[METHOD_LOG_001]

[pastalishe]

Who: Cloche Leythal Pastalia and Minako Arisato
Where: Virgo Shopping District
Summary: Cloche and Minako, after spending a long time together shopping for cute winter clothes, stay out a little too late and get attacked by demons. Cloche awakens to her Persona.
Warnings: Oh no girltalk! Fighting demons!! Eventual Persona summoning!!!

Winter is coming. This isn't a song of ice and fire, but that doesn't change the fact that the weather has been getting colder. Up until now, Cloche has been making do with her Song Magic costumes to deal with the fact that she didn't have any spare clothing... but as warm as Oldmodern Style is, it really sticks out on the streets. It's time for her to bite the bullet and buy some actual clothes.

To be quite honest, Cloche has never bought clothes at all--let alone for herself. On Metafalss, Alfman had hired a stylist to manage her wardrobe and, even after throwing over his regime, Cloche has never had a reason to let the woman go. To make matters more difficult, the shops here carried clothes in styles that she's completely unfamiliar with.

That's why she called Minako. Minako is a young woman comfortable within the city, knowledgeable about the stores, and pleasant company to be around. Cloche adores her big sis, but... Luca would have known exactly why Cloche would want company shopping for clothes. With Minako, Cloche can present the image of a strong, confidant woman who... just wants a little company while shopping! Yes. That's exactly it. No other reason! (Note: For the record, Minako should be given a medal for her patience this afternoon.)

All in all, Cloche feels that this venture has been quite successful. She has several bags worth of warm, comfortable clothing for the winter... and Minako is none the wiser that this isn't just her first time shopping Hinoto-Ri. Cloche is very pleased with herself.

"Thank you for your company, Minako," Cloche says, as they walk out together from the final store. "I truly appreciate it." Can you see the yellow flowers, Minako? Because they're metaphorically there, twirling happily above Cloche's head.

Comments

[pastalishe]

"The fact that the vast majority of your world's population is unaware of Shadows makes them even more dangerous. Being prepared for an attack is half the battle."

[greatseal]

"Yeah, you're right. No one else knew they were a problem, so we were the ones who had to handle it."

[pastalishe]

A look of sympathy crosses Cloche's face. "That is a tremendous burden to bear. It's good that you didn't have to face it alone."

[greatseal]

"Mm-hm. I was lucky enough to have great friends with me." She'll leave off explaining just how important those friendships turned out to be, but there's still fondness in her tone.

[pastalishe]

"It's truly amazing what one can accomplish with the proper support."

Such as creating a continent.

[greatseal]

She'd be pretty impressed at that one if she knew.

"Then we're extra lucky to have so many people to support us here in the city."

[pastalishe]

Cloche nods in agreement. "I couldn't agree more. There is only one person I know from home here, but..." She smiles. "There isn't anyone else I would rather have by my side."

[greatseal]

"Luca-san, right? You two must be good friends." She missed that whole conversation they'd had with someone else about being sisters, fortunately.

And about then she glances down at her watch. It's the nice one that Shinjiro gave her, and she's been wearing it almost religiously since arriving in the city. Probably hoping he'd notice.

...The dial reads 11:50. "Wow, it's pretty late already... We need to hurry or we'll miss the last train!"

[pastalishe]

"That's correct. She is my dear friend and beloved partner." Thank goodness. It would be horribly embarrassing if Minako knew that Luca was really her sister!

Cloche looks confused--and then a little embarrassed. It's dark out, so she knew it was late... just not that late. "Er, well. ... time does fly when you're having fun."

[greatseal]

...Partner, huh? But there isn't really time to comment on that. "Let's go!" Minako hoists the two bags she's carrying and starts to run towards the nearest station. Unfortunately, in their wandering they seem to have gotten pretty far away... and all around them, other shoppers are doing the same thing. Because of the curfew this wasn't a great time to be outside. "

[pastalishe]

Cloche has never been on the city streets past curfew... and, without a proper Vanguard, she doesn't want tonight to be her first night out. Unfortunately, it's hard for her to keep up with Minako: between her body (which has been optimized for singing, not running) and her high heels, she simply can't maintain a fast pace.

