[ Analyzing poetry, Chance is not the worst at. He's no literature major, but he likes to think he understands how people think.
But that's neither here nor there - he didn't ask Vero to join him just to talk about his homework. ] Right - I wanted to make sure you were doing okay, after the other night. A lot happened back there that's... not normal.
[ The Dark Hour, their Personas... the Shadows... ......... He tries to smile, to try and make Vero feel more comfortable, but the corners of his lips won't lift. After a moment he gives up on that effort and takes a sip of his coffee. ] I'm also sure you have some questions for me about all this.
[He has questions alright. Good ones too, such as: what is Lyric's deal? But Vero just leans his cheek to his fist and stares down Chance for a bit.]
You called them "shadows" right? And "Personas"? Like - what actually are they actually? Why are you fighting them?
[Because as far as Vero can tell, shadows only exist in the dark hour so if they aren't doing anything to affect the real world, why are Chance and Lyric fighting them? What harm do they actually cause? There are other questions to follow, too, but this is an okay start.]
[ It's definitely a good place to start - and a rather obvious one, too. ] I'm not 100% certain myself - Lyric and I have had to figure a lot out on our own - but... how do I put this? Shadows are the manifestation of strong human emotion turned maleficent, and Persona are those same emotions, but controlled.
As for why we fight... [ His hand tenses slightly around his mug, and he has to break his gaze for a moment. ] ... Do you remember the train accident? It was over a year ago now. [ "Over a year ago". Like he doesn't remember the exact date, where he and Lyric were when the news broke out, the looks they shared when they connected the dots. But Vero doesn't need to know about that. ] Lyric and I had only recently awakened to our new powers. But we didn't- we didn't know what we were doing. We thought since the Shadows existed unchecked for so long that we didn't need to do anything about them.
We were wrong. A powerful Shadow caused that accident. So to make sure nothing like that happens again, we fight. [ And now Vero and Uriel can fight, too! Have fun swallowing that truth pill. ]
[Vero remembers the train accident. News about it had been everywhere. He hadn't thought much of it at the time - of course it was a tragedy but it was something that, thankfully, hadn't directly affected him. ]
Wonder if something's made them start actin' up... [He's more musing to himself here. This is some heavy stuff. Vero finally looks away from Chance to stare down at his coffee and twist the stirrer inside it to distract himself from the all-too familiar anxiety crawling up his back.]
So it's just been you two? For about a year now? You've really never found anyone else to fight with you until now. .... us? [He would like to know more about that whole business. More about Chance and Lyric. Like, maybe if Chance can explain how he summoned his Persona, he can wrap his mind around why he and Uriel have them as well. It's not like they're particularly good people like Chance and Lyric seem to be.]
... That's right. Up until we found you and Uriel, it's been just me and Lyric.
[ Chance isn't sure if this is the answer Vero wants to hear, but it's all he really confidently has. ] We're not sure why us, or you for that matter. We've thought it had to do with our strong wills, but then it's hard to believe that we haven't found anyone else before now. [ His voice lowers. ] I'll be honest - it's been hard fighting like this. Lyric won't admit it right now, but we need all the help we can get.
But that being said, [ He looks at Vero. Tries to meet his eyes. ] I can't in good conscious ask you to join us. You only got a glimpse of how dangerous it can be - it's too much for me to ask of you.
[That's not how this works. Vero wants to scream, that's not how this works at all. It's too much for him to ask of Vero? Chance can't tell him that there are these things causing havoc to the real world that they can stop, and expect Vero to walk away from it like that.
The more he stares at his coffee, black, the more endless it seems in his cup. It doesn't help his anxious feeling so he chugs it. Of course it burns going down but Vero doesn't make any indication of it. He only sets the empty cup down and gets up himself.] I'll be right back.
[And he leaves in the direction of the line.
He comes back with another hot, black coffee.]
That's it then? You found us but you're just going to keep going at it alone?
[ As Vero steps away for a moment, Chance takes a deep breath to quell his emotions, put a lid on the lingering regrets he harbors for all the things in the past year he knows he should've done better. The lives he couldn't save, the injuries he couldn't prevent.
Chance takes another sip of coffee. The restlessness inside him only continues to build. ] It's not the ideal, but I can't ask you to join us, knowing you could die. You're still young, and I... Lyric and I have seen things that've changed us, and I'm not sure if it's been for the better.
