#the mystery of the girl remains unsolved

[notoh-dev]

The Doctrine of Perseverance Plot Summary and Main Characters Reveal

Story

The city of Noxton takes its name from one of the eight founding families, the Noxton family. Renowned publicly for their contributions to the city, privately, they are linked to the mysterious 'Drift.' Tragedy strikes the family on Melrose Noxton’s thirteenth birthday, marked by a horrific house fire following the appearance of the titular doctrine in the guesthouse. Three years later, the mystery remains unsolved, and life seemingly moves on, but not for Melrose – she remembers everything.

This story unfolds on Melrose’s sixteenth birthday, where you will uncover the inescapable horrors of the doctrine, unravel the secrets of the Noxton family, and confront the spirits of the 'Drift' that relentlessly seek to butcher anyone in their path. Happy Birthday, Melrose.

Main Characters

An old soul and reserved girl. Her birthday serves as a haunting reminder of the house fire and acts as the catalyst for the story.

A mischievous girl with a cheerful exterior. She is a close friend of Melrose and Dace’s daughter.

An unfiltered and hot-headed boy. His family harbors distrust towards the ‘founding families' in the city of Noxton.

A well-mannered and intelligent boy, slated to be the next head of the Noxton family. He is the son of Josie and Klaas, and also Melrose’s cousin.

An introverted and inquisitive boy. He is Melrose’s childhood friend and is from another founding family, the Skallow family.

A calm and warmhearted woman. She is Melrose's aunt and Milton's mom. Her and Florence were in a state of no contact for years prior to the fire.

A composed and educated man, he is Suzetta's dad and a long-time close friend of Florence before the fire. He works for the Noxton Police Department.

A brisk and 'rough around the edges' kind of man, he is the current head of the Noxton family and the uncle of Melrose and Milton.

A diligent and zestful man, he is Milton's dad and works for the Noxton Police Department.

Developer's Note

Bios and artwork are subject to change before the final release of the game, and this post may be updated.

I currently have about an hour of content done, this is with all of the dialogue, and knowledge on how to proceed in-game. I imagine it'll be longer for new players. Currently working on the next portion. I'm hoping to have chapter zero available to play early 2024 on RMN, Steam, and Itch.io.

I've also been posting youtube shorts, I'd be super appreciative to anyone who likes/comments on them!

Affiliated Links

Youtube Twitter RMN Tiktok (Posts are being Processed)

[estapa-edwards]

CAPTIVATED - N. HISCHIER

paring: Nico Hischier x reader

word count: 1.3k

requested? yes - nico having fallen in love with a girl he saw dancing on a stage one day… what he didn’t know was it was his new teammates little sister timo

warnings: use of y/n.

*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*

As the pulsating rhythm of the arena music reverberated through the air, I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The spotlight illuminated the stage, casting shadows that danced around me as I moved to the beat. Each step, each twirl was a symphony of motion, a celebration of life in its purest form. Little did I know that amidst the cheering crowd and flashing lights, destiny was about to weave its intricate threads around my heart.

I live for the thrill of the dance. But on that fateful night, as I lost myself in the music, little did I realize that my world was about to collide with that of Nico Hischier, the captain of the New Jersey Devils.

Nico was more than just a hockey player; he was the epitome of leadership and dedication. His presence on the ice commanded respect, his determination driving the team forward even in the face of adversity. And yet, beneath that steely exterior, there was a warmth in his eyes that spoke of kindness and compassion.

--

As fate would have it, Nico found himself in the audience that night, drawn to the spectacle unfolding on stage. And amidst the sea of faces, his gaze found mine, locking in a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity. In that instant, I felt a connection—a spark of recognition that transcended words.

For Nico, it was like being struck by lightning—a sudden jolt of electricity that sent his heart into a frenzy. He had seen many beautiful sights in his life, but none had captivated him quite like the girl on stage. Little did he know that she would soon become more than just a fleeting memory.

After the performance, Nico found himself unable to shake the image of the mysterious dancer from his mind. He knew he had to find her, to unravel the enigma that had taken hold of his thoughts. And so, with determination in his heart, he set out to discover the identity of the girl who had stolen his breath away

Nico's quest to find the mysterious dancer consumed his thoughts day and night. Despite scouring social media platforms and reaching out to friends and acquaintances, he found himself hitting dead ends at every turn. The enigma of the girl who had captivated him remained unsolved, a puzzle that seemed destined to elude him.

Days turned into weeks, and still, Nico's search yielded no results. Doubt began to creep into his mind, whispering words of frustration and despair. Perhaps she was just a figment of his imagination, a fleeting illusion that had vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

--

But just when Nico was on the brink of giving up hope, fate intervened in the most unexpected of ways. It was a typical day at practice for the Devils, the sound of skates slicing through the ice echoing through the arena. Nico was lost in the rhythm of the game, his mind focused on the task at hand, when suddenly, he saw her.

There, standing on the sidelines, was the girl from his dreams—the mysterious dancer who had haunted his thoughts for weeks on end. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Nico's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't believe his eyes, couldn't comprehend the reality of what he was seeing. As Nico's gaze fixated on the familiar figure approaching Timo, confusion mingled with disbelief. It was as though the universe had conspired to bring her into his path once again, yet the circumstances left him utterly bewildered.

Timo's expression lit up as he embraced the approaching girl, a smile stretching across his face. It was a sight that Nico couldn't tear his eyes away from, his mind racing to make sense of the unexpected encounter.

In that moment, a torrent of emotions surged through Nico's veins—hope, disbelief, and a profound sense of longing. He wanted to reach out to her, to bridge the gap that separated them, but uncertainty held him back.

As Timo and the girl engaged in animated conversation, Nico observed from a distance, his heart heavy with unspoken questions. Who was she to Timo? How had their paths crossed once more? And most importantly, why did she feel so familiar, as though she had been a part of his life all along?

Despite the flood of uncertainty that threatened to overwhelm him, Nico couldn't deny the magnetic pull drawing him towards her. With each step she took, she seemed to come alive in his mind—a vision of beauty and grace that left him breathless.

And as he watched her laugh and smile, a flicker of recognition sparked in Nico's heart. It was as though he had known her all along, as though their souls were intertwined in a dance as old as time itself.

With determination burning in his veins, Nico made his way towards Timo and the girl, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous space of the arena. He knew that he couldn't let this opportunity slip away—that fate had brought them together once more for a reason.

As he approached, Timo turned to greet him with a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hey, Nico! I want you to meet someone special," he said, gesturing towards the girl at his side.

Nico's heart skipped a beat as he met her gaze, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place with startling clarity. She was the girl from his dreams—the mysterious dancer who had captured his heart with a single glance. 

“Nico, this is my sister, Y/n.”

As Timo uttered those words, everything seemed to click into place for Nico. The pieces of the puzzle finally fell into alignment, and he found himself staring at Y/N with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"Y/N," he repeated her name, the syllables rolling off his tongue with a sense of familiarity that sent shivers down his spine. It was as though he had known her all along, as though she had been the missing piece of his life's puzzle.

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise as she met Nico's gaze, a flicker of recognition passing between them. It was a moment of profound revelation—a realization that their paths had been destined to intertwine from the very beginning.

For Nico, it was as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders—a burden of uncertainty and doubt that had plagued him for weeks on end. Here, in front of him, stood the girl who had captured his heart with a single glance, his soulmate in every sense of the word.

As they stood there, bathed in the glow of the arena lights, a sense of peace settled over Nico's heart. He knew that he had finally found what he had been searching for. 

--

As Timo introduced her to Nico, Y/N's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't deny the rush of excitement and nervousness that surged through her veins at the sight of the captain of the New Jersey Devils standing before her. But as she looked into Nico's eyes, something shifted within her—a sense of familiarity and connection that she couldn't quite explain.

When Nico repeated her name, Y/N felt a jolt of recognition shoot through her, as though she had been waiting for him her entire life. His voice was like music to her ears, resonating deep within her soul with a sense of belonging that she had never known before.

As their eyes met, a silent understanding passed between them—a shared recognition of the bond that bound their hearts together. It was as though they had known each other in another lifetime, their souls drawn together by an invisible thread that refused to be broken.

