010 | my reflection wraps and pulls me under

[mortal_son]

(( OOC: Please read the warning post for this plot before tagging.

This one is especially heavy on the suicidal ideation, the negative self-talk, and themes of abandonment. ))


[ ACTION ]
[ Catch-all for the TV World ]

(( OOC: Please note for the dungeons I DO NOT expect these to be threaded out blow-by-blow. Tags can be about the aftermath of the dungeons, or reactions going in, if you want to use those prompts at all. Handwaving is encouraged. ))



[ OUTSIDE THE ARCHWAY ]

There are probably a Guardian and some deputies here. They might have some issues with people gathering here, or trying to get in.



[ INSIDE THE ARCHWAY - CROSSROADS ]

In the fog, there's a crossroads with four paths branching off.

The widest path leads to a building, which kind of looks like the apartment Shinjiro and Akihiko share right now in Genessia. That door is locked with three keys.

The path to the left leads to a building Akihiko would find familiar. It's an orphanage.

The path to the right leads to a structure which seems to be a mashup between the highschool in Iwatodai and the dorms that SEES lived in.

The narrowest path leads right past the building. It appears to go into a warren of alleyways.



[ INSIDE THE ORPHANAGE ]

Right when you get in, you hear a woman's voice saying, "You're just too much trouble." It's not a voice Akihiko would recognize.

The first floor is filled with whispering adult voices, harsh and judgmental. They're not clear enough to be heard right away. When you find the stairs, they've resolved themselves at last. "Undesirable." "Troublemaker." "Thief." "Bully." "Too aggressive." "Looks suspicious." "Not that one."

The second floor is distinctly hotter than the first. The rooms begin to fill with smoke. There's crying of children in the corridors, and by the final room - which has the first key - the whole dungeon is on fire.

In that last room, when the chest is opened, they can hear Shinjiro's very young voice. "I didn't really want this to happen. I didn't. It wasn't my fault!"

This dungeon drops a lot of Goho-M and Revival Beads.



[ INSIDE THE SCHOOL + DORM ]

When you open the door, you hear the principal say, "Delinquent."

The first floor appears to be just the school. But the corridors are tight, growing tighter, and the ceilings seem to get lower and lower. A shadow eventually can easily block the entire hallway. All around are whispers and snickering, and disapproving coughing. This building doesn't appear to have any distinct voices, one way or another.

By the time you get to the stairs, you almost need to crouch.

The second floor is the dorm. These appear to be spaced just like the actual dorm hallways, and the ceilings are the right height, too. But there are shadows everywhere.

Eventually, one will knock you into a wall. The wall completely collapses, and the sound it makes is a mix of Mrs. Amada and Ken Amada's screams.

After the first wall, the corridors seem to narrow exponentially. Knocking down more walls causes repeats of those screams, but. At least it's easier to move around over rubble?

The final room has the voice of Shadow!Shinji call out - "No, no it's not possible - no -"

This dungeon drops a lot of Goho-M and Revival Beads. It also drops an axe. (Not funny, TV World.)



[ INSIDE THE ALLEYWAYS ]

This is a straight-up labyrinth, single floor.

It's freezing in the alleys. Shadows seem to come out of nowhere and ambush the party easily. There aren't distinct voices here - just shouts, and laughter, and indistinct pleading.

As they go through the alleys, it gets colder and colder. It also grows darker. It gets even harder to see the shadows, and eventually, you'll need to find the light of your cell phone to get by.

This dungeon drops a lot of Goho-M and Revival Beads. The shadows also seem unusually fond of casting Marin Karin on the party.



[ INSIDE THE SAFEHOUSE ]

This is Shinjiro and Akihiko's apartment, all right. Except the floor is littered with empty prescription pill bottles, hundreds of them. It's hard not to step on them. The door to Akihiko's room is locked. The bathroom is trashed, the mirror smashed.

Shinjiro's room is where you find them both, Shadow and Persona-user. This room is also pretty wrecked. Here the empty prescription bottle count is highest.

Shinjiro is tied up, back against the wall, sitting on his bed. The Shadow is pacing the room, kicking about empty bottles as he goes. His eyes are red, like he'd been crying, but he looks furious. He's holding an axe, and gesturing with it at Shinjiro.

