Minato | Souji | Akira | 097

[messianic]

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[sworders]

We're very sorry for intruding in your home.

[ Souji, no. ]

[messianic]

[...anyway.]

... So how did you get here? Seta-san and Train Station-san?

[purrtagonist]

[why is Minato the responsible one, here]

. . . Kurusu. Kurusu Akira.

[a nod at the blue-haired kid, and his deadpan demeanor fades a bit]

This is going to sound weird, but I-- [he rocks back on his heel, turning away from them both, gaze flickering across their surroundings]

I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I was here. [. . .] It's-- [familiar? but he doesn't finish that statement, instead turning back towards Seta and the blue-haired guy, watching and gauging their reaction]

[sworders]

It's not that weird.

[ Well. Okay, then. ]

I was also asleep, but I was on a train. Normally I remember the process of getting off, though.

[messianic]

[There are a lot of hints being dropped around here so.

Minato just kind of casually picks them up for everyone.

There, there. He's got this.]

Mm... you mean it's like the Velvet Room?

[purrtagonist]

[and just like that, Akira’s attention is laser-focused on Minato]

. . . yeah. It is.

[he answers slowly, but honestly. there’s something sharp in his eyes as he looks Minato up and down, and then turns his gaze on Souji to do the same thing. despite his earlier dry joking, it’s easy to tell he’s on guard]

[sworders]

[ Ah. Souji's also a bit wary, but his goal has always ultimately been to reveal the truth. These two already know about something very few know about, and he can't shake the prickling feeling that this isn't the only similarity here. ]

But with no attendants or Igor. Just three probable Persona users.

[messianic]

[In contrast to Akira's tenseness, Minato's posture is as loose and lackadaisical as can be.

He just tilts his head at Akira's inspection, before he shifts his attention to Souji and nods quietly.]

That's right.

... Which means we must be here for a reason.

[purrtagonist]

[ah]

Not probable.

[Akira corrects, although acknowledging that these two also knew about Personas (and the Velvet Room? and Igor?) doesn’t do much for releasing the tension in his shoulders. after all, the last time he met a Persona user who was also a wild card—]

[. . .]

A purpose without warning. [SO WRY] It’s almost nostalgic.

[sworders]

No explanation, either.

[ But okay. Not probably.

What brought three Persona users here? ]

For now, maybe we should look around a little more and see if there's anything beyond this station.

[messianic]

[Mm... Minato just shrugs a little, expression casual.]

I think we'll figure it out soon enough.

[Things don't really stay quiet where wild cards are... that's what he's learned.

regardless:]

I don't know if we should split up though.

[purrtagonist]

Mmm. Let’s not.

[that’s a quick answer to Minato’s statement]

Not until we’re sure this place isn’t dangerous.

[from experince, Akira knows the Velvet Room isn’t devoid of its fair share of risks. and as wary as he may be, there’s one thing he knows for certain: all three of them are in the exact same boat. that’s enough to establish a small thread of camaraderie]

[sworders]

Then we can move forward as a group.

[ A swift nod, before Souji pauses and rubs his chin. ]

-- Actually, have either of you tried to summon here?

[messianic]

No, I haven't. Not yet.

[That answer comes... pretty immediately and calmly. And, equally simply:]

I haven't had to yet.

[No danger yet... though he thinks Akira's right and something's lurking.]

[purrtagonist]

Same here. The vending machines were only mildly threatening.

[HE JOKES. . .]

[. . . though now that Souji brings it up, Akira hasn’t been able to summon since the Metaverse was destroyed all those months ago. and while he feels Satanael’s ethereal presence lurking, comfortable and confident, in the back of his mind. . . maybe he should try it, just to make sure he can]

[maybe they should all try it, if they really were going to take a look around together]

[ . . .]

[first things are first, though]

Ah— but first.

[cants his head towards Minato]

You haven’t given us a name.

[sworders]

[ Oh, right. Time to stare at Minato expectantly. ]

[messianic]

[oh... Suddenly, the force of two protag stares on him...]

I'm Minato. Arisato Minato.

[A beat.]

It's not like I was trying to hide it...

[purrtagonist]

Uuuuh huh. You just happened to forget?

[but there’s humor in Akira’s exagerrated disbelief]

[sworders]

I guess this is what happens when you're neither Marco nor Polo.

[ Souji, on the other hand, is perfectly poker-faced. ]

[messianic]

[Oh my God.

And, dryly:]

I'm the one who doesn't belong... How sad.

[purrtagonist]

We could call you Lewis or Clark. It’ll be a theme.

[an apt theme, considering they are exploring the train station]

[sworders]

Arisato Clark-san. It's got a nice ring.

[messianic]

[Hmmm...]

I'd rather be Tama.

[MINATO THAT'S AN OBSCURE REFERENCE.]

[purrtagonist]

[oh my god. HE GETS IT]

Nya.

Haha, you guys are weird.

[pot, kettle. . .]

[sworders]

No one can be Tama but Tama.

[ Of course he knows about this cat, this cat is great and still alive in his year so it's fine!! ]

Also, I don't think Persona users are allowed to be normal. At all.