entranceway | 5th Social Link ▫ Video + Action

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5th Social Link ▫ Video + Action

[Winter was now over and spring had just started. Minato kind of missed the snow, but at least the weather was cool and comfortable instead of being too cold. For a change of pace as he wandered outside, now that the space event was over, he decided to head to the Checkerboard Hills. He hadn't been there often. It was time to check it out again.

That is, if checking it out meant doing a once-over on the checkered patterns from dark to light, then ending up laying in one of the darker square patches, his comm device off to the side as he looked up at the sky.

It's spring here and spring at home. School would be starting again, if he were there and time progressed.

Were these questions even fair? Did he have too much time on his hands, playing around with or thinking about 'what if' in a place that may make him forget his existence here at all?]

..... Would you rather be dead at home or alive here?

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Over a hundred?

[ Pardon the blank stare. He understood the explanation, but when his friend says that ridiculously large number, he has to wonder how Minato must appear to everyone else. ]

Okay, even if you have six? That's still six more than the average person. [He laughs, finally starting to understand,] So it's... a representation of who you're like around that person, right?

Do you have a Persona that represents me? Or uh, people like me?

Edited 2017-05-01 06:16 (UTC)

[Minato wondered for a long time who he was and sometimes he still did. It was only after learning about other people that he could frame who he was, fit all the pieces together. He knew more about himself after knowing people around him.

He smiled when he was asked those questions though. He never had anyone ask them before.]

It might be several of them, depending on what's happening around us.

[He thought maybe that's why he had a literal shuffling of them, having one at the forefront then switching out if he had to.]

They grow stronger the more I spend time with people.

[ Hm. Stefan taps his fingers against the table, off-screen, as he takes this new information into account. . . ]

In that case, we'd better hang out more often so you can level up. [beat] That's the right word for it, yeah? I - I don't play as many video games as I should.

[Minato thought that was a cute way of putting it. He nodded.]

That works. I'd want to hang out with you anyway even if I didn't have to level up here.

[ !!!!

If musical notes were floating above his head, there would've been a whole song's worth. Stefan laughs, unable to hide the surprise on his face - ]

Really? Come on, Arisato... surely you've got someone else that's less doom and gloom.

[He liked that laugh and was glad he could at least do that for him.]

But I guess that's part of your charm? Where else am I going to go for that stuff?

Just remember, you asked for it. [ Stefan shrugged, unable to wipe the smug grin off his face. ] If you've got real powers, though... we should spar sometime.

I've got a few tricks up my sleeve too, and um, they're worth showing you in-person.

[Sparring and tricks? That sounded awesome. Minato was up for that and he nodded.]

I'd like to see, if you're willing to share.

[Now? Or later. Whenever Stefan was free. Minato was intrigued.]

If you have time now, I think it'd do you some good. There's a clearing outside, not too far from the Mansion.

[ He goes ahead and sends the directions. ]

If not, then well... give me a call when you are and I'll be right over.

I'll be there now. Meet you outside.

[Minato smiled as he turned off the communicator and headed outside per Stefan's directions. He had to wonder what it was that his friend was going to show him. He thought he'd like it and their friendship would just be stronger after this.

He reached the area and then looked for Stefan. He didn't want to keep him waiting.]

[ When Minato arrived, Stefan was already stretching his arms. He wasn't dressed any different, but he'd also brought a couple of water bottles just in case. ]

Minato! Hey! [ Stefan grinned, rushing over. ] Since you showed me your secret, I figure... I might as well come clean about mine. On uh, one condition.

None of your "Personas" use fire, right?

[Good call on the water. Minato thought that was smart. He smiled and joined Stefan where he was.]

They do, but I don't have to use it.

[And Minato promised that he wouldn't. But something about fire? Adverse effects related to his secret? Minato wondered what it could be.]

Please don't. I'm super weak to fire, and not in the fun way.

