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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
no subject
Better. Thanks, Ethlyn.
[ There's no fight for him to return to. Minato stays on the table as his eyes drift shut. He can feel the way his body demands rest, and he'd give in if Toph wasn't standing right there demanding answers.
He teeters on the brink of consciousness while doing his best to collect his thoughts. It was different from the times when Shinjiro lost control of his Persona. When that happened, Castor was left rampaging without a care about who was caught in the crossfire. Thanatos, on the other hand, seemed more targeted, as if the Persona were trying to communicate something to him.
The "what" and "why" of it escapes Minato. Toph isn't going to like that. ]
...I don't know.
[ On the upside, there is one thing he feels fairly confident about. ]
But... I don't think it will happen again.
[ He blinks blearily. His head throbs. He feels, as the kids say, like complete shit. ]
no subject
[Minato's Persona is probably lucky that it even got the warning from Toph.
She does look up at Toph when she starts asking Minato how it happened. Now that Ethlyn has closed the wound, she's more worried about finishing the job of stabilizing him and then letting him sleep. It is important to know why exactly his own summoned partner attacked him and how to keep it from happening again.
But now isn't a good time for an extended question and answer session on the matter. She looks back down at Minato with a smile.]
I certainly hope it doesn't. I don't think one of those Personas will fit very well into any of the examination rooms.
Toph, is it possible for you to lift the stone over the floor? If not, it would be helpful if you fetched a couple of nurses so they can get Minato inside on a stretcher. We can ask more questions after he has some time to rest.
[She's seen Toph hurl things through the air, but she doesn't know how far that control goes.]
no subject
And Minato is a friend. ]
I got it.
[ She lets out an audible huff, a big gust of air, at the mild question regarding her abilities. Toph never misses a chance to show off, so maybe her earthbending is particularly sharp and precise as she flicks hands and fingers. A perfect stretcher-shaped rectangular slab of rock pops out of the ground around Minato and lifts smoothly into the air like it's hovering. Maintaining it steadily is a lot more challenging that she makes it seem, but that's kind of the whole point, to her.
She keeps her hands raised in a defensive posture and strides ahead confidently, Minato floating on the stone slab ahead of her. ]
Don't think you're getting out of explaining this later, buddy.
no subject
Minato blinks as he feels the ground lift into the air. It jostles him a little more awake, only to realize that, ah, the floor must be shifting due to Toph's earth bending. He exhales. Bringing him to Ethlyn at Willow Clinic was a perfectly reasonable course of action conducted by Toph. But now that he's here, it seems he'll have to disclose why his Personas were acting unusual to both Toph and Ethlyn.
That can be a problem for future Minato Arisato. ]
...I know.
[ He's come to learn that Toph doesn't let anything slip past her, and given that Ethlyn's treated his shoulder, it only seems fair to discuss things with her too. ]
Later though. ...tired.
[ And those are the last words that leave Minato's lips as his eyes finally drift shut, falling asleep on the table. ]
no subject
But it's a strangeness that will only fully register later. Ethlyn gestures to one of the nurses to help her get Minato off the rock and onto the bed. Normally the next thing would be to get him out of his blood-soaked clothing into a patient's gown, but even though Toph is blind, Ethlyn is still a little hesitant about disrobing him in front of a young girl.
She can get his shirt off, at least. Not wanting to pull him around more than needed, it's time for a quick wash of the hands and the clothing shears.]
He'll sleep for the rest of the day, and probably for quite a while into tomorrow. Then he'll need a lot of water. [And iron. And vitamins.] But the wound is clean and you got him to me quickly enough to stop the bleeding and prevent infection.
I know you said that the Persona didn't get you. But I want you to think for a moment--is anything hurting? A lot can happen to you in a fight that doesn't hurt until it's over.
no subject
Funnily enough, Toph doesn't mind the disrobing for more reasons than being blind. Culturally, and especially in a medical context, it's just not a big deal to her.
She waits silently nearby while Ethlyn works and is grateful for the summary report afterwards. ] He used mental effects on me, so it's not physical, [ she answers crisply. ] We've been practicing with those. It's just going to make me more emotional for a little while. [ The whole point of the practice has been to learn how to withstand that and keep her cool, so Toph is informing Ethlyn of this factually, not looking for sympathy. ]
... Thanks. I know this is what you do, but knowing where to bring people when they need help... makes it a lot easier.
[ Toph is very clear that she can't heal and whatever basic first aid she's picked up from assisting with the clinic is not adequate to emergencies. ]
no subject
...It would actually be very useful if pointed at an actual enemy. But if Minato's Personas are escaping from his control, not so much.]
You're welcome to stay around here until the aftereffects wear off.
[With Toph having gone out to put the rock back where it came from--or at least somewhere not in the way, Ethlyn hopes--she and her attendant have had time to get Minato into a gown and under a blanket.]
I'm glad. This kind of thing is why I started the Arztenritter in the first place.
[Not for giant forest beasts or corrupted king cephalopods--although it's come in handy for those--but for the single incidents, the sudden, terrible catastrophes that no one expects on a sunny day.]
no subject
[ Might as well. Toph is feeling overly antsy, revved up and like the fight isn't over or they might be attacked again at any moment. Normally she isn't so on edge, so she probably is still feeling the effects.
She takes a seat, folding her arms and slumping. ]
When all the snakes were around, the miasma really affected me, so I've been trying to get a handle on that kind of thing. Pretty lucky I have been -- I knew something was wrong with Thanatos, and how to deal with it.
no subject
Very fortunate. [She's busy hooking up an IV to Minato so that he can get some fluids back in his body, but she makes sure she has an eye on Toph as the girl sits down, looking like the stress and exhaustion of battle might be starting to catch up to her.] Did he mean to summon it and it got away from him, or did it just... get out of him on its own?
[She's seen his Evoker and she knows how it works--unfortunately--but she also knows that they can somehow rampage.]
no subject
[ Toph sounds miffed and even a little offended. She hates when people try to tell her outright falsehoods, no matter if they believe them themselves. ]
But what I know from working with Shinji is that if a Persona's acting up, it's because the Persona-user is having issues. [ She emphasizes issues. Once again, the Toph Beifong summary of Persona. ]
no subject
You'd be surprised how common it is for grievously injured people to tell you that they're all right. Sometimes, of course, they're being martyrs--but it's possible that he really wasn't in that much pain when you found him like that.
[Issues with a capital I. Hm. Ethlyn has mentioned to Claude how she feels a need to worry about Minato without quite knowing why. Now it seems like she has a reason. Unfortunately, that reason also seems to have a hidden reason behind that.]
...It sounds like we'll have to talk to Minato about that when he wakes up. We can't have this happening again.
no subject
[ And she'd reacted in her best judgment anyway, she means -- knocking him out and hauling him over to the clinic. ]
No kidding. Why is everybody around here so bad at control? [ she complains, petulant. The after-effects of the status ailments are making her a bit more openly childish than normal. ] You can't just worry about it after something big happens, you have to work on it all the time.
[ Spoken like someone who teaches children how to warp metal. ]