Switcheroo

Switcheroo is the second part of .
==Steps==
# Wait until morning the next day (08:00 – 12:00)
# Meet with Sigewinne
# Find the suspect who claims to be Erick
# Go to the Fontaine Research Institute
# Gather intelligence from researchers familiar with Rawat (0/3)
# Rendezvous with the Marechaussee Phantom officers
# Go to Rawat's mother's residence
# Enter Rawat's mother's residence
# Look for hot water
# Talk to Sigewinne
==Dialogue==
;(Pass time)
: Paimon: Whew, Paimon really did sleep like a log. Let's go find Sigewinne.
;(Approach the infirmary)
: Paimon: Whoa... How is the infirmary even busier than yesterday?
: Sigewinne: Good morning, , Paimon. I have a few people here for a checkup, so you might need to wait for a while.
: Paimon: No problem, anything we can do to help?
: Sigewinne: Umm... There's a bit of a complicated situation here, I'm still getting to the bottom of it myself...
: "Gascon": You have to believe me... I'm telling the truth!
: Wriothesley: ...
: Lambersart: You're in a medical facility. Keep it down!
: "Gascon": Please, listen to me! I'm not Gascon, I'm Houilles!
: Morgane: You're a horrible liar, you know that? We get all your mugshots with the arrest warrants. It's clear as day that you're Gascon.
: "Gascon": You mean because of the way I look? I don't know what happened, I just woke up like this, then you guys dragged me in here for an interrogation...
: Wriothesley: I brought you here to figure out what's going on. If you truly are the victim of an injustice, yelling isn't going to achieve anything — at most, it'll delay your vindication.
: "Gascon": ...Alright, I get it.
: Morgane: This is nuts. Yesterday's interrogations went fine, and now this...
: Paimon: Morning, Your Grace. What's going on?
: Wriothesley: Remember the case I mentioned yesterday? The one brought to me by the Marechaussee Phantom? Well, we've been questioning the inmates involved this morning. Every single one of them is claiming mistaken identity.
: Paimon: Huh... That's even weirder than what that guy was saying yesterday...
: Wriothesley: The thing is, none of them have been able to provide any evidence whatsoever to support their claims. Questioning them further got us nowhere, so for now we've brought them to the infirmary.
: Paimon: And we thought yesterday was as busy as it got for Sigewinne...
: Morgane: We've compiled their statements. Have a look. Perhaps there's something we missed.
;(Open Criminal's Testimony)
::Criminal's Testimony
::Potton:
::Who's this Potton? I'm Honore! I had applied to go out and see a doctor, but when I woke up, I was in another cell! Unbelievable!
::Gascon:
::I'm not Gascon, I'm Houilles! Today should've been the final day of my sentence, I should've gone free, so what gives!?
::Enri:
::I'm Erick! Why does stuff like this always happen to me? Now there's no way my release papers are getting squared away today...
::Lazare:
::My name is Odilon! I'm a Garde! I think I was attacked... This isn't me at all!
::...
:
: Paimon: Wait...
: Sigewinne: Hmm...
: Wriothesley: "Release"? Interesting. The inmates they spoke of in their statements appear to all be due for release today.
: Morgane: I noticed that too... If that's their plan, they're underestimating us a little. Every serious offender claims they're someone else who just so happens to be due for release today... And they're expecting us to go along with that?
: Wriothesley: All the more reason to be cautious. Lambersart, check the release list for today, and make sure no one gets processed. We're gonna need an excuse, though... Just... say we're out of forms. And that we're furiously printing more as we speak.
: Lambersart: I'm on it!
: Wriothesley: It's conceivable that our group of serious offenders somehow found a way to switch places with inmates who are about to be released, so they can walk out right under our noses.
: Morgane: We did consider that possibility, but I mean... Just look at them. They match the warrants, period. How could there have been a switch?
