badlydrawnmanic

[badlydrawnmanic]

spent all of sonic's birthday thinking about and drawing his dad sndgjks

you're a mid 20-something year old guy. you're fun, you're charming, you're... honestly not very responsible, but you're eager, and by god do you love your beautiful princess / queen wife. why'd she choose you? no clue, but your three precious children were just born, life is good, and there is absolutely nothing that could possibly ruin this for you!

uh oh! looks like a certain someone's been fatally shot with lasers and thrown into the easy-bake robot-making machine. at least you don't have to think about it! not anymore... you get random blips of consciousness during your time as one of eggman's drones. maybe you saw a ruined structure, or a glimpse of a certain someone's face, but you experience a spark of realization, snapping you out of an almost zombie-like trance. you can't really feel anything, but you find yourself staring as the other robots continue their work, transfixed by a strange sense of familiarity. it gets harder to think the longer you stare, your vision blurring again before you snap back into a state of mindless obedience, your body moving on its own. looks like it's back to work for you...

it's been quite a while since you've been freed from eggman's control. most of the others have been turned back by now, but you're still a robot on account of, well... being fatally shot with lasers just before you were roboticized. it's a good thing your brother's good with machines - he might be old and gray now, but he's fixed plenty of 'bots, so he can certainly fix you. you aren't sure if you want to be the mid 20-something year old guy you once were, or the mid 40-something year old you should be. you struggle to decide, inadvertently ending up as a mix of both. you think you look kind of awkward, but your brother did his best. your wife says you're perfect, kissing your cheek as an unseen fan starts to whirr loudly inside your chest, then she starts to laugh oh, how you love her laugh... you aren't sure how long the feeling is going to last - you don't want to worry about it - but for once, this whole situation doesn't seem quite so bad.

[badlydrawnmanic]

what the FUCK is wigan. what are you talking about. why is this all over my dash all of a sudden

[badlydrawnmanic]

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Reiker: Man, this thing looks like it’s seen better days…

Yanshu: Tony wanted us to bring this back to him, right? We should probably-

Reiker: Yanshu, you can’t touch evidence!

Yanshu: Well… It’s not like I can leave much in the way of fingerprints, can I? [Clicks claws]

Reiker: Maybe not, but-… Wait, no!

Reiker: I haven't seen the detectives yet, but if they notice the board is missing, they're going to throw a huge fit. Imagine what conclusions they could come to about Tony if it disappeared! They might think he has an accomplice running around trying to cover things up!

Yanshu: Okay... You have a point there, but look at it! I've never been able to see a board like this up close! I think it's one of the older models... This must be the gyroscopic stabilizer, which means this is the air compressor, so if I-

[Click!]

[FRRRRRRRRRBBBBBBBBBTTTTTTTTT]

Yanshu: AH!!

Reiker: SHOOT! Grab it!! Turn it off!!!

Yanshu: I'M TRYING!!!

[Click!]

Reiker: Jeez, that was loud... It sounded very... Flatulent.

Yanshu: I'm sorry, I didn't-

???: YOU TWO, HANDS OFF THE EVIDENCE!

Yanshu: EEP!

???: THOUGHT YOU COULD TAMPER WITH AN ACTIVE CRIME SCENE AND GET AWAY WITH IT, 'EH!? GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON I SHOULDN'T ARREST THE BOTH'A YOU'SE RIGHT NOW!

Yanshu: Ahhhhh, I'm sorry!! I didn't realize-

Reiker: Hey, um... Detective?

Cubot: The name's Cubot, but that's Mr. Detective to you, bub!

Reiker: Right… Mr. Detective? I'm Sunnyside's new public defense attorney, Reiker Strait. I'm taking on Mr. Danforth's case.

Cubot: Ah… The boss told me some scrawny hot-shot with an ugly set of feathers would be stopping by to ask some questions. Figured it'd be worse than those, but I see it now!

Reiker: (Why is everyone calling me ugly today?)

Cubot: Anyway, just 'cuz you're on the case doesn't mean that you can just touch whatever whenever! Me and my partner I are working in the tunnel over there, and we can't be popping out every 5 minutes to babysit the Mystery Twins, so SCRAM!

Reiker: I think his optical-whatevers are busted… We don't look anything like each other.

Yanshu: I'm sorry Mr. Strait, I just wanted to-

Reiker: Hey, you're all good, but that's what I was trying to say in the holding cell… Maybe next time, let's not promise to bring our client an item that's still part of the crime scene?

Yanshu: R-right… Y-yeah, I can do that…

Reiker: In the meantime… That sound. Do all of them sound like... That?

Yanshu: Not really? If I had to guess, it's probably the thrusters he has on the rear here. They usually only make that kind of racket if something's loose, and these are definitely custom... Given how loud it is, it almost sounds like it was done on purpose.

