002 | Vega and Altair

[nemophila]

Characters: Jun Kurosu and anyone!
Setting: Floor 32, during the Day, and Floor 11 at Night.
Format: Starting in prose, but I can do whatever.
Summary: It's around the time of the Tanabata Festival, and come rain or shine, Jun would find some way to celebrate.
Warnings: Probably spoilers for Persona 2: Innocent Sin, and gratuitous paper burning.


[Daytime, Floor 32]

Despite all the crap going on, Jun was able to at least figure out what the date was. Tanabata had always been his favorite holiday-- even despite all of the issues and problems that had arisen from that day all those years ago, it was still the first day he had ever met his friends. And plus, this place could probably use a little pick-me-up.

He'd been able to gather up some paper (though colors were limited) and pens, but unfortunately there wasn't really any bamboo around the Tower as far as he'd seen. So, instead he had to make do with the normal trees in the forest. He'd settled himself under one of the trees on the Thirty-Second floor, a few paper strips with writing on them already hung up on some high up branches, along with a few strings of paper cranes and streamers for decoration.

At the moment, he was sitting on one of the roots, working on folding another crane to add to another string.


[Nighttime, Floor 11]

Hours after night had fallen, Jun had made his way down to the Eleventh Floor. Admittedly waiting so long and having to fight through the more.... active monsters, hadn't been his best planning, but at least he had made it. And he had an armful of tree branches and paper decorations, while still leaving a good amount on the tree on Floor 32.

He seated himself by the lake, next to a stream that would eventually fall off the edge of the tower. His expression was much more somber, now that night had fallen. Every now and then, he'd summon Suzaku above him, hold out a streamer, or a crane, or one of the strips, and Suzaku would light it on fire with an Agi spell-- with a rather large blast of fire, but a fire nonetheless. Once the paper was sufficiently ablaze, Suzaku would disperse, and he'd toss the paper onto the water. Most of the time the flame would burn out before it got very far, but sometimes it would flicker long enough to make it over the edge of the river.

Jun kept watching the decorations flow regardless, spacing out as he watched them go. Technically he should've been doing this after a few days for the end of the festival, but well-- he wasn't really sure he wouldn't be busy with more misfortune in a day or two.

Comments

Floor 32

[errandwings]

The paper strips catch Aphrodi's eye when he walks past and he comes a little closer to see who it is that's hanging up the decorations. He recognises the festival it's for and is genuinely a little surprised that someone would be celebrating it, with all that's happened recently.

Aphrodi is a little surprised to see that the person working on it is alone certainly isn't going to let someone celebrate it on their own so he walks up to Jun and kneels down next to him.

"Would you like any help?"

[nemophila]

Jun looked up in surprise; sue his location was perfectly public, but he didn't expect to find anyone that was willing to help.

"Oh-- sure! If you want." Admittedly the idea of wanting to create something as grand as the festival back home was a bit intimidating, but damn if he wasn't going for it even without help.

He picked up some of the paper and held it out to the other. "I'm just making some decorations for now, but feel free to make whatever you please, and write your wish if you want."

[errandwings]

"Thank you." He takes the paper and settles down next to Jun. He doesn't actually have anything that he particularly wants to wish for since part of his job is to make those wishes happen so long as they were small enough for someone of his rank (or at least, it was before the Tower. He's not so sure now).

He writes down the general wish for the health for everyone he knows and good luck in the future before putting it to one side and starting to make the paper cranes.

"How long have you been doing this?" Aphrodi asks, wanting to start light conversation since he's not too keen on silence, especially in company.

[nemophila]

"If you mean just this year, for a while," He said, holding up a completed crane as he pulled the wind's taught so it could stand on its own. "I just got back here earlier this week, so I haven't been able to make many decorations yet."

He was smiling, though he wasn't particularly interested in idle chit chat normally. Normally there wasn't exactly anyone for him to idlely talk to, so small chat was... still at hing he was getting used to. Though it helped that he was half distracted with picking up another piece of paper and beginning to fold.

"But I've been celebrating Tanabata itself for as long as I can remember. Though I didn't usually help with setting up the festivals."

