YOUNG GIRL - A small, youthful girl of about 8 years old is wide-eyed, humming happily as she looks around the city street around you. She is in a peculiar style of garb, setting her quite apart from everyone else you can see. Her light brown hair is up in some sort of complicated traditional arrangement. Hanging around her neck on a chain of what looks like large beads of some kind is a strangely shaped, clearly important looking stone. She is wearing a medium sized bag of some sorts slung over her shoulder.
She has a device you don’t recognize, that she keeps putting right up against her face, looking like she’s peering through a small square opening.
INTERFACING [Normal: Success] - She’s not using the attached neck strap as she peers right through the hole, facing toward you.
REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Success] - She’s walking, aimlessly, right toward a relatively large rock.
SHIVERS [Easy: Failure] - Should be fine.
HAND/EYE CO-ORDINATION [Legendary: Success] - With some difficulty, you’re able to snatch the boxy, gray blur hurtling toward your face (for some reason) out of the air, intact.
YOUNG GIRL - Flustered, having barely avoided falling over, the girl looks up at you. “Oh my goodness!! I’m so sorry!” A look of horrified shock is on her face. “Oh no! Your nose! It’s all red! I must have hit you!”
ENCYCLOPEDIA - Reddening of the face, especially on the nose, is a common long term symptom of chronic alcoholism.
- - “Oh, no no, I’m fine. I was able to catch it. I’m glad it’s not broken” Hand her ‘it’.
- - “Watch where you’re going, you little shit! You almost killed me!”
- - “Oh god. God. Please. Help me. I have no idea who or where I am!”
YOUNG GIRL - Her face brightens with relief as you hand her the device. “I’m so glad you’re alright!”
YOUNG GIRL - She delicately takes the thing back in her hands, barely large enough to operate what looks like buttons and dials on the device. She carefully drapes the device around her neck. Suddenly, her back straightens and her eyes pop open wide, as if remembering something important. Now, full of poise, except for her sheepish, embarrassed smile, she bows her head down towards you. “Thank you very much for catching my camera, sir.” The device you now realize is a camera hangs forward awkwardly as she bows.
DRAMA - ’Tis a performance, sire, a child, new to the rituals and tender egos of those older if not wiser than her, remembering her filial duties. But ah, the sweetling, her intentions are as pure as a twilight snowfall. The innocence of unblemished youth!
COMPOSURE - When was the last time anyone was this nice to me? Oh, God.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Ask her if she has any fucking drugs!
- “Uh, don’t mention it.”
- “Heh, relax, kid. I’m not your schoolteacher.”
- Grunt in affirmation.
- “Hey little girl, do you have any drugs on you? I very badly need some drugs.”
- “Where am I. Where am I!!”
- “Oh, so this is a camera, is it?” (Proceed)
YOUNG GIRL - Her eyebrows scrunch together and her already sheepish grin grows ever more sheepish. “No, no, please, I really do appreciate it, sir.”
SUGGESTION [Easy: Failure] - She acknowledged your crude attempt at avuncularity. She doesn’t like it, but she understands it was for her benefit.
-1 MORALE
VOLITION - You had a 2 kilogram piece of plastic hurtled at your face by a child you’ve never met, and you’re already on the moral backstep. Get yourself together, man.
COMPOSURE - At least you had a camera thrown at your face by a highly emotionally intelligent child. That’s a welcome change.
INLAND EMPIRE - Were you this human, once upon a time?
YOUNG GIRL - She smiles as she straightens back up, blushing.
- “Uh, don’t mention it.”
- “Heh, relax, kid. I’m not your schoolteacher.”
- Grunt in affirmation.
- “Hey little girl, do you have any drugs on you? I very badly need some drugs.”
- “Where am I. Where am I!!”
- “Oh, so this is a camera, is it?” (Proceed)
YOUNG GIRL - The look of concern is gone, replaced with child-like glee. “Yes! I’m new to the city, and I tried painting once, and I liked it but I wasn’t all that good at it, so I’m trying out photography! Look!”
YOUNG GIRL - She brings the device up to her face, and, a split second later, just above her big smile comes a brilliant flash of pure white light.
HALF LIGHT [Normal: Success] - Sometimes, the deer trapped in the glare of headlights shouldn’t move. This time, we won the coin toss.
YOUNG GIRL - With her tongue poking out between her teeth, she fiddles with some sort of control on the side of the device. Out pops what looks like a roughly palm sized piece of thick, glossy paper.
YOUNG GIRL - “Look, look!” She shoves the piece of paper into the middle of your field of vision. On the side she faces toward you is mostly taken up by a black square. “Just wait…” She bounces up and down with excitement.
- Oh god. It’s going to show my fucking face, isn’t it.
- Wait patiently.
