#mitsuru also has two hands.. one for yukari and one for fuuka

[redgemwink]

hi p3p update im addicted to this game and have been playing it all day every day and it might be my new favorite persona game teehee~ and here's some lesbians and also this overpowered lil fairy i've been using for the majority of the game bc i keep using all my pages on her and levelling her stats at the arcade dkfdfk

[cinnoasch]

Valentine's Day: SEES Edition

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! I didn't have time to make any for the girls but I might post some later! This was also my first-time writing Shinji so hopefully he's not too out of character. Enjoy!

Word Count: 2886

Minato Arisato

You sigh slightly, turning a box of chocolates over in your hands. You were definitely making this out to be more of a big deal than it was. The school day had ended and you were still sitting there in the classroom. Yukari and Junpei had already left to go back to the dorms and Minato had wandered off somewhere as per usual. 

You were planning to give this box of chocolates to Minato, just to show your appreciation for everything he’s done for SEES. But your nerves got the best of you. This morning, you had walked to school with him and when you tried to give him the box, you immediately went silent when he looked at you. And at lunchtime when you saw him in the hallway, you had turned on your heel when your eyes met. 

You lay your head on your desk sighing once again. “Darn it…”

“Who’s that for?”

Your head shoots up from your desk as you look to see Minato standing next to you. You didn’t even hear him come in.

“Minato! You’re still here. O-oh, um…” You stammer. You look away, tilting the box towards him. “...They’re for you, actually. Just as a thank you for everything you’ve done with SEES and all.”

“Oh. Thanks.” He takes the box and you let out a sigh of relief.

“ …you were really nervous, huh?”

You look at Minato, seeing a slight smirk on his face. “You noticed…?”

“Kinda hard not to. You avoided me all day.”

“Not my fault…”

He chuckles, “Thanks anyways. I appreciate it. Next year though, it’d be nice to see your face when you hand these to me.”

Your eyes widen and your face flushes as Minato grins. “Wanna head back to the dorms? We can share these.”

You laugh slightly as you stand up. “You’re really something sometimes… yeah, let’s head back.”

You follow Minato out of the classroom, the two of you chatting quietly. Maybe things didn’t go as planned, but in one way they worked out. Next year, you definitely would face him with a smile.

Junpei Iori

“Dude, did Y/N give you chocolates?” Junpei asks as he sits on the couch next to Minato. Akihiko was also present, sitting on the couch across from them.

“Yeah.” Minato replies, “Why?”

“I also got some too.” Akihiko adds, looking up from his boxing gloves. “What? They didn’t give you any?”

Junpei groans. “No… I mean Yuka-tan, Fuuka and Mitsuru-senpai gave me some, but that’s more of a teammate thing right? I dunno, I feel like Y/N and I are… more than that, or something.”

Neither Akihiko or Minato respond and Junpei groans again. “Oh c’mon, you guys have nothing to say?”

Minato shrugs. “Did you ask them out?”

“...no. I mean not yet at least.”

“There’s your answer then.”

“Dude, you're no help at all.” Junpei sighs, leaning his head back on the couch. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Maybe you just need to be patient. I don’t even think Y/N came back to the dorms yet.” Akihiko says.

“But the day’s almost over! …Okay, I’m going to look for them!”

Junpei gets up and heads out the door without another word. Meanwhile Mitsuru and Yukari enter the lounge from upstairs.

“He has a bit too much energy don’t you think? Should he really be worried about whether Y/N is giving him chocolates or not?” Yukari says with a sigh.

“Hey, let him be. He’s gotta put that energy to use somehow.” Akihiko replies.

Mitsuru sighs. “If only he’d have that amount of energy when it comes to his studies.”

---------------------------------

“Huh? My package hasn’t arrived yet? But I got an email saying it arrived today…” You say to the mail carrier.

“I’m sorry. It was expected to arrive today, but due to unforeseen conditions, it’s been delayed.”

You sigh. “I see… Well, thank you then. Could you give me an estimated arrival date?”

“It should arrive in about 2 days.”

“Great… thank you again.”

You exit the post office sighing once again as you start walking back towards the monorail. Well, there went your plans for the rest of the day. You wanted to surprise a certain someone with a co-op game the two of you mentioned playing together a while ago. You should’ve known there was no way that the game would actually arrive on the day of. Sure, it could have been better planning on your part, but the whole thing had slipped your mind up until last week.

Suddenly you hear a familiar voice call your name.

“Y/N! Finally, I found you!”

You look up and see Junpei running towards you.

“Junpei? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been looking for you. Damn, I had no idea where to look so I’ve been running around all over the place.”

“Oh, I was on my way back to the dorms anyways. Were you worried about me or something?”

He chuckles a bit nervously. “Uh, yeah something like that.” Then he looks behind you. “The post office, huh? Picking up something?”

“Ah, yeah I was, but it turns out it’s not here yet.” You smile slightly. “I meant to order it way earlier, but I forgot. Kind of silly of me to think that it would actually arrive today.”

“Was it something for Valentine’s Day?”

“Yeah actually… wait, why are you asking so many questions?”  

“N-no reason… Why are you getting so defensive?” 

You cross your arms, looking at Junpei with a smirk. “Ohh, I see. You were looking for me because you were expecting a Valentine’s Day gift, right?”

Junpei scoffs. “No, why would I be expecting something? Valentine’s isn’t even that big of a deal.”

“Uh-huh… so I guess you don’t want your gift when it arrives then.”

His face lights up. “Wait, you got me something? For real?”

“And here I thought you were worried about little ol’ me.”

“Hey, who says I wasn’t?”

You laugh. “I’m just teasing. I appreciate you coming to look for me, even if it was only to get your gift.”

“And if my gift is right in front of me?”

A beat of silence passes and Junpei laughs nervously. “That was lame, forget I said anything.”

“It was a little lame… but I don’t mind it.” You say, whispering the last part. “Anyways, let’s head back to the dorms.”

“Did you say something? Something along the lines of ‘ I don’t mind it’?”

You don’t say anything as you start to walk past him.

“Hey c’mon! I’m just playin’!”

Akihiko Sanada

“Hey guys,” You say walking downstairs into the lounge. “What are you up to?”

“Oh, hey Senpai.” Junpei says with a grin. He and Minato were sitting at the table with a large pile of small boxes in front of them. They were all wrapped nicely with ribbons. “We’re just going through Akihiko-senpai’s Valentine’s Day gifts.”

“Uh, isn’t that an invasion of privacy?” 

“Not necessarily. He gave us permission to look through them. You should’ve seen him when he came back to the dorms. He had no clue what to do with all of it. He said we could take some if we wanted. Man, getting all of this from girls and he just gives it away?”

“Well, it’s not like he’d eat it all anyway.” You say, then you look over at Minato. “I didn’t think you’d be taking some.”

Minato shrugs. “Free SP items, I’m not complaining.”

“Right…so where’d Akihiko head off to?”

“I think he said something about going for a run towards the shrine. He left not long ago so you could probably catch up to him.” Junpei replies. 

“Thanks, see you guys later.”

You set off towards the shrine hoping to find Akihiko. When you arrived, the sun was setting, the pink and orange hue gently enveloping the area. You spot Akihiko sitting on top of the jungle gym, looking at the sky.

“Hey there Mr. Popular.” You say walking up. “You look worn out.”

“Y/N? What are you doing here?” Akihiko asks, a surprised look on his face.

“I heard from Minato and Junpei that you might be here. Mind if I join you?”

“Yeah, come on up.”

You climb up the jungle gym and Akihiko gives you a hand to lift you up. You sit next to him, looking up at the sky. “So, you had quite a day, huh? I saw Junpei and Minato with your gifts in  the lounge.”

Akihiko lets out a sigh. “Yeah. You wouldn't believe the amount of people in my classroom during lunch. Even the teacher had trouble getting them out of there.”

“Heh, I bet. I could hear those girls from down the hallway. ‘Sanada-senpai, these are for you!’ ‘Happy Valentine’s Day Sanada-san, please accept these!’ And so on and so forth.”

He hums in reply, chuckling slightly at your impression. Silence settles between the two of you as you continue to watch the sunset on the horizon. Then Akihiko speaks up.

“So, what brought you all the way over here? You weren't looking for me were you?”

“I was actually.” You say, handing two small boxes over. “You're probably tired of hearing this, but Happy Valentine's Day, Aki.” 

Akihiko freezes when he hears the nickname and his face flushes, his ears are tinted red. You laugh a bit when you see his expression. “Sorry, it slipped out. I must've picked it up from Shinjiro. I’ll be more careful.”

“N-no! I mean…” Akihiko clears his throat, taking the boxes. “It's fine. You can call me Aki… if you want.”

You smile. “Maybe I will. It's pretty funny to see you like this.”

“Hey, don't tease me.” He sighs. Then he starts to open one of the boxes. “Hm, dark chocolate?”

“Yeah, you don't like sweets that much right? I figured you might like it better than milk chocolate.”

Akihiko nods as he takes a piece out, popping it into his mouth. “It’s good. Not too sweet, and it has some bitterness to it. This is something I wouldn’t mind having every once in a while.”

“Good, cause I know how to make them.”

“You made these?”

“I asked Shinjiro for help… which is probably where I picked up calling you Aki.” You chuckle nervously. “If you want I can give you the recipe.”

“Hm, how about we make it together then? It’d probably be good for me to learn how to make something more complex anyways.”

“Sure. We can get Shinjiro to join in as well.”

“Heh, he’d probably just yell at me whenever I do something wrong.”

The two of you laugh as Akihiko goes to open the other box. He unwraps it, revealing a small keychain, a pair of boxing gloves to be exact. He looks at you, holding it up. “You got these for me?”

You nod. “I saw it at Paulownia Mall one day and you came to mind. Sorry, it’s a bit cheesy, isn’t it?”

Akihiko shakes his head, a small smile appears on his face. “No, I don’t think so at least. Hearing you say that you thought of me… it’s a nice feeling. I’ll have to put this on my bag so that way I can think of you when I see it.”

This time you freeze at Akihiko’s words, you can feel your face flush as you try to come up with a response. You weren’t even sure if he realized the effect of his words.

“Hm? What’s wrong? Your face got all red…  well it is getting a bit chilly, huh? Do you want to head back to the dorms?”

“Ah… yeah, let’s head back.” You say with a smile. You climb down the jungle gym and Akihiko follows you down.

“Hey actually,  how about we get some beef bowls? It’ll be the perfect thing to warm you up.”

“Okay,” You say, winking playfully before you take off running. “Last one there is paying!”

“H-hey! You got a head start, that’s cheating!” 

Shinjiro Aragaki

“Okay, and now we wait…” You mumble quietly, putting a tray of chocolates into the fridge.

You’re currently in the kitchen, attempting to make a batch of chocolate for Valentine’s Day. Well, before the end of the day that is. Yes, you were a bit late, but for good reasons. Shinjiro was always away from the dorms so you couldn’t really ask for his preferences in sweets. At this point, it wasn’t any secret who you were making these for since you had to ask the other SEES members for information. Interestingly enough, there was no one in the dorms so you figured they all had plans for today. 

You let out a sigh as you lean against the counter. To be honest, you weren’t exactly sure what led you to make chocolates for him. Maybe curiosity? Despite having been a part of the team  for a while, you barely knew anything about him. You weren’t the most stealthy person; so when you tried to follow Shinjiro once, he immediately caught you and told you to go back to the dorms. You did try to follow him again a few times after that, but of course failed. He didn’t seem much for conversation either so you never really talked to him, but you suppose you should have tried harder if you were really curious about him.

Just then the dorm doors open and you step out of the kitchen to see who it is.

“Oh, you’re back early today.” You say, seeing Shinjiro walk inside.

He looks up at you then averts his gaze. “Yeah.” He glances around. “...it’s quiet today. Guess you’re the only one here?”

“Mhm, looks like everyone has plans.”

Shinjiro stays quiet for a moment then looks at you again. “Are you making chocolate? I smelled it when I came in.”

You nod. “I’m just waiting for it to harden. Want to wait with me? I could use the company, and you could be my taste tester.”

He lets out a sigh, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets. “I might as well. Not like I got anything better to do.”

“Perfect!”

You turn on your heel, walking back into the kitchen as Shinjiro joins you. Once he steps into the kitchen, his attention is drawn to the bowls on the counter. “You added filling?”

“Yeah, it’s dark chocolate so I figured it would be a nice contrast. You aren’t allergic to raspberries are you?”

“No.”

After that curt response, silence fills the space. Well, this was more awkward than you wanted it to be. Your gaze falls onto the bowls and you walk over, picking one up and bringing it to the sink.

“Uh, do you want to dry these after I wash them?”

Shinjiro only nods as he picks up a drying cloth and you start washing the bowls. It's only when you hand him a bowl to dry that he says something. 

“...So, I heard you've been asking about me.”

You freeze slightly, then you chuckle. “Yeah, I have. Let me guess… Junpei?”

“Yeah.” Shinjiro sighs. “Y’know, if you wanted to know about me… you could’ve just asked.”

“I know. I just didn’t want to bother you.”

“You could just say you were intimidated.”

“No-no! I wasn’t. I’m not…well, maybe a little, but I was only asking the other members for good reasons.” You say handing him the last bowl. You turn off the faucet and dry your hands. “Those chocolates in the fridge are for you.”

Shinjiro looks at you in surprise. “Me?

“Yeah, I guess you can consider them as… friendship chocolates? I was wondering what you liked in terms of sweets so I was asking around. I guess I went with raspberry filling since it's close to the color of your jacket.”

He looks at his jacket. “...I guess.” He sets the bowl down along with the towel and leans against the counter. “Well, next time, you can just ask me. We’re teammates right? You don’t have to be scared to ask me stuff. It’s not like I’ll bite or anything.”

You laugh a bit. “Right, I’ll keep that in mind.” Your gaze turns towards the clock and you walk towards the fridge. “I think they might be done now.”

You take the tray out and set it on the table, touching one of the chocolates to see if it’s solid. You nod happily and pick one up to give to Shinjiro. “Here!”

Instead of taking it with his hand, he leans his head down to pick it up with his mouth. You freeze once again when his gaze meets yours, then he raises his head, chewing the chocolate.

“Hm, not bad. This is your first time making it right?”

“O-oh, um yes.” You say, glancing away from him. 

“Next time, you should try to add more cocoa powder for the bitterness. You were going for dark chocolate, yeah?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure how much to add.”

You feel his hand fall on top of your head as he ruffles your hair. “We can make them together next time then. Don’t look so down.” 

You smile, “I look forward to it then.”

[hypogryffin]

ok but like so you know how portable had that one yukiko cameo. so like OBVI the remake is going to have p5 characters appear also <-straight copium. anyway here are my pitches

Image ID:

Three pages of rough sketches with colour blocks. Image 1 has Maruki (coloured blue) standing awkwardly with a seemingly nervous smile on his face, looking younger and wearing Gekkoukan High School's uniform. A smaller drawing next to him shows himself and Rumi (red) smiling and laughing together. The text next to them reads "If Maruki was school-age at the time of P3's story he'd be about 22-25 years old [during P5 canon]". The number 22 has an arrow pointing to it that reads "1st year HS", and 25 has another that says "3rd year HS". The text continues, "Since he's supposed to be older (I think), it wouldn't make sense for him to show up". A wailing emoji with its hands up in the air is added next to the block of text. From there, an arrow with the caption "But!" points to another sketch of Ichinose (green) in Gekkoukan's summer uniform. The message continues next to another drawing of Ichinose, this time in the regular/winter uniform, "I do think Ichinose is probably the right age for it! Definitely not because I've been wanting to draw her recently nope no siree". Further notes continue down, reading "One or two [ear] piercings, none on the face" with a drawing of an earlobe, "Shorter hair" with a dotted line and a sketch of scissors depicting that her hair is about shoulder-length, and finally, "She'd still be in her stoic era so no smiles here, LOL." Additionally, back near the drawings of Maruki, there is another sketch of Rumi in Gekkoukan's uniform, with a note that says, "Were Maruki and Rumi canonically high school sweethearts? Or did I just hallucinate that information"

Image 2: A drawing of Zenkichi (dark blue) in an unbuttoned suit. He has his hair in a ponytail, and his arms folded behind his back. The text next to him reads, "Zenkichi, approximately mid-to-late 30s. / He can't be aware of the Dark Hour for [the sake of] continuity in Strikers, obviously, but he could still be reasonably(?) involved? I.E. assisting Kurosawa with something? Maybe related to a request from Elizabeth, a social link story(???), or main story things like [A block that reads "Spoilers" in all capital letters]'s death or Fuuka's "disappearance". I don't know, man." There are a few asides written next to it, reading "Maybe [he and Kurosawa are] friends" and "Investigating Apathy Syndrome?" respectively. Then the text continues, "Could be [Public Security], or maybe a career police officer (as in pre-promotion or something, I don't know I'm not a pig, myself". An additional doodle has the information "Akane would be about 7 years old" alongside a drawing of Zenkichi blabbering senselessly about his daughter, showing off a set of pictures, to the Persona 3 Protagonist (light blue), who looks awkward and has "Go away" written behind him as his internal thoughts several times.

Also, there is a sketch of Mitsuru (red) in plainclothes, smiling as she holds up two tickets, saying "I have received tickets to a gallery by Madarame Ichiryuusai, I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me there." The next drawing is of Yukari (pink) smiling and looking up from the book she's reading, though visibly apprehensive. She says, "Uh, yeah, sure, that sounds fun!" While her inner monologue yells "That sounds so fucking boring holy shit". It then cuts to her gripping the protagonist's shoulders, saying, "I need you to come with me to this stupid ass art museum I can't say no to Mitsuru-senpai." The protagonist says, "I, like, could not want to do anything less-" but is interrupted by Yukari adding, "I'll buy you dinner after and you can bring Aegis." The protagonist says, "Deal."

Image 3: A drawing of the lobby of the dorms. The protagonist (blue) sits on one of the couches with Koromaru (grey) sleeping with his head in his lap. The TV is on, showing a picture of someone standing at a podium with microphones pointed at them, and blares "Diet member Shido Masayoshi makes bold new proposal on foreign policy..." The protagonist watches, seeming disinterested. The next drawing is of the Big Bang Burger logo, with someone saying, "'Big Bang Burger'?", getting the reply, "Yeah, they just opened a shop last week. Wild Duck's got competition now, I guess." The next panel is of Ryoji Mochizuki (teal) and the protagonist standing together, revealing Ryoji to have been the first one to speak, now continuing, "Eeh, wow, that name is so lame!" as he smiles genially. He then turns to the protagonist, pointing to himself as he says, "Hey, you wanna try it? I'll pay!" The protagonist shrugs and says, "Sure."

End ID.

[randoimago]

Could I request general fluffy relationship HCs for the SEES girls (Yukari, Mitsuru, Fuuka, Aigis) ?

Fandom: Persona 3

Character(s): Aigis, Fuuka, Mitsuru, Yukari

Note(s): I already did Mitsuru's here but I added a couple more that came to mind.

Aigis

Kind of just goes with whatever you suggest. Dating is a foreign concept to her, same with romantic relationships, so you have to take the lead and she'll go along with it without complaints.

She's a very protective partner. If she notices someone making you sad or uncomfortable then she is quick to ask if you want her to eliminate them. Her robotic tone and the threat are usually enough to make them leave. Some of the time she'll clarify that she was making a joke.

Aigis is a fan of dates that are also like hangouts with the rest of the group. She enjoys including your friends when you go out. Even if Junpei complains about being a "third wheel" (she has to bring up the fact that he doesn't have two wheels), she just likes being around all the people she cares about.

Fuuka

Boy does she really try to bake you things. Probably has Shinjiro or Kotone around to help her, but she's learning to cook and what better way to show her affection then attempting to make you something.

She likes being in the same room as you. You two don't have to be doing the same thing or even sitting next to each other. But knowing you're close by makes her feel happy.

Fuuka likes having you in her room while she's reorganizing plants. Music is playing softly in the background which she'll change now and then, but it's just nice to hang out like this. Especially since she makes sure to make a nice bouquet for you with her flowers.

Mitsuru

She doesn't know much about dating or being in a relationship. Probably googles popular date ideas or gifts to give.

She has brought you flowers on more than one occasion. She just saw flowers were a classic gift and so she went for it. If you're allergic then she'll apologize so much and revise her list of gift ideas.

Yukari

Yukari can be a bit clingy. Not in public, but in private she doesn't want to be alone. Will hold the hand or just sit shoulder to shoulder with you while she studies or something.

When she has archery competitions, she looks for you (if you said you were able to go). She just has to make sure you're watching because it's a boost to her confidence.

Likes to tell you everything that's going on with her. It does usually end with her ranting and going off on tangents, but she's so comfortable with you that it's easy to just tell you everything. And please, don't hold back if you need to rant too, she'd love to hear you vent as well.

Taglist:

@reo-the-leo @abellaheart-blog

[p3ta]

For the ask game - you have anything for Fuuka?

Of course I have some for Fuuka! P3 spoilers ahead.

Send me any character here.

favorite thing about them

Her bad parents.

Hear me out.

Specifically, the way her bad parents are shown to us and how it impacts here.

Fuuka is defined by many events in the story, but one of my favorites comes at the end of the spring semester. On 7/18 where SEES are officially introduced to Ken (beyond Junpei and Yukari talking to him at the shrine), Natsuki runs out as asks Fuuka if she'll stay to study with her.

Natsuki recognizes her situation, but also how this early in the game Fuuka has conveyed to her that the dormitory is her "home" home. It's different from her normal poor conditions, where it's shown Natsuki is running out to buy her more time away from her parents.

There's also another element at play. Due to her ostracization, she might be the person who bonded the quickest with the idea of SEES as not just a job, but a group of friends.

But what makes it is Fuuka's response.

Even though Fuuka vastly prefers the Iwatodai dorm, it doesn't have to be an excuse. She likes being around Natsuki. You don't see a home life used for that kind of character beat often, at least not in such an implicit manner.

It's realistic. A mature, subtle moment of storytelling that I appreciate. There's a lot of Persona characters with parental issues, but Fuuka's are by far the most "show don't tell" of the bunch. You can still derive intent, but it isn't hamfisted.

Fuuka alludes multiple times to her poor home life due to her parents' expectations of her. Persona 3 is a game about dealing with what life throws at you. Despite the fact that Mitsuru could throw her weight around and have the cops or the school or someone intervene for her, they don't. Fuuka takes it on the chin without complaining. She's eager to move into the dorms and be of use, even as Yukari expresses how she shouldn't have to.

I think it's a fascinating microcosm of how the game represents societies and how we – in particular, women – should conduct their lives.

And ultimately, Fuuka is okay. Her hobbies and life revolve in affairs outside of her family's influence. In having common friends she's able to come to peace with how she views herself without compromising her identity.

least favorite thing about them

It's kind of hard to pick. I'll admit, I tend to be a capricious player and insult my team as I play. Fuuka catches the brunt of this but it's in jest. It's hard to think about something I genuinely dislike. Maybe her blushing sprite?

(Side note, this screenshot is from the Let's Play Archive's FES run and this is way too late to be efficiently talking to Fuuka. You've got Mitsuru in two months, hurry up! Jokes aside, not a fan of Dragonatrix's playthrough. If you're going to read one, I recommend My Life is a Goddamn Mess.)

Wait. I do have an answer.

Her FES video. Or the video they first gave her in FES and has been in every subsequent version. What a waste of a characterization moment. It's supposed to be a masturbation joke too, which is weirdly placed. I say "weirdly", but all the girls' tapes are sexualized in some manner or another. I guess what makes it different from maid dress Yukari for me is that hers was around a specific event in-game and Fuuka is concerned with. . . losing weight. For their beach trip. It's not as cohesive? And she's a stick. It hits the right amount of ick for me.

favorite line

Okay, okay, okay. I cannot find a screenshot at hand, but this is a Reload exclusionary experience. When Fuuka levels up, she cuts in like a jump scare. When you get this for Oracle, however, she says something to the gist of:

"I've unlocked a new ability. Um, I don't know what it does. . ."

That's it! That's the game's explanation for an ability that absolutely will get you killed. And you should try and use it like she suggests later. Doing a cursory search you'll find mass gamer hatred for this which, in my book, is practically an endorsement.

brOTP

Fuuka & Junpei!

Look at Junpei go. He's two for two so far. These two are sweet for a number of reasons, but I like that even though earlier in the game Junpei seems exclusively concerned with her looks, her body, and her cuteness, in December they come together as friends while making their decision. I like how Junpei admires her strength and can verbalize aspects of her growth that she can't give words to.

Likewise, Fuuka gives me the impression of not have many male friends. Her bond and solidarity with Yukari and Natsuki appear to paint a portrait of the person whose company she enjoys. Brash, yes, but also distinctly feminine. But her empathy for Junpei and his respect for her as well as her strength gives her a solid bond outside of her comfort zone! I can imagine Junpei pre-P3 never picturing he'd have a female friend and be satisfied with that. Post-P3, I could see the two living out in the countryside as neighbors. I think that'd make them both happy.

OTP

Fuuka/Natsuki.

