murimurimuri | Dreamland

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Dreamland - Peko

[It's the monkey that greets Peko, beckoning her toward a secluded corner where Simon is hanging out, looking awkward and nervous as usual.]

Um... hey. I know you're grieving, and I promise I won't take up a lot of your time. I wanted to say something before, but I don't know you that well and I'm totally terrible at this kind of thing... so... so I guess I just didn't.

[He pauses here, fidgeting and staring at his shoes.]

But. But. I know what it's like to lose somebody, and I feel like, even if I don't know what to make of anyone else, right now I can't even imagine you're one of the killers. That's what my instincts are telling me. And it's kind of lonely not having anybody but Money to talk to, so... I thought.. maybe I could help?

S-sorry, this is just coming off weird, isn't it? I don't have much to offer yet, but I swear to you I'm not suspicious! Even if I have to wait for the buddy cops or the real detective to look at me to prove it! I really might be able to help, even if I don't know how yet!

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[Peko pauses and glances toward Simon. She doesn't look opposed to it, at all; she's not even crying anymore. Her expression has been completely replaced with a look of cold anger. It's the only way she can keep from crying, really.

But she follows Money's beckon, leaning against the wall near him where she can keep an eye on the surrounding areas, then looks up. For once, she doesn't seem entranced by the monkey, but totally focused on Simon himself.]

Very well, [she answers, a few moments after he finishes. She's studying his face before nodding slowly and exhaling through her nose.] I will trust you. The VIPs would not dare to approach me after today, unless it is to kill me.

I am willing to work with you. No one with so brave an animal could be responsible for-- his death. [It should be obvious who she's referring to from the catch in her voice, even without an actual name attached.]

Thank you. That means a lot to me... and did you hear that, Money? She complimented you.

[Money grins. HE IS CLEARLY THE BEST MONKEY.]

But yes, if there's anything I can do, please let me know. I'm pretty good at chores, actually, even if it doesn't say so on my profile. And...

[He slumps suddenly.]

And what am I even talking about? That's not the whole truth. There is something I can tell you. Something I should tell you. I need to tell somebody, before something terrible happens...

I will. I do not think chores will be much of a problem, [Koizumi pretty much has those covered,] but if I think of something, I will let you know.

[She opens her mouth, about to pose another question, before pausing at his outburst and sharpening her focus.]

Yes? What is it? Speak freely.

[Even if you tell him, it still takes him a few moments to spit it out.]

...Levi is lying. He never sent that letter. I don't think he's the detective, either.

How do you know?

[Of all the things she expected to hear, it wasn't that!]

Because I kind of, um... know. Who did send the letter. I'm pretty sure that person isn't a VIP, either, so... I'd rather not say who it was, if that's okay.

But I can definitely tell you it wasn't Levi. I think the news girl is being vague to cover for him, but he shouldn't be able to verify that symbol, either.

Why would she cover for him? For that matter, what does Levi have to gain by pretending to be the detective?

[She's... staring at Simon again, a little suspiciously.]

It makes no sense.

[He wilts under that stare.]

I don't know. I don't know! Maybe he knows the real detective? Or maybe he really is, but I swear to you, he didn't write that note!

Edited 2014-09-27 23:09 (UTC)

Then who did?

Keyes, if you know something that could help me find his-- [a break in her voice, a harsh stop and hiss of breath as she tries to rein in her own desperation,] the person who did this, any information you can share could be helpful. I swear to you, I would never, never do anything to hurt him.

Please.

I... it was...

[He swallows, hard.]

...m-my buddy. That's why I can't say...

Keyes...

If it exonerates someone by virtue of being your buddy, then it can only help both of you!

Exonerates him...?

I... I'm sorry. I don't understand. Why would it exonerate him?

If the person who sent the letter is not a VIP -- if they have a role -- then knowing who that is clears him or her from being Kuzuryuu Fuyuhiko's killer.

Am I wrong?

Oh... yes, I see. But he doesn't have a role. He was faking.

Levi is lying about being the detective. Your buddy is lying in a note he or she sent in.

Where is the logic in that?

I don't know what Levi's logic is. I still can't figure it out. But my buddy...

