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Who: Yu Narukami, Izanami
Where: Libra/night
Summary: Yu is curious about the 13th hour and decides to hang out at night to check it out. Unfortunately... he forgot to take being reset to level two into account. Oops.
Warnings: idk... death goddess shenanigans?

Yu stood on a street corner in the Libra section of the city, his gaze shifting from the street every now and then to his cellphone's time clock. He had to admit that he was curious; when he heard about the extra hour at night, he couldn't help but be curious -- would it be like the TV world? Or, well, not exactly like the TV world, seeing as their probably wasn't any mist, but...

Thou ist being rather foolish...

He blinked in surprise at the sudden voice in his head, confused for a moment... before the clock on his cellphone flicked to 12:00 AM and immediately snapping off. The world literally changed around him, a creepy green haze settle over the sky and his surroundings. Yu was just starting to get into his head that maybe this was a bad idea, when he caught a familiar sound coming from behind him: the sound that meant shadows were coming. He spun around, arm already reaching out as if for an arcana card (he was never going to grow out of that habit).

"Persona!"

Izanagi answered his call of course, lashing out at the Shadows as they were forming, but... was it just him, or was his Persona not as strong as he remembered it being?

...uh oh.

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If she knew the whispers - rather, even without knowing them - she would be seconding her brother's not-quite words coming from within her chosen's mind. For the moment, she would continue to watch from her vantage point. After all, she had nothing to fear for the beings that came from the darkness of this 'hidden hour.' Most naturally fled from her presence.

The same was certainly not so for the child. Thus, if he truly needed assistance...

To his credit, Yu was pretty good at handling himself. After all, he was the first of his group to get his Persona, the first to fight Shadows on his own... he could handle a few Shadows, even if he was under powered from what he was used to.

Of course, as luck would have it, a "few" Shadows suddenly turned into "many", and continued to escalate from there. Apparently they could sense the fact that he was in over his head, and even pulling out his laser sword to help his Persona trim down the herd didn't seem to make any difference. It wasn't long before he could feel Izanagi at his back, and he glanced up at the man-like creature. The yellow eyes that glanced back down at him had a rather... familiar look, one that made him groan.

"...don't say, 'I told you so'," he muttered, lashing out to split the head of another Shadow. Okay, now what was he supposed to do...?

Edited 2012-09-23 01:09 (UTC)

Yes, she would have to give him that much. Though for the time being, Izanami was in the midst of her own version of a facepalm. Yes, he was indeed having some difficulties. Thus more were attracted to the sounds of their fighting. Izanagi would likely be unamused by the familiar figure that was about to make themselves known.

With a flicker of power, she allowed herself to summon forth a being she had not for quite some time.

"Come to my side, Shikome," Izanami called, the hag of hell appearing before her. It wasn't long before the undead "priestess" made her way to the boy and his headgod, a single visible golden eye lighting up in the darkness as some of the creatures are blasted back by a blast of water.

This would likely be far too much deja vu for Izanagi's tastes, as she had been the cause of the last time she had seen something akin to this take place. At least this time, there was no attacking him, but rather, a Mediarama spell...?

He was too busy worrying about not dying to notice the unearthly creature, so... suddenly, water! Yu crossed his arms over his face to protect himself, though he didn't realize the attack wasn't aimed at him until he felt the familiar effects of a healing spell. He was getting a weird sense of deja vu from all this, but he couldn't really put his finger on why...

Whatever it was, his Persona was not offering any answers. Izanagi spared Shikome a glance, before reaching a clawed hand out, adding a bit of Mazionga to the mix.

Water and electricity were always a dangerous combination, so as Shikome assists, Izanagi may very well find that his Mazionga spell was seconded soon after by a much stronger Mahaquadyne. One that did not come from the Persona of Death she had sent before her.

"Is it not rather late for children to be wandering out on their own?"

Seriously, he was rather lucky that she had even wandered close to the apartments in which he was staying. Otherwise he would likely have been overwhelmed. A Ziodyne spell falls down as well, just enough light to briefly reveal where her voice was coming from if they paid attention. ...And yes, she is rather upset. Izanagi, she had thought better of you than to allow your charge to get into such a situation again now that your voice isn't as silent to his mind.

Even Shadows, limited in intelligence though they were, knew when they were beat. What few survived the massive assault scattered, fleeing into the darkness. Yu didn't immediately let down his guard, however, bracing himself for another wave of creatures... before finally allowing himself to turn to the direction of the voice.

