[ Rather than go immediately to her room after they're shown the way, Shea takes note of where the blue-haired boy is staying and fully intends to drag him out alone. It doesn't matter to her about his illness but she's certainly going to find an empty room to lead him to.
[It takes a long, long moment, but...despite having only just collapsed, he manages to push himself up. To the door. When he opens up, he looks like he's worse off than he already was.
It's been a long, long day. He's...trying to remember words, greeting words. Mostly only succeeding at staring and being dazed.]
[ Luckily, Shea doesn't need Minato to say anything. When it's him who answers the door instead of his roommate, there's a nod of her head as if she's silently saying 'good, I don't have to ask for you'. ]
You, come with me if you want to learn about your brand-new power. [ Straight and to the point, then she turns on her heel and walks away. ]
[Oh. Great. His power? He hasn't summoned....but that thing that happened earlier,t he fire.... Was that really him? OH...oh god...
Minato's issues and trauma have been getting hit with a sledgehammer all day it's fine. Almost numbly, he follows along after her. He's not even thinking about it? Or about the fact this is the woman who didn't hesitate to try to stab someone, which means following her somewhere private might not be a great idea. Then again he wouldn't be thinking about that last part anyway.]
[ As she leads him through the hallways, Shea doesn't say a single word. Their destination - the dining room. Once there, she sits down at the head of the table as though she belongs there. Whether Minato sits as well, well that's up to him. ]
It appears that you've acquired one of my many abilities. An ability which will always have similar results to what you witnessed on the road earlier.
You currently possess the ability to reach through time and pull people to you - whether it be another version of yourself or someone else. And inevitably one of them will die so I suggest you use it sparingly unless you want to bear witness to more scenes like that one.
[He does sit, not right next to her but a couple of chairs away. Comfortable conversation distance. It's partly politeness, but also partly that he doesn't want to spread his sickness.
Time...he ca pull people through time? But one version will always die. Die....die. That's-- awful. And he really did, earlier... He starts shaking, remembering how Mahiru had burned. The smell. He... He did that...
He's shaing, but his expression is a stony neutral, and his voice is steady and emotionless.]
[ Her gaze follows him as he chooses a seat a good distance away. If it was because of the fact that she stabbed that girl earlier, she wouldn't blame him. Though Shea could easily close the distance if she wanted or had a reason to. ]
A fair warning. Should you pull someone from the past, then the version that exists in this time will be the one who dies. It will always be the one from further along the timeline that dies.
[ She leans forward and props her chin up with a hand. ]
Perhaps it seems a bit cruel to you now but if used properly, it can be a great asset to you. Especially if you don't care about what may happen to your own future self.
[His future self? Of course he doesn't care about that, literally no one does. But...that's actually...
He looks up, and repeats himself with more feeling in his voice. Like a lightbulb moment. There are....actually things he could do with it, that would be useful...]
Understood. [This is an incredibly potent power. He's...not sure why he has it, instead of its rightful wielder, and he doesn't know why it's here instead of his Personas. But if he can use it right, then...] The dying part...averts a paradox. Right?
[ Don't most people worry about their future selves? Namely, whether they'll even have one.
It's clear to see that he's starting to see the benefits of being able to pull people from the timeline, despite the inevitably that at least one will die.
A nod of her head. ] Think of it as time is cleaning up after itself. Perhaps you'll even be able to wield this power properly. Usually, they don't instantly light on fire and die. You can use them for several hours or even days. [ A quiet hum as she stares at him. ]
I wonder if it's due to the fact that you don't have the rest of my related abilities.
[He's still not terribly sure how it works, but....pulling anyone from the future sounds like a risk he isn't willing to take. The one from later on dies, so that would just doom the person, right? Fine for him, but...
But he's thought of a use. It's probably not what Shea might consider the proper use, but it's a use.
Maybe next time someone gets stabbed, it'll be for real, after all.]
Other abilities....more....time manipulation? [Hm. Uncomfortable.]
[ If he asks there's always a slim chance Shea will answer but they say experience is the best teacher. Perhaps her power is completely different in his hands, after all, she never had to shoot herself to get it to work.
Honestly, she can guess what most people would do with the power. Use it to save others.
