The Fifteen Strangers Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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15strangers2017-12-17 01:38 am
strangerpeople) wrote in 15strangers2017-12-17 01:38 am
Entry tags:
FINAL WEEK
[This round really has been different.
The beginning of the week brings memories once more, as everyone finally falls asleep, and soon enough it will become apparent that a new wing has opened up, laying bare the entire mall for the survivors. Still, it is no small comfort. Not when the residents have also been updated, bringing home the very sobering fact that over half of those who arrived here are dead.
There are so few left. The Fabricator has been exposed, and somehow that is hardly a victory. It's clear that whoever is running this intends to hold whatever cards they can until the bitter end. Theirs isn't the first time this Game has been played, after all. They can easily outlast their charges on their home turf.
Yet, there is a strange hope. Maybe there is a way out. The question now is finding it and going on the offensive, before those in charge make their next move. Because they will eventually. There is no doubt. Time is not a luxury the remaining Titled can waste anymore and everyone knows it.
So don't waste it - because the clock is ticking. Prepare yourselves.
There are seven strangers left in this place.]
no subject
[ She looks down at her own hands. ]
I have... so many things I have to make up for. So many people I have to return to... no, want to return to. And for all the times practicing magic has prepared me for incidents like this, all the times I've almost died... I was never really afraid. I was always fine with it, because it felt like I was at least doing something important.
Something about this place... has a way of making you afraid.
no subject
You're right... I've never actually been so afraid of anything, that I can remember.
[ A quiet, almost breathless laugh slips out. ]
I'll admit it... I was pretty naive and blind when we first got here. I thought, for sure, that just staying determined and believing would be enough.
[ He finally leans up. ]
I didn't even believe anyone here would actually kill. I knew Goro was capable of it, based on what he'd said, but I couldn't imagine it. I knew the world was an ugly place... but...
[ A bitter smile. ]
I've never felt like "just some kid" ... more than I do right now.
[ He clenches his teeth. ]
Not that-
[ A quiet sound slips out and he quickly looks away. ]
Don't get me wrong. I'm not giving up, and that's the last thing I'd ever do. Guess... my point is, I think I finally realize... because I'm just a kid, there are still a lot of things I don't know about...
[ He manages a grin at her. ]
But that's why it means so much I have some of the best adults I've ever known fighting alongside me.
no subject
... Sorry, did you think you wouldn't be getting a headpat after that? Because, well, she's a very affectionate and caring person, and headpats are how she shows it, or at least one way. Someone instilled them into her long ago, and she can't help but want to place a hand on his head, no matter how awkward the angle might be, and give it a gentle brush with her good hand. He's important to her. ]
Akira... you're really strong, you know. Stronger than you probably think. To lose two people so close to you, but endure and fight for everyone's sake... to have that resolve after everything... even my resolve felt burned out, after what happened to Shuuichi and Goro.
[ She looks down. ]
... I might be an adult, but I've made... a lot of mistakes. I'm far from perfect. I'll be the first person to admit that. If anyone is a coward here, it's... probably me. I've hidden my real face from the world for years, all because I was too afraid to face it. Because I came to fear who I used to be.
... I don't want anyone putting me on a pedestal. Akko... already does that plenty. But... I do want you to know I'm here for you, imperfect as I am. You might be young, and it's true you have a lot of room to grow still... but you have so much potential. You're bright, and some day, your star is going to illuminate the entire world. I can sense it. You're someone who will make a big difference, no matter what.
[ She'll lower her hand, and fold it into her palm, letting her arms fall to her sides. ]
People naturally gravitate to you for a good reason. But that doesn't mean you can't lean on others from time to time. Even leaders need a helping hand, and a respite. And when those times happen, you can lean on me. I'll be here for you. ... I don't have any children, but you're as important to me as any of my students would be. Perhaps... even more. You and Goro both... and Joey, too. I feel that way about all three of you.
