[ Is that why he was insistent on finding somewhere private? Koharu gives this only a short thought before both hands go over her eyes, and for good measure, she even turns to face the other way. ]
[ Minato blinks with mild disbelief. Trusting a stranger's word that the very gun-shaped item at their side was not in fact a gun, and then agreeing to close your eyes and look away while in their presence...
On the other hand, he supposes he would have done the same.
Once Koharu's covered her eyes and turned around, he lifts the Evoker to his temple and pulls the trigger. The tent is suddenly awash in a bright, blue light as a small pixie-like creature takes shape. The Persona turns to Minato, and upon seeing the damp patch of blood against his hair, shakes her head while casting a small healing spell.
Minato raises a hand to carefully press the spot where the sign had landed. His fingertips remain dry. Good, he thinks as he slides the Evoker back into its holster. ]
...you can look now. It's okay.
[ Pixie remains hovering near his shoulder though, arms crossed as she surveys Koharu with a curious look. ]
[ If only she were privy to such thoughts. For now, though, for as timid as she's been, Koharu doesn't flinch at the loud ring of a gunshot; but she does see blue illuminating their surroundings through the cracks of her fingers, just barely peeking through in awe.
She doesn't turn around until he gives the okay. Koharu cautiously peers over her shoulder, eyes growing wide when she spots the newly appeared entity fluttering close to him. ]
... She looks like a fairy.
[ Which would check out; he did call it magic, didn't he? ]
[ The new creature shakes her head. "Pixie, not a fairy," she insists while clicking her tongue.
Minato, on the other hand, responds with a shrug. ]
Close enough.
[ He points at the spot on his head that now sports partially-dried blood. ]
All gone now.
[ No explanation for who or what exactly the creature hovering near Minato might be. Meanwhile, Pixie points at Koharu while giving Minato a quizzical look. "And who's this supposed to be?" she asks, to which Minato's gaze follows the direction of her finger. ]
...
[ Now that Pixie's pointing it out -- ]
I... don't think I caught your name. Thanks for bringing me here though so I could take care of things.
[ Right, he should probably introduce himself first... ]
[ Which makes them both equally as rude in his opinion. It's cool.
He gestures at the tiny creature who's now taken a seat on his shoulder. ]
This is Pixie. I guess... the magic I just used technically comes from her.
[ Minato's gaze remains fixed on Koharu, pensive. There's clearly a question lingering at the tip of his tongue, and only after he's finished considering Koharu's choice of greeting and her name does he finally speak it into existence. ]
She straightens herself back up, giving Pixie another cursory glance—despite her surprise, she is awfully curious about her—before giving a nod in response. ]
Yes—I'm from Tokyo. [ A beat; there's a little hint of puzzlement, like maybe she finds the second half of his question odd. ] The year is 2024.
[ It's Pixie's turn to be surprised now. "2024? Well, that's a long ways away," she chimes with her palms against her cheeks. All the glancing and staring doesn't seem to bother her. ]
Oh.
[ -- is Minato's tepid response. ]
It was 2010 for me. ...you're from the future then.
...I don't know. People just get pulled here somehow.
[ Or they wake up after closing their eyes for the final time, but that's neither here nor there. All he can do is shrug, the tiny pixie on his shoulder rising and falling with the gesture too.
Oh, but 2024 means that "thing" must have been released by now. ]
[ There's a lot to think about here, not that she's allowed to mull on it for long. Minato segues into another question entirely (or, well, probably relatedly), leaving her raising her eyebrows. ]
Um— Yeah, they're all over the place... Though, I've only ever owned a smartphone. They kinda do the same thing.
[ Well. He pulled out a fake gun, did some magic somehow, has a pixie sitting on his shoulder still, and here they are talking about...
iPads.
Sure, why not. ]
Oh, not really, they're about—
[ Koharu stops short once she pats down a pocket, belatedly realizing she doesn't have a phone on her; on second thought, she wouldn't have her phone, anyway. It's probably long gone by this point...
So instead she lifts her hands, using her fingers to measure out the approximate size of an average phone. ]
This big? More or less... Every model's a little different, but they can still fit in your pockets.
[ Truly, Koharu is simply getting a little preview of where Minato's priorities lie.
Pixie observes as Koharu holds her hands out before humming thoughtfully. "It's just like that tablet you have then," she chimes as Minato's blinks with that same realization. ]
Mm. Yeah. Maybe they're based off of something similar.
