[Channeling the tone he puts on when charming his way into the good graces of those he wants information from, Temenos repeats the phrase once more. There's a calmness to it that won't ever quite reach Lobelia's volume, but it's a far cry from the dry delivery of Temenos' first pass.]
It's simple, monsieur Temenos: you'll do what it takes to survive and return to what makes you happy, won't you?
[Ah, but he knows this is a skittish topic for most. Lobelia has lived a quiet life killing in the shadows, but blessed with the privilege of inhabiting an island where murder is the name of the game? That begets honesty, if only a little. Not getting caught is still a priority here.]
Speaking for myself, nothing will stop me from achieving happiness. I doubt I am alone.
[Hmm. Now where has he heard this talk of seeking happiness before?
As he suspected, he's going to have to keep a very close eye on Lobelia.]
I intend to survive this situation without resorting to killing. As much as I would prefer they did not happen, I am far more adept at solving murders.
Kindly keep that in mind if you plan to pursue your happiness here.
Heh-ahaha... How frightening! Merveilleux, Temenos! You'll keep men like me in line, won't you?
[That's... exciting on a few different levels, none of which require any explanation or clarification, but Temenos will find out in time regardless.]
Let's continue our lesson then, shall we? You have my word that I'll teach you all the basics, but what you need most is something more constructif. Let's see...
[And something tells him Temenos isn't above some entertainment even if he won't be the one committing the murders. That's Lobelia's hope, at least, as it might just break his delicate little heart if Temenos isn't as entertaining as he seems.]
Perhaps their body was crushed by some unknown force? Utterly destroyed beyond all recognition? Without so much as an empreinte on their body to identify the killer, how would you go about solving the crime?
[Listen.......... He doesn't want anyone to die, but the fun beachy activities aren't going to sustain him.]
Of course it would be in such a state. Certainly not for the faint of heart.
[Welcome to Lobelia's twisted mind, etc. But Temenos plays along, bringing a hand to his chin to think it over.]
I would argue that such a cause of death could be an identifying factor on its own. Crushing is no simple injury to inflict upon someone, so how the body came to be crushed would be the first clue I would seek out.
[My, Temenos really is a quick study, isn't he? Lobelia nods along, but lest he disgust Temenos with too much praise, he holds his applause.]
Oui! What a smart man you are, Temenos. I like that in a man.
[But Temenos will never be as smart as his genius self, etc. etc......... Nevertheless, Lobelia gets back on topic before Temenos can roll his eyes or shoot a look of disgust his way.]
[The restraint is appreciated...though it's not enough to stop Temenos from giving Lobelia a Look. This isn't a first date. Stop.]
In such a case, collecting additional pieces of evidence is necessary to narrow down the suspects even further. As spotless of a crime for the killer as it may appear, there is an entire story to the murder. The lead-up, the climax, and the clean-up... There are plenty of moments for the killer to slip up and leave something damning behind.
[Lobelia listens intently, nodding along. They'll both be well-entertained while they're here, won't they? Even if they stand on opposite sides of the law, little else separates them in Lobelia's eyes.]
Oui, oui! How right you are. That is all the more reason why a tueurβ a killerβ would be foolish to linger around the scene of a crime. Unfortunately, while we're confined to an island, there's no place for the culprit to run... haha! Anyone who lives to kill would not be so foolish as to commit a crime they can't flee from.
[That's what Lobelia's personal experience tells him, anyway.]
I wouldn't consider fleeing from the crime to be a guarantee to evade capture. A skilled detective can follow a killer to the other end of the realm if they were truly intent on bringing them to justice.
[Also speaking from experience.
By this point, Temenos seems to have loosened up a fair bit. Loathe as he is to admit it, Lobelia got him in a conversation that he's actually enjoying.]
But what you say about being confined to this island is true. With detailed information on personal statistics and abilities, along with limited space to dispose of evidence... It would be all the easier to track them down.
[Goodness... Where are men like Temenos back home in Granblueland? Lobelia might've caught some whiff of retribution if someone like him was hot on the heels of his crimes, but alas!
If this discussion has made one thing clear to Lobelia, it's that the lack of a proper challenge from any sort of authority figure is rather... boring. How much more exciting would it be if he had the pleasure of engaging in a game of cat and mouse with a man like Temenos? Maybe kidnapping him wouldn't be a terrible idea.]
In so many words, a wise criminel would steer clear of you, wouldn't they? Hahaha! Do you not fear retribution, Temenos? One of these days, you may back the wrong man into a corner and pay the prix ultime.
If I feared retribution, then the truths I sought would never have come to light.
[There's a strangely heavy seriousness in his delivery. It's not that he's cocky and doesn't think those he's pursuing can harm him. It's that he refuses to give in, even if it does cost him his life.]
As I said at the meeting, I had just closed such a case before I wound up here. That cult I mentioned- I tracked down one of its key players. She was very, very determined to silence me.
[The seriousness with which Temenos speaks isn't lost on Lobelia, but he can't help but feel like that harrowing journey he'd just been on was as trying as it was exhilarating for Temenos. In a manner of speaking, they're birds of a feather, so it's hard for Lobelia to imagine he didn't enjoy himself.]
