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Haunted Suite

Part I - Nocturne Promenade

Episode 3 - Dark Shadows

After exiting The Presenter's office Niko pulled out a mobile phone from his pocket and checked the time while Tamagi looked at the yellow Starstone of Deneb that was in his hand.

"Ah! Good I can still make it!" Said the rabbit with a rather relieved smile.

"Got a hot date later today or somethin', Niko?" Asked Razzle with a sly smirk.

"Well, I do have a meetup planned for later today. I'd seldom call it a 'date' though. You know Jessi Collins?"

Razzle thought for a minute, "Jessi Collins...isn't she the daughter of Mr. Collins, the fellow who owns Collins Institute, that technology company?"

"Yes, yes, the very same. Her and I work together on musical compositions together from time to time." Niko turned to Tamagi, who was looking through one of the magazines The Presenter had given them. "Enjoying the view of those?"

The lop-eared rabbit replied, "Well, um, they're not exactly pin-up magazines. Just, like an odd collection of zines that featured rabbits for one reason or another. I guess he was telling the truth when he said that they weren't dirty and stuff."

"Huh...well then. Anyways! You've heard of the Collins Institute, right Tamagi?"

Tamagi tucked the magazine under his arm and pulled his own mobile phone out of his pocket, this one being a sleek sliver touchscreen phone with "COLLINS INSTITUTE" in large onyx letters on the back.

Razzle's mouth dropped open, "That's...that's a Soundchaser Seven phone! How'd you afford a top of the line device like that on our kinda payroll?"

Tamagi smiled and shrugged, "Perks of being an errand boy."

Niko chuckled, "Well, I guess that answers my question! Now, I went ahead and asked Jessi if it was okay for you two to tag along...y'know in case you both had nothing going on later today. She got the go ahead from her father, so..."

Razzle shrugged, "I'm not really up to much afterwards. Was probably just gonna go hit up yonder arcade at the bowling alley and play some Galaxyania."

"Um...I don't, like, have anything going on either. That was, um, that was it for me."

Niko clapped his hands together as his ears perked up, "Splendid! I'll just give ol' Jessi a call on her phone and we'll get underway..."

* * * * *

Barnabas Mongurai shifted through some papers that were sitting on his office desk, a rather neutral look on his face. The pine marten's office was of decent size, comfortable enough to both not feel too closed in but not too large so that it felt empty. An open window was to Barnabas' back that showed the shining skyscrapers of the Capitol District of East Coast City, and a bookcase was to his right. Next to the book case was Jikan, who had came straight to Barnabas' office after the incident with Laurren. Barnabas had also ordered him to change his clothes, and so he was dressed in a rather nice outfit that consisted of a green long sleeved undershirt, a black vest, black slacks, and nice black shoes. He was watching Barnabas as he read the papers.

"Are you for real with me having to change into my lil' card dealer suit _everytime_we meet up?" Asked Jikan, a slight tinge of annoyance to his voice.

"When we meet up here, yes, I am very much 'for real'." Replied the pine marten with a deep, authoritative voice, "If you are to work with me, you must be willing to dress the part when needed. I cannot simply have you in your open, shirtless vest in my office like you're some sort of damn street urchin."

Jikan smirked, "Well to some, that's what I am."

"To me, that's what you aren't." Retorted Barnabas, "You have an opportunity with this corporation. Play your cards right, and you just might find yourself becoming a manager at The Rising Sun Casino. Or perhaps even owning the place."

Jikan chuckled, "Honto? You'd really let a guy like me run your lil' casino?"

"If you have what it takes, then why shouldn't I?" Barnabas held up one of the papers he was reading, "It's your keen eye that spotted some of the marked decks being used by both the players and the dealers, and suggested that they might be involved in collusion. With the evidence in these reports a full-scale investigation will be launched. Then again..." Barnabas turned to look at Jikan, "You do have some out of the ordinary powers..."

"No one in the Wizard's Tarot helped me here," said Jikan, "What I noticed was on my own. No spirits, no powers, no nothing."

"I see..."

Jikan thought for a couple of seconds before looking back at Barnabas and saying, "Say Barnabas, why _would_you okay someone like Fenadu? You...uh...seem to not like the guy. Before you started goin' through all those papers you were talkin' this and that about how you don't approve of his methods."

Barnabas sighed, "Because Ahkin deceived me. He had told me that the person he was hiring was an 'expert interrogator', but left his identity a secret, and I should have damn well known better. By the time I found out who it really was, it was all too late."

