[Video]

[forgetbeam]

[All this language nonsense is severely lacking in Korean. Let's fix that.]

So, I have heard several languages being spoken here recently, but I can't understand anything so far... Not even what I recognize as Japanese or English! I don't know how such a thing is possible, but it seems obvious now that I'm not the only one experiencing this!

[Yeah, there was something about translators, but that shouldn't mess around with being able to understand your native tongue... right?]

Is there anybody at all out there who can understand me right now? Many people here speak an impressive number of languages! Yes, it's truly impressive...! Actually, I am truly ashamed of my own lack of foresight right now. If I had studied more than only English, I would have been prepared for just this kind of situation!! From now on, I'll make sure to devote time to learning any language I can in this Tower!

I will start by asking that anybody who can understand me teach me anything else they know!

[Yeah, he seems pretty pleased with that idea. He repeats the message again in Vietnamese, albeit a little paraphrased. And for those who don't understand him... He holds up a paper and a pencil so they're clearly visible on camera. He taps the pencil against the paper to signify that he is totally ready for pictionary if he needs to be. This can only end in awful misinterpretations all around.]

Comments

[forgetbeam]

[Well, he can recognize the sound of his own name at least. He stares at the screen for a moment before kind of mirroring the wave.]

Can you understand me?

[mustlovedogs]

[Yeah, no, he just looks super confused.]

What's that? You're not making sense.

[forgetbeam]

[Well, that answers that. Sounds like Mondo was lucky enough to stick with Japanese, at least... not that it does either of them any good right now.

He holds the paper up again and taps it insistently before pointing to the screen.]

[mustlovedogs]

Huh?

Oh, like charades?

[He gets up to go get some paper and a pencil, returning with both in hand a few minutes later.]

[forgetbeam]

[What the heck is that giant kanji in the middle supposed to- OH. Okay, they must be stick figures. He's... pretty sure, anyway...

He squints a little at the screen, trying to decipher it. Okay, so the left one has a hat? ...Wait, no, it's got to be Mondo's hair. Maybe? The right one has spiky hair, so that must be...]



Kuwata?

[MONDO DID YOU KILL HIM TOO...]

[mustlovedogs]

....

[You see this? This is an actual facepalm happening.

He points to the drawing of himself first.]

Oowada.

[And then to the drawing of Ishimaru.]

Ishimaru.

[forgetbeam]

Oh! I see now!

[Yeah, it's obvious now that Mondo points it out. He feels a little embarrassed about that. Okay, give him a few minutes to whip up a masterpiece.]



[He hopes his little offering is good enough... Man, what if it's not?]

[mustlovedogs]

[He grins and gives a thumbs up, he sure hopes they're still bros.]



Yeah! We're still good, right?

[forgetbeam]

...! So... things are really alright...?

[Don't mind him, he's just kind of. Really relieved. He still feels really awful for not being strong enough to help Mondo keep his promise, and for what might have happened to Chihiro after he wasn't able to help out anymore, but... He's just glad this means things are okay.

Time to smudge the next picture with manly tears.]



[ISHIMARU THAT'S probably NOT WHAT THE TOWER LOOKS LIKE AT ALL.]

[mustlovedogs]

Uhh...that a...temple or-

oh!

[forgetbeam]

[3... The library, really? HE LOOKS REALLY PROUD because Mondo must be studying something. The only question is what?]



[Hey, maybe there are books on language in the library, now that he thinks about it...]

[mustlovedogs]

[He just laughs and shakes his head. Really, brother? Really? Zoku don't read!!!]

[forgetbeam]

[...Yeah, that doesn't really surprise him. But he hoped, okay.

Ishimaru neatly piles his papers together and holds them sideways, almost like a book, then points to himself. If Mondo's not going to take advantage of all the knowledge in the library then it's up to him to do it instead. His end of the feed cuts out.

HE'S COMIN'.]

