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[Kyoko hasn't been quite the same for awhile now. The others had noticed it, had questioned where she'd disappeared off to for the better part of two weeks, but she had readily dismissed their concerns as nothing. And if there were still suspicions, no one saw it fit to press her when there were so many other issues to focus on. It was there, though, in how uncharacteristically quiet she had been. Withdrawn and awkward and scared--it felt like she was always scared these days.
The appearances of witches hasn't erased that, but it has allowed her to slip seamlessly back into the persona she had adopted back home. She was somebody who was strong, confident, and capable of taking on the world. She had been a part of this system for years, had survived the worst parts of it. If it was bound to be fleeting, for now she had an identity again. She was someone again.
Unfortunate, that someone hadn't planned on having a human accompany her into a witch's barrier. It's a pitch black world, with only streaks and lines and splatters of mismatched colors bleeding together fading in and out to provide any sense of direction. And yet, even in the complete absence of light, there's no sense of darkness to it. It's as though the inky black landscape itself were providing light with which to see, rather than absorbing it. The air is thick and heavy with an almost overwhelming despair, something sad and lonely and full of a desire to be wanted. To be needed, to be loved, to be anything at all.
That feeling is only underscored by the barrier's only residents. Headless mannequins revolve in place without purpose, not yet taking notice of the intruders. The colors and patterns that make them up are mismatched and conflicting, with a thick and rubbery texture making them up, like a child had made them out of play-doh without looking and called it a work of art. But there's something decidedly wrong about it all, like they weren't real, like even that solid look was just an illusion--like one were just looking at shadows and textures that gave the appearance of dimensions. They might be cardboard cutouts for as solid as they seem. They hang high and low, above and beneath and through where the solid feeling says the floor should be.
Kyoko doesn't even blink at the hideous sight. This isn't the first one she's run into. It was certain not to be, if anything; no matter how many she defeated, it felt as though they just kept coming. But she'll push down her weariness for this one as much as she had all the rest. It was nothing, it was necessary, and it was worth the reward.
She glances over her shoulder at Adachi, the only other living being in this twisted world. There's none of her usual joking manner now, no annoyance, just a stern resolve and just the slightest hint of concern in her knit eyebrows and her slight frown.]
Make sure you stay by my side. Don't wander off, no matter what you think you're seeing or hearing.
[Kyoko speaks to him in a hushed whisper, pausing once midway through to glance at the dolls around them. Once they were noticed, there would be no room for pause or error. Still, in the end she manages to cover up her concern and exhaustion with a smile,]
.... Well, even if you get lost it's not a problem, 'cause I'm used to stuff like this. I won't let anything happen to you.
The appearances of witches hasn't erased that, but it has allowed her to slip seamlessly back into the persona she had adopted back home. She was somebody who was strong, confident, and capable of taking on the world. She had been a part of this system for years, had survived the worst parts of it. If it was bound to be fleeting, for now she had an identity again. She was someone again.
Unfortunate, that someone hadn't planned on having a human accompany her into a witch's barrier. It's a pitch black world, with only streaks and lines and splatters of mismatched colors bleeding together fading in and out to provide any sense of direction. And yet, even in the complete absence of light, there's no sense of darkness to it. It's as though the inky black landscape itself were providing light with which to see, rather than absorbing it. The air is thick and heavy with an almost overwhelming despair, something sad and lonely and full of a desire to be wanted. To be needed, to be loved, to be anything at all.
That feeling is only underscored by the barrier's only residents. Headless mannequins revolve in place without purpose, not yet taking notice of the intruders. The colors and patterns that make them up are mismatched and conflicting, with a thick and rubbery texture making them up, like a child had made them out of play-doh without looking and called it a work of art. But there's something decidedly wrong about it all, like they weren't real, like even that solid look was just an illusion--like one were just looking at shadows and textures that gave the appearance of dimensions. They might be cardboard cutouts for as solid as they seem. They hang high and low, above and beneath and through where the solid feeling says the floor should be.
Kyoko doesn't even blink at the hideous sight. This isn't the first one she's run into. It was certain not to be, if anything; no matter how many she defeated, it felt as though they just kept coming. But she'll push down her weariness for this one as much as she had all the rest. It was nothing, it was necessary, and it was worth the reward.
She glances over her shoulder at Adachi, the only other living being in this twisted world. There's none of her usual joking manner now, no annoyance, just a stern resolve and just the slightest hint of concern in her knit eyebrows and her slight frown.]
Make sure you stay by my side. Don't wander off, no matter what you think you're seeing or hearing.
[Kyoko speaks to him in a hushed whisper, pausing once midway through to glance at the dolls around them. Once they were noticed, there would be no room for pause or error. Still, in the end she manages to cover up her concern and exhaustion with a smile,]
.... Well, even if you get lost it's not a problem, 'cause I'm used to stuff like this. I won't let anything happen to you.
[1 / 2]
She really doesn't give him much time to process that at all. Nor does the witch, for that matter, as it lashes out at Kyoko with a vicious headbutt. That swelling feeling in his chest is almost immediately punctured like a balloon as he calls out after her:]
Kyoko!
["I will ask you one last time. Are you going to let her die?"]
Dumbass... What the hell do you think?! [Adachi snarls, his hand rushing up to his temple to instinctively brace it.] Just shut up and give me your power already!
["Tch. Very well. Let us forge a new contract."
As the specter within continues to speak, a glowing red object begins to materialize before Adachi's very eyes.
"I am thou. Thou art I. You dare to tread through the corrupted waters of your own tarnished heart, as I once did. Fear not what awaits you at the end. Embrace it. Endure it."
It's a tarot card, emblazoned with the image of the Hunger arcana, hovering in a suspended sort of animation just inches away from Adachi's heart. His fingers start to tremble as he reaches out, but he forces himself to stop. His lips set themselves into a thin frown. He's got no time to waste in doubting himself, not now. Not when there's so much more on the line.]
"Now rise! Let us rise together from these shallow depths, and strike thine enemies down!"]
Persona!
[In a sweeping motion, he lunges for the card and crushes it in his left hand.]