Floor 11

[lilies_jail]

[Eriko was wandering about the Tower when Michael decided to tell her that there was another Persona user nearby. Naoya had told her about other Persona users being present in the tower, so this was hardly a surprise. He seemed a bit different from any of the other Persona users she met - aside from Maki. There seemed to be a bit of a resemblance to Maki, but... what was it? In any case, Eriko decided to approach the young man and introduce herself.]

Using a Persona for make-shift fireworks - I have to say, I never thought of utilizing Agi for that purpose. I think it's rather ingenious.

[Eriko politely bows]

How do you do this evening? I'm Eriko Kirishima, though you may call me Elly. What's your name?

[nemophila]

[Suzaku was kind enough to alert him to Elly's presence before he could be taken by surprise, but then there's always a bit of an element of surprise when meeting another Persona-user. He was at least glad that she was ale to sense them too, because boy is it awkward with the ones that can't sense others.]

Thanks..! I didn't know if I could find any matches, so it seemed liked the next best thing. [He summoned Suzaku to light up the paper in his hand and tossed it into the water, freeing up his hand to offer up to Elly as a handshake.]

Jun Kurosu. Nice to meet you.

[lilies_jail]

Kurosu... that name sounds familiar, somehow.

[Somebody in show business? Perhaps - it had been a while since Eriko had paid attention to the media, and thinks nothing more of it.]

You've created quite a beautiful sight - I'm a bit envious, really. In any case, I'm surprised to see that your Persona is the Southern Guardian of China - Suzaku, one of the Four Heavenly Beasts, is that correct?

[Elly evokes her own Persona, Michael]

This is my "other self", Michael.

[nemophila]

Hm...? Oh--!

[Oh right his mom was in show business or something. The next part he says pretty neutrally.] You must have heard of my mother, Junko Kurosu. She's a famous actress.

[It's the Persona talk that broadens his smile again. He stood up from the riverside, and gave a small bow bow in thanks and affirmation to Eriko and greeting to Michael.] You flatter me, really...! I should be the one that's impressed; Michael is the highest of the Archangels.

Though, it would be wrong to say that Suzaku is the truest projection of myself... [A small wave of his hand, and he summoned a different Persona; this time Chronos.] This would be he-- Chronos.

[beknightedheroine]

<sub>[It's been a week since they got back today, and Sayaka is tired, tired of people breaking to pieces around her, tired of pushing stomach-churning thoughts about home out of her head, and definitely tired of climbing stairs. Not that she would go out and tell anyone, but...

It's nice just getting out for a minute, to at least fool herself with somewhere that had actual grass to tromp around on. Like she'd chance the meadow for a moment alone, often as people sought the place out - and a place where she couldn't pick up twinges of all the magic practically seething in the tower's residents was also a pro.

Sitting down in one place to wait for her worries to flow out her ears was something she already knew didn't work, so Sayaka used her forced recuperation walk to precariously peer over quite a few of the edges of the island, prod fearlessly at cool-looking plants (hey, what's getting anything like poison ivy to HER?) and stumble onto Jun's makeshift celebration.

..the significance doesn't click for her, at first - it's just too out of place. She puzzles quietly over what he's done to the tree from afar, though making no overtures as to stealth - it's hard to hide a blue-haired girl in a school girl outfit in the midst of a forest, anyway.]</sub>

[nemophila]

[For a while, he doesn't notice her, too wrapped up in finishing the crane he was folding. When he did, he added it to the string, and judged it an appropriate enough length-- so he stood up and hung it up on one of the branches.

It was when he stood up that Jun noticed Sayaka watching from afar. And at first, he just kind of looks nervous, wondering why she was watching. Was he doing something odd? (Well yes he was, but this seemed perfectly normal to his standards).

After a moment of simply watching her back however, he glances around at his own little set-up under the tree, picks up one of the small paper strips, and cautiously ventures over to Sayaka, holding it and a pen out to her. The tired expression on her face was obvious after looking long enough.]

