expiationlogs | TWAT club meeting mingle

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TWAT club meeting mingle

Who: Scott Summers and members of TWAT (Teenagers With Abilities and Talents) Club. Or any teenager that just stops by really.
Where: Roof of the club building
What: Teenagers with abilities or maybe no real abilities hanging out on the rooftop and eating food. Talking. Doing club stuff.
Warnings: Probably none.

[Maybe you're already part of TWAT club and read the message that Scott sent out to everyone, basically stating that they're having a meeting this Saturday to just hang out and meet new members. Or you saw one of the flyers around town that mentioned about having a meeting. Either way, the meeting is held at the rooftop of the club building, so just come. No food or anything required. He's a good leader like that, yeah. Definitely.]

before the meeting;
[Why did you come early, god.

Well, anyone that is one of those people that like to come early to events, Scott's putting you to work. Maybe it's just helping getting the food out on the tables, or bringing up chairs or tables up to the rooftop. Either way, work needs to be done and setup is still in progress, so pair up with other TWAT members or whatever to get things ready. Thanks, Scott appreciates it. Probably.

Also, if you have your own food or brought a game of some sort, that's cool. He definitely isn't going to say no. Go set that up.]

just hanging out;
[Once the meeting starts and Scott gives some basic speech and welcoming new people to TWAT Club (in which he wasn't nervous at all shut up), people are more than welcome to just eat the pretty decent spread laid out in the tables. Stuff like chips, pizza, rice balls, ramen, probably some mixture of American and Japanese food because he's him and his girlfriend is Kotone, so yeah. There's also a little sign or note in front of the tables that states 'provided by cooking club, so join us. ✨'

Since this is a place filled with teenagers and abilities... Scott probably has encouraged people to show off their powers a little. JUST DON'T BLOW SOMETHING UP it's okay, he's talking about himself too. Of course, he's not forcing anyone to show off their powers and everything, but he sort of hopes people are feeling more comfortable to do so. That is the purpose of his club and everything.

There's also a random cornhole game set up. Don't ask.]

after club;
[Feel like being a nice person and help clean up? Nice. Scott isn't forcing anyone to stay after to do so, but he appreciates the help. It's mostly just taking tables down and clearing out the trash. Anyone that stays can probably take home some of the leftovers. So, that's a nice bonus.

Maybe you just want to sit on the ground and enjoy the evening a little. He's not judging.]

[ooc: TWAT mingle log! Please feel free to post your own top levels and tag each other. :> If your character would bring food or set something up, go right ahead. The more the better, right? Also your character doesn't need to be part of TWAT to join, Scott will just sort of let any teenager in. 'Teenager' being anyone that doesn't look too much like an oldie--]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Minato blinks, leaning a bit away from Scott's hand. Two? Scott wants him to interact, actively, with two whole people? And on top of that, calling it a Minato Special Task makes it sound like an unavoidable request straight from Elizabeth's list...

He glances down at Koromaru who only shakes his head at him. Nope. You're on your own, Minato. ]

...okay.

[ What's he going to do, say no to Scott?? On the other hand, it's kind of nice having someone else take the reins, and following through with others' instructions is something he's quite used to. And on the upside, he's actually no stranger to striking up conversation with unfamiliar people, even if he'd prefer to keep to himself. ]

Two people. ...later though.

[ Only after he's done spending a bit of time with Scott. It only seems right after everything the teen's done for him without seemingly receiving anything in return. He glances down at his feet, suddenly distinctly aware of how much Scott's been looking out for him. ]

...

[ He wants to say, "sorry," but instead, he'll say: ]

Thanks, Scott, for everything in the past couple of months.

[Nope, Minato cannot say no to him. This is how it works between them now-- it's ongoing penance ever since the other teen talked about death and thought that none of his friends would care that he died. This is what happens!! With Minato's agreement, however, Scott shakes his fingers at him for just a little longer before lowering his hand back down by his side with an approving nod. He's going to remember this though and quiz Minato later.

If he lies, he's shoving him off the rooftop-- Scott what happened to not encouraging them dying? This is an exception. Obviously.

He's not sure how to take Minato's staring at the ground every so often though, but he doesn't think about it too much. Probably just Minato gearing up to do his task later-- oh, wait, he's thanking him? UGH, MINATO DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT... Scott glances away for a moment, trying to cover this up.]