In that moment, Y/N felt a weight lift from her shoulders—a burden of loneliness and longing that had weighed her down for far too long. Here, in front of her, stood Nico Hischier, the man who had captured her heart with a single glance, her soulmate in every sense of the word.

As they stood there, bathed in the soft glow of the arena lights, Y/N felt a sense of peace settle over her heart. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she had finally found what she had been searching for—a love that transcended time and space, a love that would endure for all eternity.

[visionsoffutile]

First day chapter 2:

Chapter 1 chapter 3

The first day of junior year always came with a mix of excitement and dread. You were still thinking about that encounter at the music store, even though you’d tried to push it out of your mind. Regina George had a way of getting under your skin, lingering in your thoughts like an unsolved mystery.

The school halls were buzzing with energy as you made your way to first period, trying to blend in. Everyone was in their own cliques, already picking up where they left off last year. The rich scent of new textbooks, freshly waxed floors, and overly sweet perfume filled the air. You couldn’t shake the sense that this year would be different—more complicated.

Gym class was your last period of the day. You hated gym. It was the one class where you couldn’t hide in the back or avoid social interaction. You entered the gym, the familiar smell of rubber and sweat instantly making you wish the day was over already. But as you scanned the room for a quiet corner, your heart skipped a beat.

Regina George.

She stood across the gym, talking to her friends. It was like seeing her in that music store all over again—only this time, she wasn’t a customer, she was Regina George: Queen of North Shore High. Her flawless blonde hair was pulled into a perfect ponytail, and her gym clothes somehow managed to look designer.

You tried to keep your distance, but it was impossible not to glance her way every few seconds. You told yourself it was because you were still confused about what had happened in the store. Was she playing a game? Or did she really seem interested?

Then, it happened. Regina’s eyes landed on you. It was just a split second, but you knew she recognized you. Her lips curved into a smirk, and she said something to her friends, who all turned to look at you. You quickly averted your gaze, pretending to stretch or focus on anything else, but your body was tense, waiting for what would come next.

“Y/N,” a voice drawled, and you froze.

You didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Regina.

Slowly, you turned to face her. She stood there with that same self-assured smile she wore at the music store. Her friends flanked her, whispering behind their hands.

“Well, well, well,” she began, tilting her head as if she were examining a puzzle. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Uh, yeah, well... gym class,” you replied awkwardly, trying to sound casual but feeling anything but. “It’s mandatory.”

Regina chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to carry more meaning than the simple laugh it was. Her friends giggled too, but Regina waved them off, still focused on you.

“So, how’s life in the music store?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “Any more record recommendations?”

You felt your face heat up, memories of her teasing words from the store replaying in your head. Was she trying to be nice? Or was this some twisted social experiment?

“It’s fine,” you said, trying to remain cool. “Busy.”

“Hmm.” Regina’s gaze lingered on you for a moment longer, then she gave a shrug. “Well, I’m sure we’ll see each other around.”

Before you could respond, she turned back to her friends, her attention already drifting elsewhere. But as she walked away, she shot you one last glance over her shoulder, that familiar smirk playing on her lips.

Your heart was still racing long after she left. What did that mean? Why did she keep coming back into your orbit? And, more importantly, why did part of you want her to?

Junior year had officially begun, and if Regina George was part of it, things were going to get a lot more interesting—whether you liked it or not.

Previous part

[aspoonofsugar]

Top 3 Oshi no Ko characters?

Hi!

Ruby Hoshino

Ruby's arc (which might very well end up in tragedy, I know) is by far my favorite. It stays on stand-by at the beginning, but when it kicks in, it starts rolling and it is imho the most powerful one. Ruby embracing her inner darkness is amazing on multiple levels.

On the one hand I love how good she is at manipulating people. She clearly inherited Hikaru's talent at this, far more than Aqua imho. The TV arc is basically Ruby foreshadowing Hikaru's whole modus operandi. She sets up a scandal, fixes it and comes up on top. She is so good nobody could really accuse her of anything either. She just makes use of people's flaws and personalities for her schemes. That is exactly what Hikaru does. She just has less nefarious goals in mind (more or less).

On the other hand the deep dive in her past as Sarina is the best part of the series. It is incredibly heartbreaking to see not only her pain at the hand of the illness, but her parents' abandonment too. Finally, Ruby's spiral ending, as she realizes Aqua is sensei is just a perfect catharsis to the whole situation.

Right now, we have to see how her story ends. I can think of 3 main possibilities:

Ruby keeps on being an idol to honor Aqua and Ai's sacrifice (not very sound thematically and kind of mediocre, but the whole ending is by this point- plus it would fit Ruby and Aqua's foiling)

Ruby stops being an idol and keeps on living normally (the most coherent positive ending, as it would show Aqua's sacrifice was pointless and selfish - still, I don't think we are going this path)

Ruby kills herself in what is the most tragic ending possible (it would fit with some set-up, like her unsolved idealizatioin of Aqua, which borders into incest, Crow's girl warnings to Aqua, etc. - but it would be gut wrenching tonally... that said Aqua's death did not fit the tone and set-up either, so...)

Probably we are going with the first option. Despite this possible lukewarm ending, I think Ruby will still be my favourite.

2. Hikaru Kamiki

Hikaru is a great villain and he deserved a better conclusion to his arc (either positive or negative), than the one he got, so that Aqua could have his sad pretty boy moment :P

Anyway, Hikaru embodies the anti-theme, as he loves wrong and is loved wrongly. I loved the exploration of his past, as an abusive victim. His spiral throughout the movie was gut-wrenching. Moreover, his ability to fool the twins and the readers by using the movie itself was great and it could have been such a cool set-up to a wonderful climax. I think we were robbed of a confrontation between him and Ruby to be honest. Not to talk about a final deep dive into his mind.

2. Ai Hoshino

Ai is on pair with Hikaru. Her arc is short, but wonderful and incredibly impactful. Hers is a perfectly written tragedy, with a powerful catharsis. What is more, her presence remains key throughout the whole story. In a sense, she is the heart of the series... which is why the ending shifting the focus on Aqua is disappointing... Sure, he and Ruby are the protagonists, but the conflict and main mystery and driving force of the story all lie within Ai. She is why people started reading/watching Oshi No Ko. The story should have ended with the answer to "who was Ai really?". (See, this is as if in Monster the climax decided to focus on Tenma's past in Japan instead than on Johan LOL...)

These are my top three. What about yours?

[hrtslaces]

𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄

2 years ago . . 

6 kiss just released new song “Cardboard box” 

54 minutes ago

. . .

Headline: "Solàna and KK Arnold Spark Breakup Rumors After Cryptic Social Media Moves and New Six Kiss Song"

Byline: Celebrity Gossip Daily Staff

In the world of celebrity relationships, few couples have captivated fans quite like singer Solàna and basketball star KK Arnold. However, recent events have set tongues wagging and speculation soaring as rumors about their relationship status hit the headlines.

The buzz began when Solàna, known for her powerful vocals and strong social media presence, and KK Arnold, a rising star on the court, both unfollowed each other on Instagram and scrubbed their profiles of any traces of their once-adored relationship. This swift digital detachment has left fans puzzled and concerned about the couple's future.

Adding fuel to the fire, Solàna’s girl group, Six Kiss, released a new track titled "Cardboard box," which many fans and critics are interpreting as a thinly veiled commentary on infidelity. The song’s lyrics, laden with themes of cheating, have only intensified speculation that the track is inspired by Solàna's relationship life.

Sources close to the couple have been tight-lipped, but insiders suggest that the timing of the song and the couple's social media changes might not be coincidental. "There's a lot of speculation, but neither Solàna nor KK have officially commented on the situation," a source close to the couple revealed.

The public’s reaction has been a mix of shock and disappointment. Fans of the couple had admired their seemingly perfect relationship and are now grappling with the possibility that their favorite duo might have called it quits. As social media swirls with theories and conjecture, both Solàna and KK have remained silent, leaving their followers to piece together the truth from scattered clues.

For now, the mystery of Solàna and KK Arnold’s relationship remains unsolved, but as the drama unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see if any more clues emerge or if the couple decides to address the rumors head-on.

…

New message from KK 🖕🖕

wtf solana

read at 5:07

[lollystocks]

The Strange Case of Amity Park

So, the facts are these:

On April 12th, 2004, Annabelle Louise Robb goes missing during morning recess at Saleham Elementary, Illinois.