Reiker: Yeah… Hard to believe that anything like that would be standard.

Yanshu: So… What, we're just gonna leave the board here? What about what we said to Tony?

Reiker: Hm… Maybe we can take a picture? He was worried about it being stolen, but clearly it's decently guarded. We need one for the Court Record anyway.

Yanshu: Hm... Not quite what we promised, but that should work!

> Tony's Extreme Gear has been added to the Court Record!

Reiker: Well. We should probably head into the tunnel, but…

Yanshu: … But?

Reiker: It's weird that that girl is just here, right? I doubt someone like her would knowingly linger around the crime scene without some kind of motive…

Yanshu: Reiker, I don't-

Vivienne: I can HEAR you talking about me, you know! If you have something to say, you can say it to my face!

Pookie: [vrrrrr…!]

Yanshu: Oogh…

Reiker: Ah! I'm sorry, just… One more thing?

Reiker: You, uh... Don't seem to like Radika very much, do you?

Vivienne: Excuse you! What made you think that!?

Reiker: Well, I, er-… Urk…

Reiker: … Maybe I don't have any evidence to prove that…

Vivienne: I may not enjoy Tony and those miscreants he brings around, but I have nothing but respect for Radika! That otter is usually the only one that can get him to stop being such a nuisance!

Reiker: R-right… And as such, you can confirm that-

Yanshu: Reiker…

Reiker: (Ack, she's right… Laying it on too thick again.)

Vivienne: Hey, mole girl? You seem to have a leash on that bird. Can you tell your "friend" here that if he talks to me like that again, I'm calling the police over? This is unacceptable!

Yanshu: Uh, s-sorry, he's from out of town… Still getting used to the place, you know? I'll, um... Get him get out of your hair.💧

Reiker: (Well, Reiker, you really messed up that one. Let's just… Move on.)

Reiker: (New topic, new topic, new top…ic…)

Reiker: S-so, uhh… Someone had a lot of fun spray painting around here, huh?

Yanshu: Well, I don't know a lot about the culture of street artists, but I'd say it was definitely more than one person, given the different colors and styles. I'm kind of surprised there isn't more graffiti.

Yanshu: … Sorry, how is this relevant?

Reiker: It's not, I'm just… Trying to not look at Ms. Pikmei. If I do, she'll probably call that Cubot guy to come yell at me again-

Yanshu: Listen, don't focus on her. You've got a big case to handle, and I doubt she's going to be a huge part of it. How about we check out the tunnel and-

Yanshu: … "STH?"

Reiker: Hm? Oh, yeah, that… What about it?

Yanshu: STH. Y'know, Sonic The Hedgehog?

Reiker: Well, I guess it could be? Might be, uh… Steven the… Horse…?

Yanshu: C'mon, Reiker! Isn't it fun to imagine that the Sonic was here without anyone knowing? I thought he exclusively used shock and awe tactics, but what if he snuck in and left his mark? Besides, it's his color! He could've-

Reiker: It's probably a coincidence, Yanshu. Besides, he kind of sticks out... I'd like to believe Eggman's security measures would've caught that.

Reiker: "I wish hedgehogs were real…?"

Reiker: … We should go into the tunnel.

Yanshu: O-oh, yeah… Alright.

Reiker: Augh, this place reeks!

Yanshu: I thought birds couldn't smell, but… Yeah, it almost smells like rotten meat, or… Sewage, or something…

Yanshu: … You don't think that's what a body smells like, do you?

Reiker: I wouldn't know. This would be my first, but I don't... See a body…?

Cubot: Ah, that's just great... So you two decided to come and interrupt our work directly now.

Cubot: [Sigh...] Legals, this is Orbot, head of forensics. Orbot?

Orbot: Oh, hello. You must be Mr. Strait, and… Friend. I do apologize for my colleague's abrasiveness, I'm afraid he's still getting used to his new personality chip.

Reiker: What do you mean by that?

Cubot: Doc' said I needed a professional attitude for a professional job. That's all you gotta know.

Reiker: Was he not professional... Before…?

Orbot: It's... Complicated.

Orbot: Between you and me, he was always a few circuits short of a processor, but I assure you, he means well.

Orbot: Now, is there anything we can help you with?

Reiker: Well... Do you mind if we poke around the scene a bit? We're trying to build our side of the case.

Cubot: Hm... Fine, but keep an eye on your little sidekick back there! If I see her tampering with the evidence again, I'm kickin' you both out!

Orbot: Oh, yes, please keep your hands to yourselves. It's crucial to the investigation that everything stays in its place!

Reiker: Oh, um… Loud and clear.