Here... You look like you need it.

i just woke up so this tag turned silly

[beknightedheroine]

_{[It's the offer of the paper and pen that turns this from a mystery into a solved puzzle worth 10 picarats. Sayaka accepts both with a nearly robotic movement, then sits down on a conveniently sit-on-able part of the scenery* to maybe set up about writing something - though mostly accomplishes feeling uncomfortable over the thought of writing a wish.]}

...This is all for Tanabata, huh? Th-that's pretty cool...

_{[The last time she did this feels far away and unreal - like a dream she's nearly forgotten completely. She can't even remember what she wrote then. When it comes to wishes, after all, the first thing that always comes to mind is the one she's already had granted.]}

...

_{[Even the thought of writing 'I want to go home' gives her painful pause. For one, how many peoples' wishes would say the same thing? A bunch of little slips of paper unified to that one wish - it just reminds her of how bad a place this really is. For the other.. if she went home, what would happen? She's been carefully dancing around that thought for a while now, and Sayaka artfully shuts it back down. She doesn't need to think about it. There's still enemies here she has to take care of.]}

Wait, I got it.

<sub>[..Finally, after what was basically a long time spent staring fiercely at the blank paper, she starts to write something down.]

(* a lengthy period of consideration finds that this is highly improbable to be a stump of sufficient quality to comfortably find purchase on it as a seat, unless some intrepid soul had chosen to practice their craft as a lumberjack within this particular forested area of the tower. Instead, I will offer for your imagination, say, a large and somewhat mossy rock.)</sub>

its not that silly tyvm

[nodeviations]

For some time, Jay had taken a break from his typical schedule- training, monster fighting, and bombing the network with nonsense -to keep an eye on one of his...charges, he supposed. Sayaka's request was sort of a weight on his shoulders, and he wanted to make double sure he was doing the right thing. Plus, he needed more information- stuff he wouldn't enjoy asking of her. Why did she want to help Jin? And was her intention really as straightforward as she portrayed it?

However, he hadn't expected to follow her this far and for this long. He was down to just his eres stones and his casual outfit, which made it easier to blend in to the forest...something he found himself painfully glad for, when he spotted the decorations. Somewhere in his trunk was his folded-up wish from the festival back home, which just made the display in front of him feel like a slap to the face. It was too familiar, and too hard to look at. But Jay the Unseen didn't flinch from his duty. He couldn't. But he was human- he couldn't just ignore...

No, he wasn't going to have that mental debate. Not in the middle of a job. Eventually, he found a middle ground- crouching within the cover of a low-hanging tree, and watching Sayaka and the other stranger.

A coinflip gave me Floor 32!

[death_awaits_you]

It is not at all uncommon for Ryoji to just wander around the tower, and so it shouldn't be unexpected for him to simply wander into the forest on floor 32 when Jun happens to be having his little Tanabata festivity!

Ryoji just watches the boy for a few moments, a little puzzled by what he's doing. The actions seem familiar - as if Ryoji's seen them done through someone else's eyes or in pictures, but he can't quite figure it out. So in the end, he decides to just ask.

"Hey there -- do you mind if I ask what you're doing?"

ALL HAIL THE COIN

[nemophila]

He'd be concentrating so much on the decorations, that he was almost surprised when Ryoji showed up and asked him a question.

"Oh-- I'm... making decorations for Tanabata."

Awkwardness implored him to stand up from his spot under the tree to face Ryoji properly, holding the current crane-in-progress in his hand.

"It's a festival that celebrates the reunion of Orihime and Hikoboshi-- the weaver and the herder, presented by the stars Vega and Altair. Normally you celebrate by attending festivals, and you decorate bamboo trees with paper decorations."

JOHN ADAMS DOLLAR COIN REIGNS SUPREME

[death_awaits_you]

"Oh! I've heard of that before. I just never was around to celebrate it, I guess. It sounds like such a wonderful festival, though - making wishes and decorating everything." Ryoji smiles brightly and leans forward a bit to peer more at the crane-in-progress. "I'd love to participate this year, if that's all right. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I'm a fan of the Sacagawea ones myself

[nemophila]

No time? Hm. Maybe he was a foreign transfer student?

