pasodoble | Locked to seventh

[well

it's still not easy...

She bows her head low and gives a moment of silence, out of respect for Luke if nothing else.

That done, she hums in assent.]

England claimed to be protector since the start. During yesterday's trial, he was very vocal about letting Touko Fukawa die and protecting Luke Triton. Yet this morning, Fukawa lives with Luke Triton dead. Unless you can logically explain a sudden change of heart, is this not glaring proof by itself?

Because he is a hunter and he cannot truly protect anyone. His words meant nothing.

( It makes sense. )

I can't explain why Luke would die and Fukawa would live though. I believed that after the trial, it would be obvious to the true protector who needed to be saved. Especially since after Critter spoke, there would not have been any other choice.

But in truth, England's guilt was obvious long before today. I began to suspect it after Sayaka's death and I only figured it out after Critter spoke yesterday but last night, when I thought about it, it's been obvious since Poland died.

Right. There's something else too, but as a fellow nation, I will defer knowledge of his character to you and your peers. Saying it's been obvious since Poland died, may I ask you to elaborate?

Do you remember Poland's journal? Lithuania translated it and Ukraine verified it. Unless you want to believe there are three hunters among us, I believe you have no reason to doubt their translation.

Poland guaranteed Ukraine and Lithuania would be safe from the hunters and I believe it is because he worked something out with England the first night the hunters gathered. That would explain why Lithuania and Ukraine are still alive but what about the rest of us?

Have you ever wondered how out of the six of us that remain, not a single one of us have died since Poland's death?

...I do, now that you mention it. And of course, I've had doubts since that time. I thought a nation hunter would avoid all fellow nations, since some of you truly believe the death of any of you here could kill all your citizens, if not throw things back in your world into great chaos. Personally, I don't believe such heavy repercussions, I would heavily question if Critter really has such powers outside of this town, but again, I can't prove anything with conjectures alone.

[She nods.]

That begs another question, though. How smart is England? Surely he must have realized that he will face heavy judgment, if Luke is found dead this morning after all he's said since the start. Even if the hunters managed to manipulate the real protector, this is simply too obvious. He's easily the top lynching candidate this afternoon, unless something drastic comes to shift the tides once more.

Ah, yes. I think some of the others might believe that but I don't, personally. Have you ever been to Spain? My people would never die easily. ( He sounds so proud. ) But I believe some might still believe that and that is a problem.

England's an idiot. ( He sounds positive about this. ) And he's in far over his head.

But I believe if he is truly prey, it is important we kill him at the trial today because I'm not sure if our night-time ally will be able to do it...

[She chuckles faintly at that.]

I haven't had a chance to, but I'll try to book a trip once we make it out of this place. Is there anything I should know beforehand in preparation for that, if you don't mind me asking?

[SUDDENLY TRAVEL PLANS, this is such a A+ time.]

Goodness, it's nice to hear you vouch so firmly for him. He would be over his head to think Luke didn't prepare for something like this though, plus our nighttime vigil friend did do their work last night. The werewolf's been flushed out, maybe it'll clue us in about who the convert may be.

[She nods.] The votes today should theoretically be unanimous. ...Thank you for your cooperation, Spain. There was concern that the nations would pool together regardless of their affiliation, and while Critter did clear that up yesterday, it's relieving to hear that you won't hesitate. [A small bow at that! This is good news, still.]

If we get out of here alive, you can come live in Spain. I'll give you one of my homes.

( A wink. It's good to tease a little in such a serious time... )

Haha, you place too much faith in our relations. A wolf among us is only among a different kind of wolf.

( He sounds like he's joking. Is he joking. Oh well, he seems to be in a carefree enough mood. )

I believe we can catch him but he can be clever and I suspect there will be... vocal doubters. But people listen to you, Miss Ciel and I hope you can help us convince them today.

We will at this rate, haha. I thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid that's not possible. I can try to look for work in Spain at most; I can't slack off any longer.

It's more understandable if the lives of millions of people were truly at stake, but thank you for the reassurance. Nevertheless, doesn't that make it easier to relate now, the sort of relationship Joshua Kiryuu and I have? [remember when she was defending him while throwing him under the bus by the same stroke... GOOD FRANS RIGHT THERE]

If you mean America by that, I'm not too worried. Luke Triton's death speaks louder than anything, eliminating the boy despite all the assurances given yesterday that he was going to be protected will be England's undoing. [...that said.] Do you think so? I admit, I was quite surprised by your note after the trial yesterday. Confessing to your fellow nations is understandable, but why me? I don't hold it against you either, I won't take anything that happens in this town personally, but you've voted for me once too, have you not?

We are similar which is why I asked.

The trial is today and something has to be done-- we don't have time to waste on explaining why we would turn against each other today after defending each other before.

( She means voting the day before hahaha... )

I didn't believe the popular suspects were guilty and I wasn't ready to admit to my own suspicions just yet. So I voted for the one who made me doubt myself before. I admit, I'm a stubborn man, I was ready to vote for your friend, and a stranger who can convince me to question myself is a little frightening.

I apologize and I promise I won't be afraid or doubt myself anymore so we can win.

Familiarity is a good feeling, isn't it? Even if it's for something like this...

[She chuckles sheepishly.]

That's fine, we've suspected England for a long time. It would take a miracle at this point, for him to justify what happened this morning. At least the werewolf is dead; our mysterious vigilante is as efficient as ever. [laughing quietly at that though, and her expression seems genuinely amused.]

You don't have to apologize at all, but I thank you for offering it. We can't make progress without taking gambles and putting ourselves on the front lines, after all, and I've definitely said suspicious things before. All the more reason I thank you for your faith despite that, haha. Joshua still insists that I would make a good convert, you know?

[SHE LOOKS SO CHEERFUL SAYING THAT...]

The werewolf is dead? ( That is

good news at a rather grim time. It sounds like they might have another productive trial today and while it isn't something to be happy about given the circumstances, he is rather pleased and it shows.

Looks like now that the cat is out of the bag as far as how nations are, he isn't really bothering to keep pretending to be a normal human with normal human morals, oops. ) That's good news.

And well, if you end up being the convert... we'll just have to take care of you, won't we?

( And he'll begin to unlock the door and step aside to let her go. And now that the door is open and everything can be heard again, he switches back to pretending to be human. )

I'll see you at the trial, Ciel.

You haven't checked the plaques in the trophy room? That's what I do first thing every morning. Ukyo Kuonji's arrived on her own, I plan to go through all her tapes before trial this afternoon. It's more likely that another hunter manipulated her into converting someone else, but that's something we can discuss together later today.

[She chuckles at that. Also lbr does anyone here believe for a second this girl here is a normal nun. Come on.]

It seems like I'll be in good hands, thank you.

Things should go smoothly this afternoon, so don't worry too much, okay? Please take care, and I'll see you then.

[With an uplifting smile and a small wave of her own, she'll make her way out with light steps.]

Locked to seventh

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