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2026-06-04: The Gang Considers Letting a Man Die

2026-06-20T22:29:17Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: The Gang Considers Letting A Man Die'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Goro Akechi]], [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:Yumezaki Ward, Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' June 04, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 27, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''There's no better way to summarize this than what was said here: "We got thrown out of two places, and had probably three separate police reports written about us which we'll have to have Akechi field."''

----

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 1: Time of Joka - Challenge Level 3 =============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

There's a crisis going on at the GOLD Gym. One Ulala Serizawa, who
frequently makes use of the punching bags at the establishment has locked
herself into a room, and barricaded the door.

"Hurry..." Her voice rasps behind the door. "It's my time of Joka... before
I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO
MUCH!"

She doesn't answer to anyone who tries to reason with her to let her inside,
only demanding again and again, the one she hates the most. The employees
are standing around, discussing to themselves in hushed tones.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

Makimura. Even if you haven't met him, not only does it sound familiar. It
sounds correct. Yes, Ulala Serizawa must hate him for what he's done.

It doesn't take much to get a little more information. 'Youichi Makimura' -
a young man who's popular with the ladies, but only dates them to scam them
out of their money after a fake marriage proposal.

What's more difficult is trying to get more information out of them.

"Uh. We can't really give that out to our customers... even for a guy like
him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?

That's a bit of a problem. Either you can be understanding of their position
and try to get /some/ details out of them, or you can figure out another way
to locate the guy.

OOC Note: The Party with Maya Amano in it instead gets a similar phone call
from Ulala, rather than starting at the gym. They already understand
Makimura is a hated figure in her life, and either need to deduce where he
is based on their understanding of him, or based on whatever facts they can
gather.

Deja Vu Note: Any instance of colored text is an opportunity for a Deja Vu
insight, if you feel your character was a part of the Innocent Sin events.
This is entirely opt in, and doesn't preclude you from deciding differently
later.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Rumormongers have spread it everywhere already. There's a crisis at the GOLD Gym, with a member there barricading themselves into one of their many workout rooms.

No one has yet called the police, because, they're not certain if there's actually a crime going on here. And if there isn't, then they might just say 'This sounds like a civil matter' and leave.

However, there is ''someone'' on a scene. The famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) Second Coming of the Detective Prince. Currently he's standing near the door, a hand upon his chin as he contemplates the desperate speech of the woman inside.

"Hurry..." Rasps a woman's voice behind the door "It's my time of Joka... before I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO MUCH!"

"Serizawa-san... let's talk about this. I'm certain you don't want for this to escalate. Is there any chance you might let me inside, so we can work this out between us?"

Instead of a real answer, he gets a frustrated noise inside, like a suppressed scream, "LISTEN TO ME!" She shouts, "IF YOU DON'T BRING- IF YOU DON'T BRING-" It devolves into inarticulable words, as employees looking on begin to gossip.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

"Makimura-san..." Akechi repeats as he turns around to face them, "Do you mean Youichi Makimura...? I believe I've heard of him. While technically not wanted for arrest- he reportedly scams women out of their savings with offers of marriage."

Pause.

"Do you happen to know where the individual in question might be found?"

"Uh. We can't really give that out about our customers... even for a guy like him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?"

He may be the Second Coming of the Detective Prince, but that doesn't mean he couldn't use a hand, right? After all, it's not like he seems to have time to get a warrant for the information, or the assistance of the police...

And while one can't know what's happening to Ulala Serizawa behind those closed doors, it certainly sounds like nothing ''good'' could come of just letting this happen.

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh! What's going on? I thought I heard--"

It's after school on a Thursday. Maria, still in her school uniform, is just standing there with her bag slung over one shoulder.

"Sempai!" she calls out, waving a hand over her head before charging onwards towards Akechi. "Hi! Are you signing up for the gym, too?"

Because that's what she was doing. Signing up for the gym.

People might have to backtrack a little bit, just long enough for Maria to get the shape of things (oh, and the giggling from within the boxing gym might also paint her a picture).

She's a more serious Maria by the time things are through.

"She's kind of like me..." Maria muses, her eyes closed in thought as she thinks it over. "...but you think you can help her? If we find this Makimura guy? And bring him here? And then she won't change!"

Pause.

"Okay! I'm on it!" She makes a fist.

Pause.

"But first we have to find that guy, huh..."

A VERY, VERY LONG PAUSE.

Maria wears the blankest expression known to mankind.

"Maybe he's... ..."

NOW LOADING

"..."

"...I liked going to the zoo. There are animals there!"

thank you, maria
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thank goodness, someone is coming to Akechi in his time of need!

It's Maria.

Who is volunteering!

It's okay, there's also someone else coming to assist Akechi in his time of need!

"I don't know, I'd say my privacy's been pretty violated... He took me for a fool as well. My heart's never going to recover."

.... It's Umie Akabane, judging by the blonde hair, threaded through in a ponytail through the back of a baseball cap labeled with a cursive 'P' (for the Aoba Penguins, of course!), a sporty jacket, clear frame glasses, leggings, and sneakers.

Adjust your expectations as needed.

She shrugs. "But I never wanted him to get *hurt*. It'd be a real shame if someone found him and tried to hurt him in the name of this poor woman... She seems to be taking it even worse than I did. If it weren't for the Second Coming of the Detective Prince here, maybe I would have lost more than my heart..."

Pause. With a half smile and a wink, Umie tilts her head towards Maria in a quiet salute.

"Oh hey, Sakurai-kun. Long time, no see."

</poem>
MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Second Coming toward Time of Joka! Focus and Patra!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Time of Joka - Round 1 ================================================-
Goro Akechi Academics Success
Second Coming Focus and Patra Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Hard-2, and Mindnumbing-2
Final Conditions: Annoying-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
A familiar voice. A familiar girl, waving, waving at him. He flashes her a ten million yen smile and- "Ah, not as such. I'm investigating the 'disturbance' within."

Maria asks if they think they can help her and he nods firmly, "I believe so. I at least wish to try."

'And then she won't change!'

"... Change into what, I wonder? What would becoming a 'Joker' look like?" Akechi asks, sounding somewhat disturbed by the thought. After all, he had a personal vendetta against Tatsuya Sudou, the Joker Killer.

Maria tries to speak to the employees and one of the young adult women makes something of a confused face, then becoming second hand embarrassment, "Haha- he never struck me as much of an animal lover..."

Then a wandering UMIE appears and speaks of how she herself got ''scammed''! Ah, the power of ''L Y I N G'' which Akechi knows well!

"Yes, that's so." Akechi plays along. "However it seems he failed to turn his life around and has gone ''too far'' this time. Well, that settles this. Makimura-san must be found and brought to justice."

He turns to the employees, and flashes that winning smile of his, "Now, I understand you have to protect client privacy- but- is this man truly the type of client you want associated with your establishment? Why- his very presence here seems to be a disruption to your clientele. At this point I daresay the law would have no expectation of your gym protecting his privacy."

"Well-" The young woman stumbles over the thought of having another victim, and Akechi's logic. "-things are getting pretty wild around here. And it does sound like it's all his fault."

She looks to the other employees, and none of speak up to try and stop her.

"You didn't hear it from me, but he tried to ask me out for drinks to the Parabellum once-" She looks embarrassed, "He even knew I already had a boyfriend. He's utterly shameless!"

"I see. Well thank you for your cooperation, Miss. I promise we'll be discreet."

Now, would the Second Coming of the Detective Prince ask ''Maria Sakurai'' and ''Umie Akabane'' with him on a case?

Obviously, he's a consummate little shit stirrer who enjoys the entropy of the fairer sex at work.

"Shall we, ladies?"

</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 2: Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Challenge Level
3 -
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - |
| Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Mindnumbing - |
| Academics Down L2, and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It might take a long time, or not very long at all, but you're led to the
Parabellum, the Bar/Weapon's shop where there's a man and woman at the bar.

That's him. Somehow you know immediately.

Portrait of a Terrible Man:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/a/a6/Persona_2_IS_Maki
mura.png/revision/latest?cb=20140514131225

The man has frosted hair and a winning smile that lets him skate through
life on easy street, as he chats with the lady that looks only a few years
shy of forty.

"About the thing I asked about earlier... Were you able to collect enough?"

The Office Lady he's with downs a drink, as if to give her courage, before
turning to give him a hopeful look, "Yeah, I managed the three million you
asked for... I can count on you right?"

He rotates his drink in a slow circle, "Of course... with that I can keep my
research going. I'm guaranteed to become the Vice-President of the Academy
when it succeeds. And just think, you'll be the wife of the Vice-President."

She looks like she's still hesitating, at least until he adds, "I love you
so much..." And her expression melts, "I love you too... Maki-chan. I can't
wait to be your bride."

He's trying to scam his next victim! You can't let this stand right? You
have to interrupt this, but you also have to figure out a way to keep him
from getting so upset he doesn't cooperate- or worse yet, runs off.

Maybe the best way is to convince him that Ulala is going to kill him, and
you're here to help? But- it may be a tough sell.

How do you get him back to the GOLD Gym?

Luckily, fate is on your side, because Youichi Makimura is a consummate
coward, and knows just how scary Ulala can be when she's pissed.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Akechi wants to try. That's enough for her, Maria decides. "Right!"

Maybe it will even save her, if it comes to that.

Maria stares at Umie, uncomprehending like a bird regarding its reflection in the glass for the first time. She talks about how she had a hard time with Makimura when she dated him, which gets her some sympathy from the other ladies, whereupon Maria realizes that, wait, she knows this woman in the baseball hat--

"U--"

Maria is not /completely brainless. She claps a hand over her own mouth in the nick of time.

"Really?" says Maria, tilting her head to one side. "I liked the time I went on a date at the zoo." There really is a lot of difference between the world of 16 and the world of 20...something.

Still, from the ladies here, two of them are able to get a possible answer. To Aoba!

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER

"I didn't even recognize you," Maria comments, wrapping up a conversation with Umie as they head into the bar.

Maria, like a kid who's just walked into a candy shop, looks all around herself. "Wowww, so this is what a bar is like... Oh, but you don't drink either, do you, sempai?"

/because it's against the law/, maria/

There are adults here chatting over drinks, but among the hubbub, one particular pair stands out to Maria. She freezes like an antelope on the serengeti, her dark gaze settling on the man of the pair in particular. The description those women gave. It's--

''him''.

Maria starts forward, her gaze wide and unblinking as she advances on Makimura. He's still talking. He's saying how he'll make her the wife of the Vice-President. The women sighs and utters her sweet sentiments. It's very much something out of a movie or a drama.

"Are you Youichi Makimura?"

She's somewhat on the taller end for a girl, which in Maria's case is 5-foot, 4-inches. He's taller than that. She stares at him unblinking. "You hurt a woman really badly, you know."

And maybe that would have been one thing, if Maria hadn't also picked up a chair from a table on her way over and is currently holding it overhead.

You know, as a threat.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion'
to You Right Now.! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'And then she won't change.' It slipped by Umie when Maria said it, being that she was busy establishing her 'identity'. Akechi's next question, though natural, leaves Umie to pause.

"... Surely it's not like that..." Umie says, grimacing. "... Surely..." Just because Chizuru said so, on TV... it's not like she's seen anything, right? Correction: in Shibuya, Umie's seen nothing.

..... Of course it's happening. When have things *ever* gone right for her?

The rancid feel of those thoughts is pushed away and smoothed over by Akechi just naturally building onto her lie and using it to further seek out the clue.

'Shall we, ladies?' Umie stifles a cackle. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were enjoying this, Akechi-kun." He is, though not in the way Umie suspects.

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER!!

Umie looks aside to Maria, trying not to preen herself too obviously at Maria's compliment. "<Nice catch> back there. Honestly, I should've worn the wig." Umie sighs. "First I dye my hair, then I wear a wig that's nearly the same color as what I've dyed it from." Such is life.

Like being in a bar, and not drinking! ..... not that Umie is a drinker.

Casting a glance towards Akechi as Maria steps out of ear shot, Umie frowns. "You don't really think finding the guy'd do anything *besides* make things worse, right...?"

Before she can really think, Maria is making her move. "...!" Whether or not this is Youichi Makimura (though Umie's gut certainly says it is), Maria is walking into a potential situation here.

..... And now, so is Umie, casting a smirk over her shoulder towards Akechi as she lifts her cap off, letting her blonde hair settle around her shoulders. "I got an idea..." A little primping, and she's off.

"I told you not to go up to him." Soon enough, Umie joins Maria at her side, giving Makimura a pointed grimace. "He probably has his reasons, for leaving me without a word..."

At 5'1", Umie is slightly shorter that Maria.

She's totally using it to her advantage here.
</poem>

MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with String Theory toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm
'Lion' to You Right Now.! Focus and Find!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Haha..." Akechi chuckles awkwardly at Maria's comment, "... well I think it's a splendid setting for a date. Which is why a man such as this can't appreciate it."

Whereas- what Umie indicates, "I certainly hope not. Still, just in case- we ought to hurry."

At Umie's accusation, he manages a small grin, "Perish the thought. After all, a lady's life is very much in danger here."

Okay yes guilty as charged.

That was one interesting subway ride now, wasn't it?

"Not as such... as I'm still underage. I am quite fond of mocktails at an establishment I frequent though. Ah- non-alcoholic versions of popular mixed drinks." He explains to Maria- and it certainly does sound like the way a straight-laced Detective Prince might prepare himself for adulthood... unlike actual teen rebels who just drink underage.

So what then is his Will of Rebellion?

From a distance, at the bar, he observes the man, his gaze becoming sharper as he hears those words- it reminds him uncomfortably much of Shido and his Mother- the idea of a woman being in love with a man, who was merely using her.

Umie asks him an important question, and he gives her a serious look, "To be frank, I think bringing him might allow us access to her without escalating things to the police deciding to take matters into their own hands. If they show up- then Serizawa-san may not make it out of this alive." He imparts grimly- and perhaps Umie can understand well why he thinks this is a distinct possibility.

When Maria stalks up with ''intent''. He doesn't even attempt to stop her. Especially when Umie charges after.

"I do believe this man is about to have the worst day of his life." He murmurs to himself, "A consequence that's been long in coming."

In fact, he decides to let the girls handle this one- while he instead just stands between their position and the door.

If indeed he's as cowardly as he suspects he is, Makimura might just try to run. But he won't get far with him standing there.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You
Right Now.! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Round 2 -
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Charm Failure
String Theory Focus and Find Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-1, Bothersome-2, Box-0, Mindnumbing-1,
Mindnumbing-2, and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1, Mindnumbing-1, and Scary-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"See?" she says, to the world at large as Akechi agrees with her.

It's just that Makimura is not that kind of guy. "Oh..." says Maria. "So he's a jerk."

Worse than her own ex, it seems!

"Ehh?? That's a wig?" Maria gasps, surprised by this latest of revelations from Umie. "Wow... I never would have guessed. I wonder if I should get a wig, then my grandma would stop asking me if I'm going to grow mine out." She pauses, thinking this one though. "Oh, wait, but it wouldn't get long enough overnight, would it..." She sighs. Getting enough wigs of steadily increasing sizes is probably really expensive, too...

"Mocktails... huh, that makes sense. I've heard of those, but I haven't had one, right? Ehehe, I guess, we're not supposed to drink..." she giggles, grinning like a cat who's been caught stealing the milk.

But there's Makimura more urgently, and he has to be corralled.

Fortunately, Maria is here. She's equipped with a bar (well, restaurant) chair. Makimura looks up at the chair, still raised overhead. "Uh," he says.

Maria continues to stare at him, intent. Her arms start to shake.

Into this moment intrudes Umie. Umie, who could easily pass as a high-schooler herself in the moment.

The woman looks at Umie. Then she looks at Maria, brandishing a chair. Then she looks back at Makimura.

"Babe, no, you've got it wrong! I haven't seen her a day in my life! She's trying to get between us," he implores his latest beau-- er, target. "And I don't think I've seen the other one, either--"

This is when Maria, with Akechi watching, hits Youichi Makimura with the chair. He goes down like a lead brick. The woman with him screams and runs for the exit. Maria meanwhile squares up to hit the downed adult man with the chair again.

"Stop!" shouts the gun-loving bartender, who of course hasn't missed this at all, "What are you, a barbarian? Put that down at once, young lady!"

Maria turns towards the gun-loving bartender, chair still overhead. She glances up at it and goes, "Oh, okay." Just like that she sets it back down.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, miss. There's no room for these sorts of antics in this establishment."

SOON

The three of them are outside again, plus Makimura. Victory?
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 3: You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., Scary - Guts |
| Down L1, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

One way or another, Makimura is in your protective custody. And he's
quickly getting on everyone's nerves by trying to chat up the guys to
convince them he's the real victim here, whereas he's trying to outright
flirt with the girls despite the situation he's in.

When you try to take him outside though.

"Ah man- nature calls! I'm not going to run away, promise. Just hold on for
a minute then I'll come with you."

Escorting him to the only tiny restroom at the bar, you wait. And wait. And
wait. Until finally someone checks and-

Yep, that window to the alley sure is open. So much for his promises.

Quick! You've gotta figure out where he went! A puddle in the back alley
gives you the advantage of a few tracks to figure out what direction he
went, or you can ask some intelligent questions of passersby about this very
distinct looking man.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Oh, nono, this is dyed." Umie lifts up a few tendrils of blonde hair, frayed to perfection. "Just that my wig's the same color as my undyed hair." Umie pauses a moment, however, remembering the distorted reflections of Maria's family members in her Kingdom. Maria must really have to deal with a lot of comments like that from her own family members, huh...

"Drinking isn't really all that it's cracked out to be." This word of wisdom from the Adult of this party, the 20 year old who is calling on.... one night of experience. She shrugs. "Mocktails are better, anyway. Aside from the calories, you don't have to worry about having too many." Or worry about the possibility you'd find yourself thinking Mai-chan's prodding excellent inspiration for how to spice up an otherwise boring night.

Akechi, however, would never have to worry about unleashing another side of himself. Or Maria, for that matter, as she..

.... knocks Makimura over with a chair.

Umie has to admit, that was pretty impressive. ER, THAT IS ".... Oh no, that was such a bad idea, don't. Ah, how horrible."

ONE EXPLUSION FROM A BAR LATER

Umie's eyelashes lower, her voice hitching upwards, just so, to indicate a sort of vulnerability as she peers up towards the somewhat conscious Makimura. "I'm so sorry... I mistook you for someone else." She claps her hands in front of her. "Please, let me make it up to you! But we really should get you looked at, too..."

Makimura frowns, unconvinced, given the appearance of Maria right there. "She's... right there."

"I mean, she'll have to file a report, so..." Umie looks up. "Please, I beg you, don't try to get money out of her because she assaulted you! With so many witnesses, she'll have no case against you!"

Maybe it's the head trauma talking, but Makimura... seems to accept this. "I... guess?"

However, a man's heart (and brain) are flighty, and given to flights of indecision.

As they get in front of Wild Duck, Makimura does an impressive pee walk. "... U-uh, so. I really need to use the little boy's room?"

Umie, looking at him from over her shoulder, can't maintain whatever sort of 'identity' she has in the face of such wording. ".... really." How does he get women to fall for him if he's talking like that?!

It's not like people can be amazingly sauve and attractive in personal one to one communication. You know, like that person Umie Akabane made out with sitting on the floor of her own kitchen because he said some nice words to her. _DESPITE BEING AN NWO AGENT_.

ONE PEE BREAK LATER

"..... Nothing says we have to put ourselves in danger for his sake if he gets his ass pummeled by his ex, right?" Umie grumbles, below her breath. "No law against it. None. Absolutely *none*."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Ohhh," says Maria, seeing daylight at last. So that's what's up with Umie's hair! And the wig. "Okay!" she smiles back. Question, answered!

Umie, though, does opine that drinking's not all it's cracked up to be. "Huh," says Maria. "Do you think so?"

Even Maria's not about to, er, openly reveal that she might have had a nip or two, underage. it's fiiiine

AND THEN THEY GOT KICKED OUT OF A BAR

Maria, guileless, looks over the wounded Makimura. "You're not dizzy, right?" she asks, as if she hadn't just hit him with a chair. "I think that bump should go down in a few days! Oh, but," and she glances at Akechi, as if she weren't parsing at all the fact that Umie is suggesting that Makimura might want to tag along with them all to press charges ''against Maria'', "we need you! That lady needs you!"

That lady wants to kill him, actually.

"You'll come with us, right?"

Akechi's case may be the better argument.

In any case, they don't get far before Makimura insists that he has to use the gentlemen's room, and it's not like they can go back to the bar. Fortunately, there's a fast food joint here. Maria helps by buying a soda. She ultimately drains it most of the way by the time someone checks on Makimura and finds out he ran away.

"What? He ran away? Just like that?" She frowns. "That wasn't very nice of him. I didn't hit him that hard..."

Investigating the alleyway, she soon finds that there are footprints. "Oh! He went that way!" she points out to the others. "I bet I could be a good detective." Pause. "Oh, I bet if I start running, I can catch up!" ...It's been minutes, he could be anywhere.

Too late, Maria's already doing stretches.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Marvelous form." Akechi murmurs to himself as Maria hits him with the steel chair and as the gun-loving bartender calls them out, Akechi steps forward. "We'll just show ourselves out."

Umie and Maria keep pressing, trying to feed him a story- before, Akechi plays on his cowardice, using his best boy next door interview voice, "You're a popular man today. It's not every man who earns the attention of two beautiful women- haha-"

It's a small chuckle, because he's fondly remembering the steel chair, "Now I'd ask that you don't do anything foolish- you see, Ulala Serizawa is looking to take your life for your misdeeds."

It's not exactly fully a lie! It's just also not entirely the truth. They don't ''know'' that for sure.

"Now, the police don't believe a protection detail is warranted, but on my honor as a Detective, you have my word that I'll prevent her from ending your life."

Injure? Maim? Well- he never promised that! Just that he won't let her ''kill'' him.

He asks to go to the little boy's room though, and Akechi stares at him, "Mm-hm. I'll remind you to not do anything foolish-"

Cut to VERY SHORTLY after.

This is the face Akechi is making: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/638807528437980158/

"-why do I even bother saying anything." As he glances aside at Umie, "Yes, if she kills him now- I'd say it's his own fault for escaping our custody."

Maria though says he didn't even hit him that hard and Akechi sweatdrops, "Ah Sakurai-san. If I ever upset you, please let me know so I can make amends."

For no reason. No reason whatsoever.

Akechi examines the bathroom- the open window, the side street. "I'm going to go see if I can find an eye witness as to which way he was heading."

But at the alleyway! "Sakurai-san wai-" He marvels, like startled at the display before him as she just tears off, with the speed of a track star, "-well- I have her number, so I'll call her before she gets up halfway up Katatsumuri." He asides to Umie."

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

"You don't say. He really said he'd be dating you a few years from now?" Akechi says, grinding his teeth, as he speaks to a twelve year old still in her school uniform. Who shrugs, and says. "Yeah, but he's way too old. Like- ew. Plus guys like that aren't my type."

"Haha... I'm glad to hear you say that. And which way was he headed?"

"Well I can tell you- but before you go... Could I have your autograph?"

"Of course- let me just get out my pen."

Should Akechi succeed with his investigative technique, he might glance Makimura trying to melt into a crowd, and lock eyes with him.

Kill Bill Ironside Siren - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOy6hqzfsAs

When of course- he runs after that, he continues at a leisurely gait, like a persistence predator slowly stalking his prey.

Of course- Makimura is very ''cunning'' prey.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Round 3 =================-
Goro Akechi Proficiency Failure
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Failure
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 3
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Ineptitude-2, Mindnumbing-1, Reaper-0,
Scary-1, and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Ineptitude-1 and Stupor-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> If there is something slightly more alluring to the idea of women being interested in Makimura, it's someone who, being rather well-liked and charming to ladies himself, is acknowledging Makimura's clear advantage here. "Well, you know how it is!" Makimura says...

... as if he and Akechi were ever one and the same.

But even that won't be enough to appease the man. Akechi may be an honorable detective (after all, he plays one on TV!), again, Maria is *right* there, and she *did* hit him with a metal chair.

Umie'd never do that.

Maria is not only useful with chairs, she's also an excellent runner, as demonstrated...

SHORTLY AFTER IN THE ALLEYWAY!

"You'd think she'd stop?" Umie looks to Akechi... and ponders. "Actually. you know what... she probably would." An Akechi text is an Akechi text, after all.

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

Akechi catches a glimpse of Makimura trying to blend into the crowd.

It's glimpse that the little girl is none the wiser of, and honestly? Good for her. "..... Ohoh! Could you sign this for my best friend? She watches all your TV appearances. She's your biggest fan!!" Alas, how can you say no to such a sweet smile, Akechi? Especially after she had to deal with the idea that she'll soon enough be considered prey for men like Makimura... if not already.

There really is no bottom to this pit, is there?
</poem>

MONAD: Goro Akechi has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 4: The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Understanding |
| Conditions: Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down |
| L2, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., and Stupor |
| - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It takes a while to find him, but Makimura's left quite a trail. You find
yourself ultimately outside the Clair De Lune, a fancy restaurant in Narumi
Ward, Sumaru City. A restaurant now, at a place like this?

You quickly spot him once you enter. He's at a table with another woman.

"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite
of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns,
straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it
at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you
back as soon as I get home..."

You can see his wallet on him. /It's right there/. One option clearly is to
just take it from him and show her. The other, well, surely you have enough
evidence by now to point out what sort of man he is.

Be careful! This is the upscale side of town. It'd be very easy for your
actions to be misinterpreted.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Akechi looks to Umie as she asks 'You'd think she'd stop?' and raises an eyebrow. Then smiles and nods after. "Yes I suspect you're right."

-=-=-

And then Akechi gets accosted by a fan. "Of course I-"

"Wait- that guy over there? Isn't that Goro Akechi!?"

"No way! It's Akechi-kun!"

He's gonna be here for a while. This is only right and just - to punish him for his arrogance.

SEVERAL DOZEN SIGNATURES LATER

Akechi picks up his phone and calls Umie and Maria one by one. "I believe I saw Makimura-san making a break for the train station. Given which station it is- I believe he's headed to the Narumi Ward. Shall we go check it out for ourselves?"

Now if Makimura were smart, he'd keep riding- but- the Narumi ward is what is known as a 'target rich environment' for a man like him.

They find him at the Clair De Lune at of course, a table with a a rich ingenue-
"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns, straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you back as soon as I get home..."

Akechi looks sideways to Maria and Umie- "How unsurprising. I have an idea- but first, I have to-"

The Maitre'd, Garcon Soejima- clears his throat. "Ahem. Do you have a reservation?"

What Akechi ''doesn't'' get a chance to say is that he needed to distract the Maitre'd. "Ah beg pardon, my name is Goro Akechi, perhaps you've heard of me?" "Ah! Oui! The Boy Detective-"

Well, at least he's now distracted enough that Maria and Umie can approach- but how are they going to manage that?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Where was Umie during Akechi's hour of need?

"*pant* *pant* *pant*..." Outside of a supernaturally enabled area, Umie is not a runner.

She's just about to haul out her phone to text Maria and Akechi when the latter beats her to the punch. Taking a moment to still her breathing, she answers, like she hadn't tried to run after a man and then get lost.

..... the streets sure look real different when there's lots of people on them...

A CLAIR DE LUNE LATER

"... He wastes no time," Umie grumbles behind the two. "His wallet's right there, even... He's really shameless. Akechi-kun--"

Ah, the curse of fame. But thankfully, this was a part of the plan.

Umie notably tries to act first, before Maria can.

If there's one thing the Badb and the blonde are incredibly skilled at, it's pointing their finger at someone and reciting their doom.

"... I can't believe you left me alone on that train platform... I confessed and everything..." She clasps a apricot nailed hand over her mouth. "... You... you should have told me you wanted the relationship to be open... I'm sure my parents will understand. They *did* like you..."
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Can you do this? toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria gives chase!

Indeed, there she goes... She certainly used to be a track star.

Is sometimes one given to wonder how Maria has survived this long, living like this? It's a valid question.

At least she does eventually answer her phone. "I couldn't find him," she chirps, as if she hadn't just run a distance in her school uniform of all things.

There's a pause, as Akechi, once he's free of his fan club swarm, provides her with some useful information. "Really! Narumi? That's for rich people," she says. "I'll meet you there!"

But where would a man escaping a couple of teenagers and an Umie go in Narumi Ward? Is there somewhere safe from frightning children (and one young adult)? Apparently, the answer is 'meeting his date at a fancy restaurant'.

Even Maria takes a moment to just stare at him at the table. "Wow. Adults are strange, huh," she whispers, peering at Makimura and his date. "His wallet's right there!"

First, though, they have to lose the Maitre'd. This is where Akechi fits in! And secondly... Maria looks at Umie. Who is pointing at Makimura and continuing her act from before. Maria tilts her head to one side.

"...Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?" says Maria, who is barely a level one Rogue, as these things go.

BUT NEVERTHELESS

She stretches out her hands, cracking her fingers, and rolling her shoulders. While the Maitre'd and Makimura are both distracted, then! ...Maria moves in for the kill. Which is to say, she tries to steal Makimura's wallet right out of his pants pocket.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine
and Dash! Specialty!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Round 4 -
Goro Akechi Proficiency Success
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Proficiency Failure
Can you do this? Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Hard-2, Ineptitude-1, Ineptitude-2, Reaper-0, and
Stupor-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1 and Ineptitude-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Really? I'm shocked. You took off after him so quickly." Was Akechi's response to Maria saying she couldn't find him...

NOW

Makimura freezes at Umie's entrance, while the woman with him looks confused, "Maki-chan. Who is this woman?" Makimura, used to thinking on his feet clears his throat and says, "Look- I told you about my crazy obsessive Ex right? That's her- she's been stalking me everywhere."

He looks towards Umie, and tries to say firmly, "Babe, I told you. It's over. We haven't been together for over a year now."

Meanwhile, Maria gets his wallet, and holds it up, as the woman gawks suspiciously, "Isn't that your wallet?" Makimura seems panicked for a moment, "Did you pick my pocket at the station or something!? These chicks are crazy! I'm calling the cops-!" Which is when Goro Akechi grabs a chair and hauls it up right beside him, plopping down.

"Ma'am, I'm afraid that this man is a consummate scam artist. If you'll just call this number later- I'll explain everything, you have my word."

As he holds out a business card with both hands, before turning to Makimura sliding a hand to his side. "Now then, let's have a chat." The man freezes, because there's something cold and metallic poking into his side.

It just so happens to be a spoon he purloined off the table, but he doesn't need to know that.

"A-Alright! Alright you got me! She's just- she's a demon when she's mad, man! Look you're a guy too right? Can't you give me a break-hrk!"

That's the sound he makes as the woman who's with him throws a tea saucer at his face. "I can't believe I trusted you! You- you lech!" Who then begins to storm out as he massages his cheek and calls, "Babe wait!"

Garcon Soejima clears his throat. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask all of you to leave. You're disturbing the other guests."

Akechi looks sheepish, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, sir. Sakurai-san, why don't you see to the bill, before we go?" "That's my money!" Makimura protests. "Oui- and it was also your meal." Garcon Soejima notes, as Makimura sighs.

PLACES THEY HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT OF: 2

</poem>
MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 5: Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Challenge Level 4 =================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., Chest - Add 2 |
| Item/Money/Gear., Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency |
| Down L2, Scary - Guts Down L1, and Stony - Understanding Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You finally got this fraudster back to the GOLD Gym. But there's one
problem. No matter what you say to Ulala behind the door, all you hear is
laughing! This is getting really bad.

The employees mention that there's a key to the room, but they don't have
it. They think one of the female employees had it last, but she's not on
today.

To the woman's locker room you go! There's only one problem.
There's currently a panty thief digging through her locker, holding up a
pair of her unmentionables in absentia.