"Of course...!" Far be it from him to tell someone they couldn't join a wish-granting celebration.

"You can make paper decorations, if you want," He said, gesturing towards the completed decorations on the tree for reference, and the pile of papers he had out to the side. "It's customary to write one's wish on a slip of paper and hang it on the tree for the gods to see, too, in hopes that they grant it."

The pen is definitely available if he wanted!

floor 11 YEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

[viditlibertas]

Stars didn't have conventional birthdays, due to a skewed view of time. It was only natural; after all, they weren't exactly "born" in a conventional sense.

Yet, in more recent times, Alcor had come to hold Tanabata close to his heart. It was the festival which he celebrated his existence- as well as that of his brothers. It was a bit of a bitter sting now, but he'd gotten past that by focusing on the here and now. Namely, creepily watching Jun the entire time he made decorations and settled in for the celebration. Yet he didn't approach until night hit and it was time to burn and float the festivities.

Saiduq knew he'd be sensed at the new distance, but he didn't speak up directly. He was still at a loss for how to talk to his charges after their exploding stunt.

YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[nemophila]

Sensed he did; when Suzaku detected the Star's presence, Jun looked away from the stream of water to confirm and smiled. "Al Suha--!"

Unlike Saiduq, Jun was feeling far less awkward about the second week fiasco. He released the current burning strip into the water, before Suzaku disappeared and he stood up, idly dusting off his clothes in the process.

"Did you want to celebrate?"

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[viditlibertas]

Of course Jun would be celebrating Tanabata, that only made logical sense with what Alcor knew of him. The question really was...should he mention the significance of the day to Saiduq himself?

He was quiet for a moment as he drew closer, standing side by side with him as he considered. Frankly, Jun was the only person he would tell, even if he had the chance to discuss it with others...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[viditlibertas]

That cemented it. He owed it to him to be honest. That didn't mean he wasn't going to make him work for it, however.

"Are you aware of the significance of this festival in ancient Chinese history? Altair and Vega once received help from more than just the magpies."

Of course, the way Saiduq said that seemed a little like he was reminiscing, not talking about a myth or story.

[nemophila]

"Hm?" The question was...well he couldn't really say it was surprising, Alcor always asked weird stuff, to be honest. But it was...interesting?

"You mean the Qixi Festival?" Yes, he knew what that was, though he didn't know the celebrations as well as he did Tanabata. Only the stories and a few customs. "I know in the Qixi story, the cowherd and the weaver girl were separated because the cowherd was only a mortal. The weaver girl was taken back to Heaven and he tried to follow her, but the Goddess ripped the sky to create the river and separate them. The magpies would help them see each other each year out of pity.

"Why do you ask...?" Given how much Alcor must know and who he was, there was no doubt that Jun was probably just telling him stuff he already knew.

I FINALLY DECIDED also 11

[hachitaro]

[Of course he knew what date it was. He knew the significance of it, of course. He couldn't get away from it, so he headed down towards the eleventh floor, paper strip in his pocket along with a box of matches.]

[... He paused when he saw the boy sitting near the stream, but decided to approach him anyway, smiling a little.]

Hey. Mind if I join you?

WOOOO

[nemophila]

[He'd been staring at the burning paper that was floating away-- this one had actually managed to maintain its flame as it floated, and though he heard Taro, he opted instead to watch the burning paper quietly. Once the flame had disappeared over the side of the tower, he finally turned his attention to Taro.]

Oh-- sure...! [He looked like he was spacing out a bit, but once he focus, his face carefully eased into a smile.]

[hachitaro]

That's a neat trick you've got - another person who can summon those Persona things, right?

[He pulls out his paper strip and his matches, taking a moment to light one and set the wish ('I wish she has the strength to find what's wrong and fix it') aflame. He let it go, watching it float out over towards the edge.]

[nemophila]

That's right...

[He's kind of surprised this guy knows about Persona, considering he didn't sense one from the guy himself. It didn't seem like there were any dormant Personas either... hm...]

You know about Persona? [He looked away from his new company and instead watched the paper as it floated away while he asked his question.]