005 | ❝Come back for the hope that you've stolen...❞

[pitiedthefool]

Characters: Yu and you it will never get old
Setting: Starting in the morning of the return from Infighting on the dorm's second floor, wandering later on
Format: Your choice
Summary: Birthdays were had in Hell, so he decided to celebrate by flooding the dorms with origami cranes and do several other things.
Warnings: I sense a few New World Fools...

Yu wasn't one to say when he was hurting, nor was he the kind of person to simply ignore when others were either. It was hell, the last month... and according to the notes he'd received from Naoya and Zo the main portion of the tower hadn't fared well, either. So for remainder of the first day, all he did was continue making paper cranes in his shared dorm room. If anyone asked, he probably was too absorbed in how calming it was to respond much...

Floor One
After dropping off the little paper figurines at the doors of the other Persona users and his friends, Yu found himself wandering down to the cafeteria. He hadn't eaten much of anything for the last month and barely stomached whatever Ken and the others had brought him from the table, so finding all of these ingredients in the cafeteria?

It was like he was finally back in his element after what felt like an eternity.

The teen soon lost himself in the scents and mundane actions that come from cooking, probably making extra on purpose for anyone who wanted to try something that wasn't guaranteed to poison them. After all, he does know his way with a knife and a stove... even if it was a pain figuring out Fahrenheit-to-Celcius every now and then.

Floor Five
Yu tried to avoid this floor as much as he possibly could for reasons only a select few fully understood. He always ignored the red-collar workers as they went about their jobs, doing what they always did. Yet the sensation he had when coming here...

For once, he could recognize it. That emptiness and the suffocating feeling as though death were clawing up his legs again, trying to drag him down into the pits of hell. The crushing void within his heart to the point where he could almost hear their screams as death claimed them all over and over again.

He almost fell to his knees once or twice, taking hold of something before he could. A rail, someone's arm... he didn't know. All he knew was he wanted out of here before the despair that nearly claimed the spark of hope that still resided in his heart returned once more.

Floor Fourteen
Over the several months Yu'd been here, the media room had become a place of solace where he would meet with his friends and bond. Whether it was over music or video games didn't matter. He just enjoyed the time he spent with them.

This time, however, he was looking for someone in particular... someone he couldn't find at the "wrap-up party" last weekend. After a while of waiting, he sat down and began playing a little game again. Maybe they just decided not to come today...

Floor Twenty-Two
For some reason this week, Yu had begun to frequent the art gallery much more often than he normally did. After all, it seemed to be a place where a certain goddess kept finding him... and all it did sometimes was show him his fears. Oddly enough when he looked at the paintings now, it wasn't mostly his own world he was looking at...

It was of a surgeon cutting open a patient who remained awake, abominations and many grotesque creatures oozing out of the person's abdomen. Yet he didn't flinch, didn't so much as make any acknowledgement of what it was he saw. All he did was keep walking and enjoying the silence all the while hoping someone would soon break it.

Night, Your Floor of Choice
Cooking wasn't the only thing that was cathartic for the teen. No, there had also been a reason he had tried making a weapon for himself only to find a new friend giving him one instead. It had been a month, and his skills were a little rough around the edges, but he'd decided that it wouldn't hurt to stay out until around midnight and fight once the monsters came out.

If you're lucky, someone might even hear a single word being muttered before the sensation of electricity remaining stagnant in the air became more poignant: "Persona."

[ooc note: For Purse Owners Yu's met and seen their Personas, there is an origami figurine of them in their rooms somewhere (more than likely just at the door unless you're his roommate). For close CR, there's an animal other than a crane for them of their choosing. He was in a giving mood. :c

ALSO! If you'd be so kind as to also state the day of the week in the comment as well, it would be greatly appreciated! You can also have your characters wander into him on accident on either lounge floors. It gets old saying "Yu sit here, wat do?" after a while... |3]

Comments

[pitiedthefool]

I had help, just like before. [Their voices reaching out, seeing others suffer as well... it had been enough.] Even with the despair and emptiness, I could still see the pain everyone else was going through. I couldn't let them suffer alone, or become blinded by their own misery.

[From the feel of it, the familiar hum of power coming from his heart, it is likely quite clear that it is not just Izanami who is infuriated. He's glancing back down at his tea for a brief moment, but when he looks up... the faint echo of someone's mask, as cracked as it may seem, briefly imprints over him.]

All it takes is a gentle push.

[Yu blinks, and the presence is gone... for now. Huh. Weird.]

[thousandcurses]

[--Ah. Yes. There's her husband, and she can't help but smirk.]

Indeed, that is all it takes.

[She'll take a sip of tea and then looks Yu in the eye.]

What you did was attempt mercy, Narukami. How is that not remaining true to yourself? Or are you one who would willingly let someone suffer? You cannot predict the future, but you can try your best to do what you can.

[Don't make her smack you.]

[pitiedthefool]

[Izanagi, you old fox. Sneaking up to say but one sentence while his soul was in inner turmoil. He won't deny it is strange, looking someone who is both the mother of all life in Nippon and death straight in the eye, but he doesn't tear his gaze away. Maybe it's that spark, or maybe it's just a renewed determination to not fall prey to their games again, but he knew one thing:]

You may be right, but in my heart... there's no excusing murder. Especially after saving Namatame from what the others wanted to do.

[Despite his words, he does smile even faintly. This time it's less of a ghost than before.]

Besides... if there's two things I've learned from this, it's that it's possible to affect the ones in charge... and even in midst the lowest points, hope still exists.