Natsuki Moriyama my beloved. She's one of my favorite non-party members in the game, which is saying a lot because she doesn't even partake in a Social Link.

I practically consider her half of Fuuka's character. If any human couple in Persona 3 is getting married (or spending the rest of their lives together) it's Natsuki and Fuuka. They'll reconnect. For how much Fuuka likes tech, it wouldn't surprise me if they talk on Skype every day until they're able to reunite.

They're also another excellent theme microcosm; relationships enduring throughout life's circumstances.

nOTP

Fuuka/Mitsuru.

I'm particular with Mitsuru's relationships and I am not a fan of the power dynamic here. I think I've seen them together once, and the more popular nOTP is Fuuka/Shinjiro, but they're fine. The idea of it is literally Big and Small's cooking fiasco. Shinjiro's dead, anyway. Mitsuru (I believe) likes women, and she appreciates people who are useful.

It's like a pushover Andy and Miranda Priestly from Devil Wears Prada. Not for me.

random headcanon

Fuuka would be one of the best adjusted after the game. She's also the third poorest member of SEES.

She was close to P3 Hero, but she has bonds outside of SEES and doesn't want to prolong the fighting. Fuuka, I feel, is eager to return to a normal life because she's acknowledged her own power outside of combat. She doesn't enjoy being support, but she's the only one who can. She's also deeply connected and loving of life and its various forms, like the plants she tends. She'd be wounded and it would define her high school experience, of course. I'm not concerned for her though. Again, she has Natsuki and seems content with the world around her.

As far as the poverty, I like thinking about the dynamic on display between how the richest members of SEES act (Mitsuru and Yukari) interact with who I see as some of the poorer ones (Shinjiro, Junpei, and Fuuka). She makes herself small, she's ever apologetic, and she views her own skills as something belonging to a collective. It adds a nice flair to her character.

unpopular opinion

She's the best navigator but not because Rise or Futaba are annoying. I've seen a lot of ironic and then post-ironic love of Fuuka, but it tends to include bashing the other support characters. This is especially prevalent with people who ship Fuuka/P3 Hero. I've seen the claim that she's the least sexualized? Which is a wild claim for any female character in one of these games, there's a reason the writers have Junpei comment on her in her swimsuit and her FES recording is the way it is. She's simply a different type of appealing than the others.

song i associate with them

That's Fuuka Navigator Track #3 - ペルソナ! Oops, this isn't a character one, it's a literal piece of game music. Since it didn't survive the jump to Reload though I feel like I can put it here.

I played the game in reverse order so this isn't Persona 1 music to me. This is Fuuka's grinding in Tartarus solo jam.

favorite picture of them

Don't make me pick between sprites! I'll cheat and pick two: her neck out portrait and her silly one.

Fuuka had some of the best portraits ever. A modern style's too polished to do it justice.

Thanks for the ask! I had more to say than I initially thought. Despite Reload's popularity, I'd still consider her underrated.

[bluevelvet-room]

PERSONA 3 RELOAD TRAILER SPOILERS AHEAD

as promised, i am typing up my thoughts about reload with in depth discussion on the 2 most recent trailers. i'll put that in a read more - but before that, a disclaimer: first of all, these are my own thoughts and opinions and i will not be debating anyone about anything subjective i say. second of all, i'm only discussing the most recent 2 trailers because the other ones make me unreasonably angry so i might be missing stuff. anyways.

as a persona 3 fan, i havent necessarily been excited about reload for so many reasons i wont really be going into, but these new trailers have given me some amount of hope, and i will just be mostly ignoring the glaring issues.

some things almost definitely confirmed by the two most recent trailers as well as the demo they had at the sega event the other day:

3 physical attack types confirmed to still be in the game. this is a good thing

kouha and eiha have been added to the light and dark skill set, but no evidence of nuke or psy. this is an okay thing (im glad no nuke or psy - they have no real place in the game. but i dont necessarily think that ken and koro needed to deal damage because theyre both op as shit anyways if you build them right) (this might need fact checking, but i saw several people saying it, so)

despite prior claims, there is in fact fes content in reload. "the answer" may not be in it, but there IS fes content. so it's less original persona 3 as claimed and more the journey without the answer, fes edition. we know this for certain because a fes/portable exclusive scene is shown in the character trailer (mitsuru calling the cops because she thinks junpei's room has been burgled, as seen in the hidden cameras, an fes/portable exclusive feature)

new outfits that have been affectionately dubbed "tacticool" by my brother, and i will be using that phrasing to refer to it from now on. tacticool outfits are not an immediate addition - the old armbands do exist in the game for some amount of time. from trailer analysis, i've concluded that SEES switches to the tacticool outfits after fuuka joins but before aigis does, presumably at the same meeting where fuuka is asked to join. tacticool outfits standardly include the new armband, which is uniquely numbered to each character - minato is 3, and i've been able to catch junpei's number as 5. if anyone can figure out the other numbers, let me know i'm so curious. they also include a new coat and 3 magazine clips, which (speculatively) probably mean an evoker upgrade at the same time, possibly to be able to shoot shadows - though i'm not sure how well this would work as bullets would be pierce damage and almost entirely defeat the point of ever using aigis

we got clips of the additional male teammate "scenes", which i'm very excited about. it's confirmed they wont be social links, but they will have moments with minato, which is all i've ever wanted.

the demo apparently includes a version of baton pass, which is. fine. sure. i can deal with that

new ost/battle music which i am withholding judgment on until i can hear the full thing

dlc outfits - p4 uniform, p5 uniform, and phantom thieves outfits which look ugly as hell on the persona 3 characters and do not match the vibes at all thanks atlus. why does junpei still wear his hat

when a battle ends with an all out attack, the initiating character gets an end screen like in persona 5. we've only seen minato's thus far, though

TACTICOOL OUTFITS - IN DEPTH

now imagine if you will that i spent like an hour watching a two minute trailer because i care about these outfits so hard so i am going to describe my thoughts about them in so much detail

as i said earlier i think these come hand in hand with some sort of evoker mechanic upgrade/change, and theyre only introduced after fuuka

if i had to guess, the armbands are numbered with mitsuru as 1, akihiko 2, minato 3, yukari 4, junpei 5, and so on

they all have SHEATHES for their weapons which is sick as hell as well as everyone wearing some form of glove which is also sick as hell!!!

mitsuru has a cape. this is the most amazing thing that could have ever happened ever, and i support her in her cape endeavors

fuuka has a tactical poncho and headset (probably to make it more clear how she's speaking to everyone), but no clear evidence of having an armband. if she did have one, i'm pretty sure it'd be covered up by her poncho, so ??? but it's it's possible that only the fighting members of SEES get the new armband

ken with the oversized coat is so sick. i cannot even begin to stress how cool i think this 10 year old is. atlus was like would you like the world's sickest 10 year old with a sick ass coat and im EATING IT UP

if i think of more things i will reblog this post or make a new post idk i just needed to get the Melting Brain out. i hope everyone enjoys these ramblings and gains something out of it

[braxien12]

ShuYuka: Spy AU

'I swear this is the last time I let Junpei sike me into joining a mission,’ Yukari thought as she stepped outside the club and took a breath of air that wasn’t tainted with stale liquor and sweat.

Mitsuru had gotten the tip that two of R.U.I.N’s members were coming out of hiding tonight. With some hacking from Fuuka and a little digging from Akihiko, they found out that Shadows “Lovers” and “Hierophant” were tonight's targets.

Shadow “Lovers” is a popular dirty mistress of the red light district. Famous for owning many sex shops and love hotels across Japan, infamous for her super secret " love potion" , promised to win over the heart and body of the lover you’re after, that has led to multiple accounts of date rapes and kidnappings of both men and women inside her hotels. Shadow ”Hierophant” is a loyal customer of Lovers and one of her best salesmen. As one of the best, he’s won high favor with the madame and allegedly has his own personal room at the love hotel on Shirakawa Boulevard, the very first of her many. The info said he can usually be found there on Fridays and Saturdays nights from 9 pm to high morning. Apparently they've been hiding ever since the death of “Priestess” two months ago. But with last month’s joint death of Shadow “Emperor'' and Shadow “Empress” by the agents of S.E.E.S’s hands, they’ve come back out into the open.

There was a high chance of this being a trap, and they knew this. But it was also the perfect chance to off two more members of R.U.I.N and become even closer to stopping the evils of the Dark Hour.

Mitsuru assigned Yukari and Minato to take care of this mission. She says they work well together, but Yukari doesn’t really see it.

Minato is a quiet soul who she would’ve thought wouldn’t hurt a fly much less a person if she hadn’t been there to witness the death of Shadow “Magician" and helped him take down three other members of R.U.I.N these past few months. He’s easy on the eyes and can show rare moments of sweetness, but he’s so apathetic and passive. He only joined S.E.E.S because he felt like there was no need to say no. It frustrates her to no end how he just doesn’t care about his own safety at all.

Ever since Fuuka joined the team, he’s seemed to have changed though. He’s more careful about how he fights and commands in the field. He smiles a bit more now, just small little quirks of his lips. He also talks a bit more. While he still answers with his usual two or three word responses sometimes he’ll make complete sentences too. And when sitting with him whether it be in the lobby of headquarters or on the monorail heading to school, it doesn’t seem as dry or as awkward anymore.

It’s nice to see him opening up more, to loosen that cage he has built up all around him, but she still feels like there’s something more there that he’s still trying with great effort to hide.

“Yukari?” Makoto was walking towards her from the club’s entrance, a little sturdier than she thinks he should be able to after knocking back three shots of straight bourbon (all while two women whose clothes barely covered them were dancing a little too close to where he was sitting at the bar).

Her eyes couldn’t help but wander as she looked at him. Though sporting a simple match of a black jacket, a blue t-shirt and jeans, he still looked as handsome as he would have in a suit.

Then again, she’s never actually seen him wear a suit. How would he wear a suit? Would he wear it the professional way with the jacket, or would he just lay it over his arm? Would he even wear a jacket and go instead with a vest? Would he even be comfortable wearing a 3 piece suit?

“Yukari?” He was standing beside her now, his eyebrows quirked in a questioning manner. Yukari could feel heat rising to her face; she must’ve been staring at him for a while. She looked away to hide her flush for good measures, but she could still feel his stare.

“S-sorry. I just needed some air.”

"You don't like clubs?"

"It's not that." The visage of those half naked girls dancing close to him abruptly came full frontal again.

He hummed and turned around, his back against the grimy wall and his feet crossed at the ankle out in front of him, accepting her vague answer and leaving it up in the air as he looked out in the semi-busy streets of Shirakawa's red light district.

With the attention off of her, Yukari felt it was safe to show her face again, copying him and looking out at the busy street and people walking by. It was a small bout of quiet but sort of awkward silence before she peeked another glance at his profile and any sort of embarrassment she felt earlier was a backwards memory

Leaning against the bricked wall of the bustling club, the special ops leader's face was as passive and blank as usual, but bathed in the bright lights and colors of the numerous neon street signs, passive and blank transformed into something else, something… sad. It's like the lights made cracks in his ever present facade.

Or maybe the lights revealed cracks that were already there.

"You two work well together."

"Yuki-kun?"

His steely gray eyes that shined pale blue in the light were once again on her and why did she feel so nervous all of a sudden? "Hm?"

"It's just that," Yukari started, her arms folded behind her and her hands clasped, clenching and unclenching in a nervous twitch. "You haven't been acquainted with the Dark Hour for that long and your first interaction with the Shadows was when you fought Magician on the headquarter's roof and that landed you in the hospital for a week. Then Ikutsuki asks you to join and you said yes so abruptly that-"

“You’re wondering why I joined S.E.E.S.”

“...Yes.”

He stared at her for a small moment more before with a sigh his gaze was drawn back out into the streets of Shirakawa. His eyes grew dull in that way they did when he was deep in thought for a few seconds before he answered her.

“At first I took Ikutsuki’s offer to join the team because I felt there was no reason for me to say no,” Minato said, stuffing his hands in his pants’ pockets. She realizes it's a stance he usually takes to appear aloof to everyone around him, but knowing him for these few months and fighting alongside him so now knows that Makoto is more aware than anyone gives him credit for.

“Have your feelings changed since then?”

“I think-”

A static buzzing eased through their com-set hidden in their ears before Fuuka’s voice came through.

‘Hierophant just entered the hotel. Mitsuru and Akihiko are safely inside. She says it’s time to go in.’

Makoto nodded. “On our way." He rocked forward once on his feet to propel him forward off the wall and offered her his arm from the hand that was still stuffed in his pocket. “Ready?”

Yukari looped her arm around his, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

With a random room on the second floor selected and the key safely in his hands, Yukari couldn’t help it if she gripped Makoto’s arm a little tighter as she started pulling him towards the elevator.

Yukari didn’t let go until they were both safely in the elevator. She let out a sigh when she saw Makoto staring at her slightly wide-eyed from her periphery. “What?”

“Nothing.” He looked away then, suddenly finding the elevator’s wall very interesting.

Yukari huffed. “I can’t wait for this mission to be over with. This hotel gives me the creeps.”

“Is it because that an infamous, psychopathic, murdering gangster owns this hotel, or it is because this a hotel where most people come to-”

“Yeah, that.”

The elevator opened with a ding to a long dimly lit hallway with rooms on both sides, some with “do not disturb” signs hanging on the door handles. Makoto started walking down the hall and Yukari stayed close behind him. He stopped three doors down to the left.

“This is the room.” He opened the door.

They couldn’t do anything but stand in the doorway in awe.

The door opened to the living room of the spacious room. The ceiling was painted with the stars and the shining moon and the walls were painted like a beautiful night sky and calm, rippling waters and a large out-of-place, wide-screened television. A white gazebos with string light wrapped around the cloth and legs.  Underneath the gazebo were two white beach chairs with a plush pillow on both and a lantern with a fire already lit on top of a circular side table in between them.

“Woah.  It really looks like a beach.” Makoto took the liberty of testing out one of the beach chairs.

“Like a soft lit night under the stars,” he looked at her while he said that, his eyes glinting in the lantern’s light.

“Wh-what are you saying!” She swears he just says these things to get a reaction out of her. “Come on! The sooner we start, the faster we can get out of here.” Even if the room was amazing, it still didn’t change the actions of what happens in here.

“You don’t want to check out the bedroom before we go?” A small smirk was breaking through the deadpan now.

"Wha-what! S hut up!”

“Huh? But I didn’t say anything.” Fuuka’s voice came from both of their com-sets.

“Sorry Fuuka, I didn’t mean you,” Yukari apologized.

“Can you see which floor Hierophant is on, Fuuka?” Makoto asked.

“Hold on a sec,” Fuuka was quiet for a few seconds before she came back. “Okay, got it! He’s on the floor above you. You should be able to take the elevator down.”

“Thanks Fuuka. We’re heading there now.”  Makoto stood up from the beach chair and Yukari was already standing by the door. Makoto opened and walked out with Yukari in step behind him.

The elevator dinged open to a beige and maroon hall, the floor above. They stepped off of the elevator with caution.

“He’s in the last room to the left.” Fuuka said.

“Something’s wrong. It’s too quiet,” Yukari said.

“It’s a hotel. Isn’t it supposed to be quiet?”

“Yes, but not this quiet, Listen” Yukari shook his head. Love hotels are places of rest and privacy so of course it would be quiet, but she was right. Usually in a regular hotel there would be noise of families talking or footsteps moving around in the rooms. Even in love hotels there should be some noise or signs of activity within the rooms. Here, there weren’t even ‘do not disturb’ signs on the doors.

Makoto pulled out his gun from his inner coat pocket. “Stay close.”

At the end of the hall was a single door that -just as Fuuka said- was on the left side of the hall. The two S.E.E.S members swarmed the door on both sides, guns drawn and eyes and ears trained on the door.

“Be careful guys. It seems like there are other people in the room with him.”

That meant they were potentially walking into a trap, and whoever was on the other side of this door could be even more dangerous than they at first thought. Makoto tried the door handle. It was unlocked. Makoto looked at Yukari and Yukari looked at Makoto. They nodded at each other before Makoto opened the door.

Inside the room were women -at least 6- in different arrays of undress surrounding a large, bald man in a chair. One in his lap, one standing on his left beside the chair rubbing his arm, two kneeling on the ground beside his legs with their hands on his thighs, another on the other side of the chair with her hand on his shoulder, and one standing behind the chair rubbing his bald head. Yukari's face twisted in disgust.

The spud king sitting on his hoax-of-a throne while he reveled in women of the night and money he made off of the lives of others. This was the Hierophant she’s heard about.

The girls screamed when they saw the two teenagers standing in the room with guns trained on them. Some lunged for articles of their clothes to cover themselves up while others ducked behind the chair. Hierophant jumped back in his chair, his pudgy face streaked with the mixed emotions of shock and fear at the two guns pointed at him.

“What the hell are you kids doing here!”

“Time for you girls to leave.” Makoto motioned a swaying motion with his gun like a marshaller would an airplane, ushering the girls to leave as soon as possible. The girls were running over each other to get out of the door with the fear of a gun firing at them.

“Your time is up, Hierophant.” God, could she sound any more cliché.

“W-what the hell are you talking about, you little brat?” The bald man staggered out of his chair, clutching his chest looking close to having a panic attack with his erratic behavior. “What do you mean “my time is up”? It’s you kids whose time is up!” He reached for his gun in his holster. When his hand swiped at nothing, he understood.

“Leave your gun tonight, Hiero. Enjoy yourself. You deserve it…”

'That bitch’ was Hierophant's last thought.

A gunshot rang out in the hotel room. Only two stood remaining.

Makoto raised his hand to his com-set in his ear and tapped two times. “Hierophant is dead.”

“Good job guys. You succeeded once again. I’ll be waiting outside for you.”

Yukari hurried and holstered her gun while Makoto walked over to the dead body of the Shadow of R.U.I.N Hierophant. He gave the body a small nudge with his foot just to make sure he was really dead.

“I don’t think he’s going to be moving anytime soon.” Especially with the bullet sized hole in the middle of his forehead.

“Just making sure.” One more subtle kick, he turned his back on the body and started for the door. “Let’s go.”

When they got to the door Makoto twisted the handle. It didn’t budge. He jiggled the handle harder. It still didn’t budge.

“What’s wrong?”

“The door won’t open.”

“What!”

A click and then a pink gas started seeping into the room.

“Shit!”

Yukari grabbed Makoto’s hand and he clasped it back just as tightly before everything turned black.

Makoto’s head was pounding when he woke up. His surroundings were unfamiliar. His head felt foggy and he was having trouble remembering why he was here, but he remembers that it was something important. He could faintly hear the showering running.

Embrace your desires…

A sudden pain racked Makoto’s head, making him reach up a hand to lay against it.

Enjoy the moment… That which cannot be felt is merely a dream… The present is all we have…

He felt the voice to be seductive and carefree, so much so that he could feel no other need but to listen to it. But wasn’t he...

The future is but a fantasy, memory a fabrication… Let your desire free you from your shackles…

The droning of the shower in the background stopped. There were wet smacks on the floor of the shower. A body started to become more visible through the sheer, see-through material.

Yukari emerged from the bathroom with only a white towel wrapped around her, the only thing keeping it up being her hand. Her gait was slow as she walked towards him. He could feel himself widen the gap between his legs as she stood in front of him. Using his shoulders for balance, she pulled herself onto his lap.  Now they were both on the same level. They stared into each other’s eyes for moments waiting for the other to make the first move.

Leaning down, Makoto saw close up the light rosiness of her cheek and the chocolate brown of her eyes. He raised his hand to her rosy cheek before he closed the distance between them and slid his lips over her.

Pleasure is what you truly want… You stand before the doorway to bliss… You cannot deny your instincts… Embrace your desire…

The kiss was a motion of push and pull. Makoto could vaguely feel himself falling back onto the bed and Yukari falling on top of him as her tongue swiped across his bottom lip. His hand drifted down to her side to where her supple thighs met her lean torso. A soft moan slipped out of her mouth and into his.

There was a big explosion, creating a huge hole in the wall beside them. The force from the blast blew the two entangled teammates behind the bed. They both fell with Makoto holding Yukari close to his chest to protect her from most of the impact. The pain of the ground meeting their sides completely snapped them out of their daze. Yukari blinked almost doe-eyed at his chest then up at him, the fog starting to clear from her eyes.

“W-what? Yuki-kun?” It was the next second that she realized her state of undress.

Before he could completely get his bearings a low shriek nearly deafened him and there was an angry, searing pain on his left cheek. There was a scrambling of footsteps and a loud swish of curtains as his senses came back.

“Yuki! Are you all right?” Red entered his line of sight. Mitsuru was kneeling in front of him, concern clear and a hand reached out to help him up. Her outfit was a sparkly black mesh of a loose bodysuit and a white cover up jacket. As he thought about it, the outfit made sense. Her and Akihiko were also posing as a young couple in love, looking for a few hours of privacy to express their love for each other while in actuality they were supposed to be stationed in another room of the hotel and remain on call in case there was a need for backup.

“I’m fine.” He clasped her hand and she pulled him to his feet. Akihiko was standing on the other side of the room in a boxing stance - fist up, feet apart- and wearing a tux himself. Lovers was a few feet in front of him struggling to her feet, holding her side where a steady build-up of blood started pooling past her hand and down her leg.

“D-damn you!” The madame looked worse for wear. Her flowing maxi was stained with blood and the slit in the dress was ripped to her waist(she was using her hand to keep it from showing off her ‘assets’). There was a dark bruise blooming on her otherwise made up face. Her cherry pop bob was pristine though.

“Shadow Lovers of R.U.I.N! This is your time to die!” Akihiko whipped out his gun, Mitsuru right behind him with both of their guns trained on the gangster in red.

“Y-you kids are so s-tupid.” S. Lovers laughed, slowly standing up to her full height but still slightly slouched over in pain. “You brats have no idea what you’re actually doing.” Her eyes turned on Makoto.

“And you, you claim to be the leader, but you have so much heavy shit clouding over your heart that it’s affecting your mind. I was doing you and that brunette a favor. Getting laid by that pretty little harlot might have done you some goo-”

Lovers fell back against the wall, her hand letting go of her ripped dress to clutch her neck where the bullet shot straight through. Her last words were a gargled mess before she slumped, her hands went limp and the light drained from her eyes. They turned to see Yukari, her clothes slightly soggy and her gun up and still trained at the level where Lovers' neck was. Makoto was shocked. Working with her for the past 3 months, this is the best shot he’s seen her make.

“Takeba?” Mitsuru started to step towards her but hesitated before coming any closer to the brunette. He could feel a tension between the two.

“I’m fine Kirijo-san." Yukari turned her head away from the heiress. She ducked her head when her eyes met Makoto’s, but not before he saw her cheek flush a soft pink. “L-let’s just take care of Shadows Lovers and Hierophant and get out of here already.”

Mitsuru stepped away to make a call leaving the rest of them just standing around, though Yukari would glance up at Makoto every now and then when she thought he wasn’t looking. He noticed.

Mitsuru had called the Kirijo’s Group cleaning crew and they arrived within an hour. The two rooms were clean and the bodies were gone within minutes as if no one had even been there without the guest or even bystanders on the street noticing anything.

Akihiko, Makoto, Fuuka and Yukari stood on the sidelines in one of the alleys while Mitsuru watched over the last of the cleanup.

“The cleanup crew has finished. In the morning it’ll be like none of this ever happened. Another good job team.”

“Let’s head back to the dorm.”

“Are you coming, Senpai?” Fuuka asked.

“I have to stay here to help oversee the structural damages.”

“I’ll stay with you until they finish,” Akihiko said.

“Thank you, Akihiko.”

Mitsuru and Akihiko walked back towards the hotel while their koheis started walking back towards the dorm. Makoto noticed Yukari started to lag behind, a thoughtful yet lost expression on her face.

“Yuki-kun?”

“Go on ahead, Yamagishi. We’ll meet you there.”

Fuuka nodded before continuing ahead.

“Why did you send her ahead?”

“You look like you wanted to say something/had something on your mind.”

“Well,” she hesitated and bit the corner of her lip before finishing the sentence. “You never finished your explanation from earlier.”

“Ah.” After a second of silence he said: "Ask me that question again."

"Why did you join S.E.E.S?"

"No, the other one."

"Have your feelings changed since then?"

"From the moment when Ikutsuki asked me to join S.E.E.S to now, I think they have."

"You think?"

“Before I joined S.E.E.S I didn’t have any reason to care about what happened to me or anybody else. Doing whatever somebody told me to without any emotions or ties helped me cope. I felt that it was better that I stayed alone. But then I had to come here and I discovered the power of Persona and Ikutsuki-san asked me to join.”

“And that’s when it changed?”

“In between all the training, the sushi runs, and the full moon operations, you all became like family to me.”

“All of us?”

“Well, except for one.” He looked down at her then, a meaningful twinkle in his eyes that entranced hers to not look away and understand the deeper meaning of his words. A meaning she’s not sure she’s ready to accept yet.

“Is my answer okay?”

