{ THE DRAFTS ARE COMPLETE }
Over the clouds @ bittersweetvengeance
{☥} -"I’m sorry." The older woman would give one last apology as strong arms snaked around the young bones frame in order to give the boy one last tight embrace. One he luckily reciprocated despite the eyes of a few on lookers in the area. For now she’d treasure the embrace and made sure to memorize how his too long hair smelt of soap instead of shampoo or that he would soon be taller than her. How many more years or even months would she be able to hug him like this before those awkward teenage years set in? "Seems like forever ago that I was last here." Eventually he would leave her embrace and the joking would set in.
Yukari smiled fondly at the boy as gloved fingers sought out the edges of his hair to give an affectionate tug. “It looks a bit like a mullet and that needs to stay back in the 80’s where it belongs.” With one last tug Yukari sat back on her hip to pull out a list of everything Ken would need for the upcoming school year. “Speaking of height, we’re going to have to go get you a new uniform.” She steps back a few paces to better inspect the boy whose uniform cuffs were a good inch too short. “This one is much too small for you, Mitsuru would have a fit if she saw you.”
With yet another errand to run for that afternoon Yukari had the boy write down down their agenda while she quickly excused herself to change out of her costume and into more appropriate attire. She changed in record time and would soon be at her friends side leading him through the campus with ease. “Right, so we have to get you packed up and settled into your new dorm. That’s what I hated the most about this place, every year it was a new dorm or a new room. Seriously why couldn’t we just stay in place.”
The two friends would walk side by side, Yukari swinging a wicker basket purse at her side while tourist like eyes took in the sights of the school she’d attended most of her life. “Why don’t we take get your books first and then get something to eat? Afterwards we can go get you a few uniforms and I’ll help you get settled into your new dorm. Sound like a plan?”
No need to apologize.
[The warm embrace they shared was one that he relished, despite its short duration; it was almost comforting to the brunet, considering how he'd been slightly insecure, what with the fact that everyone beside him had already moved onto better things than those they'd experienced in the past three years...everyone except Ken. Yes, he'd been advised to prolong the childhood that he'd lost at such a young age, and he'd even been working toward becoming a star soccer player in his middle school, but...without his true friends, the one he'd met in the fiasco that took place only three years ago, there was something in his life that felt...empty. He was lucky to have kept Koromaru, and to be left with the responsibility of taking care of him, but...]
[Well, that was besides the point. What mattered was the fact that Yukari had been willing to take time out of what seemed like an incredibly busy schedule, just to give him a tour of what would soon be his new high school and help him get settled. It was a sweet gesture, and it was one that the brunet definitely appreciated; he'd really needed some reassurance that the others did care about him, despite their distance, silly as it might have sounded.]
It really has been a long time, hasn't it? Three years seemed to pass by quickly for me, but now, after seeing you...it feels like it's been much longer. I'm almost taller than you!
[Eventually, they parted from their embrace, and Yukari gave the middle-schooler's hair a playful tug; Ken smirked slightly as she noted how it needed to be trimmed due to it being too similar to a mullet, and how the hairstyle needed to remain in the '80's. Honestly, he couldn't argue with that logic--however, that didn't mean he was going to cut it anytime soon. A rebellious thought, especially for someone like Ken, but he liked his hair; that, and he wasn't too keen on visiting a salon.]
[Regardless, she moved onto the subject of a new uniform; Ken had ordered it back when he was younger, which, of course, meant that he hadn't quite managed to reach his current height. Back then, however, he'd promised himself to train enough to become tall enough for a bigger uniform, and hence ordered one that was bigger than his actual size--it was difficult to believe that he now barely fit in it, but it was also a sure sign of success! However, that called for buying a new uniform, which, fortunately, Yukari was willing to assist with. She definitely had a point when she mentioned that Mitsuru would have a fit if she'd seen him...]
[When she mentioned needing to change out of her Feather Pink uniform and into more appropriate attire for their little errand adventure, Ken didn't protest, though--he'd definitely be the talk of the city of he was spotted getting ready for school with an actual member of the Neo Featherman series! That, and...the uniform actually looked really neat on Yukari. He was tempted to ask if she had a spare so that he could have some genuine Neo Featherman merchandise, but--that might be a bit much.]
