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[survivaltricks]

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[messianic]

[... Oh shit.

Minato doesn't know that attack--he's never seen it before. He doesn't know that Persona, either, though it's awe-inspiring and towering in a way he's never felt before. Something in his chest--his heart?--lurches, in a way that can only be from amazement, sheer and simple...

And then it clicks.

The darkness... it's not an insta-kill, but it's still a darkness based attack, isn't it? But he's got Metatron--

Anyway, it's too little too late. The attack connects even as he tries to stumble back, and this one lays him out flat due to that nasty little weakness hit. He's not down for long--he's immediately trying to push himself up--but that's about all he can do.]

[survivaltricks]

[strike]

[. . . Akira knows he went for the throat on that one, but-- well. he and Minato were both going kind of hard, weren't they? it's only natural for him to strike back with everything he's got; he'd fully expect the other wild card to do the same. to do anything less. . . would just be an insult]

[Minato attempts to struggle to his feet, but with a flash of blue, another Persona is there, standing over him-- Futsunushi, with his many swords hovering at his back and one in his grasp, tip of the blade pointed at the back of Minato's neck]

. . . sorry about that.

[Akira says as he strolls casually forward, red-gloved hands dipped into his pockets]

Are you okay. . .?

[THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT HIM ASKING THAT WHILE HE HAS FUTSUNUSHI KEEPING MINATO PINNED AT SWORD-POINT, HONESTLY]

[messianic]

[... Ha. Minato pauses when the sword touches his throat, though he doesn't look terribly alarmed. He tilts his head up, looking at Akira and the Persona both with an arched eyebrow.

And then he rasps out a faint laugh.]

Ha... he asks with his hands in his pockets...

[Honestly. Honestly.]

If you're not taking me very seriously... you'll regret it.

[Because Minato doesn't have the same competitive fire in him as Akira, but he still has a fire. He's still a Wild Card--and so quickly, suddenly, he knocks the blade away, tucks and rolls back up to one knee, and lifts his his Evoker to his temple.

He fires.

It's not just Metatron this time. It's Metatron and Mithra both, and they appear together for only a moment--before suddenly, Akira's going to have a new nasty little thing to avoid.]

[survivaltricks]

[it's not at all that he isn't taking Minato seriously. . . but it is a little bit of arrogance. the confidence of someone who has fought two gods and won. of someone whose normal restraint has been shattered by some chocolate pocky. and he isn't exactly surprised when Minato rises up and fights back, just as any wild card should. with a wave of his hand he dismisses Futsunushi and shuffles through his Persona repertoire for a counter of his own--]

[but. . .]

[before he can settle on one. . . Metatron rises up again, this time with-- with Mithra? and the confidence on Akira's features evaporates in an instant, replaced by slack-jawed confusion and shock. how did he. . .?]

T-- two at once--?

[he utters breathlessly to himself as the dual Personas rise above him, their combined energy launching an Almighty assault his way that he-- well]

[he honesty doesn't have the mind to dodge. with a strangled noise, Akira ducks his head yet again, arms crossed in front of himself, as the Almighty magic slams into him with the force of a ten-ton truck]

[. . . it knocks him clean off of his feet, sends him flying through the air and crashing onto his back hard enough that the wind gets knocked out of him. it's only by serendipity that his wings aren't completely crushed, but he has absolutely lost a few feathers in the wake of taking the hit. they're scattered on the ground around him as he stares up at the ever-hazy daytime sky, eyes wide and just a little bit. . . dazed]

[he's fine, btw. super scuffed up and more than a little bruised but perfectly fine]

[messianic]

[... He might've gone a bit overboard. Minato winces the moment the attack connects and throws Akira back, and he's scrambling to his feet properly immediately, trotting after him with his Evoker raised.]

Hey--Akira? Are you okay?

Sorry, that was a little... [Winces.]

... Kind of overkill?

[survivaltricks]

[MINATO. . .]

[it takes Akira a few moments of silence to regain his bearings, but. . . eventually his brain comes back down to earth as he shakily (painfully) pushes himself up into a sitting position]

. . .

[breathlessly]

Holy shit.

[another pause]

I deserved that.

[messianic]

[omg. Minato shakes his head, and pulls the trigger again. This time, it's another familiar face--Attis, who casts a proper diarahan on Akira.

Then Minato offers his hand.]

I don't know if I'd go that far...

[Minato went overboard.]

You got me first, and honestly very fairly.

