02 - [Video]

[primordial]

[This...is going to be a problem.]

[He was curious, really, to hang around until the 13th hour came along, and had been quite shocked by the enormous amount of monsters hanging around. So shocked that he was quite unprepared for when they started attacking- he thought he'd find a way to avoid them, honestly. And just when he was cornered...it had finally come out. His Persona.]

[And honestly, he wasn't too surprised. Not even scared, really, he's seen worse. His Persona is himself, isn't it? But this would pose a problem if he showed it to other people, because that would be going and showing them something very deep and personal that might turn them against him. No, he has to turn this into an advantage, a way to get people to pity him and go on his side.]

[And he knows exactly how to get that to happen.]

[The video turns on, and the first thing one hears is the rather terrified and stammering voice of one (1) Sam Erstwhile.]

This-this is really not okay! I mean, it's my birthday today, I really didn't need this as a birthday present!

[The guy seems to be on the verge of fainting, he's so pale. It's oddly dark behind him, even though it's morning...]

I-I...listen, is it possible to just refund a Persona? That's possible, right? Because...mine is a freakin' abomination, and I'm not really sure I want it. How come all of you get the cool ones and I get the one that looks like it feeds on little kid's nightmares??

[And then the darkness behind him moves, and what looks to be like a dark tentacle rests on Sam's shoulder. Sam shudders, letting out a slight whimper, as the skull-like face of his Persona drops down into view.]

[Looks like Sam wasn't kidding about that abomination stuff at all.]

They said having a Persona was a good thing. They said you'd love it, and that it'd help you, and...ugh, this isn't what I was expecting at all!

[And he buries his face in his trembling hands. He really looks like he's going to have a nervous breakdown over this.]

Happy birthday to me...

Comments

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie grins at that, looking pleased, but sympathetic too since she'd met plenty people from a world that didn't have any magic. She nods her head and gives a quick wink*

Maybe you'll get a chance to see some magic sometime!

*Then she looks away and shakes her head*

Nah. Really. I get in a lotta trouble from my friends. But ya know..I think courage isn't such a huge deal. It's about how you act in a hard situation that's most important.

[primordial]

Perhaps.

[He smiles slightly at the wink, though it disappears as quickly as it came as he looks towards his water glass instead, as if trying to find something to say there.]

And if you run away when you're in a hard situation because you don't know how to deal with it...isn't that bad?

[booyaka_boom]

*She shuffles a little in her chair and reaches to refill his glass, even if there was still plenty of water left*

Maybe. Maybe it is. But maybe it takes time to think things through, to really work out what the best thing is to do for that situation..

*Pretty cryptic maybe, but then, she wasn't really sure what kind of situation he was talking about*

[primordial]

[He nods as thanks for that, reaching down to sip at it before putting it back down.]

Maybe, but sometimes I do it without thinking, you know? It's like seeing a tiger and turning immediately to run for your life. Like that.

[booyaka_boom]

Guess that depends on the situation. I mean, if I didn't have my magic or some way to fight then I'd run too. That just makes sense, and there's nothing wrong with that.

*She narrows her eyes gently, looking him over slowly and carefully, but not judgemental*

Is there anything you wanna talk about?

[primordial]

You think so? People just call me a coward. That's usually an insult where I come from.

[He doesn't answer that second question for a while, slowly running his finger over the glass in front of him. To tell or not to tell? And if to tell, what story would he craft for her, like a fisherman crafting a net to catch a very unique fish?]

[After he's made his internal decision, he nods, looking to the window.]

Well, um, I don't really want to talk about stuff. Not really. But...ever since I came here, I find myself really missing my sister...

[booyaka_boom]

Well, those people are just meanies. You gotta think about where the insults come from too - if they're just cowards and idiots themselves, then it doesn't matter, ya know?

*Selphie lifts her glass to take a sip of water, watching his finger over the rim of her glass. She catches his nod, and she follows his line of sight, whatever he might be looking at*

Oh... I miss a lot of people too. From my home world, from where I was before I came here... But, I like to think that everyone at home is safe and happy, and most don't even realise that we're gone, so I think she'll be okay.

*She wasn't always one to want to tell stories about herself either, but it helped to be comforting, she thought*

[primordial]

Yeah...I guess that's true. But still, I often think they have a point.

[He just lets out a sigh at what she says- it would be nice, really, to know his sister was waiting for him back home, but what's done is done.]

