shellphones | Video - un: detectiveforhierophant

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Video - un: detectiveforhierophant

Who: Ryotaro Dojima
Status: Open
Where: Cosmo Conservatory
What: Dojima is hoping he's just being paranoid, but as it's been several days now-- he decides to ask if anyone has seen Turo since he left.
Warnings: Nothing here, but the plot it relates to has some heavy stuff!

[The video opens on what some may recognize as the interior of the main building of the Cosmo Conservatory. A blurry tanned splotch on the side of the screen, a disgruntled, slightly rough voice as—]

Damn it— [Re-adjusting the shellphone—] there.

[A huff, and now one could clearly see Ryotaro Dojima, sitting at the desk that usually had Professor Turo seated behind it.]

Hey, this is Ryotaro Dojima, Head Ranger of Cosmo Conservatory, [A beat, something mumbled under his breath, was that ‘fuck it’?] Has anyone heard or seen from Professor Turo in the last three days?

[Ugh. The fact he had to bring this up at all— was it just his nerves? Also he prayed the heat on his cheeks was just the summer heat being too much--]

He was headed to Liansa— left his Pokemon here with me— to help with base construction, talking with the merfolk there…

[A hand wave, somewhat dismissive—]

Investigating, research, you know how he can be, right? It’s nothing unusual for us to work in separate locations for a few days, but…

[Frowning deeply, glancing to the side.]

Usually we at least send messages to one another before the end of the day, just to check in. I figured maybe the travel or heat wore him down, or he got deep into research and forgot—

[Which. Turo wasn’t likely to do at all, thanks to his AI mind—]

…But three days with nothing? That’s not normal. And he’s not… gone, his Shellphone ID is still active. He’s just… not picking up.

[There was no hiding the the concern on Dojima’s face, even if he had a measured tone to his voice, expression stern, focused— but that crease in his brow…]

—So if you hear from him or see him, tell him to give me a buzz, alright? Or if anything else is up, let me know ASAP.

[Annnd now that he's put himself out there more and feels more exposed then ever, that awkward clearing of his throat, glancing away...]

Ah... yeah. Thanks for your time.

[Slight bow of his head, and then he was reaching to switch off the camera--]

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...That's strange. I haven't seen him on Liansa.

[Alarm bells are ringing in the back of Kaveh's mind.]

[Fuck.]

--And you would've been around the same area to cross paths, right?

Yes, we were working on similar things. I thought he was just busy with something else but...

[If he hasn't contact Doujima, that's....]

...You don't think some of the people from the crystals business were missed, do you?

[He would really like to stop having his heart drop to the pit of his stomach with his partner being involved, thanks.]

Glad it's not just me being paranoid that that's the first thing that popped in my head. It's entirely possible.

[Leaning back a second in his chair, counting on his fingers--]

It's also possible that it was a random attack, an accident happened involving him and now there's a cover up, someone intentionally kidnapped for his knowledge, skills, revenge or to let them get a better chance at poaching the creatures we look after. But there's not enough info yet to make any firm theories.

Edited 2025-07-30 12:43 (UTC)

There's not much information at all, is there?

[Kaveh sighs, deeply.]

There's not much I can do but keep an eye on the Conservatory, but if you need some...flares, I might still have something for you.

[It would take a bit for Dojima to reply-- he was quiet as he was typing something out, the frown getting more severe--]

--You know, yeah. I'll take you up on that. They were useful last time, and I have a feeling we'll need... distractions.

I'll be over soon.

[And true to his word, just like last time, Kaveh turns up at the conservatory with a box under his arm, and Mehrak carrying another one.]

Mr. Doujima?

[From behind the door--]

Ah, hang on.

[The sound of two locks being undone, and the door swung open easily, revealing the police detective turned Ranger. Still that grim expression on his face.]

Come in-- Actually got a question for you.

[Once inside, closing the door-- and just doing the first lock.]

...Do you know anything about that guy, Ganon? Maybe heard something at your cafe?

Edited 2025-07-31 13:16 (UTC)

[Kaveh would raise his eyebrows at the level of security here, but...well, given everything, he can't say it's unwarranted.]

--Remind me to design you new locks later.

[Because he can make something more secure than this, he's pretty sure. But Kaveh sets his box down on a flat surface, and frowns.]

Ganon? Can't say I've heard anything. He's not even on the network very often, is he?

Fuck.

(They can't look for him: they're nowhere near Liansa. Ganon's got them on a mission.)

He's not responding to me either.

Edited 2025-07-29 05:49 (UTC)

Right.

