Mr. Narrator Presents

Mr. Narrator Presents
Date of Scene:	07 November 2012
Location:	Traverse Town
Synopsis:	An easily riled dame, an easily amused detective, a mushroom capped sugar coma and a displaced teenager meet. It's the city of meetings and partings, some of them rather violent.
Cast of Characters:	Mercade Alexander, Morrighan Alazne, Rhyme, Riku

---

Riku has posed:
Twilight in Traverse town. Go figure.

The environment has a soothing activity to it, people wandering up and down the streets. There are people on the benches, including the one that holds Riku. He stares vacantly into the distance before reanimating with a slow blink.

The teenager finds himself staring into space again. More aptly, he finds himself staring at a space without knowing exactly how he got there. He swallows, looking down at himself first. The journal is open on his lap, occupied only by four lines of text. He rereads them and gingerly closes the journal, sliding it onto the bench he was occupying.

Riku looks up at the sky and around at the familiar surroundings of Traverse Town, slumping into the bench for a few moments to gather his thoughts. He lets out a sigh, springing back onto his feet and taking a few agitated steps around in a circle to reorient himself.

Finally he scoops up the journal and packs it away into the pockets of his jacket, starting to wander away down one of the district streets.

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
"Leaving the castle grounds for this dump..." A certain dark elf grumbles to herself as she walks down a street, her arms crossed in annoyance. "Hmph! I am a healer! Not a common soldier! How dare they even presume to think to send someone like me out for something so base as....as.....ARGH!" Well, she certainly was angry. So angry in fact that upon brushing her way past a certain silver haired boy, she lurched to a halt and pointed at him.

"HEY! Watch where you walk, peasant! Who knows what manner of diseases and afflictions your body is mired with now after all!" Having said that, she crossed her arms again, glaring at him expectantly. "Now, get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness! And then perhaps I will let this incident go!"

...What a character, this one.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"It was another one of those evenings. An evening between light and darkness, between places. People walked, everywhere but nowhere, making their way to whatever destination befit them in this crossroads."

The voice, familiar to Riku, kept speaking as he walked. There, leaning against a lamp post, was Mercade Alexander. One leg was up against the post, an arm across his chest and propping up his other, which was tapped against his brow. He smiles slightly as Riku comes into view.

"A familiar face was seen. A kid I've dealt with before. He's a good kid, but he looked like he carried the weight of a world on his shoulders. Trouble followed him like a flock of ravens." He chuckles. Even as he does so, the dark elven woman sweeps in out of nowhere. "And trouble struck again, this time in the form of a woman. Her tongue burned like fire, and with a temper to match. I didn't get involved. The kid could handle a saucy dame like this without a problem."

That's right. Mercade Alexander is sitting there like a doof, narrarating out loud.

Rhyme has posed:
Rhyme walks along the Traverse Town streets, looking up at the sky. She walks, and she walks, and she wonders, and she contines a horrible trend. A trope, even. There are some voices going on, and then...

A smooth male voice narrates an interesting picture. It was like a streetplay! Rhyme could see it now, a small child standing in a david-and-goliath last stand before a towering dark-skinned woman who breathed fire and had long, clawlike fingers. They do an epic battle as she wanders, listening, before...

You guessed it!

WHAM! Right into Morrighan, spilling onto the ground herself, her bell pendant jangling softly as she faceplants on the path.

Riku has posed:
Riku blinks slowly, raising an eyebrow at the woman as she starts yelling at him. He comes to a stop, looking on the nearby rooftops and frowning slightly when he doesn't see whatever he is looking for.

This is about the time that he picks out the strains of bluesy noir narration over the background noise. Riku peers again at Morrighan, surriptiously pinching himself until the wince assures him that he wasn't still-- well. Wherever he had been before. Maybe he should go back there. At least it had made sense. He peers at Mercade suspiciously, then rolls his eyes.

Alright.

Pause. Reflect. And..

Riku gives the woman a thin smile and coughs pointedly, covering his mouth with a hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to steal any of the ones you currently have. Do you want them back?" This is up to the point where the random encounter strikes.

And spills a kid with a growth consuming their head into Morrighan's lap. Oh wait-- yeah. That's just a hat. False Alarm. "Hey." he bends down, extending a hand and seeming to otherwise ignore Morrighan's Fury. "You okay?"

