very_good_end | [Newlydead Game][Erika and Reiichirou]

[Day3]

[assuming she could find him, Erika would invite Reiichirou-san back to her dressing room for a private talk.]

Thank you for coming here, Reiichirou-san.

Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

abnormalsadist

[He'll be going. That's for sure]

Of course. What do you want to know?

From:

very_good_end

[she smiled]

You approached me today, and you told me, directly, that your vote was for Ticky Mikk.

[she paused, to let that statement hang there.]

... Why did you lie?

From:

abnormalsadist

Oh my. What makes you say that?

From:

very_good_end

I'm afraid you tipped your hand, Reiichirou-san.

I know you were the voter who placed their vote on myself, the Great Detective, Furudo Erika.

Will you continue to deny?

Edited Date: 2017-03-08 04:08 am (UTC)

From:

abnormalsadist

[he laughs] That's a powerful accusation to make.

I did not vote for you, my dearest detective. Why would I do that when it would not benefit me at all? It would put me in a situation where you'd suspect me first, like you are now.

From:

very_good_end

[she giggles.] Indeed it is. Indeed it does... benefit you, that is.

Let us back up and examine the bits of evidence that brought me to the conclusion as to the true nature of your vote.

When we first met earlier today, your first words were, paraphrasing, affirming your vote for Ticky Mikk.

Very generous of you. Most all people I interviewed needed that admission drawn out of them. A direct question, a further direct question, and a summation, beyond all reasonable doubt, confirmed. I was not satisfied with hearing "Yeah, I followed the plan" or "That's what everyone agreed to do," I made sure to hear, from everyone willing to speak, "I voted for Ticky Mikk."

That is a point to your deceptive ability. You fulfilled the first part: you told me what I wanted to hear. There is no deception if the target will not believe what you are saying or wants to believe it, is there? You successfully anticipated I would only accept a clear statement, and you gave me just that... like a polished liar would.

You then immediately followed it up by pointing out to me: 'Look, look, there is a vote for you. What do you think? Are you not nervous?'

How curious you were so focused on that. I found myself drawn back to your enthusiasm when I reflected on it later. It was akin to a child who thinks they have set up an interesting prank on their parents, but does not have the patience to let it unfold on its own. Instead, he approaches them and tells them 'Look, aren't you fooled by this?' In this manner, he reveals the trick, but also that he is the one responsible.

...Which brings me to what you have to benefit. You wished to, as you said, 'see what I was made out of.' How would you be able to see, unless you yourself placed that vote on me? There's the possibility I wouldn't receive a vote, after all. True, I am the detective, and therefore those here who would hide the truth have reason to fear my deductive abilities... but it was by no means guaranteed I would receive even one vote.

It's impossible for you to know I would receive a vote and therefore 'see what I'm made of' unless you yourself placed the vote there, Reiichirou-san.

Either that, or perhaps you persuaded someone else to do so, but I don't know why you would add another step to that plan when you could just do it yourself.

The real question I must ask is... did you really intend to kill me?

Or was it only to see my reaction?

Or perhaps either/or?

--Furthermore, why do you assume you were my only suspect? I had a great list of possible suspects behind that one vote... a list I have narrowed down specifically to you. Your statement that 'I would not vote for you because you would immediately suspect me' only makes you seem more guilty, monsieur.

From:

abnormalsadist

[he chuckles, shaking his head]

Wow. Your deductions need some work, Erika-chan or you won't get to keep many friends. I said you'd suspect me because of what you just pointed out. That I told you I'd like to see what you're made of.

I did not vote for you. It's too early in the game to make such an obvious enemy. And I'd like to stay on for a good long while.

From:

very_good_end

[head tilt] Friends? What are those?

[back to smiling :)]

If that were true, you wouldn't have made the statement in the first place.

From:

abnormalsadist

Companions. People to share your thoughts and feelings with.

I can predict and anticipate just as well as you, Erika-chan.

