maskormenacelogs | Soak the ropes with your holy water

Entry tags:

futaba sakura | oracle

Soak the ropes with your holy water

WHO: Futaba and YOU
WHERE: Heropa mostly. [Wild Card open to other cities]
WHEN: Throughout September
WHAT: Catch-all. Self-doubt and bonding experiences.
WARNINGS: Nothing at the moment. Will update as necessary.

Lay your healing hands on my chest | Open to Heropa 010 residents and friends

[She's been home from the hospital for a few days now, the first of which was still spent laid up in bed and catching up on sleep that wasn't drug induced. But now she's out in the common areas, either lounging on the couch or making an attempt at cooking a meal.

Honestly, she might be doing more than she should or really needs to. Someone, please stop this girl.]

I've got Demons running round in my head | Closed to those that know about the secondary training grounds

[She shouldn't be here, not really. She had only gotten out of the hospital about a week and a half ago at best. Still, she had to do this. She needed to find a way to be more than support.]

Come on. Please.

[Any one that might drop down into the caves and tunnels beneath the old train tracks would find her staring up at Necronomicon, the sickly green glow from her suit and beast alike casting her pained and frustrated expression into eerie patterns of light and shadow.]

You have to do more. We--I have to be able to do more. This isn't enough. So, please. Please help me.

[She's been at this for hours. Trying to urge her Persona to do more, to reveal some ability to attack--to go on the offensive even for just one move. Just one hit. But nothing came of it, and she's getting tired. There are frustrated tears pooling at the corners of her eyes.

When Necronomicon finally flickers, fading out of existence, she finally sinks to her knees and draws in on herself. Useless. You can't do anything more? What use is that?]

I can't protect anyone like this...

Desdemona, won't you liberate me? | Open | Heropa Beach

[The weather was starting to get cooler. Even though it would never truly be freezing in Florida, it's enough for a light jacket and to keep out of the water. She'd love nothing more than to wade into the ocean, but her boots are going to stay firmly on her feet--she didn't need to catch a cold on top of everything else she's been dealing with.

Anyone that finds her on the beach will find her with her headphones firmly planted over her ears, and her hands stuffed in her jacket pockets. If she's anywhere near the water it's to collect small shells--sometimes stuffing them in a pocket, sometimes tossing them back out to sea. She's come here to relax and clear her head, that much is clear.]

Be the power to compel me | Wild Card

[Want something else? Do we have plans and you want a starter all your own? Feel free to drop a top-level in here to get things rolling, or ping of at

likeredgold and I'll set something up!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He was grateful that Futaba had wanted to meet with him so soon after getting out of the hospital. After dealing with Dooku he was certain she wouldn't want to talk with him for a while -- but here he was. Sitting across from her at a local diner trying to find the best way to bring up the facts.

They were related. They were siblings. She must have her assumptions if someone had told her that he gave her blood.

He orders coffee (terrible, terrible diner coffee) and a water, and takes up the menu. ]

I'm glad to see you on your feet again. ...Are you sure this is all right? You were... ...well we were all worried about you.

Edited 2017-09-04 03:28 (UTC)

[The invitation to meet him for lunch was wholly unexpected, but not unwelcome. She had a few questions about what happened in the hospital while she was out. So many questions.

His coffee is matched with her order for hot chocolate and water as she settles into her side of the booth.]

This is fine, Akechi. It's kind of nice to see something outside of my room for once. Surprise, surprise...I was getting bored.

...Sorry again, for worrying you and the others.

Don't. You... were brave. I am sorry that I couldn't have been there to aid you. [ He gives her a small smile. He was grateful in the end that she moved to save her friend. But she could have--

No. Best not to think of that now. They were here, at least, together and alive. She was on her feet and doing better already. Perhaps the nanites weren't so bad after all. ]

...I must apologise for the last minute invitation to lunch. I figured we should talk.

Brave...guess that's one way of putting it. And...having help would have been smart, but we weren't the only ones there either. The groups all split off, we should have run and called for back up. We...underestimated our opponent...

[Logic. Outlining all the stupid mistakes they've made. She's had a bit too long to think on this on her own.]

You don't have to apologize. I...was thinking we might have some things to talk about anyway...

Knowing your mistakes will only serve to aid you in the future. You now understand more then you did - so now we move forward. [ It seems so easy to say that. ] I underestimated you, after all.

[ He pauses for a moment. ]

What has everyone told you so far? [ He hasn't breathed a word yet about the results. ]

I guess that's true enough in theory. [And it did help alleviate some of her negative thoughts for a brief moment.] Still not a good feeling when you realize those mistakes.

[Not a good feeling at all.]

