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Was this how things were going to be like? Going by the reactions of the infinites around Braden, it looked like it wasn’t their first time watching somebody they called a friend die in a brutal way. It was a silly thing to hope that nobody would die again; everybody would be out for themselves. But a nagging thought never left Braden’s mind, even as he lowered his tired body into bed an hour after watching people he hadn’t known get killed for this silly game. 

Would he be willing to kill, or would he let himself be killed?

[hr]
Waking up to Monokuma’s morning announcement surprised the ventriloquist. He had no idea when he had fallen asleep after tossing and turning for what felt like hours, but despite that he felt fresh and ready to start anew. A quick shower and a check in the mirror later, Braden was out and following his nose towards the delicious smell emitting from the dining hall. It seemed like he was beaten by a few others, some new faces, some even newer (was that really somebody eating on the floor in the kitchen?!), but the puppet in Braden’s hand was drawn to one figure in the dining hall.

Without taking any breakfast, Braden seated himself on the other side of the booth Alice was sitting on. [color=82a327]“Ohh man, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Thought I’d [i]never[/i] see anybody I’d recognise ever again!”[/color] The puppet cried dramatically.

[color=red]"Hm?"[/color] Alice hummed in curiosity, her mouth stuffed with bacon. The recon had been silently watching some of the newcomers, plus Rika, get their own breakfast as the dining room became more active than when she first arrived. Swallowing the food in her mouth down, she finally spoke up to the puppet. [color=red]"Well, I would ask if that was obvious due to my eyepatch, but I do know what you mean."[/color] She replied, moving her plate to the side. [color=red]"It's...always odd to see new faces after a trial."[/color]

Elias giggled. [color=82a327]“Oh luv, that was all your imagination~ I would [i]never[/i] make jokes about a lady’s personal matter~”[/color] The puppet would have given the recon a wink, but, it’s a puppet. Braden looked around the dining hall, watching it fill as more infinites began piling up inside to get their hands on some of the delicious smelling breakfast cooking in the kitchen while the puppet continued to watch Alice. [color=82a327]“So is this what happened last time? You got to see the conclusion of another trial?”[/color] Elias cocked his head to the side curiously. 

[color=red]"No, we only arrived back at the resort once the first blackened had been executed."[/color] Alice explained, resting her head on her hand. [color=red]"I'm not sure why we were shown a different game's trial though, but at least this time was quicker."[/color]

[color=82a327]“Do you think our game is being broadcasted to others like theirs was?”[/color]

The recon nodded in response. [color=red]"With there being more than one game, it's a high possibility that they're being broadcasted to one another, even ours."[/color]

Braden returned his attention to Alice, his free hand moving to rest against his chin thoughtfully. [color=82a327]"I wonder what the purpose for all this is. This is waaaay too elaborate for just despair. Why make it into a show?"[/color]

[color=red]"I'm not sure, hell, no one is."[/color] Alice answered. [color=red]"The mastermind's motive isn't exactly crystal clear, so we just gotta hope for the best, right?"[/color]

[color=82a327]"Hope... how far will that get us?"[/color] He thought out loud. [color=82a327]"I mean, Marianne had hope, right? So did the last victim. Yet they're dead. Erin had hope that he'd trick us all and escape if he commited a murder, yet he is also dead. Hope hasn't exactly helped us a lot."[/color]

Braden's thoughts left the recon silent. He was right, hope wasn't helping them. But it couldn't be just that, right? Once Alice found the right words to respond with, her expression seemed to darken slightly. [color=red]"It's cause they trusted the wrong people.[/color]" She said, her head hanging low. [color=red]"If you trust others too easily, you're bound to get hurt, one way or another. It's why I try to close myself off from people, why I don't get so attached. Cause it won't be hard to accept the pain of death, even here..."[/color]

When Alice realized what she was saying, she scratched her head in embarrassment. [color=red]"It's funny, out of everyone here, there’s only a few of us that make the most sense, but hell if I know."[/color] The recon said, laughing nervously.

[color=82a327]"Buuuuuut~ You seem pretty bestie with the doctor chick. Is there some history or...?"[/color] The puppet's voice grew higher in pitch, a teasing inflection making it seem like the puppet was teasing Alice. It would've even wiggled it's eyebrows if it could. [color=82a327]"And you seem to be pretty chilly with me too soo~ Are we besties too?"[/color]

[color=red]"Mercy's an old friend of mine, from back in the military."[/color] The recon explained to Elias. [color=red]"I usually saw her working with the other medics in the field, but other than that she usually hung out with me like I was her younger sister, but I never knew why."[/color]  Alice held her head in thought, before looking back at the puppet. [color=red]"Oh, and I don't mind us being "Besties", but do you really consider me as one?"[/color] 

The puppet hummed loudly. [color=82a327]"Weeeell~ Are you plannin' on killing us or getting yourself axed anytime soon?"[/color] Elias moved closer. [color=82a327]"No? We good."[/color]

[color=red]"But of course not! I'd never kill someone innocent, not here."[/color] Alice answered the puppet. [color=red]"And if I die now, I'd be abandoning you guys."[/color]

Braden gave Alice a brief smile before looking away again. [color=82a327]"Ohhh~ Not here? So you admit that you've killed an innocent before~?"[/color]

[color=red]"More like the saying, a life for a life."[/color]

The puppet sunk into itself. [color=82a327]"Awwwww. Woulda been so cool if you were secretly some serial killer or something."[/color] Elias sighed heavily, but then perked back up. [color=82a327]"But it just means you're not gonna Barty Crouch junior my ass soooo I'm not gonna complain~"[/color] Elias giggled, the puppet's hands moving up to cover his mouth like a shy school girl. 

[color=82a327]"Fine. We gonna honour the bestie code and not kill each other, 'kay?"[/color]

[color=red]"Sounds good."[/color] The recon agreed, a smile on her face.

[color=82a327]"Deal~"[/color] Elias giggled again as Braden stood up, clearly intending to leave. [color=82a327]"Let's go meet Parker. Think it's a good time to introduce her to everybody, no?"[/color] The puppet's hands gestured Alice up, waiting for her to join him.

[color=red]"Oh, yeah! I almost forgot to see her after yesterday!"[/color] Alice said, quickly standing up herself. [color=red]"Let's go!"[/color]