[ Once he's done, he slides right into an offensive stance. He didn't bring weapons, or even any sort of magical equipment, with him: it's gonna be him and only him on his side of their impromptu battleground. ]

Since this is a demonstration, I promise, I'll go easy.

[No fire? Check. Maybe no electricity either since that could burn. Light and almighty too. That was okay though since Minato had other skills he could rely on.

But he was a little surprised to see Stefan was going to fight him as is. Hand to hand combat was not Minato's thing, but Minato thought he had an idea and thus brought out his Evoker after a nod.]

No fire, but ice.

[And he could only hope that Stefan knew what he was doing. Minato switched to Thanatos this time, summoning him and casting Niflheim on the area around his friend.]

[ If Stefan though Messiah was odd, nothing's really prepared him for Niflheim. Nothing.

He's momentarily distracted by the sheer size of that Persona - who knew your soul could be so large? and strong?? - before he nods, ]

Ready? [ In the blink of an eye, he rushes forward, fully intent on landing a punch - now or never, Arisato. ]

[Minato was by no means fast. He had his friends who were more skilled in hand to hand combat to help him with that. Or even long range weapons.

He might not have been completely graceful though as he darted back to avoid getting punched in the face. Stefan was definitely fast, faster than Minato had expected.]

I don't think I'd have time to attack you.

Fair enough. [ Stefan stepped back, lightly punching the palm of his hand. ] Okay, um...

I don't really have much else up my sleeve. Speed, strength, and um - [ he laughed, nervously, baring some very pointy fangs. ] A mean punch?

[Minato tilted his head a bit in thought, looking Stefan over. Stefan was really fast though.]

... No offense, but I don't think anyone human can move like that.

[Or punch someone. Minato didn't want to experience that punch.]

They sure can't.

[ He nodded, biting on his lower lip. Now or never, Salvatore . . . ]

I'm uh, I'm actually a vampire.

[Oh. No wonder! Minato had run into a vampire before and she was pretty nice from that encounter. They felt and thought just like anyone else, so Minato didn't judge him or anything. It didn't change the status of their friendship.]

Did you need any blood?

[Minato was more than willing to offer. He could heal and thus he never really worried about blood donation of this sort. If it was to help someone stay alive, he would do whatever it took.]

[ . . . Wait.

Minato was seriously offering up his blood. Minato Arisato, the guy who supposedly sacrificed his life for all of humanity, was going to offer his life force?? How is THAT his friend's reaction?

This wasn't how the story's supposed to go. There should've been a shocked gasp, or some garlic flung in his face, or - ]

[ - Or Minato was really his friend, and the weight of the truth meant nothing. Stefan struggled to hold in his (frankly inappropriate) laughter - but a small huff of relief escaped his lips. God.

What did he do to deserve a friend like this? ]

You're too good to me, you know that? [ He shakes his head. ] But no. I'm okay. The closets give me what I need.

[Minato smiled and then shook his head too. He was only as good as he was, not too good. And it was for Stefan. For Stefan, Minato would do it.]

If you're sure. During events when closets don't function, just ask.

[Or Minato would go find him since he thought Stefan would need it.]

Thanks for telling me. If it's a secret, I'll keep it.

You really don't have to. [ Stefan pressed his lips together. As much as he appreciates the offer, he knows that him and human blood just don't mix. ] I'm more of an animal blood kind of guy.

[ That, and he's not keen on unleashing his bloodthirsty self on the entire mansion. Damon would never let him hear the end of it. Reckless endangerment is a lot more reckless when the population is less than what, 200? ]

I'd appreciate that. I'm not... it's not something I'm exactly proud of.

[Oh, that kind. Minato really needed to read up on his vampire lore since it was true, anything would blood might do in a pinch, and of course, animals fell under that category. That's why closets work well. Maybe the dining room?

But Minato would keep this a secret for sure. He wasn't one to go around spilling those anyway, but this one he'd watch over carefully.]

It doesn't change us. It's okay.

[Minato wasn't worried at all. It wasn't that Stefan could help it, not that he knew.]

... Did someone change you or you were born this way?

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