As he sees himself caught, he has a deer in the headlights look in his eyes,
before sputtering out. "H-Hey it's not what it looks like."

It's exactly what it looks like. The key might still be in the locker, but
do you really want to take the chance that a guy who breaks into private
places wouldn't take the opportunity to grab a key?

He's trying to make a break for it. You can already see that in his eyes.
And if he gets out of the Locker Room or manages to call for help, he can
spin it any way he wants!!

You can either deal with this by force, or you can let it slide, in exchange
for the peaceful handover of the key.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Base!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Automap!
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Round 5 ====================================-
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Failure
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Boss-0, Chest-0, Hard-1, Ineptitude-1, Scary-2, and
Stony-2
Final Conditions: Scary-1 and Stony-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 6: Is That the Mafia or is Ulala Just Happy To See Me? - Challenge Level 1 -
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Withdraw - Complication ensues. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You get the key!

This day has been incredibly exhausting. Not only have things gone wrong at
every turn trying to keep this guy in check, but you're worried a police
report or two may have been filed against /you/. You're completely wiped
out, but you at least have the means to reach Ulala.

"H-Hey I'm not going in there." Makimura asks nervously as you get closer to
the door. "It's obvious you can't protect me from her! She's a real demon
when she's mad!"

Makimura tries to make a run for it. You're going to have to physically
restrain him and take him downstairs. "Help! Murder! MURDER! SOMEBODY CALL
THE COPS! Please- please I can't go in there! My face is my livelihood man!
Have mercy!"

There's a strange moment wherein you see four foreign men wearing changshans
walk in, spy this scene, before then standing by, milling about in the
lobby. Are they onlookers? Or something else? Odd... there's no time to look
into it.

The door opens to the gym Ulala has barricaded herself into unlocks, and
after some brute force- the barricaded objects part.

Which is when that horrible feeling arises. That tinnitus in your ears, the
pounding of a hideous heartbeat. The world flashes into a photonegative,
everything just feels wrong.

And there Ulala is, in her green dress, covered in spiderwebs, hunched in
the corner, facing away, trembling. Do her hands look... paler?

Whatever is going on- a sense of dread hits you. Something bad is about to
happen, and you're not sure you're prepared to face it.

TO BE CONTINUED
OOC Note: Receiving this card means you start the fight with the Critical
Down effect. If you'd like to investigate the men in the changshans that are
spying on you, please submit a request to staff.

Final Loot: 1 Item, 1 boxes of Money, and 2 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?'

"A lock is just a barrier with a cheat called a key?" Umie says automatically, the more experienced one compared to Maria, as she glances at Akechi, who is more experienced than the two of them together.

ONE SERIES OF TERRIBLE ADVENTURES LATER

Ulala is laughing. They went all around the ward tracking this slimeball of a human being, and she's *laughing*.

".... well at least one of us seems to be having fun." Umie's given up on her glasses, shakily collapsing them down and shoving them in a pocket. ".... Akechi-kun, you'll be able to handle any reports against us, right?"

ha ha ha she's not a minor, EVERYTHING MAY GET PUT ON HER RECORD

Except.

Umie feels it, in the air. Something that burrows behind her teeth and sticks of ichorous decay. She sways slightly, placing a hand to her temple.

No, no, this isn't great at all. Maria can't be drawn into another conflict. And with those familiar men in changshans lurking about...

".... Akechi-kun. Could you escort Sakurai-san out?"

.... is what she barely gets out, before Ulala enters, and shows them all that this is no laughing matter.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
The fact that she's laughing, Akechi if anything looks disturbed, as he puts a hand upon his chin, contemplating the matter. "We may be out of time..." He says, gravely.

"Given that I caught him in the commission of several felonies-" (Yes that meal was large enough to be felonious-! The amount matters!) "-it would ordinarily be a simple matter. Unfortunately we're dealing with Sumaru City's finest." Akechi sighs, "Yes, I'll take care of it."

He's going to get chewed out by Sae later, he knows it.

However, that's when he catches a glimpse of the men in changshans. Akechi's eyes narrow. "Yes I believe that would be prudent... this way-"

ULALA'D

TO BE CONCLUDED
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-06-15: Our Merry Band

2026-06-20T22:27:33Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Our Merry Band''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Yoko Hirano, Katsuya Suou *'''Where: Kasugayama High, Hirasaka Ward, Sumaru City''' *'''OOC Date:''' June 15, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 25, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''A police officer and a half-masked konbini worker walk into a haunted high school for delinquents at night. They are joined by someone who shouldn't be there, at all. Usually, this is the setup for someone Awakening, but the only awakening h..."

*'''Log: Our Merry Band'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Yoko Hirano]], [[Katsuya Suou]]
*'''Where: Kasugayama High, Hirasaka Ward, Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' June 15, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 25, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''A police officer and a half-masked konbini worker walk into a haunted high school for delinquents at night. They are joined by someone who shouldn't be there, at all. Usually, this is the setup for someone Awakening, but the only awakening here is Umie, realizing just how capable Katsuya truly is in an unpredictable situation.''

----

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 1: Ora Ora Ora - Challenge Level 2 ==============================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1 and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

The first things your party may notice upon coming up to the front doors of
Kasugaya High are the oni expertly squatting in front, donning magnificent
pomadours and ill-fitting Kasugayama uniforms. One would hope these uniforms
were pilfered from some gym locker or another, and that those stains are
just sauce.

"Lookit what we got ourselves 'ere!" shouts one, his stately pomadour
bobbing with his words.

"'Ey, I was thinkin' I was hungry. Maybe they got some lunch money?" yells
another, rolling their shoulders and making a button fly off their uniform.

"... Or maybe, they could suffice themselves," says a skinnier one, tapping
a spiked bat to her shoulder.

These oni do look rather scary... what will you do?

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> ".... so apparently Kasugayama High's had another surge in demon activity," Umie greets, as she meets Katsuya. "Seems like the rumors are true, too, from what I've been about to scout."

Just how far can that 'sight' of hers go?

...... well, it went as far as the three oni posturing right outside the school, giving the two(?) of them dirty looks. Taking out a red half mask patterned in diamond shapes, Umie adjusts the loops over her ears.

... and then, takes another second as one of the bands catches on an earring. ".... tch... owowowow..... okay!"

She slips the hood of her jacket, white lined inside with red, over her head. "If I forgot to mention it before, Katsuya-san... Thanks. I know you've been busy, so..."

The last admittance is delivered bereft of the confidence she displayed coming here; she is, genuinely, grateful for the help.

It should have all ended with Sudou's death, but here they are, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"We'll just get in and out before the Dark Hour hits." That mask of self-assurance back on, Umie walks up a few paces, before gesturing with her half gloved fingers, red nails standing out against the white of her jacket. "You've probably already noticed, but the area's thick with the supernatural. As for these guys..."

A Badb's widening grin is her greeting to them.

"I can handle this, very easily~"

Step, step, step, step.

"_Move it_," Umie commands, hands on her hips, with all the bluster and purpose of a Chihuahua standing up to a pack of hyenas.

The skinniest one in the back of the three gives a whinnied laugh. "Nice mask! Did you make that in art class, little girl?"

The others join in with obnoxiously loud laughter.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>%R
"I made ''this'' in art class," comes a voice from a darker spot in the corner of the courtyard. It's soft, a little flat in places, and it belongs to Yoko Hirano, who steps out of the shadows with her sketchbook in hand. Her Gekkoukan uniform is speckled with red along the hem again.

Her loafers are quiet on the pavement, shff-shff-shff.

Far out of grabbing or batting or anything reach, Yoko holds up her sketchbook to show them a classical styled portrait sketch. Isn't that the same pose and expression as 'Girl With a Pearl Earring'? It's just that the titular ''girl'' has been replaced with a Yaksini...!

She's holding her hands remarkably steady for how nervous she is. But Officer Suou and his friend will certainly not let anything bad happen to her...!
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Wax Poetic toward Ora Ora Ora! Friendliness and Focus!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward Ora Ora Ora! Automap!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Normally, between his job and everything else, things like this fall a touch beyond Katsuya's particular remit. There are other people around who are able to take point on such things: he just has to trust in the abilities of his fellows. That being said, though...

...what else is a police officer for but to investigate trouble and put it to rights?

"It's quite alright," he tells her, shaking his head. "I would have asked the others along, but..." He knows enough of their schedules that they're not going to be available (other than Baofu, who he doesn't want to hang around with unless he has to). If it can be handled with a few people, is that any reason to interrupt their schedules?

She's not the only one who's been wondering when the proverbial shoe is going to drop, though. It should have ended with Sudou's death, or at least, something should have happened to close out the case.

...but...

In the here and now, his gaze falls upon the Oni trio. "Are those... student uniforms? Surely, they only stole... those?" he wonders, his gaze resting with some mild distress upon those sauce stains. There haven't been any missing persons reports for students from Kasugayama lately (just for Jun, and that was solved already), so he'd hope that's just...?

Umie declares she can solve this in a jiffy and walks on over. The Oni Gang seems somewhat less enthused.

"...Akabane-kun..."

But she's not here alone.

"H-Hirano-kun, that's not... please, stand aside!"

This is Katsuya physically intervenes.

"Please, think about the direction of your lives. Even if you're demons, surely there are better things to be doing than harrassing high-schoolers?" congratulations, umie, you're an honorary high-schooler now

"Even at your age, you should be thinking about your future!"
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Rehabilitate toward Ora Ora Ora! Friendliness and Diligence!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Ora Ora Ora - Round 1 =================================================-
Katsuya Suou Charm Failure
Rehabilitate Friendliness and Diligence Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Success
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Charm Failure
Wax Poetic Friendliness and Focus Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2 and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1 and Scary-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 0/6 | | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "We 'borrowed' 'em," says the loudest of the three oni, his lips splitting wide to show yellowed, sharp fangs. "Turns out these Kasugayama kids run real fast when they ain't got no uniforms on. Don't worry, 'officer', we let them keep everything else!"

The tall, skinny one cackles. "Only 'cuz they got scared s--" Thankfully, she's cut off by a new party member.

'I made ''this'' in art class.'

The third voice causes Umie's eyes to dart back towards the source, her fingers pressing down the edge of her paper maiche mask. Oh no. Oh no. It's Yoko. Does she have a Persona?! Umie can't *sense* one, but surely if she's here, she must have a Persona, right??

.... But Yoko doesn't have any resonance to easily confirm that. "... Hirano... san..." Wait, is that a Yaksini, in her drawing?!

The night is already full of surprises, but has room for one more, in the form of the third oni, who has kept quiet, up to this point.

"I believe the composition is promising, but you should focus in on the lighting and contrast. The horns and hair are very well-done, though; you got the textures of both down real nice," comes a quiet reply from the oni on the step. He clears his throat, assuming a more 'tough guy' demeanor. "....... Jus' sayin'," the quieter oni adds, as his companions look back at him incredulously.

Meanwhile, Umie looks at Katsuya with the same look of disbelief, if for a different reason. Unlike with Akechi, Umie cannot abide with *Katsuya* suspending her hallowed title of 'tutor-senpai'. "_I tutored your little b-"

"You know what, you all can go through," says the 'leader'. "I know a dumpster fire when I sees one."

The three oni move back on command, as Umie rubs her lower face. "... Hirano-san... just... keep close, okay? It's too dangerous to be here by yourself. Katsuya-san and I can keep you safe."

</poem>
MONAD: Katsuya Suou has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 2: Math Can Be Scary For Some - Challenge Level 2 ===============-
| Approach Options: Guts or Academics |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Scary - Guts Down L1, and Shuffle - Draw |
| 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

In doing a sweep of the classrooms, your party comes across a rather
impressive complex math problem on the boards at the front of the room,
taking up most of the board's horizontal space. All that's missing is an
answer. Maybe, someone was just that excited to leave the finale for
tomorrow?

Suddenly, the doors on either end of the classroom *slam* closed. Trying to
pry the doors or windows open will reward you with the child-like giggle of
poltergeists.

A piece of chalk floats to the board to draw a very shaky question mark,
then drops to the ground, snapping in twain.

Looks like you'll need to answer the equation if you want to get out, unless
you want to wait until sunrise instead...

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Oh, he realizes too late that his gambit might not have gone over so well.

"Now, please listen, Akabane-kun--"

But Katsuya might not get too much chance to explain himself as the gang lets them pass and he has to hurry to keep up with the two younger ladies. If he hangs back here, the Oni Gang might change their minds, after all.

If he's learned one thing since his awakening, it's that demons are fickle...

"So, er, that disturbance you mentioned?" he asks Umie after a period of silence as they collectively walk the halls of the school.

"Actually, now that I think of it, this isn't your school, is it, Hirano-kun?"

Wasn't it, oh, Gekkoukan? Or something?

"Whatever brought you out here? It's after hours for Kasugayama, besides..."

He has trailed in after the two of them into an empty classroom. On one blackboard, someone has scrawled an unfinished equation. It's quite complex.

No sooner has Katsuya's gaze fallen upon it than the door slams shut with a bang behind him. He immediately goes for the door only to find that the door is...

"...Locked," he announces, echoed by a giggle. One of the lingering phantoms scrawls a question mark on the board by animating the chalk alone before letting it fall to the floor in two pieces.

"Holding someone against their will is against the law!" he shouts to the invisible presence of Poltergeists. "Open the door, at once!"
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with You're Under Arrest! toward Math Can Be Scary For Some! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
Part of being a student is learning to accept criticism with grace and humility. "I see," Yoko nods, turning the sketchbook so that she can mull over the parts that could use work. She'll do it over again. "Thank you for your advice. I'm glad the hair and horns came out..."

She's not too caught up in earnest contemplation to step past the Oni Gang the minute entry is offered, though. Tucking her sketchbook back into her satchel, Yoko almost goes towards the shoe lockers out of sheer rote habit. She's not going to wear someone else's school shoes just to be tidy.

"Thanks for coming in with me," as though Umie and Katsuya are accompanying her and not the other way around, somehow...?? "I came over right after school to catch some of the students here coming out of their clubs and things. I wanted to see their styles for myself. Kasugayama is really famous for the amount of self-expression its students are allowed. So it's become an alt fashion hub."

She may only care about fashion when it suits her whimsy, but it was fun...!

She startles a little bit when the doors slam shut, fingers going tight on the strap of her bag. While Officer Suou demands that they be released, Yoko watches the chalk move. "..." And frowns when it's dropped, breaking into two pieces. She goes to the board and picks it up, still frowning, but now at the board.

Tap, tap tap tap. Methodically, she starts breaking it down into smaller functions...
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Satisfaction Brought It Back toward Math Can Be Scary For Some! Smarts and Patra!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thankfully (or unfortunately) for Katsuya, Umie's nature can be equally as fickle, when someone hits just the right button at the right time.

However, as a proper adult, Umie should have the humility to understand the time and place for certain things, and that Katsuya was trying to build a narrative for the demons to latch onto.

..... SO ANYWAY it worked out at least

"Keep close, Hirano-san." Umie checks around the corner, then looks back, as Katsuya asks questions that would, in retrospect, be good ones to answer. ".... Ah, yes, that's right, isn't it..." she murmurs, quietly. He's always looked out for people younger than him. Perhaps, that's what being a big brother is about.

Walking into a classroom that seems to be empty, Umie heaves a breath. "I think the coast is clear, but I'll need to summon my..." Red-brown eyes glance at Yoko from behind Umie's mask. "...... phone." This will be difficult. "Soooo, you may see some... strange things tonight, Hirano-san. But you can trust us," she says, apparently forgetting the veil of anonymity her abilities (and mask) give her.

She is, again, no Phantom Thief, nor is her ability as resilient. In fact, given how Katsuya's called her by her surname... Ah well. It works better this way, regardless of whether or not Umie is being appropriately aware.

As images of Kasuagyama alt fashion file through her mind, Umie hears the tap of chalk on the chalkboard, followed by the slam of the door.

Well. They can handle this. See? Yoko's going up there already! What a trooper.

"Shh." Umie puts a finger to her lips, one eye closed, as Yoko begins breaking down the equation. "Class is in session, Katsuya-san." As she does this, the hooded blonde bows slightly, almost like a quiet apology for her earlier outburst. "It would be wrong of us to *not* solve this math equation, right?"
(BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuFEcKuIeew)

She picks up another piece of chalk. "Ah, good, good. I'll handle this part, then..."

Calm, quiet. The scribble of numbers. This is the Umie Katsuya would find matches the one in his memory of her in the past.
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward Math Can Be Scary For Some! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Math Can Be Scary For Some - Round 2 ==================================-
Katsuya Suou Guts Success
You're Under Arrest! Specialty Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Academics Success
Satisfaction Brought Smarts and Patra Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Bothersome-2, Mindnumbing-2, Scary-1, and
Shuffle: Coin-0
Final Conditions: Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Yoko explains what it was that she was doing there. To this, Katsuya can only reply, with some bewilderment, "An... alt fashion hub?"

He's familiar with fashion. It's important to look good in a world where you can be judged on first appearances. But alt fashion...? If someone asked him, the students here are...

...

...maybe it's better that no one asks him what he thinks about 'alt fashion'.

"I... see," he says at last, following up that statement with a thoughtful frown of his own.

But that's right. She's going to possible see or hear or ''something'' strange things going on in and around here. "It isn't anything to worry about," Katsuya reassures her. "I'm here, and as your local police officer, I won't let anything happen."

So he says, but the doors slam shut, and while he does informs the demons that this is against the law, Yoko first sets about breaking the problem into smaller problems.

Umie, shushing him as she approaches the board, remarks that 'class is in session'.

"It... is?" Katsuya remarks, turning back towards the board as the two younger ladies set about solving the math problem. "Well, if it were a class, that is," he says, trying to get his bearings.

But collectively, they solve the problem, and Katsuya is again reminded of the way she'd tutor Tatsuya.

"oh, yay, you solved it!" cheers a tiny childlike voice from one corner of the room. The Poltergeist is still invisible.

Then the door swings open. A distinct, tiny, childlike voice echoes from there, "oopsie, was locking the door bad?"

"Well, yes. You shouldn't do something like that again, or else you might..." Katsuya starts, then trails off. "Perhaps we shouldn't linger," he says to Umie and Yoko.
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 3: Math Can Be Scary For Some - Challenge Level 2 ===============-
| Approach Options: Guts or Academics |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

In doing a sweep of the classrooms, your party comes across a rather
impressive complex math problem on the boards at the front of the room,
taking up most of the board's horizontal space. All that's missing is an
answer. Maybe, someone was just that excited to leave the finale for
tomorrow?

Suddenly, the doors on either end of the classroom *slam* closed. Trying to
pry the doors or windows open will reward you with the child-like giggle of
poltergeists.

A piece of chalk floats to the board to draw a very shaky question mark,
then drops to the ground, snapping in twain.

Looks like you'll need to answer the equation if you want to get out, unless
you want to wait until sunrise instead...

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 3: A Midsummer's Night's Disaster - Challenge Level 2 ===========-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

After hearing a voice coming from a classroom nearby, your party opens the
door, revealing a mischievous-looking fairy sitting on the podium, in the
middle of exchanging lines to another.

"Captain of our fairy band,
Helena is here at hand;
And the youth, mistook by me,
Pleading for a lover's fee.
Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

Puck looks up from his reading with Robin Goodfellow with a raised eyebrow,
and stage whispers, "Your line, say your line!"

Do you oblige these merry wanderers of the night?

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
Strange things, the masked woman says. "Do you mean things like demons and Personas?" Yoko asks, because she is young but burdened by glorious visions. And because Yanagi Nagisa had explained some things to her. What an amazing, secret world...! They solve the math problem and get the hell out of there, but the next classroom is somehow just as bad. What with the Shakespeare and all. Yoko doesn't care for it. It translates strangely but not in a fun way!

She tries to remember the next line anyway, even though it's been a few months since her English class tried dissecting any plays. "Um... wait, isn't the next line supposed to be his?" she frowns, hooking a finger underneath her chin and staring at 'Oberon'. *jiiiii*

And all the while, the sense of a cat practically twines itself between the ankles of anybody sensitive enough to feel it.
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Satisfaction Brought It Back toward A Midsummer's Night's Disaster! Smarts and Patra!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Strange things.

Like Personas and demons.

"How do you--" Katsuya gets out, before he realizes that even if she didn't already know, he's gone and confirmed it anyway. Someone must have told her, likely because she already had encounters. Unfortunately, not having a Persona doesn't mean that you can't experience such things, and even more unfortunately, if you don't have a Persona and experience such things...

"Well..." he says, because what else can be done for it now, "...Yes, actually. Please be very careful, Hirano-kun, and stay close to both of us."

Because he and Umie ''do'' have Personas.

At least the demons here appear to be in a whimiscal mood today. Still, he remarks, as they head into another classroom in their search for the cause of the disturbance that Umie noticed, "Perhaps it would be safer if we left?"

Assuming that Oni Gang isn't still out there. Maybe it's better to wait that one out, if one of them doesn't have a Persona. Just in case.

Inside the room is... a familiar scene.

"They were practicing this last time," he asides to Umie, glancing at Yoko as she takes in the sight. "Perhaps if we slip back out again..."

No such luck. These demons are in a bit of a fix again, as one of them can't seem to remember his lines.

"The next line starts with, 'Stand aside,' he prompts Robin Goodfellow.

Then, without ceremony, Katsuya sneezes.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Academics toward A Midsummer's Night's Disaster! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'Do you mean things like demons and Personas?' H-how can Yoko just ask something like that?!

"... y-yes. Kind of... like that." Katsuya will *feel* Umie's eyes on him, trying to plead for some semblance of something comforting and authoritative with a simple side glance.

Whether he does it because of her silent plea or not, Katsuya, ever dependable, does so. "... Yeah," Umie says, her eyelids lowering. Katsuya's right. "That'll make some things easier to explain, but it doesn't change the fact that we'll protect you, Hirano-san."

Though.

"Hirano-san... do you....?" 'Do you have a Persona', is what Umie wants to ask.

Whatever she would have managed to ask is instead taken up by the two Thespians present, instead.

Sure, Umie could *try* to humor the two demons, but she instead goes back to looking towards Katsuya in silence, pleading at him with her eyes alone.

And again, Katsuya answers, though with a response Umie wasn't expecting. ".... eh?" Blinkblink.

Then, a slow, spreading smile that's just a little too sharp, if still well-meaning. "You've always been like that. I'm glad that's never changed."

There would have been few chances for that nature to fully show itself, years back, but here, it's very clear, she thinks to herself. He'd look out for others, even if it meant playing his role off the clock, and with no pay to make up for it.

....

"To answer your earlier question, Katsuya-san, I think it's a matter of her being safer if we know where she is, than if we didn't. We can't guess what'll happen outside the school."

The Badb in her ruffles her feathers, not appreciating the trace presence of something feline tapping along on little beaned claws.
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Understanding toward A Midsummer's Night's Disaster! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== A Midsummer's Night's Disaster - Round 3 ==============================-
Katsuya Suou Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Understanding Failure
Understanding Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Academics Success
Satisfaction Brought Smarts and Patra Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Mindnumbing-1, Mindnumbing-2, and
Shuffle: Cup-0
Final Conditions:
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 4: P.retty T.roubling - Challenge Level 2 =======================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Guts |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, |
| and Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Like all good investigations, a decent amount of walking is involved.
Certainly, there's other schools that are 'blessed' by phenomena like the
Dark Hour to be much more arduous to get through, but Kasugayama High is
supposed to be laid out like any other Japanese school.

Each classroom that is investigated seems to be nondescript and boring,
almost scarily so.

Also, haven't you been here before? Surely, you've gone by that same that
classroom number. Maybe the party was turned around?

Alas, the hallway just continues ever onwards, backwards and forwards.

Something is holding you back from continuing on. You'll need to find out
what, or what you need to do, if you want any chance of getting anywhere.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
"Of course it's his line," 'Robin' says. Quietly, Yoko breathes a sigh of relief. Good. She didn't want to get caught up in a stageplay. Even one being put on by demons. "I'm all right. ...Thank you for being concerned." Even if it's a bit chafing to be handled with kid gloves, this is a situation that is honestly dangerous. And scary!

Katsuya suggests they leave. Yoko hates the thought, but if it's truly the best option...

...No, actually. Because she doesn't ''want'' to. Katsuya's friend begins to ask an aborted question. 'Do you...?'

"...I saw an amazing thing," Yoko admits, feline-green eyes watching the rehearsal. "And kept seeing them, and seeing them." Yoko wonders just how many of the things she's noticed have been the things Yangai called 'Persona'....

Mwanwhile, the demonds begin to argue. 'It's their line!' 'No, I'm pretty sure it's theirs?!'

Yoko finally starts leafing through a photocopied handout. "'Oh! It says that it's Puck's turned next, " she reasons.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's clear enough to Umie: the safest place for Yoko Hirano, a person who may or may not have a Persona but either way is in a dangerous place, is next to the officer and the strangely anonymous friend of his wearing a jacket and a paper maiche half-mask. The last part of this sentence is likely not needed; an officer should be enough.

Umie has her own advantages, however, bought and bled for with many lonely Dark Hours under her belt.

Katsuya and Yoko may notice it too: with the similarities between the general layouts of both Kasugayama and Sevens, this hallway is going on for far, far too long. A detective's and artist's eye would notice the eerie repetition, like a song that refuses to move onto the next stanza.

The sometimes chaotic, forward-moving energy of Umie Akabane stills as her footsteps do the same. "With demons nearby, I should be able to get a sense of where we are. But to do that..."

She'll need to use Badb. "I guess, if you already know about Personas," Umie starts, looking past her shoulder at Yoko. "What's another?"

There's a certain trace of enthusiasm in her voice as blue light begins to pool underneath her. Raising her fingers up, with a smug grin, Umie breaks the silence with a snap.

"Badb."

The crow goddess manifests in her greys and whites, a smiling, red-mouthed thing that seems to delight in the demon-infested space they're in.

It's all a bit of bluster and vibes, Umie holding onto the manifestation for just a little longer for Yoko's possible delight alone, before letting the detity go.

Umie clears her throat. "So. Bad news: I can't sense a damn thing that's going to be useful, but I don't need a Persona to be able to tell that we're in some kind of loop. Demons tend to thrive on mischief, so I think the best course of action is to play their game and find a way to break the loop, somehow."
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward P.retty T.roubling! Automap!

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
She watches as Umie admits that this may be the best time of all for surprise assistance from things that might not be entirely real. "Are you sure...?" Yoko is only a little sure that either Officer Suou or his friend can actually save the day (for this, with their companions). Especially as the corridor keeps on going, and going, and...

None of the classrooms are anything special. Not even the nameplates or counting their steps seems to help. Of course, Yoko has her sketchbook and a pencil...

And the grownups have their Personas. She watches intently while Umie calls for the Badb, pencil trembling over the page...
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Academics toward P.retty T.roubling! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Surely, there can't be a cat in here, too?

"Ah," he says, sniffing as he recovers from what at least isn't turning into an outright allergy attack. "So you are able to see things like that? How..."

[EMPATHY]: Don't say odd. If you say that this is odd or strange, she'll remember that for a very long time.

"...interesting," Katsuya finishes, glancing over at Umie. "Perhaps it's a good thing? If you are able to see such things, you should be able to stay away from them.

The demons are still arguing, even if Yoko comes to a conclusion one way or another.

"But," Katsuya hazards, thinking it over, "it should be Oberon's lines next..."

Perhaps even he's realized the pointlessness of hammering this approach, though, because he trails off and shakes his head. "Never mind," Katsuya says at last. "I think... we have solved their problem."

Sometimes you have to settle for 'good enough', is what he's been learning with demons.

"Let's go. I don't think this was the disturbance you were looking into, Akabane-kun. Come to think of it, can you tell me more about it?"

Between her terse texts and the demons out front, it's been a collision of events since he arrived on the scene. Though, speaking of events:

"We've passed this classroom before," Katsuya says, coming to a stop. "In fact, it might be more than twice now, or more..." he says, trailing off as he considers the matter. Hasn't he seen a movie where something like this happened? "Surely, this doesn't happen when classes are in session...?"

He turns, glancing at Umie as she summons her Persona to get a better look at the situation. "That's a good idea. I don't know for certain what the game here is, but..."

He pulls something out of one of his pockets and places it on the floor. It's a single cellophane-wrapped candy.

"I was thinking, perhaps if we disrupted the appearance of this place somehow, or if we tried to lure out whatever was causing the distortion..." he tries to explain to the other two.

He's thinking about Pixies. Pixies really like candy for some reason.

Or maybe, Yoko will uncover something in her sketch that doesn't quite fit here. Anything they can gather helps.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Academics toward P.retty T.roubling! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== P.retty T.roubling - Round 4 ==========================================-
Katsuya Suou Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Success
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Mindnumbing-2, and Shuffle: Wand-0
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "The disturbance is..." Well, as far as Umie's concerned, they're in the thick of it.

As for Yoko... Is Umie sure?

"I'm sure," Umie says, with all the confidence of someone who's sure.

Very sure.

Katsuya is also sure... that they've passed this classroom several times. ".... Pretty sure of that, too," Umie confirms, with a sharp nod.

"Oho. Good idea," Umie says, as she digs into her jacket. "... Just... give me a second..." Her jacket bulges as her hand quests around, looking for a specific pocket, until...

".... There." She draws out a small bag containing a few hard candies, which she tosses out onto the hallway in front of them.

Katsuya's cop instinct seems to have struck gold, as a High Pixie, a Brownie, and a normal Pixie are distracted, coming to examine the colorful goodies.

"Let's go, before they ask for more."

</poem>
MONAD: Katsuya Suou has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 5: Objection! - Challenge Level 2 ===============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., |
| Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Mindnumbing - |
| Academics Down L2, and Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

As your group enters the room, there's the sound of something hammering
against wood. "Order, Order! Order in the court!"

An Erinyes stands at a podium, gavel in hand. On either side are two other
podiums, each with its own Erinyes, which seem to be arguing with one
another. Though, who's on trial, exactly?

... Ah, it's your group. Whoops.

"OBJECTION! There's a contradiction here! My clients are clearly innocent of
this crime!"

The other Erinyes shakes her head smugly, her arms held outwards. "The
evidence states otherwise. Or did you not know about the updated forensics
report released just this morning?"

What say you? They're not playing by any rule of law you're familiar with,
but maybe if you humor one or the other, something may be in it for your
group...

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
If it's not Pixies, then it's a way to check their passage, or perhaps distort the illusion by adding a new element to it. If it ''is'' Pixies...

Umie, pulling away from her review of the area nearby through her Persona, joins him in on that baiting practice. It doesn't take long before a few Pixies (and similiar demons) make their appearance.

"I had thought it might be Pixies," Katsuya says, shaking his head. Glancing at Yoko's sketch, he points towards one room in particular. "Let's try this one. It doesn't seem like it's the same from the last time," he says.

Indeed, they're able to pass into that classroom, which is now a...

...courtroom? Oh, and look at who among them is being put on trial. It's all of them. For unknown reasons.

The prosecutor, with a certain smug demeanor, declares that an updated forensics report was just entered into evidence this morning.

"...But, for what crime...?" Katsuya says, in this moment rather flabbergasted by the situation in which they've found themselves. "...Furthermore..."

[IUSTITIA]: No. This is not true justice. This is a mockery of it.
[AUTHORITY]: They would address you like that? An officer of the law?
[RHETORIC]: They may be demons, but surely, they're not immune to being persuaded.

Katsuya fidgets with his sunglasses, pushing them up his nose. "...According to Article 94, a summons to appear for a court date must be issued to the people connected to the case. Furthermore, if the summons to appear are not delivered as described in the article... then the parties involved may not be sanctioned for any failure to keep the court date. That is to say, I did not receive a summons to court, and I do not think they have filed a writ of summons either, but..."

...

He glances between their defense attorney and the prosecutor, including the judge in his sweep of the room.

He addresses their defense attorney thus: "Article 180 states in part, 'a person must specify the fact that the evidence is meant to prove'. What is the meaning of this forensic report, and to what does it pertain?"

