My LEGO Nexus Organization

I'm planning on making an Ace Attorney fangame, and before that happens I'm using this RPG to flesh out my ideas a bit more. So yeah.


Attorneys:

Name: Annabeth Valentine
Gender: Female
Age: 21
Personality: Fiesty and somewhat ditzy, Annabeth tends to go over and above what she does on a case.
Appearance: Annabeth had long curly auburn hair, hazelnut coloured eyes, and Caucasian skin. The outfit she typically wears to cases consists of a pink vest over a blue long-sleeve shirt, and normal blue jeans. She typically wears black shoes, too.


Name: Pike Fischer
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Personality: A calm, collected attorney who often takes newbies under his wing. Has a habit of talking in fishing metaphors.
Appearance: Tall, with short-cropped brown hair and a stereotypical fishing outfit.

Prosecutors:

Name: Winston Payne
Nickname: "The Rookie Killer"
Age: 53
Appearance:
 http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141001045703/aceattorney/images/thumb/c/cd/Young_Winston_Payne.png/100px-Young_Winston_Payne.png


Name: Izabel Law
Nickname: "The Elegant Intellect"
Age: 26
Appearance:(http://orig03.deviantart.net/b607/f/2015/341/0/b/sprite_attempt__izabel_law_by_redherochild-d9j0esv.gif)



Victims:

Robb Yew
Description: A common pickpocket who was killed by Ian Diddet. Diddet was desperate to recover something Yew had stolen...but what?

Cus Toome
Description: An actor at Gatewater Land.





Witnesses:

Ian Diddet
Description:  A vain, pompous man who considers himself the personification of beauty. He's a gardener.
Murdered Robb Yew.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth took a deep breath, as she reviewed the documents in front of her.
Right. No need for pre-case jitters now... Just gotta psyche myself up! Annabeth thought, as she took another deep breath.

"Aaah, a newbie."
A young man dressed like a fisherman walked over and snatched the documents out of her hands.
"Yeah, I remember my first case...man, did I screw that one up. Got so flustered I accused the Judge, tried to call myself as a witness, and accidentally presented my lunch as evidence instead of the murder weapon."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Uhh, excuse me? And you are?" Annabeth said with an unamused look on her face, as she tried to snatch back the documents, since they were rather important.

he sidestepped her and kept reading her documents. "Name's Pike Fischer, Attorney at Law."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Okay. And why are you reading that again?" Annabeth asked, still slightly annoyed that he had taken them without even asking or giving permission or so.

"I'm going to be your mentor!" He pulled a large fishing rod out and swung it.

(Offscreen guy): "OW!"

(Fischer): *quickly hides rod*

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth gave the guy a very skeptical look, but sighed.
"... All right then..." Annabeth said, as she figured there was no other real way to get around that, and besides, she doubted he'd be giving the papers back any time soon.
"... WHy are you dressed like that, again?"

"Like what?"
(Bailiff): "Ms. Valentine? The trial is now starting."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"... Nevermind." Annabeth said, choosing wisely to leave that alone.
"Well, you coming? I kinda need those documents, after all." Annabeth said, as she - save - walked toward the door.

Pike Fischer followed her into the room and sat by the defense bench.
The judge, a distinguished looking elderly gentleman, slowly walked to the judge's bench. He sat down and surveyed the courtroom with the gaze of one who had seen everything, a judge that could clearly see the truth behind the lies.
He raised his hand, then blinked. "Er, I seem to have forgotten my gavel."
He stood and ran out of the courtroom.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth silently blinked, as she skeptically looked in the direction of the Judge's bench.
Is... he for real? Annabeth wondered, as a bead of sweat ran down the back of her head.

The Judge returned to his bench. he raised his gavel and brought it down.
"Court is now in session. Is the prosecution ready?"
The prosecutor flipped back his hair. "Of course, your honor. This won't take long at all."

The Judge nodded. "Is the defense ready?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"The defense is ready, Your Honor." Annabeth said with a confident nod.

"Good. Now, then, if the Prosecution will recap the case for the court?"

Payne flipped his hair. "Yes, your Honor. At approximately 1:00 AM this morning, the corpse of a petty thief was found in a nearby park. Close by the police found a sleeping drunkard named Aaron Ark. Ark's fingerprints were found on the corpse, and no other fingerprints were found. This is an open and shut case, your Honor - the thief robbed the drunkard, who retaliated and killed the thief before passing out."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm..." Annabeth considered that, as she rubbed her chin.
"But what of the murder weapon?" Annabeth queried, as there was no mention of that.

(Payne): *sweats* "Er, we can't find any trace of it. But we assume it was one of the rocks lying around the park."
(Pike): "Odd. if the killer passed out drunk right next to the body, when would he have had time to hide the weapon?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, and looked over to Pike in thanks.
"And what exactly does the autopsy report show about the victim?"

"Blunt force trauma to the back of the head."
Autopsy Report added to inventory. Check for more details.

(Pike): "What of the crime scene?"
(Payne): "We have a photo here."
Crimescene photo added to inventory.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth proceeded to look at both the autopsy report and the crime scene photo.

Victim: Robb Yew.
Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma to back of head. Found facedown in mud. Time of death, between 1 and 4 am.


The photo depicted a muddy part of the park. The outline of the corpse was clearly visible. Near it was a pool of dried blood, with a white flower in the center.
Behind the corpse was a set of footprints. In front of the corpse was a large row of bushes, and a bed of yellow and red flowers on the left.
(Pike): "Quite odd..."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Yeah... Why would these flowers be here precisely?" Annabeth asked, finding that a bit odd.

(Payne): "Because it's a park with lots of flowers."


(Pike): "You're on the right track, though. There's something wrong with the flowers."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, and then pointed at the white flower.
"What exactly is that doing there?"

(Pike): "And more importantly...if it's in a pool of blood...how is it still pure white? Any ideas, newbie?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"It must have been placed there after the murder." Annabeth reasoned, following her line of logic to its conclusion.

Pike nodded. "Well done. Indeed...there is a clear contradiction here!"

Payne stumbled back, sweating. "I-is a single flower really important? There are flowers all along the side by the corpse, no doubt that white flower simply fell off-"

(Pike): "OBJECTION!"
"There is NO WAY the flower could have fallen off those plants! Newbie, explain to the prosecutor."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, and then motioned to the picture again.
"There are no white flowers present alongside there." Annabeth pointed out, and then nodded.
"Therefore, for the flower to have been there, it must have been left there." Annabeth explained, and then turned to Pike.
"How was that?" Annabeth asked with a confident smile.

Pike nodded. "Perfectly correct. Now...why would someone leave a flower there?"

(Payne): "OBJECTION!"
"This is absurd! It's just a flower! And even if it is important, you can't learn anything just from that photo."
He seemed to calm down. "Your honor, the prosecution would like to call a witness."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned at the objection, but looked over to see who the witness was.

A very sparkly man strode up to the witness stand.

(Payne): "Allow me to introduce Mr. Ian Diddet, who discovered the body."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"That guy... That outfit..." Annabeth said, a look of disbelief on her face.

Mr. Sparkles bowed. "In such an ugly world as this, it is my joy, my responsibility, my SACRED DUTY, to share my beauty with all. And now, even this dreary courtroom is a place of beauty, for I, Ian Diddet, have graced you with my presence!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

You've certainly graced us with something, Mr. Diddet... Annabeth thought, with a skeptic look on her face.

(Payne): "And you were the one who found the body?"
(Diddet): "Shush. I'm speaking. My voice is like golden honey, yours, like vinegar. Beauty is all that matters, and I am the epitome of beauty. But if you wish to discuss such ugliness, then yes, 'twas I who found the body and the ugly drunk in my morning rounds of the park."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

I'd think your voice is vinegar more... Annabeth thought, as she crossed her arms, already a bit tired of the way the witness was speaking.

(Judge): "The defense may cross examine the witness."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"So, what were you doing in the park, Mr. Diddet?" Annabeth asked, to start off the questioning.

"Ah, poor ugly girl, your lack of beauty is matched by your lack of brains. 'Tis obvious that for one as beautiful as I, the only possible career is the spreading of that beauty! Or, as you plebeians would say, I am the gardener."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned at the insults; but nodded.
"And what did you find that night, for the record?"

"An ugly corpse and an ugly drunkard beside it."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Is there anything else about the scene that you can recall?" Annabeth asked, trying to think of more questions to ask.

"No, I saw no need to contemplate such ugliness. I called the police at once. Ugliness should be a crime."


(Pike): "And what time was this?"

(Diddet): "I'd say it was at about 6:30 AM."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned slightly, as she looked back to the autopsy report.
Well, that time matches... Annabeth thought, as she considered what had been said already.
"How do you know the accused was drunk?" Annabeth queried.

"I'd often seen that disgusting oaf shambling through the park at all hours."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"But how does that correspond to the actual scene? Do you have proof that he was drunk on the night in question?"

"W-well, no, but why else would he be passed out by the-"


(??): "OBJESCHION!"
A very drunk man shoved Ian Diddet off the stand. "Hesh right! I wash drunked!"
(Diddet): "You vile PIG! How dare you presume to touch me! Bailiff! Get this disgusting creature off the stand!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"..." Annabeth did nothing but stare as she saw what happened.
... This guy... He does want to be found innocent right?

The drunk turned to Payne. "I've been frameed! The aliensh want my brainsh!"
(Payne): "In that case, they'll be quite disappointed."
The bailiff dragged the drunk off the stand.

(Pike): *whispering* "By the way...newbies often get cases where the defendant is basically already found guilty."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Great, would've been nice to know that earlier..." Annabeth mumbled, but then frowned.
"Mr. Diddet, could you tell me if you saw the flowers in this crime scene when you were there?"

"Humph. I'll have you know that as the gardener, it is my sacred duty to monitor the flowers! I must preserve the beauty of the park, after all!"

(Pike): "Answer the question, Mr. Diddet!"

Diddet glared at Pike. "I'll not be pushed around by a bunch of ugly neanderthals like you. But fine. No, I didn't see the white flower there. It must have blown in from a nearby flower patch afterward."

(Pike): "Ms Annabeth? I think now might be a good time for an objection. Something in your evidence contradicts his statement."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"OBJECTION!" Annabeth yelled out, as she pointed a finger at Diddet.
"This white flower couldn't have blown from a nearby flower patch, because the only colour of flowers there are yellow and red."

