Master of disguise

Affiliated with AOD Room 146

[wannabesavior-blog]

"… I’m not cut out for Pokemon. You should just take it back."

But that wasn’t something that Nate needed to focus on right now. He had to save his words… he didn’t know how long he could keep speaking at this awkward whisper. It honestly was just like all the times he had woken up from death. Did he really not die?

"… Well, I mean… some people survived last time. Why would you want to risk getting lost in the mountains on day on? You could have died and that would have been MY fault. There’s nothing to enjoy as long as we’re still in the hands of the school."

Burying himself further, he turned over so that his head was in the pillow, almost silencing his words.

"Winter is depressing. If Monobear wanted to give us a brief amount of hope before he destroyed it, he would have chose someplace warmer."

It wasn’t like he was going to enjoy anything anytime soon anyways. He didn’t die, so Nate had to go through realistic recovery for once.

[traitoroussuckup]

"You're not trying. How do you expect to ever be good at something if you never make an attempt?" 

Petrel had made sure he didn't die. When he hadn't responded in the snow, he'd checked for a pulse, a light breath, and off they went. Lodge bound for meager warmth. 

"I don't value my life like other people do. If we die when we come back that just makes it all the more expendable. I think you understand that." He was always the one putting himself in mortal danger, after all. 

Regardless, he's starting to be unable to hear him from under that pillow. Moving closer, he laid across Nate's buried form sideways. Ah yeah, there's some more warmth for you. "Maybe. He has a lot of fur so I don't think winter is as depressing to him as it is to us." 

[wannabesavior-blog]

Ow. He regretted moving. Nate slumped back into covers, fighting the realization that he would most-likely be bed-ridden until something started killing everyone and he died. That was stupid. So, so stupid. That whole stunt was something akin to what he would have done months ago. Arceus.

Nate had never released Murkrow. His fear was only backed by the fact that he didn’t know how to use a pokeball at all. Everyone made them look so easy, but he never wanted to mess up in front of others and was too scared of breaking it to do it by himself.

"… I’m not letting it out."

He wanted to change the subject badly.

"… Why did you come out to look for me if I was going to die? You were putting yourself at risk for an awfully stupid reason. We’re all going to die on this trip eventually anyways… what’s the point of prolonging it?"

[traitoroussuckup]

Well, Petrel wouldn't force him. Murkrow would have it's shining moment outside the ball one day, though... Perhaps he could give a little push for the future. 

"Just make sure you let it out sometime soon. If it spends too long in it's pokeball it'll get distrustful and wild." And that wouldn't be any good at all! But ah, Nate wanted the subject to change. That was fine.

"Well I'm not playing the hero part, that's for sure. But while we're thinking like that, let me ask you something. Why would it matter if I put myself at risk if we're all going to die before this is all over?" It didn't, right? Right! "I'm prolonging it because the outdoors can be nice. If you're not dying or trying to reach an impossible goal, maybe you'll enjoy the little trip while you can."

[wannabesavior-blog]

"… Oh that’s right. You killed someone…"

It was more of an offhanded comment than a criticism. Nate had absolutely no right to judge people anymore based on that alone. But wait a second… if he almost froze…

Immediately sitting up in bed, his entire body protested, still sore from the lack of circulation.

"Are pokeballs even capable of taking cold temperatures?! He didn’t know anything about pokemon or the technology used with them. What if he offhandedly killed Murkrow already?

[traitoroussuckup]

"Not really." All he did was tie his hands up and plan the entire thing but that was no big deal, right? Nah.

Practically jumping out of his skin at the sudden movement, he shot a quizzical look in Nate's direction before letting a small sigh escape his lips. "Your pokemon is fine." 

"Why don't you let it out if you're so worried?" So much fuss over this. 

[wannabesavior-blog]

Nate wanted to take a deep breath but, upon realizing that it hurt, refrained, and forced his arms to bury deeper under the comforter.

"I’m not a trainer. I didn’t even think of removing the ball… I don’t think I’m suited to take care of living things."

Arceus, he sounded awful. He didn’t even know if his speech was comprehensible, he could barely speak above a whisper without squeaking.

"… It’s cold in here."

[traitoroussuckup]

Moving slightly so that he wasn't smashing the covers under his butt, therefore leaving Nate without proper warmth, he placed his chin in his hand. 

"You know, every trainer starts out not know what to do. With a little practice, I'm sure you'll make it just fine. It's not like they're helpless. Murkrow could take care of itself if it needed to." So long as Nate didn't try to kill it. 

"I don't get much warmth from one kill. Sorry." 

[wannabesavior-blog]

Looks like he’s gonna have to suck up his pride.

