[Minako walks over once it falls quiet, Pyro Jack trailing behind her just in case. Seeing Ryoji so upset this up close...it's an unfortunately common sight in recent months, and she's no less affected by it, even knowing it's not really him. Her hands itch to cup that face between her hands and offer comfort. So she laces fingers tightly into themselves, stopping herself right there.]
Because whatever you are, mind games that take advantage of our connections to our loved ones is the worst, most despicable way to get the upper hand.
[ "Where are my loved ones?" Tears well up in the apparition's eyes and run down the sides of its face. "Why do you have so many when I have none? Be my friend," it says. "Stay with me. I've been so lonely." ]
I can relate to being lonely. But you can't just shove friendship [A pause.] or disgusting fish down someone's throat and expect them to take it with a smile. If you want to be my friend, then maybe stop pretending to be someone else who's already my friend and be yourself, instead.
[ The apparition is silent for a few seconds, thinking, apprehensive. Slowly, it turns its head to look at Minako with hope naked in its tear-filled eyes. At the same time, half of its face seems to shift in the shadows -- or perhaps it was always this way, hiding in the mist. A sunken cheek, a lipless mouth, papery skin falling away to expose weathered bone and an eyeless socket. Yet the other half of the face remains young and smooth, a desperate smile emerging.
"Yes. Yes! I can do that. So you will stay here and keep me company?" ]
[Part of Minako is still incredibly wary that this might be a ruse. These fog manifestations have been nothing but trouble for her and everyone else, always nasty and hostile. But still, she wants to believe that this can be resolved peacefully. And friendship is something she's always been willing to offer unreservedly. So Minako gives the apparition a small smile back.]
[ Yato snaps out of spectator mode and warily gets off the apparition. He keeps his knife in hand as he straightens, but it doesn't seem to be necessary, because the apparition sits up without any sign of retaliation and tucks its legs underneath it.
It wipes its eyes, but the tears continue to flow; the apparition seems genuinely overcome with emotion over Minako's willingness to stay. Even so, it gestures with newfound cheerfulness at the ground beside it. A traveling puff of mist moves to reveal a low table, along with a pair of elegant floor pillows to sit on. There's a spread of snacks and treats on the table that looks delicious at first glance, but a closer inspection will reveal that it's all rotten.
"Sit," the apparition says happily. "Let's get to know each other. You may call me Izanami. Your name is?" ]
[Yato, don't leave me to eat rotten food by myself-- is the thought she has when she sees how it all gets magicked up, but then her eyes go fractionally wide. Izanami? Seriously?! She was so not ready to be talking with the goddess of creation and death herself.
Still, she's a good girl who shows deference where it's due, and so bows deeply to Izanami before kneeling on the floor cushion.]
[ IT'S FINE... Yato takes a seat on the other cushion, and he will even fold his knife away. He wouldn't even ditch his greatest enemy to this crazy hair lady who is apparently Izanami. Her identity is a surprise, yet it isn't; his memories have implied that he encroached upon Izanami's territory at some point. He doesn't join Minako in bowing to Izanami, instead eyeing the food on the table suspiciously.
Izanami doesn't seem to mind Yato's lack of manners, instead looking upon Minako's sign of respect with some small amusement. "Minako-chan," she says, testing the name. "It's rare that I see your kind. Intact, that is. And on those rare occasions, they are not alway so polite. Yes," she says, clapping her hands together in delight, "I think I like you very much. So pretty and youthful. You will last for quite some time."
Yato looks back up at Izanami warily at that. Logically, he knows his and Minako's stay can only last as long as the fog does, up until sunrise. It's still alarming to hear Minako being gauged for her expiration date. He butts into the conversation. ]
'Scuse me. Let me grab Minako for a moment.
[ He turns around on his cushion and leans into Minako for a quick hushed conversation. Luckily, Izanami again doesn't seem to mind his rudeness overmuch; she just watches this happen with a confused smile. ]
Psst. Minako. Do you really wanna keep this up all night?
[Minako lets herself be dragged away, admittedly unnerved by the way she spoke as well, even if she'd been expecting it to some degree. Izanami is the goddess of death, after all...and not very well known for being sane by mortal standards, on top of all of that.]
I don't want to have to, but if it's the only way she's not going to strangle us to death, then yes?
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Because whatever you are, mind games that take advantage of our connections to our loved ones is the worst, most despicable way to get the upper hand.
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"Yes. Yes! I can do that. So you will stay here and keep me company?" ]
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Sure. Once Yato gets off of you.
[She nudges him.]
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It wipes its eyes, but the tears continue to flow; the apparition seems genuinely overcome with emotion over Minako's willingness to stay. Even so, it gestures with newfound cheerfulness at the ground beside it. A traveling puff of mist moves to reveal a low table, along with a pair of elegant floor pillows to sit on. There's a spread of snacks and treats on the table that looks delicious at first glance, but a closer inspection will reveal that it's all rotten.
"Sit," the apparition says happily. "Let's get to know each other. You may call me Izanami. Your name is?" ]
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Still, she's a good girl who shows deference where it's due, and so bows deeply to Izanami before kneeling on the floor cushion.]
My name is Minako Arisato.
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Izanami doesn't seem to mind Yato's lack of manners, instead looking upon Minako's sign of respect with some small amusement. "Minako-chan," she says, testing the name. "It's rare that I see your kind. Intact, that is. And on those rare occasions, they are not alway so polite. Yes," she says, clapping her hands together in delight, "I think I like you very much. So pretty and youthful. You will last for quite some time."
Yato looks back up at Izanami warily at that. Logically, he knows his and Minako's stay can only last as long as the fog does, up until sunrise. It's still alarming to hear Minako being gauged for her expiration date. He butts into the conversation. ]
'Scuse me. Let me grab Minako for a moment.
[ He turns around on his cushion and leans into Minako for a quick hushed conversation. Luckily, Izanami again doesn't seem to mind his rudeness overmuch; she just watches this happen with a confused smile. ]
Psst. Minako. Do you really wanna keep this up all night?
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I don't want to have to, but if it's the only way she's not going to strangle us to death, then yes?
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I was thinking if you didn't wanna stick around, I'd... y'know, try to get the jump on her with my knife...
[ But honestly, staying up all night won't hurt Yato as much as it might Minako. He has evening work shifts, so he can sleep all afternoon. ]
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[Minako folds her arm, pursing her lips as she thinks.]
She's manifested from you, though, Yato. Did something happen between you two? Maybe something you need to talk out?