[Semi-open] Picking up the pieces;

[moribound]

Who: Minato Arisato, open to Team Catastrophe + associates (Kazuya, Hyoubu, Ket, Rinne) + the people listed here!
When: 4/7 IC, somewhere during the intro log and after all the ViViD stages
Where: Around the city, we'll say he's around the park when he re-appears
What: Dying is a messy affair, especially when Minato's left to explain himself after the ill-advised choice of attempting to text Yu while in ViViD and getting the wrong person. Catch-all log for after-jungle shenanigans!
Warnings: Potential mentions of death and gore

[There were few things that can make Minato wish for a fast-forward button, so that he can click on it and move on with whatever he's supposed to be doing.

The Powerpoint presentation he's seeing for a second time now has been relegated to this short list, next to tiresome lectures from his teachers and Junpei's latest account of how amazing Chidori is (Seriously, he completely understands but it's the same damned thing every time). His impatience isn't exactly helped by an empty feeling in his head as if he's forgetting something important; all he knows is that he must have died at some point and that it had something to do with Yu and Dipper- everything after that draws a solid blank, and he knows that's not a good sign.

That much of what is in the presentation isn't anything Minato can trust is only one part of why he's eager to get back to the city, interesting encounters in ViViD notwithstanding. He wasn't quite thinking straight when he sent a text to Yu asking if he was alright and saying that he'd come by soon while he was still stuck in ViViD, a burst of static the only hint that the text might not have gone through. That's the other reason why Minato simply doesn't have that much time to spare for things he's already seen before: People were always more important to him, and he has to make sure that the duo are alright.

There's really just two problems with that plan of his.

The first is that the Powerpoint presentation probably didn't include helpful details like how the recently departed might experience visual problems upon re-entering the city, something that surprises him enough to make him do a double take before regaining his composure and shaking his head- nope, the 0s and 1s are still visible after a few blinks.

The second is that Minato's first text did in fact reach someone he knows, but he's quite oblivious to this as he sends another message to Yu asking if he got the first one...]

Comments

A. For Team Catastrophe + associates

[moribound]

[Feel free to accost Minato as early as him emerging from ViViD, especially if your character knows Kaz since he's the one who received the misfired text!]

CHARGIN' IN AT SUPERSONIC SPEEEEEEEEED~

[belfire]

[There was no warning.

One moment, Minny was blissfully testing to Yu (the traitor) and the next, there were arms. Specifically, arms that latched around Minny's torso with the restrictive strength of an anaconda on steroids - followed by that floaty feeling that happens when you're suddenly swept off your feet.

Or, in this case, lifted...

...and suplexed right into a trashcan filled with smelly garbage.

Ah. Rest in pizza, Minny]

Haa...! [The arms were gone - vanished the moment before impact, in fact - followed by the noise of someone clumsily scrambling to his feet. Then- 'DONG!! Somebody's foot connecting very hard with the metal outside of the trashcan] Take that, you filthy friend ditcher!!!

[Kaz has arrived. He is Not Happy]

[moribound]

Eh? [Minato's just hit the 'Send' button before getting lifted up, and to his credit he had been about to give his other friends a call before getting himself acquainted with the trash can, fellow friend and new Social Link (Strength? Fortitude was necessary to put up with people's messes, after all), partner in crime for the sin of refusing the call.]

Ahh! [Being suplexed face-first into rank day-old garbage while desperately keeping one's CereVice above the trashcan would have been bad enough on its own, but the combination of sporadic glitches and the sound of rattling metal in his head elevates this to an experience that can only be accurately described as a goddamned mess. It takes him at least a minute to remove himself from the trash can, and that he can see Kaz perfectly well for now hardly helps things, incredulous as he's feeling.]

What was that for, Kaz?

[belfire]

You know what for.

[Now that Kazuya's intense urge to suplex Minato for his crimes had been sated, his anger quickly clenched into a low simmer, his voice dropping and smoothing out into something slow and calm. It would've seemed that his anger had blown out completely, if it wasn't for the very intense glare that he was aiming in Minny's direction, like he could bore a hole through the other teenager's head through his gaze alone]

Going off and getting yourself killed, then shooting a text to Yu-Yu and not any of us to say you're back? What are we, chopped liver?

