obfuscate | 001 ☾ VIDEO // ACTION FOR ROUTE 29

[It's around nighttime when this video post comes up. A girl in a school uniform with a pair of read headphones on her neck smiles at the camera, seemingly used to this situation and not bothered by it at all. Judging by the scenery, she's already left New Bark Town.]

Hey, wandering around the woods at night like this reminds me of a story. If you're interested, keep listening. After all, no one's ever too old for a nice bedtime story!

[Her smile not faltering, she begins to recount the horrifying tale.]

Okay, so here it goes. Rumor has it that should one ever venture into a forest at night, you'll have the chance of encountering a creature resembling a very tall and skinny man wearing a suit with no face. His arms and legs are so thin and long, that they almost look like wires! If you stare at him too long, he will take you. But no matter how far you run, he'll always be there when you look back. Just standing there and watching.

Some say that if he doesn't take you away right there and then, you'll start to feel sick from that day on. Not only that, but if you look out your window, he'll be there. Just standing and watching. Until the day you go insane or he finally takes you away. Now, some rumors say that his victims are found a few days later hanging off the branches of dead trees, their internal organs removed and put back inside, only encased in a strange sac of unknown material.

Oh, and the thing about him? The more you think about him, the more likely he'll come to you.

[Without any warning, the face of a Duskull flies towards the camera. A deliberate jump scare. Minato giggles, pulling the Duskull away from the camera and holding him with her free arm.]

Well then! Wasn't that a fun story? I should make this a routine or something! Wouldn't that be nice?

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[Does it mean anything to him?

He thinks of the Evoker at Minato's side. He thinks of how they're used - to summon Persona, like the one Aigis had. To destroy Shadows.

To destroy him.

He had been ready to beg, if it had come to that -- to die. To ease the pain of those he cared for.

He nods slowly, trying to keep from shaking. He doesn't think he could speak, for the moment, but he tries anyway.]

... Yes. It's how you summon a Persona, right?

[There's no cheer in his voice either. Just regret.]

... Yeah.

[She lowers her hand and gives a small nod. That pretty much gauges where Ryoji comes from. Minato feels a bit bad, having to force him to remember those things.]

I'm really sorry I had to bring it up. It's weird, isn't it... That I know all these things when you don't even know me. I understand if you don't want to talk about it anymore. I mean... I wouldn't want you to hate me.

It's... okay. [It isn't. But he's still confused.] If you know that, then you're probably one of Minato-kun's friends, but... I didn't see you when I was with them.

[...Minato Arisato, though. The coincidence is too much. But...

Ryoji hesitates, then drapes the end of his scarf over the Gear. For some reason, he doesn't think he could handle that sad look anymore.]

I'm sorry I don't remember you, Minato-chan. It must be harder on you than it is for me.

[It's almost he's wrapping it around her head. It would have been a sweet gesture, if only he remembered...]

It's fine, but I'm a bit confused... As far as I know, I'm the only Minato that's part of SEES.

You were never there, Minato-chan. Minato-kun was the only one I ever knew.

[...]

Were... you their leader, Minato-chan?

[Well, of all the weird things she's been put through, someone important to her pretty much telling her that she didn't exist was new. Surprising, even.]

... Yeah. I'm guessing "I" was a totally different person from what you remember.

So you were the one to decide if...

[...He wants to know.

It isn't the Minato he remembers, but it's something --]

Did you take my advice and kill me, Mianko-chan? Or did you decide to take on the impossible task of trying to defeat Nyx?

[He sounds just as he was in December; hollow, resolved to die. Ready to beg for it.]

[So he's from that time... It must be painful for him. She kind of feels bad for forcing him to remember.

She genuinely smiles though, despite him not seeing it. Despite the sacrifice she made... Minato didn't regret it. She was oddly satisfied with how things went.]

You don't have to worry. Everything's fine now. I'm sure that... Minato-kun will make the same decision I did. The right one.

[She gives a small laugh, and next thing she says is more quiet, as it was mostly towards herself than Ryoji.]

Besides, there's no way I could hurt the person I was in love with.

Edited 2012-09-26 20:06 (UTC)

The right one isn't to sacrifice yourself for a needless cause! [Hypocritical, isn't he? He's all too ready to die just to give them some peace of mind --

He hesitates on continuing though, not quite sure if he heard her right. If he did, then... He's hurt her more than he realized. He moves the scarf out of the way, studying her face.

After a moment:] Forgive what I just said, Minato-chan. [It was thoughtless. It was her decision, after all --] Would you... like to meet up with me, somewhere? I'm staying in Violet City right now, which is only a few days from New Bark Town, if you wouldn't mind travelling with me for a bit. I want to see you.

Edited 2012-09-26 23:23 (UTC)

[Minato couldn't help but flinch slightly at his outburst. Of course he'd feel that way. She still had no regrets, but seeing him in such pain was tough.

She's not sure if it was right to tell him what happened after that day, but at least she'll have time to think about it before she makes a decision, thanks to his offer.]

I don't mind at all. I think traveling like this would be better done in a group, really.

[Plus, she wanted to see him too, even if he didn't remember her. Plus, there was something she'd like to give him.]

I'll probably stay the night at Cherrygrove once I arrive there, so I'll be at Violet City probably around the 25th. Will that be okay?

That'll be fine. [...What else should he say..?] I look forward to travelling with such a lovely young woman again.

001 ☾ VIDEO // ACTION FOR ROUTE 29

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