Diddet shook her head. "I see your brain is as useless as you are ugly. You think those are the only two flower patches in the park?"

(Judge): "Hm. I suppose there could be a white flower patch nearby. Ms. Valentine, I'm afraid I'll have to penalize you."

(Pike): "Annabeth, look at the photo more carefully. If there were strong winds, then something in the picture doesn't fit."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned at the picture for a moment, and then looked up with a smile.
"OBJECTION!" Annabeth said, and then seemed triumphant.
"If there were heavy winds that day; then why are the flower beds still intact?

Diddet stumbled back. "We-well, maybe something-that is, if the wind wasn't that strong-"

(Pike): "Which is it? Was the wind strong enough to break a flower stalk, or wasn't it?"

(Diddet): "It-er-"

(Pike): "Your honor, the flower did NOT simply happen to blow onto the blood. It was placed there deliberately!"

(Payne): "EYAAAERRRRGGGGGHGHH!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, as she looked over to Pike with a smile.
"Nice catch, sorry about my messup."

"Eeh, we all make mistakes. Can't simply throw out the fishing rod just because your first catch was a boot. Now then...if someone put the flower there, I think a good question is why?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled, the guy was definitely cooler than she initially thought. She wondered about that, though, and thought for a moment.
"My first guess would be a calling card of sorts, but..."

"Very good. Now, what sort of person leaves a calling card...and why?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm..." Annabeth frowned at that.
"My theory is that it was obviously the true killer who left it behind... But I'm not sure about the why." Annabeth admitted, as that was the confusing part.

"Perhaps you are looking at this the wrong way. What if there was more than one culprit? Then would there be a reason to leave a card?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed shocked by the idea, but slowly nodded.
"That would make sense, yeah..."

"And what do you think that reason is?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"To try and cover up who was the other culprit?"

"Hm...no, I doubt that. I think the calling card was left by the real killer."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm.." Annabeth nodded; that was her original idea, but she seemed confused still, about the two culprits thing.

Pike sighed. "Assume culprit 1 hired culprit 2 to do the deed. Culprit 2 leaves a calling card. There is only one logical reason for this: culprit 2 wishes for culprit 1 to know that they were the one responsible for the death, and thus require the money."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded.
"Okay, yeah, that makes sense." Annabeth said, as it made much more sense than any of her theories.

"Now, going by that logic, we realize we are looking for TWO killers. Thus, it doesn't matter if the person who Diddet has an alibi."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smirked at the pun, but nodded.
"But that then raises the question of who the other killer is..." Annabeth said with a slight frown.
And do we have any evidence to prove it?

"Hm...perhaps we should begin by trying to catch the killer's employer. To do that...what would the motive be for killing a thief?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Perhaps someone who's had something of theirs stolen." Annabeth then looked at the autopsy report and the crime scene photo again, to see if there was anything there.

"Hm."
Pike mimed swinging a fishing rod. "Well, you've hooked a lead, now reeeeeel it in. Our good prosecutor might know some info that could prove payne-ful to his case."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, and then slammed the desk.
"Mr. Payne; do you happen to know whether our victim has stolen anything recently?"

(Payne): "..."

(Diddet): "..."

(Judge): "..."

(Gallery): "..."

(Payne): *flips hair* "Ms. Valentine, may I remind you that the victim was a serial pickpocket?"

(Pike): "Perhaps a better question would be, was anything found on the corpse?"

(Payne): "Nothing was found."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"If there was nothing found, then whatever it was was probably taken..." Annabeth mumbled with a frown.
"If he were a serial pickpocket, why might nothing be there?" Annabeth questioned, as those two things didn't make sense together.

"Er...perhaps...Ah! I know. Obviously, the drunk reclaimed whatever was taken from-"

(Pike): "OB-JEC-TION!"

"Was anything FOUND on the accused?"

(Payne): *sweats* "we-well, no, but-"

(Pike): "Well, Ms. Valentine? Who do you think should be searched?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"I believe that Mr. Diddet, who was the first known to come across the body, should be searched."

(Payne): "OBJECTION!"
"There is no sound basis for searching the witness!"

(Pike): "Hm. He's going to be stubborn, I see. Well, this works in our favor. If we search the right thing, we can open a nice can of worms, get Diddet looking guilty before we ever search him. Now, think about this: if something was taken from the corpse, something - or things, rather - would be left behind. Do you agree?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Right." Annabeth said with a nod.

"Well, then...Your Honor, the defense would like to have the corpse searched."

(Judge): "Er...for what?"

Pike smiled. "Well, Annabeth? What should they check the corpse for?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"To see if there was anything left behind from the killer."

(Payne): "If you mean blood, there was none except the victim's."

(Pike): "think, Annabeth. The killer had to reach into the victim's pocket, or wherever he held the stuff he swiped, to remove the stolen item. What would that leave behind?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"I mean fingerprints or DNA, on the victim's clothing." Annabeth corrected herself, as she figured that was what Pike was trying to explain.

(Judge): "Hmm, I see! Bailiff! Have forensics check the victim's pockets for fingerprints!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Judge): "Have the results come in?"
(Payne): "Y-yes, your honor." He picked up a piece of paper and began to read it, sweating nervously. "A set of fingerprints were found in the victim's back pocket, and have been positively identified as belonging to Mr. Ian Phineas Diddet."

(Pike): "And there you have it, your Honor. Now, the defense once again requests that Mr. Diddet be search-"

"HOLD IT!"
(Diddet): "I-i-i-you! YOU! YOOOU! You worthless, ugly, stupid-HOW DARE YOU! YOU ARE BENEATH ME! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CONVICT ME! I AM BEAUTY INCARNATE! YOU-YOU'RE NOTHING BUT GERMS! GERMS! WORTHLESS, UGLY, GERMSSSSSS!!!!!" With that, Diddet seemed to have screamed himself into unconsciousness, and fell off the stand.


(Pike): "...May we take that as a confession, your Honor?"

(Judge): "Err...yes. I suppose we can. Well. Ahem. In light of this revelation, I think it is safe to pronounce the defendant...





"OBJECTION!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised, and looked over to seem where the Objection had come from in surprise, wondering what reason there'd be for an objection at that point, as it seemed relatively sealed by this point.

Payne flipped his hair back. "You all seem to be forgetting the very point that Ms. Valentine so kindly raised. There were TWO criminals. Perhaps Mr. Diddet DID hire a killer. I see no reason why the accused cannot be that killer!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Objection!" Annabeth pointed her finger at Payne, as she frowned.
"By that very same logic, the accused cannot be the killer, because there was a calling card left by the true killer; one that leaves only one possible suspect!"

(Payne): "W-What?"

(Judge): "I fail to see what you're getting at..."

(Pike): "Ah, I get it...if the accused was passed out right by the corpse, why leave a calling card? Or rather, if Diddet was planning to knock him out to frame him as the sole culprit, why let him leave the calling card? Not to mention, the card wouldn't really be the accused's 'style'. A bottle of grape juice, maybe. No, I think we may have a third party involved."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, as Pike pretty much expanded on her point exactly.
The only question is, who? But we can't find out anything about that, without knowing what was taken...

(Judge): *shakes head* "Hmm. Well, though I'd like to know the identity of our killer, it does seem fairly likely that the accused was simply in the wrong place, in the wrong state of mind, at the wrong time. Since neither party seems to have anything further to contribute, I hereby declare the defendant..."


~~~long pause~~~

(Judge): "Hm, someone usually interrupts me around there. Well, then. I hereby declare the defendant..."

NOT GUILTY

(Payne): "Your honor, I will personally question Diddet once he..er..regains consciousness."

(Judge): "Very good. Court is adjourned."


(Pike): "Not bad for a newbie. I'd like to chat a bit in the lobby, if it's alright."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded with a smile, as she stood up, and gathered her things.

~~~~~Defendants Lobby~~~~~
(Pike): "Well, not bad for a newbie, not bad at all."
He mimed casting a fishing rod. "You got the perp hook line and sinker. And the look on Payne's face was priceless."
He smiled at her. "I think you'll do fine."


(Female Voice): "I agree."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled at the praise, and then turned in confusion as she heard the voice, not having expected someone else to speak.

A woman was leaning against the wall. She was tall and fairly thin, though still fairly curvy. Her pale blonde hair was done up in a ponytail, save for a lock that completely hid her right eye. She wore a pale golden dress with a sort of miniature cape attached to the back, two golden earrings, and was carrying a large law book. She gave Annabeth a knowing (but still friendly) smirk.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked at the newcomer in intrigue.
"Who are you?" Annabeth asked curiously, as she didn't think she'd seen the woman before.

The woman gave an exaggerated bow. "I am Prosecutor Izabel Law."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled at the bow, amused at the exaggerated-ness, and then held out her hand.
"I'm Annabeth Valentine; but, it sounds like you probably know that already, or at least the last name part."

She nodded, but did not take Annabeth's hand.
"I did not know your name until the trial. Apparently one of my cases was assigned to Payne instead. And of course, he botched it horribly."
Her smile didn't waver, but the look in her eye turned threatening. "I promise that when we meet in court, you'll face a real challenge."

She turned and walked away slowly.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned, as she turned her head and watched Izabel walk away.
"Well she's just a barrel of sunshine, isn't she..." Annabeth muttered, as she looked back to Pike.

"I've heard of her...I hear she prosecuted in France for a few years before coming here. Supposed to be quite talented."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm... I should probably watch out for her, then, huh?" Annabeth asked with a slight frown.

"Depends. Was today's win talent, or luck?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Bit of both, maybe?" Annabeth said with a slightly sheepish smile, as she scratched her head.
"Preferably talent, but."

Pike laughed. "Well, I have a case of my own to attend to, so I'll leave you be. Get some rest, and who knows, you might get a new client before long!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, and then went home to rest up.

At 5:03 the next morning, Annabeth was awakened by knocking at her door.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth groaned, and stared groggily at the time, as she pulled herself out of bed, and sleepily went to answer the door.

(Girl): "Is-Is this the Valentine Law Office?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded sleepily, as she rubbed her eyes, trying to process why someone would be knocking at the door at 5:30, when she'd only went to sleep about an hour earlier.

