minato arisato (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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expiationlogs2024-06-07 08:45 pm
memori3s) wrote in expiationlogs2024-06-07 08:45 pm
dear fellow traveler under the moon
Who: Minato & You!
Where: All around Aldrip
What: Catch-all for the month with open prompts, maybe some closed starters too
Warnings: Injury, suicidal ideation, asphyxiation, updated as needed.
i. ball is life
[ City Hall's gardens have quickly become a spot that Minato frequented. He's often here in the early evenings, accompanied by Koromaru. It's an ideal place for the dog to stretch his legs. Aldrip doesn't appear to have any leash laws. Ergo, Koromaru roams free as Minato sits by himself on a bench.
The shiba inu trots about with a red ball in his mouth, tail held high with a pleased look on his face. He circles back to Minato who's seated on his usual bench today. Typically, Minato observes as Koromaru entertains himself, racing around the greenspace or flinging whatever toy he's brought with him that day.
Today though, Koromaru stands in front of Minato and presents the ball to him, tail wagging enthusiastically.
You WILL throw ball, Minato Arisato. Ball is LIFE. ]
ii. gardening
[ Visiting the farmhouse is a recent addition to Minato's daily routine. He greets the animals there even though he's technically not at the farmhouse to see them. He can't help but offer a friendly headpat or snoutpat to the ones that are bold enough to approach.
There's an empty field of soil just outside the farmhouse. Kotone's offered it to him, leaving Minato free to use it for his new project. He's there today wearing comfortable work clothes, kneeling in the dirt with a hand hoe to carefully loosen the soil.
It began with an off-the-cuff response, an answer to a question that's always been difficult for Minato to grapple with.
"Is there anything you've always wanted to try, but never have?" Kotone had asked as they walked side by side through City Center, a bag of peanuts in his hand that she'd pressed into his palm.
And even before that, there'd been Sha-Ming with earnest anger flaring in his eyes as he declared that all creatures should have dreams, desires, and things they wanted to do while clinging stubbornly to life.
He's not used to contemplating all the things he'd like to try, things he never got the opportunity to do. He's here now though, thanks to the response he'd given to Kotone's question. Minato decides this answer is satisfactory as he continues loosening the soil to prepare it for some seedlings.
There's some soil streaked on a cheek, and his elbows have some dirt on them too. He's content though, quietly working on his task. ]
iii. i am thou, thou art i
[ The mild breeze leaves delicate ripples along the oceanwater's surface. The shore's salty air fills Minato's lungs, clearing his mind and easing any troublesome thoughts that plague him as of late.
It's why he finds himself at the beach again today, shoes removed and socks tucked neatly in them. The sand is warm and silky under his feet, offering him something to focus on other than how, lately, his mind continuously strays to a ruined moonlit bridge.
Something brushes against his foot and disturbs his train of thought. It shifts his gaze from the horizon to the floor. There's a crab scuttling across his feet; it pauses in between them, freezing when it senses someone's attention focused on it. Then it's moving again, faster, making a beeline towards the water.
He takes a step forward to follow the trail left by the little crab. He doesn't get very far, interrupted by a sudden, agonizing pain in his head. He folds over with a gasp, pressing a hand against his forehead. He does not see the towering shadow taking shape from behind, unaware of its presence until a white-gloved hand grips his shoulder.
The creature shoves him down. He collapses like a marionette cut from its strings. And as he looks up to identify his assailant, he swiftly realizes there is nothing to truly fear. He immediately recognizes that metal mask. It's why he doesn't struggle against the hand holding him down, merely gazing back at the familiar Persona: Thanatos.
The Persona unsheathes its sword and releases an earsplitting wail, driving the weapon's sharpened tip through Minato's shoulder. But Minato makes no noise, even as it cuts through flesh and blood pools beneath him. There's no need to be afraid. After all, Thanatos must be here simply to remind him that, out of everything in the world, Death is the sole certainty. ]
iv. wildcard
[ Let me know if you're interested in a starter! You can send a private plurk to me at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
alaudarum or hmu in the Discord! ]
Where: All around Aldrip
What: Catch-all for the month with open prompts, maybe some closed starters too
Warnings: Injury, suicidal ideation, asphyxiation, updated as needed.
i. ball is life
[ City Hall's gardens have quickly become a spot that Minato frequented. He's often here in the early evenings, accompanied by Koromaru. It's an ideal place for the dog to stretch his legs. Aldrip doesn't appear to have any leash laws. Ergo, Koromaru roams free as Minato sits by himself on a bench.