Maybe it will give their attorney an angle with which to attack these... charges. Whatever they are.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
If it's not Pixies, then it's a way to check their passage, or perhaps distort the illusion by adding a new element to it. If it ''is'' Pixies...

Umie, pulling away from her review of the area nearby through her Persona, joins him in on that baiting practice. It doesn't take long before a few Pixies (and similiar demons) make their appearance.

"I had thought it might be Pixies," Katsuya says, shaking his head. Glancing at Yoko's sketch, he points towards one room in particular. "Let's try this one. It doesn't seem like it's the same from the last time," he says.

Indeed, they're able to pass into that classroom, which is now a...

...courtroom? Oh, and look at who among them is being put on trial. It's all of them. For unknown reasons.

The prosecutor, with a certain smug demeanor, declares that an updated forensics report was just entered into evidence this morning.

"...But, for what crime...?" Katsuya says, in this moment rather flabbergasted by the situation in which they've found themselves. "...Furthermore..."

[IUSTITIA]: No. This is not true justice. This is a mockery of it.
[AUTHORITY]: They would address you like that? An officer of the law?
[RHETORIC]: They may be demons, but surely, they're not immune to being persuaded.

Katsuya fidgets with his sunglasses, pushing them up his nose. "...According to Article 94, a summons to appear for a court date must be issued to the people connected to the case. Furthermore, if the summons to appear are not delivered as described in the article... then the parties involved may not be sanctioned for any failure to keep the court date. That is to say, I did not receive a summons to court, and I do not think they have filed a writ of summons either, but..."

...

He glances between their defense attorney and the prosecutor, including the judge in his sweep of the room.

He addresses their defense attorney thus: "Article 180 states in part, 'a person must specify the fact that the evidence is meant to prove'. What is the meaning of this forensic report, and to what does it pertain?"

Maybe it will give their attorney an angle with which to attack these... charges. Whatever they are.
</poem>

MONAD: Katsuya Suou has acted with Rehabilitate toward Objection!! Friendliness and Diligence!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> With Katsuya's previous intuition proving to be correct, Umie is more than glad to follow his next proposition to another classroom.

Perhaps, it was very appropriate, but for reasons not quite what Katsuya had in mind.

"... This is... really outside my wheelhouse," Umie admits under her breath. "Katsuya-san, maybe you could... pull up on your background here? Maybe if we play along, or, even better, bore them to tears, they'll let us go."

oh thank god Katsuya is here, he's stepping up to the plate and everything, it's amazing

Seeing him confidently command the court, despite it being a mockery of the system he deals with, leaves Umie's cheeks just a tad pink. More than that, it's very clear...

.... Katsuya and Tatsuya... really are brothers!!

(_umie you literally have been at their family home, of course they're brothers_)

Ahem.

"I certainly didn't receive any proper summons. Furthermore, we have a minor here. Why is she being tried like an adult, when we haven't even been properly charged? Seems the prosecutor may have mixed up some paperwork, and decided we should all pay for it with our time." She folds her arms, shaking her head. "I believe the judgment is clear, here."

WHile Umie failed to carry Katsuya's bid to fool the Oni, she's evidently trying to make up for it here.
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Charm toward Objection!! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Yoko Hirano has posed.
<poem>
If it is Pixies there's probably no saving them. They'll be stuck wandering and exploring the many rooms forever!!

Katsuya points out a specific room on her rudimentary map, however, and she marks it down in pencil. "How different is--"

She barely gets a chance to say anything before the lawyer demon is speaking up - and not in their favor at all. "But we didn't even...!" A cloud of grey funk settles afound her head and shoulders. They're going to get arrested and be sent to Demon Jail which is waaaaay worse than People Jail. Yoko can just ''tell''.

"Um. Um, Miss Mask is right. I'm only fifteen and I don't think it's legal to try me as an adult. And on top of that, nobody has even told us what the charges are! And..."

Yes. She is going to get a good grade in being tried. This is both normal to want and possible to achieve. If she just keeps talking Yoko can defeat anything, even the judiciary system!*

*no
</poem>

MONAD: Yoko Hirano has acted with Wax Poetic toward Objection!! Friendliness and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Objection! - Round 5 ==================================================-
Katsuya Suou Charm Success
Rehabilitate Friendliness and Diligence Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Charm Success
Charm Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoko Hirano Charm Failure
Wax Poetic Friendliness and Focus Fatigue: 3
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Boss-0, Bothersome-1, Box-0, Mindnumbing-1,
and Mindnumbing-2
Final Conditions: Annoying-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 2, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=================== Monad - Clean Out Kasugayama High! ===================|)
-==== Round 6: It's an Entrance! - Challenge Level 1 ========================-
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Revelation - The best result. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

There were rumors about it being in the basement of Kasugayama High, and,
as it turns out, those rumors were right.

Located down some stairs and through a maze of stacked desks and chairs is a
door to an underground bunker type room, with concrete-enforced walls and
metal beams reinforcing the ceiling. On the opposite end are a pair of heavy
metal doors, leading to what is most likely the haunted Air Raid Shelter.
Once someone goes in, they can never get out, so the rumors say

Unfortunately for those that decide that they want to spend even more of
their time in Kasugayama High, the metal doors are locked tight and refuse
to open.

Maybe someone can start a rumor about how to open them, or, at a later
point, something may change. For now, all you can do is go back.

Final Loot: 1 Item, 2 boxes of Money, and 1 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem> It looks kind of different to him, anyway: is the illusion frayed there? Is he just seeing things?
Yoko may never know which one of these things are actually happening, because right now they're in Demon Court, and the penalty for guilt in Demon Court is probably... not anything particularly good for humans.

Will human law even play out in a demon court? It's all relative after all to demons, and there's absolutely no reason why attempting to apply human law, let alone Japanese law, should work here.

This has never stopped Katsuya from trying with demons, however, and it certainly doesn't stop him now. He argues his case as best as he can, citing sections of the legal code from memory.

"Indeed, Hirano-kun cannot be tried as an adult," he adds, glancing at Umie when she pitches in that fragment of the law. "There's no question about it. This case must be dismissed until the appropriate paperwork is filed, and it must go to the correct court. We can't all be tried together," he tells the defense attorney.

The Erinyes in charge of their case studies them, then nods as Yoko continues to talk to explain why she can't be charged.

"Let me see that forensics report," says the Erinyes. There's a moment of silence before the report is finally brought over to the defense attorney's side of the court.

"..."

"... ..."

The defense attorney demon holds up the 'report'. "This is just chickenscratch," they say. Indeed, it's just a set of nonsense marks on the page...

"Order, order!" shouts the judge, banging their gavel. "I call for order! In light of the points raised by the defense and the defendants, court is adjourned!"

And just like that, they're free to go.

"That isn't how it's meant to go," Katsuya muses, once they make their exit. "A case can't simply... well," he settles for, shaking his head, "I suppose I shouldn't complain..."

What were the charges? ...We just don't know.

As they make their departure from the courtroom of demons, they make their way downstairs.

"Is this where the disturbance originated from?" Katsuya wonders, trying the door again to no avail. "It's no use, we would need the key." He glances back at Umie and Yoko. "Is there anything else you were hoping to look at here, Akabane-kun? Otherwise, we can see if it's now possible to leave here safely."
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-06-13: Gibbous Moon

2026-06-14T03:52:32Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Gibbous Moon'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:''' Narumi Ward, Sumaru City
*'''OOC Date:''' June 13, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 24, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''It's been two weeks since Akechi has stopped talking to Ren, which is long enough for Ren's ever nosy work senpai, Umie Akabane, to notice and try to take charge, for better or worse. While their journey is for naught, the two find some things to bond over, despite the secrets they hold from one another, or perhaps, because of their willingness to let them stay secret.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It's been two weeks since Goro Akechi stopped talking to Ren. The reason why remains baffling to them: they told him they like the real him and they hope he can come to like himself too one day, and... he got obviously, sharply upset. He's had them on Do Not Disturb ever since. They've sent a couple texts since then--one to check in, one to test the waters--and, well... even if they aren't outright blocked, Akechi has certainly not responded to either one.

It honestly really worries them. They know a fair amount about Akechi's troubled childhood and how he was rejected and treated like an unwanted nuisance by the people around him after his mother committed suicide, but... can he really hate himself so much that he would get so viscerally upset at someone expressing they care about him? Or...

...or, given that he told them ages ago he doesn't trust them, and given all that teasing she did on him earlier that day, did it feel like a cruel lie--a betrayal waiting to happen...?

It REALLY worries them.

They already poked their nose in at Seven Sisters High School and, with Maria and Saeko's help, found the address to Akechi's detective agency, which apparently doubles as his home. (Probably it would've been faster and easier to look it up online, but Ren just... wanted to go to Akechi's school themself.) It's Saturday today, so they certainly have the time to head there now, but...

Triple Seven had called them in immediately after school, citing a huge midday rush due to a local three-day con and begging them to come in for a shift. They'd agreed, partly because their manager REALLY sounded desperate, partly because of the wage bonus that'll come of such an event, and partly...

Partly because it'll help them settle their nerves by focusing on something else at first.

The rush did not really ever stop, so mission accomplished on that end, at least. However, once Ren clocks out in the afternoon/early evening and has gone to the break room to change back into their school uniform, they check their smartphone for any missed calls or texts, and--

Nothing. Still.

Ren looks momentarily, distantly forlorn as they stare at their phone. It's a long moment, though--so it would be easy for certain nosy work senpais to notice, and maybe even ask about it.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> The problem with being the focused, in-control person Umie is... is that that sharp, persistent focus is, well, focused. This is how Ren has managed to keep much of their life not related to their overlapping social bubble with Umie more or less secret. Umie doesn't know Ren has trouble in school, that they're feared as a no-good delinquent with a criminal record, and that their persona (no pun intended) as a glasses-wearing young teen who keeps his head down is intentional.

That was the case, at first. Now? Umie... still doesn't know about his home life, or his school life (aside from having some good friends). She knows Ren enough to know that he's a private, quiet person, who is just as likely to pinpoint her own. She's holding onto secrets herself, after all.

However.

Despite the rush keeping the two of them on their feet, and Umie thinking about the BOGO nikuman sale, when she comes into the breakroom to go change, she sees Ren there.

.... That's a long time, for a Ren to stare at his phone, Umie thinks, as she takes off her hat.

"Hey, Amamiya-kun? What's up?" There's a note of concern in Umie's voice, asking a question she's not willing to voice aloud for Ren's sake: 'is everything okay?'

Indeed, certain nosy work senpais *do* notice. At the end of the day, despite all their efforts, they can't help it.

..... And when she hears what Ren has to say?

There's that flash of blackbird's widening smile before she answers him, with a casual wink. ".... Well, my afternoon's free, if yours is. Want to make a trip over there?"

======NOW======

"You know, I never *did* visit his office. Part of me just assumed he just appeared out of the aether, like some spirit."

Narumi Ward is one of the more upscale wards, even moreso than Yumezaki or Aoba. Pausing to look at one of the tall apartment buildings, Umie murmurs over her shoulder. "... You wouldn't believe what this place looked like ten years ago. It's amazing how fast places change..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Huh?" Ren blinks up at Umie when she voices her concern, tearing them from their thoughts. They rub the back of their neck. "...It's nothing, really." And it's tempting to leave it at that like they normally might, but they ''do'' consider Umie a friend, and they ''have'' been trying to be more open with their friends lately. They take a deep breath and continue, "Akechi and I are... not exactly fighting, but he's not talking to me, either. I found out the address of his agency, so I was thinking, maybe..."

They trail off, leaving the thought unfinished--to Umie, at least. There are lots of ways it could finish in their own head.

But what is Umie Akabane if not an enabler of a work senpai? Ren blinks at her again, then grins.

They're already starting to feel better.

~ * n o w * ~

"I never have either. You at least knew him in high school, though, right? He can't have been ''that'' spirit-like," Ren replies as the two of them walk through the upscale neighborhoods of Narumi Ward. It's a beautiful place, right on the ocean; Ren can't help but admire the scenery as the two of them approach Akechi's apartment building. The more they think on it, the more it's obvious to them that it's always been Akechi coming to them--they almost never go to him. Maybe that's the nature of a detective and a thief, but when they think about it like that, they suspect that their fears and concerns are right after all.

"Yeah?" Ren glances at Umie when she mentions ten years ago. She's right; as someone raised a country boy, it's hard to imagine. "What ''was'' it like?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'It's nothing, really.'

"Oh?" Umie pauses as she runs dark red nails through her hair, trying to keep from seeming like she's lingering a little *too* long outside the bathroom (which is occupied, besides).

'Akechi and I are...'

And Ren's fate was sealed.

==========

"I knew Akechi-kun existed," Umie answers, her eyes on the light as they stand at the crosswalks. "But... I didn't really get to know him until recently."

And really, he was the one who came to *her*, in a roundabout, gradual way.

".... I may've asked this before, but how did you two get to know each other, anyway?"

She remembers how Akechi looked, as he turned from drawing the outline of the Mark on the chalkboard. She remembers the way the late afternoon sun filtered in through the classroom they had went to after her flashback, how his hair and eyes caught the rays of sun. The realization that Akechi was not just simply a detective star, but someone who narrowed in on her little secret. There was the taste of her anger, but then the relief, like something had finally been released.

They had met because she was a mystery. Would it have been the same for Ren?

"It was being built, for one. About ten years ago, there was a influx of capital and revenue into the area, largely due to efforts of different companies." In other words, what attracted her parents here, but that part, Umie leaves out. "There were more cranes than buildings there, but like anything, money moves things fast." She wonders what it could have been like, parkouring through the area during the Dark Hour. She was too young then, to really explore outside her neighborhood block.

"By the time I was in high school, Toki and I would sometimes watch the yachts come into the harbor, and try to guess what their ship names were."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Mm. It's hard when you're a senior and he's a freshman," Ren muses aloud. "Not a lot of reason to run into each other. Unless you're in a club together." And Ren already knows the two of them weren't--that Umie barely knew him back then. It really only makes sense that he seemed like he came out of nowhere, considering that.

"Us?" Ren considers Umie and her question. "Well... there's this prosecutor lady he works with." Sae Niijima, Makoto's older sister, not that Ren mentions that part. "She's low-key a regular at Leblanc, apparently, and she brought him with her one day. I was helping out there that day, and he chatted at me for a while. Then later we ran into each other again--my school took a field trip to a TV station, and he was being interviewed on it. We talked a little and swapped phone numbers, and it's just been... going on since."

That is of course the ''heavily'' edited version, but close enough for horseshoes, politics, and explosions.

(Naturally, there was and still is a mystery about Ren too. Ren sure as hell isn't going to volunteer that information, though.)

"Oh, so this area is brand new," Ren remarks. They look around again. "It looks like it." Lots of companies moving in and rushing construction, huh... Yeah, it does have that kind of vibe to it. This is the kind of neighborhood that rich people come to live in. Odd to think of Akechi choosing to live here--but then again, maybe not ''that'' odd. Not just living but thriving here would be proof to all his childhood haters that he made it, that he's worth something.

So why does he still hate himself so much...? How much more does he feel like he has to prove himself before he can accept affection? Or maybe it really is them... Their dark eyes flick to the sidewalk before they shake their head slightly.

"You've known Toki-san for a while, huh," they remark. They half-turn towards the yacht the two of them are passing by as they speak, then tilts their head in its direction. "What d'you think that one's name is?"

It is, for the record, the Nichirinmaru. How well can Umie guess that one--or does she not need to guess, because she already knows?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Could you imagine," Umie notes, with some humor, as she looks for the street. "Someone like Akechi-kun, in a club... he'd make himself miserable trying to be the best. The paranormal club at the time'd likely have to fold within a week of him joining."

Then, a moment later, she adds, with a note of sympathy, "... and that's assuming he'd be left alone." A victim of his own success, in some ways. Did he feel satisfied, knowing what he accomplished?

What about when he awoke to his Persona, a year or two later?

A lonely freedom, exploring Mementos, seeing the dark side of humanity in a way the Dark Hour did not embody in quite the same way.

A smile is directed Ren's way as they relate how the two of them met. Not one ounce of suspicion, either; Ren's story makes sense. If there were any holes, she fills them in herself with what she knows.

"He must have taken a liking to you." She places a hand to her cheek, still looking towards him. "And why not? You do have a mysterious air to you, sometimes~"

Those eyes squint, mischievously, all while Umie mentally winces at bringing up what may be a sore spot for Ren, right now. Akechi coldly cut off ties with him and left him hanging, after all.

The area is brand new, yes. As the next light turns, signaling them to cross, Umie's eyes light up. "... Yes, this is about the spot where the crepe shop is. There's a small park over here, and..."

Was. On both accounts. The highrises have swallowed the block; a small park would have been a temporary blip in the face of a building boom.

As would the rent and license fees, for any business, Umie reflects. "Toki liked their matcha crepes..."

"... It's... likely on another block..." she mumbles, quietly, with some sadness, as they move on.

Life can change.

"Yeah. Since my freshman year. Believe it or not, she's actually..." She trails off, as Ren points out a yacht.

"....."

She can hear the sound of blood in her ears. "... the Nichirinmaru," she says, dully, without a single speck of creative thought devoted to the cause.

Even here, even without a coy voice in her ears making promises, with her young co-worker here, and them, having normal life...

Something will always haunt her.

".... The street should be close by," she says, a touch quiet, as she turns away to look at her phone.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Himself and everyone else," Ren agrees amiably. Inside, though, the thought makes them sad--because of how true it is. A victim of his own success indeed... not to mention that, for all he can act smug and arrogant at times, it seems like he can't truly internalize how admirable he is.

"Hmmm." But for all the noise they make is noncommittal, there's a hint of a smile on Ren's lips when Umie says Akechi must've taken a shine to them. "And detectives never can resist a mystery." If the circumstances were different, they'd rake a hand back through their curls and, at the very least, smirk about it. Right now, it seems inappropriate.

They look towards where the crepe shop should be, and towards the would-be park. Neither of those things are here now. They glance at Umie, sensing the shadow of sadness that steals over her, and quietly nod once.

It probably isn't on another block. They pick up what she's putting down, whether she means to or not.

This is only more so when they indicate the Nichirinmaru, and she names it as such--no guesswork, no play. Just a simple statement rife with something far darker than mere shadows. "...Akabane-san?" they murmur, dark eyes flickering with concern.

She looks away. Ren hesitates, then nods again and pulls out their own phone. They can pretend they didn't notice and let it go, for her sake.

...Is that what they should do for Akechi? Are they being overbearing about this? Should they stop checking their damn texts and let him have the space he's clearly signaling he wants? But...

"Narumi Sunspot Manor, 22-1B," they read aloud, looking back up. "I think that's it right there." They point at the building the two are approaching from the left. "Wonder if he's in today... He keeps himself so constantly busy, he probably isn't." He wasn't in school the other day either. If Saeko told him Ren was sniffing around--and she explicitly said she would--he might even be avoiding the place.

The two of them approach the sleek apartment building in silence and a streak of tension.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'A detective never can resist a mystery.' "That's it," Umie encourages, with a blackbird's grin. "Let him be all sulky in his little tower; *you're* the mystery, not him." UMIE THIS IS TERRIBLE ADVICE

But what is life, is not just a stream of bad advice and bad decisions?

It can only make you stronger, in the end.

And Ren will see that process; the 'survival strategy' of an Umie Akabane.

Umie breathes in, then out. She takes a moment to close her eyes. Her hand goes to the red bell charm bracelet at her left wrist, like a ritual.

When those eyes open, they're focused, red-brown and shape, like a knife after being returned from the whetstone.

One could mistake it for a mask, covering over something darker inside herself, and in a sense, it is. But it's also her grabbing ahold of what is in her control, what she's here to do, and what she files at the top of her priorities, right now.

Let the ship rust and rot away in the harbor, for all she cares. She will live her life, on her own terms, and walk the shadows instead of huddle in them.

"It doesn't matter if he is or isn't," she says, with a regained, nonchalant air, as she raises a red-nailed finger. "A gesture will communicate what words can't."

Like the crescent moon rising in the sky, Umie's open smile is sharp as she turns, regarding the building that sometimes holds a Goro Akechi, when he isn't haunting the aether. "We'll just linger outside. We're just enjoying this fine--" kind of cold, thank god Umie is wearing a turtleneck under her coat "-- late fall afternoon. 'He's not here? Oh no. Well, look at this impressive view from his doorstep.' Then we'll find someplace cheap to eat and go home."

They approach. "You'll have to decide how far you want to go in, of course. I'll just be your helpful enabler."

A pause. "I will say, though.... You could use a bit of risk in your life, Amamiya-kun."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It might be terrible advice, and Ren knows this, but they can't help but chuckle anyway.

Part of the thrill of being a phantom thief is the detective who relentlessly chases after you, after all.

Their eyes flick towards that charm bracelet when she grabs at it. It seems to calm her down, or at least stabilize her. That's good. Ren would feel absolutely rotten if they hurt ''another'' friend without meaning to.

"Point," they concede, that little smile returning. "Thanks for tagging along, Akabane-san." They rub the side of their neck as they tuck their phone away. "I'd feel... awkward, waiting on his doorstep all by myself. And hey--" They shrug casually. "What else do we have to do on a Saturday night?" They smile back at her. "Even if he doesn't show up, I'd love to see your local recommendations."

It's hard not to laugh at her comment about risk. If she genuinely thinks that, then that means they're carrying on their double life with excellence. ...It does remind them how so many of their friends seem way more bothered about having to lie and hide parts of themself, but... what good would it do anyone to force themself to feel bad about something they need to do anyway?

"What kind of risk do you mean?" they wonder instead. As they ask, they approach the doorstep of Akechi's agency--maybe outside, maybe inside, maybe on the ground floor, maybe much higher up; it will be left ambiguous for now--and stop a moment to take in the sign on or next to the door.

Then they knock twice, sharp and brisk, as butterflies start to flutter in their stomach.

"Hey--do me a favor and text him, ask if he's in?" they add once they tuck their hands back into their pocket. "He ought to respond if it's you." Assuming he isn't genuinely in the middle of something, but he's normally so obsessed with keeping his phone on and at hand at all times. There's only one time Ren has ever seen him turn his phone off, and that's...

...

...well, anyway.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thankfully, no. If anything, Umie would have argued Ren played a positive role: being someone she could focus on in the present.

The boat will exist in the harbor, whether or not Ren pointed it out, but like she and Toki looking for crepes, other things are far more finite. There will be a time when Ren will graduate and likely move on, or find the prospect of working these shifts more exhausting than they're worth, as he should. Kurou will move on to his new apartment, when it is built. The Phantom Thieves may disband to pursue other goals.

That, too, is another strategy: experience the things you have in the present. That is something you have control of, as long as you don't give it up to another power outside yourself.

Ren's thank you nets them a softer smile than the one Umie gave him earlier. "I should thank you, Amamiya-kun. You were the one who opened up a little." Her gloved hands settle in the pockets of her coat, the breeze casting tendrils of bangs to the wind. "... I'd be a terrible work senpai, if I didn't notice."

Recommendations. "Probably someplace not in Narumi, that's for sure," she says, shrugging, before smiling. "Think about what you feel like eating, and we'll go from there. I know a ton of places that are definitely, absolutely open."

'What kind of risk do you mean?'

".... I see that glint in your eyes, sometimes," she says as she walks up to the door. "Like there's a devilish little idea in there, but you always decide to play it safe. Which, is good," she says, quickly. "Especially when you're in high school. But playing it safe sometimes means..."

What does it mean? Is she encouraging the right thing, in saying this to Ren? Sometimes, Umie wonders, if she's being an agent for the wrong kind of chaos.

....

".... Sometimes, you have to knock." That's what she settles on, notably after Ren does exactly that.

Ren's secret is safe, still, at the very least.

"Sure, let's see here..." She gets out her red phone, complete with a charm of its own, and flips it open. Her thumb taps out a message for Akechi. "Can't guarantee that; I'm sure he has his moments with me too."

ha ha ha she texted him in the middle of the night to go haunting Aoba Park during the Dark Hour and he made sure she knew how much she was asking for, from him

"How about I promise him something? A bit of intel, perhaps... Oh!" She grins a devilish little grin of her own. "How about something about the Phantom Thieves? We'll make something up. It's not like either of us know what they even look like, so how's he going to know?" ha ha ha nice save, Umie Akabane, Ren doesn't expect anything at *all*

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Ren's face warms a touch when Umie implies that of course she'd notice. It's... nice, being told by a friend you're not ''that'' close with that of course they'd notice how you feel and do something to support you. As they shrug in silence, their smile is muted, but no less sincere.

...That was a big part of why they fell for Akechi, too. They realized just how much he cares about how they feel, to the point he'd subject himself to something he doesn't really care about solely because it's something ''they'' really care about. It really made them feel... loved.

And of course, now, he's ignoring them, possibly because they've hurt him so much and so often that he still can't bring himself to trust them. A lump forms in their throat for a moment.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Ren always has a hard time crying, and it's normal for them to go silent.

''Playing it safe sometimes means... having to knock.'' Ren looks back at Akechi's door and pulls their hand back out to rest their fingertips on it. Umie might be enjoying a moment of wicked amusement, but this time, they don't reflect it back. Instead, they're silent for a moment before they ultimately shake their head.

"No... We shouldn't lie to him. I think... part of why he's upset with me is because... the last time we spoke, I said something to him I meant, and I have a feeling he thought it was a cruel lie. I... don't want to give him cause to believe that."

For all they get that devilish glint in their eye sometimes, they're achingly serious right now. They turn and sit on the edge of Akechi's doorstop, arms folded loosely atop their legs, to stare up and out at the night sky. The gibbous moon has risen a little higher already by now. The stars are just as hidden here as in Tokyo.

"If he really is out working on a case, it's fine. I just want to make sure, if he doesn't answer the door, it's not because he..." They stare down at their knees. "...knows I'm the one knocking."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There are so many things that have floated past Umie; so much of Ren's background that more experienced people like Akechi have sniffed out. There is no banging drum of Justice behind Umie's forward run; despite also having some experience, and having a Persona of her own, her chariot is pointed towards less high-minded goals.

The points where her understanding is the strongest is accurate, pinpointed, exact, its borders aligning with her own selfish wishes and wants.

What she felt she lacked.

"My, my," she chuckles beneath her breath, at that muted, but genuine smile, but for Ren's sake, she doesn't comment further.

To be heard, to be listened to. Ren's done a lot of that for other people, and they, in turn, care about him. How many adults have offered him that same kindness? Even if the difference in years isn't that large, it's still there.

This is safe, this distance. She can support him, and nothing inside her can infect him or any of his friends.

... right?

Her playful proposal is rejected, and Umie looks to Ren. She sees that serious look in his eyes and respects it, dipping her chin in a slow nod as she closes her phone. He's not just going along with the flow, but exerting control over what outcome he wants.

Good.

"Good idea," she says, settling in a set on the same step a casual distance away, jacket pooling on the step around her. Following his gaze, she looks up, towards the starless sky.

Is it just for lack of someplace to look that isn't metal, glass, and concrete, or is Ren looking for stars? ".... Looks like the moon's out," she says, softly.

She pauses. "Do you... want to talk about it? Or just want a good hard think on it someplace?" That much, she's learned from Ren. "I can't promise the best insight, but... a part of me... understands, a little."

There's a lot she can't reveal to Ren, of course: Akechi's Persona, his abilities, his strange relationship with the Phantom Thieves (which is a complicated mess right there).

She could stand to listen a little, rather than try to control everything.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It's okay that Umie doesn't understand or notice everything, in Ren's eyes. The fact that she cares about what she does notice is what matters to them.

Of course, sometimes people notice a little more than you'd like. Ren hears that amused, oh-so-faint 'my, my' and needs to take a moment to pretend they didn't hear it but also look away so she doesn't notice the color rise in their face.

Still, the moon is out, and the night is crisp and cold. Ren's going to start having to wear their heavy coat before too much longer. As it stands, they rub one arm as they gaze back out at the moon. "Yeah. Practically the only thing you can see..." (Sounds like that's the answer to what Ren's looking for.)

They bow their head when she invites them to talk about it. There's a lot she can't tell her either, and hasn't. Normally, they'd deflect back onto her by asking her how she understands--a genuine desire to understand others, sure, but also a desire to look away from themself. How long have they been keeping up this self-fulfilling prophecy where they expect others not to care about who they really are and so don't give them the chance to see?

They lean back on Akechi's door. Maybe that's another reason why he fell for him: the two of them are so different, and at the same time, so much alike.

"I've been thinking about it a lot these past two weeks," they say quietly. "There's a lot he and I don't see eye-to-eye on, but I think we've still become good friends by now. I don't want to go too deep into it because the stuff we talked about was very personal, and I doubt he'd want me spreading it around, but... I guess... I'm worried that... I tried to be supportive to him, but ended up hurting him instead."

They pause. The moon is not yet full, but it will be soon. They wonder if Akechi's looking up at it too, wherever he is right now. "He's a hard read sometimes. Sometimes I just don't understand him."

Another pause.

"But I want to."

Not sometimes; always.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Sometimes, feelings have a way of getting out from underneath. A fancy boat crossing sunset-lit waters can inspire a moment of dread, while a gesture of care when you're in low moment can inspire another.

Such things would have been dangerous for Umie to invite, over a year ago. How many people had she left in her wake, feeling frustrated with how she closed herself off to them?

Toki had mentioned recently that something seems to have changed in Umie. (Umie had shot her a flat look, then pointed a painted nail to her hair, as if to say 'you just noticed?!')

Sometimes, the moon is all you can see.

".... The sky seems bigger, when you're smaller," she says, her lashes lowering slightly. "I still remember, growing up in Aomori. Hearing you mention stars that one time, I had to stop and think about the last time I really remember seeing them. On a cold night... it makes it easier to see them." Just not here, or near any major city.

But then, there's the Dark Hour, there for her every night: a still, beautiful world with no stars.

And plenty of time to think.

'I've been thinking about it a lot these past two weeks.'

Like Ren, Umie has her own compulsions, wanting to take a thread and ride on it, commandeering it without even thinking about it.

The personal stuff, Umie can likely guess at. Given Akechi's reactions to Sudou and what he said, that night at the art gallery attack, Umie has had her suspicions. And beyond that... Akechi may have told Ren about Personas, and his abilities.

.... the former seems more likely. Akechi would know just how dangerous it is to breech that wall, even out of need for connection to someone else.

It's not important here, anyway, aside from the fact that Umie can't share any of what she knows either, regardless.

Umie listens, nodding acknowledgement as Ren continues.

They both look up at the moon, Umie seeming to relax a little now that nighttime has officially begun.

Is it selfish, to look and see an echo of her own relationship with Shiryuu? Ren and Akechi's relationship is likely friendship, but the threat a connection poses is there, all the same.

"I think..." Umie says, "he probably needs time to digest things. He's very logical at heart, from what I've seen of him; connecting with others can be fun, even gratifying at first, but eventually, he has to take a look and see how to proceed. Him sharing those secrets with you, though..."

She remembers, how Shiryuu accepted her, when she told him her own sin. They still fought later, and they still muddle through the logistics of it all, unable to come to firm answers that make any sense.

"That likely means a lot to him, if he was willing to tell you. But it also meant he's going in directions he probably hasn't, before." She glances down from the moon towards Ren, now. "That's my take. He's just as hard to read to me too, but I like to think I understand just a little."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The stars ''are'' easier to see on a cold night, or on a mountaintop. The air is cleaner and crisper when it's cold, and the mountains are higher up--closer to heaven. Ren looks over at Umie when she relates her own experience with the stars out in the countryside. ...Another way where she and he are closer to each other than he is to Akechi, despite how much more Ren and Akechi know about each other.

As for seeing parallels, that's just how the human mind works. It loves to see things it recognizes--a rhyme, if not necessarily a refrain. At the very least, Ren wouldn't see it as selfish--but they can't opine on that, since Umie also hides things.

