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

[diamondo]

What? No, not that! Yeah, you already told me your thoughts on that, and I really appreciate it!

[Is it possible Ishimaru really doesn't find this to be a big deal?]

After I uh... attacked you. The other day.

[ardent]

[He tenses up rather sharply at that; it's...rather obvious that it's not so much that he doesn't find it a big deal and more that he just really, really doesn't want to discuss it.]

Ah...that.

[diamondo]

Yeah, that.

[Mondo rubs at the back of his neck, glancing away from Ishimaru once that's out there. What does he even say about it?]

I'd get why you wouldn't want anything to do with me after something like that. But you... you keep talking to me and shit like that. But it's different, y'know? I can get why things wouldn't be the same, but it...

[He trails off again, frustrated. He doesn't know how to properly express his feelings on it.]

I don't ever wanna lose you, you know that. But I don't really like the way things are now. It seems like you're trying to distance yourself from me. Maybe you aren't and I'm just reading too much into this or something. But if that's what you're trying to do, you don't have to do that. You can just tell me; I promise I won't get mad or anything. I've already promised not to hurt you and I'll do everything to make sure I keep that promise, no matter what!!

[ardent]

[His response to that is immediate, vehement; he isn't angry, just frustrated, but still.]

And if I really wanted nothing else to do with you, you know that I would cut ties! You know that I prefer to be direct and honest with people; I don't see why I would be acting any differently now - there would be no sense in that!

[diamondo]

[Mondo almost replies to that, but he can't quite find the words he needs. He doesn't want to think that maybe he's right, that maybe Ishimaru is acting this way because he's scared of Mondo's reaction. He has every right to be scared. Again Mondo rubs at the back of his head, frowning.]

...Yeah, you're right. You're pretty upfront about shit.

[He moves to sit on the desk again, resting his hands on his knees. Mondo still can't meet Ishimaru's eyes.]

I'm glad you don't wanna cut ties. I... really wouldn't like that.

[To understate it horribly.]

[ardent]

[He shifts back a little, seeming uncertain; he isn't sure what's wrong, exactly, but he can tell something is. He's gotten better at being able to tell when Mondo isn't telling him something; in some ways he understands keeping things from others if you really don't think they need to know, but this...just doesn't feel right. Like something he shouldn't just leave alone.

Mnngh.]

...What's troubling you, then? Something seems to be.

[diamondo]

...Ah.

[He glances up at Ishimaru, a bit surprised to be called out on this. It's good that Ishimaru is picking up on when Mondo's not saying something he probably should be, but at the same time, he really doesn't want to talk about this.]

...I guess... I'm just wondering...

[God this is awkward.]

Are you scared of me?

[ardent]

What? Of course not!

[He seems genuinely wigged out by that, though it isn't through fear, it's just...where in the gently caress did that even come from -

...

wait.]

Do you think I'm afraid of what you'll do if I say the wrong thing or something?!

[diamondo]

W-well, I wasn't sure, and I mean the whole being distant thing isn't really helping that image...

[ardent]

[okay let's

let's try to put this into words because what on earth that is not what he's trying to do at all - ]

It would have been different if you'd hurt me, maybe; as it was, it was...it was jarring, but it wasn't anything too terrible. I'm not afraid of you.

[diamondo]

I'm so glad!

[And he really does seem happy about that! Mondo's grin fades quickly enough though, and he goes back to staring at the ground.]

I'm still so sorry that happened, kyoudai. You mean so much to me and I... I should never have... Fuck, I'm so sorry.

[ardent]

You're important to me as well!

[He closes a bit more of the space between them, but again, he doesn't reach out to touch.]

...I'll let go of it if you will.

[diamondo]

[Mondo stares at Ishimaru blankly, not sure what to say to that at first.]

Are you... are you sure? Would you really be okay with that?

[ardent]

[...did he stutter]

Why wouldn't I be?

[diamondo]

W-well I mean... it's kind of a big thing to just dismiss like that...

[ardent]

It's okay, kyoudai, I trust you!

[He does reach out to touch then, allowing his fingertips to tap lightly against the side of Mondo's head.]

Forget Beam, okay? Forget Beam.

[diamondo]

Forget--?

[Mondo laughs, the sound genuine and relaxed.]

Forget Beam, huh? I think I'll take you up on that!

[ardent]

[He laughs as well, though the sound is a bit...odd; it's just breathy enough at the start to seem forced and a bit too sharply-punctuated to sound natural, but that's how it always is.]

Excellent, then!

As I said before, I won't be much longer; I should clean the board off before I leave - I told someone the other day that I would leave things as I found them - but then we can go, all right?

[diamondo]

Yeah, no problem! I don't mind waiting up!

[Mondo's still grinning and he reaches out to push Ishimaru's shoulder gently.]

I really appreciate it, kyoudai! You're so good to me!

[ardent]

[There's a brief moment where he's clearly tempted to correct him again, to say that no, he isn't, but this time...well, he seems to shrug it off, still looking pleased.]

You're my best friend, why wouldn't I be?

[diamondo]

You're my best friend too! I hope someday I can be even a fraction of as good to you as you are to me!

[He laughs again, clearly pleased now.]

[ardent]

You're already far too good to me, kyoudai, don't worry about that!

[...oh, may god help Johto, they're getting sickening again.]

[diamondo]

[Oh, you think this is sickening? Mondo hasn't even gotten started!!]

Aww, c'mon, I'm not doing anything special! Someone's gotta look out for you, after all!!

[ardent]

[Oh, that'll get a light shove, you.]

I can take care of myself, you know!

[diamondo]

[He returns that shove, laughing.]

Yeah, yeah, I know you can! Doesn't mean I'm not gonna be here for you!