Track 08 - I'll Be There

[princeofjunes]

[PHONE - AFTERNOON - Filtered to: Persona casts (all), Ruri, Shana, SHIKI, Gilgamesh, Lancer, anyone I forgot that he has a moderate amount of CR with]

Hey guys, it's Yosuke. I just thought I'd check in, see how everyone's doing. I know it's been sort of rough lately, so...

[PARK - EVENING - OPEN]

[He's been coming here a lot lately. It really isn't a bad place to spend time. The park is usually nice and peaceful, and it gives him plenty of time to think. To reflect on his time there, to figure out what he wants, to try and piece together what bits he's learned about the town. Really, he can think about whatever strikes him that particular day.

Today it seems the focus is on himself - him, and the choices he's made recently and not so recently. Decisions he's made, decisions he hasn't made. Time he's spent waiting. Other people he's heard about. Is he really doing what's best? If he has to be stuck in this town, doesn't he deserve to be as happy as he can be? Is he doing what he can to that end? Is the road he's on the right one - hell, is it even going anywhere?

Too bad there are no easy answers.]

Comments

[princeofjunes]

Retail is fun, sometimes.

Most of the time it's a pain in the butt. You'd have fun though. With that wit of yours, I don't think the customers would ever know you're making fun of them.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Most people know when they're called an idiot that they're being insulted. Still... When I went in costume to those places I got mobbed... When I was just a ramen girl, no one knew who I was."

[princeofjunes]

Yeah, well... you're you at least. You're the same amazing girl whether you're a princess or an idol or a ramen girl.

[Oh wow it got warm in here. One of these days, Yosuke needs to learn to keep control of his facial expressions]

But if you want to go back to being a ramen girl, why not? If it'll make you happy, right?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"It was being with Akito and Yurika that made me happy. I'd give just about anything for them to be alive again."

[She wipes her eyes on his shoulder a bit]

[princeofjunes]

[He turns and puts his other arm around her, pulling Ruri into a proper hug against him.]

I know... I know it's rough to lose someone special like that.

Go ahead and let it out.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I... I'm glad no one is here to chastise me for poor work..."

[She buries her head in his chest and closes her eyes, a few tears noticeable]

"You would think after 2 years it wouldn't be like this."

[princeofjunes]

If anyone says anything, I'll punch them. Then run off with you into the sunset.

[He probably would, too.]

Those two were everything to you, right? Of course it's going to take time to get over. But - and this is going to sound really cheesy - they sort of live on through you, right? In your hopes and dreams, in what you do.

And I didn't know them, but... I'd bet they just want you to keep going. To find a way to be happy.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I...."

[Congrats Yosuke, you have a girl in a bikini crying her eyes out into your shirt]

[princeofjunes]

[Well, he didn't expect this when he woke up.]

[But that's okay - he doesn't mind holding her there, rubbing her back gently and generally trying to be comforting until she's cried as much as she needs to.]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[Ruri is not emotionless, she just has a very tight leash on her emotions... That being said when they boil over it takes a while to get a handle on them. By the time Yosuke's tea is cold she'll be sitting up and just sniffling slightly]

[princeofjunes]

[Who needs tea anyway - Ruri is more important. His hands are still on her shoulders and he's looking at her with a warm smile]

Feeling any better, Ruri? If you need more time, that's fine with me.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head a little and slides out of her seat into his lap]

"I'm sorry... You shouldn't have had to see something so embarrassing."

[princeofjunes]

[His arms circle back around her to keep her from falling out of his lap, holding her tight]

I care about you. That means I don't mind seeing the embarrassing stuff.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Mmm... Sou."

[She rests her head on his shoulder and nods a little]

"I'll get you another cup of tea in a bit."

[princeofjunes]

No rush.

Having the cute girl in a bikini on my lap is better than tea.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Is it? Hrm... I'll have to keep that in mind."

[She sits up and peers at him]

[princeofjunes]

Yeah? Thinking of adding that to the menu?

[If Ruri keeps that up, she's liable to get kissed right there and then]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"No... I'm very selective of laps."

[She smiles slightly, eyes still a bit puffy]

[princeofjunes]

And I'm very selective of bikini clad women. It works out.

[He brings his head down to give her a kiss on the forehead - he gets to kiss her and not feel like he's taking advantage of a girl who was just crying. Everybody wins!]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[She flushes bright red and looks up at him]

"I... Um... I should probably get you another cup of tea... I still... Don't quite have a full grasp on my emotions."

[princeofjunes]

Yeah... since we're both being honest?

I don't really want you to leave, and I sort of like it when you let your emotions go.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"If I did what my emotions were saying to do... We couldn't do it here anyways."

[princeofjunes]

Yeah?

[He's blushing just as badly as she is right now, but to his credit he's not shying away]

What do your emotions have in mind?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I will let you use your imagination."

[princeofjunes]

[Images flash before his eyes - of Chie. Of the investigation team and their time back in Inaba. Of his life since he's been in mayfield. Of his and Ruri's time together, of Chie's droning, of his quiet nights lying awake in indecision]

... when do you get off of work? I can pick you up later, if you want.