Can't you taste this gold? (backdated)

[detectiveofthewest]

Some time after the swordfight with Hershel, Heiji returned to the scene of the crime the lounge, shinai propped up against one shoulder. The room was in complete disarray, and while he hadn't actually meant for that to happen, well... it was partially his fault anyway.

And he did feel a little bad for ripping up one of Snake's only magazines. So he started putting a few things back where they belonged, starting with the various videos of horrible experiments. Stanford Prison Experiments, those obviously went under 'S', and -- hm? One of the videos was unmarked. Out of curiosity, he hauled the TV back upright and turned the movie on.

Five minutes and a few bad decisions later, Heiji was alternately lip-synching and bobbing around to something that sounded an awful lot like this in between his practice swings.

"I'm so fancy~
You already know
I'm in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo..."

...He might also have been singing along to the chorus.

Comments

[puzzlinglad]

The thought of Heiji spilling his guts to Jake made him smile despite himself. That would have been a show. "I'm sure Ema would listen if you asked. I don't think she likes to admit it but she definitely cares more than she lets on." He wondered why Heiji hadn't mentioned Snake in that list, head tilting slightly. "You always have me and Snake at least." Friendship.

You're welcome, what a magical life you live. "Try to get some sleep, okay?"

[detectiveofthewest]

"No way, definitely not," said Heiji, pulling a face like Hershel had just suggested that he strap himself to the top of a bullet train about to leave the station.

"He'd probably just bring it up every time he wanted to psychoanalyze me. 'Well, clearly you must think that way because of that memory you had; it's making you irrational'. Ugh, no thanks. But you don't have to worry about me getting any sleep. For some reason, I fall asleep the second my head hits the floor."

[puzzlinglad]

Oh my god, you two, Hershel tried really hard not to look amused and nodded along as sympathetically as possible. "Um... I think if Snake knew it was important to you he wouldn't act that way." He paused. "Unless you told him after doing something irrational." Which you know. Heiji. It was possible.

Have a reassuring smile. "I guess the point is you have a lot of people here behind you." The point was more haha you two and your drama but still.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well, I ain't plannin' on taking that gamble. Anyway, whatcha mean 'after doing something irrational? I'm 100% rational! Well, maybe 99%..."

He crossed his arms in a huff. "I get what you're sayin', though. I'll think about it."

[puzzlinglad]

"Heiji, you're a tad-" Hm, how did he word this... "-passionate. An admirable trait, to be sure, but one that ah... sometimes lacks rationality."

That was polite, right? Close enough. "That's all I can ask. Oh, and- well, thank you, for everything the last few days. You've certainly made all this more bearable."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji looked positively offended. "In other words, you're sayin' I'm a hothead, right? I already know that! But when it comes right down to it, I don't think I'm any less rational than you. Like that time you decided to risk it and ally with Jake. And ain't you the one went around bleeding for everyone during that bingo game? Irrational... ha!"

Rude Hershel SUPER RUDE

"Glad I made things a little easier for ya, though. You look like you got a lot of worries rattling around in your head."

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel frowned, opened his mouth then closed it because... yeah Heiji kind of had a point. "I am hardly a hothead, I had a good reason for those instances! They weren't irrational, just... perhaps a touch ill-advised." Huff. "Besides, I'd like to point out I don't have bullet wounds." See?? Clearly not a hothead detective solving crimes like some people.

And he smiled again a bit weakly. "Yes well, it's not every day you're told you're a murderer. I'm just glad no one went too far with these shows, frankly I was concerned given some of the group..."

[detectiveofthewest]

This grin on Heiji's face. "Weeeeell, I guess if I ever need someone to do something 'ill-advised' with, I'll be in good company, huh?"

He had to agree 100% on Hershel's appraisal of the group, though. Thank god no one was stabbing anyone over this. Maybe there was hope for them all after all!

"Well, once we smash outta here, we'll be able to track down the truth. Which in your case I suspect was pretty cherry-picked."

[puzzlinglad]

Have a dry but amused look. "Well, I could hardly let you go be ill-advised alone, who knows the kind of trouble you'd get into." He teased, breaking into a small smile. "Actually that reminds me of a puzzle, if you're interested." I TOLD you I'd do it. I told you.

"I certainly hope so... well, whatever the case may be learning the truth is the first step for earning forgiveness." He wasn't sure murderers deserved forgiveness but you know. He could dream. "Or just resting easier." Poor Heiji.

[detectiveofthewest]

"A... puzzle?" What the hell what was this witchcraft where was this coming from. "Well, okay, I guess. What is it?"

[puzzlinglad]

Oh ho ho. Hershel seemed strangely in his element for once, raising a finger as he spoke. "Well, it's somewhat simple, but I think you'll enjoy it.

