let out a sigh for another day ( OPEN TO ALL )

[mermaidcursed]

WHO: Nene and You !
WHAT: Nene Yashiro explores a bit !
WHEN: Over Spring Break

[ This isn't the first time Nene has found herself in a strange place. But even that had been at Kamome, with school grounds she was familiar with, knew all too well even before she met Hanako-kun... and she had everyone she knew and loved at hand. Things were strange, yes, but she wasn't alone in unfamiliar territory. She didn't know anything about this school, save for scraps that made almost no sense.

But she's here. She's here, and she can't call on Hanako-kun to save her. ... She never did like being the princess in the tower, though. So throughout the break you may find her various places.

You might find her at Class 1-B, examining her own desk- or what she remembers to be her desk?- or other things. Maybe the teacher left something at their own desk! Or maybe she's glaring at spring break homework that has the audacity to exist. She's been working on it, she just is mad that it's there.

You may find her in the home economics room... or rather, rooms. If she's not going over sewing supplies- and stumbling over an odd coin hidden in a pin cushion?- then she's in the cooking room, looking over leftover ingredients and recipes. ]

Oh- I thought that I might be able to make something for us to eat... we can't just live on vending machine snacks.

[ There's only basic ingredients... but it's definitely workable!

Other times, you may find her in the Clock Tower. Admittedly, there's nothing to do there, not really. But she can see the outside. The sky feels wistfully far away, and the boarded up building and broken fencing are... suspicious. But there's not much she can do about it. All she can do is watch the outside world go by.

Between any of these moments, Nene is exploring less conventional places. Maybe it looks like she's just looking around... and technically, she is! But in her defense, she's been watching the hidden supernatural world for months now. The fact that it's suddenly gone... it can't be, right? The mokke have to just be hiding. They're probably scared too. Right? ]

Comments

[trialbyliar]

[Kokichi's not sure what to make of this whole situation. The vague "memories" are unsettling, but not completely baffling. He'd had doubts about the validity of his memories in the last place too, right? The setup now is just a little different. If this is all set up by the same people somehow (what are the chances this is entirely unrelated? How could be go from his last moments at the Ultimate Academy to this without there being some crossover?) then it only adds evidence to his existing theories.

But setting that aside for now, said memories mean he isn't wandering around lost, at least. There's an unusual sense of familiarity as he lets his feet guide him to the home ec room. He hasn't been there before in his conscious memory, but he still knows regardless. So which memories are the fakes? Is any of it real? He can't get complacent here, it took him too long to figure things out last time, so–

That train of thought pauses as he opens the door and finds the room already occupied. Ah, damn. He quickly plasters a look of surprise on over his blank thinking face, leaning in the doorway and making a show of looking around.]

Wowww, we even had a classroom like this here? So cool!!

[mermaidcursed]

Oh- yeah!!

[ Wow, he's super enthusiastic, huh? It's kind of cute, actually. But she can't say she was expecting company. More... important things to do, she supposes. Places to investigate. Classrooms to languish in. Things like that. ]

It looks like it's split in half, so that the cooking supplies and sewing supplies don't get mixed together- and there's a workshop across the hall, too.

[ she's helping!!!

Still, Nene isn't sure if he's going to stay or go. Maybe he's just getting a better look at things with the lights on. ]

[trialbyliar]

[Oh good. The kind of person who jumps to helpfulness without even being asked. That's handy information.

He seems intent on staying, though. Kokichi bounces inside the room, spinning like it's all brand new and nodding as she explains the setup. He's clearly just super jazzed about cooking or specialized classrooms or something.]

How fancy! What a nice school to be trapped in, huh? Waaay better than the last one!

[He sounds so at ease, all conversational as he darts over to peek inside one of the supply cabinets on the sewing side. It looks like idle curiosity, but he's quickly taking rapid stock of what they've got on hand and scanning for something specific.

With a contented humming, he starts rummaging through it all, pulling out a pincushion and peering at it.]

