Night 58: F21-30 Hallway
Normally, the lack of an intercom post would have registered as slightly ominous to Erika, at the very least. However, she was glad that there wasn't one, because it allowed her to focus on something else strange that was happening. Something else very strange... It was a feeling that she couldn't put her finger on, so she naturally came to the
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The thought made Erika sigh, which made it seem like she was sighing at the girl's question. Erika just nodded afterwards, to affirm that she was the person this girl seeked. She held out the toy gun, glad that such a useless thing could finally be taken off her hands, but her grip on it was still quite firm.
"I am. I'm sorry for your loss." Her 'condolences' had a hollow ring about them, but this strange girl might not even notice. Then again, Erika didn't seem to care. "This is what she left behind. I'm rather curious about it. Was Yukari-san a collector of model guns?"
Even if Erika had no right to know of her ex-roommate's business and there was no need to know about it in the first place, she was still curious and felt that indulging her curiosity was decent 'payment' for being willing to give up Yukari's property. It made sense in her head, anyway.
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It was offered to her, so Aigis reached out and took it, holding it close to her chest as she had when Minato's had been returned to her the night before. So precious, the few mementos of her friends. Palpable memories. "It is not a gun, though if Yukari-san held such a collection I would not know."
Aigis paused, then continued on. Certainly explaining the use of their weapon would not be a bad thing, and it would perhaps help her keep her mind off her loneliness. "This is called an 'Evoker.' It is a tool used to bring out the power of Persona. Only those with the potential are able to access this power, like Yukari-san and myself."
She eyed Erika's bandages again. The girl must have been through a great ordeal to be injured enough to require such wrappings. Aigis considered again for a moment. "... Would you like some assistance in healing your wounds? It is the least I can do after you kindly returned the Evoker to me."
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She had a feeling her definition of 'persona' differed from this girl's definition, but nonetheless, it was no longer Erika's right to pry. Still, it looked like this little act of "kindness" was worth it, as the girl offered something to "heal" her wounds. The girl didn't look like she had anything useful on her, but she was only a room away. Perhaps she had some medicine to help with the pain, and that was more than enough thanks as far as Erika was concerned.
"Sure, I'd like that. It hurts a lot," Erika smiled, attempting to shrug and then grimacing as if trying to demonstrate that. "Anything that would help me sleep tonight would be fine."
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"Understood. Then, if you would please remain still." Aigis took a deep breath, allowing herself a moment to gather her strength. Then, she slowly raised the Evoker, pointed the gun-like barrel against the side of her head. Any objections Erika or a passerby might raise would be ignored. This was natural for her, even if she had only ever required an Evoker to summon once before. She pulled the trigger--
The sound of shattering glass filled the air, and a strange blue glow radiated around Aigis like a gentle breeze. The light wasn't as bright as it would be back home, and the power surge wasn't nearly as strong. As it stood, her Diarahan would be only as healthful as a simple Dia, but it would do.
"Athena..." She breathed the name almost reverently, and above her a flickering image of Athena appeared. She wasn't as solid before, perhaps because she wasn't required to physically attack an obstacle, but her purpose could still be served. The mechanical goddess raised the lance in her hand and a faint glow enveloped Erika. The healing spell would only do a minimal amount of repair, but it would still offer some help. Her task done, the Persona faded back into the ether and the blue glow faded.
Strangely enough, Aigis did not feel quite as strong of a power drain as before. Her body did not give out under the pressure of the spell. She was hit with a wave of weariness, but her knees did not jell and her sight did not darken. She breathed deeply again, and she felt sweat had beaded along her brow.
"Is that adequate?" She panted, trying to shake the weariness. There was still much left to do tonight.
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The answer became clear, in a twofold manner, when she heard the sound of shattering glass and saw the blue glow that enveloped Aigis. The scene only became stranger with the appearance of a figure behind her, a feminine sort of being that looked like it was mechanical. But that strange sight wasn't the most surprising thing that happened to her. When the figure raised its lance, Erika was wrapped in a soft, warm embrace of light that left the detective reeling and dizzy. It was not just because, if only by a small degree, she could feel her condition improve. No, she was still in much pain, but it felt like the slightest edge had been taken off.
But that wasn't it. Erika couldn't begin to describe why she knew this, but that strange feeling that had been tugging at the back of her mind became clear. This strange scene before her, it was... being projected? No, that wasn't it at all. It was being weakened by some sort of device. An unknown device was the reason this power was being suppressed. But how, if this strange sort of power shouldn't even exist to begin with? Even though Erika knew she no longer had the right, her mind was reeling as she went back and forth between trying to deny this strange scene and knowing exactly what was keeping the girl before her from being able to use this power freely. It was that device, that strange device...!
"Ah..." Because of Erika's conflicting thoughts, she actually looked like the attempt at healing made her worse, but if Aigis could see past those bandages, she would have seen that some of the surface wounds on Erika's body had been stitched up a little more tightly. Certainly, it had worked, and the ex-detective finally regained herself after shaking her head. "Yes... I think this will be sufficient..."
She wasn't sure what to make of her sudden knowledge or discovery, so she wasn't sure what to tell Aigis. After all, it was knowledge she wasn't supposed to have, and maybe the true final proof that she was no longer the detective of this board: The detective was not permitted to receive clues that came from a supernatural source or unexplained intuition. Yet, at the same time...
"... Thank you. My pain has eased a little. I think I'll be able make it through the rest of the night."
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She simply nodded at the words of thanks. It was really no problem. In fact, it was her duty to help out mankind in their times of need. Even if it wasn't against Shadows, she would help any human that wished for her assistance.
"Please, feel free to call on me if you have any more issues in the future, Erika-san." Once again she held the Evoker to her chest, cradling it. Her voice softened. "I am very much in your debt."
In her pocket, Minato's Evoker felt even heavier. She now had double the burden to bear, and bear it she would. Until she reached the very end of this trial, she would never let them go.
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Well, she wasn't going to complain about it. Aigis seemed like she really was glad to help, and for once, Erika was too cranky to complain or do anything about it. Instead, she nodded and filed away the girl's promise for assistance. Somehow, Erika felt like she was getting the worse deal for giving up such an interesting toy, but she figured that it would take too much time to figure out how to use it correctly. Aigis did say the power was limited to a few people, even though Erika wanted to test that claim.
"I'll remember that. You have a good night as well then, Aigis-san," Erika nodded politely, deciding to leave the girl so she could go do... whatever. It wasn't her concern anymore. But what just happened seemed to trouble her, so although Erika turned to return back to her room, her hand remained rested on the doorknob. She could take her time to think about it in her room, but...
For some reason, with this kind of knowledge, Erika didn't seem content with playing armchair detective. She merely waited, as if she were waiting for Aigis to leave before she would return to her room.
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She hoped Erika really would keep her offer in mind in case she ever needed a healing touch. Her wounds were likely still tender, but Erika would know her own body best. And Aigis would not pursue the subject unless encouraged. She had no qualms leaving the other girl to her own devices when it seemed she was likely going to just return to her room for rest.
Aigis walked on wooden legs away from the the girl and moved towards the next hallway. Like the night before, she moved without really considering her next goal. She just needed to focus on something other than her loss of an ally, and putting one foot in front of the other was as good a focal process as any.
[To here]
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That sounded like a good idea, until there was a crackle of an announcement. The intercom? Erika listened, and the more she listened, the more everything seemed to click in her mind. Her face twisted, first in confusion and then in anger.
Suddenly, she had other plans.
[ and she's heading off to here ]
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