Looking Mirror/Ignorance Isn't Bliss/Lost Children/--Persona AU

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"Dis' not only makes it awkward fa' you. It makes it awkward fa' us as well; if not feelin' a bit dejected. Ya' think your better than us Ruune? Dat' we'd hurt you? Huh?"

 

Ruune was more than a bit hurt by that, and hung his head. He didn't think he was better than anyone, everyone was pretty much equal in his eyes; everyone was human, so it was only fair. This was not the brother he remembered at all, so this was confusing and hurt a lot. Where did the Isaan that used to hold him through their parent's yelling go? He understood what Arish meant by jerk now. The small boy shook his head in the negative at what his twin said, trying to ignore the emotional beat down he was getting; he should be used to it from the bullies back where he grew up. He had gained a hard skin to that sort of stuff when it came from strangers, their opinions didn't matter to him...but this was his own twin brother. Isaan was acting no better than those people who used to harass him...and it hurt a lot.

 

The boy watched as his father scolded Isaan into apologizing and sighed. False apologies did people little good in life, and only caused trouble later. Releasing another breath, he looked up at his family, "My aunt's waiting, it was good to see you both...have a goodnight...," Ruune muttered softly, giving a small, forced smile, but tried to avoid eye contact since they would show how he was really feeling. He couldn't deal with this, not today...it was too much a top of everything else on his mind. He turned to walk back to the car, shoulders slumping slightly.

[Teesie]

Aheal frowned lightly at his son's retreating figure, once again giving Isaan a scolding look; a look that the white haired teen brushed away with little concern. He had apologized to the other already, and that was as best as he could do. With a sigh and the shake of his head, the elder twin too began to walk away.

 

"RUUNE! It was nice seeing you again. I would like to apologize for Isaan's behavior but he has already done so; believe me...it wasn't because of myself." Waving goodbye to the one he had missed so much in his life. The father of the two wished that the reunion could have been much longer, but that was that.

 

With a bow to his youngest son, the man turned in the opposite direction of Isaan and began home. He had lots to occupy himself with, best well get aquatint.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"RUUNE! It was nice seeing you again. I would like to apologize for Isaan's behavior but he has already done so; believe me...it wasn't because of myself."

 

Ruune flinched slightly at the yelling, and opened the car door. He knew Aheal meant well, but the tiny teen just had problems with with loud noises and people shouting. He sighed and slid back into the passenger's seat, and before he closed the door he gave a little smile, and a small wave back. When he closed the door and seat belt securely in place, he leaned his head back a little and sighed.

 

The silver haired twin briefly contemplated complaining to his aunt about what happen, but he just didn't want to talk about it. If he was younger he would have all ready begun crying and blubbering to his Aunt about the rejection and the hurt, but he had decided a few years ago that he was going to stop that, especially after his mother first got sick, and he had to start taking care of the apartment, and her. That experience had made the timid teen grow up a lot. He just wanted to go home all ready, and perhaps lay down a bit; he had been feeling really tired lately.

[Teesie]

Astaat glanced over to her nephew when the door was slammed closed. With a grin, the woman ruffled the fluffy, silver strands of hair, once again starting the engine of her car. "So how was your little reunion. I can tell there was tension, but I doubt it was all that serious. That was pretty quick of a leave there Ruu. I'm surprised you aren't begging me to have you stay with Isaan for the night or something." Giving a yet another smile, which was fake, to her favorite person.

 

The black haired woman was a superb actress, which is why she excelled at getting away with lots of behaviors; albeit that was an aspect that Ruune didn't have to know. Sure her dislike for Isaan and Aheal wasn't a well kept secret to the other, but Astaat refused to have her youngest nephew know of the hatred held toward his remaining family. Ruu's twin and father was a corrupted ball of energy that was just waiting to snatch the silver haired male into its gravitation pull, and that was something the woman wasn't allowing to happen.

 

"I hope I wasn't the reason that you hurried back so quickly." Beginning to place her foot on the gas to drive away from the area.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"I hope I wasn't the reason that you hurried back so quickly."

 

Ruune sighed a shook his head. "No, auntie...Isaan's just not the same...," The tiny teen admitted softly, closing his eyes for a moment, "He seems so different...it's like he hates the world now....father's nicer, though..." His voice trailed off slightly, tiredness edging it. He felt as if the white haired twin hated him, or at least didn't like him that much anymore. That kind of thing coming from his own twin brother hurt. Ruune just didn't want to talk about it, so he refused to elaborate further. Feeling sleep tug on his eyelids, the silver haired teen began to doze off within a matter of seconds of talking.

