#post neo world program verse

[more-than-a-princess]

Closed starter for @quickdeaths!

She'd just about finished drying off by the time she reached the steps to her cabin. As her foot healed (and presumably other parts of her as well), Sonia had taken to swimming in the hotel pool at night. Without the oppressive heat and sunlight and most of her friends retiring for the evening, she was often left undisturbed in the water. Once they were able to trust her not to drown herself there, anyway.

She swam laps, remembering the strokes from before Junko had sunk her claws into her. She sat on the edge, swishing her legs in the water. And sometimes she simply let herself float, laying on her back and looking up at a starry, often cloudless sky. Something she wanted to commit to memory: where she would eventually be going, Sonia supposed the lights of the capitol would drown out all of the constellations that sparkled over Novoselic Castle. She wanted to remember them like this instead, surrounded by friends, than what the rest of her life would surely entail: seclusion, judgement, hatred, loneliness. And she'd brought it all on herself.

A thought that elicited a deep sigh from her when she'd dipped beneath the water's surface for the last time that night, swimming to the edge of the pool before climbing out. A thought that remained at the forefront of her mind as she toweled off, as she tied her long wrap skirt around her one piece suit, as she slipped on sandals and carried her towel, a book, and a flashlight back through the walking paths to the cabins. She was coasting and, for the first time, she was able to admit it. But if it kept her alive and without rummaging through every place she could think of for even a sip of alcohol, was it not worth it?

Sonia pushed the door to her cabin open, hoping she'd remembered to keep enough non-alcoholic drinks in the small refrigerator she was allowed in her room, and froze. She'd left the lights on in her cabin, to keep herself from fumbling in the dark, and the windows open, to help keep her living space cool at night.

What she hadn't expected was a cat, curled up in the center of her bed right in front of the pillows. "Kitty?" She called out, only to receive a small 'mew!' in return. Sonia exhaled, smiling softly as she dropped her tote bag and towel on the floor, proceeding to the edge of the bed. "How did you get in here? Through the window, I expect?" Sonia asked, sitting on the edge of her bed beside her. "You are quite a long way from the farm, Miss Kitty." She'd recognized the animal quickly: before Gundham had awakened, it had been her responsibility to look after the barn animals, including those who made a living keeping the mice and rats out of the feed bags. There had been at least half a dozen cats in various colors and patterns, and she'd called them all 'Kitty' to avoid getting too attached to them. This 'Miss Kitty' was the tuxedo cat of the bunch: sleek black fur everywhere except for her belly, chest, chin, and paws, which were all a soft, fuzzy white. She'd always walked with her tail and chin both held high, her slim body and legs always giving a small sashay with every step.

Well, she used to, anyway. Sonia sighed, scratching the cat's head and behind the ears before moving to pet her belly. "You have gotten a bit chubby since we last met, if you do not find it rude for me to tell you as such," She said, nearly reaching the white fur that bulged out and away from the cat's full, round belly. "I wonder if you might have gotten Hanamura-san to feed you too, and-"

Sonia's hand stopped, for several reasons: the cat had yowled upon Sonia's gentle touch upon her stomach and had began to pant in displeasure, Sonia's fingers had grazed several protruding nipples, and beneath the cat's skin...a small paw, or head, butted against her hand. Oh. OH.

"Miss Kitty, you are expecting!" Sonia cried, right alongside the cat's next yowl. It was impossible to ignore the look of pain and stress in her yellow eyes, stretched out on her side as she continued to pant. "And soon, you wish to birth your kittens here, of all places?"

Another pitiful cry, and some sort of reddish-brown discharge began to stain the comforter. Sonia's eyes widened: she didn't want to panic, but it wasn't as if she was an expert in delivering kittens. And with Hajime likely asleep and her unwillingness to approach Gundham about it, it would be up to her to ensure the mother and her babies were kept comfortable. "Let me think, let me think..." Sonia spoke aloud to herself, reaching into the drawer beneath the nightstand to produce a notebook and pen. "Please stay here, Miss Kitty: I will try to remember everything you need!"

Not wanting to crowd the cat's space (despite it being her cabin), Sonia took a seat on the cabin's steps leading up to the open door. Her towel, her bag, and her shower forgotten, she sat there, in a still-damp swimsuit and her wrap skirt, one bare leg sticking out from beneath it, scribbling as fast as she could in the notebook. She was making a list, frantic and focused: blankets, hot water bottle, clean towels, clean water, bowls, maybe some leftover grilled fish if the kitchen had any.

She hadn't even noticed the sound of footsteps approaching. Not until a slight shadow had been cast over her beneath the outdoor lights of the cabin. "Yaguchi-san!" She exclaimed, once she'd finally taken notice and looked up. "I am so sorry, I am still rather a mess from the pool earlier. But I am afraid we cannot engage in our film night tonight. There are extenuating circumstances-"

Another yowl from inside the cabin: the extenuating circumstances.

"I apologize, but I will need to visit the Hotel Mirai immediately for supplies," Sonia explained, getting to her feet. With minimal pain this time, anyway. "I have recalled the best I can about what will be needed for a feline birth, but as I am not permitted access to the internet and it would take too long to search the library, it will have to do. We can watch movies another time, but I thank you for bringing them all this way."

[more-than-a-princess]

Only out of ignorance, Sonia thought, could he have suggested watching a Gundam anime at a time like this. Yet she didn't hold it against him: he couldn't have known, she realized as she gave him a sad smile. "I doubt the Future Foundation would keep such titles available in the library," She remarked between sips of wine. "Considering the prevailing theme is how children respond and react to war. It might not be the best anime to watch, if being reminded about such things is...is too hard. We were terrorists, after all."

But the look in her eyes she gave him didn't correspond with her words. She called them terrorists and yet her gaze towards him was warm, gentle. It always was, always had been, save for when she'd been a Remnant of Despair and upon the conclusion of the simulation's fourth trial, when she'd sobbed like a child and he'd told her not to cry.

"Maybe another time," She suggested, "Once the world has begun to heal. In the meantime, I think happier stories are worth consuming right now. Or at least, they won't remind me of...of everything."

It was kinder to spare him the gruesome details. Sonia didn't know how much he remembered of his time as a Remnant of Despair, and she didn't exactly remember how much their paths had crossed then, either. Her tyranny was wholly focused in Europe while his...well, she could only guess that his reach spanned wider, to rally all of the most fearsome beasts on Earth under his control.