Someone has to watch over your sorry ass, right? [...] Sha-Ming's back, yeah? Feeling okay?

[ He's not sure if it's better or worse that Scott's persuading him that his friends would care if he died. Even if the decision was soul-crushing to them, Minato doesn't think he would choose any other outcome. If his own life was the price of ensuring everyone would have a future to run towards, he could welcome the consequences of his own actions with open arms.

If that decision had, truly, wounded everyone else that deeply, at least they would have each other to lean on.

The mention of Sha-Ming's name, however, cuts through Minato's thoughts. He nods a bit, confirming an answer to Scott's first question. ]

Yeah. He's back.

[ As for the second question... He's certainly faring much better now, but Sha-Ming's disappearance reminded him of a painful truth: the more you let people in and the deeper the attachment, the anguish experienced by the loss intensifies proportionally. Perhaps, even exponentially. ]

...a little.

[ He understands now, that this must be how the others must feel when he put himself in harm's way. This is, almost certainly, why Scott was upset any time he did something precarious.

Maybe it's even how everyone back home felt after he'd taken his last breath. A melancholy smile rests on his face. ]

...better than before.

[ It's not a lie. ]

[He's glad to have that confirmation from Minato. The switch to this more serious topic changes Scott's own demeanor, putting up less of a bossy teen front and just... paying attention to what his friend is saying. It sucks having a friend go missing, even if they turn out okay in the end, just that fucking worry is god awful. He's felt it more than once since coming here-- and Mikey is still gone, really. It's a slightly different situation, since he voluntarily left, but it still sucks. And it fucking hurts.

So, with a little sigh, he places a hand on Minato's shoulder, gripping him slightly just as a show of support. Just. Don't deal with all this shit on your own.]

Yeah, guess anything is better than constantly worrying about your friend.

[...] Hope you got mad at him. At least a little.

[For worrying him and everything. That's how that works. Someone you love-- a good friend goes off to do something stupid or something happens, and you get to be upset at them later.]

[ Guess who skipped right over the angry phase and hurtled straight into the relief phase, this guy right here. Minato offers Scott a sheepish look at he gives his shoulder a light, reassuring squeeze. ]

...I forgot.

[ Anger is a rare and unfamiliar emotion for Minato. But Scott is right, that someone shed at least a tear or two. Or maybe his mind could only juggle one emotion at a time, and he'd been too relieved to see his friend again. ]

He said he wouldn't do it again though.

[ "I'm not gonna abandon you, kid."

Turns out Sha-Ming was right, that maybe he really had been lonely all along.

...speaking of being worried about friends, there's someone who is conspicuously missing from today's meeting. ]

...Manjiro's still gone, isn't he?

['Next time you can get mad,' except Scott doesn't want there to be a next time for Minato. It'll probably happen one way or another, but he doesn't want to say shit like that out loud. It's good to know that Sha-Ming doesn't plan on doing something like that again, but... they can't fully control what happens here. They just have to prepare as best as they can, be ready. Hope for the best and plan for the worst or something like that.

What was it that Kotone said as well? Live each day to the fullest? Because you never know what may happen in the future.

Maybe Minato already knows all that-- he probably does in his own way. So, really no need to talk about that. Besides, Scott doesn't feel like encouraging that sort of thing right now.]

He said that? Good, then believe in him.

[That's the simplest thing, right? With another squeeze against Minato's shoulder, Scott's hand drops-- and maybe just in time too, because the other teen's question gets him to tense, something almost angry flashing behind his shades as he grits his jaw. What kind of asshole abandons his friends-- abandons his boyfriend or whatever? Because he was afraid of shit?]

...Yeah, Mikey fucked off. He did it on his own. Don't bother trying to reach him. [His tone is curt, like Scott doesn't want to talk about Mikey anymore.]

[ And he does. It's exactly what Sha-Ming said as well.

While Minato can't see the shift in Scott's eyes, he sees the tension in the other's jaw and notes how tersely Scott cuts off that line of conversation. So he nods, assuring Scott that he understands the teen's instructions.

Those three sentences are all the confirmation he'd needed. ]

...okay.

