genessia | 2nd Despair: Riding the Heatwave [action/video]

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2nd Despair: Riding the Heatwave [action/video]

Action: Genessia DMV

[Nothing breeds despair like the drudgery of dealing with Government bureaucracy. It's what had let Junko to so willingly accept a position working for the DMV, watching so many people needing just a tiny push into despair that she's being paid to deliver, even. Okay so it's not the kind of soul-crushing despair she's used to causing but baby steps.

In a rush? Junko will be sure to scrutinise your paperwork very carefully. If you've been particularly vocal about it, she'll be just as thorough with every single person before you in the queue, even potentially allowing someone to fill out replacement documents right there because someone has to show kindness to the poor confused dear. And she is very good at finding all those little mistakes you thought you could get away with.

Of course, with the current heatwave she has all the more means to cause misery. Someone saw fit to leave the controls for the air conditioning with her and that means - when there's no-one else around to contradict her - the air conditioning is suffering brief outages that mean people have to suffer dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy in stifling conditions.

Oh but she does have a fan she can switch on. It'll send paperwork everywhere if you don't have a good hold on it but that's a small price to pay, right? And it's not like Junko isn't suffering from the heat too - it's just that sometimes, suffering is just what she wants. Either way, it's doing nothing to diminish the smile she offers as someone new approaches - polite, servile but with an edge of knowing enjoyment too.]

All right, who can I help next?

Video

[Junko's got her device propped up so she can address the network even as she's in the middle of a manicure. She has to take care of her appearance, after all, even if it isn't what earns her most money here in Genessia. But that doesn't mean she can't be sociable. In her own way.]

So do people here really not deal with hot weather all that much? 'Cause if I didn't know better I'd say that was the only think happening around here right now. Soooooo I thought of a fun game we can play: best thing and worst thing that happened this week that doesn't involve weather or politics.

[And if she gets some leads for future despairing all the better.]

I'll even go first! So the best thing that happened to me this week was dealing with this really scary guy at work. I don't know what he was on but he caused such a scene I thought I wasn't gonna get out of it unscathed! Lucky for me there's this other guy at work who seemed to know him and got him to calm down but that's not a rush I expected to find at a government paper-pushing job like mine.

[Yes, that's her best. At least as far as she's telling.]

Aaaaand the worst thing has been the countless stretch of hours dealing with no-one at all because I guess this time of year just isn't that busy on the DMV side of things. Good thing I've had my second job to keep me from getting crushed under the weight of all that boredom, huh? After all that, no wonder I need a little pampering and a little distraction.

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Yeah, I'm spoiled and my home is kind of magic, but a lot of people are from ice worlds or frozen hell, that kind of thing. My home never got this hot, but it's really lethal to people who can't like... cool down the same way, yeah?

Ahhhh that sounds so scary!!

[Rubs the back of her neck.] You can't find a job you like better?

Um! My best thing was -- [Think think think.] Fireworks with my best friend, watching Disney movies on a binge with him the day after, skateboarding although it was really hot! Mmmn... and my worst was... [Laughs.] Messing up my hands pretty badly. So I had to take it easy. Semi-charmed life I guess, yeah?

Scary, really? Sounds like a pain in the ass but that's true of a lot of things. But if this place is dragging people from all kinds of places they probably have ways of making things more bearable for them, right? And I'm pretty sure not everyone whining about the weather is in that kind of situation.

[In fact if the people most affected by the heat are smart, they're too busy finding solutions to cry to the network like everyone else seems to be.]

Sounds like you have a pretty good friend, though. I assume the bad and the good are connected here?

[Because if not, the bad news story sounds like it could be interesting.]

[When the feed comes on, all that's visible is Ragyo's face, eyes closed with a smug smirk on her lips, and the telltale ebb of water around her neck as she lounged in a pool of some sort.]

If pampering is what you desire, feel free to join me at the manor. There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about anyway. Something I feel you're ready to know.

Oh? Well with an invitation like that, how could I possibly refuse? It's gotta be better than more whining about weather anyway.

Come by the manor at your leisure. I'll have my people looking out for you.

I'll be on my way as soon as these nails dry.

[Because she's nothing if not intrigued.]

Good. I'll have my people watching for you.

[And once Junko's all set and ready to go, she makes her way to Ragyo's place to find out what's prompted this spontaneous meeting. So much more interesting than any and all of the planned meetings she's ever had to attend.]

[The maids usher Junko to the bathhouse where Ragyo had been lounging, but now she was wearing a rather fluffy bath robe.]

Ah, Junko. I'm glad you could join me. Ever since our first conversation, there's been something that I've wanted to share with you, and you've definitely proven yourself trustworthy enough. I believe it's time I tell you my plans for this place...

[She makes a gesture as all the maids nod and back away and makes another gesture for Junko to follow her as she heads for a door on the far side of the bathhouse.]

Well I'm flattered.

[And a little amused because trustworthy isn't exactly a word commonly used to describe her. At the very least, though, she has no reason to screw over Raygo when it could prove to be more interesting to play nicely.