ENCYCLOPEDIA - This is probably a camera that uses self developing or “instant” film, like the one the lieutenant has. It contains all the chemicals necessary to develop an image from being exposed to light after the picture is taken. In other words, yes, it’s probably going to show your ‘fucking face’, in a few seconds.
- Oh god. It’s going to show my fucking face, isn’t it.
- [Hand/Eye Coordination - Trivial 6] Snatch the photo out of her hand and throw it into the gutter.
97%
+1 She trusts you with her life.
+1 She’s a little kid, man.
-1 She’s a little kid and she’s already better than you.
This is a Red Check. It cannot be retried.
- Wait patiently.
INLAND EMPIRE - It remains that blissful, inky, pure black. If only that were your face!
YOUNG GIRL - Her excited little bounces keep going, albeit slowing steadily, as seconds pass between you. You can see that same little embarrassed brow-scrunch begin to form.
- Oh god. It’s going to show my fucking face, isn’t it.
- [Hand/Eye Coordination - Trivial 6] Snatch the photo out of her hand and throw it into the gutter.
HIGH 97%
+1 She trusts you with her life
+1 She’s a little kid, man
-1 She’s a little kid and she’s already better than you
This is a Red Check. It cannot be retried.
- [Composure - Medium 12] Wait impatiently.
EVEN 58%
+1 She’s so polite
-2 Still H.O.
This is a Red Check. It cannot be retried.
COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - You wait, and wait, and wait. Her excited little bounces keep slowing down as her brow keeps scrunching up. But the black square remains.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Waiting for this shit would be easier with some speed. Ask the kid for some speed, dude.
LOGIC - Setting aside that speed does not generally imbue one with greater patience, I highly doubt this child has speed.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Are you kidding me? Kids love speed! Name one kid that doesn’t love speed!
LOGIC - One kid you know of having speed does not a sample size make.
INTERFACING [Medium: Success] - Hang on. I think I know what’s the issue here.
- Say “Oh, wow, well isn’t that nice…” while taking the photo and not showing her that it didn’t develop yet. (Lie)
- “Um, miss, I think something is wrong with this photo, but also, you still had the lens cap on.”
YOUNG GIRL - Her eyes widen as she turns the camera around on the strap. A look of realization erupts into laughter. “Oh! That’s exactly what happened!” She turns beet red. “I’ve been forgetting to remove it all weekend. I’m such a klutz sometimes! Sorry about that, should I try again…?”
COMPOSURE - Crisis averted.
EMPATHY - She knows you know what an instant camera is, but she is still offering. Adorable.
REACTION SPEED - She’s been taking photos all weekend, eh?
PERCEPTION - You see what looks like a small pile of photos sticking out of the bag slung over her shoulder.
- “No one needs to see this ugly mug any more than they already do.”
- “Sure, that’d be great.” (Lie)
- “That’s alright, miss. Say, actually, I was wondering…” (Proceed)
YOUNG GIRL - “Sure! What is it that I can help you with, sir?” She is eager to help.
- “I’m with the RCM, miss. If it’s alright with you I’d like to ask you some questions.”
- “Actually, that will be alright. Take care, miss.” (Leave)
YOUNG GIRL - She looks straight up into the air, puzzled, her arms crossed. “The RCM…?”
ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Failure] - You don’t really know what that is, either.
ENCYCLOPEDIA [Trivial - Success] - Well, you remember what it stands for.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY - It stands for the Really Could-use-some-fucking-drugs Men!
- “That’s the Revachol Citizen’s Militia, miss.”
- “That’s the Really Could-use-some-fucking-drugs Men, miss. Please hand over your drugs.”
YOUNG GIRL - “…muh…li… sha?”
COMPOSURE [Impossible: Failure] - …Awww.
DRAMA - The innocence of unblemished youth!
ESPRIT DE CORPS [Trivial: Success] - You’re a cop, remember?
- “That’s the Revachol Citizen’s Militia, miss.”
- “That’s the Really Could-use-some-fucking-drugs Men, miss. Please hand over your drugs.”
- “I’m a cop, I guess.”
VOLITION - ’I’m a cop, I guess’, he says.
YOUNG GIRL - “Oh… well, alright.” She stands up straighter. “What can I help you with, officer?”
PERCEPTION - Her smile has smoothed out, just a little.
EMPATHY - It’s still there, but, something about you being a cop has changed how she sees you. It’s hard to say what it is, though.
- “What’s your name, miss?”
- “Have you seen anything out of the ordinary around here lately?”
- “I am a bit confused as to who, what, where, or why, am I. Do you have any thoughts about material reality?”
- “Do you know where the fascists are at, little girl?”
- “I’m looking for someone, and I was wondering, if you’ve been taking pictures around here all weekend, there might be clues. Could I look over the pictures?”
