tvklogs | the strings of fate

the strings of fate

WHO: Kaiji Ito and... you! He's going to need some explanations.
WHEN: Dark Hour, Aug. 10, backdated to the night of Kaiji's arrival.
WHERE: the city streets
SUMMARY: Kaiji will get to see what all these rumors are about. We know where this is going.
RATING: PG-13 for language and violence maybe?
WARNINGS: Nothing out of the ordinary

Kaiji had heard all the different warnings from everyone. Not to mention everything else that sounded perfectly ridiculous along with it. Not just how the town supposedly changed after midnight, but how people were being pulled from all over time and space, or how he couldn't leave.

Not knowing what else to do with himself, or where to go, and totally lacking in money and a way off this island at the moment, Kaiji wandered, lost in thought, planning.

It's amazing how easily time can get away from you, and Kaiji found himself wandering straight into the Dark Hour, and everything changed right before his eyes. It was just how the others described it to him - the people turning to coffins, the buildings warping and changing, the water turning to thick red blood - and finally, the crawling darkness, black blobs moving toward him, arm-like tendrils reaching towards him. Cursing, Kaiji made a break for it, not knowing where he was going except far away from these monsters.

People had warned him, but not how to deal with them when the time came.

It wasn't long before he was caught, lost in the disturbing scenery. A shadow lashed out from his side, knocking him to the ground. He scrambled back to his feet, cornered, tears in his eyes. Were these things really going to kill him? He couldn't let it end like this! He had to do something or he was going to die, cornered like some animal ---

Of course, that's when it happened. Kaiji didn't think things could get any more insane, when a voice suddenly rang in his head. "Thou art I, and I am thou. I am Atropos. For too long, others have controlled your fate. Now it is I who will put you in control."

An imposing figure of a woman hovered above Kaiji, coldly looking upon him with gold eyes. He simply stared back at her through tear-stung eyes; though he didn't know how, it was all clear to him now. His Persona held out two strings, one each leading to the shadows. She held up her golden shears, and all Kaiji had to do was say one word.

"Zio!"

Lighting struck and coursed quickly through the shadows which withered and die. Atropos cut their strings of fate, and disappeared, leaving behind one confused, shaken and teary Kaiji.

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April had been nearby when all of this was happening, and the sounds of the nearby scuffle prompts her to check it out. She soon tracks down Kaiji, and she frowns in concern when she spots him.

"Hey, are you alright?" She mentally slaps herself, cause seriously April, he doesn't look alright.

Still looking a bit stunned, Kaiji quickly wipes his eyes with his arm.

"Y-Yeah, I... I'm fine. They... those things. They got close but then..." He wasn't sure how to describe it all. His eyes darted around, keeping watch for any more that might show up.

"Okay, that's good..." April looks thoughtful for a moment, before holding a hand out to Kaiji to help him up, her other hand keeping a tight grip on the gun she was holding in case anymore Shadows show up.

Reluctantly, Kaiji takes April's hand and quickly stands up. He shakes off the scared look by this point, frowning. "This sort of thing happens every night? You weren't fucking kidding about shit after midnight. This wasn't the sort of 'danger' I thought you were talking about. Other people mentioned but... it didn't sound real."

He paused a moment, no longer scanning the area, but looking at April. "How much of that did you see?"

"Yeah, this happens every night. And now you know why I said that you probably wouldn't be able to stand a chance, but at least now you know what to expect at night."

His question makes April blink at him, and she shakes her head. "I didn't see anything, but I certainly heard it... I'm guessing you've managed to summon your Persona."

"Persona..." Kaiji rubbed his forehead and face, trying to clear his thoughts. "This place is only getting weirder by the minute. What the hell is going on?"

He looked around again, wondering if more monsters were lurking nearby. "And how long until another one of those... things shows up?"

"Basically, shit like this happens at night and a Persona, that thing that suddenly appeared in front of you and took out the Shadows, is what helps you to fight the Shadows."

