June 20
Kurain Village
"Oh, you're here once again, Ms. Hawthorne?" Morgan asked, narrowing her eyes at her disowned daughter. "Judging from what happened before, I assumed you'd never come back here."
"I'm here on to fulfill my duties as a lawyer, Mother," Iris said firmly. "I agreed to represent Mystic Maya in her upcoming trial. I'm here for my own investigation and I would much appreciate it if you cooperate with me, at least for today."
"Hmph! As much as I appreciate the concern, I feel that your efforts won't do much," Morgan said in a deadpan tone. "After all, what is a girl such as yourself going to do in a time like this?"
Iris clenched her fists as she glared at Morgan. "More than you know, Mother..."
The mother and daughter stared at one another for a moment, their gazes filled with contempt for one other, until Morgan sighed.
"Alright, if you must know," Morgan said. "I wrestled with Mystic Maya for a while and I managed to pin her down and knock her unconscious with a blow to the head before successfully severing the spirit from her body. Does that satisfy you?"
Iris rubbed her chin in thought for a moment, before glancing at her mother to give her a nod. "For now, I suppose."
"I'll leave you to do whatever business you wish. Just don't make a mess of the Fey Manor while you 'investigate'..."
"You don't have to worry about that, Mother."
"Good. And one more thing..."
Morgan then turned back to Iris and gave her the signature eyeless glare that had intimidated her numerous times.
"If I ever see you talking to Pearl again, your pathetic excuse of a boss won't be the only casualty in this affair..."
As Morgan began to make her leave, Iris was left petrified in terror, almost breathless as she just stared at her cruel mother. Still, she couldn't help but wonder...why was Morgan putting such great attention toward Pearl?
If it was any other mother, it could be chalked up to maternal instinct or protectiveness, but it was Morgan. The same woman that tossed her and Dahlia aside like trash the moment they didn't suit her needs.
Was there something that Pearl had that Morgan wanted? Something that the cruel woman can use for her schemes? Iris wanted to delve further into this but shook those thoughts out of her head. She had a job to do and once Maya was saved, she can work on it later.
Now, off to the Channeling Chamber...
"Excuse me," a quiet voice said from behind Iris, who turned and saw that it was Pearl.
"Oh, Pearl," Iris said, surprised. "What brings you here?"
"M-mother said that I shouldn't be around you," Pearl answered hesitantly, glancing away from Iris. "That you're a bad person..."
Iris frowned, trying to contain her frustration. "Well, Mother isn't always correct."
Pearl paused for a brief moment, processing Iris' words, before continuing. "I have to know though...are you really my sister?"
Iris nodded. "Half-sister to be precise. We have different fathers. I take it that Mother never talked about me."
"She never did," Pearl answered. "Why is that?"
A sudden burst of fury coursed through Iris' veins in response to that. She opened her mouth, ready to tell Pearl about the abuse she and Dahlia had gone through, how Morgan cold-heartedly rejected them when they didn't meet her standards. She wanted to tell Pearl every cruel and horrible thing that woman did!
But looking at Pearl's innocent face, she hesitated. Iris realized that while Morgan cast her and Dahlia aside at a young age, there wasn't any sign of abuse toward Pearl as of yet. Telling her that Morgan was a complete monster wouldn't do well to start a relationship with her little sister. So for now, Iris decided to keep quiet.
"We had a disagreement years ago," she lied, biting down her lip so she wouldn't tell the truth. Pearl seemed to believe it enough.
"Ask me anything you want," Iris said to Pearl gently. "I can tell you're curious about me."
Pearl thought for a moment. "Well...you worked with Mr. Armando?"
Iris nodded, feeling a little solemn as she remembered Diego. "He was my mentor. One of the best men I've met."
"Does that mean..." Pearl gasped. "You're his special someone?"
Iris looked at Pearl with a surprised stare. She had not expected that. "I'm sorry?"
Pearl flushed in delight, smiling at Iris. "Of course! Mystic Maya always told me that he had a special someone by his side!"
Iris just stared at Pearl, dumbfounded. "M-mystic Maya told you about me?"
