【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-star resort and casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.
It has recently come to our attention that many of our guests have not been focusing on their health and wellness. In an effort to encourage healthy living and help our beloved guests get in shape, a grand sports festival will be held in the Golden Peacock. This sports festival will include many small games and four large games.
Prior to the festival, guests will have the opportunity to train and prepare for the games with our expert coaches.
We hope you are as excited as we are! And, as always, we hope you enjoy your stay. 】
BEAK
MEET THE TEAM
♦ DIAMONDS GAME ♦
OMEGADOME: HUNTING GAME
A cheerful pair of game managers stand outside the conservatory doors and block all guests that try to enter. They quickly explain that a special Diamonds game is taking place inside and only guests that agree to participate may enter. This game is a physical exercise that riffs on "Hunting", which is a popular sport in many different countries and civilizations. Of course, it is one hundred percent safe, and all guests that play are eligible to win massive chip prizes, store vouchers, fabulous prizes, and more.
Details about the game? Those can't be shared outside of the conservatory. Only the brave and those willing to risks will reap the benefits of this Diamonds game. So step right up, dear guests, and sign this waiver before stepping into the flourishing beauty of the conservatory for a brand new adventure.
♥ HEARTS GAME ♥
DOUBLES' THERMO: SURVIVAL GAME
Chickadees is sparing no expense on advertising their e-sport games over the course of the sports festival. Posters, notifications, stickers, fliers! Come one, come all. Sports don't need to be physical. Guests that duck into the arcade will find a variety of e-sport games to enjoy, but the real showstopper that every single employee is aggressively promoting is the new immersive VR game, DOUBLES' THERMO.
A large swath of egg-shaped pods have been installed in the back half of Chickadees. Any guest that shows an iota of interest will be assaulted by employees encouraging them to give it a try. They will offer vouchers for a free session, encourage with mentions of prizes that can be won from the arcade's coveted prize wall, and persuade by praising how high tech and immersive the experience is. Some employees are desperate enough to trick or push guests into the pods if they aren't willing to go in themselves.
However they've ended up inside the VR egg, guests will find themselves submerged in strange fluid as the lid closes. Everything fades away into darkness as the game loads...
♣ CLUBS GAME ♣
QUACK AND COVER: SHOOTING GAME
Cloaca & Dagger has temporarily outfitted itself as a neon-bright paintball course. Gone are the wild sex setups in exchange for series of obstacles and obstructions for guests to navigate while in pursuit of paintball championship. This high intensity game of strategy and physical fitness promises to exhilarate! Welcome to Quack and Cover, a game where your shooting skills and ingenuity will be put to the test.
So say the game managers at the door before following up with a few disclaimers. Cloaca & Dagger is not responsible for any physical or psychological trauma guests may incur while inside. Guests that join the game will then be outfitted in tight black underarmor and supplied with a paintball gun and protective mask before being let loose on the course.
♠ SPADES GAME ♠
PECKING ORDER: MMA GAME
During night hours, many long-standing guests make their way through Talon toward the gym’s creaky basement stairs. Three floors down and then through a desolate hallway with littered with abandoned equipment. Double doors wait at the end, unassuming until they’ve been opened…
Flashing lights, jeers, and the thick odor of sweat. You’ve found the Pecking Order, a late-night mixed martial arts event where guests show their prowess in the ring. Spectating guests shout and messily eat snacks on make-shift bleachers while fighters clash inches away, using only their bodies to fight for dominance and win. Pecking Order is very informal; guests only need to sign up in order to get added to the docket. Anyone can watch, though they will be vaguely warned at the door that even spectating comes with risks.
LOCKER ROOMS
YOU WASH MY BACK, I'LL WASH YOURS
Every training and game location has a door labeled LOCKER ROOM right outside the entrance. These doors all connect to the same massive locker room. The magic of these locker room doors goes one way. Trying to go back to the place you just were by backtracking will not work — you’ll just end up in Beak! All guests will be advised to finish their games before hitting the showers.
The Golden Peacock is proud to present our upgraded and extended locker room. Please come in and enjoy the facilities, catch-up with your teammates, and enjoy some healthy drinks provided by our favorite resort convenience store, Cock-a-doodle-doo’s!
