Chapter 2: Drink With Me
Warning: Spoilers and language.
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3. But I do own Dark's personality, if that counts.
Having grown tired of my overly awesome skill in darts I resorted to reading the rest of the night away. In the dark. Using the moon as my only source of illumination. When the first ray of dawn's light immolated my corneas. I decided to take a break to freshen up, all the while making a mental note to buy an atomic clock and book light to avoid staring out a window during the night. I'm mildly sure I scared fifteen punks, gave an old man heart palpitations, and started up a rumor about a ghost staring out a dorm window. But that could just be my imagination.
Despite having spent twenty-some minutes spitting out the taste of the cinnamon mouthwash they have here, I ended back in my room and started rereading Bone Collector for the nth time. About halfway through the book, I could hear soft footfalls outside my door. I set down my book and silently pick up my metal pen and begin to turn the clip. It wasn't until I heard knocking did I finally remembered that I was in a dorm. With other people.
"It's Yukari. Are you awake?"
Leaning in my seat to stretch my legs, I let out a soft groan followed by a loud yawn. "Yeah. I am up now. Do not come it! I am in my boxers!"
"... Anyways! Did you sleep okay?"
Smirking, I rattle my wallet chain, adjust my belt, jingle the pair of crystals on my necklace, before gently stretching the crystal beads around my left hand and letting them snap together. I know, I wear a lot of stuff, but most of it was gifts I got with my family and I refuse to part with them. Fuck what other people has to say. I look FABULOUS. Mental jazz hands. Smiling at my own silliness, I open the door for Yukari, who looks at me with confusion, "You just woke up?"
"Hey. This is what happens when you get a full night of restful sleep. And. Good morning Yukari-san."
"Good morning Dark-kun. Mitsuru-Senpai asked me to take you to school-."
Grabbing my backpack from beside the door, "Ready whenever you are."
It wasn't a bad experience, walking to school with a cute girl from the same dorm I'm in. She spent most of the time talking about herself and school, I just listened quietly. At some point during the train ride, she grabbed my duster sleeve and pointed out the train window, "So, that's it. See? There it is!"
As the train made the bend and the treeline gave way to the horizon, I got my first glimpse of my new school. And it was HUGE! It looked like someone took two Mall of America from Minnesota, combined them and plotted it on an island. Despite the intimidating size, the ray of sunlight glimmering off the clear blue waters was beautiful.
The smile from that stayed on my face until we reached the gate, at which point Yukari jogged ahead a bit before turning around to smile at me, "We're here. Welcome to Gekkoukan High School. Hope you like it!" Bowing to her in thanks. I follow her into the school, where there are rows of little square lockers. Taking the first one without a tag next to Yukari, I slowly open the flap to reveal a pair of slippers. Looking over to Yukari, I watched her change out her shoes for the slipper, so I followed suit.
"You're okay from here, right? You should go see your homeroom teacher first. The Faculty Office is right there to the left. ...And that concludes the tour! Do you have any questions before I go?"
Feeling a bit... new, I was kinda hoping to see at least a familiar face in my class, "What class are you in?"
"Me?" Yukari looked confused. "I dunno… I haven't seen the classroom assignments yet." The look of confusion changed to worry, "Hey… About last night... Don't tell anyone what you saw, okay? ...See ya later." Turning around I watched her go, leaving me to my own devices. I swear to god Yukari, if this is how I die, I am so going to haunt you.
Spotting a group of students crowding around something on a wall, I take a chance and hope to see something useful. No good. All Japanese, but the number and dashes tells me it's probably classroom assignment. I hope. Scanning the list I I neither spot my English nor Chinese name, so I give up and head toward the Faculty Office. Spied some interesting schoolmates: dude in a tracksuit, dark-skinned chick, a fatty, blondie with a really sweet fan, and an old dude wearing a samurai kabuto. Please let that guy be some crazy and not a teacher...
Standing outside what I hope is the Faculty Office until a lady-teacher in a suit opens the door, "Oh! Excuse me. Are you the new student?" Nodding silently, she checks her chart, "Dark Fatianos-"
"Amos, ma' am."
Looking up at me, "Excuse me?"
"My last name. It's pronounced Phot-tay-ah-mos. Not Fat-tee-ay-nos."
Blushing a bit from her mistake, "Sorry. Dark Phatiamos. Skipped a grade? Impressive. That would make you eleventh grade here. Wow, you lived in America. In 1999, that was what?"
"Ten years ago."
Giving me a smile, "Thank you. Ten years ago your parents- Oh my God!" Gasping, the file nearly fell out of her hands, if it wasn't for the fact my hand was already under it. "I'm sorry, I've just been so busy, and I didn't have time to read this before hand…"
"It's fine. It was ten years ago. To me, it is nothing but letters on a file. But I would not say no to a free 'B' or some homework exemptions."