[moribound]

...I was going to give you all a call after that. [Minato's expression is blank, even looking away from Kaz's glare as he is after responding to what Kaz has to say. The response itself is just as devoid of emotion, knowing as he does that there's no place for logic in such an emotionally-charged meeting.

Knowing that he is indeed in the wrong, for having put his friends through this pain so shortly after losing one of their own no matter what the circumstances might have been. There's buildings flickering in the distance when Minato looks up again, but somehow it doesn't begin to compare to the way Kaz is looking at him, a glare so intense as to nearly be intimidating.]

But that doesn't excuse what I ended up doing. [Quietly.] I'm sorry, Kaz. [For not calling...and for dying.]

[popsometags]

[ Shortly after Minato's confrontation with Kaz, a certain red-headed shinigami-kinda-thing appears behind him, lightly tapping the back of his head. There was already a tinge of worry-- you're really going back in, Arisato-- but then suddenly, it started to feel a bit too long.

There was no indication as to whether or not he had actually been killed or not, nor did he want to really think that way. But, spotting him out here, disoriented? Something wasn't right. ]

Enjoy your trip, Arisato?

[ Obviously not. With a sigh, he rephrases the question. ] Are you alright?

[moribound]

Kind of. [Which he's clearly not judging by how he still smells like he was tossed into the garbage can (He was) and he looks like he's seen things people shouldn't see (He did). Rinne's voice is enough encouragement to get Minato to straighten himself out though, and he does so by rubbing his head and taking a deep breath, grateful for being able to breathe properly in the city even if it's somewhat compromised by the lingering scent of trash.]

Did something happen while I was gone? I never knew Kaz could get so mad at someone for not calling sooner... [Which is not at all that perceptive of him, considering the teriyaki chicken incident.]

[popsometags]

[ Seeing Minato was a treat-- smelling him at that point in time wasn't. Someone had definitely gotten mad at him earlier, so getting him back home to actually shower was probably the best option right then and there. As far as anything happening... ]

I haven't noticed. I've been at work, for the most part, but we've been worried since it had been too long since you got into contact. I myself was hoping the worst hadn't happened.

[ After all, if Minato had reacted poorly when Ket died... ]

I'm not enjoying hearing that my friends are getting themselves killed, for the most part. [ So, hopefully. It wasn't the case... ]

[moribound]

...I see. [The somber expression Minato has is more than slightly marred by an almost obscured orange peel clinging onto his right shoulder, and upon thinking about it Kaz himself might have found Yu much earlier, if he had known exactly when to look for him...

He looks at Rinne straight in the eye, knowing that he owes it to his friend to be honest about what had happened. That was what being friends meant after all, knowing that you could count on someone to tell you off if you screwed up, and he still did regardless of his sacrifice.] It'll hopefully be a long time before you hear about it again, Rokudo-san, but it's true this time. I'm sorry.

B. For IT 2.0

[moribound]

[Minato will be making a beeline to see Yu and Dipper at the hospital as soon as he's done chatting up with Team Catastrophe, so make a note of your character's location if they're meeting him along the way!]

[cryptologic]

[ For as much as Minato's death had plagued Dipper's thoughts since he came to earlier that day, he hadn't really stopped to think how soon he would come back from the dead. Minato was the first person Dipper knew that had been killed in Cerealia, and despite his curiosity in all things, he had never asked how long that process took. Life was not a simple thing - it could take time. Time Dipper would use to prepare himself for what he would say when the time inevitably came that Minato was back and Dipper had to face him.

Like he could ever really be prepared for that.

And that time comes so much sooner than he anticipated. After talking with Yu, his doubts, fears and guilt hadn't evaporated, but they had at least been cracked open and exposed. He didn't really feel better for it, but at the very least, his anxiety had ebbed away somewhat, if only because he was absolutely exhausted.

Which is why when he sees Minato in the doorway of his and Yu's hospital room, he can't quite process it immediately. Like he's looking at someone who couldn't possibly really be there. Like he's looking at a ghost.

