first truth [video]

[onlytruth]

*Upon arriving in the Gardens, the usual sight is a dismayed girl in a state of shock, panic, or anger. Or all three. But Erika? Nope. She's sitting in front of the vine in an elaborate looking chair with a teacup in one hand and saucer in the other. Erika takes a sip of tea before speaking to the vine, which she had already closely examined and figured out beforehand.*

Good afternoon, everyone. You haven't had the pleasure of meeting me yet, so I decided that needed to change. I am Erika Furudo, first class detective. A pleasure, I'm sure. Since I already understand the basic premise of this game board, I only have one tiny favor to ask of you, the viewer.

Why don't you tell me about yourself?

Comments

[ video ]

[branded_twin]

[ The voice and demeanor are entirely different, but that name and that face--Mion can think of only one person and nothing else. She has to be absolutely sure. ]

Rika?

[ video ]

[onlytruth]

Close. The name you're looking for is Erika.

I hope we won't have to go over the introductions a second time? It's difficult to get to the meat of a mystery if we're stuck on the first chapter.

[ video ]

[branded_twin]

Uh, r-right. You look like a friend of mine.

[ Definitely not Rika playing pretend, but...this is way too uncanny. ]

What's that about a mystery?

[ video ]

[onlytruth]

Would you mind telling me more about this friend of yours?

*Erika knows that she's the split image of her master, Bernkastel. If Bern is here, Erika needs to know about it right away.*

That's easy. Who ever heard of a detective without a mystery to solve? That wouldn't even be a third rate mystery.

video;

[jemerite]

[What a strange way to introduce yourself. Zinc spends a good deal of time observing the vine during the day, but this one catches her attention.]

Hello, Erika. The Garden isn't troubling you?

[Her speech is deliberate and a little slow.]

video;

[onlytruth]

No, not particularly. It's another game board just as any. A bit primitive, but it will do.

video;

[jemerite]

[She's very curious about this.]

You... travel to other worlds?

video;

[onlytruth]

I go whenever my master needs me.

Though I haven't seen her here yet. No matter, that just means I'm early. That gives me plenty of time for the preparation!

[repeatinred]

... You again. Didn't you get enough of this fragment the last time you were here?

[ ... She doesn't remember, either--

... So, this means that she'll have to surprise Erika with her gender again--if she's from the same fragment as the last time. ]

[onlytruth]

Oh, it's you, Battler-saaaaaan. I didn't recognize you for a minute there. You never left much of an impact upon entering a room, after all!

*Okay no Erika knew it was Battler right away. She's just trying to be cool.*

[repeatinred]

You're one to talk, you know. Ihihihi, how many people have replied to this thing, anyways?

[onlytruth]

A few. Not nearly enough. I thought people were more interested in themselves than this.

[imperial_ray]

A great detective? Like Sherlock Holmes?

Sherlock Holmes must be like the Iliad to her...

[onlytruth]

Exactly!

and Freddie Mercury is their Mozart

[imperial_ray]

Ah! How exciting! Though I find some of them hard to follow, I do like mystery novels!

sounds pretty accurate

[onlytruth]

Is that so? Which are your favorites?

[persical]

A game board...? This isn't a game, not exactly.

[onlytruth]

Can you prove that it isn't?

[persical]

Prove...? [she tilts her head, looking confused.] The Queen is misguided, but I do think she believes she's taking things seriously. That's why she won't listen to anyone.

[onlytruth]

And will make her an interesting opponent.

[ritsu_kouyou]

[This was not the time to demand this girl talk about herself. Not with what her maid did earlier in the day.]

Why should I?

[onlytruth]

*For evil that's why.*

Why not? Don't people love talking about themselves?

[ritsu_kouyou]

Idiots, perhaps.

video

[miserytaker]

Will you talk about yourself, too? I've never heard of a detective.

[reallyerotic]

That's fine with me. Where would you like me to begin?