[mermaidcursed]

[ Excuse me? Sir? Sir are you okay. With genuine concern written in the twist of her brows and the loss of her smile, Nene stops what she's doing almost completely. ]

The... last one? Did this happen to you before?

[ Considering the clashing memories- and the headache that comes with them- and the lack of anywhere to sleep and barely enough food for everyone, that's. Incredibly concerning!

Not that she could say anything, given that the last thing from home that she remembers is escaping the painting, a false school with the threat of false memories of it's own fast approaching. ]

[trialbyliar]

Yeah, I'm practically making a habit of it. I must be suuuper unlucky! Or maybe I did something really awful and this is just karma?

[That one's a bit too real, even if he's the one saying it. He resists an instinctual wince, his vapidly cheery expression not budging an inch as he continues to play with the pincushion. Gosh, look at all those pins and needles...

(It's with a deft bit of sleight of hand that he nicks a few of the larger ones, disappearing them up his sleeve without missing a beat. Real lockpicking is more complicated than just sticking a hairpin in a lock, despite what games and movies would have people believe, but he didn't wake up with his actual lockpicks, and beggars can't be choosers. He'll make do with whatever he can get his hands on.)

It's only as he's apparently grown bored of the pincushion and moves to put it away that he actually looks at the girl with a bright smile.]

Oh, but that's a lie, so you can stop making that face.

[mermaidcursed]

[ Nene isn't sure what to make of this boy. Bright smiles and words that fall apart at a whim, really- but only his. Even if she was the one who perhaps knew this room the best, it felt like she was just being swept along for his amusement. ]

That wasn't funny, I was seriously concerned!

[ She's trying not to pout, but it's not really working for her. She's the sort of girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. The complete opposite of her new company, really... not that she'd know. ]

[trialbyliar]

[Instantly, he looks all apologetic. The energentic, easygoing manner doesn't slip. Rather, he just looks like a innocently rambunctious kid who made a mistake.]

Sorryyy. The thing is, I have a problem...

[He sighs, expression going almost embarrassed.]

See, I'm a compulsive liar. I really can't help it! But I totally don't wanna make you feel like I'm trying to trick you, so that's why I'm telling you right now, okay?

[mermaidcursed]

[ And now she feels bad for scolding him, oh no. She isn't sure what to do in a situation like this, honestly- after a moment, she sighs. ]

I'm sorry. I'll do better in the future, okay?

[ So here's hoping that goes well! Oh, she's so innocent.

Nene closes the box of the sewing kit and slides it back into place, mostly to be polite. Since he's here, he should be her main focus, right? ]

My name is Nene Yashiro. It's nice to meet you.

[trialbyliar]

[Aaand he perks right back up. Kokichi practically bounces on the balls if his feet, beaming at her.]

Awww, you're so nice!! I toootally wanna be friends with you!!

[Maybe if he was dealing with someone who wasn't buying his bullshit, that'd be quickly followed by another "but that's a lie". But someone this gullible? It's better to play the long game and put on a nice face. It's like Gonta all over again.

Not that he's thinking about Gonta. That's one of those things he is pointedly Not Thinking About for his own sanity.]

I'm Kokichi Ouma, the Ultimate Supreme Leader! Let's be good friends, okay Yashiro-chan?

[mermaidcursed]

[ She should have known he'd say that. And she doesn't disagree- friends are awesome! But something is unsettling and she doesn't know what or why, but it feels like a familiar flutter in the back of her mind and she hates it. It's...

It's probably just nerves. Really. Everything here is really stressful. So she gives a small smile. ]

Okay. But, um... what do you mean by "supreme leader"? [ Because that phrase is a yikes and a half. ]

[trialbyliar]

[Yeah, that's the rational reaction. At least Nene isn't completely oblivious. But Kokichi doesn't miss a bit, carrying on completely casually.]

Oh, I'm just the head of an evil secret organization, that's all.

[mermaidcursed]

... Ah. Well. That would certainly explain it.