‘Y-yeah.” She’s never blushed so many times in one day before. She’ll never understand how he could say stuff like that but come across so aloof all the time. “S-should we go back to the dorm?”

Makoto nodded. “Let’s go.”

[goji-pilled]

HOLD IT

hamuko is also very gay, but i dont think you get it

yes she can date her whole team

BUT CAN SHE ALSO MAKE HER ENTIRE TEAM PLUS ALL OF HER OTHER CONFIDANTS FALL FOR HER

case and point in evidence

evidence a: in strikers theres a scene where you can pose as a traditional couple with yusuke, and yusuke is implied to be pan

evidence b: youre a pegoryu shipper im not explaining all of their moments

evidence c: mishima is fucking obsessed with the pts, but specifically ren. he never shuts up about how cool ren is

evidence d: SHUAKE IS LITERALLY GAY CODED IN EVERY FUCKING PIECE OF MERCH AND AKECHI IS CALLED "the third part of royals love triangle" THE TRIANGLE BEING SUMI REN AND AKECHI

evidence e: in the art book it says stuff along the lines of "the protagonist was designed to be like a cat, and to be sexy enough to seduce most people' EMPHASIS ON PEOPLE RATHER THAN JUST WOMEN

evidence f: ren is basically canonically bi, as he has many mementos negotiation lines where he says he likes men

should i continue?

-platonic wife

You make a few good points but...

I have just as much evidence to prove my point!

TAKE THAT!

Evidence number one: Hamuko's dialouge options!

Throughout the entirety of the game Hamuko has multiple dialouge options whose implications are very clear!

Evidence number two: Hamukos's Social Links!

Many of Hamuko's (female) Social Links have extremely homosexual vibes to them! From Fuuka calling Hamuko her "precious friend" while blushing to Yukari literally saying "[...] before we started going out".

In fact, a lot of Yukari's interactions with our female protagonist are extremely gay! Have you heard her calling out to Hamuko during the final battle with Nyx? Really it's...it's gay. And let's not forget that if it weren't for the limited space of the PSP that we probably would've had the Answer in Portable too; and we all know about Yukari in the Answer. Also there's Mitsuru who is very protective of Hamuko and (while I haven't played the Social Link myself yet) even asks her to run away with her!

Evidence number three: Aigis!

Everyone knows how Aigis' highest priority is to protect the protagonist and stay by their site. Her relationship with Minato already carries around a heavy bit of romantic tension and it didn't get any better with Hamuko, in fact.... HER MEETING WITH HAMUKO IS EVEN MORE ROMANTIC THAN THE ONE WITH MINATO!

There's also multiple times Hamuko can initiate hand holding with her and It's quite literally canon that Aigis falls in love with Hamuko, does Ren have that? I don't think so!

Evidence number four: Elizabeth!

Theres not much I can say here just... she too basically falls in love with Hamuko lol.

How does that taste, hm?

P.S. There was no room for any more images or this would be even longer

[cynderofnight]

Just seen your Labby/Teddie headcannons go off bud. You rant and rave we wanna seeeeee! Share your stuff if you want it's all valid and good!

God I had this ask for long mainly cause I’ve been thinking and overthinking on headcannons screw it, I’m too full on ideas so imma go crazy

(i swear to god if i do hit the word limit, I’m gonna YELL)

anyways the whole thing is under read more cause again, I talk too much

Okay to start things off, Labrys really like dogs cause ya know, Snowy. So she likes talking or interacting with any dog she meets. She’s a dog person all the way. But guess who doesn’t like that? Teddie, that’s who. He will get jealous at any dogs that take Labrys attention away from him. “Labby-chan! I’m right here! Why don’t you talk and pet me instead of this mutt! :(” Though he doesn’t stay jealous as long as she just simply pets and chat as they are strays or owned. So he’s fine until Koromaru comes in. Ooooo boy, Koromaru is a member of the Shadow Ops so his pets and chats with Labrys are longer as he has nowhere to be often and the two are pretty close. He’s the one that gets Teddie to be stomping jealous. The two are pretty much rivals on Labrys affection, even if Teddie is already dating her. He’ll fight him on being cute and adorable. Also, Koromaru actually plays along with him in this rivalry as he sees it as fun. That said, he finds it amusing that getting close and cuddling with Labrys sets him off. Kid you not, he will hop on Labrys’s lap being all cute to get all the pets and then turn to Teddie with a happy shiba inu pup face. He looks so innocent but really is purposely making Teddie get jealous cause it’s fun. Teddie and Koromaru actually do get along with each other since they’re both cute, mascots, and persona users. It’s just that when Labrys walks into the room, that friendship turns into rivalry because ya know.

Labrys doesn’t need to sleep since she’s a robot and all but Teddie does. Labrys used to just walk around or do something but that changed when she saw Teddie gets nightmares. Like his nightmares consist of him being no longer liked and being left in the tv world or having all his friends killed by shadows and he couldn’t do anything about it cause he was so scared like how the IT first found him in the tv world. Though now that he’s super close to Labrys, sometimes he’ll have a nightmare of her being destroyed in battle and can’t be fixed. He’ll wake up with tears and will crawl into his suit and stay in it till he feels better since his suit gives him comfort. Labrys walked in when she heard a noise and found Teddie crying in the corner in his suit. Teddie doesn’t tell her anything at first as to not bother her but after some talk and comforting words, he lets it out. Labrys gets how he feels as she has similar nightmares as well just a little different. Like how she��s the one who kills all her friends and gets locked away and has her memories wiped. Nonetheless, she coaxes him outta of the suit and makes him go to bed. But when she tries to leave, he freaks out and grabs her hand. He asks if she can be nearby and watch him as he’s afraid of dealing with the nightmares alone again. Though after he asks he gets a nervous feeling he’s bothering her so he adds if she only wants to and if she can’t then it’s okay. (Ted, your sad face and fear is making Labrys feel sad and concerned. Not in a bad way either, she just cares about you so much.) She agrees to watch him as it’ll make him more comfortable and she’s not really doing much in the late nights. So when Teddie sleeps, Labrys will be nearby watching over him to see if he's okay and help him out if any nightmare gets him. Of course with her staying in one place, Aigis wonders where she is and looks for her. Once she sees Labrys watching over Teddie in his sleep, she instantly gets it and leaves them be. Of course not without her reminiscing about herself and Minato cause ya know.

Moving on a different headcannon, the shadow ops are pretty happy with how happy the two are, meanwhile the IT are confused that Teddie is dating. It’s mainly Yosuke though cause he’s like “That damn bear is dating? and it’s Labrys? Huh???” Though after he’s done being confused he’s very supportive but not without him teasing the heck of Teddie. That’s what he gets for teasing Yosuke about him and Yu together. Everyone is supportive of them in different ways. Yu helps Teddie with dating advice. From now they perfect date spot to what to give on valentines since Labrys doesn’t do chocolate. He helps give good tips. Chie, Yukiko, and Rise take them out shopping for fun cause Labrys doesn’t really have much outfits and Teddie likes to have more. Yukari and Mitsuru might join in the shopping but it’s rare by how busy the two are. Kanji finds the two adorable with each other and he helps Teddie make a Teddie plush (like the one Nanako receives) as a gift for Labrys for an event. “With this, you’ll never be alone! Either I would be with you or mini me will! Us bears will be by your side no matter what! :)” With Naoto I think he often gives books for Labrys to read and for Teddie he makes little gadgets to keep him busy. I think that weird cube thingy with all the little clicks and what not would be a favorite of his. As for the shadow ops, Yukari tolerates Teddie cause how he is but finds him better than Junpei and she takes Labrys and Teddie shopping when she can. Sad Junpei noises here. Junpei and Teddie pick on each other but in a fun way. Junpei knows how to handle kids so he knows what to do in dealing with Teddie from distraction and getting along with him. Ken likes Teddie but he’s on Koromaru side of the two’s rivalry. Ken and Labrys get along as they watch Koromaru and Teddie have their cute contest. Mitsuru supports the relationship with Teddie and Labrys but every now and then, Teddie gets a mom glare from her. Aigis and Teddie get along very well which makes Labrys pretty happy. While Aigis doesn’t have “a pun for every occasion” anymore because of PQ, she is learning “bear puns for every occasion” from Teddie. Yukari keeps telling her to delete it but she relearns it from Teddie every time. Akihiko is always up to train the two and Labrys is always down but Teddie isn’t. “I don’t wanna fight the half naked man! :(” Fuuka really likes Teddie but Teddie gets confused by her from how she talks about technology and big words. He still likes her though since she’s really cute! 

I’ve run out of ideas or I hit a burn out. Surprised I didn't hit the limit but I talk about this too much. I might have more ideas later but as of now this is what I mainly got plus the previous one. So yeah, have these long head cannons. I spent too long on this so enjoy it.

[sillyfudgemonkeys]

I think Makoto's Brand New Days should have Aigis dancing it.

Soul Phrase should've been a dual dance between Makoto and Kotone

Darkness (Erebus fight theme) should've been a Ryoji/Metis DLC

Yup yup! I agree totally with all of that. Darkness def would be a Metis DLC with Ryoji as one of the partners. I’d love to see them react to each other DX Same with Sho vs Minato/Hamu

Tbh, while I think P3 has more danceable songs in general than P5, and the dancers and dances are a bit better.....I think Atlus still could've been better with the song selection (really they should've had A LOT more songs). Here’s a list of at least 3 songs (tho I think 4 or 5 would work, esp since we could get more remixes). Hamu should’ve def been a main dancer (screw it let’s pretend Metis/Ryo were also main dancers too!)

Some songs will change, some will stay the same (Yukari, Junpei, and Fuuka I think mostly stay the same with some additions). 

Makoto: Mass Destruction, Moon Reaches Stars (I always shorten this name sorry), More than one heart

Hamuko (I'll accept Kotone when we get her in an actual Atlus game, it doesn't feel right to cherry pick her stage play name just cause Atlus was too lazy to do a separate adaptation, esp since it means ignoring the male's name): Wiping All Out, Way of Life (OG or Remix), Place of my Heart

Makoto/Hamuko special duo dances: Soul Phase, Burn my dread last battle, Never ending night (the Pachinko song), Place of My Heart Duo ver/Remix, Our Moment

Aigis: Brand New Days (reg or remix), Heartfelt cry ATLUS Konishi Remix, some techno remix (she’s a robot for christ sakes, I don’t care steal from Junpei’s list if we have to, Maybe a Techno remix of Fate In our Hands).

Yukari: When the Moon Reaches for the Stars P3D Remix, Want to be close P3D remix, Changing Seasons Reincarnation (except an updated ver?)

Junpei: His two songs are ok (even if I think Aigis should have the more techno songs), 3rd song should be Want to Be Close reincarnation, Dorm Song remix

Mitsuru: Snow Queen (OG or Remix, not necessarily the DLC one Atlus gave us but just a remix), Living With Determination Reincarnation, Enduring bonds/Tranquility mashup-remix (just a lighter and more elegant song)

Fuuka: Deep Breath Deep Breath Reincarnation, Time ATLUS Kitajoh Remix, Tender Moment Jazzy Remix

Ken: Wiping All Out Ryota Koduka Remix (or a diff Remix), Light the Fire Up in the Night P3D Remix, 

Akihiko: Unavoidable Battle Reincarnation ver, Danger Zone Remix, Light that fire P3D remix (I dunno have him more leaning towards battle songs)

Shinjiro:  Wiping All out/Mass destruction mashup, Danger Zone/Master of Tartarus mashup, “One Hand, One heartbeat” remix (I think having him deal with mash ups of the two MC’s battle songs symbolizes his POSSIBLY different fates, with a more mellow song from the movie he’s featured in)

Metis: Battle Hymn of the Soul Remix/Heartfelt Cry Remix/Brand New Days Remix, Darkness, P3 FES extended (I need an extended ver in my life DX)

Ryoji: Battle Hymn of the Soul, Snow Queen Remix (OG or diff remix), Burn My Dread Last Battle, Falling Down

Why give the girls Tender Moment even tho it only appears on FeMC side? Just cause I think those two would fit well with a pop and jazzy remix of it. I can see them dancing to it over the boys (tho.....my memory wants to tell me Tender moment may appear with the girls too but my brain fuzzy and tired)

That’s not even me going into Arena/Ultimax or PQ2 music (or looking more into PQ1 music too), and probably barely scraping the surface for the movies tbh. They should’ve had 80-90% of the Reincarnation OST in P3D, those songs are def danceable u_u P3 has a lot of entries and a big library (as big as P4′s) and they could def remix to their hearts content. 

Edit: not me forgetting to give Ken a 3rd song I’ll do it tomorrow DX

[houseisekai]

House Isekai: A Realm Reborn - Part 3, Thunder Rolls (2 of 2)

House Isekai ARR Masterlist Here

—

Client: Marianne Von Edmund

With Marianne's help, the new House Isekai split off into teams to find this mysterious object and take it down before it becomes too dangerous...

[Tactics - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

Marianne handed Sitri a paper with all the findings her scouts have reported.

(Marianne) "I hope this will be of use to you all."

(Sitri) "It will, thank you, Marianne."

Marianne nodded and smiled.

(Marianne) "Please be careful, I would not like to see any of you come to harm."

(Kazuma) "Eh, don't worry, the kids'll be fine with us!"

Marianne raised an eyebrow, although her smile was still kept.

(Marianne) "With Rean and the others, I can believe that."

(Kazuma) "Hey, who was the group that saved your guys asses plenty of times back then? Mine, that's who!"

(Rean) "Aaaand, don't forget who bailed you out for a lot of those situations."

(Aigis) "It was us."

Kazuma continued to cause a commotion, letting the other groups spectate.

(Jean) "They all seem rather close."

(Lisa) "Reminds you a bit of home, doesn't it?"

Lisa smirked as she turned to Kaeya and Diluc.

Diluc rolled his eyes while Kaeya shrugged.

(Kurt) "I trust Instructor Rean and Towa's guidance, but I am unsure about the other two."

(Juna) "Well, that Aigis lady seems nice enough though, now that I think on it, what CAN those two do?"

(Ash) "Noticed Kazuma has a dagger and a short sword on his belt, but for Aigis...can't tell."

(Altina) "It appears she is like me."

(Juna) "Wait, as in not human?"

Musse turned to the Garreg Mach students.

(Musse) "What do you guys think?"

(Astrid) "Eh? Well, I dunno. I've only heard stories, never seen them in action."

(Helena) "Gets kinda hard to tell what's true."

(Stefan) "I guess today's our lucky day!"

(Elizabeth) "Hmph, if you call having to deal with otherworldy monstrosities lucky!"

(Helena) "Harsh. These people aren't that ugly."

(Elizabeth) "What in the-That is not what I meant and you know it!"

(Kairos) "..."

(Astrid) ? "Kairos? Somethin' up?"

(Kairos) "Huh? Oh, I am fine. It's nothing."

Kairos looked back down, a bit dejected.

(Stefan) "The things Lady Marianne and Sitri say getting you down?"

Kairos raised his voice to object but sighed instead.

(Kairos) "I just cannot believe I let my immaturity get the best of me there. These people are the reason we're here right now, but I cannot shake off how I feel that easily."

(Elizabeth) "I...would be lying if I said I did not feel the same."

Venti and Amber didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it was hard not to considering how loudly they were announcing their feelings to the entire group.

(Venti) "If that's the case, why not get to know us then?"

(Elizabeth and Kairos) "Huh?"

(Amber) "Yeah, this mission looks to be tough, so if we all work together, I'm sure we'll be friends in no time!"

(Kurt) "I would not be opposed to it. Well, considering that we also have no alternatives present as well.'

Meanwhile, the Instructors finally finished their conversation.

(Marianne) "I wish you luck, House Isekai."

(Rean) "Thanks, Marianne. We'll be back as soon as we can."

Marianne bowed and went inside back to her estate, leaving the Instructors to walk back to their groups.

(Towa) "So, what's the plan?"

(Sitri) "I...Hm."

She stopped walking to take a moment to think.

(Sitri) "I think it'd be best if we were to all search together. We have no idea what we'd be up against."

The tone of her voice made it sound like it was more of a suggestion than a command.

(Sothis) "Looks like the group has another one."

(Diluc) "Miss Sitri, was it? If we could speak our mind."

(Sitri) "Huh? O-Oh, Go ahead."

Kazuma leaned over to Rean.

(Kazuma) "She doesn't exactly sound confident for a headmaster."

(Rean) "Being fair, she was just a nun from what we were told by Jeralt."

(Aigis) "Affirmative, she also was very weak and could not leave Garreg Mach often."

(Towa) "...S-So, if that's the case, how is she walking around out here carrying her sword no problem?"

The four stared at her while Diluc was explaining the group's plan.

(Rean) "Lahabrea did mention she was chosen to be resurrected for a reason...Did we ever find out why?"

They were silent.

(Kazuma) "Tch, even dead Those Who Slither are a pain in our ass. We never get straight answers from them"

(Aigis) "Well, that wasn't Those Who Slither, that was Byle-...Er, Lahabrea who did the resurrection himself."

(Towa) "Regardless, I think we should ask this ourselves another time."

(Diluc) "...And so, we think splitting up is the best way to approach this threat."

(Sitri) "Well..."

(Jean) "You have our word that nothing will befall any of your students."

(Kurt) "And mine as well."

(Helena) "To be fair, this would be a good way to know how we all fight considering this is our first assignment together."

(Sitri) "Fair enough...Very well, we shall split into teams.

(Rean) "I think it'd be best to mix and match teams."

(Aigis) "Agreed. Based off initial data, I will configure the teams as follows:

First Team will consist of: Rean, Sitri, Helena, Stefan, Kaeya, Amber, Altina, and Ash.

Second team will consist of: Myself, Kazuma, Astrid, Diluc, Jean, Venti, Kurt, and Juna.

Third team will consist of: Towa, Kairos, Elizabeth, Lisa, and Musse."

(Jean) "No objections from me."

(Ash) "Sounds fine."

(Musse) "Aww, I wanted one with Rean-"

(Rean) "You'll be fine under Towa's command. Besides, she was your homeroom teacher anyway."

(Lisa) "Ouch, shot down."

(Musse) "Doesn't mean I'm giving up!~"

(Lisa) "Oh, I like your attitude, love is such a powerful thing..."

(Towa) "Uh...."

(Elizabeth) "I had some slight objections being put in a group with you, Kairos, but now? I think I am glad to have at least someone familiar..."

(Kairos) "Ugh, the feeling's mutual."

(Rean) "Right then. We'll split up and meet at this point in the map if we don't find anything."

(Kazuma) "How are we gonna keep in contact if shit goes down?"

(Aigis) "Rean and Towa have their Arcus Units, and I believe the students of Garreg Mach have something similar."

(Stefan) "Yes, we were all given a communication crystal upon our entry for Sitri's group."

All the students of Garreg Mach pulled out a small flat crystal that faintly glowed blue.

(Kaeya) "We have our methods then. It's probably best we stop wasting time and get moving."

(Sitri) "Agreed. Everyone, remember to be safe. This may be only our first assignment, but do not underestimate the danger. Your lives could be thrown away if you're careless enough."

Everyone nodded and split up.

(Towa) "Alright, looks like we'll head to the site where it was first spotted. This way everyone."

Towa's group walked down a path deeper into the forest and slowly disappeared from sight of everyone else...

...

===

Doomguy's Base, Present...

Doomguy tapped his foot while listening to the Persona Users give their explanation of what was happening.

Apparently, Ryuji, Ann, Mitsuru, and Naoto fought off a group of hulking green creatures calling themselves "Orks" who came from Fodlan's Crystal Tower.

(Yu) "And that's about the gist of it."

(Yosuke) "Yeah, we weren't close enough to the scene and the news gets everything wrong anyway.."

(Futaba) "Even with my hacking I can't get a full picture, it happened so fast."

(Akihiko) "You still got any idea what's going on in Fodlan right now?"

Doomguy shook his head, and shrugged to the air, indicating for VEGA to speak for him.

(VEGA) "Unfortunately, no. There is too much interference for us to make contact with those currently in. That being the case, they are working to rectify this communication block, hopefully soon."

(Junpei) "So what, we're supposed to twiddle our thumbs and just wait?"

(Yukari) "And what exactly can we do, Stupei? If all of us just jump in guns blazing, who knows how long we'd be trapped, and how Fodlan would react!"

(Makoto) "Our entry and exit wasn't the most graceful after all..."

(Akira) "I have faith in everyone over there. It'll be up to us to keep our home safe."

(Chie) "Hey, who else has responded anyway? Seems not too many of us were able to make it in there."

(VEGA) "You are correct. The only ones to answer the call are yourselves, Rean, Elliot, Laura, Fie, Towa, and Kazuma."

(Morgana) "Anyone else?"

(VEGA) "The Denizens of Nazarick appear to be busy handling their world's politics, but they have acknowledged our call and plan to send whoever is available. The same goes for the remaining members of Class VII."

(Teddie) "Oh, how about Yuki-chan and the others?"

(Fuuka) "The School-Living Club?"

(VEGA) "I'm afraid nothing has been sent our way. Not even an acknowledgement."

(Rise) "I hope they're alright. Their world didn't exactly sound forgiving..."

(Kanji) "It's prolly' best they weren't here anyway. Not sure they'd be much help...Er, wait that sounds bad!"

(VEGA) "Negative. You are objectively correct, in terms of combat at least. Megumi and the School-Living Club were the least active members when it came to fights. Their efforts were focused on helping fleeing civilians and moral support. Neither of which we are sure is needed for Fodlan's current circumstances."

(Ken) "I'm sure everyone's fine. We should be worried less about how they are and more on how the Crystal Tower came to our world to begin with."

(VEGA) "We are currently looking into that as we speak. Please feel free to rest here until then."

The Persona users nodded and tried their best to relax, not knowing what the future would bring...

===

[Stilness of Night - Trails of Cold Steel 3 OST]

A few hours later...

Towa's group kept investigating the points of which the scouts had written on the reports, but they had found nothing.

No trace of any warning shots Marianne mentioned, its like they had completely erased the evidence.

The sun was starting to set, but thankfully it was still bright enough for them to keep looking untroubled.

Lisa was close by with Towa, looking with her and Musse while Kairos and Elizabeth investigated somewhere close by.

(Towa) "Hm...still nothing."

(Musse) "Instructor Towa?"

(Towa) "What is it, Musse?"

(Musse) "If I can ask, why is it that the people of this world hold such hostility against you?"

(Lisa) "I have been rather curious myself. It seems every opportunity those two in particular talk bad about your old group."

Towa looked up and made sure Kairos and Elizabeth was far away enough for her to continue.

(Towa) "Truth be told, our group was a mess. We kept coming in out of nowhere, and forming this massive superpower that threw a wrench into all the world leader's plans for...whatever they were going to do. World Domination? Separation? I have no idea."

Towa's eyes looked down as her expression darkened.

(Towa) "We lost a lot of friends during that war too, they gave their lives for a world they didn't know. But this place is home to us, just as much as it is to them..."

Musse and Lisa looked at each other but didn't say anything else.

Towa was doing her best to keep those memories out of her head. She had to keep a clear mind for this assignment.

Though, being told that their group was the reason a civil war was on the brink again, it didn't sit well in her stomach.

Towa's mind ached, thinking the possibility of losing even more friends to this world, which she was struggling to keep out.

Lisa walked towards Towa, kneeling down and rubbing her head.

(Lisa) "There there...I'm sure they'd understand if you told them. No need to fret."

Towa shot back up, a slight tinge of red as she put her hands on her hat.

(Towa) "ACK!"

(Lisa) "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle."

(Towa) "N-No you're fine, Miss Lisa! I'm just usually used to Rean doing that...Which, now that I say out loud, is kinda weird..."

(Musse) "Hmph, lucky."

(Lisa) "Is it weird? I was under the impression you were a couple with the way you acted."

(Musse) "I'm sure she'd like that!"

Lisa and Musse's smirks were flustering Towa.

(Towa) "T-That's not relevant, Musse! And Miss Lisa, we are NOT a couple!"

(Lisa) "So, you're available then?"

(Towa) "BWUH-WHAT?!"

Lisa failed to hold back a chuckle.

(Lisa) "Relax cutie, I'm just joking...Mostly."

(Towa) "Ugh, please just focus back on the task at hand!"

She began mumbling to herself.

(Towa) "You think I'd be used to this considering how much time I've spent with Angie and Crow..."

Lisa crossed her arms as she turned back to finding any signs of a fight.

(Musse) "...Thanks for doing that, Miss Lisa. I never liked seeing Instructor Towa get that down on herself."

(Lisa) "Figured no one does, from what I've gathered. By the way, have you found anything?"

(Musse) "Not particularly. Though that being said-"

Musse began speaking with Lisa who crouched down next to her, pointing at the trees in front of them.

(Kairos) "This question is only now appearing in my head, how exactly do they fight?"

(Elizabeth) "Now that you point it out, the only real weapon I see is on Musse's back. It appears to be some sort of...staff?"

They stared at the rifle that was strapped onto her, not sure what its function was.

(Kairos) "That makes sense, though it's shaped quite oddly. What's the point of that...lever, I think?"

