[Times have been rough. With the appearance of the ghostly students, he's felt a mix of pain and relief. One thing that sticks out to him, however, is that no matter how many of them he finds, none of them seem to he Stephanie.
This keeps his hope alive - and it also draws him to the bathroom on this evening, where he finds someone else already hard at work. A certain new math teacher.]
...Ah... Sportacus-Sensei? [He greets him with a soft bow of his head.]
Oh, Ishimaru! [because unlike steph, he immediately noticed that naming customs were way different here and set about learning them.] Someone must have finished cleaning after we all left that night. They are very thorough! You would never even know anything happened here.
[which is, y'know, the problem. he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.]
People... disappear here a lot, I've heard the others say... But, it is strange to disappear into thin air, even here?
The janitor here is quite diligent and thorough with his work. [He nods firmly as he says that, his words containing respect for the custodian's work without any energy. He doubts anything can be accomplished at thos point, but he is not about to give up right away.]
These circumstances are unusual, to be sure. Someone usually does not disappear like this. Especially not in a way in which they are seemingly, ah, instantly replaced by a peer of theirs. [He doesn't sound like he blames Sportacus, at least. He doesn't knlw what to make of all this.]
We will find her... And I am very certain she's not been harmed. [it's about 98%, but that 2% would be enough to qualify "she's unharmed" as a lie. that night, he could smell salt, and water, and something like magic, but not blood.] Even without my crystal, I have always been able to tell.
[even though, at some point between bidding her goodnight and waking up here, both of them just fucking died. so clearly someone dropped the ball here.]
[Sportacus does have a naturally reassuring presence. Especially in Ishimaru's eyes, as he's had a shortage of reliable authority figures in his life for quite some time now. Not to mention that Stephanie vouched for him! So he feels some hope... he wants to believe!]
That - that is very reassuring to know. Thank you so much, Sensei. It does ease my heart to know that she is unhurt... wherever she may be. [Although who knows what she's going through now, even if she's physically unharmed?]
The way that you talk about this, it sounds as if you have some sort of sixth sense for this kind of thing!
You could say that! [a slightly embarrassed sort of laugh] After so many years, you just gain a sense for such things. My job is to keep people out of trouble, after all -- and I can already tell this place will be very challenging!
[which, admittedly, he sounds super psyched about.]
I see! Well, in that case, I will trust in your sense! [In order to hold onto this hope. He does know exactly what he means about this place being challenging, and he doesn't seem very excited about that himself. He nods sadly.]
...I am sorry to say that your first impressions are accurate. I wish you the best in keeping others out of trouble, and I am willing to help you however I can! But... but many horrible things have happened in these halls without any of us being able to prevent them.
[With the arrival of a great hero, he wants to believe that the tides can turn... but this is harder for him to feel hopeful about.]
I have... heard a few things. [also he read the entire archive for fun and truly what can he say except Yikes.]
... When a terrible thing happens, you always try to think of what you could have done differently. You ask, "What would I have done, if I had known?" [shakes head] But, it's the wrong question, isn't it? Because you didn't know, and couldn't have. Instead, you can ask, "Knowing what I know now, what can I do to prevent this from ever happening again?"
[he catches himself looking into the mirror.]
The past will always be what it is. The future is meant to change.
[Ishimaru takes his words in and regards him with a firm nod.]
...Yes. I see. That - that truly is the better way to look at things. [At this point, it feels like killings have continued no matter how he's tried to prepare himself. But he tries to have faith in those words and goes on shakily.]
I have lived my life with a firm belief in the power of hard work. Through effort, anything is possible. I do want to believe that - that this can even shape the future for the better. M-my time here in this school has ended up serving as... as the ultimate test of this belief. It has become harder to hold onto my conviction... b-but I do not want to give up, Sensei.
A very wise friend once told me that there is always a way. As long as you work together and keep hope alive, you can do impossible things.
[he puts a hand on Ishimaru's shoulder. he's not used to kids being closer to his size - but, that is what everyone here is to him. and you never reach an age where you don't need reassurance when times are tough.]
You haven't been alone here since the start, yes? And you won't be. I can't promise that it will be easy. But, I can promise that we will be free.
[A small smile grows on his face, with the breath of a laugh, as he looks towards Sportacus. It's getting harder to worry in the face of him and his words of wisdom.]
You are right. Ever since I woke up in this school, I have not been alone. I may not get along with everyone, but I have also made some dear friends. And we truly are all in this together, no matter what.
[He pauses before he goes on.]
