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Post by Willow Fey on Mar 21, 2016 17:05:35 GMT -5
It had been a couple days since Willow had bared his soul to Alexia. It had been an emotionally draining experience, and to be honest he needed time to recuperate from the trauma of letting his walls down. Still he couldn't exactly hide forever. The trickster had to talk to Ignia. As he usually did when he wanted to schedule a meeting, Willow wrote a note to the firestarter and had slid it under her door at the crack of dawn.
Dear Ms. Brand,
We should probably talk. A lot has happened since we have arrived and we haven't properly got to know each other. Meet me at the Sheriff's Office, a little past noon. Feel free to inform any (discounting Taro) of the location and time of the meet or some other insurance that would implicate me if you were to be murdered.
Til then: Willow Fey.
He was at the sheriff's office. He had set up his own insurance. Now all he needed to do was wait.
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Post by Ignia Brand on Mar 22, 2016 3:07:35 GMT -5
When Ignia woke up, she did her normal daily routine of showering, eating her breakfast and then brushing her teeth. When she finished and she decided to tackle another day, she stepped on something just before she walked out the door. It was a note from Willow, who seemed to want something from her.
Nevertheless, she put the note inside her pockets and decided to waste some time. She had a few hours until noon arrived. Once the clock passed that point, she walked over to the Sheriff's Office. Sure enough, like the note said, Willow was there.
Ignia raised a hand in greeting and talked to him. "'Sup, Willow?", she asked. "The note said ya needed to talk to me? What can I do to help ya?"
At least he couldn't be worse than Taro, could he?
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Post by Willow Fey on Mar 23, 2016 14:19:30 GMT -5
Excellent. Ignia had arrived. so he could finally continue his strategy. Recent events had simply forced him to accelerate his plans. First things first, he required information and to build trust with Ignia.
"Hello Ms.Brand. It's good to finally meet one on one. I had some things I wanted to go over with you. First, if you haven't been in the Church recently, I made an impromptu shrine in there to honor those who died. Just thought I should let you know." Willow began. It was best to start with the small talk, The trickster had found.
"Now I believe you did meet with Taro. Said something about taking one for the team. I would like to know what you two did talk about. As he is the despair traitor, it is best to take precautions. I can only reasonably do that if I have some idea of what he is up to. " Willow said.
"In exchange for this I will offer you as much information as I can. I believe the only way we can get out of here is with cooperation. " Willow said.
As the situation was now the clock was ticking before somebody died again. He had to get as much information as he could before then. It was looking unlikely that he could prevent any deaths at all at least with these motives, but the possibility remained that he could outwit Taro and his hidden master in the long term.
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Post by Ignia Brand on Mar 23, 2016 17:50:40 GMT -5
"Oh? That's nice. I don't visit churches often, or, at all.", Ignia commented on Willow doing makeshift graves.
Her face scrunched up when he mentioned Taro. The girl really did not like what he had done, and trying to dodge his questions.
"Yeah, Someone had to talk to 'im, 'n' that someone was me. He was bein' vague at first, but then he started havin' a seizure. During that time he was lettin' his guard down so I bombarded 'im with questions. He seems to know stuff from our past. Like he knew of a certain person who's close to me, 'n' the fact that Adrianna had special poisonous flowers or somethin'."
She paused.
"Now here's the kicker. We may potentially be in Nagasaki, according to 'im. He's doin' all of this because of a friend he has on the outside of Monoworld. Made a promise sayin' that his friend, Junpei, would only die 'over his dead body', 'n' for that, he needs to accomplish his plan. A plan that brings more despair than what the bear does."
Ignia then sighed.
"This is all of the useful information I could squeeze outta 'im. Anythin' on yer end?"
She liked this deal with Willow. Information is currently the most valuable good they have, and the more they know, the safer everyone is, or so she hoped.