Squinting at the triggerhair on Musse's rifle, he shook his head and turned to Lisa.

(Kairos) "And her. Everyone else from her group has a visible weapon, but she doesn't. All I see is a book."

(Elizabeth) "She could be a spellcaster, though what kind of magic user dresses like that?"

(Kairos) "Of course you judge them based on clothes."

(Elizabeth) "Oh stuff it! As if you're one to talk to ME about biases!"

Kairos and Elizabeth stood up, glaring daggers at each other.

(Kairos) "Hey, I was talking about their weapons!"

(Elizabeth) "And I'm talking about your little outburst earlier! Do you know how much you embarrassed all of us by-"

The went back and forth a little bit, Musse and Lisa pausing their conversation to listen.

(Musse) "How noisy."

(Lisa) "Well, we didn't find anything over here anyway, we might as well put a pause to it."

Towa watched them head towards Elizabeth and Kairos, and decided to watch what would happen instead of interfering. She knew Musse was a lot smarter than she looked, and Lisa seemed to be the same way.

(Towa) "So this is how Instructor Sara felt."

(Musse) "Is there a problem?"

(Elizabeth) "O-Oh, my apologies! No there isn't any problem."

(Kairos) "If you don't count her mouth as one."

(Elizabeth) "Silence yourself, or so goddess help me, I will silence yours!"

(Lisa) "My my, so feisty! You'll ruin those cute faces if you keep frowning so much."

That snapped Elizabeth and Kairos out of their spat and took them aback.

(Kairos) "C-Cute?"

(Elizabeth) "Feisty?!"

(Musse) "It seems no matter the world, people have the same reactions to these things..."

(Lisa) "It would appear so. It's nice having someone who understands, though."

Lisa and Musse smiled, making Kairos and Elizabeth feel slightly uncomfortable.

(Musse) "But back on topic, did you happen to find anything?"

(Kairos) "No, not really."

The two looked back down to the ground they were examining prior.

It was two trees that had snapped and fell to the ground, but there was no magical energy or weapon marks to indicate it had fell down by unnatural causes.

They were looking at the point where the tree snapped and fell over, hoping to find anything but-

(Elizabeth) "Kairos and I are well versed in magic, but we were unable to find anything that we could detect."

(Musse) "Hm...from what I see, there's nothing there either."

Lisa furrowed her brows as she gently pushed everyone to the side, taking a look herself.

(Kairos) "Miss Lisa?"

(Lisa) "...Instructor."

(Towa) "Huh? What is it?"

(Lisa) "I believe I found something."

(Elizabeth) "Truly?"

Towa walked over to the group and looked at the trees as well.

(Lisa) "I understand why no one has reported anything. This was caused by something from our group's world."

Everyone stood on edge.

(Lisa) "Our world has something we call 'Visions', powers granted to us by the Archons and allows us to attune ourselves to the elements and channel them into our will. Diluc and Amber have Pyro visions, letting them control fire. Kaeya has Cryo, Ice, Venti and Jean have Anemo, Wind. I, have Electro. Electricity."

Lisa rubbed her finger against the tree and looked at her finger.

(Lisa) "And on my hands is a very faint remnants of an Electro attack."

She stood up, grabbing her book.

(Lisa) "A very recent one."

Musse and Towa unsheathed their guns while Kairos and Elizabeth quickly looked around.

(Lisa) "I'm presuming you two cuties also wield magic?"

(Kairos) "Y-Yes. I'm proficient in dark magic skills."

(Elizabeth) "I am most skilled with white magic, but I am able to channel dark as well."

(Lisa) "Good. Because I think I know where our target is at."

Kairos and Elizabeth felt the hairs on their arms raise. The darkness of the forest started to glow with an eerie purple in the distance.

Towa got behind them and pulled out an ARCUS unit, calling Rean.

(Towa) "Rean, I think we found it! I'm sending our coordinates-"

A bolt of lightning shot down and almost hit her, making her scream and almost drop her unit.

(Towa) "AAH!"

(Rean's voice) "Towa?! Towa are you-"

BZZZZZRRRRT!

(Musse) "Target straight ahead!"

The cube slowly floated over to them, shooting out bolts of electricity in random directions.

(Musse) "I believe that first one was the warning shot the scouts were talking about."

(Kairos) "What the hell is that thing?!"

(Lisa) "Hmph. Nothing too dangerous, but still, don't let your guards down. We call it an Electro Hypostasis."

The shapes of the cubes floating around the core slowly shifted around, seemingly ready to change shapes at any time.

(Lisa) "It shapes itself into whatever it wants to attack, so be prepared for anything."

(Elizabeth) "You've fought these abominations before?!"

From Elizabeth's view, Lisa looked more annoyed than anything facing this...thing.

(Lisa) "A few times. They're normally docile until you approach, which makes Marianne's reports a lot more sense considering what's been harassing them."

The Cube seemingly stared at all of them, waiting to see if they would back off.

(Lisa) "I'm afraid my Electro vision isn't going to be as helpful as I'd like, but I won't let that stop me."

She flipped open her book, which began levitating in front of her.

The text in the book began to glow a dark purple as she turned to the group.

(Lisa) "But, I digress. The command is up to you, Instructor Towa."

(Towa) "If we let it go, it could be days before we can find it again, we don't let it slip away!"

Towa loaded her pistol and pointed at the Electro Hypostasis.

(Towa) "Engage the enemy!"

(Musse) "Understood, Instructor!"

(Elizabeth & Kairos) "Yes Ma'am!"

(Lisa) "Got it."

[Twice Stricken - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

Musse backed up and pointed her rifle at the Hypostasis, taking the first shot.

The bullet predictably reflected off, and the four cubes flew into the air and into a rhombus shape, all aiming at the team.

Electric missiles shot out of the Hypostasis at speeds equivalent to Musse's and Towa's gun.

Lisa snapped her fingers and a electricity field formed around them, misdirecting the attacks and hitting in random directions.

Kairos and Elizabeth ran to the front, Kairos casting a fireball while Elizabeth had ice spikes form underneath it.

The first fireball caused a small explosion, blowing back some of the trees and scorching the grass while the ice spikes shot into the air and at the core of the Hypostasis, stopping the fire before it spread and piercing the core.

It made no noise of pain, though they could tell they were doing some damage to it.

The cubes quickly flew away from the spikes and towards them.

Towa fired her pistol, all aiming at a singular point the spike had pierced into.

Small bits of electricity chipped off, tho it began flying faster and dodged whatever was shot at it.

Lisa's spells were having no effect on the Hypostasis as it landed behind them.

(Lisa) "Get behind something!"

Musse and Towa dove for cover as more missiles shot out of it, Lisa standing behind a tree to hide from it.

Elizabeth did the same as well, but noticed Kairos wasn't moving.

Kairos stood out in the open still and tried to fire another fireball, but it quickly moved to the side, dodging the fireball as it hit the tree behind the Hypostasis instead.

The Hypostasis aimed at Kairos and shot a singular missile, too fast for him to dodge in time and hit him in the chest and sending him flying back into the tree.

He clenched his teeth in pain as the electricity rattled and sent a painful shock throughout his entire body.

(Elizabeth) "Kairos, you bloody idiot!"

She quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him behind cover before another barrage of missiles hit her.

(Elizabeth) "Why didn't you get into cover?!"

(Kairos) "Ach, thought I could hit it again!"

(Lisa) "It's not sentient enough to think creatively, but it's not stupid enough to fall for that again!"

Her brow furrowed further even more, knowing her spells would do nothing to it.

Musse poked her head out and pulled out her ARCUS unit, letting it analyze the Hypostasis.

(Musse) "Miss Lisa, your advice?"

(Lisa) "Keep hitting it with any elemental attack that isn't Electro-Er, thunder!"

(Musse) "Understood, taking the shot! Kairos, Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth stood out of the way of Musse's barrel as her rifle began glowing a hot red.

Pulling the trigger, a single shot hit the core, making it stagger back and form back into it's cube state.

As miniature cubes shot towards them from the excess electricity, Lisa stepped out to the open and shielded them from the bolts on the ground shooting out.

Towa rushed over to Kairos and loaded another round into her pistol, shooting it into the air.

Kairos suddenly felt the pain in his body slowly fade away and looked to Towa.

(Kairos) "Thank y-"

(Towa) "Do that later, right now they need your help!"

(Musse) "Instructor, get down!"

Towa and Kairos saw the three of them dive out the way.

Instinctually, Kairos grabbed Towa's shoulders and shoved her down to the floor as laser beams shot out and spun across the forest, it spinning rapidly as it vaporized the leaves into smoke.

The trees were getting burnt, but thankfully not chipped enough to topple over, Kairos saw.

Once it was done, Kairos rolled into the open and got on knee, adjusting his glasses as he raised his hand and clenched it.

From the skies above the Hypostasis, a burning rock crashed itself on the Hypostasis, knocking the cubes that formed the laser into pieces as the core stood out in the open.

(Lisa) "It's exposed, attack now!"

Elizabeth stood next to Kairos and swiped her hands downwards, the air forming a sword-like shape and slicing through the core, making it slightly shatter and pieces fall off.

Musse's rifle glowed white as it fired a straight line of ice, going through the core.

Towa did the same as her pistol began to glow several colors, red, then white, then red again.

Lisa made sure to keep an eye on any of the excess electricity in the air, flicking her wrist and deflecting a bolt of lightning without looking at it.

It quickly formed back into shape, and stood for a moment as the shots reflected off it.

(Elizabeth) "What is it doing now?!"

The cubes broke off into smaller ones, forming a giant arrow-shape and-

(Lisa) "To the sides, now!"

Lisa jumped back as the Hypostasis formed into a drill-like shape and began spinning towards them, tearing apart any trees that was in its way.

Towa and Musse ran to the sides while Kairos and Elizabeth ducked as it barreled past them.

The trees it knocked over were falling down left and right, Musse almost getting hit by one.

(Towa) "ABOVE YOU!"

Elizabeth looked up and realized a tree was falling on top of her.

Lisa raised her book and a concentrated spell shot out, the strength of it rushing it forward as it collided into more trees and away from everyone.

When Lisa turned her attention back to the Hypostasis, she realized it had formed two giant walls.

Lisa's eyes widened as she tried to brace herself for the shock, the walls closing on her and the force sending her into a tree.

Lisa's body tumbled onto the floor and out in the open, her vision going in and out from the attack.

(Kairos) "Lisa!"

The Hypostasis began to form it's drill shape again while Kairos and Elizabeth rushed to Lisa's defense, shooting whatever spell they could as it began flying to them.

Musse and Towa tried to help with their guns, but they were having no effect.

As it got closer, Kairos tried to pick up Lisa to move her, joined by Elizabeth as it got dangerously close to tearing through them.

Although there were no trees nearby for it to be a hazard, they still couldn't move fast enough with Lisa in hand to get out of the way safely.

(Familliar boy's voice) "COMING THROUGH KIDS!"

Kairos and Elizabeth were tackled by Kazuma while Aigis got in front of Lisa.

(Aigis) "ATHENA!"

Her Persona appeared in front of the drill, the shield failing to be pierced as Athena raised its hand, and knocked it to the side, toppling trees as it bounced through the ground.

Aigis spun around and gave Lisa a hand, which she grabbed it and was helped up.

Kazuma got up and dusted himself off.

(Elizabeth) "Instructor?"

(Kazuma) "Yeah yeah, you're welcome, now get your asses up, that cube thing will be doing the same!"

Kazuma unsheathed his sword, letting Elizabeth and Kairos get up on their own.

As the Hypostasis was getting up and about to change forms, before the core was shelled off, Jean and Venti jumped from the top of the trees and used their Anemo Visions.

Jean first blew it into the air while Venti summoned a mini tornado, picking up the core and shredding it with the speeds of the wind.

Diluc ignited his sword as he slammed it down into the tornado, setting the wind ablaze with the core still inside.

Kurt and Juna jumped in as the core hit the floor, Kurt's sword dicing it to pieces while Juna used the force of her tonfas to dent it, making electricity shoot out with each strike.

It quickly got itself up with the cubes forming once more, this time shifting into a giant fist.

It swung first into Kurt and Juna, sending them flying back into Towa and Musse.

Then it shapeshifted into a pair of scissors, making the Vision users duck under cover as it almost cut them into two.

It finally formed a giant rectangle, slamming down in front of them and sending them into the air.

As the core revealed itself while the three landed on their feet, Astrid and Kazuma swung their weapons into it, Astrid piercing through it while Kazuma slashed it in half with his sword.

Aigis, Musse, Towa, Elizabeth, and Kairos readied their guns and spells, all opening fire together while Astrid and Kazuma dodged out the way.

The final bullet went through it, the core now full of holes, it began to twitch violently as it split into pieces.

It split into three prisms as the core remained invisible in the center.

(Lisa) "Destroy those prisms!"

Juna switched her tonfas into a gunner mode and pulled the trigger, shooting one prism to tiny pieces.

Aigis's Persona smashed another prism into the floor, completely eradicating any trace of it.

Diluc's flaming sword shot out a bird-like shape, turning the prism into cinders as he made a wide swing.

With the last of the prisms gone, the core began to twitch violently as the group formed together.

Lisa got in front of everyone and held out her hands, casting another field to block out the electricity that exploded into a bright purple, the skies turning from white to a dark gray, then the clouds finally disappearing.

[Words to Believe In - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

Towa's team tried to catch their breath.

(Musse) "Whew, that was close..."

(Towa) "Now I'm reminded why Rean's the combat instructor..."

(Lisa) "Nonsense, you did just fine-...Ugh!"

Lisa fell to one knee, Diluc catching her in time.

(Diluc) "Hey, are you alright?"

(Jean) "You took a bad hit from the looks of it."

Jean looked at her back and saw a bleeding wound, as well from her head.

(Elizabeth) "Miss Lisa, I'm so sorry! If you didn't have to take your at-"

Lisa waved her hand in a dismissive manner, smiling through the pain now the adrenaline was wearing off.

(Lisa) "Don't apologize, cutie. Ol' Lisa will be just fine."

Jean and Diluc slowly helped her up while Venti turned to them.

(Venti) "Honestly, not bad for your first time fighting it!"

(Musse) "Thank you. Without Lisa, I'm not sure what would have happened."

(Kairos) "Yes, we owe much of our victory today to her-"

(Kazuma) "Yadda yadda, stop being so humble. Just accept the compliment and move on. Besides, far as Fodlan kids fighting the unknown go, you two ain't half bad."

(Aigis) "Indeed. We were only able to see snippets of the fight, but despite your differences you came to work together rather well."

(Elizabeth) "Why...T-Thank you Instructors."

(Astrid) "Wow, no love for you Instructor Towa."

(Towa) "Oh come on now, don't make this a competition!"

The group began to back and forth, Astrid moving to Elizabeth and Kairos.

(Astrid) "So, what's your impression of 'em? Kazuma and Venti just argued a lot the entire time. Was pretty funny though."

(Elizabeth) "They're not as uncivilized as I was expecting to be honest."

(Kairos) "Psh, who's judging on character now?"

(Elizabeth) "Shut. Up. Already."

(Astrid) "And now I get to hear you guys argue. Ugh, great."

(Musse) "...Huh, where's Instructor Rean and the others?"

(Everyone) "..."

Towa pulled out her ARCUS unit again.

(Towa) "Rean?"

...

Everyone stiffened when they didn't hear a response.

(Towa) "Rean?!"

===

Rean, Sitri, Helena, Stefan, Kaeya, Amber, Altina, and Ash.

Rean was looking for any signs of an attack before hearing his ARCUS unit go off.

(Towa's Voice) "Rean, I think we found it! I'm sending our coordinates-AAH!"

(Rean) "Towa?! Towa are you-"

BZZZZZRRRRT!

(Sitri) "Did something happen?!"

(Rean) "Yeah, Towa's team found it! She sent us the coordinates so we need to-AAAGH!"

Rean fell to one knee, reaching for his head.

(Altina) "Instructor?!"

(Ash) "The hell's going-DAGH! SHIT!"

Ash stopped moving and reached for his head as well, followed by Altina, then the rest of the group one by one, their heads pounding as their vision suddenly faded to white.

…

…

[Out of Time - Final Fantasy XIV OST]

The inside of the room was glowing a faint blue-white, two green haired individuals walking through them, though one was significantly taller than the other.

(Flayn) "Father, are you sure this is the way?"

Seteth's face scrunched up as he stared at one of the crystals in his hand. The directions it was pointing to was hazy at best.

(Seteth) "No...No Flayn, I am not sure. But we have to try something at least."

Flayn looked behind her, worried.

(Flayn) "Of course..."

They stopped themselves to what appeared to be a massive doorway. Seteth held the stone up to it and the door slowly began to open, light pouring out from the other side.

The two were about to take a step through the door before a shot of electricity bolted over their heads.

Seteth quickly raised the crystal up, and it glowed a bright blue before whatever was shooting at them disappeared.

Inside the crystal was a dark purple fog before it quickly disappeared with a white flash.

(Flayn) "What was that?!"

(Seteth) "Something we weren't looking for. Perhaps the deeper we go into the tower, we'll be able to find it."

Saying nothing else, they looked around as moving platforms shifted around them.

Seteth and Flayn stepped onto them as everything turned into a static mess, slowly fading out of view...

…

[Spiderweb - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

(Towa's voice) "Rean?"

...

(Towa's voice) "Rean?!"

Rean hazily reached for his ARCUS unit, responding to a very concerned Towa.

(Rean) "Agh, we're here!...I think."

Everyone looked at each other, the headache slowly subsiding.

(Kaeya) "What in the world was that?"

(Amber) "Ugh, my head!"

(Altina) "Is...is that supposed to happen naturally?"

(Helena) "Unless we're in extreme stress situations where our physical bodies are pushed to the limit, no."

(Stefan) "And considering we just started our assignment."

Sitri began speaking in her head.

(Sitri) Sothis...?

(Sothis) "Agh, don't worry, I felt it too...Though, wasn't that?-"

(Sitri) Seteth and Flayn...

(Sothis) "Doubt anyone else would know what they saw besides you and Rean."

(Sitri) What were they doing in the Tower, I thought we cleared it by now!

(Sothis) "I have no idea, but we have to tell this to the other instructors."

(Rean) "...And that was the end of that...vision? Or something. I'm still not sure."

(Towa's Voice) "...Understood. Let's meet back up at Marianne's and tell her that we finished the job."

(Rean) "Roger that. And Towa? Good work."

(Towa's voice) "Heh, um...thank you."

Rean hung up the call and motioned for everyone to follow, everyone still out of it from whatever it was they saw.

Later...

(Aigis) "A vision?"

(Kazuma) "Holy shit, Seteth and Flayn are alive?!"

(Sitri) "Possibly? I'm not sure..."

(Rean) "It's still blurry in my head, and I'm sure the others agree."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

(Towa) "We should investigate once we get back, but..."

[Where the Heart is - Final Fantasy XIV OST]

(Towa) "I'm glad we were able to help out, Marianne!"

(Marianne) "Thank you so much for your assistance. As always, you're always rescuing us from dangers."

Marianne smiled and bowed.

(Rean) "Of course. If there's any other troubles, please call upon us to help if you need it."

(Sitri) "Thank you for your kindness."

(Marianne) "And as requested, we have the railroads to take you back to Garreg Mach. It should be a day's trip.

(Juna) "Man, it just feels like went to a different country instead of a world with how familiar it is..."

(Amber) "What's a railroad?"

(Musse) "Oh, you see it's-..."

Class VII and the Knights began engaging in a friendly banter, which gave Kazuma to groan.

(Kazuma) "A train?! Why the hell are we taking a train when we can teleport?!"

Sothis appeared for a brief moment when she made sure no one was looking in their direction.

(Sothis) "We'll explain it later, but for now just shut up and deal with it."

Rean and Towa laughed while Aigis had a smirk.

Kazuma was ready to cuss out Sothis before the students approached them.

(Kairos) "Instructors? I...would like to apologize for my earlier outburst-"

(Rean) "Don't sweat it."

(Kairos) "Huh?"

(Towa) "To be fair, it IS a little strange for a bunch of people to pop out of portals like this and boss you around. But that being said, we are your instructors for a reason!"

(Kazuma) "Some respect goes a long way, kid!"

(Astrid) "You look as old as we do..."

(Kazuma) "And YOU shutting up can go a long way!"

Aigis slapped the back of his head and nodded.

(Aigis) "Apologies for him. Although he is right to some degree. We are happy to be your instructors, no matter what we have done in the past."

(Stefan) "I look forward to your guidance, Instructors!"

(Elizabeth) "As do I. I will make the Blue Lions proud for having me as their chosen!"

(Helena) "Hear that Astrid? You shutting up means they'll like you more."

Astrid gently punched Helena in the shoulder, Helena's expression being deadpan from the delivery to the literal punchline.

(Astrid) "Same goes for you, smartass."

Marianne approached the Garreg Mach students and looked at Kairos.

(Marianne) "You've grown up so much despite the fact it's only been a few years. I hope in the future we can have a moment to talk, so we can catch up!"

(Kairos) "A-As do I Lady- Er, I mean...Marianne."

Marianne's smile made him unable to look at her in the eye and she turned to Sitri.

(Marianne) "It's right this way. Follow me everyone."

And in a few moments, the members of House Isekai stepped onto a train that took them to Garreg Mach, Marianne waving goodbye to everyone...

...

...

...

BING, BING BING BING, BONG!

[Life at Garreg Mach Monastery - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

Today's instructions were done for the day, the doors being opened as students and guards went from position to position.

A good number of students went to their dorms while many others went into the mess hall.

Guards piloted massive Knight mechs out of the hangar and towards the Gates, practicing military drills and simply standing guard for any potential threats.

Kairos, Elizabeth, Astrid, Helena, and Stefan walked out their respective classrooms and towards the Hangar.

(Helena) "Last day of hanging with the Golden Deer...Can't say I'll miss them too much."

(Astrid) "I will a little, I was FINALLY getting used to the schedule!"

Kairos shrugged.

(Kairos) "It's not like we'll never see them again. We're still attending the same Academy."

(Stefan) "I'm a bit sad I can't hang out with my friends as much, but I guess that's the nature of an Officer's academy."

(Elizabeth) "Well think of it this way, we now have a new opportunity to go down in history!...Even though our instructors are those offworlders."

(Helena) "I still can't tell, do you like them or not?"

The banter went back and forth a few more times as they moved to the hangar.

The Imperial soldier in front nodded to them and let them pass.

(Stefan) "Oh, Kairos."

(Kairos) "Hm?"

(Stefan) "Your data from the fight with that...cube thing is recorded on your crystal right?"

(Kairos) "Yeah. What about it?"

(Stefan) "You should send that to the rest of us, so we can see everyone's fighting style."

(Helena) "Oh yeah, we didn't get to fight during that."

(Kairos) "Sure, one second."

Kairos took out his communication crystal and let it connect with Astrid, Stefan, and Helena's.

Stefan nodded and smiled.

(Stefan) "Thanks, I'm pretty excited to see what they can do!"

(Elizabeth) "Soon enough, we'll get to know how they are-"

(Recette's voice) "Yoohoo, over here!"

The five stopped once they saw Recette waving over to them excitedly.

(Tear) "Welcome. Your quarters are now finished."

(Astrid) "Dam-Er, Dang, it's only been like 3 days, and you're already finished?"

(Recette) "Yup! There's nothing that blood, sweat and heckuva lotta gold can't accomplish!"

(Tear) "The wonders of capitalism."

(Helena) "...Capi-what?"

(Tear) "Nevermind. This way, your instructors are currently in a meeting but everyone else is waiting for you in the room.

The five followed Recette and Tear into their barracks into an elevator, going below the hangar and storage floor...

Garreg Mach's Listening Chamber...

(Sitri) "The other team contacted me and let us know their task is done. They're currently on their way back on the railway and should be back within the hour."

(Towa) "It's crazy to know Slayer sent Elliot, Fie, and Laura to us!"

(Rean) "Duvalie being with them is sure going to make her a lot more irritable."

(Kazuma) "She seems like a bitch."

(Towa) "That's putting it lightly..."

(Aigis) "Regardless, it is good to have reinforcements backing us up."

(Rean) "...Valimar, can you confirm signatures of anyone else present in Fodlan?"

Valimar's voice echoed out of his ARCUS unit.

(Valimar) "...Affirmative. It would appear some of the Persona Users are present as well."

(Aigis) "Really?!"

(Valimar) "Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, Mitsuru Kirijo, and Naoto Shirogane, according to my scans."

(Kazuma) "How come no one else has reported this?"

(Towa) "Yeah, that is pretty weird..."

(Valimar) "I am still scanning, so I am unable to tell where they are. Analysis would take a day or so."

(Rean) "Just keep us updated Valimar."

(Valimar) "Of course. Speaking of which, it seems Duvalie's group is about to arrive."

(Rean) "Let's go ahead and meet them then."

The instructors nodded and left before Sitri's Crystal began beeping.

(Sitri) "Hold on, I have to take this. I'll be with you soon."

The four left Sitri and Sothis alone as Sitri opened it up, revealing a small reflection of Edelgard.

