I find the oldest ones to be the most vexing; it's like a piece of meat stuck in your teeth.
[ he really, really hates not solving mysteries. murdergames are terrible for temenos mistral. ]
Besides, it is the start of a new week, so I like to start at the beginning instead of move backwards - so the cases remain fresh in my mind, no matter how long ago they were.
[ Like, he doesn't want to talk about Reigen's, doesn't really want to think about it any more than he has to, but it's either he does it while awake or leave his thoughts to haunt him at night. ]
It's the only one I can't solve. So I was hoping you had any new theories.
I'll tell you what. Tell me your theories on Satan's, and we can work on Reigen's together, as an exchange. I do have a few ideas. How does that sound?
[ he will take his tea when it arrives, and waves his hand. ]
My major question is how the pieces fit in the timeline. We have [ counts on his fingers ] 1) Reigen's heart is removed. 2) Reigen's body is left in the garage. 3) Reigen pauses time and writes his letters. 4) Reigen dies. When he wrote his letters, he knew he was going to die. I don't think he was dying by then- his handwriting was steady. So it must be when he saw somebody, knew it was going to be either them or him, and accepted he can't repeat what happened last time.
[ Reigen couldn't have fought back. He just can't see Reigen doing that- the most violence he's seen from that man was his apple attack ]
I can't see the method clearly... It would work if somebody could copy another person's powers... [ eyes Temenos, just in case he's stepping into land mine territory ] Am I right that Axel can only copy one power at a time? Even when he's boosted?
[ he nods along to this, thoughtful - listening and taking in each piece as always. and it doesn't seem to be a land mine at all! temenos is a big logic guy far, far before anything, so. he hums, thoughtful. ]
You are correct: he can only copy one power at a time, with an hourlong cooldown. With a boost, that power becomes stronger, but it would still be limited to one.
As for your timeline pieces...I agree, about the handwriting. My thought is that perhaps his attacker was someone younger. I find it difficult to believe he wouldn't use his five minutes of priceless time to outfox someone who was older, even if it didn't lead to a physical fight - Reigen was quite clever. We saw his tenacity against Yae, after all. But, if it was part of our younger crowd, I think he would hesitate to fight back.
So, perhaps the time pause came first. Whatever happened with his salt, and the little game system must have happened in this span. The heart, second - the cause of death. The body, third. Though, I don't know how the body would have made it to the garage without leaving a mess anywhere else. That part interests me, too.
Which returns back to the question of what ability would allow for any of this to happen, of course.
Do you think there's an item that allows you to use somebody else's power in addition to your own? If, say, Danny copies Rita's power, and uses his intangibility to reach into Reigen's chest and seal his heart in a piece of paper. He has to be able to make objects intangible, or otherwise his clothes would fall right off each time he "goes ghost"
I've not heard of anything like it, but, I suppose it's not impossible. However - we had a complete list of items used on Saturday, including items from weekly adventures, items purchased through the Amazoom Recollection, and Wonderball powers. So... I don't think it's likely. The only things that are not listed, as far as I can deduce, are team powers - which might cover for some of the curses that are not listed or mentioned. That was my initial thought, that perhaps a team power was what enabled our killer to cause all of that fracas.
[ temenos takes the moment to put some sugar in his tea, stirring it absently as he's thinking. ]
And would we not have found a piece of paper as evidence, if that were the case? Unless it was particularly well hidden, but the leaders signaled we had found everything in that location, if I recall correctly.
As for the intangibility... that is correct, yes. Though, by that logic, then is his energy going towards his clothing already? I suppose it would be embarrassing to run around in the nude.
It's a complete list if you believe the sender. Everything was found if you believe the leaders. But how would they know? If they know everything that was part of the situation, what's to say they don't know who did it? Why keep it from us? Some arbitrary "rule" they have to follow?
[ if there's one thing he does not do well, it's trusting other people. temenos can almost sense paranoia coming off of him in waves.
but he does sit back a little after, before he gets so carried away he justifies himself of leader murder ]
As for the paper, it doesn't have to remain on the scene. Rita carries her book around with her— the objects go inside the book and then out, the paper never leaving the binding. It can be set on fire just as easily, the wind scattering the ashes until there's nothing left.
