Round 1

[boxingemperor]

Characters: Akihiko and You
Setting: Cafeteria
Format: whatever floats your boat
Summary: The oatmeal is disgusting. News at 11.
Warnings: None at the moment.

[Akihiko's initiation and introduction to the tower has been quite hectic. Who'd have thought he'd find himself in a strange tower like this, let alone one being destroyed by a giant whale and the monsters inside of it? The collar weirds him out too. It won't come off, and has strange tubes of liquid all around.

He's been running around like a nut, so sitting down to a good solid meal sounds right up his alley. The cafeteria is still in working order, and the smell of everyone's food has him salivating. But upon receiving his meal, he's left with disappointment.

A single bowl of oatmeal.

Well, oatmeal is full of protein, so he decides to give it a sample. Upon putting a small bite in his mouth, his face twists in horror in reaction to the taste and texture. He doesn't remember oatmeal being this disgusting before.]

Hey, I'm really not hungry for breakfast. You got anything else back there?

[Nope. He's stuck with it.

He carries the bowl to one of the tables and stares at it, poking and prodding the lumpy substance with his spoon. All of a sudden, his appetite is dead. Did they run out of everything else? But it smells like it's still being prepared. Maybe if he waits, he can obtain some.

Too bad he'll be waiting a long time.]

Comments

I should not be here >>

[fractus_animus]

[ Minato is indifferent.

He always has been.

... More than usual now, though, there's just less and less reasons for him to even try to be anything anymore. Casually, he watches Akihiko (not eating himself; he's just gotten something to drink to take his Suppressants with), his head in his hand boredly.

He used to hate SEES, in his world. He still sort of dislikes them, but... eh. Who cares. Eventually, he speaks up, but it's a bit monotone. ]

Unless you've done it already, everyone has to eat it at least once, or you can't eat anything else. So I'd get to work, or something, if I were you.

[ Not that he, you know, cares. Since, Strega, and all. ]

Why not? D:

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko looks up from his bowl at the stranger with blue hair. Who is this guy? He sounds like he could use some sleep.]

That doesn't make any sense.

Because I'm supposed to be on hiatus, but. BUT AKI. ;w;

[fractus_animus]

Doesn't matter. ... You want to test it? Be my guest. Couldn't care less what happens to you SEES idiots, anyway.

[ Seriously.

... He supposes Akihiko doesn't know about him. Probably... not his reality, it seemed. You would think there would've been hatred or immediate fighting on-sight, if it had been the Akihiko from his world. But oh well--maybe this would make Shinjiro happy.

And he certainly... doesn't HATE Shinjiro... but he's still SEES. Business or not. ]

Awww ;w; I don't mind back tags!

[boxingemperor]

Test it? Why?

[Hey, he's no idiot.

What's going to happen? That just makes the oatmeal that much more suspicious. He tries to scoop some of the thick milky glop off of the cooked oats to see if he can find something.]

[legatus]

Eat it.

[Hey guess who is passing by and just sits down, watching you like a hawk.]

If you don't, you won't be able to eat anything else here. That's how it works. They make you eat this crap first.

[boxingemperor]

Huh? Shinji?

[You are always watching like a hawk, Shinji. Akihiko doesn't mind the company, but that doesn't help make it anymore appetizing.

He'll distract them both with conversation. Yes.]

Is this some stupid initiation or something? This stuff is too sweet. And kind of slimy.

[legatus]

[It's because he secretly cares. And by secretly I mean everyone pretends that they don't know but everyone does.]

Tch. You might say that. If you like eating anything else, you'll just shove the damn thing into your mouth as fast as possible. Your body's gonna reject everything else you give it otherwise.

[Shinji on the other hand has the buttermilk pancakes on his plate. Which...considering, was rather cruel when your friend was stuck having to eat some weird slop first. However, he hasn't touched it yet, waiting for Aki to be done with his bowl. It's a subtle gesture that most might miss.]

[boxingemperor]

[Damn it, those pancakes look really good right now. He can't remember the last time he had them. They're the perfect level of sweetness, even with syrup or fruit on them.]

That doesn't make any sense.

[Still, having Shinji there kind of helps. He forces a large mouthful in. He swallows it down. His body may reject this...ugh... Okay, no it won't.]

What's the deal with this place? I feel like someone's pet or something.

[complementing]

[With all the panic from the whale attack, Minako hasn't had a chance to find out that Akihiko is here, much less eat. Heck, she's still trying to find Shinji, and the worry is starting to show on her face.

She steps into the cafeteria for a moment, with the logic that-- as the refuge floor at the moment-- he would likely be here (probably even making decent food in that way of his). Imagine her surprise when she sees Akihiko instead.

But he had been...

She approaches and sets a hand on his shoulder. Right. Same approach as last time.]

Have you talked with Aragaki-senpai yet?