[ So there's a world several years into the future where everyone is walking around with tiny iPads in their pockets. And in that future -- ]
[ A beat follows before she throws both hands up in front of her, quickly shaking her head. ]
No! No, humans are still the same as ever—just with better phones.
[ Ha ha... Another brief pause follows, reluctant, but with a pretty good idea of what the follow-up question is going to be, anyway... Koharu does manage: ]
[ If there's one trait Minato's observed enough times in Koharu, it's that she seems to get frazzled fairly easily. He offers her a small smile before shaking his head. ]
It's okay. Some of my friends back home weren't human either.
[ There's Aigis, for one, and calling Ryoji "human" wasn't quite accurate either. And it's because he can accept that vague explanation at face value that he determines no follow-up questions are necessary. ]
[ This would be a little less strange if it was just a dog, but a robot? ]
Maybe there was always a lot out in the world I never knew about...
[ Her or like, anyone else she ever knew, apparently. But if there could be cupids out there, it isn't too weird to think there could be more, right? It's just all hidden away in the nooks and crannies of the world most would never stumble into, save for a small handful of people. ]
It's starting to sound like you have a pretty exciting life, don't you? I'm almost a little envious.
[ It's as they say: fact is stranger than fiction.
But it's Koharu's final thoughts that give Minato pause. Envy, jealousy -- it isn't the first time someone has invoked those words in his presence. Perhaps that's why he can only shrug in response, Pixie perched on his shoulder rising and falling yet again.
"Exciting" is certainly one way to describe it, spending his time shouldering everyone else's troubles no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, all before offering himself to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. ]
I guess it was. It wasn't... always like that though.
[ After all, it had only been that year at Port Island where he'd finally found it in himself to live. And even if it had only been a single year, Minato doesn't find himself dissatisfied.
Somberness settles in his irises, albeit fleetingly. He can't say he'd want anyone else to follow in his exact footsteps. That had been the point of everything he'd done, to ensure no one else would have to walk that path. ]
...you can start here too, if you want. I've been trying things that aren't as exciting.
[ She realizes, while watching him in that response, that perhaps her innocuous question was a little less so than intended. The following pause, the way his gaze sets, however brief it may have lasted; whatever it meant, it seems it goes deeper than she realizes, but she doesn't have it in her to pry when they've only just met. It would simply be rude, to say the least.
So she leaves it, shoulders drooping ever so slightly in thought, while his answer likewise gives her something to think about. ]
Well, I could probably go for some of both.
[ Either exciting or the mundane; thinking back, Koharu wouldn't say she ever allowed herself much of any of it. ]
If I have to stay here for now, then... I'll be a little less busy than usual.
[ Given how long Koharu might find herself stuck here, there'll be plenty of time to explore both avenues...
Minato cants his head a bit, easing back into muted curiosity. ]
Were you a student...?
[ She looks about that age, and if so, maybe she'd been a bit of a busybody before arriving. Although... Koharu did say she wasn't exactly human. Not that this has ever stopped every single non-human from trying to attend school outside of Koromaru.
And so, somewhere in the distance, Koro-chan sneezes. ]
Anyway, there's another moment where Koharu looks as if she's deciding on her words carefully before giving a tentative shake of her head. ]
Oh, no. Maybe it's okay to say here... [ Given their circumstances. If they're nowhere near home... or so she's lead to believe, at the moment. ] But I'm a cupid, so we spend most of the day helping people with—you know, love.
[ It's Minato's turn to blink, perplexed. Once, twice, before nodding to acknowledge the response. Cupids could totally be real. He has no reason to question their existences. After all, there was plenty from his own world and time that many were not privy to. ]
I guess humans can't see you then, usually.
[ In any event, Minato doesn't have anyplace to be so he settles down on the floor.
Pixie doesn't seem particularly impressed. "I could do that too," she shrugs, and only receives a small side note from Minato that no, whatever Koharu's doing is probably different from running around inflicting Charm statuses. ]
Then... when people fall in love -- is it because of cupids like you?
[ It's strange to think about how it could be caused by that outside force, especially given how people seemed to elevate romantic love. But if that was the case... perhaps it did explain why he'd never felt compelled to return others' affections. ]
[ Pixie manages to get a gently amused reaction out of Koharu, a small twitch at the corners of her mouth; she's very proud for such a small thing, but given Minato's own responses to her, Koharu knows not to take it too seriously.
Mostly, it's still surreal to see with her own eyes. It's hard not to be awed by it.
