Heated Encounter (Luka)

[Jaelyn Callahan]

Jaelyn sat back on the remains of a ruined bench in the subway terminal, watching shadowy forms crawling along the ground in the distance. If not for the fact that she still saw them on occasion, she might have thought people had finally cleared them all out of the tunnel. But no, there they were. An ever-present reminder that no matter how many Persona users passed through the tunnel, they hadn't actually accomplished much of anything.

Seeing that, Jaelyn no longer felt like doing much of anything today. She had plans, yes. Plans to go explore that deep pit at the edge of the city, plans to raid the mines for whatever valuables it might still hold. Maybe she would even drop by Sakuya's shadowlands villa and see if she was in. But now, she wasn't feeling up to it anymore. So she sat, on the intact half of a bench that was only still standing because of a support in the middle as well as on the sides. She sat, and watched.

She wished she could have chosen somewhere more out of the way, where nobody passing through could see her, but there was nothing left but blind corners and floor space. Her current resting place would be in plain sight of anybody passing through, but it would just have to do.

[Luka Kurokawa]

Luka was making her way into the outer circle via her usual route which was the abandoned terminal. She wasn't planning on doing anything particularly special today. All she planned on doing was exploring a bit and then heading back. It was a regular occurrence for her. Nothing out of the usual. What she saw on the way was quite unusual though. Off to the side was a girl sitting on one of the nearly ruined benches in the terminal. That in itself was weird. But the kicker? Luka recognized the girl. Jaelyn? She called out confusedly to the girl before slowly approaching.

She stopped moving towards her after taking a few steps though. Luka began to recall a number of things from the last full moon. Jaelyn had been there; as did nearly everyone the girl was beginning to become familiar with. But the thing that made Luka hesitate was regarding the shadow that she had fought not that long ago; the sentient shadow that took the form of a naked woman holding a snake. Jaelyn was not only familiar with this shadow as well, but seemed to be rather friendly with her. Could Jaelyn have been some sort of mole for the shadows? It was unlikely, given the shadow she fought seemed to be "separate" from the other sentient shadows. That didn't mean that she shouldn't be cautious though. Quite the contrary. She needed to be careful as well as gather information. Perhaps this was her chance?

How have you been?

[Jaelyn Callahan]

Huh. Footsteps. Jaelyn shouldn't have been surprised, because this was the only place in the entire city where one could definitely get between the safe inner city and shadow-infested outer circle. But she still hadn't actually expected anyone to be passing through while she was sitting around. She looked up, even more surprised, as she heard someone call her name.

Oh, it was Luka.

Jaelyn looked the girl over, trying to read her actions. Despite parts of that night being fuzzy now, Jaelyn definitely remembered what Sakuya had said after the fight in the shopping center, about Luka attacking her out of...well, more or less nowhere. There was...probably more to it than that, but Jaelyn still wanted to be sure that she wasn't about to do the same to her before launching into any kind of interrogation. But no, Luka was being cautious around her as well. Hmm.

"Better than last time," Jaelyn answered when Luka finally asked how she'd been. "My life's less of a shitpile now." There wasn't much chance of Luka feeding her this time around, nor did Jaelyn desperately need such a thing anymore, so she didn't bother to be overly friendly. Besides, while she liked Luka well enough, if Luka was going to be an enemy of Sakuya's then that would have to be dealt with sooner or later. "You've got good timing, by the way. There was something I wanted to talk to you about."

[Luka Kurokawa]

Jaelyn started by saying that she had been doing better than before. Luka wasn't exactly sure on the girl's entire life situation the last time they had talked. She had a feeling that things weren't exactly all cheery on her end though. As for just how bad they had been, Luka still wouldn't know. Though, the girl's choices in words were certainly much less friendly than she had remembered from when they first spoke. There was certainly some tension between the two of them. Luka had her suspicions about just what they could be.

