gumminet | (no subject)

[ .... at some point, she probably does get sprayed in the face, so. You know.

Time for revenge.

Which involves her tracking down a Flood, and gently petting it. Or snuggling it. She probably does this, like, a lot, so feel free to bother her when she does!! ]

Edited 2019-11-10 05:43 (UTC)

[ One of the times she does that, there's a flustered Vanitas nearby. ]

Why...

Well, they're cute.

[ Also she's feeling pretty lonely. ]

I think it's happy, don't you?

[Hi, Mira. This pretty young man with blond hair and gold eyes has also caught one of the Floods. He's holding it close and petting it with slightly malicious affection.

Honestly, he doesn't even care which Vanitas it's attached to. Any Vanitas just letting them wander around the site deserves what he gets.]

Hi. You're Mira, right?

[ Ah, a kindred spirit. Mira smiles and drops a kiss to the top of the Flood's head. ]

That's me. [ .... ] I guess I'm still surprised when people know my name.

You did introduce yourself on the network. I. Ummmm. Looked a little different at the time. I'm Kosuke.

[He idly scritches his Flood.]

[ It's during a later time, there's this guy approaching, looking... and feeling... pretty weary, sad, and guilty about some things.

He blinks at the Unversed, but can't help smiling as he watches. Those heavier emotions lighten into something gently amused and otherwise calm. ]

Making a friend?

[ Juuuust going to reach out and pet it, too! There's a quiet laugh. ]

I bet he's slowly dying from this. [ holding out a hand ] I'm Akira - B-rank Agent Akira Kurusu, if we're going all formal. It's nice to meet you.

Edited 2019-11-11 04:41 (UTC)

[ Ah..... big mood, my guy.

Regardless, she nods and scritches the Unversed under its... chin?? Before she takes his hand. ]

They're very friendly, so I can't really be blamed. [ smh. ] I'm Mira. It's nice to meet you, too, Akira.

[Aki is... well. Doing about as well as could be expected, given just how many of his friends and Important People disappeared?

Right now, he's going along the beach trying to... calm down. Trying to think straight and figure out what his next steps should be in getting to the people he cares about. Trying to think of—

Thinking straight doesn't seem to be in the cards, though, and he doesn't seem to be entirely aware of how tightly his one hand has curled into his hair.]

[ Losing people he cares about, yet again, is... a lot.

Akira is not feeling like his usual self, in spite of who he got to keep this time around. And it really doesn't help that there are two versions of Goro Akechi being affected? It's not like... a major blow, since it's a pair he hasn't met, but... it doesn't help to see their faces, knowing what they'll probably be going through.

It's just sore spot on top of crushingly painful spots on top of sore spots on top of...

... Well. You get the idea, right?

There's a frown when he spots an almost-face-twin not looking so good. After hesitating, hand rubbing at the back of his neck as he does, he slowly approaches. He lets his footsteps fall loudly enough to be heard. ]

Hey...

[When his gaze snaps to him, it's wild.

Maybe the only saving grace right now is, despite him being an Akiren, he's just a little bit older— just enough to look different enough for Akira to differentiate himself from the other.

Not that that has him lowering his guard or letting up on the hostile posture? But then his expression tenses for a moment— there's conflict in his gaze before he turns away violently and snarls out:]

Leave. Before I change my mind and rip you to shreds.

[ He flinches.

It's kind of an instantaneous thing, and he really hates that he does it at all... but it happens, regardless of what he'd prefer. Even years of working through some of his own issues doesn't help prevent that reaction.

There's a slow breath before he frowns. ]

... Afraid I can't do that.

[ Not when there are other versions of Akira Kurusu and Ren Amamiya walking around here. Some that might not get that kind of warning.

It's better if this Akira can get his aggression out with someone more likely to come out mostly unscathed, he thinks. Or maybe he just thinks it's better that it's him, in general. ]

Not that I want to fight you. . . But, you're welcome to vent at me, however you need to.

[His body is wound tightly, and it certainly doesn't let up any at those words.

The latter in particular have him giving a rather dark chuckle... and when he looks back to the other Akira almost unnervingly slowly? There's a rather unhinged grin on his face, and his irises have turned bright red.

It's at that moment that Loki appears in front of him, searing red blade slashing the older Akira with a devastating Brave Blade. For a moment, it seems nothing happens, but then...]

Hn—!

[He skids back in the sand quite a ways as an invisible force tears at him from the front, and he brings up a hand to clutch at his chest. His breath is ragged. There's silence for a bit, and then...

A little laugh escapes him— too giddy, too wild. He looks up, that same expression still on his face.

