captain ressentiment;

     Tap, tap, tap. She waits with all the time in the world for this conversation, a simple thing in theory; Ikusaba is no conversationalist or diplomat, but it is by Sonia Nevermind’s insistence she’s here to speak with a complete stranger - though he’s hardly new, and he seems to have a strong connection to the other Hope’s Peak student, and it’s through this that the soldier reminds herself of her point of being here.

     That is, to convince this Hanamura kid to ally himself with both herself and his… girlfriend? But he answers the door before she can think to turn back and ditch, the girl sucking in all the bravery within her chest to enforce her ideas to someone she has no current standing with.

“Sonia sent you?” Well, this is her house. “Oh, well then feel f--”

She comes in of her own accord before he can invite her, lips shutting softly as she stepped in. A mere shut of the door behind her and he regains himself, recovering with little trouble. Maybe she hasn’t much time? Or cared to get strict to business? Regardless, he’s not stunted for long.

“Soooo... you know me, but who are you?” His tone is casual, light with a hum as he trailed behind. He figures she’d planned to introduce herself, and he trusts Sonia, so he’s not worried, only curious. “Not sure what the ‘benefit’ you’re talking about is, but if you need help or anything, I’m all ears.”

       When she hears him come through the front door, her face lights up, and she rushes to the doorway of the kitchen to meet him — faucet still running, soap bubbles rising. 

“Alright, so....” he’s trying to look humble on the outside but pride is clearly radiating from his posture. “It’s White Day where I’m from, meaning it’s customary to return the chocolates you get on Valentine’s Day...”

He casually reveals the box from behind him, gently placing it in her soaked hands before...

“So I got you....!”

... taking off the cover to reveal layers and layers of chocolates from Novoselic, of which he spent hours upon hours trying to find by chance in the Cultural Sector for the past week.

Rei-chan, Zen-kun, Rise-chan, Adachi, Kirijo-san, Shadow Naoto, Sho-kun, Shinjiro-san, Ken-kun…

She was both pleasantly surprised and a little pissed off to see so many people she knew here. Yeah on one side she wouldn’t be alone, which was cool and all, but it just meant that they had all been kidnapped just like she had and couldn’t leave this dumb city. It was frustrating because it wasn’t like it had been before, there was nothing to solve, no way to make this ‘better’ they knew who had taken them and it was like there was nothing they could do about it. They’d get away with this and could keep them here forever if they pleased and keep taking people, and who knows maybe that was their plan all along…. Just the thought made her angrier to the point where she was literally stomping down the street consumed in her own little world.

Until she literally rammed into someone as they were passing by, she didn’t have the patience to deal with that right now and for the sake of feeling better she lashed out at the person.

"Hey! Why don’t you watch where you’re—……"

It’s only when someone crashes into him-- almost enough of an impact to send him flying to the ground-- that he wakes from his daze, utterly annoyed by the force of this collision that was completely uncalled for.

“What the hell, man? Why don’t you--” 

His words stop short as soon as the realization is made however, and his attitude lifts just the slightest. Relief is somewhat apparent in his features but otherwise...

“--Oh, it’s only you, Chie.” He rubs his shoulder with one hand, the other pausing his music. “Didn’t know you were here, too. What’s up with you just marching into people? Did you just get here?”

The Shadow’s practically simpering—she hides it quickly with a thoughtful hand that passes over her mouth to rest on her chin, and she’s composed again, a mirror reflection of her ever-so-stoic host.

"In the same vein as before, I can’t confess to being surprised. I’ve looked into the comings and goings of this city—others have said much the same, though return trips seem rarer than first-time appearances."

“I guess it’s not that surprising... I mean you’re in the same boat, too, right? You were here with me the first time around, then we went back, and now we’re here again...” It’s somewhat of an awful assumption considering he knows better than to assume everyone has been through the same circumstances, but it’s not entirely baseless, either. 

It had been a while since he’d seen Yosuke around, hadn’t it? In fact he hadn’t really seen him since he hit his junk on that bike rack and Yosuke had watched him fall to the ground in pain. Turns out the guy was an expert in pain relief, must get into a lot of trouble.