"I-I want to hire you to defend my brother. You're...you're my only hope."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth was slowly getting more awake, and frowned.
"Your brother?"

"Yes. He's an employee at the Gatewater Land amusement park. He handles special effects at the shows. They...they say he killed one of his coworkers, but I know he's innocent!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned, but slowly nodded.
"I see..." Annabeth said, as she tried to comprehend what just happened, and rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Okay, come on in; got any more details?" Annabeth asked with a yawn, as she figured she wasn't getting anymore sleep that morning.

"Well...my brother was accused of killing one of the actors, Cus Toome. Cus played the Bad Badger, one of the mascots of Gatewater Land. My brother fought with Cus a lot, it's true, but he'd never kill anyone!"
She lowered her eyes sadly.
"But...nobody will take the case. Either they don't think they can win, or he can't pay enough...Please, you're my last hope."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, knowing this would be a long day.
"Alright, kiddo; let's get to work, then." Annabeth said with a tired smile.

"R-right. Oh, my name's Luna Bright. My brother's name is Sunny."

Where do you want to go?

-Detention Center

-Gatewater Land

-==IC: Annabeth==-

>Detention Center

(Guard): "Sorry, it's still only 6:30 in the morning. The prisoner isn't awake yet, and when he does wake up, his questioning isn't over until noon."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth sighed.
"Well, guess that'll have to wait..." Annabeth mumbled.

>Gatewater Land

A group of police officers were at the entrance.

One, an odd-looking (https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9SwKaih1rrF4bPcTG3OR23eNRoPOLWGL5ZrJohWWMln2TCneJ) man, walked over.

(??, yelling through microphone): "SIR! THIS IS A CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, SIR! IF YOU ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE CASE, I WILL HAVE TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE, SIR!"


(Luna): "...Ow."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth winced, as she removed her hands from her ears.
"I am the defense attorney." Annabeth said tiredly, as she just looked at the officer.

He opened his mouth to yell through the microphone again, but another officer walked over and slapped it away. "MEEKINS! Don't make me put you back on desk duty!"

(Meekins): "SIR! SORRY SIR!" He turned to Annabeth. "If you're the lawyer, you can go in, but don't disturb the investigation! The murder occurred on the Main Stage. It's just past the Old West Saloon."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded in thanks, and then walked forward.

>Main Stage.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded in thanks, and then walked forward.

>Main Stage.

A chalk outline was visible on the stage.

(Luna Bright): "I bet there are clues here! We should search carefully."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm, yeah..."

>Investigate carefully, making sure not to disturb any of the evidence.

Aside from the chalk outline, the stage was fairly cluttered. Props from different shows were scattered about - costumes, lights, several cardboard boxes, what appeared to be a mechanical donkey, and a standard ladder.

(Luna): "Why would they need a stepladder here?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm... Could it be because of the play that's running, or to get up somehting?"

>Examine stepladder.

OOC: I was hoping for a ladder/stepladder comment. :P

IC: Yep, that's a ladder.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth paused for a moment. "... Pretty sure that's actually a ladder."

"No, definitely a stepladder. You need to stop judging things by such narrow-minded cultural assumptions."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked to the ladder, then to the person. "... But it's only got one side, it's a ladder..."

"They're the same thing!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"But stepladders fold, that's the whole point behind them..."

"Maybe I shouldn't have hired such a naive attorney."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth simply gave the client a skeptical look, and began to investigate the rest of the room.

Contents of the room:
Four (4) boxes of props  (can be investigated more closely).
One (1) chalk outline (can be investigated more closely).
One (1) (Step)Ladder.
Two (2) empty Badger costumes.
One (1) Old woman glaring at you.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth paused, and looked over at the old woman with a confused look on her face, wondering when she showed up.

"WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT, WHIPPERSNAPPER?!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

>Investigate prop boxes.

The first box contained a Blue Badger mask and some prop handcuffs. The handcuffs were in the locked position, and a small amount of pink fur was stuck to them.

The second box contained spare lights.

The third box was empty.

The fourth was filled with sawdusk.

"Don't pretend you can't hear me, whippersnapper!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"You were looking at me first!" Annabeth called back with a slight frown. "I have to look over everything here anyway. Without touching, of course."

"Who said you can touch anything! I'm the security guard here, and I don't want you whippersnappers poking your grubby little fingers where they don't belong!"

She proudly gestured to her badge:

Gatewater Land Security Officer: Wendy Oldbag


(http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/93060/1472734-oldbag_mad.jpg)

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"... I... I just finished saying I wouldn't touch anything. This is a crime scene, after all, so all I can do is look." Annabeth frowned, as something seemed odd about this person.

(Oldbag): "You're not allowed back here! I won't let you be poking around backstage! Gatewater Land is-"

(??): "CEASE!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth blinked, and turned to look at whoever had spoken.

(Izabel Law): *exaggerated bow*
"Please, Milady Oldbag, forgive these impulsive children the rashness of youth. Often self-awareness comes far too late for the young. As the prosecutor presiding over this case, I shall take full responsibility for ensuring this child does not harm the evidence."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised, but smiled slightly, and nodded. That said, she didn't quite agree that she was being impulsive or rash, since she had not disturbed the evidence at all, and had gotten clearance to be back here.

Izabel smirked. "Come along, children." She spun on her heel and walked towards a nearby building.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth tried to take a quick look back, but then followed after Izabel, wondering what was going on there.

Izabel led them into the Old West Saloon (And Burgers). "Sit."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth didn't have to be told twice. "So..."

"You seem to have a habit of turning up in my cases, my dear. I'd like you to stop that, please. I intend to get this case finished as quickly as possible and see the criminal convicted by tomorrow's trial. I have more important matters to attend to than a petty murderer, so I'd appreciate it if you'd just accept your client's guilt and leave me to my work."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Umm, before I actually like, come to any conclusions, could I ask you some questions about this...? I don't want to take up too much of your time, and I really don't want to drag this out either, but..." Annabeth scratched her head slightly. "I'd like to at least know the story before making any decisions." She offered a slight smile, to try and show she wasn't trying to be malicious or anything.

"...Very well, I suppose I can indulge you - though frankly I find it frightening that you accepted a case knowing nothing about it.
The accused, Sunny Bright, was in charge of special effects for the daily show here at Gatewater Land. The victim was a man named Cus Toome, who played the Bad Badger in the show. Cus was found dead on the stage, still in costume, though without the mask. He was suffocated. Time of death was early in the morning, at the time when the accused was supposed to be setting up effects on stage. He claims he was late that day because he couldn't find the keys to the supply closet. He has a record of fighting with Cut Toome, once even breaking the late mister Toome's nose in a fight. Nobody else was slated to be on duty that day, and the security guard testified that she only saw Sunny Bright there."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth considered all that for a moment. Something didn't seem right to her, but she couldn't tell exactly why. "What do you mean by 'on duty'? Like, do you count Ms. Oldbag?"

"Ms. Oldbag is the security guard."

Piano music came from Izabel's pocket. "Ah, that's my phone, pardon me."

She pulled out her phone.
"Hello? Oh!  ❤ Hi, sweetie!❤ Yes, it's fine, I'm at work right now but I can talk.
Mm. Mhm. OK. I'll see you in the courtroom tomorrow, Kitty-Kat! Love you!❤ "
She hung up and turned back to Annabeth.

"As I was saying, the only person on duty at the time was Wendy Oldbag, and security cameras prove she did not leave her post. Sadly there were no cameras at the actual crime scene.."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled as the conversation went on, but nodded with a slight frown, as she considered what was being said. "Are there any cameras in the areas leading to the stage...? I'm sorry for all the questions, I just feel, well, it's best to at least find out the answers, right?" She seemed a little awkward, but hoped she wasn't offending Izabel, or making her annoyed.

"If we had security footage, the criminal would already be behind bars and I would be at home sipping tea with my fiance."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Oooh, congratulations!" Annabeth said with a smile. "But true..." She nodded with a slight frown, and sighed. "I really wish you could have that time, I know from previous experience that being pulled away from family time isn't fun; my mom used to always get called away for work." She scratched her head slightly. "Do we know who discovered the body?"

Izabel seemed a little taken aback by Annabeth's friendliness.
"Ah, um, yes. It was Warren Asute, the manager. Sunny Bright hadn't clocked in on time and Asute was looking for him."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, as she considered that. "Um, tell me if my questions ever get to the annoying side of things, or if it's getting too late, but, do we know if the door was locked or anything like that? Or if anyone else might have had a greater grudge?" She scratched her head with an apologetic look for the questions, since she had to admit that it didn't even look that good for her client, but she wanted to find out the truth here.

"You are certainly the politest attorney I've met. I think I'll be rather sad to have to crush you in tomorrow's trial.
That said, when we inspected the supply closet it was open. Sunny Bright claims he borrowed a key from the desk of an off-duty employee and that his own key is still missing. As far as grudges..."
She sighed. "Cus Toome was not the nicest man. He apparently tended to get rather drunk and rude towards his coworkers. However, by all accounts it was Sunny Bright he picked on the most."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled. "Thank you! No matter what happens, I think it'll go well." She said, not seeming to really mind the outcome either way, and then thought about what was said about grudges. "Hmmm... Do you know the name of the off duty co-worker by any chance?"

"I'm afraid not. He was out of state anyway, he's not a suspect. As far as people who were here at the time:
Sunny Bright, Cus Toome, Wendy Oldbag, Warren Asute...there was another actor, Perry Formia, and a janitor named Spike Anspan."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed in deep contemplation, as she mulled it all over, but nodded at the mention of the other co-worker being out of state; that would rule him out rather easily for sure. "Stop me if I'm starting to sound crazy or anything, but do any of the other people have alibis?"

"Not really, I suppose."

Izabel sighed. "Ugh...why did I have to be assigned to this case? Don't they know I already have more important matters?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked over sadly at Izabel when she said that. "I can understand if you can't talk about it or anything, but what is it? Do you think I might be able to help at all?" She scratched her head slightly, as she felt a little bad that the whole case was taking time out of Izabel's schedule, and wondered if there was any way she might be able to help turn that around somehow.

