001 { howling in the dead of night }

[determinedhowl]

Characters: Koromaru and you, good sirs and madams!
Setting: All around the tower, starting in room 3-04.
Format: Starting in prose, but I'll match your preference.
Summary: Puppy did not have a good few weeks in the tower. Why all his friends either not here or acting strangely? :(
Warnings: Possible omg cute while everything else goes to hell pfffffffffffffffft.

The last three weeks have been very confusing for the humans he's seen, and even more so for the canine that awakened in a strange room with three strange people he didn't know. Though, they did seem to be okay... and running into Chie-san wasn't too bad, either!

But... where were his friends?

He couldn't really put his own collar on by himself (we do not count the one he awoke with, it doesn't do the same thing), so he carried it in his mouth for a while, unless someone was kind enough to put it on him. Really, he looked kind of down about it as he began searching every floor for any sign of them being alright.

Probably didn't help that the last thing he saw was one of his closest friends flying up to the moon on his own as they cried out for him...

> ...
> Bother the furball?
> Yes
> No

Comments

[fuhgeddaboudit]

"Huh--?!"

Labrys was having a rough time of it today, making her way back to her room with one arm damaged by a wolf's jaws and her side cut by a spear. But this sight was one she had to stop and consider for a moment, stunned.

"S...Snowy...?"

Was it? Her memory was still a little hazy, but at the same time there was that strong feeling of nostalgia as soon as she saw him.

hover text is my friend.

[determinedhowl]

That was enough to stop him in his tracks. No, he didn't have any curative skills (where were the others ;; why was a possible new friend injured?). he turned, ears perking up at the voice and the familiar sound metal feet caused when they took steps forward.

"...'roo?"

It was muffled due to what was in his mouth, but still understandable. Oddly enough, he seemed as comfortable with her appearance; not bothered in the slightest. Don't mind him, Labrys, tilting his head at you.

> Yes

[floreatnoctem]

Chidori's month had been... unsettling, to say the least. Watching people slowly transform into whatever they'd been dressed up as (she'd suspected something involving their costumes would be 'punishment' as soon as she'd seen people waking up in them) was among the most disturbing things she'd ever seen. And she'd seen her fair share of 'disturbing', inside the tower and out.

Spotting Koromaru had been an accident- she'd been searching for Ken, and Medea was not being the most cooperative on that front.

"Koro-san?"

She blinked at the dog and crouched reflexively, tucking her skirt around her carefully and holding out a hand.

"Koro-san, is that you...?"

[determinedhowl]

"...?"

It's a muffled little whine, considering. At least it was a good sign that he wasn't growling? Still, he doesn't seem that comfortable here. Whether that's because of their surroundings or because he may not be the same Koromaru she knew was up in the air for now.

Spoilers, it wasn't. Yet he approached, ears low as if though he were sad or worried.

"'roo?" She was alright? She remembered him...?

[justiceinheaven]

She wasn't supposed to leave the room... so she didn't. She was just hanging out in the doorway, looking out to see if her brother or anyone familiar. So, when the fluffy puppy walked past, she huddled back at first, afraid that it might be a monster... but he was too adorable to be one.

When she realize it actually was a dog? She crept forward a bit, curious as to what owner would let their dog wander around on their own.

[determinedhowl]

"aroo?"

He paused, turning his head to look in the direction of the small footsteps. Why was there a tiny human alone? She seemed sad, too...

Koromaru walked over to her, curious. Whoever it was, at least he was friendly?

> BOTHER THE FURBALL <3333

[idol_support]

Rise had been doing a looooot of scans with Kanzeon these past few weeks--it was too dangerous to do otherwise, especially since her combat skills were nil. When she'd done a scan of this floor, she'd sensed something...unusual. Vaguely like another Persona user, but also...not. Still, there hadn't been anything that looked like a threat on this floor, so she didn't let it get to her--she was on her way to Nanako-chan's room again, hoping to check on her and play with her if she was there, so a slightly-strange reading wasn't going to make her stop or turn around.

Of course, she wasn't expecting to run into a dog here, either, especially not such a forlorn-looking one. And was that...yeah, he (she?) was carrying a collar in his mouth, but he was also wearing a collar just like everyone else in the Tower was wearing. Which meant...he (or she) was one of them: a captive of this place.

She doesn't know if he's friendly or not, and while he's not a big dog, she still doesn't want to scare him if it turns out he's the type to be a little skittish; so Rise stops a little bit in front of the puppeh, keeping her hands open and visible at her sides as she smiles and calls out to him.

