[OPEN] I detest weaknesses

[capitalbackup]

Who: Miyako Hotsuin (capitalbackup) and you!
When: Backdated to March 14th, 13th Hour.
Where: Sagittarius district.
Summary: After being caught off guard by a monster, Miyako awakened her Persona.
Warnings: Fighting monsters and usual Hotsuin issues.

Miyako Hotsuin disliked weakness. By extension of that, she also dislike—no, hate being weak.

But for all of her skills with the sword, as well as her control over her spiritual and magical powers, she’s becoming more and more aware of her weaknesses. She knew and acknowledged her poor social skills and tact. Miyako was also aware that she’s not a very likeable person to some people. She acknowledged and accepted those.

What she did acknowledge and believe in was her own strength. When it comes to the skill with a sword, Miyako’s vastly superior to Yamato. It’s both a fact and something she secretly take pride in. It’s one of the reasons why, without the shackles of pretending to be her brother, she can easily stay at the top in a meritocracy. Losing to anyone shouldn’t be an option to her.

But she lost not only once, but twice.

Miyako had mostly calmed down since her loss against Hibiki Kuze’s group. When she can calmly (in other word, not being angry again at Yamato and Alcor) analyse that battle, she could see how they won. She could see, but it didn’t meant she have to like it. It’s only what happened afterwards that soured her feelings about her defeat.

But she had calm down and forced herself to ignore it. It’s not normal or healthy, but she don’t want to dwell on it too much.

All was well, even after Yamato’s return from a tower and she left him alone. He didn’t want to talk about it, she will leave it be.

It’s when she lost the duel against Mordred Pendragon that something in her snapped. Fortunately, she didn’t lash out to Mordred immediately after she lost. But it didn’t change the fact that in a duel with swords, without the help of any magic or her demons, fighting with just their skills, she lost.

She lost.

With the skills she took pride in, the same skills that made her stand on her own from Yamato’s shadow, she...lost. It’s more than enough for her to continue her nightly training, but her approach was more agitated and almost reckless. Several times, she forced herself to calm down and remember the discipline in the way of the sword.

Tonight, she’s going out again to train. So she can be strong enough to defeat Mordred Pendragon and avenge her loss. So she can be worthy again to uphold her ideal. So she can stop feeling so utterly pathetic about herself...!

[SAGITTARIUS DISTRICT]
Tonight was just another night of training. Go to Sagittarius, defeat whatever monsters in her way and return back to her apartment in Pisces. If she’s forced to, she would summon her demons as support. But Miyako would try to fight as long as she can without her demons, as a personal test towards herself.

The night went well. After a single trip, she was heading back when she noticed her movement’s growing slower. What the--?

That’s when a large skeletonal monster came out of the shadows and struck her with its bony limbs. Because of the Slow spell it cast on her earlier, Miyako’s reaction was slower than normal and was unable to dodge.

“Ghk--!”

The blow knocked her back a fair distance and her body fell to the ground from the hit. Unfortunately, her katana was also knocked out of her hand. When Miyako no longer feel the familiar weight and the handle’s shape in her hand, she started...panicking and forced herself up, reaching for her phone quickly. As she did, the monster moved very quickly after her. No, she can’t summon in time at this rate--! A lapse in judgement, not being good enough, not being strong enough and now she’s going to die…?!

No!

“Get away!” A single word came to her mind, whispered by a voice she didn’t recognise. But instinctively knew was her ally. “Chamunda!”

Her Persona materialised in front of her, and then Miyako just knew what it—she can use. A Persona that primarily provide support, but it’s not entirely defenceless. The goddess raised her arms and took the brunt of the Abaddon’s tackle, protecting Miyako and giving her a moment to move away. At this close distance, there’s no way the Abaddon can avoid her Magna spell, which was enough to distract it.

With the fighting and noises going on, it’s bound to catch someone’s attention and lead them to see a girl forcing herself to stand and a woman—her Persona—summoned out. Oh, and a large skeletonal monster staring down at them.

Lend a hand?

Comments

[destinedwaters]

Ever since she stopped working with the police, she'd adjusted her gone around during the 13th Hour. It was a way to keep her skills sharp outside of training the younger Keyblade bearers in hers and Terra's care. It wasn't something she was accustomed to yet, the red sky... but the conditions always seemed to match somewhere she fought in before. So to hear a fight already in progress below, she couldn't help but fly a little closer to the ground on her glider (it was safe to assume that the fangirls weren't out at this time of night).

As she flew closer, she could pick out the monster and its would-be prey. Without much thought, she shifted her Keyblade from Glider form to its normal weapon mode and twirled, green mist falling with healing petals of a Curaga spell. It should take most of the edge off whatever injuries Miyako sustained.

"Are you alright?" Because she was more concerned for the fellow warrior than the monster, while her Keyblade shifted yet again to Glider form and she took aim. It was always a fifty-fifty shot, using this skill... but might as well try an arrow of light?

[capitalbackup]

She was going to cast a Mediarahan on herself, a far stronger healing spell than Chamunda's Media. But the foreign spell surprised her, but Miyako won't complain about it. Standing up straighter, she glanced over at the woman.

