03: [Video, and I apologize for him]

[truthsnomiracle]

[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.

Comments

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

While your point is valid, it doesn't mean that all caution should be thrown to the wind. It is merely one factor that should be taken into account, not a complete replacement for traditional forms of preparation -- particularly given that our understanding of Personas is incomplete.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

But isn't using them a lot the best way to understand them more?

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

To use a tool extensively may improve one's technique with it, but it will not necessarily reveal its origins nor its underlying principles. Furthermore, Personas are diverse; understanding only one will be of limited use in understanding the entire phenomenon.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

That's why we all need to make friends with each other and learn about everyone's Personas! And investigate that tower more! I bet there's all kinds of secret stuff in there to discover!

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Er... "friend" is a rather severe word to apply so casually, is it not? It would be possible to question others without being quite so... gregarious.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

What's wrong with making friends?

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Friendship requires a level of trust which is unwise to place in just anyone.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

Do you really think so?

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Yes.

[Sounds like you managed to trip over a sensitive subject, Shiina...]

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's really that hard to trust people.

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

It isn't a question of ease, but of advisability.

[That it isn't easy for him is beside the point, right?]

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

When is it ever a bad idea to make friends with someone?

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

You... truly have no concept of betrayal, do you?

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

I can't think of why anyone I know would want to do something like that.

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Not everyone is the sort of person that they appear to be.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

What about you? Should I trust you?

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

That you would simply ask that sort of question directly clearly demonstrates that you fail to understand the problem. The guilty shall lie to benefit themselves.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

But how do I know if you're lying to me right now? Because if you're lying to me, then that means I should trust everyone, which means I should trust you right now, which means I should believe you when you tell me not to trust anyone, so I shouldn't trust you after all, which means...

[Yeah, this could go in circles forever.]

[Video] That icon. XD

[truthsnomiracle]

Miss. [Edgeworth may not know Shiina's name yet, but that's not going to stop him from firmly cutting her off.]

Such quandaries must simply be approached from a different angle. Furthermore, you're seeing the issue in terms that are too black-and-white -- few effective lies are without a grain of truth, and not all truths are complete and unvarnished. People, too, are the same.

That being said, given your difficulty with even the greatest of oversimplifications, I cannot help but wonder if you've never been introduced to a certain children's logic puzzle on the very subject of absolute truth and pathological lying.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

A puzzle? Okay, bring it on!

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Very well. You stand at a crossroads, past which lies two villages: one in which all the residents are always truthful, and one in which all the residents constantly speak the opposite of the truth. At this crossroads, you encounter someone who could be from either village. What single question must you ask in order to learn from this person which road leads to which village?

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

I don't get it. Why would two villages like that exist in the first place?

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

It is a puzzle, not a story. The origins of the villages are outside of its scope.

[Video]

[go-go-lets-go.livejournal.com]

But who would even make laws like that? It's really weird if you think about it!

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

I personally always imagined it to be a matter of dogmatic tradition rather than law. The point, however, is how one is to discover which direction is which without knowing whether the one being asked is from the honest village or the dishonest one.