[Last Time, on El WHAT?!: The entire gathering of tournament fighters was shocked by the murder of one of their own. Sadly, Taro turned out to be the second victim, as Amy returned soaked in her own blood after his murder, accusing the flaming fighter Mui of burning him to death in one spectacular blaze of glory. The group tracked down Mui via the registrar's paging system, but Mui protested his innocence and claimed The Evil Fighter... ...Tulpa as his alibi. The group started for the other side of the stadium to confirm the alibi, but on the way across the main fighting platform... * Shiho pauses in the center. * Shiho looks up at the sky. Amy? * Ichi stops, and waits, and tries to figure out what's going on. * Daphne rolls her head from one side to the other. * Cara comes to a stop. "Shiho?" * Amy blinks and looks at Shiho. "What?" * Shiho says without turning. "I just..." How did you feel then? * Shiho turns around quickly. "When you killed him." [El WHAT!? Session 40... Begin!] * Cara 's eyes widen in shock, and she backs away from both Shiho and Amy. "Wha...what did you say?" * Daphne stands there, about as ready as she ever is. She doesn't seem shocked by this accusation. * Amy stares at Shiho. "What in the world are you talking about?" * Ichi looks confused, "Amy?!" * Cara has turned very pale. "Th-that isn't funny." No, it isn't. * Amy looks upset. No, it sure isn't. But tha's besides th' point. * Amy continues to glare at Shiho. * Cara looks at Amy. "Sh-she's wrong, right?" Of course she is. * Shiho draws an arrow, and puts it to her bow. "Game's over Amy." Wha...Why do you think she did it? * Amy doesn't stop glaring. "This isn't funny. Why are you accusing me?" * Cara looks at Shiho. "Shiho...why are you doing this?" Sorry 'bout this, Amy. Well, unless we're right, but hey. But there's some things we cannae ignore. Splitting up was awfully convenient for you, wasn't it? We were supposed to use the Buddy System. * Cara 's eyes widen further, and she stares at Amy. "No...please..." Why did you do it, Amy? Bu...but... I DIDN'T do it. Tell me, Amy. Where was your bear when Taro was attacked? Bear-chan was outside the room, until Bear-chan saw I was in trouble and came to help. * Rocky says sarcatically. "And it brought her from the fight. Of course, it had to walk through Taro's ashes to do it... Oh wait, Amy said he was still alive when she left." * Daphne nods. * Ichi looks at Amy. * Cara starts to shake, a little. What are you talking about? In all our travels, I've never felt so angry as I do now. Amy, if that's even your real name... * Ichi stares at Shiho. If I made a mistake, it's because I was hurt so bad. I was barely able to stay awake, let alone think straight. And Amy IS my real name. If the bear had been there when you were attacked, he would have defended ye', right? And he would've gotten at least singed while he was at it. Bear-chan is big. Do you know how hard it is for a bear to get through a door? That's funny. You never had that problem before. Yes I have. Bear-chan is always getting stuck. I bet. * Ichi looks back and forth between Amy and Daphne and Shiho. I don't get why you're accusing me, but it's really making me angry. Bear with us, Amy. If you're innocent, we'll prove ourselves wrong, right? * Amy points at Shiho. "And you've left me alone with Taro before. If I was really a murderer, wouldn't I have killed him then?" I can't believe you. You've never had the opportunity before. I knew you didn't like me, but I never knew you would do this. You're wrong. When we first saw you... When you first SAW me, you thought I was your friend. * Shiho shakes her head. "But you're not! You've murdered Taro and Demeter in cold blood, and I'll never forgive you for that!" Why do you keep saying that? I didn't! Who did? This is not a matter of who we do and do not like, Amy. You're just saying things! You don't even offer any proof, and you're doing it while holding an arrow on me! I'm still confused...you're saying Amy did it because the bear wasn't burned? * Cara looks like she's about to cry. "It's not...it's not possible!" No, it's not. I don't know why she's saying this. * Amy holds her hands out wide. "Fine. If you're so sure I did it, kill me." Because that's what you're going to do anyway, isn't it? Kill me? Still haven't told us who did it. No! ::moves twords Shiho:: Or did you forget that part? J-just because she doesn't know who did it... I told