Fortune Favors the One that Kicks the Most Ass.

[linefacingforever]

Who: Yu Narukami and OPEN
Where: To the tram line (good luck getting it to work) to get from the Mays in the Virgo district, to his apartment in Libra.
Summary: Big brothers are always protective of their little sisters. Naturally, when scorpions overrun the city, Yu needs to move heaven and earth to get back home and make sure Nanako is okay.
Warnings: ...don't try to stop Yu from getting home. Just don't. It won't end well for you. Which means yes, go ahead and try.

Yu didn't have issues with fighting if he needed to; lord knows he did enough of it in the TV world. That was the TV world though, where things were isolated to just those that had knowledge of the alternate world and were capable of entering the TVs on their own (if they weren't shoved in, that is). Right now? The whole city was ground zero, where anyone could be a target, or be turned against people, or get hurt...

...including Nanako.

Naturally, Izanagi was staying out as Yu made his way from work to the tram that would take him across the river. He wasn't entirely sure if it was running or not, considering what was going on, but he didn't care if he had to jump onto the tracks and run across the water. He was going to get back to the Libra district and make sure Nanako was safe. His Persona was essentially casting Ziodyne nonstop as he hurried down the street, ignoring the fact that his feet were crunching against scorpion carcasses. People possessed by their own zodiac tried to shamble in his way, but the butt of his sword to the back of their heads had them out of his way pretty quickly.

Seriously, when it came to Nanako's safety? Heaven help the person that tried to stop him.

Comments

shush you tagged mine i tag yours

[gigglesnortpriestess]

Izanagi wasn't the only head god staying out as the fights all over the city kept going on: Amaterasu and Yukiko weren't far behind as they followed Yu to the tram. It was a good thing they met up earlier while fighting off some of those little buggers. But the important thing was to make sure that his little cousin was safe and sound back in the apartments.

At least, she hoped those things didn't attack them.

Excellent.

[linefacingforever]

Yu didn't even want to think about it; one of their hosts here had said that the apartments were supposed to be protected from this sort of thing... but if they weren't...

...oops, did Izanagi just crit and take out half the sidewalk? His bad.

It's swear free!

[gigglesnortpriestess]

Hey, be careful! Yukiko is running on that sidewalk!

"Narukami-kun, it'll be alright. She'll be safe."

Stay calm during all of this because it looks like he might need someone who is just that.

:D

[linefacingforever]

Yu let out an awkward noise, reaching up to adjust his glasses.

"...sorry."

He was worried, okay? He was allowed to be; you had to know what happened in November, right, Yukiko? He couldn't have that happen again. Not to Nanako, not to anyone he loved.

[gigglesnortpriestess]

She knows too well. That's why they both needed to keep calm and focus: it won't help them or Nanako. Yukiko catches up enough to be standing beside Yu and while it may see like a bad time to do such a thing, she takes his hand and squeezes it. More like a reassurance to what she said.

[linefacingforever]

He paused at that, looking down at her hand around his, like he couldn't really understand why it was there for a moment. Finally, he smiled faintly, squeezing her hand back.

"...I'm okay. I promise," he murmured softly, though he didn't exactly loosen his grip immediately.

[gigglesnortpriestess]

That made her smile a little bit despite not being out of the woods just yet. Yukiko could see the tram station area off in the distance but the way was paved with more scorpion monsters. Before he could make a move, Yukiko had already flipped her fan open and commanded Amaterasu to let out a Maragion.

Needless to say it charred the buggers to death. At least no worries when people step on the bodies.

[linefacingforever]

...Yu was suddenly reminded of how scary Yukiko could be sometimes. Still, it worked to their advantage; he gave her a nod, still holding onto her hand as he started picking his way through the fried bug carcasses. He knew she could handle herself and he didn't need to hold on like this, but... well, it was keeping him from having a big brother flip out and decimating everything in sight.

He really needed to chill; Nanako was probably perfectly fine.

[gigglesnortpriestess]

"We're almost there, just a little further."

She doesn't want to say anything else to jinx them like another Scorpio coming at them or either persona slipping up. Amaterasu is worried about her dad, ok?

[handshakegreeting]

But what if Heaven is far too busy to take their collect call? Does that mean that the black hands would drag them down into an abyss? Would they simply fall where they stood as he ran, trying to make it in time to ensure her safety as those in the Scorpio ward had their own time of zodiac mischief-induced battle?

Because that is certainly how it seems.

Scorpions that seem intent on crossing his path are deterred, whether it is because they were grabbed by black, shadowy and skeletal hands, or if because of a sudden Aquadyne skill. No one said that she could not utilize her own magic, after all.

"My... it seems these beasts even seek to harm those who could drown them in one blow."

Yeah, scorpion stinger to the remains of a lung? Not a pleasant experience.

[linefacingforever]

It was a bit hard to miss the black hands of death reaching up and dragging the scorpions in his path away. Izanagi skidded to a stop in mid air before Yu did, turning back to his wife, concern obvious in his yellow eyes. The human managed to mirror the god, though not until water had already gone rushing past him.

This was unsettling.

"Izanami...?"

[castsnarukami]

Water, you say. Hey, Yu. How do you feel about ice? Because that's what's going down: there's a mild storm of elements approaching you - waves of ice, wind, and water are showering out from a certain keeper of power as she works her way towards you.

Seriously, fuck scorpions.

It takes her very little time to reach you guys - she is sort of bursting in on the scene while levitating high enough to properly only get attacked by leaping scorpions. Which... makes everything easier, really.

