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Post by mugenginga on Dec 22, 2009 23:58:52 GMT -5
Yuugi headed after Minato. Atem was about to follow him when Kanji pointed out Adachi. He turned to look at Adachi in time to see somethng he had no desire to catch. He stopped walking. Yuugi came up beside Ryoji and looked at his head.
"Are you going to be okay?"
Ryoji smiled a bit, "I'll be fine, but I can't say the same for the hospital equipment. Everything there is on the fritz. Hey, Minato-kun. Where's Souji-kun?"
Anpu came up beside Adachi, who didn't seem to notice him for his concentration. Not that it was helping him. He put his hand to his mouth and cleared his throat. He'd had to ask several people to get one willing to direct him to Adachi and not Takahashi. The sleeve of his trenchcoat was a little damp from the cut, clinging a bit to his skin because of it. He wanted to be away from the stalls when he made his point. If things fell completely in his favor, he'd get Adachi's help without having to make a point.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Dec 23, 2009 0:17:56 GMT -5
Minato looked over at Ryoji. "He's in the bathroom. He should be back in a couple minutes. Er..." He supposed he wouldn't get another chance to say this. Now or never. "Ryoji, I... I'm sorry about how I've been treating you these past couple days. I've been a real jerk..."
Why was he apologizing all of the sudden? Minato really wasn't too sure himself. But he had a feeling that all of that stupid Encouragement Session he'd been subjected to earlier had something to do with it. If he really could convince Ryoji the Fall wasn't inevitable, then maybe they could actually be friends for longer than a month.
Adachi jumped and dropped the model gun he had been shooting with. "Guwah! D-Don't come up behind me like that!" He looked closely at Bakura, and sighed. Not Bakura after all. "What do you want, I'm supposed to be on duty, and if Takahashi-san catches me talking to you, I'm going to get all sorts of hell for it."
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Post by mugenginga on Dec 23, 2009 0:28:11 GMT -5
Anpu glanced at the stall owner, speaking towards Adachi with his gaze fixed, "Not here, what I have to say is rather... senstive."
He gestured towards the crowd. The question he had to ask needed to be in the main crowd. The stall owner was too focused for what he had to say. They needed to be in the main crowd. Not just to prevent Adachi from summoning his Persona, but to allow their conversation to be drowned out.
Ryoji's eyes widened at Minato's apology. He put up his hands, "It's okay, really! I mean, I'm sure you had your reasons. Shirogane-chan explained something about time travel. It's got me confused, but man that's enough to mess up anyone's emotions."
As much as Minato couldn't understand why he was apologizing, Ryoji was that much more clueless. Whatever Minato was brooding over had to do with him, he knew that now. Souji had said it was really severe, so of course Minato was going to act odd. If the situation were reversed, Ryoji had the feeling he'd act the same way. It was some secret he wanted to say but couldn't, after all.
Atem was staring at Anpu, "Something is going on."
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Dec 23, 2009 0:45:46 GMT -5
Adachi looked over at the stall again, and sighed. Five hundred yen, down the drain. "Alright, fine." He started walking away from the stand and into the crowd. He didn't particularly like where it looked like this conversation was going.
Kanji was looking over at Anpu and Adachi. "It doesn't look like they're hangin' around... let's follow them," Kanji suggested.
"I guess..." Minato said. He looked over at Naoto, who was looking at something back in the direction Minato had come from. "...Something up?"
"No. Atem and Kanji have it handled," Naoto said. If she was correct, they were going to try to follow after Adachi and Anpu. A group of two would attract less attention in this large of a crowd.
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Souji finally stepped out of the bathrooms. Thank goodness the line hadn't been that long. Now he just needed to make it down to the takoya--
...I am thou... Thou art...
Souji only heard that voice again for a moment before it faded. It was enough to set him on edge. What the hell...?
He looked around at the rest of the festival goers before he started walking back toward the takoyaki stand they had agreed to meet by.
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Post by mugenginga on Dec 23, 2009 1:06:41 GMT -5
Atem turned to Kanji to nod when he heard Naoto speak. It delayed his nod for a bit. At least his Partner would be able to be told where he had gone, "You're taller, Kanji. Try and keep track of Anpu that way."
White hair was not uncommon on the Island, true. But Bakura's style was a bit unique for that color. Most witih the color tended to have smooth hair, and Bakura's had always looked a bit matted.
"Shouldn't we head to the takoyaki stand now?" Teddie asked.
"Atem...?" Yuugi said. It wasn't like the former Pharaoh to wander off without saying something.
As Anpu headed into the crowd, he had realized the Pharaoh was watching him. He didn't look back or twtich, giving no indication he knew it. But he had to choose his words more carefully. Adachi would find himself being pushed forward to blend into the crowd. Once he was satisfied, he turned to Adachi.
