Players characters evading direct questions

[glass]

This still doesn't explain why they won't just answer a direct question.

IMNSHO, they didn't answer the direct question initially because they either did not remember, or did not realise it was significant.

Either that continued for the whole scene, or the realised based on your having all the NPCs asking about it that you wanted them to answer it...so they didn't, because they don't trust you and thought you would use it against them somehow.

But, generally, I give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I try and clarify and ask questions and continue the conversation for long periods of time. I generally assume people are arguing in good faith. For example, a few posts ago, I said I have trouble believing Glass is arguing in good faith, but I actually showed three different people our posts IRL and asked them for a second opinion before coming to that conclusion.

Which three people?

More to the point, I am not arguing in good or bad faith, because I am not arguing at all. I am trying to help you.