[ Minato goes quiet as he studies Scott's posture. He's furious and hurt -- this is how one reacts upon being discarded by a friend. ]

...sorry. I didn't know.

[ Only now does Minato realize Manjiro's final words to Scott and the others were completely different from the ones he'd given to him.

"I'm going to miss you."

If that was the case, why leave at all? ]

...It's fine. We'll figure it out.

[Because even though he just told Minato to don't bother, he's still going to try and reach out. Somehow. Maybe with Yu, or maybe he just has to wait until this place inevitably brings everyone together for some reason or another. Feels shitty banking on that second option, but feels like the only viable one without searching far and wide for the missing teen.

It just feels stupid that a bunch of crap happened lately and he can't even blame Aldrip or Jerry for it. Just decisions made by his friends... or some psychotic clown.]

And when we do find him, I'll blast his ass.

[He looks at Minato with something that is a little more calm, even though that anger is still buried underneath that expression. Scott just also seems more determined to follow through with a dedicated plan and less likely to throw a tantrum because of his feelings.]

Keep this in mind if you ever decide to go somewhere and isolate yourself. [He pokes Minato in the shoulder for emphasis.] Lasers. Your ass.

[ And there he is, the Scott Summers who manages to see the good in things. Nor does Minato object to Scott's proposed solution because, frankly, it's starting to sound like Manjiro deserves it.

Minato blinks as Scott pokes him in the shoulders. He'll take that warning to heart, because unlike some other wild cards, Minato Arisato didn't show up with any Personas with good resistances to physical damage. Most of his Personas were vulnerable to fire as well. Whoops. ]

...okay. I won't forget.

[ Lasers aside, he's getting a firsthand look at how upset Scott is at the situation, and Minato's beginning to suspect Scott might feel similarly if he decided to push everyone away too.

Despite the heavy conversation, there's a small smile that makes its way onto Minato's face. ]

...I guess this is why Kotone likes you so much.

[Will Pixie save your ass Minato--

Scott stares at Minato for a few extra seconds before nodding, satisfied once more with the other teen's reaction. Good, it honestly feels easier to convince Minato of these things than Kotone. That's nice at least. He's already using 90% of his patience sometimes when dealing with his girlfriend that he loves so much but also. 90% of his patience.

Plus, it's... genuinely nice to see Minato acknowledging and understanding that people care about his sorry ass. It's already different from the first time he met him. Fuck that was depressing as hell.]

Hm? Because I'm bossy as hell and give out not idle threats? Yeah, definitely. [Scott's not pleased by Minato's comment, what are you talking about!! He knows full well Kotone loves him, but... blargh. Feelings!!]

[ From Scott laser eyes? Nope.

It seems Scott's realized Minato's far less headstrong compared to Kotone. In fact, it's rare for him to dig his heels in if he can understand the other party's perspective. If he's not careful, he's prone to being a doormat. ]

...yeah, but -- that's because you care.

[ Not everyone has the willpower and patience to wrangle others into taking better care of themselves. There's a somber look on Minato's face as he reflects on this. ]

It's not easy. That's why... I think you wouldn't bother doing so, if you didn't care.

[ He knows this well. Minato had spent most of his life closing himself off from others. Reaching out to them was especially taxing when it ultimately felt utterly pointless. ]

[No... Minato... you're supposed to joke back not double down on the feelings!! Scott almost finds himself perishing hearing how much he cares about people and yeah of course he does, but hearing it out loud is another thing! But at the same time, he can't tell Minato to stop, because he's still learning and accepting that people care about him. Ugh, which means he has to be sappy and honest still.

He's never going to forgive Minato for this.]

...Of course I care man. [He seems a little embarrassed, despite him trying to act cool about it. Hard to be the 'cool guy' when you're admitting that you want your friends to be happy and that you don't want others to feel isolated and alone here.]

A lot of people here helped me to feel better about my own shit and stuff. It sucks feeling alone or that you don't belong.

[ Nope! No jokes here, only genuine reports on what he's observed about Scott.

"My own shit and stuff" is news to Minato. He's only familiar with post-character development Scott Summers. It's why he stares at Scott with a muted curiosity. And while he'd like to ask what Scott was alluding to, he'd hate to say the wrong thing and risk upsetting his company.

