but you didn't die this year I guess that's good enough - wait

[hachitaro]

Who: Taro and OPEN (backdated to the 29th)
Where: Capricorn (Naganaki shrine), Virgo (Junes), Taurus (Nyx's Bar), Taurus streets (13th hour)
Summary: It's Taro's birthday! Or the approximate date he thinks he came into existence since he was never actually born. Either way it's time to do the 'appropriate' thing, cruise by a store, and then get drunk. And then stumble out during the 13th hour and get ambushed by a demon. As you do.
Warnings: Is being drunk a warning? idk that I guess. Talk of death. Also probably screaming and swearing for the last prompt.

[Capricorn]

[Okay, okay. Time to do the appropriate thing. Taro stands in front of the shrine in the Capricorn district, hands tucked behind his back. What can he even say to the gods? Considering that they're behind all of the mess at home, nothing nice. He sighs, and just bows his head slightly.]

Right. Just... hopefully you guys here aren't as dickish as the ones at home, huh?

[Taro heads over to pay for a fortune... he might as well. In goes the coin, and...]

[Small curse.]

Seriously?!

[Right, time to tie it to this tree...]

[Virgo]

[Taro heads inside Junes, marveling a little at how big it is. He's used to department stores, but this one is pretty huge. He heads over to the grocery section and picks out some basic foodstuffs, before grabbing a roll of duct tape. Hey, it's got a light side and a dark side, and it keeps the universe together. Much like something else.]

[He pauses in front of the video games, though. It's been a while since he's seriously played games - he's been too busy recently - but it's tempting. ... But he doesn't have a job, so he can't justify it... but it's his birthday. He stands there a bit, trying to decide.]

[Taurus]

[Right, after his stuff is put away, it's time for the bars. Taro wanders around, the evening air refreshing as he tries to find the most appealing-looking bar. No... no... that one looks boring... that one has an oni and he's not ready to play 'ride the oni' again... ah. He grins as he spots a bar with a number of demons milling around inside. It looks like a nightclub, so he heads in.]

[... Fairly soon, Taro's laughing, trying to lean on a succubus and laughing harder when he gets brushed away. One eventually ends up cozying up near him, and he buys her a few drinks. No point in wasting the pretty girl's time, right?]

[Taurus streets]

[Soon enough, Taro realizes that he's got to get out before he drains his entire account. He stumbles along the streets a bit, but he's okay. His body processes alcohol pretty fast, even through the illusion. ... It's surprisingly dark, though. A chill runs down his spine as he looks around.]

[A bird-like monster swoops down at him, clawing him in the back and sending him sprawling to the ground. He looks up and attempts not to pee his pants as he scrambles to his feet.]

Shit shit shit shit shit!

[He already died, he's not ready for round two! He attempts to run, but the alcohol is making his steps slow and unsteady. It wheels around again, and Taro raises his arms in front of him to try to protect his face, when...]

[A woman in a robe appears in front of him. He lowers his arms, staring.]

I... am Ame-no-Uzume.
As your laughter lights up the world,
So too shall I shine a brilliant light upon your enemies...

[Right. No time to waste. He instinctively realizes she's not a fighter, but there's one thing he can do.]

Gale Slash!

[There's absolutely no reason to call his attack, but it's cool, okay? The goddess lashes out, attacking the beast and dispersing it. Taro grins, and heads out towards the Libra ward again.]

Comments

Lovin those Taurus streets

[jazzandtiramisu]

[Lanister had seen the whole exchange between the kid and the bird and then that lady and the bird. It had all been fairly boring, he'd been hoping for more.

He stuck out his hand as the guy passed by and formed a telekenetic wall right in front of him, one that would hit him in the chest as long as he kept mostly to his current path; he didn't want to break the guy's nose, that would just mess up his pretty face.

Whether the guy hit it or not, the demon stepped away from the wall he'd been keeping warm and came closer.]

So, that was one of those persona things I've been hearing about, huh? Interesting.

Didn't your mother ever tell you not to get drunk and walk alone at night? Something unfortunate could happen.

[hachitaro]

[Taro whuffed slightly as he ran into the wall, nearly toppling over. He looked over, and - ah.]

Eheh. I guess. And nah, I didn't stick around long enough to get that lecture.

[He smiled faintly, but ugh. No talking about family, please.]

[jazzandtiramisu]

<[He shrugs. To be fair, neither did his, she just didn't have a choice.]

Well, you shouldn't. Pretty men getting drunk alone is begging for trouble.

[Not from him, of course, he was just a 'concerned citizen' or whatever.]