"She always told me so many times about how Mr. Armando helped her and Mystic Mia whenever they were in trouble! And how he had a beautiful girl by his side! You're here to avenge him and help Mystic Maya, right?"
"U-um yes, I a-am," Iris stammered.
Pearl blushed even more and cheered. "I knew it! The beautiful princess comes to avenge his fallen prince and save his loved ones from the clutches of evil! It's like a fairytale come true!"
Iris blushed in embarrassment. "I-I...w-we aren't like-"
Pearl then flashed a determined look to Iris. "That settles it! I can tell you're a good person, Mystic Iris, and I'm going to help you save Mystic Maya!"
M-Mystic Iris!? Iris couldn't help but blush at that title.
Iris looked at her little sister in surprise before it became a look of concern. "Are you sure about that, Pearl? Mother doesn't want me around you."
"It's to save Mystic Maya!" Pearl replied defiantly. "If you help her, then maybe Mother can forget about your disagreement!"
Iris couldn't help but get infected by Pearl's optimism. It was just so sweet!
"Alright, I'll let you come along," Iris said gently. "Just make sure you don't get yourself into trouble, okay?"
Pearl nodded eagerly. "Just tell me what to do and I can do it!"
Iris smiled at her little sister's determination before focusing on the task at hand. "Alright, so the first thing we have to do is gather evidence."
"Ebi...dens...?" Pearl asked, puzzled.
"They're things that will help prove Mystic Maya didn't kill Mr. Armando," Iris explained. "It's my job as a lawyer to find evidence."
"...law...yer?" Pearl said the word slowly, unsure of what it is. "Is it related to spirit mediums in any way?"
Iris shook her head. "You don't know what a lawyer is, do you?"
Pearl looked down, ashamed. "I'm sorry, but I don't know."
"H-hey, it's okay," Iris said, trying to comfort her little sister. "It's nothing to ashamed about."
Pearl looked up. "Really?"
Iris flashed a warm smile in response. "To be honest, I shouldn't have pushed the lawyer thing further, but I'll tell you all about it when we're finished finding evidence."
"Ebi...dens..." Pearl mumbled before her eyes widened in sudden realization. "Ebidens! Mystic Iris, can this be ebidens?"
Pearl reached under her kimono and pulled out a black key, handing it to her older sister. Iris stared at it curiously.
"A key?" Iris asked.
Pearl nodded. "I found it while I was playing in the garden. Can it help, Mystic Iris? Is it ebidens?"
Iris inspected the key and realized that it looked identical to the key for the Channeling Chamber. Seeing this, she beamed at Pearl and affectionately patted her head. "It's perfect, Pearl! This will help very much!"
Pearl giggled, proud of herself. "Is there anything else I can do, Mystic Iris?"
Iris giggled. "Well, for one, you don't need to call me that. I'm not a spirit channeler like Mystic Maya. So please, just call me Iris."
"O-oh, okay, Mys-I mean, Iris," Pearl said with a smile. "Anything else?"
"Hmm..." Iris rubbed her chin in thought. "I need to talk to some people regarding Mystic Maya's case. Is there anyone you know I can talk to?"
Pearl frowned at the last part. "I think the others will tell Mother I'm with you...wait, is that a Magatama?"
Iris perked up at that and smiled. "Why, yes. It's been my lucky charm ever since-"
"Can I borrow it?"
Iris was caught off guard by the sudden request but complied. Pearl immediately took hold of it and placed it near her lips, whispering something to it.
Iris raised a brow. "Pearl, what are you doing?"
"Don't worry, Myst-Iris, I'm just charging it with spiritual energy."
Iris blinked in confusion. "What?"
By the time Pearl handed Iris back her Magatama, the object was now glowing a bright green. "Please take this. It will help you reveal people's secrets."
"Reveal people's secrets?" Iris asked before her eyes widened in realization. "Pearl is this...?"
Pearl nodded eagerly. "Yup! Now you can use it to find out people's secrets!"
Iris stared at the glowing Magatama with a raised brow. She had heard of this kind of technique; the ability to see secrets locked in a person's heart. While Iris was appreciative of the gesture, she wasn't entirely sure if she could use it at all. In fact, shouldn't Pearl be incapable of this kind of power? She and Iris were part of the branch family after all...
