Post by Fusae Umezono on Mar 27, 2009 0:04:44 GMT -5
((Continued from here: midnighttv.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=shopping&action=display&thread=41&page=1 )
To be fair, she probably should have listened to Seta better. When he said it was going to be a fall, he wasn't goddamn kidding. Tuck and roll could only do so much, first when you hit the ground, and second when you came to a stop, coughing and gasping for air.
Except that this was eerily familiar, and while her brain raced to just reject the heavily stagnant air, the pressure on her body, Fusae just let out a frustrated groan, not caring if Seta heard.
"Oh, fuck my life. It couldn't be a damn dream, could it? Jus' once."
The adult part of her was angry and convinced she was fucked. The little kid part, that'd been buried forever and used to play hide and seek with imaginary friends, was bouncing up and down at the possibility that one of the adventures you daydreamed about back in school was actually happening.
The angry, repressed persona part of her was ready to throw a tantrum.
---
Souji was used to the jump by now, but that didn't change the ache upon impact. Wincing, he rubbed his arms to sooth the pain that had briefly risen up from them. He didn't devote all that much time to recuperating after his own landing, though -- turning to the young woman who was opining loudly about exactly how little she wanted this to be happening.
Souji frowned. Cry me a river. This is nothing.
"Here," he murmured, offering her his hand, "Get up. You'll get used to atmosphere soon." Feeling around in his pocket, he pulled out a pair of normal-appearing, black framed glasses and an equally innocuous pair of orange ones. He was just thankful he'd had the foresight to ask Yosuke to borrow these.
"Put these on," he nodded after slipping on his own, erasing the thick fog in an instant.
---
Fusae waved the hand away, because really, she wasn't about to let a highschooler help her up, even if he was just doing it out of politeness. Not for nothing, but she just didn't do that sort of thing. She eyed the glasses suspiciously enough, taking them out of Souji's hand as if they might just explode on her.
Sure, maybe glasses were just glasses, but she'd thought that about the TV before Seta had dragged her into one. And she wasn't going to take any chances now; she at least waited until Souji put his on and didn't get mangled horribly by them before carefully slipping them on. They were an obnoxious shade of orange, but not to the point where they were a painfully so, and she couldn't help her disbelieving grumble-almost-pout as she put them on.
...oh. OH. Hey, she could see. Well, that was a welcome change. The way the thick fog had dulled her eyesight had made it a bit easier on her headache, but no way she was ready to stumble around blind.
But never let it be said she was completely rude to the people who helped her out. Especially if it was true that Seta and his friends apparently HAD really saved her ass from supposedly-supernatural forces that had tried to kill her. Damn if she didn't owe him now."Thanks, kid-"
She hadn't paid any attention to the card floating menacingly behind her head - who would? - and the sharp snapping noise it made as it shattered in midair. She did notice the cold, muggy puff of air against her neck, the way it tousled her short hair. And the reflection of the massive, hulking serpentine form in the lenses of Seta's glasses.
"...fuck."
Not like Seta could hear it. She couldn't even hear herself around the shriek that Kuraokami let out, and she swore that her headache had just dissolved into a throbbing knot of wordless, swirling anger.
Kuraokami was damned before it would be ignored, ever again. And right now it was going to make sure of that, too.
---
Souji watched the young woman acclimate herself to their new surroundings. She seemed to be hesitant about everything, which surprised him a little. With each new person they brought into the TV, it was a little different. To be honest, Souji had expected Fusae to react something like Kanji had. Surprised, but quick to adapt. There was still time for that though, he thought, withdrawing his hand.
"Don't mentio-," Souji began appreciatively before his voice trailed off. He hadn't in a million years expected the eel to summon itself. The ashen boy had to take a step back -- it was a necessary act if he wanted to take in the beast as a whole. It's form was more solid now and less wavering around the edges. And it was louder. Much louder. Wincing, Souji managed to hold his ground, looking up at the monstrous persona and trying to recall the name that had been revealed upon the defeat of Fusae's shadow.
"Hello, Kuraokami," Souji spoke, louder than usual in an effort to keep his voice steady, "Feeling better?"
---
Thirty-something feet long, all sharp teeth and turbulent water and gaping jaws, and Seta just greeted Kuraokami as if the persona was simply a sick classmate. Had to give the boy props for that, really, you did. Hell, Fusae was more than impressed. She just watched the monstrous persona charge on by her, swimming through the air as if it were water and enjoying every second of it, with wide eyes and a sort of disbelief that something so... so primordial had just come out of her.
Kuraokami took a wild loop around the backlot of the TV before swooping in closer for the two humans -- Fusae could have sworn that it almost slowed down to gently brush against Seta's arm in a sort of thanks before it turned that eyeless face towards her.
"...What do you want?" Just don't back down. Look tough as you could manage, even if you were ready to fall to your knees at the very thought of those fangs biting into you. Or worse, if it just swallowed you in one goddamned gulp. She bet it could, even without trying too hard.
She flinched as Kuraokami bucked forwards in midair and shrieked again at her, the eel making sure that he was close enough for her to hear how the needle-sharp fangs unsheathed in front of her face. Close enough that all she could see was down into that bottomless whirlpool throat of his.
Every single nerve in her body was telling her to run, that Kuraokami was going to just eat her and be done with it. Only something deep down in her head told her that it wouldn't come just yet. Not if she wised up. And that was the only thing keeping her on her feet right now.
"...I take it I screwed up. A lot." Too bad her ears were ringing too hard for her to even hear herself talk.
---
Souji smiled a little as he watched the persona began it's triumphant victory lap around the sinister studio. It was like watching a very large, albeit very deadly, dog stretch its legs after a long summer in a kennel. One might even describe it as cute, if you were into the Giant Razor Toothed Eel thing. Souji's smile broadened at the slight nuzzle and chuckled softly -- Fusae must have a soft side after all.
But despite he and Kuraokami's repore, it was clear that the persona and it's host had some issues to work out. And those issues didn't, or at the very least shouldn't, concern him. Stepping back out of respect for their space (and it was quite a bit of space, considering the eel's gargantuan form), the teenager was content to simply watch.
Still, discreetly, the young man pulled a card from midair and held it securely in the palm of his hand. The soft warmth of the blue flames calmed him, as they always did -- after all, it was tangible proof that he could deal with whatever problems might potentially arise from the confrontation taking place in front of him. He'd seen a lot of things inside the TV, most of which he didn't understand, and if it was possible for a persona to devolve back into a shadow Souji wanted to be prepared.
---
Fusae didn't even pay much attention to how Seta had stepped back. Kuraokami didn't have a problem with him, after all; hell, if anything, the highschooler had a better relationship with her persona than she did. She was pretty certain he'd interrupt if she actually messed things up even more, at least bring what was left of her back out for her cousin to claim, it wouldn't be much. Besides, Kuraokami figured that the best way to get through to her was A) yell, B) show off those deadly pearly-whites, and C) give her a agitated headbump in the spirit of "No Shit" and knock the breath out of her.
