Predators and Prey

[Arishipshape]

Disgustingly so.

I’m not sure whether to be flattered that even the pirates consider me good or to be insulted that a pirate considers me good.

Oh absolutely nothing, but you will note that Florence isn't the captain anymore, I am! So I stole it back. Perhaps this was to permanently remove the competition?

Well, that seems to have failed dramatically. You’re still here, sort of, and Len’s Captain now. You’d think Len would need to be assassinated either first or simultaneously, yet here we are...

Well you also have that sense of honour which pretty much prohibits you from stabbing me in the back. Florence was only stopped in their attacks due to the intervention of my excellent first mate.

Sure. I’m not saying Florance was stopped by honor, but that Florance was evidenced to attempt to kill you in the open. If Florance has no qualms with getting caught, why hide it now?

Now let me ask you!
If someone not of your high moral standing (and Florence has been a pirate) has failed in an open attack when met with superior firepower, (for want of a better word), would they not try again under conditions that more favoured them?

Absolutely.
...hmmm. So you’re saying Florance may have believed that sneakery provided a tactical advantage (and evidently was right, as you’re now deceased)...
Alright. Florance has to be a suspect.
*reveals dead knife*
You’re a lot more magically oriented than I; how would you recommend trying to figure out just how this was cursed? Perhaps we can either find out who was capable of such magic, or find someone who was hired to curse it to testify.

"....shoot"

I too have wanted to slap Sally on multiple occasions. I know how you feel.

*purrs*

*tries to purr back*
*still fails*

 

[ben909]

also, florance was the one who brought the body and left it there like it was an npc copse for food(still playing the predator sides role), and did not report anything in realty, he also removed the knife and closed the wound, but did not burry the body or perform any normal things to do with a dead body(varies by culture)
if he was surprised or wanted to know who killed tr, he would not of closed the wound


----
although on the same line some of that logic could apply to me, i checked the curse knife for fingerprints, and was the only one to do so. my character should be able to sneak up on tr from the water... although his hand to hand combat skills are not the best, so he would choose a ranged attack if he had the choice.

the giant reason i can say i did not do it was that if i was in that good of a stealth attack position i would use a needle full of eevee virus, not a knife

 

[Arishipshape]

also, florance was the one who brought the body and left it there like it was an npc copse for food(still playing the predator sides role), and did not report anything in realty, he also removed the knife and closed the wound, but did not burry the body or perform any normal things to do with a dead body(varies by culture)
if he was surprised or wanted to know who killed tr, he would not of closed the wound

Could not this be chalked up to foolishness, rather than malice?

----
although on the same line some of that logic could apply to me, i checked the curse knife for fingerprints, and was the only one to do so. my character should be able to sneak up on tr from the water... although his hand to hand combat skills are not the best, so he would choose a ranged attack if he had the choice.

the giant reason i can say i did not do it was that if i was in that good of a stealth attack position i would use a needle full of eevee virus, not a knife

Yes, Ben, I entirely agree, your motive for murder is nonexistent, if Eevirusing was an option (which I’m assuming it was for our hypothetical killer).

 

[ben909]

(also)

if i did the stealth attack, i would be unlikely to leave a weapon behind because i like my things, and would likely drag the body underwater, none of which happened

 

[Arishipshape]

(also)

if i did the stealth attack, i would be unlikely to leave a weapon behind because i like my things, and would likely drag the body underwater, none of which happened

*squints suspiciously*
There’s an awful lot of evidence proving you didn’t do it... which you’ve brought up multiple times...
*mentally adds Ben to list of suspects*

 

[ben909]

*squints suspiciously*
There’s an awful lot of evidence proving you didn’t do it... which you’ve brought up multiple times...
*mentally adds Ben to list of suspects*

(my character likely has the capacity but not the motive, and would choose to eevee virus vs stab, as it works very well if inside the blood. he is saying this as a way to look at things happening, although it could always be someone from outside)

 

[ssaannttoo]

(What's been going on?)

 

[Arishipshape]

(What's been going on?)