They'd continued to eat, in bouts of silence followed by questions that felt far too deep, far too vulnerable, far too dangerous with the addition of alcohol and candlelight. And she was the furthest thing from a lightweight, yet the haze of a fresh-cooked meal and his tender words had settled heavily around her. She gasped softly as he reached for her hands, and she made no move to pull away from him. Being touched so tenderly...it was a feeling she'd forgotten as a Remnant, one she struggled to remember until he held her and her heart beat a little faster. "I just didn't kn-know," She uncharacteristically stammered as her knuckles brushed his lips. That was the effect he had on her, the intensity of his multi-colored gaze, his words, his touch. "If it was enough, that I was the only one who never believed you to be poisonous. If you wanted someone else to befriend you, to see you."

Once he'd let go, she too moved her plate away: eating anymore seemed impossible, not while her stomach was doing somersaults at the fact he'd kissed her knuckles and how much she yearned for his kiss elsewhere. Her lips would be a start, a thought that brought a blush upon her cheeks and shame in her heart. From what she could remember of Hope's Peak, she could recall that Gundham had always been unique, his own brand of eccentricity that everyone complained they couldn't understand and often asked Sonia to translate. He'd only wanted to reassure her, and yet her thoughts had immediately wandered into far more romantic, intimate territory. Something unwanted, she felt: she wasn't the princess she used to be, one worth loving. She was a queen and a monster.

At least she could give him some comfort and support. In spite of all the horrible things she'd done, she could at least offer a kind word. Until they weren't, when her words reminded him of something far more melancholy. "I am sorry, I did not realize," She replied quickly, shaking her head. "I should have considered that your ties to Japan would not be as robust as mine to Novoselic. But yes, you are right: the makango are endangered now, or so I have been told. I imagine my country would be grateful for the help, if they can be accustomed to your presence there. One former Remnant is apparently a lot to take in, according to the newspapers."

Not that she opposed him being there. That had been her selfish wish since she'd awakened and learned the truth of The Tragedy: she'd watched over his pod and the farm first with the hope that he would wake and be all right, and second that he might share the same desire she did: to never have to say goodbye again. Even in a simulation, it was far too painful the first time.

Sonia stood as soon as she heard the sound of breaking glass. "Come on, let me help clean up," She insisted, striding over to the mess on the floor. "As long as you assist, I should be capable of using the right cleaning products and- OW."

She winced, sitting back on the floor and away from the scattered shards: one had pierced her index finger, Sonia clutching her bleeding hand to her chest. "Oh no...I don't think it is too deep but it hurts!"

It was somehow easy to talk about the past, despite the stabbing pain that came with it, if only because Sonia herself was so easy to talk to. It was hard to imagine her Father, the King of Novoselic, being an Otaku on the side. "I.. I am afraid I missed out on the mecha side of animations. I must confess, I have not seen any of the Gundam arcs. Perhaps, they have them here, and we could watch them together on another day. Only then will I know which is my favorite."

If only her father could watch them with them. It would be a great way to bond with him, despite him coming from an impoverished background. He had no fantasies that the King would allow him to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage, due to his upbringing, yet, perhaps, he would allow him to be her friend: To live out his days in the castle, stealing glances and laughs from the princess. He told himself that would have been enough, but there was no way to know now. Just like there was no way to learn why his Mother had named him 'Gundham' in the first place. As far as he knew, she hadn't been a closeted otaku.

As Gundham ate, he couldn't help but notice the furtive glances that the blonde kept sending his way. He hoped there wasn't something on his face, and he quickly wiped it with his napkin, yet her blue hues continued to drift towards him. He began to look more closely at her as well, his heavy glance drinking in her features. From her beautiful eyes, to her cute dress, his mismatched hues wandered, finally resting upon her luscious lips. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but a sudden need had him sitting straighter in his seat, pinching his leg to keep himself rooted to the spot. Softly, he bit his lip, as his gaze lingered on her mouth.

Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, she asked quite an intriguing question, one that caught him a bit off guard. He'd finished eating by then, and he pushed his plate to the side, reaching across the table, and taking her hands in his own. "It matters.. more than you will ever know. That you were the one to befriend me, to see me for who I was. Out of the billions of mortals in existence, I would not want anyone else." Still consumed by that impossible urge to kiss her, he drew her hand towards his mouth, brushing the soft skin of her knuckles against his lips in a chaste, yet all consuming manner.

It was enough. He tried to convince himself, as he let her take her digits back. Yet, he knew he wanted more. He wanted to know what her lips felt like against his own. Surely, they would be even more soft than the back of her hand had been. He wanted to kiss her everywhere, and learn what every part of her felt like with his mouth and hands. He pulled himself out of his reverie, realizing how shallow and deep his breathing had become. Damned wine. At this rate, she would think he was a creep.

"Why yes. Kintsugi is beautiful." And so are you. The fact that she was referring to him as beautiful in her own way, went far above him. He had never thought of himself so much as handsome, let alone beautiful. His gaze darkened and he finally looked away, as her words struck something dark and sorrowful inside of him. "I.. do not have a home any longer. There is no home for me to return to in Japan. I did not have friends there, or close family. So, no, I would not miss it. You.. are the only one left that I care for." He stood, collecting the dirty dishes. "I believe you told me that the Makango are endangered as well. With my powers, I can lend a hand, and fight to save them. Kehehehe."

On his way to the kitchen, he stumbled a bit, and one of the wine glasses toppled over and shattered. It had been so long since he'd had a drink, and he was definitely more than buzzed after the few glasses of wine he'd had. "My apologies. It seems I have have lost myself in my cups." He opened the closet nearby, hoping to find the broom.

[hopebvllet]

A compilation of headcanons that are probably too small to put in their own separate posts because Yes

--Makoto enjoys the occasional drink or two; especially after work with the other survivors in the post despair verse to help unwind. Though I have no idea whether he would either be a lightweight or have the ability to handle his alcohol really well, because both ideas are equally plausible and funny to me lmao

--His phone screen perpetually has cracks in it. Thankfully he uses a glass screen protector so the screen itself isn't cracked, but Makoto cracks it so often that he doesn't bother replacing it until it gets really bad

--Makoto's body temp actually runs cooler than most people. Because of that, he's able to tolerate wearing the layers that he does and tends to get sick fairly easily. He also freaking loves hot showers/baths

--Makoto has the tendency to go on wikipedia binges just to look up and learn random bits of information. I mean, he already likes to look up info on incoming Hope's Peak freshmen as confirmed in the first game and the V3 demo, so why would he stop there? He likes learning about stuff. It's also why he's surprisingly knowledgeable about meat. The carnivorous teenaged mf why do you love meat so much--

--I know the fate of the Naegi parents are left ambiguous in UDG, but in my canon it's eventually found out that they did bite the bullet in one way or another. Sorry not sorry my boy but at least you have your sister. <333333

--Makoto has gained some programming/computer knowledge from working closely with Alter Ego on the Neo World Program and he does use said knowledge/improves on it for misc. Future Foundation assignments

[morethanaprincess-a]

Closed starter for @hxpelessnurse​ !

