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. ]

[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.

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.

[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.

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.]

as AU!Strega, I have an obligation to pester SEES people 8U

[fractus_animus]

[ Minato pauses. Stares. Then, he sighs. Guess he'll have to make this clearer... ]

... I was referring to the fact if you don't eat this you'll throw everything else afterward up. Trust me, none of us like it, none of us know what could possibly be here or why, but it's part of the deal, and I suggest you just get it over with. Like dealing with Poisma. The cure's worse than the illness, and all that crap.

[ Really, he's being nice! ... Kind... of.

... For Strega. Nnnnnnoooot that Aki can probably tell, or anything. He doesn't wear an armband or go flashing his Evoker around, so...

Whatever. He's going to help... for now. ]

Unless, you want to die the first time in some sort of humiliating way, in which case, make sure to do so when I have a camera. I want to film what'll be the Tower's stupidest death to date--it'll be entertaining.

[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]

[Wait, Poisma? That was a spell Minako could cast, and one the enemy could use in return if they were unfortunate enough. It hurt to move and made you feel sick as a dog when it was used on you.]

How...are you a Persona user?

[Now he's not intentionally distracting himself. Who are you, dude?]

[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.

[fractus_animus]

[ Oh, Akihiko. Now you're just ASKING him to mess with you...

Well, he's been very... bored, lately, and down. It'll kill time and mess with someone from SEES (in an alternate reality), so hey, why not? He knows that Akihiko wasn't asking how he was a Persona user, but the way he spoke was just asking to be played off of. ]

... How is ANYONE a Persona user?

[ He'll be annoyingly vague, sitting at the opposite table with a "I know more than you do" sort of smirk. ]

... Sanada, right? You should probably go tell your girlfriend or something that you're here. I'm sure she'll be thrilled one of her version of SEES is here.

[boxingemperor]

[God damn it, who is this kid? He originally came off as if he didn't give a shit, now he's toying with him?]

She's not my-

[No Akihiko, that's not important.]

[fractus_animus]

[ Because he's bored? Yes. Wow way to focus on that, Aki. A+. ]

... Touchy. She reject you for Aragaki instead, or something?

[ Heh he likes messing with you SEES guys, it's fun. ]

[boxingemperor]

[Minato is pushing all the right buttons for the reactions he desires. He lightly hits the table with his fist.]

Just answer my question.

[fractus_animus]

[ Ding.

Easy as anything. Easier than ever hurting the leader of HIS SEES, his 'version' of Minako had been. This is just too simple. He raises a brow at the fist slam, as if he hadn't expected it, but he can't wipe the smile off his own face. ]

You really should get that temper issue checked out. Anger is really bad for your health, you know.

[ He's not telling you anything because he doesn't have to. ]

[boxingemperor]

[Filing you under potential enemies, yep.]

I'll find out who you are sooner or later.

[fractus_animus]

[ "Potential"? Pffft yeah right, no, he's beyond that. He's just playing nice right now because of Recent Events in his life and Minami would kill him from... wherever if he ever hurt her team (probably), so.

Yes. He just stands, shrugging. ]

No need. Name's Minato. I'm a member of Strega. ... Well, in my world, anyway. Yours is different. Point is, you'll probably do poorly here if you can't adapt quickly. Dying is inevitable, anyway. I could've shot you at least ten times by now; I've just decided not to.

Besides, I'm SUPPOSED to be in a truce or some crap.

[boxingemperor]

[No doubts about your affiliation now. He's like a different version of Takaya, but...]

I just arrived. I haven't given up yet. We'll figure this out and make the best of it.

[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.

[legatus]

[At least you weren't thinking about protein.]

Yeah...it doesn't. [He leans back on his chair, annoyed.] Tch. That's 'bout right. They say they saved us, but lock us and just experiment on us.

We can't to much, but some of us are trying to fix it. Or at least figure out what the hell this place's deal is. Especially with the whole time and alternate worlds crap...

[This is his way of giving you an opening to ask him about things, now that they have some time to talk about it.]

[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]

[He hadn't had time to read the letter left, waking up during the middle of the mess. Things are really unclear, including their 'savior's' motives.]

I'm not letting anyone experiment on me. They'll have to knock me out.

[Shinjiro appears to have a collar as well. In fact, he can't remember anyone without one since arriving here.

Another bite. It get a little easier to tolerate once your palette's already been initiated.]

I want to help. We don't belong here.

[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...

[legatus]

Yeah we don't but...[He looks down a bit. How do you tell your best friend you aren't sure you want to return home? To a place where...Minako is gone...] Tch. They'll do that, and worse.

Made us fight go the death in a maze, once....

[He needs to talk to you about that too.]

There's a lot of Persona users here. They formed a group, with the leaders meeting once in a while. Then there's the Fellowship...but the first meeting everyone was just screaming at each other and disagreeing. Not sure if that'll work.