estoria | [open] And as you know I have a gigantic heart

Entry tags:

[open] And as you know I have a gigantic heart

Who: Rise Kujikawa and OPEN!
When: 7/19-7/23 (IC) aka event-time!
Where: Various prompts
What: It started with a goat. Then it all just went downhill from there. AKA Rise Kujikawa and the mysterious memories event.
Rating/Warning: N/A for now, will update if needed

[It started with a goat. Honestly, at first she thought that she'd dreamed it, that maybe it was just an extension of the white feathers she saw in her dreams recently but no. She wakes up and there sure is a wispy little goat at the foot of her bed. She stares…and the goat bleats flatly at her. It's a sad-looking thing, but as she tries to get closer it seems to disappear immediately.

Wow. That's weird.]

A.) is for Academy

[It's a normal school day. With everyone back from the dead and her worries a little more at ease, she can concentrate a little easier. It's quiet in the Study Hall period of the day and she's working on some homework when she spots the goat out of the corner of her eye…approaching a wastebasket. She hasn't realized it can't change much of the world around them, but she'll get that memo as soon as she gets up and stealthily tries to approach the animal.

Of course, the goat suddenly moves and it startles her and her arms suddenly pinwheel as she yells, trying to balance on her high heels so she doesn't bite the dust. Are you going to catch her? Let her fall? Fall with her? Sorry about all of that.]

B.) is for Bad Places Rise Shouldn't Wander

[This goat is seriously way more trouble than it's worth. She's not sure where it came from or why it's in such poor condition, but she's taken to following it around the colony to make sure it doesn't get too far out of her sight. It's for that reason she doesn't even realize she winds up right in the middle of the Pleasure District. The goat's paused, and if it's possible it gives her a knowing look despite its lack of real expression.

(Is it possible that this goat knows about her dungeon?)

She ends up in a staring contest with the goat, narrowing her eyes when she realizes she's standing in front of a love hotel.]

Don't even think about it. [She sure was talking to the goat, but it's not that hard to overhear her.]

C.) is for Cafe

[Everything is exhausting. She's sprawled over a chair almost ungracefully and that goat hovers around near her feet, but at least its not moving. On occasion, she'll be writing neat lines in a notebook and sipping her tea, though she frowning in concentration. There's an extra chair at her table though. Feel free to ask if you can join her or even be nosy about what she's doing, she won't mind.

On the other hand, if you're a friend or even someone she recognizes, she'll look up and smile brightly before pushing the chair out with her foot.]

Hey, over here!

D.) is for Dancing Games

[Sometimes Rise likes to play games. Sometimes Rise likes to use the game station to practice and when she gets bored of dancing in her room this is the next best thing. However, she's found at the game center today in front of one of the dancing games, and as she watches the colorful arrows fall across the screen she's continually missing and whines in frustration.]

Ugh, come on! This should be really easy! [And it would be…if she actually remembered how to dance. It's like all memories and coordination have left her and she's left trying really hard to fix that. Help her? Challenge her? Question her?]

E.) is for Everything Else!

[If you want to run into her while she's out shopping, at work as a model/karaoke star/tofu connoisseur, or if housemates want to do apartment shenanigans here you go!]

[ooc: ALSO if you have a preference on your type of memory please let me know! Otherwise I will be randomizing. Thank you!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[LEON!!!!!

Is what she would yell if she weren't convinced it would end in him yelling at her. She's finishing up her shift at the tofu shop, truth be told, and when he approaches the door it's about the same time that Rise's stepping out with a goat lumbering after her. Is she...holding the door open longer than usual? She sure is. She can be polite to her goat, it's fine.

However seeing Leon right there sure surprises her and she jumps slightly, not aware that the fussy black kitten has an actual angry black cat behind him. She'd known that he and Stahn were all right. She'd checked when people started returning and was relieved to see that their names hadn't been blocked out or disappeared or anything. But she also hadn't expected him to be right there.]

