[ Maple appears to be in a good mood, perfectly content as she goes about her business, in and out of the kitchen, but catching sight of her puts Alice on edge. It isn't Maple herself — rather, he expects Midori to pop up somewhere without warning, and he readies himself to remain alert. Maple seems fine, at any rate, and much calmer than he remembers her prior to the aftermath of her rampage. Functioning normally, day after day, she must be fully charged at all times...
Lost in thought, Alice jumps upon being addressed, free hand darting up to land pressed against his chest. For any onlooker, it might be strange to see a man of his stature and build look so startled by a girl considerably smaller than him, especially when she hasn't done anything besides smiling at him and asking him a polite question. He stares at Maple, meeting her eyes. They aren't changing color, at least. ]
Ah... Maple...
[ He can't help but wonder what Midori did to her, back then in that operating room. Did he repair her, truly? ]
That is, no, I'm not waiting for anyone. I'm simply...
[ There's no harm in the truth. Maple probably thinks that he's on the lookout for Midori, which is also true, but he can't do that every second of every day without drawing attention to himself. Alice lowers his other hand from his head, waving it in the direction of the kitchen. ]
I'm undertaking an investigation. The refrigerator's contents can't have been purchased from the vending machines, you see... [ He pauses, a second's hesitation. ] What of you? You came back...
( her eyes slowly return to the kitchen behind her, lingering for a moment as she processes the words into understanding, and her gaze returns to alice once she reaches her apparent conclusion. )
You want to know where the food comes from?
( it seems reasonable; if it doesn't come from the vending machine, then where? or so she supposes he might be thinking. still, it's not something she feels she can be particularly helpful with. shaking her head with a frown, her brows push together in unspoken apology as she explains. )
I only tend to make tea in the kitchen here. If it's snacks, I usually prepare them in the school so that I can share them with the clubs who are meeting that day, so I don't know who looks after the food. Would you like me to keep an eye on it?
[ He can't conceal his astonishment, hearing her offer. It is an offer, right? She isn't testing him, and if he gives her the wrong answer, she'll begin to cry or grow angry?
Just as astonishing is the realization that since preparing tea and snacks involves using ingredients that have to be procured from somewhere, too, Maple knows how to access such items freely, which is close enough to solving the refrigerator mystery and securing the same permission! ]
Well, I won't ask you to go to that much trouble, but if you happen to observe something useful, I wouldn't turn down your findings. So you make use of any tea available in the kitchen? And there are even supplies at everyone's disposal in the school?
[ Come to think of it, another astonishing thing is the fact that Maple's usual state seems to be this, as if she wasn't built for a different purpose... Is she having fun here? ]
( what a strange reaction to an offer, to look so shocked. as if maple is as cruel as the majority game's participants. she loses nothing from keeping an eye out though, and simply watches him with her big green eyes as she tries to solve the puzzle of why he... seems so puzzled by this concept. )
Of course. If we can't leave the school, then what else are we to do?
( is she just supposed to not make tea? no, of course not. hiyori had said that she should feel perfectly safe in taking from the shared kitchens, and so that's how she has carried on. )
I also use the fabrics in the sewing room, and the stationary in the art room. They're there for students, after all.
[ Has he been a fool...? Are all of those things really available to just anyone, with no expectation that they need to provide something in exchange for everything they use? Merit points are depleted too easily, and no one has a bank account here. Yet Maple is undeniable proof that all the supplies are unclaimed, their use free of charge! Moreover, they seem to be safe for humans. ]
You're right... They're there for students, and we have become students in this place.
[ Alice nods firmly. He'll try it — there's no reason to hold back now! The library must have a section that contains recipe books. The sewing room could be useful as well, albeit only for people who have the skill to sew or knit — by the sound of it, Maple is a multi-talented Obstructor indeed. ]
( maple returns his nod with one of her own, and pressing the tips of her fingers together, offers a smile. )
Oh, yes. It's smaller than before, but there are so many people.
