(3 weeks later)
Three weeks have passed with no information about the instrument Veln… Fiona wants to stay with the House of Clover until this matter is finished… but she's slowly losing patience since she doesn't like working in groups and lately has been staying up very late hoping to learn something.
Daisy: "Morning, Fiona…"
Fiona: "…Morning…"
She has dark circles under her eyes.
Fiona: "Found anything?"
Daisy: "Not yet…"
Fiona: "Hahhh… I tried several times to use the Card of the Mysterious to find it… even with a photo… it only takes me to the old place we were at… which means he somehow managed to get it without touching it…"
Daisy: "I see…"
Fiona: "(yawns)…"
Daisy: "You've been drinking a lot of coffee lately… I don't know if that's good."
Fiona: "I'll be fine."
(Crash!)
Grey: "I found something…"
Fiona: "Hhhuh?"
Daisy: "What?"
Grey: "I know where Edwardson is."
Fiona: "Hhh—ugh!"
She grabbed his suit.
Fiona: "Where… where is he!"
Grey: "Whoa, whoa… calm down… he's still here in Dukewood… no idea why… he was spotted a few days ago in Timmhoth!"
Daisy: "Timmhoth?… what would he want there…"
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
Daisy: "Timmhoth… there's a celebration soon, right… the Spook Festival."
It's similar to Halloween.Fiona: "Spook Festival?"
Daisy: "Yes, it's celebrated there…"
Fiona: "Good. Then we're going."
Daisy: "Wait— we're not going like this. We need outfits…"
Fiona: "Forget it. I'm not dressing up like a lunatic…"
(A few moments later)
(Ding!)
Fiona: "Hahhhh…"
Daisy: "Hey, it suits you."
Jane: "Wooow… that costume looks good on you… a bat…"
Fiona: "Does it have to be this… wasn't there anything else…"
Daisy: "Nope."
Daisy is wearing a witch costume… and Grey… is in a Bluebeard costume.
Fiona: "You as Bluebeard… doesn't fit…"
Grey: "Why not?"
Fiona: "Unlike Bluebeard… you have zero women…"
Grey: "Whoa!… Rude!"
Daisy: "Bwahahaha… she got you good…"
Fiona: "As for you, the witch outfit fits— your annoying voice is just like their laugh…"
Daisy: "ugh!"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Grey: "Hahahahaha… you got roasted too… hahaha… I'm starting to like you, Fiona…"
Fiona: "(sweats)… only after 3 weeks?…"
Daisy: "Don't get carried away… don't make the same mistake I did…"
Grey: "Hey… hey… we had multiple nights where we, uh… did romantic stuff."
Daisy: "Please don't remind me."
Fiona: "Hahhh… lust… my goodness…"
She shoved the two aside…
Fiona: "Come on, let's get this over with."
Grey: "Oh dear…"
They headed for the train.
(Beep… beep!)
It was a puppet.
Puppet: "Hello… my name is Juniore… please board… but before you do, show your card, please…"
Fiona: "What cards?"
Daisy: "Here—this one's yours."
She handed her a card. It said Fiona Household.Fiona: "Why Household?"
Daisy: "Because that's your real family name."
They boarded… the train didn't run on electricity but on water power; there's even a glass section where you can see three fish.
Daisy: "Hmmm."
Fiona: "Interesting."
Grey: "Oh, no— I don't like fish. They always stare so stupidly."
Daisy: "Probably because their look reminds you of yourself…"
Grey: "Huh… what was I thinking going with you…"
Daisy: "Hmph…"
Fiona: "Why did you two break up?"
Grey: "Uh."
Daisy: "He cheated on me… with that hussy Minerva…"
Fiona: "And… who… is Minerva?"
Daisy: "Our neighbor… well, she lives nearby…"
Grey: "Uh…"
Fiona: "Why did you do it?"
Grey: "So… um… I wouldn't call it cheating… we had a fight… and she said she didn't want to see me anymore… so I thought… it was over… and then… I met Minerva… and… had… some… fun with her."
Fiona: "(sweats)… okay…"
Daisy: "Hmph… that fast, huh…"
Grey: "I apologized…"
Daisy: "Oh right—'Sorry I accidentally somehow slept with Minerva.'"
Grey: "Hahhh…"
Fiona: "But Daisy is pretty."
Daisy: "Uh—see… even Fiona notices…"
Grey: "I never said you weren't pretty, Daisy…"
Daisy: "Can we talk about something else?"
Fiona: "How about the mission?"
Daisy: "Fine."