That's one they ALL have in common.

"...That's what I thought too. He's upset; let him have time and space to process. But this happened the Monday before last," Ren replies quietly. Twelve days ago, basically two weeks. "He isn't usually... that quiet, for that long."

Umie raises a good point, though, that Akechi doesn't share his own secrets lightly. ...in general, anyway; sometimes it feels like it is light when it comes to Ren. Ren was so suspicious of that at first; over time, they started to feel honored. Chosen, like a stray cat who requests pets from you and only you. Still, whatever the nature of the relationship the two of them have, it probably ''is'' untread ground for him. Maybe he got scared.

"Me too," Ren replies with a touch of humor, of understanding him just a little. They breathe out a faint sigh; it comes out faintly white. They rub the side of their arm again. "...Has he responded to your text at all...? Or nah?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a faint connection, though that part Umie leaves unsaid. Her memories of Aomori are hazy, glazed over with the simplistic fondness of early childhood and illness.

She never had to deal with the bounds of that small town tightening around her self and her identity, or even the reality her own parents had to face.

Her childhood insight hadn't expanded as much as the starry sky had.

But like so many things, it's something she hides, just as Ren hides their own.

"--Eh?" Oh. OH. Umie's eyes widen, dislodged from her persona (haha) as calm, understanding work senpai. "Wait, he's making you wait that long?!"

She winces, hearing the sudden increase in volume in her voice.

Maybe Akechi's looking into new Joker leads, or maybe there's some cases, but come *on*, man!!

"You'd think he'd be a little more understanding of someone's time," she grumbles, as Ren asks about any texts.

Alas.

Umie hadn't felt her phone vibrate. Still, just in case, she slips her phone back out and flips it open to check. "No. Guess he sees right through me, as usual."

(If Ren dares to make a glance, even accidentally, they'd see Umie's phone is much the same as it was when they checked it as Joker, nearly half a year ago.)

"Doesn't make waiting feel any better. Not knowing something can be worse than it being the worst possible outcome. Maybe this'll force things to come to a head," she says, before flatly adding, "give or take a week."

Part of her wants to charge in and get Ren off this doorstep, get out of the cold, and on with life while Akechi goes stew.

It feels rare to see Ren in a moment like this, however. She can't ask Ren what was said, nor does she want to.

Words come out, automatically, as she notices the white of Ren's breath.

"Aren't you cold?" She sighs. ".... Should've made you bring a thicker jacket..." .... he surely has one, right...?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Umie's reaction is... not great. Now Ren's ''really'' starting to worry. It doesn't help that Akechi hasn't responded to her yet either, though at least in her case, it's only been a few minutes. Maybe Akechi will reach out to her in a few minutes more.

''You'd think he'd be a little more understanding of someone's time!''

Something in Ren's chest squeezes painfully tight, seeing and hearing Umie acknowledge that, actually, it's been a really long time to refuse to talk to someone you called a friend. This time, what flares up inside them isn't worry; it's a hot, hurt anger of their own. He digs his slightly-long nails into his uniform pants.

Does he really think they wanted to hurt him on purpose? Is he really assuming the worst of them without even hearing them out? Is he really cutting them off, just like that?

...It's just like Yoshio.

There's a certain deeply bitter irony there.

They take a deep breath and let it out. "...Yeah. Actually, I am." Breathe in; breathe out; in; and, finally, out. In that time, they tame their anger to a low simmer, and they rub their forehead before they tuck their hands into their pockets. "You know what? Now that I think about it, it's really creepy to show up at somebody's apartment when you know that somebody is mad at you. I wouldn't open the door for me, either."

Whatever made Akechi get ''this'' mad at them, they're not going to question it anymore. He has a right to how he feels, and... they've been 'kidding around' with him in a way that probably contributed to all this. If it turned out Akechi feels like they've been toying with him and is himself feeling angry and heartbroken about it, Ren would have a hard time denying they deserve it. Sometimes you just can't deal with someone after they've hurt you too badly, too many times.

They look back at the locked door. Can they really leave it like this? But... what can they do? This isn't a Palace, it's real life. They can't just break in. Hell, if they did, that would make it ''so'' much worse. They squeeze their eyes shut.

He'd defended them against Kasumi for not being someone who'd take other feelings lightly that same afternoon. And... now here they are. After they humiliated him in public and then stabbed him in the emotional wounds he tries so hard to keep under wraps.

God dammit.

They pull out their phone. As they type, they murmur to Umie, "Thanks for getting mad for me. It... means a lot."

@> came by your agency office just now. knocked on door. no answer so I guess you weren't there.

"Let's go get that dinner, Akabane-san. It'll be a good way of warming up."

@> not gnna come by again. sorry for being so pushy, hope you're not too creeped out, but i get it if you are.

"I'm feeling ramen or something like that. Hot and brothy and full of salt. How's that sound to you?"

@> i'll leave you alone from now on.

Whatever ends up happening between them and Akechi, the ball's in his court now.

They tuck their phone back into their pocket and gives Akechi's locked door one last look, muscles taut in their jaw. Then they put their poker face back on and lope away at the same pace Umie does, whatever that ends up being. "If you don't have a place you love around here, I know a place over in Ogikubo that Ryuji introduced me. It's ''really'' good. Depends on how hungry you are, though. We'd have to wait 'til we get all the way back to Tokyo first."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It takes a moment, before Umie realizes the sea change in Ren's emotional state; if she hadn't been focused, it may have slipped past her.

But the Badb that is Umie Akabane can hone in on certain things with acute clarity, like the quiet that naturally happens when one is slowly releasing and taming their anger.

She quiets, realizing it, turning her eyes to the sky instead in search of stars.

It's really creepy, Ren says, when they've moved through their emotions.

....... huh.

Umie's eyes widen slightly as she takes this nugget of insight and mentally chews on it. ".... I guess it would be," she says, tapping a finger to her chin.

Not that Umie... especially knows, now that she thinks about it. There may have been one or two people she has accidentally placed in the same position Ren's in now, without realizing it.

.... Or being too wrapped in her own worries to realize that leaving a relationship early doesn't mean everything is resolved, no matter how much she's told herself it was for everyone's own good. .... Those were relationships, however. What Ren has with Akechi? Likely not the same.

She shrugs. "I'm sure a part of him will understand. If not, use me as your excuse." She gives Ren a playful wink. "I *did* say I was enabling you. It wouldn't be a lie."

That forward pursuit is tamed once again, as she thinks back to what Ren said, earlier. His voiced need to be truthful.

".... Or come as you want to be," she says, softly, feeling a swell of pride for Ren, once again, for determining how things would go. "I support you, Amamiya-kun."

In the end, anger or no, she'd see it as a good thing if Ren and Akechi made up. Akechi is aggravating, but some of their relationship is built on some mutual understandings, as well as comfort.

There was a joy she felt in the night she found out Akechi also had a Persona, as vexing as he was about it. Spending time conversing with demons to look for leads in the Aoba Park attack from Sudou... She thought she was the only one who seemed to understand the value in that, and in the labyrinthian ways a demon's mind could work.

However, she highly doubts their connection is the same as the one he has with Ren, nor would she want it to be.

"For what it's worth.... I think he'll eventually reach out." Lonely people eventually do, when they can no only find solace in shadows, she reflects with a mental grimace.

Hadn't she hurt people, like all of Tamaki and Eriko's gang, because they knew one of her secrets?

Is she just playing the role of helpful senpai without understanding what it means, to be there for someone?

Ren's thanks dislodges Umie from her thoughts. She blinks, pressing a hand against her mouth.

Then a laugh escapes, reaching up to the glint in her eyes. "You'd be the first to thank me for something as rash as that. .... But you're welcome, all the same."

To like someone she cares about feel heard. Yes... that's... what she wants, here.

"Let's do that. If it's ramen, how about I treat you?"

As she and Ren depart, there's patter of flapping wings as a a small murder of startled crows fly off.

Looking up, she thinks of red tengu masks and shirogarasu-s.

Crows exist, even in Narumi Ward.

"You know what? Let's trust him on this. Ogikubo it is."
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-06-13: Gibbous Moon

2026-06-14T03:50:16Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Gibbous Moon''' *'''Cast:''' Ren Amamiya, Umie Akabane *'''Where:''' Narumi Ward, Sumaru City *'''OOC Date:''' June 13, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 24, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''It's been two weeks since Akechi has stopped talking to Ren, which is long enough for Ren's ever nosy work senpai, Umie Akabane, to notice, and try to take charge, for better or worse. While their journey is for naught, the two find some things to bond over, despite the secrets th..."

*'''Log: Gibbous Moon'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:''' Narumi Ward, Sumaru City
*'''OOC Date:''' June 13, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 24, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''It's been two weeks since Akechi has stopped talking to Ren, which is long enough for Ren's ever nosy work senpai, Umie Akabane, to notice, and try to take charge, for better or worse. While their journey is for naught, the two find some things to bond over, despite the secrets they hold from one another, or perhapos, because of their willingness to let them stay secret.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It's been two weeks since Goro Akechi stopped talking to Ren. The reason why remains baffling to them: they told him they like the real him and they hope he can come to like himself too one day, and... he got obviously, sharply upset. He's had them on Do Not Disturb ever since. They've sent a couple texts since then--one to check in, one to test the waters--and, well... even if they aren't outright blocked, Akechi has certainly not responded to either one.

It honestly really worries them. They know a fair amount about Akechi's troubled childhood and how he was rejected and treated like an unwanted nuisance by the people around him after his mother committed suicide, but... can he really hate himself so much that he would get so viscerally upset at someone expressing they care about him? Or...

...or, given that he told them ages ago he doesn't trust them, and given all that teasing she did on him earlier that day, did it feel like a cruel lie--a betrayal waiting to happen...?

It REALLY worries them.

They already poked their nose in at Seven Sisters High School and, with Maria and Saeko's help, found the address to Akechi's detective agency, which apparently doubles as his home. (Probably it would've been faster and easier to look it up online, but Ren just... wanted to go to Akechi's school themself.) It's Saturday today, so they certainly have the time to head there now, but...

Triple Seven had called them in immediately after school, citing a huge midday rush due to a local three-day con and begging them to come in for a shift. They'd agreed, partly because their manager REALLY sounded desperate, partly because of the wage bonus that'll come of such an event, and partly...

Partly because it'll help them settle their nerves by focusing on something else at first.

The rush did not really ever stop, so mission accomplished on that end, at least. However, once Ren clocks out in the afternoon/early evening and has gone to the break room to change back into their school uniform, they check their smartphone for any missed calls or texts, and--

Nothing. Still.

Ren looks momentarily, distantly forlorn as they stare at their phone. It's a long moment, though--so it would be easy for certain nosy work senpais to notice, and maybe even ask about it.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> The problem with being the focused, in-control person Umie is... is that that sharp, persistent focus is, well, focused. This is how Ren has managed to keep much of their life not related to their overlapping social bubble with Umie more or less secret. Umie doesn't know Ren has trouble in school, that they're feared as a no-good delinquent with a criminal record, and that their persona (no pun intended) as a glasses-wearing young teen who keeps his head down is intentional.

That was the case, at first. Now? Umie... still doesn't know about his home life, or his school life (aside from having some good friends). She knows Ren enough to know that he's a private, quiet person, who is just as likely to pinpoint her own. She's holding onto secrets herself, after all.

However.

Despite the rush keeping the two of them on their feet, and Umie thinking about the BOGO nikuman sale, when she comes into the breakroom to go change, she sees Ren there.

.... That's a long time, for a Ren to stare at his phone, Umie thinks, as she takes off her hat.

"Hey, Amamiya-kun? What's up?" There's a note of concern in Umie's voice, asking a question she's not willing to voice aloud for Ren's sake: 'is everything okay?'

Indeed, certain nosy work senpais *do* notice. At the end of the day, despite all their efforts, they can't help it.

..... And when she hears what Ren has to say?

There's that flash of blackbird's widening smile before she answers him, with a casual wink. ".... Well, my afternoon's free, if yours is. Want to make a trip over there?"

======NOW======

"You know, I never *did* visit his office. Part of me just assumed he just appeared out of the aether, like some spirit."

Narumi Ward is one of the more upscale wards, even moreso than Yumezaki or Aoba. Pausing to look at one of the tall apartment buildings, Umie murmurs over her shoulder. "... You wouldn't believe what this place looked like ten years ago. It's amazing how fast places change..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Huh?" Ren blinks up at Umie when she voices her concern, tearing them from their thoughts. They rub the back of their neck. "...It's nothing, really." And it's tempting to leave it at that like they normally might, but they ''do'' consider Umie a friend, and they ''have'' been trying to be more open with their friends lately. They take a deep breath and continue, "Akechi and I are... not exactly fighting, but he's not talking to me, either. I found out the address of his agency, so I was thinking, maybe..."

They trail off, leaving the thought unfinished--to Umie, at least. There are lots of ways it could finish in their own head.

But what is Umie Akabane if not an enabler of a work senpai? Ren blinks at her again, then grins.

They're already starting to feel better.

~ * n o w * ~

"I never have either. You at least knew him in high school, though, right? He can't have been ''that'' spirit-like," Ren replies as the two of them walk through the upscale neighborhoods of Narumi Ward. It's a beautiful place, right on the ocean; Ren can't help but admire the scenery as the two of them approach Akechi's apartment building. The more they think on it, the more it's obvious to them that it's always been Akechi coming to them--they almost never go to him. Maybe that's the nature of a detective and a thief, but when they think about it like that, they suspect that their fears and concerns are right after all.

"Yeah?" Ren glances at Umie when she mentions ten years ago. She's right; as someone raised a country boy, it's hard to imagine. "What ''was'' it like?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'It's nothing, really.'

"Oh?" Umie pauses as she runs dark red nails through her hair, trying to keep from seeming like she's lingering a little *too* long outside the bathroom (which is occupied, besides).

'Akechi and I are...'

And Ren's fate was sealed.

==========

"I knew Akechi-kun existed," Umie answers, her eyes on the light as they stand at the crosswalks. "But... I didn't really get to know him until recently."

And really, he was the one who came to *her*, in a roundabout, gradual way.

".... I may've asked this before, but how did you two get to know each other, anyway?"

She remembers how Akechi looked, as he turned from drawing the outline of the Mark on the chalkboard. She remembers the way the late afternoon sun filtered in through the classroom they had went to after her flashback, how his hair and eyes caught the rays of sun. The realization that Akechi was not just simply a detective star, but someone who narrowed in on her little secret. There was the taste of her anger, but then the relief, like something had finally been released.

They had met because she was a mystery. Would it have been the same for Ren?

"It was being built, for one. About ten years ago, there was a influx of capital and revenue into the area, largely due to efforts of different companies." In other words, what attracted her parents here, but that part, Umie leaves out. "There were more cranes than buildings there, but like anything, money moves things fast." She wonders what it could have been like, parkouring through the area during the Dark Hour. She was too young then, to really explore outside her neighborhood block.

"By the time I was in high school, Toki and I would sometimes watch the yachts come into the harbor, and try to guess what their ship names were."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Mm. It's hard when you're a senior and he's a freshman," Ren muses aloud. "Not a lot of reason to run into each other. Unless you're in a club together." And Ren already knows the two of them weren't--that Umie barely knew him back then. It really only makes sense that he seemed like he came out of nowhere, considering that.

"Us?" Ren considers Umie and her question. "Well... there's this prosecutor lady he works with." Sae Niijima, Makoto's older sister, not that Ren mentions that part. "She's low-key a regular at Leblanc, apparently, and she brought him with her one day. I was helping out there that day, and he chatted at me for a while. Then later we ran into each other again--my school took a field trip to a TV station, and he was being interviewed on it. We talked a little and swapped phone numbers, and it's just been... going on since."

That is of course the ''heavily'' edited version, but close enough for horseshoes, politics, and explosions.

(Naturally, there was and still is a mystery about Ren too. Ren sure as hell isn't going to volunteer that information, though.)

"Oh, so this area is brand new," Ren remarks. They look around again. "It looks like it." Lots of companies moving in and rushing construction, huh... Yeah, it does have that kind of vibe to it. This is the kind of neighborhood that rich people come to live in. Odd to think of Akechi choosing to live here--but then again, maybe not ''that'' odd. Not just living but thriving here would be proof to all his childhood haters that he made it, that he's worth something.

So why does he still hate himself so much...? How much more does he feel like he has to prove himself before he can accept affection? Or maybe it really is them... Their dark eyes flick to the sidewalk before they shake their head slightly.

"You've known Toki-san for a while, huh," they remark. They half-turn towards the yacht the two of them are passing by as they speak, then tilts their head in its direction. "What d'you think that one's name is?"

It is, for the record, the Nichirinmaru. How well can Umie guess that one--or does she not need to guess, because she already knows?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Could you imagine," Umie notes, with some humor, as she looks for the street. "Someone like Akechi-kun, in a club... he'd make himself miserable trying to be the best. The paranormal club at the time'd likely have to fold within a week of him joining."

Then, a moment later, she adds, with a note of sympathy, "... and that's assuming he'd be left alone." A victim of his own success, in some ways. Did he feel satisfied, knowing what he accomplished?

What about when he awoke to his Persona, a year or two later?

A lonely freedom, exploring Mementos, seeing the dark side of humanity in a way the Dark Hour did not embody in quite the same way.

A smile is directed Ren's way as they relate how the two of them met. Not one ounce of suspicion, either; Ren's story makes sense. If there were any holes, she fills them in herself with what she knows.

"He must have taken a liking to you." She places a hand to her cheek, still looking towards him. "And why not? You do have a mysterious air to you, sometimes~"

Those eyes squint, mischievously, all while Umie mentally winces at bringing up what may be a sore spot for Ren, right now. Akechi coldly cut off ties with him and left him hanging, after all.

The area is brand new, yes. As the next light turns, signaling them to cross, Umie's eyes light up. "... Yes, this is about the spot where the crepe shop is. There's a small park over here, and..."

Was. On both accounts. The highrises have swallowed the block; a small park would have been a temporary blip in the face of a building boom.

As would the rent and license fees, for any business, Umie reflects. "Toki liked their matcha crepes..."

"... It's... likely on another block..." she mumbles, quietly, with some sadness, as they move on.

Life can change.

"Yeah. Since my freshman year. Believe it or not, she's actually..." She trails off, as Ren points out a yacht.

"....."

She can hear the sound of blood in her ears. "... the Nichirinmaru," she says, dully, without a single speck of creative thought devoted to the cause.

Even here, even without a coy voice in her ears making promises, with her young co-worker here, and them, having normal life...

Something will always haunt her.

".... The street should be close by," she says, a touch quiet, as she turns away to look at her phone.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Himself and everyone else," Ren agrees amiably. Inside, though, the thought makes them sad--because of how true it is. A victim of his own success indeed... not to mention that, for all he can act smug and arrogant at times, it seems like he can't truly internalize how admirable he is.

"Hmmm." But for all the noise they make is noncommittal, there's a hint of a smile on Ren's lips when Umie says Akechi must've taken a shine to them. "And detectives never can resist a mystery." If the circumstances were different, they'd rake a hand back through their curls and, at the very least, smirk about it. Right now, it seems inappropriate.

They look towards where the crepe shop should be, and towards the would-be park. Neither of those things are here now. They glance at Umie, sensing the shadow of sadness that steals over her, and quietly nod once.

It probably isn't on another block. They pick up what she's putting down, whether she means to or not.

This is only more so when they indicate the Nichirinmaru, and she names it as such--no guesswork, no play. Just a simple statement rife with something far darker than mere shadows. "...Akabane-san?" they murmur, dark eyes flickering with concern.

She looks away. Ren hesitates, then nods again and pulls out their own phone. They can pretend they didn't notice and let it go, for her sake.

...Is that what they should do for Akechi? Are they being overbearing about this? Should they stop checking their damn texts and let him have the space he's clearly signaling he wants? But...

"Narumi Sunspot Manor, 22-1B," they read aloud, looking back up. "I think that's it right there." They point at the building the two are approaching from the left. "Wonder if he's in today... He keeps himself so constantly busy, he probably isn't." He wasn't in school the other day either. If Saeko told him Ren was sniffing around--and she explicitly said she would--he might even be avoiding the place.

The two of them approach the sleek apartment building in silence and a streak of tension.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'A detective never can resist a mystery.' "That's it," Umie encourages, with a blackbird's grin. "Let him be all sulky in his little tower; *you're* the mystery, not him." UMIE THIS IS TERRIBLE ADVICE

But what is life, is not just a stream of bad advice and bad decisions?

It can only make you stronger, in the end.

And Ren will see that process; the 'survival strategy' of an Umie Akabane.

Umie breathes in, then out. She takes a moment to close her eyes. Her hand goes to the red bell charm bracelet at her left wrist, like a ritual.

When those eyes open, they're focused, red-brown and shape, like a knife after being returned from the whetstone.

One could mistake it for a mask, covering over something darker inside herself, and in a sense, it is. But it's also her grabbing ahold of what is in her control, what she's here to do, and what she files at the top of her priorities, right now.

Let the ship rust and rot away in the harbor, for all she cares. She will live her life, on her own terms, and walk the shadows instead of huddle in them.

"It doesn't matter if he is or isn't," she says, with a regained, nonchalant air, as she raises a red-nailed finger. "A gesture will communicate what words can't."

Like the crescent moon rising in the sky, Umie's open smile is sharp as she turns, regarding the building that sometimes holds a Goro Akechi, when he isn't haunting the aether. "We'll just linger outside. We're just enjoying this fine--" kind of cold, thank god Umie is wearing a turtleneck under her coat "-- late fall afternoon. 'He's not here? Oh no. Well, look at this impressive view from his doorstep.' Then we'll find someplace cheap to eat and go home."

They approach. "You'll have to decide how far you want to go in, of course. I'll just be your helpful enabler."

A pause. "I will say, though.... You could use a bit of risk in your life, Amamiya-kun."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It might be terrible advice, and Ren knows this, but they can't help but chuckle anyway.

Part of the thrill of being a phantom thief is the detective who relentlessly chases after you, after all.

Their eyes flick towards that charm bracelet when she grabs at it. It seems to calm her down, or at least stabilize her. That's good. Ren would feel absolutely rotten if they hurt ''another'' friend without meaning to.

"Point," they concede, that little smile returning. "Thanks for tagging along, Akabane-san." They rub the side of their neck as they tuck their phone away. "I'd feel... awkward, waiting on his doorstep all by myself. And hey--" They shrug casually. "What else do we have to do on a Saturday night?" They smile back at her. "Even if he doesn't show up, I'd love to see your local recommendations."

It's hard not to laugh at her comment about risk. If she genuinely thinks that, then that means they're carrying on their double life with excellence. ...It does remind them how so many of their friends seem way more bothered about having to lie and hide parts of themself, but... what good would it do anyone to force themself to feel bad about something they need to do anyway?

"What kind of risk do you mean?" they wonder instead. As they ask, they approach the doorstep of Akechi's agency--maybe outside, maybe inside, maybe on the ground floor, maybe much higher up; it will be left ambiguous for now--and stop a moment to take in the sign on or next to the door.

Then they knock twice, sharp and brisk, as butterflies start to flutter in their stomach.

"Hey--do me a favor and text him, ask if he's in?" they add once they tuck their hands back into their pocket. "He ought to respond if it's you." Assuming he isn't genuinely in the middle of something, but he's normally so obsessed with keeping his phone on and at hand at all times. There's only one time Ren has ever seen him turn his phone off, and that's...

...

...well, anyway.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thankfully, no. If anything, Umie would have argued Ren played a positive role: being someone she could focus on in the present.

The boat will exist in the harbor, whether or not Ren pointed it out, but like she and Toki looking for crepes, other things are far more finite. There will be a time when Ren will graduate and likely move on, or find the prospect of working these shifts more exhausting than they're worth, as he should. Kurou will move on to his new apartment, when it is built. The Phantom Thieves may disband to pursue other goals.

That, too, is another strategy: experience the things you have in the present. That is something you have control of, as long as you don't give it up to another power outside yourself.

Ren's thank you nets them a softer smile than the one Umie gave him earlier. "I should thank you, Amamiya-kun. You were the one who opened up a little." Her gloved hands settle in the pockets of her coat, the breeze casting tendrils of bangs to the wind. "... I'd be a terrible work senpai, if I didn't notice."

Recommendations. "Probably someplace not in Narumi, that's for sure," she says, shrugging, before smiling. "Think about what you feel like eating, and we'll go from there. I know a ton of places that are definitely, absolutely open."

'What kind of risk do you mean?'

".... I see that glint in your eyes, sometimes," she says as she walks up to the door. "Like there's a devilish little idea in there, but you always decide to play it safe. Which, is good," she says, quickly. "Especially when you're in high school. But playing it safe sometimes means..."

What does it mean? Is she encouraging the right thing, in saying this to Ren? Sometimes, Umie wonders, if she's being an agent for the wrong kind of chaos.

....

".... Sometimes, you have to knock." That's what she settles on, notably after Ren does exactly that.

Ren's secret is safe, still, at the very least.

"Sure, let's see here..." She gets out her red phone, complete with a charm of its own, and flips it open. Her thumb taps out a message for Akechi. "Can't guarantee that; I'm sure he has his moments with me too."

ha ha ha she texted him in the middle of the night to go haunting Aoba Park during the Dark Hour and he made sure she knew how much she was asking for, from him

"How about I promise him something? A bit of intel, perhaps... Oh!" She grins a devilish little grin of her own. "How about something about the Phantom Thieves? We'll make something up. It's not like either of us know what they even look like, so how's he going to know?" ha ha ha nice save, Umie Akabane, Ren doesn't expect anything at *all*

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Ren's face warms a touch when Umie implies that of course she'd notice. It's... nice, being told by a friend you're not ''that'' close with that of course they'd notice how you feel and do something to support you. As they shrug in silence, their smile is muted, but no less sincere.

...That was a big part of why they fell for Akechi, too. They realized just how much he cares about how they feel, to the point he'd subject himself to something he doesn't really care about solely because it's something ''they'' really care about. It really made them feel... loved.

And of course, now, he's ignoring them, possibly because they've hurt him so much and so often that he still can't bring himself to trust them. A lump forms in their throat for a moment.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Ren always has a hard time crying, and it's normal for them to go silent.

''Playing it safe sometimes means... having to knock.'' Ren looks back at Akechi's door and pulls their hand back out to rest their fingertips on it. Umie might be enjoying a moment of wicked amusement, but this time, they don't reflect it back. Instead, they're silent for a moment before they ultimately shake their head.

"No... We shouldn't lie to him. I think... part of why he's upset with me is because... the last time we spoke, I said something to him I meant, and I have a feeling he thought it was a cruel lie. I... don't want to give him cause to believe that."

For all they get that devilish glint in their eye sometimes, they're achingly serious right now. They turn and sit on the edge of Akechi's doorstop, arms folded loosely atop their legs, to stare up and out at the night sky. The gibbous moon has risen a little higher already by now. The stars are just as hidden here as in Tokyo.

"If he really is out working on a case, it's fine. I just want to make sure, if he doesn't answer the door, it's not because he..." They stare down at their knees. "...knows I'm the one knocking."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There are so many things that have floated past Umie; so much of Ren's background that more experienced people like Akechi have sniffed out. There is no banging drum of Justice behind Umie's forward run; despite also having some experience, and having a Persona of her own, her chariot is pointed towards less high-minded goals.

The points where her understanding is the strongest is accurate, pinpointed, exact, its borders aligning with her own selfish wishes and wants.

What she felt she lacked.

"My, my," she chuckles beneath her breath, at that muted, but genuine smile, but for Ren's sake, she doesn't comment further.

To be heard, to be listened to. Ren's done a lot of that for other people, and they, in turn, care about him. How many adults have offered him that same kindness? Even if the difference in years isn't that large, it's still there.

This is safe, this distance. She can support him, and nothing inside her can infect him or any of his friends.

... right?

Her playful proposal is rejected, and Umie looks to Ren. She sees that serious look in his eyes and respects it, dipping her chin in a slow nod as she closes her phone. He's not just going along with the flow, but exerting control over what outcome he wants.

Good.

"Good idea," she says, settling in a set on the same step a casual distance away, jacket pooling on the step around her. Following his gaze, she looks up, towards the starless sky.

Is it just for lack of someplace to look that isn't metal, glass, and concrete, or is Ren looking for stars? ".... Looks like the moon's out," she says, softly.

She pauses. "Do you... want to talk about it? Or just want a good hard think on it someplace?" That much, she's learned from Ren. "I can't promise the best insight, but... a part of me... understands, a little."

There's a lot she can't reveal to Ren, of course: Akechi's Persona, his abilities, his strange relationship with the Phantom Thieves (which is a complicated mess right there).

She could stand to listen a little, rather than try to control everything.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It's okay that Umie doesn't understand or notice everything, in Ren's eyes. The fact that she cares about what she does notice is what matters to them.

Of course, sometimes people notice a little more than you'd like. Ren hears that amused, oh-so-faint 'my, my' and needs to take a moment to pretend they didn't hear it but also look away so she doesn't notice the color rise in their face.

Still, the moon is out, and the night is crisp and cold. Ren's going to start having to wear their heavy coat before too much longer. As it stands, they rub one arm as they gaze back out at the moon. "Yeah. Practically the only thing you can see..." (Sounds like that's the answer to what Ren's looking for.)

They bow their head when she invites them to talk about it. There's a lot she can't tell her either, and hasn't. Normally, they'd deflect back onto her by asking her how she understands--a genuine desire to understand others, sure, but also a desire to look away from themself. How long have they been keeping up this self-fulfilling prophecy where they expect others not to care about who they really are and so don't give them the chance to see?

They lean back on Akechi's door. Maybe that's another reason why he fell for him: the two of them are so different, and at the same time, so much alike.

"I've been thinking about it a lot these past two weeks," they say quietly. "There's a lot he and I don't see eye-to-eye on, but I think we've still become good friends by now. I don't want to go too deep into it because the stuff we talked about was very personal, and I doubt he'd want me spreading it around, but... I guess... I'm worried that... I tried to be supportive to him, but ended up hurting him instead."

They pause. The moon is not yet full, but it will be soon. They wonder if Akechi's looking up at it too, wherever he is right now. "He's a hard read sometimes. Sometimes I just don't understand him."

Another pause.

"But I want to."

Not sometimes; always.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Sometimes, feelings have a way of getting out from underneath. A fancy boat crossing sunset-lit waters can inspire a moment of dread, while a gesture of care when you're in low moment can inspire another.

Such things would have been dangerous for Umie to invite, over a year ago. How many people had she left in her wake, feeling frustrated with how she closed herself off to them?

Toki had mentioned recently that something seems to have changed in Umie. (Umie had shot her a flat look, then pointed a painted nail to her hair, as if to say 'you just noticed?!')

Sometimes, the moon is all you can see.

".... The sky seems bigger, when you're smaller," she says, her lashes lowering slightly. "I still remember, growing up in Aomori. Hearing you mention stars that one time, I had to stop and think about the last time I really remember seeing them. On a cold night... it makes it easier to see them." Just not here, or near any major city.

But then, there's the Dark Hour, there for her every night: a still, beautiful world with no stars.

And plenty of time to think.

'I've been thinking about it a lot these past two weeks.'

Like Ren, Umie has her own compulsions, wanting to take a thread and ride on it, commandeering it without even thinking about it.

The personal stuff, Umie can likely guess at. Given Akechi's reactions to Sudou and what he said, that night at the art gallery attack, Umie has had her suspicions. And beyond that... Akechi may have told Ren about Personas, and his abilities.

.... the former seems more likely. Akechi would know just how dangerous it is to breech that wall, even out of need for connection to someone else.

It's not important here, anyway, aside from the fact that Umie can't share any of what she knows either, regardless.

Umie listens, nodding acknowledgement as Ren continues.

They both look up at the moon, Umie seeming to relax a little now that nighttime has officially begun.