[ hanako can see something pop over his head in a thought bubble. an approving Good. ]
Now you're thinking. [ hehe. ] The only way we find the answers to those questions is by seeking them out. Ultimately, we have been given many pieces of information, and very little way to verify or trust them. It is a gut feeling that suggests whether to trust something or not, and doubt is always the answer.
[ he supports your paranoia. doubt is what he does, after all! this is a very good role model. (unsure) ] In terms of our little informant, it does seem they are doing their very best to help. I have to wonder if it is somehow one of our number, and if that's the case, does that make them more trustworthy, or less? Such are the questions we much ponder.
And I agree, but why didn't Janeway do the same? Unless you think our killer is clever enough to dispose of it - that is a possibility, of course. On that end, it is all hypothetical, too. This only applies if an item is around that could allow multiple utilizations of abilities.
It wasn't Janeway's power to begin with, so maybe she didn't know. [ ?? 3-4 days should be enough to play around with newly swapped powers, he thinks, but there's also people like Ryuki who took one look at his kaiju transforming power and went "what... am i supposed to do with this..." ]
I don't know about trusting our informant either. I'd trust if it were Datz, or Ryuki, or Tama, but that's it. [ his mice and honorary mouse. temenos doesn't even make the list ]
Let me hear your thoughts on what went into this case. I know you have different ideas.
If that's the case, then why would someone borrowing someone else's power understand it that well? Yes, we've seen it in action, but in a moment of panic, would they remember? They'd also not have a clue how long it lasted, and they'd have far less time to test it, if it were an item. The only one of those I've had had quite a short span of time attached to it - an item, that is.
It very well could be one of those people. Or it could be neither. Like so many things here, we have no verification, and no way to know.
[ but, ah. that's irrelevant at the moment, so. he picks up his tea to take a sip, taking a long, thoughtful moment to go over the information. his mind palace picks up those blue images again, briefly - images of the case itself, of the state of the body, the heart, the table. ]
We have spent quite a bit of time with this one already. [ a bit of a warning there, but it's only a reminder. ] As for my own theories... allow me to posit something similar, if from a different source.
I have wondered if perhaps team powers had something to do with it. "Halt" could have been a Wonderball, but it seems odd to imagine that they would send it as a separate message from the others - by that logic, we could deduce the second message from the informant relates to special abilities, or things that are set apart from the norm. Reigen's team only has three members on it, and there are three powers assigned to each team, so it follows that he could have been the only one to have that ability, as was said. As we are not supposed to discuss our team powers, they remain a wildcard.
A team power that could copy someone else's for a short time seems more probable to me than an item. Or, perhaps even a team power that provides teleportation. To stop time for a short amount of time is an extremely powerful ability with many applications, and while everyone claims their powers are quite benign, if we follow the logic that 'halt' was a team ability, perhaps there are a few out there that are stronger than the rest.
So, if it is a team ability that was not able to be disclosed, because more than one person maintained that capability, then perhaps it would not be able to be reported - or even, our informant may have chosen not to inform us of it. If they are one of our number, perhaps Reigen's killer was on their team.
Either way, to me, that seems the most likely culprit of the unexplained.
There is also the matter of motive. Reigen could have been a choice by nigh anyone, because of his culpability in a previous case. To me, that seems like the move of someone who would hesitate to kill, but perhaps felt forced to because of the circumstances. "If I have to do this, at least I can kill someone who killed someone else".
So. A younger culprit, who perhaps felt forced to act. Potentially, they saw the circulation of information, and trusted it. Or, they wanted their team to raise in the ranks. A culprit armed with powers that have been utilized quite creatively, and a power that perhaps only their teammates know the function of.
Edited (i promise you i did not have a borrowing power superpower. help) 2023-10-25 16:38 (UTC)
None of the powers from the Mouse team involve copying powers or teleportation. Tama also said none of Goat's powers were "meant for harming" unless somebody purposefully tries and is creative about it.
