Persona: Tiwaz
Yo, what up. I changed the name because Festivities after six long chapters and actually a period of deep thinking between drinking water and eating dinner did I actually think, my goodness FEStivities was not a good name. I needed to rename it and actually put a real summary of the story, which I did.
To be honest lately I have been getting a bit of writer's block, though it hasn't stopped the ideas flowing but disappearing as fast as it got there. But all complaints aside it is great to have you browse this fic I did out of boredom.
So yeah, I created tension between the two because Yukari in game does tell you that she read up on the protagonist's past which stunned me as you didn't have an option to say 'what?' or anything, instead you sat there and just went, 'oh you were going to look into my past where my parents died in front of me possibly creating some form of mental trauma even if I do grab a hold of my life ten years later? Cool.' The thing was I didn't want it to just end like that…perhaps Atlus had an idea when they wanted Arisato to be this blank slate who is apathetic to the point of nihilism and just seeming to only give few moments of care or concern.
If anything else, I hope the events that follow aren't too fast a pace which you guys can handle. I will be skipping several times through this story due to time constraints with short sections dedicated to the social links as best as I can.
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona, Atlus does…I need my hours back.
Night time, 16th April
"Hey Mitsuru," Akihiko called out to the Kirijo heiress, entering the main meeting room on the fourth level while Mitsuru was tuning up a piece of equipment the girl wiping her forehead with the back of her palm lowering a screwdriver on the table while she looked to see Akihiko walking through the door closing it behind him as the silent humming of the control panel was the only sound in the room.
"Hey, it's nearly midnight…you really should get some rest." The senior advised Mitsuru as she rubbed her tired eyes, the girl suppressing a yawn as she covered her mouth. "I just need to make some adjustments to the sensory equipment before I can take a break."
"Mitsuru-" Akihiko protested strongly but Mitsuru interrupted, her voice still sharp even when she was feeling worn out by the day's events, her eyes flashing with stubborn will. "I'm fine, Akihiko…I took a four hour rest in the evening, I can stay up a little longer."
"No, you're not alright and you know it even with the sleep you've got," Akihiko retorted as he looked at the bags underneath her eyes Mitsuru tuning him out while she adjusted some of the dials, checking the sensor readings on the screen while she did so. Akihiko knew her well enough to know she was just going to tune him out until he left or kept quiet, the boy sitting opposite her tossing his jacket on the couch while he folded his arms watching her work in the comforting silence of the room before Mitsuru looked up from her work and back at Akihiko who was sternly standing his ground. "I told you I'm fine."
"Like hell, you're not even holding the screwdriver in your hand," he gestured to Mitsuru who looked down to see her hand turning in the air while the screwdriver sat on the table, Mitsuru eventually giving up on the farce. "I…"
"Let me get you some MadBull, it should help you keep awake for another hour or two." Akihiko rose from his seat leaving the room to the vending machine on the second floor, the boy inserting the familiar 120 yen payment and made his selection at the button hearing the thunk of the can hitting the bay, grabbing the can and walked back into the room where Mitsuru had laid back in the armchair her eyes closed while she took a breather muttering a 'thanks' as Akihiko tossed the can into her open palms, the redhead opening the can to drink the contents.
"So what is happening that's got you so glum?" Mitsuru hesitated at his question before she placed the can of MadBull back on the table, her fingers clasped against one another while she held the can between her palms the girl recalling Makoto's face before he left, guilt once again unveiling itself on her face and tense shoulders the silence of the room becoming an uncomfortable trap, like the walls would collide on her when she says what is on her mind. Mitsuru held in air, and exhaled softly downing another gulp of MadBull down her throat as if to wash her mouth of certain things, "Makoto knows about the folder regarding his profile."
Akihiko rose his eyebrows but didn't say anything, his silence acting as the sign of patience to listen to her while Mitsuru gripped her left elbow her hair shielding one of her eyes behind the veil of hair, "Takeba talked to him today and let slip that we were taking ownership of his folder, he was upset and confronted me about it before he stormed off but not before I let him know that it was a chance for him to earn those answers ten years ago."
"You mean the accident that killed his parents at the same time that happened, right?"
"Yes, that's right." Mitsuru held a thin frown while Akihiko shifted in his seat. "So what will you do now? Will he even be motivated to join us in spite of what has happened?"
"I don't know, the chairman would be able to arrive tomorrow and I was thinking of pushing the question towards him then," Mitsuru admitted while Akihiko nodded, the boy about to reply before a sound emitted from the sensor, Mitsuru immediately stood up and looked at the screen for a moment the movement of the needles became more stable as she breathed out a sigh of relief thankful at the results before she noticed Akihiko staring at the contraption, Mitsuru gesturing to the sensor. "Well this sensor was emitting a few false signals due to something with the tuning so I had to do some refining of the tunings and actually reset the system to get it working right, I figured that upon finding some of our equipment damaged in the Shadow attack we needed to check all our sensors in case any of them may have been in disrepair for two months."
