foundationmods | Round 4: confessions camera

Entry tags:

round 4

Round 4: confessions camera

This is where you can post anything your character says in the confessions camera room. The room is soundproof, and nobody on-site will be able to see or hear anything they say in there. Everyone outside of the site will see what is said, though.

We're keeping this post unlocked so everyone can see, since previous round characters will be able to see anything said here. Just remember that stuff mentioned in here won't be known to characters participating in the round unless the character tells someone about it outside of the confession room.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ When Inaba walks in here, she looks a little. . . distraught? There's bags under her eyes as if she hasn't slept - which, she hasn't, not really. There's a bit of a sigh, because she knows that people are still watching, even if she isn't exactly here for them. ]

This. . . is my first time doing this sort of thing, so I don't really know where to start. I wonder if you're watching, Atsushi. You probably are, aren't you?

I—

Don't worry about me too much. I'll be fine. I wanted to make sure that I said something since I don't know what will happen. I want to prevent any murders, but. I'm also aware that I'm not strong enough to do that, and it's admittedly pretty terrifying. I don't like admitting that.

That I'm scared, but. . . it's already out in the open, so I guess it doesn't really matter. But I'm not important. Compared to the situation-- I'm just a single person. Everyone has been too kind to me. And I don't? I don't deserve it.

If you were here, you'd probably say that I'm wrong. You'd be able to remind me that I'm a good person.

He's so similar, you know? [ She curls herself up in the chair she's sitting on, wanting to hide her expression. ] He said that I'm not terrible, and I— I don't know what to do.

And Dazai's so different—

[ And she just takes out her phone and starts to make tapping sounds.

For those who are familiar, it's morse. ]

I guess that's it from me. It kind of sucks that I won't hear a response but. . . at least I got to say this much properly. Venting it all out kind of helps. If nothing happens to me tomorrow, or Saturday. . . I'll come back next week.

[Saki walks into the room with a glance around before she locks the door. There really isn't much in here, huh...

After a moment she seats herself in the chair, giving a soft sigh.]

...What am I even doing here...?

[Her gaze drifts upwards, away from the camera.]

...My people are descended from scientists. I think it's probably inevitable that we would thoroughly test the limits of our home. We changed the land, the animals, the plants, all of them to suit our needs. Our crops grew large and nutritious; the only animals we permitted were safe and docile creatures. Anything undesirable was removed or eliminated.

[She falls quiet for a moment.]

It was a fragile community. My people were actually afraid all along. We worried that if anything impulsive or uncontrollable was permitted, it would bring ruin to everything. Even now, I still understand why they thought that way.

[Her eyes slowly fall to the camera itself, and her expression remains neutral.]

Still, docile lambs cannot lead themselves, nor can beasts, kept in check with chains. But that was never the problem in the first place, was it?

We are not beasts.

[Her tone becomes firm.]

There will always be certain base instincts. But what sets people apart from beasts isn't that we do not share those characteristics, but rather our ability to suppress those instincts, because we understand and seek order. History tells us that people have always formed communities. We make rules and laws to bring order to chaos, so we can live and survive.

The longer I stay here, the more I feel as if I am being tested. To see if I am a person, or a beast. But from the very beginning, thinking that way is flawed.

We are not beasts. Because in the end, the actions of people will always be the actions of people, and the actions of beasts will always be beasts. The deciding factor is whether or not you acknowledge personhood, or if you try to make excuses by claiming "it was only a beast."

[With that, she closes her eyes and tips her head in a slight bow before standing and striding out of the room.]

[Ellie locks the door as she heads in, sitting herself down in the chair for a moment... It takes her a few minutes to say anything, actually, but she did come in here to say something, so she needs to get it quite right...]

I think I've done what I can for the time being, but I still feel like I should have done more... But still, just in case, I'd like to say something here.

I'm going to start this off by saying it's not actually as bad as it probably looks. ...Okay, it probably is as bad as it looks, but at the very least, I'm pretty sure that even if I do end up dying, I'll probably be fine. I'll have you know my soul's pretty stubborn, after all! I'm probably not leaving this world until the Foundation doesn't give me any other choice. I'm pretty sure even if I end up dead, I can at least last here long enough for some Shinigami to get on-site. So let me say that again: You don't need to worry about me, Yoshi. As long as the worst case scenario is avoided, I'll be fine. I mean, dying will probably hurt, but... Well, I've experienced worse as an Inquisitor.

Actually, I think it's a good thing I was sent here. I believe there's a reason for me to be here, that there's something I can do to help things here. Maybe this is just my pride talking, but... I want to believe I can change things here for the better.

Aside from that, um... It's private, so I'll say it in morse. There's still another stage after that, but I mean, you can probably read it, right?

[She just... Taps on the wall for a while.]

And that should be it for now! I won't let this place beat us! If nothing goes wrong, I'll be sending another message next week.

[ He's probably the last person to actually use this, so it's odd he's there.

