking up only to ask the next question. “Our search points to anti-Galatian extremists. Blair working with such individuals is contrary to what we have. Why Blair?”
Halcyon, 6th Question:
“Two times they delay the administration. Four hours prior, once at the party two hours later?” The sides of the paper are now completely filled. “Clever if true. Still leaves someone as an accomplice.” Francis puts his pen away. “Who would you suspect did it?”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
For Marcus:
Francis puts the droplet into the empty vial, holding off the blood biography for later. “Saves Nishara the question.” The detective blows smoke on to the table, it curls in a warped dance over the surface. He collects himself, placing all of his belongings back into his coat pocket. “All the evidence I have, Tamarin. Guilty or not, if I find more we’ll be having another talk.” Francis rises from his seat, and puts the cigarette out on his table. “You may leave. I’ll be speaking to Nishara now.” He pauses before opening the door. "For what it's worth, if you are innocent, I'll make sure what you're hiding stays hidden. Careful though, few among the Guard are willing to show you that kindness."
Feel free to debrief anything you said at the questioning. Everyone got some degree of unique questions.
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
For Marcus, Question 5:
Francis seems to understand, and calms slightly. He grabs a small knife from his pocket and slides it across the table. “Only need a drop.” The detective rises from his seat, grabbing some parchment scrawled in notes, and empty vial from the table and a potion from his cabinet. “You aren’t to leave the city. Haven’t convinced me, but with this you won’t be able to hide if you tried. We won’t need an inquisitor unless you give me more reason for one.” Francis sits. “Your entire family share the same secrets?”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
To Raphael, 1st Question:
The detective removes a gemmed, metal bug-like device from his coat. It glows softly as he places it on the table. He speaks up when you say his name. “Just Frank.” He looks around the room as you speak, almost like he is avoiding eye contact with you. He sneaks peeks at your clothes, watches your hands, glances at any taps or ticks. “Only heard good things then you ain’t heard much. No need for flattery, Montefiore.”
Please answer each question before moving on to the next. You can post them all together, but please don’t move back to previous questions after looking at future ones. Not answering any question is completely legal, though could lead to a formal questioning as a suspect if the issue is grave. You can assume you have reasonable knowledge over the laws, I’ll correct you only if something seems off. Estelle doesn’t regularly work with Francis, though she advises you be very wary if lying to him.
"State your full name and birthplace. State any and all living members of your family."
To Raphael, 2nd Question:
”You were an agent of the Guard at one point, correct?”
To Raphael, 3rd Question:
”And you were a covert agent, and performed many intelligence operations within Greater Galatine?”
To Raphael, 4th Question:
”Were you trained in the use of poison, and did you used such methods in your time as a Special Forces agent?”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
To Halcyon, 1st Question:
Francis removes a metal-bug shaped device from his pocket. A gem on its “shell” glows softly, and he places the device on the table. The room smells of cigarette smoke, and has a bit of a haze visible in the light from the window. Francis sighs, gathering himself.
Please answer each question before moving on to the next. You can post them all together, but please don’t move back to previous questions after looking at future ones. You have a suspicion that this examination is more than just witness testimony, and the detective has some doubts about you.
"State your full name and birthplace. State any and all living members of your family."
Halcyon, 2nd Question:
”Understand you’re an oracle. You had a premonition on the murder?”
Halcyon, 3rd Question:
”You met with Captain Moltke, but you did not tell him of your omens before the murder of Abigal Bolton?”
Halcyon, 4th Question:
”Instead you informed Vincent Durant and your friends. Both Durant and the Tamarins have personal alchemists, capable of brewing the potions and poisons that affected Bolton. Silverstone herself can make alchemical concoctions. Montefiore was a Special Forces infiltrator specializing in subterfuge in Galatian soil. You personally shared the coming murder with almost all the suspects present at the party. What is your relation to these suspects?”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
To Marcus:
”You aren’t wary enough for it to be a mere mundane disguise, you are confident in it. If I’m right, polymorph or disguise magic is at play. Dispel Magic would confirm my suspicions. Or an Antimagic Cell. Or a Blood Biography. All are within my authority.” The detectives leans in, staring down Marcus. His eyes are still now for the first time, locked.
“Don’t care if you don’t take my word, Tamarin. Don’t care if you are hiding something personal. If I need an inquisitor to get the information out of you or your siblings, so be it. If a warrant is needed, I’ll have one before you walk out of the building. Three dozen dead royals means you can’t hide. Three dozen dead royal means you can’t afford to play coy. Three dozen dead royals means I follow every damn lead I have. Look at what’s stake, and tell me if your petty agenda is worth more than this country and it’s people.”