So how did you summon it, anyway?

[hachitaro]

Me, pretty? Well, I am really cute...

[... Ah. Well. That...]

I'm... not really sure. I got attacked and it was kind of like a... reflex? I've never done that before.

[jazzandtiramisu]

Good, glad you aren't one of those types who blush and hide away. Confidence is attractive, you know.

[Hmm...that wasn't very helpful but whatever.]

Yeah? Well at least it kicked in at the right moment.

Think you'll be able to get home alone or should I walk you there to make sure?

[Not that he cared, but he wasn't doing anything else at the moment.]

[hachitaro]

Oh, I know.

[Grin~.]

I wouldn't say no to some company, though. It's always better to walk with someone else.

[jazzandtiramisu]

[He grins right back and motions that Taro should lead on, perfectly willing to follow along for now.]

Name's Lanister, by the way, since I'm playing escort and all that.

[hachitaro]

[He nods, and starts heading down the streets.]

I'm Taro. What was that wall thing you made?

[jazzandtiramisu]

[Lanister follows and shrugs at the question.]

Telekinesis. Are you familiar with it? It's just something I can do...being a demon and all.

[He smirked a bit to himself. Partly, he didn't mind saying it because he just didn't care about being secretive, the other part was out of a curiosity for how Taro would react.]

Virgo

[otakuro]

[A boy perhaps around Taro's age sadly stands in the middle of the video game aisle with one game clutched in each hand. Super Giana Brothers 8 versus Mortal Fighter III. The dilemma was obvious, and probably quite heartbreaking.]

Haaah... It's like trying to pick which kid you want to keep, you know?

[hachitaro]

[He grins at the other boy a little sheepishly.]

Yeah... I'm not sure I have the money to buy a system here. I haven't had one at home for years. It's kind of a pain.

I wanna buy one for my birthday, but I have to be responsible sometimes, I guess.

[otakuro]

...Maybe you can petition Philemon to grab one from your past or something.

[Each and every last item in Atsuro's extensive collection had managed to follow him to Hinoto-Ri, for which he was rather grateful.]

I've got a few old consoles from home back at my place, but I didn't grab one from here until recently. ...It's pretty easy to pick up a job, actually. And since we don't pay rent, the money goes up pretty quick.

[hachitaro]

Maybe. I never owned that many, heh. My job at home had pretty inconsistent payouts. But it looks like I might get a job here soon. As long as I don't waste all my money on drinks I should be okay, I guess.

[That was a joke! ... Maybe.]

[otakuro]

Focus is the key! When you're after a game, you have to ignore all distractions in the way! Computer parts? Drinks? They're all just there to distract you from the real goal.

[Atsuro either feels quite strongly about this or he is fond of random injections of levity. Maybe both.]

[hachitaro]

Hah! True. I don't know if I can keep up, heh. I'm older than I look and games have gotten more complicated.

... I sound like an old man. Even if I am, ew.

[otakuro]

[Atsuro squints in slight suspicion at this statement.]

Well. You're only as young as you feel. ...And as young as fighting monsters really allows; one of these days, I think I'm gonna tear a ligament.

[Atsuro replaces Mortal Fighter III on the shelf and sighs.]

Tell you what. You can borrow one of my old consoles and a game or two if you want. It's not like I haven't already sunk 200 hours into it or anything.

[hachitaro]

That's a good point. At least I'm flexible.

[Ladies - wait. He raises an eyebrow.]

You'd do that for someone you just met?

Taurus after the Persona awakening

[emperor_penguin]

Hm. Got yours too, did'ya?

[Yup, just a penguin passing by.]

[hachitaro]

[Oh. 'Sup penguinbro.]

Uh... yeah, I guess. Though it doesn't make sense why I'd get a goddess. The gods are the cause of the problem at home.

... Well. Not the main cause. But they're a big factor.

[emperor_penguin]

Don't think too hard 'bout it. It is what it is.

[hachitaro]

Guess so.

[He still eyes the air in front of him suspiciously.]

... I know these are supposed to be reflections of us or whatever but uh. Just for the record, I'm not going onstage in your club for stripteasing.

[emperor_penguin]

Yeah, you don't exactly seem the type.

[hachitaro]

Nah. Not even if I take the form of a sexy girl. Ehehe. It's not really my thing.

[emperor_penguin]

Rather be in the crowd doin' the lookin', right?

[hachitaro]

Pretty much. I mean, I'll go to a club, but getting me onstage is a bad idea.

... Probably less bad here though, since I don't have any police with my mugshot.