Oh, Leon! Hey! [She's also remembering what Otome said. She has to just keep trying.] How are you? [That seems safe. She's under no assumptions that he's only here to subtly check on her since that would be TOTALLY silly.]

[He's right there and so is she and Leon blinks, hand out as if to reach for the door. But...if she's leaving, he really doesn't have to go in at all, does he? That works out well enough. So he steps away from the door instead, unaware for the moment that it makes it quite obvious that he wasn't interested in the tofu at all.]

...Rise.

[A nod of acknowledgement, and that's all the greeting she gets out of him.

As well as an obvious:]

I'm fine.

[There's........an awkward pause.

He should probably ask her how she is here.

And that's what he originally came for anyway.

But those words....are hard.....]

....... What are you doing? [NAILED IT.]

[She notices the direction he moves but she doesn't do anything to call him on it. Leon not being interested in tofu doesn't surprise her, but she still doesn't want to believe that he's here to check in with her. The greeting is surprisingly civil and even as he awkwardly fumbles through it she smiles at him anyway and allows him to...be himself.

The goat's pretty interested in Leon's cape though. Excuse it. It's going to be approaching at its slow, lumbering pace.]

Just leaving work. I had a small shift today since I was here this morning, too. It's pretty unfortunate but business was slower this afternoon but it's usually like that this time of the week. Where are you headed?

[... Where is he headed?

He has no idea. He came here to check on her, and now that he's done that, he doesn't know... he fumbles for a moment, before clearing his throat.]

...Elsewhere. That is none of your business. [Nailed it.

Naturally, he doesn't notice the goat either.]

[It takes a lot of energy not to sigh in exasperation at Leon's behavior, typical though it may be. She does shake her head though and seeing how she's busy talking to him she's not paying attention to where her goat is. At this rate if Leon tries to turn he'll run right into it.]

Even if "elsewhere" is the same direction I'm going? [She giggles a bit. At least this she can handle.] You never know.

[Can she, though...can she really handle this....

Leon just frowns slightly at that, but he does turn slightly to go--which unknowingly puts him directly in the goat's path.]

I have no interest in going anywhere with you, so do not mistake this for that.

You make it sound like I'm trying to kidnap you, geez! I'm just saying it makes more sense to go together if we're going the same way.

[But by then Leon's turned and the goat's startled by the swish of his cape, thus throwing itself forward and colliding right into Leon's legs. Without warning, the world falls away from him and he'll find himself in the middle of a scene that's not even remotely familiar to him.

If anything, he may recognize it as a hospital hallway. The scene plays out, the group of teenagers in the hallway unable to comprehend why a little girl had to die, why Namatame was allowed to live. Their conversation is cut short when they hear a thud from the suspect's room and enter. It's something Leon's never seen before and won't understand, probably, the seven of them crowded around a grown man on the floor. A face much like his own appearing on the TV and taunting them suddenly. Rise uttering the words "Midnight Channel" as the Shadow continues to taunt Namatame and the screen goes dark. The room's tense as the one with headphones soon suggests the ultimate solution: throwing the man into the TV.

A fight breaks out among them as they all argue for what's best, finally settling on a solution. There's something missing. They have to stay positive and cool and not turn on each other. Something's missing. They need to stick together and they reach that agreement right on time as a doctor rushes into the room along with another man. A detective, it seems, shaggy hair and red tie askew as he looks over the group suspiciously.

“Hey…you guys? What’re you doing?! You can’t be in here!”

“We were keeping an eye on the suspect. The police officers outside seemed to have their hands full helping Dojima-san. If Namatame were to escape, it would be a disaster for the police’s reputation…and their trust in you, Adachi-san.” The small girl with the blue hat chimes in. Adachi suddenly looks nervous.

“O-oh…I see. We’ll tighten security from now on, and I’ll arrange for him to be transported out as soon as possible. So..if you guys can keep quiet about being in here, I’d really appreciate it…”

It’s not long before the group decides to leave and go back to Nanako’s room and the memory fades out, once again revealing Rise just in front of Leon. Her expression's fallen as a sharp pain hits her head and she blinks heavily, seemingly lost on what they had originally been discussing.]

