Reporting on Perfection [Lindsay x Raiden] | Dangan Ronpa RP

Post by Raiden Yagami on Jun 30, 2016 16:58:19 GMT

Raiden	It wasn't like Raiden was a stalker or something. He was just a man on a mission and wanted to meet with a girl. And no, it wasn't in that way. He merely wanted to get to know those he would have to train whether they liked it or not a bit better. At this point there was one individual who stood out among everyone else. Lindsay Hiiragi knew he initially lied about his identity, and subtly let on she knew that he was a liar. Of course in exposing himself as a liar he'd also exposed her as lying when she helped his story along. After discovering the whole killing game thing he was slightly worried about others perhaps targeting her for helping with his fabricated fake identity. Then again, he never asked her to say what she had. Regardless, here he was, up early as he always was; he didn't seem to sleep a lot and usually went to bed earlier than others. The more time awake but not tired the more time to work on perfecting himself. Trying to look casual and not like he was waiting for anyone, Raiden crossed his arms and leaned against his door, bouncing a fruit he'd had synthesized in the cafe against the wall in front of him keeping and eye on his periphery, waiting for Lindsay Hiiragi to exit her room.
Lindsay	Lindsay had spent the last couple of days mostly deep in thought. After all this was the most bizarre situation she had ever been in. She had been moved from a blue planet full of people to a red planet almost completely barren. That morning she had just so happened to be thinking about Raiden as well. The Ultimate Basketball player had lied about his identity and then revealed it. Why would he have done that? Was he testing them in someway? Was he the reason they were all here? She would have to figure it out eventually. It would be best if the reporter could arrange an interview. But until she could meet him away from others she would simply have to wait. Right then she was going for breakfast. Lindsay left her room for the cafeteria. Hopefully she could gather some more information from simple observation. Though it was possible the only thing that would accomplish was giving her an excuse to perv on the others, either way it would be better then spending the day alone in her room or wandering around aimlessly.
Raiden	Raiden stopped bouncing the fruit, and looked over at Lindsay when she exited her room. He didn't look over to her until she had started away from her room, and then he made his way towards her. "Lindsay Hiiragi. " Everything had a purpose, everything he did was calculated to try to save everyone here, and mostly, save himself from this terrible situation. "I've been... wondering when you'd leave your room. I wouldn't want to keep you from breakfast, but I have a few questions for you."
Lindsay	Hm. Weird. She had just been thinking about him and there he was. What synchronicity. Now Lindsay could potentially get some answers. "Oh hey Raiden. I have some questions for you myself. How about you start first?"
Raiden	Hmph. She had questions for him? He supposed that it was fair. He'd ask her his questions; he would answer hers. "I think you already know what I wish to know, but I'll spell it out for you. Why did you not oust my identity fraud when you knew I was not Alexander Root?"
Lindsay	"Hm. Well I suppose I was curious to see what you would do. That and I didn't want to become easy prey. Letting you know I knew was a bit of a gamble on my end. Maybe it would impress you, maybe it would intimidate you. Either way I hoped it would make it easier to ally with you or at least avoid an enemy. I didn't think you were the kind of person to take it personally." Lindsay said. Then paused. What should he ask him first? "Ok...why did you lie about your name and talent...and why did you choose Root and Luck?"
Raiden	Raiden actually grinned very slightly when she finished speaking. "I see. You're... smarter than a vast majority of our fellow prisoners." He paused before he made the smile fade away quickly. He couldn't let her know he actually was enjoying this. It was refreshing being around someone who wasn't an idiot or moron. "I chose the alias Alexander Root because I had read his name before when I was younger. I believe it was a story about a kid who won a Nobel Prize. Choosing luck as my talent would make it easy to... Convince people that I was who I said I was if someone else had my fake talent. I could easily claim I was in a different year than any other luckster who may be here." "However if I chose something such as a reporter or tennis player it would be harder to convince everyone I was telling the truth. I know I do not know as much about the news or tennis or being a hero as the others. As a lucky student I needn't worry about possessing such knowledge. In doing this, I could sort out those who knew about the world and also who was suspicious enough in such a situation. I am fairly well versed in reading expressions. Jun did not trust me quite obviously but those like Kairu trusted my word quite easily." Pausing, Raiden took a slight breath and then continued. "My second question would be... What is your read on everyone here? As a reporter you have a good eye for people in general. It would be... good to have a second opinion."
