A Visit Gone Wrong (Cyril's Awakening)

It probably could have been earlier than 10 P.M. when Cyril Vaans left for his mother's home. He intended to visit her for the weekend, and had just gotten off the tram after not only a long wait from whatever technical difficulties they had, but the tram had stopped halfway during these "difficulties". Was it just him, or was it only happening when he got on? Nonetheless, he was needless to say, a bit rushy when he walked to his second home in Yoro, which in itself was a good place to live. It is winter after all, but even for this week which was predicted to be not as cold as last week, it somehow felt...colder to him, which only hastened his pace home. It was pretty quiet despite this place being a big place for transit and whatnot.

Soon after time passed he had gotten home, taking off his glasses revealing his mismatched grey and brown eyes as he walked on the driveway. It was a normal one story house in the suburban neighborhood in a cul-de-sac area. He walked up to the door and made a knock, however no one answered. He waited a bit before knocking once more. No answer. He checked his phone and saw that he had forgotten to charge his phone last night, since his battery was about to die. He couldn't make a call, but while the tram was delayed his battery looked fine as he texted her mother about it, so maybe he needed a new battery that could make up its mind on being out of power or not. He put his phone away in his pocket, and it didn't take long before a familiar minivan pulled in to the parking lot, and he heard the noise of a car locking as her mother stepped out. It wasn't unusual to see his mother walk out so tired, and late at night, considering she was a art designer, and worked at a computer for hours on end. She didn't seem to hate the idea, at least, not whenever Cyril was around.

((Look of his mother)):

Almost instantly she gave him a large hug. He hugged her back from obligation, which admittedly was not a very good reason to have to hug your mother. "I didn't think you'd be home this late! Did the tram really take that long?" she asked. He gave a smile and nodded. "Yeah, plus it also had a delay before I got on, I don't remember if I told you," Cyril responded. Her mother nodded and walked with Cyril to the door before she clicked her tongue. "Forgot the keys. One sec," she said walking back to the car. He was going to stay, but ended up following her to the car to join her. "Were you wearing your glasses today?" she asked as they got to the minivan and after she took a decent look at his face as they were off. He almost sighed, and it seemed like she knew he was going to, so he nodded. "Yes mom," he replied.

((Nyar told me to post here first since he was having trouble just throwing a Shadow into this situation.))

The black car pulled into the neighborhood with a slow roll. Sitting in the back seat would be Tsurinai Soki, with her arms crossed beneath her chest and eyes closed. To those watching her, it'd appear as if she were sleeping, but in reality she was just thinking. Or was she? Opening her lips, she'd usher out a yawn and pat her mouth with her left gloved hand. She had recently heard reports of a Shadow escaping that strange world she was currently experimenting on. This was the perfect chance to gather a new test subject for her experiments, and that was the main reason she was out now, this late night, hunting the beast. In all honesty, this was Soki's first real battle out of simulations and training with her other workers. Pulling around the corner the black car would come across a home with two people outside the door. Soki's eyes would open narrowly and gaze out to the two civilians. Leaning forward, she'd put a hand on her driver's shoulder. "Just a second. If a Shadow is in this area, it would attack those who were most vulnerable. These two seem like the perfect bait, don't you think?" Soki spoke with a calm tone, even though she was speaking of such a horrible situation. Did she not care for human life? That wasn't true. She found humans interesting, but she was neither God or the Devil. She could not control or alter their fates, as it was predestined. Instead, she simply adapted to it like all the others. If this small family were to be used as bait, that was their fate. She had no control over any such thing as did. Sitting back in her seat, she'd look out the window towards the boy and his mother with a blank stare. Must have been nice to have a normal childhood with loving parents. Not like there was anything she could do about that now. Looking to her right, the silver haired woman would look towards Shi. She only brought her along, simply because leaving her back at the estate would be more trouble if anything. Especially if her father found her, that'd be something quite difficult to explain. "So Shi, you've fought Shadows before, haven't you?"