[ That's about it for teams, though, that he can share. ]
...I can see hesitation, though, since Reigen wasn't simply shot or stabbed. For a younger culprit, that would include Danny... Nico. Will? And Rita.
[ not himself. he's innocent. ]
Do you think maybe this was done by more than one person?
And none of ours are that, either - but the "purposefully tries and is creative about it" lands us in the place that we are now. [ ie: someone got real creative. ]
And, yes, that sounds about right. I might also include Ponta in that list as someone with the age and the motive, for a few reasons. [ and a few others. the youth thing doesn't really matter to temenos - he travels with an 18 year old, and he's a medieval, but it was a sticking point with reigen, so. someone like that might still apply.
he tilts his head to the side, at the last theory. ]
As for two people...hmmm. It's possible. That could explain some of the inconsistencies.
... To be quite honest, it barely registered. [ but he reaches over the table and pats him on the head anyway. it's not patronizing - a genuine yes you're good. ] But your apology is much appreciated, and all is forgiven. It's quite alright.
Our weekends are extremely vexing for a variety of reasons. A high stress situation leads to short tempers. [ we're all ready to stab hanako is just the only one brave enough to. king. ] And in reverse, I should say: thank you for trusting me enough to allow me to examine it, anyway.
No, but sometimes one has to grease the wheel a bit to keep things moving.
[ aka, even he's willing to acquiesce every now and then, too. there are things even temenos is very stubborn about when it comes to trials - ie, strip check - but sometimes its just easier. ]
as for the question... a thought bubble flickers over his head, though it's more abstract swirls of that bright blue, and then the formation of the phrase: The truth lies in the flame. ]
... It is something of a personal credo of mine, to always seek the truth. I rather hate to leave things unsolved when I can unravel the proper answer, no matter how deep that proverbial rabbit hole goes. [ really, his name as a hero is one from home. the hound, a dogged pursuant of truth, doubter of all, questioner of all. ]
In this place in particular, knowing those answers also helps to provide clarity as to our supposed quota, and I'd rather know anything for certainty and hard fact. I've no need for vengeance, and no need for closure, short of knowing what happened. So, I suppose it is the latter, though I wouldn't say it's 'only' that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Ah... I have theories, but only theories. Why do you ask?
no subject
Because you're obsessing over older mysteries. Why go back, instead of figuring out Reigen's for sure?
no subject
I find the oldest ones to be the most vexing; it's like a piece of meat stuck in your teeth.
[ he really, really hates not solving mysteries. murdergames are terrible for temenos mistral. ]
Besides, it is the start of a new week, so I like to start at the beginning instead of move backwards - so the cases remain fresh in my mind, no matter how long ago they were.
Did you want to chat about Reigen's?
no subject
[ Like, he doesn't want to talk about Reigen's, doesn't really want to think about it any more than he has to, but it's either he does it while awake or leave his thoughts to haunt him at night. ]
It's the only one I can't solve. So I was hoping you had any new theories.
no subject
I'll tell you what. Tell me your theories on Satan's, and we can work on Reigen's together, as an exchange. I do have a few ideas. How does that sound?
[ he will take his tea when it arrives, and waves his hand. ]
Order a drink, and let's get down to evidence.
no subject
[ he's still going to order a drink, though. melon soda ]
We talk about Reigen's first. You care about both, but I only care about Reigen's.
[ he hadn't even talked to Satan before he died, but Reigen... ]
no subject
Very well, but I'd like to hear your line of thinking first.
no subject
[ Reigen couldn't have fought back. He just can't see Reigen doing that- the most violence he's seen from that man was his apple attack ]
I can't see the method clearly... It would work if somebody could copy another person's powers... [ eyes Temenos, just in case he's stepping into land mine territory ] Am I right that Axel can only copy one power at a time? Even when he's boosted?
no subject
You are correct: he can only copy one power at a time, with an hourlong cooldown. With a boost, that power becomes stronger, but it would still be limited to one.
