Messenger Box

[eyeswideopen]

If you need to get a hold of Komaeda, here's where you do it.

Messenger birds, action, what have you.

Comments

[Letter]

[eyeswideopen]

Greetings,

Sorry we didn't run into each other earlier. I was a bit busy! I'll glad talk to you about whatever you feel like. I did have something I wanted to ask you as well.

Lunch is fine, I'll feel all afternoon and evening.

Nagito Komaeda

[Letter]

[boredalready]

Hey,

No, don't worry about it. I had some stuff to deal with too.

Can you meet me at the "From the Hearth" restaurant in two hours? I have to stop by the metalworks real quick but I'm free for the rest of the day.

Lloyd

Letter --- > action

[eyeswideopen]

Alright,

I can certainly do that! I just left a blacksmith's shop myself. I'll see you soon.

Nagito

--

[It hadn't been easy carrying a weighted spear to the blacksmith and explaining what he wanted it turned into. He'd even left his boots with them, replacing them with his old shoes. The results will be more than worth it. From the Hearth is known to him. His best friend works there and that's where his friend's party had been.

Right as the clock ticks at two hours, he steps through the doorway and scans the room. Where is Lloyd? He has to wonder what he wants to talk about. Even if his mind still feels hazy as hell...he knows exactly what he wants to say to him.]

Action

[boredalready]

[Lloyd's sitting at a table in the back corner. It's been only a few minutes since his arrival, but he looks like he's deep in thought.

He's not sure what the hell to say to Nagito if he's honest. He knows the other has pledged to help find a way to cure Colette and for that Lloyd's grateful. He might even like him as a friend. If he had to choose between him, that Hinata character and Junko, Lloyd would pick Nagito, hands down. But, he doesn't really know him either.

He looks up, spots his lunch companion and waves him over.]

Hey, thanks for coming on such short notice.

[eyeswideopen]

[Nagito weaves his way over to Lloyd with his coat draped over one arm. His expression is one of mild curiousity.] No thanks needed, I'm glad to see you again. Just what did you wish to talk about?

I'll explain what I wished to discuss afterward. [Even if Lloyd decided to reject their aquiantenceship, he'd still help save Colette. She's his friend and he doesn't let then down. Nagito slides into his chair and drapes his coat over the back of it.]

[boredalready]

[He waits for Nagito to sit before he answers him. It's not like this is an easy topic. And he doesn't look happy to talk about it either.]

That Hinata guy and Junko. He tried to warn me against you, and she said that I should trust you over her. What the hell is wrong with them?

[eyeswideopen]

There are too many things to name about what's wrong with Enoshima Junko. We'd be here all day and still not cover all of it. [He says mildly but looks like he expected this. It's not a surprise after that time Hinata wanted to learn all he could about this new him and would do anything to get his answers. His shoulders sag as he sighs heavily.]

Hinata means well, and months ago he'd have been right! I was dangerous to everyone with my ideals on hope. But that hasn't been true for a while now. I won't tell you who to trust. That's up to you. I'm far more worried about Junko's attempts to influence either you or Colette.

She is extremely good at what she does, Lloyd. She is willing to do whatever she can to get her despair. Even killing her own sister for it. She looks harmless and in terms of a physical fight...you or I would win. But that's not the only way to destroy a person.

[boredalready]

I know I'm not exactly the smartest, but Junko's...off. I talked to her a couple of times and she switched personalities like ten thousand times. It's really disturbing.

And even if Hinata means well, he should learn to ask his questions without offending anyone. He seems mostly concerned about you and how you managed to change, not that I can answer that very well, but I'll admit that our conversation focused a lot more on Junko though. He tried to warn me about her too and I'm grateful for that.

[He frowns as he listens to what Nagito says about the girl in question. But one part grabs his attention.]

What do you mean she killed her sister?

[eyeswideopen]

Junko Enoshima executed her. I saw the memory myself when the tree appeared but from what I remember, the 'games' where she forced classes to kill each other. Her sister was a victim. The first, in fact.

It might be best to explain her mindset as I've come to understand it from personal interaction. Enoshima seeks despair. But not the normal kind of day to day depression. She also has the full range of emotions anyone else has. Thinking like this, how would you go about great personal despair?

[There's a really simple, very nasty answer. Destroy all friends and family. By breaking those people, the despair would be enormous. Killing them, even worse.]

Hinata and I both were once her victims. Here she values us because of it. And as I said, he means well. And I won't lie to you I did things I have to atone for. It's a very complicated situation but I do trust no matter what Hinata will do what is right. And Ultimate Despair, Junko Enoshima is at this moment likely engineering ways to make herself feel even greater despair.

In her usual manner likely building connections among like minded people. Or exploiting others weaknesses. We all have darkness, or flaws, or weaknesses. Those are her real weapons.

[boredalready]

No one's perfect. I've done things that I'm not proud of. Things that cost people their lives, their homes...By trying to help a friend, we accidentally caused our village to be burned by some really bad people called Desians. But I've always tried to make it up to those that I've wronged by doing the best that I possibly could.