Uhm...Just the state I came in, the fact I needed a transfusion and that you're the one that provided the blood. Which means we have the same blood type.

I know. [ He sighs. ] It's never easy but it is the only way you learn. By realising your mistakes and owning up to them. You learn from them.

That is all correct. [ He takes a long sip of coffee. ] And by now I'm sure you have had the same thoughts as I did - what if's that could only be answered by a DNA test.

[ He sets his coffee down. ]

I asked the nurse to run a paternity test.

[She had been taking a long sip of her cocoa when he mentioned the paternity test. At least the mug made a good cover for her expression.

Of course, he asked for one. It was the most logical step to take, and Akechi was nothing if not methodical in his approach to logic. She honestly might have done the same in his position--the need to have answers a foregone conclusion.

Her sip of cocoa turned into a few gulps before she set it down again, licking her lips nervously before speaking.]

And the results? I'm guessing you have them by now.

It... appears we are related. Though Shi--- Through my father.

[ He corrects himself. He hated saying his name any more, it still gave him power. It made him sick every time he thought about Shido, about what he put him through -- the praise he received for doing what he asked.

He choked down whatever threatened to rise back up. ]

....I'm ....sorry.

[She expected as much. There are very few avenues for them to run in the same circles, have the same rare blood type, and not be related. Still, it's obvious the news hit Akechi hard...

It's a lot to take in but--It wasn't the hardest news she had ever received. Her and Akechi had pushed past the issues that would have made it pack a harder punch, made it a difficult pill to swallow.]

Why...are you sorry?

Of everything I've done I fear I may have... hurt you the most. Your mother -- she was ... it wasn't my intention to kill her. [ It was an accident. He had just awoken to Loki, struggling against a force so much more powerful than he.

And he killed her shadow by mistake. A happy accident, as far as Shido was concerned but the turn of events led to -- well. Led to where they are now. ]

It's one of my deepest regrets. [ He admits quietly, trying to hide his guilt behind his coffee cup again. It has taken a long time to admit he regretted what he has done. He wishes he could turn back time. ]

Edited 2017-09-05 03:26 (UTC)

[His deepest regrets. Her mother's death numbered among those. She had, of course, suspected that Akechi had a hand in her death once his role in the other mental shutdowns had been revealed--but she also knew that to be around the point of his awakening.

Wakaba Ishiki's death, the death of her mother, was not part of the plan. Not ultimately. It was something that fell into Shido's lap--and it was likely the incident that sparked his use of Akechi in the first place. Could she really blame him for something he couldn't control? For a power he likely didn't even understand at the time?]

My mother's death...It's--You couldn't have known, not then anyway. A-And...from the way mother was talking...she feared death, like she felt it was coming. I don't doubt that, had you not awakened to Loki, our father would have done something to take care of his "problems" anyway...

If you thought I might hold it against you--I don't.

I don't think I'll ever understand how you and Akira can accept me so easily. Both of you have every reason to hate me and yet you reached out to be my friend.

I am eternally grateful. I feel that is over dramatic but I ...I mean it.

[ He sets his coffee down again, wearing a soft smile. ] I owe you a lot, don't I?

[ He owed her a lot, her and Akira both. They were willing to offer their friendship and trust even though he had barely earned it. He missed being part of their team, being among people who knew how to laugh and have fun -- he had never felt so accepted in his life and he has paid for his mistakes. It felt freeing to admit that he made mistakes, that he is choosing to learn from it and move on.

He didn't feel like Atlas carrying the world any more. ]

We've seen the worst of people, Akechi. You were dealt a bad lot...And it doesn't excuse everything, but you're also remorseful. You regret what you've done without it being forced out of you--We're willing to try because of that.

We could have been friends back home if we had met sooner...

[She smiles a bit.] You might...but I do collect debts with very minor interest.

[She's teasing, trying to lighten the mood even just slightly. But she knows this weighs on him, that the guilt must be suffocating now that he's facing it head on. That kind of guilt can eat a person alive if they aren't careful--she would know.]

Sibling lunch outings are a nice start though.

Your optimism is uplifting.

[ It was a weight off his shoulders, glad to see her smiling and lightening the mood. ]

What does minor interest entail then? Because I would not mind spending more time with you to get to know you better. I never dreamed I'd have a sibling, to be honest.

That's my job. Team support--moral booster extraordinaire.

[She grins as she takes up her cocoa again.]

You've missed out on a bunch of birthdays you know...And years of potential hangouts. So...time is money I guess? Doing more stuff like this would be nice...

H-Having family is nice...