“I have Tsurinai-san. Although I have nothing to fight with, I can tell that something not human is coming up towards our exact location. And like you said, it will most likely attack this pair.” Shi would look out the window as well, studying the male and female. “It is closer, I think we should engage.” Shi looked down the street and up it through the window; it seemed the shadow wasn’t in sight yet. But Shi wouldn’t sit around and watch someone die, even if she can’t fight, not like she can die. This mission would be hard for Soki’s abilities were only mudo skills, although they might work on a smaller shadow. “Whenever you’re ready Tsurinai-san.”

As she went into the car which was unlocked she pulled out her keys after a few seconds or so. However while she was doing so Cyril wasn't paying attention to her. He was looking around at the streetlights along the sidewalks were...shutting off? He didn't know city regulations, but common sense should tell him lights were meant for dark areas. A cold sweat grew on his face as he felt a tightening in his chest and took in a large breath as his mother would come out of the car grabbing his attention. "Are you o....k....?" she said looking at the now off lights, which were making both of their vision a bit impaired naturally in the dark of night. He was looking around for some sort of light, making him reach for his phone, which was now, unfortunately, dead. Putting it away and preparing to walk to the house, the sight he saw made him stop in his tracks.

He saw.....what was it even? It was amorphous....it was some type of goo on the driveway, black in color in taking up a good space of the area. That was the worst part, at least until it started to move. He backed up a few steps, color rising to his face and almost tripping over the sidewalk before regaining his footing. His thoughts jumped to the loved one next to him. "Mom!" he almost shouted out to her snapping his head to her direction. It was only getting worse, as she wouldn't answer him, nor was she even moving. She just stared at the black blob with no expression visible on her face. "Mom! Cmon! Lets go!" he shouted. He was getting frustrated, when all he could get out of her was just a groan before she fell over. He rushed to her, kneeling down and reaching to her to try and shake her awake unaware of the mass approaching him. The frustration was causing him to cry a bit. "Get up! Fucking get up!" he squeaked choking a bit seemingly on his own shock and fear. He looked up seeing the blob turn into a shape of black, save for a red mask; presumably a face. 'This needs to just stop....Make it stop, leaveheralone!' his thoughts raced. He stopped shaking her and struggled, but did in fact get up on his two feet in front of her, still shaking and breathing heavily. He put his fists up in some awkward stance swearing to himself. "Fuck, fuck fuck....stop this..." he said. Even the words were quivering when they came from his mouth before he tried to intimidate the thing with a shout. "Just get out of here!" he barely mustered. He stood there awaiting for the creature's reaction, too many thoughts rushing through his mind, which were now starting to give him a headache.

Weakness:

Soki watched the light flicker one and off, this was the first time she had seen such things. The beast was near, as she could tell with Shi's words and a cold chill coming down her spine. The pale woman would tilt her head to the side while giving a dull gaze towards the darkness. "Well, I guess that's our cue. Driver, open the door." She awaited the driver's response, but there was nothing but moans. Looking forward, she placed a hand on his shoulder and he didn't respond. Something was surely wrong here. Instead of dealing with it all right at this moment, she'd manually unlock and open her door, leaving the car. Using the moon and stars as her guide, she'd watch what looked to be like tar forming at the driveway of the bait's home. Soki would remove her evoker from her holster and place the barrel up towards her temple, but wouldn't suddenly stop before pulling the trigger. This would be the first time she would witness a Shadow devour a human being. This was good research, and ending it prematurely was not on the agenda. Lowering the evoker from her head without pulling the trigger, she'd simply watch the scene, and the Shadow crawling up towards the boy and his mother. This was fascinating. Apparently the child was not affected by the Shadow's influence, most likely meaning he had the potential. How interesting. Perhaps the Shadow was drawn to him and his mother because fate intervened. Perhaps it was his fault, since the Shadow was seeking one with potential? Whatever the case, Soki walked towards the edge of the driveway with evoker in hand, watching the scene will dull narrow eyes without any intent of wishing to intervene as of yet. Sacrifices for research, that was quite alright. One persona's loss for the scientific world was acceptable, was it not?

