[oneshot] Bert says, "Log on."

[slingergame] Horst says, "oh no it's mutant Kelsey Grammar"

Remba has connected.

Vraklul goes home.

Vraklul has disconnected.

Taleslinger has arrived.

GM arrives from the east.

Taleslinger says (to gm), "Hey!"

Taleslinger says, "This can only mean a fight to the death!"

GM exclaims, "It's me!"

[slingergame] Moonshine says, "so yeah I'll go ahead and recommend Monsterhearts"

GM asks (of Slinger), "Which rules?"

DM says, "Nah, I'll bow out"

Taleslinger shouts, "You havent seen the last of Taleslinger! Now goodbye forever."

Taleslinger has disconnected.

[slingergame] Tony says, "I think Kabo mentioned this before"

[slingergame] Moonshine says, "probably"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "I've also mentioned it, because I've been playing a campaign for like two or three years now."

[slingergame] Tony says (to Ricardo), "Oooops, sorry"

[slingergame] Tony asks, "What kind of game is it?"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "Powered by the apocalypse, where you all play teenage monsters (loosely used, and there's also a mortal skin)."

[slingergame] Tony says, "Oooh"

[slingergame] Tony asks, "And you try to stop the Apocalypse?"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "You try to stop whatever foes you're up against. In our case: demons, and my vampire ex-girlfriend."

[slingergame] Tony asks, "Does she sparkle?"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "No. And I'm also a vampire now, where previously I was mortal. Also do not sparkle :)"

[slingergame] GM says, "Sounds Buffy-related."

[slingergame] Sarge says, "Yeah, it's definitely Buffy-adjacent."

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "It's definitely inspired. We treat our game as if we're a tv show sometimes."

[slingergame] Tony asks, "So is it more action-y, or more drama?"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "High drama"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "We've had some combat here and there, but it's mostly RP"

[slingergame] Tony says, "Ah, so V:tM"

Lechat says, "That sounds like fun to me"

[slingergame] Lechat exclaims, "That sounds like fun to me!"

[slingergame] Tony asks (of Ricardo), "So you're DMing that after CC, right?"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "haha"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "I don't know that I can even *play* anything after the end of March."

[slingergame] Tony says, "Oh yeah"

[slingergame] Tony says, "Oh yeah :-("

[slingergame] GM says, "Oh, huh, I didn't even think of that."

[oneshot] GM asks, "Is everyone ready?"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "If I keep any of my three games, it'll be this group, b/c online text-only is easiest (Monsterhearts is Google Hangout, and the third is in person)"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Yup"

Gunther has arrived.

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "yip"

[slingergame] Lechat asks, "Does that mean that Jacob will be taking an extended vacation in Hawaii in order to channel his inner Magnum PI?"

[slingergame] Ricardo says, "Maybe"

[slingergame] Sarge says, "I managed to play with an infant on my lap several times, but it's different for everyone. Ellric was a super easygoing kid."

[slingergame] GM says, "This is the only one you can play while feeding without it being a distraction to anyone else."

GM asks, "Is everyone on #oneshot?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Yo"

[slingergame] Tony says, "We could do that thing where Stabby is technically with the group when you can't make it"

[oneshot] * Tony has joined the channel.

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Aye aye, captain!"

GM exclaims, "So!"

[oneshot] Lechat points at Tony. 'You McDiddit!'

[oneshot] Tony exclaims, "Take us to a magical world.A magical world ... of murder !"

GM says, "As you may recall, you were all invited to spend the weekend at the home of Jessica Feather. Unfortunately, disaster struck! The weather was bad."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "The weather was bad. The Feather was dead."

GM says, "Also, there was a murder! So the group of you have spent the day interviewing suspects and searching people's rooms to gather clues."

GM says, "Sarge and Felix have just finished interviewing Emma Bova, the housekeeper. While Ricardo and Moonshine have just finished searching Arthur Adderson and Dottie Plumaire's rooms."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Emma Bova...ry. Why did I not see this before"

GM says, "Everyone else in the house has been corralled in the Dining Room -- although hile you were otherwise occupied, some of them propped open the door to the kitchen and have raided it. Cold meats, breads and other things are laid out on the Dining Room table, and people are making sandwiches."

GM asks, "It's now Saturday evening, around dinner time. What do you, the self-appointed detectives, do now?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Well. We need to go talk to Felix and Sarge about what we found."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "yes"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Does Tony arrive?"

Ricardo heads downstairs to find the rest of our team, and maybe gets distracted by a sandwich.

[oneshot] GM says, "Or he can always have been there."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "I find his arrival funnier"

[oneshot] Tony says, "I think that would be less distracting"

[oneshot] Tony says, "But also = lechat"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "It's up to you!"

[oneshot] Tony says, "I think I still vote always been there"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "he couldn't stay away"

[oneshot] Tony says, "it's that thing where the camera moves and suddenly I am ther, behind Sarge"

[oneshot] Gunther says, ""I hope I'm not early!""

[oneshot] GM exclaims (at Gunther), "We're just starting the second game of today!"

[oneshot] Gunther says, "no, I mean that should by Tony's line as he bursts in a session late"

[oneshot] GM says, "Oh, heh, right."

GM says, "Ricardo comes down the stairs and finds the dining room as described."

GM says, "Sarge and Felix and Tony and Emma are emerging from the Parlor at the same time."

Ricardo gives Sarge the "one moment" gesture, and makes a beeline to the sandwich set up.

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "Canonically, Tony didn't say anything during the interrogations because he's Clueless."

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "C'mon, give him his fate points."

[Crows-Nest] Tony says, "Hey, can we at least only pick on me when I'm DM :D"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Lechat), "Yeah, fair enough."

Ricardo piles a plate high with a Dagwood-inspired concoction, and then comes over to the others, waiting for Emma to go sit down.

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "But everyone should refresh theirs first!"

GM sets his current fate point total to 5.

Lechat sets their current fate point total to 3.

Ricardo sets her current fate point total to 3.

Tony sets her current fate point total to 3.

GM gives a fate point to Ricardo.

Moonshine sets his current fate point total to 3.

Sarge sets their current fate point total to 3.

[slingergame] Ricardo asks, "So we've got the note from Dottie to Arthur about blackmail, and receipts showing Arthur has been giving someone lots of money. And the burned remains of a manuscript-looking thing, that at least matches the notes we already gave Sarge. Correct?"

[slingergame] Ricardo asks, "Am I missing anything?"

[slingergame] Tony asks, "The channel?"

[slingergame] Sarge exclaims, "Only the channel!"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Sorry!"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "also all the cow testimony"

[slingergame] Sarge says, "(hee)"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "(recopying here for the transcript) So we've got the note from Dottie to Arthur about blackmail, and receipts showing Arthur has been giving someone lots of money. And the burned remains of a manuscript-looking thing, that at least matches the notes we already gave Sarge. Correct?"

Ricardo motions for the others to join him in the parlor. "You need to see this."

Sarge joins Ricardo and his eyebrows rise.

Ricardo lays everything out on the table.

Tony looks over Sarge's shoulder.

Lechat says, "Fascinating! But... il y a quelque chose qui ne va pas. It seems too simple somehow."

Sarge says, "Damn, so Emma's manuscript is burned? I hope she remembers it well enough to recreate it. And this means that Dottie *and* Emma are in danger from Arthur."

Ricardo presumes the interviewing team fill the search team in on what they've also learned, and we're all on the same page.

Lechat asks, "I may be second-guessing myself, but... wouldn't he have targeted Dottie first, in that case?"

Sarge scratches his shell absently.

Moonshine says, "A bird in the hand..."

Sarge says, "Well, he targetted Jessica first."

Lechat says, "And the modus operandi is different... a straight out murder, rather than an indirect 'accident'"

Sarge says, "Because she confronted him, probably."

Ricardo says, "He was desperate. Yeah, wht Sarge said."

Lechat says, "Possible."

Sarge asks, "So. Interview Arthur next? If only to keep him away from everyone else?"

Tony rubs his chin and goes "hmm."

Lechat asks, "Pourquoi pas?"

Lechat says, "Let us investigate our prime suspect."

Ricardo says, "The only room we have not searched belongs to the new kid, but I imagine he's clean."

Ricardo says, "But we'll have a peek if you like."

Sarge says, "Maybe."

Lechat says (to Ricardo), "One never knows, there may be clues."

Tony says, "It's best to cover all the angles"

Sarge says, "Yeah, that seems like a good idea."

Ricardo says, "All right." He nods to Moonshine.

[slingergame] Sarge asks, "They're done with Dottie's room? There wasn't more to explore that got cut off due to time?"

[slingergame] Sarge says, "and now *I'm* on the wrong channel."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "They're done with Dottie's room? There wasn't more to explore that got cut off due to time?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "It was pretty messy, but we found booze and the note, and even cleaned up a little, I think."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Pretty sure we wrapped it up."

