AC II - The Battle For Balamb Garden

[Shadowcaller]

((...Now I suddenly feel like a child compared to you guys, im only 18))

[Ariko]

((HA! I'm older than all of you (who have mentioned your ages) ))
((wait..I say that like its a good thing? ))

[DarkLightDragon]

((Shadowcaller: Tell that to me-I'm 16! ))

DLD drops from the rafters again, hissing.

NO! I couldn't see the Remnants from where I was hiding, and now they've killed another of us!

She spreads her wings and raises a claw at easyname.

What about you? Do you know anything?

[Vavaara]

((Sorry, pressed for time and pointing at the first pointee I see))

*Vatsala points at easyname*

[Lamech]

Okay, I'm slightly confused, so can someone please explain the reasoning behind the easyname bandwagon?

[FujinAkari]

Okay, I'm slightly confused, so can someone please explain the reasoning behind the easyname bandwagon?

((As I understand it, and I am obviously uninvolved, the suspicion comes from Easyname's objection to letting DemonicAngel fight the monster on the second day ("guys, if we just send in people who can kill the remnants, we'll be killed off one by one!"), but was eager to point at Ariko after she was willing to fight the same monster on the second day ("Everyone should point at Ariko, I think we've got a Remnant!")

This occured on pages 3 and four of the thread))

For completeness, let me summarize the other camps, feel free to post if I get something wrong:

Cristo: The argument against Cristo has to do with the fact that the remnants attacked adorable, wonderful Faeli in night one, rather than Cristo himself, who potentially had an item. Cristo is a far greater threat, theoretically, yet the Remnants continue to ignore him. Additionally, the fact that the Remnants went after a reletive unknown rather than Cristo last night is seen as damning.

Demonking: The Demonking bandwagon seems to be those who support Cristo. Their argument seems to be that, with Fujin presumably stealing items every night, Cristo is unlikely to still have his item, even if he had gotten one. His only chance to retain said item would be to give it to someone else and make Fujin "miss," which could explain -why- the Remnants when after sweet, precious Faeli. Demonking was singled out by this camp due to being the first to point at Cristo.

Fin: The argument against Fin came from the last post on Page 5, where he accuses Cristo of having an item for the last two days, something he couldn't know unless he were Fujin. Additionally, his accuisation that the remnants not attacking Cristo even though he has an item would imply that Fujin is working with the Remnants, since how else would they know?

[Cristo Meyers]

(you forgot humble, my dear )

(easyname pointed at Ariko rather than Daemonic Angel day 2. Ariko was already under suspicion for volunteering after someone else already had, so it's seen as easyname trying to blend in or possibly sacrificing another remnant in order to gain trust. )

(Fin also used patently false evidence [me having an item to duplicate the Seifer effect] to accuse me. This may have been a mistake, but is suspicious nonetheless)

[Lamech]

(easyname pointed at Ariko rather than Daemonic Angel day 2. Ariko was already under suspicion for volunteering after someone else already had, so it's seen as easyname trying to blend in or possibly sacrificing another remnant in order to gain trust. )

A lot of people did that, including Shadow. But I see the reason now so thanks.

[Freshmeat]

I'm quite curious as to why Fin is so insistent on the entire item issue. If there was an item in the first place, it has probably already been stolen. The argument that the Remnants would have probably already killed him in case he had received an item also seems strange to me.

As a matter of fact, Cristo would probably be less of a target, since there are several counterattack and protection items he could've received from killing the T-Rexsaur. I'm fairly certain the Remnants wouldn't want to risk running into either.

[Helgraf]

((33 and damn near 34. I think I've got the age crown for now.))

The Cadet walked out into the center space between those who fell in behind Cadet Meyers and those undecided or decided against.

"This battle will be carried on the shoulders of all. The unproven slanders of some," and the Cadet extends his arm toward Fin and those who support him, "shall be of no avail against ranks of SeeD."

[The Valiant Turtle]

Raldor sits down with two jumbo-dogs and demonstrates his finely honed ability to eat them as quickly as possible without choking himself.

Mmmmmm, yummy

He listen's closely to FujinAkari's summary of the arguments.

Thanks for that concise explanation! I'll buy you a hot-dog whenever the cafeteria gets re-stocked

All the arguments make sense, but I think the argument against Fin makes the most sense, but I will listen to his defense if he has any.

[FujinAkari]

Raldor sits down with two jumbo-dogs and demonstrates his finely honed ability to eat them as quickly as possible without choking himself.

Mmmmmm, yummy

He listen's closely to FujinAkari's summary of the arguments.