It worked pretty damn well. It was exactly type of rough handling she was used to, and Fusae gritted her teeth as she forced her eyes to meet Kuraokami's glowing, watery... well, so long as she was looking at the persona and (stubbornly) on her feet despite being keeled over, she figured it counted.
"...R-right. Guess I did."
Kuraokami still wasn't amused, not by a long shot, and made sure to slowly surround the woman with the rest of it's body. Like she could escape it, even if she wanted to. Trying to run from the persona was like trying to run from herself. It knew everything, was always there, and was probably the only one that didn't care if it had to physically beat some sense into her. If Souji had thought that Kuraokami was proof that Fusae had a soft side to her, the persona was determined to prove that said soft side didn't have a place when it came to it's host being an ass.
And maybe that was why something started to click in her head. Something fell into place and started to make sense. Running from herself. Right. Only she'd never had a figment of her imagination actually fight back when she decided to push it out (not many people her age did, to be fair: those sorts of things tended to die out quietly, instead). She'd said she'd accepted it, that didn't mean she had to like it.
And she certainly hadn't liked the idea of any of this. It was beyond comfort zone - it'd started with her being kidnapped for god sakes. Kuraokami didn't care about that either, she knew. It wasn't going away, and would only get worse the more she tried to fight it.
Except that she better say something, or the persona looked ready to come around for another headbutt.
"Well, fine then. Fine; I fucked you over. I admit that. I... I owe you."
That didn't mean the eel got out of her face, though. If anything, it only seemed to hover closer, waiting. But the space in her head that the persona had carved a niche for itself out in, it seemed blessedly pain-free.
---
Souji's grip on the card tightened as the eel made contact with it's host, knocking Fusae off her foundation. She'd kept her footing though -- Souji noted, impressed despite himself. He hadn't met anyone like her before, even in the city. Slackening his hand once again, the young man took a deep breath to steady himself. The battle of wills between the monster and the young woman was quite the sight to watch, even for Souji. He'd seen so many people face their shadows in the past months that he assumed nothing could surprise him. But a human and their persona, not their shadow, facing off was something completely new. He couldn't help but wear a fascinated expression while he watched them square off.
Vaguely, he heard Fusae's tone turn to one of contrition. Almost instantly, the tightness in her face relaxed away. Souji was struck by the fact that she was...pretty this way. Huh.
"Are you alright," Souji asked, taking a step forward. He knew that the confrontation was over by the way Kurao had calmed, hovering silently now as it cast a blue glow on the two of them.
---
The eel darted forwards again at Souji's words, brushing against Fusae's shoulders as it swung around to (or what it seemed like) get a better look at the highschooler. Kuraokami even nudged it's head out towards the boy in a sort or welcoming manner, much more open to the attention than Fusae ever would be, exhausted and aching as she was; she rolled her eyes at the persona as she straightened up, breathing heavily from the headbutt to the gut.
"Yeah, I-I'm fine." Oh what a lie. Right about now, that hot bath and warm bed was all she was aiming at. She'd deal with the whole possessed-by-a-giant-eel-god-and-granted-awesome-powers deal tomorrow morning. Not like this would all disappear after giving her a killer headache for the past few weeks.
"...Thought I was... y'know, kinda old to have a...an imaginary friend or whatever it is. But, there you go," she huffed out, making a face at the rumbling from the watery eel at her back. "Stuck with 'im though, aren't I?"
She hesitantly reached a hand out to touch Kuraokami's watery skin, a feather-light touch against the cool blue, and seemed honestly surprised when the persona didn't budge but instead cut out it's sort-of-growl.
Maybe they'd be okay.
---
Souji actually smiled -- a real, noticeable one this time -- at Kurao's welcoming gesture. Returning it with a nod of his own, he took the invitation to come closer. The eel was beautiful, he found himself thinking -- still, it was surprising to see it at all. The persona of his friends had, for the most part, taken the form of humanoids. Strange humanoids, usually, but their form was familiar all the same. The only persona he'd seen that resembled these were his own wide assortment and...well, his.
That gave him a brief moment of pause, considering the young woman quietly out of the corner of his eye while she mused. He liked her, despite her aggressive nature. They both still stank of the city, they both stuck out in the town -- yes, Souji did like her. Huh.
"Yeah, you are," Souji replied, his smile returning as he pressed his own fingers to the eel almost timidly. The persona held all the sensation of being submerged in water with none of the actual wetness. Souji smiled wider and grew bold, running his hand gently across the sides of the giant beast. He had developed a fascination with personae -- mostly because he, himself, had so many. Each one had a personality and each one was special. Even if this one wasn't his own, Souji could still appreciate it in the same was as all the others.
---
"Go figure, then." She didn't quite make eye contact at the smiling highschooler, instead peering up at the massive persona, studying it almost. It wasn't as creepy-looking as you would think a giant eel would be. Sure, the teeth were a bit off-putting, but other than that....
She twitched a little as Seta brushed a hand against the eel's watery body. It didn't hurt, or anything like that; but there was a bit of a... a crackle of sorts, some little charge that bounced around her head where Kuraokami had made a home for itself. But the persona wasn't upset at all: it even leaned a bit into the hand against it, and Fusae sighed in exasperation.
This thing was going to be a handful. Like her. Great.
"So this is what kids do afterschool, now? Man, back when I was in school, kids like you joined chess club or somethin'." She shot Seta a smirk, easing up a little. Hey, she was just as crazy as he was, she figured. And it looked she was just as stuck with this kid as she was with Kuraokami.
---
Souji detected the slight wince, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. He knew the feeling well -- the vibrations of a persona in the throes of attack could be almost unbearable at first. As you grew used to it, you and your persona only became stronger. But it was a process, that was for sure, and the sharp twinge in your mind never left completely.
He wondered how Fu would handle. Some started out further along than others, after all.
"I'm terrible at chess," Souji answered with a hint of sarcasm, his attention still focused on the persona, "anyway, would you like to see mine?" He asked it casually, whipping up the flaming tarot as if it was a library card.
---
"Y'don't say... Would've pegged you as the type." Her smirk widened into an actual smile at the bit of sarcasm to his tone, and she raised an eyebrow at the smoldering tarot card. Kuraokami didn't care in the least (he was too busy enjoying the attention Seta was giving him, and Fusae already had a feeling that the persona was going to end up spoiled), so it wasn't like it'd be any weirder than it already was.
