For lastvoyages: Twenty-Seventh Vision [private video+spam]

[can_has_vodka]

(Backdated to Saturday)

 [private to Touko]
Miss Fukawa dear, this is your new Warden checking in on you. I noticed that troubling broadcast earlier and wanted to make certain you were all right.

[spam for pub]
[Arkady is now fussing around with several crockpots' worth of egg nog. She seems determined to fatten everyone up for winter.]

Comments

[syouko]

[This was the girl who fed her that story, tried to throw her off her guard. Of course it would turn out this way.]

What do you know.

[can_has_vodka]

It's Junko. It always has been. She must have died soon after you and come here.

She's going to try to play the same game, but she doesn't have the power or influence she had at your school. And if she comes after you I'll have to do something very very unpleasant to her.

We should talk about your options. If she should try to hunt you I want her to run into a very unpleasant surprise.

[syouko]

Junko's dead. I saw her die. [No, Touko, you saw Mukuro dressed up like her, but you don't know Mukuro even existed.]

What are you trying to make me do?

[can_has_vodka]

It was a trick. Being completely mad doesn't keep someone from being very clever and devious.

[She sighs.]

Right now I'm just trying to look after you and build a bridge between us. The proper mental and spiritual work to get you out of here can't even begin until you are less traumatized. And especially until you are settled here.

[syouko]

He killed her. When are you ever going to start making sense? I know what kind of a set-up this place is, where everyone in charge tries to turn you against your friends. I'm not going to let it happen again!

[can_has_vodka]

[Arkady sighs.]

You're still thinking you're trapped in that horrible game. But you're not, unless you choose to make it real here. Doing that will only trap you here for longer. You and her.

...and anyone who would put you through that is not your friend.

[syouko]

She isn't here. I would know it. That girl was always so loud, trying to break the rules, I'd have heard her whiny voice by now.

If you think you know me, why pick her to get at me? Why not tell me Byakuya-sama tried to set me up again?

[can_has_vodka]

You'll hear her whiny voice soon enough when she stops being that bear.

[She shakes her head.]

I didn't pick her. And I'm not here to manipulate her. I didn't tell you that anyone else was responsible because that would be a lie.

I won't lie to you, and I'm willing to prove it. Honestly. Ask me any question you want and I shall answer.

[syouko]

[Fine, Arkady. One question.]

...if this isn't another round, what am I really doing here?

[can_has_vodka]

Well, basically it is as I told you, but in your particular case there are things you need that I will try to help you with.

Let's start with the basics. You need a new life, which was taken from you far too young, and you need a chance to start over somewhere that isn't a horrid mess. You need to be able to complete your high school education and decide on college. You need to learn to defend yourself without anyone dying. It's my job to help you get these things.

[syouko]

[When she's taken away from everything that's supposed to matter to her - no career, no Byakuya-sama, not even a hope of this life just ending if she loses - Touko doesn't know what she wants. What she's being offered sounds like maybe enough, but the last part sounds false to her. It's not about her, not the one nobody knows about, when no one could ever connect them. The bear told Arkady, or someone above him, and now that she knows what side she's really on...

But Touko has to play this smart, and by playing dumb she's playing her smartest.]

If it's about the Ogre, you should know I didn't kill her. I didn't even want to, I only tried because I was so afraid she was going to get me first.

[can_has_vodka]

Let's not talk yet about what happened in that horrid place, unless you really want to. Right now my work is to prove to you that I can be trusted, and to help get you thinking about a future you actually want.

I'm assuming you would rather not be dumped back into that nasty spot you were in once you get out of here?

[syouko]

It isn't as if there's anything for me to go back to.

[On her second day at Hope's Peak, they'd all been given little videos of home to watch as inducements for someone to graduate. The things they most loved were torn apart, but the video cut away at the last second to suggest that there might still be hope- if one of them could graduate. She never liked thinking about what she had seen, and even if it hadn't been enough to get her to come up with a plan, nothing was going to be the same back home if she'd gotten out.]

But it couldn't be more obvious there's a trick here. Not with everything I've heard people do.

[omaera]

[It wasn't actually too hard to find out who Arkady is. It is, after all, a small ship. Junko can't call it curiosity, exactly -- there are ways that implies hope -- but somehow, in her apathy, she finds something that impels her to track down her dear friend's warden.