"Hello, Narukami-kun. Are you, perhaps, having issues with the scorpions?" She's on edge, but not exactly too worried. She's going to deal with Elizabeth, for chrissakes.

She's not too challenged by scorpions, as a bonus.

Aaand then she notices Izanami.

Oh.

She knows you.

... Polite wave. ... How else do you approach a god of death? Given, no grudge, but. Hi. She's not sure how to address you. Do you know her, Izanami?

[handshakegreeting]

"Hello, Narukami... Izanagi."

She spared a polite smile from her position in the air, just high enough to stay out of reach... and oh, it wasn't too long before she was joined in the air, either. (Thank you for not casting Maragidyne, by the way. Shikome does not do well with fire.) They should both be glad that she still had crimson-red eyes, too... no mask, no fear. Just a small boost in power.

"...It has been quite some time since I have met someone from the Velvet Room, formerly or currently." There was something amused in the look she gave her chosen's attendant. "Margaret-san, I believe?"

All while Shikome continued her Mudoon castings, not once targeting either of them.

[linefacingforever]

Yu wasn't sure how he felt about all this. On one hand, he's grateful neither of them are using him for target practice, on the other... this was seriously the scariest combination ever of people that he will defeat in battle at some point in his future. And on top of it, while neither seemed to have fallen victim to the scorpion curse, they did seem to be more powerful... like either of them needed a power boost.

He paused, exchanging glances with his Persona. Women were scary, man...

He was going to comment, when a scorpion zombie decided to get too close, and instead ended up whirling around. A flick had the bludgeon end of his weapon extended, and he cracked the poor person over the head. Seriously, Izanami, don't get too Mudoon happy; there are people around.

[castsnarukami]

Margaret's view towards Izanami was surprisingly neutral. "Yes, indeed. You are Izanami-san, then?" Totally casual, although she professedly only used -san because she wasn't quite in touch with Japanese culture well enough to know the the hell to call Izanami. In any case, what happened in Inaba was simply a piece of her guest's journey, that he completed with flying colors. Who was surprised? Nobody. So no enmity towards her.

Her own persona - a trickster female Buddha - was currently hanging above her and raising hell. Margaret had enough SP to fire off ma- spells - even if they were only medium strength - with impunity. Given, neither of the other two ended up targets. But she was clearing house.

Just wait until she gets Mind Charge.

Margaret was blissfully unaware of Yu's nervousness. How could he ever think that Margaret and Izanami were scary together? The thought baffled.

[handshakegreeting]

Likewise. After all, she had been a Persona used by another guest or two before Margaret's time as an attendant. Thus, no one was surprised. (Also, Yu, this is likely why you do not date more than one at a time. Just saying.)

"Indeed, though I normally go by 'Yumiko' in public." Just so you know. Also, that's what your little brother knows her as. Like she was going to say her true name on a public feed while disguised in another form and thus blow her cover.

It will be the most beautiful day.

Mutually unaware of Yu's nervousness, she spares a polite nod before doing the more proper action of bitchslapping a Scorpio zombie. What? She's a mage and doesn't generally use a weapon (even though she could likely create one with ease). Seriously, this was getting older than dirt.

[linefacingforever]

Yu stared at the two beings of power, at a loss. Seriously, they were this powerful? This powerful? And he ends up defeating them at some point?

Having that knowledge was a bit overwhelming, not to mention a bit distracting. That was why he didn't notice the Scorpio zombie creeping up behind him until its arms were crushing around him, poison dribbling onto his shoulder. He didn't even process what happened until the hiss of the poison eating through his shirt, the acrid smell hitting his nostrils just before skin underneath began to burn.

That was enough to get him to scream, both in pain and surprise.

[Video]

[greaterdays]

[Nanako would like to tell him that she's safe and not to worry... But he's been gone a long time, and she's starting to get concerned herself. She doesn't know that much about what's happening outside, but weird bulletins about 'scorpions' started to interrupt the TV programming. She's good at watching the house... but eventually she can't stand it anymore and tries to ring his COMP.]

Big Bro? Are you coming home soon?

[Video]

[linefacingforever]

[Yu stopped his frantic scramble to get to the tram when the COMP went off, letting him know he had a call. He let out a breath when he saw Nanako's face on the screen; she was okay... she was safe. The apartments were supposed to be safe, right?]

I'm trying to, Nanako. It's a little... busy out here.

[Understatement...]

[Video]

[greaterdays]

[that's all she needed to hear, so she smiles at him.]

Okay! I'm waiting for you.

[Video]

[linefacingforever]

[Nanako... Yu manages a smile himself, grateful that she was all right.]

All right.

[He paused a moment.]

Nanako, keep the windows closed, and don't open the door for anyone. I have my key; I'll let myself in.

[Video]

[greaterdays]

Okay... I-

[But suddenly there's an odd scratching sound, and Nanako's expression changes. She stops looking at the COMP watch and instead is looking at something in the direction of the back window.]

[Video]

[linefacingforever]

[Yu instantly felt his blood run cold.]

Nanako? What's wrong?

[Video]

[greaterdays]

There's a noise.. at the window - ah!

[She jumps as there's a sudden thud. Something is clearly slamming itself against the glass of the sliding door to the balcony, though it's impossible to tell what it is since the curtain is drawn.]

[Video]

[linefacingforever]

Nanako!

[Oh dammit. Oh dammit, dammit, dammiiiiiiit!]

Get out of there, Nanako!