asgardeventide | ♔ THE EMPEROR (002) [Video]

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♔ THE EMPEROR (002) [Video]

[As big and wondrous as Asgard is, Akihiko won’t turn down the chance to explore a new place – maybe even find some additional challenges along the way.

Besides, in all honesty, it will be nice to get away for a while, and try to take his mind off of all the heavy stones weighing down on him.

Akihiko greets the network with a friendly grin, determined to show optimism and encouragement toward others, as usual.] Showcase our talents, huh? So they wanna see if we can win this war without our original powers.

[He lifts a clenched fist just then, in a display of strength and resolve.] Fine with me. Come on, guys! We can take this challenge! Let’s throw out some ideas. What’ve you all got in mind to show ‘em? And this Vanaheim place – have any of you ever been there before?

[He lowers his fist after a moment as his expression softens a bit.] Oh, and for people that wanna stay here, help us take care of things till we get back, okay? [There’s at least one person in mind that he isn’t sure about, as to whether or not he will want to go.] But don’t worry, we’ll convince ‘em for sure!

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[It would be amazing, that's what it would be!]

Maybe. But you can find some supplies like that here?

[Minato nodded, smiling a little.]

I'll need practice, but sure. No high expectations though.

[NO MINATO DON'T ENCOURAGE IT!!]

Well, I can bring my gloves and uniform, but the other guy's gotta be geared up too. It wouldn't be fair, otherwise.

Hey, I'm sure you'll do just fine. It's not like I'm up to speed on all instruments, anyway.

[That icon says otherwise, Akihiko!]

I hope you'll find someone. If not, a punching bag might work?

[Minato hoped so. It had been a while, after all.]

Thanks. I wonder what else we'll be able to do there.

[Son of a bitch...]

Heh, that's no fun! I can beat up a punching bag anytime. There're only so many techniques you can display during practice.

Hmm... Freyr mentioned something about culture and art. Museums, maybe? If there's a library, I'll definitely get some info from the books. Who knows when we'll be going back again, right?

[Protags always win at arguments like this. XD]

If you need an opponent, I'll take you on, Senpai.

[Oh, why not? He could heal himself if he had to. Really, he was no match for Akihiko at all by any means.]

But the library might be better for the both of us.

[NOT FAIR MAN]

Really? [Akihiko visibly perks up at his offer.] You know how to box?

[Actually, their powers won't work in Vanaheim, so no healing... But there will most likely be other healers present?]

Sure, man. We can go to one, if you want. I wonder if they'll have anything on the giants.

[Being inclusive: a good thing!]

[That's the breaks, Senpai!]

Not really, but I'll make you look good.

[And that's right! But he can heal once back in town, and get healing if he really needs, yes. (And what's a little injury between friends? XD)]

Maybe. It'll give me a better idea about my Personas too.

[Since some of his Personas were based off of mythology, and in this place, they seemed based off of real gods.]

[You seriously have some great icons… brb being distracted]

Come on, man. I don’t want you to throw the match! That’s not a real challenge!

[That is so brave of you, Minato… and a little bit stupid. Fortunately, Akihiko can’t literally knock your head off your shoulders, due to the absence of that freakish strength. He’ll definitely tend to your wounds afterward?]

Huh… You think they’d have info on Personas? Or you mean gods in general? [Forgive him, but he doesn’t really remember all the Personas that Minako had in her arsenal. It’s been a few months since he last saw them.]

[Aw, thanks! I had to make a lot of them. ♥]

Oh, I wouldn't. Trust me.

[It's just Minato knew his skill level wasn't anywhere near halfway what Akihiko was capable of. But maybe it'd be good practice. (It might be a little stupid, but SEES boys are prone to do that on occasion!)]

Gods in general, to give me more insight about my Personas. I'll write you a list of them.

[It might give him bonus points with Minako if Akihiko knew them. He could only hope they shared the same Personas anyway.]

Well... if you're really sure about this. I'm not good at holding back, you know.

[Most likely, he still will, because he doesn't know Minato well enough to go all out. Even if he did, killing intent is only reserved for enemies, not allies.]

Thanks. [Brief pause.] I've forgotten most of 'em by now... What do you wanna know, anyway? Considering we can't use 'em here and all...

[Minato nodded. Oh, he knew. And Minato had been through worse too, fighting Shadows and Strega and the like. Ryoji. It would be good practice too for Minato himself, for defense or avoid attacks.]

You do your thing, Senpai. I'll be all right.

[Minato smiled at that second part. True, he couldn't use any of his Personas, and neither could any of his friends with Potential. But he still considered them a part of his soul.]

Maybe why them. They could've been any other deities, but why them?

[Akihiko sees the warmth and understanding in his eyes, and is reminded that Minato already knows him, based on what he’s said. It’s an idea that he’s still getting used to. He needs to return the favor and get to know Minato in return.

He smiles a little, the gesture showing kindness and concern.] That isn’t gonna stop me from worrying about you.

[Akihiko has some info and background on that front, based on what he knows from research that the Kirijo Group did. Mitsuru doesn’t tell him everything, but she does confide in him whenever relevant subjects are at hand.] We can talk about that when we get to Vanaheim… Most people here don’t know anything about Personas, except the users.

[To that end, Minato was supposed to open himself up more, though that in itself was a difficult task. Half the time Minato hadn't realized he kept himself so closed off in the first place.

