Hacking #03: Monster Hunting

[technologic]

Characters: April and anyone
Setting: Hallways of the tower.
Format: Brackets to start with, but I can match you!
Summary: Now that things have calmed down a bit in the tower, it's monster hunting time.
Warnings: Some violence, but that's about it.

[The Hallways]

[Now that things had calmed down again, April had turned herself to another one of the projects she had decided to do when she isn't trying to crack the towers system, and that project was trying to make a monster list. Plus, monster hunting was good stress relief and April had been stressed out a bit lately.

So throughout the hallways of the tower tonight, some of the monsters will be electrocuted by one red haired woman with glowing green eyes, and the more stronger ones will be electrocuted with higher voltages before being shot a few times by her rifle. And once they're dead, she will crouch by their corpses and start writing things down in a little notebook she's carrying with her.]

... This would probably be a lot easier if I made a device for something like this... [But despite her grumblings, she still keeps taking notes.]

Comments

[technologic]

... I just don't work well with others, that's all. [Though this is her lack of self-esteem talking, since she's actually the leader of a large group back home.]

[imperialsun]

[Strangely enough, that gets a smile out of him?]

...that's how I felt before too. I kept to myself before the SEBEC incident, but I realized the strength of the bonds of friendship.

[technologic]

[She glances up at him, and she frowns uncertainly.]

I'm no good at making friends, though... Plus, I'm not exactly friend material.

[imperialsun]

Why not?

[It is an honest question. And honest question in the middle of a battle, but it's all good, he's got Amon-Ra just doing his thing.]

[technologic]

I'm an awkward and distrustful mess, basically. [She glances towards the monsters, electricity flickering faintly around her just in case.]

[imperialsun]

Sounds like someone else I know.

[And he takes out his sword juuuust in case.]

Although he threatened to break your fingers backwards and rip out your eyes when he got annoyed with you more than being awkward, I suppose.

[Naoya, you are way too calm when you say something like that.]

But it doesn't mean we can't change. He did, and became stronger for it.

[technologic]

[She shakes her head again.] ... I-I'm fine as I am. I'm fine on my own.

[imperialsun]

It gets lonely being by yourself.

[He should know.]

[technologic]

[That seems to hit a nerve, as she immediately tenses up and ducks her head down so that her face is hidden. And her voice is a bit shaky.]

... I know. A-and I can deal with that.

[imperialsun]

[Most people would stop there. Maybe admit defeat. But Naoya knows all too well that pain. Maybe if he could conjure up a bit of what Nanjo might say in the situation...as he talks, it almost seems like Amon-Ra's own powers get stringer as it attacks.]

But why do that to yourself? You said you didn't work well with others, that you're not friend material, that you distrust...it seems more like you have a hard time with yourself than with others.

You're afraid aren't you?

The distrust...it's not just you with others. You're afraid we think the same of you. Afraid we'd betray, or that we'd leave you, so instead of of trying to find out and take a risk, you run away from it...

I did that for most of my life...it solves nothing. It just makes you lonely. I don't know what your life was like, so I can't judge. But...we all have demons inside us we'd rather forget.

[He stops for a minute and runs into a slew of monsters, using his weapon to slice them into pieces.]

When the events in SEBEC happened, I could barely hold this katana. My grip was shaky and weak. It was only through the help of my friends Eriko and Nanjo that I learned how to fight with one properly...bonds aren't just support for each other. They are reasons for improving your own strength too.

I'd like to be your friend, if you let me.

[technologic]

[April stares at him when he speaks again, her expression slowly becoming more shocked. And he's completely right; she is afraid of being betrayed or left behind, so she avoids getting even remotely close to anyone.

There's only just stunned silence from April for a few long moments, and when she tries to speak, her voice shakes and sounds strained.]

... W-why? Why do you-? [But her sentence is cut short as she hiccups and her vision becomes blurred, and not even pressing the heels of her hands to her eyes can stop her from crying.]

