Inbox for empatheias

[thekissoflife]

 ((Note that Fuuka doesn't yet have a bird to take written messages, so any threads here will initially be a private telepathic conversation between Fuuka and your character.))

Comments

always come at me nerd

[lackofprotein]

[--!!

Having her run at him so quickly, caused a small bit of panic to bubble up as he moved to take a step back. Eyes wide, alert - unsure of what to really expect because usually when people charged at him it was never a good thing and though it was Fuuka he couldn't quite stop the way he tensed up in response.

But when he felt arms wrap around him, it was only then that he understood what she was doing. Something so normal, and yet here he was unsure of how to react to it. Hell, he couldn't even remember the last time someone even made the attempt to hug him, and the fact it felt so... out of place and foreign bothered him just the tiniest bit.

The worst part about it, though, was how easily she broke that pathetic excuse of a barrier he'd been trying to maintain this entire time he'd been making his way up here - with only a few simple words.]

You idiot. [Shinji's arms moved on their own then, pulling her close enough to try and hide the tears welling up in the corner of his eyes. Not wanting her to see, because if she did he might not be able to keep his voice steady anymore.] How can you just - after what Castor did to you - why, Yamagishi?

[thekissoflife]

[She clings to him for a moment, just... honestly happy he's here. There might even be little flowers sprouting from the cracks between the tiles. She hears him call her an idiot and smiles, and when he reciprocates the hug, the temperature around her warms instantly and noticeably, chasing away Shinjiro's cold and snow.

She hears her senpai talking to her, speaking in broken questions in confusion and disbelief. And she just smiles gently, pulling her forehead away to lay the side of her head against Shinjiro's chest. She never got to experience it before, as she's never hugged him, but hugging her senpai was... awfully nice. His big arms felt so protective and secure and at the same time, so gentle around her.]

Because... you're my friend, Shinjiro.

[lackofprotein]

[He froze, unsure if he wanted to laugh or cry. Her words were so sincere, so honest, that it was almost heartbreaking for him to listen to. She never failed to surprise him with how much kindness she was capable of. How genuine she could be whenever it involved her feelings for those she cared about.

The fact that she believed he was one of them, as conflicted as he felt about the idea of anyone wanting to be friends with him after such a horrible incident, made it where he was afraid to say anything at all. That feeling of warmth such a stark contrast to these past few weeks while he was trying to deal with the turmoil that was his stupid emotions, that for a time he couldn't help but quietly stand there. Gently holding Fuuka like he was worried he might accidentally break her, until finally, ever so softly:]

I never meant for you to get hurt.

[thekissoflife]

[She could feel him tense, but stays relaxed all the same. Shinjiro's always been a bit awkward when it came to affection or showing he cared, always felt somehow like he was undeserving, but Fuuka didn't mind. It was just the way he was.

She's perfectly content to stay right here, soaking up his presence. It'd been weeks, but it had felt like so much longer. Shinjiro suddenly not being around was downright jarring. It was almost like he'd actually been sent home, and it shook Fuuka up a lot.

At his soft words, a small breath comes out of her, a smile on her face.]

I know that.

[She says it so easily, because there was never a question. The tone is light, almost playful, and you could almost imagine her adding "Silly" to the end of it. If that was an apology, Fuuka didn't need it, because she never blamed or felt betrayed by Shinjiro for one moment.]

[lackofprotein]

[For a tiny moment, Shinjiro's hold on her tightened, an action that was very subtle. Clinging onto that warmth just a little longer, and thankful that she was still here to be such a familiarity to the world he no longer had any part of. That she'd even be able to greet him so warmly and act like he wasn't someone to be feared, even if she should - it was too much for him, really. His emotions still conflicting with him even now, but he had a lot of time to think. Lot of conversations and chatter with those who all had different opinions that he finally gave in, but... if he was going to stay, then he wanted to make a few things clear. Needed to make sure this wasn't going to happen again, because if it did, no one would be able to convince him that staying away wasn't the right thing to do anymore.

So he'll let his arms drop, stepping away completely and putting some distance between them - provided she'd even let him. Only so he could kneel down and rest his hands on either side of her shoulders, his expression serious and for all intents and purposes unwavering when he finally spoke.]

Then you know I'm not safe to be around anymore. There's nothing stopping Castor from acting out again, and what's worst is he's more unpredictable than before. [He can't stop the bitterness that seeps into his tone, but it's something he couldn't really help. His chats with Eikichi all but making it harder for him to not dislike his persona, especially after everything it's put him through.]