 

~~Dream~~

 

It was dark, that was the first thing he noticed, and it took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to his surroundings. He could barely make out the the trees around him that together, creating a thick canopy above him of dark, dark green. The roots of the trees also were fused together, creating the affect of a tunnel-like affect. There was a little light, but it was almost as dark as night in the tree tunnel.

 

'What is it that you seek, child?'

 

The tiny teen jumped at the sudden voice, and looked around frantically. His pale green eyes landed on a butterfly fluttering a head of him. It's delicate wings shimmered a soft golden color, and it seemed to glow with it's own light. It couldn't be...could it?

 

'Can you keep up with your dreams?'

 

The butterfly started to fly off further down the tunnel, steadily getting smaller. "Hey!," The teen shouted out, "Wait!" And against his better judgement he started off after the glowing insect, not exactly sure why himself.

[Teesie]

Astaat knew that such would happen. It was in her better intentions to protect her nephew, but she wished that it would occur to the better judgement of her mind. Maybe now Ruune wouldn't be so stern on meeting his twin. In such a small place as Tetrabeth the two was bound to crash into one another at some point, the dark haired woman was just satisfied that she was seeming as a helping parent.

 

"Aww, poor Ruune. You have to understand that the world and it's people isn't so nice and accepting." Combing her fingers through the soft locks of hair as the other fell into a deep slumber.

 

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

 

Isaan stared into the dark alleyway that seemed to call out his name. With a frown, the white haired teen turned to investigate. Now, he admitted himself that his choice was absurd and naive, but he was curious. Against taking another step, Isaan saw a shadow move in the distance, one that peaked his interest. Of course, to his ignorant judgement, that didn't belong to that of a human. With all this Persona information, Isaan was beginning to believe that maybe he did have a gift.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune ran after the golden insect, feet pounding hard against the roots, nearly tripping a few times. The path seemed to morph around him, getting more twisted, making it harder and harder to spot the little glinting light. He wasn't giving up though, he wanted answers, and as crazy as it sounds, he thought that simple, little butterfly had the answers. The silver haired boy was determined, he was going to catch it, and get out of this twisted forest. He was just about to catch it when something snatched his ankle, causing him to trip and fall.

 

'To achieve your ends you must face obstacles...do you have what it takes?'

 

Ruune turned around to see a shadowy, twisted hand gripping his ankle, a Glasgow smile, and bright, bright yellow eyes. That alone was almost enough to send him into a panic attack, but, suddenly, there was a weight in his both his hands. He looked down to see he was holding a pair of simple, white daggers. Upon impulse, the boy took one and drove it deep into the creature's tree-like shadow arm, causing it to shriek and draw back, releasing him. The silver haired teen scrambled to his feet, and ran in the opposite direction of the creature. A barrier of rose vine appeared in front of him, blocking him from further progress. He could see a soft light from between the small gaps in the thorny plant, and tried to hack forward with his blades, but as soon as he managed to hack a good chuck off, it just grew back with unnatural speed. What was happening? His breathing picked up slightly and his chest tightened, he could feel the creature gaining up on him.

 

'Nothing ever happens as expected...find another approach to fixing the problem.'

 

Frantically the young teen looked around. There was no gap between the the tree he could hide in, nor any other path; the rose vines were the only way out. He glanced behind him, it was swamped in blacker than night shadows, with growling and heavy breathing coming from with in, and it was approaching fast. He turned back to the vines, desperately looking for a dent in it's armor. Then he saw it, at the top of the thorny vines was a gap just large enough for him to climb through. Steeling himself, he dropped the daggers, his only defense, and gripped the vines, slowing beginning to climb the wall of spiky vegetation. He ignored the pain of the thorns digging into palms and scratch his face, and tarring his clothes, and just kept climbing. Below him was now consumed by darkness, and it was rapidly gaining on him. The light of the gap was getting closer and closer, he was almost there, just a little further.

 

He gripped the edge, hoisting himself up, almost half way over when the gangling hand gripped his ankle again. Kicking out as hard as he could, Ruune managed to get the hand off him just long enough to get himself completely up and over the wall.

