Here's a list of things to keep in mind now that I'm gone. I'll keep things simple: pay attention.
1) Look at this way: you don't have to go out of your way to visit anymore, since there shouldn't be anyone worthwhile hanging around there now.
2) I'll even accept you going to Sincerity and crossdressing again to cope: those pigtails were stupid, though.
3) Trust the people you do: don't trust the people who don't trust you.
4) Agreed: that's such a nasty way to find out, in your words.
5) You don't need me. Keep going.
- Ray (.-. .- -.--)
P.S. Did Takaomi ever tell you about the time Sasuke forced him to take off all his clothes to check something? The shirt was fine, but anything else was... well, you can guess. It was pretty funny. I'm dead now, so I don't have to worry about them coming after me for this.
P.P.S. It's empty here. You'd hate it.]
Catra and Entrapta - right? Every hint points to them. Everything that he and I talked about.
I.... I have to ask the others but - I think I'm going to try to tell everyone tomorrow.
One, he's talking about the lab. I would only go there to charge my phone, and to hang out with him. Two, he only mentioned the pigtails because he's talking about Entrapta. Three, when we talked about trust, I said that the two of them didn't trust me. Entrapta didn't trust Ray-kun either. Four, he told me about how he cursed Catra to see if she would admit to a murder, and I said 'that's a nasty way to find out'. Five....
[he shakes his head]
Sasuke got a letter and a hint about not doing murders alone. Taka got one about a clock - sort of like how Catra would warn us about time every trial.
They're hints but.... they all point to the same thing. The same people.
I don't know if it'll change anyone's minds, but I think... I think they should know what happened, and that Catra and Entrapta weren't innocent. I don't know if it'll change minds, or make things worse but....
Ishirin-san will ask Mizuki-san to use Above Suspicion, so that way we don't try to hurt anyone innocent in the first place. If we vote wrong. If Mizuki-san is worried about not having any more use of Above Suspicion, I'll switch to Beauty for a week. Madopyon will take my place with Sincerity.
I... [he falters here, but pushes forward] Ray-kun gave me a brooch to make sure that I'm protected against death. I just... one more week. I just need it for one more week.
[Jeez. Okay, she's just going to process all of this and she frowns a little as she thinks about it.]
Senri…even if all of that's true, I don't think that telling everyone that right at the beginning is such a great idea. I know everyone wants justice for Ray and what happened, but you guys still have to be in a nine-hour trial. We still have to vote for someone. It's how the game's designed no matter how much I hate it. And…everything is a little more complicated than that.
You're kind of like a siren. People are drawn to you and listen to you no matter what you say. If people focus solely on that…what then?
... won't it be worse.... if I keep it to myself for a long time? Doesn't that make it look bad? Or... does it make it look worse if I tell them earlier, like I'm trying to cover for someone...
[now that they're in the dance studio senri will just. move to sit down on the ground]
... I know I'm right, Rise-chan. But I don't know my timing, or....
Probably the latter. [She sits down then to join him, moving a little closer.] It makes it look like a justification to why it happened. Revenge isn't good for anyone.
[But she sighs, expression saddened because...it's a very hard position to be in, considering how she felt about Ray's death.]
...it won't be worse if you hold it in and tell them when the time's right. I know you'll find a way to understand when that time is. But doing it at the beginning is going to be chaotic, especially when you still have to find out the truth, and find someone to vote for.
[revenge is good when they take away your emotional support gremlin
there's a moment where senri looks torn on that - because he's been torn on this matter for a little bit now but... he nods. he sighs out quietly, and curls up quietly, drawing his knees in]
... I don't know.
[his head bows so that he can rest his forehead on his knees, hiding his expression as he grows quiet, now that he's not overwhelmed and feeling breathless from the whirlwind of everything]
... someone hurt my friend, and I got angry. I... I wasn't sure what would happen to them, after I found out who they were but... I was so angry. And I was... scared. Ray-kun only did his best to help everyone and I thought... why would someone target him, when he's doing his best for all of us? I thought I needed to find them but...
