[VIDEO]

[mementodagger]

[He's been trying to avoid this, especially since the COMP link buried in his flesh freaks him out as much as any ghost. But now his closest friend, the only person he knows and trusts, is missing and he feels utterly helpless to do anything about it. Feeling helpless makes him rather cross.]

Hope I'm bloody doing this right.... Zael? If you can hear me, give me some sign. It's been three days, you can't be gone for good. I swear, if you've left me in this place alone....

[He takes a deep breath.] If anyone on the rescue team finds a man named Zael, have him contact me as soon as possible. [In the meantime, Yurick is going to go blow off some steam by burning something down.]

Comments

[mementodagger]

[That stops Yurick in his tracks. He'd assumed Zael had been out searching for the others again and been caught that way. But to be taken right out of a supposedly secure apartment?]

Then... we're not safe anywhere....

[justanoutsider]

Well, it is protected, but no location is ever fully secure, is it? I don't remember anything about being taken, but that's where I remember being last.

[mementodagger]

We're not safe if we're alone, it seems. Zael, maybe we should stay together. It might be our only choice.

[justanoutsider]

I always thought you were more the type to stay alone. You sure you want company?

[mementodagger]

It's not like we've never been forced to share lodging, Zael. And listening to you toss about in your sleep at night is better than wondering where else you'll be whisked off to next.

[justanoutsider]

[He grins a little.]

Haha, you toss and turn in your sleep far more than I do.

[mementodagger]

[Have an indignant huff, Zael.]

I do not!

[justanoutsider]

I dunno. I think Dagran and Lowell would agree with me. They take second watch more often than I do.

[mementodagger]

Stop teasing me. If I could throttle you through this blasted technology I would. Now get yourself back here before I send the local constabulary to look for you.

[justanoutsider]

Just showing you I got out it hardly worse for the wear, that's all.

[He knows you have a sense of humor somewhere. Deep down. But he'll stop teasing.]

I'll find my way back to the rooms soon. Once I find one of those stations, shouldn't take long from there.

[mementodagger]

[Only when he's not fretting, Zael. You can tease him when you're safe.]

... I'm glad you're alright.

[justanoutsider]

[He smiles.]

It'll take more than a bit of fighting to make me worse for the wear.

Speaking of that, I think I figured out how to use that power that everyone talks about.

[mementodagger]

This "Persona" nonsense? Are you sure?

[He talked about it with Atsuro but he hasn't yet seen his own Persona. Perhaps he hasn't been in enough danger, or maybe he's blocking somehow. But if Zael has discovered how to use his Persona....]

[justanoutsider]

I'm certain.

It didn't have the same presence as the Outsider does. I'd recognize it, I think, if that were the case. It feels different.

I can show you when I reach home. [He hesitates for a few seconds. Yurick hadn't quite been fond of the beast his Persona currently takes the form of. He wouldn't want to startle him more.] Or now, through this device, if you'd rather.

[mementodagger]

I'd rather you get yourself back here as quickly as possible. Demonstrations can wait until then.

[Oh, he has no idea what he's in for.]

I'm still trying to adjust to these blasted devices. [As in he keeps trying to claw it out of his head. Having metal in one's body in the form of earrings is one thing, but the thought of the COMP makes him feel a bit ill.]

[justanoutsider]

[A nod.]

All right.

I'll contact you once I get back and change out of these... clothes they had us wear.

[The togas were ridiculous, really.]

[mementodagger]

... you really do look utterly ridiculous. Like you just stepped out of the bath while drunk.