.-Summer Day 1-
Souji was quite abruptly awoken by his cellphone shrilly beeping right in his ear. With an unpleasant jolt and an irritated scowl, Souji blindly felt around for the source of the noise. Unable to find the bother of an electronic device, he somehow forced his upper body of the cushiony feel of his futon and blinked drearily in the dimly lit room. Taking a moment to compose himself and adjust to the sudden wake-up, Souji took a deep breath and almost fell asleep sitting upright. Shaking his head, he pushed himself from the floor and shifted carefully among boxes to the desk where his phone had ceased it's infernal beeping.
Flipping it open it showed that Yosuke had just called him. It was 10:11; it felt much earlier. Souji pressed on the redial button and in no less than two rings, Yosuke picked up,his chipper voice something of a morning pick-up. "Yo, dude, we're all here at Junes, you wanna meet up?" his electronic voice resonated. Souji nodded sleepily before realizing stupidly that Yosuke could not have seen that. "Yeah.. I'll be there soon, partner." he yawned and scratching his head absentmindedly.
He heard Yosuke relay his reply to the others on the other side and he swore he could hear a yelp of happiness from Teddie. Soon, Yosuke's voice returned with a bit of muffled static,
"Ok then, we'll see you soon buddy."
Souji could almost hear the smile he must have been giving off and found himself smiling stupidly as well. He heard a click and flipped his phone shut now that the conversation was over. After a brief second, he forced himself up, blowing a puff up air up at his bangs and slowly pulling the curtains open to let in a flood of sunlight. However, just as Marie had predicted, there were looming storm clouds on the horizon. Thinking of rain, it would probably be best to wash his face to wake himself from his groggy sleep stupor.
After a relaxing shower, the minty toothpaste waking him up even more, and a light snack, Souji bid farewell to both Nanako and Dojima before hurrying out the door. Despite it being summer, the oncoming rain clouds brought with them a pleasant breeze, making the day bearable to walk to Junes. It would give him a chance to see all of Inaba again. Swinging his jacket over his shoulder (much like his uncle) Souji breathed in the tasteful country air and set off for Junes.
By the time he finally did arrive, it seemed everyone had gotten quite settled at their usual spot and laughing over a couple of sodas. Chie happened to notice him first and waved a hand in the air, "Hey, Souji, over here!" she called earning an eye roll from Yosuke, "He's not blind you know." he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
Chie stuck her tongue out to which Yosuke promptly did the same. Souji smiled and took a seat, his usual spot which they were all conscious on leaving open. The seating arrangements were familiar.
"So, you seemed to wake up late, that's unusual for you." Yosuke smirked playing with the cords of his headphones.
After sipping from her tea, Naoto was the one to explain to Yosuke on Souji's behalf, "Well he didn't get any chance for rest yesterday after the ride here, and we did do a lot yesterday. It only makes sense that Senpai would be tired enough to sleep in."
"So did you sleep ok then?" Yukiko asked, today her hair was down from the usual professional bun.
It was shorter than during their midnight escapades, but it was still fairly long.
Souji nodded with a small smile, "Yeah I did. I guess being back in Inaba just makes it all the more comfortable to me. Everything just felt so.. Homey and familiar."
Everyone nodded in understanding. Rise giggled pushing her sunglasses up coyly and she sipped her soda,
"Well, it's great to have you back Senpai, we really missed you." her smile was genuine, not her actress smile. It was difficult to not smile back.
After a moment of agreement, suddenly the whole group exploded again in discussion, first Yosuke being upset that Teddie nearly spilt his drink on him, causing him to jolt in surprise and bump into Chie who promptly kicked his shin roughly which ripped a yelp from the poor boy's throat. That's what started Yukiko's famous laughing fits, her body convulsing with uncontrolled laughter. Kanji and Naoto were having their own side conversation on some topic. And Rise occupied Souji by telling him about her recent television premieres and acting jobs. It was true, Souji had seen her a lot on television lately, several times had she even made a discreet shout out to him on several occasions which luckily his parents didn't understand.
Speaking of television, "Everything here is alright, right? No midnight channel, or fog, or anything?" he asked unsurely. "Everything here has been really quiet and peaceful after all that fighting."
Teddie answered cheerfully "And the other side?" "Hrmmmm, there are still shadows, but definitely not as many as there used to be once the fog was lifted. But, there are some places with a light fog."
Hearing this was a little disheartening.
"Well, it is impossible to be able to erase the fog from every heart of every person in the world. I'm sure some people still have their doubts, denial, and other such negative emotions. If we were to truly lift the fog in everyone's heart and eliminate all the shadows, then the world would be a paradise now. But it's impossible for us to do such a thing. Don't you think?" Naoto explained.
Yosuke frowned, "Well when you say it like that, you make it sound like we did all of that for nothing."
