(no subject)

[linefacingforever]

Who: The Investigation Team and Nanako plus one death goddess.
Where: Yu and Nanako's apartment.
Summary: The IT celebrates Christmas together away from home... more or less.
Warnings: Yu trying to keep up his mission to bring a Green Christmas to Hinoto-ri. Horrible singing. lulz

It was a bit rushed and last minute -- and most of the work had to be done by other people because a certain grey haired leader was currently acting like an idiot -- but the apartment that Yu and Nanako shared was currently decked out for the winter holiday. Streamers hung around door frames and windows, and someone had even managed to bring in a little fake pine tree to be decorated.

There's also food, of course, though how good it is depends greatly on who cooked it. Taste with care, least you end up poisoned on Christmas.

It might not seem very festive at the moment, especially considering the current state (and presence) of certain individuals... but that will change at midnight at least.

Comments

[handshakegreeting]

And as soon as that realization spread over Yu's face, someone quietly slid out from view. Well, for a moment, anyway. She was back before most, if anyone, realized she was gone. Though, at least one seemed back to normal. ...Minus avoiding them. Sad, really. She at least wanted to thank them for inviting her, despite the tension in the air.

No she hadn't used the opportunity of the 13th Hour to stealthily sneak in presents for everyone. No idea what you are all referring to.

No Frost Dolls were given in the making of these threads...just a copy of blackmail material in the form of someone receiving a copy of Green Christmas Style.

[linefacingforever]

It took Yu some time before he came back out, and even then he still looked like he wasn't in the best of social moods. Still, his conversations before had picked him up a little; enough to show his face again as he brought out the presents he had gotten for everyone.

He happened to look up as he was setting the presents under the tree, spotting Izanami keeping to herself as she had been for most of the night (at least that he noticed; he'd been too busy pouting over the fact that he couldn't wreck havoc. He held onto one present, excusing himself for a moment before heading right to her.

"Izanami..." he began. "Would you mind if we talked privately?"

[handshakegreeting]

Congratulations on coming out of the emo corner for a brief moment. No, truly, you deserve an award for doing so so soon.

She paused in what she was doing when she noticed someone had spied her soon after she had returned. Somehow, she shouldn't have been so surprised by that, yet he had always been one who defied her expectations. Stubborn child.

"Of course not." After all, she had babysat you while you were... you know. Lead the way.

[linefacingforever]

Yu gave a nod, before considering a moment. With Nanako asleep, that meant the kitchen was probably the most private place to talk... He took her there, setting the present on the table and pressing his hands on the flat surface. This was... seriously humiliating, and it was still taking him a bit to get his thoughts together.

Finally, though, he managed to piece his courage levels back together enough so that he could turn to face her, hands in his pockets.

"I... want to thank you," Yu finally began. "You helped everyone, helped them against me, even though you knew they wouldn't trust you. I... owe you a lot for that, and I can't thank you enough."

Now that he thought about it... he ended up in trouble, and Izanami ended up with all the social links. Funny how that works.

[handshakegreeting]

Izanami chuckled for a moment, before following him to the kitchen. At least for the moment there was no Mystery Liquid Concoction X. That... had nearly been a disaster no one would have recovered from.

Still, to say that she was not at least somewhat surprised by his words would have been an understatement and distortion of the "truth" they claim to hold so dear.

"You do not need to thank me," she replied without skipping a beat. "-and you owe me nothing. It is I that owed you and your friends. Rather, I will in yours and Amagi's futures."

Only one, technically. Silly normally silent protagonists.

[linefacingforever]

"Still, it was a risk you took," he replied. Heck, for all he knew, they could have viewed her as a bigger threat, and decided to attack her instead. Or maybe even worse; blame her for him acting like an idiot. He tilted himself forward, giving her a respectful half bow.

"Thank you very much."

Yu turned his attention back to the present he had brought in with him, finally handing it to her.

"...I got this for you," he explained softly. "I was afraid you wouldn't come, so... thank you for accepting my invitation. Merry Christmas."

