luministi

It's hard to type when I can't feel my fingers so I'll keep this short.

I've been waiting for a good time to announce this but there isn't one.

When we looked at Lab 3 I got this message:

This time, Ichijou Seiya, I do plan to tell you. I have tried the clandestine method under various disguises, but those offer little joy now, not when you all expect it.

No, this time, you get a bit of truth. A truth that, if your so-called saviors had possessed the forethought, you ought to have heard from the beginning. Unfortunately, we all know what is said about truth, especially if it is a truth that has been kept from us for so long.

There is a switch on the wall by the door to that room. Press it and you will see the "machines" you thought were tasked with returning you to your homes. These are but mere illusion, meant to fool you into thinking there was an actual scientific method of man's doing that could send you across worlds and through various dimensions. A clue to it all lies before you.

But the hard truth is: only two beings possess knowledge of the true way home, and neither are in a position to do so. One, quite willingly, will never do so, and the other won't get the chance to. He tried so hard to save you, but his plans have only led to my gaining an ever-increasing amount of strength over this beautiful experiment.

I have said before there is no escape and that, my dear friends, has never been a lie.

Good-bye for now. I eagerly await your screaming messages at me once more.

The part about the switch was accurate.

I was putting together a timeline for someone and realized: Nathan wouldn't tell me to forbid entry into that room for no reason.

If the machines were a ruse, the only other notable things there were pictures of us.

The pictures are what I was supposed to be protecting. The flash we all saw as we arrived here may have been a camera taking a picture like I originally thought.

That's all I have for now.

Find me if you need me.

manicurious

[If anyone happens to be near townhome A7 East, they may be able to hear Ichijou SCREAMING REALLY LOUDLY. But those at a distance won't be deprived of his terrible screeching since he'll continue screaming into his CAT on a public audio transmission!]

Proctor!? Goddammit, Proctor!! Why didn't we make someone go with you!?

That's it! I don't care about the consequences anymore! I'm doing it!

[There's the sound of a swoosh of fabric as he grabs a coat to put on, and the message stops.

Ichijou is heading toward the Mayor's house, then to the space station to try to get into Lab 3. He'll be picking up at least one companion along the way, but others are certainly welcome to show up at any time! Or to harass him over the network, if they're keen on getting yelled at.]

manicurious

[Ichijou has received a very alarming message, which despite the general secrecy surrounding anything to do with Nathan he just can't keep to himself. He's trying to maintain a calm tone via text, but in person he's, well, clearly more than a little upset.]

I received a message overnight from the device of my emergency contact in response to one of my distress calls. It isn't him. I don't know who it is or what they've done with my contact. The message reads:

There is nothing for him to say as he does not know you are saying anything at all. Your words fall on ears unable to hear.

And soon, you will have no breathe with which to utter them.

I'm at a loss here. Aside from attempting negotiations, I can only think of one possible measure to take as a last resort...

manicurious

[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.]

manicurious

[The transmission begins with something of a disdainful snort. Someone is ~~on the verge of~~ throwing a tantrum as he stands in front of a window displaying the starry expanse outside, clutching a pillow in the most aggressive way it's physically possible for him to clutch a pillow.]

Really? Really!? I spent HOW many months making sure that every little nook and cranny of this station remains perfectly flawless and beautiful, waiting and waiting AND WAITING for this day, this MOMENT, and THIS is the thanks I get!? Being locked back here!? Just how in the hell am I supposed to welcome everyone like this, huh!? How am I supposed to be a gracious, pleasant host when I'm locked in the station's equivalent to a GODDAMN MAINTENANCE CLOSET!?

[His death-grip on the pillow tightens visibly.]

I'm going to have a word with that man, and if he doesn't help me fix this, I... I'll think of something!!

[The video switches off, but the audio stays on for a moment to catch a muffled comment:]

This was supposed to be such a good day...

manicurious.livejournal.com

[We interrupt your normal day in Luministi for this accidental broadcast of Ichijou's dreams coming true. The locale is an impeccably clean room decorated with brilliant shades of golds, reds, and purples - his favorites. Of particular note, and probably the reason for the CAT broadcasting all of a sudden, is what Ichijou himself is doing, namely, tightly hugging a big guy in a suit while crying loudly.]

Murakami!! I knew it...! I knew you'd come for me!

But sir, I-

After that day I thought I'd never see you again. [He buries his face into the other man's chest, giving off muffled sobs. His companion reluctantly wraps an arm around his back and starts rubbing it in wide circular motions.] I've missed you so much, Murakami...

