Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
7/6
Another Palace, another pile Hakuno bitterly noted. At least this time they are in Sojiro's front room. Being helped up by Akira Hakuno noted Futaba was still passed out.
"Futaba?" Makoto asked as she leaned down to shake the young girl.
"This… happens with her. If you wouldn't mind." Makoto helped pick up Futaba. "We just got to take her to her room…" Correction, Makoto was able to pick up Futaba with no effort, leaving Futaba in her mess of a room.
…
Maybe she should work on building up more strength…
Hakuno was tired, it was late and… "We should go tell Sojiro that she passed out again."
"So… this is normal?" Akira asked as he glanced back, Futaba's room was a mess…
"Mostly, Futaba's always been lazy and passed out after exerting herself too much. We have to give her a few days before she fully wakes up." Hakuno was honestly always surprised by Futaba's hibernation. She would only wake for brief moments to eat and bathroom.
Any attempts at communication would be pointless.
But…
Hakuno was happy. Her friend was back. "Just… give me a moment." She said as the rest were leaving.
Hakuno walked back upstairs, Futaba was still on her bed. Hakuno sat next to her, "You were really reckless… though so was I." Hakuno glanced towards Futaba's desk, noticing the old weathered Jack Frost plushie that she kept beside her monitor…
"You still have this… huh." Futaba turned over as Hakuno raised the blankets to cover her. Making sure she looked as comfortable as possible, Hakuno left to join up with everybody.
The entire group of thieves were sitting in one of Leblanc's booths, Morgana hiding in Akira's bag. Sojiro sighed as he passed out curry and coffee to the party.
"So… did it go well?"
Hakuno nodded, "I think so. It will take Futaba some time to recover though…"
"She did pass out… Hakuno said it was normal?" Makoto asked, concerned.
"Yeah… it's as if she runs on batteries. Meeting everyone must have drained the poor girl…" Sojiro sighed, "I better stock up on that instant food she likes so much."
Everyone let out sighs of relief, "She's been doing it since we were kids… She will wake up in a few days…"
"I'm going to close up, make sure you clean up once they leave, kid." Sojiro waved as he left the cafe.
"So Hakuno… What was that thing you did?" Yusuke asked.
"A Noble Phantasm… You fought in Archer's Noble Phantasm if I recall."
"Ah… that wasteland of Swords…"
"Yes… Noble Phantasms come in many shapes, Avenger's uses high speed movement to create afterimages Enfer Château d'If."
"And your outfit disappearing?" Ann asked, "You seem to have been surprised by it too…"
She herself wasn't one hundred percent sure… "I think… Avenger when I used it became my Servant and not my Persona." Hakuno removed her glove showing her two command seals, "I only have two more uses left… We will have to make it count."
"Can you do it without your… tattoo?"
"Command Spell," She corrected, "Possibly? From what I know the act of summoning a Servant takes a lot… The Moon Cell even had a limit and the Moon Cell can rewrite reality."
"So… Futaba's heart was stolen… mission complete?" Ryuji had a large grin on his face, "We got a kickass teammate out of it too!"
Morgana hissed, "She is alright! She will need plenty of training!"
"If she joins." Hakuno pointed out, it was possible that Futaba wouldn't join the rest of the Thieves. Futaba was shy. "It is ultimately up to her. But…" Hakuno glanced at Morgana, "It would be a lighter load for you wouldn't it Morgana?"
Morgana huffed but didn't say anything.
"I think we should wait until she wakes up, let's give her some time." Makoto said, "It's getting late. Everyone should head home." Everyone agreed and began to file out of the café, Akira grabbed Hakuno's arm.
?
Chains echoed, a soft voice sung. Akira begrudgingly stood up as he walked over to the prison door.
"To think… you have freed the heart of a frenzied girl and saved her from her haunted past. Right after defeating the repulsive fiend of gluttony…" Igor slowly drummed his fingers against the wooden desk, "Your rehabilitation has been progressing quite interesting…I am glad to see you have devoted yourself to your rehabilitation." Each word out of Igor's mouth makes Akira want to vomit.
"Our master bestows words of praise upon you! You'd better feel honored!" Caroline froze as her baton was near inches away from the cell, she huffed as she lowered her baton.
Did… Hakuno calm the two Wardens?
"Hmm…"Igor looked in thought, "To think you would come across someone with ties to that world? Perhaps that world may secretly be known after all. It is quite particular that you managed to find the frenzied girl as fast as you did…" Igor was… confused?
Akira centered himself, "How is it strange?"
Igor chuckled as Justine spoke, "Do not question our Master, Inmate."
"And, do you not recall the whispers about that strange man?"
"The Black Mask?"
"Even a chicken could remember something-" Caroline stopped before taking a deep breath, "Don't sound so cocky."
"It's possible that the Frenzied Girl's mother might be the first to shut down, is it not?" Justine was standing guard, her eye not even glancing at Akira.
Igor paused as he glanced at the two girls, "Indeed… Though I must say it intrigues me that you finished her Palace so quickly…" Igor glanced down.
"Master?" The twins asked in unison… Their voices together were … familiar?
