February 21 - 12:00 PM
Manehattan Detention Center
Apollo:
I just feel like I'm cursed, y'know?
Trucy:
What are you talking about?
Apollo:
Nearly every case I've taken has gone wrong in some way before I'd even entered the courtroom.
Applejack:
Is that so? Y'sure you're not exaggerating just a bit?
Apollo:
I'm sure! One of my clients didn't even speak English! And another was so sheltered, she was practically mute!
Trucy:
Polly, that was ages ago! You're still annoyed about all that?
Apollo:
No, it's just because... well, look at what's happened now.
Applejack:
I see what you're gettin' at, yeah. Things have been kinda... delayed, I guess you could say.
Apollo:
Exactly. We're only just now getting to speak with Rarity, after all.
Applejack:
Well, chin up! We're here now, right? And they even let Trucy and me in here. They didn't have to do that, y'know?
Trucy:
She's right, Polly! Turn that frown upside down!
Apollo:
(I'd like to start turning this CASE upside down, but here we are.) Fine.
Guard:
Defense attorney! Your client's coming out now! Make the most of your time, got it?
Apollo:
(Finally! Progress! Time to hear Rarity's side of the story!)
Trucy:
Rarity! Are you okay?
Rarity:
I've... been better, Trucy.
Applejack:
You look beat, Rarity. Don't tell me they've been interrogatin' ya too much?
Rarity:
No, it's nothing like that. I'm honestly just tired. It's been... a rather turbulent couple of days, you see.
Apollo:
(No kidding. Even calling that an understatement feels LIKE an understatement at this point.)
Applejack:
Well, you don't got nothin' to worry about now! We're on the case, and Apollo's gonna mop the floor with that pompous prosecutor just you see!
Rarity:
prince blueblood? oh no! how could I forget?! he's in charge of this case, isn't he?
Apollo:
Wait, wait! No, he isn't! Not anymore!
Applejack:
He ain't?
Trucy:
Nope! He's been kicked to the curb!
Apollo:
Yeah. Sorry, Applejack. I forgot to tell you. Anyway, we don't have to worry about Prince Blueblood. He was removed from the case. I'll tell you why later.
Rarity:
Oh, thank Celestia! To think I was about to put my life into the hooves of that boorish brute!
Apollo:
(She didn't know? That's... Why would that be? Unless...) Rarity, does this mean that you haven't spoken TO a prosecutor yet?
Rarity:
That's right, yes. Is there something wrong with that?
Apollo:
"Wrong" might not be the most accurate way of putting it, but it's odd. Usually the prosecutor jumps at the chance to speak to the defendant. That way, they can try to strike some sort of deal, or put pressure on them, things like that.
Trucy:
Maybe this new prosecutor is playing catch-up, too? And they haven't had the time yet?
Applejack:
That'd be a stroke of good luck.
Apollo:
(Maybe... But maybe not.)
Rarity:
...
Apollo:
(What is with this case?! Nothing about it is normal, not even the prosecutor. I just want something to start making sense!)
Rarity:
Is it just you three seeing me today?
Applejack:
Sweetie Belle and Spike are outside. They're... not allowed in, unfortunately. We're lucky the three of us got in here at all.
Rarity:
Oh, poor Sweetie... How is she? Has she been eating? She hasn't been, er, 'cooking,' has she?
Apollo:
Er... No, she's doing okay. Better than she was before, at any rate.
Rarity:
All right. And... Spike, how is he?
Trucy:
He's really pumped about finding something that'll prove your innocence!
Rarity:
Of course he is. That darling is never in want of enthusiasm, that's for sure.
Apollo:
As much as I like to keep up the small talk, we ARE on a bit of a timetable, so if you don't mind...
Rarity:
I completely understand, Apollo. I believe I've warmed up enough. What would you like to ask me?
Apollo:
I think it'd be best to start with the beginning, before any of us arrived in Equestria. Bridleway Theatre, the play... What can you tell us?
Rarity:
Well, I was there, as you all know.
Trucy:
That's right. You had the last ticket for the show, didn't you?
Rarity:
Yes. Coco gave it to me as a gift, about two days prior, and so, on the night of Overall's... death, I attended the theater.
Apollo:
Where were you seated?
Rarity:
I was in the front row.
Apollo:
Can you show us where, exactly? Here, point to it on the theater layout. Do you mean right in the middle of the front row, or somewhere else?
Rarity:
No, I mean exactly in the middle. Right there.
Apollo:
Got it. Thanks, Rarity.
Theatre Layout Updated in the Court Record
Applejack:
Front row, huh? Coco really went all out getting you that ticket, then. Somethin' like that would cost ya a hoof and a leg.
Rarity:
It was rather generous of her! But I am so lucky she pulled through. Andrear McAmble was simply divine as Hinny, darling! Oh, I do wish you'd been able to see her. Even YOU would have appreciated her talents!
Applejack:
Hehe! Maybe next time, Rarity, when we're NOT in the middle of a mystery?
Trucy:
Does it really matter where she was sitting, though?
Apollo:
It's hard to say, but it can't hurt to know. What happened when Overall fell from the catwalk, by the way? In detail, I mean.