Again, Loki appears. And again, the blade comes down.]

[ Oh.

Lovely.

... The grin sends an uncomfortable chill down his spine, which is probably saying a lot when he's encountered as many terrifying enemies as he has. Hell, he's died and this chill is worse than anything involving that. Even the moment that it sank in he was never going to feel his heart beating again doesn't compare.

But even that doesn't compare to how it feels to see Loki.

All at once, those moments he questioned if he really could have walked Goro Akechi's path... All those tugs of discomfort and fear and acceptance. He was right. He was right, and it absolutely sucks. His guard shoots up, his Persona immediately ready, though he kind of regrets that almost instantly.

He doesn't flinch. For once, he's stunned even beyond that capability. He's staring as Akira laughs. Staring as he attacks again, and calling out a little too late. ]

Stop, you idiot!

[ He's not above making him stop... ]

Edited 2019-11-11 01:27 (UTC)

[He doesn't stop. The hit connects. Again, Akira is sent reeling in pain. In fact, he outright collapses.

But, not a second later, he's getting back on his feet. If he minds the sand that's gotten all over him, he doesn't seem to make any indication of it.]

Haha, why should I? [That grin doesn't fade for a moment as he looks back at the older version of himself.] Not like you're even taking any damage, right? You insisted on staying, after all... [He grins a little too widely.] Don't give me that look. We're complete strangers. [Then his face darkens a little.] If you have any misguided sympathy towards me just because I have your face...

[And then it darkens more as if the other himself had just outright confirmed his suspicion.]

Asshole... I'm outright attacking you, you could at least have the fucking decency to be angry over it!

[But suddenly there's hesitation. Conflict.

And then pure hatred in his eyes.

He summons Loki once more. And the blade comes down.]

[ There's a sigh. ]

Sympathy, huh? You really are stupid if you think that's what this is... I'm not risking the lives of the others who carry the "grave sin" of sharing a face with you, angry kitten.

[ And the look in his eyes hardens as he waves a hand. ]

Don't say I didn't warn you...

[ A stream of water surrounds him, blocking the attack with ease. But, the second Loki's attack is over, Akira's vanishing. Then...? Aki will feel a healing spell flowing through him. ]

[There's a yell, torn somewhere between furious and agonized:]

Shut up!

[When that gaze hardens, his whole body tenses. He's ready for the other to come at him with everything he's got.

But that isn't what happens at all. He disappears, and then he's... healed?]

You coward... [His voice trembles. With rage or something else, it's not quite clear.] You coward! Show your face and fight me, dammit!

[His expression is cracking. His glossy eyes furiously scan around for his opponent.]

[ Well, as it would turn out, he isn't gone for good. As soon as he cast the healing spell, he was standing a few feet away - kind of somewhat behind Aki. ]

Refusing to fight you doesn't make me a coward.

[ That's said as though he's saying what the temperature's gonna be for the night - as though there's only truth to the matter. There's a flash of blue light - he's changed his Persona. ]

Unless, of course, you're brave enough to try hand-to-hand.

[Once his eyes land on him, his gaze narrows. He's breathing harshly, jaw ridged, every part of him hostile and aggressive as if he was facing down his worst enemy.

There's no words from him. Nothing but that ragged breathing as he blinks the moisture away from his eyes.

All he does is wordlessly slide a hand into his coat, revealing a set of daggers. Unlike the ones he uses for the Metaverse, these are objectively real— and lethal.

With the blades in his hands, he charges the other, eyes wild as ever as he tries to get in the first strike as he slashes at his chest.]

Edited 2019-11-11 02:48 (UTC)

[ None of the expressions this face has worn has been a pleasant one to see.

Just the fucking opposite.

Akira can feel it weighing on his mind, too, which... isn't good. Not only is he outside of his territory, making his power not quite what it could be, getting worked up can turn him sloppy and reckless.

Recklessness is exactly what has him freezing up. Letting Aki land an attack; it's a test, and Aki absolutely fails it.

The pain that shoots through him has a dark laugh slipping out. ]

When I said hand-to-hand, I meant fists.

[ There's a wall of fire surrounding him, and it will hurt if Aki doesn't have protection against that. Fortunately, it's short-lived, and only intended to push him back. ]

[The hit landing actually startles him.

He actually stumbles back a bit, eyes widening at the blood. It's clear he hadn't expected it to work— hadn't expected him to stand there and take it.

There's something about hearing the dark laugh in the older him's voice that has... something cold going down his own spine. Anxiety swirls in his stomach— maybe even fear? It's... already clear this guy has some serious defenses, after all, and a strange ability that Akira is unfamiliar with.]