YOUNG GIRL - She again looks sheepish and apologetic. “Um… sorry, but, um, do you have to?”
DRAMA - Another performance, sire, but this one, not so skillful as before.
- [Esprit de Corps- Impossible 20] Bad cop this little shit.
VERY LOW 2%
-2 What the fuck
-2 You’re already the lowest of the low
This is a White Check. It can be retried.
- [Suggestion - Challenging 12] Guilt trip the kid.
EVEN 51%
+1 Trusting
+1 Nice kid
-1 Already been nice to her
- “Yes, it’s very important. Police stuff. You needn’t worry, I won’t do anything to you, but it would help me if you would co-operate with the investigation.”
- “Never mind, let’s talk about something else. (Change the subject)”
YOUNG GIRL - Her expression barely changes and that mild, nigh-imperceptible distrust remains. “Oh, are you here investigating the murder?”
RHETORIC - Okay, you have my attention.
DRAMA - Unanticipated precociousness!
- “Huh? How did you know about that?”
- “You must know about it because you did it! Someone call the police!”
DRAMA - The curtain rises, she is on the attack, sire!
YOUNG GIRL - A sudden burst of resolve springs forth from her finger, pointed directly at you. “All I’m going to say is that it wasn’t who you think it was, and you should leave them alone!” Her defiant declaration hangs in the air. “And, um, anyway, I already gave someone else all of my pictures!”
DRAMA - Such exquisite sincerity…
PERCEPTION - A picture slips out of the bag slung over her shoulder. It’s black, like the one she took earlier when the lens cap was still on.
RHETORIC - Never mind. I don’t think I’m required here. Let me know if anything comes up.
-1 MORALE
COMPOSURE - A child seems to know more about what’s going on than you do.
- “Huh? How did you know about that?”
- “Wait, you seem to be awfully comfortable with the idea of a murder investigation for a child.”
- “You must know about it because you did it! Someone call the police!”
YOUNG GIRL - Without missing a beat, she continues. “Well, yes, I have been involved with several other murder investigations, before. And, um, a friend of mine is already looking into it…” Her face screws up with what looks like her last bit of courage. "And I already gave them the picture with evidence in it, anyway! So there’s nothing important in the ones I still have.”
LOGIC - In case you hadn’t notice, she contradicted herself. Without being asked about it.
DRAMA - Don’t you dare be a brute. This humble retainer of yours, sire, shall not put up with such coarseness…
SUGGESTION - You should, however, get her a little in your debt.
- “Wait, I thought you said you handed over all of the photos, but you have unimportant ones left. Which one is it?”
- “I am the law. Your ‘friend’ is not. When I say to hand me the photos, I mean it.”
- “I’m sorry miss, I am an irredeemable bastard, and I will now leave you alone, forever.” (Leave)
YOUNG GIRL - She begins to frown and once again is looking apologetic, as if she flung another object at your face. “Um… sorry… I was lying…” Another bow. “I’m sorry, sir.”
YOUNG GIRL - A slight look of guilt passes over her face. “Here, I can still help though, you can take the pictures, okay? Here, see, none of them are any good anyway!” She shoves the pictures into your hand.
DRAMA - What did I say about being a brute?
AUTHORITY - I didn’t do anything!
EMPATHY - She really does just feel bad about it.
PHOTOS - You flip through the photos. There are about 20. Six of them are blurry pictures of lamp posts. Two are blurry photos of a pigeon. Two of them are somewhat clear pictures of a fountain, and two are likely pictures of the same fountain, but they’re blurry. The remaining eight are pure black squares.
YOUNG GIRL - More blushing. “I really did forget to take the lens cap off a lot…”
INLAND EMPIRE - You were never this human.
YOUNG GIRL - Strangely enough, her face brightens once again. “Okay! I’ll answer your questions. My friend said it should be okay to answer questions so long as I’m not handing over evidence.” She rolls up her comically oversized sleeves.
- “What’s your name, miss?”
- “Have you seen anything out of the ordinary around here lately?”
- “I am a bit confused as to who, what, where, or why, am I. Do you have any thoughts about material reality?”
- “Do you know where the fascists are at, little girl?”
- “I’m looking for someone, and I was wondering, if you’ve been taking pictures around here all weekend, there might be clues. Could I look over the pictures?”
- “I’ve got to get moving, miss. I’ll come back if I think of anything.” (Leave)
PEARL FEY - “Oh, yes! Of course! How rude of me to forget to introduce myself.” Another polite little bow. “My name is Pearl Fey, sir. I’m from Kurain Valley!”
- “Have you really been involved with murder investigations before? You’re just a little girl…”
- “Earlier you mentioned a friend of yours dealing with the investigation as well. What’s with them?”
- “Kurain Valley? Where is that?”