(I’m arguing for why Florance might not be a suspect. And failed, so now we’re going to gather more evidence)

 

[ssaannttoo]

(I’m arguing for why Florance might not be a suspect. And failed, so now we’re going to gather more evidence)

(Fun. is that it? :3 )

 

[ssaannttoo]

View attachment 103729

Even moar so now :3

 

[florance the fox]

I too have wanted to slap Sally on multiple occasions. I know how you feel.

good

*tries to purr back*
*still fails*

*pets your head* "don't worry"

 

[Arishipshape]

*pets your head* "don't worry"

*visible sadness*

 

[TR273]

I’m not sure whether to be flattered that even the pirates consider me good or to be insulted that a pirate considers me good.

Yes....

Well, that seems to have failed dramatically. You’re still here, sort of, and Len’s Captain now. You’d think Len would need to be assassinated either first or simultaneously, yet here we are...

I didn't say it was a perfect plan...

Absolutely.
...hmmm. So you’re saying Florance may have believed that sneakery provided a tactical advantage (and evidently was right, as you’re now deceased)...
Alright. Florance has to be a suspect.
*reveals dead knife*
You’re a lot more magically oriented than I; how would you recommend trying to figure out just how this was cursed? Perhaps we can either find out who was capable of such magic, or find someone who was hired to curse it to testify

*Looks closely*
Hmm, yes.
It's a standard Voodoo vengeance knife, a very clever, yet somewhat inaccurate assassination tool. The blade is simply infused with a spirit of wrath, the assassin then simply leaves the thing near their victim. Usually it's less an assassin and more the person with the grudge. When the target shows up the assassin's own rage will trigger the blade and it flies right into the target of their wrath. The problem is the damn thing can be triggered by any form of grudge/negative emotion. When it attacked you it was probably responding to my slight irritation with you in general, it hasn't done it before now because they take a while to recharge after an attack. It looks dead but it will recharge, it will take a lot longer because it was actually in a fight, but without actually destroying the blade it will recover. It's not a hard spell, I can think of a few dozen individuals who could have done it.

I too have wanted to slap Sally on multiple occasions. I know how you feel.

*Floats a coffee over to you, it is slightly too cool and has slightly too much sugar in for your tastes but not enough for you to feel justified in complaining.*

*tries to purr back*
*still fails*

Try gargling first.

 

[ben909]

Yes....

I didn't say it was a perfect plan...

*Looks closely*
Hmm, yes.
It's a standard Voodoo vengeance knife, a very clever, yet somewhat inaccurate assassination tool. The blade is simply infused with a spirit of wrath, the assassin then simply leaves the thing near their victim. Usually it's less an assassin and more the person with the grudge. When the target shows up the assassin's own rage will trigger the blade and it flies right into the target of their wrath. The problem is the damn thing can be triggered by any form of grudge/negative emotion. When it attacked you it was probably responding to my slight irritation with you in general, it hasn't done it before now because they take a while to recharge after an attack. It looks dead but it will recharge, it will take a lot longer because it was actually in a fight, but without actually destroying the blade it will recover. It's not a hard spell, I can think of a few dozen individuals who could have done it.

*Floats a coffee over to you, it is slightly too cool and has slightly too much sugar in for your tastes but not enough for you to feel justified in complaining.*

Try gargling first.

tries to obtain that list...

 

[Arishipshape]

I didn't say it was a perfect plan...

But surely you’re not saying Florance wouldn’t have accounted for that? Did Florance serve as Captain without knowing how the First Mate works?

*Looks closely*
Hmm, yes.
It's a standard Voodoo vengeance knife, a very clever, yet somewhat inaccurate assassination tool. The blade is simply infused with a spirit of wrath, the assassin then simply leaves the thing near their victim. Usually it's less an assassin and more the person with the grudge. When the target shows up the assassin's own rage will trigger the blade and it flies right into the target of their wrath. The problem is the damn thing can be triggered by any form of grudge/negative emotion. When it attacked you it was probably responding to my slight irritation with you in general, it hasn't done it before now because they take a while to recharge after an attack. It looks dead but it will recharge, it will take a lot longer because it was actually in a fight, but without actually destroying the blade it will recover. It's not a hard spell, I can think of a few dozen individuals who could have done it.

Blast... I was hoping it was some sort of special, incriminating spell.
*wonders how long it’ll take to recharge*
*might wanna put armor on*
So it’s more of a bomb than a stealth trap, it can kill anyone in the vicinity. ...what if you weren’t the target, Sally? Where did you get killed, again?