As she follows, she can't help but scope out their surroundings.]

Nice place you got here.

[As they walk, the hired help that Ragyo keeps around becomes sparser and sparser until they stop appearing all together.]

As you've probably noticed by now, the clothing I make isn't using any material native to this place. It's lighter, stronger, and has special properties that I've yet to really demonstrate to you. But, I'd like to show you the source of my cloth...

[She rounds a corner into a long hallway with a single large ornate door at the end. With little effort she pushes open the door to reveal a large glowing ball of thread.]

Behold. The Primordial Life Fiber~!

[She's noticing that fewer people are around but Junko's not overly concerned. If it means she's let in on something special, she figures it's got to be worth the risk, especially if there might be some benefit for her to it.

And special is certainly the word for what she sees beyond the ornate door. Her eyes widen a touch as she drinks in the sight before her.]

Wow. So this is the old secret ingredient, huh? The USP that keeps people coming back for more.

Indeed it is.

[Ragyo takes a few steps forward, arms outstretched as if greeting an old friend. The ball responds with a heartbeat like pulsing that illuminates the large room.]

When my world was still young, the Primordial Life Fiber found its way to us. It selected humans to be its chosen, and groomed us to wear clothing. For countless centuries it lay dormant until the time was right to claim its chosen people as part of itself and take to the stars once more. However, in this place... there are so many worlds, so many people, all ignorant of the bliss that giving themselves to Life Fibers grants them.

It was my life's work to spread Life Fibers to every corner of the globe in my world, and now it is my mission to do the same here.

[She turns to face Junko once more, an ecstatic smile on her face.] And I want you to be my right hand in that mission.

Chosen, huh? Chosen for what?

[Not to say that she isn't intrigued and her expression gives her away, as she steps just a bit closer. Analysing a giant ball of fibre isn't really on par with analysing people so she's not sure how much she can really glean, but she's curious all the same.]

I mean don't get me wrong, if it's spreading a methodology or way of living you need then I've got you covered but I gotta make sure it's not contradicting my own beliefs, you know?

[Ragyo reaches up as a small ball of threads forms into a dress and floats down to her where she strokes the fabric slightly.]

Life Fibers are a living organism, individually microscopic. They survive by feeding on the electrical impulses that the human body's central nervous system gives off, and in return with the right configuration can bring out the fullest potential of the wearer. But, in the simplest terms...

[She raises the outfit where it floats back to an alcove in the wall before flourishing towards Junko.]

...Humans are food for Life Fibers. Being worn by clothing and wearing clothing in turn... being devoured by our clothing... that is the truest sense of bliss one can feel! It is so unfortunate that the unwashed pigs in human clothing cannot appreciate the paradise waiting for them...

[The more she hears, the more the cogs start turning in Junko's head. Sure, there's the obvious temptation of power but for her, there's something much more satisfying to be gained.]

I see. So tempt the talentless with the chance to actually make something of their pathetic lives and then watch as they pay the ultimate price for not knowing their place? Sounds like something I'd want a front-row seat for.

[And after all, she's never seen someone eaten by clothing before. That's definitely going on a list of potential future executions, in case they ever become relevant.]

[Ragyo extends a hand out to Junko.]

Just so. And once all have been offered to the Life Fibers as food, they will cover the planet, feeding off of the planet's heat until it cannot sustain itself further, exploding and propelling Life Fibers to every corner of the universe so that all life can know the bliss that is being worn as clothing.

Will you stand by my side in this endeavor, Junko Enoshima?

[Junko's not stupid. She knows she has to tread carefully here. And it's for that she decides to reveal a little of her own hand, because there's only one price she would ask for collaboration with another and she needs to make sure this won't deprive her of her life-blood.]

Well, I won't deny the initial stages sound interesting. But at the same time, I'm not sure my idea of a perfect utopia matches that of other people. If everyone's too happy it really bums me out, you know? Happy is dull when despair can make things all the richer.

If it's despair you desire, you will have it in spades. Humanity's survival instincts that served them so well in becoming the dominant life form on the planet - just as was intended by Life Fibers - also blind them to the truth of their existence.

[She turns back to the Primordial life fiber, crossing her arms under her chest with a wistful sigh.]

It would be so much easier if they simply accepted the truth and gave themselves willingly, but that's not the case. They will fight, they will struggle, and they will fear Life Fibers until the very end, and the inevitable nature of Life Fibers makes that struggle all the more tragic.

[She looks over her shoulder to Junko with a shrug.]

I do not revel in despair, but there will be despair until all are united in blissful oblivion.

I see.

[Well. That's enough for now. She can figure out how oblivion for herself might be subverted down the line - it'll be a challenge, and it's not like she hasn't cheated death already.]

Well, I'll still be keeping my own interests in mind. But so long as this doesn't get in the way then sure, why not.

[She's not very good at being a minion but that's something to be found out when it's already too late, she figures.]

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2nd Despair: Riding the Heatwave [action/video]

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