ardent | 006. Text/Action for Violet City

006. Text/Action for Violet City

[TEXT]

[Today's post is a bit different, the usual video completely absent; he's not been much in the mood for talking to others lately.

However, there are reasons why he thinks he probably should. So text it is.]

As much as we don't always understand or like it very much, the experiences we've had in this place are things to be cherished, I think. It's a good opportunity that we've been given, to meet others we might never have known and share ideas that we might never have come across otherwise.

I feel very blessed to have met all of you. If I haven't spoken to you, then I want to eventually; I'm sure there are things we can learn from one another, if given the opportunity. I still haven't found what it is I'm supposed to do with myself here - but I don't think that stagnation is acceptable, either. For now, I think "working on making things right" is a satisfactory goal, and one that I need to keep in mind more often, maybe.

Either way, I hope that today is a good and productive day for you - and if not, that tomorrow will be better.

[...it's a little subdued and Not Exactly Okay - by Ishimaru's usual standards, anyway - but he sends it anyway; it's just something he's needed to get out there, really.

Somebody's dealing with his first sudden-disappearance-from-Johto experience over here; it's not going too well, but he's trying to get back on track the only way he really knows how.]

[ACTION]

[Ishimaru's been making himself scarce lately; he's used the few days he's had since turning twenty to throw himself into being a complete workaholic, and while that's been good for replenishing what he's spent (and he's been spending much more than usual over the last couple of weeks, something he's been feeling intensely guilty about), there have been other abovementioned reasons for his radio silence and general avoidance of everyone.

But he's off today and the streets of Violet City are welcome, even if he does seem a bit jittery. He's out of his normal uniform, for one thing, and it's still something he's completely unused to - the military-style boots are the same, of course, but he's got black pants on under them, the stiff ones he usually uses for travelling purposes despite the fact that he's doing nothing of the sort just now; as for the rest...he has no idea where Naegi even found the thing in Johto, but he is currently +1 trendy-as-hell hoodie, white with red and black accents and more zippers than he knows what to do with. He still feels more than a bit out-of-place wearing it, but it's something he could get used to. Maybe. The hood's dropped back over his shoulders; it seems to be...weirdly weighted down by something, and if he's seen at the right moment, there's what's undeniably some sort of cat in there, peeking out over his shoulder. Meowth, from the look of it. A very, very runty one, but a Meowth regardless.

Of course, he's got other reasons for the nerves, apparently; he comes to a stop outside the local bar, looking up at it in the way that one does when they know they have absolutely no reason for going in there and are probably going to get thrown out because...well, god only knows why. It's a ridiculous notion, especially given that no one here seems to care about the local drinking age, if one even exists; Oowada had taken him in there shortly after his birthday, and he's come back frequently since, immediately after he's off work. Which wouldn't be too weird - he can do as he pleases, after all - if he didn't get off work in the middle of the afternoon.

Clearly, it's five o'clock somewhere.

However, once he slips inside, he's actually not interested in drinking; what's got his attention is the billiards table in the back room. That's where he goes immediately, setting the Meowth down on one of the nearby stools before picking one of the cue sticks off the back wall. It's not high-quality (nor is the table, really) but he's not going to complain; it's just for the sake of amusing himself, anyway. He'd noticed the setup when he'd come in here the first time, with Oowada; he hadn't played then, but it's what he's been coming back for.

Pool is geometry, when it comes down to it - geometry and physics, all angles and force and arcs; even so, he's still not sure where he picked up how to play. It's just something he knows how to do; if he were to dwell on it for long enough, he'd likely think that it's something he doesn't remember due to the incident in the school. But for now, he doesn't want to think; he racks up easily, and when he shoots, the break is a clean one.]

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[She glances back at the table, almost like an afterthought, and finds herself glad for the recognition that the six went in, because it means that now she can focus on finding her next shot instead of leaving her attention on Ishimaru any longer.]

This place is different from what we remember, too.

[Like that's an explanation.]

[Ishimaru is grateful, in some ways, that her attention is diverted; he's never been big on eye contact as a whole, and it's harder when it comes to Kirigiri - there's something he doesn't like about the way she stares at people.]

That's why I'm not trying to say that it's a good or a bad thing overall - things are different here. And besides, even if we don't consider that, things tended to change very quickly for us at Hope's Peak.

[To say the least. From what he understands, his entire friendship with Oowada lasted about twenty-four hours.

He focuses on that cat then; she's curled up on the stool, long bored with the game, and she looks at him for a second when he reaches out to pet her. She seems content with the knowledge that that's all he wants for the time being, setting her head back down.]

Then you're simply making conversation, too.

[Hmm. Does she go for the four, or the two? The two seems like an easier shot — but she hits too hard, and it careens wildly around the table, where gentle finesse might've put it in the pocket. No good.]

Do you want me to leave?

[Ishimaru is looking at the table when the shot connects, though any thoughts he may have had on it are quickly disregarded in favor of trying to work out where the hell that question came from.]

Of course not! Why would I?

[There's no hesitance behind his words; he's quick to begin pacing the length of the pool table again, selecting the fourteen and lining up his shot. It's annoyingly placed, but entirely doable; he studies it for a moment before reconsidering how to go at it and shifting position. Eventually, though, he lays his hand down again and takes his shot, banking it off the side and into the corner pocket.]

You might find me bothersome.

[She watches him shoot, both hands on her own cue like she's planting a flag instead of playing a game, and contemplates.]