 

Landing with a thump, and breathing rather heavily, Ruu looked around. There were no walls, just blackness, the floor was checkered white and a dark velvet blue, and ahead of him was a tall, arched door that looked like it belonged to a church. Wasting no time, the small teen ran forward, pushing the heavy door open with all his might.

 

"Welcome...," A familiar voice began, "To the Velvet Room."

[Teesie]

Isaan was now surrounded by complete darkness, the dim lighting from the bulb, which lit Tetrabeth, was even invisie from the alley walls. Step after step, the white haired teen felt as if the temperature was becoming colder and colder; something that he damn well expected since it was in a damp area. The scent became more earthy, although the chocolate orbs couldn't catch a glimpse of anything than before. The pavement stretched and stretched, the sole of Isaan's boots clicking against the hard material. It was as if he was never making it anywhere.

 

For a full five minutes, Isaan had been experiencing the same surroundings. No light, no sound, no nothing; except for the dropping of temperature; albeit, the chocolate eyes male placed that as a theory of the human body. Of course it would continue to get colder if he was undergoing the same conditional coldness. Was that concise?

 

"W'at tha' hell is goin' on here? There is no fuckin' light. I hear nothin' and it seems like I'm makin' it nowhere. Dammit! What a waste of time.

 

"Thou should look into thou heart."

 

Once the whisper of words came across, the teen stopped his steps, glancing around with a raised brow. "Wait, who's there?"

 

"It is I.... Do you not recognize my voice. I am you."

 

Once the statement was finished, Isaan could surely recognize the voice. It was none other than his own. Confusion played across the white haired teen's face. "I'm not fuckin' aroun'. Dis' isn't funny. I swear."

 

"No need ta' get upset Isaan. You and I will be spending a lot of time together. The time needed until you accept me."

 

The longer Isaan stayed in contact with the mysterious shadow, was the better it was at intimidating him. "Accept ya' huh? I'm afraid dat' I'm not sure whatcha' talkin' about."

 

"You'll find out soon enough."

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

He was back in that church from his dream, the exact same velvet blue church with the pearl pews, and ebony black podium. The same odd looking man stood there, smiling widely at him. He gestured for the young boy to sit on one of the pews. The small boy hesitantly obeyed, taking a seat on the cold surface, biting his lip nervously.

 

"May name is Igor...I am delighted to make your acquaintance," The man began in a raspy voice that mildly creeped the tiny teen out a bit, "This, here is Gwendolyn. She is a resident here, like myself." He gestured to a woman he hadn't seen standing there previously.

 

She smiled at him a bit shyly and gave a small wave. She was pretty tall, and pale, with very short, platinum blond hair. She had a satin, blue bow tied around her neck, a knee length black skirt, black high heels what seemed to be a strange, velvet blue version of a flight attendant's jacket, and high necked shirt. Ruune smiled back slightly before his attention was grabbed again by Igor.

 

"This place exist between dream reality, mind and matter...," The man continued on, making the small boy a bit confused, "It has been quite a while since our last guest passed through these hallowed halls."

 

"Only those who are about to enter, or have signed a contract may enter this place," Igor explained, leaning forward a little to look at down at Ruune, "I say, you are a bit different than our last few guests, but the Fool tends to have a mind of it's own on who it chooses...I wonder..." He noticed Ruune questioning look and continued on with his explanation.

 

"You have many possibilities ahead of you, and you will require my help to realize your fullest potential...all I ask is that you abide by your future contract's rules, and assume full responsibility for your decisions, and actions over the coming year," He concluded, pausing and waiting for questions.

 

Ruune bit his lip, and after thinking for a second, asked softly, "...is this a dream? It feels so real."

 

"Precisely...currently you are fast asleep in the real world as we speak. However, you will be able to come here of your own accord at a later date," The long nosed man explained, then pausing to produce a key from his breast pocket, beckoning Ruune over to the podium. Ruu, ever the rule follower, approached the man with a somewhat nervous air about him.

 

"This," Igor began, handing the silver haired teen a beautifully sculptured key, "Is the key to the Velvet Room, hold onto it, and keep it safe, 'till we meet." Ruune took the key, and suddenly a blinding light over took him...

 

~~Dream End~~

 

Ruune woke up with a start, car now in their driveway, looking around with wide, pale green eyes. Did...did that really happen? Slyly, as to no attract the attention of his aunt, he check his pocket...and felt it...the key. The Velvet Room was real! All of his dreams lately...they really happened, well, in a way. This was just too confusing, really, truly confusing.

