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

[thekissoflife]

[She eventually comes up beside him, noticing that he's focusing rather hard on the tree. After a moment, she turns her head to look at it as well.]

... I never visited the memory tree myself. Well, at least, not with the intention of taking advantage of it. The only times I've ever been in there was because I felt a friend's presence from within it.

[purrtagonist]

[her voice jolts him out of his thoughts, and he tilts his head to the side a bit to acknowledge her presence with a tired smile. he really does look like he's been through a lot these past few days]

I've used it as a landmark for meeting people before. And I came here with Narukami once. But because of what it does, I tend to avoid it.

[a pause]

What do you mean "a friend's presence?"

[thekissoflife]

[She looks at Akira, gaze softening slightly with sympathy. He looks run ragged.]

I can feel others'... auras, I suppose, when they're within a certain distance. Juno, my Persona, magnifies that ability. On my own, though, I can feel probably up to, hm... probably about ten meters away?

[purrtagonist]

[oh. oh! he knew her navigator abilities were strong, but not that strong]

Amazing. . . I didn't realize you could still sense people, even without summoning your Persona.

[you'd think he would've learned by now though, smh Akira]

I see what you're saying now, though. Maybe we'd better get out of here before we accidentally wind up sharing something.

[thekissoflife]

[She blinks, then looks at Akira in confusion, though she nods at his suggestion, ready to start following him.]

Can Sakura not do that?

[purrtagonist]

I guess I've never asked her.

[he turns to leave, completely unaware that the slight gust that his picked up around them has blown a couple of flower petals from the tree, which are beginning to float his way]

I always assumed she couldn't, but--

[and said flower petal brushes against his hand, the lightest of light touches. but it's enough]

[enjoy this memory suddenly flashing before them both, Fuuka!!]

[thekissoflife]

[Fuuka's so caught off-guard she doesn't even realize immediately what's happened. She blinks belatedly at the memory in confusion, realization sinking in just as—

Makoto screams and Fuuka's shoulders jerk in surprise, her body stiffening with alarm. She looks like she's seen a—

... ghost...

Goodness gracious, in between Futaba thinking she had died, and Makoto thinking he had died, is there any surprise that Akira is so stressed out?

She looks at Akira, hesitating for a moment before she decides to just go for it— she steps forward and gently loops her arms under his, giving him a wordless hug of comfort.]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira actually jerks back when he feels the flower petal brush against his hand. his gaze falls on Makoto's ghostly form, and--]

[he immediately looks away, arms falling to his sides, fingers curling into fists. great. . . the one thing he hadn't wanted to think about today, replaying itself right before his very eyes. thanks for nothing, tree of memories!]

[he has an excuse prepared on the tip of his tongue when the memory fades, and he opens his mouth to come right out of the gate with it. but then Fuuka is pulling him towards her, arms wrapped warmly around his back, and he just]

[sort of]

[freezes?]

[like he didn't expect this to happen, and isn't quite sure where to go from here]

Ah. . .

[there's a beat. and then another one, before he realizes that he can't leave her hanging. carefully, but with some hesitation, he loops his own arms around her shoulders to return the hug, which]

[now that he thinks about it?]

[is far more welcome than he realized]

[thekissoflife]

[Oh, good... she relaxes a bit when the hug is returned, having been a bit worried that perhaps it may have been unwarranted, but Akira simply seems... more uncertain than anything.

Almost as though he's... unaccustomed to being comforted?

She pulls back after a few seconds, letting her hands rest on Akira's shoulders as she gives him a soft smile.]

It'll be okay.

[She isn't just saying that to comfort him; she sincerely believes it. Things were difficult now, but she has faith that they're temporary, that soon the cause of this phenomenon would be found and things would turn back to normal.

But she understands how hard it is to be patient. Even so... she gives his shoulders a little squeeze.]

I promise.

[purrtagonist]

[he is unaccustomed to this kind of comfort. he's gotten more of it from the Phantom Thieves as of late, but every hug still takes him by surprised. especially when it comes from someone he doesn't expect to give it]

[and although those words are simple, although the message is one that could be given by anyone. . . for some reason? the fact that Fuuka is the one saying them makes him actually believe they'll be true]

[an exhale, and he smiles]

Thanks. I know.