Quoted By:
>GOTCHA!
If nothing else, it's becoming increasingly clear that Horse Face may have the right idea: whoever (or <span class="mu-i">whatever</span>) this is, it isn't Madrigal. Mainly, you think the real Madrigal would be cursing more— possibly at you, specifically, for getting her kidnapped. But this one barely seems to know you, much less blame you. While it's possible she's lost her memory, you suppose, from the trauma— what are the odds of that, compared with the odds it isn't her? What did Eloise pin it at generally, 90/10?
«What is this.»
«Is Charlotte Fawkins applying logical reasoning.»
What? You often— what a stupid criticism. You're highly logical.
«I seem to recall you decrying the benefits of—»
You don't recall that in the slightest— though, in truth, your reasoning is also motivated by the fact that you don't <span class="mu-i">want</span> Possibly Madrigal to be Madrigal. That'd mean the Wind Court rescued her before you even got started, and that'd be ludicrous. No. Possibly Madrigal is not— is almost certainly not Madrigal. Not at all. "Look, let's just cut to the chase."
Almost Certainly Not Madrigal scoots back a little, maybe sensing a change in tone. "What are you talking about?"
Now that you've come to a decision, the truth seems obvious. Possibly your exquisitely attuned detectivey senses have been working without your knowledge. "You're not Madrigal. You can stop pretending."
"I— I am Madrigal..." She sounds uncertain. "That's the name I— that's my name."
"A-ha. A-hahaha. It is <span class="mu-i">not</span> your name." You glance toward Horse Face to make sure he's paying attention (he is), then strike an intimidating pose. "Your name is LES—"
You realize halfway through the sentence that you don't know Lester's last name. "—ter. Lester. That's you."
"What?" Almost Certainly Not Madrigal says, and furrows her eyebrows.
"...You're Lester. You're the Namway— the Namway manager guy."
"Are you ON something?" She draws her knees to her chest. "LESTER? Who do I look like— geez! That's insulting! Do I sound like Lester, or something?"
>[-1 ID: 7/13]
You were inebriated. Maybe too inebriated. "Does it matter? You're using your DECEPTIVE TRICKERY to—"
"I'm not! What the hell! I barely KNOW the guy!" Almost Certainly Not Madrigal attempts to stand, but her bindings prevent her. "What are you even HERE for? You don't have the damn newspaper, and you haven't let me out, and that GUY's just staring at me—" You glare at Horse Face. "Maybe you should just LEAVE?"
"Not before telling me who you are!" You point at her with a flourish.
"I'm Madrigal!"
...Great.
(Choices next.)
