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]

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.

[ardent]

[Ishimaru is quiet for a moment after that, finally pulling away from Mondo and turning to face him properly; he seems troubled, though not angry or upset - just trying to work something out in his head and not sure he likes what conclusions he's coming to.]

It's true that Enoshima is to blame for everything that happened to us, but Ikusaba was a willing participant who would have seen us all killed had everything gone to plan. The fact that Enoshima turned on her doesn't change that.

What they did can't be forgiven, kyoudai; while they've both been punished for it, given the situation I'd say that they deserved the punishments that were dealt to them, and unlike the rest I don't think they deserve a reprieve from those punishments.

[diamondo]

[Mondo lets him go and stays silent as Ishimaru speaks, nodding slowly.]

I agree completely. I don't wanna see 'em come here either. I mean, they might not have the same sorta power over people here, but if they could pull it off back home, who knows what they could do here? I don't wanna risk it.

And yeah, you're right. They don't deserve this second chance. I don't ever wanna see 'em come here. I think it's something we're all gonna have to talk about once we've figured out a way to bring the others here, but I'm with you, kyoudai. If anyone starts arguing for them to come here, I'll support you. I don't wanna see 'em here.

[ardent]

[He sighs a bit when Mondo replies, the gesture completely relieved.]

I'm so glad to hear it, kyoudai - I thought you might agree, but it's good to know that I have your support if it comes to that!

[diamondo]

Yeah, 'course you will!

[He grins, playfully shoving Ishimaru's shoulder.]

C'mon, don't look so relieved! 'Course I'd help you out, kyoudai!

[ardent]

Right, of course you would!

[...it's nice to hear it, okay. As it stands, he'll return that shove, albeit lightly; we're on a Steelix, bro, not the best idea up here.]

[diamondo]

See, you've got nothing to worry about!

[He reaches out to ruffle Ishimaru's hair playfully.]

No matter what happens I'll always be here to support you, kyoudai!