Second Arcana: The Reunion

[sukeban]

Characters: The Investigation Team, but poke me if you feel like tagging in.
Setting: The general area of dorm 2-15
Format: Probably brackets.
Summary: After everyone checks in, Yuko takes time out to check on everyone in person.
Warnings: Yuko pretending to be Yu's Shadow and all it implies.

It was a rare moment that Yuko had to herself in this room, but when she did, she took full advantage. Now that everyone was accounted for, she was able to relax, at least as much as being in the Tower permitted. She changed into a pale yellow nightgown, slipped on her headphones, and lay back in bed, gazing up at the ceiling, except for occasional intervals when she'd stare longingly into a photograph from back home.

She left the door open a crack so she'd know if anyone stopped by, but after an hour of music pumping into her ears and with her eyelids beginning to grow heavy, it had slipped her mind since then.

Comments

[detecting]

[Time to find out the details.

Knock, knock, Yuko.]

Senpai?

[sukeban]

[Fortunately, she's just aware enough of her surroundings at the moment that the knock jars her to attention. She sets her headphones aside and quickly hides the picture under her pillow, then sits up straight to greet Naoto.]

Door's open.

[detecting]

[Once she had told Naoto what room she was staying in, the detective knew what to expect. She's seen this several times in the tower -- the same person, but a different sex and gender.

The sound of Yuko's voice is a bit off putting. It was feminine, yes, but somehow still managed to sound incredibly familiar. She still sounded like senpai, despite the difference in pitch and timbre.

After a moment she pushes the door open, hesitating when she sees that Yuko's still in her nightgown.

OH GOSH NAOTO DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THIS. WAS THIS SOMETHING GIRLS DID WITH EACH OTHER? WAS IT SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO BE HERE WHILE SHE WAS LOUNGING AROUND IN HER NIGHTGOWN??? ]

Ah, m-my apologies. Would you like me to wait outside or...?

[sukeban]

[Yuko maintains her composure much more easily. It was just Naoto, so it was no big deal. Hell, they'd seen each other naked at the hot springs. Besides, the nightgown was at least fairly conservative.]

It's alright. It's not like having a guy in here or anything.

[...However, a thought crosses her mind: how would she be able to tell?]

...I mean, it isn't, is it? Obviously can't be too sure about that here.

[detecting]

[This is different and she's still kind of getting used to this whole doing girl things with other girls ok.

But at that she can't help but smile, laughing lightly as she walks in closes the door behind her.]

No, it isn't.

[sukeban]

[She'll get her to do all the girl things with her. Just you wait.

At that, she lets out a sigh of relief, smiling right back.]

I'm glad. It's definitely good to see you again. I just hope this isn't too awkward for you. I've met Yu already, so I can kinda guess.

[detecting]

[It's a little awkward, but her reasons are likely much different than Yuko's. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was a girl, but everything to do with the fact that Naoto was and she was unaccustomed to socializing with other girls quite like this.

It's not Yu, Yuko. It's her. Really. Naoto and her social awkwardness.

She shakes her head.]

I believe it will take some getting used to, but I would hesitate to call this awkward by any means. After all, you're still you, senpai.

[princeofjunes]

[Yosuke hadn't exactly been seeking anyone out - after the last month he'd actually been trying to avoid them - but when he stumbled upon Kanji in the tower, something inside of him made him approach his fellow teammate. He's not sure what he expects - the two of them are friends certainly, but they've never been too close - but for some reason, Kanji is the one he's chosen to confide in. Maybe it's the fact that he views him as a pillar of strength, or maybe it's just temporary insanity. It doesn't really matter why]

[What matters is he finds himself talking about the last few days as they wander down the hallway of the second floor dorms]

And I don't even know what to think. Of all the people from home to be here, I never expected... Saki-senpai...

[get_bent]

[Pillar of strength, huh...hey wait what do you mean temporar insanity? If Kanji only knew. He does...this strange look on his face like at first as he's not a hundred percent sure of what Yosuke means until...he very quickly realizes Saki was one of the two murder victims.

Yosuke had been close to her, right? He could only imagine how that could feel...powerless to do anything...but now a second chance to do things over...]

How is she taking it?

[Because dude, this tower ain't exactly the best place for THEM let alone someone like Saki.]

Don't worry, senpai. The minute someone look at her funny we'll be punching the lights out of 'em.

[Ahh yes. Violence. The solution to all of life's problems, at least with the tower involved. So much for trying to become more like yourself, huh Kanji? This place did bring out more of his darker side, as much as he hated to admit it.]

1 more round before Yuko intervention!

