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

Entry tags:

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

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~~

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... 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.

[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.

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...

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...

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.

[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.]

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.

[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?]

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.

[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.]

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?

Yu nodded faintly, noticing the photo in Ken's hands too. He had a feeling when his roommate had left that comment on the network that something had happened in their time on this date, though he hadn't thought to ask what. It was their story to tell, after all.

Still, he would wait for Ken to say the details. Until then, he would at least let him see the picture of his own family. No words needed to be said, because sometimes... the silence could be just as vocal.

[~~Hey, sounds like his relationship with his step father. s'all good. :|a He nods again, but this time he actually turns to face her.]~~

...I'd say 'I'm used to it' or 'it gets easier,' but it depends on us.

[After all... how many times had he been left behind? He's lost count.]

At least we have our friends, though. ['I'm glad to count you as one.'] ...I'd like to meet her someday. What's her name?

[Because they must be pretty lucky. Kind of funny how his mind just bypasses 'omg robot' and 'wait robots have families?' when he's like this.]

Edited 2012-10-05 09:50 (UTC)

Aigis. She came a coupla generations after me, so I guess I'd be the older sister.

[Labrys shifted a little uncomfortably. He didn't know her yet, so...]

I...used to have a lot of 'sisters', I guess y' could say.

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...

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.

Aigis, huh... [Where had he heard that name before...? It sounded familiar. Huh. Maybe one of the others had mentioned it. Still, older sister kind of made him think.

'A lot of sisters'... 'used to'... Well, damned if he hadn't picked up his uncle's 'detective's intuition' as a certain backstabbing asshole had once put it.

You know that curious but understanding look? Yes, that is the one he is giving his friend, now. if she wanted to tell him about it, he'd listen. Would probably be a good distraction.]

[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...]

The thing is, uh...when they were makin' the fifth generation of anti-Shadow weapon, I wasn't the only one they built.

[Labrys shifted her weight from one foot to the other, hands fidgeting. She hadn't really talked about it much herself as much as it had been her Shadow, so words were a little difficult.]

There was a whole series of us--I was Unit #031. And the thing is, I guess to determine which of us was most suited for fightin'...

[Fidget, fidget. Labrys didn't seem like she quite wanted to make eye contact, though she was making an effort not to look away.]

...I destroyed 'em without even really thinkin' about it back then. But there was one who was always really nice to me, #024. Her personality was developed way more than mine was back then, and every evenin' we'd meet up and just talk about stuff. Nothin' huge, just...about the sky or the water or a dog she found walkin' around.

The more I talked to her, I kinda started to figure out the other units I was fightin' were the same as us. 'Cause of her, I realized there wasn't really much of a reason to fight 'em. I mean...we were made to fight, yeah, but we were made to have hearts too. S-so...y'know, it didn't seem right anymore.

It wasn't too long after that the scientists in charge a' the whole operation called off the testing. Guess they musta come to a conclusion, 'cause they named me Labrys after that.

I told #024 the next night, 'cause I thought she'd be happy everythin' was over. I was--I thought it meant we wouldn't haveta run into each other in the testing chamber. Thinkin' about it now, she musta known how it was gonna go after that. I was kinda...stupid.

[She looked at her own restless hands, unable to keep eye contact after that.]

...The last experiment they did was to get rid of the extra units. The ones that weren't gonna become Labrys. So they...stuck us back in the combat testing room. And it just came down to...me and #024. I begged 'em to knock it off, but nobody listened to me. And she knew it'd haveta be one of us, s-so...

[Funny, really. She had to admit the scientists almost had a point on one thing--heart or not, why build a robot with the capability to cry? Labrys's vision blurred and she quickly wiped at her eyes; he at least deserved to know who he was friends with. So she had to finish.]

So it was me. It was always me, y'know...? I killed all my sisters, even #024. Until I met Aigis when she came t'get me outta the TV, I thought maybe I was the only one left at all.

I guess what I'm tryin'a say is...I dunno. I ain't really got any idea what it's like to have a real family, but I guess I know what it's like not to.

[Yu listens in silence as Labrys explains her past, and to be honest... part of it does go over his head at first. At least, until she mentions what happened to the other models. Behind his mask, he can feel that white-hot anger burning so hot as she continues to explain. Not just because of what she's saying, but... but because...

But because of a labyrinth and being forced to kill one another. Watching friend after friend die right in front of him, being forced to defend himself over his friends. Of feeling the blade and magic strike in from behind. Yet... that wasn't all...

The memory of the prison cells was the strongest. Because he had to sit back and watch day after day for nearly a month straight as, one by one, they were pulled out and paralyzed just to be experimented on. Watching little kids be turned into monstrous forms, seeing his friends (no, family) suffer, and trying to do all they could to struggle and fight it...

And then... his own sins...]

[He's quiet for a long while, gaze falling down to the framed photograph of his uncle and cousin once again. He could remember the words of his own Shadow clearly, and a chill went down his spine when it crossed his mind again.

After all those people you saved, now you know what it's like to take a life. You enjoyed writing that name down, reveled in the sickening crunch as metal met skull. After all, they took away a friend... and you cut them down with ease. You won... It doesn't matter because death's temporary here, right?

...Finally, he finds his voice again.]

... Before I first came to Inaba and moved in with my uncle and his daughter, I moved around to many different cities because of my parents' work. Usually in spans less than a few months at a time. I'd just start getting settled when it was time to leave for the next relatives' house. So before I met the Dojima's... I didn't really have anyone I could call 'family' or somewhere to call 'home'.

I didn't know what it was like for a long time, either... and when I finally did and was forced to leave them behind...

