004. Action for Violet City/Video

[ardent]

[ACTION]

[Perhaps strangely for the late evening hours on a Sunday, there are lights on in the school in Violet City tonight; Ishimaru usually avoids coming here in the evenings for that reason - surely it would look suspicious if someone were to come by and see that, or notice someone wandering around in there through the windows - but he has been coming by here once classes let out for the day once in a while, and tonight...well. It's been a long week.

It had taken him some time to convince himself that being here was okay (it is public property, as far as he can tell, so he's not in danger of trespassing, and surely it can't be breaking and entering if the door is unlocked); he'd run into a janitor yesterday who didn't seem fazed at his being there, and didn't seem to mind as long as he left things as he found them. It isn't as though he does much here, anyway; he mostly just wanders around, enjoying the feel of the place. Schools have always had very distinct feelings associated with them, as far as he goes; even his time in Hope's Peak hasn't managed to tarnish that.

About the only thing it's effected is the way he makes sure to leave the windows open and unblocked by shades while he's here.

So he's clearly visible to passersby, should there be any this evening, though he's got his back to the outside; he's got chalk in his hand, quickly adorning the chalkboard in front of him with words written briskly in steady, straight lines.

Live with simplicity, fortitude and vigor.

The foundation of hard work is the spirit to succeed.

Sacrifice is freely given, not yours to demand; give freely of yourself when possible.

Do what you can with your life; it's the only one you've been given.

Do not tear down when you can build up; do not destroy when you can create.

Respect all life as though it were your own.

They're simple phrases, really; things to be kept in mind, thoughts that he needs to remind himself from time to time. He thinks for a moment before scrawling one more down, and then he steps back, surveying his work.

We are not dead yet.

It had struck him as horribly morbid, when he'd first heard it; it's still painful, but it brings with it a dark sense of comfort. We are not dead yet.

That one gets underlined.]


[VIDEO]

[Well, judging from the background of the video, Ishimaru hasn't quite left the school building yet -

...all right, he's not even in the process of leaving, as several of those lines are still clearly visible on the board behind him, but still. He'll wipe them before he leaves, definitely.

However, for the time being, he has something of a question; it's been bothering him for quite some time now, actually.]

A lot of people seem to have been brought here during times of stress or conflict in their lives - in fact, almost everyone I've seen has been like that! Is there anyone here from a world that's actually peaceful and in order?

[It hasn't quite hit him that this isn't just something you ask people, good lord.]

Of course, even if things are dark for you now back home, the focus shouldn't be on futility, but rather on hope and possibilities! Even if your world is a dark one and your circumstances are unfortunate, it's still nice to hear about the positive times, so if you have any of those, they can be shared as well, if you like.

I hope that today was good to you, and if not, that tomorrow will be better - anything can be overcome with hard work, inner strength and cooperation!

[...again, it's been a long week, and he tends to solve issues with his own sense of spirit by screaming encouragement at others; it usually works, for the most part.]

Comments

[ACTION]

[diamondo]

[It would be a horrible understatement to say the past week was rough on Mondo. He's been forced to deal with several things he never would have imagined having to deal with, and he hasn't been dealing with them very well. Today is one of the few days he's even left the hotel, and judging from his incredibly disheveled appearance, today was a long day of personal training. Pierce, Mondo's Lucario, is keeping pace slightly behind him, looking a bit worried. He's been training almost non-stop with Mondo since the sun set and his trainer isn't exactly faring well. The exhaustion is pleasant though, and while Mondo isn't a masochist by any means, the pain is quite welcome. It's a reminder that he's still alive here.

It's as he's heading back toward the Pokémon Center to heal Pierce up that he notices the lights on in the school. He sees movement from within and after a moment of thought, he realizes that Ishimaru hasn't come looking for him yet. If someone's still in that school this late at night, it's either a janitor or Ishimaru. He approaches one of the open windows, not surprised at all to see Ishimaru writing something on the blackboard in one of the classrooms.