Grey: "Whatever."
Fiona: "So… we're looking for Edwardson because he was seen in Timmhoth…"
Grey: "Yep."
Daisy: "Bingo…"
Fiona: "And that's why we're heading there. It's the Spook Festival, so we've got spooky costumes…"
Daisy: "Bingo…"
Grey: "Exactly…"
Fiona: "How long have you been searching for Edwardson? Seems like this isn't the first time…"
Daisy: "No."
Grey: "About two months ago… he came to us and said he wanted to work with us…"
Daisy: "But we refused… he was… strange…"
Grey: "Later we found out he was working with another group called Deadred… but… they were found dead."
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
Daisy: "Hahh…"
The ride continued. A puppet came by with a tray of food.
Puppet: "Would you like something to eat?"
You can drink Lipso on board… it's tasty; there were also a few boxes full of fries.
Daisy: "Oh, thanks."
Fiona: "Thank you… very much…"
Grey: "Much appreciated."
She took one…
Fiona: "Hmmm… what is this drink?"
Daisy: "That's Lipso…"
Fiona: "The name alone tells me maybe I shouldn't drink it."
Daisy: "Oh come on, it's really good. Look."
She opened it…(Bssss)(Gulp!)Daisy: "Hahhh… refreshing…"
Fiona: "Sorry, but drinking beer on a job?"
Daisy: "It's not beer… it's just a sweet soda… you think we work drunk?"
Fiona opened one and took a sip.
Fiona: "Oh…"
Her cheeks turned red…
Daisy: "Hehehe… you liked it, huh… it's really refreshing… made from pampas sugar… there are other flavors too— lemonade, peach, watermelon…"
Fiona: "Oh…"
She drank more… and they started eating.
Grey: "So, Fiona… you're a detective…"
Fiona: "Mhm…"
Grey: "How long?"
Fiona: "Three years…"
Daisy: "Oh… I thought longer…"
Fiona: "No… three years… Dark Umbrella makes sure you learn enough…"
Grey: "You've left them now— why?"
Fiona: "I killed my boss… because she worked with Edwardson and almost sent me and my friends to our deaths… well, they did die— except me and Cruella…"
Daisy: "Oh… had you… ever killed a human before that?"
Fiona: "No…"
Daisy: "So that was your first time?"
Fiona: "Hm… yes…"
Grey: "I see…"
The train stopped.
(Dong… Ding)
Train announcer: "Lindwood… anyone disembarking, please exit now…"
They stood up. Daisy stretched.
Daisy: "Hahhh… let's get going."
Fiona: "Mhm."
Grey: "Okay…"
They left the train… and there was the festival… music everywhere, people celebrating… of course a few drunk folks… several puppets playing music and clapping their hands.
Fiona: "I thought puppets had gotten their rights… I mean, they used to be human."
Daisy: "No… you rarely find a puppet with a decent job…"
Grey: "When you're cursed into a puppet… you lose a lot… family… friends… respect… and memory…"
Fiona: "That too?"
Grey: "Well… the relatives forget anyone who's been cursed into a puppet…"
Fiona: "I see…"
A puppet approached.
Puppet: "Would you like a snack?"
There were some candies and sweets. They took them and the puppet left.
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
Daisy: "Where could he be…"
Grey: "Good question…"
They looked around… Daisy then spotted something.
Daisy: "Huh?"
She saw a suspicious old man.
Daisy: "Hey…"
Grey: "What?"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Daisy: "That one's suspicious…"
Grey: "Because he looks old?"
Fiona: "Ugh… wait a second… that… that's him…"
Grey: "What…"
Fiona: "Yes… that's him…"
Grey: "That was… easier than expected."
Daisy: "Wait… this is weird… something's off… why is he just out here…"
Fiona: "Something's wrong… why would he run and then show himself so openly… barely a proper spooky costume—just a creepy zombie hat…"
Daisy: "What is he up to…"
Fiona: "Let's follow him."
Grey: "Okay."
They tailed him quietly.
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
Crane: "We finally have the bastard."
Fiona: "Yeah…"
He did nothing… he just stood there observing the situation.
Fiona: "Hey, Crane."
Crane: "Yes?"
Fiona: "I can't shake the feeling he's too relaxed…"
Crane: "For a careful man, he's too careless. I don't think this is by accident."
Fiona: "Do you think he's planning something?"
Crane: "No idea…"
They continued following him. He turned around, and they quickly hid.
Fiona: "Ghhh…"
Crane: "This is getting too dangerous…"
Daisy and Grey watched him too… from somewhere else.