(Sitri) "Edelgard?"

(Edelgard) "Hello, Sitri. With the official reformation of House Isekai, we would like to assign your tasks for this month, as it was done when we were enrolled."

(Sothis) "So...why are you calling just by yourself?"

(Edelgard) "And that is my next point..."

...

As the train approached the station, Stefan saw Rean and the other instructors meet up with the rest of the group.

(Stefan) "...Even more of the offworlders."

He looked to see no one was watching him, and slowly snuck away from the group.

Everyone was distracted meeting Rean's friends to notice Stefan had disappeared into a corner.

Stefan looked at his crystal and saw the recording of Kairos and Elizabeth fighting the...whatever the hell it was.

Though, he was honestly glad no one was hurt.

He tweaked his communication crystal by turning a dial to the left and pressing in a specific combination with the buttons on it.

And with that, a voice popped up on the other side.

(Distorted Voice) "There are you. Goddess, we thought something happened. Status?"

(Stefan) "I'm fine, don't worry. And something did. House Isekai has returned."

(Distorted Voice) "...Say that again, it sounded like you said House Isekai."

(Stefan) "I did say House Isekai. It's the White Cloud Contingency."

(Distorted Voice) "...Keep your eye on them. And be careful. We all saw what happened to the poor bastards who underestimated them seven years ago."

(Stefan) "Understood. And you all be careful as well."

(Distorted Voice) "Godspeed."

Stefan nodded and hung up. He slowly blended back into the crowd and saw Kairos looking in his direction.

(Kairos) "Hey, there you are!"

(Helena) "That armor slowing you down or something?"

(Astrid) "I told you guys to wait up, he was falling behind!"

(Stefan) "Hah, yeah I got lost. This place is huge!"

(Elizabeth) "Goodness gracious, just speak up Stefan! Anyways, what do you think of Instructor Rean's colleagues?"

(Helena) "...I like that grey-haired one."

(Kairos) "Of course you would."

(Astrid) "T-That orange haired guy, and...and that blue haired lady! So hot...!"

(Kairos) "...What?"

(Astrid) "I-I MEAN-"

The four exchanged jabs with each other, Stefan occasionally throwing in lines as well, but he was far more concerned that the old members alongside new people of House Isekai were coming.

[Lost in Paradise - ALI]

(Stefan) "...Hmph."

He breathed in and out to calm himself.

(Stefan) No matter what happens, even with them here, they can't interfere...Fodlan HAS to be free from this rule!

===

PART 3: ENDED

STANDBY PHASE 1...

Gotta get it homie gotta move it If you gonna do it then, push everything to the side Everybody just talk nobody really do it You should keep a secret until you actually do it No need to double check with someone Use your judgement only, break the walls Let’s do flashy fake More Cool, keep it low, prove them wrong I won’t give up the fight in my life ‘Cause my life is living for love I won’t give up the fight in my life Stand off and groove on time Tokyo prison Going to relight your feelings When times get too rough Night and day are fading Going to relight your feelings There’s no time to explain Gimme your love Access to your love Oh yeah Lost in paradise Night and day are fading out When times getting rough Access to your love Lost in paradise Night and day are fading out Keep on dancing now Hеy hey hеy hey heyeah

[selenecrown]

Minato Arisato x Female!Reader (The Great Seal of Nyx) [Part 2: The Disappearance of the Lover]

Author's Note: Hey, remember that one post I made about a sequel to The Great Seal of Nyx, like, a super long time ago? Because here it is.

Here is my promised sequel, after who knows how long. This time, inspired by the Persona 3 movies. 

But holy crap, this took a very different turn then the other fanfic. There's angst, a disturbing moment, and a very dark moment. So, this is so goshdang angsty. So, yeah. But fluff! There's fluff in there too! 

"It's almost time, everyone." The man sighed while looking at the clock on the wall. "Is everyone ready?" 

Everyone seemed in agreement. Koromaru barked happily, as if to speak for everyone. . . Almost everyone.

The midnight blue-haired man sighed again. But before he could say something else, another man wearing a yellow scarf put a hand on the shoulder of the blue-haired boy and then walked up to a (Hair/Color) girl who seemed nervous and upset. He wrapped his arms around her frame, and said to her, 

"(Your/Name), it's going to be okay. I know you don't want to do this, and that's okay to feel that way. All of us are ready to get you out of there if your parents try anything on you. So, please, try your best with your parents. Try, that's all we can ask." He smiled at her. 

Her arms seemed to wrap around the man, like she was clinging for dear life. But the man didn't mind at all. He kept smiling at her face that was buried in his shoulder.

The air in the room suddenly became tense and uneasy, as the others in the room started to surround the frightened girl with smiles and embraces. 

"I-I c-can't d-do th-this." The girl sobbed. "I-I don't w-want th-this." 

"And that's okay." The blue-haired boy said to the girl. "But let's give your family a second shot. If they can't treat you right, Aigis will stay with you for the rest of the day and I'm sure everyone will let you stay with them and you'll never have to go near to you parents again. Can you promise me to at least give them a shot?" 

The girl lifted her head from the man's shoulder and with tears in her eyes nodded at the blue-haired man. 

The man with the yellow scarf let go of the girl, and in his place, a blonde robotic girl took the girl's hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled the girl close to her own mechanical body. 

"(Y/N)-san, I'll take you there. Everything will be alright." The blonde said.

The (H/C) girl, after she wiped her tears away, nodded. "Alright. I'll try." 

Everyone in the room seemed to smile at the (H/C) girl, and soon, a bell rang out on the room. Everyone walked out of the living room to the front area of the house close by the gazebo, to which, a black door appeared. One by one, each person waved goodbye to the others as they stepped through the black door. With the (H/C) girl and the robotic blonde girl going last.

When the (H/C) girl and the android stepped through the portal, they came to an rural neighborhood with not many houses around with a menacing house in front of them. 

The house was average size for a house, but it was obvious the house was not being taken care of. The front yard's lawn, while a beautiful green, wasn't trimmed, and the front porch was full of random junk. The house's brown paint was falling off, and the window's black blinds seemed torn, and the house itself seemed dark and unfriendly. There was a road not far from the house with two cars sitting there. One of those those cars was your own car from years ago and you knew it was youd own for a fact, with another broken car next to your car.

Aigis looked at the girl with a smile on her face. "Are you ready?" 

She gave you a small keychain that looked like a black remote control with a single black button on it. "If your parents hit you, or threaten you, or do something that you're not comfortable with, this is how I will know. Press it, and I will come and take you away. Okay?" 

You were about to nod your head, but you took a deep breath and step forward to the house. While Aigis stayed where she was. 

You turned back to Aigis and smiled at her. "Yes, I'm ready, Aigis." 

And with that, you walked up to your childhood house and rang the doorbell.

In which appeared a woman with a bottle in her hand, she groaned and then let you in.

After which, a black door appeared behind Aigis and she stepped through.

The day passed by faster than S.E.E.S. was expecting. For Junpei and Fuuka, this was a relief. For almost everyone else, this was sad but they were still happy to see their families and friends once more.

When the time had come for them to come back, Minato and Ryoji came out of the house and stood by where the gate appeared the day before. 

A black gate appeared at exactly twelve o' clock at night, and first came Yukari.

Then, Mitsuru.

Then Shinjiro and Akihiko, with Ken right after. 

Then Koromaru.

With Fuuka next, with Junpei right after. 

And then Aigis. 

Then, the gate closed.

Koromaru, upon seeing you weren't present, started growling. After Aigis heard what he had said, she started to panic as well seeing as how you aren't here.

"Where is (Y/N)-san?" She asked. 

"Is she late? No, she knows---" Yukari muttered before she was cut off by Junpei.

"Those bastards! They better not have laid a finger on her or they're going to pay!" Junpei growled.

"Junpei, we don't know that. She might just be having a moment of healing with them." Fuuka said. 

"But let's go over there, just in case. We need to make sure she's okay." Mitsuru said.

The group nodded in agreement. 

When they crossed Minato's blue portal, they found a house in ruins. With junk everywhere, and just a mess that was supposed to be a property.

With a blonde haired women in a blue dress holding a book stood in front of the broken house. When the group came in, she turned around. 

"Elizabeth-san!" Aigis said. "What happened?" 

"I do not know." Elizabeth said. "I came here because there was a presence here that was close to his. But alas, when I came here, the people who owned the land said that their child was missing and they weren't sure what was going on." 

"Someone like Minato? Who could that be?" Ken asked. "Aigis wasn't here, so who else could it be?"

"I have an idea of what could have happened." Elizabeth stated to the group.

"Then tell us." Shinjiro demanded.

"Someone took her away."

According to Elizabeth, someone who has the same power as Minato came and took Minato's lover away. Either to use her, or maybe for some other reason.

Fuuka tried to use Juno to help track (Y/N) down, to no avail. 

(Y/N) has seemingly been taken somewhere that was easily accessible or known by anyone. 

So, everyone agreed to go back to the other world, and see what they could do.

But when they went back, they couldn't get much else either. Fuuka could confirm she was alive, but nothing else.

Fuuka tried harder, she was able to see something about where (Y/N) was. 

(Y/N) was safe. But not in a good place.

This did give the team a little piece of mind, but it still worried them. 

It worried one person in particular.

Minato Arisato feared this would happen. 

He had understood that now that he was a human turned god, many would try to go after his friends and threaten him to give up the power or else. They couldn't kill you anymore, but they sure as heck could torture you for the rest of eternity. 

And they kidnapped you, of all people, and probably was already torturing you to get you to talk about his power. But, you knew nothing about it. You knew what he can do, but not what his power exactly was.

Why now?

Why would this happen to his lover, of people?

Minato's thoughts became dark as he thought about you, all alone with no one to help you. And also the anger he had inside of him, because he had hoped this wouldn't happen. 

Minato just wanted to be with his team again. He wanted to be with them so he wouldn't have to suffer alone with just Ryoji.

Is that too much to ask? 

Ryoji, seeing Minato was noticeably upset and angry, tapped him on the shoulder. 

Minato looked up to Ryoji in recognition.

"Minato, can you look for her?" He asked.

"Huh?! What the hell does that mean?!" Junpei said.

"Minato is a god, isn't he?" Mitsuru interjected. "Maybe he can track her down." 

"Well, let's give it a shot." Akihiko said. "At this point, we've got nothing to lose."

Minato seemed to understand what they were asking. He simply nodded, and closed his eyes.

And looked for you.

Your arms and legs were bound by a rope. But your chest was also bound up in such a way your breasts where sticking out, making them noticable. And the crouch area and butt was sticking out, too. 

Making your body much, much more appealing to a perverted eye. But, you were covered in bruises and already bleeding, it made you less attractive unless a person was both perverted and sadistic.

But this also made you unable to move too much. 

You where also tied to a pole, that was uncomfortable to say the least. In front of you was a man you had hoped you would never see again.

A middle-aged man with dark brown eyes with a pair of glasses to add on, with long wavy brown hair and a goatee to match.

Shuji Ikutsuki.

He was right in front of you, holding a spear, a knife, and another pole connected to a wire. 

He seemed angry at you, and then thrust the spear he had back into your stomach. And then, a wave of electricity stock you, causing you to let out another blood-curdling scream. 

You spit out some blood, and looked back at him. 

"I told you, you sick bastard. I don't know!" You yelled again.

"You're still lying to me, (Y/N). I thought you knew better than to talk back to a person who took care of you." He sighed, before he kicked your face again.

Which again, caused you to spit out more blood. 

"If you're not going to talk with old fashioned torture. Then I'll try something else." He seemed to purr. 

And he reached to your chest, grabbing one of your breasts and playing with it. This, in turn, made you squirm and move to get Ikutsuki to stop.

But he didn't. 

He wouldn't stop touching your body.

Your mind screamed for him to stop. You voice did the same. Your body was desperately trying to move out of the way of the sick man. 

He stopped after some time asked the same demand again. "Give me Minato's power. Or you're not going to be able to walk tommorow."

Before you could say anything, Ikutsuki was thrown halfway across the room and a voice rang out. 

"You lowlife! How dare you molest and talk to her that way, you sick son of a bitch!"  

When you turned, you saw a girl. She had auburn hair, which she had in a high ponytail, along with silver barrettes which formed the roman numeral XXII, she also had red eyes to add on. She also had a Naginata in her right hand, and she had a red neck-strap MP3 player around her neck. She wore short-sleeved orange shirt, a white skirt, and white sandals. 

The girl immediately proceeded to beat the heck out of Ikutsuki. And when she had knocked him out, she walked over to you. 

"It's okay, (Y/N). I'm here now. Everything's going to be okay now." She said, as she undid the ropes forcing you to stay put. When she let them loose, she grabbed your hand and ran you out of the area.

But before you could say anything, the girl quickly into a red portal.

When you arrived on the other side was. . . A field. 

A field much different the one surrounding the world you had lived in for so long.

The field was not made of real flowers. . . But of crystals. 

Gems from all over the world each had its own flower. Each species was beautiful in its own right, and made itself known to you by their sheer beauty. But as a whole, the flowers made a wonderful raindow galaxy that was the field you where in. 

And then, there was the sky. . . It in and of itself seemed to be a galaxy of its own. The sky looked like. . . Your standard galaxy. With blacks, purples, pinks, blues and whites with beautiful light coming from it. 

The field and sky stretched as far as the eye could see, like the world you where staying in.

But you noticed something else.

The girl who had brought you here was smiling at you, like she wished to feel the same way as you right now.

You were in awe of a world like this. It was so much different than Minato's world. So much prettier, and so much more open space.

"Where are we?" You asked, breathlessly.

"My world, I guess you could say." The girl said. "I've been here for some long, time doesn't seem to be in the picture anymore." 

"In the picture?" You asked, as you took your attention off the world around you and back unto the girl. "Wait. Are you---?" 

"A goddess? Yes. Of sorts." She smiled. "More like human turned god. But same concept, really." 

Your mouth spoke faster than your mind could. "You're just like Minato!" 

She seemed shocked at that, but laughed afterwords. "Yes, I am. After all, I am him in a way."

"In a way?" You tilted your head a bit.

"I am him. Just in a different timeline. I went through everything he did, it's just I'm a girl!" She explained.

"Wait, then does that mean---?!" You cheeks where about to turn a bright red, but than the girl spoke up. 

"I'm dating you? Nope. I do appreciate your existence in my life though!" She laughed again, making the wishful expression disappear. 

"So, can you explain it?" 

"Explain what?"

"If you're from a different timeline, where's everyone else from your timeline?" You asked her, and then remembered something. "And what your name is?" 

"You're always so formal, (Y/N). But, I guess I should tell you, even if I already know who you are. I'm Minako Arisato." She said. She even put out her hand, which had a silver ring on it. You did shake her hand, even though as soon as Minako got your hand, she pulled both of you to the ground with a goofy smile on her face. Despite what you thought it feel like, the ground was actually quite soft. Almost like a pillow.

"And this place is, well, I guess you could say. . . Purgatory. It's just kinda here for me. As for my teammates. . . I can't get to them. The gods of the underworld kinda won't let me touch them because of Minato." 

"They won't?" You turned to her, with a frown on her face.

"No." She said, sadly. "So I'm just up here. By myself with nothing much to do. Except watch out for everyone else." 

"Is that how you saw what was going on with me?" You asked.

"No, that was more because I felt you were in distress, after all I know what you've been through. Ikutsuki was doing something I didn't like with you. He doesn't deserve to be near you." 

"Are you sure it wasn't because you were alone?" You asked her seriously. You remembered Minato and how he'd talk about the loneliness he felt, and how sad he seemed then. 

"That was another factor in saving you." She stated, laughing a little. "After all, I did say I feel alone most of the time."

The two of you where quiet for some time. You definitely could tell Minako was happy like this. 

She really was alone up here.

Minato had found you in the hands of Ikutsuki, but when he got there, he found you gone, and Ikutsuki beaten up. When he looked again, he found you again and almost rushed there. With Ryoji trailing behind him, while everyone else had basically lost to Minato's speed and stayed back.

And when he got there, there indeed you where. You were sleeping peacefully in a field with another girl right next to you.

Minato walked up to the girl and you, but before he could speak, the girl spoke. 

"Are you (Y/N)'s boyfriend?"

Minato nodded. "Yes, I am." 

"So you're Minato Arisato. Wow, you're almost the exact opposite of me. Different hair color and all." She smiled.

"How do you know me?" Minato asked, sitting down in front of the girl.

"Because I am you." She said, like it was common sense.

Minato and Minako talked for a while, as Minako explained who she was, and what happened to you.

"Ikutsuki was torturing her for information, huh? Well, he's always wants power, so it's no wonder why he would try something like this." Minato sighed.

Ryoji seemed more curious than Minato, and asked a few more questions. Minako answered them, and not long after you woke up. 

Minato seemed to notice first. "Hey, sleepyhead." He moved more towards you. "Come on, let's go home." 

After a few moments, you nerviously shook your head. 

Minato frowned at that and became a little angry. "Why not?! Everyone was so worried---!"

"But. . . What about Minako?" You asked him, as you sat up to face him. "She's all alone up here without her friends, and she's depressed, Minato! She's just like you! But she has no one to be at her side, please, we need to do something---!" 

Minato, immediately pulled you into his chest and flung you over his shoulder. He pulled you into a fireman's carry and moved over to the blue portal he had made. "No, you're coming home."

"Wait, Minato!" You said as you tried to struggle out of his grasp, but Minato was not having it. 

Ryoji followed after the two of you with a neutral face that you couldn't tell was indifference or a face he's using to try and hide his true emotions, while Minako waved goodbye sadly. You could tell she seemed upset, but was forcing a smile. You reached out to her in worry for her, but the blue light had confused the three of you.

But as soon as you went to through the portal, you were flew unto a bed, which you recognized as Minato's bed. And then, you where pinned by Minato so you couldn't move your arms. You could tell Minato was angry with you, but he seemed upset as well. You closed you eyes as you thought Minato would hit you. But, you felt a drop of water fall on your cheek, and then another. And another. The tears kept falling on you like rain.

Minato was crying now, with sobs escaping him. His body has collapsed on your own, and he wrapped his arms around your frame, like if he let go, you'd disappearf orever. You opened your eyes as Minato was squeezing your body tightly.

"You. . . Are not. . . Leaving me." He said through his sobs. "Not again! I've been waiting for you and everybody else to be with me for so long! You're going to give me up from a person who like me?! I'm not going to let that happen! You're---!" 

"Minato, I didn't mean it like that! I---!" You tried to say.

"Then what were you go in to do then?!" Minato said, looking you in the eye. His eyes where full of tears, something you hadn't seen in some time. "Where you going to leave us to go find Minako's teammates?!" 

You turned away from him as your own eyes swelled up with tears. "I---!"

"That's it, isn't it?" He growled at you. "You're so selfish, you know that?! Think about everyone else! How would they feel if you did that?! Everyone---!" 

You didn't hear the rest. 

Your mind suddenly remembered the exact same words your mother had said to you all those years ago when she used to abuse you. 

"You're such a selfish bitch, you know that?!" 

And immendiately, your brain froze up and you started shaking. Minato, seeing your fear, stopped his rambling and realized what he had done. 

He had triggered your PTSD. 

Immendiately, he got off of you and moved you into his arms. But, you violently shoved him away, so powerful that it almost got him off the bed. He didn't fall off the bed, but he moved to where you could see him. Which was right in front of you, even though at the moment, you where curling yourself into the bed. Saying,  "P-p-p-please, d-d-don't Mom! I-I didn't m-mean to! I-I---!" 

"(Y/N)!" Minato called. "Your mother isn't here! It's just me! See?" He stretched his arms towards your terrified body. 

But you shook your head at him, with eyes wide flodding with tears "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! No-No! P-please, don't! No!" You said, as your voice cracked and became louder than before.

"Your mother isn't here, (Y/N)!" Minato repeated. "It's me, Minato! You're having a flashback! Please, listen!" He said, sounding desperate. 

"M-Minato? But you're---!" You said, breaking your flashback for a moment and looked up off the mattress, before your eyes got wide and you screamed. Then, started crying and whimpering and hyperventilating again as you went back into the bed. "N-N-No! N-NO! NO, STOP! PLEASE STOP!" 

Your scream was more then loud enough to get the attention of everyone else in the mansion. And after that, the rest of S.E.E.S. came rushing up to Minato's room and saw you curled up in a ball on the bed hyperventilating and crying your eyes out. With Minato trying calm you down, and S.E.E.S. instantly figured out what was the matter.

You were having a flashback. 

And, then they too, started saying things like Minato. That your mother wasn't here, you where nowhere near your childhood home, and they where here for you. Aigis turned on the lights in the room, and everyone tried not to touch you but at the same time, keep you away from the sides of the bed, and hiding any sharp objects. They tried talking you into looking around, but you wouldn't listen. 

It didn't seem to work.

You where having too bad of a flashback. 

Your mind couldn't be reasoned with now. So, Minato simply lifted you off the bed and then pulled you into a hug, and put a hand on the back of your head. He whispered something, and his hand glowed blue and then, your body went limp.  

When you woke up, you where in a soft, gentle embrace that you recognized. 

Your were in Minato's chest.

Minato had a firm grip on you, his arms and legs were entangled with yours and his head was on top of your own, and he really had a tight grip on you.

That's right. You two got into a fight and then. . . You had a flashback. 

You got into a fight about Minako. 

It's been a long time since that happened. 

But. . .You saw Minato's point of view. . . But your feelings of the situation hadn't changed. 

And now, you were even more conflicted. You did just go missing and you are suppose to be here, but. . . Minako's all by herself.

You curled into more of a ball. You knew what you had to do, but. . . You were unsure now.

Now what on Earth were you supposed to-?

"Ah. . . Minato's fallen asleep." A voice said. You recognized that voice, it was Ryoji's. 

"Are you alright?" He asked as soon as he came over to you, as he rubbed your shoulder after sitting down. 

"I guess." You answered, with a voice still a bit sad. 

"Is Minako's situation still bothering you?" He asked. 

"Yeah." 

"Is that what the fight was about?" 

"Mmhmm."

Ryoji didn't speak for sometime. "I'm sure Minato feels the same way."

You sat up from Minato's embrace, and faced Ryoji with your sad face looking. . . somewhat surprised.  "You think so?" 

"If they are the same person, why wouldn't Minato felt the same way as she is feeling now? Minato knows what it's like to be alone in the same way she's experiencing now. And he knows how much she wants to see her teammates. But your disappearance scared him. So, he just needs some time with you. Give him some time, and I'm sure he will do something to help." 

"But, what if he doesn't?" You said, looking back at Minato's sleeping body. 

"Then, wait until next year. You'll have one chance to help her out then." He smiled at you.

You turned back to Ryoji, and then nodded with a smile on your face. 

"You're so strange to me." Ryoji whispered. "You're so kind, and yet so broken. So, how can you be so kind when you're more broken then anyone else here?" 

"Huh?" You honestly couldn't hear what he had said, and hoped he'd say it again.

"Nevermind. Come on, Shinjiro asked you to help him today with teaching Fuuka." 

Fuuka, despite lots of time to improve on cooking, didn't get much better at it. Shinjiro was the local cook, and you also knew how to cook since your parents didn't often cook for you and so, you self-taught yourself how to cook. 

And being the other cook of the dorm, also meant you also where the one who often assisted Shinjiro, with cooking, but also with helping Fuuka learn to cook. 

Which today, wasn't as hard as it normally was.

As everyone was keeping an eye on you, especially after what had happened to you. Fuuka did have her attention on you, but you could tell: She was thinking about you more so than the food.

But by the time you had figured that out, the two of you were almost done with what Shinjiro had asked you to do. So, you decided to finish what you were doing before talking about what had happened. 

But there was one person in particular who couldn't wait for you to open up about it.

"Miss (Y/N)?" Elizabeth said. This did seem to cause everyone to flinch. Because everyone seemed to know what Elizabeth was going to say. After all, Elizabeth wasn't the type to withhold her own curiosities, actions or feelings for the sale of others. 

"Yeah?" You answered her. "What is it?" 

"What happened?" Elizabeth bluntly said, seemingly teleporting in front of where you where standing. 

Wow. 

She wasn't even beating around the bush. She would beat the bush if she could get answers. That's Elizabeth for you. 

"Eh? What do you mean by that?" You asked her, honestly confused. "I don't understand what you mean by that." 

"That day you disappeared. Where did you go?" Elizabeth asked. 

Now you had everyone's attention. 

Even Shinjiro seemed to be paying attention now. 

You took a deep breath. 

"Ikutsuki, well, kidnapped me." You answered. "But---" 

"Ikutsuki?!" Yukari jumped from her seat, seeming to scare everyone. "That little---!" 

"Yukari, just a moment. Let's hear the full story first." Mitsuru said. 

"Sorry." Yukari said, sitting back down on the couch. 

"I was saved." You said, with an unsure voice. "By someone who knew me by heart, and was just like Minato. But she was a girl." 

"A female Minato? But, how?" Junpei asked. 

"I'm not sure, but she said and felt just like she knew exactly what it was like to be Minato, but she was from someplace else. But her situation is different then ours, she can't see her friends." You said. 

