[First Strega and their occult nonsense, and now rumors about this Joker-sama are starting to spread, even here on Port Island. Yukari can't decide which is more annoying, really, but she knows it's got something to do with the visiting student from Sumaru. It couldn't be a coincidence, right?
She's walking along, grabbing her stuff out of her locker after Archery Club. Maybe idly thinking about what she'll have for dinner, whenever she makes it home...thinking about whether this new rumor would make their job harder or easier, fighting Shadows in Tartarus--
And then she sees him.
That is him, isn't it? She recognizes most of the faces that show up around Gekkoukan...but not his. Not quite, anyway, so she assumes it must be. She studies him for a while, observing out of the corner of her eye without saying anything at first...]
[ He certainly is an odd one, this boy, wandering about a bit and looking at some flowers? Not many boys are the type to do that.
In fact his appearance might remind you quite a bit of Minato's, though things are decidedly different in parting and coloring when it comes to his hair and eyes. He also happens to have a flower in his shirt, tucked safely away.
This girl probably had a great deal of dreams. Yes, the best ones were usually always teenagers.
But there would be no way of knowing how useful she would be or if he could gain more from Port Island without approaching the people here, would there? So he approaches Yukari and offers her a flower of his own--jasmine, to be specific. ]
I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you were watching me... though if I may hope, the flowers are far nicer to look at than me, so perhaps you were enjoying them as I was?
[ His tone is not flirtacious, rather, it is closer to gentle and curious and polite. ]
In truth, she does not notice the flowers. Not until the boy brings them over, holding one out in front of her. It actually surprises her at first, and she stares as if she doesn't know what to do--but she recovers quickly enough, and takes it in her hand.
You would've thought it poison, the way she looked at it. But she sniffs it innocently, casting him a casual glance.]
...Maybe. Am I supposed to be impressed you noticed?
I can promise you there's nothing poisonous about Jasmine. It's actually meant to convey cheer and grace, or that you believe the person you've given it to has those qualities... when it comes to flowers, there is no need to impress someone. I think they're impressive all on their own. They don't need me to show you that.
[ By which he means he has no intent of flirting with you, Yukari, and is merely gayer than a certain district of California striking up conversation.
... He can tell, this is a young girl with dreams and ideals. Perhaps one he might find useful. Port Island was an untapped area, after all. His expression is cheerful-seeming, though... you probably get the feeling this boy isn't very average. Quite unusual, really. One wonders what he's thinking, but he merely motions to the flower he gave Yukari. ]
I haven't visited Port Island before now, but it's nice here. ... Of course, I still think the local flora deserve your attention more than me, but I'm going to guess you wanted to ask me something, like the others?
Big words, big words, and pretty forward coming from a boy who barely knew her. Then again, she's kind of used to that. Maybe not from an exchange student, but--nevertheless, she can tell when someone's trying to impress her. It doesn't matter how much they say they're not.
He is right, though. Flowers are impressive and pretty enough on their own. Perhaps more so than when they are attached someone's hand--particularly one who might not understand them.
Luckily, that seems not to be the case here.
But either way, despite how much he keeps saying the Jasmines deserve more attention, he is certainly demanding it. So she's giving it to him. She sees no reason not to, as of now.]
'The others'? So you've been interrogated already, huh...
[She allows the flower in her hand to fall slightly; her guard slightly dropped, though not completely so.]
Figures. Some people will believe anything they hear.
[ Impress? Maybe. Or maybe he had an ulterior motive. Either way, he shrugs. ]
... I don't mind, really.
[ Briefly, he wonders if the resonance he's feeling from Joker-Nyarlathotep is Yukari being a Persona user... yes, she had to be. ]
Personally, I think the rumor is true. A lot of people in my city have gotten what they wanted lately... I don't think it's wrong for them to want their dreams to come true.
...Maybe not. Everybody wants their dreams to come true, after all.
[It's a normal enough thing to want. Human nature and all that. Yukari's no different...she has her aspirations and her goals in life, namely to stay with SEES and make her father proud of her. But she's not going to be relying on anyone else to make that a reality.
In the end, she knows it's something she has to do for herself.]
But you've got to work for it. You can't just count on some weird ritual and this 'Joker-sama' to make things happen for you.
[...he really believes in him, then, she supposes...]
I take it you're the one who's been spreading this rumor then?
... Is that what everyone thinks? I just think it's nice that maybe there's something out there that helps people.
[ UNSURE FACE HERE. Ow he's hurt Yukari he'd NEVER gossip 8( hdu. ]
My feeling on it is that... it must be hard to work toward a dream and it never be fulfilled. Maybe some people have lost their hope or beliefs.
[ Everyone in Sumaru is like that. They dream but can't have it granted. Of course they needed a figure to make their lives better--who better than Joker? After all, only Joker could lead the ignorant masses. ]
... All I can tell you is that a lot of people have done it in Sumaru, and actually believe in it... our city is kind of a hub for gossip, so I'm not surprised you'd assume that, though if I did without meaning to...
