...?

-Marc squints as he lingers outside the hotel, trying to ascertain the identity of the rider-

Nobody in particular, just one single bike roaring across the flats with a guttural growl and a dust cloud worthy of attention, closing in on the town, and hotel in particular, with haste.

Lobby

(A very granny-lookin' lady◊ steps into view and gives Luffy a quizzical look... then...)

Oh, you've found my Wendell! Come to mama, my poor, naughty little baby boy...!

(Starts doddering over to Luffy at her gran-gran pace.)

Receptionist's Office

...Mhh. Apt description, large investment of time. But, rewarding.

(Looks to Shadow as he tosses the bonsai clippings in the trash.)

Must be strength of artificial light. Perhaps also humidity of this particular room. Very strange.

Elevator

Yes, erm... Nothing definite, but a document we procured seemingly ties the murders together. It's the meeting minutes from a city council assembly held last year. I think we will be discussing it in further detail at the restaurant, but for now, we will freshen up.

...Ah! And since you're with us, you ought to get that 50% off discount as well. They're extending it to all agents.

iPod

(Upon inspection◊... Hm. This wall just seems like it's full of random blokes and folks talking about their kicks in general. Doesn't seem to be any posts directed towards or authored by the shoe fanatic who owns this iPod, even when scrolling down.)

(...Man, what a bunch of dweebs, though.)

Outside the Hotel

(Logan squints intensely at the rider of this fat hog, lighting a cigar that's clenched betwixt his pearly whites, before looking back to Marc.)

...Biker gang? Just seems to be the one guy, though.

-pauses, fumbling for his cell phone on his person-

-when he's unable to find it, he looks back up, settling in to wait for the biker to arrive-

...Cool bike, though. I wish I could've road a motorcycle through the desert all the way down here...

-pauses-

...Well, then I couldn't really sleep on the bus, huh?

"For the longest time, people told me artificial light didn't help plants grow. Always thought that sounded stupid."

"And for my final trick, let's see what you've been doing on this 'Discord,' whatever it is. A synonym for 'chaos,' I suspect something nefarious!"

"... That's an armadillo."

"Gosh, these things are so prompt..."

enTERR

After a few minutes, the bike rolled in, skidding to a stop as the rider leaned away and braked, the small cloud of dust and grit catching up to them- and the agents- as they stopped, dismounting after a solid clank of the kickstand.

Pulling out a phone, they checked it briefly against the hotel, nodding as they turning it in their hand and slipped it back into a pocket.

Approaching the two present, the rider removed their helmet, revealing a tired-looking young man, and he hailed them.

"agent holo...uh, holowaty? is that it? i'm agent carmine, homicide. i'm here on mendez's orders."

I'm, uh, Marc. That's, uh, agent Marc Spector...

-frowns, trying to think of if he's heard the name Holowaty before-

Nice meeting you, Carmine. You're our cavalry? -looks towards the bike-

Outside the Hotel

Psh, no kiddin'. You were passed the fuck out.

…

(The short, hairy and tan fellow frowns a tiny bit, nodding at Carmine.)

...I'm Holowaty. Not really fond of that name, but that's what's on the records. You can call me Logan.

(Takes a drag, slowly making for the hotel's entrance.)

Got into town just in time for dinner, eh bub? We're all goin' to some diner pretty soon, but you should probably get your key and all that.

Receptionist's Office

Mmh... Usually prefer sunlight, but anything that aids in photosynthesis... Will suffice.

(Drops a few more clippings in the bin... then pauses, cupping a hand to his ear.)

...Mmh. Motorcycle, or some loud vehicle outside. Guest possibly arrived. Wish to check... But perhaps ensure safety beforehand?

iPoddin

(A further probe of "Discord" produces this fellow's basic account information◊, and...)

(...Huh.◊ An illegible and brief chat with some rando, who also seems to have the weird corruption thing befalling them. This is seemingly the only chat on the whole device, the rest is quite blank.)

Lobby

Oh yes, dearie, but—... Well, Wendell's the closest thing I have to a boy of my own, oh yes he is~!

(Is petting the little leprosy-bag now, and smiling fondly at Luffy.)

Oh, bless your heart, young man! I can't thank you nearly enough for keeping my dearie safe!

Blue Ribbon Diner

(What a cute little exterior!◊)

(And what a charming dining area!◊ Though... Hm... Doesn't seem to be many patrons yet, just a few older folks seated hither and yon...)

Edited by MobileLeprechaun on Jul 24th 2018 at 11:16:05 AM

Receptionist's Office

In that case, I'll head out with you. Two or three heads are better than one, right?

Carmine shot a look at the bike, breaking out in a wry grin as he lit a cigarette.

"yeah, you could call it that." he agreed, walking along with the agents.

"it is dinner time, isn't it?" he paused, his stomach agreeing with a well-timed rumble.

"thank god. i haven't eaten since austin. i don't need to check in now, as long as my ride is secure."

Edited by ImmortalFaust on Jul 24th 2018 at 9:19:49 AM

“...Not my bike. They’re sending it over. I’m staying here.”

“Oho...too widespread to be a simple corrupted text file...could be code, or encryption...that youngster’s profile picture, I believe my niece Megg enjoys that show! Though as an adaptation of Journey To The West it’s severely lacking...blast it, I’m going to miss our diner meetup!”

-“Eggman” comes out of the closet and rushes for his car-

"... Mm, maybe I'll just wait for the rest of them to come..."

"... I see."

Then let's get truckin'.