My old work partner would have joked that at least I know he's not avoiding me personally, but just like then, it's a cold comfort. Especially for how that mess with the Paladins went down.

We were damn lucky his shellphone was active when that happened, let us know instantly at least who he was with and where he was likely to go. Don't have any sort of clue like that, other than where he was headed.

I'm several days out. If he hasn't turned up by the time I get back I'll see what I can find.

(Can't leave their quest and just teleport back because they don't want to draw Ganon's attention to this.

Little do they know...)

You be careful out there too. Last thing we need is more people missing again, and we both don't want Turo fretting over either of us.

I'm fine.

(Yet again, little do they know...)

[--Something about that needles Dojima, but it's hard to put into words. Reminds him of Souji dismissing his concern, maybe?]

[...Chris wasn't a teenager though. Well, he acted like one, but he was aged to his 30s. Should just leave it be.]

Want me to keep you updated?

(They don't deserve his concern anyway.)

Yeah.

[Some time later...]

Emet is sensing his soul out in the middle of the ocean, away from any of the Leviathans. There's apparently a fog of 'malignant aether', aka, dark magic trying to block others from getting a good read on who's around him, but there are other souls.

I have theories on who it is, but either way, we're heading out to investigate and get him back.

(...Fuck!)

Got a direction?

Not yet. Will update you once we do, but I don't recommend trying to do it alone, Chris.

What's worse is, he left his return ring because he was worried about how it would take the volcanic heat. I should've pushed for him to take it anyway, even if he just carried it in a pouch...

[ This is worrying, and Sherlock fears this could be the start of yet another group of abductions like the crystallization trafficking ring. ]

I will have Basker help me look around the Conservatory for any signs of him.

How did he intend to travel to Liansa?

Thanks. It's worth checking around in case something happened.

He was planning on going by the supply boat that was headed there already with material for the base. I did reach out before making the video, and the port said the ship arrived on schedule.

Does he usually leave them with you when he travels?

[ There's the sound of rustling as she rushes to get ready and out the door, cursing under her breath when something falls over with a clang. ]

Was he meeting up with anyone else?

[Huh. Something in her tone, military? For some reason it-- made him think of Naoto Shirogane. Odd...]

Sometimes, but he usually takes at least one or two of them with him. Miraidon has incredible mobility and can carry two to three peoples weight, Iron Valiant for fighting, etc.

[Dojima was already moving around himself, getting the main building read to lock down.]

But this time he explained he was worried how the heat of the volcano could affect the containers he uses to transport the Pokémon around, their 'Pokeballs', so he wanted to be safe and kept them with me. This wasn't supposed to be a long trip. As for meeting anyone--

[A pause, his brow dipping more, before shaking his head-]

Other than locals and the merfolk there, no one he mentioned specifically.

[ Ding ding ding! ]

Great. Okay...

[ There's a series of noises as she continues questioning - rattles and thunks of enough locks and chains to put a max security prison to shame.

As a detective, the questions she's asking are probably pretty familiar: ]

You aware of anyone that would want to harm Turo? Any threatening behaviour or recent attempts to--

[ A loud crack followed by an equally loud curse and a hiss. ]

Sorry, just a-- Honey can you come and un-boobytrap the door!?

[Wait what.]

Why-- is your door boobytrapped?

[HE KNOWS HE SHOULD FOCUS. BUT...!

Good question. My partner is a little...

[ Paranoid is the word she wants to use, he was like this before they got here. But after all the kidnappings and the like in this strange place, including Turo's disappearance, can it really be called that anymore? ]

Enthusiastic. About security measures.

[ There's another voice briefly, an unusual flanging rumble that is hard to mistake as anyone but Garrus, if the detective has ever met him. Released from the apartment, she returns to her questions: ]

Has there been any recent attempts on the creatures at the Conservatory? Any threats made against Turo?

Ah. I... see.

[Pausing with a glance to the extra set of locks he himself put on the door... how Jack hid out in the woods most nights instead of having an apartment, as if on the run...

But first, to answer her questions: ]

Not on any of the creatures as of late. Since we busted up a lot of the auctions, and the whole massacre of the whales and crystalized people, poachers have been laying low.

[Leaning back, he frowned, rmemebering that whole fiasco--]

He did get kidnapped by the Paladins-- An high ranking scientist within the Paladins was working on the crystallization process for the money, and decided to pin everything on Turo as a scapegoat, and got a low ranking noble Paladin to help him with a promise with an invite to that island, but they've both been... handled. Could possibly be relatives related to those two? But no evidence to go off of that.