"I'm fine." Physically speaking, she's fine and her injuries were all healed. But her pride remained sore and immune to the Curaga. Miyako brought out her phone and summoned Mara to engaged the monster.

Compared to Chamunda's support-inclined nature, the Tyrant demon was better at holding off Abaddon.

"He'll keep it distracted." Miyako did notice the woman's action and made her best guess. She's likely preparing for an attack, so why not help?

[destinedwaters]

Aqua nodded faintly, genuinely glad that this other woman was fine. Physically, at least. Mental and emotional could wait once they were out of immediate danger.

"Right." Not going to comment on dickchariot. Nope, not at all. What could be hilarious in hindsight is that she was only moving to assist the other. Not outright take the win from her.

She landed on the ground nearby, taking aim again. It wouldn't kill the skeletal beast, but it would inhibit its actions at least. Still, the distraction is appreciated as she began spinning, shooting off pearls of light at its face. Somehow, none of them even get close to striking Mara.

[capitalbackup]

Between the other girl's light spell and Mara's fire spells, the monster was pushed back and weakened from the assault. Its weaknesses to those two elements prevented it from performing as many techniques as it like.

It roared in pain, as Miyako lifted her phone up and cast Mabufudyne at the same time as it case Silence on them. As the icebergs slammed into Abaddon, finishing it off, the Silence spell washed over the girls.

Did it hit?

[destinedwaters]

[rng says aqua is unaffected]

A shame on its part. However, that's what happens when two strong individuals get together. At least, it was that way in her worlds. She also knew this magic well and, were she the cursing type, would likely have done more than simply regret not bringing a few panaceas.

Yet it simply washes over her-- huh. Normally those always affect her. Weird.

[capitalbackup]

Unfortunately, the spell hit Miyako, temporarily muting her. If she's that kind of person, she would grumble about it. Of course, the silence spell render that effectively useless

But her annoyance was clear on her face, as she started pressing buttons on her phone.

[destinedwaters]

If someone didn't notice that annoyance, they'd better head to the nearest Atlusified version of Lenscrafter's on the double. Because Aqua is nearly sensing it; it's that crystal clear.

"...Here." The other didn't need to take the strange orange vial, but Panaeceas did wonders back in her worlds. Maybe it could help another world's version of a silence spell?

[demifemme]

Since Shura had been feeling better, she had started walking through the city at night again, during the 13th hour. She would chat up friendly demons, run with the Frosts, and beat up hostile demons.

Demon like the one Miyako was facing right now.

At first she thought it was Yamato, so she ran over to help. Once up close, she realized her mistake, but it didn't stop her from jumping right into the battle, between Yamato's sister and the monster. "Are you okay?" she asked as she stared right back at the monster, fearlessly.

[capitalbackup]

"I'm fine." She's alive, but this woman--demon?--was obviously going to aid her. "That thing can cast a slow spell."

Which was debilitating for a swordsman like her in battle. The monster gave an unsettling sound, as if roaring, before casting an Imp spell at them.

[demifemme]

"Great, exactly what I need," grumbled Shura. The Imp spell missed, reminding Shura of those days in the Vortex crossing her fingers every time she'd get slammed with a Hama or Mudo.

"COME! DIS!" The green-skinned goddess appeared to cast Silence on the enemy. If it hit, it would give Shura time to heal Yamato's sister and get ready to attack.

[capitalbackup]

The Silence spell hit, rendering the enemy temporarily mute. Unable to use its spells, it seemed surprised for a moment.

Standing up fully, Miyako can feel the Slow spell wearing off as she brought out her phone. She quickly glanced over at where her sword was, before turning her attention back to the monster.

"Chamunda!"

At her call, the goddess came and cast Tarukaja on Shura. As Shura wasn't injured like herself, she's a better attacker right now in her eyes.

[demifemme]

"Thanks!" Shura shouts as she feels the spell strengthen her. "Need healing?" she asked as Dis prepared a Agilao for the monster.

[capitalbackup]

"I can heal myself, just focus on the enemy." Miyako pulled out her phone and cast Mediarahan on herself.

The monster would bared its teeth, unable to roar from being muted by the Silence spell. It moved forward to attack them, only to get flinched and harmed by the Agilao spell.

[honordyne]

Lucky for her, this particular monster is weak to fire, and there's someone nearby who's good with it.

A large blast of fire hits several of the monsters, weakening them considerably.

"Need a hand?"

[capitalbackup]

She noted the monster's reaction to the flames, its unsettling sound--as if it's screeching--and its pained movements.

"I don't mind." She wants to take it down herself, but logically, she knows accepting his help would make this easier.

Because the monster was hit by flames, it gave her Persona enough time to move away. After a quick thought, Chamunda casts Tarukaja on the boy.

[honordyne]

Zuko has the briefest of pauses when he notices his flames are doing more damage than before; but he attacks with more force soon after, eliminating all the monsters in barely any time at all.

With that done, it's time for the obligatory: "You okay?"

[capitalbackup]

"I'm fine."

