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The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Printable Version

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The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jig - 02-06-2015

(First of all. This is my first thread like that so take it easy on me! ^^ Second of all. Let's play a game. Read the story and get clues for the mystery! Treat it like it's forum RP. Everytime someone comes with a correct answer for a riddle and actually post what his character does to solve it, the thief will leave another one. It's up to you if you will find the stolen goods and catch the burglar. There is one rule. I'm taking care of the progress in the story Smile Good luck adventurers!)

The Flea Circus.
Chapter 1
Hattrick


Captain Vincent Fitzroy of the Brass Blades had a relaxing day. No crime committed at all. No one to get arrested. No pesky sultansworn…  A Perfect day. Vince slicked his dark-brownhair and settled down for a nice mug of hot lominsan coffee. The taste of it was divine. The Captain enjoyed it. Nothing could ruin this perfectly serene day.
Almost
nothing…
-“CAPTAIN!”– It was Grad. Recently hired rookie Brass Blade, under Fitzroy’s command. Eighteen years old blonde, tossed some envelope on Captain’s desk.
-“It better not be another bribe… I’m tired of getting accused of this shit. This better be good.” – Captain groaned upon seeing ever-annoying rookie.
-“No captain! Nothing like that!” Grad retorts as he opens the envelope. Captain was somehow disappointed… “It’s a poem, captain.”
Captain gazed at his subordinate like he was an idiot. “You shouldn’t have…” – Vincent answered ironically. The rookie continued.
-“It wasfound at a crime scene. We have a burglar in Ul’dah, cap.”
Vincent opened his eyes in ave.  That was new.
-“A burglar? What was stolen? Who was the victim?” – captain kept asking questions making Grad a little unsettled.
-“Uh… A hat…”
-“A HAT?! ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME, PRIVATE?!”
-“N-No sir!It was a four hundred thousand gil worth top-hat, finished with golden threads and expensive jewels!”
-“What idiot would like to have something like this?! This is stupid. Like… Like I don’t have anything to spend money on, sheesh… Stupid.”
-“It was Fafonji Neneji, sir. A monetarist.”
-“Well…that explains a lot. Any clues as to who might have wanted to steal such stupid item? Any evidence?”
-“Only this note, sir. Mister Neneji found it in the place when his hat used to be.”

[Image: 4vvRv8M.png]

Captain’s mind floated away as he tried to understand the note. Then, Vincent noticed a signature. Someone actually cared to leave his sign on a note.
-         
“The flea…” - he read it aloud. “Who would like to take a name like this? It’s stupid.”
-         
“You’re saying the word ‘stupid’ dor the third time today, sir!”
-         
“Shut  up, private!”
-“Sir!”
As the Brass Blades had their conversation, door opened loudly. Dark skinned Lalafell entered along with two suits wearing, bald Roegadyn. The guest snapped his fingers as one of his goons lifted him up to let the shorty look straight into captains eyes.
-“Captain Fitzroy…” – Lala spoke with calm, yet intimidating tone.
-“M-Mister Neneji… What brings you here today?!” – it seems that monetarist’s tone was effective.
-“I want my hat back.”
-“I figured…”
-“What was that?”
-“N-Nothing
sir!”
-“I want this Flea-guy on a silver platter! I am paying you and I demand results. No results – no payment. Also… I would like to add that it makes me angry. Fill it with zero results and we will have a new equation! Angry Mister Neneji – Headless Captain Fitzroy! Are we clear, captain?!” – as it would seem, Mister Neneji was good with his math, as a monetarist should be. As soon as he yelled, he snapped his fingers again and left along with his crew. After a moment door opened violently again as Neneji peeked inside. “AND FIND MY HAT!”. Then he left for good.
Dead silence fell upon two Brass Blades. After a while the private opened his mouth.
-“ You seem scared, captain.”
-“SHUT UP!”
-“Sir!”
-“We need to find that burglar…”
-“But we’re no investigators sir!”
-“So find someone! I don’t know… Prepare some wanted posters!”
-“We don’t know how does ‘the flea’ looks like sir…”
-“Think of something, private! Make some posters, offer a ridiculously high bounty and hang them around.”
-“Where,
sir?”
-“EVERYWHERE!”
 
