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

[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.