Shut up!

[The fear slips into his voice, a little, and it's the stumbling back that gives him the space he needs to safely jump back from the fire. His gaze is still wild, but there's some cornered animal in him, too.

He's still angry. Still upset. Still looking for an outlet for his pain. But now there's conflict. As self-destructive as he is, he still has good reasons to live.

But... here he is, pressing his luck with another slash, and this time? He's not going to balk at a bit of red.]

[ ... He is absolutely sure he will regret doing this, but he's Scanning Aki, once there's enough space.

And a shaky breath escapes him, almost immediately after. The look he's giving Aki is definitely filled with pain, his hand curling on his chest as he glances away. ]

[ There's a pause as he grips his phone, but there's also... a falter. Water swirls around him, blocking the next attack, and definitely hurting Aki if he gets too close to it.

With a sharpened gaze, he stares hard at Aki.

He doesn't do anything else. ]

Edited 2019-11-11 04:04 (UTC)

[Well, he doesn't know where the sudden look is coming from, but it's definitely serving to fuel his anger, and he's glaring in response.

There's a grunt as the water crashes into him— or he crashes into it...? Either way, he's staggering back, desperately looking for another opening, when something flickers through his eyes.

He's pulling a feint, trying to get in a jab, but...

His frantic movements start to slow. His eyes are becoming glossy again.

Finally, he just... stops altogether, dropping the knives in the sand beside him as he falls to his knees.

His breath shudders, his head bowed. Suddenly, his hands come up and grip his hair, and a scream tears out of his throat, anger and anguish mixed into a terrible sound as tears fall from his face. The scream tapers off, and he breathes raggedly for a moment... before he does it again, this time mixed with a sob.

And then... it does turn into sobbing. Full-bodied sobs that wrack his body with not the slightest restraint, nothing to hide just how he's feeling. How he's been feeling for awhile, now. His body curls, too, making him appear much smaller, much more defenseless, and much more vulnerable than he did not a few minutes ago.]

[ It's... over, but it isn't over.

He can't be sure that Aki won't find it in him to go back to attacking, but... he crouches down, releasing a slow breath. He doesn't know if the words will really be heard, but: ]

... When I lost the people I care about, after enduring the first weeks of that shitty murder-filled game, I became bitter. When I started to hate the look of my own face, I nearly gave up on caring about myself.

After I died, a lot of hope left me. Hope felt like a joke, actually. Because it felt like life was only ever going to be laughing at me. I was positive I'd let everyone down, somehow, and some part of me wondered if I deserved being dead. I wondered if I had sacrificed myself less because I wanted to save someone, and more because I wanted the potential outcome.

[ Just... sitting down, staring at the ground. ]

Currently, I don't see you as someone who deserves to suffer. I'm here if you'd like to try yelling at me. Or... maybe backup to go beat up a bunch of shadows? [ . . . a beat as he holds out a fresh cup of coffee. ] Or I could introduce you to SCP-2558-J.

Edited 2019-11-11 04:57 (UTC)

[Much of what's said to him doesn't really register; Akira's currently drowning too much in his own pain to be aware of his surroundings. The sobs, as hard and painful as they are, don't last too long; it might be apparent he's trying to put a stopper on it, even if he'd rather keep on for awhile...

Slowly, his gaze lifts to the other him, his irises having returned to their original color. His choppy breath slowly evens out. His brow furrows. There's no longer any sign of anger or aggression in his gaze.

Instead, he's silently switching personas and casting his boosted Diarama on the other— it's powerful enough to heal him of the wound he inflicted on him completely, as well as any other minor injuries he might have.

Then his bloodshot gaze goes to the cup. He stares for awhile, then looks away... and then back, before he hesitantly reaches out to take it. And then he just... shakes his head, weariness in his gaze. All the anger he had has left him exhausted. There's no desire to fight, and definitely no desire to be aggressive towards someone who's trying so earnestly to help him despite having been attacked by him.

He takes a small sip of the coffee. He looks pretty pathetic right now, what with his red eyes, runny nose, and the water having drenched him, causing him to shiver and make even more sand stick to him. With the addition of a bit of seaweed he might look even more like something that just washed up on the shore.]

Edited 2019-11-11 16:44 (UTC)

[ Well, he guesses this is sort of better than earlier, in some ways.

This drink will not heal his overall exhaustion. But it is warm, and any injuries caused by coming into contact with a shield will start to heal. Furthermore, his eyes will find relief - the redness of them will vanish, at least. Nothing to be done with the hints of tears, except wait.