...Izanami...?

He didn't get a chance to respond, as Izanagi was suddenly in front of him, hovering between him and Shikome.

And this was exactly the reason she could wander at all times of night. Very few creatures could directly assault her in the first place. Shadows such as these? They feared her. Which is one of the reasons she "stepped" forward from the shadows as Shikome backed off and disappeared into blue light once more.

'Very good, brother... I am glad to see you still are protective of your own charge... despite the lingering fear or resentment you feel for those of death you once cut down with ease as you fled.'

So much was said with a simple glance as the goddess hovered there, smile crossing her pale lips.

"You should not have come out here so late, Narukami... It is dangerous for mortals to traverse the streets alone once the clocks strike twelve."

Was she...mocking him? Or was that genuine concern? Either way, it is up to him and Izanagi to decide what they believe. She never was one to dictate... usually.

Edited 2012-10-16 05:55 (UTC)

Izanagi did not back off once Shikome disappeared; obviously trust was not something he was about to give his former wife. The Persona still stood between the goddess and his person, even going so far as to move when Yu tried to see around him. After a moment he let an annoyed noise escape, putting a hand on Izanagi as he stepped up beside him, keeping him from cutting him off again.

"I thought I could handle it," he replied. "I didn't realize how badly my powers had been cut down here."

...Izanagi finally stepped back at that one, even if it was a comment made out of innocent fact, and not meant to insult the god.

For once, it is obvious she did not blame her ex-husband. Though really, he was going to try to make sure she was kept from making eye contact? Then again, she could easily sway him with an illusion in doing so. However, she was not about to come any closer now that the threat dissipated and he admitted his foolishness.

Oh, brother... Did you truly have to act so insulted? Then again... she wasn't held back much in her own powers. Could it be jealousy?

"Then perhaps some practice outside of this hidden hour," she frowned still, looking between the two before relenting and thus reverting to her more human-like state. Though to be honest, it only meant a few less powers at her immediate disposal. "After all, demons less friendly than those like Nyx and the night clan are prone to be more active at this time..."

Her gaze stops at Izanagi's yellow eyes before she looks away.

"...You should return to your apartment complex, Narukami."

Izanagi, though he had backed off, had still been visibly on edge. At her gaze, though... something seemed to have changed in the deity, perhaps even broke, and he lowered his sword. Yu could feel the tension from him dissipate, and he took that opportunity to step closer to Izanami; he hadn't been bothered by her appearance before. Either way she looked, she was... really quite beautiful...

He paused, not entirely sure if that thought was his own or not. Either way, he shook his head to clear it, focusing his attention back on her. He wanted to ask why she seemed so concerned about him; was she genuinely worried, or was she just concerned because he hadn't defeated her yet? Being rude right now wasn't going to help him with anything, however.

"...would you like to come with me?"

Izanagi glanced down at him sharply at that.

He's only thinking that because he hasn't seen her skeletal form in person. At first, she was going to simply turn around and vanish into the night once more. Yet something stopped her: that request.

Izanami's eyes widened slightly before blinking and turning to face both of the boys. To be honest, she only wanted to be sure her older brother would be alright, knowing that this part of him had been reduced by this city while she had not... He had tried to protect her in his last moments, even bring her out of Yomi. Really, this was only her attempt to do the same unto him.... and to atone for her own transgression against him and their children.

...The goddess chuckled.

"Are you certain that I would be welcome?" She saw that look, Izanagi. She knew you wouldn't trust her so easily after so long...

"They have experienced it, after all."

"Yes," Yu replied firmly, not bothering to look back at his persona. He paused a moment to gather his thoughts, however, wanting to phrase himself properly without any other emotions leaking in. Though Izanagi was glaring, he didn't even need to have him as a persona to know what he was really thinking, and it was getting jumbled in his head.

"I... want to understand," he finally began after a moment. "I want to understand why you did what you did; why you set in motion the events that would lead to the murders. I want to understand what the lesson we learned during that year was for, and... I think the only way I'll be able to do that is if I start to understand you."

Izanagi had stopped glaring daggers into the back of his skull somewhere in the middle of that. The god bowed his head, as if admitting defeat, before returning to the sea of Yu's unconscious. He flinched slightly, able to better feel the god's emotions when they were together over being apart, and he had to take a moment to collect himself before stepping aside, inviting Izanami to come with him on the short walk back to his apartment.