She knocks on the pub door.]

[can_has_vodka]

[Arkady sees her coming and knows why she is here. Behind her polite smile she grows grim. This bratty, insane little piece of offal is probably here to threaten her. Maybe even try to kill her. Well.]

[Without even hesitating she lowers her shields and focuses on the girl's cracked little mind, reading her intentions. This encounter will probably have to end in a harsh lesson.]

[omaera]

[Despair

despairpainmiserydeathhopelesshopelesshopelessdespair

Dipping into Junko's mind is like dipping a toe into a volcanic lake: it bubbles and boils around Arkady's presence, oblivious to it but seething, simmering against it. Thoughts come and go, skittering across the surface like tiny creatures, but the unifying element is pain.

She wasn't lying when she called herself the Super High School Level Despair.

Pain envelops every impulse, creates a misty blanket of feeling above the mad roil of her thoughts: a fog that condenses all too easily into apathy, into who cares? Into smothering anything but pain and violence that tries to break free.

If there's an intention to be read in the morass, it's not clear at first glance. In the outside world, Junko knocks again, and then a third time. Suddenly, there's a weird little twist in her mind, the thought Enough!, and when her voice comes out it's high-pitched and squeaky.]

Oh, no! Maybe no one's hooome?

[can_has_vodka]

Ugh, what a nutter.

[She opens the door gamely enough. She sympathizes with the girl's anguish, but she knows there's no excuse for taking it out on others.]

Come on in, then.

[omaera]

Hi! [Although the pain in her mind continues endlessly, she titters with syrupy sweetness, tip-toeing her way inside.] Is it okay to come in? I don't want to break any rules!

[can_has_vodka]

Come on, then, it's cold out there. [She might be unhappy with the "bubbly" blonde, but she isn't going to shut her out.] Let's get you a seat and a hot drink.

[omaera]

Oh! I hope it's not poison. [But by the time she reaches a seat at the bar, the cute effect has worn off, and she's looking more composed again. Actually, there's something a little... flat about her. This is a Junko without artifice, at least for now. She folds her hands on the bar and watches the bartender, gaze somehow probing and dull at the same time.]

You're Arkady.

[can_has_vodka]

Not from me. I'm not the sort, no matter what you've done. What sort of flavors do you like, and can your tummy handle milk?

[Arkady putters around, humming slightly.] Yes, and you're Junko. I rather thought you'd be investigating me, considering that I am looking after your classmates.

[omaera]

It doesn't matter to me. I only came to meet you. As you said... you're taking care of my dear classmate.

[can_has_vodka]

Nog with whipped cream and nutmeg then. Mind your hair around this beast. [She goes to prepare a mugful.]

There are a lot of assumptions being made about this place, by her, probably by you as well. I've been trying to be of help. Answer questions and such.

Okay to continue this one?

[omaera]

And what is it that you can answer for her?

sure!

[can_has_vodka]

Well, what happened, for starters. Why her memory is a mess, who is responsible, and how she doesn't have to go back to that world if she doesn't want to.

[omaera]

If she's smart, she'll choose to go back there anyway. [Junko eyes the drink thoughtfully -- then shrugs and takes a sip, poisoned or not.] How do you know the answers?

[can_has_vodka]

I'm sorry, but I think she's too smart to take your advice on the matter.

[Arkady chuckles as she goes back to polishing glasses.] In part it is because Wardens are given a full write-up on their Inmates when assigned...including their histories and who has wronged and deceived them.

[omaera]

I didn't say I would advise her. I said if she's smart, she'll go home. [The correction is given in the same oddly dull tone; she doesn't seem to react much to the second revelation, either.]

So you told her what you know.

[can_has_vodka]

[Arkady spreads her hands.] She's been through too much horror to just trust me straightaway. I don't expect that from her. Or you either.

In fact the one thing that keeps me from going off at you is that I suspect you've had at least as bad out of your life.

[omaera]

[Somehow, for some reason, this is what finally sets her off. She startles, goes rigid, eyes widening in fury.] I--is this pity? That's what's holding you back?! Because you feel sorry for me!?

Ha!! I get it! You think something must have happened, right? There must be some reason poor little Junko turned out like this! Listen to me, you rotten loser: the whole world is like this!

[can_has_vodka]

[Arkady realizes what is going on after a few moments, and her smile becomes placid instead of forced.]