Besides, she was kind of curious. She hadn't really seen much of the kids' personas the first time around, seeing as she had been partially unconscious for good part of it. She gave a little nod and waving gesture at the highschooler, standing back a step or two to make room. Hey, maybe she wouldn't be the only one with a (awkwardly lovable) monster living in their head. Seta wasn't exactly the most expressive person, anyways, or what she had seen of him; he had a good head on his shoulders, unlike her.
"G'head, then."
---
Souji nodded appreciatively at the space provided, giving Kuraokami a light nudge over towards it's host (he enjoyed the eel's company, but it's girth was an unavoidable problem when he wanted to summon). Bracing himself as his countenance suddenly grew serious and determied, he crushed the card unceremoniously in one fist. The shards of card embedded themselves into his palm, but the pain only lasted a moment before a warm flame began to spread down his arm, engulfing the teenager in a matter of moments. The quiet, perpetually bemused tone of the boy had also changed in an instant to one of unbuckling authority, calling the name 'Izanagi' with guttural vigor.
In an instant, a large humanoid appeared. 10 feet tall, with broad shoulders and a large sword, there was a dignity that exuded from the persona that matched Souji's own. Quiet, steely, and powerful. The flames around the teenager subsided, though Izanagi still remained. He didn't need to be told not to attack -- after all, he was an extension of Souji's own mind. These were friends.
---
Fusae hadn't really expected anything in particular when Souji decided to let loose his own persona; and really, all she was getting at the moment were little tinges of discontentment from Kuraokami at the fact that Seta had stopped petting him. But even so, she hadn't quite expected something like the extra-large man ...robot, with it's sword and gangster coat, appearing out of the flames. She hadn't mean to flinch like she did, but how could she help her reflexes with all the fire and sharp objects popping out of nowhere?
"...It fits," she commented, quirking an eyebrow. She hadn't really thought anything so serious as the persona floating in front of her could match the sarcastic boy that it came from, but as soon as that tarot card had shattered things had changed completely. You apparently didn't fuck with Seta; you also didn't fuck with Izanagi, too, if the way Kuraokami dipped his head in observance and took obvious care to make more than enough room for the smaller persona was any indication.
Fusae shot him a wry little grin, as if to make up for the almost subservient way her persona was acting. "No wonder you're their fearless leader, eh?"
---
Souji nodded to the imperial figure that hovered over head, his dominating presence having little effect on the seemingly plain boy who stood beneath him. Bathed in the blue aura of his persona, Souji's ashen features took on a steely glint. Still, his smile remained calm and unfettered by the change in him. Izanagi, too, struck a unique balance between aloof and inviting as he bowed low to the two new faces.
"That's what they tell me," Souji chuckled with a hint of self-deprecation while Izanagi resumed his full height, "This is Izanagi. I have a few others, but he's mine in the way Kuraokami is yours." Souji ended his brief explanation without fuss or fanfare. Izanagi mirrored his hosts stoic quiet, holding his sword at his side with the air of a king or, more accurately, a god. Still, the slight surprise that flitted across Souji's features a moment was just barely catchable. He hadn't expected his persona to start speaking with him.
Thou hast found new blood in these acquisitions?
I don't know why you talk like that if you're supposed to be me. And yes, I think so. She hasn't said if she wants to join us yet.
Seta, thou art questioning mine authority yet again. Need I remind thou that I am-
-the father god of Japan, yes, I know. You never let me forget.
This thread of conversation tires me. Thine friends' strength -- has it been tested?
Not yet, no.
Perhaps thou shalt challenge them to a friendly spar? To further test thine abilities along side theirs.
...Maybe.
Souji's internal discussion must have caused the others to give pause -- the look of intense concentration he would get during those talks often confused those around him, but Souji brushed it off with as disarming a smile as he could muster.
"I was thinking, Miss Fusae -- do you have any interest in testing out thine-," Souji stopped short, blushing quickly, "'scuse me, your persona? I'll admit, I'm curious."
---
It was weird enough to have a supposed god bow to you, and Fusae couldn't help but slightly nod her head in return. Even weirder to have Seta just pause mid-conversation, as if there was a voice going on in his head, and totally fade out from reality.
Once he snapped out of it, though, it wasn't any less weird, with the messed-up slip of old dialog. But testing out Kuraokami? How could you test out a -- oh.
"Seta, are you actually talking about a fight? Really?" She planted a hand on one cocked hip, looking a little like the kid had actually toed the line. "Is that how you make friends or something around here, or do I just get special treatment?"
She liked to avoid beating on kids who were younger than her, really she did. But Kuraokami just seemed excited at the idea; the big eel was practically brimming with energy, and maybe if he was tired out... well, no chance of him acting up later. How else were you supposed to exhaust a thirty-something-foot eel aside from beating up on it a little?
"You do know I've had a pretty nasty day so far, right?"
So maybe by cracking her knuckles and giving Seta that nasty little smirk it was kind of her way of saying yes. So what?
---
Souji's eyes traveled from Kuraokami's writhing body to the face of the young woman. There was a glint in her eye that practically screamed 'take me down if you can'. Souji could identify with that. In fact, he returned her smirk with one of his own, cocking his head to the side in an almost playful manner before shifting his weight to his back foot in battle stance. Throwing his arm forward, the cool, authoritative voice quickly returned.
"Izanagi! Tarukaja!" The regal persona held up his sword like a scepter, bathing Souji in a sharp, yellow light. As if a gust of wind had blown up from the ground, the boy's clothing and hair were swept up into the air until the light slowly faded. Despite returning to normal, physically, there was a change in the atmosphere around the ash haired teenager. Power and strength seemed to glow from within him to such a magnified degree that it was tangible. Smiling easily, Souji held up a hand in some sort of small, half shrug.
---
She cocked her head at the little light show and raised an eyebrow at the Taruka-whatever thing, and gave him a curious look. "...Riiight."
Okay, it was weird as fuck, but whatever had happened, Seta sure as hell looked ten times better for a brawl because of it.
Fusae was used to street fights, to charging in and defending against punches or the (thankfully rare) knife or broken bottle. They were dirty, messy, and totally did not involve very large fragments of your mind using special skills or whatever from out of a super sentai show, or shouting those special skills aloud. Yes, you shouted out insults and come-ons, but it just wasn't the same; she doubted Seta would be too impressed or incised by a cheap pass at his mother, anyways.
Things were going to be different now, though, apparently. Because as soon as the older woman stretched her arms behind her back for a bit before bringing up her fists, Kuraokami had seemed to tune into her thoughts of "give the kid a good whack or two but don't hurt him too bad" and had dived straight into the ground like it was water. Gone. Sure, maybe neither Seta nor Izanagi could really sense the eel too well at this point, but Fusae knew exactly where it was, just as easily as she knew her own body.
Right now it was waiting for her to get a few test jabs out first, and sweep the kid hard. Who was she to keep it waiting, right? Besides, if Seta didn't catch that quick dash and hard left jab to the ribs, she'd be sorely disappointed.
