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[ Souji had opted to not comment on Nanako's post, or directly talk to her about it, for a variety of reasons. That didn't mean he didn't monitor the responses to it, but it had felt like he should stand back, let her talk to others, learn about this world on her own. She hadn't asked him the question, after all.
But he can guess why she hadn't, in the end, after seeing her responses to people asking her if there was someone that she wanted to see.
After a while, though, he moves to settle in next to her, leaning his weight back on his arms and looking ahead for a bit. ]
Do you want to talk about it, Nanako?
But he can guess why she hadn't, in the end, after seeing her responses to people asking her if there was someone that she wanted to see.
After a while, though, he moves to settle in next to her, leaning his weight back on his arms and looking ahead for a bit. ]
Do you want to talk about it, Nanako?
[ Nanako tucks her device away when he comes to join her and she gives a soft, disappointed sigh at his question. Having not gotten the answers she hoped for, she slides sideways until she can slump against his shoulder, wrapping both her arms about one of his as she rests her cheek against him. ]
You saw?
You saw?
I saw. [ There's no judgment in his voice, though, as he simply reaches his free hand up to comb over her bangs gently. He doesn't try to pry her off his arm or shift otherwise, and instead angles his head, getting a look at her with a soft look of understanding. Souji gets it, though he doesn't know the pain she's gone through or the exact longing that she feels. But he knows - he knows that it's hard. ]
I thought I'd let you talk to everybody before I said anything, though.
I thought I'd let you talk to everybody before I said anything, though.
[ She ducks her head at that, although the warm weight of his hand is comforting in itself. ]
I thought maybe someone would know. Or could tell me where to look. I thought this was supposed to be Heaven.
I thought maybe someone would know. Or could tell me where to look. I thought this was supposed to be Heaven.
[ Rubbing his thumb gently against the little crease in her tiny brow, he hums thoughtfully, a brief and soft sound, before he answers. ]
Do you remember the Heaven that we were in, before? [ A part of him hates asking it, because it was terrifying for everyone involved, but going off her experiences will make this easier to talk about, he thinks. And she's safe here, with him and Homura. ]
Do you remember the Heaven that we were in, before? [ A part of him hates asking it, because it was terrifying for everyone involved, but going off her experiences will make this easier to talk about, he thinks. And she's safe here, with him and Homura. ]
[ She gives a little shudder, because that place came with an instinctive jolt of fear whenever she remembered it, even though she knew she was safe now. Souji and the others had come to rescue her.
So she nods, even if the movement is a little uncertain and hesitant, her voice soft and subdued when she answers. ]
Yeah, I remember.
So she nods, even if the movement is a little uncertain and hesitant, her voice soft and subdued when she answers. ]
Yeah, I remember.
[ He drops his hand, offering it to her, something - anything - to comfort and distract. She had nearly died, and he can't help but think about what would have happened to her, to his uncle, to him as well, if they hadn't managed to get to her when they did.
They had never gone through a dungeon faster than Nanako's. ]
I think there can be many different kinds of Heavens. That one, it wasn't safe, and there weren't any people there besides us and Namatame-san, who was very sick and lost. But this one, there's lots of people, and just across the shore are all the people that we need to help. The Heaven your mom is in... it's just one we haven't found yet.
They had never gone through a dungeon faster than Nanako's. ]
I think there can be many different kinds of Heavens. That one, it wasn't safe, and there weren't any people there besides us and Namatame-san, who was very sick and lost. But this one, there's lots of people, and just across the shore are all the people that we need to help. The Heaven your mom is in... it's just one we haven't found yet.
[ She reaches out, latching onto it. She's still pressed close against his side, soaking up the warmth and safety he offers.
His words do bring comfort, at least. and she manages another nod before tilting her head back to look up at him. ]
Do you think she can still watch over me, even though I'm here now? Will she know where to look?
His words do bring comfort, at least. and she manages another nod before tilting her head back to look up at him. ]
Do you think she can still watch over me, even though I'm here now? Will she know where to look?
[ Flexing his calloused fingers in the tiny, soft ones of his baby cousin, Souji feels once again like this is something he wants to always protect. He doesn't know what she'll face, in this place, but a little girl wise beyond her years but still holding onto the naivete of her youth...
Nanako shouldn't ever have to lose her sweet, soft nature. ]
I think she'd be able to find you no matter where you were, Nanako. She'll always be with you. And just like we found these other Heavens, without even looking - [ Not completely true of the false one, but still. ] - we'll find the one she's in when we need to.
Nanako shouldn't ever have to lose her sweet, soft nature. ]
I think she'd be able to find you no matter where you were, Nanako. She'll always be with you. And just like we found these other Heavens, without even looking - [ Not completely true of the false one, but still. ] - we'll find the one she's in when we need to.
