towerofanimus | on the hunt

[It is not a sound plan. "What if one caught you from behind?" It was one of the reasons they always fought in at least groups of two: to watch each others' backs. That was when he noticed another of their team joining them, and he couldn't help but smile faintly yet feel the guilt of them being here as well.

This entire situation is growing out of hand.

He spares a nod to Yukiko, turning his attention on Ken. Another Persona-user, one that had to use something like a gun to summon theirs... He had to wonder why that was and if there were others like him. That, and why it had made sense for the guy to go alone in a place like this.]

I don't question your ability, but going alone? [It spells disaster for him, so excuse him. He'll just debate with Ken while his team watches their backs.]

[Nice try Ken, but Kanji took this time to get behind you (NOT THAT WAY OKAY TAKE YOUR MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTER) and by the time you turn around to bolt and flee, there is a six feet tall, super imposing guy that doesn't seem too happy about the situation. Thankfully the Shadows seem to be small fry and he's letting Rokuten Maoh just punch things, while he looks at him with his chair up on his elbow. He's talked with Chidori, so now that Ken's used it, the gun makes sense (in a what the hell way) but damn, KIDS? At that age?!]

You're a real dumbass, you know? Going out alone and trying to play the big-shot hero, that gets you killed. I don't know how you ended up with a Persona at your age and I ain't judging, but you don't rush anywhere alone if you're gonna stay safe. Go with some backup, kid.

[It's not like Kanji has had similar experiences, okay.]

Now you wanna explain to us why you also need a gun to use a Persona?

[ Annnd here comes his leader, having been well aware Ken would try something like this, Evoker in hand and pistol in the other as he kills whatever Shadows are in his path.

Really, guys? Jeez, who are all these people... he slowly tries to nudge his way towards Ken, but Kanji is in his way. WHY IS HE SO SHORT SOB. ]

... He has back up.

[ His look is kind of icy. What are you doing to his teammate? Have a boy with blue hair wearing a long black coat and blue scarf staring you down. ]

What's going on here?

[ Ken he'll talk to you later for running off without them 8| ]

[Yu was approaching Kanji and Ken, Izanagi right behind him and keeping the Shadows off his user when he spies a familiar head of blue hair. Minato-? No, the Minato he met wouldn't have that tone. Was this who his roommate had meant-?

He stops in front of Kanji, giving him a nod as Izanagi vanishes.]

We crossed paths and saw him fighting alone. I take it he's a friend of yours?

[His look may be a little cold, but there is a flicker of concern. Yet he doesn't say much else on that subject. He's far more concerned about how the others will react.]

[ Well, he's definitely concerned for Ken. That was dumb. ]

He's a friend and teammate. Chidori told me there were other Persona users here, but I hadn't expected you guys not to be SEES.

[ He's not sure how to feel about this, to be honest. If anything ends up sneaking up behind him, though, he's keeping his Evoker handy. ]

... Ken-kun can handle himself fine, though he should have waited a bit for the rest of us. ... Seeing you guys cornering him like that will give someone the wrong impression, though.

[Which is why they had stayed around, since they'd been primarily a search and rescue team half the time they'd known each other.]

You mean like my roommate.

[It was just to confirm an assumption, nothing more and nothing less. He doesn't know what to make of this situation any more than the other, so this conversation is extremely guarded to begin with. Yet he nods in agreement.]

It's dangerous to go alone, which is why we stayed with him. I will admit our team can get a little gung ho when we see someone's outnumbered.

[Yes, yes he is looking at his tall friend especially at that remark.] Sorry if we gave the wrong impression. I'm Yu Narukami.

[Do you guys recognise this feeling? Maybe, maybe not, but it's the feeling of a Matarukaja spell cast over everyone.

The cause of that spell? A Minato with the SEES armband walking in with Cu Chulainn, his evoker in one hand and his sword in the other.

He already glanced around at the situation, taking in who's here and who he knows. Ken surprised him, as do Yu, but he shove his surprise aside for battle.]

...What's going on?

[ His roommate. ... Did he mean that version of him in SEES? He's not particularly joyful over thinking about it, to be frank. His expression is set in a small, but barely noticeable, frown. His voice, however, is neutral. ]

... Oh. The leader of SEES.

[ Gung ho might be an understatement, but regardless, he will be trying to keep Ken close anyway because like hell he trusts you people. He's just as guarded. ]

Minato Arisato. I lead a group of Persona users called Strega. ... I have a feeling you already knew that, though.