Is it selfish, to look and see an echo of her own relationship with Shiryuu? Ren and Akechi's relationship is likely friendship, but the threat a connection poses is there, all the same.

"I think..." Umie says, "he probably needs time to digest things. He's very logical at heart, from what I've seen of him; connecting with others can be fun, even gratifying at first, but eventually, he has to take a look and see how to proceed. Him sharing those secrets with you, though..."

She remembers, how Shiryuu accepted her, when she told him her own sin. They still fought later, and they still muddle through the logistics of it all, unable to come to firm answers that make any sense.

"That likely means a lot to him, if he was willing to tell you. But it also meant he's going in directions he probably hasn't, before." She glances down from the moon towards Ren, now. "That's my take. He's just as hard to read to me too, but I like to think I understand just a little."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The stars ''are'' easier to see on a cold night, or on a mountaintop. The air is cleaner and crisper when it's cold, and the mountains are higher up--closer to heaven. Ren looks over at Umie when she relates her own experience with the stars out in the countryside. ...Another way where she and he are closer to each other than he is to Akechi, despite how much more Ren and Akechi know about each other.

As for seeing parallels, that's just how the human mind works. It loves to see things it recognizes--a rhyme, if not necessarily a refrain. At the very least, Ren wouldn't see it as selfish--but they can't opine on that, since Umie also hides things.

That's one they ALL have in common.

"...That's what I thought too. He's upset; let him have time and space to process. But this happened the Monday before last," Ren replies quietly. Twelve days ago, basically two weeks. "He isn't usually... that quiet, for that long."

Umie raises a good point, though, that Akechi doesn't share his own secrets lightly. ...in general, anyway; sometimes it feels like it is light when it comes to Ren. Ren was so suspicious of that at first; over time, they started to feel honored. Chosen, like a stray cat who requests pets from you and only you. Still, whatever the nature of the relationship the two of them have, it probably ''is'' untread ground for him. Maybe he got scared.

"Me too," Ren replies with a touch of humor, of understanding him just a little. They breathe out a faint sigh; it comes out faintly white. They rub the side of their arm again. "...Has he responded to your text at all...? Or nah?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a faint connection, though that part Umie leaves unsaid. Her memories of Aomori are hazy, glazed over with the simplistic fondness of early childhood and illness.

She never had to deal with the bounds of that small town tightening around her self and her identity, or even the reality her own parents had to face.

Her childhood insight hadn't expanded as much as the starry sky had.

But like so many things, it's something she hides, just as Ren hides their own.

"--Eh?" Oh. OH. Umie's eyes widen, dislodged from her persona (haha) as calm, understanding work senpai. "Wait, he's making you wait that long?!"

She winces, hearing the sudden increase in volume in her voice.

Maybe Akechi's looking into new Joker leads, or maybe there's some cases, but come *on*, man!!

"You'd think he'd be a little more understanding of someone's time," she grumbles, as Ren asks about any texts.

Alas.

Umie hadn't felt her phone vibrate. Still, just in case, she slips her phone back out and flips it open to check. "No. Guess he sees right through me, as usual."

(If Ren dares to make a glance, even accidentally, they'd see Umie's phone is much the same as it was when they checked it as Joker, nearly half a year ago.)

"Doesn't make waiting feel any better. Not knowing something can be worse than it being the worst possible outcome. Maybe this'll force things to come to a head," she says, before flatly adding, "give or take a week."

Part of her wants to charge in and get Ren off this doorstep, get out of the cold, and on with life while Akechi goes stew.

It feels rare to see Ren in a moment like this, however. She can't ask Ren what was said, nor does she want to.

Words come out, automatically, as she notices the white of Ren's breath.

"Aren't you cold?" She sighs. ".... Should've made you bring a thicker jacket..." .... he surely has one, right...?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Umie's reaction is... not great. Now Ren's ''really'' starting to worry. It doesn't help that Akechi hasn't responded to her yet either, though at least in her case, it's only been a few minutes. Maybe Akechi will reach out to her in a few minutes more.

''You'd think he'd be a little more understanding of someone's time!''

Something in Ren's chest squeezes painfully tight, seeing and hearing Umie acknowledge that, actually, it's been a really long time to refuse to talk to someone you called a friend. This time, what flares up inside them isn't worry; it's a hot, hurt anger of their own. He digs his slightly-long nails into his uniform pants.

Does he really think they wanted to hurt him on purpose? Is he really assuming the worst of them without even hearing them out? Is he really cutting them off, just like that?

...It's just like Yoshio.

There's a certain deeply bitter irony there.

They take a deep breath and let it out. "...Yeah. Actually, I am." Breathe in; breathe out; in; and, finally, out. In that time, they tame their anger to a low simmer, and they rub their forehead before they tuck their hands into their pockets. "You know what? Now that I think about it, it's really creepy to show up at somebody's apartment when you know that somebody is mad at you. I wouldn't open the door for me, either."

Whatever made Akechi get ''this'' mad at them, they're not going to question it anymore. He has a right to how he feels, and... they've been 'kidding around' with him in a way that probably contributed to all this. If it turned out Akechi feels like they've been toying with him and is himself feeling angry and heartbroken about it, Ren would have a hard time denying they deserve it. Sometimes you just can't deal with someone after they've hurt you too badly, too many times.

They look back at the locked door. Can they really leave it like this? But... what can they do? This isn't a Palace, it's real life. They can't just break in. Hell, if they did, that would make it ''so'' much worse. They squeeze their eyes shut.

He'd defended them against Kasumi for not being someone who'd take other feelings lightly that same afternoon. And... now here they are. After they humiliated him in public and then stabbed him in the emotional wounds he tries so hard to keep under wraps.

God dammit.

They pull out their phone. As they type, they murmur to Umie, "Thanks for getting mad for me. It... means a lot."

@> came by your agency office just now. knocked on door. no answer so I guess you weren't there.

"Let's go get that dinner, Akabane-san. It'll be a good way of warming up."

@> not gnna come by again. sorry for being so pushy, hope you're not too creeped out, but i get it if you are.

"I'm feeling ramen or something like that. Hot and brothy and full of salt. How's that sound to you?"

@> i'll leave you alone from now on.

Whatever ends up happening between them and Akechi, the ball's in his court now.

They tuck their phone back into their pocket and gives Akechi's locked door one last look, muscles taut in their jaw. Then they put their poker face back on and lope away at the same pace Umie does, whatever that ends up being. "If you don't have a place you love around here, I know a place over in Ogikubo that Ryuji introduced me. It's ''really'' good. Depends on how hungry you are, though. We'd have to wait 'til we get all the way back to Tokyo first."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It takes a moment, before Umie realizes the sea change in Ren's emotional state; if she hadn't been focused, it may have slipped past her.

But the Badb that is Umie Akabane can hone in on certain things with acute clarity, like the quiet that naturally happens when one is slowly releasing and taming their anger.

She quiets, realizing it, turning her eyes to the sky instead in search of stars.

It's really creepy, Ren says, when they've moved through their emotions.

....... huh.

Umie's eyes widen slightly as she takes this nugget of insight and mentally chews on it. ".... I guess it would be," she says, tapping a finger to her chin.

Not that Umie... especially knows, now that she thinks about it. There may have been one or two people she has accidentally placed in the same position Ren's in now, without realizing it.

.... Or being too wrapped in her own worries to realize that leaving a relationship early doesn't mean everything is resolved, no matter how much she's told herself it was for everyone's own good. .... Those were relationships, however. What Ren has with Akechi? Likely not the same.

She shrugs. "I'm sure a part of him will understand. If not, use me as your excuse." She gives Ren a playful wink. "I *did* say I was enabling you. It wouldn't be a lie."

That forward pursuit is tamed once again, as she thinks back to what Ren said, earlier. His voiced need to be truthful.

".... Or come as you want to be," she says, softly, feeling a swell of pride for Ren, once again, for determining how things would go. "I support you, Amamiya-kun."

In the end, anger or no, she'd see it as a good thing if Ren and Akechi made up. Akechi is aggravating, but some of their relationship is built on some mutual understandings, as well as comfort.

There was a joy she felt in the night she found out Akechi also had a Persona, as vexing as he was about it. Spending time conversing with demons to look for leads in the Aoba Park attack from Sudou... She thought she was the only one who seemed to understand the value in that, and in the labyrinthian ways a demon's mind could work.

However, she highly doubts their connection is the same as the one he has with Ren, nor would she want it to be.

"For what it's worth.... I think he'll eventually reach out." Lonely people eventually do, when they can no only find solace in shadows, she reflects with a mental grimace.

Hadn't she hurt people, like all of Tamaki and Eriko's gang, because they knew one of her secrets?

Is she just playing the role of helpful senpai without understanding what it means, to be there for someone?

Ren's thanks dislodges Umie from her thoughts. She blinks, pressing a hand against her mouth.

Then a laugh escapes, reaching up to the glint in her eyes. "You'd be the first to thank me for something as rash as that. .... But you're welcome, all the same."

To like someone she cares about feel heard. Yes... that's... what she wants, here.

"Let's do that. If it's ramen, how about I treat you?"

As she and Ren depart, there's patter of flapping wings as a a small murder of startled crows fly off.

Looking up, she thinks of red tengu masks and shirogarasu-s.

Crows exist, even in Narumi Ward.

"You know what? Let's trust him on this. Ogikubo it is."
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2025-07-27: Summer Fair

2026-06-08T22:43:19Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Summer Fair'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Reiko Shimizu]], [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Hazuki Nakao]], [[Myunghon Yeo]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Goro Akechi]], [[Akari Hoshi]], [[Ayame Watanabe]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]], [[Moriko Kumamoto]]
*'''Where:'''
*'''OOC Date:''' July 27, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' June 16, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Yongen-Jaya is having a neighborhood fair! Local restaurants and merchants have set up stalls, and the locals are out and about. Yongen-Jaya's local police are also handing out handmade paper fans at their Koban.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.
<poem>
Yongen-Jaya is having a fair today!

The neighborhood is heavily urban, but the main street running through it has a number of stores -- and in front of those, a lot of stalls have been set up. Local stores and ones from neighborhoods nearby are here; so are vendors selling street foods of all kinds.

There are mostly -- but not entirely -- locals here. They're talking cheerfully, but it looks like it is -- in large part -- an excuse for the locals to get together and chat.

One of the stalls is in front of Yongen-Jaya's koban, its one-room police station. There is a table here; one police officer is sitting in a chair well behind it, asleep.

And the other is Reiko Shimizu, wearing her Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department uniform -- blue vest, white shirt, blue slacks -- and with her hair up, in a ponytail. She has glasses on, and unfailingly, a smile on. The table has stacks of handmade paper fans -- pastel blues, violets, and greens -- with the kanji for "Yongen-Jaya" written across them when unfurled.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Ren has of course seen the flyers for the Yongen-Jaya Neighborhood Fair in the area. He lives here, and he walks through the area from time to time, so they'd be impossible to miss. He's actually been considering asking one of his friends to join him in checking it out.

Then certain requests/demands were made of him and those had to take precedence. Now it's the day of, and he's come home from a half-day at school and changed into regular clothes, but...

While sitting on his bed, he looks at his phone.

- Invite a friend to join you at the fair?
-- Ryuji Sakamoto
-- Ann Takamaki
-- Yusuke Kitagawa
-- Makoto Niijima
-- No one

Ren's lips thin. "Hmmm..."

"Wouldn't it take them a while to get here? Especially Yusuke," Morgana the not-a-cat points out from his seat also on the bed. "You should've at least asked someone while you were still at school."

He sighs. "Yeah..." He's about to click his smartphone off, effectively choosing > ''No one'', when he gets a text--from Akechi.

He stares as he reads it. A couple more appear as he does.

@>I hear there's a festival in Yongen-Jaya today.
@>Perhaps I could find time to make an appearance if you had an interest in going.
@>Walking around with someone staying with a local would lend me a rather down to earth feel, don't you think?

He frowns and tells Morgana about them.

"Huh... Akechi, huh? Well, I won't tell you not to." Morgana's tail flicks. "What're you gonna do?"

"...Why not," Ren says, and texts back: @> OK. See you there.

"I'll hang out here, then," Morgana says as he does so. "Good luck out there."

"I'll bring you back a snack," Ren jokes.

He full-body perks. "Oooh! Bring me sushi!! I've had a craving for tuna lately!"

"...Not ''that'' kind of snack."

~ * ~

But even so, when Ren steps out into the streets of Yongen-Jaya wearing his usual ensemble of thick-rimmed black glasses, an unbuttoned white short-sleeved shirt, a black undershirt, blue jeans, a wristwatch (despite having his smartphone on him), and black shoes, he glances around as he walks to see if there's any sushi-selling booths.

It's unlikely, but you never know.

Because of his distraction, though, he might just approach the booth in front of Reiko's koban without spotting the cops there first...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hazuki Nakao has posed.
<poem>As the festival began, Hazuki Nakao is here! She decided to get out of the house, so she travelled from Shibuya to come hang out at a street festival where... she doesn't know anybody. Maybe that'll change?

The teen's dressed in her usual outfit - a black newsie-style cap, a black leather jacket and white shirt, a flower-clasped choker, compression gloves, pants, and nice shoes. Her fashion sense screams 'foreign' down to the labels, and probably isn't something someone's parents would let them wear, but she's clearly Japanese.

She looks kind of gloomy.

Currently, she's approaching the police booth, hands clasped in front of her. "Oh, hello, officer." she says with a certain shyness as she approaches. Reiko looks friendly, even if the other cop is... sleeping.

She's trying to pick a paper fan. She's struggling on color.

"Hmm... which one do you think is..." She pauses on her words, as if her Japanese wasn't that great, a bit accented as it is. Which one best fits a fan? Cool? Nice? "...cutest?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Damn.

Damn damn damn...

It's easy to play it cool and go 'let's find his Palace'. The problem is -- it turns out Tokyo is actually FUCKING HUGE?? A half-kilometre area is still like finding a needle in a haystack, Baofu! Damnit. The first of July is the deadline, and they've got to ferret out where in Kaneshiro's likely hangout spots that Palace can be. Also while being sleep deprived from fighting a GIANT SHADOW in the shape of--

Heterosexuality? They aren't really sure why the Emperor and Empress were paired. Isn't that more of a Lovers thing? Hell Tower is weird. Sumaru's demons are more pure. They just tell dick jokes and run off with your Life Stones.

It's no good. They've walked all the way up from Shinagawa up the Meguro River and ended up here in Yongen-jaya from the early morning. They're beat to all hell. They're still in their suit jacket and formal coat, black and white as ever, but they look extra...

They look extra soggy today, somehow, despite not having done Magic River Teleportation.

Myunghon doesn't even realise there's a festival on, until they stop fortuitiously by the koban -- glancing at Ren and Hazuki for a moment as she considers what colours are nicest. Like Ren, they also have a problem with the police at the worst of times.

"How about a nice pink fan? It hasn't been that long since sakura season ended, and pink's a common summer colour."

Their singular eye catches Reiko a moment later. "Oh... hello again. It looks like you won't be needing to fish me out of the river this time."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> ---- EARLIER ----
"You need to lower your voice more."
"This is as low as my voice gets."
"Ummmieeee, why are you always like this? You have to sell the illusion! You need to be mysterious!" Toki Murasaki was always the sort to be a 'big ideas' person. When those ideas got too big, she'd run to whoever was closest and was willing to help her out, one of which is her high school friend, Umie. Despite being the younger of the two, Umie sometimes wonders how Toki's enthusiasm hasn't lessened any since she's gone off into the adult world.
"Why did you have to close down the maid cafe, Toki? It worked just fine when I worked there."
"Ummmmieee, Maid cafes are overdone. Besides, the guys liked you because they thought you were fift--"
Umie groans. "You want me to be your mysterious boy butler or not?"

---- NOW ----

"... Maybe I should've gone with the Host idea. It's too hot to be wearing suits..." Toki, dressed in full butler regalia, fake glasses, and makeup to define her feminine face as more androgynous, sits behind her booth labeled, 'Marron Chatte'. It's decorated with trellises and fake silk topiaries, with slowly blinking strip lights stringed through the decor. There's a set up of teas on display, as well as some

In front, are three tables in front, barely able to seat two people.

"That's what the booth down the way is doing. We'd be in direct competition." Umie, likewise, is dressed as a butler, opting for a more boyish, innocent look. ("Oh, you could be a foreign butler! How's your French? French people have beauty marks like yours, right?" Toki exclaimed, earlier, as she curled Umie's ash blonde hair into an artful ponytail, complete with wavy bangs.)

"The scent from the coffee place is so gooood. Maybe this area's got too much competition. You think the name's confusing?"

Umie looks at Toki with a frown. "I never said it was a bad idea. We're just hanging out fliers, right? If the rental deal doesn't go through, no one's going to think much of it." She sighs. "Go get some coffee while you can. Maybe some fans? Maybe I'll spot someone I can snag in. We have to build a mystery, right?"

Wait, is that-- Umie's lips turn upwards in a sharp grin.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
To anyone watching Goro Akechi's social media feed, a shot of him in front of the Leblanc, taking a selfie with that 'winning' smile on his face goes up promptly, as soon as the festival begins.

'Just me in front a cozy little place I quite enjoy for the festival today. #leblanc #akechikun #kaitoucase'

Despite there being absolutely no sign of him yet.

He does show up in short order, though, all smiles, as he hails Ren from a distance. "Amamiya-kun." And he's wearing the summer uniform still, like he took a half day from school before going straight to a case.

Well, he has a case, the one in his hands.

"I do apologize for being a bit late... I was held up. I hope you didn't have too much fun without me." His social media put that post up ''thirty one minutes ago''. Before he then turns to Reiko and... "Oh, Officer Shimizu, I almost didn't see you there."

Wait, Akechi has never even greeted her before ever!?

That affable smile touches his face, "You're a true credit to the Tokyo Police Department, showing such... enthusiasm, for public relations work."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.
<poem>It's Saturday!

That means Akari Hoshi has a half school day. And she's finally over the grounding that she had - well, never mind why; she wouldn't tell you even if you asked why she hadn't been around a whole lot anywhere but school and home until this last week.

Akari spends a lot of time away from home, something she is allowed to do as long as she doesn't stay out too late, sticks to safe areas, and checks in once in a while. By the standards of places she has occasionally gone when she's left to her own devices, a little fair in Yongen-Jaya is positively normal, even if it's a bit of a hike from where she lives. She has her own reasons to come to Tokyo though.

This does mean she is *probably* the only person in a Seven Sisters Middle School uniform though. White skirt, blue top, white ribbon. She even has her backpack... which she has a Seven Sisters badge on. Huh. So *that's* how the girls wear the Seven Sisters patch. Eighth secret mystery solved!

Akari has been distracted in her quest (whatever that may be), however, by street cats. She likes cats. Cats do not like her, though. She hasn't ever figured out why, but currently she is crouched and trying to attract one to see if she can pet it, and the cat is having none of this, having retreated -

And now retreated all the way around the corner of an alley.

"Aw," Akari says, pushing herself up to her feet.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
Ayame Watanabe does ''not'' live in Yongen-Jaya, but she knows a certain officer who does! So Ayame is here, dressed casually; she has a nice blue shoulderless top, with thin straps and long sleeves. Under that, high-waisted jeans and some nice shoes, good for walking around the city in. She has green eyes and brown-black hair, and she is not alone! Walking along at her side--currently holding her hand--is a girl of maybe 11 years old, standing a bit shorter than her mother and resembling her strongly, with long hair of the same color and green eyes. She is dressed in a brighter, more fun kind of outfit, a T-shirt with a star on it and a baseball cap over jeans. "Are we there?" she asks Ayame.

"We're here," Ayame confirms for her daughter, and on her other arm is her purse. She walks up to the stand and chimes in, "Personally, I think green is always cute. The little shoot doing its best to grow...!"

She smiles at Myunghon though, and at Hazuki both. "Pink is nice too, though."

Tohka, the child, says, "I like pink... Oh!!"

She turns towards Akari, and sees just a glimpse of--

"Kitty!"

"Hi, nee-chan," Ayame greets Reiko. And Tohka lets go Ayame's hand to come up to the counter. "Auntie!" she greets her happily. "Do you have a lot of cats in this district...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Much like Ayame, Shinobu is not a local, but she knows people who live in the area! One person, specifically. That's what brings her out here today - strolling through Yongen-Jaya's neighborhood fair. There's a lot to do and see here... and she's come away from the street food stalls with two trays of takoyaki.

She tries not to let let herself be ''too'' distracted... though Umie and Toki's booth does draw her attention briefly. ...She does think the butler look is pretty cute, though it's not her usual taste. It's weird to stare, though, and she's on a mission, so she continues - though not before possibly being noticed.

Where she finds...

"...''Someone's'' popular today." Shinobu notes with a smirk. And who else would be here but...

"Hey, Ayame, Tohka-chan. Surprised to see you both here - guess we had the same idea." Shinobu greets her sister and her daughter, before looking toward Reiko.

She raises one of the takoyaki trays indicatively.

"Do you accept snacks on the job, officer?" She offers with a wink. ...She does a double-take, briefly. Is that Myunghon? ...Did they try Magic River Teleportation again? (Not this time, but Shinobu doesn't know that.)
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.
<poem>
"Hello, young man!" Reiko says to Ren Amamiya, as he approaches. She smiles -- which means Ren is now face-to-face with a smiling police officer. This may not be a good thing, ijn his book. "Would you like a fan? I--ah, rather, we--"

She means the police at the koban. (She means herself, mostly.)

"--made them with love!"

She looks at Hazuki, too, then, and she blinks. She isn't quite sure what to make of her fashion. A foreigner, maybe? It's stylish, but it's different, too. She smiles; like she can be sunny, to make up for the gloom.

"Hello, young lady!" Reiko says. "I think..." She looks at a fan, with a magenta-and-cyan pattern on it, a little like a swirl. "I like that one, but I suppose 'cutest' is in the eye of the beholder...?"

Another guest, though, offers their input. Reiko pauses -- ''blinks'' -- and then smiles a little awkwardly at Myunghon. Okay, a lot awkwardly. "Yeo-san," she says. "I'm glad I don't have to fish you out. Welcome to the fair!"

It is a surprise to her, though when Akechi greets her. She looks at him -- she starts to say hello -- and then realizes ''who'' he is. Her cheeks color, slightly. "Ah! Akechi-san! I--I--" She does a short bow. "Thank you. I still do shifts at the koban--ah, Detective Uchijima said it's necessary until my paperwork for my promotion goes through..."

The paperwork has been 'going through' since January, of course.

She blinks at 'nee-chan,' then turns her head. She looks at Ayame and smiles, before she lifts a hand. "Onee-chan! And--oh, Tohka-chan!" she calls out, some of her professional demeanor dropping. "Thank you for coming all this way! Then, she laughs a little. "It's okay if she wants to play with the kitty for a bit."

This might, perhaps, alarm Myunghon. But then Shinobu walks up -- and Reiko blurts out, again: "Nee-chan!" She blinks, then she takes the takoyaki tray. She laughs when she does. "Well... I'm sure we can overlook it. Besides, that looks really good."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Ren overhears a few folks talk about fans. He glances in that direction, and while he doesn't recognize Myunghon (he didn't see them floating down the river over in Sumaru), he does recognize a fellow Shujin student in Hazuki (he's seen her in the halls, at least) and--right there--a couple of cops. Parents and children and students from other schools and more also mill about, but that's what, ''ahem'', arrests his attention.

Ren's expression freezes with wariness when Reiko addresses him--even invites him to buy a fan. "No, thanks," he says curtly. Then he steps to one side and delicately passes by the koban booth while the cops have other people to pay attention to and presumably won't hound him.

Of course, naturally Akechi has to hail him right then. At least Ren has no social media presence and therefore doesn't have to be irritated by the time stamp on his most recent post. Instead, he just turns around, wide-eyed, to see Akechi in his summer uniform. That makes sense, but...

"You're here already? I wasn't expecting that," he says, even though once he thinks about it a second later, he realizes he absolutely should have. He pauses and frowns over at Reiko as Akechi greets her, but does not join in. Distracted as he still is, just in a different direction, he doesn't spot Umie in her butler costume, grinning wolfishly at him; he's more concerned about how to remove himself from the area without looking suspicious.

So, staying casual, he tucks his hands in his pockets and approaches Akechi, the person he is technically supposed to be here with. "What do you want to check out first?" ''Assuming you haven't cased the whole fair already,'' he adds in his head.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hazuki Nakao has posed.
<poem>Hazuki nods as Myunghon, Ayame, and Tohka give their color opinions. "Hmmm... pink is classically girly, that's true, but..." Indecisive as usual.

And then, Reiko picks one! Her sunny demeanor is uplifting, but Hazuki's got a lot of gloom, so it's hard to truly fix her spirits, even as she tries to hide it in her own way. "Oh, that one's adorable! And I'm just allowed to take it...?" It doesn't cost money?!

Though, as Hazuki pans around the crowd (which makes her a little nervous to see all these people know each other, and also the local 'thug' from Shujin, as far as she knows him as), she spots-

The French, her sworn enemy.

Or, more seriously, a COOL BUTLER CAFE.

Assuming the fan is free (and paying if it's not), Hazuki nods to Reiko. "Thank you so much." She parts from the crowd, moving over to Umie.

"Oh, hello, sir! This is a lovely little cafe..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Reiko greets Myunghon in turn, and they shake her head to say, "I was not aware there was a fair today at all." They look really tired. Have they been up all night drinking or something? Drinking in the blood of your enemies, that is!! But then Reiko greets a woman with her children as 'nee-chan', and their eye widens slightly--

And then Shinobu, of all people, arrives, and Reiko ''also'' calls her nee-chan.

...

...

...

pffffFFFFFFFFFZZZZZZZZTTTT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMNg072OqE

Just a moment. Myunghon's brain is trying hard to catch up to this reality.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>Moriko didn't know about the street market. She had been in town because she needed some brake rotors. Just because the thing died in a supernatural event doesn't mean it was permanently knocked out and.. the brakes were bad. You keep on top of those if you're riding.

She is still in her Gekkoukan uniform. It's more disheveled than usual. People waking her up at 7 in the morning or not, her level of 'care' was critically low on that front. At some point she at least fixed her hair and sort of smoothed everything out. She still looks both tired and a bit scary, but the attitude's not scary at least. She hopes, since she's trying!

She'd spotted the fair on her way back to the train station and... why wouldn't you stop in?

The weather's hot enough, she's down for snagging a fan. Getting in line behind the others at the police booth, partially as an excuse to just look around without looking like she's gawking. Bad enough when she's tired enough to really let that Osakan accent free.

"Didn't use to be." She notes, somewhat distracted as she looks around. "Used to be the color worn by soldiers guarding the court. It's more recent!" An odd little history lesson. She adds in a quieter voice, "Green's nice too."

She then catches herself and offers a quick, "Sorry." For interrupting, clearly.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.
<poem>'Kitty!'

Well, that wasn't directed at her (quite) but Akari heard it anyway. "The cats aren't being very friendly today," Akari says to Tohka. She looks left, then right, as if judging adult presence. Well, there's Ayame, but there's probably no helping that, given they're together. So she adds, in a slightly conspiratorial tone of voice, "I heard the cats could lead you to treasure, but none of them want to stay..."

Akari that's Tatsumi Port Island... if you can see Twilight Fragments. And even then, she only read it in one rumour on the Dark Side, so who knows how accurate that is? You can't believe everything you read. (Well, she can. And frequently does. But that doesn't mean it's all true.)

She's also seen one other adult she recognizes... and one not-adult, because she's seen Akechi on TV, but right now it's the other that interests her more. What is Myunghon doing here? Is there a games booth? Is the Cardboard Dragon expanding into Yongen-Jaya? Or is she here to see the... butler cafe? Akari looks at the butlers, thoughtfully.

She may be judging your costume.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Well, the only for Middle School at least, Akari. Akechi's in the high school Summer Uniform. And as Akechi's eyes spot her, he looks briefly puzzled by the middle schooler from his school system chasing cats around.

"Aha... really? I guess the nature of the job causes me to come across as a little unreliable for showing up to these hang outs on time."

It's alright if Ren didn't see it, after all - him ''not'' commenting on it tells Akechi something more about him. And will tell him something ''quite'' different, if he starts.

Then again, he could always simply be feigning ignorance. Akechi hardly would mind that either.

"Well, why not here?" Akechi that smile unchanging in that affability, "Even if at times there's been tension between myself and this department, I do like to at least familiarize myself with their presence in the area."

He's doing this on purpose, isn't he? Despite the fact that Ren Amamiya and him have never discussed his criminal record before. Ever. He's a detective, so he has to know right?

Yet Ren would be hard pressed to prove it.

He turns towards Reiko, as she bows, "Really?" He puts a hand to his chin, smiling above the curl of his fingers, "Well congratulations on your upcoming promotion. Does that mean you'll be a detective? They truly are bringing their best and brightest up the ladder. I suppose that means we'll soon be co-workers of a sort, whenever your department consults me for a case."

And indeed he continues rambling on, ruminating aloud, "I've heard it said that female police officers are rarely promoted to Detective without tying the proverbial knot first... but I suppose times truly have changed. You would after all be proof of that."

He takes a step back and turns as Shinobu and Ayame approach, making it clear (directly) their relationship in Ayame's case, and more indirectly in Shinobu's, "Oh and these would be your sisters? I see that you truly are making the workplace a family friendly environment."

A beat.

"I know that ''I'd'' like a fan made with love." He says to Reiko, in contrast to Ren, if only to keep them here ''a little longer'' than is comfortable. "Perhaps we might even consider a picture? I'm sure your superiors wouldn't mind the additional publicity."

As he then looks to Ren all smiles, "Amamiya-kun... would you mind taking it for us?"

WOW WHAT A JERK!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> As Toki departs on her epic journey To Get Coffee, her mysterious 'boy' butler considers. Would it be terrible to introduce yourself to a high school part timer who has shown that all he wants is no trouble, a wage for his time, and no expectation of shifts?

Sorry, Ren, but Umie has decided that mischief needs to happen.

Luck may be in Ren's favor, however, as a Hazuki appears!

... Except, Umie takes a moment to respond to Hazuki, having not yet learned to listen for 'sir'.

"Ah, ojou-sama," Umie starts, with an artful bow. ( "Make sure to bow from the waist, yes, let the ponytail go over the shoulder, just like that!" Toki said, when they were going over their lines and coaching each other. )

When she looks past Hazuki again, Ren is... now with...

Is that Goro Akechi?!

And is there someone else there, judging her? The girl from the Cardboard Dragon, in fact. She extends a gloved hand out to her. "As, two ojou-samas!" Ugh, she sounds like a muppet, saying it like that... "Would either of you like a sampling of our fine teas? Or some tea cakes?" Stand straight.

This would have been easier if this was maid-themed.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
Tohka is too ''old'' to selfishly demand some of Reiko's takoyaki. But she does want it. She peers at it thoughtfully, her green eyes avaricious for just a moment. Such is the way... of the older elementary student. "Aunt Shinobu!" Tohka greets too. "I wanted to see the fair too," she explains.

Ayame chimes in, "She did. She asked very nicely, even!"

"Mooom..."

"Hm hm." Then Myunghon happens. They weren't aware, and do look tired. "...Are you all right?" Ayame wonders, her attention settling on her.

Tohka immediately shifts behind Ayame as she sees the ''scary'' Moriko show up--but when she mentions a history lesson, she tilts her head. "Do you know a lot about courts?" she wonders. Then, she frowns. "You should wear your uniform more respectfully."

"Tohka-chan," Ayame says with a hint of admonishment.

"It's true! How you wear your uniform reflects how you feel about your school." The elementary schooler nods firmly on this point.

But she is coaxed away from JUDGING MORIKO by Akari's statement. "Treasure?" she says quietly, standing closer. "That sounds cool..."

