task 001: sofia leon
La Roche was a small man, unassuming and rather plain looking despite his name and its meaning. There was nothing rock like about that man but it was his name none the less. Perhaps that was what made him an effective spy master here in the french court and why when he stepped into a room quietly filled with opulent and lavish surroundings few if any paid attention to him. When he spoke though in a thick french accent the voice was not mousey or projecting meekness. It was a voice that commanded respect even here. Gesturing to the seat before him he motions for your character to sit as he begins his line of questioning. Even if well acquainted to members of his own court he asks the same. Whether you take the seat is your choice but the unassuming La Roche begins to ask questions and scribble down the answers not once looking up from their notations..
“You have been summoned here this day at the behest of the French court for an interview and we appreciate your cooperation at this time. Can you please state for official records your name, age and court position?”
There were so many things she did not mind doing, but being interrogated like a criminal was certainly not on the list. Still she took the seat offered, maintaining her calm and composed posture as she looked at the man she had added onto the list of men she disliked in France. The sooner she was done from this, the better. “Sofia Leon. Twenty-nine. Crown Princess of Spain.”
“Prior to the debacle of the dance floor where had you been?”
“I was participating in the fashion show that was being held next door to the dance floor. We heard a scream coming from the room where the dancing was happening. Hence the show was interrupted and we quickly made our way to the main room. The rest,” she said, taking in a deep breath as she recalled the fiasco on the dance floor before continuing, “the rest is history.
“Had you noticed anything during that ordeal that seemed personally amiss to you other than the obvious?”
“My attention was on the activity on the dance floor. The only thing I took notice of was the way my precious pearl necklace was torn away from my neck, all the pearls scattering along the floor as that fool tried to chase the dog. Maybe you should investigate what a dog was doing on the dance floor too,” the princess suggested, still visibly pissed off by what had happened. It was a precious piece of jewelry, a treasured gift that had been destroyed along with her dignity and her pride.
“Where were you when the body of the Italian king was discovered and where there witnesses to where you were at the time?”
“In my chambers, of course. I was getting changed into a new dress after the one I wore was torn in the debacle. My ladies were accompanying me, and my guard, Sir Santiago, was standing guard outside my chambers’ doors.”
“Who or what do you personally suspect could have contributed to the unfortunate demise of the Italian king?”
At his question, Sofia had to stop herself from scoffing. For an investigator, he certainly had no way of getting information out of people. If anyone knew, they would not answer a question so directly. “It is not my place to speculate. I believe it is your job to find answers to such a question. Although I am more than certain it was not the plague. If that was the case, other people in the Italian court would have been affected by now, and possibly others from different courts too. We saw how quickly that disease spreads after all.”
“How did you personally feel about Italy’s position in the last five years to six years?”
Sofia held no feelings towards the Italians. She understood that luck was on their side, that their losses were minimal compared to other nations. Jealousy, however, was not a feeling she allowed herself to feel. What she disliked was the way they flaunted their luck and their attempt to use it to gain power. “Luck was on their side and their losses were minimal in comparison to most nations. I cannot harbor any feelings towards luck. As far as I am concerned, Italy and Spain have not been at odds.”
“What reasons would you have to harm the king, if any?”
His next question made Sofia’s eyebrows raise in unison, as she started at him in disbelief. How did he have the audacity to ask such a question? It took all of her willpower to not toss insults in his direction. “None whatsoever. The King and I were not acquainted with one another. Like I said, Spain had no issues with Italy. As long as my country is safe, then I have no reason to harm anyone. King of Italy included.”
Upon the answer of your final question La Roche looks up from his notes to raise his hand before clearing his throat to make a small statement. “Please understand we do require you to stay here on the ground while we are conduction our investigation and that any plans involving travel in the immediate future be cancelled. The French court will handle this matter but we may require your further cooperation. Please send in the next individual, we will keep apprised of our findings once we are concluded” With that he bids you farewell and one can’t help but wonder do they truly suspect murder or is it the plague returned?