[oneshot] GM says, "Yeah, unless they have something specific they want to do there, I've shared all the stuff they might find with general searching."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "that sounds right"

[oneshot] GM asks, "So are you splitting up again? If so, which group goes first?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Either is fine with me."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "We did the searching last, last time, so we're due for an interview."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "True"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Go for it"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "And if we get a stunning reveal from Billy's room, that'll work out nicely ;-)"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "surely"

[oneshot] GM asks, "OK! Whom are you bringing into the Parlor next?"

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "The Black Adder himself: Arthur!"

Sarge indicates that it's Arthur's turn, and gets him back into the study, with Felix (and Tony, if he likes). "So, just some basic questions. Can you describe what you were doing and who you saw, from the time the lights went out last night?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "(voiced by Rowan Atkinson, of course)"

Tony takes notes and tries to look like he knows what's going on.

makes himself comfortable on the sofa. "Yes. Last night, when the lights went out, I didn't see much in the dark, but then Emma and -- I believe it might have been you? -- lit the candles.

[oneshot] GM says, "(Whoops, gotta get the hang of these GM commands again.)"

Arthur says, "We all finished dinner, and then I helped Emma with the dishes. After that, I went to bed."

Arthur says, "Oh, no, I lie. I stayed up a little while to finish some paperwork first."

Arthur says, "*Then* I went to bed."

Sarge asks, "Paperwork?"

[Crows-Nest] Ricardo says, "Paperwork is an interesting way to say murder."

Arthur says, "Yes, I'm a literary agent. I was finishing up a letter for one of my clients, proposing a new travel book they were working on."

Lechat asks, "Ah, which country?"

Arthur says, "It's to be a tour of South America."

Sarge asks, "And this letter; it's in your room?"

Arthur says, "Yes, it's in my briefcase. Shall I get it?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "OH ON"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "OH NO"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "*Was* there a letter in his briefcase?"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Like he describes?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "there was a bunch of papers"

Sarge waves his hand. "No need, for now."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "If there was, we didn't notice. But he's going to find out we broke in."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I don't think we poured over them in detail"

[oneshot] GM asks, "As Moonshine said -- did you read them all, or just look for interesting ones?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I riffled."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Without really reading"

Sarge asks, "And this morning?"

Arthur says, "This morning, I went downstairs, and I found Father Francis O'Terrier in the dining room, and Emma in the kitchen."

Arthur says, "I started playng cards with the Father, and later Billy joined us."

Tony asks, "Who won?"

Arthur says, "I won the first hand. Billy won the other one."

Sarge nods.

Tony notes that down.

Sarge asks, "So. Emma tells us that she has a book she gave to you to read?"

Sarge says, "A manuscript, for now."

Arthur says, "Oh? No, I'm sorry. She did *mention* that she was working on something, but she never gave it to me."

Sarge asks, "Are you familiar with the contents of what she was writing?"

Arthur says, "Not particularly. I remember she said something about it being a novel, but then she also said something about it being biographical? To be honest, she wasn't entirely clear."

Tony says, "Authors never are, are they"

Lechat asks, "How well do you know Emma?"

Arthur says, "Oh, I've known JB for years and years now, and Emma has been her housekeeper for most of that time."

Lechat says, "Si je puis me permettre... what is your opinion of her? Feel free to be candid."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I feel like we're coming up on a moment when we try to get him to admit knowing something."

Arthur says, "Of Emma? She seems nice enough. A bit simple, but very fastidious. A definite boon in her line of work."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "lean on him about biting-envenomating someone"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "I'm pondering how to tackle this"

[oneshot] Tony says, "I have no idea what Moonshine is saying"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "We could reveal we know we heard him talking to JB?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I seemed to recall bite marks on the chicken"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Actually, yeah--does he have fangs?"

[oneshot] GM says, "He does."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Could they match the wounds?"

[oneshot] GM says, "They could."

Gunther has a damsel we don't care about, and is using the damsel to access a machine we don't understand to summon a re-run boss monster we need to defeat so we can push three buttons and win the game.

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "That explains the lack of blood..."

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "Can we get him to bite into an apple?"

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "And then compare the marks?"

[oneshot] GM says (to Lechat), "I assume that question is aimed at the other players, not me."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "yep"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "or is there any half-eaten breakfast left..."

[oneshot] Tony asks (of Lechat), "And not tell him what it's for?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "yeah"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Who's the woman who died in the crash?"

[oneshot] GM says, "Elizabeth Iguanatowski."

[oneshot] Tony says, "Half-eaten breakfast is a good idea"

[oneshot] Sarge asks (of Lechat), "Sure, you want to work on that?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Iguanakovitc-- Iguano-- dammit"

[oneshot] GM says, "(It's evening now -- Emma cleared away the remains of breakfast some time ago.)"

[oneshot] Lechat says (to Sarge), "I can just casually offer fruit"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "But they were eating."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "damn your excellent housekeeping"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Sandwich remains?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "or we could just ask him to bite something."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "And say we need measurements."

[oneshot] GM exclaims (at Ricardo), "Perhaps!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Tony! Let's get him to bite Tony."

[oneshot] GM says (to Lechat), "Hee."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Hee"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "If he was mid-sandwich whil--- .... NO."

[oneshot] Tony says, "Shall I try and enrage him so much he bites me="

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Tony is perfect because he's a bird, like Feathers"

[oneshot] Lechat says (to Tony), "haha, that's an awesomely goofy plan"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "OK, I say Lechat tries to get him to bite an apple, and if that doesn't work, I'll just have him bite a piece of paper."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "And then I can ask him about Liz."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Works for me."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "can't hurt to ask"

[oneshot] Tony says, "Sure"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[oneshot] Tony says, "I could create advantage for LeChat"

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "That's an idea. How?"

[oneshot] Tony says, "I have Inspirational Obfuscation, I could just start rambling about food unrelatedly, so he will feel peckish"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "neat"

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "shall we segue into RP/rolling that?"

[oneshot] GM says, "Good idea."

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "Tony, then me, then Sarge?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Perfect."

[oneshot] Tony says, "Allright,"

Tony does not understand what plan Sarge and LeChat are hatching at all. "A, South America, you know, that does remind me of that fantastic banana cake I once had in Rio de Janeiro. I had it after a huge plat of local vegetables and some really succulent steak, it was very tasty ..."

[oneshot] GM says, "This sounds like Flashy."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "To which he gets +2 from his stuny"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "*stunt"

Tony rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 +1 | Great (4)

[oneshot] GM says, "And Careful seems like the right defense."

GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Woo"

[oneshot] Tony says, "nobody can defend against that sort of mindless babbling"

[oneshot] GM says, "But because of the recent Murder Most Fowl, everyone's appetite is a little bit off..."

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 4.

[oneshot] GM says, "So it's only one free invoke :)"

[oneshot] GM says, "Peckish."

[oneshot] Tony says, "heh"

Arthur says, "Mmm. Is this relevant, somehow?"

Arthur says, "If you're done questioning me, I'd just as well return to the Dining Room."

Lechat is a sneaky cat and sees an opening. Casually, he takes an apple from the fruit bowl...

Tony says, "My apologies, my mind does wonder"

Lechat asks, "Are minds not meant for wondering?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Okay, I'm going to trick him into biting into the apple, which I guess... is Sneaky or Flashy or Clever. Probably Sneaky."

[oneshot] GM says, "Yeah, sounds like Sneaky."

[oneshot] GM says, "Roleplay what you do, and I'll defend."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "sneak an apple into his mouth while he's distracted"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "man, I see no way of doing this that's not subtly homoerotic"

[Crows-Nest] Sarge says, "Ha ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "in a very French way"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I admit I was completely blindsided by how that sentence ended."

[Crows-Nest] Tony says, "let him bite your huge red apple"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "I mean, Lechat does have Unconventional Methods so"

[Crows-Nest] Tony says, "Homoeroticsm is not a bad thing, either"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "very true"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "it's just kind of the first time I do this, so I don't want it to be insensitive"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "If anyone asks me how that furry RPG I ran went, am I going to have to bring this up?"

[Crows-Nest] Tony says, "But does it have a place in Detective ficiton? *is covered in an avalanche of Holmes/Watson fanfic*"

[Crows-Nest] Sarge says, "He murdered someone; you don't have to be sensitive."

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "haha"

[Crows-Nest] Tony says (to lechat), "Give it to him slowly, make it seems natural"

[Crows-Nest] Ricardo says, "We don't *know* he murdered someone :D We merely suspect."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I think I'm going to have to ask you to act."

Lechat says (to Arthur), "Now, mon ami, though we are in the presence of death, yet we must not forget the little things."

Lechat says, "Thought Tony may seem to be rambling, yet he is in his own way wiser than either of us."

Tony says, "I am? I mean, I am."

Lechat plays with apple in paw. 'Oui, c'est tragique, what happened. But the truth won't bring her back from the dead, will it? The rose which has faded is gone forever. And though I am as eager for justice as anyone in this room...'

[oneshot] GM says, "Roll your Sneaky Overcome whenever you've finished the roleplay and are ready for dice."

Lechat says, "'...les petites plaisirs ne doivent pas pour autant etre oubliees...' *moves in closer* 'even if they can be taken away, just like that...'"