Rarity:
Well, I saw a couple of the actors looking... distracted, I suppose you'd say. One of them looked up, and then screamed! Naturally, that got everypony in the audience to look too. And that's when they saw it... Overall's body... hanging there.
Apollo:
At which point, the audience reacted as one would expect.
Trucy:
And it probably didn't help that they turned off all the lights.
Rarity:
Not in the slightest. Even with the stagehooves coming onto the stage and trying to calm everypony down, it was a cacophony of calamity! I could barely make out what they were saying! Even with me being in the front row! Which reminds me! The stagehooves! They saw me in the front row as they ran onto the stage, just before the lights went out! I remember; we made eye-contact! I couldn't have killed Overall without them seeing me! Surely—surely the police, or somebody with even an OUNCE of a brain, can figure that out?!
Apollo:
I think THAT might be where the charge itself comes into play.
Rarity:
The charge? What do you mean?
Apollo:
In the lobby, after Sweetie Belle's trial. When Lawkeeper Equity ordered your arrest, she let it slip that this WASN'T a straightforward murder accusation.
Equity:
You are to arrest the pony suspected of conspiring to murder Overall concept... Ms. Rarity!
Rarity:
That's true. She DID say that.
Trucy:
But what does that mean, though? Besides the obvious.
Applejack:
I reckon' it means you're gonna have to play this one a little differently. Right, Apollo?
Apollo:
That's right, yeah.
Rarity:
I don't like the sound of this...
Trucy:
Don't worry, Rarity! If anything, this'll be easier! Right, Polly?
Apollo:
I mean, it definitely circumvents the need to argue about your actions that night. You're not on trial for physically taking Overall's life, after all. What we need to demonstrate is that you had NO involvement in the events that took place that night. And since we all know you're innocent, that shouldn't be TOO hard to prove.
Rarity:
Do you think so?
Applejack:
We know so, Rarity.
Apollo:
I do need to ask about something else, though. Supposedly, an "incriminating letter" exists that proves your guilt. Or, at the very least, gave the police reason enough to arrest you. Do you know anything about that?
Rarity:
Not at all! I haven't written ANYTHING that could be considered suspicious or incriminating! Goodness, who do the police think I am?
Apollo:
(Well, someone capable of planning another's death, for a start.)
Rarity:
Have you SEEN this letter? What exactly does it say?
Trucy:
We don't know...
Rarity:
Wha— YOU DON'T KNOW?!
Applejack:
Rarity, please, we don't want the guard to throw us out.
Rarity:
Ugh... Sorry, darling.
Apollo:
We haven't been able to get our hands on it! The police still have it under examination.
Rarity:
Oh. Well, when you have the chance, please ask to see it! I can't even imagine what it might say, but whatever it is, it did NOT come from me!
Apollo:
We WILL ask Rarity. Don't worry. We're not exactly amateurs when it comes to this thing.
Rarity:
Right, right, yes... I do apologize, Apollo. It appears that these events have... upset me more than I'd like to admit.
Applejack:
No need to apologize for feeling a little antsy, Rares. These are stressful times.
Rarity:
Even so... Well, never you mind. Apollo, what else have you discovered?
Apollo:
Well, we certainly looked, but there wasn't much. We meant to go to Overall's room at Bridleway Theatre.
Rarity:
His room had been picked clean by the police, I'm guessing?
Apollo:
Yeah, but we went to his other room, though.
Rarity:
O-other room? What do you mean?
Trucy:
Playwright mentioned something about Overall having a second room at another place he worked at. It's called "Keresmatic's Mare Attic."
Rarity:
What a strange name... I can't say I've ever heard of such an establishment.
Applejack:
That ain't a surprise, Rarity. When we checked it out, it didn't look like someplace you'd care to know about.
Rarity:
So he worked there? Funny, I always assumed his role at Bridleway was his first major position.
Trucy:
Well, we still don't know WHAT it was that he did there, though.
Apollo:
it's not like he was the janitor, Trucy. I'm guessing it was similar to what he was doing at the theater. Not that this other room even helped, anyway. It was kind of a waste of time, if I'm being honest.
Trucy:
Why don't we check his room at Bridleway anyway, then? You never know, it might help.
Applejack:
You think there'll even be anything after all this time?
Trucy:
It's better than not doing anything, or standing around complaining, right?
Apollo:
You say, looking directly at me.
Rarity:
That's a marvelous idea, darling! If there's ANY place you should check, it's Overall's Bridleway room. Even if it's already been investigated.
Apollo:
That's never stopped us before, I guess. We'll check it out, then. Though this is starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day.
Applejack:
What day?
Apollo:
Err... like a time loop, y'know?
Applejack:
Oh, right. Twilight mentioned going through something like that before.
Apollo:
Aaand that is something we'll skip going over until later, I guess. (Man. No Groundhog Day? That's a classic, too!)
Rarity:
I... don't mean to pry, but can I ask you something, Apollo?
Apollo:
Sure, what is it?
Rarity:
Is Rainbow Dash all right? I heard the guards talking, you see. And what I heard, oh, I couldn't believe it! They were just like how some ponies talked about her the last time this happened...
