[Hanzo and Erika] [Day4]

[very_good_end]

[assuming he'd come with her, Erika would invite Hanzo to her dressing room.]

Hanzo-san... thank you for coming here. How are you?

We made a promise, did we not? You asked for me to let you know the status of my investigation. I am prepared to do just that.

[she beams.]

I have a particular bit of information that might interest you personally.

Comments

[dragonsated]

[Hanzo ensures he wasn't being followed before he slips inside, closing the door behind him. Although he's apprehensive about the invite, the promise of potentially useful information is enough to pique his interest.]

Yes? What have you discovered?

[very_good_end]

...First, I want to confirm.

[she'd pace, just the tiniest bit]

I asked you for possible suspects who may have voted for you in the last vote. You were hesitant to name one. 'I have many enemies,' you said.

I have made acquaintance with your brother, Genji. He has demonstrated himself to be a liar and reckless sort. His first act upon my request for an introduction, was for him to claim his name was Shimada Hanzo. ...Fortunately for you, I already have collaborated evidence that you are in fact, Shimada Hanzo.

[pause]

Do you believe it possible, or indeed, likely, that your brother, Genji, was the vote on yourself?

[dragonsated]

[Hanzo folds his arms and leans against the door, given what little space there is in here. At mention of Genji using his name, Hanzo just rolls his eyes.]

And what makes you think my own brother would cast a vote against me, detective?

[very_good_end]

You tell me. I'm reminded that Cain and Abel were also brothers.

Is your relationship positive, then?

[dragonsated]

My relationship to Genji is none of your concern.

However, for the purposes of this game, know that he has already informed me he did not vote against me. I have reason to believe he speaks the truth.

[very_good_end]

You're sounding quite the hypocrite, Hanzo-san. You made a point earlier of telling me I should be investigating Handsome Jack, who had reason to vote him and why, and now you refuse to answer my questions regarding the same with you.

[pause]

Truly? Well, then... I suppose I should reveal what has come to my attention.

I heard a certain individual claim he placed his vote on you.

And this person was not Genji.

[dragonsated]

I answered your question with what you needed to know. [In the vaguest sense of the word, but still.]

And? Who was it who made such a claim?

[very_good_end]

Hanzo-san, the detective needs to know, and will find out, everything. About everyone. Hide it if you must. I will uncover all secrets, in time.

The answer to your question is one Shiba Reiichirou. He confessed he made the vote for you as he attempted to commit the murder act against me with his hands around my throat no less than one day ago in this very room where you stand now... if you wish to see the evidence, I will gladly show you where his hands left their marks on my neck.

He gave no motive, other than he 'wanted to see what would happen.' Did you have any interaction with this man? He made it sound as if it was completely random a choice.

[dragonsated]

So you had a confession already, but thought to bait out a different answer from me? How deplorable.

[He does look at her neck though, brow furrowed, as if hoping to see the marks.] What stayed his hand from killing you? And why would he attempt to do so in the first place?

[very_good_end]

[she giggles]

I'm the detective. I can't die. Attempts can certainly be made, but I can't be killed. Therefore it's very natural he did not complete the murder act against me.

[she will move her lace collar, and indeed, the marks are pretty bad and consistent with Shiba strangling her.]

Can't you guess? It was him I had pegged as the vote on myself, and I told him so to see what he thought of this line of reasoning. Imagine my surprise when he not only denied he was responsible, but instead chose to claim he was the vote on yourself. ...After his attempt at murder by strangulation.

Naturally, I did not find this credible. Doesn't it make much more sense that you have someone who dislikes you, rather than a random vote? But, in the absolute absence of anyone who would be an obvious source of your vote, his claim gains a tiniest smidgen of credence.

[dragonsated]

This is real life, not one of your detective stories. You could die here just as easily as the rest of us.

[He's curious as to what really happened, but if she's that deluded, he won't push it.]

Still, what gives his words more credence is the fact he attempted to kill you as he confessed. Perhaps he thought it mattered not if you knew the truth, if he were to snuff out your life.

[very_good_end]

You're completely wrong, but... ah, let us not argue the point.

[she shrugs]

My reasoning as to his vote for myself was flawless. He had no response, other than to growl 'Let's make me worthy of the claim that I'm your attempted murderer.' Perhaps it was his temper? Or an orchestrated attempt a misdirection.

[dragonsated]

He sounds like a madman, therefore it is difficult to believe the word of such a person.

Though a single stray vote matters little, I will confront him myself, and see what answers I can glean.

[very_good_end]

...Are you sure?

I mean, he could only attempt to murder me, because I'm the detective, but I don't know about you, Hanzo-san.

[dragonsated]

[A short, dry laugh.] I invite him to try.

[very_good_end]

'Famous last words,' as they say.

Incidentally, what about your end of the promise? Have you found any escape routes?

[dragonsated]

Many have tried to kill me. None have succeeded. I do not think a man who cannot even strangle a small girl is any kind of threat.

[No offence, Erika. As for the escape routes...]

Given two people were killed only days ago for a botched escape attempt, I thought it best to bide my time for now.

[very_good_end]

Oh, he certainly could strangle a small girl... but again, you're forgetting that I'm not 'just' a small girl. Is it really so hard to understand? I'm the detective. I 'm going to solve this case. I certainly can't be killed before I have the chance to do that.

Hm. Very well. It seems like you might get the better part of that promise after all.

[dragonsated]

If such beliefs bring you comfort, then think as you will.

I will uphold my end of the promise whenever an opportunity presents itself. Until then, I am in no hurry to gamble with my life.

[very_good_end]

[she shrugs] It makes no difference to me. I did not believe you would find such an escape route... at least, not before the case is brought to an end.

Just to confirm, Hanzo-san, did you have any interaction with this man, Shiba Reiichirou-san? He seemed impressed with your... shall we say 'bravado'. Did you exchange any words that would give him such an impression?

[dragonsated]

[Looks perplexed, at that.]

I have never met the man before in my life, nor spoken with him. Whatever his opinion of me, he has gleaned it merely from our interactions as a group.

[very_good_end]

Hm. Perhaps it was the your style of dress? The partial-nudity does imply a certain amount of machismo.

Very well. Until next we meet next time, Hanzo-san.