Turning the chair backwards to sit in it as he looks at the camera. ]

I know you're watching. You're probably trying to figure out where this place is and if there's anything you could do to be useful. After all, you have your friends here.

[ Giving a pause to let that hang there before he continues. ]

Run an analysis on that dog that showed up and stole my swim trunks. I know there's no way to get that information to me, but it might be useful after this game is at an end. Think of it as homework, Bunny.

[ He's pausing, as if there might be something more. ]

It'll be a shame if I bite it here. No more guinea pig for you. If you still want to be useful then you should introduce them. Aqua and my weaker, younger self.

[ bye ]

[Atsushi settles into the seat, looking more than a little awkward, shoulders hunched a little. It's a strange experience, doing this in front of cameras.

But... he had things he wanted to say, too.]

Aaah... how do I do this? Do I just talk to the camera? Well...

[He rests his hands on his knees, looking at the camera with a small smile. His eyes look tired, like he'd had spotty sleep lately, but he looks ultimately calm enough for now.]

....First of all, I suppose I should introduce myself. I never did manage to do that, did I? I was always a little afraid what you'd think of me... but I did want to talk to you, so I hope you're watching. I'm Atsushi Nakajima, the one from the Armed Detective Agency.

[Who is he speaking to? He's certainly speaking to someone.]

I'm trying, I think. Trying to do my best here and do the right thing. I think even if the game is terrible... there's a lot of good people here. Kind people, people I want to spend more time with. So many of them... they don't look at me and see a beast. It reminds me of--

[He trails off, shaking his head.]

She's kind too, even if she doesn't see it... she's been really nice to me. Helping me, even.

[His smile grows soft.]

I'm trying to keep an eye on her for you, as much as I can. I know you're worried, probably as worried as I would be. I don't know if I have the right words to tell her in your place... but I'll do my best to make sure she gets back to you, at the very least. I don't want you to be lonely.

[He takes a breath.]

I'll do my best. Not just for your sake, but hers too... and everyone else's.

Edited 2019-06-27 18:31 (UTC)

[Expecting more introspection and attempted secret messages? Too bad, Minazuki time.

She's very tired.]

Well, I tried. Now it's just a matter of seeing whether someone takes the bait anyway.

Nobody here seems to be as much of an idiot as Furudo-san, at least.

[Silver looks a little disheveled as he walks in and takes a seat -- like he just woke up. Indeed, he yawns gapingly for the camera]

Ahhh... Sorry. I just woke up from a nap. I decided that I'm going to stay up tonight... it's the deadline for someone to murder. [Silver's ears droop a bit] Some of the others are also patrolling to make sure nothing goes wrong, so I'm hoping that it'll be a quiet night. I'm hoping no one will take them up on such a dumb offer... [he shakes his head] I'm gonna need a lot of coffee to stay up until morning.

I guess... that's all. I'll be watching the outside of the house if any of you guys want to watch me... If I start drifting off, yell really loud so I wake up, ok?

[a joke??? he tried]

[Silver all but collapses in the chair before he starts talking]

... Phew....

I almost can't believe it. We managed to get through the week with a motive like that AND a death game without anyone dying, or even getting seriously hurt! But we can't rest on our laurels... we have to do the same thing next week, and the week after next, until this farce of a game is over.

[Silver doesn't seem as cheerful as you might expect, given their flawless victory...]

... I dunno. You guys out there watching... those of you who didn't come from 6350... What do you think? Do you really think we're dangerous monsters who should be contained, or killed outright? I hope maybe what you've seen so far will help... but we are people, just like you! We may look different, or have strange powers... but we didn't ask to be here. And I know... for me at least, I want to help this world...! So... please give us a chance.

... That's all for tonight, I think...

[Silver plops in the chair. It's some ungodly early hour -- 5 am, by the time stamps. He's missing his gloves, and his quills are pretty bedhead-y]

I went to bed really early. Like seven-ish, I guess. I woke up about half an hour ago and I can't go back to sleep. I'm... I don't know. I guess I'm lonely. I'm the only person like me here in this house. Heck. Maybe in the whole Foundation! After all, I didn't get any pictures of Blaze or Sonic or Espio or anyone in my stack. [he gestures to the camera] You guys out there... do you even think of me as a person? At least a lot of the others from 6350 are, or at least look like, humans. What am I, to all of you...?

[Silver frowns, looking down at his hands in his lap]

What am I to anyone here...? I thought, maybe, by being in this new world, this new timeline, I could matter. I could change things and actually reap the benefits of what I've done!

But it's the same as it ever was. The Foundation just wants to use me. Everyone is making close friends and more here -- love springing forth on the battlefield, huh? And I'm still just.... watching. I've been here a year and I've made... one friend? What's wrong with me.

