MONOCHROME;

     It’s laughable, afterall. She could be speaking to a Celestia from the first year of Hope’s Peak or from her time in the School Life of Killing. She could become confused as to why this Junko looked slightly different from her memories or be so overwhelmed that she wasn’t a pile of ash that no notice was taken.

     Given this, the blonde merely shifted a single hand against her hip in a casual but decisive fashion. There was no meaning in speculating when the answer would come in seconds, so a smile coupled with four syllables was offered to test the waters.

Yet, both of the fashion divas' encounter was questionable since they were already dead. Peering at her former peer, she felt a surge of superiority since technically, Junko died before her. Unfortunately when the raven's execution was performed later, she missed the memorable ending that Naegi, Kyoko and Togami witnessed. In a sense,  Celestia had no memory on how truly witty and sadistic the woman was in front of her.

     It doesn’t settle his nerves when the woman reunited with said possibility claims ownership of it in such a derogatory fashion. Brows knitting inwardly, he lowers his gaze before swallowing and giving ‘collected thoughts’ a go. Two things come to mind: A) she isn’t a fan of this dog, and B) she has no shame in admitting that much. The brunet doesn’t bite back the short, quiet chuckle that follows her belated question. 

     ”Nothing of that sort. I figured she was lost.” Were this any other scenario, he might be glad it could find a better home. Selfishness has other ideas.

     Pets are therapeutic - and acquiring strays is one of his bad habits (though he’d call it one in a blatant attempt to ignore what’s become much, much worse). Perhaps to a compulsive and colossal extent, not that he’ll confront or work towards fixing it. Already, the dog’s lost interest in him and he won’t argue that fate’s taken the circumstances into its own hands. 

When further observing the stranger, he didn't seem willed to lose himself through something as addictive as alcohol. Maybe for now, she would amuse herself with playing some poker with him later. Snapping back into her conversation with him, Celest nodded politely, shaking her head. 

"I'm walking her for my manager since he's having troubles with his wife n kids. Let's just say, the guy doesn't have time on his hands." The mention of the man's children was a total lie, her manager lived fairly well but had an annoying lazy characteristic. But, for the sake of subtly promoting her bar, it didn't hurt to share a white lie. Additionally, she wanted to drain him out and throw a poker game soon.

Sneaking a peek at the dog, she sighed unsure to be thankful or angry. Either way, today was a good day for rolling in cash. Still, she definitely caught on to this man's likeliness to animals, making her momentarily sick inside. Truthfully, she was unable to read through his type of aura or figure any links to the type of personality he had. He didn't show much so one thing's for sure besides drooling over dogs.

Henry wasn’t going in a specific direction so the moment someone attracted his attention, he immediately stopped to reply to them cheerfully.]

Well, I know where the apartment block is but I don’t know exactly where that house is. I could guide you there if you wish though!

♚█ — ; Upon appearance, the young boy seemed clean cut and uncomfortably bright. Almost regretting her sudden encounter and barge of help, Celest further examined him. There was a fishy aura surrounding him that felt like this boy went through unexpected events and experiences, probably because fate wasn't on his side. Honestly, despite her determined personality, she didn't want to pry on what seemed to be useless information. A 'warm' smile creased on the woman's expression, her head tilted. 

It whitewashed his notion of familial relations as he’d known it, getting hitched to a complete stranger so abruptly, then allotted a child like a customary housewarming present under a roof scoured free of personal touches and any pretense of sentimentality (a hollowly generic sort of domesticity that lacked any real substance). Koujaku remained stationary in the master bedroom for quite some time upon his arrival, aimlessly skimming one palm over the bureau and absently rifling through its drawers, seeking out any plaintively vestigial memento of Midorijima between battery cases and safety pins before retracting from the entire prospect with muted dissatisfaction. The clinical sterility of the entire domicile was the figurative nail in the coffin of resignation; past his double-sided recalcitrance, he’d known there wouldn’t be anything at all to salvage anymore, never mind return to his possession, but the reality hadn’t bled through until he came to terms with the wretched futility of it all.