*Floats a coffee over to you, it is slightly too cool and has slightly too much sugar in for your tastes but not enough for you to feel justified in complaining.*

Why, thank ye kindly!
*sips*
*purses lips*
*suppresses visible frustration*

Try gargling first.

*gargles coffee (using this as an excuse to spit it into a nearby bush)*

 

[TR273]

But surely you’re not saying Florance wouldn’t have accounted for that? Did Florance serve as Captain without knowing how the First Mate works?

He was captain for a few hours tops. Did you know all about the ins and outs of the Knights Castle at the end of your first day?

Blast... I was hoping it was some sort of special, incriminating spell.
*wonders how long it’ll take to recharge*
*might wanna put armor on*
So it’s more of a bomb than a stealth trap, it can kill anyone in the vicinity. ...what if you weren’t the target, Sally? Where did you get killed, again?

No offense but no-one is going to buy an assassination tool with 'Bob's murder tool!' written on it.
I was entering small storeroom at the end of the passageway, it has wines and other goods in, I was looking for a nice bottle of wine to share with Liina this weekend.

Why, thank ye kindly!
*sips*
*purses lips*
*suppresses visible frustration*

*Smirk*

*gargles coffee (using this as an excuse to spit it into a nearby bush*

*The bush kicks you in the shins then shuffles in its pot to the other side of the room where it will hopefully not be used as a spitoon!*

(Sorry, I'm in one of my odd moods tonight.)

 

[Arishipshape]

He was captain for a few hours tops. Did you know all about the ins and outs of the Knights Castle at the end of your first day?

No, but if I planned to take over as the Grand Viceroy of the castle I would’ve at least done my homework about who second-in-command is!

No offense but no-one is going to buy an assassination tool with 'Bob's murder tool!' written on it.
I was entering small storeroom at the end of the passageway, it has wines and other goods in, I was looking for a nice bottle of wine to share with @GentleButter this weekend.

Hmmm... who has access to this storeroom? What if one of your crew members had it in for another? And when do you propose Florance set the trap?

*Smirk*

*suspects that was intentional*

*The bush kicks you in the shins then shuffles in its pot to the other side of the room where it will hopefully not be used as a spitoon!*

*lights the bush on holy fire*
I will not be dominated by shrubbery.

 

[TR273]

No, but if I planned to take over as the Grand Viceroy of the castle I would’ve at least done my homework about who second-in-command is!

I get the impression it was a spur of the moment thing upon discovering the captaincy was vacant. And thinking back I don't actually think we had a First Mate then, my last one had just quit after a run in with Rufus.

Hmmm... who has access to this storeroom? What if one of your crew members had it in for another? And when do you propose Florance set the trap?

Pretty much everyone, it's not locked. And I really doubt it was one crewman after another, we've sailed together for years they all get on well with eachother.
And to the last part I don't know, could have been days, hours or minutes before I turned up.

*lights the bush on holy fire*
I will not be dominated by shrubbery.

*Signals to a random crewman to put out the fire.*
Do you MIND?
Do you have any idea how hard those are to breed?
*To the crewman*
How is Hubert?
*Apart from some singed foliage and a need to kill, Hubert seems fine.*
Well water him and let him get some sun up on deck.
*Back to Ari*
Endangered species that one, if you could leave him alone please.

 

[Arishipshape]

I get the impression it was a spur of the moment thing upon discovering the captaincy was vacant. And thinking back I don't actually think we had a First Mate then, my last one had just quit after a run in with Rufus.

Hmm... fair enough...

Pretty much everyone, it's not locked. And I really doubt it was one crewman after another, we've sailed together for years they all get on well with eachother.
And to the last part I don't know, could have been days, hours or minutes before I turned up.

*grins* So literally anyone could’ve placed that knife there at literally any time in the hopes of killing literally anyone else. There’s no proof Florance was the killer, or that you were the intended killee.

*Signals to a random crewman to put out the fire.*
Do you MIND?
Do you have any idea how hard those are to breed?

*visible confusion*
I—I didn’t—What??

*Back to Ari*
Endangered species that one, if you could leave him alone please.

I will if he does.

 

[TR273]

*grins* So literally anyone could’ve placed that knife there at literally any time in the hopes of killing literally anyone else. There’s no proof Florance was the killer, or that you were the intended killee.