Iris brushed those thoughts off. She couldn't dwell on family pasts now.
. . .
June 20
Channeling Chamber
"Alright, Pearl, stay here," Iris said.
"Why can't I come with you?" Pearl asked.
"It's...a place only grownups can go to," Iris answered. "I have to do this alone."
Pearl frowned at that but understood. "Alright, Iris, I'll be here if you need me."
Pearl hid behind the Channel Chamber's doors, so no one would see her and Iris together, while Iris looked around for any clues that might prove Maya's innocence. A drop of blood, cloth, anything that can help.
The first thing she stopped was a large bloodstain on the floor, most likely Diego's. Aside from that, however, there didn't seem to be anything that could be used as evidence. Just as Iris was about to search elsewhere, she suddenly noticed the damaged folding screen right in front of her.
Iris observed it and saw that while it was still standing, there were tears and cracks all over it, signifying damage.
Diego and Dahlia must have had a struggle, Iris thought, rubbing her chin. If my assumptions are correct, then Diego must have overpowered Dahlia at some point and sent her tumbling to the folding screen. Or maybe it was vice versa?
Wondering if there was anything else she could find, Iris looked behind the folding screen but found nothing.
"Hey, what are you doing there, pal!" a voice called out from behind. "You're not supposed to be here!"
Iris jumped and turned to see Detective Gumshoe looking at her with a suspicious stare.
"O-oh, Detective, good morning!" Iris stammered nervously. "How is your day going?"
Gumshoe actually perked up for a bit and answered, "Well, it's going okay so far. We found some evidence, got a witness, and-wait a minute, what am I doing? This area's for authorized personnel only!"
"J-just let me explain-"
"You're coming with me!" the Detective shouted gruffly, grabbing Iris by one of her arms.
"Leave Mystic Iris alone!" Pearl shouted, coming out from behind the Chamber door and held onto Gumshoe's leg, and punched it several times, but that didn't hurt so much as confuse the Detective.
"Wha-hey, what are you-!" Gumshoe said in confusion, trying to shake the little girl off of his leg.
"Pearl, don't do that!" Iris scolded. "That's not how you should approach others!"
"He was trying to hurt you, Mystic Iris!" the child protested, still clinging onto Gumshoe's leg.
"Still, you shouldn't do things like that," Iris replied sternly, crossing her arms. "Now let go of his leg."
Also, it's just Iris, Iris added mentally.
Pearl hesitated for a moment, but soon let go, running back to her older sister's side. Iris then bowed to Gumshoe.
"I'm sorry, Detective, but I'm representing Mystic Maya for her upcoming trial tomorrow," Iris explained. "My little sister wanted to help me investigate and thought you were hurting me."
The detective's features loosened up a bit, his angry expression replaced with one of surprise. "Oh, so you're working in this case too? I'm kind of shocked since the suspect murdered your boss and all."
"It wasn't Mystic Maya, Detective, it was someone else," Iris said with a scowl.
"Hehe, I'm not sure about that, pal. We've got some clear proof already."
Iris flinched. "You do?"
"Yeah, and we got a witness to," he chuckled before turning to Pearl. "Hey, you're a cute little fella!"
Pearl hid behind Iris as she was frightened of the large detective.
"Aww, don't worry kid, I won't hurt you!" he said before getting the idea to take out his pistol from his holster and show it to Pearl. "Tell you what, how about I show you something cool? A real, genuine, pistol-!"
"Detective, don't you dare show my sister such things!" Iris scolded, grabbing the detective by the ear and twisting it.
"Ow, ow, ow! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Iris took a deep breath and let him go. "It's alright, just don't do that again. Anyways, about Mr. Armando...is there any information you have obtained?"
Gumshoe raised a brow. "You're trying to ask me for information? Too bad, pal, you're not allowed to look at it!"
"Oh...I see..." Iris frowned, looking down in disappointment as the detective refused to cooperate. Though to be fair, it was his job.
Gumshoe saw the face the lawyer was making and glared at her. "Look, pal, just because Mr. Armando was your boss, doesn't mean you get special treatment!"
"Please, Mr. Gumshoe," Pearl said pleadingly, getting the attention of the detective. "Can't you please let my sister have a little piece of it?"
