02 January 2010
Naganaki Shrine
Afternoon

She sat at the top of the slide, shivering. Whether it was from the cold, or her emotions, she couldn't guess. But her bodily condition was furthest from her mind.

"I QUIT!"

The words she never thought she'd hear herself say shook her to the core, giving her another shiver up and down her spine. The shock of each and every last echo as they rounded through her head destroyed any attempt to overcome them. Every chance she had to escape the loathing escaped her.

"GIVE HIM BACK!"

They had stolen from her! And not just anything, they took FROSTY! She took Frosty and demanded answers, said she wouldn't take any more lies and half-truths! She wouldn't listen at all!

And her hatred for Mitsuru only grew with each word.

"Hey." The gentle voice broke into her thoughts only after the third or fourth try. She looked around for the source long enough for a jacket to fly into her face. Struggling to remove it, she knew it was Akihko who was there, as was Koromaru, leash in the man's pocket. "Better put that on before you get sick. You're not an idiot, so you can still catch a cold."

"Wouldn't you like that." She sniffled even as she did what she was told. "Only one more reason to kick me out. Is that why you're here? To tell me to pack my things?"

"I'm NOT LYING! I just CAN'T TELL YOU!"

"No. No, I'm not" Akihiko tried to sound reassuring. "For what it's worth, I think that Mitsuru and Minato screwed up. There's no gentle way to say this, no excuse for their actions either, but they were and still are in the wrong." He looked down at Koromaru, who had made no move to get up to the distressed girl. "When I left, Fuuka and Yukari were both still yelling at the both of them." he huffed. "Never thought I'd hear Yamagishi raise her voice like that."

"Then why are you here?"

"To talk. To hear what you want to say. Nothing more."

"Explain this, Komaki-san!"

"Go away." She muttered, helpless. Koromaru had finally decided that enough was enough and moved to ascend the slide, finally requiring Akihko's help to get to Midori.

"I can't." Akihiko shrugged. "I can't just leave you like this. For better or for worse, people know that you don't have a Persona that matches anything we've seen before." "You're a faker! How? Why? Who sent you?" Akihiko paused to let some workers move supplies from the festival past without being overheard.

"So what?" Midori pulled Koromaru a bit closer, enjoying the warm body against hers. She had gone into that meeting without having time to change out of her exercise clothes and now the cold air was taking its toll on her unprotected body.

"Well, for starters, you're welcome to come home. I can assure you that by the time you get there, those two will be ready to apologize to you."

"They forced Chidori to help them! How can I forgive them? That's not what Heroes do!" She started to cry again, but she was almost out of tears.

Akihiko searched for the right words. "Everyone makes mistakes," he finally admitted. "Theirs, in doing what they did, ambushing you like that, violating your privacy." "I have a right to know!"

"I WANT HIM BACK!" Midori yelled, causing Koromaru to wince in pain. "Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to hurt you." She soothed down the fur of the dog, not wanting to take out her anger on the wrong target.

Akihiko produced the Black Frost card from another pocket. "Here. It's yours, no matter what someone else says."

Midori reached out, hand quivering in fear that he might snatch it back from her, a final taunt. But her fingertips touched the precious blue card, and she was able to snatch it away from Akihiko, placing close to her heart. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Can I come up there? Not much room, but I can stand on the steps, and we don't have to talk so loud."

Midori nodded, and shuffled to allow Akihiko to climb. "Do you hate me? For lying?"

He shook his head. "No. Disappointed, of course, but I can understand why, so I won't act on my feelings."

She buried her head in her arms, Koromaru looking at her with those sad eyes of his. "That's not much better." "I'm disappointed in you."

"No, I apologize. I should watch my words more carefully." Akihiko shifted to look at the surroundings. "What is it? Really?"

"I... Igor did it."

"Igor? Who is that?"

Midori shook her head. "Minato tried to tell you about him, but you didn't believe him. Why should you believe me now?"

Akihiko tried to remember what she was implying, but nothing came to mind. He confessed his failure. "Tell me anyways, and I'll apologize to Minato later."

"Igor deals with Personas. He's not human." She finally had a chance to put her experiences and feelings where the long-nosed person was concerned. "He has a couple helpers, Elizabeth and Theodore. He works with someone name Philemon, but I don't know much about him."