So I want you to ask me questions, and to think about it until you can make your own decision. But if you do join us, I promise to do everything in my power to keep you safe.
Why do you do this? [These are surely not the questions Chance meant, but Vero is still asking them. Because again, it's been less than a week but this aspect of Chance already pisses him off and when emotions are steadily getting higher -- Vero just can't with this. ] Why do you try so hard to make everything okay for others even at your own expense?
It doesn't always work like that. Trying to give me an out does not make this better. I'm not a fighter. I'm not going to risk my, or Uriel's, life. No matter how many questions I ask, I'm going to say no. But I also have a basic sense of conscious. I can't walk away from this, saying no, without feeling like shit because I now know how big this is. That you guys need help.
This is a lose-lose situation so just -- [He cuts himself off because he knows he's started rambling. This is why he hates talking to people sometimes. Chance just needs to be straight with Vero and tell him what he needs from him.]
[ The outburst catches Chance off-guard - his heart pounds dully in his chest and suddenly he's the one wanting to walk away from all of this. His thoughts spiral, much too quickly for him to latch onto more than a few words and he knows he shouldn't be letting this happen to himself, he's supposed to be the responsible older person in the situation but he thinks about Vero, about Uriel, about Lyric, and he feels dizzy. His knuckles turn white holding his hot mug of coffee like it's the only tether left to reality.
Vero's not wrong. He and Uriel - they're already in too deep to really leave. But his mouth still feels full of cotton as he weakly manages ] I don't want to ask. [ Because he cares too much and he's scared for them. Scared because they didn't ask for this - though none of them did, really. ]
But... [ But Lyric isn't here to be the direct to a fault one, and loathe as he is to admit it, Vero and Uriel sticking with them is better than the alternative of trouble finding them somehow, and them being alone. So. ] You're right. So if you want me to, then I will.
[ A pause, to take a breath and to hear himself speak above the cacophony of noises in his brain. ] Will you join us?
[ It doesn't feel good for either of them, but what's done is done.
Chance feels like he has more he should say - try to answer more of Vero's questions, learn more about Vero as a person before they're thrust into another life or death situation together - but he looks at Vero and sees how drained he looks, and he's quick (almost too quick - his chair screeches against the floor) to stand up and take his mug with him. ]
Yeah, I- I'll leave you to your work. But thank you for talking with me. [ The words tumble from his mouth, clumsy, unelegant. He hates it. ] I'll see you later.
[ The only thing he's sure of, really, as he takes his coffee and leaves. It'll be another few days before Chance reaches out again - trying to be considerate of him, once again - but once the weekend rolls around he texts Vero some details about where he'll be and how to get there and invites him to join him in the spooky scary Shadow world for some fighting practice.
Regardless of whether Vero shows up or not, Chance is there. Because while Chance may have reservations in his everyday life, he doesn't have that sort of luxury here. He wants- no, he has to get stronger. For all of them. ]
[Chance's text goes unanswered - which is a habit Chance is going to have to get used to until they start dating- but sure enough, Vero still shows up at the proposed meeting spot.
Vero is not a fighter. Never has been, never will be. But that's all the more reason for him to join Chance. He's terrified at the prospect of fighting these weird shadow creatures for his life. Especially when it looks like his given weapons are guns of all things. He'd seen Lyric and Chance wielding a spear and bow that first night and those didn't seem so bad (long range weapons. okay, he could manage that), but when he looked to his sides there were only gun holsters, heavy and foreboding. Using a gun somehow feels so much more.. real. Again, terrifying.
What's more, he knows he wont be able to help Uriel if he can't help himself. How is he supposed to throw himself between something and Uriel or even stop them from doing something stupid when he's useless in this realm?
So, Vero shows up. Right on time. He has a pack filled with some basic first aide stuffs and snacks because he wasn't sure what else to bring or how long they were even going to be at this.
He gives Chance a meek wave, still feeling awkward from their last conversation.] Hey...
[ As awkwardly as their last meetup was, and as grave the situation is, Chance still looks genuinely happy to see Vero. He rests a gentle hand on his shoulder and gives him a small smile. ] Hey. It's good to see you're doing well.
[ He glances at the clock on his phone - 11:58 PM - before sliding it into his back pocket. ] And you're just in time, too. The Dark Hour should start any minute now...
