irismessaging | II. [VIDEO]/[ACTION]

Entry tags:

II. [VIDEO]/[ACTION]

[Nighttime. It feels so different when the sky is void of the usual summer mugginess and over-cast skies that often clouded the skies of Iwatodai. It seemed, for the first time since leaving The Door, Minako could finally breathe again.]

I don't know why I waited so long to come up here. The view's unreal. [She is dangling her necklace in front of her, letting it swing like a pendulum in front of the waxing crescent moon. Ten more days, give or take.] Anyone still awake enough to come join me?

[She'd mentioned star-gazing before to some of her fellow campers. They hadn't made an organized effort to make it happen just yet, but surely they wouldn't mind her testing the waters, so to speak.]

What time is it? Don't wanna miss curfew... [She sat up on the roof, lifting her hands to slip her necklace back over her head when a soft skidding noise made her jolt.] ..... [She went still suddenly, though her breath caught. She'd slid down a few good inches of the roof, but her foot maintained some bit of traction.] Eheh...that was close!

[She starts to push herself back up to where she was sitting, but what traction her foot had managed was once again lost, and this time her sliding decent didn't stop.]

[[ooc: Cabin 11 folks, feel free to hear the commotion on the roof and the consequential sound of Minako falling off someone off the side of the cabin. Of course action is open to anyone on camp if they want to come check on her!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Akihiko hears that familiar voice and can’t help stiffening. The way he left off their last conversation was rude. He feels compelled to apologize. Would Minako hear him out right now? Either way, he has to try.

As he starts heading over to her cabin, he sees Minako losing her balance on the rooftop.]

Shit-!

[He starts pumping his legs, diving into an instant sprint. It’s unlikely that he’ll reach her on time, but if she needs medical attention, he can at least carry her somewhere.

By the time Akihiko reaches Cabin 11, his heart is pounding like crazy, and for more than one reason. He circles around the building, looking up at the sky, then back down at the ground, for any signs of his fallen leader.]

Minako? Minako! Where are you?!

[Oh don't worry -- she's quite safe! In fact Akihiko can see that there are pieces of earth forming a makeshift slide from the roof's top to the ground that helped her fall gently somewhat, before she landed on something.

There were (probably) worst ways to awaken one's powers, but even now the world wasn't kind to Eikichi. He had simply been returning to the cabin for a little shut-eye; after all Michel needed his beauty sleep (even if the cabin was always jammed packed). He'd only been here for a short time, and honestly had no idea who his god parent was going to be. Yet the moment he had seen Minako start to fall, something in him had stirred up and before he knew it, pieces of marble and earth had erupted from the ground by his command. This could have been fantastic! A heroic moment that Michel could have bragged about, possibly...

The only problem is the earthly slide pointed right to him and by the time he realized it, Minako had already slammed and landed on top of him.

So now there was no victory, just pain.]

...ow.

[Don't worry, he'd get over it. Probably.

Even if his everything would hurt tomorrow.]

[It wasn't until Minako landed that she noticed that her eyes were closed. A dull pain was throbbing on her left side somewhere, but considering the distance of the fall, everything hurt so far, so she couldn't quite pinpoint the origin.]

...u...ugh...[Had she hit a tree? She slowly moved her right arm, which seemed to be the only thing on her that had managed to get out unscathed, and started running her hand across her body in search of broken twigs or fallen leaves, but...]

Bwuh--! [Finally her eyes started to return to focus, and she noticed the up-turned hearth, her scuffed and soiled clothing--] O-oh! [And a young man sandwiched between her and her landing place.

She still had most of the wind knocked out of her, but she could still wheeze out a few words.] ...did you catch me?

......

[Akihiko finds them in that heap, and while he does appreciate the fact that Minako is safe, he also feels sorry for the poor guy underneath her. It must've been a real shock for him, to suddenly get landed on like that.]

Sheesh...

