[ 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
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...