towerofanimus | I can't begin to let you know just what I'm feeling

[At some point after the 10th, you might run into what looks like Chidori arm-in-arm with 'Kazuya'. They'll both be pleasant enough at first, but depending on the person (or Shadow) and the situation, they can get really nasty, really quick. They might not attack- no use blowing Shadow Naoya's cover after all- but they will find one way or another to break others down.

That, or they'll be pretending to play nice while plotting to screw them over- whichever strikes their fancy more, really.]

[Chidori's shadow has set up camp in the center of the tower's hedge maze, not too far from where the staircase allows entry into the normally verdant floor.

Today, however, finds the decor a little redder than usual, fire burning in place of the flowers that usually dot the hedge walls, a darkly-colored chaise longue settled behind a low table upon which rests a tea set. 'Kazuya' is settled comfortably against the upright part of the seat, and a dark-clad redhead is settled comfortably against him, arms wrapped around his neck, mouths far too busy to immediately acknowledge Chidori's presence when she steps further away from the stairs to stand in front of them.

Oh, they know she's there- her Shadow especially- but they just don't care.

They do fall further back against the back of the chair when Chidori sends a warning jet of flame past them, and the hedges behind them catch like kindling, already dry from the 'flowers' placed on them. Her shadow gives a pained sigh and, with one last, lingering kiss, pulls away from the boy on the chair and turns to pick up a teacup and saucer, holding both daintily in her hands.]

Well now, it's about time, isn't it?

Chidori?

[He may not have had a fancy sensory-Persona, but it hadn't taken him that long to figure out she was here. He hadn't explicitly gone looking for her per say (he had still been in a bad habit of avoiding abooouuut everyone), but when he figured out she was here, it was kind of instinct to track her down.

The sight he found was...surprising. And interesting. To say the least.]

What's going on here?

Questionable tastes and a penchant for pyromania, it would seem.

[Chidori tenses upon hearing Jin's voice, but she turns her head to look over her shoulder at him regardless. She doesn't want any of the rest of Strega here, much less having them witness her Shadow's apparent temperament- but it seems it can't be helped now. Her expression is just the barest bit peevish as she turns her attention back to her shadow, who's still sipping her tea like neither of them are there.]

I think she's taking my fire affinity a bit far, don't you?

[... Ken's just staring and shuddering. Not because ew cooties but more like ew big sister kissing someone it's gross okay!]

Can we just get on with the accepting and less with the kissing?

[I am twelve and what is this.]

Oh yes, Ken-kun, we most certainly can.

[A Shadow]

[Chidori's shadow tosses both teacup and saucer over her shoulders without regard for where they may land and stands from her seat, pushing her skirts away from her legs with a flourish.]

I was wondering how long it would take you to get fed up and come find me. And oh look- you brought company. We'll see how long that lasts, won't we? After all, it's not like you expect much out of any of them to begin with.

-oh don't look at me like that. It's true.

You stand there and glare, but it's not like you don't expect them to just up and walk away- leave you high and dry in favor of something more important. It's what you've started to assume by this point- they're always willing and able until someone they care about more needs them. You don't matter enough, not to any of them- right?

Even though you try so hard, and do so much- and oh, but you do try, even when you make it seem like you don't want to.

But even still, you're just not important enough.

[Yusuke spots the two and just...pinches the bridge of his nose. October was apparently coming early, what with the gothic and dark looks, and the shadows roaming about the tower. Of course, he couldn't tell if they were shadows or not. Doubtful though; they were working together.]

Okay, is the goth look in this month or something? Did I miss a kinky month?

Kinky?

[The redhead pauses, fingers of one hand rising to her mouth in a mockery of scandal, the other sweeping over the shortened front of her dress before looking up at her companion, brows rising. Her feigned shock and awe isn't very well sold by the slight smirk on her lips.]

Is this dress too much, Kazuya?

[He grins before turning his head at the boy, smirk gone as quickly as it's turned into a scowl for him.]

No, of course not. If fools can't appreciate fashion, then they should be punished accordingly.

[We're sorry. Naoya's brain broke halfway at her speech and the other part was shattered into a million of pieces seeing his brother like this.]

...Kazuya? What are you doing?!

[Yusuke smirked, a blue aura glowing around him. Another fight today?]

