MonoWorld!

[fortunespeak]

Nothing to Hide! (That's Why I Wear a Mask.) || Monoko || Chp. 2 Motive || Closed: THE FOOL

[monoworldmascot]

Monoko tensed up a bit. “I… I don’t know. I mean, I don’t blame you for Fujiwara-san… You DID put us in a pretty bad situation, but… You didn’t kill him. I can’t blame you for what someone else did. But… You executed Chambers-san. You… She’s dead. That wasn’t your call. You should have reported her to the police. You don’t have the authority to do that kind of thing… You know that don’t you? You’re breaking the law. You’re holding us against our will. There’s a lot of responsibilities when you run a resort like this. You can’t just... do whatever you want.” “N-n-not that you’re not making things perfectly comfortable here, but… We have lives out there. People and places we miss. Projects that we need to finish. You can’t just keep us here forever. That’s… It’s not okay.” Was she actually getting through to them?

[fortunespeak]

Nothing to Hide! (That's Why I Wear a Mask.) || Monoko || Chp. 2 Motive || Closed: THE FOOL

[monoworldmascot]

“Really? B-but you said that unless someone uhm… killed…That you were going to tell everyone’s secrets. I thought…” Monoko was fairly confused, and wasn’t sure whether or not she believed them. “So you’re not going to do that anymore? Well… Could you tell the others that? That would probably help a lot of people be more comfortable.” Monoko for some reason felt small in their presence, like she’d hurt their feelings or something. “I… No no no. It’s… It’s comfortable here. It’s fine. The cottages are nice, and I have a lot of friends nearby. Just maybe… Don’t do stuff to make things uhm… ‘More interesting’ in the future. Okay?”

[fortunespeak]

Nothing to Hide! (That's Why I Wear a Mask.) || Monoko || Chp. 2 Motive || Closed: THE FOOL

[monoworldmascot]

Monoko jumped at the sudden presence behind her.”Bwaah!” the sound slipped through her lips before she could stop it. Monoko was always pretty good at containing her emotions, making sure that she could always stay in character, but staring this person in the face, mask to mask was a bit nerve-wracking. “Er… Sorry. You uh… startled me.”

‘Is everything alright?’

No, obviously not you fool, two people are DEAD, and her friends are terrified of what will happen next, everything is NOT alright… But she didn’t voice that. She spoke in her usual cheerful tone. Doing her best to maintain character. “I haven’t! I’ll have to visit it later…” She didn’t like the thought of something else becoming available. Didn’t that happen after a trial last time? As a gift?

Maybe it was just coincidence… “I wanted to ask something…” Monoko said again fidgeting with her hands. “I don’t think sharing everyone’s secrets is a good idea… People can do bad things in the past and grow from them. Just because they did something wrong before doesn’t make them bad people, so… telling everyone about that kind of stuff will just open up old wounds, and make everyone uncomfortable. If you really want to help us feel more comfortable… Do you think maybe you could uhm… not?” She had a feeling that that wouldn’t go over, so she offered an alternative. “But if you have to…” This was what she came here for. She wanted to protect her friends. If they were all worried about their secrets getting out, then maybe someone would do something stupid. They could hurt someone. They could… No. Monoko would do everything she could to stop it, or at least delay it. It was all she could do.

“Could you share mine first? I trust everyone here, and… I don’t have anything to hide from them, so… Share mine instead of theirs. Please?” Even if this only delayed the inevitable, it might inspire others to do the same, and maybe they could get through this without anyone doing something regrettable.

[fortunespeak]

Inflaming Purile Lies with the Gilt of Sin | Calandra | Motive Reaction | Monoko

Another week, some fine conversation with Natsume. A new direction. A new thought. A new plan. It’ll work. It has to work. It has to has to has to has to.

And then the Fool calls them all up. And shoots its fucking mouth off, ranting and raving about how fascinating it finds the ‘darkness’ of the human heart, the sin and depravation of a murder.

It lives up to its name then, is all Calandra can think.