you, it was Mui, or someone who looked like Mui. Uh huh. Except it wasn't Mui. Like you said yourself. Or did you forget that, too? I know, I was there when he said it. Funny how Taro got burned, you got stabbed. Mui doesn't use a sword. But Taro does. I told you. Taro stabbed me by accident. * Ichi stops and looks confused again. Uh huh. Accident. I even TOLD you that. He was accidently trying to save his life! * Amy simply stares at the Raccoon. And you said the bear was outside. Why'd it have to walk through the ashes to pick you up, huh? I don't KNOW. I was hurt. Maybe Bear-chan needed room to turn around. For such a cute animal, you sure are mean. Except the marks didn't show him turning. They only lead away. Are you trying to say Bear-chan murdered Taro? Because if you are, I'm gonna be even more angry. Nah. I doubt your bear could cause such a big flame. No, the current theory just lists Bear-chan as an accomplice. What am I supposed to say? If you're gonna shoot me, just do it already. And make sure Bear-chan, Wolf-chan and Eagle-san get good homes. You mean like Grandfather? * Cara starts to sketch something. * Amy sighs. Anyone else wouldn't have paid the goat a second thought. But you were nice and careful there, huh? * Amy looks more confused then usual. Because the goat was alive, I'm the murderer? ...But, but what about the blood? * An arrow appears in midair and falls to shatter point first on the stone of the ring. * Amy jumps. "Waa!" Y.. you really tried to kill me. * Ichi jumps backwards and look up. * Daphne blinks. I.. I'm leaving. You're going to murder ME. * Daphne looks around. "What the hell was that?" * Cara looks at the arrow. "...it was supposed to point to who was telling the truth." * Amy starts back the way we came. "Leave me alone! All of you! I can't believe y.. you tried to murder me." * Shiho doesn't take her eyes off Amy, but Rocky looks around instead. But...it didn't work. * All around, the stadium is completely empty. * Amy continues walking. If Shiho plans to put an arrow in her back, so be it. ...Maybe everybody is telling the truth or we're all lying or...uhm.... Stop there, Amy. * Cara starts sketching again. * Amy doesn't stop * Cara concentrates. * Ichi looks confused again. Please...work... * A big glowing arrow appears in midair. It looks kinda like a non-offensive sort of "Point the way" arrow. It spins around quickly for a moment, and then slows, settling to point at Shiho. ...it says that Shiho is right. * Daphne sighs and jogs after Amy, grabbing her by the arm when she gets to her. "Now, hold on." * Amy pulls her arm out of Daphne's grip. "Leave me alone." * Ichi boggles. I...I don't know if I did that right, but it says Shiho is right. * Amy is nearly to the edge of the ring when Daphne catches up with her. * Amy doesn't stop walking. * Cara looks completely and utterly horrified. * Shiho follows right behind Amy. "Then so be it." She looses the arrow. * Amy keeps walking, but turns back. "You DIDN'T do it right. You messed it up once, and you've messed it up again." * Cara cringes at Amy's words. This...This isn't... * Amy doesn't move at all, even though she sees the arrow coming. * Daphne blinks. * Amy is shot directly in the shoulder. She grunts in pain, but continues walking, noticably bleeding. * Cara looks at Shiho, pleadingly. * Ichi stammers in compleat shock and misses his chance to do anything usefull. * Daphne looks like she's trying to sort things out in her mind. ( holding action ) * Shiho draws another arrow and fires again. * The arrow flies straight and true and comes so close to Amy's ear that she could swear that her ear is gone, except that there's no pain. * Amy reaches up to check her ear, but she doesn't stop walking. * Bear-chan roars loudly and charges across the ring at Shiho. Shiho! * Bear-chan lashes out with an immense paw and tears a series of parallel scratches deep across Shiho's thigh. * Amy continues walking, but yells "Bear-chan! COME! They may think I'm a murderer, but I'm not going to prove them right." What, an' yer not gonna try tae prove us wrong, either? What is the point? You're not going to believe me. Amy...I want to believe you! * Overhead, an eagle screeches loudly, but does not stoop yet. I *want* to believe you, dammit! You...I...I... I still don't understand...Either side! * Wolf-chan trails along beside Amy, but growls as it looks behind it at Shiho. * Cara stands there, staring