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

[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...?]

[Four months, and one of those was completely spent in a literal hell for him where he was isolated for the most part. Oh yeah, he definitely had plenty of time to do that much.

Actually, he had. There's a reason he had yet another Fool Social Link, after all. But would he tell Adachi that, and all the other bonds, was the reason they were in this situation right now?]

It's the truth.

[... Well, he isn't lying ~~he just hasn't told the most protective bros ever~~. Really, how dumb would he have to be to say that with a gun pointed at his face?]

The truth, huh?

[The truth didn’t matter to him back in Inaba. It didn’t matter to anyone, save Narukami and the rest of those kids. If that bastard didn’t care about the truth then, what makes Narukami think Adachi will care about it now?

His laughter is both chilling and cruel. He’d apologize---who are we kidding, no he wouldn’t---but he really can’t help it. This is just too much.

You are bluffing. And Adachi’s calling bullshit.]

Nice try, Narukami. Y'know, you talk some pretty big talk. But c'mon. Do you seriously think that’s gonna be enough to save you?

[There’s a very slight twitch in his wrist as Adachi’s trigger finger starts to curl.

To his credit, he’s not even aiming directly at Yu, not anymore, but at the empty space just next to him. It’s a bluff to call another bluff.

A warning shot, meant to try and loosen him up. To see what else he feels like sharing.

And, oh yeah, to fuck with him, too.

Let’s see your precious truth save you now, Narukami.

BANG.]

[He had a feeling, but he had to try. There is no bluffing, so when he's laughed at, his right hand twitches--almost like something's just barely there, like he wants to press it to his forehead yet is resisting the temptation. It's almost ironic, really. Adachi wanted the truth from him, yet he practically just spat in his face when he offered it. Honestly, how can someone not... laugh...

Adachi probably wasn't expecting it, and to be honest... neither was Narukami. The expression on his face when the initial shock dissipated.

Did he seriously just shoot to the side of his head?

...ha.... ha ha...

Yu. Yu, no. Don't-

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...!!

His sanity slips, just for a moment as he laughs. Really, it's almost sad how NORMAL this is compared to... to... Ah, but Adachi doesn't know that, does he? Yu smirks, eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. Really, he had tried to not lose it in front of him--the person he detests the most--but this was just. too. much.]

I don't need words to save me. ['Not this time.'] How pitiful...

[Oh, the nostalgia. Just... let him bask in it for a second as he just smiles at the older of the two before the sign of insanity disappears entirely and it returns to its normal, emotionless facade. After all, that was a good laugh. Let some of the madness out before it consumed him and affected his cognitive processes even more.]

You should have taken my deal, Adachi-san.

[Weren't expecting that, were you? He'll start off small, just to be nice. Because see where his his right hand--oh, when did that grasp hold of your gun? Who even knows~ After all...

There are worse things than a threat of death in this god-forsaken tower.

He clenches it tight, fury burning in his eyes.]

Put it down before this escalates further.

[Last. Chance.]

[Of all the reactions that pull of the trigger could have---and should have---netted Adachi, this is by far the most unexpected.

Narukami always was a difficult kid to read. Always keeping cool in the face of danger. But this... Narukami's never snapped like this.

Even Adachi's unnerved.]

What the hell's gotten into---?

[That's about as much as he has time to say before Narukami's invaded his personal space, his hand on the gun. Adachi's first instinct is to pull it back, but damn. This brat's stronger than he looks.

Shit.]

Are you stupid or something?!

[If he wanted to, he could pull the trigger right now. And with Narukami this close, there's no way that he'd miss...]

Edited 2012-07-08 17:51 (UTC)

[There is little to truly say about his level of sanity. After all, he'd always been so good at hiding his emotions or the state of his mental well-being. In fact, that's probably what scares him the most; how they're both just so good at hiding what should be obvious. The main difference?

... He isn't about to make the same mistakes.]

There are greater horrors and causes of "death" in this tower than being shot.

[Yu pushes the gun gently to the side, down and away from himself. He doesn't really care about personal space that much, now. He'd warned him, and even if Adachi wanted to shoot... would it really do a thing? After all, that is a pretty strong grip.

Yet he loosens it, and something in his gaze seems to soften. After all, now he knew what it was like...]

I got my own taste of despair and emptiness. That's more than you need to know.

[Care to test your luck further?]

[He could. He very well could and Narukami knows it.

For not long after Yu loosens his grip, Adachi's able to wrest the gun out of his hand in a sudden jerk. It finds itself aimed straight at the brat's forehead. If Adachi were to shoot him, now would be a pretty damn good time to pull that trigger.

Magatsu-Izanagi snarls at him. He's tempting Adachi. Urging him to just give in and shoot. Just do it.

Do it.

But he doesn't.

Instead, Adachi's fingers dive back into his hair and he hangs on tight, struggling to drown out the roar in the back of his head. Shit. Keep it together, now...]

Forget what I asked you before. About keeping your cool.

[Hell, Adachi's still struggling to keep his, even after he's lowered the gun to his side. Deep breaths.]

Forget all of this.

[He gestures between Narukami and himself with the gun before letting it drop once more.]

Just... Just keep your mouth shut and stay the fuck away from me. Got it?

[Yu looks rather unimpressed at his actions. Sure. Continue pointing it at him like you still have a shred of control of this situation. That will spare a single piece of your dignity when he can simply kick your face in if he wanted to.

The only thing is, he doesn't. He pities the damned fool, because no matter what he does, he is as good as dead in this tower. If he slips up once more, there will be plenty of Persona team leaders ready to protect their own and everyone else should he be taken down at any point. Hell, it doesn't even have to be because of Adachi. They're all prepared to risk it all to stop the threats that arise.

That was the meaning of meeting in the first place...

Izanagi-no-Okami begins to whisper in the back of his head, trying to calm him further... Always in that same, commanding tone.

Do not allow thy emotions to rule thine actions.

He doesn't.

Instead, he sighs, shaking his head. Really, all of this could have been avoided had Adachi simply listened. It's something Narukami is beginning to realize is nearly impossible for the man who served as his foil in Izanami's little game.]

Sorry. Been a long month, you know?

[Oddly enough, it almost sounds sincere. Almost, except there's a bit of outrage still there in his voice. How dare he try to ask that sort of thing from him after what happened. Because they both know well enough...

I can't, even if I wanted to.

But he could give him some space. ...For now.]

This tower rarely permits that luxury. Even if I tried, it won't allow it. [After all... it's a small world.]

Tch.

[Narukami may as well have not even offered an apology; Adachi's unwilling to hear it or accept it. There's a lot he still has yet to accept, really. He still has much to learn.

The gun's been put away, but his head's still pounding. He's gotta get out of there before it gets any worse. So that's exactly what he'll do.]

Then try harder.

[He pushes past Narukami, marching up the stairs instead of down. Suddenly he doesn't have much of an appetite anymore.]

[He watches him go, not really stopping him. Even if he wanted to, he knew how it would end. Part of him suspected that his uncle's old friend was beginning to see that, too.

The World picks up the sword at his feet, fastening its sheath on his belt once more. He'll still be headed downstairs, but it won't be just to the kitchen...

No. Now there are others to speak with in private.]

[Adachi's footsteps continue up the stairs, growing quieter and quieter until eventually he can't even be heard.

> You have survived an unexpected reunion with Tohru Adachi...

> ...?!

> A mysterious voice rings in your head...

Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Lust Arcana...

> You have established the Tohru Adachi Social Link!

...God help you, Narukami.]

Edited 2012-07-08 19:34 (UTC)

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

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