▶ All characters on the TDM are WILDCARDS, which means they have not yet been assigned a card value. Suits will not manifest until characters are accepted into the game.
▶ All TDMs are game canon. This TDM acts as the game's March event.
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▶ The top level directory is for new characters only. We want to make sure new characters are prioritized and receive attention! If you would be interested in a game invitation, you can note that in your comment header.
▶ If you aren't satisfied with these prompts, please feel free to check out our LOCATIONS to explore more of the resort!
▶ Smut threads that take place on this TDM can be used for rewards. If both parties in the smut thread join the game, you may retroactively apply the character's initial card values to your 52 bank. If one character does not join the game the thread will not be applicable toward rewards (as that character would not have a card value). The character that does join would still receive a small payout for the encounter. Hopefully it was a fun thread regardless!
▶ We ask you to kindly add content warnings to your threads as appropriate.
▶ If you do not currently have permissions and kinks listed in your character’s journal we suggest leaving a note in your top level of any limits or boundaries for other players to reference.
[Yes!! The lazy way wins again. She knew combing the island searching for someone would be a waste of time. Making them come to her is just more efficient! Keeping her jacket over her head to protect from the sun, she turns in the direction of the voice, hoping to meet whoever it is halfway. The sand sucks at her school loafers, though, and she almost trips more than once, but she keeps trudging toward -- oh, it's a boy, isn't it? Another boy in a school uniform.
She shifts her jacket to one hand and waves, then points toward the trees. If they're going to meet in the middle, they should head toward the shade, at least until she manages to get her uniform better adjusted for the heat.]
[A girl. Also in a school uniform. Is there... something familiar about it...??
Hm. Never mind, for now.
He's taken off his shoes, for now, opting to carry them instead as he trudges through the sand. This...really is the most impractical situation, isn't it? But he catches her gesture toward the trees, so he nods and starts heading in that direction.
When they're close enough to speak without shouting,] Nice to finally see someone-- [... and then she's close enough to recognize.] ... Kotone?
[She blinks at him and lowers her jacket once in the relative nicer temperature of the tree's shade. His uniform isn't at all familiar -- maybe a transfer student? She'd definitely remember meeting someone like him, though. Like, he's pretty distinctive-looking -- tall, silver, and handsome.
Still, he knows her name, and she definitely doesn't know his. Folding her jacket over her arm, she gives him a sheepish shrug and a smile.]
[Gekkoukan -- it clicks into place once he recognizes Kotone. The class trip. Wow, what a throwback...
...
But she doesn't recognize him. And on one hand, he knows how weird that is, when strangers know your name and face. But on the other... it's not a great feeling, knowing she doesn't remember things. He leans on surprise to hide the feeling of disappointment, followed by a sort of generic, mild politeness.]
... sort of. It probably seems pretty weird, but I meet a version of "you" who was here a while ago.
[There's a moment of her own surprise, a tilt of her head as she seems to mull that weirdness over -- then, a few seconds later, she shrugs, apparently accepting it as fact without trying to question it. More importantly, that means she's talking to someone who knew her well enough to call her by her first name, and she's either met him before and forgotten, or some version of her met him before. Whatever it is, her lips curve up in a sympathetic smile.]
[He's quiet a moment, working out his response, and then he shakes his head.]
Don't be. Unfortunately, it's not as uncommon as anyone might want it to be... the same thing happened to me, too.
[Simple. Easy. His expression reflects that, some friendly warmth creeping into his smile. As for the friends part, he...has to work out just how much to say.]
We were. But... we also have a friend in common. One with a particularly long nose.
[She hums, still with sympathy but with more than a little curiosity added in. So the same thing happened to this guy, too...? Where people recognized him from before? Logically, she knows it's not her fault, but she can still feel bad for forgetting.
Her hand goes to her heart. Being forgotten would be one of the worst things she could imagine.
Maybe it's because her hand is on her heart that she feels a strange resonance, a feeling like seeing someone for the first time in a decade and yet also the feeling of looking into a mirror. Before she has time to really focus in on that strange kindred feeling, he's explaining it -- and her eyes go wide, more startled by that admission than the revelation that she'd been there before.]
Wait, really? You know Igor and Theo? Are they ...here? [and forgive her for her voice turning a bit doubtful. It would be okay if Theo were here, but Igor in this kind of casino... hm...]
