+ Somewhere a Grandiose Carnival Was Going on in the Sky +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: Everyone!
Where: The grounds of the Mansion
When: March 9-16
Rating: PG-13 (warn if you go higher)
Summary: The Red Queen has thrown a carnival for everyone!
The Story:


From Friday, March 9, through Friday, March 16, the gardens and grounds of the Mansion will be a sprawling a carnival. The masked, unspeaking vendors will be selling trinkets and running free game booths. Carnival rides, exhibits, and foods represent all of the various cultures of those currently residing in the Mansion.


Of particular note, and perhaps incongruously, everything is decorated with red hearts.

Use this log for any and all of your carnival needs!

Comments

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[ Monika watches him sadly as they slow down. There's an interesting, twisting feeling in her chest. She doesn't know what it is or what might be causing it. ]

No, don't say that! You've been nothing but great to me! [ She glances away, taking the time to catch her breath for a moment. ] I want to see you. But it's best if I don't.

[ Who knows what that damn bear will try to get out of her. ]

[moraloutrage]

I have been...? [He looks towards her with a confused frown. Now that the thrills of the roller coaster seem to be ending, he's left with just this confused and hurt feeling as he tries to make sense of Monika's words.]

I do not understand. How could not seeing each other be for the best? If we enjoy each other's company... and I wish to do what I can to keep you safe from Monokuma!

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[ It's hard to look at him. She forces herself to, though, giving a small smile. ]

Because. This way...I can keep you safe, Kiyo.

[moraloutrage]

[He blinks and blushes slightly as he looks at her, still not sure what to make of things.]

Me? [A beat.] But, then... Who would take care of you?

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[ Monika's quiet as the cars creak to a stop. Her heart's beating faster. It's an amazing feeling.

Her smile widens and she places one of her hands on his. ]

You don't have to take care of me. I don't deserve it.

[moraloutrage]

[Even though the ride's stopping, he doesn't want to get up. He doesn't want to leave this ride when it also means leaving Monika behind. Ishimaru feels warmth as her hand rests on his, and he glances up at her, once again looking aghast at what she's aid.]

Please... do not say such things, Monika-kun! You are a good person. [He hasn't seen any reason to doubt her - or he doesn't want to see any reason.] Of... of course you are deserving of care!

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[ Unable to help it, she laughs. ] Maybe. Maybe not!

[ Still chuckling, she adds her other hand and gives his a squeeze. ] The less you know about me, the better~

[moraloutrage]

[The squeeze is comforting... but beyond that he's left baffled and at a loss of words.]

...Ah... That... that cannot be the case... I am sure that... that I enjoy knowing you better, Monika-kun...

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[ Monika gives him one last squeeze before she pushes herself up and crawls out onto the platform. She almost wants to run away, but her feet are rooted in place. ]

You...deserve to know someone better.

[ Her smile turns sad. She amazed at the level of self-awareness she's displaying right now. ] I'd probably hurt you in the long run!

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru remains seated in the roller coaster for a moment, even as an attendant urges him to get up. Finally he stands up and steps out, facing her. He stands as rigidly as ever, with his fists balled at his sides and tears rolling down his cheeks.]

If... if you did hurt me...

[He slowly shakes his head.]

...Then that's okay! I don't mind being hurt, if it means helping someone else! [He's doing his best to help Mondo, and he can help her too!]

UGH he's so pure <3

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[ She thought she'd be able to hold it together. But with him this close, and so painfully sincere...

A tear runs down her cheek.

Monika gasps, touching it before it can fall further. Then another runs down her other cheek. And another.

Monika holds her cheeks, the tears running freely, unable to stop herself from laughing. What an amazing feeling! ]

You're being so stupid, you know!

He tries!! <3

[moraloutrage]

I am? ...Ah, it does not matter if I am stupid or not!

[He frowns in concern and offers her a formal bow.]

Please accept my full apologies for bringing tears to your eyes!

