[Closed] I reach out to the truth of my life

[burningblossoms]

WHO: Naoto, Minako, Souji, Yu, Yosuke, Ryoji, and Yukiko with their assorted pets and soul monsters
WHERE: Peach Beach, The Amagi Bed and Breakfast
WHEN: 6/10 - 6/11 (Dusk to Dawn)
WHAT: The Persona cast has begun figuring out they're all connected
WARNINGS: Possible language, mention of suicide/death/violence, etc.


In the aftermath of high school for several of them, and the wake of a very stressful month for others, Yukiko has decided to host a get together for the group of people that are beginning to realize are all connected. It's not hard to convince her parents to give them a big room, given that the B&B is entering the tail end of off season and it's billed as a celebration for graduation. They all clearly need it, and while there's a lot to talk about, Yukiko's got plans to make this fun.


A: (Cup)Cake by the Ocean

What better way to kick this off than with an afternoon picnic, put together by Yukiko and Minako? Everyone was asked to be at the beach by 2 for lunch, with various treats all prepared. Large blankets, folding chairs, umbrellas, coolers of drinks, and an impressive spread of Japanese foods and cupcakes that Yukiko had just found too hilarious not to make. There's even an MP3 player set up with small speakers playing random pop tunes while they eat. Dig in, there's really plenty.

And if that's not enough, there's always the chance to get out and play in the water. It's not as though this has to be all serious, right? Get out, make some waves, ride a boogie board, and whatever you do: don't get Al Capug's hat wet.


B: Let's Get Down To Business

As the sun begins to set and the Sleepers that had populated the beach began to filter away towards town, it's time for the gang to get serious. Once everything is packed away, Yukiko leads the group up the beach to the spot she'd been using to practice, a secluded stand of trees that grew near the shore. The ground here is burned and blackened, the trees themselves pockmarked with gouges and cut marks, and even the sand near the ocean is looking a little glassy.

It's here that she'd set up small targets, simple metal discs painted with various emoji, and hung them from trees. Rings of stones had been set into the sand too, in case someone felt like sparring with one another or working on footwork. It's nothing special, but it's a place they can get started, a hidden little area where they can show each other what they can do away from prying eyes. Don't get hurt, and if you do? Make sure to talk to someone about getting that patched up.


C1: BigSmörgåsbørdWünderWerk

And what's an evening of training without a good meal? Back at the B&B, Yukiko and Minako had spent the early part of the day preparing a rather large meal. Nothing fancy, mostly stuff thrown into slow-cookers like shredded chicken, vegetable stew, and an incredibly spicy Korean dish that was sure to leave most of them begging for water.

The dining room itself was one of the reserved ones, set aside from the rest of the B&B in case they got too loud, and the lighting was purposefully dimmer than the rest to give it a cozier feel. The intent was to foster conversation and companionship, with even the food placed at the center of a round table set into the floor in a more traditional Japanese style. Soft cushions line the floor, enough for all, but unlike lunch there's no music playing.



C2: Stop, Children, What's That Sound
At the back of the room, there's a large whiteboard laid out with a photograph of each of them stuck to it too, along with a very badly done sketch of Chie Satonaka. Markers and such are there, and once the meal is more or less finished, Yukiko hops up to it and begins drawing lines between people she knows are connected.

"Everyone, I've got a marker for each of you in a different color, so if you don't mind marking down everyone you've seen, that could give us an idea. If there's someone else you think is important, maybe leave a doodle? Once that's done, let's have a talk."


D: Hit The Lights

With the hour growing late, it's getting close to bed time, and that means going into the next room, a private dormitory normally used for function as a hostel. Five bunk beds line the room, all neatly made, with doors leading to two bathrooms. This was one of those things made available with the expectation of none of the boys actually causing a problem.
Naturally though, there was trouble. A pillow flung by a certain redhead resulted in another going flying, and then another, until an all out war broke out. Hopefully you weren't actually expecting a peaceful sleep because now that the dogs of war have been unleashed, there's no escape. Duck and cover, defend thyself, Personas.

Just...don't burn the bed, please?


