![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ Luckily for them both, there is no tentacle monster in the lake. But the water does drain Chroma and it may be felt through the Persona whose hand is in the water now. Nonetheless, Yosuke wasn't too deep yet, so the large hand eventually finds him.
He's barely conscious at this point, the warning on his phone beeping loudly as his Chroma levels enter dangerous levels, not having as much as he normally did for awhile now. There's also the fact that he can't breathe and water is entering his lungs and, oh, so that's what it feels like to cough up water.
Fuck, it hurts! But the cold air hitting his wet body wakes him up enough to realize he's not in the Spring anymore and he curls up, shivering, as he hacks up more water and jesus h. christ, it burns. He doesn't even realize just how he's not in the water anymore or that a Persona is holding him. ]
He's barely conscious at this point, the warning on his phone beeping loudly as his Chroma levels enter dangerous levels, not having as much as he normally did for awhile now. There's also the fact that he can't breathe and water is entering his lungs and, oh, so that's what it feels like to cough up water.
Fuck, it hurts! But the cold air hitting his wet body wakes him up enough to realize he's not in the Spring anymore and he curls up, shivering, as he hacks up more water and jesus h. christ, it burns. He doesn't even realize just how he's not in the water anymore or that a Persona is holding him. ]
[His connection to his persona makes Joker flinch when he feels something being drained through him, realizing with no small amount of horror that this body of water is draining Chroma and his friend had been in there for who knew how long.
Satanael's hand manages to grab Yosuke's body to quickly fish him out.
The good news is he's coughing. So that's a good sign. Ren realizes he's never performed mouth-to-mouth (well for medical reasons anyway), and thankfully Satanael is large enough to be able to effortlessly turn him over so that the rest of the water can leave Yosuke's lungs before he gets placed into Ren's own hands. Even as the Persona disappears, Ren quickly removes Yosuke's wet top and places his own coat over him. The beep from his phone is definitely not a good sign either and he removes his gloves so he can hold on to one of Yosuke's hand.]
We need to get you some place warm. Can you walk, or should I keep holding on to you? Nod if you need to stay in my arms.
Satanael's hand manages to grab Yosuke's body to quickly fish him out.
The good news is he's coughing. So that's a good sign. Ren realizes he's never performed mouth-to-mouth (well for medical reasons anyway), and thankfully Satanael is large enough to be able to effortlessly turn him over so that the rest of the water can leave Yosuke's lungs before he gets placed into Ren's own hands. Even as the Persona disappears, Ren quickly removes Yosuke's wet top and places his own coat over him. The beep from his phone is definitely not a good sign either and he removes his gloves so he can hold on to one of Yosuke's hand.]
We need to get you some place warm. Can you walk, or should I keep holding on to you? Nod if you need to stay in my arms.
[ He wheezed painfully when the last of the water was coughed up, throat and nose burning. It took another moment for him to realize that someone was with him now. His top was being removed and something drier and warmer was covering him instead. He leaned heavily against the warm body next to him, finally pulling his eyes open to see just who saved him.
He shouldn't have been surprised it was Joker. But he was grateful it was someone he knew, even if the entire situation was embarrassing as more coherency returned. The incessant beeping was also rather annoying. But he had heard that noise once before, so it wasn't difficult for him to realize the situation he was in was pretty dire.
He nodded, he didn't trust himself or his voice at all right now and he was cold and Ren was warm. And he could still hear the melody that had him going to the water's edge in the first place. ]
He shouldn't have been surprised it was Joker. But he was grateful it was someone he knew, even if the entire situation was embarrassing as more coherency returned. The incessant beeping was also rather annoying. But he had heard that noise once before, so it wasn't difficult for him to realize the situation he was in was pretty dire.
He nodded, he didn't trust himself or his voice at all right now and he was cold and Ren was warm. And he could still hear the melody that had him going to the water's edge in the first place. ]
[ Rise laughs and nods, eager because Yosuke gets it ]
That's exactly it! Is it like, I'm just impressed, or do I wanna be like her, or do I wanna date her??? It's so confusing!