"Right, technical issues and all that messing up the signals…I get you," Akihiko muttered almost feeling disappointed while he stared at his injured arm as Mitsuru glanced at him suspiciously raising the can of MadBull and drank it. "Akihiko, were you hoping to find some fights on the first step to recovery…or were you hoping for another broken arm?"
"Huh? Well…uh, kinda." Akihiko said the last word more to himself but it seemed that the heiress had a sharper sense of hearing, the girl giving him the most malicious grin while the can of Madbull was crushed slightly in her iron grip.
"Is that right Akihiko, you were thinking about something like that? But the recovery process is quite long for your arm, I wonder how much longer for a broken rib or two." Mitsuru calmly suggested the girl let the word sink into his mind before Akihiko flinched back from her in horror the teenager retracting what he had just said with a small wince and frightened gaze to the ground the white-haired teen ruffling his short hair while he protested, "Well, uh…no, I'm glad that I don't have to fight any Shadows! Recovery is good, in fact healthy even!"
"Good, remember that…or you'll know what happens next." Mitsuru's expression lightened but ever so slightly still granting Akihiko with the chills and a thought in his head chiming like an alarm to get out of the room and toss aside his composure but Akihiko swallowed, the gulp of saliva and air stuck in his throat like a vice grip causing Akihiko to make a nervous cough easing the tension all by himself while the cold air lifted overhead, nodding while he did so. Only then did Mitsuru retract the looming end that would have come had Akihiko been a man with less tact or sense in his head, the white-haired teen massaging his dry throat.
"Akihiko…I wanted to ask you something," Mitsuru asked solemnly as she stared at her canned drink, swirling the remaining liquid inside while she glanced at Akihiko. "What is it?"
"Do you think it was too much, taking his folder and reading it for ourselves?"
"You mean the confrontation you were talking about with Makoto right? To be honest, I don't know what the best approach is…it's hard to understand what people in his past thought about him when he was growing up. A folder like that could mean a lot to a guy like him," Akihiko shrugged. He was just as stumped as Mitsuru was and it was the first time he had even heard of a disagreement between a complete stranger and his friend, Akihiko couldn't even tell what Makoto was like at all since he met him while he was unconscious. Mitsuru caught on as she sighed, placing the can on the table while she set the scanner aside for the night, her fingers digging slightly into the fabric of her sleeve uncrossing her legs. "I see, I just wanted to know what I can do for something like this. I didn't anticipate him reacting this strongly to such a move."
"Well he's still here most likely for answers, isn't he? If that is the case well…I can't think of anything else."
"Actually I just remembered that I had to go and get a drink before sleeping…but hey, sleep on it tonight, besides I feel that you'll think of something." He quickly made his way out of the meeting room, the teen pausing at the doorway when he saw Mitsuru still watching him. "Oh, and uh, make sure you get some real rest," the teenager advised lamely as he closed the door behind him the teen breaking into a brisk walk down to the vending machine so he could grab his drink and leave immediately for his room.
With Makoto
It was a nice windy day, the afternoon sun had faded away in the distance as Yuki lifted himself from his crouching position seeing the small caterpillar on the leaf in the bushes crawl slowly away from its curious observer, Yuki turning around to explore the area. However as soon as Yuki did so the scenery flickered into nothing as another backdrop this time of a night lit park replaced his vision, Yuki looking left and right.
"Yuki, where are you? Come on, we have to go home."
"?!" Yuki felt recognition from his instincts from the voice he could recognize as female, the possibilities racing. Yuki felt a shiver as he began to step forward making out the voice's echo in the dark night sky, Yuki's mind racing while he tried to distinguish the voice calling to him as he pushed his way through the bushes-
"Hello," the voice of a child cut him off from his mysterious dream, Yuki waking up as his mind's eyes began to retreat from the dream world while an invisible curtain of black over his closed eyes broke free to reveal the dark green ceiling his weary mind stirred by the mysterious voice Yuki tracking the source to see the flutter of a pair of long black and white striped sleeves at the feet of the bed, and blue eyes staring ahead at him. "Having a good dream?"
"…How did you get in?"
"Is that anyway to address a visitor?" The boy innocently said as Yuki felt a tinge of annoyance. "Yes, as a person who has intruded into my space."
"Fine, fine…" the child replied his expression saddened by the bluntness of Yuki momentarily before he spoke again his eyes regaining their former twinkle. "Well in any other case, I wanted to visit you tonight to pass on a message for you specifically…take it as a warning if you will," the child rephrased while Yuki groggily nodded for him to continue.