Apollo:
(When Mr. Wright first arrived... Man, maybe it really IS like Groundhog Day.)
Rarity:
Do you know how she is? Or who's defending her? Is it going to be Phoenix again?
Apollo:
I don't know much, to be honest—I haven't had a chance to debrief. But from what I hear, it's not Mr. Wright who'll defend Rainbow Dash— It's Sonata.
Rarity:
Ooh... I can imagine that Rainbow isn't too happy about that.
Applejack:
What choice does she have? Somepony's got to defend her. And Sonata's more than proven she's willing to go that distance.
Trucy:
Yeah! If what we've seen of her is any indication, she's a GREAT attorney! Rainbow's in good hands—er, hooves, I mean!
Apollo:
I'm surprised you're worried about her, though, Rarity. You two didn't exactly, er, end on good speaking terms.
Rarity:
... I would be lying if I said that her words about Sweetie Belle DON'T greatly bother me. But I would never wish her ill will for it, or at all. And I know her heart. Under all that brashness and bravado is a pony who truly cares about her friends. What kind of pony would I be if I were to turn my back on her now, Apollo? I'll tell you: a traitorous one. A selfish one. I won't abandon her. Rainbow Dash doesn't deserve that, no matter WHAT she said or did.
Apollo:
(That's... an awfully generous stance to take. I think most people would struggle not to hold onto some bad feelings. But all that talk: about what Rainbow, and ONLY Rainbow, deserves...) ... And you, Rarity? What do YOU think you deserve?
Rarity:
... Apollo... you ARE going to get me out of here, aren't you? It's just, I recently met with a new client before all of this happened, and we were meant to continue working together. I wouldn't want to let her down on account of... all this.
...
Apollo:
Rarity, you don't need to act like you want to be free for someone else's sake. It's okay to think about yourself for a change, too. ESPECIALLY when it's a situation like this.
Rarity:
I...
Apollo:
And in answer to your question, yes, I'll get you out of here. I PROMISE.
Rarity:
Do you mean that? I-I'm just so worried, you see. What if it can't be done?
Apollo:
It'll be fine! It CAN and WILL be done! I'll prove it! Not just because it's my job. Not just 'cause people are counting on me. But because I believe in you.
Rarity:
Thank you! Thank you, Apollo!
Applejack:
We ALL believe in you, Rarity! Celestia's honest truth!
Trucy:
And we'll fight as hard as we can to make sure everypony else believes her innocence, too!
Rarity:
You're all too kind. Thank you, again.
Apollo:
(Seeing Rarity smile like that, even while crying, seems to have made us all feel a little better. It means, at the very least, she now trusts what we've just told her. But what I find most interesting is her initial doubt. Her worry that I WOULDN'T get her out of here. I'm not offended. To be honest, it's made me realize that we're alike in more ways than I thought. "What is faith without doubt?" She didn't blindly place her faith in me. She was uncertain, and questioned me just now. Kind of like... She wasn't afraid to face her doubts head-on, and speak her mind.)
Guard:
You about done in there?
Apollo:
(Looks like our time here is running out.)
Rarity:
Ah, wait! Just another minute, please! I need to ask them one more thing!
Guard:
Hurry up, then.
Rarity:
Apollo, you'll be taking Sweetie Belle with you, yes? I don't want her going off on her own.
Apollo:
Yeah, we can do that no problem.
Rarity:
Excellent. Then—
Applejack:
Hang on a minute there, Rares. I'm not sure that's a good idea.
Rarity:
What? Why not?
Applejack:
It's just—she and Spike haven't been exactly gettin' along. Having the two of them around each other is likely to cause trouble.
Rarity:
Oh... dear.
Trucy:
Well? What should we do? Send one of them home?
Rarity:
I'm... not sure. I mean, Spike... If I'm being honest, I'm a little worried about the poor dear. I... know how he feels about me, so I'm sure he thinks he needs to go above and beyond, for my sake. Even if he doesn't do as much as HE'D perhaps liked to, letting him help will make him feel like he's contributing.
Apollo:
And Sweetie Belle? Wouldn't she want to help?
Rarity:
They both would... Oh, Applejack, what do you think we should do?
Applejack:
Ain't no sense in keeping both of them around. But, if Spike's with us, he's with us. If we send Sweetie Belle home, she's got her friends to keep her busy. Zecora or somepony else can also make sure she's not acting up.
Rarity:
That's hardly fair for Sweetie Belle, is it?
Applejack:
No, it ain't, but what about this whole thing is? We gotta cut our losses somewhere.
Rarity:
I... Ugh, I suppose you're right.
Trucy:
Yeah... it's probably for the best, really.
Applejack:
Then it's settled. Apollo, Trucy. Y'all take Spike and head on back to Bridleway Theatre. I'll take Sweetie Belle to the train station and meet ya there once I'm done. Sound good?
Apollo:
No complaints here.
Applejack:
Rarity, don't you fret. Like we said, we're all here for ya. We'll get ya out of here if it's the last thing we do!
Rarity:
Thank you, dear. And good luck, everypony. I just know you'll find something to help me!
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