Mostly Shea just uses it to get her way so... Were it not for the fact that she wants to win this game, she might not even be here explaining this much to him. ]
And then some. So if you find yourself with more for some reason, you can always come to me about it. [ No way in hell does she intend to spill all of her secrets to him if it isn't necessary. ]
Now, this information isn't free. Use it however you want, just don't say who you got it from. A girl like to have her mysteries. [ Even if Lucio knows all of their abilities, she doesn't want to have this spreading around to the others. ] I intend to win this game and some secrets may benefit all of us.
[ Fingers tap out a steady rhythm on the wood table as she looks thoughtful. ]
I doubt any of us can hide secrets from Lucio. He seems to have heard about me from someone and if I had to guess, a version of you has already played his previous games and lost.
[ Referring to the other one that looks like him. ]
Plus the power he gave me back earlier was one of my own. He likely knows all of our abilities already, possibly our history as well. [ Don't mind her, Minato. Shea is mostly talking to herself even if it's easily heard from where he's sitting. ]
But I truly believe him when he said that he would grant the winner any wish they want. [ A pause and Shea runs her hands through her hair. ] He has his own goal he wants to accomplish here by playing these games. Is it that he wants to lose?
Losing means...losing your soul? [He thinks he heard a conversation to that effect earlier? His memory is hazy.] But he still has his name, so...his soul, too.
[But if there's a difference, between those like the other him and those like Fuuka, what is it? What happened, here?]
What would you wish for? ...Or is that secret, too?
Yes, I imagine it's in exchange for what he would have given if the players had won. [ A thoughtful hum. ] You're talking about your other self? I don't yet know the difference between the ones closest to him and the others. That's something I'll have to investigate.
[ Another tap on the table. ] For all we know, Lucio is capable of taking more than just souls. He hinted at being able to take emotions as well so I don't feel it's much of a stretch to think him capable of taking memories as well. I also know someone who seems to be in the same position as your friend, someone I know very well.
[ She intends to find Selestia later and talk to the other woman.
At the question, Shea smiles. ] Me? That's simple. All I wish is to return to where I was, exactly as I was. Any other wish is something I'd rather grant with my own two hands.
[He nods slowly. The other him is...a concern, to be sure. What does it mean? Why are there two of him, and nobody else?] Maybe should... [No, headshake, not important. Stupid fever making him think out loud.]
Wonder how many of these there have been...don't like this. [Is it just Fuuka, or...fear seizes his heart at the thought of exploring, only to find te rest of SEES here too, as butlers and maids. And Chihiro and Kenji and the rest, too....everyone. What if he's the last?
Bury that. Focus on the conversation at hand.]
Not a common mindset. Most people would jump at just getting a wish.
[ No one's determined if there's only two of this single person. They merely may not have seen all the help yet. But perhaps it has something to do with Minato ending up with this particular power of hers. A curious glance at his aborted sentence. ]
This will be the third time. He hasn't lost so far. [ Shea definitely has an answer for how many rounds Lucio has gone already.
Like him, Shea is wondering who else she might know that's here - a loser of the games played. ]
The only reason I want that wish is that I don't like to lose. So long as I can return intact to where I was taken, then every other desire I can manage on my own.
Third... [That's almost reassuring. He'd been afraid it was many more.]
....What happens to him, if he loses? Do you know? [Minato shouldn't ask. He's much too kind. He doubts there's a happy answer.] Actually....never mind.
Still, rare to find someone who'd rather work for everything. Lot to respect about that. [...Minato isn't sure what he's wish for. He has several ideas, but...]
However, I haven't asked just how big the other two groups were. [ The castle is pretty big and everyone is roomed together with another individual. It feels like a space big enough for more than their group of twelve. ]
Nothing specific. Though he did agree that if we won then we could have him as our servant so there's at least a chance he'll survive if that's what you're worried about. [ Shea would like to see Lucio live even if they win but then they're seemingly a twisted compatible pair. ]
I want the satisfaction of achieving it with my own strength, it's far more entertaining that way. [ Call her crazy but that's how she likes it. ] He said that he could grant any wish, no matter how impossible or crazy it was.