[It's hard to say I'm glad to see you again in a place like this; instead, Yu holds that feeling to himself, acknowledging it only in mind. Because he is, circumstances notwithstanding -- she was fun to be around, and the resonance of Izanagi...it's still a bit novel, this feeling. Like meeting an old friend. A brightness makes its way into his expression at the acknowledgment.
Theo...? Hm. An attendant, he assumes.
(... and suppresses a shudder at the very idea of Margaret ending up here. She'd tear the whole place down in a bid to get out, he imagines.)]
I only know Igor. But-- I haven't seen anyone from the Velvet Room at all, here.
[As much as that's for the best, he can't help wondering if Igor might at least be able to hint at a path forward...even if he'd never say it outright.]
[Maybe she can be forgiven for the equal parts relief and disappointment on her face. As funny as it might be to see Theo in this kind of place, it also kind of sounds like keeping an eye on him might be a lot of work. Not to mention Igor would probably be his usual helpful self, and while the vague hints of direction might be helpful, the rest of the implications... maybe not. Considering the various apparel (or lack thereof) everyone in the sports barracks had been in, Igor being here would be...
Anyway! Better to focus her attention on this boy in front of her than dwell on that particular thought. She clasps her hands behind her back and gives him another friendly smile.]
So... you know my name. What's yours?
[She has a lot of questions, about his Personas, about his journey, but maybe introductions are more important.]
[Kotone's thoughts are going down a cursed road...
Better go with the subject change...]
Yu Narukami. But-- just Yu is fine. [Honorifics in a place like this?? He just. hasn't bothered with them.
He has plenty of questions for her, too, of course. How long she's been here, things like that. The most pressing one is more utilitarian than that, though. He shields his eyes to look around. Trees, more trees, sand...]
You haven't seen anything that'd work as a shelter, have you? [Then, lightly:] Other than uniform jackets.
[Most people seem to be okay with first names here, aren't they...? Then again, considering the nature of the place, maybe that makes sense. It feels silly to dwell on honorifics based on what she's seen already, after all! For her, it's easier to just go along with whatever someone else wants regarding terms of address, so she just shrugs and nods, accepting it without question.
Her nod quickly turns to a shake of her head as she looks around, almost as if she's expecting a shelter to just appear out of nowhere.]
Uh-uh. If you came from this direction, though, maybe we should try the other...?
[She'd just started yelling the second the message had arrived on her watch. It had seemed more efficient to start teaming up sooner rather than later, after all! So she pumps a fist in the air and turns, ready to lead the way.]
Sooo... let's go! [If they're meant to forge an emotional bond, hiking through the trees together in search of food or shelter seems like a good start!]
[She really is going along with all of this pretty easily, isn't she...? In a sense, there's a certain easygoing nature they all seem to share, but still...Hm. Well, it makes things easier, doesn't it?
Her smile and energy has a similar effect, making it impossible not to return the expression, at least a bit.]
I agree. I'll follow you, leader.
[Light, a little nonserious. It... does sound a bit weird, calling someone else by the name, but it's all for the bit, apparently.]
[She could stress out, maybe complain like Yukari or Junpei might. But that wouldn't make a difference, would it? Easier to just accept things as they come, the good and the bad. The bad: being stuck on a VR island. The good: making a new friend!
Being called leader does make her laugh a little, though her back reflexively straightens even more as if prepared to accept the responsibility. A glance back at him as she keeps skipping forward with her hands behind her back, and she asks,] So who was your first Persona? What was your Journey like? Did you ever work with a group called SEES?
[Another likeness between them, in a way. Besides -- it's just a game. What's the worst that could happen? (Wouldn't that be a funny question to find an answer to-)
Having a companion here makes Yu feel more at-ease already, and when it's someone with good energy, the effect compounds. Still, she manages to beat him to the punch, when it comes to questions, huh... He quickens his pace a tiny bit to keep with hers, side by side instead of following behind. It just feels kind of weird, hanging behind someone's back like that.]
Izanagi. I didn't work with SEES. [...] I know someone who did, though. And-- it was interesting. A long story. I'm sure yours was the same, right? A lot happened.