Five people were found in a room, one that was a complete mess. E and C both had paint on their clothes, B and C were shorter and D, E and A were about the same height. While trying to figure out what happened you realized you never found out the order which everyone came in. They tell you the following:

A: ... one of the shorter ones came in third.
B: The one who came in before me was not my height.
C: My clothes were stained earlier and had nothing to do with this. I arrived last.
D: People with stained clothes were ahead of me and behind me.
E: There was someone ahead of me when I arrived. A little one trailed behind me.

Assuming they're all telling the truth, what order did they come in?"

Puzzles, enjoy.

[detectiveofthewest]

Well... okay, sure, Hershel. "Hmm... well, if one of the shrimps was third, that would mean B or C. But if C was last, that would mean B was third. D and E both say that there were people ahead of them, so the first one has to be A. Then if there were people with stained clothes ahead of and behind D, the order would have to be A, E, B, D, C."

But what did this have to do with their situation though. Was Hershel trying to guilt him into apologizing to Snake? HMM. Somehow this all felt rather familiar...

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel looked pretty happy and completely innocent how dare you assume he has ulterior motives. He would never (he absolutely would.) "That's right, well done Heiji. I'll have to try and remember a more challenging one next time, I have a feeling most of the ones I remember now would be too simple for you."

He needed to step up his puzzle game.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji grinned. "Well, as long as we're at it, how about one for you? So you've cornered three suspects at a sports bar, and you can only detain one for questioning. All you have to go on is their testimony.

A is an older fella with spectacles and balding hair. He says, "During the crime, I saw a great match! I'm a huge fan of Akashouryou, who lost, though, so I'm a little down about it. I was really hoping to drink to his victory..."

B is an overweight fella in a sports jacket with a pompadour. His story is: "Don't look at me; I was watching beach volleyball! Watching those ladies tossing that ball back and forth was exciting! I was hoping someone would have a wardrobe malfunction, though!"

C is a middle-aged fella with long hair. He goes, "I'm a big fan of Tokyo Spirits, the visiting team. It was great to see them embracing on the soccer grounds in victory, but I clapped quietly so I wouldn't bother the people around me. I don't know anything about the crime."

Who's the most suspicious, and why?"

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel considered, brow furrowed. He was hoping this puzzle wasn't going to rely on knowledge os sports or sports bars because... well look at him. What did he know.

"May I ask one question- were the suspect told about the time of the crime at all before making these statements?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji gave Hershel a cheerful smile. Clearly, no hints there....

"Well, you could say they have a general idea of when the crime happened, but as for the exact time, only the criminal himself would know. Oh, and feel free to ask whatever questions ya want!"

[puzzlinglad]

"Hm well... Without asking anymore I guess I'd pick A. How could he know this match was going on during the crime unless he knew the exact time of it?" Hershel glanced at Heiji, curious. "I feel like there may be something I'm missing, but no one else seems quite as suspicious as that to me.

"Did I get it?" He doesn't sound particularly confident but boy was he curious to see the answer. Puzzles were rad even when you were wrong.

Also I had this tag just open and not posted sorry for the delay haha...

also np :)

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji grinned. "Well, I guess ya need to know a little about sports to get this one. The answer's C. He says he's such a big fan of the Spirits, but he calls them the 'visiting team' and says they hugged on the 'soccer grounds'.

"But normally you'd call them the 'away team' and the field is called a 'pitch'! Even a kid'll pick up things like that if they're into the game. Sounds pretty suspicious to me!"

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel couldn't help a small laugh. "Ah, honestly I don't think I know much about sports, let alone 'soccer' or pitches or the like" Football, duh, British.

"Did you make that up on your own, Heiji? I guess I wouldn't be surprised, you seem like a sports fan."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Y'know, I ain't sure. Just kind of been thinking about it since I saw that soccer ball at the store." He shrugged.

"You know how puzzles are, they float around everywhere. Kinda surprised you don't know more about soccer, though. I thought football was pretty popular in the UK!" And Hershel was a fencing fan, though of course fencing and soccer didn't have much in common.

[puzzlinglad]

"I wonder who that's for, all of the items seem pointedly for someone." They'll never know it was for Kariya, that's depressing.

"I suppose it is... it's a little strange, finding out what you like this way. I think it's safe to say I didn't play a lot of football." His hair is too distracting for the players, he'd be kicked off. He blinked then, realizing something with a sheepish smile. "Ah, here you are getting ready to go to bed and I rambled on about puzzles... I'm dreadfully sorry about that, thank you for humoring me."

[detectiveofthewest]

"It was probably for Kariya, right? He mentioned he used to play." HEIJI KNEW, so that was a, uh. Thing. Oops, depressing again.

Heiji laughed. "No problem. See ya in the morning, Hershel!"

[puzzlinglad]

"Oh..." Depressing. Poor Kariya. He tried not to let his mood dampen too obviously before smiling and nodding to Heiji.

"Sleep well, Heiji." Surely no one would do weird stabbings and then a girl would get murdered, that won't happen. He headed out, unaware they'd see each other again in a bit when Heiji was taking care of Snake. Circle of life.