[Teesie]

Sience....

 

Light rapidly blinded Isaan's vision, the teen suddenly hearing a screeching sound through the deafening scream of silence. With an arm covering his ears, chocolate orbs took in the truck tumbling toward him. With a quick dash, the white haired teen managed to jump out the road; scratching his arms and legs as he barreled down a slope.

 

XxxXxxXxxXxxXxxXxxX

 

Arish groaned as he held his lover closer to his sweating body. The two had just calmed from their heighten of climax, one even more powerful than the last. "Babe, how do you feel about this place? For the month we've been here...well, it's all the same. For me it gets worse. The people here are delusional, it's like they have no mind of their ow- wait! Erin! That kid...umm..RUUNE! Yeah, Ruune he actually spoke with us. It wasn't like he was some brain washed freak; although.....he had just come here. Hm, I wonder how the kid is now? Do you think that he's wondering around aimlessly as well?"

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

The night went pretty normally for Ruune after that. He had made super for he and his aunt, and did the meager amount of homework he was given by his teacher. Now, he laid in bed, staring up at the pale white ceiling of the bed room, not his bed room; this little house would never be his home, that would be his old apartment, no matter how run down it might have been. Home is where the heart is...and Ruune's heart was still with his mother. Sighing, the tiny teen rolled onto his side, head swirling with thoughts as his gaze now turned to the key sitting on his night stand. He reached out and grabbed it, holding it to his chest tightly...this was that start of something big...he could just sense it.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Erin groaned and snuggled into his lover's chest as the dark haired teen spoke. Arish was very chatty lately, and, while he loved knowing what his boyfriend was thinking about, it got a little irritating, especially after he monologues after such activities.

 

"Love...'m exhausted~, how are you so chatty?" The brunette chuckled sleepily, nuzzling his face deeper into his coal eyed lover's shoulder, "...I donno, love...it's better than bein' in the city...and yeah...they're fucking delusional and shit...Ruune..fuck if I know...why are you even thinkin' 'bout him in the first place, Arish~." He ended the sentence with a teasing tone and glanced up at the taller teen with a slight pout, though it was obvious that he was just picking on Arish.

[Teesie]

Arish was taken back by his lover's response, opening his mouth to speak within a serious tone until noticing the slightly teasing look from the brunette. Mouth slightly closing, the elder male smiled lightly with a shake of his head. "It's nothing...I was just worried about the kid. He's the only person besides yourself that I think has sens-...mm, I talk too much don't I?" Nervously laughing at himself as he closed his eyes, although not before pulling his boyfriend closer to his body. "Night babe...I love you."

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

A groan escaped the muscular-like body, the white hair soiled with mud and leaves as it slightly swished with a movement. With a audible grunt, Isaan lifted his figure, hands scarred as his arms struggled to keep him up. That was a close call. If it wasn't for the grace of his gods, then he would be dead. "Dammit, wat' tha' fuck happened? I rememb'r bein' in the alley, but I neva' rememb'r leavin'. Wat' tha' hell is goin' on?"

 

Talking to himself wouldn't make any difference in what had happened, so the white haired teen decided to focus his attention on his surroundings. There was a mass amount of thorn plants around him, despite that fact, Isaan could maneuver himself around them. "Fuck!"

 

After minutes of traveling, Isaan had managed to break himself from the small area. Something just didn't seem right to him. For someone to nearly assault the teen with a vehicle, there was no willing person to check on his progress. No one to call for help, or ask how he was doing. Either the person in the truck tried killing him, or was highly intoxicated. But what was the odds on either cause. Whatever or whoever it was should watch what their doing. Pathetic. He thought to himself, deciding that now would be a good time to go home.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

A soft chuckle resounded in his chest, and he pressed a soft kiss to Arish's lips, before cuddling back into the other's chest. "Night, Arish...love ya...," He murmured sleepily, feeling his eyes get rather heavy. Soon the brunette was off to sleep, feel safe and protected in his boyfriend's strong embrace.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Ruune started to drift of into an uneasy sleep, but thankfully dreamless, sleep. He wondered what the future would hold, who Igor and Gwendolyn where any and why they chose him. What did Igor mean by 'The Fool'...he talked about as if it was it's own entity...maybe he'd go to the library tomorrow, and try and research it. The silver haired teen soon fell under the vale of sleep, curled up under the covers and still clutching the key.