[ Because his counterpart can't keep his damn mouth shut. ]

To answer your friend's question, we need our Evokers to summon our Persona. I don't understand why you don't, actually. I haven't encountered anything like that before.

[ Sounds like another group of idiots too fortunate to understand what they have. But for now, he won't say anything. Not yet. ]

[Yes, he pretty much did, though he won't acknowledge much of it other than a curt nod. To be honest, he hadn't been aware of other Persona users being here this entire time. There's a subtle frown as well, but if one was going to live with another for who knew how long, then why not try and open up some? It worked with his uncle and niece...

Yet there's that barrier, and he won't blame the other Minato for not trusting them. There's a reason why he's standing so close to Kanji as well. Out of all of them present, he's the only one who can take a Hama without fear of being one-hit killed should this turn ugly (which he hopes it doesn't). Another nod, this time due to addressing a fellow leader.]

I was spared some details.

[Yu sighs, unsure about this Minato even more now. Though, he did share some information. It would only be fair to share some as well.]

I'm the leader of this group of Persona users, the Investigation Team. As for why we don't, you can thank a goddess for "inviting" us to take part in a sort of cosmic game of cat and mouse.

[Oh, he knows all too well what power he possesses- how it brought forth so many bonds, saved others, yet also stirred so many into madness. He's already heard it all from the horse's mouth, so to speak.]

[ Mmm, there is some coldness in the air here. Distance. Minato had to be this way; it was up to him to keep his team safe, after all, and when it came down to it, as friendly as he should want to be, appearance was more important.

... He has a feeling these guys don't know about Port Island, much. ]

I'll be frank: we don't get along with SEES. This is neutral ground, though, so it would wise if we didn't go around fighting amongst ourselves, especially when there's more of us than we'd originally expected.

[ Which just leaves the question... ]

Your Personas--you can control them, all of you, can't you? You don't have any side-effects or residual problems when or after you summon, by days, or anything?

[ He's watching the others, and he wants to say 'no', but it's hard to tell from battling alone. In his mind, he shifts to Thanatos from Samael, knowing well aware that if it comes to it, Thanatos would let him take any hit better than his other Persona. It would be unwise of him to let his guard down in this situation. ]

[Like the world's best watchdog, Kanji's face is nearly emotionless as he listens to the leaders talk to each other.

Nearly because...wow those two guys kinda remind him of Naoto a bit and he unconsciously turns pink for a few seconds. They don't look to b--

No no he should not be thinking about that. Sees? Strega? He'll figure that shit out later. Instead, he concentrates on just standing near Yu for now. He figures their leader can answer for them.]

[It is the same with Yu, who quietly shifts from Izanagi to his Ultimate, transfigured self. It leaves him vulnerable to some attacks, but it's his best bet other than Lucifer and he wasn't truly confident enough in his controls since the collar color change.

... Sudden feeling SEES and Strega don't know much about the Midnight Channel or Inaba.]

Hm? [Side-effects? He pauses a moment, studying his expression for a moment before shaking his head.] Only exhaustion that fades after a night's rest. We've never lost control- [He stops himself, frowning. Shifting to Izanagi-no-Okami reminded him of what happened shortly after his collar was changed to orange.] ...Except for that week when our collar colors changed.

[He sighs.] We aren't looking to fight other Persona-users. Though, that never stopped misunderstandings.

[ ... He can't help the judgement he might be giving them. ]

... So you got off lucky. Well, you're not lapdogs for the Kirijo group, so I really don't care what you guys do as long as you don't do anything to my team.

[ So hopefully they have an understanding. Doesn't mean he has to like you guys, though, because you're lucky jerks with no repercussions from having a Persona. Mostly. Except for Izanami being Izanami. ]

As for Ken-kun, he probably knows better than to just run ahead of us, so thanks for helping him out, but don't single him out next time just because of his age.

[ It might look irresponsible from the other team's angle, to be letting a kid fight, but Minato knows enough by now and has seen him in action. He'd proved himself to him, too, so he's not going to just tell Ken off, really. He'd earned his spot. ]

[Deal with it, because at least they weren't complete and utter unwitting pawns of another being. His gaze doesn't change at all from the cool-neutral stare.]

The feeling is mutual.

[Because he'd already "lost" them once before. He'd rather not live through that nightmare again if he can help it. However, he can't help but feel as though he were being condescended upon just now...]

Hm, we know better than to judge by appearance. [Like the scary-looking guy beside him? One big, destructive teddy bear (ha ha).] It wasn't his age that stopped all of us.

