961/Storm Warning

Storm Warning
Date of Scene:	29 January 2016
Location:	Nakajima Industries Warehouse
Synopsis:	Saying goodbye is hard. So let's not.
Cast of Characters:	Ikuto Tsukiyomi, Mikoto Nakajima

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Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
It's Friday night, and the storm has been brewing, heading towards Tokyo. The city is already evacuating, so many people already gone. Some have refused to leave, though. And some have deliberately stayed behind, in order to protect what's theirs... and everything else, in the process.

Mikoto has been spending a good bit of time with Labryinth Architect, this evening, trying to coax it into projecting a shield large enough to cover the warehouse she's made her headquarters. She hopes it will work.

But it's time to take a break from that. She's just got too much on her mind.

"Carnwennan. Phone. Message, Ikuto. Need to talk. Please come."

After a moment, there's a soft 'beep' from her phone. (("Message transmitted, Meister.")) It will appear as a text message on the last phone number she had for Ikuto. Hopefully, he still has the phone on him.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
As much as Ikuto has been avoiding Mikoto-- for her own good, he keeps telling himself-- he has been keeping his means of contact with her open and healthy. So yes, when the message comes through, he does receive it. And a message comes back.

'Where?'

Assuming Mikoto gives him the address to the place she wants to meet, it won't be too terribly long before she sees a pair of shapes approaching her location. It's Ikuto, cat ears and tail out, with Yoru following him. He's heading in via the roofs, which isn't really unusual for him.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
The reply message names a familiar address, the warehouse where they'd - officially, at least - last seen each other. She knows it might not be the best place, since others know about it now, but it's where she is, and it's best to simply make use of it. Besides, anyone likely to take offense is probably busy with their own plans.

So when Ikuto and Yoru arrive, she's waiting there on the roof.

Mikoto hasn't bothered with a henshin or Barrier Jacket. It's just her. Black jeans, low-heeled leather boots, a blouse in her trademark blue, and a light hooded coat to fend off the rain. She looks up, a soft, almost sad little smile touching her lips as she sees them arrive.

(Hikari, unfortunately, is elsewhere at the moment, dealing with a couple of other minor problems Mikoto wanted handled before things got dangerous. Laying in supplies for a possible post-attack recovery, mostly.)

"Ikuto-kun. Yoru-chan. I'm glad you could come. We.... need to talk."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Mikoto might notice that, as Yoru catches sight of Mikoto, he flies a little faster! The landing upon the roof of the warehouse is surprisingly quiet. Or perhaps not so surprisingly; Ikuto is a cat. At least, like this. Ikuto hasn't bothered with anything against the rain aside from a coat. On the bright side, it seems pretty well waterproof, made of that oiled canvas-type material. Yoru on the other hand, has acquired an umbrella from somewhere. It's about as big as he is, but at least it protects him reasonably well.

Yoru's actually the first one to speak up. "Mikoto-san!" He flits over to her quickly and hugs her shoulder. She might have to move her head to the side a little, to keep from getting hit with an umbrella in the little Chara's rush to hug her.

Despite himself, Ikuto smirks. Though his greeting is far less effusive than Yoru's. He stands straight, putting his hands in his pockets. "Yo," he offers, in his usual way. "What's wrong?" Because he's a pessimist; something's always wrong. One ear flicks, shaking a drop of water off it.

As for Yoru? Unless stopped, Yoru will just be gleefully hugging Mikoto's arm, rubbing his cheek against her coat and emitting happy 'nya's!

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto's smile widens as she reaches a hand up to scritch behind Yoru's ear. "Hey, imp. Good to see you." She hmms for a moment, then reaches into her pocket and pulls out one of those little snack-size Hershey bars. "Here you go." She settles onto the ledge at the edge of the roof, handing the candy over to the little cat-chara.

"Ikuto-kun. Thank you for coming." She's more formal with Ikuto, as well, the reserve she normally bears in public settling over her once again as she watches his quiet greeting.

"This storm is what's wrong. I assume you've heard about what's really behind it?"

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Yoru is happy about the scritches, and about the Hershey bar! His eyes fairly sparkle at the sight of the chocolate. "Chocolate-nya!" Nab! "Thanks!" Happycatte face is happy. He can probably find a reasonably good place to eat his candy bar. He's got an umbrella, so that's a pretty good rainblocker.

Ikuto watches, with a small, lopsided smile. It's genuine, at least. It's god to see Yoru happy. Though he turns his attention to Mikoto as she speaks. The storm? He nods. "Easter's battening down the hatches, yeah." As for what's behind it? He shakes his head. "I've heard there's something supernatural and incredibly dangerous, but that's about it."

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto lifts Yoru to sit on her shoulder, seeming quite happy to have the little cat so close. And so happy. She could use that kind of cheer in her life, these days. She's missed it so badly.

But there's dark doings to be discussed tonight. "Yes. I'm not surprised they're forting up, I'd half expected them to leave town like rats fleeing a sinking ship."