Francis gets up, reaches to a bag on the floor and pulls out a cigarette. “If you want to leave, leave.” He scratches at his sides, searching for a lighter. “But when you come back here, it’ll be in a cell, not my office. You’ll learn quick we treat witnesses and prisoners much differently.” Francis finds the lighter, and after a couple attempts, lights the cigarette. He sits back down.
To Seth:
Francis leans back into his chair. His eyes dart around the room, usually glancing at you, or your hands, or the papers on the floors. “Fine on family.” He listens to the rest of Seth’s answers, and the detective seems content with the answers. “Lyon certainly has motive. Wasn’t expecting an answer. As for the Tamarins, their testimony and my reactions are currently disclosed information.” He makes eye contact, though quickly breaks it.
“No further questions. Your testimony has been appreciated. Be wary, Varianna. Someone is hiding something, and I’m going to find what. Don’t be close to them when that happens.” Francis rises, putting the gemmed bug back into his jacket and opening the door to his office. He calls in the next witness.
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
Marcus 5th Question:
Hauteclere is what we decided.
Francis remains expressionless, stone faced as Marcus gives his point of view and testimony. “Bribes aren’t necessary Tamarin. If it isn’t a bribe, then kindness has no place here. Right on the funding, though. It’d need people with wealth. The kind of people who buy a vineyard, meadery and chemist shop in a two week splurge. Your presence at the party, your wealth and your alchemist make you the most likely suspect, Tamarin.” The detective sits back in his chair, and places both hands to his chin. He stares at you, his eyes circling around your face, seeing something but you know not what.
He places his hand on the metal, gemmed-bug. “This device is a recorder. Sound only. When I start it, it can’t turn off for an hour. I have a way at seeing past lies and deceptions, mundane and magical. Don’t got an aura, but there are ways around that. What are you hiding, Tamarin? Show me if you want it off-record.”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
Seth, 1st Question:
I ask that you write each response before moving onto the next ones. You can post them together, I just request that you don’t move back to the previous questions after seeing the next ones.
Francis reaches into his coat, pulling out a palm sized, gray bug shaped object with a small ruby gemstone on it’s “shell.” The gem softly glows. The detective begins his questioning.
"State your full name and birthplace. State any and all living members of your family."
Seth 2nd Question:
”Bringing mercenaries to a party. Unconventional to say the least. Have ill omens about the night or do you bring muscle to all gatherings?”
Seth 3rd Question:
”You are rather clean. And you were one of us at one point. Called you here for insight on the others. Your friends and other guests less clean. Assume the murderer was at the party. Who did it?”
Seth 4th Question:
Francis hesitates. He seems unsure to ask the question. ”What is your relation to the Tamarins?”
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
To Marcus, first question:
No bloodline, school, mysteries. He has countless magical items on his person from all schools, even necromancy, though all are hidden from view.
The detective smiles at something Marcus says. It quickly fades. ”Confidential. Only be reviewed by detectives and officers.” Francis reaches into his coat, pulling out a palm sized, gray bug shaped object and a small ruby gemstone. He inserts the gem into a small slot on the top of the bug. It begins to glow softly. The detective begins his questioning.
I ask that you answer the first question before looking at the second, and so on.
Something is on Francis' mind. He looks at Marcus for a few moments before beginning. "State your full name and birthplace. State any and all living members of your family."
Marcus, second question:
"You’re a bar owner. The Tall Tail Inn, correct?"
Marcus, third question:
"And you own an alchemist stall, purchased a week before New Year’s?"
Marcus, fourth question:
"Abigal Bolton was drugged with a potion and poisoned with Black Lotus Venom. An alchemist could make these goods, correct?"
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
Marcus:
Francis takes you into his office first. The room is rather messy, with hundreds of folders and papers on his table. He pushes them off, sweeping them to the floor, and turning to a cabinet on the wall. He opens the cabinet, revealing hundreds of vials within, each marked with in neat handwriting. He takes a couple of potions, dropping the vials to the floor as he begins to pull his seat out. He looks at you quizzically, turns back to take a third potion, and sits down.
Francis begins with a scripted line. “You are being questioned for the active investigation of the murder of Abigal Bolton on the night of the 31st of Kuthona, 483 After Founding. This is considered a willing, voluntary testimony. Anything answered may be considered evidence in any current or future Guard investigation or Durendale trial. You may opt to not answer any question,” Francis breaks from the script, though the line still seems rehearsed, “can’t recommend you do though.” He returns back to the required words. “Do both understand and agree to this questioning?”
Seth:
Francis takes you into his office after Nishara exits. Her face looks rather grave, and the officer who escorted you all up brings her downstairs. The room is rather messy, with hundreds of folders and papers on his floors, though his table is oddly without anything on it. The detective pulls his chair back, reaches into his coat and removes a few potions. He places them down on the table.