Akihiko took all this new information in stride. "And?"

"After I summoned Frosty to defend me against the Hermit, Igor told Minato to bring me to him. He took Frosty, and combined him with my power to produce that Persona you see. He's bound to the card. I have to destroy it to summon him, and unsummoning restores the card." She held the object in question in her hand. "The Card is Frosty. Anyone with the power can use him, I think."

This was well over his head now, and Akihiko could only begin to sort out his feelings and reactions. "Well then, let me tell you what we figured out about you before this evening. Just so you now what secrets you still need to hide, and which ones you don't. It's a theory that we've spent months building."

Midori looked at him with wide and fearful eyes, hoping beyond hope he didn't know all the truth.

"We know that the Shomankai Cult got a hold of Dark Hour technology through believers in the Kirijo Group, not to mention outright theft. We know that during the Lockdown that there were reports of 'Demons' and 'Angels' and 'Gods'. We know that you were there, and you have Black Frost." He forced himself to use the full name of her Persona, not the more casual 'Frosty'.

"We think that the Shomankai were trying to gain Persona users for their own ends, and the Lockdown was part of that plan. And it backfired. You were one of the people affected by the chemicals and other toxins in the environment. Your scarring is proof enough of that.

"Over the seven days you and your friends survived, you used your Persona extensively, much like Fuuka used hers while trapped in Tartarus.

"The SDF, through their Kirijo Group connections knew better than to fight Personas, especially rampant ones. Though I'm surprised that you were able to summon them outside the Dark Hour, though at this point I'm just going to assume that you can.

"Does that Naoya man know more than he's letting on? No, stupid question. Of course he does."

"I don't know what happened, all the details. But I think I have the broad strokes picture. There was a massive coverup, and you're part of it. That's why you don't talk about anything. You promised. And I know you keep your promises."

Midori was stunned into silence. So close! Yet so wrong!

"Actually, I think I will. It will be a nice turnaround. Anyways, there's only one thing left. We knew Medea could manifest during the day, but it tried to kill Chidori. Did Black Frost do the same?"

"No. He would never hurt me. We're friends." She thought a little more, and decided to expand the lie just a little bit. Midori looked down at the Card in her hands. Would it be alright? Would she be breaking her promises? Searching her memory, the answer was no. The Demons stayed on their side of the veil, and Frosty wasn't the real Black Frost. And if it was already possible for Personas to appear in the real world?

"Frosty stared out as a simple Jack Frost. I met... found... whatever, on the... third day? Yes, I think that was it. So hard to remember. He became the Frosty I love on the sixth day." She closed her eyes, and focused on the card, and the image of Frosty. Smiling and waving happily, she knew that all she would have to do was reach out and make it real...

"Huh. You can come home any time you want." Akihiko pulled a cellphone from his pocket and tossed it to Midori. "See if one of your other friends can put up with you for the night if you want. But when you come home, Ken and I will return the favour and treat it like nothing happened."

Midori looked at the cell in her hand. "Hey, Akihiko-san?"

"Hrm?"

Midori took a shaky breath, realizing how close she was coming to breaking her promises. But in the end, she decided she would deal with them as they came. "Keisuke-kun had Yama, Judge of the Underworld. Kaido-san, his killer, had Pazuzu, King of the Wind. Amane-chan had Remiel, the Angel of Thunder. Mochizuki-sensei had Kresnik. I'm the only one left with that connection, I think. I don't want to lose it."

Akihiko took this confession in stride, knowing full well what this would do to Mitsuru's worldview. "It looks like I have some research to do." He turned, and left, leaving Midori and Koromaru behind.

03 January 2010
Residence of Chihiro Fushimi
Morning

The two classmates and friends went about the business of breakfast. Midori didn't have much on her, but thankfully the two girls were close enough in size that it didn't matter. Putting out the egg-on-rice for the both of them, the darker haired girl asked "Are you feeling better now?"

Midori nodded, accepting the meal and saying her prayers as well. "A bit."

"I can't believe that Mitsuru-senpai would act like that." On some level, she actually could, having been present when the President had come to her defence when the truth of the incident with the money had come out. She could be very scary and vindictive when she wanted to be.

