week 2 - pre-execution; yusuke

[ruffboi]

[Sometime before the execution, Magnus goes to try and track Yusuke down. He spots him near the Livehouse, and immediately approaches, a serious (maybe trying too hard to be serious) expression on his face.]

Hey, you! Uh. Ice boy. [Yeah. He doesn't know his name.] Let's talk.

Comments

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke is sitting with a sketchbook in his lap and a focused expression on his face, and he doesn't so much as notice Magnus approach until he speaks.]

...It's Kitagawa. Yusuke Kitagawa. [He corrects him with slight irritation, closing his sketchbook and looking up.] What can I help you with?

[ruffboi]

Yeah. No way I'm going to remember that. Can we go with a different name? How about, Icey Kevin.

[Just trying to casually rename him for his own convenience, while also looking around to make sure they're alone.]

Yeah. So, whoever killed Ranpo, feel like I kinda went out on a limb for them back there at the trial. Feel like I kinda made guess that maybe they're an ally, and we shouldn't just kill 'em off. Maybe got some Reapers sniffing around me for being so vocal about it. Which, that's my choice, not anyone else's. But I feel like now I need to know if you actually are one. You get me?

[wantsnudes]

No. [Please don't call him that, what is so hard about his actual name :(]

I'm sure whoever you did that for appreciates it, but that person isn't me. I haven't killed anyone, nor been an accomplice in any deaths... This barbaric game will receive no such contributions from me.

[ruffboi]

The person I did that for is me, and I do appreciate it. So, thanks, myself. But come on. Cut the shit, Kev. Can I call you Kev? Everyone thinks it was you. And if the Midnight Icer strikes again, everyone is still going to think it was you, and they're going to vote for you.

So...if this is a situation where you somehow knew Ranpo was a Reaper, or you somehow were out and about and saw him killing Clarke...maybe it'd be good to tell someone about that.

[wantsnudes]

Please don't call me that.

[He sets his sketchbook aside and gets to his feet.] I could make up some fantastical story about how I tried to save Clarke if it would appease you, but that truly isn't the case. Besides which, how can anyone possibly cast a vote for either Sinbad or I with no evidence but powers alone?

[ruffboi]

Pfft. You been playing the same game as us this whole time? Or have you been over in, uh, the other Reaper Game, where no one is just fucking guessing? Honestly, I don't have any way to prove it's you and not Sinbad other than a feeling, but I trust my feelings.

[Since he's getting to his feet, Magnus' stance shifts slightly - just going a little sturdier, like someone anticipating a blow and preparing to take it.]

So, let's try another scenario. You got a hunch Ranpo is a Reaper. You could wait for trial, but maybe there's something you want. A prize. So, tell me. Did they give it to you yet?

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke's hands tighten to fists, tense, but he won't make any move to strike him.]

I'd never kill another person for a mere prize. I will entertain your theories if it will help find the truth, but I won't stand here and be insulted.

[ruffboi]

There we go. [Cracking a grin at him.] Okay. Now, I believe you. So you wouldn't kill another person for a prize. Anything you would kill for?

[wantsnudes]

[Flatly:] No.

I'd fight to protect others as a last resort, but not kill.

[ruffboi]

Even in a game like this, where protecting the others might mean killing?

[wantsnudes]

If I were to use my powers, there are many more creative ways I could stop someone without killing them. I could freeze their arms or legs, or wall them off, or shield whoever they intended to hurt.

[ruffboi]

...Okay.

So, does that mean the Icer is Sinbad? Kinda important we figure it out. Sounds like there's some folks who want to make sure we kill the person who did it. Not me, but it seems like as long as we don't know who did it or their motives, someone's likely to come for you or for Sinbad. So that's a shame, for whichever of you guys was uninvolved.

[wantsnudes]

I don't want to think Sinbad did it, but I truly don't know. And as I said at the trial, I won't accuse someone only to save myself.

Of course, there's another possibility, that we might be targeted by Reapers if either of us are seen as a threat to their number. So, I will have to be on guard even before the next trial and vote take place.

[ruffboi]

Yeah, that's the danger, too. It just kills me to think this guy might have some kinda way of knowing who Reapers are, or some kinda ability to be out at night keeping an eye out, and he might be in danger this week, and there's no way to find him and help. Maybe there are others who think he's dangerous, but I think he went after Ranpo for a reason. And if I knew who he was, I'd try to help him keep safe.

[wantsnudes]

I'm sure your intentions are sincere, and I believe you. But I'm speaking honestly when I say I have no idea who this person is, and no knowledge beyond what was established at the trial. But it seems that by being honest in saying I know nothing, it has made certain people suspect me more... There's really very little I can do to allay their doubts until more evidence comes to light.

[ruffboi]

Yeah, I hear you. And maybe I'm not too good at this good cop, bad cop thing [He's being both?] but I think I believe you.

But if you change your mind, and you've got anything you want to share, you can trust me, okay? If I want to kill someone, they'll know.

[wantsnudes]

I'll keep that in mind.

[He ducks his head, then says in a small voice:] Thank you for believing me.

[ruffboi]

Oh. You're welcome? You don't gotta thank me. I did just rename you Kevin and yell at you in hopes you'd crack under pressure.

[wantsnudes]

[wryly:] Yes, well, I'd also be thankful if you didn't do either of those things in future.

[ruffboi]

No promises! [Winking at him, because in the end, he still has to be kind of a dick.]

[wantsnudes]

[sigh]

In any case, if you have any further questions in future, feel free to approach me. I'd like to get to the bottom of this matter as much as everyone else.