[A beat--]

You and your partner...Military or Police? Seems we all tend to have that... anxiety, about people coming to our spaces unannounced.

[ She listens quietly up until Dojima talks of Turo's false arrest, at which point there's a snort of disbelief followed by a low, mirthless laugh. ]

They must have been real far off their quota for the month, the amount of false arrests they made during that whole mess. Glad to hear those responsible were dealt with - permanently, I'm guessing?

[ Hoping, is more like. She took her pound of mercenary flesh (with interest) in revenge when she hauled Garrus's partially-crystallized ass off that damn island. ]

That obvious? I'm military, he's former police-turned-military. [A small pause. ] We, huh? You in the forces back home?

Uh. Well...

[Here Dojima was a bit sheepish. Rubbing the back of his neck with a glance away. Somehow he was getting the vibe this woman was... definitely of higher rank then him. That same odd feeling that came when talking to Jack sometimes. Must be that 'underclassman'/'uppperclassman' ethos his life had been steeped in.]

Despite having every... right to demand for that, I'm not one for retribution as justice when I have the space to think about things, and Turo even less so. Guy's an out and out pacifist unless absolutely necessary or battles for fun.

[And shrug.]

So they're both locked up for good long time, and the noble man's family is donating to the conservatory every year for now on.

[A slight smirk.]

--We did both punch either man's lights out at least.

[He nodded to her other question, reaching down to pull out his wallet, with id card and badge visible- oh wait, was she looking at the screen? Ah well, whatever.]

--Police Detective Ryotaro Dojima with the Inaba PD... Basically a small town detective in the middle of the Japanese countryside on Earth, 2010s.

[Police turn Military... his mind went to Reaper. But, again, he promised the man he wouldn't really talk about his history with anyone, not even mention his name. Even if... as Soldier 76, as Jack opened up to him, the more things seemed to line up that their worlds were similar, if not the same one.]

I haven't seen him and I've been at the Conservatory... most of the time lately.

[ Taking care of Hawks, after he and Chris got him settled there. And hanging around worrying. He looks extra worried about Turo now, partly because the last time someone disappeared it was so bad. ]

I thought he was just working on the base.

Yeah. I asked 76 if he'd seen him before making this video... he's my usual go to for info on the Conservatory grounds when I've been busy with reports, missions or paperwork.

[...they really needed to pay Jack, come to think of it. He'll talk to him about it--]

Same. And basework wouldn't be enough to stop him from reaching out at least the day after arrival, if not the day of. This is just... not like him.

It does seem very unlike him. You said you're certain he's still in this world?

[ Because right now, at least, he assumes that that's probably a good thing. ]

When someone... leaves here, their ID disappears from your shellphone. You can read their old conversations, but you can't reach out to them anymore. His is still functional, but he's just not responding or reading messages. Makes me think he doesn't have it on him, and he uses that thing to take pictures or make notes, not just for communication.

So he either lost it, or someone took it from him...

[ After a bit of time trying to contact Turo himself, he starts searching out Turo's particular energy signature-- ]

He appears to be out on the water somewhere. It does not seem to be in the direction of one of the leviathans.

[The idle offhanded thought that, the more he got to know Emet, the more weirdly appropriate that username was.

But that wasn't here or there.]

Out on the water? I'm guessing you're using your powers to track him.

[What couldn't this guy do?]

So there's a few options there. The most positive one is he met with someone who needed help in general or had an interesting research/biological discovery and Turo offered to help [As he tended to do...] and forgot his shellphone in his rush.

Or, the most negative one, he's gotten captured by someone. Paladins with a grudge after what happened at the jail, Corsairs looking for a quick buck either to ransom him or for his knowledge...

But he's an AI. He doesn't... forget things like a human does. I forget my keys sometimes or in a rush and half sleep daze shoved my alarm clock into the fridge in the morning, leaving the rice out. Ridiculous, dumb human memory things. He doesn't... do that.

So that makes me think it's the latter. At the very least, we need to head to where his magical signature is to check on him.

[He's already getting his stuff together. Pokémon, his hunting rifle-- right, Turo left the bracelet here to keep it safe from the heat, may be worth slipping on, give him extra mobility if he needs to board another ship-- police gun--]

If you know where he is, is there any other magical signatures around him? Give us an idea what we're dealing with? if that's something you can do. Not saying you can't, just. I don't know how your magic works.

I can see souls both near and distant. The professor is not like other men but he still carries a distinct signature which sets him apart from the rest. Yet there is something surrounding him which is attempting to obfuscate his precise location. An incredibly dense fog of malignant aether.