A bit taken back by my nonchalance and attempt at humor, I could see her breathe in relief, "I'm Ms. Toriumi. I teach composition. Welcome to our school. Have you seen your classroom assignments yet?" Shaking my head. "In that case... You're in 2-F, that's my class, but first you need to get to the auditorium, the opening ceremony will be starting soon. I was on my way there, you can follow me."
Walking a bit, I turn to Ms. Toriumi, "Sure, but first, because you are my composition teacher, I think you need to finish reading my file. Particular the bottom part where there is doctor and a psychiatrist's note."
"Hm?" Flipping open her file on me, "Blah blah blah. 'Due to trauma blah blah blah, patient exhibits a form of somatoform disorder in the form of dyslexia?"
"It means what killed my parents ten years ago has damage my mind to the point I have trouble reading. It's easier if I'm reading numbers and English letters. But Japanese and even Chinese is basically impossible for me."
"... Are you serious."
"Yup. Got an appoint some point in the month with a doctor and a psychiatrist. I think I'm making progress. Do not worry. I'm sure you'll get a not soon where you can start testing me like a normal student."
"... You are just going to fail those tests on purpose just to get an easy 'A' are you not?"
"Until I get busted." Smirking, Ms. Toriumi gently cuffs the back of my head, "Alright. Get going and get a seat."
My god! Does those this old guy ever shut up?!, said my mind never. Judging by the reaction of everyone around me who didn't have their own music player, that was exactly what they were thinking. Tapping my thigh to the beat of my music, I felt someone behind me jab my shoulder. Pulling out an earbud use my peripherals to look behind me. Still couldn't see, wasn't going to put more effort in it than that.
"You came to school with Yukari-San this morning, right?" I saw you two walking together."
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Hey, I have a question. Do you know if she has a boyfriend?"
Blinking a bit, I was both surprised and irritated that this guy would actually ask me these questions and yet this was still better than listening to the principal. WHO WAS STILL TALKING! Sighing, "Not that I know of. Why do you ask?"
"I see. I thought you might know, but... I guess not. ...So, how well do you know her?" I felt bad for the guy in front of me, in my attempt to glare a hole through the back of my own head to get the guy behind me, I might have ended up boring a hole in the head of the guy in front of me. Requiem in pace, mi ignotum amicus.
Some teacher in the front decided to be an asshole, "I hear talking. I believe it's someone in Ms. Toriumi's class." Feeling another cuff to the back of my head, "Shh! Be quiet. You're going to get me in trouble."
Slipping my headphones under my shirt, running one of the earbuds into my right sleeve and spending the rest of school "resting" my head on my right palm.
As soon as the bell rang, I packed up and nearly sprinted into some dude with a cap. What the hell is it with me and not-sprinting anywhere!?
"Whoa buddy." Holding up both hands in front of him. As soon as I kept myself from crashing into him, he flashes a friendly smile, "S'up dude? How's it going?"
"I was about to head to the dorm and sleep. But. Apparently-"
"Oh come on. Let me introduce myself at least."
Sighing, I circle my hand a few time before gesturing him to continue. "Awright! I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya. I transferred here when I was in eighth grade. I know how tough it is bein' the new kid... So I wanted to say, 'Hey.' ... See what a nice guy I am." Before I could think of a retort Yukari enters the classroom, where she went, who knows. Bathroom... Turning around to greet Yukari with the same enthusiasm, "Hey, it's Yuka-tan! I didn't think we'd be in the same class again."
Letting out an exhausted sigh, "At it again, huh. I swear, you'll talk to anyone if they'll listen. Did you ever think you might be bothering someone"
Faking pain, "What? But I was just being friendly Yuka-tan."
"If you say so, Junpei. Anyways, it looks like we're in the same homeroom."
Smiling, "I know. Is it not great.-"
"Phatiamos-san?" I didn't even need to turn around to recognize the speaker, the bubbly 'squee' was a giveaway.
"Minako-san, how lovely to hear from you again. I trust your bodyguard- I mean, brother is with you as well?"
"Of course." Still with the predatory, reptilian, Florida stinkbug up his ass I see.
Feeling rather left out, "Uh hello, did everyone forget good ol' Junpei is still here? Wait. Your last name is Phatiamos? What kind of name is that?"
Oh yeah, he just said that and he's holding back a laughing fit. I can go one of three routes. Attack him psychologically, punch him, or go awesome. Turning to Junpei with a smile, "You're just jealous because how cool my ancestor was and the amount of foresight they possessed. 'How so?' You must be wanting to ask. Try and follow this: In the Western world, my name would be Dark Phatiamos. But here in the Orients, it would be Phatiamos Dark or as the lovely Minako called me, 'Phatiamos-san'. Now because it is such a long name, it usually get shortened, like how you called Yukari 'Yuka-tan'. Normally shortened my last name is 'Fate'. Put my whole name back together in Western hemisphere and what do you get?"
