prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .010

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You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you. Your body is hemmed in by shards of crystals, gently sparkling and possibly pricking your skin. The surrounding landscape is dyed in the pinks and purples of the dusk filled with crystals protruding from the ground, some as large as a skyscraper. Even the few shy moon creatures you find in the wild have strange crystal growths on their hides. This is far from home— perhaps a dream? You pinch your skin and slap your cheeks, yet nothing seems to do the trick. Searching for answers yields nothing but an endless expanse of purple dust as far as the eye can see. You have four options: one, panic; two, soil yourself; three, admire it all then soil yourself; or four, go into survival mode. Eventually, you’ll realize that you’re not alone.

After a day or two of living off the crystal wilderness, a group of people find you worse for wear. They are the gallant Moon Knights from the planet of Prismatica. After the strange phenomenon during the past months when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for more Moonblessed to be rescued. You’ll eventually be brought into Iris’s moon government center.

You all may have your usual inquiries — Where are we? Who are you? What's going on? Why did I accidentally swallow the worm at the bottom of my tequila? — and the Prismals are almost too eager to answer. They tell you about their world and about the first appearance of the Moonblessed as the medical staff give you an examination to make sure you’re not carrying any viruses or biological hazards. If you react violently, you may be restrained and nerfed with a specialized neurotransmitting gun that releases a numbing agent through the top of your spine. Once the examinations are over, you’re informed that you will be provided accommodations on their planet during your stay.

While waiting for transport to be prepared, you may freely roam around the government center. Eventually you’re called back from exploring, escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the moons and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as the local Prismals. The next destination: Prismatica.

▶ I Heat Up, I Can’t Cool Down
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Planet Prismatica, City of Lunatia | top

Welcome to Prismatica’s hub, Lunatia, the city of your dreams! A bustling metropolis lush with bright lights, vibrant colors, luxuriant plant life, and all the conveniences of technology absent from your own world… It seems like paradise to all the uninitiated. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.

A Settle in your new home at Level 2 to find new roommates and say hello to your neighbors! City officials will give you directions to the designated districts across Level 2 and instruct you to pick out a unit. Each apartment complex has a different aesthetic, some may look cozy, some stylish, and some bizarre. The free accommodations have a basic living space that can only fit two or three people at most in one unit.

Starter Chromaspace furnishings are provided which can be controlled with the touch of a built-in panel. Examples are color-changing curtains, transforming sofa beds, cabinets turning into tables, etc. Customizing your apartment or moving out will have to wait until you earn more chroma. Until then, why don’t you check out your new neighborhood or explore the city levels? Maybe your new roommates or neighbors can give you a “hand” with allowance for dinner.

B After settling into your apartment, you notice a shiny silver indestructible mechanoid cube with a pair of tiny stag horns attached to it. The card attached says that it’s a gift from the Lunatian government. One touch of the cube makes it hover in place, light up brightly, and play the classic hit Last Firalia by Blam! on repeat. By the 7th listen, you get hot under your collar, beads of sweat forming on your temples and rolling down your neck, and your breath grows labored. By the 17th listen, you’re all but ready to burst into flames — a stark contrast to the plummeting temperature outdoors.

A bit of vigorous moonlacing should keep you from growing too hot and bothered indoors. Or you could simply decide to chuck the cube out the window and let it be someone else’s problem. That won't really stop it, though. The music only stops once the cube picks up enough Chroma in the atmosphere generated via moonlacing, so go forth, and spread the Firialia lust, love, and cheer!

▶ It’s the Moose Wonderful Time of the Year
City of Lunatia | top

In the city of Lunatia, the streets are emblazoned with beautiful antler decorations, gleaming gold and silver along every walkway. Snowflake holograms appear on shop fronts to announce their annual Firialia sales, and Prismals are all rushing to buy gifts and make preparations for the upcoming holiday.

According to legend, on one incredibly harsh winter, ancient Prismals were downtrodden and on the verge of starvation when the majestic stag king of the forest, Firi, emerged from his humble kingdom to bring them warm clothing, blankets, and gifts for surviving the biting cold. It is said that his spirit remains on the land even after the Calamity, appearing every winter solstice to bless the Prismals for the new year ahead. Every year, Prismals mount festive wreaths on their door, decorated with stag horns in Firi's honor, and exchange gifts to invite the benevolent spirit of Firi into their homes.