Next day:
[Image: 6xWVZoD.jpg]

(Wanted.
??? 
“The Flea”. 
Two million gil. 
On the courtesy of Captain Vincent Fitzroy of the brass blades.)


-“WHA-WHA-WHAAAAAAAT?!”– captain almost flipped. He stared at the poster with his mouth opened. Fitzroy was left speechless.
-“What’s wrong captain?”
-“Two million gil?! Are you mad?!”
-“You wanted it to be ridiculously high.”
-“NOT THAT RIDICULOUS!” Captain rubbed his forehead, trying to calm down. “Tell me you didn't hang them yet...”
-“Uh… I did…”as rookie hanged his head answering captain’s question, Vincent cried internally.

-“Great! Splendid job, you idiot! Now we have to PAY this ridiculous bounty to anyone who manages to catch the guy… Or wait until Neneji will get our heads… We’re screwed…”

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Inessa Hara - 02-07-2015

A courier wanders into the Brass Blade captains office.

"Sir, I have a letter for you. It's from Investigator Hara. The one who takes most of the expensive job's that the Brass Blades usually offer."

He says, extending to the captain her letter.

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jaliqai - 02-07-2015

Two million gil.

Ever since the run in with Seth the previous night, Meiko's mind hadn't been able to wander far from the bounty and the healthy bit of skepticism she had attached to it. That much money, for a simple thief? Monetarist victim or not, it had beggared belief. Yet now, with one of the fliers in her hands, she had no choice but to believe it. 

"The Flea.." She murmured under her breath, shaking her head softly. "Ridiculous name. Even more foolish to leave clues. Hard to tell if this 'Flea' is overly cocky or simply daft."

In the end, it didn't matter. Turning the paper over in her hands, the half-Doman woman folded it along neat lines and stashed it in a pocket. Seth had said to seek him out if she was interested, and she could scarce afford not to be. So back to her quiet vigil at the Quicksand it was, to sit and wait for him to show himself.

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jig - 02-09-2015

Innitiative:
- Inessa
- Meiko


(Explanation: Innitiative is of course order which the players takes their moves to progress the story. It may change depending on the events, charaters actions, new people joining the investigation etc. etc.)

Day 1
Fitzroy's office
background music
Captain sat with his hands holdin the head. He struggled not to sleep. Last night was a nightmare. He'd probably held his head not to loose it. The door to his office opened with a creak. It was Grad. He'd peek inside.
-"C-Captain? There's a guest awaiting to meet you"
-"Is he The Flea, Private?" - Fitzroy gazed upon his subbordinate with resignation.
-"No. It's a courrier."
-"Tell him to get lost..."

The courrier nonshalantly went in without waiting for Vincent's invitation. He holds a letter.

- "Is that another bribe?" - Fitzroy couldn't help to leave such a comment.
- "Sir, I have a letter for you. It's from Investigator Hara. The one who takes most of the expensive job's that the Brass Blades usually offer." - errand boy retorted.
- "Hara... Hara...?" - Captain tried to recall the name. - "An investigator?" - the courrier nods. Captain jumped over the desk and snatched the letter from courriers hands.
-"Well why don't you told that to begin with?!" - Vincent glovered at the man and started to read the message. Immidiately after he'd start writing a new one, and pushed it to courrier's hands.
- "Give it to Hara, and only her... Understand?" - guest answered with a nod and left.
-"Captain, are you sure it is a good idea?" - Private let out his doubts.
-"It's either her or Neneji's goons. You're free to go and talk with them..."
-"Point taken..."

Day 1
The Quicksand
background music
Meiko was sitting alone at the bar, having her thoughts circling around The Flea's indentity, motives and a ridiculously high bounty. She'd bend crumple the paper she was holding while waiting for Seth to show up.

"You really must hate this guy, you'd bent his face pretty badly." - Seth appeared out of nowhere like he usually does and sat next to Meiko. - "Hello there, Miss Amano, waiting for someone?" - the boy sent her a sly smile. It's like he knew she'd b here now and waited for the right moment to make a dramatic, out-of-sudden entrance like in some criminal stories.