 

--Time Skip--

 

It's been a week now, and nothing else strange had happened so far, but Ruune was still on his guard. The silver haired teen had occasionally seen his twin around school, but after his last experience with Isaan he was a little more than hesitant about approaching him. He still had the key, which was now securely around neck and under his shirt on a leather chord he found.

 

Currently, Ruune was sitting with his back to a tree out in front of the school, reading a book he checked out of the local library on Tarot Card after finding out that the Fool was referring to the one of the Arcane in the deck; card number 0, the Fool, the card that represented infinite possibilities. That made sense...but he wondered why it chose him...so many questions.

 

ACADEMICS LEVEL: 1

ACADEMICS UP!

ACADEMICS LEVEL: 2

 

"Hey cherub~!" A familiar voice said, startling Ruune a little. After calming down he looked over at his friend. Maria, a girl who Ruu warmed up to rather quickly over the past week. She was dark haired, and dark skinned with oddly bright orange eyes, and a tough, loud demeanor; aka, Ruune's complete opposite. They got a long rather well though, and that made Ruu happy to have a friend.

 

"Hey Maria," He said softly, smiling up at the standing girl as he gently closed his book in his lap. Normally Erin and Arish had taken to hanging out with them, but Erin was apparently out with a cold today...though, Ruune sometimes suspected otherwise; someone doesn't get the bruises the brunette did out of no where. Ruu only knew because he had gym with the upperclassman...he wondered if Arish saw them too, those two were boyfriends after all.

[Teesie]

Chocolate orbs caught sight of a loud, obnoxious girl that he was quite familiar with. Isaan gave a sneer, never being quite fond of the dark haired girl, let alone even tried for the sake of it. Lately, due to academics and the push of his father, the white haired teen had gotten himself into extra activities; managing to become the leader on the soccer team. This sport was a favorite of his, it released much pent up stress; which was something that every teenager needed at some point in life.

 

"May the two of you please be quiet. I'm studying for an exam and can't think over the both of you. This is the library. It's suppose to be quiet. So, if the two of you, Ruune and Maria, want to talk....then I advise you both to leave." Tone dark and lacking emotions as he leered at the other two in his range of hearing.

 

Arish, who was at the same table as Isaan, gave a chuckle. "It's funny how you told the both of them not to talk when they only gave a brief greet. You're here giving a lecture, yet alone speaking quite loudly yourself. What a hypocrite." Of course the dark haired boy believed that he would get a reaction out of Isaan, but it wasn't so accurate when he was given only a glance. The sport-player stood with his book in hand, once again averting his attention to Ruune and Maria.

 

"Actually, you're quite right. I apologize, if you may excuse me." Isaan spoke, pushing away the strands of hair in his face as he retreated from the library.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"May the two of you please be quiet. I'm studying for an exam and can't think over the both of you. This is the library. It's suppose to be quiet. So, if the two of you, Ruune and Maria, want to talk....then I advise you both to leave."

 

Ruune looked down at his lap at his twin's words, sighing softly. He felt like his brother was treating him like a complete stranger, and most of the school believed that's all they were...strangers. Outside of Erin, Arish, Maria and Isaan himself, no one really knew or cared about the twin's relations. With both their last names being different, and their night and day personalities, no one had put two and two together yet, not even the teachers.

 

Maria scowled at the white haired boy, and opened her mouth to say something, but Ruune elbowed her in the ribs. She grumbled and muttered something under her breath, rubbing her side. Despite their extremely strained relationship, the former victim of bullying would not stand for anyone, even his friends, insulting his brother.

 

He frowned at Arish's words, and sighed again...he wondered if the dark haired teen really disliked Isaan that much, or he was just being snippy due to Erin's absence. He found it weird when Isaan just walked away, even when they were kids the elder twin was quick to anger. He remembered when they were nine the white haired twin had nearly got expelled for beat up a couple kids, landing them both in the ER; granted, those kids had been picking on Ruune, and Isaan was very protective when they were young. Maybe it only rattled him up when someone he cared about was the focus of the insult. It was a little depressing that he did not know these simple things about his own twin anymore.

 

Once Isaan was far enough away. "Jesus fucking Christ, what crawled up his ass and died....," Maria growled out, "Fucking pretentious asshole." Ruune glared slightly, and the girl rolled her eyes.

 

"Whatever...how the fuck do you even deal with that? He thinks he's the king of the whole motherfucking world," She complained, crossing her arms across her chest.