Lechat rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 +1 | Great (4)

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "And of course I tag the boost for a +6 overall"

[oneshot] GM asks, "OK! And now, is Arthur Quick enough to spot what Felix is trying to do before he's taken in?"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 +1 | Average (1)

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "But I'm going to tag Military Veteran to re-roll -- he's been trained to overcome hardships!"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "lolololol"

[oneshot] GM says, "Oh. OK then."

[oneshot] Tony says, "But he has been trained poorly"

[oneshot] Tony says, "Was he in the french army ? HA HA HA"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "as a military veteran he's used to surprise mouth insertions"

Arthur is transfixed by Lechat's speech. Perhaps a bit confused, but still. His guard is down.

[oneshot] GM says (to Lechat), "You succeed! Play out the rest of it."

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 3.

Ricardo is running away.

Ricardo has arrived.

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "I imagine that he inserted the apple in between the bit in French and the part where he says 'taken away, just like *that*' (that being the cue to withdraw the bitten apple)"

[slingergame] Lechat says, "I imagine that he inserted the apple in between the bit in French and the part where he says 'taken away, just like *that*' (that being the cue to withdraw the bitten apple)"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[slingergame] Lechat says, "If I'd failed the roll, I would have just looked silly."

Arthur says, "What are you doing? Are you...? I'm sorry, but I am not French."

[slingergame] Tony says, "Yeah, like on the wrong channel silly"

[slingergame] Lechat says, "oops"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "And you now have an apple with fang marks in it!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "yay"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Lechat's unconventional methods: 1."

Tony says (to oneshot), "This bitten apple would make a good logo for my calculator factory"

Arthur says, "I am becoming uncomfortable with this style of interview. Are we done here?"

Sarge says, "Sorry, don't mind Tony."

Sarge asks, "He's, well, you know?"

Lechat says, "Ah, I see my methods are not bearing *fruit*, ahaha."

Sarge says, "So."

Lechat pockets apple.

Sarge says, "Emma did talk to us about a woman who used to know all of you--an Elizabeth Iguanot..."

[oneshot] Lechat pawkets ap-paw-le

Sarge fumbles for the last name.

Arthur says, "Iguanatowski?"

Sarge says, "Yes, that was her."

Sarge asks, "How did you meet?"

Arthur says, "She and my wife both went to the same quilting circle."

[Crows-Nest] Sarge says, "I think I would like to use this part of the conversation to make him uncomfortable. Like Create Advantage 'They seem to know too much about my past' or something."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Sigh, only here."

Arthur says, "Then we started playing bridge together."

Sarge asks, "But you saw her outside of there, correct?"

[oneshot] GM says, "OK! That also seems Sneaky."

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "I am not extremely sneaky, but OK!"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(tell me when you want me to roll)"

Arthur says, "Yes -- Margaret and I, and Elizabeth and her brother started playing bridge. Until her brother moved away, and then JB became the fourth hand."

[oneshot] GM says, "Give me another good line, and roll along with it."

Sarge asks, "Mmm, but your wife was not always around when you met, is that not so?"

Sarge rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

[oneshot] GM says, "To Defend, I think Careful would be most appropriate."

GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 -1 | Poor (-1)

[oneshot] GM says, "Tagging Peckish, because he might still be thinking about being hungry rather than being uncomfortable about this..."

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Average (1)

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "And you still succeed!"

Arthur furrows his eyebrows. "No. Not always. What are you implying?"

[oneshot] Tony exclaims, "Go Sarge!"

[oneshot] GM says, "You now have your aspect, with one free invoke."

Sarge asks, "She died in a car accident, correct? Can you describe what happened that day?"

Tony raises an eyebrow and scribbles some notes.

[oneshot] GM says, "(And I think, since only three of you are in the scene, I only get three fate points for this one.)"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "seems fair"

Arthur says, "Yes. My wife and I were visiting JB, and Elizabeth had come up here as well. It became late, so she decided to spend the night."

Arthur says, "She was the first one to leave. Maragaret and I were inside."

Arthur says, "We didn't find out what happened until several hours later, when we were driving home, and we saw where she had gone off the road."

Arthur says, "It was tragic. Margaret cried. I won't lie to you: I nearly did as well."

Arthur says, "I went to find her car, while Margaret went back to the house to call the police. But it was too late for anyone to help her at that point."

Sarge asks, "So she was still alive when you found her?"

Arthur says, "No, it was already too late. She was... gone."

Sarge asks, "And the cause of the accident was determined later?"

Arthur says, "Yes. It turns out that the brakes on her car had failed. She couldn't slow down, and..."

Arthur shakes his head.

Sarge asks, "You had worked on that car yourself, I believe, in the past?"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Um. This doesn't parse to me. How did they know it was her if they hadn't seen the car yet?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Not sure if that's because he's lying, or just missed a detail."

Arthur says, "I had. To be honest, there were times when I blamed *myself* for what happened."

Tony taps his notebook going *hm.*

Sarge asks, "And did anyone else blame you?"

Arthur says, "I don't know. Margaret -- my wife -- she says there's no way I could have known."

Arthur says, "Maybe she's right."

Sarge asks, "So, when Jessica told you what Emma had written about that day, how did you react?"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "He said, having carefully set up this situation from the start!"

[oneshot] GM says, "Ha ha ha."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "This sounds like another Overcome!"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Okay!"

[oneshot] Tony asks, "Can I help again?"

[oneshot] GM says, "A Sneaky one, I think."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Aww, not careful?"

[oneshot] Tony says, "Tapping my notebook, make weird noses, going "aha, hmm" while scribbling"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(I am OK with sneaky, but was trying to set up careful)"

[oneshot] GM says (to Sarge), "OK, fair point. Since you built this from the start, yes."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Careful Overcome!"

Sarge rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Ha ha ha"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 0 | Good (3)

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "OK, re-rolling tagging his uncomfortableness!"

Sarge rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Average (1)

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "And spending a fate point, tagging my long years of police work!"

Sarge spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

[oneshot] Sarge says, "For a tie."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "A tie!"

[oneshot] GM says, "Which means a success with a small cost."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "If he actually is guilty, I want to go with 'already poisoned X's lunch' or something."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Eek"

[oneshot] GM says, "Hee."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I'm not sure if 'refuses to talk any more' would work or not"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Also I think I'm about to go AFK, so if we switch to searching, Moonshine should go ahead. Look under the bed!"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "yessir"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(maybe half a tick on the doom clock?)"

[oneshot] GM asks, "How about this for a cost: instead of slipping you some info, you simply *know* that he's lying?"

[oneshot] GM says, "Or we can do the half tick."

[oneshot] GM says, "Your call."

[oneshot] Tony says, "I like the forner"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Wait, maybe I'll tag the candles for another +2."

[oneshot] Tony says, "or former"

[oneshot] GM asks (of Sarge), "How would that apply?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "And say 'we found wax from your blue candle in the study, Mr. Adder. We know you talked to Jessica that night.'"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(it kind of depends on pacing)"

[oneshot] GM says, "It's your decision."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "If it'll make him confess, I'll tag the candles."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Regardless of who did it, you're not going to get a murder confession with only half the PC's present!"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "What does he say in response to my question? I'll followup with the candles line."

[oneshot] GM exclaims (at Sarge), "His response depends on your decision!"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Maybe the cost is he leaps out the window?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Now that's just a (retired ex) cop out"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I want more info out of him; I'll tag the candles."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Sarge, seeing Mr. Adder freeze at the question, adds, "We found wax from your candle in the study, Mr. Adder. And someone was listening at the door."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "back"

Tony stops writing and looks up.

Arthur says, "That's absurd! There was no one around when Jessica told me about it. And it wasn't even last night. It was weeks ago."

[oneshot] GM says, "Fact: he admits that Jessica told him about it."

Sarge blinks.

Sarge asks, "And what, exactly, did Jessica tell you?"

Arthur says, "She told me that Emma was writing about her past, and that I was in it, and that she was very kind and meticulous in her depiction."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Also, didn't Emma say she only showed Jessica the manuscript yesterday?"

Arthur says, "And that is all I have to say."

Arthur rises. "I would like to finish my dinner now."

Arthur leaves without waiting to be excused.

Sarge frowns, but doesn't stop him, but follows him to the dining room.

Tony follows Sarge.

Lechat follows also, slinkily.

[oneshot] GM asks, "And I believe it's the search team's turn now?"

Ricardo, meanwhile, has headed to the second floor, and tries the door to Billy's room.

[oneshot] Tony says, "yeah"

GM says, "It's unlocked, and inside, you find Billy's army rucksack on the floor, and some damp, muddy clothes draped over a chair."

GM says, "The bed is unmade, but otherwise, it doesn't even look like he's really unpacked very much."

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Would clothing from last night before dinner still be damp??"

[oneshot] GM says, "Probably not, no."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Didn't think so.."

Ricardo investigates the clothing on the chair first, looking through pockets, trying to figure out when he would have been outside last.

[oneshot] GM says, "Also, https://www.webwhiteboard.com/board/etv8rg37 in case you don't want to search the transcript from last time."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Still damp to me suggests that he snuck outside at some point *today* since this morning."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Post murder."