Mondo makes his way into the school, Pierce still slightly behind him. He arrives at the classroom soon enough and leans in the doorway, watching Ishimaru silently for a moment before finally speaking up.]

...Hey.

[Mondo absently reaches up to push his hair back into place - though several strands are still refusing to stay put and it really does nothing to aid his appearance.

He doesn't want Ishimaru to worry about him, obviously, but it's also because he's nervous. He has no reason to be nervous around Ishimaru - or at least, that's what he tells himself. But Ishimaru's been distant lately, and after their little argument, he really can't say he blames Ishimaru any. Mondo bites the inside of his lip, trying to find something else to say.]

Didn't think you'd be out so late. What are you doing?

[He glances at the lines on the board. They're the sorts of things he'd expect to see from Ishimaru, but it's the last one that gets a sharp twitch from him.

We are not dead yet.

Yet was the key word there.]

[ardent]

[...goodness lord, Mondo, can you warn a guy before just kind of materializing out of nowhere?

Ishimaru jumps a little, clearly not having expected anyone to actually walk in, as much as it may have looked like he was asking for it; he's still a bit tense once he realizes who it is, but it's really no more so than usual - it's pretty rare that he actually relaxes properly, anyway.]

Ah - just getting my thoughts in order, that's all!

[His tone is incredibly blunted, as usual, but he doesn't seem particularly nervous, nor does he see any reason to be abashed at it any; he shifts his grip on the chalk, toying with it between his fingers a little before he seems to realize what he's doing and makes himself stop.]

Did you need something...? I wasn't planning on staying here much longer!

[video]

[quickattackjack]

_{[Well, whadya know? The kid listened. That does Jack's old heart good.]}

It was peaceful enough back home. The only one who'd been causing any trouble lately was me.

[video]

[ardent]

[Hey, it was surprisingly good advice. Just a bit...strangely-worded...

...that said good sir please don't tell him he was taking advice from some sort of criminal why does he keep falling in with criminals]

What sort of trouble do you mean?

[video]

[hipstermark]

[There's a pause before Vanille replies... a time of stress and conflict in her life? She was about to die... and she'd just finished explaining how she ruined somebodys' life. Vanille tried not to think about it most of the time - just another smile, another lie to cover up her sadness and fears. Heck, she hasn't even told her canonmates when she's from! She... she can deal with her fears herself.
So, when she does reply, she's got a bit of a pout, her mind straying on words from home.]
Well... I recently got one of my Pokemon to evolve here. That's something positive, right? This world is just beautiful.
[She's... not bringing up her own world, clearly.]

[video]

[ardent]

[He's perfectly fine with that; they can just...stand around and discuss how nice this world is and not talk about everyone dying in their respective crapsacks, if that's cool with everybody.]

Beautiful indeed! I had heard about somewhere like this place before, due to the games being so popular in my own world - I had never played them, but even if I had, I doubt it would be able to compare to actually experiencing it!

I'm guessing that was the first of yours to evolve, then? It's very rewarding!

[THIS IS TOTALLY HOW WE TALK TO PEOPLE.]

text;

[eagletalons]

[Well, he's not going to talk about how his world was when he left it because it was everything but peaceful and in order.]

One of my Pokemon has evolved, an egg has hatched, and the rest are getting older and somewhat wiser.

[He hopes.]

text;

[ardent]

[Well, he'll match the text with no complaints; if this one isn't offering details of home, that's perfectly fine, as he isn't exactly offering either - he mostly just likes hearing what others have to say. If they aren't keen on slinging details about, he's not going to pry - it wouldn't be right.

And besides, everything about this world is fascinating as it is; he could discuss it for hours, given the right topics. At least he tends to be less...generally shouty and obnoxious over text.]

I've been getting a lot of evolutions lately, some much faster than others. It's almost overwhelming at times, but I like watching them improve - they've come a long way in the short time that I've been here.