“No one realized until we were taking registration after recess, and she wasn't, just wasn't there. We were all calling for her, all over the playground- the panic, the panic actually didn't set in for a while.”

It's her tenth birthday.

Seven weeks later, another young child disappears from their bedroom, just a half-mile away from Saleham Elementary. Their name is not a matter of public record.

“We all of us in the town immediately knew something was up, that this wasn't no coincidence, cos things had been happenin’ for a while, things that made no goddamn sense. We'd been paying attention see, and this whole thing didn't start with the Robb girl, though outta-towners’d been calling us crazy.”

“Actually the curfews and all that, the paranoia, that started after little J- ahem, after the second kid. The cops needed three for a pattern, but not us.”

...

Over the next three years, a further twelve children vanish from the small town of Amity Park, Illinois, all under mysterious circumstances. No suspicious figures spotted, no signs of a struggle or forced entry, and no connection between the victims - other than that none was over seventeen.

“It was misery. Pure misery. We couldn't do anything to, to protect them. They were taken from locked rooms, from crowds, anywhere. Anyone's eyes left for a second’n they'd be gone. I barely slept those years. The whole town got sick from stress.”

Listeners might label this a classic case of serial murder or kidnapping, and officially, that's what it is - an unsolved case, of an unidentified subject taking kids.

But the official account fails to tell you the complete story.

“Amity Sheriff's Office does not provide comment on cold cases, now for the last time, please simply consult the official contemporary paperwork housed in the county library. Good day.”

“You have reached the answerphone of Amity Park Public Library. Please leave your message after the tone. You have reached the a̷͓͝n̷̪̣̾́s̸̗̎w̷̧͇̍ẹ̵̄͆͜r̶̨̬̊͝ṕ̴̢̝̓ẖ̵͛o̵͍͂͠n̸̫̍̓ĕ̵̫ of Amity Park Pu̴̮͚͝b̴̙͚̋lic Library. Please leave.”

…

Here's another fact - of the fourteen taken children, nine were found, all alive. Some within days, some over a year later. Or, as locals put it, Returned. Capital ‘R’. 

None of these children could, or would, talk about what had happened to them or where they'd been. Most didn't remember.

“I ain't giving you their names because they're sealed. You want a story, talk about the dead kids, their names are a matter of record.”

“Don't look for the Returned. Stay away from Them, trust me, and stay outta town too while you're at it. Now are ya gonna pay fer that or no?”

There are other facts, too, that aren't published with the lists of unfound children and redacted names.

Power outages. Outbreaks of violence. Unprecedented levels of crop disease; print and online media rolling to a total halt; a water contamination scandal. A vast and unspecific incident at local employer Axiom Labs, which left thirty dead, and families without answers.

“Sorry hon, the Axiom Thirty weren't, aren't buried here. We didn't really do burials during that time, as a town. You'd understand if you knew.”

…

On the night of August 24th, 2007, the last child vanishes from Amity Park. Daniel James Fenton, age seventeen, says goodnight to his family, and isn't in bed the next morning.

He remains missing to this day, and is presumed dead.

What exactly happened to this sleepy Midwestern town in the mid-noughts? Why has such a dramatic, tragic case been so withheld from the American consciousness? And what can we learn from the way the town responded to this trauma: its unnerving slip into superstition, ritual, and secrecy?

“What, you never seen blood blossoms before? I don't care if you got an allergy, you either sniff the flowers or you stay outside. And besides, ain't you [redacted]’s cousin? Did he not explain all this already? Look, jus’- wait, are you recording me?”

…

Welcome, to The Strange Case of Amity Park.

[morbidology]

Lake Bodom, situated in the suburbs of Espoo, Finland, spans approximately three kilometers in length and one kilometer in width. However, this serene location was marred by a horrific event that took place in the early hours of June 5, 1960—a brutal triple murder of young campers.

The victims were 15-year-old Maila Irmeli Bjorklund and Anja Tuulikki Maki, along with their boyfriends, 18-year-olds Seppo Antero Boisman and Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson. Together, they embarked on a camping trip, setting up their tent near the lake to enjoy an evening of fishing.

Tragically, between 4AM and 6AM, Maila Irmeli Bjorklund, Anja Tuulikki Maki, and Seppo Antero Boisman were stabbed and bludgeoned to death. Nils Gustafsson was the sole survivor but suffered a concussion, jaw fractures, facial bruises, and stab wounds. He claimed to have no memory of the attack, attributing it to shock.

An investigation revealed that the assailant never entered the tent but instead attacked the victims from outside. Some personal belongings were stolen, including a wallet, clothing, and Nils' shoes. Bloody footprints outside the tent indicated that the killer had fled the scene wearing Nils' shoes. Some of these items were later found discarded and partially hidden about 500 meters from the crime scene.

Maila, Nils' girlfriend, endured the most brutal injuries; her underwear had been removed, and she had been stabbed multiple times after her death. Witnesses, a group of young birdwatchers, claimed to have seen a blonde man walking away from the tent around 6AM.

Throughout the investigation, several suspects emerged. One prime suspect was Karl Valdemar Gyllstrom, a kiosk vendor known for his aggression towards campers. He confessed to the murders shortly before his own death in 1969, though his wife initially provided an alibi for him. However, she later hinted that the alibi was fabricated, and he had threatened her to keep it secret.

Another suspect was Hans Assman, allegedly a KGB spy, who displayed suspicious behavior after the murders and was seen with red stains on his clothing. He was never questioned, but he has been linked to other unsolved murders in Finland.

The case remained unsolved until 2004 when Nils Gustafsson, the lone survivor, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his friends. DNA testing on his discarded shoes was the basis for the arrest. Nils maintained that the shoes must have been stolen and worn by the killer, but the prosecution argued that he was the perpetrator and disposed of the shoes to conceal his guilt.

They claimed Nils acted out of a fit of rage when he was rejected in his attempt to initiate a sexual encounter with one of the girls. However, the court ultimately sided with the defense, citing the credibility of eyewitness accounts and the unlikely possibility of Nils inflicting his own wounds. He was acquitted of all charges, and to this day, the case remains unresolved, shrouding Lake Bodom with an enduring mystery.

[bloodmoon24]

New Fizzmodeus Scenario!

You know those murder mystery/comedy/dark humor shows where you see the detective flirting with their coworker and they tease each other and flirts? (If you know/seen Lucifer, then you know what I’m talking about). Like picture this:

Fizzarolli was squatting down and checking out a dead body and find out any clues

Fizzarolli: Hmm…*stands back up* It looks like as if the killer just grab whatever he could find and just knock the guy right off his feet. Judging from the pool of blood by his head, he was either got killed from a blunt object or a knife

Asmodeus: *with his arms crossed over his chest* What about a bullet?

Fizzarolli: Couldn’t be since there would be at least a bullet hole on the wall where he would be shot

Asmodeus: *smirks* Mm. Good observation, detective. Very good eye

Fizzarolli: *smug grin and rolled his eyes* So now the question remains is what would be a good murder weapon for our killer to use. What, in this room, would be a weapon?

Ozzie looked at the body and then looked around and walked over to the island counter

Asmodeus: Hmm…*noticed something* Oh, detective? Wasn’t the last time we were here, there was a table ornament here in the shape of a globe?

Fizzarolli looked at where Ozzie is at, and remembered that there was a table ornament there last time he and Ozzie was here

Fizzarolli: !!! Wow. You’re right *grins at Ozzie* Heh, now who’s got good observation?

Ozzie gave him a playful wink at him

Asmodeus: Now we know what the murder weapon was, we just need to find out where it is now. ‘Cause looking around here, I don’t think the killer just murdered the guy, drop the weapon and dipped. He would know that we’re onto him and find fingerprints on the murder weapon, so he stole the ornament to make us lose his trail

Fizzarolli: Wow. Either you’re trying to impress me, or you’re just trying to showoff. I can never tell from you

Asmodeus: *chuckled* Think of me as your own mystery, detective *leaned down to him* And I’ll have you know…I’m unsolvable, baby girl

Fizzarolli: *chuckles and cocks an eyebrow* Oh, we’ll see about that. I wouldn’t mind cracking your case wide open

Fizzarolli and Asmodeus gave each other a smug grin with Fizz having his hand on his hip

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Have you never heard of such a thing, darling?

