"Prompt: Dr. Mario and R.O.B as for-hire buddy cops." Ahem, I assure you, that one sounded better in my head. Nevertheless, you're free to continue reading if you please, just be sure to review if that's your intention.
Word Count: 365 words.
Enigma .01 - Robin
Even among all the extraordinary members of S.T.E.A.M., having an actual sorcerer aboard feels uncanny and off-putting. Intriguingly, Robin firmly rejects this title, saying something about the wrong "class". Somehow I don't think we're using the word in the same way..
"Murdered?" he asks, "Are you certain?"
The doctor is analyzing the body, face down and strewn across the floor.
"Yes," Lucina clarifies with a nod. The look on her face exhibited coldness, but there was a subtle pain behind it. It was no doubt a display, and it likely wasn't the first time she had been pushed into assembling a front, "there's no other explanation for it. If.. If only there was something I could have done.."
The bot cranes his head, "Did he by chance have any adversaries, savages who would desire to do him harm?"
Veered away from toxic thoughts, she maintains herself, "None that are still living, I'm afraid. I fear that this may stem from forces beyond our knowledge."
"When did you last encounter him?"
"Last night, I can confirm he retired to his room safely, so it must have occurred in his sleep.. I called as soon as I discovered him, but even so.. "
"Affirmative. Thank you for the account, we'll make sizable use of the data provided." R.O.B. declares with a pre-recorded quote, "Now if you could just step out for the moment, we'll assess the scene on a deeper scale."
"O-Oh!" she gasps, "I understand. Please, take all the time you need, you have my gratitude–the both of you. I wish you only the best of luck, so that you may succeed where I...I've failed."
She exits the room, notably more forlorn than beforehand.
Her leave gives the two time to breathe, and R.O.B. takes the opportunity. He approaches the doctor, "The utter absence of blood is unsettling," he mumbles, "assuming the circumstances, could we be looking at a suffoca-?"
"No. I've done all the work. There's no mystery here. Call her back in."
R.O.B. nearly chokes. The doctor's first words of the hour aren't exactly the most coherent he's ever said.
"E-Excuse me?"
With no apparent regard for manners, Dr. Mario kicks the tactician over on his back, revealing a pleasant babyface and a slowly-rising chest.
"She was influenced by shock and fear, when in reality she should have been scolding him. You see.."
"Risen... Risen... riding wolves..."
"He's asleep."