鳴上 悠 [Narukami Yu] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pitiedthefool) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
towerofanimus2013-02-03 07:48 pm
pitiedthefool) wrote in towerofanimus2013-02-03 07:48 pm
015 | ❝A cold wind blows away...❞
Characters: Yu and You
Setting: Floor 48, 100, 96 ('cept not really), 84, 78, & 81
Format: I'll follow you
Summary: Time to explore the new floors, and come across new and old faces + memories. And to remember ones that disappeared.
Warnings: Possible P4 spoilers in comments. Also the fact feels are often a thing.
Floor 48
After stringing together Reno and Elena's wedding present, Yu had realized that there were still two left over. Maybe it was a good thing then, that he'd kept them in his trunk. Because when he woke up one morning, when he was listening to the voice at the back of his mind going through his social links... he noticed something.
Alice didn't feel as strong.
Before he realized it, he was heading down in the elevator (it was a longer ride than usual; he'd have to check the new floors later), and then the stairs to the graveyard. Soon he stopped at the long string of "Arisato" tombstones and noticed one in particular.
"...So you went back, after all."
His voice didn't really betray much, if anyone did hear him. Instead he merely stared down at the name and likely whispered a prayer of well-wishes and luck, however meaningless it may be, before silently placing a blue origami crane at the base of the stone.
'...I'm sorry, Thanatos. I couldn't help him like I promised you.'
It takes a moment, but eventually he pulls himself away to look for another name.
'...Legion.'
Floor 100
So it had been a few days, and he'd decided to explore some of the new floors instead of simply taking the elevator down to a floor close to his usual hangouts. So when he decided to simply take the stairs after the first dorm floor, he couldn't help but stop himself when he saw what Floor 100 became. It was...
Home...
Not just any part of Inaba, but the Dojima's living area. The shoe area, the small kitchen, the small dining table that ended up mostly used for either cooking or work Dojima-san brought home from work, and the little table and futon they'd sit at to watch TV together in the evenings when he and Nanako didn't have homework. It was all there, even down to the exact pattern on the floor cushions.
Yu stared at it in stunned silence for a moment, before he realized his hand went right through what, if this place were really the Dojima residence, would be a wall.
... After standing there for a few more moments to take the facts in, he simply turned and walked away. At least, if he wasn't approached.
Floor 96 (Not really an option, buuuut...)
He kept climbing down and, okay. Even at that blinding white he had to shield his eyes. Wha-?
...Oh. It's an empty room.
...
> You decide to leave it be.
Floor 84
...Oh, he loves this floor. He loves it so much that if he could stay the night in here without worrying the rest of his team, he probably would. You see, he found a camera while he was looking around. And it's kind of in his bag right now as he seems to be building something. And that something seems... kind of tall.
...Why does some of it look like legs with stitching on it? Well, you'll likely find out if you keep watching or ask while he climbs back down the ladder to get more materials. (Spoilers: It's likely someone most of the Tower hates.)
Floor 78
...Well, this is interesting. After all the madness of going through, trying to get gifts to people... now they think of adding a mail room? Well, it makes sense, but he's almost worried if he ends up receiving one and the "letters" begin anew.
Okay, maybe he'll stop being paranoid with Nanako and Adachi in the same helltower when pigs fly. Until then, he may just linger here for a moment.
Floor 81
So Yu stopped on the beginning of the fifth block before heading up again, deciding to be a bit more on the adventurous side to see just what was below. ...Damn, that's pretty high up and a lot of fog down below.
Yes, he can be someone to point out the obvious in a ridiculously dry humor sort of manner. He's just going to stare down and then above at the stars with his max courage stat... like a boss.
Setting: Floor 48, 100, 96 ('cept not really), 84, 78, & 81
Format: I'll follow you
Summary: Time to explore the new floors, and come across new and old faces + memories. And to remember ones that disappeared.
Warnings: Possible P4 spoilers in comments. Also the fact feels are often a thing.
Floor 48
After stringing together Reno and Elena's wedding present, Yu had realized that there were still two left over. Maybe it was a good thing then, that he'd kept them in his trunk. Because when he woke up one morning, when he was listening to the voice at the back of his mind going through his social links... he noticed something.