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Post by Willow Fey on Mar 23, 2016 20:16:26 GMT -5
"I don't either. Still, not factoring in the grisly crucifixion of mystery girl, it is one of the most peaceful places here. Felt like the Church was probably the best place to put it." Willow said. He listened carefully to what Ignia had to say. Some of it seemed strange. Taro had a seizure? Nobody had ever said seeing have one since they got here. It could be an act or a fairly irregular thing for him. Maybe the Mastermind is supplying him with medication? Or possibly they were before Taro was found out. If it was a trick it was a strange one, there were possible advantages to freaking people out with a fake seizure but...they were few. Sympathy? A sign of weakness? As for Adrianna's flowers...he did recall the flower maiden saying something about how her brother released her prized flowers and they took over the country. Why would Taro mention that specifically? Did he think that would make it back to Willow somehow? " That's very interesting. I believe that Taro is trying to manipulate us by feeding specific information to us. He mentioned someone that was important to you and someone that was important to well...me. He might have anticipated that this information would get back to me eventually. Thing is, I already knew about this information. And Monokuma was slinking around and had cameras aimed at us when Ms.Kravenski and I were talking. Perhaps Taro doesn't know as much as he thinks because the Mastermind is feeding him only very specific information." Willow said. " Nagasaki? What brings him to that conclusion?" Willow asked. Taro could be lying of course but...what reason was there to lie? Was it a trap concerning the  room?
So the despair traitor had a different plan then the Mastermind? That could be beneficial in a roundabout way. Indeed this was what he wanted, sowing dissension between the traitor and the Mastermind would weaken their cause. " I had a discussion with Taro shortly after we were given the "lack of sleep" and "traitors among us" motives. It was a conversation of some interest. I told him a story about how there was a boy who visited an occult forum of mine and talked about a "luck cycle" that gave him bad luck equal to any good luck and vice versa. I gave voice to a theory that Taro was perhaps a victim of a similar circumstance, that he had a small bubble of good luck around him that saved him from deaths but attracted bad luck to all the others surrounding him. He then punched a wall until he bled. So I imagine that is a bit of a sore subject." Willow said. " Beyond that we talked about the last trial and some things concerning the traitors. His psychology was so strange I could never get a proper read on him. I guess that made him the perfect Despair traitor. If he wasn't such an odd person, guilt or sadism would be easier to detect. There we were, talking about traitors and I wasn't able to figure him out. During that last phase of the game...I guess I failed utterly." Willow concluded, laughing bitterly. |
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Post by Ignia Brand on Mar 29, 2016 1:20:19 GMT -5
"Well, Taro told me that he had anesthesia back in Nagasaki. I dunno what the hell he was doin' there, or if he's even tellin' the truth to begin with. Like hell, I could make that kinda stuff up in a minute if I wanted to, ya know? 'N' 'bout Taro's information, I think yer hittin' the nail on the head there, considerin' he knew 'bout my best friend, who isn't even a HPA student yet." Ignia replied.
"That does beg the question, how the hell does the bear know about all that?", she wondered aloud.
The girl then listened to Willow's information. She nodded as she listened, taking in all of the information as best she could. She perked up when the Trickster mentioned the good-luck-bad-luck boy.
"Man, that dude must be a poor sod. I don't think I wanna switch places with 'im. Taro bein' like that makes sense, too. He told me his life story 'n' holy shit like around a million or so people died in a church before his birth. 'N' then he said that he's been losin' his family one after another in accidents, so I can see how that made 'im snap."
Ignia then put her hands in her pockets and she looked at Willow. "Ya got that right. I mean I can kinda see where he's comin' from, ya know? If I lost all my loved ones I'd just set everythin' on fire probably. I mean, okay, this doesn't excuse why he's fuckin' us over for a dude who ain't the picture book example of healthy, but what can we do about it, right?"
