♔⊰ - sᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀsᴇʟғ ᴏɴ ғɪʀᴇ.

"WHEN THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO BURN YOU MUST SET YOURSELF ON FIRE." INDIE & PRIVATE Akane Kurashiki of 999. written by melanie.

[kyriamiden]

ZE3 CONFIRMED. NO MEMES THIS TIME. STARTER CALL, no cap for castmates and hell, no official cap otherwise but will be selective.

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ JUNPEI.

“Well… I think you are. But anyways, I suppose that’s fair.” It isn’t fair, but there’s not much he can do about it. Maybe another Junpei from another reality can grow old with her, but fate had other plans for him. While there’s many things you can escape, fate wasn’t one of them. He can’t really say he’s as rough around the edges as she is, but maybe that’s something that’s alright. 

“Let’s make the most of the time we have, then. If I’m not going to see you for a while after this, we might aswell make this the time of our life. I mean, I have this really good joke I can tell you.” He tried to stay optimistic, for the sake of both of them. It kinda pained him to say that they might not see eachother for long, but it’s the reality he’ll eventually have to face. There’s no use delaying it now.

     He would never completely understand, she was certain of that. If he chose to love heart open, eyes closed, she couldn’t turn him away so easily with words, no matter how genuine she was. Time had not been kind. She looked to the sky for an expanse of time. It was not that of home, cruel and unkind, but she almost fit in here, no matter the good she might have wanted. “Junpei... if that is what you want.” She doesn’t even look at him now, she can’t. He’d made his choice and she would accept it, but the guilt and the genuine truth of who she was didn’t permit this. 

      A hand is offered to him, that same smile she wore as June. “Let me hear it. It can’t be worse than some of those jokes you told me in that first game.” She would have to pretend. 

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ JUNPEI.

“I think I got better with my puns. That’s a skill you hone with time, and I think I have it down.” He wanted to atleast try and lighten up the mood a little. This has been a serious subject, and he didn’t want them to drown too hard in it. Despite all of this, her words hit his heart as if shot from a sniper rifle. Even with all her complexions, her worrying side had not changed one bit. Perhaps this is what lead to it in the first place? Perhaps.

“Either way… I don’t think I’ll reach this day as long as we talk to each other. I can chase my dreams of loving you as much as I want, but as long as I don’t connect with reality, I will just end up growing you into something you aren't, and end up disappointing.” He gripped her hand in his, and held it firmly. 

“I know you’re not a fever dream, or anything like that. You’re a real person, who went through a lot for someone their age, or in general. I have to know how to deal with it, and how to help you, because I think you deserve happiness just like everyone else.” He stopped for a moment, taking in what he let out, and proceeded to scratch the back of his head. “…Jesus, I AM really cheezy, aren’t I.”

      “Junpei... I wasn’t even going to speak with you were it not for this city. I left you in the dust.” She appreciates all his words, his want for this to not be so difficult, for them to laugh, and in a way, yes, she wants that too. There remain truths he does not understand, however. “You saved my life, I will always be grateful for that, but I’m not a good person.” Oh, she wanted to be. That little girl who had sobbed over the rabbits, held the cat Junpei saved, and made promises with him in the setting sun, that was who June was and that part of her was somewhere in her heart but who Akane was now? She’d become more corrupted than that, cruelty eating her to the bone. She didn’t seek chaos, didn’t relish in pain, but revenge was something she had taken to, survival, and she was not that idealistic girl anymore. 

     “I appreciate everything you’ve shown me, all your kindness, and I will not stray away from you while we are here, but you shouldn’t go into this too idealistically.” She’d made that mistake about life a time or two too often.

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ STRANGER.

          It’s not like him to become so preoccupied with his own thoughts that something like this would happen. Before he had even realized, he’d bumped into a woman and spilled his soda pop all over her dress. For a moment, he does nothing but stare in shock at what he had done. 

          …He should probably apologize.

          ❝ I..wasn’t paying attention. ❞ and that’s only obvious. 