"I'm not going to let you! I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!" the Shadow shouts, sounding a mix between anguished and furious.

As a counterpoint, Shinjiro almost looks bored, slumped in his bindings against the wall. He doesn't look at the Shadow. "Can you just get it over with?"

But then he notices you all there, in the doorway, and his eyes go wide. "Shit."

The Shadow turns, looks at you, and almost looks ... hopeful?

Or maybe he just hopes to use his axe. He runs a thumb over it, thoughtfully.

(( OOC: The boss fight will be "unlocked" in this thread after a) a character calls out what Shinjiro is denying about himself, and b) Shinjiro denies it. Actual fight can be handwaved. ))



[ AFTER THE BOSS FIGHT ]

(( OOC: Descriptive text will be unlocked in a post below after the boss fight. ))

Comments

[ OUTSIDE THE ARCHWAY ]

[mortal_son]

[ OUTSIDE THE ARCHWAY ]

[southpaw_senpai]

[Akihiko was a man on a mission. He was going into the archway, and nothing was going to stop him. In fact, it would probably be best if people just kept out of his way. As he neared the archway, he threw open his cape and began rolling his shoulders.]

[k2so]

[Unstoppable force, meet immovable object. Kay saw the young man approaching ans stop straight, rising to his full weight.]

Sir, it's forbidden to get closer to the archway than this.

[southpaw_senpai]

[As soon as Kay moved into the way, Akihiko leaned forward, breaking into a full sprint, fists tucked in close to his chest.]

I don't have time for this...

[As he got close to Kay, he sprung into the air, much higher than would be expected of someone of his size. One foot made contact with the droid's shoulder with the intent of launching him further into the air.]

[k2so]

[Why can't anybody in this weird city hold a proper conversation? Kay is reminded of his first meeting with Jyn as he watches Akihiko move.

His processor analyzes the curve of the jump in milliseconds, appreciates the kid's brute force...and his hand flies up to wrap strong metal fingers around Akihiko's angle to stop him.]

[initia_nova]

[Just as Scott told Cassian, he came to check on how things where doing. He had seen enough mutants hurt by mobs and police alike only because they feared what they were dealing with. He won't get in the way of the Guardian or their deputies, but he will keep a close eyes on them.

And so, anyone there would see a serious looking teen, staring there in silence, watching and waiting.]

Let me know if this is okay!

[leekspins]

[Orihime arrives at last, gaze fixed on the subarchway, but she remains a respectful distance away to keep from getting underfoot. Under her arm she has a black bundle of cloth wadded up. What it was for, she'll never tell.]

[Finding her spot, she folds her arms tightly, looking as if she's cold from the morning chill...or perhaps just doing her very best to hold herself back. It's a few moments before she notices Scott fairly close by, and her serious expression eases somewhat before turning into an awkward smile.]

Did you know Shinjiro-san too?

[Small talk might help take her mind off of the countless frantic worries spinning around, and pass the time as she waits for her friend and his rescuers to emerge.]

Absolutely :D

[initia_nova]

[Scott has been watching people come and go, keeping his distance for the only reason that he had promised the Guardian not to interfere. He's concerned about what could come out of the subarchway and how the deputies will deal with it. At first, he was so focused that he missed Orihime's presence until she speaks directly to him.]

Oh...hello. Yes, we talked a few times. I'm worried about him. Is he one of your friends?

[koishi_komeiji]

This would be Koishi's second time in the TV world. She approached soon after getting the message on her phone, and just moments after the others entered, taking several moments to tighten her belt and smooth her sleeves and dress before approaching. She knew exactly what the world would do to her.

She was drifting rather nonchalantly, her third eye swaying from side to side. She would glide past anyone guarding the entrance unless the someone watching was a robot. Her powers wouldn't work on a mechanical mind or eyes.

[k2so]

After the night they're all having (or very early day already, depends on who you ask) Kay is in a terrible mood. It doesn't exactly show since he can't emote properly without a real face, but he is standing straight in a way he normally doesn't do and his optics are brighter than usual. The joints of his right arm are still acting funny after being electrocuted by that thing Akihiko summoned.

