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

Entry tags:

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

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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He probably doesn't like the look in his eyes, either. However, he is otherwise calm.]

I know. [What he knows, however... that he leaves to interpretation. There is nothing but animosity and the sick taste of the bile he'd upchucked during the second week coming to mind at just the thought of looking back where Adachi is glancing. In the back of his mind, he's almost daring himself to say it:

'What you did didn't mean a thing. We stopped you and your little game. This had nothing to do with you; you just got lucky again.'

Yet his mouth remains shut. If Dojima's still in the condition Adachi hinted at, then he probably doesn't know his partner is the criminal they've tried to catch the whole time.]

Everything, but not everyone. [He won't deny it; Naoto experienced it from what he can guess, and he can't help but remember his own punishment.] No wonder she chose you for your emptiness.

[It's said offhandedly. Like it's old news, like he doesn't care... but that couldn't be farther from the truth. He takes a few steps away, closer to the center staircase and distancing himself from the sight and that now-terrifying sensation. Yet the thought of going right up to face his uncle after what he did, even if it was an attempt at mercy...]

...Let's go to the cafeteria first. Something tells me he probably hasn't had much with those injuries.

[...Was he stalling?]

Huh...?

['No wonder she chose you for your emptiness.' So not only had Narukami managed to figure out exactly who Izanami was... he was able to figure out who the true murderer was all along.

He knows Adachi was responsible for their deaths.

Shit. Shit. Adachi grows pale at the realization. How the hell did he find out? From Izanami? Had Shirogane figured it out? Who else knows? Who else has he told? Who else will he tell if Adachi doesn't---]

[...No.

He won't tell anyone else. Nobody else has to find out, not if Adachi has anything to say about it. But what can he do...?

Before he can even think of anything, Narukami's already given him an opening. The cafeteria? Well, he can't exactly do anything there. But they've got a few flights of stairs to travel down...

And anything could happen in that time.]

...Yeah. [He's not confirming Narukami's observation, though he's not doing a thing to deny it right now. Instead, he nods his head at the brat's suggestion.] All right. Let's go.

[Someone never changes...

Yu glances back over his shoulder briefly, ignoring the stomach-churning sight of a destroyed Inaba to look Adachi in the eyes before making his way for the stairs.

This is all assuming he hadn't told anyone about a certain incident, that he didn't have other friends who would know what happened. That he wouldn't just come right back again the next day. Believe him, he has his bases covered even as that soft little click that follows a Persona change sounds off in his head.

Anything can happen, indeed.

In traditional Narukami style, he says nothing; only nods in agreement and continues moving. Your move.]

Edited 2012-07-04 03:21 (UTC)

[Fan-fucking-tastic.

He takes his hand off Narukami's shoulder and allows him to lead the way to the stairs. But unlike the rest of those stupid teenagers Narukami wastes time with, Adachi's not so much a fan of Follow the Leader.

Cat and Mouse, though? He can get behind.

On the topic of soft little clicks... Narukami may very well hear one coming from right behind him before he can even push off the first step.

Someone's got a gun.

Adachi hasn't thought this through. This isn't a good idea. A move like this is impulsive, risky, and just plain stupid. But he can improvise. That's what he always does.]

...I wanna ask you something.

Edited 2012-07-04 04:00 (UTC)

[The only question is... Who is the cat, and who is the mouse? Because they both come in silver and dark brown.

A chill goes down his spine, a sickening little click that sounded just too familiar and the sensation of the hair on the back of his neck standing on end nearly causing him to shudder instead of freezing in place. He glances behind him the best he can without turning his head, trying to get a clear look of Adachi's face to no avail.

'Keep him talking.'

There is little sign of fear otherwise. He knows what will happen if someone pulls that trigger, and it won't be a pleasant sight for either of them.]

What is it?

['And did you even need to use a gun?' Because your improvising strategy sucks.]

How is it that you're always able to keep your cool under pressure?

[Well, as cool as he can save that almost-shudder that didn't escape Adachi's notice. He smirks.]

What's your secret, Narukami?

[More importantly...]

What other secrets are you hiding in there, huh?

[He straightens up his arm, aiming straight at the back of his head for emphasis.]

Edited 2012-07-04 23:02 (UTC)

[Adachi can't see it, but there is a frown crossing his lips. Considering he had a hole of another sort in his head not too long ago, he.... Nope, even after processing the situation, he just can't seem to do it.

He wanted to know? Well, it's quite simple if you think about it. Even when he can practically feel the barrel against his skull, his voice is calm.]

There are worse things then having a gun pointed at you.

[Especially here, when normal people would just come back the next day. Not to mention the shit they've all gone through the previous month alone.]

You're going to need to be more specific than that, Adachi.

Edited 2012-07-05 01:30 (UTC)

Am I really?

[Can't be helped, he supposes. Brats will be brats.]

What exactly did she tell you about me?

[Oh, no. Was that really all he wanted to know? Well, sorry to say but:]

Not much, really. [Oh hey, was this tone familiar?] We only talked three times back home, and even then... you and Namatame were only mentioned once... when I asked if she was the one who gave us the power.

[Don't believe him? He'll even quote her.]

"Don't you remember? I met you here when you first came to town, and did the same thing as what I did to those two. I greeted you, that's all."

[A faint smirk crosses his lips.] It was December for you, right? Well... it was March for me.

[March?!]

...That's all she said?

[Because if so, that still doesn't explain how the hell he got caught. How Narukami and his gang of misfits were able to apprehend him, if what Yuko said is to be believed...]

[March.]