Thanks for that concise explanation! I'll buy you a hot-dog whenever the cafeteria gets re-stocked

All the arguments make sense, but I think the argument against Fin makes the most sense, but I will listen to his defense if he has any.

((Hey, I'm dead, no reacting to my OOC stuff ICly! :P))

[Emperor Demonking]

Actually I pointed at Cristo because I think he tried a gambit by volunteering.)

[Undertaker798]

"I agree with Raldor, the argument against Fin does seem to make the most sense. But I'll be willing to hear any defense he has."

(( Beware as I attempt roleplay. ))

The man takes off his aged and worn helmet and runs his hand over the plume. He then replaces it and walks across the room to lean against a wall.

[Fin]

((Let me get this straight, you lynch me because I try to find some any bit of sane evidence that might single somebody out? Brilliant! Congratulations remnants your victory is at hand! Play a nice guy and Shadowcaller and DivaDe simply can't bring themselves to vote for you. Don't offer any help at trying to pick out the remnants and everyone else won't vote for you! I genuinely didn't mean to invent the seifer item, I was thinking back to the first AC game when we didn't know the items. Its day three people we have no real evidence expect that strangely everyone looking at getting lynched voted for Cristo today, sounds like a wolf save to me!))

The Chainslinger has heard enough, blind love may have killed this squadron but it will not kill him, his hand drops to the familar metal hanging at his hip...

Looks like its just you and me again old friend, I thought things would be different here. Turns out nice guys don't always finish last, but maybe this time they should.

[Cristo Meyers]

(ugh...being sick sucks... Hope everyone's enjoying the fireworks as much as I am)

Cristo looked up to see Helgraf once again standing up for him. He winced inwardly at his original assessment of the bookish young cadet. Twice the cadet's steel had impressed him.

Yes, I most certainly underestimated you...

The tide had turned again as more and more cadets came to Cristo's aid, but some would not be convinced.

Evidence? What evidence? Your false evidence? Demonking's speculations? Any number of the other concerns that I've addressed again and again? You say I've offered no help in defending the Garden, and yet here several cadets stand behind me, forming a network to use against our common foe. Is that not help? You turn a deaf ear to any evidence presented in my defense, claiming I'm hiding behind sorrow's mask. Is that not suspicious? You claim you made a simple mistake, but make no effort to correct it, instead clinging to the rebutted speculations of another. Is that not damning?

He tries to stand, but can only manage to sit up. I hide nothing. My actions have been shown to be honest. This battle has only just begun, but today the tide turns. Several of us have already united and, together, we will weed out these fell beings from our home.

His mind has crystallized to a singular purpose around a single, grim thought:

No, Faeli, I will not fail you again...

[Fin]

((This is just like how I went down in Rebellion and The Thing fighting it all the way to no avail and strangely I do love it, lets hope it doesn't take my death for people to listen to me this time!))

I admitted my mistake and so the claim doesn't stand, I no longer beleive that you put Mustiado into that fight, there is however chance tha you can still damge the remnants. Yet it seems my words are useless until I defeat a monster, then will you all hold me in the regard that you hold Cristo? I doubt it, you are fools to follow him so readily, though I don't blame you for not believing me, why should you?

But please I ask you what will happen if I come out of this fight alive, will you throw me back? Or will you open you ears more fully?

[Shadowcaller]

While SC looks for the gardener he suddenly stopts to hear Fin argument, after a while he approaches Fin.

I must admit that I never had a strong case against you Fin and listening to you argue make me feel like I dont want something to do with sending you against the Grats.
Since im not afraid of chaiging my mind I can turst you...for the time being atleast.
Easyname seems to have stronger evidence aginst him anyway..

[Emperor Demonking]

"The Fin argument is quite good. So I'll leave Cristo alone if Fin is guilty. So I'll trust Mordokai, shame he doesn't have an easyname. "

[Theork]

Theork shakes his head slowly, looking at the ground, smiling.

The Mordokia argument is un-based and founded on his own suspicions, no hard fact at all.
What is suspicious anyway? That he yelled he thought he found a remenant?
Cristo volunteered, but nobody is accusing the people who wanted to put him in the combat.

Weird how you alternate between bandwagons in each phase Demonking.
Explain why you trust Mordokai.

[Diva De]

Cadet DivaDe puts her hand on Cristo's shoulder as Demonking lowers his finger and turns to someone else. She speaks quietly into his ear. Whether you choose to lead or not, it seems you have a following. I trust your judgement, Cristo. Who do you think should fight the battle this time?