[ Sigh. ]
Is he? I've seen him During Cordis, but not his normal self without glasses. Is it that big a difference?
That's exactly it! Is it like, I'm just impressed, or do I wanna be like her, or do I wanna date her??? It's so confusing!
[ Sigh. ]
Is he? I've seen him During Cordis, but not his normal self without glasses. Is it that big a difference?
[The beeping could be dealt with after Yosuke stopped shivering. At his nod, Ren slung him a little over his shoulder so he could properly speed off with his unusual agility both as a Phantom Thief and the boon from the moons that now seemed to stay with him all the time even without it thanks to the bracelet.
It didn't take too long for them to end up in Ren's apartment, where he put him down under his makeshift Kotatsu, before reaching to the other side to pull down his pants, muttering a small sorry.
The costume disappeared in a small flash of blue fire, causing the jacket to disappear from Yosuke's back, but Ren was already in and out of his room, returning with a blanket, which he slung over his shoulders. He then sits next to him, holding his hand so at least they can get back to a level where his phone isn't beeping anymore.]
Let me know if you need more.
[Blankets, that is.]
It didn't take too long for them to end up in Ren's apartment, where he put him down under his makeshift Kotatsu, before reaching to the other side to pull down his pants, muttering a small sorry.
The costume disappeared in a small flash of blue fire, causing the jacket to disappear from Yosuke's back, but Ren was already in and out of his room, returning with a blanket, which he slung over his shoulders. He then sits next to him, holding his hand so at least they can get back to a level where his phone isn't beeping anymore.]
Let me know if you need more.
[Blankets, that is.]
[ If he had more energy and Chroma, he might had griped over being handled like this but as it were, it was just a struggle to stay awake. At least it didn't get so bad that he felt like he was suffocating, not like before. Eventually, he was under something warm and he barely noticed his pants being pulled off or the jacket disappearing. Not when the warm kotatsu and the blanket gave back the warmth he had lost.
He shook his head, hair still slightly damp but he wasn't soaked anymore. Instead, he scooted closer to Ren, pulling his hand to his chest and keeping the blanket around him up to his nose.
Finally, he spoke. It was a murmur and it was tired. ]
Where'd you get the kotatsu?
[ The warning sounds eventually stopped, only occasionally going off now that he wasn't at the dangerous low levels. ]
He shook his head, hair still slightly damp but he wasn't soaked anymore. Instead, he scooted closer to Ren, pulling his hand to his chest and keeping the blanket around him up to his nose.
Finally, he spoke. It was a murmur and it was tired. ]
Where'd you get the kotatsu?
[ The warning sounds eventually stopped, only occasionally going off now that he wasn't at the dangerous low levels. ]
It's not that it's a big difference, it's more like... the glasses feel like he's hiding a part of himself. So when he took them off, it just seemed... I dunno, like I was finally seeing his true self.
[ and his true self happened to be pretty damn fine and it wasn't fair. ]
Guess it had a lot more impact on me than I realized. I'm glad it wasn't just the moons either.
[ and his true self happened to be pretty damn fine and it wasn't fair. ]
Guess it had a lot more impact on me than I realized. I'm glad it wasn't just the moons either.
[ He lets Yosuke move his hand closer, a small smile on his face.]
I made it myself. The heater wasn't really made for it so I only turn it one when I need it.
[It's still a work in progress.]
Are you feeling a little better? Should I get some coffee?
I made it myself. The heater wasn't really made for it so I only turn it one when I need it.
[It's still a work in progress.]
Are you feeling a little better? Should I get some coffee?
[ A work in progress that was keeping his legs from freezing. ]
Yeah... the water wasn't been cold, just... y'know.
[ Winter is coming. He held onto Ren's hand a little tighter. No, he didn't want coffee just yet. ]
Thanks, by the way.