: Wriothesley: Only if they're dead ringers for the inmates due for release, I suppose... I gave you that name list yesterday to assist in your investigation. Did that help?
: Morgane: Yes, the inmates' mugshots were attached to the list. The first thing I did was check for lookalikes, and I didn't find any.
: Morgane: The only other thing that stands out to me is that their voices sound a little different today. But it's not exactly hard to put on a fake voice.
: Wriothesley: Oh, really? Hmm... What does our head nurse make of all this?
: Sigewinne: Give me a moment. I think I have a way to confirm whether there's been a switch.
: Sigewinne: I know, it's not time to change your dressing yet, but please bear with me.
:
: Paimon: Huh? Isn't that the guy from yesterday?
: Sigewinne: This should be Honore. He has very severe facial ulcers, which require an operation in the hospital at the Court of Fontaine. I authorized him to leave the Fortress for medical treatment under guarded escort.
: "Potton": Yes, like I told you! I'm not Potton! I'm Honore!
: Morgane: So there has been a swap... Well, I can see what happened in Potton's case, but how do you explain the other inmates? You're not telling me their... souls switched bodies, are you?
: Sigewinne: No. I believe it was their faces that got switched.
: Sigewinne: The method is a bit like replacing a tooth: Take the bad tooth out, put a false one in. Hmm... And actually, I think I can prove it to you.
: Sigewinne: , Paimon, do you remember Erick from the other day?
: Paimon: Yeah, sure do!
: Sigewinne: Then you can be my witnesses. To start with, please fetch the inmate who claims to be Erick.
:;(Obtain )
;(Talk to Wriothesley, optional)
: Wriothesley: Looks like our head nurse is relying on you for this one. Thanks in advance.
;(Talk to Ceasth, optional)
: Ceasth: How could they switch without me noticing?
;(Talk to Morgane, optional)
: Morgane: What the heck is going on...?
;(Talk to "Lazare", optional)
: "Lazare": ...
;(Talk to "Potton", optional)
: "Potton": ...
;(Talk to "Gascon", optional)
: "Gascon": ...
;(Talk to "Enri")
: Sigewinne: So you're... Erick?
: "Enri": Yes, Head Nurse! It's me! ...You do believe me, right?
: Sigewinne: I need to do another examination on you. Same procedure as yesterday.
: "Enri": Alright. It's the cognition test first, right? So I need to concentrate.
: Sigewinne: Now, try to recall if you can. The last time we did this test, which finger did I hold up?
: "Enri": I believe it was... your index finger.
: Paimon: Huh? But that means...
: There's two Ericks.
: It wasn't the same person.
: Wriothesley: Huh?
: Paimon: So basically, last night, the Erick who said he saw another him suddenly recovered and applied to leave the observation ward.
: Paimon: Sigewinne did another test before letting him leave, but that time, she held up her pinky finger.
: "Enri": Huh? Uhh... I don't know about any test last night... There was nothing to do in the observation ward, so I went straight to bed. Then I somehow woke up in a high-security cell.
: Wriothesley: Hmm. Well, in that case, there is a reasonable explanation for the strange events of the past two days.
: Morgane: So... What exactly happened?
: Wriothesley: The gang of serious offenders wanted to break out of prison, so they identified a group of scapegoats — namely, inmates whose terms were almost up — and planned to switch appearances with them.
: Wriothesley: Last night, when Odilon was on duty, they ambushed him and had one of their group switch appearances with him using their face-swapping method. That allowed them to avoid scrutiny from the other guards.
: Wriothesley: Then, once all the other inmates were asleep, "Odilon" spent his night shift carrying out the remainder of their switcheroo plan.
: Wriothesley: However, they made one mistake. Enri changed his appearance to match Erick's earlier than he should have done, and ended up being spotted by the real Erick.
: Wriothesley: Real Erick came to the guards for help, but we didn't know then what we know now. So we put it down to hallucination, and sent him to the observation ward.