Have you been here long yourself?

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[strongside]

I'd have to agree with you.

[ Mikasa isn't as... spirited as this guy is, but she can see where he's coming from. A bit. She listened to the guy's spiel with a sort of blank wonder. So this is the sort the world attracts. It's almost fascinating, and kind of reminds her of the louder ones in her squad maybe Eren. ]

You're really... optimistic. [ Normal interaction what do. ]

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[ardent]

[Ahahahahaha, normal interaction...that's funny.]

Well, I see no reason not to be - especially if so many here come from such bleak worlds to begin with! I've never been one for giving in to hardships, personally.

voice

[tendered]

Hehe! Yeah! A lot of worlds are kinda in a mess but my world is nice and peaceful and in order. But, maybe that's because I'm in the afterlife and live in the orderly parts. The chaotic, hellish, brutal parts where poverty and stuff run frequent are on the far, far outskirts.

I agree though! My squad, squad five, always works hard together and that's why we are the strongest squad! Because we cooperate and help each other! [ You found someone that thinks just like you. Congratulations. ]

voice

[ardent]

[Excellen- wait what are you even talking about.]

Squad of...what, exactly? I'm guessing something to do with the dead?

[ALL OF MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

no seriously, why does he keep running into dead people

if he didn't know better he'd think this place really is purgatory]

[action]

[digitalorunknown]

[...well, finding him was startlingly easy. Dorumon hadn't even been actively looking for him, just entertaining the passing thought that maybe he could pose this question to the friend in town.

He sees Ishimaru through the window and does a double-take, creeping up to peer through the glass. He's not exactly sure what his new friend is doing, so he watches, reading as the last few lines are put down. Do not destroy - Dorumon's fingers tighten on the sill, and he lays his head against the frame of the window, staring into the room and thinking.

A few minutes later, he walks into the school. He spends a while wandering around curiously before he finds the room he's looking for, and when he does, he walks in wordlessly, hesitant footsteps quiet but clearly audible in the empty classroom.]

[ardent]

[...oh...goodness, apparently you are also in the "can't you warn a guy before just materializing out of nowhere" party; it takes Ishimaru a moment to notice the sounds of something other than the light tamping sounds of the chalk against the board in the room, but as soon as he does register it he startles immediately. He snaps around quickly, only to be...rather visibly relieved when he sees who it is that's joined him.]

Ah, Dorumon-kun - you shouldn't do that, I didn't know you were there!

[That said, however, he seems to relax after a second.]

Is there something you need...?

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

The real world's the same as it ever was. Shit in a lot of ways, but holding itself together. Big case was over, asshole was shipped off to the talk show circuit, everything back to normal.

[Except for all the things that would never be the same.]

[Before he can brood too much, he catches sight of the writing behind Ishimaru.]

What's got you thinking about all that? Something happen?

If you're bored, there's gotta be something to do besides think of self-help book titles.

[He tilts his head and peers behind the kid. His body's blocking some of the writing.]

We are not what yet?

[video]

[ardent]

[Ishimaru's expression tightens severely when he sees Blake on the feed; perhaps the most noticeable thing is the lack of the usual immediate displays of respect - he does straighten up quite a bit through habit, but he seems unsure of what to do with himself, physically. He salutes eventually, though, if for no better reason than he'd shown Monobear some degree of deference when asked to do so, and Blake has done nothing nearly as bad as that stupid bear.

To his knowledge, anyway.

The awkwardness doesn't abate any, however; he's not used to being nearly this upset with authority figures, and he's not sure what to do about it. Were this anyone else he would launch immediately into some sort of lecture, but...

Well, for the time being he'll try to sort through it; he has questions to answer, for now.]

"Dead," sir. "We are not dead yet."

[His words are about as tight as his posture; settling is proving difficult, even after he's allowed his arm to drop back to his side.]