[He remains silent for a moment longer, fists clenching into tight fists before he can practically feel Sraosha and Kohryu nudge him into saying it. And it hurts to, but he knows... he has to say it after what Labrys said.]

...I know what it's like. To have to kill someone you view as a friend because someone decided to play 'god' with your lives.

[To kill... or to be killed...]

This place... is the sight of two of those murders.

Edited 2012-10-05 11:48 (UTC)

[She already knew he wouldn't reject her once he knew the truth--there was no fear of that. What made her nervous and uncertain was actually speaking of the past her Shadow had taunted and provoked her with.]

[Maybe here he understood better than he would have back in Inaba--she was both grateful and regretful when it came to that. While she did want someone to understand her, Labrys didn't want anyone else to have to live through the same kind of things she had. It was a heavy weight to carry even for an artificial heart.]

[She reached over hesitantly and delicately put two metal hands around one of Narukami's own; that was something people did to show support, wasn't it? It seemed right, at any rate. Her touch was artificial but not unfriendly, cold without being icy. They were gentle and caring hands that just happened to be made of red and silver metal.]

...I'm listenin', if you wanna tell me.

Edited 2012-10-05 11:59 (UTC)

[He blinked when he felt and then saw the two met hands placing them over his own of flesh and bone, recalling the time he felt two other metal hands had draped their cloak over his shoulders. Back when he had to face the consequences of his actions... Oddly enough, it's still just as comforting as a human hand.

He nods once, taking one breath to calm himself.]

...Four months ago, the administrators decided that they would have a little 'competition' to see which of them was the best to 'watch over us.' They rounded up sixty-two of us and led us like cattle into the elevators that first day before abandoning the tower completely. After Ruana, the one in charge for that month, had given us a brief explanation, the sixty-two of us were split into three groups. Some were sent to Dax, some with Riki, and the rest with Jason. Dax's group was the least scathed while Jason's... well, you saw what he caused last month. Though... that was tame compared to that month.

[He frowns.]

You see, Jason enjoys experimenting on the body, altering it to suit his own needs. He did countless surgeries on all those in his 'care,' all while they were still awake and partly able to feel it...most of the time.

[Labrys can likely sense his fist clenching even tighter underneath her hands, but other than that he doesn't allow his emotions to rule him and his tone remains the same. He remembers it all clearly still...]

The others were forced to watch as it all unfolded if they refused to either close their eyes and look away, but when two of our friends were brought to the table... there was no way I could look away, even as I tried to break through the cell bars holding us back to save them. Jason took notice, and he had it so that they modified the way my power influenced me.

"It is alright," they whispered. "It is reality, and you must accept it." ...but I couldn't. I couldn't stand the sight of what they were doing to the others, and when another came up with the idea of death bringing an end to it, I hesitated... because I remembered the story of my own Persona and his sister-wife even in midst of the temptation. I couldn't let Alice kill them all.

...That was when I saw what Jason did to an acquaintance I met in the labyrinth. At that point, I couldn't drown out their voices anymore and when the time came to vote someone off... I wrote a name down. His.

[There is nothing but regret and begrudged acceptance in his voice before he pauses.]

...That was all in the first week. The second was even more horrifying for those unlucky enough to be in Jason's pod. We'd all had enough by that point, and some of us who still had a shred of self-awareness and free will organized a rebellion. It cost me what was left of my power except for the one faint spark of life, and it cost another his entire mind.

[He can't even say what happened to Sayaka... he could still see it in his mind's eye.]

It wasn't long before we tried again, when everyone was gathered. A fellow Persona user and I tried to assault Jason for what he'd done to the others before Ruana intervened. Another friend wasn't far behind, trying to kill one of her friends to spare her from further torment. It got Jason's group disqualified, but the damage had already been done... It only got worse when Ruana assumed control and the others returned to the tower. All but the psychological damage was reversed when we returned as well.

[At last, he finally makes eye contact again.]

That friend who had suggested killing everyone so they could be free from the horrors of that experiment... he lost his only remaining family while we were there and unable to stop her from disappearing. When he left me, he ran into someone else who manipulated his raw emotions and desire to free everyone from the torment of this tower and turned him and one of his team members into his own puppets. I have no idea how many people they succeeded in killing or incapacitating, but we eventually found them here and the only way to stop them...

[Well... Labrys could likely figure that one out on her own.]

Edited 2012-10-05 12:27 (UTC)

[Labrys didn't answer for a long time. Really, what could she say? That seemed even worse than the kind of things she went through, and for some reason the word 'labyrinth' made her visibly wince. But...no, it was okay. They could find their way through the literal and metaphorical labyrinth that was this tower as long as they were together--that must have been why she had Ariadne.]

...it really ain't fair.

[Her response was muttered in a quiet and somber undertone, Labrys pausing again before continuing.]

Why's it gotta be like this? What the heck could you've done t' make anyone think you deserve this kinda thing? Why's everybody gotta suffer like this, it just ain't right!

[There was a very specific word choice there, one Labrys probably didn't even notice she'd made. There was a flash of anger in her words, temper flaring in frustration before visibly calming.]

I'm...I don't wanna be an experiment again. I don't wanna hurt anybody anymore, I d-don't...

[She let go of his hand, instead reaching over and putting her arms around his shoulders. Why? Was that something people did? Labrys really wasn't sure, but some basic part of her wanted--needed some form of contact, needed to be able to give and receive some measure of reassurance and comfort. Her vision was turning blurry again, but she didn't bother trying to hide it this time.]

...I'm scared. I'm really--I'd rather just deactivate myself than hurt anybody I like again.

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

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