Jikan scowled, "Yarou...he should know better than that. I mean, I figure Mr. Fancy Usagi would want to remain on your good side."

"I would assume so too, Jikan. But I suppose that is the price I'll have to pay for hiring someone exiled from Wesserx."

Barnabas' desk phone began to buzz and a red light began blinking. The pine marten pushed in a red button on the phone which caused it to beep and the red light to stay lit.

"Barnabas darlin', Ahkin and his little friend are here to see ya." Came a voice from the speaker.

"Send them in, Dailia."

The doors to Barnabas' office opened and Ahkin with Fenadu stepped through them, the doors closing automatically when they entered. Ahkin was of course dressed in his black suit, and Fenadu still had his green cloak on, complete with Rosebud hanging out of the waist. The two approached the desk, Ahkin taking note of how nice Jikan looked when he dressed like a proper business fennec.

"I mean it, Jikan, you look like a proper man in the world of high stakes business. I would not even venture a guess that you are some street urchin, or was one." Said the rabbit.

Jikan sighed in annoyance and said under his breath, "Tch, baka usagi."

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." Jikan turned his attention to Fenadu, who was conversing with Barnabas. The fennec did not know what it was, but there was something unsettling, something preternatural. Which he found a little odd as he had that flower that seemed to always be around him.

Fenadu laid a manila envelope on Barnabas' desk, "As promised. Here you are. The summary of what I ripped from Laurren's mind."

Barnabas looked on Ahkin with disappointment as Fenadu mentioned Laurren, "Yes, 'ripped'...Even though I had ordered nothing more than a beating. You really outdid yourself here, Setun! I had to have Laurren put in the hospital after you were through with him! They say he might never be right in the head ever again!"

"'Twas only because he put up the fight he did." Replied Fenadu, "Should he have listened to my words, his pain would have been lessened. I warned him, and heed me he did not. His suffering is his own doing."

Barnabas opened the envelope and began going through the report that Fenadu had written. Hand written, in fact. The pine marten found the goat's writing to be very neat and eloquent. He quickly skimmed the report, making mental notes of whatever seemed to catch his interest, and replaced the report back in its envelope before pulling a checkbook out from his desk drawer.

"Even though I disagree with your severe methods, I must commend you on your results. Now, usually I would have reduced your pay by ten-percent for what you did to Laurren, however...that is not your fault. That is someone else's fault...therefore, you shall get your full amount."

Ahkin remained silent in the midst of Barnabas' accusations.

Barnabas handed Fenadu his check for a rather hefty sum of money, and the goat gave a bow before leaving. The pine marten then turned to Ahkin, "Since you are so damn interested in this place you shall be the one to investigate it yourself. Perhaps there may be something of use there yet."

"And I shall have no one to come with me? A pity if your...'accountant' should perish to some Lunarian crooks." Replied the rabbit.

"Fine! Take...take Jikan with you. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to handle some crooks should they appear." Jikan was about to voice objections when Barnabas continued, "And if he does a satisfactory job, he would most certainly be compensated."

* * * * *

The Capitol District of East Coast City was where most of the largest organizations and businesses of the East Coast Colonies kept their headquarters. It was also where Niko and his friends found themselves as the blue rabbit drove his car through the traffic infused streets of the district. And as per usual Tamagi Stardust, who now wore the yellow starstone of Deneb around his neck like a pendant, had a question to ask his friends.

"So um...Niko...why is it that, um, The Presenter doesn't have his headquarters here like a bunch of these other guys?" Asked the purple lop-eared rabbit.

Niko shrugged in response, "Honestly, he just...well, 'didn't feel it', as he put it to me once."

"Doesn't, like, everyone have their main HQ here though?"

"Nah, not really." Replied Razzle, "Lots of smaller guys obviously have their stuff situated in whatever district they started up in. Plus there's other studios that stick to whatever district or heck even colony they started in. It just depends on...well what they feel like I guess." The fennec chuckled.

The car soon passed into the Residential District, and the city took a rather noticeable change from a business-oriented look to a more residential look and feel. They first passed by various large apartment complexes which seemed to get smaller and smaller until they began passing by entire houses. Off in the distance larger mansions lurked, but off in the distance loomed a rather dark looking hill with an even darker looking mansion on top of it.

"Is that The Collins Mansion over there in the distance on that hill?" Razzle asked Niko. The blue rabbit nodded in response.

"Yup, sure is. Looks pretty outta place, doesn't it? And Jessi never tells me how or why they're living there. I learned quite early on not to press them about it; whatever the reason is, they don't want to mention nor talk about it."

