#Isaac (Rhythm Thief)

[101flavoursofweird]

I have Vergier family feels again…

Inspector Vergier started working on the ‘Mystere Incident’ (or at least, he started writing about it in his file) three years prior to the game’s present time. The ‘incident’ has something to do with a string thefts of artworks and antiques, all baring the same mark. 

Constable Loic mentions that Vergier has been working on this case since Emma died, implying that Emma’s death had something to do with the ‘Mystere Incident’. This is never confirmed and as we don’t have a sequel, it probably never will be confirmed, but it’s cool to speculate. 

Who do we know who stole a load of artworks with the mark and disappeared three years ago—? Oh, hi, ISAAC!

The timing here just seems too coincidental. The fact that Charlie’s mother could have died around the same time Raphael’s dad left… hurts my heart. 

What if Emma’s death was what drove Isaac away? Maybe Isaac could handle moonlighting as an art thief while he was still living with Raphael, but being involved in someone’s death was too much for him. Either Isaac wanted to escape or he became even more embroiled with the Chevaliers because “There’s blood on your hands now, Isaac, old chap! You might as well rise through the ranks of the Chevaliers!” (My flawless Jean-François impression!)

Wouldn’t it be so bitterly ironic if Inspector Vergier lost Emma because he started looking into the Mystere Incident, but then after her death, he just dedicated his entire life to the case— pushing away the one family member he had left?

During Chapter 8, when the Chevaliers start terrorising Paris, Vergier muses about how those involved in the Mystere incident have been up to something. By ‘those involved’, he must mean Graf… who Vergier later realizes is Jean-François (not the teenage rhythm thief Vergier has been chasing with the Paris Roller Skate Brigade)…

If Emma did die three or so years before the game, this might beg the question of why Vergier carries around a family photo from years ago, when Charlie was a baby. It’s not impossible that Emma died while Charlie was very young, but then again, maybe Vergier just keeps the photo with him for sentimental reasons… and so he would always have the message Emma left him: 

‘I will keep our family safe while you keep our city safe. I know you will not let us down, my brave, noble constable.’

Vergier promised Emma he would protect Paris, while she promised to protect their family. But then, Emma died because he was trying to protect Paris… but how can Vergier continue to protect Paris if he needs to protect what remains of their family? How can he keep his promise to Emma and keep Charlie safe, while he’s grieving? This isn’t helped at all by the fact that Charlie’s pink school dress and cardigan looks so much like what Emma wears in their family photo…

As it turns out, Charlie can protect Vegier, while Vergier protects Charlie, and they can work together to protect Paris. 

Charlie didn’t understand why their father was so obsessed with saving Paris until they saw Emma’s message on the photo. In Charlie’s words, they didn’t know that was how their mother felt about their father. Upon returning the photo to Vergier, Charlie remarks, “You owe her, non?”, echoing how Charlie feels like they owe Phantom R for him saving Charlie. 

It’s not actually about owing anyone— Charlie just uses this as an excuse to keep helping Phantom R…

It’s about helping the people you care about and trusting that they will help you in return.

Both Vergier and Charlie seem to have realised this by the end of the game. They team up with Phantom R to storm the Hanging Gardens and take down the Chevaliers. In the game’s final scene, Vergier yells at Charlie that it’s the Constabulary’s job to catch the Rhythm Thief, but he’s actually smiling, so you know this is all just a game to them and Phantom R now…

During the Vergiers’ bonus episode, Family Ties, Vergier and Charlie team up to defeat some leftover Chevaliers in Les Invalides. (Chasing the harmless Rhythm Thief is fine, but not the chevaliers!)

In the opening narration to the episode, Charlie mentions that their father still refuses to discuss everything that happened with them… and later, Vergier tells Charlie that the case on the Mystere Incident is officially closed. (‘Officially…?’) Vergier tells Charlie to stop interfering… but, realising that Charlie will never listen, he just asks Charlie to stay within his sights.

Vergier then walks out, leaving Charlie alone at Les Invalides…

Inspector Vergier got some good character development… but he’s still not the best parent :’D (Still, leagues better than Isaac and Jean-François!)