Alice didn't feel as strong.
Before he realized it, he was heading down in the elevator (it was a longer ride than usual; he'd have to check the new floors later), and then the stairs to the graveyard. Soon he stopped at the long string of "Arisato" tombstones and noticed one in particular.
"...So you went back, after all."
His voice didn't really betray much, if anyone did hear him. Instead he merely stared down at the name and likely whispered a prayer of well-wishes and luck, however meaningless it may be, before silently placing a blue origami crane at the base of the stone.
'...I'm sorry, Thanatos. I couldn't help him like I promised you.'
It takes a moment, but eventually he pulls himself away to look for another name.
'...Legion.'
Floor 100
So it had been a few days, and he'd decided to explore some of the new floors instead of simply taking the elevator down to a floor close to his usual hangouts. So when he decided to simply take the stairs after the first dorm floor, he couldn't help but stop himself when he saw what Floor 100 became. It was...
Home...
Not just any part of Inaba, but the Dojima's living area. The shoe area, the small kitchen, the small dining table that ended up mostly used for either cooking or work Dojima-san brought home from work, and the little table and futon they'd sit at to watch TV together in the evenings when he and Nanako didn't have homework. It was all there, even down to the exact pattern on the floor cushions.
Yu stared at it in stunned silence for a moment, before he realized his hand went right through what, if this place were really the Dojima residence, would be a wall.
... After standing there for a few more moments to take the facts in, he simply turned and walked away. At least, if he wasn't approached.
Floor 96 (Not really an option, buuuut...)
He kept climbing down and, okay. Even at that blinding white he had to shield his eyes. Wha-?
...Oh. It's an empty room.
...
> You decide to leave it be.
Floor 84
...Oh, he loves this floor. He loves it so much that if he could stay the night in here without worrying the rest of his team, he probably would. You see, he found a camera while he was looking around. And it's kind of in his bag right now as he seems to be building something. And that something seems... kind of tall.
...Why does some of it look like legs with stitching on it? Well, you'll likely find out if you keep watching or ask while he climbs back down the ladder to get more materials. (Spoilers: It's likely someone most of the Tower hates.)
Floor 78
...Well, this is interesting. After all the madness of going through, trying to get gifts to people... now they think of adding a mail room? Well, it makes sense, but he's almost worried if he ends up receiving one and the "letters" begin anew.
Okay, maybe he'll stop being paranoid with Nanako and Adachi in the same helltower when pigs fly. Until then, he may just linger here for a moment.
Floor 81
So Yu stopped on the beginning of the fifth block before heading up again, deciding to be a bit more on the adventurous side to see just what was below. ...Damn, that's pretty high up and a lot of fog down below.
Yes, he can be someone to point out the obvious in a ridiculously dry humor sort of manner. He's just going to stare down and then above at the stars with his max courage stat... like a boss.
Floor 78 :|b
She doesn't seem to notice Yu nearby.
> ...
> Approach?]
awkward moment, go :|b
He hesitates for a moment, but noticed something when he decided to step a little closer. ...Did she seem a bit pale at the content of the letter?
> ...
> Yes.
He's a little hesitant at first, but he does approach the princess of Hyrule and with a slight bow of respect. After all, she deserved it.]
Are you alright-?
[Like he had the right to ask that, but damn his gift of empathy.
And why is this still a trend it's been mooonths]/SHOVES AT SOCIAL LINK GDI WE ARE GOING TO TURN YOU AROUND SOMEHOW
She had never known what to think of this boy. Once, he had told her to stand when she thought she could no longer, but... he had also...]
I am fine.
[She lies, curtly, unconvincingly. In truth, she's been dancing on the razor's edge of sanity since the end of the "event" last month, and certain disappearances have not helped on that front. But that's personal, private, and Goddesses know she has a difficult time disclosing her worries to people she trusts, let alone someone she views with such uncertainty.
But she has met few in the Tower that would be discouraged by that simple statement, so she adds a distraction.]