"I wanted to tell you that in the coming days a great trial will await you, and you must be prepared to face it with your power…hehe, I wonder how your journey will play out." The child laughed cheekily as he reappeared at the feet of the bed staring directly at Yuki while he placed a hand on the railing. "Well, this is my cue to leave, but we'll see each other again. I will be watching you very closely for what will come next, Yuki Makoto…" the child uttered with a playful grin as he disappeared again from his stance near the feet of the bed, this time for good when a full minute passed as Yuki sleepily acknowledged the missing presence, the boy closed his eyes and without further thought on what had happened proceeded to sleep.
Hospital
"What the hell?"
The three words escaped his mouth as the child's image flickered in the darkness of the hallway, the coat ends flapping as the Garu skill ended unfazed by the display of power while Felice gripped the armrests of his chair, feeling very discomforted by the presence which was tormenting him. The child-no, the Shadow in front of him was still smiling as the fennel disappeared from its hand placing both hands behind its back rocking on its heels giggling inhumanely at its prey, the wolves surrounding its sides each were terrifying with the blood drops and their look of thirst staring right at him. Terrified, Felice found his eyes looking at Leto with worry before he noticed the child seemingly waited for him to make the first move.
"Bufu!"
The sound of shattering ice could be heard as the image of the child laughed creepily stumbling from the blow before it continued to send hands shooting towards Felice as Leto repelled the attacks with Garu, the shadowy limbs being repelled as Felice nearly cursed the teen unable to maneuver himself around the hallway gripping the wheels of his chair tightly while he tried to bring down his late night attacker.
"HEHHHAHAHEHEHGKGKAOKO!" The Shadow cackled at the unsuccessful attempt to hit it while Leto set up the defensive wall repulsing the attacks at the creature only to pass through the child's image, the ivory mask flickering into view as Felice sent out a Garu immediately the wind blasting the mask backwards onto the floor the creature screaming in anger before it rose back up the child taking form as a sneer formed on its face, the child sending out a Torrent shot at Leto who was blasted back by the razor sharp attacks the woman stumbling backwards while she tried to recover the Shadow readying itself as the canine creature came forth snarling blood trails at Felice before it ran towards them, huffing and barking.
"Damnit, I'm trapped here…Leto is weak against physicals. That means I can try one last tactic." Felice murmured as he looked at Leto the Persona needing no words as it cast a dark circle in front of it, Felice stretching his palms out. "Fine, taste this then...Mudo, boost up!"
The Shadow's extension let out a cry of pain before the Mudo completed its invocation, a burst of purple flame consuming the creature as it faded out of existence, the Shadow child growling angrily as it summoned another one the creature pouncing against Leto it's jaws opened wide to tear out the Persona's throat, Felice already preparing another move. "Manía (Fury)," the moment the words left his mouth Leto had already caused the canine Shadow to heel the creature's golden irises becoming corrupt with red veins immediately changing course to bite its former master as the child mercilessly stabbed the hound-like cloudy being with a burst of shots lacerating the hound as it fell to the ground squirming before the child crushed it with its feet the image dissipating to reveal a clawed hand ripping into the hound before being cloaked by the image of the child-like hand.
"_-,_!" The Shadow's incomprehensible growl was starting to make Felice get annoyed, the teenager shaking his head as he moved Leto to his side. "I don't know how you got here or what your malfunction is to be unable to speak your mind properly, but this time it's over for you. Just give up right now."
"…" The child paused as it looked at Felice dead in the eyes, the teen freezing up as the child gave an upward smirk. "_-find_," the child replied as Felice paused his grip loosening from the armrest while he glared at the Shadow, the word sticking in his mind as Leto stirred restlessly in front of Felice. "What the…" He was almost ready to say something before the Shadow child huffed instead, smirking as the Shadow began to sink into the ground avoiding combat as three of the same fuzzy cloudy canine Shadows appeared small droplets of blood splattering onto the ground as the trio wolfpack growled menacingly their panting ragged while Felice moved a little forward, Leto ready to defend him if need be from the attackers.
"That damn shadow, guising as a kid, trying to mess up my mind with a child as its cloak…someone's going to pay for this, might as well start with you lap dogs." Felice faced off against the canines which began to howl before they charged at him, Felice shaking his head as Leto immediately went to defence. "Like hell you're going to stop me from going after that thing!"
Leto reacted quickly, the Persona scaring the creatures off with a Garu the force of wind scattering papers and items all around the hallway as the Shadows kept their distance, Leto immediately freezing one in a Bufu block and let the Garu push the Shadow iceblock aside skidding on the floor before it burst into a torrent of shards scaring the canines back before the other two howled, Leto using Toíchos (Wall) to block the oncoming duo of bared fangs and paws let out a series of fast cuts sending shots of lacerations at him which he shielded with his arms his limbs showing a multitude of cuts and rivers of blood trickling down.
