solnet | [Video]- So when you think it really might come to blows

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[Video]- So when you think it really might come to blows

(ooc: content warning for violence, suicidal ideation, nihilism, consent issues, verbal abuse, self-hatred)

[Some of you may have noticed that Minako disappeared from her usual routine starting early in the morning of the 26th. Her things were not left behind this time, though, and she isn't gone for too long.

About midday, a video gets posted to the network. The image flicks on as someone appears to be propping the phone up on various jury-rigged objects. At first, all you can see is the torso of a Gekkoukan school uniform, and some auburn hair.

Then, the set-up crew bends down to show her face. Her almost perfect copy of Minako's face, but for the glowing yellow eyes and the very wrong smile. It's cruel and hollow, and her wild hair frames around her face and makes her look even more untamed.]

Hellooooo castle residents!

[She backs away with a familiar grace, made ironic in her drama of it, to reveal what she meant to film- Minako, crumpled on the ground, curled to show her back to the camera.]

I know plenty of you recognize this face, [She points at herself] but none of you really know us.

[She nudges Minako with a foot, reaching down to pull her up to a sitting position by her ponytail.]

Oh she may look and act all sweet and innocent and open, I've watched her do it all month. I thought maybe she would be smart enough to know, seeing me, that that wouldn't fly for long. Tch. I'm here to make sure all of you know how much of a lie that is. And to see what happens to liars if they don't repent. Right, self?

[Now forced to sit, it's clear Minako has been kicked around a bit already. Her face is dirty and scraped. The shadow releases her once it's sure she's sitting and pets her hair in mock sympathy.]

That pretty face hides so many dark secrets, [She tuts and brushes her fingers over Minako's face... before slapping her, hard. Minako grunts but doesn't otherwise react. She knows that will make it worse.] She didn't want any of you to know that we're dead, at first. That would make it so easy to for you all to find out how much she wanted to die!

[The shadow laughs, clutching her belly and throwing back her head. This is the funniest shit she's ever heard. Minako starts to react, eyebrows knitting, and lips moving, and the shadow rounds on her with a fury that seems so far beyond Minako... but at the same time so very believable.]

You know it's still true! That death acceptance stuff was just bullshit! We were this close to taking that peaceful ending, and you had to go and pretend to be noble! All of us, your precious friends, we could have rested in peace! You wanted it so badly you could taste the steel of our gun! Just kill Ryoji, by our hand, kill our own connection to this Tartarus bullshit and die as one of humanity!

But no. You couldn't give up what made you special. What made you forget that we are nothing and no-one!. Not even SEES ever saw the real you, and that is a fact!

[She's practically spitting now, leaning down over Minako, who is wincing at the words, unable to keep herself stoic. She's shaking, too, if the camera will catch that. Tears are starting to form in her eyes, but they don't fall just yet.]

Yeah, I knew you didn't have a snappy retort for that one. You hail them up in your soul like they saved you from your despair, like they taught you the meaning of friendship and who you really are, and how to define yourself... [She leans in close to stage whisper right in Minako's ear.] How to say 'no'.

[Minako really flinches that time and her shadow laughs again, pushing her back down to the floor. It isn't clear what part of the castle they're even in, so it would be hard to go finding them, with how dangerous it is right now.]

Ah but that was a hard lesson to learn! We're still learning it! Saying 'no' means people might not like us all the time and that just can't do for our fragile little ego! We may have decided who we are but we still rely on the approval of others to have self-worth, don't we? We are so desperately, endlessly lonely that we would give up everything, to anyone who asked for it! Not that everything we are isn't worthless, fake, pretend...

[The shadow skips around her prone self to the front, where a partially-covered bandage reveals a fresh injury. The shadow aims a perfect kick, and Minako screams. Blood starts to seep through the bandage.]

Aww, the truth hurts, doesn't it, little self? It would hurt less if you could admit it on your own! What else do your stupid little friends need to know about you?

[The shadow watches Minako crumple and clutch at herself, almost bored. Such a stark contrast to her laughter from earlier.]