So long as that wish includes sending me back exactly where I was, just as I was, I hardly care who gets it. [ She'll trust Minato with this information. He seems the type to want to help others more than himself. ]
[Hearing that Lucio will survive does set Minato more at ease. The man is kind of a scary cagey jerk but he doesn't seem like a bad person? Though he's not sure how to feel about the servant part, considering the state of the maids and butlers here.
A small, subconscious part of him dismisses the scope of Lucio's power. No matter how limitless one's capabilities, there are some things that simply cannot be.]
[ She doesn't know it for a certainty that Lucio will survive, only that he made it sound like he could. Though Shea doesn't bring that point up to Minato. Maybe she doesn't really need to.
As for that power to grant any wish, she also believes that. No matter what the wish may be. He swore it on something that mattered to him greatly. ]
My idea of entertainment is not likely to be the same as yours. [ Not once has Shea said she was ever a good person. ] We're playing a very complicated game. I believe we can win as a group against Lucio and the others, then one of us can win amongst the individuals most recently brought here.
There could even be a third layer to this game as Lucio seems to have something he requires as well. He's been unable to achieve it even though he's won the first two rounds.
[ Two full days after their last little tete-a-tete, Shea comes knocking on Minato's door again. It isn't not terribly late at night as she intends to be up relatively early tomorrow for a special mission. ]
[ He is much too young for her, thanks. But she enters and moves to stand by the window, not taking a seat which seems to imply that this won't take very long. Once there, she'll wait for him to close the door before speaking again. ]
Lucio has offered me a more difficult challenge than the game put forward to everyone. One that could benefit us all with knowledge and in everyday survival. Should we win, we will be granted unlimited access to the basement.
In exchange, I must take two people and kill the oldest living creature in a certain location. For that, I require your help.
[ That is... about as close as she gets to asking nicely... ]
[Listen he's just not??? Used to it???? Japanese socialization and distance... He listens to what she has to say, rather than thinking about it, though. A challenge, with a reward that will help everyone...and she came to him for it. Naturally the power he has, that was hers, comes to mind as a reason for it.]
An execution. [That's what this amounts to, basically. It's what Mitsuru would call it. He nods to the request.] Will help. Do you have a plan?
[ She isn't exactly the politest of individuals so no need to be so formal with her. A casual shrug of her shoulders. ]
He didn't say if it was a human or other similar creature. For all we know, it could be a beast of some nature. [ It'd be a lie if she didn't say she wasn't thrilled by the mystery of that. ] The beginnings of one and you're necessary for it.
If this should happen to be some sort of trick and I end up being the oldest creature there, all you have to do is pull me from another point in time. I'll take care of the rest. [ That's part of it. ]
And if there is a different creature, you will be responsible for ensuring we don't permanently die fighting it. You're our insurance to coming out of this alive. If one of us dies, pull us from the past - preferrably a recent point in time.
[As he thought. His power is key for surviving this.]
Understood. [She's really thought this through a lot. Good. Plans can be useless, but thorough planning is essential. He doesn't like the idea of having to watch people die again, but...but it'll be because he's saving those same people.]
Am a capable fighter, too, with a variety of weapons. Field leader of my squad.
[ Shea has had this power for a while now and knows how to best utilize it. Not to mention that she has no problem seeing herself die if it comes down to it. Or killing herself either. This is why she won't take anyone older than her on this adventure. ]
You are not allowed to use a blade of any kind or poison. So if you have either of those, don't even bother bringing them. I'll select a third tomorrow and ensure that they're younger than I am.
[ A nod of her head. If he's actually any good with his fists, Shea will respect him that much more. ]
I'll be fighting with my fists as well, plus utilizing my two abilities if I can. [ Since she "won" one back for participating in Lucio's demonstration. ]
[ She likes the way he thinks. ] If it looks like we're struggling, you can always summon another version of me. If all of the ones you pull light on fire like that, I will do my best to damage the opponent with my body.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Week One
Post-Intro
First, though... she's knocking. Loudly. ]
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It's been a long, long day. He's...trying to remember words, greeting words. Mostly only succeeding at staring and being dazed.]