"What do you mean by "before I froze?" Ew. His voice cracked there… he sounded gross and felt just as gross. The dizziness didn’t ease his suspicions that he had died either.

[traitoroussuckup]

Well, that's alright, because here comes Petrel to sit at the foot of his bed all fatherly-like. 

"You decided to wander off in the snow in search of home and passed out. Not very responsible of a pokemon trainer, are you?" Cue a light eyebrow raise. 

[izayalogy-blog]

Awe, Petrel didn’t see him as much as he should, then! If the last time he even bothered to look for the informant was because he was giving his clothes up, then he ought to keep an eye more open. A mutual friendship wouldn’t work if Izaya was the only one watching the criminal and spotting him almost each and everyday!

"People don’t plan to fall victim to anything, but it happens anyway." He scooted himself even closer to the edge, his lips curled and eyes narrowed. "A hungry animal should be the least of your worries. Unless you tread far into the land, anything that is relatively threatening won’t show up. The scent of humans and other animals is far too strong for them. As far as the reason for why I’m out here?" Attention turned itself up, facing the dark of the sky. "I simply wanted to get away from everyone. The cold is very inviting, especially when you’re in an environment that offers so much to look at." Enough about him, though. That was boring. He didn’t feel like talking about himself or going on about any other reason he may be lingering about. "You seem lonely."

[traitoroussuckup]

Truth be told, he didn't get out much. The people he mostly saw were Clay and Josuke, though he often spotted Izaya on monotwitter, if that made him feel any better. Nevertheless, a mutual friendship with someone who demanded clothes as payment seemed like a fair deal. Petrel had plenty clothes, though he would be needing a lot of them, he was sure. 

"Yeah. I'm not really that worried. Wild animals aren't much of a challenge." He had his own set of defenses to ward off the wildlife, though the cold would become a problem sooner or later. Still, Golbat would make sure he didn't fall face first into the snow to die like a certain other someone or fall victim to a rabid chipmunk. "You call this a lot to look at?" A field of white and a backdrop of trees and stars. Talk about boring, there's boring. Perhaps Izaya was just in a contemplative mood, however, and found some kind of wisdom in the vast expanse of land before his eyes. Perhaps. "Not lonely. Reminiscent, I guess. Maybe curious too." 

[izayalogy-blog]

Ah, yes. Spending his evening outside and in the cold. This was the life. The dream. The succession and universe of Hope’s Peak most annoying flea. In the five months, maybe six or seven (he’d lost count) that he’d been in the school, he’d never felt so free and alive as he did now. The trees. The building. The small shack he was sitting on. It was as if everything belonged to him, as if he owned it. Sure, this was no city, what with the wilderness and lack of people, but it was something different, something new. And it was all his.

"You do realize that there is a more healthier way to brood, yes?" Voice piping up, he turned his head down to the passersby, both eyes rounding in as his form scooted to the edge of the small building. "I mean if your goal is to wander and get lost in a world of nothing but snow and hungry animals, be my guest. Though if you respect your life at all, you just might want to turn back and go where you came."

[traitoroussuckup]

He knew that voice a little too well. Turning his attention up at the building, he stopped his trek onward to fully face the roof where a very delighted Izaya had watched his approach and almost let him proceed unbothered. When was the last time he saw him? Oh yes, when he'd given him his clothes. What a nice last memory. 

"I don't plan on falling victim to snow." He wasn't Nate, after all. Unlike the boy, Petrel could take care of himself. If things got too bad, there were always means of returning to the lodge. "Hungry animals might get me, though." He didn't know what he was up against there, to be honest. The only animals he'd seen were chickens and judging by his MM feed, the animals here were a lot more vicious. "Is that why you're up there? Or are you just taking in the scenery?" 

[traitoroussuckup]

They were dropping around him like fainting Pichu. One by one, they were each finding their way from the school almost as quickly as they'd arrived. In fact, they'd all left so soon that they had the misfortune of missing out on the snow, the outdoors, and what prospects the very idea held. 

He didn't, though. While the six of them scampered homewards, he remained here to see what new gift Monobear would deliver the school to. That was fine, though. Two others still remained, however feeble and useless they were. 

Thoughts like flurries in his mind, he exited the lodge and headed off into the landscape. No real direction, no intentions for where he would end up; just walking. 

[wannabesavior-blog]

Alone in a Blizzard is Snow Place to be: Open

Nate knew he wasn’t going to find home. He wasn’t that idiotic. However, forcing himself to entertain that idea gave him enough false security in hope to put himself in high spirits.

