[That is hilarious and terrible because that sadly reminds Tamamo of the One Thing she doesn't want to talk about at ALL but she's going to grin anyway, and just start praying to the heavens that she can escape this room in five minutes.]
Considering what could have happened, you and the others should consider yourselves lucky.
[...]
Though by the way, were you able to learn anything of importance while in that room?
Yeah, I guess. [...but he nods and gestures for her to come closer.] Come take a look at this. I wrote down everything I remembered as soon as I could, give or take some wording.
[When she's close enough, he'll hand her a notebook that actually looks a little thick with notes, but he has it flipped to a certain page.
?: Holy shit, what are you doing?!
H: Trying to shove this lance up your fucking asshole! What does it look like I'm doing?
?: It looks like you've lost your goddamn mind. Calm down, H, and we can talk about this.
H: Are you seriously asking me to calm down? You must think I'm a moron. I bet... I bet you always think you're the smartest guy in the room, don't you?
?: I don't know what you mean. (Paraphrased)
H: Hah-- Of course you don't. You think everyone on this fucking ship loves you, right? You don't think anyone talks about you behind your back. I'm such an idiot for thinking we were friends, when it's your fault that my brother is dead. I've been talking to M. You know what she told me? That she and the other two Cockblockers planned to (protect? save?) my brother, and you said no. And you know what else she dropped along the way? That you specifically told them to keep any information they found away from me.
?: It's not what it sounds like.
H: Don't waste your breath. It's midnight and we're both awake. So either you're possessed, and here to kill me... Or they've given me their blessing to put you in your place.
?: So we're really going to fight over this?
H: Yes. But look at the bright side, (?), you won't have to send pictures of your ugly dick to talk to A anymore.]
[-- The mention of a lance almost has Tamamo laughing, when she joins Junpei and begins reading the page. Oh, the number of heroic spirits she could imagine spitting out that line.
... But on a more sombering note:]
So they had a violent falling out.
[Hm.]
I see you've written that one down as "H" -- does this mean you've found other relevant information on them?
[For now, she is not going to mention how it unnerves her that this mystery person sounds much like Junpei and the role he takes on the ship]
So it seems. Pretty sure that's why Nikkari and Edelgard had to fight each other while we were in the room. [But he shakes his head a little.] I don't really know who H is, but he's come up quite a bit. Specifically in regards to his brother. He's someone who was at the center of all of this and our narrator seemed to know.
[That's for the best, he doesn't want to think about that either.] His brother was killed. Guy was in total agony. But he may have been one of those in the past who had a role in the first game. Their names are never clear, but if you listen close you can pick up some letters.
I wonder if the brother's death was what Grune-san saw...
[Kanesada-san as well, but Tamamo is also reluctant to bring up that name for now. Her arms fold, head tilted to the side]
A man was killed trying to defend someone, and then a woman was used in a ritualistic summoning.
[tapping a finger to her lip]
Or, possibly, that ritual was the first that started the entire chain of events, much like what happened with Polly-san.
[-- Ah, but that does remind her-- Tamamo clearly hesitates for a beat, but comes to her decision quickly enough, glancing sideways at Junpei]
By the way, I have the notebook that was in Kanesan-san's possession. While I assume he showed it to you already, you are welcome to take it should it be useful.
The drowning. I talked to Grune and got her version of the events myself. A drowning in the fountain, then the ritual that ripped off that woman's arm. I've been trying to figure that out, too.
Dick said that when he and Taako broke into the clinic there was a woman named M whose cause of death was dismemberment. Naturally, they had to put together a woman's body themselves. We're losing track of where things really started with our group and ended with theirs.
[But he looks briefly surprised.] I was wondering where that went. I wrote down the notes when he first showed me, but we should keep it. We might be able to transcribe some of the other pages later somehow.
Hm... so does this mean we need only unravel the mystery of these people, and not commit their same mistakes? Or is the very act of discovering the truth enough to set us free...
[Folding her arms]
Well, in any case, my assumption is the notebook passed to my possession because I helped break into the that room with him. Grune-san likely has the keys to the cell, seeing as they didn't appear in my room.
Maybe the latter. We're missing one role right now, and...have we identified who's missing yet? Who might've been exorcised last night? [NOBODY FUCKING TOLD HIM YET. He just heard Taako's announcement and assumed.]