[ You totally were, bro. It's kind of an icy stand off at this point. He's really just not the type to let his walls down, especially not around people he doesn't know. ]

... Well, he shouldn't have been alone. I can agree with that much.

[ It's a good thing he's mostly nocturnal to begin with and has sleeping problems, or he probably wouldn't have even known.

One of the mutated shadows begins sneaking away from the others and he summons Thanatos to easily dispatch of whatever gets around them with a Mabufudyne and a quiet uttering of the Persona's name. Mudo or Hama skills would be too hit and miss, and it's been itching to be let out of his head for awhile now. The Persona itself was highly dangerous and unruly, so it was important he stayed calm and collected at all times.

When that's over and done with, he just sighs, lowering his Evoker and then pointing it toward a wall. Click. Empty, see? ]

If you had knocked his Evoker away, you would have left him defenseless. I'm glad you all didn't manage to, but... I have to say, if you were in our position, it might be a little tiring to have people panic on you over something trivial constantly.

[ Welcome to a little thing called "Strega treats death like the weather forecast", Yu. ]

[Yu's the type to reach out, both in the physical and emotional sense--part of it may be his own nature, but another part may just be because of the spark of power within him. He doesn't know, and he doesn't really care. What he does care about is showing that he is of equal standing, and not just some lucky brat who holds a power he can't understand.

He's silently grateful they can come to some sort of silent understanding, however- and he can't help but watch as Thanatos dispatches of the not-quite Shadows, then the Evoker being fired at a wall.]

It may be trivial to you, but in the eyes of others it may look like attempted suicide.

[Seriously, why did it have to be the shape of a gun? He frowns, but wants to say nothing further after- Another broke off from the rest, and his gaze falls upon it before murmuring the name "Izanagi-no-Okami" and allow him to dispatch them with Megidolaon.]

We've seen enough death and close calls as it is.

[ He honestly always hits a snag when conversations turn to... well, life and death in particular. From the time he was small to the time he escaped the experimental facility, he and the others had been taught they had not long to live at all, either way. Be it because of one thing or another, they came to view death as inevitable and something to embrace, like an old friend. It was a light in a dark world, a release from suffering.

But it also meant they could not get attached, which would be... unwise.

And then, there was here. He isn't sure how to feel, but he supposes he ought to add: ]

... I admit that Ken is a child and has a promising future away from the rest of us, but I'll say that I don't quite understand why it is that it bothers you so much. Everything that lives dies. Some of us die sooner than others. Death is absolutely nothing someone should fear.

If he did choose that path, it might not be right, but it's still his choice. It's not fair to take that freedom of choice away from others, close call or not. Though I would want him to make that choice knowing full well it may get better.

...Even when we inevitably die, other people would still be affected because of their bonds.

[Cu Chulainn disappear, going back within him as he mentally switch to another Persona. The Irish hero's weakness to darkness is fatal, so he don't want to brave the risk any more than he need to.

Bang.

Out comes Parvati, gracefully casting an ice spell at the monsters. Not just that, but her presence helps his state of mind. Just a little.]

Still, it would still be ultimately up to the individual. For the better or worse, everyone they know would deal with it.

[That's what becomes of those who try to speak to him about any subject like it makes no difference. Everyone dies, everyone becoming Shadows... Either one he can't help but pity because while he'd been shut off before coming to Inaba, he learned the joy of living.

Live for your friends, fight to protect them, but be prepared to sacrifice it all for their sakes. He'd been ready on numerous occasions, but it just hadn't been his time. Loneliness wasn't something he could live with- was a reason that, if things hadn't turned out the way they had, he would pity Adachi-san for giving upon life.

he glances at Minato-san - his roommate, that is - and nods in agreement.]

Death itself isn't what bothers me. It's giving up when there's more time left to spend with others that I do mind. [...They had so much in common, yet were polar opposites. It was almost funny, really.]

... Time?

[ Oh. Oh, hahahaha, that's funny. Sorry, he can't help the cryptic smile he's throwing you, Yu, which is his answer to all of those statements, both from the other Minato and to Yu. ]

If more people embraced death instead of fearing it, we wouldn't be spending the 'time' we had afraid of losing those people, or mourning them, or tearing ourselves apart at the seams because we lost them.

[ It was odd, really. To see someone so alike him, and yet... so different. Very different. For obvious reasons. He takes the time to aim past Yu, shooting a small monster of some sort repeatedly with his pistol. ]

Some people's lives have to be cut short for the good of others, as well. Here is an interesting question, let me gauge how you all will answer it: is killing bad at all times? You seem like someone who'd feel strongly about that.

