yogen | nice colors

Entry tags:

nice colors

Who: Rantarou Amami & you!

What: Arrival & introduction

When: 05/19 and onwards

Where: Various locations

Warnings: Dangan Ronpa V3 spoilers in comments

a) travels
•　open — 05/19, 2nd floor, right wing

( it takes little time for him to figure out the idea — that he can't leave. what's really strange about it is that... others can? there's a distinct lack of physical barriers preventing him, but even so, it's as if the world itself is engineered to trap him here. it is... something that he makes note of, but after some time spent checking his options, it's also something he sincerely doubts will be easily solved. more importantly, what he notices is that there are some students who just... don't go home. as if they aren't concerned with even trying to leave, even as the building begins to empty out for the evening.

so it's them he decides to focus on, and the next person to pass him in the hallway is his first victim. with a wave to draw their attention, amami offers a smile. at the same time, his mind turns, trying to figure out how best to phrase this so he doesn't seem like he's crazy if he's wrong. lets see... first off: )

Sorry, but do you have a minute?

b) find my way
•　open — 05/19, 1st floor, bulletin board

( another thing he finds to be of note as he wanders through the halls is the bulletin board. the rules, for one, are beyond bizarre — that's a puzzle that he's going to pocket for the time being. what he's really interested in right now is the class assignments. it takes him a few minutes, peering through the names recorded on the sheet, but it does strike him that not all of the names are unfamiliar. a few stand out: kaede akamatsu, shuichi saihara, kokichi ouma... if it's true... well, at least one of those names is someone that amami has reason to consider may be trustworthy in a situation like this.

option one:
this time, victim number two is anybody who happens to be near the front hall. turning to glance at them, he gestures to the sheet. )

Hey, you wouldn't happen to know Kaede Akamatsu, would you?

option two:
( or maybe your name is one of those he'd recognize in the first place. in that case, when he turns, instead of an amicable smile, you're treated with a momentary expression of wide-eyed surprise. )

What a coincidence, I didn't think I'd see you here.

c) wildcard
•　open — anywhere, any time

( have an idea? feel free to throw anything else my way, or if you're unsure, you can hit me up via pm or at kagehira! )

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( anyway, shout out to nene for the tip. if there's anywhere that you can visit to find out the truth of the place you're at, it's certainly the underbelly you'll find there. there might not really be one of those in a high school, not in the traditional sense, but he'd like to think that this would probably make for an appropriate comparison; a "secret", dangerous location that few would willingly venture into. oh, but of course amami doesn't hesitate to do so. never has, when it comes to seeking out what he's looking for. the mode of travel is new: an x-acto knife temporarily borrowed from the art club room, just for the time being, that he draws across his palm with just enough strength that the blood begins to well up into droplets. and so, that's how he finds himself in the parallel school.

with a glance around, he kinda gets why nene doesn't like it here, honestly.

but it's not like he's never trawled through abandoned structures before, so he'll get to work in his snooping. desks, cupboards, drawers, under mats and behind peeling wallpaper — amami's searching all of it. actually, he's gotten a good chunk of what remains in the faculty office off when he notices movement in the corner of his eye. whipping his head around to look, he turns just in time to see a green hoodie disappear down the hall. and, well, he's not about to just ignore it. forgetting all about the peeling wallpaper, he follows after the one he just saw with hurried steps. )

( he doesn't move that fast because of his poor health, and komaeda's mostly someone who takes everything stride along with his way of life. bad things invite good things, and so being here yet again must have some of thrilling installment for him. he didn't cut himself, so he has a feeling someone around had done so — so he's aware he's not the only one here. between the shadow figures that go to and fro, he ignores them all for the same of checking if anything has changed around him. unfortunately, it's nothing.