"Besides, I still owe you a cup of tea."

He may not have bothered to look, but Izanami had. Brother, that act is not getting you anywhere at all. In fact, it may be confusing the child even more. Not that she could say she hadn't done worse... She may even seem skeptical at his words, at least for a few moments. Child, are you seriously asking for the beginning flags for a social link?

Izanami couldn't help the laugh. It wasn't nearly as deranged as the one she had given him when he stubbornly refused not to seek the cruelest truth he would ever have to face in his future, yet a little of the craziness caused by her long isolation couldn't be helped however muted it may be.

"I believe the reverse is true, child of man." After all, she'd been the one to offer in the first place as recompense. Yet she will join him for the time being... After all, she could simply vanish if the need arose.

She knew him too well to convince herself that he would stop searching for the answers on his own, otherwise. Though... he could likely ask those who faced another entity of Death two years ago by their time for one possible reason.

Yu managed a small smile. "Do you want to go to your apartment instead?"

He was joking, of course. If she was coming with him, then he was the host; of course he had to offer her tea. It was only fair. Though what he said did remind him that he had no idea where she was living. He started toward the building, though he kept his gaze on her.

"Where... are you living, by the way?"

Oddly enough, she doesn't make a single response in regards to the apartment comment. It was only meant as a joke, after all. Thus she simply falls in step with him, keeping the facade of a normal human to outward appearances for now. However...

"That would imply that I am still among the living, Narukami-san."

Which she isn't. Kind of twice-removed, remember?

He remembered, but her lack of response made him frown. Wait, what reason did she have to be evasive with him? Unless she didn't believe that he didn't mean her any harm... but why would she? He was being genuine when he said he wanted to keep an open mind; he'd just need to prove that to her.

"Izanami... I won't bother you if you don't want me to, but it might be important to know where you are, just in case."

They don't know what's in this city. There's always the chance, that... well... there could be something more powerful than her... The thought made his stomach twist, and he had to look away for a moment so she wouldn't see the expression on his face.

She knew. If anything, his honesty was one thing she counted on when she had chosen him to be a representative for humanity. That, and the look in his eyes...

"You misunderstand me." She smiles faintly, even if he doesn't see it with how he'd looked away from her. "I have no place of residence as I am a wanderer in this reality."

One that had grown intrigued by this post-apocalyptic world where a faint glimmer of hope still resides. One that needed to be nurtured to thrive.

He turned to her in surprise at that, and his arm came up, reaching for her. Yu just barely managed to stop himself before he actually touched her, an awkward look coming to his face. Wait, why...? His heart flipped in his chest, and it took a moment before he could force his arm back down to his side.

...dammit, Izanagi. Get a grip.

"Are... you okay with that?"

Yeah, don't mind the surprise being mutual. Down, Izanagi. We know you are just as much of a protective older brother as your person, but down. She could take care of herself ~~so long as fire isn't involved~~.

"I am."

She was more perplexed by Izanagi's actions than anything. After all, he had always kept a certain calm about him while she was still alive. Just how much had they both changed when she passed on to the other side? With a shake of the head, a hand was placed on Yu's shoulder.

'Calm down, in there.'

Nothing happened, save that whisper.

"I am perfectly capable of defending myself or fleeing should I have need of it."

The whisper in his head helped calm Izanagi down, and he let out a faint breath. His lips twitched up in a faint smile, and he reached up, placing a hand over hers.

"Just... let me know, if you ever..."

He let his words die at that; she just said she could handle herself. Izanagi, you need to accept the fact that your sister wife can handle herself. Not that... he could really blame him for being concerned, but...

...being an older brother is tough.

"Well... let's get that tea, all right?"

...You both truly do amuse her. Perhaps that is why she is even entertaining them in the first place, along with making sure he stays within the protection of the apartments.

"Do not fret; you are both on the short list."

Was that a pitiful attempt at a joke? ...Yeah, she really needs to work on her people skills. Being a younger twin sister is suffering (at least they aren't from Minakami village, yikes!).

"Hmhm... You seem to need it more than I do, once again."

Yu let out a breath, managing a faint smile at her comment. He wasn't sure which side of himself felt more relieved, but... well, at least it seemed she was going to trust him too. It was a start?

Her last comment had him letting out an exasperated breath, slouching slightly as he started toward the apartment again. Being host to Izanagi was suffering, that's all there was to it.

