[Entrance Exam] Week One

[lockdownmods]

It would seem that it will be... some time before you're released. Two weeks. That may sound like forever, in this situation. But you aren't left with nothing to do. The Administrator has been kind enough to update the Tasks application on your tablet. There are also now several different tasks that you can accept. Who knows... you might get something good out of it. It's worth checking out at least. There are also several other new applications you can toy with, too.

And you won't go hungry. The staff is here to prepare meals three times a day. Breakfast is served from 6AM-8AM, lunch from 11PM-1PM, and dinner from 5PM-7PM. You'd best make sure you're in the cafeteria in time for those meals, because they won't be waiting around all day for you. They have lives, too. Unfortunately, you won't really be able to ask them about any of that. The serving area is separated by a glass wall, through which they serve you. Even if you try asking-- it would seem they have been told not to answer.

The rest... well. You may just have to see for yourself. At least you're not alone.

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Comments

[covertizer]

[ ... Hm. ]

But the jumping part still applies?

[coagmentatio]

[ For just a split second, there's something cold and bitter in his eyes. Maybe Akira has some experience with seeing the hint that someone's very clearly screaming on the inside. ]

Essentially.

[covertizer]

[ Hm. Yes, that's a bit of a dark look. ]

Ever tried not jumping?

[coagmentatio]

[ His jawline tightens, teeth just slightly grinding together. He has to put considerably effort into not letting his expression shift. What he doesn't bother stopping is a distinct shift in his tone. There's more distance to it. ]

That's one hell of a question to be asking while missing considerable amounts of relevant info.

[covertizer]

It's not a bad one. Sometimes people don't realise the power they do have at their fingertips, until the obvious is pointed out to them.

[ It's... not a criticism. Misguided senses of loyalty, purpose... he only has to think about Yusuke for an example of someone weathering a situation because they couldn't find a way out. ]

[coagmentatio]

[ It would seem he's toeing a line between surprised and guarded. ]

You sound like you're talking from experience.

[ He's rebellious and distrustful of authority figures and adults. He likes standing up for those in need. He dislikes injustice and those who abuse their powers... as well as manipulation.

Akira Kurusu is a strange young man. A strange young man who suddenly has Aiden bristling the tiniest bit as he finally says-- ]

Sometimes things work out the way they work out. In a reality where heroes don't exist, it's better to just accept things for what they are.

[ A small shrug is given. He's skimping on the context for a reason, but... ]

Besides... if it isn't me, there's always somebody else.

[covertizer]

[ He shrugs, almost a little too casually. ]

Maybe.

[ And maybe he'd been the one pointing out that power to people, directly or indirectly. It... hadn't always been successful, but it when it did work it had been liberating for someone. Even for him, as well. ]

That kind of attitude is why people get away with it. People who the power to hurt other go unchecked, so they keep doing it. Pull them off that pedestal, and down to the same level as everyone else and they buckle under the weight of it all.

[ ... Plus some meddling with hearts, but the principle is the same. Eventually someone falls from grace, and when they do it's a long, painful descent. But one they usually deserved. ]

[coagmentatio]

[ He's learned, from his own experience, that people usually mean "yes" when they say "maybe" - he leaves it alone, though... Especially since he's too busy looking more and more uncomfortable at these words. ]

Maybe in your experiences, that's how it happens.

[ Hm... is that the hint of something unsteady in his voice? ]

[covertizer]

Not always.

[ It'd be a lie to consider everything he'd done had gone smoothly. It... just hadn't. At all. ]

Sometimes keeping your head down and seeing things through is ... safer? Not better, but if you have even an ounce of rebellion in you, it'll break out some way. And if you let it build up, that could be messy.

[coagmentatio]

[ His teeth clench together, inhumanly sharpened canines flashing for just a split second-- ]

...

[ But he forces a calm exhale... ]

Stop talking like you know the first thing about what it's like to be me.