Second Anniversary Starter Call - Accepting from mutuals!

With a sharp tug on the damp cotton sheet, Sonia had to wonder how much she was actually helping or, more likely, she was simply trying to stay out of the way. Jabberwock Island, the real Jabberwock Island, was free of murders but in their places there was plenty to do to keep it running. Virtual reality saw to their meals, their chores, even the hospital where some of them had succumbed to the Despair Disease. But in reality, the Future Foundation left the general day-to-day tasks of the island to the five survivors, adding to their ranks as their friends were revived.

Out of necessity, they'd decided to revive Teruteru Hanamura and Mikan Tsumiki first: they needed to eat and they needed the former Ultimate Nurse, someone with the skill and training to assist the others as they were revived from their comas and their bodies began to heal. Until Mikan's revival, the hospital had been assigned to Sonia's care due to her first aid experience from her military training (and that leaving her in the kitchen or near the carpentry tools were recipes for disaster). But while she cut new strips of and cleaned bandages, saw to fresh linens, and took note of the medical supply stock, Sonia felt rather useless. Her friends needed something between a qualified caretaker and a qualified therapist, and she was in no position to be either. Hell, she needed such help herself, seeking out an array of Future Foundation-approved media to pair with non-Future Foundation-approved beverages to numb her pain.

But she showed up on time for her hospital shifts. That, for Sonia, was non-negotiable.

With a sigh, she reached up to affix the last clothespin to the crisp, white bedsheet. She'd managed to bleach the bloodstains out, left over from one of her friends scratching at themselves (or so she'd guessed. It took three of the Future Foundation members to restrain them as they didn't trust the former princess in the presence of gaping wounds, considering her already fragile mental state). Now, all that was left was for the clean hospital linens and bandages to dry out in the afternoon sun while she went about the next task assigned to her.

"Mikan-san," Sonia addressed her, stepping back through the door leading out to the garden and the makeshift clothesline before sliding it shut. "The sheets, towels, blankets, and bandages have all been hung to dry. What should be done next?"

[phantasmalcalamity-a]

“ i’m surprised i even have a choice. ” (➝Juzo)

"Tch, you can thank Munakata San for that. If it were up to me, I'd kill you like the scum you are." Juzo growled, cracking his knuckles loudly. "I knew you were working with Enoshima... That's the only way you were able to escape. Saving those damned remnants only proves it."

The boxer glared the boy down. He'd hated his guts ever since he'd emerged from the killing game alive. Junko Enoshima had been his pray to take down, and yet Makoto had stolen that from him. "So, what punishment do you choose for yourself? I gotta say, it is amusing forcing you to pick your poison. You shouldn't have gone against the future foundation ever."

[more-than-a-princess]

Whether it was the dull ache of the pain in her foot, a rare substantial amount of food for a meal that made her stomach rumble, or the fact that Yaguchi had pointedly called her out on her own confused accusations, Sonia could only respond by pouting at first. An immature reaction to be sure, but it wasn't as if the world took her and her friends seriously. If only to be rehabilitated as something of use to them, but nothing more: nothing else mattered, and she didn't expect Yaguchi to believe any different.

"Well, I didn't know that," She replied, attempting to deliver a flat and unamused tone but she snapped instead. The irritability of pain and shame alike had withered away her patience and compassion, in her opinion. "Sorry, but we do not exactly communicate well here. The risk of bringing up uncomfortable memories is too great, and thus...what is the phrase, 'silence is sparkling.' That is the preferred code of conduct amongst most of us, some liaisons aside." It was the best way to categorize her time with Akane: they weren't exactly friends out of the simulation, as more and more of their crimes were brought to light. But they had a certain ease in each other's presences, in that they didn't prod or aggravate the other too much.

Maybe that was the best she could hope for, when it came to relationships: an uneasy tolerance of mutual trauma. It was what she deserved, in any case.

She thought about telling Yaguchi that she should spend more time with the other former remnants, lest she be accused of favoritism, but Sonia had a feeling it would fall on deaf ears or she'd continue to point out precisely how much additional attention she bestowed upon her former classmates. Sonia just gestured to her disheveled braid and her injured foot, the scar already beginning to form: if that wasn't messy, she wasn't sure what was, beyond nearly drinking herself to death over Gundham's rejection. At various points since meeting Yaguchi, Sonia had embodied all three.

"There is quite enough cruelty in the world," She explained, setting her plate aside. From the way her stomach rumbled, the food wouldn't sit well. Too sweet or too much of it in one sitting, as soon as the other woman left, Sonia would limp her way to the toilet to try to rid herself of it. "Much of it my cohorts and I caused. If there was one thing we could do to try to atone here, with our limited abilities and resources, it would be to be kind as long as kindness is deserved." There were unnamed members of the Future Foundation that certainly didn't deserve it: Yaguchi had punched him square in the nose, last she heard. "But to be lonely and enjoying my company, of all people..."

Sonia sighed, leaning against the headboard of her bed. Even with Yaguchi's explanations of how she helped out the other former Remnants, it still didn't make sense to her. She wasn't worth it, why didn't she see that? She shut her eyes and breathed deeply, as she did when she needed a drink, or felt she was going to say something she didn't fully mean. "I think you must be feeling a little desperate, if it is my company that you are choosing to seek. I cannot tell you not to enjoy my company, but that does not mean it makes sense to me. I was a horrible person back then, and I am not much better now, barring the lack of murder that is. I tried to coerce a man into marrying me simply because I was afraid to be alone, without him. I still am: he gave my life meaning, in a way. Without him, I am not sure how I can proceed."

It was the most articulate she'd been about her heartbreak. Sonia surmised it was because Yaguchi was on her way out, and therefore wouldn't press her for further details about it. "You have not overstayed your welcome," She assured her. Her instincts told her to grab the blankets, hold them close, and not move from her bed for the rest of the day. Her body told her that if Yaguchi didn't get a move on, she'd witness Sonia's entire breakfast in reverse. Sonia brought her hand to her mouth, as if to stifle the latter urge. "Th-that is fine, to check on me later. Maybe without so much food, though. My body does not tolerate it well."

It felt like a rejection - it was a rejection, in some ways. Of course, Shinobu had no reason to expect anything else. Sonia didn't know her. They'd met, from her perspective, quite recently, and while Shinobu hoped they'd made a good impression, what sort of impression could justifying opening up after being so hurt? And besides, hadn't Shinobu said to herself, to Anzu, that she'd accept this? She needed to help Sonia, not befriend her. Even if Sonia wanted nothing to do with her, then Shinobu would simple do what she could from a distance to ease things for her, to give her any possible chance to heal.