"W-w-what?" Gumshoe stammered.
"Mystic Iris isn't asking for much, Mr. Detective," the little girl said, making the cutest pouty face anyone has ever seen. "Can't you just help her a little bit?"
Gumshoe blushed as his heartbeat increased faster and faster by the second, his heart incapable of withstanding how adorable this girl was! Pearl...her cuteness was just too much!
"Okay, okay, I'll let you look at the autopsy report!" he relented, "but just that and nothing else!"
Pearl jumped in glee. "Yay! Thank you, Mr. Detective!"
"Aww, it was nothing..." he chuckled as Iris read the autopsy report. Her face paled as she held back the urge to vomit as she read through the contents, stating that Mr. Armando was stabbed about 20 times in the chest. That he was alive for several agonizing minutes before the shock and blood loss took his life...
He...he suffered...
"Myst-Iris?" Pearl asked in concern. "Are you alright?"
After reading the autopsy report, Iris turned to her little sister and forced a smile. "It's fine...I'm just a little...shocked is all..."
Iris handed the detective back the autopsy report. "Thank you, Detective."
"No problem, pal," he said, "but honestly, it's not gonna help you that much."
Iris raised a brow. "How so?"
"Well, I don't want you to panic, but the prosecutor for the trial is Prosecutor von Karma."
That name alone sent shivers down Iris' spine. "P-Prosecutor von Karma!? The God of Prosecutors himself is taking the case!?"
"No, no, not him! His daughter Franziska!"
That didn't make Iris feel better. She had heard numerous stories of the "Wild Mare" as Diego jokingly called her. A child born into the world of law, who started her career at the tender age of thirteen. Like her father, she had never lost a trial and no matter what any attorney did, she always found a way to outwit or overpower them. Diego himself had a hard time dealing with her and lost just like numerous other defense attorneys that stood in her path. If someone like her own mentor couldn't beat the Wild Mare, what chance does Iris have?
"T-thank you for your h-help, Detective" Iris stammered, trying to hide her fear. "But my sister and I have to get going..."
. . .
June 20
Meditation Room
Her investigation was only halfway done and she was already feeling scared. The circumstances of the crime making Maya be the only suspect, the prosecution already having evidence and a witness, and the mere fact that her opposition tomorrow was a von Karma of all people!
To say that everything was stacked against her was a major understatement.
"Mystic Iris?" Pearl asked, concerned at how pale her sister had gotten.
"I'm sorry, Pearl, I'm just..." Iris paused for a moment. "With everything I've heard...it scared me."
"I'm sure you'll do great, Mystic Iris!" Pearl assured her with an innocent, affectionate grin. "You're fighting to save Mystic Maya, after all!"
"I-It's just Iris, Pearl," Iris laughed nervously. Despite her fright, Iris felt the warmth from her little sister's optimism. Suddenly, Pearl took a glance at somewhere and squeaked in fright before quickly hiding behind Iris.
The older sister was confused until she saw Morgan stepping out of one of the rooms while wearing the traditional white kimono and royal headpiece that was used when the head of the Fey Clan would perform a Spirit Channeling. Behind her were two shrine maidens and an older-looking man, whom Iris guessed was a grieving someone through the look of his eyes. It was the same look that Ini had and in a way, the same look she had herself.
From what Iris observed, it appeared that they were performing the same Spirit Channeling ritual that Diego did with Maya yesterday, which made Iris curious.
"What are they doing?" Iris whispered to Pearl, who was still hiding behind her.
"Performing the Kurain Channeling Technique," Pearl answered quietly, hoping that their mother wouldn't see them together.
Iris turned to Pearl in shock. "What...?!"
Without thinking, Iris immediately went in the direction where her mother went to see what she was truly doing.
"M-Myst-Iris, wait!" Pearl said, catching up to Iris. "Mother shouldn't see you!"
Iris pressed on and sneakily followed her mother to a small shack near the Winding Way. It was a place where students would practice the technique, but there have been occasions where official sessions were held there. Taking a peek, Iris saw her mother and the man stepping inside the chamber, with Morgan locking the behind. Once the two shrine maidens made their leave, Iris went out of her hiding spot and snuck her way to the back of the shack.