---
Souji chuckled softly at Fusae's skeptical expression. When he, Yosuke, and Chie had first started training together they always called out their abilities. It was like learning a new card game -- you played a round with open faced hands first. Giving each other a slight warning helped prevent any serious damage from being done. Despite a persona and its hosts mind-to-mind link (which made communication instantaneous), the habit had persisted into battle.
However, once Kuraokami disappeared easily into the solid floor of the back lot, Souji realized he would not be receiving the same courtesy. Bracing himself for an unseen attacker, he had stopped paying attention to the young woman before him. It was an amateur mistake and one he felt rather embarrassed about.
Still, it was hard to care that much once the wind has been knocked out of you.
Gathering himself up quickly, he threw a hand forward -- if Fusae was going to be using the element of surprise, he would as well. A surge of electricity built up inside him before the blue flame returned, though a new charge was present as the flames licked against his skin.
Go easy, Izanagi.
Conducting that charge through his sword like a lightning rod, the persona fired a bolt of blue electricity from the tip, it's target clear.
---
Back home, even in practice scraps, surprise was everything. If you couldn't take a surprise smack from your friend, then obviously you weren't set to take a surprise punch to the face from someone who wanted you hurt. So as soon as she felt her fist make contact with Seta's ribs, she jumped right back as if she'd been hit herself, staring at the high schooler as if he'd just sprouted a second head. You didn't just ask for a fight and then space the hell out.
"Seta, the hell, kid? Pay more attenti-"
That was when every single cell in her brain started screaming at her to move. Not just plain instinct, because blasts of electricity weren't something you sat around for, but Kuraokami, too. Hell, what the fuck were things like that doing in a fight anyways? What was this, some kids' video game?
The snark in her head got cut short, though, as soon as the bolt hit her leg, her leap for cover not nearly fast enough. Suddenly it was like everything in her head exploded, and she hit the ground hard, muscles clenching outside of her control.
Holy fuck! It was a lightning bolt, yeah, fine, and she wasn't dead, which was a hundred times better than what she'd thought getting hit by lightning would be like. The static in her head from Kuraokami told her that for anyone else it normally wasn't supposed to hurt that bad, which was ridiculous, because it was lightning, but--
The eel persona dived right back out of the floor again with a pained groan, the massive shielded head hanging protectively over the woman on the floor. Kuraokami tilted it's head to an angle as Fusae finally felt her muscles relax and she dragged herself to her knees, limbs tingling unpleasantly.
"...The FUCK... was... that, Seta?" She shoved Kuraokami's questioning mug away like you would to a begging dog, as she staggered to her feet (and ignoring how her knees didn't want to keep her up. Whatever. They were just goddamn knees). God, they were a fucking pair, weren't they? "What are you fighting all the time that's so strong you need to fucking FRY them?"
---
Souji's eyes widened as he inhaled sharply. A lingering tingling sensation buzzed through his body, the pop and fizz of small charges slowly winding down. To him, they were warm, comforting bursts of energy. However, as his friends had learned before, touching Souji while his body was still winding down from an attack like this would result in a nasty shock.
However, Souji seemed to forget this as he held a hand up to Izanagi and walked briskly over to the young woman and her wounded persona. Had the adrenaline gotten to him? Unintentionally making the attack too strong? These and more questions danced through his mind once he drew closer. She was on her feet, miraculously, but her body was shaky and unbalanced.
"Are you alright?" he asked, ignoring her questions (there would be time for them later) as concerned colored his low, controlled tone. Pulling another card from an invisible deck, Souji waited patiently for her answer while, instinctively, laying his charged hand upon the young woman's shoulder.
---
Kuraokami didn't want to leave her alone, hovering over her like a protective mother hen despite her complaints (verbal and mental). The eel did plaintively tilt it's head towards to Souji as the highschooler walked over, obviously worried about the woman who was his host. Fusae shrugged off the persona's nudge to her hip, glad that her legs seemed to be less the consistency of wet noodles and of actual use to keeping her up.
"Oh, I'm fucking peachy, Seta. Never been--nngh!"
Oh god ow ow that wasn't just a shock. That was a fucking live wire that he had to have just touched her with. How the hell was the kid not dead by now? Kuraokami's groan drowned out the rest of the cursing she let out, and her mind exploded in static and the feeling she better stop fooling around with all the goddamn electricity, right now.
---
The slight prick in his finger tips as he laid them against Fusae's shoulder, coupled with her sudden lurch forward and the groan of the eel, made Souji draw his hand away in panic. How could so much go wrong so quickly?
"Shit! I'm sorry!" he cried, voice higher pitched and very distant from the calm, strong, commanding voice from before. He just sounded like...well, a kid. A kid who had made a stupid mistake and was feeling rather idiotic. Crushing the card in his hand quickly, Izanagi disappeared and a watery, calming presence overtook the room. A beautiful woman rose out of the wide eyed teenage boy, scarves coiling around her naked legs as she danced to an absent rhythm. Pressing a hand to Fusae's shoulder once again, the electricity from before was replaced with a gentle warmth as Souji muttered something to the Persona under his breath. A blue light engulfed them both for a few moments before fading once again. Pulling back, Souji nodded to the spritely Persona, who merely giggled noiselessly in return.
"Thank you, Apsaras," he turned back to the woman before him, voice still noticeably remorseful, "Do you feel any better, Miss Fusae?"
---
If she wasn't currently feeling the tingle of electricity in every single bone and organ right now, Fusae would have almost laughed at the way he'd so easily changed from that impressive iron will to apologetically fumbling. As it was, she was already a bit wide-eyed from the way Izanagi disappeared and was replaced by an apparently very exotic dancer. In all senses of the word.
...Wow. That was kiiinda ... yeah. She didn't care how Kuraokami groaned about respect for supposed mythological figures, in her head. It wasn't every day you saw a blue-skinned, half-naked woman cha-cha her way out of a teenage boy's head.
Even more pressing, that hand was coming down to her shoulder again, and Fusae's eyes widened. "Hell no, Se-" It was about as far as she could get in her balking, before the odd warmth spread from his fingers, soothing everywhere the electricity had left a tingly, jittery mess. Even more impressive, the effects seemed to reach Kuraokami too, who was looking almost as energetic as his first loop around the back lot.
"Y-yeah. ...Weirdly enough," She replied. Haltingly, because if she hadn't lived through it she wouldn't have believed the last five or ten minutes, herself. What had she just gotten herself involved in, even just by knowing the high schooler? "Juuust... no more fucking lightning, alright? Keepin' away from that."
Kuraokami didn't share any of her trepidation, though, and shoved his head past Fusae in order to gently nudge the tip of his intimidating muzzle to Souji's hand in thanks, not caring how she rolled her eyes or muttered a very annoyed "ohforgodssake" under her breath at the persona's behavior.