Boss, could you take off the pin that's on your jacket? It's grinding into me.

Pin? Ah...

[Ichijou pulls away and checks the CAT, noticing that it's been turned on. He wipes his face with his sleeve and addresses his audience.]

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my dear friend and loyal guard, Murakami. He can be a little reckless and violent at times, but I can assure you that none of you have anything to worry about.

[With a sinister smile:] Except you, Mister Rider.

manicurious.livejournal.com

[Ichijou seems to be enjoying the relative peace right now, as he can currently be seen over the network relaxing in his townhome, contentedly filing his nails. Unfortunately this means that everything he says is accompanied by the annoying background noise of his fingernails scratching against a little metal file. Nearby on a table (but not too nearby, so as not to risk getting nail filings on it) sits a small plate holding a partially eaten piece of cake with a roughly half-full cup of coffee next to that.]

So, did everyone accomplish what they wanted? Since I'm not blind I noticed that several of you seem to have succeeded in wrecking some structures around town, but aside from various girls apparently going missing I haven't heard much news - hardly even a whisper, actually. Most of the town seems to be in a rather sour mood all of a sudden, which I suppose could have to do with most of their landmarks being destroyed by a bunch of rambunctious outsiders.

[The filing ceases for a moment as he lets out a tiny nervous laugh, but as the obnoxious scraping sound picks up again he seems genuinely calm - apparently doing nails is pretty therapeutic.]

If I remember correctly, the purpose of that little errand was to gain access to the Mayor's residence. I would have checked on my own, but after the incident with the curtain...

-Ah! That reminds me, I had been so upset afterward that I completely neglected to thank those who had been with me at the time. While the outcome seemed to be unavoidable, I have to at least express my gratitude for your patience and-- presumably --for taking care of me when I fainted. I must also apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.

manicurious.livejournal.com

[Here we have a certain pretty fellow wearing a somewhat forced smile.]

Pardon me, everyone, this is Ichijou speaking. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

I've been unable to tap into the town's monitoring system or even string together my own series of cameras from scratch, so I haven't been able to keep an eye on everyone as I had originally hoped.

Anyway, as an alternative I would like to request that we do a headcount and that everyone briefly take a moment to check in with me and with each other. If I find that any of you are being conspicuously quiet, I will be forced to assume that something horrible has happened to you, and I will be very upset about that.

-And if I find out that you're just being lazy or ignoring me, I may have to make sure that something horrible does happen to you. [His smile turns a smidge more genuine and he giggles a little - that may or may not have been a joke.] None of us want that!

That business aside, if anyone would like me to assist them in investigating any places that have yet to be checked, or that you feel need to be double-checked, please don't hesitate to let me know! I'm at a bit of a loss since my original plan didn't quite work out.

manicurious.livejournal.com

[In the early morning, Ichijou can be found in the southern plaza sitting, legs crossed, at a table. In front of him is a small selection of neatly-organized items: a diary, sitting open directly in front of him, a red pen, sitting on top of the diary, a cup of coffee to his right, and a fresh pastry to his left.

A glance at the diary, which he seems to be fixated on (so much so that he hasn't even nibbled that pastry!), and one could easily tell that one page is a transcription of Audrey's message. The other page is blank.]

"Changed so much since the last time I saw some of you..." That seems important. Then...

[He grabs the pen and underlines that line, then starts writing on the blank page,
"Message:
→Changed → How?
→Some of you → Who?
→→ Possibly "old friend" of "some of you""]

Plan B... Plan B... I have no clue what that means.

[Circling that term]

And that PL again. Obviously it should be a priority to figure out just who that is.

[Circling that, then continuing on the next page,
"PL
→"In charge"
→Worth "being aware of"
→Also worth identifying + tracking down"]

She's going to start requesting some kind of favors...

["Favors???"]

[Flatly;] What kind of ridiculous pet name is 'sugar dumplings?'

[Then, with a dainty yawn and a drop of the pen,] And why am I even concerned about any of this?

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
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10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28

[Text/Action (if you wanna)]: It's Business Time

[Action + Voice] - Introducing Screechyjou

[Text] S03E03: Shit Gets Real

[Video] S03E02: He Cannot See the Haters

[Video] S03E01: Fitz and the Tantrums

Fourth Nail - Dream [Video]

Third Nail - Lull [Video]

Second Nail - Like a Boss [Video]

First nail - Annoyance

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February 2013

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