So instead, he adds with a thoughtful expression: ]

...yeah. I think I just got used to it though.

[ It was easier to numb himself to it as opposed to allowing it to be out in the open, like a raw wound exposed to the elements. And before Scott can laser his ass for being a cynic, he's quick to amend his statement. ]

Not anymore though. ...it's nice, having people around.

[He sees that curious look and yeah, he gets it. His old high school self would probably be shocked seeing him now, making a lot of friends, hosting a club. What happened to the Scott Summers that skipped class and didn't care about pretty much anything that happened at school?]

I thought I was used to it.

[Probably not to the same extent as Minato because he really came to Scott with his full chest and claimed that none of his friends would've cared if he died. Yeah, he's not going to ever forget that. It's tempting to flick the front of Minato's forehead, but the mutant holds back this time, because they're still in somewhat serious talk and he doesn't want to say or do something that will break that.

He just really wants to make sure that it's drilled in Minato's head now. Familiarly, he shoves his hands in the pockets of his jacket, voice a notch quieter.]

Then I realized how much I was missing out not connecting with others. Thinking that being alone was better. Don't think I can go back to that now.

[ "Then I realized how much I was missing out not connecting with others."

And that's the truth. Even Minato would readily agree. It's a lesson he'd managed to learn during his final year of life. ]

...it's because you think being alone will hurt less.

[ Minato's gaze drifts downwards. There's a solemn look on his face again. ]

You can't miss something you never had, but... when it comes to loss -- it'll make you think maybe it's best if you never tried.

[ At least, that's how he'd felt each time he was forced to move, to leave behind all the people he'd managed to connect with. Again and again, uprooted, passed around by relatives who would not look him in the eye. And though they'd never said it before, Minato didn't need it to be spoken aloud. A child who would barely speak and could not recall his parents' faces was a stain on each household he'd lived with.

Then they'd lost Shinjiro. And after that, Ryoji.

But by the time December 31st arrived, he'd seen for himself that once you know someone you never really lose them. They're still there, tucked away safely in one's heart.

Minato's gaze flickers back to Scott. There's a faint affection in his eyes, a quiet warmth glowing in his irises. ]

...that's not true though, is it? As long as you remember someone, they'll never be gone. So in the end... it's worth it, I think.

...Yeah.

[Mostly, anyway. For him, he just thought that it didn't matter. He had no goal in life, just always a little pissy at everyone and everything. Maybe because he thought that his parents didn't care what he did, or he just assumed everyone around him sucked, but he's wrong. He can admit that. People don't always suck, especially not the friends he's made here.

But maybe Minato's right too. He just thought that being alone would hurt less. He's never fully experienced loss though, not in the same way as him or Kotone, but... guess he's had close mentors leave since arriving here. And that sucked. A lot. It still hurts in a lot of ways. However, he doesn't regret meeting Dazai or Astralin or the others.]

Yeah, we just have to remember them. [Scott's focus turns a little sharp, a sudden pain spiking in his chest because he knows that applies to Minato. And Kotone. They're both... gone in their world. It almost hurts to breathe for a moment, having that reminder slammed into his mind, but he can't back down now.] Just like you and Kotone will never be gone.

[Maybe easy for him to say right now because Kotone and Minato are still here. He's not sure what kind of state he'll be in if she disappears from this world. He'd never regret their time together, but it's going to be so hard. If remembering her means that she won't be gone, then he'll have to do that.

...Fuck it, guess it's feelings time. Scott shudders a breath.]

Meeting both you idiots has been worth it.

[ The warmth is gone. Instead, it's replaced with surprise. Even though Minato was the one to bring up how once you get to know someone they're never truly gone, he's nevertheless surprised that it's being handed right back to him. It shows, based on how his eyes widen and his lips part a bit, prepared to say respond in turn. But then the expression's gone as he nods, fully accepting Scott's sentiments. ]

Yeah. You're right.

[ He can only hope that everyone else from SEES would feel that way too.

As Scott takes a shaky breath, it's not lost on Minato that this is becoming a common occurrence during their exchanges. He looks to the other teen with a sheepish expression. Scott says meeting him and Kotone's been worth it. If that's the case, why does he sound so devastated? ]

...then let's make the most of the time we have.