[imperialsun]

[He wasn't sure what reaction he had expected, but Naoya realized he'd need to act quickly for both their sakes. ]

Why would I not? You're a capable fighter, and you've got a strong head on your shoulders. Daring, with the work you are undertaking, but we all need that in our lives. And I'm sure you're not doing this just for yourself are you? That information will aid all of us. Even if you can't quite see it now, you do care.

[He stops for a few seconds, and the sound of Amon-Ra can be heard as it keeps the area around them clear.]

We all have our fears. As I said before, no one is perfect. Why would I let doubts daunt me? I used to think it was a risk to make friends, when in reality, it was the force that helped us save our world.

[And don't think for a second he believes them completely gone. He searches his pockets, and tries to find it--oh! There we go. He extends a hand to her, a small smile on his face, holding a tissue.]

[technologic]

[April moves her hands away from her eyes, glancing at him and then at the tissue before taking it with a quiet 'thank you'. And as she wipes her eyes, electricity flickers and flares around her, before going to strike at some of the monsters and burning them to a crisp.]

... C-can I trust you, then?

[imperialsun]

That...is up to you. [His grin grows wider.]

I trust you.

[technologic]

... Even though I haven't given you a reason to trust me? [April gives him a faint smile back.]

[imperialsun]

Are you sure? At any time during this, you could have left, attacked or tricked me.

And yet we're both still here.

Besides, you shouldn't just see with your eyes...but also with your heart.

[His own Shadow told him that, once.]

[technologic]

... I'm not the kind of person who would do that. [She wipes her eyes again, frowning down at the floor.]

Ehe, I'm... not really sure how to do that.

[imperialsun]

Your reply speaks for you. My trust is well placed, I am certain.

[He touches his own heart.]

It's not something I can quite explain but...somethings what you see before you is not always the full picture. One of my friend's mother was turned into the illusion of a monster, in the hopes we would kill her. She was trying to warn us, but it looked like she was preparing to attack.

We could have fought her out of fear, but we waited. And in doing so, the spell was undone.

Other times...at my school, I was popular for being the loner and distant boy. In reality, I felt lonely and alone yet fearful of making friends. But most who would have looked at me then might have thought I was happy...only those that understood me were able to pierce through that, like Mark first did.

I'm sorry, I'm probably not making much sense. Nanjo is better at explaining than I am. [He smiles again.] Although he does have a very sharp tongue...he would have said it quite differently.

[technologic]

[April places her hand over her heart as she listens silently, before giving a nod.]

N-no, it's okay, I understand... Thank you...

... Oh, um, sorry, I never got your name before.

[imperialsun]

[Oh woops look at his smile drop in an "oh darn" look. And here he was usually Mr.Polite.]

...I apologize, I never gave it out. [Sheepishly, he starches the back of his neck, before giving a small, polite bow.]

Naoya Toudou. May I have yours as well?

[technologic]

[She gives him another smile, this one a bit brighter than before.]

Ah, of course! I'm April, i-it's nice to meet you, Naoya. [Then she realizes that she now knows two Naoyas whoops. But she pushes that thought aside as she tries to give him a bow back.]

[imperialsun]

Likewise. I am happy to have you as a friend, April-san. [He waits for her to be finished, and the looks at the monsters again.] ...they are rather active tonight, aren't they?

[Considering what happened this week, it's no surprise.]

AMON-RA!

[His Persona users it's stick to case a white glowing spell over them, and they disappear in a flash of light.]

[technologic]

Yeah, but it makes my monster hunting easier, at least.

[She blinks as his Persona makes the monsters disappear, before glancing back over at him.] ... Wow, you're pretty strong.

[imperialsun]

[He grins at her compliment.] Likewise.

[The next set of monster, however, looks quite large. Naoya doesn't seem that much undaunted.]

A team-up would be best for this situation.

[technologic]

[She rubs her eyes again and nods, now fully turning towards the monsters as electricity starts to flicker and flare around her. And despite her earlier distress, she seems rather impassive at the sight of all the monsters.]

R-right, sounds like a good idea... You ready?