[Surely there's no quicksand or vicious animals programmed into this lovely beach or anything--
She grins at him when he comes to walk beside her, though she doesn't slow to match him. He's got long legs, he can keep up with her! And while he's given her the shortest possible answers to her question (she can relate), there's something in there that catches her attention immediately.]
You have? [She visibly brightens, clapping her hands together.] Was it Mitsuru-senpai, or somebody else?
[Considering she's already met Mitsuru, it wouldn't be weird if that "someone" is her. If not, though... does that mean that Yu got to work with SEES after Kotone herself wasn't there anymore? Maybe!]
[Yu takes keeping up as a personal challenge. This is nothing! (It's hot, dammit.) No big deal! (Ugh, sweat feels gross.)
His smile grows at the mention of Mitsuru; at the same time, it's something of a relief.] So you've met her already, huh? [That's good.
They had talked about it before, that their "timelines" --so to speak-- overlap a little bit...and with what Rise has told him, it wouldn't be out of line to think that some kind of strange thing might happen again at home involving Shadows. Maybe SEES would come into it, too. But, at this point,] I only met her here, though. Not at home. I'm sure she was glad to see you.
[She'd gotten lucky in that respect; if nothing else, it means that she can trust Mitsuru to let her know when they need to fight or what they need to do. Which means she's free to enjoy her daily life for now, probably! Like making this tall boy sweat a little--
But oh, that's a little disappointing. It would have been nice to hear about Yu's experiences with her team after she was gone, but it's still exciting that he knows Mitsuru at all! So she lets that power her smile as she looks up at him, hopefully masking the hint of melancholy that lingers in her eyes because this is the only way Mitsuru can see her, isn't it? Being in this weird place.]
She was, [she says simply, like there's more meaning behind that statement than the words might suggest.] And I was glad to see her, too. I hope you get to meet everybody someday! They're all really unique.
[Hup! Clambering over a fallen tree and offering Yu a hand to help him over.]
[Yu is normally so observant, but between the sun beating down and the extremely realistic conditions, he's distracted enough that he doesn't catch the softness in her expression, the lilting hint of something more. He thinks he catches a particular kind of weight in her words, something close to relatable, if a bit off-center. The same tone he might have if he met a friend he hadn't seen in a while, maybe...
Ah. A fallen tree.
It's with a grateful look that he takes her hand. Izanagi stirs within him, the tug of the Fool; the feel of seeing a long-lost friend after way too long; the surety of knowing you're going to like someone. He recognizes these sensations, the connection, even as he has to set it aside to handle the task at hand. He hoists himself up and over, with her help.]
Somehow, I don't doubt that for a second. [And maybe the nostalgia remains in his tone as he says it; it's relatable, the idea of being surrounded by that uniqueness. That seems to be something they share in common.]
[Her fingers curl around his, chilly in spite of the scorching heat of the sun. Maybe that's why she holds on for a few extra seconds after the tree is cleared; maybe it's because Orpheus drifts to the front of her mind with the kind of steady reassurance she's felt from the strength of all of her friends.]
Your team was pretty unique, too? [she asks with a smile of her own, squeezing his hand briefly before forcing herself to let go so she can start skipping ahead again.] Can you tell me about them?
[Maybe she should ask what he knows about her, considering they've met before, but... maybe in a bit!]
[The cold brush of her fingertips is notable, and his eyes flick quickly from her hand to her face, just for a moment. She doesn't seem distressed by it, but Yu can't quite reconcile the chill of her hand with the oppressive heat of the simulation. He elects to leave it for later.
He, too, lingers a moment, fingers wrapped around hers, and he can't tell whether it's out of a desire to share some warmth with her or Izanagi's attempt to reach out in some inexplicable way--
--but the moment ends whether he wants it to or not.]
Mm, they are. [A fondness seeps into his tone as he speaks; he doesn't even try to hide it. Not when it comes to them.] Most of them were my classmates. We all met under some strange circumstances, but...I couldn't ask for better friends.
[She can't help but giggle lightly when he says "unusual circumstances." Are there any usual circumstances a group of Persona users would get together under? But what's more important is that his voice shows the same clear affection for his friends that she's sure her own would.
She'll never meet his friends, will she? At least, not in Japan. Maybe they'll wake up here like she did, maybe not, but as much as she'd like to promise to visit them once they figure out how to leave... that's impossible.
