girlybruiser | 𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

[It's a sudden movement that almost knocks him off balance, but Ryoji finds his footing in the end. He'd love to fight them alongside Haru, but…well, he could already see that his contribution won't end up helping at all.

So instead he nods, and hides behind Haru. He also takes a cursory glance behind them and phew, at least there aren't any spiders on the other end!]

[ She doesn't falter; once Ryoji is safely behind her, she creates a makeshift wall between herself and him, a black domino mask suddenly on her face.

And she digs into the corner, pulling it off: ]

Persona!

[ Out from a whirlwind of blue fire, Milady rises, long dress swaying as the entirety of her undercarriage lifts, revealing multiple firearms: gattling guns, bazooka and a missile. ]

Punish them!

[ Haru gestures toward the spiders that are upon them and Milady unleashes rapid gunfire with Triple Down. The bullets pelt the spiders, with the majority of them immediately scrambling backwards. ]

[It's an awe-inspiring sight, no two ways about it. His eyes widen at the sight of the beautiful summon that manifests inbetween him and Haru, a figure of might and majesty all in one. In an instant he smells the gunpowder in the air, and bullet hail rings in his ears. And yet when the dust settles down, that is not what shocks Ryoji the most.]

You're a Persona-user?

[If he has any doubts about it - maybe the existence of a similar power or something else - then those doubts have been dispelled the moment he heard that familiar word from her lips.]

[ The spiders disperse for now, retreating back to wherever they've crawled out of. Haru would remain on guard, knowing they'll be back and she'll have to make sure they're taken out properly, but Ryoji poses a question that catches her off guard. ]

Ah, y-yes!

[ And just like that, Milady vanishes into thin air, like she wasn't there to begin with. ]

How did you know that was a Persona?

[ Is he a part of Minato's team? That might explain it, but wouldn't someone have said something by now? ]

[Oh, that's good. Ryoji can probably deal with a spider or two later, but a hoard of them really was just too much for him to handle. Maybe he wouldn't be as useless at the next wave!

Ryoji looks sheepish as he finally admits to Haru:]

Oh, it's because I'm also one. A Persona! ...Sort of.

[ She'll be staring in disbelief, the sound of spiders nearby echoing from the walls.

They might be back soon, but she's far too distracted by Ryoji's bizarre admission. ]

... I beg your pardon?

I'm a Persona! Or a Shadow. Same thing, really.

[...He doesn't sound that convincing, does he?]

I'd show you, but my powers aren't working.

[ It's not entirely convincing, but...

There's a part of her that wonders, as her heart beats fast in her chest, wondering if that familiar feeling when they had first met was all because of this.

And given all she's encountered between her reality and this one, it would be remiss of her to not consider the possibility that Ryoji isn't a human. ]

... but why do you look like a human?

[ Was that rude? She waves both hands nervously. ]

I mean, you don't look like a Shadow! Or a Persona for that matter...

I know, right? It's not like Shadows or Personas can just walk around and mingle with humans. But I can, because of a miracle.

[There's a fond smile to his face, despite everything.]

It's all thanks to Minato, you see. It's a complicated story, but it boils down to this: he and I share a special connection.

A special connection...?

[ Her face screws up in thought, trying to make sense of it. What could Minato have that ties him to a Shadow in such a way?

Given his fate, she wonders what it all means.

For a moment, she has to wonder if Minato is not human himself then, but she shakes the idea quickly enough— would that not have been obvious in that memory she observed with him at his school?

It's not as if non-humans can't have Personas either; Morgana and Koromaru, the latter she's heard about. Then there's the mysterious Sophia, an AI with an ability similar to a Persona. ]

How are you able to exist outside the Metaverse? Is it like Kazuya-kun's—

[ She hears hurried legs from nearby and lifts her head. ]

We need to go.

[Indeed, this talk probably isn't something that should be done in the middle of a spider den. Ryoji glances at the path away from the skittering.]

This way, then. We can stop by the entrance, or find a hiding spot to stay at.

[But as they walk, it is Ryoji's turn to be confused. The Metaverse? Kazuya? Does she know about demons as well, then? He isn't exactly one, not outside of the definition Kazuya given him. But this Metaverse is a new term for him as well. Is it like the Dark Hour?

It sounds like they have a lot of things to talk about.]

[ She stays on high alert as the wander through the halls, her eyes peeled for any long legs reaching around a corner or the click of grotesque pincers.

Her heart hasn't stilled yet, trying to wrap her head around Ryoji's being. ]

Mochizuki-san?

[Fortunately no spiders take interest in them as they move along, and their traversal is spent in awkward peace.

He looks back at Okumura-san, half wondering. Would she see him differently, now?]

If you have questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

Pardon me for such a direct question, but...

[ Her balled fists lay atop the swell of her chest, breathing in and out slowly. ]

... what are you? Are you an enemy?

[ She doesn't think that could be possible, not if he's connected to Minato in some way. She knows by now SEES' mission is to defeat the Shadows and it's related in some fashion to the Dark Hour.

But a Persona and Shadow in her mind are on two opposite spectrum. A Persona has always come to their aid, while Shadows... ]

I don't wish to believe such a thing, if you and Minato-kun are friends.

No, not at all!

[The denial comes quick and swift, leaving his mouth the moment Okumura-san gives her question. It's the last thing he wants, to make an enemy of someone he appreciates the company of.

But that's not wholly the case, is it? His shoulders slump afterwards. Best to come in clean and tell as much as he could, such that there are no misunderstandings between them.]

...At least, not anymore.

[It comes out bitter and sad, lamenting a past that he didn't wish to come to pass.]

The circumstances behind the reason why Minato and I once crossed blades - that doesn't exist in here.

[ It's hard to move past not anymore, when it means at some point, Minato and Ryoji crossed paths either violently or Ryoji posed a threat in some shape or form.

And if he is a Shadow, then...

Well, Ryoji clarifies that well enough. ]

And if those circumstances were to reappear?

[ Haru, soft and petite, takes up a steely resolution and stance. It shows in the way she adjusts her form, staring up at Ryoji cautiously, her fingers itching for the comforting weight of her axe.

Knowing Minato's fate back home, that his time was cut so short despite the fact he was content to leave things where they were, she can't help the overprotective feeling that grips her now that he has another chance to find that happiness here. ]

Minato-kun is my friend. I won't allow him to be harmed.

Edited (sleep for real now) 2026-01-15 08:32 (UTC)

[He doesn't bristle at that show of steel, nor does he seem surprised by it. In fact, this is exactly how things should be. A sad smile graces his face. If only he could be killed by that axe, things would be easy. Perhaps it is even possible, in this world, even though he is in no hurry to test that theory out.]

They will no longer reappear, I will make sure of that. But if on the off chance it does happen again…

Then please, stop (kill) me.

[Minato…he can't do it, but if it was someone else, if it's for his sake, then perhaps it could be done.]

[ The Phantom Thieves are just.

The Phantom Thieves don't kill.

Echoes of many conversations curl around her ear and she adjusts her stance, her posture straightened as she continues to meet Ryoji's gaze.

She doesn't see the flicker of violence or malevolence she's seen up close with others. His gaze is softer, somewhat distant in the moment, but hardly a threat.

The Phantom Thieves don't kill, but Haru is in a different reality.

And Minato has already given everything he has in his own. Wanting to protect that smile somehow in this place, Haru wonders if she will ever need to bear that burden for someone she cares about. ]

Let's keep moving, shall we?

[ It doesn't answer Ryoji's request, but for now, perhaps it doesn't need it. ]

𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

OKAY SATAN WE CAN WRAP THIS TERROR