Garofano Interrogation -Phase 01-
You peruse through the file in your hands. It's about a homicide case caused by inheritance disputes.
Technically, this isn't the MBCC's responsibility, but because the accused is a Sinner, she has been transferred to your care before the trial.
After carefully reviewing all the information, only one thought pops into your mind: this case has been handled too hastily.
Whether out of routine or your responsibility as caretaker, you decide to conduct an interrogation to understand the details of the case.
-Interrogation Starts-
Chief: Nice to meet you, Mrs. Garofano-Braun. I'm the MBCC Chief, [Name].
Garofano: Hello, Chief. Please, just call me by my first name. I never actually changed my surname.
The widow before you looks somewhat frail, but even though she's incarcerated and burdened by her husband's murder, a soft, gentle smile still graces her face.
Chief: I see. All right then, Garofano. Please relax. I'm just here to... ask you a few questions.
Garofano: I promise to tell you whatever you want to know.
-Submit Evidence [Inheritance Dispute Case File]-
Chief: Let's review the case first, Garofano.
You pull out the documents from the file folder, laying them out one by one.
Chief: After Mr. Braun's sudden death from a critical illness, his will stipulates that all his wealth should go to you, his widow.
Chief: However, at this juncture, someone not only anonymously reported you as a Sinner, but also accused you of murdering your husband for his wealth in court.
Chief: At their strong insistence, the authorities conducted an autopsy on Mr. Braun's body.
Chief: According to the autopsy, an unidentified puncture wound was found in a hidden part of the deceased's body. A lethal, slow-acting poison was extracted from it.
Chief: Subsequently, they sealed off your tailor shop and found the murder weapon that matched both the wound and the poison. You were arrested based on this evidence. After that…
Garofano: After that, I ended up here.
A hint of melancholy tints Garofano's smile.
Garofano: Chief, you've been very thorough. You've read all the information carefully.
Garofano: But that... isn't the whole truth.
Garofano: I'm not the one who murdered Mr. Braun.
Her voice trembles, but her tone is firm.
Garofano: But as soon as they found out that I'm a Sinner, they jumped to the conclusion that I was the culprit, without giving me any chance to prove my innocence…
Chief: The sentencing was too swift, and there was practically no procedural process. They even let someone anonymous who wasn't family to ask for an autopsy. It was like... they were playing some childish game.
Chief: It makes no sense to sentence someone on such scattered evidence.
Chief: I don't think that being a "Sinner" should automatically condemn someone to guilt.
Garofano then says something somewhat unexpected.
Garofano: I thought you were also here to persuade me to accept my sentence…
Chief: The truth of the matter will ultimately be revealed. I don't categorically believe or disbelieve you. I just think that only after knowing the full picture can one make the final judgment.
Chief: So, I'd like to hear your side of the story before making my judgment.
She gently nods, then starts to speak.
Garofano: All right, then... here is my side of the story.
Garofano: In reality, Mr. Braun and I weren't married in a legal sense.
Garofano: We were more like brother and sister than husband and wife.
Chief: A de facto companionship?
Garofano: Yes, you could say that.
She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, immersing herself into deeper memories.
Garofano: Mr. Braun was passionate about charity, and I was an orphan girl he helped.
Garofano: I lost my whole family in a Mania attack. I was the only one left... I barely survived.
Garofano: Although I also became a Sinner because of this, at least... I didn't turn into... a monster that can't even recognize its own family.
A trace of pain flashes across her face, but she quickly suppresses it.
Chief: Sorry, I didn't mean to make you remember these things.
You gently hand a tissue to Garofano. A faint smile surfaces on her face.
Garofano: I know, Chief.
Garofano: At the time, I felt helpless, and almost lost the will to live... but fortunately, I met Mr. Braun.
Garofano: He didn't care that I was a Sinner, and gave me a lot of earnest help. He even funded me to open a tailor shop, which got my life back on track.
Garofano: I was very grateful for this and always wanted to repay him.
Chief: Is this why you had a sham marriage with Mr. Braun?
Garofano: Yes. Mr. Braun was sickly and needed someone to take care of him all the time. I always helped Mrs. Braun with housework when I had time…
Garofano: Later, Mrs. Braun fell ill. Before she passed away, she asked me to move in to keep taking care of Mr. Braun.
Garofano: As his wife, I also went to burdensome social events in his place. All of this was voluntary.
Garofano: We lived like family, watching over and caring for each other. I thought that life would always be so calm and cozy, until…
Garofano can't help but let out a sob.
Garofano: ...Sorry about that.
[Option: “No worries.”]
Chief: I understand... it's not easy to lose a family member.
Garofano: Then you should also understand... having lost my family once, I couldn't bear that kind of heart-wrenching pain again.
Garofano: I... cherished them very much. I would rather die myself than see my family leave me…
Garofano: That feeling is like.. being abandoned to be all alone in this world…
She pauses for a moment, unable to suppress her sorrow any longer... Tears trickle down her cheeks, leaving a faint shining trace.