[He bends down and easily picks Minako up into his arms, not even bothering to give her a chance to protest his action. After setting her back down onto her feet, he turns his attention to the guy on the ground.]

Hey, uh... Are you okay? Do you need help getting up? [Just in case, Akihiko extends his hand toward him, to lend his support.]

...

[He would have said something, but his chest was in no position for speaking some more. It was only when Akihiko pulled Minako from above him did Eikichi find his voice again, sadly for everyone involved. He takes Akihiko's hand to pull himself up and...dang he's a pretty tall guy and makes even Shinjiro look tiny. With a sigh, he dusts himself off and quickly adjust his hair.]

Tch! Here Michel was hoping to stage a rescue for a beautiful babe, but he didn't expect her to slam right into him! [He looks over to Minako.]

You alright?

[Minako's still reeling, the world not quite yet coming to a full stop before Akihiko's arms snuck between her and Michel, scooping her up with near-fluid ease.

Minako watches Michel in bewilderment, her face sporting a pretty healthy blush in spite of the sudden wave of nausea washing over her. The fall shook her pretty good, and she wasn't sure if she'd be able to keep her dinner down after that...but her stupefied expression quickly waned as she realized how, well 'damsel-y' she looked.]

I-I'm fine..! I just...[She started to squirm in Akihiko's arms, fully intending to step down, but was quickly seized by another shot of pain up her side.] Owww!!!

Yeah, well, that's what happens when you have improper footing... [Akihiko deadpans in response. Yes, he is basically calling Minako reckless. What in the hell had she done that for, without getting proper balance first?]

[Akihiko shoots her a reprimanding look as he snaps impatiently.] Hold still, damn it! We don't exactly have healing spells readily available here!

[Oops. There's definitely still some tension lingering between them. Though it's not this guy's fault...]

Michel, right? Thanks for... well... [Okay, he didn't catch Minako on purpose, but still.] Are you injured too?

Edited 2013-06-20 03:32 (UTC)

[What the hell was that noise just now? No questions asked, there is now one bowlcut heading outside to find what caused it.]

Hello?! Can you hear me?

[Around the corner a small moan can be heard as Minako tries to keep herself from slipping out of consciousness. The voice is an unfamiliar one she couldn't identify, but it kept her from passing out, at least, so she'd regard it as a friendly one for now.]

[ She's not really paying attention as she walks back to Cabin 11 -- her head is in the clouds, brainstorming about ways to escape, or ways to get back home -- but she hears someone talking and looks up at the top of the cabin.

Oh, her. Friendly girl. Ange doesn't really realize why Minako can't see her -- she just assumes it's one of those things that happens. No one likes hanging out with Ange, the freak. The kid who can summon the dead. It was turning into school all over again...

...but Minako chose that time to start falling off the roof, of course. Ange couldn't bring herself to let the girl fall without checking on her, if only because she hadn't proved herself completely awful like those girls at school yet. Maybe there was still hope...and Maria would be pleased, she thought, if she made some friends. ]

Hold on!

[ Ange dashed to make sure she was okay; at the very least, she can tray and grab her to cushion her fall. ]

I-I'm okay! [Honestly, after landing on Eikichi here, she's wondering if she somehow caused him more harm than she'd suffered herself.

Ugh, that pain though...while the aching in her legs was starting to dissipate, her upper body was still not having any of it. She couldn't push herself up or even manage to roll herself off of Eikichi, and with Akihiko coming from the other side, there didn't seem to be much reasoning to, outside of getting off of the fellow who broke her fall.]

You don't look okay.

[ She looks grumpy; there are a lot of people, and showing them all that she kind of cares is a bad idea. They might think she wants to help everyone or something. So she kneels down to take the other girl's hand. ]

You jumped off of a roof. Do you feel hurt anywhere?

[Taking it, the extra boost is helpful, though Akihiko insisted on carrying her, the show-off.]