When Midori had come to her door yesterday with Sanada-san in tow as her escort, she didn't know what to expect. Akihko had explained that Mitsuru and Midori had a rather large argument, and apologized for the inconvenience, but could Midori stay the night?

And when Akihiko Sanada asked something of you, you listened. Chihiro opened her door to her friend and after he was certain that she would be alright, Sanada left.

Privately, she wished that she could have gotten that level of personal attention from the third-year, but her romantic heart had to stay thumping in her chest, regardless of anything else.

She had tried to get details out of Midori, but she refused to share her secrets. But that was alright. She knew that if Midori was in the wrong, then Sanada-san would never have acted the way he did. But that then left the question of what Mirsuru-senpai did? The idea that the President could do something that would result in this was a severe shock to the system.

Chihiro resolved to ask about it after the next Student Council Meeting. If this was something that could adversely affect the image of President Kirijo, she needed to know, one way or the other.

03 January 2010
Minatodai Dormitory
Evening

"I'm back." Midori said as the door closed behind her.

"Welcome back."

Midori flopped into an open space around the table, thankful for the clean feeling she now had. She shared a polite greeting with both Fuuka and Yukari; the two girls smiled back, welcoming her without fanfare. Apparently, Akihiko's promise extended to the two of them as well.

"Ummm... Midori-chan?" Fuuka started to ask a question, but instead halted before she could do more than draw attention to herself.

"Before you ask anything, I do want to know if there's anything left over from supper." She patted her midsection. "Chihiro doesn't have much in the way of a lunch."

"Oh! I can get you something!" Fuuka beamed, setting own her laptop. "Come with me!" She took Midori's hands and led her to the kitchen. "I need the practice."

"Hey!" Midori said as she was practically dragged into the kitchen. "Wait a second! The only person here whose worst than you is me at cooking! Yukari~ii! Help me!"

Yukari looked up. "No."

Kitchen

Behind the dining room, Midori sat on the same stool she used when Shinjiro was trying to teach her. Watching as Fuuka prepared a light supper for practice, she finally broached the subject that Fuuka had tried earlier. "You had a question?"

"I don't know if I should." Fuuka muttered as she checked the eggs. "I mean, I don't know if you're still sore or not..."

"Fuuka-chan, I'm alright. I'm only angry at two people, and you're not one of them, or the other. Now ask before I feed you my cooking!"

"Do... do you need an Evoker?"

Midori blinked as she parsed the question. "Akihiko told you guys, huh?"

"Well, yes. It was part of his defence of you. I can't imagine what you went through."

Midori waved it off. "The short answer is no. Because of my... circumstances, and the nature of Frosty's existence in this world, all I really need is the Card for a stable summoning. I can do it without the card, but then bad things would happen."

"How bad?"

"Oh, you know. End of the World. Angels and Demons fighting for control of the universe. That sort of bad."

"Don't you think that's an exaggeration?"

No! Midori thought as she shook her head. "Maybe. Just a little." She realized that she had forgotten something as well. "Did Akihiko-sensei talk to Minato yet?"

Fuuka paused in memory. "Yes, I think so. Privately, you mean?"

Midori nodded. "I said some things that he wanted to check out with him, and so I thought maybe it had happened already."

"I think it did."

"Ah, good."

Minutes passed, and Midori found herself with a simple supper in front of her. Poking at it gently with the chop sticks didn't produce a lethal reaction, so she decided it was safe for human consumption. Or at least wouldn't kill her long enough to get her to a hospital.

She took a bite and didn't fall over into a comatose state. "Well, it's not anything I'd call Mystery Food X, so I suppose it's a pass."

Fuuka beamed.

4th Floor, Control Room

Midori knocked, and was allowed in. She saw Chidori and Mitsuru sitting down reading, though their subjects were different. One was a book of business practices, the other a book on fashion. "Aigis said you wanted to see me?"

Mitsuru put down her book. "Yoshino-san. Would you mind giving us some privacy?"

Chidori left without saying a word, taking her book with her. Mitsuru waited for the door to close before she motioned for Midori to take a seat. Once she did, the young woman took a deep breath. "I... apologize."

Midori raised her eyebrows, encouraging Mitsuru to keep talking.

