expiationlogs | [open/mingle] a light in the darkness

Entry tags:

[open/mingle] a light in the darkness

Who: any and everyone!
Where: astralin's farmhouse
What: mingle log for post-blackout!
Warnings: y'all tell me, please be good and don't break the house :(

If she hadn't been at the party, Kotone wouldn't have even known about the extent of the blackout. Sure, it's inconvenient, considering a lot of the lights are electric, and the fridge is, of course, powered by electricity as well, but the farmhouse she'd taken over from Astralin is an older and more traditional building. The main heat sources are the fireplaces strategically placed throughout the building -- a large one in the living space, a smaller one in the kitchen along with a wood-burning stove, and another large central one upstairs to help heat the bedrooms -- and the geothermal hot springs on the land. With the cold weather and snow on the ground, it's easy to take the food from the fridge and leave it outside in a locked box away from wild animals, but aside from the inconvenience of resorting to the candles and lanterns that were stockpiled in the basement, the farmhouse itself survives relatively unscathed!

Therefore, not long after the blast, Kotone sends a video message over the (charm) network inviting anyone who wants to take shelter from the cold, or even just cook some food, to come to Astralin's farmhouse on the edge of town for as long as they want or need.

She won't even make anyone help out on the farm. Probably!

1. Rural Snapshot
Power might go out, but life on the farm doesn't stop for something like that! The old wood stoves in the barn need to be cleaned up and made ready for use to keep the animals warm, and the animals still need to be taken care of. Goats, sheep, cows, chickens (a particularly big and brave one has the tiniest leather collar and a tag that says her name is "Scramble," and her friends Benedict and Sunny aren't far behind. They are Not For Eating (though their eggs are!))

Kotone won't make anyone help her with the farm chores of cleaning the barn, feeding the animals, or generally keeping things up and running, but she definitely won't turn down the help, either, giving pointers so the new folk don't completely muck it up (sometimes literally).

With the snow and general chill, there's not much to do with the crops themselves. Everyone is safe from the fields for now!

2. Potluck and BYOB (chef's recommendation: hot cocoa)
The farmhouse is not the inn -- Kotone has some food prepped and stored, with preserves from the fall harvest one of the key features, but it's not meant to feed the whole town. Thus, Kotone's going to request that anyone coming to stay at the farmhouse bring either raw ingredients or something they've made to share with any other hapless souls. Feel free to use the kitchen to cook, or get some help from someone else with cooking!

The wood-burning stove in the kitchen is perfect for heating up cocoa or wine, and there's room to get close with someone in front of any of the fireplaces. Like, it's encouraged to get close. It's a big farmhouse, but not that big. Make a friend! Share some warmth! The couches are cozy and comfortable, and if someone dozes off, well, Kotone won't be the one waking anyone up.

If someone would prefer to sleep in a bed, there are some bedrooms upstairs! One is, of course, sharing the room with plants. They're benign, normal plants, from potted flowers to hanging vines, but they are everywhere. Kotone herself doesn't have much of a green thumb other than keeping the plants watered and in view of sunlight, but the plants themselves seem to be flourishing throughout the farmhouse either way. It's almost as if someone (Astralin) had used magic to keep them growing strong and healthy, even indoors.

Oh, and speaking of sharing, again, the farmhouse isn't the inn. Expect to be sharing a space with someone else. Maybe a few people! Cozy up and make a new friend. It's better than freezing to death, right?

3. Hot Springs Episode
There are natural hot springs on the farmland that have been developed to mimic a Japanese onsen in places. The air might be cold and dark, but there are candles and lanterns around the springs to light it, and the water is nice and warm, perfect for those chill nights.

There are rules posted -- namely, clean yourself before going to soak -- and while there are separate bathing spaces for genders, Kotone doesn't really care too much about mixed bathing as long as everyone is respectful about it. Others may not be so casual about it, though, so one has to venture across at their own risk!