She laughed behind a hand at that reaction. Suffering, indeed- but at least he was not host to her like it was possible in other realities... After all, possibilities were endless.

Following in relative silence like a 'good' future Death link...

Once they were in the safety of the building, Yu led her up to the fifth floor, where his apartment was. He was very gentlemanly, holding doors open and allowing Izanami to go first, but he mostly kept to himself and his thoughts on the trip up, declining comment for now until they were safe in the living room.

Once inside, he invited her to sit, before going in to get that tea ready. It probably wasn't a surprise to see Yu's apartment fairly empty... except for the little paper crane, sitting on the table and staring at the goddess.

Edited 2012-10-18 05:57 (UTC)

How sweet of him, though it was hardly necessary. It's rather odd how silent she could be when there was nothing to discuss, and while they walk, she is just as quiet. Partially curious as to what is exactly going on within his mind, and pondering how her brother was handling her being so close, yet so far away.

She does not sit so quickly, a little interested in just how barren the apartment was so far. But then, she could not be so surprised by it considering how he was when they first met in Inaba.

"...Still folding cranes, hm." It was a quiet observation, but one spoken nonetheless.

"It's a hard habit to break," Yu admitted, coming into the room with a simple tea set. It probably wasn't going to be the best tea in the world -- he only had so much to work with here -- but it was the thought that counted, right?

He set it down, pouring her a cup first, before serving himself. Now that they were actually settled down, in private, drinking tea... well, he honestly didn't know what to say. There was things he wanted to, thing he could feel his persona wanted to, but he couldn't find the words to articulate it.

"I see." Despite that, she seemed vaguely amused. The goddess even chuckles at the thought, considering humans were indeed creatures of habit, much like some other gods she knows.

Taking a sip, then- ...You tried, Yu. That is indeed what mattered (especially since it is not too bad; she's had worse in her existence). She took note of that look as well, unable to help the faint chuckle. It always was best to begin with the simplest and let conversation go from there, child...

Right, simple stuff.

...what is simple to a goddess?

Yu let out a breath, reaching up to rub his forehead. Izanagi, he can hear you chuckling in there. Shush.

"How... how have you been doing, since we arrived?" he finally decided to ask.

Silly human child. While he was chuckling in his head, she could not help but do the same before him. How odd, after all this time...

"I have been fine, child." and if he noticed earlier, most of the wounds he had once seen before when she revealed her more divine appearance had healed. "What of you and your friends?"

Yu let out a slightly embarrassed noise at all the laughing at his expense. Seriously, gods. Seriously.

"I'm fine, and the others seem to be too," he replied, taking a sip of his tea. He really needed to get better ingredients... "Waiting to hear back from the places I've applied for employment."

Yu left himself wide open for it, okay. She merely took the opportunity.

"Oh?" She smiled faintly, idly stirring the surface of the liquid in her own cup with her finger. No spoon needed. "I'm glad to hear that, despite what they recall as well."

Can't say she wasn't at least trying to be polite.

"I think..." Yu began, before he paused, frowning. "I hope that we'll all understand the meaning behind what you started one day. That's why I want to keep an open mind..."

He trailed off, letting out a breath. No, lets not go down this route again. After a moment, he shook his head.

"Do you have any plans? I mean... for work."

...he flinched internally. Wow, that sounded really lame.

Much like his own Arcana. Izanami couldn't help with that hint of sadness entered her smile. Innocent and optimistic, yet so very naive... It was so obvious as they sat there and he confessed that, even though he trailed off. He wanted to say further, yet couldn't? Interesting...

Yet the quiet musing seemed to have been shrugged off for the time being, and she quirked an eyebrow.

"I have looked into a few possibilities, yes... though I must ask why you are so curious." After all, the others would likely harass her no matter where she went (and it's okay, one day your Expression will reach rank 7).

He wanted to blame Izanagi for it, but he wasn't entirely sure if it was the Persona's fault. It was seriously so confusing having him as a constant presence in his head, it really was.

"Just curious," Yu admitted. "I'm guessing you worked at the gas station to observe everyone. I wasn't sure if you'd do the same here or not."

You'll adapt, child. Just as she adapted to having Shikome by her 'side' once more after so long of having her silent, back in Yomi. It was odd to say the least. Still...

"I might be. Though not for the same reasons as I had before." After all, there was no grandiose experiment with humanity this time around. Though she was rather curious to see how those from other worlds interacted with others from other realms and existences far beyond their own. Even the smallest possibilities for them to change and grow as they faced reality...