Wildcard

You guys do you. I'm intending this to be sort of a mingle, so if you are not okay with thread jacking? Then say so in the top comment. Otherwise, I think everything is fair game.

Comments

[appraiser]

A.
[ AHHHHH. Ryoji's always had a thing with not being able to eat things with faces, drawn on or otherwise, but potentially disemboweling a rice cat... he'll just... pick at the vegetables from around the bento. Not a very picky eater by nature, it's stranger now that he doesn't technically have to eat to live, but bento is the best for this: being able to try little bites of everything, sniping sushi rolls from each other, side-eyeing whoever's chopsticks are reaching over to gut the cat. ]

B.
[ It's the forest by the beach... It's been like this throughout the day, a certain pensive look crossing Ryoji's face every time he looks to the trees. Somewhere along the strand is where he'd first fought Yukiko as Thanatos, somewhere deeper in the trees where he'd later encountered Yu, Souji, and Naoto. There aren't very many encouraging memories for him here, but there is a sense of determination.

He picks up a thick tree branch, giving it a few test swings like he would a sword. All in all, the set-up is very impressive, and he's looking at the discs targets in particular, walking around to peer at the other side. ]

Why did you have to draw faces on them...

C2.
[ Ryoji draws a single line from himself to Minako, pauses, then properly adorns it. His eyes flick to Yukiko, to Minako, then back to the whiteboard. ]

In my memories, it was like that. [ A heart. One way arrow for all he knows, because that Ryoji had said his piece and then proceeded to heck off from existence. ] I haven't seen the rest of you in any of them, yet.

wildcard
[ threadjacking's okay; if you want a one-on-one thread at any point throughout the day, wildcard me! ]

B

[complementing]

At least they're emoji and not real faces?

[Minako speaks from a little ways away from where she's standing in the circle of stones. Objectively she looks a little silly, wearing only her swimsuit and wielding her spear, but there's a fluidity to her swings and footwork that makes her look deadly too. This is a woman not afraid to get cut up by the enemy, because she will cut right back.

Despite a stern word with herself to leave him be for a while, her feet had guided her here anyways. Today, she wants to be close to him, is relieved for that chance to be. But she doesn't want to mother hen him either. After his disappearance, it's been very clear to her that she's become a potential source of sadness to him now-- and among a new list of other things, that's one of the last things she wants to be.

If she can minimize it, keep things as light-hearted as possible between them, then maybe she can take a little bit of that burden off of him.

She shoots him a small smile and then goes back to her forms.]

[appraiser]

[ If Minako had regained memories of Ikutsuki and printed his face out and stuck it on one of the targets, then maybe Ryoji would have no qualms slicing his face in half. But it's the memories of here and this life that fill him now, not of the other one with too many holes to understand and nothing that hints at what would have been his preferred weapon of choice, like Minako's spear, and Yukiko's fan.

Even just standing here, he doesn't really want to fight. In his memories, he was able to sense Shadows, but other than that? Maybe he was SEES's navigator or something, who knows. ]

...Yeah. Perhaps this is better. [ He picks up the stick, and leans on it like he would a cane instead of a sword. ] Remember the Shadows? Each of them wore a mask— a weak point?

[ Thanatos had a mask. Seth doesn't. He's still so unsure of what, exactly Thanatos is in relation to himself and Minako. ]

also C2 but don't feel like you need to reply

[complementing]

[Minako meets his eyes, and after he finishes speaking, she walks over to finish her side of it, her markings an exact match to Ryoji's save for the direction the arrow is pointing. She caps the pen with a decisive click.] Ryoji's gotten a lot more visions of me compared to the two or three I have of him, but that never changed.

A i think this is a great in person introduction

[youraffection]

[ Yeah, Yosuke is totally gutting the cat's face.

Not really intentionally. Somewhat ironically he'd been a little weirded out by some coffee Yu got him a few weeks ago that had a cat's face on it, staring back him as he sipped its little life away...No, this time he's just really too tired to weigh the morality of devouring food with faces.

The chopsticks go through through the kitty's eye and Yosuke just kind of breaks it apart like the monster he is. ]

[appraiser]

[ cries ]

...It's cute, right? The bento.