As he is running a diagnosis on his systems, from the corner of his optics Kay spots Koishi approaching the subarchway and lets out a sound akin to a soft sigh before moving towards her.

"Koishi, hello. Where are you going?"

[koishi_komeiji]

"I'm going inside the color-box world." Apparently that's what a 'tv' was in her mind. She did pause when the big robot moved in front of her, looking up at him before floating up to be eye level.

"A human said they were becoming a monster. That's not good. Humans should value what they are. So I'm going inside to help out. I'm good at helping and I'm good at being in strange places since I'm very strange myself." That logic doesn't work, Koishi. "Please let me by, okay?"

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Guarding the archway, first trying to figure out what do, and then once the team is inside the long wait being unable to do anything. Except for his short Moonbucks run, which is of course exactly when all the action happens.

Caution: Care and feeding of your Guardian is harder while he's grumpy. ]

[leekspins]

[After speaking with Scott, Orihime is far less tense and anxious about the whole situation than before. She's also got a coat. She picks her way through the area, nodding her thanks to the policemen that have instructions to let her pass, so she can find Cassian.]

[When she spots him, she can see the same rigidity in his form that she carried. Maybe he should talk to Scott and score a free jacket too.]

Andor-san?

[She's tipped slightly to one side, as if she wants to be clear she's addressing the right person first. Once it's confirmed, she smiles and straightens.]

I just wanted to let you know I was here in case you needed my help. Reporting for duty!

[No one looks hurt so far, but there are probably other tasks she can assist with. And who knows, someone might be nursing a broken nose or something where she can't see.]

[captain_by_the_book]

You're here. Good.

[ He doesn't exactly give her a smile, but a look that is a lot friendlier than what anyone else here has been getting, especially after that incident with the fight earlier. ]

We might have use of you yet, there are people who are very forceful about demanding passage.

[ He'll probably have her check on Mobius, once he feels comfortable letting her use her magic on a deputy. ]

[spacepeterpan]

[Don't worry, you won't get bored, because this guy's come to investigate. Of course, he's not one to pick a fight to get by. Why pick a fight, when you can just walk right up to the front door (metaphorically speaking) and talk your way through nine times in ten?]

Oh, hello, Captain Andor, wasn't it? So it said on your announcement, anyway, we spoke briefly, pleased to meet you properly, though, I'm sure, Captain-

[He casually whisks something from his jacket pocket that almost looks like a slightly midgety lightsaber, but it just makes a chirping sound and lights up the tip when he points it at the arch apparently harmlessly--maybe some sort of scanning device?--then chirps it at Cassian indicatively.]

-sorry, what sort of Captain was it, again? Guessing not a pirate.

[The question's deliberately just a bit personal and prying yet offhanded to buy a couple of seconds as he waves his device back at the archway, pointing in an arc from one side of the base, upward, and down to the base of the other leg, then peers at the side of his widget.]

OMG I'm sorry this got lost in my inbox!

[captain_by_the_book]

Well, you got here fast.

[ An expert of the weird being drawn to yet one more source of the weird in the towns isn't to be unexpected, but Cassian does give the beeping device a slightly suspicious look before he shakes his head, addressing the question. ]

No, not pirate. Certainly not. Military, actually, but I'm here in my function as Guardian, so you're welcome to think of me just as such.

[ There's a hint of steel to his voice at that. Not a good day for chitchat, or anyone else trying to tamper with the subarchway at that. ]

You're welcome to scan or inspect it, but no trespassing.

[ OUTSIDE THE ARCHWAY ] - [ AFTER BOSS FIGHT ]

[mortal_son]

[ Several hours after the initial post, there was finally movement coming from the Subarchway.

First to emerge was Akihiko, looking tired but in good spirits - shouldering the taller form of Shinjiro.

Shinjiro looked absolutely exhausted. He was much paler than usual, his expression even a little green, and it was quite clear without his friend's support, he probably wouldn't have walked out of the portal under his own power.

But walk out he did, and he squinted a bit in the morning sun.

Honestly, he had accepted the consequences of what he was doing ... well, before he accepted himself. It's just the consequences were going to be different than he'd thought they'd be.