[She returned almost instantly--possibly due to her frequent costume changes on-set, which might've trained her. After explaining their schedule, Ken couldn't help but grin; she really did have this all planned out, didn't she?]
Sounds like a plan. You seem like you've gotten much more organized, especially since you've even got an agenda--things really do change, huh? [He mentioned this teasingly, a genuine smile gracing his features for the first time in months.] Thank you for doing all of this. I really appreciate it, Yukari-san.
bittersweetvengeance started following you
"…" So he does know what happened.
Somewhere in the corner of his mind he had almost let himself believe that maybe Ken didn’t remember… Maybe he hadn’t seen after all, and maybe he never knew. Being a Persona user meant he most likely remember everything… Though most tend to forget their first night toward awakening. Maybe it wasn’t the first night he had experienced the Dark Hour? Either way, whatever last bit of peace-of-mind Shinjiro had in that perhaps at least the child didn’t have to suffer the memory… The hope was dashed.
"Yes, Ken, I remember. It’s not something… anyone… could forget.”
The brunette sighed slowly and turned his eyes down toward the counter where his hands had begun to work- grabbing the cooking spray and idly fiddling it. The cold of the aluminum can was what he chose to concentrate on as he consider his next words carefully.
"It’s not something anyone could forgive, either. Am I right?”
[It was too late; whilst Ken had genuinely tried not to let his aggression overcome him, and desperately attempted to not press Shinjiro in the first place--he was starting to grow furious. He'd been hoping to save this confrontation until October 4th, but...it seemed like it was coming early. The brunet held his tongue until the older student concluded his thought, up until the moment when he admitted that he knew exactly what Ken had been talking about.]
[His pent-up rage intensified when Shinjiro practically dismissed the thought and fiddled with cooking spray instead--it was as though he was attempting to distract himself, as though he couldn't face one of the victims of his crime, despite the fact that he'd been able to do so thus far. Did he honestly believe that he'd gotten away with it entirely, that some kid wouldn't be able to attain his vengeance?]
[Shinjiro seemed like he might've actually felt some guilt; however, that was far from what Ken saw. In fact, the brunet couldn't help but feel as though whatever anxious or distraught emotions that he sensed from the older student were entirely fake, as a subtle way of trying to plead for mercy from whatever actions the elementary-schooler might take next.]
So...you're admitting it, huh? [The younger's voice was a snarl, yet slightly feeble, as he glared daggers toward the high-schooler.]
You've tried to forget it, though, haven't you...? [His voice trembled, despite his enraged state of mind, when forced to recall everything that the older had done.] It's nothing that anyone could forgive...! You...you killed her--you ruined my life, a-and...that's all you have to say for yourself...!?
{ @fortunatedefenseattorney ; Rumored Revival }
Not really knowing of Ken’s inner dilemma, Naruhodou was simply seeing the boy’s attitude as an adorable trait of trying to seem more adult than he is. Ken’s worries about Naruhodou’s perception of him might be more true than he imagines, unfortunately…
At the remark about the acolytes, the attorney chuckled a bit more, patting Ken at the head.
"Hey, relax, Amada-kun, I was just joking! The only thing that’d make Mayoi-chan do such a command would be if we were ramen deliverers with her literally starving." It must really hurt for Ken’s ego, but Naruhodou was finding him way too adorable. A kick at his leg isn’t that unjustifiable by now.
[Ken attempted to keep himself from making a rude remark as the attorney continued to subtly irritate him; it really did seem like the blue-clad man thought of the brunet as nothing more than a child, and that perspective was honestly enough to upset the elementary-schooler even further. His entire reason for coming here was filled with hope toward seeing his mother again, and now he was being escorted by a man that seemed to think of the brunet as naught but a child trying to act mature.]
[The fact that Naruhodou was even patting the elementary-schooler's hair definitely didn't assist Ken in snapping out of that mentality, and he did his best to not protest. For some reason, it was as though being here brought his mother's spirit, and he felt the need to behave as properly as possible in order for her not to be upset with his behavior. If only he was brave enough to say something--for now, however, he'd have to settle for a slight subject change.]