But Nate was not built for snow from the get-go. Bundled tight to the point where he was sweating, he thought he would have been alright. Thought that dehydration would have gotten to him before the cold did and packed a few, now frozen, water bottles to serve the purpose of keeping himself alive for as long as possible to walk as far as possible. If he could find something… ANYTHING that would confirm a potential way out.. then his purpose could have been served. Entertaining ideas of heroism, he had started out feeling how he had in the past; like some great movie hero who was gonna save the day or die trying.

But he had been hiking for all of the day that was supposed to be saved and night had fallen. He had only ventured far enough to get over the foothills. How the Monotwitter got any connection out here was beyond him, but bars faded in and out and messages gradually got through… though the lack of feeling in his hands and large mittens made it difficult to type anything coherent. His hands refused to work anymore… and he had only created worry and warranted a search party. Realistically, he shouldn’t have brought his phone thing along at all. But it was a reassurance device and it set him up to be pitied.

He shouldn’t have been that out of shape either, but not being able to feel his limbs, Nate eventually collapsed to the ground without any potential of getting up anytime soon. The pain of the cold had long subsided, just leaving a dull, numbing feeling throughout his body. How had he even gotten out in this location again? Where was he? Why wasn’t his mother with him? His sensible plan dissolved in a growing confusion. Things like that… they would worry most people, but being able to focus on nothing created a peaceful atmosphere in the panic.

The snow was so pretty. Even as the winds of the mountains beat his face and changed his mismatched skin to a puffy, blue color. He had been so focused on the negatives that he forgot to enjoy the fact that this was a sky. They were outside, and while still prisoners, they were prisoners given the gift of free-will. Things were destined to go bad, but how was he going to find a way out of that? These mountains were impossible to surpass on foot. There were skis… lifts… things to make his life easier and he chose to be stubborn and set out without thinking things through or planning.

He couldn’t focus on his flaws in this blizzard. A groggy mind made him forget where he was every few minutes, only to forget again the second he found himself able to remember. He didn’t even know if he was going to die… was that what happened? There was just a lack of existence there. The snow shone bright from what he could see of it and it was beautiful. And so he could just sleep here.

[traitoroussuckup]

Heading from the warmth of his room, he shoved the MM into his pocket. A clear request, a reachable goal: Find Nate. It was a hassle to go out into the snow, sure, but nothing was going on anyway. He may as well use this as an excuse to get himself into the great outdoors. 

Once outside and making sure the coast was clear, he brought out a pair of pokeballs and released Golbat and Murkrow into the air. Respective caw and screech greeting him, he sent the latter off in search of the boy while he and Golbat set off on foot after. There was no need to hurry until he was found. It would be a shame to run off in a wrong direction only to have to turn around and backtrack. Besides, slow and steady wins the race. 

Twenty minutes of Golbat's endless squeaks circling above and cold fingers shoved into his own pockets, the avian at last returned bearing good news. With a way to go, Petrel grabbed onto Golbats leg and took off after the leader. 

Elevation and wind making this adventure colder, he wasn't exactly ecstatic upon arrival. Nevertheless, the little Nate-mound below was like a beacon in a sea of white. Shoes crunching into the flakes, he let his pokemon hover nearby as he approached, bent down, and shook Nate. 

"Wake up, Princess. Can't have you dying on the first day." 

[kureijiidaiyamondo]

Pouting, he huffed a bit, knowing the answer to the first question.  ”I killed a few rats once, but they were eating people so…!”  He knew that was probably far from the best thing to say as to his wrongdoings.  Cheating, gambling, cheating while gambling…  He had gotten on his dad about it but really he was no better…  He didn’t have Mikitaka with him now to do it, so he kept away from any gambling thoughts that could have popped up.

"Where I’m from, we were told to help fight other people with our special powers, defeat them from killing our loved ones.  I never killed any other user, other than those weird rats…"  He ran a hand through the sides of his hair, straightening it slightly as he spoke.  "Justice is keeping the peace, keeping those who were wrong in jail and protecting those who are not able to do so themselves."

He clenched his fists slightly, releasing them soon after.  ”If you don’t do it anymore, I can’t blame you.  But you can’t let this crazy school get to ya, OK?!”  He looked back up from the ground to Petrel, trying to seem genuine.  ”This place gets to ya after a while, and makes you think things you shouldn’t!  It’s best to just not pay attention to the violence that’s happening.  Find a couple buddies and stick with them.”  He nodded sternly.

"If you do that, I’m sure whatever happened will be forgiven in time."

That too open heart of his.  He wore it on his sleeve, throbbing and bleeding for the world to see.  He just wanted everyone to get along.  Is that so hard?