( people—the one thing that had made the facility, so vast, feel so small and confined. of course there was plenty of room to wander, but don't forget: maple is a lonely girl, after all. the opportunity to meet so many different people, to hear so many new perspectives and make so many friends, there's simply no way that she wouldn't enjoy the experience.
though, it would be rude for her to talk only about herself, wouldn't it? lacing her fingers together to clasp her hands tightly, she's expectant now: )
What about you, Alice? Are you enjoying your time here?
[ People? That's what makes Maple happy, meeting others? She did mention taking care of snacks for the school clubs, Alice supposes — it sounds like she really was lonely before, in that room of hers. His heart aches to hear it, somehow, even knowing that Maple is technically a machine, and a weapon. Conversing with her like this, without her cycling through emotions, it could be easy to forget that she isn't an ordinary girl who just likes to wear somewhat unusual hair accessories.
It's certainly less stressful than scrambling to soothe her while some people insist on clumsy methods... ]
It's... not a bad place.
[ It really isn't; enjoyable moments aren't that rare, despite the situation, and various incidents. The positive aspects should be acknowledged, and Alice decides that he'd rather focus on that for Maple's ears than on anything unwelcome. He smiles at her in turn. ]
I'm truly glad that you like it, Maple. All your new friends must keep you quite busy... No doubt the tea and snacks are popular!
( maple nods along, happy to agree with alice's observations. it's a lovely place, she thinks; certainly, it's no worse than ASUNARO had been. she has hiyori, she has an environment to explore, and most importantly, she has friends with whom she can spend her days. death continues, but as sad as it maybe, it's a constant, is it not? humans live, and humans die. her only regret is that among the recent victims, one of them seems to have been someone ranger had held dear.
but all of that is so heavy. alice is being kind, complimenting her as he is, and so it's natural for her to continue smiling. )
Oh, yes! Just the other day, Hiyori and I were sharing tea with Add.
( she claps her hands together, tilting them to the side just so to show that she's delighted by this news. that's not even the best of it; tea and a conversation, that's enough to bring a smile to her face in its own right, but during this particular conversation she had the opportunity to learn something special. )
Heehee, did you know? He has quite the sweet tooth, just like Hiyori does.
[ That is surprising news! It's troubling to hear that Midori was present, particularly after the recent disastrous meeting led to a falling out between Komaeda and Add (would Midori approach anyone without scheming something?), but Add seems standoffish and guarded enough that he probably wouldn't agree to tea with most people, sweet tooth or no. If Maple is speaking of it so happily, they must get along amazingly well.
Loath to spoil her good cheer with any misstep, Alice tries to keep his own smile from faltering. If nothing else, Midori hasn't actually done anything suspicious, merely sitting around with his bottomless teacup, and Maple isn't suffering here. That peace is worth preserving. ]
I've been one of his roommates for a while now, but I didn't know that at all...
[ And Add hasn't returned to Star 4 lately, so it seems that the perfect room, as Komaeda described it, is well and truly no more. ]
It sounds like he already appreciates your company, even showing you an unexpected side of his personality!
So you think so too? Ehehe, I'd like to become good friends with Add, he's so kind.
( perhaps it's true that he'd like to come off as a no-nonsense type, or so it would seem, but actions speak louder than words; from the very beginning, add has shown nothing but concern for ranger, and generosity towards maple. he and hiyori had so much in common as well, that it's difficult for maple not to have a high opinion of him. already, she thinks she'd like to become closer, but perhaps there's a way for alice to help her with that. her smile is bright, green eyes sparkling as she looks up at him. )
But I'm sure as his roommate, there must be things you've learned about him too, isn't that right? Maybe we can share stories.
[ The more they chat, the easier it is to relax, and to keep up the conversation. It helps that Maple doesn't view him as a murderer, as far as he knows, nor anything else unflattering, and her innocent excitement is genuinely endearing. He's having fun himself, he finds.
But how to share something that matches what Maple has discovered on her own? It needs to evoke the same delight! One hand's fingers curled against his chin, Alice gives it a few taps, thoughtful.
It wouldn't be a good idea to bring up the anatomical model, he imagines — unless it's evidence that Add yearns for companionship? As for Add's other belongings, and Massacre, presumably Maple knows of his affinity for robots and the like, so that isn't news. His abilities are complicated, as well as associated with rather off-putting memories now, what with that unfortunate detour during the school trip...
