#✯ ✧ ✧ persona 3 verse. ☾ ✞ ☽

[revclver-jesus]

@foolshoujo || ask and you shall receive!

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ " You look tired, Minako... " From the darkness, where he seems to live, so beckons the voice of the god of sleep in something almost like a singing hum. Slinking out of the abyss like a serpent in the garden.

" Though I would expect as much considering that... cross you insist on carrying... " He wondered to himself which was worse. A god complex or a savior complex... Inching near he tilts his head of them. " There's still time... to put it down, you know. "

[revclver-jesus]

@epitomees || ask and you shall receive!

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ " Good evening, Shiomi. "

A familiar voice, sly and cold, if only one they've heard recently. That strange yellow eyed persona user from the full moon. He raises a long and pale hand at them. " You needn't be on edge. I just want to talk. Surely on such a peaceful night we can put aside our differences for a friendly chat? " And that hands curls in a beckoning finger. His tone is almost playful. " I promise not to keep you. Come along. "

[revclver-jesus]

@foolshonen || ask and you shall receive!

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ " Today, over 100 people in this town will die. " That statement of omen comes from seemingly nowhere. Unless you think to look up, and see him lounged on a wall, fidgeting with his gun barrel. But he grins as he continues.

" ... Of incidental death. On average. And yet... when I said that you still felt some impulse to try to resist something, didn't you? " He shakes his head with a sigh. " I wish I understood what it is that possesses you at the mere thought of loss... "

[revclver-jesus]

“ so what’s with the no shirt thing? “ the question always sat idly on his tongue, might as well ask it, right? like this dude was rocking the look but. “ do you wear one in the winter? “

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ Once or twice? Fine. Perhaps it was hot out, perhaps he was just doing something a bit labor intensive before you ran into him. But if by the end of an entire season every single time you ever spot the older persona user he is not wearing a shirt, one begins to wonder if he's outright incapable of wearing a shirt.

And he knows this. And he might revel in the confusion it causes just a little. " I have a deadly allergy to polyester. " Flat faced. You might have almost believed him if not for the slow blink and the thin smile that followed moments after. He had a million lines for every person that ever asked him about this.

" The winters get brutal here, you know.... " A pause. " I look forward to it. " His body is always overheating, unable to ventilate its own body heat, the opposite of the other cold blooded lab children. That's the real reason. But he hedges they'll be able to guess its something to do with his many visible oddities even without the details.

[revclver-jesus]

'slump' from strega verse he probably just pushed himself too far lol

Send 'slump' for your muse to fall asleep leaning against my muse.

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ Their personas strained their bodies terribly.

That, and the poison in their blood-- that is, the medicine that suppresses these personas, what biological adjustments those and the other tests afflicted-- needless to say, the chosen children of Nyx were... held together with duct tape and string.

Takaya rarely if ever fainted from pushing himself too hard per say, ( no, he tended to faint from simply refusing to eat. ) he had other side effects that he seemed to just quietly endure without complaint. A piercing headache, a nose bleed when he used mind charge especially, whatever strange effect being partially his own shadow was having on his mind. But he endured it well, and it made him reliable as a leader, when things like this happened.

It was a particularly aggressive shadow-- the kind that exemplifies why none of the Strega members are advised to be away from base without at least one ally with them. If not for each other they easily could have died. The younger of the two is the one to take it out with a particularly strong hit with their unusual gift, but... the hard battle took its toll. Takaya catches them by the arms as they begin to sway and buckle, seeing that their eyes are falling shut, knocked fully out. Fast asleep. Probably the most restful kind of sleep known to the lab children. He simply sighs. They need to get moving, staying out in the streets always attracted more. So... he places himself under their arms, grips them like backpack straps, and lifts with his knees. Carried, like soldiers do. He did have more muscle than his scrawny figure implied.

" Pretty soon, you're going to be too big for this... " He mockingly sneers, though that sarcasm was half at himself. As if they had that kind of familiarity, the absurdity of the thought. The absurdity of him carrying them at all. Luckily the hideout isn't far... " But... that finale was quite entertaining... "

[revclver-jesus]

“Hey! Hey! Stay awake, okay? Stay awake.” ( pain meme--if you'd like !! aaa )

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ Have you ever smelled human skin burning?