Daisy: "For someone we've searched for for years… he's very relaxed."
Grey: "Mhm… something's off…"
Daisy: "Hmmm…"
Suddenly he grinned… He pulled out an instrument… it was a flute…
Daisy: "What… a flute?"
Grey: "Ugh… quick— cover your ears!!!!!"
He shouted.
(Meanwhile)
Fiona: "Ugh."
Crane: "Cover your ears!"
They all did.
(Boooooooooooobbbbbbbbbb!)
She opened her eyes.
Fiona: "Hahhh… ugh!!!!!!!"
The people… were silent… above them flew strange spirits… pitch-black… made from shadow, with red eyes and wearing cloaks.
Fiona: "What are those…"
Crane: "Those are the Dark Socks… that's what they're called."
Fiona: "What?"
Crane: "They're dangerous… we have to get out of here…"
They began hunting the people. Everyone started screaming… anyone struck by the Dark Socks… died instantly…
Fiona: "Ugh… where is Edwardson!!"
She saw him running.
Grey: "Hey— Fiona!"
Fiona: "…ghhh."
She chased after him.
Grey: "No, Fiona!"
Daisy: "Let's follow her!"
They followed.
Fiona: "You damn bastard!!!!!… ugh!!"
One of the Dark Socks stood before her.
Dark Sock: "Hehehehehehe… give me… your sweet mana…"
Fiona: "Ghhhh…"
She grabbed the hat.
Fiona: "Mr. Herold, I need your help… give me something to fight spirits!"
Something came out of the hat… it was a pistol…
Fiona: "What… but…"
Mr. Herold: "Aim at them!!!"
She aimed and hit the spirits; they vanished.
(Beep… beep!…) (Boom!)
Those were the sounds when they disappeared.
Fiona: "Ghhhh…"
She kept after Edwardson…
Fiona: "Hahhhh… hahhhh…"
He stumbled to the ground… he stood, but Fiona threw her staff at his feet. He tripped…
Edwardson: "Ugh… gh."
He fell.
Fiona: "Ghhh…"
She collapsed too…
Edwardson: "You're that detective… you're alive…"
Fiona: "Ghhh… got you, bastard!!!"
He drew his pistol… but she dodged and grabbed it. Now it pointed sometimes at Edwardson, sometimes at Fiona…
Edwardson: "How… is that possible…"
Fiona: "I… found you… you bastard…"
He pulled a knife and stabbed her in the waist…
Fiona: "Urk!"
She jammed her fingers into his eye.
Edwardson: "Urk… gaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
He stabbed deeper… into her waist…
Fiona: "Ghhhhhhh…"
She let go and fell.
Fiona: "Urk… ghh…"
He stood up, holding his eye… as he tried to flee, Daisy appeared and knocked him out on the spot…
(CRACK!!)
Edwardson: "Urk…"
Daisy: "Jerk…"
Grey: "Fiona…"
He went to her…Daisy: "Damn it."Fiona: "Ghhhh… urk...…"
The wound was deep.
Fiona: "Urk… damn…"
Daisy: "Come on— let's get her to Ainsworth Manor."
Grey: "Okay…"
Daisy: "I'll handle Edwardson…"
(A few hours later)
(Dang!)
Edwardson: "Ghh…"
Light was trained on him…
(Patch!) (Patch!)
Elizabeth: "Esteemed… Edwardson… at last we meet again… Father…"
(Dong!)
The door closed.
(Meanwhile)
Fiona: "Hahhhh…"
Jane: "So… how are you?"
Fiona: "I need to speak to Edwardson…"
Jane: "You can't."
Fiona: "Why?"
Jane: "Edwardson is actually speaking with Elizabeth… his… daughter…"
Fiona: "What!!!"
Jane: "Mhm."
Fiona: "Why am I only hearing this now… and… you said only two months ago—"
Jane: "Well… it's like this… we saw him again two months ago… and… fifteen years ago, when Miss Elizabeth was only six… he left the manor and… ran away… without a word… and… two months ago… he came back…"
(Two months earlier)
Two months ago, while Fiona was still in Dehl, Edwardson came to them.
Edwardson: "Hmmm…"
Jane: "Excuse me, sir… can I help you?"
Edwardson: "My name is Edwardson Ainsworth…"
Jane: "Huh!"
(A few minutes later)
(Patch!) (Patch!)
Edwardson: "Oh… you've grown, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth: "Hahhh… father…"
Edwardson: "My daughter…"
Elizabeth: "Where were you all this time?"