He checked his watch, sitting at the food court in the mall with a drink in hand, he reclined into his booth, putting his feet up on the chair directly across the table from him. Where was this guy? He couldn’t be too particularly hard on him he guessed, they hadn’t seen each other in so long, after all.

Half-walking half-jogging, Yosuke appears by the food court table after having spotted the other boy from his... distinct hairstyle, admittedly needing a few moments to catch his breath before he could rightly explain himself.

“Sorry I’m late! Work ran over and-- I should’ve texted you but-- well, I thought I’d make it if I just ran.” Evidently not. “Anyway, it’s nice to see you! I can’t believe you’re still in this city... have you really never left since we met up last time?”

'A “really cool dessert?” Uh…' That's a tough one. Most of the “delicacies” he partook in at home — stuff like soda, the occasional bag of chips — are all commonplace here, and he's not nearly dumb enough to suggest those for a gift. 'There's this one Pikachu sundae that girls like a lot… but I mean…' Would they even have that here? 

Would girls who didn’t know about Pokemon even want something like that?

'Oh! There's these—' Suddenly, his hands are flying, gesticulating in a clamour. 'Uh… root beer Eevee popsicles? Yeah — it's got vanilla in it, and stuff… it's pretty cheap, but it's supposed to be cute.' It's decided, then. Gold gives a determined nod, looking over Yosuke's shoulder at all the stalls hanging around… as if one would just have the ice cream right out in the open.

'Dunno if they'll have it around here, but — c'mon. I'll help you look.' Because why not, right? This guy seems like he's in kind of a pickle, and it's not like he has anything more important to do, anyway. 'I'm Gold. I know it sucks when you can't find something, so — lemme help you.'

He smiles like it’s no big deal.

He’ll tell himself that.

“Root beer Eevee popsicles..” If he’s being honest, that actually sounded pretty good, adorable Pokemon design or not. “Huh, I guess that would definitely file under ‘super creative gift’.” And if he can afford it, all the better.

The determined nod is soon returned in full, gratitude reflected first in the way his expression lights up at the offer, then in the grin following his introduction.

“--Really? Awesome. I’m Yosuke Hanamura.” Being named after a color was a little on the strange side, but this is Hive City, so he’s heard stranger. “The thing is, I usually pick the first thing I find so.... someone else’s input is actually a lot of help, haha...”

In retrospect, he doesn’t think he’s entirely to blame. After an exhausting day at work with stores closing in minutes, even a faded shirt on clearance looks like a great idea. Fortunately, there’s plenty of time left in the day today-- he should be able to end up with something decent.

“And hey, if it all turns out well, I’ll even treat you to something.” Because what’s another popsicle on his tab, really-- he’ll probably end up getting hungry by the end of this, too. “Anyway, I thiiiink I see a stall selling sweets over there... but I can’t tell if it’s ice cream from here.”

       ”Yu-senpai! I’m so happy to see you!”

       She rushes to his side, resisting the urge to throw her arms around him in a hug. The metal pipe would probably hurt and now really isn’t the time. She shifts her focus to Yosuke who, brilliantly and bravely, begins to act as a distraction. In the absence of Yu, he really did make a great substitute leader.

       As the power of his Garudyne attack begins to take effect, it occurs to her that it’s her turn. This is a chance for both herself and Yu to attack this thing up close. She was recently given her Rock You! ability by the scientists and she intends to utilize it the best she possibly can. Detonating musical notes could really put both Yu and Yukiko at an advantage even if it’s just for a few short moments.

       ”Let me show you what an idol can do!”

       Taking her opening, she makes a run for the goddess. The pipe acts as her guide, two musical notes appearing next to one another. They start to multiply and she quickly bounces back from them before they can explode. She then nods at her upperclassmen as the notes begin exploding one by one.

Upon Yu’s arrival, heart skipping a beat of excitement. His presence soothing, almost relieving to see they were in fact, not entirely alone to confront the odds.