[handshakegreeting]

That he could have, and a shame too considering it would have ruined the home videos she left for a few of them.

...What?

She nodded faintly, trying not to show much beyond her usual mask of amusement and friendliness. However, there was a moment of surprise when a gift was given. Why spend anything on her, when she was as fleeting as the snow on the ground outside? As a goddess, she was used to at least seeing flowers being placed at where they believed the entrance of Yomi to be. Yet to be given something that likely did not wither...

Blinking once, she began to open it with ease...

[linefacingforever]

The wrapping paper gave way to reveal a small, simple white box, just large enough to hold something no bigger than perhaps six inches tall. And inside...

There was a little clip at the top, as if it were meant to be clipped to a school girl's briefcase. Beyond that was a grey mask and banchou coat that was probably more than a little familiar, despite the super deformed cute look to it.

Yu, meanwhile, almost looks like he's holding his breath despite the fact that his expression didn't change. He had gone through hell to get it, spending whatever change he had left over every single night to get such a rare plush, instead of the hundreds of other common plushes (including Mara... why was that a common...) that was in his way. He had almost given up... but as usual, a spark of determination and slipping on his Midnight Channel glasses got him exactly what he needed.

...now, hopefully she'd actually like it...

[handshakegreeting]

A clip? And attached to it was...

[handshakegreeting]

...

Oh. Oh.

Izanami grew silent, and for a brief moment, something indescribable in any human vocabulary crossed her expression as she placed the box down and gazed down at the small doll. She knew how rare these were; she had traded a few Pyro Jacks for Yomotsu Shikome, after all, and those were common as dirt. Brushing a thumb against the mask was enough to bring her own words to mind, especially as to why she had begun to bear a mask herself.

And how she had lied to Hanamura about the reason she believed why she was brought here.

She smiled faintly, far too natural for the acting she always did around humanity as she held it close. There was no way he could have known, neither of them would. She had disguised her own emotions so well behind he mask and the part of herself she'd cast aside.

'If I make a move and reclaim my emotions, will I be damned?', indeed...

"...I prepared something for you and your friends as well, though it is up to them whether they accept it or not."

... There was another small box on the counter.

Open it?

[linefacingforever]

She... liked it.

He had to admit, he was afraid the plush would have the opposite effect, and she would scorn the attempt at not only peace between the two of them, but peace between her and Izanagi as well. When he sat that smile, that genuine smile, however, he knew he had hit the mark. He felt himself wilt a little in relief, a smile coming to his own face.

The new present suddenly appearing on the counter next to him still gave him a start though. He paused, looking back to her, before accepting it without question, beginning to unwrap it.

[handshakegreeting]

Well, surprise. She loved it (and no, those were not tears forming in her momentarily closed eyes).

The paper seemed to disappear as it opened, revealing only a small note wrapping over what looked like an old bamboo charm with an engraving on it. Remember the scent of something burning in the apartment the last couple of days? Suddenly the reason had been revealed.

"It is a little late, though you may find it increases resistance of many mind-altering ailments so long as it remains on your person."

[linefacingforever]

Yu blinked in surprise for a moment, before a smile broke out on his face, and he let out a laugh before he could stop himself. The timing... it was perfect and horrible at the same time, and he couldn't help but be amused by it.

"Thank you," he replied. He didn't say he was going to keep it on him always; after this week, it went without saying.

[handshakegreeting]

Izanami nodded faintly, and it was with that small notion that wheels that had screeched to a standstill went into motion once more. After all, he had taken the chance before anyone else had in this small group of strong-willed children.

[linefacingforever]

Yu's amused smile toned down to one that was much more kind, feeling the warmth of an established Social Link spread through him. He knew that Izanami could hear the same in her head, and he wasn't regretting it in the slightest.

Neither was the god in his head.

"Have you had any of the cake yet?" he asked; hey, social link established, the small talk was okay now. "I've been told it was safe for consumption."

