Target Practice [social!] [Ariane]

[Kate Minola]

{{tag Ariane Ivers}}

After they had taken care of the monsters, the girl she had met that day, Anne, suggested they move elsewhere for a chat and Kate heartily agreed. Now they stood in a spot that indeed felt more sheltered than the rest of the area and Kate slung her bow back on her shoulder and silently counted her arrows. She would have to go for supplies soon.

"Thank you for your assistance. I don't think I could have handled two of them at once. Has this been going on for very long?" she asked her new acquaintance. "It's only been a week or so since I... er, awakened to my power so I'm not sure. I don't think I ever really noticed anything strange going on at night. I mean, I kind of did, but I never really investigated until recently and that went about as well as a train-wreck."

[Ariane Ivers]

Once they were in the safer area, Ariane took the chance to relax a little bit. Even though the shadows in these parts were weaker, it didn’t keep her from being on edge when she was in the open. Rolling her shoulders and flexing her knuckles under their wraps, she watched as Kate counted her arrows. For a moment she counted her blessings that she didn’t have to worry about running out of ammo with her punches. The only problem with that is it put her up close and personal because of it.

Lifting an eyebrow, she nodded towards the other woman’s weapon before speaking, “I don’t know if you’ve seen them, but there’s a shop run by a couple of oddballs that stock in things for those of us who hunt these things. I got my wraps upgraded there, and this jacket too. It certainly comes in handy and their prices aren’t too terrible, all things considered.” It wasn’t like she needed to keep the shop secret, after all; the more people that were able to get well armed the better.

When Kate thanked her for her help, Anne just waved a hand and shrugged, “Not a problem. These things were tough as hell starting out, I understand completely. My first time out exploring a portal in town I almost got knocked out because the things that attacked us had fire.” Shuddering at the memory, she shook her head and continued, “As for how long? Hmmm…”

She tapped her lip with a finger while she thought. It felt like ages, but Anne was pretty sure that was just because of how crazy it had been. Finally she shrugged and sighed in disbelief, “Goodness, only about a month or so? It feels like longer. I know what you mean, I certainly didn’t notice anything off like this before I wandered into the dark hour. For me it started with crazy headaches, before suddenly, poof!” Anne made fireworks with her hands for emphasis, widening her eyes, “Suddenly, persona. I couldn’t tell you if this had been going on for longer, but it seemed like around when it happened to me is when it started with other people too. One I met seemed as interested in learning more about this as I am, so with some luck we can all figure something out together.”

[Kate Minola]

Kate looked thoughtful as she listened to Anne and actually folded her arms and then raised one hand so her knuckles curled under her chin. "Yes, I believe I know the shop you refer to. I was so taken aback by it the first time I found it that it didn't occur to me to ask about arrows. I will have to visit them soon. It would be good to find something more effective than practice arrows."

With the same thoughtfulness she listened to Anne's experiences with this power and the strange darkness. "Dark hour..." she echoed. "Yes, I can see why we would call this so. It's not just a lack of light. There's something very... sinister about this darkness. It feels... physical somehow, if that makes any sense."

She blinked and shrugged. "I'm sorry if that sounded weird. My Japanese is a little lacking. Sometimes I can't express what I want to say very well."

"I have met others as well," she continued, a bit hesitantly. "Have you any idea how many of us there are? Or even if there is any indication that this sort of thing happens to random people, or is there some kind of common thread that makes us able to access it?"

She paused for a moment, blinking and trying to gather the right words. "Because perhaps we should consider some higher intelligence behind this?"

[Ariane Ivers]

Ariane couldn’t help but chuckle as Kate admitted her initial surprise at seeing the shop. “I certainly don’t blame you,” she said, “It’s… well, it’s certainly something. I’m sure they’d have weapons for you too though. I swear you could ask for a weaponized teddy bear and they’d be able to supply.” For a moment she looked pensive as she wondered what exactly that meant. Now she kind of wanted to learn more about them too, but hey, they helped her at the very least.

Blinking out of her thoughts, she listened quietly as Kate continued to speak. Her face lost the previous humor as her companion talked about the hour, and she looked up at the moon and nodded. “No, I know what you mean. I’m not even sure which of us started calling it that, but it’s like as soon as you hear it you know that’s all it can be called, ya know?” Anne tilted her head as she lifted an eyebrow, “Ah, if you want to switch to English, I don’t mind at all.” Hesitating for a moment, she timidly continued, “That is, I hope it’s not rude of me to assume that’s your first language. But if it is, it’s mine as well. In case it wasn’t obvious with a name like ‘Anne’ I’m not native to these parts.” With a chuckle she shrugged her shoulders as if to say ‘what can you do’.

