Reigen Arataka and Erika [day4]

[very_good_end]

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

Arataka-san, thank you for doing me the pleasure of indulging me with your company.

Do you know why I invited you here? ...Please, let me hear your best guess.

Comments

[proficient_in_photoshop]

[sighs and crosses his arms.]

... Is this about Shiba Reiichirou?

[very_good_end]

... Well, not him specifically, but as a matter of course, Shiba Reiichirou's name could certainly have been mentioned within the context of what I wanted to share.

But, how interesting that Shiba Reiichirou-san's name is the first you would mention. Perhaps this is proof that my investigations have been properly disseminating after all.

What have you heard about Reiichirou-san? Just so I know not to repeat myself.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

He approached me, told me he voted for Shimada Hanzo, and assaulted you. Are you injured?

[very_good_end]

[blinks] He did himself?

[pause]

[very_good_end]

...Interesting. He anticipated I would be spreading the report of his actions and so intended to strike first by revealing it and rob me of any impact I could make with the news.

Interesting. I'm not sure how he could have turned it to benefit himself. How did he describe our interaction, Arataka-san? I am wondering now how he attempted to frame the action.

...Oh. You wish to see the evidence?

[she's probably still wearing her swimsuit, but she'll step close and let him see the marks on her neck consistent with Shiba strangling her... it is pretty bad, he really wasn't holding back.]

[proficient_in_photoshop]

[winces...]

Looks painful.

He said he attempted to kill you, and requested to be voted out with you. He called it a gamble, but it seems he's willing to die as long as he can spite you.

[very_good_end]

... [she laughs]

That's odd. Perhaps he's under the mistaken impression I have some sort of animosity for him.

[she shrugs]

Well then. I suppose that brings me to why I invited you here.

Do you know who broke ranks last vote, and who they voted for?

[proficient_in_photoshop]

... I only know Fiona, Shiba, and Matt Engarde.

[very_good_end]

Indeed. Fiona's vote was, by her own credible confession, a vote for Handsome Jack. Reiichirou-san's vote was, by his admission, for Shimada Hanzo-san. The reasons he stated was he thought Hanzo-san appeared 'brave,' and wanted to see if the emcees would really follow through. I think also there was a psychological appeal to see if such a 'brave' man in Hanzo-san would break at being confronted with death. That is, assuming his claim is credible.

The vote for Maya Fey was done by one Matt Engarde, as he is reportedly twice a murderer already. Indirectly, but twice. Once by inspiring the suicide of one Celeste Inpax, and second by hiring an assassin to kill his rival Juan Corrida. In this way, he claims 'I never murdered anyone,' but it rings hollow, doesn't it? Like a man who would claim he is not responsible for the death of one he fired a gun at, because the bullet is really the thing that killed him. Of course, there is only Maya Fey's words to support these conclusions, but Matt Engarde made no credible defense for himself, and instead responded with evasions and outright psychopathic denials, giving weight to Maya Fey's claims and making them very credible indeed.

The vote for myself was made by one Arch Priest Aqua. Her reasoning was that I, quote, "have a bad personality." I do not dispute this. However, I will say that it seems a bit extreme, does it not? Do you execute a person with the death penalty for "having a bad personality"? Or do you do it because they've committed a capital crime such as murder, and are a danger to society? Arch Priest Aqua is a flighty person who really does not consider the consequences of her actions, and isn't very dependable. I challenge you to speak to her for more than a few moments and not come to this same conclusion.

Of course, the other two votes for Handsome Jack have not yet been verified. The man known as 'Rhys' who had connection with this Handsome Jack has denied voting for him. He claimed that immediately upon seeing each other, Handsome Jack attempted to murder Rhys by strangulation. They de-escalated the situation, and then agreed to a 'non-aggression pact' where they would not vote for each other or get in each others way. It seems he had no such pact with Fiona. Handsome Jack also mingled enough among the crowd to make enemies. Jesse McCree for example was willing to say that he was not at all surprised to hear that Handsome Jack was in reality a 'psychopathic mass-murderer' because of the terrible nature of their interactions. Despite this, no one has come forward, besides Fiona, claiming they voted for Handsome Jack. I can only name likely candidates... but perhaps it doesn't matter. They likely believed they were exercising their vote in the name of 'justice'. Either from hearing Fiona's claims, or their own personal interactions.