You really are enjoying this though, aren't you? Such a release, to give yourself over to pain and pathetic sobbing. Let me do all the hard work for you of being honest, airing out our dirty laundry. So selfish! [She steps on Minako's ribs. She wants to hurt her more, but if she focuses on the wound too much, she might pass out, and that would ruin all the fun.] It's so comforting to let the hurt and the pain take over, let that be your payment for being a horrible, selfish, empty thing! You don't have to put in any effort for that! Right?

[She rolls Minako over with her foot, making her face the camera, and pokes her face with a foot.]

You torture yourself so much for the sake of "atoning" for what you are, but you know that's just more self-indulgent, selfish dog shit. [Minako groans.] Hmph. At least you sort of admit to that one. Good girl. You really do just love suffering, don't you? Why else would you give up a happy ending for the sake of being the beloved martyr? For the sake of being chewed on by humanity's collective suicide for the rest of forever?

You are pathetically desperate to be special. Just give up! We're nothing. We're no-one. We're a mirror that others see themselves in. Clay to be molded exactly how they want us so that we don't feel so empty inside. Let the others fill us up. Use them so that we don't hate ourself, right? Ugh. Take, take, take. Selfish cunt.

I don't even know what to say to you anymore. But there has to be something more...

[She lifts a finger to her chin, tapping away in a mockery of Minako's thinking face. Then she turns to address the camera again, winking and grinning.]

I want to make sure all of you are witnessing this. It is very important to me that my dear self finally opens up and is honest about all of our faults. She's very protective of them, you know. So controlled. Such a perfect actress. Please, video or call or text in with your questions you're all dying to know and I'll make sure she doesn't keep any more secrets from you! You deserve better, after all, putting up with her and being her "friends"!

She would do anything for any of you! Just to make sure you'd throw her a little affection bone once in awhile! Isn't that sweet? Isn't that. Just. So. Selfless!

[She kicks Minako again, and blood starts to really pool out of her bandage onto the floor. There are obvious tear tracks on her face when the shadow lifts her up again, holding her shoulders to aim her at the camera.]

Come on, come ask all of Minako! Not just the pathetic perfect hero she pretends to be!

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[The image shows golden eyes, before the phone's pulled back a bit to show 'Casper's' face.]

Well! That sounds familiar, doesn't it? You're so special. You want everyone to love you, everyone to pay attention to you.

[There's a muffled groan from off-screen, but the Shadow doesn't react.]

You just take, take, take. Or you want to. As if anyone would ever care about you! Hmm... I wonder who that sounds like.

[He shifts, and there's another pained groan, before he tilts the camera to show Casper on his stomach on the floor... and the Shadow's sitting on his back.]

So I guess the question is... why don't you just die? If you're so empty inside, why not just give up? I'm sure my mother will be more than happy to drag you to her realm. Maybe she'll even assign me to do it.

[The shadow cackles at the sight of an ally.]

Oh, just so special. We're the Leader! We're the Fool Card of infinite potential! We sacrificed ourself to save the world!

[her tone is mocking and nasal, and she rocks Minako around as she speaks. Minako tries not to react, but she's pale and sick looking.

The shadow watches Casper be revealed, tapping on her lips.]

You know, we tried that! We've been dead multiple times over! First back "home" and now here! It doesn't seem to stick, though. Too bad. Maybe if we keep trying, mm?

[Minako grinds her teeth.]

And so the Fool becomes the Universe, right? The hero's journey is done. So stop it. But go ahead! Try it again! I'm sure there's a special place in Helheim - or whatever realm you're going to - for you.

S... stop it...

[The Shadow glances down at his other self, huffing in amusement.]

His death didn't stick, either. He begged his mother to let him go back. Better than facing her anger over you being an idiot, right? He wants to be a hero, too. Maybe you can give him some tips - though he doesn't really think he's cut out for it.

It's funny, isn't it? How do you take on the weight of the world when you can't support yourself? I wonder... maybe you can teach him how to do a heroic sacrifice, since he wants to die so much. What was it that that guy used to say? 'Dying is easy. You just have to give up.' Right? How many times did he watch people die? Enough to know what he was talking about, right?