"Does your organization have a chemical area? For things like drugs, poisons, the like?"
He hoped to keep names out of this. If he was lucky, the Pharaoh would misinterpert it as being intended for him.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Dec 23, 2009 1:25:24 GMT -5
Adachi had just about stopped in his tracks when Anpu mentioned poison. What the hell did he need poison for? Besides killing the Pharaoh.
"Er, well, yeah, we do, but what do you need that kind of stuff for?!" Adachi asked.
Kanji led the way, being able to keep an eye on Anpu well enough thanks to how easily he was able to pick out Bakura's hairstyle in a crowd. He and Atem were just far enough away that Adachi wouldn't notice them (Anpu, no saying), but not too far, so they could still pick up snippets of the conversation.
"Did he just say 'poison?!'" Kanji whispered.
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Naoto nodded to Teddie. "Yes, we should go now." She started off toward the takoyaki stand. Minato, who had still been watching Kanji and Atem leave, turned once Naoto started walking. Souji would probably be there by the time they got there, as long as he hadn't taken any detours.
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Souji was almost to the takoyaki stand when he heard the voice again.
"...hou art my earthly form, my..."
"Shut... the hell... up!" Souji growled. He had stopped when he said this, which attracted a couple stares, but not too many. He took a couple breaths before starting back down the path to the takoyaki stand.
"...danger..."
And Souji stopped again. "Danger?" What did it mean by that?
"Shut the hell up already... I told you, I don't want anything to do with your stupid quarrel with Izanami," Souji said under his breath. He hadn't even realized he'd made it to the takoyaki stand until he'd nearly walked past it. He turned around once he realized he'd gone too far, and walked in front of it. The others weren't here yet.
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Post by mugenginga on Dec 23, 2009 9:45:52 GMT -5
Atem was glaring at Anpu. He suspected the thief king knew he was there. The fact that he only suspected was a compliment to Anpu's skills, really. Even if Anpu hadn't seen them, Atem was glaring hard enough to make up for it. He nodded towards Kanji's question. If Anpu did know he was there and still felt comfortable in saying that, it implied it wasn't intended for him. Atem got a frightening look on his face for a moment, but pushed the emotion spike aside. He couldn't' jump to that conclusion without more info.
"I need a paralyzing agent. Liquid is best, but if it can dissolve powder works as an alternative. It has to be tasteless and dissolve clear. Preferably, the victim needs to be aware, just unable to move," Anpu gave a smile Adachi would know well enough. He sported the same kind often enough, "The latter is just a personal preference, mind you."
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Yuugi looked worried. The group had begun to head towards the takoyaki stand. Ryoji was watching Yuugi. There seemed more impact when he was worried, it was an observation he'd made towards Teddie as well. Both of them were rather "genki". The short teenager came up beside Naoto.
"Did Atem say where he was going...?"
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Dec 23, 2009 10:30:16 GMT -5
Adachi gave a questioning look to Anpu. "Why do you need that kind of stuff?" he repeated. He wanted to paralyze whoever this was for, so either he wanted to kill the Pharaoh slowly and painfully, or this wasn't for Atem...
"What the hell...?" Kanji whispered as he heard the specifics of the chemical Anpu wanted. It sounded like Anpu was trying to kidnap someone, or something like that... Or maybe just make sure someone got to watch while he killed them.
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Naoto shook her head at Yuugi's question. "I do know where he and Kanji went, though. Adachi was speaking with Anpu earlier, so they're most likely tailing them now."
Minato didn't like the sound of that... especially after Anpu had disappeared before. Where had he gone off to after he'd slipped away?
The group was starting to get closer to the takoyaki stand now. Minato could see Souji leaning up against a fence nearby the stand. He had one hand over his face, and looked motion-sick again.
"Shut... the hell... up!" Souji slammed his fist up against the fence. "I don't need you... or your help... shut the hell up already!"
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Post by mugenginga on Dec 23, 2009 10:40:02 GMT -5
Anpu returned the look with a flat stare, "The less you know, the better, correct?"
Atem remained quiet. If one got a good look at his face, they would all but see the gears turning. He'd come upon the same conclusions Kanji had. He was leaning away from kidnapping at this point. Anpu had shown he fucntioned just fine with a quick hit over the head to immobolize his opponent. Which meant he wanted it for torture. It was undeniable who Anpu hated the most. But unless Anpu was truly unaware of their presence, it was hard for him to accept he'd reveal his plans like htat...
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"Sensei!"