Yeah... the water wasn't been cold, just... y'know.
[ Winter is coming. He held onto Ren's hand a little tighter. No, he didn't want coffee just yet. ]
Thanks, by the way.
[And thankfully not on fire. Progress!]
Yeah.
[From the squeeze on his hand, that's going to be a no on coffee for now, he supposes. That's fine. The feeling he's getting from moonlacing is great as well, so he's definitely not complaining. There is, of course, an elephant in the room. Now that Yosuke seems to be a little better, maybe he can provide him with some answers.]
You're welcome. Mind telling me what happened in the first place?
Yeah.
[From the squeeze on his hand, that's going to be a no on coffee for now, he supposes. That's fine. The feeling he's getting from moonlacing is great as well, so he's definitely not complaining. There is, of course, an elephant in the room. Now that Yosuke seems to be a little better, maybe he can provide him with some answers.]
You're welcome. Mind telling me what happened in the first place?
I was stupid, what else is there?
[ He wished he could play off still being sleepy or something, but it was pretty obvious Ren was the perceptive type even without being a phantom thief. And hiding under the blanket wouldn't do it him any good.
He curled up tighter. ]
Thought I saw Saki and since people who died can still somehow get to this place... I thought... [ Sigh. ] It was stupid of me.
[ He wished he could play off still being sleepy or something, but it was pretty obvious Ren was the perceptive type even without being a phantom thief. And hiding under the blanket wouldn't do it him any good.
He curled up tighter. ]
Thought I saw Saki and since people who died can still somehow get to this place... I thought... [ Sigh. ] It was stupid of me.
Don't hit yourself on the head with it...especially in this world where we sometimes feel easily manipulated.
[That, above everything else, is what Ren didn't like about this world. But that is...heavy news. He understands now why Yosuke said it would ruin the mood.]
Especially if you were getting drained of Chroma in there...I could feel it even as I reached towards you. It's not a normal place, that's for sure.
[That, above everything else, is what Ren didn't like about this world. But that is...heavy news. He understands now why Yosuke said it would ruin the mood.]
Especially if you were getting drained of Chroma in there...I could feel it even as I reached towards you. It's not a normal place, that's for sure.
I was pulled in by... something in there, a mermaid or whatever but it was still my dumbass choice to stay in.
[ Even if it was an easy manipulation, Yosuke still figured it was his fault. ]
I didn't even notice, not right away. By the time I did it was too late. [ As if on cue, his phone beeped again. He wanted to grab it and chuck it across the room. Instead, he finally pulled his legs out from under the makeshift kotatsu and forced himself to sit up, letting go of Ren's hand in the process so he could hug his legs and press his face into the blanket covering them. He sighed and turned his head to the side to peek at Ren through his bangs. ] Um... can you... not tell the others about this?
[ Even if it was an easy manipulation, Yosuke still figured it was his fault. ]
I didn't even notice, not right away. By the time I did it was too late. [ As if on cue, his phone beeped again. He wanted to grab it and chuck it across the room. Instead, he finally pulled his legs out from under the makeshift kotatsu and forced himself to sit up, letting go of Ren's hand in the process so he could hug his legs and press his face into the blanket covering them. He sighed and turned his head to the side to peek at Ren through his bangs. ] Um... can you... not tell the others about this?
[As much as he doesn't want him to keep blaming himself, Ren stays quiet and lets Yosuke finish instead of interrupting him. As the other looks back at him, he nods.]
It's not a story for me to tell.
[Even if Yosuke hadn't asked, Ren wouldn't have done it either. The beeping makes itself known again and Ren scoots a little closer.]
It might be better if you get that noise under control, however.
[Otherwise they will be probably be asking questions.]
It's not a story for me to tell.
[Even if Yosuke hadn't asked, Ren wouldn't have done it either. The beeping makes itself known again and Ren scoots a little closer.]