A ghost would have made more sense. But there he is, the one who sacrificed his life so Yu and Dipper had a chance to live. And Dipper can only sit there and stare at him, barely breathing. ]

[moribound]

[Just getting to the hospital had been quite the challenge due to the persistent glitching and having had to answer to his other friends, which is why it's rather late in the afternoon by the time Minato makes his way to the hospital.

He's dressed simply for the occasion, wearing a white shirt with stripes to go with his pants in no part due to having been dunked into the trash can. Minato doesn't need to be a mind reader to make a guess at what Dipper must be feeling seeing him standing at the doorway as if he had never been gone, having felt much of the same when Ket had returned previously, blaming himself and having difficulties letting go of his guilt even when it was clear that his friends didn't blame him for anything.]

Good afternoon, Dipper-san. [The stare hasn't gone unnoticed, which is why Minato chooses to greet the boy gently before walking over to his side, a box of chocolates tucked under his arm. The key to consoling people was always to act as normally as possible, and though the entirety of Dipper's bed seems to flicker as he takes a seat and places the chocolates on the nearest table, a few code glitches are nothing to someone who's already had to pretend that he was alive for a month.]

How have you been? [Unwell, he's sure, but some things needed to be said.] ...I'm glad that you and Narukami-san are alright- sorry about being late, by the way.

[cryptologic]

[ He is at a complete and utter loss for words, numbed by just how casual and ordinary Minato seemed to be taking this. Dipper didn't know him well, and hadn't known what to expect. A scolding, maybe? He deserved one. But somehow this is harder to deal with.

But what else should he have expected from the person who willingly gave up his last defense for the sake of a friend and someone he barely knows?

He still stares at Minato, like he's expecting him to flicker out of existence any second now. His gaze only flickers to the box of chocolates for a moment, that simple gesture somehow so dismaying. Minato brought him something? ]

I - Y-you're not - [ He can't get his mouth to form the right words. Not that he has any idea what the right thing to say even is. ] Forget about me, what about you?

[moribound]

Me? [He leans forward now that he's not holding onto the box of chocolates, posture slack as he rests his head against an arm that's conveniently propped on the drawer.] I'm fine- a little worse for wear but that was mostly ViViD's doing since the newbies arrived today. [But there's a sharp glint in Minato's eye in spite of his apparent confusion, knowing that not everyone was aware as to how the death process worked.

Better put that one to rest at least.]

I don't know what exactly happened either, but...I'm alive, if that's what you're asking.

waves hands at timelines and hopes this works

[zerotohiro]

[He's just left the hospital and he's making a run for the entertainment district where he knows the newest ViViD game's going on. He knows what happens when people die. They get rebooted, essentially, and they have to go through the same thing all over again. The powerpoint, the stories, everything. Dipper wasn't awake when Hiro visited with Yu, but Yu provided him with the information that Hiro had been hoping to hear. Minato was alive (or, at least, alive enough to send a text message.)

He makes a quick detour to stop and pick up Baymax from his apartment, noticing that Tadashi's also gone. Tadashi must already be in the game. With that, boy and robot book it as fast as they can and as soon as they enter the district, Baymax picks up on Minato's location. Without even waiting for Baymax (and knowing that the robot will follow), he breaks into a run toward the other guy and barely having time to stop.]

Minato! [Correction. He doesn't stop. He sort of just...slides and tumbles and lands at Minato's feet instead. It's fine though because Minato's back and in one piece and while Baymax joins them Hiro's scrambling to his feet.] Dude, you're back.

[Thanks, Captain Obvious.]

Yep, it's okay!

[moribound]

Hamada-san! [Hiro being so excited to see him back is kind of cute, and he's definitely smiling as he spies Baymax coming over, thankfully all clean now- not all of his friends showed their affection in easily understandable ways, and he's just taken it in stride even if it means being suplexed into trashcans without warning.]

It's good to be back. The new ViViD game was something too this time...Did you just come back from seeing Narukami-san, by the way? [It explains how Hiro would know to look for him after all, and judging by how much he knew this particular mechanic would be something he might have been aware of.]

[zerotohiro]

[He's definitely excited to see Minato in one piece and once he's on his feet he's shifting his weight from foot to foot, pent-up energy not sure where to go now. That takes care of everyone but Link, who he hasn't seen but has to take word that he'll be all right. He knows everyone comes back but there's something good about having solid proof.]