Akira was slightly concerned before he chuckled, "It is of no matter… I shall grant you an ability befitting of your newfound growth. Consider it a gift." He felt something inside of him expand, "But… be warned, your luck can only go so far."
7/7
Hakuno slept well. A normal day at school happened, no surprise test, no Kawakami disappearing randomly in her class, and the rumor mill has spurned onto the Phantom Thieves targeting Kaneshiro who still has been silent…
Ann was standing in front of her class room though, a look in her eyes that confused Hakuno. "What's up?"
Ann sighed, "Remember your promise?" Hakuno racked her brain.
"Maruki?"
"Maruki. Checked in with him already, he has a bit of time before he leaves."
Hakuno vaguely heard some whispering behind her as she nodded. She shuffled her bag to her shoulder as she whispered, "Ok, I'll try."
"That's all I'm asking, and…" Ann paused as they walked down the halls, "I'll wait for you at the gate."
Hakuno nodded, the two splitting up as Hakuno headed to Maruki's office.
Maruki was tidying up some papers as she walked in, "Ah, Hakuno so sorry about your last visit…" Hakuno saw a flash of gre-
She took a deep breath, "No… I should apologize. I did intend for that to happen. I didn't like the fact that the Principal forced me to come." Hakuno did a slight bow as she sat down on the spacious couch.
"Ah…" Maruki looked bashful, "That man has forced many people to attend sessions… at least you are honest about it?" He sat in his chair across from her as he spoke.
"Yes… And Ann told me it would be healthy to talk about how things have been going as you have been a great help to the others."
Maruki smiled, "I see, that is certainly nice to hear… So what do you want to talk about?"
… What exactly should she say? "Have you ever had a dream so real you mistook it for reality?"
Dream angle.
Maruki nodded, "Yes, I'm sure of it. Did you have one recently?"
Hakuno nodded, "When… I was in that short coma, I dreamed I was in another world. I made friends and got close to them…
"I see… would you mind telling me about them?"
Hakuno nodded, no mention of Magecraft… Holy Grail War… "There were quite a few… But Rin was loud. Not in the sense of yelling but more of her presence? She had walls of false bravado to keep people at a bit of distance…But always willing to help a friend." Flashes of the black twin-tailed girl appeared in her mind.
"Rani was… quiet, reserved. Slight pervert," Maruki chuckled nervously, "She was… always someone you could rely on. She knew a lot more than she ever led on." Rani was… always at arms length, she wishes they had a stronger connection before she passed…
"Leo was… strong. Charismatic, one who never knew defeat, and a Prince."
"A … Prince?" Maruki asked, "Was your dream world set in the medieval times?"
Hakuno shook her head, "No… he was someone who everyone called a Prince because his family owned… sixty percent of the world?"
Maruki dropped his cup.
"I see… he would certainly be like a prince then."
Hakuno nodded, "He was born a King… and from what I know he died regretting that I wasn't there with him."
"They died?"
Hakuno nodded, "Yes… before waking up. They all died… I only saw Rin's death though…"
"Even if it was a dream, you feel guilty about what happened don't you?" Hakuno nodded her head. "Survivor's guilt is a common response… and with your dream being as realistic as you say it would fit into the scenario. Am I the only one you spoke to about this?"
Hakuno shook her head in the negative, "My friend group knows."
"Good, a strong support group is capable of doing a lot of good. But… Know that it isn't your fault, even if they were but figments of a dream. I doubt your friends would blame you for their deaths if they truly were your friends."
Hakuno idly nodded, Rin said the same thing back in her Palace… "I would recommend taking some time to grieve for your friends. Perhaps make a shrine for them? Even if they weren't real… They were important to you weren't they?" Seeing Hakuno nod made him continue, "Lean on your friends as support and they surely will help you."
Hakuno thought about it… They did deserve it… All of them… Maybe she and Yusuke could work on it…
"Though going back on what you said in our previous session… would you wish to forget about them?"
Hakuno glared her body tinged with warmth, "No."
Maruki raised his hands, "I see… then hold onto those memories Kishinami, those may only exist in your memories but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be remembered."
Hakuno nodded… Maybe she had the wrong view of him…though she could've sworn something flickered for a brief moment… something was still wrong about him… Maybe it was that he would have a kid that would grow up to be Twice…
The bell rang, "Ah… well it seems we are out of time once more…" Maruki stood up, "It has been a pleasure talking to you. I am happy that you did come back after all." He had a smile on his face as he offered his hand.
Hakuno stood up as she took it, a brief hand- w̷̛̯̳͗r̵͉̾̓ô̶̔͜n̷̬̅̋g̵̫̈̿ ̶̢̮͋̋w̷̮͕͝r̸̡̛̟̽o̴͈̩̐ṉ̴̨̂g̶̒ͅ,̸̩͌ ̴̰̖͌L̸͉̥̉O̸̢͂̊V̸̹̥̐Ȅ̷̤̂!̸͚͇̀̈́?̵̻̗̅̅,̵̞̇ ̴̛͕̼̽S̶̱̦͂T̷̙͝Ä̵̤̿S̴͚͇̉̈́İ̵̱S̶̖͠?̵̬̀̕,̷̗̈́ ̸̖̔̀S̶̗̳̍L̵̝̑̒E̵̙̓E̸͉͔̋͋P̸̙̈E̷̼̫̔R̵̼͆?̵̻̈̕
Hakuno forced herself not to react as she shook his hand.