as he makes his way through the disaster this world, he makes sure to avoid any of the holes in the floor that's been caused by his previous adventures — the other should be wary too, even with hurried steps, the floor creaks under his feet. while he hears someone behind him, komaeda doesn't turn around to wait as he finally makes it to the school rules within the hall, and his fingers are peeling up a few pieces of papers to check something. as always, it's deteriorating slowly, but still legible to the human eye, especially if someone squints.

with a hand settled in his pocket, he begins to pull out a sheet of paper that's already covered in his handwriting, and everything matches the same as last time. with a tap of his foot, he returns his hand from the list to his chin, cupping it in thought as he appears thoughtful, curious about what it could all mean. he thought that maybe someone would come through and fill in the parts he's missing, but he finds that this is probably a clue towards speaking with someone else.

talking about speaking, he looks towards the other who's finally caught up with him. )

Hah... Sorry, I know it must be really disappointing having run into me.

( it's pretty easy, it turns out, to recognize the other person wandering around on this side of the world — that hair is a dead giveaway for the... uh, well, the guy from the library. just because he's familiar doesn't mean that amami gives up his chase though; apparently his persistence is rewarded too, when his steps finally slow to a stop next to the other, because komaeda's actions seem far too purposeful to be a random search like his own. )

Disappointing? Why?

( awkward, maybe, depending on how off-the-wall you're planning to make komaeda in the 19th thread, but probably not disappointing. instead, he's matter-of-fact with his follow-up. )

Actually, I'm kinda glad. You've been here a while, right? When in unfamiliar territory, it's always good to have a guide.

Me? A guide to an Ultimate?

( giving someone like him that power who doesn't deserve it? in all honesty, he couldn't see himself leading any of them — he knows his place as a stepping stone, and he's here to enable their hope in any way, shape or form! but it would be impudent of him to think he has that sort of relationship to lead someone anywhere. he can't stop himself from wrapping his arms around his body, this attempt to contain himself from his own excitement. his nails dig into the fabric of his jacket, applying pressure to his sides as a reminder. )

If that's what you want... I can't say no, but there are probably others more fitting.

( he can't even make proper eye contact with the other, glancing off to the side to stare at the burnt walls beside them. despite the way he's acting, he's actually not nervous at all, and more so content with his place as being worthless. ) Besides... being around me, I don't want to ruin the things around you... it'd be just my luck.

I mean, even if I'm an Ultimate, it's not like I know what my title is. For all you know I could be the Ultimate Garbage Disposal Worker.

( he was gonna say janitor, but considering how cool the ultimate maid is? even that might actually be too useful for him.

granted that for a rich bitch like amami specifically, it's probably not either of those things. point remains: let-down "talents" are still on the table...

anyway! it's good to see that komaeda's still a freak. the way he wraps his arms around himself, cradling his own body and shuddering like that... yep. yeah. uh-huh. amami might be plain as hell, but this guy, at least, really does have the kind of personality you'd expect of an ultimate: weird as shit. )

And if I don't find anything, there won't be anything to ruin. It's like...

( he wants to say something like, "it's better to have loved and lost," but doesn't that sound so cheesy? it's haunted parallel world investigation encouragement, not a verbal love letter. amami scratches absently at the back of his neck, asks himself what alternatives he has to work with. no? nothing? thoughts empty? alright. )

I guess it's just a risk I'm willing to take.

( c'mon, shady-ass "amnesiac" like him? he never gets the chance to work together with anybody... pwease? )

Edited 2021-05-21 16:57 (UTC)

There's no "if" about it, I know what you are.

( he can say this easily, pointing at the other with a smile on his face to deny his claim — komaeda has never been wrong when it's come to an ultimate, and it's the aura that comes off of them that makes it so. hope and despair, the strength of their talents that's gauged by how useful their talent is... there's something about him. yet, komaeda crosses his arms right after, and shakes his head. it's been awhile since he's been put through this again, the thought of amnesiacs running deep in his life, and he stares at the other for a moment. )

You have the be the Ultimate Jokester, or Ultimate Confused Individual.

