[IC] Overlow @ recolle

[youraffection]

Because Captcha is ridiculous.

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OCTOBER EVENT LOG ➤ 2017.10.15

[youraffection]

➤ Original Top-level

3B FROG BOSS TUTORIAL BATTLE

[maskreant]

[ You know, he's here to check up on his other friend that's still in high school. Someone that runs track and still goes to practice despite death possibly hiding in the fog. It's all right. This all seems fine and dandy. This month has really let Akira vent out all his pent up frustration and anger into digging his blade into several apparitions.

There's something about the sound it makes, the weight that comes with dragging it across something—it's the thrill of the fight, isn't it? There's a smile on his face that just screams I've never felt more alive even though he's overall exhausted this month. ]

Then we'll give you one hell of a show.

[ He may even be too exhilarated because his Phantom Thief outfit appears out of thin air like a magic trick. The mask doesn't show up, at least? He doesn't even notice. ]

Right, Yosuke?

[youraffection]

[ Yosuke hadn't realized someone else had joined the fray until his Shadow called them out. Fearing the worst--some innocent stranger with no concept of what the hell was going on, even though his own understanding is limited--Yosuke looks over his shoulder to find someone he doesn't expect. ]

Akira??

[ Since when did Akira become a magical girl and could transform into fighting outfits as needed? Yosuke would be jealous if he wasn't dealing with this...unfortunate transformation of his own. (Does it count if isn't not actually him? Or does that take the whole "you're not me" thing a little too far?)

But that's one crazy look in his eyes. Yosuke blinks, surprised, but...he could probably use the help. ]

...Right!

[ He resumes his stance, facing the Shadow properly. ]

That makes it two-on-two. You're outnumbered!

[ The Shadow laughs, swaying its arms in the air for some reason. ]

Give me a break! ...I'm coming after you with everything I got! Hope you're ready!

[ With that, the Shadow sends a gust of wind their way. ]

[maskreant]

I won't have it any other way.

[ He was always a magical girl, Yosuke. Get with the program? Akira covers his eyes from the gust of wind and lays low so he doesn't get blown away. It's difficult to see, but he does his best to discern where the Shadow is. It's a huge frog, so it isn't impossible. ]

Come, Satanael!

[ From a black flame, the demon lord with six wings appears with his arms outstretched. Halo turning above its head, it looks rather regal for an edgy personification. Fitting. It covers for them so they can regain their footing, but pulls out a long-muzzled gun and points it at their enemy. To Yosuke, he gives him a hand signal that they're going to ambush it while it's distracted. Got it? At the sound of the gun fire.

Bang bang bang bang—a barrage of bullets fire and Akira is bolting... And may need healing. That takes up a lot of HP to cast. ]

[youraffection]

[ Of course Akira has some badass Persona ready to go. Of course. Protags are real, man. It's unfair. Or at least he'd be jealous if he wasn't so impressed.

Still, Yosuke follows direction readily. (It's almost like he's used to playing second banana.) On Akira's cue he jumps in, taking a turn to slash at the enemy. After fighting so many monsters before, it doesn't seem as strange as it might otherwise, even though it's on school grounds.

Unfortunately, the Shadow doesn't seem to be affected much by physical attacks. That just seems unfair. ]

Dammit!

[ Still, it's an impressive show. ]

Looks like you're gonna have to try harder!

[ At least they'll get a free turn as the Shadow charges up for its next attack. ]

Here!

[ And luckily for Akira, Yosuke has been practicing--his Dia spell is at about 70% effectiveness, now. ]

[maskreant]

Thanks!

[ Yosuke is going to get some intense practice here because Akira is risking a lot knowing his friend can heal him. Though his dagger doesn't seem to break skin, he doesn't back off. Instead, he ends up climbing onto the Shadow, swinging right behind it without slipping off the frog. Satanael disappears not too long after; keeping Personas out too long is not a good idea. ]

Hey, I'm over here.

[ He's going to play games with it now, giving the human torso a weighted kick to the back. Please don't aim your charge attack at Yosuke. ]

[youraffection]

[ That's a risky move indeed, one that actually worries Yosuke more than a little. ]

H-Hey, be careful!

[ He can heal you but not infinitely!

At least the distraction does seem to work. ]

Urgh!

[ The humanoid portion waves its arms back around to try and knock Akira off without success, but it's just a precursor. The entire creature suddenly twists and shakes once with another large gust of wind, this time aimed at itself--but, you know, that's not too much of a big deal since it is resistant to Wind damage. It's clearly aiming for the hitchiker on its back. ]

NOAH

[youraffection]

I'm--

[ Yosuke shuts himself up before he can continue. Is he ashamed? Maybe in a way, but maybe not what Noah thinks. Honestly, it's what other people think of it that scares Yosuke the most. Maybe he's still getting used to the idea himself, too.

Finally, he heaves a sigh and plops down on the wooden bench. ]

I'm not ashamed of Yu! That's not--that's not the problem...

[redarm]

[Noah meanwhile remains standing, crossing his arms over his chest as he looks at Yosuke]

Then what is?

[youraffection]

[ This is so not a conversation he wants to be having, let alone in a towel.

But at least he's honest: ]

It's me! I'm--...I'm the problem...

[ Yosuke hunches forward, hands on the sides of his face. ]

I'm the one who's worried about what people are gonna think or what they're gonna say. I'm the one who didn't even think it'd be possible to like another guy like that... I'm the one who lies to their parents' faces every time I go stay at his place for days on end. I'm the one who's putting all the stipulations and making him wait for me to catch up. I'm the one who doesn't fucking know how to cope! It's me, okay!?