"Aww, what's wrong, little guy? Need someone to put that collar on you?"

> You find that the dog is friendly and polite!

[determinedhowl]

His ears perked up at the sound of another person there, and while she was wearing a costume she... didn't seem to be affected like most of the others he'd seen so far? Thus while wary of her, the dog did at least approach and hold the collar out. And boy, was it a strange-looking one.

Please help strangely-costumed lady that seems familiar somehow (did he see you on TV once or twice...)?

/HITS > YES LIKE A MADMAN

[miseris_socios]

[Ken's still in his Red Hawk outfit, still unable to get it off, but he pauses when he sees Koromaru. He walks towards him, kneeling a little once he gets close.]

Koromaru? It's me. It's Ken.

[... Don't mind the muffled voice through the mask. ... He does notice the SEES armband, but maybe he knows Koromaru in the worlds where he's in SEES too.]

> You have bothered the puppy!

[determinedhowl]

[Red Hawk outfit or not, it wasn't hard for him to recognize the familiar scent. Koromaru barked happily, but tilted his head to the side. Ken-san? Were you OK? Did you succumb to the 'penalties' too? :(

> He doesn't seem to care whether you are SEES or Strega.
> Still bros? ;;]

[sixthsense]

...a dog?

[It was carrying a collar. She frowns slightly at the sight. It's not that she dislikes dogs--if anything, it was the exact opposite,-- but changed as she is, she wonders if it would allow her to come any closer. Animals were sensitive to the supernatural in a way that many humans were not.

It's worth trying, at least. Leaning forward slightly, Mio pats her thigh a couple times before extending one hand. With some effort she manages to offer the dog an small, cautious smile.]

Ah, come here doggy. Come here...

[determinedhowl]

[Nope, just a knife this time. A few people were already kind enough to put it on around the collar they're all given here before awakening. Though he pauses in his steps the moment he senses something being... off about the one he just heard.

Koromaru growls at first. She smells of death, something he remembers his friend going to face an entity of all alone because they could not even stand... but wasn't Ryoji-san Death? And he was friendly...

Maybe he's only wary because the others who were affected seemed to be more hostile, but he at least takes a few cautious steps forward.

> Try again?]

[evokingfool]

There's a singing voice. A very familiar sounding voice. Only the song slowed down when the singer saw Koromaru.

"Koromaru...?"

He may be in a costume - no, he was his costume - but it's Minato. Minato walking over to Koromaru.

[determinedhowl]

The barking started before the song slowed. He recognized that voice; it was hard not to with the time they spent together. Thus the dog made his way over to his friend, even though he was transformed as well. Whether it was good or bad that he recognized Orpheus' form, guess he'll find out later.

He's just so glad to know you're relatively safe...

SHADOW approaches DOGE!

[obfuskate]

Well, that was certainly a dog.

That felt mighty out-of-place. He hadn't expected to see any domestic pets wandering around, let alone with one of those collars wrapped around his neck. Shadow fumbled with his own, a bright indigo, twisting it around a little subconsciously. He really did feel like a dog wearing this, a puppy at the mercy of this tower's master, and he was making a point to not be obedient.

This one, though...

Hmph.

... Cute.

Not that he would admit it out-loud, but the dog enticed him. Therefore, Shadow steadily approached and reached a hand out, hoping to pat it on the head without getting bitten or otherwise snarled at.

Re: SHADOW approaches DOGE!

[determinedhowl]

Koromaru had been pausing in his steps a lot more often than usual. Never was it more apparent than suddenly large hedgehog.

One would think he wouldn't be so surprised by that, considering the Shadows he faced with and without his SEES friends, but this threw him for a loop briefly. The one approaching him looked like he belonged on one of those Saturday morning cartoons that Ken tried to deny he watched...

...

Don't mind him, sniffing your hand before he lets you pet him, Shadow. At least he wasn't snarling?

[heavenspear]

Ken tensed as he recognized the sound of padded footsteps in one of the halls. So far, he'd been sticking close to the lower levels on some good advice, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't run into the occasional monster.

He raised his spear into a guard stance, ready for anything. Wait. Wasn't that...

"Koromaru?" he asked, as if he couldn't quite believe his eyes.

[determinedhowl]

Probably some pretty good advice, something that Koromaru didn't receive but was perfectly fine for now. Maybe it was a good thing he could sense something was off about certain...floors...

...