[ Something tells her to just go with it. But that sure is a thing to say! ... Maybe she should stop hanging out in the sewing room, because she sure is running into a lot of unusual sorts here. ]

[trialbyliar]

[Jesus christ. She really is too trusting. This is when people usually accuse him of lying. Even if he's telling the truth for once, kinda.

He just grins, gesturing as if to wave off the absurdity of the whole situation.]

That's a lie, of course.

[He hops up to sit himself on the edge of a table. Which, unfortunately for Nene, implies he doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon.]

The evil part, I mean. Honestly, I'd say we're chaotic neutral at worst.

[mermaidcursed]

That's what I expected, honestly...

[ Until he confirms that there is in fact an organization. And, well, people who say they're chaotic neutral tend to be........................... not that. But they've only just met, she doesn't want to make judgements! She doesn't mind company though, though she doesn't stop checking the different boxes either. What kind of blankets should she make...? ]

I-I see. Then... what do you do?

[ oh no why is she still asking questions. ]

[trialbyliar]

Anything we want! Or, anything I want, really. But my loyal minions only want to serve me, so it's basically the same thing!

[He carries on in that enthusiastic manner, his grin just the tiniest bit sly, and it's not really obvious just from his manner whether or not he's lying now. Snickering, he kicks his feet like a little kid where they dangle off the edge of the table.]

Buuut I probably shouldn't say anything else. It's a secret organization, after all. You've already heard too much! Normally I'd have to kill you just for that.

[mermaidcursed]

[ Her heart stops for a moment. She's been trying not to think about such things, but when he says things like that... It wouldn't have bothered her so much before, she's sure of it. (It would.) But with everything going on she doesn't hear Kokichi for a moment, but a jubilant boy who talks about how much he loves his brother and how much he wants to hurt him in the same breath, and a girl who can't tell him 'no, this is wrong' because of a contract. And if she stills for a bit too long, she makes no mention of it herself. When she responds, her smile is a bit shaky. ]

You shouldn't joke about such things, Ouma-kun, even if you're being truthful about the organization.

[trialbyliar]

[That doesn't escape his notice. Despite his whole attitude, he's actually quite perceptive, especially where people are concerned. And it's honestly kind of amazing – in a ridiculous way – that she's so shaken by his nonsense.

So he waves off her scolding, seemingly unphased.]

Jeez, that was obviously a lie! I could neeeever hurt someone so nice! Yashiro-chan's kind of gullible, huh? I'm kinda worried about you now...

[It sounds more teasing than genuinely concerned, though. Not cruel, just lighthearted.]

my hobby is dropping weird but totally true sentences about my muses canon in narration

[mermaidcursed]

Well- you're not the first person to say that.

[ But he's also not the first person to casually declare that she should die. ]

I really should work on it. But I want to be able to trust people.

[ She should have been working on it since the moment she was first kidnapped via fishbowl ambush, really. She knows this. But it's not in her nature. ]

nene........honey............

[trialbyliar]

[In his (flimsy) defense, it wasn't should die. Just, know. You know too much, gonna have to kill you, except nah.

There's a part of him that wants to roll his eyes at that – he's already had to listen to too many idiots ignoring facts because they ~trusted~ each other, and it would have gotten them killed had more rational minds not prevailed. but he maintains his cheery expression. At least there isn't an actual murdergame going on here (that they know of yet, anyway). Still fucky, still foolish to have that much blind faith, but she's not quite as bad as certain people who will not be named.]

You're the type that gets taken advantage of a lot, aren't you?

[ kokichi you can't just say this shit ]

Well, that's why you make friends with more suspicious people! Someone's gotta be wary of all the bad people out there, right?

she's doing her best.

[mermaidcursed]

( for a moment she thinks back to a class rep using her interest in him to get her to do a days work for him when he wanted to go home early, or a certain upperclassman luring her to an empty hallway where a horrid jerk waited with a bucket of water and a waiting fishbowl. and that moment's probably answer enough. she just... hides her face in her hands for a moment, and speaks weakly. )

I swear I'm trying to work on that.

( because she really, really is. )

Ah- I can't say I've heard that logic before...? But it does make sense.