April checks over her gun and before she can answer, there's the sound of something moving nearby. "... Sounds like there's more of them now."

Sure enough, another pair of shadows were making their way towards them. Kaiji reflexively took a step back from it, unsure of what to do.

"Shit. How many more of these things are out here? What do we do? Should I--"

Call forth that "Persona" and zap it again? He didn't even know how he did it in the first place.

April immediately brings her gun up to aim at them, her eyes quickly glancing to Kaiji when he speaks.

"If you want to summon your Persona again, just think of making it appear." She turns her attention back to the Shadows and shoots at them, taking down one of them.

"Right..." Kaiji closed his eyes, bringing up the unforgettable image of that strange woman in his mind. She comes forth, and another Zio spell rocks through the other shadow, taking that one down as well.

"It worked." He was still in a state of disbelief over the whole thing.

April has a moment where she blinks in surprise at his Persona, since she still getting used to this, but then she grins when the takes down the other Shadow.

"See, it's simple, though it takes a while to get used to." April looks thoughtful for a moment.

"... What's your name, by the way? I'm April."

"I guess. I dunno if I'm ever gonna get used to this place. What's next?" Kaiji shook his head.

"Ah, I'm Kaiji. Is there anywhere safe to go?"

[ A huge man steps out of the shadows, the actual ones, after Kaiji has slain the Shadows. ]

Ah. you have one of those sorcerous Persona things. [ He has a pistol in his hand, but he seems disinclined to use it, finger off the trigger and it is pointed towards the ground. ]

Be careful, they are powerful, from what I have seen, but all power, particularly of this nature, has a price. It might well be your soul. [ He crosses to Kaiji, noting the tears, and says ] Are you frightened then?

[Kaiji stared at him for a moment. He was huge, and he was armed, so Kaiji wasn't about to let his gaurd down. After a moment, he speaks.]

"Persona"? What's...

[Oh. Tears. Kaiji quickly rubs his face with his sleeve.]

It just... I have no idea what the fuck just happened. Who're you?

I am Garviel Loken. A member of the Legiones Astartes and protector of humanity. You have nothing to fear from me... why don't we get you to a hotel, things are more safe there.

You're... huge. [Stating the obvious, sure, but he's a little overwhelmed here.]

Um. Those things can't get into the hotel?

Perhaps, but there are more people there who can see them and fight them. They will defend you, until you unddrstand enough of what is going on to fight for yourself.

The people who just showed up here, right? Who all goes these phones? The other people, they...[His gaze drifts to those coffins.]

The people who cannot perceive shadows are trapped within coffins during the evening, safe from our foe but unable to help.

[Kaiji looks mildly horrified at that.] Trapped in there? There's no way to let 'em out?

...Shit. I guess we oughta get back to the hotel before more of those things show up.

Trapped but safe, yes... let us go. [ garviel will walk Kaiji back to the hotel at this point, and will offer him some wine if Kaiji takes a seat in one of the overstuffed sofas downstairs. ]

Have some of this, it tends to help things.

[Kaiji is quiet but a bit jumpy on the walk back, looking out for more shadows.

Whoa what wait is that wine? As in real booze? GOOD booze? He'd rather a beer, but hell, he'll take it.]

O-Oh. Thanks... I guess I owe ya one. Uh, I don't think I gave you my name. I'm Kaiji Ito.

I was made to serve humanity, there is no debt. Unless you mean for the wine. [ Garviel grins at Kaiji just slightly. ]

Good to know you, Kaiji Ito.

I meant getting out of there, too. This place doesn't make any damned sense.

[Kaiji's barely had any food in the last few months, starving to save up his underground cash
to work his way out. This wine tasted like the best thing ever now, and he drinks it faster than he probably should.]

It makes sense to me, but I am a soldier. Still, it is a strange place. [ He pours himself a glass as well, and sips it more slowly. ]

You're probably better off than me. I'm just your average nobody. You look like you could wrestle one of those weird monsters without a problem.

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the strings of fate

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