Reiker: (Now, what to do first...? It seems kind of barren for a crime scene…)

[badlydrawnmanic]

huge nerd moment but I got a photo of a common picture-winged fly (delphinia picta) i noticed on the outside of the window and if you look real close at the clear portion of the left wing, you can see one of its halteres!!

for those who don’t know: all winged insects have four wings, but flies are in the order diptera, meaning “two wing,” and they definitely look like they only have two wings, so what gives? well in flies, their hind wings got greatly reduced over time to these tiny little nubbins that aren’t used for producing lift, but they do use them to keep their balance in flight! they’re kind of like mini gyroscopes! i think it’s really cool

[badlydrawnmanic]

just had some farm fresh strawberries. you do not know decadence until you get some locally grown in-season fruit in you

[badlydrawnmanic]

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Reiker: So, do you mind if I ask what you witnessed here today… Pookie?

Reiker: (What am I saying…?)

Vivienne: You really want her opinion…?

Yanshu: She was right up close and personal with Tony, wasn't she? Maybe she saw something relevant to the case. Her insight could be very helpful!

Vivienne: ... Well, Pookie?

Pookie: [vrrt vrrt! vrrt vrrt!]

Vivienne: "I was walking with my mommy! I love my outdoor time, and she gives me plenty!"

Pookie: [click click. vrrt]

Vivienne: "This place is right in the middle of our walk, and even though mommy hates it, I think it's cool! I like to jump around and explore!"

Pookie: [vrrt vrrt!]

Vivienne: "I heard a loud BANG, so I went to investigate! Mommy was yelling at me to stop, but I kept going, then I almost got ran over!"

Yanshu: Oh! She almost got hit?

Vivienne: It's true, she was almost obliterated by that hawk! I stormed right up to him to tell him off about being more careful around my Pookie when I saw… H-her…

Reiker: And by "her", do you mean Radika?

Vivienne: ... Yes? Who ELSE would it be!?

Pookie: [vrrrRRRrrr...]

Reiker: Er, uh-...

Reiker: Maybe I am laying it on a little thick… Should we switch topics?

Yanshu: Maybe... Let me think-

Yanshu: So, I did want to ask about your Bytenik.

Vivienne: Oh? Please do! What would you like to know about her?

Yanshu: Those models were exceptionally rare, no? How did you get your hands on one?

Vivienne: I was actually one of the first owners of a Bytenik! I think I bought mine a few days before they were recalled.

Reiker: Recalled? Were they defective in some way?

Pookie: ...?

Vivienne: DON'T SAY THAT! Nothing could ever be defective about my perfect little Pookie!

Yanshu: Oh! They weren't defective per se, but they were taken off the market pretty quickly because they, um…

Yanshu: Well, like any Badnik, they were designed with tactical applications in mind, particularly related to Sonic and the Restoration. Byteniks were meant to be deployed within areas with ample electricity, such as artificial zones, cities, and maintenance tunnels, ambush and swarm invading targets, then render them immobile either by weighing them down or administering electric shocks via "biting", discharging energy from their internal battery. That's part of why they have "teeth".

Yanshu: In order to recharge themselves, they'd find external energy sources and drain them via the same "biting" mechanism, absorbing electricity when the metal made contact with the conductor, but, um… They didn't really discriminate between sources, and are capable of chewing through various materials to get to it, such as cables or thin sheets of metal. They can cause a lot of problems in critical areas, especially in large groups.

Yanshu: They were recalled from combat duty in Empire-controlled zones, but as I said, they can make for good digi-pets due to their small size and general manageability as single units, and were even provided small charging docks for use in the home. The issue there is that there’s a quirk in their programming that makes them register neuronal impulses as viable energy sources. This led to more than a few “curiosity bites”, people got mad, and so they were deemed “not worth the effort” and recalled from the domestic market due to the safety risk.

Vivienne: Oh, they aren't that bad! Sure, my precious widdle Pookie’s given me a few love bites over the last few months, but it’s barely even a nibble! She’s just curious!

Pookie: [twitch]

Reiker: That’s… Adorable?

Reiker: (So this thing will bite. I’d hate to see whatever scars it must’ve given her…)

Yanshu: Maybe Pookie likes the skate park so much due to the energy given off by the Extreme Gear… I'd imagine it gets stronger when the engine is put into overdrive, leading to her interest in the loud noise described earlier.

Vivienne: You know, I didn't even think about that! She's been doing very good with her training, though! Isn't that right, sweetie?

Pookie: [Vrrt vrrt vrrt vrrt!]

Reiker: Yipe!

Vivienne: Pookie, stop squirming! You're gonna rumple my shirt!

Reiker: Well, since that may be relevant to the case… Do you mind if I take a picture of her?

Vivienne: Well… Alright, just get her from her good side! Have her bow at a tasteful angle to the camera, pose her wings a little bit, and... There!