"Definitely odd..."

"Yeah, so uh...make sure you don't bring that up with them, or else you'll get on their nerves fairly quickly."

Within a few minutes they reached the foot of the hill which had a gated road that led up to the mansion which was left open as usual. As Niko drove through Tamagi wondered why The Collins would even bother to have a gate if they would not even keep it locked. Niko responded by mentioning that there's a second gate at the top of the hill that's kept locked at all times; this lower gate is just so people know that they are going up to The Collins Mansion.

Once Niko reached the top of the hill he pulled his car up to the gate and next to a small buzzer post, rolled down his window, and pressed the buzzer in. After a few seconds a red light lit up and a female voice came from the other side.

"Yes? Who is it?" Asked the voice.

"It's me, Niko Linni. I'm a friend of Jessi's. Here to do some work with her." Answered Niko.

There was some silence for a few seconds, and then, "Oh! Niko! Good to hear from you again. Jessi was expecting you earlier, you know."

Niko sighed and smiled, "I know, I know, I'm a little late. Had to make a quick pit stop for one of my friends. I have two with me."

"Oh! Niko plus two?"

The rabbit nodded, "Yup. Jessi already got the go-ahead from Mr. Collins."

Silence for a few more seconds, and then, "Ah! Okay. I'll buzz you through."

The light on the buzzer turned green and the gate opened, and Niko drove his car through and up to the mansion to find a rather cute looking female Denebian red panda waiting for him in front of the house with a Denebian green male chameleon with small blue spots standing next to her. The panda was wearing a maid's outfit, while the chameleon was weaing greasy blue jeans and an unbuttoned black shirt with a red trim and a greasy white undershirt.

"Oh, a...a chameleon. I haven't seen one of those guys before." Said Tamagi.

"Chameleons weren't in Lyria?" Asked Razzle with curiosity.

"I don't think chameleons live that far up north, usually. Also don't stare at his eyes. It's impolite." Said Niko.

Niko pulled the car in front of the two, left the keys in the ignition, and stepped out of the car, surveying the area. Nice grassy green lawn, overly ornate large fountain behind them, nice healthy green trees here and there...and a four story gothic mansion looming in front of him. Who could ask for more, really?

"Ah, Jia! Nice to see you again!" Said Niko as he hugged the red panda. He then turned to the chameleon and shook hands with him, "Stitches! Nice to see you again. How's that old motorcycle coming along?"

"More or less good, I suppose. Lots-a parts that need to get fixed up, yes. And a new coat of paint, yes. Other than that, hm, should be an easy fix. Been working on things with Jerri, so not much time to get cracking on the bike." Replied the chameleon.

"What's Jerri got you working on now?"

"Can't say. Rooftop Secret."

"Rooftop secret?" Asked Razzle.

"It's Stiches' way of saying 'top secret'. And ah, what kind of friend am I for not doing proper introductions? Stithces, Jia, these are my friends Razzle and Tamagi."

"Nice to meet you two." Said Jia.

"Always nice to meet new fellows. You guys like fixing things?" Asked Stitches.

Tamagi shrugged, while Razzle said, "I did want to learn how to fix up arcade cabinets."

"Tch. Hate those things. Fun games, pain in the scales to fix at times. And expensive." Replied Stitches who walked over to Niko's car and got in, "I'll cage her in the usual spot."

"'Cage her'? Is that his word for parking a car?" asked Razzle.

Niko shook his head as the three followed Jia into the mansion, "No, he just means that he's parking the car in the parking garage. If he were just parking it he'd probably say something like 'sit her still' or something like that."

"He uh, sure does have an odd vocabulary." Said Tamagi.

Niko chuckled, "He does it on purpose, actually."

The four entered into the main entry hall of the mansion, which consisted of a rather large, comfortable looking room with a door to the left, right, and far front of the room. In addition there were two stair ways to the left and right that led up to an upper balcony that was above the door at the far front.

Razzle's mouth gaped open, "Wow! This place looks even bigger on the inside!"

"It always does." Said Niko, "even for someone like me who's been here a while."

The door to the left opened up, and a female black and white border collie stepped out. She had nice blue eyes, long legs, and was wearing a white shirt with a black trim and blue jeans.

"Nicholas! You've finally arrived." She said to Niko, who turned and greeted her.

"Ah, Jessi, nice to see you again. These are my friends, Tamagi and Razzle."

