OO7 >> Valentines's Day is not a holiday he cares for alright

[altitonant_emperor]

Characters: Hidetoshi, and EVERYONE IN THE TOWER! Open to visiting String!characters as well. If you want to interact with him during your stay, this is the place to do it.
Setting: Various (floors 81, 1, 74 and 100) set throughout the week, including the three-day event.
Format: Stating with actionspam but whatever you chose to respond with is fine.
Summary: Hidetoshi is unaffected by the event, and more concerned with his own affairs and the new factor of the batch of newcomers that had no collars, sent with a mission by someone named Philemon than the minor issue of who's hooking up with/harassing who under the influence of the administration's experiment.
Warnings: Nothing so far, but I will add a warning accordingly if that changes.


[ SCENARIO A || FLOOR EIGHTY-ONE ]

[ It's an excellent thing that Hidetoshi has never had any issues with heights as long as there is some stable barrier between him and the fall, because he's seated on the carpet near the portion of the floor that bulges out. Outside the windows, there's only the stars visible and the stratosphere, and dizzyingly far below, the clouds and the world fogged over in a gray haze that conceals any hint of the geography or land masses. The teenager doesn't have a stack of books from the library with him for once: he only has two or three volumes with him to read and they seem to be on... irish mythology? Oh, and one book on more obscure greco-roman mythos. The parcel of notes he had taken during the administration's Q&A session are piled beside him.

He's got a mug of coffee from the cafeteria however. Curse his older self for having developed a taste for it.

The newest of the assorted lounge is pleasantly quiet. Go ahead and disrupt that quiet if you want to. ]


[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[ —It's a classroom, that what this floor has selected to taunt him with. Quite a nice one too, swept clean of any debris or dust and a well-stocked bookshelf on one side of the blackboard and a billboard with papers stapled to it set on the other side, a projector placed on top of it. There's a big screen television in the corner, the screen itself blank and black. Various student council projects, ones he already recalls having seen finished, are laid out on the tables arranged in a U formation. The folding chairs are empty of students, and the sunlight coming through the windows can deceive you into thinking it's a warm summer evening, heavy and still with heat.

It seems dusty and empty in here, like nobody's been around for awhile.

The clock on the wall ticks quietly.

Hidetoshi stands by the window, careful to touch none of the holograms and staring blankly at the illusion of school grounds that can be seen outside of it, and beyond the gates, the city of Tatsumi Port. He seems more annoyed than anything. ]

... Tch.


[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR SEVENTY-FOUR ]

[ The teenager walked cautiously, bathed in the cavernous darkness of this floor and the shimmering blue glow rippling through it, listening to the murmur of clear water running over stone and dripping from stalagmites, and kept close to the entrance, in no mood to have to run away from the lurking monsters again. The reaches of the giant, vaulted chamber were nowhere near silent; what was heard was the noises of creatures that crept and crawled and slunk and hunted and dwelt within its darkness, and the sound of Hidetoshi's footsteps crunching on the slippery sands, and the echoing of noise through winding tunnels. His aimless exploration of the newly added on levels had brought him here.

It's pretty to look at, if nothing else. He can appreciate the beauty even if the beauty was just an another illusion.

The walls echoed with the sound of underground. ]

Comments

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[oathshackledbird]

What do you see?

[Floor 100 is quickly becoming one of his favorite floors. Maybe he shouldn't let it be. Maybe he has no right to find comfort in the image of his home, but right now Diarmuid no longer has enough mental strength to deny himself.

Surely, he's allowed one comfort in this horrid place? And, unlike other floors, there is no harm in spending some time here. There is no forgetting. Indeed, quite the opposite. Here is it all to easy to remember a happier time.

And, that, perhaps in its own way is even more dangerous...]

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[altitonant_emperor]

A place where I was important.

[Was Hidetoshi's answer, eyes still fixed on the city he can see outside the window, trying to make out and store away the details he's forgotten.

He didn't like this floor; it was just another of the administration's tricks, even if it was relatively harmless. It was a recreation of easier, happier times where the most he had to worry about in terms of injury was the bruise left behind by a punch in the face, or the ache of a broken ankle set in a cast, but it was entirely hollow. He didn't want something he couldn't touch, but he wanted to remember.

He looks back over his shoulder at Diarmuid.]

And what do you see?

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[oathshackledbird]

Your home? No... Your school, right?

[Diarmuid looks out at the room and as he does, a distant look crosses his face.]

