day three - afternoon

[guestcontrol]

dreamland day three 34 players remaining. [As the day wears on into the afternoon, the dead aren't getting any deader. It's late in the afternoon, and the air is beginning to cool, when the chimes play again over the park loudspeaker. "All of us here at Dreamland wish you luck, guests! Let's meet up in the Hall of Mirrors!" Wherever you are, it's time to make your way over to the House of Horrors, where you'll have to brave the funhouse to find the room on the top floor. Don't delay, or your guest identification bracelet will begin beeping. The House of Mirrors is a large room, more than capable of fitting a crowd. Tall mirrors line every wall, and the door you entered through seems to vanish into a mirror as well. The mirrors give the impression that many, many more are among your number, standing in the background. In the back is a jar filled with blank raffle tickets. You'll have to take a ticket, write down a name, and place it back in the jar. Hopefully you already know who you're voting for, but if not, you only have time for a brief discussion before you're out of time. rulebook character statuses private conversations graveyard Voting will close at 10 PM EST on September 30. Voting

Comments

[photoshot]

I have letters from Miss Mahiru to her classmates and to Mr. Ootori. We'd discussed how inconvenient it would be not to be able to share information in the event of one's death, so...

If Mr. Ootori, Miss Pekoyama, Miss Mioda, and Mr. Tanaka would come see me. [ she holds out two folded sheets of stationery between the knuckles of her fingers. a third paper is tucked into the pocket of her own blouse. ]

[godwhisperer]

...

[Just standing here. This expression. Well?]

[glasshole]

Oh? From Miss Koizumi?

[Frowning a little, though whether he's upset is hard to tell.]

That's unexpected.

[perfectstrike]

[Here's Peko hours late with Starbucks. She's just kind of standing there frowning at the reporter, as if debating with herself whether or not she even wants to approach.

It's not for a few seconds longer before she finally does step forward, uncertainly holding out her hand for the letter.]

You are certain there is something addressed to me?

[poyoyon]

...A shared letter?

[ A letter at all? They were all supposed to believe they'd get out of here together... ]

[fanbase]

So... I think it's probably clear who most of us are gonna vote for, but I think we should still talk about it before we do anyway.

We don't want to make the same mistake as we did last night and we can never be too sure, even if dogs usually have good judgement.

[glasshole]

Yes, I think that would be wise, wouldn't it?

We still have yet to verify the dog. But I don't think there's any question of using today to do so, unless anyone has any objections.

[sparklyrichbastard]

Much as I trust in our little super dog, I still object to this entire situation. I'll be voting "no one" again.

[edealistical]

[It’s clear what will happen here unless she makes a stand for herself. Even then, she knows, her opponent has so easily captured the trust of those around her without even so much as proving himself... It will be an onerous task, but she has never shrunk from a fight before.]

I’ll be serving as my own defense today, I think. It’s obvious that Missile has chosen to accuse me... but I will stand by my belief that I am innocent.

[Edea will... literally stand.]

There are two possibilities that would explain his actions. The first is simple – that I am guilty. This is a possibility I won’t deny, for it’s clear that our common enemy has proven themselves capable of altering memory and feats of magic. If this is so, then I rightly deserve to hang.

I’m here to propose the second, which I believe to be more likely. Before you all openly denounce me, let me remind you that thus far, all Missile has done is cause the death of Levi, someone we know now to be innocent. I'm here to ask why.

...Let’s go back to our first trial. After the votes came in, Levi presented his claim that he was the Detective, that he had investigated Legion, and that Legion was guilty. At the time, we were skeptical, but we were willing to believe him. Why so? Because no one stood to challenge him. Our true detective, however, as we know now, was not Levi... but Missile. Who must have understood and realized what Levi was saying, because we know that early the next morning, he set a plan in motion to denounce Levi.

Let me ask 'why' again. Missile could have attacked Levi the moment he made his claim – actually, this is probably what many people might have done in the heat of the moment. But Missile was smart. He kept silent. Because, of course... he wanted to investigate Levi. Isn’t that what the Detective would do? There was no harm in waiting to act because no one would be executed until the following day. Levi could claim whatever he liked until then - there was ample time. It would be stupid for Missile to out himself without knowing Levi’s intentions, which was, perhaps, to openly goad forth the Detective.

I am sure Missile investigated Levi that night. He would have found him to be innocent. He would have, no doubt, been utterly confused... but at the very least, it would have been clear that Levi was not directly his enemy.

This is where things get strange.

Missile knows Levi is innocent – I think Levi was relying on this, too. That the Detective would investigate him and find him to be innocent and that they would contact him to form the beginnings of a plan. However, Missile does not. ...Missile fails to do anything directly until an hour or two before the end of the trial. What does he do instead? He plants the seeds of suspicion in K and Aya... and then accuses Levi so late in the trial that it was impossible for Levi to defend himself in any meaningful way. He allows the charade to go on so long... that it's too late.