[traitoroussuckup]

Rats. The only rats he knew of were rattata, though he'd heard of the animal counterpart. The thought in itself was odd. Surely Josuke didn't have that heavy of a conscience to feel bad for killing rats. He must have meant something Petrel wasn't familiar with. 

"I'm going to guess that people don't come back to life where you're from." It made a big difference, to be honest. Fighting to keep someone from disappearing forever was much different than letting them take a few days of sleep to themselves. Although he personally wouldn't fight to save someone else, he could understand the desire. "So there's a higher price to pay for death than just your own life." Loved ones. Care. All that great stuff. 

"But Brendan was my friend." Sticking with a buddy didn't necessarily mean anything to Petrel. He'd always been a traitor, so why would school life be any different? "I'm sure Proton will kill me one of these days soon." It was just a matter of time before the other executive found a motive or mood that fit it best. "In fact, I think the only one I can trust is Silver, but only because he hates me." Funny how that worked out. 

"But I will do my best. Next time, though, if I tell you I didn't do it, don't vote me." And with that, he stood back to his feet and started for the ball closet again. He's going to be exiting soon so he'll need to get all his stuff ready. 

[izayalogy-blog]

Shitty help? He did what he could to try and overlay the trial to the way he wanted. It’s not his fault if things went the wrong way and Proton brought in the attention of the other students. A+ performance, by the way. He was really amused with the other executive’s behavior and sob stories. If he’d been stupid or moronic like the rest of the school, he might have even fell for it. Then again, he probably wouldn’t have. Doesn’t matter much, though! It’s all over with now!

Eyes lowering to the uniform held out to him, he laughed; amused tone sparking his vocals. Fantastic. The dumb broad had brought exactly what he wanted. Who knew he’d be so obedient? “You’re correct, I did. Before I take them, however, I have to ask. Are they washed? I mean, don’t get me wrong..you look like a very hygienic and clean person, but I don’t want to use something that might be foul or tainted.”

[traitoroussuckup]

True. It's in the past and what's done is done. No need to dwell on things, but rather, learn from them and move forwards with life. Better luck next time, as some would say. Petrel could be a good sport about it. No hard feelings. 

Of course he'd brought it. Not only was he probably going to need Izaya in the future, but it actually benefited him to get rid of the uniform at the time. It'd be hard to convince everyone he'd reformed when, there he was, sporting the logo and look all across the school. Tactless, that's what it was. "Guess you'll just have to sniff-test them to find out." Annnd off he goes, not even staying to see if Izaya really does it or not. They were washed, though. He wouldn't just hand over worn clothes. 

[traitoroussuckup]

Ugh. Okay. He has to complete that dare he'd agreed to, whether he likes the idea of losing all his hair or not. One last look at himself...

Yep. Lookin' fine. 

Time to go screw it all up by shaving everything. Everything... Yeah, right. No one would know if he only did his head, right? It's not like he ever went anywhere without long sleeves and pants so... Yeah, he'll be fine. 

Sweet Darkrai, maybe he won't be fine. He does not rock the bald look at all.

[kureijiidaiyamondo]

Frowning, he looked away, bottom lip stuck out in a pout as he spoke.  ”Yer a killer now…  Even if you didn’t hold the knife, you still helped.  I ain’t never done that…”

Sighing, he sat down fully, crossing his legs and looking over to the other man.  Resting his head in his hand, he thought hard on what he needed to.

"I just don’t get how someone with such cool hair could be evil, y’know.  You have a kind of a pomp.  Where’s your sense of justice?"  He furrowed his brows down, looking back up at Petrel.  Come on, man, you have a pompadour!  You gotta have some sort of decorum dude.

[traitoroussuckup]

Oh, he more than helped. His idea, his plan, his purpose. Proton did all the dirty work, but was more or less just along for the fun. --Not that Josuke needed to hear all that. "So you've never done anything bad?" Cue him tilting his head. 

A smile creased his lips at the mention of justice. What justice was there? He'd grown up in a world where power was what mattered, whether you were the good guy or the bad guy. If you weren't strong, if you didn't squish everyone else- you paid up. 

Again, they were looking at the world through two different lenses. How could he properly make him understand? "I come from a world where pokemon battle each other for wins. They fight brutally until the other faints, sometimes dies. Often enough the people are just as bad, ruthless. You and I were raised on different morals, different concepts of what justice is. I've been taught that justice is beating down an opponent and taking a prize. Only here, winning is killing. Can you blame me for doing something I thought was simply natural at the time?" 