after Amy. This is...isn't right. ::moves between Shiho and Amy:: Amy is...Well an Amy is my friend, and you haven't been yourself today Shiho...I still don't get it, but I think this needs to be stoped. * Daphne holds Amy in-place. "Look, hold on. We're giving you the chance to prove yer innocense. What're we supposed to think if you don't try? Stop trying to leave and we can all settle this without shooting and goring eachother, alright?" * Shiho keeps her weapon ready but doesn't do anything yet. * Bear-san reluctantly pulls away from Shiho and lumbers back towards Amy. * Amy continues walking. Despite Daphne's impressive strength, Amy seems to have no trouble at all pulling her. Hunh. Been workin' out, ave ye? She already shot me Daphne. What's the point of talking? Just let me go. * Cara continues to stand and watch, looking torn. Well, she's not gonna shoot you again. Are you, Shiho? * Shiho shakes her head. She already shot me once! Just let me go. I'll find the murderer on my own, and I'll prove I was innocent. Yeh, and I'm sure she regrets it. Ye ken slug her or something if y'want. I'm not gonna letye' go. If you didn't do it, we'll need your help to find out who did, alright? Daphne.. I really don't think you could hold me. And.. it seems like you don't want my help. * Amy winces in pain from the arrow. Yeah, well. You think it seems we don't want your help. We think it seems you killed Taro. Maybe we're both wrong. ... So you think it too Daphne? I think nothin'. You should know that by now. All I know is that some of the signs point to the possibility of you having done it, and I wanna either confirm or disprove that possibility as soon as possible. Daphne, I want to leave. How am I supposed to proove anything? It's not like I have a note from God saying "She didn't do it." I dunno. How 'bout through debate and such? Look, can ye' even cast fire magic? No. I can't use any magic. I can only fight. Who said it had to be magic? Daphne just did! Where else could it hace come from? She just ASKED me if I can cast Fire Magic. * Amy sobs and pulls away from Daphne with ease. "Leave me alone! ALL OF YOU! Just leave me alone." Running as fast as she can, she heads for the door. * Cara watches in dismay as Amy flees. * By the time anybody gets started after her, Amy is into the building along with Wolf and Bear-chan, and Eagle-san is soaring off into the clouds. * Daphne runs after Amy for a bit, then winds down once she's inside. * Shiho just stands there, then... "Dammit! Why the hell couldn't I do it?" * Cara looks at Shiho, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Sh-Shiho...are you really that sure?" * Daphne mutters. "Bloody hell. Is *everyone* on this world tougher than me?" I... need time to think. * Ichi shakes his head and then sits down right where he is. * Daphne pulls out a container which doubtless contains alcohol and has a few chugs. * Daphne blinks. I...It's not like you to go running all over the place. * Daphne turns to the others. "Did Amy learn fighting from the same school as that other me did?" I don't know. * Cara slowly sits down on the ground. * Daphne looks around to see if one of those rosters happens to be handy. * There are no rosters on the arena floor, unfortunately. There _does_ happen to be a large one posted on the main "scoreboard", though, for the benefit of the fans. Shiho's idea...it just seems so creepily right...that it scares me. But...she's so much like Amy...and I l...but she's so different, too...scary, even. * Daphne looks at that, then. What school is Amy from? She's so strong... I'm not wrong. * There is no school listed. Amy's specialty is listed as "Animal-assisted." * Shiho says that. I'm not... but... ...But? * Shiho clenches her fist. "Damn." She heads towards the building. "Just give me some time alone." Shiho! That's not safe... Yeah, I know. * Rocky hops off Shiho's shoulder and scampers over to Daphne! ...you're not going to try to bait the killer out, are you? * Daphne scoops Rocky up in her arms. * Rocky whispers something to Daphne * Daphne nods and heads off after Shiho. * Cara looks at Ichi. "I guess we should stick together, then." * Ichi nods, "I hope somebody figures this out soon." It can't be her. It just CAN'T! * Cara sniffles a little, and buries her face in her hands. * Ichi stands up and walks over to Cara before sitting down again. I just don't know how we're going to prove it... [Session End]