[he wraps his arms around his shoulders]

There's probably a game today, so I have to put on a happy face. I can't let them see me falter. More people might die... [he grumbles and scrubs his face with his hands, then smooths back his quills] I'm really rambling, aren't I? I'm used to talking to myself, though. I'm better at that than anything. I'm sure they'll edit this, nobody wants to hear me whine. [a small, forced smile]

I guess I should try and get a nap in before the game later. ... Thanks for listening, camera.

Edited 2019-07-10 21:16 (UTC)

[Silver just sits in front of the camera for a while, his head in his hands. He's not crying this time! Wow! He seems to be... just enjoying the silence of the room, the lock on the door, the privacy. After about five minutes, he laces his fingers together and rests his muzzle on them, looking away]

I can honestly say. Before this House. Before this game. I can say I never thought about wanting to die. I've thought about it almost every day for the last two weeks.

.... and I'm not sure why I'm not more upset about that.

[he shakes his head]

After what happened today... we're doomed for sure, aren't we? And yet I don't care. I just don't. Giriko was right after all -- people are bad. Maybe not all of them. But most of them.

[he finally does look at the camera]

Well. Is this what you wanted?

Edited 2019-07-21 05:18 (UTC)

[Ozaki wanders in the room late that night, very easily after everyone would have retired for the night. It's hard to say if he looks more disheveled than normal, considering his usual look is "deep into three all-nighters and probably needs a shave."

He more-or-less drops himself into a chair and slouches into a comfortable position. He doesn't speak immediately, but he looks straight at the camera when he does.]

I don't know who's watching this, or what you're getting out of these "confessions," but if you're feeling generous I have a request.

[A pause, like he's waiting for the listener(s) to understand how grave this request is. He even sits straighter, like the professional he actually is.]

I need more cigarettes. [he waves his partially empty pack in the air, label facing the camera] This brand, if possible, but if the others keep acting as they have been this week during the others, I'll take whatever someone can get to me.

So, we are supposed to use this as part of the House's containment, correct? I have to wonder, does the House itself hear these? Does it think at all? If so, you have my thanks... it's been years since I last tasted the fruit from Erion... even if it's fake.

A confession though... hm. How about this: I was disappointed that Dazai did not truly take my hand. In those moments where I feared that I was giving up one of the tools of my trade for what might be nothing? That feeling of horror?

I shivered in pleasure. It seems Dazai tempering the Darkova for that short time only held the curse off for a few days. Before long the lust for the depraved will grow stronger.

Will those of you watching enjoy the sight? Thinking of you all seeing it and recoiling in disgust... ah, it's very fine indeed~

[For his playful tone he only looks haunted. And very tired]

[Oda and Giriko. X-rated activities. The Confession Room. At least they're... having a lot of fun?]

Hello, viewing not-so-public. To the Foundation overseers, my formal complaint about all this is going in as soon as I'm out of this place. And I will get out. You can count on it.

As for the other people I'm sure are seeing this, I hope last week's lack of death made this a little easier for you.

We can do this.

I don't want any of us to die here. Dazai said the ones with the most determination would win. And when it comes to the bigger game of us vs the people that want us dead? I'm really fucking determined to survive.

And Yoshi, don't fry your brain trying to help. You need it.

[Akira's eyes are red and swollen but dry now. He sits quietly in the booth for a moment before speaking, rubbing a hand against the back of his neck.]

I should have done this earlier like I meant to. My head would be clearer.

I don't know if they're just going to edit this out, but I'm going to try anyway.

It's not hard to guess a lot of you watching aren't 6350s. And I already knew what most of the Foundation thinks of us. 'Cartoon Heroes', right? We aren't real, we aren't people, we can be brought back from death over and over.

...have you ever thought about what it's like to die? Not to be dead, but to die. To die horribly, in agony, as many times as the Foundation decides we're worth keeping. We're real enough that we hurt and bleed and scar and get scared.

Goro was scared. I know him. I love him. He didn't want to die and he was afraid.

I didn't want him to die and it hurts. It hurts so much.

[Akira stops and takes a deep breath, hands hiding his face for a moment before coming down.]

Maybe the worlds we came from are just shows and video games here. But we are here now. Living in this world. Just like the rest of you.

And before you judge us, maybe you should think about what you would do, if you were here, going through this. Because this is the sort of shit designed to break people.

And we're people, too.

[Akira just sits in silence for a long time before finally speaking.]

What's the point of being empowered by relationships with others when that power can't keep any of them with you?

...Amazing what a week can do, isn't it?

I'm going to be honest: The way things look right now, I'm pretty sure I won't survive this game. The stakes keep getting higher, and I'm not sure I can trust my team anymore.

At the very least, I want to make sure that... Never mind, it's not important.

I'll say it again: Don't worry about me, Yoshi. No matter what happens, I can take it. I... Will be fine. You don't need to worry about me.

Ah, if it does look like I'm about to die though, could someone... Get Yoshi out of the room or cover his eyes or something? I'd rather... he not have to see my death.