[ . . . ]
Sasuke and Ishirin-san were right. And I think they were trying to protect everyone.
But there's... There's no Newt or Luna to catch now. There's nothing else but this. I think... everyone will be safe in the end but I....
Until Monday comes, and everyone is safe, I don't think I'll be able to breathe easy.
...in our world, there's this girl I know. Her name's Nanako. She's seven, and one of the sweetest, friendliest people you'll ever meet. Something...bad happened to her. She was kidnapped and taken to a place by someone who thought they were doing her a favor by saving her, protecting her, everything. But that place was harmful to her, and when we saved her she became very sick.
Because of that man acting on his own beliefs, she died.
[She frowns.] ...all of us were ready to kill that man ourselves. We had a plan and everything, and we were ready to do it before Senpai stepped in and pointed out that there was something that didn't totally add up. If...he hadn't...we would have killed the wrong person out of revenge and we never would have received the answers we needed to save our world. Nanako-chan recovered after that, reviving herself and getting better.
[The point, Rise?] Sometimes things are a lot messier than you think they are, and it's why I think we need to focus on what happened to the girls first. And then, later, mention the motivations. Read the room. And give everyone a peace of mind.
I know this maybe isn't what you want to hear. I was so angry when he died, too. I'm still angry. Same with Zoe. But...for this game to succeed, you still have to work together and find all of the pieces. Together. It could change how things pan out going forward.
[senri listens - and he tenses at the mention of a girl as young as seven dying. he thinks of yuma's sister. he thinks of mari, and how sweet she was when she came to visit the school. if someone like her ended up getting in a situation like that, if she ended up dying - would he be able to know any better than trying to get revenge? he doesn't know. maybe before, he would've been too afraid to get involved, under the impression that that was someone else's problem but not that he's here.
his gut instinct is to say that whoever hurt her should pay for it -
and that's when it clicks.
that something in this game has changed him, and he almost stops breathing. because he knows that everyone will come back, and that means that he didn't care if someone got hurt when they hurt one of his friends. and when he realizes that, he looks up, surprised at himself and - ashamed.]
.... sorry -
You... You shouldn't have had to spell that out for me. I shouldn't have....
[been so stupid, and careless, with other people's friends]
[...she's just going to scoot closer and offer him a hand. Senri do you need a hug. Would that help? But at the same time she's kind of glad he's calming down and really thinking it through. That night in the hospital was one of the scariest, all of them panicked and angry...she hates that it's come to this here, too.]
It's okay. It's okay, it's...a really tough situation. It's hard, sometimes, to really think these kind of things through if you don't take the time to slow down. It feels like everything's so rushed here. How do we even get that time? [She frowns.] This stupid game...
[senri takes the hand - it's a slow, tentative motion as if he's not even sure that he deserves it but. he takes it because at the end, he's selfish and will take any comfort that's offered to him. he breathes out quietly at her words and shakes his head as if that'll clear it]
It's - No, you're right... but I still shouldn't have...
It feels weird - to know that I... had to adapt in order to keep going. Otherwise I... I might've lost it that first week when Shiks...
But that doesn't make it okay. Thank you, for helping to make sure that I didn't lose sight of myself.
[She holds his hand in both of hers, something safe and coveted as she listens.]
Adapting is the only way we're gonna get anywhere, even if it's scary and hard to do. Especially when you're losing friends and you know the answer to who hurt them...but we have to do this the right way. And I trust you to know what that is.
[and he just laughs softly - it's not a happy noise. it's a tired, but relieved one]
I'll... I'll be careful, and try to make sure that things don't get too out of hand. I'll do everything I can to make sure that I don't lose the people that I'm afraid to lose.
Good. You're not alone, so remember that. If you're still scared...talk to Taka-kun, or Sasuke, or even me. We're here even if it sounds like it might be difficult, or a difference in opinion.
Try to stop thinking like that, too. You're not going to be in anyone's way. But I get it. [...] I was the non-combatant for my team, too. I used to worry about the same thing.
