Video//Action (backdated before event). Seacats Conference.

[oneinamillion]

[The video feed flickers on to reveal two figures sitting in the hotel lobby—one is Ushiromiya Lion and the other is Willard H. Wright. They're both staring intently into the camera and looks like srs bsnss is going to go down here. Lion is the first to speak. He stands and makes a bow.]

Good afternoon, Prospero. It's come to my attention that certain ones of us have conflicting perspectives on the Ushiromiya family and the island of Rokkenjima. I've spoken with my acquaintance Willard H. Wright and he's agreed to clear up any misconceptions.

Name's Willard Huntington Wright as he said, I can't proclaim my detective rights, but I'm quite knowledgeable in Witch Trials, so I proclaim my part as judge, at least to clear this...situation. I'm not here to sentence anyone, so don't worry I'll serve as a judge and information source.

Witch trials...? [Lion pauses for a moment.] His information is highly accurate, though I'm unsure how he knows so much. As he said, rest assured, this isn't a trial.

Before we start I wanna leave some points clear, there are two truths being judged, they are different but that doesn't make them any less valid. We are proving the reality of those truths, Lion's truth is one side of the coin, the other is the opposing side, first both sides should be named and have a record of such.

This—this is the first I'll be hearing about it as well.

I won't list names, but the ones involved--please come to the Bayview Hotel's lobby, where we will be waiting. Video response is also an option, but an in-person explanation is strongly preferred in this situation so that we may clear up this confusion as efficiently as possible. Thank you for your time.

[And the feed cuts.]

((ooc: Lion is red here and Will is blue. Not just for the Umineko crew—anyone who's curious about the Ushiromiyas can jump in too! Also both Lion and Will will reply to comments. Forgot to mention the order goes you>>will>>lion!!))

Comments

[golden_witch]

[She'll lean forward a bit and study the ring momentarily. She had to admit it's existence was possible, however unlikely.]

I submit to that. However that Devil's Proof can work both ways. If I relent that improbable things can exist without my knowledge, who is to say that it can't be used for every argument?

In my defense, I know nothing of this ring because for me, there is no need for such a thing. The ring of the family head is meant for that purpose alone, to distinguish who is first and foremost of the family. A silver coloring denotes a second in line, but there is no heir which would prompt a need for a second ring to be made.

Therefore, I cannot deny the ring outright, but I can provide means against its existence.

[She glanced up at Lion. This boy seemed so sincere when he spoke, she almost wanted to believe him. But there was simply no way that there was someone in this family she knew nothing about.]

As I said. This ring was promised to me as well as all that which belongs to Kinzo. That was the bargain he struck, the promise he made. This is simply proof of that bargain.

[witch_inquisitor]

[He listened at her speech, it was true in the end on her side of things, there was no need for one, but on Lion's side Kinzo made it for him, since it meant a relationship that both were unaware of. He couldn't really explain it without saying the truth but he had to try.]

I agree with you Beatrice, I didn't expect less from you, but as for the meaning...

[He said while turning his back to both holding his hands on his back, he stopped suddenly turned back and pointed to both.]

It doesn't mean what you both think it does.

[He knew this would stir up both but he was ready.]

It's true you both think they mean who the next head would be, and it's true having two would be quite a waste, but you also mentioned this golden ring was a proof of a bargain. So it would mean Kinzo is in no longer possession of this ring. Think about it, Kinzo's kids fight for the leadership like rodents for a piece of food, in Kinzo's defense I can say he created this second ring to prove existence of another person that could replace the one holding the golden ring until he or she appeared. To keep the kids quiet in a way. Kinzo wouldn't bear to tell the family someone outside from the family...had that ring. That's why Kinzo told you thatyou were the next head and prepared you in case of Beatrice didn't returned Lion, but the ring you have seen on him it's probably a fake compared to Beatrice's.

[He had lied his way out of that one, no one could ask him to repeat it on red, and his job as a detective was finding ways to prove something, he had to clear any mislead information and create a window so it can exist in both sides.]

You didn't knew of this heir Beatrice, because Kinzo wouldn't let you know he had a second in line just in case, it would be an insult towards you and we all know Kinzo wouldn't dare. And in order to protect Lion he would keep him hidden...he has a way of hiding people on that huge island of his.

[He grinned towards Beatrice]

Not like it has never happened before right?