...Right. So, this "Mayoi-chan" that you keep mentioning...are you two well-acquainted? It seems like you're pretty close to each other.
{ @scarletnyxuniverse ; Unexpected Arrival. }
Perhaps in the end that was not the correct wording she should have gone with. As true as it was, the wound on the others didn’t seem any less affected. And in truth, she believed that no one deserved what all had happened to them. Everything between the Dark Hour to the very end was just a giant loop of heart-wrenching emotions. So much pain and suffering all thanks to the Shadows.
Yes, while it was all taken care of, that didn’t take away the memories of said event. They had to live on with the memories and the constant reminders at times. That was precisely the reason she fled from the area. She didn’t want to have to deal with that life she went through. It would have only brought her to more pain and suffering - and possibly worse. Those were things she didn’t want to consider at all. And here in Inaba she was more free.
"Ken…I’m sorry." She said gently, pulling him back into a hug. Perhaps it was mostly because of her selfish desires to try and get a better life that she hurt so many people. Leaving them all behind and not even letting them know she came back. "I should have let everyone know that I managed to come back. And instead…I chose to flee from you all. I just couldn’t bear the pain and memories any longer. In the end I was just a coward."
[As the brunet was once again pulled into Minako's gentle, soothing embrace, he clung to her a bit tighter than he had before, as though ascertaining that this entire scenario was real. Once again, he found that it was reality, that she really was there, holding him close; it was still incredibly difficult to believe, after all that they'd been through, but it was also comforting to know that he wasn't imagining it, that--she was still here. However, that much wasn't enough to keep him from sniveling like a child, still caught up in the moment--in the dread, the overwhelming guilt.]
[The fact that she was the one apologizing certainly didn't help--if he could, Ken would apologize once more, especially because he was the one bawling like a child whilst she remained a tad more calm and collected. What made it worse was that he'd believed that maybe, just maybe, he was finally moving past her supposed death, and yet...here he was, clinging for dear life to the hope and reality that she was, in fact, here. He couldn't bear to hear her claim that she was a coward due to her running away from the painful memories; in fact, Ken might've done the same, in her situation. What everyone had gone through was dreadful, not something that high-schoolers and elementary-schoolers should've dealt with.]
N-No...please, don't apologize. I--I'm sorry for bringing all of this back up; I can see why you wouldn't want to come back. We...we all dealt with some scary stuff. You...shouldn't apologize for doing what's best for you. [Ken feebly wiped his tears with his sleeve, still clinging to Minako with his spare arm, then looked back up toward her, reluctantly releasing her from their embrace.] I...I'd run away, too. If I could, anyway; y-you...deserve to be happy, and if being around us, since we'd bring up such bad memories, would make you upset, then...don't feel bad about running away.
...I-I'm being selfish, aren't I? I...just wanted you to come back. Everyone did, and...if being here is what makes you happy, then please, b-by all means...stay.
all alone? | bittersweetvengeance
Vulnerability.
She recognized every sense and meaning of the word, both verbally and visually. It wasn’t a skill to be proud of, or even liked, although it did come in handy. This proved true as she further approached the boy, almost instantly realizing his state of mind. Her features curled into that of an even more worried manner and, following his example, she seated herself beside him on the lowest bar.
Just why did she feel the need to do this? She didn’t know the child.
"Okay." She replied in a gentle tone. Perhaps even a small, comforting smile graced her lips. "Did you come out here to think for a little while?" There was nothing in her voice that dispelled immediate concern. That was simply masked. If there’s anything she’s learned in her personal experiences, it’s that the more someone pushes their concern, the more she would want to push away. That was the last thing she wanted.
Something inside seemed to have kicked her toward him, whether it was her natural instinct, or otherwise. Then again, she knew she always obtained a sort of… motherly trait. That was already beyond what her own mother provided her.
"I guess I’m here for that reason, but… this is my first time here, a-at the shrine, I mean. Is it weird that I’ve been in Iwatodai for a few weeks and I haven’t visited this place yet?"