It sounds like your situation is different but I'm not going to hold any of what you did against you, since it seems like you want to make up for it. Hinata seems okay and he might mean well, but he's burning bridges before he's even got a food in the door and causing unnecessary trouble.

Especially since Junko's probably as dangerous as you say she is. [Because he does trust Nagito's judgment about this. It's a gut feeling. Something that Genis would probably say was his animal instincts kicking in. It's what's alerted him to not get too close to Junko in the first place.]

I know someone like that. He even went so far as to pose as a kid around my best friend's age to try and dupe him into betraying us, all of us. He was my friend, or so I thought. But he's the reason my world is so messed up. He's the reason Colette is suffering.

[eyeswideopen]

...I have full confidence that this is a very difficult situation for Hinata. [He speaks slowly. Komaeda had dealt with Enoshima for months. He hates her like no one else will but, his feelings about Hinata are so mixed up he still doesn't know which way to fall. All he knows is he wants to keep talking to him. He stares at the coffee on his side of the table when it's placed in front of him.]

I'm here, and we have a history that is full of more bad than good. Mm, and we haven't forgiven each other for that. But I've changed and that's more than a little upsetting to him. He's not a rigid individual, but in terms of reactions - he's extremely predictable.

[He knew from the moment he saw him that he'd be confused and possibly make trouble for him. Komaeda picks up his coffee and takes a swallow of the contents. Bitter but he prefers that taste over anything sugary.]

Because he reacts like any normal person would. ...as strange as it sounds, his real character shows when he stops reacting and starts doing. [As irritated as he is with him. He still...]

He's a foolish person, but... [He doesn't notice the wistful fondness that enters his voice.] maybe that's what makes him so interesting.

[boredalready]

Hm. Well, I hope that you two can learn to get along better. I'm sure you will if that's what you both want.

[Lloyd, ever the connoisseur of food after traveling with Regal for so long, has ordered a bowl of the paella. Because, haha, it tastes awesome and is free of those horrid tomatoes! ]

If there's anything I can do to help let me know.

[After his offer of help, Lloyd stares at his food before eating a bit. But, he's got a lot on his mind still.]

I wanna talk to you about Colette too. I don't really know what she was doing before I got here. Junko talked about things that happened before I arrived, but Colette didn't. That usually means she either got hurt or something scared her so bad she won't talk about it. She's a crap liar, but she avoids topics with the best of them if she thinks she can get away with it.

I know she doesn't mean it in a bad way, but she sorta relies on the fact that I don't know as much as she does to get out of topics that are a little uncomfortable.

[eyeswideopen]

Well, you need to refresh my memory when you showed up. It's been a bit hectic lately! [Should he admit to why Colette might not be talking? Does he know? He has a few guesses but until he can pinpoint the timeframe, it's difficult to say.

...but Lloyd is out to help her and extended an offer of help to him too. About Hinata of all people but still. Komaeda eats slowly, savoring his toasted tomato, basil, and mozzarella panini. Foreign foods can be a bit weird but From The Hearth makes such good cuisine he isn't afraid to explore the menu.]

Especially with the anti-Arehtei riots earlier and their apparent attempts to do them harm.

[boredalready]

The what? [That has Lloyd's fork hitting his plate with a bit of a clatter with a look of horror mixed with confusion.] Are you joking? Is it even possible to hurt them in ways besides what Junko did to Peromei?

[He is totally earnest in his question. He didn't hear about any riots! He was busy dealing with Junko, actually.]

I got here about the time when Thras decided to kidnap people for fun and games. Colette was one of them and Kor and I went to go get her back.

[eyeswideopen]

Actually, Thras didn't tell us that he was using his 'game' as a move to establish us as a neutral party. Which, considering the circumstances was wise. But I couldn't tell you what his aims are or what really motivates him. I intended to get a history lesson from him and he distracted me with disturbing information.

[So he hadn't known about it. Komaeda sets his sandwich down on his plate and shakes his head. Despite his companion's horror, he is just serious and calm. It's all things he's heard and dealt with before. But, at the same time it's the plans weaving their way through his mind like delicate webs.]

The situation happened while we were in Shaarnath. Likely caused by the reveal of the city. I believe it's public knowledge what the world below looks like. To find an ancient enemy survived...not being the last didn't matter to them in the face of old hate.

While many understand the Arehtei are not beings of destruction, you will find those who will think it anyway. It's human nature. Whether these thoughts are brought about by desire for power, sorrow, rage, hate, or even fear. Or perhaps even a desire to shatter the chains of something vast over their heads...

[He stares at his own hands, seeing the past Peromei had showed him in his mind's eyes. The terrible destruction played out again in the thunder of hooves and shouts of the soldiers.] Some will fall to the 'darkness in the hearts of man'. Just as they did in their history before the Calamity or 'Emotional Disturbance' as Thras called it.

Only Daimonia and Thras possibly remember what happened to cause this world to fall. Whether they'll tell us or not. Perhaps some wreckage of civilization survived. But I don't need my luck to say these events in motion right now are reflections of that time.

