♥ ☽ stumblin', but yeah i'm still lookin' hella fine

[tsundyne]

Who: Yukari and everyone.
Where: She'll be reappearing on the beach, then making her way back down into the city via elevator and towards the Coral. So anywhere you'd like to run into her in between there!
When: Late evening/close to midnight
Style: I'll match! I'm up for either--action spam or prose.
Status: Open!

[The last thing Yukari ever expected, was needing to rely on someone else for healing. Or in Vatheon's case, something else--like the Coral. She'd always healed herself. People relied on her for healing. But it just can't be helped, in her condition: she's soaked, her clothes are torn, and there is a fair amount of blood indicating a very heavy and intense battle.

...And what a battle it was.

She doesn't want to think about it much, though; it hurts to think how badly she'd lost. It angers her, even; how incredibly unfair. How dare she, how dare she...?]

Damn--! [Her fist slams into the sand of the beach where she's ended up, and she stumbles to her feet.

Then she sighs, remembering.

Remembering Vatheon. Remembering how much weaker she is here. Diarahan wouldn't cut it in the long run; so she knows she should make her way to the Coral as fast as possible before anyone sees her.

A heal, a change of clothes, maybe--

Once again, she's forced to put everything behind her; because Aigis had won, and now she'd have to live with knowing that.]

How long...?

[--has she been gone?

This is the first that's ever happened to her. It's so disorienting, but she decides maybe that's not the most important thing right now. Annoyed and highly emotional as she is, she sighs again and walks towards the elevator, occasionally wincing.]

Nngh.

[...Time to find her own answers here, she supposes. She doesn't need a replacement leader to do that.]

Comments

[messianic]

[Three days.

He knows it's three days--and so he was waiting.

Waiting waiting waiting by the coral, half asleep sprawled out on a park bench.

And so...when he sees a familiar figure (but blood-covered, why is she covered in blood--), he sits up.

And he quietly lifts his Evoker to his head, breathing out--]

Messiah.

[Salvation on top of the coral, Yukari. Leader-kun loves you, you know.]

[1/2]

[tsundyne]

[Blood, and now there's sand, too. Generally this is just really unpleasant, on top of her annoyance, so even once she gets back down to the city, Yukari doesn't look happy.

The coral is in her sight though.

She's fixated on it, she just wants to get this over with; the same way she wanted to move out of the dorm and get over him.

And then she hears his voice.

Only one word, but she knows. It's a voice she never thought she'd hear again, but at the same time it's a voice she's grown so used to hearing every single day.]

Minato...

[He's still here--]

[2/2]

[tsundyne]

[The warm light of the Salvation spell overtakes her and already she feels her wounds closing; tension easing. Her anger even fades somewhat, though it's still so prevalent...

She should be angry. Because how dare she use his powers...?

She just doesn't have a target for it anymore. Aigis...

Aigis isn't here.

He is.]

...Thanks. You were waiting, weren't you?

[messianic]

[Minato merely quietly places his hands on his knees, instead of in his pockets, Evoker still lightly held in one of them.

He pauses, considering, before admitting quietly--]

Yes. It's been three days. I was hoping--

[...ha.

Hahaha he shouldn't have been hoping. He should've been hoping that she went home, and stayed there, and lived her life.

Selfish.]

...Are you alright?

[tsundyne]

[Three days...

That's how long Ryoji had been gone, too, before they found him. She can't seem to take his eyes off him for the moment, hanging on his every word, wondering why he'd cut himself off.

Why... when she'd wanted to hear the rest of the sentence so much.

'I was hoping you'd come back, hoping to see you again.']

I'm... [It's then that it hits her of course. Him, seeing her like this. He was never supposed to. She'd never wanted him to...

...But now it's too late.]

I'm just tired.

[Her hand shakes, clenching into a fist. Tired of losing the important people in her life, tired of not being able to live a normal life.]

[messianic]

[He finally stands then, pushing himself off of the bench and stepping forward.

And he grabs her clenched fists in his hands, slowly easing them out of their tensed state, until they can properly lie flat in his own hands. And then he holds her hands and faces her squarely, meeting her eyes.

It doesn't matter that he's been waiting all day--that it's almost midnight.

This is far more important.]

What happened?

[tsundyne]

...

[His hands are so warm. She wonders if they felt like this that day on the rooftop too, when he laid in Aigis's lap. She wants to cry. She doesn't want to let go.

She has no idea how long he's been waiting, but she wants to make this worth it!

That question...]

I couldn't...I couldn't win.

[messianic]

Couldn't...win?

[His tone is even, quiet, calm--encouraging.

But her words make his stomach drop. couldn't win couldn't win, does that mean she'd lost? Against shadows? Against what--

Did that mean that her life had been cut short as well?

But he breathes, and his expression is calm, and he waits to hear her explanation, even if he dreads it at the same time, fearing for the teammates he would and did anything to save.]