[redarm]

[Welp.

That sure was way more emotional baggage than he was expecting. He stands there stunned for a few seconds, just because uh wow. That's a lot. On the bright side, it sure was effective in snuffing out that rage Noah was ready to unleash if he felt like this guy was being an arsehole to his friend. It wouldn't be the same to pummel this guy if he's already doing an excessive job of it to himself.

But, crap. He should probably say something.]

...Jesus fuck, ever consider you're way overthinking this shit?

[Okay. not the greatest start.]

I mean, first off? There's nothing to cope with. You're just probably bi, it's not cancer. Shit, even I like guys and girls - it's whatever.

Also it's 2017? If someone gives you shit for it, they're just an arsehole who can go fuck themselves. Who gives a shit what they think.

[youraffection]

[ Yeah. Sorry, Noah.

Yosuke looks up from his self-deprecating tirade, eyes a little wide. He looks like he's trying to understand, but... ]

Wait, you do?

[ Well, that's...news. ]

B-But that's the thing--I don't get how it's not a big deal! It feels like a huge deal!

[redarm]

Yeah. [A SHRUG] Whoever's cute.

[Like your boyfriend-- I mean ahem nothing]

Tch. [He moves to sit down] It's only as big a deal as people wanna make it. I mean, some people go all out with the pride parades and shit like that- but I never bother.

But you're still Yosuke. Sexuality doesn't change that much.

YUKIKO

[youraffection]

[ Yosuke balks, frozen. He's seen a Shadow at this point, but...why does it look like him?

His Shadow, on the other hand, seems to be amused by Yukiko's reaction. He snerks, crossing his arms. ]

What sort of reaction is that? I thought we were old friends, Yukiko.

[burningblossoms]

[Yukiko crosses her arms right back and sneers at the Shadow.]

Not you and I. You're just a Shadow. Yosuke is my friend and you're just his dark side. I remember Shadow selves well enough at this point, and you can just go away.

[youraffection]

[ Yosuke has learned a lot about Shadows from his friends, and recently from his experience with Naoto in particular, but he never expected to see this. This strange, yellow-eyed doppelgänger with a sneer on lips that should just be his. What the hell is going on?

The Shadow gives a dramatic frown. ]

Aw, boo-hoo! It's no fun when you ruin the surprise. So you want to cut the shit and get right to the chase? That's so predictable, Yukiko. How boring.

[ Yosuke steps out from behind Yukiko, eyes going back and forth between his friend and the Shadow. ]

W-Wait a sec. This thing--you're saying it came from me?

[burningblossoms]

[Yukiko looks from the clone to the real deal, nodding slowly. Somehow she's surprised he didn't know, or suspect.]

Yeah, I am, Yosuke. I've seen my own Shadow in the fog already. And I remember it in the other world. And that girl Chie's too.

[Akira had mentioned them too, and Yu seemed to know what they were on about as well.]

It's a part of you. I...think it's repressed feelings? I'm not entirely sure how to describe it.

[youraffection]

What the hell...

[ He sure didn't suspect he would have one wandering around. It's the first time he's seen it and he doesn't even have a Persona. What would there be to worry about?

Except, you know. This. ]

Gettin' schooled after class, eh? Typical.

[ Yosuke scoffs. ]

...You sure they're not just assholes?

[ His Shadow laughs at that. ]

Sure, why not? It's way easier to disregard the truth if you just write it off as "too harsh". Since when have you ever been able to take criticism, anyway?

[burningblossoms]

They are assholes.

[Folding her arms, Yukiko glares at the double, still hovering protectively around Yosuke.]

But they're still a part of us. That part that you don't want to acknowledge.

[Please, please don't say 'you're not me!']

The Shadow's right. It is easy to disregard the truth, but you know better than that, I think. If I can accept my Shadow, you can accept yours.

YU

[youraffection]

[ The Shadow doesn't move, doesn't even flinch. He watches Yu quietly, carefully, before closing his eyes at the gentle touch of Yu's forehead. There's a long quiet moment that falls between them...

He starts to disappear. Not fade, like Yu had in his own nightmare scape, but quite literally disintegrate and become one with the fog. ]

...Yu?

[ A new voice, one more solid, more familiar.

Yosuke--the real Yosuke--is standing at a bend in the road, half-visible through the fog. ]

[covenantal]

[ Yu doesn't know what to say as the Shadow fades away. He merely takes a step back and watches, wondering how he should feel.

But then he hears a voice that sounds right, and Yu's head snaps up. ]

Yosuke?

[ Yu trots over to him without thinking, reaching out to touch his boyfriend's elbow, his jaw. ]

It's you this time, isn't it?

[youraffection]

[ Yosuke looks a little confused with growing concern. He doesn't stop Yu's exploration--is he looking for reassurance? ]

Yeah...

[ He frowns slightly. ]

What do you m--

[ Wait. ]

--w-wait...don't tell me...

[covenantal]

I met your Shadow, [ he confirms, voice soft. ] ... it's happened before?

[youraffection]

It...

[ Yosuke sighs, hanging his head a little. ]

...It's--been around. But it's just been bothering other people, it seems like. I just happen to show up when it's harassing one of my friends.

MAKO

[youraffection]

[ Yeah, but sometimes the obvious bears stating. Yosuke sends an uneasy glance towards the scene of the accident as it rewinds, then replays in slow motion once again. ]

...Yeah.

[ He's not gonna deny it. ]

He really scared the shit outta everyone, huh?