Private conversation with Mikami - Tuesday - KC's room, approx 9 PM

[caineraisingproject]

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."

Comments

[inordertobelieve]

Mikami has spend a good while today contemplating this note, but when he decides on going he also decides on going unarmed. When he comes in, there is a suspicious glance or two around though.

The next glance goes to the notebook and though Mikami himself uses a black notebook around here, he still seems to examine its cover more closely than necessary for a second.

"I'm not a detective nor a policeman, but as a prosecutor I've overseen many police investigations - which in our situation is the best we can do. I'll give you any answers that I think are safe to tell as well."

By the time he speaks, his eyes intently focus on Keenan as if trying to anticipate what he'll eventually be getting at.

[caineraisingproject]

Keenan isn't armed. He is, however, armored; wearing the breastplate he arrived in. He's also fairly relaxed.

"Whatever you want to call it, you're a pro and we're not. You're the closest thing to Holmes we're gonna get. And I've already been Watson, or tried."

He shakes his head, and opens the journal.

"First thing: I'm a lucid dreamer. I have to be for my bullshit sci fi weapons to be useful: all of the ANIMa Corps has that in common. Pay attention to your dreams. That's all I think is safe to say about that."

[inordertobelieve]

Mikami listens to that remark intently and nods - whether or not it's in full understanding doesn't become apparent from his expression.

"A lot of advice that would have sounded bizarre before has taken on a very serious quality in this place. In normal circumstances I'd advise to not get lost in far-fetched theories, but now?"

He shakes his head. 'Tired' is the best way to describe his expression.

"I assume you've heard the announcement earlier. We're running out of time to prevent murders faster than I thought we would."

[caineraisingproject]

"I did. I don't have an alibi that'll hold water, and swearing blind that I was in my room and didn't do it doesn't count for much. But fuck whoever did it."

His smile at that is thin. "Feel free to look around if you want. I got a pocket knife and the folks here were kind enough to give me one of those cameras after seein' what a good job I did gathering evidence for you. I know your line of work doesn't allow for much trust, but, you know. Not much to hide."

[inordertobelieve]

"Blind trust can be foolish, yes. So even if I don't think you have firearms here, I'd like to take you up on examining the room while we talk."

It's not going to help any, he knows that, but it's good to start somewhere in his investigation of their limited but unlikely suspect pool.

"Can I see that camera first of all?"

[caineraisingproject]

"Sure. Careful with it - the stun flash is no joke."

He hands it over willingly and without hesitation.

[inordertobelieve]

There is a moment of silence as Mikami examines the object, but he's not surprised to find that nothing about it looks specifically distinguished from a normal camera in his world. It may not be the gift shop model, but there's still hardly anything to learn from it.

"... does this week's motive interest you particularly?" he asks as he hands it back. Maybe there is a reason to the distribution of Chavez's items...?

[caineraisingproject]

"In that I think it's legit, and have reason to think it would be very bad if someone got that kind of power back," he says. Dead serious.

"Look, man, I'mma guess your world has either no or really subtle bullshit magic, so it's hard to swallow. You can argue about whether or not the aliens from mine and thier tech counts or not, too."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes settling on a mecha figurine he hasn't unboxed yet.

"...did you see Conchita on the first day here, Mikami?"

[inordertobelieve]

There is a lot to be said about the supernatural in his own world and his own experience with it, but Mikami stays silent. For all intents and purposes, magic isn't real to him.

"Her eating in the store you mean? Yes, her stomach is quite extraordinary. Though she's certainly not the only one who pointed towards the existence of supernatural force. If someone wants their power back, then they have to get away with their murder first."

And Mikami doesn't seem to think they will.

[caineraisingproject]

"I hope you're right, man. I really do. But if we're wrong and it is a strong enough motive..."

He shakes his head. "Though if it's combat magic like outta a RPG or something, they'd get it back after proving they don't need it. Something they'd use to investigate or escape with might seem worth it, though. And there's the unrelated shooting, too."

He shakes his head. "Dammit. I want Doc Feelbad to be wrong about us. But we gotta plan for her being right."

[inordertobelieve]

"Yes, there are plenty of powers besides combat powers that one could desperately want back." It's not as though he is saying this from personal experience of anything.

"I wouldn't trust the majority of people within our group... an experience like last week seems likely."

And speaking of trust, he moves to look around Keenan's room some, like he had announced earlier.

"Though I can't imagine Chavez giving back a power that could become a danger to her."

[caineraisingproject]

"Unless she made a mistake. She's not infalliable."

He pats the journal.

There are no firearms in the room. No knife, either; it's probably on Keenan's person. There's clothing, though. Casual and some of the new fancy stuff. A calico manekineko on his desk. Mecha figurines. And books - on dream interpretation, cooking. Fantasy and science fiction and murder mystery novels and manga.

[inordertobelieve]

Mikami has no interest in Keenan's personal items, but he still looks through them in a rather thorough fashion so he won't have to get back to investigating this room again.

"You personalized a lot," he remarks at the side, kind of bewildered by it. As is Keenan probably easily can imagine, his own room is very bleak.

[caineraisingproject]

"May as well stay sane while I'm here," he says. "Some of it is useful for trying to get out, and figure it out, too. And I'm... interested in keeping everyone else level."

[inordertobelieve]

"By helpful I assume you mean the dream books and less so the comic merchandising, I assume."

Just to make sure here, because with as many weird worlds as are out there he is sure there is a bizarre one where people solve their life issues by reading manga. Not a world Mikami would ever like to go to.

[caineraisingproject]

Keenan laughs at that. "Mostly the dream books for my angle on cracking the case, yeah. As for the rest of it... keeping MYSELF sane is also important. And these little guys..." he motions to the mecha... "...remind me of home."

He shakes his head. "My Anchor and ex-girlfriend back home ran the Resistance libraries and Archives, and her personal tastes sorta rubbed off on mine."