And I'm not bored; it's just that the last while has been difficult. This is calming, nothing else.

action

[readapts]

[Chihiro can't say he's ever been in the school before--

It's hard to miss that the lights are on when he goes wandering by, though. And his steps slow, head turning in that direction. His little coterie of a team isn't in town today (left back in his inn room so they can relax), and he's mulling over various things.

His eyes catch on a window, though, and peeking in it's not too surprising to see Ishimaru inside. He hesitates over it, but eventually he wanders into the school, toward the sound of chalk on the chalkboard. He hangs in the doorway for a few moments, hands behind his back as he stares curiously toward what Ishimaru's written.

The underlined one catches his eye, so he steps inside proper to see better and--

Ah.

.........]

Um-- [His footsteps might've announced his presence even before he spoke up (or maybe they didn't), but it's not right to stand here and stare, frozen, at the blackboard.] Good evening, Ishimaru-kun.

You have quite a few of those...are you writing even more?

[ardent]

[Whether they did or they didn't is a bit hard to say, as either way, he seems rather absorbed in what he's doing when Fujisaki arrives; judging from the fact that he doesn't jump upon hearing that greeting over there, however, at the very least she didn't manage to startle him half to death. If nothing else, Fujisaki is familiar and not overly loud, and he seems a bit pleased by the question, turning to look at her for a moment now that he's paused in his writing.]

Good evening, Fujisaki-kun! These aren't the entirety of the ones I know; just the first to come to mind tonight. I've been writing them as they come to me!

[He reaches out, darkening part of a line that wasn't as solidly-written as he speaks.]

Have you been well tonight?

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[doitrockapella]

[It's curiosity and nostalgia that brings her past the schoolhouse on this particular occasion — in part because it's nice to see it in good condition after the attack Cobra Commander mounted on it over a year ago, and part for the more personal reason that it's also where she'd been hired at her first...legitimate salaried job in over ten years, if not ever.

(She'd had to provide a character reference, she remembers, and it makes her smile because she'd ended up asking for one from a man she'd never met, whose face she'd never seen.)

So it's memories that bring her to the schoolhouse, but it's the light that draws her in to the schoolroom in particular (and there are notions of teachers and moths and flames that flicker through her mind at that, but she makes it a point not to dwell on them), and if there's one thing she knows, it's how to open a door without letting the latch make a sound.

If there's a second thing she knows, it's how to make an entrance.]

"Work out your own salvation with diligence. Be lamps unto yourselves."

[She leans against the jamb of the now-open door, casual and effortless, like she belongs here, too.]

action;

[ardent]

[He tenses immediately; the voice is unfamiliar, older, and for a moment he's concerned that despite the reference - he recognizes it, of course he recognizes it - he's about to be told to leave, that he has no right to be here. He allows the hand holding the chalk to drop to his side immediately, his body rigid, and he closes his eyes for a second as though waiting to be admonished; when that...doesn't happen, he turns to face the source, and whatever he was expecting, it clearly wasn't, uh...

It wasn't exactly Carmen, let's put it that way.]

"Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely."

[He keeps his hands down to his sides; he bows sharply after a moment.]

Good evening!

video

[backtobasics]

[Shiraishi thinks of a way to answer this question. The environment he's lived in is peaceful, but Osaka isn't the whole world.]

It's rather peaceful where I come from. Apart from crimes happening here and there, there hasn't been anything too bad going on in the recent years.

[Let's not go down to Japan's history.]

Though not the whole world is the same. There are wars going on and people being neglected... so there isn't really such thing as "world peace".

video

[ardent]

It's the same way back in my world! Where I lived was peaceful for the most part - crime still exists, unfortunately, but there weren't any world wars occurring, at least.

[Yeah, let's...let's...not with Japan's history.]

It's good to hear that at least you don't seem to be suffering yourself; as I said, that seems to be what's considered normal around here!

[Video]

[moveslikestrider]

[It's a good observation. Dave had been spotting more and more people from really stressful times in their lives. His included. Not something you ask people, but hey why not? This is so oddly familiar he has to make a comment.

The video shows the night sky, and the tiles of a roof. He's been up here for a few hours and not inclined to leave for indoors just yet.] Last time I remember was meeting up with a friend I hadn't seen in three years.

How about you?

[Video]

[ardent]

[...for the sake of his sanity, he will just...try to assume that that is a roof this guy has the right to be on, and that said guy can come and go from that roof without doing anything stupidly reckless. Because otherwise...ugh, is he the only one with any sense of sanity around here...

However, the answer is decent, and he tips his head at the question for a moment; he doesn't seem bothered by it, at any rate, and if anything he's smirking a bit when he replies, though the expression is a bit of an odd one.]

The last positive thing I remember is making a friend out of someone I had considered a rival; otherwise, I'm unfortunately one of the people mentioned before that.

[soporeffective]

[Gamzee wasn't quite used to the whole diurnal thing yet. Eventually he'd try to figure it out, but right now, sleep just wasn't coming to him. There was a fire built at his feet that shed some light on his features, which was rather unfortunate for anyone who happened to be looking. His face was painted up like a monochromatic clown, but instead of a sinister expression one might expect from such a juxtaposition, he was really quite the contrary.]

My fuckin' world all was being up to motherfuckin' at blown to itty bits what seem now all like sweeps ago!

[Despite the horrific retelling of the destruction of his planet that launched him into a game that left he and his friends stranded on a meteor waiting to die, Gamzee seemed quite chipper.]

But that ain't to be motherfuckin' gettin' no say on what my wicked brothers and sisters and I ain't was havin' our fuckin' selves no peach of a time in spite of all what's that noise is.

[He grinned, tilting his head to the side a little and letting his unruly hair flop with it.]

I be gettin' my appreciate on all at, like, the words of much fuckin' optimism and encouragement you be slammin' down for all us motherfuckers, yo. Be hella dope of your ass, yeah?

[ardent]

...Ah.

[...may the holy trinity of Grammar, Syntax and Coherency have mercy on your ever-loving soul, Gamzee.]

I'm actually not sure I followed any of that, but the last part sounded encouraging so I'm going to thank you for it, and I...you have my condolences about what I think you just said about your world exploding! Though you seem very...

[...very...

...very...]

...accepting of it...

[he tried.]

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[ghostytrainer]

[It's been several months since the last time John and Ishimaru spoke, but somehow it seems as though the teen has managed to age several years in that time frame. Really, he only aged a year (despite skipping three back home) but given that puberty was something of a harsh mistress and ended up making John look several years younger than he actually was... well, the changes are somewhat noticeable. Provided Ishimaru even remembers the kid who was wowed by his Darukmaka all those months ago.]

...you know, somehow I never really noticed that? But there really are a lot of people who seem to come from... troubled backgrounds, I guess you could say. But something positive that happened back home, let's see...

[He's somewhat ashamed that he actually has to think about this now. Before his trip forward down memory coma lane, it would have been a snap to answer this. But something of a lapse in his usual positivity during those three years on the ship had left John feeling bitter and angsty. And of course, the very last thing that happened before he opened his eyes in Johto hadn't been all that great either. Not end of the world terrible but boring and awful all the same.]

Well... okay, I will admit that while the trip itself sucked and went on way longer than was necessary, in my opinion, I got to spend three years hanging out with the sister I never knew I had for most of my life. I mean, we were friends before we found out we were related so it wasn't too huge a deal but it was still nice to like... you know, [He sort of... knits his fingers together in front of him.] bond in the sibling sense? Like we even got to have dumb sibling fights about nothing and everything.