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko remains focused on trying to be disciplined and forcing his first meal down when he feels a hand on his shoulder. He startles a bit, dropping the spoon as he registers the familiar voice.]

Minako-chan?

[He looks over his shoulder at Minako. Shinji had mentioned she was here, and he's glad to see her.]

Yeah, he's okay. He made it down.

[complementing]

[She visibly brightens when he recognizes her, grinning and throwing her arms around him to give him a giant hug.]

You're from my world! Oh my gosh, I'm so happy to see you, Senpai!

[Also, she's very glad to hear Shinji is okay. She'll have to look for him after she catches up with Akihiko.]

[boxingemperor]

[This reunion is just full of unexpected things! He blushes as he's hugged, but returns the gesture thoughtfully.]

I'm glad you're okay. I'm surprised we have a chance to rest with all of this going on...

[evokingfool]

[Unlike the other Minato, this one cares.

When he enters the cafeteria, his eyes notice Akihiko and the bowl. Oatmeal? Even with the chaos and disaster, this place is still making that distasteful oatmeal.

Minato watch for a moment, before speaking up.]

...Senpai?

[His tone is both questioning and subtly concerned.]

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko looks up. The voice is familiar, even though the tone is different. He doesn't look too happy.]

Did you remember to bring your gun this time?

[He frowns, setting his spoon in the bowl and resting his hand on his Evoker. It doesn't dawn on him yet that this is the other one.]

[evokingfool]

My gun?

[He sounds a little surprised by the question. Of all question, why would Akihiko ask that to him? He watch Akihiko's movements, frowning slightly.

If Akihiko knows him, his senpai would know Minato prefers his one-handed swords. The only Minato who uses a gun is the Strega leader. And since his senpai is reaching for his evoker, that means the other Minato have him on edge.

...It's mostly likely because this Akihiko knows Minako Arisato.]

I don't use a gun, only my evoker and sword. You must be referring to the other "me", senpai.

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko furrows his brow, a little confused.]

You weren't in here earlier for a drink?

[And to mock him?]

[imperialsun]

[Someone new sits in front of him, having the usual morning breakfast.]

Good morning. They only make you eat this once. You're a persona user, aren't you? Which team are you on?

[What is slowing down to leave Akihiko time to breathe. Naoya very rarely pulls out the punches, he just says things.]

[boxingemperor]

[All these PANCAKES. He'll get through this mush. Somehow.]

Uh... [Wow.] How'd you guess?

[imperialsun]

[Ahhh, so future generation user, obviously.]

All of the Users of my time can. You are in either one of the Arisato-sans or Narukami-san's group, correct?

My name is Naoya Toudou. I'm from 1996.

[servessithis]

[He fed on the reserved blood supplies in the medical wing last night, so he's good for food. He sits down at a mostly deserted table with just one person sitting at it.]

I would eat that, if I were you.

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko doesn't startle at the man's presence, even though he's a stranger. He's more engrossed with his disgusting first meal.]

Is the food scarce or something?

[servessithis]

No. It would just be a rather bad idea to skip your first meal.

[Says the vampire who only ate the slop because his friend reccommended it or get sick.]

Oh no this one isn't a purse owner oh no. Also after he's done with the oatmeal?

[worldrestored]

He had to admit, even if he didn't really have to eat normal human food anymore, Naoki still thought pancakes were some of the better things in life. The variety here was sweeter than what he'd eat in Japan, but his own sweet tooth quickly overcame it.

He'd been a lot more grumpy now that he knew the forest and the flowers had been mostly destroyed. With that, he found himself with more time. He could tell that even Cerberus and Pixie were getting restless, and promised them a longer battle tonight with the monster population to make up for it.

If Aki looked over, he would see a youth about his age, covered in strange black and green glowing tattoos, and fin on the back of his neck. A tiny fairy sat on his shoulder, and sometimes he'd bring a piece of the pancake to her. He...wasn't eating with his fork either, just grabbing and shoving it into his mouth. The Vortex World did away with most of his manners, really, and now that he was cranky it literally became a 'why bother'.

Pixie noticed Akihiko first and gave him a small wave. Nothing unusually to see here, right?

Sure!

[boxingemperor]

[It's hard not to look at a guy covered with that many tattoos. He tries not to stare, but as time progresses he finds that he's staring more at the interaction between the boy and his familiars rather than the markings. What kind of world is he from?

He does remember the pixie, though. It looks an awful lot like one of the personas Minako used to use in the spring.]

[worldrestored]

[Suddenly, Pixie full to his face.]

He he! You're new, aren't you?

[Naoki is still in his corner, but he's looking over now, his arms crossed now that he's done with his breakfast.]

That's Hitoshura! Usually he's not this cranky, but since most of the floors got destroyed, he's being super mopey about it! What's your name?