[themicro]

thinking very hard about an au where the evil napoleon association’s (not sure what else to call it) plan falls through after fake napoleon and Jean’s defeat at Babylon. Napoleon is taken once again by Mother Nature, because you don’t fool around with people death has had for a darn good while.

and so while Jean is being arrested (probably while saying some unspeakable things to Ralph & co) and the Chavaliers are being detained or gotten rid of, Isaac slips into the cover of night.

and Raphael is walking Marie home through the dark after Charlie hugs him goodbye and its mostly calmed down. he drops her off, and as he’s walking home, he notices a person following him. he takes a few glances over his shoulders every so often, and picks up enough details to realize its his father.

instead of freaking out, he just assumes it’s some sort of desperate hallucination, and keeps walking. that is, until fondue starts growling and turns around to face right where his illusion dad is.

then he hears an oh-so familiar voice, call his name. its a croaking, dry voice, and the name sounds like he can’t bear to speak it, to put the letters and syllables together to just say his name.

and Raphael realizes, in a strange, yet loud sort of realization, that instead of relief flooding his body, as he expected, a lovely feeling to bubble in his heart and make him tear up with joy, he instead feels his blood boil.

His eyes well up with tears of rage and desperation, not relief.

All he knows, is that he has no father, and he needs to leave this man’s presence.

but of course, Isaac just wants his son back, or at least to apologize, so Raphael keeps avoiding him until finally trying to hear him out at long last

-

anyway im cooking up a fanfic on this :3

Me when the I Want You AU: :DDDD

[darkartistyt]

the doodle board is now complete

closeups under the cut

smug bitch (/affectionate)

he got kidnapped. i'll loredump later dw

he should be allowed to kill isaac i think

[n00dl3gal]

My piece for @rhythmthiefzine! Thank you again for letting me join this project!

[homeforall]

Happy rhythm thief bastille day everyone! I decided to draw an idea for a roleswap au!

The basic premise I came up with is that both Charlie and Raphael discover the chevaliers at an earlier point in time and it changes the trajectory of their investigations.

The Crimson Goalkeeper: Charlie's alias, while investigating the mysteré incident, Charlie stumbled upon the chevaliers hideout. They've spent the last few years eavesdropping on the chevaliers plans and stealing their targets before they can get to them.

Detective R: Raphael's alias. He is still far from a law abiding citizen, but rather than committing heists, he has been following the exploits of a certain phantom thief.

The twist here is that they both think that the other is working with the chevaliers.

Charlie: has seen Isaac (Raphael's father) actively colluding with the chevaliers. Seemingly confirms it when they see detective R carrying a coin that bears the mark they recognize from the chevalier's targets.

Raphael: Manages to catch wind of the chevaliers plans to steal only to see charlie get to them soon after. Assumes Charlie is stealing them *for* the chevaliers.

[pentacle-artist]

Finished replaying Rhythm Thief! I also replayed the first two bonus chapters and rewatched a video of the last one (I can't get A on all of the minigames, I know my limits)

I completely forgot Natalie recognizes Raphael if you decide to talk to her on your way to find Elisabeth's house

Fondue looks so... offended?

How often does this happen? I am genuinely curious. Also someone teach this guy how to summarize. I bet he's used all the paper and ink in printers because of his papers.

I didn't take a picture, but Professor Alban says "you must already know quite a bit" so I assume he's involved in all of this somehow. Obviously on the side of good, he knows where Elisabeth lives

Seriously, Raphael? You went through the trouble of posing with statues, but don't bother hanging the painting straight?

I still love it when Marie says "I don't care whose mother you are. I don't want you to die."

This game really should've used dead silence to indicate when someone has been shot.

I completely forgot about the murder robots. Love that Raphael is posing while shoving a robot. Also, I just can't get the hang of any minigame involving soccer balls.

Ending is still fun. Also, Fondue following theatre etiquette better than the Vergiers is amazing.

