24 November 2009

Minatodai Dorm, 1st Floor Lounge

Evening

The doorbell rang once and Minato went to answer it. It wasn't his weekly delivery from Tanaka, he was sure. Looking back, he checked to make sure the area was clear; Aigis vanished up the stairs. If necessary, she would change into her 'public' clothes and then come back down.

Opening the door, he found himself face-to-face-to-scarf with Ryoji Mochizuki. A smile was on his face, like he didn't have a care in the world. "Hello! Is Junpei feeling better? He and I were supposed to meet up and go to the Mandagora tonight."

Not knowing how to properly respond to that, Minato simply invited the newest transfer student in and offered him a seat.

"Is that my stuff?" Chidori asked in her dry voice as she descended from above. With her new accommodations set, there were arrangements and arguments to be had. The first thought was to put her in Shinjiro's old room, but Mitsuru had put her foot down on that. The Dorm was divided with the boys on the second floor and girls on the third. She wasn't about to bend that rule for anyone.

But that led to another problem. All the rooms on the third floor were occupied, and no one felt like giving her Ikutsuki's old room on the fourth floor. Midori offered to squeeze and share her room, but even Yukari, who still wanted as little to do with – and be as far away from - Chidori as possible, argued against it.

Chidori herself had been asked for her input, and the answer was far less than helpful. "Somewhere I can be alone" she said, causing no relief to the building headaches.

Then Aigis had come up with a solution. Mitsuru would move upstairs to the former Chairman's room, Midori or Fuuka could move from the end of the hall to Mitsuru's room, and Aigis would act as a buffer between Yukari and wherever Chidori would end up.

One quick game of Jan-Ken-Pon later, and Midori realized that she now had the largest room on the girls floor. Minato and Akihiko had been recruited to help rearrange everything, and it took several hours for everything to be in their new place, despite the assistance of Ken.

Everything, except Chidori's new room, which was still waiting for her personal belongings to be couriered from the hospital. Which is why she had come down at that exact moment, hoping she could finally get access to her art supplies.

Ryoji saw her and instantly turned on the charm. "Oh! I didn't see your beautiful self there. Junpei had nothing but adoration to say for all the pretty ladies living in this dorm, but he never mentioned you and your beauty!" He smiled and approached to within an arms length of her. "Have you seen Junpei? About my height, has a baseball cap, and is an awesome fellow?"

Chidori nodded, slightly. "I know of whom you speak." Even she recognized the necessity of keeping his death a secret for now, even though she knew that he still lived on in her. His hat she had kept, and nothing would separate it from her.

"Oh! That's good. Do you know where he is? He and I have plans, you know."

"No, I didn't. And I couldn't say where he is." She tried to slip by him to head for the dining area. Someone had laid out sandwiches for people to eat, and her plan was to grab one then return to her new cell until her stuff arrived.

Ryoji intercepted her, ignoring the death glare that she sent his way. He did see, however, Aigis come down the stairs, now in her school uniform. "Aigis! I am so glad to see you."

"Leave, Ryoji-san." Aigis intoned as she came to a halt beside Chidori. "You are not welcome here."

Ryoji sighed, "Look, if he doesn't want to come down, that no reason to send you two to protect him. He should do it himself." He obviously didn't like being stonewalled, and was looking to not take it out on the two women before him. But mostly, he sounded sad.

"He's not here, Ryoji-san," Chidori repeated, "I would rather you not be here either."

"Very well. I will be back tomorrow." Ryoji spun around on his heels and left.

He didn't come back. Not the next day, or the day after.

25 November 2009

Gekkoukan High, Classroom 1-B

Lunch Hour

"Hey Midori! What does it feel like to live in a Cursed and Haunted Dorm?" Chihiro said as she set down her own bento on the desk between her and Midori.

Looking up, Midori slurped the noodles dangling from her mouth in surprise. "Hrm?" She wiped stray liquid from her chin. "What do you mean? Cursed and Haunted?"

"Well, you know how that Aramaki-san..."

"Aragaki" Midori instantly corrected.

"Right, Aragaki. Well, he was killed in that Yakuza shooting, right?" Midori nodded, not quite sure where this was going. "And Yamagishi Fuuka vanished for like, two weeks then moved in. Now that boy from 2-E, Iori something? Well, word around the teachers is that he's gone missing too. And when Sari-chan passed by your place last night, she swears she saw a ghost in one of the rooms! A white dress and everything!"