It might be better if you get that noise under control, however.
[Otherwise they will be probably be asking questions.]
Edited (Used the same icon twice) 2019-10-27 06:13 (UTC)
Oh, okay, hmm. The way he's always putting on a show.. I can see that. I'll have to see if he'll take his glasses off for me, then.
[ He's so cute just normally. ]
Me too. Definitely better that it wasn't just the moons.
[ He's so cute just normally. ]
Me too. Definitely better that it wasn't just the moons.
[ Sorry Ren. He's embarrassed with himself and he feels its his own fault. But he's grateful when he agrees. It's not that he believes the others would make fun of him, just the opposite really. He didn't want to hear the worry or more. Especially Chie who still seemed to be mad he ever liked the upperclassman in the first place. ]
It might take awhile just from holding hands, but...
[ They had gotten it to the point that he wasn't at dangerous levels, so it wasn't doing the angry beeping. But it was like a smoke detector at this point, beeping at intervals until the battery was replaced. Or, in this case, Chroma. ]
If you don't mind me imposing for longer, anyway.
It might take awhile just from holding hands, but...
[ They had gotten it to the point that he wasn't at dangerous levels, so it wasn't doing the angry beeping. But it was like a smoke detector at this point, beeping at intervals until the battery was replaced. Or, in this case, Chroma. ]
If you don't mind me imposing for longer, anyway.
He might if you just ask.
[ Not like he really needs them, but that's not his story to tell. ]
So, what're you gonna do now? Kanji asked me that once and I still don't really know the answer.
[ Not like he really needs them, but that's not his story to tell. ]
So, what're you gonna do now? Kanji asked me that once and I still don't really know the answer.
You're right. It would take a while.
[He casually takes off his shirt as he stands up and leans his back into Yosuke's own. They can't see each other anymore, but there's a lot more skin touching that way without making it too embarrassing for the other.]
That might help a little more.
[He casually takes off his shirt as he stands up and leans his back into Yosuke's own. They can't see each other anymore, but there's a lot more skin touching that way without making it too embarrassing for the other.]
That might help a little more.
[ Be proud, Yosuke didn't blush too hard at seeing Ren take off his shirt and then just lean against him, back to back. But his cheeks did turn pink and tried to hide them in his knees again. ]
I... um, yeah. But I-I mean... you can, y'know. We can share.
[ He pulled his reddened face from his knees to open the blanket slightly. ]
I... um, yeah. But I-I mean... you can, y'know. We can share.
[ He pulled his reddened face from his knees to open the blanket slightly. ]
[Adorable. Ren didn't get to see much of it until he felt Yosuke's tug of the blanket and quickly slinked himself closer to him so they could be side by side instead.]
You're right. It's much better that way.
[Sharing is caring.]
You're right. It's much better that way.
[Sharing is caring.]
He probably would. Or he might be a tease about it.
[ She sighs and puts her chin in both hands. ]
I don't know either. See what comes, I guess? Kind of intimidating that I now have twice the number of people who, you know...
[ She sighs and puts her chin in both hands. ]
I don't know either. See what comes, I guess? Kind of intimidating that I now have twice the number of people who, you know...
[ He spread the blanket around Ren to share the warmth of Chroma, leaning against the other teen once they were bundled. He was still a little red-faced, but it wasnβt like he didnβt like Ren or anything. Honestly, he shouldnβt be acting so shy now. He rested his cheek against Renβs shoulder. ]
Once the phone stops yelling at me, think I could borrow some clothes?
[ Although he kind of didnβt want Ren to leave the room either. Aside from being down to his boxers, he was comfortable. ]
Once the phone stops yelling at me, think I could borrow some clothes?
[ Although he kind of didnβt want Ren to leave the room either. Aside from being down to his boxers, he was comfortable. ]
[Oh. That sure is somebody swimming in the springs giving off a terrible vibe. It resonated in her horns, immense power in glamour exerted for whoever the heck was taking a dip.