I didn't jump...I'm not that crazy...

[Just a little...reckless?] But...[Her lips pull to a thin line, as though ashamed to admit it.]...I'm sure the pain will subside in a few hours.

[ She smiles and takes a step back, wary of all of these people around her. Ange doesn't do well with crowds, to be honest. ]

...jumping might have gotten you less injuries. [ Says the girl who jumped off of a skyscraper. Oops! ]

You should rest. Injuries don't heal instantly.

[Some time later, after the dust has settled, Akihiko decides to send Minako a message. For all he knows, she might be asleep already, but if not, then they need to clear things up. Soon, preferably, before the gods decided on his fate in just one week.]

Are you still awake? I need to speak to you, whenever you're available.

[She had a habit if staying up late, even without the Dark Hour to keep her up. The text startles her, but only because of who it's from.]

Yeah. Still awake.

[Her texts were clipped, but only because it still hurt to move.]

[Perfectly okay - Akihiko is succinct with his messages, and has no right to expect anything else from his recipients.]

Can I come get you right now, or is it too late?

[Translation: he was going to carry her out of her cabin so they could talk in private.]

[Huh. This must be important if it couldn't be discussed over text.]

If you don't mind causing a scene...

[......]

There shouldn't be a scene unless you intend to cause one. Can I come? Yes or no.

[He realizes after having sent his response, that her cabin mates might think him irresponsible for taking her out in this condition. He considers waiting until morning... but then what would that solve? Her injury won't disappear overnight. This is important. He has put it off for long enough.]

Please.

Edited 2013-06-16 06:30 (UTC)

[That's not what she meant...]

Yes.

[Like she'd actually tell you 'no'...]

[You can. You're the leader, after all. He will obey direct orders.]

Thank you. Now open your window.

[He's already waiting right outside of it.]

[Minako turns to the window and jumps. That was fast! She heads over to the window and un-latches the pane.]

Not a fan of doors, huh?

[Akihiko quirks a brow at her and replies humorlessly.] You're the one that mentioned causing a scene.

[And then, without wasting any more time, he holds out his hand to her.] Come out here. I'll carry you.

[Minako stared at his hand in disbelief.]

Am I supposed to climb through the window?

[Oops. Good point. Her leg...]

No, don't do that.

[And he'll just snake his arms inside and grab a hold of Minako before carefully sliding her lithe body through the open window. He really doesn't want to aggravate her injury any further.

Once outside, Akihiko picks her up again with ease. He peers down at the girl in his arms and asks, to be sure.] Ready?

[Owowowowow there's also her arm--! But luckily Akihiko was quick and the pain soon subsided once he'd taken a good hold of her in his arms.

She would've mentioned it, but there was the whole 'don't make a scene' thing...]

If I knew what for, maybe?

...You'll find out, soon enough.

[He makes a brief stop by the closest tree to retrieve his jacket dangling off the branch, which he quickly drapes over Minako. That done, he starts heading toward the lake, staying silent the entire time, not unlike the one afternoon, a while back, when he wanted to ask Minako if she was going out with Junpei. Akihiko uses that brief reprieve to figure out what he wants to say to her.]

......

[When they reach the lake, he gently sets Minako down onto a soft patch of grass, and then sits beside her. He looks out into the distance, catching glimpses of the moonlight that shivers across the shaky wet surface.

Without warning, Akihiko suddenly speaks up, while turning his head to look at her directly.] I was rude to you, the last time we talked. I'm sorry.

[The tension was visible on Akihiko's face, and Minako could only look on it for so long before she had to look away in favor of the cooly-lit scenery. Akihiko could be downright icy when something troubled him, and the sharpness of his features indicated that now was not the time for arguments.

She nodded in gratitude when he draped his jacket over her, and she tugged it around her as she shivered beneath the gentle evening breeze.