Oh yes, all that special level-up superpowered jazz! We're the Big Damn Hero with all the responsibility. All the weight of the world on our shoulders, the power in one little weapon...

[The shadow brandishes the Evoker it stole from Minako, playfully pointing it to her own head, and then pressing it against Minako's cheek.]

I wonder what happens if your shadow pulls the trigger on you instead, hmm? [Minako doesn't react, but the shadow laughs anyway,] Maybe it'll finally stick! Because your true self is actually shooting you!

[She makes a farting sound with her mouth.] Tips on what? How to pathetically kiss everyone's ass until you've gained enough social links to be strong? How to lead your precious special friends into certain danger and death? How to never be able to decide if you're selfish or selfless? Psh.

Here's a hint, self. Just a little tidbit to help you remember. You're selfish. Greedy. Needy. High-maintenance. A taker.

Dying turned out to not be so easy for this one. She shoots herself in the head nightly, multiply, but even with that delicious rush of adrenaline, she never actually dies. [Shrug.] She had to give up her life force to some magic spell in order to make it take, isn't that pathetic?

Heh. This guy keeps trying to take on everything for everyone. Pathetic. What's the point of doing all of this if you're doomed, anyway? At least now he's strong enough physically to kick the ass of all those kids who teased him when he was younger, but it's not like he'd ever do it. Too much of a 'good person'. Give me a break!

Was she relieved when she found out she wasn't 'normal'? He was. Though the guy who told you that little thing... funny, when daddy dearest turned out to be barely human himself. More than just the part of him being a mage - can't look at any books about World War Two without feeling personally awful, right? At least he had it figured out - kill the people who stand in your way or who aren't useful anymore. Just like your brother, hm?

[She plays with her nails, only half-listening.]

Oh, sure. I mean, we knew we weren't normal from the moment we watched that robot do whatever she did that made the big monster disappear. We knew we weren't normal when we started seeing a little kid in striped pajamas watching us, that nobody else could see. We repressed it though.

Knowing that there was an actual reason, explanation, for why for an hour every midnight everything turned green and people became coffins, wasn't even the best part. The best part wasn't even that we got to shoot ourselves to summon our persona! No, the best part was that we just had this charm that they trusted us right away, made us Leader and let us call the shots. We got to be special! And we only kept getting more special and more attention!

Allll the fucking attention we could ever want, huh? [Prods Minako. Then looks up at the other shadow, confused.]

Brother?

[He shifts a little, making Casper groan in pain.]

His brother. He was supposed to kill him, but he froze up. Sure, he was blood family, but it's not like he had any feelings for him. And he was a freak of nature - some kind of science and magic monstrosity that was just a weapon.

He freezes up way too much. Wants to do the right thing. He's glad he's got an explanation for shit like you've got, but he still doesn't want to fight. Doesn't want to hurt anyone. So what, he just messes with their minds instead? How's that more noble?

[Finally, Casper speaks up. He's not going to just let that stand.]

I almost never use it...

But you could. Hell, if you got stronger I bet you could just make people be your friend and listen to you. How about that?

Ngh...

Edited 2016-09-15 05:44 (UTC)

Ooohhh do you hear that, self? This one does mind fuckery, what do you think of that? Innocent little sweet thing that doesn't want to fight messes with his enemy's heads instead! What is it you always liked to think about personhood?

[The shadow chuckles and rolls her eyes.]

Like we aren't manipulative as hell, reading people's souls and adjusting ourselves and our behavior accordingly just to get what we want from them. Trick them into liking us, thinking we're someone worthwhile. Ugh.

Hmmm but take it from our experience. Making people be your friend does make you stronger. Social Links and all that. "The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed."

Yeah, but he's just unlikeable. He's a freak of nature - too bad at being a demigod, too bad at being a human. He claims he only uses that power when he has no other choice and so that people believe the truth, but how the hell does that work? If it's true then it's true and he's not gonna get around it by using that sort of shit.

Oh man. He wishes he could be perceptive like that. He never knows what people want. What they want is for you and your freaky lie detection power to stop calling them out. What a freak.