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
The ones she already had? "EXCUSE me? How dare you talk to ME that way! Clearly someone never taught you your manners and--"

Whomp. There goes Rhyme.

"............." Morrighan then starts shaking in barely contained fury as she finds herself on the ground, a strange kid in her lap. WHY? The first moment she stepped out of Baron Castle, she was beset by nonsense at every turn! Whose idea was this!? WHY!?

...But she managed to keep from exploding. If only because the perpetrator this time was only just a kid. "......Ahahaha h a h a . . . " Laughing woodenly, the dark skinned woman remains on the ground, allowing Rhyme to be helped up off of her first. But clearly she did not enjoy this madness in the least.

"...What have I done to deserve this?" She mumbled vaguely to herself, staring up at the sky as if the stars held the answer to her problem.

Of course they didn't.

Trolls.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"The dame decided to stop in the middle of the road to give the kid a tongue-lashing. But the kid wasn't without his own resources, and gave as good as he got. Not with his fists, mind you. He was a stand-up kid.."

Rhyme runs into Morrigan. Mercade pauses in his narration to arch an eyebrow at her sudden restraint. "The dame found out why standing in the public thoroughfare was a bad idea. Traffic in the form of another kid with a hat ran into her. The kid helped Hats up, though, while the dame wondered what stroke of fate, what karmic retribution could have come to cause this trouble. Personally, I always found that we make our own fate, and usually get just what we deserve." Mercade continues to narrarate the scene in front of him, looking incredibly amused for the moment.

Rhyme has posed:
When you bowl right damn into someone with your head in the clouds, you sort of expect the whole fire from the mouth and the tongue like a snake and the monolithic loom-over-you figure shooting doom lightningbolts down at you.

If you're Phoenix Wright this also happens to include a giant gavel pummeling you.

Rhyme, however, is pleasantly surprised! Helped up by Riku, she bows repeatedly to Morrighan and extends a hand to help her up. "I'm very sorry for running into you, miss..." She offers, before brightening. "But I'm glad you can take life with a smile." She offers pleasantly with a radiant smile as the Dark Elf CURSES THE VERY HEAVENS.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything!"

Riku has posed:
Riku is a little thrown off stride by the cheerfulness of the bowled over kid, but starts again after a moment of chagrin. " Look." Riku frowns down at Morrighan, more confused than angry, " Are you lost? Do you need something around here or were you simply born this pissed off?" This is totally going to end well.

Diablo comes into view, passing over the scene in several long circles before fluttering on top of the lamp post. Rather than helping in any tangible way, the raven familiar listens to Mercade narrate the scene and starts to whistle a low and warbling noir tune in accompliment.

Riku has a special sort of glare for the bird.

The crime? Aiding and abetting.

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
"Hmph! I have absolutely no need of your assistance!" Morrighan said in response to Rhyme's offered aid, standing up on her own and brushing herself and her hair off. "As for YOU--" She starts again, glaring at Riku. "--................" Finding nothing witty or biting to say at that moment, she just sighed heavily and hung her head.

"THIS PLACE IS FAR TOO BIG!

Yelling out angrily at no one in particular, the dark elf heaves another sigh, calming down as she forms a more chorent response. "...I suppose I AM lost. I was sent here to gather...medical supplies, but this insufferable town is far too big and I cannot find anything!"

Grumbling in irritation, she crossed her arms and looked about quickly. "How do people even live here anyhow!? It is as if everyone and everything is stacked right on top of one another! How dreadful!"

It was then that Morrighan finally took notice of Mercade's annoying narration, her crimson gaze turning sharply to the man as she pointed straight at him. "And YOU! Have you nothing better to do!?"

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
"Hmph! I have absolutely no need of your assistance!" Morrighan said in response to Rhyme's offered aid, standing up on her own and brushing herself and her hair off. "As for YOU--" She starts again, glaring at Riku. "--................" Finding nothing witty or biting to say at that moment, she just sighed heavily and hung her head.

"THIS PLACE IS FAR TOO BIG!"

Yelling out angrily at no one in particular, the dark elf heaves another sigh, calming down as she forms a more chorent response. "...I suppose I AM lost. I was sent here to gather...medical supplies, but this insufferable town is far too big and I cannot find anything!"