A Hanging fake deer antlers is a strong Firialia tradition that has endured for centuries — a success that can be attributed to its magical effects, which often compels two people caught beneath to share a bit of Firialia spirit with one another. One can find these trinkets everywhere, decorating even the most secluded of spaces. The antlers come in three colors:

RED: Causes a dangerous but intense feeling of desire to embrace the person you're with! You will want to roughly pin the closest person to you on a flat surface, passionately kiss, and/or aggressively hold hands.

BLUE: Causes people to want to kiss until they’re out of breath, hands liberally moving across each other’s body, and the errant temptation to go further, but no taking any clothes off in public or the Moon Knights will get you! You’ll simply be eager to tease and kiss beyond the lips and have difficulty feeling sated.

PURPLE: Causes people to want to caress each other's faces affectionately, steal soft kisses, and/or tenderly lace their fingers together. They may also feel compelled to offer up some sweet whispers and compliments!

B To combat the cool weather, Prismals will also be handing out cups of warm chocolate moose mousse. This light and creamy dessert is prepared in enchanted moose-shaped cups with a pair of festive graham cookie antlers poking out of it. Prismal traditions include taking a bite and passing it to your neighbor, enabling you to get a glimpse of one another’s Firialia wishlists left unspoken. Fancy a new fishing rod this holiday? Or perhaps that saucy leather subligar you’ve been eyeing since your arrival? The words and images that make up your list appear before whoever eats your mousse, so who knows? Maybe you might get it this Firilia...

▶ Are You Not Entertained?
Level 1, PrismaPlace | top

After the long wait and preparations, the League Match Action Online (LmaO) preliminary qualification rounds are now underway at the gaming hub in PrismaPlace in Level 1, as the city will be hosting the LmaO Grand Championship next month. Moonblessed old and new are welcome to take the game for a test drive and participate!

The award-winning VR MOBA boasts amazingly seamless first-person view graphics and a real-time combat mode almost as authentic as real life and guaranteed to wow and amaze. Players can explore and immerse themselves in the fantasy world of LmaO, where they can create their own avatars and either fight with or against players from Lunatia and the Kingdom of Lyestellus for glory and loot!

In co-op mode, you will be battling a selection of huge beasts chosen at random. The most notorious among them is Ogma the Dread Ogre, who has high defense and pesky unavoidable attacks. PVP mode pits you against other players, and getting KO’d three times in a row or having your base captured is a loss for you and your team. Fun mode featuring mini-games such as virtual basketball, rhythm step action, beat sword, and many more. Winning any of these modes nets you loads of in-game gold that can be used to buy aesthetic skins, cute in-game pets, fun game emotes, furniture for your in-game house, or weapon and skill upgrades to make you stronger for the next round!

Event emcees will be recruiting anyone passing by for the preliminaries and showing them into fully-equipped private rooms for teams of two to eight players. Each player will be given virtual headsets and tight suits for immersion and communication. Prismal players may be recruited with Moonblessed teams if necessary.

A The scenario for the preliminaries is a majestic coliseum filled with gladiators of all ages and species. In LmaO, weapon choices are currently limited to any melee and ranged weapons you'd find in an ambitious fantasy RPG setting (read: you can find dual swords and grimoires but also gunblades), including an elemental magic system of water, fire, wind, earth, dark and light. Choose your weapon and, with your team, fight for the top spot!

As you begin to battle, you notice that the more you get hit, the more your physical body shows visceral reactions to the attacks. Outside of the game, you lose balance. Bruises appear out of nowhere and mar on your skin. You earn minor abrasions and bleed. It’s possible to feel the sweat or saliva of other players or bots, the sensation of their virtual hands grappling you, or their teeth sinking into your shoulder as they bite. It's a new, tantalizing world of virtual stimulation.

B For those of you more interested in the glamour aspects of LmaO, you are welcome to compete against other players in either the in-game or a real glam-a-thon. Festive LmaO cosplayers will be scattered around the venue, dressed in colorful costumes of characters from the game, such as the ridiculously cool cyborg Kenji and the flirty immortal fox mage Yeri. As for the in-game contestants, they are located on a bright sparkling stage. Large monitors at PrismaPlace can be seen livestreaming everything.

