it only hurts for a moment - you get used to it quickly

[swordsinternally]

[ After everything's said and done, Shirou's going to go ahead and set things up for today. It's the same as always; nothing has changed-- but he still wants to believe that there's something worth in doing this, so he'll at least go ahead and do that once he's given out notes (or told a person verbally, one on one) under their door, a small neat note stating: ]

For those who don't want to be alone today:

I know it's been a hard month. And I know it's probably going to get even more difficult from here. But I don't want anyone to give up just yet. If you'd like, there'll be food and drinks in the simulation room.

- E.

[ And for those who decide to make the trip to the simulation room, they'll find themselves walking into what seems to be a karaoke bar! Shirou's made it pretty spacious and there is, in fact, a table set up with some food for everyone to take - primarily burgers and ramen (hell, there's a bit of ramen burgers, too, the Biggest Cancer) - that he's made the decision to make, so feel free to take it, and he's willing to even get drinks for everyone, too.

This includes virtual drinks, as he actually has some experience working at a bar, even if it was more menial tasks and less bartending. But hey, there's a first time for everything, yeah?

And there's also the option to sing your heart out-- although that might not be the most appropriate, given the last execution, but he's. He's trying, anyway. ]

Comments

Thinking of doing something, AMA

[whatsmytalentagain]

[It takes Rantaro a little bit to get to the simulation room. He made a quick stop at the student store to pick up a shoulder bag, a pack of mechanical pencils, and a multi-subject notebook.

Why he got these objects... Well. He could explain if you found him at the store, but when he gets to the simulation room he takes out the notebook and starts jotting down an open note for anyone to see.]

I may be taking a vow of silence until we figure a way out of this mess

This might seem weird, but I think I got a little too used to not speaking during the motive. Kind of helped me clear my head a bit. Maybe it might help me a bit if I kept it up. Plus, it'd be harder for them to spy on me if I'm not saying anything.

That being said, I'm not going to be that strict about it. I'll still speak if I have to, like during the trials or if I have to get someone's attention. This whole thing's still a bit up in the air, so I'm open for questions and advice.

Thanks for understanding.

- Amami Rantaro

[He'll have this out in front of him most of the time.]

[covertizer]

[ Akira shows up a little later, in what looks like a pretty large sized hoodie from the school store. It may have a little Fayflower logo on it, but it's huge and cosy and that's kind of what he needs right now.

He's not putting himself forwards for conversation, but he's not going to push anyone away if they want to talk.

Getting close to him will reveal two things - he's slowly working his way through a burger, bit by bit; and he's got a book from the library in his hands. It looks like a beginner's guide to teaching yourself how to play the guitar. ]

[sendintheclown]

[If singing your heart out isn't the most appropriate, Gogol's definitely doing it. He gets incredibly into the song he chooses, dancing along as he sings, even attempting to coax others into joining in with him. Whether he's had a few drinks or not is...hard to tell, really. He's just like this.]

[swordsinternally]

... hey.

[ At some point when he's not being busy, he's definitely going to go ahead and find a place next to Akira with a glass of virtual alcohol in his hand; he's not going to be drinking too much, since he's aware of his tolerance level but it's whatever. He could honestly care less right about now. ]

Is that burger okay, by the way? I don't usually cook those.

[devotingly]

[ waver seems to be...huddled in one of the corners, not consuming anything but a cup of black tea.

other than that, he's...pretty much not doing anything. not even reading. he's just staring at his cup, blank. ]

cw: unintentional self-harm, alcohol use (Closed to Hank)

[ososoi]

[ ...Osomatsu doesn't come to the simulation room. ]

[ Instead, Osomatsu's in the classroom, staring at the wall. There's also a broken wine bottle in the corner. It's obvious all the wine was drunk before the bottle broke so yeah, Osomatsu's pretty wasted as well. But this time, being drunk isn't making him feel remotely better. ]

[ He continues staring blearily at the wall... and then he starts punching it with his left hand. Hard. Several times. Screaming expletives and hateful words at the wall, at himself. ]

FUCK YOU! FUCK! YOU! YOU FUCKING! USELESS! PIECE OF!! SHIT!!

[ And wow, this is not helping him. It only takes a few punches to realize this was a bad idea before he falls to his knees, clutching his hand in pain. And yep, that's bleeding. It's not as bad as what he did to his right hand on Sunday, but it's still not good; he's broke some of his skin around the knuckles and there's signs of bruising as well. ]

[ He used to be more durable than this. And now he can't even punch a wall without hurting himself. ]

[ And to think that... Maya would... 2-D would... ]

[ ... ]

FUUUCK!!

[ He drunkenly slams his head against the wall. Unsurprisingly, that was a bad idea too, so now his nose is bleeding pretty badly. ]

[ He doesn't know how to handle this. ]

[ He's a gag anime character. He wasn't supposed to deal with this kind of stuff. ]

[ So now he's just kneeling on the floor in pain, in a drunken daze, blood dribbling down his nose and blood spilling from his fucked up left hand. ]

[ The wall doesn't even have a dent in it. ]

[ And sitting on one of the desks, fortunately spared from Osomatsu's wrath, is the magatama and his tablet. The photo app has been opened up. To a picture of Osomatsu and Maya. ]

[buriedearth]

Hey, Akira.

