this is a gift; it comes with a price;

[soulsrest]

Who: Takaya and OPEN.
When: Evening, the 22nd.
Where: The Coral.
Style: Whichever.
Status: Open.

[The last thing he had remembered was pain - pain and the voices of the members of SEES around him. Death was close, and Nyx was coming. She would bring her salvation to everyone.]

[And yet… he feels somewhat damp. That is strange - strange enough that he opens his eyes and looks around. He seems to be in a plaza - but that cannot be. He was dead, even if they had managed to stop her - which was impossible no matter what they believed. No matter how much he wished to make sure her arrival was prepared… he was unable to stop them.]

[At least he would have some peace… though it appears now that he is denied it for the moment. He feels in his pocket, clasping his hand around the pills. There aren't many left. Why would he have need of them where he was going? But in this situation… this could be a problem.]

[He snatches up his gun and shrugs his shoulders, attempting to gain feeling back in them where they are starting to go a little numb and cold. He will explore this place… and find the answers that he seeks.]

Comments

[golden_gloves]

[It had been a month of peaceful living in Vatheon. Akihiko arrived mentally defeated and in mourning, but had made a swift recovery and cemented hope with support from his friends and then his participation in the locals' version of the Olympic games.

This was a bit like paradise. And because of that, he'd been lulled into a false sense of security.

He runs through the city unarmed, wearing only a t-shirt and shorts with running shoes. Who needs weapons in a place like this?

When he reaches the plaza, he leans against a post and pants heavily, catching his breath and unaware that the new arrivals have begun to pop up.]

[soulsrest]

[He walks slowly towards Akihiko - he notices him, of course.]

Well, well. I see you've managed to stay active. Meddling in anything else today?

[golden_gloves]

[That voice... it's enough to invoke nightmares.

Briefly the memory of Shinjiro lying in a pool of blood with Ken sobbing over him flashes before his eyes. He straightens and looks over his shoulder, the haunting figure of his best friend's murderer moving towards.

He immediately regrets leaving his Evoker at the dormitory. Fortunately he always has two fists ready to knockout anyone who'd try to harm him.]

...You!

[soulsrest]

Indeed.

[He has his hand on his gun, ready to fight but not actively making a threatening move - yet.]

This place - it's not the Tower of Despair. I'd hoped I would come across someone more intelligent, but you'll do. How did this happen?

[golden_gloves]

[But why? He wonders what exactly qualifies a person to be abducted by the coral.

But that is something he can dwell on later. With Takaya here, everyone is in potential danger.]

The coral brought you here.

{Action}

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade was finally getting used to people just popping up out of nowhere, sopping wet. So, when the new person showed up a few feet from him, Jade was more apt to hand him a towel from a vendor than to be upset by the suddenness of it.]

It really does seem like a nonstop flow of people sometimes~

[soulsrest]

[... He pauses, and takes the towel, wiping down his shoulders.]

Oh?

[He's curious, but more concerned with his own situation at the moment.]

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

Vatheon certainly does have a penchant for dragging people in willy nilly. I do hope you weren't busy.

[soulsrest]

I was, though I was suffering a... setback.

[Or a hastening of his goals, depending.]

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

Perhaps you can ponder your setback during your stay here.

[tsundyne]

...You.

[Yukari notices Takaya, of course. He's acting suspiciously, rummaging through his pockets like that; and even among Vatheonites, his appearance is pretty extraordinary. He's really, really hard to forget, too, especially for someone like her.

She's not as bad as Ken-kun, but she can still hold a grudge.

And she'll remember things, no matter how hard she tries to forget. Like he face when he pulled the trigger that night.]

When did you get here?

[soulsrest]

[He raises his eyebrows slightly. Ah. Her.]

I arrived not long ago. I could ask the same of you.

[He doesn't know where he is, he doesn't have any backup that he can tell... irritating. Irritating and very slightly worrying.]

[tsundyne]

[...Well, it's not like she exactly has any back-up either at the moment. Wandering by herself and all-- but she'll still take you on if she has to. She's stubborn that way.]

You could. Doesn't mean I have to answer.

[In short: far longer than you.]

[soulsrest]

[Yes, yes. Of course.]

I suppose you won't give me any other information on this place? Not even how many of you there are?

[It'd be useful to know how many of them were here, at least.]

[tsundyne]

...

[Ugh.

She doesn't want to, if her facial expression is any indication. But it is nice to see him at her mercy for once. She's the one "in the know" and she won't be falling into any of his traps.]

Here.

[She pulls out something from her pocket, a small pamphlet, and she hands it to him.]

You'll end up getting that from someone else anyway, if not me. And as for the rest of us... you'll just have to find out, won't you?

[handshakegreeting]

[But what if Death was still nearby, but merely as another entity and, for the time being, much more docile?]

[There is a faint chuckle as the strange figure with red baseball cap hung over their face and keeping their eyes from being seen. Everything about their posture is relaxed, as though there is little they need to concern themselves with. However, is that a smirk as they seem to gaze toward the new arrival?]

[Must be a trick of the lights around them, or perhaps even filtering in from the surface above.]

It seems even now, the new arrivals are simply swept in with the tides...

[soulsrest]

[... Well then. He's not concerned with the smirk, even if it was there. He doesn't really care.]

Oh? So this happens often?

[handshakegreeting]

[You poor, unfortunate soul; discarding something that has become trivial in your everyday life.]

Towards the end of each month in this realm, yes.

[soulsrest]

[You mean sanity? Or concern? He parted ways with both of those a long time ago.]

And what is this... realm, exactly?

[handshakegreeting]

[Sanity is for the weak and one of her Chosen.]

It is called Vatheon. I am afraid time does not work here the way you are used to.

[messianic]

[Minato holds a towel under his arm quietly--but he doesn't offer it yet. He merely watches Takaya quietly, expression flat. Solemn. Closed off.

Of course. It was only a matter of time.

But he can't forget. Takaya killed Shinji. Takaya just harmed his senpai. Takaya caused so much pain and suffering--

He holds the towel close to his body, hands tucked into his pockets, and speaks.]

Takaya.

[No -san. No respect offered to a cold-blooded murderer. But he will speak, at least. They can speak.]

[soulsrest]

[Takaya watches Minato as well, gun still held loosely at his side.]

[Him. The one who caused so much trouble for them, the one who would destroy the only way they can survive, the only way they can find peace.]

Arisato.

[He knows his first name, but he doesn't want to get that familiar.]

This is quite the odd meeting, now isn't it?

[messianic]

[...Quite the odd meeting?

Maybe to Takaya. To Minato, he's surprised this didn't happen sooner.

But he gives no indication of that, merely tilting his head slightly.]

...Maybe.

Has anyone explained this world to you yet?

[He can't help his natural inclination to assist--though he has more words than that to give.]

[soulsrest]

Somewhat. This is a different world, time stops while we are here... some of your little group have already come to attempt to intimidate me.

[So he can save it. He doesn't want to hear any more of your useless threats.]

[messianic]

I'm not here to intimidate you.

[Just saying, bro. Intimidation's not his style. So he meets Takaya's eyes firmly, and--]

If you cause any trouble here, the Defense Force will stop you. It's bigger than just us now, Takaya.

People here know about Personas. People here have abilities of their own.

Don't try to hurt anyone. I don't want to see you dead either.

[Alright?]