"Rrggh…" Felice growled his eyes looking at the two canine Shadows before he gripped the rims of his wheelchair. "Get out of my sight, Leto!" He commanded as the Persona used Garu the creatures sliding a distance as Leto prepared to use Bufu to continue the assault, however for whatever reason behind it the anticipated attack didn't occur for the canine Shadows suddenly stopped, their dark red eyes staring at the ceiling before both remaining creatures howled loudly, Felice watching on as they disappeared from sight leaving Felice alone with Leto standing still as soon as the danger had passed over the hallway becoming eerily silent the muddy blonde suddenly feeling his body grow heavy, the blonde nearly passing out from the sudden force. Damnit, just like back with that knight…I'm almost running dry on energy, but Leto isn't seeing anything suspicious already.
"H_heheheh-_" The inaudible growl followed by the image of the child appeared from the shadow of the corridor in front of him, the mirage wavering in image as the red eyes glared menacingly at him. Pointing at him, the child growled inaudibly as the darkness revealed three wolves crawling around the Shadow just as the mask and crown of thorns appeared briefly replacing the child's face, the sight sending a chill down his back while he grinded his teeth. "…ghk."
"_-!-_?" The child's expression of malice turned softer, the Shadow staring at him tensely before the wolves whimpered and retreated into the darkness the child in the red coat stretching out its hand. Felice brought Leto to the front about to release a Toíchos however that idea was soon discarded when he felt the ground below him shake, Felice unable to react in time just as the child enclosed its fist vines with thorns appearing upwards to snake around his arms like serpents lashing at their prey the teen barely able to fight before the vines dug into his skin creating lacerations skin deep.
"ARRGGHHH, damn you!" Felice spat as the Shadow child sneered, the thorny stalks of green moving slightly cutting deeper as Felice spied the thorns growing in length as they dug into the skin of his arms the blood loss' effects affecting his hands once struggling actively against its plant captors to slowly die in strength, Felice unable to concentrate as Leto disappeared the moment he was trapped. As he hung helplessly, Felice struggled with his neck the tips of the thorns barely scraping the skin of his neck, the teen growling angrily however it was muted by the gurgling as blood ran down his face and neck.
No good, if I don't do anything soon… Felice summoned Leto again from the back of his mind only for the Shadow to immediately send out four wolves from both behind and in front of Leto eager and thirsting for blood as they dug into the Persona who was unable to hold off the simultaneous attack from the back and front, the flank throwing Leto away causing Felice to worry. No…crap! There must be something, anything!
"You damn….ggrkk!" Felice felt the thorns pierce his neck and legs, the brushing of the vines becoming closer as the hairs on his leg began to feel something itchy and sharp penetrate his skin Felice choking for air. It was a very bad situation now, if he wasn't fast enough to summon Leto there would be no doubt he will be killed…but even as he did so now, he couldn't be certain Leto can provide a distraction before the wolves around him rip the Persona to shreds preventing a chance to turn the tide.
Once again, like the night with the knight he was trapped without a way out. Knowing that was infuriating as Felice thrashed through the vines ignoring the additional scarring on his arms. This was the third time he was being defeated by something more dangerous than he was, and Felice couldn't fight back even with a Persona to stand at his back protecting him.
There must be a way to do this...I can't...
Thou art I…
?!
Say my name, quickly if you desire to stand…the voice seemed more insistent as the vines were moving faster across his neck drawing a red line which soon deepened as the Shadow grinned, the child's head tilting to the side at the teen's suffering before the vines stopped just short of slicing the throat of Felice cleanly chuckling at the helplessness of its victim who had stopped his futile struggle against the vines. "_-_!"
"I will not…lose…" Felice demanded as he felt the familiar resurgence of power course through his hands, the teen feeling his instincts grow sharper while the child immediately clenched his fist the vines slicing away at Felice's neck as blood was sent flying through the air in droplets the wound causing trails as it dug deeper into his skin causing Felice to give into pain and his struggle when he heard the sound of ripping flesh. There was no way out, but even so he had to keep fighting back no matter the cost and turn this battle around.
"Gah…!" The boy yelled as he stretched his hand out another row of lacerations and blood loss occurred the boy insistent on closing his fist as the power within demanded release, however a thorn covered vine covered his eyes ready to dig into the crevices of his sockets threatening him with blindness. No, this can't be it…I won't lose to a monster like this! Come to me, damn it!