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Post by Willow Fey on Mar 30, 2016 5:30:53 GMT -5
The trickster thoughtfully considered what his pyromaniac colleague was saying. Taro said he was given anesthesia in Nagasaki? So that meant, if he was to be believed, that the last thing he knew he was being drugged. Why would he be in Nagasaki. The last thing Willow remembered...the last thing everyone he talked to remembered...they were heading into Hope's Peak.
"Interesting. What was the last thing you remember before we got here?" Willow asked.
"Indeed. A person like that is completely adrift from the possibilities that many of us take for granted. How can someone with luck like that ever feel responsible for anything good that happened to them? How could they not feel responsible for anything bad that happens to their loved ones? In a way, it is the worst of both worlds. The bad luck is a curse, and the good luck is cold comfort at best and mockery at worst." Willow replied.
"Losing people special to you is an incredibly difficult thing. I have been relatively fortunate...but it has happened to me and I would rather it not happened again." Willow said. Then he paused thoughtfully for a long while before continuing.
"If you found this "birdie"....what would you do?" Willow asked.
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Post by Ignia Brand on Mar 31, 2016 15:49:44 GMT -5
Ignia shrugged. "Last thing I remember was enterin' HPA, then fallin' unconscious. Next thing I know someone splashed me with water, 'n' here I was."
The Arsonist didn't know what to say about the guy with the luck cycle, so she didn't comment on it any further. She really was clueless about it, but when the Trickster brought up the loved ones again, Ignia sighed and put her hands in her pockets. "Ya got that right. Losin' anyone who's close to you sucks."
The girl then brought up a hand to her chin when she was asked about the 'birdie'.
"Hmm...", she began. "I don't think I'd kill him. I could never know if the bear was lyin' or not. Bringin' him the corpse like that, there's no guarantee he wouldn't execute me on the spot, like Joaquin. Besides, then the rest of ya knew I'd just be another killer. I think I'd just ask him why he didn't help us sooner, ya know? Would ya kill him yerself, Willow?"
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Post by Willow Fey on Mar 31, 2016 19:03:26 GMT -5
"I see. It was very much the same for me...only I was lucky enough to wake up before Taro splashed me with water." Willow said. That was what he had been expecting to hear.
Willow said nothing else to her statement on losing people. He had to keep his composure while he remained in the game, his confiding in Alexia notwithstanding.
"That is very good reasoning. I...wouldn't want to kill them. I can say that much. However if it was necessary I might. It all depends on what we could get out of this individual and whether or not they could actually help us further. My loyalty is to my classmates, not to this "Future Foundation", whoever they may be. It is very likely that they have better intentions for us then the bear and his organization but....we still have to be careful. In any case, killing in general is to be used only in exceptional circumstances. And as killing is what our foe wants, we have to be especially careful with how, when or if we use violence. " Willow said.
"This...person you have back home. The one that Taro mentioned. If we don't mind me asking...who are they?" Willow asked.
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Post by Ignia Brand on Apr 4, 2016 12:49:02 GMT -5
"Ya got a point there, that's for sure. We dunno what these FF people are like. They could either help us or screw us over even worse. We should be careful, just in case, ya know?" Ignia kept it short to Willow.
As the trickster inquired about her best friend, she sighed as if it was a reflex of hers. "I dunno if I should be tellin' ya this, but considerin' I told Root already, I guess I can tell ya 'bout him as well."
Ignia then looked at Willow as she put her hands in her pockets. "The name of the guy Taro mentioned is Cryos Frost. Although he's my age, he doesn't have a SHSL talent yet. I've known him ever since we were li'l kids, ya know?"
She then looked up, although there was nothing of importance there. "He's my best friend, 'n' one of the reasons I have to stay alive in here, ya know? I wanna see him again. We lost contact ever since we got into highschool, since he enrolled in a different place than me. Maybe he's even watchin' us two right now from somewhere on the outside. Like my parents, he's tough, so I ain't worried 'bout him."
She returned her gaze at Willow.
