tvk | 00111001 (Video)

*Allen has dark circles under his eyes, like he's barely slept at all recently. But that's not the point of this post. In fact, aside from the dark circles, he looks wide awake and serious.*

I've been doing some research on the Churches of Three since that news broadcast. This probably won't surprise too many people, but it does make my suspicions seem more likely...there's nothing in any publicly accessible records about anything by that name. No founder, no precepts, nothing. As far as I can tell, it didn't even exist until this past week.

*He pauses to take a sip from a cup of coffee. You don't want to know how many he's had.*

Considering the fact that the name of the hotel owner fits the obvious theme of the church, it should be pretty obvious that they're related. Trey Matre...I've been told it roughly translates to Three Mothers. I came up with a lot of references to three in religion, just like Issei said, but it's too clear cut to be a coincidence. Either this is just now coming to be an organized religion, or something like it has existed behind the scenes for a while and now it's finally coming partly into the light.

The fact that it's already infiltrated the government means that we're probably not dealing with something small and new. I wouldn't be surprised if the hotel wasn't the only business they had a connection to here, either. Ryuunosuke's already offered to infiltrate the church if it comes here, but I think we also need people to investigate the local government and major businesses on the island. In the meantime, I'd suggest being careful how freely you talk about what's going on. We don't know who's involved, after all.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't communicate. I'm going to be putting together a list of people who are doing investigations, so if you're looking into anything and you want the names of people you can trade information with, let me know. The list won't be public, just in case, but unless anyone objects, I'll give it to anyone who wants to help and won't turn around and broadcast it to everybody.

Ah, and in case anyone was wondering, my name's Allen Ridgeley.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We don't know what the reason is, though. If it depends on us not knowing whose side the hotel owner is on... *Shrug.*

I'd just prefer to have a backup plan for housing in case they decide it's not worth it anymore.

The very facts of it offering a deal unique to our needs and it having been purchased and renovated with the precise timing necessary to do so said enough about whose side the hotel owner is on. We simply know more about the details now. I agree that arranging different housing accommodations would be wise in light of the connection having been made far more obvious and their having revealed more dubious intentions for the months ahead, however.

Actually, until we saw the connection to the voice that's been talking to us, I think it could have been seen either way.

*He puts his coffee down and props his phone up to fold his fingers together thoughtfully.*

If the owner was an ally who'd been here longer than us, he could have found out what our enemies were planning ahead of time and did what he could as a stopgap to help us out while we looked for a permanent solution, or he could have even been sided with our enemies but had second thoughts after the plans for the kidnapping started.

If our enemies really do want to test us, rather than break us, it also makes sense that they'd set up something like that so we can focus on things related to the Dark Hour instead of scrambling to find somewhere to live.

If someone with the kind of money necessary to purchase, renovate, and fund a hotel that would provide little to no income was aware of the impending crime but disagreed with it, why would they have used such funds to take actions that would simplify matters for the criminal rather than actions that would prevent the crime?

But I digress. My current suspicion is that whoever is responsible for the kidnapping wishes for us to aid this "Church of Three" in some manner, given that the hotel owner appears connected to the church. Information concerning whether or not this religion or its proponents demonstrate awareness of such things as the Dark Hour, Personas, or the fact that we aren't of this world would be of use in confirming or disproving the theory.

Money can't do everything, especially where things as hard to believe as this are concerned.

*He shrugs, accepting that the point is moot by now.*

But that does seem pretty likely. I'm already in contact with someone planning on infiltrating the church and someone who thinks she can get at more hidden information, so with any luck, we'll at least find out what the church wants. Finding out if they know about Dark Hour might be a bit trickier, though, since we can't exactly walk up and ask. If they do, they'll be on guard because we know too much, and if they don't...religious people can be pretty unpleasant toward people they consider heretics. We'll have to keep a close eye on what they say and do and be careful what we say in public to avoid setting them off.

In mundane circumstances, money carries much weight, particularly where criminal activity is involved. However, in circumstances such as these, I cannot as easily raise doubts concerning the possibility of what you suggest. [Sounds like you've mildly impressed this guy, Allen.]

It seems that you're doing a fine job of organizing this arm of the investigation. For my own part, I wish to continue to pursue less obvious leads, particularly given the level of interest already expressed in investigating the church itself.

We should probably introduce ourselves. I'm Miles Edgeworth.

*And the implication of impressedness flies right over his head because he's too modest to notice such things.*

I'd suggest starting with the government. At least one city official is obviously in on this.

*He offers a polite smile. Edgeworth has managed to impress him somewhat too, since he's used to either being able to tear apart someone's argument and win a debate with no effort or getting stuck arguing with someone who likes to ignore facts.*

It's nice to meet you. Just call me Allen.

Indeed. Has anyone else volunteered for that particular investigation? I personally wished to learn more of this city's history given how strange what little I know of it is.

Very well, then... Allen. [First name basis? Already?]

No, I'm actually starting to think I might have to do it myself. I don't really want to, but there's something fishy about that former senator. You have a point about the history, though.

And, ah, if first names bother you, I'd be fine with sticking to last names. *He's just not a formal guy, unless he's too nervous around you to use your given name.*

Phoenix Wright is skilled at investigation as well, and could thus be of use in pursuing either lead.

I'm typically more comfortable with last name basis if at all possible, yes. [Especially with men.]

Da-uh, Phoenix Wright? I already know him, kind of. I'll keep it in mind.

*He clears his throat, a bit embarrassed about that little verbal typo.*

Mr. Edgeworth, then?

[That misspeak leaves Edgeworth suddenly looking uncomfortable.]

That's fine, yes.

*And it's completely knocked Allen out of his professional groove, though he's definitely not too scrambled to pick up on Edgeworth's discomfort.*

Ah, um, is something wrong?

[Edgeworth scrambles to bury it under a glare.]

Nothing you need to concern yourself with.

*BS radar is going wild, but he'll let it slide.*

If you're sure...anyway, thanks for everything you've already done and what you're planning.

[Well, to Edgeworth's mind it isn't Allen's concern...]

And thank you for bringing some much-needed organization to the investigation.

[The prosecutor sets his phone down and steps back to bow at the camera.]

*Wait what why is he being bowed to what.*

Ah, it's not really anything worth mentioning. I just didn't want people to end up doing more work than they had to because they didn't know what anyone else was doing.

Without such order, we risk far more than repeated work. Those not dedicated to such tasks in their everyday lives may well lose interest in the investigation once the concept loses its initial luster. After all, the mere fact of having been kidnapped and brought to an unfamiliar and suspicious locale was not enough to prompt anyone other than myself to begin examining suspicious-looking nooks and crannies, at least that I've noticed.

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