I am not sure what "free" means, in this place. In these circumstances. ...And yet, I feel that... I look forward to reaching whatever freedom awaits, at the end of this road. [Even if it could be a kind that feels somewhat scary.]
[His smile grows a little, as he thinks he has a good idea who this wise little lady is!
Then he grows more thoughtful and rubs at his chin.]
I... I see. It certainly seems that this school is not... whatever it was intended to be. [It certainly isn't what he imagined the afterlife would be like.] Now it is a matter of determining what it is that needs to be helped, and how we can do it. Then we can truly work towards a better future!
Working towards a better future is the most important thing anyone can do, I think.
Now! Onto other things. [claps] I have been trying to figure things out, but there's one thing I just can't find an answer for. [if there even is one] Does anyone know who is actually in charge of this school? I have only met the vice principal, but she is, ah... very clearly not in charge of anything.
[she reminds him of the mayor, but with much less discernible intentions. so he's basically on the lookout for the yogen miss busybody.]
Ah, I... I do wish that I had a satisfactory answer for you! Trust me, that is a question that I have long wondered myself, but there has been no concrete answer to mystery. [He really wishes he can talk to the manager.]
There is supposedly a principal who has long been missing. The vice president is the highest authority were have been able to reach... but I agree with you, that she certainly does not seem to be the being beyond this. I apologize that I am unable to be more helpful to you, Sensei!
[quickly] No, no, that's very helpful! Knowing that we don't know anything is the first step to knowing something!
We have both been given a little bit of power by this place. [places his fists on his hips] We should make use of it before they realize that was a very bad decision!
Yes... Of course. You are right, Sensei! [Thank goodness he has someone like this guy to raise his spirits! Ishimaru balls up his fist with determination.]
We have to use our power wisely! And I, I am sure that we can make significant progress in turning the tides here. We- we will solve this place's mystery and secure our freedom. For all of us, including those who have gone missing... We cannot give up!
Ah... Yes, of course! You are right. You are still very new to this school, Sensei, so I apologize for putting so much on you so soon. I suppose that... I am the senior here of the two of us!
[It's a sad reminder. With a dependable adult with such strong ideals around, Ishimaru was ready to put everything on him and count on him to save the day. But things aren't so simple here... Ishimaru is the one who's been here longer and is more equipped to take on this place.]
That said, I am not sure about what action to take next beyond the basics. We must continue investigating and finding out as much as we can about this place. Perhaps we can see if there's any information about this school's principal? I do not recall anyone discussing that person in quite some time, and it could indeed be an important link towards the top of this operation!
[nods] I have been by that room... It's very cold, isn't it? You can feel it through the door... Colder than anyone could live in. Any human, at least. [and also him probably iceland isn't that cold]
...Of course. By sharing burdens... we can work hard and progress together!
[He nods along, frowning as thinks about the office.]
That is true. The office does appear to be too cold for anyone to properly enter it, so that place has been off-limits to us. Unless something can be done for that, we would have to seek out clues about the principal elsewhere.
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yogen2021-11-03 02:21 am
no subject
This keeps his hope alive - and it also draws him to the bathroom on this evening, where he finds someone else already hard at work. A certain new math teacher.]
...Ah... Sportacus-Sensei? [He greets him with a soft bow of his head.]
no subject
[which is, y'know, the problem. he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.]
People... disappear here a lot, I've heard the others say... But, it is strange to disappear into thin air, even here?
no subject
These circumstances are unusual, to be sure. Someone usually does not disappear like this. Especially not in a way in which they are seemingly, ah, instantly replaced by a peer of theirs. [He doesn't sound like he blames Sportacus, at least. He doesn't knlw what to make of all this.]
no subject
[even though, at some point between bidding her goodnight and waking up here, both of them just fucking died. so clearly someone dropped the ball here.]
no subject
That - that is very reassuring to know. Thank you so much, Sensei. It does ease my heart to know that she is unhurt... wherever she may be. [Although who knows what she's going through now, even if she's physically unharmed?]
The way that you talk about this, it sounds as if you have some sort of sixth sense for this kind of thing!
no subject
You could say that! [a slightly embarrassed sort of laugh] After so many years, you just gain a sense for such things. My job is to keep people out of trouble, after all -- and I can already tell this place will be very challenging!
[which, admittedly, he sounds super psyched about.]
no subject
...I am sorry to say that your first impressions are accurate. I wish you the best in keeping others out of trouble, and I am willing to help you however I can! But... but many horrible things have happened in these halls without any of us being able to prevent them.