: Wriothesley: However, since one of the gang members was posing as a guard, they simply changed real Erick's appearance and had their "Erick" take his place, muddying the waters even further.
: Sigewinne: Right... Because I'd put Erick on the observation list by then, and no inmates on that list can be processed for departure until I've discharged them.
: Wriothesley: Hence why the imposters had to pull that little stunt, to get fake Erick off the list.
: Paimon: Yeah... It all makes sense now! The Duke cracked the case!
: Morgane: Well, I can't fault the reasoning. But I'm afraid that we ruled out the possibility of face-switching very early on in this process.
: Ceasth: Criminals altering their facial appearance to commit crimes is nothing new. In fact, one of the explicit duties of the Melusines in the Marechaussee Phantom is to identify criminals in disguise.
: Ceasth: We carefully examined all the suspects, and there is no evidence that any means of disguise were used in this case.
: Paimon: Huh? Well then how do we explain all this?
: Morgane: So far, it seems more likely that the gang stole documentation belonging to the inmates due for release, and are using that to commit identity fraud.
: Sigewinne: Hmm... Actually, there is a potion that can completely change someone's appearance. If they used that... even a Melusine wouldn't be able to detect it.
: Paimon: A shape-shifting potion, huh...
: Morgane: Forgive me, Head Nurse, but this is the first time I'm hearing about it... If such a potion truly existed, it would jeopardize our entire investigative process at the Marechaussee Phantom. Are you certain of this?
: Sigewinne: Yes. I am.
: Morgane: But...
: Sigewinne: Please, trust me and my professional opinion as an experienced clinician.
: Wriothesley: At the same time, without any solid evidence, it's pure speculation. Hmm... If we can round up all the inmates suspected of switching places, then have a little talk with both sides, we might just get our answer...
: Wriothesley: Yep, let's do that.
: Morgane: Okay... Well, it was our negligence that meant we had to come and conduct these post-internment interrogations, and I know it's put you out... We'll do it your way.
: Lambersart: Your Grace! Bad news — I paused the releases like you asked, but we were too late... a bunch of people already got processed two hours ago.
: Lambersart: I checked the list, and sure enough... it's all the people who gave statements.
: Wriothesley: Two hours ago? That's before today's interrogations began... They had this all planned out.
: Morgane: So there really was a switch after all? Ugh... They really pulled the wool over our eyes on this one.
: Paimon: We should be able to catch up with them if we leave now, right?
: Morgane: Not if that potion is real. They can just switch faces again after leaving the Fortress. And if the Marechaussee's Melusines can't even spot them, we wouldn't know where to start searching.
: Paimon: Yikes... so we're at a complete dead end!
: Ceasth: Well... Technically, there is one more lead we could follow up on.
: Ceasth: We were only able to arrest this gang thanks to the help of a researcher from the Fontaine Research Institute. I believe his name is Rawat.
: Sigewinne: Oh?
: Paimon: Rawat? Isn't that the handsome guy we met at that skincare promotion?
: Ceasth: Handsome? Maybe from a human point of view. I just remember that he specialized in potions.
: Ceasth: One of the crimes this gang is charged with is the manufacture and sale of illicit drugs. According Mr. Rawat, they appear to have stolen technology he developed through his research, and used it in their operation.
: Ceasth: At first, he thought it was a typical case of intellectual property infringement, and he tried to negotiate with them. But once he discovered their criminal operation, he reported them to the authorities.
: Ceasth: Thanks to his report, we were able to swoop in and arrest them all in one go.
: Paimon: What a hero. Bet that took courage on his part.
: Wriothesley: No doubt. This is worth following up on. As the one who snitched on them, it's highly likely that Rawat will be targeted by the escapees.
: Wriothesley: That aside, since he's negotiated with them in person before, there's a chance he'll have some additional information for us.
: Morgane: Understood, Your Grace. My team and I will head to the Fontaine Research Institute right away. In the meantime, please keep an eye on the face-switch victims for us.
