destinystrings | #2: From the reaches of space, to the pillars of Asari grace

Entry tags:

#2: From the reaches of space, to the pillars of Asari grace

Who: Alia Shepard and YOU.
Where: Libra District.
What: Shepard takes to her duties as a soldier, and later gets caught up in the 13th Hour business.
Format: Either is good.
Warnings: It's Persona time. 8|b

It could have been a lot worse, really. She could've gotten her assignment much, much later, or never gotten it at all.

Shepard is now standing at attention in the post she was assigned to, armed with all the high tech weaponry she brought with her when she first arrived. It's her first week on the job--and although she's certainly seen and experienced more terrible, strange, not to mention horrible things...

What the hell's with this weather? It shouldn't be this warm in the winter. It's not uncommon for her to lob the occasional complaint, be it actually voiced or in her head. There's something very wrong here, if the snow's going as quickly as it came. This wasn't even counting all the weird crap she's sorting through and trying to make sense of...and that wasn't even going into that Atsuro kid's post in the network earlier. ...Well, at least this gave her something to focus on, in the meantime...she could piece together any other connections his info had when she wasn't busy with work.

Well, no point beating around the bush. I'd best get to it.

Shepard can be found doing her rounds throughout Libra District--she's taking up the night shift this week, so the risk of getting caught up in the 13th Hour is greater than normal.

Not that it ever stopped her. Danger was always a constant in a soldier's job.

((OOC: Everything but the 13th Hour is fair game--it's not set in stone yet, but there are plans for Yu to run into her during that time so he can help. In any case, tag away!))

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[And turning round the corner would be a... sort-of feminine looking man in a suit as he wandered around, sheathed sword on his side as he looked from side-to-side, as if wary about something. Doesn't seem to be a hostile, though, considering he hadn't done anything.

Yet.]

[Well, that certainly was out of left field. No one ever brings a sword around in her time...but then, it's just an even bigger example of one of the oddities this place has.

Well, time to approach and try to catch his attention.]

You're not up to anything suspicious, are you?

[First things first--get their intentions with that weapon.]

Edited 2012-12-09 18:24 (UTC)

Yu hadn't been out during the 13th Hour since that time Izanami came to his rescue, and it was about time he changed that. Given the nature of Hinoto-Ri, he really didn't have to worry about losing touch with his Personae -- especially since Izanagi didn't seem to want to shut up... -- but keeping in shape was important too, especially with Nanako around.

So that was why he could be found out and about in Libra that night, being sure to stay in range of his apartment building in case he got into trouble. Unlike last time, he was handling himself well enough, now that he knew what to expect and what his own limitations were. Izanagi, as usual, was at his side, dealing with what he could not.

Thou shouldst seek to fulfill Caroline's request...

...of course, that didn't mean the god wasn't going to continue to speak with him. He almost missed the days when Izanagi did not talk that much...

"Now's not the time to be talking about this," he replied, his sword coming down on a shadow's head.

Well, crap. So this was the hour everyone is so adequately prepared for with a Persona.

...And she doesn't have one yet. Shit.

Sure, she had none of them going after her as of yet, but she was in a bad situation. Terrible, at that. Which is why Shepard starts going to him once she comes into view, her Phalanx primed and ready. Teenager he may be, he was also her go-to person for this whole Persona schtick. He'd have a better idea of what else to do; in the meantime, she'll just shoot whatever gets in the way.

Speaking of which, a few audible shots come from a little ways off, the little grains accelerating to the speeds that make them so threatening, and smacking into a Shadow that crept up behind him.

"Need someone to watch your back, Yu?"

Yu jumped as first there was a shadow... and then there wasn't. Izanagi. Bro. Maybe if you stop nagging on him, you'd be able to watch his back. The god glanced at where the shadow had been, and then to Shepard... before casting Ziodyne on a shadow that decided to creep up behind her.

"I think we could both use that," Yu replied, something like a smirk almost coming to his face, before his attention was drawn away to another Shadow that obviously wanted to die.

Edited 2012-12-09 19:15 (UTC)

Masamune himself was wondering just what the hell was going on here - not that he could honestly complain in some cases, but the changes were getting ridiculous. Coupled with the fact that he wasn't a huge fan of cold weather in the first place and this whole situation was just plain screwed up from top to bottom.

Anyway, Masamune's on his way back to the apartments, whistling some random tune - thinking on it, he'd probably have to start thinking about getting a job soon if what he checked out earlier today was any indication, but doing what, he had no idea.

He stops his tune, shaking his head as he absentmindedly taps a finger against his eyepatch, only to let out a huff of air and continue on his way. No pint dwelling on things now.

Lev is wandering around the Libra District - it's not where he lives, but he's curious anyway. His clothes look a little worse for wear, and he's pretty deep in thought.

So deep in thought that he doesn't notice the woman in armor he literally runs into.

"Ah - I'm sorry."

