Aviary Attorney Part #13 - Trial Preparations

Part 13: Trial Preparations

: I’m not here to drink, Sparrowson. Or mope, for that matter. Taverns are a fantastic hub of information. If we wish to get to learn more about this Prince Juan, then this would be the ideal place to start asking questions.

: Oh, that’s pretty good thinking.

: Ah, you two are back! Are you feeling any better, Falcon?

: Much better. Thank you for asking, Madame Quanelle.

: That's great to hear, hon. Will it be the usual?

: No, no. I'm back to investigative work today, so I’ve got to keep sharp.

: We wanted to know if you've seen a prince of Spain around here recently.

: I'm lucky to serve the occasional bourgeois. You can forget about seeing a member of royalty.

: That’s a pity. Maybe I should ask some of your patrons...

: Feel free. The old regulars, Rufus and Paol, are playing cards in the attic, same as always. But we get all sorts of colorful characters in the drinking room. I bet if you rattled enough cages, you would find someone who knows whatever it is you want to know.

: Thank you, madame. Let's see, where to start..

: Please? I'll even let you deal this time.

: The answer's no, Rufus! I'm skint. If you want to play cards, you will have to ask someone else.

: Fine, I'll ask that big fellow. Excuse me, Monsieur!

: ?

: I'm afraid I don't have time for that, monsieur. I have some investigative work to take care off.

: Come on. Surely you have time for one quick game?

: No, thank you. Maybe later.

: v

v No means no! Piss off, coo coo ca choo.

: I understand. See you around, monsieur.

: I had been pursuing this set of footprints for an hour. I was getting closer and closer. I could almost smell the beast. Then, I spotted it. It was a boar. A big, stupid boar, completely oblivious to my existence.

: I readied my gun. I carefully took aim. And then, BAM!

: Y'shot it?

: No. It was the most peculiar thing. The boar slumped over dead right before I could take the shot.

: Sounds like one of ’em heart attacks. Me nan went the same way.

: That's what I thought. But when I went to take a closer look, I noticed the boar was frothing at the mouth.

: Woah! It was rabid?

: Possible, but I don't think so. I remembered reading something about frothing around the mouth being a symptom of poisoning. Needless to say, I left the dead animal alone.

: Good call. Who wants to deal with tainted meat?

: Excuse me, monsieur.

: I don't suppose you've seen a Juan Querido around here? He's Spanish royalty.

: Foxy fellow. Swanky hat. Calls everyone Senor.

: That doesn't sound familiar.

: Do you recall seeing anyone like that, Pierro?

: Ain't got a clue.

: Sorry, messieurs. You're barking up the wrong tree.

: Well, what can you tell us about the Spanish royal family?

: Do we look like walkin’ encyclopedias or something?

: But Spanish royalty? That sounds like a question to be answered at a library, monsieur, not a tavern.

: A library? Maybe you're right. Sorry for bothering you, monsieur.

: But we're not done yet.

: Excuse me, monsieur.

: Yes? Can I help you?

: You say that the beast you were tracking might have died from poisoning. Could you give us some further details?

: Further details? I'm not much of a poison expert, I'm afraid.

: Well, what do you think caused it?

: I would guess that it ate something bad. I saw some of that poisonous plant around... wolfs bane, I think they call it... But really, I have no idea. I'm a hunter, not a vet. Excuse me.

: Let's give them some peace.

: Fine. Time to face the music:

: Very well then. Do you know how to play?

: Of course! I've been playing for years.

: Yeah, right. Don't get cocky, Falcon!

: Very good I shall be the dealer. We will bet five francs per game Here we go!

: Unlucky, Monsieur. Most unfortunate. Shall we have another round?

: Well played, Monsieur! Here's your payout. Shall we have another round?

: Ok, we're done here.

: No, I think we’re done. Maybe another day, monsieur.

: I understand. Feel free to come back any time.

: Yep. Let's make a move.

These cinematic scenes are only available for one day before disappearing, but they take no time to visit. Their viewing is entirely optional!

Wolves (Tchaikovsky - Marche Slave)

Word of the royal assassination attempt has spread. The proletariats grow confident. The bourgeoisie are cowering.

: Huh. Weird. Probably irrelevant though.

: Yeah. Probably because you scared her off with your crazy “tact and finesse” strategy, dummy.

: Or maybe you scared her with your horrendous and inappropriate flirting technique.

: I’ll have you know that I can flirt like a peacock in tail-fanning mode!

: We really don’t have time for this discussion. Let's just continue our investigation elsewhere.

: Not quite, Sparrowson. I'm following the hunting beagle’s advice.

: Don’t eat poisoned pork?

: The other piece of advice. That if we want to learn about a member of royalty, we should hit the library.

: Oh, that makes sense. Say, Falcon, I’ve been meaning to ask. Since were in a library, and all... Are you a classic literature fan, or do you prefer more modern works?

: I like modern novels. Have you read the Three Musketeers yet? It has heaps of romance, intrigue, and action. You would love it, Sparrowson.

: Don't patronize me, Falcon. Of course I’ve read the Three Musketeers. Despite its contrived narrative turns, I enjoyed the novel's scathing critique of our current socio-political climate.

: Wow. That's quite an insightful review-

: Wait a minute. You just memorized that single sentence to sound well-read, didn't you?

Donkey (Saint Saens - Carnival of Animals, the Donkey)

: Ah, my apologies, Monsieur. We'll keep it down.

: Wait! You’re a librarian, aren't you?

: An astute observation. Yes, Monsieur, as the only quiet person in the library, I am most assuredly the librarian.

: Well, now that we have your attention: my friend wants to ask you something.

: I do? Oh, right, I do!

: Don Quixote of La Mancha? It's a classic. Everybody has read it.