(The Timari Buzzfeed Unsolved AU)

Chapter 3: The Mysterious Case of Collège Françoise Dupont

The video opens, and everyone is almost blinded by the color pink.

The white room of all the previous videos is almost missed. There is something far more unsettling about this background. At least, with the all-white room, it is easy enough to get used to. White is a common furniture color and minimalism and/or modernism has become a thing in recent years, so it’s not entirely surprising to see. However, an all-pink room would take dedication. Especially since almost everything is the exact same shade.

A teenage girl is the one who sits in front of the camera, smiling. Cross-legged on a bed on the floor. While her smile is not creepily stiff like the one her friend usually gives, it is still offputting. Fond, but in a wistful way, as if she is in mourning.

And then she breaks, giggling and pulling a whiteboard out of seemingly nowhere.

On the whiteboard is the words ‘The Gotham Files with Tim Drake’ in black ink. A hand comes into frame this time to give her a pink whiteboard marker, and she scratches out Gotham in favor of the word Paris.

And then she smirks, hastily scratching out the name Tim Drake and replacing it with her own name, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

A person off-camera makes a vague sound of protest, and she sticks her tongue out at them for a moment.

Finally, though, she caves. In the bottom right corner, she writes something in tiny print. The camera zooms in to find the words ‘Also Tim, I guess’.

(The dreaded dubstep is still there, bouncing around in the background, but it is a faint echo of what it once was. Haunting the viewers, even from across the pond. Slowly increasing in volume. It is coming.)

Tim gives a huff of laughter and steps into frame, removing the whiteboard from view before carefully taking a seat beside her. “Hey, everyone, bet you didn’t think you’d see us together again so soon.”

“He has followed me to France. Send help,” Marinette deadpans.

Tim raises an eyebrow. “You do realize that you were the one that suggested I come visit to be ‘fair’ or whatever.”

“Details.”

He gives her a mildly exasperated look before turning to the camera. “Whatever. Let’s just skip to the school.”

“Oooooh, can we do a transition?” Marinette says, her eyes gleaming.

Tim raises an eyebrow. “Like?”

Marinette reaches towards the camera. “Like when a person goes to put their hand over the camera and –.”

Her voice cuts out the moment her hand covers the entirety of the frame.

She draws her hand back to reveal that they aren’t at her house anymore. Instead, they are standing in front of what appears to have once been a school building, though it hopefully isn’t being used as such anymore. Some of the windows are broken. What had clearly once been a beautiful courtyard has been overrun with plants.

The scenery is not the only thing that has changed, though. They, too, have changed.

As in... changed their clothes. From pajamas into what is almost formalwear. Tim is wearing what seems to be a suit, though his suit jacket is currently being used by Marinette to stave off the chill her sundress does not entirely shield her from.

Tim smiles at her. “So, Mari, since we’re in your country, do you want to explain the lore?”

Marinette sends him a playfully annoyed look before smiling. “Well, everyone, this is an abandoned school. It used to be a school for the rich and famous – and their kids – buuuut there was a scandal a few years back. His father, one of the teachers, is said to have…” she hesitates, briefly. “... well, it’s said that the body of Adrien Agreste is hidden somewhere on campus.”

“That’s probably not true,” Tim pitches in. “This place was torn apart by the French police and they found nothing. But the rumors made everyone withdraw their kids – and, more importantly – their funds. So, the building was forced to close. And yet the rumors remain.”

Marinette and Tim turned to look at the school building. It was only abandoned recently, so it looks much better than the other places they’ve visited so far. There is no reason why they should be scared of this place in comparison to the other ones. This one doesn’t look like it's nearly as much as a safety hazard as the ones before it.

And yet.

They hesitate at the threshold. Marinette tugs the suit jacket tighter around herself. The camera pans just slightly as Tim adjusts it in his hands, tightening his grip.

Maybe they weren’t quite as sure that they wouldn’t find a body as they had originally tried to make people believe.

Or not.

“Okay, obligatory moment of silence over,” Tim says. “Now, let’s go disrespect the dead!”

“It’s not disrespectful! At least… it’s not meant to be. Ghost marriage is meant to everyone a sense of…” She waves her hands around. Perhaps she is fighting off a ghost. Or, more likely, she’s just trying to recall a word. “Completion, I guess?”

He considers this. “Sure, but…”

“And it’s not like I’m actually going to be doing all of the proper rites or tying Adrien Agreste’s ghost to me,” she adds, smiling faintly. “I just thought it might be fun to give the guy a proper sendoff? I mean, we’re not going to find the body – I hope – or get his killer behind bars, but…” She shrugs. “It’s something.”

He lifts an arm and slings it over her shoulders, as always. “I think it sounds fun.”

Her hand shifts from her backpack strap, sliding up to lace her fingers with his. “It should be. But, uh, don’t tell my parents?”

“Mmmmmm… can I have some cookies later?”

“Sure.”

“Then sure,” he says, completely nonchalant about the whole ordeal.

They step into the building. As always, graffiti litters everything.

But that is hardly what they focus on. Desks and chairs are overturned at best, broken to pieces at worst. The floor, once elegant tile, had been smashed to pieces. The stairs in a stairwell they pass looks completely unusable. The police really had torn the place apart looking for a body.

But there isn’t one here. Neither Tim nor Marinette cringe and cover their noses, suggesting there is no corpse rotting beneath the floorboards, with only the beat of its telltale heart to give away its location. The only thing that happens is that Tim sneezes and mumbles bitterly about dust.

When he does, his breath fogs in front of him.

“Wicked,” Tim says, before immediately pretending to be a fire-breathing dragon. As you must do at least once upon realizing that it is cold enough to do so.

Marinette giggles at his antics, looking around, drawing Tim’s jacket tighter around herself. “I think the AC units here are broken.”

Not much of a surprise, considering everything else is.

“Yep. Guess the fans aren’t going to be getting a sleepover this time, either. Shame, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to convince you again.”

Marinette winks. “I’m sure you can think of a way.”

“I dunno. Youtube does not pay that well.”

She rolls her eyes. “We can do it next time, promise. But we have to get through this time, first, so we should hurry up before we get frostbite.”

They set up shop in the cafeteria, preparing incense to burn and setting a tiny doll down on one of the tables. The doll is hardly traditional. It's one of those little green army guys that come in packages of around a hundred. They had probably found it on the way there and picked it up. But it is still, technically, a doll. So it should be enough.

Briefly, as Tim pulls out a lighter, he pauses.

He looks around.

Marinette raises an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

“I…” His lips pull into a frown. “Dunno. Maybe the reason people think a body is here is that this place makes you go insane.”

“You're not going insane," she promises.

"... aw, thanks, Mari," he says, but his eyes are narrowed. Clearly he does not trust that she is being entirely genuine.

This is probably for the best, because she is smirking in that specific way she always does when she is about to gaslight him. "Tim, darling, the fact that you can see me is proof you’re already insane. I don’t exist.”

He huffs and rolls his eyes, gently knocking his shoulder against hers. “Yeah, okay, whatever. Potential gas leak aside, let’s marry you to a dead guy!”

Marinette pumps her fist in the air. Who cares about a potential gas leak? It’s wedding time!

They burn incense, first. Marinette explains that it's supposed to strengthen the spirit. She does not seem all that worried about this fact, so she either does not believe that this particular ghost exists or she genuinely had character development in the previous video and no longer believes in ghosts. It’s a tossup, really.

Either way, Marinette walks down the ‘aisle’ (a gap between tables), holding the leftover incense rods like a really ugly bouquet.

She gets to the end and smiles at Tim, trading the ‘bouquet’ for a pair of dice that have been shoddily taped over so that the sides alternate between saying ‘no’ and ‘yes’.

“Now,” says Tim, looking at his phone. It is playing music, but it is clear that that is not what he is currently paying attention to. “Throw your ‘blocks’ and let’s see if the lucky groom wants to continue with the ceremony.”

She rolls the dice, and seems mildly surprised when both dice land on ‘yes’. There was a one-in-four chance of that happening, so it wasn’t statistically irregular or anything, but humans like to ascribe meaning where there is none.

Perhaps that is why they believe in ghosts.

Marinette grins. “Cool. The ghost is into me. Think I can get a dowry out of it?”

