[Prologue, Saturday: Belph]

[doublecrows]

[AND, AS PROMISED. . .]

You wished to speak about my impressions of this manor and the other captives, yes?

Comments

[doublecrows]

[he nods!]

Despite our lengthy conversation, I didn't have much to offer to Evans on Thursday night, while we were talking. All of my observations are simply first impressions based on personality and the tapestries.

And, as for the war game itself, I've already shared my thoughts on same with you.

[axilium]

You couldn't have just said that during the trial, if it was that brief?

[doublecrows]

I didn't wish to distract anyone from the trial. That's all.

And, on the off chance that you would have had specific questions for me, I figured it best to delay answering same until later.

[axilium]

Well, to make this worth my time, I guess I might as well ask a specific question:

What were you talking about with Sharpay so long if not about your impressions?

[doublecrows]

We bounced theories back and forth regarding all of the moving parts of the game. Titles, objectives, the hosts. . .

I wish I could say I learned more about how this game works from her during that conversation, but I have to report that I didn't. Everything I brought up with her I had already brought up with you beforehand.

[axilium]

So she didn't hint anything about her own position? That's too bad.

[doublecrows]

No, she didn't. And I'm ashamed to say that even though I sensed ulterior motives, I had no idea what she had just done.

[. . .]

There was ink on her arm. But since Gi-Gan's tapestry had been leaking all week, I thought it. . . unimportant.

[he seems ashamed]

[axilium]

Well, most people probably wouldn't expect someone to waltz off and have a chat right after committing murder, especially without even cleaning up.

[doublecrows]

She may have thought that she had cleaned up well enough before approaching me. And in hindsight, it should have been obvious that she was using me as a pre-curfew alibi.

[. . . he frowns deeply, displeased by this idea. but if it's because he doesn't like the fact that Sharpay committed a murder or because he doesn't like being used as a pawn is up in the air]

As I said during the trial: I had always thought Evans was cunning.

[axilium]

[it's definitely because akechi is against murder?]

I hadn't known her well. Better for me now, I suppose.

But that's probably why they chose her, huh?

[doublecrows]

[yes obviously??? murder is bad???]

. . . yes, I assume so. Though the use of the word "chosen" is interesting to me.

How many other people here have been pre-chosen by our captors to be killers?

[axilium]

... They do need some way to ensure at least one death occurs every week.

[doublecrows]

[frowns deeply]

Perhaps, then. . . my assumption that all of the objectives related to our titles were harmless was far off base.

Maybe there are those with objectives that ask them to kill after all.

[axilium]

Maybe, though that's a worrying thought. Why'd you think they might all be harmless, to begin with?

[doublecrows]

Because mine is.

[bad assumptions to make, detective]

. . . is yours not?

[axilium]

Nah, mine's pretty harmless. I'll admit I didn't think too much about what others' might be yet.

[doublecrows]

[cants his head]

Why not?

[axilium]

Mine is... [he waves a hand.] I didn't see myself being able to accomplish it this week—not to mention I didn't exactly see an incentive as to why I should, just because I was told to.

So I suppose it didn't occur to me that others might be moving forward with theirs already.

[doublecrows]

[a light chuckle, but it's somber]

I suppose some, like Evans, are not very good at exhibiting patience.

[axilium]

Maybe they never learned that patience is a virtue. Consider it a failure with the education system?

[doublecrows]

It sounds like there's a need for a reformation in the system, if that's the case.