GM says (to Ricardo), "The pockets don't contain anything interesting, but the dampness is slight -- you would guess they were either slightly wet a few hours ago, or very wet in the middle of the night or early this morning."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Ah"

Ricardo points this out to Moonshine.

GM says, "And the mud is mostly around the pants cuffs, almost up to the knees."

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "And it's still raining, so.. foot prints wouldn't be a thing outside, probably?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "But we might want to go back to the study"

[oneshot] GM says, "Not outside, no."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "How wet is it outside right now?"

[oneshot] GM says, "Still pouring rain, as it has been since last night."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "So if it was this morning, it would have had to have been very brief."

Ricardo points at the rucksack and also peers under the bed and under the pillow/blankets.

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "oops sorry"

GM says (to Ricardo), "Under the bed is a pair of muddy shoes."

Moonshine helps!

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "No worries. I just didn't want to hog the RP."

[oneshot] GM asks (of Moonshine), "I take it you're looking in the rucksack that Ricardo pointed to?"

Moonshine looks in the rucksack.

Moonshine says, "Carefully now..."

GM says (to Moonshine), "You find a folded change of clothes, some toiletries, and on the bottom, a bundle wrapped in cloth."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Billy is a cat? So puncture wounds could have been claws."

[oneshot] GM says, "He is a cat."

Moonshine says, "What's all this then"

Ricardo peers.

Moonshine takes bundle, opens it up on the bed, carefully.

[Crows-Nest] Tony says (to Moonshine), "Hooray callback"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Stolen manuscript?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Is my guess. Despite what was in the fireplace."

GM says, "Inside, you find some silverware, two crystal candlesticks, and a jeweled knickknack in the shape of an egg."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Or a bottle of blood."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Oh."

Moonshine says, "Why that scoundrel"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "That was my next guess."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "(You can tell the missing blood thing is really bothering me.)"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "well sure"

Moonshine tries to recall if the silverware matches that they've used.

Ricardo looks at the stuff. Does the silverware match Jessica's? (Timing)

Moonshine says, "Good thinking, Ric"

GM exclaims, "It does!"

Ricardo says, "Well. Dunno yet if he's a murderer, but he's a bloody thief!"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "It's Jean Valjean!"

Moonshine says, "A crime of opportunity, perhaps. Still, worth questioning him over it."

Ricardo nods.

Moonshine says, "Let's fill in the others, then, and also hear what they've found."

Ricardo also tries to recall if we've ever seen that egg in the house? Since we'r presumably regulars, yeah?

[oneshot] Tony says, "Look down, look down"

Ricardo is just wondering what room it might have come from.

[oneshot] GM asks, "Do you want to do a bit more investigating?"

[oneshot] GM says, "They probably took a while talking to Arthur."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I just want to see if there are any other footprints or mud around the house that we might have overlooked, I guess."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Nothing more in that room, I assume?"

[oneshot] GM says, "OK! That seems like Careful."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Also see if the study has a window."

[oneshot] GM says (to Sarge), "Nothing more in that room."

[oneshot] Ricardo looks at Moonshine for that roll :) I can help.

[oneshot] GM says, "Opposition: +1."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "right..."

Moonshine rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Good (3)

Moonshine says, "(+4 total, I guess)"

GM exclaims, "You look around the house for muddy footprints, and you find some!"

[oneshot] GM says, "That's a success with style -- so you'll get a Boost."

GM says, "You don't find any upstairs, but in the downstairs hallway, you see some starting from the door that you didn't notice before, leading to the Parlor."

Ricardo oh ho. What's this?

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Oh, the front door."

GM says, "And then, much fainter, footprints leading from the Parlor north, but fading after they reach the Dining Room."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I thought there was a surprise door"

[oneshot] GM says, "Oh, sorry, right. The front door."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "can the boost give us a better idea of how old they are, from the mud dryness, say"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "And they clearly match the shoes from under the bed?"

[oneshot] GM says, "Sure -- if you want to do a Clever Overcome to try to analyze them, the Boost can apply to that."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Ha! I also thought there was a door we hadn't noticed."

[oneshot] GM says, "That opposition would be +3"

Moonshine cleverly tries to examine how dry the footprints are.

[oneshot] GM says (to Sarge), "Heh, yeah, they were footprints you handn't noticed, from a door everyone but Tony had noticed."

[oneshot] Moonshine asks, "what does the boost do again? +2?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Yup"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Or a re-roll."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "ok"

Moonshine rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Average (1)

[oneshot] GM asks, "Is that including the Boost, or no?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "no my cleverosity is +2"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "so if Riccy can help..."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I was gonna, but I thought it might be too late post roll"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "And I didn't say it in time"

[oneshot] GM says (to Ricardo), "I'll assume you do."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Cool"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "That gives a total of +4, a clear success!"

[oneshot] Moonshine exclaims, "thanks!"

Moonshine says, "Thank you for your assistance, Ricardo."

Ricardo bows.

GM says, "The footprints look like they were made in the middle of the night. Right around the time that the clothes would have been drying for if they'd been absolutely soaked, and also around the same time that Father Francis said he was in the secret passage..."

Moonshine says, "Well well well"

Moonshine says, "Best to let Sarge know this also"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "But they don't lead to the study, unless he was smart enough to take his shoes off and then put them back on?"

[oneshot] GM says, "Correct."

Ricardo sighs. "Yeah."

[oneshot] GM asks, "Are you doing anything else, or are we rejoining the two groups?"

Ricardo says, "I just wonder why he went outside if he was just gonna steal things.."

Ricardo wants to peer into the study again? See about a window that might have been opened overnight?

[Crows-Nest] Tony exclaims, "Okay guys, I can barely keep my eyes out so I'm gonna bow out. Thanks again for Bastafore and Happy sleuthing!"

Ricardo says, "*If* he killed her, maybe he wanted it to appear like a robbery gone wrong? I don't know anymore."

[Crows-Nest] Ricardo says, "Aw, ok. G'night!"

Ricardo is grasping.

[Crows-Nest] Tony says, "Oh, and one thing: I don't have to work any Saturday in December, so I should be good for Crownsford."

GM says (to Ricardo), "There are windows, but they're closed and shuttered against the rain, and there's no sign of damp around them."

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[Crows-Nest] Tony exclaims, "get that killer!"

Moonshine says, "The questioning may provide answers."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Ok! I'm good to move on then."

Tony has disconnected.

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM says, "As you emerge from the Study, you see Arthur in the hall on his way to the Dining Room."

Ricardo catches Sarge on his way back from following Arthur.

[oneshot] GM asks, "By the way, where are the things from Billy's bag? Still laid out on his bed?"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "I figured we'd probably grab them as proof?"

[oneshot] GM nods.

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Though I wasn't going to drag the shoes or clothing around, unless Moonshine wanted to."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "yeah one of us has the bundle; the rest of the contents are still spread across the bed, I feel like"

[oneshot] Moonshine asks, "/possibly/ Arthur orchestrated all of this to frame the youngster -- but how would he fake bootprints?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I wasn't sure how much was taken out, or just riffled through. Ok."

GM asks, "So you reconvene with Sarge and Felix -- in the Parlor, I suppose?"

[oneshot] GM says, "The bundle was at the bottom, so I think it might be tricky to remove it without emptying the rest out."

Ricardo says (to Sarge), "So.. our new friend is a little thief."

Lechat says, "A new development! Croustillant, ma foi."

Ricardo says, "Possibly not a murderer, I don't think. Unless he's very clever."

Ricardo lays out the bundle on the table, "But look at this."

Lechat exclaims, "He may not be a murderer... but perhaps he is a key witness who can be made to talk!"

Ricardo nods.

Sarge says, "Hmm. But the footprints seem to indicate he was in the study, arguing with Jessica, when Francis heard them."

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "That's not what I got from the footprints?"

Sarge says, "Or near there."

[oneshot] GM says (to Ricardo), "Right, they went to the Parlor, not the Study."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Isn't that what they were? Oh."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I think he may have been standing right there and also heard the arguing."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Parlor, study, enh."

[oneshot] Ricardo says that last part out loud.

Sarge says, "Hmm."

Sarge asks, "So, if Arthur is still our prime suspect, perhaps we can catch him trying to cover something up? Or trying to kill someone?"

Ricardo says, "Maybe. We should see what Dottie and Billy have to say."

Lechat says, "I already possess one additional piece of evidence..."

Lechat presents apple with bite marks!

Sarge exclaims, "Oh, right!"

Sarge says, "Let's see if they match."

Ricardo says, "How did yo-- nevermind. I don't want to know."

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Lechat says, "Proof that he is not immune to l'amour and my Parisian charms!"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "honh honh honh"

GM asks (of Sarge), "You're going back to the Study to compare?"

Sarge returns to the study to compare.

GM says, "There are several puncture wounds on her neck -- maybe half a dozen -- but you notice that two of them *do* match up perfectly with the ones in the apple."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "goodness"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Oh, I hadn't realized there were a bunch."