RIP the second phase of Isaac and Napoleon's plan.

In Marie's extra episode, I noticed these two lines. Nothing crazy but I completely forgot about them.

So, Family Ties, Charlie saying, "We'll see how your dark deeds fare in the harsh light of justice!" adds to my whole thing about if we got a sequel, Charlie probably would've been tied to the sun.

Overall, I had a great time! Glad I replayed it! I'm definitely looking forward to writing soon. ^v^

[thiefbracket]

SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN COUNTED

Thanks again for everyone's submissions! some of you were very passionate and it was great to learn about all these characters, I received 92 characters over 119 submissions and from that there was only 4 that I couldn't justify as thieves so apologies to those who didn't get in, with some from me and friends we have a final roster of 96. And so without further ado here are your competitors!

Raphael/ Phantom R: Rhythm thief and the Emperors Treasure

Daroach: Kirby Squeak Squad

Bilbo Baggins: The Hobbit

The Hamburglar: McDonalds Cinematic Universe

Ron DeLite/Mask☆DeMasque: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations

Kaitou Kid: Detective Conan

Swiper: Dora the Explorer

Chilli Pepper Cookie: Cookie Run

Carmen Sandiego: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego

Vriska Serket: Homestuck

Sly Cooper: Sly Cooper

Garrett: Thief

The Phantom Thieves: Persona 5

Ms. Mows: Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door

Ms. Fortune: SKullgirls

Scipio Fortunato (Piscio): The Thief Lord

Therion: Octopath Traveller

Roguefort Cookie: Cookie Run

Kaz Brekker: Shadow and Bones/ Six of Crows

Catwoman: Batman

Gru: Despicable Me

Jeets Shimis: Dungeons & Dragons Online

Parker: Leverage

Artemis Fowl: Artemis Fowl

Nött the Brave/Veth Brenatto: Critical Role

The Beagle Boys: Ducktales

Rosé: Drawtectives

Dorapin: Doraemon

Wario: Super Mario Bros

Magalor: Kirby's Return to Dreamland

Loba Andrade: Apex Legends

Nami: One Piece

“Thief King” Bakura: Yu-Gi-Oh!

Sal Leon: Mask of Shadows

The Collector: Hollow Knight

Astotheles: Bug Fables

Gaius: Fire Emblem Awakening

Burglar: The Sims 

Kokichi Oma: Danganronpa V3 Killing Harmony

Lifty and Shifty: Happy Tree Friends

Long John Silver: Black Sails

The Brickster: Lego Island

Some Sneaky Sim: The Sims

Danny Ocean: Ocean’s 11

Indiana Jones: Indiana Jones

Magpie: Real Life

Dean Domino: Fall out New Vegas

Cassian Andor: rogue one

Luke Castellan: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Popple: Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga

Mulch Diggums: Artemis Fowl

RJ Racoon: Over The Hedge

Beni Gabor: The Mummy

Sonny Wortzik: Dog Day Afternoon

A.J. Raffles: A.J. Raffles Short Stories

Team Rocket: Pokémon

Locke Cole: Final Fantasy 6

Yuffie Kisaragi: Final Fantasy 7

Edmund "Ned" Kelly Fuckin' Danger Discretion Aloysius Superstar Butterfly Nimbly Ninja Pacifist Black Diamond Friendly Trustworthy Pissed Off [Redacted] Vamoose Su-Sussudio Middle Name Chicane Jr.: Taz Amnesty

The Beachcomber: Cultist Simulator

Erin: Thief

Delilah Bard: Shades of Magic Series

Herbert Percival Bear, Esquire: Club Penguin

Arsène Lupin: Arsène Lupin

Rouge The Bat: Sonic The Hedgehog

Grovyle: PMD Explorers of Time/Darknes/Sky

Camicazi: How to Train Your Dragon Books

Mick Rory/ Heatwave: The Flash/DC Legends of Tomorrow

Hermes: Greek Mythology

Zidane Tribal: Final Fantasy IX

Duster: Mother 3

Glendale: Centaurworld

Ada Wong: Resident Evil

Nickit: Pokemon Sword and Shield

Purrloin: Pokemon Black and White

Gokaigers: Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger

Zox Goldtsuiker / Twokaiser: Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger

