There’s just generally a whole lot of WIFOM responses I’m getting from Austin. I agree, this was a silly move if Austin was scum. It’s a silly move if Austin is town. It’s silly all around because it was obviously anti-town and defensive. No matter what he flips, the choice to claim this role this late reeks of desperation.
If he’s a desperate townie, then he misplayed his role very badly and is getting scumread for something he could have at least partially salvaged by staying mum about his role or softclaiming.
If he’s desperate scum expecting to be copped, then this is a last ditch effort. A mistaken one (there was always the chance that Savant would have copped someone else or been interfered with), but it is nonetheless an effort to shake both the cop and the lynch.
I sincerely don’t get how Luna so solidly believes that Austin must be town beyond just saying he expected more from Austin if he was scum. Difference between Austin’s previous games and this one: he didn’t have a claimed Cop with clear intentions to target him during NP1. Maybe there’s more to it than that. Maybe Austin would never do this as scum even under pressure. I just don’t buy it.
I’ll wait a bit before locking in my vote, but at this rate, Austin’s either going to be the lynch this DP or next, and I’d rather get rid of him and put the focus elsewhere next DP, whether he’s town or scum.