That leaves the six non-voters, who we can narrow it down to several from the people who have since died and the more who are missing in action.

...Do you know how I know all this?

Because I am not some child playing make-believe.

I am the Great Detective, Furudo Erika. And I know how to detect.

Indeed, this is not a game, Arataka-san. It is a very serious matter of life and death. --Look again at my neck and see how serious it is.

I would like to humbly suggest you re-examine your priorities. Do you really wish to accept 'a clown did it,' when a dead body is discovered? You don't even wish to check and see if some clue could be found? True, I didn't find anything that would identify the emcees, yet, but what if I had? Would it be worth letting the truth slip away because 'someone was sad' I dare to examine the corpse?

Furthermore, do you really wish to have to rely on the votes of 'adults with empathy', who may be liars and cheats, as opposed to a certain detective who uses her vote positively, logically, and reliably, for the common good of the group?

I will solve this case, Arataka-san. You are in denial if you believe this is not a 'case'. We have murders, we have murderers, and we have those murders being carried out through detectable means. That means there is a culprit to discover... and one who is not a fictional corporate clown or colonel.

...What do you think, my most esteemed psychic friend?

[proficient_in_photoshop]

[... deeeep breath...]

The only part of that that I didn't know already for certain was that Aqua voted for you, and I already knew her character was trouble because of how she reacted to me winning twice.

I think that we're kidnapped by crazy people with superpowers dressed up as fast food mascots. And I also think it's a good idea to vote you safely out next round. You're becoming a serious danger to yourself, and multiple people are after your life at this point.

[very_good_end]

Ah. But you only know about Shiba Reiichirou-san as a result of my own investigation. He would not have confessed that if I had not already confronted him. Furthermore, I was aware of Matt Engarde's status before the announcement was made to attempt to make him the choice to suffer the 'death sentence,' if you will. I am only sharing it with you now.

[she shrugs] The detective walks a dangerous gauntlet from murder to murder, Arataka-san. It is only natural that those who wish to obscure the truth would take potshots at her from both sides. But, those shots will never strike true. I most certainly will not be killed, even if I must suffer the attempts.

At the same time, if I'm going to solve this case, I can't do it from inside some room.

Abandon this thought of voting me out safely, or otherwise. I am a reliable vote towards unanimity, and you will need those.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

I'm not saying you're useless, I'm saying you're bad for yourself, and also everyone else's psychological states...You're going to attract stray votes at this rate and that will also throw things off.

Shiba is willing to go out without any argument at all, if you're the one that goes out with him.

[very_good_end]

...He's twice an attempted murderer now. Is there really any other argument to make?

[proficient_in_photoshop]

Maybe the fact that we shouldn't be sentencing people to death in the first place.

[very_good_end]

Absolutely agreed. Vote him for safety, then.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

[rubs face]

You do understand that his implicit threat is that he's going to kill someone if we do that. He's holding a hostage.

[very_good_end]

...I see.

So his plan is to drag me into the abyss for daring to confront him. Interesting. Very interesting.

[...she smiles.]

...And you're going to play along, because you dislike me personally. Even if at this point, his vote is only one, and likely easily outweighed by persons who would be inclined to punish other crimes in the name of vigilantism...

Is that really how you're aligning yourself, Arataka-san? I have no proof, but Reiichirou-san has likely committed such acts in the past, before this incident. People do not attempt to choke 'little girls' out of nowhere, after all.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

It's not because I dislike you. But yeah, I am going to play along. For some reason, he's willing to die just to get you disqualified, and he's threatening to murder somebody if he doesn't get his way. And he can do it in a single round, by being one stray vote and forcing a second place to exist if we don't choose to make it him. And we can't just kill somebody else. There's even less evidence against everybody else, and nobody else wants to die.