[ He holds his hand out to the other. They'll shake on it. They'll make it a promise. ]

That's what everyone's been telling me.

[Of course Minato looks surprised by his comment. At this point, it's not really a shock to see the other teen be taken aback by concepts of people caring or remembering him, because he has a weird relationship with death or something. Because he died so young. He knows (at least he hopes) that Kotone doesn't fully feel the same way, but they both seem to put their lives lower than everyone else's. He hates it so much. At least it's some small comfort that Minato is getting it.

If he has to keep on telling Minato, reinforce it through some means, he will. It's what he'd do for Kotone. Still, he's later going to send all his therapy bills to Minato and the others--]

...Live each day to the fullest. [Scott eventually responds with, that more shaky edge still clinging to him even as he reaches over to shake his hand. It's something Kotone has told him, basically instilled him, because they don't know what might happen tomorrow. Any one of them can just disappear. It's a promise though and Scott almost stares at Minato's eyes through his red lens.

Although, living each day to the fullest can still be something slow, maybe he needs to poke Kotone about that because she's always on the move. That's a talk for him and his girlfriend though.]

Everyone has a point this time.

[ "Live each day to the fullest." That sounds like something Kotone would say too, Minato thinks to himself as he shakes Scott's hand. ]

Yeah. Live each day to the fullest.

[ Because you don't know when your last day will arrive. He keeps that thought to himself though. If that comment sounds like something Kotone would say, it's probably something she already has said to Scott.

Minato's hand returns to his side. He hadn't intended for his time at the club meeting to spiral into yet another session of contemplating why one should treasure their life. The frequency of such conversations will surely lessen, freeing Scott from facetanking JRPG protagonists' feelings or lack thereof.

In any event, there's one method for him to put that sentiment into actual practice. ]

I'll come to your next meeting, whenever it is.

[ ... ]

...as long as it's not during work.

[ He'll try his best! But no promises. ]

[Will it ever stop being bittersweet hearing one of his friends say that? Probably not. This is what he wanted though, right? ...Well, what he wants is for all his friends to be alive and happy back home, but fuck.]

Yeah, you better.

[Scott releases his hand soon after, clearly trying to suck up his feelings and shove it somewhere in his chest. When did he start being all emotional and stuff again? Guess when he really started caring huh? Didn't they talk about that already? Ugh. And yet, he still wouldn't take it back.

This next bit is definitely on him though. Maybe he shouldn't bring it up at all, give both him and Minato a break from all this. It's not like he wants Minato's first experience at his club to be deep ass talks about feelings. He's supposed to have fun and make friends too. All these cheesy shit from your classic 80s movies--]

...Ryoji's here. [He starts, the comment almost sounding conversational, but there's some depth to it as Scott watches Minato.] I know he's from Kotone's side of events.

[So, he doesn't know Minato at all. He knows Kotone would be really upset if it was the other way around, so he wanted to check on Minato about this.]

[ The smile fades from Minato's face at the sound of Ryoji's name. He doesn't look troubled or perturbed by the mention of him. Instead, his expression shifts into one that's more wistful. ]

He is, yeah.

[ He knows already. He'd already bumped into Ryoji during one of his searches for Sha-Ming. Perhaps that's what summoned Ryoji to that particular street: the hand of fate sweeping away one of Minato's companions to make way for another.

Minato's response is dual in meaning. That single answer suffices as a reply to both of Scott's comments.

If Scott's searching for any distress over the fact that it wasn't his Ryoji, he won't find any. Minato maintains his even-tempered disposition. ]

I'm glad there's someone here who remembers Kotone.

[ While they've never explicitly discussed it, he can tell Kotone must have a deep-seated fear of being forgotten. After all, she'd asked him on that March morning whether he thought their friends remembered the promise and headed for the rooftop to see them.

He shrugs, hands sliding into his pockets. ]

...he's the same though, just like the Ryoji Mochizuki I knew.

[ Maybe that's why Minato isn't too fussed about the prospect of a Ryoji who'd never met him. ]

...he's the same, even if he's not.

[ But then Minato's expression twists a bit, a somber smile settling onto his features. ]

It... feels a little unfair to him, that he doesn't know me when...