From:

very_good_end

Mm. An irrelevant definition. One does not need to be a friend to share their thoughts and reasoning.

Is that so? Then tell me, do you predict and anticipate I will accept your denial over my own reasoning, and the evidence it is based upon? It's true. I cannot point to a physical piece of evidence that proves your vote was for myself, but that is irrelevant. The observations I've made are more than enough.

...

Let us suppose for the moment you are being truthful, then, Reiichirou-san.

You did not vote for me. Let us operate on that hypothetical.

...Then, who did?

Do not say 'How should I know?' You must have an opposing line of reasoning. I am giving you a chance.

Look at your tablet and examine the names if you need to refresh your memory of who is here.

From:

abnormalsadist

I won't play your games, Erika-chan. How should I know who you've offended with your reasoning? I did not speak to everyone, after all, nor did I find you important enough to stalk. I voted for Tyki Mikk. He survived. And I will be voting according to the masses once more today.

You think very highly of yourself. And since you seem to lack social skills, let me tell you that your attitude makes you an easy target.

From:

very_good_end

...Won't you? Then I suppose you lose by default. A forfeit, if you will.

Though, I suppose you don't need to participate. I've already shown this line of reasoning to a few of my associates who could not find fault with it... and incidentally, I told them that I would be presenting it to you directly, as well.

I believe I've said this before, but it bears repeating, Reiichirou-san. I am the detective. I cannot be killed. ...Of course, attempts are free to be made, if you believe you have the muster.

[pause]

...Just from the existence of one solitary vote, see how far Furudo Erika's reasoning has taken her.

What do you think, my most esteemed attempted murderer?

From:

abnormalsadist

[Is silent for a long moment. Then he's lashing out with one hand to violently grasp her by the neck and push her up against the wall]

Let's give you a concrete reason to think of me as your attempted murderer, shall we?

From:

very_good_end

[Furudo Erika is many things... but being strong in physical strength and stature is not one, he can easily grasp her neck and haul her around like a ragdoll]

[this does not however, phase her mentally]

[indeed, she breaks out cackling, even as his hand chokes her oxygen supply]

Hahahaha... HAHAHAHAHA!

[then it stops as the oxygen runs out. . .]

From:

abnormalsadist

[Waits for her to quiet down before speaking pleasantly:]

I could kill you now. But I won't.

You're right. I didn't vote for Tyki Mikk. I voted for Shimada Hanzo. I wanted to see what would happen.

Congratulations, Erika-chan. Now carry on with your game.

[Lets go.]

From:

very_good_end

[she continues to grimace as he speaks... taking in every word he says... then chokes and coughs when he finally releases her.]

... Aaaacaaaaaaackacka~ak!

[she continues to breathe and... makes no move to run away, or even shove him back]

Oh. Good! A defense, after all. Only one problem with this new line of reasoning you've given me, Reiichirou-saaaaan...

[coughcoughcough]

...I already have a suspect for Shimada Hanzo's vote. A likely one, named by Hanzo-san himself.

If you're going to claim your vote was for him, then... that prompts the question.

Why did you decide Shimada Hanzo deserved to die...?

From:

abnormalsadist

[he shrugs and smiles]

I wanted to see what would happen and he seemed the bravest candidate. Someone has to die after all.

From:

very_good_end

I see. [coughcough] So that was your reasoning.

Indeed, someone did die. What did you think of that?

From:

abnormalsadist

That our hosts are very serious about this game.

From:

very_good_end

[she snickers] Well, obviously.

I suppose this makes you two times an attempted murderer then, Reiichirou-san. Would you like to confess to any more, committed perhaps before this game even began?

From:

abnormalsadist

I believe our conversation is over.

From:

very_good_end

No? Ah. Perhaps later, then.

[she smiles]

Go right ahead. I mean, the door's right there. I'm not keeping you, am I?

Good luck, Reiichirou-san. ...You may need it.