She has this look at Akari: Akari is ''just'' enough older than she is to be Cool, but not so old that she's another Auntie. "How do you know which cats have treasure?"

Ayame smiles at Akari, but doesn't comment. Instead she takes a green fan and gets a pink one for her daughter, because of course she does. She considers Akechi for a moment, and considers saying something--but commenting on how long it's taking might give Reiko trouble...

"A little tension doesn't have to mean a bad relationship," she says instead. "Yes, I'm the officer's older sister," Ayame confirms. "I live in Sumaru, but thought I'd come visit. And if I'm lucky, Leblanc is still open to drop by while I'm here..."

Tohka makes a sour face. "I don't like coffee, though. It's so bitter!"

"I'll get you something sweeter," Ayame assures her. But Tohka is also having her head turned by... the butlers. Between Akari and Umie, Tohka is distracted.

But Ayame steps to the side, "Let's get out of the way of the photo, dear."

Tohka looks with big green eyes at Umie.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
''Well, why not here?''

Ren's expression turns stony neutral; he does not verbally respond. No, they've never discussed his record--Ren is in no hurry to discuss it with anyone, and even Ryuji and the others had to explicitly ask him about it to get him to open up--but he finds it very hard to believe Akechi hasn't already dug it up. He might be hard pressed to prove it, but he's not a detective. He doesn't need proof to know what Akechi's doing and be irritated by it.

Ren at least shows no interest in bothering Hazuki--but then, who knows when a horrible delinquent thug criminal might decide to riot? She could be in danger just being in his very vicinity! ...She won't be. But as far as she knows, she could.

That's put more at issue when Umie goes into her butler cafe theatrics, and Ren turns at the sound of her voice to see her trying to service Hazuki. He takes in this scene; he turns back to Akechi, now chatting it up with Reiko and her family. He turns back.

By the time Akechi asks Ren to take their picture, he is a blinking dotted outline.

Wow. What a jerk.

"Hey, Akabane-san," Ren greets her, standing to one side of Hazuki and Myunghon. "Is it all right if I get a sample?" Of anything, really. And he'll take his time sampling, too.

(Leblanc, sadly, is not open for business at this time. When Ren mentioned the fair to Sojiro, right after a shift there where the cafe got slammed, Sojiro told him the place would be closed all that day.)
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Reiko says they can probably overlook it. Shinobu smirks, just slightly.

"Here you go. Gotta keep your energy up so you can keep an eye on things, right?" Shinobu says, handing the tray over to her. She spares a glance toward the napping officer. ...She wonders if this is a shift thing, or if Reiko's been left to fend for herself. She'll try not to be too judgmental here in public.

She looks toward Myunghon, briefly, as they... seem to bluescreen??

"...Uh, you okay there?" She asks. ...They'll probably reboot in a second.

She looks, instead, toward Tohka, offering her a smile. She doesn't notice the avaricious child eyes, desiring takoyaki. She doesn't realise that she should offer.

"Oh yeah?" She says, then looks toward Ayamae as she says she asked nicely. "Good job, Tohka-chan."

She looks Akechi, then, as he talks to Reiko. Bringing up the rate at which female officers are promoted... She wonders what he means by that.

"Yeah, that's right." She says - confirming the horrible truth, that she is, in fact, one of Reiko's sisters. "...Well, sisters gotta look out for each other, right?"

A picture, though... Shinobu gives Reiko a brief look, as it to make sure she's actually okay with that.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.
<poem>
"Oh, well... all right!" Reiko says to Ren, with just a moment's hesitation. Fortunately, with the large number of people stopping by the booth, she can't quite focus on that. Instead, she looks back at Hazuki.

She quickly nods. "Mm-hm," she says. "We're giving them out for free, until we run out. I'm glad you like it!"

She does a quick bow. "Please enjoy!"

Then she looks at Myungon. She smiles, shaking her head at them. "It's okay," she says. "You look tired, is..." She blinks as Myunghon looks at Ayame, then at Shinobu.

"Yeo-san?"

She looks at Moriko -- then she blinks once, before she nods. "Well, a little bit of history to go with the fans, then, miss!" she says, cheerfully. She looks back at Akechi -- and her smile falters, for a second, at the mention of the promotion. "Ah... yes. I'm very lucky," she says. "I couldn't have done it without Uchijima-san's support."

She smiles, though, at the mention of her sisters. "Mm-hm. I'm the yougest," she says. Then, she brightens back up. "I--I'd be delighted to, Akechi-san! Do you have a favorite color? Ah--"

She looks at Ren, apologetically. But he fled. She blinks again, then looks at Akechi. "I... think your friend is distracted?"

She smiles at Tohka -- then she picks up a piece of takoyaki, and offers it to her niece. "Here you go, Tohka-chan. Have fun, okay?" sh says. "This is where your Aunt Reiko lives. It's a nice town, with wonderful people."

She nods her head, before she looks back at Ayame and smiles -- grateful for her not bringing it up. She looks back at Shinobu, then, and she smiles aat her. "You're the best, nee-chan."

She looks at Akechi -- and then there's a slight nod to Shinobu. She is okay with a picture. Though... they now lack a photographer.

Alas!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Myunghon blinks and realises they've just lost a solid minute or two, and another Gekkoukan student -- Moriko -- is here too. Gekkoukan students sure get around, huh? Tokyo's so damn far away, but they're all over the place... come to think of it, wasn't she also at the battle last night... ... nah, don't draw strings where you don't need to just yet, Myunghon. That said, you've seen them in the shop as well, haven't you...?

Today's youth just have it really tough.

Myunghon does catch Akari again for a moment, and has a soft smile for her as she plays with the cats. Out of the corner of their eye, Ren and Akechi also draw their attention -- that one's been on TV, haven't they. Hmm hmm... and the way they greeted Reiko and their service to the police department, with some measure of chargedness... wow, the way he's insisting on a picture...

This boy has Karen energy... a retailer would know.

The butler cafe has their attention next, but then Ayame asks a question. "Ah? Uh--" Myunghon sounds totally caught off-guard for a moment, unable to just soak in the marvelous pool that is their thought lake much longer. "Oh, I'm fine, thank you. I've just been on my feet all day." Shinobu all just confirms it, by the time Ren suddenly has reappeared next to them and Hazuki.

This boy's pretty clever at disappearing between frames too. Must be that Teleportation Suou-san refuses to believe in. "You've got quite the handful, haven't you?"

But, importantly...

"S-Shinobu-ssi... so this is your... sister? ... two sisters?" Myunghon sounds surprised. "Reiko-san, Shinobu is your sister??"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.
<poem>If Suzume was here, she would have plenty to say about how you wear your uniform, though she might not say all of it to someone Tohka's age. Fortunately (?) the group has to deal with Akari instead.

Akari is the kind of girl who could pass for slightly older than she is to someone younger than she is, because she's tall for her age; she has the kind of coltish, energetic, slightly clumsy look teenagers get when they've had a growth spurt they haven't really gotten used to yet. But, well, the uniform gives it away (Akechi may have *a* Seven Sisters uniform on, but it's not the middle school one) and it's not much of a secret to anyone who's lived through those years either.

But she is also the kind of girl who apparently has no trouble talking with someone younger than she is, uncool or not. "I haven't any clue!" she beams. "I thought I'd just make friends with some and see what happened."

Akari knows not to bother the police - for a couple reasons, though she's not doing anything *wrong*, certainly, so it can't be because of that... - but she is about to call out to Myunghon when she is addressed by Umie.

It takes Akari a moment, but her face lights up very suddenly, beaming. "It's you! The cat mask... perhaps you're a cat butler too... oh! I see! You're here to lead me to treasure!" Akari straightens to her full height and does a rather overfancy, overdramatic bow of her own, complete with swept arm and slight backstep. She *must* have learned that from a romantic anime or something, but she manages to pull it off. Somehow. Without looking more than, say, 80% ridiculous.

"Well, lead on, neko-butler! ...I miss the ears though..." Umie had those on *top* of her hat last time. They clearly weren't part of her head in her Cardboard Dragon costume. That is not going to stop Akari from commenting they're missing.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>"Only a little bit." She admits, wobbling her hand, "I just like color design though." Moriko's Gekkoukan, as has been noted a lot of them spend a lot of time doodling or similar. She shifts the bag so that it's over her shoulder and doesn't seem too upset about the precocious kid calling her out. "You're right, but today was a special circumstance." In that she had to probably be dragged out of bed, maybe literally. This is a protest clearly. "Just don't follow my example today, it's a bad one." She doesn't make any effort to fix it. But trying to tuck your blouse in and other things out in the middle of a festival seemed just as bad as a somewhat sloppy uniform. Pick your losses!

"At least I'm not wearing an out of date suit though." Moriko may or may not have seen a lot of that.

Butlers? She turns her head, looking around. Though she is briefly distracted with the other conversation happening. Is that guy hitting on the police officer?

Myunghon's given a curious look too. And a half-wave. "Funny running into you again. " Then she gets a funny look on her face and she facepalms, "I mean outside of the shop. My brother was planning to head in soon." How had she missed that last night? Nightmare scape exhausting battles aside.

She does try to offer a smile to Reiko at least! She still looks so serious and scary. "Just that kinda neat bit of weirdness right?" She thinks so. That colors can flip like that! "Congratulations?" She saw the falter, but that's what you're supposed to say. Right?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hazuki Nakao has posed.
<poem>As Hazuki waits a long moment for Umie to respond, she finally smiles when 'he' does. She doesn't know what's going on there but as a consummate fan of Gender she's enjoying it either way.

"Ojou... I'm so powerful..." she says jokingly, before nodding. "I'll take the... sweetest tea and cutest cake, butler...san? Butler-san, right?"

And then, Ren Amamiya is next to her. Stay cool, Hazuki. He must have a good reason for being voted Most Likely To Join The Yakuza 2012. Maybe he has a secret backstory as an orphan, where he was led to a life of crime, a heart of gold underneath all that violence...

"Oh, hey, Amamiya! ...san. You're a tea drinker? Or do you prefer the <dainty> little cakes?" She says part of it in English.

A pause, as she looks back to Akari approaching and Umie. An overimaginative middle schooler... unless. "*Are* you a treasure butler? I'd like to come, too."

DON'T BLOW IT, HAZUKI
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Whether Akechi notices Umie - notices Merry, there's no sign at first. Instead he's smiling at Ayame at her statement, "Oh? Is that wisdom of a married woman?"

Is he saying that to keep poking Reiko??? "For the most part, I quite agree, though... there is a reason I work mostly with the Prosecutor's Office these days. Perhaps we can call it a 'less than amicable separation'."

By the time he turns around to see that Ren has ''cruelly abandoned'' him to be without a photographer, Akechi does smile as Reiko notes he might be 'distracted'.

"Oh well... he seems to have moved on. I suppose it was too much to hope for - to think he'd remain engaged as we 'talked shop' some."

As he then turns to Reiko, still smiling, though perhaps with a sweatdrop on the side of his forehead.

"Ah well. Perhaps that Golden one?" He suggests, "And we can always make it a 'selfie'... don't you think that will reach out to the youth of the community better?"

Akechi stands side by side with Reiko, holds up the fan and, "Say Cheese." He says with a winning smile.

And a picture is taken! With his phone.

"Well I suppose I should go see where he went. It was nice meeting you and your family."

He uses Merry's engagement with the family as an opportunity to give her one surreptitious look as he taps on his phone before walking onwards.

When he does catch up to Ren, he smiles, "I'm sorry, was I boring you?"

He then looks at Umie, and smiles in a manner that's a touch smug, "...I suppose it's hard for anyone to compete with the opportunity of being served by such handsome butlers."

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Green eyes look at Umie, from afar. Umie, looking to Ayame, grins. She'd offer a cake, but that should be up to the parent, not her.

Butler-san. Butler-san? Damn it, Umie forgot to ask about names! "Butler-san is fine, my lady," Umie manages.

'Hey, Akabane-san,' greets the person Umie was going to try to surprise. How does he keep doing that? Umie has to fight to keep from jolting upright with her samples.

"Greetings, ouji-sama," she then greets with a grin, going behind the booth to get out a selection of sample tea cakes, while preparing a small sample of honey tea for Hazuki.

'...I suppose it's hard for anyone to compete with the opportunity of being served by such handsome butlers.'

Suddenly deciding to humor Akari, Umie holds up a hand like a paw. "Nyan~~, no treasure here. Only treats."

With a flourish, she welcomes in Akechi now, her voice just pitched just a little more soft, and higher pitched. "It would be an honor to serve the Detective Prince as well."

Luck may be with Toki yet. Speaking of that, ahahaha, _where is Toki when Umie needs her_????

(It turns out the coffee Toki was smelling was in her mind, as she's currently in front of Leblanc, staring at the 'CLOSED' sign and just gaping at her misfortune. Clearly, she needs to look for *another* booth with coffee.)
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
"Oooh," Tohka says to Akari. "That's a good idea! I hope you can do it! And if I find any cat treasure here I'll tll you, too."

Then to Moriko she looks and tilts her head. "Well, as long as you know," she seems to allow. "I guess everyone has bad days. I won't!" A pause. "I'm Tohka. What's your name?"

Out of date suit...

Ayame smiles at Reiko, and Tohka suddenly turns to take!! "Thanks, Auntie Reiko!!" She ''devours'' the takoyaki delicately. "Mm!" she agrees, it does seem like a nice town.

Takoyaki town...

She beams at Shinobu at being told sshe did a good job.

"Two sisters," Ayame confirms for Myunghon.

The wisdom of a married woman, though? "Hmmmmm," she says. Is he implying that's a marriage wisdom? It's not a very nice implication, and he does seem to be being very pleasant. ...Ayame decides not to make the wave and says, "Yes. But I'm sure a detective already knew that." A pause. Less than amicable... "Well, good luck. There's a lot going on in the area that must need your attention."

But then she catches Tohka staring at Umie, and laughs softly, nodding Umie's way at that look. It's fine.

Meanwhile, Ayame smiles as Akechi goes, despite that one moment where she was sensitive, and...

"I suppose I shouldn't distract you forever," she says to Reiko, "But..."

"Isn't someone going to introduce me?" she says to Myunghon and company.

"Mom! Moooooom!" Tohka says. "I want to go see the butlers..."

"There's a line right now," Ayame says gently. "We can go when those people have been seen."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Hmm?" Ren glances over at Myunghon as they seem to address him. He's not totally sure, though--and he's not sure what they mean by 'quite the handful' either--so he leaves it at that. Let them clarify if that really was meant for him. (Commit to nothing, especially with an adult you don't know.)

He does chuckle a little, a faint sound behind a slight smile, at Hazuki's ojou-ke, though. He also doesn't expect her to talk to him--though he does note the way she adds on a -san after a slight pause--but there've been a few Shujin students who seem to have given him the benefit of the doubt lately. He decides to do the same for her.

"Mostly coffee, but tea's good too," he replies. What was her name, though... She's in Ryuji's class, he thinks. He's not sure about that, either. It's not like they've introduced themselves to each other. (Ren does not question how Hazuki already knows his name.) He looks back at the cakes, noting her English. He's... not ''that'' good at English, but he can wager a guess on the meaning based on context. "I haven't tried them yet, but they do look good." He looks up at Umie. "I'll give those a try too."

Akechi catches up with him then and asks if he was boring him. Ren turns and looks him dead in the eye.

"Yeah," he replies.

He lives right around the corner, Akechi. He can leave and go home anytime he wants to. Remember: ''you'' asked him here; he didn't ask ''you''. ...so the intensity of his stare might seem to convey. But then he comments on the butlers, and he turns back towards the booth.

"Yeah," he repeats, mildly this time. "I thought it looked tasty." A beat. "Glad you decided to join me."

He offers Umie a lopsided but sincere smile. "I'm not the 'ouji' here, though." But she already acknowledged that--Detective Prince and all. He'll accept one of those sample tea cakes and take a small, thoughtful bite. A moment of chewing later, he decrees: "Pretty good." No tea yet, but Umie's getting bombarded here; Ren will content himself with what he's got, whether he gets any tea or not. "Thanks," he adds.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Reiko seems to be okay with being photographed, so Shinobu nods back. She won't intervene in the picture-taking - moving back so Akechi can get his selfie.

She meets her later look, though, as she glances around at everyone, then back at Myunghon... who seems struck by the revelation put before them.

"Uhh, yeah." Shinobu confirms, she massages the back of her neck. "Wait, did I never tell you...?"

She pauses - and then looks between Myunghon and Reiko as the implication hits.

"...Wait, you two know each other, too?" Shinobu asks. It feels a little bit like the two halves of her life have collided without her even realising... It's probably fine as long as she doesn't get into some of the ''other'' things they get up to. That Gekkoukan kid seems to know them, too - she spares Moriko a brief glance - so it's not that strange for them to know each other, right?

If only she knew.

Ayame speaks up, though, and Shinobu looks her way. ...Right, they probably should introduce each other.

"...Right, sorry, nee-san." She looks toward Myunghon. "This is Ayame, my older sister. I'm the middle, and Reiko-chan..."

Shinobu looks toward Reiko.

"...is our youngest." She concludes.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.
<poem>
"Mm-hm, she's my older sister," Reiko says, with a look at Myunghon. She tilts her head -- then her eyes widen a little. "Wait... do you two know each other?"

She looks between Myunghon and Shinobu, back and forth, for just a second. Then, she laughs because Shinobu asks the same. "Yes, I once fished Yeo-san out of the river."

She does look back to Moriko, though, and nods her head. "Mm-hm. It's interesting," she tells her. She looks back at Akechi. Her expression falls for a moment, at the mention of a married woman. But, that's the stats -- and she recovers after a second. She smiles -- and then shakes her head. "It's all right. A selfie sounds great," she says. "Maybe it'll help fix relations between our departments?"

She laughs. It's a joke. She poses with him and the fan -- and she smiles for the photograph. "Thank you," she says. "It was a pleasure, Akechi-san. I'll see you at the office someday, I'm sure!"

She looks back at Tohka and smiles, brightly. "You're welcome," she tells her. "Now, enjoy, and I hope you have a lot of fun!"

Then, she looks at Ayame. She blinks her eyes -- staring for a second. "R-Right! Introductions!" Fortunately, Shinobu has it covered.

Reiko beams, then makes a peace sign with her hand. "I'm lucky enough to have two big sisters looking after me!"

BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An7ZD-s6aHY

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.
<poem>"Excellent," Akari grins at Tohka. "And if I find any, so will I!"

But it looks like the only treasure she's going to find is the possibility of treats. Fortunately, treats are also acceptable to Akari. "That suits the Baronette Lune as well," she says, despite not being in *any costume at all*. "Or, well... me, anyway."

She glances up at Ren and Akechi, and then past them a little bit toward Hazuki. She still only knows who one of those people is, though she looks at the other two as if trying to place them. She has a pretty intense gaze, but there's no suspicion in it - rather the opposite, Akari tends to come off as guileless. She's just trying to remember if either of them been on television with Akechi before where she saw it. Her parents like Akechi.

She isn't entirely sure why. They don't like it when *she* plays detective.

Eventually she decides they weren't and so Akechi must know them from elsewhere. The normal answer would be 'from school'; Akari's imagination pants several much more interesting portraits ranging from 'inaccurate' to 'extremely inaccurate, and also impossible', but she doesn't actually blurt any out, though she does give Hazuki specifically a knowing nod for no apparent reason.

Her mouth is full of sample cake, though. She has to swallow before she speaks again: "An excellent treat!" she says, followed by another one of those too-fancy bows. "I thank you for this offering!"

More normally: "I like your costume, too. I didn't know you wore so many; I thought it was just for the card shop..." Well, that's the only time she's seen Umie before this! And it was a cosplay day, so, you know... reasonable assumption. "Your hair goes so well with it..." As opposed to Akari's, whose stands out no matter what.

Eventually, though, she addresses Akechi: "It's important to look your best when you're in an outfit. Butler or not!" She apparently approves of these costumes. Akechi and Ren aren't really *in* costumes (or they are, but she doesn't recognize them as such) so she has less to say about that. To Hazuki: "Were you looking for a treasure butler? Because apparently it's the cats around here that have the treasure..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Oh, this boy ''is'' interesting. Just look at the way he talks about reaching out to the youth of the community like he's an out-of-touch 45 year old. But Myunghon doesn't feel a genuine sense of out-of-touchness there, no... it's the kind of masking that's supposed to put people off, the way his companion just blinked out of sight and is beside them again. When their eyes catch for a moment--

Myunghon catches the whiff of the madness of a detective. It's a very familiar scent.

Ren doesn't quite respond, but that's fine from such an off-handed comment -- there's a guardedness to this young man, even though they're quite capable at hiding it all behind a guise. They're starting to understand how the dynamic between the two is working out, though.

It's pretty cute, in a way, the way they goad each other on.

The card-shop owner gives Moriko a nod. Then a raised eyebrow. "Moriko-kun. The two of you are free to drop by anytime. We have the new set selling already, and they're selling just like pancakes. But if you'd like, I can reserve a few packs for you." But perhaps, after last night, they'd be more interested in some Skill Cards instead...

Shinobu suddenly wonders if she never told them -- and there's a look of ABJECT TERROR like 'no?????' as they glance between her and Reiko, and her and Reiko, and her and Reiko again, and then Ayame also speaks up! "A-ah, um--" Myunghon is EVEN MORE caught off-guard now!

"My name is Myunghon Yeo. I'm the owner of the Cardboard Dragon in Hirasaka, Sumaru... and I, ah, I am frequently acquainted with your younger sister, Shinobu-san, and... ah, yes, your youngest, Reiko-san, has fished me out of the river at least once...."

THAT SOUNDS WEIRD??? COULD YOU BE ANY MORE OF A WEIRDO

HELP -- QUICK COPIUM STRATEGIES

...

...

Myunghon's gaze is suddenly a million kilometres as they play with an animal cracker in their hand, flipping it between their fingers. Of course, this is going to BACKFIRE horribly because there are CHILDREN present and children LOVE Koala March.

You've been outwitted, Myunghon Yeo!!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hazuki Nakao has posed.
<poem>Hazuki responds to Ren with a smile, and then realizes they've never introduced. Should she? What's the harm, he likes cake! "Oh! Hazuki." A beat. "Hazuki Nakao..."

And then DETECTIVE PRINCE AKECHI GORO IS THERE. She hadn't quite realized it yet... a celebrity- and Ren is with him?!

Ren must not be that bad! He's friends with a detective! Maybe he's being turned to the path of the good and narrow, where he'll become a valiant knight of justice...

Trying the tea and cake, Hazuki gives a thumbs up as she gets out her wallet. "...do you take tips?" she whispers, trying to understand if Umie will take a TIP for... well, honestly, it's just the effort.

Akari knows. What does she know?! Hazuki stares back at her, slowly becoming concerned, until Akari asks the question. "Well... if they're a butler, and can get treasure, and I follow, I get treasure. That's the secret, right? But if the cats give treasure..."

Hazuki may be a little odd, sometimes, and also it's fun to play along, as her heads goes looking for the cats. Maybe they'll lead her to the truest treasure of all: happiness.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>There's a certain almost wry smile on Moriko's face. "I'm aware. It's good to be reminded sometimes though." She's heard similar often enough though! "Nice to meet you." She offers a polite little half nod with that first smile though. "Moriko Kumamoto." Keeping it nice and simple. Also making sure she says that to both mother and child!

There's that butler thing again. "With the penguin suits?" She couldn't help it.

"Detective?" She looks to Reiko first, at that. That's her obvious guess. She doesn't mention enjoying a certain forever manga. Or a few others even.

"I can give you a few book titles to look at if you want to learn some more." Said before she forgets. She says as much to Tohka as she does to Ayame.

Shinobu's glance is met and she offers that full wry smile, "I play with my brother a lot." And that's her excuse. She actually plays a lot solo too. Don't worry about it!

No one has explained skill cards to her yet! She'll probably need a forced tutorial at some point. "Yeah. Yeah I can swing by with him." She likes the game. She just doesn't admit it as much. Even she's got her points of not quite wanting to just admit nerdery.

Aloof biker's easier after all! "Anything I should watch for in it?" Probably. There always is!

Should she know this Detective Prince?

Maybe?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Ren does stare at Akechi, and Akechi smiles back for a time, though, there's something a touch apologetic that comes into his smile, like he's not quite letting him score a point so much as allowing that his actions were a little rude.

A smidge.

He brushes off the response that he was boring him, because he's already given an alternate on it being hard to compete with butlers like this.

"Well, I had every incentive to follow. Call it the 'allure' of delicious snacks." He replies, not admitting that he disengaged as soon as possible to catch up to him. Because of course, he would never admit that.

Umie's theatricality though, causes an immediate chuckle, "Are you certain?" As he places a hand to his chin, "Immediately making declarations such as there being no treasure here - makes it sound as if that there is in fact treasure. And that would be an irresistible challenge for a detective like myself." There's something a touch wolfish - yet whimsical, "Perhaps it might even be on your person."

He's certainly not looking at Umie's gloved right hand. Absolutely not.

And there's another smile Akari's way, "Well I do know the value of looking my best. They say that clothes do make the man..." And Akari, might note how his clothes look clean and pressed, despite being late in the day.

Either way, he eventually says to Umie, "I believe I'll have what he's having." As he makes a nod Ren's way, still smiling at her, "In matters of taste - I don't mind deferring to his judgment just this once."

A beat.

"Unless, you wish to confess that their is in fact treasure to be found after all?"

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
Ayame is unaware of Ren's TROUBLESOME NATURE and thus is not paying too much attention to him other than associating him with Akechi in her mind as she sees them together. That's probably fine.

To Moriko, "Our name is Watanabe," she clarifies. "I'm Ayame Watanabe." Tohka smiles at Moriko, and bows a little. "Nice to meet you, Moriko-san!" A nod. "Yes," Ayame agrees.

"I like penguins," Tohka says, surprising no one. But she adds, "I'm interested in books!"

Ayame meanwhile is now watching Myunghon, because Shinobu and Reiko both have a lot of things to say to them. "It's fine, it's fine," Ayame assures Shinobu, but she ''is'' curious. Tohka smiles at Reiko and sets to peering around looking for more cats--

But Shinobu watches Myunghon. "The Cardboard Dragon!" Ayame replies brightly. "I hear that you have both books and cards! I'd like to drop by sometime..."

A pause. Out of the... The words kind of go through her head on her face. She tilts her head. "Out of the river? Oh, dear."

But Tohka is distracted from butlers. Like it was fated, Tohka turns--and looks up at Myunghon. "...!"

"Is that a Koala March?" Tohka asks Myunghon.

Ayame is still caught up on fished out of the river. "I didn't know Reiko-chan was doing such heroic things..."

But Tohka will remember Akari. And the treasure!! ...probably. She's staring at Myunghon now.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A paper plate (but with a floral print so it looks fancier~) as given to Akari, with some extra samples to give to Tohka, if the treats manage to make it over without being eaten. "A butler knows how to blend in as the situation needs. Nya~" Maybe 'cat butler' should be a thing? Akari may be onto something.

"Eh, you're a proper prince in your own right, Amamiya-kun," Umie says with a grin, her voice temporarily pitched at the tone she usually assumes in that much less mysterious job of 'konbini clerk' in the lucky realm of the three sevens. She chuckles, handing over his order. "Here you go. I'll get you your tea in a moment." Ren's the prince of 'not leaving Umie high and dry during a sudden busy spell', as far as Umie is concerned right now.

For Ren's benefit, Umie doesn't seem at all to recognize him from that time in Mementos. However, as anyone who has seen her use her Persona would notice, right now, she registers as a normal person, lacking any Persona. It'll hopefully stay that way _if Toki gets here_. (Toki is currently distracted by the host booth down the way. Do they have coffee? Oh, hey, she knows that waiter! Time to catch up.)

The honey tea is done, Umie handing it over the painted white board that serves as the... serving table? Cashier's desk? Serving table. Yes. "Your honey tea, <my lady>," Umie says, pivoting to English now, having caught Hazuki's choice of words earlier. French was not her subject, but neither was it Toki's, which... may explain the name of the cafe, a little. "And here is yours, <sir>," Umie then says to Ren now, a moment later, after serving Hazuki her honey tea. And then--

'do you take tips?' Hazuki asks. Oh. Oh no. Umie forgot to ask Toki about that. "... Our establishment accepts only your gratitude, oujo-sama," Umie answers a scant second later. "For that is a proper treasure of its own."

'Perhaps it might even be on your person.' As Umie's hands assemble the next plate, she looks up with a neutral smile, perhaps a bit cocky, a bit coy, owing to her current role--

Something about the way Akechi's words tread, and where his eyes absolutely are not looking, makes her fall out of the moment. This is... flirting. It's just flirting. Part of the illusion. Finding treasure. Treasure butler. ".... Surely you jest, Detective Prince. A simple butler such as I? Mysterious?" As if to emphasize the point, Umie raises her left hand this time, adding a cute "Nyan~," at the end. "A wonderful selection. Your friend has a fine taste in tea. You should listen to him more~"

The tea was on hand, thankfully, so Umie's preparation time is shortened. "Here you go, <my prince>." She's on a theme here, okay?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Reiko has the exact same question for her that she had. Shinobu meets that look of Abject Terror with a slight apologetic look of her own and a shrug of her shoulders.

"Ahh... good." Shinobu replies with a nod, as Ayame assures that it's fine. She looks back toward Myunghon who, caught off guard, and provides. Shinobu nods as Reiko explains that she's fished Myunghon out of the lake before, confirming the statement.

"That sounds about right." She comments. There is a complete lack of surprise on Shinobu's face, as if this is nothing out of the ordinary... and considering she's done the same ''herself'', before, it really isn't.

Maybe one day Ayame will fish them out of the river, too, and they'll pull off the fabled hat trick.

"Ahh, that explains it." Shinobu nods, as Moriko offers her explanation. "Maybe I'll see you around."

"Yeah, uh - I take shifts at the Cardboard Dragon every now and then. They've been a big help." Shinobu explains. So that's how ''she'' knows Myunghon - and also explains how she knew enough of the place to bring it up, when the three sisters met up the other day.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Akechi smiles back... and is it Ren's imagination, or does he look a little chagrined?

Hmm.

Well, it's not enough to change his behavior, and anyway, it's in acceptable tolerance levels of assholishness. Even his insinuation that Umie is hiding some kind of treasure in front of children doesn't seem malicious, just playfully dickish. Ren doesn't mind that about him, even as he doesn't outwardly acknowledge it. It makes him interesting.

"Thanks," he tells Umie, opting not to argue about whether he's a prince or not. If it's a joke, it's a joke, and if she's being serious, she has a right to how she feels. He does watch her curiously for a moment. ...She doesn't seem to register as anything unusual, but... Well, he knows for a fact that she is. He gives her a nod of gratitude and accepts the sample cup of honey tea in his other hand.

Akari's staring at him. Ren gives her a curious look back, but he doesn't read into it; he ''is'' hanging out with a famous high school detective. The normal, boring answer is that she's probably a fan of his and trying to check out these teenagers who are apparently hanging out with him. He looks back at his companions.

"Nice to meet you, Nakao-san," he tells Hazuki mildly. ''Is'' Akechi reforming him? Well... it's an easy conclusion to make, given the information she has. Ren doesn't offer any new information on that mark; he looks past her at Myunghon as they start panicking and flipping an animal cracker around. ...He looks away. He doesn't know what's going on with them and the Cop Family, and he doesn't want to make them feel even more pressured.

"''Just'' this once?" he echoes Akechi instead, tone still mild--and never mind that he's just trying the butler booth's offerings out rather than giving a recommendation. He ''is'' still munching on that tea cake. Being sample-sized, it and the tea are gone pretty quickly. He chuckles as Umie backs him up, and adds, "Yeah, you should listen to me more."

After that, he moves out of the way of the butler cafe booth. Other people are looking to get in line, and he doesn't want to crowd Umie while she's working. ...Something about the way she looked at Akechi for a moment there, though...