[ When Inaba walks in, she looks a little shaken up but nevertheless, she tries her best to smile through it all. ]

Haha.

I'm probably terrifying you week after week at this point, aren't I, Atsushi? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you on Saturday when I was chosen at random, and I certainly didn't mean to scare you yesterday when I purposely volunteered.

[ Her gaze falls, as she folds her hands on her lap, fingers squeezing together rather tightly. ]

The longer I'm here. . . the more it hurts.

A part of me wants to push them all away because they really don't know me. None of them do. He's- probably the one who's seen anything close to the 'real me'-

[. . .]

Man, I think I finally get Iori now. But the closer I get to him, the more that my heart twists in pain because I feel like a monster, you know? Logically, I shouldn't feel this way. I'm aware of that. I'm in an open relationship, so I should be fine.

I can't help but wonder sometimes, though. If you're jealous- of me? Of him? He's lived the better life out of the two of you. And I just want to slam those feelings shut and shove him at anybody else so that he won't find out. But it's stupid. Because I'm hurting him that way by doing that. And I don't want to hurt him.

I hate seeing it.

And that conversation I overheard just made me feel sick. It reminded me of what you told me, back then. [ She's not crying, but at this point her voice sounds a little watery. ] You still remember, don't you? I never thought of you as a monster. I was still admittedly scared of everything - still am, but you called me brave. Brave for despite my fears that I'd face everything.

I don't know if I still believe that.

I'm terrified. Compared to the others, I don't have any abilities. I won't be able to be saved a second time like that. But I'll be alright no matter what happens. You have to trust me on that one.

[ And then she curls herself up a bit. ]

I miss you, you know? I have the files of our old chat logs on my phone so every day, I look at them and read them. I wonder if my luck's going to hold up for much longer. Will I die soon? Or am I going to make it to the third week?

. . . The third week, huh.

Two more weeks until the full moon. It's on the 16th, isn't it? I wonder if I'll make it that long. If I do, you have to take care of yourself. And I'll do my best to protect him if I manage to survive.

I wonder if-

[ She shakes her head. ]

No, it's okay. To be honest, I'm still surprised at how much people even bother caring about me. I kind of question why they saved me yesterday. They probably didn't want to see another death.

Azula died by a gun though, huh. Kind of ironic though, don't you think, Atsushi?

[ She's trying to subtly bring it up to see if he'll catch on.

He has to have caught on by now. He was part of the mafia, after all. He should have seen the way he killed her and he needs to tell the others-- ]

. . . But then again, breaking the rules and getting killed like that isn't a surprise to me at all. It's still not even the worst thing I've seen.

[ And then Inaba sighs. ]

This is the worst. I don't know what will happen. Will we somehow make it without having murdered someone? Or won't we?

And I guess this is to everyone else: there's a lot of you guys out there who don't really see us. All that we are to you is just a number. None of us are treated as humans, no matter what ranking we are. Whether we're C-class or B-class, or whatever. Sure, a lot of us have abilities from our home worlds.

It makes us different from the rest of you.

But not all of us are like that. You saw that yesterday. I don't have any abilities like that. Hell, I don't have anything that could save myself if something like this happens a second time. I was born mundane - no abilities, no powers, nothing. I'm just an ordinary high school girl that was whisked into all of this crap. I want to make things better for all of us, but I don't know if I can do it, or if anybody will really pay attention. Perhaps they're not even paying attention to this, not really. Or they just don't seem to give a fuck.

I wouldn't be surprised either way.

Anyway. . . I think that's it from me this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to come again. If not--

The others at the Canada site? If anything does happen to me? Can you guys take care of Atsushi for me? I don't want him to be alone.

Also, I guess since we are in America. Happy fourth? Go raise some hell with some fireworks today.

Edited 2019-07-04 14:41 (UTC)

[Leo sits down and doesn't say anything for a couple of minutes, but there's so much obvious distress that those minutes likely won't get cut because drama Finally, he folds his hands in his lap and stares down at them.]

I....

[His voice cracks slightly.]

I know what they said, but... it doesn't change the truth.

[His fingers tangle until his knuckles go white. A tear runs down his nose.]

I-- it's my fault George is dead. I... I should've volunteered to pick one of those stupid cups to make up for it. It's not like I've been any... any help here... I'm....

[He breaks down crying again, sitting there maybe thirty seconds more before he shoves his way out of the confession booth.]

[Karen walks into the room and stares at the camera for about half a minute. She takes a breath, like she's about to say something, but stops. Another twenty seconds later she tries again.]

A garage grew out of the ground.

[Five seconds.]

There was a raccoon inside. Nora-san tried to fight it.

[They've "obtained" Spice Block anyway apparently, no point in pretending not to know about him.

Eight seconds.]

I just want to make sure everyone understands what our lives are like right now.

[Fourteen seconds, and then she leaves without another word.]

