♔ Eyes brimming with dark flame...

[singularjustice]

Characters: N and Minato
Status: Closed.

Comments

[lunateclock]

[It was strange, to Minato, that N suddenly disappeared. No contact. No calls. No responses. Strange for his friend to act in such a way--rather inconsiderate, but even more worrisome.

When Minato caught sight of Purrloin, it was no surprise that he followed.

And into the forest he went, following his own instincts now more than the Pokemon that he had lost sight of.

And there--a flash of green and a content boy--his friend. Minato opened his mouth to say something, stepping forward--

And stopped dead, closing his mouth.

Strange, that Susano-o shrank away from N instead of humming in his mind in response to the link. Strange that none of his Personas now reacted positively to N.

Minato shuffles through the ones in his mind quickly, considering, and--

...He doesn't have one of the Justice Arcana, does he? ....ah. Something is wrong.]

[singularjustice]

[ Archeops made a noise at the new arrival, causing N to look up. There was no recognition in his eyes as he spotted Minato. His chewing slowed for a moment as he cocked his head one way and then the other, studying the boy. Then he swallows, rolling to his feet. ]

They know you. Strange. You are no trainer.

[lunateclock]

[...ah. That one comment says more than enough. He's quiet. And he remains where he stands.]

That's because I'm your friend.

[Those mannerisms--]

...You don't remember?

[singularjustice]

My friend.

[ The way he says the word is careful and with the slightest hint of distaste, as if it he could touch it, he would only lift it with two fingers and keep it away from his body. His eyes narrow and then widen again, and he considers Zoroark. ]

No. It seems there is a lot I do not remember. It is very curious. Months and months have passed, and they tell me there is much I did...

[ Now he looks at Reshiram, reaching a hand out to her. She touches her muzzle to his palm. ]

And it is obvious. I awoke the one I sought. I am sure that was a beautiful moment.

[singularjustice]

[ It is a week before the issue fades. N does not think he has ever apologized quite so often in his life. To everyone he knows, to everyone who had to deal with him.

N's already fragile self-esteem now has cracks in it.

He really should have come to Minato near the beginning, perhaps right after apologizing to Red, but instead he avoids him until he cannot any longer. He remembers the week in terrifying detail, the words Minato said to him and the cold tones he used. Going to him now frightens him. What will Minato think of him?

When he finally comes to Minato's door and knocks, he is all but slinking. His head is down, the brim of his hat hiding his expression. ]

[lunateclock]

[It is Minato who answers, as only Minato is there. He blinks at who it is, but when he responds, his tone is as carefully measured as can be. A perfectly flat, unreadable tone.]

Hello, N-kun. How are you?

[singularjustice]

I...

[ How does he say this? For a moment, he hesitates in silence. And then all of the sudden he is talking too fast. ]

I'm really sorry you had to deal with that and all the things I said and I don't think like that any more and I'm sorry I was a bad person then and I did bad things and I don't know if you still forgive me now that you know but I never meant to hurt people like that, that wasn't what I wanted, I was stupid and I didn't know, I didn't understand anything and I was all wrong --

[lunateclock]

[He blinks, trying to take all of that in, but he understands the gist of it, and well...]

N-kun, stop. It's okay.

I'm not sure who was trying to convince you to believe those things. But...what matters is that you don't believe them now.

Your choices are still open to you.

[His expression is quiet, but flat. He doesn't blame N, no. But the conversation...it still rubs him the wrong way when he thinks about it too hard. Spreading a "truth" like that that he fought so hard against...]