Kitty Softpaws: Puss in Boots

Deep Cut: Splatoon 3

Meenah Peixes: Homestuck

D.J. Octavio: Splatoon

Ratbeard: Pirate 101

Gen AKA Eugenides: The Queen's Thief

Lupinrangers (and Noel): Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger

Chester "Snake" Turley AKA Snake Jailbird AKA Albert Knickerbocker Aloysius Snake AKA Professor Jailbird AKA Detention Bird: The Simpsons

Cain: the Binding of Isaac

Robin hood: English Mythology

Erik: Dragon quest 11

The Artful Dodger: Oliver Twist

Kamen Rider Lupin: Kamen Rider Drive

Lupin III: Lupin The Third

Pumpkin and Honey Bunny: Pulp Fiction

Niles: Fire Emblem Fates

Daiki Kaito/ Kamen rider Diend: Kamen Rider Decade

Doug Judy (The Pontiac Bandit): Brooklyn 99

Prometheus: Greek Mythology

Seeding will begin tomorrow and the first part of round 1 will hopefully be posted in the next few days. Thanks again for all your patience!

[favoritenintendocharacterbracket]

Losing Bracket Round 2 is over, round 3 is starting

Results Here:

After the delay to decide if the results for Ness vs Queen Sonia were ok, the results are in!

Here's my recap for the rest of the match ups:

Isabelle beat Mr. Game & Watch

Apollo beat Alear

Mona beat Porky

Wario beat Mym

Matt beat Seliph

Akari beat Mascula

K. K. Slider beat Yunobo

Sidon beat Nemona

Claude beat Lora

The Miis beat Rauru

Captain Falcon beat Xane

Diddy Kong beat Karate Joe. Rhythm Heaven's out, ah well.

Acerola beat Sukapon

Ninten beat the Fighting Polygon Team

Tulin beat the Prince of Sablé

Mac beat Eudan

Inkling won the war against Andy

Commander Tartar beat Chibi-Robo

Grovyle the Thief beat Midgardsormr

Roy beat Dimitri. A reminder that Smash is bigger then Fire Emblem

Ridley beat Lyn

Galacta Knight beat Leif

President of Hocotate Freight beat Nedrick

Nia beat Alm

Shulk beat Esna

Mr. Grizz beat ROB

Lubba beat Laxi

Cherry beat Robin

Edelgard beat Rex

Ike beat Eirika

The Duck Hunt Dog beat Alex

Olimar beat Dixie Kong

Teba beat Lakitu

Twink obliterates Waterwraith

Marina beat Ranzal

Greninja beat Kyle Hyde

Purple Pikmin beat Melia

Geno beat Queen Sectonia

Chrom beat Jimmy T

Toadsworth beat Ashley

Mineru beat Mythra

Dark Pit beat Hilda

DJ Octavio beat Luca

Louie beat Lip

Stitches beat Mallow

Pikachu beat Penn

Donkey Kong beat Morgan

Lillie beat Sami

Tia beat Isaac

Starfy beat Sigurd

The Happy Mask Salesman beat Cranky Kong

Arven beat Min Min

Yveltal beat Zena

Oatchi beat Lysithea

The Squirtle Family beat Cleo. Farewell Dragalia Lost. Although I am glad my favorite Pokemon won

Ness beat Queen Sonia

Ravenbeak beat Ogerpon

Bobby beat Penny

Acht beat Takamaru

Shy Guy and Purah tied! Welcome Team Science Guy!

Riju beat Celica

Ashley beat Takumi

Hades beat Quan

[mikarchive2]

10-15!!!

