animus_network | 01

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01 - [Video]

[Minato frowns. In his mind, he's quickly going over all the information he heard so far and comparing them to past information from the Underworld.

Is this yet another game between the gods? Or a trick of the Apportioners? He can't rule out the possibility of other reasons for his world's destruction (assuming it's true, of course) even when Hades is finally killed.

First, he need to confirm who is here. As well as asking some important questions. The slight frown went away in favour of a more neutral expression as he turns on the video. It took him a moment to learn the basics, but it's not that hard for him.]

My name is Minato Arisato and I just arrived here. If my friends are here, please tell me you're okay.

[SEES, report in.]

And for those who have been here longer than I am, please take a moment to answer my question.

What happens if you die here?

[A rather morbid question, but it's still important.]

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[ He scoffs, unbelieving, remaining silent. Of course SEES never bothered to look into the Kirijo group. Why would they? Such idiots. ]

Her name is Minami. Where I'm from, she leads your band of puppets. Tell me, do you enjoy being a tool used by a corporation that does nothing but spread misery, or do you also believe that's "for the best"?

[The name doesn't ring a bell for him, personally.

But he's taking more notes, mentally. 'Puppets', the disdain for the Kirijo group. There's still missing pieces of the whole puzzle for him to know the truth.]

What the Kirijo group do is their business. I do things because I want to help people.

[There's a sense of responsibility, as well as slight guilt, to go with his bonds.]

All too easily, I could've decline their offer back then or run away from them now. ['What's the point of helping strangers?' 'What's your obligation to them?'] But I don't and now, I don't regret my choice.

[I pick this path of my own free will.]

You act like her enough. Though you lack her irritating over-compensation and red hair. Like the fact she can use different Personas makes her special.

[ Annoyance peppers his tone now--how could he not KNOW? He just pauses, staring. ]

... Of course not. No, you fools WOULDN'T know about the people controlling you behind the scenes, would you? Do you even know what they've done?

...

You can't be me. I wouldn't be this ignorant and foolish. Unless--

[ ... Of course. How could he not have seen it? Did that mean Minami and he, in this one's world, had altered places? It made sense, Theoretically speaking... that meant his Persona was natural.

... His resentment just grows picturing the nice life back home he must've had. And he wonders, if this is him if his parents and sister hadn't died. ]

[His eyes widen slightly at the description of Minami. Red hair. Different Personas.

Like Minako. Does that mean in his world, her name is Minami? And instead of death, his life turn out for the worst?

His slight surprise went away in favour of his usual controlled front, but his voice is firm, protective, as the brother he don't get to act that often.

He would leave out his own ability to use different Personas. It's not the main topic here.]

Unless what? The past happened differently?

[Like how he's the survivor instead of Minako. It's a subject he doesn't bring up that often, afraid to know which of their worlds is better off. His or hers.]

And no, I don't know the extent of what they've done. [That, he's willing to admit. If he know, he suspect he will heavily disapprove.] Whatever they've done...did it affect you?

[ This is so frustrating.

Part of him wants SEES to know. Part of him... does not. But his willingness to be truthful will always outweigh his urge to simply say "go fuck yourself".

... At the very least, he is far kinder than Takaya. ]

You put your resources not to investigating the people who sponsor you to clean up their mess, but instead to mindlessly obeying them?

[ Tch. He's disappointed. ]

Our lives would have been far easier if your team would have just died when we locked you in that bunker. I guess I was just too soft because I dislike wasting bullets.

I don't care for them. [They're just a powerful business group, before he joins SEES.] Just my friends. [There's the silent, added words 'including Mitsuru Kirijo'.]

I don't want to assume you're the same as the Strega I'm familiar with. But why do you want the Dark Hour to continue?

[ He pauses. Considers giving his double a snide, possibly cutting remark--but decides against it, in the end. His expression is cold and apathetic. Masked. Uncaring, almost. Even more than usual. ]

... It would be difficult to do what we do without it. Impossible, really.

[ It sounds cold and calculating, even to himself. The back of his mind is ill at ease, reminded of why he loathed Takaya as much as he did. But they were different.

Murdering people for pay. Gunmen for hire. Selling Suppressors or other illegal things. These were all ways that they made ends meet, just to live, and it was not easy--he did what had to be done. The blood was on his hands, generally.

... Even so, Minato was careful. He didn't like it, no, but... he had no room for weakness or wanting to show it. The weak were easily manipulated.

At the very least, he made sure the hits were quick and that the people requested deserved to die. He ran a well-oiled machine. If he said no, nothing happened. Cold, concise, easy.

He won't mention how he worries over Ken or Koromaru, who in his world, are in their care. ]

Besides which... the Dark Hour is what it is, like anything else, it has it's positives and negatives.

[He won't argue against the Dark Hour having its positive points.

Peace and quiet, a time when no one would bother him on nights he or the seniors don't allow training at Tartarus. Or when he's not spending time with his friends.

He cares for them, but he'd like to indulge his small, selfish desire to be alone and rest. His only company would be the voices and his own thoughts.

But it's something he keep to himself.]

It does have its good points.

[He won't press on what the other Minato need the Dark Hour for. Necessary or not, he might disapprove of it.]

... You agree.

[ Flat out surprise. He is so used to Minami being utterly AGAINST it... but then, this IS him he's talking to. He had a tendency to see both sides to all things, after all. Usually.

Still, there is a bigger issue at hand. ]

Why did you give out my--well, our last name?

[ This is probably the confirmation he's looking for as to the differences. ]

I would still help to stop the Dark Hour, but yes.

[...]

To see who knows me or my same last name.

[That should covers SEES, from his or Minako's world, as well as anyone he interacted with in the Underworld. And knowing whether he's alone here or not.]

[ ... So he was right. Sigh. What an irritation. He can only assume that this version of him has a far easier life. Somehow, that's just... mildly infuriating. ]

... If they corner someone, then it's going to be you.

[ He is intentionally vague. ]

I'm not going to go down because of your carelessness. I will never let them find me again.

[ All he had to do to be reminded of his life was feel the weight of the pistol in his shoulder holster. The gun that had taken so many lives, just for his own sake. For his 'family'. ]

Better myself than others.

[That reasoning is why he endure the hardship, both back home and in the Underworld. Torture, death, having his sanity tested, it does not matter as long as everyone isn't hurt.

(It might be difficult, with how widespread the 'games' can be--)

He would say he won't cause Minato trouble, but that's only referring to intentional ones. He have no control over unintentional trouble by others.]

... That's right.

[ ... ]

Stay away from Chidori. I don't like violence, but I'm not afraid to kill if it's necessary.

[ USER HAS DISCONNECTED |

Static is all he sees after this, and he won't be getting any replies. It's mostly a warning. He doesn't trust anyone in SEES, and he never will. ]

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