In the moment, though, it stung, and even as it stopped stinging, it ached. It was miserable, Shinobu realized for the second time, to want to be close to someone but know that that person did not return the sentiment in the same way. To Shinobu, Sonia was the most important person alive, while to Sonia, Shinobu was likely only the strange Future Foundation agent who seemed determined to impose upon her. There was no getting around that fact.

"I'm doing what I can for them, as well," she said after a few moments of silence, "your friends, that is." No one would mistake it for the way she treated Sonia, but it wasn't as though she had any desire to abandon them, or withhold her support. "I've been helping Hanamura-san with cleanup, so he can focus his attention on the cooking itself, and I'd prefer that neither Miss Owari nor Souda-san nor Miss Pekoyama exert themselves when their bodies are still recovering." Though, the same could be said for her own, she supposed. "If it's not immediately time-sensitive, I've asked that they set aside any moving of machinery or heavy objects for me to handle when I'm there."

No longer looking at Sonia, Shinobu instead stared down at her plate, eating slowly in-between her spoken thoughts. "When you were in the hospital, I brewed tea for Miss Tsumiki, as well, and I've taken to dropping by with her preferred snacks from the market, should she get hungry, or need some extra energy." Yes, in absence of a clearly-defined job with duties and routine, she'd taken it upon herself to do what she could for the remnants, wherever there was a need. Hinata was the only one she steered clear of, when the situation allowed.

But still, those were not acts of friendship, and Sonia was more than intelligent enough to understand the difference. "If it's worth anything to you, I should say that I don't see you as a mess, Miss Nevermind." She had struggled and been made to endure things that no person should, but she wasn't a mess, not in Shinobu's eyes. "But as for why I care about you in particular..." It was obvious, from their perspective.

There was no reason to bring up Seiko and Sakakura again. Sonia knew what had happened to them, and even if it had nothing to do with her, Shinobu had no desire to make her feel responsible for them. Even without naming them specifically, the princess would understand the generalities. "Well, I'm lonely," she admitted. "Extraordinarily so. And, you were kind when you had no reason to be - when everyone, myself included, would have understood had you written me off as just another Future Foundation suit to be wary of." With her fork set down, Shinobu could see her neatly trimmed nails, unpainted, and remember how they'd looked in matte black.

Her phone buzzed, and after setting her plate on Sonia's nightstand, Shinobu picked it up and declined the call. She'd probably be departing soon enough, anyway, so no reason to allow herself to be rushed. They slipped it into their pocket as they finished getting dressed, gathering up their things in their backpack as they did. "I want to be your friend, Miss Nevermind, and I enjoy your company. That's all it is, really. I don't define you by the things you've done in the past, so much as the things you're doing now, and the person you are today is someone who I care for, and someone who I want to spend time with."

What would happen when Sonia returned to Novoselic, though, Shinobu wasn't sure. Still... if there was a way she could stay in contact, she'd try. It would be happening, sooner or later, and they'd need to think about it. "If I've overstayed my welcome, Miss Nevermind, then I regret doing so." She tapped at her phone, in the pocket of her slacks. "I'm needed for something or other, so, I likely shouldn't stay any longer. If you'd prefer it, if you feel that my presence is stifling or unwanted, I'll keep some distance for a while. Otherwise, I'll try to stop by to check on you, if that's alright?"

[ultimatemusicians]

debating on if i should make that “tattoo” of stiches on ibuki’s left leg an actual scar from when the ult despairs took pieces of junko’s (derogatory) body. would mikan have helped her attach the leg???? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[s1lver-bullet]

@hxpelessnurse asked for a kiss!

A quiet kiss. (Maybe in the post-neo world program verse?)

Jowi leaned in, carefully planting a kiss on Mikan’s lips, as they watched the sun set together,

“It feels… wonderful to kiss you again, sweetheart…”

[more-than-a-princess]

Closed, plotted starter for @quickdeaths !

With a frustrated groan, Sonia yanked open the double doors to the Jabberwock Island's movie theater. The third island, barring the hospital, was a mostly quiet, deserted sort of place: the majority of their day-to-day activities were confined to the main and second islands. So she had expected to have one of the three places she could most often be found on the collection of islands that made up Jabberwock to herself.

Crossing over the threshold and greeted by the faint scents of mold, caramel, and curry, she was in desperate need of it. Each week, the awakened and healthy (at least moderately: they could clean, feed, and dress themselves) former remnants were assigned meeting times with a member of the Future Foundation. What amounted to be part-therapist, part-guidance counselor, the Future Foundation were meant to advise them on how to navigate the state of the world, cope with the atrocities they'd committed virtually and in reality, and come up with a plan for after Jabberwock Island. While in theory the option was there, to live their lives out on a secluded island for the rest of their days, the Future Foundation could not assist them indefinitely. Supplies would become scarce and help would be nearly non-existent: it was better, they thought, that the former Remnants of Despair be instilled in society and begin repaying their debts and embark on the most normal lives they could possibly have.

Everyone, it seemed, except Sonia.

"Who does he think he is, the head and final say of the entire organization!?" She spat to no one in particular. "He never actually considers that I might be an asset to the Future Foundation's operations." Letting the doors slam shut behind her, she glared down at the paper in her hands before tearing it into strips, crumpling them into a ball, and throwing it into the rubbish bin. It was excessive, yes, but she didn't often have a vehicle to exhibit how much she despised her weekly sessions. Each Remnant was paired with a member of the Future Foundation for the duration of their stay, and it was Sonia's utter misfortune that, apparently, only Byakuya Togami could stomach dealing with her. Aoi Asahina had been too soft-hearted, taking pity on the former princess and her reliance on various substances, her insomnia, and how useless she felt at anything beyond being royalty. Kyoko Kirigiri had given up when she hadn't been able to reason with her, and Makoto Naegi was often too busy to speak to any of the Remnants besides Hajime.

In turn, that left only Byakuya Togami. Seemingly devoid of a proper beating heart in favor of efficiency, duty, and responsibility, he was the only one willing to chastise Sonia for her habits and unwillingness to embrace what she was: Queen of Novoselic. He was also the only one to, time and time again, deny her requests to join the Future Foundation. The crumpled-up ball of paper strips had been the most recent incarnation, where she had detailed the various services she had to offer the organization: translation, interpreting, a vast knowledge of law and economics, leadership experience. Anything that involved her not being sent back to Novoselic.

Something that, no matter how hard she pleaded her case, the Future Foundation insisted there was no place for her. Fuyuhiko, she heard, had experienced the same, though he seemed to accept it. But she was adamant: she was certain that sending her back to Novoselic would be sending her to her death, if the news reports from Europe were anything to go by. She would've gladly signed away all of her family's wealth to those already there, looking to rebuild, but the constant reminder that it wasn't just money, it was guidance and an understanding of how the nation was run, was crucial. Frankly, Sonia didn't think any amount of guidance would be useful if there were daily protests demanding the Future Foundation deliver her home, or at least her severed head.