10. poor isaac - the airborne toxic event

okay i cant exactly explain why but this one makes me batshit crazy ? [ turns to god ] i am the shape you made me filth teaches filth . or something . i love biblical themes they make me reach thinking levels that should not even be possible . + it just slaps

11. doin' time - lana del rey

one of her best songs in my opinion and its a cover ! lol . sound of the summer for real

12. simulation swarm - big thief

i love you lyrics that sound like poetry ... a line from this song was in my bio for quite a while ! theres something so sad and yet quietly magical about it

13. curses - the crane wives

i think i found this one in the context of our flag means death ? has a very mama by my chem polka-coded rhythm in my opinion which is always delicious there should be more songs like this

14. answered ! ( agnes - glass animals )

15. frankenstein - rina sawayama

okay i have no idea how this happened because i dont even like the song that much ? 💀 it slaps but it gets old quicker than songs from her previous album i think ... very #relatable #girl though i cant lie

[regu-1]

doodle

[101flavoursofweird]

This is, of course, excluding Raphael as a dog parent. Because he’d win by a mile.

Also, I know Alfred cares for Marie but I associate him with Elisabeth.

For anyone not familiar with Rhythm Thief but would like to vote, there’s some spoilers and propaganda under the cut taken from a previous post of mine:

Duchess Elisabeth In her diary, Elizabeth writes that the best day of her life was the day Marie was born. Unfortunately, Jean-François (Elisabeth’s evil cousin) discovered Marie’s true heritage of being the last blood descendant of the Babylonian royal house don’t ask

Fearing for Marie’s safety and the resurrection of the Dragon Crown (an ancient flying weapon), Elizabeth gave Marie away to a convent when Marie was yet an infant, with her only possession being a violin… which miiight have helped Jean-François to identify Marie. (Unconfirmed in game!) Whoops. Elizabeth must have been feeling sentimental and wanted to give Marie something to remember her by. Marie can’t even remember what her mother looked like.

Elizabeth doesn’t acknowledge Marie when JF reunites the two of them later on, but we can see how affected Elisabeth is when Marie plays her violin

However, Elisabeth turns her back on Marie and walks away. Elizabeth has to pretend she has no interest in Marie so JF will leave them both alone. Elizabeth demands to know what JJF would want, theoretically speaking, if he had found her daughter. “Money? Honor?” JF, at some point, tracked Marie down, inserted himself into Marie’s life and paid for Marie to take violin lessons so she could unlock the ancient weapon. Elisabeth knows this and she must be terrified.

Later, when the bad guys threaten Elizabeth’s life in front of Marie, they reveal that Elizabeth has been lying in order to protect Marie. (Even the villain recognises this!) Elizabeth tries to keep the act up, insisting that she is nothing but a stranger to Marie. Marie decides to save her and plays the song anyway after hearing Elizabeth call her name in distress. 

Then, when the giant flying weapon has been unleashed, Elizabeth takes a literal bullet for Marie. Elizabeth reveals the truth to Marie and she calls Marie ‘Ma chère, Marie’ before passing out. Marie weeps for her mother

Fortunately, a pendant Elizabeth wore with young Marie’s picture saved her from the bullet. Raphael remarks that Elizabeth was Marie’s guardian angel. 

After the bad guys have been defeated, in the final scene of the game, Elizabeth can be seen peacefully listening to Marie’s music at the opera house. In Marie’s bonus episode, she watches Marie at her examination to enter the conservatoire. She’s glad to hear Marie’s laughter and she encourages her to enjoy herself. She tells Marie to “play like you were playing for him”- Elizabeth approves of her future son in law, Raphael

-

Inspector Vergier

In Vergier’s first scene, we see him sending in an army of roller-skating police officers to arrest Phantom R. Vergier takes his work very seriously.

At Paris Constabulary HQ, Raphael overhears Vergier talking to another officer about how he hasn’t been home in days. Apparently, Vergier has been on a certain case since his wife died. The other officer basically tells him, “GO HOME TO YOUR KID”.  (Charlie) Vergier clearly hasn’t recovered from his wife’s death but he’s been neglecting the one family member he has left so…

In a later chapter, Raphael again overhears Vergier talking to his colleague. Vergier asks if Charlie has turned up yet. He knows about Charlie’s mission to hunt down Phantom R, but he considers Charlie’s efforts an impediment to their investigation. Raphael picks up a family photo that Vergier dropped and decides to hang on to it. During his second fight with Charlie, Raph comments that Charlie is just like their father. Charlie snaps at him to “LEAVE MY FATHER OUT OF THIS!” (It’s not like Charlie’s trying to prove their worth or anything- what gave you that idea?)