[When Saki enters, her hair is done up with a barrette holding it in place. She looks tired and drawn.]

...Shun.

[Her voice nearly cracks on that first utterance, and she has to pause to gather herself again.]

...I was so happy to see you again. Even though I was sure I would be placed on this mission, I thought to myself, at least I would be able to see you once it was all over. I thought about trying to join you at your site, or even ask you to move to the same one as me. Seeing you alive again... It almost felt like I was dreaming.

I didn't realize I was on the precipice of a nightmare.

[For all her suspicions? She never could have guessed it would end up like this.]

...Shun. I want to see you again, but you know why I could never do what the motive asks.

I'm sorry... Even now, I can't do anything to save you.

[She bows her head, bursting into silent tears. It's only after a few moments that she finally stands once again, turning to leave.]

[ She enters, looking tired but at least she actually got some rest for once - she doesn't exactly look relaxed but she's trying not to tremble as she sits down, hands folded together on her lap.

It's not working out very well. ]

It's the third week.

Honestly, I don't know if I'll make it. This was around the time I died last time, after all.

[ Her shoulders shake ever so slightly before she hugs herself. ]

I can't deny that I'm scared. I pretend all the time that I'm not, you know? But more than that-- I'm more afraid of the others. Everyone back on Site 2, but especially Atsushi and Ichigo.

Hey, Syazel? If you're watching this? You better protect Ichigo's ass. I won't forgive you if anything happens to him, alright?!

And Atsushi. . . stay safe. Both this week and the next. I know the full moon's coming up, so please, take care of yourself. And, ah. . . [ now she looks sheepish, embarrassed even ] I don't know if you were watching on Tuesday, but I--

[ Her gaze drops, guilt wrenching in the pit of her stomach. She curls herself up into a ball so that nobody can see her cry, even if it's obvious. ]

I'm sorry. I must be hurting you so much and I'm just not thinking about your feelings at all. I bet by now, you might think that I might be some sort of huge monster. Or maybe you don't.

I'll be shocked if you don't, for all the selfish crap that I've done.

But I can't take it anymore. I don't want to die. I don't want the others to die. I don't want to kill anyone, though, just to protect the others.

It's hard for us. It's hard for me. I understand that you guys might be scared-- not knowing things? I get it. That's why I kind of snapped a little, yesterday. Back home, someone messed with me, and my friends, utilizing their power.

I was normal.

I was scared.

I still am. I can't change that about myself. But. . . I can't be this weak, not in front of them. And I hate showing that side of me to anyone. Even now.

Anyway, I think that's it for now. Please, please take care of yourself. All of you.

Edited 2019-07-11 19:20 (UTC)

[Okay well. Thanks to a certain chat he had on Tuesday, Sandalphon comes wandering into the confession room with a full pot of coffee in one hand and a plate with takoyaki, mitarashi dango and these biscuits in the other. He spends the first thirty seconds standing and looking around the room with a dubious expression before eyeing the camera and settling down on the chair. As he leans over to put the coffee and food down, he briefly disappears from the shot, reappearing with a particularly sour look on his face. Finally, he tilts his head towards the ceiling and says:]

...Please provide us with a vehicle.

[There's a long silence after that, as if he seems to be waiting for something to happen. After a few more minutes of sitting there with an irritated expression, he heaves a sigh and deadpans:]

Can you pretty pretty please provide us with a vehicle.

[...There's another period of silence for around ten minutes before he quickly storms out of the room.]

[Ingway has no confessions to give. He doesn't even sit in the chair.]

Hello, le domicile. I have something for you.

[the stones on his chain glow red, rising up a bit... and a few bright red motes of energy drift out. If the House is indeed a living and growing thing... well, let's see if it will accept phozons as plants do?]

[The phozons do get accepted, but it's hard to tell where they go or if that's even enough to make the house grow more. Ingway will have to watch the house over the week to see for sure.]

[Which is exactly what he plans to do]

[It's been A week. It's been a long, painful, stressful week, and there's a tiredness in Atsushi's face that doesn't quite meet his eyes.

He's still got hope, after all.]

This... was the seventh full moon since I joined the foundation.

[He leans back in his chair, running a hand through white strands of hair interspersed with the rare streak of black on one side. Tiger stripes. He'd never looked 'human' to the foundation, probably.]

You know... I know what you might be thinking. What a monster, he's a threat to everyone around him. I've heard it all, you know. I can't even properly convince myself it isn't true, not really. But it wasn't always like this.

[His hands come together now, lacing his fingers quietly but tightly enough that the knuckles turn white.]

Where I grew up... I was locked up, chained, drugged. I was beaten and mistreated, all to prepare me for facing the world with this ability I didn't even know I had until I was 18 and on the streets. I don't know if it ever had the intended effect. I don't think it did. I still hate myself after all, no matter how much he intended otherwise.

But then Dazai-san offered me a job. The Agency took me in.

[He smiles softly, wistfully.]

