And some things do not add up. We ran out of time, however-- I think it was certainly Kazunari or Marceline, as they both share the color of the gumball as their primary. They are the most likely to lie, therefore, about what they do or do not own; bearing that in mind, however, Marceline is not the one whose listed skills include drawing and painting, nor acting, though I take it that is... something in its own right, in other worlds?
[ancient etheirys doesn't have theater but he knows the word, he knows 'acting like (blank)'.]
...thinking back upon it-- when November asked about those gumballs, Kazunari first claimed he turned his in for two, did he not? And then said afterward he initially spent one, and received only one in return.
[ he nods ] A small detail... easily mistaken for a slip-up. I thought maybe he'd miscounted at first, but if you're correct... Then the portrait of the gun and that... ridiculous get up that was found in the closet with 9S's blood on it point even more heavily in Kazunari's direction.
[ because while we should be pragmatic, we must speak in hypotheticals until we are certain. percy shifts briefly, one hip to the other as he settles. ]
I frankly doubt the Prism needed to even interfere with Marie the way that it might with, say, Kazunari.
It would also be quite convenient to look at the scene of one's own crime, would it not.
[and he went to the cemetery, where he naturally got dirty from it. they wouldn't know if he had dirt under his nails or anything of the like before.]
...and if the prism did interfere with-- whoever killed 9S, [hypotheticals, naturally,] then they cannot simply be left to go free to act again. It is a question of both certainty and of what ought to be done.
[ he reaches out with a hand and places it against his elbow. even if that's a ways up. he nods towards the couch. ]
Come sit... I've been standing all day. [ and if emet will allow, he'll have them settled over there before continuing: ]
Do you think it's likely the Prism would call upon them a second time?
[ genuine ask. ]
I mean, I know what's been done needs to be confronted... but do you think it would have the same person do it again when evidence has pointed in their direction? [ it might be smarter than that. pick someone new. let the culprit stew in their own guilt. or worse, become a resource to the other.
[he brings his mug along, as they move to the couch and settle there; he sips idly from it, as he listens to percy, contemplating.]
It may make sense to avoid it, yes, but-- I spoke with Steel, after Kazuma was caught. I wished to know their thoughts on the outcome, as they had told me previously they consider those here to be under their protection. They believed that it would have been worse to leave him be. That he had already deteriorated, throughout the day, and there was naught to be done but to grant him his end.
"It is a mercy. Perhaps that is cold. But it is one I would grant."
[...he takes a longer sip, at that.]
If it is him, and if he suffers the same affliction, I am inclined to think it does not stop here.
That he may steadily go mad. But how to even broach it. There's no good way to go about it.
[ he lowers his gaze, hand clasped tightly around his cup as he takes a long moment with it. guilt already drives a regular person crazy, but if they've let someone go tonight that may be a powder keg that could blow given time... ]
Whoever came up with this fucked up game didn't think through the rules very clearly. Whatever they might be.
No. It didn't. As such things inside of us are wont to do... baring teeth, snapping jaws.
[ he remembers it. she'd been wild--completely and utterly gone multiple times. when he lifts his head, it's to stare out at the wall. his grip turns white-knuckled around the cup. ]
When you're young, it always finds a way to crawl out of your mouth.
I suppose I would not know, myself. We do not have such situations in my own home.
[a pause, there.]
But we evaluate everything. We examine it for flaws, for threats, for signs it would be more of a danger than it needs to be: for predators that kill too often, for prey which over-propagates and harms its ecosystem. For aught which cannot exist harmoniously with everything around it.
And when such things are identified, there is only one thing to be done with them, for the sake of the whole.
She's already been marked for death. We'll see that tomorrow, no doubt.
[ he stares downward at his cup, his eyes far off. he sits, shoulder to shoulder, and for a moment his weight sags. ]
I understand it, I know why she chose execution. I'd have done the same were it me and the thing that used to live inside of my heart. It is... the only way for now, to end the monster inside that killed without hesitation. Without any coercion or egging on.
[ his brows draw tightly. ]
As for the one left behind, I want to hear them, as we heard the other. I want to listen before the sword has to fall, if it must.
[he notes that mention, silently, but-- 'used to'. that's the key part. if it's no longer a threat, it doesn't need to be pressed right now, though he's certain to ask later.
for the moment:]
As for the other, I should like to gather what information we can, first. Attempt to learn what may or may not be necessary. But should it come to it: do you wish to wait to learn if they shall strike again, or avoid taking the risk?
'Twould be a risk either way, to be clear.
[he knows that much, but as long as they're speaking in hypotheticals... he just wants to know.]
[ percy lingers in the moment of it, the possibilities, the maybes. ]
Close observation and exploration is a must to bolster any sort of case we may need in favor of... removal. [ he nods quickly. ] I want to know. We can't let that person have anymore blood on their hands... we can't let them hurt anyone else either. The sheer weight of the grief today in that room.
A veritable powder keg.
If you wish, I'll help you in keeping a close eye on him. I think that would be a good start, a proper start. It would mean that we have someone that the Prism has touched, and I think that is something in our favor so long as we watch it.
I believe so, as well. I asked another to do the same for the group it was narrowed down to, as he wished to help locate the culprit; I said naught of my suspicions, however, mind you. Cautioned him against pushing too hard, too soon. It would not do to put him on high alert and make him think he is heavily suspected.
[a slow inhale, a steady exhale.]