Beyond the threat of her own life, she had her reasons: the reason being, apparently, very close to awakening from his pod. Torn between anger and anxiety, she'd decided upon the few things that could distract her in a state of sobriety: a film in the theater, a visit to the library, and something terribly indulgent from the Hotel Mirai kitchens, in precisely that order.

What she didn't expect was that she wasn't alone. Traipsing up the stairs to the projection room for the theater's sole screen, she stopped short at the doorway: Yaguchi, either selecting one of the reels from the shelves or debating about how to put it in the projector.

"Y-Yaguchi," Sonia half-stammered, half-coughed. There would be little she could do to hide how she'd flung the door open with a firm slam, her hands in balled, clenched fists, or her brows that, for the past hour at least, appeared to be permanently furrowed into an irritated expression. "I am sorry, I did not know someone was intending to use the theater. No one really comes here, especially during the day. I can find a film on disc in the library to take back to my cabin instead, so you may watch your film in peace."

Peace was precisely the last thing she felt, anyway. But she'd find something to lose herself in, so that, for a little while at least, she wouldn't scream something she didn't mean to the entire Future Foundation. "If you need assistance with the projector though, I can help you," She sighed. She'd turned her heel and then remembered that, out of everyone, only she and Hajime had figured out how to set up the reels precisely, to best preserve the film inside. "You will not be able to watch any of the films in this theater otherwise."

[more-than-a-princess]

Maybe he was just tired of fighting: himself, that is. In Sonia's case, she tended to remind herself what an awful person she was whenever her brain had a free moment, and it was only tempered by alcohol or sleep, whichever came first. Hajime, she suspected, likely couldn't escape his inner demons so easily. He was too smart, too clever, too talented for that, and that would be his constant battle. The inability to not always rely upon his endless supply of skills: sometimes, he required a second opinion.

In this case, hers worked.

"It is not easy to admit defeat, or even that one was in the wrong," She replied gently. "Particularly when one is facing both wounded pride and prevalent regret for their actions. But you are strong, not because of your vast array of talents but because of your morals and conscience. The fact that you said it yourself in the simulation: you would have both Hajime Hinata and Izuru Kamakura coexist within the same body. No amount of talent can touch the fortitude required for that."

He was so caught up in his feelings that he seemingly hadn't noticed them physically materialize on the Jabberwock Island beach. Something that Sonia would have once equated with peace and tranquility, the hot sun, the lapping of the waves, and the scent of salt water tended to remind her only of death and regret these days. Even if it hadn't been real, it had felt real to her. Every last one of the victims and culprits, until only the five of them were left standing.

It felt like Gundham demanding she control herself as he willingly met his fate. It felt like Chiaki's lie, that she hadn't existed at all and wouldn't be joining them outside of the program. Both instances had etched themselves deeply upon Sonia's heart, scars that likely would never heal.

She reached into her pocket instead of ruminating over her hidden wounds, retrieving a clean, folded tissue and handing it to him. For his tears: for all of his skills, Sonia doubted he considered the possibility of being able to cry. "Please, take it," She urged him. "We all must help one another in this post-Despair world. If we do not, I fear our world does not have any chance of rebuilding into something that Junko Enoshima's ideals can no longer touch."

Hopefully he'd accept it. She had to believe that, in his present condition, his pride would not win out over an extended, helping hand. "You know," She began, wrinkling her nose at the beachy scent that filled them. For now at least, the tropics couldn't be equated with anything positive. "If you do not have anything pressing to do, why don't we go on a small detour? Perhaps to the market for drinks and maybe the library after? Er...have you read all of the books and magazines there? Or watched all of the DVDs and blu-rays? There's quite a lot: we might find something new or revisit an old favorite."

"... An interesting argument."

Her words gave him genuine pause. Was he truly the one dwelling on it? From his perspective he was simply a body. A shell filled with unbridled talent and the memories of his now-dead former self. Sonia could see him from another perspective, it seemed. How he longed to see himself as she did. To empathize. That was simply impossible for Izuru Kamakura.

In his own dispassionate way, had he come to hate Izuru Kamakura? Himself. What he was now. Maybe that was some remnant of Hajime Hinata clawing its way back. A shame the nothing in his heart was endless. His perspective would doubtless be useful. After all, that was the purpose of all of this, wasn't it? To seek his counsel. To put himself back together. He'd come to the conclusion rationally. Izuru Kamakura could not. Hajime Hinata could.

His eyes scanned Sonia's, trying to comprehend her expression's meaning. He could understand it academically, but to grasp any depth was beyond him. Still, he could see it. Her resolve. He knew Sonia when he was still Hajime Hinata. For someone as kind and righteous as her, surely realizing the depth of her crimes as Ultimate Despair must have been unbearable. To bear it must have taken an unimaginable strength of will.

Kamakura closed his eyes, truly considering her words. The princess had discovered a blind spot in him. True, he would likely never return to his old self, but the same was true for everyone. He had been considering himself uniquely wounded among the wounded. Everyone bore the scars of the tragedy. Not just the people on this island. Everyone who was still living.

He'd been feeling sorry for himself.

He opened his eyes, no expression ever appearing on his face. It struck him oddly, being seen for what he really was. He was generally good at pretending to be Hajime Hinata, but allowing someone to speak with him as Izuru Kamakura had actually given him a new perspective. In his body and mind, both versions of him remained.

Sonia Nevermind had somehow realized that even when he couldn't. He'd told her that there was no hope, and even so she pushed back. Even so she tried to reach out. Even so she had made him realize something he hadn't considered.

"I must concede. You may be correct. Perhaps there is more for me to think about, Sonia."

He doesn't notice the tear streaming down his cheek, nor would he understand why it was there if he did.

[engimono]

@more-than-a-princess​​: “ i’m sorry, i’m not what you think i am. ” (Whichever verse you like! This could work for more than Post-DR2 if you prefer another verse)   //   sent from:   prompts for your feels

          HOPE MIGHT BLIND HIM SOMETIMES BUT HIS FAITH IN OTHERS IS ALWAYS SO CRYSTAL CLEAR !

     Away from the hospital’s  COLD  fluorescence and into the  WARM  sunlight was their meeting relocated, a sorely needed change of scenery that she had been kind enough to  indulge. Thanks to the future foundation’s  strict  regulations regarding the former Remnants and Naegi’s ongoing commitments to his own branch, options were  woefully  limited but the hospital’s outside terrace won out in the end and proved to be exactly what he was after. Shortly after their breakfast did he suggest that they meet for a cup of tea and some conversation, led by his sole  discretion  and mostly free of allusions to  heavier  topics that were ill-suited for a morning discussion. Understandably, however, references to the past or the current status of her friends always felt like it  understated  the conversation and he knew there was little that he could to dispel its  indelible  presence.  