: Wriothesley: Of course.
: Sigewinne: Um, Miss Morgane? I'd like to come along and help you catch these criminals.
: Morgane: Why's that?
: Sigewinne: Well, I'm the one who discharged the fake Erick last night, so I feel partly responsible.
: Morgane: Don't say that, Head Nurse. Your focus was on the inmates' health, and rightly so. We can't ask you to help with arresting criminals — that's our duty.
: Sigewinne: Umm... I also have a more personal reason. Potton is a patient of mine, and if I don't get a new batch of medicine to him in time, his condition will get much worse.
: Morgane: Look... Head Nurse, I completely understand where you're coming from. But arresting criminals is dangerous business, and if anything happened to you... None of us can afford to take on that responsibility.
: Sigewinne: Don't worry, I can defend myself just fine.
: Morgane: You say that, but still—
: Wriothesley: If I may, Ms. Morgane — Sigewinne is the one who raised the potion hypothesis, and I'm sure she has far more expertise on the topic than your team. My suggestion would be to bring her with you.
: Wriothesley: And if you really are worried for her safety, then...
: Paimon and I are coming along anyway.
: Wriothesley: Ah, there you go, right on cue. Knew I could count on you.
: Morgane: Okay... Well, since this plan has the Duke's blessing, far be it from me to refuse... We should head off immediately. Time is of the essence.
;(Approach the marked location in the Fontaine Research Institute)
: Morgane: Greetings. Sorry to impose, but I'm afraid we're here on urgent business, and we're gonna need you to cooperate.
: Bognor: The Marechaussee Phantom? Let me guess, you're investigating some more illegal research?
: Morgane: Not this time, no. We're looking for a researcher, do you know where we might find Mr. Rawat?
: Bognor: Rawat... Oh, yeah — Mr. Handsome, right?
: Bognor: He actually doesn't work on site here very often. There's a handful researchers in the nearby area who know him pretty well, though. You could see what they know.
: Paimon: Just a handful? Paimon figured he'd be the most popular guy around.
: Bognor: Well, I guess you could say he's popular, at least on a superficial level. He's blessed with good looks, so he tends to make a good first impression on people.
: Bognor: But in all his time here at the Fontaine Research Institute, I don't think he's ever had a single deep conversation about his research with his peers. That's no way to make real friends around here.
: Paimon: That's so weird... He definitely didn't come across like a recluse at that product promotion.
: Sigewinne: I don't find that weird at all. He definitely didn't strike me as the kind of guy who's good at making friends.
: Paimon: Really? Paimon couldn't tell... must be a Melusine perception thing.
: Morgane: Okay — we should talk with his acquaintances, but we also need to check the research institute for any clues. Let's split up, it'll save us some time.
: Paimon: Sure thing. We'll go ask around among the other researchers with Sigewinne. Paimon's suddenly kinda curious to know what everyone really thinks of him.
;(Talk to Audree)
: Paimon: Excuse us, are you Audree?
: Audree: That's me. What is it?
: Paimon: Are you close friends with Rawat? We're trying to find out where he is.
: Audree: Close friends? Pff. You mean, because I told him I had feelings for him once? I doubt I'm the first or last at the institute to make that mistake... Why would you single me out as a "close friend"?
: Audree: I should've known, really. Men like him, they just enjoy being surrounded by fawning women... They're not interested in a serious relationship.
: Paimon: Oookay... Um, we were just kinda wondering if you might know where we can find him...
: Audree: Why would I know where he's at? I barely know him, and he probably doesn't even remember me.
: Paimon: Ugh, this is getting annoying. Shall we go ask someone else?
: Sigewinne: Hmm, I think she knows Rawat better than she cares to admit. If we leave now, it might be a wasted opportunity.
: Paimon: Maybe, but we're not going to get much out of her while she's in this state, are we?
