estoria | [ CLOSED ] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD-

Who: the idiots who think this will actually amount to anything
When: IC 11/23 onward
Where: Various!
What: The rescue mission Yata, Sheba and co. discussed at the citywide meeting!
Rating/Warning: at least PG because some people swear like sailors

[ Once everyone arrives at the agreed meeting area, the CERES Metro-rail Station at the Residential District, Yata briefs the group on what to do. As discussed in the citywide meeting yesterday, the group will split into six teams that were decided by drawing lots. Everyone should know who they're teamed up with by now. Yata's instructions are simple enough: don't work alone (buddy system!), and if anyone finds anything, report to him. Should the missing arrivals be found, don't wait on anyone's orders. Yata admits that he's not smart enough to call the shots, but if he found who they were looking for, he believes that taking action should be the team's first priority. Anyone is free to protest, but he won't go back on his word.

Then he makes a special shout out to Hiccup and Toothless because look look guys it's a dragon how cool is that okay back to business.

By 9:15 AM, all teams should be on the move! ]

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT | SHOPPING DISTRICT | ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT | TECH DISTRICT | PLEASURE DISTRICT | VIVID

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That's enough for Shinji to start walking again, readjusting the axe on his shoulder to ease some of the weight. There's still a bit of the walk to where the supposed monster is but his pulse is speeding up already in anticipation.

He glances over at Naoki.]

This'll probably be a cinch for you, huh?

[What with all his ViViD experience and whatnot.]

Hmmm.

[He answers with a thoughtful hum.] I won't say 'yeah' before we've had a chance to really see the thing.

[Though Naoki knows full well how strong he himself is and how much experience he's had in the game...] You never know when one of these monsters is gonna have a really hard-to-find weakness.

[Like-- curse. Or light or dark how often does hama or mudo even hit I mean really.]

[Laughing with salad at hama and mudo, tbh.

Though that's a good point and one Shinji tucks away with a thoughtful grunt. Speaking of strengths and weaknesses though, perhaps he should ask about his comrade's. No point in running directly into battle without full knowledge of one's party, after all.]

You got any weaknesses we oughta find some way to cover?

[Though, with his experience, maybe the guy's already figured out how to deal with his weaknesses, if any.]

[There's a pause, Naoki not answering immediately— Don't mind him, Shinjiro, talking about any kind of weakness is just something he doesn't do, not from a world of demons. But, there's no need for him to hesitate for long:]

Nope. I'm good against most things, honestly. I can take a lot of hits and I can deal back just as many.

[If his magatama was working, he could null every single type of attack but he's already OP enough.] How about you?

[It's a (brief) silence that Shinji waits through patiently and respectfully - he can't exactly fault someone else for not wanting to talk about weaknesses when he himself never does.

Looks like he's gonna have to now though. There's a similar silence on his end as he ponders an appropriate answer.]

None really. [He can stick to his Persona traits for this, right? But since he'd prefer to go without for now--] I'm no good with magic though.

[He's physical through and through.]

[The silence makes Naoki wonder, too-- but, then, how many people actually like talking about their weaknesses?]

I can use fire and force abilities... [And almighty, but that's one of his trump cards and also sucks up a lot of energy, so he tends not to use it too much.]

And then I usually leave electricity, ice, and healing to Yurlungur and Long. That should cover our bases, huh?

[Cue a slight slowing to his steps as Shinji turns to look at Naoki with furrowed brows. That sure is a lot this guy has going for him, if he can do all those things at the same time. Sure puts his physical attacks to shame.

More importantly though:]

Yurlunger and Long?

[Does he have more snake things on him?]

[Naoki slows his steps too, looking over curiously.]

Yurlungur's that rainbow snake, from before.

[He waves a hand slightly.] Long's another demon that looks like a dragon. I wasn't able to call him when I first got here, but I can again, now.

[Naoki suspects it might have to do with ViViD, but anyway.]

[Summoning demons, huh? There's an aspect to it that reminds Shinji of summoning Personas, except last he checked this guy didn't need to point a gun to his head and faux shoot himself. Seems a bit more convenient, if he's entirely honest.

Fascinating as summoning demons might be, being able to summon multiple of them is probably more interesting and more important.]

How many of them demons can you call upon?

[Good things to know about as they make their way closer and closer to the forest.]

Usually? Three others in a battle, but I had fifteen with me before. Three's just easier to keep track of when you've gotta fight. [Because he could probably call on more but who wants to command that many at once.

Not him, nope, not when he's the one who has to come up with strategies.]

[Fifteen.....holy hell. The thought of trying to control that many demon things honestly makes him a little sick, and he pushes the thought away as best he can.

Good thing he's not the one with all the demons. Though, it makes him curious as to how they work.]

You tell them what to do, or are they part of you and just...do what you want 'em to?

Nah, I tell them and they listen to me.

[Naoki pauses again and he looks off to the side, one of his hands flexing.] I've negotiated with some of them and stuff like that to get them to join me, and since I'm stronger, they listen.

[He shrugs, disguising his uneasiness at saying this with a casual tone.] Power is a thing for demons. Hierarchical, I guess you'd say.

[Honestly, everything he says sounds risky and dangerous and not something Shinji would ever willingly do on his own, and he can't tell if he ought to admire the guy for being so tough about things or if he should be questioning sanity right about now.

In the end, he settles for a bit of both. But it makes him wonder about Naoki's mental fortitude and some of his curiosity slips out in a question.]

You ain't afraid they'll ever turn against you?

[He would be.]

[A small twitch goes through Naoki's shoulders, and his eyes widen just slightly before he catches himself. Of course he is. He's afraid of that all the time, but saying that creates a risk. Giving in to it. Because demons can sense fear.]

...If they ever did, I'd just fight them. That's... all there is to it.

I can't afford to be afraid. [Which... isn't an answer, yet it is.] 'Cause they can sense things like that, and they'll see fear as weakness.

[ CLOSED ] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD-_oLjmCGY

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