Well, I suppose I could use a break from spanking shadows around. But what are you gonna do about it?

[Chidori heaved a long-suffering sigh, head rolling slightly on her neck in irritation. She rolled her eyes and raised her hands from her skirts, fingers tapping along her hips before settling there, and shifted her weight to one hip.]

Oh really, there's no need to be uncivilized.

[She rolled one shoulder in a sort of shrug, and tossed her hair.]

It's not your fault you obviously have no taste.

[Geez. This was Chidori's problem, but those words still stung. He didn't show it much beyond looking off to the side, and pushing his glasses up his nose with a glare. He'd been the one avoiding this others lately, after all.

He spares a quirk of an eyebrow to look at Naoya when he arrived (joy of joys oh boy), before turning his attention back to the Shadow.]

Y'know, for being an aspect of Chidori, you talk too much. You mind getting you head out of your ass?

Keeping her company, it seems.

[The reply to Naoya is terse and slightly uncomfortable- though she does her best to hide the latter as best she can. Her shadow's monologue doesn't sit with her any better than it does with Jin- worse, actually, considering how Chidori tends to repress everything for a very good reason.]

You'd think his taste would be better. Or at least quieter.

[Her shadow scoffs at that, shaking her head and raising her arms in a shrug, mouth opening to speak again; Chidori doesn't let her.]

Can you just shut up already? Let's get this over with.

Yeah, yeah. Enough. Chidori, you should know by now that we're not going to walk away. Family sticks together.

[He leans against his spear, watching the Shadows with a bored expression.]

[ .... Minato has another take on this. He looks over to Chidori. He's been here awhile, of course, but saw no need to comment on the over-talkative makeouts or anything. ]

... Chidori... we'll handle this. But--

[ And he gives her a very quick, very small smile. ]

We're not leaving you. You're not some toy, some disposable girl. You're family to us. And even if she is you, no matter what, we'll fight because we care about you. All of you. Good and bad.

[ Thanatos is weak to Fire, he knows, but he also suspects Chidori's Shadow to be weak to Ice. It's just a matter of defenses... ]

Such a spoilsport Jin. You've been really bad about that lately- relax a bit, won't you?

[She speaks gently, but there's a malice hidden in her tone when she speaks to him, expression disdainful. She laughs outright at Ken and Minato both, raising a hand to her mouth, but making no real effort to hide her laughter at all. She shoves the table aside and off-kilter with a push from her foot, sneering at the both of them.]

[Wasteland]

Oh, look at them, trying to prove me wrong. Isn’t it sweet? But you know what you think is still true- you give and give and they take and take and take until whoops, look at that- insufficient, inferior, unsatisfactory.

Unimportant.

You can try until you bleed, until you die- and you have, more than once- but it's still not good enough.

--and you get so angry over it, sometimes. At yourself. At them.

Because the things you've done, the things you do, and the things you'll still do, like an idiot, like that will change anything- are for them. For Him- mmm, for Him especially- and you'd like to think you’re just that giving, wouldn't you?

But oh- you’re not and we both know it.

You should be glad that you have as many people as you do that even remember you exist, but that's not enough, is it? Oh no- no, no, no it certainly isn't. Not for you. You? You want them to owe you, so they won't so much as consider the fact that in the end, they might not even need you.

[She spreads her arms wide, grinning.]

So why not just let me take over? With me in charge, we'll never worry about being taken advantage of. Of being alone.

Of losing what we love.

I'll make sure it stays all ours and one elses. Promise.

Who cares? I'm here now, aren't I?

[Man, this shadow was really starting to get on his nerves. And not just in the "god you're stupid" way, but there was definitely some of that. Honestly, he didn't know what to say to that!]

We're here now and that's what matters. [It was about as much as he could guarantee, even with the Tower refusing to let them die.]

[ .... What is this, really? ]

Jin is a dumbass, but he's right for once, even if he worded it poorly. ... We do care. We wouldn't be with you if we didn't, Chidori...

[ ... You know what? ]

If it comes down to it, we'll fight. But--even if... it isn't fair of this place to do this to you, or anyone else, even if how you feel is your own business... you're allowed to talk to me, you know. I care about you, Chidori. I didn't... I didn't get us out of that place and do all I could to help us just to leave you or use you!

