She’s a completely different person to him, unfamiliar, yet something about her throws him off and it’s not exactly a good feeling either. It’s an ill-kind of movement treading in his stomach, his guard suddenly increasing at the notice of her red eyes. She’s not the ordinary kind of human who lingers in the aftermath of a bloodshed even though the Dark Hour had just begun; she’s not the type to look confused of her surroundings, she looks as if she’s used to it, accustomed to the blood beneath their shoes, the sick green above their heads, and the pale yellow moon that drapes across their very being, mocking, watching, and deciding their fate with one Shadow at a time. However, with all this in respect, she’s not fearful; she’s polite, calm, and reserved, and her eyes dictate a sort of mirth he hasn’t seen in a long time. It’s comforting despite how strange this encounter is. Minato’s been alone since returning to earth so this meeting is a strange one. This stranger is a persona user that much is for sure and it’s not just the obvious Evoker that’s jutting out from her belt pocket either. There’s only so much a regular human can take of the dreaded 25th hour and she has it easy from the first look. After all, first impressions leave a permanent print in Minato’s head, especially during this time.
He’s used to fighting alongside his friends but he’s been alone ever since his return. There’s no safety net to catch him in case he falls and the endless nights that follow has him fearful of what may be in store for him the next day. Saving lives has suddenly become a lot more difficult considering the position he’s been put in. Minato is twice as careful, eyes darting from corner to corner for any signs of humans lurking about during the Dark Hour, and it’s unfortunate that he’s come across a few already. Tonight is no different, but perhaps that notion is about to be proved wrong. There’s a certain kind of feeling to the auburn haired female – she reminds him of his days when he was still alive. Alive. That word sends shivers up his spine and he turns his gaze from her for a split second in thought. It’s not when she speaks that he jolts out of his reverie, train of thought broken at the tone of her voice. How strange is it that her voice seems oddly familiar, like he’s heard it in a once upon a time story but has never heard it before at the same time? Perhaps it’s the air around him, dark and damp, weighing down on his shoulders like a responsibility he’s forced to bear for a lifetime. The blue-haired man gazes back up at her, eyes mirroring hers. She’s wondering the same thing, he can tell, and that’s weird because it’s not something one could tell normally.
❛ Yeah, I’m fine. ❜ It’s a no-brainer that the statement is an understatement on its own. Minato watches for any changes in her demeanour, careful dull irises pinned on her features. It’s like staring into a mirror, the same process he does every morning and every evening and sometimes in between when he’s out and about. She doesn’t look terribly similar to him, there are major differences, one starting with the obvious one. She’s a woman, he’s a man. Perhaps it’s the aura that stands between them that makes him feel at ease, like he can trust her. Perhaps she has the same power as him, the power of the Wildcard. He remembers that almost-fairy tale-like incident with the cast of Persona 4 grey-haired man and his group of strange goers. Perhaps she’s one of them or if not part of Narukami’s group then another group. It’s possible, everything’s possible and who knows, perhaps he’s stuck in another adventure to come. Minato almost snorts at that. He’s getting too ahead of himself, possibly thinking that he’ll have fun again like old times. It’s because he misses his friends, that’s why he’s over his head joyed over the fact that there is another potential Persona user before him. However, there’s not a single trace of delight on his face.
He’s not going to beat around the bush either; what’s left unsaid is all he needs to say and there’s really no need for him to think otherwise or make small-talk because this isn’t the time to be lingering around, chitchatting like the world isn’t about the end. ❛ You’re a Persona user, aren’t you? You handle yourself with ease and you look as if you’re familiar with… ❜ he pauses, takes a step back, and gestures with a nod of his head to their surroundings. ❛ This. ❜ Coffins are littered in random spots where humans once stood. Cars that aren’t quite as beat up prior to the hour look old and used, battered and rusty. The streetlights are off and the only light gleaming down on them is the eerie light from the moon. ❛ Where did you come from? ❜ He patrols this area every night and not once has he come across her. She’s a foreigner, much more than he is in a land he does not belong in.
