☽ A Game of Ping Pong

[messianic]

Characters: Minato and you!
Location: In a building just off of the center plaza
Time: All dayyyy
Style: Whatever works!
Status: Open open open!

[It is the strangest thing, to remember dying and then wake up as if nothing had happened. It left him strangely restless, and so he'd skipped out on Welcoming Committee duties, he'd drifted a little away from his social life for just a brief period of time--

He'd died in that strange place, that place that wasn't Vatheon.

But...he'd woken up alive, headphones around his neck and not pressed into Tiir's hands. Was something that vivid really just a dream? So he wandered, in search of something to expend his restless energy on.

And he's found himself at a ping pong table. At first he considers that lack of an opponent a problem, bouncing the ball on the table idly. But then he decides to play with the wall (it doesn't seem to bother him that he can't ever win that way).

So there is the click! click! click! of a ping pong ball being hit back and forth coming from an otherwise quiet building into the plaza. He might be getting a little into it.

Further inspection reveals a whiffed shot--don't get hit by the ball!]

Comments

[contemptibility]

Like arrows, then? How troublesome.

[Though he doesn't seem particularly concerned—troublesome or not, he's dealt with worse—and appears more so confused.]

That would be a reasonable conclusion, yes. Though, ah... I recall you and Yukari using yours to summon magic?

[messianic]

[...ah. He nods quietly.]

It's a little complicated, but ours don't shoot bullets. They're not real guns.

[A faint shrug, and he's not sure how Tiir will like or dislike this, but he owes Tiir the truth anyway.]

We can only summon our Personas when we are in danger of losing our lives. So...

They're meant to evoke the feeling of dying.

[contemptibility]

[... what.

Tiir stares for a few moments, before muttering to himself.]

That's—no, I suppose the Alpha Stigma's trigger isn't all that different...

[...]

One would think that in a battle, the feeling of dying would be readily present without having to point a weapon at your head.

[messianic]

[...ah. He nods quietly.]

It's...a little odd.

But it's not that bad, truly. It just reminds us how important life is. It works out.

[At least...it reminds him.]

[contemptibility]

[He still doesn't fully understand why you would need to mock-shoot yourself for that, but whatever makes Minato happy.]

... Somehow, I feel like you don't need the reminder.

[messianic]

[...awww. He offers a quiet smile at that.]

...Maybe not.

It's a precious thing, isn't it? Being able to live life.

[He's just...thoughtful now.]

It makes me feel lucky.

[...this place is like a second chance, only he's not sure what to do with it.]

[contemptibility]

[... Ha.

He tosses the ball up and down, watching it as it rises and falls. It's funny, because while a part of him wishes that he'd never been born—another part of him also knows that he's glad to be alive.

Because as cruel as the world is, there's still kindness within it, and however worthless his own existence is... he enjoys living, really.

Isn't that why he fights so hard to survive?]

... That's right, isn't it?

[He catches the ball, holding it still as he smiles softly.]

Life truly is...

[messianic]

[..........ah.

Ah.

He wasn't expecting it from Tiir. He knows Tiir lives his life despite his hardships. He admires him for it.

But it still lifts his heart to hear it, brings a smile to his face as he swallows back the sudden catch in his throat.

...It is always uplifting to hear; it is all he has ever wanted from the world.]

...It is. Thank you, Tiir-san.

[Thank you for not giving in. For living your life to the fullest--

And he doesn't say it, he can't say it, but every single person who does so makes his death worth it.]

[contemptibility]

[A slight tilt of his head]

... Again with the gratitude. Why are you thanking me for that?

[messianic]

[For a moment, he is quiet, trying to think of what to say--how to say it. Nobody has ever really asked before...]

Because...

Because if everyone treasured their life like you do-- [I would be alive. My friends would not be scarred--]

My world would not have nearly ended.

[contemptibility]

[...

To be honest, Tiir doesn't understand, but Minato seems sad, so...

He tosses the ball to the side, before reaching out to hold Minato's hand—the one that isn't holding the Evoker. Then, he smiles.]

But it didn't end, right? So there's hope.

[.. The hope that Tiir doesn't have for his own world sometimes, truth be told.]

[messianic]

[...ah.

He clasps Tiir's hand in his own gently, and the smile he offers is still a little bittersweet--but more sweet than bitter.]

You're right. There's always hope, even when everything seems impossible.

That's...what that taught me.

[contemptibility]

[With his free hand, he pokes Minato's forehead.]

There you go. You look better when you smile, you know.

[messianic]

[...a-ah...

That draws not a smile, but a confused blink out of him.]

I've been told that before.

[But smiles are not a thing that happens for him often sorry Tiir.]

But you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine now, thanks to you.

[contemptibility]

[He tilts his head.]

I didn't really do anything.

[messianic]

[...just. That faint smile again, ever so bittersweet]

You've done everything, Tiir-san. It's a shame if you don't even know it.

[contemptibility]

[A blink, before he shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair.]

You truly can be confusing at times, do you know that?

[messianic]

[...He blinks at that, tilting his head curiously.]

Me...? I don't mean to be.

[Blink.]

I thought I was pretty normal.

[contemptibility]

Are all humans so confusing, then?

[messianic]

Of course.

[That draws a bit of a smile out of him.]

If you're willing to get to know them enough to see.

Everyone's just a little bit confusing, because we're all just a bit different, right?

[contemptibility]

[Staaaaaaaare.]

I... suppose? I always found my friends easy enough to decipher, to be honest.

[Because they all suffer the same issues and you generalize people, Tiir.]

[messianic]

[....uh--]

Really?

I'm sure they had their own little quirks too. I wish I could meet them.

[contemptibility]

Well, of course they did. However, I wouldn't say they were confusing. Ryner did ignore me plenty, though...

[... ANYWAY]

... You would've liked them, I think. [...] Lafra in particular—you two would've gotten along rather well. You're both very kind people.

[messianic]

[...He nods quietly, curious.]

Maybe so. And maybe someday. Who knows what this world will bring?

[contemptibility]

[... There's a slight shift in Tiir's demeanour, as his smile freezes, and one can practically see the moment where he tries to cover up that change.]

Ah... that's right. With the power of this world, then...

[Even the dead can be brought here, huh? While logically, that's what it would take for Minato and Lafra to meet, and Tiir would love to see his friend again...

It'd also mean having to face the friend he failed to save.

He shakes his head lightly.]

Perhaps one day, yes. It'd probably be for the best.