Question though: what's with the board? [He points to whatever lines are still visible on the blackboard behind Ishimaru, squinting despite his glasses to try and make them out more clearly.] Did you write those?

video;

[ardent]

[Ishimaru actually does remember this person, even though it's been so long; John was actually one of the first people he's spoken to where the conversation went well right off the bat, as opposed to dissolving into awkwardness and shouting. It's something that doesn't tend to happen for him very often, period, even less so back home; given that he'd just arrived from Hope's Peak at the time, it was greatly appreciated, and not something he's inclined to forget.

The patterns of speech, as well, are familiar, even if John himself takes a moment for Ishimaru to place; noticeable changes indeed. He'll listen without interrupting, though; he's discovered since his arrival that he likes hearing about people's experiences back home.]

I know what you mean about bonding like that, I think! My brother and I...well, we aren't related by blood, but we're so close that we may as well be by now; it's been good getting to do things like that with someone, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!

Although...ah, the board...

[He glances behind him for a second, as though verifying the writing is still there.]

I did, yes. It's just to clear my mind, nothing more.

[video]

[failures]

[As Larry responds, his gaze is somewhat distracted as he's reading those lines as he talks. Well aren't these optimistic.]

It wasn't exactly the highlight of my life before I got dumped here, but the world wasn't ending or anything, so there's that.

But y'know, now that you've got me thinking about it, I guess I got off lucky, huh? [He's slowly realizing that there's been quite a bit of discontent amongst the non-natives lately with home worlds in turmoil.] If anything, I'm almost more stressed out here than I was back home!

[video]

[ardent]

[He finds them uplifting, anyway...]

Well, I'm glad to hear it!

[Ishimaru, that works better if your expression is a little less severe - ...oh, who are we kidding, you don't really know how to face and you aren't going to spontaneously learn now.]

It's good to hear that some have been lucky like that - a lot of people seem to be coming from very bleak situations, and I like knowing that some have been fortunate!

What's your world like?

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[tentacletrainer]

[[Rose is smiling as she listens to his video.]]

Thank you. I appreciate the sentiments. That was certainly something I needed to hear today.

Video;

[ardent]

Is that so...? Well, it's good that you could take something positive away from it - I like to provide encouragement when I can!

action;

[superordinary]

[ Naegi rarely, if ever, stopped to pay attention to the school building. His subconscious would usually just tell him to walk just a bit faster, away from the stupid thing. Being tossed into Monobear's games tends to change people's opinions on things, and in Naegi's case his opinion on schools had soured drastically. Not the general concept of getting an education and learning things, but the building in which said things take place. There was a small irrational part of him that told him that going inside would be a stupid decision, that the fucking bear would be waiting for him.

He's on his way back to the inn after a quick walk when he notices that the lights are on inside, and he stops long enough to see that there's someone still inside. He hesitates for a short moment before he moves closer, until he recognizes the person inside as Ishimaru.

For some reason, I'm not surprised to see him here on a Sunday... Maybe I should go inside? he thinks to himself. And sure enough, he walks inside a few minutes later. There's no way Monobear would be inside, so the worst possible scenario that could happen here would be him tripping over his own feet and introducing his face to the floor. Which is something he manages to avoid, thank goodness. He finds the classroom soon enough and decides to speak up before entering instead of just waltzing in unannounced. ]

Ishimaru-kun? What are you doing here?

[ardent]

[Given that Ishimaru is still rather up in his own head when Naegi enters the room, he can definitely appreciate the fact that Naegi is making his presence known and not just...expecting him to notice somehow; as it stands, he does startle a little at being pulled out of his thoughts so suddenly, but he recovers reasonably quickly. Naegi's voice is familiar and the question is harmless, and when Ishimaru turns to look at him he seems fairly calm about it.

...about as calm as he gets, anyway. That's likely not saying much.]

Ah, Naegi-kun! I'm just getting my thoughts in order, that's all!

[Because doing this by writing lines on some random school's blackboard on a Sunday evening is totally a valid way of doing this; people should try it more often.]

Has tonight been treating you well?