If given the chance of their success, a heartwarming reunion shall be left for later, much as she desired to greet their friend, said energies would be reserved for the fight. Rise’s part a simple delight to flare motivation, for they could not be left behind. Dust rises, remnants of the explosion from the notes as well of Garudyne, the figure of the goddess scarcely detectable. "Yu-kun! It’s our chance!" Steady steps reach Narukami’s location, a faint exhale leaving parted lips. Refraining from giving a detailed strategy on a combined attack of them as a lasting touch, a mere turn of head to gain his attention before her paper fan signaled toward Nyx’s direction. Comfortably setting distance to prevent further trouble on her teammates, the movements of her hand a graceful twirl that would lit a flame on mid-air, having yet to be released, until her leader’s spell was ready to be launched in the same instance.

Her portion was less and a tad weaker in comparison to her companions, which left a bitter aftertaste but it would not suffice to prevent her from partaking into action.

He intends to prove this.

Much of the language of battle is silent, and Yu recognizes it as it occurs. Yosuke’s off to make a distraction, Rise’s creating a blast that will further increase the odds of crafting an opening, and that means…

Yukiko’s got the right idea and he confirms it, joining her attack with one of his own. He takes the lead, gazing at the full horror of their opponent with calm eyes…there’s something strange about this in a way that he can’t describe, but now isn’t the time to ponder it. Yu twirls his katana and steps forward. the air swelling with tension in preparation for the arrival of electrical energy. 

"Go, Izanagi!"

The two spells are launched simultaneously, a shuddering flare of electricity and fire, targeting Nyx with unflinching precision.

"Eternity awaits."

Her beastly hand lifted itself and revealed a card, which later turned into another, one that presented a new phase.

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed…"

Said card shattered in mid-air and as the words escaped Nyx Avatar’s lips, a calming light pressed itself and blinded a few for a short moment.

"The silent voice within one’s heart whispers the most profound wisdom."

And the Priestess Phase commenced with the introduction of Ice Break being used. To where it was supposed to land, only the harbinger of Death knew. However, it would hit Amagi Yukiko and her resistance to any ice damage will shatter gracelessly. Nyx Avatar grinned amusingly.

Unsure of himself, his momentum halts, turning to Rise in hopes there’s some weakness she could detect, however unlikely that was. She said something earlier about 14 different Arcanas... and given the words spouted by the goddess, did that mean they were making progress? Whatever the case, it was hope-- too soon for victory, but hope nonetheless.

Despite the mask, there’s clear arrogance being radiated, and a concern for Yukiko hesitantly builds. Ice Break... if their encounter with shadows in the past was anything to go by, then ice was bound to be used in the upcoming turns. She could take care of herself, he knew, but given his lack of ability now, he’s momentarily left teetering on where he’d be the most help.

“So, uh... I’ve only got one more Garudyne left,” he admits, somewhat ashamed of the fact. “But I’ve got my weapon! I can keep hacking it down until we need it!”

A nod to Yu, as if to say it’ll be his call when that move should be used, before the magician uses his turn to attack with multiple slashes of his kunai, the combination of innate speed and his Persona allowing him to push some bite to his hits as well as gain airtime. 

“Take that! We’re just getting started!”

        【★】"A phone, huh? About time! I know exactly what to do." 

To: Kuwata Leon | From: Hanamura Yosuke

       ”Persona!”

       Reacting immediately to Yosuke’s question, she readies herself to scan, to gather any information possible. There has to be a way to defeat this thing and she’ll do whatever it takes to figure out how to do it. Slight panic washes over her, however, when Himiko’s scanner begins to read things that make her feel like it’ll be impossible to win 

       ”Yosuke… Yukiko-senpai—! My readings are off the charts!”

       She makes a fist, concentrating as hard as she can in order to summarize any bit of information that herself and her classmates can utilize.

       ”Okay, I don’t know if it has all of these abilities in the city, but, generally, it can attack twice in a row! It can use fourteen different Arcana and has a grand total of twenty-five thousand five hundred HP! We have to be really careful!”

       The scanner lifts from her eyes and Himiko falls back. Her eyes spot a long pipe in a pile of debris and as Yosuke makes his move, she runs to grab it. It’s not her mic stand, but it’ll do if she needs to use force. She grips it tightly, bouncing in anticipation on the balls of her feet as she stares up at the creature before them.