My buddy is a really... cynical type. From the beginning, he never doubted that people would end up being killed. But he worried that we'd just end up voting "no one" while we were picked off, or worse, that people would work together with the VIP to make sure that all of their friends were converted, and that people like he and I, who nobody would miss, would be left behind and killed...

That's why he picked Legion — he thought if there were an easy target, somebody who wasn't even human, then things would be set into motion and everyone would think seriously about protecting themselves. He didn't expect it to get so out of hand... and when Levi claimed to be the detective, he got spooked and backed down.

[She's still staring at him. But she's thinking. It's obvious that she's really trying to draw a connection here.]

Your buddy... is a very cold person, to treat even a robot as such. And yet... that logic is sound.

Thus, the only conclusion to draw... is that by claiming people's trust, Levi could divert suspicion from himself.

[Simon cocks his head to the side slightly, and Money follows suit.]

I was thinking about that... but if he's a VIP, what did he plan to do once Legion was... gone? Or is he setting up one of his own to make himself look innocent?

I do not know.

[Her teeth grit, and she makes a bit of a choked, angry noise.]

There are many things that do not make sense here. I will need time to see the truth. Time which we do not have.

I understand. Sorry for dropping such a bombshell on you like that...

[He ducks his head.]

If there's anything else I can do to help you, don't hesitate to let me know. Until then... Money, shake.

[Simon holds out his arm so Money can scamper down it and offer his little paw to shake, for real this time, no monkey business.]

No... I...

[Can you say thank-you, Peko. Can you. She ducks her own head, taking a deep breath, and forces a nod.]

You have been of great help. If you have anything else... please seek me out.

[And then she blinks at Money, a little lost for a moment before offering her hand in exchange. Her touch is... actually surprisingly gentle, for all the callouses on her fingers. Probably because she doesn't know what to do exactly, but it's the lightest touch as she shakes his paw.]

Thank you...

[She did it. Holy hell.]

[Well, if anybody's not going to judge Peko's social awkwardness, it's this loser. He's as unsure on how to be thanked as she probably is thanking him, and smiles slightly in the most awkward way possible while Money climbs back up onto his shoulders.]

It's nothing...

[Simon approaches again, looking paler and shakier than ever.]

Peko. Um. You didn't... tell anybody, did you? What I told you. It's okay if you did. It's okay, but...

But Charles was my buddy. It was Charles. And now...

[He trails off, just shaking his head. Money pats him on the back.]

I did not.

[Peko looks absolutely exhausted, as if she hadn't slept at all the previous night. And who could blame her, really, after everything that had happened? She can't even seem to muster the emotion to be properly shocked and concerned, her face staying in its customary thin line.]

This... is only good for you, is it not? If your buddy has been removed, as his hand would imply, then you are freed from being bound to him. As we saw today... buddies are killed at the same time.

Do you know anything about the circumstances around his removal?

[In a weird way, her lack of reaction is actually calming.]

I don't know a thing. I didn't see him all day yesterday.

Should I admit it was me? I tore of a little piece of that letter to prove it, in case anybody asks... but it looks bad, right? It definitely looks bad.

Mm...

[Maybe it's another sign of how tired she is, but after a moment of trying to think about it, Peko actually brings both hands to her head to hold her temples.]

After the reaction to Levi... I would be less concerned about backlash from Legion himself than from the group as a whole. Admitting that -- Macaulay was the one who had done it, and you are aware of that because he was your buddy... that may be enough. To clear up the mystery behind the notes, while still keeping you safe from the repercussions.

Though I cannot say whether that will aid you or harm you, when it comes to how the VIPs select their targets. Forgive me.

Edited 2014-09-30 03:51 (UTC)

Ah... I meant that I was his partner. There was a letter that came with the hand, and since I found it, I tore off the corner. I'm just lucky I fainted instead of screaming... Afterward I panicked and just kinda dumped it...

But I do know the symbol he used. I... I might have helped him a little bit. A monkey can deliver a letter much more quickly than a person.

Edited 2014-09-30 03:58 (UTC)

...Ah.

[She's silent again as she thinks it over. Really, this kind of thing isn't her specialty. This is more something that Kuzuryuu would know exactly how to handle, while she stood beside him. But... if she'd been beside him all this time, surely she'd know what he would do, right?]