He has. In the past, when some child's persona went berserk-- not all used physical means, some resorted to magic to attack their owner. The charcoal outline, the burnt remains-- he wandered if that's what he looked like right now...

Anyone less used to this would be dead-- dead or screaming-- but Takaya was an uncanny sight. Skinny as he already was, he looked half decayed, his long hair like burnt candle wicks, shriveled and fried, his skin either red or ashen. But he moved. Deliberately so, he laid himself out in a cross-like pose, as if offering himself to the sky. And with a smile he took a shivering breath in and... sighed. Defeated.

Too weak to fight-- too weak to even move, at first he simply slowly closed his eyes and... welcomed fate. He was no hypocrite. He was going to sleep. That thing his bones craved for years on end anyhow, a constant temptation, a state that seemed so natural to him. Sleep. Where nothing hurts and all is weightless and the dark is endlessly and deep. And yet...

A cough, almost a lighthearted scoff, and he forces open his tired eyes at the sound of her voice. Even their golden glow was dulling, but they moved, looking up to the girl that's come running to his side. " ... Why? " He meant that in two ways. His voice is just a croak in his throat. " You have... no reason.... to do.... this... " These persona users baffled him. He almost wanted to insist she stop, but... it's funny, that. Technically, it wouldn't be accepting fate, if he tried to resist living, now would it?

[revclver-jesus]

The sound of a heel on concrete. Ryo turns his head just slightly, enough to give an eye to the intruder. And that eye narrows. He's vaguely aware of this person, enough to know that tonight might not be the same monotony every other night has been.

He was rather enjoying that monotony streak.

"I don't fancy your chances," He mutters, "Do us both a favour, stranger. Go in peace."

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ He smirks at the familiar words. ❝ I intend to... ❞

He sighs the word, a sound more than tired, beleaguered, an exhaustion that seemed to just be a permanent part of his voice when he dare thought of rest. Deep rest. The kind you don't have to wake up from. Bliss. ❝ ... When our time comes. ❞

Those lethargic eyes, golden like a panther's in the pale moonlight, narrow thinner as he tilts back his head and purses his silver brows. ❝ Come now... Don't be unfriendly. Do you mean my chances for polite conversation or something else? ❞ He sarcastically hummed in feigned innocence, a lazy and long hand raising to gesture in shrug, the other always seeming to rest on the handle of his large gun-- not even like one ordinarily would, in threat or preparedness, he rests almost like the arm of a chair, so accustomed to it there it was but a place for his boney hand to be.

They've been watching him. Him and that brother of his. Of course they know of him, of his powers, nothing could disturb the still air of the Dark Hour without them knowing it, these strays, these runaways. They were the very shadows the falling moon cast, you simply ran aimlessly amongst them.

Of course, he was also a criminal, yes. Though to what extent they may truly not know. Not just during the Dark Hour, at that, but still, look at how the tall young man approaches without fear, the confidence in his reclining, exposed spine-- do you really think you can incarcerate a ghost, even if you knew its name? And that is what he is, after all. Something alive that should be dead. Pale, eyes aglow, able to disappear at the witching hour, unaccounted for by every file and record, left to rot, with every intent of dragging you to the after life with him. They were all ghosts, this remaining three, blessed be by the night herself. And lo'-- for this little... natural persona user has been wandering a little too close to a place haunted. ❝ Won't you tell me what it is you're looking for... stranger? ❞

[revclver-jesus]

"You seriously have no idea when to shut up, do you?" (throws out a Shinjiro for you) - @epitomees

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ Immediately-- the so-called prophet laughs, lazily tossing back his platinum hair, clearly finding their irritation with him nothing short of charming. " Quite the opposite, Shinjiro... I have learned to relish in speech without consequences... " He knows he's tempting them, poking a bear, so to speak. He sees their will to throttle him in those fierce eyes of his, he can see it clearly as he stares back, smiling. The trouble is a part of him might welcome their murder attempt just for the excitement. But he relents with a sigh, breaking eye contact as he paces away, tossing a hand.

" Ohhh, its fine... I know how you loathe to hear me bad mouth your little friends. " Though, finding out exactly what strikes a nerve in the supposed loner was always interesting.

[revclver-jesus]

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ Long silver waves whip like curtains around his face, piercing with gilded daggers-- as in those unnatural eyes, which seem to literally flare like a stoked flame. He can't control when his eyes do that, do the talking for him.