You're like my family. That... won't change. You don't need to be anything more than what you are already. I know we're not--

[ He bites his lip here. "Not going to live much longer" is the sentence in full. ]

... We're not... like everyone else. But... as long as we're here... dammit, Chidori, as long as I'm still breathing you're not going to be alone. And...

[ This is hard for him to admit. God, he sucks at this friendship speech thing. ]

... And I need you as much as I need the others. I wouldn't have a life worth living while I've got it without you guys...

[ Now, Minato just readies his weapons. ]

If you really can't accept this... then we'll fight it for you, and help you after that. That's... that's what we're here for, Chidori. Even if you did everything wrong, we'd still care about you.

[Dave had been worried when he didn't exactly catch Chidori around, so he's glad he runs into her. It won't take too long for Dave to figure out what's up, but for now he's slightly oblivious.]

Chidori? [He only vaguely knows the other after meeting them before.]

Shut up.

[Chidori's staring at her shadow, but-]

All of you, just shut up. Let me think.

[She presses a hand to her forehead, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose briefly.]

It's never been about how long we'll live- you should know that by now, Minato. But I know what you mean.

[But knowing something doesn't necessarily make it easier, and she takes a few steps closer to her shadow, shaking her head.]

But you- all these dramatics. Just who do you think you are?

[The question is followed by a quick, sharp slap, and her shadow stares at her in disbelief as Chidori crosses her arms, scowling.]

--that's for being so mouthy. Now, you need to disappear, before you embarrass me any further. Like I'd ever act like this to begin with.

[Suddenly it looks like he's snapped out of it, and stares at her, surprised.]

...are you saying she's not you?

[Heh heh heh.]

[... Crap. Ken grips his spear tighter. It's not his decision to make, whether she can accept it or not, but another fight isn't what they need right now.]

And it doesn't always mean full on fighting, regardless.

[His arms are crossed. Obviously he's not too worried.]

Kazuka!

[Someone is not too pleased with his own brother. His own hand grips at his weapon.]

Dave.

[Her tone is delighted, and she leans forward, mouth pulling into a broad grin.]

Been keeping away from fires?

[ SHIT.

Well fine he'll shut up--oh hi Naoya. He just grips his weapons. This isn't gonna end well. But, fine, Chidori. He has nothing else to say. He's done. He's worried. He cares for you, Chidori... why would you be hurting this way? He only wants you happy.

It hurts to hear this. But he knows this Shadow is her pain, and the negativity anyone would have in their situation. Chidori never really speaks her mind. It's not surprising she's in pain.

There's some things the Shadow's said he doesn't... really understand, what it's trying to say. But--but he'll be here no matter what. ]

[Fine, he could shut up. It didn't look like talking was going to do any good now anyway. They'd just have to deal with the imposter to help her out.

So he grabs his Evoker, ready to shoot.]

Oh boo, you brat.

[The shadow shrugs off the slap, head rolling back into place, a slight disjointedness to the motion, and rolls her eyes at Chidori, taking a step away from her.]

But fine- you don't want to accept me? That's okay, though I thought you'd have learned by now.

[The pretty girl twists and elongates as the shadows gather, and soon all that's left is a mockery of Medea dressed in something that's meant to be Chidori's clothing, flaming chalice and poisoned dagger in hand. Her voice is distorted, but mocking, gleeful when she speaks, chains attached to axes appearing in a spiderweb of movement behind her.]

Oh well-

[Ready? Fight!]

-you'll be taught the hard way!

[That...She's a lot more expressive than she usually is.

That definitely puts him on edge.]

More or less. Been too busy with my own. All these irons in the fire and all.

[ Battle time, he supposes--he's not surprised by this somehow, but he's going to need to watch his fire weakness. Minato puts Samael at the forefront of his mind, knowing it isn't weak to fire like Thanatos.

The party gets a Marakukaja, Matarukaja, and Masukukaja from Minato--the trinity as it were, because he feels this is necessary.

Time to go, guys? ]

I can't begin to let you know just what I'm feeling

Around the Tower ☣ Shadow!Chidori & Shadow!Naoya/'Kazuya'

Floor 29 ☣ You vs Me and Me vs You- Shadow!Chidori Boss Fight

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

the most pointless transitory tag it is mine

no subject

no subject

no subject