In that case, yes, I think that you should. It will answer one mystery, and make people more likely and willing to trust you for coming forward. [Since he can still blame Charles for anything that people don't like... Peko no...]

I would not simply go through the newspaper again. I am not certain how much I trust it.

Yeah. I still can't believe that reporter girl never outed Levi. Maybe I'm just as guilty for not saying anything, but people were actually counting on her.

People may come to count on you, as well.

But Levi... reminds me of one of my classmates. We are fortunate that particular individual did not arrive here with the rest of us. He is... somewhat unstable. Willing to kill just to force us to rise to a greater "hope."

[She just sounds disgusted, talking about that particular classmate.]

[He seems a bit stunned at the idea that people might count on him, but does not comment on it.]

...That doesn't even make sense.

I hate it when people ask me if I'm okay when it's obvious I'm not, so I won't ask you that...

But is there anything I can do for you today?

[If the look on her face is anything to go by, it's appreciated when he skips over the sympathies. She closes her eyes and nods. With her eyes closed, it's obvious she still hasn't been sleeping very well.]

Today... if you can find any evidence to refute Mioda's guilt... that is all I can ask.

I will vote for her, if no other evidence is uncovered. But I do not... wish to lose my last two classmates in one day.

[The hesitation is just long enough to be uncomfortable.]

...I'm sorry. I'll do whatever I can to seek out the truth today, but I won't lie to you — I don't believe that evidence like that exists.

...

[She exhales a heavy sigh and only nods, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.]

Yes... I know. Rest assured, I will vote. I simply...

[She pauses again, and for a moment, she really looks like a sad, exhausted teenager again. But she forces her lips into a fixed line and nods firmly.]

Have you uncovered anything of note? Regarding any of the others in the park?

Nothing helpful. No one trusts me, and truthfully, I don't trust much of anyone. Honestly, when I realized the VIPs are probably just crazy, I even took pause in my decision to confide in you, but in the end I just don't think you're a likely suspect. You're connected with the underground network of confirmed innocents, right? And possibly one yourself, since the Buddy Cops are looking into your group.

But like I said, that's not helpful.

I feel like I should apologize to you. It's not that I haven't wanted to help you. Honestly, I admire you. You're one of the few people here who has even a whit of sense about all of this. But long and short of it, I'm a coward, and up to this point, I haven't been useful to anybody but myself.

I have an idea, though. A proposition. I was trying to get myself cleared first, but it's too late for that now. Are you interested?

...

I'm listening.

There aren't many of us left. Even less are uncleared. Why don't we just round up the suspicious ones and kill them?

...And who, in your mind, is suspicious?

[SHE DOESN'T SEEM ENTIRELY OPPOSED TO IT THOUGH.]

Aside from my assertions that I would never harm Fuyuhiko, there is no other way to know that I myself am clear.

Did Vessalius clear you?

Anyone Vessalius can't vouch for. He's reluctant to talk now, but I think we could make him change his tune.

I'll confess I'm still on that list. But put me on the bottom of it, and I guarantee we'll get our VIPs before I'm on up to bat. Hell, if I'm lying, you can kill me yourself. I'm tougher than I look, but I kinda get the feeling you could take me.

Why did you request that he investigate you, if you are so certain now that you are not suspicious?

Because the tides are changing. Early on, it was enough not to be a threat to the VIPs. Then I had to not be a threat to the bomber, although I can't take credit for whatever kind person wrote that letter for me. But right now the safest camp to be in is with those who've been declared regular guests. So I made up a story about some nightmares to try and look suspicious enough to be investigated.

Edited 2014-10-12 01:41 (UTC)

...You're more intelligent than you act.

[Peko is that... is that a compliment or an insult...]

Your idea has merit. I would prefer it not come to that, but... should we have no other choice, I have said before that I have no qualms about taking matters into my own hands.

Thanks! That's kind of you to say.

[Seems like he's decided on "compliment!"]

Let's see how things are going after tonight's trial, shall we? Six down, only one-and-a-Shroedinger's-conversion to go!

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Dreamland - Peko

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