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You, come with me if you want to learn about your brand-new power. [ Straight and to the point, then she turns on her heel and walks away. ]
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Minato's issues and trauma have been getting hit with a sledgehammer all day it's fine. Almost numbly, he follows along after her. He's not even thinking about it? Or about the fact this is the woman who didn't hesitate to try to stab someone, which means following her somewhere private might not be a great idea. Then again he wouldn't be thinking about that last part anyway.]
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It appears that you've acquired one of my many abilities. An ability which will always have similar results to what you witnessed on the road earlier.
You currently possess the ability to reach through time and pull people to you - whether it be another version of yourself or someone else. And inevitably one of them will die so I suggest you use it sparingly unless you want to bear witness to more scenes like that one.
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Time...he ca pull people through time? But one version will always die. Die....die. That's-- awful. And he really did, earlier... He starts shaking, remembering how Mahiru had burned. The smell. He... He did that...
He's shaing, but his expression is a stony neutral, and his voice is steady and emotionless.]
Understood.
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A fair warning. Should you pull someone from the past, then the version that exists in this time will be the one who dies. It will always be the one from further along the timeline that dies.
[ She leans forward and props her chin up with a hand. ]
Perhaps it seems a bit cruel to you now but if used properly, it can be a great asset to you. Especially if you don't care about what may happen to your own future self.
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He looks up, and repeats himself with more feeling in his voice. Like a lightbulb moment. There are....actually things he could do with it, that would be useful...]
Understood. [This is an incredibly potent power. He's...not sure why he has it, instead of its rightful wielder, and he doesn't know why it's here instead of his Personas. But if he can use it right, then...] The dying part...averts a paradox. Right?
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It's clear to see that he's starting to see the benefits of being able to pull people from the timeline, despite the inevitably that at least one will die.
A nod of her head. ] Think of it as time is cleaning up after itself. Perhaps you'll even be able to wield this power properly. Usually, they don't instantly light on fire and die. You can use them for several hours or even days. [ A quiet hum as she stares at him. ]
I wonder if it's due to the fact that you don't have the rest of my related abilities.
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But he's thought of a use. It's probably not what Shea might consider the proper use, but it's a use.
Maybe next time someone gets stabbed, it'll be for real, after all.]
Other abilities....more....time manipulation? [Hm. Uncomfortable.]
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Honestly, she can guess what most people would do with the power. Use it to save others.
Mostly Shea just uses it to get her way so... Were it not for the fact that she wants to win this game, she might not even be here explaining this much to him. ]
And then some. So if you find yourself with more for some reason, you can always come to me about it. [ No way in hell does she intend to spill all of her secrets to him if it isn't necessary. ]
Now, this information isn't free. Use it however you want, just don't say who you got it from. A girl like to have her mysteries. [ Even if Lucio knows all of their abilities, she doesn't want to have this spreading around to the others. ] I intend to win this game and some secrets may benefit all of us.
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Understood...secrets are useful. Supposed to keep my own secret, even that I have any. Little late for that here.
[Stupid fever.]
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I doubt any of us can hide secrets from Lucio. He seems to have heard about me from someone and if I had to guess, a version of you has already played his previous games and lost.
[ Referring to the other one that looks like him. ]
Plus the power he gave me back earlier was one of my own. He likely knows all of our abilities already, possibly our history as well. [ Don't mind her, Minato. Shea is mostly talking to herself even if it's easily heard from where he's sitting. ]
But I truly believe him when he said that he would grant the winner any wish they want. [ A pause and Shea runs her hands through her hair. ] He has his own goal he wants to accomplish here by playing these games. Is it that he wants to lose?
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[But if there's a difference, between those like the other him and those like Fuuka, what is it? What happened, here?]
What would you wish for? ...Or is that secret, too?
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[ Another tap on the table. ] For all we know, Lucio is capable of taking more than just souls. He hinted at being able to take emotions as well so I don't feel it's much of a stretch to think him capable of taking memories as well. I also know someone who seems to be in the same position as your friend, someone I know very well.
[ She intends to find Selestia later and talk to the other woman.
At the question, Shea smiles. ] Me? That's simple. All I wish is to return to where I was, exactly as I was. Any other wish is something I'd rather grant with my own two hands.