Reiker: (This is for evidence, not a candid shot!)

Vivienne: Here, Pookie! Smile for the camera!

Pookie: [bzzt!]

> Pookie has been added to the Court Record!

Reiker: Thank you. This should be really helpful later!

Yanshu: Hey, Vivienne? Would you say that Tony stopped around…

Yanshu: ... Here?

Vivienne: Well… Yes. How'd you know?

Yanshu: I can see that Tony's board back-fired right here, and-

Reiker: Backfired? Like… It wasn't functioning correctly?

Yanshu: Oh! No, uh… "Back-fire" means something else for Extreme Gear enthusiasts. It's like a slang term!

Yanshu: A number of jet thrusters - usually one on each side of the board - fire to move it in a certain direction. To brake or reverse, they have to fire in the opposite direction the board is moving. Most boards are equipped with dual-exhaust thrusters that can fire forward or backward, hence "back-firing".

Reiker: So… How do you know he was braking?

Yanshu: Well, you know how Pookie and Vivienne said Tony was exiting the tunnel when they saw him? This scorch mark is relatively solid here, but when you look towards the entrance of the tunnel, it gets streaky and faded.

Reiker: … Which means?

Yanshu: C'mon, Rikey… I’m sure you’ve seen something burn, right? The more heat you focus on a specific spot, the more it’s going to burn, or in this case, be stained by incompletely burned fuel and its waste byproducts. When braking, the Extreme Gear slows down, spreading the exhausted heat energy and particulate matter over a smaller area and creating a more solid burn mark.

Reiker: Gotcha… So this really charred bit is right where he stopped!

Yanshu: Actually, it’s where the reverse thrusters activated, but you're close! There can be a little overshoot due to the board’s momentum and a lack of meaningful friction, being a hoverboard and all, but judging by the direction of the burn marks, how Tony said he was moving through the tunnel, and what Vivienne said about Pookie, I'd say he came to a full stop about a foot in front of the termination point.

Yanshu: … Assuming he was using standard riding techniques, of course.

Reiker: Oh, yes... Of course.

Reiker: I knew that...

Reiker: Makes you wonder how fast he was going to leave marks like that… Or what condition the board is in. We should probably add that to our notes!

> The Scorch Marks have been added to the Court Record!

Reiker: (Speaking of, we should probably try to examine Tony's board. It looks pretty banged up, and there sure are a lot of loose feathers... Getting a closer look might help us find out what happened here!)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hey hey, we're finally done with this post! due to scheduling fuckies and varying energy levels, we're aiming to make the next post next friday (5/20), so enjoy this one!

[badlydrawnmanic]

taking a break from the things i normally draw so i made some proper art of my undead freak

(unblurred / grayed out version under the cut, it's what you'd expect for a ghost zombie)

[badlydrawnmanic]

reworking my alien bugs for the umpteenth time, i really like this iteration tho

they live on a hot, dry planet that mostly consists of desert, badlands, and the occasional savanna biome. they have a social structure similar to but not exactly like ants, communicating mostly through pheromones with supplementary clicks and hisses

though they all look similar (the main visual differences being eye color and spike layout), they identify each other primarily through scent. some of them will decorate themselves with ground up pigments or little trinkets they make just for fun - this young adult male particularly likes the color blue

they haven't developed anything we'd consider sophisticated technology, but they're curious and very resourceful, enjoying messing around with anything they can get their claws on. i'm sure they'd love computer if they got the chance to interact with one

mobians just so happen to be similar in size and shape to their adolescent young, so the bugs instinctively find them cute. if they encountered one, they would likely try to fawn over them and take them to the colony chamber where they raise their children, even if they look and smell kind of weird

edit: baby bug. squishy little grubs with fat abdomens / tails, they're probably fed most of the colony's meat stuffs so they have the protein required to grow big and strong, similar to wasps. this particular baby is probably in the middle of its larval stage, newborns being about half the size of mobians and adolescents who are nearly ready to metamorphose being about the same height

[badlydrawnmanic]

BABY MANTIS BABY MANTIS BABY MANTIS

[badlydrawnmanic]

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Reiker: Don't worry, Tony. We'll figure out what happened and get you out of here in no time.

Tony: [Sniff] Dude…

Tony: That's sweet, birds of a feather stickin' up for each other even with that old egghead pullin' the strings...

Reiker: Well, it is my job, but… You're welcome?

Yanshu: I don't think he gets that part. Either that, or he doesn't care… Maybe you should just take the appreciation at face value?

Reiker: Yeah, I suppose…

Reiker: Well, we're heading off to the crime scene to investigate. Tony, you… Hang in there?

Tony: Oh, uh... Thanks. Catch ya later, dudes!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4:05 PM - Collision Corkscrew Skate Park

Reiker: This looks like the right place... The police must be inside the tunnel.