In fact – Missile’s actions could only have resulted in one thing! Levi’s execution – the execution of someone he should have known to be innocent! Missile didn’t speak up during breakfast or start growling and barking at Levi early on to force him to explain himself... He didn’t try to indicate Levi’s innocence in any way. A dog’s natural response should not be to wait for 8 hours and to plant obscure clues! Dogs aren't exactly patient creatures.

Why did Missile behave the way he did? Dogs don’t like melodrama – it wouldn’t be for the thrill or the adrenaline of it. The only reason Missile would have acted that way... is if he was instructed to do so.

[Edea will pause now, because this is where things will go off the hook.]

The night after Levi first made his claim, Missile was chosen as the convert by the VIPs!

Do you think that ridiculous? Look at what Missile has accomplished in the space of a day – every single one of you believes in him despite the fact that he hasn’t even pointed out a single guilty party yet! In short, there was nobody better that night for the VIPs to convert. In the absence of knowing any roles... every person here was more or less equal – all except for one. Missile... is the one person in this game that has been above suspicion. The only way the VIPs can lose is if every single one of them is killed – and nobody would be so callous as to push for the dog’s death!

The VIPs never ever thought that Missile was the Detective. That must have been an incredible stroke of luck... But when they did, they realized they had a golden opportunity. His ability didn't matter for them – they already know who’s guilty and who’s innocent. But now they could have everybody believing in a Detective... who was already on their side. Their greatest opposition was gone.

Thus, the same night Missile discovered Levi was innocent, he was converted. The VIPs needed Missile to act exactly the way he did... so as to cause Levi’s death and to gain Missile the trust of everyone here.

And actually... I believe there could be another reason that they needed Levi to die.

[Edea’s gaze turns now to fall on somebody else in the room.]

To protect the person who would have certainly been executed that very night in Levi’s stead.

What is more likely? That Levi would sacrifice his life for a complete fabrication... or that for some unknown reason, he had cause to believe that Legion really was VIP?

What is more likely? That Missile, knowing Levi was innocent, set a series of actions into motion that could have resulted in nothing but Levi’s death... or that he, as the Detective and the one tasked with finding the VIPs, would have tried to protect Levi still... or at least, tried to understand his actions? Instead of attempting to communicate the whole truth earlier that day... he waited – he was instructed to wait – until the very end, when it would be too late.

[She seems to have reached the end of her argument.]

This is the only logical conclusion I can reach about what’s happening... I have... actually, one more suspicion that I believe would answer many more questions... but I don’t know yet if it is right to say.

I don’t want to accuse anyone openly here or send anyone innocent to their death – but this is what I must believe to be true, knowing what I know about my own role. I can find no logical inconsistencies about this statement... so... it has to be true.

...I'm sorry to say this of you, Legion. ...And Missile. But if this is not true, then... I...

...That’s all.

((Will not be around stably until 6 or 7, sorry!))

[shoutoku_administrator]

This is a bold and fascinating theory, Miss Lee. By your argument, today's question is whether to execute you or Legion.

Allow me to start with a simple question: Do you believe that this dog would be both capable of understanding instructions to lie about Levi's guilt and willing to comply?

[billows]

... It didn't seem like you were the type. I did find that whole scene strange, we so quickly turned on Levi—that dog is charismatic; he would be a good convert.

[glasshole]

Oh.

That's an unexpectedly cogent theory. Though it does put a lot of emphasis on the capacity of a dog to be a rational actor.

[photoshot]

We'll have to confirm with Mr. Missile if he really did investigate Mr. Levi or not. My understanding was that he hadn't been trying to accuse him of being VIP, just of not being the detective.

[godwhisperer]

Why should one prepared to die worry about the consequences? Nothing is right or wrong to say, so say what you will.

[paws_and_rewind]

[ What a long speech!

...It's impressively long and passionate, so he'll respect her enough not to interrupt, and he doesn't quite understand all those complicated words and turns of phrase, but...

HE REALLY DOESN'T LIKE IT! It sounds like she's trying to tell people that he's a VIP and she isn't, and she has all those words to do it with, and all he can do about it is bark! That's not fair! ]

[jingler]

I will admit Edea, your logic is sound. However it unfortunately hinges on Missile being converted. As Malik was the only one to die the night before, it means a 1 in 41 chance that Missile was chosen and that's including the person or persons protected by the Conversion Busters that night. It's a very minuscule chance and it has so far been the only opportunity for a conversion.

[chronic]

It's certainly a theory. I don't think if I'd place that much mental complexity on the dog, but...

Or maybe all three of you are VIPs and working against us, and by sacrificing just one of you- whether it's you or Missile- the remaining person gets to earn our trust just like that. Right? One of you dies for the sake of the team.