Dax will be in charge next month.
[Again, her words are curt and formal, as she quietly folds the letter in question. Now, just don't ask her how she came to acquire that information...
Stop finding her when she's at her worst! o9!!!]/LET'S WORK ON IT, THEN
... I'm glad, Princess. Though I guess it was unfair of me to ask, with how this place often is.
[He sounds unconvinced, but he won't question with how things are between them. Though he raises an eyebrow at that. How did she-?
...Right. Ask later, but now is not the time
he would if he could, sob /o\.]...Dax? [He paused.] ...Well, that will be a relief. Especially after what Ganondorf tried to pull at the wedding a few days ago.
/YEEE /o/
She seems content to hum in agreement and drop the conversation until he mentions that too familiar name. She perks up, concern and curiosity breaking through the defensive walls she's put up.]
The King of Evil? [No, Zelda, the other Ganondorf.] What did he do, if I may ask...?
[Goddesses above, please tell her he didn't ruin it completely - she had specifically avoided it so as to not make Reno uncomfortable--]
c:
'More like King of Stupidity and Bad Timing.']
He tried to attack Ruana and Zo just as the ceremony concluded, and likely would have severely injured those around them with his dark assault.
[And if Zelda guessed Yu was close enough to feel that familiar-yet-not chill? She'd be right.]
Probably would have gotten away with it, were it not for their shields... though most of the wedding party were distraught by it. [He sighs.] Had to help talk Reno into going back just to check on his friends.
[...He won't say if he was successful or not, though.]
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And... he actually thought that would work.
[Really. He honestly thought attacking the administrators directly would work. Really. ... Wow. Just. Wow. She can't help shaking her head, muttering under her breath.]
Must be growing senile in his age... [Then, not necessarily directed to Yu, but louder for him to hear:] I hope the festivities were able to recover.
[Reno deserves that happiness.]
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[It was muttered, especially his own involvement. He doubted she'd believe it if she did hear it, but... there were friends of his present. If he thought that that a brief flicker of happiness in a place like this wasn't worth protecting, then- Well, it may not be directed at him, but he'll say this much as he glances away.]
Somewhat. Though one of my friends in the wedding party was too shaken up to enjoy herself after.
[He sighs. Man, and to think the main concerns he had before coming here were solving the case and his homeroom teachers. Speaking of...]
To think Yosuke and I thought Mr. Morooka was bad. This took "moron" to a new level...
[Respect for the dead: he has it
100%some of the time.]no subject
Probably both.
It's unfortunate, to hear that Ganondorf ruined the experience for at least one of the attendees, but before she can say anything about it-- did he just...?
... There's an exhale, a bit louder than normal, one that could have turned into a laugh if it were anyone else anywhere else, and the corners of the Princess' lips quirk up just the slightest amount.]
I cannot say I have heard anyone give him that moniker before. Though... Tetra is fond of referring to him as Ganondork.
[What is she going to do with that child...]
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Never was one to think of his own benefit over his friends or others. Oops?Also, yes. Yes he did, and he would likely be grateful Ganondorf himself did not hear that because he doesn't have Beelzebub or Lucifer equipped currently....It's a start. He does offer a soft 'heh' at the nickname.]
May have to agree with her on that one, considering. [What? It's fitting and he isn't sure whether to say he's glad to be the first one to indirectly call him a moron or not! ...Maybe living in the countryside for a year rubbed off on him more than he's admit.
...Same thing he'll likely do with his own sister/little cousin? Have absolutely no idea and watch them like a hawk when someone else isn't helping you.]
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[aka probably not the best source when it comes to Evil Kings. Alas! Perhaps if she had spent her adolescence in Inaba, surrounded by others her age, she would be able to find more than faint, wary amusement at the nicknames. But she's seen too much of what he can do first hand.
... Being promoted to parent it hard. It's hard and no one knows what to do.]
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My cousin's seven, and she's the only one who noticed something important about a person back home. So I can't say I'm that surprised.
[Nanako may not be the best source on saying "Um, big bro... that gas station attendant isn't human," but she did notice.]