[ Oh boy; the Shadows here were really getting out of hand. Adachi could only do so much on his own, and for a moment he couldn't help a bit of helplessness. How was he supposed to deal when Persona users were having this kind of trouble? They all already faced themselves... right? ]

[ ...actually, now that he thought about it, he had no idea how the Iwatodai crew got their powers. Wow, he was the worst detective ever if he couldn't even remember to ask such an obvious question. ]

[ He could hate on himself later; right now Minako really needed help. ]

Hey, that's enough!

[Minako was hoping she'd get off with a fairly tame one, after it spent most of the month doing nothing but stalk her, really. Oh how wrong she was. She is so sorry to the whole Inaba crew that they had to do this to get their personas. All she had to to was accept her inevitable death...]

'Hey, that's enough'!

[The shadow mocks his tone dramatically, poison dripping from every word.]

Bored already.

[ Geeze, this one was harsh... ]

She doesn't deserve you beating the crap out of her and spilling her dirty laundry in public. Back the hell off.

[ The background behind Adachi is moving; he's already on the move, trying to find where she is. ]

[The sweeter the self, the worse the shadow... or something like that.]

Shows what you know. You've barely met her and you dare to suggest you know what she deserves better than her own true self? Arrogant.

[For the most part, Ghaleon has purposefully stayed out of people facing the physical manifestations of their own inner turmoil. Interfering with everyone would only run him ragged, and frankly, he only knows a few well enough to assist in dealing with their (apparently rather deep) psychological issues without prior consent. Something this serious being broadcast over the network, however...

Well, it looks like it's time to act in the way that seems so very effective in motivating heroes to pull themselves together...]

Honestly, what is it about you hero types that causes so many of you to display a tendency for self-flagellation?

Dear Minako, would you take a moment to stop beating yourself so I can heal the injured one's wounds? With the rate of blood loss, I suspect you only have minutes before she passes out, and one can hardly answer questions if they're unconscious.

[This is such a mess. Minako is so sorry that anyone else has to witness or deal with this in any way. She was hoping to pass this problem by quietly... which of course is why her shadow has determined to make a scene.]

It's exactly that, you know. That hero complex. Gotta save everyone, do the right thing, be a beacon of hope and all that hogwash.

[The shadow shrugs.]

We have healing capabilities. If I need her to stop bleeding I can make that happen.

It was a rhetorical question. Trust me, I've worked with and against heroes long enough to have a pretty good idea of what makes them tick. Part of that is being utterly terrible at knowing their limits.

That's precisely why I don't really trust you to actually know how much she can actually take, I might add. As a professional, I can hardly stand by and let a resource potentially be damaged enough to be out of commission for more than a few days.

[Okay, so the whole speech to the Shadow is largely just an act drawing from his villain days, but there's just enough truth in the sentiment that he does genuinely sound like an irritated doctor tired of his patients pulling dumb stunts that require replacing old stitches and adding in entirely new ones.

Ghaleon never did claim to be particularly nice.]

[The shadow rolls her eyes into next week. Your lecturing is not impressing her.]

I suppose you're right about one thing. She doesn't know her limits at all. Where you're wrong, is assuming that means that I don't, either.

I assure you she's not that much use to you.

[She shrugs at the suggestion, pushing Minako back over onto the ground. She lands with a hard thump and a grunt.]

Okay, Minako. I've got a question for you.

[She's going to wait just a moment, draw it out so that the Shadow doesn't get any bright ideas to cut the feed or anything. Dramatic tension has its uses, after all.]

Oooh goody, someone's finally taking the bait! Let's have it then! What do you want to know about little ol' us?

[The shadow pinches Minako's cheeks at the camera.]

I mean, it's not every day you get a chance like this. So I want an honest answer.

No lies. No weaseling. No trying to get around it or draw it out. I just want two or three words, tops. Can you be honest with me, Minako?

[Please, PLEASE understand what she's saying here...]

[Minako can tell something is up. Katherine doesn't act like this, wouldn't act like this. Her shadow is too busy being eager, assuming the worst in others, that she's blind to the obvious, for now. Small miracles.

She actually makes herself look at the camera, along with her shadow. Two sets of warm colored eyes bore right into Katherine.]

Look at her, so eager to finally be honest! Good girl! Come at us, "friend".