Midori blinked. "What." In reflection, she could completely understand why people would come to that conclusion, and in another life, she would have too. Maybe even done a show about it. But now, all she could do was try and figure out how she could explain that, no, her dorm was neither haunted, nor cursed.

Well, she could be certain about the haunting part. The Curse? Well, maybe she should talk to people about that. You could never go wrong with having a priest bless a building.

The school's public announcement system clicked into life. "A-hem. Would Komaki Midori-san and Kirijo Mitsuru-san please report to the Teacher's Lounge? Thank you."

Midori took that as her cue to finish her lunch, drinking down the last of the soup broth and shovelling in the remaining instant noodles. "I'll see you later, after Tennis." With that as her apology, she headed for the Teacher's Lounge.

Teacher's Lounge

She saw Mitsuru waiting by the entrance to the lounge. Bowing in greetings, she saw that her face was still locked in the impassive form it had been for two days now. She would have to do something about that. "Were you told what this was about?"

Mitsuru shook her head. "No, I was not. I was hoping you may have some clue, but such is obviously not the case."

Together they entered, and Midori's face lit up. "Lieutenant Izuna!" The SDF Officer and her commanding officer, Captain Fushimi stood and greeted her.

Completely unfazed that Midori would know SDF officers by name, but simply chalked it up to another aspect of her that could be filed under what happened in the Tokyo Lockdown. Thankful that they were in dress uniform and not ready for battle, Mitsuru bowed. "I am Student Council President Kirijo. You called for us?"

Captain Fushimi came towards her. "Ah, I do apologize for this inconvenience. We are taking this time to interview Komaki-san for our six-month followup about the events in Tokyo. There is also something I must discus with you as President of the Kirijo Group in a more official capacity. A communication has been sent through the proper channels, but I am taking this opportunity to let you know personally in order to expect it." He bowed, causing Mitsuru to return it.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Midori asked with some trepidation, even though she was happy to see her fellow Demon Tamer.

Izuna offered a comforting smile, which also had a predatory twinge to it with her harsh expression and sharply cut hair. Midori only saw the comfort. It was hard to dislike someone who climbed the Hills with her and the others. "It shouldn't take too long. We arrived in town earlier than expected. We were hoping to talk with you after class, but decided to let you know early."

Midori bowed. "I will be available to you. It's good to see you again, and I look forward to talking with you."

"And we, you. We'll talk to you later, Komaki."

So dismissed, Midori practically bounced out of the Lounge, Mitsuru following more sedately. "Komaki, wait."

"Yes, Mitsuru-senpai?"

"Pardon me for asking, but why is it that you of all the Tokyo Transfers get a dedicated interview with an SDF Captain and no one else?"

"Oh, you know, this and that, and helping Izuna-san get to the centre of the Shomankai Cult on the last day and destroying their leadership. It was fun! Very heroic! Lots of fighting!"

After School, Private Office

Midori entered, seeing Izuna and Fushimi sitting at the desk. They gestured for her to join them, and she did after closing the door behind her. "Will this take long? I've got a Tennis club training thing going on right now." She said it in such a way that she didn't mind her time being taken in this manner.

"Oh, this shouldn't take too long. We do have a six-month followup report to issue to the government, both for the actual events and the story given to the public. And as such, we just need to talk to you because of the assistance you rendered us." Captain Fushimi opened a folder.

"Let us begin with the official story."

Later

"And how are you doing?" Izuna leaned forward, the collar on her shirt open. "New city, new school, new friends. It all had to be hard to adapt." The formal briefing and questioning was over, so she felt that a more casual approach would allow her to get answers to some things that bothered her.

Midori shook her head. "I got lucky. The Minatodai Dorm is a good place. I was welcomed with open arms, and I've made new friends. I'm still be in contact with my old friends in Tokyo."

"They've asked you about the events of the Lock Down?"

"Oh, sure, a couple times. Sanada-sensei,... er... Akihiko-san, he's made some connections about the violence of the last couple days. He's been very supportive."

Fushimi looked up. "Do we have to talk to him?" He had to deal with people who poked too much into the final conflicts over the past few months, and didn't look forward to doing it again.

"No! No. He's just been looking at the wrong things to worry about the real things." Midori dismissed the Captain's concerns with a casual wave. "No, our problems are more local in nature."

