tvk | CONTRACT |2| [Action/Video] {THE DARK HOUR}

Current Location: shopping district

CONTRACT |2| [Action/Video] {THE DARK HOUR}

[The video is suddenly jarred on, as if caused by the phone hitting something in just the right position to turn it on. Though all that can be seen is black, there's the sound of heavy wheezing and gasping, as well as footsteps nearby. Something hits the phone, making the oddly-textured black lurch a bit before it stops, this time flipped on its side and actually showing something.

Lion is doubled over, one hand on his knee and the other across his chest, gasping desperately for air. Combined with the cuts and scraps on his exposed skin and the rather disheveled look in general, it seems he's been running for a while and has tripped quite a few times.]

A...Atsuro!

[The yell is to the surrounding area, half-wheezed and high-pitched with what's clearly terror. The reason for this quickly becomes obvious, as a Visceral Maya comes into view of both the camera and the boy.]

Ah... shit...

[Clearly too exhausted to keep running, he turns to face it, backing up slowly.]

Come on... I'm supposed to have a Persona too.... COME ON!

[It snaps forward for him, causing him to yelp and cross his arms over his upper half. A bright swirl of energy bursts up from his feet, the Shadow immediately rebuffed by the ice spell the angel has thrown at it. Seeing that he's not quite dead, Lion breathlessly throws his hand out again, the angel mimicking the gesture and finishing it off with the same spell.]

Hah...

[Dominion disappears, and a grin slowly spreads across the boy's face. It's only held there for a moment, however, as he suddenly teeters, slumping to the ground in a heap.]

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Lion!

[Atsuro just saw the video and curse himself for separating from his friend, even by accident.]

Lion, can you hear me on your phone?!

[There's not a lot of response besides a wheezed breath and a twitch at first, though he thankfully turns over after a tense moment to notice the voice coming from the phone.

Lacking the energy to yell again, he just gives Atsuro a thumbs up to show he can.]

I'm coming over to you right now, so hang on!

[Running, running, Atsuro occasionally calls out Lion's name.]

[He can hear his voice being yelled as Atsuro gets closer, and by the time it's fairly loud he's gathered enough energy to yell back.]

Atsuro!

Lion!

[His head snapping over to where he heard his voice, Atsuro go in that direction until he find him.

Seeing Lion's state, he quickly went over to his side, checking his state.]

Hey, I'm here now.

I'm okay. [He gives a tired smile, rolling over onto his back again. Besides a few cuts here and there, it seems the Shadow didn't tear him up too badly -- he seems to be exhausted more than anything else.]

Is it always this bad in the Dark Hour?

[He smile, relieved that his friend is okay.]

Pretty much, and that's not the worse of it.

[But still...stupid Visceral Maya and their physical immunity.]

At least I can cast spells now. I think. Can you help me up? It's probably not a good idea to lay in the middle of the district like this...

Sure. We better head inside for now.

[Atsuro goes to help Lion up onto his feet.]

Think you can walk back to the dorm?

If you let me lean on you, yeah, I think so.

[He manages to get to his feet with Atsuro's help, though he sways a bit.]

Yeah, of course.

[Lifting one of Lion's arm and put it over his shoulders.]

I'd have Amirani cover for us until we're back.

Sounds good.

[Thankfully, as always, Lion's not all that heavy, even though he's putting quite a bit of weight on Atsuro.]

This is going to take some getting used to.

Yeah, it does.

[Atsuro summon his Persona out, the swordsman floating nearby, protectively.]

Back then, I was lucky enough to awaken Amirani in time. Goes to show going out alone is reckless for anyone.

And that you weren't kidding. These things are really dangerous.

I think I'll stick with you for a while.

Good. Just don't die on me, alright?

[He saw all those death announcements before over the network. He feels bad, but Atsuro isn't as emotionally close to them as with Lion.]

Since I'll make sure to cover for you.

[Good thing Madoka was near the area trying to gather data. Once she spots the collapsed boy, she quickly rushes to his side and kneels down to examine his injuries.]

A-Are you okay?!

I won't. Promise.

[He smiles to back it up, squeezing Atsuro's shoulder with the hand on it.]

Especially if you're covering me too. Once I get used to this, I can pick up what you can't.

[This gets him laughing.]

Just like back home! If with more monsters trying to eat us.

[Thankfully, the injuries are light -- looks like most of them are just scuffs from falling over himself trying to get away. The Shadow did relatively little damage.]

Yeah. I'll be okay.

[Well, Madoka still wouldn't leave it at that. She concentrates.]

Pandora!

[She summons her Persona, which casts a Media spell on him, successfully healing what little damage he had. Madoka gives a bit of a relieved smile as Pandora disappears.]

I guess you ran into some trouble... But don't worry! I'll take you somewhere safe! Can you stand on your own?

[The Media certainly helps the wounds, but it doesn't do much for the exhaustion.]

I don't think so, but just a hand up should be okay. I got separated from Atsuro when that thing attacked...

Yeah. From what I've seen over the phone, your Persona can use magic.

[He grins. Magic spells are his big weak point, with how limited Amirani's skills are at the moment.]

To think we'd end up in something that only happens in anime and games. A bunch of people with the powers to fight monsters!

[She figured. Madoka will offer a hand to help him up, but nothing without asking...]

Oh, are you friends with Kihara-kun too?

Yeah. He's my closest friend. I knew him back in our home... world, I guess.

[He takes her hand, wobbling a bit and grabbing her shoulder to keep himself from accidentally tackling her to the ground.]

Heh... whoops.

No kidding. I never would've guessed we'd be doing this a few weeks ago, how about you?

I thought it'd be some kind of survival horror, where we investigate while avoiding monsters. But, well, I end up with a Persona after a close call.

[Grins.] Definitely not something we can do back home, right?

Definitely not.

[He flashes Atsuro a grin himself, though it fades after a moment as he shakes his head a bit, using his free hand to rub at his face.]

I think I need to lay down.

[Madoka gets a small sense of deja vu when she tries her best to support him and prevent him from falling over. This is like what happened to Sayaka back home... Sheesh, just let her help you.]

You shouldn't push yourself. I'll support you on our way to the dorms...

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[It hits him that he has no idea who this girl is.]

Ah, I'm Lion.

Alright. But let's get inside a building first, any building.

[Glance around for a place. Store or something.]

Nice to meet you, Lion-kun. I'm Madoka.

[Aaand they're going, with Madoka trying her best to keep him up. Don't fall and crush her, man.]

Kihara-kun helped me a lot when I first arrived here... He and I probably aren't close as you two are, but I like to think that we're good friends.

Atsuro's a great guy. It doesn't surprise me.

[Crush you, pshh. You're helping along a twig, he probably couldn't crush a library bag if he fell on it.]

[Luckily, there seems to be a store just by them, so it's a quick matter for them to get inside and close up the door.

Lion ends up leaning against the wall, looking more worse for wear.]

At least they can't come inside.

Yeah. Well, those guys anyway. But most Shadows would leave us alone after a while.

[Looks over at Lion.] Want to rest a bit? Or wait until this time is over?

Let's wait here until the Dark Hour is over.

[He rubs his face a bit, looking... uncomfortably pale.]

I feel sick for some reason.

[Atsuro frowns a little.]

Just take it easy for now. You'll feel better.

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CONTRACT |2| [Action/Video] {THE DARK HOUR}

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