bloodofgrima | Hunters Game [PRIVATE CONVO]

[Mondo watches her examine the room, realizing that it never once occurred to him to bother checking his own. He'll have to fix that. Hopefully his conversation with Kirigiri wasn't bugged.]

Okay, so Kirigiri figured out what this thing's supposed to mean.

[He sets the drawing down on the desk and pulls out his notebook, flipping to a blank page.]

It's a lion holding a feather in its mouth, right? It took us awhile, but Kirigiri figured that the kanji for the words "lion" and "bird" appear in someone's name.

[He scrawls the two kanji side by side, then underneath them, writes the name. The kanji both appear in the name: 羽狛]

Hanekoma - the kanji for it basically means feather and lion-dog. The Critter left this in the museum for me - or someone else who speaks Japanese - to find.

[He bites on the pen cap for a moment, still staring at the notebook.]

It's possible that this guy, Hanekoma, is the next victim, but it's equally possible that they're the next murderer. That's what Kirigiri said. I have no way of telling which one it is, and I don't even know this person so I can't talk to 'em and figure it out. Not that I'd be able to figure it out anyway...

[He's a little slow like that.]

[Despite her clear unfamiliarity with kanji, Robin understands quite well.]

...Don't forget. There's another possibility.

[She opens her journal, placing it down and pointing to the rules.]

At the dawn of the second day, there are fifteen hunters, three scavengers, and thirty seven prey. Among the prey, eight have special roles that will assist the others. Among the hunters, four have special roles which will endanger you.

As these rules don't seem to be false at present, that means these "scavengers" are unaccounted for. Hanekoma could be any one of these three, and there's clearly significant difference between them -- why list them separately if not?

...Furthermore, "next" may not be entirely right. I wouldn't put it past whoever set this up to try and throw us for a loop with a real clue, just at the wrong time.

What if Hanekoma will be a victim... but not the next one?

Ah, shit, I didn't even think of that!

[He hadn't remembered the scavengers at all and the timing of the note is a bit too convenient, isn't it? Once again he feels stupid for missing something that should have be obvious.]

If that's the case then we should really warn him. But if he's not the victim and he's a hunter instead, he could just assume that we've got more information and want us dead. I've got no idea what the fuck the scavengers are supposed to be doing either.

[He bites on his pen cap again. At this rate, he won't be able to properly put it on the pen again.]

So what do we do? Do we just sit on this information? What can we do?

[Robin sighs again, tapping her foot in a thoughtful tic.]

...That's the question, isn't it? If he's a hunter, then showing him this information could tip them off that someone's leaving clues. If he's prey with the rest of us, then not saying anything could mean that he dies -- if not now, then later. And if he's a scavenger, then we have no idea what this information implicating him might make him think, especially since we know nothing about what goal these "scavengers" have.

[...She has a feeling Mondo won't like it, but Robin turns to him.]

Speaking strictly as a tactician, the best course of action would be to hold the information without saying anything to anyone else, at present. We know nothing about scavengers. The fact that they were listed separately suggests that they -- like the hunters -- are our enemies in some way. If we consider that possibility, then we currently have odds in favor of keeping silent, as alerting him to this has a 2 in 3 chance of making the hunters or scavengers aware that information is being spread. Therefore, it would be best to just wait and see what happens for a day or two -- if Hanekoma dies, then we establish some credibility for these at the cost of a single life instead of endangering all of us here.

[A slight grimace crosses Robin's face.]

Even with that in mind... regardless of what we choose to do, there's a risk and a heavy chance of blood on our hands.

If we tell him and he's a hunter, then the hunters know that information is being planted and may be quick to search areas to find and destroy it. With how often all of us look for anything to help, this would be almost unnoticeable, especially if the hunters use people already know for being awake early and looking around. Therefore, by telling him, we've just severely hurt our chances of survival with very little to gain.

If we tell him and he's a scavenger, we've introduced a completely unknown element into an already confusing situation. Furthermore, with no way to know what the scavengers' goals are, we could be hurting ourselves almost as much as if we alerted the hunters instead. It's simply impossible to know what would come of it.

If we don't tell him and he is prey, then we're leaving an innocent person in danger, especially because we can't have someone watch him; that would alert the hunters just as much. After all, what else would you think if the person you conspired to murder was suddenly being watched and protected besides some sort of evidence?

[Mondo is silent for a few moments after her explanation, trying to find something to say. It seems there really isn't choice is there? They'll have to remain quiet for the time being.]