"Ah yes. We heard about the assault. Your medical file is flagged by us, so when you were admitted to the hospital, we were notified." Izuna pointed out quickly. "We are also glad that you have recovered so quickly."

Midori rubbed the back of her head in gratitude. "I had good doctors. I'll pass along your compliments when I see them next."

It was Fushimi's turn to dismiss the concerns. "That is quite alright. You need not go out of your way for that."

Midori nodded. "How is everyone else? I mean, I hear from some people, but not from others."

The two SDF officers exchanged a glance. "Well, we can tell you that Amane has been transferred into witness protection permanently to avoid repercussions from former cult membership. We obviously can't say where she's gone. That may be why you haven't heard from her."

"Ah" Midori said in understanding. "That's sad though. Leaving behind the friends she made on the last day."

Not bother to respond to that, Fushimi closed the folder. "Thank you, Komaki-san. You are dismissed."

Midori bowed, then broke protocol and hugged Izuna. "It's good to see you again. I've missed all of you."

The older woman returned the gesture. "You kids did a wonderful job, and we are all proud of you. Thank you. We can't say it enough."

"You're welcome! That's what heroes are for!" Midori broke contact, then left the SDF officers behind.

"..."

"..."

"She's hiding something."

"Yes, but what? And should we pry?"

"At this time? No." Fushimi shook his head. "She hasn't had much sleep in the past few days, that much is obvious. There's no need for us to push at this point. It could just be normal teenager things."

26 November 2009

Minatodai Dormitory, 2nd Floor Sitting Area

Evening

Fuuka caught up to Chidori as she ascended back to her bare room. "Hey, two things. First, your stuff arrived from the hospital today, and we put it in front of your door. Secondly, we're going to be making a trip into Tartarus tonight."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"SEES policy is that everyone able is to come, and although you're not a member, no one is willing to let you stay here during the Dark Hour with no supervision."

Chidori grunted. She couldn't care much less.

"Well, that means that you'll be coming with us. We won't ask you to do anything, and you won't be issued an Evoker." Fuuka tried to smooth things over between the two of them with the subtle peace offering.

"I will bring my art supplies."

"Of course."

Tartarus, Lobby

The Dark Hour

The goal was simple, as Minato hoped. People were stressed and needed an outlet for their release. They couldn't go for the obvious target as no matter what people thought about her, so this was the next best option for them at this point.

Besides, he had been meaning to polish off some of Elizabeth's challenges and requests for some time now. He might as well take care of many things at once.

First up was Yukari, Mitsuru and Midori. He had asked their senpai to talk to Yukari about her feelings while he talked to Midori about something that needed doing in private.

Tartarus, 4th Block

They had split into two teams to hunt for the Rare Forms that Fuuka indicated would be more common on this floor. Midori had joined him with the same goal.

He reflected upon her progress since joining SEES not even three months previously. Her first attempt at hunting a Rare Form had gone quite... poorly.

No, he had to admit she cheerfully screwed it up despite warnings against it. Her intense desire to announce her attacks and inability to realize that attacking head on wasn't the best solution to all problems had caused them to lose out on several of the golden shadow hands. He had publicly yelled at her for her mistakes, shaming her to the point where she seemed to have wiped the memory from her head.

But since then, she had taken to the concept of 'stealth' very much. She had invested in a pair of good shoes and followed his lead explicitly. And not once had she yelled out "MAGICAL PUNISHMENT!" while on a hunt since!

He pulled up around a corner, checking to see the area was clear. "You have a moment?" It was a rhetorical question as he leaned against the wall, glaring at Midori through his bangs.

Midori knew that look. It was the look that spoke of a stern talking-to in the immediate future. Like right about now. She put on her most innocent expression and gave a perky "Yes?" in response.

"You said a couple things a couple nights ago that I wanted to talk to you about."

"Did I?"

"How do you know about Persona Fusion?"

Midori knew that she had been caught. At least it was by the party leader, and not by, say, Mitsuru. That wouldn't have ended well. "Would you believe me if I said I was just that smart, and able to recognize when two demons join into one?"

"No." His voice was flat and it was patently obvious that he didn't buy her answer.

