FINAL INVESTIGATION

[whimsicalism]

No one is dead today. Why would they when the end is so close? You can practically taste it (or is that your stomach?) as the final Friday dawns. It's time to get some answers.

The Storyteller isn't talking to anyone but it's a good guess to see where she went. There's one final door that hasn't been checked, after all.

Comments

[whimsicalism]

[It's a note! Uh. This handwriting looks very familiar to you.

Salutations Miss Storyteller,

We have come to understand that you have captured [NAME REDACTED]. Of course, as any well-behaved child knows that reading is very important so we have great respect for you. We also understand your authority as one of the kings of Closetland.

However, as the speakers for [NAME REDACTED] we feel we have a duty to write to you. Our feelings on the matter are clear. We need you to transfer [NAME REDACTED] to the Ira Academy. [NAME REDACTED] is already likely causing great trouble to you, Miss Storyteller.

On that note, we also believe [A LIST OF REDACTED NAMES] would also greatly benefit to be transferred to the academy for re-education. We are certain there are many other more well-behaved children that you could use in their stead.

You likely know by now that [NAME REDACTED] has already captured a couple of those naughty children from Apple Court. Their education is not yet complete. We are most certain that you could find it in yourself to consider a trade. Give us one soul and we will give you two souls. Would that not help little delightful Alice? We are sure it could.

We hope we can come to a splendid agreement, Miss Storyteller..

Sincerely yours as always,

[NAME REDACTED] ]

[battlestations]

[oh what the absolute heck. Which handwriting did it match? Doesn't seem like the apple court book, unless there was a traitor in their midst.

Admittedly not that far fetched THANKS TO NIKO AND NAGISA.]

[whimsicalism]

[No. It's worse, Nigel. It's been a long time and you probably aren't expecting this but the syntax... the use of 'we'...

You can practically hear the monotone multiple voices saying these words.

It likely belongs to one of the Delightful Children from Down the Lane.]

[octopups]

Hi Nigel! [Two Amdis approach happily.]

Oh yeah, I saw those papers, but it's really hard to uncrumple something with only two members, so—

What's wrong?

[battlestations]

[Amdi is right to ask because he is glaring into this page with unveiled hatred.]

Delightful Dorks.

[octopups]

[Amdi is very confused.]

Who?

[battlestations]

The delightful children from down the lane! They're an enemy to the Kids Next Door... Creepy children who want nothing more than to become adults, and they terrorize kids in order to be just like them! They're a hive mind [As he remembers who he is talking to:] - Not like yours. It's unnatural for human kids to share thoughts like that. They were forced to be that way a long time ago, but it's impossible for them to go back, and since then they've been a menace to kids everywhere. They even tried to turn me into one of them.

[Which is the main reason why he even knows what their handwriting looks like, it's not like they're pen pals but they definitely sent him a blackmail letter in their attempt to accomplish this.]

They've been writing to the Storyteller asking to have certain kids transferred to some 'academy' to be 're-educated.' They wanted to trade extra souls for, presumably, mine.

[He looks pretty disgusted and creeped out about that.]

I don't know how they found Closetland, but they must be out there somewhere, killing and brainwashing... no doubt taking advantage since the KND haven't found out about it yet.

[whimsicalism]

[More of the crumpled papers belong to the Delightful Brats. Demanding the release of someone--no big surprise on who they could mean--but something else is among the papers. An unsent letter from the Storyteller.

It's a very angry note telling them to stay out of her territory and that she'll make sure that her territory will have a guardian to keep them out. She also tells them to tell the King of Wrath to mind his own business.]

[battlestations]

[He'll just keep explaining to Amdi then while he reads this response.]

Well, at least Nursery Rhyme appears disinterested in their proposal. But it gets worse. "Father" might be one of the kings... It wouldn't matter that he's an adult since he's also a monster.

[A pause.]

I should clarify that I do NOT mean Roary. He's the adult the Delightful Children answer to. He... could really be called a true demon.

[whimsicalism]

[Whether or not Father is the King of Wrath isn't something these letters answer... but there is a noise as a compartment in the wall opens up and deposits a book.]

[battlestations]

....that was weird.

[ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE WANTED TO DISTRACT HIM FROM TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT THE KING OF WRATH POSSIBLY MAYBE BEING FATHER!! But uh, okay, he'll bite. What book just arrived?]

[whimsicalism]

[Look, have a leather bound book. It's labeled A Story for Somebody's Sake Volume 2 out of 3.

It... seems to be a document about the shit show that was round zero.

You sort of get a bad feeling from this.]

[battlestations]

SHE WAS FIXING THE MURDERS!?

[Wow Storyteller you just lost any points you gained with him for not selling him to the Delightful Children.]

[whimsicalism]

[Whatever your opinions on the Storyteller now are, this area is clear.]