touchscreens | [video][locked to detective

Shura shook her head. She didn't want more questions, but... if she was to be understood by someone here, someone of superior intellect, she had to add a little more to the story.

"All the humans in the Vortex have the ability to decide on a Reason to create a new world. All humans, all of humanity present in this horrifying world willingly chose to create a new Earth with their own, self-serving, selfish ideals. The only person with a selfless ideal was my non-human girlfriend who wasn't even my girlfriend at the time. And my best friend since childhood, helped and approved by angels of God, enacted a genocide on her people and murdered her horrible because she deemed her unworthy of life. Can you imagine what it's like, walking through a friendly, peaceful people's holy land and finding it littered with mangled corpses while His angels hunt down the survivors like animals? Getting to the Holy of Holy and finding your best friend in the whole world crushing the skull of the only pure soul in that tainted world? Do you know what it feels like to realize 'humanity' is a misnomer, that in the times where it's most needed there is no benevolence in it in the slightest???"

Shura is on the verge of tears when she finishes her ugly rant too long contained and hidden away, gripping the table with white knuckles, golden eyes open wide, teeth gritted against the horror and anguish rising in her, giving her a feral appearance.

"..."

Very, very carefully, Naoto reached out, placing her hand ontop of the Demi-Fiends. It was a careful gesture--she'd pull it back the moment the Demi-Fiend showed discomfort, yet at the same time she couldn't let the young woman--and in the end, despite this parasite within her, she WAS a young woman--be so alone.

"... I can't imagine how you've suffered. And now I see why you feel so alone here. I haven't gone through such a deep pain as yourself, but I have seen a person-a human-become more of a monster than a man, acting with supreme selfishness... and a God only working to encourage him. And I've seen something non-human become the most human of us all."

Adachi and Teddie... such opposites of one another in all ways possible. Yet it was easy to argue who was the most 'human' of the two, though Adachi did seem to start to regain his humanity.

"I can't begin to understand your pain. But I also want you to remember you're not alone anymore. You have every right to be suspicious of those around you; I know you're probably waiting for someone's true nature to be displayed and to be again assured of what humans are truly capable of... I... have seen some horrible things on a minor scale myself; I was a detective back in Japan."

Not to mention what they had nearly done to Namatame. But with a nod, she squeezed Shura's hands.

"Even still... I ask that you consider that this world hasn't been ripped apart the same as the Tokyo you are from. Civility is still very much a thing here, as difficult that must be for you to believe."

Shura said nothing in return, shoulders shaken by contained sobs. Yes. No one could imagine the sheer pain she had gone through, but Naoto understood. She didn't understand the level of suffering involved, no one could, but she understood how lonely it was for her here, how terrible the niceness of the native could feel to her, how difficult it was to reach out to others in her state in this world, how her mental pain was not healed just by coming to a place at peace where the most pressing problem could be solved with hugs.

When Naoto squeezed her hand, she had to use the other to covered her eyes, uselessly trying to hide the big tears rolling down her cheeks. Sometimes all a demon needs is a little human compassion.

Seeing the young woman burst into tears, Naoto glanced around, wondering if she had some tissues on hand. She'd have to make a note to start carrying them with her here; with such different people coming to this world, it might be prudent to have them handy.

Seeing nothing, she took a gentle breath, rising in her seat to lean over the table and give Shura as much as a hug she could from her position. Curse her short stature.

"It's alright to cry. You are safe here."

She knew better than most how hard it was to cry when you were trying so hard to stay strong.

Shura wanted to ask 'am I?' but it was useless to get into a philosophical debate now. She'd had enough tears and soul bearing for one day, so she just cried quietly for a minute or too, managing to regain her composure and repress the rest of her pain back down again.

"I can't... I didn't get ahead by crying," she said softly after wiping her eyes and sniffing pathetically. That was only partially true. She had gotten ahead because of her absolutely unbreakable will, but Lucifer knew her path of death was stained with her own tears.

"... I understand that sentiment. I..."

Ugh. Talking about this was so personal, but... it was only fair, wasn't it?

