estoria | signs of love overshadowed by dreams [CLOSED]

Entry tags:

signs of love overshadowed by dreams [CLOSED]

Who: Minato Arisato

moribound & Yu Narukami

covenantal, with a surprise (?) guest appearance by Kazuya Minegishi

belfire
When: 5/17 IC; afternoon into evening
Where: First a grocery store, and then off to Occidi's shrine.
What: Yu asked Minato out. He said yes. It's a date. What more do you want? Also, Kaz runs into them at some point, and that goes as well as you'd expect.
Rating/Warning: None, probably.

[ Dress sharp, huh.

Yu isn't nervous, because there's nothing much to be nervous about. That's what he tells himself, at least. And he isn't nervous, really. That doesn't stop the pleasantly fluttery fizzy feeling that chases him all the way to the grocery store after he texts Minato to meet him there and gets an affirmative response. He is happy; he can't help it.

It would be nice if he were positive, even now, of where exactly they stood, because he knows for a fact Minato took this to mean one singular date. Still, he's pretty sure if he asks for a second date he'll get a yes to that, too. They'll figure it out.

He leaves early, because he wants to be able to meet Minato outside; so the other boy will probably find him waiting by the entrance, scrolling through his CereVice. He's a little dressier than usual (in the outfit on the right), with his sleeves rolled up. Huh. It's really not too far outside the realm of things he'd wear, but just different enough to be noticeable.

Of course, what's really noticeable is the way he'll look up and smile when he hears Minato approaching. You could stop a heart, and possibly the end of the world, with that kind of smile. ]

Minato-san. Hey.

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[Minato's on time as usual, casually walking to their meeting place with his hands in his pockets. He's dressed a little better than usual for their meeting and Yu might recall an outfit similar to this from the hospital visit, but the most eye-catching thing about him today has to be his warm smile and friendly wave, subtle as it is.]

Hey. [He's always been quite the attentive person and that smile in part is related to Yu's choice of clothes today- evidently he's taking this date a little seriously.] You look good today.

[ This time, his read on Minato hadn't been quite right. Athena had told him to dress up, and while he'd always planned to look nice for their date, he hadn't planned to dress up, exactly, until she'd suggested it might be a good idea. He'd agreed, for the thought of the look on Minato's face...

... but this hadn't been what he was picturing. The warm smile of his... friend? no, date -- catches him directly in the chest, and his pulse picks up in a brief double step that makes his breath hitch.

None of this shows on his face, though there might be, however briefly, a look of something like wonder in his eyes. He's falling in love with this person, and he really couldn't possibly mind it any less. ]

Thanks. So do you. We're going to look a little overdressed for a grocery store. [ But there's an affectionate humor in the way he says it, and he's clearly appreciative of the effort Minato himself put in. With a nod of his head, he'll lead the way inside. ]

It can't be helped, we had to stop by here after all. [Minato's usually practical to almost a fault, but even he can see the good sense in dressing his best for a date. He's also well-aware that Yu wants many more of such outings, and not even he can resist laughing lightly when he catches that brief moment of wonder in Yu's eyes right before ambling into the store.

The shop itself is fairly non-descript, bland in design and neat in its functionality. The fresh produce is located close to the entrance, brimming almost to the top with fruits of all kinds. Minato stares at one precariously located pomelo before addressing Yu again.] There's a lot to choose from...any ideas what Occidi would like most out of these?

[ He’s laughing… Yu’s only response is to smile faintly, but his chest feels warm. He breathes through and around it, and his steps feel just a little lighter. ]

Whatever is earthiest, I bet, [ he says rather practically, though with an edge of humor. Whatever that means. While they’re still by the door, he grabs a basket and hangs it off his arm. ] I still think anything related to roots and branches would be best. Those remind me of her.

The vegetables are to our right... [These ones are neatly separated, and Minato swiftly looks over the selection to see what they can choose from.] Carrots, radishes, sweet potatoes and ginger then.

[Those are the ones he immediately recognizes as having roots and he picks what appears to be the best of each, scrutinizing them before placing them into Yu's basket.] That should do it- think it's enough to get her to show up?

You think she'd show herself in the colony after everything that's happened? [ he muses, thoughtful. ] Not sure. I know the spirits are aware of the offerings they get, though. I overheard Ardeo say something about it when I was waiting to talk to him back in the jungle.

[ He'll lead the way over to fruit. He wanted to get an apple, too. They remind him of Occidi's walking trees, all their swaying branches. He chooses the best and drops that into his basket, too. ]

I doubt it, to be honest. [It's been a some time since they appeared and Minato's wondered if all of the strange happenings since then have had to do with these spirits leaving the city- that was not a good thought at all, needless to say.

He stares at the falling apple without comment, busying himself for a moment with adjusting his headphones so that they're hanging just right around his neck.] It's good that they're aware though...between the library app, the ghosts and these masks, something bad is bound to happen soon.

[ Something bad is bound to happen soon...

Yu thinks of the mask he's got tucked in his back pocket. He won't wear it on his wrist now. Not with the unnerving crack it's got running down the middle.

What the hell is going on? Hiro had whispered, in a voice laced with horror.