( because there's no way he doesn't know his own talent, right? the same trope can't be used twice, can it? not like komaeda knows whether the other is lying or not, or perhaps he is, and is afraid to make his talent known. even komaeda's not against explaining his, but he knows his own is mediocre and doesn't help towards anything. he doesn't bring it up though, and instead he walks towards the other as he leans forward to stare into the male's eyes — the tips of their noses alllllmost touching until komaeda leans away. )

...Because you're funny... thinking that anything good will come with being by my side. ( he chuckles, the way he exhales is breathy just like everything else he says. ) Ah... no matter, I'll be able to view your hope this way! Use me how you see fit.

( come on now, komaeda, be fair. it's half-truth.

sure, he was told that he was the "ultimate survivor," but he doesn't have a single memory tied to how it came to be. it feels empty; a hollow designation meant to paint a target on his back, as he's figured out. and even then... before it was given to him, he must have a real talent hidden underneath... shouldn't he? they wouldn't have a talentless high schooler participate in their school killing life, would they? that's what he figures, but just as he doesn't remember a thing about his "survivor" title, there's no title he remembers that ties into his actual life. with a jumble of memories and self-contradicting information, komaeda has a point: maybe he really is the ultimate confused individual.

but yeah, as komaeda's freak ass decides that he wants to come all up in amami's space, it's only natural for him to step back once or twice, looking kind of sheepish about the whole thing, and frankly a bit weirded out as komaeda matches each with a step forward. okay, uncomfortable. suspect. it's only once he leans back again that amami's eyes sharpen momentarily, as if assessing the other. )

...That's certainly one way to look at it.

( sir this is a wendy's. all amami wants is for you to act like a human. )

But if you're saying I get to call the shots, I'd rather you didn't treat me differently from anyone else. And I'm not a fan of threats either, so can we not?

( his voice is tired and unimpressed; so much for an investigation partner. not that he's giving up. )

I just want to know if you've noticed anywhere we could look to find out more about this place.

Now, now... I'm treating you like every other Ultimate.

( there's a split here, but is amami smart enough to see it in the way that komaeda speaks? he only mentions a certain group while everyone else gets what they get, but the people he cherishes are the ones that he acts lower to. komaeda may not know the entirety of the other's life, but the energy he gives off that makes komaeda more attentive to him than anything else in his surroundings is enough of a reason to keep doing what he's doing. if he treated him like anything else, anything less than there would be a problem in the way he works. )

I know my place, and if I were to threaten you... I'd fail miserably.

( he looks off to the side now, staring at the slip of papers he's been messing with for awhile since he's found it. the other doesn't know, but komaeda does as he looks back to the other as if contemplating what to say. he could leave it, move on to see if the ultimate will figure it out himself. turning away, komaeda walks over to the wall as he presses his finger to the side as to not touch the deteriorating pieces of paper already there. )

You mean something like this?

( it's hard to read because even without komaeda tampering with it, some of the words have still managed to disappear, damaged by the fire that scorched the place. )

▓he woods are o▓▓ ▓▓▓▓▓▓ to all students. T▓ere will be no w▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ed for ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓.
When the▓▓▓▓stle blows, line up qu▓▓▓ly. Those who tarry shal▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓hind.
Run▓▓▓g in the ha▓▓s is prohibite▓.
Students may not g▓▓▓er in groups of five or great▓▓▓
Sil▓nce is enfo▓▓▓▓ in the library unti▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓mplete. Do ▓▓▓ let it hear you.

( yeah, those answers don't really work for amami. in fact, they kinda piss him off more, but it's not like there's much he can do about it. even if he's clear about when something bothers him, he does what he can to remain calm about it, so... whatever! maybe it's a good thing he didn't say anything meaner than he did, too, because he'd actually kind of regret it a moment later. imagine actually going off and then the guy you're mad at comes out that he was about to show you what you wanted the whole time anyway? insane. amami has been spared. narrowly.

actually though, his reaction is a bit delayed. wider, curious eyes as he approaches, though they flicker back to komaeda with faint, buried suspicion, let him just take a look at what komaeda's got to show him, and: )

Are these... the school rules?

