011 | ❝Those long days passing by from that door...❞

[pitiedthefool]

Characters: Yu Narukami, and you
Setting: Room 2-02 → Floor 13 → Floor 11
Format: I'll match you.
Summary: It's his cousin's birthday, and while she isn't here... he knows that this date has significance for others, too.
Warnings: Silent protags, all the feels... I'll update later.

Once the pumpkins began appearing in the cafeteria, Yu knew without a doubt which month it now was. Knew, yet as he woke up on the fourth day to notice the date... nothing could prepare him for that sucker-punch to his gut.

The fourth of October... Nanako-chan's birthday. If he remembered right, that would make her eight years old were she here. The thought of her being present made him sick to his stomach, too. For someone so innocent to be subject to the horrors of this place, but at the same time, the thought of her being dead and gone and not even possible to one day reunite with her in Yomi where he would have ended up subject to whatever retribution a certain goddess of death and creation deemed fit for how he handled the life and world he and his friends had brought about...

He only paused to change, stare at the family photo he kept framed even when he carried it around, stuck the sword in his belt, and pick up a small package before leaving the dorm unless one of his roommates stop him.

Floor 13

It's quiet in the chapel as usual, and he doesn't mind it at all as he knelt there on the floor, lighting a stick of incense before his family photo. One was there before, but the other...

Yu closed his eyes, praying what was probably one of the simplest desire any older brother could have.

'Please... Let my little sister be happy and safe on her birthday, wherever she may be. May she never have to experience these horrors...even if it means we never see each other again... her safety is enough.'

If there was just one possibility, please... let her be alive somewhere or in a timeline where the world they fought to protect isn't gone...

For some reason, he felt even closer to his Persona as he stood there, a single tear falling down his cheek before no more could come. ...Probably going to be there for a little while, too... since he's also praying for the others. He doesn't know why, but for some reason Aragaki-senpai's name came to mind.... as did Ken's.

Floor 11

For some reason, should one wander to the eleventh floor, one may find a certain bowlcut leaning against the staircase, eyes closed. Had he fallen asleep listening to the roar of the many waterfalls on this floor?

'Can't get my mind out of those memories...Now time to tell them "Don't take my dream."'

...Not likely. More like he just needed the fresh air, and this... was more serene than the crushing emptiness above.

Anywhere else, you can probably find him wandering. Good luck getting him to say much today, though.

and no one ate dinner that night-- i mean whut

Comments

Floor 13

[miseris_socios]

... He was gone. Ken had wanted to talk to him today, and he was gone. So there wasn't much else he had planned for the day... so he took a moment to consider.

Ken had never considered himself religious in any way, shape, or form. Still though, when he noticed the date, he heads to the cathedral, holding the picture of him and his mother. The picture seemed so long ago... back when he was little and innocent.

He wasn't so innocent anymore.

Ken paused when he saw Yu in the cathedral, but headed inside anyway, sitting in a pew near him but not next to him. He wanted to speak to him, but he decided to wait for a bit, until the older boy was done with his prayers.

[pitiedthefool]

There were always exceptions to the 'rule.' This day seemed to be one day for both of them that they would make those exceptions.

He's a little longer, mainly because even after he was done, he was still staring at the picture of him and his family. All three of them were smiling and relatively carefree, even though he and his uncle had both been working on the same case at the time... and Dojima had no idea just how deeply involved he was.

It was almost funny to think those days as 'simple,' now.

"Happy birthday...imouto."

Yu sighed, mask reforming as he took the family photo back in his hands with a silent promise ('I won't lose my way again... I'll make sure we're able to smile when we get out of this.'). Of course, it isn't long before he noticed Ken. He nodded faintly, standing as he realized something.

'...Aragaki-senpai.'

There were no bonds strengthening his Hierophant Arcana within this tower...

[miseris_socios]

Ken stood, and headed over towards Yu, staying quiet. He held the photo tightly in his hands.

... He didn't have to say anything. There really was nothing to say.

floor 13

[fuhgeddaboudit]

[Labrys had taken to shadowing Narukami at a distance now and then--he was someone familiar, someone she trusted and would go to in an instant for help. After the body-switching incident, she was honestly scared of what this place could do...so it was only natural she keep him within sight often. Just for her own peace of mind?]

...You alright?

[She spoke quietly as she approached, mimicking him by kneeling down as well on metallic legs.]

You ain't gotta tell me if you don't wanna. I mean, if y'wanna be alone right now just say so.

[pitiedthefool]

[If only he knew... but as the case may be, Yu either didn't mind or he simply hadn't noticed at all. Maybe even both. All the same, he's glad for the company. Especially today.