"I was told that I was... No, I was out of line. My questioning should have been handled in a more appropriate venue, and I acted without access to all the information."

"Akihiko-senpai told you to apologize, didn't he?"

Mitsuru nodded. "Yes."

"You're very bad at it."

"What do you mean? I've been preparing this since last night."

Midori considered how to best say this. "You're treating this like some formal thing. It's obvious you've been practising this, it's just so stiff. That may be good for in a business meeting, but last I checked, you don't pay me anything. I volunteered to join SEES and the Annihilation Team, my outburst retracted of course. Talk to me like a person, not an employee."

Sitting down, Mitsuru thought over how to change her approach to this apology. Akihiko had been quite adamant that she do this properly, but until Midori carelessly shot her down. She had no frame of reference for deducing this sort of behaviour as she was always raised inside the Kirijo Group, where ones relationship to everyone else was set firm. To deal with something like what Midori required was...

She never noticed when Midori got up to leave her to her thoughts, leaving her Evoker behind.

4th Floor sitting Area

"How did it go?" Chidori asked without looking up from her book. "I presume you are one of the Team again?"

"Oh, she tried to apologize. But I left her trying to figure out how to say it. I think I'll let her stew in it for a couple days before making things better for her."

"How petty."

Midori sat down across from Chidori. "Did I miss anything? Akihiko is out, and Aigis was leaving with Minato, else I would have asked her."

"And you didn't ask the others?"

"I wanted to ask you! Is it wrong of me to talk to my friends, to catch up?"

"I repeat then, why didn't you ask any of the others?"

"You're a hard nut to crack, you know that?"

Chidori grunted, then turned her nose back to her book. She may have smiled at the attention she was getting, but no one would ever know for sure.

07 January 2010

Minatodai Dormitory, 3rd Floor, Midori's Room

Evening

Minato had tried to apologize, but had been stonewalled by Midori, who simply refused to recognize that he existed. It was almost as bad for Mitsuru. She hadn't wanted to listen to his fumbled attempts to apologize, and had instead told him that until he came up with something appropriate, he could consider that she wouldn't be going to Tartarus.

It was selfish and petty, and he knew he deserved every last minute of it. His only consolation was that she would choose to assist in saving the world more than she would choose to hold a teenage grudge against him.

But the reality of her action didn't set in until the night previous, when she didn't come with them into the Dark Hour. The lack of her supporting morale, her infectious desires – especially with Junpei gone – made everything just a little bit harder, a little bit more tiring than it should have been.

It didn't help any that Igor refused to reveal the presence of the Velvet Room to anyone else.

No, he was knocking on her door, trying to entice her into coming out and accepting his sincerest apology.

Paulowina Mall, Central Concourse

"WHAT?!" Midori pressed her hands against the glass case holding various announcements, causing Aigis to pause and look back at her.

"Is there a problem? Were we not headed to Mandagora for vocal training?"

Midori pointed to a sheet of paper, and Aigis examined it for any clues as to her choice of words and actions. "D-VA is playing in Club Escapade in two weeks! I've got to get tickets!"

Aigis processed this with her new outlook. "I've never been to a concert before. Are they good?"

"Good?" Midori looked aghast. "GOOD? I know the lead singer of that band! She's awesome!" She froze. "I can get free tickets...!" Abandoning all sense of decorum, she whipped out her COMP and began to madly type with the stylus and touchpad. A few moments later, she clamped it shut, a smile on her face. "There! All done! Now we can sing!"

Tokyo, Eiji's Bar

Gin saw that there was an e-mail waiting on his COMP, the audio ring tone quiet as he worked a slow night of cleaning glasses. Bored, he flipped it open to see if it was from Haru or someone else.

FROM: DOLLY

TO: GIN

RE: D-VA TIX

Hey Gin! It's Midori! ^_^ Are you fine? Cld u tell Haru-san I liv in Port Island nd wld LOVE som tix to her concrt l8r this mnth? plzplzplz! thnx! iluvu bai!

After spending a minute translating her text into actual words, he shook his head. He hadn't heard from her in a while, and now she wanted tickets? Well, the poor girl did have to move away right after the Lockdown was lifted, and he and her never really connected. But still, it wouldn't be right to turn away a request like that. He decided to forward the message, and to make a reply of his own.