A murder in self defense?By a weapon she did not consciously pull the trigger for? Dark? Depraved? Did… Did the fool think about who it spoke to? What Family Calandra spoke for?

All this… is… so childish. So shallow. So purposeless. Truly it was just another attempt by the Fool to create enough chaos to amuse itself.

…Then it manages to slip a needle into the cracks of Calandra’s queenly mask. A secret. A secret can only be kept by made men and dead men. Neither speaks. It couldn’t know. It SHOULDN’T know.

But the thought that it might

Ah. All it takes, dear reader. Is the smallest bit of Chaos slipping in. To send a girl like Calandra into a tizzy, into a spiral of plots and plans all crashing down around her. Enough to force her hand? Maybe. Maybe not.

She stands there, silently shaking, mind working like a wartime factory, cranking out curses and thoughts in equal measure. A paranoid fit, perhaps. But one survives the underworld by being paranoid. Its justified at that point.

A few long moments and she is composed again. Her thoughts are straight and true, unbending, unyielding. She will call the Fool’s bluff again. She has to. Its the only play that makes any sense. She hopes no one else is… Is as dedicated as she is. To keeping the lips of men sealed shut.

[monoworldmascot]

As the motive was being revealed, Monoko was more intent on watching those around her than the fool. No, not to identify those who might have motive to act on this motive, instead to find those who appeared to be taking it badly, to be scared. Calandra fit that bill, at least in Monoko’s eyes. She remembered her reaction to the first motive, running off and praying for… ruuning off and praying.

Now she stood there, silent and shaking. This wasn’t a reaction the mascot had come to expect from the consigliere. She always seemed so composed, so certain of herself. Being the lovable caring creature she is, Monoko couldn’t leave someone in that state, let alone someone she considered a friend.

As Monoko approached however, the girl managed to find her composure, regardless, Monoko knew all too well that it was possible to maintain appearances while undergoing an internal crisis. This may have been one such time. She wasn’t concerned that her ‘secrets’ would be revealed. More that it was causing such an effect on others. She worried what pains could be dredged up by the fool, and how they could hurt her fellow alumni. She worried that someone may try to stop it. Luckily the mask prevented this concern from being made public as she placed a hand on Calandra’s shoulder. “Heya Jeggare-san!” She spoke in her usual cheery voice despite recent events. “How are you holding up?” Genuine concern could be heard behind her voice. “If you want, we can go to the chapel again. I don’t mind.” Admittedly the last time had made her uncomfortable, but right now, her comfort was not a priority. “Or… we can just talk?” She offered. “O-or if you need some alone time, that’s okay too. I’m here for you. Whatever you need.” That kind of offer is dangerous to make Monoko.

[fortunespeak]

London Bridge Is Falling Down | Rosa | Body Reaction

[monoworldmascot]

‘We can’t save him.’

With those words froze Monoko in her place. Tremors shook her body as she finally broke contact with Aki. “B-but… I can keep going. I...” Rosa stood up. No… She needed them She couldn’t… The shout made Monoko jump, but it also served to shake her from her fixation on Aki. There was someone in front of her that was in pain, someone that needed help, someone she COULD help. Monoko slowly stood and moved to Rosa, the author dropping to their knees as Monoko neared them. That was fine. Monoko joined them on the ground, their stocking getting wet with blood up near her knee. She wrapped Rosa in a hug, fully knowing that they weren’t necessarily comforted by physical contact, but it was her best tool.

Monoko is a good hugger. Soft child.

“No. Stop.” Monoko used the same intonation Rosa had. “You did nothing wrong. Death… People dying. It’s always going to happen, and you can’t stop it, no matter how hard you try. And the more you think about how you could have done things differently, how you could have prevented it… You lose your life too. I… I know what it’s like, losing someone, and feeling like you could have done something about it. I know what it’s like feeling like your inaction caused something terrible, so please… PLEASE, believe me when I say… This isn’t your fault.”

