Faize Sheifa Beleth (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
symbologic) wrote2016-03-09 06:16 pm
symbologic) wrote2016-03-09 06:16 pm
Entry tags:
>>Week 4; Thursday night; Hajime Hinata
[It's been an eventful evening for Faize already. He learned how to do laundry! The ye olde Earth way! Finally! No more pile of dirty clothes in his closet. He took a bath! He cleaned up his room a little bit! You know, all the super exciting things you do when someone's going to spend the night. (They aren't that exciting.)]
[So it's a little shy of 9PM when there's finally a knock on Hinata's door, and a little while after that before the two are inside arguably one of the four safest rooms to be in tonight. Nobody's going to come calling on an immune player. Well, nobody plotting MURDER anyway. He can't really speak to people just coming to say hi, it's not as though that hasn't happened before now.]
[Faize's room is just as clean and organized as it was the last time Hinata was in it. Really the only notable difference are three bottles of some kind of alcohol and a couple of bagged snacks from the general store over by the TV.]
Well. Make yourself comfortable. [He slips his sword off and props it up against the bed closest to the door. If you thought he didn't sleep with that within reach, you are sorely mistaken.] Though...it only just now occurs to me, perhaps I should have made tea and brought it up here before coming to get you.
[Faize, it would get cold.]
[So it's a little shy of 9PM when there's finally a knock on Hinata's door, and a little while after that before the two are inside arguably one of the four safest rooms to be in tonight. Nobody's going to come calling on an immune player. Well, nobody plotting MURDER anyway. He can't really speak to people just coming to say hi, it's not as though that hasn't happened before now.]
[Faize's room is just as clean and organized as it was the last time Hinata was in it. Really the only notable difference are three bottles of some kind of alcohol and a couple of bagged snacks from the general store over by the TV.]
Well. Make yourself comfortable. [He slips his sword off and props it up against the bed closest to the door. If you thought he didn't sleep with that within reach, you are sorely mistaken.] Though...it only just now occurs to me, perhaps I should have made tea and brought it up here before coming to get you.
[Faize, it would get cold.]
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You've... never had a sleepover? It's like...
[Hm. How to explain it... Did you have friends on your planet, Faize.]
I don't know, you and a bunch of your friends get together to hang out, watch TV, play games, eat junk food... It's really fun, but I like I said, it's been a while. You guys must have had something similar on Eldar, right?
[He must have had friends on Eldar, look at this guy?? He's incredibly intelligent and talented and what a nice guy. A Good Friend who would never hit betray by smearing ash on his own doorframe.]
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Well yes, I did have a group of friends that I spent time with on Eldar, doing many of the activities that you have mentioned but...what does sharing a room or sleeping have to do with that?
[Faize would never, ever, ever hit betray. Ashy doorframes or otherwise. He's definitely not the sort of plucky sidekick that winds up as the final boss or something like that. How absurd. He would never.]
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[??? He thought he made it clear?]
I... don't know, I guess it was a chance for parents to get their kids out of their own house for a night or two, probably. As a kid it was like, you got to try to stay up all night and do whatever you wanted. Like truth or dare or place prank calls, stuff like that. The kind of stuff you couldn't do normally or during the day 'cause it would probably get you in trouble with your parents.
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I believe I understand now! My friends and I did not have a special term for such an activity. Though I believe that may be because of different social contexts. My friends and I lacked familial units. [Could you sound any more alien there, Faize...] We were all raised together by the Eldarian government. So spending the night was a simple matter of...well, doing what we are right now, essentially.
[Just walking down the hallway and knocking on doors...]
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[Maybe... concern is not the right emotion to convey here? It just sounds so incredibly sad to Hinata's very normal, very average Earth mind.]
So... your friends were your family, then? Er... "familial unit?"
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I...suppose? We were all close, but I would not consider them family. Though that is perhaps predictable, since how could I compare them to something that I have never known?
[He smiles a little. Also apparently we don't have to stick to this alien "familial unit" nonsense. He switches between the two for...some reason.]
But it's alright, there is no need to look so concerned. I am not an orphan. [Even if he had to lie and tell Marta that.] Certain Eldarians are bred through a careful process of DNA management. We are raised and educated together by the government, so that we may one day serve in the nucleus of our society. So the reason I lack a family is not a matter of loss, but a simple matter of never having one to begin with.
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That opinion he's going to keep to himself, though, instead just humming quietly, leaning forward a little with clear interest in learning about this, but... even after being called out on it, he can't help but look a little concerned.]
Is that... why you use a sword, then? You mentioned something before "latent abilities," I think you said. You were... bred for that?
[Please tell him he's wrong. Please tell him that's pure science fiction and not to be silly.]
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I would not say that I was bred specifically to use a sword, no. But my intellect, endurance, symbology...many of those basic factors are a direct result of DNA selection and management. We are meant to be exceptional individuals, key members of society, after all. So only the strongest, most promising genes are used to create us. Of course, it's not a perfect science so there is a margin for error. And environment is also a factor, just as it is with any species.