She takes a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "It's called Walpurgisnacht." She pronounces the foreign word slowly and carefully. "It's like the White Flower, or the things that worked for it... only much, much, more powerful. Like industrial current compared to a battery."

She lets that sink in, then adds, "The people I've talked to... the ones in charge of it are so scared, they've asked the freaking Dark Kingdom for help. The ones who boss around the youma who've been draining energy and crap around town."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
"Director-san has a 'this is mine, I won't abandon it' attitude about it," Ikuto replies. "Most of the other employees have left. We have a shelter in the basement, though." Assuring Mikoto that he'd be all right in the storm is a thing, yes.

The weird word gets a frown. "...Waru...paa..." And there he gives up on the weird word. Also there's other things to talk about too. Like that the Dark Kingdom's gotten involved! Yoru pauses in mid bite, looking up at Mikoto from her shoulder, the end of the chocolate bar sticking out of his mouth, and emits a confused "Mrrr?"

Ikuto blink in surprise as well. "...If it's bad enough that they're involved... it's beyond bad. What exactly is it?" He is a part of the magical world, but he's... sort of in an odd area. He's not one of the good guys, so he doesn't have those connections. But those that he works for don't exactly care to keep him informed on things.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
"Well, I suppose even Director-san and I have one thing in common, then. Two if we count you." She pats the ledge beside her. "I'm not leaving what's mine, either."

She waits while Ikuto tries to pronounce the word, then nods. "It's a monster. And if it isn't stopped, it's going to destroy the entire city." Tokyo. One of the largest and most densely-populated metropolitan areas on the planet. Destroyed utterly.

"I'm not leaving. I'm going to fight. ... I want... I wish... that you'd be there with me."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Ikuto heads over to the ledge as well. But instead of sitting, he perches on the ledge, crouching down next to Mikoto. He's quiet when she announces her intention to stay and fight. but the frown is visible. "...That's dangerous," he points out, rather unnecessarily.

Yoru's finished his candy by now, and grabs hold of Mikoto's coat at her shoulder. "But! But but but but everybody's evacuated-nya! Stuff can be replaced!" He looks up at Mikoto, yellow feline eyes wide and worried. "You could evacuate too-nya! If ya don't... if ya stay and fight somethin' that big... y-you... you could..."

"Yoru." The word is unnecessarily sharp, his frown growing darker. But he doesn't look at Mikoto.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto reaches up, stroking Yoru's fur gently, almost idly. As if she's grown used to having something small and furry and affectionate clinging to her. And she does smell of cat. Of snow leopard, if Yoru's nose is good enough to tell.

"Not everyone's evacuated. Fourteen million people live in the Tokyo area. If even one-tenth of one percent has stayed behind - and it's probably a lot more - that's still thousands of people. People that will die if this thing gets through."

She shakes her head. "I won't have it, Ikuto-kun." She rises lithely to her feet, stalking towards him. "I won't let those people die. I won't let fourteen million people lose their homes, their jobs, everything that they've put into living their lives."

If he doesn't back off, she gets right up in his face, jabbing a finger into his chest (or at him, if he does back off). "They don't even know that this is happening. But those fourteen million people are depending on us, Ikuto-kun. All of us. Heroes and villains and monsters, all alike."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Yoru's nose may very well be able to smell strange cat on Mikoto's person. But it may not be important anyway. At the moment both he and his larger counterpart are more concerned with the possibility of Mikoto dying.

Ikuto looks up as he suddenly has a Mikoto poking him in the chest. Up, because he is still in a crouch as she stands and stalks over. He doesn't back away, no. With anyone else he would have. But not her. Even if his expression is a surprised one. He stares for a moment, listening to her. So many people. Why didn't the evacuation happen before now? Why would anyone stay when it was so dangerous?

Both Ikuto and Yoru remained silent, both of them staring up at Mikoto with... quite frankly a very similar expression. Ikuto may have dedicated his life to pretending he was evil, but there are times-- like this-- when what was left of his innocence peeked out. And just like any other time, it was quickly hidden. He turned his head to look away, aiming a gaze out over the street.

"'Stay and fight the monsters so that the people who can't will be safe'," he mutters under his breath. "Even if it costs your life." Pause. He stands. Crosses his arms over his chest. The gesture is less disapproving, and more reminiscent of someone folding his arms around himself to protect against some metaphorical demon he was being confronted with.

Without looking at her, he asks, "...And what if you can't stop it? They'll still be dead. And you will too. For nothing." Yet still, his tone isn't rough or angry. In fact it's soft. Thoughtful. As if he's mulling over whatever her answer to the question might be.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto looks down at Ikuto, regarding him, listening to his answer. Hoping that she'll hear him accepting her decision, that he'll be there to fight at her side. Like they have before. But it's not to be.

She closes her eyes, turning half away from him. "Yes. It might go that way. I might die. So might you. But that's been the way it is ever since all this began. Ever since I first activated Carnwennan. Ever since you... started what you do. The next fight... the next youma, or witch, or whatever, might be the one. Do you really think I don't know that?"