You didn't mean to spill out that much information, but your feelings must have gotten the best of you.  

There was a silence for a solid minute, then Elizabeth spoke up. 

"She's from another time." Elizabeth said. "Her name was Minako Arisato, correct?" 

You nodded slowly. 

"She is from another world, another time than us. The person you encountered is the guest of my brother, Theodore. It is true she is very similar to Minato in many ways, and what she has told you is true. She is in the exact same situation, only without her comrades." Elizabeth stated. 

There was so much you wanted to, so much you wanted to say, but you felt that you shouldn't say it.

Your face wasn't as anxious anymore but you still seemed a bit shy. 

Elizabeth, however, is great at reading her guest and their friends. 

"You want to help her, don't you?" Elizabeth said. 

Almost as if on instinct, you almost dropped what you where doing. "Yes!" 

Elizabeth scanned your face of desperation and honest want to help, then go close to your face. "While I cannot directly help you due to my own journey, I can give you this. Find a Plume of Dusk." 

You nodded at Elizabeth, and then there was footsteps coming down from the stairs accompanied by a familiar yawn. "Hey, what's for dinner?" Minato asked. 

"Ah! We are having Sukiyaki with Sashimi!" You said, running up to him and grabbing his hands. 

Minato's face, while his eyes and mouth were still heavy from his sleepiness, smiled at your energetic and happy tone of voice. 

The room's mood, while different then the suffocating tension it once had, was tense now it was unsure tension. But it seemed to settle down, and the night went on as it normally did. 

A few days had passed, and Elizabeth had helped you locate a Plume of Dusk. There was a place on your boyfriend's world where a stash of them was. 

It was. . . A cave. A cave that Elizabeth said was under the lake. 

You stared intently at the water, seeing you and the bridge's reflection in it. 

But there was a slight problem. As the lake is an actual lake, there wasn't a way to go under it. And, Minato still controlled it. So, how on Earth where you going to-

"[Y/N]? What are you doing out here?" Your boyfriend asked. 

"Gah!" When you turned, your boyfriend was behind you. Hugging you tightly as soon as you saw him. "Minato! What's the matter?!"

"I wanted to be with you. For some reason, I don't want to be with them right now. I want to be with you." He said, plainly. 

"Ah-" You weren't sure what to say. 

And for a while, the two of you stood in silence, until you had an idea. 

"How about a date, then?!"

"To where?" He said, lifting his face off your shoulder to look at you.

"Mmmmmmm. . . . . . How about a cave?!"

"A cave?" He asked. "Why there?"

"Because it's pretty! And we haven't been to one as a date! And we'd be alone! Please?!" You seemly bounced in his arms with a goofy smile on your face.

A kiss was placed on your forehead, which caused you to calm down. "Okay, okay. If it means we'll be alone." 

And then, the world changed. 

You where indeed in a cave.

It was indeed a cave. It sparkled and shined with gems you'd never seen before, and with gems have, and it reminded you of Minako's place.

There was a pool in the center, with water dripping down from the ceiling like an upside down fountain. 

"Wow! It's so big!" You exclaimed, getting yourself out of your boyfrenid's arms and running around the cave. "It's as big as the house! And the crystals shine so brightly! It's like a. . . A. . . Oh! Like stars and fireworks!"

Minato was laughing at your antics and cute thoughts so hard he had to summon a chair to steady himself.

The laughing he made went unoticed as you danced so happily around the cave like a child in a candy store. Splashing with the water and messing with the crystals. You felt you could do it for hours, in this cave. 

"Minato! Minato! Look! I can walk on the water! and it's so warm on my skin!"  You said, with your soaked body as you ran to him and saw his chair.  "Minato?" 

"Hahaha! [Y/N], I-Pffffft hahaha! Forgot how funny you can-hahahaha! Be! Pffft-Hahahahaha!"

You confused face only added to his laughing cycle, and after a few moments of you expressing your worry and trying to calm him down, he stopped laughing and got up from the chair. 

"Ha. You never fail to make me laugh, [Y/N]." 

"And you never fail to find new ways to make me do that! You know that right?!" You smiled at him. 

He let out a small laugh, and then walked over to an area with crystal and took a large crystal off the ground and in a glowing blue light, it turned into a beaded manitee necklace with a small hearts and butterflies around the necklace.

"Take this." Your boyfriend said. "It's a gift."

"I know that," you sighed as he put the necklace on you. "But why?"

"Because you came back." He said, pulling you into his arms again. "And I want you to know that isn't happening again."

You laughed. "You don't have to worry about me! I'll be fine!" 

You then saw a decent-sized crystal of Plume of Dusk, and walked towards it and picked it up. "Hey, can I have this?"

"Why?" He laughed at you, and you then walked up to him with the crystal in your arms.

"Because I want to remember this place." You said, looking towards the cave and then turned back to him and smiled. "It's such a beautiful place! And it's our first date in your world!" 

Minato laughed again. "Okay, okay. It's yours then." 

And then, the cave disappeared and you two were back on the bridge again.

The sun had gone down, and you were currently in your room, holding the crystal that Minato turned in a ball.

Elizabeth said I needed one of these, but why?

Wait, maybe the Plume of Dusk could be given to the underworld gods to appease them. 

Or it could be to help you find Minako again. 

But what on Earth could---?

"You found one. And so quickly, too." A voice you recognized said, and when you turned to the voice, there sat Elizabeth. Sitting on your bed. 

"Elizabeth, what am I suppose to do with this?" You asked. 

Elizabeth smiled at you, and then stood up the bed. "May I see it?" 

You nodded, handing over the ball. 

After Elizabeth took the ball from you, she said something and the ball broke into two pieces. One part turned into a crystal copy of you. The other turned into a box. 

"This," Elizabeth said, gesturing to the copy of you, "Will give you time." 

"Time to speak with the gods, right?" You said. 

Elizabeth nodded. "While I don't know how much time, it will be enough to least get you to speak with Minako to tell her what is happening." 

You nodded, and walked over to your copy. It looked at you for a moment and then hugged you. It then gained color and looked like you. It stopped hugging you, and you then knew what your copy was. But before you could say anything, it spoke. "Go on, [Y/N]. You have things to do." 

You nodded at it. "Thank you, [Persona/Name]." 

"Then, this way, [Y/N]." Elizabeth said, gesturing towards a black door. You nodded, and walked through the door, with Elizabeth behind you. 

Your copy then sighed, and went to bed. 

And, on the other side of your room's front door, someone leaned against the door and smiled. "You really are a strange one."

When you got out of the portal, you where in Minako's place once more. 

"There should be a place Minako stays." Elizabeth said, walking a bit. "I'm not sure what it looks like, but you have time." 

You nodded, and started walking away. "Thank you, Elizabeth." 

She simply smiled back. "Thank me when you get back." 

And just like that, she disappeared from sight, taking the black door with her. 

So, you begin to walk. You weren't exactly sure where to go, but that was all you could do right now.

You walked for seemlying for hours, and the place looked exactly the same. 

You sighed. How much farther was it? 

"Come on, we have to-"

"What it a girl like you doing in a place like this, [Y/N]?" A gentle voice said to you.

When you turned, there stood a blonde haired man with a blue tuxedo-like outfit, and a worried look on his face.

"I'm looking for a girl named Minako Arisato. Do you ow to find her?" You asked, plainly.

"Yes, but you're---"

"I know. I shouldn't be here. But that's not important right now. I need to speak with her." 

The man studied you for a moment, and then quietly nodded. "Alright. This way." 

And before you and the man appeared a path. A silver path, at that.

The man walked you towards a cottage.

A really pretty one at that. It looked like something out of a fairytale. 

With its' dark brown and white exterior covered in the crystal vines that shined, and small garden out front. 

It really was small, and it felt much different than your home. You could feel it was warm and friendly, like it wanted you to be there. But, there was an air of loneliness there too.

"Say, [Y/N]." The man asked.

"Yes, um. . ." You looked at him, nerioisly, realing you didn't know his name.

"Theodore." 

"Yes, Theodore?"

"What are you doing here? You're not even from this timeline." He stopped in his tracks, and looked at you. 

You paused for a moment, then continued walking. "I want to help her." 

"Help her?" 

"She. . . Saved me. I want to do something to her kindness."

Theodore looked at you, confused this time, but then sighed helplessly. "You sure are strange." 

"Yes, I mean, I am dating the Great Seal of Nyx." You smiled, passing the Velvet Room attendant. "I think I kinda have to be to do that."

"Theeeeeeeoooo!" A voice yelled as it came closer to you two, and out of the cottage, appeared Minako in the same outfit as before. She happily ran up to the two of you but then stopped when she saw you.

"[Y/N]?" She paused. "What are you doing here? How did you even---?"

"I want to help you meet your teammates. I asked Elizabeth for help." You replied.

"[Y/N], I appreciate the sentiment, but it won't help. I've already tried." She smiled sadly.

"But I have something that may help." You said, pulling out the Plume of Dusk fragment, which now was a bouquet of flowers, whereas it used to be a solid crystal. 

Minako and Theodore both gasped at the flowers. 

"[Y/N], where did you find this much?" Minako asked you. 

"My boyfriend said I could have it. Will this appease the gods?" 

Minako laughed at you. "As stubborn as I remember you. I'm not sure. You want to try it?"

"Huh?" You said.

"If you got this many, there is chance. But I will need you, too." 

"What does that mean?"

"I'm saying you're coming with me. You seem really determined about this. Then, we'll go together." The goddess said, making a red door appear. 

You nodded, and walked with Minako and Theodore through the door.

"You're really needy today, [Y/N]." Minato said to your Persona as the two cuddled on couch. The living room wasn't full of people, as everyone else had decided to go swimming outside. 

"What's wrong with that?" Your copy smiled, snuggling inside your boyfriend's arms. "Am I not allowed to?"

"No, I'm not saying that." Minato said, kissing your copy's forehead, causing the Persona to make a happy sigh. "I'm not used to you being so cuddly." 

"Well, if you can be cuddly, why can't I? It's not fair I have to share you with other people."

This, got Minato to stop for a moment. You've never said something like that before. 

"Minato? What's the matter?" Your copy asked. 

"Can I ask you something, [Y/N]?" He face got serious at your copy. "Do you remember what we had for dinner last night?"

Uh-oh. Your Persona was in trouble now. 

"Why the sudden question, Minato?" The Persona asked. 

"Please answer me." He said, with a more serious voice.

Hmmm. . . We had Sushi. Fuuka and Shinjiro said they wanted to celebrate." the Persona said. 

Minato was silent for a moment, and his face changed from worry to anger. He threw your Persona out of his arms, and pinned to the table. 

"Ow! Hey! What was that---?"

"Where is she?" Minato growled. "What did you do with her?!"

The Persona sighed, and said, "What do you think?"

Minato's expression changed, and he was now very upset. "No. . . He didn't." 

"She's not gone, Minato. She's just with Minako." Ryoji said, appearing behind Minato.

Minato turned to the scarf wearing boy. "She. . . What?"

"She went to see Minako. I heard her speaking with Elizabeth." 

Minato let go of the Persona for a second, and spawned his trademark sword, and then slammed the sword by the Persona's head, which the Persona didn't even flinch to. "Where. Is. She?" The god demanded from the Persona. 

"She's speaking with the underworld gods. She's trying to convince them to give Minako's team back." The Persona said, simply. 

Minato sighed, and stabbed the Persona, causing it to shatter into pieces. "[Y/N], I should have known." 

This was bad. 

Really, really bad. 

The underworld gods had heard your plea, and got your gift, but refused. And now, they said you would be taking back their deal for your insolence.

Without your Persona, and Minako desperately trying to fighting off the servants of the gods, you where stuck. Theodore left, and you had no way to defend yourself. 

You where a sitting duck, and starting to panic at that. 

What the Hell where you doing to do. 

"[Y/N],  you left again. I thought I said it wouldn't happen again." You felt a pair of arms surround your chest, and your necklace glowed a bright blue.

And behind you, appeared Minato. His hair, his eyes. . . Was a different colors. His hair was grey, his eyes were black with purple pupils, and his clothes were now black. It looked like Ryoji's Thanatos like form. With a black cape, silver chains around him, and a skull-like face. 

He grabbed you, and pulled you into his cape and gave you the cape to wear. "You are staying there. Understand?" 

You nodded at him, and Minato turned to the gods. "Forgive my lover. She is quite foolish." 

"Foolish!" One of them sneered.  "She's out of her mind! Such insolence is unforgivable! Especially a mortal as herself!" 

"Indeed, but she won't stop until she gets what she wants." Minato said. 

"No! We refuse!" Another god said. 

"I see. What a shame." Minato said, and sighed.

And then, faster than you could see, pulled out a sword and stabbed the gods. "Then I'll take over."

"Huh?" You breathed out, as Minato stabbed the gods to death, which Minako didn't let you see by walking over to and pulling you into her chest. 

A little bit later, after Minato had in essence destroyed them, he put his sword away and walked towards you and took you out of Minako's arms. 

"Minato, did you---?" You said, before he kissed your forehead. 

"There, [Y/N]. Are you happy now?" he sighed at you. 

"H-Happy? You just killed the gods!" You practically yelled. 

"Well that would have been the only way. Those stubborn gods don't listen to humans." Minato said, hugging you again. 

"B-But! Won't you get in trouble?!"

"Not if we're the new gods."  He smirked. 

You stopped for a moment, "You mean, you and Minako?" 

Your boyfriend nodded. "It'll take some getting used to, but yes." 

You seemed confused for a moment, then gasped and dorkily smiled. "Really?! That's so amazing!" You hugged your boyfriend tighly.

"It seems it's the only way for me to keep an eye on you." 

"Hey!" You pouted.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." He said, as he kissed your forehead again.

"Meanie!" 

Minako started laughing. "Go on you two, you've got to get before every else becomes worried." 

Minato nodded at her, and a portal appeared behind you. Minato tugged you towards him, and you waved at Minako. "Farewell." 

"Farewell!" The goddess said, as you disappeared into the portal. 

You where in Minato's room again. Minato then sat you down the bed, and in a flash of blue light, Minato's eyes, hair and outfit changed back to normal and Ryoji appeared beside Minato. Minato sighed and then flopped unto the bed, taking you with him.

"Gah! That hurts!" You said.

"As punishment for pulling that kind of stunt, I sentence you to be by my side for the next two weeks." Minato said, plainly. 

"Huh?! You can't do that!" you said. 

Minato smirked at you. "Oh, but I can. Watch this." 

And he kissed you on the lips this time. 

You pouted again. "It's not fair catching me off guard like that."

"That's too bad. Now, you don't have an option with my affection." 

"Ah!" You said, as Minato started bombarding you with kisses, and Ryoji sighed. 

"I'll be downstairs." He said.

"No, wait! Ryoji! Help me!" You said as the scarf wearing boy closed the door. 

A few minutes later, Minato had stopped kissing you and the two of you were watching a movie together, cuddled up against each other watching an old movie Minato wanted to watch badly with you. 

About halfway through, you fell asleep in Minato's arms. 

But he didn't notice until the movie was over. "See? That wasn't so---Hmm?" 

Your gentle breathing and cute face you made while you slept made Minato realize you had fallen asleep. He laughed quietly for a moment, then carefully got you out of his arms, and turned off the TV. 

Seeing you sleeping like this. . . Was one of the things enjoyed in this lifetime of solitude. 

Because God, you were so, so cute like this.

Wrapped in his arms, and Minato would forget his job.

Which was one of the best things you gave him.

"Sleep, [Y/N]. You deserve it." He kissed your forehead which more and crawled into bed with you. "You've worked so hard for it." 

And the boy closed his eyes and fell asleep. 

[kumeko]

A/N: For the Persona @wegotyourbackzine! I decided to write about Mitsuru and her changing the relationship throughout the game. I also couldn’t resist putting some Akihiko/Mitsuru hints. XD

Summary: Friendship. That had a nice ring to it. Mitsuru stared at the group of people living in the dorm and realized she wasn’t as alone as she thought.

…

…

…

…

Summer

 The hot summer sun beat down with no reprieve and Mitsuru shielded her eyes with a hand as she walked home. Not escorted, not driven, but walked. She didn’t even have a bodyguard behind her, trailing her inconspicuously from five feet away. And while that was all strange enough, it was not as strange as the two boys walking slightly ahead of her. Her associates. The word didn’t sound right but Mitsuru wasn’t sure what else to call them. Certainly not friends or even classmates—neither Akihiko nor Shinjiro were in her school, let alone her class.

 Holding his jacket over his shoulder, Akihiko looked over his shoulder. The bandage on his face looked like it was glued there, she couldn’t remember seeing him without one. “What did you call those monster things again?”

 “Shadows,” Mitsuru answered quickly. “What you summon with the Evokers are—”

“Personas, right?” Shinjiro filled in, his hands in his pockets. Mitsuru resisted the urge to correct his posture, to straighten his slouched back. Like this, he seemed as tall as Akihiko instead of towering over him. “I can’t believe this is real. It sounds something out of a fantasy book.”

“Or a video game.” Akihiko grinned cockily, swiftly jabbing the air in front of him. “Secret identities, fighting at night, saving the world—we’re like superheroes.”

 “Superheroes?” Shinjiro raised a brow, his expression wry. “Can’t think of one that has to shoot themselves in the head to use their powers.”

 Mitsuru rubbed her forearm uncomfortably. It was mildly disturbing how easy it was to press the cold metal to her head, to pull the trigger. To watch them do the same. Maybe she had something in common with her grandfather after all. “It does sound…silly, when you put it like that. Unfortunately, the design is required. It has to be stress-inducing.”

 “More stress-inducing than fighting monsters in the middle of the night while surrounded by coffins?” Shinjiro asked. She couldn’t tell if he was serious or just rhetorical. His dry tone didn’t help.

 “Quit complaining.” Akihiko cracked his knuckles. “At least we can fight them.”

 “Fighting addict.” Shinjiro rolled his eyes before turning his attention back to her. “Where’d you say the dorms were?”

 Mitsuru looked up at him. “They’re…”

 She stared. Just when had Shinjiro gotten so close? Even Akihiko was, for that matter. At some point, they’d started walking abreast one another, the two boys flanking her, and she didn’t know what to make of it. Of the sound of her footsteps being echoed by two others. Of her voice being answered by another. A dog barked nearby, breaking her from her thoughts, and Mitsuru masked her unease with a polite smile. “Just past this temple.”

 -x-

Fall

 The sound of laughter echoed through the halls and Mitsuru paused as she closed her bedroom door. From the third floor, she couldn’t clearly make out their voices, only a messy cacophony as her companions teased one another. It was a sound she’d been hearing more often these days. Involuntarily, her lips curled into a smile and she locked her room.

 Heading toward the stairs, she glanced at the nameplates as she passed them: Aigis, Yukari, Fuuka. The floor below was equally occupied, and her feet felt light as she descended to the ground floor. When they’d first arrived here, it had felt almost ridiculous to have three people in such a big building. Now they were nine strong and the building was more full than empty. Though it seemed the majority of residents were all crowding around the lobby. “What’s happening?”

 “Mitsuru-senpai!” Crouching next to Koromaru, Junpei waved eagerly as she stepped onto the landing. “You gotta see what Yukari bought Koromaru.” He slowly rose, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “Have you ever seen anything so stupid?”

 “It’s not stupid!” Yukari flushed a bright red and swatted Junpei with a rolled-up paper. “Aigis said he likes it!”

 “Of course he would, he’s a dog.” Junpei cracked up again, undeterred. He covered his head with a hand, blocking her attacks. “Like he knows what’s cool or not.”

 “Is that relevant?” Aigis asked, bemused. She cocked her head. “He is a dog.”

 “What are you…” Mitsuru glanced at Koromaru and blinked. Then she blinked again. Perched on his head was a white headband with a pair of fluffy, white, distinctly not dog-ears. “Are those cat ears?”

 “The pet shop put out their Halloween costumes,” Yukari defended weakly, averting her gaze. Quietly, she mumbled, “And I…never had a pet before…”

 “I think they’re cute,” Fuuka agreed, squeezing Yukari’s shoulder. She gave a sympathetic smile. “Even Koromaru should get to dress up for Halloween.”

 Mitsuru glanced at the plastic bag by Yukari’s feet. The overly stuffed plastic bag. Just how many costumes did she buy? Koromaru cocked his head, the headband staying on firmly. It was a little cute, she had to admit. Just a little. “I suppose so.”

 “Ugh, is this a girl thing?” Junpei turned to Makoto with a grimace. “You don’t like them too, do you?”

 Makoto crossed his arms, studying Koromaru seriously. As usual, he took his time, scrutinizing the whole affair with more gravity than needed. “They—”

 Cutting him off before he could finish, Junpei groaned. “Why’d I even ask you, Mr. Popularity. Where’s Akihiko when you need him? Wait…” He stared at Koromaru and a wide smile spread across his face. “Hey, Koromaru, I’ll take you for a walk today.”

 “…huh?” Taken aback, Yukari snapped her head toward him. “You hate taking him for a walk.”

 “What lies! As though I could ever hate walking Koromaru. He’s saved my life so many times. Besides, I should do my part to help out.” Already heading toward the door, he whistled lightly as he picked up Koromaru’s leash. “Come on boy! And keep those ears on!”

 Fuuka started at his receding back for a long moment before she leaned closer to Yukari and whispered, “You don’t think he’s—”

 “Picking up girls?” Yukari sighed, crossing her arms as she glared at his departing figure. “Oh, he definitely is going to try.”

 -x-

Winter

 “It’s cold.” Mitsuru adjusted the scarf around her neck. Even layered up as she was, winter’s chilly bite clung to her bones and refused to let go.

 Trotting quickly on the sidewalk in front of her, Koromaru yipped softly, his tail low. Not a single part of him resembled the dog Mitsuru was used to, the excited canine who lived for his evening walks. Then again, with everything that happened in the past year, she couldn’t blame him. Between the numerous sacrifices to stop Nyx, Mitsuru wasn’t sure she could smile anymore either.

 “He says…” Aigis stared blankly at Koromaru. The wind picked up. She blinked. “He says…”

 “It’s okay, I can guess.” Rubbing her hands in front of her mouth, she tried to warm them with her breath. “It’s been a while since anyone took him out for a walk. Everyone’s too busy, I guess.”

 Aigis softly added, “The dorms are really quiet now.”

 “I suppose now that we no longer have to fight, there isn’t really a reason to stay.” Mitsuru forced a crooked smile and patted Aigis on the arm. “I’m glad you came. I can’t remember the last time you left the dorms.”

 “Yeah.” Aigis stared straight ahead. “Normally, he…”

 A long beat passed. Mitsuru lowered her gaze, blinking back tears. It wasn’t too hard to picture a quiet boy with headphones strolling next to them, a sympathetic ear ready for their problems. Loss was a waterfall, ever pouring, and it leaked into every aspect of her life. She had a company she wasn’t ready to manage. Friends whose deaths she couldn’t explain. Everyone would remember Shinjiro as a delinquent. And no one would remember Makoto.

 Even now, she hadn’t managed to remove their nameplates from their doors, the finality of it all too much. She’d peaked in once, just once, the rooms left as though their owners would return at any moment. Shinjiro’s cookbooks stacked messily on desk. A CD case left open on Makoto’s desk.

 Koromaru whined, pressing his body against her leg and Mitsuru crouched down to pet him. “I miss him too,” Mitsuru murmured, burying her hand in his fur. “All of them. My father…” Her voice cracked and despite it all, it was still too hard to talk about him.

 “Miss,” Aigis repeated, stretching out the word. She gripped her chest and looked down at Mitsuru. “Is that what this pain is? Missing? Longing?”

 It was sometimes too easy to forget how new Aigis was to emotions. To being human. Standing up, Mitsuru embraced her gently. “Yeah. That is exactly what it is.”

 -x-

Spring

 The key turned with a soft click. There. It was done. The dorms were closed. Everyone had moved out and they had even managed to clean out every room, including the chairman’s. Somehow, his loss hurt more than anyone else’s, even her father’s. Despite what he did, her feelings toward him couldn’t settle, rage and loss warring with every thought. She wished it was more clear-cut, that it was easier to hate him.

 “Are you done?” Akihiko asked, pulling her out of her thoughts. “Or did you forget something inside?”

 “No, nothing.” Reluctantly, Mitsuru pulled the key out of the lock. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and down the steps. “It’s finally over.”

 “Yeah. The dungeon, that time loop, everything.” Akihiko stuffed his hands in his pockets, walking on her left as they headed to where she’d parked her bike. “Can’t say I won’t miss it; it’s been, what, three years since we moved in?”

 “A little more than that.” Mitsuru brushed her hair off her shoulder. It was longer now than when they’d first met. The distance between them was shorter than was back then too. If she wanted to, she could reach out and touch him. “I always thought it was too big for us.”

 “Too big?” Akihiko snorted, amused. “More like too small—do you know how hard it was to find food when Junpei scavenged the kitchen?”

 “Yes, because I’m the one who had to stock the fridge.” Mitsuru laughed and that also was something that changed. “But it served it’s purpose.”