I don't want to see you getting hurt again, so you need to promise me that you're not going to interfere. No matter what happens.

[thekissoflife]

[She does let go, knowing that Shinjiro isn't used to the physical affection and might be pulling away for his own comfort. Whatever the reason, Fuuka isn't about to keep him trapped in her embrace— silly is it is to think a small lady like her could do as such to her foot-taller senpai. Except she easily could, because she doesn't think Shinjiro would have the heart to pull her away.

She blinks as Shinjiro kneels down and takes her shoulders and begins to speak to her earnestly. The smile falls away from her face and she listens to her senpai. At the end she frowns, and she understands why he's trying to get her to promise this. So she calmly raises her hands and mimics the gesture of putting her hands on Shinjiro's shoulders.]

I can't do that. [Her gaze is apologetic. She knows that Shinjiro doesn't want her hurt. She doesn't want to be hurt either. But she also doesn't want Shinjiro to be hurt. She could never just stand there while her friends are in pain, in danger, if she could do something about it.]

I'm sorry. But I can't. [She shakes her head.] However, I don't want what happened to happen again, either. I don't want to be a martyr. I want the both of us to come out as unscathed as possible.

[She looks into Shinjiro's eyes.] So, I'm having people teach me how to protect myself. Prompto is going to teach me how to use a gun, and Jade-san is going to help me with Dunamis. And I got books from the library already, actually, about the inner workings of guns. So... that hopefully I can eventually make a gun that's right for me. Something that can protect me, but is non-lethal.

[It's strange, talking about guns, about using guns. But she's gotten acclimated to the idea, because it's necessary. Because it will protect her, it will protect Shinjiro and all of her friends. Hopefully, she would never have to use it.

She looks at Shinjiro, fierce determination in her eyes.]

Next time something happens, I'll be ready.

[lackofprotein]

[Having the tables get turned around on him, from Fuuka no less, all but caused him to go speechless for a split second. He'd been so determined to get this off his chest, because it was the only feasible compromise that he'd be able to live with if it meant she wouldn't get dragged into danger again. If things ended up going south, if he so much as had an impression that he was losing control of Castor again, knowing he didn't have to worry about her pulling a stunt like before would have made things easier.

And yet... he knew what her answer would be before she even opened her mouth.

There's a crease in the center of his forehead as his eyebrows knitted together, hidden under that mess of unkempt hair. He knew, but expecting it and hearing it were two different things and he couldn't stop that tiny bit of annoyance that was reflected back at her.]

Fuuka -- [Shinjiro cuts himself off, when realizing she wasn't done, but the tone he took made it obvious he wasn't about to back down, in fact it had been on the verge of nearly pleading with her. The last thing he wanted was to go through any of that again, wasn't even sure if he should be here now - but he conceded that keeping away wasn't about to solve this problem either.

However, he wasn't confident that her learning how to protect herself was a viable solution. It was necessary, yes, but gunfire - nonlethal gunfire, would not do much against a persona like his own. Knowing she was this determined, though, made it where he couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride that mingled with the conflicting feeling of knowing that he'd been the cause of it to start with.

If it hadn't been for him, she wouldn't have needed to - but would that have been better in a place like this? It wasn't like the dangers here were very predictable to start with, without his persona throwing itself into the mix, but they never had a reason to let her fight before. It's why they always kept her safely away from enemies because she was an important member to their team. The one that kept all of them together when they got separated, and though he understood she wasn't planning on throwing herself actively into battle, the idea of her being close to it was somewhat unnerving.

Finally, once he was certain she had nothing left to say, he'll make a point to drop his hands down to his sides. His mouth pressed together in a tight frown as he tilted his head forwards to stare at the spa's pathway.]

And what if you're not, huh? What if it happens tomorrow? Or the day after? Or next fuckin' week? You gonna be ready then?

[thekissoflife]

[She drops her own hands as well with a soft sigh. She's thought about that, too. About what would happen if another incident happened so quickly.]

I doubt that it will, however... [She puffs gently as she looks away.] Shinjiro, I can't just... stand there and watch. Think about it. If you were in my position, would you really be able to do the same?

[She knows he wouldn't. Even if he were utterly helpless, even if all he could do was be a distraction, that was better than standing there, helpless, while his friend was hurt, or killed.