[ The world around them moves normally for a few moments more before stopping entirely, locked in time as the night sky takes on an unusual green tint. Around them, the streets morph into something less... familiar, less of a city and more like a desolate dreamscape.
But the atmosphere isn't the only thing that's changed. Chance now stands before him with a mask covering his eyes and forehead (complete with cute lil rabbit ears sticking out of the top), and golden armor covering the entire length of his arms. His honestly forgettable outfit is replaced with ornately decorated thigh high boots, a light blue coat that splits down the middle, coming to a stop around the back of his knees, and tight black bodysuit beneath it. The look is completed with a large quiver full of arrows strapped to his back, and a large, formidable bow in his grip. (basically he's got a similar vibe to eleonora from tms because i'm gay and predictable.)
He nods his head down a newly formed path. ] If you're ready - there shouldn't be any strong Shadows in this area, but we should still be careful.
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But that's neither here nor there - he didn't ask Vero to join him just to talk about his homework. ] Right - I wanted to make sure you were doing okay, after the other night. A lot happened back there that's... not normal.
[ The Dark Hour, their Personas... the Shadows... ......... He tries to smile, to try and make Vero feel more comfortable, but the corners of his lips won't lift. After a moment he gives up on that effort and takes a sip of his coffee. ] I'm also sure you have some questions for me about all this.
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You called them "shadows" right? And "Personas"? Like - what actually are they actually? Why are you fighting them?
[Because as far as Vero can tell, shadows only exist in the dark hour so if they aren't doing anything to affect the real world, why are Chance and Lyric fighting them? What harm do they actually cause? There are other questions to follow, too, but this is an okay start.]
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As for why we fight... [ His hand tenses slightly around his mug, and he has to break his gaze for a moment. ] ... Do you remember the train accident? It was over a year ago now. [ "Over a year ago". Like he doesn't remember the exact date, where he and Lyric were when the news broke out, the looks they shared when they connected the dots. But Vero doesn't need to know about that. ] Lyric and I had only recently awakened to our new powers. But we didn't- we didn't know what we were doing. We thought since the Shadows existed unchecked for so long that we didn't need to do anything about them.
We were wrong. A powerful Shadow caused that accident. So to make sure nothing like that happens again, we fight. [ And now Vero and Uriel can fight, too! Have fun swallowing that truth pill. ]
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Wonder if something's made them start actin' up... [He's more musing to himself here. This is some heavy stuff. Vero finally looks away from Chance to stare down at his coffee and twist the stirrer inside it to distract himself from the all-too familiar anxiety crawling up his back.]
So it's just been you two? For about a year now? You've really never found anyone else to fight with you until now. .... us? [He would like to know more about that whole business. More about Chance and Lyric. Like, maybe if Chance can explain how he summoned his Persona, he can wrap his mind around why he and Uriel have them as well. It's not like they're particularly good people like Chance and Lyric seem to be.]
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[ Chance isn't sure if this is the answer Vero wants to hear, but it's all he really confidently has. ] We're not sure why us, or you for that matter. We've thought it had to do with our strong wills, but then it's hard to believe that we haven't found anyone else before now. [ His voice lowers. ] I'll be honest - it's been hard fighting like this. Lyric won't admit it right now, but we need all the help we can get.
But that being said, [ He looks at Vero. Tries to meet his eyes. ] I can't in good conscious ask you to join us. You only got a glimpse of how dangerous it can be - it's too much for me to ask of you.
[ But fuck, does he want to. ]
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The more he stares at his coffee, black, the more endless it seems in his cup. It doesn't help his anxious feeling so he chugs it. Of course it burns going down but Vero doesn't make any indication of it. He only sets the empty cup down and gets up himself.] I'll be right back.
[And he leaves in the direction of the line.
He comes back with another hot, black coffee.]
That's it then? You found us but you're just going to keep going at it alone?
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Chance takes another sip of coffee. The restlessness inside him only continues to build. ] It's not the ideal, but I can't ask you to join us, knowing you could die. You're still young, and I... Lyric and I have seen things that've changed us, and I'm not sure if it's been for the better.
So I want you to ask me questions, and to think about it until you can make your own decision. But if you do join us, I promise to do everything in my power to keep you safe.