: Sigewinne: She's displaying symptoms common among people in love, if that's what you mean. But I know a cure.
: Paimon: ...It's curable?
: Sigewinne: *clears throat* We're still no closer to finding Mr. Rawat... By this point, he could be in grave danger.
: Audree: Danger? Wait, why are you looking for him, again?
: Paimon: Ohh... That's right, yeah! The Marechaussee Phantom said that he's been targeted by some pretty bad people. We need to make sure he's safe.
: Audree: What? How has this happened!? He seemed fine when I last saw him, and that was only a couple of days ago... Just happened to run into him, of course.
: Sigewinne: I see, I see. Well, do you have any thoughts on where he might be right now?
: Audree: ...Okay, but this is purely out of concern for his safety... If he's not at the Institute, he might be at his mother's place.
: Audree: I heard she raised him alone, that they had it pretty tough financially, and these days she's housebound due to illness. He makes regular trips back home to check on her.
: Paimon: Ooh, okay. Do you know the address?
: Audree: Nope, sorry. I only found out the thing about his mother because it came up in conversation once. I was just trying to find out more about him. Y'know, so I could get to know him better.
: Audree: When I told him I had a crush on him, I offered to help him take care of his mother. And yeah, maybe that was a stupid idea, but did he really have to yell at me for it? It's like, fine, I can take no for an answer, but what's with the temper tantrum?
: Audree: Unbelievable. Ugh, these guys only wanna show you their charming, well-groomed exterior. They can't stand it when a few home truths shine through...
: Paimon: Looks like her love syndrome is flaring up again...
: Sigewinne: We need to find out Mr. Rawat's mother's address... Let's check with the Marechaussee officers when we regroup.
: Paimon: Cool, sounds like a plan.
;(Talk to Audree again, optional)
: Audree: Well? I've told you everything I know, don't you think it's time for you to go looking for him? ...Not that I care, obviously...
;(Talk to Antibes)
: Paimon: Hey there! Are you Antibes?
: Antibes: What do you want?
: Paimon: We're here to ask about Rawat. Any idea where he might be? We're told you're pretty close with him.
: Antibes: "Close"? Hmph, not sure that's the word I'd use. He wouldn't even let me use his patent.
: Paimon: ...Huh?
: Antibes: It's been a good few days since I last saw him. I don't know where he's at. Go ask someone else.
: Sigewinne: Umm... Would the patent in question happen to be related to the new skincare product he developed?
: Antibes: Tsk... Yeah, kinda. "Butterfly Dew," or whatever he calls it. Hmph, I heard he made a tidy sum off of that one...
: Paimon: Okay, now we're getting somewhere! Keep going...
: Antibes: Most of the other researchers here focus on mechanics, energy, stuff like that. I get why he wouldn't be interested in having anything to do with them.
: Antibes: But I'm studying coatings. There's a huge overlap in our areas of research! Why would he refuse to work with me?
: Antibes: I bought his product once and noticed it contains a unique substance that might have applications in coatings too. If it worked out, I could probably make as much as he's making.
: Antibes: Don't get me wrong, I had no intention of plagiarizing his work. I was hoping to get official permission to use his findings in my own research. Followed the proper procedure, it was all above-board — I would've had to pay him a license fee and everything.
: Antibes: But despite that, he turned me down not once, not twice, but three times! It's like he's vehemently opposed to the idea of anyone else making the kind of money he does!
: Paimon: Huh, so is Rawat antisocial, or is this guy just jealous?
: Maybe both of the above...
: Paimon: Well, doesn't look like we're gonna get any info about Rawat's whereabouts from him. Let's go.
: Sigewinne: Wait, one second... Mr. Antibes? Next time you go shopping, you should buy some Bulle Fruits. Peel the skin, steep in water, then drink — it'll help calm your mood.
: Antibes: Huh? Uhh, yeah, thanks...
;(Talk to Antibes again, optional)
: Antibes: Gonna have to cut this chat short. I have a patent application to write.
