ritualization | [pcs] mizuki

I know Merriment and Sincerity must be innocent. Nonon-san's item said that Cunning or Justice was innocent; Cunning was guilty, so Justice should be clear. That leaves Ambition. Ray-kun's killer is with her, at least until tomorrow... and I only know three of five.

[he exhales a heavy sigh, there, rubbing at his face with his good hand.]

They will likely move to someone else, unless they are too confident. I still need to press the two I already have had some contact with, but if the other two can be identified before they defect... then I will know this person is among those five.

Then, you're discounting what the glass showed us?

[ a pensive frown. Ishikirimaru seems like he's desperately trying to figure this out - as usual, he really wants to protect people. It's admirable. Mizuki feels satisfied enough knowing they thinned Cunning's numbers a little. ]

Sorry, Ishi-san. It's not that I doubt you, but I'd like to hear your reasoning for why Merriment-san and Sincerity-san are innocent.

I know all of them. I'm working with all of them, and so was he-- I am absolutely certain they were uninvolved. If you trust me in anything, please trust me in this: I know they could not have done it.

[the look he gives them is-- almost plaintive, actually, despite the rest of his demeanor.]

[ after a moment, Mizuki nods. ]

All right. I do trust you.

[ he's too good and noble to beat around the bush with something like this. and if he isn't, then he's one hell of an actor, but they doubt it. ]

Just don't forget about all those curses that can affect people. [ a beat. ] ... I suspect Jakuzure-kun is with Ambition-kun, but I don't have any proof. We've talked a lot, but we've never shared our gods by name.

[there's definitely a pause there, before:]

Not unless she defected, according to what I know... but I am bearing such effects in mind as well. I have no reason to believe this would be the case, however.

Hah. Like I said, my information is fairly limited. Since Beauty-kun has always had so few followers, I've been trying to avoid sharing my standing with too many people.

[ they're not the type who trusts right away - even now, they can count the number of people they truly believe won't betray them on one hand, and they wouldn't need all the fingers. ]

Sorry, Ishi-san.

I cannot fault you for that-- it is best for you to remain safe.

[says the guy who's outed himself in public twice now, maybe don't take it from him, tbh.]

I would rather have that than have you risk yourself to gain any information, Mizuki-san.

... Thanks.

[ he's too good, as usual. He's lucky he's still alive. ]

Don't you risk yourself too much, either. I'd miss you if you were gone. [ they doubt he'll listen to them, but they tell him anyway. ] What are you planning to do when you find the information you're looking for?

... I know. I do not want to leave some of the others alone, either.

[but he doesn't linger on that long.]

I do not know yet. I'll have to find that information first, but I... do not want to allow this to repeat. Luna and Newt-san both claimed to have ended more than one life, in different weeks. Guy-san took two himself. If they are left alone, I feel it is likely they will act again.

[ that's not much of an answer - not that they can blame him. ]

... There's the dungeon. But, all things considered...

[ it might be better to end things permanently. ]

...all things considered, I...

[one hand falls to the hilt of his sword, holding on to it as if to steady himself.]

I would do what is necessary, Mizuki-san.

[trying to avoid death-- it hasn't saved anyone. not a single person.

better to act before they can, after all.]

[ they nod in affirmation. That's right. ]

I'd do the same thing, Ishi-san.

[ the murderers get what's coming to them; that's been the justice upheld by everyone in this game so far, and it's not going to change. They already knew that he had the resolve; he dealt with Luna, after all. ]

It takes courage to do the "dirty work" in doing the right thing... You're brave. The others might not think that, but I do.

It does not feel much like it, but... I will accept that.

[he dislikes it, he really does, but-

this is what has to happen. he's seen the way others reacted to ray's death afterwards, knows how it affected him. he won't let it repeat.]

... I am willing to give you names and the reasons I believe they could have been indicated, if you would not mind offering me your own input on them.

Go ahead - I'm listening.

[ they tuck their hands into their pockets, looking at him attentively. Ishikirimaru seems to have a better information network than they do, isolated as they are in their faction, but they'll help any way they can. ]

The people I believe I know are her followers are Catra, Ludger-kun, and Qinghua-san-- the last of those admitted as much to me directly.

[and he holds up two fingers, parallel.]

Ray-kun left a symbol that was two lines. Qinghua-san provided the scrolls, two identical items. Ludger-kun wields a pair of swords. Catra often seems to be with another of our number, and he may have been indicating the pair of them.