The shiba inu trots about with a red ball in his mouth, tail held high with a pleased look on his face. He circles back to Minato who's seated on his usual bench today. Typically, Minato observes as Koromaru entertains himself, racing around the greenspace or flinging whatever toy he's brought with him that day.
Today though, Koromaru stands in front of Minato and presents the ball to him, tail wagging enthusiastically.
You WILL throw ball, Minato Arisato. Ball is LIFE. ]
ii. gardening
[ Visiting the farmhouse is a recent addition to Minato's daily routine. He greets the animals there even though he's technically not at the farmhouse to see them. He can't help but offer a friendly headpat or snoutpat to the ones that are bold enough to approach.
There's an empty field of soil just outside the farmhouse. Kotone's offered it to him, leaving Minato free to use it for his new project. He's there today wearing comfortable work clothes, kneeling in the dirt with a hand hoe to carefully loosen the soil.
It began with an off-the-cuff response, an answer to a question that's always been difficult for Minato to grapple with.
"Is there anything you've always wanted to try, but never have?" Kotone had asked as they walked side by side through City Center, a bag of peanuts in his hand that she'd pressed into his palm.
And even before that, there'd been Sha-Ming with earnest anger flaring in his eyes as he declared that all creatures should have dreams, desires, and things they wanted to do while clinging stubbornly to life.
He's not used to contemplating all the things he'd like to try, things he never got the opportunity to do. He's here now though, thanks to the response he'd given to Kotone's question. Minato decides this answer is satisfactory as he continues loosening the soil to prepare it for some seedlings.
There's some soil streaked on a cheek, and his elbows have some dirt on them too. He's content though, quietly working on his task. ]
iii. i am thou, thou art i
[ The mild breeze leaves delicate ripples along the oceanwater's surface. The shore's salty air fills Minato's lungs, clearing his mind and easing any troublesome thoughts that plague him as of late.
It's why he finds himself at the beach again today, shoes removed and socks tucked neatly in them. The sand is warm and silky under his feet, offering him something to focus on other than how, lately, his mind continuously strays to a ruined moonlit bridge.
Something brushes against his foot and disturbs his train of thought. It shifts his gaze from the horizon to the floor. There's a crab scuttling across his feet; it pauses in between them, freezing when it senses someone's attention focused on it. Then it's moving again, faster, making a beeline towards the water.
He takes a step forward to follow the trail left by the little crab. He doesn't get very far, interrupted by a sudden, agonizing pain in his head. He folds over with a gasp, pressing a hand against his forehead. He does not see the towering shadow taking shape from behind, unaware of its presence until a white-gloved hand grips his shoulder.
The creature shoves him down. He collapses like a marionette cut from its strings. And as he looks up to identify his assailant, he swiftly realizes there is nothing to truly fear. He immediately recognizes that metal mask. It's why he doesn't struggle against the hand holding him down, merely gazing back at the familiar Persona: Thanatos.
The Persona unsheathes its sword and releases an earsplitting wail, driving the weapon's sharpened tip through Minato's shoulder. But Minato makes no noise, even as it cuts through flesh and blood pools beneath him. There's no need to be afraid. After all, Thanatos must be here simply to remind him that, out of everything in the world, Death is the sole certainty. ]
iv. wildcard
[ Let me know if you're interested in a starter! You can send a private plurk to me at
iii
retreating into the outermost corners of the city is what he does-- there are no people to be found, just the soil and silence,. but minato is here, wading along the shoreline, wordless.
sha-ming breaks out into a smile, brightening instantly at the sight; he pads along the sand, eager to meet up with him. it was a boy's day out, now!
it happens within a flash, a single tick of the clock. a behemoth, unlike anything he's ever known, materializes behind him. minato is dwarfed by it instantly, and sha-ming is bolting by the time the hand has clasped him, trapping him within its clutches.
a long stream of silver appears; sha-ming's heartrate quickens. any scream he could manage is caught in his throat. he runs in head first and stands before the creature, shoulders rising and falling with his breath. ]
Back off. [ his expression is entirely unmoving, cold and waxen. ] Take me instead.
cw stabbing yippee
And then it moves, the coffins adorning its back creaking noisily. The Persona slides its blade from its initial victim, silver steeped in crimson.
