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

[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?]

[soulsrest]

You act as though I'm supposed to be afraid of this Defense Force.

[Death isn't something to be feared, after all. It's a glorious gift.]

As for not wanting to see me dead... I doubt that.

[Many people did, after all. Murderer, experiment... it didn't matter how people viewed him, the desire for his demise was the same. Fortunately he also desired an end - one of his own choosing.]

[messianic]

[He'll just repeat himself--]

I'm not threatening you. I'm warning you.

[...ha.]

Every life is worth treasuring, Takaya. Don't throw yours away.

[Even if you've been terribad and he doesn't like you, he still doesn't want to see you dead.]

[soulsrest]

[It amounts to the same, anyway.]

No. Not every life. And the choice to throw mine away or not was made long ago for me, when I was given this power that I never asked for. The only value it has is to end suffering for everyone.

[messianic]

[...god you are just not to be reasoned with, anti-jesus.

Not that that means Minato will ever stop trying but--

Yeah, he really doesn't like you. He straightens for a moment, expression solemn.]

I am sorry you think that. I really am.

[He shakes his head once.]

One more thing--death isn't permanent here. I hope you can learn to live, so that it's not just endless suffering.

[And then he turns away to go.]

[soulsrest]

[He's your foil, of course he can't be reasoned with by you. And good. It's easier if you don't like him.]

...

[He would question how that is possible, but he's not going to trust any answers from him anyway. So fine. He'll just watch him go, not saying anything.]