The path Akihiko took to the lake was a different one - it wasn't as direct as when she'd gone there to meet with Nanjo a week earlier. It was still an easy travel, and Akihiko didn't seem to be strained by any uneven terrain as he trekked to his destination.

Her body started to ache again once her set her down, gravity weighing on her sore muscles where Akihiko's strength no longer supported her. She remained still, however, patiently gazing out onto the lake until Akihiko deemed himself ready to speak once more.]

..... [An apology. It seemed too simple for all this, but she'd play along.] You've been under a lot of pressure lately. It's fine.

[He shakes his head in refusal.] That's not a valid excuse. Everyone has their own struggles here.

[He doesn't want anyone to feel stressed about the upcoming solstice. (Well, the other marked kids can't help it, but they're an exception to the rule.) Akihiko certainly can't ask her to bear this heavy burden for him, even though he...]

I... [He is still trying to sort out his thoughts, and wonders if any of it will make coherent sense once voiced.] I felt... angry, when I heard about what's going to happen to you.

[Helpless, inadequate, guilty, hopelessly doomed to repeat the past when it has already happened before to Miki and Shinji. Maybe Ryoji isn't the sole embodiment of Death.

Akihiko shifts his gaze away, feeling awkwardly exposed in this moment. His gloved hand latches onto stray strands of grass, and idly tugs at them out of strained discomfort.] It isn't... fair, damn it. You don't deserve that, after everything you've done for us... for the world. Why do you... have to die, before you really even get the chance to live...? You won't get to have a future, just like... Miki...

Didn't I say something about thinking of me as a kid? [Minako is quick to joke, if only in the hopes that what smile she could manage from the start would somehow stick as she continued onto the more serious topics.]

I don't think I never had a chance to live. [She rests her chin on her knees and looks out onto the deep pool of water.] Every day I spent with you - with everyone - was lived to the fullest.

I have no regrets. [Akihiko was there with her when she'd closed her eyes last, when she was certain she'd never open them to see his face ever again. Even so, she died happy. Happy to have known all of them, to have had this chance to make something meaningful out of her life, especially when it'd begun with so much senselessness...]

Huh...? [He blinks with some confusion.] Hey, I don't treat you like a kid... You were the one that asked to hold hands when we went to the festival.

[With... him? His cheeks flush a little. He knows Minako has some knowledge of future events, and he wants to know, but... after what he already put Mitsuru through, it's enough to quell his curiosity for the time being.]

No regrets... Heh, it's just like you to say something like that.

...Minako. [His hand glides across the flimsy grass tips and covers over one of hers. He can feel the warmth of her hand, even through the smooth leather material.] Is there... anything in particular that you still wanna do? I mean... if I knew that I was gonna die tomorrow...

[Minako's eyes squint as she fitfully glares out onto the lake. That was an ulterior motive. Sigh.

Of course, if she was being entirely honest, there were some things she wished she could have lived longer for...but telling any of those to Akihiko now...it'd just make things worse. No, it'd make things impossible. He wasn't ready for those kinds of admissions. She trusted him, but she couldn't be that cruel.]

...?! [She's snapped out of her melancholy thoughts by the warmth of Akihiko's hand sealing over hers against the cool night soil. She turned to look at him, leaning back slightly but not pulling her hand away. There it was again, like her thoughts were out there for everyone to read.] ...I...wanna do...?

Yeah... [Akihiko's brows furrow as he tries to figure out how to articulate his jumbled thoughts.] Like, I don't know... Childhood dreams? [...It made more sense inside his head.]

I mean... Was it really okay for you to... just go like that?

[He probably shouldn't be asking her so many questions about her eventual death, but he feels compelled to know. And if she does try to pull away from him, he will just hold on tighter. This is important, and he isn't willing to let her go right now.]

Hey... You mentioned happiness before. [Thinking back to that night she had come talk to him, after he told her about Shinji's arrival to camp.] What about you? What would make you feel happy?