As for your timeline pieces...I agree, about the handwriting. My thought is that perhaps his attacker was someone younger. I find it difficult to believe he wouldn't use his five minutes of priceless time to outfox someone who was older, even if it didn't lead to a physical fight - Reigen was quite clever. We saw his tenacity against Yae, after all. But, if it was part of our younger crowd, I think he would hesitate to fight back.
So, perhaps the time pause came first. Whatever happened with his salt, and the little game system must have happened in this span. The heart, second - the cause of death. The body, third. Though, I don't know how the body would have made it to the garage without leaving a mess anywhere else. That part interests me, too.
Which returns back to the question of what ability would allow for any of this to happen, of course.
no subject
[ his Danny grudge... ]
no subject
[ temenos takes the moment to put some sugar in his tea, stirring it absently as he's thinking. ]
And would we not have found a piece of paper as evidence, if that were the case? Unless it was particularly well hidden, but the leaders signaled we had found everything in that location, if I recall correctly.
As for the intangibility... that is correct, yes. Though, by that logic, then is his energy going towards his clothing already? I suppose it would be embarrassing to run around in the nude.
[ especially for a teen boy. yikes. ]
no subject
[ if there's one thing he does not do well, it's trusting other people. temenos can almost sense paranoia coming off of him in waves.
but he does sit back a little after, before he gets so carried away he justifies himself of leader murder ]
As for the paper, it doesn't have to remain on the scene. Rita carries her book around with her— the objects go inside the book and then out, the paper never leaving the binding. It can be set on fire just as easily, the wind scattering the ashes until there's nothing left.
It's not impossible.
no subject
Now you're thinking. [ hehe. ] The only way we find the answers to those questions is by seeking them out. Ultimately, we have been given many pieces of information, and very little way to verify or trust them. It is a gut feeling that suggests whether to trust something or not, and doubt is always the answer.
[ he supports your paranoia. doubt is what he does, after all! this is a very good role model. (unsure) ] In terms of our little informant, it does seem they are doing their very best to help. I have to wonder if it is somehow one of our number, and if that's the case, does that make them more trustworthy, or less? Such are the questions we much ponder.
And I agree, but why didn't Janeway do the same? Unless you think our killer is clever enough to dispose of it - that is a possibility, of course. On that end, it is all hypothetical, too. This only applies if an item is around that could allow multiple utilizations of abilities.
We cannot get too lost in hypotheticals.
no subject
I don't know about trusting our informant either. I'd trust if it were Datz, or Ryuki, or Tama, but that's it. [ his mice and honorary mouse. temenos doesn't even make the list ]
Let me hear your thoughts on what went into this case. I know you have different ideas.
no subject
It very well could be one of those people. Or it could be neither. Like so many things here, we have no verification, and no way to know.
[ but, ah. that's irrelevant at the moment, so. he picks up his tea to take a sip, taking a long, thoughtful moment to go over the information. his mind palace picks up those blue images again, briefly - images of the case itself, of the state of the body, the heart, the table. ]
We have spent quite a bit of time with this one already. [ a bit of a warning there, but it's only a reminder. ] As for my own theories... allow me to posit something similar, if from a different source.
I have wondered if perhaps team powers had something to do with it. "Halt" could have been a Wonderball, but it seems odd to imagine that they would send it as a separate message from the others - by that logic, we could deduce the second message from the informant relates to special abilities, or things that are set apart from the norm. Reigen's team only has three members on it, and there are three powers assigned to each team, so it follows that he could have been the only one to have that ability, as was said. As we are not supposed to discuss our team powers, they remain a wildcard.
A team power that could copy someone else's for a short time seems more probable to me than an item. Or, perhaps even a team power that provides teleportation. To stop time for a short amount of time is an extremely powerful ability with many applications, and while everyone claims their powers are quite benign, if we follow the logic that 'halt' was a team ability, perhaps there are a few out there that are stronger than the rest.