Lindsay	"Hmm. That's really smart. Though that wouldn't account for people who knew Alexander Root wasn't a Lucky student. And a lot of the people that come here tend to be Hope's Peak Academy fans so that could have easily happened. Still it wasn't a bad strategy. Good for basic information gathering. As for your next question..." Lindsay paused briefly to gather her thoughts.
Lindsay	"I haven't really spent a lot of time with too many of them. Daniel seems like the kind not easily rattled. If someone among us really is responsible it could be him...or he could just be a pretty easygoing guy. It's hard to say. You are probably the most intelligent one here in terms of what is required to play the game. The Detective though is definitely one to keep an eye out for, either as an ally or a really tricky enemy if he tries to kill. Zelda...there is something about her...I don't know why she would elect herself as leader. Maybe she really thinks she has to help people? Hibiki is a contrarian who will probably be antisocial, which is dangerous for everyone, though I don't think this is a plan or anything, just how she is. It's hard to say about anyone else though. And these are all just guesses anyway." Lindsay said, ending off on a self deprecating note. Modesty was always helpful. As long as no one thought you were faking people would either take you as less of a threat or like you for having a desirable trait.
Raiden	Raiden had to admit a fresh view on everyone here was what he needed. Someone else's eyes on the others and just how to manipulate them to work on his side. Lindsay, well, she as a smart soul. Either she was working against him or she saw him for what he wished to do; perfection wasn't easy and only those closer to perfection could see it. "I see. I appreciate your outlook. After all, you are a reporter, seeing things like this is your talent. On the other hand, my talent lends me to read others actions, whether they are faking or not, what they intend to do. However, such a thing is difficult when you aren't around everyone. Everyone is a team member here but there may be someone who tries to betray the team for themselves. Perhaps the whole team wants to band together to get rid of me because they don't understand... I've seen that happen before, a whole team betraying a player, and well, I'm sure I could see it coming if it were to happen here. However, I know I focus too much at times and thus I become blinded to some things happening in the background." Knowing your weaknesses, was after all, the only way to correct them. It was like with addiction: admitting you had a problem was the first step. Recovery from said weakness was a long road, but a possible road. After all... well he wasn't going to think about that, for if he did, he'd succumb to the weakness, like an addict falling into their addiction. Plus, he wasn't unaware that she was being modest, and completely understood the value of being self-deprecating, and thus, was returning the favor. "If you care for my view on the... cast of this despicable game: Daniel is only a danger to himself. He will slip back into a mindset that I found him in, which was that he doesn't care if he dies or not. He's given up. However, one can pull him out of this dangerous mindset to himself by appealing to his emotion, to his family and friends and how they would feel if they were to lose him. If something were to happen to me... If someone kills me, or something far worse, watch him for me. Make sure he doesn't give up. I ask you this as one human being to another." "Jack is a little too eager. As a hero he wants to try to save everyone, but he lacks the intelligence to do so, I believe. Defeating someone who has the power to bring us here will take a team effort, and he can't work alone, but on the same coin he needs to work at it. He can't give up. I don't know... if he will give up or not. I haven't spent much time with him either." "Yuukyoku is smarter than she appears. I wouldn't underestimate her. Zephyr doesn't give a shit about anyone, except himself. I think, if anyone were to snap before we can get out of here... it would be him. I want to keep a close eye on him. Kaoru is too nice for his own good, but that could be a sign that he is hiding something. Hibiki sounds like a caveman, but she has the right idea. While her grammar could use a bit of work, she isn't dumb. She might not trust us, but I think we can trust her." "Emile and Naoya are figures in this game with hope. Emile will try to assuage any argument, and Naoya seems the type to be quieter unless... something happens. Really, in the end, if there were a leader, Naoya would be the best for the job. Unlike myself, he is more accepting of the faults in others and can appeal better to emotions. Emile would be a good right hand, while I would be a good shadow advisor, who, well, works in the background to help better the people while Naoya keeps everyone together." "Iris seems an optimist, and while in a twisted game like this, it could be a good thing, it could also sign her death warrant. I want to watch Iris as I believe she could become a target if anyone were to snap. Apollo simply needs to get off of his high horse and work with everyone in order to survive, but otherwise, he'll be a good charismatic figure to help the leader rally the troops, so to say. Jun is harder to read, but he'll be an asset if I fail to stop these people from breaking. I don't think he'll end up taking the bear's bait, but I'm still on the fence about him." "You. Well you're an intelligent young woman with an eye for people and discovering mysteries and letting everyone know about it. You're intelligent in that you don't want to make enemies, and thus you put off a persona most people would find pleasant, a very good choice in a situation like we are in. I offer you this piece of advice: Don't fake too much. I'm not saying you are faking with me right now, but when it comes down to it, it is harder to fake a personality or fake a history, and when it boils over you'll be the first to go. Secrets weigh on you, and drag you down farther than you'll ever believe if its big enough. No murder here will be unsolvable, whoever murders will be caught. Never give up hope and you'll get off of this planet." "Finally, Kairu is an asset. Not only is his abundant excitement and joy infectious to all those in the vicinity, but he also masks intelligence behind that appearance. With a grim situation a smile is the best cure."