Those items going to you and Grune makes sense. Izuminokami left them for me but...you're both still alive, so. [A shrug. He's fine with it.]
I'll ask around...maybe tomorrow. If the knife disappears I'll ask Grune for it immediately because, funny enough, turns out we might actually need it. There's a ritual to prepare for, but we're missing a lot of items.
[Haha! But he nods.] The title's Booty Caller. I'm pretty sure they can speak to those on the other side. There's two of them, but I've been in contact with the other. They have no idea who it might be either. I have suspicions, but nothing concrete yet.
We have until day 50 to get everything together. I don't know all of the details, my information's second hand. I just know the kind of tools we're looking for. Your knife was one of them. If a ritual brought them here, then a ritual to send them back almost makes sense.
[He seems surprised by the question though.] Oh. I...guess I never really told you, huh?
[Since he has his notebook, he'll flip to another page where there seems to be a list.
A lot of you don't know what these names mean. [He shakes his head.] Honey Pot is basically someone who uses sex as an allure for people in order to trap them and get information or money or stuff. Items. Whatever.
[Just. A deadeyed look.] Do I look like I'd be a Sugar Daddy, Tamamo? [Listen!!!]
--wait how are you unfamiliar with half of these but you just happen to know what that one means?
[Listen it fits with her lore? She can own this unfortunate fact]
-- And yes, I suppose you're correct. [Ha. HA HA.] You haven't the finances to pull off that title. Never fear, Master, I still accept you, even if you're perpetually broke.
[And honestly Junpei asks a valid question. Tamamo is momentarily caught off guard before--]
My best guess is that when I was summoned, I was gifted that information... I don't really get to choose what I do and do not know, you realize!
It's maybe better that it's not. Their role is a little complicated.
[Also, let's not send his wife to lure people in like that even if it is her normal lore. He narrows his eyes a bit then.]
But thanks. You know what they say about marriage. For richer, for poorer, or whatever. [But he's reviewing his own list. There's also a ? next to Booty Caller to indicate that's the one he's missing.] I never really thought about it that way. I figured you always just knew a lot given who you are. Kind of a weird thing to have knowledge about is all.
[...he taps the word "catfish."] This used to be Izuminokami's role. I had to explain some of these names to him, too.
Junpei knows nothing about what it means to be summoned as she is, and an explanation would bring a pragmatic element to the conversation. No need to make it personal at all.
-- and yet. Tamamo stands there with her gaze turned elsewhere for a moment before nodding]
Is it true that if a role dies, then the role is gifted to someone else?
[...]
If so, that seems to insinuate that they're all necessary in some way. Perhaps for the ritual?
[Tamamo please tell your husband things...the worst is that he may normally be able to call her on this, but right now he's still recovering and also focused on his notes.]
Yes. We've lost two people who had roles, and they've shifted to other people since then. We've maybe lost more, but I think every other role is with its original owner.
It's possible we need all thirteen for the ritual, too. The last group went down to twelve and maybe that's how they failed. But you can see how and why I'm trying to find this last role. If that's true, we need everyone on the same page.
[Yes good stay focused on the notes because Tamamo has zero qualms with exploiting her good fortune, even as she sneaks a furtive glance in his direction]
Yes... it makes sense now why Higekiri-san asked me to aid him in his search.
[Tapping a finger to her lip.]
And that we only lost two with roles is quite fortunate. I'd call it a game of chance, but I wouldn't be surprised if the demons are looking for those with roles specifically to kill them, as well. It's to their benefit.
He asked you, too, huh. [Haha] Someone I'm working with asked him to help and Higekiri's been working on that. It's that reason that lead me to believe who our last role may be, but...I'm not sure yet.
...Escha and Izuminokami. Both died for their roles, but not necessarily in the way you'd think. I don't know if the demons would target them because I don't think most of the hosts that the demons have inhabited have known who to go after. That's going to make the next couple of weeks really, really tricky. We're at the point where there's only twenty-one of us left, and nearly two-thirds of us with roles. It's becoming a numbers game with a deadline.
... Is it possible those without roles must die off?
[It's just a thought, really. She has no idea if it's correct or not, but her tone is musing]
Given what you learned during your last break-in, it would at least give motivation for why our anonymous friend hid information from someone he cared for, and why their friendship ended so bleakly.