[ooc: This is a mingle! Feel free to use these prompts as inspiration or make your own. The only request I have is not to completely destroy the farmhouse or harm the animals -- anything else, go wild!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Akira is realizing their height difference as he stands back at his usual slouch, and his mouth quirks in a very brief grin with a quick nod, the quirk of his mouth likely hidden behind his hand still twisting his hair.] Just Akira is fine for me, too.

[Another nod-- it's sort of crazy how Aldrip has completely changed his scope on things. It's not exactly that he figured he and his friends were the only Persona users out there, but even Morgana had seemed so startled by his strange ability to wield multiple, so it surprises him there are four of them, in total, thusfar.]

[It's oddly comforting to no longer be the only anomaly.]

[His gaze drops back to Barong and he smiles again, finally moving his hand, and nods again.] What arcana? He was Emperor, for me.

[ He nods too, acknowledging Akira's addendum to his introduction. Everyone's used their first names with him. Minato neither likes nor dislikes it, though it is convenient. ]

Yeah. He's an Emperor arcana. ...I guess there are things that are the same, no matter where you are.

[ It's more intriguing than comforting to Minato. Just as Morgana had been startled by Akira's ability to wield multiple Personas, Mitsuru and Ikkutsuki had similarly noted how unusual that talent was.

Maybe the strangest thing of all was how he'd taken it all in stride, merely accepting it as yet another fact of life.

And though Minato hadn't explicitly mentioned it, maybe Akira can sense that same familiarity, the same vibe that Kotone and Yu had too. It doesn't need to be announced that he's a Wild Card too. Minato finds that quite nice.

Also, he supposes he doesn't really strike someone as an Emperor Arcana sort of person...

Minato glances over at Barong too, though he's gone back to crouching and tossing out another handful of bird feed to the chickens. Don't worry little guys, he hasn't forgotten about you. ]

[Akira would figure it's something akin to Spidey Senses, even if in Persona-world he's probably Arachnid-Guy or something silly. Either way, he does understand in an unspoken way that Minato has this same not-quite-so-unusual innate skill.] Looks that way, huh.

[Unconsciously, his hand goes back to twisting his hair.]

[As Minato resumes feeding the chickens, Akira opts to crouch back down in front of Barong and resume the fluff-scritching, this time embedding both his hands in the fur at the creature's chest.] So weird question for you.

Edited 2024-03-07 05:11 (UTC)

[ Barong's back paw thumps on the floor as Akira used not one hand, but two to give him scritches. Hell yeah. There's a deep rumble from the Persona's throat, perhaps the equivalent of a purr for Barong.

Minato glances over at Akira as he scoops another handful of bird feed. This time, he holds his hand out and allows the chickens to pick at the seed directly from his palm.

He doesn't say anything, but there's an expectant expression on his face as he awaits Akira's question. ]

[Oh hell yes, he's giving those good paw-thumping scritches. Akira may well be enjoying this as much as Barong.]

[He peers around the Persona to Minato and his chicken feeding, watching the birds a moment before he registers Minato's curious expression. Oh! Okay, so he's a quiet guy too. Cool. He turns his attention back to Barong and considers the merits of burying his face in the chest fluff.] What year was it for you?

[ Sure, Minato offers Barong his share of headpats and scritches, but it's nothing like getting some from someone else. And whoever this guy is, Barong appreciates how he seems to already know all his favorite spots.

And as for allowing Akira to shove his face into chest fluff -- he'd permit it. A reward for being so good at giving him attention.

Minato blinks at Akira's question, hand still outstretched to the hungry chickens. All things considered, it wasn't that weird a question. ]

Early 2010.

[ There must be a reason for that question. ]

...what about you?

[His mouth forms a funny quirked line and he stares into the middle distance for a long moment, silently mouthing "2010" a time or two. It's not that long ago, all things considered, but Minato is close to his age. Meaning he's actually like six or seven years older than him, while being the same age, somehow.]

[Timey Wimey shenanigans.]

[He clears his throat.] Summer of 2017.

[ Whoa. Summer of 2017? That's... a long time away, or at least, a distant year for someone who'd accepted he might not see past the year 2011.