" Tsk-- What? As if I'm capable of petty jealousy! " His tongue lashes faster than he can bite it back, a venom only his pride ever spat. He rolls those golden eyes, closing them tight like their words gave him a headache, and he hisses. " There's no need to be childish. Is it so wrong to ask you to count your blessings..? I can't be blamed for thinking your gift belongs to someone more grateful! But, fate is truly.... blind. " He sighs, the slightest shiver of real frustration underneath.

But the otherwise so confident, so unflinching leader of Strega doesn't look them in the eyes. He looks down, away, a moments pause as he narrows his eyes. " You lack perspective.... this all means nothing to you. But a lot of people died trying to be what you are. "

[revclver-jesus]

“What do you want?”

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ " Shinjiro... " He feigns offense.

" Why do you assume I want something..? " Innocence drips off his words like tar, reveling in the absurdity of his predator eyes pained with naivety. However it is of note that this time around he seems to be alone, something that rarely ever happened if business was involved. Though there were worse things Takaya wrought than just business. He immediately speaks in the most casual tone, though there's something a little slow and deliberate about the cadence, eyes on his hands, playing idly with the dangerous weapon he keeps on his hip, as he's prone to do like it was nothing more than picking at his nails.

" I just happened to be in the neighborhood, thought I would check in on my favorite customer... How are you holding up..? "

[revclver-jesus]

Slump (With stars sparkling around her, eepy girl needs to rest to regain her strength ueueueueue- ✨)

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ She was around him the most, no doubt.

Having a higher tolerance for new company than the other two, Takaya, despite all his misanthropy, was simply a very personable person by nature-- though it helped to have something to gain from the friendliness. Though sometimes he feared his charm was a little... too disarming.

There was a dissonance, a slip in the mask, one they would be able to glimpse if they were awake to see it, the way his inviting demeanor immediately shifts to discomfort and annoyance at any sudden gesture of touch or affection-- touch outside of battle. That was something one learned quickly when close enough to try it. He did not like to be touched by surprise. Almost like a flinch he lurches away from purposeful contact to his shoulder, his back, his arms, giving in exchange a sharp glare of his glowing eyes, eyes like a predator animal, his breathing sometimes caught in his throat.

But this new ally's first instance of being given this look she will never realize. She's drifted off to the land of sleep. And he... softens his scowl into a tired sigh, just trying to relax the arm they've made a pillow of. They're exhausted. He's... about as tired as he's used to being. But those stars...

He lets them captivate him for a moment, calming a sight as they were to simply stop and admire in a way he might not have if he wasn't the only one awake to see it. And letting curiosity guide his hand, he tries to see if the stardust they produce can be swirled by his fingers. What an almost twee wonder about their power, how almost sweet. It drives him to softly scoff a chuckle at the thought, muttering. " Do you also dream of stars, little lamb..? "

[revclver-jesus]

"You're rather unwell, aren't you?"

The tail flicks lazily. Gouto-Douji's investigations are not set by the conventions of the Kuzunoha clan. He is to guide the Kuzunoha that follow in his wake, he is not a part of the XIV's mission beyond that in which he is entrapped. Whilst the XIVth has focused primarily on the Kirijo Group, it is the Ist that sought to know the players in this dark game.

"I've not seen something like this for... Oh, many years," He continues boldly, ears flicking with the breeze, "You don't seem like the sort of young man to take an easy way out, though, am I right?

"No, you seem like you're going to ride this until it kills you."

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ Stray cats. They were drawn to him in this city, it felt. Perhaps they sensed a kinship, grew accustomed to how he slinks the same alleys, jumps the same walls, avoiding bustling roads and open spaces. Feeds them, from time to time. So it wasn't unusual that one would simply slink right up to him as he rests his often lethargic form against a wall as this one had. The unusual part was the idle conversation.

Other than a slow turn to look at them with his always tired, inhuman eyes, he doesn't panic or question the sight. This was indeed quite new, but... weirder things have happened. After everything they say one thing impulsively garners a soft huff of a laugh from him. " Not the easy way, no... " If he wanted the easy way, this would be over so quickly, just the pull of a trigger. But there's something he tells himself when that trigger looks a little too enticing. " Running to death is still running from fate... You have to exist as you are, live only for today, and invite death to come find you. " He responds honestly to the cat, unsurprised if they were some kind of entity and this was a test. But there was something else to address in their candid words.

