2 ♔ pranks exist, prove me wrong

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

[ Hey, see that on the ground? It's two tickets to that thing you love-- no, wait. It is that thing you love. Or that precious thing you thought went missing a month ago. Or something really valuable that you like or want, like money, or if you're a sensible islander, like soap. Let's just say it's something your character may really want.

WHATEVER IT IS, it moves slightly out of reach when you go to grab it.

And again.

And again.

What do you do? ]

Comments

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Certainty... [ low chuckle, but her usually smug tone turns oddly quiet and serious ] Certainty in truth. Truth and love. Certainty in love. You're right, they all go hand in hand. You'll need all of those things to understand my game board. Without those, a resolution can never be seen on this island. [ -- okay, enough sounding vaguely human, flipping the switch back to witch mode ] No resolution. This lovingly crafted game board is mine for all eternity. That's the magic of Endless. To pit the finite against the infinite.

A bias view...? Come now, I don't play that dirty. [ Except she does. To extreme levels. ]

As Maria said, they burn. But this is an illusion, so it doesn't irritate me in the slightest.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Is that so? Then perhaps that is the problem he had. Thinking too much of a mystery under 'Knox' and that important element will be missed, won't it? A resolution of truth and love...heh. [Smirks a bit and speaks softly.] Either I'm the best for this or the worst, if that's the case.

Everyone has a biased view. Stronger the belief in that view, the more tainted that person's version of the story becomes. Be it intentional or unintentional.

Well, it would be silly to make something yourself that burns you.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Battler knew nothing of any commandments. He fought me with reckless arguments and just barely knew how to handle things like Hempel's Raven or the Devil's Truth, much less the blue truth. [ shakes her head ] Why, in the most recent game I played with him, he-- ... [ cackle! ] Why spoil it?

Of course. If one person believes in something hard enough, it becomes their personal truth, even if it isn't the real one.

I'm not masochistic. But those would be a pain to deal with if I came across a real set... [ glancing up at the storm clouds, how fierce the wind looks and the first few drops of rain, it's impossible to feel a shift in temperature, the wind, or any raindrops. It's just an illusion, after all. ] Looks like they're heading back to the mansion.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Ah, is that so? Then he would have a hard time, but for someone whose not a professional, if you keep up the challenge like you have so far, he can't be all bad at it. And what's the Blue Truth, if you can't spoil what he's done?

That's correct and that can be difficult to deal with for an objective investigator.

Really? Interesting. [That...might or might not be a test he's thinking of. And he's following the cousins again.]

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Battler's a necessary opponent, so I can't just throw him away. [ ... cackle ] He's got a very strong backbone, you see? Why toss him away when he's got so much more entertainment to provide? And the blue truth is crafted to counter the red. I can't run from the blue truth. If a theory is presented in blue, I have to counter and disprove it no matter what-- no avoiding it.

Very true. You'll find out soon how many truths can coexist on this island.

Not incredibly. [ They're back in the rose garden! And Maria is uu~ing up a fit and looking for her rose, with the cousins helping her. And then comes Aunt Rosa. ... the fairly ill tempered Aunt Rosa. ]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

...he does seem the sort of guy to keep going forward stubbornly, no matter what. [Looks a bit amused. Just a bit.] So the Blue Truth would be the same affect as a final deduction. Where the murderer has to either bluff their way out or show their real hand.

With this many people, it's to be expected there would be a few personal truths.

Perhaps not to you. [Watching Maria and Rosa and frowns at the first slap. It's a bit worrying, but....but then they continue and he's not looking the least bit happy.] Why the hell are they standing around?! Rosa is overreacting too much. Kids always make stupid sounds!

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

You'll see that much in the tea party that follows this game. You'll really understand 'Chibi-Battler' then. [ dry laugh ] Indeed. I have to cut it down with the red, or if I can't, with my existence denied, I'll die. [ Said completely seriously. ] So our game is relatively safe for me. You don't have the blue.

The Ushiromiyas are really a fascinating bunch in that aspect, kihihi.

[ Watching the spectacle with a smirk, but it seems forced. ] There are all kinds of parenting. Terrible as it may seem to you and Battler over there, George is right. How Rosa does her parenting is her business alone. [ Watching as the cousins go off and Rosa storms away, leaving Maria alone in the rose garden in the middle of the storm ]

Nothing of importance to the mystery happens for a while. Let's fast forward through time a little bit. [ And suddenly, the atmosphere is a little darker due to the storm, but they're standing in the same place in the rose garden as before. Maria is nowhere in sight, but Rosa and the cousins are frantically looking for her.

