luministi | [Video] S03E02: He Cannot See the Haters

[At first glance it might seem like Ichijou is the victim of some random ritual slaughter, but he's really just sleeping awkwardly - he's seated in an office chair and leaning forward onto a desk, arms folded and face nestled in his arms. His CAT is clutched tightly in one of his hands, explaining how it got turned on. Before him sits a huge, ornate bowl (really more like a fancy washtub) full of... Is that blood? Nope, it's red wine.

Occasionally he'll squirm a little, brushing a foot against the opposite leg or nuzzling his sleeve.

And it's a bit odd that he's so undisturbed, as an old guy's voice in the background is berating Ichijou for being a useless peasant and spouting off unpleasant things about how he'll never see the light of day again, he's too much of a loser to have a family and he doesn't have any friends who care about him enough to "free" him, etc. etc. etc. A collection of other, younger men's voices nervously scramble to agree with each statement, others ask if they should begin preparations to declare him legally dead, and others still whisper sympathetic comments ever-so-quietly.

It doesn't sound like a very good place for Ichijou to be. Maybe someone should wake him up and try to talk him out of there. Or not. He seems pretty content.]

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[well, that's… kind of odd. Or at least suggests that that's a situation that's happened fairly often.

Or that Ichijou's a really deep sleeper.]

Ichijou?

[The only answer is a snort as he shifts his position, turning his head to the side and smooshing his cheek into his sleeve. The previous position left a rather attractive fabric texture and seam imprint on his forehead.

Perhaps you should try to stand out from the background noise a little more.]

[…yeah, that wasn't really ever going to make much of an impression. Hawk considers for a few moments, then puts his fingers up to his mouth and whistles sharply.]

Ichijou! Are you trying out a new look for your face?

[…it could well get his attention.]

[The whistle jolts him awake!]

Mmmh?? Oh, Hawk, hello...

[He puts the CAT down on the desk, then rubs his eyes a little as he adjusts to being awake.]

Did you say something about my face? Is there something on it?

[Ever-prepared for face related emergencies, he digs a compact out of his pocket and pops it open to look at himself. He immediately notices the marks and traces them with a perfectly-manicured nail. Normally being seen like this would be cause for a shitfit but now he just smiles with an unnatural serenity, folding the mirror back up.]

It'll go away on its own in a few minutes. Now, did you need me for something?

That's good! It's be a shame if it stuck that way, huh? But I'm sure you'd manage to make it into some kind of statement.

Ah, I wondered- you've been here all the time we were away, right?

Well thank you for believing in me like that! Of course I can't help but agree!

[He gently sets the compact next to the CAT on the desk and straightens up his previously awful posture.]

I've been, well, not "here" as in the lab all the time, but "here" as in- [He traces completely unnecessary illustrations for his explanation in the air with two fingers.] -the whole thing, lab, town, everywhere except-! [Dot!] Lab 3!

Is that all that you were wondering, or was there something else?

Of course. [He smiles.]

Is there anything you've learnt you think could help us? Or if there's any light you can shed on the food situation- how are you doing, by the way? [looking concerned for a moment]

Nothing useful at this point, unfortunately. I've been sending distress calls since all of you arrived but have yet to receive any kind of reply.

Did Mister Rider send you to talk to me? As much as I want to make life easier for everyone in town, with the way I sort of feel responsible for it and everyone in it, I just couldn't bring myself to try to offer him any more advice than I already have. I simply do not like that man at all.

But with grudges out of the picture, I can grant you permission to take whatever you can use from my townhome. It's unlocked and since I had been experimenting with cooking a lot since I'd been planning to spoil anyone who showed up there are a lot of basics - flour, sugar, jellies, that kind of thing.

Ah… and it's been a couple of weeks, now… that's not good.

Mm, I see. Well, I'm glad you still feel you can talk to me.

[He nods, and offers a small smile.] All right. Thank you! I'm sure that'll be very helpful… I just wish we could share whatever we make.

[Someone called for an alarm?

Kon's not so sure how him calling out to Ichijou would be, so he settles for clanging on the pots and pans in his (now incredibly clean) kitchen.

Those voices don't sound very pleasant, but he's not sure how much this'd work either...]

[All the clanging gets his attention as well as a surprised gasp! He settles into a neutral expression almost instantly though.]

Ah, good morning. Is it morning?

[He fumbles to push his sleeve up a little to look at his watch.]

Surely you must have a reason for getting my attention like that. Did something happen?

[Now he just feels bad.]

You were soaked in blood, man. I just wanted to make sure you were still alive... [Forgive Kon. He's never actually seen red wine before now.]

[Video] S03E02: He Cannot See the Haters

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