Yanshu: Oh, over there! That must be Tony's board!

Reiker: Well, those do look like his feathers.

Reiker: ... Oh, yeah! Now that we're actually on the scene, it's important we Examine everything we can to make sure we get a clear picture of what might've happened. Leave no stone unturned!

Yanshu: Has anyone ever said you sound like a law book? The way you emphasize certain words, it's like you're quoting straight from a tutorial.

Reiker: I'm not! I'm just making sure we're on the same page!

Reiker: Anyway… Just keep an eye out for anyone or anything that stands out, okay? We might be able to glean some useful information!

Yanshu: Hmm, something that stands out…

Yanshu: Oh! What about that girl over there?

Reiker: Oh, yes! Um… Excuse me, miss-

???: Can I help you?

Reiker: O-oh! Uh… Possibly? A crime was committed here earlier today, and I'm investigating the-

???: Oh! You're… You're investigating my buggie-boo's harrowing traumas!

Reiker: Your… Huh?

Reiker: GAH!!

???: DON'T YELL AT MY POOKIE! You're scaring her!

Pookie: ...?

Reiker: Eugh... That thing's name is… Pookie?

???: SHE'S NOT A THING! SHE'S A-

Yanshu: Oh, that's a Bytenik! They're one of Eggman's most recent Badnik designs!

Yanshu: They're meant to operate without the need for an organic battery, sourcing electricity from their environment, but they aren't very effective for tactical purposes... They make good digi-pets, though!

???: See, you're a Mobian with class! What's your name, miss?

Yanshu: I'm Yanshu Dryll, and you?

Vivienne: My name is Vivienne Pikmei. A Bytenik enthusiast like you needs to have seen my posts on Eggstagram, me and Pookie have over 3000 followers!

Reiker: Well, Ms. Pikmei, my name is Reiker Strait, and I'll be working as the defense lawyer for the upcoming trial regarding the death of Radika Bodacious. I was wondering if-

Vivienne: Defense? You mean you're DEFENDING that MURDERER!?

Reiker: Well… There's no confirmation of guilt until the case is closed. We hope that asking around may enlighten us on what really happened.

Vivienne: No, no, NO! He HAS to be the murderer! I know what I saw, and I will not have some uncultured fashion-disaster of a lawyer make me doubt my memory! How am I supposed to trust the judgement of someone dressed head to toe in that green?

Reiker: (... Well I think it looks good...)

Yanshu: Hm… Do you think Pookie would be able to tell us more about the incident?

Reiker: Yanshu, are you serious…?

Yanshu: Please let me try! I might be onto something!

Reiker: If you say so...

Vivienne: You... You want to ask Pookie?

Pookie: [twitch twitch. click. twitch]

Vivienne: Oh, honey, don't be silly!

Pookie: [click. twitch]

Vivienne: What?

Pookie: [chht]

Vivienne: Well, if you insist...

Vivienne: Fine... You can ask her, but you better be nice! She's sensitive.

Pookie: ...?

Reiker: [Shudders] O...kay.

Reiker: (I swear to Chaos, if that thing touches me-)

> The Board has been updated! > Vivienne has been added to the Characters page!

[badlydrawnmanic]

whatever flag you fly under, go have fun! love who you love, be who you are, and celebrate!

and for those of you who aren’t out of the closet, be it for personal reasons or other circumstances, i see you and wish you the best! stay strong, and stay safe!

[badlydrawnmanic]

Reiker: This other racer you mentioned… Could you tell me what he’s like?

Tony: ... You sure like askin' questions, huh...

Yanshu: He’s a bit of a gossip. I mean-

Reiker: Hey! The more information I have on a case, the better my defense!

Yanshu: Well, I was going to say that it’s part of your job to know things…

Reiker: Oh, yes, um... [Ahem] Anyway… I'm asking to see if there are any alternate suspects. Someone who might have a vendetta against you and Radika.

Tony: Ohhh, uh… Yeah, Seth might make sense...

Reiker: Seth being the other racer Radika’s coach is training?

Tony: Yeah, he's pretty, um…

Tony: He n’ Radika race a lot, but he usually comes up short. Dude’s always got this sour look on his face…

Tony: He’s got potential! Maybe he’d get some better times if he loosened up a little and stopped throwing a fit whenever he doesn’t beat his record, or if he actually rocked a stable board instead of those weird shoes.

Reiker: Weird shoes...? I was under the impression this was an Extreme Gear competition.

Tony: Oh, they are Extreme Gear, just a weird model. Think of some fancy in-line skates with board jets strapped on. It’s kinda like, uh…

Tony: You ever see that weird goth dude on TV when some crazy shit’s going down? Whatever he’s got going on.