[ This is such an apologetic face, Yukari. :c He's sorry. Really. ]
[Yeah, okay. She recognizes an apologetic face when she sees one...and she admittedly knows nothing about Sumaru, so it's not like she can argue that nothing has happened there.]
Well, we're kind of bad about the gossip, too, if you hadn't noticed. [Which he may not have, being new and all.] So it's not like I can hold it against you...even if it is hard to swallow.
[...]
All I can say is, even if it seems like your dream isn't gonna be fulfilled...that means it's time to adapt. Try new ways, or even reach for new ones...
[ Strange. ... She sounds so much like--no. He has to harden his resolve. It's because of her that Joker exists, isn't it?
Joker exists to help those people. ]
... I hope this isn't an odd question, since I don't know you very well, but...
[ It must be hard for people to change. Wasn't that why he wanted to help everyone? ... In the end, he also had to fulfill what his father wanted. People didn't need to suffer. He had a hard time with it himself. Hell, he was notorious at Kasugayama High for getting into all manner of brawls with the other students, using his Persona. ]
You have a dream, right? I mean, you don't... seem lost like a lot of other people I've met.
[Yukari tilts her head. There's a feeling caught in her throat...like maybe she was talking for a little longer than intended. It's not the first time that's happened--though she's not exactly used to talking with someone whom she barely knows...
Oh well. She shakes her head...]
Heh. I don't think that's so strange, at our age. [They're so young, even if some of them are more mature than their years let on.] ...But yeah.
If it does sound familiar, it doesn't show, though it does trigger something in her memory. Maybe something she read in a magazine, gossip she heard from a friend...but she lets it slide for now, nodding quietly.]
He is not good with... people. As much as he tries to be. Flowers? Flowers are an easy topic. Flowers, he can handle. He loves people, but he can't figure out how to communicate WITH them. A real problem, to be frank. ]
Ah... Takeba-san... it's nice to meet you.
[ ... ]
I think... Port Island is a nice change of pace from where I live. My school is...
[ Well. He just doesn't like Kasugayama. All boys, and all of them were punks, so he got into quite a few fights. Most he got out of on top with the use of his Persona, of course. ]
Well, it's not as nice. Though it's changed recently, I suppose.
[Ah--it does show, indeed. But Yukari is quiet about it. She's used to it after all, people having to work up the courage to even talk to her. She's used to being the one to break the ice...though at least this boy is making an effort. She appreciates that well enough, since he hasn't run away or anything. Heh.
And he likes Port Island, which is a good sign, she supposes.
Though--]
Not as nice? [A headtilt here, since she's curious--though she doesn't deny it. She happens to like Gekkoukan...] Why--what was wrong with it?
[That must have to do with the changes he mentioned right? If enough people were dissatisfied...]
She's walking along, grabbing her stuff out of her locker after Archery Club. Maybe idly thinking about what she'll have for dinner, whenever she makes it home...thinking about whether this new rumor would make their job harder or easier, fighting Shadows in Tartarus--
And then she sees him.
That is him, isn't it? She recognizes most of the faces that show up around Gekkoukan...but not his. Not quite, anyway, so she assumes it must be. She studies him for a while, observing out of the corner of her eye without saying anything at first...]
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In fact his appearance might remind you quite a bit of Minato's, though things are decidedly different in parting and coloring when it comes to his hair and eyes. He also happens to have a flower in his shirt, tucked safely away.
This girl probably had a great deal of dreams. Yes, the best ones were usually always teenagers.
But there would be no way of knowing how useful she would be or if he could gain more from Port Island without approaching the people here, would there? So he approaches Yukari and offers her a flower of his own--jasmine, to be specific. ]
I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you were watching me... though if I may hope, the flowers are far nicer to look at than me, so perhaps you were enjoying them as I was?
[ His tone is not flirtacious, rather, it is closer to gentle and curious and polite. ]
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In truth, she does not notice the flowers. Not until the boy brings them over, holding one out in front of her. It actually surprises her at first, and she stares as if she doesn't know what to do--but she recovers quickly enough, and takes it in her hand.
You would've thought it poison, the way she looked at it. But she sniffs it innocently, casting him a casual glance.]
...Maybe. Am I supposed to be impressed you noticed?
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[ By which he means he has no intent of flirting with you, Yukari, and is merely gayer than a certain district of California striking up conversation.
... He can tell, this is a young girl with dreams and ideals. Perhaps one he might find useful. Port Island was an untapped area, after all. His expression is cheerful-seeming, though... you probably get the feeling this boy isn't very average. Quite unusual, really. One wonders what he's thinking, but he merely motions to the flower he gave Yukari. ]
I haven't visited Port Island before now, but it's nice here. ... Of course, I still think the local flora deserve your attention more than me, but I'm going to guess you wanted to ask me something, like the others?
[ ( ... )
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Big words, big words, and pretty forward coming from a boy who barely knew her. Then again, she's kind of used to that. Maybe not from an exchange student, but--nevertheless, she can tell when someone's trying to impress her. It doesn't matter how much they say they're not.
