The nine of us who remain - the [Dragon], myself, the [Horse] - the [Dog], the [Pig], and the [Rat] - plus the [Ox], the [Tiger] and the [Rabbit] - are all back in that same perilous circle. The second trial has begun.

[https://i.imgur.com/Su5zgNx.png]

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179:59

179:58

[Dragon]: I took the [Rooster]’s notebook, the one she kept in her room. She wrote down every word, every rule that the [Gods] have given us on our Cards - when it comes to conduct and trials, I've learned we all share the same rules.

[Dragon]: There are no hidden twists; today’s Trial will be the same as yesterday. We must seek the Wolves who have now murdered the [Rooster]. And we must cast someone out.

[Ox]: But how can we blame someone when we don’t have any evidence?

[Lily]: …There was a lot of blood in that suite even if we didn’t find a body. Maybe we can find evidence later if we look at that room again?

There’s hesitation in her voice.

[Pig]: It’s all meaningless!!! We’re all going to die!

It’s true that we don’t have any real clues, so it’s hard to choose someone to vote for. But that’s a common mistake people make when playing Werewolf for the first time, looking for certainties rather than probabilities.

The [Rabbit] stretches. Despite the cool air flowing through the room, she’s sweating, cloth sticking to her skin.

[Rabbit]: Good morning… everyone.

[Rabbit]: Wolves. Are always thinking, ‘what would town think?’ ‘how do I get town to like me?’ ‘how can I avoid getting caught?’

[Rabbit]: Town can just say what they want. Do what they want. Wolves hesitate. Wolves talk weird. We can find them.

A loud sandpaper-like tone bursts through the chamber.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

[Tiger]: Y’know who’s weird then? That [Pig] woman who voted for me yesterday!

[Tiger]: You kept me awake all night! I was tossing and turning, thinking about how you wanted to see my guts splattered all over that stage, just like those two corpses!

[Pig]: B-but you said… that you wouldn’t consider the game personally… so I thought I might, as a way to vote no one, vote for y-

[Tiger]: You’re right! I don’t take it personally. I don’t take it personally at all! Anyone who takes shots at the [Tiger] can get fucking shot no matter who they are! If we’re voting for who sucks the most. It’s you. I vote you!

The [Pig] flinches and cowers as if the finger the [Tiger] jabs at her really is a gun.

[Lily]: Please wait! We don’t have to vote based on intuition; the Town has a role that gathers information too.

[Lily]: The Seer can lead the Town and tell us who is innocent and who the Wolves are.

She looks around the circle, waiting to see if someone will speak. With just three people dead, already this room to me feels empty, with a big gap between where Lily sits and the [Horse]. The blood and body of the [Monkey] has disappeared and while the [Goat]'s corpse is still present, it's been tucked away into a corner, watching us with vacant half-lidded eyes.

No one moves. And finally the [Rat] leans forward.

[Rat]: Yes, that’s true… the Seer could say their role. [Snake]? Do you have any idea who the Seer could be? Might it be you?

[Yuri]: Me? Why are you asking me?

[Rat] No reason exactly. Just had a feeling.

While the [Rat]’s face is dry, dull, and blemished, his green eyes hold a malevolent spark. He shows his teeth as both a threat and a smile.

[Rat]: Then you’re not Seer?

I am not! Though the [Rat] wants me to pretend that I am, to confound the Wolves and trick them into targeting a useless town.

I glance at [Lily], who is fidgeting with her hair-tie. The trouble is that I don’t consider myself a useless town, not anymore. It’s not my place yet to die.

[Yuri]: I’m not Seer. Obviously.

The [Rat] sighs, then presses his palm to his face so that I just barely see his eyes through the gaps in his fingers.

[Rat]: I’m happy you answered that way because, everybody, I’m actually the Seer.

[Lily]: That’s wonderful! Can you share what you learned last night? We need new leads.

[Rat]: It’s interesting you would ask that, because I don’t have any information that’d be new to you. Though I suppose it'd be fresh info for everybody else.

The [Rat] talks to the room.

[Rat]: Last night I checked the [Dog]. She’s sided with the Wolves.