       Yu isn’t there to lead them all, so she puts all of her faith in her upperclassmen and is confident they’ll do their best to bring this thing down. Even if it costs her life along the way, it’ll be worth it to save hundreds of others.

Fire-lit determination is what can be detected in her gaze, setting upon the grand figure of Death. Defensive is her stance, unable to rely on physical skills to defend her life and while almost felt shameful in that regard, a paper fan was still a preferable weapon to direct most attacks but felt odd when selected to use against this thing. Yukiko was somewhat glad, still. Having her friends here eased most worried and offered a certain degree of security, a more stable ground on unfaltering confidence, ready to place her life on the line once again.

"I assume our plan is to beat it senseless before we run out of time?" Innocence distillates from vocals, and appear a tad absurd whilst in the middle of chaos but keeping factions intact from distress is a task not accomplished by many. A shy observance toward her companions, taking in note Rise’s details, the Priestess’ lips grimaced and focus was left onto the responsible behind this calamity. Yosuke’s aid came in handful, would definitively secure a critical hit upon the weakest but her utility here dimmed. Then again, she was not one to act recklessly despite having a dense attitude and constant awareness.

"Hanamura-kun, you’re our substitute leader for now. We’ll back up whatever you have in mind, so don’t fret on commanding us! Right, Rise-san?" She sounded almost happy, though not much can be shown aside a delighted expression. Despite bringing him down often, he is in no way /that/ foolish and she had this odd feeling — he would make Narukami and everyone else proud.

His friends need him. He’ll trust his bond with them to guide him to their side, as always.

Yu takes off sprinting through the city, taking note of the strange malady that seems to be affecting the populace. This is certainly different than his first visit here, and he grips the sheathe of his katana in one hand, finding a little reassurance in its familiar weight. He rounds a bend in the street, dropping over the side of an overpass and looking up at the impossible, winged figure that haunts the city’s skyline as it comes into view—along with his friends.

He knows who will sense him long before anyone else. Rise! Yu thinks, broadcasting the thought outwards before he even reaches the group. A familiar card’s crushed in his fist with little fanfare upon his arrival, sending a flare of blue up behind him, along with a silhouette.

Among the four who possessed the potential, three more parties have decided to group to take on what most would deem beyond helping. Mendacious as the words of encouragement, the steps of countless men followed to pursue the mighty fools though they were nothing but mere humans, easy to get rid of if wanted. A few have marched to cling towards their limbs, negatively amplifying whatever strength they have left in their systems. Half of them were carnivorous and will devour if left unattended and they were now after the immobilized civilians who did nothing but stare at the Death that awaits them, expecting execution to come as neatly as it started. Blood everywhere and tears waved dried, humanity reached the point where they no longer see the light that awaits them at the very end of the tunnel.

Yukiko's encouragement furthers his determinations; death may be inevitable, but living was far more than breathing and waiting to fade away. They will always have the irreplaceable to depend on, a strength that could manifest itself even in situations as bleak as this one-- especially in situations as bleak as this one.

No sooner does the thought come to mind does the very person who can utilize that strength appear, familiar voice and Persona fashionably late but enthusiasm sky rocketing by the second.

"Yu---!? Haha! Now it's a party!"

Attention returns to the opponent, spirit revitalized. Headphones slipped on provide his rhythm, kunai earned back flipping in hand. Think fast, but pace yourself. Yu's katana and Rise's newly acquired pipe both require an opening, whereas Yukiko can deal damage from a distance. Though he may not be the leader of them all, he thinks he's got a way to support as second-in-charge-- and he likes it better that way.

"Alright, leave it to me!" he announces, already moving back in preparation, flashing only a quick glance at his teammates so they might read his intentions-- I'm going to distract it. After creating enough distance, he speeds towards the goddess to heighten his leap, jumping into the air to aim right for the face.

"Hey ugly, over here!"

Then swiftly he spins-- spins and spins and spins with the strength of a tornado, wind accumulating around his figure and Persona supporting just behind him, until its power builds to the level of--

"Garudyne!" 

-- to grind against the goddess in hopes of pushing it back, dealing damage, temporarily creating an opening for his friends, or some lucky combination of them all.

