[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vRVHcFp.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/KuIZYZy.gif[/img][/center] To minimize casualties, that was exactly what Aleecia wanted. Krista was in danger and she would do anything to stop it. Nariko wasn't in her right mind and needed help and guidance. Why not go help a friend? [color=ADD278]“I agree with your proposition, Dice Master. [i]Your solution is the only logical conclusion one could make in this situation.[/i]”[/color] This was the most logical conclusion. It wasn't a problem to spend time with Nariko before, why would it be now? She must have been caring for Aleecia the entire time she was in the POD, how could she not care about the Blind girl? She would be okay. She would be safe. Ice's blood began to boil again, and this was not the time. Ice did his best to not clench up, as not only would this frighten the girl in his arms, but also worry her. He wanted to rip that little shitake a new one. He needed to get out of this situation, because he was not saying anything productive in the least. Ice bit his lip, trying not to yell out insults. Ice stiffened at Max's look. He would have to have a talk to size him up later. Ice still had an inkling to avoid the Infinite Cop, but he knew that the man himself knew justice at the very least. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. Ice's only hope was that Aleecia would listen to his logic. [color=lightblue]"I... I can..."[/color] Aleecia's tongue was tied. How could she ask the others to help her reason with her robotic friend? How could she? After all, they had done for her... She started shaking in Ice's arms as he tightened his grip around her, making sure she was steady. [color=lightblue]"You... can't die. None of you..."[/color] Her voice was getting quieter and quieter as a few tears ran down her face. Ice let his thumb run up and down Aleecia's shoulder, trying to silently soothe her. Details, that was what was needed. Ice needed a plan and fast. He would need to find a smaller bandage to cover his hand so he could use it more effectively, screw the pain! Only one of the fingers was broken and as long as he held something in only his thumb against a plate of fingers he could still fight! He would need... Alice. But- Monokuma had appeared to his right and Ice's face was hit with bandage whiplash. The one who had started it all... That godforsaken two-toned raccoon. It was the second time Ice had gotten a motive from him. They would get the third floor, which meant more chance of an escape route and weapons, mainly creating weapons. Ice knew that even without these rewards, Nariko would not be functioning much longer. [i]he knew[/i] Aleecia stiffened at the sound of Monokuma's voice. Having never seen the bear in it of itself, she never knew the strange situation of a bear raining despair upon the infinites... But she could definitely imagine. Even worse than the white and black Roosevelt, was the hairball villain himself. All this [i]logic[/i] talk was just adding fuel to the fire. He didn't have the energy to think about this with anything else but his own [url=https://imgur.com/a/WyduA]emotion.[/url] [color=orange]"If you're so bloody logically, what's the point of watching 'conquest' instead of getting in on the action?! I humbly insist hairball!"[/color] No one listened to his ramblings, they didn't matter with Krista's life on the line anyhow. Ice had never liked Jezebel. The clown, the folly. Every time she showed a fake smile, it ticked him off. Well, he might have not thought that at the time, but his memories were hazing over with anger. She really was the scum of the earth, wasn't she? Aleecia stilled, not processing Davis and Monokuma and instead focusing on Jezebel. While she herself was helping Aleecia with her plight, the way she went about it was awful at best. The poor girl didn't seem to care for the sweet Violinist and it broke the Blind girl's heart. Ice couldn't tell if his thumb strokes were for Aleecia, or for himself. His gaze shifted to Ellie as she started talking, bringing up fairly good points that Ice hoped Allie would take to heart. A shiver ran up his spine when Rika blew in his ear, he turned his head at her and stared her down. All the anger wrapping around his heart stared Rika dead in the face. He gave her a 'I'm busy' motion and went back to staring intently at Monokuma. He flinched at the next recording he heard. Ice knew he wasn't, and that's what emptied out the hole in his heart, what continued to make him bleed through his inner organs. He tried to not glance at her again, so she wouldn't see how he affected her. ice was shaking, why was he shaking? Aleecia turned around so her chest was against him, feeling up to his face. Ice brought his arm down to block the Blind girl's touch. [color=orange]"I'm fine."[/color] [color=lightblue]"You're not..."[/color] She mumbled. Rika was trying to drag him away, and Ice wanted to escape Aleecia's concerned look. With one swift motion, Ice moved the chair next to them and lightly pushed the girl to make her sit down. [color=orange]"Stay here... Please."[/color] Aleecia struggled, she wanted to listen to what Rika had to say, but she needed to convince everyone that talking to Nariko was important, and only she could do it. Finally the girl gave a hesitant nod. Ice sighed in relief before letting himself be dragged away by the witch. She pulled him away from the crowd. Her recorder made her apologize, but Ice couldn't be sure which specific thing she was apologizing for. If this had been any other situation, he would have blushed remembering, but the past memories felt like he was watching them on burned off film. The Firebug asked to talk, so that's what he would do. [color=orange][url=https://imgur.com/a/jRuaR]"Speak,[/url] what is it?"[/color] [hr] Cyrus was a no go. There was a small chance he would be willing to help her. Aleecia needed a team of people to get enough time to negotiate for Krista, but she couldn't exactly ask for it. And of course she would go! She could just... Sabotage their plan. That would be fine. She would be safe. People she had never met or be introduced to. They sounded fairly similar and came from the same spot, which puzzled Aleecia immensely. She thought she had heard their voices before... But the whole thing positively baffled her. The girl sounded absolutely dreadful from the way she talked about Krista, Aleecia wanted to give the girl a piece of her mind. There was a boy that sounded like he wanted to help, but was quickly drowned out. Maybe a potential ally. Anyone for saving Krista, but not for stopping her was definitely welcome. Another boy started to talk, this one she recognized from the previous trials. Again, she hadn't been formally introduced, but she thought she remembered Cyrus or jezebel calling him Zach or Zachary. The boy swore a bit, but seemed to geniunely care for others, or at least krista. But... He was on the stop Nariko side, maybe he wouldn't make the cut. Calvin's voice. It was faint, but as clear as the sun was to her retinas. He didn't sound happy, but depressed and Aleecia really wanted to give him a hug. If only she hadn't agreed to Ice's stupid overprotectiveness! But it seemed like her friend had enough on his plate. If she was obedient... it would be easier to sneak away. Calvin could help! ...Couldn't he? [hr] A faint voice filled the room and the rest of the infinites quickly drew quiet. Ice finally looked up from a spot of paint peeling off the wall when he saw Calvin standing in the doorway. All the memories of the past day came flooding back, and not burned or ruined, but colored. Ice pulled off Rika's hand gently and started walking towards the door, listening to what the Metalworker was saying. The punk was refusing to look him in the eye, but Ice was okay with that. Considering Ice had to get a hold of his anger to check on his friend, he needed a second as well. He wanted to talk to Nariko, but Ice didn't want Calvin anywhere near Nariko either. He didn't have the fighting experience to protect himself and he might have to worry about Alexandria to. Both Aleecia and Calvin couldn't be in this situation... And with Calvin sounding like he was, he should take some more time in his room. Somehow they were going to stay out of the situation. And he still needed to go find Alice... Ice watched him as he said his spiel and then another moment, [color=orange]"Calvin."[/color] Emotions raced from one side of his brain to the other, down to his heart, and into his limbs. This was far too nerve wracking for the man, actually asking for a favor. [color=orange]"I need... I-I-"[/color] It wasn't like him to stutter, the bloody hell was he doing?! [color=orange]"I have to go get Alice, but I can't leave Aleecia alone."[/color] His head drooped, not knowing how Calvin would answer. He was the only one Ice could count on, but he would understand if Calvin said no.