Ryoji Mochizuki / 'Mushi' (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
notsogrimreaper) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
avalar_logs2013-12-26 12:15 am
notsogrimreaper) wrote in avalar_logs2013-12-26 12:15 am
A Christmas surprise!
Who: Ryoji and anyone who is dumb enough to be walking around in the middle of the night!
What: Ryoji has just arrived in Avalar. He is wet and cold and also appears to have something glowing under his scarf. Wonder what that's about?
Where: The lake! And wherever we go from there.
When: Exactly midnight, the start of December 25th.
Warnings: Ryoji! Ryoji is a mess in general. And now he'll probably get hypothermia.
[A shout echoes in the cold evening, followed by a splash, as a newcomer suddenly arrives in the forest. There's silence for a few moments after, and it's almost like there was no disturbance at all by the time a boy finally gets his head above water, gasping and scrambling onto the icey shore.
He curls up for a moment, shivering, and his dragonfly flits about nervously as it flashes a bright blue, a beacon for help, but it's not the only thing that's glowing... Underneath the teen's scarf, there's a purplish light, emanating from something. Who knows what it is? He'd have to take off his scarf before anyone could see.
The guidebook, orb, and gems are only stared at in shock for now, before he surveys the area. His lips are blue, and his teeth are chattering so violently that he can't actually speak... but if he spots anyone, he'll at least look at them with wide eyes, silently asking for assistance.]
What: Ryoji has just arrived in Avalar. He is wet and cold and also appears to have something glowing under his scarf. Wonder what that's about?
Where: The lake! And wherever we go from there.
When: Exactly midnight, the start of December 25th.
Warnings: Ryoji! Ryoji is a mess in general. And now he'll probably get hypothermia.
[A shout echoes in the cold evening, followed by a splash, as a newcomer suddenly arrives in the forest. There's silence for a few moments after, and it's almost like there was no disturbance at all by the time a boy finally gets his head above water, gasping and scrambling onto the icey shore.
He curls up for a moment, shivering, and his dragonfly flits about nervously as it flashes a bright blue, a beacon for help, but it's not the only thing that's glowing... Underneath the teen's scarf, there's a purplish light, emanating from something. Who knows what it is? He'd have to take off his scarf before anyone could see.
The guidebook, orb, and gems are only stared at in shock for now, before he surveys the area. His lips are blue, and his teeth are chattering so violently that he can't actually speak... but if he spots anyone, he'll at least look at them with wide eyes, silently asking for assistance.]
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Really, he's just out for a walk, his shopping and wrapping and decorating and baking all done with. He couldn't sleep, remembering his last Christmas, thought a walk would help clear his head a bit. He absently walks by the newcomer lake, headphones on and hands in his pockets as always. It's an old, habitual walk by now. There are rarely newcomers now, and never when he's passing by. He's mostly accepted that the people he used to go out to look for multiple times a day probably won't show.
A shout gets him to look up. The splash has him remove his headphones, looking toward the lake. Now, of all times...? Minato approaches the lake somewhat hesitantly as he sees someone make their way to shore. Something teal moving about and flashing - probably the dragonfly. But what really gets his eye is that bit of bright yellow. A scarf? It can't be...
But his gut tells him otherwise. He can feel it, it's written in the bond between the two boys.] Ryoji... [The name slips out, a ghost of a whisper, and Minato stands frozen in place for what feels like an eternity. The last person he expected to see, the first person he hoped to see. He can hardly breathe.]
Ryoji..! [And then he takes off, running toward his friend as fast as he can. Almost there, he stumbles, falls, doesn't bother to waste time getting back up. He lets his momentum and the slippery snow-covered ground carry him the rest of the way. The incoming hug may well bowl Ryoji over.] R-Ryoji...
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It's a few moments later that Ryoji finally seems to process what he's seeing. He's not in the Tower anymore. This is a different world. One that isn't destroyed. He doesn't know why he's here, but Minato is here too... but with that kind of reaction, it's a Minato that knows him. He could almost cry with relief... or maybe despair. He doesn't know what he's feeling right now. There's good and bad things about being here... too many variables for his numb mind to process right now, so he just clings to Minato like that will fix things.
The warmth from the other boy seems to be helping slightly. At least his shivers are lessening enough that he can manage a few words as his eyes shine in the glow, filled with all those emotions he can't manage to express.]
M-M-Minato... you... I...
Where...?