To be fair, she probably should have listened to Seta better. When he said it was going to be a fall, he wasn't goddamn kidding. Tuck and roll could only do so much, first when you hit the ground, and second when you came to a stop, coughing and gasping for air.
Except that this was eerily familiar, and while her brain raced to just reject the heavily stagnant air, the pressure on her body, Fusae just let out a frustrated groan, not caring if Seta heard.
"Oh, fuck my life. It couldn't be a damn dream, could it? Jus' once."
The adult part of her was angry and convinced she was fucked. The little kid part, that'd been buried forever and used to play hide and seek with imaginary friends, was bouncing up and down at the possibility that one of the adventures you daydreamed about back in school was actually happening.
The angry, repressed persona part of her was ready to throw a tantrum.
---
Souji was used to the jump by now, but that didn't change the ache upon impact. Wincing, he rubbed his arms to sooth the pain that had briefly risen up from them. He didn't devote all that much time to recuperating after his own landing, though -- turning to the young woman who was opining loudly about exactly how little she wanted this to be happening.
Souji frowned. Cry me a river. This is nothing.
"Here," he murmured, offering her his hand, "Get up. You'll get used to atmosphere soon." Feeling around in his pocket, he pulled out a pair of normal-appearing, black framed glasses and an equally innocuous pair of orange ones. He was just thankful he'd had the foresight to ask Yosuke to borrow these.
"Put these on," he nodded after slipping on his own, erasing the thick fog in an instant.
---
Fusae waved the hand away, because really, she wasn't about to let a highschooler help her up, even if he was just doing it out of politeness. Not for nothing, but she just didn't do that sort of thing. She eyed the glasses suspiciously enough, taking them out of Souji's hand as if they might just explode on her.
Sure, maybe glasses were just glasses, but she'd thought that about the TV before Seta had dragged her into one. And she wasn't going to take any chances now; she at least waited until Souji put his on and didn't get mangled horribly by them before carefully slipping them on. They were an obnoxious shade of orange, but not to the point where they were a painfully so, and she couldn't help her disbelieving grumble-almost-pout as she put them on.
...oh. OH. Hey, she could see. Well, that was a welcome change. The way the thick fog had dulled her eyesight had made it a bit easier on her headache, but no way she was ready to stumble around blind.
But never let it be said she was completely rude to the people who helped her out. Especially if it was true that Seta and his friends apparently HAD really saved her ass from supposedly-supernatural forces that had tried to kill her. Damn if she didn't owe him now."Thanks, kid-"
She hadn't paid any attention to the card floating menacingly behind her head - who would? - and the sharp snapping noise it made as it shattered in midair. She did notice the cold, muggy puff of air against her neck, the way it tousled her short hair. And the reflection of the massive, hulking serpentine form in the lenses of Seta's glasses.
"...fuck."
Not like Seta could hear it. She couldn't even hear herself around the shriek that Kuraokami let out, and she swore that her headache had just dissolved into a throbbing knot of wordless, swirling anger.
Kuraokami was damned before it would be ignored, ever again. And right now it was going to make sure of that, too.
---
Souji watched the young woman acclimate herself to their new surroundings. She seemed to be hesitant about everything, which surprised him a little. With each new person they brought into the TV, it was a little different. To be honest, Souji had expected Fusae to react something like Kanji had. Surprised, but quick to adapt. There was still time for that though, he thought, withdrawing his hand.
"Don't mentio-," Souji began appreciatively before his voice trailed off. He hadn't in a million years expected the eel to summon itself. The ashen boy had to take a step back -- it was a necessary act if he wanted to take in the beast as a whole. It's form was more solid now and less wavering around the edges. And it was louder. Much louder. Wincing, Souji managed to hold his ground, looking up at the monstrous persona and trying to recall the name that had been revealed upon the defeat of Fusae's shadow.
"Hello, Kuraokami," Souji spoke, louder than usual in an effort to keep his voice steady, "Feeling better?"
---
Thirty-something feet long, all sharp teeth and turbulent water and gaping jaws, and Seta just greeted Kuraokami as if the persona was simply a sick classmate. Had to give the boy props for that, really, you did. Hell, Fusae was more than impressed. She just watched the monstrous persona charge on by her, swimming through the air as if it were water and enjoying every second of it, with wide eyes and a sort of disbelief that something so... so primordial had just come out of her.
Kuraokami took a wild loop around the backlot of the TV before swooping in closer for the two humans -- Fusae could have sworn that it almost slowed down to gently brush against Seta's arm in a sort of thanks before it turned that eyeless face towards her.
"...What do you want?" Just don't back down. Look tough as you could manage, even if you were ready to fall to your knees at the very thought of those fangs biting into you. Or worse, if it just swallowed you in one goddamned gulp. She bet it could, even without trying too hard.
She flinched as Kuraokami bucked forwards in midair and shrieked again at her, the eel making sure that he was close enough for her to hear how the needle-sharp fangs unsheathed in front of her face. Close enough that all she could see was down into that bottomless whirlpool throat of his.
Every single nerve in her body was telling her to run, that Kuraokami was going to just eat her and be done with it. Only something deep down in her head told her that it wouldn't come just yet. Not if she wised up. And that was the only thing keeping her on her feet right now.
"...I take it I screwed up. A lot." Too bad her ears were ringing too hard for her to even hear herself talk.
---
Souji smiled a little as he watched the persona began it's triumphant victory lap around the sinister studio. It was like watching a very large, albeit very deadly, dog stretch its legs after a long summer in a kennel. One might even describe it as cute, if you were into the Giant Razor Toothed Eel thing. Souji's smile broadened at the slight nuzzle and chuckled softly -- Fusae must have a soft side after all.
But despite he and Kuraokami's repore, it was clear that the persona and it's host had some issues to work out. And those issues didn't, or at the very least shouldn't, concern him. Stepping back out of respect for their space (and it was quite a bit of space, considering the eel's gargantuan form), the teenager was content to simply watch.
Still, discreetly, the young man pulled a card from midair and held it securely in the palm of his hand. The soft warmth of the blue flames calmed him, as they always did -- after all, it was tangible proof that he could deal with whatever problems might potentially arise from the confrontation taking place in front of him. He'd seen a lot of things inside the TV, most of which he didn't understand, and if it was possible for a persona to devolve back into a shadow Souji wanted to be prepared.
---
Fusae didn't even pay much attention to how Seta had stepped back. Kuraokami didn't have a problem with him, after all; hell, if anything, the highschooler had a better relationship with her persona than she did. She was pretty certain he'd interrupt if she actually messed things up even more, at least bring what was left of her back out for her cousin to claim, it wouldn't be much. Besides, Kuraokami figured that the best way to get through to her was A) yell, B) show off those deadly pearly-whites, and C) give her a agitated headbump in the spirit of "No Shit" and knock the breath out of her.