;(Talk to Bertram)
: Paimon: Sorry to bother you, Sir, but are you Bertram?
: Bertram: Who's asking?
: Paimon: Just some concerned citizens helping out the Marechaussee Phantom with an investigation. We'd like to ask you about Rawat's whereabouts, if that's okay. We're told the two of you are pretty close?
: Bertram: Not anymore, we're not. Turns out we don't see eye to eye.
: Paimon: Oh yeah? What happened?
: Bertram: *sigh* ...The thing about us researchers is, most of us do what we do for some sort of higher purpose. But not Rawat. All he cared about was how to commercialize his findings.
: Bertram: He won't even let you work with him unless you sign a confidentiality agreement first. All so he has better control over who gets which intellectual property rights. How are you supposed to get any meaningful research done working with a guy like that?
: Bertram: Now that I've got my own technical solution for my compressor, I don't need to work with him anymore.
: Paimon: So that's what Rawat is really like...
: Sigewinne: We'd still like to know where to find him. Is that something you can help us with?
: Bertram: Wait, you're... Yeah, I know you, you're the head nurse at the Fortress of Meropide. Alright, then I'm happy to help you if I can. I respect the work you do — medicine serves the highest purpose of all the sciences.
: Paimon: Wow, turns out Sigewinne's got some real clout.
: Bertram: Thing is, I have no real way of knowing where he might be. I stopped working with him two months ago, and I've barely seen him since.
: Bertram: But if you want my advice, I'd say go talk to the peddlers. There's a few he meets with every other day or so, maybe they know where he's at.
: Sigewinne: Peddlers?
: Bertram: Yeah. Back when I was working with him, I noticed he met with them quite often. Wouldn't surprise me if they were involved in some shady business together, because it seemed like they went out of their way to avoid discussing anything in my presence.
: Bertram: The little I overheard was about manufacturing and selling pharmaceutical drugs. Like I said, he's all about the money.
: Paimon: Drugs? Doesn't he work with skincare products? Do those count as drugs?
: Bertram: Who knows? I never cared to find out. He's the Mora-grubber, not me.
: Sigewinne: Thank you. You've given us plenty to work with.
: Bertram: Welcome. Goodbye, and may we both reach new heights in our scientific endeavors.
;(Talk to Bertram again, optional)
: Bertram: If my research project works out, the development of underwater spaces should become much easier...
----
;(After talking to all 3 researchers)
: Paimon: Well, that's all three researchers. Let's head back to the meetup point.
;(Approach the marked location)
: Paimon: Y'know, Paimon started out thinking Rawat was a handsome researcher with a friendly and cheerful personality. It's such a surprise to learn that his peers have a different impression of him.
: Sigewinne: So what's your view of him now, Paimon?
: Paimon: Hmm... A handsome researcher whose difficult upbringing turned him into a profit-chaser with a chip on his shoulder...?
: Sigewinne: So your thoughts about his appearance haven't changed at all.
: Paimon: Well... His looks are kind of a big deal, at least in Paimon's opinion. How does such a handsome guy end up being so antisocial? Even with his difficult family background, it just doesn't make any sense.
: Sigewinne: You can't judge a person solely based on their appearance.
: Morgane: Head Nurse, , I assume you've spoken with the researchers? What did you find out?
:
: Sigewinne: Bertram mentioned Rawat's involvement with some pharmaceutical merchants. Do you know if he's registered any pharmaceutical brands?
: Ceasth: Since he was the whistleblower on such a huge case, I ran a background check on him. Hmm... I don't remember there being any brands under his name.
: Sigewinne: How strange... If he was so focused on commercializing his research and averse to sharing his technology with others, why wouldn't he have registered his own brands?
: Sigewinne: Maybe he and his "business partners" needed to avoid public scrutiny?