The shadow’s force was gaining speed and closing in on their location. The lights on the street flickered and Shi would look at Soki. The chauffeur had seemed to become lost in his own world of pain, such a shame. That shadow was weak; there was a huge chance Soki would win. Mostly though, Shi wondered if she could help, why not just help the driver go through the shadow’s curse, because he will probably be feed on. Plain and simple, people died every day, death was inevitable. “Tsurinai-san, do your best.” Soki existed the car, as well did Shi. They both walked up to the edge of the driveway, Shi took a glance towards the male and female. The male screamed at the woman, it seemed she was his mother. But alas, the mother was unresponsive; she must be in the ‘scared state’ as well. If that was the case, why was the boy mobile, did he have the ‘potential?’ “Tsurinai-san, that boy is either a persona-user, or he’s going to become one. If that is the case, the shadow’s main objective is the woman.”

Cyril watched as the monster roared startling him a bit more than he already was, and immediately found himself being captured by tendrils this thing seemed to emit. He struggled as best he could, but it was barely a second before he was tossed up onto the roof of the car landing on his back, and almost rolling off to the other side. Once he hit the roof he let out a cough, hearing a cracking noise in his pocket. He tried to catch his breath, giving himself little time to do so before he looked over at the monster who was now grabbing at his mother, making his fear, sock, and anger meld together into a shaky mix of emotions. He rolled off quickly from the car and hit the driveway stumbling, but gaining footing as the monster's mask seemed to look behind him.

He turned to look for a split second before the monster who had broken off passed him to attack what he saw at his driveway. It looked like two girls. One was a girl who had to have been around his age, with silver color, and a thin expression on her face. The other girl was probably younger and wore all blue. Those were his thoughts before turning back to see his mother, still being taken by the monster, and was apparently coming for him too. It was horrifying, he didn't want to die, nor his mother. He had to do something. But he had nothing. Absolutely nothing. What could he do, besides bitch and moan and ask others to help? His headache grew worse as he yelled in frustration, not able to handle the pressure. "GIVE HER BACK!!" he shouted.

What happened next was indescribable to him. He felt as though there was a blaze of strength that suddenly rushed into him. Was it angry? Happy? He could only tell it was exhilarating to him. He let out another scream of, something, he would never be able to tell. He grabbed his head and soon the feeling subsided, and he felt a presence behind him, but he could not possibly care less. None the less, the figure appeared behind him, manifesting as ego, his psyche.

Look of Persona:

He tried to wait until the monster got closer before throwing out his fist. But instead of an attack, a decent gust of wind cut from behind him going in front of him towards the enemy. Whether it was going to hit the enemy or not or whether it was even going for the monster, he would jump to the side trying to gain a better position. "Let her go!" he shouted more angrily, himself starting to feel a sort of....confidence.

Skill Used:

Current Stats:

Chance of Missing:

Tch, you had to be kidding me. It was fascinating to see the Shadow take the young one's mother and attempt to absorb her into its body, most likely feeding any her bit by bit. But for it to have the audacity yo turn and attempt to attack not only Soki, but Shi. Test subjects were hard to come by, and this one was no exception. The silver haired woman narrowed her tired eyes as she raised her evoker towards her left temple. In the background she could see a piece of the Shadow split off and head for the child now. How swell. To her surprise, it seemed the child mustered up enough stress to invoke his inner power, but now wasn't the time to pay attention to this. Instead, she'd would use her right arm to push Shi behind her before pulling the trigger to her evoker. "I summon thee..." Her head would be forced away from the barrel after the shot was fired, and soon an azure mist would form around her. Floating before her would be what appeared to be a young, blonde English girl. She held onto her dress, blocking the Shadow from Soki, and spun around with a giggle. Black vines shot up from the Earth beneath both Shadows, attempting to grasp them and forcefully drag them back down into hell, instantly ridding them from the area. There was more than fifty percent chance this could work, but Soki remained cautious just incase it failed. Regardless of outcome, the Tsurinai heir made sure to keep Shi behind her so the Attendant did not get harmed in the troublesome battle that would surely occur if it failed. After all, Soki felt she was responsible for bringing the young woman into trouble, simple because she was becoming quite smitten of her.