Small talk was a minor and menial time-killer, but it was better than sitting in silence. She saw the kid’s eyes, and the reddened tint in them. He was crying before she got here; she could see that. She hoped that maybe, just maybe, she could help him feel a little better.
[Ken attempted to calm down a bit more as the girl continued their conversation, but--he couldn't help but wonder, why? Sure, it was...probably easy to spot that he'd obviously been crying, and to tell that he was completely vulnerable, but then...why not brush it off as a kid being immature? It was quite possible that the brunet had been slightly hoping for her to leave him be, as he didn't like sharing his feelings, but her presence was also...comforting. Almost...almost like...]
[No; he brushed that thought away, and as she sat down, he anxiously scooted over a tad more than he would if he was making room for someone, in order to subtly illustrate how he would prefer to be left alone. Of course, at this rate, he doubted that she would leave him be unless he vocally protested, but at the moment, he couldn't conjure up the courage to do so. Ken didn't enjoy having company during one of his emotional moments, and he certainly wasn't too keen on sharing anything with a stranger; and rather than politely decline her offer to chat, he figured that it would be simpler to just give her relatively vague responses until she was satisfied.]
[Internally, however, he lectured himself for being too vulnerable and weak--that was what caused him difficulty in hiding his emotions, as he usually would, and quite possibly why this girl had taken an interest in his problems. Of course, seeing a child all alone in a shrine would cause concern, wouldn't it...?]
[A child. That was all he was to anyone that saw him, especially with his small stature and impish nature, so of course she would spot him and instantly be curious--why was a child here all alone? Why was he crying? Along with any other accompanying questions; why did he have to be seen as insignificant and tiny to everyone? Why couldn't he be more mature? Why couldn't he just grow up...?]
[...Desperately, he brushed away the negative thoughts that plagued his mind with frustration and misery, wiped his nose, and glanced back toward the brunette that continued to ramble in a soft tone. Taking a deep breath, and trying not to reflect on the thoughts that had brought him to the solitude of Naganaki Shrine in the first place, he resolved to try and make their conversation quick. As soon as he could, he'd hurry back to the dorm and sleep everything off.]
...Guess so. It's nice and quiet here, but it's not too strange for you not to have been here before. After all, it's...kinda rare for anyone to be here. [He'd responded in the calmest tone of voice that he could muster; he wasn't necessarily going to pass for being okay enough for her to leave, but he'd manage...somehow.]
Azure hues shifted downwards to examine the child’s shift in behavior, noticing that he seemed worried over the lack of the dairy product. Seemingly a bit too worried. If it wasn’t someone like Makoto, they would feel a bit of concern for the boy and would console them— even to the extent of babying him. However, the distraught was shared, as Makoto would prefer to have one of the most essential ingredients for recipes. How will be able to cook omelettes now?
“I tasted it.” It was for desperate measures.
[Ken couldn't help the subtle expression of shock mixed with slight disgust toward the azure-haired high-schooler assuring that he'd actually tasted the substance that was now rotting in a plastic carton. Honestly, the brunet would have preferred to live without that imagery popping into his mind, and he would've brushed it off as sarcasm, but--well, with Makoto, you could never tell.]
[Attempting to move past the disturbing thought of Makoto sipping spoiled milk, he struggled to think of a back-up plan. Obviously, if the milk had spoiled, they wouldn't have any back-up cartons remaining, had they been bought around the same time; that, and...the market was closed. How would he be able to glug down yet another carton of milk if they didn't have any that weren't disgusting and possibly poisonous?]
Then-- [Ken cleared his throat--an adult wouldn't get so worked up over spoiled milk.] So...what do we do? Do you think we could find some at a convenience store?
“The market’s closed…” a sigh escaped his lips as his eyes gazed out to the window. "We can go tomorrow. Unless you like spoiled milk."
[A sigh of disappointment escaped the brunet's lips, though silent and discreet, so as to not alert Makoto. It'd be childish to be so distraught over not having milk, but...in Ken's case, the liquid was his only means of growing any taller. He'd usually indulge on it almost every night, so he wasn't sure whether he could even manage to fall asleep without its help.]