 

"He's my big brother...I'll deal with what ever he does no matter what," He replied, looking back down at his book with a sad expression crossing his features. Maria frowned as well, a look of loneliness, and perhaps a bit jealousy crossed her face.

 

"Anyways...any word from Erin, Arish?" She asked quickly, changing the subject as she eyed the older teen's cellphone.

[Teesie]

Arish shrugged his shoulders, tapping the screen of his phone to check for any messages. "Nah, I haven't heard from my love in over three days. Last time I saw him he was acting pretty strange. After dinner, I wanted...um, yeah-but anyways...I went to touch him and he actually cringed away. I asked what was the matter but he just said I startled him. Ok, so I believed him. We started to kiss and whatnot, but when I went to remove his clothing he pushed me away. Says he wasn't in the mood, but it looked to be more to me. I seen fright in his eyes. Something I had never seen when relevant to our sex life. I don't know what's going on. I'm left in the dark."

 

"Have you eva' thought dat' maybe he's seein' someone else. Tsch, as if tha' guy can stay wit'cha pretty long. I couldn' stand tha' sight of ya'." Trailing back to the table to reach underneath it. He had left something of value. Isaan pulled his backpack from beneath the surface, glancing to his brother with an indifferent look. "Who cou'd rea'ly stand the person who's hurt them? Maybe ya' don't realize, but you aren't doing somethin' right. Plays all innocent but is nothin' buh' the devil himself. Wat' a pathetic grace of aura." Once again taking the needed steps to disappear from the scene.

 

Arish stared to the ceiling in confusion. "What? Was that bastard talking to me? I swear...Augh! I can't stand him."

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"Who could really stand the person who's hurt them? Maybe you don't realize, but you aren't doing something right. Plays all innocent but is nothing but the devil himself. What a pathetic grace of aura."

 

Ruune ducked his head, feeling as if that part directed towards him. Personally, if anyone should be be thinking that it should be him...Isaan was the one who didn't return his letters. Ruu wasn't one to hold grudges, so he didn't hold it against his brother, truthfully. Ruune was an annoying, whinny kid when he was younger so he wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to be around him back then.

 

Maria snarled at Isaan's retreating figure, and stood up, determined to go after after him and give him a piece of her mind. "Maria stop-"

 

"Oh shut up Ruune, little fucker needs a reality call," The brash girl growled out, shaking off the off the small hand that was gripping her arm.

 

"Maria just let it go, it's not your problem," The young teen tried to reason, but she pushed him off walking out after Isaan, practically fuming.

 

>Try to stop her!

 

YOUR COURAGE LEVEL IS TOO LOW

COURAGE LEVEL OF 4 REQUIRED

 

He just couldn't push himself hard enough to go after her...he was too much of a coward.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

"Hey! You!" Maria shouted, finally spotting Isaan in the hallway, "I need to have a word with you, asshole!"

[Teesie]

Arish stood quickly, grabbing a hold of the thin teen to pull him along with him. "I swear that girl is going to do something rash. We need to at least watch." Laughing as he tried catching up with the dark skinned girl.

 

XxxxXxxxXxxxXxxxXxxxX

 

Isaan glanced behind him, not sure if the insult was thrown toward him or not. That all changed when he took in the appearance of the one storming behind him. The white haired teen stopped with a heavy sigh. This wasn't his kind of settlement, but he guess he had to face what he partially started.

 

"Is da' insultin' rea'ly dat' necessary. You cou'd be more civilized." Crossing his arms over his chest with a furrowed brow.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"In my book it is, your prissy fuck," The dark haired girl hissed out between clenched teeth. She closed in on Isaan, and once she directly in front of him, Maria grabbed the athlete's shirt, and, with surprising physical strength she possessed from years of boxing, pulled him down to her eye level.

 

"I'm so sick your attitude, you little fuck, you have absolutely no idea of how good you got it," The high tempered girl growled out, bright orange eyes clashing with chocolate, "You at least know your brother's fucking alive! You at least see him everyday! At least he can fucking see you! My twin sister's on the outside, probably dead, and you have your twin brother right in front of you, and yet you treat him like something you found on the bottom of your shoe! I have no idea what happened between you two, but all I know is that you're an ungrateful little twit, with no emotions in that cold semblance of a heart," She leaned in close to the taller boy's face and said in a low voice, "I bet you wouldn't feel a thing if everyone around you suddenly dropped dead, you had no twin, no father, no one, just yourself...bet you'd enjoy yourself, you emotionless prick..." With that she used her strength to push him back, hopefully knocking Isaan to the ground.