*chunk*
Felice stopped as an unusual sound was heard his blinded vision by the captive vine retreating from his sight as he felt the vines disappear his eyes still shut from the prickly brush of the thorns which had left. There was a moment of pause, Felice's eyes closed as he slowly opened them with a small crack when he heard a sound of something thumping on the ground, his eyes opening to see the vines that held him captive in the air had fallen to the hospital floor the child Shadow nearly bursting in fury as it let out a child-like scream of frustration at the turn of events stomping its feet on the floor.
"AARRRRGHHHRRKRKKKKKKK!"
"…" Felice watched in silence unable to speak while the uncomfortable feeling in his throat from the cut prevented him from speech as the Shadow retreated hurriedly from the scene the shadows of the hallway overtaking the child's body, the red eyes being the only sign it had been there just as it vanished Felice feeling weakened as he leaned in his wheelchair his arms going weak from the battle as the exhaustion of his stamina from using Leto took a toll on him his alertness full of adrenaline suddenly hit by a feeling of sleepiness, Felice groaning while he tried to stay awake unsure of what was going on or if the child had completely disappeared before he noticed a figure standing behind him, the teen nearly falling from his chair as he stared mouth agape. "What the…?"
Towering over him stood a man with a shining white helmet with a faceplate up to the bridge of his nose, the white light almost similar to that of a burning flame as a set of forest green bronze scales with bright quilted leather beneath alongside pants and fur boots completed the outlook of the warrior, the Persona looking downward at Felice as sea-blue eyes met the teen a hand from the Persona stretched out to cusp the air before the palm shifted to the chest over its heart.
You have called on me for might and strength, I am Tiwaz the god of the hanged…at your call I am at your side, to defend you with my blade and my hand, the Persona disappeared into nothing as Felice felt tired his slightly dulled mind calling him to look around the hallway.
"Is it over…or could this mean that that kid had escaped from me?" Felice wondered as he kept Leto on guard the woman focusing on the area to find no more Shadows lurking around the grounds, Felice left utterly confused by the sudden events which had taken place while he tried to control his ragged breathing. "Well if that kid is gone, then that means that the place should be considered safe for now from Shadows…if that was even considered a child," Felice uttered as he shivered at the recollection of the distortion which revealed a human head wearing a familiar mask with a crown of thorns sticking out of the small head, the image burning into his memory while he nearly felt like he was going to puke. The thoughts left him as his injuries inflicted by the Shadow began to take away his stamina as the blood from his lacerations had droplets onto the ground, the teen breathing ragged breaths as air left his throat, the suffocating air of the Dark Hour becoming a strain to stay conscious in. Felice didn't have time to react or think any further before the lights came back on flickering as if a power outage had occurred, the Dark Hour retreating from the human world as his stamina faded followed by his conscious thoughts as the blood loss took its toll upon him, sending him toppling to the side blood pooling in small smear marks on the floor some of his wounds' blood hardening onto his skin.
The last thing he saw besides the flickering lights was a scream that echoed far away that he couldn't reply as a shadow rushed over him.
17th April, morning, Gekkoukan High
Yuki scribbled the notes for the lecture while the teacher continued to ramble on, aware of the growing state of sleepiness which had befallen some of the students who were absolutely bored to death, Yuki turning another page of the textbook to read the material that was mentioned at the start of the class himself simultaneously struggling to write out a sentence as the teacher continued to rant in the background. Next to him, Junpei wasn't doing so well the boy with the baseball cap had lowered the tip over his eyes to cover it up though his arms draped over the table's surface in an obvious manner with his pen rolling on the floor didn't help matters for Junpei if he got caught sleeping on a lecture, Yuki looking at the podium again so as to not gain the teacher's attention on him and then on Junpei's sleeping form. The things I do for a guy I just met…I wonder if I'm just being too nice on people sometimes or if I am just over-considerate to let something like this go on.
"Makoto, stand up I have a question for you to answer."
Well luck is just trying to tell me something huh?
Lunchtime
Yuki pushed open the door to the school rooftop, finding only two small huddles in the corner next to the entrance as he walked towards one of the ten benches spread out across a simplistic garden of flowers in concrete troughs filled with soil Yuki settling his butt down on the wooden seat while he took off the cover for his bento and picked up the pair of steel chopsticks in hand his eyes exploring the large box he bought from the nearby store before school, his stomach enticing his instincts to devour the meal filled with fried prawn and steaming hot rice with salmon pieces dressed in soy sauce as well as carrots and radish slices in a rapid gulp. No delaying I suppose, Yuki used the chopsticks to gather a small patch of rice the sauce dripping back onto the rice pile while he ate the first bite his stoic expression relaxing into a satisfied twitch at the curves of his lips though his blank eyes kept their usual glower.