Edwardson: "Traveling… and so no one would find me, I called myself Mr. Edwardson… though my surname is Ainsworth…"
Elizabeth: "What do you want… say it."
Edwardson: "No hug for your beloved father?"
Elizabeth: "Give me one reasonable reason why you abandoned your daughter… and that after mother's death!"
Edwardson: "…hmmmm… surely that was hard on you, my beloved daughter…"
Elizabeth: "You left me alone… while you were gone, Oliver took care of me— even though he wasn't even nineteen…"
Edwardson: "I knew I could rely on him… I want you to help me with something."
He sat, removed his hat and staff… calm and composed, he looked at something…
Edwardson: "Coffee?"
Elizabeth: "Ghhhh… out with it— what do you want!!!"
Edwardson: "The Moonlight Symphony!!!"
Elizabeth: "Ugh… huh… That cursed piece… what… do you want with it…"
Edwardson: "Hmm… I just want it."
Elizabeth: "Do you think that's helpful now?…"
He looked at her and continued walking.
Edwardson: "I once wanted to protect people… hmph… but what did I get… mocked… forgotten… my wife died and people didn't even visit her grave… not even offer condolences…"
Elizabeth: "Thanks to you… you did cruel things in your time. You sacrificed an entire city; Snowline is gone because of you… you could have saved them…"
Edwardson: "Ah yes… the payment wasn't enough."
Elizabeth: "You see… exactly… You know what— get out! Just go… and never come back… I never want to see you here again… No wonder Mother fell ill… You act like she willingly gave you her life… She was still a minor when you married her… because you were nobility, and her family too… you only wanted money and fame…"
He stood up.
Edwardson: "A pity… I thought my daughter would help me… I'm working, by the way, with Dark Umbrella…"
Elizabeth: "The organization for Namesis and murder cases?"
Edwardson: "Supernatural cases too…"
He left the manor.
Edwardson: "I hope I'll see you again, Elizabeth."
(End of flashback)
Jane: "That's what happened."
Fiona: "I understand."
(Meanwhile)
(Crash!)
Elizabeth: "Tell me now… why did you do it… because of you, innocent people died… they only wanted to celebrate with their families… Why… why this urge to destroy everyone's life!!!"
Edwardson: "Hahahahahaha… You're just like your mother… stubborn… annoying… but kind…"
Elizabeth: "Ghhhhhh… Tell me now!!"
Edwardson: "Hahhh… to me, humans are… nothing… but worthless, breathing creatures…"
Elizabeth: "What?"
Edwardson: "Ever since the founding of the Ainsworth family… we've concerned ourselves with caring for people… and founded the House of Clover… but your grandfather… wasn't satisfied with nobles protecting the poor… So… he changed it so we'd be paid— those who needed help had to come and pay… whoever paid more got helped first… Then I was born and I saw him do this… But in general, I didn't understand… why we should help humans at all… Your grandfather wanted me to marry your mother, who came from a family seeking our help. My father accepted under the condition that I take their daughter— that she come to us and that I marry her. Sure… she didn't really want it; I was 38 and she was barely 18… I didn't want it either… not because I felt sorry for her… but because I thought it unnecessary… Shortly after we married… my father died… heart disease, most thought…"
Elizabeth: "What?"
He grinned wickedly…
Edwardson: "In truth… I killed him. You should have seen him beg for his life… an old man who'd lived long enough … begging… how pathetic!!!!!"
He shouted and laughed; Elizabeth felt she wasn't talking to her father but to a deranged monster…
Edwardson: "Ten years later, when I was 48 and thought I could never have children… you came, Elizabeth… your mother was 28. I didn't know how to react… to me… nothing mattered… I only cared about money… and my pleasures…"
Elizabeth: "And Snowline… why did you abandon it!!!"
Edwardson: "Hahhh… first, it was hard… to do anything about that catastrophe… second, because I didn't care about the people there… third, I do nothing for free… of course even if we could, we couldn't get there in time… but it's probably true we could have saved some… Then your mother died… and the burden of my father lifted… everything he forced on me… gone…"
Elizabeth: "Father… one last question…"
Edwardson: "Hmm?"
Elizabeth: "…did you kill Mother…"
Edwardson: "Hmm?… hahahahahahahahahaha…"
He laughed hysterically.
Suddenly Fiona burst in, breaking the door.