: Ceasth: You think he may have colluded with the gang? Hmm... Well, the crime was manufacture and sale of drugs, and that would certainly be in his wheelhouse. We can't rule it out.
: Paimon: Isn't that pretty unlikely though? He was the one he blew the whistle on them.
: Sigewinne: Most children who come to me with tooth decay have suffered pain for a long time already, but they'll still try to hide the fact that they eat too many sweets. Grown-ups and children aren't so different in that regard.
: Paimon: Hmm, if you say so...
: Morgane: I saw him when he came to make his report, and I certainly didn't get the feeling that he was the type to collude with criminals. Perhaps it's more likely that they were coercing him?
: Morgane: You mentioned that he comes from a poor family. So it's possible that the criminals approached him asking for academic support, luring him in with the promise of riches.
: Morgane: By the time he discovered who they really were, he was in too deep, they had leverage on him, so he was forced to keep working for them... I've seen it happen many times before.
: Paimon: That does make a lot of sense. It would definitely explain why he was so unwilling to cooperate with his fellow researchers.
: Paimon: No wonder he's so unsociable. He must be on edge all the time with a gang of crooks breathing down his neck.
: Sigewinne: In that case, the situation could be worse than we thought.
: Sigewinne: If Rawat was working with the escaped inmates, they're sure to know more about his whereabouts than us. There's a good chance they'll get to him before we do.
: Ceasth: Based on the information we've gathered so far, he was last seen two days ago. If no one's seen him since, maybe we're... too late...
: Paimon: Two days ago? So he went missing right after that product promotion?
: Morgane: That was the same day he reported the criminals, too. Not a good sign.
: Sigewinne: Hmmm... Don't worry, everyone. I believe we still have a chance. Since he disappeared right after blowing the whistle, it's likely that he's gone into hiding.
: Paimon: Yeah. He must've been worried that they'd come for him.
: Morgane: All the more reason to find him as soon as possible. The only lead we have at the moment is his mother's house, which you mentioned earlier. Ceasth, think you can find the place?
: Ceasth: Yep. *chuckle* When you register a brand, the Court of Fontaine requires you to provide a legal address. The one Rawat wrote down was in the outskirts of the city. That should be the place.
: Sigewinne: Okay, then there's no time to lose. Let's move!
;(Approach the house)
: Ceasth: Alright, should be this house. I'm pretty sure this was the address.
: Morgane: Okay, I'll knock.
:
: Sigewinne: Sounds like whoever's inside has restricted mobility... It seems serious — what's the fastest way to get this door open?
: Paimon: Umm... break the door down?
: Ceasth: No, no, I'll handle it. Let the expert deal with it — there'll be a mountain of paperwork if we damage a citizen's property.
: Ceasth: Calm down, deep breaths, remember your training, control your strength, aaand... it's open!
: Morgane: Ceasth, take a few people and lie in wait. Keep your eyes peeled for any activity around the house. , Head Nurse, and I will go inside.
;(Talk to Ceasth, optional)
: Ceasth: No, don't look this way. I'm supposed to be hiding, remember? Captain's orders.
;(Enter the house)
: Paimon: Hello...! Anyone in here...?
: Paimon: There! On the bed, there's an old lady. That's gotta be Rawat's mother, right? She doesn't look like she's in any state to be answering our questions, though...
: Sigewinne: We could try, but she is very ill. We mustn't force it.
: Morgane: Well, doesn't look like Rawat's here. She's the only one we can talk to.
: Sigewinne: Yep... Allow me.
: Sigewinne: Hello Ma'am, might I ask if you're Rawat's mother? We're trying to locate him.
: Sick Old Lady: Huhhh...? Who...?
: Sigewinne: Hard of hearing, perhaps... Does anyone have a picture of Rawat?
: Morgane: I have one here.
: Sigewinne: I'd like to show you a photo, Ma'am. Is this your son? Do you know where he is?
: Sick Old Lady: *cough*
: Paimon: Looks like this isn't gonna work after all.
