the end.

"I think if you wanted to, you could use them as a weapon, sharp or not."

"Huh?" Rei looks at Zen in confusion with the last of the takoyaki in her mouth. Usually she didn’t have money on her, especially when they were at Yasogami. Most of the time, the vendors didn’t mind she got food from the booths without paying, well, mainly because they didn’t pay attention to her in the first place. She was so used that that kind of treatment that she didn’t think twice about taking the food from the vendor."Um…" She fidgets sheepishly, pressing her index fingers together. "I don’t have money… I was so scared of being alone that the first thing I did was eat." It was the one thing that did help her keep her mind off of things until she found Zen. But, now what is she supposed to do? Rei turns to the vendor and quickly bows. "I’m sorry! I don’t have money but I promise I will find a way to pay you back! Really!" Good grief. Guilt brings her down a bit after she realizes that Zen will take responsibility for her actions nevertheless. She straightens herself up and looks at Zen then the vendor, "Sorry for causing you trouble…"

{ Tick. }

One look, and Zen knows the thought never even crossed her mind. To be fair, it had barely crossed his, but even he knows that in order to get goods and services, money must be given in exchange.

He lifts his eyes up to the dreary city sky, not really rolling them but definitely caught somewhere between exasperation and...affection. It's so very Rei, after all.

However, they're saved from being in debt within less than a day, as the vendor explains that "Monokuma" has stated that food in the city is on him...excluding any of the high-end, actually healthy stuff. The indescribable surreality of the vendor makes him think of where they're both...from.

Thank the gods for free food. He's pretty sure Rei is going to hit the roof at this, and he supposes it's one good thing, after all. He hasn't said anything during this point, but he gives her this amused look--subtly there, presented as a lifting of one eyebrow and a soft chuckle.

Asking questions in order to extract answers from random people is not something he's fond of, but his pride is willing to bend to that, instead of carrying on and risk putting himself or Rei in danger. So it's with a somewhat resigned air that he presents his inquiry to someone who doesn't seem like the sort to mind all that much.

"...Do you understand these 'Monomessengers'?"

He presents his to her somewhat sheepishly, and says nothing more.

Alcor felt a touch of relief when his conversation partner relaxed, taking it as a sign that he was far better at socializing than he had been in the past. It was important to start things on a good note. He had seen enough television dramas to know that having awkward tension between yourself and those you were living with was a bad thing. "I have not had a chance to meet them, so that remains to be seen." He hummed thoughtfully and spared a quick glance towards the door. "However, they are either an important friend of mine or someone who coincidentally has the same name. Both are possible.”

{ Tick. }

Mainly, Zen's unconcerned with the intricacies of social manners. He's not exactly a social butterfly himself, so he's willing to let any sort of potential awkwardness pass if he's given the same treatment.

His eyes lift up slowly to meet the other's. "I doubt it's coincidence. The odds of having the same name...and being assigned to the same place as you..." Zen makes a dismissive sound. "For your sake, I hope it's your friend. If it's all right to ask...What do you think of this situation?"

"Ah. I meant injury to your hands or arm. Not your neck or shoulders."

Really, the worst person to ask.

          ❝ Why would I pay attention to that? I’m not a detective. The ‘how’ isn’t really my business. ❞

          ❝ Murder’s murder. You kill someone, and they die. Does the ‘how’ matter? ❞

{ Tick. }

Zen's indifferent to the tone. He doesn't expect much from this city's people, honestly.

"...You don't say."

"Learning how to defend yourself...it involves anticipating methods of attack. Expecting everything is impossible, but to prepare for nothing is folly."

"You. I have a question, if you don't mind."

"Can you tell me about the natures of the murders that occur here?" There's really no point in plotting how to prevent anything if he doesn't know the common methods first.

The idea of having an apartment and roommates is...baffling, to say the least. It makes his skin crawl that he has to have any sort of distance between himself and Rei in such a dangerous place, but the latter seems less concerned about everything, so long as they're together.

He supposes she's the calmer of the pair sometimes, in certain ways.

Zen greets his roommate with a slight nod as he investigates the somewhat shabby place, his cloak tailing behind him.

"You're...staying here as well, aren't you? My name is Zen. Hopefully we won't have any problems."