Minato nodded once as thanks.] Same here for you, Senpai.

Right, we might find out more. Oh, I ran into Shinjiro-senpai the other day too. He's from your universe, right?

I'm fine, man.

[A senpai is supposed to look out for his kouhai. The other way around... it just doesn't occur to him.]

......

[At that mention, he changes the conversation to private, just in case. What they're going to discuss might be sensitive information.]

Yes. I mean, in that he remembers Minako too... Is everything okay? He's not, uh... very social. But I guess you already know that.

[True, but Minato had his duties as field leader and leader of SEES, though he may not have been Akihiko's leader, the feeling still carried over.

The locked video feed was noted, and Minato checked to make sure it really was secure.]

He's the same. I only talked to him briefly.

How much does he know, Senpai?

[Akihiko definitely gets that leadership vibe from him, even if he’s a lot quieter than Minako. Definitely more serious, though, which is something they share in common. Akihiko sees them as two different people, and technically, with SEES disbanded, he doesn’t have to follow a leader anymore. Except maybe Mitsuru, with her idea of forming the Shadow Operatives. But Akihiko knows that he’s free to follow whomever he wants to, in the meantime. Or be his own leader, which he’s also capable of doing.]

I’m not surprised… [He gives Minato an apologetic smile. He knows how his best friend is, of course.] Shinji’s a little harder to get through… but if you keep reaching out to him, he’ll reciprocate. Sort of.

[Akihiko’s been trying for the last two plus years, so… persistence is definitely the key here.]

I told him… mostly everything. Not about Ryoji, though. [His smile twists, turning bitter as he bluntly asks Minato.] Think I should’ve kept quiet about it?

[Minato nodded, and didn't pass any judgment at all on Shinjiro. There was so much about him that Minato didn't know despite how much he did know too. Akihiko knew him in ways that Minato could never dream of either.

Minato smiled back, but he didn't think that Akihiko had to look so apologetic. Shinjiro was who he was. He shouldn't have to change.]

I'll just be normal, and so can he.

[Minato would be persistent in his own quiet way then, but not pushy, of course.]

And no, it's okay. He should know about Ryoji. What did you tell him specifically?

I know you won't push him. [He feels like he's at least gotten to know Minato well enough to make that determination.] But it must feel... kinda weird for you. Since he doesn't... I mean, with the differing memories and all.

[That's part of why Akihiko wants to try so hard to reach out and befriend the other teen. To make up for his lost memories somehow, even if they do happen to come from different... universes.]

Well... he's never met Ryoji before. [Minato knows why, so he doesn't need to explain.] I told him about the Chairman, Kirijo-san, Minako, the Death Arcana... Didn't really go into detail about Ryoji or Nyx. I didn't wanna worry him too much.

[Because that final battle was difficult as hell, and there was a point where he actually thought they might die. No sense in perturbing Shinji with that... small fact.]

Edited 2013-09-19 06:52 (UTC)

I get it though. It's right that he'd be skeptical.

[It was probably so weird that Minato had addressed both Akihiko and Shinjiro by name, but they had no idea who he was. Anyone would be suspicious. Minato though had a bit of the upperhand since he knew both Akihiko and Shinjiro, or some version of them.]

Maybe Ryoji can tell him himself if Shinjiro-senpai wants to know. We shouldn't keep it from him if he asks.

[It was true that they shouldn't have Shinjiro worry, but they couldn't withhold the truth either.]

[He is glad that Minato understands their reasons for being doubtful. Akihiko, as friendly as he comes off being, isn't that gullible. He used to be more trusting, before betrayal wracked SEES and took so much away from them. Once bitten, twice shy.]

He... probably won't. [Shinji didn't seem to want to know how things went up to the endgame either, but had patiently sat through all of it. Morbid curiosity, maybe?] I wouldn't keep any of that a secret from him, anyway. But only if he wants to know.

It's his prerogative.

[No matter what they told him about the future, Shinjiro couldn't do much about it. It was the same for Minato. No matter what else Akihiko could've told him about the future after March 5, Minato couldn't do anything about it.]

Did you get here around the same time as him, or before or after?

Around the same time. We both showed up in the castle when the giants attacked the city. Unfortunately, we couldn't get out till the ice melted.

[Or he would've jumped right into the fight to help out!]

I'll definitely get in on the fight next time. Hell, I've been training for it.

[Ice is not good for Akihiko either.]

I need to know more about these giants. When do you think we'll have to fight them again?

[Minato would've gone out fighting too with all of his Personas. Although he only had his sword-fighting skills and healing now to rely on, he would do the same and fight as well.]

[Ice... D: But at least it won't knock him on his ass anymore?

He shakes his head.] Not sure. It doesn't seem like there's a pattern to their attacks. Or if there is one, they haven't figured it out yet.

[It took SEES a couple of months before Akihiko was able to point out the full moon pattern with the Arcana Shadows...]

From what people have told me, there's a witch named Thiazi. I think... she controlled the ice monsters. Someone else controls fire creatures.

[True. Too bad Minato couldn't Niflheim the heck out of Akihiko if he was going to go off and do something dangerous?]

How can we find out more about who controls the monsters? If there's no pattern, then we'll always have to be on guard too.

[Not that Minato had any qualms against that. It was almost like the same old, same old then.]

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