He is right, though. Flowers are impressive and pretty enough on their own. Perhaps more so than when they are attached someone's hand--particularly one who might not understand them.
Luckily, that seems not to be the case here.
But either way, despite how much he keeps saying the Jasmines deserve more attention, he is certainly demanding it. So she's giving it to him. She sees no reason not to, as of now.]
'The others'? So you've been interrogated already, huh...
[She allows the flower in her hand to fall slightly; her guard slightly dropped, though not completely so.]
Figures. Some people will believe anything they hear.
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... I don't mind, really.
[ Briefly, he wonders if the resonance he's feeling from Joker-Nyarlathotep is Yukari being a Persona user... yes, she had to be. ]
Personally, I think the rumor is true. A lot of people in my city have gotten what they wanted lately... I don't think it's wrong for them to want their dreams to come true.
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[It's a normal enough thing to want. Human nature and all that. Yukari's no different...she has her aspirations and her goals in life, namely to stay with SEES and make her father proud of her. But she's not going to be relying on anyone else to make that a reality.
In the end, she knows it's something she has to do for herself.]
But you've got to work for it. You can't just count on some weird ritual and this 'Joker-sama' to make things happen for you.
[...he really believes in him, then, she supposes...]
I take it you're the one who's been spreading this rumor then?
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[ UNSURE FACE HERE. Ow he's hurt Yukari he'd NEVER gossip 8( hdu. ]
My feeling on it is that... it must be hard to work toward a dream and it never be fulfilled. Maybe some people have lost their hope or beliefs.
[ Everyone in Sumaru is like that. They dream but can't have it granted. Of course they needed a figure to make their lives better--who better than Joker? After all, only Joker could lead the ignorant masses. ]
... All I can tell you is that a lot of people have done it in Sumaru, and actually believe in it... our city is kind of a hub for gossip, so I'm not surprised you'd assume that, though if I did without meaning to...
[ This is such an apologetic face, Yukari. :c He's sorry. Really. ]
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[Yeah, okay. She recognizes an apologetic face when she sees one...and she admittedly knows nothing about Sumaru, so it's not like she can argue that nothing has happened there.]
Well, we're kind of bad about the gossip, too, if you hadn't noticed. [Which he may not have, being new and all.] So it's not like I can hold it against you...even if it is hard to swallow.
[...]
All I can say is, even if it seems like your dream isn't gonna be fulfilled...that means it's time to adapt. Try new ways, or even reach for new ones...
Not resort to something like this.
[It's just silly.]
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Joker exists to help those people. ]
... I hope this isn't an odd question, since I don't know you very well, but...
[ It must be hard for people to change. Wasn't that why he wanted to help everyone? ... In the end, he also had to fulfill what his father wanted. People didn't need to suffer. He had a hard time with it himself. Hell, he was notorious at Kasugayama High for getting into all manner of brawls with the other students, using his Persona. ]
You have a dream, right? I mean, you don't... seem lost like a lot of other people I've met.
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[Yukari tilts her head. There's a feeling caught in her throat...like maybe she was talking for a little longer than intended. It's not the first time that's happened--though she's not exactly used to talking with someone whom she barely knows...
Oh well. She shakes her head...]
Heh. I don't think that's so strange, at our age. [They're so young, even if some of them are more mature than their years let on.] ...But yeah.
You could say I have a dream.
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It always makes him so happy, to hear those who have dreams. Is it wrong of Joker to want to go about and grant them? He doesn't think so. ]
... Ah, I'm sorry... I probably should have introduced myself...
[ He's a quiet person. He doesn't do well with people but he loves them, so much. So very much. There's nothing fancy, just a small smile. ]
My name is Jun Kurosu.
[ And he can only hope Yukari doesn't know Junko, his mother, the actress, because he really hates thinking about her. ]
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If it does sound familiar, it doesn't show, though it does trigger something in her memory. Maybe something she read in a magazine, gossip she heard from a friend...but she lets it slide for now, nodding quietly.]
...Yukari. Yukari Takeba.
[...A short introduction, but to the point.]
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He's--bad at this, to be honest. It shows.
He is not good with... people. As much as he tries to be. Flowers? Flowers are an easy topic. Flowers, he can handle. He loves people, but he can't figure out how to communicate WITH them. A real problem, to be frank. ]
Ah... Takeba-san... it's nice to meet you.
[ ... ]
I think... Port Island is a nice change of pace from where I live. My school is...
[ Well. He just doesn't like Kasugayama. All boys, and all of them were punks, so he got into quite a few fights. Most he got out of on top with the use of his Persona, of course. ]
Well, it's not as nice. Though it's changed recently, I suppose.
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And he likes Port Island, which is a good sign, she supposes.
Though--]
Not as nice? [A headtilt here, since she's curious--though she doesn't deny it. She happens to like Gekkoukan...] Why--what was wrong with it?
[That must have to do with the changes he mentioned right? If enough people were dissatisfied...]
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