[They can strip him of his power, his life, and knock him down as much as they want... but the light isn't giving out on him yet. It had been in despair, of nearly dying by her hand, that he found the strength for one miracle... and it was in the midst of that hell where he found his own inner strength outside of the power of Persona.

If he can? He will be seconding that Curse with Truths. Izanagi would want to 'smack' them for what they did to him and the others just as much as she does.]

[thousandcurses]

[Ah. There he is. There's the Narukami she knows. And she can't help but smile.]

You need to rest, Narukami. But first... I would like to speak to my husband.

[She would prefer alone, without even Narukami hearing. She needs to confirm a few things with him. But she won't be picky right now.]

[pitiedthefool]

...I will soon enough.

[Probably a lot sooner, considering someone's little request. The card appeared in front of his face without even needing to hold out his hand, like someone was waiting to be called upon. Yu reaches out and crushes it like glass...

Izanagi-no-Okami appears behind him,still standing tall, even though a part of his mask has cracked to show his lower jaw. A Persona form always is reflective of the user's soul, and while he was indeed hurting - oh, does it show - he is still whole.

He nods faintly.] Izanami. It hast been quite some time.

[thousandcurses]

[She stands and walks around the table, reaching up to gently touch the crack. Concerning, and there is a gentleness to it.]

...You're hurt.

[Though she does acknowledge that it's been awhile. It is good to see him again.]

[pitiedthefool]

[He is still, lowering his head as she touches the crack. He even cups her hand over it, allowing her to see the faintest hint of a smile beyond it.]

It is naught but a missing piece of a mask.

[It is indeed good to be reunited, even if it is at the cost of the child's remaining energy for the day.]

[thousandcurses]

[She remains like that, refusing to move her hand. She can see the faint smile, and she can imagine his face so clearly.]

It must still hurt.

[There is a question in her eyes, though. Not about him. How near to his breaking point did Yu come? Because this is... A bad sign.]

[pitiedthefool]

This pain is little compared to what was endured for his rebellion.

[He does not mind one bit, red eyes closing if only briefly as he thinks on that silent answer. When they open, it is obvious.

I can see it in his memories alone... He had fallen to his knees before the Magician and Fortune called for him.

Izanagi looks down to the child whose head now rests on the table, tea cup brushed to the side.]

The child hast performed remarkably for one his age, even in mine own absence for a time...

[thousandcurses]

[That is very bad indeed. Still, it's good to hear it's not as bad as it could be. She finally removes her hand, looking down at Yu.]

He has. You chose well.

[pitiedthefool]

[It could have been much worse had he not stood once more.. That much was certain.]

I could say the same of thou, my dear... for giving him the push he needed.

[it was almost obvious why another manifestation of himself made itself take root in one who was the same, yet the polar opposite. ...His form begins to flicker; the child's focus is draining.]

[thousandcurses]

[She takes note and looks back down to Yu. He must be so tired.]

...We should speak again once he has rested better.

[She'll miss you, husband. Until they speak again. But for now... Yu needs sleep.]

[pitiedthefool]

[Izanagi nods, placing a hand on her shoulder. He will be missing her as well.]

Knowing him, he shall be returning here and to the gallery often.

[Was that a hint for where they'd likely be? Either way, his mask seems to fave first before the rest of him, giving Izanami a reassuring smile. Both will be fine, given time... granted no one stirs the dark fury within him.

Yu is quiet as he slumbers... sorry, Izanami. He tried.]

[thousandcurses]

[She nods, her heart warming at the momentary glimpse of her husbands face before she turns her attention to Narukami. Hrm. He can't just sleep here... She sighs a bit, smiling before carefully lifting him, situating him to carrying him princess (or bridal) style to his room, where she lies him down and carefully tucks him in to make sure he is comfortable. Best mom?]

[pitiedthefool]

[Why not? He slept on the family room floor once or twice back home- no, we are kidding. He's silent most of the way up to the dorms, his head unconsciously resting upon her shoulder all the while. It isn't until the halfway point before he mutters one thing in his sleep:]

Don't... give up...

[It's almost inaudible, but the pain is there. It isn't even only his, anymore... but a combination of all those connected to him through the World.

What he dreams of when the best mom goddess tucks him in... is trying to comfort those who were still hurting and lost in their anxiety.]

[evokingfool]

[Izanami may hear soft footsteps coming over, or even feel someone's presence approaching. One of Yu's room mates in this dorm room. Someone with the Wild Card power dwelling deep within his soul.

He's standing there, looking at Izanami and then at Yu. His eyes shifted back over to her.]

Thank you for bringing him back.

[Minato can hear his Personas reacting to her, especially Mot of the Death Arcana, whose voice he can hear whispering in his mind.

[thousandcurses]

[Izanami will nod before fully turning to Minato. She can sense this Wild Card, yes, and it's quite interesting. As well as... Something else...]

He would have been vulnerable in the cafeteria. You are one of his friends, correct?

[evokingfool]

["Something else", of course. The slumbering, sealed Death inside of him.

He nods.] Yes. I'm also his dorm mate here.

[thousandcurses]

[And of course she'd take note of it, given her own status.]

Then it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Izanami.

[evokingfool]

[Izanami, the Japanese goddess of death and co-creator in Japanese mythology. Suzaku and Mot stirs within his soul.]

It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Izanami. My name is Minato Arisato.

[thousandcurses]

[Correct. However, she seems momentarily surprised--as if she's heard his name. It's only a flicker, though, before she is back to her regular demeanor.]

Will you be so kind as to make sure he rests well?

[evokingfool]

[He wonders if he imagine that reaction. Izanami heard of him before? Hm.

He won't ask that, right now.]

I will. I'll keep an eye on him and make sure Yu recovers.