OOC: Turnabout? :P

IC: "Nothing that affects you. No need to be concerned by it."

OOC: A+ for recognizing the pun. =P

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"You sure...?" She scratched her head uncertainly, but smiled. "Alright; but the offer's open if you ever think you need any help." Annabeth giggled slightly, as she tried to think of more things to ask.

Izabel looked at her thoughtfully. "I may just take you up on that. You're already somewhat involved, albeit unintentionally."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed a bit surprised by that. "I am?" She asked curiously, having not expected that one, but smiled slightly.

"indeed. Recall your previous case."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth thought, as she closed her eyes for a moment, and then paused. "... The flowers?" She asked curiously, as she opened her eyes again.

"Indeed. The calling card of a one of the three greatest assassins in the nation."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised at that. "That makes sense, but I didn't think it was that big!" She nodded, as she understood the importance of the case. "I get why you want to focus on that, then, yeah; that's a big sign, in a way."

"Oh no. The assassin is just a way of getting at my real target."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Oh." Annabeth smiled sheepishly, as she scratched her head awkwardly. "Sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions there..." She offered Izabel an apologetic smile at that, but wondered what could be more important because of that.

"Regardless, the matter at hand is the conviction of Cus Toome's killer. if you really want to help, either drop the case and leave your client to the gallows, or find some critical evidence by tomorrow's trial."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, as she tried to think of a way to do that, when she didn't have access to the crime scene. However, she paused for a moment. "The climbing tool in the crime scene... Would you say that's a ladder, or a stepladder?"

"...does it matter?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"I think I have a bet riding on it."

*Izabel blinks*

"OK...well, it's a stepladder, isn't it?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked puzzled, and scratched her head. "Uh, hmm... Well, maybe I need to go look up the definition again when I get home, then." She seemed still utterly confused for a moment more, but smiled, and giggled awkwardly. "There was a little debate over the meaning, so I just wanted a second opinion." She explained with a sheepish grin.

"You are the strangest attorney I have ever met. Is everyone in this country so...eccentric?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth thought for a moment. "Not totally sure to be honest. Maybe not; I've been told I'm a bit too upbeat and such... But I think being too serious could lead to health issues, so..." She scratched her head with a slight shrug, but still offered Izabel a friendly smile.

"I can't quite follow your logic, but you seem to have good intentions."
Izabel turned to leave, then looked back at Annabeth.
"If I were you, I'd consider those handcuffs important evidence."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised, and thought about that for a moment, and then smiled in thanks. "Alright, cya tomorrow!" She said with a small wave, as she moved to stand up as well.

"You should try to speak to the witnesses too."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded at that as well. "Thank you! I hope you get to spend some time either working on your project, or get a chance to spend time with your fiance."

"...thank you." This time Izabel's smile was genuine.
She exited the room.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled as well, and then left the diner after a little while, intending to make a trip back to the crime scene quickly.

Oldbag was still standing angrily at the crime scene.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth held out her Attorney's Badge, to show that she had a right to be there.

"WHY ARE YOU STICKING THAT IN MY FACE, WHIPPERSNAPPER?!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Because I was instructed that I could be here. Would you rather I call the manager to get permission straight from his mouth?" She asked, as she took out her cell phone, prepared to do just that.

"Just hurry up and leave."
Oldbag stormed off.

(Luna Bright): "Maybe we shouldn't have angered a witness..."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hey, I didn't anger her, she was angered from the start, did you see the way she was looking at me?"

"I guess...but I still think we should have questioned her."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Yeah... I'm not sure she really would have answered, though..." She sighed with a slight frown.

"...No, I suppose not. Let's look at those handcuffs again."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded quietly, and went to investigate them.

The handcuffs seemed damaged. A faint bit of colored fur, like from one of the costumes, was stuck to them

*handcuffs added to evidence*

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned, as she noticed that, and began to examine the rest of the room again.

Nothing else seemed particularly interesting.



OOC: Most of what else you could have found, Izabel already told you.

OOC: xP

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth thought for a moment, and sighed. "Let's go pay the Manager a visit."

~~~~~~Manager's Office~~~~~~
A short, chubby man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts looked up from them. "Whadda want?" he asked, not removing the cigar from his mouth.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

>Present Attorney's Badge.

"Eh? Wazzat? You the one defending Sunny?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Yes I am, sir! Do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"Tch. Sooner he's on the chopping block the better for me. Costing me a pretty penny. Couldn't he have had the decency not to kill Toome on my property?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned slightly. "What makes you so sure that Mr. Brite is responsible?" Something unnerved her about that.

"Who else couldda done it? Bright was there, and he always hated Toome. Case closed."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth thought it over for a moment. "Was he in the room when it actually happened?" Something seemed off.

"The stage is outside, not a room. But nah, when I found him he was trying to get into the haunted house. He ain't supposed to be in there anyway!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"The... Haunted House, sir?"

"yeah, the haunted house. it's been closed ever since a murder happened there about a year back, and now I find Sunny Bright trying to sneak in. What more do you need to know? He's guilty."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth wasn't so sure. "Can you tell me more about this Haunted House?"

"it's an old haunted house. it's closed. What more do you wanna know?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Well, explain more about what happened." She was starting to wonder why he was being so... unwilling to answer.

"What's there to tell? I saw him trying to force the lock and get in. I grabbed him and dragged him to the stage to chew him out, and there was Toome's body!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth sighed. "But what happened the last time to cause it to be off limits. You mentioned a murder; what exactly happened?"

"Eh, I don't know, it was before I became manager. Some prosecutor...Edgeworth, I think....solved the thing."

OOC: The first Investigations game.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned, still skeptical. "Can you tell me anything else that might be relevant? Bias isn't really helpful, so a neutral approach would be nice."

"You accusing me of something, kid?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"No sir, just trying to say what is needed."

"Hmph. Why don't you go question someone else. I've got a business to run."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth wasn't exactly pleased with this guy, but thought for a moment, as she walked away. "Think it's time to actually talk with our client."

"Maybe we should talk to the janitor first?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"... Good point. Alright." She nodded at that.

~~~~~~~~~~Food Court~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the middle of the food court, a young man with long messy brown hair was lazily sweeping the same leaf back and forth.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Umm... Are you the Janitor?" Annabeth asked curiously.

"Yeah man. I'm totally Spike Anspan, dude. What's hangin?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"App-" Annabeth paused. "Not much." She said with a slightly forced friendly smile, trying to not anger a third witness by accident. "I was wondering if you knew anything about the murder this morning?"

"Duude. Major bummer, that. I didn't see much, but I can totally answer whatever questions you got. lay it on me, dude."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Do you happen to know who might have a grudge against mr. Toome?"

"Man, it's like, I know you're not supposed to say bad stuff about the dead, but we all hated the guys guts, man."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded. "Do you think Mr. Bright is the only one who would have motive, then? Or might someone else have?"

"Dude, like, if Cus Toome was in one of his rages, anyone would totally have had a motive, man."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned slightly, as she nodded. "Do you happen to know who was around this morning?"

"well, there was me, and the manager, and Sunny. That's all, dude."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded, and sighed. "Is there anything else of interest that you might know?" Something bugged her, but she'd have to wait until she talked to her client personally to confirm it.

"Hm...well, like I know Cus was super on edge, man. Something was totally stressing both him and Mr. Asute. Asute's been real strict lately, man."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Oh yeah?" That caught her attention. "How so?"

"Gatewater Land is having, like, money problems, man. Asute is in debt bigtime, and last night he was ranting about cash going missing. He's scared of the loan shark coming for him, man."
He paused.
"Oh! I remembered something else about Sunny, man!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"What?" annabeth was curious about all this...

"Yeah! They got in a big fight a few days ago, man! Sunny accused Cus of breaking one of the props, and Cus blew his top, man! He said he'd go to Sunny's house and beat up his sister, man! I've never seen Sunny so ****, dude!"

(Luna): "Sunny...you were...protecting me..."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded. "Is that all, then?"

"Like, I think so, man. Unless you've got any other questions to ask me, dude."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Do you know anything about the Haunted House?"

"Huh? Yeah, it closed last year, man."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Do you know why anyone might want to go in there?"

"No idea, man."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm... One last question; what's the climbing tool on the stage?"

"Huh? Dude, it's like, a ladder, man."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded. "Thanks for your time."

"Tell Sunny I'm rooting for him, man!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth got lost in thought, as she and the client's sister headed to meet up with her client, finally.

3:00 PM, Detention Center.

(Sunny): "sis? Is that you?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled slightly, as she let Luna talk a bit first.

(Luna): "Brother...I...I brought an attorney. She...she can save you."

Luna burst into tears and ran out of the room.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised at the reaction, but took her seat with a friendly smile. "How you holding up?"

"Could be worse. The prosecutor lady who interrogated me was brutal, though."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"She's been kinda having a bad day..." Annabeth sighed, but scratched her head. "So... Do you mind if I get your story?"

"Sure...what do you want to know?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Well... First of all, what you were doing when things were happening? I know you've probably heard this question a thousand times today, but... I need to get as much info from everyone, as I can."

"I was trying to get open the supply closet. Someone took my key and I had to borrow another one. Thankfully all our supply closets use the exact same key, so I could get one from another act, but it still took a while."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

The girl thought about what Sunny said, as she mulled it over in her head. She recalled what Izabel had said about the supply closet, but...

"Which act did you get it from?" Annabeth asked curiously with a tilt of her head, as she leaned forward a bit. "Did you see anyone else that could have been around?"

"Huh? Er...The Old West Saloon. I-I didn't see anyone there, though!" Sunny blinked nervously.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"No worries, I just want to check all possibilities." Annabeth raised her hands to show she wasn't trying to be intimidating, and smiled a bit. "So you and your sister are close, then?" While the girl wanted to get some more answers, she felt that it might be better to try and calm Sunny down for a little bit.

"Yeah, very. We've always gotten along really well."
He sighed. "This must be so hard for her...Please, make sure she's taken care of if...if I'm...found...you know."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth bit her lip for a moment, but smiled. "I'll do my best to help her out. But I'll also do my best to help you, alright?" The attorney put on her figurative thinking cap, as she tried to figure out another question. "Do you know of anyone in particular who might hold a grudge against Mr. Toome?"