[She didn't know how to respond to his questions, if only because, upon arriving in Iwatodai once again, she'd stopped floating around, and found roots. She'd just begun to appreciate friendship as something more than to see you from place to place...] I think...up until I showed any potential, I'd been more concerned with graduating high school. [Her smile was pained, and her eyes finally met Akihiko.] It's ironic, thinking back on it now, but I figured that my life would finally begin once I graduated and I could be out on my own.

[She looked back down to the grass and started plucking at individual blades with her other hand.] It's probably for the best I didn't make too many plans beyond defeating the next Shadow...that way I don't have the disappointments the rest of you would've had, in my shoes.

......

[Akihiko forces himself to maintain eye contact with her, but can't help the pain that flickers across his expression just then. Was that really her only goal up to the point of... her end? Minako hadn't even managed to accomplish it, given the fact that she instead saved the entire world at behest of her own life...] But you... couldn't even...

[He closes his eyes for a long moment, and exhales heavily. There is an uneasy tightness in his chest, one that he doesn't know how to get rid of. It's this same feeling of helplessness that he hates, being unable to do anything for the people he cares about.

When Akihiko opens his eyes again, his facial features don't look as strained as before, in spite of the phantom pains that still linger within him.] ...It'll be different here, Minako. You can make plans for the future, without having to worry about... that. [He pauses briefly to squeeze her hand in reassurance.] If you're not sure right now about what happiness means to you... maybe you can find out. You know I wanna help you. Everyone else feels the same way too.

[She'd never admitted it while alive, simply because it seemed pretty aimless. She was keen on going where the current took her, and when she was moving around all the time, it seemed to suit her lifestyle after finally giving up on stubborn ambitions and inflexible desires. It was something of a Zen way to approach her life, which might explain why she hit it off so well with the monk back then...]

I'm...hoping thing's will be different. But not too different. [She giggles and turns back to look out on the lake.] Besides, I feel like I should be asking you these questions, thinking about it. Isn't there anything you'd like to do before solstice?

Well, a good kind of different, of course. [He seeks to clarify.]

......

[Her question causes him to pull his hand back, withdrawing subconsciously. Akihiko has been thinking about solstice ever since they were told what might happen to them. As usual, he puts up a strong front and acts like nothing is bothering him, when inside, he’s actually been curling with unease and uncertainty. It’s much easier for him to comfort and help others, so that he doesn’t have to think about his own problems. Being wanted and needed gives him a sense of fulfillment, contentment. It isn’t the exact kind of happiness that he has defined for himself, his secret vision of his own future, but he thinks it’s the closest he can get.

A long time passes before he finally answers.]

Yes. [His deep voice is cool and detached, a reflection of the demeanor that he’s used to assuming, for the sake of being selfless.] I’m not ready to die yet. It’s not that I’m afraid of dying. [Because he doesn’t see his own life in that way.] But there are still things that I want to do, before the end comes.

[Akihiko shakes his head.] Honestly, it doesn’t matter. As long as everyone else remains happy and safe, I can make peace with my death. I won’t lie down and accept it without a fight, but after what happened with Shinji… [His hand curls into a tight fist.] …It just made the possibility more realistic. We’ve all been risking our lives up to this point. It has to end, someday. Come solstice, that might be the time. [He frowns, shooting a glare over the vast lake surface. If Shinji is going to die again, that would piss him off, big time.]

Hmm...[Minako paused to listen, then leans forward to rest her chin on her knees.] I guess if it's the gods doing it, it's for good, huh? Though I dunno, you'd think they'd have the power to bring you back if they wanted, but...

[Did resurrection take place in Grecian theology? Minako wasn't sure.] Well! [She perks up.] It's not the first time we've gone up against a god, and things turned out alright! [For the most part.] We'll cross that bridge when we get to it!

[She lewdly grins and roughly pokes at Akihiko's shoulder.] Besides, you're supposed to tell me what you want to do before solstice, silly! Otherwise they can't happen!