It's funny, isn't it? Thinking about a whole world that will move on, bonds that are forged and broken, all possible because of her sacrifice but all happening without her at all. It's weird.
She's been silent for a few seconds too long, and that's weird, too, so she glances back up to him with another smile as if that moment hadn't happened.] That's lucky, though! That a lot of your classmates had the potential.
[A faint smile tugs at his expression, listening to that laugh. She probably knows about "unusual circumstances" just as much as he does; maybe he should have used the word "unfortunate" instead, for the sake of accuracy, but...it's nice to know that his own journey wasn't the only one with some level of strangeness.
Yu isn't the kind of person who minds silence, as a general rule. He's happy to let someone else fill it, but he's just as content to let it be, too. And yet...it sticks in his mind, a bit, something empty and yet loaded at the same time. Maybe he's looking for meaning in places where there is none; maybe his time in Inaba stuck with him in that way, as well. Whatever the case, he has to put it aside, for now, tucking it away in the back of his mind as she fixes her attention back on him.
That word she uses, too -- it's odd.]
... Not everyone does?
[The potential. He's never considered that there might be an element like that to the whole thing.]
[She seems equally as confused by his confusion, tilting her head and humming as she tries to decide how to word it. Explaining things had always been Mitsuru's job; it was not Kotone's job to explain nor even to question, most of the time!]
Well... yeah. Most people can't. And even awakening your Persona can be pretty tough, even if you do have the potential to do it.
[She brings her forefinger and thumb to her temple in the shape of a gun, miming the act of shooting herself in the head. Like, that's kind of harrowing for a lot of people! Even for her, it had been a little unnerving!]
Yu can't hide the faint notes of confusion in his expression, and for a moment, he has to search for words to form a response. Because-- yeah, that sure is unnerving. And wholly unexpected! All his friends had to do was confront a monster made up of the worst parts of themselves!]
[Again, she's confused because he's confused, her head tilting a little more as her brow furrows. Their experiences differ...?]
You don't need to use an Evoker...? [she asks curiously, her forefinger and thumb still in the shape of a gun as she looks between her hand and Yu's face.] To summon your Personas, I mean.
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peacockstop2025-03-15 09:00 pm
no subject
She shifts her jacket to one hand and waves, then points toward the trees. If they're going to meet in the middle, they should head toward the shade, at least until she manages to get her uniform better adjusted for the heat.]
no subject
Hm. Never mind, for now.
He's taken off his shoes, for now, opting to carry them instead as he trudges through the sand. This...really is the most impractical situation, isn't it? But he catches her gesture toward the trees, so he nods and starts heading in that direction.
When they're close enough to speak without shouting,] Nice to finally see someone-- [... and then she's close enough to recognize.] ... Kotone?
no subject
[She blinks at him and lowers her jacket once in the relative nicer temperature of the tree's shade. His uniform isn't at all familiar -- maybe a transfer student? She'd definitely remember meeting someone like him, though. Like, he's pretty distinctive-looking -- tall, silver, and handsome.
Still, he knows her name, and she definitely doesn't know his. Folding her jacket over her arm, she gives him a sheepish shrug and a smile.]
Sorry, have we met before...?
no subject
...
But she doesn't recognize him. And on one hand, he knows how weird that is, when strangers know your name and face. But on the other... it's not a great feeling, knowing she doesn't remember things. He leans on surprise to hide the feeling of disappointment, followed by a sort of generic, mild politeness.]
... sort of. It probably seems pretty weird, but I meet a version of "you" who was here a while ago.
no subject
[There's a moment of her own surprise, a tilt of her head as she seems to mull that weirdness over -- then, a few seconds later, she shrugs, apparently accepting it as fact without trying to question it. More importantly, that means she's talking to someone who knew her well enough to call her by her first name, and she's either met him before and forgotten, or some version of her met him before. Whatever it is, her lips curve up in a sympathetic smile.]
I'm sorry. Were we friends?
no subject
Don't be. Unfortunately, it's not as uncommon as anyone might want it to be... the same thing happened to me, too.
[Simple. Easy. His expression reflects that, some friendly warmth creeping into his smile. As for the friends part, he...has to work out just how much to say.]
We were. But... we also have a friend in common. One with a particularly long nose.
no subject
Her hand goes to her heart. Being forgotten would be one of the worst things she could imagine.