[He just shakes his head slightly and hugs him even tighter. Words are too complicated right now too. There's only instinct, a gut feeling that tells Ryoji he's near the person who's always been there for him, and will continue to be. He knows Minato must feel it too. The unmistakable sense that something about this scene, the two of them a tangle of limbs on an icey beach, one likely to catch his death of cold... something about this is just right.]
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Y-You're here. [Despite the shaking in his voice from crying, he's laughing, too.] You're here. We're in another world, Ryoji, it's called Avalar. The- The Guidebook has more information...
[It feels so right, like something Minato didn't quite realize was missing has just been restored. He holds Ryoji closer, both to keep him warm and for the comfort of finally being reunited. He laughs again - he's so happy, more carefree than he ever sounded back home.] I-I can't believe it... Just when I'd gotten used to the idea of being alone...! [Well, not exactly alone... But alone enough. He'd doubted he'd ever see any of his friends from home again, much less get Ryoji back.]
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Don't cry...
[But he wants to cry too, at least to get out some of the emotion inside him. For now, though, the confusion inside that maelstrom of feelings is at the forefront, and he won't cry when he needs answers.]
Thought they were all gone...
[He couldn't dare dream of a world where everything was still beautiful and full of life, especially after seeing the state of his own world... he didn't dare dream of finding Minato either, but here it all is, right in front of him.
He smiles at Minato's laugh, the pure joy of it infectious, and brings up a shaking hand to pat Minato's head.]
Not alone... never alone.
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[His thoughts are disjointed and random, his heart racing at a mile a minute. He stays there basking in completion for a few long moments. Finally, finally, things are how they should be. Still...he an hear those teeth chatting, feel the water soaking through his own clothes.]
No, not anymore... Sorry, c-come on. Let's get you inside where it's warm. I-I have a house, we can talk there. [He pushes himself off, wiping at his eyes uselessly. God this feels good. He stands, then, grabbing Ryoji's things and offering a hand up. If the other boy shows any sign of difficulty moving, Minato won't hesitate to carry him; he's fairly sure he can.
He lets out one more laugh as he realizes the date.] O-Oh, and. Merry Christmas.
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[He looks off into the distance for a moment, still shivering. What does this all mean? Was he transported to a world that was still safe? Was that virus going to kill it later on, while they were still here? Maybe he had been taken to the past, or a future where everyone had succeeded in restoring worlds outside of the Tower...
He doesn't have time to think of that right now. He takes Minato's warm hand with one that is ice cold, and though he stumbles getting up, and his legs are shaking, he manages to move.
Minato's laugh confuses him for a moment, and his words confuse him even more. He was almost certain it was the middle of November. He was just going to his birthday party before he ended up here... This is too bizarre.]
M-Merry Christmas...
[The one thing he knows for sure is that he's happy to spend it with Minato.]
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He's a careful, gentle guide. Through the forest, to the portal to Idol Springs... As houses come into view, it's clear it's Christmas. The greenery, lights, candles, some houses of people still awake caroling. It's definitely Christmas.
He leads the way to one house in particular. It's dim inside, only one or two lights on. Once inside, he pauses a moment.]
Here, I'll get you some dry clothes- and start a fire... Blankets, too, uh- do you want something to drink? We have coffee, tea, and cocoa. [He's prodding the glowing embers in the fireplace first, of course. They totally have a fireplace. He'll get the fire going, then get the drinks ready, then clothes and blankets. Ryoji should fit in some of his spare stuff.]
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He stands in the entrance to the house, afraid to step deeper into the warmth while he's still drenched, and smiles at Minato. Lucky the two of them are almost the same height...]
C-Cocoa... please.
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Don't just stand there, you're going to freeze. [He doesn't care about getting things wet, and he's sure Marie will understand. He'll come tug Ryoji indoors if he doesn't come sit by the fire on his own. He'll try not to wake Marie up with his fussing.
...You know what, first thing's first. He's quickly ducking into his room to grab some clothes and blankets. He's out again in a flash.] Here, these should fit you.
[There's a life to his eyes that can't go out now. He can't stop smiling. He ducks into the kitchen next, to give Ryoji some privacy and to prepare some cocoa. Marshmallows, whipped cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, peppermint sticks....he's got all the fixings.]