That's all. Aside from what our roles were in her little game to try and understand humanity.

[Ask, and maybe he'll tell you. After all, he's been generous so far, hasn't decided to turn around and kick someone's ass again... He's a lot more powerful then when they first fought, so it shouldn't be too much of a challenge...

Come on, Adachi. The answer is, quite literally, in front of you.]

[The answer may be right in front of him, but it's a little difficult to see through the thick red haze that's starting to cloud his vision. Adachi's starting to get a little pissed off.]

...That doesn't explain anything.

Edited 2012-07-05 06:06 (UTC)

[No wonder Magatsu Izanagi is the red to Yu's blue... well, was blue. Now it's just white, gold, and a tad bit cracked in the mask. Yu keeps the inward sigh to himself, but does offer one thing:]

You want to know how I know, right?

[It wasn't a hard guess.]

Put down the gun and let me face you. I'll tell you everything you want to know.

[A simple trade, really... and Adachi would be the winner of said trade regardless. That way, someone wouldn't end up having to embarrassing himself further.]

[Surprise, surprise. Adachi doesn't put the gun down. Though after a moment's consideration...]

Drop the sword.

[You think that katana in your hands has gone unnoticed this whole time?]

Then we'll talk.

[Adachi's the man with the gun. He's the one who should be naming conditions.]

[Yu sighs. Really, he was afraid someone would get sliced to pieces, knowing his character and after he admitted to being worried for Namatame? Talk about slow. Regardless, he does raise a hand in the air before bending down, placing the katana gently onto the stairs. To anyone else, this would likely look like suicide.

But they weren't "anyone else."]

[That was easier than expected.]

Now turn around. Slowly.

[And when you do turn around, Narukami, you'll find that Adachi still has yet to put the gun down.

He really is an asshole, isn't he.]

[Yu stands, keeping both hands up now that they were free. It was an easy act to play to, all very simple. The glare is completely natural as he does indeed see that the gun hasn't been lowered. Alice is giggling again, and Lucifer couldn't be anything more than smug at the sight.

For a brief second, something may be flickering across his face... anger? spite? Either way, he tilts his head to the side ever so slightly.]

'How pitiful.'

Edited 2012-07-05 07:02 (UTC)

[Not only does that condescending look bother Adachi, but Magatsu Izanagi seems to coil up instinctively in response. It's enough of a violent twinge that the man has to place a hand to the side of his head to keep his focus.]

I think I'll hang onto this, if it's all the same to you.

Edited 2012-07-05 07:14 (UTC)

[And for good reason. After all, there had been a reason Yu offered the deal in the first place. They could have spoken as equals and no violence would occur. However that reaction, the hand on the side of his head... he knew it well.

That was worrying enough. Something wanted out, didn't it.]

Calm down. [For once, he's actually giving somewhat-friendly advice. Because he knows what it's like to have them coil and fight and push and kick and scream and want out so bad it hurts.

He doesn't say anything else, though... waiting for the first question or the trigger.]

I'm perfectly calm.

[It's said passively enough, which makes his next outburst all the more jarring.]

So don't tell me what to do!

[His fingers entrench themselves in his hair, the gun still aimed right at Narukami.

Something does want out, but Adachi's got the situation under control. Soon enough, he'll have everything under control, so long as Narukami just tells him everything he knows.

There's a very warning look in Adachi's eyes.

Talk to him, Narukami. Talk.]

[Yu sighs. Well, you can't blame a guy for trying. He doesn't even have to glance down because he kind of already is, what with their height differences. Still, the look in his eyes was just... pity. This entire thing was pitiful, whether he was angry and something wanted to smack this asshole through a few floors or not.]

I'm not.

['I'm trying to help, you fool.'

Yu sighs, and just like that... the emotion was gone.]

It was December. We'd been going over the facts again, and after looking at it? There was only one thing that stuck out aside from Namatame's testimony: The warning letters you sent. Everyone else was clueless, but the wording... it didn't match with what even his Shadow had to say. "dont rescue" "kill"... that wasn't Namatame's style.

[They weren't playing games, either here or back in Inaba.]

I was going to confront you alone, but things didn't go the way I wanted, either.

[We know. He figured it out on his own. Things falling into place, yet?]

So it was all you, then. Just you.

[Just Yu. If anyone, Adachi would have expected it to be Shirogane. But if Narukami came to that conclusion in December, then that means Adachi may not have had much time left to begin with. And if a solo confrontation didn't go in his favor, then...]

You know. And they know. Shirogane and the rest of them.

[A beat.]

Who else?

[He says nothing to that, because he wouldn't have figured it out if Naoto hadn't listed all the factors in the first place. If they hadn't taken a step back like another friend had advised and looked at the case again as a whole. No one else but Dojima had realized that everything didn't add up when all of the suspicion was pointed to Namatame, after all. Yet they all seemed one step behind.

The part of him that's still broken wants to laugh, to spit in Adachi's face and just grin at the thought. Because no, it isn't just his team that knows. Isn't just Izanami, either. Yet he refrains, allowing his own small level of insanity to flicker out and perish.

Because he won't break again, especially not in front of him.]

No one who'd start anything unless you pull the trigger, first.

[He isn't selling out the other leaders, even when facing down the barrel of a gun. Because he's already been through this...]

[Could Narukami be bluffing?

The brat has had four months more in this place. In eight months, Narukami and his original team was apparently able to uncover a murderer in the face of three deaths and even more kidnappings.

In half that time, what would he have been able to accomplish here...?]

Is that supposed to be a threat, kid?

[Or a challenge...?]

no subject

[1/2]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject