Visitor Festival Log (OPEN TO ALL)

[stringmods]

Who: EVERYONE
Where: Virgo Ward
Summary: Visitor Festival Log! You're all invited!
Warnings: Celebrations

A year might seem so little at first, but for a city like Hinoto-Ri, progress had been steady. And how would it have been without you? Hard to say. Regardless, there were some appreciative people of your hard work, and thus you were warned ahead of time of a little celebration that would be held in your honor, this Friday (FRIDAY! FRIDAY!)

Nothing too outrageous, you had been promised. After all, budgets had to be made and citizens had to be saved. Something more akin to a fun party with friends and the city. An open note sent out to all citizens if they so wanted to join in.

There was quite a turnout! The lure of fun and food drew people from all the wards and words of encouragement and thanks were given to you freely. Maybe because some of them had drank too much sake.

The booths are bustling with activity. There's food for everyone as merchants try to outdo each other with both traditional food and more exotic ones; Corn on the cob, Pumpkins, Yaki Imo (Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes), Ramen stands, Falafel, caramelized apples, octopus sausages on sticks...

There are also signup sheets for competitions tonight. While townspeople can join, the big draw is to see the Visitors attempt the typical school festivals, such as the swimsuit competition and the dress competition (for both male and women!).

...yeah maybe they just have a good sense of humor. Which is good! A happy city means, at least, for a little while, people can forget what's happening and maybe the place is going to flourish more with hope.

So hopefully you can show them that by enjoying yourselves!

[Start your own threads and have fun!]

Comments

[bondsofsuffering]

Well, if you're well-liked, it's easier to find people who are willing to lend you a hand when you need it, right?

[Or who will come play when you're bored.]

There's more reasons than that, but since you seem to be talking about it in terms of practicality...

[primordial]

Yeah, but a lot of those people could be bad, too. Popularity means somebody is always going to hate you, and I mean, look at assassinations. Those didn't happen to people who weren't in the spotlight, right...?

What I'm saying is that it's better to stay safe. Not get involved with that kind of stuff. That sort of thing.

[bondsofsuffering]

That's a valid point! But those people also tend to be in much more politically significant positions, right?

[Not that he'd need to worry about being assassinated in that kind of situation anyway, but.]

Why, are you worried someone might assassinate you if you attract too much attention?

[primordial]

[He looks down at the ground, letting out a sigh.]

I don't know...maybe because people already seem keen to hurt me, and I'm not even the most recognizable person there is. If I get too much attention, it could just get worse...

[bondsofsuffering]

And there was the kidnapping fiasco, too. I bet avoiding attention after that one message was pretty tough, huh?

But it's not like the normal residents can access that network. Lucky you!

[primordial]

[He doesn't seem to react to that- except in his eyes. His eyes, usually so dark, seem to narrow into slits...or is that just because of the hair getting in the way of his eyes? It's hard to tell. The tone of his voice is still the same, though.]

I-I don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean?

[bondsofsuffering]

[Finally got you.]

Heeeh, don't pretend like that. There's no way someone as self-conscious as you would miss that post.

[primordial]

[He stares, before what looks like realization comes into his expression, which is quickly replaced by annoyance.]

That post? Look, I explained it to the guy who made it, that wasn't me. S-somebody was using my face, and using it to do things I would never do! Do you really think I'm the type of person who would hurt another person for no reason?

[bondsofsuffering]

I think people aren't always so easily defined by the appearances they put on. Still, that's a pretty interesting excuse you have.

[primordial]

It's not an excuse!!

[He says, his voice a little rough around the edges.]

Listen to me! I've never hurt anyone since I've been here, and all of a sudden I just supposedly turn into a monster and start attacking people? Don't you think that's just a bit strange?

[bondsofsuffering]

Personally, I think it’s even stranger that we would suddenly have a shapeshifter among the Visitors who’s out to get you of all people. If you haven’t been doing anything, why would a stranger from another world go so far as to wear your face in a dangerous situation like that? It’s not like we knew we would get rescued until the very end. Chances are, that person could have died while in a form that wasn’t even their own. That’s a pretty sad way to go, isn’t it?

[primordial]

Because I'm an easy target, that's why. Because if they had impersonated any other person, either people would realize that they aren't who they say they are, or the person themselves would come and beat them up.

[He pauses to take a breath- it looks like he's getting worked up about this.]

I can't defend myself. I can't be the automatic hero of the story because yes, I admit it, I'm alone, and I'm weak and I isolate myself and it's easy to put it on me, because people won't question it too much. [His eyes seem watery, like they are on the verge of tears.] I don't know why they chose me, exactly, but heck, if I were them? I'd be the perfect little scapegoat. Everybody already blames me for being stupid and pathetic and whatnot, why not just add to what is already there, huh?

[bondsofsuffering]

[Meanwhile, Hizumi watches with a rather unimpressed expression. This guy is... really going off, huh...]

You know... I don't really care what you are in the end, and it's not like I plan to go around announcing your little secret. You really don't have to do all of this.

[primordial]

Why does everyone think I'm something I'm not? I'm just a normal human being!

[He clutches his head, as if the action will make all of this go away. His eyes are wide, frantic...but that's all part of the act, of course. His voice raises in volume, attracting the attention of the people around him.]

I'm just a nobody who doesn't have any secrets, why can't I stay that way!? Why do I have to be made into some big bad creature that I'm not? [He visibly cringes.] God...stop it! Just stop it! Stop telling me these lies!!

[bondsofsuffering]

[Oh, we're playing this game, are we? Hizumi raises his voice as well, getting into the act flawlessly.]

Shh! Are you crazy-?! If you announce something like that here, everyone's going to realize what you really are-!

[For telling someone to be quiet, his voice really does carry...]

[primordial]

[Really, Hizumi. Really. Sam just shakes his head, looking confused like nothing else.]

What-what are you doing? What's your problem, huh? [And he raises his voice again, burying his face in his hands, as if he's going to burst into tears any minute.]

Stop trying to make me the scapegoat! I don't WANT to be hurt anymore! Stop it, please, god, stop it, I just want to live my life and not be chased by pitchforks and mobs for something I DIDN'T DO!!

[bondsofsuffering]

[And Hizumi puts a hand on his shoulder, the picture of a friend trying to be encouraging but forceful. YOU NEED AN INTERVENTION DUDE.]

That's what I'm saying! That stuff's making you delusional; you've got some serious problems!

[His voice becomes calm, but there's still some agitation behind it, like he's trying to hold back...]

No one's trying to make you a scapegoat, okay? Just-- Just calm down! Geeze, having you here was a bad idea after all...

[primordial]

I-I'm not delusional, I'm just...

[And he can't go on any longer because he just starts to sob into his hands- it's awkward and pathetic like nothing else. After a few seconds, he shakes his head, his voice strained:]

Just...go away, okay? Leave me alone. This is what I get when I try to be among people...it never works out. Never.

Leave me alone!

[bondsofsuffering]

No.

[His voice is firm.]

If I'm not there for you, who will?

[And he's not letting go, either.]

[primordial]

[He starts to laugh, though his face is filled with a sort of deep annoyance.]

Ha! Like you're actually my friend. That's what everyone says, and then they just stab me in the back. Sure you'll be there for me.

Sure you will.

[bondsofsuffering]

I'm here for you now, aren't I?

[When did this become a male bonding moment out of a shonen manga?

Or a fakey fake attempt, at least. But it's a convincing performance nonetheless.]

[primordial]

You're just doing it so you won't look bad in front of everyone!!

[This is the most dramatic, touching fake bonding moment EVER.]

[bondsofsuffering]

See, it's things like that...!

You're so convinced everyone's got some ulterior motive... You never just talk to us and let us try to help you!

[primordial]

What is there to talk about? You don't think I've tried to improve? Nothing works, okay. Just give up now and leave me be!

[bondsofsuffering]

You tried, didn't you? If you give up now, all of that effort's gone to waste...!

I'm not going to give up on you. No matter what-!