[bufudine]

[Serph hadn't seen Yukari around, but three days isn't such a long time. He's not one to wander at night too often, but... he'd needed to hunt.

He isn't covered in blood; he's gotten better at these kinds of stealthy kills. There used to be sprays of blood across him when he killed a local, but it's easier to avoid such messiness now. He's already licked the blood off his hands, wiped the rest of it from his mouth. But the smell of blood is hard to be rid of so quickly.

He doesn't expect to see Yukari.

She's clearly not well.

Serph is by her side in an instant. If she needs help standing, he's there, lending a supporting arm and shoulder.]

[tsundyne]

She beat me.

[That's all she says at first, a flabbergasted tone, as she squeezes his hands out of anger.]

Even with Mitsuru-senpai at my side, I can't believe...

[...Metis. There was Metis, too, wasn't there? Aigis had help, though this hardly makes Yukari feel better about the loss. It is a rather important detail to note, though, seeing as how obsessed Metis was with protecting her dear sister.]

They beat us. And because of that, I couldn't--

[Breathe. Breathing. She's here with him now, isn't she? There's no reason to cry. Yukari wipes at a tear that threatens to fall down her cheeks.]

I couldn't...see you again...

[messianic]

[His throat tightens at how lost, how desperate she sounds.

But he holds her hands steadily, returning her tight grip with a quiet pressure--he's here, he's not leaving, he's here to stay.]

...Yukari...

Can you tell me what happened? Who were you fighting?

[He can't help anyone if he doesn't know what happened--and to be honest, he's tired of being in the dark when it comes to his team.]

[rainbowarch]

[Hunting is something Cielo hates doing. It's the one thing about Vatheon that he wishes he could change. A small consolation is that hunting always goes well. It's sickeningly easy.

Nobody ever looks up.

Licking the last remnants of blood from his lips, Cielo knows that he can just head back to base knowing that his demon's been fed. But he doesn't. He wants to find Serph first.

It's not hard to find him. But this time, he's not alone.

He doesn't question what Yukari is doing out here at this time. No, because what Cielo sees is that she's hurt. Badly. He too rushes to her aid, transforming in mid stride as he does.

He has little concept of gods or deities, but if any entities were listening, they would hear him silently begging to please let Yukari be okay.

Because Cielo doesn't know what he'd do if she's not.]

[tsundyne]

[Of course. This all probably sounds crazy to him...he wasn't even there. If he had been, none of that would've even come close to happening. He would've never let it.

She winces a bit, finding it hard to meet his eyes.

And actually, it's a wonder Aigis hadn't already told him while she was here. But maybe she didn't want to tell him anymore than Yukari does now...]

We all had to fight. Because none of us could agree on what to do, even after we made it through the Abyss. It was the only way. Nothing was the same between us anymore, even though we worked together...nobody could understand.

[It wasn't fair.

It wasn't fair that it came to that. Not fair that she had to suggest it--]

...It hurt. [Her tone is bitter, though, rather than pained.]

[messianic]

[...the thought of his team fighting amongst each other hurts.

It hurt, she says. It hurts now.

What were they fighting over?

Yukari had said that she lost--and so she couldn't see him. He hates to think it; it feels egocentric to do so, but it's what his mind lands on and he hesitates and...were they truly fighting over him? Fighting over him, fighting over choices, fighting...

It hurts. It's not fair. How...could they do this to each other?

And he merely holds Yukari's hands, bowing his head over them, biting his lip gently for a moment before he responds, voice quiet.]

And you lost.

...To who?

[tsundyne]

[She's made it back into the city; that's a good start. The elevator makes a louder sound than she would've liked, since judging by the sight of the moon and stars, it had gotten pretty late.

She is breathing heavily; her Evoker in her hand from when she'd just casted her Diarahan spell, meant to hold her over until she could at least get to the Coral.

She stumbles, nearly tripping, although that familiar head of silver hair is there to catch her.]

Serph.

[She murmurs, breathy. She's kind of ashamed to let him see her like this; and even worse, she turns just in time to see Cielo. He's...transformed again...

She wants to say his name as well, but she can only stare in awe for the moment, forgetting how different this form really was. She blinks though, trying to shake off the novelty.]

Tch. You guys are out late tonight...

[yellowglasses]

[It was just another day in Vatheon to Chie. Training, eating, talking to a few people...nothing exciting. She'd grown so used to life here in the bubble already, it actually surprised even herself.

But today she had been struck with a tinge of loneliness. Yosuke, Souji and Kanji all had eachother...lived together even. But Chie didn't have anyone as close. Sure, she could go hang out with the guys, but it didn't change that she was in an empty house at the end of the day and missing her best friend more than anything.

To get her mind off of Yukiko, Chie'd left the house to go out for a jog. That'd get her mind off it for sure! But instead she was greeted by something completely different that'd work much better than a jog ever would.]