Some of the many competitors are dressed in colorful gear, including stylish himations, risque chitons, and a bevy of glittery, neon gladiator sandals. Challenge other players to a fashion walk-off on the raised catwalk. Score high enough on either contests, and you will win an ultra-rare Firialia plump moose mount in-game. You are welcome to invite others on a scenic moose ride after as the plump moose very slowly waddles across the virtual snowfields and exhibits its adorable built-in feature where it decides to take a nap every few minutes.

▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.

▶ As a reminder, test drive memes are for new characters only. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!
▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The more Yosuke talks about it the more Souji feels unsettled by it all. He doesn't remember doing any of that. Sure, he spent time with Ebihara, but she was going through some rough time; he never "hooked up" with her. Or Matsunaga. Or anyone for that matter. He knew he was going back to the city so even if he did have crushes, he didn't act on them.

He feels like he's hearing about someone else, not himself.]

I don't know what you heard but, I never hooked up with any of them. I mean long-distance romances are too specific and not everyone wants them. [He sighs and rubs back of his neck. What the hell should he do...? Souji is clearly upset and he's not sure how he can reassure him.] There's no way I'd ever do that to you, buddy. Please, trust me...

[He wants to start over (? he's not sure what he's starting over but it's important for Yosuke so he's down for it), but he wants to make sure they are in clear of everything.]

Yeah, sure. I know just bits of it.

[ Well, he wanted to correct him there, that he didn't "hear" about anything. He was told first hand (and kind of second hand due to Chie) but again, that wasn't going to do anyone any good and they needed to clear things up. Yosuke knew more than Souji did this time, and it wasn't fair to compare him to the person he was the last time he was here.

Not if he didn't have the memories and experiences to go with them. ]

I do trust you. That never stopped, partner. [ He hoped he gave a reassuring enough smile and then gestured to the seating area again to sit down. ] Let's sit down for a bit. It's kind of long.

[ He had only meant he wanted to start the conversation over, not start over in general. So he hoped he would get that across as he started explaining how this world worked. He ended up not touching the hot chocolate at all. It was cold and unappetizing now anyway. By the end of it, much like when he'd heard it all from Kanji and when he'd explained to Rise and even after all his own experiences, his cheeks were red and he looked a bit embarrassed. ]

It's... a lot to take in, I know. But it's how this world works, I guess. People do get by without going that far though, so, you know, don't force yourself into anything you don't wanna do because the moon's makin' you wanna hug someone for an hour.

[ Yosuke couldn't help but laugh a little, because there had been that competition a few weeks ago where someone did just that. And went on for longer than hour. ]

[Despite Yosuke's easy smile, Souji is left feeling like he's done something terrible to him. It's a sticky feeling that he just can't shake it off no matter how much he tries. So, he tries to focus more on what Yosuke has to tell him and sits down with him on the bench in the gazebo.

He can remember some faint details from the scientists and doctors that he saw before his arrival in Lunatia, but he definitively didn't know everything, and he was glad that Yosuke was the one to explain it to him. He didn't hold back and there was more than enough detail for Souji to understand it clearly.]

I see... so the ears are because of the moon? [His gaze lifts from Yosuke's face to the top of his head. Is it odd that they suit him?] I wonder what I will get... [He kind of hopes he's a cat.]

Ah! [Imagine a lightbulb above his head.] Is that why you smell so good? For a moment I thought you got crazy rich and famous, and bought some expensive perfume.

Edited 2019-12-08 16:18 (UTC)

[ He doesn't want to lie by omission or keep anything vague. Eventually, Yosuke will lay it out why he was so upset himself but he just wasn't sure now was a good time anymore. It just... didn't seem fair. To either of them.

He nodded when Souji looked at his ears again and he reached behind his head to tug the hood down. Revealing the ears in full. Just like the species they were from, they looked oversized on his head. The tan blended into his natural dark brown color (he'd long since given up dying his hair the usual color when shit like this was happening) in an ombre effect. ]

Yeah. Right now, the moon's blue which means Cordis. Iris is purple and Sanguis is red.

[ !!! His cheeks flamed brightly, Yosuke jumping a little when Souji, as usual, said that so bluntly and with a straight face. His cold hands went to stop his cheeks from reddening further. Not that it'd work. ]

L-Like I could be crazy rich and famous!! You're the one with all the girls fawning over you back home and stuff!! [ HUFF! ] B-But yeah, that'd be the pheromones. At least it's light, some people's are so strong it makes other people like, fawn all over them.

[ A beat. ]

...what does it smell like?