His expression sobers. He'd been hoping, on the one hand, to avoid more serious topics on this date... it's a date, after all. On the other hand, with everything that's been happening, this was likely unavoidable. He already told Minato about the experiment he and Hiro planned to run. He should know the outcome. ]

Minato-san... I--

[ Another shopper stops right next to them, and Yu pauses, reminded that there are other people in the world. ]

... we should check out. I've got something to tell you on the way to the shrine.

Edited 2016-02-03 10:00 (UTC)

I agree. [His reply is crisp and brief, expression grim as they check out and leave the grocery store. For Yu to have become this sober when he had been happy earlier meant he had something important to tell, and Minato's glad for the relative silence of the path they're taking, strangely subdued in how little it stood out in this city.

He walks in silence for a good five minutes or so before addressing the other, concerned about Yu's well-being.] Yu-san...did something happen to you?

[ Once they're on the way, the silence leaves him to his thoughts, which for once he doesn't want. He spends that quiet time looking at the sky, contemplative, thinking of the future, and waiting. Waiting for Minato to ask, as he knows he will.

Yu says nothing once he does. Words won't describe what he can show. He'd told Minato the plan. Silently, he simply pulls the cracked mask out of his back pocket and hands it to his date, his expression serious, his eyes all steel and storm. He's in trouble, and it seems he knows exactly how much. ]

Your mask...! [The crack may not be big but it's instantly noticeable by Minato as an anomaly on the mask's otherwise smooth surface, snaking darkly across its pristine white coloring.

Minato's not as shocked as he might have been without knowing of Yu's plans but he's clearly alarmed all the same, unconsciously gripping onto the mask tightly and staring down at the crack as if he expects it to swallow them whole.

A Persona was a 'mask' in a sense after all...what would a broken one do to them?

That crack is still etched into his memory after he returns the mask to Yu with care, not wanting to cause even more damage to it. If he's still unnerved he's not showing it, hands tucked comfortably in his pockets once more and tone steady] What happened?

[ Yu is quiet while Minato inspects it, his hands loose by his sides. What else is there to say, to do? The best he's been able to guess is that the masks might be tied to their code directly, and if that's the case... but if so, why isn't he himself already damaged? There's no telling. He doesn't know what will happen, but whatever may come, it won't be good.

He accepts the mask without expression or comment and slips it back into his pocket without looking at it again. He'd dwelled on it enough last night. He hardly needs to spook himself all over again with the possibilities. His calm mirrors Minato's. ]

When I got back from Hiro's I had the pieces of the mask in a pouch. I kept them in my bag that I brought with me to school. I was kind of distracted yesterday... [ He pauses for a beat. He's sure Minato can imagine why, what with his anonymous post and all. ] It wasn't until evening that I actually opened my bag again and saw it. The mask had put itself back together. It even ripped the pouch apart when it did. [ Another beat. When he continues, his voice is softer, though there's no change in his inflection. ] We have no idea what's going on.

[Hiro.

Minato would have asked about the other boy were it not for the fact that Yu would have told him if something had happened to either of them. That these masks always came back to them undoubtedly had something to do with their code, and there's a subtle darkening in his expression as he looks ahead of them.]

It's probably related to our code if it won't leave us and it can put itself back together. ...I don't think we should worry about it right now, though. [Minato can tell from Yu's lack of inflection that he's already done enough of that, and he wants his friend to be happy.]

[ It figures Minato would hit on it without his even having to say it. The ghost of a smile flits across his lips, and he gives his head a small shake. With a glance down the path behind them - none too subtle, and he doesn't intend it to be, really - he switches the bag with their groceries from one arm to the other.

Then he reaches out and curls his hand around Minato's, waiting only a beat before carefully weaving their fingers together.

His tone is a little gentler when he speaks. ]

Sorry. I thought you should know. [ In case. ] But you're right. We should enjoy this.

It's alright. [Minato blinks when he sees what Yu's doing, surprise quickly melting away into a warm and affectionate smile when he feels Yu's hand curling around his own, fingers intertwining together.

No one spying on them right now would have been able to see him gripping Yu's hand from the subtle way in which he holds those fingers gently in his own, but that's just the way Minato expresses himself- quiet yet sincere.] You're the one who invited me, after all. We should enjoy this date together, and I'll take care of things if anything should happen to you, Yu-san. [Implicit in his offer is the knowledge that Yu would have done the same for his friends- he already has in a way, in getting their friends to safety during the jungle attack.]

Edited 2016-02-04 09:28 (UTC)

[ For a month, through small conversations and little actions, he thought he'd come to understand a little of what it meant to fall in love. Smiling together, laughing, supporting each other, side by side through moments good and bad as they'd slowly grown closer, and he'd come to care for Minato as more than just a friend. When he'd realized that his feelings had actually changed, that there was more in his heart than just that strange connection the two of them had realized tied them together... he thought he'd known. Even if just a tiny bit. Even if it was mostly just a kind of affection.

Looking at Minato now, seeing his smile, feeling the warmth and gentle strength of his hand, and above all, hearing those words, those words, the reassurance he was seeking but didn't know he needed that someone would look after Hiro and Dipper if he fell... he realizes he had no idea.