So, if it is a team ability that was not able to be disclosed, because more than one person maintained that capability, then perhaps it would not be able to be reported - or even, our informant may have chosen not to inform us of it. If they are one of our number, perhaps Reigen's killer was on their team.
Either way, to me, that seems the most likely culprit of the unexplained.
There is also the matter of motive. Reigen could have been a choice by nigh anyone, because of his culpability in a previous case. To me, that seems like the move of someone who would hesitate to kill, but perhaps felt forced to because of the circumstances. "If I have to do this, at least I can kill someone who killed someone else".
So. A younger culprit, who perhaps felt forced to act. Potentially, they saw the circulation of information, and trusted it. Or, they wanted their team to raise in the ranks. A culprit armed with powers that have been utilized quite creatively, and a power that perhaps only their teammates know the function of.
no subject
None of the powers from the Mouse team involve copying powers or teleportation. Tama also said none of Goat's powers were "meant for harming" unless somebody purposefully tries and is creative about it.
[ That's about it for teams, though, that he can share. ]
...I can see hesitation, though, since Reigen wasn't simply shot or stabbed. For a younger culprit, that would include Danny... Nico. Will? And Rita.
[ not himself. he's innocent. ]
Do you think maybe this was done by more than one person?
no subject
And, yes, that sounds about right. I might also include Ponta in that list as someone with the age and the motive, for a few reasons. [ and a few others. the youth thing doesn't really matter to temenos - he travels with an 18 year old, and he's a medieval, but it was a sticking point with reigen, so. someone like that might still apply.
he tilts his head to the side, at the last theory. ]
As for two people...hmmm. It's possible. That could explain some of the inconsistencies.
no subject
[ like Temenos does, he guesses, mind palacing outside while his tea get cold ]
So Ponta and... Danny.
no subject
Mm. [ with a bit of a smile, rueful and a bit teasing: ] You don't like Danny very much.
no subject
I don't.
[ not at all. for very petty reasons, but his reasons tend to be that ]
...I guess I should say sorry for being snappy at you when you asked for the knife. I was in a bad mood.
[ he was pissed off and took it out on Danny for convenience and Temenos was an unfortunate bystander casualty ]
no subject
oh! he looks a little surprised. ]
... To be quite honest, it barely registered. [ but he reaches over the table and pats him on the head anyway. it's not patronizing - a genuine yes you're good. ] But your apology is much appreciated, and all is forgiven. It's quite alright.
Our weekends are extremely vexing for a variety of reasons. A high stress situation leads to short tempers. [ we're all ready to stab hanako is just the only one brave enough to. king. ] And in reverse, I should say: thank you for trusting me enough to allow me to examine it, anyway.
no subject
Hanako still doesn't know why he trusts Temenos ]
It wouldn't have mattered anyways. The knife I have here is like anybody else's.
[ someday... his canon knife when i'm not poor ]
no subject
[ aka, even he's willing to acquiesce every now and then, too. there are things even temenos is very stubborn about when it comes to trials - ie, strip check - but sometimes its just easier. ]
Such is the way of life.
no subject
...maybe it was Ponta, so the rest of his team doesn't have to... you know.
[ White Tiger's safe in that regard, although he's still inclined to blame Danny until proven innocent ]
Say it does turn out to be him. Then what? Or is this all just to satisfy your curiosity?
no subject
[ so, maybe.
as for the question... a thought bubble flickers over his head, though it's more abstract swirls of that bright blue, and then the formation of the phrase: The truth lies in the flame. ]
... It is something of a personal credo of mine, to always seek the truth. I rather hate to leave things unsolved when I can unravel the proper answer, no matter how deep that proverbial rabbit hole goes. [ really, his name as a hero is one from home. the hound, a dogged pursuant of truth, doubter of all, questioner of all. ]
In this place in particular, knowing those answers also helps to provide clarity as to our supposed quota, and I'd rather know anything for certainty and hard fact. I've no need for vengeance, and no need for closure, short of knowing what happened. So, I suppose it is the latter, though I wouldn't say it's 'only' that.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)