Hmm! ]
Indeed... Now that you mention it, Maple, I have learned valuable information about Addward of Star 4!
[ Since Add doesn't hide this particular piece of information from his roommates, and Maple thinks so highly of him, discussing it openly shouldn't be a problem! ]
For example... he owns a plushie that faithfully sits beside his pillow, so it's undoubtedly a treasured possession!
A plushie... He is rather young, isn't he? Even if he's mature for his age, I'm sure you're right — it must be important.
( the definition of the word mature is used a little flexibly here, but he's remarkably intelligent for such a small little guy, and maple has to pay her respects to that somehow after the conversation between him and hiyori. it's a good topic choice though, and it's easy to tell that she's interest in it from the way she nods along, humming thoughtfully before she follows up with another question. )
What kind of plushie is it?
( if it's a rabbit, or a bear... maybe she can keep that in mind for him. she's certain that if she sets her mind to it, she can find some way to incorporate it into things... already, she's flipping through the different types of things she could prepare, depending on what type of plushie it is. actually...
[ Maple's reaction confirms that the plushie was quite possibly the most valuable piece of Star 4 information to divulge. She really seems charmed by the notion that Add owns a cherished squishy companion that he might cuddle reverently from time to time when there's no one around to witness it... Pleased, Alice brightens in kind, if not with Maple's sweet sparkling.
Now to answer her questions—
What kind of plushie is it? It resembles a cow, perhaps...? ]
Of course! A mere verbal description isn't sufficient. Nevertheless, it's black in color, and it has two large horns, two rounded ears, and a snout...
[ Extending his right arm, as if to escort Maple from the common room to Star 4, Alice motions for her to follow him. ]
This way — soon you shall see it with your own eyes...
[ In fact, once they reach the room, and Alice holds the door open for Maple, standing out of the way to let her enter, she'll have a good view of Star 4 in its entirety, from the odd plant to the beds. Perched on one of the single beds, watching over the pillow, there it is: Add's plushie, long horns framing a stitched pentagram on its forehead. ]
( a dragon? is it a dragon? its description sounds like it might be one — oh, it's kind of like a game, isn't it? she runs the possibilities through her mind as they make their way to the room, an absent finger tapping against her lips as she thinks them through, though she switches to clasping her hands in front of her as she's led to the bedroom they share. at first, she peers in through the doorway, as if to look for it from there — but at alice's gentlemanly door-holding, she offers a smile and steps inside. )
Oh, it's so cute!
( closing the distance between herself and the bed, maple crouches down and holds her knees to keep herself steady as she gets a closer look at the plushie. in fact, she even reaches out to gently pet its head, as if it were a rabbit or some other type of small creature. they have to be gentle with add's friend, after all. )
Heehee, do you suppose it's keeping guard?
( the little guy looks so tough after all, with the horns and the pentagram. surely they're there to defend add's precious things while he's away. )
[ This secret first meeting between Maple and the dutiful plushie is truly cute to behold. She greets the pillow guardian with both polite respect and friendly warmth, touching the toy so carefully... If it could respond, Alice doesn't doubt that it would appreciate receiving due recognition.
Crossing the room, he joins Maple beside Add's bed for a closer look of his own — he's never done so before, and her questions have piqued his curiosity. To describe the plushie as fully cow-shaped is inaccurate... ]
Add is quite a mysterious fellow, so it wouldn't surprise me if his plushie is supposed to deter any intruders from coming too close. It never leaves its post...
[ Alice bends his knees to peer at the pentagram. Isn't that an occult symbol? The plushie could have some kind of ward woven into it! ]
Since we're allowed to enter the room and approach, it seems we have its approval, and therefore Add's! However, I don't recognize this animal...
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no subject
Lost in thought, Alice jumps upon being addressed, free hand darting up to land pressed against his chest. For any onlooker, it might be strange to see a man of his stature and build look so startled by a girl considerably smaller than him, especially when she hasn't done anything besides smiling at him and asking him a polite question. He stares at Maple, meeting her eyes. They aren't changing color, at least. ]
Ah... Maple...