Monoko squeezed them tightly. “I’ve heard a lot of ‘I’m sorry’s and I know they don’t help so I’ll just say… Things happen. Terrible things happen, usually for no reason at all. That can make the world a scary, unfair place sometimes… But it’s what you do after these things happen that matters.” Monoko pulled away to look them in the eyes.

“It’s okay to be mad, it’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to take your time, but eventually you have to do something… Or you might just do nothing… And that’s the worst thing you can do. So… Do you know what you’re going to do? Because I’ll help you. Whatever it is, I’ll help you. If you just need a shoulder to cry on, I’m here. If you want to try to figure out who did this. I’ll do everything I can, but… You have to do something, and the first thing is… Realize that this isn’t your fault.” Monoko stood, holding her hand out to Rosa.

 “Okay?”

[fortunespeak]

London Bridge Is Falling Down | Rosa | Body Reaction

[monoworldmascot]

With how much Rosa was panicking, Monoko briefly considered pushing them to the side, pulling her mask off, and doing the rescue breaths herself. Luckily her roommate was able to compose themselves somewhat when the time came. With each compression a non-Monomi-like grunt could be heard from underneath her mask. “Now.” Was that 30 again already? Again, and again. Each cycle forced the realization deeper. He was dead. And nothing Monoko or Rosa could do would bring him back. That didn’t mean that she stopped trying. She had to keep trying. Giving up would be as bad as killing him herself, at least in her mind. Rosa could hear the sound of sobbing briefly interrupted by grunts as she completed yet another cycle. “N-now…” Her voice betrayed her thoughts… There was no reason to be doing this anymore other than sentimentality. Akihiko Fujiwara was dead.

[fortunespeak]

London Bridge Is Falling Down | Rosa | Body Reaction

They couldn’t sleep. Even with Monoko’s help… They couldn’t sleep. They slept too lightly and the music was just… too much. Whatever happened left their mind though…

“Aki-kun…?”

They stood in silence, things happening around them but they just stood still. Death. They spoke of death in their books. Online. To other people… But this was the first time they had come face-to-face with it and it was… a friend. Someone they had started to really like. Someone they had been classmates with too.

“No… I’m… I’m dreaming. This… was hardly a threat… Someone couldn’t have done this. This can’t be happening. Right…?”

Rosa was confused. They slowly approached the body, before suddenly breaking into a run to get to Aki’s side. They grabbed his hands, shaking them and shaking their own head. They couldn’t breathe. Were they panicking? Were they okay?

“Aki-kun, wake up! Please… Please… You… can’t be dead… No…”

[monoworldmascot]

Monoko pushed her way through to the center of the group, her eyes falling upon the scene that lay before them. Her friend was dead. Okay, friend may be a strong word, but she considered each and every one of her fellow alumni to be her friend. Even if she had never directly spoken with him, she had waved in passing each time she saw him. Just as she did with everyone… And now he was gone...

No.

She couldn’t accept that. She was trained as a first responder, having worked at theme parks for most of her adult life. “Nononono. This isn’t…” She approached her roommate, who now was panicking beside the corpse. That wasn’t helping. Monoko dropped to her knees beside the body checking for a pulse, checking for any sign of life. He was still warm, but there was no pulse. Almost immediately, Monoko was filled with energy. She could save him, no one had to die. “You’re okay, you’re gonna be okay. Don’t die. Please don’t die. I can’t…” She got up on her knees and began chest compressions. “He’s… He’s going to be alright… It’s… It’s going to be okay.” She managed to say in grunts as she put considerable force behind each compression. She stopped momentarily. “Rosa-chan, can you do the rescue breaths? I can’t with my mask on. Just… Tilt his head back, pinch his nose, and cover his mouth with yours.” Or y’know… You could just take your mask off Monoko. “I’ll tell you when. Just two breaths is all he needs per cycle.”

 With that she returned to her compressions. After counting to thirty she looked to Rosa. “Now.”