He sighed. "Pretty much everyone. He was always yelling at everyone, picking fights...He and I fought a lot, since we were on stage together most of the time, but he managed to cause trouble for everyone. Asute was always threatening to fire him for one screw up or another. The security lady always suspected him of stealing her donuts, and he was always really rude to Ver- I mean, rude to everyone. Maybe not the janitor as much, but that's just since they rarely spoke. The few times they DID Toome would always insult him."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Well, that's about par for the course for what I've been hearing... Annabeth mentally sighed, as something that Sunny said caught her attention.

"What do you mean by 'Ver'?" That was not something she'd heard yet. "Also, I heard something about Mr. Asute and Mr. Toome? Could you elabourate?"

"Erk!"
He flushed. "Nothing! I just misspoke, that's all!"
He looked away. "A-anyway, apparently a lot of money has been vanishing from the cash registers lately. Asute suspected Cus, but he never had any proof."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

The girl seemed intrigued about the reluctance to explain about this 'Ver' person, however, she was more intrigued about the cash register story, as her eyebrows furrowed.

"Do you think that more things could have happened there, then?" Annabeth asked, as she wanted to at least get this line of conversation over with before continuing to press about the mysterious person that Sunny refused to talk about.

"Who knows. I wouldn't put it past Asute to smash Cus on the head if he caught him stealing, but...I overheard the police saying Cus suffocated, and I can't picture Asute doing that. Too...precise, I guess? He's not much for finesse."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm..." Annabeth put a hand to her chin, as she considered that. Running out of options, she sighed and decided to follow up on her other idea.

"I know you don't want to explain, but... I need to know who you were talking about. The person sounds important, and... really, I think it would help if you could tell me who this 'Ver' person is. Please..."

He looked down at his feet and sighed. "I...I don't want to get Vera in trouble with Asute. He'd fire her if her knew."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth relaxed slightly, but nodded. "I promise that I'll try to keep her out of trouble with Mr. Asute, but you'll need to explain what you were going to say about her..." She wondered if Sunny was close to this Vera person, but she wanted to try and make sure that everyone here got a happy ending. For that reason, she really really hoped that Vera was not, in fact, responsible.

"Vera Yeager. She's another employee here, but she's not supposed to be on Gatewater Land properly. She's on leave for stirring up trouble, trying to organize a workers strike. Asute wanted to fire her, but the higher ups were worried she'd cause more trouble that way. But if he finds out she snuck in, she'd be fired for sure."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised about this turn in information, but thought it over. "Is that how the Haunted House is connected?" She asked after a little while, piecing together that possible reason finally.

"What? No, no. She was in the saloon. I went down to the haunted house because-"

(Guard): "alright, times up. Time for your questioning, prisoner."

Sunny sighed and stood. "Right. I'm counting on you in court tomorrow, Annabeth."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned as she mentally cursed the guard. Something about that haunted house seemed important, but... She nodded, as she stood up as well, and gave Sunny a smile. "Alright. I'll try my best to not let you down!"

Luna was waiting for her outside.
"S-so? Can...can you prove him innocent?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"I'm gonna try my best." Annabeth gave a small smile, as she tried to keep her confidence up. "But... do you know anything about a 'Vera'?" She needed more than just Sunny's description, after all.

"Vera? Yeah, I've seen her once or twice at the park. I can never understand what she says, though..."

OOC: Just tell me when you're ready to advance to the Trial.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Why is that?" Annabeth asked curiously, as she tilted her head slightly. "Does she have an accent or something?"

"That's putting it mildly."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

The young attorney made a note that if she was called as a witness, that she should try and seriously make an effort to understand this accent the first time.

"Is there anything else that you might be able to tell me about her?"

"I've never really spoken with her, sorry."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Don't worry, it's alright." The girl smiled, as she placed a reassuring hand on her client's shoulder. "Do you think you can recall anything else in general that might be able to help out?"

She shook her head. "Sorry...I've never really been to where Sunny works, and he didn't talk about his job much. He didn't really like it...he just did it to help make ends meet."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"That's alright." She gave a smile for a moment, but sighed after. "You have anywhere to crash tonight? I think you should get some rest..."

"I was just planning on going home."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day 1: Trial~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Defense Lobby #3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth sighed, as she smoothed out her clothes while waiting for the trial to begin. She bit her lip, as she went over what was going on.

So we have a costume guy dead who nobody liked and seemingly was stealing, an owner who was having money trouble because of that, a security guard who hates me, a janitor who was... groovy, and... a woman I don't even know. I have honestly no clue where this is going. The girl sighed in frustration, as she glanced around uncertainly.

(http://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2106xdhg71rqhfmmo1_250.gif)

The Judge had clearly remembered his gavel today.
"Court is now in session for the trial of Sunny Bright."

In the prosecution bench, Izabel gave Annabeth a confident smirk, then turned and blew a kiss to someone in the audience. "The prosecution is ready, your honor."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Although she honestly wasn't totally ready, she gave a smile back to Izabel. "The defense is ready too, your honour! I hope that everything goes smoothly for everyone!"

(http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/5/5b/Judge_Nodding.gif/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/185?cb=20120828185034)
"Very well. Prosecutor Law, your opening statement?"

Izabel nodded.
(http://orig03.deviantart.net/b607/f/2015/341/0/b/sprite_attempt__izabel_law_by_redherochild-d9j0esv.gif)
"Yes, your Honor. Yesterday, at approximately 6:45 in the morning, a Gatewater Land employee by the name of Cus Toome was brutally murdered via suffocation. The prosecution asserts that the culprit is one Sunny Bright, a coworker of Toome who was caught at the scene of the crime."
She smirked at Annabeth. "Let's get this trial over with quickly. The prosecution calls Detective Dick Gumshoe to the stand!"



(http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/6/64/Dick_Gumshoe_Confident_2.gif/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/185?cb=20130628195443)
"Bright's definitely the killer, pal! He was the only one on duty at the time, and he wasn't where he was supposed to be at the time. And he's got a motive, too!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"HOLD IT!"

Annabeth felt a little awkward for shouting out like that so soon, but...

"What kind of motive does the suspect actually have?" She wanted to address that first, as she had a feeling this was a really important question.

"Protecting his sister, pal! The victim apparently got in a big fight with him the day before he was killed, and during the fight he threatened to kill the guy's sister!" Gumshoe smiled smugly. "Bright loved his sister, so he took that real personal, pal. So he killed him!"


"HOLD IT!"
Pike Fischer slid in beside Annabeth. "Hello again, newbie! Pardon the intrusion, but I'm rather bored at the moment, and you looked lonely over here by yourself."

He eyed the detective. "There's something odd about that detective's last statement, pal." He smirked at his own bad joke.
"Detective, please add that statement to your testimony."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth thought it over for a moment, but then nodded.

"OBJECTION!"

She smiled at Gumshoe, but was going to point out the issue there. "I have an issue with that... If he fought the victim the day before, and that was his motive, why would he have waited a day? Why would he have not killed the victim right then and there? It makes no sense that the Mr. Bright would let the victim go, when he could easily be left to assault Ms. Bright."

Gumshoe started. "I...I never thought of that, pal!"

Izabel sighed. "Did you not take my advice, Attorney? Think what evidence I told you to take a closer look at."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"This one." Annabeth said with a smile, as she moved to present the evidence of the handcuffs that had been found at the crime scene. She wondered what it could have meant, though...

Izabel nodded. "The victim wasn't killed right away. Rather, a fight broke out, and Sunny knocked the unfortunate Mr. Toome unconscious. He then took Toome, who was still in costume, to the supply closet and locked him in there after handcuffing him with the prop handcuffs."

She shook her head. "At this point, he may not have actually planned to kill Toome. Just teach him a lesson about threatening his sister. Unfortunately...when he returned in the morning to let Toome out, he had suffocated."

"HOLD IT!"
Fischer slammed down on the desk. "What kind of supply closet is airtight?! He wouldn't have suffocated just from sitting in a closet overnight!"

"CEASE!"
Izabel smirked. "Indeed. Except there was something else in that closet."
She held up a piece of pink fur. "At first, I assumed this was from the Pink Badger. But when I was exploring, I saw the actual costume, and it was a different shade. So, what in a supply closet would cause the fur to be this color?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth inhaled, as she hadn't thought of the possibility that the fur might be different. She ran through the possibilities in her mind, and a chill went down her spine as her eyes widened.

Paint. She hesitated to voice her opinion, but knew that it would probably help... (in some way...) if she did so.

"Was it paint, by any chance? That could both change the colour, and cause a lack of oxygen..." She cursed herself mentally for biting the bait, but... she had to admit that she wasn't liking these chances; especially after knowing that she had to pass through the Saloon to get to the Main Stage.

Izabel grinned. "Precisely. Poor Toome...Imagine being handcuffed, trapped in a sweltering fur costume, in total darkness, as your lungs slowly fill with paint fumes..."

The judge slammed his gavel. "P-Prosecutor Law! There's no need for such vivid imagery!"
Izabel kept grinning. "Sorry, your Honor. But that explains a lot, does it not? The handcuffs were doubtless damaged in his struggle to escape, but by the time they were off, he was too weakened by lack of oxygen to do anything at all."
She shook her head. "I'm sure Sunny Bright was horrified when he arrived the next morning. His attempt to intimidate his sister's harasser had led to the man's death. He must have been panicked. But luckily for him, he was there early...he hid the handcuffs, cleared out the closet, and dragged the body away to dispose of it. But before he could, Asute discovered the body." She smirked. "I'd say that 'paints' quite a plausible picture, no?" She chuckled. "By the way, a spilled can of pink paint was found in the supply closet. It's a brand known to give of some truly nasty gasses." She grinned cruelly at Annabeth. "If you'd like to change your plea to 'accidental murder' and hope for a lesser sentence, now's your chance, Defense."

Fischer frowned. "You could certainly try to lower his sentence...but is that really the right verdict?" He turned to Annabeth. "How much faith do you have in your client? Will you argue for accidental murder? Or press on for a Not Guilty?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth closed her eyes, as she tried to keep calm. There had to be something she was missing...

"I..." She bit her lip; she was taking a heavy risk here, but... "I believe in my client. We will not give in." The girl opened her eyes, an apologetic look to Izabel for not just giving in; but something wasn't adding up here.