That's the point, though. I know she won't be okay. She's...she's...

[And he clenches his hand into a fist as he frowns, before he retracts the hand and stares forlornly at the table.]

She's gone.

[booyaka_boom]

*Immediately Selphie's features soften and she reaches a hand across the table to rest on Sam's arm, eyes wide with sympathy. Having no family of her own, she's not sure about how these things work, but when she speaks her voice is soft and understanding*

Then..she is okay, and safe from everything now. And, maybe here, a new place, you can keep her memory but..it's a chance to move on, too.

[primordial]

I don't know if I can move on, that's the problem.

[But his expression softens somewhat at the touch, even if his first urge is to recoil.]

...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made this a sad case...I mean, it's supposed to be happy and all, my birthday, and here I am ruining it.

[booyaka_boom]

Maybe right now you don't know if you can, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try.

*She gives his arm an extra comforting squeeze before withdrawing her hand and looking at her glass of water*

Hey - no - that's okay. I mean, sure, you're totally right about being happy on your birthday but.. maybe talking about stuff is what you need, more than cake and parties and stuff.

*Uh yeah, Selphie, like this is even close to a party. But she knows what she means*

[primordial]

Hmmm. Maybe...

[He draws his arm back to his lap after a pause, just retracting it back into his personal bubble of a shell. But he nods at her, looking slightly amused at the "party" comment.]

Yeah, I mean...I haven't talked to much with people about stuff from back home, you know? I think it'll take time, but...unloading all of that stuff would be good.

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie nods, her expression all understanding and sympathy. She glances out of the window as she takes another sip of water, then turns back to Sam with a happy smile and a strong nod*

Well, that's what friends are for!

*Yes, you've only had one conversation, but in Selphie's books that means official friendship*

[primordial]

F-friends??

[He looks somewhat surprised, sitting a bit straighter in his chair and staring over at her, looking confused.]

You already consider me...a friend?

[booyaka_boom]

Well, sure, of course.

*She smiles, having made the comment so completely off hand. But then she notes his expression and she quirks an eyebrow - after all, she's been around enough men in her life that didn't understand the 'friend' concept*

Do you have...different friend criteria I should know about?

[primordial]

Oh, no! No, I...

[He looks like he's feeling very foolish, by the way he's glancing off, as if embarrassed.]

I just...I'm not used to people calling me their friends, you know?

[booyaka_boom]

*Again, she narrows her eyes, just watching him for a moment, trying to figure him out a little more. Instead, she rests her chin in her hand and gives a small smile*

Not even all the people that you used to work with and stuff?

[primordial]

[He shakes his head at that.]

Oh, definitely not. I mean, they liked my work ethic and all, but it's not like they wanted to know more about me than "that guy who happens to be their coworker".

[booyaka_boom]

Huh...

*And she just stares at him for another moment or two, her eyes sweeping his face, dipping to look at his hands*

Were they all just jerks or what? I don't get how come no one would really want to get to know you.

[primordial]

[He shrugs at that, a bittersweet smile tugging at his mouth.]

I kind of faded into the background, honestly. As long I wasn't causing trouble for anyone, I was happy.

They say that people see you the way you see yourself...so, it could definitely be my fault as well.

[booyaka_boom]

*As the opposite of a fade into the background person, Selphie's not sure about that. After all, what could be worse than people not even knowing that she's there?*

Hmm...I guess it's just up to you but..if you want friends.. well, doing something like this is the best way to go about it.

I mean, I'm just new here too so I have to put in plenty effort to make sure I make loads of new friends.

[primordial]

Yeah, but what if people don't like me I mean, just putting all that effort in for nothing but disappointment...it's just painful,, really.

[booyaka_boom]

I guess there's always that risk but, how'dya know what you're missing out on if you don't try?

And, like I said, I don't see why people wouldn't like you. You gave me the time of day today, and I like you plenty.

*And a happy smile to prove it*

[primordial]

You do...

[A pause, and he smiles over at her, or, at the very least, tries his best to, expression softening. Oh, dear Selphie. Dear, dear Selphie...]

Thanks. You're...you're a really good person, you know?

[booyaka_boom]

*Dear, dear Selphie, indeed. She smiles broadly at that before bowing her head, picking at some crumbs at the bottom of her muffin case*

I'm really not. Good friend, maybe. But good person, maybe not so much.

*But, she still looks more than happy to receive the compliment anyway*

And I think you are too. Just...maybe you oughta let more people know.