Teddie had been near the back of the group, hanging closer to Ryoji and Naoto. Ryoji had caught Teddie staring at him a few times. Whenever he'd looked at him Teddie had given a huge grin. He was pretty sure something had happened in regards to that.
Now, however, Teddie was at the front of the group. He held his hand out to catch Souji if he needed it. The silver haired teenager had wavered there a bit. He didn't know or really care who Souji was speaking to. The tone outweighed the word's in his mind.
Yuugi was up next to the group almost as fast. Souji looked sick again, "Seta-kun...?"
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Dec 23, 2009 10:59:08 GMT -5
Adachi paled. "Urk... I-I mean, I guess I could get it... but-- hey, is that blood?!"
It had taken him this long to see how damp Anpu's sleeve had gotten from the blood. And now that he had seen it, he was freaking, just a tad.
Kanji narrowed his eyes. "He keeps squirmin', like he's afraid of Anpu or something..."
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Souji's vision had swam for a moment as he saw the others run up to him. And then, once again, that voice had come back. Right after he'd gotten it to shut up, too.
...powerful darkness is emanating from that Pendant... Be careful...
Yuugi's my friend, you ass! And I thought I told you to shut up! Souji thought angrily.
The danger you are in is from a similar power to the one coming from this Pendant.
Nice of you to answer me for once, Souji thought back. You're making me feel like I'm going to be sick, so shut up!
"Sempai?" Naoto asked. Souji had just been sitting there for the past couple minutes, still looking like he was going to be sick.
"...I'm sorry, I'm okay now," Souji said. Minato wasn't convinced, but he didn't say anything.
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Post by mugenginga on Dec 23, 2009 11:41:05 GMT -5
Atem barely heard Kanji. He'd heard Adachi's comment and his eyes quickly followed the direction of Adachi's gaze. The upper arm of Anpu's trenchcoat was clinging as if by something damp. Anpu looked down at where Adachi had indicated and pulled up on the fabric a bit, but one area didn't seem to want to come up. He looked annoyed.
It had been a good ten minutes since Anpu had cut "his" arm. The bleeding had stopped and begun to dry. As a result, part of the trenchcoat had scabbed onto the wound. Anpu wasn't annoyed for the way it had dried the clothes to him. He was annoyed in that he had almost gotten what he wanted without having to explain himself to Adachi.
He jerked up on the cloth, reopening the wound. A bit of fresh blood seeped down his arm. He pulled the cloth close to mop up the worst of it. He could feel Bakura in pain even though he was suppressed.
"I told you if he balked me I had to do something about it," Anpu said after looking back towards Adachi.
Atem had paled when Anpu grabbed a bit of the cloth. He'd looked sympathetic, the way viewers of action movies cringe over attacks. He shook his head. It wasn't like Zorc hadn't done things like that, it was why Bakura had been bedridden for most of his time on the Battle Ship during Kaiba's tournament.
It had confirmed something. Anpu was communicating with Bakura. And making his point about who was "in charge" in the worst possible way. Atem reached out and touched Kanji's arm, "We have what we need, we should go back."
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Teddie had gotten to the point of shaking Souji by his shoulders. His eyes were open, but unfocused. As if he was someplace else. Naoto had made him pull back just before asking her question. Yuugi was very concerned.
When Souji indicated things were fine, Yuugi looked down. They really had poor communication skills in this group. Things being fine or nothing being wrong seemed to be code for "I'm going through hell but don't want to burden you" among them. He found himself sighing.
"Shirogane-chan said Atem and Tatsumi-kun are following Anpu..."
And Adachi-san. But Seta-kun doesn't need to hear that right now.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Dec 23, 2009 12:26:35 GMT -5
Adachi took a step back from Anpu. That was just fucked up. And Adachi couldn't do anything about it in this kind of crowd, either. Somehow, Adachi knew that this was part of the reason he had been pulled into the crowd before.
"I thought I told you... ugh... I'll get it as soon as I get done here..." Adachi said in a lower voice.
Kanji scowled. That bastard Adachi was listening to everything this guy was saying, and the worst part was, it didn't even look like Adachi was going along with this that willingly.
"Yeah, let's go..."
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Souji sat up a little. "They went after Anpu? If they can find out what he's up to, we might be able to..." He trailed off as once again that voice started speaking again.
...Your enemy may strike tonight. Stay on your guard.
"Souji! Hey!"
This time Minato started shaking Souji by his shoulders. Souji had gotten that unfocused look again.
"...I'm sorry. I'm going to go clear my head. I'll be back in a couple minutes," Souji said. He pulled away from the fence and started walking toward a less crowded part of the shrine. Naoto gave Souji a concerned look as he walked away.
"Minato, you wouldn't happen to know what's wrong with Souji, would you?" Naoto asked. She didn't take her eyes off of Souji as she said this. Minato shook his head.
