01: [Text + Photo]

[truthsnomiracle]

[The following message is accompanied by a close-up image of a pair of round silver cufflinks with this design etched into them. They're apparently pinned to the end of a burgundy sleeve, and are small enough to make it unlikely that the design was hand-carved.]

While I can appreciate the craftsmanship of these cufflinks, I don't recall owning a pair like these. I have as little idea concerning how they came to be pinned to my suit as I do of how I came to be on this unfamiliar island. If anyone has seen a pair of silver cufflinks studded with a pair of half-carat garnets each or can shed light onto the origins of this pair, I would appreciate the lead.

Comments

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. Just call me Diarmuid, most people do now. I have been here since summer--possibly five or six, I am not certain.

[How's your book-learnin' on the Fenian Cycle, Edgey ol' boy?]

I take it you only arrived today?

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Nonexistent. However, that name pings him for an entirely different reason...]

Might you be the same Diarmuid that Issei Ryudo mentioned in our conversation this afternoon?

I am indeed a new arrival.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

[Alas. Isn't it sad, Lancer? No one knows who the hell you are. :|]

That's correct, I would assume. Is there anything I can help you with?

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

I was told that you were one of the earliest victims of the kidnapping spree. If you have any insight into the matter due to this seniority, I would appreciate any relevant information.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

To my knowledge, I was indeed one of the first...but I am not sure I know very much more or less than the others here.

Though I have experience with the Dark Hour, Shadows, and Personas, I am no closer to understanding the method or reason to our arrivals here than I was months ago.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Has the investigation been so disjointed? [THERE HAS BEEN AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON, RIGHT?!

As the Dark Hour is mentioned -- presumably the same phenomenon Ada Lovelace claimed occurred at midnight -- a clear flicker of unease passes through Edgeworth's eyes. If he has further questions, something bright red with gold trim is stopping him from asking them...]

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

We've had several people looking into and documenting the Shadows themselves.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

And yet none focusing on the mass kidnapping itself? [Congratulations, Prospero, you are officially worse investigators than his home district's police force.]

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Where exactly do you propose we even start? It doesn't seem as if anyone even wakes up in the same general area, never mind come from similar places or even similar years.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

To judge by what few conversations I've had since arriving here, an investigation of the hotel would seem to be in order. To offer free room and board to new arrivals seems a poor way to conduct business. Ergo, funding must be coming from somewhere -- perhaps from someone in the know.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

A fair enough point, I suppose. I'm a little behind the times as far as the functions of this world are concerned.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Is anyone in charge of the investigation?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Not that I am aware of. I just try to make sure no one gets killed.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Are there any known dangers to life and limb outside of this so-called "Dark Hour"?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

At the moment, no. Though I know of one or two dangerous individuals I would rather keep an eye out for.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Elaborate.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Ryuunosuke Uryuu and his partner Caster. back in Fuyuki City they were serial killers and generally quite troublesome. So far, here they have shown little if any clear hostility, but I am cautious all the same.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

As well you should be. Can you describe them?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Ryuunosuke--let's see, Japanese male somewhere around my age if I were to guess, red hair and constantly smiling. He'd be quite cheerful and amicable if one didn't know better. Caster...well, I'm truthfully not even sure how to describe him. He looks rather like a fish, if a fish was both vaguely human and incredibly unnerving.

I don't suggest confronting them alone. One would surely be difficult to fight, both both at once may well be nearly impossible.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth nods slowly at the description of Ryuunosuke; he knows exactly the type. The description of Caster, on the other hand, prompts a raised eyebrow.]

I'm not a fool, Diarmuid. I am a prosecutor; it is the police who are skilled in combat. [Franziska notwithstanding.]

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

... [Blink blink.]

I apologize if this is a foolish question, but what exactly is a prosecutor?

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

[What.

WHAT.

Congratulations, Diarmuid, you just made Pteryx upload a new userpic for this situation left Miles Edgeworth completely and honestly dumbfounded.

Really, that deserves an award.]

...

Er... a lawyer, charged with arguing cases against the accused. Are you... unfamiliar with the concept of court?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

...I did say I was a little behind the times.

[Geez, Edgeworth, now you've embarrassed the guy.]

I'm not familiar with the concept as you seem to phrase it, no.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Try a few centuries behind the times, Diarmuid.]

...Essentially, the investigation and subsequent arrest of a suspect in a crime is only the beginning. The accused is then brought to court, where a prosecutor explains the evidence against the suspect while a defense attorney attempts to discredit the case, all under the supervision of a judge. Witnesses to the crime or to related circumstances are brought in and... questioned by the two lawyers in the process. In this way, a criminal's guilt can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, while those falsely accused can escape wrongful punishment.

[IS HE REALLY EXPLAINING THIS TO SOMEONE OVER THE AGE OF TEN.]

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

[Millennia, even.]

[This is an attentively listening and generally fascinated twenty-five year old, Edgeworth. Go figure.]

I see. [THOSE WERE A LOT OF WORDS HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND. Luckily Diarmuid was the opposite of an idiot--he got the general idea.] An interesting concept. I'd never heard of such a thing until now.

[At least he knew not all disputes were settled by duels to the death now.]