No, no... Closer. I wanna look her RIGHT in the eyes.

[thankfully, with her helmet in the way, neither Minako nor Shadow Minako can see the predatory grin on her face.]

Now, Minako, just answer my question...

Where are you?

[Even if Minako can only choke out a word before getting cut off, she's got Ghost trying to follow this signal. Just a little more information, and she can take off on the hunt.]

[Shadow Minako is starting to get suspicious, but her curiosity is as strong as the original's, so she plays along. She shuffles Minako in closer, holding her up by the shoulders. It takes Minako a minute to adjust her eyes and focus, and she's incredibly confused by this whole process.

In the split second after Katherine asks, Minako's face breaks into a mischievous, lopsided grin. At the same time, Shadow Minako's face twists into a horrible scowl.]

Chandeli-

How dare you!

[The Shadow shrieks and backhands Minako hard, knocking her over. On her way down, Minako knocks the phone down, and it clatters to the ground from it's carefully placed position, revealing the ceiling... and the balcony that reveals this as the middle level of the Chandelier Hall.]

Edited 2016-09-17 06:18 (UTC)

Hey.

See you soon.

[Then, to have a little more fun with the situation, Katherine just straight up disappears from sight as the camera's focused on her.]

[ . . . Well that's violent. That's violent and more than a little bit alarming. The man plays it more than once to see if he can pick up any environmental clues from the background for the video, but he has his doubts that he can. Or well, rather, that even if he did he would be able to know where it was in the first place. He's too new. So what's his role in this sort of situation...?

Play along, ignore it?

He's not sure, so he might as well follow his instincts. For his part, the video's recording him clearly on the move. ]

Hooooh, I guess we can be sure that you have a flair for the dramatic, Minako-chan. I'm not sure what I'd even ask anymore.

[Minako recognizes that this is a new acquaintance and winces even harder. Please, Masaomi, you don't need to see this, or deal with this... Her shadow is serious business.

She doesn't know what game you're playing, but she's worried. Shadow Minako at least seems amused.]

Like I said, we are quite the little actress. Hmmmmm for you... I could tell you that she's q u i t e disappointed she didn't feel like she could throw you more of a bone~

[Oh jesus she's starting to cater her responses to people. Minako groans, ignored by her shadow for now.]

Ooooh, oh really! I'm that much of a pitiable sort in the first place? Oh man, and I was hoping to seem at least a little cool!

[ Maybe if he can get the shadow to do some theatrical backpedal he'll be able to see more of the surrounds and assess, at least, if it's a bedroom or not. That'll help, right? He says this with dull surprise though, his face maybe even looking a little whiny...

Which is a bit silly on someone his age but details ]

[The shadow laughs. His pain is almost as amusing as Minako's.]

Well you do come across as rather desperate, but you're missing the point. Poor selfless little slut here promised that she wouldn't wildly flirt with every cute boy she comes across anymore. Isn't that sad? It's so hard for her to hold back, too...

[Minako flinches, shoulders shaking.]

Holding back from getting the kind of attention she really wants, just to keep a little kid from crying, isn't that right? Oh, yes, because you'll wait for him to grow up, doesn't that sound familiar?

But we'll be DEAD long before that, won't we?

[ In truth, he's not really happy with the fact that the camera isn't working in his favor, and also with the idea of Minako being called a slut. Maybe she is, he can't know? But dead, huh...

Masaomi's face remains a smile the whole time, and it grows a little bit more impish at the end, ]

Oh! Oh, you've done the same thing, Minako-chan?! That whole long shot promise thing's a classic, isn't it? Ah, I remember it like it was yesterday... Still! I happen to be the most magnanimous man in the world, so it's not like any of that's a problem for me. Let's flirt, Minako-chans.

[There isn't much to be happy about. Minako is trying very, very hard to not directly oppose her shadow. She knows that will only make it worse.]

You act like it's cute instead of revolting. [But the shadow shrugs. She tried. This guy's apparently a weirdo.]

Do you really want to enable her to break a promise? To break a sweet little heart?

