ardent | 004. Action for Violet City/Video

004. Action for Violet City/Video

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

Edited 2013-07-15 12:38 (UTC)

[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.

True enough, but a hell of a weird thing to go writing on blackboards.

[Ishimaru looks stranger than usual. Tense as a tightrope.]

[Usually he'd mind his own business, but hell, Blake likes this kid. He's a little funny in the head, but he's one of the few people around here who shows Blake the respect he deserves.]

Hey. You okay, kid?

Take a deep breath or you're gonna sprain something.

I'm fine!

[...y'know, he's noticed that Blake tends to tell him that; either he has a funny idea of how sprains actually work, or "you're gonna sprain something" is his default way of trying to show concern. Either way, he twitches a bit at it, but he does as he's told anyway.

The deep breathing doesn't really relax him too much, but at least he looks a little less like he's going to give himself some sort of apoplexy.]

I saw what you did to Alice White.

[The statement is sudden but he's not yelling just yet; there's something of a harsh edge behind it, but it's as blunted as it ever was in terms of affect.

He leaves it there for now; he'll wait for a reaction, for an explanation, for...just about anything before he really gets going.]

Edited 2013-07-16 16:19 (UTC)

[It's something that springs to mind a lot when looking at this kid. Something's gotta break.]

[Understanding dawns on his face.] So that's it.

You must have talked to her.

[Unless it was on the news, and Blake hasn't seen that or gotten quite the dirty looks and comments from strangers that would've caused.]

[Credulous kid. Of course he'd believe the first thing he heard.]

I bet I know what she told you. She was minding her own business, and I'm a crazy son of a bitch who hauled off and clocked her out of nowhere.

Did she tell you she was stealing from people? Or that she hit me first?

I talked to her, but she didn't tell me anything like that!

[He twitches again, but he's reining it in. Barely. Still kind of shouting, but shouting is just sort of what Ishimaru does.]

She told me that she was in the National Park when you had an argument with her - you thought she kidnapped someone, right? A little girl. You thought she had a ribbon or a bow or something belonging to a little girl.

She said that you yelled at her and she yelled back until she tried to leave. Then you grabbed her to keep her from leaving, she either hit or pushed you - she was vague about it, I think - and you grabbed her again; she kicked you and that's when you punched her. And then there was something ridiculous about a tree. She didn't say anything about stealing, though.

Is that about it?

Of course she wouldn't. People say what makes them look good.

Just like I thought, she gets a lot of mileage out of the innocent girl trick. That's the oldest one in the book.

[The kid's loud, but what else is new. Blake keeps his own voice under control. Ishimaru's just believing what he was told.]

That's almost the truth. She left out the part where she wouldn't tell me where the thing came from - and how her pockets were full of shit that didn't belong to her.

Edited 2013-07-17 06:52 (UTC)

[Has he mentioned that he headed up a discipline committee that was in charge of solving shit like this, and he's sort of ridiculously good at logic puzzles and word problems? He will notice if derailing happens.]

And that makes her guilty of theft, which is something I'll take up with her later! But that doesn't mean she hurt anyone, little girls or otherwise!

[Where the fuck did these letters come from and why do they say NON-STOP DEBATE]

Somebody who'll commit one crime will commit another. How the hell would she've gotten that ribbon? Either she took her, or she stole from her, and if she did, that means Emily has to be around here somewhere!

So this ribbon was completely unique, then? There's no chance that it could have been something purchased, or even just something that looks similar?

If that's the case, it's strange to me that she would bother hiding most of what she stole in her pockets while wearing something so unique out in the open! Most criminals hide their trophies, if there's a chance they'll be recognized so easily!

[Did a weak point just make a shattering sound?]

[Blake tries to keep his grip.]

That's what I was trying to question her about.

You can't expect smarts or logic from the crazy ones. I'd talked to her before. She said right out that she was off her meds.

[Don't you make him rhythm-tap you to keep you in line, Lieutenant Blake, and we'll be fine; until then, he has evidence bullets to spare.

Lock and load.]

But you expected her to be logical or smart enough to kidnap a little girl, and to supposedly use the "innocent girl act" to cover it up?!

[Blake tries to snarl a retort, but doesn't find one. So he just snarls.]

[Wait, he has one.]

You can't try to guess what these people are thinking! You're gonna get circles run around you if you expect them to make sense.

All I cared about was getting that little girl back!

[Ah, right, the little girl...

Ishimaru hesitates for a moment before speaking again, though he's clearly agitated when he does.]

...Who was this little girl, Lieutenant Blake?

Emily Kaldwin. I was supposed to be taking care of her, and she's gone.

[he rallies, and his voice hardens] And that crazy bitch could've led me to her!

[Did you just -

Wow.]

I won't hear you talk about Alice-san that way!

[Are we yelling now? Good, that's better than thinking.]

She's a crook, kid! She was out there stealing right out of people's damn pockets! Who knows what else she's done!

[Yes. Yes, we are.]

And like I said, that makes her guilty of theft! The only person who definitely harmed anyone in this situation was you, over something you didn't have any solid proof over!

[Blake's gesturing wildly with the hand that isn't holding the phone]

Oh, so I'm the bad guy here?!

No!!

But can you really argue that you aren't in the wrong at all?!

I--

[He breaks off and looks down.]

[When his voice comes out, he isn't shouting anymore.]

I did what I had to.

[Ishimaru's expression tightens at that; something about it isn't settling right with him, though he isn't entirely sure what.

He straightens up after a moment, though. Takes a deep breath. His tone is still blunted when he speaks, but at least the volume has died down some.]

You aren't the only person who's done "what they had to do," you know! But that -

[He cuts himself off; takes another breath, tries to calm himself. It won't do to get worked up now.]

That doesn't mean you aren't still responsible for what you did.

Of course I'm not. People do all the time. It's what keeps the world going.

[As long as it's the right thing, which Blake has unique and staunch opinions on.]

[He falters a little.]

Sure I'm responsible. Never said I didn't do it.

I had good reason, damn it. That's the difference.

Having good reason doesn't make it right!

It does if it means finding this kid. What if she's out there somewhere, scared and alone, huh?

004. Action for Violet City/Video

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