Minato blinks again. ]

Oh.

[ That single sound probably says it all. Minato reaches back into the bucket to re-up the bird feed in his hand. It's greatly appreciated by the chickens, based on their frenetic clucking. ]

...what's it like?

[ Says the boy who died before the very first iPad's release. ]

[That's a startlingly Kotone-like response, buddy.]

[Akira watches Minato refill his palm with feed, hunching a little into Barong for a moment.] ...you know, chaotic and full of corruption. Probably not a whole lot different from 2010.

[ Almost like they were two sides of the same PSP game -- ]

Mm.

[ It's a small, noncommittal sound. Minato's not sure what he was expecting. But yeah, sounds like it wasn't a whole lot different from 2010. ]

That's good.

[ Bad that corruption still runs rampant, but... good that the world kept turning at least until the summer of 2017. Minato's attention remains fixed on the chickens a they continue swarming his hand.

Barong stares up at Akira. He is well aware of his fluffiness and puffs his chest out a bit. ]

[Wao!]

[Akira watches Minato feed the chickens for a moment, and then lets his shitty posture lean him into the proffered chest fluff of Barong. Oh yeah. That's the good stuff.]

Oh why have I never done this before. [Good luck understanding him through all that fluff.]

[ Minato hears an incoherent "mrrh mrmhh mphh mh." Barong, on the other hand, sits on the floor, tail wagging and thumping against the ground.

Minato gently tosses the rest of the bird feed in his hand onto the ground, and the chickens scatter in search of the stray seeds. ]

Do you have any Personas like Barong...?

[ Rather, did Akira not arrive with any fluffy Personas? ]

[He sits back, expression cartoonishly pleased, and proceeds to slow blink at Barong like he's a fucking cat.] Mmn, closest thing I've got is Orthrus, most of who came with me is humanoid.

[He gives Barong a thoughtful once-over, tilting his head. Maybe he'll try calling out Orthrus and inciting a cuddle session sometime. He's never really thought about it.]

[ Truly, an unfortunate fate for Akira. Orthrus has nothing on Barong when it comes to the fluff. ]

Oh. ...I think the only humanoid ones who came with were Orpheus and Pixie.

[ Well. Jack Frost and Mothman were... sort of humanoid...

There's a small smile on Minato's face, as he's been observing how pleased Akira looks while hanging out with Barong. Wait until Akira finds out Yu has a Barong too. ~~unless he already knows......~~ ]

Maybe Orthrus likes headpats too.

[Clearly he's going to have to come bother Minato to cuddle Barong to meet his Persona cuddling quotient.]

[He sits back on his hands with his legs stuck out straight in front of him, to the side of Barong so he can still sit closeby to him, and Zones Out for a minute, flicking through his Persona idly. It's still weird to do, outside of the Metaverse, if he's honest.]

I guess "mostly humanoid" is... generous, but certainly nobody but Orthrus is fluffy. 'less you count Arsène's wings.

[ Wait until he finds out there's Shiisaa and Byakko too --

But wait, Arsène? Who? ]

I don't recognize that name, Arsène.

[ Or rather, he's familiar with the origin of the name, but he's never heard of a Persona by that moniker.

Barong's taken a seat and stares up at Akira. There's a frown on the Persona's face, displeased that Akira stopped giving him attention in favor of scrolling through his Personas. How dare he. ]

[Okay they clearly all just need to start hanging out and having Persona Play Dates or something.]

[Akira's eyes refocus and one hand moves back to Barong's chest fluff, the other splaying briefly over his face. When he moves it away, a winged humanoid creature in a top hat and an extremely fancy-looking outfit complete with a cravat sort of... explodes upward and out of him to hover with his stabby-heeled boots what should definitely be an unsettling degree of closeness to the back of Akira's head. Absolutely unbothered, Akira just tips his head backward and grins up at him, jerking a thumb back and up to gesture to him.] Arsène, Minato, Minato, Arsène. [He looks back to Barong.] And you know Barong.