[She grins, right up by Minako's ear.] Oh but wait, he's magicked himself away and back and managed to get all grown up without all that waiting, didn't he? Why don't we go face that? ... Oh, right, because you're too pathetic and terrified of rejection.

[She rolls her eyes, turns back to Masaomi.]

But I guess it's much less of a crime to make a grown man cry, hm?

Adorable, really... [ But he breathed that out, not even able to say much of anything in his or her favor. He's not sure that he's getting what the shadow is getting at - blame lack of context - but he has a guess now, and that guess is... disturbing. That guess suggests that this is more than a hypothetical and it's not about that carnival barking guy who got up in his case when he flirted with her, unless they advanced from like four to fifteen or something. Without knowing the actual facts, especially on video, it's harder to keep up an act.

What a performer he's up against now.

Not to mention controlling the camera angle so well. ]

Mmmm, if it's a boy or a man, I'd say both of them are a lower tier crime than making a girl cry! So in that respect, I'm going to have to say what whatever Minako-chan's intentions are, and especially whatever her desires are, those are completely correct! So says the wisdom of Masaomi Kida.

[ And now he holds up two fingers, about eight inches apart ]

Neh, Minako-chan, you ever hear about the dichotomy of want and need?

[What the shadow is on about may be obtuse to Masaomi, but her responses really aren't for him. They're for Minako herself, and the torture it brings her. Still, it would be more effective if Masaomi knew what was going on and could therefore shame her better for it. The shadow snorts. Mostly she's making mountains out of molehills for the sake of getting a rise.

Isn't what what these sorts of shadows do?]

Oh, her intentions are always noble, or they can be construed as such. We make absolutely sure of that. We're a good little self-sacrificing hero. Say whatever they want to hear, be whoever they want to have. Blah, blah, blah.

[She doesn't directly respond to his question, just rolls her eyes at him and stares with a raised eyebrow as if to say 'so what?']

Okay, so what do you wan to to?

[ Man, he hopes someone else is getting more out of this, and he's at least serving to distract the Shadow. As is, he puts a big smile on his face for the camera, clearly standing as he gets up so he might pace, or at least walk down the hall. There's no way he would find her by chance, right? ]

[This is not at all what he wanted to see. Every inch of him is screaming with rage, mainly at the violence directed towards a close friend.

He tries not to listen to what's being said. He wouldn't want her to listen to his shadow. But even then, he picks up on a few things. His hand shakes, still holding the cellphone. She was... dead? She wanted to die?

He can't listen to that right now. He has a mission now and he's not resting until he's followed through on it.]

You want us to ask questions? I'll ask. Tell me where you are.

[Minako doesn't want anyone to see this. It's too much, too true... but also too untrue. It aches more than her wounds to know that her friends are going to see this.

Something horrible clenches in her stomach and her eyes sober for a moment.]

Yuki-!

[Interrupted by her shadow's laughter.]

Oh isn't this cute. Prince charming thinks he's going to come rescue his princess! No can do, ototo, you just want to ruin my fun.

[His stomach twists when he hears her speak. She's obviously in pain, and he isn't going to allow that to happen to someone important to him. He'll stop it. He has to. He has to be strong.

The shadow's laugh and words only cut slightly. He ignores it.]

Don't you think it'd be more fun to have a live audience? Tell me where you are.

[ Here's a shadow to match a shadow. He's smirking as he watches the both of them, studying Minako's face as he drinks in her despair. When he speaks, it's to the other shadow. ]

Admirable actions, friend. I wish I'd thought of this first. But let's test if it's effective.

[ He speaks to Minako next, a sweet simpering tone now in his voice. ]

If you want to be dead, why aren't you more effective? Or do you have the idiotic idea that someone might actually want you to survive?

[Oh hello dark friend!]

I would take credit all to myself, but that would be dishonesty more befitting this one- [She prods Minako.] Her own nightmares and worries gave me the idea.

[Minako groans, bloodshot eyes looking up at the camera and she wrinkles her nose slowly into a snarl at the other shadow.]

Because I don't want to die. Not... not completely.

Fucking lair! [The shadow shrieks, grabbing and yanking on her hair again.] You want to die for real! Move on to oblivion or whatever! We both want that, but you took it away from us!