Grumbling in irritation, she crossed her arms and looked about quickly. "How do people even live here anyhow!? It is as if everyone and everything is stacked right on top of one another! How dreadful!"

It was then that Morrighan finally took notice of Mercade's annoying narration, her crimson gaze turning sharply to the man as she pointed straight at him. "And YOU! Have you nothing better to do!?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
The closest thing to Phoenix Wright is over there narrarating. "Hats was in good shape. She was a bright little kid, had nothing but a smile even for a troublesome dame. The Kid, however, asked a more direct question."

Diablo showed up, and begin crooning an accompaniment. Mercade grinned, and nodded. "The dame managed to talk about her troubles. Understandable, really. Someone new to town wouldn't know how to get around. She needed something, and she needed it fast. She didn't have time for distractions. She wasn't used to the beat of a city that doesn't sleep, and it was getting to her. Getting to her like a muggy summer evening out on the Bay."

Morrigan yells at him, and Mercade manages to not laugh. "The dame didn't appreciate the accompaniment. She asked me if I had anything better to do... And to be honest, right then I didn't. Sometimes, the mood just takes you and you can't do anything but go with it, just like a sax bringing home the blues. I did, however, suggest that the dame check out the street to the west, there three little ducks run a little business selling the kinds of things she'd want. I was always willing to lend a hand if they were willing to ask."

Riku has posed:
Riku objects to this whole situation.

Strongly enough for hands to be pointed stridently but Morrighan already has that angle covered. "No. Neither of them do." Riku says this in a flat voice, a little irritation leaking around the words when Diablo cuts off his noir warbling to squawk at Riku with amusement. Despite this, the teenager looks oddly relieved at the presence of the raven.

"And you probably can't find what you need because you're in the wrong District." he digs out his leather bound journal, grabbing the middle and opening it there instead of starting from the beginning. He.. starts to flip to a well sketched map section when Mr. Narration and his dopey raven pal give the game away.

He shrugs meaningfully, looking more in sorrow than in anger at Morrighan (or maybe just getting into it himself) "Yeah. I think there are a few places you could try. I'd help you get there, but I'm just a lowly peasant so my reach sadly exceeds my grasp."

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
"...Hmph!" Scoffing at Riku's words, Morrighan rolled her eyes. "...W-Well of course I knew I was in the wrong district! I was just....testing you! Yes!" Laughing nervously, she backed away and then turned to walk off. "....Thank you." She muttered quietly, and then she was gone around a corner. Hopefully to the right place this time.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"After getting the goods, the dame was gone as fast as she appeared. She did, however, have the good grace to thank the kid."

The detective taps his brow. "It was just another random meeting in a city without light, in a a place of meetings and partings. That's the city's spirit. The way it is here."

He steps forward, finally breaking his pose and nodding to Diablo. "Thanks, Dee." He grins, and then walking over to the other two. "Hey there, Riku, Hats." He grins. "What's up? Everyone all right?"

Riku has posed:
Riku pfts softly. He gestures over at Diablo, who flutters onto his arm and up onto his shoulder. He squawks quietly, causing Riku to snort again faintly. He mumbles something to the bird, scritching their head feathers gently with an idle hand. "Yeah. I'm glad you're okay too." he sighs, shaking his head at Mercade. "Yeah. I'm alright." he teases. "I see the investigation business is booming."

Rhyme has posed:
Pointing her thumb at Morrighan as she makes like a tree and sheds foliage in the fall, Rhyme looks between Riku and Mr. Narration.

"Is she one of your friends? And do you always Narrate things? Narration in your life... It'd be like having your inner voice on the outside, and..."

A cosmos of possibility and impossibility exploded before Rhyme as her eyes went wide. Everything would be amazing, and everyone would always know what you meant. The tone would be perfect, and nobody would ever misunderstand you. If everyone's internal monologue was on the outside then all your dark secrets would be OUT! Like a constant stream of sweet baritone voice saying 'I feel sort of funny' and 'Why does this beanie get all itchy when it's foggy' and all SORTS of embarrasing things!