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Wonder how many of these there have been...don't like this. [Is it just Fuuka, or...fear seizes his heart at the thought of exploring, only to find te rest of SEES here too, as butlers and maids. And Chihiro and Kenji and the rest, too....everyone. What if he's the last?
Bury that. Focus on the conversation at hand.]
Not a common mindset. Most people would jump at just getting a wish.
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This will be the third time. He hasn't lost so far. [ Shea definitely has an answer for how many rounds Lucio has gone already.
Like him, Shea is wondering who else she might know that's here - a loser of the games played. ]
The only reason I want that wish is that I don't like to lose. So long as I can return intact to where I was taken, then every other desire I can manage on my own.
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....What happens to him, if he loses? Do you know? [Minato shouldn't ask. He's much too kind. He doubts there's a happy answer.] Actually....never mind.
Still, rare to find someone who'd rather work for everything. Lot to respect about that. [...Minato isn't sure what he's wish for. He has several ideas, but...]
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Nothing specific. Though he did agree that if we won then we could have him as our servant so there's at least a chance he'll survive if that's what you're worried about. [ Shea would like to see Lucio live even if they win but then they're seemingly a twisted compatible pair. ]
I want the satisfaction of achieving it with my own strength, it's far more entertaining that way. [ Call her crazy but that's how she likes it. ] He said that he could grant any wish, no matter how impossible or crazy it was.
So long as that wish includes sending me back exactly where I was, just as I was, I hardly care who gets it. [ She'll trust Minato with this information. He seems the type to want to help others more than himself. ]
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A small, subconscious part of him dismisses the scope of Lucio's power. No matter how limitless one's capabilities, there are some things that simply cannot be.]
Entertaining? [...] Think only one of us can win?
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As for that power to grant any wish, she also believes that. No matter what the wish may be. He swore it on something that mattered to him greatly. ]
My idea of entertainment is not likely to be the same as yours. [ Not once has Shea said she was ever a good person. ] We're playing a very complicated game. I believe we can win as a group against Lucio and the others, then one of us can win amongst the individuals most recently brought here.
There could even be a third layer to this game as Lucio seems to have something he requires as well. He's been unable to achieve it even though he's won the first two rounds.
Tuesday Evening
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Shea-san. Did something happen?
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Don't call me that, it sounds weird. Just Shea is fine. [ Does she care about human honorifics? Nope. ]
Let's chat in private. [ She motions to his room. ] Are you alone?
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He nods. Akechi isn't in at the moment. Opens the door wider and steps aside to let her in.]
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Lucio has offered me a more difficult challenge than the game put forward to everyone. One that could benefit us all with knowledge and in everyday survival. Should we win, we will be granted unlimited access to the basement.
In exchange, I must take two people and kill the oldest living creature in a certain location. For that, I require your help.
[ That is... about as close as she gets to asking nicely... ]
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An execution. [That's what this amounts to, basically. It's what Mitsuru would call it. He nods to the request.] Will help. Do you have a plan?
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He didn't say if it was a human or other similar creature. For all we know, it could be a beast of some nature. [ It'd be a lie if she didn't say she wasn't thrilled by the mystery of that. ] The beginnings of one and you're necessary for it.
If this should happen to be some sort of trick and I end up being the oldest creature there, all you have to do is pull me from another point in time. I'll take care of the rest. [ That's part of it. ]
And if there is a different creature, you will be responsible for ensuring we don't permanently die fighting it. You're our insurance to coming out of this alive. If one of us dies, pull us from the past - preferrably a recent point in time.
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Understood. [She's really thought this through a lot. Good. Plans can be useless, but thorough planning is essential. He doesn't like the idea of having to watch people die again, but...but it'll be because he's saving those same people.]
Am a capable fighter, too, with a variety of weapons. Field leader of my squad.
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You are not allowed to use a blade of any kind or poison. So if you have either of those, don't even bother bringing them. I'll select a third tomorrow and ensure that they're younger than I am.
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I'll be fighting with my fists as well, plus utilizing my two abilities if I can. [ Since she "won" one back for participating in Lucio's demonstration. ]
[ She likes the way he thinks. ] If it looks like we're struggling, you can always summon another version of me. If all of the ones you pull light on fire like that, I will do my best to damage the opponent with my body.