He lets out a soft sigh. It's pretty clear nothing got through, and some part of him is glad - opening up is still a tough thing to do, and it had only been possible because he thought there was a chance it wouldn't be registered. Let's try bringing Aki back with... simple conversation, shall we? ]

Leblanc.

[ He points at the cup. ]

Wanna know how I made it?

Edited 2019-11-12 00:20 (UTC)

[Ah...

When he recognizes the taste, his brow furrows. His hands tighten around the cup a little. There's something both sad and guilty in his gaze. And yet... fondness is there, too. As well as a slight confusion?

He blinks, gaze slowly drifting to the older him. For a moment, he just stares a bit more, obviously a bit... baffled?

Before his gaze drops back to the cup.]

...sure.

[His voice is rough and quiet.]

A Pin called Healing Whale. It gives an ability called Cure Drink, which basically means I can imagine a drink, and it kind of just... [ another cup appearing in his hand ] ... appears. Cure Drink is what we call a Psych.

[ He pauses a moment, taking a sip of his own coffee. ]

Being able to use those things is one of the few perks of being a Composer. Not that it's all healing... The first thing I was able to do was something called Octo Squeeze, which just drew things towards a Black Hole.

Cure Drink was Goro's first Psych, though.

[A pin...?

He watches, his gaze definitely tired, but... there's a tiny hint of curiosity in it. He takes another sip of the coffee, giving a sniffle. This guy... he's still marveling a little at how level-headed he is.]

Is that how you used the water as a shield?

Yeah... It's called Splish Splash Barrier. The fire one is called Crackle Pop Barrier.

[ He gives a soft snort. ]

There's a third called Creepy Weepy Barrier.

[ After a pause, he sets the cup down next to him, drawing his knees towards his chest. ]

It isn't the most I can do, but I prefer sticking to things like this. I've sort of adopted the defensive role over the years. That's the kind of Composer I want to be - someone who won't judge others too quickly, and will remain steady even under stress.

[... who names these things, exactly? He doesn't say it out loud, but his expression might say it for him.

His gaze rests on him, and slowly, his gaze drops back to the sand. There's a slight tightening of his jaw, though it's agony, not anger, in his eyes.

There seems to be conflict in him for a moment as he tries to figure out what to say. Or maybe what he wants to say...

...]

Composer?

[ He's been wondering this for years, believe him. ]

Think of me as... a ghost that can do a very good impersonation of a living person. [ at that, his expression dims ] I died just before I turned twenty.

Composers are the ones who run these things called Reapers' Games. Basically, they're week-long games for people who have come close to death. People are given a choice on whether or not to play. They could earn a second chance at life, rewards in the afterlife, or... if they do terribly...

[ He just... gestures. ]

I'm sure you can guess.

[Ah... does something in him seem to tense a little when he mentions the word "ghost"?

But it slowly fades. He's continuing to listen to him.

Something in his expression seems to dim a little at the mention of a second chance at life. After a moment, he nods.]

I'm supposed to be dead. [...] You probably already guessed that, though.

[He holds a blink, slowly looking back to him.]

How'd you become one?

... I was hoping I was wrong with that guess.

[ He swallows thickly at the last question. ]

Protecting another person. I was made into a Player during one of the games I was put through. After that game ended, with us basically winning it, I was sort of... guaranteed the future role of Composer, if I wanted it, after dying. And I wouldn't have to go through another game to have it.

And, after I died while protecting that person, I accepted. Admittedly, part of the reason was because my fiances at the time were already Composers. I didn't want-...

... I couldn't leave them behind, just yet. And more Composers are needed to run these games, since the games are how we're taking care of another problem.

[There's a shrug at the response. It is what it is. He effectively managed to escape death, so it'd seem pretty ungrateful to complain about it.

Died protecting another person... Ah. There's a wane smile at that— a guy who's like this, he... could imagine him doing that, easily. He takes another sip of the coffee.

After a moment, he lowers the coffee.]

I made a deal with the devil. Join a game, and I get to live. For a relative value of living. [A wry smirk.] Turns out, being an underling is a pretty shitty way to live... Not that it made much of a difference to me, so long as I could get my revenge.

[His gaze softens a tad.] Then this demon, Viné, he just... returned me to life properly. And his price was just some Italian spaghetti I helped one of my boyfriends make.

[Pain enters his gaze, hands tightening around the cup again.] Now they're in another shitty game, and I— [There's guilt as he looks away.]

Edited 2019-11-12 15:24 (UTC)

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closed to compkira

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CW: suicidal ideation

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