I see my home back in Ireland. My house, the nearby forest. It is a amazing how well they have recreated it all. If I think about it hard enough, I can hear my children playing in the yard or my wife working around the house.

I wonder why they have given us such a place of comfort when before they only seemed to want us to think of our homes as destroyed.

[He's, of course, referencing the binoculars on the 5th floor.]

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[altitonant_emperor]

That's right.

[He nodded, tearing his gaze from where he perceived the windows to be in the room. The teenager half-turns to face Diarmuid, still looking over his shoulder and looking at the nostalgic, faraway expression on his face.]

There does seem to be no limits to what they can create or replicate in this Tower, does there... Your home and... your family, I see. It's a tragedy for you to be tore away from them when you obviously treasure them so deeply. [Genuine sympathy here. His mouth twitches.] My typical response would that they enjoy taunting us with what we, presumably, no longer have.

[Or showing us the process of losing that home, e.i. the fifth floor. :V]

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[oathshackledbird]

I haven't had them for a long time. I suppose that gives me a bit of a different view on things.

[His voice is slightly distant now, matching his gaze.]

I don't actually see them, of course. I don't think this place can show people, but with how accurate the representation is, it doesn't take much for me to imagine them there. The memories are so very dear to me.

[Even if they aren't really his...]

I talked to another here not that long ago, and he seemed to think that this place was actually an apology of sorts for all that has been happening recently. Like someone thought maybe things had gone too far. I don't know what I believe either way. I just know that for me it's comforting even if it is only an illusion.

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[altitonant_emperor]

Mm.

[Hidetoshi idly flicked a loose lock of hair out of his face, dark gray eyes looking at the desks Diarmuid seems to be standing behind. The clock ticked.]

Perhaps I could consider that as an explanation myself, except even if that was true, it would be a rather pointless gesture. Giving us something as hollow as this is wouldn't qualify as even close to a decent apology for the atrocities that regularly occur here. It's difficult to know what or who to believe...

[The base of his mouth untwisted slightly, softening.]

That said, it is quite pleasant, to see a piece of our homes in this Tower.

Re: [ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid puts his hands out in a helpless gesture.]

Think of who the administrators are. Hollow apologies might be all they are capable of and honestly, I don't know if they are even capable of those. I suppose it doesn't really matter. For all we know, it was put here just to see how we react and nothing more.

[Diarmuid's hands drop back to his side. He doesn't miss the softening in Hidetoshi's look.]

So your role at school really was important to you. Were you thinking of working there once you finished your education?

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[altitonant_emperor]

... I suppose it doesn't.

[Hidetoshi held out his hand to his side out in a small gesture, palm turned up.]

Of course. I had reasonable duties, respect there. I beginning to regain the trust of my peers.

[He pulled his hand back down. The thing with Hidetoshi is, that once he decides to Do A Thing, he devotes 157% effort into Doing That Thing. He commits himself fully to a cause and throws himself into fulfilling it regardless of discouragement or others' disproval. The zealous school perfect deal was one such thing.]

No, I wasn't. It was am excellent school, yes, but it wasn't very big. I had—have my eyes for wider horizons than that. [He paused, thinking of those opportunities.] I just hadn't decided on anything concrete yet.

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid nods.]

You were still young enough there was no need for a decision. There was still time to ponder your choices. I really hope that you will be able to return to your home and make them soon. No matter what choice you make, I think many people will benefit from it.

[He pauses, looking at the ground for a moment.]

I...I would like to apologize for how things went at our last meeting. It seems I end up apologizing for things like this a lot, but you were right. I was pushing myself too hard. I'm not sure how to change how I think and act quite yet, but you were right. Some...things have happened, and I can see that now.

Floor 81

[lightofhumanity]

[chaos usually did not come up this high, but when he wanted to look at the stars, he found this floor a bit more relaxing than the room with the projection. That room was used for reminding himself to get back into shape.

Right now, he just needed to relax. However, when he saw and sensed a person sitting with some books on mythology nearby, he stopped and smiled at him.]

Good evening. I take it you did not come here to look at the stars.

Floor 81

[altitonant_emperor]

[Hidetoshi looks up, back pressed against the wall, posture slouched a little and one of those books on mythology resting open on his knees and nods a polite greeting to the white-haired kid he doesn't know.]

Good evening to you as well. [He sounds unbothered by the new person's interruption.] No, I simply prefer the lounges for when I want some relaxation.

Floor 81

[lightofhumanity]

[At that, chaos nodded.]