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[ She's finally figured out what the pain in her chest is. It's heartache. She lowers her hands to her chest, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat. ]

D-Don't do that! [ Monika pulls him up, shaking her head. ] That's way too Japanese for me! And besides, you don't have anything to apologize for!

[ She sniffles and laughs again. ] I'm...really happy right now.

[moraloutrage]

Y-you are? [He looks back at her as she pulls him up, and then he smiles warmly at her.]

Then I feel happy as well! And proud to accomplish this! [Now he raises a hand to salute her instead.] Let's focus on these positive feelings!

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[ Monika can't help smiling at him. Just for fun, she salutes back. ] You're so silly sometimes, Kiyo.

[ There's an awkward silence. She's stalling, even though she knows she needs to go before she gets into this too deeply. ]

Um. Thanks for riding with me. [ Her head jerks towards the roller coaster. ] I'm glad my first time could be with you.

[moraloutrage]

[As she mimics his salute and calls him silly, he can't help but chuckle.]

You are welcome. I never imagined that my first time would be so wild and full of thrills, but I am glad to have received the experience! So, I am glad as well. Thank you for convincing me to give try that reckless ride!

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Well, um, I don't really know if you could call it "convincing" when I kinda dragged you on, ahaha.

But, even considering the circumstances... [ She gives a coy smile. ] It was pretty romantic.

[ Yes. Screaming your lungs out is sooo darling. ]

[moraloutrage]

[Okay so maybe she hadn't given him much of a choice in the matter! But before he can acknowledge that, she says that last word... and renders him a deer in the headlights.

He had not been thinking about romance! He usually doesn't. But now that she's said that word, his heartbeat accelerates and s blush spreads across his face.]

R... Romantic...? [He stammers nervously.]

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[ OH GOSH THIS IS PRECIOUS. Could it be that she gets the honor of being his first true love?! Fuck that stupid bear, she can't pass up this opportunity!

Monika grabs his hands, grinning like a fool. ]

Yes! [ She sighs dreamily. ] Don't you remember? The two of us together, strapped in and bodies softly touching, with nowhere to go and facing abject terror? And then...the adrenaline rushes through us and creates an immediate bond. We entered the ride as friends...and leave as something special.

[ Her eyelashes flutter as she looks up at him. ] So romantic~

[moraloutrage]

[Or the first person to make him realize that a romantic moment just happened! He looks even more petrified and flustered as she grabs her hand and go on.]

Ah... of- of course I remember! That... does describe what we just experienced, but I... I did not realize that this was how... how that happened! [How does I shot romance, the Ishimaru story.]

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[ She blinks. ] Oh, no! It can happen in so many ways! We could've been walking on the beach, or maybe sharing a candlelit dinner. Ooh, or-or looking up at the stars together!

Or. [ It's forward as hell, but she touches his cheek. That's just who she is! ] A carnival ride. Isn't it wonderful?

[moraloutrage]

I... I see.

[He sweatdrops!! And glances nervously towards the hand touching his cheek. It's quite warm!]

W-well... Yes, I cannot deny that it was a wonderful experience. I just... I apologize! ...Even with all of my studies, I know nothing of this sort of thing!

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Aww~~!

[ Monika giggles and pulls him into a tight hug. ] It's okay! I can teach you so much!

[ She leans back with a dreamy sigh. ] Where would you like to start? Flirting? Displays of affection?

[ And there she goes, leaning in uncomfortably close. ] Kissing?

[moraloutrage]

[He continues to be caught off-guard by the hug and the leaning! He stares her down uncertainly, practically his entire face red by now. At a loss of words, he tries to mutter anything.]

A-ah... I... I...

[Then he winces and calls out!]

I do not believe that I am r-ready for such lessons at this time, thank you!

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[ She pouts. How sad! And right when she was about to kiss him!!!

With a small "aww," she lets him go. ]

Did I overwhelm you? Should we go slower?