[handshakegreeting]

And there went Izanami's smile into a vaguely teasing, yet worried one. "Are you certain I should trust that? After all, the hot chocolate..."

Was she joking? But then, it is also likely she heard stories of their inedible products before...

1/2

[linefacingforever]

[celebrity_commentator]

"So...you're really her, right?" Rise asked the stranger now that things had settled down a bit. She could probably pull out Kanzeon and verify, of course, but it was already really crowded in here, so she decided to trust her feelings and the process of elimination.

[handshakegreeting]

"I am." Really, was it that much of a surprise? She had even kept her hair the same on purpose this time. After all, most of them knew by now if they had not already experienced her wrath. There was little she could or would do in hiding this truth from them.

[celebrity_commentator]

"You caused everyone a lot of grief, you know."

Of course she knew, but it had to be said. "But Senpai seemed to trust you even before he went crazy, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I have got a lot of questions, though."

More than she really knew what to do with; talking to the 'perps' was really Naoto's job, and Rise was even worse at cutting to the chase than she was. Besides, now that she thought about how that just sounded, wasn't Izanami a guest here?

"But...since this is a party, I think that can wait. A little bit. Unless you feel like sharing now."

Ace*Detective.

[handshakegreeting]

"I am aware." How could she not? And yet, events proceeded as the world had decreed. She does not hold any grudge against them, though she was rather amused by just how long they could hold one against both god and man. Maybe they could use that to their advantage, or maybe it could be their downfall. Only time would tell.

She chuckled, almost amused by how this started out. Well, at least she had a little more gall than the Hanamura boy.

"If you are so curious or would feel uncomfortable, then I do not mind answering at least a few. However, you realize that you could reach me at any time...?"

She was a COMP, too, Rise. Though it seemed as though she would be answering quite a few questions tonight, anyway.

[celebrity_commentator]

"Oh, with the COMPs? I uh...I guess that didn't really occur to me," she admitted. "I figured you'd be a little more aloof and hard to reach."

Unless she was talking about praying, but Rise is 99% sure Shinto doesn't work that way.

"I guess the most important question is if you're really satisfied with us winning," she said. "Most people I've met just dig in their heels and get mad when someone shows them they're wrong."

[handshakegreeting]

"Face to face, perhaps. I do enjoy my privacy, after all." Very good, Rise. She was indeed more aloof than most. However, she learned the truth. Perhaps a little too late for herself,yet she seemed amused.

"Something that comes with age is that of learning when to accept defeat," she admitted, the vaguest hints of an amused smirk beginning to cross her lips. "I am not human, Kujikawa; we do not always follow similar beliefs and 'moral codes' as those who have only finite lifetimes. However I personally feel about my defeat, I must concede to you and your friend's victory.

I am satisfied with what the world has decreed. Nothing more, and nothing less."

[celebrity_commentator]

"Right. Well then..."

What did you even say in a situation like this? Rise was satisfied Izanami wasn't going to be threatening them - what would be the point in lying to get all friendly if she wanted revenge? - but she had no experience with this kind of reversal. Even in some fighting TV show where the rival inevitably became a friend at the end of the episode, this was all wrong.

"I guess this means we're friends now?" she mused aloud. "Or...something like that. Anyway, I'm not one to hold grudges, and we're all trying to figure out this city, and Yu-senpai thinks you're alright, so I guess we can start over from not trying to kill each other, at least. Right?"

Not her most socially graceful, but Rise was honestly just happy she'd thought of anything to say.

[handshakegreeting]

Well, she will give the young human child that saying anything at all was a good first step. In fact, she was already doing better than a certain senpai of hers.

"I would say something akin to neutrality than anything resembling friendship, Kujikawa," she chuckled. Honestly, she had no ill will against them; but she knew quite a few in this very room did for her. Thus, the most she could ever truly expect was neutrality among them. However uneasy it may be. ...And no, she was not going to flat-out call their leader for the Fool he may just be. Instead, she will simply nod. "Indeed. It is all I could ask of those who won their own futures."

However painful it will one day become. A+ for effort, Rise.