Oh. Was this what Yoshino-san meant? There really was more than one of everyone out there? He blinked twice, then barked. Yep, that's him! Was this the Ken he knew, though?

So many people he knows yet doesn't. Please be one of those from home...

Bothering the furball!~

[tohko_amano]

Tohko mopped up the floor, sighing. It had been a rough week, and it seemed like everyone was making a mess, putting blood on the floor and messing up the shelves in the library. As she worked, she noticed a cute white puppy walking towards her with a collar in it's mouth. It looked..a little sad. "Pardon me puppy, but do you want me to put that collar on you? And are you feeling alright? Want something to eat?"

Oh boy, yay!~

[determinedhowl]

A certain dog was beginning to wonder if that was simply the norm around here, what with how it had been since he arrived. Though he couldn't help but tilts his head at the questions. He made a noise, 'yes.' To which one? Who knew, but he was placing the collar on a table nearby so it would be easy for her to reach.

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko's run into a lot of animals at the tower. Sadly, most are a threat, and his natural reaction upon coming across a creature is to take a defensive stance. The scars on his arms and the repaired tatters of his clothes make it obvious.

But there's something familiar about that lump of fur down the hall.]

...

[He whistles to the dog.]

[determinedhowl]

[That whistle-- Koromaru perks up at that, head turning toward the sound. Wait, the scent is familiar, too.

'Akihiko-san!'

Of course, it sounded more like an excited bark, but he runs over to where he was called, tail wagging in excitement. Hooray, one of his other friends is here, and safe!

...

Akihiko.

Protein bro.

What have you been doing.]

> room 3-04, let's rock

[viditlibertas]

Alcor was not often in his room, honestly. With the young version of Yamato currently dwelling within the tower, he'd been busy just trying to tend to him- and keeping him out of trouble. It was exhausting, but he often spent his nights in the kid's room, only resting in his own when it was required. And it wasn't like he had any things to look after, either.

So it was quite an odd day when Alcor teleported in to his room, apparently with little else to do. It was only then that he noticed that, gee, one of his roomies was actually there, apparently! Not that he knew anyone who dwelled within his room, but why else would a dog be here?

it's amazing alcor had survived so many eons really

"Hello, there." ...and Alcor proceeded to talk as if dogversations were normal to him.

> aw hell yeah B)

[determinedhowl]

Well Alcor, you likely just gained one more guard dog overnight? Seriously, he was just coming back to look for his ball or something in his trunk when he heard a voice from behind him.

"...!!" When did they get in here? Was it one of his roommates? It honestly had him curious, along with the strange smell and the obvious question of 'how you do this'. Though to be honest, he should have been used to weird things, considering the other howl in his head.

"Hello." Koromaru tilted his head to the side. "Are you one of the people who stay in here, too?"

How he not meet any of them yet what be that madness.

>Pretend they're outside Room 1-12 since i'm sure Koro went to find Shinji at some point

[morituramfides]

He really didn't want to deal with anyone today after all that...Halloween shit. He was less mad and traumatized and more exhausted, like he'd be hung over for two weeks straight. And he'd never gotten to have the alcohol.

So Jin was a bit groggy and achey and--more trying to get used to the lack of aches-- when he answered the door, when lo and behold it's...

"Koromaru?" Well wasn't that a genuine surprise.

>Seems legit.

[determinedhowl]

Why yes, yes it was Koromaru... though it may not be the puppy you are looking for, considering the wing color. He couldn't put on the SEES armband on by himself and had been sleeping with his collar on as usual. Couldn't bother his roommates with trying to put it on since what are opposable thumbs?

He barked once; yep, that's him! Surprised? He certainly wasn't, since he knew the scent of you and Moros vaguely.

Was his friend really alive here/OK and should he be squinting at you as an attempt of grenade to the face was being A Thing again...

Bother, of course!

[clumsyjesus]

[Colette has been frantically searching for sweets for several days. While she was not in a costume and therefore not going to die from suffocation, she was trying her best to save as many people as possible.

While searching in the cafeteria, she comes across something white and furry....and rather pretty cute as well]

Hey, is that a dog? [Or is it a monster? She hopes it's the former]

oops, inbox hid you.;~;

[determinedhowl]

[It's a dog! And apparently just playing with a pumpkin, since it seemed as though there were no dog food in the tower and one of his friends was likely busy trying to come up with something that he could eat.

that's when he noticed someone else enter and stop, tilting his head. Most of his friends were either already transformed or not affected, so...]