[ "When I know him so well, because he'd once been a part of me." Minato can't quite finish that sentence though, voice tapering off as he goes quiet yet again. He remembers the sorrow in Ryoji's eyes in spite of a bright smile, the sincere apology he'd offered over not being able to remember Minato.

It doesn't hurt Minato that Ryoji didn't remember. Rather, it stung seeing Ryoji regret not remembering Minato, recognizing that Ryoji must have been someone important to him. ]

[Yeah, there goes that smile. He pretty much was prepared to see that, but this is important. He'll... make it up to Minato if he has to. Although, the other teen doesn't seem as upset as he thought he'd be-- just a 'he is.' It's definitely less upset than how Kotone would react, even though she would hide it behind a bright smile (which is something she's been doing less with him at least). Scott wouldn't consider himself great at reading the other teen, but he usually can tell when he's bullshitting and stuff.

And that's not what is happening here.

He just keeps quiet as Minato gets his thoughts out, his own expression mostly hidden behind his ever present sunglasses, but he feels... relieved? That Minato seems okay-- he's more settled than Scott would be. He just has complicated feelings regarding parallel universes-- like having the same people from different realities, but he doesn't bring that up. Besides, it seems like for both Kotone and Minato, even though they're different realities, the people they know look exactly the same. It's not like him and Kurt, where there are subtle differences in their appearance.

...Scott wonders if that really makes a huge difference or not.]

I'm glad he remembers Kotone too. [Even if it's unfair to Minato, but at least he has Akihiko, Mitsuru, Aigis, and Shinjiro? There's someone that knows her, he gets how important that is. He exhales quietly, hands in his own pockets as he tries to feel normal about all this. Seems impossible.]

Nothing's preventing you from hanging out with Ryoji. [...] And he seems like the type that wants to know you.

[ Perhaps that's simply a point in which Minato and Kotone diverge. Had their positions within Aldrip been reversed, where the majority of SEES members here were from Kotone's timeline, Scott would find Minato not particularly distressed by it. Being forgotten is inevitable. The human mind is a sieve, memories seeping through it and escaping into nothingness.

The heart, on the other hand -- the heart will always remember. ]

...yeah. You're right.

[ In fact, the two of them had decided to make it a point to learn more about one another. ]

This Ryoji is different, but... it feels like he's somehow managed to find me again.

[ The subconscious pull that resulted in their paths crossing yet again in this lifetime; perhaps he shouldn't be surprised that his connection to the other boy was strong enough to conjure this opportunity. After all, he'd spent ten years alongside some version of Ryoji Mochizuki.

Yet there is one problem with this particular Ryoji. One of Minato's hands curls into a fist, nails anxiously digging into his palm. He doesn't know how familiar Scott is with Ryoji. Maybe Kotone's disclosed Ryoji's true identity to Scott, but if not, Minato doesn't want to be blurting out who Ryoji really is.

He's stuck, troubled expression settling on his features. ]

Doubt it's just coincidence. He's still connected to you, right?

[As in, he kind of knows the relationship between Ryoji and Kotone. So, between Ryoji and Minato as well. He understands they have a unique bond, as he existed in them for several years or something. Oh, he definitely doesn't fully get it, but it's fine. The important thing to note is that Ryoji is very special.

Maybe, months ago, Scott would've been jealous, because he's just a mutant with no real ties to them. But he's past that stage. He knows that Kotone loves him and that is unique between them. It's something that he's grasped closely to his heart.

But okay, he sees that troubled face--]

...Okay, what's wrong? [Oh, wait, he should be able to figure this out.] It's because Ryoji doesn't remember, huh?

I guess so.

[ It's as close to a "yes" that Minato's willing to hazard. It's a strange situation even on its face. How could someone from an entirely different universe be connected to him? And yet, here's Ryoji, who's provided living proof of it every time the guy opens his mouth around Minato.

Minato blinks, lips parting slightly out of astonishment. "Doesn't remember," says Scott, which means he must already know more about Ryoji than what Ryoji knows about himself. Minato nods, hand still balled in a fist. ]

...you know, then.

[ Despite the tension in his arm, Minato's shoulders relax a bit. It certainly helps that he doesn't need to explain much to Scott. ]

Did Kotone tell you?

[ ... ]

How much do you know?

TWAT club meeting mingle

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