The three exchanged pleantries with each other before Jessi said, "So, while we're busy what're your friends going to be doing?"

Niko shrugged, "I dunno. I just...kinda figured they could get to know the family?"

Jessi sighed, "Yes, because it's not like any of us around here would be busy or anything."

"Well, um, it doesn't take much to um...entertain us..." Said Tamagi, nervously.

"I could always take them on a tour around the house." Came a voice from behind Jessi; it belonged to a male black and white border collie who also had blue eyes, and looked rather handsome. He was wearing a tan suit with matching slacks.

"Jerri, looking handsome as usual." Said Niko with a smile, "These are my friends, Tamagi and Razzle."

Jerri surveyed Niko's two friends, "A pleasure to meet the both of you." He looked to Tamagi, "Hm...a little bit of weight around the tummy. Quite cute though." And then to Razzle, "And you. Quite a nice build. I heard you game, but you must not game too much, as you've kept care of your body."

Tamagi remained quiet while Razzle was taken slightly aback, "Well uh...um...thanks, sir. And yes, I love games. I used to also do a bit of dancing as a past career, and keeping my body and stamina up is just second nature."

Jerri smiled, "Very nice. But how is your stamina while having fun?"

Razzle was caught off guard with the comment, "Uh...do you mean..."

Jerri chuckled, "While gaming, of course! I never go to home base on a first meeting, silly. I can't stand it when folks enter in for a game and then leave halfway through because they got tired or bored."

"Oh-ho! Right...ah ha ha..." Razzle regained his composure, and continued, "I do agree though, that ticks me off. I can never finish a game of Proprietorship because of some people." The fennec then turned to Niko and Tamagi.

"That game takes forever though!" Protested Niko.

"That's because you guys never play with the Auction Rule! I'm telling you it makes the game go by a lot faster!"

Jerri chuckled, "Well perhaps we can start a game and see if your purple friend can keep up? I'd invite Niko but he's got his appointment with my sister."

"Oh geez, what a shame." Said Niko with mock interest.

Before Jessi and Niko split from the group Jerri asked his sister about their cousin, Glori, and if she was around.

"Glori? Oh she's out and about. She's with her friend Kris." Said Jessi.

"A lot of 'ri' with this family." Said Razzle with amusement.

"It's a private family joke. My father started it, and then my Uncle Phil, and then Aunt Elizabeth. Though father's really been the only one to name more than one of his children like that." Explained Jerri who then added, "Speaking of father, perhaps I can introduce Niko's friends to them?"

Jessi shook her head, "No can do. He's in a video meeting with Durandal. There's been another Mind Sear incident."

Niko noticed Jerri's demeanor instantly change from friendly to serious as he said, "No...you're not serious? Another one?"

"Afraid so."

"M-mind sear?" Asked Tamagi timidly.

"That's what the newspapers have been calling it, anyways." Began Jerri, "There's been a few incidents here and there within East Coast City where someone is either found or admitted to a hospital in a mentally broken state. Eventually some magic-savy doctors or psychatirsts, or something of the sort are called in, they analyze their mind, and find that something had been ripped forcibly from it. As if a hot sword just...seared through their thoughts and took whatever it was they wanted."

"And uh...is everyone in East Coast on board with this phenomenon?" Asked Razzle.

Jerri shook his head, "Nope. That's why it's off near the back of the main papers in East Coast. I had to special order a newspaper from Lunaria and Majii in order to get any decent information about it."

"Makes sense the more magic-oriented colonies would be all ears about something like that." Razzle nodded, "This is actually getting me a little scared. And the only kind of magic I'm familiar with is energy and soul-based things."

"You study soul magic?" Jerri said with great interest, "I'll have to see what you can do sometime."

"I do." Razzle nodded again, "Is there any word on whothe victims are?"

"The most recent one is a mystery right now. Well, at least to us. Father wouldn't tell me who the victim was this time." Said Jessi.

"Now that's curious." Said Razzle.

Niko chuckled, "If I had to take a shot everytime you said anything along those lines today I'd probably be hammered by now. As for the victim...perhaps there's some reason why Durandal (whoever he is) couldn't tell your father. Or he did, and your father can't say anything. I just hope...I just hope it wasn't Fanne Laurren."

"Laurren? The fellow who owns that conveinence store over in the Commerical District?" Asked Jerri.

"You know of him?"

"Father said that he and a friend of his used to go there when they were younger. I dropped in myself, and the current Laurren seemed like a good enough fellow."

"Too bad he got himself into some real big trouble."

