With a sigh, Alice stepped out of the study to make her way back upstairs. Her visit to Parker hadn't gone so well, but had her thinking. Could she be trusted? It was obvious that Cyrus didn't, more or less the politician despised her slightly, but the recon wasn't sure about Braden. Elias seemed to trust her, but without the puppets, would the ventriloquist say otherwise? Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Alice's atention was turned to something a bit abnormal for her. Her eyepatch. Maybe it was from Mary calling her a cyclops, but the recon had to wonder what the others would think if she got rid of it. She really didn't want to be concidered weird, yet it looked like that was a bit too late. So with a deep breath, Alice grabed her eyepatch, and removed it from her face. [Center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/376878751075794944/399977137999708160/New_Alice.gif[/img][/center] Behind it was a light blue eye, contrasting from the pure red others usually see. The recon stuffed the eyepatch into her pocket, before continuing her walk back to the second floor resort. [hr] [Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vtmTCeO.gif[/img][/center] Calvin's eyes were slightly dark as he stood alone outside of the dining hall. Alexandria's latest warning stood out in his mind. [b]”I'm going to pay super extra attention to you from now on. I'll watch your every move, every interaction, and make sure no one can surpass me in your heart.”[/b] He shook for a moment, but didn't allow it to stay for long. He took deep breaths. Imagined a fire. Felt his throat rise. Imagined his sister. Felt his temperature drop. He was in the middle of this when he noticed Alice approaching. He turned, a bit of colour coming to his cheeks. [Color=cyan]"Hey! Uh- Good work yesterday. That was..."[/color] He stopped for a moment, closing his eyes. [Color=cyan]"A lot."[/color] [Color=red]"Hm?"[/color] Alice looked up to see the metalworker outside the dining hall. [Color=red]"Oh, uh, thank you."[/color] The recon replied, scratching the back of her head in subtle embarrassment. She didn't really think she did good in the last trial, so what Calvin said suprised her. [Color=red]"But yeah, that was a lot to take in... Are you alright?"[/color] Alice asked. Calvin nodded a bit too quickly. [Color=cyan]"I'm fine!"[/color] He looked at the Infinite in the eyes, trying to get a read of her. But something was different -- [Color=cyan]"Holy shit!"[/color] He took in her light blue eye. [Color=cyan]"You took the eyepatch off? I thought maybe something had happened, but..."[/color] His anxiety seemed to melt away in light of the new discovery. [Color=cyan]"Why do you wear that thing, then?"[/color] With an "Eep!", Alice had covered her blue eye back up with her hands, but still answered Calvin's questions. [Color=red]"I-I've always been self-conscious about my Heterochromia. I sometimes get worried about how people would react to it, s-so I wear my eyepatch to cover it up..."[/color] The recon replied, averting her eyes. Something about the answer struck Calvin as genuine. Normally, he would have pursued, but it was clear that Alice was uncomfortable. [Color=cyan]"Well. I can't speak for the others, but I think we've got bigger shit to worry about than somebody's eyes. No time to worry about how we look in this fucking nightmare."[/color] He said, a bit sheepishly. He was aware of his haggard appearance, with bags under his eyes and a bit of a gaunt stare. [Color=red]"So you don't think I look weird?"[/color] Alice asked, crossing her arms. [Color=cyan]"No!"[/color] Calvin turned away for a moment. [Color=cyan]"You're a god damn terror. When we were against Alexandria, you were scary. That's what you're known for. Not the colours of your eyes, or whatever else we look like."[/color] The recon's eyes momentarily widened from what the metalworker had said, she didn't know whether to be worried or to be amused, but she knew he had a point. [Color=red]"Y-You're right, sorry..."[/color] Alice apologized, averting her eyes again. [Color=cyan]"It's alright! Seriously."[/color] He felt a bit of blood come to his cheeks, and he tried his best to calm down. [Color=cyan]"I just -- I don't know what's going to come next. But whatever it is, we're going to have to be at our best. Don't get in your head."