[Leon's left blinking as well, of course.

It's not the first time he's experienced a memory like this by now, but it's still so strange. It takes him off-guard every time, and he frowns a little. It's Rise's--of course. Seeing her with her friends (and that's what they must be) is so strange, in a way. He doesn't entirely understand what's happening; it's like starting a book 70% of the way through. But even so... it's clear that their bonds are unbelievably strong, no matter what.

For a moment, he's left thinking of the others--of Rutee and Philia, of Mary and Woodrow and even Kongman and Chelsea and Johnny. Had they had similar bonds? ...Maybe. With each other, certainly. With him... he's not sure.

But there's a niggling thing that bothers him, and his brow furrows a little as he looks at Rise. Why was she...]

... I was unaware that you fancied yourself an enforcer of justice on the side.

[IDOL AND MURDERER CATCHER?]

[She's carefully leaning against the side of the tofu shop to keep herself upright, but when Leon speaks up she can't help but tilt her head. Which. You know. Is a bad idea and she slides her eyes closed again to recenter herself.]

What? [What an intelligent answer! She's experienced this with other people so far, but she still can't tell what memories other people receive from her. Judging by Leon's response though she can sort of guess.] Yeah. That's what our team did back home. We had a mystery to solve. Is it that surprising?

[Poor Rise... if Leon was a better soul he'd get her some water, but he sucks so he doesn't. Instead, he tilts his head slightly, considering.]

Somewhat, yes. Chasing down a murderer sounds rather dangerous.

[For an idol.... Rise what kind of life even.]

[Thanks for continuing to be a great friend, Leon. She manages to open her eyes after a moment and regards him carefully, though there's a playful smile on her face. She knows. The whole thing sounds pretty crazy, but they pulled it off.]

We had to do what was right. Yu-senpai, Yosuke-senpai, Chie-senpai and Yukiko-senpai are the ones who started it all with Teddie helping them in the Midnight Channel. When they rescued Kanji, me and Naoto-kun we joined in to help them. Our Personas helped us fight in the Midnight Channel and save people who were thrown in there to protect them from getting killed. [There's a lot more to it than that.] The police weren't following the right lead...we were the only ones who could really solve everything.

[It sure does... it sounds beyond crazy, and Leon's quiet for a moment as he absorbs that.

Before finally... he just nods along vaguely.]

Very well then. I suppose that would explain more than it does not, about someone like you.

[That's... probably a compliment??? He really is impressed, it just doesn't sound like it.]

[Well. That's better than nothing, though she does raise an eyebrow.]

And just what does that mean?

It means exactly what it sounds.

[At least Leon's as implacable as ever. Unfortunately for the both of them, even as he explains himself, his skittish black cat is trailing along--and skittering right into Rise's path.]

You are not well suited to standing on the sidelines when something needs to be done. You are too meddlesome for that.

[She can't help it. She giggles despite herself because yeah that sure is true. Heeere kitty kitty...come to Rise.]

I gained powers that could help people, so why wouldn't I use them? Isn't that kind of like being a knight? You do things because it's your duty.

[She's not wrong. He gets that sort of comparison, because...well, it makes sense! If you have the skills, you should use them to do your duty, naturally.

He's nodding along, and he responds with a simple:]

I suppose so. Though you did not take an oath of duty, so that still makes you meddlesome as well.

[But admittedly it might be hard for Rise to hear, because that's when the cat is brushing against her. And that's when she'll see Leon's memory.

It's warm. The sun is shining, and in a large, spacious dining room, Leon sits at the table, poring over a report. He looks to be younger--8 or 9, perhaps--but even so, he's working on this report with single-minded determination--until someone else steps into the room. The woman bears a striking resemblance from Leon, but they don't act like family in the least, and from the way she's in a maid uniform, it's very clear she's part of the staff for this manor.

But she steps in, placing a cup of tea before Leon with a smile, and a simple, "Here you are, Emilio."