Well, she'll just have to deny the fae creatures down below a meal. Why, the power used was so tremendously poor that she had to laugh.
Madhuri fell to both knees and thrust her hands to the earth, embedding her fingers in the soil. Her eyes dissipated to smoke, the white and violet falling away to the empty voids to which she'd been born with. Ember-like points burned in the black of it, a mockery of irises and pupils, focusing on the water as she offered a bit of her own chroma to the earth.
They erupted from the pool bottom like tentacles, groaning wood forced into life and stretching skyward. They twisted as they gathered beneath the swimming figure on their way up, breaking the surface and into open air as ends fought to blossom or at least form leaves; whatever the case, it seemed a tree had fought to grow in the middle of the pool and had taken Yosuke up with it.]
Hahah... fae. They never seem to quit when they have a morsel at hand, now do they?
[She desperately wanted the singers to come out and play. To vex her, perhaps, they quieted for now and remained hidden. So then she looked up, the glowing violet points dilating. Oh.
Well, no time to put up the eye glamour now.]
Ah. Fancy meeting you here!
Well, she'll just have to deny the fae creatures down below a meal. Why, the power used was so tremendously poor that she had to laugh.
Madhuri fell to both knees and thrust her hands to the earth, embedding her fingers in the soil. Her eyes dissipated to smoke, the white and violet falling away to the empty voids to which she'd been born with. Ember-like points burned in the black of it, a mockery of irises and pupils, focusing on the water as she offered a bit of her own chroma to the earth.
They erupted from the pool bottom like tentacles, groaning wood forced into life and stretching skyward. They twisted as they gathered beneath the swimming figure on their way up, breaking the surface and into open air as ends fought to blossom or at least form leaves; whatever the case, it seemed a tree had fought to grow in the middle of the pool and had taken Yosuke up with it.]
Hahah... fae. They never seem to quit when they have a morsel at hand, now do they?
[She desperately wanted the singers to come out and play. To vex her, perhaps, they quieted for now and remained hidden. So then she looked up, the glowing violet points dilating. Oh.
Well, no time to put up the eye glamour now.]
Ah. Fancy meeting you here!
[ Being stalked by statues had grown a touch tiresome to a certain acerbic swordsman. Then again, by this point, what else was he expecting? Here in this world, it seemed like the further they explored and made strides in restoring the planet, more and more trouble seemed to find them. It was his initial reasoning behind arriving here to these spiritual grounds. Gauge for any potential trouble afoot, and nip it in the bud before anyone else could get seriously hurt. As far as Cloud was concerned, he could reminisce of the past any other time. This wasn't his planet, their "Promised Land" where those in his memories were waiting for him.
Cloud's learned his lesson by now. ... Wishful thinking on his part as just when he's about to turn and leave when it seems nothing else was amiss...the melodic tones of the merfolk draw his ear. His footsteps feel heavier than usual, and the last step he takes before a chill trickles down his spine crunches beneath his foot, louder than before. The voice is faded, yet it's not like it's coming from an unknown direction either. For a time, he stands there, at odds with himself over what to do. But in the end, his curiosity wins out for better or for worse.
When he does arrive at the Spring, he simply watches from afar as someone familiar is kneeling over the rocks over the water's surface. The voice was getting closer, stronger, more beautiful and surreal. He's not certain as to why Yosuke was here too, but his reasons were his alone... It seems like, for a time, Cloud was about to contently let himself stand there on the sidelines, giving the young man his own space to pique his curiosity. ]
...? [ Perhaps he should have intervened sooner, or spoken up. Because like a scene happening in slow-motion, his eyes widen when he realizes a set of slender arms were reaching out from the water for Yosuke. As his instincts were screaming at him to stop this, it's already too late. ] Yosukeβ
[ And he's pulled under with a splash, just like that. Running a couple steps with an outstretched hand, dread creeps up his spine. Whatever that was, something was in the water and he could very well only have seconds to act. Instead of letting this fleeting fear take root however, the blond wastes little time in rushing towards the water's surface, staring down into it as he stares for any sign of life, any signs of his body. ]
Yosuke!