Izabel sighed. "Ah well. in that case...the prosecution would like to slightly alter its theory. Because Sunny Bright did not kill the victim by accident....It was, in fact, an exceptionally cruel murder. And when he was captured that morning, he was not merely disposing of evidence. He was planning to frame another for his crime!"
She grinned at Annabeth.
"The prosecution would like to call its next witness."

Fischer narrowed his eyes and turned to Annabeth. "Seems she's getting serious. Are you ready?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"I hope so..." Annabeth mumbled, as she raised an eyebrow. "Nonetheless, though... I'm not backing down." Her mouth curved upward; she had a feeling that there was something she was overlooking... but she would find it.

Izabel smirked. "Very well then. This witness was a security guard at Gatewater Land, and witnessed the killer's attempts to hide the body."

(https://67.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldfoo4hX461qcl8ah.gif)

Izabel nodded. "Witness, please state your name and-"

"WHIPPERSNAPPER!" Oldbag glared at her.
(http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/d/d0/JFA_Oldbag_Angry_1.gif/revision/latest?cb=20120827100559)
"I was getting to that! You don't need to rush me! Back in my day, people knew how to be patient! We wouldn't rush a lady who had just gotten up, oh no, we knew how to treat our elders! But you whippersnappers need everything now now now now now and it doesn't matter who you're dealing with, it's all about me me me. Now back in my day we knew how to treat a lady! 'Miss Oldbag' they'd say, 'won't you please share your wisdom with us'? But now you all think you know so much more than your elders, with your heads all full of ipeas and smart shoes and video games! When I was a lass we knew how to behave ourselves, oh yes, there was none of that newfangled technology whatsits to rot our brains! We knew how to have real fun! I'd go for long walks every day, and all the men would follow behind me, all of them wanting a chance to talk to me. Now you only talk to me when you need something! You whippersnappers have no respect for your elders!"


OOC:  Read Oldbag's speech as if she were talking as fast as humanly possible.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"... Um..." Annabeth blinked as she barely kept up with what the security guard was saying. I'm not even sure what to say here, this is just... um...

(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/e/e8/Oldbag_Smirking_2.gif/revision/latest?cb=20120827100740)
"I saw him, you know! I saw that young whippersnapper try to hide the body!"

"I was at my station, reviewing the security videos from the previous day, when I see him! I'm sure it was him because he was wearing that thing. And he was dragging a Bad Badger costume! It had the victims body inside it, I'm sure of it! Of course I didn't know it at the time, why would I suspect that anything was out of the ordinary? But I should have known because he was acting so oddly, no 'hello miss Oldbag', no 'how do you do miss Oldbag', I daresay he didn't even realize I was there! That's the problem with you whippersnappers, always so focused on yourselves you don't even notice what's around you, now back in my day we knew how to pay attention! Nothing like this would have happened when I was a girl, oh no, we'd have spotted him and locked him up right then and there, we wouldn't have needed to waste an old woman's time with pointless testimony, we knew what we saw and we knew what we knew! But you young folk don't know how to think for yourselves so you need someone else to think for you, your heads are too full of all that modern nonsense and-"

"CEASE!"

Izabel looked about ready to cry. "Defense, when you cross examine this witness, please, please don't ask any pointless questions or we'll be here until doomsday."

The Judge nodded. "Indeed. Please try to stay on topic, defense. You may cross examine the witness."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded with a slight grimace at the rant that Oldbag gave, but something seemed off to her.

"It's nice to hear your opinions, Ms. Oldbag, but what 'thing' are you talking about,  that the defendant was wearing? I apologize for wasting your time, but every bit of information here will help, I promise!" The attorney gave the old woman a small smile. Although Wendy was a bit gruff, she didn't really... seem bad. In fact, Annabeth had to wonder, based off the mention of the greeting, if she was secretly lonely...

"That horrid costume! Back in my day amusement parks had real mascots, not these badger monstrosities! And let me tell you those costumes are awful, I had to spend a whole day playing the Pink Badger, and not only was it hot and heavy but nobody even came up to me, I couldn't sell a single souvenir! Kids these days don't appreciate the effort put into being a mascot, they think it's all fun and games, but let me tell you it-"

Izabel looked agonized. "Cease, cease! For God's sake, cease before I become a murderer myself!"
She seemed to pull herself together. "Anyway...Miss Oldbag, I believe this is what he was wearing?"

(http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/f/f7/AAI_Meekins_Badger_Dance.gif/revision/latest?cb=20120824204616)


Oldbag nodded. "Exactly! That ridiculous Blue Badger costume! He played that role in the stage show, even though poor Toome was a much better choice, but because Asute didn't like him he forced him to play the Bad Badger instead and never get any popularity, and that's just wrong, because even if he was a rotten donut thief he was a darned sight better actor than Sunny! But nobody ever asks my opinion, no, nobody wants to hear Oldbag's opinions, you youngster's don't understand the wisdom of your elders, no, you-"

Izabel groaned. "Thank you, witness, you have answered the question wonderfully. Please, stop answering the question now, or this trial will never end."
 

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth winced at the amount of talking Oldbag was doing, and felt bad about Izabel's situation. Something didn't seem to fit, however.

"Well, um, Ms. Oldbag, I know you recognized the costume, but isn't it possible that someone else was wearing it at the time that you saw the person? After all, the mask was on, correct?"

"Are you questioning my woman's intuition, whippersnapper? Well let me tell you there aren't many people who can get those costumes, only a few employees have the keys to the closets that store them, and none of the other actors were there that day!"

Izabel coughed. "We tested the mask found on the stage for fingerprints, and confirmed it had a number belonging to the accused. No other fingerprints were found."
She held up the Blue Badger mask from the stage.

Oldbag blinked.

Fischer leaned over to Annabeth. "Seems the witness has noticed something unusual about that evidence...this might be an opening."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

The girl nodded, as she looked over at Ms. Oldbag.

"Is something the matter?" Annabeth asked, as she tried to figure out a way to work with this. "Is something wrong with the mask?"

"That mask...That's not the mask he was wearing!"

Izabel started. "W-what?! But...this is the Blue Badger's mas-"

(http://67.media.tumblr.com/7efb60c6b64c9b87bab678b94e1ac076/tumblr_inline_ocnl07IslO1qkpnrw_500.gif)
"You think I don't know what I saw? I may be old but my eyes are as good as ever! 'Eagle-eyed Wendy' they'd call me when I was a girl, and believe me I earned it! I could pick out a good man from across the dance hall before the other girls even had their eyes open! And I know what I saw: The mask he was wearing had pure black eyes!"

Fischer nodded. "Ah, I understand what happened here...Annabeth, take a look at this."
(http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/e/e9/Badgers.png/revision/latest?cb=20101014021914)

"Now...what do you think Miss Oldbag saw?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"The Proto Badger's mask. After all, the Bad Badger is wearing sunglasses... but..." Annabeth frowned slightly as she wondered about this.

"Ms. Oldbag, would it happen to have been the Proto Badger's mask that you saw?" She paused for a moment. "And do you happen to know who wears that costume?"

Oldbag started. "That's it! It was the Proto Badger's mask, I'm sure of it!"


"The actor who plays the Proto Badger is out of state right now, and the actress who played the Pink Badger is on leave and not permitted on Gatewater Land property. Other than security staff, only Sunny Bright had access. So tell me: Who seems most likely to have worn the mask?"

Pike slammed the desk. "If he needed a mask, he had his own! Why would he-"


"An attempt to deflect suspicion? He grabbed the wrong mask in his hurry to disguise himself? What does it matter? He was still the only actor around! And don't you dare try to accuse Miss Oldbag. We know for a fact that she was at her station."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"OBJECTION!"

Annabeth pointed dramatically, as she inwardly hated this theory, but... it was the only one that she could think of.

"There was another person there. Not Ms. Oldbag, Mr. Asuta, or Mr. Gr- I mean, Mr. Anspan." Annabeth looked between Ms. Oldbag and Izabel. "If someone was on leave, they would theoretically still have access, correct? If so, I must ask - who is the actress that plays the Pink Badger? Would her name happen to be Vera, by any chance?"

Izabel jumped back. "W-what? How did you-What are you getting at?!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"What I'm getting at... Is it not possible that someone could have worn the mask instead? Specifically someone who was on the grounds?" Annabeth felt a little bad for suddenly catching her off guard, and even worse for mentioning Vera after what Sunny had mentioned. However, it was really looking bad for Vera at that moment. A thought occurred to her as well...

It would explain where the key went. Just how well does Sunny know this woman...?

Izabel braced herself against the prosecution's desk.
"Guh...You mean to tell me she was there that day after all?!"

(http://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2106xdhg71rqhfmmo1_250.gif)

(http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/e/e6/Judge_Head_Shake.gif/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/185?cb=20120828185107)

"It seems we will need to hear from this Vera."

Izabel groaned. "Geh...Yes, your Honor. The prosecution will summon her now."

The Judge nodded. "Very well. I hereby call a 20-minute recess while the prosecution prepares it's new witness."


(http://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2106xdhg71rqhfmmo1_250.gif)



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Defense Lobby #3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fischer grinned at Annabeth. "nice going. You found a hole in her armor, now keep pushing!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth giggled slightly, as she smiled back. "Thanks! It was a bit of a lucky break I got there, but it worked out pretty well." I just hope that everything goes well...

"So you're planning to accuse this Vera girl, then? Got any evidence, or just a good hunch?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"A good hunch, something Sunny mentioned to me yesterday, and a mystery that hadn't really seemed like one..." The girl explained her conversation with the defendant the day before, and scratched her head.

"Combined with everything, things are just adding up in a way that this would make sense. Plus, Sunny's key went missing; if Vera was there on two different days, that would explain things. It would also make sense why Sunny needed to go get another key, and another reason why Vera needed to hide. The only thing I still haven't figured out how it fits in, is the Haunted House, though..." Annabeth frowned, as she tried to keep things quiet as she explained, but... she had to admit, the Haunted House was the one part of her assumption that she had not yet pieced together.

"Hm...I feel we're still missing something important. I suppose it will all become clear in time, though."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(http://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2106xdhg71rqhfmmo1_250.gif)
"Let us now resume the trial. Prosecutor Law, have you brought the witness?"