[ He can't help but wonder what Midori did to her, back then in that operating room. Did he repair her, truly? ]
That is, no, I'm not waiting for anyone. I'm simply...
[ There's no harm in the truth. Maple probably thinks that he's on the lookout for Midori, which is also true, but he can't do that every second of every day without drawing attention to himself. Alice lowers his other hand from his head, waving it in the direction of the kitchen. ]
I'm undertaking an investigation. The refrigerator's contents can't have been purchased from the vending machines, you see... [ He pauses, a second's hesitation. ] What of you? You came back...
no subject
You want to know where the food comes from?
( it seems reasonable; if it doesn't come from the vending machine, then where? or so she supposes he might be thinking. still, it's not something she feels she can be particularly helpful with. shaking her head with a frown, her brows push together in unspoken apology as she explains. )
I only tend to make tea in the kitchen here. If it's snacks, I usually prepare them in the school so that I can share them with the clubs who are meeting that day, so I don't know who looks after the food. Would you like me to keep an eye on it?
no subject
[ He can't conceal his astonishment, hearing her offer. It is an offer, right? She isn't testing him, and if he gives her the wrong answer, she'll begin to cry or grow angry?
Just as astonishing is the realization that since preparing tea and snacks involves using ingredients that have to be procured from somewhere, too, Maple knows how to access such items freely, which is close enough to solving the refrigerator mystery and securing the same permission! ]
Well, I won't ask you to go to that much trouble, but if you happen to observe something useful, I wouldn't turn down your findings. So you make use of any tea available in the kitchen? And there are even supplies at everyone's disposal in the school?
[ Come to think of it, another astonishing thing is the fact that Maple's usual state seems to be this, as if she wasn't built for a different purpose... Is she having fun here? ]
no subject
Of course. If we can't leave the school, then what else are we to do?
( is she just supposed to not make tea? no, of course not. hiyori had said that she should feel perfectly safe in taking from the shared kitchens, and so that's how she has carried on. )
I also use the fabrics in the sewing room, and the stationary in the art room. They're there for students, after all.
no subject
You're right... They're there for students, and we have become students in this place.
[ Alice nods firmly. He'll try it — there's no reason to hold back now! The library must have a section that contains recipe books. The sewing room could be useful as well, albeit only for people who have the skill to sew or knit — by the sound of it, Maple is a multi-talented Obstructor indeed. ]
Then... you're enjoying yourself here, I take it?
no subject
Oh, yes. It's smaller than before, but there are so many people.
( people—the one thing that had made the facility, so vast, feel so small and confined. of course there was plenty of room to wander, but don't forget: maple is a lonely girl, after all. the opportunity to meet so many different people, to hear so many new perspectives and make so many friends, there's simply no way that she wouldn't enjoy the experience.
though, it would be rude for her to talk only about herself, wouldn't it? lacing her fingers together to clasp her hands tightly, she's expectant now: )
What about you, Alice? Are you enjoying your time here?
no subject
It's certainly less stressful than scrambling to soothe her while some people insist on clumsy methods... ]
It's... not a bad place.
[ It really isn't; enjoyable moments aren't that rare, despite the situation, and various incidents. The positive aspects should be acknowledged, and Alice decides that he'd rather focus on that for Maple's ears than on anything unwelcome. He smiles at her in turn. ]
I'm truly glad that you like it, Maple. All your new friends must keep you quite busy... No doubt the tea and snacks are popular!
no subject
but all of that is so heavy. alice is being kind, complimenting her as he is, and so it's natural for her to continue smiling. )
Oh, yes! Just the other day, Hiyori and I were sharing tea with Add.
( she claps her hands together, tilting them to the side just so to show that she's delighted by this news. that's not even the best of it; tea and a conversation, that's enough to bring a smile to her face in its own right, but during this particular conversation she had the opportunity to learn something special. )
Heehee, did you know? He has quite the sweet tooth, just like Hiyori does.
no subject
Loath to spoil her good cheer with any misstep, Alice tries to keep his own smile from faltering. If nothing else, Midori hasn't actually done anything suspicious, merely sitting around with his bottomless teacup, and Maple isn't suffering here. That peace is worth preserving. ]
I've been one of his roommates for a while now, but I didn't know that at all...