Sarge tries to see if those wounds are different from the other wounds.

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Like, if those were teeth and the others were the ice pick."

GM says, "In fact, those two seem a bit bigger than the others."

Sarge checks to see if the ice pick *doesn't* match those particular wounds.

GM says, "The ice pick definitely seems like a closer match for the other one than it does to the two that match the apple."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Other ones, I mean."

Sarge nods, stands.

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "perhaps bit her and then tried to cover it up"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Yeah"

Sarge says, "OK! I say we interview Billy, then try to set up a trap for Mr. Adder when we interview Dottie."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Exactly."

Lechat says, "Un bon plan."

[oneshot] GM asks, "Will you all interview Billy together?"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "I was gonna get a sandwich, but maybe?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "That seems like a bad idea; I don't want Adder alone with the others."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Yeah"

[oneshot] GM says, "OK."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I was also thinking that."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(Though I'm OK with having off-stage Tony with them.)"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(if we want everyone together)"

Ricardo goes to get a sandwich, and babysit Arthur. "Your turn, kid."

Billy takes a moment to realize you're talking to him. "Oh. My turn. Alright"

Ricardo is curious to see how Adder is behaving post-interview.

GM says, "And so he joins the crew in the Parlor, sitting on the edge of a small chair near the door."

Sarge looms over Billy. "Billy! We need information about what you saw last night. Everything."

Sarge is abandoning the subtle approach, and is being intimidating instead.

GM says (to Ricardo), "He's fidgeint with the rest of his sandwich -- it seems like he's no longer as hungry as he was before."

Billy says, "I don't know! I don't know anything!"

Billy says, "I don't even know these people!"

Sarge asks, "What did you see and hear, and when did you see and hear it?"

Billy says, "Nothing! I didn't kill anyone!"

Billy says, "You have to believe me!"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "woah wait Arthur is also a military veteran? Maybe that's the connection"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "cmon kid we're on to you see spill the beans see"

Sarge says, "I would *like* to, Billy! I really would. But you have to tell me."

[oneshot] GM says, "(Also, earlier, that was a weird type for 'fidgeting'.)"

[oneshot] GM asks (of Sarge), "Are you going to present him with any evidence?"

Sarge says, "I know you were taking advantage of our dear host's largesse."

Sarge says, "In the middle of the night."

Sarge says, "Normally, we'd throw you in the slammer for that, but if you cooperate, maybe I can make that go away."

Billy swears.

Billy says, "What do you think you know...?"

Sarge asks, "I'll only ask one more time. What. Did. You. See?"

[oneshot] GM says, "(That wasn't swearing *at* you, I should note.)"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Yeah."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Forceful?"

Billy says, "Alright. OK. I was downstairs last night."

Billy says, "I didn't *see* anything. But I was in the hallway, and I heard something."

Sarge nods.

Billy says, "Someone was coming down the stairs. So I hid."

Sarge asks, "Did you hear footsteps?"

Billy says, "No... no, it was more like a dragging sound, I guess?"

Sarge nods.

Billy says, "It went into the hallway, then... into the Study, I think? I couldn't see."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Huh"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(Adder's a naga, basically)"

Billy says, "They closed the door. Then they came back out a little while later and went back up the hall."

Billy says, "Then they came back to the Study, then they went *back* up the hall."

Billy says, "That was it. I didn't hear anything else after that."

Sarge asks, "Did you hear anything from inside the Study? Talking? Thumps? Anything?"

Billy says, "No, the door was shut, and I was in here."

Sarge swears.

Billy points at a loveseat at the far end of the room that would be convenient for hiding behind.

Sarge says, "Well, that's something, at least."

Billy says, "You believe me, right? You know I didn't kill anybody?"

Sarge says, "Maybe."

Sarge asks, "Any other details you'd like to add?"

Billy gulps.

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Without checking the transcript, did the priest definitely hear *Jessica* arguing with a man, or a woman arguing with a man?"

Sarge asks, "Anyone you actually recognize from anywhere?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "maybe for the final big closed-room reveal/accusation, we could /start/ with pointing the finger at Billy, lull Arthur in a false sense of security, then bam switcheroo and finger arthur"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I presume he'd know her voice well, but maybe it was muffled enough."

[oneshot] Lechat says (to Moonshine), "that would be very classical"

Billy says, "No, the first time I met any of you is when I met Miss Feather and told her I was in the army."

Sarge asks, "And *are* you in the army?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "nice"

Billy says, "Um..."

Sarge glares.

Billy says, "...no."

Sarge asks, "And do you have a ticket to see your family on Monday?"

[oneshot] GM | Fracis says, "One was Jessica's. The other was a man. He was speaking softly, so I couldn't tell whose it was."

Billy snorts. "I don't even *have* a family."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "There goes that theory."

Sarge asks, "And how many old ladies have you played this scam with?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "he's not even a cat. He's a ferret with long hair."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "A collection of ferrets in a trenchcoat."

Billy starts counting on his fingers.

Billy says, "I think this is number... six?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "resisting the urge to cover up her murder and start ghostwriting her books"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Haha"

Sarge says, "Well, good news: you're working for me now."

Billy says, "...OK?"

Billy says, "How does that pay?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Sheesh."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "hope you're okay with homoerotic undertones, kid"

[oneshot] GM says, "Ha ha ha."

Sarge says, "Depends on how well you do. 'Not being in jail' is the one of the main perks of the job, though."

Billy says, "OK. I'll take that deal. What do you want me to do?"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "It pays in special vouchers. Each voucher can be redeemed for 1 get-out-of-jail-free card."

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "Collect enough cards and you can buy Diplomatic Immunity"

Sarge says, "Hmm. I have an idea. I'll let you know. In the meantime, you can go back to the dining room. I need to chat with my associates."

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "he needs to LeChat with his associates *wink*"

Billy nods, rises, and makes his way back to the Dining Room.

Ricardo meanwhile, has been noisily enjoying his sandwich(es) while making small talk. At some point he praises Emma, because even when it's sandwiches, it's the best.

Emma says, "Thank you. I make the mustard from scratch."

Sarge re-convenes with everyone else. "OK, so Billy will play along if we give him something to do. Maybe we can set it up so that Adder thinks Billy has key information, and then catch him when he tries to kill him?"

Sarge asks, "Maybe while we interview Dottie?"

Moonshine says, "That sounds like a bit more risk for young Billy than I am comfortable with"

Sarge asks, "Or do we want to do the parlor reveal instead?"

[oneshot] GM says, "Also, in game, it's getting fairly late now."

Sarge says, "The guy tried to rob Jessica! Least he can do to repay her. And the others."

Moonshine says, "Well yes there is that."

[oneshot] GM says, "(So some of the NPC's might be thinking about going to bed.)"

Ricardo coughs meaningfully at anyone who tries to leave the dining room while he's there.

Francis yawns, but doesn't cross Ricardo.

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Any other ideas?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "It's getting late out of game, too ;-)"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "We should gamble it all on a dramatic twist and reveal"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "If we work together, we can make it work"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I'm down for whatever plan, so long as someone clues Ricardo in :D"

Moonshine says, "My apologies, everyone, but in the course of our investigation, we may have disturbed your personal belongings. It was not my intention to pry into your private, legal affairs."

[oneshot] GM says, "If you're planning on the next scene being the climax, then I am all for gathering everyone in the same room for it."

[oneshot] GM says, "Just for maximum drama."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I concur"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Likewise"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Sure, though I dunno how to make the twist work."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Just pretend to have a case against someone else and then BOOM turn it around"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "Just string everyone along until one big BUT"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "or that"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "If we can make it short, I would like to see what Dottie has to say."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "also fair"

Dottie says, "You were in *my* room? Going through my things?"

Ricardo says, "Everyone is a suspect, miss."

Moonshine says, "In the service of justice, ma'am"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Shall we do it now? I could start with Dottie in public?"

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "Yeah!"

Sarge asks (of Dottie), "It seems you're worried about something that we might have discovered there?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Ok"

Dottie says, "Ew. Emma, can we do another laundry tonight? I don't want to think about what they've been touching..."

Sarge asks (of Dottie), "Like, perhaps, a note?"

[oneshot] GM asks, "Have you quietly taken her into the Parlor?"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Nope!"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "We're doing the final scene/big reveal!"

Dottie says, "What? I'm talking about my <low voice>ladies garments</low voice>."

Sarge asks (of Dottie), "I'm curious! How is it a woman like you manages to make ends meet, anyway?"

Dottie says, "Oh. Well, you know. I have friends."

Sarge says, "Friends! It's always lovely to have friends."

Sarge asks, "Friends that help you out, regularly?"

Dottie says, "Yeah! A lady never needs to work if she has friends."

Dottie bats her eyelashes demonstratively.

Sarge asks, "Like, say, your good friend Mr. Adder, here?"

Dottie stops mid-bat.

Arthur says, "They're just trying to bait you. Don't stoop to their level."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "retcon: everyone's drinking tea, so they can spit it out dramatically."