Of course, Jaelyn jumped straight into what Luka could only assume was the main source of the tension. She said that she had something to talk to her about. There were only a few possibilities for what that could have been. Yet, Luka had a very good feeling that she knew exactly what that was. Should she simply cut to the chase or wait to see what she had to say? Chances are things were going to go in that direction anyway. I have a feeling I know where you are going with this. Regardless, what is it you wish to discuss? Things certainly went from friendly to strained rather quickly. As for what lay past that, things could likely get better or they could simply escalate. In the latter case, Luka was prepared for anything. Even a battle.

[Jaelyn Callahan]

Jaelyn wasn't surprised to hear that Luka suspected she knew where the conversation was headed. After the last time they'd so much as seen each other, the last full moon, there wasn't much doubt of what was on her mind. Jaelyn's secret was out. She had a shadow for a girlfriend (or, at least, a very close friend in the eyes of some who might not have made that connection). For anyone there, that would probably be quick to jump into the minds of anyone else who was there when they saw her. Or, at least, any of them who knew her.

Well, she wasn't going to start with that assumption at least. "You remember Sakuya, right? The snake woman from the last full moon?" She didn't say 'shadow', but it went unspoken. Anyone who'd seen the transformation would have to be an idiot to not recognize that Sakuya was one. "She tells me that you attacked her out of something close to nowhere." Jaelyn stopped there, to gauge Luka's reaction. How she responded to that would determine the course of the conversation from that point on. Whether Luka only saw Sakuya as a shadow, or had some greater reason for attacking her, or if she tried to divert it to concern or criticism of Jaelyn's actions. Jaelyn was even prepared for the possibility that Sakuya had not been entirely truthful and had tried to paint herself in a better light. That, however, was not something that could be completely dealt with until she saw Sakuya again.

[Luka Kurokawa]

Right from the start, Luka managed to get some useful information. Jaelyn disclosed the name of the shadow woman as Sakuya. After all, what other snake woman was present at the last battle? It also confirmed that Jaelyn was well aware of the woman's "nature." This also confirmed that the battle Luka had with her was what she wished to talk about. Luka simply continued to listen to Jaelyn for the time being. There was still a chance to reason with this girl.

Though, what she heard from her was far from what she was expecting. No. . . reason? A slight tinge of anger appeared in Luka's eyes. Who was she really mad at though? She honestly couldn't tell. One thing was certain though. There was much more to that exchange than that. I suppose she also failed to mention the fact that I was openly neutral to her at first. I suppose. . . she also failed to mention what kind of "work" she does in the city? Or the fact that she openly declared herself an enemy of the city? Her voice slowly raised with each statement she gave to Jaelyn. I deemed her a threat given what she told me. I certainly did not attack her out of the blue. And in the end? I even chose not to kill her. I'm still not even sure whether or not I should. It was true that Luka had the option to kill the woman named Sakuya. As for what kind of strain that would have put on her body as a result, she chose not to think about it. It was also true that she was not sure whether or not killing a sentient shadow would be right. Hers and the shadow's ideals collided, yet, Luka had the opportunity to end it. The reason she didn't? She knew that her ideals could have been flawed. So what if she was in the wrong? That had been her main reason for not making the killing blow beside the fact that it was doubtful whether or not she would survive.

That being said, what do you intend to do with that information? This girl was a user like her. They both fought to protect the city. But now their beliefs contradicted. On top of that, she was allied with a shadow. Whether or not that shadow could be trusted, a large degree of caution needed to be put in place.

[Jaelyn Callahan]

...Yeah, Jaelyn was expecting that much. Whether it was a clash of ideals, or perceived threat or provocation, of course Luka had some reason to attack her. One she clearly felt justified in, from the slowly building anger that seemed to appear with each statement. Yes, there was a reason. And Jaelyn couldn't deny all of it. If Sakuya had been open about her job, the way she had been with Jaelyn, then of course someone would get upset. Very few people could accept it in the same way that Jaelyn could.

"No, I've known what she does in the city from the start," Jaelyn said. "Who even cares? If it's criminals and other lowlifes she's killing, the city's a better place for it." As for the other thing Sakuya apparently said, that was a laugh. She wouldn't care either way for 'the city'. She'd already made enemies of shadows and humans alike, many of them for Jaelyn's sake. Sakuya was only an enemy of the city of Jaelyn was.