[ That's a cat. Maybe Yosuke didn't notice it was a cat? Though it's hard to tell with half its face mutilated and looking like it got its entire head blown apart and is now laying spreadeagled on its back. It's great for the appetite... if one cares about that sort of stuff, anyways. ]

A

[tarotcards]

[ Souji has been having the same problem with destroying his cute cat bento. He knows he should eat it but dang, it's looking right at him with its little seaweed eyes and how could he just rip it apart? And then eat it? It's a disaster. Guess he and Ryoji will just starve together. ]

It's hard to just eat it, isn't it?

[appraiser]

[ It's so hard. He glances over at Souji with teary eyes, because how are they supposed to do this? If they waste food, Yukiko and Minako would turn around and murder them for all the hard work they put into making everything, but while it might be better to die so that the riceball cats won't die...

It's a trial they have to overcome. They can do it.

Taking a deep breath, Ryoji claps his hands together over the bento box, bows his head, and closes his eyes. ]

Thank you for your sacrifice, so that we may be nourished. Your spirit shall linger on in our hearts, and fuel the flames of life within. We shall never forget you, and all that you provide.

[ A moment of silence. ]

[burningblossoms]

B

[Well, it's not like she's here just for kicks and all. Food's all well and good but what she's most interested in is encouraging people to practice and regain their memories. She doesn't hesitate to get started, flicking out a small fan made of wood and metal, the blade edged like a razor.]

This is what Retrospec sent me recently. I've done a little reading and research, and it's used in this obscure martial art. Only...

[She flings it at one of the targets, and it connects with a loud clack. And then reappears in her hand.]

...It comes back.

C1

[Training is exhausting, and so is using magic and other things, so unlike lunchtime, Yukiko is all over this food. Reaching out, she doles herself big globs of rice and the spiced pork, tucking into it with an unusual fervor. Please don't judge her. Seriously.]

C2

[Yukiko's the first to actually draw her web, her red marker lingering a little bit over Chie's picture.]

This is who I remember so far. There are others but they're always at my sides or behind me, so I'm never quite sure of who I'm looking at or thinking of. It's a little bit weird, and hard to follow a times, but I think I've told all of you that most of my memories are of a place filled with fog. and it's very dangerous.

B

[complementing]

All the sciencey types on Retrospec would have a fit trying to figure out how that works.

[Minako trots over to the target to inspect the damage, eyebrows arching in surprise.]

It went in pretty deep.

[burningblossoms]

[The target has a deep gouge in it. Could be magic, or Yukiko needs to try out for the Yankees...]

I know. It's...really strong. Like it has some serious power to it. I've never seen anything like it before outside of maybe video games.

This fan showed up in the mail the other day, like your spear.

c2

[appraiser]

[ Oh... Yukiko looks like she knew practically everybody, whereas Ryoji's... his memories were almost entirely of Minako, though he suspects that might have been by choice despite the similar social nature both selves had. But one of the main points of gathering like this was to trigger memories, so maybe he just needed something to kick start remembering where they all used to live. ]

Tell me more about the fog? I remember being close to the ocean in my memories, but it was never foggy...

[burningblossoms]

Well.

[She crosses her arms, drumming fingers against her bicep, trying to answer that in a way that isn't just..."it's really foggy."]

It's thick. Almost...like it's clinging to everything. Deep, and it's everywhere and it doesn't seem to fade. I almost think that I could lose my way in it, every single time.

Only, it's on the other side of the TV.

[complementing]

A. THE WAY TO A PERSON'S HEART...

[Minako can be found stuffing herself full of food at the picnic blanket, dancing in front of the speakers to the music, or taking a quiet walk along the water. If she catches someone's eye, she'll flash her trademark smile and outstretch her hand.]

Come join me?

B. I SUMMON YOU

[Minako's spear Vel Vel Muruga, fondly renamed Velora, is off to the side, the butt of it stuck deep into the dirt with Koromaru laying nearby, guarding it. It's part of what she's capable of now, but it's not the most important thing.

No, that honor would go to Seth, the black dragon lazily flying in a figure eight above them right now. Minako lowers her Evoker from her temple and smiles ruefully.]