Hopelessness features protean properties, how often it would shift from varying subjects only to reach an ending point which was the end itself. The life of creatures however, had a common quality but their final flag was unique in itself. Despair has its limits and it can be avoided. Death, however, is another matter that needed furthering and it was a happening that no mortal can leap from no matter the amount of strength they exert to clung onto metal pipes of life. Bonds assisted to ease the bittersweet taste of the usual. Irregardless, they remain and still will not be enough to let death astray from its original goal, and that was to accomplish end and deem acceptance, one thing that only few learned to swallow.

Anyhow, no children tonight will be pampered and no lives shall remain free. The chains of fight will bind all arms and feet, and head too if previously said parts were nonexistent. No one will be given the privilege to laugh to their heart’s content, only graced and caressed with the blessing to cringe and find their efforts useless. It was alluring in all honesty, how people think their resistance is pretty and will alter what’s already been decided from the very beginning: Everyone will die tonight.

The death that swarm through the minds of the wake were compelling and they started to feel even more worthless than they already were. Not even the power of this friendship most foolish people have spoken seemed to save the thousands that decided to live in the seas of roaring fire. Knives were thrown and clashes of weapons could be heard and every click was equivalent to sixty six deaths and more was being exchanged. Some figured that molding themselves to be an inspiration might pull them away from the anxiety that attacked their beings, but the surrealism of the event did nothing but make everything far worse and the crows danced in delight.

A quarter have lost their minds and they became a jolly awful lot. Happy enough, they’d grab a shattered piece of glass and carve a heart right next to some trees they could see, write the three letters that’d render anyone else vomitting - N Y X. Others have written this with their blood, some ridiculous man even pulled out his guts to form them with his intestines, not minding the crying eyes that watched and the stomachs that churned.

Emanating towards the brightest night, his ebony wings fluttered alluringly. Or would her be more proper to use now? Anyhow, the personification of Death finally arrived. She should’ve done this earlier. Then again, she was not necessarily at fault when the vessel she sheltered this time held defiance far greater than anyone else’s doubled. The Fool had been sealing her for quite some time and it was just about the right moment, the right night. The Appraiser cantered in the middle of the lightless sector, sides flapping about heavily and The Full Moon shining just behind her. It emphasized the darkness her figure beheld.

The citizens were under pressure for conformity. At this rate, with death and terror floating before the very back of their troubled minds, who would dare think about neutralizing her at this point? None did and none will do. Such attempts are to be considered blasphemy to her name and to everything they believed in. She was here to bring naught but one thing: inevitable death. It will surely come for them in the long run, why permit the process to slow down? Trickling time in droplets will not make it less tragic. Mortals die everyday. Dying now shouldn’t scare anyone at this point. Yet her figure, as big as it was, her aura would be more than enough to shift the tides to her being and the cards to her bet.

And when they’ve got a better look of her appearance, they suddenly know what happened. He was all over the media, the boy who everyone was willing to abandon their duties just to get him killed… she was not shaped like him exactly, yet the similarities were very easy to recognize, appearance wise. They will never find him. He’s nowhere in this city but inside of her, as how he emerged from him, painfully ironic. The distinction was enough to leave a handful hanging their mouths, half of them dropping to their knees and scrapping it as they didn’t care enough for themselves now that the end was not just near. It’s here. It’s right here.

"Rise, can you scan this... this thing?" The sheer size of the opponent was enough to tell that even should they have had their full strengths unlocked, they still may not have had the potential to take it down. But powers be damned, there is still effort that can be made-- his own abilities practical in dodging what could come. Distracting, delaying the inevitable; whatever they could offer had to be done, if only because of their responsibilities as Persona users-- and friends of the Shadow Operatives.

"Dammit...! Well, here goes nothing!"

Having full faith in his speed, he decides to first aid the priestess'. Evading whatever this monster could dish out was his first priority; one hit KOs would be the end for sure, so balance between offensive and defense was no doubt required.

"Come, Persona!" 

A beam of green glows before the light spreads to bestow swiftness.

"Sukukaja!"

> Yukiko's hit/evasion has increased!