Soki Stats:

Shi stood behind Soki, even though she was an attendant fighting wasn’t an option, she had no means of fighting. Alice was summoned and used a Mudo skill. That had to work, if It didn’t they were screwed, the boy seemed to awaken to his Persona, Shi watched as his persona used a Garu skill. Although Soki’s skill would probably take out both shadows, the shadows were week to Bufu, you could tell by their mask. Red usually means Agi users. What’s very sad though if the mudo works, the shadows didn’t even get to attack once besides throwing the boy aside

He saw as the waves of darkness seemed to pull down the monster and cause it to disappear. He was shocked at it, He sighed bringing a hand to his head before turning around to see what was floating behind him. He could hear it speak in his voice, though its voice had a bit more weight behind it when it did.

Look of Persona:

It looked like some sort of angel, or something. And he could almost see himself in it, which seemed appropriate as it said it was him. And he believed it. He stared at it looking up as it floated, until it vanished turning into an azure blue card, spinning in the air.

Card:

Soon the card started to float down in front of him, and instinctively he held his left hand out to catch it. The card ended up vanishing in a small blue mist right as it hit his hand, and he could feel something new in his soul, something new he had never felt before. "...Persona...?" he said aloud. That was what he was able to gather in his head before he regained his thoughts. He turned to see his mother now on the ground, unmoving. He rushed immediately to her until he suddenly lost balance falling to his knees from sheer exhaustion. He put his hands on the ground breathing heavily, his eyes a bit heavy as he looked up at his mother. "Mom..! Wake up...!" he said struggling as he inched his way to her kneeling over her. He picked her up holding her in his arms, and although he could hear her breathing, she refused to wake up, and he only feared the worst for her. He started to cry from frustration. What just happened? Why? Nothing he knew made sense anymore. What were those things that attacked?

His thoughts shifted, and he remembered the two girls he saw. He turned his head still teary-eyed to look at them. It seemed they were safe, the gray haired girl holding a gun to her head which looked a bit grim, but he was too tired to say anything. She was wearing odd apparel, he had never seen a tie go that long before. He also noticed someone new there, a young blonde English girl. It kind of gave him the chills, but she didn't seem to do anything at the moment. The other girl who was wearing all blue, he she had black hair, and long black hair at that. Suddenly he remembered the cracking sound he heard, and while holding his mother with one hand, he reached into his pocket with the other and pulled out his glasses case, and opened it up, letting glass shards fall to the ground inches from him until the broken frame of his glasses fell out. They didn't help or hurt him, but it was the one thing his mother asked of him, to wear them because she worried people would tease his eyes, one grey, and the other brown. Now it was broken. He breathed a bit heavily shaking his head at the thought. There were more important things to worry about. He looked at the girls one more before shouting out to them. "A-Are you ok?!" he asked.

Soki lowered her evoker after the attack, and place it back within its holster. Apparently the attack was a success from either pure luck or skill. Regardless, Alice had made her proud. Soki's eyes switched over to observe the civilian's own Persona, and it caused her to raise a brow. How did he summon the power without the use of an evoker? Strange circumstance this surely was. Perhaps putting him on a medical table and running a few experiments would be needed to understand more about the strange ability. Ueitawa seemed to be filled with those who held the potential. And not only that, but they all seemed to be able to summon their inner strength in various ways. Where Kogami forced his own power outward within a blood red mist, this boy's need to protect his mother gave him a power that seemed much more pure. The silver haired scientist narrowed her eyes and began to ponder the subject as her own Persona turned into the tarot card of death before vanishing it a burst of azure light. With the appearance of this strange new world and Shadows, was it possible it made people more inclined to awaken their inner power? Also, what happened to those who were fed on by the Shadows? It appeared his mother was still alive, but from where Soki stood it appeared the woman was dazed or off in a blissful sleep. Perhaps even a coma? This was fascinating, and Soki would have loved to take the woman and use her for various test. Human experimentation was always needed to further the understanding of the human race, and this situation was no different. Soki was neither God nor the Devil, she did not have all the answers from the beginning. Through science she discovered more and more about the untold world.

