Crux & Eridanus: part 4
Exterior of the bank is shown as Caroline and Will are waiting in different spots near the park, Will holding up a newspaper and Caroline wearing a fedora to cover her face
An elderly woman walks by as Queen steps out of the bank looking nervous, glancing from side to side
Will
Ready, Caroline?
Caroline
Let's do this.
They walk towards Queen as Caroline removes her hat
Queen
Ack!
Lyra's silhouette appears behind Caroline
Caroline
Sir, may we ask you a few questions?
Queen
Eek!!!
Queen cowers as he covers his head with his hands
Will
You scared him!
I told you to try and get his trust first!
Sorry about that sir, what she meant was are you free right now to come join us at a restaurant?
Queen
I-I'm r-really sorry, b-but I'm a bit busy right now…
S-so I should really get going!!
Queen attempts to run away as he gets thrown back
Caroline
See?
I told you.
He's going to try to run away if we give him the chance.
We both know even if he isn't the killer, he probably knows who is.
Ain't that right?
Queen
I-I have no idea what you're talking about!
K-killer? W-what killer?
I don't know anything about his Manifesto, s-so there's no point even asking…
Will
Funny, we didn't mention he has a Manifesto in the first place, did we?
Caroline
No, and the fact you used the term Manifesto must mean you have one yourself and know about them.
Queen
D-don't be crazy, w-why don't we try to be calm about this?
Will
We're pretty calm, you're the one sweating buckets right now.
Now that you've already outed yourself, you might as well spill the rest
Caroline
Do it and we won't need to use force!
Queen
Uh…um…O-ok!!!
Just please don't hurt me!!!
You're both so scary!!!
Caroline
Great, now why don't you start with the killer's name, though I think I already know who it is.
Queen
His name is–
Queen punches Caroline pushing her back
Will
Caroline!
You!
Trying to lure us in with info before making a counter attack, pretty crafty!
We'll just have to repay you for that, won't we?
Caroline
That hurt, could've been worse though.
Queen
T-this power, uh oh…that must mean…
Caroline
Must mean what?
Queen
Y-you two should run before it's too late…
Will
You're not making sense.
What does your punch mean?
Why should we run?
Queen
Because…gam-gam's here, and if she's here, no one is safe!
Friend or foe, when gam-gam's around everyone becomes a threat to you!
Evelyn
Damn it, Queen!!
Stop giving away all my secrets!!!
I swear, your father knew how to keep a secret.
Honestly, how'd I mess up so badly with you?
The old woman from earlier turns towards Will and Caroline
Evelyn
Queen, why didn't you take out your Manifesto the minute they showed up!!!
Master told me that these two came into the bank with their boss earlier!!
You should've recognized them and attacked the first chance you got!!!
Honestly, what would you have done if I wasn't here?
Queen
I'm sorry, Gam-gam…
I-I just don't like violence…
Evelyn
I don't care what you do and don't like, orders are orders!
They are absolute and must be followed!!
Sigh, just take out your Manifesto already…
Queen
Y-yes Gam-gam…
Will looks peeved at seeing this interaction
Will
Hey, old bat!!!
Evelyn looks insulted by this
Evelyn
Old bat!?
My ears must be playing tricks on me…
Will
I don't know, you tell me.
Have you gotten so old that you started going deaf?
I'll say it again then, Old Bat…
…What gives you the right to speak to him like that?!
Evelyn looks especially angry now
Evelyn
It's only natural for a guardian to scold her child when he makes a mistake!
Though, I guess no one ever loved you enough to do that for you.
Will snaps as Auriga emerges and launches a barrage of punches
The punches suddenly stop though
Caroline
Will! Why'd you stop attacking!?
Queen
I tried to warn you…
Once Gam-gam uses her Manifesto, there's no distinction between friend and foe…
Will
I didn't want to stop my attack though, I'm still trying right now as we speak…
It's as if something is stopping me from moving my arms…
Evelyn
Queen!!!
How many times do I need to tell you to bring out your Manifesto!?
Deal with the girl while I take care of this one.
It's about time someone taught him some manners…
Queen
I-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Gam-gam!!!
I-I'll do it right away!!!
Uh, I'm sorry ms–
Caroline
Doctor.
Dr. Sweet.
Queen
Sorry!
Dr. Sweet, I'm sorry, but it seems like we'll need to fight now…
Caroline
Fine by me.
I still haven't returned the favour for that punch earlier.
Lyra emerges
Caroline
So, show me what you've got.
Queen
Ok…
I-I don't really like using this one, cause it's kinda heavy, but Gam-gam and boss insisted I bring it with me today
He says this as he holds a briefcase close to his chest
Caroline
Your Manifesto is a briefcase?
Wow, this should be easy–
Queen drops the briefcase and when he does the ground shatters below him
Caroline
!?
Queen
What's your Manifesto's name?
Caroline
Why?
Queen
Oh, it's just whenever I'm creating something, I always find it fun to give them names.
I think it gives them more personality, don't you?
Caroline
…
Them?
Suddenly, eight arms emerge from inside the crater as what was formerly the briefcase is now a giant spider-like puppet
Caroline
(That's his Manifesto?!)
(It's massive!)
(Wait, that weight from the briefcase, that was actual weight from gravity, but Lyra, Auriga, and Lacerta are always hovering, so why does this Manifesto have mass?)
Queen
Based on your face, you seem kinda confused, and you never did answer my question.
I-It's not polite to ask questions before responding to someone else.
Caroline
…
I call it Lyra.
Now, what is that thing
Queen smiles as if relieved
Queen
Uh, hi, my name is Queen!
I work at this bank, oh, but I guess you already knew that, huh?
Uh, my hobby is–
Caroline
That isn't what I asked.
So, what is that and why is it affected by gravity?
Queen
Oh, that makes more sense, I thought calling me "thing" was a little rude.
This little guy in front of me is Crux IV
It's really cool isn't it?
I carved the puppet myself!
Caroline
Wait, carved? Puppet?
Are you trying to tell me…
Queen smiles proudly
Queen
That's right!
I made this guy from wood and metal I found around the city!
Like I was saying earlier, my hobby is puppet making!
Caroline
(That raises more questions than answers!)
(I mean, now I know why it has weight, it's because it's a real physical object, not a Manifesto!)
(But, that old lady said to bring out his Manifesto and he brought out this, so that must mean the two are related…)
(Also, this thing looks like a weapon, I don't trust it for a second!)
Queen
Now it's my turn to ask a question!
What are your hobbies?
Caroline
…
My hobbies are reading and running…
Now, you called that thing "Crux IV," does that mean there are three more puppets?
Queen smiles again