Francis begins with a scripted line. “You are being questioned for the active investigation of the murder of Abigal Bolton on the night of the 31st of Kuthona, 483 After Founding. This is considered a willing, voluntary testimony. Anything answered may be considered evidence in any current or future Guard investigation or Durendale trial. You may opt to not answer any question,” Francis breaks from the script, though the line still seems rehearsed, “can’t recommend you do though.” He returns back to the required words. “Do both understand and agree to this questioning?”
Halcyon:
Francis takes you into his office after Nishara and Seth finish their questioning. Nishara’s face looked rather grave, and the officer who escorted you all up brought her and Seth downstairs. The room is rather messy, with hundreds of folders and papers on his floors, though his table is oddly without anything on it besides three vials, one empty. The detective pulls his chair back, sits, and looks at you.
Francis begins with a scripted line. “You are being questioned for the active investigation of the murder of Abigal Bolton on the night of the 31st of Kuthona, 483 After Founding. This is considered a willing, voluntary testimony. Anything answered may be considered evidence in any current or future Guard investigation or Durendale trial. You may opt to not answer any question,” Francis breaks from the script, though the line still seems rehearsed, “can’t recommend you do though.” He returns back to the required words. “Do both understand and agree to this questioning?”
Raphael:
Francis takes you into his office after everyone had left downstairs. Nishara’s face looked rather grave when she left, and the officer who escorted you all up brought her the others downstairs. The room is rather messy, with hundreds of folders and papers on his floors, though his table is oddly without anything on it besides three vials, two empty. The detective pulls his chair back, sits, and looks at you. “Good on the Fehn case, Montefiore. Be lying if I said I didn't respect you. Normally wouldn’t read someone like you the script. Protocol is protocol though.”
Francis begins with a line he has delivered a hundreds times in the last week. “You are being questioned for the active investigation of the murder of Abigal Bolton on the night of the 31st of Kuthona, 483 After Founding. This is considered a willing, voluntary testimony. Anything answered may be considered evidence in any current or future Guard investigation or Durendale trial. You may opt to not answer any question,” Francis breaks from the script, though the line still seems rehearsed, “can’t recommend you do though.” He returns back to the required words. “Do both understand and agree to this questioning?”
Through the towering gates surrounding the headquarters, past the training guards filled with soldiers and protectors to be, you arrive for your questioning. When everyone arrives at the headquarters, they spy the familiar clockwork man of Valentina’s waiting outside the iron doors. It appears Valentina was called at an earlier time. The Guard headquarters is fairly busy, though Seth notes less so than the day after the New Year’s Massacre.
A guard officer escorts the party through the building, ascending the stairs. After two Guard mages inspect the party for magical auras and ask for them to forfeit their weapons, the party is lead through the hallways containing the offices of the officers. The hallway is familiar to Seth, Helmuth is nearby, but a turn leads the party to somewhere foreign. The atmosphere seems to shift with this turn. While busy before, the members of the Guard here are frantic, wear dark circles under their eyes, and all are uniformed and ranked to various degrees. They bounce in and out of each other's offices, exchanging quick words on cases, possible evidence, and informants.
Captain Francis Albert bears the darkest circles beneath his shifting, darting eyes. He wears an armored coat over his uniform, hiding his rank and allegiance to the Guard beneath the heavy jacket. He is a bit older than the party, mid thirties though black messy hair has begun to gray. His scans the party, tapping his hand in his pocket. “Francis Albert. It’ll be quick. After questioning, head downstairs or leave the Headquarter.” He gestures to the order (Marcus, Nishara, Seth, Halcyon, Raphael) and asks that everyone remain still and civil until their questioning.
Sleuth of Secrets, Detective Captain Francis Albert | Know Local
The detective takes his seat, staring across from Emile. He reaches into his jacket and puts a variety of potions on the tables. "Make this quick, huh? Got too many questions fer too many people. Take off ya ring, Monsieur de Beaux." He takes a drink of his first potion and starts his examination.
"How'dya know Abigal?" The detective peers at Emile. He watches intently to every move of Emile's face, and listens to each syllable.
(1)
The detective moves to his next question. "An Oracle told ya this would happen, din't she? Did'jya care to listen to what she said?"
(2)
His looks to shirt as he speaks, trying to scratch something off of it. "'Vestigators found poisonous plant's in ya garden. A Lemon Rose. Care to explain?" He stops tending to his outfit, and stares down Emile as he answers.
(3)
The detective jots down a couple notes as Emile speaks. He smiles every once and a while, taking a quick drink of his potion during Emile's last response.