[mustlovedogs]

[He takes that to mean he should wait there, so he does, and starts on another drawing. It looks like things were okay and all, but, he wants to be sure. And apologise. So Ishimaru may find Mondo hunched over

this drawing, sticking his tongue out a bit and biting it. So concentrated on this masterpiece.]

[forgetbeam]

[Aah, Ishimaru can recognize and appreciate a look of concentration like that. Maybe Mondo chose to read something after all. Or... no, looks like he's drawing something.

He peers over his shoulder, trying to work out this jumbled stick figure mess.]

What are you...?

[Oh... Wait, he thinks he knows. What an awful thing to draw, after everything's been confirmed to be okay. It is okay, isn't it?! Maybe it's not. He rubs his throat a little self-consciously; that pain isn't one he's going to forget anytime soon.]

[mustlovedogs]

[He catches that neck rubbing and frowns, looking quite obviously concerned.]

No, see, I'm saying sorry!

[Oh, right, he won't understand that. So, Mondo gets to his feet and places a hand on Ishimaru's shoulder.]

Sorry...

[forgetbeam]

[At least this time that hand doesn't have claws digging into his flesh or anything. This is really frustrating, though... He wants to apologize for causing that whole mess in the first place.]

Brother, I... If I had only listened to you, then...!!

[What good is it now if he can't understand? He doesn't even know where to begin drawing something that looks like an apology. That's way too abstract a concept for him.]

I know you can't understand me... but...

[He pats Mondo's shoulder, just like Naegi did for him before.]

I am very sorry.

[mustlovedogs]

[Yeah, right now isn't a good time to be talking about this, and he knows it, but since he's been avoiding talking to Ishimaru until now because of it...he has to do it now.

He doesn't really catch any of that, based on his expression and tone, he probably feels about the same?]

Aah, well, don't worry about it, we can talk about stuff when you can talk Japanese again.

Just hope you get what I'm trying to say.

Y'know - sorry.

[forgetbeam]

[...He still doesn't blame him.

For now Ishimaru goes through the papers in his hand and pulls out the one from earlier, as though to reaffirm the fact that they're brothers no matter what. He's not really used to the whole gift giving thing, but this is a good place to start, right?]

Please, accept this!

[mustlovedogs]

Huh? Oh, right, yeah, brothers and all that!

[Mondo only has to flip his paper over to find his drawing of them being bros, holding it up as well - and making sure to point it out since half his drawings are on the same page.]

[forgetbeam]

[Wow, seeing all of those... really elaborate and skillful creations on one page is kind of too much scribbly chaos to handle. But what's with responding like that... Is it a trade, then?

He turns away so he can make use of the counter top and draw on the opposite side of the page he's holding.]



[He points to the gift box, then flips the paper over and holds it out to Mondo.]

[mustlovedogs]

...

[Oh boy, he gets to keep it? Then he has to give something in return! He returns to the desk as well, taking out a new piece of paper.

After a few moments he offers a new drawing.]

[forgetbeam]

I can really have this...?

[Oh man.

Oh man this is way better than those scribbles from earlier. All that effort put in just for this! He doesn't want to crinkle it or anything before he can get to his room (actually, he is a little put off that one of his own papers has a slightly bent corner he didn't notice earlier, but anyway). So...

He searches the shelves for the first book he can find that's big enough to tuck the paper into to keep it safe. It looks like the book's in English too, so he can even give it a look once this whole mess blows over. Or he relearns English. Whichever comes first.

"Thank you" is another thing he's not sure how to draw, but he's got this. Okay. THUMBS UP, BRO.]

[mustlovedogs]

[He grins and gives the most enthusiastic thumbs up right back. His brother's learning...! They grow up so fast.]

Hey, yeah! You got it!

[forgetbeam]

[He is SUPER PROUD OF HIMSELF for picking up on the whole secret code of thumbs up. Now he just needs to figure out what a thumbs down means. One day...

For now he turns his attention back to the shelves with a look of renewed determination!]

Now, then... There should be something on language in here!

[Uh... how to get that point across... He points to his mouth, then to the shelves. Something like that?]