Naoto immediately apologized and continued to sip her drink absent mindedly. They both had points to make, but even if it was something they didn't want to hear, it was something that needed to be said. Naoto had a habit of doing that, and Souji was grateful she was usually so straightforward when it came to facts.
"Well why don't we go inside the TV for old times sake? You know, pound a few shadows, go adventuring like we used to, maybe clear up some of that leftover fog?" Kanji suggested uncertainly, "It might be fun?"
The team looked to each other, the uneasiness evidently showing on their faces. They really didn't want to be reminded of their shadows and the humiliation they had gone through to accept them. They didn't want to see the twisted worlds born of their minds. But...
Were they even there anymore?
"It doesn't have to be where you guys are thinking." Souji spoke up in the idea's defense, "Perhaps we can explore new areas, or we could just go to the paradise."
Paradise was their name for the place they had discovered after the battle with Izanami, the rolling hills and trickling waters, that soft breeze, the green grass, blue skies. It was a dangerous place, dangerous in that after only five minutes, none of them wanted to leave. This idea seemed to appeal more to everyone than the idea of fighting shadows.
Even Kanji seemed to like this better than his idea. "Can we do that Teddie?"
"Of course, if I can go to and from, you all should still be able to."
Looking at the sparkle in everyone's eyes, it seemed that was the plan, and honestly, Souji didn't mind it either. However, just because Izanami had fallen, it didn't mean it was safe, after all, Teddie did say there were still shadows here and there. So per usual they all had the strange custom of hiding their weapons under their uniforms. A few kunai, ok, a fan, sure, a pistol, of course, shoes, hell those didn't need concealing, and a few claws, maybe. But for he and Kanji, swords and school desks, really? How they even managed this every time seemed to defy the laws of the universe.
And yet they did it, made it past security as inconspicuously as humanly possible and they made a mad dash for the tv, weapons in hand. It was a relief when they made it to the other side the yellow crime scene flooring also bringing mostly unpleasant memories for all. But today, everyone seemed more relaxed here in this environment than they ever had before. It must have been a good sign. There was no heavy atmosphere, it was a weight of Souji's shoulders.
"Alright bear, which way to paradise~?" Chie eagerly twist her torso in an exercise motion.
Teddie's first response: "Baby I can show you paradise." Teddie's second response after seeing the horrendously fiery glare: "I-I mean, this way! P-Paradise was this way!"
"That's what I thought.
Now with the fog gone, Teddie seemed to get a much better hang of his nose, while his scanning ability was nowhere near as accurate as Rise's, he insisted on helping in his world. (A host must do his best to cater to his guests. ) So the old rag-tag team found itself in idle chatter once more, this time Souji hearing from Yukiko how the Inn was doing and how she could have ever thought managing it was hard. But she did have the wonderful staff to thank as well.
The trip there was quiet, in the sense that no shadows appeared to attack,it was a nice change of pace to go to the tv world and not fight. Sure enough, Teddie's nose led them straight to Paradise and all at once everyone felt so at ease and peaceful. Chie offered to push Yukiko on the flower covered wooden swing hanging beneath the giant mother tree. Kanji showed Naoto and Teddie how to weave crowns with flowers, (Teddie did want to bring back a lovely gift for Nanako). Finally Yosuke and Souji sat back to back, sharing Yosuke's headphones while Rise calmly rest her head on Souji's lap. It was platonic when Souji absentmindedly ran his fingers through her hair occasionally, but she gave no sign of disapproval.
This is how the TV world should have been before all this started. Perhaps this was the paradise Namatame was thinking the TV world was when he threw them all in. Whether it was or not,Souji leaned his head back against Yosuke's and let his mind drift off to the song Yosuke was playing.
That brightly shining moment, I was with everyone
I spent that time without knowing it was irreplaceable
Now, so that I'll just recall it fondly, I will embrace the feeling
You were definitely by my side back then, you know
You were always, always, always smiling right next to me
Even if I lose you, I'll get you back. I will never leave you.
- o O o-
Before long, it was decided that they should be going soon, before they felt that bliss overcome them and make them never want to leave again. This was decided after a poorly timed and placed running hug from Teddie resulted in both he and Kanji in the water and Kanji looked ready to blow a fuse. So here they were, Souji comforting a soaking Kanji who looked fairly reminiscent to a very wet and grumpy looking cat. Rise was the first to call the alarm, a shadow had wandered into their path and seeing them, surged forward in instinctual rage. Minotaurs, each of them different; the clanking of their chains as they shook their horned heads vigorously was loud as ever. It was nothing they hadn't handled before.