[/color] He wished he could follow his own advice, and smiled a bit before looking down, his hand reaching to touch the back of his neck. A smile crept onto Alice's face, as she couldn't help but giggle at Calvin's sheepishness. [hr] [Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/KuIZYZy.gif[/img][/center] It hadn't taken long for Ice to head back to his room, his urgency quickened his pace. That Ruella robot was too bananas to not worry and he was determined to stick to Calvin like glue. After having a fairy candy and sticking a few in his pocket, he made sure his chain was safely secured around his waist and started up towards the second floor. It was easy to assume that Calvin was in the Dining Hall, since that seemed to be where everyone would usually head to at one point or another. It was actually a lot easier for Ice when he spotted the Metalworker talking to... someone outside the Dining Hall entrance. Now it wasn't that Ice didn't know faces, but there was always something that stood out about most people and she didn't- Oh... OH. It was the Infinite Recon, Alice Masson, she just wasn't wearing an eye patch anymore. Sure, it was insensitive of him to not recognize her, but there were many different people in this game and... He didn't have any excuse, at least for himself. Ice just would have to not mention it. Her Heterochromia Iridium seemed interesting enough, but considering that he was here for Calvin, his mind slipped over to the boy facing away from him. With the memories of the last hour racing through his mind, he quickly walked over and grabbed the back of Calvin's collar, pulling him close. [color=orange]"You solid?"[/color] [Color=cyan]"The fuck?"[/color] Calvin spun, shoving Ice away and taking a step back himself. There was a moment of silence that passed, and Calvin took a deep breath. [Color=cyan]"Sorry."[/color] He said. His nerves had got the better of him. [Color=cyan]"I'm doing good."[/color] He shrugged lightly. [Color=cyan]"How are you holding up?"[/color] Ice took a second to look him up and down, [color=orange]"Don't worry about me, worry about yourself. That-"[/color] His face grew pained as he remembered everything he said could be heard by monokuma, the sisters, and god knows who else. [color=orange]"Alexandria, I'm worried about her. She's... unpredictable."[/color] All this tension was definitely getting to him and it looked like the same was happening to the Metalworker, how the hell were they blasted supposed to talk about this with everyone listening in?! Calvin's face drained of what little colour it had. [Color=cyan]"You talked to her?"[/color] The space between them closed. [Color=cyan]"Everyone should be steering clear of these fucking bots."[/color] His tone was not harsh, but there was a degree of steel to it that could not be mistaken. [Color=red]"Wait, why would you even talk to "Ms. Kill For Love" ?"[/color] Alice spoke up from behind Calvin, her expression having turned to a more serious yet confused look. Calvin turned back to Alice, nodding vehemently. It seemed as thought Calvin was at least taking the matter as seriously as Ice was, but still, Ice didn't want a replay of the first Night of Carnage. Ice sighed again and dropped down so that he was resting his hand and bandages on his knee, [color=orange]"Look, I wanted to check out the crematorium so... I knocked."[/color] So much for being able to spend the rest of the day with only his own companionship. This was giving him a migraine, seriously. His life was about to get even more stressful then before, especially with Calvin involved. Alice sighed, as the recon's expression turned into a more concerned look than a confused one. [Color=red]"Well, if Alexandria tries anything stupid, I'll protect you guys."[/color] She reasured the other two, giving them a small smile. [Color=red][I]'I won't hesitate to snap her neck again.'[/i][/color] [Color=cyan]"What the fuck do you want with the crematorium?"[/color] Calvin looked back at Alice, his voice hitching as he spoke. [Color=cyan]"I don't want anyone to protect anyone! We need to leave those things alone!"[/color] [Color=red]"I didn't say 'we', nor did I say that we'll bother them. Just if they try to kill anyone, I'll keep you guys safe."[/color] [color=orange]"About that..."[/color] He straightened up, bending backwards to stretch his back. Alice's eyes widened in fear as she looked over to Ice. [Color=red]"If you fucked up something..."[/color] [Color=cyan]"God damn it..."[/color] Calvin muttered, running a hand through his hair and looking at Ice carefully. [color=orange]"Would you guys stop looking at me like I'm some reckless Donut? I do have some control..."[/color] Seriously, if he could just get a word in, everything might be okay. [color=orange]"I wanted to know... where they put the executed cadavers."[/color] He held up a hand, [color=orange]"But that's not the point. The point is that I don't want Calvin to get shish kababbed so..."