R-Right...I guess it'll have to wait until then. Are you sure it's...really spoiled, though, and not just past the expiration date...?
Until you’ve ¢яαωℓє∂ in the
darkest
dirtiest
deepest
corners of my mind
you’ll [ never ] know
how I
really feel ;;
Saw the Persona 3 movie and got Wild Duck popcorn from the theater!
all alone? | bittersweetvengeance
It wasn’t an often occurrence. In fact, when had she ever been to the shrine here? This was her first time. Supposedly, she came here to explore more of the town, to become more familiar with her surroundings. It could have been an excuse to get away from the house, and to be by herself; to let herself think. Her lack of confidence was rapidly seeping into her thoughts, and honestly, she was feeling vulnerable. This was unlike her, at this time of year. But this was…
Out of the corner of her eye, she spot someone across the way. Immediately, she flushed, despite the person (or child, rather) being turned opposite to her. She hadn’t realized that she wasn’t alone.
'But… a kid?' He hadn’t looked that much younger than her. She guessed him to be three or four years younger, at most. Honestly, her curiosity couldn’t be sated from this distance. At the sight of a child, she always had an urge to approach them. She had a sort of… natural motherly instinct, as one may call it.
"H-hey," she calls out to the boy, going as far as approaching him. "Are you… alright out here, by yourself?"
[Whenever Ken visited the shrine, it was often in order to pray to his mother, and, eventually, even to Shinjiro; Naganaki Shrine was almost always desolate, and the barren surroundings often also brought a sort of peaceful mentality to him, despite the reasoning for his visits. Normally, he'd perch himself atop the jungle gym, believing that the height would allow his prayers to reach Shinjiro and his mother more easily, but the brunet was seated on one of the lower bars this time. He couldn't quite give himself a reason to climb it this time around, and he wasn't even certain of what he should say.]
[It was just...one of those nights, when Ken couldn't quite think of anything to say to them, and he simply sat there in silence rather than praying, lost in his memories. That was one of the reasons for him not noticing the brunette that had recently entered the shrine; in fact, he hadn't realized of her presence until she approached him and asked if he was alright. Instantly, he perked up a bit, wiping some tears that had managed to stream down his cheeks, although he hadn't really noticed the fact that he was even crying.]
[When Ken felt that he was, at the very least, presentable, he glanced over towards the girl, whom seemed to be a bit older than him. Normally, the elementary-schooler would grow upset whenever being questioned about him being alone, especially because he felt that he was old enough to move about the town without being lectured, but...he couldn't quite find the spirit to protest. Rather, Ken attempted to form a response, hoping that his voice wouldn't sound too feeble.]
I'm... [Ken inhaled a bit, hoping that he wouldn't stumble or reveal the slight vulnerability that he currently had.] I'm fine. I come here a lot, anyway, so...it's not like I'm lost. Y-You...don't have to worry about me.
Crimson.
...Blood.
Let's play the 'Word Association Game'! Send my muse a word, any word, and they'll respond with the first word that comes into their head.
Over the clouds @ bittersweetvengeance
{☥} -
How strange it was to be back on the campus. But not in a bad way, not at all. It was a good type of strange, seeing as how she’d spent just about half her life roaming her way over and around the shared campus which was permanently stained in the scent of sea breeze. Still early in the year, Yukari had allowed herself to wander aimlessly through the selection of Cherry blossom tree’s scattered across the campus. Wonderfully lost she drifted along caught up in memories of days long gone and of the years she would forever associate as the best years of her life.
Perhaps captured in some sort of spell cast by a Fairy Queen when turning a particular corner she could have sworn the laughter of a bright fool caught her attention. She’d follow it around the bin towards the entrance way only to find a group of young girls their hands loaded down by shopping bags.
”Oh Ken-kun… Sorry am I late?” A quick glance towards the school’s clock tower would answer yes. The older woman gave a quick bow and a hasty apology giving some excuse about being caught up in memories. “Come here.” Arms go out to close the distance between them and envelop the boy in a tight embrace.