FROM: GIN

TO: DOLLY

RE: D-VA Tickets

Hello again, Midori-chan. Haru isn't in right now, the band and her are on tour, although I suppose you know that now. I'll let her know you're interested. Send me your address, and I'll pass it along to her so she can send you a ticket or two (but no more, she's doing small venues for now to build back up her career). I'm doing fine, business is back to normal. How is school? You made lots of new friends yet?

Paulowina Mall, Mandagora

"Hey Aigis, wanna go to a concert later?" Midori rapidly typed onto her COMP as the two of them waited in line for a booth, letting Gin know the information he wanted. "And do you have a family name?"

"Yes, and No. Why?"

12 January 2010

Duck Burger, Iwatodai Mall

After School

Minato nearly dropped the food from his mouth as he, Mitsuru and Aigis watched the television that hung from one corner of the crowded store. On it, Takaya was now preaching the Fall as a joyous thing to behold, one where all worries would vanish; that the Lost were already blessed.

It made his blood boil to see the murderer out and about. "How did he get out of Tartarus with out us noticing?"

Aigis evaluated the possibilities. "Fuuka-chan is not able to scan Tartarus constantly; it is likely that they left at the last moment of the Dark Hour to minimize the chances of detection. This, assumes of course, that both Jin and Takaya left Tartarus at the same time."

"Then we'll need a meeting tonight to plan out our response. Maybe this'll be enough to get Midori back in the game."

Minatodai Dorm, 4th Floor Control Room

Evening

Explaining about the re-emergence of Strega took little time. Once they had grasped the enormity of the event, even Midori, true to Minato's prediction, set down her COMP to pay direct attention. Chidori appeared to be disturbed by the news as well. "I don't understand. Why would they do this?"

"Perhaps by encouraging people to embrace the Fall, they want to hasten its arrival?" Fuuka conjectured as she tapped away at her laptop. She was busy trying to find out more information about Takaya's cult, but wasn't having much success so far.

"I've seen all this before." Midori finally said. With the 'revelation' that the Tokyo Lockdown involved Personas, it was much easier for her to keep her lies order. "The Cultists tried to use communal belief to summon forth their 'god'." All she had to do was switch 'Demon' for 'Persona' and things just fell into place for the most part. "They succeeded on the last day, but it killed its summoner."

"A rampaging Persona." Akihiko nodded in understanding. "Sounds like the same plan, except that Nyx already exists. So that leaves us with our plan of action."

"I trust Ryoji when he said the Thirty-First." Minato shrugged. "I don't think Takaya can change that date any more than we can." He glanced at Midori. "I think we're almost ready to take on the Reaper. If I ask you to come along, will you?"

Midori couldn't object. "I've had enough time catching up my homework. Time to get back to being a hero!"

Tartarus, Monad Block

The Dark Hour

"So, this is Monad, the Basement of Tartarus." Midori looked around at the final block of the tower that replaced her school. "So, why did you want me on the Reaper hunting team?" She indicated Chidori and Koromaru who were with her and Minato.

"It's because you three have the best inherent resistances to face down The Reaper. I'll be acting in support of you all." Minato's plan was simple in design. Everyone on his chosen team had multiple resistances and few (if any) weaknesses. Hopefully this would allow them to avoid being completely overrun by the wandering Shadow.

Unlike with Midori, there would be no second chances against the Reaper.

14 January 2010

Tartarus

The Dark Hour

"Careful! I sense The Reaper!" Fuuka's voice echoed in their ears, causing Midori to grimace.

"Gee, thanks. Like the rattling chains that echo throughout the entire floor weren't enough warning." She had Frosty out and weapon in hand. Even though she was absolutely sure of victory, she knew that this wouldn't be an easy fight. Her unease was echoed with her Frosty, who bounced around, looking back and forth in a tense manner.

And then the Reaper was upon them, weapons blazing and battle was joined.

Tartarus Lobby

Minato came back through the teleporter carrying an unconscious Midori over his shoulders. "Akihiko! I thought you were making her tougher!"

The man so questioned came over and lifted her up. "We were. You were successful?"