If her memory was correct, there was a hole in the wall that she can peek through and see what was happening inside the shack. Praying that they didn't fix it, Iris checked and was relieved that the hole was still there. Kneeling to the ground and sticking one eye in the hole, Iris spied on Morgan and the man, who was weeping.
"...I... argued with my wife and I told her t-to..." he muttered, too consumed by his grief to finish his sentence. "...I...just want to see her again...to say goodbye properly..."
Morgan gave the man a warm smile. "No worries, good sir. You shall see her again soon..."
Morgan then closed her eyes and went to a prayer stance. As she chanted a prayer to channel the spirit of the man's wife, Iris blinked in surprise as all the candles in the shack were blown out, enveloping the entire shack in total darkness.
What's happening? Iris wondered as she tried to see Morgan or the man in this darkness...only for the lights to suddenly turn on, and for the man to gasp and reel back in surprise as who he saw in front of him wasn't Morgan, but a pale woman with light blonde hair and blue doll-like eyes.
"D-dear?!" he cried out in shock. "I-It's not possible...?!"
Iris shared his sentiment. Morgan...Morgan channeled a spirit!
But the branch family can't do that! Iris shouted in her mind. How is she able to-?!
"Mystic Iris!"
Iris screamed as she turned, but covered her mouth to silence herself when she saw it was Pearl kneeling toward her.
"We shouldn't be here, Mystic Iris," the child said. "Let's go before Mother sees us..."
The two sisters stood up and quickly left before Morgan or anyone could see them. Unbeknownst to the two of them, however, was that Maggey took a good look at what they had been doing in the back.
"Interesting..." Maggey muttered to herself, smiling deviously.
. . .
June 20
Kurain Village
"Mother said she had gotten the ability to channel spirits months ago," Pearl explained to Iris. "She said it was a late arrival of spiritual power."
"Late arrival..." Iris mumbled, processing the information told to her. "Did Mother say anything else about it?"
Pearl shook her head. "All she said that it was a miracle it happened and that I should prepare my own potential..."
Really now? Iris thought to herself. This had been quite a shock to her. Why did Morgan and Pearl have spiritual abilities? It still boggled her mind at how sudden it all felt, but she balled her hands into fists as she realized the other emotion she felt amidst all this...anger. It turned out the branch family was capable of spiritual powers like the main family...yet Mother still threw Iris and Dahlia away like trash? Like they weren't useful!? She could've let them stay, give them better training that didn't physically strain them, and-!
"Mystic Iris?" Pearl's sweet voice suddenly caught Iris' attention, snapping her out of her rage.
Iris sighed. "I'm fine, Pearl. I was just...lost in thoughts. Also, please, I'm just Iris."
"Oh, sorry," Pearl responded nervously.
"Oh, think nothing of it," Iris said. She felt thankful Pearl was around to calm her. If she weren't, then she would have gone on a tirade and lashed out at Morgan herself. That wouldn't be a proper way to settle things. Just then, the bus suddenly arrived at the stop where Iris and Pearl had waited at.
"Well, here's my ride," Iris said. "I'll have to tell Mystic Maya all that's happened recently. Thank you for all your help, Pearl."
Pearl smiled. "I'm glad to help! And I hope that Magatama can help you someday too!"
Iris laughed, giving her little sister a warm smile. As Pearl turned to head back to the Manor, Iris called back to her one more time.
"Pearl," she said, the little girl turning to face her. "I'm just hoping that after this, perhaps I can take you to the mainland? I'm hoping to show you what it's like where I live."
Pearl hesitated, feeling uncomfortable, to which Iris noticed.
"What's wrong?" the lawyer asked.
"It's just...I have never left Kurain Village before."
Iris blinked. "Really?"
Pearl went silent for a bit, feeling nervous. "Just...just tell Mystic Maya I said hi..."
And without warning, Pearl sprinted back to Fey Manor. "Goodbye, Myst-I mean, Iris!"
"Pearl, wait-!" Iris shouted, about to go after her little sister.
"Hey, lady, you comin' or what?" the bus driver rudely chimed in. "There won't be another bus comin' 'till tomorrow!"