( they're different from the ones he saw though. just as bizarre, but "running in the halls is prohibited" sounds more like a school rule than... well, any of the others he saw. he reads through the charred, damaged words again, and again, and after a moment, he returns his attention to komaeda. )

Wait, have you known about these the whole time?

( and after claiming to be useless??? hello??? amami was right, tf — something good has come from being at komaeda's side. )

...

( he makes distance between the charred school rules and the ultimate, not wanting to be too close that he makes him uncomfortable. he thinks like this, always has, and he makes sure to look off to the side so he doesn't make unwarranted eye contact. his eyes fall upon the holds in the floor by the unfortunate strokes of his luck, some that he remember tripping in, but saving him from something life-threatening.

it's not like he isn't listening, the other has his full attention, and komaeda continues to remain silent from his inquiry. whether he has known about these rules, or if he's already shared them is up in the air, but the information he knows about it in compare to what the ultimate is seeing is a little loose. there were more words in areas, but as time goes on, the writing starts to lose its value, and becomes more than something left to a person's imagination. )

They're degrading, it's different from when I first saw it.

( yet with every letter that it loses, there's not a new one in another spot's place. crossing his arms, he sighs disappointed in the news that he's gained from checking it again. )

And that's without me touching it, so it probably ages more with time.

( he notices komaeda putting distance between them. it would be hard not to, really, but the message comes across loud and clear as far as amami is concerned. actually, a likely unintentional one too — he can't help but take a quick look around him out of paranoia thanks to the fact. what, is this some kind of trap? the floor seems sturdy enough, and the tiles of the ceiling above him seem to be in place, so it should be fine but... either way, it pulls a grimace from him. he's able to set aside the matter for now though; there's something far more important for him to focus on. )

Yeah, I can tell — looks pretty old, and unless you're really going out of your way, paper is pretty quick to go.

( from the state this place is in? he's surprised that even this much is legible. either way, amami is reading what he can make out of the lines over and over again: committing them to memory. after a few moments, he'll spare a glance back to komaeda. )

Do you know what parts are missing?

( komaeda could say no, but since an ultimate is speaking to him, he pulls out the note in his hand that has a bit more text than what the other has seen. there's still a few spots missing, but it's easier to make out what one or two of the sentence might be. he doesn't hand it over, though, instead he reads it himself before looking to the other. moving back over, he looks at how much has disappeared over the course of time, and it's not that bad — some can still be read, one being about the halls, and maybe the group of students. )

Silence is enforced in the library until something's complete. Do not let it hear you...

( that's pretty obvious, anyone could read from that amount of text that's disappeared. komaeda has more to add in from the top though, which he points out as well. )

The woods are off limits to all students.

( they have woods close by, and that's something maya has told him about, but her response was there was nothing wrong with them. that people could go back and forth through them as they please. that may be true now, but komaeda has his reservations on what the truth is anymore considering the type of place they're in. real water here, but everything about them burned to a crisp, the blood water there, and the school perfectly normal. )

Isn't it strange how different the rules are, and these only exist here, for now...

...

( silence... it? like the clown bitch? okay but amami's mind really is turning, listening to komaeda read off the rules — all he can think about is the sense of mounting dread that gathered into a pit in his stomach when he tried to speak there, the way that, no matter how he tried, not a sound would come out. he hadn't understood it initially, accepting it as a simple fact of the place after otherwise learning about it, but with this... he can't help but be more curious. )

Even if we can only find the copy here, clearly at least one of those rules sticks around in the other building.

( it's hard to express his thoughts more precisely than that; everything else becomes a confused tangle that he has yet to sort out. there are a lot of missing pieces in this puzzle, and it's hard to know where each of the ones they do have access to begin to connect. mirrors, the library, the sealed entrances, the ruined building and (suspiciously) clean water in it... the only conclusion amami can reach for certain, is that this place must be important to understanding where they are. after a pause, he'll glance back to komaeda. )

Anyway, if you have it written down, do you mind letting me write a copy too? When we get back.