    It’s an inconvenience, at most. Though his words are perhaps a little curt given the situation, she nods with little annoyance. “No, its fine, I’m not hurt.” Not exactly an apology on his end but she doesn’t mind. It happens. “Are you alright?”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ JUNPEI.

     “ Weird, I just kinda got here, too. We can walk together and check it out, then..  “ with a somewhat sheepish smile, he nods at her name.. if this city is full of cute girls, he’s .. certainly not complaining. however forced the conditions are. “ Akane-san… the name’s Iori, Junpei. Soo .. are you gonna be a student there? “

     “It’s nice to meet you, Junpei.” She extends a hand to shake with a soft smile. Though she had work to attend to, it didn’t hurt making friends or connections while she was here nor simply having someone to walk to the university with. “I don’t know yet, I was nearly through with school back home, but it doesn’t hurt to look into it. What about you?”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ STRANGER.

      “I–uh, what?” Blinking a few times she’s evidently confused, not to mention surprised at the girl’s sudden appearance. It’s all happened a little too quickly, the guy beckoning her over and now there comes this girl who claims to have known the dude. “Sure, okay.” She just nods before she squints, whispers, “Is he dangerous or something?” And responding to the gentle tug she steps forth, though she looks back at the man once more, a touch suspicious yet she’ll reserve judgment till she hears what the girl has to say. And once far enough out of earshot…

      “Phew. Guess we’re safe now?” Looking back before she faces the girl once more. “So! You gonna tell me who you just saved me from? He just kinda looked like he needed some help with those grocery bags… I’m guessing it was a trap, huh?” 

     “Trust me, it was. He’s been trouble in the past, my past, even if he looks like some kind of kicked puppy at any point, I assure you he isn’t.” There had already been enough trouble at his hand and Akane didn’t intend to let anyone else fall victim, not even a stranger, no matter how skeptical. “You’re alright though? I’m sorry that was so sudden.” And though Akane was outwardly innocent enough, she wasn’t always the most trustworthy person, even if she’d never act foul to someone who did not deserve it. “I’m sorry, I probably should have introduced myself before dragging you off. I’m Akane Kurashiki.”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ JUNPEI.

“Oh come on, you’re being really silly now, you know? I guess that trait was left with you.” He let out a small laughter, which seemed unfitting considering the deep mood they were both sunk in by his question. However, it was all followed with a small tear leaving the side of his eye. 

“You don’t need to apologize. I know it sounds REALLY cheesy, but you’re going to have to bear with me. If I had to do it again, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Maybe that’s kind of unusual but… I don’t think I can go back to things being usual anymore, and I think it’s better that way. After all, I got to save you. All of you.”

A sincere smile comes out. Wide, encouraging, and filled with emotion. “I think you said this to me in another timeline, where we didn’t make it, but… I always loved you. Ever since we were little, I did. Akane, June, and even Zero… They’re all parts of you that I love. This really came out as cheesy, but it’s alright.”

     But she does. At least... Akane cannot forgive herself if she does not. Though it was necessary and she wouldn’t be looking at him now if she hadn’t, it doesn’t mean there isn’t some guilt to be felt for her actions. Still, he brings a tear to her eye, a laugh that’s not even forced. “You were always so compassionate, even when we were little, I guess maybe we haven’t changed so much from the kids we used to be.” Her heart was heavy now, the burdens she carried given her circumstances and the plans she had for the future... when she got out of this place, wherever they were, she wasn’t going to see him again for years. Regardless of who she had become because of the cold in their world, she’d be a fool to not enjoy Junpei’s company here, cheese and all. “You always liked to be cheesy too...” He had a penchant for puns, dirty humor, but in Junpei’s way, he was endearing. “But you are wrong... even if you’ve come out of this okay with your scars, it’s wrong for me not to apologize.” Regardless of how much he accepted her as she was. 

     Akane took one of Junpei’s hands into her own. “Even if you love how I am, I fear there is one day when you won’t.” When he’d see her for everything she was, not just the good and bad which he had accepted. “Your heart has remained pure as when we were children... mine has not.” She squeezes his hand, meets his eyes with relative ease, but there remains a weight that she is sure will cause them to sink someday.

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ JUNPEI.