Iris stopped and glanced at the bus before glancing back at Fey Manor.
Another time...I'll go talk to her another time. I just hope she'll be okay...
. . .
June 20
Winding Way
Pearl walked back to the Winding Way and started heading towards her bedroom. She felt exhausted after helping Mystic Iris with everything. It felt great, though, as it not only meant helping Mystic Maya but also connecting with a sister she never knew!
Come to think of it...why didn't Mother tell Pearl that she had an older sister? Mystic Iris said it was from a disagreement, but it had to be more than that...perhaps she should ask Mother about it?
"Pearl," Mother's voice said from behind.
Pearl turned. "Oh, hello, Mo-"
Before Pearl knew it, a stinging pain was felt in her cheek as her mother laid a hand on her. The little girl yelped as she rubbed her cheek, tearing up a bit as her mother had slapped her.
"M-mother, why-?" Pearl tried to ask but was cut off when Mother grabbed by the arm and dragged her to her bedroom.
"You've been a bad girl, Pearl," Mother growled, ferociously tossing the girl to her futon.
"W-what did I do wrong, Mother?!" Pearl asked, tears streaming from her face.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from that Hawthorne woman!?" Mother shouted. "I specifically told you to not speak with her and what do you do...?"
"HELP HER IN HER IDIOTIC INVESTIGATION!" she shrieked at her own daughter, grabbing her firmly by the shoulders and motioning her close so she can see just how much she had angered Mother.
"S-s-she was helping Mystic Maya, Mother!" Pearl stammered in a feeble protest. "She's my sister!"
"And you BELIEVED that lie!? Foolish child, I disowned that woman because she was DISGRACE TO THE FAMILY!" Mother roared out as she pressed the palms of her hands against Pearl's neck, choking the poor girl. "AND IF YOU KEEP TALKING TO HER, YOU'LL BE A DISGRACE TOO!"
"M-Mother...please...stop...!" Pearl gasped out, her hands struggling to free her from Mother's grip. Suddenly, Morgan pinned Pearl to the wall and forced her to look at her cruel, disproving, and HATEFUL glare that Pearl initially thought could only exist among demons.
"IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT, PEARL?! TO DISAPPOINT THE FAMILY!? TO DISAPPOINTME!?" Mother shouted with absolute fury, practically foaming at her youngest daughter. "BECAUSE IF YOU DO, SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ALONE WITHOUT A FAMILY!"
"N-NO...NONO I d-didn't m-m-mean to...!" By that time, Pearl had become a crying mess, failing to form coherent words, slipping into complete gibberish as she sobbed. Noticing this, Mother calmed herself down and hug Pearl.
"Now, now, my dear Pearl, you just made a mistake..." she whispered. "Mistakes can be fixed right?"
Pearl stayed silent, but she slowly nodded out of fear of what would happen if she didn't respond.
"Good, now all you have to do is be a good little girl...and avoid that lawyer no matter what? Can you do that?"
Pearl opened her mouth but hesitated. Normally, she would have agreed...but Iris...
"M-mother, I-"
"ARE. WE. CLEAR?" Mother bellowed, her glare intensifying.
"Y-yes! Yes, Mother!" Pearl shouted out, trembling in fear as she closed her eyes shut to avoid seeing that glare.
Mother smiled, pleased. "Good...now take a rest, my dear daughter...and I'll prepare your favorite stew for dinner..."
Pearl nodded slowly, obediently lying on her futon. Mother then made her way to the door but turned to give one stern look to Pearl.
"Remember, Pearl, you are the pride of the branch family...remember to not associate yourself with those beneath you..."
By the time Mother had left, all little Pearl could do was cry, unable to sleep as her own sobs kept her up...
Court Record:
Evidence:
1. Iris' Attorney Badge
2. Magatama
3. Newspaper about Dahlia
4. Black Key
5. Folding Screen
6. Diego Armando's Autopsy Report
Profiles:
1. Diego Armando
2. Maya Fey
3. Pearl Fey
4. Ini Miney
5. Dahlia Hawthorne
6. Morgan Fey
7. Detective Gumshoe
8. "Maggey Byrde"