Day 1
Inessa's place
background music
Knocking could be heard at door to Inessa's room. The courier she'd sent lately to Captain Fitzroy's office returned with a reply. The courier gave Hara her letter and stood still awaiting possible next order.


Quote:Dear Miss Hara.
Yes, I'm quite healthy, thanks for asking, you are such a sweetheart...


She couldn't help the feeling of juicy sarcasm pouring out of the paper...


Quote:Straight to the point. You familiar with Mister Neneji? Really powerful monetarist? One of the Brass Blade's patrons? The extravagant lalafell numismatist and money lover? The master of coins and all that is gold? Guess what... he got robbed. Some burglar who calls himself "The Flea" happened to be the culprit.


What would he stole, you may ask. It's not that easy. Flea got his ilthy paws on Neneji's 400 thousand gil worth golden, jeweled top-hat - now that's some tribute to eccentricity, isn't it?
That's not all. The Flea left a message which I'm sending you along with this letter.


That's everything we have on the guys so far. Capture him, find the stolen goods, and the ridiculously high prize is yours.


Good luck
Captain Vincent Fitzroy of The Brass Blades"

Along with the letter there was a piece of paper with captains handwriting on it:

Quote:
Riddle me this, riddle me that.
To whom does commoner tips off his hat?
Where did he got it in the first place.
That's where you should look at, to keep the pace.

Yours Trully
The Flea
 


RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Inessa Hara - 02-09-2015

Inessa takes one look at the paper before deducing the most likely answer.

She then grabs her longsword from off to the side of her office, and attaches it to the belt looping around her shoulder and waist.

She goes off to see Neneji. Obviously to learn where he bought the hat as that could be the key to solving the riddle.



Hours later, she arrives at the estate of Neneji. She waves down the guard's at the entrance, asking that she see Neneji in regards to his stolen property and to help forward the investigation.

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jaliqai - 02-09-2015

[ OOC:  Doh. Meant to get a post in first thing this morning, but holy carp work has been crazy. Rushed lunch break post, gogo! ]


Meiko's face turned up at the sound of the familiar voice, expression as neutral as ever as she quietly regarded him. A single shoulder lifted and fell in a shrug.

"I don't hate him. I just don't see the point in making a show of one's thievery."

Stuffing the paper back into a pocket for later pondering, the woman turned on her barstool to get a better look at Seth.

"You told me to seek you out if I was interested. I am, and so must you be, to have me seek you out in the first place." Never one to mince words for over long, Meiko jumped right into it. "If I am correct, then my proposal is this. You do the boring legwork, and I'll do the investigating. We'll split the reward, fifty-fifty. If that is agreeable, then I want you to find out the name of this monetarist, what was stolen, and where the stolen item was purchased or ordered from so that I can proceed."

"If I am mistaken and you're not interested, then say the word and I'll be off by myself. Of course, if I do come by the reward, I'll still pay you duly for the initial information. Knowledge is a valuable commodity, and I don't do debt."

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jig - 02-10-2015

Innitiative:
- Inessa
- Meiko


Day 1
The Goblet - Neneji's estate.
background music

Situated in the most expensive part of the goblet the estate was in fact a huge mansion. Rich decorations adorned the walkways, walls and windows. Inessa got throug a rich looking garden when she stood by the big door leading inside. In front of them, two, suit-dressing, bald Roegadyn took guard.

- "Hold. State your business." - one of them stoped Inessa with a gesture.
- "I'm helping with the investigation. I'm here to see Mister Neneji." - the detective explained. Bodyguards gazed at each other and nodded, as one of them dissapeared inside the mansion. It took a while...

- "Mister Neneji will see you... Follow me." - Bodyguard invited her inside.

The mansion was even bigger in the inside. Mazes of corridors and walls full of art pieces might seem similar at the first glance, making it easy to get lost inside. Finally bald roe opened a huge door with golden additions, revealing a very dark room. Inessa could swear she smells blood.

- "Mister Neneji awaits inside." - Roegadyn invited her with gesture.