She acts so mature about it. Like she's accepted her death, as a samurai of old. Ikuto's probably looked up her family. He'd know that that's exactly how she was raised. Death is lighter than a feather, duty is heavier than a mountain.

"I can't run away from this, Ikuto-kun. If we run away... then it's won. Even if not a single person dies. And I won't have that."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
'Life is dangerous, but there's ways to manage your risks. Like not going up against a Witch big enough to level Tokyo.'

He wants to say that. But he doesn't. As is so often the case, his answer is silence. But in some cases that's not always a bad thing. Ikuto's actions tend to speak louder.

And he has an action for this. He tries to step around behind her, half-turned away as she is, and makes to slip first one arm, and then the other, around her waist. And then to try to rest his chin on the shoulder that Yoru is not occupying.

And at the same time, from the shoulder he is occupying, Yoru tries to hug the side of her face that he's nearest. Meaning she may have a handpaw on her nose.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto doesn't hesitate. Both arms slide around Ikuto, hugging him close. She leans in and rests her cheek on his shoulder, her body pressed up close to his.

For a long moment, she just stands there, enjoying the embrace. Knowing that anything she says could end it, could send him off into another of his 'get away, be safe' rants. She's in no mood for one of those.

So instead, she just lets the tension flow out of her, through the warmth of his arms and body.

For tomorrow, she may die. But she will go to it remembering this.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Ikuto seems to realize that much, at least, that she's not in the mood for lectures and rants. Would it change her mind even if he did? Probably not. And he realizes it. She's as stubborn as he is. Probably more so. It would be wasted breath. And it would ruin this, that might be their last moments together.

But he does have to ask, "...You're not going to be doing it alone, are you?" he asks. Because that would be incredibly stupid. The words are spoken softly, into her ear. "At least tell me you have some help."

And yes, Yoru moves his paw so she doesn't look silly while trying to talk. Even if Ikuto doesn't let go just yet.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto wants to just hold him like this, and be held, forever. To forget the fight, the monsters, all of it. Part of her wants to go along with his idea, to run away and drag him with her and just be two ordinary kids in love somewhere.

But she can't. And neither can he.

"I'm never alone when you're with me," she says first.

A moment's pause, then she adds, "And yes. Every mage and puella and senshi in the city is going to be there. We are going to beat this thing, Ikuto-kun. We have to. None of us will accept anything less."

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
"...You don't always get what you'll accept," Ikuto replies quietly. Still, at least she won't be out there alone. But then... he realizes something. Something that makes his blood run even colder. If every magical hero out there is going to be fighting this thing...

('...Tadase.')

If Tadase knows about it there's no way he's not going to be out there. Tadase wants to protect people too much, there's no way he'd leave this to others. To say nothing of Amu. She wouldn't let Tadase face it alone. And Mikoto too... this thing might take nearly everything from him that matters...

Mikoto might notice that he's suddenly holding her a bit tighter...

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
"It isn't about what I'll accept. It's about what I'll do." Mikoto teases Yoru with a playful little skritch, still holding tightly to Ikuto.

She fully expects Amu, Tadase, and the rest to be right in the middle of it with everyone else. And she knows that nothing she can say will make them stay away. Any more than Ikuto can make her leave.

"And I'm going to fight," she continues. "Not just for them. For you." Risking herself for faceless thousands is all well and good. But she's sure Ikuto won't run away. And she couldn't make him, even if she wanted to.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi has posed:
Mikoto can probably hear that choked sound. It's the sound he makes when he's frustrated. That's the last thing he wants to hear. He doesn't want anyone fighting for him. Especially not and get kiled over him. He's not worth that, can't she see that?! His one hand clutches the back of Mikoto's coat, even as Yoru 'nyaa's happily at the scritch. It's unfair is what it is. He's trying so hard to protect everyone else.

After a moment he pulls back, just a little, and fixes her with a glance. He's trying to hide it all. The look-- upset, hopeless, distressed. This close, it's in his eyes. And in the next instant... he leans forward suddenly. His aim?

A kiss. Right on the lips.

And of course Yoru zips back from this display of oogieness, vacating Mikoto's shoulder speedily.

Ikuto doesn't linger too long, though. Even if he does manage to kiss her, only just after the instant she realizes it, he pulls away, out of her grip. "You know why I'm doing what I'm doing," Ikuto says quietly. "Make sure it's not for nothing." But he doesn't give her a chance to reply. A look to Yoru that summons the feline Chara to his side, and then he leaps from the roof into the rain, Yoru following.

Mikoto Nakajima has posed:
Mikoto looks up into his eyes, hope welling up within her... and then he's kissing her, and it feels so good, so right. For that moment, she has her every wish granted.

And then he's pulling back, and she's watching him go. She lifts a hand, reaching after him, too late.

"It's not for nothing, Ikuto-kun," she whispers, a single crystalline tear gliding down her cheek. "It's for you."