With that, Koharu nods once as she follows suit, taking a spot on the floor nearby; it's a good a spot as any to talk with no one to overhear. ]
Yes, that's right. We usually stay invisible to their eyes, and we're also the reason they feel love. So, when that happens... That's how you know a cupid has decided on the target for your affections.
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expiationlogs2024-10-14 08:59 am
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[ Is that why he was insistent on finding somewhere private? Koharu gives this only a short thought before both hands go over her eyes, and for good measure, she even turns to face the other way. ]
Okay! I won't tell anyone.
cw gun/suicidal imagery
On the other hand, he supposes he would have done the same.
Once Koharu's covered her eyes and turned around, he lifts the Evoker to his temple and pulls the trigger. The tent is suddenly awash in a bright, blue light as a small pixie-like creature takes shape. The Persona turns to Minato, and upon seeing the damp patch of blood against his hair, shakes her head while casting a small healing spell.
Minato raises a hand to carefully press the spot where the sign had landed. His fingertips remain dry. Good, he thinks as he slides the Evoker back into its holster. ]
...you can look now. It's okay.
[ Pixie remains hovering near his shoulder though, arms crossed as she surveys Koharu with a curious look. ]
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She doesn't turn around until he gives the okay. Koharu cautiously peers over her shoulder, eyes growing wide when she spots the newly appeared entity fluttering close to him. ]
... She looks like a fairy.
[ Which would check out; he did call it magic, didn't he? ]
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Minato, on the other hand, responds with a shrug. ]
Close enough.
[ He points at the spot on his head that now sports partially-dried blood. ]
All gone now.
[ No explanation for who or what exactly the creature hovering near Minato might be. Meanwhile, Pixie points at Koharu while giving Minato a quizzical look. "And who's this supposed to be?" she asks, to which Minato's gaze follows the direction of her finger. ]
...
[ Now that Pixie's pointing it out -- ]
I... don't think I caught your name. Thanks for bringing me here though so I could take care of things.
[ Right, he should probably introduce himself first... ]
I'm Minato.
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Koharu gives another dumbfounded stare—between the... Pixie and the lack of injury upon his head—before dipping into a polite bow. ]
R—right, I'm sorry, that was rude of me! I'm Koharu—it's nice to meet you... both.
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It's okay. I forgot to give you mine too.
[ Which makes them both equally as rude in his opinion. It's cool.
He gestures at the tiny creature who's now taken a seat on his shoulder. ]
This is Pixie. I guess... the magic I just used technically comes from her.
[ Minato's gaze remains fixed on Koharu, pensive. There's clearly a question lingering at the tip of his tongue, and only after he's finished considering Koharu's choice of greeting and her name does he finally speak it into existence. ]
Are you maybe from Japan? ...what year?
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She straightens herself back up, giving Pixie another cursory glance—despite her surprise, she is awfully curious about her—before giving a nod in response. ]
Yes—I'm from Tokyo. [ A beat; there's a little hint of puzzlement, like maybe she finds the second half of his question odd. ] The year is 2024.
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Oh.
[ -- is Minato's tepid response. ]
It was 2010 for me. ...you're from the future then.
[ But from Koharu's perspective, ]
Or... I'm from the past.
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[ For all the surprises she's been getting since her arrival, Koharu still manages to grow stunned, eyes going wide. ]
From the... past? But how?
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[ Or they wake up after closing their eyes for the final time, but that's neither here nor there. All he can do is shrug, the tiny pixie on his shoulder rising and falling with the gesture too.
Oh, but 2024 means that "thing" must have been released by now. ]
Have you ever seen an iPad then?
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Um— Yeah, they're all over the place... Though, I've only ever owned a smartphone. They kinda do the same thing.
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Oh.
[ He'd only seen the "Coming Soon" advertisements of them. Sounds like the pieces of tech managed to catch on.
A pensive expression settles on his face. ]
Most people I knew had flip phones.
[ If iPads and smartphones do the same thing though... ]
2024 phones must huge.
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iPads.
Sure, why not. ]
Oh, not really, they're about—
[ Koharu stops short once she pats down a pocket, belatedly realizing she doesn't have a phone on her; on second thought, she wouldn't have her phone, anyway. It's probably long gone by this point...
So instead she lifts her hands, using her fingers to measure out the approximate size of an average phone. ]
This big? More or less... Every model's a little different, but they can still fit in your pockets.
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Pixie observes as Koharu holds her hands out before humming thoughtfully. "It's just like that tablet you have then," she chimes as Minato's blinks with that same realization. ]
Mm. Yeah. Maybe they're based off of something similar.