[trainerbrendan]

It’s been a few days since he came back to life and he still didn’t remember much. There were a few times in his dreams when he saw faces, but they were always blurred out, or their back was turned on him so he couldn’t see anything. Perhaps he would remember some important things today. Oh, and look! There’s a ugly looking guy making his way towards him.

This guy looks strangely familiar. Too familiar. And he didn’t like it one bit. Who was he? Did he have business with him? If the other didn’t have anything to say to him, then he’ll just walk away. Well, he was going to walk away until he held up a finger to make him wait. ‘I believe these are yours.’ Ah.. his MonoMessanger and ID.. Did he lose them? If so, when? He didn’t recall ever losing it. Now that he actually thought about it, he didn’t have either of them at all when he revived. Why did the stranger have them? Did he have his hat, too?

He took his belongings from the other without even saying a ‘Thank you.’ Why would he, when the man could’ve been the one who took them? “Who are you and why do you have my things?”

[traitoroussuckup]

Ah, but he did have his hat. Funny how Brendan didn't recognize his own article of clothing! If Petrel knew, he'd have laughed right in his face. Probably not, though, since he didn't do a whole lot of laughing as it was. Nevertheless, he held it up as well for him to take. There you go, princess. 

Who was he? Hm. That was new. Either this was a game and Brendan had decided to respond to violence with the ignorance card or Proton had done something and fucked up his head. Probably all that cheek rubbing on his noggin. Yep. Petrel wouldn't doubt it. Regardless, he could play along. 

"I'm Petrel and I have those things because someone thought it would be funny to loot a dead body and brag about it to everyone. He's going to be apologizing to you for it later, though. I made sure of that." Grin, grin!

Oh, yes, he has this all worked out. From start to finish. 

"So, how are you feeling?"

[traitoroussuckup]

The time has come. He's had whatever meager fun he can have on Brendan's MM and now that he's back alive, he can't exactly scare Archie anymore with the whole ghost bit. The only logical thing to do now would be to locate the little trainer and give him his stuff back. He's not a bad guy, so why wouldn't he? He was only borrowing them, after all. 

Oh, and there was the little punk now. Slipping up to him, he held up a finger as if to say 'hold on' and reached the other hand into his pocket. Annnnd out comes the hat, the MM, and the ID. 

"I believe these are yours." 

[kureijiidaiyamondo]

Giving another huff, he felt really confused.  Squatting with his elbows up on his knees, he groaned, looking up at the other.  Man, he really hated this a lot.  ”Man, I just need some confirmation, OK.  I thought you were really cool you know?”  He didn’t want to say he reminded him of his hero.  He didn’t anymore.  The allusion was broken for him the moment he had said he had killed him.

But he wasn’t?  ”You didn’t?  Why did you help though?  What did that kid ever do?”  He was hurt and confused and tired from walking around all night, too afraid to sleep.

"I don’t understand, Mr. Petrel…  This is pissing me off…"

[traitoroussuckup]

Who said he wasn't still cool? He's still the same person, Josuke just happens to know a bit more now. "What makes me any different than before?" 

Ugh. All this standing around bull was getting annoying. If he was going to be exhausted and carry on with this topic, he may as well have a seat. Right there on the floor. Doesn't even care. "Breadpan did a lot of things that would be a waste of time to explain. We don't think the same, so any reasons I give you wouldn't make any sense." 

A hero's mindset versus a villain's. Such different wavelengths it was pointless to even try. "What do you not understand?" Usually a brash statement when used out loud, he conveyed it calmly, almost condescendingly, like a teacher to a pupil.

[kureijiidaiyamondo]

Frowning as he looked up from his juice box, he huffed slightly.  He wanted to be friends with the man, he had good hair, really but…

He couldn’t think of being friends with someone who so willingly murdered.  What was the point of killing really?  You weren’t gonna get out.

He huffed again, pouting as he spoke to the other as he passed.  ”You lied to me y’know.”  He returned his mouth to the straw of his juice box, sucking down the remainder and tossing it in the nearest trash.  ”You’re not gonna kill me too, right?”

[traitoroussuckup]

Oh, so there was a conversation to be had. He didn't realize things needed to be discussed, seeing as everything had been laid out on the table already. Perhaps Josuke was the sort of person who needed closure. Wasn't that great? Turning to face him, he thought over how he should answer.

"I never said I was always honest. Who is?" Besides, if he had been honest, it was the same as giving up. Why not just leave his name written in blood at the crime scene? 

"Why ask me that question if you won't trust the answer I give you?" Surely if he's upset about both the death and being lied to, wouldn't he see deceit in anything but a direct 'yes'? With a sigh, he decided to give a more direct response. "If you'll believe it, no, I wouldn't kill you. In fact, I didn't even kill Brendan."