This is really great with the salmon and radish, I should remember the name of that takeaway place sometime so I can buy something else, Yuki silently ate with joy his outward appearance remaining unchanged though anyone who could have seen him from afar could tell that there was a brief moment of joy in mid-eating. Yuki was absorbed into it that he didn't notice someone coming up behind him and tapping him on the shoulder which nearly caused him to drop the chopsticks in surprise as his body jerked slightly from the touch the bluenette looking up to his left to see a familiar face before he resumed picking up his chopsticks and stuck one of the prawns into his mouth the boy chewing slowly.
"Mitsuru-san." He immediately changed his tone upon addressing her, the half-eaten fried prawn plucked from his teeth as he placed it properly on the rice while he stuffed another serving of rice. "How may I help you?"
"Makoto…I need to talk to you."
"Sure." Though I can already guess what this is all about.
"Makoto, I wanted to speak to you about what you would decide to do from here on out."
"…" You mean if I am going to lure your desire for answers into joining your little group. "And why are you taking some time from your lunch to tell me this?"
"You would want to know why your parents died ten years ago." Yuki exhaled, he was already anticipating that answer which would be the foundation to convincing him to join up due to his confrontation with the Kirijo heiress, Yuki sighing as he bit into the prawn and salmon. "So you came to me and tried to pull that out of the rug, Mitsuru-san…tell me what is that going to accomplish if you knew why I came back home?"
"Because I shouldn't have done it," Mitsuru admitted as she watched Yuki's unchanging expression unfazed by her admission. "I and the Chairman thought that you should be given a chance to go and find out what's behind your parents' deaths but I didn't consider what that folder might mean to you in the first place."
"…"
"I wanted to apologize." Mitsuru said as she looked out at the large expanse of the city from the school rooftop the afternoon sun clouded by the mass of grey clouds while Yuki looked up at her. "I wasn't planning to go anytime soon until I had some answers for myself. However you are too paranoid and quick to judge my actions and personality," Yuki bluntly stated as Mitsuru turned to see Yuki grabbing his bento and resuming the meal signalling that the conversation would go no further than it did now.
"I see, well then I have something else to tell you as well…the chairman and I would like to see you and Takeba as soon as possible after school, he'll come in the evening at around eight so just be punctual." Mitsuru passed the message on as she watched Yuki nod once in her direction before she stepped away from the boy and re-entered the building, breathing slightly in relief as she went over the conversation in her head. Looks like he was okay with it, I hope that the same could be said for what will be said tonight. Meanwhile, Yuki was finishing half of his meal at a faster pace, the boy trying to get his mind off the conversation and his mind's wild theories about her purpose for coming at such convenient timing, Yuki attempting to focus on finishing his meal contently.
I won't be surprised if this is a last ditch effort from her to convince me to just join whatever plan she has for me and Yukari, even though Yukari says that she knows things she didn't sound too sure about everything when I began to ask her to elaborate, Yuki emptied the remaining salmon pieces mixing them in the soy sauce radish combination stirring it with his chopsticks while he slipped another salmon slice into his mouth. Finishing off the meal, he placed the cover over the box while he placed it inside of his plastic bag the boy standing up and returning downstairs.
"I should see what clubs are open for signups soon." That connection was what Igor was talking about, wasn't it?
With Felice, hospital
"What do you mean I can't go outside right now?" Felice asked the nurse who was placing her pen on the table while sighing, her eyes avoiding contact with Felice as she scanned some patient reports. "You can't simply go outside right now, besides the doctor wanted to check up on you today regarding your…circumstance last night."
"You mean the whole scarring on my arms right? I told the nurse and doctor on duty last night I was fine already, besides I suffered from a bad fall that happened to have a knife involved," he stated as he noticed the nurse shaking her head while she politely replied to him. "No, I'm afraid you cannot be out at the moment until the doctor comes over but you can still receive your visitors. Besides, that girl might come over right? Yukari, I think her name was….you should be happy such a caring girl is taking care of you." The nurse gave him a sly wink as he caught on quickly, the man cracking a smile at the young nurse.
"Aha…" Felice laughed nervously as he recalled the water whipping she gave him yesterday while he looked at his bandaged arms. The nurse satisfied with her check over his new wounds walked out for a moment before she came back in, the woman's professionalism taking over as she entered his ward. "Oh, Felice-san, there's a woman waiting for you outside planning to visit you right now."
"Already, but who is it?" Felice made his thoughts known as he raised a brow his bandaged arms and the slight numbness preventing him from moving the two limbs before a voice familiar to him spoke from behind the nurse which was soon accompanied by the flash of platinum blonde and blue eyes dressed in an elegantly styled form fitting velvet pea coat alongside black stockings the hemline of a skirt barely seen through the long coat, the eyes momentarily stunning Felice though the silver blonde hair gave her identity away rather quickly.