It's a moment before he answers, but he does nod at the photo before him. His voice is quiet... but he doesn't mind telling her.]

No, I don't mind. ['I could use the company right now.'] Today is my sister's eighth birthday.

[A beat.]

... Well, technically cousin... but she and her father are my real family.

[Are. And always will be, along with his friends.]

[fuhgeddaboudit]

Oh...

[Labrys' experience with family was limited--limited, usually violent, and mostly unhappy.]

You probably really miss 'em, huh? I think...I can kinda get that. The only family I really got...she ain't here either.

Floor 13

[fusedstars]

Hei was not a holy man, clone or otherwise. He wasn't an atheist, given the mystical beings that existed, but he didn't rely on such forces for guidance. Still, when he saw someone praying, he stopped in his tracks. He didn't know why he was doing this at all. Hei should have just left and got back to trying to hunt for food that wasn't pumpkin flavored/related.

But that photo...Even from a distance, it helped stir some emotion inside of him. This boy wasn't the only one to lose someone close...

[pitiedthefool]

Holy men were few and far between. Yu would be one of the first to admit that he was definitely not one of them, himself. Hell, he probably didn't have the right to pray to the gods now (or duh, he could just talk to his Izanagi's sister) but... she likely already knew, just as the angels, demons, and everyone else in his head knew.

It was merely a method of coping and hoping beyond his own embodiment of hope and salvation to others that he wouldn't have to see her suffer what Ken or Romeo have. Children did not deserve that. No one did.

Yu stood eventually, picking up the photo in the process. Even talked to another before noticing someone else was there. If he'd felt anything, his thinly cracked mask did not show much of it...

Yet he still spared a nod to the stranger. After all, they seemed to have the air of loss about them as well...

[fusedstars]

"I take it you lost someone important as well?"

These methods were better off for coping. Why Hei question Yu he did not know. Maybe the aura he gave off was similar to the Ryoji he knew, or even that of Minako. Both had grown on him, though both were also lost as well.

Floor 11

[warriorscribe]

Despite the pain he'd been through on this floor, despite the terrible weight of the idea that the phantoms may be...them, somehow. Hurting and craving what gave them life here...despite everything, Enoch still found himself drawn to this floor.

He glanced at the younger man leaning against the staircase, hesitating a moment to ensure he wasn't injured before continuing to one of the waterfalls, holding out his hand to catch some of the water.

While he won't disturb Yu, the covering of water on this floor makes having company a little bit noisy.

[pitiedthefool]

He had made it a point to never stay here past dark. For some reason, he normally lingered closer to the dormitories when darkness began to fall. Yet right now... it wasn't too bad, really.

For a while, his thoughts kept him from noticing that he was no longer alone on this floor. Yet when he heard the difference in a nearby waterfall, he couldn't help but open his eyes to glance over.

...? What was this strange feeling?

"It's almost peaceful when night hasn't fallen, huh." An absent-minded comment, but... it was a means for conversation starting.

Floor 11

[divinitysoiled]

[It's rare, to see a human looking so peaceful. There was something... something. Catarina didn't know what. But there was something about it that intrigued her. Why were humans usually so driven? So needy, so... tense? This was a rare moment for any human, to look like this. She came closer, not sure if she wanted to stir him or not. She could do to top off her energy, but this one... did she really want to eat this one?]

[pitiedthefool]

[It was likely due to how little time they had, and to be honest, he was just like them a year ago. Though now... he knew how to balance those needs with the necessity of pausing for a moment of reflection. Though this choice of floor was probably a good one, since every movement made the water flow differently.

Open thine eyes...

...and automatically, something was alerting him to it. Blinking once or twice, he glanced over. Holy crap, pretty older woman. Of course, his mind was far from it, but he couldn't help the little mental footnote.]

...?

[What was that look in her eye...]

Floor 13

[thebigsister]

[Eleanor steps off the staircase, into the floor proper, because she finds herself at ease in this one. So she makes a point to take a stroll in it every day, out of her usual patrol of the Tower. Her steps slow down and grow quieter as she approaches Yu. She's unfamiliar with what he's doing, but he looks upset.]

...are you alright?

[Said the seven feet tall diving suit thing with the glowing portholes leaning in to take a closer look at him. Sorry.]

oh my god, I am so sorry for the late. real life hit like a truck. D:

[pitiedthefool]

[He pauses for a moment, hearing those footsteps first before suddenly seven foot tall figure. To be honest, he can't really be surprised by this sight, but at the same time, he partially is.