[So Hinata's like...sorta right? But not really.]
Does that make sense?
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[Well that certainly resonates with him. Who wouldn't want to be that important?
--And then, suddenly, a shiver goes through him, not unlike the cold chill he'd felt back on the island. The same kind of empty reaching that he can't help but feel when he tries to rack his brain in an attempt to remember his own talent.
Now is not the time to think about that, though, and he just shakes his head sharply, adopting a somewhat crooked grin.]
Sounds like you've got it all, huh? Intelligence, agility, endurance, magic, swordsmanship... you're not even bad-looking, c'mon, how is that fair?
[This is why you're Envy, dude.]
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[Though are you okay there, friend? You look almost...troubled about something. Or okay, maybe he was just imagining that. Faize laughs in a sheepish sort of way.]
You flatter me, with that last one. In that regard, I would consider myself rather average by the standard of my brethren. [They're space elves. Of course they're all attractive.] But yes, I am fortunate. Though simply having talent is not enough. I must work hard to maintain the highest standards possible. To say nothing of the responsibilities that comes with such a role.
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[It's not actually said with bitterness! Just a wry sarcasm as he almost laughs. Yes, this is much better to talk about, because don't worry. He'll still spend the night before he falls asleep thinking about how he can't remember his talent, no need to force Faize through all that.
A whole planet of hot space elves though... someone alert Roxy.]
Yeah, that seems to be what other people here have said, too. I mean, it makes sense. That's why Hope's Peak exists, to cultivate talent. I know I've said it before, but I think you'd really like visiting there.
[Don't go, Faize, they'll vivisect you in a heartbeat.]
It sounds like a lot of pressure on you, but... I'm sure you can handle it.
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Thank you. It is a lot of pressure...but I am not one to give up in the face of such a thing.
[Too stubborn. Too diligent.]
However, if I have the chance, I would like to at least pay a short visit to your Hope's Peak. I'd like to see how such a school compares to my own education. And I believe meeting your companions could also prove interesting for many reasons.
To say nothing of the chance to visit Earth again.
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[Ugh he meant it, you're super-admirable, bro. And it's probably audible in his voice too? What a loser.
He doesn't exactly brighten at the mention of his companions, though. His wry smile fades into something smaller, a little more fond, but concerned. The same kind of concern that had been on his face when Faize had talked about having been "bred," the kind of concern that's absolutely helpless.]
Yeah... they're definitely interesting people, alright. They're all really unique in their own way... I hope they're doing alright.
[He clasps his hands in front of him, resting his elbows on his knees and sighing through his nose. What, does he mean they're having trouble in class without him?? Probably.]
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Is there some reason they would not be? Some manner of danger on your Earth?
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[He doesn't answer immediately, which really should be all the answer Faize needs to surmise that something is indeed Wrong. Instead, his attention seems fixed on his hands, indecision clear on his face as he wrestles with what he wants to say.
But in the end, it comes down to the fact that he trusts Faize, for better or for worse. So far, he has no reason not to.]
...Something like that, [he says finally, carefully, still studying his hands as if they're as fascinating as Faize's earcuffs.] Before I woke up here, me and my classmates were... kidnapped, kind of. Anyone would be worried in that kind of situation.
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...yes, something like that would cause anyone concern. Though...how exactly does one become "kind of" kidnapped?
[Like he's pretty sure that's an all or nothing deal there.]
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[Super Dangan It's Complicated 2. He sighs through his nose again and just shakes his head, still working to compose his thoughts.]
We... were told we were going on a school trip to "strengthen our bonds" or whatever. And for a while, it really seemed like that was the case. We somehow wound up on this tropical island, and everything was... really peaceful, in spite of all my worrying. Everyone else seemed to agree.
But it wasn't long before things changed. It's hard to explain what happened next, but...
[Hm. Mm. He glances up to Faize to try to gauge his expression.]
Did you... happen to see what the "motive" was for me this week?
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I do not remember seeing you in any of the clips, so it is difficult to say whether I did or not. [He must not have been facing the right way to see Hinata's reaction when they were all in the lobby. And apparently the other boy disappeared fairly quickly shortly after so he didn't even get a chance to talk to him about it while it was fresh in his mind.] Which one was yours?
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[Hinata opens his mouth, pauses, furrows his own brows. It would have been so much easier had Faize figured out which one was his, but... well, at least he feels a little better that it must not have been too obvious, in any case.
Instead of answering directly, he shifts, reaching into his jeans pocket to pull out his ever-present student ID, tapping its screen a few times before turning it around, holding it up so Faize should be able to easily read the profile displayed, its picture greyed out and blood-pink lettering spelling out DEAD below his face.]
Togami... wanted to think of himself as our leader. He wanted to guide us and make sure that we'd all get home safely. We... found him murdered.