He really hadn’t changed much in the past three years. Then again, out of everyone in their little club, it was Ken-kun who had changed the most. He was taller, that was for certain. Seems all that binge milk drinking hadn’t been for not, for the boy she’d once loomed over stood before her with little but an inch difference in height. His hair had grown out, a bit too long for her liking, Yukari clicked her tongue in annoyance before tugging at his hair in a playful way. “Too long. You need a haircut.”
It made sense he came to her, seeing as how she’d been the one member who had spent the most time with him outside of SEES activities. That was where he hadn’t changed at all, still overly responsible and too mature for his age the boy had dialed her weeks in advance inquiring about her availability for this day. Taking the chance, she’d teased the boy over his dropping voice and could have sworn she’d seen his round cheeks flush in embarrassment. After much debate and a few heartbreaks over scheduling manners they’d agreed on a time and place for their meeting.
"You’ve gotten so big since the last time I saw you! I can’t believe you’re already in middle school!"
[An actual high school campus--not to mention the very campus that the older members of his dorm had gone to before Ken was even out of elementary school. He'd seen it plenty of times before, but somehow, it hadn't quite brought the overwhelming mix of anxiety and eagerness before that it did now. Perhaps it was simply due to the fact that he would soon himself be attending Gekkoukan High School that so many emotions now built up within him, just from gazing at the cherry blossoms that were now in bloom and from glancing at the building that had somehow managed to retain its luster throughout the years.]
[Three years...it had been three years since he'd been able to maintain constant interaction with any of the friends he'd made in his dorm, though their separation wasn't quite unexpected. Their dorm had been torn down a while back, and soon after, Akihiko and Mitsuru had left to attend college; this followed for many of the other members, and Ken, being the youngest, was quite possibly the loneliest out of them all. Of course, he'd spent his time bonding with Koromaru, like he usually would whenever the other members had gone out for field trips and the like when they all lived together.]
[Regardless, he did still chat with some of his old dorm mates other than Koromaru, though it was normally via cell phone, and their conversations were short due to their distance, but it was better than never talking to any of them at all. Besides, one of the only reasons he'd even headed over to Gekkoukan today was to meet with one of his old friends, Yukari; though he'd never admit it, he was really glad to have made arrangements with her today, since she'd been much like a big sister to him.]
[The years they'd spent separated hit like a tidal wave when the brunet finally managed to spot her; only an inch of height difference betwixt the two of them, despite Ken being six years younger, her hair was a bit shorter, and her outfit...was she dressed as the Pink Argus from Neo Featherman? Now, Ken was well-aware of Yukari's current occupation as an actress for the show (and, gosh, was he ecstatic to hear about one of his childhood friends being a part of his secret favorite television show), but he didn't quite think she'd actually meet him in that outfit. Still, it was almost that much more exciting to be seeing Yukari again--though, perhaps the outfit helped. It was much like meeting a real superhero!]
[He'd been a bit surprised when the older brunette almost instantly embraced him, though he was quick to return it, clinging to her tightly due to how much he'd missed her. Ken had missed everyone from the dorm, of course, but perhaps he'd missed Yukari most of all, even if he was a bit embarrassed to admit it. A lighthearted grin presented itself on his features when she pointed out how long his hair had grown, and that he'd need to cut it; she'd said this playfully, so he hadn't taken her words too seriously. Besides, it wasn't that much longer than before, was it?]
Yes, you're late--but I don't mind too much. You've been really busy lately, so I understand completely; plus...it's been a long time. It makes sense that you'd be so caught up in memories. [Truth be told, being here reminded him of when he'd first met some of the members as a student that would be transferred into their dorm; Ikutsuki had brought him along, and even encouraged him from time to time after he'd joined S.E.E.S. Sometimes, it was difficult to believe that it'd only been three years since then.]
Plus, my hair isn't that long, is it? I haven't really grown it out too much, but I guess getting longer hair is also part of getting taller. It's almost tough to believe that I'm practically your height!
“The milk is spoiled.”
B-But we can always get more, right? It's not like there's much of a shortage in milk...