Minato blinks as pressure from the hand holding him down begins to lessen. He's being set free, no longer pinned to the ground by Thanatos' blade. Though pain arcs down his arm, he ignores it in favor of looking up at Sha-Ming. The expression sends a shudder through him. He's... never seen Sha-Ming looking like that before, completely composed in the face of a monster. ]
No -- Thanatos, don't --!
[ But it's too late, a sharp throb erupting in Minato's head as the Persona fights his commands. It thrusts its bloodied blade forward, driving it into the right side of Sha-Ming's ribcage.
Here on the shore, a nightmarish blood oath is forged. ]
no subject
and then it happens— a sharp, overwhelming pain that blossoms at his side, steel now tearing through flesh. he can’t speak— he croaks out a strangled noise, teeth gnashing, tears welling in his eyes. ]
Minato— [ he breathes out. ] Get out of here.
[ it’s fine. he made his choice, and he’ll accept it without regret. he doesn’t have strength, and he doesn’t have power; all he can do is be a meat puppet. so he will. ]
no subject
There's no time to explain that. Minato steps forward and grasps onto Thanatos' wrist, stopping short of prostrating himself before his own Persona as he begs and pleads with it. ]
Let him go. Please, Thanatos, let him go --
[ The Persona gazes down at him standing statuesque for a few moments, and then it moves, the chains attached to its body clinking with its movements. Thanatos slides its blade from Sha-Ming. It's accompanied by a warm, wet sound that makes Minato wince. Nevertheless, he steps forward to grab Sha-Ming, supporting the man's weight on his uninjured shoulder.
Minato looks up at Thanatos' eyeless mask. There's no trace of fear or anger in his face as speaks to the Persona: ]
...I'm sorry. I promise I won't forget again.
[ Only then does Thanatos seem satisfied. The Persona takes a step back and melts into a puddle of shadow, vanishing without a trace. Minato reaches for his Evoker, pressing its barrel against his temple. His heart hammers against his chest as he tries to avoid looking at Sha-Ming's puncture wound. He searches his mind, and though he reaches out to his Personas, they all scatter and flee save for one: ]
Orpheus!
[ He pulls the trigger, manifesting the new Persona. It strums at its lyre, casting a Dia to stop the bleeding before vanishing into thin air. It's the most Minato can manage for now.
He doesn't think to heal himself, not when he's wholly focused on Sha-Ming's condition. Instead, he suppresses his rising panic and begins the very arduous and very stupid task of dragging Sha-Ming to the clinic on foot. ]
no subject
...Glad you're okay.
[ and then shortly thereafter: ]
I couldn't do anything again. [ a beat. ] Damn...
I really am useless, huh?
[ darkness covets him, receding along his mind like a blanket. when he wakes, he's laid against a cot-- drowsily, he comes to, the bright lights of the clinic relentlessly blinding. it takes him a good moment to reorient himself, the cognizance and clarity trickling in bit by bit...but then, he sees him.
a sigh escapes him. it's born from relief. ]
Hey, kid.
no subject
You're --
[ He swallows, blinking back tears. ]
You're awake. I'm -- I'm sorry.
[ He can't help but apologize even if he knows Sha-Ming won't understand why he's apologizing. ]
no subject
I said jack about it bein' your fault. C'mon, stop coming up with bullshit.
[ there's an edge of good humor there, that smile of his having yet to fade. ]
If you're okay, then I'm okay.
no subject
I healed myself after I brought you here.
[ Just barely, given how uncooperative his Personas have been lately. He's done as poor of a job as he did with Sha-Ming. There's probably a nasty-looking scar on Sha-Ming's torso now. ]
Before you fainted, you... said you couldn't do anything "again."