In the dark room there was four people... one Lalafell - obviously Fafonji Neneji, two even bigger roegadyn and one awfully beaten Miqo'te. Two guards were holding the cat-boy by his arms forcing him to kneel before Neneji, as  the Lala slapped this poor bastard.
- "WHO IS HE?!" - Neneji yelled at his victim.
- "Fuck you!" - Miqo'te smiled showing his bloodstained teeth, and spat with his gore on Fafonji's face. Answering that attitude, Lala slapped the guy once more and grabbed his ear, squeezing it really hard, making the cat let out painful scream.
- "I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN!"
- "Sir." - one of the roegadyn dared to interrupt.
-"WHAT?!" - Lala gazed at the room's entrance as his bodyguard pointet at the newcomer.
-"Oh... Fine" - Neneji gestured as roegadyn gagged Lalafell's victim, tied his hands and threw him in the darkest corner of the room. Inessa had now the opportunity to take a closer look at her... host. Neneji was one elegantly clothed Lalafell with dark skin, and big red eyes. His black hair had some bloodstains, along with his face. His clothes - purple robe with golden threads as decorations, and a black turban with platinum additions. His clothes were covered by white apron, filthy with blood.
-"So!"- Fafonji smiled at his guest. - "I'm Fafonji Neneji. What can I do for you, Miss... Hara, right?"


Day 1
The Quicksand
[/url][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv2duk5nTLM]background music

- "Goblet, Ward 13, Plot 22" - Seth answered. - "Fafonji Neneji's estate that is. I took care of this beforehand. I won't be accompanying you so you can keep the bounty, however... I might find some use of... some tip for taking some effort and finding you information. I'm streetwise you know... well able to find some valuable stuff on streets. You have no idea what people can loose there... Animals, Money, Clothes, Masked Burglar's indentity..." - Seth smiled slyly and gave Meiko a small, rolled piece of paper. - "I also made an effort of making sure what "The Flea" has left on the crime scene."
She'd developed the scrolled paper just to see:


Quote:
Riddle me this, riddle me that.
To whom does commoner tips off his hat?
Where did he got it in the first place.
That's where you should look at, to keep the pace.

Yours Trully
The Flea

The stuff is written in Seths, crooked handwriting. Well... better this than nothing...

-"I suggest, you start looking for your answers. I'll finish my ale and maybe start looking for some more info."

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Inessa Hara - 02-10-2015

"Business can wait." Inessa said, her hand raised as if to show a sign of cessation or to raise her hand to greet the Lalafell. It was a rather ambiguous gesture really.

"First of all, who is this man and what has he done to invoke such a brutal response?" She says, crossing her arms.

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jaliqai - 02-10-2015

Meiko's brows lofted in surprise at the other's response. She had anticipated his interest in the case, but clearly not the scope. But the hint of surprise on her features disappeared just as it had appeared, reaching out to accept the scroll paper. 

"Understood." She pushed herself up from the counter, sliding a few coins onto the bar top. Enough for her tab, and a bit extra for Seth. "If you come across anything else, I would like to hear it. I'll pay for the information."

With a parting nod, the woman made to quit the Quicksand, repeating the new information to herself. Goblet, Ward 13, Plot 22. Fafonji Neneji. 

Time for a house call.

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jig - 02-10-2015

Innitiative:
- Inessa
- Meiko

Day 1
The Goblet - Neneji's estate.
background music

Neneji furrowed his brows upon hearing the investigator's qustion.- "I do believe that this scoundrel is not the reason you came here, detective, am I correct?"
Beaten Miqo'te started mumbling something but since he's gagged anything he's trying to say is beyond understandable. Yet it doesn't require much intelligence to deduce that those are not the kindest words ever and they are aimed towards the Lalafell. Neneji snapped his fingers, making one of his goons painfully kick the victim straight in the ribs, shutting him up.
- I hope you are the help that Captain Fitzroy promised, hmm? Don't mention the thief we're taking care of... we are trying our best to find out who robbed us by ourselves. However any helping hand is appreciated." - Neneji grabbed a piece of cloth and wiped his bloody hands. He'd then repeat the previous question with some more intimidating tone:
-"How can I help you, Miss Hara!?" - he smiled.

