[OPEN] Demonbait

[blessed_by_the_world]

Who: Akane and OPEN
Where: Anywhere you like, she's lost so it doesn't matter.
When: After dark
Warnings: Possible injury and I do not have nearly enough appropriate icons for this.
Summary: Akane received a curse from the fortune teller at the cherry blossom festival. For the next few days, demons will chase her at night. Even if her persona appears to help her, it may not be enough...


[She's running through the streets as fast as she can go, looking desperately for a place to hide. Originally, she'd been heading back to the apartment building, but she got turned around somewhere and now she's a little lost.

Okay, completely lost. And only just barely staying ahead of the things chasing her. She can't resist a panicked glance behind her just as she turns a corner and SMACK!

Sorry, she did not see you there. Luckily she's small, so she felt the impact more than you. But now she's scrambling to her feet and giving you a desperate look.]

Th- they're after me!

Comments

go for it!

[doesasordered]

You're not getting her. [Nikolai glares it down with a chilling glare. He's not about to let a little girl take the hit, so he stands his ground to take the hit. It's really going to hurt him though. He figures it's about time for him to call his Persona.]

[blessed_by_the_world]

[And hurt it does. Akane screams from somewhere behind him, fearing for his life. It is definitely time for personas.

And if it wasn't before, two more demons have also entered to alley, brandishing pitchforks. If something doesn't change soon, they're in real trouble.]

[doesasordered]

[Nik's persona lends him to be strong against physical attacks, at least, but that still hurts a lot. He lets out no more than a grunt, though, trying not to sway on his feet. He's a pro.

But after that, it's Persona time. He yells her name, and out comes Christine, ready to bear down on these things. They're getting a face full of Agi, which works well against the Kobolds, but not the new arrivals so much.]

[blessed_by_the_world]

[Yeah, the Kobold meets a rather unpleasant end. The two bilwis however, are unimpressed. They decide to split up, with one of them trying to introduce Nik to the business end of it's pitchfork. The other darts around him, aiming for Akane.

She backs away from it desperately, until her back hits the wall. She squeezes her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable pain. But suddenly, in a flash of bright light, a cheerful looking spirit appears.]

I am thou..
Thou art I...
Fear not, child. I will protect your happiness...

[With a laugh, it hits the demon with some zio. Which is entirely more effective on this type. For her part, Akane is just staring in awe at the persona, hardly believing it came from her.]

[doesasordered]

[Oh. Well, that's convenient. He'll have to talk to her about it once it's all over, though.] Akane! Hit the next one!

[He's just going to haul off and punch the thing if he can, hoping it's susceptible to physical attacks. And hopefully Akane won't blast him with a zio, too.]

[blessed_by_the_world]

Huh? Oh! Um, quick! Get it!

[She's still shocked at her persona's sudden appearance, but recovers in time to hit the second Bilwis with another super effective zio. Between that and the straight up physical damage, it goes down.]

[doesasordered]

[Nik sighs in relief, checking to make sure those demons are done for, before turning to Akane and her new persona.]

Are you alright, Akane?

[blessed_by_the_world]

[She nods very slowly and does her best to keep her voice steady despite the fact that she's shaking a little.]

I th-think so...

[doesasordered]

[Nik takes a knee, to get down to her level.] You did fine. Using your persona for the first time can be... disorienting. Strange. But you used it well.

[blessed_by_the_world]

I was... really scared.

[With that confession, she throws her arms around him. Sorry Nik, she really needs a hug and you're the only one here.]

[doesasordered]

[O-Oh no what do. Have a very tentative hug back.] Don't be. Come on, let me get you back to the apartments. I don't know why they're out chasing you now, but maybe they'll stay away.

[blessed_by_the_world]

Okay...

[ /sniffle

She'll allow him to lead her back to the apartments though. It should be safer there.]

[doesasordered]

[Nik keeps a well-trained eye out for any demons who might decide to follow or pop out of nowhere. No one's going to get the jump on him. When they get to the building, Nik finally speaks up again.]

You may want to practice with your persona, in case this happens again. You'll be ready to protect yourself.

[blessed_by_the_world]

Right...

[Now that they're safe, and the shock and stress of the evening has worn off, Akane is more than a little angry with herself. She had wanted to get strong and protect people, but as it turned out, she couldn't even protect herself.]

I'm sorry. If I wasn't so weak, you wouldn't have had to save me.

[doesasordered]

[He shakes his head.] Don't be hard on yourself. I'm more used to this, and you weren't prepared. But now you've awoken your persona, so you can use that to your advantage.

[blessed_by_the_world]

[She lets out a small frustrated sigh.]

I know, but....

[She pauses, struggling with how to word this and finding the ground very interesting.]

But I really wanted to get strong. To protect people from the demons. And when I actually saw a demon... I was so scared. I just ran away...

[doesasordered]

Strength isn't something everyone is born with. It's something you need to work on, something you have to gain. If you're sincere in wanting to become strong, you will be. You just need to keep working.

[He's not exactly Captain Comfort, but it's the best he can do.]

[blessed_by_the_world]

[Actually, that's very comforting. She looks back up at him and smiles.]

Thank you....

[Did he want a hug? Because he's getting one.]

[doesasordered]

[Oh again. Uh. She'll get a little hug back. Sorry, he's bad at these things.]

Ah. You're welcome.

[blessed_by_the_world]

[By now they've made it back to the apartments, which will hopefully be demon free.]

They won't come in the building, right?

[doesasordered]

Not usually, no. You should be alright now. If there's any problems, I live in 10-6. Just call or knock.

[blessed_by_the_world]

[She nods.]

Okay. Thanks again!

[And heads up to her room in much better spirits.]