[ She squeezes his arm tightly to her chest, wrapped around him and cuddling even closer. Nanako searches his face, as if wanting to make sure he's not just telling her that to make her feel better. But Souji's always been really smart and never treated like that, even when she asked him hard questions. ]
You think so?
[ She still sounds a little disappointed about it, but she also looks more accepting of that answer. ]
Okay. I can wait. I'm glad you're here, though.
You think so?
[ She still sounds a little disappointed about it, but she also looks more accepting of that answer. ]
Okay. I can wait. I'm glad you're here, though.
[ Maybe she's young. Maybe she should be protected. But Souji will never lie to her, or say something he doesn't mean just to make her feel better. He's softening his words a little, aiming to make her feel better and hoping to make sure that she never seeks out her mother's Heaven, but he means it. ]
I do think so. [ They faced gods. They've become gods. Something like Heaven where his aunt is watching over her daughter must exist. ]
You know, I'm glad you're here too. It might not be home, but we'll make it something close to it together, until we can go back to Inaba and tell your dad about all the adventures we had while we were away.
I do think so. [ They faced gods. They've become gods. Something like Heaven where his aunt is watching over her daughter must exist. ]
You know, I'm glad you're here too. It might not be home, but we'll make it something close to it together, until we can go back to Inaba and tell your dad about all the adventures we had while we were away.
[ If anything can make her expression brighten again, it's that. Nanako gives a soft giggle as she loosens her hold on Souji's arm, but it's only long enough to allow her to fling herself at him in a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck. ]
Yeah! And there'll be so many adventures to tell! Do you think he'll believe us?
Yeah! And there'll be so many adventures to tell! Do you think he'll believe us?
[ With a little oof, Souji switches the arm he's braced his weight on, bringing the one she'd been attached to up so he can hold her against him. ]
I'm sure he will. A lot of stuff's happened, after all, so he's had plenty of things to prepare him for our great adventures.
I'm sure he will. A lot of stuff's happened, after all, so he's had plenty of things to prepare him for our great adventures.
[ She nods, hoping he was right. She still worried about her dad a lot, even if she didn't voice it much. The fact that both she and Souji were here troubled her. Was her dad lonely? Who was making his food and doing the chores? Would he remember to water the plants? Did he miss them?
But she didn't voice them out loud, not right now, just settling down in the warmth of Souji's hold instead, hugging him tightly. As if that would be enough to remind her that she wasn't alone here either. ]
But she didn't voice them out loud, not right now, just settling down in the warmth of Souji's hold instead, hugging him tightly. As if that would be enough to remind her that she wasn't alone here either. ]
[ A part of him hopes that their friends are keeping an eye on Dojima, if things are still carrying on without them. Yosuke isn't here anymore, so if he remembers this place, surely he's told Dojima, has convinced him that Nanako is safe with Souji. After what happened to her, and to Dojima himself... he surely had to believe him, right?
He doesn't say anything about that, not yet. Instead, he shifts so that he can settle Nanako in his lap, wrapping both arms around her and holding her close to him. No, the days of being lonely for either of them are long since gone. ]
He doesn't say anything about that, not yet. Instead, he shifts so that he can settle Nanako in his lap, wrapping both arms around her and holding her close to him. No, the days of being lonely for either of them are long since gone. ]
[ Nanako's quiet for a long moment before she shifts slightly, tipping her head back so she can peer up at him. There's a question she's hesitated asking before now, but since they're talking about serious matters anyway... ]
Souji-niichan? Why do you think they picked me?
Souji-niichan? Why do you think they picked me?
[ Blinking down at her with her question, Souji rubs his hand along her back, a soothing gesture and point of contact for both of them. Izanami picked newcomers at random, essentially, but these gods, he's not sure. He could've just as easily been the one she chose for emptiness, for as hollow as he'd felt when he first came to Inaba.
But not Nanako. ]
I think... because you have such a good heart. You want to help people, and you care a lot about others. Some of the people here, they haven't been the best choice to bring, but you're you, Nanako. You make up for that, without a doubt.
But not Nanako. ]
I think... because you have such a good heart. You want to help people, and you care a lot about others. Some of the people here, they haven't been the best choice to bring, but you're you, Nanako. You make up for that, without a doubt.
[ She thinks that over seriously for a moment, chewing on her lower lip as she rests against his chest, content and comfortable to remain snuggled up with him. ]
Maybe that's why they made me a god who is supposed to take care of people who are lost or hurt or lonely. [ She's been doing her homework. ] But do you think it's okay that I still don't know what my power is? Or how to fight the bad spirits?