You're not the first to suggest that to me. And I'd rather it not come to that, but...someone asked me to make sure I do the honorable thing no matter what it is. I just don't know what that is yet.
How do you really tell people they have to die for the greater good? Not a lot of people on this ship would just agree to that.
And that might precisely be why the last series of events failed. Death is a frightening enigma to most.
[...]
What's worse, knowing that roles can be redistributed would give others more incentive to kill. If the only winners are those who are left alive, then it's in their best interests to tempt fate with murder.
You do raise a good point about that. [Which is a kind of alarming point, but alas.] You think we've had people here kill some of our victims on their own without being possessed? Besides Escha, since that still doesn't entirely count.
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Considering what could have happened, you and the others should consider yourselves lucky.
[...]
Though by the way, were you able to learn anything of importance while in that room?
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Yeah, I guess. [...but he nods and gestures for her to come closer.] Come take a look at this. I wrote down everything I remembered as soon as I could, give or take some wording.
[When she's close enough, he'll hand her a notebook that actually looks a little thick with notes, but he has it flipped to a certain page.
?: Holy shit, what are you doing?!
H: Trying to shove this lance up your fucking asshole! What does it look like I'm doing?
?: It looks like you've lost your goddamn mind. Calm down, H, and we can talk about this.
H: Are you seriously asking me to calm down? You must think I'm a moron. I bet... I bet you always think you're the smartest guy in the room, don't you?
?: I don't know what you mean. (Paraphrased)
H: Hah-- Of course you don't. You think everyone on this fucking ship loves you, right? You don't think anyone talks about you behind your back. I'm such an idiot for thinking we were friends, when it's your fault that my brother is dead. I've been talking to M. You know what she told me? That she and the other two Cockblockers planned to (protect? save?) my brother, and you said no. And you know what else she dropped along the way? That you specifically told them to keep any information they found away from me.
?: It's not what it sounds like.
H: Don't waste your breath. It's midnight and we're both awake. So either you're possessed, and here to kill me... Or they've given me their blessing to put you in your place.
?: So we're really going to fight over this?
H: Yes. But look at the bright side, (?), you won't have to send pictures of your ugly dick to talk to A anymore.]
More or less accurate from what I remember.
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... But on a more sombering note:]
So they had a violent falling out.
[Hm.]
I see you've written that one down as "H" -- does this mean you've found other relevant information on them?
[For now, she is not going to mention how it unnerves her that this mystery person sounds much like Junpei and the role he takes on the ship]
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[That's for the best, he doesn't want to think about that either.] His brother was killed. Guy was in total agony. But he may have been one of those in the past who had a role in the first game. Their names are never clear, but if you listen close you can pick up some letters.
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[Kanesada-san as well, but Tamamo is also reluctant to bring up that name for now. Her arms fold, head tilted to the side]
A man was killed trying to defend someone, and then a woman was used in a ritualistic summoning.
[tapping a finger to her lip]
Or, possibly, that ritual was the first that started the entire chain of events, much like what happened with Polly-san.
[-- Ah, but that does remind her-- Tamamo clearly hesitates for a beat, but comes to her decision quickly enough, glancing sideways at Junpei]
By the way, I have the notebook that was in Kanesan-san's possession. While I assume he showed it to you already, you are welcome to take it should it be useful.
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Dick said that when he and Taako broke into the clinic there was a woman named M whose cause of death was dismemberment. Naturally, they had to put together a woman's body themselves. We're losing track of where things really started with our group and ended with theirs.
[But he looks briefly surprised.] I was wondering where that went. I wrote down the notes when he first showed me, but we should keep it. We might be able to transcribe some of the other pages later somehow.
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[Folding her arms]
Well, in any case, my assumption is the notebook passed to my possession because I helped break into the that room with him. Grune-san likely has the keys to the cell, seeing as they didn't appear in my room.
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Those items going to you and Grune makes sense. Izuminokami left them for me but...you're both still alive, so. [A shrug. He's fine with it.]
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[This is Marie's excuse for only half-paying attention. It's fine, Tamamo would only lose her shit if five people here died]
... And I suppose this means my knife will go to Grune-san if I am ever killed. So if it disappears, you'll be aware of its location.
[A shrug herself. It is what it is]
Are you aware of what the missing role is?