"Minako-- please, slow down..." It's not long at all before she's out of breath and struggling to run.

[greatseal]

Whoops. Minako doesn't wear heels very often at all, so running in them isn't something she thinks about. That, and endurance running is something you pick up quickly in Tartarus.

She slows down. "I'm sorry! Want me to take your bag?" She can do that much to help, at least.

[pastalishe]

"I should be fine..." Cloche smiles for a brief moment, wanly. It's embarrassing enough to be caught in a moment of weakness; she doesn't want to be seen as completely helpless. "How- how far away is the station?"

[greatseal]

"Not that far. We can still make it--"

Except, just around the corner, there's the sound of rumbling and screeching of metal as the last train pulls out of the station.

[pastalishe]

"... that was the train, wasn't it..."

[greatseal]

"....It was."

Ah... ha ha.

"I guess we'll have to walk."

[pastalishe]

Somehow, Cloche gets the feeling that this is going to be a very long evening...

"... ... well, we might as well get started." Cloche shuffles her bag, resting her free hand on the hilt of her rapier. "The Thirteenth Hour grows nigh. If we are attacked, I will sing--but I will need to be protected. Are you familiar at all with a blade?"

[greatseal]

Minako.... honestly isn't, but a naginata is still a slashing weapon, like a sword. And if Junpei can manage to use one effectively, so can she.

"Well, I normally use something else, but I can probably manage." Then she tilts her head and smiles at Cloche. "Guess I'm going to get to see your Song Magic a little sooner than planned, though!"

[pastalishe]

Cloche nods, a little relieved. Minako is a far cry from even a rookie Grand Bell Knight but, in circumstances like these, she'll take any Vanguard that she can get. She unsheathes her rapier and offers it to Minako; the weapon is lightweight, well-made, and is in no way an imitation.

"So it would seem. As long as we look after one another, I believe we will make it back to the Pisces apartment complex in one piece." Although, now that she thinks about it... "Would you like me to carry the bags? I imagine that they would be cumbersome for you in combat."

[greatseal]

"If you don't mind..." She hadn't thought about that yet, but Cloche was right. She couldn't really fight and carry the shopping. But at the same time, she doesn't want to overburden Cloche, either. Shadows were unpredictable and she couldn't guarantee that something wouldn't happen to cause them to need to move quickly. "But if it gets too dangerous, just drop them and run. We can always buy new things."

[pastalishe]

"If we are ever in any real danger, I won't hesitate to discard what would be an unnecessary burden." Hopefully it won't come to that--it would be very frustrating to have sacrificed her Jack budget for nothing. (Gergo is better, but. Cloche is willing to compromise when it comes to collecting cute things.)

[greatseal]

"Okay! But don't worry, I'm sure we'll be fine."

Minako hefts the sword and swings it experimentally. It's a different style from the rapiers Mitsuru usually uses, and much smaller than Junpei's favorite broadswords, but she can make it work. Actually, it looks more like the sword she's seen Minato carrying...

Maybe when they get back, she should ask him for some swordsmanship tips.

[pastalishe]

"I have faith in your abilities." For... the most part. Cloche has put her faith in smaller girls who use stranger weapons in a fight. She also has faith in her own songs.

At the very least, Minako seems comfortable using a blade. Some reassurance is better than none.

[greatseal]

"Right! Leave it to me."

And now she takes out her Evoker from her purse. Despite Hinoto-ri's atmosphere making it simpler to summon, she's still just more comfortable using it. It's reliable. She straps the weapon's holster around her waist.

[pastalishe]

Although Cloche has never seen an Evoker before, she recognizes it from the description she's been given. No comment is necessary.

"I believe we are ready to proceed again." This time, at a slower pace-- prepared to take on any foe that might stand in their way.