Pretty dramatic, right? I can summon Thanatos too, but--

[She glances at Ryoji, mouth a thin line. She doesn't want to put him through that.]

Anyways. Can anyone else summon more than one? Or had visions of summoning more than one?

[Does anyone need an explanation of anything in general from her?]

D. JOKE WEAPONS

[Minako started this pillow fight because of course she did. It had nothing to do with how she felt a little bit old, being surrounded by her younger friends, nope. It was to end the night in a fun way, after all the serious talk from earlier.

She's taken cover behind the bathroom door, if you're looking for her in all this mess. Or maybe you find yourself face to face with her on the battlefield, with Koromaru at her side and ready to join the pillow fight too. Either way, prepare to engage.]

Korochan, co-op attack, let's go!

b

[appraiser]

[ Ryoji feels like he needs an explanation for everything, all the time, sitting with his back against a tree while he watches Seth circle the sky. Every time Minako sets the Evoker against her temple, it feels as if time stops and his blood runs cold, a much deeper longing weighing down his chest. ]

If you want to summon Thanatos, that's why we're here today. [ He glances down from Seth to Minako, and while he doesn't meet her eyes immediately, but he gets there eventually. ] I'll be alright.

[ The first time Minako summoned Thanatos, it was a shock (understatement), and he'd turned back right away before anything happened. But he thinks it'll be alright if Minako stands by him the same way she stands by and directs Seth; he doesn't trust himself at all, but he would trust Minako. ]

[complementing]

[She turns to look at him full in the face, waiting patiently for him to meet her gaze. He is more important than a Persona. Minako will always put his comfort first, without question.

Seeing the acquiescence in his eyes, though, she nods and takes the few steps forward to press her palm against his cheek, just for a few seconds, and then backs up again, raising the Evoker to her head. Seth flickers out of existence, and she closes her eyes to imagine Thanatos at the forefront of her mind instead, huge and looming and dangerous but a guardian all the same. Hers.

I know that I might die, but I choose to pull the trigger anyways.

She tells herself that, her little phrase to make the evoking bearable, and her lips part.]

I summon you! Thanatos!

[truedetective]

[B] [Naoto had opted to not spend time with the group on the beach. If she ever wears short pants, she feels like her legs give away the game. And wearing long pants on the beach is just asking for uncomfortable sand up her trousers. She joins the team later, content to observe their practice. She might ask questions about individual abilities.] At what point did you realize you were capable of doing that? [C2] [Naoto does, however, take to the whiteboard. She draws connections between herself and Yukiko, Yosuke, the twins-- splitting one line up into two-- and Chie Satonaka.] I've also had visions of other people we haven't identified yet. One, a girl with reddish-brown hair she wore in two pigtails. Two, a tall, muscular young man with bleached hair and a scar above his eyebrow. Three, a brown-haired girl in a ponytail wearing some sort of... food service costume. Four, a person inside a mascot costume resembling a bear. [D] [Before the pillow fight starts, however, there's something that needs to be discussed. Namely, Naoto has never worn her binder to sleep as long as she's been wearing it, and she's not about to start now. Besides, two of them already know. It seems silly to keep it a secret from everyone else, then. So Naoto exits the bathroom, having changed into long midnight blue silk pajamas. Her cheeks are slightly red, because more than that, she's also noticeably... bustier. As in, she has a bust. She doesn't, usually.] As long as we're... being forthcoming about our secrets, I suppose that I have something to tell you all as well.

C2

[burningblossoms]

[Yukiko frowned a little, because she'd actually been extremely concerned about this. Naoto's comfort had been at the fore of her mind for quite a while now, and she wasn't sure how the younger girl was going to handle this. When she didn't show up to the party, she'd begun to worry even harder, but when she does turn up it's a relief.]

Did you happen to get the girl with pigtails names? I saw her too. In a really strange memory, but not clearly because we were moving really fast, and dancing.

[truedetective]

[Naoto shakes her head.] No, I didn't.

[However, she does frown, glancing away.] ...inexplicably, I saw them in a memory that, uh, also involved dancing. [Beat.] In space?