He looks up from his work at that, and he smiles, and it's an unfettered expression, without any of the hesitations he'd usually have. There's no scowl or flat expression present--not in Marian's company.

"Thank you, Marian," he responds, properly and politely, but clearly with sincerity. She nods then, shifting as if to go... but his expression wavers then, and she catches it, and decides to stay. So instead she moves to Leon's side, and she asks gently about his work, and he brightens again and is able to explain to her what his studies are about--but most of all it's clear that he's just happy that she's there, and she's happy to be there for him in turn.

...As for in Cerealia, Leon's realizing that the feeling of nausea and vertigo is becoming far too common, and he has to clench his hands into fists, dragging in a sharp breath through his nose as he tries to steady himself.]

[It's definitely hard to hear because there goes the cat and there goes Rise pitching face-first into Leon's memory.

And then she screamed internally because he was an adorable little boy. Okay in all seriousness, it's very surreal to be watching something like this. She knew Leon grew up under an influential family as he's told her himself once upon a time. She understands being alone like this and for a moment she's not sure what she's seeing until the woman appears. She looks a lot like him, of course, but she's hired help.

More than anything it surprises her that he's being addressed by a name that isn't Leon. A pseudonym? No, wait, if anything Leon must be the nickname, but it's still uncertain how that came to be. Whoever his Marian is is clearly someone he's close to, someone he cares about deeply and it both makes her so happy to see that he used to be happy and breaks her heart to know that this isn't the same boy she knows in Cerealia. So...what had happened?

When she finds herself back in the colony she looks at Leon with the most perplexed look on her face, frowning a little to herself. While Leon might not be great at the friendship thing, she does approach him without touching him.]

...come sit down, okay? Just for a few minutes until you're ready.

I'm... I'm fine.

[He's not aware of what she's seen, but he is aware that she saw something; by now he's figured this out plenty. It doesn't make him happy in the least, but all he can really do is stand there, dragging in a few shaky breaths as he tries to fight off the nausea through pure willpower.

Which is a very Leon thing to do.

Give him a moment.]

[Are you, Leon? Are you really? She's pretty sure she doesn't believe that and she continues to watch him closely. She won't drag him inside yet but she's definitely hovering as he fights through it. At least she's not saying anything either as she patiently waits. Leon's gonna Leon. This is all she can do...though she does disappear inside the tofu shop for a moment before returning with what looks like a bottle of water. Just in case.]

[He's really not okay.

But he waits until Rise leaves before he finally slumps a little, breathing in deeply and taking a moment to try to combat the nausea on his own time.

Which means that when she comes back, he's still a little bit like that before he sees her, at which point he straightens immediately.

And grimaces.

Oh. Bad plan.]

[...and she rolls her eyes almost in disgust.]

Seriously, will you please just sit down for a minute? I won't even tell anyone that you did. [Leon being sick in front of her shop is bad for business...and she's worried or whatever.]

I don't need to sit down--

[Oh, he got too intense about it and now he feels woozy. Okay.

Okay... maybe he'll....sit down....]

[Leon....regardless, Rise's popping back into the shop and dragging a chair out for each of them to a.) make it look completely natural and b.) not force Leon to walk too far. She knows he's fussy, but that doesn't stop her from taking him by the shoulders and gently pushing him down into his seat.]

Five minutes. Okay? That's all I'm asking. The last thing you need is to eat pavement and hurt yourself.

[He doesn't even have it in him to protest; one minute he's trying to blink away the vertigo and the next he's seated.

Oh.

Okay.

He frowns, but mostly just looks away, somewhat sheepish.]

... I'm fine. You have no reason to worry about me, and I am more than capable of taking care of myself.

[She's going to set the closed bottle of water on the chair next to him as she settles in her own seat, smiling lightly like this isn't even a big deal.]

I know you are, but you should know that you don't always have to. [...how to approach this...] You weren't always on your own, were you?

[open] And as you know I have a gigantic heart

e is for everything will probably fine said no one ever...

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