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Post by Willow Fey on Apr 4, 2016 15:26:19 GMT -5
"Caution usually is the best policy." Willow said. He then listened carefully to Ignia and her best friend. It reminded him a lot of two friends. The one he left smiling at the airport. And the one he left in the cold, dark woods.
"I left behind a best friend as well. Her name is Karen. Bright, pretty, confident, smart, funny, doesn't take shit from anybody. If she was here...well we probably would have been out of here by now but...in any case she would keep our morale up. She would have kept me on Taro's trail. Probably would have kept Adrianna and Saorise safe. Would have done a lot better job keeping people in line. Meanwhile you people just have me. " Willow wasn't looking at Ignia anymore. He was letting his gaze wander around the office. Karen was out there somewhere...was she safe? Was she watching? Willow hoped that she was. She was in his prayers every night.
"I am sure your friend Cryos is safe. And seeing as how you do have only me, I am going to try and do the very best I can to keep everyone left alive and get us all out of here. I told someone the greatest trick I'll ever pull is getting us out of this place and I hope to fulfill that promise." Willow said.
"I can't die here. People are waiting out there for me and I won't leave another person behind. Not again. Not ever. I consider you all my friends, so I can't allow you to continue to die. I want you to answer this question as honestly as you can Ignia. Do you trust me? I am not asking you to be foolish or to let your guard down. I am merely asking if you can extend that bit of trust that assumes that I am being honest and want us all to get out of here. I am not a great person. I am not even strong....but I can work miracles. The only way I can do that is through the trust of others. So please...for the time being, trust me." Willow said.
Then he waited. The ball was in her court now.
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Post by Ignia Brand on Apr 4, 2016 16:09:01 GMT -5
Ignia looked to the side, visibly sad. After a while, she began to speak. "Ya know, talkin' like this..." She paused. "Sayin' things like 'This is why I can't die here.'... Isn't that basically makin' a mockery outta those who didn't manage to get this far? 'Cause everyone had their reasons to stay alive in here, 'n' yet, they didn't..."
She then tried to cheer up. "That Karen sounds like a cool person. Maybe ya can introduce to me to her once we're outta here?" She laughed. "Sounds like Cryos, too. He acted before he thought, but he was a good thinker 'n' a creative mind."
Upon Willow's question, she decisively nodded. "Yeah. I trust ya. The work ya put into the trials ain't nothin' to sneeze at. I think without Root 'n' yerself, we'd be lost in here. I don't care if yer the SHSL Trickster or not. I think yer one of the good guys. If ya were anythin' like Taro I guess I'd have smacked ya on the head 'n' probably set your ass on fire or somethin, ya know?" She laughed again.
"I dunno if I'd have done it literally or figuratively, though.", she added.
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Post by Willow Fey on Apr 4, 2016 16:40:12 GMT -5
"...Mockery huh? I never really thought about that. Everyone did have their reasons to survive. I just...always put higher standards on myself you know? Being here...I haven't had someone to really put things in perspective like that. Thank you." Willow said.
"Yeah. I bet she would like you. Probably make a fuss over how cute you are. I would like to meet Cryos too. He sounds like a good guy." He said.
"Good. I trust you too. If I were anything like Taro...I would probably have killed myself by now. As for the trials...I just do the very best that I can." Willow said. Then he laughed a bit. A sad laugh that clearly showed the grief and stress that he had experienced since arriving.
"Now I don't have any excuses huh? Time for me to stop talking about what I can do and actually do it. Time to make a miracle happen. " Willow said and began to walk away.
He needed to make a new path. Every road that had been traveled on so far in this game had lead to despair. A game over could happen at any time. Things couldn't just keep going on like this. Willow had to ensure that no matter what happened next a new trail could be blazed through the wreckage. One that lead to an actual future for everyone.
A trail of Hope. Only he had very few resources to make that happen. But he had to make due.
After all, in the end a Trickster only had words and his mind on his side. Everything else were simply props.
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