Day 1
Ul'dah - The Gold Court
On the way to The Goblet
background music

Meiko made her way to Neneji's Estate. The shortest route was of course through the Gold Court. It was late afternoon so the place was rather empty. She passed a few pedestrians and went past the fountain. Something was not right...She had this weird feeling, as if she was being getting more attention than necessary. Was she being observed? She didn't want to exaggerate, but in all honesty, if she was, this busy-body's eyes that were too interested in what she's doing were getting more and more intense.

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Inessa Hara - 02-10-2015

"Aye. I am the help that was promised, however I believe that if you want to ask something out of someone, being nice and treating them kindly is a far better method. If you will allow me, I can probably make more progress than these gentlemen beating him senseless." Inessa says with a serious tone.

"Men are not influenced by fear. They are influenced by the kind and gentle action's of someone else."

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jaliqai - 02-10-2015

One didn't pursue Meiko's line of work if they weren't perceptive, and the green-eyed woman was no exception to this rule. And for someone who spent most of their time skulking about in the shadows watching others, it didn't take much to realize when she was on the receiving end. The soft sound of trailing footsteps, shifts in the shadows, movements from the corner of her eyes as her head turned.. Perhaps she was imagining things, yet perhaps not. 

Her mind fell back to news of the recent attacks in Ul'dah - the women who had been felled by poison arrows. The first victim of which had been shot down in this very court. Even if the watching was unrelated, the thought still put her on edge and every muscle in her body was coiled to spring. 

"I know you're watching me," she announced loudly as she came to a stop, unable to tolerate it any longer. Her hands subtly shifted closer to the daggers at her waist. Her demeanor was calm, but her mind was calculating. Her eyes were glancing about on the search for movement from the shadows, and hands were ready to sling one of those knives if needed. "If you've intentions with me, get on with it."

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jig - 02-11-2015

Innitiative:
- Inessa
- Meiko

Day 1
The Goblet - Neneji's estate.
background music
- "Miss Hara!" - Neneji retorts. - "I do believe someone like you had done your homework and know something about the person she speaks with. Thus you know that I am hardly a gentleman and I'm not going to treat you like one if you get me annoyed. I'm always getting what I want and this situation is NO EXCEPTION. It will not be... So let me get this straight. You ask your questions about THE ACTUAL JOB you took and those gentlemen here will not try to... show you where the exit is. I hardly believe that you want to be tossed outside half-concious, aren't you, hmm?"

Neneji certainly looks like he's losing patience.

Day 1
Ul'dah - The Gold Court
background music
The only answer Meiko gets is silence. Only some footsteps on the higher part of the court. Somewhere from Hustings Strip, she might assume. Was that the murderer she thought about? Or someone else? The Flea perhaps? No... or maybe?

Soon after the terrible sensation of unwanted attention stopped and meiko had the opportunity to relax a while. Hopefully it wont happen again. The feeling was certainly unsettling.

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Inessa Hara - 02-11-2015

"Fine. I get it. I wont ask anymore, but your karma will come back and bite you eventually if you treat people so horribly."

"Anyways, I need to know where you got the hat that was stolen. That place may have valuable clues that can help us find the thief."

RE: The Flea Circus [OPEN] - Jaliqai - 02-11-2015

Silence. Part of her had expected the reaction. Yet it was the silence that made the woman even more suspicious. If it had been innocent, then the watcher would've likely proclaimed such. And she couldn't think of any reason that the everyday Ul'dahn information broker would keep an eye out for her. It hadn't been long since she had started working here and she had yet to take any particularly sensitive jobs. Surely, she figured, she hadn't yet accrued enough of a reputation in the Jewel of the Desert to have someone trailing her and reporting on her movements. The interest in her had to be personal in some way, or so she figured.

The echo of footsteps from above pulled her attention upwards, but not in time to catch a glimpse. Lips setting into a scowl, she started off again, her course changing. Neneji could wait. If someone had eyes on her, she wanted to know why.

Reaching the Husting Strip moments later, the half-Doman woman glanced around only to find nothing out of the ordinary. Just guards standing about, keeping watch. Perhaps they had seen something? Didn't hurt to ask. 

"Pardon, Ser." She stopped at the nearest Sultansworn guard. "Perhaps you saw an individual at the balcony only moments earlier? Looking down to the Gold Court?"