Of course I feel sorry for you. You're obviously very, very sick, it causes you to see everything through a distorted lens, and you have rationalized it by telling yourself that the world is as ugly as you believe it to be. But the world isn't the ugly and cruel one. You are.

You are pitiable and sad, and I have a feeling you're going to be here for much, much longer than Touko, even with her...issues.

[omaera]

Don't be silly, you bald bat! Junko Enoshima is beautiful and popular. She's the top reader's choice model. [She smirks nastily, stretching out a hand to examine her nails.] We only exist because people want to be just like us, didn't you know that? No -- because they think they are just like us, and they're right! We're just a better version of them. It's such a burden.

Do you really think dear Touko is any different? With her death toll? With all her misery and agony and hate, hate, hate?

[can_has_vodka]

[Arkady can't help it--she starts laughing. It's not very kind, but this creature is so ridiculous with her desperate ego-defenses.]

Touko is different because she can be redeemed. I don't think so about you. You're one of the few I can say that about. You like being a miserable, crazy murderer and manipulator too much. Arthas will probably get out before you do.

And if you keep going on like that I'll force you to see how wonderful the world really is, even in a place like this, and just how much you are missing out on.

[omaera]

[Junko only joins in the laughter, high-pitched and nasty.]

Oh, is that how it works?? I've been wondering! Drugs and fucking mind control, huh? And you call me the villain! But check it: I only gave everyone the same choice they had all along! I didn't force no one into nothing.

[She adds, sweetly, sing-song:] But Junko will be stuck here forever anyway! Too bad! So sad!

[can_has_vodka]

Oh no, no drugs, no mind control. I'll blow your mind quite naturally. Make you see through someone else's eyes instead of through your own tainted vision.

Yes, it is too bad. You're a great big wad of wasted potential, trapped by your own madness and wickedness. [She quietly keeps polishing glasses, but she does not break eye contact or look at all troubled by the ranting.]

[omaera]

How's that so different? Like you're going into my head and making me think things you want me to think, RIGHT? So how are you gonna tell me that's sooooo different? Like I said: I let the world decide for itself!

[She laughs.] I didn't even force them to stay locked in! That was their own doing! The only thing I've done the whole time was make them forget why! [Oh, and kill, like, everyone.]

[can_has_vodka]

It's bloody fascinating how far your view of reality is from the real thing. [Arkady is propping her chin on her hands now, still smiling like a stone Buddha.] I think you'd flee in terror from a dose of reality. You couldn't even handle the smallest spark of sympathy without trying to stamp it out.

And please, I do have some grasp of how much blood is on your hands from Touko's file. Don't waste either of our time playing innocent.

[omaera]

Of course I wouldn't, dumbass! That's the whole fucking point! Who wants sympathy in a shitty world like this? And who's so innocent, either? Maizono, Kuwabata, Oowada, that dumb bitch Celes -- they all chose their victims knowing exactly what they were doing! Not to mention your sweet little Miss G-S. Have you ever seen her use those scissors? It's pretty fucking hot!

[can_has_vodka]

[Arkady winces slightly, but it's not from the barrage of offenses.]

You don't need redemption. You need a rubber room and a ball gag.

[omaera]

Heh -- is that your way of saying you've given up on me? That's so sad to hear. No it's not! I'm really depressed now. No I'm not!

Don't worry: you'll have Junko Enoshima in your life for a long time yet!

[can_has_vodka]

Are you done babbling yet? [Arkady's starting to look bored.] Actually no, I won't have to in my life. Once I graduate my third I'm going home. But you? Well, even if someone figures out how to treat your raving insanity, you'll still be a murderous, self-deluding little cow.

I don't have to believe that you can be redeemed. You're not my responsibility, thank the Admiral for small favors. Frankly I think you should have been tossed into the void instead of given a second chance, but...it's not my decision.

[Spam]

[tatty_bye]

[Reaver is just coming in for his shift. They've both been making with the festive drinks for the last few weeks, and he's been oddly dedicated. It gives him something to do, something to create.]

Good evening, dear.

[Spam]

[can_has_vodka]

Hullo luv, and how have you been? [She bounces over for a brief Arkady-pounce and then shows him the row of crockpots. Half are clean and ready and half have things like mulled wine, nog and wassail.]

So happy I'm getting to celebrate the season as myself this year.