Training Exercise #1

[harmonizenpc]

Who: Persona-users, ensemble NPC cast
Where: The lab, ???
When: Monday, April 24th, "critical thinking" class time.
What: Trying out the headgods.

Class today was, it seemed, going to be a little different.

Yachiyo had finally replaced Suwa, for one, but more importantly, she'd ushered the lot of them to the lab: "Today will be your first training exercise" was the only information she'd offered, providing little detail beyond making sure everyone had their Evokers.

The whole group was there today, aside from Sekimiya and the medical trainees, but it was the military pair who'd mostly stood by during the Awakening who took center stage today. Their dress blues had been replaced with what appeared to be some sort of full-coverage body armor. The woman's even included a helmet, albeit a peculiar-looking metal one whose visor was currently up, revealing her grinning face. The man wore a strange, bulky device on his right arm, trailing wires that ran up to a pair of goggles currently perched on his forehead.

Both had rifles slung across their backs, and what appeared to be blades--no Evokers these, but honest-to-goodness live steel--at their hips.

"Looks like we're finally getting introduced!" The woman seemed remarkably cheerful, considering what they were about to likely be doing, but she watched them all with eyes as sharp as a hawk's. "I'm Corporal Komatani Konoe, and this is Major Araragi Mitsurou. We'll be in charge of the practical side of your training."

The man--Araragi--inclined his head politely. "I look forward to working with you all."

Comments

[harmonizenpc]

"That's not unexpected. You were understandably preoccupied. Please try to keep it in mind for the future."

Ishichi had largely wrapped up the physical examination by this point, and took a few moments to review her notes thus far. "How long has this decline been going on? Ihoji told me you came to the office on two occasions this week, and Suwa-san noticed a visible difference as early as Wednesday."

[phantomcloud]

And there was the question Miyume had hoped no one would ask.
So far, she'd successfully managed to avoid it and limit her contact with those who might probe too deeply into the issue and find out something she didn't want them to know. She waited until all of her classmates were out of earshot before answering.

"My symptoms first started around the 15th or 16th," she confessed with a heavy sigh. "At first, they were extremely minor, they didn't hinder activity at all so I thought it was simply stress. This is my first time away from home. I thought that after a few days, they would stop."

She sighed again and closed her eyes.

"I felt fatigue the day the shinmen were awakened, too. But it wasn't until -"

Miyume broke off suddenly biting her lower lip. Flinging accusations, no matter how well-deserved they might be, wouldn't change anything. Not what was happening now or what would happen in the future.

"After the shinmen were awakened, I started gradually getting worse. Extreme amounts of stress and anxiety increase my symptoms substantially," she explained patiently, tone and expression completely neutral.

[harmonizenpc]

"I see."

For a moment, Ishichi simply stood there, regarding Miyume carefully, a peculiar sharpness entering her typically dull eyes.

And then the moment was gone, and she spoke in a tone as flat as ever. "I have all the data I need. I have to discuss the results with Yachiyo-san. Excuse me."

And off she went to do just that. The conversation, at least on Yachiyo's end, looked likely to be rather... animated.

[phantomcloud]

Miyume watched the nurse go then slumped in her chair to wait. She could guess what would result from finally telling the truth. As much as she resented Yachiyo for saddling her and everyone else with unwanted responsibilities, she didn't feel the woman was truly heartless. Desperate to fill whatever shoes she'd been given, perhaps, but not heartless.

All she could do now was wait for a verdict to be given.

[harmonizefaculty]

The exchange was fairly lengthy, anded was followed by Ishichi walking off to talk to some of the others while Yachiyo had a somewhat exasperated conversation with her earpiece.

Despite the distance, a few snippets from her end were audible as she paced.

"-- in her condition --" "-- under observation --" "-- extra personnel --" "-- not a matter of resources --" "-- it's not feasible --"

Finally, it ended, punctuated with an annoyed tap of the earpiece, and Yachiyo approached Miyume, with Ishichi breaking off from her own conversation and drifting behind as she noticed the move.

"... Hazama-san." This might well be the first time anyone in the group had seen Yachiyo looking the slightest bit awkward. She cleared her throat slightly, clearly trying to fill space as she worked out what to say.

"Under the circumstances, we've determined that it would be best to remove you from active duty. You will remain at Chitoku, under periodic observation by Ishichi-san. You may stay in the class if you wish, or you may return to your other specialty class."

[phantomcloud]

So it seemed Miyume had been right about Yachiyo's heart, after all. To some extent, anyway. Even though she'd known that this would be the inevitable result after realizing just how much harm the Evoker had done after just one use, watching a rare opportunity to do something worthwhile with her life slip out of her grasp because of her defect still stung.

It was for the best, of course. For her, for them, for her classmates. She'd only slow them down if not endanger them completely by being a liability for whatever mission they might be sent on. She hung her head in defeat and sighed.

"I'd like to go back to my specialty class," she said, trying to keep the edge of tears out of her voice and maintain what little composure she still had left. "And if there's nothing else, I would like to be dismissed so I can rest, Yachiyo-san."

[harmonizefaculty]

Yachiyo nodded stiffly. "Understood. I'll inform Kawakami-san that you'll be returning. Ishichi-san will be in touch in the next few days."

Another slightly awkward pause. "You're dismissed. Do you need assistance?"

[phantomcloud]

"Yes, please. If it's not any trouble, that is."

Now that her secret was out, Miyume looked even more worn out and fragile then she had when she'd first come in. There was little point in hiding how much pain she was in now. And some cold, calculating part of her wanted all of these people to look long and hard at the results of their hasty pursuit of success.

Without waiting for a reply, Miyume stood up on legs that trembled so much it seemed like they might collapse beneath her at any moment. Cane in hand, she shuffled slowly and painfully toward the exit with a walk that seemed far more fitting for a weary old crone than an innocent young girl.