Minato nodded, thankful for the relief from his burden, reaching into his pocket to produce a bloody button. "Yep."

Chidori took off her hat, wiping her brow. "You've been improving her ability to take hits? Seriously? When she was up, I can see why you'd want to keep her around, but to need help so often?" Her condescending tone of voice seemed more habitual than insulting. "Although she did manage to pull herself together that first time. I suppose that has to count for something." She took the opportunity to crash down on the steps, watching as Yukari revived Midori and Akihiko made sure there were no immediate after-effects. "Is this what a Full Moon Shadow hunt is like? I do not envy you at all."

Minato shook his head. "No, This was much harder."

Fuuka had to agree, having watched through the eyes of Juno as they fought against that horrid Shadow. "Does this mean you're going to see Mr. Igor now for the reward?"

Even if he didn't let them in, Midori's corroborating testimony had finally convinced the others that Igor was a real person. It seemed that they were more willing to accept the word of himself that there was more going on than met the eye. He was still worried about Erebus, but knew that was something they would have to confront when the time came, together.

15 January 2010

Port Island Station

After School

"Come! Attend to my words!" Midori and Chihiro almost walked past the crier for Takaya's cult of the Lost. Except the two classmates were stopped by another student of Gekkoukan High.

"The Fall has been Decided!" The older boy came up to them, an empty smile on his face. "I know you! You, you have seen the signs, have you not?" He pointed at Midori, who stopped, and delivered a glare that should have killed him if it was The Dark Hour. "Do not be afraid, the glory of The Fall will make all men equal!"

Chihiro tugged on Midori's sleeve. "Just ignore him. Let's go!"

Midori refused to budge. "Oh? Really? The signs? What do you know of signs, you ignorant fool?" She stepped towards him as much as Chihiro would allow. "Has the sky turned red? Has the world forsaken you and all the strangers around you? I'll tell you this, I've been here before. I was there when the founder of the Shomankai Cult got himself killed, and I'll be there when Takaya and Jin face Justice! You can tell them that yourself!"

Midori spun on her heel, leaving the startled Cultist behind. Chihiro looked back as Midori took the lead in stalking away. "Was that necessary?"

"Completely." Midori reached the stairs leading up to the monorail before slowing down. "I meant it. I've seen this sort of thing before and it only leads to tragedy. People who can't take their own fates into their hands, and trust in some vile creation of some madman and his insane plots to..." She felt a subtle tug on her, and stopped to look at Chihiro.

"You're very scary when you talk like that. Please stop." The Student Council Treasurer didn't take Midori's personal experience and vehemence well, despite the friendship they had. She knew that Midori refused to back down, but the lengths she would take it were excessive sometimes.

Midori looked back over Chihiro's shoulder. "Why people can't trust themselves, I have no idea. Are they so without Love that they can't even spare some for their own worth?"

Chihiro had no answer.

Minatodai Dorm, 1st Floor Lounge

Evening

Midori related her encounter to those present. Apparently Mitsuru and Akihiko were doing last minute studying for their Collage Entrance exams (though why Mitsuru would bother, as she pretty much owned her own private Collage or University through the Kirijo Group like she owned her High School), and as such, they were too busy to listen in, or go to Tartarus that evening.

"You should have punched him, then told him to pass it along to Takaya."

Ken was surprised. "I didn't think you'd be so hostile to your former comrades, Chidori."

Chidori shook her head in the negative. "I see now that we were allies of their convenience. They needed my power, and gave me a false sense of purpose. I, with the power to create and give life, supporting the fall of Nyx, a harbinger of death? I cannot abide that."

Fuuka agreed. "I hope you don't think we're doing the same thing to you."

Dismissing the concern, Chidori replied "No, you are not. You are far more like family than anything else."

"So, does that make you the Aunt, or the older Sister?" Midori said, pondering the situation." I know Mitsuru and Akihiko-senpai have 'mother and father' locked right up. I claim the title of 'little sister', with Ken as 'little brother'!" She started to grin as she tried to slot every member of the Team into the stereotypical positions of a traditional 'family'.

"MIDORI!" Yukari yelled at her junior's comment. "That's not funny!"

"Yes it is!" Came the defence, and the argument was on, just like any normal evening.