Brilliant irises burning with innocent yet fierce passion did not stray from his seemingly apathetic figure for a single second, on the contrary, they remained anchored to his being, studying his outer appearance, his dull and emotionless visage, his blank eyes and mostly, focusing the majority of her attention upon the oh so familiar Evoker that was carefully and jealously guarded inside of the sand colored holster attached to his belt - In mere seconds, Minako attempted to remember every single notion she possessed about this special weapon, analyzing every single utterance that had been pronounced by the other members of S.E.E.S. as far as their Evokers were concerned, wondering whether they ever mentioned something about its shape and form; there wasn’t a particular reason for them to use a gun and as far as she could recall, its outer appearance was merely a memento for the Persona-users ( after all, Koromaru’s Evoker was way different from theirs and more than once, rumors about more Persona-users fighting against the Shadows with their own tools and capabilities had reached her ears, thus suggesting that any person could summon their Persona through a different meaning ) . If her reasoning was correct, then why did he possess the same kind of Evoker? If he was a member of S.E.E.S. , she would have most likely heard about it, she would have met him and even befriended him in the past... Nothing of all this made any sense and the more she attempted to find answers to the myriad of inquiries rising inside of her head, the more confused and lost she felt, as if suddenly the world around her had decided to twist and morph once more, taking away from her any kind of certainty she had managed to hold onto after all the battles, after all the struggles, after all the tears that ran down her cheeks. Who was he? Why was he there? Why did he look so familiar? Why was she experiencing such a weird, blazing sensation in her heart whenever a word was rolled upon his tongue?
She felt uncomfortable, defenseless and exposed - She felt completely naked in front of someone who could have been either a precious ally in a world where she was alone or a dangerous enemy who wouldn’t have hesitated to end her life. How hilarious... Coming back to this world only to be killed by another Persona-user. The simple thought of such a fate made her lower lip twitch out of slumbering pain; unconsciously, she had recalled the fate of a dear friend of hers, the fate of someone she loved oh so dearly and that didn’t survive to see another day, to see her another day. Before the unknown man in front of her could notice the demons haunting her, the Crimson Fool’s rose tinted lips were forcefully curled into a goofy yet wide smile, slightly parting in order to allow a shy series of chuckles to break the ghastly silence of the night, the mortiferous silence of the Dark Hour. It was definitely time to give an answer to his doubts in order to somehow receive an answer to her own inquiries and fears; she needed to remain calm and show her most friendly side, smiling brightly and carefully choosing only the most cheeky words she could think of. Was she really planning this? Was she really worrying about such a thing? The old Minako would have allowed her instincts to guide her, she would have never pretended to be something or someone she wasn’t only to please someone...
The old Minako was surrounded by people who loved her and her bubbly self, therefore she had no need to control and censor her thoughts and feelings; the current Minako was alone in a world she didn’t belong to and there was nothing more painful than the constant loneliness that clawed at her beating yet tired heart.
💕 — ❝ What you said is correct - I am a Persona-user! Not to sound too full of myself, but I’m definitely a wonderful and strong Persona-user! These streets are tooootally safe now that I’m around! Uhm... It’s actually hard to explain where I come from, especially since I doubt you’d believe me anyway. What if I told you that I’m from a different dimension? Or world? Or however you want to call it. This world looks just like mine but it’s not mine - None of the people I loved are here. ❞
Even though her tone remained cheerful and melodious, it wasn’t hard to spot the sadness concealed behind those cheeky words, the sense of loneliness behind that grinning façade. Unconsciously, without previously pondering on her actions, the Wild Card took a step towards the blue haired male, dangerously closing the distance between their bodies; if he was an enemy, then she would have fought, there was no reason for her to fear him or his Personas or his powers - Clearly, she could feel Thanatos’ power inside of her beating heart, therefore she had nothing to be afraid of.
💕 — ❝ Who are you? I’ve never seen you, I’ve never talked with you, yet... Yet it feels as if I’ve known you for my entire life, as if you and I have more than our powers in common - i hope I don’t sound too creepy, but, I can almost feel a thread connecting us. You know, it would be pretty hilarious if you were the ‘me’ of this dimension! ❞