Snapping back to reality, Rhyme looks between the two. "Um... I'm sorry for butting in like this. You two know each other then?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"Look, I can't work ALL the time, Riku." He laughs. "Besides, you see a lot of useful and interesting things just watching people here in Traverse Town." He points at some people walking past. "It's a hub for all kinds of people. Most people look at them and just think, 'okay, it's some weird people'. I look at them and say, 'It's a Baronian Dark Knight who just came from Bodhum, carrying a package while heading towards the offramp back to Luca. He's probably going back from a scouting mission, since they probably won't assign him to frontline combat with that weak grip on the left hand and the cracks on the leg armor'." He grins. "Little things like that."

He kneels and looks to Rhyme. "Sure do. Name's Mercade Alexander, I'm a detective with the Twilight Detective Agency." He flicks a hand, and produces a business card, offering it to Rhyme. "It's no problem. So what's your name?"

Riku has posed:
Riku rubs the bridge of his nose. "Heh. You see everything, don't you Mercade?" He turns to Rhyme, smiling faintly. "It's nice to meet you, anyways. I'm Riku and my friend here with the awful sense of humor is Dee."

The raven bobs his head, bowing to Rhyme. "But you're probably right, Mercade. Traverse Town is an interesting place. Although I mostly find myself coming back here to pick over the clocktower again. I think I'm only a floor or two away from the top. What I'll do when I get there." he shrugs, looking distant. "Go looking for the others, I guess."

Rhyme has posed:
Taking the business card, Rhyme looks at the piece of cardstock carefuly, before pulling out a single, black pin with a white-and-grey symbol on it (Which looks something like a stylized flying squirrel). "I guess this is my... Card? Not really." Rhyme offers, before repocketing the pin. She takes a deep breath.

"I'm a Player, in the Reaper's Game, which means I'm also dead. And then I died again and it's a very long story that I don't really understand so... Hello! It's nice to meet you, I'm Rhyme." She bows to the two in turn, before smiling at Riku's bird. "The tower? It has levels? What does that mean?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"I've had a lot of inspiration from people who are way better at this than I am." Mercade replies. "I just try to match up. I like to think I'm not failing too badly." He grins. "Still hammering at that clocktower, huh? I should go give you a hand again. May as well come see what's in the back, right? And the other places have got to be interesting too."

Mercade's eyes flick towards that pin, blinking for a moment, and then blinks again as Rhyme spills her Deal. "Whoa. So..." He pauses. "Well, that makes a hell of a lot more sense. Man, that's a messed up thing." He rubs his chin, and nods distractedly. "Yeah, in the clocktower. Each floor has a big electric puzzle, it's crazy."

Riku has posed:
Riku blinks. "Wait. You're from.. Shibuya, aren't you?" Oddly enough, that ramble is not the oddest thing Riku has ever had to put up with. So he more or less tries to struggle towards taking it in stride. He only partially succeeds at this.

"The clocktower. It's --" he stops when Mercade explains before he can. If his grasp of the conversation could have bruised toes, they'd be smashed flat by now. Oh well. "Yeah." he says softly. "We may as well." he nods to Rhyme, pauses, then asks. "You-- wouldn't be familiar with a lady named Shiki, would you? Shiki Misaki? Followed around by a stuffed animaled named Mr. Mew? "

Rhyme has posed:
Rhyme nods enthusiastically. "Yep! Shibuya. Though... That seems to mean less now that it's gone." The beanie-girl murmurs, far more subdued. Then she brightens. "But this place is nice. Every cloud has a silver lining." She offers, before thinking. "Shiki... Yes! The girl who doesn't eat, yep, I know her. Neku's partner, right? Said she was going on adventures with some other kid and saving the world?"

"I'll have to check out that tower sometime. Sometime I'm not looking for my partner! He wears a hat like mine, too, and a skull necklace? Skateboard? Nope? Alright." She smiles brightly, before wandering off on her way.

There was something off about her, and it wasn't her personality. Instead, there was somthing wrong with... how she looked? Her 'aura'? It was hard to put a finger on.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"All right. If I see someone like that, I'll let you know." Mercade says to her, waving. He stands and looks over to Riku. "She never did give us her name." He shrugs. "I don't envy her... But it's amazing how she can be so positive in her situation..."

Riku has posed:
Riku shakes his head, staring after Rhyme before shaking his head and turning away. " Huh. Not really so amazing, but still a little odd. Well. Take another crack at this clocktower? I've still got a few more combinations I can try."