Rise began her analyzation, and gave her results to Yosuke, who was the quickest to respond, "Yosuke do your windy thing, it's weak to wind!" she exclaimed eagerly. And a familiar spark was lit as everyone pulled out their weapons, Yosuke looking even more energetic as he twirled his kunai before summoning Takehaya Susano-o by giving a swift strike with the small knives, shattering the card holding his persona in. Takehaya Susano-o appeared from Yosuke and as the third minotaur charged and with a burst of slicing wind, it was knocked to the ground like a rag doll.
Rise cheered for an encore as Yosuke went for the more direct approach this time, knives in hand as he dashed for the same minotaur in an attempt to finish it off. It was close, but the Minotaur still prevailed though badly wounded and slow. "Stand back and let me show you how it's done." taunted Chie as she rolled her neck and jogging in place. On the third hop she dashed for the fading shadow and placed a well aimed kick to it's torso and with a wail of defeat, the shadow dispersed and faded away.
Chie rolled her head to Yosuke with a triumphant smirk to which Yosuke rolled his eyes. Enraged for their fallen minotaur, the two others gave a low bellow of rage before charging in separate directions. Kanji successfully pulled Naoto's tiny frame from harm's way however Yukiko did not seem fast enough to dodge the second minotaur and was knocked back a few feet. Chie cried out and left to assist her up. "How dare you hurt precious Yuki-chan! Rrrawr that is just unforgivable!" Teddie cried whilst hopping onto the back of the minotaur who tackled Yukiko, digging those razor hooked claws into it's tough hide.
Naoto quickly whipped out her pistol and fired several rounds at the minotaur who missed her. "Nice shot Naoto, now it's my turn." Kanji growled happily as he fearlessly charged up to meet the minotaur head on and while physical attacks didn't have much effect, Kanji did manage to knock it back a few steps from charging again head-on.
"Yukiko, quick, that one is weak to fire, light it up!" Rise Smiled just as Chie pulled Yukiko up.
"Got it, come Sume-Okami!" she cried out, her persona card appearing and with a flick of the wrist, her silk fan tore through it like paper and Sume-Okami was released with a quick burst of ablaze the minotaur writhed in pain nearly bashing into Kanji before dissipating into nothingness in defeat.
"Yo Yukiko-senpai careful would you, that was way too close for comfort!" Kanji cried, wiping the smell and smoke of burning shadow from his eyes.
"Oops, sorry Kanji-kun." she waved apologetically with a sheepish blush.
Teddie on the other hand was experiencing what it was like to be tossed and spun around on a mechanical bull first hand, "S-s-senseiii, help please waaaaah!" he stuttered as loud as he could as the last minotaur shook itself violently in an attempt to dislodge Teddie from it's back.
For a moment it charged blindly before stopping abruptly, the momentum enough to keep Teddie flying, landing just in front of the minotaur right on his back. It was at the time, Souji rushed up to his aid, putting himself between the shadow and Teddie. The minotaur leered down at him with a quick grunt and stamped it's hooves before rearing up and angling it's head so that it's horns would have pierced both Teddie and Souji.
"Senpai, quick it's weak to lightning hurry!" cried Rise in fear.
Lighting? No problem. Reaching deep within himself he called upon Izanagi to protect them and while he felt the same draining effect it had on his body when summoning a persona,the card never appeared.
He had no chance to try again, the minotaur's horns already upon them.
"Takeji Zaiten!"
A bolt of lightning came down upon the minotaur, much too close to Teddie and Souji. They both recoiled and faced away from the momentary blinding light before the minotaur was downed and Souji could hear the others performing an all out attack right by them.
Souji pried his eyes open, his vision blurry, and was met by the large blue eyes of Teddie staring at him in silent concern. He silently looked to the ground and slowly turned to meet the same look on his team's faces. The silence permeated the air as Souji wondered just why Izanagi wouldn't come, and it seemed to dawn on the others that he wasn't able to summon him. No one had the courage to speak and the atmosphere seemed thick with not fog, but tension.
Thank god Rise broke the ice, "You must still be tired, that's all senpai."
It was a lie when Souji nodded and looked at his own two feet. That was the first time he had never been able to summon Izanagi, and not just him, but he felt like he didn't have it in him to summon any other persona, not Pyro Jack, nor Rakshasa, or Lilith. He still felt them there, somewhere, but now, he felt like they were just air. He looked at his team with his trademark calm face and pretended like it simply didn't happen. When he gave the order to go home, no one pressed any further.
The walk back until they were back at Junes was agonizingly silent.
No one blamed Souji when he suddenly said he wasn't feeling well and left as soon as they all reached the food court. He left briskly without a goodbye. Now Souji prided himself on being able to stay calm in many situations, however it would be an understatement if this sharp turn of events didn't unsettle him. It's not like he really had any use of his personas now that the battle with Izanami was over and done with, it would have made sense if they disappeared after fulfilling their purpose, but that wouldn't be able to account for why the others could summon their persona just fine.