Well, at least he didn't bump into her nethers like a certain Volus did during one of her missions.

Though he did bump into her from behind, so that's probably a tad bit worse. Shepard stumbles for just a moment before steadying herself and looking over her shoulder--then turning to face the kid once she notices his state.

"No harm done. You sure you should be out this late, though?" Just a little protective there...he looks that subtle bit younger than Yu does.

Oh boy. If something snuck up behind her, then she must really be getting rusty. Shepard, after a quick look behind her, quickly backpedals to Yu and readies her Revenant, not about to be outgunned anytime soon.

"Heh, got me there. I'll give you all the covering fire you need." She smirks a little in return as she starts spraying the vicinity with the machine gun; any Shadows caught are in for a world of hurt.

Well, at some point, he's probably going to pass by this soldier early into the night and catch her attention. Something about him has her curious...she can't place her finger on what yet, but it's definitely there.

So what's there for her to do but to go over with her guns put away? Shepard goes over to him, seeing it fit to take a little time to socialize.

...This totally isn't the most awkward first impression.

"Hey."

In Shepard's defense, Masamune's not a hard guy to spot with the eyepatch, and he's dealt with a lot stranger in terms of first impressions - though none of the others from back home were there to vouch for that fact.

He turns his head, trying to get a good look at who's coming at him (which required him to actually turn completely around), giving a small wave.

"Yo."

Have awkward for awkward, Shepard.

Yu gave a flick of his sword, bits of shadow splattering off of it before disappearing. He settled back into a stance, a private smile coming to his face as he felt Shepard behind, unable to keep himself from thinking how cool this was. He gave a nod to his persona, who cast his defense and attack buffs on Shepard, helping her out.

"Ever fought anything like these before?" he asked, stabbing ahead at a shadow that was coming at him.

It's surprising that he didn't bug her about all the weapons she's carrying around...granted, she's part of the police force, but still.

"Busy evening tonight?" She knows from the posts on the network that school was starting up...if she finds the time for it, she could probably go sign up as the trainer for physical ed.

For a moment there, she wasn't sure what just happened--until she looked to Izanagi and figured that was part of the deal for persona users, so she just nods in thanks, and continues firing. She definitely feels the effects, too.

"Wouldn't say so, but I know a threat when I see one." Constant fighting does that to a person--you quickly assume that anything not attacking you is a friend, and whatever is is an enemy. No surprise, then, that she's switching back to her Phalanx and popping off a shot or two...and before he knows it, she's swinging her hand upward at one of them.

See that, Yu? That's a hapless black blob being tossed up, then being smashed into the floor into tiny bits.

Considering he's fourteen and hasn't grown anything but his hair since last year, that's not surprising.

"... I'm okay with it. I can head inside if anything gets too bad."

He really doesn't like the idea of fighting, but he has to get stronger in order to protect himself. And the idea of letting actual demons run around grates on him pretty badly, though he's no exorcist.

If anything, he's learned to keep a good poker face - though the slight raise of his eyebrows when he does notice might be a good indication.

"You could say that, I guess. Still trying to get used to this place." Not a lie in this case, though he really didn't notice the time until he had started on his way back to Libra Ward to get some shut-eye. Though that's something he'd have to look into as well - there was only so many games and things to do around here, and all be damned if this "save the world" excursion screwed with his studies. Like hell anyone'd believe him if he got back and suddenly was failing classes or something due to being gone so long.

"Good to kno-- Izanagi!"

The Persona was shooting forward, its massive nodachi turning a small herd of little shadows into ribbons. Yu let out a breath, reaching up to wipe the sweat off his brow; damn, there were a lot of them, and more were coming. If only he knew what their weakness was...

Like they'd have to worry about much since it's small fry.

...But then, there has to be something big about to hit, right? All this small fry is worryi--

...Oh god. Is that a gigantic Cyclops type Shadow making their way towards them?

"...The hell--!?"

Yu's head whipped around at Shepard's exclamation, eyes widening for a moment. A roar came from behind them in the next, and another cyclops pulled itself out of the darkness, swinging a fist down toward them. He threw himself out of the way, Izanagi just behind him, grabbing him before he hit the other cyclops and tossing him over to safety.

...Oh, you have got to be kidding her.

She gets out of the way of one, only to run right into the other and get punched aside, like a ragdoll in a crash safety test. The shields that normally protected her so well from this sort of force are quickly brought down, and she herself hits the floor--her armor taking the brunt of the impact, yet not being enough to muffle the damage done.

"Damn...!" She struggles to her feet just in time to see the one that hit her going her way, intent on putting her down for the count. What she was expecting was easy street, that this would be just another day in the office.

So much for that assumption.

"You should at least have someone watching you."

Poor kid either lost his mom and dad before he came here, or was yanked away from his family when he needed them most. It hits her motherly instinct right where it hurts.

He just stares at her and then shakes his head.