Though all she did was call them "weird."
[What are they ever going to do with their pseudokids...]
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Mm. Children often have a special intuition into things that adults are either too busy or blind to notice.
[Father...]
Still, it is important to make the distinction between that intuition and simple childishness.
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...With the way things are, maybe we need that more than ever.
[... He can't make eye contact when he says it. As much as he's taken steps forward, he can't shake the screams he heard that first week in Ruana's game. Nor could he forget who caused them in the first place.
Even moreso, since it is Ruana's turn once again.]
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Seeing him glance away, she copies the movement, concerned about making him uncomfortable for Nayru knows what reason.]
Fight fire with fire, hm? Childishness with childishness.
[Because of course she's not thinking about merely trying to survive in this wretched place. Not after what she saw herself become. She's going to fight to get out of here, even if she's tired and traumatized.]
It is not my preferred style. [She doesn't even know if she remembers how to be childish anymore.] Intuition has always been my greater strength.
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He normally doesn't until rank 6 or higher I mean uhHe's finally able to look her way again when she says that, slightly shaking his head.]...I mean both. Childishness to protect our souls or what remains, and wisdom and courage for the battles we'll all be forced to face.
[What he'd seen for the few days he was here to experience had been enough. He couldn't let himself fall into such a state again, even if he had never gone that far. Izanagi knew just how much he didn't want to become like him.
He almost comments that his friends, his world, his his power
but the mun realized it was the wrong canon and said n o p e along with the bowlcutbut stayed silent on that. Not like she'd probably believe that, with what happened before.]...Intuition is a great strength to hold. [One he didn't have as great of as
the nope buttonfortitude and sheer dumb luck. The only question is... Why does he feel as though they are dancing around the elephant in the room?]no subject
But she's older than she once was. Mere months have passed, and yet she's felt the pain of years upon her mind and body. They have turned what once was a burning flame - open and easy to send into an inferno - into a glowing ember - subtle, cooler, but constant. It is the coal in her heart that burns as she directs her attention back to the boy before her, her expression set. Determination, questioning, suspicion, a quiet sort of anger... each emotion flows into the next, despite nothing in her face changing.]
... And yet, there are some I cannot quite pin down.
[Hint.
Hint.]
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Which was obvious just by looking into the princess's eyes, even before she spoke. His conscience is still, and likely always will be, weighed down by his actions that month. Yet like Igor said long ago, he would assume responsibility for the choices he made... and only work to make amends to those he had wronged.
Thou must not permit thyself to become so akin to I, child...
...For someone who prided himself with having an unreadable poker face, the guilt was obvious in his gaze; as was remorse. Even as he spoke, his voice betrayed him.]
"What right does someone like me have to say this," right?
[The screams, the helplessness, the fear and anger he learned so well... that crushing void-- He lowered his head, almost bowing. He figured after the fiasco at the last Fellowship meeting he attended that she was closed to England, so... it wasn't hard figuring out what she meant.]
... To be honest, even I don't understand my own actions sometimes. Why someone who sought truth and fought so hard to bring light to people's hearts and not be swayed by the voices of society would stoop so low as to do exactly what he fought against... but I did.
[He wouldn't cry; he didn't have that right when what he did was so monstrous. Not even after what he suffered with as punishment for his rebellion.]
I just didn't want someone I once saw as an ally suffer like everyone else did in that pod.
['I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...']
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As things stand now, as she stands before a young man so tall in body but small in spirit, she's surprised to find the only emotion she can truly grasp hold of... is sadness.]
... I watched my father die when I was a child. Ganondorf killed him to take his throne.
[Her words are unemotional, distant, as though she's trying to separate herself from the event. But she does not say these personal things to push the boy farther into his guilt (though some cruel, selfish part of her wants to), she says them to explain why it hurt her the way it did.]
I do not understand. I will never understand. Why does my family deserve such "mercy" when there are others suffering greater torments?
[Why my family over your own, she thinks but has enough restraint not to say. Even out of the heat of the moment, she could never understand why Minato could dispense such "mercy" upon Arthur in one act, then claim he and his have suffered in ways she would never understand in the next. The only way she could rationalize it was that he was being selfish, keeping his own support structure in tact while taking hers away.]
I want to feel angry - it would be so simple to be angry. But of course, nothing here is ever simple, is it. So I do not.
What am I to do?
[She asks the gods, but of course, none answer.]
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... That admittance was something that hit far too close to home. He could almost smell the smoke and exhaust again, hear the paramedics, hear the screaming. Yet he shook it off again. It didn't matter, anymore. They were gone; he was here, and this was his mistake.
Still, for some reason... it takes him so long to answer. Maybe it was because of his own breakdown at the end of the second week, when he tried to act like himself... but there was nothing there. Now that there was, though...]
...I did a terrible thing to your family; and Kirkland-san's friends... and I've been living with it ever since. I have no excuse, and your anger would be justified. [There's something more there; almost like he understood the pain of losing a father far too well, by he can't say it. Not yet.] I'm sorry. ...There's no way to make up for the pain of losing a father.
['Or a sister.' ...Wait, what?]
Even though I tried to with destroying as much of the exercise equipment so Jason wouldn't win. [And then, barely audible and dry:] How ironic that it was that act that caused us to win and for most of my soul to get ripped out as punishment...
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Atonement never works, does it. Those who should never do, and those who do probably should have never tried.
[And there's a story behind that, clearly, just as there are stories and secret meanings to just about everything she says, but she doesn't elaborate. Instead, she spends another long moment studying him, thinking over what he's said.]
... You are not like him. [She eventually settles on, and perhaps it's unfair to compare Minato in the heat of the moment to Yu months after the fact, but she doesn't care.] You do not make excuses; you do not assume anything. You understand guilt, and the consequences of your actions.
[These are apparently things that are important to her. Finally, she looks down, sparing him from her accusatory stare as she clasps her hands over her heart. As though doing such a thing would protect it.]
I... I cannot say I trust you, nor can I say I will ever forget. ... But you have proven you are more than that, and... perhaps that is what I should focus on.
[That's... probably as good as you're going to get from her, Narukami.]
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'What can I do... to help mend the pain I've caused?'
What she said, however, makes him feel as though something caught in his throat.
'You are not like him.'
Who was it that she meant? Surely it couldn't mean-
That's when it hit him; what her words meant. What he knew for truth, and that even after months since, Minato knew he'd messed up. Part of him wanted to say that, to defend his friend. Yet how could he, when what she said was true? There was no protecting someone from their own mistakes. They have to face reality on their own terms or find themselves blindsided by it.
Unfortunately though, that particular Arisato could no longer defend himself. He was gone, leaving his accomplice in that offense to bear the brunt of the act on his own. It hurt, but despite the contract being fulfilled, he had promised to face reality and consequence.
Her words were unfair, but accurate. So all Yu does is bow; something that meant a great deal for someone of his culture.]
...That is more than I could ever ask for.
[To be shown that much kindness, part of him isn't sure what to do about it. Maybe that's why he could only mouth 'your highness', having momentarily lost his voice. It takes him a moment to add only one thing:]
If there is anything I can do to thank you for your mercy, your highness... don't hesitate to ask.
[...Now he knew how Adachi felt when he knelt beside him.]
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Arthur had been the first so show her such reverence. Funny, how things work out.
Coming back into herself, she lifts her head, looking down at Yu with those sad but stoic eyes.]
... I cannot say I know what you could do, but I shall keep that in mind.
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... Maybe one day you'll see.
[He gives Zelda a faint smile more than what he could say, himself. Sadness, gratefulness, and perhaps something else that remained hidden for now; like one of his many masks. Still, he makes note of the mailbox number before he'll leave her to her thoughts. He'd likely need it at some point.]
no subject
[She regards him with a tilt of her head as he stands, uncertainty still coloring her expression. But... she is giving him a chance. Perhaps choosing forgiveness (or the beginnings of) over vengeance will pay off, or perhaps it is simply delaying it. She can't be certain yet. But she's giving him a chance.
Only time can tell what will happen next.]