I can see why you would. There are not uncomfortable places to be. I prefer this one though..it gives a good view of the stars without showing them being destroyed.

Floor 81

[altitonant_emperor]

[Nothing had tried to attack him in the lounges, which was a plus.]

It's a pleasant addition to this place, unlike the majority of the more recently floors. [The organs floor, the doll shop, the lagoon, the costume shop... Etc etc.] Viewing the stars from here is better than seeing their destruction, I agree with that.

Floor 81

[lightofhumanity]

[And nothing was really so strong that chaos couldn't fight or run from it here.]

It is..while the recent additions are not bad, the carnival floor is rather ominous. And while there is nothing wrong with seeing the projection..when one does not want to see it, looking at the real stars is much better.

Floor 81

[altitonant_emperor]

[Hidetoshi's eyes spoke an neutral agreement with what chaos said, even he begged to differ with some of the recent additions not being bad.]

Hatred of clowns is a universal truth, hm? [Particularly ones that... do things with intestines. He closed his eyes and opened them, looking down at the pages of the book in his lap.] It's pretty tasteless either way, that projection.

Floor 81

[lightofhumanity]

[chaos read and understood that agreement, even though he didn't say anything about it. However, he did smile.]

Oh, I do not hate clowns. However, the ones in that carnival room seem..ominous. I would not go near them unless I had to.

[chaos noticed Hidetoshi's reaction, but he didn't say anything of it.]

..I am not sure whether it is in good taste or not..but real stars do not quite compare to it sometimes.

Floor 81

[altitonant_emperor]

[Hidetoshi doesn't smile but he does nod.]

The administration seems to have taken all the stereotypes about carnivals in the horror genre and brought them to life in that room.

[That's nice of you, chaos. The form vice president of the student council appears tired and a little worn out at the edges. The corner of his lip twitches.] ... I can understand that. Is space an interest of yours, might I ask?

floor 81

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer yawns loudly as he comes up to this floor. Since going back to his room isn't an option at present, he's resorting to the lounges to get in a few naps. He really hates how the Tower is forcing him to sleep, even when he doesn't technically need it.]

[He catches a glimpse of the familiar boy.]

Hey.

[He walks up to Hidetoshi and leans over the boy's shoulder.]

Celtic...mythology?

floor 81

[altitonant_emperor]

[Hidetoshi almost jumps, nearly knocking over his coffee but regains his composure from the surprise of being soundlessly snuck up upon from behind and turns his head sideways to see a face he recognizes. It's a tad... jarring to feel the lingering echo of his older's self's friendship with this Servant.]

—Yes.

[He nods, slightly awkward but otherwise smoothly taking Lancer's question in stride.]

It isn't exactly a subject they covered in my school.

Re: floor 81

[puppy_lancer]

[Meanwhile, Lancer isn't half so bothered by the thoughts of his older self. After all, he had remained relatively sane throughout the experiment.]

So why the sudden interest?

[Might it have something to do with Lancer?]

re: floor 81

[altitonant_emperor]

[Hidetoshi internally debated within him, on either making an abridged excuse or telling the truth. He shrugged.]

I had a conversation with Diarmuid.

[Finding Lancer's legend had been an easy feat, considering how popular he was in the irish mythology: he seemed to have worked his way in the myths everywhere. Eventually locating Diarmuid's story within the Fianna cycle on the other hand had taken a little more time and patience.]

Re: floor 81

[puppy_lancer]

[He cocks his head curiously.]

So...what did you guys say to each other?

[As far as he can tell, they should've gotten along, seeing as how they were both lawful, responsible types.]

[ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[altitonant_emperor]

[Hidetoshi sighed.]

The topics we discussed were modern schooling, personal hobbies and his astounding lack of self-preservation.

[He's not going to mention the end of that discussion/arguement, what with Diarmuid's mini breakdown. That seemed like an invasion or disruption of Lancer's privacy, and honestly, he wouldn't be happy if someone told others about him sounding lost and near-tears.]

Re: [ SCENARIO B || FLOOR ONE HUNDRED ]

[puppy_lancer]

...He does that.

[Lancer's tone sounds much more serious than it did just a second before.]

He's just trying to help everyone.

[Everyone but himself.]

floor 81

[altitonant_emperor]

I don't understand it.

[His tone is just as serious. The motivation is understandable, but not the method.]

There's nothing wrong with wanting to help everyone out the best you can, but doing it in such a way that you disregard yourself...

[That's an issue.]