[MoM] IC CONTACT POST

[microbrobotics]

"Hey, you've reached Hiro Hamada. Text me like a normal person and not a weirdo."

Comments

[dormition]

[It's not Minato if he's not occasionally making people question his mental state.]

You have friends, too, [he points out non-urgently, but intently.] I'm sure you have others, but as part of SEES, if you need anything, just ask. Even if it's something like hanging out... or making sure your brother has someone to protect him when things are dangerous.

[Since as far as Minato is aware, Tadashi isn't much of a combatant. (Not that he, at this point, thinks Hiro is either; he's just too experienced with Ken to use him as an example of needing protection.)]

[microbrobotics]

[ Oh right. Actually having friends. He's still not used to that being a real part of his life. ]

... You sure that's okay?

[dormition]

[Hey, Minato the emotionally incompetent figured it out. He has confidence Hiro will get it eventually.]

Of course. [A moment of silence before Minato decides to give him some background that he'll probably need as a team member, even if he's keeping it unspecific for now.]

You should know... Everyone in SEES is alone. If we have any living family, they don't want to see us. So we all rely on each other. Even when we don't get along, we'll be there.

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro's eyes widen a little. ]

None at all?

[dormition]

[Minato has to think about it.]

Fuuka's parents pressure her, but they care for her, [he says finally.]

[microbrobotics]

... And that's it, huh.

[dormition]

[A soft sigh.] Yeah, [he says quietly.]

So we all look after each other.

[microbrobotics]

That part sounds nice, at least.

[dormition]

It is. [A hint of a smile.] And you're included in that... so don't forget.

[microbrobotics]

[ He ducks his head a bit. ]

Guess I'm still getting used to the thought.

[dormition]

Ken-kun is, too, [Minato confesses, in a calculated push to see if Hiro and Ken could become friends. Ordinarily he'd never betray someone else's confidence... unless like now, when he thinks it could benefit them.]

We all had that problem at least at first, but he's from a few months before the rest of us. [He's not about to give too many details on that.]

[microbrobotics]

Ken?

[ He's heard that name before, hasn't he? Who said that to him... ]

Does he know Shinjiro?

[dormition]

Yes. [An inquisitive look.] What do you know about them?

[It could just be that he knows they know each other, but with Shinjiro and Ken, the likelihood is something else.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Yes. Yes indeed. ]

... I saw a memory of his. Shinjiro's, I mean. He ... ah ...

[dormition]

... Ah. [That's easy to interpret, and although Minato doesn't know how he'd seen that memory, it saves him from having to awkwardly dance around the subject.

Gently,] He died protecting Ken. I was there. Ken-kun is from shortly after that time, so he's a little nervous about being part of the team, but I told him he'd never left it.

[microbrobotics]

[ He nods slowly. ]

What ... happened? Did Shinjiro really kills his mom?

[dormition]

[With sad eyes,] Yes. When I told you not to be worried about my Persona... it's because some of them aren't easy to control. Shinjiro-san doesn't have Castor here, and he must be relieved.

[microbrobotics]

... He mentioned Castor. I didn't realize ...

[ Suddenly, the thought of having Personas doesn't seem quite so fun any more. ]

[dormition]

[All fun and games until someone dies...]

It's not something he'd talk about. [Minato hesitates.] It's alright; it might be good for them, to see each other and work through things. A chance they don't have at home.

[Unconsciously echoing Hiro's own situation.]

[microbrobotics]

Glad they have that chance. Glad a lot of people get that chance.

[ The comparison isn't lost on him. ]

[dormition]

[Minato has hardly forgotten that Hiro knows about his own death-- that was their first conversation, after all-- and he withdraws, gaze inward-focused as it drifts down toward his feet.

Softly,] I'm glad I have it, too. And that I have the chance to meet all these people... like you.

[microbrobotics]

Enjoy it while it lasts, huh?

[dormition]

[God, yes. Minato is fervently, actively grateful for every moment he has here; the trepidation in his soul at returning to Erebus is profound, a murky dark water lying in wait. Patient because that dread can never be erased. It's his fate to return.

That's not at all a fate Hiro needs to burden for him, even in part. Minato reaches out and ruffles his hair lightly. In a gentle tone,] I am. Thank you for that.

[microbrobotics]

[ He only makes a small face at that. ]

'course. We're friends, right?

[dormition]

[But if he's annoyed he's not sad and dwelling on death, right? Right.]

Exactly. I wouldn't trust anyone else with my music.