“Isn’t your family the one that’s supposed to provide the dowry?”

She snickers. “I mean, maybe traditionally, but I’m wearing the pants in this relationship.”

Marinette is wearing a dress.

Tim looks like he wants to point this out, but decides not to. He clears his throat.

“Bow to… Heaven and Earth?” Tim says, unsurely.

Marinette turns so she is no longer facing them and does a brief bow.

“Bow to your elders – actually, they're not here, so skip that one…”

She snickers as she turns slightly to the left and bows, presumably towards where her home is.

Tim grins. “Alright, now bow to each other.”

Marinette bowed to the doll.

It fell over, almost as if in response.

She blinks, and then smiles bemusedly. “Well, it fell forward. Maybe it was trying to bow. I’m gonna consider that close enough.”

“As your priest, I agree, that was clear intent,” Tim says, nodding ‘seriously’. And then he smiles widely. “And so, by the power vested in me by… literally no one, I��m not even part of this religion… I now pronounce you ghost-groom and wife.”

Marinette kneels to pick up the tiny soldier, gently placing it back on its feet.

Good. Wedding over. Now for the part of wedding days that people actually like:

The after party!

They begin to lay out some Tupperware containers, filled with different kinds of sandwiches.

Tim practically dives to get his hands on the box of macarons. Technically they, too, are sandwiches. Sandwiches of the unhealthy variety, but sandwiches nonetheless.

Marinette is a little healthier. Perhaps because her parents are, supposedly, somewhere in the city with her, and therefore she can get in trouble for eating dessert without an entree first. She washes down her grilled cheese sandwiches with tea. If she is at all bitter about not getting any macarons, she is hiding it like a champ.

The toy soldier gets tuna sandwiches, assumedly because neither of them wants to eat them.

Marinette cradles her thermos of tea in her hands, smiling faintly. She opens her mouth to say something to Tim.

The video cuts to later.

It’s clear they spent quite a lot of time there. Their noses are pink from the cold, and several sandwiches and macarons have been eaten.

Including a tuna sandwich or two, judging by the slight shift in the way they’re arranged in the box.

One of them must have given in and eaten them after all.

That was the past, though. Now, they are cleaning up after themselves. It is not entirely necessary, the building is abandoned, after all, it isn’t like anyone would be inconvenienced if they didn’t... but they are good kids, so they ignore this fact.

“Can’t believe you eat with your mouth open, Mari,” Tim says.

Marinette sends him a confused little frown. “What? No, I don’t?”

“Yes, you do. I’ve cut all proof of you not doing that out of the video. You will forever be known among my fans as someone who eats with their mouth open.”

Realization dawns on her face.

She groans.

“Remind me why I hang out with you?” she says, shoving Tupperware back into her backpack with maybe a little more force than was strictly necessary.

“My dashing good looks.”

“I would never agree to such things in front of my husband,” she sniffs, setting the toy soldier delicately in her jacket pocket. Not Tim’s jacket pocket, because it is clear by now that he is never getting it back. Her jacket pocket. Just like the toy soldier is her husband, now, meaning she is unable to adulterize. "I am loyal, you know."

Tim considers this for a moment, stashing away the leftover incense and lighter, and then shouldering the bag. He seems to be thinking hard about his good qualities.

He finally decides on one:

“Theeeeeeen… because I stalked you to France?”

A strange choice, but it works.

“True. Thanks for reminding me,” she says, giggling, her eyes lighting up at the acceptance of her dumb bit from earlier.

They head out, back in the halls, only to pause.

Because a shadow shifts.

Their smiles drop immediately in favor of wary expressions. Even if they don’t believe there are ghosts here, there was still a very real chance of finding raccoons and opossums and other things that carry rabies.

Hesitantly, Tim points a flashlight at the shadow.

It is a cat.

They were right about the thing that could carry rabies thing.

Though it doesn’t seem this cat has it. It does not seem like it is intent on attacking them. Nor is it running away. It blinks lazily at them.

They both relax, almost imperceptibly.

The cat is tiny, but seems well cared for. It is probably a housecat that got away recently, or perhaps an outdoor cat. This is dangerous, considering it’s a black cat, and black cats are not entirely safe to let out into the world, since people are superstitious and sucky...

However, it does not have a collar.

Strange.

Who has been feeding it?

Whatever.

At least that means the cat is Free Real Estate.

Marinette coos and kneels in front of it. The cat doesn’t seem to mind, its tail flicking lazily, seemingly watching her with the same kind of curiosity.

It isn’t scared, isn’t hissing. Hasn’t even bothered to stand. It is just… meeting her gaze.

“Well, aren’t you the cutest little thing,” Marinette says, lifting her hand to pet it.

Tim puts a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks, if only momentarily. “It could have a disease.”

“That is a risk I am willing to take,” she says, without hesitation.

He sighs, but there is something fond lining his eyes as he shrugs and squats down next to her. “So, are you taking him home?”

“If it doesn’t hate me, yes, absolutely,” she says, lifting her hand again and letting the cat sniff it.

The cat gives a quiet meow and, finally, stands up, if only so it can step forward and rub against her hand.

“The cat has chosen,” Tim intones in the most grave voice he can muster. Which is to say, not very grave at all. It is hard to sound serious while looking longingly at a cat.

He was so visibly desperate that the cat almost seems to laugh, looping around Marinette one more time before coming to rub up against his leg.

Marinette looks like she might cry over the sheer adorableness. She starts cooing in French. There is a caption box at the bottom of the screen, but it is hard to tell if it is genuinely what she is saying. The words, while all technically words, surely should not be strung together in that particular order.

(Maybe they shouldn't have ignored the gas leak thing from earlier.)

The cat, being a cat, does not seem the slightest bit put off by the possibly insane babbling, only taking in Marinette’s soft tone and Tim’s hand scratching beneath his chin, and deciding that, yes, these are his humans.

“I shall name you…” Marinette squints. “You are a boy. So. Plagg.”

Tim looks as if he is not sure which part of that particular statement was worse. That she has simply decided that the cat is a boy without checking, or that she has decided that Plagg is a good name for a boy (or a girl, or… anything at all, really).

“We are not naming him Plagg,” he complains, tipping his head back in a groan. And then he looks at the cat again when it bunts against his hand. He coos. “How about Adrien? You know, the Jewish faith says that the dead live on when you name people after them. Might as well honor him, since we are trespassing in his… domain, or whatever it is people think this is.”

Marinette looks affronted. “You suck, you know. I can’t believe you’re using the religion card to overrule my decisions. You’re such a fake feminist…”

He sticks his tongue out at her playfully.

But, according to a short clip of the pair of them both calling the cat to them with their chosen names, the cat preferred the name ‘Adrien’.

Tim smirks, hugging the cat – Adrien – to his chest. The cat rubs himself against him.

Marinette sighs and crawls over defeatedly. To her delight, the cat squirms out of Tim’s grip and into her lap. She brightens up immediately. “Well,” she says, more for the sake of the audience than anything. “Still no sign of the supernatural, but at least we got this cute little cat.”

Said cat meows as if in agreement.

When she scratches it behind the ear, its head briefly turns towards the camera to lean into her touch, and its eyes seem to glow.

Camera flares really are a pain.

Either way, the two humans are entirely unaware of the mistake, for they are unable to see the footage as it is being made, and therefore continue on as normal.

Marinette leans against his shoulder, sighing. “When you go back to America, I’m keeping him.”

Despite the clear attempt to keep her tone light, there is still a wistful edge. It is not hard to imagine that losing a friend and a cat at the same time would be hard.

Especially since Tim seems to be thinking along the same lines: “Hey! I named him!”

“Exactly! You named him! Therefore I get to have him!”

“That doesn’t even make sense!”

She sticks her tongue out at him.

He huffs. “Great argument.”

“Well, if I actually tried that would just be unfair, you know,” she says.

“Oh yeah?” he raises an eyebrow in challenge, sure she is bluffing.

But then she leans closer to his face, smiling. “Paris to New Jersey is an eight-hour flight, minimum. You wouldn’t put him through that. Therefore, I win.”

Tim, for the briefest of moments, doesn’t react. His eyes have widened just slightly at the sudden closeness, and his face turns a delicate shade of pink. He inches his face away from hers the slightest bit. He swallows thickly and quickly averts his gaze.