"Felice, it's me. We need to talk."
"Margaret?"
"I'll leave you two alone then," the nurse said as she gave him a smile. "Get better soon and make sure to contact us if you need anything right?" The woman spoke as she made her way out of the ward leaving the young woman and Felice alone in the room, Margaret waiting until the door was closed before she sighed, her velvet eyes vanishing almost like a fog of color lifted over her eyes turning into a golden shade again her eyes lingered on the doorway a little more while she addressed Felice with a nod of her head the woman occupying the seat on his left overlooking the corridor. It was the first time that he noticed she wasn't carrying her book and the fact that her clothes were different from what she had worn in the Velvet Room though the velvet was still featured on the clothes excluding her stockings, Felice caught himself while he averted his eyes from the silver blonde coughing into the sheet out of a need for distraction.
"Your eyes just now, how did you do it? I figured golden was a natural color for you besides Igor."
"It is, but there are abilities granted to attendants to fit into your world without too much trouble." Margaret clasped her hands while she leaned forward in her seat. "However that is not the true reason for my visit to you today…I wanted to ask you about your progress in solving that mystery you have on your mind now. Are you getting a hint on the path of what you needed to do?"
"No clues…to be honest when I came here I didn't expect to find anything related to it. And how do you know about it, anyway? I remember Igor with his cards but you guys didn't know anything else about me that I may have talked about in regards to that mystery do you?"
"My master has his ways, and he already knew about the mystery that you posed for yourself when you came to us the first time," Margaret replied while she crossed her arms, the sight of her without the book was unusual to the muddy blonde as the words sank in. "I see, it's all relating to that time I first went to you…if only I can recall it," Felice replied Margaret folding her arms while she stared at the wall.
"Wouldn't it be more prudent than wandering to whatever place that strikes your memory for the last two months?"
"…"
"I am here because my master is concerned with your contract and the terms being endangered due to your current progress." Margaret stated as she unfolded her hands letting them rest on her kneecaps, the attendant keeping her eyes on Felice who was keeping quiet. "He thinks that you are at a crossroads to not attend the path you've promised to keep."
"I don't even know why I had this power at all…or why I bothered to sign the contract the first time when I don't remember it being signed. I can't remember no matter how hard I tried." He admitted to himself loud enough for Margaret to hear, the attendant continuing to watch him intently as a flash of golden flared a slight edge to her presence. "That was not the words that you spoke to us when you first arrived to us."
"?!" Felice's face was an expression of genuine surprise and yet a hint of familiarity was struck in his brain. "The words I spoke to you? What are you talking about, Margaret?"
"I would throw my life away in search for the truth, if you can lend me this power, I can save myself." Margaret quoted towards Felice the teen left dumbfounded as a sharp white flash shot through his vision blinding him for a moment before he regained focus, the woman solemnly looking at him while she clasped her hands together. "Those were the words that my master and I remember when you first came to the Velvet Room. You were different then, conviction in your heart and mind sharp as steel headstrong in your decision. We gave you that power, but you are fluctuating…look into your heart and know that it is starting to show with frustration and mystery, like the Moon it is stagnation of your mind and soul."
"What are you trying to imply?" He asked as Margaret stood up and walked towards the door of the ward turning back to face him with a light smile on her lips. "That the answers you so actively seek are close already, how you choose to find it is your own decision. We residents are after all only servants to fate yet navigators towards destiny, whatever that may be."
"…"
"Well then, farewell for now. However, I should let you know that the window of opportunity grows short with each passing day you linger in this room, so please consider what you wish to do next." Margaret commented as she walked out of the ward leaving Felice staring at the window to his hospital room, the boy closing his eyes as he felt his weary body demanding him to sleep and regain his energy, luring him into the land of dreams.
Iwatodai dormitory, evening, meeting room
"In short, Makoto-san…I would like you to join us."
One Makoto Yuki was facing the open suitcase in front of him containing an Evoker and a red armband nestled in the suitcase. "I would want you to join our organisation SEES Makoto," Yuki looked at the eyes of one Mitsuru Kirijo who was looking in anticipation along with the Chairman who was in his seat leaning forward while Akihiko and Yukari were exchanging glances of anticipation to Yuki's words. Picking up the Evoker, Yuki stroked the metallic barrel while a silence engulfed the room the bluenette looking back at Mitsuru for only a moment before he cast his eyes over the room of anxious teens and adult.
"I'll join you." Yuki stated without emotion as a sigh from Yukari was heard, the archer placing a hand over her chest as her relief was evident. "Oh good, I was thinking you might not have wanted to join us at all."
