princeofjunes | Track 04: Nobody Told Me

ACTION: The Record Store - Morning/Afternoon - Open

[All things considered, Yosuke is enjoying his new job at the record store, familiarizing himself with the music and keeping the records spinning. If you're in the market for some music, come on in and shop!]

ACTION: John Doe Park - Evening - Open

[Yosuke is sitting on a park bench, headphones on as he looks at the ground, despondant. He'd been wondering why he hadn't heard from Chie lately and wanted to make sure she was going to his (late) Birthday Party, so he'd gone after work in search of her.

He hadn't been prepared to see his friend all dressed up and flirting with the drone boys. No training, no kung fu, no arguing - done through and through.

He's not sure how to cope with that. He doesn't even know how long she's been this way. So he's simply sitting there, drowning his sorrows in the music and trying to cope with everything.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

I haven't spoken with her since she got her Persona back.

From:

princeofjunes

[Wrong answer, partner.

He doesn't mean to snap. And he doesn't mean what he's going to say - but he's got so much anger and it has to come out somewhere]

So you don't know?! You have no idea what this place did to her?! What the hell, man! You're supposed to be our leader!

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

No, I didn't.

[ He weathers Yosuke's rage pretty well, not really flinching from his yelling, but not reacting in any way. He waits for Yosuke to finish, taking his hand off of Yosuke's shoulder, crossing his arms and leaning back into the chair. ]

I know. I have to keep an eye on our best interests. I'm sorry, I've been pretty lousy since coming here.

From:

princeofjunes

How the hell can you be so calm?! This isn't some joke or - or some damn school assignment!

Chie's a drone now and all you can say is that?!

[He's on his feet now, even angrier]

So what, if Kanji or Naoto or Rise become a drone, can I expect an "I'm really sorry"?! That won't cut it!

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

Of course this isn't a joke.

[ Souji stands up, still a cool cucumber, despite the rising anger and hostility in Yosuke's voice and body language. Souji watches him.

>Snap back.
>Calm him.
>Apologize. ]

Let's think this through clearly, Yosuke.

From:

princeofjunes

[His fists are clenching without even realizing it as the entirety of his anger is now directed at Souji. Sorry Mayfield, Partner is now enemy number one]

Oh, I'm thinking clearly alright.

It's clear that you need to remember we're not here on vacation! This isn't some damn trip to Yukiko's inn! If all you can say about Chie is some half-assed apology then I'll make you remember how serious this place is!

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Souji shifts a foot back into a more stable stance smoothly. ]

Is that a threat?

[ Even if Yosuke looks like he's ready to pile drive him, Souji is still pretty calm. ]

From:

princeofjunes

A threat? No, it's a promise. In a few minutes you'll be thanking me for beating some sense into you!

[He shifts his stance before lunging forward, swinging straight at Souji's stupid face]

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ SOCIAL LINK REVERSAL? Nah, Souji never understood the concept. Like he'd take a hit like that, anyway. Or let Yosuke score a free hit square on his nose. He turns his cheek and literally catches a punch in the cheek. ]

Ow.

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Souji is seeing stars and grunts. Was Yosuke's fists laden with iron or something? Nah, Souji has just grown too soft. Nearly three months of daily shadow beatings and some of his strength left him, whereas Yosuke came recently from said daily shadow trouncings. There was no defense to this, though. Souji let it all out, already bringing his fist up with terrifying speed for an uppercut at his Partner's pretty chin as Yosuke's momentum propelled him towards Souji. ]

From:

princeofjunes

[Any satisfaction he feels at punching Souji dissipates when he's caught square in the jaw with an uppercut. Souji may be soft, but he's still Partner. Yosuke can't take him lightly and, reeling, he jumps back a bit to regain his composure]

Dammit... if you can still fight like our leader, act like it too!

[He charges again, utilizing his speed and agility this time. He jumps onto the bench and bounces off of it, whirling a kick at the side of his Partner's head]

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Holy shit Yosuke is fast. Souji remembers it vividly now in painful recollection as he gets kicked hard. His face explodes with pain and he feels dizzy, but they're going all out. He doesn't have time to dwell on how painful this is. His head snaps back at Yosuke and he lunges forward with a growl, sending a haymaker with horrid speed and power right to Yosuke's face. ]

From:

princeofjunes

[That's the problem with jumping around - after you jump, there's not much you can do about where you're going. He barely gets a chance to react before he's sent tumbling to the ground head over heels. Stupid Souji and his stupid power and goddamn it hurts. No time to think about it - he scrambles to his feet and spits out some blood. Yosuke can't see straight, but it's fine - he was too angry to see straight to begin with. He charges again, launching into a spear - if he can tackle Partner, things will be a little more even.]