Dottie says, "I don't know exactly what you mean..."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "I haz milk"

Sarge asks (of Arthur), "Oh, so you're concerned for her well-being?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "all teh milks"

Arthur says, "Of course. Why shouldn't I be?"

Sarge asks (of Ricardo), "Would you care to read the note you found?"

Ricardo nods and pulls it out of his pocket. He clears his throat, and reads it dramatically.

[oneshot] GM | GM says, "Well, more of a note, really: 'Heya, Artie. I need another quick thou, but I'm sure you're good for it. I'm sure if you can't find it, I can always talk to your wife about it, right? Wink wink!'"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Don't forget the winky face :)"

Dottie says, "Alright, you caught me. I'm sorry Artie, but the jig is up!"

Arthur says, "What?!?"

Dottie says, "Look, Arthur here has had friends too. Lady friends. And he didn't want his wife to know."

Dottie says, "But with what happened to Aunt Jessica, I don't want to keep anymore secrets. So there. That's how I get money lately."

Arthur quietly steams on the other side of the table, but says nothing.

Lechat exclaims, "Scandaleux! Affriolant! Delightful!"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I'm not entirely sure what next; I can wing it, but if anyone wants to jump in, feel free."

[oneshot] GM says, "Here, maybe this will help:"

Sarge asks, "So, Arthur has lady friends. Including, once, Elizabeth?"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "If this is the final climactic showdown, then: let's go into initiative, for a mental conflict!"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Is that 'quick'?"

[oneshot] GM says, "You guys all go first, in whatever order you want."

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "Moonshine's the only bird left in our group, he should be the one to wing it"

[oneshot] GM says, "Then I'll go."

GM sets his current fate point total to 4.

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I was mostly planning to stay out of this except when called on to dramatically show something off/read something aloud."

[oneshot] GM asks, "And it sounds like Sarge is first?"

[Crows-Nest] Olly asks, "Have more folks gotten killed?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "OK, I'll go first with the Elizabeth comment, then."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Does that work as a direct mental attack, or a create advantage, or...?"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says (to Olly), "Nope, still only one chicken down for the count"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "This is the climax"

[oneshot] GM says, "That seems like Create Advantage."

[Crows-Nest] Olly nods.

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Create Advantage it is!"

[oneshot] GM asks, "And are you doing this in a threatening way? A dramatic way?"

[oneshot] GM says, "(I.e., how will I decide which approach this looks like.)"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Let's say threatening. I made that my top stat and haven't rolled it yet ;-)"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Forceful it is!"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Now's as good a time as any!"

[oneshot] Moonshine asks, "how does mental initiative work?"

[oneshot] GM says (to Moonshine), "In this case, I'm doing a modified popcorn initiative."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "It's working that once one of us goes, we hand off initiative to someone else."

[oneshot] GM says, "You guys all get your turns in whatever order you pick, then I get my turn(s)."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "ok"

[oneshot] GM says, "And once you roll, Arthur will try to defend with a Quick answer."

[oneshot] GM says, "(Are you typing up more RP, or...?)"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Do you want me to roll?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I was waiting for Dottie's reply."

[oneshot] GM says, "Yup, Forceful, Create Advantage."

Sarge rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[oneshot] Sarge says, "w00t"

GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Fair (2)

[oneshot] GM says, "Arthur has terrible dice today."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(also, wow +5)"

Arthur tries to step in and answer for Dottie, but he's not quick enough!

Dottie says, "That's right! He and she were tight."

Arthur says, "That's not-- you just thought--"

Dottie says, "I know what I saw, Artie honey."

Sarge says, "Until she got a little *too* close, and presumptious..."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "You create an advantage, with two free invokes!"

[oneshot] GM asks, "What is that advantage, and whose turn is next?"

[oneshot] Sarge tags Arthur with "off balance" and hands over initiative to...

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Anyone want it? If not, I'll pick Felix, randomly."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I'm not too eager to go"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Me either."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "goooo other guy"

[Crows-Nest] Lechat says, "c'est donc sur moi que retombe l'amer besogne"

[oneshot] GM says, "If you choose to make an attack, then (like a physical conflict), you'll need a weapon -- e.g., any incriminating evidence you might want to present."

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "I have the teeth marks!"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Another possible create advantage is jogging Emma's memory, if someone wants that. We can also get Billy to do something."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(Oh, and we could use the scraps of paper in Arthur's fireplace to help there)"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Apple accuse away!"

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "I'm going with the modus operandi and the apple from the tree of knowlegdge!"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "oh ho"

[oneshot] GM says, "Go for it."

Lechat brandishes an incriminatory apple with stylish flair! 'Only one person in this house was physically capable of murdering Miss Feathers! Mon ami, c'est avec grand regret que je vous incrimine! You bit her on the neck and then attempted to cover it up by hacking away with an icepick! But the absence of blood was, ma foi, all too telling, and this pomme completes the puzzle!'

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "Flashy!"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Defending with Sneaky!"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Roll your Flashy attack!"

Lechat rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 0 | Average (1)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 +1 | Great (4)

[oneshot] GM asks, "Oho -- do you use any fate points?"

[oneshot] GM says, "(Or any free invokes, if they're relevant?)"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "You can also tag off-balance, though we could perhaps save those for a better base roll."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Spending 1 fate point on Unconventional Methods (because I use theatrics all the time in my investigations), and 1 fate point on my high concept (because, as a journalist, I am good at embellishing the truth to great effect)"

Lechat spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

Lechat spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK! So that brings you up to five, which is one shift!"

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "Indeed!"

Arthur says, "Anyone could have done it! With the ice pick, or... or even *you* have fangs, Mr. Lechat!"

Nobody seems terribly convinced by Arthur's argument.

[oneshot] GM asks, "Absorbing it with a stress box -- who's next?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I guess I'll go next? I have an idea."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "please do"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Quick questions before I go look at the transcript:"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Did Emma say when she gave Jessica the manuscript, and which date did it say in the diary? Yesterday or the day before?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Going to call out the conflicting information that Arthur gave in his interview along with the burnt remains of the manuscript in his fireplace."

[oneshot] GM | GM says, "The last entry is from yesterday morning."

[oneshot] GM | GM says, "'Progress is going well on Death Comes By Airship -- another two hundred words last night. And Emma is trying her hand at writing again too! She was hiding it from me, but I saw her putting it away when she didn't know I was coming.' (continued)"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Ok!"

[oneshot] GM | Emma says, "I was going to show it to Mr. Adderson last night. He's an agent, and he told me he would read it for me. But..."

[oneshot] GM | Emma says, "But Miss Feather found it, so she decided she would read it first."

[oneshot] GM | Emma says, "She put it in her Study. I told Mr. Adderson that he'd have to wait. I guess it must still be there."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "So go for it!"

Ricardo says, "Arthur, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you said Jessica told you all about Emma's manuscript.. a while ago? But it clearly says here in her diary, dated yesterday, that she had only just received the manuscript. And Emma's testimony corraborates this information. And that manuscript appears to be missing... except for the remains we found in YOUR fireplace today."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I don't know if this is an attack, per say, or creating some sort of advantage to upset him."

[oneshot] GM asks, "This sounds like a Clever approach to me. Do you agree?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "And maybe cleveR? Because I'm -- timing."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Because I'm piecing things together, yeah."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Sounds good! Roll for it!"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Can I somehow call in my "lover of puzzleS" for cleverly connecting dots?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "clever girl </meme>"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Ricardo rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Great (4)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 0 | Great (4)

Ricardo hm.

[oneshot] GM asks, "It's a tie -- are you good with a Boost?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Sure."

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Rattled?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I guess they don't get named"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "But either way"

Arthur says, "Fine. Yes, I did get the manuscript last night. And -- I'm sorry, Emma -- it was terrible."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "That was my intention"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "Emma loses it, kicks Arthur in the head, killing him instantly"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Hahaha"

Arthur says, "I did destroy it, because I wanted to save her from embarrassment when it went to the publisher."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I put 'caught in a lie' as the boost."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Ok"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cpFHYBviEOfLFWChZy_vTd5QaGYS4WnGkYSbzOlbJ_I/edit#gid=0"

Emma looks at Arthur, then a tear rolls down her cheek. No one else, however, seems convinced by that story.

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I feel ready; I'll be typing furiously over here"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Sweet."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Go for it!"

[oneshot] GM asks, "What kind of action are you taking?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I dunno let me do it and then we can figure it out"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Moonshine asks, "As president of our dear late Jessica's fan club, I have, of course, read all her books many times. And you know what single thing about them I love the most?"

[Crows-Nest] Ricardo asks, "The gratuitous sex scenes?"

Moonshine says, "She never leaves any loose ends dangling away. She always wraps everything up in a tidy package. There's never any unanswered questions."

Moonshine says, "But life isn't like the books, is it, Mr. Adder."

Moonshine asks, "As the killer surely knows, her body was exsanguinated. All her blood was sucked out. But whence? Where did the blood go?"