Even the damn cat seems to have a knowing look on its face.

Not that he was being particularly subtle, to be fair. You don’t travel across the world on a whim for just anyone.

Still, even the cat?

He groans, turning his head away to bury his face in his hands.

She giggles and presses further against his side, her chin coming to rest on his shoulder, her eyelashes batting playfully.

“I win,” she says.

He grumbles incoherently.

“Besides, we found him in Paris. This is my city, therefore he is mine.”

“That’s not fair,” he says. And then something seems to occur to him. He turns to look at her, their noses just barely brushing. Red begins to dust itself across her cheeks as well. “I found you in Gotham, though. That’s my city. Does that make you mine?”

For a moment, Marinette hesitates.

And then she turns her head away, back toward the camera, smiling.

“The shippers are going to have a damn field day.”

He laughs and goes back to playing with their new cat. “Well, since you’re a married woman now, maybe they’ll chill out.”

Marinette snickers. “They will not.”

“Not at all. Now it’s a forbidden romance.” He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Lean towards me like you’re gonna kiss me for the outro?”

Marinette, briefly, tips her head back in a laugh. And then she looks at him, something sly in her expression. She takes his face in both hands and leans in –.

The scene pauses in the moment when their lips seem to meet. A future version of Tim, probably greenscreened in, appears, his head perfectly covering where their lips might actually be touching, if the way his past self’s eyes are wide in surprise means anything.

People replay the video several times, and eventually come to the realization that Marinette’s hands are placed carefully in a way that almost hides the way her thumbs keep their lips from actually touching.

Disappointing, but not particularly surprising, considering they had all but said they were going to fake it for the camera.

Viewers finally allow the rest of the video to play.

It is a Honey sponsorship.

As one, they groan and close out of the video.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next Chapter

[satoshi-mochida]

No Case Should Remain Unsolved coming to Switch on September 19 - Gematsu

PLAYISM will release Somi-developed mystery adventure game No Case Should Remain Unsolved for Switch on September 19, the companies announced.

No Case Should Remain Unsolved first launched for PC via Steam on January 17.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

“I remember how surprised I was when I first saw this case. Everyone involved was lying, for one reason or another.” No Case Should Remain Unsolved is a detective game where players uncover and piece together memory fragments to solve a long-forgotten case. Follow former police detective Jeon Gyeong as she acquires clues and testimony relating to the case of a missing girl.

Story

February 5, 2012. A little girl named Seowon is reported missing from a playground. Police launch an investigation and question witnesses and suspects, but Seowon’s case is never solved. Twelve years after Senior Inspector Jeon Gyeong’s retirement, she is visited by a young police officer: a woman who pleads with her to reexamine Seowon’s case. But with each uncovered memory, only one thing becomes clear: everyone in Seowon’s vicinity was lying.

Key Features

Experience an imaginative reasoning system where players connect memories like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

Uncover passcodes, keys, 54 conversations, and two hidden truths.

Over the course of a two to three-hour playthrough, players will learn why Seowon’s disappearance is the only case Jeon Gyeong has left unsolved.

Also featuring an original soundtrack by Seongyi Yi, composer of Legal Dungeon and The Wake!

Watch a new set of trailers below.

Switch Announce Trailer

English

Japanese

Korean

Traditional Chinese

Nintendo Direct: August 27, 2024

Japanese

[livdboba]

Ripples of blood

The murders of San Kiara remains to be one of Hydaria’s unsolved problems. No law enforcers seem competent enough to solve. Month to month, the number of people who wind up dead increases, from ladies to lords, women to men. The murders does not discriminate anybody safe for children who fortunately were not targeted.

You on the other hand, could not care less about the murders. Your father disowned you. Your mother still missing. Your body as busy as an hectic street trying to survive. And yet, you find yourself in that very cursed city. Where everything begins and ends.

Are you ready, to uncover the true face of the culprit?

Features

1. Discover the true murderer behind the San Kiara murders

2. Alter the course of history

3. Bring to light the truth of your kidnapping

4. Find love amongst the RO’s

5, Rescue your mother from her predicament

6. Make peace with your father or punish him

7. Navigate through the subplots and political complications revolving the factions in this game

8. Carve your personality and skill set

Plot

You play as a disowned noble, who ends up investigating the murders of San Kiara, which may very well be the place where your mother was last sighted before her disappearance. Explore the mystery and uncover the murderer, all with the power of your wit.

Trigger warning

A scene involving human trafficking

RO selection

As of now there are 6 definite RO, and one RO I’m still considering whether to make into an npc or not.

The definite ROS are the following:

Osric Ashbrook [M]

Golden retriever. Gentle. Nice RO.

You meet Osric on the night you are kidnapped, and ever since, Osric has been a brother figure to you. He is one of the few people you can trust with your life, honest, gentle, yet without his own complications. But above all, he is sincere.

Louisa Grimaldi [F]

Black cat. Manipulative. Red flag.

Louisa is your childhood friend, however, the divide between your social status, with hers one tier higher causes a strain in between your relationship. It does not help that her family is deeply involved in the dark den (like black market). For guy pc, Louisa never considers marrying you, instead pursuing Hamlin, yet she cannot hide her attraction towards you (depends on choices), even going as far as consenting to her suitor's assassination (depends on choice). Beware romancing her, as she would not hesitate to cut you off for benefits.

Hamlin Davenport [M]

Tsundere. Difficult. Red flag.

Interestingly enough, Hamlin is the suitor Louisa considers marrying. You can meet Hamlin in multiple instances, changing the dynamics between you two. He is the duke of Osborne, the best way to describe his love language is empty, or at best fickle (depends on choices).

Anika [F]

Golden retriever. Warm. High morality.

Anika is a member of the rebellion, you can meet her in multiple instances and change the dynamics between the two of her. Her personality best resembles Osric, with the difference that her morality is more black and white than Osric's. She is one of the more dynamic characters in this wip.

Enforcer Morcant [M]

Stern, callous. Detached friendliness. Highly ordered.

An enforcer that came to investigate the disappearance of your mother, and her recorded visit to the rumored city of San Kiara where multiple murders are happening. He appears amiable and courteous on the surface, but your interactions with him tells you, his core is not at all that gentle.

Eira [F]

Corrupt, frank, red flag.

Lover of money and anything precious. She was the one who trafficked you after your father threw you away.

Sanchia F

Coy, gentle, manipulative, fickle

A girl you rescued on the road from a group of vile men, she tags along on your journey, as she does not possess a temporary home or job having been abandoned by her family. Much like how your father abandoned you.

**XXX [M]**

</details>

Length of demo

Currently it's about (15%, Chapter 3 under construction), 75 k Words (without code) done, and I plan on updating every two weeks.

Update 2.1

Started working on next chapter, on route where you enter the scene with Osric and without Anika. Triggered by meeting Anika in dark den and going behind the cave with Osric in bandit escape.

Speak about anything! Whether you like the game, if the pacing is off or not, about RO. Which RO should have more screen time. Criticism is welcomed too! I just want to know if interest in this game is still alive or not.

[nepobabyeurydice]

Where Do Hazel’s Flashbacks Come From?

An unsolved mystery since the start of the Son of Neptune, very few clues or hints are given on the origins of Hazel’s flashbacks that have plagued her since her resurrection from Asphodel. So today I’ve decided to say fuck it and begin writing meta about this. Without further ado let me present the 5 most likely theories as to the origins of these flashbacks.

Theory One: The Lethe

The Lethe is described as a black river in the Underworld potent enough to remove the memories of a Titan with only a dip. But, said Titan regains his memories through triggers…like Hazel does.

However, that doesn’t make up for the slow process over 9 months of Hazel regaining memories instead of the two weeks or so of Bob regaining his. Hazel arguably has less memories to keep trapped and shuttered inside unlike Bob’s literal millenniums worth of memories flooding in as soon as he meets someone from his past. 

So while likely, Rick also never says Hazel took a sip of the Lethe, just remained under that poplar tree for eighty years.

Theory 2: It’s Nico’s Fault

He probably did it by accident though.

Bringing back the dead isn’t an exact science or art so it could’ve been the way Hazel was brought back. Through an illegal escape of the Underworld while Death was chained instead of a Hades approved resurrection or Asclepius doing it.