"If I knew, I would have said so," Minato said.
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Post by mugenginga on Dec 23, 2009 12:43:09 GMT -5
Anpu heard Adachi almost growl. It wasn't that he had doubted the choice, but it had been right to do it this way. They shouldn't have had this conversation in a crowd. But Anpu was more willing to have suspicion thrown on himself and the cop than have Adachi summon his Persona again. Adachi had almost killed him yesterday, after all.
"Don't forget, I can disappear. Ryou can disappear," Anpu warned.
He was not going to tolerate Adachi attacking him first chance he got. He was grateful Adachi felt like he needed to protect Bakura. It seemed to Anpu that was a rare emotion for Adachi. Even with his job supposedly being about protecting the people, he doubted Adachi cared a rat's ass in either direction about the wellbeing of 99% of the population.
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"I'm... not sure..." Yuugi turned to Naoto and the rest of the group, "I know this might sound odd, but I think he's talking to someone. In his head. I mean, Jounouchi-kun and Anzu didn't bring it up much because they knew about Atem, but sometimes they'd mention I'd seem to go somewhere. Kind of spacing off but not. And those times were always when I was talking to Atem in my head."
Minato would know what Yuugi mentioned. After all, whenever he went "into" the Velvet Room at Tartarus, the outside would say his eyes go distant. The first time he had done so, he'd been harassed by Yukari and Junpei about it. The door that wasn't there.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Dec 23, 2009 13:38:02 GMT -5
Adachi looked away and sighed. "I'll go get it as soon as I get back to the station, okay? Just don't hurt Bakura any worse..."
He knew Anpu was taking advantage of his feelings towards Bakura, but all Adachi wanted to do was make sure Bakura was safe. Anpu would run off with him if Adachi did anything out of line for Anpu, and Adachi knew he wouldn't be able to protect him then.
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Naoto looked a little confused. "Talking to someone in his head? But who would he be talking to? Souji-sempai doesn't share a body with someone like Bakura is Anpu."
Minato thought about things. He doubted it was another case like with the Velvet Room. And then it hit him.
"He's talking to his Persona..." Minato realized.
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Elsewhere, Souji was sitting on a bench, and he was finally trying to hit whoever this voice is up for information.
Okay, first of all, who the hell are you? Souji asked angrily.
I am the same as you. You know me as Izanagi.
...That's what I was thinking. He didn't want to admit it, but that seemed to be the only possibility at this point. Alright, fine. Why is this conversation making me feel like I'm going to puke?
My powers are similar to those of Izanami. The affect of her powers upon you before caused you to become ill. It is the same case as now, though in this case, I'm not bestowing anything upon you except knowledge.
Souji didn't say anything for a couple seconds.
Well, can you shut up sometimes? I don't enjoy feeling like I'm about to blow chunks.
I have only been speaking to you when I deemed it important.
Alright, what about that 'danger' you kept going on about? If you're a god, can't you give me any details or something?
I am the same as you. The only reason I was able to pick up that knowledge before was through the connection between your friend's pendant and the one carried by one who is working with your enemy.
Wait, so it's Adachi who you've been talking about?!
I do not know.
You're not much... Souji couldn't hold it back anymore. He stood up and ran to a nearby bush, where he promptly vomited all over it. Souji had a feeling people would probably be avoiding this part of the shrine for the rest of the festival.
Thanks a lot, you Asshole. Do me a favor and stay quiet for the rest of the festival, why don't you? Souji growled in his head. No response this time. Well, that was something to be grateful for.
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Post by mugenginga on Dec 23, 2009 14:45:26 GMT -5
Anpu had to admit, that had gone over better than he expected, "As long as you understand."
The Thief King slipped into the crowd without saying he was going anywhere. Adachi wouldn't know he was gone until he turned back to where he had been.
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Yuugi looked down, "I think so. He was worried about being an avatar for Izanagi, it probably has to do with that."
"I think all Persona users can do that, though," Teddie said. He realized that might seem weird, "I mean, they're our accepted Shadows! Just because they're us doesn't change that they were seperate..."
Ryoji remained quiet. He felt sorry for Souji if the group was right. One because it had to suck to have voices in your head. Two for reasons he didn't know and chose not to dwell on.
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There were times that Atem disliked his height. It was even worse for his Partner, he knew that. He sighed, he was one of the shortest people in the crowd.
"Kanji, do you see the others? I want to talk to Naoto about what we heard."
Naoto was a detective. It was more than possible she might have ideas about what poison Anpu and Adachi had mentioned. And more important, how to test for it. She might have ideas for who the target was as well. Atem was convinced Anpu had known he was there.
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