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...Yes.

My position, as it was. [He trails off, pausing, as if working to find the right words.] ...It was self-imposed. Staying in that room, in my coffin. That much was my choice.

I could leave, if I had wished it.

[ He's done poking at the inside of the coffin. Both of Minato's hands now rest on the edge of the coffin. If Vincent's position was self-imposed, then Minato supposes he could leave whenever he he got hungry. ]

Oh.

[ It's a tiny word of acknowledgement. People typically don't lock themselves away in rooms while lying in coffins without reason. ]

If you decided to do that, then... I guess it's okay.

[ Did Vincent lock himself away to keep others out of harm's way? Or did he lock himself away to protect himself? After witnessing Vincent's Galian Beast form, it could be either option.

Minato's not about to pry. At the very least, not today. ]

...can I try lying in here?

Isn't that why you came? [There's a bit of wryness in Vincent's voice.]

Go ahead. I don't mind.

[ Right...

Minato nods to acknowledge Vincent's explicit permission again before carefully settling down in the coffin. He leans back until he's lying completely on his back, assessing how comfortable he feels in the coffin. As his head rests on the pillow, he thinks to himself this really does just feel like a bed. ]

It's not bad. Did people sleep in coffins where you're from?

[ There are all sorts of people who live in Aldrip. Maybe this is normal for Vincent's home. ]

...No.

[look even he knows he's a heckin weirdo. Nobody sleeps like this in is world but him.]

Just me.

[ Ohhhh okay. Vincent Valentine confirmed not from some vampire planet. ]

Oh.

[ In that case, Minato poses another question while still lying in the coffin. ]

Did you put people in these when they died? That's what some people did from my world.

Yes. ...It's standard, in most places, save for Wutai. I believe they typically cremate the dead in that country. Most others bury theirs in graves. In coffins.

[Vincent purses his lips, like he's debating adding something else... yet he refrains, frowning to himself.]

[ It's strangely reassuring to hear that, despite being separated across universes, there are things that remain the same between his own world and the place where Vincent's from. ]

Oh. Most people from my country are cremated too.

[ There's something on Vincent's mind. Minato can tell that much as he gazes up at the man. ]

It's not bad in here. ...it's nice that people get to rest somewhere comfortable in the end.

...That's the idea. That... in the end, we rest in peace.

Seems the dead doesn't quite always get that wish, but it's pleasant concept.

[ There's some silence as Minato considers Vincent's response. ]

That's true. ...it doesn't happen all the time.

[ Minato sits up, though chooses to stay in the coffin for now. ]

Are you supposed to be dead? ...is that why you were in a coffin?

...You asked me once how I knew what death felt like. I did not answer you.

[nah he kinda just left minato on read lmao]

I was killed thirty years ago, and shortly after I was revived. But only after I was a madman's test subject for his damned experiments.

Still, where else does a dead man rest other than the confines of a coffin? It seemed... suitable.

[ WELL... not answering, being left on read, same difference... ]

Oh.

[ If Vincent's treatment was anything like Strega's through the Kirijo Group's experiments in force-awakening Personas... Minato frowns as he takes in the information. So that's what Vincent meant by the dead do not always get to rest. ]

...I died too, before arriving here. That's why... I wondered, if they didn't cremate people back home, what it might be like in one of these.

[ He knocks lightly on the edge of the coffin. It's sturdy. Comfy on the inside, safe. Maybe Vincent's onto something. ]

[There's some hesitation, and Vincent glances at Minato with compassion. He doesn't know the circumstances of the death, but for someone so young it pains him.]

...It isn't too bad.

Cozy.

Yeah. It's nice.

[ ... ]

I'm glad.

[ Minato returns to studying Vincent before offering the man a small smile. It's a reassuring expression, one that he hopes conveys how he wholeheartedly accepted his ultimate fate. ]

...it's okay. Thanks for letting me see your coffin.

[ If anything, Minato's pained to hear that Vincent was subjected to such cruel experiments. ]

[It doesn't feel okay, honestly. Even if he doesn't know Minato's circumstances, it makes him feel uneasy -- the death, that Minato is comfortable with it. It feels like a waste, but maybe it's from Vincent's age.

He's been alive too long. And he will be alive for that much longer, regrettably.]

...Do you... want to practice Queen's Blood?

Okay.

[ Minato's still a newbie when it comes to the game. He could definitely use the practice if he's ever going to be a worthwhile opponent for Vincent.

Carefully, he stands and makes his way out of the coffin. When he straightens, he offers Vincent a sheepish look. ]

...can you keep that a secret though? Sorry.

[ Like, he's pretty sure that info might cause an even worse reaction in others compared to Vincent's. ]

[A brief tilt of his head, and then Vincent nods to Minato once.]

No apology necessary. Your secret will be safe with me.

[Vincent can't be bothered to talk about himself on most days so he can definitely keep a secret for Minato.]

Had a question though, if you don't mind. Don't have to answer.

[ That's a relief. Kotone and Manjiro seemed to handle the information fine, but Scott? Scott did not handle it fine. Neither would Sha-Ming, Minato thinks to himself.

...he'd rather Sha-Ming not find out at all, given the man's reactions to his apathy towards life. ]

Thanks.

[ There's his own curious head tilt now. ]

It's okay. You can ask.

...The way you summoned those creatures.

That was... [fuckin weird who the hell designed that] ...not typical. Is that normal where you're from?

[ Technically, it's normal. It's why it takes a moment for Minato to respond. ]

Yes, but... I guess the ability to summon them isn't "normal."

[ That's the easiest way to explain. ]

There are methods to summoning where I am from. It was not that.

Explain, if you can. ...Or if you wish to.

[Like, Vincent isn't gonna force him.]

[ He's frowning now, only because he's not sure he can explain it. Maybe Mitsuru had better insight into why Evokers had to Look Like That and Worked Like That. But Minato? No clue. ]

I don't really know. When I held one for the first time though, putting it here --

[ Minato lifts a hand to tap his temple with an index finger. ]

It... made sense to me.

[ Let's Not talk about how the gesture was encouraged by the small child that only he could see. ]

...It made sense.

[Vincent breathes in slowly, holding his breath for a moment.]

You can imagine how that might leave a certain impression. Your contentment with death, and that gesture alone.

If it does not bother you, then I'll leave it be.

[ For what it's worth, he's learned to reassure others that the Evoker is channeling device and Not what it looks like. But back in the tower, there hadn't been any time to tell Vincent mid-battle. ]

Yes. I try to warn people now before doing it.

[ Oh. Perhaps there's been a perfectly understandable misunderstanding... There's a sheepish smile on his face. ]

It... wasn't like that.

[ What's the best way to put it? ]

It kept my friends safe. So it wasn't scary.

...I suppose you and I did not have such a luxury of explanation.

[The Galian Beast certainly ensured that, or whatever forced it to come out.]

Hm.

[The explanation does make a kind of sense, then. There's a pause as he peers at Minato, then with his right hand lacking the gauntlet he reaches up and puts it on top of Minato's head. sure he's a teenager but like vincent is nearly 60 so shut up]

Then it is courage. Still, nonetheless, I have no doubt there are others who value your life.

I will not pester you regarding it. [nagging is too much energy and it's not like anyone wants it] But I understand.

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screams and crawls out of the abyss

THE RETURN OF ALBA

ME!!!!

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