"I worked with police officers in Japan, and was often treated like a child, or a nuisance, and then discarded once I had used my talents to solve a case. I actually disguised the fact I was female to prevent even more discrimination. Not to say I wasn't stubborn and a brat at times, but ... I never let myself cry in front of others. I didn't want to open up and admit I was lonely, because that was childish. Until I was forced to..."

Letting go of the woman, Naoto sat back down, her hands gripping her tea cup again.

"And it was only through accepting that part of myself that I gained my own abilities."

"Your abilities?" she asked, wiping her eyes more before taking a sip of lukewarm tea. Now Shura is wondering if Naoto could be part supernatural too.

"Yes. I suppose it's only fair to demonstrate to you; though I'd ask that you did not repeat this willy-nilly."

Holding out her hand again, her brow low in concentration, a glowing blue card appeared in the palm of her hand, turning around and round, revealing a Tarot Card symbol upon the front of it.

"We are able to summon a side of ourselves that are capable of battling the supernatural. We call these Personas. My own is Sumeragi Yamato; they are a part of us, covering in armor to be able to withstand and deal damage to those that would harm us."

"Huh." Shura did know of Tarot, having been an occult geek back in her human life, but that someone could summon a card to summon an armoured side of themselves to battle supernatural creatures... ... well, she was a once-human girl with a demonic parasite in her brain battling gods and demons to create a new universe. Stranger things and all that.

"I won't talk about this. I trust the same discretion from you. And I do hope circumstances will not force us to use our powers here... though I personally doubt it."

"I won't breath a word."

A small nod, and Naoto took a deep sip of her tea.

"I believe that's all of what I can think to ask at the moment, so thank you. However, I do have another suggestion that might be mutually beneficial to us both."

Shura looked at Naoto over her tea cup, intrigued.

"I'm listening."

Edited (what are words) 2013-11-16 23:41 (UTC)

"To put it simply; the more one touches others, the more energy is given to the city as-- you know-- but it seems that those who are able to surpass the quota of touches required to simply stay healthy are able to explore the city more."

Deciding to actually try one of the cookies, Naoto took one, giving it a nibble.

"I wish to investigate this city as much as possible. In order to do so, I must keep up a certain level of connection with others. I saw some of your videos; you seem to be having some discomfort with reaching out yourself."

Looking back up at Shura, Naoto nodded.

"Every few days, we meet up for tea or some brief meeting, and shake hands, hug, hold hands, whatever you're comfortable with. That way I can explore more in the coming weeks, and you will not have to worry about staying healthy yourself. Mutually beneficial to our goals at the current moment, and no other strings attached."

Edited 2013-11-17 19:32 (UTC)

Shura gave the proposition thought for a minute or so. This did seem like a good deal; she was well aware her methods will not allow to prod their captors for more information after her outburst in video. In fact, it was pretty nice of Naoto to have accepted to talk to her calmly and cover her ass back there too.

She finally nodded firmly. "This sounds like a good deal. I want to know more about this place too, but I don't think I'm smart or subtle enough to go for it now, after..." she waved her hand. "I do want to stay healthy and aware of what's truly going on here, just in case it goes downhill."

Naoto had decided to finish the cookie while Shura decided, chewing on it thoughfully. She was surprised; it really did taste almost exactly like what they had back in Japan.

Shura's response brought another small smile to Naoto's lips, and looked up to the other woman.

"I have no problem telling you whatever I find out, as long as you keep it to yourself for the most part. ...Also, if you were able to survive in such a world, you must have some cunning on your own part. There's different types of intelligence, and all will be needed to unravel this mystery."

Holding out her hand, Naoto nodded.

"Shall we shake on it, then?"

Shura nodded again, firmly, and shook Naoto's hand with her own marked one, in a grip a little feeble at first, as if she was trying to adjust her strength to Naoto's human hand.

"I understand the need for discretion. You don't have to worry about me."

This is just like a successful demon negotiation! She even gets recurring healing from it.

[video][locked to detective_shirogane]

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