Raphael goes looking for Charlie after Marie gets captured. He talks to Vergier’s friend from university and learns that Charlie and Vergier just had some sort of argument. Also, the friend comments that Charlie is about Raphael’s age. So... Charlie’s 16-18, maybe. It’s not unheard of for a parent to leave a 16-18 home alone, but Charlie was left at home for DAYS??? Raphael finds Charlie at a cafe and asks them to return the photo to Vergier. Charlier huffs that they don’t want to see their father again, but then they reads the message CharlieMs mother left on the photo. 

During the battle below the ancient flying weapon, Charlie saves Vergier from a bunch of henchmen. Vergier acknowledges that he protects Paris in memory of Charlie’s dead mother. Charlie reminds him that there’s no time like the present, and announces that they’ll help him save the city. Vergier doesn’t refuse this offer. 

In the final scene, Vergier and Charlie can be seen pursuing Phantom R together.

There’s also Charlie’s bonus episode, where they fight off the last remnants (?) of the evil organisation. Vergier announces that the case he was working on is officially closed. He’s realised that no matter how much he warns Charlie to stay away, Charlie wouldn’t listen. He just asks Charlie to stay where he can keep an eye on them.

-

Isaac, Raphael’s father 

The first chapter of the game opens with dialogue of Raphael crying as Isaac leaves him. He left three years ago... when Raphael was fifteen. Raphael’s mother previously died in an accident, so Raphael was orphaned.

Raphael became Phantom R and chased after the mark his father left for him on the coin. 

Raphael reveals to Marie that his father was an artist but he never got a big break. Isaac became a forgery artists, swapping his fake art pieces with their authentic counterparts. Raphael tries to fix his father’s crimes and hunt for the mark by returning the real art pieces.  

Raphael thinks that he sees Isaac beneath Les Invalides and at the Palace of Versailles. He’s distressed and frustrated when he loses Isaac in the crowd. Isaac was in a hurry to escape...

During his final battle with Jean-François, Raphael learns that Isaac has been working with J.F. and the Chevaliers. Isaac made forgeries for J.F.’s organisation when Raphael was young and sickly. Raphael insists that he made those forgeries to pay the doctors. So, it does seem that Isaac initially joined the organisation for Raphael’s sake, but his intentions became warped over the years. 

Raphael couldn’t believe that his father would fall in with the Chevaliers and Elizabeth was close friends with Isaac... once. Isaac couldn’t have shown any obvious signs of going to the dark side years ago. 

In his final scene, Isaac discusses with the seemingly real emperor Napoleon that he wants to begin the next phase of their plan. He quietly warns Raphael to be ready for whatever that is.

Note: Isaac’s motivations and reasons for leaving are never made clear during the game or from his point of view. As we don’t have a sequel, these can’t be confirmed.

[muzzable]

Ok but like...Raphael’s father is legitimately Alfendi Layton

[darkartistyt]

new crackship idea: jean-françois/isaac

[fauxpapillons]

dads

[pentacle-artist]

Another Rhythm Thief thought! This time relating to Raphael canonically being a good cook.

Did Isaac have enough notice about when he'd leave to teach Raphael how to cook a few things? Like, exactly *how* much trial by fire did Raphael experience while learning to cook?

[professorlaytonparallels-blog]

“Where are you going?!”

Apologies for the shoddy editing. 

Look, another Rhythm Thief parallel! That scene where little Raphel chases after his father reminds me of the first scene from LMJ!

I think Level 5 looked at Sega and said, “Welp. Since you’re not finishing this Missing Father plot-line it’s obviously up to us. Cue feels and British voice acting.”  (Spoilers obviously for the opening of LMJ)