18:00

51 : Argumentative

Paper had to say, he was surprised he wasn't hearing any thunder. The sky was clouded with dark gray, without a smidge of blue in sight. If it had been any other season, he would've thought it was hail with how hard it was hitting the roof.

Of course, being made of paper, the simple sound unnerved him. And maybe that meant that OJ had some sense, or maybe that a bit of paranoia was good in this situation.

"Listen, I get that you want to check the lab as soon as possible, but it's pouring outside." Paper reasoned, looking at the glass doors of the hotel.

OJ sighed, looking out the doors as well. "I know, but we had everyone ready. The weather was perfectly fine yesterday.. this has to die down in a matter of hours."

"It won't though." Paper said. "The weather forecast said this'll go on until tonight, and that's only for the mainland. We don't know how long it'll take to pass over the island."

OJ groaned. As much as he hated to admit it, Paper had a point. "I get that. I get that... it's just that we have to go there at some point, right?"

"Yeah, but now's not that point." Paper responded.

OJ nodded reluctantly, a frustrated expression crossing over his face. As he continued to look out at the crashing rain, he thought to himself. "...Listen, it's just rain. Nothing that'll stop us, right? She wouldn't be expecting us to come while it's pouring like this either, her guard would be down."

"OJ." Paper stated in the firmest voice he could muster.

"What?" He said. "You're not coming with us, if that's what you're afraid of. You agreed to watch over Taco."

"Well- I-" Paper folded his hands together, a clear bit of agitation coming over him as well. "What about your juice? We haven't been able to take trips to the store as freely, what about that?"

"Corks and umbrellas, Paper." OJ answered. "I get your hesitance, but if we wait any longer, anything could happen. I don't want to risk any more than I have."

Paper huffed, his body tensing up ever so slightly. "OJ, think for a second. You realize how dangerous of an idea simply going to the lab already was, right? Why would it ever be a good idea to do it in the rain?"

"Because she won't expect it!" OJ exclaimed, raising his voice a notch. "And what better time than now to help people escape a literal torture chamber than now?"

"They'll be fine. They're strong, OJ." Paper assured him. "They've survived this long, they can wait until the weather changes."

"No, they can't!" OJ shouted. "If we don't go today, anything could happen! Everything that happens there is on a whim, anything could happen at any amount of time. We can't wait longer, we-"

He paused. He had barely realized how loud his voice had gotten, with his shouting loud enough for the entire hotel to hear. Paper seemed rather threatened by this, his eyes wide.

"...I'm sorry." OJ mumbled. He looked down. "I just don't know how much longer I can wait."

"It's... it's fine." Paper sighed. "I think all of us are a bit freaked out by this. Just... think about what you do please."

"I'm sorry, what?" Another voice asked from the side. OJ turned around, glancing towards the source of the sound. Taco stood in the doorway, an almost intrigued look in her eyes. "You're not planning on going to the clearing in this weather, are you?"

"Not anymore." OJ huffed. Paper seemed a bit relieved that the decision had been made, but a tinge of guilt rested on his face as well. "Actually- what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be involved with this."