W-Woah! [That girl looked like the one she'd met on her arrival! Yukari was her name, right? But she was bloody, Chie definitely never saw bloody people around town. Her mind jumped to that SFC post about a murder-- she'd still been worried about someone else dying ever since then, what if Yukari had been attacked..?

She had to make sure she was okay! Chie ran up closer to her to examine her better- it was night after all.] What happened to you?! You need medical help, or..or something. The coral can fix this sort of thing, right? I-I mean I never used it for something like this, I wouldn't know! I-- [Woah Chie, woah. Panic much? She had to calm down a bit and let Yukari actually answer something.]

[tsundyne]

[Well, Yukari would definitely prefer not bumping right into people as she's walking, especially not when she's like this. So she's trying to be careful; but it can't be helped when she ultimately almost does run into Chie.

It surprises her almost as much, but seeing Chie panic with barely a chance to greet her in return, she sighs.]

Chie...right?

[Yukari groans and grunts, though it's not sure whether she's trying to break free...or if she simply doesn't like the dish. Either way, she looks a little frustrated that she hadn't been as sneaky as she thought.]

Stay calm. I-It's not as bad as it looks, I promise...

[tsundyne]

[Something in Minato's tone seems so matter-of-fact, even though he's hurt just as hurt as she is by the thought--and she can tell. It sucks. She feels so guilty, but...it's still amazing that he can stay so calm throughout this. Especially seeing as how he'd been at the center of everything, the bottom of it all; she wishes she could be like that now.

She still doesn't even feel comfortable answering such a simple question. It's so soon. The defeat is so fresh in her mind, and the pain-- the pain. But she has to own up to it...]

Who else? [The tone is still bitter; biting cold.] ...Aigis, and her "sister."

[Just then, she remembers even more.

More of her time here, far back to when she had gotten up the nerve to apologize to Aigis. Yet that memory seems so out of reach now. So rusted, old.

She has to wonder whether it has any meaning anymore.

Why? Why did she decide to apologize...?]

[yellowglasses]

Yeah, Chie. And I'm pretty sure your name was Yukari, right?

[Yukari was right, she did need to calm down. Obviously Yukari just went through something bad, it wasn't time to stand around answering her dumb questions. But don't think she'll believe that last part for a second.]

Not as bad as it looks? Just listen to you, you even sound like you're in pain! Come on, I'll help you get to the coral! That should help, I don't see why it couldn't! [Before Yukari can argue it, Chie's got her by the arm lightly (trying to make sure she doesn't touch a wound- don't want to hurt her even more) and is already leading her along. She is not going to let someone so badly wounded walk in the night alone!

Besides, what if Yukari passed out somewhere?! She'd possibly die from blood loss! Chie is not having any of that.]

[bufudine]

[He recognises the Evoker. Persona.

He can hear Cielo's approach and knows he doesn't need to instruct him.

Serph doesn't reply. Of course he doesn't want to reply to the implicit question of why they are out so late. The best explanation is no explanation in this situation. He wants to ask what happened but... no. Now is not the time.

He just focuses all his attention on steadying Yukari, holding her until she's fine enough to stand on her own.]

[macabre]

[ Guess who is sitting on a bench near the coral. He knows she's coming, just knows it, and because of that he waits -- a smile on his face.

And when she appears, he watches her -- not being particularly shy about it. ]

[rainbowarch]

[Cielo had once told Yukari that being Dyaus lets him use magic. Well, now she'll finally get to see that in action. She will probably recognize the soothing aura of a Diarama spell and Cielo now wishes that he had the time to learn Diarahan. He knows it won't be enough to mend all her wounds, but hopefully it would relieve some pain.

And if he has to, he'll use it over and over and over again.]

[messianic]

[...ah to Aigis.

Things are falling into place just a bit better now; he understands.

So they fought each other because they couldn't reach a decision. They duked it out with Personas and fists instead of coming to a compromise. They fought each other over him and his fate and their own fates.

...ah.

It does hurt, but he has never let that hold him back.]

I see. What were you fighting over?

[There must have been a reason...]

[contemptibility]

[Tiir's at the coral to replenish his energy—as it's not like he needs to fight right now, he doesn't need to ask for Minato for this.

He pauses when he sees Yukari, however, blinking in surprise.]

Oh? It's you.

[ainohenshin]

[ Kuwabara was on the beach exploring and well beating things up. There were a couple of craters in the ground due to his Reiken but other than that there wasn't much done to the beach that he couldn't fix but it was a far ways away as he traveled towards her location.

When he noticed the strange girl he'd spoken to a couple of weeks ago about Yusuke, he rushed over without a second thought. From his vision, she seemed rather disoriented and possibly injured? He couldn't tell from the distance but it was good enough that he was running towards her.

He'd never leave a girl unattended to. ]

OI!

[ Sadly he didn't quite remember if he asked for her name or not, shame since they talked a couple of times. The situation never came up, he supposed. ]