Raiden	"Oh right. And there's Zelda, but you pretty much nailed her on the head. I think she's hiding something, but I don't know... how big of a something it is."
Lindsay	"Thank you for your thoughts. I am sure they will prove helpful. Your evaluation of me was interesting as well. But I think it is only natural for someone like me to fake a smile during times like this., After all a smile is the best cure for a grim situation, don't you think?" Lindsay said, firing his words back at him. Then wanting to dispel the serious mood she added,
Lindsay	"Do you think Zelda wears panties? Perhaps her secret is that she doesn't? I ask because you seem to be an observant person and I think that's generally the stereotype for women like her right? " Lindsay said, her eyes slightly narrowed and her index finger touching her chin as if she were in deep thought.
Raiden	She had a point though he was about to counter it with 'a real smile' was what he was meaning, not a faked one, when she added the thing about Zelda. He nearly choked on absolutely nothing when she asked that and visibly was taken by surprise for a moment before reverting to a more serious look. "Hm. That could be it," Raiden mused even if he knew that definitely wasn't it. Was he... Joking? "Perhaps we could launch an investigation. Raid her panty drawer, and if drastic measures are needed, inspect her a little more closely."
Lindsay	Now It was Lindsay's turn to be taken aback. She wasn't expecting a reaction like that. Raiding her panty drawer? Inspecting her a little more closely? That was exactly what was on her mind! But she didn't want anyone to know that she was a pervert. Lindsay just thought he was going to get all awkward and ignore it or maybe just laugh. She blushed. Damn it, now whether he was joking or not she was screwed.
Lindsay	"I wasn't...I-I mean I didn't....I was just joking. I'm not a p-pervert or...anything." Lindsay said, averting her gaze from him. That little voice inside her head was going to have a field day with this one, once she got a chance to think.
Raiden	Ha. She was blushing. It seemed his continuing with the joke had embarrassed her. Honestly, he was having more fun than he usually allowed himself to have. The last he had this much fun was at least... well, winning the national tournament not a year ago but the year before. That was a little sad, but the cost of the pursuit of perfection demanded it. However, for now it was more important to solidify a bond with Lindsay. "Oh no, of course not. I was the one who suggested it, after all. We couldn't let a pretty girl like you be thought of as a pervert." He chuckled and looked away for a moment, pushing up his glasses before returning his gaze to Lindsay.
Lindsay	What the hell was that statement supposed to mean? Was that supposed to be a blackmail attempt? Was he trying to reassure her? If it was the latter it was a terrible effort. Either way she had to pull herself together. Lindsay couldn't appear too rattled. She gathered herself together and looked back at Raiden.
Lindsay	"Exactly. I hope you keep in mind my...situation in the future. The standards for me...are a bit different then for most people."
Raiden	Ah, it seemed she had taken his comment with a more malicious intent than he had meant it to be. Raiden internally cursed himself. He wasn't used to joking around and having fun and he'd wound up making a mistake. He couldn't make mistakes like this. They could be fatal, and they did not indicate perfection in himself. Mistakes. And he was such an idiot for it. He needed to watch himself better. And that is exactly why he paused for several moments before responding once more, his relaxed tone and state now gone and replaced by a rigid mental regime to promote perfection. "Of course. Your perceived standards are different than you believe others hold for themselves, which is indeed most likely true. However, the standards by which I judge everyone are the same. You do not need to worry around me about that."
Lindsay	Another enigmatic statement. Was Raiden trying to be subtle and obscure? Why? Shouldn't stating his intentions clearly be helpful? Whether he was antagonistic against her or not? Still he didn't seem to be trying to threaten her now...but she could benefit more clearly by knowing what his intentions were in the first place with that last statement.
Lindsay	"That is...good to keep in mind. However I am unclear as to what your standards are in the first place. You are a...fairly enigmatic person, if you pardon the description."