"Where to next?" he asks Akechi, taking a few steps away to encourage him to follow. If Umie's bothered by his playful dickishness, he'll pull him somewhere else.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.
<poem>
Reiko beams when Ayame calls her heroic. But, she always looked up to her older sister.

"They claimed it was teleportation," Reiko tells Ayame, with that calm, happy tone that means she is having fun with a situation. That she smiles in a cheerfully placid way is simple artifice... that someone who knows Reiko well would spot.

"I provided them with coffee, to get them on their way," she says. And it may sound like Reiko doesn't know Myunghon that well. She has only met them the once.

...but, she also realized their gender.

She looks at Tohka -- and blinks once at her, and then at the Koala March -- and looks back at Myunghon with an apologetic smile.

Then sh e looks at Myunghon and her eyes go a little wide. "Oh--right! It's near you," she says. She had asked Shinobu about it, after all. "That makes sense, nee-chan." She pauses to consider. "Small world, isn't it?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.
<poem>"If you find any, let me know! I don't think the cats like me very much," Akari admits. "Maybe I should have brought cat food or tuna or something...?"

Akari knows many things.

Some of them are even true.

Whatever she thinks she knows about Hazuki, though, she's not telling! Mostly she just has the wrong idea about how well the three high schoolers that showed up together know each other. She may be inventing reasons for them to have met, which are only all the more wild because she has *no idea who Ren and Hazuki are*.

"Cat butler..."

Akari's brows furrow for a moment in increasingly deep thought. She looks for a little corner of the table to set the plate down (Tohka is absolutely going to get some of those samples) and reaches into her bag, pulling out...

Well, this is at least familiar to Ren, because she has a little sketchbook, with a pencil slid into the wire rings it's bound with. She opens it to an empty page and starts to doodle. Sketching isn't Akari's focus but she's still decent, and right now she's getting a costume idea. If she doesn't put it on the page it will make her fingers itch for hours.

Not literally. But, well. You know.

Akari's sketch is rough but gives the basic idea. She's gone for catgirl in the art, with particularly floofy hair, though the actual clothes selection is more masc-leaning; a jacket with a deep V and a little X of additional straps over the upper chest, just below the neck; a buttoned shirt beneath. She's gone for kind of a swallowtail... jacket? tailed vest? so that it can split around a cat's tail, and she's definitely added the ears. It starts rough but she starts to add detail to the costume as she goes.

She's vaguely distracted for the moment, not really looking up. She's that kind of person, apparently. Though she is listening: "Really, there's treasure everywhere you look! It's just, you have to find the right kind of treasure for you." She peeks over the edge of her sketchbook for a moment, half-hiding a smile. Did she notice the (possible) flirting? The (not actually present) romance in the air...?

This, too, is another thing she does not say.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>Moriko nods, "Yeah, nice meeting you both." Returning the bow lightly. She can be proper! Even if she's dressed in the dark. In protest.

She does pat herself down, finding her little satchel that she scoops a notebook from. (There are card decks listed in there. She's a nerd!) Which she writes down a few of the books she'd used to reference things from! Handing it over to Tohka. Despite her messy appearance (Today) she does have really nice hand writing at least!

Admittedly either after she's gotten the plate of treats settled, or just before just in case. Umie's given an apologetic look.

"Penguins are cute." She can't deny that at least.

She does give Shinobu a more serious look though. Offering a brief hand in apology, "Might not have recognized you. Busy night."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Oh, is this an acquaintance of yours?" He asks Ren when it comes to Hazuki, "... They must be a new transfer as well." How did he figure that!? Well because Hazuki was offering to tip.

People used to Japan's way of life certainly don't.

Umie indicates that Ren has excellent taste however, and Akechi smiles at his comment that he should listen to him more, "Oh? Should I?" He considers the matter of whether he should listen to him or not... like he's taking it ''seriously''...

... before answering in the most unserious way possible, "Is that your pitch for being hired on as an image consultant?" He says, with a slight tease, "I do pay rates well above industry standard."

And indeed, it's obviously ''just'' flirting with Umie. "Aha... well, you see. In my line of work you learn that the people who are the most normal are in fact - the most mysterious of all."

He cants his head Ren's way, "Take Amamiya-kun..." Is he saying that Ren gives off a vibe of being ''extremely'' normal??? The ''most'' normal?

Absolutely.

"Why, I wonder if he'd contend to be the most mysterious individual of all currently present." It's in that moment, he locks eyes again with Ren, smiling broadly, "It's no wonder that any time I offer to him always feels well spent."

He does enjoy the tea, and the ''tea cake''. Even allowing a crumb to artfully stay on the side of his mouth for enough time that it seems like a completely candid - charming boy next door moment.

Before he eventually wipes it off with a napkin.

Ren however asks where they ought to go, and Akechi considers the matter, before, with a smile, "Well you did say I ought to listen to you more, how about I allow you to pick where we go this time? Though..." He grins, "...I'd ask you not to bill me until we've agreed on terms..."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
-Pop!-

Just like that, as Tohka asks if that's Koala March, Myunghon is swung from one end of the pendulum to another, as they brightly smile for her and kneels before her. "That's right. Do you like them? Would you like some -- ah, is that all right? Look!"

In another deft sleight of hand, Myunghon's made three more Koalas appear as if magic, onto of their palms.

... they're surprisingly good with kids.

But Ayame mentions how Reiko's done such a heroic thing, and Myunghon has this bashful laugh that sounds kinda put-upon, but is also not untrue: "Ah-- to be honest, both Shinobu-san and Reiko-san have been lifesavers. Please, I can't thank you enough."

They've switched from Shinobu-ssi, because they're not as comfortable anymore.

When Ren looks in on the Cop Family situation, he probably can tell the way they've just plowed straight through whatever discomfort into a congrous, disarming mask. Someone who's so used to doing that off the drop of a hat.

T-then Reiko sells them out like that! They're masked enough to just play it off with a laugh. "That is true. And, Reiko-san, I just made enough money the last fortnight to try the game I promised you I would play!"

And just like that, a topic switch, to manage the conversation in a flow they're more comfortable with.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ayame Watanabe has posed.
<poem>
Reiko should be happy! Ayame was not expecting Shinobu ''and'' Reiko to be lifesavers for them, though. And she does catch that 'them', and quietly updates her mental schematic. She may ask about that later, though. "Teleportation?" Ayame asks, with a tilt of her head. Ayame has not seen the teleportation. However...

"I do!" Tohka says of the cookies, and Ayame inclines her head. "It's all right," she says. She hasn't forgotten Moriko, but now there are ''cookies'' and this is a higher priority. "Ohhhh," she says, when the koalas appear. "Yay! Thanks, auntie!"

"That's kind of you," Ayame says. "The game, though? I'm interested in this talk..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
The problem with hiding in plain sight is that there will always be those moments when paranoia overtakes you.

But it can also pass, as Umie deploys her usual strategies, looking to Akari's sketchbook, or Ayama with Tohka.

It was simply a little grey cloud imposed by her imagination. The sun is back out, and she is simply Umie Akabane.

Umie chuckles, her head ducking just a little as some of that tension floats away in notes of earnest laughter. "I see now why you were always the popular one at Sevens, Akechi-san. I can attest to his work record, though. That's no mystery at all."

There's someone behind Umie now. Someone taller.

"-Uuh." It's Toki, arriving at Umie's side with drinks. "Hold on, is that--?! Goro Ake-"

"We're butlers, nyan," Umie says, snagging the coffee from Toki's cardboard tray, "Everyone's a prince or a princess here, remember?"

Subtly, Umie gives Ren a signal with her left hand, out of Toki's field of vision: he better sneak off now or Toki will engage in fangirl mode on his poor friend.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The sketchbook ''is'' familiar to Ren, and for that reason he doesn't give it more than a cursory glance. It does register, though. It's kind of nice that Akari feels so comfortable with herself that she's willing to just whip it out in the street without regard for what others might think. You go, middle school girl.

And--the right kind of treasure, huh... Ain't that the truth.

"Not really an acquaintance. We just go to the same school," Ren tells Akechi. He hums quietly at his deduction, but doesn't speak for Hazuki on that remark. Instead, he smiles back at his teasing. "Depends. Are you hiring?" he jokes back.

His eyebrows rise at the suggestion of his simultaneous normalcy and mysteriousness. He glances at Umie, then shrugs at her before meeting Akechi's eyes anew.

"..."

He smiles slightly at the compliment, but his feelings are mixed--mixed like maybe Myunghon's are mixed behind that mask they throw back on. Does he mean that no matter what? Or is he only saying it because he's marked him for a case?

...Well, the answer to that is obvious, huh. But regardless of the reason, it ''is'' nice to hear from him and Umie both.

But then Toki looms. Ren catches Umie's signal and gives her a discreet nod. As he walks off together with Akechi, he smiles back, broader this time. "Today'll be a freebie, then," he replies. "There's a supermarket nearby that has good snacks, so they're bound to have a great booth..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>"Small world." Shinobu agrees with Reiko with a nod, then looks toward Moriko. She shakes her head.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Wouldn't expect you to." Shinobu replies casually.

Her attention shifts, briefly, toward Myunghon as they offer thanks. ...She notices the switch in address - but she doesn't comment on it.

Instead, she smiles just slightly at Tohka's excitement, before looking up at the others.

"Yeah?" Shinobu asks, as the conversation switches topics - she takes a step back, finding something to lean against casually. She's more than fine letting conversation proceed like this.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Reiko Shimizu has posed.
<poem>
Reiko blinks at Myunghon's magic trick. They didn't know they could do that. She scratches at the back of her head, before she smiles. She looks at Ayame. "She really likes those, doesn't she?"

When Myunghon mentions that they got the money to purchase a copy of Drake Adventure III, Reiko brightens up -- her fingers reaching up to adjust her glasses, before they slide off her nose. "That's wonderful!" she says. "You have to tell me what you think, Yeo-san."

Then, she looks at her sisters. "It's Drake Adventure III! You know, the one I played a lot when I was younger--and, um, a few times since?"

She can enthuse about it for hours. And if the fans are forgotten for a bit...

...well, there are worse things.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Myunghon rather understands the teenage urge to not want to be seen as a ''nerd'' -- they were like that, once, and looked like a different person. So, in order to give Moriko a bit of deniability space: "Your brother might be interested in the new vampire baker mythic -- if they're planning on playing at the GPs, that's going to be a hot card for the meta, so I'd recommend reading up on the counters to it."

Myunghon in truth has not that much idea about it, but being a card shop owner means you have to keep up ''enough'' with the lingo to be able to advise your customers.

"It took quite a bit of doing, because apparently it's very popular right now, but I did... I've never played a video game in my life before," Myunghon admits, as they turn back towards Ayame. "But Reiko-san was very excited about it, so I decided to try it out for myself."

~*~

THE CARDBOARD DRAGON

"Woaouw," Gumiho blinks a few times as they run a box cutter down the package that's just arrived -- and a Baestation III in mint condition's arrived inside of it! "Boss splurged out for something like this? With the pennies they have? Tsk. And they don't give me more bonus pocket money."

The blue-haired worker rummages through. "Hmmm. What game did they get..."

A copy of a BS3 game with a handsome, rugged Western Adventure Man standing in front of a lost city of Gold comes into sight. It reads:

DRAQUE'S ADVENTURE III: HONOUR AMONGST THIEVES

Prepare for disappointment tomorrow, Reiko.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"And if I were?"

Akechi asks back, asking in a manner where it's difficult to say if he's still joking or not.

Perhaps just to see what his reaction might be. Nor does he give any sign of whether it's just because Ren is marked for a case...

... or if it's something else...

Toki does get a charming smile, as he stands, "Well, this 'Ouji-kun' will be on his way. Thank you for your service." He says to Umie, because one should always leave the fans ''wanting more''.

A satisfied fan wouldn't do at all.

Which is why Toki only gets to see that, and him walking away with Ren...

"Well well - I'm glad we could come to terms. If they have your recommendation... then I'm sure these snacks will be quite good. Perhaps even..."

It's a lovely day here at the festival, another hang out with a promise of many more in the future, with a person who makes life for him so very...

"... to die for."

... interesting.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>Moriko can't argue about being beaten out by cookies. She'd have done the same at ...this age probably.

"It is." She admits to Shinobu, offering an apologetic look still, hands up, "I really do feel bad though." She's usually kind of distracted, to be fair.

With the conclusion of nerd talk, she does nod to Myunghon quickly, "I will let him know." She's quick enough on the uptake. He might even actually be interested in that one! "I heard something about a Squirrel Rebel I wanted to look at too." Mostly because she wanted to see the art of something like that.

At least it's clear that she can look happy. Even if she's still got that kinda deadset look going no matter what! "You going to be in shop tomorrow?" Might as well swing by either way. She hefts her bag, "Would drag him out tonight, but I've got to install these and then I can do- other things too."

It's a nice evening out!
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

Persona & Shadow Ideas

2026-06-07T23:07:15Z

Tanyuu:

This list is for ideas for Personas, Shadows, or whatever else is needed for a named supernatural entity, along with keywords to make it easier to search using Ctrl+F.

Keep in mind that the keywords are a loose guide and will very likely carry inaccuracies, and that this is ''not'' a comprehensive list; if we listed every possible concept here, it'd be way too long! Use it as a starting point, inspiration, or completely disregard in favor of your own ideas.

There is no guarantee that any of these are not already being used, or picked as someone's idea for an eventual second Persona. However, there are often parallels in history, literature, folklore, and mythology, as well as alternative spellings and interpretations.