So you're a amateur de sensations fortesβ someone who seeks thrills and savors the throb of adrenaline coursing through your veins. You may not want to see our friends fall one by one, but you'll savor tracking down the culprits, non? PrΓͺtre coquin!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Parfait! You're a natural, almost as charming as myself.
[π€‘]
Now repeat after me: C'Γ©tait moi. Je suis le tueur.
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[No, really. Stop. It feels somewhat slimy coming from Lobelia.
As they move on, Temenos' expression flattens.]
Come now, Lobelia. I'm not going to parrot whatever phrase you want me to. Tell me what it means first, and be honest.
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"It was me. I'm the killer." Wouldn't you like to prepare for the inevitable?
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You have an interesting definition of "the basics." I can't say I'm surprised.
[He lets his hands rest on his knee, placid smile unwavering.]
Branding me a killer already, are you? I'd like to hear your reasoning.
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[Ah, but he knows this is a skittish topic for most. Lobelia has lived a quiet life killing in the shadows, but blessed with the privilege of inhabiting an island where murder is the name of the game? That begets honesty, if only a little. Not getting caught is still a priority here.]
Speaking for myself, nothing will stop me from achieving happiness. I doubt I am alone.
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As he suspected, he's going to have to keep a very close eye on Lobelia.]
I intend to survive this situation without resorting to killing. As much as I would prefer they did not happen, I am far more adept at solving murders.
Kindly keep that in mind if you plan to pursue your happiness here.
[That is absolutely a threat.]
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[That's... exciting on a few different levels, none of which require any explanation or clarification, but Temenos will find out in time regardless.]
Let's continue our lesson then, shall we? You have my word that I'll teach you all the basics, but what you need most is something more constructif. Let's see...
Try this. "Qu'est-il arrivΓ© au corps?" In other words, "what happened to the body?"
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This is quite an unruly flock, so I expect a good number of troublemakers regardless of my efforts. My job won't be an easy one.
[At least he won't be bored...
Anyway, he'll humor Lobelia and repeat that question for him with the same level of charm and the addition of staring back rather pointedly.]
What indeed, dear Lobelia? What do you suppose happened in this instance?
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[And something tells him Temenos isn't above some entertainment even if he won't be the one committing the murders. That's Lobelia's hope, at least, as it might just break his delicate little heart if Temenos isn't as entertaining as he seems.]
Perhaps their body was crushed by some unknown force? Utterly destroyed beyond all recognition? Without so much as an empreinte on their body to identify the killer, how would you go about solving the crime?
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Of course it would be in such a state. Certainly not for the faint of heart.
[Welcome to Lobelia's twisted mind, etc. But Temenos plays along, bringing a hand to his chin to think it over.]
I would argue that such a cause of death could be an identifying factor on its own. Crushing is no simple injury to inflict upon someone, so how the body came to be crushed would be the first clue I would seek out.
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Oui! What a smart man you are, Temenos. I like that in a man.
[But Temenos will never be as smart as his genius self, etc. etc......... Nevertheless, Lobelia gets back on topic before Temenos can roll his eyes or shoot a look of disgust his way.]
It helps that our capacitΓ©s are common knowledge, non? Still, there are a few whose powers overlap. That may become problΓ©matique in the event someone wants to blame their crime on another.
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In such a case, collecting additional pieces of evidence is necessary to narrow down the suspects even further. As spotless of a crime for the killer as it may appear, there is an entire story to the murder. The lead-up, the climax, and the clean-up... There are plenty of moments for the killer to slip up and leave something damning behind.
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Oui, oui! How right you are. That is all the more reason why a tueurβ a killerβ would be foolish to linger around the scene of a crime. Unfortunately, while we're confined to an island, there's no place for the culprit to run... haha! Anyone who lives to kill would not be so foolish as to commit a crime they can't flee from.
[That's what Lobelia's personal experience tells him, anyway.]
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[Also speaking from experience.
By this point, Temenos seems to have loosened up a fair bit. Loathe as he is to admit it, Lobelia got him in a conversation that he's actually enjoying.]
But what you say about being confined to this island is true. With detailed information on personal statistics and abilities, along with limited space to dispose of evidence... It would be all the easier to track them down.
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If this discussion has made one thing clear to Lobelia, it's that the lack of a proper challenge from any sort of authority figure is rather... boring. How much more exciting would it be if he had the pleasure of engaging in a game of cat and mouse with a man like Temenos? Maybe kidnapping him wouldn't be a terrible idea.]
In so many words, a wise criminel would steer clear of you, wouldn't they? Hahaha! Do you not fear retribution, Temenos? One of these days, you may back the wrong man into a corner and pay the prix ultime.
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[There's a strangely heavy seriousness in his delivery. It's not that he's cocky and doesn't think those he's pursuing can harm him. It's that he refuses to give in, even if it does cost him his life.]
As I said at the meeting, I had just closed such a case before I wound up here. That cult I mentioned- I tracked down one of its key players. She was very, very determined to silence me.
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So you're a amateur de sensations fortesβ someone who seeks thrills and savors the throb of adrenaline coursing through your veins. You may not want to see our friends fall one by one, but you'll savor tracking down the culprits, non? PrΓͺtre coquin!