[Emperor Demonking]

"Why I trust Mordokai, 1st I've stopped looking at the game as CRISTO IS GUILTY!!!! and I see that he give the best argument." Says the Emperor. "2nd theirs something about him that screams trust me."

[Cristo Meyers]

The gentle voice in his ear is soothing, softening the jagged edges of Cristo's perceptions:

"Whether you choose to lead or not, it seems you have a following. I trust your judgement, Cristo. Who do you think should fight the battle this time?"

I am loathe to send anyone into battle, but it is unavoidable...

He closes his eyes, weighing all the possible outcomes, the consequences. Two more deaths could be on his head, two more possible failures. He lowers his head. His voice is somber:

easyname's actions are suspicious. They strike me as a sacrifice ploy. If Ariko had fought and been revealed as remnant, then trust could've been gained and used against us. Let us put him to the test.

Demonking's alliances shift with the flow of the crowd. Only now that Fin has been called out on his false testimony does he change his accusation. He is trying too hard to blend in. I think that he too, should go.

Cristo hangs his head, desperately trying to hold on to the moment's clarity he had been given, the sense of purpose. Those watching closely, or those close enough to hear, might notice one last whispered comment:

May the Brothers help me if I'm wrong...

[Ranna]

OOC:((the only reason demonking changed is to get his own ass of the line so wouldnt read too far into that one guys))

[Diva De]

DivaDe nods and keeps her arm pointed at Demonking. Her hand remains on Cristo's shoulder, a comforting presence, another outsider, in the midst of all this death and fear and accusations.

[Mustiado]

--frowns at Fin's announcement--

"My point at you isn't about inventing some sort of treasure, it's the fact that you claimed that any sort of wealth Cristo may have gained should immediately be put to use. Explain yourself."

((Seriously, I'm not pointing at you because of some made-up Seifer item, I pointed at you because you immediately assumed that since he defeated an enemy he gained an item, and hasn't used it for two nights. That kind of backwards logic just doesn't stand. Now if you think you know more about it and can convince me that there was indeed an item to be gained there, and that for some reason Cristo has been harboring a rare active use item, then please, make your case. Lynching the innocent does not bring me pleasure.))

[Fin]

Demonking's alliances shift with the flow of the crowd. Only now that Fin has been called out on his false testimony does he change his accusation. He is trying too hard to blend in. I think that he too, should go.

False testimony? Cristo do not put your words into the mouths of others! I erred on what items could do what act but I still believe that you have not been considered the threat that you should have why have you been overlooked when genuinely innocent cadets die!

Please I will ask the rest of you one thing more, believe Cristo if you will but let it be for a better reason than 'he fought for us' or 'he loved faeli'. How many times has the nicest guy in the world been hiding the darkest of secrets. Its an easy ploy to pull off don't be suckered in. Does nobody else see that had a seriously committed bandwagon not jumped up in his aid then Cristo's head would be on the block next to mine! three times people have changed there minds after the 'save Cristo alliance' emerged, putting myself and easyname's head on the block!

No doubt if I survive today the remnants will kill me tonight, my last wish is that you heed the doomed man's words!

Do not call my testimony false until it has been proved so!

@ Mustiado - I dont believe he should have used it, just that the remnants should be scared of him using it!

[Cristo Meyers]

Cristo doesn't even lift his head.

They're not afraid of me using an item because I have none. That is your false testimony. There never was an item. Would to the gods above that there was! A holy war amulet! Carbuncle the defender! Or, even the aid of Hades himself...any of those would've prevented Faeli's death, or at least made it worthwhile.

An internal wince. His mind scolds him:

It could never have been worthwhile...

Any other item would've died with her, because why would I hold onto it with Fujin stalking the halls? Why have the remnants overlooked me? Why? Because it makes it more likely that you all will kill me for them. Why did Irvine not take the shot that he undoubtably had last night? I don't know, but the fact that he didn't see me as enough of a threat should speak volumes.

He sighs, there should be more to say, but he can't think of it. He places his hand over DivaDe's, whispering:

Why do you trust me?

[Theork]

I am 100% behind Fin for this.
Not only is the 'Save the Cristo movement' a perfect cover for the remenants but the bandwagons it causes give other remenants to hide.

[Diva De]

DivaDe's green eyes meet Cristo's, twinkling brightly as he touches her hand. Because you need someone to believe in you as much as I do. Because without you, I'd be alone, and you make me feel safe. Because I learned long ago to trust my heart no matter the consequences, and my heart tells me you are a good man. She speaks quietly, frankly, hoping the others won't hear her confess to him how she feels.