Minato | Souji | Akira | 097

[messianic]

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[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.

[messianic]

I guess I'll just have to stick to being Minato, then.

[OH WELL.]

Should we start exploring? We've got a lot of ground to cover.

[They can stop meandering around now.]

[purrtagonist]

Speak for yourself. I’m perfectly normal and boring. [a beat] RIP, Tama-chan.

[HAND OVER HEART. but only for a moment before he turns on his heel and starts walking in a random direction. he even gestures for the other two to follow]

This way. I saw a door while I was wandering, but it wouldn’t open.

[natural leader instincts are taking over]

[sworders]

[ Souji will follow along after a moment.

But first he's going to stand there, looking stricken, and mumble softly: ]

RIP??

[messianic]

[A slow beat.

...]

Ah.

Marco and Polo were only just reunited, and you've already broken his heart...

[purrtagonist]

[stops in his tracks. . . and turns to face them both]

. . .

Just kidding?

[why is Seta surprised, Tama died in 2015, did he not hear?? AKIRA DOESN'T WANT TO BREAK HEARTS LIKE THIS!!]

[sworders]

I know she was getting old, but--

[ THIS IS SO DISTRESSING. ]

[messianic]

There, there.

[Minato just quietly rests a hand on Souji's shoulder briefly.]

She's living in a grand train station up in...the sky...

[... that briefly makes him wonder if she's here, since he is also dead, and apparently so is Tama-chan, but.

No.

This is fine.]

... Are you going to be okay?

[purrtagonist]

[Souji. . .]

. . . I sure hope this isn't the grand train station in the sky.

[he's pretty sure he's not dead? PRETTY SURE??? they wouldn't kill him in juvie. . . he thinks]

Will you be okay?

[Minato asked, but Akira echoes the question, just to show he's concerned, too]

[sworders]

[ Oh. He's concerning them already-- and Souji gives his head a quick shake, offering up a faint smile. ]

I'm... fine. We have more important things to deal with right now. Let's go.

[messianic]

[Hm...]

... Let's go check out that door, then.

[He's definitely still keeping an eye on you though, Souji!! He is starting to suspect Souji might be a Cat Lover. Or just a lover of all animals, which is still fine.]

[purrtagonist]

[INCIDENTALLY, there is a cat right here--]

[Akira arches a brow, his gaze also lingering on Souji and the way he goes from visibly (if comically) disappointed to a cheery smile. hm. hm! how does it feel to have two sets of protag eyes on you know, cat-senpai??]

There wasn't much to it. It was pretty plain, and. . . blue.

[and as they round a corner down another train station hallway, they will find the door of which Akira speaks. it's blue, extremely reminiscent of the Velvet Room doorways that Minato and Souji are familiar with, and inlaid into the brick wall at the end of the hall]

[interesting!!]