The group was silent for a few moments but it is quickly broken when Minako starts giggling, "Your name becomes 'Dark Fate'. That's so cool!"
"It's grim."
"Every party needs a pooper. That is why they call you over, party pooper. Party pooper!"
"Tee-hee, onii-san is a party pooper!" Oh yeah. Minato is going to murder me. Totally worth it.
"Fine. Cool name aside, I heard you two came to school together this morning. What's up with that? Come on, gimme the dirt!"
"W-What're you talking about? We live in the same dorm! There's nothing going on, okay? Why are people even talking about it?" Sighing deeply, "Now you have me worried…" Scowling at Junpei, Yukari leans toward and lowers a voice a bit, "Hey… You didn't say anything to anyone about…you know what, did you?"
Junpei's reaction was pretty funny, "L-last night?" Looking around, Junpei looked impressed, Minako was playing with her skirt helm and blushing up a storm, Minato looked jealous, and Yukari was looking flustered. Holding up my hand before this could get more out of hand, "Relax. I know I promised, but I think it's time I cleared the air. Last night, I apparently left the keys inside the doorknob after I opened it for us, as the Arisato twins can tell you. Yukari was returning it to me, forgot to knock. I-uh.. I ended up putting one of my steel-tipped darts through my room's window. She promised to help get it repaired so long as Mitsuru-senpai doesn't find out. Otherwise?" Looking at Yukari.
"Otherwise she will execute you for bringing darts and me for hiding it from her."
"Phatiamos-san broke a window?" Minako bought it.
"Dude, you have darts!" Junpei's distracted.
"Dark, you're hiding a secret from Mitsuru-senpai?" Minato thinks he has blackmail material on me...
"Right, so that what happen. Sorry to spoil it for you Junpei. Yukari is nice," Dropping my bag I take a hold of Junpei's hand while caressing his chin with my gloved hand. Establishing eye-contact with Junpei while giving my voice a sultry edge, "But honestly, you and Minato seem more of my speed." Watching Junpei flail, backpedal, and then trip over a desk, priceless. Only after Minato socked me in the rib did I break out cackling.
"Come on, dude! That's not funny! I nearly got a heart attack there!"
"Your fault for jumping to conclusions. If you can look me in the eye and tell me that you weren't going to spread what you thought happened to me as a rumor, I'll make you dinner for a week."
Standing up, Junpei dusts himself off with what I assume is his serious face, looking me dead in the eyes, "I. I honestly... I honestly can't do this... damn you dude!" Hunched over on a desk I give Yukari a quick wink.
"Oh, I've gotta go. I've got something to take care of for the archery team." Glaring at Junpei before giving his a slap on the bicep, "You better not start any rumors!" Watching her leave, Junpei grumbles, "Ah, who cares. No one takes rumors seriously anyway. She's so paranoid. But hey! It's your first day here and people are already talkin' about you! Believe it or not, she's pretty popular. You da man! Something tells me this is gonna be a fun year. I can feel it!"
The last bit of the day was spent with Junpei and the twins as we walked back to the dorm. Taking the longest, most time consuming route we could. First stop was a store that kind of reminded me of Walgreen back home. Lots of bits and pieces being sold as well as food and medicine. Bought liters of soda and tea, as well as some caffeine pills. Next stop was a bit unintentional but we got to find a really nice pastry place. While the rest were thinking and deciding what they wanted, I just bought a four savory and eight sweet buns, told them to jumble it up in a bag and the exchange was completed in moments. Caffeine pills rattling happily in my pocket, liter of ice green tea hanging off my left shoulder, liter of soda off my right, a bag of delicious buns for me to munch on, and walking with some nice company. Good day indeed.
The last leg of the trip was mostly spent listening to the others talking as I nodded or shook my head in reply while I had a mouthful of wonderful buns. I nearly dropkicked Junpei when he tried to make a move for my food that I paid for.
The twins and I just chatted a bit about what we expect from the school and what to look forward to during the school year. Apparently neither twin remembered to bring their keys and I had to open the door again. This time I let them enter first.
Mitsuru was lying on the couch reading a book when she greeted us, "Welcome back. School must have been taxing. The three of you look tired. Go and get some sleep."
The twins bade me and senpai good night and head upstairs. I decided to take a seat beside Mitsuru nearest the coffee table. Pulling a deck of cards out of my duster pocket, I begin to play Thirteen Doors. It wasn't until my fifth straight loss that Mitsuru seem to take interest. Drawing my third king, "You need to open all the doors while hoping you don't draw the four kings. The actual order of the doors and subsequently where you place the cards are irrelevant. This game was Thirteen Doors when I was a kid, but I hear of a version where you deal out the cards in a circle and call it the Thirteenth Hour."