It worked pretty damn well. It was exactly type of rough handling she was used to, and Fusae gritted her teeth as she forced her eyes to meet Kuraokami's glowing, watery... well, so long as she was looking at the persona and (stubbornly) on her feet despite being keeled over, she figured it counted.
"...R-right. Guess I did."
Kuraokami still wasn't amused, not by a long shot, and made sure to slowly surround the woman with the rest of it's body. Like she could escape it, even if she wanted to. Trying to run from the persona was like trying to run from herself. It knew everything, was always there, and was probably the only one that didn't care if it had to physically beat some sense into her. If Souji had thought that Kuraokami was proof that Fusae had a soft side to her, the persona was determined to prove that said soft side didn't have a place when it came to it's host being an ass.
And maybe that was why something started to click in her head. Something fell into place and started to make sense. Running from herself. Right. Only she'd never had a figment of her imagination actually fight back when she decided to push it out (not many people her age did, to be fair: those sorts of things tended to die out quietly, instead). She'd said she'd accepted it, that didn't mean she had to like it.
And she certainly hadn't liked the idea of any of this. It was beyond comfort zone - it'd started with her being kidnapped for god sakes. Kuraokami didn't care about that either, she knew. It wasn't going away, and would only get worse the more she tried to fight it.
Except that she better say something, or the persona looked ready to come around for another headbutt.
"Well, fine then. Fine; I fucked you over. I admit that. I... I owe you."
That didn't mean the eel got out of her face, though. If anything, it only seemed to hover closer, waiting. But the space in her head that the persona had carved a niche for itself out in, it seemed blessedly pain-free.
---
Souji's grip on the card tightened as the eel made contact with it's host, knocking Fusae off her foundation. She'd kept her footing though -- Souji noted, impressed despite himself. He hadn't met anyone like her before, even in the city. Slackening his hand once again, the young man took a deep breath to steady himself. The battle of wills between the monster and the young woman was quite the sight to watch, even for Souji. He'd seen so many people face their shadows in the past months that he assumed nothing could surprise him. But a human and their persona, not their shadow, facing off was something completely new. He couldn't help but wear a fascinated expression while he watched them square off.
Vaguely, he heard Fusae's tone turn to one of contrition. Almost instantly, the tightness in her face relaxed away. Souji was struck by the fact that she was...pretty this way. Huh.
"Are you alright," Souji asked, taking a step forward. He knew that the confrontation was over by the way Kurao had calmed, hovering silently now as it cast a blue glow on the two of them.
---
The eel darted forwards again at Souji's words, brushing against Fusae's shoulders as it swung around to (or what it seemed like) get a better look at the highschooler. Kuraokami even nudged it's head out towards the boy in a sort or welcoming manner, much more open to the attention than Fusae ever would be, exhausted and aching as she was; she rolled her eyes at the persona as she straightened up, breathing heavily from the headbutt to the gut.
"Yeah, I-I'm fine." Oh what a lie. Right about now, that hot bath and warm bed was all she was aiming at. She'd deal with the whole possessed-by-a-giant-eel-god-and-granted-awesome-powers deal tomorrow morning. Not like this would all disappear after giving her a killer headache for the past few weeks.
"...Thought I was... y'know, kinda old to have a...an imaginary friend or whatever it is. But, there you go," she huffed out, making a face at the rumbling from the watery eel at her back. "Stuck with 'im though, aren't I?"
She hesitantly reached a hand out to touch Kuraokami's watery skin, a feather-light touch against the cool blue, and seemed honestly surprised when the persona didn't budge but instead cut out it's sort-of-growl.
Maybe they'd be okay.
---
Souji actually smiled -- a real, noticeable one this time -- at Kurao's welcoming gesture. Returning it with a nod of his own, he took the invitation to come closer. The eel was beautiful, he found himself thinking -- still, it was surprising to see it at all. The persona of his friends had, for the most part, taken the form of humanoids. Strange humanoids, usually, but their form was familiar all the same. The only persona he'd seen that resembled these were his own wide assortment and...well, his.
That gave him a brief moment of pause, considering the young woman quietly out of the corner of his eye while she mused. He liked her, despite her aggressive nature. They both still stank of the city, they both stuck out in the town -- yes, Souji did like her. Huh.
"Yeah, you are," Souji replied, his smile returning as he pressed his own fingers to the eel almost timidly. The persona held all the sensation of being submerged in water with none of the actual wetness. Souji smiled wider and grew bold, running his hand gently across the sides of the giant beast. He had developed a fascination with personae -- mostly because he, himself, had so many. Each one had a personality and each one was special. Even if this one wasn't his own, Souji could still appreciate it in the same was as all the others.
---
"Go figure, then." She didn't quite make eye contact at the smiling highschooler, instead peering up at the massive persona, studying it almost. It wasn't as creepy-looking as you would think a giant eel would be. Sure, the teeth were a bit off-putting, but other than that....
She twitched a little as Seta brushed a hand against the eel's watery body. It didn't hurt, or anything like that; but there was a bit of a... a crackle of sorts, some little charge that bounced around her head where Kuraokami had made a home for itself. But the persona wasn't upset at all: it even leaned a bit into the hand against it, and Fusae sighed in exasperation.
This thing was going to be a handful. Like her. Great.
"So this is what kids do afterschool, now? Man, back when I was in school, kids like you joined chess club or somethin'." She shot Seta a smirk, easing up a little. Hey, she was just as crazy as he was, she figured. And it looked she was just as stuck with this kid as she was with Kuraokami.
---
Souji detected the slight wince, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. He knew the feeling well -- the vibrations of a persona in the throes of attack could be almost unbearable at first. As you grew used to it, you and your persona only became stronger. But it was a process, that was for sure, and the sharp twinge in your mind never left completely.
He wondered how Fu would handle. Some started out further along than others, after all.
"I'm terrible at chess," Souji answered with a hint of sarcasm, his attention still focused on the persona, "anyway, would you like to see mine?" He asked it casually, whipping up the flaming tarot as if it was a library card.
---
"Y'don't say... Would've pegged you as the type." Her smirk widened into an actual smile at the bit of sarcasm to his tone, and she raised an eyebrow at the smoldering tarot card. Kuraokami didn't care in the least (he was too busy enjoying the attention Seta was giving him, and Fusae already had a feeling that the persona was going to end up spoiled), so it wasn't like it'd be any weirder than it already was.
Besides, she was kind of curious. She hadn't really seen much of the kids' personas the first time around, seeing as she had been partially unconscious for good part of it. She gave a little nod and waving gesture at the highschooler, standing back a step or two to make room. Hey, maybe she wouldn't be the only one with a (awkwardly lovable) monster living in their head. Seta wasn't exactly the most expressive person, anyways, or what she had seen of him; he had a good head on his shoulders, unlike her.