"I know... you... don't really have a reason to continue that here."

He hoped, anyway. There was that lingering shadow of doubt, and he was pretty sure that was from him. He really wanted to believe in her, he really did... but he just wasn't sure.

"Correct. I do not." That lingering shadow of doubt is likely what is causing that little voice saying 'Ta da~ new social link!' from staying silent. Walls of the heart were a terrible thing indeed for developing one, after all. "However, that does not mean that I would likely wish to assist humanity once more, as I have for a select few in the past..."

Oh, did she just give him a hint? That knowing look was definitely telling, at least.... should he choose to read it.

Hopefully it would not disrupt her tea.

Yu had been half way to taking a sip of tea when she decided to reveal that list bit of information. He stopped and stared, mouth working for a moment as he tried to come up with a response for that. It was a moment before he could set his tea down, all kinds of different thoughts going through his head.

"You've... helped people before."

He tone clearly stated he didn't like those implications...

She chuckled at that, despite what could have been thought of before. Naturally, she had helped them in a similar way that she had helped him, Namatame, and Adachi before. The fog spread over Inaba once every fifty years or so, after all. However, that was not what she implied this current time.

Izanami took a sip of her own tea, completely unphased by his momentary speechlessness. However, when he did find the words once more... she merely held out a hand. In it, was an illusion of the Priestess Arcana.

"I doubt even he knew, but indeed... I have."

Not just by bringing about the fog that revealed the inner self. The card vanished with the wave of a hand. Surprised, brother? Chosen representative?

...little bit, yeah! Yu just stared at the card as it rotated in her hand, trying to figure out what to make of that. It could mean any number of things; that she was a Persona, a Social Link... anything, really. Why did gods have to be so damn complicated?

"I'd like to know more about it, someday," he replied when he finally found his voice.

Then her mission was a success. And hey, she could say the same about humanity in general. Do not simply say that gods were complicated when humans are as well. Seriously, why are all of you so confusing?

"Perhaps I shall share with you that story someday. However, it is not completely mine to tell." After all, some of it indeed was for another few children to decide what they should choose to divulge.

Hey, it's not his fault you spent so long locked up that you have no idea what humans are like. Well, it kind of is; dammit he was confused.

"Are... the people that you helped here?" he asked, curious. After all, if this place pulled people from different worlds and times, why wouldn't they show up?

Shh, chosen hope child. Shh... We will just blame it on the loud voice in your head and be done with it. ...Also her own fear and stupidity of which you are not a high enough social link to find out about just yet.

"One or two of them, perhaps." Would she say who they were? More than likely not. There wasn't even any way to tell if they recalled or not until she came across them.

Yes, blaming it on Izanagi sounds like a good idea. Good thing he can only pick up "words" out of vague feelings and his ridiculously strong emotions ~~at the moment~~.

"I see; I'll have to keep an eye out for them," he replied, before he allowed himself a small smile. "I'm curious what kind of people would win your help."

It is the best idea and Yu know it (ba-dum-tss~). And yes, for the time being... it is a good thing.

"Very well." She chuckled. Yes, he would likely be very surprised as to the kind of people who did win her assistance. Though she would allude to one more thing. "They are indeed an interesting bunch. Headstrong and resilient, much like another group I could mention..."

She spared a glance, eyes glowing faintly beyond her mask of 'humanity.'

"Though I suppose you have them to thank as well, for my desire to grant humanity a 'window' once."

"I'll be sure to do that," Yu replied.

...this was strange. He actually felt a bit... comfortable around her? It was probably because of Izanagi, but... though he know he couldn't yet, he could almost feel that he would be able to fully trust her one day. Yu still had emotions to figure out and how to deal with him, but he had faith that maybe one day they would all be able to sit comfortably together in this place.

"...Izanami? Thank you for tonight."

Your inner voice was trying to tell him something, more than likely. Though those two simple words were definitely not expected, especially after he had an idea of what would soon occur for him. Thus after blinking for a brief moment in surprise, she let a single amused sound to escape before placing the cup down.

"...You are welcome, Narukami-kun."

It was getting late, so after spending just a brief more time for discussion, she disappeared in the very fog that made up the illusion of her appearance. In fact, it may just make him wonder if she was even here to begin with. Spoilers: She had been. She was just damn good at teleporting and slight of hand.

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and this is why no one messes with the mother goddess...

Clearly. :|

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