As a teacher, I can see that potential, but I can also recognize when you need the help. ... It's all right, to be afraid. I think... it's just natural. Bravery doesn't come from having no fear. It comes from being afraid and moving forward, anyway.
no subject
...
[ But then he blinks, realizing his vision is a little blurry. A quiet, almost inaudible sound escapes; he lowers his head, hurriedly wiping at his eyes. ]
You're... definitely no coward, Chariot.
[ He doesn't even care that his vision is just a little blurry, still. He looks up at her with the warmest smile she's ever seen from him. ]
You're moving forward now, right? You're one of the bravest people I know, if what I've seen from you since we've been here is anything to go off of...
[ And he'll be shifting, adjusting his body so that he can move to pull her into a firm hug. His voice is quiet. ]
... I don't remember my parents, or really any family. I haven't, since I've been here...
[ He swallows back any lingering urge to cry from the happiness. ]
Regardless of what I wind up remembering, I'm going to always think of you as a big sister.
no subject
[ She trails off. That's hard. And sad. He deserves better. But the hug breaks her of what she's trying to think of to say--she hadn't been expecting it, and it does make her smile. Her arms wrap around him, gingerly, to return it. ]
... I'm... glad. You're very important to me, Akira.
[ Lyonne. "Thank you". It's a word that fills her mind more than any other, right now. ]
Thank you. I hope... I hope that we can recover what it is you've forgotten. I want you to be whole and smiling. I think you've earned it, at this point. You work so hard... I figure this is the least I can do, bandaging you up and such.
Have you been eating? I can't help worrying about you.
MAJOR P5 SPOILERS
There are so many words he could list off to describe how he feels right now, and yet none of them could properly convey this moment. But it's a something warm -- something combating all of the negativity, and this is the safest he's felt since the last trial.
A tiny bit of sadness resurfaces as he nods. ]
I... do remember thinking to myself a few times...
[ Briefly, he bites down on the inside of his bottom lip. ]
Well, I remember thinking that the cafe feels more like home to me...?
[ He gives a small, wry smile. ]
And I remember thinking that the Phantom Thieves felt more like a family to me, than anything I'd ever had before being shipped away for my probationary period.
[ O-oh... She doesn't even know about that, does she? ]
Before... I was shipped off to live with an acquaintance of my parents, I saw Goro Akechi's father trying to force a woman into a car. He was drunk... and she clearly didn't want anything to do with him right then.
[ He briefly scrubs a hand through his hair. ]
So, without thinking, I rushed in to stop him. He... fell and hit his head, told me he was gonna sue. Of course... me being just some kid, and that man being a powerful politician, it's easy to imagine which side they went with.
[ A deep breath, and there's a flicker of anger. ]
For a while, I hated that man, but couldn't remember who he actually was. It took facing off against him in his own palace after--
[ ...encountering his boyfriend on that ship. ]
--what happened with Goro.
[ Why couldn't things have gone differently? ]
... We all seemed to hate him to some degree before and during our fight against him. And... I'll admit, hearing him talk about how sorry he was for everything he did? It felt... incredible.
[ A brief smirk flashes over his lips, though there's something very sad in it. ]
I just would have given a lot to have the entire team there for it.
no subject
[ She'll give a sad smile. ]
You didn't deserve any of that. You're... a good person. You're no delinquent. I think... anyone can see that, if they take the time to get to know you. Whatever... happens, you'll have my support. And I think... it's good that you change people like that.
no subject
Thank you... I've gotta admit, that's one thing I will miss.
[ He looks to the floor before, making back to properly look at her. ]
After defeating Yaldabaoth -- the creature that pitted me and Goro against each other, we gave up the ability to change hearts in exchange for saving our world. Which... means we're all now normal kids, again.
[ There's a soft chuckle. ]
... Or as normal as we can manage.
no subject
If you wanted to go on helping people... why not pursue that instead?