[If Yosuke ever feels like bringing it up, ever, Souji will listen to him. That's how they worked, they listened to each other, they beat the crap out of each other when the other didn't listen, they argued and discussed. They were best friends and Souji will be damned if he turns him down for that.

...he's very tempted to touch them. But Souji keeps hands to himself. For now.]

I think I might be Iris. I don't see myself as an aggressive person in any way. [Though, who knows. Maybe he really is some kind of hidden rebel.

Souji gives him a flat look-] That doesn't make me rich. I'm not their pimp. [He... can't deny the famous part though. He still can't figure out 'why'. Guess no one will ever know.]

Pheromones huh... [Souji rubs his chin, tilting his head. What does this remind him off... he can't say properly.] It's like... a mix of things. You smell like... autumn colors.

[ It was how they worked, the problem was that it wasn't how they worked lately. ]

I don't know if they're meant to always match our personalities. I was Sanguis for a few months but I arrived as Cordis and now I'm Cordis again.

[ The flat look made him feel a bit chastised. It was deserved, but he still couldn't help the pout even as he lowered his hands from his red cheeks. He pulled his hood back up, tucking his ears in as he listened. ]

Autumn colors? That's... weird. How do I smell like colors?

Is that so... Is there a way to check what I am?

[He kind of doesn't want to be caught blindsided. Being here has already done it and with hearing all of this from Yosuke, Souji's good with surprises for a while.

The flat look wasn't really for reprimanding, mostly teasing. Besides, the topic of Yosuke's scent is way more interesting than that.]

How do I put it... You smell of tons of things that when put together remind me of autumn. Like... rain in the forest, pumpkin pie, fresh wind in the evening... at the river. [Souji trails off there a little.]

Y-Yeah, so when you collect it all, it's like autumn.

Not really, sorry, partner. You uh, the other... you, I guess, was Iris before. So, there's an idea, at least?

[ It felt weird to say that. The "other" Souji, like it'd been some kind of Shadow or something. There was no way the Souji before had been a Shadow, there wouldn't be memory discrepancies.

His thoughts were distracted by the descriptions Souji gave though. It made him feel warm inside and the flush returned to his cheeks, but more a soft pink than anything else. ]

O-Oh. Well. At least it's... good. Um.

[ Ugh, he didn't want to bring the conversation back around to the awkward and upsetting stuff but there was something he had to tell Souji before he really did get blindsided. ]

So, I know you said you never dated anyone. But uh... you kind of did. Here, I mean. [ He was already realizing that things were different back home. What he said about dating and long distance relationships was what he remembered from before, from all the times Yosuke tried to get out of him who he was crushing on (if anyone). But that didn't change what he knew was the truth here. ] And it was more than one girl. Rise who is still here, Chie who went home a month or so before you did, and I think a couple others.

At the same time. They all knew and stuff. Being uh... being polyamorous is kind of a thing here for a lot of people. And you, uh, the other you, were into it as well. That's why the relationship or whatever with Ebihara-san and Matsunaga-san was hidden from me, I think.

[ He'd been a jerk about homosexuality, so of course anything else that wasn't "normal" would be hidden, he supposed. He still felt bad about that, about the way he thought and felt before. It got his best friend to keep secrets, after all. He looked away with a sigh. ]

S-sorry 'bout that. By the way. For being a jerk about that kinda stuff.

[Yosuke is lucky it's winter and snowing because he can definitively use that to cover up the blush. Souji just offers him a smile in return and then waits patiently for him to explain a few more things that he needs to know.

Souji stared at Yosuke as if he had suddenly grown another head. That- he doesn't know what to think about all of that. Was he actually capable of dating tons of girls all at the same time and not upsetting anyone? Well... Yosuke was upset and for a reason. He sighs loudly, making a puff of hot air.]

No wonder you think I was a pimp.

[...]

Jeez... [That's- that's bad. Really bad. What did he do to have this kind of karma whiplash?] Sorry about- whatever that was. [He shakes his head-] No, it's fine to be upset. I mean, it's kind of a big deal.

[The explanation to girls that he isn't their boyfriend is going to be... an ordeal.]

[ Yosuke frowned, but he wasn't sure what to say to that. He hadn't really thought Souji was some kind of pimp, but he definitely did appear to be some kind of smooth operator given all the girls fawning over him back home and somehow getting multiple girlfriends here and making it work. Somehow. He knew with Rise she was experimenting herself, but Chie had been pretty attached. He didn't know who the others were, he never asked just how many he was dating.