Edited 2013-06-20 17:25 (UTC)

Hmph. [He’s in disagreement on that front. If the gods really were their parents, how could they even entertain the possibility of letting them be sacrificed like that? Weren’t parents supposed to protect their children? Then again, considering his own background, it isn’t like Akihiko really has a lot of experience with good parenting.]

This is why I don’t pray to gods. [Idly, he picks up a pebble and tosses it toward the lake, skipping it across the surface.] I’d rather be in control of my own destiny.

[Right… Nyx. The Fall. Deaths and seals and… No. He doesn’t want to think about all that anymore, like he already has, for many hours on end.]

This situation isn’t quite the same, Minako. [Akihiko remarks in a somewhat wistful tone.] But I know what you mean.

[He doesn’t catch sight of her grin, but he does jolt to awareness when she jabs his shoulder.] Huh? [He turns his head to glance her way.] Um… I can’t do that. It’s selfish, and… [He’s very unused to asking things for himself.] …You should worry about the others instead. Try to grant their wishes, if you can. They deserve it.

Maybe...[Minako watched the stone skip before it delved beneath the surface.]...or maybe we're just kidding ourselves in thinking we have a choice?

[It wasn't like her to be so pessimistic, nor to really contradict Akihiko so openly. But since they were being honest with each other...]

You're right. A lot of things are different. [Shinjiro's different. Ken's different. Ryoji and Aigis...] We're different. [At least, in their memories and feelings, they were on different pages of the same book, it seemed.] But that doesn't have to be bad!

[That's right. They were still able to turn it around! There's still time!] When's there going to be a better time for you to be selfish without judgment! NONE, I tell you! So c'mon!

Of course we have a choice. [Akihiko answers in a calm tone, sounding matter-of-fact about the subject.] Obey, or resist.

[Three guesses as to which one he feels more inclined toward.]

You mean the memories, right? [He nods in agreement.] Well, there’s nothing we can do about that now, except try to work together moving forward. [Shinji and Ken feel different to him too, oddly enough… He doesn’t remember Ryoji, and Aigis doesn’t seem to have changed. He has to appreciate the little things.]

I, uh… I’ll have to think about it first. [Akihiko relents with notable reluctance.] I mean, it’s not like I can do everything here, so… I need to figure out which goals are realistic.

[He takes a few minutes to watch Minako in silence, huddled under the warmth of his jacket. Without realizing it, a soft smile is curving his lips, matching the fondness that lingers within his eyes. When a sudden gust of wind catches his attention, he looks up to acknowledge the darkness of the night sky.] …Should we head back now? You probably wanna rest up your leg and all…

[Aigis totally agrees with her; the view is unreal. But not worth getting hurt over.]

Minako-san! Are you alright?

[There's a momentary delay, but the angle from which Minako answers via her necklace is an odd one, indeed...]

Aigis! [Maybe it's habit, but Minako seems to always appear relieved to see her.] I'll be fine! Nothing a little TLC wouldn't fix!

[She cups her hand over her mouth and winks as she whispers:] Totally worth it.

[...Is that Akihiko-san? Holding her in what looks bridal style?

WELL. This is interesting, although she is sort of failing to see how and why it's worth it.]

Will the boys be fine?

Are you okay?

[Yukiko just so happened to be rounding the corner in time to see Minako plummet from the roof. Ouch, that looked like it hurt...]

[Minako's head leans back as she glances over Akihiko's shoulder to flash Yukiko a bright grin. She makes a "V" with her fingers and awkwardly laughs.] Uh...I meant to do that! ...'cept not really...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

II. [VIDEO]/[ACTION]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action] gj minako

[Action] SOMEONE has to do it

action

action

Re: action

action

Re: action

[Text]

[Text]

[Text]

[Text]

[Text]

[Text]

[Text]

Perma-action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video;

video;

video;

no subject

no subject