: Morgane: *sigh* ...Well, looks like we're out of leads. If Rawat's not here... Things are looking very bad for him.
: Paimon: Is it possible he could have avoided returning here because he knew he'd be in danger?
: Morgane: Maybe, but if so, where do we look next? Maybe we should take another look at the institute?
: Paimon: Guess so...
: Morgane: I suggest we all return there now. We found a good amount of useful information the first time, but perhaps there's something we missed. This is our last hope.
: Sigewinne: Sorry, Officer, but could I stay here for a while? This patient requires some care.
: Morgane: Of course. , stay with the head nurse. You're technically here as her assistant, after all.
: You got it!
: Sigewinne: Also, I'd like some Marechaussee members to stay as well and keep an eye on the area.
: Morgane: Why's that?
: Sigewinne: If Rawat knows how serious his mother's condition is, he will return.
: Morgane: Got it... Okay, I'll tell the squad members in hiding to stay put and keep a lookout.
: Sigewinne: Thanks for helping me out yet again, and Paimon.
: Paimon: No problem! But, when you say her condition is serious...Do you mean...?
: Sigewinne: Yes. She is barely clinging on to life.
: Paimon: Aw...
: Sigewinne: Let me take care of a few things first. Could you pass me the towel over there?
: Paimon: Yeah, of course!
: Sigewinne: I can tell that her family has tried a lot of different treatment methods, including some very expensive medicines. Unfortunately, her condition is so multifaceted that a recovery looks all but impossible.
: Paimon: Sigewinne... Paimon bets being a nurse must be pretty tough at times like this?
: Sigewinne: Yes... It makes me a little sad.
: Sigewinne: In a Melusine's eyes, a human's birth, aging, sickness, and death are as much part of natural law as sunrise and sunset.
: Sigewinne: But human medicine can defy that law to some extent. In that sense, it is a science of miracles — that is why I became fascinated with it in the first place.
: Sigewinne: But it was only after I truly became a doctor that I realized, miracles don't always happen. Even the greatest doctors cannot cure all diseases.
: Paimon: Sigewinne...
: Sigewinne: Don't worry about me, Paimon. A doctor's duty is not to cure all diseases, but to treat whatever ailments they can.
: Sigewinne: At the very least, I can lower her fever. That way, she'll suffer less, and she might even be able to see her son.
: Paimon: Yeah... All the more reason to find Rawat as soon as possible, even if we don't catch those crooks!
: Sick Old Lady: *cough*...
: Sigewinne: Her fever's getting worse. Could I get some hot water?
: Paimon: Sure, we're on the case!
;(Talk to Sigewinne, optional)
: Sigewinne: I'll take care of her. Fetch me some hot water, if you would.
;(Interact with the table, optional)
:: (The storage trunk has been rifled through, and some essentials are in it. Did Rawat come back previously?)
;(Interact with the frame, optional)
:: (This seems to be a place where a family photo should have been. Why has the photo itself been removed?)
;(Interact with the cabinet)
:: (Found it. Fortunately, there's still some ready-made hot water here.)
:: (Hmm? This cabinet seems to have a hidden compartment.)
:: (This is...)
:
;(Open Rawat's Notes)
::
::(The way into the underground lab is written down in the journal)
;(Talk to Sigewinne)
: Sigewinne: Found the hot water?
: Paimon: Sure did! And look what else we found!
: Paimon: Judging by this journal, it seems like Rawat has a private lab. There's a good chance he could be there right now! We gotta go tell Officer Morgane right away!
: Sigewinne: That's great news — but hold on just a moment.
: Sigewinne: The wet towel is ready. I'm giving you another injection... Are you feeling better now?
: Sick Old Lady: *cough*... Phew...
: Sigewinne: It's alright. We'll go bring him back. Please, hang in there.
: Sick Old Lady: ...Thank you.
==Soundtracks==
==Other Languages==
==Change History==
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