The journey upwards could’ve had a keyed-in self-destruct that usually leads spirits to return to the Underworld  out of despair of reliving old memories. Or just that the way Hazel was brought back was genuinely wrong and created some damage but also greatly increased her powers and connection to the Underworld instead of just gems and it just showed up after she confronted her past in MoA and reached being able to shadow-travel in HoH.

But most of the evidence is circumstantial and Medea, Minos, and Litysteres have shown no adverse side-effects to coming back from the dead as of yet. (Rick I’d kill for a Hazel and Frank novel, c’mon give me the Frazel novel)

Theory 3: It’s Sammy’s Diamond

This one is a little more out there but look I could be right.

Hazel’s fatal flaw is the past, Sammy’s Diamond is literally the fucking up of her past even more than even meeting Leo ever was. I say that because Sammy so badly wanted to know what happened to Hazel after she left to Alaska he imbued that gem before selling it with his memories.

Because the gem didn’t hurt Sammy. It helped him get married, have three to four children and two to six grandchildren along with more than a few great-grandchildren.

He lived a long time, almost suspiciously long for someone who was already 14 when WWII happened. He’d be 17 by the time it was over and be in his 80’s by the time Leo was born and died by the time Leo was 5-ish. And he had not a single sign of dementia or Alzenhimer’s.

Granted that’s not completely odd but the fact that the diamond is still circulating with the unanswered questions Sammy imbued it with might be why Hazel’s flashbacks occurred and didn’t settle until she met someone with Sammy’s blood. (Be funny if she met Tia Rosa with Nico while going to CJ and she just stops having flashbacks and they’re both like okay I guess that happened.)

Theory 4: It’s Gaea’s Fault

And she definitely did it on purpose. 

When Hazel brought down Resurrection Bay at 13 by the way, get it girl, she effectively dragged down Gaea with her keeping Gaea from rising to full power in the 1920’s

So two options here. Curse or a piece of Hazel’s ghost is trapped in Resurrection Bay and kept Gaea under as long as she could but she faded away as the years went on.

I don’t completely buy option 2 but still, fun angst.

I can however see Gaea being a petty bitch and cursing Hazel to relive the agony of her life once she returns because she likes tormenting Hazel and I think Hazel and Leo should’ve been the ones to beat her ass in because they’re the ones directly traumatized by her since they were young.

Also, she can manipulate dreams and shit so there’s evidence there.

Theory 5: Bianca Did It

Do you ever notice that like, whenever anything related to prophetic or past dreams happen it’s either Bianca’s fault or ‘demigod dreams’ in PJO?

Like for the entirety of Battle of the Labyrinth Bianca did nothing but intervene for Percy and Nico trying to get both of them the fuck out of there. 

It’s not wrong to think she’d do the same thing for her sister. As I mentioned before, Hazel’s fatal flaw is the past, Bianca is clearly aware of the fatal flaw of the children of Hades which doesn’t make it too far of a leap to assume she doesn’t know the fatal flaws of the children of Pluto. So the flashback could be an attempt by Bianca to keep Hazel from falling down the deep dark pit of despair and eventual re-death. 

Of course we know Bianca’s been reborn but…has she?

She showed in Nico’s nekiya for Maria di Angelo warning him against it despite supposedly being reborn. There’s every chance she’s just sort of hanging around there to help whichever idiot sibling/cousin is planning on following her to the Underworld.

Would not surprise me if it turns out to be a plot twist in a future Frazel novel if Rick can understand that I would literally write it myself if it wasn’t copyrighted.

In conclusion, Hazel’s flashbacks are dealer’s choice and will likely remain unanswered but at least we’ve zeroed in on the suspects and possible interference from everyone else and hopefully I’ve given you something to think about.

Thank you very much for reading and let's all have a little prayer circle for a Frazel novel because if you can reopen a finished series Rick you can absolutely write a Frazel-novel like you did for Solangelo. 

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

The Mysterious Murder of the Beautiful Cigar Girl

The mysterious murder of Mary Rogers, known in the penny press as the “Beautiful Cigar Girl,” in the summer of 1841 remains one of New York City’s most infamous unsolved cases. Even Edgar Allan Poe took a crack at solving it, yet while her ghost is said to have visited the numerous suspects that the press circled after the beautiful young lady’s death, the truth of the grisly crime is still as murky as the Hudson River waters where her corpse was found.

In 1838, John Anderson, who owned a tobacco shop on Broadway in Lower Manhattan, hired Mary Rogers to stand at his counter purely to allure gentleman customers. It worked, and the dark haired beauty who was described as ”ethereal and hypnotically pleasing” made Anderson’s Tobacco Emporium one of the most popular in town. It had a regular clientele of notable figures like Washington Irving and, it’s stated, Poe himself, as well as a cavalcade of journalists, which would help to get her gruesome end its high profile in the press.

One day in October of 1838, Rogers went missing. Two weeks later, she suddenly reappeared, and many thought that Anderson had staged the disappearance for publicity. Rogers’ adoring fans swarmed the shop, and she soon felt overwhelmed and left to work in her mother’s boarding shop. Yet in July of 1841, she went missing again, and this time two men on the shore of New Jersey spotted her floating near Sybil’s Cave.

Built in 1832 to connect to a natural spring, Sybil’s Cave once offered cool water to visitors to the Hoboken shore. The visitors have long vanished, but in 2007 a new gate was built in front of the manmade cave. It’s here that many believe Rogers was murdered, although how is still a matter of speculation. The bruises on her body and ligature on her throat suggested gang violence or a vengeful lover (one of her many suitors, perhaps). From when her swollen remains were pulled from the water, each new clue or suspect was breathlessly reported in the tabloids, and the public loved it, buying the papers in an unprecedented frenzy.

The attention, not surprisingly, took its toll on the people involved, particularly her fiancé Daniel Payne, who had a solid alibi, but was hounded by the press nonetheless. He was discovered near Sybil’s Cave dead from an apparent suicide by poison, with a note reading: “To the World - here I am on the very spot. May God forgive me for my misspent life.”

The rampant press also inspired Edgar Allan Poe, who had his own theories about the case. In his story “The Mystery of Marie Rogêt,” he not so subtly changed the details to Paris with a murder victim named Marie Rogêt. While his detective C. Auguste Dupin speculated on many suspects, he never settled on one, although Poe studiously kept updating the story with new evidence. It’s considered to be the first work of fiction that used a real murder as its source material.

One suspect, Anderson himself, was speculated to have had his amorous advances rejected by Rogers. Although he’s buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, he died in 1881 in Paris, claiming to his last days that he was being tormented by her ghost. Payne also claimed to have seen the slender Rogers as a specter.

A later theory came from the deathbed of a tavern owner near Sybil’s Cave, who, after accidentally being shot by her son, gasped out that Rogers had actually died from a botched abortion. Some have theorized that this was done by the infamous Madame Restell, an early abortionist who practiced while it was still a felony. Restell would cut her own throat in her bathtub in 1878, and she’s now interred in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

It’s likely the mystery of who killed Mary Rogers that summer night will never be solved, although you can retrace her last steps yourself at the ruins of Sybil’s Cave, and wander to the final resting place of her employer in Green-Wood Cemetery, where he is perhaps resting in fitful peace with the ghost of the girl who once bewitched the city to his shop.

[conradscrime]

The Murder of Molly Bish & the Connection to Holly Piirainen

August 20, 2024

Molly Bish was born on August 2, 1983 in Warren, Massachusetts. At the time of her death, she was 16 years old and was working as a lifeguard at Comins Pond.

On June 26, 2000, Molly's mother Magi, noticed a mustached man in a white car parked in the lot of the beach where Molly's lifeguard post was. He seemed suspicious at the time, but Molly's mother did not think anything further until after her daughter had disappeared.

The next day, June 27, 2000, Magi drove her daughter Molly near the lifeguard station. Magi reported that she had not seen the strange man there that day, however, another witness reported that he saw a man matching that description in the pond's parking lot just minutes before Molly arrived.

A local worker reportedly saw a similar car parked at a cemetery connected to the pond by a path. Magi was the last known person to see Molly before she disappeared. A few hours later, police contacted Molly's parents to tell them that no lifeguard had been on duty that day and that Molly's belongings had been left unattended at her station.