The Armed Detective Agency, where I worked... they saved me. Gave me a home. Safety... maybe even a family, I'm starting to realize. And the president had a gift that allowed all of us to control our own abilities. I never had to fear losing control and harming the people I cared about, until I came here. I could protect people without fear I'd kill them in trying.

[There's a hint of bitterness there in his voice. Self-loathing, too.]

I know we don't seem human to a lot of you, and I know my turning into a violent beast on live TV probably makes some of you feel like it's justified. But I wasn't like this in my world. I had control, I was never a threat to anyone who didn't hurt me first. The Foundation took that away from me and made me into this.

[There's a crack in his voice, betraying the cracks in his soul. The fractures scattered about the psyche of someone who'd already been in the process of getting pieced together once before, until the foundation took a sledgehammer to that repair job.

He might have been able to make out the shape of it, once. He's not sure he'll be able to again.]

Maybe... think about that. Think about how cruel that is, to take someone away from the only home they've ever had and take their sense of safety and control away, too. To cage a person like a wild beast, to make them fear themselves and their own emotions every waking moment. Because I don't want to hurt anyone. I never have.

[He takes a deep shaking breath, pushing himself to his feet.]

All I can hope is that someday I won't have to be afraid like this anymore.

[ she walks in, takes a deep breath and sits down. her eyes are red and puffy due to the tears that streak down the side of her face and she has to clear her throat because of it.

she's had enough time to think, and enough time to cry and to drink some water so her voice isn't so raw.

for a moment, there's silence. Inaba opens her mouth, closes it. repeats herself several times as if struggling to find the proper words before finally, she speaks-- ]

I'm okay.

[ two words.

they're just two simple words but they hold meaning as her dark gaze fixes onto the camera. she wipes away her tears with the sleeve of her school uniform; she decided to wear it to make her seem more human. more... relatable.

maybe she could appease herself to the audience that way.

but she's not here today for them.

she's here today for a single person alone. ]

You probably. . . saw that, didn't you?

[ she laughs hollowly, bitterly. ]

I'm such a wreck. It's kind of funny. Earlier this week, Oda gave me some advice. Similar to the things that you said to me.

And, also. . .I told him that I was a monster. And on Thursday, I—

[ she frowns deeply, letting out a rather heavy sigh as she smiles. but it doesn't seem to reach her eyes in the slightest bit, just looking out into the distance. ]

. . . I don't know anymore. It's so weird to be alive, this time. It's so agonizingly lonely for me. Why do I have to be the lucky one this time? I didn't want this. I've never wanted this.

When I saw Dazai do that to Atsushi? I was just reminded so deeply of what happened to you before. Of course it had to be a gun. Of fucking course it had to be. It makes me feel like I'm trapped in an endless loop where I'm only allowed to be forced in these games just to watch the people I care about die in front of me and be unable to do anything about it but watch.

That's all I've been able to do, from the very beginning. Sit in the sidelines and just watch.

I couldn't do anything for him. Again. Again. Again. Again, I can't do anything right.

I just want it to end. I want to see you. Please. . . I don't know if I can handle it much longer. I'm already broken, after all, so it's not as if I could shatter any further than I already have. I just hope you're safe, at least. Because that's all I could wish for at this point.

Edited 2019-07-21 04:46 (UTC)

[ oda walks in, sitting down with a calm expression. whatever emotions he may be feeling on the inside, they're certainly not showing up on his face.

he sighs, and speaks. ]

I don't like doing this. [ a pause. oda looks straight at the camera, frowning. ] But I don't have a choice. The man I'd like to tell this to is long dead, after all.

[ there's another sigh, and a long pause of silence. whatever words he had come here with have been forgotten the moment he began to speak. ]

What you told me in the bar that night ate at my soul slowly. So slowly, that I never noticed it, letting it cloud my judgement with anger that I couldn't understand. It still clouds it, actually. Maybe it'll never stop.

...I wish I had never learned about it. About what you did nor why, and much less how. I wish I didn't have to think about how many lives you ruined for my sake, including your own. I wish I didn't have to look at our Host and see you instead, looking at me with a broken expression for a reason that I still can't understand. I wish I had never met you in the first place, so I could have continued my life normally.

[ ... ]

It wasn't worth it. If my death made sure that everyone else could live a normal life, then you should have left it that way. My life is not worth everything that you and others sacrificed.

[ oda closes his eyes, taking a few deep breaths before continuing. ]

But, well, that doesn't matter anymore. The damage has been done, and you're dead. So this--even this--is all for naught.

[Karen slips into the confession room early Tuesday morning, looking still distressed but a bit better than she has for the past few days. Hugging it out with Saki and having a good cry must have done her some good.

She takes a couple of deep breaths before she starts to speak.]

It's hard not to be afraid at a time like this. It isn't even dying, really. It's my friends, and the thought of never seeing them again. I--think I'm a little strange about it, since I... well, to be honest, I've never really been good at making friends. So even if everyone is fine, I might still be alone.