I guess... well, I know that I have to be protected. But if I'm going to have to be protected, I might as well do it in a way where it's less cumbersome for everyone else...?
Which is smart. Have you found everyone's yet? There's still a lot of us. And no offense, Senri, but...you sort of attract a lot of attention everywhere you go. Even without meaning to.
Ah, you've been staying with Yu-kun...? Mm... even then. It doesn't feel right to me to intrude on a girl's room. Cheri and Beauty don't mind having us anyway.
... but... yeah. I try to at least make sure the attention is used well but... I don't like causing trouble for my friends either.
Yeah. But okay, okay...just make sure that the people who know how to get into those rooms is limited. Even if we can't stop...anything...it might help.
What kind of trouble do you think you've been causing lately?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 6, FRIDAY
You came in loud and clear.
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Ray-kun gave me this.
[JUST HANDS HER THE WHOLEASS LETTER
Senri,
Thanks for the books.
Here's a list of things to keep in mind now that I'm gone. I'll keep things simple: pay attention.
1) Look at this way: you don't have to go out of your way to visit anymore, since there shouldn't be anyone worthwhile hanging around there now.
2) I'll even accept you going to Sincerity and crossdressing again to cope: those pigtails were stupid, though.
3) Trust the people you do: don't trust the people who don't trust you.
4) Agreed: that's such a nasty way to find out, in your words.
5) You don't need me. Keep going.
- Ray (.-. .- -.--)
P.S. Did Takaomi ever tell you about the time Sasuke forced him to take off all his clothes to check something? The shirt was fine, but anything else was... well, you can guess. It was pretty funny. I'm dead now, so I don't have to worry about them coming after me for this.
P.P.S. It's empty here. You'd hate it.]
Catra and Entrapta - right? Every hint points to them. Everything that he and I talked about.
I.... I have to ask the others but - I think I'm going to try to tell everyone tomorrow.
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Are you sure? How're you going to prove it? What would you say?
[She immediately chucks her mask into a corner when they're in the studio.]
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One, he's talking about the lab. I would only go there to charge my phone, and to hang out with him. Two, he only mentioned the pigtails because he's talking about Entrapta. Three, when we talked about trust, I said that the two of them didn't trust me. Entrapta didn't trust Ray-kun either. Four, he told me about how he cursed Catra to see if she would admit to a murder, and I said 'that's a nasty way to find out'. Five....
[he shakes his head]
Sasuke got a letter and a hint about not doing murders alone. Taka got one about a clock - sort of like how Catra would warn us about time every trial.
They're hints but.... they all point to the same thing. The same people.
I don't know if it'll change anyone's minds, but I think... I think they should know what happened, and that Catra and Entrapta weren't innocent. I don't know if it'll change minds, or make things worse but....
Ishirin-san will ask Mizuki-san to use Above Suspicion, so that way we don't try to hurt anyone innocent in the first place. If we vote wrong. If Mizuki-san is worried about not having any more use of Above Suspicion, I'll switch to Beauty for a week. Madopyon will take my place with Sincerity.
I... [he falters here, but pushes forward] Ray-kun gave me a brooch to make sure that I'm protected against death. I just... one more week. I just need it for one more week.
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Senri…even if all of that's true, I don't think that telling everyone that right at the beginning is such a great idea. I know everyone wants justice for Ray and what happened, but you guys still have to be in a nine-hour trial. We still have to vote for someone. It's how the game's designed no matter how much I hate it. And…everything is a little more complicated than that.
You're kind of like a siren. People are drawn to you and listen to you no matter what you say. If people focus solely on that…what then?
no subject
... won't it be worse.... if I keep it to myself for a long time? Doesn't that make it look bad? Or... does it make it look worse if I tell them earlier, like I'm trying to cover for someone...
[now that they're in the dance studio senri will just. move to sit down on the ground]
... I know I'm right, Rise-chan. But I don't know my timing, or....
Or how to help the people I want to help.
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[But she sighs, expression saddened because...it's a very hard position to be in, considering how she felt about Ray's death.]