     They may not have developed a  reliable  rapport yet but given the circumstances, their encounters weren’t terribly awkward. Any lulls in their conversation felt  comfortable  and went without a  compulsory  need to fill the dead air; there was no such  aversion  to the silence, or the pauses that allowed them to  taste  their words beforehand. All things considered, his efforts to try and engage her were met with  varying  degrees of success but he had yet to feel  demoralized  or  unwelcome  during his brief visits. As it was, she was  never  under any obligation to entertain his whims or stay longer than her personal desire prescribed so her continued presence received the brunt of his  appreciation  ---- especially when the conversation became weighed down with a spell of  dejection, not entirely unlike the present.

     ❝  Hey,  listen  ---- you don’t have to apologize. If anything,  I  should be the one apologizing to you for making you feel that way.  ❞   Swiftly was the apology dissuaded as Naegi leaned forward in his chair and caught the princess’ eye, his  solicitude  and  undivided  attention at the forefront for her to see.  ❝  I’m sorry if I  ever  gave you the impression that you’re letting me down, Sonia-san ---- that’s not what I wanted, and that’s far from the truth. I know that I’ve got  high  expectations  of you and the others but it’s only because based off what I’ve already seen, I  genuinely  believe that you can live up to them. I realize now, though, that maybe it came across the wrong way. I never intended to  push  those standards onto you or make you feel like you’re  disappointing  me by falling short of them --- it wouldn’t be  fair  of me if I did.  ❞

     Reassurances were summoned straight from his  inherent  sense of probity, proffered with every intention to attenuate the  dissonance  between who he believed her to be and who she was. Prior to their recent encounters after the survivors were released from the shackles of the Neo-World Program, there wasn’t a great deal of information to base his views on and  blind  faith  had consequently filled in the gaps. Real people were more  complicated  than the attributes in their profiles or their previous loyalties when society as they knew it began to crumble. Real people couldn’t compare to the  idolized  standards of hope, and they shouldn’t have been expected to ---- sometimes hope was merely the  starting  point,  not the  final  destination.

     ❝  At the end of the day, you’re the only one in control of who you are and there’s nothing I can do to change that ---- not that I’d ever want to. I want you to be your  authentic  self, whoever that may be --- no matter how  different  it is from my existing impression of you.  Just be you, and let me deal with the rest.  ❞    Hazel eyes fleetingly relinquished their hold on hers to lower down onto his cup of tea, lifting it to his lips for a sip before carefully setting it back on the table’s surface,  ❝  For what it’s worth, though, nothing you’ve  done  or  said  so far has disappointed me in the  slightest.  ❞

[phantasmalcalamity-a]

“ words are powerful things. ” (➝Gundham)

The self proclaimed Dark Lord nodded at Makoto's statement. He knew that truth all too well, after he'd been bullied so often at school. As much as he tried to brush the other's cruel words off, they hurt him deep down. It was part of the reason he'd fallen to despair in the end. However, Naegi hadn't given up on him, or any of the others, and for that, he was grateful.

"Indeed they are. However, I find the words you tell me hard to believe still. It is hard to find hope for the future, nor to believe I even deserve such." The breeder looked down. He was trying his best to channel that grandiose personality of his, but it just felt flat ever since he'd woken up from that pod. "Why is it that you even believe that we deserve salvation? I was quite content to ascend my throne in Gehenna. Kehehehe..."

[prettyboylovemail]

Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair S/I

Pre-Despair —> Ultimate Despair —> Post-Neo World

——

I was doing some thinking about my SDR2 insert today. She seemed really bland and I wasn’t fully happy with her at first. But I think I like this design and concept a lot better.

Because V3 and SDR2 take place in two separate canons (technically), I decided to go with my gut feeling and make her the Ultimate Artist. Similar to my DR1 insert (who I might also update a little to make her a bit more interesting), she only focuses her talent on works that she has a personal interest in. But she is well versed in any type of 2D artwork, both traditional and digital. Her specialty is sketching and painting.

She usually puts on a more optimistic persona when around the group. Pre-Despair! Hana almost always has a smile on her face and is usually described by her classmates as being loud, talkative, a little weird, but good-hearted and fun to be around. She enjoys bringing a smile to others’ faces and gets excited over little things.

Of course she is extremely concerned when the killing game begins, but she tries her best to act as the voice of reason and keep the others calm. She has a very comforting presence and takes things in stride without overreacting too much when things get bad. Although this is mostly because she puts up a strong face when the others are around and, in reality, bottles up a lot of her fear and anxiety.

—

To know a bit more about her as an Ultimate/Remnant of Despair, I wrote an ask about her HERE.

Note: this picrew wouldn’t allow me to make her hair two different colors, so I had to settle for the 1 blonde streak. But in reality, all of the long parts of her hair are supposed to be blonde, because it’s actually Junko’s.

—

Post-Despair/Neo World! Hana is still slowly recovering from all the trauma caused by the Tragedy, becoming Despair, and the events of the Neo World Program. She cuts her hair (and all the parts of Junko’s hair that she had attached to her own) in an attempt to go back to her normal life. Thankfully, she is getting back to her regular self, albeit a bit more self controlled and calmer than she was before. Her and Kazuichi definitely have to work through a lot of issues, but as long as they are together, along with their friends, then they are happy and hopeful for the future.

[kazziesangel-moved]

So, kinda random and out of the blue question, but is your self insert an ultimate? And if so in what? Also, what's the love story for them, Leon, and Kazuichi? I'm just curious and like I learn about character backstories 👀

She is an ultimate actually. She’s the ultimate livestreamer/internet personality [Think like popular twitch livestreamer/youtuber]. I have a whole carrd on her here

And fun little fact I never mention much: My ship with Kaz & ship with Leon are in two different universes due to canon [figured it was worth mentioning]

I did only include a little summary of the timelines w/ highlights/the more important parts but hope you don’t mind [I still have to figure out the really tiny details myself] ^^

Thanks for letting me splurge :3 [hopefully the read more works cause it long]

Kazuichi:

Very canon-compliant timeline [THH stuff happens like normal, both get into the Neo World Program with the other remnants, etc] but there are a few changes [like ch4 being my sona getting “killed” by Sonia instead of the usual canon]

So Becca(my sona) & Kaz first meet during the prologue during introductions and all that, and they become friends pretty quickly *though love at first sight trope go brr*