[princeofjunes]

[As much as he's been having his own struggles with retaining his humanity and not harming or killing people, he can't help the smile that comes to his face when Kanji talks about punching people out. Maybe sometimes it is that simple - if he wants to keep her safe, then focus on protecting her however he can, and sort out the feelings and all that other stuff later]

[Maybe talking to Kanji was a good idea after all. Shit, maybe he can trust him with the other thing on his mind]

She's taking it about as well as you'd expect, but I wish I could say she's the only thing on my mind.

Partner's... been acting kind of weird. [Nevermind that he's been trying to avoid him, Kanji doesn't need to know that] Did you see that message he sent out over the network? He asked me to meet with him in a girls' room.

[get_bent]

She's not?

[He's kinda surprised, until Yosuke makes it known what exactly's on his mind and he can only nod, knowing that something's about that been's bothering him too. He scratches his head, trying to think of a reason why Yu would want them to meet in a girl's room of all places.]

Maybe senpai just wants to meet there 'cause he's got a secret that can't be said in his normal room?

[That...almost makes sense? Who would expect a bunch of guys in the girl's rooms? Besides does Yu even make sense half the time? ]

[sukeban]

[As they walk along, they may notice that the room in question is just in front of them, the door open in anticipation of their arrival. Yuko herself, however, doesn't hear them coming over the music, so they'll have to enter on their own.]

[princeofjunes]

[He shakes his head, still believing that Yu does things with at least a slight amount of logic]

If location was the issue, there are a dozen places he could pick. Why some random girl's room?

[He finds himself stopping in front of the door, staring at it hesitantly before looking over at Kanji]

I don't know... he said privately, but the whole thing feels weird. You mind having my back on this one?

[get_bent]

[He nods, grinning.]

If it is a trap, they ain't gonna be expecting me with you, senpai!

[AND YOUR QUIET INDOOR VOICE--woops. Regardless, Kanji follows his lead, being able to see past Yosuke's hair when the door's gap is widened.]

[sukeban]

[Okay, THAT she heard. She practically leaps from the bed, diving for her trunk. This wasn't like with Naoto - she wasn't decent enough for a boy to be in here, so she scrambled for her jacket to put on over the nightgown.]

Shit- One sec, I'll be right there, Kanji-kun!

[princeofjunes]

[That gets him to raise an eyebrow, and take a hesitant step backwards, looking over to Kanji as he tries to speak in a hushed tone]

Okay, that was definitely a girl's voice. Who was it? If they know you're name it's someone you know, right?

A DAY OR TWO LATER...

[princeofjunes]

[He can't exactly say he's feeling better, but he knows he needs to bite the bullet sooner or later]

[So, Yosuke bravely walks across the hall and knocks on the door]

[sukeban]

[After a few seconds, Yuko opens the door, actually dressed this time around. She starts giving the usual greeting, but pauses and looks down when she sees who's at the door. She's not sure what to say after last time; had she realized Saki was here on top of everything, she'd never have taken things anywhere near where she had.]

Ah, Yosuke-kun... I wasn't expecting you so soon.

[princeofjunes]

Yeah, well...

[He can't bring himself to look her in the eyes, instead opting for somewhere around her neck. What he does see looks good but he tries not to focus on it]

You asked to talk privately, and... well, I left you waiting this long.

[sukeban]

I, um, I did, didn't I?

Truth be told, I don't remember what it was I wanted to say. After that mess last time... I still feel like a total heel over that...

[That part was true, at least. She remembered exactly what she wanted to say, though; it was just that with Saki here, telling him would only complicate things. She wasn't even sure before she learned that whether he'd be able to handle it.]

Do you wanna come in? There's not much here, but at least we can sit.

[princeofjunes]

[In truth he doesn't want to come in, or do anything - he still wants to be alone and try and sort things out, but he finds himself nodding]

Yeah... that's fine.

[sukeban]

C'mon, then. No one else is here, just us.

[She leads him in, taking a seat on her own bed. There are three others he could sit on himself, but she left room next to herself all the same, on the off chance he'd take it.]

[princeofjunes]

[He follows her in a little mechanically, eyes still trained on the ground as he sits next to her without even thinking about it - it's just a reflex and he doesn't seem to notice. After a few moments he finally manages to look at her eye level]

So... it was Yuko, right?

[sukeban]

Mm, it was. Partner's fine too, if that's not too weird. It's been a while since you called me that, anyway, so you can call me whatever you want.

[She's not quite able to meet his gaze, but she forms a slight smirk that he's this close to her. More important than that, though...]

Is Saki holding up alright?

[princeofjunes]

[He winces a little visibly at the mention of her name - it's funny how some scars you think are healed are really just waiting for that one in a billion chance to open up again]

She's doing as well as you'd expect. It's not like this tower is kind to any of us, and at least we can defend ourselves.

She doesn't even have... well... you know.

[Yep, this is awkward]