[Option: Give her a tissue]
Garofano: Ah... Thank you.
As Garofano takes the tissue, you brush against her icy fingertips, which feel somewhat rough and callused.
After a moment, she collects herself, and slowly raises her head to look at you seriously.
Garofano: I know... everyone thinks I'm the cruel murderer, but I…
Garofano: ...would never harm my own family.
Garofano's immense grief pours into your consciousness through the shackles... but beneath that tide of pain, there is resolute determination.
You don't want to believe that someone so passionate would lie about her innocence.
Chief: But, given the current evidence, the odds are stacked against you.
Garofano: Hmm, I know.
Garofano flashes a bitter smile.
Garofano: If you think I was after his money... I can tell you, we had an agreement. I wouldn't inherit any property from Mr. Braun.
Garofano: Besides, even if that agreement is non-binding, the order of inheritance stipulates that his younger brother—the younger Mr. Braun—would be the one to inherit his estate.
Garofano: As for his will... I only found out about it after his death.
A younger brother...? You recall the case file you saw, which didn't mention Mr. Braun having a younger brother.
But the file was vague about the complainant from start to finish. You thought it might have been a neighbor who was unwilling to disclose their personal information. But now that you think about it, it seems…
You need to find a way to investigate this.
Seeing you fall silent, Garofano lowers her eyes and speaks softly.
Garofano: But actually, I no longer have any hopes about correcting this misunderstanding.
Garofano: As long as someone can listen to my story, I'm happy.
[Option: “I can help you if you want.”]
Chief: Although the truth about the case is still unclear, I'm willing to trust you this once. I'm willing to believe how much you cherish your "family.”
Garofano stares at you in surprise.
Garofano: So you mean... you're willing to believe I'm innocent?
Chief: I can only promise you that I will find out what really happened.
Chief: Plus, I know the public is biased against Sinners. But we can't rush to conclusions and ignore the truth.
Chief: So, I will apply to defer the trial and look for evidence that can clear your name. This is the only way to prove your innocence.
Chief: Before that happens, I hope you can trust me too.
Garofano freezes. She seems to be stunned to hear you say this. After a moment, she begins to speak softly.
Garofano: Chief, you... remind me of someone.
An emotional, nostalgic look crosses her face. You instantly realize something.
Chief: ...A family member?
Garofano nods slowly.
Garofano: My younger sister.
Garofano: She was just like you, kind and righteous…
Garofano: She always wanted to be like our father, a proud and selfless member of the FAC.
Garofano: Such a pity…
Her voice trails off, the unfinished words dissipating into the air.
Garofano: I'm lucky to meet someone as righteous as you…
Garofano: I am really... grateful that you are doing this for me.
Chief: You are my Sinner. It is my duty to investigate everything about you.
Chief: This is my responsibility. So, you really don't have to thank me.
Garofano nods in agreement and laughs lightly.
Garofano: ...All right, dutiful Chief.
Chief: For now, just rest at ease at the MBCC.
Chief: I won't let those people bother you.
Garofano: Understood. I will just stay here…
She gives a gentle but formal bow.
Garofano: ...and wait for you patiently.
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Enfer
spoiler warning: enfer interrogation
man I really CANNOT stop thinking about enfer's interrogation. this woman went through so much misery to become who she is as both a person and an artist.
imagine you have to witness your own father murder your mother in front of you just so he could turn her into a statue and create his masterpiece that would bring him all the fame he will earn in the art world?
and to then in return have to kill him and also turn him into a statue as a way to reclaim what he's taken from you, just for that to also be the piece that will make you a critically acclaimed artist.
she calls herself the ruler of fear but has herself feared nothing more than to face her past and confront her own demons that have haunted her ever since the night she witnessed her father kill her mother.
and the fact that the love and grief for her mother was so strong that she would subconsciously always carve a heart into whatever creations she made, which she only realised while revisiting the scene where the witching hour took place. and all this time The False One (her father) made her think that love has been holding her back as both a person and an artist, that it stopped her from creating the perfect piece she's so desperately wanted to create.
just for her to overcome her past and make love her running force, make it the thing that now makes her grow as a person.
Pure fear can grant you immense power to go forward, but it can't get you out of the abyss. It'll only turn you into part of it. A moth doesn't break the cocoon to purify herself. The intricate patterns and colors are her stunning features too. You said she would burn in the flame... But who can say that the moth only has fear in her heart when she plunges into the flame? Maybe, she loves the flame, and that's why whe plunges into it unwaveringly despite her fear?
that is what chief said to her that finally made her reinterpret her view on love, especially in combination with how she wants to implement fear within her artworks, and made her stop fearing it.
her mother was the one who taught her what true love was, and her father was the one who taught her what true fear was.
It's all thanks to love... that I can survive in this living hell. And even in a world like this, someone has told me that... just like terror, love can become my power too.
I am the ruler of fear, so I will not fear love... I will carve through it... Make love part of my power, so I can keep on creating, tearing, and reincarnating... Until the most perfect artwork is created.
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