Reiker: (Weird goth-… Is this another racing celebrity?)

Reiker: Got it… Do you know if Seth was at the scene of the crime?

Tony: Huh? Nah, he doesn’t like to hang out… He was probably at the training grounds with Coach Whiskers.

Reiker: Training grounds?

Tony: I think it’s, like… A repurposed gym? For basketball n’ stuff. Kinda looks like it, anyway. Smells like it, too.

Yanshu: Oh, I know that place! It was built with Extreme Gear racing in mind, having an indoor and outdoor track, but sometimes they clear it out when they need a big space for something… Mostly events where there’s a lot of papers that could get blown around in the wind if they held them outside.

Tony: Yeah, that one! I wouldn’t be surprised if they were still hangin’ around in there… It’s like they never leave the place.

Reiker: (Even if those two weren’t witnesses to the crime, they might be able to give us some clues about the case…)

> You can now travel to the Extreme Gear Training Facility!

Reiker: Speaking of hanging around, do you mind if I ask a bit more about where the crime happened? Who might've been there? Other than you and Radika.

Tony: Oh, yeah! I was hangin’ around at Collision Corkscrew. It’s this awesome skate park mini-zone with plenty of stuff to grind and trick off of! Gives you a real good feel for how your board handles this concrete jungle type terrain. Plenty of big city races to practice for!

Tony: See, the best part is the corkscrew - it's this huge tunnel that cuts through the park, and if you hit the wall just right, you can loop around it, like… 7 or 8 times! Me n' some other dudes painted it with some crazy swirls a while back. Makes it, like... A hundred times cooler.

Yanshu: I don't like what the word "collision" implies...

Tony: Ha! That’s what the headgear’s for, shorty! Reaction time's one of the most important parts of the game!

Reiker: So... You went to this Collision Corkscrew Zone with Radika?

Tony: Well, uh… Not exactly-

Reiker: Oh. Do you know why she was there, then?

Tony: .……..

Reiker: I’m sorry if I’m prying, Tony. This must be a sore subject, but-

Tony:

WHY DOES EVERYONE EXPECT ME TO KNOW!?

Tony: She texted me askin' to meet up, so I was just messin’ around waitin’ for her, okay!? One sec I was rushin’ through that tunnel, then the next she’s face down on the cement! THAT'S IT!

Tony: I keep tellin’ everyone I dunno what happened, but they just keep pushin’ it! Why isn't "I dunno" good enough? What do they WANT me to say!?

Tony: I’m startin’ to wish they’d just throw me in that crazy contraption back there and get this thing over with 'CUZ I'M SICK OF IT!!!

Reiker: Woah, woah! I’m sorry, I-… You seemed so unbothered before-

Tony: You think I don’t care, man!? She was pretty much the only friend I’ve got! I should be plannin’ her funeral or somethin’, but I’m stuck in here with these STUPID ‘BOTS!!

Tony: … [Huff]…

Yanshu: Um… Tony? I… I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I actually got put in that same cell a few weeks ago for very similar reasons, and, w-well… The only person I could depend on was Reiker.

Yanshu: I didn’t really trust him at first either. He said it was his first case, and he seemed kind of disorganized and clumsy, but he got me out, and he figured out who committed the crime.

Yanshu: Now, I know you’re having a lot of big feelings… You just lost a friend and got thrown into this weird, scary place, but you have to trust us when we say we’re doing our best to get you out of here, too.

Yanshu: That being said, I know you don’t know us very well, so… Would you feel a little more comfortable talking about this if we got you something, um… Comforting to you? It might not be much, but it’s the least we could do.

Tony: You guys would do that for... For me…?

Reiker: Yanshu, I’m not sure if-

Yanshu: Of course! Anything to help.

Tony: ... This is gonna sound dumb, and I can’t use it in here, but… I left my board at the skate park, and I’ve been sittin' here thinkin’ it’s gonna get stolen… Could you find it and bring it back here? So I know it’s safe?

Reiker: I don't think it'll get stolen. It's probably-

Tony: You don’t know that! Even the basic boards are hella expensive, and besides, this one’s special! I’ve customized it and everything!

Yanshu: Don’t worry, we’ll get your board and bring it back here! And when we do, we'll be able to put together a solid case for tomorrow!

> You can now travel to Collision Corkscrew Skate Park!

Reiker: (Oof, I cant get a word in edgewise between these two…)

Reiker: (Guess I should add our little fetch quest to the list, but we still have more important things to deal with. I suppose the only question now is-)

> The Board has been updated!