She made a note that she will still avoid him… even if it was just to stop the wrong feeling he constantly gave off…
Hakuno and Ann headed to the Sakura family home as Futaba slept. Sitting on Futaba's bed as Ann sat in her chair they checked on the small hacker. "How can she sleep for so long?"
Hakuno never really thought about it, "It's just… who Futaba is?" It was slightly weird that Hakuno had gotten used to it.
"And in this dump. I do see how you are similar though…" Hakuno was offended her room was almost always clean! "Don't give me that look, I know you hide your stuff in the closet."
Hakuno sighed, "She seems fine, a few more days of rest will do her good. She needs to get some exercise though… being cooped up in here can't be too good for her."
"Mrm…" Futaba flung her hand at Hakuno which she caught, "Snooze mode…" Hakuno sighed.
"Recover" Green tinged light covered their hands as Hakuno placed hers back down. Futaba's breathing became more relaxed.
"Ok… so check up complete, how bout we stop by Lebalnc and then head home?" Ann looked half asleep already… Hakuno nodded as the two left the calming home…
7/8
Hakuno glanced around the nearly empty gym, all four of them were in their gym uniforms with only Ryuji appearing fully excited, Hakuno made a note to see what she could do about his leg when she gets some time…
"So… why are we here?" Hakuno felt like she should ask, Ann wasn't the type of person to actively go to the gym… But… with the risk of her Metaverse gear disappearing Hakuno did need to work on her cardio.
"You are here cause you need it. We" Ann pointed at the three of them, "Are here cause Ryuji and Akira promised to help me slim down."
She gave Ryuji a questioning glance, "Just… do some joggin' for now." Hakuno nodded as the three continued beside the treadmill.
"I want to tone up, plus my shoulders are drooping, I wanna make my biceps leaner, and I need to straighten my back out!"
"Ann…" Hakuno knew Ann would be on the ground for a few days if she tried to do this… But the blonde was still continuing.
"Obviously I want to cut down on my waist size too… and firm up my butt an calves!"
"You've got some real guts." Akira muttered. It didn't sound like a compliment…
"Mhm! I'm a guts demon!"
Hakuno decided she should speak up, "Ann start small." Ann gave her a disappointed look.
"Like Hakuno said, you want to work your way up to that. You can't do it all at once. Motivation's good an all, but you're not gonna be able to move tomorrow if you do all that."
Ann paused, concerning, "Then you come up with a training regimen for me."
"Why am I here again?" Akira asked, which to be fair was a valid point.
"You promised to help!"
Hakuno felt bad for their fluffy haired friend.
Going to the gym alone with Ryuji was tiring.
Going with a group? Even more tiring.
Hakuno was once more, laying on the floor.
"My body… hurts…" Ann was curled into a ball on the floor as well.
She was the one so ready for it when Mika was brought up…
"I think… I see the Core again..." Hakuno muttered as she stayed on the ground.
"Don't go into the light." Akira offered his hand as she took it standing up.
"I feel… satisfied…" Ann muttered as she stood up with a large smile on her face, "I should do this more often…"
"That's what workin' hard feels like. Not bad, huh?"
"I think…I don't actually think at the moment..." Hakuno muttered which caused the blonde to be sheepish.
"You have the stamina cause you heal yourself, but ya gotta be ready to do it the old fashion way." Hakuno begrudgingly nodded, she did need to improve her Stamina, the cognition that Phantom Thieves are strong helped but she missed the aspect of the Moon Cell allowing her to jog all day every day without feeling it.
Ryuji's phone went off, "Ah crap… Gotta pick some stuff up for my mom, so I guess I gotta head home now. Seeya guys!"
"Recover." Hakuno stretched as the Code Cast did its work, "I have to get some supplies for dinner… Are you sure you want to do this diet Ann?"
Ann nodded vigorously, "Yes! I want to prove Mika wrong! I'm relying on you to keep me on track!"
Akira gave Hakuno a thumbs up, "Oh wait…" Akira ran for his bag, void of their cat-human friend. "I forgot, these items seem to be different." Akira pulled out a handful of random items; some gemstones, mural shards, a few charms,… and some small Ether Shards? "Some are from the Palace, and the stones are from someone I know…"
Hakuno nodded, "Thanks… I'll put these to use."
Author's Note: Don't actually have much to say. There will be a bit of time before Futaba wakes up and a while before another Target…
Ether shards are a recovery item in Fate/Extra in case anyone didn't know, I intend to use them not for their intended purpose as they are made to replenish a Servant's HP which as Persona's don't really have health points it would be pointless.
As the crystals have no actual descriptions I'm being very eh about how they are called Ether Shards, instead I'm going to treat them more like, Crystals that are coded for Healing Servants. Next chapter will have a bit about how I will treat them.