Fuck.

[It's all he can manage for a moment and he reaches up to rub at his temples.]

This is confusing as fuck. I guess we don't have a choice. It's two-to-one in favor of keeping quiet, so I guess that's what we'll have to do. Son of a bitch, why did it let me find this if there's nothing we can do about it?

[And why him of all people? Shouldn't it have left the clue for someone else - someone smarter? Even with Robin and Kirigiri's help he's not sure what to do.]

Maybe to taunt us? The best way to make an enemy despair is to give them vital information, but in a situation that they can do nothing with it.

It's far more torturous to know and yet still be helpless.

Shit, that sounds like something Enoshima would do. I mean, I guess, since I wasn't exactly there to get the full story, but from what Kirigiri said... Never mind. Point is that I can definitely see it being some kinda clue we're not supposed to do anything with. Maybe nothing'll come of it. I hope that's the case.

"Enoshima?"

[Hm...]

You made a mention this was called "kanji," yes? Does all your language involve it?

It's how we write, yeah. Why?

Is there a word for my name in your language? "Robin?"

If so... I'd like you to show me how to write it.

Oh yeah, sure. I think there are two ways to write it, hang on.

[He frowns for a moment before putting pen to paper and leaving two different sets of kanji, one above the other.]

They roughly translate to "komadori" which is "robin" in Japanese. I think. I mean, I'm not all that great at languages, so I might be wrong.

[His English is pretty horrible, to be quite honest.]

Why do you wanna know?

[Robin carefully watches him write it. Once he's finished, she attempts it herself, trying to match his strokes even if somewhat untalentedly.]

I'll say it bluntly. I trust you, Owada. The reason I've asked you so many hard things is so that I could see how you reacted, and what you chose to say in relation to it. Perhaps it's foolish of me, but I believe in my heart that you are someone that deserves my trust.

But that's not something I can extend to many others. And that's why I ask. To those not from your world, this will just appear as a strange symbol, won't it? And to those from your world, this will just appear as someone who does writing the word "robin" for some reason. Even if they take it to mean me, I doubt they would think that I was the one who wrote it.

...And so, that's why I have to ask you. Please, give me you word you won't mention that you've taught me this.

[Mondo watches her write it and then repeats the two words again: こまどり and コマドリ. He slows down the strokes so she can watch exactly how he writes them.

Her words are a bit surprising and he stares at her blankly for a moment.]

Ah, you really trust me that much?

[He doesn't bother hiding the wide smile that follows that.]

Thanks! I really trust you too, Robin. I won't say a word about it, alright?

[Robin smiles in response, mimicking the strokes again. This time, while they're still clearly the work of someone who's new to it, they're much more precise and controlled. She's getting the hang of it, it seems!]

You have your own burdens to suffer, I'm certain. There are secrets about yourself that you don't want to share. But that's just natural of humans, isn't it? We all have things we would rather others not know. That doesn't make us any less of ourselves.

You've always answered forwardly. Even the times you've hesitated, it was clear that you wanted to give me the right answer, not necessarily the first one.

That's why I feel that I can.

Ah, y-yeah, well... I don't see any reason to lie to you. You've been nothing but good to me since I got here.

[He might be going pink. Just a bit.]

[How cute! Robin says nothing about it, falling into silence for a moment.]

I don't think we have much more time left. Can I ask another thing of you?

[Oh come on, he is not cute!]

Yeah, sure. What is it?

[He can be!

Robin opens her journal, removing a page from it and folding it repeatedly. The only glimpse Mondo can catch is the fact that it's almost completely covered in writing.

She hands him the folded note.]

Read this only once you're back in your cabin and room, when the blizzard starts. No sooner, but before you go to sleep tonight.

There was a promise I made to you, and that will keep it.

[Mondo tips his head a bit, wondering just what the note could say. He accepts it and pockets it, nodding at Robin's words.]

Alright, I'll do that. Thanks, Robin. I really appreciate being able to talk to you about this sorta shit.

I'm always here if you need me.

[She smiles, then goes to unlock her door.]

We can talk more tomorrow, but I think you should get back to your cabin before things get too hectic outside, just in case.

Yeah, you're right. I'll see you tomorrow then!

[Assuming they're both still alive, that is.]

Take care of yourself.

You too!

[And with that, he'll take his leave to return to his cabin to wait for the blizzard to hit.]

Hunters Game [PRIVATE CONVO]

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