Oh, and if it catches your eye, across the garden, there's a tall, suspicious silhouette carrying an umbrella. But Beatrice definitely won't mention it. ]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Then I'll wait until the tea party before I decide. Though he's sounding a bit more like another detective I know, if not quite to his reasoning level yet. [Not to concerned with that 'dying' aspect. After all, she's not really a witch, so she can't just die like that. Though she might be suicidal...he'll keep that part in mind.]

They do seem to be quite the diverse family, at least in personality.

[Scowls at that.] No, it's not. A parent has a responsibility to their child, to treat them right. It's not Rosa's business alone because it involves Maria and she doesn't choose to be hurt that much. Barely one strike is forgivable with certain circumstances, but to continue when the child is clearly upset will do nothing, but cause further damage. That's not punishment, but aggression. And besides... [Watching Rosa as she leaves Maria, silent a moment.] That woman is also lost in what she's doing. Both mother and child are going to keep getting worse until things reach a climax and usually...that does not end well. Leaving this alone is the worst possible thing to do for all parties involved.

[Looking around at the new setting.] She kept looking for that rose after her mother left? [Oh, hey, there's a suspicious person farther away than the others. Gonna glance at the family members before going over to check out this other figure.]

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

That's perfectly fine. You won't get to see much of his detective side until then as it is.

[ Gives you an interested look. ] As you say, they're both lost. Maria without a mother to guide her. Rosa doesn't know how to handle a child like her, and her temper, temper... ahh, yet no one will step in. For a family that's hell-bent on meddling in one another's affairs, that's sad, isn't it? [ cackle! ]

[ Following him at a leisurely pace. By the time he gets there, whoever was tall and suspicious is gone, and only Maria with the umbrella is standing there. Cue Rosa running up to her and crying and hugging her and etc. And then Maria telling everyone that Beatrice was the one who gave her the umbrella ]

... I couldn't leave her soaking wet out in the rain, could I?

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

So the Tea Party is where it hits the peak then? Or the climax?

[Frowns deeply.] It seems to always be that way. Everyone is nosy about everything except for the real problem. And by the time they'll even allow themselves to see it, it's after damage is already done. [Speaks in a softer tone, looking just a bit saddened at the thought. Though he had a knack for keeping most of his emotions hidden while acting as a detective. No kid deserved to be hurt, especially not by their parent. It was particularly sad when there COULD have been a way to prevent it.]

...no. At least someone couldn't. [Gives Maria a sympathetic look before looking around for the person, but of course they're gone. Then looks at the family members.] I wonder if that's relief they found her or at Rosa's actions...just because she apologizes now doesn't mean her behavior is cured.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Neither. The tea party takes place right after.

All of the adults have their fair share of cruelty. None of them would intervene with Rosa's treatment of Maria. Especially not when this family conference holds such high stakes for them. The servants can't disobey the adults, so they have nothing to offer Maria as well.

Rosa is... truly, one of the more fascinating Ushiromiyas. Both her and Maria. After all, even for her cruelty, Maria forgives her so easily. I suppose you could boil it down to instinct or give it some clinical name, but mothers and children are truly complex.

... I think that's enough of this scene. To finish this piece, I'll introduce you to the first mystery of the first game.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

After the climax...? Hm, all right.

...greed really is a terrible thing. [Sighs and shakes his head.] To even let a kid suffer like that. It's just pitiful.

Of course they are. Even when a mother is annoying, abusive, or any sort of bad parent, how can a kid hate them? Not many will realize it's even an option. We're told to love our parents, they love us, they want to do what's best for us, so on and so forth. It's not an easy conclusion a kid to realize what's really going on.

[Nods.] Then lead the way.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Even so, I think we can both agree that Rosa's treatment of Maria will hardly be the center of attention for this island's next two days. [ and after a moment, nodding at that part ] So it's another example of that false love I told you about. Do you think Maria is happier living in the lie of her mother's love, or if it would ruin her if she knew the truth?

[ Instead of walking, she'll just be shifting the scene-- and in a blink of an eye, they're in the dining hall, and after hearing everyone deny giving Maria the umbrella, well... Maria pulls an envelope out of her bag and reads off the letter (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=2443507&postcount=3) ]

Regardless, she just makes the most obedient messenger, doesn't sheee? [ cacklecacklecackle! ]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Not the focus, but not something to dismiss, either. [Pauses at that.] It's not necessarily a false love, but it has been corrupted. If Rosa was given help that she clearly needs in dealing with a child, it could very well be a normal love. But until she can become well, it'd be better for Maria's safety to face the truth. Even broken, it's better to be alive, because then there is still a chance for change. To continue with abuse, however, and chances of a good change go down, if not disappear completely.