An extensive search was done, and eventually it became the largest and most expensive search for a missing person ever done in Massachusetts. Molly's case was featured on many tv shows including America's Most Wanted, Unsolved Mysteries, and 48 Hours.

A hunter had seen a blue bathing suit in the woods on Whiskey Hill in Palmer, in the late fall of 2002. In May 2003, this hunter mentioned it and the police were contacted. A search of the area found Molly's body on June 9, 2003, almost three years later.

Molly's body had been found 5 miles from her family home. No cause of death was determined, but investigators believe Molly was murdered and her remains were buried.

There have been a few suspects looked into in relation to Molly's murder. In 2005, a Connecticut man who had been charged with attempted kidnapping in New York was briefly looked into.

Later, in 2009, a man named Rodney Stanger, then residing in Florida, who had been convicted of murdering his girlfriend, had actually lived in Southbridge, MA, a few miles from the town of Warren for more than 20 years.

Rodney had moved to Florida after Molly's murder. Following Rodney's girlfriends murder, Crystal Morrison (the couple had been together for 20 years), Crystal's sister alerted authorities.

Rodney was known to have a similar white car to the one seen the day before Molly disappeared. He was known to also fish in Comins Pond and hunt in the woods where Molly's body had been found. Rodney also matched the description that Magi Bish had reported, however he has not been charged in the case.

While Rodney was being investigated into Molly's murder, he was also questioned about a 1993 murder of a girl named Holly Piirainen. Holly went missing from Sturbridge, and was Molly's age. Molly had actually written a letter of hope to Holly's parents in 1993. Rodney has not been charged in Holly's case either.

In 2012, forensic evidence led authorities to a man named David Pouliot to Holly's case. However, David had died in 2003.

In November 2011, a man named Gerald Battistoni was named a suspect in Molly's death. Gerald had worked as an informant for the Eastern Hampden County Narcotic Task Force. Gerald had spent time in prison for repeatedly raping a teenage girl in the early 90's. He attempted suicide in prison after newspaper articles identified him as a suspect in both Molly and Holly's cases.

Gerald had a criminal record dating back to 1980, had been in the area where Molly's body had been discovered, and resembles the composite sketch of the man Magi saw in the parking lot before her daughter disappeared.

DNA testing was asked to be completed. Gerald died in November 2014. There is no clear answers as to what came of the DNA, but it must not have matched or been completed.

A new person of interest was announced on June 3, 2021, a registered sex offender named Francis P. Sumner Sr. He was found dead inside his home in Spencer, MA, on May 4, 2016. He had a lengthy criminal record but it is unclear why he was connected to the case as a suspect.

On July 9, 1982, Francis was convicted of aggravated rape and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 15-18 years on the rape charge, to be served concurrently with 9-10 years on the kidnapping charges. The earliest he could have been released from prison would have been in 1997. It is unclear how long Francis was incarcerated.

No arrests have been made in Molly Bish's case, however Francis is considered a person of interest. Investigator's have not given up on the case, and encourage the use of familial DNA, hoping that forensic evidence may lead to some answers eventually. Molly's family advocates for child abduction awareness. There is an anonymous tip line that's open for information.

In 2004, Magi and John Bish founded The Molly Bish Center and Foundation in collaboration with Anna Maria College.

Holly Piirainen, the girl who was killed 7 years before Molly, was also found in a wooden area near Hampden County. Police have considered that the two cases could be related. Some of Molly's letter to Holly's family reads,

"I am very sorry. I wish I could make it up to you. Holly is a very pretty girl. She is almost as tall as me. I wish I knew Holly. I hope they found her."

Both cases remain unsolved.

Holly Piirainen's case will be posted tomorrow.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.

The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.

With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.

Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?

Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.

All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first.

Review:

After accidentally setting a fire on her date, Marlowe decides to take the summer off and become a tour guide on an island... and finds herself having. to solve a mystery that has bodies dropping while simultaneously trying to figure out an unsolved mystery of an a mysterious family on the island. Marlowe Wexler was just trying to impress her date... too bad that ended with her accidentally setting the house on fire and her crush quitting the same job they had too. Marlowe then decides to get a new summer job: working as a tour guide on the same island where Morning House is, a famous mansion that was abandoned due to the fact that there were so many deaths and that the house has a horrific secret that remains unsolved. Not to mention the new friend group she has also had one of their friends mysteriously die... and now another body has dropped. Marlowe is determined to find out what is happening and who is doing this before she becomes the next target. Can she figure out who is killing people and who had killed the family at Morning House? This is definitely a summer mystery read. While I was iffy on the mystery, I did like the two separate mysteries and the dual timeline. I kind of wish the pacing was a bit better and the mystery a bit more fun to unravel, but you can't win them all. Its an overall okay mystery read for me but I definitely would recommend it for YA readers looking for a summer mystery.

Release Date: August 6,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperTeen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[screamqueen-slcter]

( taylor russell.  cis woman .  she/her)  - the  chicago  resident , (  kalina slater-horne ) ,  was  heard  blaring  (  hammer horror/kate bush )  this  morning  .  the  ( twenty five)  year  old  is  a  ( true crime podcaster )  in  the  city  &  has  lived  the ( west ) tower  for  (  six months ) .  since  being  here  ,  they  have  been  told  to  be  ( shy )  ,  but  also  ( enthusiastic ) ,  i  guess  we'll  find  out  soon  !  

tw :Death, Eating Disorder, Depression, Murder

Born in San Francisco as the only child of Lenora and Michael Slater, Kalina’s life started out like everyone else’s but would grow to be a little scary at times. From a very young age, Kalina loved to be scared. Her mother had been an artist and photographer who had instilled a love of the strange and unusual with her daughter which the young future horror fan gravitated to. She remembers getting her first book of poems by Edgar Allen Poe, the first time she peaked behind the blankets watching a slasher, or the first time she saw her first ever crush Elvira mix humor and horror to great effect. All of these were things that had inspired her greatly.

While she had been shy in school Kalina was able to turn into a far more introverted and outspoken person when it came to horror. It was that one niche that she knew everything about and could out do anyone knowledge wise about the genre. She knew she wanted to follow her mothers footsteps and do something creative that was also a little bit scary too. In many ways horror became a security blanket when others were cruel. It was hard at times to want to hang out with others who saw you as the weird girl; especially when they began pick on her because she didn’t seem to fit in with other kids in her grade. The more people we’re cruel to her the more she tried to ignore them. Her hobbies were a security blanket that only grew to protect her further once her mother died.

With her mother gone, Kalina started to lean into a more realistic horror; true crime . Her father was trying to protect Kalina and had tried to keep the reason her mother had died from her, but Kalina was a very inquisitive young woman and discovered her mother had been murdered and no one knew who had done it. San Francisco was a large city and one that seemed to have more and more people pass through daily. It was the fact that things had been a mystery that sent Kalina down a rabbit hole that followed her into adulthood.

She began to fixate on unsolved mysteries and murders and just wanted to find answers that she never got from her own mothers death. But as the longer time went on the more she began to alienate herself from other people. She started to not even notice the way people would bully her in school or the fact that her own father was dating someone again. She just wanted to focus on her hobbies because it kept her safe from dealing with the reality that she wasn’t coping with her mothers loss well. The more she’d research the less she’d sleep or eat or really do anything other than try to solve what happened to her mom. Eventually, her father had to step in and seek out help in order for Kalina to get better. On some level her fathers involvement helped more than anything because it revealed how much he had also been hurting from the death of her mother. They were able to be more open and bond again and soon Kalina was able to accept that there had been changes to her life and was able to finally leave home and move to Chicago to save up for school.

While things were looking up for Kalina, one thing remained. Her love of the macabre. Horror and true crime were deep within her bones and as she reached college age and began to figure out what she wanted to do in life, a life in horror was the only option. The scary and spooky never strayed too far from her heart. It was something that still tied her to her mother and as she matured and reached her twenties Kalina knew exactly what she wanted in life. She wanted to help bring a light to the unsolved crimes of the world. She wanted to see if anyone else could help her solve her mother’s murder. She knows it’s not much yet, but it’s the first step in her other life goal of saving up enough money to be able to go back to school and study criminology. While still incredibly shy in her day to day life, Kalinas star shines bright when others watch her as the scream queen and talk about unsolved mysteries. A confidence and self assured woman is slowly starting to emerge from the ashes of her personal tragedy.