[fortunespeak]

Say, can you see the cross? Inverted solemnly... | Calandra | Motive Reaction

[monoworldmascot]

“D’aaaaaaw~ He’s adorable!” Secretly Monoko was a bit salty that she didn’t get to pet the duck before he waddled away, but… maybe he’d be back? He seemed fairly calm around humans… He might stick around if people keep feeding him.” Monoko laughed, grabbing the little pudge she had. “Then I should be a knight before you know it!” She joked before turning her attention to Callie once more.

A part of Monoko wanted to offer Calandra a part as a cast member at Monoworld. She’d be a natural for Monokuma, but… Monoko feared she wouldn’t be able to filter her language and content around the kiddos, and got the feeling asking her to do so would be taken as an insult… After all, this was apparently her religion, which she seemed to take rather seriously. Monomi tilted her head a bit in confusion. “Spinning bodies?” She shook the thought from her head. “Regardless, it’s nice to meet you Jeggare-san!

When Callie said the dreaded “D-word”, Monoko slipped. “Language, please.” She almost immediately placed a hand over her mask’s mouth. “Er… Sorry, habit. Used to working around kids.” She nodded. “But it sounded like a quality recording! They did a real good job!” She was silent a moment before speaking again. “So who were you praying for? Your daddy?” Yes, best to avoid mention of the whole praying to destroy her foes thing.

[fortunespeak]

Say, can you see the cross? Inverted solemnly... | Calandra | Motive Reaction

[monoworldmascot]

Monoko managed to make it through the whole prayer, not wanting to stop and potentially offend, but… Yikes. Once it got to the whole striking down enemies, and letting them drown in blood bit, she started getting a little uncomfortable with what she was saying. It wasn’t a problem that that was Calandra’s thing, but… That wasn’t something Monomi should say… If she were in her Monokuma costume, MAYBE, but… he’s still a children’s character.

“I’m Monoko Mioda! But you can call me Monomi if you like! I was the SHSL Theme Park Mascot back in my day. It’s nice ta meet you miss…” She hung her head. “I’m sorry… I don’t think I remember your name.”

[fortunespeak]

Say, can you see the cross? Inverted solemnly... | Calandra | Motive Reaction

[monoworldmascot]

“Hiya Roomie-chan!” Monoko welcomed the new arrival. Hopefully they didn’t mind the unimaginative nickname. Rosa seemed concerned about the words to the prayer, which placed Monoko in a bit of a tricky situation. If it would offend her for Monoko to participate, then she shouldn’t, but that would likely offend Calandra… One appeared to be in more need of her brand of help than the other. “Ooh~ I know a little bit of English. That would help a lot! Thank you.”

She turned briefly to Rosa. “I’m going to join her. You don’t have to though, okay?” She didn’t want to put Rosa in TOO awkward of a situation though, and was trying to give her a way out.

“Sounds like a good idea to me!” She didn’t necessarily buy into it herself, but… She knew that prayer could be incredibly important to people, and saw no reason not to show Calandra some solidarity. The mascot glanced to her new acquaintance periodically throughout the prayer, doing her best to keep up, and copy Calandra’s posture and body language. She assumed she wouldn’t be doing anything disrespectful to her religion, and found it best just to copy her. The Consigliere would note that there was NO hesitation whatsoever.

[fortunespeak]

Say, can you see the cross? Inverted solemnly... | Calandra | Motive Reaction

Oh by all the Evils in the Pit and the Fires of the Deep. A clown is going to be murdered. The music is unacceptable. It interrupted her reading. Not that she has anything good to read. Just a mystery novel from a station. That she’d solved by page 50. God. Even boredom would be better than this garbage.

And then the Fool is there, with a varity of comedy props, like some kind of asshole. Oh wait, exactly kind of the asshole the Fool obviously is. And it thinks it has the right to rant at them? The Fool kidnapped them. And… it wants them to entertain it?

By all the devils in hell. Its stupider than she thought.

But that won’t make getting out any easier. Not when it starts demanding corpses. Demanding death.

Fuck this, holy shit. Calandra, dear girl, just abjectly refuses to play along with it. It threatens her family? How can something like it be a threat to them? How can whatever masters it serves hope to destroy the Jeggare, where Kings and God have failed to do so again and again, since the ancient times.