Maybe it's because her hand is on her heart that she feels a strange resonance, a feeling like seeing someone for the first time in a decade and yet also the feeling of looking into a mirror. Before she has time to really focus in on that strange kindred feeling, he's explaining it -- and her eyes go wide, more startled by that admission than the revelation that she'd been there before.]
Wait, really? You know Igor and Theo? Are they ...here? [and forgive her for her voice turning a bit doubtful. It would be okay if Theo were here, but Igor in this kind of casino... hm...]
no subject
Theo...? Hm. An attendant, he assumes.
(... and suppresses a shudder at the very idea of Margaret ending up here. She'd tear the whole place down in a bid to get out, he imagines.)]
I only know Igor. But-- I haven't seen anyone from the Velvet Room at all, here.
[As much as that's for the best, he can't help wondering if Igor might at least be able to hint at a path forward...even if he'd never say it outright.]
no subject
[Maybe she can be forgiven for the equal parts relief and disappointment on her face. As funny as it might be to see Theo in this kind of place, it also kind of sounds like keeping an eye on him might be a lot of work. Not to mention Igor would probably be his usual helpful self, and while the vague hints of direction might be helpful, the rest of the implications... maybe not. Considering the various apparel (or lack thereof) everyone in the sports barracks had been in, Igor being here would be...
Anyway! Better to focus her attention on this boy in front of her than dwell on that particular thought. She clasps her hands behind her back and gives him another friendly smile.]
So... you know my name. What's yours?
[She has a lot of questions, about his Personas, about his journey, but maybe introductions are more important.]
no subject
Better go with the subject change...]
Yu Narukami. But-- just Yu is fine. [Honorifics in a place like this?? He just. hasn't bothered with them.
He has plenty of questions for her, too, of course. How long she's been here, things like that. The most pressing one is more utilitarian than that, though. He shields his eyes to look around. Trees, more trees, sand...]
You haven't seen anything that'd work as a shelter, have you? [Then, lightly:] Other than uniform jackets.
no subject
Her nod quickly turns to a shake of her head as she looks around, almost as if she's expecting a shelter to just appear out of nowhere.]
Uh-uh. If you came from this direction, though, maybe we should try the other...?
[She'd just started yelling the second the message had arrived on her watch. It had seemed more efficient to start teaming up sooner rather than later, after all! So she pumps a fist in the air and turns, ready to lead the way.]
Sooo... let's go! [If they're meant to forge an emotional bond, hiking through the trees together in search of food or shelter seems like a good start!]
no subject
Her smile and energy has a similar effect, making it impossible not to return the expression, at least a bit.]
I agree. I'll follow you, leader.
[Light, a little nonserious. It... does sound a bit weird, calling someone else by the name, but it's all for the bit, apparently.]
no subject
Being called leader does make her laugh a little, though her back reflexively straightens even more as if prepared to accept the responsibility. A glance back at him as she keeps skipping forward with her hands behind her back, and she asks,] So who was your first Persona? What was your Journey like? Did you ever work with a group called SEES?
[Questions, questions!]
no subject
Having a companion here makes Yu feel more at-ease already, and when it's someone with good energy, the effect compounds. Still, she manages to beat him to the punch, when it comes to questions, huh... He quickens his pace a tiny bit to keep with hers, side by side instead of following behind. It just feels kind of weird, hanging behind someone's back like that.]
Izanagi. I didn't work with SEES. [...] I know someone who did, though. And-- it was interesting. A long story. I'm sure yours was the same, right? A lot happened.
no subject
She grins at him when he comes to walk beside her, though she doesn't slow to match him. He's got long legs, he can keep up with her! And while he's given her the shortest possible answers to her question (she can relate), there's something in there that catches her attention immediately.]
You have? [She visibly brightens, clapping her hands together.] Was it Mitsuru-senpai, or somebody else?
[Considering she's already met Mitsuru, it wouldn't be weird if that "someone" is her. If not, though... does that mean that Yu got to work with SEES after Kotone herself wasn't there anymore? Maybe!]
no subject
His smile grows at the mention of Mitsuru; at the same time, it's something of a relief.] So you've met her already, huh? [That's good.