( he didn't have the forethought to bring a notebook with him. )

( what he's learning is that this one has a lot going on, searching into things that he shouldn't, and must be trying to find a way to connect the dots. it's admirable, considering komaeda's never seen him before, but that doesn't stop him from learning about his surroundings. that sort of hope depending on what he got here is noticeable, rather bright if komaeda can so so himself, and he can. he's too attuned to hope, despair and talent that he sees more of the former than it's insignificant twin. in response, the curiosity in komaeda's eyes switch into this pure adoration, simple as it is. ultimates are beings that can't fail him, couldn't if they tried — their hope is enough to overweigh anything else, as long as they're a beacon to the world. )

If that's what you want I'll be happy to pass it along to you.

( then he's ready to put the note back into his pocket, in his left with a light little pat, and that's more than enough emphasis of where it is. raising his arms, he crosses them in front of his chest before placing distance between him and the other again. )

Aside from that... that's all I've been able to find.

( there's the thing about the wind outside of the school, but he's unable to equate that to what's going on here, so he decides not to mention it. without knowing how much the other knows, komaeda isn't going to ramble about every odd thing that's happened here, so he's better off biding his time when his fellow ultimate is confused. his eyes finally meet with the others, staring at the other as he waits for his response. )

Thanks, I appreciate it.

( and he means it! look at that, they're working together and everything, amami's genuinely a bit relieved. maybe he's becoming too used to being a sketchy guy or something, but having someone who's willing to help him out actually does feel like... it counts for a bit to him, y'know? buteven if that look is a little bit much, he offers up a smile anyway, stepping away from the ruleset for the time being. )

It's a good place to start though. Even if we can't find anything else, it's better than having nothing at all.

( like, now they know that something lives in the library! absolutely horrifying, thanks, but better than thinking the place is safe. which he wouldn't anyway, because: )

Speaking of the library, that's where I woke up. You should remember, right — with the... ( grimaces ) jar.

( think they're related? )

Yeah... The fingernails.

( staring at his palm, his flips his hand to the side to stare at the one that's still healing. it was an accident at the start of the school when he met with ishimaru, but it's odd that it would appear like that. to think that a jar like that just happens to exist by no rhyme or reason, but komaeda already figured out this school is different. it's not normal, hell, look at where they are now. )

That was the first time I ever seen it there... I wonder...

( if that just happened to be be there because it was coded in, just like everything else when a person is put into a simulation. he doesn't make a point of it yet, but he does allow his hand to drop down by his side once again, looking towards the other as his thumb brushes against his nails, and then across the one that's still healing. it's not as sensitive so it doesn't hurt to touch, but it is a reminder that whatever is taking their nails truly live in the library. )

Unless... I got it all wrong, and that was your personal jar.

Um, no.

( not really sure what else to say to that. it's not his jar. he doesn't want it to be his jar. this entire jar incident is just something that he'd like to put out of his mind, if it weren't for the fact that... well, it's exactly because it isn't his that he figures he should probably keep it in mind. )

But I guess that alone is enough for us to keep it in mind.

( the things that don't make sense are the things that they should be investigating, or something. )

I wonder...

( if it doesn't belong to him, then that means it just happened to appear out of the blue. tapping his chin, he looks towards amami curiously while trying to find something in his eyes, maybe a sign that he's lying. though in those eyes, komaeda can only find himself looking longingly, and then he stops by looking away. lifting one hand, he stares into the center as he follows the lifelines that spreads here and there. )

Can I ask your opinion...? A talented Ultimate like yourself would have something worthwhile to say.

I'd like to think there's more to my opinion than a talent I can't remember.