[ And Add hasn't returned to Star 4 lately, so it seems that the perfect room, as Komaeda described it, is well and truly no more. ]
It sounds like he already appreciates your company, even showing you an unexpected side of his personality!
no subject
( perhaps it's true that he'd like to come off as a no-nonsense type, or so it would seem, but actions speak louder than words; from the very beginning, add has shown nothing but concern for ranger, and generosity towards maple. he and hiyori had so much in common as well, that it's difficult for maple not to have a high opinion of him. already, she thinks she'd like to become closer, but perhaps there's a way for alice to help her with that. her smile is bright, green eyes sparkling as she looks up at him. )
But I'm sure as his roommate, there must be things you've learned about him too, isn't that right? Maybe we can share stories.
( gossip with her, alice!! )
no subject
But how to share something that matches what Maple has discovered on her own? It needs to evoke the same delight! One hand's fingers curled against his chin, Alice gives it a few taps, thoughtful.
It wouldn't be a good idea to bring up the anatomical model, he imagines — unless it's evidence that Add yearns for companionship? As for Add's other belongings, and Massacre, presumably Maple knows of his affinity for robots and the like, so that isn't news. His abilities are complicated, as well as associated with rather off-putting memories now, what with that unfortunate detour during the school trip...
Hmm! ]
Indeed... Now that you mention it, Maple, I have learned valuable information about Addward of Star 4!
[ Since Add doesn't hide this particular piece of information from his roommates, and Maple thinks so highly of him, discussing it openly shouldn't be a problem! ]
For example... he owns a plushie that faithfully sits beside his pillow, so it's undoubtedly a treasured possession!
no subject
( the definition of the word mature is used a little flexibly here, but he's remarkably intelligent for such a small little guy, and maple has to pay her respects to that somehow after the conversation between him and hiyori. it's a good topic choice though, and it's easy to tell that she's interest in it from the way she nods along, humming thoughtfully before she follows up with another question. )
What kind of plushie is it?
( if it's a rabbit, or a bear... maybe she can keep that in mind for him. she's certain that if she sets her mind to it, she can find some way to incorporate it into things... already, she's flipping through the different types of things she could prepare, depending on what type of plushie it is. actually...
...
her eyes light up, bright and expectant. )
... Can you show me?
( let her in the room, alice!! )
no subject
Now to answer her questions—
What kind of plushie is it? It resembles a cow, perhaps...? ]
Of course! A mere verbal description isn't sufficient. Nevertheless, it's black in color, and it has two large horns, two rounded ears, and a snout...
[ Extending his right arm, as if to escort Maple from the common room to Star 4, Alice motions for her to follow him. ]
This way — soon you shall see it with your own eyes...
[ In fact, once they reach the room, and Alice holds the door open for Maple, standing out of the way to let her enter, she'll have a good view of Star 4 in its entirety, from the odd plant to the beds. Perched on one of the single beds, watching over the pillow, there it is: Add's plushie, long horns framing a stitched pentagram on its forehead. ]
no subject
Oh, it's so cute!
( closing the distance between herself and the bed, maple crouches down and holds her knees to keep herself steady as she gets a closer look at the plushie. in fact, she even reaches out to gently pet its head, as if it were a rabbit or some other type of small creature. they have to be gentle with add's friend, after all. )
Heehee, do you suppose it's keeping guard?
( the little guy looks so tough after all, with the horns and the pentagram. surely they're there to defend add's precious things while he's away. )
no subject
Crossing the room, he joins Maple beside Add's bed for a closer look of his own — he's never done so before, and her questions have piqued his curiosity. To describe the plushie as fully cow-shaped is inaccurate... ]
Add is quite a mysterious fellow, so it wouldn't surprise me if his plushie is supposed to deter any intruders from coming too close. It never leaves its post...
[ Alice bends his knees to peer at the pentagram. Isn't that an occult symbol? The plushie could have some kind of ward woven into it! ]
Since we're allowed to enter the room and approach, it seems we have its approval, and therefore Add's! However, I don't recognize this animal...