Fiona: "That's enough…"
Elizabeth: "Hahhh…"
Fiona: "Are you alright, Miss Elizabeth…"
Elizabeth: "Fiona…"
Edwardson: "You're alone… meaning you're the only one who survived…"
Fiona: "Ghhhh…"
Edwardson: "The detective… Fiona Hamilton… I mean Fiona Philomela Household… you're an interesting person… you even managed to kill Lady Natasha… and you still dare to chase me…"
Fiona: "Hmph… tell me one thing… why did you kill my mother…"
Edwardson: "Tina Household… no idea— it wasn't necessary, but she annoyed me… with her so-called humanity… and how happy she was to carry you— her daughter— as if you were her hope… You are a truly annoying human…"
Fiona: "Hmm… humans… humans… what is wrong with you… hmm…"
Elizabeth: "He wants the Moonlight Symphony…"
Fiona: "Hmm?… what's that?"
Elizabeth: "A symphony that opens the door to the Abyss…"
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
Edwardson: "Hehehehe…"
Fiona: "…I see… you work… for Rapunzel's Forbidden Library…"
Edwardson: "No… not really— they gave me the assignment, nothing more…"
Fiona: "Chasing money, are you… pathetic…"
Edwardson: "Hmph…"
Fiona: "Is there anything you can tell us?… want to?"
Edwardson: "No… I'll be dead soon anyway."
Elizabeth: "What… why…"
He sat up a bit, took his hat and blinked his eye suddenly.
Elizabeth: "Speak."
Fiona: "Hmm."
Edwardson: "I'm old… remember?… I'm over 70… and besides, just before you caught me… I took poison…"
Fiona: "Huh?"
Fiona looked at him.
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
Elizabeth: "Why… is your pride worth more than your life?"
Edwardson: "I've always wanted to finally die… but… before that, I wanted to see you… Elizabeth… because if there's something I regret… it's leaving you alone… (cough)… (cough)…"
Fiona: "Hmmm… hahhhh…"
Elizabeth: "…hhhhhh…"
Edwardson: "Detective?"
Fiona: "Yes?"
Edwardson: "Congratulations— you managed to find me… and I'll give you a reward…"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Edwardson: "Veln… here you go."
He handed it to her.
Edwardson: "Hmmm… you did it… by the way— be careful… Dark Umbrella is looking for you… and… they've decided… to kill you… to get rid of you…"
Fiona: "How is Meliodas?"
Edwardson: "He's warning you… he said… they will kill you… so… you should be careful… and cautious…"
He fell dead to the floor…
Elizabeth: "Hahhh…"
Fiona: "…(silent)…"
(A few days later)
Elizabeth: "Are you sure you're leaving us…"
Fiona: "My work here is done… Miss Elizabeth…"
Elizabeth: "I understand… thank you… for your help… Fiona…"
Daisy: "Where to now, if I may ask?"
Fiona: "Roselande…"
Elizabeth: "Oh. Les mains des damnés… that's where they're based… maybe you'll meet them."
Fiona: "Who knows… thanks for everything…"
Elizabeth: "No, thank you… Fiona…"
Fiona: "Huh… what—"
She cupped Fiona's cheek and kissed her forehead.
Fiona: "Ugh…"
Elizabeth: "Thank you very much… you're a truly good girl… a good person…"
Fiona: "Uggh… thank you… If anything comes up… let me know… I'm happy to help…"
She took her bag and headed for the harbor.
(Flash!)
But no one noticed… what was about to happen… in the deep… sea…
(Gulp!)(grrrrrrrrrrrrr)
(A few hours later)
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
(Splop!)
Fiona: "Huh?…"
It was a raindrop.
Fiona: "Rain… ugh…"
She heard people screaming…
Fiona: "Huh…"
It was… a… huge… wave…
Fiona: "Ugh… but what…"
Fiona remembered the dream from back then…
Fiona: "Huh…"
(Splaaash!)
From the water… something suddenly rose… tentacles…
Fiona: "…The… Kraken… the creature from the Necromancer… from Oz's necromantic beasts!!!"
Meine Meinung (kurz auf Deutsch): Spannendes Kapitel! Mir gefällt das Tempo: Festival-Setting → Panik → Konfrontation → Enthüllung. Edwardsons Motivation ist klar düster und erschreckend konsequent; sein Geständnis wirkt hart, aber glaubwürdig für einen Narziss/Soziopathen. Die Action mit den "Dunklen Socken" ist kreativ; vielleicht noch kurz erklären, warum sie so heißen. Emotional stark: Elizabeth–Vater-Szene und der Stirnkuss zum Abschied. Schöner Cliffhanger mit dem Kraken; sehr gutes Hook für das nächste Kapitel!