[Video>Action]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[The video feed pops on to Kaiji this night, who is sitting on a ledge overlooking the ocean. The phone sits next to him, pointed upwards. He's smoking a cigarette and looking thoughtful.]

A whole month now. That's how long I've been here. Hard to believe. It's gone by so fast. Especially since the last place I was, time seemed to stand still.

I know sometimes shit gets crazy here. The shadows every night, people getting hurt, big fights like at the casino... But trust me, it could always be worse. Hell, I'm sure a lot of ya know that already. We've all been dragged into this. A lot of us have nowhere else to return to. But that means one thing - we're all in this together. We can all help each other out. We can figure this place out, maybe make it safe again someday. No more shadows, no more Dark Hour.

[He takes a long drag of his cigarette and finishes it off, tossing it into the sea and watching it fall.]

I need to go back sometime though. It's already too late - what's past is past, and even though it's not my fault, there were some guys back there that were counting on me. I don't know what I can do to fix it, but... Shit, at this point, they probably think I'm dead anyway. Does it matter anymore? By this point they might--

[Kaiji cuts his muttering off, shaking his head and squeezing his eyes shut. It might be hard to see from the angle and the light, but there might be some tears there.]

I've fucked up a lot, and I probably will keep fucking up too. I'm not smart, or lucky, or brave, or anything like that. But I can promise you guys this: while I'm on this island, I'm on your side. I'll fight by your side. Let's show these monsters what we're made of.

[Kaiji absently wipes a sleeve at the corner of his eyes.]

Fuck it. I'll be at the bar.

[Feel free to meet him there. Like a lot of you, he's in a talkative mood and doesn't want to sit alone, for a change.]

Comments

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

We are lucky to have you at our side. I know that much.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Thanks I guess, though I don't know how true that is.

At the bar.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

[Miki seems unusually friendly for just having walked into the bar.]

Hey it's camera-guy! So what was all the crying stuff from earlier? You seem like you know whats goin' on! You did stop that thing after my fists couldn't!

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

I wasn't--- [A sigh.] My name is Kaiji, by the way. And I only kinda do. I probably don't know much more than everyone else who got brought here.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

It's OK to cry sometimes! As long as it's part of some big motivational speech it pretty much guarantees that you'll win.

[Audio]

[berry-paunch.livejournal.com]

...I'm the same.

[Action]

[techno-logical.livejournal.com]

[Well, April had seen the video and had plans to go to the bar anyway. So, she's just gonna be approaching him with a small wave.]

Hey, Kaiji...

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

I figured I wasn't alone in this. Dunno if that's a good thing or not.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[Kaiji's slouching over the bar, beer in one hand and cigarette in the other. He gives her the same wave in return.] Hey, April.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Determination counts for quite a deal.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

We'll see how long I can keep it up. I just have to remember that this place is infinitely better than the last place I was, and that helps.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Right.... I don't know if I was trying to be motivational or... I really don't know why I felt the need to say any of that. I guess I just needed to get some shit off my chest or something.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Should I ask about the last place?

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

Well it made me want to go out and defeat these monsters! It has been a weird week though, this is the best I've felt since I got here. I don't think I ever felt this good at home!

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

...

Probably the less you know, the better off you are, just in case. I was mixed up with some really bad people, and in over my head. Being brought here got me out of that mess, so I gotta keep that in mind. I can't blow this chance. A chance to get back on my feet.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[He smiles a little at that.] Did it? When I saw you the other night, it seemed like you had plenty of your own motivation.

[berry-paunch.livejournal.com]

As long as we can protect people while we're here... It's better than not doing anything at all.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[But he's so used to doing nothing! It's so much easier to whine that do anything, right?

He sighs.]

Right. I was given this second chance, so I suppose it's the least I can do.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

No matter how bad the current situation is, there is always some good in it.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Comparatively, this isn't bad at all. Before all the bad shit happened, I was laid off, broke and alone. I thought that was bad enough, but that's when Endou...

[He stops, looking uncomfortable. Why was he talking about this?]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

...Do you want to speak about it privately? [That's all he knows to say.]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[He does. He really really does. But also he doesn't. ARGH.]

.... Yeah. Sure.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

I'll meet you at the bar in a little while.

[He doesn't like the bar, but he'll go there anyway for comfort. It's what he should do.]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Alright, I'll be there.

[Kaiji's really good at feeling sorry for himself. By the time Issei gets there, he's a few beers in already.]

[berry-paunch.livejournal.com]

Second chance?