[ He doesn't particularly phrase it as 'murder'. Only as killing. He doesn't need to be specific. ... You could learn a lot about a group of people from how they'd answer this sort of thing, after all. ]

[His eyes narrow at the smile, if only slightly. It's really the first time he's shown much emotion since either Minato had arrived. All those words hit far, far too close to home. The fear of losing, of nearly falling apart because of it...

There's a bad taste in his mouth, one he only used to get in facing those they thought were the culprits, but to hear that question--it sends him reeling mentally, though it only really shows in his eyes. How close they'd been to lowering themselves to the same level as Adachi, how they had narrowly dodged the slippery slope and stopped themselves from tossing an innocent man into the TV world... Yu's fists clench tight.

Minato was right- he does feel strongly about it. So much so that he switches Personas to Tzitzimitl, both because of immunity to darkness, and an attempt to calm himself.]

...I'd rather avoid it at all cost and learn the truth than act on emotion and instinct. [It's like being faced by his own demons again, and he hates it - he remembers seeing Namatame's petrified gaze as they debated what they'd do with him, just how close he was to throwing him in himself before the realization hit him...] Every life is precious, and I'd be lowering myself to another person's level if I ever contemplated taking someone else's!

[Deep breath...] We all have a limited amount of time, so why not use it to live to the fullest for those who can't? [...He is so close to hitting this Minato, it isn't even funny.]

[Yukiko had been focused on battling the shadows but as her fight had brought her within earshot of the conversation, she caught snippets of the conversation. And the question that the stranger had asked Yu, in following everything he'd said before, coupled with Yu's reaction, was enough to trigger something in her, that part of her that reacted before thinking, that allowed her anger to take over if only for a short moment.

As a result, she stalks over and attempts to whack Minato with her fan]

[ She's barely paying attention to the two Minatos talking and Yu while trying to balance out the fight with the shadows.

Chie is able to notice that. Yes there is two Minatos. One is being an asshole... and OMG YUKIKO IS ABOUT TO SLAP ONE? ]

Hey! Don't talk to Yu like that, jerk!

Edited 2012-03-25 10:10 (UTC)

[ Ow. The fan hits, because he makes no attempt to dodge it, and sighs.

Why are you hitting him, girl? For a moment, his mind thinks of Chidori. But, no, it's not her, it's some random girl. A member of this guy's team, probably.

Rubbing his head and just casually acting like that didn't happen... though he does give Yukiko a glance, because there could have been fifty different better ways to be introduced, but whatever. ]

... I see. That's an interesting look in your eyes, Narukami-san. Seems like you've been through a lot.

[ Is he... amused? Yeah, he's definitely amused. ]

It's... a little self-righteous, though. Because this place is going to put you in that position many, many times. You might want to rethink what survival means to you--all of you, in that case. Your Persona isn't going to get you out of every situation when they can just disable it. ... Just some advice.

[ To Chie, he just offers a blink, before replying. He'll talk however the hell he wants, thank you very much. ]

... You make it sound like I'm doing something wrong. I'm just offering a little advice. Do you want this place to tear you apart? I'd get used to the idea of dying and experiments if you don't.

[ Guys, it's not fair how come Yukiko got to slap him and she didn't? She sort of stood there in an angered stance, looking as if she's ready to pounce and kick Minato at any second ]

Some advice you're offering, it sounds a lot more like you're taunting him!

on the hunt

what about my undercover name, kid? :| (holy hellfire, guuuuys XD)

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Alright, Leaders + Kanji time from here on while the others continue fighting elsewhere?

Yes. Let's do that.

At least we agree on one thing. :|

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... It's a start?

...That it is.

It could be worse. Minato's not, say, trying to kill him. Yet.

Kanji interuption, he'll be glaring after this.

... /switches Personas just to be safe, pats Kanji

... lmao Kanji

best human bulldozer best underclassmen

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... I just want to point out the entire IT is free to respond to this question, btw.

...and then we all relive December, wheeeeeee.

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i guess we can tag now?? /JOINING IN ANYWAY HI GUYS

HAHAHAKDSJH. /FIXES THIS WHOOPS. I am so lame.

can i tag again??? okay here i go

go right ahead /shakefist

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/leaves. BD

>:( yeh scram

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noooo one is replying so, i will tag!

I passed out, ok. 8|

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slkdjfd I sleep and this is what happens.