It looks like he's put you in a corner.

[very_good_end]

Oh? It isn't? Then, enlighten me. If not because you dislike me, then why play along?

There's already several more candidates to become a 'stray vote', Arataka-san. Arch Priest Aqua is one, for example. You are falling prey to a very adept liar, who is telling you what you want to hear.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

Uh, I just told you why. Are you listening? You're saying that because someone might die anyway, it's best to just let him kill somebody, just to keep you in the game?

[very_good_end]

You're really not inclined to think about this dilemma, are you? Fortunately, I have more than enough intellectual capacity in my little grey cells.

...Assuming Reiichirou-san honors his word, which is in doubt, as he is a known liar and has violated his pledge to vote for Ticky Mikk already, there's several resolutions for this that are positive.

One, the majority vote out Shiba Reiichirou for safety. Another minority of persons who are willing to be the 'murder vote' could place their vote on a second person who is guilty of some heinous capital crime, like how Matt Engarde is being voted tonight because he is a known murderer. ...I don't have the name of such a person, but I'm sure someone must fit this qualifier. Reiichirou-san's one vote, is therefore meaningless. He has no hostage. He is confined to a room.

Two, the majority vote out someone who wishes to be disqualified, someone who by definition is not me. Reiichirou-san then becomes the 'second vote'. ...Reiichirou's one vote is not going to be enough to overturn the amount of voters doing this 'second vote'. Furthermore, if he really hates me enough to commit a double-suicide, so to speak, do you imagine his vote is going to be on some other innocent, and not me? He'll attempt to do it anyway. It's the safest bet for him. There should be enough persons here willing to vote Reiichirou-san in order to make him the second vote. He is a confirmed twice attempted murderer, after all. Hanzo-san, I imagine, will not be in a state to look kindly on him. The marks on my neck are also solid evidence.

Really. It's very straightforward on how to keep him from killing anybody. As the detective, of course, I can't commit, endorse, or approve of murder... but there are people willing to dedicate themselves to determining the second place-vote. Need I name them? You already did name five earlier.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

...

You know, I think I'd like to stop this conversation. We can have this argument in public, and you can make all those statements in public, where everyone can hear.

[very_good_end]

--Oh? Have I said something controversial? Have I said something contrary to what is already being done? ...I think not.

[pause, as she thinks it over]

But, you could certainly frame it and attempt to make it sound as if I have, can't you?

Yes. Put your public speaking skills to work. 'Look at that terrible Great Detective, Furudo Erika, advocating for someone to be put to death.' That's what you want to say, isn't it? Make me sound like some murderer?

...It'd be a lot more convenient if I was the monster you imagine me to be, wouldn't it, Arataka-san? You could vote me out without another thought, first place or second place. Maybe Arataka-san could even enjoy some schadenfreude in my death screams.

I'm not a monster, Arataka-san.

--After all, I'm the detective.

I'm attempting to solve this case and preserve life, Arataka-san.

If you want to look down on someone for lacking ethics, perhaps you should look in the mirror at the man cooperating with an attempted murderer.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

[he seems to have broken out in a sweat.]

Tell me, if I try to leave this room, will you let me go?

[very_good_end]

[she blinks, tilting her head]

...What are you talking about? I'm not keeping you here.

--I'd certainly like to talk this disagreement out with Arataka-san, but if he leaves the room in the middle of the conversation, that is too bad for me.

[she shrugs]

Are you all right? You seem exceptionally nervous all of a sudden.

[proficient_in_photoshop]

You know, I think I'm going to test that. That you're not keeping me here. We can continue this conversation in public.

[HE IS IN FACT. LEAVING.]

[very_good_end]

Ah, Arataka-san, may I say one last thing?

[IF HE DOESN'T STOP... she really is just letting him go.]

[proficient_in_photoshop]

[ACTUALLY HE'S GOING TO TAKE OFF SPRINTING WHEN SHE SAYS THAT.]

[very_good_end]

... [she'll say it anyway.]

Even if it was a short time we spent together, it was a pleasure.

[she curtsies... to the nothing]