 “Yeah, I guess it did.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “You know, when we first came here, I didn’t really think much of it. But now…it’s home.”

 “Home,” Mitsuru echoed. Yeah, that was the word for it. Home. A bittersweet feeling bloomed in her chest. “I’ll miss it. How close we were to everyone.”

 “Me too.” He patted her shoulder comfortingly. “But my college is just ten minutes from your university, and well…we’re all still friends, right?”

 She reached up and squeezed his hand. It had been scary, after Makoto died, when everyone was drifting apart. Now Aigis and Yukari were roommates, now Fuuka was organizing monthly meetups, now Ken was getting ready to join them in high school. They were still connected, despite everything. “Yes.”

 They were all still friends and the future didn’t look as dark and scary as it used to.

 Reassured, she smiled teasingly. “So, what was that about you becoming a cop?”

[daily-rayless]

favorite games of the 2010s

Games with an American release within the 2010s. Arranged roughly in the order I played them, because figuring out favoritism is hard. Spoiler-lite. Also, in case it needs to be said, saying a game is my favorite doesn’t mean I endorse everything the game endorses.

Also important: this is about favoritism, not quality. I’m not saying these are the best games.

Okay.

Persona 3: Portable (Atlus)

P3 was always secondary to P4 to me until Persona 3: Portable came along. This isn't everyone's experience, but being able to play games as a female character is a big deal to me. FeMC's positioning as a capable, respected leader who isn't temporary and isn’t just some guy’s love interest is so wonderful. And I love that the game allows her to social link the entire main cast. While Ken's romantic option was a terrible choice, many of the others benefit: her friendship with Junpei is rich, touching, and believable, even when it devolves into resentment; Akihiko's and Shinjiro's arcs are sweet, but also melancholy; Yukari, Mitsuru, and Fuuka are supportive best friends without all the baggage of the male MC's love routes; even Koromaru gets his spotlight. Ryoji's social link adds important depth to his character, reframing the later stages of the game. As wonderful as Elizabeth is, I find I like Theo even better. The battle system is vastly improved, and while the visuals suffer in the PSP transfer, the story's still told well. P3P remains one of my absolute favorite games and was a great start to the decade.

Nier: Gestalt (Cavia)

Something you’ll see repeated across this list is that I love strong, complex character bonds. The emotional core of a game is really important to me. In combination, this game has one of the most unique main casts, and, in their closeness, one of the most powerful. The jaggedness of Nier, Kainé, Emil, and Weiss fit together as an intense and sympathetic whole. You want so much to see them all safely escape the dark stories surrounding each of them. Nier's secondary strength is its New Game +, which is wrenching, but reminds the player that you never see the whole story in just your first glance.

Fate/Extra (Type Moon & Imageepoch)

For seven weeks, Hakuno fights her way through a blood tournament; the story never spares her from it. Most often, a repetitive story structure is a liability, but in Fate/Extra, it builds the drama. Knowing from week to week that most of the cast is going to die – understanding, increasingly, that Hakuno may not have a happy ending waiting for her – the repetition and inevitability adds to the experience. All three of her potential Servants are interesting, funny, lovable, and morally troubling, and each plays well off of Hakuno's personality. Which Hakuno, despite being a silent protag, has plenty of. The game falls short in a number of areas, but for me, intercharacter relationships are always a big deal, and Hakuno's bond with each Servant is detailed, compelling, and develops across the entire game.

Tales of Xillia 2 (Bandai Namco Studios)

The original ToX is the richer, more complete, more epic game, and definitely the place where you should first meet these characters and this world. But for me, ToX2 edges out its parent for the uniqueness of its premise, its endearing silent protagonist, and the shattering twists and turns of its later plot points. I don't usually like kid characters, but Elle is a useless sidekick worth fighting for, every inch of the way.

Resonance of Fate (tri-Ace)

Set in a broken post-apocalyptic city, this game feels like a combination of Wild Arms and Xenogears. The story is intense and cryptic with a carefully controlled delivery to the player. The three main characters hide their wounds as well as their strengths – until circumstances force them into the open. There's some regrettable juvenile humor, and the story remains too shadowy in places, but Vashyron's, Leanne's, and Zephyr's bond kept me wanting to know more about them and the punishing circumstances they've been left in.

Nier: Automata (PlatinumGames)

Nier: Gestalt taught me that not everything would be as it seemed, and Nier: Automata fulfills that warning a second time. But what makes me love it are the three protagonists, 2B, 9S, and A2. Throughout the different story paths, each one sees their role change from hero to antagonist or antagonist to hero relative to the others' positions. This is such a stand-out concept, and it's written very well. Even when a character shifts from hero to antagonist, they still keep your sympathy; perhaps you don't agree with them, but you still feel for them so much. Incredible music and rideable moose are also a plus.

Horizon Zero Dawn (Guerilla Games)

I can always find room for improvement, but, for me, there's just too much to love about this game. Traveling over the gorgeous environments is wonderful by itself. The gameplay is engrossing, allowing you to try so many different strategies across different fights. The npcs are intriguing. The setting is unique. The monster designs are fantastic. The game gives you reasons to want to fight the villains, yet doesn't leave them unrealistic or ludicrously unrelatable. The hero, Aloy, is no-nonsense but not invincible, practical but also tender, and it's so satisfying building her legend alongside her. The story ends satisfyingly, but leaves the world wide open, just waiting for a sequel. This is a horizon I want to cross again and again.

Transistor (Supergiant Games)

People complain about the story being too obscure, and that's justified at times. But the heart of the game isn't about plot – it's about emotions. Specifically, the emotions Red and Boxer have towards the city, and the emotions Red and Boxer have towards each other. The game organically builds both of these relationships across five hours of gameplay, latching right on to the player's heartstrings and making you worry and fight every step of the way. The gameplay is deeply customizable, the art direction is velvety and lush, and the music is not only gorgeous, but sometimes subtly intermixed with the narrative. The world is shrinking around these characters, and you want to see them through to safety – and you wish you had more time to know them better.

The Banner Saga (Stoic Studio) (all three games)

Its narrative overlaps different plot arcs. There's more than one hero. The story is mature and serious, often threatening you with despair, but still urging you to believe that somehow your brave characters can make it through safely. Your decisions directly influence who lives, who dies, and where the story turns. The music is haunting. The game evokes Lord of the Rings, from its art style to its Norse influences to its focus on the significant actions of humble people. But it still shoulders its way out of that shadow with its giants, centaurs, and multiple central female characters. A game you want to play repeatedly, if you can stand the responsibility of having so many characters’ lives in your hands.

Pyre (Supergiant Games)

Purgatory Basketball sounds like a nightmare premise for me, focusing on the kind of gameplay I'm terrible at. However, the game is accommodating enough that I not only won my rites, I enjoyed the process. Even when I was bad at it. But what makes me love the game is its cast. While not all characters can get equal focus on a single playthrough, each is interesting, some very outside the typical RPG character cast. The main villain is handled atypically, and the story avoids many of the tired plot beats I've gotten sick of over the years. The main character, the Reader, is given a surprising amount of flexibility, and they're just another one of Supergiant Games’ protagonists who are silent, but still make a definite impact on the game's story and playing experience.

In short, this was a good decade for me, game-wise, especially in the last two years. Hopefully there will be lots of stand-outs in the 2020s too.

[tacitusauxilium]