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[Haha! But he nods.] The title's Booty Caller. I'm pretty sure they can speak to those on the other side. There's two of them, but I've been in contact with the other. They have no idea who it might be either. I have suspicions, but nothing concrete yet.
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Then perhaps that is the point of all of this -- gathering the items for a ritual. [A slight huff] Reminds me of when this nonsense first began.
[-- Also she's sorry but she is going to snort at that name, she hates this ship so much but at least it fully commits to the theme]
I'm curious, Master -- what is your official title?
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[He seems surprised by the question though.] Oh. I...guess I never really told you, huh?
[Since he has his notebook, he'll flip to another page where there seems to be a list.
Catfish: 1
Honeypot: 1
Sugar Daddy: 2
Booty Caller: 2
Cockblocker: 3
Doxxer: 4
The ink on the word "catfish" seems to be newer than the rest.]
...if you guess right, I can confirm. [Just to be safe.]
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[Being a Heroic Spirit sucks sometimes, she rocks back on her heels and sighs.]
What on earth does Honey Pot entail? ... well, at least I'm familiar with the term "Sugar Daddy". Is that what you are?
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[Just. A deadeyed look.] Do I look like I'd be a Sugar Daddy, Tamamo? [Listen!!!]
--wait how are you unfamiliar with half of these but you just happen to know what that one means?
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[Listen it fits with her lore? She can own this unfortunate fact]
-- And yes, I suppose you're correct. [Ha. HA HA.] You haven't the finances to pull off that title. Never fear, Master, I still accept you, even if you're perpetually broke.
[And honestly Junpei asks a valid question. Tamamo is momentarily caught off guard before--]
My best guess is that when I was summoned, I was gifted that information... I don't really get to choose what I do and do not know, you realize!
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[Also, let's not send his wife to lure people in like that even if it is her normal lore. He narrows his eyes a bit then.]
But thanks. You know what they say about marriage. For richer, for poorer, or whatever. [But he's reviewing his own list. There's also a ? next to Booty Caller to indicate that's the one he's missing.] I never really thought about it that way. I figured you always just knew a lot given who you are. Kind of a weird thing to have knowledge about is all.
[...he taps the word "catfish."] This used to be Izuminokami's role. I had to explain some of these names to him, too.
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Junpei knows nothing about what it means to be summoned as she is, and an explanation would bring a pragmatic element to the conversation. No need to make it personal at all.
-- and yet. Tamamo stands there with her gaze turned elsewhere for a moment before nodding]
Is it true that if a role dies, then the role is gifted to someone else?
[...]
If so, that seems to insinuate that they're all necessary in some way. Perhaps for the ritual?
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Yes. We've lost two people who had roles, and they've shifted to other people since then. We've maybe lost more, but I think every other role is with its original owner.
It's possible we need all thirteen for the ritual, too. The last group went down to twelve and maybe that's how they failed. But you can see how and why I'm trying to find this last role. If that's true, we need everyone on the same page.
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Yes... it makes sense now why Higekiri-san asked me to aid him in his search.
[Tapping a finger to her lip.]
And that we only lost two with roles is quite fortunate. I'd call it a game of chance, but I wouldn't be surprised if the demons are looking for those with roles specifically to kill them, as well. It's to their benefit.
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...Escha and Izuminokami. Both died for their roles, but not necessarily in the way you'd think. I don't know if the demons would target them because I don't think most of the hosts that the demons have inhabited have known who to go after. That's going to make the next couple of weeks really, really tricky. We're at the point where there's only twenty-one of us left, and nearly two-thirds of us with roles. It's becoming a numbers game with a deadline.
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[It's just a thought, really. She has no idea if it's correct or not, but her tone is musing]
Given what you learned during your last break-in, it would at least give motivation for why our anonymous friend hid information from someone he cared for, and why their friendship ended so bleakly.
[A shrug]
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How do you really tell people they have to die for the greater good? Not a lot of people on this ship would just agree to that.
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[...]
What's worse, knowing that roles can be redistributed would give others more incentive to kill. If the only winners are those who are left alive, then it's in their best interests to tempt fate with murder.
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[... Ha. Haha. Placing a hand on her hip, looking more at the notebook than at Junpei. She's grinning]
But should it be true, that certainly puts us in an awkward position, doesn't it, Master?
Whatever shall you do if the game requires me to die and I don't have a role?
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