Getting off the ground is nice. Groundbreaking, even. Nonetheless, he follows her, trying to gather his thoughts in order to give her an answer. Where does one even start with their circumstance? Their childhood? A year before this? The future? It may seem like he lived one life, but in reality, he lived so many and got to know so many things, the single plane of dimension isn’t really the same for him anymore. It’s a bunch of strings, interconnecting and breaking, moving between others and themselves. It’s… complicated to say the least. 

“I suppose that if I had to choose a starting point, I’ll start with the most basic one. Just… who are you, Akane Kurashiki? You were my childhood crush, but you’re clearly so much more. You’re not June, but then again, isn’t she you in a way?” His head started hurting just from thinking about it, but he guessed there’s not much to do about it. “I met you in so many places, and shared so many experiences with you, but it’s hard to track down what even was real and what wasn’t. I’m sorry if this sounds harsh, I just… want to know.”

     As they sit and as his words sound, she swallows. She doesn’t hold regrets for what she did, what she had to do, and she never will, that much is sword... but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some guilt to be had. He is right, June... the little girl who he knew in his youth, they were all part of her and none of it was a lie beyond what she selected to omit. She had cared for him, that nine year old boy who thought he could take on several bullies in order to save on cat for her. The same boy who looked after her every second he could in the nonary game she had constructed, who held her in his arms more than once as she faded away. Of course she had grown fond of him... but what she did to him was also her choice and even if she regretted herting him, she could not regret what she had done.

     ”You’re right, I am not completely different from Akane Kurashiki of age nine or from June, the girl you knew supposedly on board the Gigantic. But I am different.” As they sit, she looks him in the eye for he deserves this honestly and hell if she wasn’t at least going to give him that. “That girl, both of them, they are facets of who I am and important ones at that, but they are no longer everything. There is so much of my life that isn’t there for you, that changed since I was taken away... I grew hard, Junpei. It was the only way.” To survive, to overcome her past and keep living. She and Aoi found a way to save her life and enact revenge upon those who had sinned so greatly and they’d be damned if they didn’t act on it. 

     “For what it’s worth, I am sorry for dragging you into everything, I know you’ve suffered, but I cannot apologize for doing what I had to nor for who I’ve become.”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ CLOVER FIELD.

kyriamiden

It had been so, so long since she had set foot within the city. Or at least, it would have felt that way if the outside world had moved an inch in time. But the fact was out there she wasn’t even alive–so it didn’t matter. Though it was clear as day that the city had changed since she’d left it, not even sure when it was or how long it had been.

Scratching the back of her head, she walked around the city, lugging around the axe she was welcomed back with, and trying to find the district she had been assigned to. She’d lived in them before, it wasn’t new to her, but the area this one was in definitely was. Sighing a bit, she played with the strands on her hair before she saw someone familiar from the corner of her eye.

Eyes widening, she quickly ran over, grabbing the girl by her shoulder so as to catch her attention, looking astonished.

“Akane!? You’re stuck in this city too? Since when!”

     She has come to mind her own business, well as much as she can, as she attempts to make the most of this crazy place. It’s almost quiet compared to life at home, the noise is different, entirely so, and for her qualms she can manage a little better. Though she had run ins with Junpei, seen her brother around, it was still a little unbelievable to find a familiar face in a place like this. 

     Small fingers around her shoulder, Akane jumps just a little as she turns to find exactly that though she looks older now. “Clover! It was very recently, a few weeks maybe? How long has it been for you?”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ STRANGER.

     “ O-oh, really? “ now that she’s turned around.. she’s actually very .. pretty. “ I thought I’d, ah.. scope out the place since I’m gonna probably be goin’ there soon. Y’know.. getting a feel for the place. “

     “Yeah. I’m just touring, I’m completely new to the city, really, but I wanted to do the same, get a feel for the place. I am Akane, by the way.”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ JUNPEI.

At this point,she owes him ice-cream at the very least. Akane Kurashiki sure knew how to make flashy entrances, whether she meant it or not. Last time he saw her he… didn’t really? He kind of did? He’s still very fuzzy about those details, but maybe it’s better left this way. Either way, he had a feeling he was facing the genuine article. 