Izabel nodded. "Yes, your honor. The Prosecution would like to-GAH!"
She jumped back. "What the bloody-What is THAT!?"

(http://www.court-records.net/animation/badger.gif)

(http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/4/45/Dick_Gumshoe_Determined_2.gif/revision/latest?cb=20130628195443)

"That's the real Blue Badger, pal! Mascot of the police department! I figured it would help us to get justice!"

Izabel groaned. "Take it outside, detective. Take it outside, and burn it. Consecrate the ashes and bury them far from here."

(http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/a/a1/Dick_Gumshoe_Sad_2.gif/revision/latest?cb=20130628195448)

"Ugh...yes sir..."
Gumshoe sadly took the badger and walked out of the court.

Izabel sighed. She was clearly off balance. "Right...anyway...the Prosecution, um, calls the witness to the stand..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The witness was an energetic young woman, wearing a stereotypical cowgirl costume.

Izabel nodded. "Now then. Please state your name and profession for the court."

"My name's Vera Yeager, an' I fight fer th' common folk!" She grinned.

Izabel sighed again. "It says here you work as the Pink Badger?"

"Wot? A girl's gotta eat, yea? Sumptin' wrong wi' that?"

"...Your testimony, please."


"Yew got no reason ter talk ter me. I weren't there a' th' time'a th' crime, an' there's nothin' I know 'bout it! If yew wan' me opinion though, i' weren't Sunny. He ain't th' type."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"HOLD IT!"

Annabeth put her hands on the bench, as she looked squarely at Vera. "Are you absolutely sure that you weren't there? Because other people's testimony says otherwise, placing you in the Old West Saloon."

"Wot 'uvver people'? Jus' gonna make me outta be a sneak on th' word o' someone wot's name I can' even know? Real fair trial this is, yeah? It aren't no wonder nobody trust yew lawyers if dis is 'ow yew 'ry ta' conduct  th' trial!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Sunny Bright." Annabeth stated plainly, as she looked right at Vera. "Can you please answer the question?"

"...Oi. 'E's not much at keepin' 'is yap shut, is'e. Fine then, I suppose I'll 'ave ta' tell you. I was there what day, 'strue, but I weren't involved in th' crime. I never 'ad any complain' wit' Toome - sure, 'e was a bloomin' jerk, but 'e was as much a victim o' th' upper class as th' rest o' us. My concern ain't wit' 'im. My job is t' find proof what Asute's done sumptin what can get 'im fired. 'E treats us all like dirt, 'e does. Minimum wage wit' no chance o' a bonus, as few breaks as 'e can legally give, an' 'e's got no care fer our safety. We gotta deal wit' toxic paints, no air condishuning, dir'y costumes, an so on. I'm an' all busy fightin' fer da common folk ter pay attenshun ter anyfin' else."

Fischer groaned. "Um...translation?"

Izabel seemed to be fighting quite a headache. "I think what the witness is trying to say is that she was too busy snooping around Asute's stuff to notice anything with the murder."

Vera nodded. "At's what I said, innit? I did see Bright, what I did, but we dinn't talk much. I 'elped 'im borrow a spare key - I'da given 'im mine if ol' Asute 'adn't confiscated i' - but uvver van what we kept our separate ways, we did."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth, surprisingly, didn't seem to be having that hard a time translating the accent. It was the details hidden within the accent, that she was less certain about. She glanced over at Fischer, a little puzzled.

"Do you happen to have any ideas? I feel like there's something wrong here, but most things seem airtight..." Annabeth felt uncertain, as if there was something that had been left out because of how her talk with Sunny had been cut off.

He nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, I think she's actually telling the truth here. I am curious why the security guard didn't see her at all, though...and I also think she knows more than she's letting on about Sunny."

He paused. "For now, just get more information out of her. And...hm." He smirked. "I think the whereabouts of a certain item will prove to be 'key' to this case. Maybe she can shed some light on that, too..."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth giggled at the joke, but nodded. Something still felt off to her, but... they'd need to figure that out as it happened. She bit her lip for a moment, and cleared her throat with a bit of humming.

"Ms. Yeager, is there anything else you might be able to tell us about from that day that you can remember? And did your search turn up anything anyway?"

"Hm...Well, I was 'ryin' ta' not be noticed, so I didn't spend much time watchin' uvvers, yeah? I didn't see no sign ov Asute, 'tleast. 'E was late ta' work, jus' like 'e always is. I dinni' see Sunny 'til 'e bumped in'er be in th' Saloon. As ta' th' uvvers...Hm...Well, th' old windbag was in 'er nawmal place. She's got a cushy job, she does! She just sits in 'er office an' pretends she's working, but I've seen 'er office when I'm snoopin' around. She spends all day jus' watchin' old Steel Samurai episodes, she's got a doozy o' a crush on th' lead actor. 'at's why 'ts easy ta' sneak past 'er...she won' notice ya 'less yer either 'er boss, or yer makin' a real sight o' yahrself. An, 'm...Well, I weren't payin' much attenshun, but I fnk th' janitor must'a shown up late an' all, since th' place were still a 'orrid sight when I got there. 'E's usually real punctual, but we all 'ave off days, yeah? "

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm..." Annabeth mused over what Vera mentioned. As she mulled over what the witness said, the attorney bit her lip for a moment. "Um, you didn't answer my second question. Do you mind answering whether you found anything?"

"Eh? Right, right. I dinni' find nuffin myself, but...Sorry, Sunny, I'm gonna 'ave ta tell 'er."
She shrugged.
"See, while I was ge'in' Sunny a spare key, 'e agreed ta' do me a favor. I'd 'eard what th' park were goin' ta' be inspected fer anythin' against regulashuns, so Asute 'id all th' dir'y stuff in th' Haun'ed House, since 't's closed. Sunny knew th' place be'er'n me as 'e's been 'ere longer, so 'e said 'e'd check th' place while I were findin' th' spare key."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised at the explanation, but frowned slightly, as that explained more than a few things.

"And that's when Asute found him?"

"Got i' in one. Tryin' ter cover 'is dir'y laundry, yeah?" She sighed. "Cor, I wish I could accuse 'im ov bein' da killer, but I can' see it. If 'e didn't do anythin' but restrain Sunny when Sunny was snoopin' 'round proof o' 'is dirt, I can' imagine 'im killin' nobody. Givin' 'im a smack, maybe, but no' murder."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned, as that didn't really seem to be a good sign.

"Did you happen to see the Proto Badger mask or costume around, while you were searching?"

"I weren't looking, but..I don't fnk so? I mighta seen th' suit, but I fnk I'd remember seein' what creepy mask."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm..." Annabeth nodded, though something seemed off to her. She glanced over at Fischer for a moment, as she had a possible theory, but this witness seemed to be a dead-end in leads. However, she paused for a moment, and looked back to Vera. "Did you ever happen to find the missing key?"

"Funny fng, that...i' never turned up."

Izabel nodded. "We searched, but we didn't find it either."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth frowned as she mused that over.

"It is possible that the real killer still has it, then?" Annabeth postulated, as she couldn't find any other real explanation for it to be missing like that.

Izabel raised her eyebrow. "Or...it could have been lost? But fine, if you want to claim that someone still has it...Identify them!"

The Judge nodded. "Indeed. Defense, please identify who has the key."

-==FIC: Annabeth==-

"Hmm..." Annabeth placed her hand on her chin, as she closed her eyes. "The person who has the key..." She inhaled sharply, as she awkwardly smiled. "Um, well, you see..." She bit her lip, and followed through, as she pointed at the most likely suspect.

"IS YOU!"