However... ]

That wasn't what upset me.

[ He slouched against the bench, hands fidgeting in the front pocket pouch of the hoodie. ]

Partner, I... [ He sighed loudly through his nose. He didn't want to say all this, not anymore, not when it was obvious that this wasn't the same Souji, whose memories matched his now and was from the same point in time as he was. It didn't seem fair. But there was no beating around the bush and he would be stupid if he thought he could hide it all from Souji as well. He needed to clear the air, even if it wasn't his friend's fault at the end of the day. ] It started to feel like you were choosing them over me.

Text messages were slowing down, hanging out was slowing down... Chie and I got into a huge fight and I don't even know if we're friends anymore and you... weren't there. I'm not going to say you chose her side of the fight because I don't know what you were thinking, I never heard from you. And I left things alone when she went home because, yanno, your girlfriend had left.

But... then I and a bunch of other moonblessed and Prismal kids got kidnapped and got turned into some kind of... living doll. Kanji and Naoto rescued me and kept watch until it all got resolved and I... never saw you or heard from you. It was like Namatame all over again in Heaven. I didn't fight or hurt anyone but... still. [ He thought maybe Souji had gone home and that's why he never showed up and he'd been too worried about being an nuisance after the fight with Chie to get the courage to go over to Souji's place. But then Rise confirmed Souji had been there, up until November 30. ] I had help once it was all over but...

I missed you a lot, partner. I was beginning to think that maybe we weren't...

[ Just the thought of it made his eyes burn again and he blinked rapidly, looking away. He couldn't say it, not when it was obvious Souji wasn't feeling that way and they were still friends. He was just being stupid and clingy again. ]

[He was right when he felt dread crawl up his back when Yosuke said that this wasn't what upset him. No, it was way, way worse. He was slowly losing color in his face with every word that Yosuke uttered, making it seem like he had been crying, the chill air making his skin have big, red spots all over.

That's not him. It's not even his shadow. He knows what his shadow would say, what he would do, what kind of fears he has; this was not it. Never in million years would he--

Him? Leaving Yosuke be when he got kidnapped? Thank heavens Kanji and Naoto were around to lend him a hand. But the mere thought of betraying Yosuke like that, it feels like a stab to Souji, so he can't even imagine how bad it was for Yosuke.

He puts the cup on the table and grabs the front of Yosuke's jacket with both of his hands, to turn him slightly and make Yosuke look him in the eye.]

Youske I... don't know who that was. But it wasn't me. It wasn't me. I can understand me going off the tangent and do stupid things but I would never leave you behind or leave you in danger.

And there isn't a scenario in this world where I wouldn't consider you a friend, no matter what happened. [Yosuke's tears hurt; they hurt and burned, even if they didn't spill yet onto his cheeks. Souji doesn't want them to. He doesn't want- never wanted to be the one to cause them. And yet he was... should he even have right to say things like this then...?]

I'm sorry... [His gaze falls, but his grip on Yosuke's jacket doesn't. As if afraid Yosuke will disappear after telling him all of this.]

[ He wasn't going to argue with Souji about it. It was him, but a different... version of him. Yosuke had come to understand that, because Rise was also from a time where the beach trip and the ski trip didn't happen. She didn't know who Marie was, so... just like there were different worlds, maybe there were different universes or something. Sounded like straight out of a manga but it was the only thing that could explain the differences.

He wasn't surprised by how vehemently Souji spoke, it warmed his chest in fact. Because it sounded so much like him. So much. It's what finally causes the tears to spill after pooling to the point of blurriness. His chest hitched and after a moment, he didn't even try to pry Souji's hands from his jacket. They were gonna get squished, sorry partner, as Yosuke took Souji by the shoulders and pulled him closer to wrap his arms around him. Tightly. ]

I believe you, partner.

[ He didn't want Souji to be sorry about something he didn't do. But he also knew Souji very well. He wasn't going to stop blaming himself anyway. So, it was better to just get things moving again.

And to prove it, Souji would feel Yosuke's arms fidget a little. But then, on his new phone, he'll hear a ping. You have 1 new message. ]

[Yosuke did what Souji was compelled to do this entire time, but didn't know where the boundaries were. Especially with this moon being in effect and the fact that another version of himself made him hurt like this. When Yosuke pulled him into a hug, Souji didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around his shoulders and hold him tightly, exhaling heavily as if huge boulder just fell off his back.