Maybe he just got used to being taller than everyone but Kanji. Yep. Totally it.]

...Yeah. Just a bad day.

[And he doesn't tell others very well. :( Just lets them be and goes off on his own.]

2-02

[evokingfool]

He never personally experienced that event, but Minato knew the significance of October 4th.

And it's a reminder of the promise he made back in the Underworld. If what the admins said was true about their home worlds, it would be impossible for him to fulfil his promise.

'When, not if, we escape this world...I promise to find a way to keep my memories and prevent it. I promise to prevent Shinjiro-senpai's death, senpai.'

His promise--his vow--to Mitsuru will remain unfulfilled in this tower. Such a thought run through his mind in the dorm room he shared with his roommates.

He looked up when he saw Yu. Should he say something?

[pitiedthefool]

October 4th had a lot of meaning, to say the least. A day of celebration, a day of mourning, and a time of concern. Yu now knew what it meant for Ken, at least... not to mention himself. Yet he couldn't help but stop when his eyes met Minato's.

Something was bothering him too, huh.

The pause was an invitation, at least. If he wanted to say something, then he could say it. He wouldn't stop him either way.

Floor 11

[sacred_flamer]

Luke had been poking his head around throughout the day, trying to find new places to explore, and had poked in on Yu when he was having his private time in the chapel. Ignorant to most things he may have been, he could recognize someone doing something important, and had opted to leave his friend to his prayers. It bothered the hell out of him though out the day, though; he thought for sure that after the Shadows were gone, he was feeling better about things like everyone else was. What could be bugging him now?

He didn't come down to the lower floors again until later, sporting a cut on his arm from where a monster surprised him before he could defend himself. Luke was grumbling as he made his way down the stairs, but he wasn't so distracted so as to miss that bowlcut. He paused as he reached the landing, not sure if he should say anything or leave him be... but dammit, Yu was his friend. He had to say something and do that friend... stuff!

"Hey, sensei. You okay?"

...he flinched slightly; dammit, he still couldn't get some of Teddie's habits out of his head.

so all these late tags... whoops.

[pitiedthefool]

Whether Yu noticed or not at first is up for debate as he slowly just... stared at the strange rainbows and waterfalls, remaining silent. At least for a few moments as he collected his thoughts. He did eventually look Luke's way, though.

"...Yeah." Not to mention that the ninja Teddie habits were amusing to him. Though, it was probably obvious to him that something was up.

Floor 13

[nemophila]

Sometimes speaking up while someone was grieving was just rude; sometimes people just needed their space to cry. He had peaked in earlier when Yu had lit up the incense, and returned now to find him still kneeling in the chapel.

He was mostly quiet when he approached, and carefully placed a hand on the other teen's shoulder, holding out a small bundle of white flowers with his other hand, while wearing a small smile.

"For protection, and well-wishing."

asdjsk i thought i tagged this a while ago sorry plus D:

[pitiedthefool]

Yu had remained silent, hands both holding the small frame in his hands. By now, there were no more time for tears; only well-wishes and a silent hope that the ones in this portrait were safe. At least, in one reality.

he looked up from the picture, however, at the hand on his shoulder. Jun-?

...Figured he would bring flowers. That seemed to be a thing for his new friend as much as origami cranes were for himself.

"Thank you, Kurosu-san." He accepted them with a ghost of a smile, trying to do his best to show his gratitude out of just how tired he was of these events... and through how worried he was for those closest to him.

Floor 11

[halfpintsorceress]

Well, from where Lina was standing, it looked like Yu had fallen asleep. Granted, Lina was standing on the staircase, so she couldn't see his eyes. So she stoops down and pokes at his head. "Hey, Narukami - I wouldn't doze off here. No tellin' who or what might come by and think to take advantage of that."

[pitiedthefool]

No such luck, Lina. His eye twitched faintly, likely still unseen before he sighed. Lina please, he wouldn't sleep out in the open like that. His paranoia was a little too great for that. "I'm not asleep, Inverse-san."

Just enjoying the sounds of this floor before night falls, to which yes, he would be running up the stairs and away from any phantoms that would appear.

Floor 11

[keybearer]

[Riku was just on his way down when he spotted Yu. Seeing him there, he stops for a minute and watches with one raised eyebrow. Then, after a second, he continues on his way down.]

Careful. You wouldn't want somebody to trip on you or anything.

[It's phrased more as a light tease than an insult, but his tone's soft. Who knows what kinda mood Yu's in?]

[pitiedthefool]

[Oh, hi there younger Riku. Don't mind the faint smirk.]

I'll be careful. [He knows it's a tease, at least.] It's been a while.