I have one friend in particular who I haven't seen recently, who really helped me out one time when I was at my worst. I really wish we could meet again. --I mean, I don't want to bring anyone here, but...

[Another pause, and a deep breath.]

I remember there was a time, once, when we saw a magic show together. We were working together at the same shop back then, and the magician was one of our customers--we sold him a "Magic for Beginners" book at one point, the first time he came in. He had me come up as a "volunteer from the audience," and then he covered everyone else in glitter. [She giggles a little at this.] He left us with a lot of souvenirs, too--just the few of us got what I would think was enough for over twenty people.

[Sigh.]

I think even just being able to see those souvenirs again would help a lot.

[ With so much work to be done, prinny sightings have been up from their usual this week. Mostly they've kept to the studio and the backyard area, but the household chores still need to be kept up with, so seeing them inside isn't unusual. What is different (and exciting? strange?) is two prinnies entering the confession room Tuesday night.

Well, entering might not be the right word, because entering normally suggests it's something done under one's own power and that's not so much the case when one of the prinnies is being rolled in by another one that seems to be grumbling under its breath. After some moments of flailing flippers and the clacking of unsteady peg legs, the brown prinny seems to have succeeded in lifting the lavender one high enough so that its blank eyes are high enough to reach the camera.

Once they get situated in the center of the room with a few wobbly steps, the lavender prinny speaks first: ]

We would like to request matcha, dood. Ceremonial grade matcha to be precise, pretty please. [ A beat. ] Dood.

[ There's a very long pause before the brown prinny on the bottom says anything. ]

...Please. [ It sounds so very tired despite the high, squeaky voice. ]

Edited 2019-07-24 06:53 (UTC)

[ AWAY FROM SIGHT OF CAMERA...

A bright orange prinny is very softly clapping. ]

Edited 2019-07-24 07:04 (UTC)

[ Well okay confessional camera hopefully the viewers enjoy the sight of a falling prinny as the the brown one makes a sharp turn at the clapping.

For anyone else, it probably comes as a sudden and unpleasant surprise, but for the brown prinny looking on as the lavender one slips from its shoulders, it's like watching the world run in slo mo. First, the gentle squeak of the stuffing as the body impacts the floor. Second, the clatter of the peg legs.

Third, an explosion.

The camera shakes as the shock wave rocks the room, leaving behind only a small scorch mark on the floor and clumps of pure white cotton stuffing drifting downwards. Everything is still.

Then the brown prinny runs out with a shout of frustration. ]

Edited 2019-07-24 07:17 (UTC)

[For the first time in the entire game, Moriarty appears in the confessions room - Still in his Servant attire, his cape on him with more than a few butterflies fluttering around him.

His eyes are still just as cold and severe as they became shortly after Akira's death, the chill of his entire being seeming to even be able to penetrate into the camera watching him.]

....I am no stranger to loss.

[He speaks, quietly - firm, but with nothing behind it, none of the fire or emotion he had at the start.]

Indeed, all I have ever had, I have lost. When I lived, I lost my single shot at being Good, at teaching, because I dared publish a truth the public was not ready for. I stained my hands in evil, yet everything that I gained, I lost again - at the hands of a single detective, so determined to stop me that it all faded away.

And in the end, I lost my life to that man - atop those falls, that rushing water...they still echo in my ears, louder than ever now.

Yet...those falls refuse to take me.

[He looks down for a moment, before his blue gaze flickers back up, resolute and solemn.]

...I am a villain. I can never be forgiven for my sins, nor do I ask for forgiveness - for I know I will never be given it, nor do I deserve it. Though I have not personally taken lives, I still bear the weight of those souls on my back.

But...even I cannot take eternal loss. Especially at those who have done nothing to deserve it, whose sins far underweigh my own. Those I saw as my own family...those close to me. I cannot do anything for their sufferings, or their deaths - merely continue on, as if that even remotely makes up for their losses and pain.

[There's a deep, bitter self-loathing as he says that - but then it vanishes, and he stares at the camera again, looking...pleading, almost.]

...I am James Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime, the man always destined to die for his crimes.

Yet, here... I have learned the pain of being the one that survives when everything is taken from you.

...And I wish I had never gained that knowledge.

[He sits in silence for a moment, closing his eyes - before getting up and leaving the room, shutting the door as quietly as he can.]

[ It's the first time Azura's used this, because she's finally figured out something she wants to say. She's in her pajamas with wet hair, like she just came from a shower, but her eyes are red from crying.