He'll fix it. He'll make it right. He won't allow himself to get Yosuke to be this sad and disappointed in him again.

There's a rush of sparkly, tingling feeling which Souji immediately defines as 'chroma' and the exhaustion from earlier seeps out of him as if he just took good, six-hour sleep. It feels good, and Yosuke smells nice- he does love pumpkin pies and rivers in autumn.

I believe you. Yosuke believes him and it's all that matters now.

Curious, he pulls back only slightly so he can look down as he fishes out his phone to see a message and- that's a chuckle. A well earned chuckle.]

The best first message I could ever ask for in my new phone.

[ There was no way he could hold a grudge against Souji. He barely held one against Chie and they’d actually had an awful fight with words that hurt and cut deep. No, what he wanted was right here. He just wanted to be with his best friend. Hopefully, they could start anew and leave this behind them.

The chroma felt so good too, even if he was used to it by now. It helped restore that lost energy and with a rush of good feelings. His grin was wide before he realized it when he heard the chuckle. ]

I have to greet you with a cat meme, partner. C’mon, let’s get out of the cold.

[ As much as he'd like to stay like this, the chill was getting a bit much even for him and the Chroma. Besides, maybe they can get an actual slice of pumpkin pie instead of Souji smelling it on him. ]

Edited (this is why i shouldn't mobile tag in a rush lol) 2019-12-08 22:59 (UTC)

[Souji didn't know that. He always worried that he will end up doing something that will push his friends away. And this proves it that he almost got to that point- the point of ruining everything. His bond with Yosuke is precious, more precious than anything he ever laid his eyes on. And a version of himself pushed it to the limits. He was so happy, so lucky that it didn't break, that Yosuke trusted him; believed him that he wasn't the same guy.

He isn't used to chroma but that shot really helped to get him out of his weird, empty-feeling trance. Goodbye wooziness.]

The only proper way to greet me.

[Souji nods and lets go of him, standing. He feels bad for not drinking hot chocolate (they got distracted) so he makes mental note to prepare him some later. And hey, pumpkin pie is a nice smell.]

Your place? Mine is kind of... very empty, aside from this place's gadgets.

[ Well, then Yosuke would just have to show him one of these days. Their bond was unbreakable, at least he felt like it was. It could thin and fray and yes, there was the fear that perhaps it could break because Yosuke was a pain in the ass and he’d lost friends in the past but he’d be damned if he let it get to that point so easily.

He shook his head with a sheepish laugh. ]

Ah... no, not my place. Those... cube things are everywhere and I’ve been low on Chroma for awhile now. Cordis just makes it worse which, uhh... reminds me. D-D’you mind if we, um, hold hands?

[ He may have gotten better with the PDA but this was Souji. He’d never asked him this before. And.. well, guess he was coming out again. At some point. Not right now, there wasn’t a good segue for that. ]

I’m um, better about this kinda stuff b-but I’ll totally understand if it’s too weird for you!!

[He never once thought that Yosuke was a pain in the ass. And there won't be a scenario where he'll ever be.

That being said- his eyes do go a bit wide with surprise. Not a bad surprise, not at all, just unexpected, considering things from the past. He hugged Yosuke once and he got all fidgety. Sure, now it has some purpose but it's kind of sad that it takes out all the meaning from hand-holding. Maybe that's why.

It was never weird to him, Yosuke, but to you.]

Sure, why not? [Souji offers easy, unbothered smile, along with his hand, after he takes the glove off.] But where will we go then? My place also has that cube... that's why I kind of fled outside.

We also need to get you some food... [Souji muses aloud.] Curry?

[ Yosuke knows it trivializes the intimacy of hand-holding and stuff. But the Chroma feels good and, at least for Yosuke, it... added to it. Even if he wasn't in a relationship with someone, he actually still enjoyed it. He should probably mention that to Souji but that might be too weird. It was... well, it was bad enough he was already harboring some feelings for his best friend that he probably shouldn't.

So, better to leave it at this. When Souji agreed and didn't seem bothered, Yosuke smiled in returned and took his hand. He couldn't stop the small contented sigh, his smile softening to something that it shouldn't before he realizes it.

