006. Text/Action for Violet City

[ardent]

[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.]

Comments

[ardent]

If you found out here that back home, something was going to happen in about two hours that would kill Reno...and if you could return home with your memories of this place intact, would you do something about it?

[strongestoftheturks]

I'd want to do something about it, but it's Reno's choice in the end. And I'd tell him.

It's different though. Reno's gone back; he's got nothing to lose if I change things when I go home. You've got classmates here though; you saying you're going to change their lives without telling them?

[ardent]

If I'm given the opportunity? Yes.

[strongestoftheturks]

Doesn't sound very fair to me. Unless you've got a reason you're not telling your friends about this.

[ardent]

Like I said, you don't understand.

[strongestoftheturks]

And you're not going to explain.

[Which is a stated fact. Rude's not accusatory; rather, he's merely saying the truth.]

I don't understand. But if Reno did that to me, I'd be mad. Even if it was to save my life. It's a decision that I should have a part in. I should get to choose how my own life turns out.

Seems like you've set your mind already though.

I don't need to tell you twice to take care of yourself, Ishimaru.

[ardent]

I doubt I'll get an opportunity like that in the first place. But if I do, then I'm going to do whatever I can with it.

I'll be fine. It's the others I'm concerned with.

[strongestoftheturks]

[Honestly? Rude thinks that Ishimaru's the one who needs more help than anyone else. It sounds like Ishimaru's really taken on the mantle of leadership really seriously. Too seriously, in Rude's opinion, because it sounds as if Ishimaru's neglecting his own well-being. It's also alarming to know that Ishimaru's prepared to take such drastic action; it does make Rude wonder exactly what it is that's haunting the kid to this point, or if he's just having another social phail moment.]

It's good to take care of your friends.

How are they adjusting? I met Asahina and Chihiro.

[ardent]

[Taking responsibility for everyone else's well-being is what he does. If that comes at the cost of his own...well, sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the others to benefit. If that sacrifice has to come from him directly, then so be it; better that than risking not giving others what they deserve. It's always been this way, and he doesn't see why it should have to change now.

He's a little broken.]

Ah, did you? I don't know Asahina-kun as well as I do Fujisaki-kun, myself, but they're both very good people. Very kind.

They seem to be adjusting well enough. We've had some problems, but for the most part I think things are getting better.

Sorry for the html fail in the previous tag, OTL

[strongestoftheturks]

[No one knows sacrificing yourself for the team/mission like a Turk. At the same time though, the Turks have always acted as one unit. And they all know that neither of them would forgive each other if they threw their lives away meaningnessly, even if it would result in the success of a mission.

It's the job of a Turk to find a way to work these things out. To walk a thin line between hope and despair, and never, ever accept the possibility of a fellow Turk's death unless it was truly the only way.]

More classmates?

[A random shot in the dark, or maybe he's just been following the network silently.]

[ardent]

There are a lot more of us here now; ten of us, out of a class of fourteen.

[He's not counting Ikusaba and Enoshima at this point; they don't deserve it, as far as he's concerned.

He's also not stating whether any of those ten are the abovementioned "problems."]

[strongestoftheturks]

Sounds like your job's almost done.

[Rude can make a calculated guess. His conversations with Oowada, Fujisaki and Asahina have been enough for him to piece together the puzzle.]

[ardent]

...Something like that, yes. I think so.

[strongestoftheturks]

[At this point, he's tempted to offer his help, just like he did with Oowada. But Ishimaru...probably wouldn't accept his 'end-justifies-the-means' approach. Because for Rude, once he's dedicated himself to a mission there's no such thing as won't or can't. There's only do, and there's nothing he won't do to succeed.

So he keeps the offer to himself and merely decides to pass on some wishes.]

Good luck then.

And take care of yourself.

[He knows he's said it once already, but he'll say it again anyway, just to highlight the point.]

[ardent]

You too, Rude-san.

And thank you. For listening, and for the concern.

[strongestoftheturks]

[Rude's almost asks if Ishimaru really means it, or if it's just him trying to end things on a polite note.

It's funny being on the opposite end; usually it's Rude who puts on the polite front. He never realized how irritating it could be.]

See you around.