I assumed before we knew more that 'two people' was the most likely thing to try to signal... but any of them could have had help, really.

[ huh. this evidence is more of a reach than they were expecting, but it's still better than "gut feeling," which is all Mizuki has to work with. ]

Hmm...

[ of course, in the end, it's still boiling down to gut feelings, isn't it? ]

... I have a hard time imagining Qinghua-san killing Ray-kun -- although considering what happened with Guy-kun, I suppose anything is possible. Assuming "two people" is the most reasonable conclusion to draw from Ray-kun's message, I think. In that case... Catra-kun and Entrapta-kun would be my guess. Ambition suits Catra-kun, the two of them are always working together, and it would be easy for Entrapta-kun to control evidence during the trial to keep suspicion pointing away from the two of them.

[ a beat. ]

I've never spoken much to Kresnik-kun, so it's hard for me to offer an opinion on him. However, after what happened to his brother, and seeing his reaction -- I'd believe he's capable of killing, as well. Still, Catra-kun is the more likely suspect, in my opinion. [ ... ] ... For the record, I'm not telling you to go and attack her. These are just my thoughts.

Do not worry, Mizuki-san. It will take more than assumptions for me to target someone.

But I think you are likely right. Ludger-kun acted somewhat suspiciously when we spoke, but I don't know if that means much... one of the first things he said was that Ray-kun would have been targeted sooner or later for how smart he is, and when I mentioned Ambition as the most likely suspect, he immediately changed the subject.

Though-- I do not get the impression he would need much help. I still intend to look more closely at Catra... if nothing else, someone catlike could easily have taken a fight down to another floor without sustaining as much injury, if she actually has the sort of agility her appearance would imply.

[but after all that, he sighs, shaking his head.]

If all else fails... I made it clear that I worked with him, and what my ability and intentions are. I should be a good target if they intend to continue their efforts, and if I cannot be certain enough to come to them-- perhaps they will come try their luck with me.

[ wow, that's super not comforting at all!! Perfectly in line with how Ishikirimaru operates, though. Mizuki doesn't know why they didn't expect this much; they're sighing nonetheless and giving him a mildly pleading look. ]

That didn't work out very well for you last time, Ishi-san.

It worked well enough, in the end.

[he lost a hand, but he lived and managed not to get caught-- though he is not proud of that part.

he glances away at that pleading look, though.]

...I did not do it with the intent of encouraging them to target me next. At that point, I truly did hope to catch them without such a thing becoming necessary. But it is better for it to be me than someone less able to fight.

Selfless as always... I like that part of you, but it's reeeeally stressful, you know.

[ they breathe out quietly, tossing some of their hair over one shoulder as they decide how to proceed. ]

You're one of the only people I trust here, Ishi-san - don't throw yourself away. [ a beat. ] I'll talk to Catra-kun, too, and see if I can learn anything useful. We're on decent terms.

I promise, I am not trying to do so. I just... cannot sit by, either, solely for the sake of remaining alive.

[he knows certain others here would be worse off without him, but. can't stop, won't stop, do not know how to stop.]

...but thank you, Mizuki-san. You're one of my most trusted people as well, I hope you know.

[ they do - but they still smile at the admission, expression a bit softer. ]

I know.

[ they hesitate, briefly, then continue. ]

... You know... Originally, I picked you out as an ally because I thought you were strong and soft-hearted. I thought you'd be easy to use to fulfill my goal. That's the truth. [ their tone is apologetic, as much as they try to keep it neutral. ] ... I'm not supposed to be making friends. But I'm glad that I did.

Originally, I accepted you as an ally because I liked your company, for your intelligence, and because I thought you would be a good source of information so long as I was careful.

[he shrugs one shoulder, his slightly apologetic smile matching their tone.]

... I am used to having to leave people and places behind, but it is always difficult not to get attached. You've become someone I will miss.

Haha... [ he's more savvy than they give him credit for, it seems -- but that's a relief to them, too. They want to be honest around him. ] My subtlety needs some work, I suppose.

[ they sound gently amused, however, and their eyes are bright when they flick up to meet his gaze. ]

It's all right. You're a time traveller, aren't you? Maybe you can come visit me someday.

[ ... it's wishful thinking. With the way things are playing out here, they're going home to die fulfilling their wish themself. But they don't want to bring that up -- they don't want to give him anything more to worry over. ]

[pcs] mizuki

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