...it won't be worse if you hold it in and tell them when the time's right. I know you'll find a way to understand when that time is. But doing it at the beginning is going to be chaotic, especially when you still have to find out the truth, and find someone to vote for.
What are you going to do about that?
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there's a moment where senri looks torn on that - because he's been torn on this matter for a little bit now but... he nods. he sighs out quietly, and curls up quietly, drawing his knees in]
... I don't know.
[his head bows so that he can rest his forehead on his knees, hiding his expression as he grows quiet, now that he's not overwhelmed and feeling breathless from the whirlwind of everything]
... someone hurt my friend, and I got angry. I... I wasn't sure what would happen to them, after I found out who they were but... I was so angry. And I was... scared. Ray-kun only did his best to help everyone and I thought... why would someone target him, when he's doing his best for all of us? I thought I needed to find them but...
[ . . . ]
Sasuke and Ishirin-san were right. And I think they were trying to protect everyone.
But there's... There's no Newt or Luna to catch now. There's nothing else but this. I think... everyone will be safe in the end but I....
Until Monday comes, and everyone is safe, I don't think I'll be able to breathe easy.
no subject
Because of that man acting on his own beliefs, she died.
[She frowns.] ...all of us were ready to kill that man ourselves. We had a plan and everything, and we were ready to do it before Senpai stepped in and pointed out that there was something that didn't totally add up. If...he hadn't...we would have killed the wrong person out of revenge and we never would have received the answers we needed to save our world. Nanako-chan recovered after that, reviving herself and getting better.
[The point, Rise?] Sometimes things are a lot messier than you think they are, and it's why I think we need to focus on what happened to the girls first. And then, later, mention the motivations. Read the room. And give everyone a peace of mind.
I know this maybe isn't what you want to hear. I was so angry when he died, too. I'm still angry. Same with Zoe. But...for this game to succeed, you still have to work together and find all of the pieces. Together. It could change how things pan out going forward.
no subject
his gut instinct is to say that whoever hurt her should pay for it -
and that's when it clicks.
that something in this game has changed him, and he almost stops breathing. because he knows that everyone will come back, and that means that he didn't care if someone got hurt when they hurt one of his friends. and when he realizes that, he looks up, surprised at himself and - ashamed.]
.... sorry -
You... You shouldn't have had to spell that out for me. I shouldn't have....
[been so stupid, and careless, with other people's friends]
... I'm so sorry, Rise-chan.
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It's okay. It's okay, it's...a really tough situation. It's hard, sometimes, to really think these kind of things through if you don't take the time to slow down. It feels like everything's so rushed here. How do we even get that time? [She frowns.] This stupid game...
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It's - No, you're right... but I still shouldn't have...
It feels weird - to know that I... had to adapt in order to keep going. Otherwise I... I might've lost it that first week when Shiks...
But that doesn't make it okay. Thank you, for helping to make sure that I didn't lose sight of myself.
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Adapting is the only way we're gonna get anywhere, even if it's scary and hard to do. Especially when you're losing friends and you know the answer to who hurt them...but we have to do this the right way. And I trust you to know what that is.
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[and he just laughs softly - it's not a happy noise. it's a tired, but relieved one]
I'll... I'll be careful, and try to make sure that things don't get too out of hand. I'll do everything I can to make sure that I don't lose the people that I'm afraid to lose.
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["We care about you" goes unsaid.]
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[and he sighs]
I'll work on it. Being.. a little less scared, so I don't get in anyone's way.
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[he pouts a little]
I guess... well, I know that I have to be protected. But if I'm going to have to be protected, I might as well do it in a way where it's less cumbersome for everyone else...?
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[so that's something]
I try not to attract... well more attention than I need to, at least.
[hm]
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[senri,,]
... that would've been a compliment back home but I don't know about here, Rise-chan....
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...but I get it. All of that. It's harder when all eyes are on you and not in a good way.
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... but... yeah. I try to at least make sure the attention is used well but... I don't like causing trouble for my friends either.
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What kind of trouble do you think you've been causing lately?
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