[ ... ]
Tch, dammit... [ There's no time to waste. If there were merpeople beneath the surface, waiting to draw unsuspecting listeners into the depths, Cloud was intent on blowing past them to save his friend. Just when he was about to jump straight in, he sees him breach the surface with a sharp gasp for air. He holds onto that brief trickle of relief at the sight of him still in one piece, ready to call for him when he can't help noticing the gradually growing exhaustion on his face. Did he even realize that Cloud was there...?
He shakes his head and takes the leap, springing out over the Spring's surface as he dives in. Almost immediately, the cold threatens to sap him of his strength, though the blond wasn't fully aware of what he was about to see yet. He's too focused on reaching for Yosuke before it's too late. Powering through as he breaches the surface of the water, Cloud swims towards him in record time, reaching out to grab him by the back of his shirt, kicking to stay afloat. ]
Pahβ Yosuke! Come on.
Cloud's learned his lesson by now. ... Wishful thinking on his part as just when he's about to turn and leave when it seems nothing else was amiss...the melodic tones of the merfolk draw his ear. His footsteps feel heavier than usual, and the last step he takes before a chill trickles down his spine crunches beneath his foot, louder than before. The voice is faded, yet it's not like it's coming from an unknown direction either. For a time, he stands there, at odds with himself over what to do. But in the end, his curiosity wins out for better or for worse.
When he does arrive at the Spring, he simply watches from afar as someone familiar is kneeling over the rocks over the water's surface. The voice was getting closer, stronger, more beautiful and surreal. He's not certain as to why Yosuke was here too, but his reasons were his alone... It seems like, for a time, Cloud was about to contently let himself stand there on the sidelines, giving the young man his own space to pique his curiosity. ]
...? [ Perhaps he should have intervened sooner, or spoken up. Because like a scene happening in slow-motion, his eyes widen when he realizes a set of slender arms were reaching out from the water for Yosuke. As his instincts were screaming at him to stop this, it's already too late. ] Yosukeβ
[ And he's pulled under with a splash, just like that. Running a couple steps with an outstretched hand, dread creeps up his spine. Whatever that was, something was in the water and he could very well only have seconds to act. Instead of letting this fleeting fear take root however, the blond wastes little time in rushing towards the water's surface, staring down into it as he stares for any sign of life, any signs of his body. ]
Yosuke!
[ ... ]
Tch, dammit... [ There's no time to waste. If there were merpeople beneath the surface, waiting to draw unsuspecting listeners into the depths, Cloud was intent on blowing past them to save his friend. Just when he was about to jump straight in, he sees him breach the surface with a sharp gasp for air. He holds onto that brief trickle of relief at the sight of him still in one piece, ready to call for him when he can't help noticing the gradually growing exhaustion on his face. Did he even realize that Cloud was there...?
He shakes his head and takes the leap, springing out over the Spring's surface as he dives in. Almost immediately, the cold threatens to sap him of his strength, though the blond wasn't fully aware of what he was about to see yet. He's too focused on reaching for Yosuke before it's too late. Powering through as he breaches the surface of the water, Cloud swims towards him in record time, reaching out to grab him by the back of his shirt, kicking to stay afloat. ]
Pahβ Yosuke! Come on.
[ Yosuke barely noticed the lack of pupils, he was a little busy clinging to a branch and coughing up the rest of the water. He shivered a bit, the air was cold compared to the Spring. But was he seeing things or was he seriously in a tree in the middle of a lake?
When did that happen? ]
...M-Maddie?
[ Ugh, he was so tired. ]
When did that happen? ]
...M-Maddie?
[ Ugh, he was so tired. ]
Page 10 of 14