[ So there's a world several years into the future where everyone is walking around with tiny iPads in their pockets. And in that future -- ]
...does everyone have wings like you too?
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[ A beat follows before she throws both hands up in front of her, quickly shaking her head. ]
No! No, humans are still the same as ever—just with better phones.
[ Ha ha... Another brief pause follows, reluctant, but with a pretty good idea of what the follow-up question is going to be, anyway... Koharu does manage: ]
I'm just not—that. ... Human, I mean. So...
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It's okay. Some of my friends back home weren't human either.
[ There's Aigis, for one, and calling Ryoji "human" wasn't quite accurate either. And it's because he can accept that vague explanation at face value that he determines no follow-up questions are necessary. ]
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[ Despite everything he's displayed so far, Koharu still manages to grow surprised. ]
Like what?
[ Well. Thinking on it— ]
... They're not pets or something, are they?
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One of them was a robot. ...she never felt like one to me though.
[ Even prior to her proper integration into SEES, Aigis always seemed more like a person as opposed to a manmade creation running on 0s and 1s.
As for Ryoji... there's no need to dive too deeply into that one. But speaking of pets, ]
Another was a dog, but he's not a pet.
[ See? Person-with-wings is pretty par for the course to him. ]
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[ This would be a little less strange if it was just a dog, but a robot? ]
Maybe there was always a lot out in the world I never knew about...
[ Her or like, anyone else she ever knew, apparently. But if there could be cupids out there, it isn't too weird to think there could be more, right? It's just all hidden away in the nooks and crannies of the world most would never stumble into, save for a small handful of people. ]
It's starting to sound like you have a pretty exciting life, don't you? I'm almost a little envious.
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But it's Koharu's final thoughts that give Minato pause. Envy, jealousy -- it isn't the first time someone has invoked those words in his presence. Perhaps that's why he can only shrug in response, Pixie perched on his shoulder rising and falling yet again.
"Exciting" is certainly one way to describe it, spending his time shouldering everyone else's troubles no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, all before offering himself to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. ]
I guess it was. It wasn't... always like that though.
[ After all, it had only been that year at Port Island where he'd finally found it in himself to live. And even if it had only been a single year, Minato doesn't find himself dissatisfied.
Somberness settles in his irises, albeit fleetingly. He can't say he'd want anyone else to follow in his exact footsteps. That had been the point of everything he'd done, to ensure no one else would have to walk that path. ]
...you can start here too, if you want. I've been trying things that aren't as exciting.
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So she leaves it, shoulders drooping ever so slightly in thought, while his answer likewise gives her something to think about. ]
Well, I could probably go for some of both.
[ Either exciting or the mundane; thinking back, Koharu wouldn't say she ever allowed herself much of any of it. ]
If I have to stay here for now, then... I'll be a little less busy than usual.
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Minato cants his head a bit, easing back into muted curiosity. ]
Were you a student...?
[ She looks about that age, and if so, maybe she'd been a bit of a busybody before arriving. Although... Koharu did say she wasn't exactly human. Not that this has ever stopped every single non-human from trying to attend school outside of Koromaru.
And so, somewhere in the distance, Koro-chan sneezes. ]
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Anyway, there's another moment where Koharu looks as if she's deciding on her words carefully before giving a tentative shake of her head. ]
Oh, no. Maybe it's okay to say here... [ Given their circumstances. If they're nowhere near home... or so she's lead to believe, at the moment. ] But I'm a cupid, so we spend most of the day helping people with—you know, love.
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I guess humans can't see you then, usually.
[ In any event, Minato doesn't have anyplace to be so he settles down on the floor.
Pixie doesn't seem particularly impressed. "I could do that too," she shrugs, and only receives a small side note from Minato that no, whatever Koharu's doing is probably different from running around inflicting Charm statuses. ]
Then... when people fall in love -- is it because of cupids like you?
[ It's strange to think about how it could be caused by that outside force, especially given how people seemed to elevate romantic love. But if that was the case... perhaps it did explain why he'd never felt compelled to return others' affections. ]
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Mostly, it's still surreal to see with her own eyes. It's hard not to be awed by it.
With that, Koharu nods once as she follows suit, taking a spot on the floor nearby; it's a good a spot as any to talk with no one to overhear. ]
Yes, that's right. We usually stay invisible to their eyes, and we're also the reason they feel love. So, when that happens... That's how you know a cupid has decided on the target for your affections.
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