tvk | 03: [Video, and I apologize for him]

[Hello, Prospero! This is a very disapproving and irritated Edgeworth with a display shelf full of various polearms behind him.]

In light of the results of a certain recent expedition, the general quality of the armaments I've observed among those who favor those that aren't firearms, and the length of the case thus far, I've been forced to conclude that either your collective observational skills could be reproduced by someone wearing headphones and a blindfold or your collective problem-solving skills are on par with those of cartoon villains.

As it seems that I must do your work for you, I spent today seeking out an arms dealer. As it only took me this long to discover this "Felix's Finds" which serves as the closest thing available, I would imagine that it would take someone unused to investigation roughly a week. Given that the kidnappings began in late June and no small number of us contend with murderous beings of an improbable nature on a regular basis, that the existence of this collector's shop isn't common knowledge begs explanation -- even should that explanation prove to further undermine my faith in humanity.

I unfortunately feel it necessary to clarify that he cannot afford to be open about his efforts to cater to our needs, and that his understanding of the situation is limited at best. As such, discretion is necessary in our dealings with him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I knew all that. There was no need to be rude about it.

Then explain why you've allowed baseball bats and metal pipes to become commonplace weapons under circumstances such as these.

I took training from a skilled instructor before I thought of bringing a sword into am actually dangerous situation. A novice can do more damage than an expert, usually to themselves or to people they didn't mean to hurt.

I was under no illusion that I could have stopped the expedition. On short notice, the best I could do was come with them to limit the damage done. They know how to use baseball bats and metal pipes and won't kill themselves with them. It was good enough for the time being, and they'll seek out better weaponry now that they've seen its need.

That only explains your reaction to the immediate situation, not how it could have come to happen at all. One would think that in our predicament, instructions for obtaining both weapons and the training with which to use them would circulate as freely as that about the existence of the Dark HOur and its denizens.

Most of the people in my part of the expedition were children - I was hoping they would never have to pick up a weapon.

[Edgeworth pauses, softening his glare and lowering his voice.] ...Given the opportunity, no small number of children will attempt to become heroes. Here, the apparent path to glory is an extremely dangerous one, and their parents are rather likely to be nowhere to be found. While I understand your logic, your argument is lacking one vital aspect: an alternative. How would you propose that we prevent children from falling prey to their own poor judgment?

...I don't know. That is a failing in my argument.

I am not skilled enough to be an instructor in anything other than hand-to-hand, and that is not an appropriate method of combat here. If appropriate teachers can be found for their use, I'll make sure that better weapons are readily available.

Then it would seem that one of the various kidnappees should put some effort into organizing a selection of combat lessons.

I'll bring it up with my own teacher.

Very well.

I don't know why so many of them were brought here lately. Children, I mean.

The motivation to do such a thing would most likely be rather twisted.

The motivation to trap any of us here is twisted in the first place.

I had been considering the possibility that whoever is responsible wishes to apply a wide variety of skills to some problem, but if the kidnappers' reach is truly as varied as the claims of origin I've heard, it seems unconscionable to cause children to suffer in the process.

Exactly. Any reasonable goal could be accomplished without that.

Unfortunately, I'm hard-pressed to conceive of a better hypothesis. It may simply be that we're dealing with someone -- or something -- with no conscience to speak of.

I don't like how little we know about what we're up against, even as we learn more about how things work here.

Agreed. More worrisome still is the fact that my own investigation of the hotel has been hampered by a disconcerting trend of missing evidence.

What have you found so far?

The hotel's renovation was completed in April, roughly two months prior to the arrival of the earliest victims. Additionally, the fact that the owner is unknown is no accident -- it is a question not just of missing documents, but of witnesses being perpetually unavailable and promising phone numbers being disconnected.

I see. There's no way that level of obstruction is coincidental.

Edited 2011-12-27 21:51 (UTC)

Indeed not -- the effort reaches a level that would most assuredly inconvenience those involved. It strikes me as all the more reason to redouble my efforts. I need only predict a critical move in order to properly counter it.

If there's any part I can play in this endeavor, please let me know what I can do to help your strategy.

I shall keep that in mind, Mr. Ryudo.

Well, for now, farewell.

[Video]

truthsnomiracle - 2011-12-31 17:38 (UTC) - Expand

03: [Video, and I apologize for him]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video] Heh, never mind the thread-ending message, then. ;)

[Video] No worries.

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]