" If you will allow me one question... " Slight understatement tilting his tone with sardonicism. " Who are you? "

[revclver-jesus]

" fair?! how is any of this fair?! "

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ " Let me be clear, Chidori. " His tone sharpens. He's not scolding like some father, he is merely trying to catch their attention as the younger team member clearly grows emotional. Though he can't help if his natural demeanor demands control.

" When I say fair I do not ever mean justified. Nothing in life is or ever will be 'fair' in such a clean and idealistic way. Especially not for those in life who exist only to be burdened, persecuted, and exiled. " Like us, he all but says. " The only 'fairness' I have known is that resembling death. indiscriminate and without bias. You must not twist yourself to reckless prejudice over mere emotion. "

[revclver-jesus]

"We're a good team, you know." - From Makoto Yuki

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ Those words put a smirk on the rival leader's face. It stops him as he silently turns to part ways once again, making him turn to search them with his always tired, deeply inhuman eyes.

" Is that so? " Gaunt, long hands find the edges of his double belt to hang off of as he shrugs and shakes his head. " How regrettable, then... that our fates have aligned to clash as they do. " Said with all the worldly acceptance of a weary but almost cosmically amusing 'oh well.' Still, he seemed to mean it.

" Makoto, wasn't it? " But, he turns back to where he was leaving, ready to saunter back into the fog as though he lived in it. " I won't be needing any help going my way. Go on. I'm sure your dear friends are looking for you... "

[revclver-jesus]

“ this is what we’ve been waiting for. ” (@hellboundhermit)

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ He's moonstruck.

His shining eyes could be mirrors, capturing the moon in its exact shade as if his soul was made of the same material. The moon was so close, so close it could collide. Eyes, usually tired and so limp, were wide with pure and lucid awe. He was happy. Overjoyed.

" Its as though I've been waiting all my life for it, Jin... this salvation. Eternal rest for a tired world. After everything... to see it with our own eyes? Did you ever imagine it would be quite like this? " His hands outstretch as though he thought he could welcome the massive moon into his arms, lifting from the railing of this strange, distorted balcony the tower as manifest as though just to allow someone to marvel at his god's work. And if you looked down, you could see the now waking mundane society looking up in blind confusion as the midnight hour no longer hid itself from the world. But they didn't panic. They weren't so afraid anymore. It was truly a beautiful night to die with his loyal partner in all this. Someone to bare witness. Someone to talk to. Someone who understood... But long fingers curl in as the awe subsides to pressing concerns. And he shuts his eyes with a sigh.

" ... If only we could enjoy it in peace. " Golden eyes slit open and glance the way they came, a tension growing in his chest, one he never showed beneath his iron-clad confidence, his unreadable frown. SEES wasn't going to back down. And the truth is he... didn't know what these other persona users were capable of. And worst of all... for once, the wheel of fortune wasn't sure he had the resolve to accept a fate not in his favor. The disappointment would just be too much. But he softly laughs, shaking his head.

" But, why suffer worrying, hm? This present moment is all that matters. " He gives the other his serene smile. It might be their last moment of peace they'll ever have.

[revclver-jesus]

“ I hate you all. ” - Hamuko :)

✞  ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ You could see it from way up on the ledge he looked down on her on. His naturally exhausted face bloomed into that shockingly wide smile that seemed to belong to a different man entirely, brows tensing as he braced against the laugh straining his exposed ribs. ❝ Its nothing personal... You understand, don't you? ❞ He lazily rests his head and arms onto the bars, draping all his long hair.

He doesn't flinch as the chaos of the shadows fitting about slams against the wall he's on.

Strega was up to their usual tricks, just doing the lord's work: Whatever they can to get these kids killed off, of course. They tried to separate them out this time, since friendship and teamwork seemed to be their thing. It took all their efforts to arrange this, as per usual, but instead of running off this time one of them chose to stick around and watch Hamuko in particular. The wildcard. These natural persona users are... fascinating. ❝ I want you to know, all that I do, I do without hate in my heart, my friend! ❞ He proudly projects above the noise, in just that way a televangelist would, though instead he made little effort to hide the sarcasm in his tone. He shrugs his hands. ❝ The phrase " I want you dead " is not a cruel one in my eyes. It is... more of a neutral... ❞