Becca & Kaz start dating at the end of ch4 but they keep the relationship secret/under wraps/quiet until end-game/post-game due to the traitor still being around

Honestly, we’re just chilling with everyone else from Class 77-B on Jabberwock island and it’s a lot of fun [but super chaotic]

Other than that there’s also:

Officially we started dating 3/28/17

Kazzie proposed a little before our 3rd anniversary & we officially got married on 4/4/20

Leon:

Takes place either in rewritten canon-verse where he doesn’t die or in a Trigger Happy Havoc IF universe

They (Leon and my sona) started dating pre-THH. First meeting? At a rock concert Becca got dragged to

*cue months of mutual pining before Leon asked her out*

They get forced to do the Killing School life thing with everyone else from THH (& they both escape alive)

Leon & I became official 2/16/20 and I proposed a few months later on 7/20/20 [Here’s the proposal fic I wrote on my old blog :3]

we got married two Saturdays after, aka 8/1/2020

Also, we’ve recently been talking about getting a pet [like a ferret]. Don’t tell Leon, but I’m definitely naming it Leon Jr.

[more-than-a-princess]

EVADE / he doesn't mean it, such a sudden grasp away from what was once considered a walk as casual as it could be in their current situation. ever since the tragedy, he supposes he has become far too attuned to the sounds around them, a little more wary to the shadow he has caught in the peripheral in his vision, the gentle crunch that sounds far too behind to be either his or sonia's own, so much so that byakuya twists for his own sudden detour. a hand on her wrist enough to guide them both to the side for a moment of security, alertness, until he can work out exactly what is going on. / aka: for one muse to pull the other into an alleyway to escape their pursuer.

An old meme that I've lost

She wasn't sure why he insisted on working with her all the time, in comparison to the other Remnants.

Well, that wasn't entirely true: Sonia had a hunch, one based entirely on superficial traits that, in her opinion, hardly elevated her to some sort of acceptability and appeal in Byakuya Togami's eyes. She was, in honesty, still Queen of Novoselic: the country still stood and it was her legal right to claim it. If only it hadn't turned into a Constitutional Monarchy (a good thing!), she wasn't so mentally and emotionally broken (a bad thing), and in the latest national polls, 57% of the surviving Novosonian citizens now demanded her return home purely for a public execution (a worse thing). That number was something both the remaining monarchists and the Future Foundation were working to lower, but much of the country didn't want to listen and she was the worst advocate for herself to begin with. Bottles and beds were far more appealing than trying to repair her tattered reputation.

Still, it had been in the best interest of the former Remnants to work alongside members of the Future Foundation, at least according to Makoto Naegi. To help them when their minds and bodies failed, to encourage and support their transition back into society. Togami, about as proficient with manual labor as she was, seemed ill-suited as her partner. Today, in an attempt to keep Sonia from the kitchen and the cabin repairs (she'd already made a mess of both), her friends had kindly suggested she spend her morning in the island's library, and so she'd set off, the former Ultimate Heir accompanying her like a shadow.

Just as well: she felt quite certain he'd cast one over the day, at least once he saw her entirely frivolous choice of reading and watching materials: romances not unlike the ones Toko Fukawa had once written, and anime targeted at children with happily-ever-afters. But they, unlike her previous literary diet of horror and true crime, did not fill her with nightmares later on. Or at least, they didn't contribute to the onslaught of memories of her time following Junko's ideals. For that alone, she'd visit the library frequently to amass novels, comics, and films.

Yet, just as they'd been minutes away from crossing the bridge to the second island, Byakuya had reached out and nearly pulled her arm out of her socket, pulling her off the main path with him. "Togami-san!" Sonia cried out, in shock and in pain, "That hurts! What is going on? The Second Island is just there-"

Another crunch, of leaves and twigs from what Sonia could tell. Her blonde eyebrows raised: had they been followed? And by whom? Most of the Future Foundation employees and her friends were busy with their own daily tasks: no one had the time, much less inclination, to pursue Byakuya Togami and Sonia Nevermind undetected. And for what? It wasn't as if they would do anything interesting anyway beyond select books and chide each other for their literary choices.

"I am going to investigate it," She told him once she'd gotten her wrist free. "Please stay here." It was a skewed sense of priorities: who would people be more upset to see harmed? A queen who nearly razed her entire country to the ground, or the leader of the Togami Corporation whose funding of the Future Foundation seemed to be what kept it, and the Earth's restoration as a whole, going? It was an easy decision for her: a good amount of the world would celebrate if she were dead. She couldn't say the same about him.

Stepping out onto the path once more, she took a step, then two, slowly and quietly as she followed the sound back along the trail. Until she came face-to-face with a pair of large, round, golden eyes. 

Well, face to knee was probably more like it, as she looked down into the red, wrinkled face. The several meters between them was comfortable enough to keep both of them out of hiding.

"Are you lost? Or perhaps lonely?" Sonia asked, her expression softening as she smiled down at the Japanese macaque that had so cleverly tracked them all the way through the main island. Kneeling down, the best she could in her sundress, she tried to look a bit less large and imposing for the grey-haired monkey who now sat on its two back legs, studying her intently.

Whose golden gaze darted towards the crossbody bag she wore. Sonia followed it, before connecting the mental dots as to why the animal found her so fascinating.

"Or you are simply hungry," Sonia nodded, opening the top flap of her bag and reaching for one of the canisters inside. "Just as well: if you have skipped breakfast, lunch will be quite a ways away. I think there is something in here that you will find delicious...like this!"

She'd rummaged long enough to pull out a small plastic sealed dish, opening the lid and reaching for some of the contents inside: two plump, ripe strawberries, from an arrangement of freshly-cut fruit Teruteru Hanamura had set out for the morning breakfast just an hour ago. She tossed them towards the animal, both pieces of fruit landing roughly halfway between them. The macaque dashed forth, seizing a strawberry and taking a large bite, juice running down its mouth, its chest, its paws. 

"That looks a little eerie, don't you think?" Sonia asked, turning her head to look at him but otherwise not moving from the spot. She'd likely scare the monkey otherwise. "I know it is juice, but it looks a bit like blood."

[more-than-a-princess]

She doubted a lot of things, but her translation skills weren't one of them. Before The Tragedy she had been trained to speak, read, and write over thirty languages in various degrees of proficiency, and it was only out of fatigue and the sliver of respect she still gave members of the Future Foundation that she refrained from giving Byakuya Togami an exasperated look. It was stating the obvious, her translating skills: if someone had commented on his ability to play the stock market to his advantage, he would have been in her shoes. Remnant affiliation aside, of course: something he didn't seem keen to discuss in the first place.

