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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
[aigis voice] ah shit here we go again
Thanatos rushes forward, leaving clouds of sand in its wake. It brandishes its sword, slashing at Aigis' Persona. It seems Thanatos has forgotten about Minato for now in favor of lashing out at a familiar enemy.
The sound of Aigis' voice snaps Minato out of his daze. He pushes himself off the floor to sit up. It sends a sharp pain radiating from his shoulder as blood drips from his wound. He should heal himself, but he should also get Thanatos under control, but there's blood everywhere, and --
He clutches at his head with his uninjured arm as his head begins to throb. ]
back at it again at krispy kreme
But instead of protecting herself or first ensuring victory over Thanatos, she yells out,]
Diarahan!
[She won't lose him again. Even as she feels Thanatos's blade strike her, Minato is all she can think of. She's the reason he's even involved in all this, after all. If they had never met then...
... wouldn't he have lived?]
no subject
The spell's energy washes through him, immediately stopping the bleeding. Skin knits over the wound, and it's almost like the injury was never there. His head doesn't hurt as much either, so he turns to get a better look at the unfolding scene. Minato presses a hand against his forehead as Thanatos lunges at Aigis. The Persona lashes out with an enraged howl to slice at the android.
Its attacks come faster and more brutal, as if it's come to recognize this specific opponent. Seeing this, Minato calls out: ]
Aigis! Get back!
no subject
[Her feet skid back as she braces for the impact of the lunge, damaged but not knocked down. Whatever pain she feels doesn't matter. She can be rebuilt over and over again. It's the one thing she can do for him that the others can't. She'll always be there to keep him safe. She'll make sure of it this time.
Rather than getting away, she chooses to attack Thanatos with her own firearms, attempting to push it back instead.]
Minato-san! [Aigis yells over the sound of the bullets,] Is this-?
[Your Persona? ... or Ryoji?]
no subject
Fortunately, it's not Ryoji. Minato inherently understands what Aigis is getting at. ]
It's -- it's just Thanatos.
[ "Just," he says, as though the Persona weren't imbued with additional power and remembrance through Minato's sentencing consequences. The task remains undone, leaving his mind vulnerable to Death.
He tries again to dismiss Thanatos. Once again, a splitting headache ravages through his skull, leaving Minato grimacing in pain. It's not working -- why? Why won't it work? If this keeps up, it may result in irreversible damage to Aigis' shell. There might not be anyone here to repair her. ]
Aigis, you have knock me out! Thanatos should disappear if you do that!
no subject
But the next part is enough for her to figure it out. If Minato is unconscious, he won't be able to summon a Persona anymore. She nods, firing a last set of rounds at Thanatos before dropping her offensive position and running closer to Minato.]
Understood!
[She doesn't hesitate to act. After all, she is a weapon, designed to destroy shadows. As soon as she reaches Minato, she places a cold hand around his throat, and then another. The pressure she applies is very light, compared to her full strength at least. If she had some sort of relaxer or sedative, the sort they used for Chidori, that would be best, but...
This will work quickly. And it shouldn't hurt too much?]
cw asphyxiation gg
Instinct demands he fight back. Instead, Minato grasps at Aigis' arm and holds onto her for reassurance.
Thirty seconds in, Thanatos seems to understand what's happening. The Persona snarls and sails towards the pair. It never makes it though, suddenly fading away a few feet from them as Minato finally loses consciousness. His body goes limp like a marionette cut from its strings, eyes drifting shut as he collapses forward. A red mark on his throat blooms against his skin. ]
no subject
She shifts his body to carry him in her arms, remembering what Kotone had told her. Aigis isn't sure if this counts as a date, though. As she changes gears to run back to his room, she can't help but think of why Thanatos had manifested that way.
She'd heard stories of how Minato had first summoned Orpheus, only for Thanatos to appear. It was how they discovered his ability to switch between Personas. It was also due to Death being sealed away somewhere deep within in his psyche. But this, this felt more like Chidori and Medea. A Persona trying to kill its wielder... If that was the case, was Minato in danger like Chidori? Was there anyone here who could supply suppressants? Maybe Shinjiro could, but-
There's the downsides of that to consider as well, of course. It could only protect Minato for so long. She could only protect Minato for so long. No matter how much she tries, he will always be human. And despite how he seemed as a fearless leader, strong enough to face Nyx, he still has human weaknesses too.
A single tear falls onto his face. She'll have to wipe it away before he wakes up, but she's not sure how long he'll stay unconscious.]
I'm sorry...
no subject
Aigis... So it worked...
[ It seems Thanatos is gone. Mission accomplished.
But what's this droplet on his cheek? Minato reaches up to wipe it away with a puzzled expression. Strange. What could that have been?
He looks to Aigis again, who wears a somber expression. Minato offers her an apologetic one. ]
No, I should be the one apologizing. I'm... sorry for putting you in that position.
[ He knows Aigis has an intense desire to protect him. It must have been difficult, asking her to force him unconscious. ]
no subject
Minato-san.
[Her tone is serious now, closer to a scolding parent.]
Is that the first time here that you have been unable to control your Persona? Do you know why that could have been?
[Because if it's not the first, and he didn't tell her!!!]
no subject
It is.
[ As far as what could have caused it... that's a more challenging issue to parse. ]
I'm not sure, but... I went to speak with the Council recently. Maybe that had something to do with it.
[ Aside from the slew of people who've been trying to encourage him to live for himself, he'd been reflecting more on his death after that. Perhaps this is the result of that push-and-pull. ]
no subject
[For being so harsh! She's back to sad girlfriend mode.]
I was worried... that it was a case like Chidori. Or that-
[You'd leave me again.]
What did the Council say? Is there something I can do to help?
no subject
It's okay.
[ He can't exactly blame Aigis for being worried. Minato knows she's still haunted by his fate. He can't make her suffer like that again. ]
I'm... okay now, I think.
[ So convincing, wow. ]
I need to atone for a murder by explaining why it's unforgivable.
[ He's been up to a lot before you landed in Aldrip, Aigis... ]
no subject
Did you murder someone?
no subject
...yeah.
[ ... ]
There was someone attacking people I knew. I didn't want him to hurt them.
[ But just between the two of them, he'll add: ]
The person died, but... it felt like an accident.
no subject
[That is what she's learned from observing Ken. But truthfully, she doesn't care if Minato kills someone who was hurting others. She would do the same, and still feels strange allowing Ryoji to roam about.
Killing, destroying, those sorts of things are her purpose. She understands, though, that it is different for humans. That it should be different for her as well.]
But I know that you would not harm someone unintentionally if possible. Please, in the future, know that I am here to help as well. Perhaps then I can take punishment from the Council instead.
no subject
Thanks, Aigis. I'll remember that. ...I don't think that's how punishment works though.
[ He reaches out to lay a hand on her arm. ]
It's not your place to take any punishment for me. But if you're there too, maybe it won't be so frightening.