[With the arrival of a great hero, he wants to believe that the tides can turn... but this is harder for him to feel hopeful about.]
no subject
... When a terrible thing happens, you always try to think of what you could have done differently. You ask, "What would I have done, if I had known?" [shakes head] But, it's the wrong question, isn't it? Because you didn't know, and couldn't have. Instead, you can ask, "Knowing what I know now, what can I do to prevent this from ever happening again?"
[he catches himself looking into the mirror.]
The past will always be what it is. The future is meant to change.
no subject
...Yes. I see. That - that truly is the better way to look at things. [At this point, it feels like killings have continued no matter how he's tried to prepare himself. But he tries to have faith in those words and goes on shakily.]
I have lived my life with a firm belief in the power of hard work. Through effort, anything is possible. I do want to believe that - that this can even shape the future for the better. M-my time here in this school has ended up serving as... as the ultimate test of this belief. It has become harder to hold onto my conviction... b-but I do not want to give up, Sensei.
no subject
[he puts a hand on Ishimaru's shoulder. he's not used to kids being closer to his size - but, that is what everyone here is to him. and you never reach an age where you don't need reassurance when times are tough.]
You haven't been alone here since the start, yes? And you won't be. I can't promise that it will be easy. But, I can promise that we will be free.
[and that he can say with 100% conviction.]
no subject
[A small smile grows on his face, with the breath of a laugh, as he looks towards Sportacus. It's getting harder to worry in the face of him and his words of wisdom.]
You are right. Ever since I woke up in this school, I have not been alone. I may not get along with everyone, but I have also made some dear friends. And we truly are all in this together, no matter what.
[He pauses before he goes on.]
I am not sure what "free" means, in this place. In these circumstances. ...And yet, I feel that... I look forward to reaching whatever freedom awaits, at the end of this road. [Even if it could be a kind that feels somewhat scary.]
no subject
[he pauses, glancing around them.]
Something about this place is... wrong. Like it is meant to be a certain way, but can't be. Helping it will make whatever happens after much easier.
no subject
Then he grows more thoughtful and rubs at his chin.]
I... I see. It certainly seems that this school is not... whatever it was intended to be. [It certainly isn't what he imagined the afterlife would be like.] Now it is a matter of determining what it is that needs to be helped, and how we can do it. Then we can truly work towards a better future!
no subject
Now! Onto other things. [claps] I have been trying to figure things out, but there's one thing I just can't find an answer for. [if there even is one] Does anyone know who is actually in charge of this school? I have only met the vice principal, but she is, ah... very clearly not in charge of anything.
[she reminds him of the mayor, but with much less discernible intentions. so he's basically on the lookout for the yogen miss busybody.]
no subject
Ah, I... I do wish that I had a satisfactory answer for you! Trust me, that is a question that I have long wondered myself, but there has been no concrete answer to mystery. [He really wishes he can talk to the manager.]
There is supposedly a principal who has long been missing. The vice president is the highest authority were have been able to reach... but I agree with you, that she certainly does not seem to be the being beyond this. I apologize that I am unable to be more helpful to you, Sensei!
no subject
We have both been given a little bit of power by this place. [places his fists on his hips] We should make use of it before they realize that was a very bad decision!
no subject
We have to use our power wisely! And I, I am sure that we can make significant progress in turning the tides here. We- we will solve this place's mystery and secure our freedom. For all of us, including those who have gone missing... We cannot give up!
no subject
[thinks...]
I'm still playing catch-up with this place, but you have been here much longer than me. If anyone can find the next direction we should take, you can!
[ishimaru seems like the type of person who thrives with an objective.]
no subject
[It's a sad reminder. With a dependable adult with such strong ideals around, Ishimaru was ready to put everything on him and count on him to save the day. But things aren't so simple here... Ishimaru is the one who's been here longer and is more equipped to take on this place.]
That said, I am not sure about what action to take next beyond the basics. We must continue investigating and finding out as much as we can about this place. Perhaps we can see if there's any information about this school's principal? I do not recall anyone discussing that person in quite some time, and it could indeed be an important link towards the top of this operation!
no subject
[nods] I have been by that room... It's very cold, isn't it? You can feel it through the door... Colder than anyone could live in. Any human, at least. [and also him probably iceland isn't that cold]
no subject
[He nods along, frowning as thinks about the office.]
That is true. The office does appear to be too cold for anyone to properly enter it, so that place has been off-limits to us. Unless something can be done for that, we would have to seek out clues about the principal elsewhere.