Instead, he had decided to completely take her by surprise and share one of her views. Sonia nearly choked in her chair opposite him: he'd not only used the word 'fuck,' but had insisted that it was something Munakata could do to himself, given the current state of the world (or at least, the world the two of them were currently sharing on Jabberwock Island). "I would ask you to repeat that if it were not an impolite request," She finally stammered, just to ensure she had heard him right. It must have been the case, considering the slack-jawed and wide-eyed expression she wore that he seemingly had no interest in counteracting. "But truthfully, I did imagine you two getting along. Two people with strong convictions and a proclivity for power, leadership, and logical thinking. I rather thought you agreed more than disagreed, Naegi and his plans notwithstanding." Which could, of course, be the entire reason why Togami despised Munakata in the first place: if the current head of the Future Foundation had his way, it would not have surprised Sonia in the least if he used the last of their nuclear weapons stores to blow Jabberwock Island off the face of the Earth. There were members of the Future Foundation who tried to hide the severity of his opinions, and those who looked up to him, regarding the former Remnants, but Sonia didn't see the use in that. The former Class 77-B was past any amount of fragility: they were well-aware of how much the world blamed them for its near collapse by their hands and Junko Enoshima's ideals.

She wondered, then, who exactly was situated across from her behind the desk. Beyond Makoto Naegi and on occasion, Kyoko Kirigiri, Byakuya Togami seemed to have little in the way of a spare, kind word for anyone. From what she knew of the Togami Corporation, either from the other members of the Future Foundation or what she could recall Pre-Tragedy, she had guessed that he had come from a position of privilege, like herself, and all the chosen airs of superiority that had come with it. Diligent work ethic and an even more diligent commitment to the finer things in life and frowning upon those he did not consider to be of respectable status.

Yes, before The Tragedy, Sonia had been all too familiar with people like that. They were precisely the sorts of people her parents insisted she meet and befriend, if not show clear and undeniable affection for, that she personally loathed. Snobbery for the sake of snobbery didn't sit right with her then, and it didn't sit right with her now: though the one-percenters of the world were just now emerging from their various shelters and safehouses, picking up the pieces of their former, luxurious lives. Money and connections still spoke volumes, even after the world had nearly been destroyed. Some things, she thought as she looked out the window and over the sunny island, did not change.

"Jabberwock Island is safe," She declared as he approached her side. "It might be a prison surrounded by water, but my friends are here. That is what matters: where they are." From her tone, she was referencing her former classmates and remnants. None of them really knew what to do with the Future Foundation members who were looking after them, though Hajime seemed to trust them and all of them could put their faith in him. "As for an ideal place, I am not sure that is possible in this world. And I doubt I shall ever make peace with the fact that it is my fault that circumstances are what they are: the world is broken, so many are dead, and the future I had planned for included those I loved and could trust by my side. And yet, it is by my hand that they are no longer of this world."

Remembering just how she'd killed her parents and much of her extended family wasn't unex pected, but it was unwanted during an already uncomfortable therapy session with Togami. The scent of seawater made it worse, serving to remind her of even more (albeit virtual) death. At least with no other assignments from the Future Foundation, she'd likely be permitted to spend the rest of the day as she wished, which in her view would be on her own, far away from the island's shores.

Until he'd given her a second shock that day. In lieu of whatever work or project that she'd predicted would occupy his time, he'd offered up another option. She shot him an incredulous look, one she couldn't quickly make disappear: if they weren't to discuss official business, what did he plan to do? According to Asahina, the man lacked hobbies, a sense of humor, and possessed the smallest fraction of compassion. "I will choose to believe it, as I do not believe you have reason to lie," She replied, tempted to pinch herself to ensure this wasn't some topsy-turvy, alcohol-induced dream. "If you wish to spend time as....friends," She stumbled over the word, as if she'd just learned its meaning. "I have no further assignments and thus no objection. What did you wish to do?" She refrained from asking the more pressing question: Were we ever old friends? Memories from school days long gone that she couldn't yet remember, even if every instinct screamed at her that in a different world, a different life, he was exactly the sort of person she would have disagreed with and tried to avoid, as much as their likely-overlapping social circles would allow.

continued from here due to beta editor. @more-than-a-princess

Togami continued to click inside of his own brain as he shared the room with Sonia, the air thick with silence -- something that he typically didn’t have an issue with, but here, it felt more strangling than anything. While Byakuya was very much a person that someone could akin to anti-social, when faced with interpersonal relationships, ones between just him and another, he could at least speak a bit freer and be just a smidge more honest.

This was especially true around Sonia.

Emerald hues looked at her as she spoke her idiom, and then questioned him about it, as if she unsure. For whatever reason or another, this little interaction bought a smile to his face.

“Yes, that is how it goes,” he responded, giving her a nod, wanting her to revel in the small victory she used to fumble over. Imagine Togami giving anyone else a confidence boost or any type of self encouragement. A true testament of his change as a person. Regardless, she went right back to business afterwards.

“The translation work looks fine,” he said quietly, looking at the stack of papers. “Amazing, even. I don’t believe I could’ve done better myself, if I am to be truly honest.”

He paused once the dark topic came back up. His voice got a little low when she brought up that his power wasn’t as absolute as he made it sound. “I know, Sonia. I know. Munekata, quite frankly, can fuck himself.” Of all the people in the Future Foundation, it was no secret that Byakuya Togami was NOT a fan of Kyosuke Munakata. He very well made that expression known of his distaste of him. At the very least, he tried to stay amicable when they were forced to share the same air space, but if Togami could avoid it, he definitely did.

“Being fair, Sonia,” he took his glasses off and sat them on the desk to the left of him, “Nowhere is safe for anyone. Yes, there are safe places for some people, but everywhere else? Can be just as dangerous.”

While sounding like a broken record for repeating her name so much, he felt inclined to continue to say her name whenever he could to try and humanize her a person, and not a monster. He was aware of how she felt about herself, and how she felt about her ‘friends’ and how she wanted to be treated. As she said, he had seen her interactions in the Neo World Program. She wanted to be normal. Treated normally. It was a stark comparison to him, at least to past him, though Byakuya still had a few ego issues. He stood up and turned to the window, looking at the sandy shores and waves crashing.

“To the heart seeking freedom, this island is a prison surrounded by water. But right now, it’s your safest spot. I know it isn’t your ideal place, but all I can do is make it feel like home.... however you define that as.”

He sighed and put his glasses back on. “We’re done for the day, but I’d like to spend more time with you, if you can a) believe that, and b) would like to. Not as any of this Future Foundation stuff. Just as Byakuya Togami and Sonia Nevermind. Old... friends.”

Maybe she’d remember that. The time before despair. Even if he was stuck up, Byakuya did indeed spend time with her due to higher statuses. Maybe it was something that could pull her mind away from the hatred of herself.