Maybe that's why they made me a god who is supposed to take care of people who are lost or hurt or lonely. [ She's been doing her homework. ] But do you think it's okay that I still don't know what my power is? Or how to fight the bad spirits?
[ He could spend days like this, he thinks. Just him and Nanako, sitting together, talking quietly in the peaceful sanctuary of his shrine. It's not unfamiliar, after Inaba. ]
Maybe. It suits you. [ Because she understands people like that. Souji sounds proud of her for her homework, though. ] Yeah. Sumio will be able to help you fight the bad spirits, when you have to, until you figure it out. His powers will protect you and the people you need to help. And we can try to practice, if you want - my powers would be able to handle that.
Maybe. It suits you. [ Because she understands people like that. Souji sounds proud of her for her homework, though. ] Yeah. Sumio will be able to help you fight the bad spirits, when you have to, until you figure it out. His powers will protect you and the people you need to help. And we can try to practice, if you want - my powers would be able to handle that.
[ She'd be more than happy to do that as well. There's nothing she likes more than when her big brother has the time to spend with her, even if it's doing nothing at all.
Still, she perks up when he offers to help her practice, because that means more than any offer she's gotten so far. ] Really? Can you show me what I'm supposed to do? I don't want to do it wrong. I've been worried about hurting Sumio...
Still, she perks up when he offers to help her practice, because that means more than any offer she's gotten so far. ] Really? Can you show me what I'm supposed to do? I don't want to do it wrong. I've been worried about hurting Sumio...
[ Doing nothing at all is wonderful, but this - this will set his mind more at ease, and better prepare her for her life here.
Souji tilts his head to look at her face, tickling his fingers against her ribs. ] Next time all four of us have time together, we can practice shinki boundaries and their magic. For now, we can see if we can't trigger your power, and if we can't...
[ He takes a breath. ] How about I teach you what Chie was teaching me? Her kung-fu.
Souji tilts his head to look at her face, tickling his fingers against her ribs. ] Next time all four of us have time together, we can practice shinki boundaries and their magic. For now, we can see if we can't trigger your power, and if we can't...
[ He takes a breath. ] How about I teach you what Chie was teaching me? Her kung-fu.
[ Nanako burst out into giggles as she wriggled away from his tickling fingers, without much luck but not really minding either. Excited by his suggestion, she throws her arms around him once more in an enthusiastic hug. ]
Yay! Chie-oneechan was really strong! Can I really learn like she did? [ She never seemed afraid of fighting monsters or taking on bad guys! ] I want to practice with you and Homura and Sumio, too. I know Homura's been practicing really hard!
Yay! Chie-oneechan was really strong! Can I really learn like she did? [ She never seemed afraid of fighting monsters or taking on bad guys! ] I want to practice with you and Homura and Sumio, too. I know Homura's been practicing really hard!
[ Cute... Nanako is cute. Souji loves her so much, and returns the hug tightly when she throws her arms around him. After that, it's easy to get his feet under him and bring her up along the way, because - well, she's excited now. He knows her. ]
I'll teach you everything she taught me, for monster fighting. And if that goes well, we can see about learning more together. [ Shadows and ayakashi aren't too different, in the end. It should be okay. ] She really has. We'll make practice fun for her. And all of us.
I'll teach you everything she taught me, for monster fighting. And if that goes well, we can see about learning more together. [ Shadows and ayakashi aren't too different, in the end. It should be okay. ] She really has. We'll make practice fun for her. And all of us.
[ Nanako giggles when he picks her up, arms still holding securely to his neck as she wraps around him, content to be held, if it was him. While she might have protested the move with anyone else, because six was getting to be too big to be carried places, her big brother got to be the exception to most things. ]
You make everything fun, onii-chan. This will be the best practice!
[ And it's effectively completely distracted her from the disappointed mood she'd been in earlier. ]
You make everything fun, onii-chan. This will be the best practice!
[ And it's effectively completely distracted her from the disappointed mood she'd been in earlier. ]
[ It'll be a sad day when Nanako protests being carried places, Souji thinks. For now, he tucks one arm under her and goes to carry her off, heading towards one of the doors out to the back courtyard of his temple. He'll enjoy it while he still has the ability to. ]
I'm really glad to hear that. Hopefully we can find something out - I'll tell you how I use my power, and maybe we can call on yours that way.
[ His ability as a god is very, very different from his power as a Persona user, but. He'll do what he can with that. All he cares about is that Nanako is happy and safe. ]
I'm really glad to hear that. Hopefully we can find something out - I'll tell you how I use my power, and maybe we can call on yours that way.
[ His ability as a god is very, very different from his power as a Persona user, but. He'll do what he can with that. All he cares about is that Nanako is happy and safe. ]
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