What a thing it is, what a Fool.

Devil help her, she needs something to help her…

And she’ll help herself. She’ll head to the chapel, reverse every cross she can find. And pull up something on her phone. A bit of music. Music here of course means… well. Latin chants. Recorded from her family’s personal chapel. A nice reminder of home. Of the proper way of things. Of worship.

She remembers the words at least, for the first of the prayers as she lights the candles and incense dug from behind the altar.

“<Our Father who art in Hell, unhallowed be thy name…>”

[monoworldmascot]

Being suddenly assaulted by loud polka music was… nothing new to Monoko. Working in a theme park for your entire adult life made you surprisingly tolerant of that kind of “music”. It almost made her feel at home. She could deal with this no problem. However, when the fool appears, and claims to be bored of them? Pardon? Weren’t they the guests of this place? As the host it was the Fool’s job to entertain them, not the other way around. To be frank the Fool had done a terrible job of that, but luckily her classmates were more than interesting enough to give her limitless amounts of fun. The fool kept talking, and her heart sank. Did he just… threaten her family? This… was completely out of bounds. This was supposed to be a relaxing experience, a getaway. The whole ‘you’re locked in here forever’ thing was a hamhanded touch, but… Monoko could see where that could be a fun thing to play with… It was never real though… Now if they were threatening her sister… “This… This is wrong… A-and illegal! You didn’t get anything signed saying you could hold us against our will. We can just walk out of here and…” her voice trailed off.

 She hopped in front of the other students. “It’s okay everybunny! Noone’s going to hurt your families or friends. This is all just a joke… a really BAD joke. Everything will be fine, so… Just enjoy the music I guess?”

 She was trying to reduce panic if there were to be any. She noted one of her classmates heading off towards the chapel, and took chase, watching from the doorway as they… turned all the crosses upside down? That was… interesting? Were they a follower of Saint Peter? She hoped no one would find it disrespectful… She personally didn’t care too much either way. She was a judgement free zone. Even so, something about the chanting was a bit off. Still she approached the tattooed woman slowly. Not out of timidity, but out of respect, and not wanting to interrupt her. “Heya!” She finally spoke once she was practically beside her. If she were praying this hard, this must be a hard time for her, right? Monoko had found that offering to pray with park guests usually resulted in a positive experience for them so… “Mind if I join you? I don’t know the words, but…”

[monoworldmascot]

We’re Going on an Adventure! || Monoko|| Prologue || Open

“Tardiness is grounds for dismissal.” Monoko couldn’t help but chuckle at the bus driver. The threats of dismissal or detention and such had been left behind when she graduated around two years ago. Most of the time they were hollow, though apparently setting up a “ride” in the halls without getting school approval had landed her and her sister in detention before. Those were good times. She was however curious as to why this specific group of students were invited. After all, she had received an invitation while her sister had not. She even called to make sure it wasn’t a mistake… It was not. It didn’t matter. Her sister had given her blessing, and Monoko was ready to enjoy whatever was before her… Right after a surprisingly long bus trip. The trip was quiet and peaceful, and before Monoko knew it, she had fallen asleep her head leaned against the un-opening window..

When she finally stirred from her nap, she was quite happy that the mask she always wore obfuscated the stream of drool that had run down her chin. She ran a hand underneath the mask to clean it off before stepping off the train and gathering her luggage, Pink and white themed, of course.

Excited to see what awaited her and her fellow alumni, she pressed on towards the gate, letting out a small startled shout when the gate crashed closed behind her. “Oowoah!” Always the animated one, Monoko leapt back away from the gate, nearly falling over, and windmilling her arms. When she finally caught her balance, she let out a loud “Phew!”

Her body language performed a 180 moments later as she was jumping up and pumping her fist in the air.

“That was AWESOME!” She clapped excitedly. “I didn’t know this was going to be an interactive experience. I wonder what else they’ve got planned!”

[monoworldmascot]