aerodynamic | INBOX for purgastory

[... .. ...

He really wants to have an answer, but,,,]

What... happens then?

[This is a totally alien situation to him.]

It means they need someone to be with them when they come back and help sort through the aftermath.
You might not be able to fight, but you're good at talking to people. You're good at distracting them when they need it and talking to them when they need help.
Not everybody has that kind of optimism and skill.

[... That's right. And...]

Of course, I am happy to do so! Really, I am! But is that--really enough?

[People... were getting hurt and dying, after all.]

It really doesn't feel like it.

[ he just taps him on the hed with his pen. ]

You're only saying that because you're getting in your own head about your usefulness.
If our situations were reversed, would you let me say the same thing about myself?

[Oh my god.

He squawks, batting at that pen.]

Hey!!

[...]

I... suppose I wouldn't, but still! You don't have to put it so bluntly!

[The "argument" of someone who has absolutely no retort to that level of truth, honestly--]

[ he grins a little smugly. ]

Dude I have to be blunt for you to get it and listen to yourself, I think.
I'm not gonna tell you not to worry about it. I think it's fine to want to be stronger and help more.
But I do think it's also okay if your strengths are elsewhere.
Not like everybody on our team's a combatant at home either.

[... Oh.

That, at least, gets him out of his head and in a less fussy way.]

... Really? What do they do?

[ good boy. ]

She's our navigator. She helps us find our way when we get to a new dungeon to make sure we don't get lost, and she helps us pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of the Shadows we encounter.
More importantly, she stays out of strike range and cheers us on in battle.
It makes us stronger and helps us keep going. She also tracks our vitals so we don't get too hurt to fight.

[... Whoa.]

That... huh. That sounds incredible but also very difficult!!

[She sounds so cool??? Very Rui-esque of her, he can't help but think.]

Yeah, she's great for it.
She always checks in with us after a fight to keep our spirits up and make sure we're good to go or if we need to swap out.
She wasn't always good at it either, but she got stronger and better.

Hm... I see...

[... hm, hm, hm...]

I see!! So I just have to find the role I am capable of playing to support everyone in times like this!!

[ yeah, that's basically it. he settles for a grin while he nods quickly. ]

Yeah! Think of it less like what you can't do and focus on what you can.
You're a lot stronger in other ways than you think you are.

[ this is so easy for him to say to other people. ]

[!!!!

Uuuu!!! Tsukasa beams as it all clicks for him, and then he wraps an arm around Yosuke in a fond hug.]

You're absolutely right!! Yosuke, you are an excellent friend! Thank you for your assurances and your confidence in me!

I don't know yet what exactly I can do, but I'm confident I will be able to find it!

[ that's much better. he's not even fussed about the hug, allowing it before returning the gesture. ]

That makes two of us, man. You'll find it and you'll be just as good at it as you are everything else.
Can't wait to see it.

[Yosuke feeding Tsukasa's ego on purpose... wipes away a tear. They've come so far.]

Of course! As should be expected from me!

[... A deep breath in, and he straightens properly.]

But I came here to comfort and check on you, and instead here you are reassuring me.

How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Don't hold back at all, Yosuke!

[ they have come so far... he pats tsukasa's head because yes, yes, you egomaniac. but it's okay. ]

You know I don't mind, but I get it.
I'm... fine, I think. The river healed me but I'm still kinda tired.
Using our Personas always drains us of our energy if we don't rest between big fights, and since we're connected, the hits it took are ones I took.
But it's nothing I can't handle.

I see... hm. That does make sense.

[As much as any magic makes sense.]

Then! Shall I bring by a meal? It is important to eat properly to recover your energy.

[ magic is confusing, he knows. but he does look curious. he's half-tempted to tell tsukasa he doesn't have to do that and go to the trouble, except he thinks tsukasa needs a job to feel better about what happened so he settles for a nod. ]

I AM curious about your cooking after I've already tried your baking, I gotta admit.

[Yosuke is right... Tsukasa does need a job and this will make him feel better.

He perks right up when Yosuke agrees, nodding eagerly.]

Prepare to be dazzled, then! Do you have any specific requests?

[ they're both the same assigned golden retriever. ]

"Something warm" probably isn't really specific, huh?

Not particularly, but it does help narrow it down a little.

[With a laugh.]

Cream stew? Nikujaga? Karaage?

[ all three of those seem to ping him in different ways judging by the way he perks up immediately. ]

Nikujaga? Do we even have the ingredients?

[ it's a little effort, and yet. ]

I would think so! The ingredients are pretty common, after all.

[So long as there's like... dashi and soy sauce and mirin, they should be okay.]

Would you like to join me in the kitchen? If you want to rest, I can also bring it back to you when I've finished making it.

[ he has no trust for purgatory. but there's an eager nod and he pulls back a little to sit upright, scooting toward the edge of the bed and setting his guitar aside gently. ]

Nah, if I'm left here alone I'll get bored. We can go together.

[ also he is simply needy. ]

[I'm making the executive decision that all of this stuff exists in the kitchen because Tsukasa has theoretically been cooking here for weeks and I can't retcon all of that.]

Then let's go together!

[Cheerfully. He knows Yosuke's been healed up, but he offers him a hand up automatically anyway.]

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