Moonshine asks, "WHERE IS IT, ARTHUR? WHERE IS THE BLOOD? WHERE WHERE WHERE IS IT?!?!?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Whoa"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "so yeah"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "forceful?>"

[oneshot] GM says, "Hmm."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "the lack of blood itself could be the clue-weapon, if you like"

[oneshot] GM says, "I think, unfortunately, I'm going to have to call that a miss."

[oneshot] Moonshine exclaims, "okay that's fair!"

Arthur says, "As far as I know, the majority of Jessica Feather's blood is still where it always was. *Inside her body*."

Moonshine says, "BAH I need a drink"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "okay I tag out"

[oneshot] Ricardo asks, "Thing I'd probably ask next round, unless someone else wants to: building on his admittance that he read the manuscript, how did he get it? Did he see Jessica alive last night. And argue with her?"

[oneshot] GM says, "And now, it's Arthur's turn."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "just lulling him into a false sense of security, yeah, that's it"

Arthur says, "You four -- you arrived together. You've been plotting all of this out together. You made sure that the rest of us were kept out of the way, while only *you* got to search around and 'find' whatever evidence you wanted."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "damnit we were the murderers all along"

Arthur says (to Sarge), "I put it to you: were were friends with JB. And as I recall, she never once let you solve a murder case on your own. It was always her, with you left doing the paperwork."

Arthur says, "That must leave a man bitter. I can see why you might want to have at least *one* murder case that she *couldn't* steal from you, wouldn't you?"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "This is an attack against Sarge, using Sneaky!"

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 0 +1 | Great (4)

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "well I'm convinced"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Is there a particular way I have to defend myself?"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Or can I pick an approach?"

[oneshot] GM says, "WHatever approach matches what you plan to say/do."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "Billy, make Arthur be quiet please"

Sarge shakes his head. "Did you know Jessica so long and understood her so poorly? She hated that she had to solve the crimes in the first place, as I did. When she solved them, we were both grateful that justice, at last, was served!

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Flashy, I guess?"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Sarge rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Good (3)

[oneshot] GM asks, "Ooh -- are you taking that?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Yeah, I'll take the point of stress."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "That works like normal FATE?"

Everyone looks at Sarge, with perhaps a hint of... suspicion?

[oneshot] GM says, "Yup! Everyone has three stress boxes."

[oneshot] GM says, "And three consequence slots."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Is it our turn, or do the other NPCs also go?"

[oneshot] GM asks (of Ricard), "Did you way you wanted to go first next round?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Possibly."

[oneshot] GM says (to Sarge), "Only if they end up actively in conflict with you."

[oneshot] GM hands it to Ricardo unless he nominates someone else.

Ricardo asks, "Arthur, putting aside for a moment that you lied in your testimony, how exactly did you get the manuscript last night? It was in Jessica's study. Did you see her last night? Did you *argue* with her last night, around say [time:o'clock]?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I don't know exactly what I'm doing with this"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "But I have questions, damnit."

[oneshot] GM asks, "Is it an attack, to cast suspicion on him? Or a Create Advantage, or...?"

[oneshot] GM says, "(It sounds like an attack.)"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Maybe an attack? The emphasis being that if he was innocent why would he lie, and also he mayhave been the last to see Jessica alive."

[oneshot] GM says, "OK! And it sounds Clever again."

Ricardo rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Average (1)

Ricardo spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

Ricardo rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 -1 | Fair (2)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[oneshot] GM asks, "Success -- are you tagging anything to add to it?"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "The caught in a lie boost."

Arthur says, "I... took it from her Study, yes. Emma told me about it last night, so I... went back in there and brought it back to my room to read it. There was no one selse there but me."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "That means three stress, so he ticks his third box!"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Yay"

Ricardo gives Arthur such a look, waiting for the next person to jump in.

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Disapproving raccoon."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "ummm I dunno"

Sarge asks, "So you admit to entering the study last night?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I'll take it."

[oneshot] GM asks, "OK! What type of action are you taking?"

Sarge exclaims, "Because Jessica went in early and never left!"

Sarge exclaims, "She *was* there when you went for the manuscript!"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Attack!"

[oneshot] GM asks, "OK! Is that Forceful or Flashy?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Forceful this time."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Sarge exclaims, "You saw here there because you killed her so she couldn't reveal what she saw in the manuscript!"

Sarge rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Superb (5)

[oneshot] GM says, "Ooh."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Bah."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I'll just take the miss."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "With style!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Sad, Sarge, sad"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "And he did get away with it, too, despite you meddlin kids"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Does he get an advantage out of that?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "O rage, o desespoir, o vieilesse enemie"

Arthur says, "I *said* there was no one else there but me. Everyone here *heard* me say it -- I don't know how you think you can bluff anyone into thinking otherwise."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "He gets a boost!"

There are some nods of agreement. What is Sarge trying to pull there?

[oneshot] Sarge hands it off to Felix, unless Ricardo wants it.

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I just went"

[oneshot] GM says, "Felix and Moonshine are left."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I'm 50/50 either way."

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Oh, whoops. Either way!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Okay, so my turn"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Hmm, it seems at this point we need to undermine his logic."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "But the problem here is that I'm not sure we have any more evidence to attack him with"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Unless you want me to choke him to death with the apple"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Oh, we still have evidence."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Refresh my sleepy memroeirus"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Like the overheard conversation from Francis, and Billy's hearing slithering."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "The thing is, I know it seems like the body wasn't moved, but Billy heard dragging into the study? So maybe she really wasn't there yet? I dunno."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "No, he heard Arthur going down the stairs."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Ohhhhh."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "He doesn't have feet."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "I missed that detail"

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "So can I throw the Bible at -- I mean, can I throw the Billy at him?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Sure."

Lechat puts one hand on his fellow cat. 'Well, Arthur, you have been doing quite a splendid job of undermining our evidence, but unfortunately for you we have a witness of sorts! Here is Billy, ready to testify to what he heard in the middle of the night.'

[oneshot] Ricardo hopes that hand is pressing a little bit forcefully, so he doesn't get ideas.

Arthur looks surprised.

[oneshot] Lechat breaks the fourth wall to replace 'hand' by paw.

Billy says, "Uh, yeah. I was downstairs... uh, getting a drink of water. And I heard someone coming down the stairs and going into the Study."

Billy says, "Someone who didn't have footsteps."

[oneshot] GM asks, "I assume this is an attack? And a Flashy one?"

Lechat asks, "No footsteps? How would you describe the sound?"

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "Meh, maybe a Clever one since I'm extrapolating from the evidence?"

Billy says, "Yeah! It was like a dragging noise. I think, you might even say, a slightering..."

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Billy looks hopeful that he's been helpful.

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Roll for it!"

Lechat rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "YES"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Hmpf."

[oneshot] GM says, "The good rolls are coming out in force."

[oneshot] GM asks, "Are you tagging anything?"

[oneshot] GM says, "(Like, say, any of the free invokes that have been piling up?)"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "Maybe tag our advantages now?"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "How much do we need to take him out? 8?"

[oneshot] GM says, "He has one two-point stress box, and three consequences."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "So, 10?"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "If we hit him with a 10 in one roll, will that work? Or can he take multiple consequences?"

[oneshot] GM asks, "I think to completely take him out in one go would be 6+4+2+2+1?"

[oneshot] GM says, "You can take multiple consequences."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Oh, OK."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "OK, so this takes out his 2-box, then."

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Oh, but if you tag something, he takes a consequence which we can tag later!"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "So do that!"

[oneshot] GM says, "But you can definitely get a consequence if you tag an aspect."

[oneshot] GM says, "Which is itself an aspect with a free invoke."

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "Do I want to spend my last fate point, or should I use up one of our free invokes?"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Free invoke!"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "use off-balance"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(is my vote)"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Agreed"

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "Off-balance it is!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Having a witness was surprising"

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "Tagged!"

[oneshot] GM says, "*If* you tagged Off-Balance twice, and Caught in a Lie, and spent a fate point, that would raise you up to 10, which would force him to take two consequences :)"

[oneshot] GM says, "(Just sayin'.)"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "We used the caught in a lie boost"

[oneshot] GM says, "Oh, never mind."

[oneshot] GM says, "OK! Tagged one, to get it to 4."

Arthur doesn't even have a good response to this. He just looks a bit ill.

[oneshot] GM asks, "He takes a medium consequence -- what's it called?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "I don't knwo"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "I put 'things aren't looking too great' if that works for you."

[oneshot] GM asks, "How about 'Lost for Words'?"

[oneshot] Moonshine asks, "Desperate?"

[oneshot] Alex says (to Moonshine), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that desperate is what ellison is."

[oneshot] GM says, "Any of those work for me."

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Ha"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "dang Alex"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK, Moonshine is up!"

Moonshine says, "Mr. Adder, you might be feeling pleased with yourself. You've outsmarted, almost, complete amateurs! Well done. But consider how this ends."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "FWIW: the blood thing is because the first attack killed her but she didn't bleed much, but the subsequent ice pick wounds *would have* made her bleed out, but since her heart wasn't pumping, she didn't."

[oneshot] Sarge says, "If you want to follow up on the blood thing and redeem yourself ;-)"

Moonshine says, "You're a legal sort. You know how it works. The police, real police, show up. The body is examined by real professionals."