[badlydrawnmanic]

there should be a scoville unit equivalent for menthol

i would say negative scoville units but menthol and capsaicin work differently so menthol isn’t really the opposite of capsaicin, there can be both. if you have both your mouth gets very temperature and there’s not much you can do about it

[badlydrawnmanic]

people should ask other people questions more often. any people, any questions. you can ask that kid at the gas station in the baseball uniform if his game went well, or the olive garden waiter the longest they’ve had to grate cheese onto someone’s salad, or whoever you happen to be with what they think the purpose of some random detail in the environment is. if you’re having a conversation with someone and think about something, anything really, just… ask them about it. either they know which is great, or they don’t and you can google it and learn together. either way it’s a social interaction and those are nice, plus you can feel smart whenever you share fun facts because you got curious and asked a question most people wouldn’t have, or decided to read a wikipedia page about it

[badlydrawnmanic]

Reiker: (Tony the Hawk. Something that name feels... Odd.)

Reiker: So, Tony… Do you mind if we talk about the victim? It seems one of the prosecution's points was that you and Radika were close. What was your relationship like?

Tony: Well... Yeah, we're close! She's my best friend! My rival, even! But, like… The chill kind? We race all the time!

Reiker: (He's talking about her like she's still alive....)

Yanshu: Wait, you used to compete with Radika? I followed her races pretty closely… How come I never saw?

Tony: Oh, we don't really... Compete. Me n' Radika race together on the down-low. She calls it training, I call it havin' fun. It was cool either way, though.

Tony: We met after the tryouts for Egghead's league. She won the spot in the nationals, and I won a new best friend I could dick around with and just... Be myself. It was, like, no pressure, y'know? Zero expectations 'cept, well… Friend stuff.

Yanshu: You competed in the tryouts, too? What was your time?

Tony: Oh, like… 21 seconds? I'm not a big numbers guy, but it sure was a rush.

Yanshu: That's pretty fast for that track… I remember hearing about the Sunnyside League training understudies. Were you one of them?

Tony: Uhh… Maybe?

Reiker: It's kind of a yes or no question… What do you mean "maybe"?

Tony: Well, Radika brings me to a lot of her training sessions, but her coach hates me. Says some pretty nasty stuff when he thinks I'm not there.

Tony: Radika never liked him leavin' me outta things, and the coach was kinda stuck since she's, like, this big star or somethin', so she got her way, and I got to stick around. Coach started training his own guy anyway, though.

Tony: Apparently I'm not "professional" enough. Somethin' about "behavioral requirements", but, like… It's just a game, bro! If you're a good sport, that's all that matters, right?

Reiker: Wait, so Radika just… Asked for you, and your coach crumbled?

Tony: Somethin' like that? Radika was always kinda vague about it, but hey, it all worked out, so that's cool. Most people don't have my back like she does.

Yanshu: Aw... She sounds like she was a good friend.

Tony: Haha, yeah! She-...

Tony: ... She was.

Reiker: (Well, now we know Tony's relationship with the victim, but I should probably ask more pointed questions if I want to get information about what he saw, or where the crime took place.)

[badlydrawnmanic]

drake is so good at this stuff! if you like my art you should 100% check him out <3

COMMISSIONS ARE OPEN

Hiii Drake here! I've decided to change prices and advertise my commissions again. More information can be found in the form! My job horrendously cut my hours, so now I'm working 14 hours a week for $11 per hour. That is not much like how am I supposed to survive on that!! And I keep applying to different places but there's no better paying jobs available in this shitty town 😭😭😭 I will appreciate it so so much if this got shared around, I really need the help!

[badlydrawnmanic]

Reiker: So, do the victim and defendant know each other? Seems like this was an awfully quick arrest.

Eggman: My detectives are finishing up questioning the defendant now, but they say he hasn't exactly been a font of knowledge.

Eggman: Nonetheless, Radika's phone does seem to have his name and contact information in it, so I can assume they were familiar with each other.

Reiker: Well, if they had each others' contacts, they must have been somewhat close... If that's the case, why was he arrested so fast?

Eggman: According to my records, your client was found mere feet from the body seconds after the murder, and when the SWAT-Bots arrived on scene, the idiot tried to run. Why wouldn't he be detained after a performance like that?

Reiker: (Wonderful…)

Reiker: I should probably speak with him… You said he was being questioned?

Eggman: Oh, yes… You'll find him in the holding cells on the first floor. Just show the guard-bots your badge, and I'll send the case files to your office computer. My detectives said they're finishing up in about 10 minutes.

Reiker: Yes, sir! Thank you, doctor.

Reiker: (Well, looks like I have some time to kill… I should stop by the office and print out those files for the court record.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3:00 PM - Reiker's Office

Reiker: Oh, Yanshu! You're still here?

Yanshu: O-oh! Um… Yeah! Thought I'd test out the waiting room. A girl sure can wait in there!