-starts off towards the alleged diner-

"agent spector, who do I talk to about an update? I've been-" He yawned, cutting himself off.

"-yeah, kind of like that! i was in san diego about..." he checked his phone again.

"40 hours ago, so i don't have all the details."

On the Way to the Diner, Dia, Marc, Logan and Carmine

Having finished an intense workout and taken a much needed bath afterwards, Dia decided she wanted to get to the diner a bit earlier to get a chance to catch up with the owning family for a bit, take a little time to breathe outside too.

Maxwell happened upin the trio of her guardian, waving before quickly running to catch up to them.

"Heyo Marc" Machina said nonchalantly, she's gotten friendly quite quickly, as she noticed the other agents she suddenly proclaimed. "GREETINGS FELLOW AGENTS" Machina proclaimed in a mockingly formal voice as she squinted and frowned with an incredibly serious expression like a disgruntled army commander, she stood at attention saluted and made her name clear.

"Dia Machina Maxwell at your service"

They're really serious about this case, aren't they? At this point they may as well send the entire Bureau out here.

-Follows Marc and Friends and Carmine and Friends and Marc and Friends and and and and and and-

-Follows the lot of them to the diner-

Elevator

(Midoriya rubs his chin as he receives this info)

So that means we have a semi-definitive list of who the killer might go after, it could also serve as a clue as to their motives... I better jot that down...

(fishes out the notepad and pen and begins writing)

But why would the Weaver target the names on that list so specifically? I can only guess that the reason is tied intrinsically to Grayrock as an establishment if it's about community interests... then it's a question of why Norman Andrews was targeted... could be because he caught a glimpse of something he shouldn't have...

(there he goes again, rambling)

(he looks up at the mention of a discount at the diner)

O-oh! So we're having dinner at Blue Ribbon?

(he rubs the back of his head)

I guess I should go too, I've been meaning to ask a few questions to the staff there, since I have reason to believe Andrews may have been there with his friends just before his death. A-and dinner with the rest of you wouldn't hurt either.

(he looks at the key in his hand)

(guess room 104 can wait for now)

Lobby

(Bakugo)

(grump)

Receptionist's Office

Mmh, of course. Check and return briefly.

(BUT, as fate would have it, The New Guest and his impromptu posse were already on the road. For his own safety, Katrakis agreed to accompany Shadow, Gesicht and Bakugo to the diner... right after he watered all of his plants, which took just enough time to be annoying, but not quite enough time to make them late.)

Lobby

(The little old lady, who introduced herself as Jo McKenny, showered Luffy and Hanam in praise for saving her little baby boy from his own hedonistic wanderings and gave each of them a $50 savings bond and a jar of raw honey from her grandson's bee ranch. She bade them farewell as they departed for the Blue Ribbon, suggesting that each of them try the banana pudding.)

Upstairs

(Kain gave Bruce the internet address of the local news station in case he wanted to follow the developments further and strongly advised him to stay safe before retiring to his room.)

(Park had just enough time to reapply his, uh... his eyeliner...? yeh... he wears eyeliner... And managed to catch an Uber for himself and the other Japanese agents. It was Dr. Breen again, who spent the entire car ride gabbing about Bernie Sanders being a Russian plant... cringe.)

Blue Ribbon Diner, 8:01 PM

(Trudy doesn't have to wait long, for a veritable cavalcade of cars and people arrives just minutes later.)

(Mark, and Katrakis are both present and accounted for, stepping up to the quaint building◊ and walking into its cozy interior◊.)

(A rough 'n tumble◊ sort of gal with a nametag that reads "Jessie Mae" steps up to the party, looking 'em all over.)

...Land's sakes! Y'all cain't be nothin' other than th' FBI, ain't that right? Mah name's Jessie Mae, y'all go 'head 'n take a seat anywhere y'all please.

(Peers over the crowd, spotting...!)

...Well gawd dawg, howdy Dia! Hope yew don't mind th' crowds tonight, but it sure is good t' see ya!

Blue Ribbon Diner (Aichi)

-Everything after that went by in a flash, and eventually everyone was apparently at the diner, being greeted by Jessie Mae.-

"T-Thank you, Miss."

-He can't wait to try some of that pecan pie that was mentioned...! And maybe he should try some of that chicken fried steak too. They said it was really good.-

-...Ack, but what if they have other really good sounding stuff too? He'll have to choose...!-

-...-

-...Wait, don't get distracted, Aichi. You're here for a reason.-

-He starts looking around to see where any of his fellow agents might be starting to sit.-

-He's relieved to see that Mark and Mr. Katrakis are here as well.-

Edited by CrystalMemoria on Jul 25th 2018 at 11:02:44 AM

Blue Ribbon Diner

(Midoriya walks in and takes in the atmosphere)

(this is 'murica right here)

(he takes a seat opposite to Aichi, thanking Miss Jessie Mae for the seats)

(Bakugo tails Katrakis, still on the lookout for suspicious characters around the old guy)

-Shotaro tails after Mark, getting a good look at the diner-

Huh... Nice looking place! When I heard Specter got us a discount I was expecting someplace more crummy.

Edited by Rivux on Jul 25th 2018 at 10:04:26 AM

carmine followed the group in, extinguishing the cigarette outside in a proper receptacle and found a seat as everyone filed inside.

I think we're gonna be going over everything we found out so far in here. That's your best bet for some case notes...

-gives a wry smirk and wave to Dia-

-as he goes to take a seat he calls over his shoulder at Shotaro-

I heard that!

(AUDREY has returned to relevancy)

(quietly standing in the group for now)