Or unsatisfactory as an opponent for someone who's played before.

[...it's good that he's already gotten the shot out, as that would have made him miss colossally.]

...I don't lie, Kirigiri-kun.

I don't think you're lying. That sort of thing...isn't something you'd tolerate.

[She keeps her eyes on the table.]

But you value hard work and dedication. Doesn't it seem strange that you would have an aptitude for something like this without it?

Of course it does!

[Let him just...line up another shot so he doesn't get too agitated.]

I'm not known for genius, Kirigiri-kun; of course it seems strange. But it's not something I've been questioning, either.

[He's going to be at this awhile, she muses. And the game was really only an opportunity to try to talk, anyway, so she retreats over near the contented cat once again, wondering if it's friendly to strangers — or if it'll show its claws.]

...

[She closes her eyes a minute.]

What have you been questioning?

[Surely there must be something.]

[Well, she isn't unfriendly to strangers, but you've definitely got her attention; you also have sleeves and a tie and a lot of hair flowing everywhere, and perhaps most importantly you have arms with which to pick her up such that she can get at all of the above. So don't be surprised if she wants up eventually.]

...This place has been sending people back to where they came from lately; I'm not sure if it's random or if there's some sort of reason behind it.

There are theories about that. Unconfirmed, but people have still made observations.

[O-Oh. Hello...cat. She'll just take a minute to set her cue aside (she's probably not going to need it much more, anyway, given Ishimaru) to better focus on this adorable little bundle of fur proper.]

Are you worried it'll be one of us?

[Hello! :3

As it stands, however, Ishimaru hesitates for a moment; he takes a bit longer than is really necessary setting up his next shot (because the eleven from earlier is no longer anywhere to be seen on the table), but he bites his lip a little before he straightens up without taking it.]

...Why wouldn't I be?

[If Ishimaru is watching carefully, he may be fortunate enough to glimpse a brief and fleeting moment of Kirigiri displaying a classic bout of BUT HOW DO CAT syndrome — not that she's in any great danger of being scratched, with long sleeves and gloves on, but still, instincts are instincts and that is an adorable furry little blob of...how...cat...hello.

She will attempt to pet her adorable little head. Yes. That is a thing she will do.]

I didn't say you shouldn't be. I only wanted to confirm that's what it was.

Yes, of course it is. It's...

[Mnnnngh.]

None of you deserve that.

[Hey, the cat is getting pettings and so she doesn't mind the awkward for now. So many pettings. Yes.]

None of us. Meaning you do?

[Pet pet scritch scritch. It would be kind of nice, she muses, to feel how soft the cat's fur probably is, but. Gloves.]

Or is it just that you're taking responsibility for us again?

[Jesus, Kirigiri, he's not that hard on himself.]

It's the second - I don't think I deserve it, either!

[The "you" where a normal person might've said "us" was glaring. Can't fault her for following up.]

One of the most popular theories of departure suggests that people are taken from this place either because they've failed to live up to the designation they were given when they arrived — rendering them less than useful toward the purpose they were brought here for, I assume — or because they've failed to maintain a network of social relationships strong enough to anchor them here. If that's the case, I don't think any of us are in particular danger.

Which isn't to say that it's impossible. Just that we may have that to our advantage.

[And for a brief moment he's visibly jarred at that; he's quick to return his attention to the table.]

...I see.

[Just. Let him focus.]

And is there proof of any of that, or just speculation?

Right now it's unverified testimony. However, it's also testimony reported by a few different sources, and from ones claiming to have a fairly long breadth of experience with the workings of this place.

Several people reported that soon before they lost a friend, that person seemed to "go quiet" — there was less communication from them in general, and their social relationships waned.

...I've seen that myself, I think. It's not anything I thought much of at the time, but of the two that left that I've known, one seemed more withdrawn in general and I hadn't heard from the other in months.

Then it's important that we stay together, isn't it? If not in person, then at least...socially. To let someone go without that sort of contact might put them at a higher risk of departure.

[...And suddenly that...hits her kind of awkward, given what he'd observed before about her tendency to want to be alone, and all the issues she's been carrying around related to it.]

If that's really how it is.

Of course, Kirigiri-kun - I've asked Fujisaki-kun to keep in contact with the rest of us, and I'm sure that Asahina-kun will do the same! My brother and I aren't going to be in this city for much longer, as we're returning to Goldenrod with Celes-kun and then going elsewhere, farther north - but we'll be sure to keep in contact with the rest of you as well!

[Meanwhile, in a fit of daring, she takes a chance and scoops up the cat, attempting to settle her into her arms with minimal fuss.]

The inn should be grateful for that. I think we're leaving soon, too.

[And for a while there it had definitely been TEN KIDS ONE HALLWAY FINAL DESTINATION.]

I'm still investigating the means by which people are brought here in the first place. If I find it, that could be equal insight in what causes people to leave.

[She pauses.]

I've heard testimony from people who remember coming and going from here three or four times. Leaving here might not be as permanent as it seems.

...We have some theories, but nothing verified yet. I'm talking to someone who's been here long enough to possibly have an idea of what's happening.

I'll tell you if we hear anything one way or another.

That would help.

[Seriously, Kirigiri, you could try "thank you" but NOOO.]

I'll keep investigating on my own, as well.

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ardent - 2013-09-06 17:41 (UTC) - Expand

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freshprints - 2013-09-06 17:53 (UTC) - Expand

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