: Y-yeah. Everybody. But for those who haven't...

: Hmph. I'm not going to sit here and summarize a great work of literature for two imbeciles who are too lazy to read.

: Nor would I expect you to, monsieur. But what can you tell us about the physical book itself?

: This particular book didn't come from any library, if that's what you're asking. See? There’s no library stamp or card. I assume it was acquired from a book shop. A French book shop, if the French translation and publishing information wasn't a giveaway.

: I see. Thank you.

: Did you have any other questions, or can I get back to work?

: You seem like a scholarly, well-read individual. I'm sure you're up to date on geopolitical news and the like.

: I don't need your praise. Spit out whatever imbecilic question is in the back of your throat.

: Uh, well, we understand that the Spanish throne is currently under dispute. Can you give us a brief run/down on who the contenders are?

: What a trivial question. Even an elementary school child can name the immediate heirs to every throne in Europe

: Y-yeah. But for the sake of those children who slept through that class, can you refresh our memories?

: Hmph. Very well. Pay attention, because I'm not repeating myself. The current reigning monarch of Spain is Queen Regnant Isabella II of the House of Bourbon, Daughter of King Ferdinand VII. Upon her death, the crown would likely fall to her husband, King Consort Francis, Duke of Cadiz. Although, it is certainly possible that an immediate family member could stake a claim. However, the queens position is currently being disputed by the Carlists, headed by the Count of Montemolin. I hope that answers your question.

: Did you catch all of that, Sparrowson?

: Not a word.

: Monsieur, were actually interested in a Prince Juan Querido of Spain. I don’t think I heard that name in your explanation.

: A Prince... Juan Querido? Is that what you said? Monsieur, I think you’ve been misinformed.

: I've mentioned before that the characters in this game come nowhere near PW levels of stupidity. This is the exception. Still true insofar as the trials go though.

: How strange...

: What does this mean, Falcon?

: Well, one thing is for sure. Our client is not the prince of Spain. Maybe he's a delusional lunatic... or perhaps he's involving us in some sort of con. We don't have long before the trial, but it may be in our interest to confront Prince Juan directly and get some answers.

: Right.

: Are you two quite done chit-chatting?

: Don't worry, monsieur. I think we are done here. Thanks for your time.

: Hmph. Then I bid you good day.

: I have no time for your quibbling, Monsieur. Stand aside.

: You can’t talk to me like that!

: I most certainly can. We have reason to believe that you are housing a suspect under false pretenses. That is in direct violation of statutes 204-B and 488-C of the French criminal code of justice. Failure to comply with our request may result in you, yes you, monsieur, being held directly responsible for any consequential legal action.

: Alright, alright. No need to break out the legalese on me. I'll go open the cell.

: Wow, Falcon. How did you memorize those criminal codes?

Carmen-Suite 'Aragonaise'

: Drop the act, Juan. You fed me a string of lies at our previous meeting, and I don't appreciate having my time wasted.

: You appear upset, senor...

: Of course I'm upset! You hired me to defend you, and then made every effort to sabotage your own case. Tell me. What's your real name?

: Why, senor, it's Juan Querido of course.

: If you want your trial to be a farce, then you don't need my help. Come, Sparrowson. We're leaving.

: Calm yourself, Monsieur Falcon. I'll reveal all.

: Did you just say monsieur? What happened to your Spanish accent?

: Your suspicions are well-placed. Juan Querido is not my real name, and I am not a Spanish prince. That was just a persona I concocted for the purpose of getting arrested.

: Why would you want to get arrested?

: Hmm. You're putting me in a difficult position, monsieur. If I tell you the full story, I would be putting someone else in danger. How about this. I'll tell you a story.

: I like stories.

: There was a girl. A mademoiselle who was in a great deal of debt.

: Everyone has a debt these days, monsieur.

: Indeed. But this particular mademoiselle was indebted to a very powerful man. And that man wished to collect. The mademoiselle had no means of paying, so the man offered her a deal. “Murder this man, and I will forget what you are owed. Refuse, and I will reap what I am owed from your parents.” With no alternative options, the mademoiselle accepted.

: But another man, a gallant knight with foolish, archaic notions of chivalry, heard the mademoiselle's story. The knight knew that murder was inevitable, but he saw a way to take the fall in the mademoiselle's place. Do you understand what I am saying, monsieur?

: To be honest, I'm completely lost.

: That's unfortunate. I thought I made the message fairly clear.

: Well, it doesn't matter. Let me give you a piece of advice, Monsieur Falcon. Sometimes, the problem doesn’t lie with the one on trial Sometimes, the problem lies within the justice system itself.

: I’m still lost.

: Me too.

: Mon Dieu, this is hopeless. Why don’t we talk about something else?

: So what is your real name?

: What's in a name? It's just an empty label. A vapid reflection of who we really are. Today I am Juan Querido, the prince of Spain. Tomorrow, I may be Bruno Reyer, a pauper living under a bridge of the Seine. But that doesn't change who I am or what I do.

: That didn't really answer my question.

: No, I suppose it didn't. But you're a smart bird, Monsieur Falcon. I suspect that you already know my real name.

: You are Renard Vulpes, private investigator.

: Very astute. And you are Monsieur Falcon, private defense attorney. But that wasn’t always your name, was it, Monsieur Falcon? Just like me, you know how to adopt a new persona on a whim.

: You changed your name, Falcon? I didn't know that!

: This isn’t about me...

: Juan... Renard... monsieur. we're (sic) trying to uncover the truth here.

: Of course. So what truth is it that you are attempting to uncover, Monsieur Falcon?

: I don't have any more questions for you, Juan. I think we've learned all we can for now.

: Really? I don’t feel that we've learned very much.

: Oh, Monsieur Falcon. Before I forget.