(no subject)

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

[There's a notlittle boy standing outside the Labyrinth. He seems to be seriously debating whether or not to go in.]

If I keep my hand on one wall, I should be able to make my way out, even if I lose track somehow. And if there's dangers, I should be able to handle it. How bad can a maze be? Not like a large predator would be able to find all it's food in there unless there's a lot of animals...

[He's mostly talking to himself in this debate. He hasn't really talked to anyone that day. Too bad or he might have realized what's going on.]

Comments

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

I can tell you ahead of time you won't like that meaning.

Right. Perhaps it takes a drastic fall to rise higher and win? [ Certainly applies to Battler, at least. ] Plus, it's always important to... heh, flip the chessboard over. Know the moves of your opponent and why they're made.

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

Would that be the meaning the people on the island takes?

[Chuckles.] That's right. Lower it and then raise it, but that's going to poker again.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Eventually. After the first Twilight-- I thought we weren't going to talk about this!

You can liken it to a lot of games, to be honest. I just favor chess.

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

[Blinks.] Ah, sorry. It's not easy for me to not ask questions. I've always been that way.

There is an elegance to chess.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

I can tell, honestly. But don't keep doing it right now.

And there's plenty of comparisons you can draw between it and Rokkenjima.

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

Right. Sorry. [It's just such a strong, strong habit.]

That's specific to only chess?

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

I'll generously forgive you, for now.

... nngh-- [ Trying to resist answering that. ] Y... yes.

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

[Blinks.] ...still doing it, huh?

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

If you would kindly keep that habit in check--

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

Right.

It's kind of like your laugh. Just sort of happens.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

... I don't think I'll ever be able to keep my laughter in check. My apologies! [ ...cackle! ]

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

[Chuckles.] It's the same with my curiosity.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

... allow me a little payback in the form of a question.

Just how many criminals have you captured with that curiosity?

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

[There was a long, long silence. He's murmuring numbers.]

...do I count the time an entire yakuza gang was arrested individually or as just one because there was about forty people then? And then the centipede case had at least a dozen. Though I think it's just those two with a large number of people.

And any criminals...ones arrested? It'd still be hundreds...

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

... kufufufu. I'm clearly up against someone with experience.

Well, at least any thoughts about traumatizing some seven year old with what happens next in the game are cleared from my mind. Age doesn't matter to me, but a ten year gap for a normally teenage human makes quite a difference.

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

Well, it happens when you run across a murder at least once a week no matter where you go. People have been acting like it's weird. I've actually wondered if it was some sort of distorted luck of mine...

A soft spot for kids, huh? Ah, don't answer. Just thought it might be like that since you seemed almost sad about Maria.

1/2

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

... ahahaha, perhaps you've been cursed or hexed? Even if no real murder is happening on this island, I still lured you into observing a murder mystery, didn't I?

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

... [ Pause at that. ] Maria's story runs much deeper than what you briefly saw. Even for someone like myself, who explored the depths of cruelty for so long, I can even concede that her life is difficult to look at without wincing.

--tche, damn this island. Even if you said don't answer, it made me anyway.

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

I've not been cursed or hexed. It just happens. Happened to my dad too, actually...at least when he was younger.

...seeing cruelty to a child is one of the worst things there is. They...don't really understand what's going on. It's bad enough when some are exposed to it as a third party. [He still wasn't sure if what the shonen tantei were being exposed to was a bad thing or not.] To be abused and have no help like she has and to have something more beyond that...

[Shakes his head.] It's making it difficult to keep quiet. I have a hard enough time hiding the truth as is.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Detective work runs in the family?

[ Another pause, brings her pipe to her lips momentarily before speaking ] Ku. Perhaps I'm not the one here who has a supposed soft spot for children. Though it's a disgusting situation for most humans who happen to view it.

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

My father was the writer I was talking about. I can't exactly say he's my dad or people will question where the seven year old was for so many years. Not like Kudo Shinichi was a loner.

I have a soft spot for anyone who is forced to become a victim. Just seemed you were sad when she was being hurt too. It's not bad that even a witch thinks such cruel treatment is bad.

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

Aah, that makes sense. I suppose it'll be safer for you if I just stick to detective or Chibi-Battler from now on, hmhm? Though 'chibi' just feels inaccurate now.

Maria respects and believes in me, so it's only natural I would give her story a second glance.

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

I'm small, so chibi fits in that regard. But I do prefer detective.

Does she believe you're the killer too?

[bitchcrafts.livejournal.com]

... I guess I still have time to get a feel for which I prefer. [ laughs ]

Maria believes that I'm going to open the doors to the Golden Land, so yes, she does, and she doesn't mind it.

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

Just don't say Kudo in front of other people. I can't trust many people on the island to keep the promise.

...that definitely doesn't speak well for what she's gone through.