Annabeth had decided to point at the judge.

~~~~~~Several minutes later~~~~~~~~~
Fischer sighed. "Aaand you lost the case. And I think he was pretty serious about getting you disbarred, too."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth closed her eyes as she mused over who could be the most likely person to have the key.

"I would say..." The defense attorney carefully began, as she bit her lip for a moment. "That Mr. Anspan may have the key. He was said to be late, after all, which was also said to be unlike him. I feel that it would be worth it to look into that possibility."

Izabel sighed.
"So basically, we're accusing everyone, hm? Fine, fine. He's here in the lobby. The prosecution calls Spike Anspan to the stand..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Duude...Accusing me is, like, totally harsh, man. I was, like, rooting for you, dude."
He frowned. "But I can, like, totally testify for you, dude."


Witness Testimony: It Was, Like, Sunny, Dude

"I got there a bit late that day, yeah. I, like, slept through my alarm, dude. But I'm not the killer, dude, because Sunny is! I didn't want to say this since I like the guy, but the truth is, I saw him do it!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth raised an eyebrow.

"Could you elabourate on that?" She asked, as she crossed her arms.

"Like, I saw him putting on that costume, man. He got it out of the supply closet, and then he pulled out the body too, man. He, like, got in costume and then pulled out the body. Put a mask on it too, dude. Like he was, like, trying to disguise it as a prop, man. But he didn't know I was watching. I kept quiet 'cause I figured it wasn't my place, but if you're gonna, like, slander me, then I have a, like, right to defend myself, man! And I saw him put on that, like, costume, man!"


Fischer tilted his head. "This costume, yes?" He pointed to a photo of the Proto Badger.

Anspan nodded. "yeah! The Blue Badger, man!  I saw Sunny put that on!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"OBJECTION!"

"You see, that is not the Blue Badger. It is the Proto Badger." Annabeth frowned slightly. Something wasn't quite adding up, but she figured that she would start with that.

"What? Er, well, maybe he made a mistake, dude. The costumes look similar. So what?"

Fischer smiled. "An actor not recognizing his own costume? I doubt it. You've got him on the ropes."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"OBJECTION!"

Annabeth slammed her hands on the bench, wincing a bit as she bet that she accidentally bruised them. Would be worth it if she were right, though.

"Sunny wouldn't make a mistake like that. There are too many differences in the costumes for a mistake like that to be made, especially in terms of the mask." The girl gave a small smile.

"w-well, who cares why he did it, man? It doesn't matter which mask he used! He's the killer, dude!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

The girl thought about the situation for a moment, and glanced over at Fischer.

"What's your take on this?" She asked quietly, as she mulled it over. Something didn't sit right with her, but Annabeth couldn't seem to place it.

"He's panicking. We've almost got him. Let's try to get an alibi."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth nodded.

"Then Mr. Anspan; where were you at the time of the murder?" The attorney asked pointedly, as she looked straight at the witness.

"What, you want, like, my alibi, man? Sure."

"I got to work at, like, seven in the morning, man. After I clocked in, I like, got my mop from the back of the Saloon and went to clean the, like, stage."

"OBJECCION!"

Izabel slammed her hands down on the desk. "Witness, this trial should have ended an hour ago. Do NOT waste my time with something so obviously false!"

Anspan raised an eyebrow. "What? You're, like, the prosecutor, man. You're not supposed to-"

"CEASE!"

Izabel flipped back the lock of hair over her right eye, revealing an empty socket, and glared at him, her teeth bared.

(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/f/fb/AAI_Judge_Surprised_1.gif/revision/latest?cb=20120828185245)
"EEK!"

Izabel was breathing heavily. "If you must lie, please do not tell one that so utterly insults my intelligence. Vera Yeager has testified that she did not see you at any point in time, and she was in the Saloon at the time you claim to have been there."

Anspan started. "What? Well, maybe she's, like, covering for Sunny, man? I didn't see her there when I went there to get the broom."

Izabel sighed. "Defense, I'll let you handle that lie."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth seemed surprised at everything that had happened, but nodded, and took a deep breath.

"OBJECTION!"

Annabeth pointed straight at Spike, as she frowned. "A broom is not a mop, and a mop is not a broom. Therefore, your story is inconsistent! There is something you are trying to hide!"

"What? Like, so what if I messed up a few words? Fine, I'll fix my testimony."

"Broom, mop, who cares? They're both cleaning tools! And maybe Vera stepped out when I was there! Or maybe she was as oblivious as that stupid old hag! Who cares?! Sunny killed Toome and then locked him in the closet! If you think I'm involved, then prove it! Prove I took the key! Prove I took the money! Prove I locked Toome in the closet!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

[size=30]"HOLD IT!"[/size]

Annabeth frowned, as she heard something that really piqued her interest.

"... Who said anything about money?" She asked, as she raised her eyebrow.

"I-I didn't say anything about money, man! You're hearing things!"

Izabel was too busy pounding her head on her desk to answer.


Fischer smirked. "Well then? Where have we heard about money before?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"From Mr. Asute, and everyone else who was talking about it." Annabeth replied, a small smile on her face, as she put her hands on the bench, looking straight to Spike Anspan. "You were the one who really stole the money, weren't you? And you thought you could frame the victim, and when that wasn't working as well as you thought, then you figured that you would teach him a lesson, didn't you?"

"SHUT UP! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!"

Anspan pulled out an absolutely massive vacuum cleaner, turned it on, and began waving it around.
"Nobody gets it! Not even Vera, and she pretends to care about workers! Nobody cares about the janitor. Nobody pays attention to the janitor! I deserved a raise! I deserved more money! Asute didn't care about me, so I gave myself the raise! So what if I took some of his money? He didn't deserve it! And Toome...He was Asute's little thug! If only he hadn't...if only he hadn't seen me taking the money, he wouldn't have had to die! But you know what? He deserved it! He deserved it, the stuck up freak! And so would Sunny! Stuck up actors think they're so much better than me. I'm a better actor than them! I'm a trained actor! I went to college! But where am I?! I'm the freaking janitor! I deserved that money! I deserved-"
At that moment, the vacuum exploded.

"..a.a...n.....r..." Anspan collapsed on his back in a pile of filth.


(http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/f/f9/Judge_Surprised_1.gif/revision/latest?cb=20120828185036)

"Well then...it seems...the culprit has confessed."

(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/aceattorney/images/9/9b/Judge_Thinking.gif/revision/latest?cb=20120828185036)
"Will the defendant please take the stand?"

Sunny took the stand.
(http://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2106xdhg71rqhfmmo1_250.gif)
"Sunny Bright, you are hereby found..."



NOT GUILTY

Confetti rained from the ceiling.

Fischer smiled. "Not bad, newbie. Not bad at all.

The Judge stood. "Court is adjoined!"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Defendant Lobby #3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-==IC: Annabeth==-

To say that Annabeth was pleased was an understatement.

"Well, that went pretty well." The girl said with a smile, as she stepped into the lobby. "I wish it could have gone faster, but..." She wondered what happened to Izabel, and if the case had caused her to be upset or not.

"I'll agree with you on the faster part."
It was Izabel.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked over as Izabel walked up, and nervously laughed.

"I'm sorry that things took so long... I wasn't even expecting a lot of that, if I'm honest."

"I wouldn't say I was expecting it either." She sat down and played with the lock of hair covering her empty socket.
"I admit, though, I was pretty impressed with your fast reactions." She smiled. "How'd you like visit my estate?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked surprised for a moment at the offer, but the look melted into a smile.

"I would be honoured." She said as she tried to appear modest about it all. "Thank you for the compliment as well!" The attorney had honestly not expected either, but was secretly very happy about both.

Izabel handed her a card with her address written on it. "Come by at, say, 11 tomorrow? I'll make tea, and you can meet my fiance."
She turned and strolled out.

Luna walked over to her. "Thank you so much for saving my brother!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled at Luna. "You're welcome. I hope things go well... and that everything turns out alright with the stuff with Asute..." She bit her lip, as she sorta wished that things could have gone better about Vera.

"heh, no reason ter worry yahrself abaaaht 'im. Turns aaaht Sunny DID find some nice dirt in da 'aun'ed 'ouse befawer ge'in' caught, an' I'm takin' i' right ter da papers."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked over in surprise as Vera appeared, and she smiled. "That's good, then! I'm sorry about all that just now." Her smile turned a little awkward as she giggled a bit, but then relaxed a bit. She wasn't sure how this had managed to turn out so well, but.... she was glad it had.

"Thank you again so much." Luna bowed and left to go get Sunny.


OOC: Ready to timeskip?

OOC: Yes. =P

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Law Manor Exterior, 11:00 AM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Law Manor was a large four story building, constructed of white stone. Two marble columns stood on either side of the arched doorway, and a long stone path led the way from the large wrought-iron fence to the door of the manor. The massive lawn was elegantly groomed, and flower beds dotted the exterior of the estate.
A well dressed man greeted her at the gate.

"Good day, ma'am. I am Victor Timm, the Law family butler. May I ask your name?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled at the butler as she approached. "My name is Annabeth Valentine, I believe Ms. Law is expecting me?"

He nodded and led the way inside, into an ornately-decorated waiting room. The walls and floors were all made of polished wood, and an enormous chandelier hung over a huge wooden table.
"I will go get the mistress." He nodded and walked out.

Another door opened, and a young woman walked in.

(https://orig00.deviantart.net/9402/f/2016/289/3/6/katia2_by_redherochild-dal97al.gif)

"Hm? Who are you?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"Um, my name is Annabeth." The girl said with a smile at the newcomer.

"Katia Nyp."
She paused. "Ooh! You're the lawyer who beat my Izzy yesterday!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth giggled awkwardly, but nodded. "I'm so sorry that trial took so long. I think all of us were a little caught off guard by that, honestly." She smiled apologetically at the other woman, though from what she could tell, she didn't seem to be too upset, which was always good.

"That janitor was really weird. Want a cupcake?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"I would be honoured..." Annabeth said with a giggle. She placed her hands behind her back with a smile, as she wondered where Izabel actually was at the moment, but was glad that Katia was nice.

Katia walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a huge tray of cupcakes. "I made them this morning! Here you go."
She put the tray on the table. Behind her, the door opened, and Izabel walked in. She had changed from her prosecutor's robes to a white evening gown, and her hair was hanging loosely around her shoulder, save for the one lock over her empty eye socket.
She curtseyed to Annabeth. "Thank you for accepting my invitation. I see you've already met my fiance."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth curtsied in response slightly, as she smiled. "You're very welcome! She is very friendly." As if to prove her point, she took one of the cupcakes, and began to eat it a little.

Izabel took one of the cupcakes and sat down on a cushioned chair. Katia sat down on her lap.
"And quite the cook. Would you care for some tea before we get down to business?"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth smiled at how the two interacted, and nodded as she took a seat on a nearby couch as well.

"Yes, please." She said happily, as she wondered what exactly she could talk about.

Izabel rang a small silver bell on the table. A moment later, a maid entered with a tray of various teas and placed it on the table. She bowed and exited the room.
Izabel smiled. "Help yourself. All our teas are of the highest quality."

Katia leaned forward and took two cups, handing one to Izabel.

-==IC: Annabeth==-

"You're all so kind..." Annabeth smiled, as she took one of the random cups of tea, and glanced around the room they were in.

"This is so nice..." The girl said, as she tried to keep her excitement about all this in check. "How long have you all lived here?" She asked curiously, as she looked back to the two.

Izabel paused in thought. "Hm...Well, I don't really live here, per se. This is just a summer home. The family estate is back home in France. And Katia and I have actually only been in the country for about a month."

Katia smiled. "No need to hide your excitement! This is a cool place!"

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth looked at the two of them in astonishment. She couldn't hide her excitement now, though it had for the moment been replaced by just being awed by that.

"That is so cool!" Oh, wait, the excitement came back. "What is your place back home like? Is it as cool as this place? What is France like? I've always wondered what other countries were like...!"

Izabel started laughing. "One question at a time, please! Our estate back home is...hm, I'd say about three times the size of this one? It's not technically mine, though, my parents own it. Father is an incredibly famous prosecutor back home. I'm just trying to live up to his teachings." She smiled and sipped her tea. "Perhaps you should try traveling, then. I admit, getting to see the world is at least half the reason I signed up to work with Interpol." Her eye narrowed. "The other reason, of course, is a good deal more serious."

-==IC: Annabeth==-

Annabeth simply grew more and more amazed as Izabel explained, however, the tone behind her last sentence made her pause before she could start asking more questions. The attorney's face furrowed in confusion as she tilted her head slightly.

"The other reason?" She repeated, as she wondered what could be more serious. She thought back to the other day, however, and wondered if it was related to what she had mentioned about the first case and the assassin.

Izabel nodded grimly.
"Tell me. Have you ever heard of an organization known as EIDOLON?"