Yeah. Yeah, I just left. Dipper was still asleep so I'll probably go back later but I talked to Yu and he told me he got a text from you, and last time I checked dead guys don't usually send texts so I left to come find you since they usually send the dead back through ViViD and...well. [He flaps his hands a little.] They're okay. Physically, at least. [His smile fades slightly then because he's still worried about his friends.] They'll be okay.

[He pauses then and Baymax stops to scan Minato briefly to make sure he's functioning.] Two days isn't bad. Sometimes they don't bring people back for a full week. What's going on in the new ViViD game?

[moribound]

[Minato takes in Hiro's words, with little hint of doing so safe for the contrast of his sharp eyes in comparison to his slack posture, studiously pondering about what he said.

That Yu and Dipper aren't quite alright yet isn't surprising- he's worried too, but his expression remains unchanged as he's happy that they're both alive.]

I think they'll be okay too, and thanks for telling me. [He has no comment on the revival thing, but it's getting filed.] The new ViViD game is...kind of interesting and fun, I guess. It's called CERESscape and the newcomers had their names listed, along with quests like proposing to a pebble.

I was going to get something for Narukami-san and Dipper-san by the way. Would you like to come with me to the mall? [They needed cheering up after all, and judging by Hiro's relative cheer his brother must have survived which is a real relief as he'd already suffered badly enough the last time. That doesn't exclude the rest though besides Link, and he figures he'd check it out by himself.]

honk honk

[72hr]

[Link blinks at the change in light as they return to Cerealia from ViViD, this being the second time in a matter of weeks that he's sat through the same presentation and game obligation. It reminds him, bitterly, of starting anew in Clock Town after another failed three-day cycle; having the same conversations over again, making the same introductions, predicting what people would say. And the comparison is apt. He did fail.

This knowledge is weighing on his mind when he sees Minato among the group returning to the city. As soon as he sees him, the distant sound of his bones snapping replayed in his mind. Ah. So he is back, too.]

Ah... Mr. Minato. [Having approached his side, he reaches up and tugs gently on his sleeve to get his attention from his short height below.] Minato, we're back.

[moribound]

[We. That means Link didn't make it after all, and Minato can't say he's entirely surprised considering how things had gone.

He looks down at Link with a smile though, knowing how difficult it must be for him to consider himself a burden after being a lone wolf for o long.] Yeah, we are. It's good to be back here, and out of that latest game...CERESscape, wasn't it?

[72hr]

Dunno. I think so.

[CERESscape, games, code, glitches, data...... whatever. Link still doesn't get any of it beyond the most superficial aspects.

Looking up into Minato's eyes, their locked gaze starts to feel too uncomfortable. He looks away and his arm drops back to his side.]

...What are we supposed to do now? After all that... do you think they got back okay?

[moribound]

Yeah, I think so. We should have seen them at ViViD otherwise. [Even if there's the possibility they could have revived earlier Minato doesn't think that's very likely, but it does concern him to see Link's reaction- of course he was going to take it badly after dying when he's had to be alone before.]

You alright?

[fittedgloves]

[ Kyouko's just returning from the hospital herself, and she's a little surprised to see Minato on her way back. She stops in her tracks. Going to help out the new arrivals can wait for now. ]

...Arisato-kun. I see you've returned.

[moribound]

[By now Minato's gotten quite used to his glitchy surroundings, enough that it'd take someone with a trained eye to notice the way his gaze lingers on things a little longer or shorter at random. Kirigiri's not flickering out at the moment though, so she gets a polite nod- the slight injury she has along with her lack of mentioning ViViD is a clear enough sign that she made it out alive, and he's glad for it.]

Yeah, I returned a few hours ago. I hope you've been well, Kirigiri-san. [As well as any of them can be after what happened, anyway.]

[fittedgloves]

[ She crosses her arms, looking him over. ]

I have. [ There's a little pain in her ankle and one of her shoulders, but considering the injuries a few others had? It's nothing. ]

Have you experienced any trouble with your return? [ She hasn't died herself—not yet—so she's not familiar with the process aside from a few assumptions. ]