Moonshine says, "Real investigators do their investigation. They notice, and they WILL notice, how people around you have an unfortunate tendency of dying."

[oneshot] GM says, "(And don't forget to say what action you're taking.)"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "yes yes alright"

Moonshine says, "The only real question left to answer right now is: how co-operative are you going to be? You can save everyone here, all of us fine character witnesses, a lot of grief if you do the right thing and come clean now."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I think I'm trying to create an aspect on him like 'The Vice is Closing' or 'There is No Escape' or some such"

[oneshot] GM asks, "OK -- you seem to be taking a Careful approach to it?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "feels like it"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Roll for it!"

Moonshine rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Great (4)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Great (4)

[oneshot] GM asks, "A tie -- which would be a boost. Are you good with that?"

[oneshot] Moonshine exclaims, "yes!"

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "What do you want to call it?"

Arthur says, "I won't lie and confess to a murder charge just to save *you* when the police come and... and... and accuse *you lot* of doing it!"

[oneshot] Moonshine asks, "do boosts get names?"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "Yup."

[oneshot] GM asks, "And it's Arthur's turn?"

Arthur says, "I... you... no. This is madness..."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I'll go with 'Weary'"

Arthur quickly reaches into his pocket -- is anyone going to try to stop him?

Sarge leaps!

[oneshot] GM exclaims (at Sarge), "Are you trying to get there before he finishes? If so, that's defending Quick versus his Quick!"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "(however, I'm not exactly quick ;-)"

GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[oneshot] Sarge says, "No, I'm just trying to block whatever he does because I know I can take it."

[oneshot] GM exclaims (at Sarge), "Aha, Forceful, then!"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "With my something something shell defense ;-)"

Sarge rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Man!"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Oh boy"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Oh no!"

[oneshot] GM asks, "Do you let him succeed?"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "I'll tag his weary for a re-roll!"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Sarge rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 +1 | Good (3)

[oneshot] GM says, "That's still a success with style..."

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "Can I jump in too?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Or can only one person at a time"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "If it's a physical thing against me, I will use my vaguely-defined stunt with my shell to help."

[oneshot] GM asks, "OK -- you can roll Forceful as well, and whoever rolls better?"

[oneshot] GM asks (of Sarge), "+2 to Forcefull Defend when you can use your shell?"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[oneshot] GM asks, "Is that +5 total?"

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "It is!"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "He's just getting some bubble gum, guys."

[oneshot] GM says (to Lechat), "(Or alternately, you could spend a fate point to tag an aspect to aid Sarge's roll.)"

[oneshot] GM asks, "Is anyone else tagging anything, or is it +6 vs. +5?"

[oneshot] Lechat exclaims, "I have a fate point left!"

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "I can maybe tag something to help Sarge?"

[oneshot] GM asks, "OK! Are you tagging something for Sarge?"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "You can!"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "a world aspect, maybe"

[oneshot] Lechat asks, "Didn't I inflict a consequence?"

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[oneshot] GM asks, "Are you tagging it?"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Yep"

Lechat spends a fate point, leaving them with 0.

[oneshot] GM says, "(I think it was Desperate?)"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "yeah"

[oneshot] GM says, "That makes it +7 vs. Arthur's +6 -- which means you'll get the aspect to your favor instead of him."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "his desperation makes him predictable! ha"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "So we still have a free tag on desperate, since he tagged it with a fate point."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "yep"

Arthur suddenly has a gun in his hand -- but just as suddenly, he's tackled by Sarge!

The gun goes off! A ricochet off of Sarge's shell! A window shatters!

Moonshine exclaims, "Billy, help him!"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "punk kid gotta be good for something"

Arthur's gun goes skidding across the floor! And Arthur is Pinned underneath Sarge.

Billy says, "Right, Mr. Moonshine!" And he picks up the gun and points it at Arthur.

[oneshot] GM says, "And we're out of initiative."

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Oh, that was enough? Yay!"

Ricardo asks, "Emma, do you have any rope?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "How do you tie up a snake"

Lechat says, "Tellement previsible."

[oneshot] Sarge asks, "With its tail?"

Emma says, "Oh!" She blinks and snaps out of it. "Yes! Yes, I'll get some.""

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "He has hands that can be tied to the chair behind him"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "Oh I kept thinking those were fake mannequin arms"

Francis says, "Mr. Adderson. I'm ashamed of what has gone on here today."

Emma brings back several lengths of good strong cord.

Ricardo says, "Thank you."

Dottie says, "I knew you were a philanderer, but I never thought you'd draw a gun. On us. On *me*!"

Ricardo secures Arthur in a chair, using the fancy, strong knots, not the trick ones.

Sarge says, "Jessica read Emma's manuscript, and realized that you had killed Elizabeth. She confronted you, and you killed her. Then you left, came back with an ice pick, and tried to disguise the obvious puncture wounds from your bite. But she didn't bleed from them like she should have."

Sarge says, "Then you took the manuscript and burned it. And you probably planned to kill Emma later, if not both she and Dottie."

Arthur says, "...I'm not saying another word until I speak with my lawyer."

GM says, "And you notice through the broken window, that the storm has finally cleared."

Ricardo goes to check the telephone.

Sarge says, "Emma, we may need you to remember what you wrote. Whether it's published or not, it'll make great reading at the trial."

GM exclaims (at Ricardo), "There's a crackling sound, but you tap the switchhook a few times, and there's suddenly a dial tone!"

Emma says, "I remember. I remember it perfectly."

Ricardo calls the police and fills them in.

GM says (to Ricardo), "They tell you that they'll send a car around immediately. And, indeed, it's not long before *several* police cars are at the house."

Sarge says, "Billy, you did good. I could actually use someone like you; it might keep Tony off my shell. You want an honest job, it's yours."

Billy says, "Gosh. I have to admit, this *was* exciting."

Billy says, "Alright, you're on, Sarge!"

Sarge shakes hands with Billy.

GM says, "So the police lead Arthur away, and the rest of you can decide to either drive home now at this hour or wait until morning."

Ricardo is still hungry.

GM exclaims, "But in either case, the case has been solved. You win!"

Sarge stays and helps out with the cleanup.

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Yay!"

[oneshot] Ricardo says, "Woo!"

Lechat exclaims, "Fantastique!"

Lechat exclaims, "Bravo! Bravo!"

Sarge says (to Jessica), "Sorry, JB. But at least I got him."

Lechat says, "Tout est bien qui finit bien."

Lechat says, "Enfin, dans la mesure du possible."

[oneshot] GM says, "You guys were thorough. I think found practically every clue that I left."

[oneshot] Sarge exclaims, "Sweet!"

[Crows-Nest] (from Lechat) Jessica rises from the dead as an undead basilisk!

[oneshot] GM says, "Sorry to keep you so late! It was hard to predict how long things would take."

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Spoilers for the sequel!"

[oneshot] Sarge says, "OK, I have to go, but I'll stay logged on for any more reveals ;-)"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Thanks for the game; it did get long for me (it's 3 in the morning here)"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "zzzzz"

[oneshot] GM says (to Sarge), "As for 'is that all it took?', my plan was to have him draw his gun after taking a consequence."

[oneshot] GM says, "And once he drew a gun, pretty much the jig was up on pleading innocent."

[oneshot] GM asks, "Did anyone have any lingering questions?"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "hmm"

[oneshot] GM says, "(I'm very pleased that Sarge did work out exactly what the lack of blood meant.)"

[oneshot] Moonshine exclaims, "not me!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "I had described the idea"

[oneshot] GM says, "(Since I was feeling a little bad about how confused everyone seemed by that clue last time.)"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I mean, I'm glad he figured it out in the way I didn't"

[oneshot] GM exclaims (at Lechat), "And you too!"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "thanks"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "Sarge made it clearer though and was in general great"

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "I liked all the red herrings, etc"

[oneshot] GM says, "Oh, also: I'm sorry if I got a bit heavy handed during the Arthur interview."

[oneshot] GM says, "But I didn't want to have too many huge plot reveals/confirmation with only half the party present."

[oneshot] Moonshine says, "no that's exactly the time for the GM to be more dictatorial"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "I thought it was well done"

[oneshot] GM says (to Moonshine), "I tried to make sure that they all funnelled back to the real answer when you followed them up. And I think that worked out pretty well."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "also: the blackout was mostly a red herring and only served to induce the need for candles (which lead to the wax clue)"

[oneshot] GM says, "Yup! And for atmosphere."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "mmmm, delicious atmospher"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "+e"

[oneshot] GM says, "Atmosphere and E. The two ingredients for any great party."

[oneshot] Lechat says, "but I must indulge in ze sleepies"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "l'oreiller m'ppele"

genericgeekgirl disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[oneshot] Lechat says, "goffnight"

[oneshot] Lechat says, "thanks for all the fun"

Quarion goes home.

[oneshot] GM exclaims, "Good night!"

[oneshot] GM says, "Also, thanks everyone for playing and for staying so late! (Including the people who already left.)"