Thinking about what Kate had asked for a moment, Ariane held up a hand as she tried counting everyone she had met thus far in her head. “At least twelve, counting us, I believe. And those are just the ones I’ve personally seen. As far as links, all the people I’ve seen couldn’t be more different. Some are kids, adults like us, natives, foreigners… Just a modge podge of different people. I’m more than with you in wanting to figure out what’s behind all of this, though. I call bull on this just being a weird coincidence for no apparent reason.”

[Kate Minola]

Kate chuckled at the thought of a weaponized teddy bear. "I would pay good money to even see a properly weaponized teddy bear," she joked. "Makes you wonder if they're connected to this whole thing somehow. I mean, it doesn't look like anyone else knows about it. Because a shop like that, run by people like that would certainly attract attention."

Kate smiled at Anne when she suggested they switch to English. She did so with an amount of gratitude. "Nope, it's perfectly fine," she said, sounding easier. "I really gotta practice my Japanese, since I'll be here for a while, but it's nice to speak a little bit of English to keep that up too. Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking? I'm from Virgina, USA, but I was born in Greece. I've got that weird Mediterranean thing. If it even is a thing."

She sighed. "Yeah, that title sounds about right. It's like in writing, sometimes you just have the exact correct word and it fits so well you think reality will change because of it. But you know... this Persona thing... I have to wonder. Do we have these powers because of what's happening or are the powers a... a side-effect of what's happening? When I summon Antiope I feel something warm in my chest and a sweetness in my mouth - that last part is actually really intense because the air during the dark hour... it tastes foul, you know what I mean? It's almost like bile."

Ariane's information about the wide variety of people who had manifested this Persona power got Kate thinking. "So it's random. I wonder what triggers it. If the... er, awakening, is anything like mine was, I'm surprised nobody's been killed yet."

She paused as something dawned on her. "Then again... if someone was killed by those monsters during the dark hour, would we even know about it? Wow, that gives things a terrifying new dimension, doesn't it? What do these... things do to people? I've seen two kinds, things that look like freaky-dicky black things with weird masks on and others that are... well, they're actually much better defined. They look like mythical creatures. Fairies and stuff. Have you seen those kinds?"

[Ariane Ivers]

Laughing again, Ariane nodded. “Most definitely. Maybe that’ll be something I’ll have to save up for, if nothing more than for the laughs.” Her smile faded slightly at the thought of that too, and she sighed, “That’s certainly a valid point too, though. It certainly doesn’t help their case that they’re not exceptionally forthright with information, either. The same goes for the woman that runs the train by them. While they may not seem harmful, until we know for certain it’s better to be cautious and safe. At the very least I don’t see the harm in taking advantage of their services until we know otherwise, either.”

Glad to see she wasn’t wrong in her assumption, Anne’s smile returned. It was times like this she was grateful she knew both languages. Now, if she could only finish adding French to her repertoire she would be golden. Chances are that would take a while, considering it wasn’t as though the opportunity to practice that language arose all that often here. “I know what you mean, I don’t get the chance to speak English all that often anymore either. Sometimes I’m worried I’ll forget it completely.” Her emerald eyes widened in surprise slightly as she heard the other girl was from Virginia, “Oh? I’m from just a couple states above you, in New York. I moved here about four years ago to live with my Aunt. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with having a thing! The closest to me having one is my mom being french, but that doesn’t mean much of anything.”

Brushing a strand of red hair that had broken free from a braid back behind her ear, Ariane shook her head. “I can’t say I know much about writing personally, but I know what you mean. That’s exactly how it was. If I had to chose, my guess would be that they’re in response to what’s going on. So, side effect, I’d suppose? I’m sure it’s obvious they’re us in a way.  Maybe that's why you feel the way you do when you summon your persona.  For me, I get the same warm feeling, but instead of a sweet taste I just get this... calm, that settles over me.  Like no matter what I'll be able to stand up to it, even if I end up terribly hurt.  The Cerynitian Hind, when she materialized the very first time, said something…” she stopped, glancing away for a moment, “She said something I’ve thought many times before. Despite seeing this terrifying woman in a skull mask, there was no doubt in my mind that she was me and I was safe with her there. In my opinion they’ve been given form to keep us able to fight and survive, because otherwise there’s no way we would have a chance of making it through every night like this. What I want to know so desperately is why any of this is happening to begin with. As for if someone were killed like that…” Her eyebrows creased together as her tone grew sadder, “My running theory is that’s what’s been happening to all of the disappearances lately. I really truly hope that it’s a wrong theory, but until we know for sure… I know what you mean about your awakening. If it wasn’t for Cery, I would’ve died. That’s all there is to it. But if someone got stuck out here and their persona didn’t awaken, or they didn’t have one, or what have you?” She shivered, rubbing her arms as if she were cold even with her leather jacket, “I couldn’t see how they could make it through that, and like you said… we have no idea what these creeps want with us.”