I will speak with Steel again. I asked Vax'ildan to meet with Shale on the same subject. In the meantime, I personally doubt we've much to fear from him so long as we bear in mind he is not necessarily trustworthy. If we are correct, he used something worth 2 tokens, and unless he has one from an unknown source he should not afford another of the same strength. The only complication would be if he were given one.
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no subject
[a pause, for several moments.]
Though I do think-- we may have narrowed it down enough to have a fairly good idea of who.
no subject
The drawing the gun... is a rather damning piece of evidence. We're lucky Nogiku was able to piece it together.
[ he looks hesitantly down at his mug again. ] I'd rather not make leaps, but. Some things truly do add up. If only we'd had more time...
no subject
[ancient etheirys doesn't have theater but he knows the word, he knows 'acting like (blank)'.]
...thinking back upon it-- when November asked about those gumballs, Kazunari first claimed he turned his in for two, did he not? And then said afterward he initially spent one, and received only one in return.
no subject
[ because while we should be pragmatic, we must speak in hypotheticals until we are certain. percy shifts briefly, one hip to the other as he settles. ]
I frankly doubt the Prism needed to even interfere with Marie the way that it might with, say, Kazunari.
no subject
[and he went to the cemetery, where he naturally got dirty from it. they wouldn't know if he had dirt under his nails or anything of the like before.]
...and if the prism did interfere with-- whoever killed 9S, [hypotheticals, naturally,] then they cannot simply be left to go free to act again. It is a question of both certainty and of what ought to be done.
no subject
Come sit... I've been standing all day. [ and if emet will allow, he'll have them settled over there before continuing: ]
Do you think it's likely the Prism would call upon them a second time?
[ genuine ask. ]
I mean, I know what's been done needs to be confronted... but do you think it would have the same person do it again when evidence has pointed in their direction? [ it might be smarter than that. pick someone new. let the culprit stew in their own guilt. or worse, become a resource to the other.
no subject
[he brings his mug along, as they move to the couch and settle there; he sips idly from it, as he listens to percy, contemplating.]
It may make sense to avoid it, yes, but-- I spoke with Steel, after Kazuma was caught. I wished to know their thoughts on the outcome, as they had told me previously they consider those here to be under their protection. They believed that it would have been worse to leave him be. That he had already deteriorated, throughout the day, and there was naught to be done but to grant him his end.
"It is a mercy. Perhaps that is cold. But it is one I would grant."
[...he takes a longer sip, at that.]
If it is him, and if he suffers the same affliction, I am inclined to think it does not stop here.
no subject
[ he lowers his gaze, hand clasped tightly around his cup as he takes a long moment with it. guilt already drives a regular person crazy, but if they've let someone go tonight that may be a powder keg that could blow given time... ]
Whoever came up with this fucked up game didn't think through the rules very clearly. Whatever they might be.
no subject
[he exhales a slow sigh.]
...restraining her did not stop her, Percy.
no subject
[ he remembers it. she'd been wild--completely and utterly gone multiple times. when he lifts his head, it's to stare out at the wall. his grip turns white-knuckled around the cup. ]
When you're young, it always finds a way to crawl out of your mouth.
no subject
[a pause, there.]
But we evaluate everything. We examine it for flaws, for threats, for signs it would be more of a danger than it needs to be: for predators that kill too often, for prey which over-propagates and harms its ecosystem. For aught which cannot exist harmoniously with everything around it.
And when such things are identified, there is only one thing to be done with them, for the sake of the whole.
no subject
[ unflinchingly, but not unkind. simply practiced, understanding. ]
For the sake of maintaining your balances.
no subject
[he takes another drink, then lets his hands fall, holding the mug in his lap. his gaze drops along with it.
it may be the same here. it may not. but restraint has been attempted, and failed.]
What do you believe you would see done, Percy.
no subject
[ he stares downward at his cup, his eyes far off. he sits, shoulder to shoulder, and for a moment his weight sags. ]
I understand it, I know why she chose execution. I'd have done the same were it me and the thing that used to live inside of my heart. It is... the only way for now, to end the monster inside that killed without hesitation. Without any coercion or egging on.
[ his brows draw tightly. ]
As for the one left behind, I want to hear them, as we heard the other. I want to listen before the sword has to fall, if it must.
no subject
[he notes that mention, silently, but-- 'used to'. that's the key part. if it's no longer a threat, it doesn't need to be pressed right now, though he's certain to ask later.
for the moment:]
As for the other, I should like to gather what information we can, first. Attempt to learn what may or may not be necessary. But should it come to it: do you wish to wait to learn if they shall strike again, or avoid taking the risk?
'Twould be a risk either way, to be clear.
[he knows that much, but as long as they're speaking in hypotheticals... he just wants to know.]
no subject
Close observation and exploration is a must to bolster any sort of case we may need in favor of... removal. [ he nods quickly. ] I want to know. We can't let that person have anymore blood on their hands... we can't let them hurt anyone else either. The sheer weight of the grief today in that room.
A veritable powder keg.
If you wish, I'll help you in keeping a close eye on him. I think that would be a good start, a proper start. It would mean that we have someone that the Prism has touched, and I think that is something in our favor so long as we watch it.
no subject
[a slow inhale, a steady exhale.]
I will speak with Steel again. I asked Vax'ildan to meet with Shale on the same subject. In the meantime, I personally doubt we've much to fear from him so long as we bear in mind he is not necessarily trustworthy. If we are correct, he used something worth 2 tokens, and unless he has one from an unknown source he should not afford another of the same strength. The only complication would be if he were given one.
[kumon...]