But first. She starts out her time in here with a song most everybody watching should know. She doesn't exactly have the same vocal type as Freddie Mercury, so she changes the pitch a bit, and it ends up sounding quite a bit more melancholy coming from her, though no less powerful. ]

Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
I'm okay, I'm alright
I ain't gonna face no defeat

I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Some day I'm gonna be free, Lord

[ At the end of that verse, she stops. ]

You know, I just don't know what to think, anymore. We're so close to the finish line, and I feel like I should allow myself to hope, but hope...is terrifying. If you spend your life thinking of the worst outcome, it takes its toll on you, but it makes you feel better in the short-term. If something turns out nicely, you can be pleasantly surprised. If you reach that state where everything hurts so badly you start to feel nothing at all, you can make yourself keep moving forward. But hope, it's...the one thing that can break you out of that mindset, and it's a very risky thing to grasp onto, because what happens if your hope is dashed? Then you're even more broken than before.

I never bothered to think of my life in the long-term. I always assumed I would die young, like so many of my bloodline before me. But now, it's-- [ Azura bites her lip, as she fights back tears forming in the corners of her eyes ] --it's different. There's someone who can help me, and someone who gives me the affection I'd missed as a child, and someone who I want to spend my remaining years with, as few or as many as they may be. That's hope, and I'm facing a very serious risk, because I don't know what I'll do if I lose any of them.

So...should I never have hoped at all? Will these short, precious moments have been worth it in the long run if I'm left in pieces afterward?

I don't know. I'm still figuring it out.

[ another pause, as Azura takes a moment to compose herself ]

Corrin. If you can hear this, wherever you are...please don't ever stop fighting. Please don't ever stop being kind, or optimistic, or willing to believe in the goodness of the people around you. There aren't enough people like you around. If I don't come back, and this is the last you ever hear from me--I'll be with you in spirit. Wherever you go, whatever choice you make.

[ Azura smiles, but it's a very clearly forced smile. ]

This is my first and last missive as the invisible queen. Though my line will have died with me, my people are strong, as they always have been. Those of you left, who have stood strong in the face of his tyranny, keep standing. Do not go quietly.

Long live the Hidden Kingdom.

[Nora apparently has the gift of prophecy, because Karen stomps into the confession room almost immediately after the motive.]

What the hell? "Kill each other or we'll do it for you?" What is this even about anymore? Anything? Is it about anything at all other than watching us die? Whose idea was this and why did anyone listen to them? About anything? It's like something-- [A short pause.] I can't even think of anyone stupid enough to think this was a legitimately good idea, and I've met some impressively stupid people.

[Congratulations, Wheatley, Karen thinks you're smarter than this.]

Which means this is just someone deliberately trying to get as many of us killed as possible. That's certainly a "special" containment procedure.

[With that, she turns and leaves.]

[ Hey Foundation, it’s your boi.

Vanitas is turning the chair around backwards, and resting his arms on the back of the seat. He’s quiet for a moment or two, his attention is off towards a corner of the room. For a moment, he looks younger, almost vulnerable as he tries to figure out what to say. ]

This is the confession room, so I might as well start confessing something, right?

[ He taps his chin for a moment, turning his amber eyes to the camera. He reaches behind him to pull out a blue wayfinder charm. Just going to hold it. ]

I never thought I would miss someone. It’s hilarious, right? The personification of someone's darkness and negativity actually missing someone. But I do miss her.

She actually made me one of these. She put a little magic in them. Supposedly, it'll help you find a way back. I loaned mine out to someone who probably needs it more.

[ Looking at the charm for a moment longer before he laughs. ]

I’m so stupid. Friendship isn’t something I can afford. [ There's a beat as he almost smiles. ] But I don’t actually regret it. I don’t regret any of the bonds I’ve made or those I chose to spend time with.

[ It's at this point he realizes how much he's sharing. This is enough. He closes his eyes as he puts himself back together again. ]

I’m pretty sure I’m not going to survive this, but I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. I have goals I want to accomplish.

[ His expression is set with something like determination. Then he's up and heading out of the room. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Round 4: confessions camera

week 1; thursday morning

Week 1, Thursday

Week 1, Thursday

Week 1 | Thursday

no subject

week 1 thursday afternoon

Silver confessions

Week 1 - Thursday Evening

Week 1 - Saturday Evening

Week 3 - Wednesday Early morning

Week 4- Saturday -- CW suicidal ideation

Ozaki Confessions

Saturday Night | Week 1

Ingway Confessions

Week1, Saturday Night

Week 2. Monday night.

Akira Confessions

Week 2, Monday

Week 3 Wednesday after game

Week 4, Saturday

Week 2, Thursday Morning

week 2; thursday morning

Leo's Confessions

Week 2, after Murder Trivia Party

week 3 monday evening

Week 3, Tuesday

week 3; thursday morning

Week 3, backdated to pre-game Wednesday

Week 3, post trial

no subject

no subject

Week 4, Friday Evening

week 4; saturday evening

w4, saturday evening

week 5 Tuesday morning CONFESSAGE

week 4 tuesday night

no subject

no subject

Week 5, after the game - slight suicidal implications?

Week 5 post-game

no subject

Week 6 | Wednesday