[ Terra was sure he was about to ask him something, but he notices the guide in his hands, and it makes him forget almost immediately what he was going to previously inquire about. Instead, another question comes to mind. ]

...Can I ask what made you decide to pick up guitar lessons?

[ ...Was it what happened with 2D? ]

[covertizer]

[ Hopefully he's ready for a lapful of Akira, because as soon as he's sat down, Akira just tugs his hood up and scoots himself backwards, until he's pretty much in Shirou's lap.

Hello.

He bumps the side of his head against Shirou's chest.]

It's fine, and tasty. I'm just not hugely hungry right now.

[buriedearth]

Are you sure? They still have cameras.

[ He's not going to wildly protest against it or anything, but... ]

[donotlick]

[ Hank can't say he's surprised, given what he saw-- what everyone saw at the trial.

He's not surprised. And he's not impressed, either, when he walks in on this scene. ]

Hey! [ He's loud and stern, his voice cutting through with no room for argument. Dad mode fully activated, needless to say. ] The fuck do you think you're doing, kid?

[covertizer]

[ Akira taps his finger against the side of the book. ]

He was going to teach me to play, but we never really got around to it between only having one guitar -- [ Yes. One guitar. ] -- and with what was happening here.

...

And I don't want to have bad associations with that part of everything.

[pathofconquest]

[Well there’s no point beating around it now, is there?

While Waver is staring ahead blankly, Alexander comes to sit next to him and wrap an arm around his waist. It’s okay to say nothing. In this way he can just say that he’s here for you Waver and he’s not going anywhere.]

[sendintheclown]

You should really opt for miming, in my opinion.

[devotingly]

Well, I don't think that anyone's going to stop you but... alright. [ although he still looks really confused ] Just make sure to exercise your voice every once in a while, so you don't become hoarse.

[ososoi]

[ The sudden voice of another person startles the wasted NEET. ]

...Wueht?! Wuht?

...

What?

...

[ He spits out some of the blood that had spilt from his injured nose into his mouth. ]

...Oji-shan?

[swordsinternally]

[ ..... oh.

Well, then. This is apparently happening where people can see them. This is definitely, totally fine. Except for the fact that his face is slightly red in spite of himself. But he won't push him off, either, instead just reaching out to stroke his head through the hoodie. ]

It's fine. Don't force yourself to eat if you're not really hungry, Akira. Do you want to talk?

[devotingly]

[ well waver definitely jolts when he feels a hand around his waist. and the fact that it's alexander doing that doesn't make the embarrassment any better. ]

Don't think I'm not angry at you, Rider.

[ but he'll lean against him, exhausted. ]

[donotlick]

[ Yeah, sometimes you need a stern hand when people are losing it, Hank's learned as much in his years of police work. ]

Dumb kid.

[ Hank mutters. Osomatsu's not a perp. He's just a kid. A kid whose friends keep dying. ]

C'mere, lemme take a look at that.

[ He holds out his hand, reaching out to him. Oh, kid. ]

[lovedanime]

[Mitarai is extremely uncomfortably, amidst intense intimidation, bobbing his head along to all this.]

[pathofconquest]

I would expect no less from you.

[He can handle a lovers’ quarrel as long as he’s stilll allowed to stay at Waver’s side.]

Not just anyone can conquer the heart of a future King.

[But there’s a bit of seriousness here—]

But you cannot live on strength alone.

[covertizer]

[ Alexander just basically told Waver he was his dream and had eyesex with him across a trial room while a man waited to die. Two sad teens snuggling in the corner of a holoroom is a downgrade, Shirou. It's ok. ]

It's good though. See my dilemma?

[ The head pats are nice though. Akira ends up kind of leaning into them, like a kitty. ]

... I'm tired, I guess. [ He doesn't want anyone to die, but over and over it's been the same pattern - he loses someone he's known for months to someone he's known a few weeks. Even back in the original test weeks, it'd been the same pattern. ] I'll bounce back.

[ososoi]

[ Osomatsu falls from his knees onto his ass, scooting away slightly, looking like a hurt animal. ]

Waht are ya doin'?!

[ He can't think straight. ]

[buriedearth]

[ And now the guitar is busted??

He grimaces for a moment at that...and then his expression turns thoughtful. Terra would, in his position, want to just forget about it. ]

...So, you're trying to still make some good out of the bad.

[ Akira's stronger than he could've ever imagined. ]

[sendintheclown]

[He sees you, Mitarai. He sees you, and he advances, not breaking from his performance as he does so.

As soon as he's close enough, he offers out a hand.

Take it?]

[donotlick]

[ Hank siiiiiiighs. If you weren't injured, you'd be getting such a talking to, young man. ]

You're not leaving me much choice here, kiddo.

[ Time to start stepping closer to Osomatsu. He's gonna, well. He's gonna try to pick him up. ]

Hold still.