01x. Action for Ecruteak City - Fourth Wall Event

[ardent]

[It's been a little while since Ishimaru's been here, and he can be found in...well, the exact same place he was last time he made a broadcast from this area - several stories up, on top of the Tin Tower. However, there's a marked difference from the last time he was up here - whereas he was a bit excited and generally getting his enthusiasm for life fired up and raring to go back in September, he's currently standing stock still in the center of the roof, his expression the sort usually reserved for those who have just had either a religious experience or a really, really spectacular acid trip (that may or may not have culminated in a religious experience, because hey, who are we to judge how these things happen). At least he's...not quite crying, though wow does he look tempted.

He's holding something tightly in his hands - a pair of somethings, really, the first being a ridiculously vibrant feather that glitters in various colors when it catches the light; the second is a small gold pouch containing...something light, from the look of it, but it's difficult to say. Either way, he's seeming a bit overwhelmed.

...to the point that he hasn't...quite noticed the Eevee horde that's trooped up here after him just yet, um. He'll probably wonder where the hell those came from once he's done, but for now they are just kind of...wriggling excitedly and once in a while bouncing, like they're trying to start some sort of tiny, fluffy mosh pit.

...Dangans, man.]

Comments

[diamondo]

...Yeah, I was gonna say... seems kinda useless here...

[But he brightens after a moment.]

Still, that's really fucking cool! Did you get that from Ho-Oh too?

[ardent]

[Another one of those odd laughs of his; life is so awesome right now, kyoudai.]

Yes, of course!

[Bouncebouncebounce.]

It was very amazing, kyoudai, I'm excited!

[...as though that isn't blatantly obvious. Honey...]

[diamondo]

I'm glad you got to see it! That sounds so fucking awesome!

[Mondo laughs as well; he's clearly just as pleased as Ishimaru is.]

Well, you wanna come for a ride on this baby or what?

[ardent]

Ah...is that really safe, though?

[...it's you, of course it's not.]

...Do you know what you're doing?

[diamondo]

[Did you even have to ask...?]

'Course I do! I mean, it's not hard! It's just keeping your balance and all that!

[Besides, Daiya showed up on this thing, he can't let his brother beat him at this!!]

[ardent]

[...]

W-Well, if you say so...! Give me a second to get downstairs, then!

[Because he is not jumping down.]

[diamondo]

[You are no fun.

He'll wait though, getting the Steelix to lower its head so Ishimaru can climb up on top with him.]

[ardent]

[Ishimaru edges away from that thing at first; it's massive and unfamiliar, and in some ways he isn't entirely sure that it's okay - but after a moment he just swallows a bit and takes a deep breath and jumps up, the movement oddly agile given how stiff he usually is. It takes him a second to get his balance, but once he does he looks over at Mondo, his expression a bit shaky but generally pleased.]

Not much different from Kamina, right?

[diamondo]

[Mondo looks incredibly pleased once Ishimaru's joined him on the Steelix. He offers his friend his hand.]

See, I figured you'd get used to it quickly! C'mon, hang on; we're gonna get a better view.

[With that as a warning, the Steelix lifts its head slowly enough for them to remain perched on top.]

[ardent]

Ah...!

[He's quick to adjust, to square his stance off and throw one of his arms out for balance; he hadn't accepted Mondo's hand at the outset of this little adventure, but he's quick to grab his wrist to make sure he's not going to just fall right the hell over.]

...This is very impressive, kyoudai!

[It's sort of awkward, but it's sincere, at least.]

[diamondo]

Isn't it? Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon enough! It's a little weird at first though!

[He keeps hold of Ishimaru's hand, waiting until he's steadied himself to grin and reach out to pull his friend closer so he can throw an arm over his shoulders.]

Isn't this great? I love being able to see everything from up here!

[ardent]

[Ishimaru is incredibly tense at the outset, but he actually relaxes a bit when Mondo pulls him over; being held close like that feels...safe, for lack of a better word, and he's quick to return the gesture, looping an arm around Mondo's waist easily.]

It is - it was good of you to bring me up here, kyoudai, I appreciate it!

[Never mind that he could...technically see this from the Tower; it's better over here, okay :|]

[diamondo]

[Exactly! Mondo reaches up to ruffle Ishimaru's hair affectionately for a moment before returning to stare out at the landscape.]

This place is nice; it's really peaceful here. Did you wake up here or something?

[ardent]

...I think so, yes. I don't really remember.

[ ... :|a ]

I like it here, though! I wouldn't mind staying for a while sometime.

[diamondo]

Yeah! It's pretty nice out here. Kinda quiet and all. It'd be nice to get away from the city at some point.

[ardent]

Well, maybe when our living situation has calmed down and there are less strange things happening, we can try the routes again.

[And by "strange things" he means, like, you know, week-long comas and whatever's going on now. There's never going to be a time when there are no strange things, just because they're living in a house containing Hagakure.]

[diamondo]

Yeah, that'd be nice.

[True... There are always strange things happening in the Dangan House.]

It'd be great to have some time to ourselves, y'know? Not that I don't like the others it's just... it's kinda crowded.

[ardent]

I know what you mean, I think. The others are often a bit...much.

[diamondo]

[Mondo laughs at that.]

Yeah, you're telling me! I'm glad they're here and everything but... man, it'll be good to get away from 'em for awhile!

[ardent]

No, I agree with you - though I'm still hoping the rest show up soon. We've had good luck so far, at least...

[Well, except for Celes, though he's not going to say that.]

[diamondo]

Yeah. I'm sure some of the others'll show up eventually, but even if they don't come here on their own, we can always bring 'em here. Once we... figure out how to do that...

[He doesn't mention Celes either. There are some things you just don't say.]

[ardent]

...It'll be good to see Asahina-kun and Fujisaki-kun again.

[The words are still blunted, tone-wise, but it's...a bit more careful than he usually is, at least; he's aware that Fujisaki is kind of an awkward topic.]

Otherwise, we still need to bring Fukawa-kun, Maizono-kun and Oogami-kun here; Yamada-kun as well.

[And that's...awkward, but he forces himself past it.]

We'll work it out eventually, kyoudai, I'm sure of it!

[diamondo]

Yeah!

[Mondo actually perks up at that, grinning at Ishimaru.]

It'll be great to see them again! I just hope they remember this place.

[Otherwise who knows how Fujisaki will take to seeing him here? That thought dampens his mood a bit, but he doesn't get too down on himself. It would be easy to get depressed about everything that happened (happens?) but he's not one to give in that easily.]

Yeah, I know we will! We'll bring 'em all here and...

[...Wait a minute.]

What about Enoshima and her sister?

[ardent]

[...Well, it's good to know that you aren't getting upset! He's still a little oblivious to how things like that work...

Ah, but.]

When it comes to to Enoshima and Ikusaba, Naegi-kun has mentioned them to me as well; I've told him that I intend to fight him on it, if he insists on bringing them here! I'm entirely opposed!

[diamondo]

Ah, really?

[Somehow or other that doesn't seem right. Not refusing to bring them here - he agrees with that, actually - but the fact that it's Ishimaru who's going to fight Naegi on that. Ishimaru is so adamant about bringing everyone else here, after all.]

Can't say I blame you any; I don't want 'em here either. But why exactly are you so opposed? I mean, you seem like the sort of person who'd want to give 'em a second chance, or something like that. Well, maybe not Enoshima 'cause of all the shit she pulled, but her sister? I dunno. It just seems kinda weird coming from you for some reason.