"I don't have anyone here, and at home most people think I'm either a terrorist or a dead man walking. Or a source of spare parts."

"Shepard!"

Yu landed on his feet, his hand immediately coming up.

"Izanagi!"

The Shinto god reared back, sword coming down to bring Heaven's Blade down on one of the cyclops... or at least trying to. The blade just touched the skin of the shadow before it was knocked back, damaging the persona instead. Izanagi hit the ground, the massive thump barely concealing Yu's scream of pain; reflected attacks were always the ones he never expected and always seemed to hurt twice as bad. He fell to his knees a moment later, clutching at his chest, hand gripping at the place where Izanagi was hit as he gasped for breath back.

Depends, are you?

[He seemed wary of her, but at least he's not swinging that lunk of metal at her face.]

[How dry.

And that's some small relief, at least. That at least tells her that he's not bound to cut somebody up the moment they got on his bad side.]

Easy, I'm not looking for trouble here. I'm just doing my job.

[Hopefully that's enough indicator that she's here on duty?]

She was going to die, wasn't she? Again, after all she'd been through? She survived from the day she'd returned to her duties, to the Collector attacks, only to be killed off by some no-name monstrosity? Damnit. Damnit. She couldn't afford to, not when she still had so much to do--

...In that moment, for her, time seemed to stand still, even as the voice that bellowed in her mind began to speak.

Thou art I, and I am thou--the time has come for you to realize your potential... The power lurking within seemed to only just start welling up, even as she stood there like a deer in headlights--waiting for her to call out to it. A familiar light forms under her, as if cued just for this moment. Grasp the strength hidden in your soul...and unleash it!

She couldn't help the vicious grin that spread across her expression for a sec, as she finally felt the courage to move. Was this it...?

...Oh, hell yes, it was.

"If you think I'm going to let myself get killed like this, you're sorely mistaken..." With one finger pointed straight at the hapless Cyclops that would have assailed her, she uttered a single word--no, shouted it...

"Persona!"

Something burst forth from her soul, alright--lashing out at the monster with a vicious Arm Chopper that knocked it down; when the dust settles, her other self was standing right there where it stood, ready for more. It...resembled some sort of mummy with how ragged and damaged it looked; its legs looked like they were set aflame for a long time, the tattered bandages that would have covered them replaced with little more than embers that endlessly fell. Its arms fared no better, even though they were more carefully wrapped than its lower half...yet, everything else about it seemed fine--from its torso, all the way up to the mask that covered its face.

Pretty? Far from it. Intimidating as all hell? Yes.

Edited 2012-12-17 04:37 (UTC)

Yu looked up as the shadow hit the ground, sucking in a breath as he took in Shepard's persona. It wasn't exactly what he would have expected from a space military type of person, but... he had to admit, it was pretty awesome to look at.

He wasn't going to be able to do much in his current state, so Yu shuffled back, letting Shepard handle this.

Well, they say the Persona is a reflection of the self...perhaps this will be an indicator of things to come for what goes on between them.

But I digress.

Shepard grins faintly at her new acquisition, even as the surge of power finally ebbs.

"From the sea of thy soul, I come forth... I...am Lazarus, the man who came back from death." As it finishes its speech, it proceeds to unleash Matarukaja, giving Yu and Shepard a well-needed boost for the task ahead--eliminating these pesky Cyclops-es.

"Lazarus, huh..." She laughed a little, wryly--the namesake of the project that brought her back...fate must really enjoy reminding her of what brought her back to the living. No matter--they had these to take care of. The commander pulls out the Revenant again, ready to continue the fight.

"No time to stand around, Yu--let's put them down for the count!"

Yu stared a moment, before a touch of a smirk reached his face. He gave a nod, forcing himself up to his feet and brushing himself off as Izanagi pulled himself up as well. She was right... it was time to take care of these Shadows.

With a motion from him, mazionga was cast, and though it was not their weakness, the creatures were still visibly affected.

[Well, at the very least his posture relaxed after hearing that fact.]

Ah, you're a security guard?

[Then it's probably a really good thing that he hasn't swung that thing like a British madman.]

[He'd have gotten hit with the plot pistol of doom if he did. 8|;]

Recently assigned, yeah. [With the unspoken guarantee of 'you'll be seeing me a lot'.]

Maybe I should look into that, then.

[And this is also an unspoken guarantee that 'I'll be around' a lot more than usual.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

#2: From the reaches of space, to the pillars of Asari grace

no subject

no subject

Aw yeah, 13th Hour.

This is gonna get ugly. 8|

Yes, yes it is.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Just let me know if he's done having his fanboy fit so we can get to Shepard's awakening. XD

no subject

no subject

He's good!

Then here comes trouble... 8|b

Let's make it double?

You. Are. Terrible.

no subject

no subject

IT WAS TOO EASY TO RESIST OKAY?

no subject

no subject

THAT IS FINE, JUST ENJOY THE SUDDEN BADASSERY

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject