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Optimist nodded. "I find Story and Swamp Trees the most suspicious," she began. Especially with Swamp Trees' newest revelation. "And I think Peep is worth looking at - she's led a lot of the votes lately, without needing to say much or trying very hard." But still - that didn't necessarily indicate guilt. She could just be much more persuasive than Optimist. "I keep going back and forth about Apathy - largely because of Kiss of Death." Apathy had been strangely defensive of the other doe. "I don't know what I think of Bitter End - she seems very focused, and it's interesting that she voted for Wintershadow but I don't think it indicates anything. Wild Cry, Wild Sage, and Giveforward otherwise seem the most trustworthy to me - um, I'd probably trust Giveforward most, and then Wild Sage a bit more than Wild Cry. And then Doubleback!" She shrugged - perhaps she trusted them only because it seemed like they'd been contributing the same sort of material as she'd been contributing, though. "Um, I'm not really sure either way about everyone else." She couldn't really get a read on their behavior.

She shrugged at Wild Cry. "I-I mean, I don't think they're random at all. I agree; they're definitely picking off quiet people...but I don't think there's a strong theory either way as to why."

Story nodded along to everything Optimist said, and took note of the many suspicious glances coming his way. He'd wondered when that was going to happen ...

"It is true that my votes have been erratic. It is not common for me to be around so many kin at once and has become increasingly difficult for me to keep up with the conversation. Not because I am confused or scattered, but indeed because it seems that I do not speak as quickly as the rest of you. So, it shames me to admit that I have been mostly just voting along with the popular consensus instead of making up my own mind. Alas, there is not much I can do to state my case further."

His ears flicked in the direction of Giveforward and he gave a grim nod.

"I do not really like this game, either. Suspicions run too hot and fast and I do not like what it is making me feel. With that, I suppose, the most that I can do is this- I vote for myself, Story. I am too old for such games."

Now that one of the two was out of the game, Bitter End was very inclined to go towards her first suspicion - but now that the swampy buck had volunteered himself, she contrarily refused. Distancing herself from Story further, she warred with her emotions inside - but was loathe, ever, to give anyone what they desired. Or not? She would see if she regretted it.

"This acha doe," she said, pointing at Peep, just her ally the other day, "I vote for her. She has been instrumental and unassuming all this while, as kin have been picked off, many via her votes." Or so she reckoned, not having paid as much attention as she could've. "She might be prescient. Or a wolf."

"How in the world did you come to that conclusion? All I heard is a buck who can't refute any allegations and lying down to die. What makes you think he cannot die at night?"

Story blinked in surprise.

"Ahh, it seems some may have misunderstood my intent. I only wish to expedite my removal from this game. For whatever reason the wolves have not seen fit to end my time here during the night, and it is as Doubleback has said- I only wish to be done without waiting for the wolves to choose to do as I wish."

This was pointless. He'd made his vote and no amount of explaining his choice further would do anything more.

Look-See heard her name associated with s**t, but before she could snarl, she heard what the buck said and calmed down. It was true. Blind as a bitty bat and all that.

"One upside to our fewer numbers is how I know all of your names and can associate and find you by your scent. I have no idea what Story is doing but admit I'm most suspicious of vote-happy Peep who is among the first to corral the others to vote always. Bitter End also is a concern."

"Oh hey, Smelly Sunshine. That's your nickname, Wild Cry. I also agree with not wasting a vote. If Stoneyass Story truly felt that way then he could always bow out of the game instead of dragging it out with votes. Why not eliminate 2 while we're at it. If I were a wolf and knew it was down to the last two rounds to play, I would vote for myself to throw-off suspicion and hope no one called my bluff. I see what you're doing there, Story. Not really." Look-See offered a jilted laugh.