Midori took a deep breath. Since her slip up, she had been preparing a lie to cover herself. Time to put it to the test. "Oh fine." Step one, don't act like you're lying. In this case, act like it wasn't supposed to be a big thing. "When I first awoke to the Persona, when I called forth Frosty, you saw him. He was huge. Well, Igor needed to talk to me to bring my power under control. He did, and from that, we started talking. He mentioned Fusions as one of his services."

Minato knew she was lying. Midori didn't have the capacity for multiple Personas despite the disunion between her arcana and the arcana of her Persona. And as such, would have no need for Fusions. And Igor wasn't that... social. He knew she was lying, but he couldn't prove it, nor could he countermand her at this time.

He did have a theory based on the things Mitsuru had found out. He had to accept the possibility that there was another 'Wild Card' that participated in the events of the Lock Down, and she had gleaned her information from him. Or her.

The possibility that Midori herself was a Wild Card, and was deliberately hiding her true strength for whatever purpose ran into his head. It was instantly thrown out when every last but of her character opposed such a deception.

He bounced himself off the wall. "Fine. Tell me then. What are Social Links?"

Midori blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

"Social Links. The power that comes from connecting with other people too... you have no idea, do you?"

After shaking her head in the negative, it was her turn to unleash a predatory smile on Minato. "Now you have to tell me!"

"No!"

"Come on! I'm the only one who believes you about the Velvet Room and Igor and Elizabeth and Theodore! You gotta share!"

Resigned, Minato knew she was right. She was the only one who he could relate to about such matters, and to be honest, part of him wanted to express himself to someone who knew he was telling the truth. Sighing, he sat down and invited Midori to do the same. Side by side he explained to her about the apparent workings of how Social Links affected his ability to empower his Personas.

Listening in, Midori could find no parallel in her experiences with Demons, and simply accepted this as another difference between her world and theirs.

Then something clicked in her head, a logic trip that caused her to jump up and point. "You! You're dating Yukari! Is she one the Links?"

Minato nodded. "Lovers. Fuuka is Priestess, Mitsuru is Empress. Same as their inherent arcana. The entirely of SEES is covered under the Fool link."

Midori's hand itched closer to her weapon, her voice narrow. "So you're dating Yukari just for a power-up...?"

Realizing the danger he was in, Minato raised his hands defensively. "No! No! You've got that wrong! I like her! I'd still be with her even if she wasn't!"

She relaxed. "Oh, hey Yukari!"

Minato cried out in shock and jumped up, spinning around to see where the archer was. Seeing nothing, he turned back to Midori, who had a far too huge smile on her face. "Gotcha!" She spun on her heel to present her back to him. "So, am I one of your links too?"

"No," Minato admitted. "You could have been, now that I think about it. I already have a Moon link with someone, and that's your arcana."

"That's alright. I suppose having one girl in the Dorm you don't have a personal relationship with like that can be good."

"Well, there's also Aigis and Chidori that I don't have linked as individuals."

"Interesting. I'll bet Aigis would be so happy to find out that you don't connect to her like you do to Mitsuru-senpai or Fuuka."

"Now you're pushing it." He wagged a warning finger at his junior. "Now, you get to tell me something about you."

"This isn't sharing time!" Midori objected to being suddenly thrust into a game she grew out of back when she was six.

A glint of gold behind her, and Minato dropped the subject. "Rare form, behind you. It hasn't seen us yet." Midori twisted to look, confirming the presence of the desired shadow. "Fuuka! Get the others over to my location please!" He sent the mental message aloud to their controller at the Lobby. "Damn, I don't want it to get away. Midori, can you circle around?"

Looking around, Midori thought hard, recalling how this particular iteration of this floor of Tartarus was laid out. She knew that they were along one edge of a box of corridors, and she also knew the rules about being separated from the group. You never knew when you would get overwhelmed by yourself.

"No..." An idea occurred to her, and she evoked Frosty. Once the Persona was manifested, she knelt down and pointed down a corridor perpendicular to the unaware golden Shadow. "Frosty," she said politely but firmly, "I need you to run down that way, and all the way around" she drew a large circle with her arm, "and scare that Rare Form over to Minato and me. Can you do that?"

Frosty nodded and ran off, the small Persona quickly vanishing from sight. Minato looked on, aghast at the apparent impossibility before him, despite it being the logical combination of her ability to keep Frosty manifested for long periods of time, and its ability to act as her puppet.

Oh, Mitsuru was going to go completely bonkers when he told her about this one. But first, there was a Rare Form to smash and rewards to reap.