D

[complementing]

[Minako turns to offer Naoto her full attention, eyes and smile going wide when she catches sight of the difference but biting her lip to contain her glee.]

threadjacks if that's okay?

[appraiser]

[ Ryoji slides over to Minako, bumping shoulders with her. ]

What're you smiling about?

[ He's been chatting with Naoto online for a handful of years before they both turned up in Recollé; obviously there's no way Naoto can keep secrets from him. ]

[covenantal]

[ A. ]

[ So, here's the thing.

Yu and Yosuke show up to the beach 1) together 2) late and 3) Yu is wearing Yosuke's clothes.

This all happens. Probably neither of them will be entirely forthcoming about why.

So anyway!

Yu will, however, find Yukiko and Minako, bowing to them both and murmuring apologies for their lateness. After he and Yukiko talked about the time to be here just yesterday... yikes.

Honestly, Yu hasn't slept in like two, three days now, and the wear and tear shows, so he doesn't get up to much activity. In fact, you can find him chilling on the sand next to Al Capug. He's wearing Al's hat. At least for a little while. What? It looked fun to wear! ]

I need to make good on my promise to Yukiko-san to get her more things for Al Capug. Especially hats.

[ B. ]

My golf club is at the apartment... [ A sigh, as he faces the targets. ] Still, I know I used it as a weapon, so I can offer that much. As for practicing with our Personas...

[ A huff, and a tilt of his head. ] I can, but I know my limits. Once, and one spell, so if you want a demonstration, let me know when you're ready.

[ If he tries to do more he might pass out. Better play it safe. Maybe even just one spell from his Persona will be enough to help someone else remember something. ]

[ C. ]

[ Well then.

Yu will pick up his marker and step up to the board, staring at it with his head slightly tilted.

Then he draws lines from himself to Yosuke, Yukiko, Naoto, and Chie. The line with Naoto gets a question mark. Minako gets a line drawn towards her as well, also with a question mark.

There's a pause. A painful one, even if it lasts a few seconds at most.

Then he draws a line from himself to Souji, and marks it with a question mark. ]

This is what I know so far, [ he'll murmur, so quietly it might be something he's saying to himself, except for the way he'll kind of glance at the others briefly before putting his marker down and stepping back. ]

I've seen Yosuke, Yukiko-san, and Chie Satonaka. I've also seen other people: a boy with blond hair, a girl with reddish pigtails, and a ... bear of some kind? [ Kinda... shrugs a little. ] As for Minako-senpai, well, I know we all took a trip to Gekkoukan High, at some point. Yukiko-san and I both recognized the uniform. ]

[ D. ]

[ tbh i don't have a prompt for this just know that honestly, regardless of what happens, yu probably sleeps through everything no matter what you do to him. so ... go nuts? ]

[ wildcard. ]

[ threadjack where you please and feel free to wildcard me for whatever you want throughout the day! ]

c

[appraiser]

[ The web between the high schoolers is quickly becoming cluttered with so many connections, but that's not what has Ryoji frowning at it. It's the question mark between Yu's photo and Souji's that's hard for him to believe, when Ryoji's memories largely centered around the person who was most important to him, and he'd thought it'd be the same for the two brothers. ]

That world of fog Yukiko was talking about... it's expansive, isn't it? Whereas there's only one way up, in a tower. Were you and Souji leading different groups to cover more ground?

[covenantal]

[ Yu is ... rather impassive as he watches Ryoji talk. No, if anything, he's completely inscrutable, his face a mask. ]

I don't know. I haven't seen Souji in any of my memories. I wanted to ask the group if anyone has seen both of us at the same time.

[ quiet, quiet, and very even in tone. ]

c

[truedetective]

[Naoto, pre-reveal earlier in the night, is sitting with a notepad on her lap.] I've seen the blond boy, the girl with pigtails, and the mascot bear as well. [Her expression turns into a frown, her eyes focusing on the question mark.] But I see we've agreed on one particular mystery here: I have no memories with both twins involved. Only ever one at a time-- though I can't tell which of you it is. May I assume by the question mark that you have no memories with him, either?