This is what it means to fall in love.

Realizing he's been quiet too long, Yu brings himself back to reality, his smile flickering like a candle flame before brightening into something steady and sure. ]

That means a lot to me. [ There's a wealth of genuine feeling in his soft voice. ] Thank you. It might be unconventional as date ideas go, but I like it.

[ His gaze lingers on Minato's for just a second, as if he's reluctant to look away, but then he looks ahead, down the path. ]

It's nice to do something quiet, just the two of us.

Yeah, it is. [There's a lot ahead of them yet, but it's clear blue skies that greet Minato when he looks in front of them and a warm hand that holds his own, reminding him that they'll pull through this.

Minato's own smile is subtle, the depth of his emotion reflected more in how he seems wide-eyed as if he truly seems happy living in the moment. He follows suit when Yu looks away, much less reluctantly as there's still so much of the day left.]

Let's go then. We should be at Occidi's shrine soon...there's a lot of time to do something else after that, if you want to.

Sure, [ he agrees lightly, canting his head as he thinks about it. They have got the rest of the afternoon, and the evening, with nowhere in particular to be... maybe they could--

A beat, and Yu's shoulders jump as he turns his head slightly away. After a moment, it will become clear that he's ... laughing? ]

I was about to suggest a stop by the library, since I spend a lot of time there, but...

[ ... considering the last time the both of them were near the library together ... ]

Edited 2016-02-05 06:04 (UTC)

[Minato doesn't react to Yu's laughing at first but he's quick to give the other a flat and unimpressed stare the moment the library's mentioned, it being a particularly embarrassing part of his life that he'd rather not reflect too much upon.]

I don't see that as a problem as long as you can keep your shirt on, Yu-san. [His tone is equally dull, with only a raised eyebrow being any indication that he doesn't mind going back to the library. Just...no shenanigans, please.]

[ His shoulders hitch up again, but this time, not from laughing. If the way the tips of his ears have gone a bit pink is any indication, it seems he's actually a bit flustered. ]

That shouldn't be any trouble. [ Said smoothly, but he's still a little out of sorts. He brought this on himself, though...

After a moment, he regains his composure and his shoulders drop again. He glances at his friend with a bit of a smile still on his face. ]

Think you can resist the temptation of becoming a powerful wizard again?

[Showing any sort of amusement at Yu's ears reddening would be giving himself away, which is why Minato opts for looking ahead of them instead.]

Ah, of course. I could do without being chased by a wannabe dragon-slayer again too...

[They eventually reach a small alley that's clearly underused and turn inside, coming face to face with Occidi's shrine soon after. Minato's never had anything remotely close to a green thumb, but even he can admire the tenacity of the thorny vines creeping up the shack's walls while noting that the thorns are brittle and dead. The tree above the altar is striking as well, and he makes a note to bring some water if they ever come by again.]

It's interesting, isn't it?

[ Despite, or maybe because of, growing up a city boy, Yu always had something of a fascination with green things. Going to Inaba had been such a revelation and a relief in that way; he'd suddenly been surrounded on all sides by green. When Nanako had wanted to start a garden, he'd been quietly delighted, and done his best on his own until he could surreptitiously buy and power his way through a book on home gardening. After that, it was easier.

His hand is still holding Minato's, even now; he's found he hasn't wanted to let go. It's nice. His thumb idly strokes the side of Minato's hand as he takes in the scene. ]

It's beautiful.

[ He says it honestly. There is a sort of austere, quiet beauty to it; perseverance in hardship.

Stepping into the shrine proper is what finally makes him let go. He'll need both hands to start rummaging through the bag. ]

[Minato nods simply, tilting his head in Yu's direction while he looks through the bag. He doesn't show any overt reaction to his hand being released, but he can't quite deny that it had felt nice on some level...certainly, more than it would have been with most people.

They make their offerings soon enough, and Minato pauses abruptly when they leave the shrine- is it his imagination, or does he feel less tired than before?]

Do you feel anything strange, Yu-san?

[ He pays his respects alongside Minato; it feels important, somehow, and weirdly soothing in its own way to do so.

But he'll stop when Minato does, feeling the same odd effect; a wondering smile crosses his face. ]

She must have liked what we had to offer.

[ Turning to face the shrine again, he can't help but want to linger here just a little. It's quiet by Occidi's shrine. At least, a little quieter than the rest of the city. He likes something about that, that natural peacefulness that you can't find elsewhere in the high-tech gloss of Cerealia.

Yu looks back at Minato again, and something just ... occurs to him. He can't help that it does. A thought that makes his lips part, as if he'll speak, but no words come out; in the end, he retakes Minato's hand, interweaving their fingers again. ]

Minato-san...

[He turns to look at the shrine again when Yu mentions Occidi liking what they had to offer, not being entirely surprised to see the offerings gone. The spirits were supposed to be watching after all, and he's come across a lot of...well, stranger and more unnatural things.

What's a little more surprising is the sensation of Yu's hand against his own once more, fingers locking together as Minato turns to face his friend again with a rather oblivious expression.] What is it?

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