[ Adachi was pretty surprised he managed to drop in without being noticed, though Futaba had been fairly preoccupied with her Persona. He wasn't sure how long he watched her, but he felt bad the more he did. She was trying, really hard; being a support member couldn't be easy when you were the only one doing it, especially with teams that ended up fairly big, all things considered. ]

[ It was a moment before he approached, letting his shoes crunch on some old, rusted metal, before he dropped down onto the ground next to her. He looked over at her for a moment, before nudging her gently. ]

Hey, gremlin.

[She tenses the moment she hears someone coming through the cave, not sure who would be joining her. She's not sure she wants to face any of the other Phantom Thieves. Her place on the team had always been firmly support--what would they do or say if they saw her now?

It's almost a relief when Adachi is the one to crouch down next to her. Her goggles are pushed up on her head and she takes a moment to scrub at her cheeks and rub at her eyes, hoping to erase any evidence of tears.]

Hi, Adachi...

[ He offered her a small smile, almost reaching over to rub at her back, but he thought better of it. He probably pushed it nudging at her like he did before. ]

What's up? Trying to get some practice in?

[ Like he hadn't been watching her. ]

[She's not naive enough to think that he hadn't seen her, hadn't watched. But she's thankful for that out he's given her.]

Trying. Yeah...I just wish I could do more.

[ Adachi let out a faint hum of understanding, quiet for a moment. ]

You want to fight like the others?

[She nods after a long moment. She needs to be able to do something than just support them. Especially if she gets in a tight spot on her own--or if she's the last one standing again.]

I want to be more than support; more than someone that needs to be back behind the lines...More than someone that needs to be shielded and protected.

Hmm...

[ Adachi fell silent a moment, studying her intently. He could definitely understand that powerless feeling; he had felt it plenty of times himself, even after he got his powers. There was a pause before he leaned back, stretching his arms out in front of him, and then over his head, making a show like he was going to bust out something philosophical, before: ]

Do you know Kujikawa Rise? Uh... I think her stage name is Risette?

Who doesn't know Risette? She's kind of a big deal now...I think Akira even had a poster of her in his room.

[But idols were a very strange thing to bring up in this conversation. What in the world could Adachi be trying to get at?]

Why?

[ He let out a faint hum of acknowledgement. Good for her, going back into show business, then. Knowing her, she's probably one of the few idols that actually has control over her career. ]

...she's a Persona user.

[ He glanced down at Futaba, a lopsided grin on his face. ]

The Inaba team's support, as a matter of fact.

[The look on her face is a mixture of shock and amazement. Another Persona user--a team support--in an idol no less.]

R-Really?? If I had known she was a user, I'd think she'd be a different role...[Something more like Ann, if anything.]

Yep. She did all the party support and dungeon scanning. I mean, her Persona even looked like a giant satellite dish at first.

[ He lifted his arms, like he was trying to mimic Himeko's head. He flashed her another grin, before letting them drop. ]

Though... she did have the same feelings you do; that she wanted to take a more active role in protecting the people she cared about.

...And did she ever find a way to be more active? Because I'm coming up with nothing and Necronomicon is stubborn about learning to do anything outside of buffs and heal spells...

[She's starting to wonder if she'll ever work her way up to being more than what she is in the team now.]

Well... when the end of the world was about... eh, an hour away I think? She was stranded on her own, and couldn't get to everyone. Her determination to help reached a point where her Persona had to respond. After that, she was able to switch at will.

[ Adachi let out a breath. ]

See... your Persona is part of yourself, you know? As you grow, your Persona grows. You can't force it, you can't... engineer it; when it happens, it'll happen.

[She takes a moment to mull over what he said. Rise's Persona responded because it had to--because there wasn't any other choice. It would make sense. Desperation drove their Persona out in the first place, so of course a more desperate situation would make it stronger.

But that wasn't the case here. Was it? She had been desperate, willing to put her safety on the line to save another--and still, nothing more came from Necronomicon. Maybe it had to do with her own awakening. She had been so reliant on others, that her defiance of the world around her meant her taking on the role for herself.

She sighs heavily, shaking her head.]

And if it doesn't grow that way? What if I'm still left to support? I can't--I don't want to be on the sidelines anymore!

[ He frowned a little, before rubbing at the back of his neck. Geeze, he wasn't good at this; Dojima's brat would have had her hugging him by now. Geeze. ]

[ He nudged her after a pause, offering her a faint smile. ]

Maybe it won't be so simple for you. Maybe this time just wasn't the right time. Again... the whole world was ending in her case.

[ He leaned forward a little, trying to peer directly at her. ]

You'll get your chance.

Edited 2017-09-13 02:23 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Soak the ropes with your holy water

w i l d c a r d | Heropa's International Waffle House

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Training Cave

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