Neighborhood Watch [Case File Investigation, Group 1]

The homely streets of the Sunlake Palms Residential District were as welcoming as they come. People dotted the streets as they went about their way as creatures of habit. However, for some observers, it was obvious that the safe vibe it once held dear had declined for some time in light of the recent news. As residents continued to mill about in their safety-lauded neighborhood, the sense of unease could be felt on bare skin as in the back of their minds held that tinge of concern that with the loss of guaranteed safety that...

The duo of an elderly woman and her grandchild was a common sight for the suburban streets of Sunlake Palms. They were just having one of their usual rounds around the neighborhood for some fresh air and to work out the cursed rheumatism. But someone in particular appeared to have taken an interest in them. The unease could be seen on the grandmother's expression as Frog approached them, but seemed amicable enough to reciprocate as she continued to hold the child's hand in hers. The child seemed to peek behind her guardian as she regarded the reporter-to-be with curiosity. It wasn't everyday someone from the city came around to snoop about in the neighborhood for something, no less a reporter from a 'reputable news source'. "You see... So much has happened, I'm afraid Endymion's become such a dangerous place these days. Haven't you heard of the prior night of the Church's massacre? Such a horrid thing. I could hardly believe my ears when I heard so many people died! I daresay the shooting that happened on the same night is somehow connected! Oh it's so horrible... Tell me, did the SMILE hear of anything in regards to the Church? My heart goes out to all of the clergy there."

Information:

"I see. Thank you, sir. I'll... I'll keep that in mind. This is quite troubling. But can I trust your mentor?" The concerned tone was palpable, but only after the elderly woman gratefully accepted the information. She struggled to push in the numbers into her directory which of course had some difficulty navigating into. Of course, her younger grandchild helped as she swiped the phone out of her hands and did it for her before handing it back into the grandmother's gnarled fingers. Upon Frog's prompting she vacantly tried to think of something else, but the child intercepted her while trying to shake her fingers at Frog in a spooky manner. "My friends said someone saw two people leaving the Church that night! One of 'em's got a weird mask with no eyes with bloooood all over it with a weird smile!"

"Now Anne, let's not talk about that... You'll have to forgive her, she gets a little bit excited of such things. It's all hearsay, but nothing definite I'm afraid." The grandmother was quick to chide her while apologizing to Frog. The child pouted at her, causing her guardian to sigh. She gave Frog a tired smile. "I'm afraid that's all we would know, but I remember hearing something about the Vagabond Inn, you may feel free to ask someone about it. If you would excuse us, I have an appointment to the doctor with my grandchild. I hope you get what you are looking for, Sir. Good day."

And so, they would leave...

The young woman was just lounging around on what seemed to be her morning breakfast with a sandwich in hand. Just as she was about to take one bite, she noticed Frogerio approaching her and going so far to address her. She raised an eyebrow at him, trying to study his appearance He seemed to be one of those guys from the district. It was odd how the city slickers out of the suburbs wanted a piece of that rumor pie brewing recently. She huffed at him. "Oh, I guess. I heard there was a murder in the Inn I work at. But cops caught him and there was something about some faceless dudes... Not sure what that's about. I'm sure you probably heard about the shooting and the Church earlier, everyone did. But I wouldn't have anything interesting than you probably already heard, Mister Reporter. You'd think with guaranteed safety and having to pay ridiculous prices to live here would give us peace of mind. Guess it ain't cracked like it's supposed to be with this happening. Can't imagine how the people with shitty loans are feeling now."

"Oh? I guess that's fair being a reporter by trade... About that shooting earlier, I happened to see a couple of dudes fighting outside from home. Dumb, I know. I couldn't help, but notice a bunch of dudes in skull masks were fighting some others with hoods on. I think it's that Heretic cult that's been around recently. Not sure why the fighting, but I guess they got a disagreement? Not that I care, just wish they would keep collateral damage at a minimum, y'know?" She sighed and shrugged at Frog. The girl felt rather frustrated at the whole affair, but tried to mask it with nonchalance. She eyed back at the Psyche-Terrorist. "There's also some weird stuff going on in the forest... something about a drug deal, I think. But that's nothing new since we keep getting people disappearing there. Speaking of which, I guess that was a warning this whole neighborhood was a scam. Ugh... I need a drink. So, you good with this?"

SQ Gained:

"Oh shit, you too, huh? Yeah, I was getting the feeling shit was getting a bit tense. But a new nightclub, huh? I guess that'll have to do. Yeah, we good. Good luck on what you're trying to find." The woman gave a simple wave while hopping away in what appeared to be excitement from the good news overwhelming the bad. There's little that can sour the taste of good booze, after all.



With the departure of the Inn Worker, the streets would find themselves empty as the remaining citizens finally found a calling to be had elsewhere in their daily lives...