She takes a deep breath, reaches out and gently tugs on his sleeve before she walks over and takes a seat at one of the tables of the cafe, folding her arms upon the surface.]

If either of us get worried, we can call on Eikichi-kun. And if Castor is summoned again before he's able to come... [It's a hard question. But Fuuka can't do nothing, no matter how much Shinji wants her to.] ... I don't know that there would be much either of us could do. I suppose all we could do is run.

[She then looks at Shinjiro.] I think it would be better to focus on being preventative though, instead of coming up with a worst-case scenario plan. After all, it's only happened once in the three months that you've been here. So, the question is, what triggered his summoning? Something must have changed a few weeks ago. So what was it?

a million years later.

[lackofprotein]

...

[No. No, he wouldn't, but it didn't make it any less frustrating to hear. Trying to argue against that point wouldn't do any good, either, because he didn't want to needlessly make her upset about technicalities. After all, he was supposed to throw himself head first into danger to protect those around him, wasn't like he hadn't done it countless times before while running through Tartarus, but hearing Fuuka say much of the same was not something that settled well with him.

And yet, he wouldn't have expected anything less. Probably why he knew no matter what he said, it still wouldn't of changed her mind.

A thought that continued to linger when he felt that tug on his coat, steel-grey eyes drawing themselves up from the pavement to stare up at her. A flicker of a question, until he saw her move towards the tables and was wordlessly getting up from the ground to follow her. Slowly, and lagging behind a good few seconds, but eventually he'll move to settle in the chair across from where the young girl sat.

A part of him still wanting to keep a bit of a distance, but more for his own comfort than anything else at the moment.]

Relying on Eikichi might be the only choice we have. Trying to outrun Castor won't work for me, at least not for very long. [The last part was spoke softly, but he was more willing to figure out some kind of solution that didn't involve either of them getting hurt. He was more adamant about making sure it wasn't Fuuka, of course, if such an incident were to happen again, but if there was a way to keep the two of them safe than he wasn't about to shoot her down.

But her next few questions gets him to fall quiet again. Attention turning towards the table between them, because he'd been trying to figure that out himself, and had a sinking feeling he already knew the answers to it. If only partly.

He just wasn't sure if this was something that he wanted to tell Fuuka about. Which is why there's a hesitation in the way his eyes darted from her to the table once again.]

Must of started around the time I was having trouble sleeping. Though I don't see how that would trigger Castor to act out, there was no warnings until...

[Shinji didn't think he had to say it, so he simply stopped there.]

a small pathetic tag

[thekissoflife]

[That's right... Castor's summoning usually leaves Shinjiro weak, doesn't it? At least when Castor comes out of his own volition. Still, if it's long enough to get within range of someone who was able to protect them...

Her eyes draw up to her senpai when he starts to explain his suspicions, and something about his expression told her that he had an idea, if he was maybe reluctant to share it for whatever reason.

No warnings until it had happened, of course. Fuuka is quiet, gaze on the table, before it lifts to Shinjiro again.]

...is that all?

[You look like you still have more on your mind, Shinjiro. Tell her. They need to work through this together.]

lies and slander. it's a cute and glorious tag. :>

[lackofprotein]

[He recoils a little into his coat, when Fuuka's gaze hits him. Looking for all the world a lot more uncomfortable, but considering what the topic was about, having to talk about things this personal always made him reluctant to say much to start with.

He knew if he just kept quiet, nothing would get solved, but he didn't think explaining the events leading up to Castor's outburst in detail would really help the situation either. If anything he was confident she'd only worry more, and it's a thought that keeps him silent for a long moment. The hands currently resting over the table's surface curling into loose fists as he focused attention down towards them, before he eventually gives in with a tired sigh.]

No. [He'll shift back against his chair, finally turning his eyes up to Fuuka once more.] How much do you know about the side effects of suppressors?

man i don't remember this game junk..... oh well

[thekissoflife]

[She watches quietly, eyes idly drawing down to the hands that are curling on the table. There was something more on his mind, but it seems like he was struggling to part with the idea for whatever reason.

He finally gives a no, and Fuuka frowns gently, brow furrowing slightly. Isn't Castor's attack all the more reason not to withhold information from each other? She frowns, but then Shinjiro's already moving the conversation along.

A little sigh as she takes the cup of tea and sips at it, shaking her head afterward slightly.]

It's been awhile... I don't fully recall them. [...maybe she would try again in a bit.]