Trying to change the subject from those more than pleasant thoughts, Anne forced a smile, “I’ve seen a lot of those creepy faeries through the portal I mentioned earlier, sure, but I’ll do you one better. Once I’ve seen a big ol’ Ogre windsurfing on a troll, which then attacked us by using said troll as a vollyball. I shit you not. It seems like the baddies come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and… combat techniques.”

[Kate Minola]

"The other thing that surprises me," Kate said carefully. "Is how calm everyone is about this. Even myself. I would've expected this sudden powers and stuff to completely freak people out. Nobody's said anything, there hasn't been a media shitstorm... Nope, we all seem to have taken this like Power Rangers and rolled with it. Doesn't that strike you as a little... weird?"

She was interested to find this girl was also from the US and from New York, to boot. "New York? Sweet, I've got cousins up there," she said and then chuckled. "Well, I'm Greek, I've got cousins all over, it seems."

She listened a Anne related her experience with her Persona's awakening. "Oh gosh, mine was like that too. I thought I was gonna die and then suddenly Antiope showed up. That's certainly a good theory. An inner strength. I wonder why they take the forms of mythological figures. I've seen a few different ones."

Kate nodded when she said that she wanted to know why it was happening. "Same with me. There must be a reason why this is going on and I doubt it's any good. I don't want to drop cliches but if there's some intelligence behind this... it could be something Lovecraftian. I don't fancy going mad from the revelation if it happens," she huffed. "I read about the spike in disappearances on a news blog. I really hope we're wrong too but... the timeline seems to fit. I've actually been looking out for other people when I go out during this time. I thought, maybe if I catch someone during this time, if they don't awaken a Persona... we might, I dunno, learn something? I'm grasping at straws."

She snickered at the image of an ogre windsurfing on a troll. "Seriously? Wow. That's really far out. I haven't seen anything that insane - at least not yet, but the way things are going, I kind of expect to, now. I'll be kinda disappointed if I don't!"

[Ariane Ivers]

Ariane shrugged and nodded a bit, rubbing the back of your head.  "I get what you mean.  While the first night I was more concerned with getting home, you know, alive, once what had happened sunk in I thought for sure I was going batshit insane.  I even..."  she hesitated, cheeks flushing a bit with embarrassment, "Tried casually mentioning what was going on to my Aunt to see if this was somehow some huge joke everyone was in on and pretending not to know about.  Thankfully I was able to play it off as just a book I was reading, but it helped me realize that even if I did try to go out and ask around about it I'd end up in a padded cell faster than I could say 'Cerynitian Hind'.  Sadly, I feel even if we did try to come forward with what was happening, we may end up with another Salem Witch Trials on our hands.  They'll blame it on mass hysteria, some 'hip new drug' people are taking... you name it.  From what I've seen, norm's can't see anything going on like we can.  If we can't prove it, they won't believe it.  

"However, I am pretty surprised we're all managing to take this in stride without actually going insane.  Unless of course we are insane and this really is a mass delusion,"  she paused, smirking at her own bad joke, "Maybe that is part of why we were given Personas?  After all, with how many people live around us and there only being a handful of us with it, there has to be a reason somewhere along the line for it.  Maybe the ones who can handle it without going crazy manage to make it this far with them."

At the mention of New York again, Anne smiled.  "Yea, it's a pretty decent place.  I was from the city, which could admittedly get a bit chaotic from time to time.  Hey, maybe that's why I was able to take this in stride.  I'll take a shadow over an angry New Yorker any day of the week.  At least you can punch them and not get sued for it."  Laughing softly at her comment, Anne tilted her head.  "Hey, nothing wrong with having a lot of family around!  At least hopefully you don't get lonely very often."

Anne shrugged and shook her head at Kate's questioning.  "I haven't a clue.  Sometimes they're absolutely crazy obscure ones, too.  I've seen some I couldn't place for the life of me, and I had to do some digging to even figure out what Cery was.  Or what she's supposed to represent?"  She shook her head in confusion, "It's very strange.  Neat, I suppose to be represented by mythological creatures, but... what exactly does that say about us?"  For a brief moment, Ariane glanced away as though lost in thought.  From what she had researched about the mythological creature her Persona was, she wasn't entirely sure she liked what that said about her. 

Blinking out of her thoughts, she nodded slightly to Kate's musing.  "Hey, it's a better theory than I've had.  Which is pretty much none.  I'm up for hearing any sort of conspiracy theory you can come up with though, but I can't say I like the idea of going mad either.  Thus far that's exactly the type of thing I'm trying to avoid happening.  That certainly seems like it'd be a good plan, but so far the only people I've seen in the dark hour or those portals have been people like us.  It seems like guinea pigs are in short supply around these parts."

Laughing aloud, Anne nodded quickly.  "Oh my goodness it was insane.  Absolutely ridiculous.  I wish technology functioned in the portals if for nothing else than to have gotten it on camera because words can't do it justice.  Don't get me wrong─he almost kicked our asses─but at least he did it with style."