"G'head, then."
---
Souji nodded appreciatively at the space provided, giving Kuraokami a light nudge over towards it's host (he enjoyed the eel's company, but it's girth was an unavoidable problem when he wanted to summon). Bracing himself as his countenance suddenly grew serious and determied, he crushed the card unceremoniously in one fist. The shards of card embedded themselves into his palm, but the pain only lasted a moment before a warm flame began to spread down his arm, engulfing the teenager in a matter of moments. The quiet, perpetually bemused tone of the boy had also changed in an instant to one of unbuckling authority, calling the name 'Izanagi' with guttural vigor.
In an instant, a large humanoid appeared. 10 feet tall, with broad shoulders and a large sword, there was a dignity that exuded from the persona that matched Souji's own. Quiet, steely, and powerful. The flames around the teenager subsided, though Izanagi still remained. He didn't need to be told not to attack -- after all, he was an extension of Souji's own mind. These were friends.
---
Fusae hadn't really expected anything in particular when Souji decided to let loose his own persona; and really, all she was getting at the moment were little tinges of discontentment from Kuraokami at the fact that Seta had stopped petting him. But even so, she hadn't quite expected something like the extra-large man ...robot, with it's sword and gangster coat, appearing out of the flames. She hadn't mean to flinch like she did, but how could she help her reflexes with all the fire and sharp objects popping out of nowhere?
"...It fits," she commented, quirking an eyebrow. She hadn't really thought anything so serious as the persona floating in front of her could match the sarcastic boy that it came from, but as soon as that tarot card had shattered things had changed completely. You apparently didn't fuck with Seta; you also didn't fuck with Izanagi, too, if the way Kuraokami dipped his head in observance and took obvious care to make more than enough room for the smaller persona was any indication.
Fusae shot him a wry little grin, as if to make up for the almost subservient way her persona was acting. "No wonder you're their fearless leader, eh?"
---
Souji nodded to the imperial figure that hovered over head, his dominating presence having little effect on the seemingly plain boy who stood beneath him. Bathed in the blue aura of his persona, Souji's ashen features took on a steely glint. Still, his smile remained calm and unfettered by the change in him. Izanagi, too, struck a unique balance between aloof and inviting as he bowed low to the two new faces.
"That's what they tell me," Souji chuckled with a hint of self-deprecation while Izanagi resumed his full height, "This is Izanagi. I have a few others, but he's mine in the way Kuraokami is yours." Souji ended his brief explanation without fuss or fanfare. Izanagi mirrored his hosts stoic quiet, holding his sword at his side with the air of a king or, more accurately, a god. Still, the slight surprise that flitted across Souji's features a moment was just barely catchable. He hadn't expected his persona to start speaking with him.
Thou hast found new blood in these acquisitions?
I don't know why you talk like that if you're supposed to be me. And yes, I think so. She hasn't said if she wants to join us yet.
Seta, thou art questioning mine authority yet again. Need I remind thou that I am-
-the father god of Japan, yes, I know. You never let me forget.
This thread of conversation tires me. Thine friends' strength -- has it been tested?
Not yet, no.
Perhaps thou shalt challenge them to a friendly spar? To further test thine abilities along side theirs.
...Maybe.
Souji's internal discussion must have caused the others to give pause -- the look of intense concentration he would get during those talks often confused those around him, but Souji brushed it off with as disarming a smile as he could muster.
"I was thinking, Miss Fusae -- do you have any interest in testing out thine-," Souji stopped short, blushing quickly, "'scuse me, your persona? I'll admit, I'm curious."
---
It was weird enough to have a supposed god bow to you, and Fusae couldn't help but slightly nod her head in return. Even weirder to have Seta just pause mid-conversation, as if there was a voice going on in his head, and totally fade out from reality.
Once he snapped out of it, though, it wasn't any less weird, with the messed-up slip of old dialog. But testing out Kuraokami? How could you test out a -- oh.
"Seta, are you actually talking about a fight? Really?" She planted a hand on one cocked hip, looking a little like the kid had actually toed the line. "Is that how you make friends or something around here, or do I just get special treatment?"
She liked to avoid beating on kids who were younger than her, really she did. But Kuraokami just seemed excited at the idea; the big eel was practically brimming with energy, and maybe if he was tired out... well, no chance of him acting up later. How else were you supposed to exhaust a thirty-something-foot eel aside from beating up on it a little?
"You do know I've had a pretty nasty day so far, right?"
So maybe by cracking her knuckles and giving Seta that nasty little smirk it was kind of her way of saying yes. So what?
---
Souji's eyes traveled from Kuraokami's writhing body to the face of the young woman. There was a glint in her eye that practically screamed 'take me down if you can'. Souji could identify with that. In fact, he returned her smirk with one of his own, cocking his head to the side in an almost playful manner before shifting his weight to his back foot in battle stance. Throwing his arm forward, the cool, authoritative voice quickly returned.
"Izanagi! Tarukaja!" The regal persona held up his sword like a scepter, bathing Souji in a sharp, yellow light. As if a gust of wind had blown up from the ground, the boy's clothing and hair were swept up into the air until the light slowly faded. Despite returning to normal, physically, there was a change in the atmosphere around the ash haired teenager. Power and strength seemed to glow from within him to such a magnified degree that it was tangible. Smiling easily, Souji held up a hand in some sort of small, half shrug.
---
She cocked her head at the little light show and raised an eyebrow at the Taruka-whatever thing, and gave him a curious look. "...Riiight."
Okay, it was weird as fuck, but whatever had happened, Seta sure as hell looked ten times better for a brawl because of it.
Fusae was used to street fights, to charging in and defending against punches or the (thankfully rare) knife or broken bottle. They were dirty, messy, and totally did not involve very large fragments of your mind using special skills or whatever from out of a super sentai show, or shouting those special skills aloud. Yes, you shouted out insults and come-ons, but it just wasn't the same; she doubted Seta would be too impressed or incised by a cheap pass at his mother, anyways.
Things were going to be different now, though, apparently. Because as soon as the older woman stretched her arms behind her back for a bit before bringing up her fists, Kuraokami had seemed to tune into her thoughts of "give the kid a good whack or two but don't hurt him too bad" and had dived straight into the ground like it was water. Gone. Sure, maybe neither Seta nor Izanagi could really sense the eel too well at this point, but Fusae knew exactly where it was, just as easily as she knew her own body.
Right now it was waiting for her to get a few test jabs out first, and sweep the kid hard. Who was she to keep it waiting, right? Besides, if Seta didn't catch that quick dash and hard left jab to the ribs, she'd be sorely disappointed.