[/color] His looked down, almost embarrassed, [color=orange]"I'm sticking to ya like gorilla glue. To hell and back and you can't get rid of me."[/color] Calvin shook his head with a great deal of energy. [Color=cyan]"Jesus Christ, dude."[/color] Calvin was touched by the display, but something about it shook him. [Color=cyan]"I don't need a fucking chaperone or whatever, no one here does."[/color] Calvin crossed his arms [Color=cyan]"I was there for you before Ice, and I'll be there again. And I know you'll do the same. But I'm not someone who needs protecting. And I won't have anyone getting hurt by that fucking robot. Not again."[/color] There was metallic twang to his voice and his gauntlet-wearing hand curled into a fist before uncurling slowly. He looked back to Alice for support. [Color=red]"Yeah no. You got held at spearpoint. I doubt that you'd be fine protecting yourself,"[/color]Alice bluntly stated. [Color=red]"and you cant rely on yourself forever, cause there will be times where you'll need help from others. I had to learn that the hard way..."[/color] Ice gave Calvin a long, stubborn stare. His straight lined mouth [url=https://imgur.com/a/KN4DA]hitched up[/url] slightly knowing that he had Alice on his side. Then again, since Ice wasn't used to smiling, it probably just looked creepy. With Alice's last line, he glanced over at her with slight concern, but he stopped himself from asking about it. He wasn't sure if he could protect everyone and he didn't want to get attached to anyone as much as Aleecia, Krista, and... Now Calvin. After a second, he started up his stubborn stare again, if not fiercer. Calvin let out a long sigh, looking at both of the Infinites with dark eyes. [Color=cyan]"This isn't your call. I'm not fighting a carnage sister again. I'm not fighting anyone-"[/color] [Color=red]"Wait a fucking minute."[/color] Before the metalworker can finish what he was saying, Alice had interupted him mid sentences with a mix of an unamused and confused look on her face. [Color=red]"We never said that we're fighting another carnage sister. And even if "we" did, I'm not letting you two risk your lives AGAIN. So let me make this clear."[/color] The recon explain, before grabing Calvin by the shoulders and shaking him. [Color=red]"LET. ME. HANDLE. THE. DAMN. ROBOTS!!"[/color] [Color=red]"Okay?"[/color] Ice turned to look at Alice, touched, but also peeved in the exact same way as Calvin. It wasn't the most mature mood either, [color=orange]"I'm sure as hell fighting them! I don't give a diddly if I'm injured, I'll probably drop dead any minute anyway."[/color] He didn't exactly mean to add in a brush of self-deprivation, but Ice didn't care at this point. [Color=cyan]"Holy shit. Are any of you fuckers real?"[/color] Despite himself, Calving was feeling far better than he had for most of the morning. [Color=cyan]"You can do what the fuck you want. But I'm telling you that I'm not a part of it, and I'm not making new shit for you."[/color] He raised his hands for emphasis. [Color=cyan]"You're not a hero, stop acting like one. You - We're supposed to be smarter than that!"[/color] He let his hands fall. [Color=cyan]"Heroes die. They talk shit, they do their best, then they're dead."[/color] He looked down, not wanting the others to see his face. [color=orange]"Good, you shouldn't go into the crematorium anyway."[/color] He watched Calvin as the younger man went on a tangent about heroes and the like. But that wasn't what Ice was trying to be, [color=orange]"Calvin, I don't want to be a hero and I don't have to be."[/color] [color=orange]"I just have to be a killer. A former [url=https://imgur.com/a/h53N7]killer[/url] isn't [i]qualified[/i] to become a good person, so I'm not going to try."[/color] Ice picked at the bandage over his eye as it stung. It was not the time to feel that right now, but the overall despair of the situation was getting to him. At that rate, Alice was getting tired of arguing against Calvin. So she slapped the metalworker across the face before releasing him from her grip. [Color=red]"Fine. But if Alexandria tries to bother you, I won't be there to help. You're on your own."[/color] the recon coldly stated, before walking away. Calvin blinked, more surprised than anything. He brought a hand to his face, peeling off a glove and feeling it gently. [Color=cyan]"Holy. Hell."[/color] He looked at Ice for a moment. [Color=cyan]"I'm... Leave me the fuck alone."[/color] He began to walk back towards his room, his hunger forgotten after the series of events. Ice turned to lean against the wall to the Dining Hall and let out a whistle, [color=orange]"Tough luck,"[/color] he called after the Metalworker, before slowly following after him.