[boredalready]

Yeah, I tried to figure out what was going on in Shaarnath and didn't get very far. But that's where I met her and by the time we were done talking, I was pretty confused. I didn't hear anything about riots while I was there.

[Which shouldn't really surprise anyone. If he'd been in Verens, that would've been a different story. He listens intently to what Nagito says, not really getting everything but understanding enough to be disgusted.]

So, you're telling me that they fought against the Arehtei before and when Shaarnath appeared they just assumed something bad and attacked?

[eyeswideopen]

That's what history suggests. Only it wasn't the clash of hopes one would expect from a war. I have reason to believe...joy and grief, bravery and fear were in equal measures allowing Thras and Daimonia to retain themselves. [He holds up a finger and waves it once to indicate his first point. He has more thoughts in mind, and they're not going to be pretty.]

I believe there were anti-factions before. Or at the very least at some point the frustrations of those unhappy with the Arehtei grew to a head. And you're familiar with what we've said about Arehtei coming here, are you not?

[Lloyd seems to be parsing what he's saying but he's still not taking it as fast as he would if it were a class trial.]

[boredalready]

[Lloyd can keep up when it's something really important. He's gotten a lot better about it. And this sounds very important and something he can't afford to forget. There's no Raine or Genis to remember and remind him later. He's gotta do it for himself now.]

I can understand about people being dissatisfied with how the Arehtei could be in the past, I guess. That makes some sense, but not for now.

No, I'm not really sure what that means? I mean, I heard about what happened with Sosyne showed up. She was really angry and destroyed a lot of buildings and stuff. But... I mean, I've only seen Thras appear and the others were just here already. Plus, some of the stuff that people talk about doesn't really get clarified really well for me to understand it, so I just...don't bother with it.

[eyeswideopen]

Well! Allow me to explain what they haven't bothered to. [Nagito spreads his hands out with a faint smile of his face. He's hardly surprised that it has to be explained. People at town hall seemed reluctant to even break things down. They should have been combing over every detail not shouting back and forth like foolish and arrogant politicians.

Idiots.]

Originally, all but Thras and Daimonia were corrupted. Even Elios. Each time an emotional swing happens, one of the Arehtei comes here. Elios was cleansed by love but not before causing a lot of destruction.

Peromei we lured away from the city and she brought forth a maze. Sosyne raged and caused others to rage...

I only heard it got worse as the battle between her and Elios raged on. Elios shielded her. But that's not the important part.

Now imagine... [He picks up his spoon and holds it just on the top of his coffee.]

This is how it was. And as they grew unhappy with their society, including the Arehtei... [He slowly lowers the spoon into the liquid.]

Peromei said 'darkness took the hearts of man'. Connected as deeply as they are to humans, what do you think happened to them in the process?

[boredalready]

[That smile... is kinda creepy.

But the explanation makes sense to Lloyd. And he can't do much else but frown.]

When people are corrupt, everything else gets corrupted too. Don't have to be a genius to understand that.

[eyeswideopen]

Corrupted as they were. What do you think the Arehtei did in reply? [The answer is just as simple. Just as nasty as the plain statement Lloyd had just made. Nagito isn't smiling anymore. Whatever thoughts or emotions he has are locked up. His eyes are sharp, watchful as if he's merely waiting to act.]

[boredalready]

[He takes a minute to think things through to the end and he doesn't like the answer he comes up with.]

Well, I don't know anyone that likes to be forced to feel a lot of negative things, so they probably attacked in response. I mean, they have two sides, right? Like Thras has courage and cowardice and Peromei has hope and despair. So, if they were filled with too much negative, they'd be more likely to do negative things.

[eyeswideopen]

[Komaeda smiles a bit too widely. Lloyd has common sense which makes him a hell of a lot better than his fellow classmates he had to lead around by the strings. This would be about the time most realize Nagito is vastly unstable.

Still.

After a second the smile vanishes as he continues in an almost casual tone.]

Mm, something like that! This is where it gets a little tricky. The way Thras talked about it differs from what Peromei showed me. I would consider it much closer to the sheer weight of the negativity they endured caused a mental breakdown in all of them.

Including, the world herself. Possibly. It's a theory of mine that the Arehtei include the World's Consciousness. It would make sense! Naturally I can't confirm it since Simpathis seems not only protected but the other Arehtei say little about their nature!

[boredalready]

[Lloyd eyes Nagito's smile, wary but not for a reason he can put his finger on. It was his innate "animal instincts" that had kept him alive thus far and luck, no matter what Genis wanted to say. And that smile is almost as disturbing as Mithos himself had sometimes been, before it was gone.

The swift change is just as disturbing for its timing more than anything else, but he realizes that he does trust his friend but something about the conversation has caused the strange behavior.]

Well, I'm sure that it's different from two of them because they're not the same. They'd look at the same thing differently. Like you and I could see the identical stuff and still not see it exactly the same way. That's the way it works in my experience.

But what you're saying is that all the negative emotions caused them all to go crazy? And who's this Simpathis? I've never heard of that before.