"Sorry. Was it that obvious."
"Yep. Annnd I lost..." Regathering the cards I shuffle them for a sixth game.
"What's the point?"
"Hm?" Glancing up to her with a confused look.
"What's the point? You keep losing, this game is completely arbitrary and the cards that come up are completely random. You gain neither wisdom nor skill from it."
"Actually senpai, that's where you are wrong. Games like this and Solitaire teaches a few things. Patience, first and foremost, you can't always win. Dedication, especially when you have two moves of equal value, which risk will you take since you can't go back. And most importantly, the value of small meaningless actions." This time it was her turn to be confused, "Why do you read that book when it has no impact on your education? Why do I plant when it is not capable of feeding me for a prolong period of time? Because these small actions, meaningless in any context becomes meaningful to the individual and subsequently it will lead to something else. Like this game for instance. What started as me passing time until you tell me that the package resting on the counter by the door is mine, has evolved into a conversation between two people." Whistling as I raise my hand over the back of my head to point to her before using double thumbs to point to myself, "You and moi." From my peripherals I could see her smile as she closed her book and move to a seated position, in turn I gather my cards together and started shuffling them idly.
"Looks like I underestimated your intelligence Phati-"
"Dark. Please. Last name usage is so pompous. We're just two people right now. No rank or position. Just equals." Holding out my hand, "Dark, pleased to meet you."
Staring at me for a bit, her smile this time seemed so relaxed. Taking my hand, "Mitsuru." Before she could pull her hand away I held on, "I just met you, didn't even invite you to game, and I already caught you cheating... tsk tsk."Reaching into her sleeve before she could respond, I pull two Ace of Spades outs. The next half hour was spent with me flirting with her via cheap card tricks and her trying to figure it out.
It wasn't until I heard someone walk down the stairs did I notice the shift in Mitsuru again. In the moment I reacted to sound of footstep and turned to look, Mitsuru reverted back into her shell and decided that reading her book from earlier was more interesting. Shrugging to myself, I decided Solitaire was more fun if I had some music. Glancing up I notice some... dude... not sure how to describe what he looks like. It could be cocky or arrogant or even smug, but something tells me he could back it up. Despite enjoying my game and music, I couldn't help but overhear their conversation. Didn't mean or want to, but it happens.
"I'm going out for a bit."
"...Hm?" I didn't need to look up, they were talking about something and hoping I couldn't hear them talking and to confirm this, they were both staring right at me. I started humming while giving my chin-fuzz a meaningful rub to make them feel more at ease with their conversation.
"Didn't you see the newspaper? There's a lot going on."
"I know... People who had no problems before are suddenly developing acute cases of Apathy Syndrome... I've seen it on the news quite often lately. They say it's due to stress, but..." Placing a hand on the back of my neck and giving my head a sharp tilt, I got glance at Mitsuru's grim expression and get treated to a free symphony of popping neck bones.
"Yeah, right. It has to be THEM. Otherwise, it's not worth my time..." Giving my back a few turns, my spine gives a small aria of its own to the concert, but the dude, he was itchin' for a fight and he was sure he was going to get one.
Shaking her head, Mitsuru sets down her book to at him, "You have a one track mind... Will you be okay on your own? The Chairman will be here for the next few days, but after that, I can..."
"Don't worry. I'm just getting a little practice." Waving a bit as he heads out of the door.
"This isn't a game, Akihiko..." Letting out a rather exasperated sigh, Mitsuru probably went back to reading.
"Well that was interesting." The speed in which Mitsuru sat up without falling or getting whiplash was interesting, her expression just made her more beautiful. Smirking a bit as I pulled out my headphones and gathered my cards, "No luck today for me. Ten straight losses."
"Oh." Settling back down, "Um... Dark? A package arrived for you today. Someone by the name of Qincy Emerson. I just wanted to ask why it was so heav-"
"Bless their hearts. They remembered!" Grabbing the package I practically dash upstairs before backpedaling a bit so I could peek my head down enough to be seen, "Nighty-night Mitsuru." And into my room I went. Sliding the package under my bed, I got for a quick shower and double quick-time back to my room.
Changing out to the clothes I'm going to wear tomorrow, I ended up on my laptop until my personal free-time kicked in. Not much to do online, but was able to send a message out.
Good job remembering and sending out the emergency package.
Weren't too clever with the name were ya?
Hope it didn't you much trouble.
Thank Karma.
Smiling in the green glow of the world, I gave the heavy box a hard shake. Despite the many rattling noise, I heard the soft tones of resounding metal from within. I knew I was going to be alright here in Japan from this night forward.