[survivaltricks]

[lifts a hand to cover his head instinctively as the healing washes over him, and while the worst of the bruises will ache for days to come. . . at least the Diarahan gives him some relief]

[his mouth twists into a sheepish grin]

I think. . . I got a little carried away.

[. . . and now that hindsight has passed, he can't help but wonder?? why???? well, whatever. it's fine]

That was amazing, Minato.

[messianic]

[Oh... Minato rubs the back of his neck at that.]

I don't know about that... you were pressing me pretty hard, so it was just the first thing I could think of doing.

Sorry.

[survivaltricks]

[a little huff, and Akira finally climbs (wobbily) to his feat]

I'm serious. You're incredible. I've never seen anyone do something like that before-- ever.

[and even before he whipped out the fusion spell, he was still holding his own pretty damn well]

[messianic]

[Minato immediately reaches out to steady him, naturally.]

Oh... the fusion spell? Really?

[... huh.]

I figured it was just a Wild Card thing.

[survivaltricks]

[he's still a little dazed, so he winds up leaning on Minato's shoulder, albeit not too heavily]

Mm, no. I've never been able to summon more than one Persona at a time.

. . . how do you do it?

[messianic]

[He'll gladly keep supporting Akira for as long as he seems to need.]

How...

[Minato looks contemplative at that.]

I've never really thought about it. Just... some Personas have an... affinity, I guess you could say. They know each other. Some of them... are willing to work together with a bit of a nudge.

[survivaltricks]

[almost to himself, but loud enough for Minato to hear]

Mithra and Metatron. . . [a light laugh] I never would've thought to pair those two together.

[messianic]

[Minato rubs the back of his head at that, huffing out a faint noise of his own.]

... I know. I can't take credit for figuring it out, to be honest.

Sometimes it just was a matter of listening to the Personas.

I'm sure you could do it too. You're also a Wild Card.

[survivaltricks]

[a light huff]

I can try, but-- [. . . it might be easier said than done? either way, Akira shakes his head]

[he extends his hand towards Minato's for a shake]

That aside. . . I think that was unequivocally your win.

[messianic]

... Ah.

[He looks even more sheepish at that, somehow, but he still takes Akira's hand to shake it.]

Only thanks to the element of surprise. But... we'll just have to spar again sometime then, right? A fairer match.

[survivaltricks]

[Akira shakes his head]

I think that was already a pretty fair fight. I'm not sure how you make it any more even than that.

[. . . . . . . .]

Hey. . . do you think you could-- I don't know. . . teach me how to use an attack like that one?

[messianic]

I don't see why not.

[Immediately and easily.]

You're a Wild Card too, and I'm sure some of your Personas must have that kind of resonance. After that, it's just a matter of figuring out how to pull them both out at once.

[survivaltricks]

[another nod as his gloved hand slips from Minato's, fingers seeking out his pockets]

I wouldn't expect you to do it for free. If there's anything you want from me in return. . . just ask.

[messianic]

[In return...

Minato's quiet for a long moment as he thinks about that.

... ... ...

He's quiet long enough that it seems that he might not say anything at all.

And then he blurts out:]

How do you manifest your mask? What is it that... makes it appear? How...

[... No, he just shakes his head sheepishly.]

... Sorry, um. That's not exactly what you were offering.

[survivaltricks]

[omg]

Nope. That's exactly what I was offering, actually.

[he lifts a hand and presses same against his heart, fingers splayed]

Then it's a deal, okay? I'll teach you how to summon without your Evoker, and you can teach me how to use two Personas at once.

[more deals with Kurusu Akira!!]

[messianic]

[... Ah. Minato relaxes, shoulders slumping a bit as he offers a faint smile.]

... Okay. It's a deal.

[He reaches out with a hand for another handshake.]

And Akira... thanks. I didn't know something like that was possible. But now... I really hope I can learn how.

[And leave the morbid symbolism behind.]

[survivaltricks]

[another handshake!! they've been shaking hands a lot today, and the thought draws a laugh out of Akira]

[. . .]

[his gaze flickers towards the Evoker, and his expression fades]

. . . it'd be nice to leave that thing behind, wouldn't it?

[messianic]

... Yeah.

[Minato glances at the Evoker as well, before he tucks it into the waistband of his pants.]

I didn't mind dealing with it... when I thought that was the only way. But now that I know there are others...

[He shakes his head.]

I wish I could've saved my team the headache of using these.