Ikutsuki on the other hand was elated at the decision, the man giving a clap of his hand while he showed a genuine smile the man spreading his hands out at his sides with joy. "Well that is delightful to hear Makoto-kun, I was hoping that you would come around to the offer of helping us out with our problem."
"However before I go on, there is one thing I would like to say…Ikutsuki-san, Kirijo-san." The man looked up at Yuki who held a stern expression as he spun the Evoker in his hand staring at Ikutsuki with the coldest tone he could place. "I do not appreciate that you and Senpai were snooping around my folder, even if you were planning to explore my background. The reason that I joined SEES is that I want to find out what happened ten years ago there is no mistake in that, I want answers from the Kirijo group and whatever they have on that incident ten years ago." He noticed Mitsuru flinch from his eyes as he glared at Ikutsuki again, the man feeling intimidated by Yuki's menacing glare. "However if you do something like this again, you'll be assured that I won't even care if Shadows are clawing at your damn dorm door…I will leave SEES if you continue to hide things from me, I hope that is understood Kirijo-san."
"…Yes," Mitsuru avoided his gaze completely when Yuki stared at her for a moment before he grabbed the armband from the suitcase along with his Evoker and walked out of the room, the door closing behind him as Yuki took a step outside walking towards his room. As he did so Akihiko stood to follow Yuki when Mitsuru spoke up behind him the heiress turning away from the three who were unable to comprehend what had just occurred from Yuki, the redhead biting her fingernail.
"Akihiko, stop it."
"But he's-"
"No, Akihiko. I…have to respect the fact that despite our mistake that Makoto-san is willing to join SEES without any sense of misgivings and he would lend us his power to end the Dark Hour," Mitsuru insisted while Akihiko looked at the doors throwing a glove hand out. "But that isn't fair, is it? You and the others didn't know how he would-"
"Akihiko that's enough!" The voice that came back at the teen was a commanding tone from the heiress who glared at Akihiko her hands clenched in her chest while Yukari's excitement at a new team member dimmed to a dying halt as she watched Yuki leave his threat and walked out of the room, the girl getting up to her feet and without hesitation or clarity walked out of the meeting room intent on finding Yuki's room. She didn't take long to find him outside of his room about to open the door before she brought her hand to the knob stopping Yuki from advancing further while she expressed concern.
"Yuki…"
"Yes, Yukari-san?" Yuki answered his eyes weren't narrowed and an emotionless tone was all she heard as Yukari shook her head, the girl sternly giving him a glare. "Don't 'yes' me you idiot! You just raised hell and stormed off like that, what is going on with you with that outburst just now?"
"The meeting? That was what it was Yukari-san, I simply told Mitsuru-senpai and Ikutsuki-san what I wanted them to know about the condition for me staying in SEES and to make my position clear, is that wrong for you, would that be a problem for you as well?"
"Don't hide behind words, I want to know why! Why would you even-?" Yukari wanted to say something further before Yuki glared at her, the girl freezing up as she felt the same feeling she received from him at the hospital not long ago Yukari looking down at the ground before Yuki stuffed the armband in his pocket.
"Because Mitsuru-senpai is right, I want answers like how you were at my bedside wanting to know about what happened ten years ago." Yuki replied as he saw Yukari stop, her words at the hospital affecting her as he closed his eyes his grip falling to his side along with the armband. "I am indeed like you much as I hate to admit it I wanted to know the truth of the matter…I cannot move on, at least from my perspective of things. I can't rest well knowing my parents just died because they were there on that night…"
"Yuki-kun," Yukari wanted to say more before Yuki gave her a wry smile. "I actually appreciate that you came clean first to me about it, I was thinking I was the only one here and felt used by them…" Yuki's smile seemed to radiate some form of emotion through his statement, though the moment passed as quickly as it came with the curves of his lips falling into line as he reached for the doorknob and opened it, looking at Yukari before he closed the door.
"I won't run away, not anymore."
Outside the hospital, Dark Hour
The night wind blew despite the screams and horrors of humans being heard almost like a bare whisper in the air, a void without any form of life felt omnipotent in the streets of red and coffins hiding away their masters from the additional cruelty in the world as humans within slept safe and protected. A puddle of muddied blood just outside the gates of the garden was soon interrupted with a loud splash, the droplets of crimson lifewater flew into the air hitting cloth creating dark stains while a gloved hand smoothed the creases which clung onto the piece of clothing, the loss of electricity creating an abyss of black as the nights of old before fire. The silhouette moved gracefully down the street as growls and groans of the city's night time denizens were stirring and ready to feed upon the others, carefully stepping past the gate stopping to observe the large garden and the hospital floors above.
"…" Looking briefly at the hospital, the silhouette only gave a glance before it moved away from the garden the figure retreating back the way it had arrived.
End
