The Greatest Show

[cuteandinnocentpet]

[The events of the last couple days must be taking its toll on you, Strangers. You did fight a giant snake lady after all and one with Composer powers which is no easy feat if those from the Mall can testify. And yet, there feels to be both a lull and quiet but also something on edge.

The intense feeling can almost be overwhelming.

But with this over your heads, something comes to visit you all. No matter where you are at, a Kyuubey comes to you.]

Oh, there you are! I didn't know if this interests you but that one satellite with the large screen is sending a transmission. [It points and blinks--wait, blinks? towards Cancelled and scampers off. It's hard to tell but some may think this one as the one little rat who made a certain delivery by being rather polite.

If you decide to follow it to Cancelled, the creature will be seated in one of the many seats and looking at the large screen blasting something out...wait a minute, don't those people look familiar?

Take a seat, Strangers. Watch the show...it's supposed to be a real blast.]

Comments

[backuphero]

So we get to look, but not... help. Great. Fan-fuckin'-TASTIC!

[This is the most violent Jonathan's felt since he got here, even including that fight. It's beyond frustrating, it's agonizing being unable to help somehow.

It takes a lot of effort, but he doesn't kick the kyuubey.]

[cuteandinnocentpet]

[Kyuubey thanks you for not kicking it.]

[icanhearscreams]

Oh trust me, I'd love to throw around those void-eyed assholes.

[byanyother_name]

I can't say I've never felt the impulse but we should try to remember that they're being controlled.

The real people are under that somewhere, trapped.

[icanhearscreams]

Ugh... I guess. This is all d -

[Wait a second.]

Why's that guy pulling out Akko's file? That's private!

[alwaysgonnatry]

They had a file on me!? Nobody better read that!

[ Nodding fervently because yes, thank you her information is most definitely private! ]

[backuphero]

[Jun is a kid who doesn't know what he just suggested. He's a kid, he saved his life, he doesn't need Jonathan snapping at him. That's why he looks away, really. He can't look at either of them.]

I've been thinking about something Hiyori said, Kurama. I don't think they're trapped. I think they've just had their hopes crushed to where they've knuckled under.

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama is quiet for a moment, thinking about that. In some ways, it's a thin and semantic difference. In others, it might be an incredibly important distinction.]

...you're most likely correct. I was able to drive the darkness out of my mind after my talk with you on the living side. But before that, it was a quiet, constant undercurrent. Offering an end to pain and suffering, offering that false mockery of peace. Waiting for me to be weak enough to allow it.

[icanhearscreams]

... It was kind of similar at the mansion, I think. We were going crazy, seeing things that weren't there, hearing things that didn't exist... they wanted to divide us, make us hopeless so we would do what they wanted.

[backuphero]

He said they've got IT telling them the worst things happening in other worlds, nonstop. That'd leave anybody drowning in despair... and they've been here a year. The other thing was - he's awake. Link's probably the same.

[illusionarymelody]

I'd also say it wasn't so much brainwashing as a suggestion. One can be taught to turn off their emotions and stop caring. I know of people who did that and they act exactly like our hosts, even down to referring by full name.

[backuphero]

I don't think that's it, though. I mean, hell, I don't know about either of them, but Hiyori seemed capable of emotion. Just nothing bright. Definitely got pissed off at me over you the last time we talked....

[illusionarymelody]

Hiyori also seemed to be less skilled at it and I was doing my utmost to get him to react.

[backuphero]

He called you "cool". Said he loved his job. I don't think he meant either of those, but I just got so damn het up I couldn't see straight... I think maybe he isn't totally beaten down, like he still wants to live, but....

[He shrugs helplessly.]

[illusionarymelody]

I think we both know very well that he hates me as much as I hate him and there is nothing that can be done about that now.

[backuphero]

[And then this happened. Jonathan's a little bit distracted now.]

Don't write him off just yet. Don't write Link off either but don't give up on him, please!

[touchsensors]

...lun.