Reiker: … Right…

Flash: So what's your new case? Is it Radika's? Are you gonna be-

Reiker: I'm, um… Not entirely sure if I'm allowed to tell civilians…

Flash: Aw, pleeeaaase? I mean, we're close, right? Our picture's on your little desk there! We promise we won't tell!

Yanshu: Flash, you can't just rush in and make promises on other peoples' beha-

Flash: But you promise, right?

Yanshu: [Sigh] Well, yes, but... Still.

Reiker: Well, if you promise… I am taking on the Radika case, but I was only popping in for a moment to grab some supplies.

Yanshu: Oh! Maybe I can help!

Reiker: I… Huh?

Yanshu: S-… Sorry, I-I don't want to butt in if you don't-

Reiker: Oh, no! I mean… It's okay! I, um…

Reiker: (This is all so sudden, but those baby-doll eyes are hard to refuse, and she was pretty helpful last time when she wasn't, well… On the verge of fainting.)

Reiker: It would be nice to have someone to talk to on the case… And another set of eyes might make it easier to spot something out of place…

Reiker: Alright, you can stick around, I suppose. Just keep to the sidelines, okay? This is delicate work, and I need to stay focused.

Yanshu: Wait, really? Oh gosh, I… D-don't worry, I'll be a glowing icon of professionalism!

Yanshu: M-maybe I can even take notes for you! I, um… I like notes…

Flash: She loooves notes.

Reiker: That sounds great! Now, then…

Reiker: Oh! I finally have a reason to use the board!

Yanshu: … The board?

Reiker: Hold on, let me just print some things out… Grab some tacks…

Reiker: All-righty, so! Here's all the places we need to go today. I already marked off Eggman's office, since I just went there, but I still need to go to the holding cells on the first floor to speak with my client, and I… Don't really know where the crime scene is, but once I do, I need to go there!

Reiker: I even have different color pins to hold up each photo! A ⚫ black one means I know it exists, but I can't access it for whatever reason. Maybe it's a restricted area, or maybe I just... Don't know how to get there yet.

Reiker: A 🔴 red one means I haven't explored anything in the area yet. I should definitely work on one of those next!

Reiker: A 🟡 yellow one means I've been there before, but there's still more to uncover! I may need to talk to someone, find more evidence, make a connection… You never know what could lead to a case getting cracked!

Reiker: A 🟢 green one means I've got all the information I need! A good lawyer needs to be thorough, so aim high!

Reiker: Lastly, a 🔵 blue one means that I found everything before, but something new has come up! Maybe someone has come or gone, or something is happening at the scene! If it's blue, it means I gotta go back there ASAP!

Yanshu: Aww, it's color coded? That's cute! Just, um… One question?

Reiker: Yes?

Reiker: (Cute…?)

Yanshu: How do you keep track of everything?

Reiker: Uh… What do you mean by that?

Yanshu: How do you know that you're missing information, or that something happened while you were gone? You, um… I assume you can't read minds, and if you aren't actively observing something, you, uh…

Reiker: Oh, I… I guess I would need someone at home base doing research. That would be-

Flash: [GASP] I CAN DO THAT!

Reiker: OH! Uh… Actually, yeah, I bet you're pretty handy with databases and all that, huh? Plus you can actually handle the sticky notes… I can just message you about how things are going, and you can update the board!

Yanshu: He could also send pictures of it whenever it's updated! I'll keep it with your Court Record!

Flash: Yesss, I'm helpful!

Yanshu: So now that we have a communications system in order… Where are we headed first, Mr. Strait?

Reiker: Oh, right! I was about to go speak with my client… We should start heading for the holding area. Flash, let me know if anything comes up in the news, alright?

Flash: Yessir!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3:10 - Holding Cell

Reiker: Well, this is… Unpleasant. Just how many people are down here, anyway?

Yanshu: I dunno, but I hope we can leave s-soon… This place gives me the creeps…

???: Heyyy...! The 'bots said you wanted to see me?

Reiker: Oh, yes, you must be… [Page flip] …Mr. Danforth?

Tony: Nahhh, Mr. Danforth's my dad. Just call me Tony! Tony the Hawk!

Reiker: Well, uh… Tony, my name is Reiker Strait. I'm Sunnyside's public defense attorney, and I'm here to take your case.

Tony: … You whuh…?

Yanshu: Oh, um… We heard about your legal problem. Mr. Strait is here to help you out, and I'm his assistant!

Tony: Ohhh, I getcha… Rock on, shorty!

Yanshu: … 💧

Reiker: (Hm, he doesn't seem all there… Guess I gotta keep things simple.)

Reiker: Do you mind if we ask you a few questions about what happened, Tony?

Tony: Uh… Sure, but I might not be much help. Those goofy lil' 'bots sure didn't think so.

Reiker: ("Goofy"… Don't think I've seen any robots like that.)