[unbridledjoy]

There is one thing that I do not understand... They must have known that we would most likely not go another day without choosing someone to execute. It would have been their only guaranteed chance of converting someone... why choose a dog?

Your explanation makes sense if we assume that they converted Missile, but it does not explain why they chose him out of everyone else to convert. Is it not more likely that Missile merely did not know how to communicate with us right away, and when he tried to tell us that Levi was not the detective, we all assumed that he was a VIP and executed him?

[cheats]

[ When Edea starts speaking, Ciel watches her with a mildly disgruntled expression, but as she works her way through the logic, his frown softens somewhat. It doesn't completely disappear (since it rarely does), but it's clear that this isn't a train of thought that he'd thought of. ]

I suppose this is possible. But for better or worse, Missile is the most credible person we have now, and has named you. You're likely t be hanged for that alone, you realize.

[ His voice is harsh, but not angry. It's very controlled and cool. ]

So it's a matter of whose word to trust, and while I would rather soundly say neither, this does stink rather wretchedly of desperation. It's well thought out, that's true, but why would these VIPs pick a dog, of all things? The rulebook implies they get to pick, but I would think nearly any other choice wiser.

[foetida]

I don't get why you think we'd be more willing to kill a human than a dog. [Nanami Kiryuu ace animal murderer]

What's your last suspicion? You might as well say it now. It's not like you'll be able to if you're executed.

[belgian]

Missile never claimed to have investigated Levi, actually! I asked him and he said he hadn't. [As much as Missile can, anyway.] I think claiming to falsely be the detective is pretty suspicious on its own--it's not something you'd think an innocent person would do without at least talking it over with the actual detective first.

1/2

[ionicwoman]

If the first thing the VIPs did was convert a dog, then they're stupider than I thought

[shoutoku_administrator]

Edea has made her argument, and made it well. Now, allow me to respond with my own.

To summarize briefly, the heart of Edea's reasoning is thus: If Missile truly was the detective, then he had plenty of chances to oppose Levi before the second trial - most notably, when he made himself known after the first one. As a diligent dog, it stands to reason that he would have spoken up immediately, rather than waiting until Levi began to speak on the second day. Everything follows this single point, so that is what I shall address.

Some of you may have seen me with a pair of earmuffs from time to time - this is because my ears is extremely sensitive. In my day, I could listen to ten conversations at once, and understand them all. My profile on your bracelets will confirm that my hearing is superb.

Furthermore, Missile is not a subtle creature by nature. Any time he is near, I am aware of it. That dog is not capable of being anywhere near me without me knowing about it.

The point I am coming towards is that I am certain, beyond all doubt, of one thing: When Levi declared himself to be the detective, Missile wasn't there.

If any of you recall otherwise, please come forward. Until then, my argument is this: Missile did not fight Levi because Missile did not know that Levi had claimed Detective. Levi died because we misinterpreted Missile's warning that he was not the detective as a warning that he was a VIP.

[godwhisperer]

[...Pleased.]

I can confirm that the morning after the night of conversion, I did explain to Missile the events of the evening prior. I explained Levi had claimed to be the detective.

voting?

[sunshade]

[ when the deadline grows closer, Patchy does not stand up on a table as per tradition, but rather raises her voice. ]

Our deadline is creeping upon us. Edea has made a fine stand, but what is the consensus here?

[perfectstrike]

We do not have much in the way of choice.

[Peko looks thoroughly exhausted; she hasn't been participating in most of the discussions, though she has been listening. She doesn't move from her spot against the wall, and though her eyes are closed, it's pretty obvious there are some dark bags under them. It really doesn't look like she's slept at all since before Kuzuryuu's murder, really. Her voice is low and steady, and she doesn't open her eyes as she speaks.]

By executing Lee... there is a chance we remove a VIP from the playing field, and confirm that Calamity's Dark Blade is indeed the detective. By executing Legion... nothing is gained. Levi's foolhardy actions proved that the first note is useless.

Or we take the coward's route, and do nothing. And the VIPs are free to kill again, without fear of consequence.

[edealistical]

That's as I expected.

[The results of the voting will be clear, it seems. Edea will try to smile, though it's obvious that her voice is breaking and her eyes are tearing.]

Please don't be so concerned... It's necessary that someone has to die here tonight, after all. If it will save a day of conversion, then... I would rather it be me than another innocent. The duty of a knight is to protect and to defend... and to make the sacrifices that are necessary.

I wish you all the best of luck. Wherever I may be going, I... I'll be rooting for your success.

[Edea will bow stiffly before she sits. She'll reach up to her head to remove her ribbon, her hair rolling down conveniently over her eyes.

She wonders what her results will say... before she decides that perhaps she'd rather not know.

For Aya and Legion, she has something to give still, anyway.]

[jingler]

Edea...

[He lowers his head, knowing already what his vote is.]

You truly believe in what you fight for. I can respect that. I know it doesn't count for anything, but I wish it didn't have to be this way.