Oh, look in the life in that one. [ Is he talking about Minako or her shadow? Probably both, actually. Either way, he laughs an odd laugh. ] You ever thought of mixing some sugar with that spice? They don't expect it. Gets through to them a little more.

Edited 2016-08-27 23:47 (UTC)

[Both works. Though for the moment, Minako herself isn't very lively.

The shadow slowly turns from her rampage and snorts at the camera.]

What do you mean?

[She thinks she's being very effective, thanks very much.]

[There's a twist of nausea in his stomach at watching this, but watch it he does, teeth clenching so hard he nearly makes himself bleed just to keep his mouth shut to the end of it.

The entire display sickens him. At least his shadow kept everything to themselves, a simple tussle in the kitchen and a few episodes of lashing out at his friends. None of it on the network. None of it where so many could see.

But he understands it at the same time. The desire to simply scream one's self loathing out from the rooftops instead of keeping it inside all the time. The burning ache at the thought that you'll never be loved, or worse, never have enough love.

And oh how Minako loves. So much of her very being is the constant need to love everyone around her while asking for so very little in return.

Rin may be stupid as hell most of the time but he can smell a foul game from a mile away. This thing doesn't want heroic demands or angered statements.

It wants truth.

The same as what his wanted, and he failed to give it, which resulted in so many he cared about getting hurt.

Maybe this time he can actually keep her from further hell.

Clenched teeth, clenched fists, deep breath in, out.

Finally, a question.]

I have a question.

What do you really think of me, Minako.

[The Shadow's face turns into a look of twisted glee when she sees the video response. Minako herself glances up, and groans. Rin... no... but the words don't come out.]

Now there's a sight for sore eyes. Look, self, it's Rin-Rin! Just the cure for what ails you, hmm? But he even wants to play the game! Even your replacement best friend wants to know the truth about you!

[The shadow cackles, but doesn't do more to harm Minako. Minako shakes.]

How can you not thirst for the truth, after all? Especially with a girl like this, who hides all her true feelings behind a fakey fake smile! Well, Rin Okumura, you came to the right place, if you want to know that!

Let's start with how you're totally a stand-in for her best friend from home! I mean, we liked you at first because you fed us-she's totally like a dog it's pathetic- but then we got to know you and there was juuuuust enough about you that reminded her of her bro Junpei, isn't that right self? The sidekick of our grand adventure! Left behind when we chose to die! Like we have room to regret that!

She was so mad at first, that Ozuma would make her be alive again, make her fight another war against shadows, and without her precious, special friends! So she just had to find little puppet replacements! [She makes Minako dance around by holding her shoulders. Minako won't look at the camera.]

She tries to tell herself we see you as the brother we always wanted and never had... but that's how she thought of Junpei, too! As if we could hide that from ourselves... as if that could ever really keep anyone in the "friend zone". We're just too desperate for that! Even when the boy is already spoken for!

[She rolls her eyes.]

She should have known better than to make you dance with her. She falls in love so easily when she's dancing, and you were so cute... [Her voice drips sarcasm.] But of course we're so talented at convincing ourselves that we can pretend all of our affection is totally innocent, so it isn't like you need to take pity on her or anything. She isn't totally desperate for your approval and affection all the time or anything. Except she totally is.

[She isn't even addressing Rin anymore, now.]

How selfish do you have to be? Getting so attached to both brothers? Just desperate! Pathetic! Throw your love at anything and hope it sticks long enough for you to forget you feel empty!

[She wasn't totally done with your question, Rin, but she got distracted.]

[His expression remains surprisingly placid throughout. No reaction, not even a wince or grimace at any of the words thrown his way. He simply watches, listens, tail swaying slow and steady behind his back.

Inside, though, he's already preparing a reply that he's certain will at the very least shock the shadow. Was this supposed to bother him?

Shadow!Minako, you don't know Rin as well as you might think.

Still, he can tell it's not over yet, and every minute he keeps this thing talking is another minute that the real Minako is spared from being tortured further.]

That it?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video]- So when you think it really might come to blows

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[video] wow i sure did lose this notif

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