- “Kurain Valley? Is that where we are? Where… where am I? Where is this??”
- "Oh, so you’re Kurainese, eh?
- “Do you need someone to teach you how to use a camera? I know a guy” (Not really a question)
PEARL FEY - “Yes, that’s right. I’ve been accused of murder a few times now, I think?” She taps on her chin as she tries to recall past events. “It’s hard to keep track of these sorts of things…”
- “That is disco as hell, to be honest.”
- “That is far fucking out.”
- “That is heavy as hell.”
PEARL FEY - She smiles and gives several short, fast nods. “Sure! What you said!”
- “Have you really been involved with murder investigations before? You’re just a little girl…”
- “Earlier you mentioned a friend of yours dealing with the investigation as well. What’s with them?”
- “Kurain Valley? Where is that?”
- “Kurain Valley? Is that where we are? Where… where am I? Where is this??”
- "Oh, so you’re Kurainese, eh?
- “Do you need someone to teach you how to use a camera? I know a guy” (Not really a question)
CONCEPTUALIZATION - Your field of vision shakes with the passion of her exclamation!
PEARL FEY - “That’s right! He does all of the investigating and he always figures everything out and he’s gonna get our new friend out of jail, you’ll see!”
- “Whoa, slow down! Are they a cop? Or what?”
- “Alright, alright…” (Back off)
PEARL FEY - She looks a little confused “No? Do they need to be to investigate murders?”
ENCYCLOPEDIA - Definitely.
- “Yeah, like, definitely.”
- “I guess a little rule-breaking never hurt anyone. I mean, look at me. I do all sorts of shit a cop shouldn’t do.”
- “It’s pretty illegal, but I always say, rules are made to be broken.”
- “This guy sounds great! I should go home.”
PEARL FEY - A swift clapback. “I don’t know what you mean by rule-breaking or things cops shouldn’t do, but don’t worry, he’ll be able to sort everything out!”
- “Have you really been involved with murder investigations before? You’re just a little girl…”
- “Earlier you mentioned a friend of yours dealing with the investigation as well. What’s with them?”
- “Kurain Valley? Where is that?”
- “Kurain Valley? Is that where we are? Where… where am I? Where is this??”
- “Oh, so you’re Kurainese, eh?”
- “Do you need someone to teach you how to use a camera? I know a guy” (Not really a question)
PEARL FEY - She is suddenly even more bright and chipper than usual. She puts on her ambassador face. “I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it! Kurain Valley is way up in the mountains.”
RHETORIC - Which mountains? Where?
PEARL FEY - “It’s very remote and isolated. Also, it’s one of the only places in the world where people practice the spirit channeling technique!” She beams as if she just told you about her village’s rugby team.
- “What’s that? Is it like some kind of religious ritual?”
- “So what? I too straddle the boundary between life and death every time I pass out.”
- “Oh, is that like inva-materialist theory? Some friends of mine told me about it. It sounds… morally decadent.”
- “These Kurainese are even indoctrinating their kids with their strange practices, are they?”
PEARL FEY - She puffs out her chest with pride. “No, it’s an ancient technique for channeling the spirits of the dead into the body of a spirit medium!” She points a thumb toward herself, deliberately pointing out the strangely shaped stone hanging from her chest. “And I’m one of the two people who can do it!”
DRAMA - This is the best conversation that has ever happened to me. It’s all true.
RHETORIC - It’s what she believes is true, anyway.
LOGIC - You might expect me to have mind stabilizing news. I’m, honestly kind of at a loss here.
DRAMA - Ask her if she’s accepting disciples, we’ve got a new life goal. Follow this kid ’til the end of our days. She’s clearly living a real life.
INLAND EMPIRE - You stare and stare and stare at the inky black square in the middle of the photograph. You stare for days, without eating or drinking. On the last day, the perfect blackness beckons you in. Finally.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY - I told you this kid knew how to fucking party! She’s got to be high as fuck!
VOLITION - Will you shut up already?
PEARL FEY - “I’m sure that probably sounds strange, but believe me! It’s real.”
- “How existentially peachy. Do you mind if I go lay down in a gutter and reflect upon oblivion while gibbering and sobbing?”
- “Ah, yes, so you must have seen the towering void on your way to the spirit world. That is my master, and yes, I am the form of his deliverance.”
- “That is disco as hell, to be honest.”
- “Can you do me a favor and check for mine, quick? I am not sure if I am alive or not.”
- “…Say, I have an idea. How about you channel the spirit of the guy who got murdered so we can solve the murder really really easily?”
PEARL FEY - “How come I haven’t thought of that bef-” She looks to your side and gasps.
MILES EDGEWORTH AND KIM KITSURAGI, SIMULTANEOUSLY- “What is going on here?”
~ fin