I don't believe the perpetrators from the kidnappings have this sort of ability and I don't know if the professor made any additional enemies.

He's something special, that much is true.

[Dojima didn't really think about how that would come out when he wrote it down, too focused on the rest of the message.

But... incredibly dense fog of malignant aether. So-- translation: incredibly powerful or at least thick dark magic that was enough to try and hide Turo's own... 'soul signature'.]

Fucking... great.

[His mind was spinning. Okay... who here had that sort of power? Even if he didn't reply much to things, he did keep tabs on others. Had Turo interacted with anyone who--

--I was the one who showed him the Megamaki--

Fuck.]

Not enemies. But I have an idea who might be powerful enough. He showed the man who tried to turn random citizens into controllable bugsnax servants where to find Megamaki, having no idea what the guy was planning. Ganon--Ganondof, something like that.

[Quickly just gonna scroll through the posts on here to try to find any information about the guy-- oh wait this one--... was that him playing with a cat?]

Give me 15 minutes to lock up and message volunteers, and I'll teleport to the ship. If that guy was willing to turn innocent civilians into bugsnaxs for his own ends, I don't want to think about what he can get out of Turo-- either building something for him, or... cracking open his body for the terastal crystal there.

Him? Very well. If you're sure, I'll make the Phantom Moon ready. I cannot give more than a direct heading but I can promise that, barring further interference, I shan't lose sight of him.

I imagine we'll want our bodyguard as well in case a fight. I can reach out to them. You're no doubt more familiar with the workers who look after the Conservatory.

[If he was sure... was he sure?]

Turo is... friends with Professor Robotnik, who Sonic and Shadow have warned people about. The guy seems to love playing the villian.

But that guy is a mad scientist, not a mage. And... [How to explain?] I've listened in on their conversations before. Robotnik seems to actually... *like* Turo, beyond just using him. You know how Turo is-- accepting of other peoples flaws to a fault.

I don't really see Robotnik having the skill to concentrate aether like that. Do you know anyone else with that level of power? Only other person I feel could reach the level you're describing is Dongfang... but if he was back, he'd have announced it and come back to be captain again, not just taking one of the crew.

It also could be a native with that level of power, too. Either way, we need to go. I'll reach out to the volunteers around the Conservatory to get it locked down while I'm out.

May be worth reaching out to people who dealt with this guy before, too.

Well, if I'm to be completely honest, 'twould either be myself or our old captain, as you say. I've not had the privilege of seeing many riftfarers - or natives, for that matter - display such great power. The few who I HAVE seen do not wield aether or magic this malignant. In fact, if I didn't know better, I would have said that one of my brethren must be here.

Are you sure this Ganondorf fellow isn't wholly responsible for the shroud I'm seeing? I've only met him in passing.

[-- Oh for the love of-- Dojima is just staring at that last bit about his 'brethren', and, his mind is jumping to the most cliche sort of stuff from anime he watched as a kid--]

Don't tell me you're some mastermind 'villian' in your homeworld or something. Or the rest of your brethren are and you're the blacksheep...

[Adachi is laughing at him for sure.]

I'm not sure of anything, other than he was capable of controlling a massive, aggressive Bugsnax and bending it to his will, and was the cause of that outbreak last year of civilians being kidnapped and infected by Bugsnax's natural... parasitism to control them. But he's the only one I can think of who seems... to see others beneath him as property to be used. Turo was pretty unsettled by the guy. But I can't tell you anything about the magic he wields.

--Well, other than that one video of him playing with his cat? There's this weird black limb thing he's using to play with it coming out of the ground...

Three days with nothing?

[There's nothing unclear about Dojima's initial message, but Gale's brows are knit together with worry as he considers each of the factors presented.

Worrisome. Turo isn't the sort to vanish without a word, and it wasn't so long ago that both he and Gale had found themselves in Paladin custody.]

That does seem especially strange. I've not seen him recently, but I'll be certain to keep an eye out. I know full well what it's like to lose oneself in one's research, and I've no doubt Turo can do the same, but this doesn't sit well with me all the same.

Glad a fellow scholar can confirm I'm not just being paranoid.

[This guy-- Gale, right? Was in the prison with Turo--]

He absolutely can get really into work, especially if he's... stressed about something else. Task focused. But he doesn't forget things like reaching out to contact me, even just a text message.

...I probably should have reached out after the first full 24 hours, but I worried I was being... overly suspicious. That line between your gut feeling and your over tuned anxiety.

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