OPEN

[soul_mods]

Characters: Open
Location: Death City, Clinic
Rating: PG
Time: Jan 17 onward
Description: Missions 151 and 152, crossposted to LJ



The clinic is a buzz of activity from beginning to end, with the doctors and their staff preparing everything that could be needed by their agents in Europe, and clearing away the unnecessaries. Food is cooked large-scale because no one will have time to do it later, and hospital supplies are moved around to make more space for beds.

Shibusen's scouts and supportive agents are in charge of dragging the wounded back to Death City, and they come and go for random errands. The atmosphere is understandably tense, and things don't get better when the first of the injured are brought in.

[ ooc: Just pop up with your thread(s) in the post. Please follow this format in the subject header: [Characters][Date and Time][OPEN/CLOSE] ]

Comments

[socialbutterfly]

"Ah..." The personalized Shadows. It made sense that Madness would manifest that way for her, even if those Shadows, those fears, were 'conquered' as Souji-san had told him.

"... You saw yourself?"

[pishirogane]

"... It was out of place so I had to pursue it. There's absolutely no reason for it to be turning up like this..."

She clenched her hand, muscles tightening, but flinched. Immediately, she relaxed herself to lessen the pain.

[socialbutterfly]

"What then?"

[pishirogane]

"I was going to handle it as necessary. Persona or not, I would need to confront it to make it completely disappear. Still, I can't say if it was really my shadow or Madness playing tricks on me."

[socialbutterfly]

"Madness." Minato decided for her. "Rash decisions aren't you, Naoto-san."

[socialbutterfly]

"... But that's not what I'm asking. What happened?"

[pishirogane]

"Well, it was gone and I was left in the laboratory, trying to get away from the darkness. I'm not sure how I snapped out of it, but by the time I did, the Kishin had already attacked."

[socialbutterfly]

He considered that scenario, trying to put himself in her shoes. There was still too much he didn't understand, though. About her, about the Madness, about what the Laboratory meant.

"The plans you were going to make... If we fell into Madness... Do you have one for yourself?"

[pishirogane]

Naoto paused, thinking of what sort of memories the Madness would tamper with and draw forward again. The laboratory was one thing, but she was certain that could be fought back and dispelled with help. Still...

"... Yes." There were several options if she succumbed to Madness again, one of them simply being him making her once more aware he was present... Still, he always had the final ultimatum if it got that bad.

[socialbutterfly]

"... What if we're both affected?"

[pishirogane]

"That's where the plan will most likely fall apart. I would have to examine the possibility of both of us being affected as well as the chances breaking free or being saved. There's always the chance we're killed in action should it happen of course..."

Unfortunately, she can't formulate anything without her notebook and pen. "... Why are you inquiring, Arisato-san? Are you questioning your own susceptibility after this?"

[socialbutterfly]

He'd give it to her, but she should be resting.

And no, not his own. "Next time, I might not find you in time. I don't want that to happen."

[pishirogane]

You're making her life Hell right now.

"I see... Well, we'll certainly try to avoid that occurring, correct? Still, I'll try to come up with a solution." Though, she'll have to inquire as to why he let her run off alone in the first place.

[socialbutterfly]

You can notepad later.

And why he ran off? Because not all Madness is obvious, of course. That's why he wants solutions. "A team could help."

[pishirogane]

Boo...

"Yes, a team could, but they need to stick together."

[socialbutterfly]

"Or have someone monitor everyone." Like Fuuka had done; like he had been told Rise had done. It was an idea worth investigating.

[pishirogane]

"Are there any Weapons present capable of doing that? A Meister with Soul Perception could work too..."

Though, if they wanted to keep Madness at bay... "They had sent Meisters with an ability called Calming Wavelength to try assisting us, correct?"

[socialbutterfly]

"Other Me suggested the same thing... Seta-san has that ability. However, it's better to look at all of our options. I don't know anyone with Soul Perception..."

[pishirogane]

"Hm... I have spoken to a Meister with it, but I'm not sure if she would be willing to cooperate with us."

What other Soul abilities were there?

[socialbutterfly]

"We'll find someone," he said with quiet confidence. His good hand patted her on the shoulder. "We'll do it after you get better. Right now, Naoto-san should rest."

[pishirogane]

"... Very well. You should get some rest as well, Arisato-san."

She supposed being forced to heal would allow her some more time to plan.

[socialbutterfly]

He glanced down at his arm. Given all the repeated trauma his wounded shoulder had gone through with this recent spat of emergency missions, Minato guessed she was right about needing rest.

"I'll bring your notebook later..." He paused to think about her mood. This time, he hadn't really said the best words...

"We'll be ready for it next time, Naoto-san."

[pishirogane]

"I'd appreciate it..." She sighed. Whatever wasn't said now would have to be saved for later.

"I know we will."