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Excellent thinking Yosuke! Except Souji is charging too, though he didn't expect Partner to do the same damn thing. He grunts painfully as Yosuke crashes into Souji's gut and knocks the breath from his lungs and him nearly senseless.

He stumbles back several steps, struggling to take a wheezing breath as he canters to one knee. His arms wrap around Yosuke's chest as he presses his chin against his back. He manages to get back onto his feet again, and what an odd position--except Souji screams out a war cry, suddenly lifting Yosuke up and off of his feet! ]

From:

princeofjunes

[Crashing into the freight train that is Souji sure as hell doesn't feel like a great idea, but he doesn't have a hell of a lot of time to catch his breath as he's lifted off his feet.

What the hell, Partner. What is this strength nonsense. Not as planned.

Lacking options and ideas, he kicks his feet back at Souji out of desperation, trying to get dropped]

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Ow. Ow. Yosuke is somehow kicking Souji in the face. How in the hell? Was Partner Stretch Armstrong in his previous life? Souji grunts and lets go and takes a few steps back. His face is radiating with hurt right now and something stings his left eye before dyeing the world pink. Blood is trickling down the side of his face.

This wasn't going to get pretty, but Souji immediately snaps forward with a strong lunge and an even stronger side kick, aiming for square center right into Yosuke's chest. ]

From:

princeofjunes

[That wasn't a soft landing, but as he gets back to his feet there's no time to think about how much he hurts with Partner's foot coming for him.

He tries to dodge to the side but his body's already hurting - he takes the kick square in his left ribs and oh holy shit why does breathing feel like complete and utter pain. He drops to a knee but he can't just quit so he swings a leg around to try and sweep Souji off his feet and buy some time.]

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Souji gets caught up in the leg sweep and falls hard. On his ass. Souji never had great balance, c'mon you know that Partner. He grunts with the fall, not really expecting the impact and more jostled from the tumble. ]

From:

princeofjunes

[Nope, it's no good. He's pretty sure that's a broken rib. He falls backwards onto the ground as well, trying his damndest just to breathe.]

Son of a bitch...[He turns his head and spits out the blood starting to pool in his mouth]

You ready to- dammit... ready to thank me yet?

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Souji tries standing up--but nope, that doesn't work. He falls to his back, wheezing to catch his breath. His body just quakes with pain. His face feels warm and sticky--probably from the blood--but despite all that he just smiles wryly, staring up into the sky. Didn't this happen too, back in Inaba? ]

Yeah. I needed that.

From:

princeofjunes

[Yep, it's history repeating all over again, and he can't help but laugh - then immediately swear at how much laughing hurts. At least he managed another draw when it really mattered]

I think I did too.

Still... glad to have you back, Partner.

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ Souji forces himself to sit up. Wow how can this hurt even more in the morning this is pretty bad right now. ]

I'm so glad I can see you again so soon. Just wish it were on better circumstance.

[ He stands up and Souji swears he nearly passes out from the pain, but he finds himself steady, eventually. He offers his hand to Yosuke. ]

From:

princeofjunes

[Thank god for that hand, because Yosuke is fairly certain he wouldn't have been able to get up on his own. Breathing - let alone talking - still hurts like he can't believe, but he seems to be staying upright more or less]

Yeah, no kidding.

... sorry for blaming you, man. That wasn't fair.

From:

inababanchou.livejournal.com

[ He slings Yosuke's arm over his shoulder and helps him back to the park bench. ]

We're all on edge.

[ He sits down besides him, wearily. It's a peaceful moment, never mind their bloody welts and already swollen parts. ]

From:

princeofjunes

[Yeah he probably won't be heading home for a while]

I know we're all making the best of a bad place, and I know you trust us to handle our own lives and we have to let you do your own thing.

I guess I just still see you as our fearless leader who keeps everything together, you know?