“Oh. hey, Akane. Nice to…bump into you again.” A little humor to break the ice. If they were going to be all dramatic they’d probably never get to talk casually. “I was… hoping I’d see you here, actually.” And with that, his words ran out. He didn’t actually think what he’d say, or moreover, where he’d start. There was so much to ask her. 

“Maybe… you should set the course of this chat. I’m not sure where to begin, honestly.”

     It’s awkward... and of course it is, with everything they have in their past there was no way it wouldn’t be, so she tries to smile, to laugh... it feels unnatural, alien in this moment. “Maybe we should get up and dust off first.” It’s another moment of her looking down at him, almost unfazed by the position that they are in, before she shifts to the side of him and stands to offer him her hand. “There is a lot we need to talk about.” And she had not planned to tell him any of it, not now, but choices were slim and in the name of decency, that they’d be sharing time in this city, perhaps it was right. “But you’re  right, it is good to see you again.” Face to face, without the awkward circumstance permeating the situation, it is easier to smile, to see that boy who rescued her more than once. “I suppose you’ll have a lot of questions too so lets find somewhere to sit.”

     There is a park bench not far away, she gestures to it in offering, and begins to lead the way but as they walk, poses a question. “Where exactly do you want me to start?”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ STRANGER.

      SO she’s beckoned over to speak to the guy. Not that she knows for what reason that was, but that she’s never seen him before and looked like he genuinely needed a hand with something she doesn’t hesitate to walk on over, a curious look upon her face and not so much considering yet that the guy might just be a creep after all. 

      “Okay, I’m coming!”

kyriamiden

     “Hey!” She holds back the you, it’s rude, but she doesn’t know this woman. That doesn’t mean, however, that she cannot lend a hand. They are strangers and the likelihood of them becoming friends is slim, especially with someone as reserved as her, but this does not mean she cannot help. “You really don’t want to go over there. It’s not quite as simple as it seems... quick, come with me and I’ll explain before he notices.” Akane’s hand is already on the other woman’s wrist, she’s certainly straightforward about everything, but she doesn’t take other action yet beyond a gentle tug to hopefully incite movement. 

     “I know you don’t know me, but I know him.”

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ STRANGER.

     “ … uh, sorry .. hold on a sec. Do you know where the Academy is? I mean .. this place is huge, and .. I have nooo idea where I am. “

     “I don’t. We could look together, if you’d like.That is where I am headed myself.”

[acendatre-blog]

kyriamiden !!

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ SHOUYOU HINATA.

‘don’t belittle me. i can take care on my own.’

he was sick of it when people told him he was not capable to do this or to do that. hinata was strong enough to do so; and it made him sick when people aren’t even looking at those capabilities at all. 

     “--I’m not belittling you but that car would have hit you.” She knows better than to assume someone incapable because of an impression. Or even that one who lacked strength wasn’t cunning enough to survive but she was not above helping, not where she could. “Look, are you alright?”

[kyriamiden]

like this for a mini!

[kyriamiden]

♔⊰ quintary.

     Somethings never changed. This one... perhaps it would be better if it did. The last she saw of him was in the incinerator and if everything was to go as planned, she would not be seeing him in a long time. But coming here, it had never been part of the greater picture, never even a blip in the scheme of things to come. Below her, again, her childhood friend... and what could she say? He chased and she ran, laying out the events as they had to happen and never offering him the explanation he deserved for all she had put him through. She could be June, the incarnation of everything he had known of her, but that was a lie and they were both well aware of that fact. He deserved better, that much was true. No, all that she managed was a soft “Junpei...” enunciated by confusion and perhaps a little regret. She’d never take back what she had done as it was entirely necessary, and she didn't know if it meant a thing to apologize when she’d been turned so cold by the world. ”I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

[kyriamiden]

Hello, Citta folk! I am Melanie and I play a bunch of other nerds here such as Robin and Olivia of Fire Emblem, Estelle of Tales, and Maya of Ace Attorney. I am glad to be here as this little sodoku conspiracy nut. If you would like a mini, feel welcome to like this post.