Raiden	An enigma? Hmph. He supposed that to some he was harder to understand. He lived a life that most people didn't get the pleasure to live, he had a philosophy that was his own, and he believed in it so fully that he devoted everything, everything to it. If something went against it, he would cut it off, even if he loved them more than anything else. His ideals would always win. "Drive. I judge people by their drive. I value perfection above all else, but I know its a goal that few can achieve, but as long as one works towards it, they are valuable, and if they aren't? Then I try to make them. I will be their drive until they are up to speed and support themselves. The drive to improve oneself is what I value. Improvement is not caring about only the improvement of oneself, but all those around you as well."
Lindsay	His response was enough to provoke a smile from Lindsay. Perfect. That gave her a better clue to what kind of person he was. "Wow I really respect that Raiden. I work hard for my goals too. Work is pretty much my life I guess. To know someone else here is so driven is nice." Lindsay meant what she said. Honestly she was coming to respect Raiden all the more. She still didn't entirely trust him. But their bond had grown a little.
Raiden	He already had figured that work was her life, or at least he could guess it. He'd seen bits of what he saw in himself in her, and that was a big deal. However, they were still fairly different. He was a lot more uptight about things, and more careful about literally everything. He didn't allow himself to even think about inappropriate things, it was the first time in a long time when he made his joke about Zelda he'd thought about anything even like that. He'd been suppressing so many things before, but there was something about Lindsay that made him want to make that joke, even if he had slipped up and made a mistake because he'd loosened up just a bit. "I... I agree. It's not often I find a like minded individual. I admit... its refreshing to not have to... explain everything. While I'm sure everything I do isn't quite obvious even for someone as smart as you, I assure you, its all for a reason. And that reason will be to help everyone here reach towards perfection."
Lindsay	"Hm...a value system like that is nice to have. In my time I have met only a few people around our age with value systems as strong. One of them is a pretty good guy. The other well...he's a complete jerk, despite his values being good. The jerkish guy wants to help people improve too, but he does so by totally underhanded means. The guy seems to get off by tricking people! I think your a good guy, and you will only try to help but...make sure people don't think your trying to manipulate them. That tends to make people, even the smart, good ones a target. I don't want to see that happening to you." Lindsay said. Something about Raiden's sincere desires gave her pause. High ideals didn't usually get you far in life or death situations like this.
Lindsay	And she didn't want to see him die.
Raiden	Ha. She was giving him advice? He supposed it had good merit to what she said. What he was doing, manipulating everyone like this, was all due to his wish to improve everyone around him to help them realize their potential. The quickest way was manipulation, making them think the way they needed to, appealing to their emotions to make them think the right way, forcing them onto the road and keeping them on it. He didn't believe she actually truly saw him as a good person and if she did she would turn on him eventually like everyone else did, even those he didn't manipulate. "I see. Then, tell me Lindsay, how would you suggest that one show others how to get on that road? How can you help people without manipulating them? I dislike having to use such means, lying about my identity to cause suspicion, revealing things about myself to serve the purpose of motivating another. One cannot simply tell another to be perfect and they'll just go off, one needs to read another and appeal to the thing that drives them in order to get them going. Manipulation is not a bad thing if used correctly. However, being underhanded or insincere is when it goes bad. Tell me Lindsay, how would you help others who don't want to be helped without some form of manipulation? The word has such negative connotations and yet everyone is manipulative everyday." Perhaps that would make her realize her error of calling him a good guy. He was the beacon of perfection, but that meant he was ultimately grey. And grey meant good and bad methods had to be used.
Lindsay	"You misunderstand me entirely. I didn't suggest that you don't manipulate people. As distasteful as it is, it is sometimes necessary. What I was recommending was that you don't get caught. This...person...I was talking about. The jerk. He is bad because of the way he goes about it. All smugness and bold tricks. Using a hammer sometimes when a situation calls for a scalpel and vice versa. By all means. Do what you must. Just be careful about it. That's all." Lindsay said. She couldn't exactly criticize the man for doing what she did after all. She never meant to do that in the first place. It seems both of them had had their misunderstandings.
Raiden	Tch. Such an imperfection on his part. Such... Maybe he needed to just shut up. That was the best way to collect his thoughts. He'd already made two mistakes around this girl; how many more would he make? However, such a challenge was appealing as well, seeing as he needed to get better except for the fact he felt like he was slipping down a slope of mistakes and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. He had to keep pushing back at them. He had to never make a mistake ever again. The pressure was intense but it was all self-inflicted. "Ah." He paused as he collected his thoughts again. "I understand now." How could he be so stupid before? "Do not worry about that. I know first hand how... How destructive another thinking you are manipulating them can be. Once one speaks out against you even those you aren't manipulating will turn on you."