---
Souji chuckled softly at Fusae's skeptical expression. When he, Yosuke, and Chie had first started training together they always called out their abilities. It was like learning a new card game -- you played a round with open faced hands first. Giving each other a slight warning helped prevent any serious damage from being done. Despite a persona and its hosts mind-to-mind link (which made communication instantaneous), the habit had persisted into battle.
However, once Kuraokami disappeared easily into the solid floor of the back lot, Souji realized he would not be receiving the same courtesy. Bracing himself for an unseen attacker, he had stopped paying attention to the young woman before him. It was an amateur mistake and one he felt rather embarrassed about.
Still, it was hard to care that much once the wind has been knocked out of you.
Gathering himself up quickly, he threw a hand forward -- if Fusae was going to be using the element of surprise, he would as well. A surge of electricity built up inside him before the blue flame returned, though a new charge was present as the flames licked against his skin.
Go easy, Izanagi.
Conducting that charge through his sword like a lightning rod, the persona fired a bolt of blue electricity from the tip, it's target clear.
---
Back home, even in practice scraps, surprise was everything. If you couldn't take a surprise smack from your friend, then obviously you weren't set to take a surprise punch to the face from someone who wanted you hurt. So as soon as she felt her fist make contact with Seta's ribs, she jumped right back as if she'd been hit herself, staring at the high schooler as if he'd just sprouted a second head. You didn't just ask for a fight and then space the hell out.
"Seta, the hell, kid? Pay more attenti-"
That was when every single cell in her brain started screaming at her to move. Not just plain instinct, because blasts of electricity weren't something you sat around for, but Kuraokami, too. Hell, what the fuck were things like that doing in a fight anyways? What was this, some kids' video game?
The snark in her head got cut short, though, as soon as the bolt hit her leg, her leap for cover not nearly fast enough. Suddenly it was like everything in her head exploded, and she hit the ground hard, muscles clenching outside of her control.
Holy fuck! It was a lightning bolt, yeah, fine, and she wasn't dead, which was a hundred times better than what she'd thought getting hit by lightning would be like. The static in her head from Kuraokami told her that for anyone else it normally wasn't supposed to hurt that bad, which was ridiculous, because it was lightning, but--
The eel persona dived right back out of the floor again with a pained groan, the massive shielded head hanging protectively over the woman on the floor. Kuraokami tilted it's head to an angle as Fusae finally felt her muscles relax and she dragged herself to her knees, limbs tingling unpleasantly.
"...The FUCK... was... that, Seta?" She shoved Kuraokami's questioning mug away like you would to a begging dog, as she staggered to her feet (and ignoring how her knees didn't want to keep her up. Whatever. They were just goddamn knees). God, they were a fucking pair, weren't they? "What are you fighting all the time that's so strong you need to fucking FRY them?"
---
Souji's eyes widened as he inhaled sharply. A lingering tingling sensation buzzed through his body, the pop and fizz of small charges slowly winding down. To him, they were warm, comforting bursts of energy. However, as his friends had learned before, touching Souji while his body was still winding down from an attack like this would result in a nasty shock.
However, Souji seemed to forget this as he held a hand up to Izanagi and walked briskly over to the young woman and her wounded persona. Had the adrenaline gotten to him? Unintentionally making the attack too strong? These and more questions danced through his mind once he drew closer. She was on her feet, miraculously, but her body was shaky and unbalanced.
"Are you alright?" he asked, ignoring her questions (there would be time for them later) as concerned colored his low, controlled tone. Pulling another card from an invisible deck, Souji waited patiently for her answer while, instinctively, laying his charged hand upon the young woman's shoulder.
---
Kuraokami didn't want to leave her alone, hovering over her like a protective mother hen despite her complaints (verbal and mental). The eel did plaintively tilt it's head towards to Souji as the highschooler walked over, obviously worried about the woman who was his host. Fusae shrugged off the persona's nudge to her hip, glad that her legs seemed to be less the consistency of wet noodles and of actual use to keeping her up.
"Oh, I'm fucking peachy, Seta. Never been--nngh!"
Oh god ow ow that wasn't just a shock. That was a fucking live wire that he had to have just touched her with. How the hell was the kid not dead by now? Kuraokami's groan drowned out the rest of the cursing she let out, and her mind exploded in static and the feeling she better stop fooling around with all the goddamn electricity, right now.
---
The slight prick in his finger tips as he laid them against Fusae's shoulder, coupled with her sudden lurch forward and the groan of the eel, made Souji draw his hand away in panic. How could so much go wrong so quickly?
"Shit! I'm sorry!" he cried, voice higher pitched and very distant from the calm, strong, commanding voice from before. He just sounded like...well, a kid. A kid who had made a stupid mistake and was feeling rather idiotic. Crushing the card in his hand quickly, Izanagi disappeared and a watery, calming presence overtook the room. A beautiful woman rose out of the wide eyed teenage boy, scarves coiling around her naked legs as she danced to an absent rhythm. Pressing a hand to Fusae's shoulder once again, the electricity from before was replaced with a gentle warmth as Souji muttered something to the Persona under his breath. A blue light engulfed them both for a few moments before fading once again. Pulling back, Souji nodded to the spritely Persona, who merely giggled noiselessly in return.
"Thank you, Apsaras," he turned back to the woman before him, voice still noticeably remorseful, "Do you feel any better, Miss Fusae?"
---
If she wasn't currently feeling the tingle of electricity in every single bone and organ right now, Fusae would have almost laughed at the way he'd so easily changed from that impressive iron will to apologetically fumbling. As it was, she was already a bit wide-eyed from the way Izanagi disappeared and was replaced by an apparently very exotic dancer. In all senses of the word.
...Wow. That was kiiinda ... yeah. She didn't care how Kuraokami groaned about respect for supposed mythological figures, in her head. It wasn't every day you saw a blue-skinned, half-naked woman cha-cha her way out of a teenage boy's head.
Even more pressing, that hand was coming down to her shoulder again, and Fusae's eyes widened. "Hell no, Se-" It was about as far as she could get in her balking, before the odd warmth spread from his fingers, soothing everywhere the electricity had left a tingly, jittery mess. Even more impressive, the effects seemed to reach Kuraokami too, who was looking almost as energetic as his first loop around the back lot.
"Y-yeah. ...Weirdly enough," She replied. Haltingly, because if she hadn't lived through it she wouldn't have believed the last five or ten minutes, herself. What had she just gotten herself involved in, even just by knowing the high schooler? "Juuust... no more fucking lightning, alright? Keepin' away from that."
Kuraokami didn't share any of her trepidation, though, and shoved his head past Fusae in order to gently nudge the tip of his intimidating muzzle to Souji's hand in thanks, not caring how she rolled her eyes or muttered a very annoyed "ohforgodssake" under her breath at the persona's behavior.