...yes, she does. [Frowning.] But that letter is weird.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

If you're so interested in Maria and Rosa's story, I ask that you pay close attention to them during the second game, whenever we get to that. It may clear up questions... or raise more. Either way, you'll learn a great deal.

Oh? How so? I thought it was very straightforward for those wicked adults, who will seek out a loophole in anything regarding money. [ By now, she's tapping her pipe and the seven colors of smoke surround them again instead of a simple scene shift-- and they're back in the rose garden on our good old regular island, standing in the exact same place as last time. ]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Of course? An obvious strife is good to pay attention to. Either it leads to the culprit because they are, or because the culprit uses it to place the blame on them. But I'll learn more...do the scenarios in the games change?

'Alchemy counsellor.' While some may say alchemy is a black magic, that was because the results of it could only be magic in the people's eyes. But to the alchemist... [He looked at Beatrice.] Alchemy is a science. So why does a witch take the title of being a scientist?

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

... [ cacklecacklecackle ] Rosa and Maria aren't the only two who are close on this island who have their issues. Going by that logic, you'll have a lot of leads to try to follow.

That should be obvious. Alchemy's most famous claim to fame is the creation of gold from lead and basic metals. With those ten tons I gave Kinzo from nothing, it's fitting to call me an alchemist as well, isn't it? [ cackle! ] Of course, science and magic don't mix well, so it's only a title.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

I thought so, but those two were the most noteworthy of this part. Battler will clearly have issues along with his parents because of those six years. The adult siblings also have quite a few problems brewing under the surface. And who knows what Kanon will bring up with his mentality.

But that's why it feels off. You're too smart. To make such a label, with both parts of the title implying something different from the story of the witch, especially when Beatrice the Golden would suffice for being connected to the gold. It just seems a bit too...careless of you.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

And to think, there's even more than that! It makes this this such a fun, fun game board to play on. I hardly have to sow any seeds between them myself, and they drive themselves mad with suspicion.

Hoooh? And what are you implying with that? I stamped that letter's wax seal with Kinzo's ring, proving that I'd indeed inherited everything from the termination of the contract. Regardless of my title, my position doesn't change. Nor does the clause.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

Ah, that's rather common.... [Far, far too common.] Greed and paranoia are pretty strong traits, especially for the wealthy.

The game isn't whether or not Beatrice exists. It's whether or not Beatrice the Witch exists, isn't it? The letter doesn't disprove Beatrice, but it may disprove Beatrice the Witch. Not that I can be certain at this point, but it's something I plan to keep in mind. Since the title seems a bit too contradictory for you to have let slip by.

1/2

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

...........

[ Behold, the first time you get to see this expression cross her face. It passes pretty quickly, though. Composure is more important than a temper tantrum right now. ]

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Believe what you will, but you're correct that nothing is certain with this letter yet, other than the fact that I thought that 'the Golden' was a more elegant title to greet the siblings with. The first twilight hasn't even begun. This and the gift of Maria's umbrella is just a tiny prologue to the mysteries you'll see in the future.

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

[Makes a note of that look for the future.]

I'm sure it's not quite that tiny. Seeing the mundane can help a great deal to figuring everything out when it's broken.

So, what shall be the terms of the beginning of the next game. Shall I have more homework?

(((OOC: For some reason...I find the thought of Beato getting 'I'm Kudo Shinichi and got shrunk by a poison' out of Conan for the truth weekend incredibly amusing. If only because he's trying to reveal the truth and it shows he's a liar himself.))

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Ah, of course. As I said, I don't expect you to solve that last trick just yet... let's take a page from the game we just played, shall we? Even a lovely rose garden such as this must have a few wilted roses. If you could, find one and feel free to inspect it as much as you want to insure it's simply a rose. I'll use it for my next feat of magic.

[ ooc; HAHA, that would be awesome to play out! I'm sure he could get some interesting truths out of Beato as well. ... that event all around would just be perfect/terrible for these two. ]

[17-going-on-8.livejournal.com]

a rose trick? Heh, should be fun. [And goes to find said rose! Shouldn't take too long. He's good at spotting little things. And will take a good look over the rose.]

This one should do, right?

((OOC: It would be! And incredibly ironic, all things considered. So, they shall meet that weekend?]