Now it had developed into a habit over the year, but Souji had always kept the velvet key on his person. He thoughtlessly ran a finger over it in his pocket. It hadn't disappeared after their final battle so then he still had access to the velvet room ahead, Souji decided it best to go see Igor and Margaret, if anyone knew anything about personas, it was them.
- o O o-
Marie's feet pounded on the ground as she ran down to Junes. Oh she was going to surprise Souji so bad, and if he was anywhere, it was Junes. At least she hoped he would be there. Pushing her glasses from her face, she rounded the corner and made her way into the air conditioned Junes. With a soft tired huff, she shook her head and hurried to the elevators leading to the food court. Fixing her hair, shirt, and glasses, she tried to keep an aloof air about her as usual as she made her way into the food court and wasn't surprised to see Yosuke and the others gathered at their usual spot. What did surprise her was that Souji wasn't there with them.
"Hey guys, what's up?"
"Oh Marie-chan, hi!" Yukio exclaimed in genuine surprise. Everyone's faces lifted a bit.
The tense atmosphere didn't go unnoticed. Scanning everyone's faces, Marie bit her lip. "What's up, where's Souji?"
Faces fell.
"He said he wasn't feeling too swell, so he left for home." Answered Yosuke with a huff.
Odd, so even the rock solid Souji Seta got sick every once in a blue moon. Marie was content to leave it at that, she had no reason to doubt Souji's (and her) friends, that is until Naoto gave Yosuke some kind of reprimanding glance.
"Marie, you know a lot about... Everything, yes?"
A very sudden question.
"Yes, why?"
Hesitation.
"Is it possible, for someone to be unable to summon their persona for any reason?"
A very sudden and odd question.
"Well, Personas do not manifest in the human world, and cannot be summoned if the bearer is spiritually drained."
Rise bit her lip in thought, "But senpai was in perfect health..."
Was Souji unable to summon his persona?!
"Wait,are you saying you were in the TV again? Why?!" Marie exclaimed angrily stomping her foot.
"W-we just thought it'd be good fun, like old times. Besides we're tough enough to handle anything that comes our way." Kanji spoke up in the team's defense.
Ok, just calm down, they had good intentions. It's not like anyone was seriously harmed, but this was a dilemma, just what happened so where Souji couldn't summon his persona? He had the wildcard, he had all the personas in the void at his disposal, so why did they ignore his call?
"This..." Marie tapped her lips thoughtfully, "Is quite a problem. And I know just who to see about it." she finally snapped her fingers.
No doubt Souji already had the same idea, he was a smart fellow, he could figure this much out with ease. So with a quick goodbye and a swift turnaround, Marie hurried to her once thought home: The Velvet Room.
Running there at full speed took her maybe 15 minutes, and unlike Souji, Marie had no need for a key and so she didn't pause to stop and rummage in her pockets, she simply burst in. All hues of blue assaulted her eyes and already she felt sick from the days when that's all she ever saw.
Blue
Blue
Blue.
It was so tiring.
Igor greeted her with a wide Cheshire grin, resting his nose just above his folded hands. "Well now, aren't we getting quite a few guests today."
So Souji did come here.
"Ok, so spill it Nose, what's going on, I thought a Persona bent to the will of it's master, why did it not answer it's call?" Marie scowled.
Margaret who was silent up until now raised a delicate hand.
"The previous guest, Souji Seta has already seen us in order to set this problem straight. We told him only what he needed to know is all."
"And that would be?"
"He simply needs to trust in his friends, those whom he has formed the unbreakable bond with. They shall be the key to his survival in a plot of his own unraveling." Igor finished with a delighted smile that seemed to hold no remorse for Souji, nor did it imply that this was going to end well.
"Unraveling? But, wait, then... But what if he gets killed?" Marie suddenly cried, furious that Igor had not shared this information earlier.
"Then it would prove what kind of character he has become. If his friends are true and just, then he will remain unscathed as they will do all in their power to save him without fail." Igor waved a finger in the air, "But, should the bonds prove untrue, then it will means his friends care not for him. A friend with false bonds carries no loyalty."
Well that was stupid,of course his friends would save him, they were a team, and they looked out for one another. Marie knew (dare she say it) that they were family and they all loved him as did he love all of them in return.
Unless...
"Come." Igor pat the seat beside him, it was where Marie usually sat when she was still bound to this place, "Let us watch and see if our guest can still prove himself worthy of his gifts."
Hesitant, enraged, anxious, frantic, and worried-sick, Marie eventually took her old seat beside Igor and firmly dug her fingers into the fabric of her shirt, biting her lips furiously. With a swipe of his hand Souji was put on display as light above the table, and soon the image of Souji transitioned into that of the team members still loitering at Junes.
No one was going to like this.