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It doesn't always work like that. Trying to give me an out does not make this better. I'm not a fighter. I'm not going to risk my, or Uriel's, life. No matter how many questions I ask, I'm going to say no. But I also have a basic sense of conscious. I can't walk away from this, saying no, without feeling like shit because I now know how big this is. That you guys need help.
This is a lose-lose situation so just -- [He cuts himself off because he knows he's started rambling. This is why he hates talking to people sometimes. Chance just needs to be straight with Vero and tell him what he needs from him.]
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Vero's not wrong. He and Uriel - they're already in too deep to really leave. But his mouth still feels full of cotton as he weakly manages ] I don't want to ask. [ Because he cares too much and he's scared for them. Scared because they didn't ask for this - though none of them did, really. ]
But... [ But Lyric isn't here to be the direct to a fault one, and loathe as he is to admit it, Vero and Uriel sticking with them is better than the alternative of trouble finding them somehow, and them being alone. So. ] You're right. So if you want me to, then I will.
[ A pause, to take a breath and to hear himself speak above the cacophony of noises in his brain. ] Will you join us?
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Yeah. I will.
[That doesn't feel good either.]
I'll talk to Uriel about it, too. There's a better chance of them joining that way.
[That extra doesn't feel good. But it's the least he can do and he knows he'll be able to keep an ever watchful eye on Uriel this way.
Vero suddenly looks tired, much more so than before. He feels tired, but the coffee cooling in his cup looks unappealing now.]
Are we done here.
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Chance feels like he has more he should say - try to answer more of Vero's questions, learn more about Vero as a person before they're thrust into another life or death situation together - but he looks at Vero and sees how drained he looks, and he's quick (almost too quick - his chair screeches against the floor) to stand up and take his mug with him. ]
Yeah, I- I'll leave you to your work. But thank you for talking with me. [ The words tumble from his mouth, clumsy, unelegant. He hates it. ] I'll see you later.
[ The only thing he's sure of, really, as he takes his coffee and leaves. It'll be another few days before Chance reaches out again - trying to be considerate of him, once again - but once the weekend rolls around he texts Vero some details about where he'll be and how to get there and invites him to join him in the spooky scary Shadow world for some fighting practice.
Regardless of whether Vero shows up or not, Chance is there. Because while Chance may have reservations in his everyday life, he doesn't have that sort of luxury here. He wants- no, he has to get stronger. For all of them. ]
no subject
Vero is not a fighter. Never has been, never will be. But that's all the more reason for him to join Chance. He's terrified at the prospect of fighting these weird shadow creatures for his life. Especially when it looks like his given weapons are guns of all things. He'd seen Lyric and Chance wielding a spear and bow that first night and those didn't seem so bad (long range weapons. okay, he could manage that), but when he looked to his sides there were only gun holsters, heavy and foreboding. Using a gun somehow feels so much more.. real. Again, terrifying.
What's more, he knows he wont be able to help Uriel if he can't help himself. How is he supposed to throw himself between something and Uriel or even stop them from doing something stupid when he's useless in this realm?
So, Vero shows up. Right on time. He has a pack filled with some basic first aide stuffs and snacks because he wasn't sure what else to bring or how long they were even going to be at this.
He gives Chance a meek wave, still feeling awkward from their last conversation.] Hey...
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[ He glances at the clock on his phone - 11:58 PM - before sliding it into his back pocket. ] And you're just in time, too. The Dark Hour should start any minute now...
[ The world around them moves normally for a few moments more before stopping entirely, locked in time as the night sky takes on an unusual green tint. Around them, the streets morph into something less... familiar, less of a city and more like a desolate dreamscape.
But the atmosphere isn't the only thing that's changed. Chance now stands before him with a mask covering his eyes and forehead (complete with cute lil rabbit ears sticking out of the top), and golden armor covering the entire length of his arms. His honestly forgettable outfit is replaced with ornately decorated thigh high boots, a light blue coat that splits down the middle, coming to a stop around the back of his knees, and tight black bodysuit beneath it. The look is completed with a large quiver full of arrows strapped to his back, and a large, formidable bow in his grip. (basically he's got a similar vibe to eleonora from tms because i'm gay and predictable.)
He nods his head down a newly formed path. ] If you're ready - there shouldn't be any strong Shadows in this area, but we should still be careful.