 

Maria began to storm off, wishing that Rosa was there to calm her down...she got a little too out of hand by herself sometimes. Before she left the hallway she shouted over her shoulder, "Go fuck yourself, you ungrateful bastard!" And with that one last insult she cleared the hallway, pushing past Ruune and Arish on the way out.

 

Ruune stared wide eyed between where Maria was and Isaan, unsure of what exactly was said between the two since he just came in as Maria was storming out. The silver haired boy wore an expression between confusion and genuine concern of his face, worried for both his friend and his bother's well being.

[Teesie]

Isaan was startled at the girl's reactions. She was highly pissed over Ruune, but also seemed a bit in her feelings as well. With a roll of his chocolate eyes, Isaan stood with a sigh to dust himself off. Maria was lucky that she was in fact a girl, better yet, that Aheal didn't want for the white haired teen to get into any trouble or else he wouldn't have been so lenient.

 

The elder male glanced up, giving a heated glare to his twin brother as be once again fastened his backpack onto his shoulder. "You shou'd keep ya' dog on a leash. Mutts aren't tha' mos' welcomin' thing amongst us people." Irate that he was taking the blame for such treatment when Ruune was the one who had stopped communicating with him.

 

"I'm more than a lil' pissed dat'cha gotcha' friend's barkin' at me, when your tha' reason for our failin' relationship. Maybe next time ya' need ta' include all details. Especially dat' of you not writin' me back." Turning away from Arish and Ruune before trailing off the opposite way of Maria. The teen had much to think about.

 

Arish stood puzzled. "Looks like we were too late kid; but everything seems ok. I'll catch up with you later. Seya." Laughing before he gave a pat to the smaller male's back, jogging his way down the hall.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"Maybe next time ya' need ta' include all details. Especially dat' of you not writin' me back."

 

Time seemed to freeze for Ruune, absolutely freeze. Pale green eyes went wide with shock...that made no sense at all...none, absolutely none. Isaan never wrote back to him...but Isaan claimed Ruu never wrote back...something, something was not right here, not at all. The silver haired boy needed to think, he needed to sort this thing out, and maybe, just maybe he'll find the answers he needs.

 

He barely heard Arish as he left, the silver haired boy just walked off in the direction Maria had taken, a confused and upset expression present of his face. He wasn't even watching where he was going, so it was no surprise when he walked straight into Maria.

 

"What where you going you clumsy fu-" She snarled, whipping around, but relaxed a little when she saw it was only Ruune, and sighed, "Sorry, just a bit on edge."

 

"It's fine, Maria...it's just...just that I found out something really upsetting," The small teen sighed softly, looking down at his feet. He felt like such a coward right now for not going after Isaan, but he just needed the time to sort things out.

 

Now that peaked the violent girl's interest, "What is it...maybe I can help, Cherub."

[Teesie]

Isaan now stood in the bathroom, door stall closed, resting against the toilet. The white haired teen couldn't remember the last time he let emotions get to hm, but Ruune seemed to always strike some nerves; which was a reason the elder teen couldn't stand to be around him.

 

As chocolate orbs clashed with the mirror set inside the stall, an upgrade that was quite impressive if not useful, a swarming mirage of himself showed instead. Of course this surprised Isaan, causing him to grip at the toilet seat, scuffling to stand.

 

"No need ta' run away Isaan. I am you and you are me. Settle...let us talk." This wasn't an encounter that the twin of Ruune's wanted to face, despite that, he would.

 

"Wat' the hell is it? Ion even kno' how to handle shit at the moment and I can't stand for my mind ta' be playin' tricks right now."

 

"Oh dis' is no trick. You jus' have ta' accept me. Accept dat' I am your otha' half. The half dat' you so badly want ta' lose. Your emotions. Admit dat' you love your broth'r and feel sadness everytime he's around. Dat' you are indeed not az' tough as ya' wanna' be. Dat' you need others sometimes. Someone to cry on. It's easy Isaan. I'm nothing but your emotions. Can I be so hard ta' accept? Give in ta' me."