They had talked about it before, that their "timelines" --so to speak-- overlap a little bit...and with what Rise has told him, it wouldn't be out of line to think that some kind of strange thing might happen again at home involving Shadows. Maybe SEES would come into it, too. But, at this point,] I only met her here, though. Not at home. I'm sure she was glad to see you.
no subject
[She'd gotten lucky in that respect; if nothing else, it means that she can trust Mitsuru to let her know when they need to fight or what they need to do. Which means she's free to enjoy her daily life for now, probably! Like making this tall boy sweat a little--
But oh, that's a little disappointing. It would have been nice to hear about Yu's experiences with her team after she was gone, but it's still exciting that he knows Mitsuru at all! So she lets that power her smile as she looks up at him, hopefully masking the hint of melancholy that lingers in her eyes because this is the only way Mitsuru can see her, isn't it? Being in this weird place.]
She was, [she says simply, like there's more meaning behind that statement than the words might suggest.] And I was glad to see her, too. I hope you get to meet everybody someday! They're all really unique.
[Hup! Clambering over a fallen tree and offering Yu a hand to help him over.]
no subject
Ah. A fallen tree.
It's with a grateful look that he takes her hand. Izanagi stirs within him, the tug of the Fool; the feel of seeing a long-lost friend after way too long; the surety of knowing you're going to like someone. He recognizes these sensations, the connection, even as he has to set it aside to handle the task at hand. He hoists himself up and over, with her help.]
Somehow, I don't doubt that for a second. [And maybe the nostalgia remains in his tone as he says it; it's relatable, the idea of being surrounded by that uniqueness. That seems to be something they share in common.]
no subject
Your team was pretty unique, too? [she asks with a smile of her own, squeezing his hand briefly before forcing herself to let go so she can start skipping ahead again.] Can you tell me about them?
[Maybe she should ask what he knows about her, considering they've met before, but... maybe in a bit!]
no subject
He, too, lingers a moment, fingers wrapped around hers, and he can't tell whether it's out of a desire to share some warmth with her or Izanagi's attempt to reach out in some inexplicable way--
--but the moment ends whether he wants it to or not.]
Mm, they are. [A fondness seeps into his tone as he speaks; he doesn't even try to hide it. Not when it comes to them.] Most of them were my classmates. We all met under some strange circumstances, but...I couldn't ask for better friends.
no subject
She'll never meet his friends, will she? At least, not in Japan. Maybe they'll wake up here like she did, maybe not, but as much as she'd like to promise to visit them once they figure out how to leave... that's impossible.
It's funny, isn't it? Thinking about a whole world that will move on, bonds that are forged and broken, all possible because of her sacrifice but all happening without her at all. It's weird.
She's been silent for a few seconds too long, and that's weird, too, so she glances back up to him with another smile as if that moment hadn't happened.] That's lucky, though! That a lot of your classmates had the potential.
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Yu isn't the kind of person who minds silence, as a general rule. He's happy to let someone else fill it, but he's just as content to let it be, too. And yet...it sticks in his mind, a bit, something empty and yet loaded at the same time. Maybe he's looking for meaning in places where there is none; maybe his time in Inaba stuck with him in that way, as well. Whatever the case, he has to put it aside, for now, tucking it away in the back of his mind as she fixes her attention back on him.
That word she uses, too -- it's odd.]
... Not everyone does?
[The potential. He's never considered that there might be an element like that to the whole thing.]
cw: mild suicidal imagery closes my eyes
Well... yeah. Most people can't. And even awakening your Persona can be pretty tough, even if you do have the potential to do it.
[She brings her forefinger and thumb to her temple in the shape of a gun, miming the act of shooting herself in the head. Like, that's kind of harrowing for a lot of people! Even for her, it had been a little unnerving!]
girl u ok
Well. That's an evocative gesture.
Yu can't hide the faint notes of confusion in his expression, and for a moment, he has to search for words to form a response. Because-- yeah, that sure is unnerving. And wholly unexpected! All his friends had to do was confront a monster made up of the worst parts of themselves!]
I think...our experiences differ, in that way.
[Like. Wow. They really had it easy, huh.]
boy U ok???
You don't need to use an Evoker...? [she asks curiously, her forefinger and thumb still in the shape of a gun as she looks between her hand and Yu's face.] To summon your Personas, I mean.
are any of them ok...