Looking behind her, Soki would place a gloved hand on her hip while using the other to brush Shi's cheek. She was checking for any injuries that could have occurred during the short scuffle on her assistant. After all, if something were to happen to Shi here, it would have been her fault. Negligence was a scientist's biggest enemy. After spinning Shi around and examining her entire body, Soki would release her and go into a tired stretch. "It seems neither of us have obtained any injuries. I believe this a successful operation then. I have alot of information I need to process after this. I'm amazed the Shadows had the ability to not only drain the power from the surrounding area, but also the minds of those who lacked the potential. No wonder we have not seen any news reports or video proof of their existence before coming here. No one would be able to snap a picture of them under those circumstance, even if they did hold the potential." Soki had not noticed the boy had been speaking to her during this time until she looked his way with dull grey eyes. Was he attempting to see if they were okay, while he himself, looked rather weak? Admirable, or foolish, Soki was not sure at this moment. She would cross her arms beneath her chest while making a stride towards the boy and his mother on the floor. Even though the situation could have been argued as sad, she had no expression on her face that showed that. Instead, she looked bored and tired. Reaching into her jacket she'd remove a phone and toss it lazily at the boy. "Call the ambulance. You're not going to be much help to her now, are you? Her life is in your hands, so don't waste it." The silver haired Tsurinai would back away from the boy and his mother, and would use their car's hood to sit on. Wasn't this something though? How many other civilians in Ueitawa held the potential? Apparently few, since someone most likely was the cause of the recent disappearances. Though, these Shadows could also be a major cause aswell.

He felt pretty worthless. Nothing he was doing was waking her up, and he had no method of calling an ambulance to get to her. And even if he could, he was feeling far too weak and tired to do it himself. He only just now discovered something he could do, and he doesn't even know what it is, how it works, or how to use it again.

He saw her look his way hoping for a response, keeping his mother in his arms. He saw the blonde girl in front of her had soon left, into a card similar to the one he saw moments ago, as well as the same blue mist that his card vanished into. She has to know something about this. He saw the woman care and check on the younger looking girl, very closely actually. It might as well have been a cavity search the way the silver-haired girl was examining her. He was highly confused, but he didn't say anything, cause it did seem she cared about that young girl's safety, as much as Cyril should have cared for her mother's. He let out another sigh. Although not a very healthy habit, he listened in as to what she was saying to her, for it could have been information he needed. "Operation...?" So this was something they knew was happening? He almost got mad, but there had to have been some explanation to this thing attacking. He heard more random words from her. The one sticking out most to him was the word "Shadows". She mentioned they could drain power, or draining minds? He didn't understand, but, was that really what just happened? He didn't know, and the unknown made it even more painful for him.

He saw the girl cross her arms, and walk to her, a sort of tired look on her face. Maybe she was worn out like he was? If so it didn't look it seeing as how she was still standing and he was...well, kneeling. He laid is mother down gingerly on the ground and looked back up at the woman curiously. "Who are you?" he asked. The only response she seemed to give was a phone she tossed to him, which he caught in his two hands. He looked up at her as she made her statement, letting him use that phone to call. He could only muster a nod and pushing up to his feet, using the car as a crutch until he could gain his balance standing. He was using whatever energy he had left to do something and at least call. If he could stand, he could press some buttons. "Thanks..." he said before opening up the phone, and dialing the magic numbers to the emergency hotline. "911, what is your emergency?" a male voice picked up. "Get here quickly! My mothe-....." he stopped himself. He almost blurted out what just happened without thinking. But it was hardly a tough decision. No one would believe what happened save for the two girls. He paused for a second being silent. "Sir, hello? Are you there?" they spoke once again. He breathed and spoke in a more certain, less worried voice. "My mother collapsed in my driveway and isn't waking up. You have to hurry..." he said giving his address. and getting the note that they would dispatch an ambulance. He nodded and hung up the phone and took a couple steps to her holding the phone out to her in his hand. His mismatched grey and brown eyes possibly showing even more in the light, he couldn't tell, nor did he care right now. "Thanks again ma'am," he said. He was curious as to why the word "ma'am" came out, as she looked his age, but something about her seemed as though she carried authority behind her. Whether she took it back or not, he would wipe his eyes with whatever free hand he may have as the color in his face left and looked at the woman. Now was his chance to learn. But no matter what happened next, he was grateful she stopped the creatures, or at least he assumed she did. "Thank you, for stopping the creatures, you saved us both," he said. He was completely lost, and knew nothing about what was happening, save for what he had now. This, "Persona". He started asking some questions hoping for a decent answer. "What is happening? What did I just do and what were those things that attacked?" he asked.