[ Persona Play Dates! Pixie would hate that.

Minato blinks, observing with intrigue as Akira splays a hand over his face. A Persona explodes into existence and -- yep, that's definitely a new one.

He offers Arsène a polite nod, though his mind is wandering elsewhere. Waving a hand over his face -- is that how Akira summoned his Personas? No Evoker? No additional equipment needed? Man, that must be pretty convenient.

Barong jumps to his feet at the sight of Arsène, though immediately settles down upon receiving an introduction.

"I see. This is a friend," the guardian Persona rumbles. Perhaps because it's Akira's Persona, Barong doesn't perceive the other as a threat. Arsène feels familiar enough thanks to Akira's influence.

Minato rises from the floor and holds a hand out to Arsène, specifically, the one he hadn't been using to feed chickens. ]

[All the more reason to have them, then!]

[Akira is pretty sure Arsène can't actually stand on solid ground, but he's also not sure if he's just hovering because he's a magical manifestation of his soul, or because he actually has wings. Either way he's got like, Extreme Barbie Feet, so if anything he might be able to perch on his toes.]

[While Akira is considering Arsène's foot anatomy, Arsène himself folds his wings closer to his body and tips forward to lay his claws gently against Minato's hand, folding gracefully into a bow. His hat probably does not come off of his head, or he would absolutely be tipping it. A pleasure, he rumbles, both to Minato and Barong, and Akira finally stops frowning at his shoes.] He's..., Mine, I guess you'd say. You know how we all have the one we awaken to, and then collect the others.

[ What a dapper Persona. Minato wonders, should he bow too? He settles for a small one, ducking his head a bit in a greeting. ]

I see. ...that must be why I didn't recognize Arsène's name.

[ So this is the manifestation of Akira's soul. Minato's gaze focuses on Arsène, taking stock of the Persona's physical appearance. Who could have guessed such a mild-mannered kid like Akira was hiding something like this in him? ]

Maybe you'll meet mine someday.

[ There's nothing necessarily stopping him from swapping Barong out for Orpheus, but it's rare that Barong gets to stretch his legs. Plus, it means denying Akira the Barong fluff. ]

[He's the Gentleman Thief, after all! Arsène seems pleased with Minato's bow, rumbling again and fluffing his wings out in a way that looks a bit like stretching.]

[Seeing Minato study Arsène prompts Akira to do the same. It's not like he's not aware of how Arsène looks, it's more like a moment of appreciation. His hand buries itself back into Barong's fluff, and he tilts his head at an angle to look at Arsène's wings. He has definitely got to pet those sometime.]

[...Minato's assessment of Akira being mild-mannered isn't incorrect, but a more astute curiosity would probably be how is someone this vapid hiding something like Arsène? But anyway-- he turns a grin toward Minato, showing teeth.] I'd like that, sometime.

[ Now that Arsène's stretching his wings, Minato's able to get his first good look at them. They're either covered with the fluffiest of fur or the softest of down feathers. He can't really tell. Either way, it does look like it'd be pretty satisfying to bury one's face in them.

Minato offers Arsène a small smile. Looks like he's passed the vibe check. Neat. ]

"Arsène"... The name of a legendary thief, isn't it?

[ Hm. ]

[Akira's grin sharpens a bit, looking much more like Arsène's for a split second before it rounds back off. He raises one hand and points it in a fingergun at Minato, nodding.] Mm-hmm, Arsène Lupin.

[ Which means......... ]

Do you like stealing things...?

[ Though Akira's Persona doesn't necessarily mean it manifested in the form of a hobby. Maybe, instead, ]

Or are you really good at it?

[ Asking the real ground-breaking questions here. ]

[He blinks, startled by the question at first, and then barks a brief bout of laughter.]

You could say as much, yeah. The group I lead, we called ourselves the Phantom Thieves.

[open/mingle] a light in the darkness

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literally me last night because my brain started leaking out my ears tbh

MOOD

sometimes i reread tags and go "what the fuck was i actually trying to say" ndfjkn

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