That much...had yet to be seen. Jaelyn didn't want anything like that. But if it happened in the future, then what the hell, it happened. She wasn't going to let anything stop her from getting what she wanted. But at the moment, making an enemy of everyone else in Mosaic would just be suicide.

"You're kidding, right? She's not an 'enemy of the city'. Her job aside, she's told me herself that she doesn't plan on causing destruction here." Her own voice became a little louder and a little harsher as she said that. Then, Luka asked what she planned to do with the information. "Simple. I'm going to decide whether you're still a threat to us or not."

The fact that Luka had willingly chosen not to finish Sakuya off, rather than being unable to, hadn't quite sunk in yet.

[Luka Kurokawa]

Luka had expected some rational debate to come from the girl. Instead, she was only met with utter denial of her arguments. In other words, the lack of arguments of her own. The first thing that Jaelyn said set something off inside Luka. Who even cares? It seemed as if she was making light of a very serious situation. Jaelyn was saying a lot of stuff that she didn't agree with. And yet, Luka simply took it all. She took it all in and began to process it over as she continued. Once she was done, she looked the girl dead in the eyes and began to give her rebuttal.

Who even cares? Anyone who cares about the city as a whole should. Who is she to take the position of judgement on the people? She has no right to take that seat. Besides, what if she were to kill someone wrongly accused or simply innocent? I can not allow that. Luka began to question Jaelyn's alignment more and more as she went on. Did she truly care about the city? Or did she simply not understand how dire of a situation this was?

Second. She told me herself that she was an enemy of the city. Whether you believe that or not is a non-issue. You are the one who has their alignment in question. Her eyes became slightly more fierce as she made that statement.

Then, Luka closed her eyes for a moment. She calmed herself. Opening them with a much more calm expression, she tilted her head slightly. Also, that's a rather funny idea. Deciding if I am a threat? You don't seem to be understanding the situation here. Who do you think the other users will side with? Me, or someone who has some sort of alignment with a questionable shadow? Her tone was rather serious. Something that didn't come out all that often. So to answer your question completely; should you consider me a threat? Only if you wish to make one out of me and all the other Users of the city. She paused to let that sink in a bit. That being said, I don't have enough information to rightfully kill someone; shadow or no. Unlike the person in question who seems to do it without a second thought as a job. She simply gave her thoughts in full, then waited for an answer.

[Jaelyn Callahan]

"Position of judgment? She's a hitwoman, not a vigilante. If anyone's passing that judgment, it's the one hiring her at the time," Jaelyn said. She really didn't care about the specifics. Hell, even if Sakuya killed for thrills Jaelyn wouldn't have cared as long as she herself wasn't in danger. But so long as Luka was going to try to take some kind of moral high ground, she should at least have her facts straight.

As for the remarks about being an enemy of the city, if that were true, Jaelyn would have to have words with Sakuya later. But after everything that had happened between them she found it hard, if not impossible, to believe. "I'll hear it from her later, I'm sure, but until then, what exactly did she say? If you can remember the exact words."

She sighed and shook her head. "I'm not an idiot. I'm not trying to make an enemy of you or anyone else. But if you're going to pose a threat to Sakuya or myself because of our relationship, I want to know now. Before I start looking behind me every five minutes when I'm out in the shadowlands. I've had enough of that already."

[Luka Kurokawa]

She is offering the service of killing people. That is something I cannot agree with. And yes, she is being hired to do such acts, but does that not simply make her a tool of wrong doings? Perhaps someone else is in the seat of judgement, but is the person being sent to do it any better? If a dictator orders his men to slaughter an entire way of life, can the subordinates simply point at the dictator for all of the wrong they did? No. Sakuya is no better than the one ordering her. The blame game was not something Sakuya could play, nor would Luka allow her.