"How'd he get himself into trouble?" There was a touch of concern in Jerri's voice.

Niko explained the story about Laurren, the supposed robbery that had happened, and how he and his friends saw Ahkin Setun and his hired private eye, Niam, find evidence that proved that the robbery was staged in a plot to scam insurance money.

"Oh dear...that would be quite worrying...and with the recent mind sear that had happened..."

"I'll go tell father." Said Jessi, but was stopped by her brother.

"You know you shouldn't interrupt father when he's in a meeting with Durandal. They could be discussing top secret things in regards to The Company!" Said Jerri.

"No, he needs to know. This happening along with news of the recent sear is just...too coincidental." Jessi left the room and headed upstairs, unwilling to listen to anyone else's objections in regards to the situation.

"Well, we might as well wait in the drawing room until she gets back." Said Jerri, who began to lead Niko and his friends to the room on the right side of the main entry hall. The drawing room itself was rather large and comfortable, with plenty of chairs, a nice large sofa that was situated around a large coffee table, a television, piano, and all sorts of ornate curtains, rugs, and paintings. Jerri directed his guests over to the sofa while Jia took orders for drinks. The group all took their seats and after a few minutes Jia returned with some peach flavored tea for everyone. Jerri attempted to entertain Niko and his friends with some light conversation, but Niko had a worried expression on his face after Jessi's attempt to draw a connection between Laurren's crime and the mind searings.

After what seemed like ages Jessi returned with an adult male border collie following her. Unlike Jessi and Jerri this Denebian had a light brown color to his fur, and was wearing a black suit with a plain white undershirt, black slacks, and black dress shoes.

"Niko, you already know my father, Martin Collins. Father, these two are Niko's friends, Tamagi and Razzle."

"A pleasure to meet you both." Said the collie as he shook hands with Tamagi and Razzle, "My daughter here tells me you three were involved in witnessing a crime involving a very particular individual?"

Niko nodded, and once again told his story about Laurren.

Martin thought for a few seconds and then said, "I see. You had the unfortunate experience of running into Ahkin Setun..."

Razzle threw his hands up in the air, "Would people tell us what the black star is up with this Ahkin fellow? First Niam, then Tara Myazee, then Jessi acts like something is wrong, and now you, sir."

Martin touched a finger to his chin, "Yes, I can see how that would get terribly annoying. I suppose they are just looking out for your safety is all. But I suppose hiding the truth has done little more than make you irritated, and that could lead to you trying to find the answers on your own. Alright, let me just sit down here, and you have a seat too, Jessi. There you go. Okay, now where do I begin?

"Ahkin Setun, at least from what Durandal - he's the 'personal private eye' of Collins Institute as well as the Chief of Security - dug up on him tells us that he used to be from Wesserx. For some reason, he was exiled. Durandal was unable to get any answers from, well, anyone, so it's pretty much safe to assume that Wesserx did not want the reason getting out, and the only people who know are folks Ahkin has told and folks on a need-to-know basis.

"Durandal's file tells us that this is a very dangerous individual. Shortly after coming here to East Coast City he was hired by Barnabas Mongurai, head of Mongurai Tech (as I'm sure you all are aware of). Initally he was hired on as an accountant, but we've found that he's...involved in less than legal activities."

"Well, that can't be good." Said Niko with a frown.

"Yes, he's essentially Barnabas' 'enforcer'. Which is..."

"Which is, um, why we saw him going after, um, Laurren?" Said Tamagi.

Martin pointed at the lop-eared rabbit, "Precisely. What most likely happened is that he was taken away to some abandoned building and was beaten to a pulp."

Niko gave a distressed sigh.

"There is a bright side, however. The Laurren Family hold nostalgic value for Barnabas, as he and I along with our friends would stop at that very same shop when we were kids. Nostalgia can be a very powerful tool...and in this case, a lifesaver. As far as him being the mind sear victim goes...Durandal tells me that he still does not know who it is. As far as my own suspicions go, it's highly unlikely that Laurren was the victim. Unless he had something worth having his mind pried open for, of course."

Niko calmed down somewhat, "Right, right. Okay. I mean...I hope he'll be alright as you said he'd gotten beaten up...but at least it's good to hear that his mind is safe..."

Martin nodded, "Indeed. Now, I know that your visit so far has been...a bit grim, so why don't we all lighten up with something to eat? I'll have Jia and the cooks whip up something in the kitchen, and we'll get some nice soft rock playing over the speakers. Yes, I think that'll do us all some good."