[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

[greatseal]

"Right... Then, I'll lead the way."

It's already starting to feel like old times, again... Even if the Dark Hour looks a bit different in this city, and she has far less party members than usual. "Let's go, Cloche-san!"

[pastalishe]

"Understood."

Cloche will follow closely behind Minako as they carefully travel through the darkened streets. She copes better with the slower speed, even under the creepy circumstances of the Dark Hour.

The girls are able to travel safely for several blocks towards the Libra Ward... unfortunately, their route cuts straight through the hunting grounds of a pride of demonic beasts. The sound of rattling chains and growls echo around them as the lion-like creatures stalk them in the darkness.

[greatseal]

The chain rattles instantly put Minako on alert. She raises the sword with her right hand and tightens her grip on the Evoker with her left. And then, the lion-like Shadows crawl from the darkness, forms solidifying as they reach the light.

...This is a Shadow type she's seen before, but that doesn't give any guarantees. Even Shadows that look similar have different strengths and weaknesses, and Minako doesn't have Fuuka right now to back her up with support analysis.

"Here we go, Cloche-san!" She doesn't trust her sword skills just yet, so rather than depend on them immediately she fires the Evoker, summoning Orpheus into the battle.

[pastalishe]

At the first sign of battle, Cloche drops the bags on the doorstep of a closed building and ducks behind Minako. She straightens her posture, bringing her heels together and resting a hand over her heart.

"Listen to my lyrics!"

With that proud declaration, Cloche begins to sing. Her voices doubles--and quickly triples--and transforms into a small chorus, as she sings in a strange, liquid language. Her voice is accompanied by quick, sharp notes from a quartet of stringed instruments. As Cloche sings, a small ball of fire twists and writes above her head. The longer she sings, the bigger it grows...

But, as Cloche sings, it's clear that she is in no position to defend herself. She is entirely focused on her Song.

[greatseal]

Minako, of course, expected the singing... but hearing not only Cloche's voice, but background singing and even music is a complete surprise. This must be where the 'magic' comes from...

But there isn't time to dwell on that. It's her job to defend Cloche and that will take her attention, as well. Her battle form may not be as elegant as Cloche, but she can contribute some 'music', as well. "Orpheus!"

The mechanical bard moves forward under her command and strums his lyre dramatically. A torrent of wind engulfs the Shadows, interrupting their approach.

[pastalishe]

Cloche's song swells in strength in response to Minako's attack, growing every stronger. The Shadows snarl as the the wind whips and tears at their flesh, but they are undeterred. Thankfully, they see Minako as the bigger threat; the pride leader stalks towards her and lashes out with its massive paws and claws.

Through the music, Cloche's speaking voice rings out: "Failure is not an option!"

This is the moment, in Cloche's mind, where Minako will be tested. Is she strong enough to withstand the attack long enough for her magic to evolve? She certainly hopes so. Those monsters have very intimidating teeth and claws.

[greatseal]

This would be a much easier - or really, laughably simple task if she had her normal naginata, but Minako is still not afraid to guard. She'd holstered the Evoker after summoning Orpheus and so uses both hands to block the paw swipe with her sword. Meanwhile, Orpheus retreats to assist, bashing another monster over the head with his lyre.

[pastalishe]

"Good!" Minako's defense, the strength of her attacks, and her deft control of Orpheus all lend strength to Cloche's own magic. It swells and grows, fighting to remain in its current form. Soon, it will evolve.

The Shadow recoils from the hit, but is undeterred. It lunges forward to snap at Orpheus with its fearsome jaws.

[greatseal]

But the Persona vanishes as the assault is connecting, negating most of the damage. Minako takes the opening to step forward and thrust the sword at the two Shadows, driving them backwards and away from Cloche. The flurry of attacks mimicks Mitsuru's usual sword skills. If she can keep to the offensive, it should be easy for Cloche's magic to strike.

[pastalishe]

The evolution of the Song Magic is signaled by a change in the Song itself: the tempo slows and the key shifts, lending an aura of melancholy to her melody. The ball of fire twists and reforms into the shape of a young woman astride a pumpkin wreathed in flame, rocking impatiently back and forth as she waits for an opening.

Meanwhile, the Shadows are relentless. Minako's defense keeps them away from Cloche, but not by much. They push back at every opportunity with otherworldly strength.

[greatseal]

This isn't good. She needs to keep pushing them back, and the sword isn't enough. Her last strike manages to knock the closest Shadow over, and she uses the opening to press the assault. She draws her Evoker again, this time summoning a woman with the opposite abilities from Orpheus. Lakshmi spins, and ice shards materialize, pinning the Shadows down.

[pastalishe]

With time, Cloche would have the strength to allow her magic to evolve yet again--into the fiery phoenix, Volcanics. But with the Shadow pinned, Lanternal should hopefully be enough to finish it off. Cloche throws her arm forward in a grand gesture.

"Receive this... now!"

With a hop, skip, and, finally, a jump, Lanternal bounces over to the fallen Shadow. When it lands, it explodes into a wreath of dancing fire. The flames burn bright and hot, but they won't harm Minako.

[greatseal]

Minako hadn't been looking behind her to see Cloche's magic evolve, so the sudden appearance of the Jack-o-lantern is a surprise. For a moment she even thinks it's a Persona, but the behavior isn't right. Also, the singing stopped as the creature disappeared.

So, this is Song Magic?

Either way, it was effective. The Shadows melt back into nothingness after the attack. Minako turns back to Cloche.

"Great job, Cloche-san! That was impressive!"

[pastalishe]

With their foes defeated, Cloche allows herself to relax--but only a little. They're not out of danger yet.

"Thank you for protecting me so that it could be completed. You fought well." Cloche looks Minako over, a concerned expression her face. "Were you injured? If you were, I can sing to heal your wounds."

[greatseal]

"Nope, I'm fine! Don't worry about it." Someone seems enthusiastic despite the surroundings. "Between you and me, I don't think we should have any problems -"

And then both suddenly hear a growl, from close behind.

[pastalishe]

The growl is all the warning the girls have: a final Shadow leaps from the darkness behind them, snarling, to take advantage of their lowered guard. Cloche is knocked to the ground in the fury of its attack before she can even open her mouth to sing.

[greatseal]

"Cloche-san!" There's actual alarm in her voice now. She managed to avoid being knocked over by the shadow, but dodging put her on the ground as well, with the sword flying in another direction. It skids across the ground, stopping a foot or so from where Cloche is now.