As for what she said, she started off by taking the question into consideration, then said that it "depended on who you asked." Couldn't that argument work for just about any person who did questionable things? I'm pretty sure there are people who would defend a criminal as wrong as they might be. Furthermore, she even said that men themselves were her enemy. An enemy of humans is a threat and enemy to the city no matter what their argument may be. Luka simply continued to fire back at the arguments as they came to her.

Luka pondered over the last bit of what Jaelyn said. Was she a threat to those two? Taking a stance like this was not something to be taken lightly. She needed to think it over for a moment. And on that thought, just what sort of "relationship" did they have? Odd matters aside, Luka had come to a conclusion. Enemies? Most likely. A threat? Likely not. Just know this. If either of you makes a move on the city, expect there to be a backlash. But, you shouldn't have anything to worry about since she isn't an "enemy of the city," right? And with that, Luka concluded her arguments, fully expecting a backlash to come tumbling right back.

[Jaelyn Callahan]

"You really are naive," Jaelyn said, more calmly than before. "There's so many things wrong with what you just said. But, sure, maybe I'm the crazy one. Guess that's what I get for having an ex-serial killer for a mother." Well, that was another thing out of the bag. But Jaelyn was beyond caring at this point. Luka already saw her as a possible enemy, so what was one more thing? "Either way, I'm not going to argue morals with you. I'm not in much of a position for that."

Then came the next thing, what Sakuya said. "She meant that literally, I'm sure. She hates men. As in, men men, not humanity. It's not place to say why, but she has her reasons. And it's not like she goes around killing them for fun." She thought about what she just said for a second, then added "Probably" in an undertone. She would like to have thought that Sakuya left it with her job. Criminals, sex offenders, and similar. And people who provoked her, but really, they were asking for it at that point.

"I'm not going to do anything to the city," Jaelyn said. "I can't speak for Sakuya, since she's not on anyone's side but mine, but I still want to get rid of this disaster area of a lockdown. But how am I supposed to take you at your word that you still won't be a threat?"

[Luka Kurokawa]

Luka simply kept a straight face as the responses came to her. I am. . . naive. Yet, you have no arguments against my own? However, you still see it fit to deny mine? Very well. Do as you wish. He voice became less and less enthusiastic as she spoke. This conversation was going nowhere fast.

This did bring a certain bit of information to light however. Sakuya did indeed hate men. "Men" being the gender. While not exactly what Luka had thought, it was most certainly still beyond acceptable. Male or men overall, that ideal is not something I am willing to stand behind.

As for the girl's final words, she asked how she could trust Luka. How indeed could she? My word means nothing. It is my actions that you should judge me by. And with that, Luka turned away from the girl. Ah, but I suppose I could give you a bit of insight onto my beliefs. I believe humans are all innately good. Therefore, I look at all living things in a neutral approach from the start. I even looked at Sakuya in that regard. And even in the end, I couldn't even kill her. I lack the knowledge needed to rightfully say she is someone who must be exterminated; I still do. Should I gain that knowledge though, and it points towards either of you being removed, expect no mercy. On those words, the girl continued into the outer circle to do what she came here to do. Just another day of busting up some shadows.

[Jaelyn Callahan]

"Fine...I'll accept that, for now," Jaelyn said as Luka started walking away. It was true, Sakuya was still around, despite the fact that Luka had the chance to finish her off. Or at least, Jaelyn assumed she had had the chance. Sakuya had said that doing so would mean critically injuring herself, or worse. But whatever. She couldn't stand up to Luka out here, either way. She had seen what Luka was capable of in the last two full moon incidents. Her only advantage was her resistance to darkness, but even that would fall short in the face of such overwhelming firepower.

There was only one other thing Jaelyn had. It was one she desperately didn't want to resort to. She wasn't her mother. She wasn't a killer, even if she would readily threaten someone who wronged her. But it was there. Fortunately, if Luka still believed that Sakuya wasn't someone who needed to be killed, it wouldn't come to that.

But if it did...

"But likewise," Jaelyn started. Hopefully Luka was still in earshot. She didn't turn to look. "So long as that's your stance, I won't do anything. But if that ever changes...don't forget that I know where you live."