Time to face the music. ]


(( ooc: I'll respond to each people reacting to him individually, rather than in one long thread chain. <3 ))

[ OUTSIDE THE ARCHWAY ] - [ AFTER BOSS FIGHT ]

[leekspins]

Shinjiro-san...!

[Orihime rises from where she was crouched and sitting on her heels. Others are already moving forward, so she doesn't join the surge. She doesn't want to crowd him. But she does try to move, craning her neck for a better view. He seems tired, but as far as she can tell, there are no signs of injuries.]

[That's good.]

[Orihime settles back onto her heels with a small smile. In the end, it seems she really wasn't much help at all, and there's a little ache of guilt that throbs in her heart. But as long as he's alive...as long as he's not hurt.]

[Step by step, walking backward, she withdraws. He's got a lot of people close by that are worried about him...people who know him better, people he'd count as friends. It's best to let him be fussed over so he knows they care. After all, he was right. Shinjiro and Orihime barely knew each other. She'd just quietly do what she could to support him in secret until he was feeling better.]

[mortal_son]

[ There were the deputy guardians, and the Guardian himself, and his friends, and even his own budding headache in the way.

But he managed to just catch sight of the back of Orihime's head before she left.

He winced. Damn it.

He hadn't expected her to care. Or, at least, not so much that she'd wait, worried for him, while his Shadow grandstanded.

....... Damn it to hell. Most of what his Shadow had done was a fuzzy, blurred memory. A half-remembered nightmare.

But it had still been him. In a way.

He'd have to apologize to a lot of people. ]

Koishi is half-hidden and not part of the persona gang. If someone wants to point her out feel free.

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi stumbled out soon after, visibly shaking and holding her head. She retained her monstrous form, though she quickly started to fade from perception. She could still clearly be felt however, her presence as a youkai on display for those around her.

She slumped down next to the archway to catch her breath, finally relaxing as the pressure her instincts had been putting on her mind slowly dissolved.

Still, she was improving quickly. It would only be a few minutes before her aura improved and her features started to return to something more human-looking.

For now though, she would rest.

"I really don't like that place. Even if there is lots of food there."

[k2so]

Kay spotted Koishi immediately, he had been waiting for her already and crouches near her by the archways, knee on the floor. He keeps some distance, to not stress her more by crossing into her personal space. Whatever happened inside the archway, it was worse than he was expecting.

"It will be fine now, Koishi" Kay has never been the best at comfort but he was clearly concerned. "I've got your hat."

[initia_nova]

[Much like Orihime, Scott waits until things clam down a little before approaching Shinjiro. The Guardian and Deputies wanted to ask questions of their own and Scott doesn't want to overwhelm the other teen when he clearly could use some space. When Scott finally approaches him, it's with a small smile and a clam voice.]

Ey. Good to see you, Shinjiro.

[mortal_son]

[ Shinjiro really just wanted to sleep, but the Guardian and deputies had a lot of questions - and likely had many more still. Scott's presence was actually a welcome break from all of that. Wearily, he opened his eyes.

Another person he was kind of surprised to see. Grateful to see, yes, but still surprised.

Another person he owed apologies to. ]

... Hey.

... Sorry for worryin you.

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Cassian waits until their healer has taken her turn, pacing and seething and doing his best not to give in to his indignation. That doesn't mean he is any less furious. As soon as he gets the opportunity he stalks over to Shinjiro, sizing him up with hard eyes. ]

Give me one good reason why I shouldn't arrest you and leave you to rot in a cell until your trial.

[ He sure would love to throw him into a cell. ]

[mortal_son]

[ Shrugs. Doesn't look at Cassian.

His first instinct is to say, "Go ahead," but he gets a nudge in the back of his brain from his Persona. Right. He was doing the moving on, bit. ]

I was pretty sure he was gonna murder people, and then me, if I didn't get 'im somewhere he couldn't hurt nobody.

[ Winces. He's exhausted. He wants to sleep for a million years.

He wants to not rehash this where Aki and everyone can hear. Maybe it's better he gets arrested? But. ]

All I knew, that place was full of Shadows, and that it was dangerous, and that anyone who went in would probably die.

I had no idea he'd turn into ... and broadcast that shit.