Keenan Caine, ANIMa Corps Pilot 04

I have important info about our situation. Can't reveal all of it but there are things I can talk about and ask. My room, 9 today, alone. Armed if it makes you feel better. - Caine.

Indeed, Caine is waiting in his room. He closes the door behind him, then picks up a black notebook.

"Showing you what's inside this is... probably against the rules, right now," he says. "It's got stuff I've been thinking about, that I've noticed. I want the actual detective here, among others I've told, to know I've got it in case something changes."

To the point. Direct. Not quite as childish as Mikami is used to him seeing, but not out of character for a self-described soldier.

"There ARE some questions I think are safe to ask. That I want a gumshoe like you thinking about. You saved our asses last trial, Mikami. With any luck I can help you save us all."

Keenan slept like a log. That was terrifying in and of itself.

And two of the people he had spoken to mentioned surviving a world with games like this one - one of them actually admitting to being the mastermind of a murder mystery.

He's not sure why he's reaching out to that self-described Witch. Maybe it was her standing offer of listening to her story and believing it, although that wasn't too hard to find. Maybe it was wanting to trade his story for hers. And maybe...

Probably it was wanting to survive, and wanting pointers from someone who had experience. Keenan was willing to admit he was that cynical.

Which is why he slipped an invitation to the lunch and poker game under her door, adding "If you want to hear my story, come early."

If she comes - when she comes - he's in the kitchen, slicing a whole bunch of tomatoes.