 

With hesitation conquering his every move, Isaan bowed his head and accepted. Gave in, and admitted he had emotions. "I admit to it. I do all of which you spoke. I kno' dese' things...I jus' don't want to." Voice weak. With that, Isaan's shadow disappeared, coming one with it's host. "It's nice that you accepted." With the newfound knowledge and emotion, the white haired boy did something that he hadn't done since a infant. He cried.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"So you see," Ruune explained as the two made their way down the hallway, "That's what happened...he never replied, and now he says I never replied...something just seems off about this whole situation."

 

"I see what ya mean...still don't particularly like your brother, but you're my friend, so I'll help you how ever I can," Maria said, smiling a little, though it was sincere, and held out her hand, "Shake on it?"

 

Ruu smiled softly at the girl, and gripped her hand in his own, and shook firmly, "Thank you, Maria, this means a lot." Suddenly, a loud crack that only the small teen seemed to hear filled the room, seemly stopping time for a moment. A card materialized in a flash of blue light between him and Maria, a card that Ruu quickly recognized as the Strength Arcana, card number XI.

 

'Thou art I....And I am thou...' A soft voice range out, echoing off the wall and ringing in Ruune's ears.

 

'Thou hast established a new bond....

 

It guides thee to the truth.

 

Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Strength Arcana...'

The card then dissolved, and time began to flow again, leaving Ruune more than a bit confused, yet warm...it was a weird feeling. Ever since the Velvet Room, things like this couldn't surprise him. He and the high tempered girl unlinked hands, and smiled at each other. The silver haired teen glanced over to the bathroom, "I need to go...I'll be out in a few minutes."

 

"Too much information, Cherub," The dark haired teen snickered, opting to lean against a near by wall.

 

The silver haired twin rolled his eyes, and walked into the bathroom, closing the door softly behind him. There was only one stall taken, and none else was in there as far as he could see. That was good, since using a public urinal still made him nervous, and it was embarrassing. As he was about to walk over to the urinal the tiny teen heard soft sobbing coming from the only occupied stall.

 

>Ignore it and go.

>Just leave.

>Ask if they need help and are okay.

He couldn't just leave someone crying like that...it just wasn't right...not at all. Knocking softly on the stall, he asked somewhat timidly, "H-hello? Are you okay?" He hoped who ever it was wasn't hurt, or being bullied, or something...that would be bad; he knew from experience.

 

EMPATHY LEVEL: 1

EMPATHY UP!

EMPATHY LEVEL: 2

[Teesie]

Isaan glanced up, glaring through the small crack of the stall. He knew exactly who the one of concern was. It was none other than Ruune. The same person who never wrote him back, the same person who acted so innocent after causing so much pain.

 

With a sigh, the white haired teen stood, readying himself to leave the restroom. Isaan's chocolate colored orbs widened after a moment passed. He just realized that he was in fact crying. That he had finally shed tears after so long. The persona shit, that Hule had informed him of, was really getting to him. It was more powerful than he had thought. Despite that, it wasn't the problem. The source of his emotions was now the silver haired teen outside the small, thin wood separating them.

 

Isaan could choose to lie or reveal himself. All in all it wouldn't change the way he was feeling. With a decision, the elder twin opened the door to stare at Ruune. "What? I don' need ya' help. I'm fine." Leaning against the wall, the only emotion playing across his face was anger.

*

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune was extremely shocked to see his brother was the on crying in the stall. Seeing Isaan of all people cry was just extremely shocking to say the least...so the tiny teen didn't quite know what to say. It took a few minutes to process in his mind, so he just stood their silently debating whether to speak or run away.

 

>Apologize and leave

>Leave without speaking

>Tell Isaan about your side of the story

 

The silver haired boy took a breath and stared into his twin's angry brown eyes; he had to tell. "Listen, Isaan," The younger twin began softly, trying to keep eye contact, which was a hard thing for a timid person like him to do, "Something weird is going on here...I never got your last letter to me, and when I tried to send more...I guess they somehow didn't get to you...I don't know whether the mail system screwed up really bad, or...or someone withheld our letters...I'm just...I'm just sorry Isaan."

 

COURAGE LEVEL: 2

COURAGE UP!

COURAGE LEVEL: 3

 

The smaller twin let out a small breath, not used to being so bold. He didn't tell the white haired twin about his big panic attack, or anything of the sort...he didn't want to make the other feel bad or worry him. He was unsure if the stubborn elder twin would believe him or not...he just wanted to tell his side of the story. Ducking his head, Ruu started to turn to leave, afraid of rejection.