He looked away to consider the option of curry. ]

Curry would be great, actually. I know of a really good place but I think it's closed today and I kind of don't trust the places here to have anything as good as Leblanc. [ His smile turned playful as he lifted their joined hands to point at Souji. ] I think it rivals yours, partner!

Really? We should visit the place later then.

[Souji smirks back and tugs playfully on his hand, pulling Yosuke forward to slip a bit, but not enough to topple down.]

And if that's the case, I won't mind a curry cook-off.

[So long the girls don't cook.]

I've improved over the summer. You can add cheesecake to the list of things I can make.

Ah - hey!

[ Yosuke couldn't help the pout when he slipped a bit. Rude, partner. ]

I'll have to tell Ren, then. Oh! That actually reminds me. [ Although he would much prefer to talk about cheesecake because what you can make that?! ] He's a Persona user like us, but he's from... 2017? I think? And we can use our Personas here too. He's like you, actually. He can use more than one.

But you're gonna have to be a bit conservative, it takes chroma to summon them.

[Someone like him, hm? Souji never thought the powers were exclusive to him, but it still feels odd to hear that there's someone else who can use the exact same thing as he does. Multiple personas. For multiple bonds he makes.]

Someone from the future. I'd like to talk to him too, yes.

[He gives Yosuke a cheeky grin.] Conservative? Why when I have you to hold my hand? [He lifts their connected hands and then sways them back and forth as they walk.]

Don't worry, I'll be careful, [he reassures him in the end.]

[ Well there went a rather epic roll of the eyes along with flushed cheeks at that. He doesn't let go even if the urge was there so he could try and hide his face. ]

Dude, c'mon... you're just as bad as him. [ Okay, that wasn't fair... ] Okay, maybe not as bad. He flirts with anything with legs.

[ Although he is glad Souji would take his word for it in the end. ]

So, y'know. Prepare yourself. He's harmless though. [ Just a shameless flirt who is a really great guy underneath all that Casanova-ing. ]

[Of course he would take Souji's word for it. Why wouldn't he? The guy never lied to him before, and Souji doubts he ever will in the future.

It's kind of their thing.]

Flirts with anything but harmless. [He gives Yosuke raised eyebrows and bites his tongue from asking if the guy flirted with him.]

I'll make better curry than him.

[ His flush is deepening because why yes, Yosuke was flirted at too. Countless times. He even looked a little guilty as thought he'd been caught. ]

Y-You'll see what I mean when you meet 'im. Like I-I said, he's... okay, being a persona user doesn't really make him harmless but y'know what I mean. He actually... uh...

[ Well, now might be a good time to segue into that, even if he did want to talk more about curry but it's honestly been awhile since he's had Souji's curry. So he really can't judge right now. But Ren's was really good. Sorry bro. ]

Look, I didn't just... get used to all this PDA. Like, I tried to and all and I was but... mm... [ A small distressed sound. ] Geez, I told this to you before and Kanji so I shouldn't e-even be so nervous about it but... I wasn't just a jerk for the sake of being one when I said all that shit to Kanji at the camping trip. I was... I was just really defensive b-because I questioning that stuff myself.

[ Like hell he was going to admit just who made him start questioning it, but he can say-]

Being here just sorta brought all that back. Being forced to face all that head-on really, even with Ren's flirting. A-And I think it woulda happened eventually, back home, this place just sped it all up and I realized that I... well, I still like looking at girls and all but... guys are kinda part of it too. It's been a few months so I'm still... working my way around this? But, um, yeah.

[ Of course, then he realized he said all this while holding Souji's hand and his flushed brighter because oh god, what if he just gave Souji the wrong idea? Like this was some ulterior motive? What did he do?! ]

[Okay, so Yosuke's getting awfully fidgety around this topic which means that the guy probably did flirt with him (he wonders if his other self also did it as well...), but he lets Yosuke talk and say his part without any interruptions. It's hard saying these things in normal conditions, back in a familiar place. This town is probably made it ten times harder.

When Yosuke finishes, Souji gives him a small smile.]

You do know I would support you in anything, right? [He tilts his head,] I've seen it back home, that you were going back and forth with it, but I didn't want to meddle. It was something that belongs to you. Though, if you reached out for my help, I'd always be there for you. You know I won't judge you, right? After all, I'm the same as you.

We aren't that different.

[He swings their hand playfully as they walk,] Besides, look at it this way- now you can openly say you can date whomever you want. Litterally.

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