P3 Bad End -Fall of SEES-

@dxfiedfxte // @revolver-jesus

~~~~~

-January 31, 2010-

-Time: Midnight-

At the lobby of Tartarus, the group of SEES, gathers to face their last fight. To reach the top of the Tower and confront Nyx before she brings the ‘Fall’ to humanity, which basically translates to complete human genocide.

The group consists of 9 individuals.

Minato Arisato, Yukari Takeba, Junpei Iori, Akihiko Sanada, Mitsuru Kirijo, Fuuka Yamagishi, Aigis, Ken Amada and Koromaru.

The group walk towards a green portal on the side. A portal mechanism that will take them to floor 252. As close to the top as they can get.

“Everyone.” Fuuka spoke, halting the group. “Is it ok…if I go with you this time? Instead of staying down here.”

The request was surprising to the group. They all eyed each other. “Any reason Fuuka-chan?” Yukari asked.

“Well…” Fuuka nods. Her hands joined together, as she stares at her friends. “Tonight, is the fight of our lives, so I thought…I should be there with you.” Fuuka said “Not just in spirit, but physically there to aid you. We’ve been through so much together…we should end it together as well.”

“Fuuka-chan…” Yukari spoke softly, touched by Fuuka’s simple, yet strong motivation.

“I don’t object.” Mitsuru said, nodding, a faint smile on her lips. “But to be safe, please stay close to us at all times. Understood?”

Fuuka nods. “I understand senpai.”

“Good.” Mitsuru nods. “Then let us be off.”

1 by 1, the group enters the portal and transfer to floor 252.

Only Minato and Fuuka remain. “Hey Fuuka?” Minato halts Fuuka.

“Y-Yes?” Fuuka blinks, not expecting Minato to stop her. “What is it Minato-kun?”

Minato takes a step forward, hands in his pockets. “You did good…back there. Voicing your feelings.”

“Ah!” The compliment surprised Fuuka. Her cheeks turned a light hue red. “Thank you…I only thought I should say what I feel. As you taught me.”

Minato chuckles “Well, I didn’t exactly teach you that. You learned it yourself, even if I partially guided you there.”

“Awful cooking aside?” Minato cringed. “…I know.” Fuuka sighed. “But I am getting better. Just you wait Minato-kun. I’ll cook us a ‘We defeated Nyx’ fest that will…hopefully not churn your stomachs out.”

Minato got a nice laugh out of that. “I’ll hold you to that Fuuka.” With that said, Fuuka steps on the portal.

“…Huh?” Fuuka blinked after pressing the buttons. “…Minato?”

Minato frowned. He walks over to Fuuka. “What’s wrong?”

Fuuka worriedly looks over to him. “The controls aren’t working. They’re shut off.”

“…What…?” Now Minato grows equally worried. “But that’s not possible.”

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

Both Minato and Fuuka are taken aback by the sudden sound. The two turn to see a familiar, and unwanted face, sitting on the lobby’s staircase.

“Bravo, Bravo Minato-kun. It’s a grand evening, isn’t it? The last…party, the human race will ever be a part of.”

“…Takaya.” Minato quickly reached for his Evoker. “…So, you survived Moonlight Bridge.”

Takaya Sakaki, leader of STREGA, and the murdered of Shinjiro Aragaki. He chuckles, unamused as he twirls his revolver, yellow eyes staring at blue eyes. “I’m hurt Minato-kun, to think that you would want me dead so badly.” A small smirk etches his lips. “When did you start to think like Aragaki?”

The mention of Shinjiro got Minato more riled up than he expected. “You have no right to say his name.”

“Heh…Aragaki has no rights anymore.” Takaya gets up from the stairs. Still twirling his revolver, and his other hand partially in his pocket, he takes a few steps forward and stops. “The dead never do. That is the beauty of it. Death is freedom, Minato-kun.” He puts a hand on his chest, smiling. “It is a blessing. It is surprising that you don’t see it. After all, Aragaki is no longer suffering, is he not? He’s free from the pain that his mortal body provided him.” Sighing, Takaya shakes his head. “I envy him in that regard.”

“Don’t speak of Shinjiro-senpai as if you knew him.” Fuuka adds, frowning. “It was your pills that got him to where he was. If you hadn’t dragged him to such a dark path.”

“Now now-“Takaya grins, playfully wagging his finger back and forth. “We only offered him our services. If he was too weak to continue the agony of living, then my final actions towards him were an honor. You should be grateful for that.”

“…Shut up.” Minato said, his tone dripping venom. “If you want Death so bad Takaya, take that revolver, and aim it at your head. The trigger should make you quite happy, and out of the havoc of living, as you so see things.”

The dark joke didn’t bother Takaya one bit. He only laughs. “Well well well, I never expected that kind of talk from you Minato-kun.”

“If you haven’t noticed, we’re in a hurry.” Minato deadpanned, itching for his revolver. He noticed Fuuka has been behind him since Takaya appeared, and at a safe distance as well. Nearing the entrance to Tartarus in case she has to make an escape…clever. “We have a date with Nyx.”

“I’m well aware.” Takaya said, and stops twirling his revolver. He holds it right and aims it at Minato. “But, I’m afraid this is one party you won’t be attending.”

“…What did you do to the portal?” Minato angrily inquires. Takaya only laughs.

“Don’t worry about your friends. Jin will handle them. You worry about me now.” Takaya growls, and suddenly growls a grayish white hue. “HYPNOS!”

A semi-transparent being emerges from Takaya’s body. His Persona. A disfigured body held in the air by wings seemingly grafted into his spine. The Persona hovers above Takaya, as he continues to aim the revolver at Minato.

Right behind him, Fuuka summoned Juno, engulfed in a protective sphere. “Have it your way.” Minato said, grabbing his Evoker.

Minato-kun… Fuuka’s voice echoes in his mind. Something is…off about Takaya. I didn’t sense him earlier; And even now, with Juno, I can barely get a reading on him. I’m not sure what’s going on, but he feels different…be careful.

‘…Alright. Thanks, Fuuka.’ Minato thought back, eyeing Takaya curiously. Sure enough, even Minato can notice something’s up. When he summoned Hypnos, Takaya didn’t clutch his head in pain. He summoned it normally, without forcing it, without the use of an external tool like the Evoker.

‘How did he do that…?’ Minato thought, curious, but also nervous. It’s been around 3 months since Moonlight Bridge. Did Takaya undergo some sort of mental training…?

If he separated him from the rest of his group, there’s a good reason for it. Whatever it is…he’ll just have to fight with everything he’s got. He knows his friends can handle Jin.

Evoker aiming at his head, Minato stares at Takaya. Neither make a move, like a wild west shootout.

….

Takaya makes the first move, firing every shot in his revolver. Minato sprints and evades each one skillfully. Upon close range, he draws out his short blade and goes in for the swing.

To his surprise, Takaya blocks each of the swings with his revolver; steel meeting barreled steel.

Hypnos moved into swipe Minato away, which it works. Minato flipped backwards and summoned Orpheus Telos, the evolution of his original Persona. It grabs Hypnos’ face and slams an Agidyne right at it.

Takaya hissed, feeling the pain in his mind. Telos was about to fire another, but Hypnos grabs his hands and pushes him back with great force.

SINGLE SHOT! Takaya fired a large, but simplistic arrow-like shot from his revolver, thanks to Hypnos’ powers. The arrow bullet homes in on Minato at high-speed and follows him as Minato sprints back. ‘Orpheus!’

His Persona nodded, and after a quick roll to avoid the bullet, before it comes back, Orpheus smacks it to the side. Now bouncing all over the floor, but Minato ignores it and rushes at Takaya, who scoffs at him. “Arrow Rain!” he calls out, and Hypnos makes it rain arrows. Minato evades them all and goes for a slice. Takaya blocks it with his revolver, smirking to himself as Hypnos hovers just above him, and at point blank range, charges a Ziodyne.

Behind you Minato!

Minato saw through the eyes of Orpheus, that the single shot from earlier bounced, and is heading right at him. It had bounced off Juno, unfortunately.

That’s when Minato gets an idea.

He glows black/red, and his Persona changes to Black Frost. A bigger Jack Frost that has reverse colors and looks eviler.

MOONLIGHT RAGE!

Suddenly, Takaya is on the defensive, with Minato overpowering him thanks to a red aura engulfing him. He grunts when Minato kicks him back, then ducks. His own single shot from earlier blasts him dead center, skidding him back and crashing onto the stairs.

Minato changed back to Telos; sword ready to strike. Despite some blood pouring out of his chest, Takaya chuckles, rather amused. He raises his head, grinning at Minato.

“Well then, I might have to take this a little seriously after all.” He cracks his neck and isn’t quite holding back anymore at this rate.

Takaya starts Round 2 by firing a Megidolaon, then having Hypnos…slash it into 3? They turn into Megidola’s now. “HAAH!” Hypnos’s wings glow, and suddenly the 3 Megidola’s circle around Minato rapidly. He eyes all 3 warily, unsure which one is gonna move first.

Turns out its all 3. Quick on his feet, Minato changed his Persona to Thanatos. The Persona an old friend left him behind, with a promise to meet again later, to stop him.

The Death Persona engulfs Minato in a Cosmic-like Aura; Just as the 3 Megidola’s close in and explode on him.

Well…they would if they had done anything. 

RUNIC SHIELD!

The aura Thanatos blessed Minato with protected him from that one attack. Quickly, Minato changed back to Black Frost, and using Moonlight Rage again, goes on the offensive. Surprised by his attack being deflected, Takaya evades Minato’s swings, until he manages to clash with one, and grins. He pulls the trigger and fires.

The bullet doesn’t just push Minato back, it bounced his sword as well, and scratched his cheek. Minato fell to one knee, surprised and in slight pain.

More surprised when Hypnos fires the Ziodyne from earlier that he thought he stopped. Cursing himself, Minato quickly rolls back and narrowly avoids the incoming lightning bolt. The flash of light upon contact with the floor gave Minato an opportunity.

DIAMOND DUST!

Black Frost screeches and sends giant snowflakes at Takaya’s direction, freezing the very molecules in the air itself as it closes in.

Takaya lets out a loud Tch’ and has Hypnos use Maragidyne. The Persona’s wings glow red and fires a volley of giant fireballs that explode upon contact with the giant snowflakes. Takaya smirked, and it would have been good; if he hadn’t failed to see Minato close in, only his Persona changed. He switched it right after the ice attack. Its now Alice, the famous evil girl of the wonderland books.

Takaya had no time to react when Minato slammed his palm onto his chest.

SALOME’S KISS!

‘What?!’ Takaya thought, feeling himself…Binded? Sealed? Whatever it is, he can’t shake off the feeling. “What did you-“

Now Minato! Strike him down!

Minato quickly changed his Persona again to Attis.

AEON RAIN!

Literal to its name, a multitude of stars fell from the ceiling and slammed onto Takaya. Though whatever was binding him from that attack from Alice was gone. Growling, he goes on the offensive again.

“Myriad Arrows!” Takaya shouts. Hypnos’s wings glow and large volleys of arrow hail from above.

THERMOPYLAE!

Minato is now engulfed in a greenish aura, and just as the volley’s hit, he’s able to avoid all of them, moving faster than normal. Much faster.

“Dormina!” but not fast enough to avoid the real attack. Hypnos cast a spell on Minato upon Myriad Arrows ending, and it put him to sleep.

Minato! Wake up!

“zZz….Mmm…Fuuka…you taste…delicious.”

MINATO THIS IS NOT THE TIME!

“Your…zzz.. special breakfast is so good…”

…Wow ok, I thought he meant…n-no, MINATO! COMPLIMENT ME LATER!

Too late however, Takaya closed in and kicked Minato right in his stomach. That woke him up. The pistol whip to his face? also woke him up. Hypnos’ Cruel Attack Pierce skill certainly made sure he stayed awake.

All 3 attacks dealt plenty of damage to Minato and the last one blasted him back after Hypnos clawed him. He grunts, ignoring the small sensation of blood and the stains on his shirt.

Takaya says nothing, merely grinning as he continues the assault with Magarudyne, Hypnos flocking its wings rapidly to deliver powerful gusts of wind.

Minato grunted, and switches to Black Frost again. Casting Diamond Dust, he freezes the very winds to a halt, stopping the attack entirely.

He couldn’t stop the Megidola that followed after. The blast shook him by surprise, tearing his clothes a bit as he’s pushed back and falls to one knee, having lost a lot of health.

Wasting no time, Takaya orders Hypnos to fire another Megidola.

MINATO!

‘Not…out!’ Minato smirks. He switches to Orpheus Telos. ‘Rough Takaya? Have it rougher than the ruffs!’

RETURN FROM YOMI!

Orpheus Telos engulfs Minato in a white aura, and all his wounds heal, back to full health. ‘Much better’ Minato gets up, and smirks. ‘Now then.’

He switches to Alice CONCENTRATE!

Then to Attis THERMOPYLAE!

Black Frost MOONLIGHT RAGE!

And finally, Thanatos. Minato raises his sword and swings it down. BROADSHOT!

Both Minato’s sword and Thanatos’ cut through the Almighty Attack rather easily, catching Takaya by surprise. “What?!”

Minato then sprints towards Takaya, faster than ever and stabs him via the side. “I’m done with this.” Minato said coldly, and summons Telos. MEGIDOLAON!

At such a close range, Telos fires the attack anyways, and it hits Takaya, pushing him back…then exploding upon contact with the stairs at the back. The force is enough to shake the entire floor; but thankfully, no physical damage to the tower, which is good.

“You did it Minato!” Fuuka cheered excitedly, having called Juno back. She runs to Minato and hugs him tightly, smiling like the happiest girl in the world. “That was a close one though.”

Minato returns the hug, despite the little soreness he has. Nothing a few beads can heal though. “Thanks” he says, smiling back. “…Haah…bastard was stronger…” Minato said, hating to admit that. “But anyways…” he looks at the portal machine. “We need to reactivate that and move on.”

Fuuka nods. She reluctantly pulls back from Minato “I’ll get to work on….H-huh?!” Fuuka stares at the stairs, where Takaya is. “M-Minato…”

Minato turns around and is just as shocked as Fuuka. The smoke dispersed, and Takaya is still standing after that last attack. Heavily wounded but standing.

“Hehehe…HAHAHAHAHA!” And he starts to laugh like a maniac. “Oh, this is…this is MAGNIFICENT…truly, magnificent!” He walks, rather wobbly down the stairs and to the floor again. “To summon such…power, even in the face of death.” Takaya puts his hands in his pockets. “You truly are astonishing, Minato-kun. The power of the Wild Card is to be feared after all.”

Takaya’s sudden grin turned to a large frown. “Which is why I can’t let you live. Whatever it takes…destiny awaits us all tonight. That cannot change.” He takes out a small pillbox from his pocket, and takes out from that box, a large blue/pink pill. “I didn’t think I’d have to use this…but it matters not.” He tosses the box aside, and takes the pill into his mouth, then swallows it. “Aah…”

Minato and Fuuka wanted to ask, but they doubt they’d get answers. Instead, they prepare themselves for the worst.

And the worst did happen. Before their very eyes, Takaya’s wounds heal. But more than that, his body oversaw a drastic transformation. His formerly thinly body grew muscles, about as much as Akihiko, if not more. His glowing yellow eyes, turned bloody red.

But the biggest change wasn’t Takaya. It was his Persona. Hypnos before Minato and Fuuka’s eyes, began to shift and transform.

By the end of the transformation, Hypnos was no more. The disfigured body is long gone, replaced with a humanoid body garbed in golden white robes. The large wings that Hypnos had become a pearl white and are far smaller than before, firmly accommodated on the sides of the Persona’s head. Its face has a blue/white mask with a spiral that descends to the center. The robes are adorned with swirls and twist shapes in black color. The Persona also has a staff with a white/blueish flame at its tip.

“Aah…much better.” Takaya says, breathing heavily as he grips his fists, picking up his revolver and grinning maniacally at Minato. “I feel better than I ever have.”

“…What the hell was that pill?” Minato asks.

Takaya only smiles. “A gift from an old friend…and you shouldn’t worry about this and that. My Persona has evolved, and with it, new power. Say hello to Somnus! My blessing, and your demise Minato!”

Takaya, now engulfed in an evil purple/black aura, orders Somnus to attack. “INSOMNIA!”

Minato quickly raised his sword, but the attack didn’t hit him.

“Min..ato…” ?! Minato turned around. He’s barely able to catch Fuuka before she hits the floor.

“Fuuka? Fuuka!” Minato calls out, but all he gets are Fuuka’s light snores. “He put her to sleep…”

He turns back to Takaya’s maniac laugh, and the large glowing sphere above him and his Persona. “Now die with your girlfriend Minato-kun, Megidolaon!”

Somnus launches the powerful almighty attack at Minato.

Minato cursed himself. ‘Ok…I’m going to have to take him seriously, for better or worse.’ Standing up, he summons Telos, and fires his own Megidolaon in return.

Both attacks clash, and neither seems to overpower the other…at least until Takaya’s starts to push Minato’s back.

“?!” Not believing it, Minato pushes back with Telos. To his shock, he’s getting pushed back hard.

“Afraid Minato?! Your death is imminent! say your prayers!” Takaya yells, grinning like a madman.

‘His Persona surpasses Telos…?’ Minato growls ‘I’m wasting too much time on him. I guess its all or nothing.’ He sighed, and recalls Telos, just before the attacks engulf him.

Just before the two Megidolaon’s hit the floor and explode, they burst into particles, and Minato glows a white blue aura, with Telos now gone, but a new Persona takes the stand.

“? What’s this…?” Takaya frowns “I’ve never seen this one before…”

“And you weren’t supposed to.” Minato said, annoyed. “This is my ultimate Persona. Messiah!”

“…Messiah.” Takaya repeats, chuckling. “Quite a poetic name. A savior are you now, Minato-kun? Who are you saving, exactly?” He frowns, growling “The Dictators that strip away the free will of their people? The politicians that lie to gain reputation for their own gains, betraying the very people that guided them there? The pedophiles and abusers, that surround themselves in the ‘good’ people to protect their own sins?”

“…No.” Minato aims his sword forward “I save the people that can put those to a stop. The resistances that overthrow those tyrants and make them pay, the witnesses and victims that rise up and bring their abuser down, the ones that seek truth above the lies and bribes. I save the future that sees life worth living, unlike you who seeks death, because they’re too weak to find a purpose.” Minato said coolly.

Though his words don’t phase Takaya, he merely grunts. “Fine then…right here, tonight. Let us see, what humanity dictates as its future. Death in peace or living in suffering!”

“Fine by me. Don’t complain when you lose.” Minato said, ready for the assault, though Takaya only laughs.

“Dear Minato-kun, destiny never loses. You will understand by the end of this.”

Minato stares at Takaya and shifts his gaze to the sleeping Fuuka. ‘…I need to draw fire away from her. I can’t protect her while dealing with him at the same time.’

His thoughts were cut off when Takaya began the assault.

“Primal Force!” Takaya shouts, and from the flame on the staff, Somnus launches a large flaming arrow at Minato. Its size doesn’t hinder its speed or power, something that Minato quickly took notice.

‘Shit’ He rolls over it just as it passes by. As he thought, it homes and ignores Fuuka, focusing on him. He evades, ducks, and rolls back from it. Each time the arrow grows greater in speed. It flies up, and then comes down on Minato, exploding in a large range.

Minato had no time to dodge it, but it didn’t matter. He felt no pain, no damage from it; rather he felt himself healed up to a strong degree. “…? Oh.” He wanted to slap himself. ‘Right. Messiah absorbs Pierce. How the hell did I forget that?’

Not like many Shadows have that element, and the only one from his team to even use Pierce is Yukari, who…well…rarely hits her targets. No offense.

“Heh.” Minato chuckles “You’re going to have to do better Takaya.”

“Gladly.” Somnus suddenly starts to glow a strange cyan/magenta/yellow mix of colors. “PSYCHO FORCE!”

Minato raised an eyebrow at the name of the attack. Nothing happens though.

“UUURGH!!” Ok something did happen. Minato suddenly felt a huge amount of pain; yet it wasn’t pain of the body, it was pain of the mind. His head throbs immensely in pain, equivalent to a severe Migraine. Bad enough that his senses went crazy. He can barely hear or even see. “AAgh…wh-WHAT…?!” In his pain, he dropped his sword by accident, and failed to see Takaya order Somnus to cast another spell.

“AVALANCHE!”

Suddenly, giant rocks fall from the sky, creating debris and smoke all over the place. None of them hit Minato, thankfully. Slowly, the pain started to subside. At the very least, he could somewhat see and hear. ‘What are these spells…? I don’t recognize these elements…ugh…my head…its not so bad now but still…’ He tried to see, but the smokescreen from the debris and the large chunks of debris itself made it hard to discern what’s flesh and what isn’t. ‘What is going on…where did Takaya learn these elements? Was it that pill…? Where is he…? I can’t hear him…’

He slowly stands up and tries to look around. He can’t tell anything apart. ‘Great…I’m cornered and a sitting duck. If Fuuka were awake she could pinpoint his location for me. Come on, focus Minato…he has to make a sound at some point…’

Bump Bump, Bump Bump, Bump Bump

Nothing…and yet… ‘…Why do I feel so afraid…?’ Minato thought to himself. His heartrate is increasing exponentially, his body is flaring up in temperature, as if reacting to fear. His senses are starting to come back as well. He blinks a few times, slowly regaining his sight.

Bump Bump, Bump Bump, Bump Bump

Oh, that’s the fear instinct. Takaya snuck up on him, and his revolver is aimed right at his forehead.

Bump Bump

He hears the safety trigger go off…

BOOM

“?!” Takaya was suddenly pushed back by Minato emitting a ridiculously powerful Aura. Worse, 2 Persona summon wildly in chains that break and glare at him. “LUCIFER, COSMIC FLARE!”

The right Persona, Lucifer, blasts Takaya with a powerful Nuclear spell, severely hurting Takaya and sending him flying.

“KEEP UP, SATAN!” Minato calls out the left Persona. It flies and grabs Takaya “BLACK VIPER!”

Satan wraps Takaya in its slimy bug-like tentacles, and squeezes the life out of Takaya, then throws him to the floor. Takaya bounces like a rag doll before stopping. Yet shockingly he gets up, albeit wobbly.

“FUSION SPELL, ARMAGEDDON!” The two Persona join forces, and fire an almighty attack, about 3 times the size of Megidolaon.

The sheer size of the attack made Takaya nearly afraid. Nearly. “SOMNUS…!”

Takaya uttered a word before the attack hit him, and a massive explosion shakes the entire lobby. Fuuka’s sleeping form was also pushed back (a blessing, really). Minato wasn’t affected by the explosion, but he stares it, in awe and mostly confusion. The two Persona vanish, and Messiah returns from Minato’s unconscious mind.

‘…What…w-what was that?’ Minato thought warily. ‘Satan and…Lucifer?’ He falls to one knee, panting heavily, his headache back again thanks to the sheer willpower he unwillingly used. ‘But…I-I didn’t fuse them at the Velvet Room…’ He shook his head. ‘I couldn’t…Elizabeth told me they were too much for me. How did I…?’

Well, whatever the reason, it did the job. ‘Good riddance Takaya, stay dead…’

…

“Heh… nice skill back there.” Takaya chuckles from the smoke. As it clears up, he’s…surprisingly alive. Shocking Minato. “You nearly killed me back there, you know?”

Minato gritted his teeth, starting to lose his patience at this point. “How did you-“

“Phantasos.” Takaya explains, smirking “My Persona made me invulnerable to all attacks, for a small period of time.” He sighs heavily. “I cast it just in time. One second later, and I would have been done for.”

“…Goddammit Takaya. Stay dead.” Minato said, agitated and plain annoyed now.

“Hehe…not yet Minato-kun.” Takaya aims his revolver at the Fool. “We’re nearing the climax now, pay attention.” He motions to look up.

“?” he looks up. Too late. Somnus’ staff changed to an…axe? And slammed it down at Minato. Minato screamed in pain, the attack shredding part of his clothes and skin. Blood pours out badly, and worse, Somnus picks Minato up and tosses him like a rock onto one of the pillars.

“FREIDYNE!” Somnus casts and fires a powerful nuclear spell at Minato that blasts and shreds him more, now bleeding from other places.

Landing heavily onto the corner wall, Minato ignores the immense pain, and takes out a pill from his school’s jacket pocket and swallows it. “Gah…”

Instantly, he feels his wounds heal, his skin rejuvenates and closes, and all blood recuperated. Better, he starts to glow in a faint Blue/Green/Red aura mix and gets up. “Takaya!” Minato shouts, and has Messiah rush at Somnus. Takaya smirks and has him down the same with Somnus.

Both Personas clash several times at breakneck speed. Both Minato and Takaya cringe with every blow, feeling the pain in their minds, until the final blow blasts Somnus back tremendously. “What…?!” Takaya fell to one knee, clutching his head in pain, growling, and glaring at Minato.

“You’re not the only one who can buff himself Takaya.” Minato said, Evoker in hand. “You underestimate Messiah, and the help of outside.”

“…Outside?” Takaya raises an eyebrow.

‘That trip to Yasoinaba was a miracle.’ Minato thought, recalling that summer trip there. ‘That girl with the poetry and the punk getup…Marie. Right, that was her name. That pill I just took was from her. What did she call it…Ofuda Sutra? Said it’d protect me.’ Minato thought. He forms a smile, a thankful smile. ‘I don’t know if she knew, but regardless, I’m thankful. Next time I’m there, I’m hugging her big time.’

“Hmm…this is turning out to be an annoyance.” Takaya gets on one knee, albeit barely. Minato can tell he’s on his last leg. That buff or whatever from the pill must be wearing off.

“You’re telling me?” Minato says rather sarcastically. ‘I hope the others are ok. I wasn’t expecting this to take so damn long. Wait for me a little longer, everyone.’ “But it’s time to end it Takaya.”

Takaya chuckles, smiling wickedly “On that, we agree Minato-kun. One last dance.”

“Only your last.” Minato pulls the trigger and has Messiah rush at Takaya and Somnus. “AGNEYASTRA!”

“ICELOS!” Between the powerful ice attack from Takaya, and the immense swords from Messiah, the victor was decided rather easily.

Messiah’s large swords cut through the ice like butter, and the God Hand that came later from Minato hit Takaya square-on, as did the swords to Somnus. Between the two attacks to Somnus and Takaya, the duo fell, crashing against the stairs, Blood drawn heavily. Takaya groans as he feels Somnus fade back into his mind, and the immense pain that he feels.

Minato recalls Messiah but keeps the Evoker close to him at all times to his head. “…You done?” Minato asks, panting lightly. The buff from the pill vanished. Seems it was short-lived… “Because I have a human race to save Takaya.”

“…Tch…you fool…you really are this naïve.” Takaya chuckles, eyes closed. “We are but mere mortals. Ants, to the Gods above. We cannot change our fate. You would be foolish to deny it. Destiny was already decided for us, long before even our own births.”

“Cut the crap.” Minato said angrily. “We fight against that destiny, for good reason. Humanity can learn from its mistakes and do better.”

“Heh…so naïve indeed. Its almost sickening.” Takaya opens his eyes and struggles to sit down, his eyes back to their normal yellow. “If Humanity did not learn from the death of Jesus Christ, from the Crusades, the genocide of the tribes of old, or even from the World Wars that killed billions, they aren’t going to start now Minato-kun.” He laughs. “Its our destiny to end ourselves. There is no such thing as prophecies or myths that tell us our fate. We only have to look around us…the threat to humanity, is itself. Always has been, always will be.”

“I really don’t care what you think.” Minato says sharply. “We’re done here.”

“Hm…Yes Minato-kun. We both are done for.” He grins. “Goodbye.”

“? What are you-“

Schloook

Minato’s eyes widen. He trembled, suddenly. His Evoker left his hands, thanks to the immense pain he feels from his chest.

He looks down to see…his own sword, covered in his own blood, having pierced his chest. He turns around.

“…Fuuka…?” He muttered, confused, scared, bewildered. Indeed, Fuuka is awake, and stabbed him from behind.

“Hehehe…how ironic. See Minato? I told you.” Takaya’s laughs echo in the chamber. He stands up, albeit with effort. “I was never the threat. You should have watched your girlfriend a little closer.”

“…Y-You…” he spews blood, thanks to Fuuka pulling back the sword, and tossing it to the side.

���Yes. Earlier, I casted Somnia on her.” Takaya lifts Minato’s head to stare at him. “You should have paid attention. I didn’t put her to sleep Minato.” He grins, and slaps Minato gently. “I put her under my control, my will. I had her pretend to be asleep…and as we fought, I disarmed you. She got the sword while you were surrounded in that debris and smoke earlier.”

Minato fell to his knees, unable to call his Persona anymore. Breathing became hard to do. A slight feeling of faintness started to overcome him. His hearing is slightly faint as well now. “You…cheater…”

“Cheater?” Takaya shook his head. “I told you Minato-kun. Destiny is inevitable. I merely guided you to it. You can thank Kirijo for that.” He chuckles. “But I’ll be merciful. It is your last moments of life after all.” He snaps his fingers.

“W-…h-huh…?” Fuuka shook her head. “What…where-“

“Welcome back sleeping beauty.” Takaya smirks at her. “And to your waking nightmare.”

He aims his revolver at Fuuka. Minato saw it, his eyes widened. All of his instincts kicked. Everything went slow. He tries to get up. He fails, he trips. The pain of his head hitting the hard floor didn’t matter to the pain of seeing Takaya pull the trigger. He screams, with all his might and soul.  

NOOOOOO!

BANG

The sound of a bullet firing echoes in the chamber, and it hit its target dead-on.

Fuuka fell to her knees seconds later, eyes widened, shock from the sound of the bullet, the sound of Minato’s scream, the confusion of what is going on…and the sheer immense pain that just pierced her chest.

“Hah…how quaint.” Takaya shook his head. “A lovely way to end this little game, don’t you think?” he kicks Minato and laughs. “Well…it is done. You can thank this defeat to Kirijo, and Ikutsuki.” He grins “I forgot to mention that. Who do you think supplied us with the pills needed to control our Persona?” he stares at the shook Minato, and the coughing Fuuka. “The only one capable of producing said pills. Shuji Ikutsuki was our supplier. The fall of Aragaki can be placed on him as well. His work after all…the same goes for that pill I took earlier.” He explains. “A last parting gift from him, and what a gift. It did its job, and I am more than content with the results.”

Minato and Fuuka didn’t say anything, too engrossed in their own pain to answer. “…Good night, the two of you. This was fun. Sweet dreams in death.” Takaya laughs, and his laugh echoes in the lobby as he leaves Tartarus, with Minato and Fuuka struggling to survive.

“F-Fuuka…” Minato struggled to get up, trying to contain the blood leaving his wounded body. “I-I can’t stop this…” no healing pill will heal this wound. He starts to feel weaker as well. “F-Fuuka…I…”

Fuuka continues to cough blood, crying as she does so. “M-Min…e-everyone…”

———————————————————————————————————————

Above on floor 258, Jin breathes heavily, leaning on the wall as blood pours from the various bullet holes in his body. “Damn…you.” Jin grunted. “If I knew you had such an ability, I would have killed you first…oh well…” he slumps over. “It’s done…”

Aigis pants heavily as she barely stands. Her weapons fall from her body, as her damaged armor and form succumb to the pain. She stares in utter shock, disbelief, and despair. The other members of SEES are dead. Jin killed them all. It was an ambush, and she was the only survivor from the explosion.

“M..Minato…wh…why…what happ-SYSTEMERRORCORE.EXEDAMAGED.PLUMEOFDUSKENERGYLOW.SHUTTINGDOWNSHUTTINGDOWN.”

Aigis fell to the floor, succumbed to her injuries…

————————————————————————————————————————

“Dead…” Fuuka spoke low enough for Minato to hear. “…Th-…they’re all dead…I-I can’t…I can’t sense them anymore…! Minato…!”

Minato just stayed there, near Fuuka, in utter disbelief. He coughs blood as well and feels even weaker. “F-Fuuka. It’s not…”

Fuuka coughs blood more violently, clutching her bloody chest. “I CAN’T BREATHE…MINATO I CAN’T BREATHE…!”

“Fuuka please, stay with me…!” Minato wanted all of this to be a nightmare. A horrifying nightmare that he would wake up from.

But then the entire Tower shook. He felt it.

…Nyx is awake. Outside the Tower, the Moon has opened up like a latch, revealing a large red eye that watches the world. In an instant, Nyx blasts constant massive shockwave that tears the planet and its people. Each one makes more humans succumb to their shadows, becoming large black blobs, losing their humanity in the process. Their flesh becoming tar, and their consciousness fading to sheer instinct.

Minato held Fuuka tightly, crying alongside his dying girlfriend as he feels the shockwaves, and his consciousness fade. “Fuuka…”

“…” No response. Fuuka feels cold…

…She’s dead. She died in his arms, having choked in her own blood…

And one more shockwave later, Minato felt himself die as well. An eternal sleep that he will never wake up from. Nobody will.

…

….

……

Death is not a hunter unbeknownst to its prey. One is always aware that it lies in wait. Though life is merely a journey to the grave, it must not be undertaken without hope. Only then will a traveler’s story live on, treasured by those who bid him farewell. But alas, my guest's life has now ended, his tale left unwritten. His destiny shattered.

…

….

…..

……

========================================================================

-???-

“Did you see that? This…this star right here.”

“It faded…that isn’t normal.”

“Indeed. Something is wrong…this timeline was not meant for destruction. I fear something is amiss. This unexpected shift can cause a ripple. We must watch the other timelines.”

“Do you want me to investigate?”

“…No. Not yet. We need to pinpoint what went wrong first. Let us analyze this failed timeline and see what changes it had from the original.”

“If we’re not careful, that ripple could affect us.”

“I’m aware. I’ll tell the others to be alert for any changes.”

“Understood…”

[cantfoolajoker]

s.e.e.s. as dnd classes

after my last post on the thieves, i have now returned to talk more about using dnd classes and subclasses as character study opportunities with the focus now being on sees (plus hamuko bc she counts)

since the post is lengthy, its going under the read more

so, for starters, minato/makoto is a shadow magic sorcerer. sorcerers are based on the idea that rather than learned arcana or given magic, you inherently have it inside you and can produce said affects with your sheer force of will, or your charisma. shadow magic sorcerers are linked specifically to the shadowfell, which is the negative energy to the feywilds positive energy, and sorcerers uniquely display quirks depending on their lineage; two i’d propose for minato/makoto would be “when you asleep, you don’t appear to breathe (but you still do to survive)” and “always cold to the touch”, since they seem the most fitting in my opinion for him. they get things such as strength of the grave, which says that on a successful saving throw on an otherwise fatal hit, you’ll drop to just 1 hp due to your constant state of being between life and death, and you also get the umbral form at 18th level, which allows you to change your form to a shadowy state that is resistant to all damage except for force and radiant that also allows you to move through other objects or creatures (man does that remind you of a certain battle a bit). 

in comparison, minako/hamuko is a totem barbarian in my full honest opinion. the reason i say this is because one of her defining traits is her hot headedness and impulsiveness to jump into situations, making her a prime candidate for barbarian due to their rage state and ability to tank hits. they get martial weapons, allowing her to pick up some weapon similar enough to a naginata, and the main aspect of the class is the ability to pick a totem spirit, which provides buffs depending on which animal you pick for your totem. personally, i throw my vote in for the wolf totem because it functions as a leader with the ability to land advantage melee hits on any creature hostile to you, the ability to track certain enemies and move at a stealthier natural pace, and the ability to just knock a large or smaller enemy prone when you hit them with a melee attack, all of which benefits minako/hamuko very nicely and lines up with her fighting style in both p3p and pq2.

alright so i know yukari uses a bow and arrows, and i know ranger exists, but also rangers are kinda bad in dnd overall and also yukari isn’t really a scout in any way. luckily dnd has an answer to this in the form of arcane archer fighter. arcane archers fuse magic into their archery methods in order to protect and deliver damage, mixing both yukari’s magic usage with her weapon of choice. they get the ability to literally redirect their arrows once shot to new targets and second wind, which lets them regain hp as a bonus action once per short or long rest. arcane archers essentially get an arrow type for like every school of magic, which makes up for the fact this would mean yukari has lost most of her healing spells since arcane archer fighters focus on dps more than they do support, though its not like ranger wouldve made up for that anyway.

so since junpei wants to be the leader so badly, i decided a champion fighter was gonna be the best bet for him, both because in a meta sense it is usually the First Pick newcomers do due to its simplicity of hit and hit more, but also because the class focuses on dps and raw physical power pushed to perfection, which junpei does end up getting when he learns to use a bat rather than a sword with the way he swings. this class and subclass is super straightforward: you get More damage to do the more you try to hit, and you get a higher chance of critical hits along with a more flexible fighting style and the ability to regain hit points with the survivor feat. they also get remarkable athlete, which lets them use half their proficiency bonus for any checks made while using one of their physical stats (so strength, dexterity, and constitution, all of which junpei def has) to have a greater chance at passing said checks.

akihiko's a monk. i literally don’t know what anyone expected. he’s a way of the open hand monk. open hand monks generally focus on debuffing enemies, which is akihiko’s staple in the party next to his all around good stats, which monks possess too in form of natural armor, increased movement speed, and having a hit die for throwing punches rather than dishing out 1 point of damage per hit, which increases as they get stronger. they can also heal themselves which akihiko has with his dia and diarama spells, but that isn’t the focus of it as much as it’s just a neat add on. overall, the guy’s a boxer and needs to dish out punches and monk does literally exactly that.

so i made a joke with a friend about how mitsuru keeps using marin karin because the ai of p3 is bad, and that led into the idea that mitsuru is a college of swords bard. while bards can be very stereotypically flirty, it’s just based on the fact their casting stat is charisma, so really any charismatic character can be a bard, which mitsuru does have with her formal way of speaking and her way of holding herself to establish authority. swords bard use, if you couldn’t guess, swords to fight, typically finesse weapons that they use dex for to fight, which with mitsuru’s weapon being a rapier, an actual finesse weapon in dnd, it’s an elegant weapon pick for an elegant class. they also get jack of all trades so they’re good at pretty much everything, which reflects the sort of type of person mitsuru reflects herself to be, and as a big joke, they get countercharm which allows them to perform and their allies get advantage when someone attempts to charm them. yeah. anyway mitsuru’s a bard. next.

for fuuka, i took more inspiration from her persona and how it encloses around her while she does her work to come up with an abjuration wizard. the school of abjuration specializes in protection and banishment spells, with outsiders believing it to be a specialization in denial and negation but truly being about ending harm and protecting the weak, which represent fuuka’s character and her bullying arc well. this class is mostly just what it says on the tin; they specialize in closing portals and rifts to other worlds, performing exorcisms, and securing locations that are too important to allowed equally magical wandering eyes and ears from engaging with. it’s also a high intelligence based class, which fits fuuka well. since she’s also a wizard, which gets virtually no hp and also no armor, so she needs to be protected, which everyone should want to protect her lmao.

aigis, for one, is a warforged in terms of races in dnd since they’re the robot race that only act on the goal they are given, But that’s just a side point to the main point of classes, which way of the kensei monk is definitely her. kensei monks train so extensively with their weapons that they become an extension of themselves, with aigis’s without a doubt being firearms due to her robotic nature already making them a literal extension of herself. they’re speedy and precise, both of which fit aigis and her programming to be the best combat unit, as kensei focus almost exclusively on dps output and the ability to just deal as much damage in one hit. unerring accuracy is also a feat kensei monks get, which allows them to reroll any attack they miss and again, really hones in on the combat robot thing aigis has going on.

now i know some of you probably went ‘are they gonna class assign koromaru’ and let me tell you i’m not going to cause 1 you wouldn’t be able to play him anyway in the theoretical sense, but also he’s usually seen as a companion to either ken or shinjiro, so he fits more as a companion animal that you see some classes get like rangers or druids. usually these animals survive as long as their owners lifespan and get extra health and sometimes magic so koromaru is a-okay in fighting still.

now for someone who i’m very excited to talk about: ken. being hellbent on revenge is actually a class in dnd! it’s called the vengeance paladin, which is a paladin whose oath revolves around singlehandedly bringing “evildoers” to justice, though what this justice is would be defined by the individual paladin’s definition of morality and their own vendetta. even in their basic description, oath of vengeance defines anyone who takes it as someone who sees their purity not being as important as the concept of delivering justice where justice is due, which fits not only ken’s theme as the justice arcana, but overall his entire relationship with shinjiro (which. oh boy paladin shinjiro and paladin ken parallels?). paladins get martial weapons which means ken gets his lance he uses, and on their spell list they get hunter’s mark, letting them mark targets to deal more damage. one another thing i want to bring attention to is their 7th level class feature, relentless avenger, which essentially makes it so any enemy that provokes an attack of opportunity can’t truly escape because the vengeance paladin can immediately take half their movement speed to follow after said enemy as apart of their reaction, which i think pretty easily describes the october 4th scene if you know what i mean.

and finally i’m saving the best for last cause i wanna talk about shinjiro. picture this: shinjiro’s a big tanky knight meant to service the people and protect them but a stray spell one day kills an innocent woman and suddenly he’s failed the one thing he swore his life to. giving up his oath, shinjiro turns into an oathbreaker paladin, a paladin who in someway shape or form has broken their sacred oath and now walks a darker path. now oathbreakers, while being stereotypically written as “evil”, don’t have to be evil themselves; being an oathbreaker pretty much is what it says on the tin, with them having failed to fulfill their oath’s rules in some way shape or form. breaking his own moral code and also abandoning his affiliation with sees pretty much solidifies shinjiro as an oathbreaker with him not necessarily being a bad person cause we all know he’s not. oathbreakers get things such as channel divinity: dreadful aspect, which lets them channel their anger into an intense magical intimidation, and paladins themselves are the only class to get the find steed spell, which fits castor’s horse riding-ness. they also get martial weapons and heavy armor, making shinjiro a big tank with an even bigger axe just like he likes to be. as a bonus thing, shinjiro Definitely has the tavern brawler feat (which gives unarmed strikes a hit die rather than a flat 1 damage) so he can wrestle with akihiko

BONUS: chidori’s a life cleric. her entire fountain of life or whatever the thing her persona does right next to her white gothic lolita aesthetic fit her as a life cleric. Or she could be a grave cleric with an atypical aesthetic, but then again, theres been pastel goth grave clerics before too.

BONUS x2: my friend and i had 2 ideas for ryoji while throwing ideas for this whole list around: death cleric, which is yknow, pretty straight forward..... OR deathlock great old one. deathlocks are specifically enemy warlocks that have been brought back from the dead by their patron because they believe that the warlocks job hasnt been done yet, and well, nyx i think counts as a great old one patron.