( really, legitimately, he's unsure how this guy even knows he has a talent in the first place; it isn't as if he's gone and told anybody of the fact. why would he, when he can't even follow it up with what it is? all he's done is confirm that, well, he probably does have one, and based on that alone... being treated so differently over it is kind of jarring.

anyway, amami returns his attention to him, and... this guy really likes to look at his hand, huh. )

If you still want to hear it though, I don't see why not. What's up?

You don't...?

( alarming, familiar, and komaeda pauses as he stares at him instead of his palm. his attention is focused more on the fact of what he knows than bringing up something that could lead them further into what they don't know. he sighs softly, and the expression is wears is filled with doubt. there's no way, he's unable to believe it. )

You feel just like a...

( he doesn't remember? the importance of a talent is how their hope is ranked, and his is probably a pretty strong one, but he doesn't remember? komaeda's caught off guard as he takes a step away, putting more distance between them.

this has happened once to him, but the things that happened later made up for it, but the same trope can't be used twice? right? ) An unusual character... ah, what am I saying... You have a talent regardless...

I mean, I guess I might? Probably. But I dunno, I don't think I really compare to some of the other Ultimates. I've been wondering if maybe it was just a mistake or something.

( you sorta have to be at least a little bit insane to have a talent, right? as far as amami's concerned, his own insanity kind of goes right over his head, so of course he has some trouble believing that he belongs after meeting some of the other ultimates.

he doesn't mind the doubt that crosses the other's expression, something almost resembling disappointment; he supposes he can add on just a little bit more though. )

Not that I don't want to have one — like, what if it's something cool, y'know?

Mmm... don't give up, I can tell you're a talented individual.

( being able to feel hope, despair and talent probably comes at a price, but he's always been able to differentiate when speaking to someone, or just being close by. that's how he was able to find amami in the first place when he was located in the library. ah, but this isn't his sad story, it's more the other's for not being able to remember his. )

Besides, you could have used it now! Maybe... Ultimate Stalker!

( because he did kind of follow komaeda around until he got to the school rules, he was pretty good at that, but komaeda had a feeling some talented individual was after him. ) There's also Ultimate Optimism, but... ( maybe that's for a more excitable person, not like amami isn't, but they usual have more energy. )

Ultimate Stalker sounds better!

I'm not sure I'd want to be the Ultimate Stalker. I mean, who would I even stalk? And why?

( also, it's not cool. he wants something interesting, something that feels like it suits who he is, and something that... doesn't make him sound like a grade-A creep, to be honest. being an optimist is a huge step up, but at the same time? )

Optimism sounds off too. I try to put in an effort, but in the end, I'd consider myself more of a realist, y'know?

( he shakes his head, looking tired. )

Honestly, it's not like I haven't tried to figure it out. It's just, no matter how much I do, I can't remember anything about it.

You stalked me, how else did you follow me so efficiently?

( like he thought before, he knew, but you know, someone could have made their person known before stumbling up on him! even though komaeda spoke first. )

Yeah, I thought so too. You lack the energy, but it might be interesting.

( like someone else's, but there's no time thinking about them right now — he wouldn't want to delay their goal any more than komaeda already has. ) Ultimate Amnesiac sounds pretty on brand too, but... perhaps this school will help you remember.

( for once, it seems like komaeda is putting his lower worth aside as he pats the other on his shoulder reassuringly, and then down that same arm drops back by his side. )

Well maybe if you weren't walking so fast, I could have called out to you earlier...

( this isn't his fault, hello? the pat on his shoulder feels kind of... condescending, or maybe the word is factitious? either way, amami's not really a fan, and he kind of makes a face. )

I don't think that's a real talent, but... yeah. Maybe it just needs time.

( not like he got a lot of it before he ended up here, depressing as the thought is. )

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commences - 2021-05-28 06:05 (UTC) - Expand

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sisters - 2021-05-28 06:07 (UTC) - Expand

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nice colors

komaeda — 05/21, dark yogen

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🚨 V3 spoilers 🚨

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