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[He kind of wants to ask about that, but now is probably not the best time. This seems like a pretty dramatic reveal, after all.]
[In any case, apparently the answer to Hinata's previous question is a resounding "yes". He did see your clips.]
You...found him mur... [He trails off as something clicks in his mind, and a horrible numbness settles in the pit of his stomach. The clip that had followed right after the body in a pool of blood. The boy being dropped into a volcano by that old-fashioned flying machine.] This...this isn't the first time you've been through this sort of "game", is it?
[Holy shit, Hinata, what is your luck?]
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[As soon as he sees the recognition flash across Faize's face, Hinata lowers the ID, flicking his finger over the screen a few times to settle on Hanamura's profile, similarly greyed out with a similar pink moniker beneath the picture. He doesn't display it yet, though, just letting it rest on his knee as he tries to figure out where to go from there.]
...!
[And then shock crosses his face, quickly settling into a wary fear as his fingers tighten around the ID. He really should have figured that Faize of all people would be able to figure out what that meant, but it's still hard not to panic hearing the other put it so plainly.]
Y-yeah, [he can only answer honestly, watching Faize's face with a wary alertness. He's gone this far, it's too late to try to hide it completely.] I... didn't want to tell anyone because... I didn't want to make myself more of a suspect. Or give anyone any reason not to trust me. I didn't kill Togami; Hanamura was tricked, he thought... he thought killing someone was the only way he could go home to see his mom again. But it's... it's why I was so worried about casting the wrong vote. In that "game," if the mystery wasn't solved, if the majority didn't find the truth... we'd all be executed.
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At the time, I'd thought...perhaps you just didn't trust our captors and were considering the worst case scenarios. [He hadn't thought much of Hinata's concern over making the wrong vote at the time. It was a little odd, sure, but it didn't stand out as a wildly illogical train of thought on Hinata's part. And there had been other things to worry about at the time.]
To go through something like this once is bad enough but... twice. [He shakes his head.] I can't even fathom it. And I certainly don't blame you for keeping that fact to yourself, given the circumstances. [He sighs, before locking eyes with Hinata.] You regret not doing something to stop him, then? Hanamura?
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...Yeah. [And his voice is starting to get a little hoarse as he refuses to meet Faize's eyes again, returning his attention to his hands.] I just... I keep thinking if I had known how much Hanamura wanted to go home, how much he needed to go home, because his mom is sick, because she's waiting for him, maybe... maybe I could have done something. I know it's not my fault, but...
[He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, shaking his head again.] But even if the people running this place are telling the truth, even if they could make it so I could stop it... Togami wouldn't want that. We can't know for sure, but... it was made a little more confusing because of a blackout, but at the time of his... his murder, it seems like he pushed someone else out of the way. He was killed because he was trying to make sure no one else would die. I can't... I can't tarnish what he did by killing just to get back.
But they're all still back there. My classmates. I only faced one trial with them back on that island, and now, after going through all of this... there's no way I can be optimistic enough to think that trial will be the last.
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[Faize finds himself unable to look anywhere BUT at Hinata, in a weird juxtaposition of the other boy's dilemma. You're not allowed to call him admirable anymore, Hinata, unless you also acknowledge the same of yourself. Because wow, look at that justification for not killing a dude over this motive. All that's stopping Faize is the fact that he doesn't know if fixing it will make matters EVEN WORSE for Edge.]
Mmm...To save his life at the cost of two others...you're right, I imagine such an act would be an insult to someone so self-sacrificing. [THIS TOGAMI GUY SOUNDS TRULY NOBLE THOUGH. WHAT A LOSS THAT HE IS DEAD.] You are...a very noble friend, Hinata. I'm sure Togami would appreciate that you have taken his actions to heart in such a way.
So I do not think...you should give up hope for your classmates so quickly. I know it is easy to do so, in the face of what we have seen here but...surely there is a chance they have learned from his example as well? [Nobody here has died trying to save someone else. Not really. Morrigan might have counted, had she not been an accomplice in the first place.] I should think such a talented group might have found a way to return your field trip to the way it should have been.
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Hinata sits up straighter at being called "noble," though, meeting Faize's eyes with no small amount of surprise. It's safe to say that he's never been called that before, and from someone like Faize, it's... honestly kind of flattering? Confused bisexual noises intensify.]
I'd... like to think so. I really would. I mean, they've got Sonia, the Super High School Level Princess. She says she's nothing more than a figurehead, but when that trial was all over, after Hanamura was killed... she told us all we had to do was do our best. I've been trying to... take that to heart ever since. If it were anyone else saying it, it would sound trite, but coming from her... it's inspiring, you know?
[But now that he's looking up at Faize, it's harder to justify looking back down. At least he's not crying or anything embarrassing. In fact, he can't help but laugh self-deprecatingly, though there's no humor behind it.]
But... thanks, Faize. Sorry for, um, talking about myself so much. I mean... you have your own stuff to worry about, right?
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