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[He really doesn't want to drip all over the house, especially when it's all warm and cozy, but it appears he doesn't have much of a choice. He cries out in surprise as he's pulled closer to the fire, but he smiles lightly when he feels the heat. Colour is already returning to his cheeks by the time Minato returns with the spare clothes.]
Thanks.
[He's grateful for the privacy, because there's no way for him to hide this now... Stripping off his scarf, the metal collar becomes clearly visible. He taps at it absent-mindedly before hastily changing into the other clothing. As grateful as he is to be here, he isn't sure what it means if he still has his collar. He may still only have a few months left... maybe even less since the fluid won't be changed regularly. And what about his friends back home? They're still suffering while he relaxes here...
He's so lost in thought that doesn't even notice when Minato comes back with the cocoa.]
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[He has to admit, he hadn't been expecting anyone to arrive. Not many people do, and no one new has showed up since.... October, it feels like. The lake had been much warmer then. Minato takes a seat next to Ryoji, fully intending to provide more warmth.]
So...explaining, huh. Where should I start?
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B-Better. It wasn't so cold back there...
[He doesn't say back home. He can't say that. He'll give Minato some time to get used to this before springing any shocks like that on him. He does seem to move just slightly away from Minato when he sits down, though, still nervous.]
I guess wherever you think it's best to start. I-I don't even know what to ask...
[At least he's warm enough to speak coherently, though.]
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This book is the Guidebook, it's got detailed information...but the story is, these worlds are dying. Something's draining the magic. People from other worlds have been brought in to help restore it. [And honestly, Minato doesn't mind it one bit. Sure, there are bad parts. He's come close to dying twice since he was brought here. But...he's alive. He's made new friends. He's living.]
I've been here..close to seven months now. But apparently time is stopped back home while we're here, we don't need to worry about the Seal or anything. There are some Persona-users from 2012 here, too, so there's proof. [He figures that's an important thing to bring up. No, the seal isn't broken. Home is still safe.]
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[It sounds very familiar… except the virus back in Animus was wiping out life, not just magic. Still, something must be connecting the two. There has to be some reason why he was brought here from that Tower. Maybe he can think of a way to stop a few worlds from being destroyed before it’s too late.
He doesn’t seem surprised that Minato has been here so long, nor that time is stopped back home.]
I see… so you remember the Seal too. I’m glad. I was worried for a second that you wouldn’t have experienced everything I have.
[Even though Minato still couldn’t have experienced everything… Ryoji was in the Tower for over ten months.]
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[October was a mess. Minato's glad his injuries all healed fairly easily. At least he was able to determine it's a lot more fun to eat the pumpkin than to be eaten by the pumpkin.
He nods absentmindedly.] Yeah, I'm from the end of everything. I should warn you, though, there are other worlds that are...really similar to ours. There's a girl here named Minako Arisato who shares the same role as me. ...She's from back in July.
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[Ryoji immediately looks worried. His own October involved losing his girlfriend and then being eaten alive by shadow children, but he can't help but worry it was worse here.]
A-Ah, Minako? I think I remember her.
[The words slip out before he can stop them. He only knew her in passing, so it seemed so casual to just mention her... but now he's admitted he knows much more than he lets on.]
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But now his eyes narrow. Ryoji is clearly from his side of things, so...] You know her. How?
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[Ah, he caught on to that… He looks down at his hands, muttering quietly.]
I didn’t want to explain right now. I just got here, and I didn’t want to spring something like this on you… [A sigh.] The fact of the matter is that I wasn’t in the Seal before I came here.
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[He'd almost kicked his ass for passing out like he did in November, after all.
He can see already something happened. Something...horrible, if his guess is right. Ryoji shouldn't be acting this way.]
What happened? Are you alright?
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I don’t think anyone there could be okay… I was taken from the Seal and brought to this Tower. We were each given a note that said our worlds were destroyed, and that we had been rescued to live there. Our ‘rescuers’ tortured us on a regular basis, forcing us to harm and kill our friends, mutilating our minds and bodies. If we happened to die from this, our souls would be taken and forced into another body… a fake.
[He lifts a hand and pulls his scarf down, exposing the collar with the faintly glowing violet gel inside.]
Do you see this? That’s what my whole body is made out of. I’m really just wires and fluid, and there’s a glamour system in place to make me look like myself… I’m not sure how it’s working here.
[He moves his hand away, rubbing his forehead with a sigh.]
To be honest, the body was the easiest part to handle… there were far worse things that happened, but I won’t get into all of that mess.