Except as I said, the crew get on well with each other and Florence has attacked me in the past and was first on scene after my death. And was just now attempting to lure me away to potentially slap me away from prying eyes. So would attempt a stealth attack!
CHECKMATE!

*visible confusion*
I—I didn’t—What??

Rare flora/fauna ok we don't know but there aren't a lot of them, the mages hunted them for their berries and drove them to the brink of extinction.

I will if he does.

*Hubert shakes a branch at you in a threatening manner.*

 

[Arishipshape]

Except as I said, the crew get on well with each other and Florence has attacked me in the past and was first on scene after my death. And was just now attempting to lure me away to potentially slap me away from prying eyes. So would attempt a stealth attack!
CHECKMATE!

The crew get on well with each other, but the crew aren’t the only people with access to your ship. For instance, I have your verbal permission to use the hot tub. Not to mention, if Florance can sneak onto your ship, who else can? What if one would-be-thief of your cargo was trying to off another?

Rare flora/fauna ok we don't know but there aren't a lot of them, the mages hinted them for their berries and drove them to the brink of extinction.

...
Shouldn’t that be in an arboretum or garden instead of on a pirate ship?

*Hubert shakes a branch at you in a threatening manner.*

*coldly glares at Hubert*
I have type advantage you know.

 

[TR273]

The crew get on well with each other, but the crew aren’t the only people with access to your ship. For instance, I have your verbal permission to use the hot tub. Not to mention, if Florance can sneak onto your ship, who else can? What if one would-be-thief of your cargo was trying to off another?

Then they probably wouldn't have any animosity towards me. It's the target of their grudge that gets hit, so if our hypothetical thief was hiding waiting for another hypothetical thief and hears me he is thinking 'Kill thief A' I am not thief A. As I said it's attack on you was probably triggered by my subconscious irritation with you. Somewhere down there there is a voice muttering ' @Arishipshape is really annoying.'. The spell latches onto that and tries to give you a third eye socket.

...
Shouldn’t that be in an arboretum or garden instead of on a pirate ship?

He came aboard one day.

*coldly glares at Hubert*
I have type advantage you know.

*Five very large crewmen surround you, they are armed with very big swords....
.....
...Hubert seems to radiate smugness.*
*To the crewmen*
Back off, there is no need for that Ari isn't going to hurt Hubert....Are you?

 

[Arishipshape]

Then they probably wouldn't have any animosity towards me. It's the target of their grudge that gets hit, so if our hypothetical thief was hiding waiting for another hypothetical thief and hears me he is thinking 'Kill thief A' I am not thief A. As I said it's attack on you was probably triggered by my subconscious irritation with you.

Hmmmm... touche. So our saboteur must have some amount of dislike for you. The only person besides Florence I can think of that does that is me, and I know I didn’t do it, sooo—No offense, I don’t like, actively intentionally dislike you or anything, don’t get me wrong! We just... have... differences...
*is really bad at the whole “social negotiation” thing*

Somewhere down there there is a voice muttering ' @Arishipshape is really annoying.'. The spell latches onto that and tries to give you a third eye socket.

Careful, we don’t know the recharge rate on this thing.

He came aboard one day.

Ahh.

*Five very large crewmen surround you, they are armed with very big swords....
.....
...Hubert seems to radiate smugness.*
*To the crewmen*
Back off, there is no need for that Ari isn't going to hurt Hubert....Are you?

I won’t if he doesn’t.
...
*sloooowly takes my leave to retrieve armor*

 

[TR273]

Hmmmm... touche. So our saboteur must have some amount of dislike for you. The only person besides Florence I can think of that does that is me, and I know I didn’t do it, sooo—No offense, I don’t like, actively intentionally dislike you or anything, don’t get me wrong! We just... have... differences...
*is really bad at the whole “social negotiation” thing*

Fair.

Careful, we don’t know the recharge rate on this thing.

Well it took the better part of a day to recover from a quick flight from its hiding place to my spine. After that fight it's going to be a week at least before it even twitches.

 

[Arishipshape]

Well it took the better part of a day to recover from a quick flight from its hiding place to my spine. After that fight it's going to be a week at least before it even twitches.

*visible sadness*
*wanted an excuse to try out bee armor*