After a cursory examination, he leaves Beni powered-down and perched on the windowsill, the daylight ribboning out and elongating their shadows along the carpet. There was no immediate use in viscerally shocking his Allmate with their situation from the get-go, and more than that — it was better to prolong whatever semblance of quasi-calm he could afford to hold out for his AI companion as they settled in. Self-indulgence for the sake of it is a lacerating knife, the soft edges of remorse gaining form, attenuating into guilt, but all things considered, Koujaku could afford himself some selfishness on occasion. Padding back into the hallway, he ventures as far as the foyer when he catches the telltale glimpse of a woman standing in the open doorway and comes to a standstill.

Proceeding into the halls, an eyebrow raised towards a smooth sheet of paper, sloppily taped onto the kitchen wall. Containing her cool facade, her bottom lip pushed outwards at the information presented. Nonetheless, there were identity images of a fair skinned man and a sleazy grin plastering his visage. She swallowed thickly, examining closer to the portrait, his eyes were just as vibrant, mirroring yet her own pair. For a moment, it shed some hope that her titled, 'husband' could be just as intelligent, fashionable and collective like herself. However, taking another glance, he could really work on his fashion taste. Next was a picture of her 'son' who appeared genuinely cute but, something about his looks threw an unsettling vibe.

     As of late, his reflexes are coated in adrenaline — for so long, they had to be. Attempting to not only survive, but conquer a man whose madness couldn’t help but rub off on him was no easy task. Needless to say, he did not make it out unscathed. Even if he’s made it out with a trophy of his very own, it hardly counts. Baiting Hannibal Lecter with false friendship and leaving before he shifted the last few pieces in their chess round felt like surrendering his queen for no good reason. As far as his psychiatrist was concerned, he’d given up his conscious. ‘Given up’ good and evil for - ah, right. Behaviorism.  

     Perhaps it isn’t where his thoughts should be on a walk to clear his swimming head. So far, not so good; he’s going nowhere fast. Despite a mild air of indifference towards any human passersby, soft padding on the ground has him whirling around in order to focus his attention. A border collie trots to his feet, panting and relentless in its efforts to steal his notice. He doesn’t waste a moment, kneeling and rubbing behind its ears with a smile gentler and more natural than the ones forced in his new, home environment. 

     Fortunate as it might seem, his brief period of peace is cut short when the dog bolts in an entirely separate direction. Upon investigating, he finds another figure not too far away. Judging from the collie’s attitude, this seems a little like a personal preference. He might be biased - he’s a little offended, and wishes he were carrying treats. 

Animals generally didn't tickle her fancy as they were usually sloppy and obnoxious -- oh, and needy. One attribute that ticks the lolita would be someone or in this case, something that was unable to care for itself, dependable on others. Worst enough, pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits needed their owners and caretakers, that's just how they were born. It's funny. On the other hand, Celest was born with superhuman abilities and was born to rule.  

'God, this sucks.' Though it was clear that she didn't like being a dog's best friend, dogs sure did seem to enjoy her. It was a fortunate, unfortunate cross of fate. 

Strolling down the busy streets, a heavy sigh escaped between the woman's lips. Luckily, this dog was quiet. As the pair continued to stroll, she clumsily lost grip to the leash, watching as the dog joyfully skipped to a distant figure. 'Fucking fantastic.' But as soon as mutt ran off, it came back, comfortably nuzzling against her ankle.

Sei fumbled with a shirt while trying to fold it.. Work experience wasn’t exactly something he had to begin with but learning wasn’t impossible at least! Nevertheless, he was having fun.. Enough to be distracted, it seemed. Someone had entered the store while he’d been busying himself and by the time he’d noticed..

They startled him!

❝ Ah!— I apologize. ❞

♚█ — ; Black, red, black, red, black and red everywhere. Rumors of a music, pop inspired store filled with body jewelry and wanted brands speculated throughout her apartment building. It seemed that practically everybody has shopped in and out of this place, but her. Truth be told, Celest wasn't the type to follow the crowd, but after seeing posters and pictures about 'Hot Topic', it was curiosity that killed the cat.

Just maybe, there could be something she would like and end up buying. Sadly, there weren't many outlets that could carry to her style anyways. Hot Topic may just be the closest in this shitty town. Immediately as she started to eye the products, a young man approached. "Hm, actually yes. Do you own anything that's my style? This store just seems..." Careful with your words. "Too roomy for me to navigate."