She's alive and most of her injuries can be healed. But the same cannot be said for her pride and sense of self-worth. That monster surprised her and threatened her enough to awakened her Persona.

The very fact that she felt threatened and stressed enough to awaken Chamunda was just adding fuel to her inner turmoil.

"But your flames...they're not quite magic, are they?" The movement's entirely different from how people cast fire magic.

...And it's something to distract herself from her self-loathing.

[honordyne]

"They call it 'firebending' where I'm from," he replies, giving the area a quick look around to see if it's clear. "Whether you see it as magic depends on how you see bending."

[capitalbackup]

The area around them was clear, for now.

"Magic is connected to the user's innate spiritual aptitude." Almost all humans in her world has it. Some just simply has a stronger knack for magic over others.

and then i tl;dr'd

[drakenguard]

Yamato could admit that he had been rather self-centred this past fortnight. Focusing mostly on his own issues, dismissing his sister and wallowing in his own reckless emotions - honestly, it was unsurprising that he had been blind to Miyako's own turmoil. He barely understood what he had been feeling, and the faint unsettled emotions coming from his twin merely got confused in the mix up.

However, Yamato was finally beginning to place his own emotions in order, to regain some semblance of control and sanity - only for him to realise that not all was well with Miyako. He had left her alone for the past few days, though. Although twins, they were still somehow quite distant from one another. Each other's problems were left to the other to deal with, unless it began to affect their judgement or competence. Yamato merely left it alone.

Yet during the 13th Hour, when Yamato was decided to stretch his legs and get back into the swing of fighting with Cerberus by his side... it was like a thunderbolt. Anxiety, fear, panic - he had never felt such keen emotions from his sister before, and before he had even fully processed it, he was already following the tug to where his sister was, only to arrive just as a skeletal monster squared off at Miyako - who appeared to be injured and struggling to stand.

Cerberus moved without instruction. The great beast - far bigger than any average Cerberus - swallowed up the distance between them and the creature within seconds, lunging and crashing into it with a bellowing roar. As the two monsters collapsed into a great tangle of limbs, followed by bursts of fire spewing from Cerberus's maw, Yamato quickly made his way to his sister's side.

"Miyako, are you injured?"

ooh tl;dr ooh

[capitalbackup]

Even if he had been aware of her turmoil, Miyako won't easily talk about it. It was her own problem to deal with and she's reluctant to accept help from others about her own self-worth. Her self-hatred at her weakness--at her utterly pathetic emotional and mental state--was mostly self-contained and somewhat controllable. She had hope to ignore it and train harder to feel better about herself.

But things did not go as planned.

Miyako looked up when she sensed Yamato's presence, just in time to watch Cerberus engaging with the monster. When she heard Yamato's voice, she felt a mixed of emotions: reliefsurprisedanxietyshameselfhate before she pushed them away to answer his question.

"I have some injuries, but no broken bones or any fatal injuries."

Cerberus's flames seemed to be very effective against the monster, causing it to lashed out in pain. Miyako's Persona returned to her side, now that the goddess no longer need to hold off the monster.

[drakenguard]

Yamato turned away from Miyako at that - she appeared fine, and aside from being a bit bruised and scuffed, his sister was in one piece and in fighting condition. He barked out at Cerberus, and the demon swiftly retreated from the enemy before them, a splotch of red on its pelt where the monster had lashed out on it.

"Tch, what a powerful enemy," he murmured. He doubted he and Cerberus could attack it head on and win, but perhaps Zerg Rushing it with both himself and Miyako, as well as their respective demons... unless a retreat would be best. He slipped his phone out of his pocket, warily watching at the monster started to try and right itself back up, Cerberus stopping before them like a guard dog.

"Do you have your demons ready?" he asked Miyako.

[capitalbackup]

"Yes, they're ready.

Miyako flipped her phone open, accessing her the summoning program by trained reflexes. Soon enough, she summoned the only demons in her stock. Tyrant Mara and Megami Norn, the same demons she chose to fight by her side before coming to Hinoto-Ri.

The Abaddon was watching them, hurt but angry. It really didn't like Cerberus because of the flames.

[drakenguard]

Well, it seemed that the monster was extremely weak against fire, but Yamato had no Fire spells equipped, and neither did his demons. He summoned Arioch and Remiel anyway, the two demons flanking him as Yamato... considered. He disliked using his Persona, if only because he didn't fully understand the phenomenon, but Kali had Fire spells...

Feh.

"Kali!" Yamato barked, and the Persona appeared in a flurry of energy, the multi-armed women flicking a wrist and casting Agilao at the demon. As Abaddon shied away with a shriek, Cerberus charged forwards once more.

[capitalbackup]

When Cerberus attacked, Abaddon attempted to counter the demon with a strong hit. However, realising the monster's weakness, Miyako briefly paused before she swallowed her pride.

"Chamunda!"

The goddess boosted Mara's power with a Tarukaja, allowing the green demon to cast an empowered Maragidyne at Abaddon. Fortunately, Miyako knew Cerberus would remain unharmed by the flames, so there's no worries of hurting the beast from being, literally, in the line of fire.

The same cannot be said for the Abaddon, before it cried out and try to cast Stop.