Week 7

[airlockedmods]

[Well that weekend sucked. The Champions are down a dad and a bean and shrinking their numbers smaller and smaller, less and less.

There's no sign of life in the spaceport aside from PAL's omnipresent voice and SIS, the helpful asSIStant who has some control over certain heres and theres in the spaceport. She (and PAL) are available at all times and can appear anywhere if called. There is, however, a new floor to explore. Just hop in the elevator and pchoo.]


Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

(( Don't forget to check in, check your memory regains! and put in for item regains))

Comments

[misanthropicprinciple]

...

There was a girl in my last game. A young woman, I guess, I think my age. Angel. We didn't get along at first, because I was--well, I was a cynical asshole, and she wanted to trust everyone, to rebel against all the bullshit her former life had taught her.

[He breathes out and wraps his arms around himself again.]

The week before she died, we talked, and... it came out that while I was doing better, making connections with people, remembering that there are good things left in humanity, she was losing hope. I thought it was funny, that maybe we'd even out somewhere in the middle.

I think I'm Angel, this time around.

[induality]

It's not... realistic to compare them, honestly. Each time I've been in this position, things were different. The first time I didn't want anything to do with anyone. Even though they were my own classmates I didn't care about any of them. Not really... not the way I should have. I was too afraid... too busy locking myself away before I got myself killed. I didn't bond with them. I didn't mourn them.

Starfield... I remembered a different version of myself. I felt... obligated to act. But I wasn't exactly doing it because I wanted to at first. It felt like it was my job because I knew what I was dealing with... did it all before.

Here... I don't have much confidence that I'm the kind of person who can help you all... and yet I want to. Not because of some stupid obligation, but... because I care about you idiots. Even... though I know that puts me at risk... even though I know it'll hurt when things inevitably happen. But that doesn't matter. Even when I wanted to, I couldn't go back to being the person who didn't care-- who lived only out of spite and distrust.

If the way you are this time is different then... maybe it just means it's our turn to help you.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[While she was talking, he was gearing up to say something else, but the last line breaks over him like a shock of water. He ends up just looking at her, mouth open and surprised.]

...Oh.

[The longer he looks like someone just brained him with a lead pipe, the clearer it is that Junpei just doesn't. Get this, often. Not nearly enough.]

I... huh. Don't know how to help you do that. Help me, I mean.

[induality]

...if you had to tell us how to do that, then we wouldn't be doing a good job anyway. We might not get it right but... we can try.

You're one of us. You're... a friend.

That's the least we can do.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[Still vague-looking and nonplussed, Junpei eventually tries some kind of half-smile thing and pats the ground next to where he's sitting.

C'mere?]

[induality]

[Sure thing. Fukawa comes in and takes the spot next to him; sitting on her legs, the skirt of her school uniform tucked under her.]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[He pulls her into a one-armed hug around her shoulders.]

Thanks, Touko.

[induality]

...anytime.

This week... is probably going to be especially bad. So... it's even more important than usual that we stick together.

[misanthropicprinciple]

It's worse than bad, Touko.

...Help me look after Church? He's really... he can't take this. And I can't take it for him, not when I'm...

[He struggles, holds his breath, breathes.]

They're watching, but I can't... pull myself up. I can only hang on. And that's not enough to get through this.

[induality]

...I don't know how much I can do but... I'll do my best.

[At his worst, Church wouldn't even answer her. She's not that confident-- but it doesn't mean she won't try.]

...but you're wrong. Hanging on... it can be enough. So... if that's what you have to do then... just. Focus on yourself. If that's what you need to do to get yourself out of here alive then do that. Even if it means pushing us away a little... that's okay. Just... survive. Whatever way you need to.

That's what they would want.

[misanthropicprinciple]

...You'll cover me if I hole up in my room with frozen leftovers and a microwave?

[induality]

Yeah, of course I would. [...] You know, if we came up with a signal, I could bring you real food too.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[He laughs faintly.]

A signal, huh? Should I cut out the silhouette of a girl with twintails and put it in front of a flashlight?