Raiden	"Everything you built falls apart. A kingdom is reduced to ashes, and you are left alone to try to rebuild."
Lindsay	"Oh! I didn't realize....It wasn't my intention to bring up such painful memories." Lindsay said. She felt sympathy for basketball player. However she also smelled a story. A good one. Maybe she would be able to drag it out of him one day? If she could convince him to go on the record it would be even better. If not she could easily use it to write a novel with some changed names and descriptions. These instincts of hers were how she become such a good reporter. An ability to manipulate her way into a position of dominance. All while appearing to be a "good girl". In her experience...there was no such thing, or at least not for long. Everybody was tarnished eventually. Some when their 13 and some when their 30, but it always happens to those who live long enough. That was what humanity was. A group of well intentioned idiots sinning against their own wills.
Lindsay	"I hope you can forgive me Raiden."
Raiden	Of course it wasn't her intention. His leaving his original team had never been recorded why he left. No one ever told the story of how he was totally enticingly crushed by the team he'd grown to love and the friends he'd made. To see them turn on him and look at him with such hatred was something he would never forget. That was why he had to be perfect so that no one would ever turn on him again and he could finally actually care for others without the fear of them turning on him. Instead of taking the lesson of don't manipulate people he'd taken the lesson that meant that he had to become perfect, he had to become more intense and try that much harder for when he reached his goal they wouldn't leave him and break his heart. "It's... Not your fault. You don't know anything about my past as I know nothing about yours. I could just as easily said something that dredges up bad memories in your mind. Regardless, it matters not that you bring it up for I constantly think about that moment. It was the pinnacle of my failures where it all came crashing down and I had to shoulder the burden of my imperfection. I wish for no one to ever feel such crushing failure as I did, nor do I wish to ever feel it again. I use that memory to drive me forward, to continue down my path for that to never happen ever again. The pain gives me strength and I learn how to avoid such pain ever again by avoiding that which led to it."
Lindsay	"I suppose that's true. We are all motivated by our failures though aren't we? Everybody here is probably running from some failure or another. The way I see it though...mistakes are always going to be made. Even if that is regrettable. But...you at least seem to have a pure soul. One fully dedicated to your ideals. That, to many people, would be enviable." Lindsay said. She desperately wished her soul wasn't so impure. So full of contradictory feelings and desires. Raiden seemed to be committed one hundred percent to his goal. Lindsay on the other hand was full of doubt.
Raiden	"I've worked my entire life to achieve a goal. Do you know why I want to be perfect? To achieve my dream of reaching a state where I need not worry anymore about my own actions biting me in the ass? It might be enviable to you to be so devoted to my ideals, but if you lived my life, you would understand why. The only way to prevent heartbreak is to perfect myself. Otherwise, everyone will either die or betray me in the end. But you..." He needed to cut this short, or he was going to reveal too much. He took a deep breath. "You're on the road, Lindsay. You'll get to where you want to be soon. All you have to do is persevere. However... be who you want to be, don't think about others expectations except your own. I can only do so much to show a path to perfection to a person, that person has to take the leap themselves. But if others are holding them back with such high expectations, they can never free themselves to... be the best they can be."
Raiden	Raiden knew he was being a little bit hypocritical, seeing as he tried to force his own expectations onto others. However, he also believed that to be perfect Lindsay and everyone else had to not care what he thought and expected of them in the end, when they reached the pinnacle.
Lindsay	"That's....something to think about anyway. Thank you Raiden, for the interesting conversation. I will continue to work hard to figure out a solution to our problems here, as I am sure you will too. In any case I will have to go. I should grab something to eat in any case. Thanks again Raiden for the talk." Lindsay said, inclining her head slightly before moving away. Apparently this Basketball player saw her on the road to perfection. That voice told her it was the truth and she had to keep fighting. Lindsay herself...didn't know what to think or how to feel. She just knew that Raiden would be important going forward.
Raiden	Raiden simply nodded as Lindsay left and he started bouncing his fruit against the wall once more. He had to think on some of the things they had discussed today. Perhaps he could use Lindsay as a way to learn, an extra shove to perfection. Raiden wasn't an idiot and he knew he was not yet perfect, and was a long way off from perfection, but he would try his hardest to continue, and to do that he had to learn from others, take their wisdom and their life and their values into account when he constructed his path to the seemingly unreachable goal.