'''Disclaimer:''' ''Several entries here are from active religions, established texts, historical figures with living relatives, etc.'' Be mindful and do your research; you may learn something new.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 98%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Tags
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok Wild Bill Hickok]
| Historical
| United States, 1837–1876
| Cowboy, Theater, Gambler, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accolon Accolon]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Knight, Duel, Death, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlys Achlys]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Sorrow, Mist, Death, Witch
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ae-oyna-kamuy Ae-oyna-kamuy]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ainu
| Hero, Craft, Smoke, Fire, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asherah Asherah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ancient Semitic
| Mother, Consort, Sex, Fertility, Lioness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%ABdon Aëdon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greek
| Nightingale, Mother, Murder, Envy, Mourning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atargatis Atargatis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| North Syrian
| Fertility, Water, Dove, Fish, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace Ada Lovelace]
| Historical
| England, 1815–1852
| Mathematics, Computing, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lono Lono]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Fertility, Agriculture, Water, Music, Peace
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yem%E1%BB%8Dja Yemọja]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá
| Water, Moon, Creation, Motherhood, Protection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshun Oshun]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá, Fon
| Water, Fertility, Purity, Love, Sensuality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%BB%8Cya Ọya]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá
| Wind, Thunder, Children, Afterlife, Warrior
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medb Medb]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Queen, War, Beauty, Sex, Jealousy, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aengus Aengus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Swan, Youth, Love, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Brinvilliers Madame de Brinvilliers]
| Historical
| France, 1630–1676
| Murder, Poison, Torture, Crime, Conspiracy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahalya Ahalya]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Beauty, Sex, Curse, Liberation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%ADfe Aífe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Warrior, Duel, Chariot, Horse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81ine Áine]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Summer, Sun, Wealth, Fire, Sovereignty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aion_(deity) Aion]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Cycles, Time, Zodiac, Eternity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkorokamui Akkorokamui]
| Folklore/Legend
| Ainu
| Giant, Octopus, Healing, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala_(odinala) Ala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Odinani
| Crescent Moon, Underworld, Morality, Fertility, Creativity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan-a-Dale Alan-a-Dale]
| Folklore/Legend
| Robin Hood legend
| Knight, Minstrel, Love, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberich Alberich]
| Folklore/Legend
| German
| Strength, Ring, Guardian, Dwarf
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Cagliostro Alessandro Cagliostro]
| Historical
| Italy, 1743–1795
| Occult, Magic, Adventure, Alchemy, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alf_and_Alfhild Alfhild]
| Literature
| ''Gesta Danorum,'' by [[wikipedia:Saxo_Grammaticus|Saxo Grammaticus]]
| Warrior, Princess, Pirate, Disguise
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyosha_Popovich Alyosha Popovich]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Knight, Agility, Trickster, Disguise, Mockery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightingale_the_Robber Nightingale the Robber]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Crime, Bird, Forest, Whistling
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amirani Amirani]
| Folklore/Legend
| Georgian
| Hero, Metal, Punishment, Dragon, Loss
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampelos Ampelos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Satyr, Love, Grapes, Star, Death, Fate
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angitia Angitia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Italic
| Snakes, Magic, Witchcraft, Medicine
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bonny Anne Bonny]
| Historical
| Unknown, ???-1720?
| Pirate, Crime, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Read Mary Read]
| Historical
| England, ???-1721
| Pirate, Crime, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ao_Guang Ao Guang]
| Folklore/Legend
| Chinese
| Dragon, King, Storms, Water
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Rokuj%C5%8D Lady Rokujō]
| Literature
| ''Genji Monogatari'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murasaki_Shikibu Murasaki Shikibu]
| Mistress, Jealousy, Murder, Revenge, Ghost
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiramis Semiramis]
| Historical, Legend
| Armenian
| Ruler, Queen, Warfare, Sorcery, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aranyani Aranyani]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Forests, Animals, Bells, Dancing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithuriel Ithuriel]
| Literature
| ''Paradise Lost'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton John Milton]
| Angel, Spear, Truth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jophiel Jophiel]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Fire, Sword, Beauty, Art, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maalik Maalik]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Guardian, Fire, Hell
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raziel Raziel]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Secrets, Mystery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyaza Samyaza]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Lust, Fallen Angel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalchiuhtlicue Chalchiuhtlicue]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Water, Rivers, Fertility, Storms, Ocean
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormwood_(Bible) Wormwood]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Star, Bitter Water, End Times
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Buffalo_Calf_Woman White Buffalo Maiden]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lakota
| Prophet, Cloud, Beauty, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sosondowah Sosondowah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Iroquois
| Hunter, Elk, Love, Song, Bird, Separation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim%C3%B3n Maximón]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Maya
| Light, Dark, Trickster, Revenge, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q%CA%BCuq%CA%BCumatz Gukumatz]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Kʼicheʼ Maya
| Serpent, Water, Wind, Feathers, Sky
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabrakan Cabrakan]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Maya
| Earthquakes, Crocodile, Arrogance, Mountains, Violence
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arke Arke]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Messenger, Betrayal, Punishment, Torn Wings
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baigujing Baigujing]
| Literature
| ''Journey to the West'', attrib. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Cheng%27en Wu Cheng'en]
| Demon, Shapeshifting, Skeleton, Deception
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batara_Kala Batara Kala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Javanese, Balinese
| Death, Light, Earth, Time, Luck
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathsheba Bathsheba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Consort, Lust, Beauty, Queen
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedivere Bedivere]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| One-Armed, Excalibur, Spear, Beauty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellerophon Bellerophon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Horse, Hero, Hubris, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benkei Benkei]
| Historical
| Japan, 1155–1189
| Warrior, Monk, Strength, Loyalty, Drifter, Duel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benten_Koz%C5%8D Benten Kozō]
| Literature
| ''Aoto Zōshi Hana no Nishiki-e'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawatake_Mokuami Kawatake Mokuami]
| Thief, Disguise, Scheme, Atonement
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhima Bhima]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| ''Mahabharata'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasa Vyasa]
| Hero, Strength, Loyalty, Mace, Bow
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhramari Bhramari]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Bees, Hornets, Wasps, Insects
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Kid Billy the Kid]
| Historical
| United States, 1859–1881
| Outlaw, Crime, Murder, Gunfighter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bart_(outlaw) Black Bart]
| Historical
| United States, 1829–1888(?)
| Thief, Crime, Gold, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica Boudica]
| Historical
| British Isles, reigned AD 60-61
| Queen, War, Poison, Defeat
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradamante Bradamante]
| Literature
| Renaissance epic poems
| Knight, Lance, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunhild Brunhild]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic heroic legend
| Warrior, Queen, Beauty, Deception, Love, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%A2n_the_Blessed Brân the Blessed]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Giant, King, Decapitation, Diplomacy, Revenge, War, Cauldron
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunjil Bunjil]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Australian Aboriginal
| Hero, Eagle, Ocean, Order, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunzi Bunzi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Kongo
| Serpent, Water, Rain, Harvest, Sunset
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blodeuwedd Blodeuwedd]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Beauty, Artificial, Affair, Murder, Punishment, Owl
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C7%80Kaggen Mantis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| San
| Trickster, Praying Mantis, Shapeshifter, Bull Eland
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach Cailleach]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Gaelic
| Hag, Creation, Winter, Storms, Queen, Cattle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rackham_(pirate) Calico Jack]
| Historical
| England, ????-1720
| Pirate, Deposal, Deception, Affair, Trial, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calon_Arang Calon Arang]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese/Balinese
| Witch, Widow, Mother, Curse, Magic Scroll
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camma Camma]
| Literature
| [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch Plutarch]'s writings
| Love, Beauty, Virtue, Murder, Milk, Honey, Poison, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cangjie Cangjie]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Inventor, Eyes, Inspiration
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Ahab Captain Ahab]
| Literature
| ''Moby Dick'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Melville Herman Melville]
| Ocean, Whale, Revenge, Captain, Fanaticism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiopeia_(mother_of_Andromeda) Cassiopeia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Queen, Arrogance, Vanity, Punishment, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Annis Black Annis]
| Folklore/Legend
| English
| Bogeyman, Witch, Cannibalism, Claws
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bricriu Bricriu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Hospitality, Trickster, Poet
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca%C3%ADlte_mac_R%C3%B3n%C3%A1in Caílte mac Rónáin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Speed, Animals, Storyteller, Harp, Bewitchment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceridwen Ceridwen]
| Folklore/Legend
| Welsh
| Magic, Witch, Mother, Magic Cauldron, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cernunnos Cernunnos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Celtic
| Antlers, Fertility, Wild Beasts, Underworld
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaac Chaac]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mayan
| Rain, Thunder, Lightning, Agriculture
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamunda Chamunda]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Cremation, Wine, Fierce, Drum, Trident, Bones
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandraghanta Chandraghanta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Third Eye, Warrior, Grace, Courage, Wolf, Crescent Moon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e Chang'e]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Moon, Beauty, Rabbit, Nostalgia, Solitude
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne Charlemagne]
| Historical
| France, 748–814
| Emperor, Unification, Conquest, Reign
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiyou Chiyou]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| King, Deposal, War, Chaos, Demon, Violence, Protection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABj%C5%8D-hime Chūjō-hime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japanese
| Persecution, Noble, Escape, Nun, Abandonment, Miracle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Duval Claude Duval]
| Historical
| France, 1643–1670
| Highwayman, Chivalry, Romantic, Crime, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cikap-kamuy Cikap-kamuy]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ainu
| Owl, Tears, Gold, Silver, Knowledge, Prosperity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clytemnestra Clytemnestra]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Sacrifice, Queen, Mother, Grudge, Affair, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comte_de_Rochefort Comte de Rochefort]
| Literature
| ''d'Artagnan Romances'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Dumas Alexandre Dumas]
| Scar, Spy, Messenger, Insult, Duel, Reconciliation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_of_St._Germain Count of St. Germain]
| Historical
| Europe(?), 1712–1784
| Science, Arts, Alchemy, Philosophy, Immortality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote_(mythology) Coyote]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Navajo (& others)
| Rain, Trickster, Ill Omen, Appeasement Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakuwaqa Dakuwaqa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Fijian
| Shark, Guardian, Duel, Deal, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damocles Damocles]
| Folklore/Legend
| Greco-Roman
| King, Fortune, Anxiety, Hubris, Weight, Fear
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delilah Delilah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| One-Sided Love, Sex, Bribe, Scheme, Betrayal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damarwulan Damarwulan]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese
| Prince, Role Reversal, Beauty, Love, Imprisonment, Rescue, Hero
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Boone Daniel Boone]
| Historical
| United States, 1734-1829
| Pioneer, Frontier, Hero, Military, Hunter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daragang_Magayon Magayon]
| Folklore/Legend
| Philippine
| Beauty, Rescue, Love, Envy, Ransom, War, Sorrow, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah Deborah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Prophecy, Judge, Date Palm, Fortune, Peace
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djedi Djedi]
| Literature
| Westcar Papyrus, attrib. Unknown
| Magic, Prophecy, Resurrection, Miracles
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinadan Dinadan]
| Literature
| Prose ''Tristan'', attrib. Unknown, Arthurian
| Knight, Pragmatism, Cynicism, Foil, Skepticism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido Dido]
| Historical, Literature
| Greco-Roman writings
| Love, Murder, Wealth, Scheme, Escape, Founding, Queen, Pyre
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Div-e_Sepid Div-e Sepid]
| Literature, Legend
| ''Shahnameh'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsi Ferdowsi]
| Demon, Leader, Revenge, War, Strength, Magic, Hail
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Juan Don Juan]
| Literature
| Various Works
| Lust, Wealth, Youth, Murder, Hell, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkeyskin Donkeyskin]
| Literature
| "Donkeyskin", by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Perrault Charles Perrault]
| Princess, Escape, Disguise, Love, Ring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deirdre Deirdre]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Beauty, Fate, War, Tragedy, Love, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donn Donn]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Dead, Phantom, White Horse, King
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kelley Edward Kelley]
| Historical
| England, 1555–1598
| Occult, Scryer, Angels, Alchemy, Imprisonment, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egl%C4%97_the_Queen_of_Serpents Eglė]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lithuanian
| Snake, Sea, Trickery, Marriage, Tests, Homecoming, Murder, Sorrow
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_of_Astolat Elaine of Astolat]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| One-sided Love, Heartbreak, Water, Boat, Lily, Shame
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine Eleanor of Aquitaine]
| Historical
| France, 1137-1204
| Queen, Power, Wealth, Rumor, Love, Imprisonment, Legacy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enyo Enyo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Eye, Tooth, Strife, War, Discord
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eopsin Eopsin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Korean
| Storage, Wealth, Snakes, Weasels, Toads
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erichtho Erichtho]
| Literature
| Various European works
| Witch, Necromancy, Prophecy, Poison
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlang_Shen Erlang Shen]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese, Daoism
| Water, Justice, Warrior, Hunting, Truth, Demonhunter, Spear
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlik Erlik]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Turkic
| Underworld, Death, Plague, Bear, Judge, Darkness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89ta%C3%ADn Étaín]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Sun, Love, Transformation, Fly, Previous Life, Swan
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fereydun Fereydun]
| Folklore/Legend
| Persian
| King, Hero, Victory, Justice, Generosity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_King Fisher King]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| King, Guardian, Injury, Curse, Healing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahut Dahut]
| Folklore/Legend
| Breton
| Princess, Wickedness, Lust, Murder, Devil, Keys, Flood, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forseti Forseti]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Justice, Reconciliation, Mediation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer Franz Mesmer]
| Historical
| Germany, 1734-1815
| Astronomy, Patron, Illusion, Hypnosis, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigg Frigg]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Marriage, Prophecy, Motherhood, Clairvoyance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuamnach Fuamnach]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Witch, Jealousy, Magic, Scheme, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabija Gabija]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lithuanian
| Fire, Hearth, Shapeshifter, Cat, Stork, Rooster, Guardian, House
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambrinus Gambrinus]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| King, Beer, Brewing, Joviality, Happiness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gan_Ning Gan Ning]
| Historical
| China, 170s-220
| Pirate, Change, Warrior, Service, War, Loyalty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariwara_no_Narihira Ariwara no Narihira]
| Historical
| Japan, 825–880
| Courtier, Poet, Affairs, Beauty, Love, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashiya_D%C5%8Dman Ashiya Dōman]
| Historical
| Japan, Heian period
| Onmyōji, Rival, Duel, Magic, Defeat, Exile, Hex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banzuiin_Ch%C5%8Dbei Banzuiin Chōbei]
| Historical, Literature
| Japan, 1622–1657
| Justice, Common Good, Protection, Warrior, Swordsman
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denrinb%C5%8D_Raikei Denrinbō Raikei]
| Historical
| China, Ming Dynasty
| Martial Artist, Traveler, Ninja, Swordsman, Hermit
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Jing%C5%AB Empress Jingū]
| Historical, Literature
| Japan, 169-269(?)
| Queen, Revenge, War, Invasion, Controversy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Boy_(Japanese_folktale) Mamichigane]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japan
| Exile, Dance, Contest, Love, Poison, Death, Resurrection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C5%ABma_Kotar%C5%8D Fūma Kotarō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, ????-1603
| Leader, Band, Ninja, Giant, Demon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhari_(Mahabharata) Gandhari]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| ''Mahabharata'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasa Vyasa]
| Wife, Solidarity, Blindfold, Advocate, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennu Bennu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Bird, Sun, Creation, Rebirth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_Felix Bulla Felix]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 205–207 AD
| Leader, Bandit, Luck, Crime, Disguise, Charity, Redistribution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anansi Anansi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Akan
| Spider, Trickster, Stories, Knowledge, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greuceanu Greuceanu]
| Fairy Tale
| Romanian
| Sun, Moon, Quest, Rescue, Shapeshifting, Ogre, Trick
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimhild Grimhild]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Evil, Queen, Sorceress, Scheme
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachikazuki Hachikazuki]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Bowl, Beauty, Hidden, Stepmother, Prince, Love, Jewels
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuz%C5%8Dsu Hakuzōsu]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Fox, Shapeshifter, Priest, Disguise, Ruse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_von_Trotha#Significance Hans Trapp]
| Historical, Folklore
| Germany, 1450–1503
| Feud, Robber Baron, Black Knight, Bogeyman, Spirit
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herla Herla]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic
| Leader, Wedding, Trick, Wild Hunt, Wanderers, Spirits
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpocrates Harpocrates]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hellenistic
| Roses, Silence, Secrets, Hope, Confidentiality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut Hatshepsut]
| Historical
| Egypt, 1505–1458 BC
| Ruler, Queen, Prosperity, Erasure
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6%C3%B0r Hodur]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Blindness, Tricked, Arrow, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1li Váli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Purpose, Prophecy, Survival, End Times, Vengeance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaivi Beaivi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Sun, Spring, Sanity, Fertility, Solstice, Reindeer, Butter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belet-Seri Belet-Seri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Scribe, Underworld, Binding, List of the Dead
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetongue_Lizard Bluetongue Lizard]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Warlpiri
| Trickster, Fire, Sorcerer, Kangaroo, Killing, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great Catherine the Great]
| Historical
| Poland, 1729–1796
| Marriage, Affair, Empress, Arts, Coup, Rebellion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_de_Berry Charlotte de Berry]
| Historical(?), Literature
| England, 17th c.
| Love, Disguise, Blackmail, Death, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicomec%C5%8D%C4%81tl Chicomecōātl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Nourishment, Bounty, Maize, Livelihood, Flowers, Death, Sun
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cl%C3%ADodhna Clíodhna]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Queen, Banshees, Love, Beauty, Song, Bird
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C5%8D%C4%81tl%C4%ABcue Cōātlīcue]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Pregnancy, Birth, Moon, Stars, Snakes, Claws, Skulls
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comte_Arnau Comte Arnau]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Catalan
| Cruelty, Lust, Punishment, Fire, Horse, Dogs
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agathon Agathon]
| Historical
| Greece, c. 448–400 BC
| Poet, Beauty, Cross-dressing, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eos Eos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Dawn, Morning, Sex, Kidnapper, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudrun Gudrun]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic hero legend
| Queen, Rivalry, Murder, Scheme, Revenge, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullveig Gullveig]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Violence, Speared, Burnt, Resurrection, Seer, Prophecy, Gold
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heh_(god) Heh]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Infinity, Primordial Waters, Eternity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Cornelius_Agrippa Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa]
| Historical
| Germany, 1486–1535
| Scholar, Physician, Law, Religion, Occult, Knight
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellawes_(sorceress) Hellawes]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Sorceress, Revenge, Curse, One-sided Love, Sorrow, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Every Henry Every]
| Historical
| England, 1659-1696 (disappeared)
| Pirate, Evasion, Mutiny, Notoriety
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongsim Gongsim]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Korean
| Princess, Illness, Shamanism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebeard Bluebeard]
| Fairy Tale
| French
| Wealth, Marriage, Mystery, Curiosity, Discovery, Violence, Rescue
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredegund Fredegund]
| Historical
| France, 529-597
| Queen, Feud, Cruelty, Jealousy, Murder, Assassination
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_of_Bingen Hildegard of Bingen]
| Historical
| Germany, 1098–1179
| Scholar, Mystic, Nun, Visions, Writing, Spirituality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidari_Jingor%C5%8D Hidari Jingorō]
| Historical(?), Folklore
| Japan, 1596–1644(?)
| Art, Sculpting, Acting, Carpentry, Amputation, Beauty, Creation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hervor Hervor]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Viking, Disguise, Summoning, Cursed Sword, Murder, Curse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi%CA%BBiaka Hiʻiaka]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Hula Dancing, Chant, Sorcery, Medicine
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hine-nui-te-p%C5%8D Hine-nui-te-pō]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Māori
| Night, Underworld, Red, Death, Obsidian
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraga_Gennai Hiraga Gennai]
| Historical
| Japan, 1729-1779 or 1780)
| Scholar, Rōnin, Science, Writing, Inventor, Electricity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dj%C5%8D_Masako Hōjō Masako]
| Historical
| Japan, 1157–1225
| Nun Shogun, Rebellion, Elopement, War, Political Power
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frau_Holle Frau Holle]
| Fairy Tale
| Germanic, German
| Dark Grandmother, Winter, Children, Spinning, Weaving, Christmas
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_Oriente La Signora del Gioco]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italian
| Inquisition, Witch, Religious Leader, Resurrection, Occult
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Tadakatsu Honda Tadakatsu]
| Historical
| Japan, 1548–1610
| Samurai, Lord, Invulnerability, Antlers, War, Spear, Sword
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horagalles Horagalles]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Thunder, Sky, Lightning, Rainbow, Weather, Ocean, Rules
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hou_Yi Hou Yi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Archery, Immortality, Sun, Monster Hunter, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu%C4%93huecoy%C5%8Dtl Huēhuecoyōtl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Music, Coyote, Trickster, Dance, Sex, Shapeshifter, Deception
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitaca_(goddess) Huitaca]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Muisca
| Arts, Dance, Music, Rebellion, Magic, Moon, Beauty, Punishment, Owl
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_(mythology) Hyacinth]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Prince, Beauty, Love, Bow, Lyre, Death, Sorrow, Remembrance, Flower
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iago Iago]
| Literature
| ''Othello'', by Shakespeare
| Soldier, Advisor, Scheme, Manipulation, Deception, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypatia Hypatia]
| Historical
| Egypt, c. 350 to 370–415 AD
| Philosophy, Astronomy, Math, Teacher, Counselor, Upheaval, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikky%C5%AB Ikkyū]
| Historical
| Japan, 1394–1481
| Philosophy, Monk, Poetry, Rebel, Vagabond, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iktomi Iktomi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lakota
| Shapeshifter, Spider, Trickster, Red, Wisdom, Mischief
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmarinen Ilmarinen]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Blacksmith, Immortal, Metal, Inventor, Creation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama_Killa Mama Quilla]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Inca
| Moon, Marriage, Menstruation, Silver Tears, Eclipse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphis Iphis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Gender, Love, Wedding, Transformation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_and_Iseult Iseult, Tristan]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Princess, Healing, Betrothal, Love Potion, Affair, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issun-b%C5%8Dshi Issun-bōshi]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japan
| Small, Warrior, Adventure, Love, Magic Hammer
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagonet Dagonet]
| Literature
| Arthurian legend
| Fool, Jester, Knight, Coward, Sanity, Murder, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyarri Iyarri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hittite, Luwian
| Plague, War, Archery, Arrows, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumo_no_Okuni Izumo no Okuni]
| Historical
| Japan, 1578-1613
| Entertainment, Shrine Maiden, Kabuki, Theatre
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_o%27_Kent Jack o' Kent]
| Folklore/Legend
| English, Welsh
| Wizard, Deal with the Devil, Trickery, Earth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jael Jael]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Prophecy, Hospitality, Trick, Murder, Nail, Violence
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jambavan Jambavan]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| King, Bears, Strategy, Physician
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fitzpatrick_(outlaw) James Fitzpatrick]
| Historical
| United States, 1748–1778
| Punishment, Defection, Highwayman, Redistribution, Gentleman
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Tregeagle Jan Tregeagle]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 17th c.
| Deal with the Devil, Power, Murder, Punishment, Impossible Tasks
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_l%27Ours Jean de l'Ours]
| Folklore/Legend
| French, Various
| Bear, Cane, Journey, Underworld, Betrayal, Revenge, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Henri_Latude Jean Henri Latude]
| Historical
| France, 1725–1805
| Writer, Ruse, Imprisonment, Multiple Escapes, Capture, False Identity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_de_Valois-Saint-R%C3%A9my Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy]
| Historical
| France, 1756-1791
| Thief, Adventure, Scheme, Diamond, Imprisonment, Escape, Charisma
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeon_Woo-chi Jeon Woo-chi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Korea, 14-15 c.
| Sorcerer, Trickster, Wine, Marble, Fox, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiutian_Xuann%C3%BC Jiutian Xuannü]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| War, Sex, Longevity, Mystery, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_the_Wad Joan the Wad]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Cornish
| Fairies, Queen, Torch, Trick, Good Luck, Water, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingwei Jingwei]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Death, Transformation, Bird, Perseverance, Impossible Task
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rann John Rann]
| Historical
| England, 1750-1774
| Highwayman, Silk, Charisma, Fashion, Flowers, Dance, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahina Kahina]
| Historical, Folklore
| Algeria(?), early 17th c.-703(?)
| Warrior, Queen, Leader, Soothsayer, War, Destruction
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaihime Kaihime]
| Historical
| Japan, 1572-17th c.
| Warrior, Bravery, Beauty, Strategy, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanaloa Kanaloa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Octopus, Squid, Underworld, Magic, Rebellion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [[wikipedia:Kanjirottu_Yakshi|Chiruthevi]]
| Folklore/Legend
| South Indian
| Courtesan, Beauty, One-Sided Love, Blackmail, Murder, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannagi Kannaki, Kovalan]
| Literature
| ''Cilappatikaram'', attrib. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilango_Adigal Iḷaṅkō Aṭikaḷ]
| Love, Affair, Forgiveness, Miscarriage of Justice, Revenge, Curse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Ferrers Katherine Ferrers]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 1634–1660
| Fortune, Marriage, Ruin, Highwaywoman, Crime, Speculation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat%C5%8D_Danz%C5%8D Katō Danzō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1503–1569
| Ninja, Sorcery, Skill, Test, Plot, Defection, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juraj_J%C3%A1no%C5%A1%C3%ADk Juraj Jánošík]
| Historical, Folklore
| Slovakia, 1688-1713
| Highwayman, Leader, Group, Redistribution, Chivalrous, Violent Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaveh_the_Blacksmith Kaveh the Blacksmith]
| Literature, Folklore
| ''Shahnameh'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsi Ferdowsi]
| Blacksmith, Loss, Revenge, Uprising, Resistance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakami_Gensai Kawakami Gensai]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1834–1872
| Swordsman, Diplomacy, Assassin, Speed, Repentance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keong_Emas Keong Emas]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese
| Princess, Kidnapping, Transformation, Snail, Widow, Helper, Family
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyamura_Rokusuke Keyamura Rokusuke]
| Literature
| Various plays
| Farmer, Humility, Virtue, Mistaken Identity, Revenge, Strength, Samurai
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khamlangba Khamlangba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sanamahism
| Iron, Mining, Metalworking, Hunting, War, Peace, Prosperity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilili Kilili]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sumerian
| Demon, Owl, Windows, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintar%C5%8D Kintarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Hero, Child, Mountain, Gold, Hatchet, Strength, Bear, Koi
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirigakure_Saiz%C5%8D Kirigakure Saizō]
| Literature, Folklore
| Japanese
| Ninja, Accidental Fortune, Fog, Illusion, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kivutar Kivutar]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Ailment, Pain, Rock, Compassion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyohime Kiyohime]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| One-sided Love, Deception, River, Transformation, Dragon, Bell, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dga_Sabur%C5%8D Kōga Saburō]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Warrior, Cave, Betrayal, Trap, Treasure, Transformation, Dragon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kashin Koji Kashin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Magician, Priest, Exile, Punishment, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokopelli Kokopelli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hopi, Zuni, Various others
| Flute, Fertility, Agriculture, Music, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komatsuhime Komatsuhime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1573–1620
| Warrior, Family, Challenge, Choice, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshchei Koshchei]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Immortality, Treasure, Egg, Sleep, Music, One-sided Love, Villain
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuebiko Kuebiko]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Scarecrow, Wisdom, Knowledge, Agriculture, Immobility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kullervo Kullervo]
| Literature
| ''Kalevala'', complied by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_L%C3%B6nnrot Elias Lönnrot]
| Trauma, Magic, Slave, Rage, Revenge, Pride, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutkh Kutkh]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chukotko-Kamchatkan
| Raven, Creation, Trickster, Magic, Light, Fire, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvasir Kvasir]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Teacher, Knowledge, Wisdom, Blood, Honey, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Voisin La Voisin]
| Historical
| France, 1640-1680
| Fortuneteller, Poisoner, Sorcery, Wealth, Murderer, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Godiva Lady Godiva]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, died between 1066-1086
| Charity, Pity, Appeal, Taxation, Dare, Naked, Horse, Spring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Macbeth Lady Macbeth]
| Literature
| ''Macbeth'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare William Shakespeare]
| Plot, Scheme, Husband, Guilt, Madness, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_of_the_Lake Lady of the Lake]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Fae, Magic, Enchantress, Betrayer, Helper, Water
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Tri%E1%BB%87u Lady Triệu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Vietnam, died 248 AD
| Warrior, Resistance, Rebel, Leader, Elephant
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Caihe Lan Caihe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Immortality, Flowers, Garden, Gender, Youth, Innocence, Music
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigong Leigong]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Thunder, Punisher, Drum, Mallet, Chisel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemmink%C3%A4inen Lemminkäinen]
| Literature
| ''Kalevala'', complied by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_L%C3%B6nnrot Elias Lönnrot]
| Hero, Underworld, Black Swan, Mother, Resurrection, Bee, Honey
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohengrin Lohengrin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian legend, Literature
| Knight, Boat, Swan, Protector, Anonymous, Taboo
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_John_Silver Long John Silver]
| Literature
| ''Treasure Island'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Louis_Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson]
| Pirate, Courage, Treachery, Cunning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Mandrin Louis Mandrin]
| Historical
| France, 1725–1755
| Highwayman, Rebel, Tax, Redistribution, Revenge, Injustice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loviatar Loviatar]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Death, Disease, Wolves, Raven
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucrezia_Borgia Lucrezia Borgia]
| Historical, Legend
| Italy, 1480–1519
| Politics, Marriage, Affair, Secrecy, Poison, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutung_Kasarung Lutung Kasarung]
| Folklore/Legend
| Sundanese
| Curse, Exile, Monkey, Lesson, Humility, Love, Magic, Helper
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci Fibonacci]
| Historical
| Italy, 1170–c. 1240–50
| Math, Numbers, Travel, Scholar
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Khwarizmi Al-Khwarizmi]
| Historical
| Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan, 780–850
| Math, Astronomy, Geography, Equations
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes René Descartes]
| Historical
| France, 1596–1650
| Philosophy, Science, Math, Scholar
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes Archimedes]
| Historical
| Italy, 287–212 BC
| Math, Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, Inventor
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Elder Pliny the Elder]
| Historical
| Italy, 23/24–79 AD
| Naturalist, Writing, Author, History, Lava, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messalina Messalina]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 17/20–48 AD
| Conspiracy, Power, Lust, Politics, Wrath, Accusation, Erasure
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Pompadour Madame de Pompadour]
| Historical, Folklore
| France, 1721–1764
| Society, Health, Patron, Charisma, Beauty, Arts, Sickness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevali%C3%A8re_d%27%C3%89on Chevalière d'Éon]
| Historical
| France, 1728–1810
| Gender, Diplomat, Spy, Espionage, Secrecy, Exile
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maeda_Toshimasu Maeda Toshimasu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1543–1612
| Samurai, Giant, Strength, Arts, Gang
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magu_(deity) Magu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Hemp, Beauty, Long Fingernails, Caves, Immortality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maid_Maleen Maid Maleen]
| Fairy Tale
| ''Jungfer Maleen'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_M%C3%BCllenhoff Karl Mullenhoff]
| Princess, Love, Tower, Escape, Impersonation, Escaping Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbariccia Barbariccia]
| Literature
| ''Inferno'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_Alighieri Dante Alighieri]
| Demon, Guard, Duty, Seriousness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleagant Maleagant]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Abductor, One-Sided Love, Blackmail
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahamayuri Mahamayuri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Buddhist
| Wisdom, Rain, Peacock, Lotus, Poison Treatment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mami_Wata Mami Wata]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| parts of Africa
| Mermaid, Water, Snake Charmer,
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manann%C3%A1n_mac_Lir Manannán mac Lir]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Gaelic
| Ocean, Warrior, Otherworld, Mist, Invisibility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezumi_Koz%C5%8D Nezumi Kozō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1797–1831
| Thief, Hero, Redistribution, Selflessness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ono_no_Komachi Ono no Komachi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 825–900(?)
| Mystery, Beauty, Poet, Love, Haughtiness, Old Age, Melancholy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A6mundr_fr%C3%B3%C3%B0i Saemundr froedhi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Iceland, 1056–1133
| Scholar, Deal with the Devil, Escape, Forbidden Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moremi_Ajasoro Moremi Ajasoro]
| Historical, Folklore
| Nigeria, 12th cen.
| Queen, Heroine, Sacrifice, Slave, Spy, River, Loss
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ui Māui]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Polynesian
| Hero, Trickster, Fire, Sun, Cleverness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medeina Medeina]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Forest, Trees, Animals, Hare, Wolf
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melino%C3%AB Melinoë]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Underworld, Madness, Nightmares. Saffron
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melion Melion]
| Literature
| ''Melion'', author unknown
| Knight, Love, Ring, Werewolf, Affair, Persecution, Revenge, Mercy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melusine Melusine]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| Mermaid, Lamia, Water, Well, Curse, Secret
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menestratus_(Thespiae) Menestratus], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleostratus_(mythology) Cleostratus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Love, Same Sex, Offering, Dragon, Substitute, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurybarus Eurybarus], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcyoneus_(son_of_Diomos) Alcyoneus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Love, Same Sex, Offering, Beast, Substitute, Rescue
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meng_Po Meng Po]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Oblivion, Memory, Reincarnation, Soup
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menw Menw]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Magician, Invisibility, Shapeshifter, Bird, Poisoned
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meretseger Meretseger]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Cobra, Silence, Tombs, Guardian
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millalobo Millalobo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chilote
| Mermaid, Sea Lion, Ocean, Animals
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohini Mohini]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Enchantress, Madness, Beauty, Immortality, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momotar%C5%8D Momotarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Peach, Youth, Hero, Dumpling
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morana_(goddess) Morana]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Revival, Death, Rebirth, Nature, Dreams, Winter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moryana Moryana]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Ocean, Wind, Beauty, Calm, Wild Hair, Storms
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mug_Ruith Mug Ruith]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Druid, Blindness, Magic, Storms, Sun, Vehicles
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrddin_Wyllt Myrddin Wyllt]
| Folklore/Legend
| Welsh
| Bard, Trauma, Madness, Forest, Prophecy, Wanderer
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninazu Ninazu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Underworld, Snakes, Vegetation, Warrior, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javert Javert]
| Literature
| ''Les Misérables'', by Victor Hugo
| Black and White, Law, Authority, Isolation, Outsider
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanahuatzin Nanahuatzin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Humility, Sacrifice, Sun, Blood
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada Narada]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Travel, Musician, Storyteller, Wisdom, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertem Nefertem]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Lotus, Beauty, Lion, Good Luck
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti Nefertiti]
| Historical, Legend
| Egypt, 1370-1330 BC
| Queen, Sun, Power, Wife
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occhiali Occhiali]
| Historical
| Italy, 1519-1587
| Slave, Rise, Privateer, Admiral
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Water_Lily_legend Naiá]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Tupi-Guarani
| Moon, Mountains, Kiss, Star, Obsession, Drowning, Water Lily
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uchek_Langmeitong Hayainu]
| Folklore/Legend
| Meitei
| Parental Cruelty, Obedience, Tears, Bird, Feathers, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicnevin Nicnevin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Scottish
| Witch, Fae, Queen, Magic, Hag
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninurta Ninurta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Farming, Healing, Law, Hunting, Scribes, War
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niobe Niobe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Mother, Pride, Hubris, Punishment, Loss, Petrification
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_(mythology) Nu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Abyss, Cosmos, Reality, Water, End Times, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [[wikipedia:Guy_of_Gisbourne|Guy of Gisbourne]]
| Folklore/Legend
| Robin Hood legend
| Assassin, Rival, Love Triangle, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Tyler Wat Tyler]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 1320–1381
| Tax, Father, Assault, Revenge, Rebellion, Leader
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Corbeddu_Salis Giovanni Corbeddu Salis]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 1844–1898
| Crime, Cave, Reform, Peacemaker, Wisdom, Redistribution, Betrayal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilal_Khan Dilal Khan]
| Historical, Folklore
| Bangladesh, 1585-1666
| Cobra, Ruler, Redistribution, Fairness, Law
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietro_della_Vigna Pietro della Vigna]
| Historical, Literature
| Italy, 1190–1249
| Scholar, Diplomat, False Accusation, Imprisonment, Punishment, Blinded
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okada_Iz%C5%8D Okada Izō]
| Historical
| Japan, 1838–1865
| Samurai, Assassin, Bodyguard, Capture, Torture, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%BB%8Cbatala Ọbatala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yoruba
| Sculptor, Humanity, Wine, Protector
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ois%C3%ADn Oisín]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Poet, Warrior, Marriage, King, Return, Time, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olifat Olifat]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Micronesian
| Trickster, Jealousy, Exile, Heaven, Chaos, Escape, Fire, Tattooing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(mythology) Orion]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Giant, Assault, Punishment, Hunting, Scorpion, Death, Stars
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Twardowski Pan Twardowski]
| Folklore/Legend
| Polish
| Deal with the Devil, Soul, Clause, Wealth, Fame, Moon, Spider
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenope_(siren) Parthenope]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Siren, Song, Failure, Ocean, Drowning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Clifford Paul Clifford]
| Literature
| ''Paul Clifford'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bulwer-Lytton Edward Bulwer-Lytton]
| Double Life, Criminal, Gentleman, Love, Arrest, Trial, Revelation, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedrolino Pedrolino]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Comic, Trickster, Disguise, Mischief
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin Harlequin]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Cleverness, Agility, Wit, Trickster, Devil
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_(stock_character) Columbine]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Cleverness, Love, Intelligence, Support, Disguise, Gossip
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierrot Pierrot]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Suffering, Love, Fool, Sadness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaramouche Scaramouche]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Villain, Pride, Cowardice, Boastfulness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta Perchta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Germanic
| Spinning, Beasts, Christmas, Multiple Forms, Punishment, Reward, Taboo
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perun Perun]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Fire, Sky, Lighting, War, Thunder, Oak, Rain, Law, Fertility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaethon Phaethon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Light, Good, Gender, First-born, Primordial, Egg, Day
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanes Phanes]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Giant, Assault, Punishment, Hunting, Scorpion, Death, Stars
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_Piper_of_Hamelin Pied Piper of Hamelin]
| Folklore/Legend
| German
| Music, Rats, Nonpayment, Revenge, Children
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pier_Gerlofs_Donia Pier Gerlofs Donia]
| Historical, Folklore
| Netherlands, 1480–1520
| Farmer, Rebel, Leader, Pirate. Strength, Bravery, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipa_Jing Pipa Jing]
| Literature
| ''Fengshen Yanyi,'' attrib. to [[wikipedia:Xu_Zhonglin_(novelist)|Xu Zhonglin]]
| Jade, Musical Instrument, Seduction, Evil, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daji Daji]
| Historical, Folklore
| China, 1076-1046 BC
| Fox, Evil, Impersonation, Excess, Violence, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pkharmat Pkharmat]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Nakh
| Love, Pity, Fire, Theft, Defiance, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porphyrios_(whale) Porphyrios]
| Historical, Folklore
| Turkey, mid 6th cent.
| Whale, Fear, Purple, Violence, Breached
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prende Prende]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Albanian
| Dawn, Love, Beauty, Fertility, Health, Spring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Iron_Fan Princess Iron Fan]
| Literature
| ''Journey to the West'', attrib. [[wikipedia:Wu_Cheng'en|Wu Cheng'en]]
| Fan, Wind, Swords, Beauty, Villain, Immortal, Wife
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Wanda Princess Wanda]
| Historical, Folklore
| Poland, 8th cent.
| Unverified, Invasion, Leader, Beauty, Proposal, Refusal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puss_in_Boots Puss in Boots]
| Fairy Tale
| European
| Trickster, Cat, Helper, Fae, Rags to Riches, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Elphame Queen of Elphame]
| Folklore/Legend
| Scottish, English
| Fae, Queen, Witch, Devil, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Hearts_(Alice%27s_Adventures_in_Wonderland) Queen of Hearts]
| Literature
| ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Carroll Lewis Carroll]
| Monarch, Anger, Playing Cards, Roses, Red, Croquet
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Sheba Queen of Sheba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Bounty, Gifts, Questions, Exchange, Council
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raijin Raijin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Lightning, Storms, Thunder, Drums, Aggression
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A1n Rán]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Sea, Water, Net, Abductor
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Niejta Rana Niejta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Sun, Green, Spring, Fertility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynard_the_Fox Reynard]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| Fox, Trickster, Deception, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhiannon Rhiannon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Ruler, Strategy, Magic, Generosity, Marriage, Loss, Accusation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishyasringa Rishyasringa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu, Buddhism
| Deer, Horns, Seer, Chastity, Hermit, Temptation, Rain
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Roy_MacGregor Rob Roy MacGregor]
| Historical
| Scotland, 1671–1734
| Rebel, Outlaw, Hero, Loss, Feud, Battle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Devil Robert the Devil]
| Folklore/Legend
| Norman
| Bandit, Knight, Crime, Violence, Heritage, Redemption, Denial, Saint
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostam Rostam]
| Historical, Legend
| Persian
| Paladin, Panther, Beast Slayer, Invincibility, Loss, Betrayal, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadko Sadko]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Adventure, Bet, Wealth, Ocean, Sacrifice, Music, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1ga_and_S%C3%B6kkvabekkr Sága]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Seer, Ocean, Gold, Mystery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saho-hime Saho-hime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, ??-25 BC
| Empress, Consort, Brother, Premeditated, Reversal, Guilt, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin Aladdin]
| Fairy Tale
| Middle Eastern
| Adventure, Magic, Fortune, Rags to Riches, Trickery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urashima_Tar%C5%8D Urashima Tarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Fisherman, Rescue, Sea Turtle, Reward, Ocean, Royalty, Time, Test, Old Age
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampati Sampati]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Bird, Brother, Selflessness, Sacrifice, Loss, Enlightenment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaki_Rui Sasaki Rui]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, mid 17th cen. BC
| Divorce, Teacher, Martial Arts, Gender, Fighting, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukemochi Ukemochi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Food, Bounty, Gender, Fox, Offense, Death, Seeds
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X%C5%8Dchipilli Xōchipilli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Flower, Beauty, Youth, Love, Sexuality, Music, Dancing, Art, Writing, Games
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaria_(daughter_of_Heracles) Macaria]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Inheritance, Refugee, Prophecy, Courage, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurystheus Eurystheus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| King, Judge, Fear, Indignity, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minos Minos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Tyrant, Punishment, Death, Judge, Scholar, Law
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirona_(goddess) Sirona]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Celtic
| Healing, Springs, Snakes, Eggs
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedna_%28mythology%29 Sedna]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Inuit
| Sea, Marine Animals, Amputation, Filicide, Death, Underworld, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenobia Zenobia]
| Historical, Legend
| Syria, c. 240-after 274 AD
| Widow, Queen, Regent, Politics, Rebel, Defeat, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juana_Gal%C3%A1n Juana Galán]
| Historical
| Spain, c. 1787-1812
| Guerrilla Fighter, Rebel, Leader, Baton, Iron Pan
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6tz_von_Berlichingen Götz von Berlichingen]
| Historical
| Germany, 1480-1562
| Knight, Mercenary, Poet, Amputation, Prosthetic, Military
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Barton Elizabeth Barton]
| Historical
| England, 1506-1534
| Visions, Prophecy, Politics, Religion, Rumors, Imprisonment, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Laveau Marie Laveau]
| Historical, Legend
| United States, 1801-1881
| Herbalist, Midwife, Occult, Nurse, Religion, Activist, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphigenia Iphigenia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Offense, Deer, Punishment, Wind, Prophecy, False Promise, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoichi_the_Earless Hoichi the Earless]
| Folklore, Legend
| Japanese
| Blindness, Minstrel, Lute, Demand, Ghosts, Trick, Protection, Flaw, Amputation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxelana Roxelana]
| Historical, Legend
| Ukraine, c. 1505-1558
| Slave, Harem, Concubine, Freedom, Marriage, Politics, Rags to Riches, Love, Diplomacy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suleiman_the_Magnificent Suleiman the Magnificent]
| Historical, Legend
| Turkey, c. 1520-1566
| Monarch, Empire, War, Reform, Change, Law, Arts, Culture
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi The Three Magi (Balthazar, Caspar, & Melchior)]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Kings, Gifts, Astrology, Scholars, Wisdom, Travel, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumaean_Sibyl Cumaean Sibyl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Prophecy, Knowledge, Price, Underworld, Longevity, Guide, Deal, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bacon Francis Bacon]
| Historical
| England, 1561–1626
| Science, Library, Knowledge, Arrest, Judge, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tala_(goddess) Tala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Tagalog
| Morning, Evening Star, Constellations, Guidance, Danger
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileana_Simziana Ileana Simziana]
| Fairy Tale
| Romanian
| Daughter, Disguise, Battle, Princess, Rescue, Request, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashihime Hashihime]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Loneliness, Jealousy, Bridges, Transformation, Demon, Fear, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guede_Nibo Guede Nibo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Haitian Vodou
| Beauty, Youth, Violence, Death, Psychopomp, Dandy, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumuzid Dumuzid]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sumerian
| Agriculture, Shepherd, Consort, King, Punishment, Underworld, Seasons
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81whaki Tāwhaki]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Māori
| Beauty, Lightning, Thunder, Flood, Hero, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanhoe Ivanhoe]
| Literature
| ''Ivanhoe: A Romance'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Scott Walter Scott]
| Disinheritance, Love, Quest, Tournament, Disguise, Knight
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tep%C4%93y%C5%8Dll%C5%8Dtl Tepēyōllōtl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Jaguar, Sun, Caves, Earthquakes, Echoes, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_l'Olonnais François l'Olonnais]
| Historical
| France, 1630-1669
| Pirate, Shipwreck, Massacre, Survival, Blood, Cruelty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonhart_Fuchs Leonhart Fuchs]
| Historical
| Germany, 1501-1566
| Physician, Botany, Plants, Medicine, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates Socrates]
| Historical
| Greece, 470-399 BC
| Philosophy, Rebel, Scholar, Crime, Punishment, Hemlock, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Berry_Lowry Henry Berry Lowry]
| Historical
| United States, 1845-1872 (Unknown)
| Outlaw, Robbery, Murder, Revenge, Redistribution, Folk Hero
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egill_Skallagr%C3%ADmsson Egill Skallagrímsson]
| Historical, Folklore
| Iceland, 904-995
| Anti-hero, Poetry, Sorcery, Violence, Rage, Revenge, War
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoarashi_Okinu Yoarashi Okinu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1845-1872
| Geisha, Poison, Beauty, Mistress, Murder, Arrest, Decapitation, Untruth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(wife_of_Justinian_I) Theodora]
| Historical
| Turkey(?), 490-548
| Prostitution, Actress, Love, Rags to Riches, Empress, Equality, Bravery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odile_of_Alsace Odile of Alsace]
| Historical, Religion
| France, 660-720
| Rejection, Eyes, Sight, Monastery, Resurrection, Healing, Saint
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Bai Li Bai]
| Historical
| Kyrgyzstan, 701-762
| Poetry, Nature, Friendship, Politics, Exile, Escape, Change
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spearfinger Spearfinger]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Cherokee
| Monster, Witch, Finger, Knife, Livers, Stone, Thunder, Shapeshifting, Disguise
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_Grandmother Spider Grandmother]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hopi, Navajo
| Spider, Old Woman, Medicine, Wisdom, Guidance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%93ccizt%C4%93catl Tēcciztēcatl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Moon, Pride, Hesitation, Punishment, Rabbit, Seashell, Butterfly
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide_jewels#Tamatori-hime Tamatori-hime]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Ocean, Diving, Pearl, Dragon, Music, Blood, Sacrifice, Family
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A1nh_Gi%C3%B3ng Thánh Gióng]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Vietnamese
| Iron, Horse, Sword, Temple, Heaven, King
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaquin_Murrieta Joaquin Murrieta]
| Historical, Legend
| Mexico, 1829-1853
| Rebel, Outlaw, Bandit, Redistribution, Gold, Prejudice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabir_ibn_Hayyan Jabir ibn Hayyan]
| Historical, Legend
| Iraq/Iran, died c.806-816
| Scholar, Alchemy, Chemistry, Writer, Science, Magic, Religion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharina_Henot Katharina_Henot]
| Historical
| Germany, 1570-1627
| Mail, Witch, Sorcery, Influence, Conspiracy, Injustice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yennenga Yennenga]
| Historical, Legend
| Ghana, fl. 12th century
| Warrior, Hunter, Disguise, Beauty, Princess, Escape, Love
|}

[[Category: Theme]]

2026-06-04: The Gang Considers Letting a Man Die

2026-06-06T05:46:35Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: The Gang Considers Letting A Man Die'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Goro Akechi]], [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:Yumezaki Ward, Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' June 04, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''There's no better way to summarize this than what was said here: "We got thrown out of two places, and had probably three separate police reports written about us which we'll have to have Akechi field."''

----

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 1: Time of Joka - Challenge Level 3 =============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

There's a crisis going on at the GOLD Gym. One Ulala Serizawa, who
frequently makes use of the punching bags at the establishment has locked
herself into a room, and barricaded the door.

"Hurry..." Her voice rasps behind the door. "It's my time of Joka... before
I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO
MUCH!"

She doesn't answer to anyone who tries to reason with her to let her inside,
only demanding again and again, the one she hates the most. The employees
are standing around, discussing to themselves in hushed tones.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

Makimura. Even if you haven't met him, not only does it sound familiar. It
sounds correct. Yes, Ulala Serizawa must hate him for what he's done.

It doesn't take much to get a little more information. 'Youichi Makimura' -
a young man who's popular with the ladies, but only dates them to scam them
out of their money after a fake marriage proposal.

What's more difficult is trying to get more information out of them.

"Uh. We can't really give that out to our customers... even for a guy like
him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?

That's a bit of a problem. Either you can be understanding of their position
and try to get /some/ details out of them, or you can figure out another way
to locate the guy.

OOC Note: The Party with Maya Amano in it instead gets a similar phone call
from Ulala, rather than starting at the gym. They already understand
Makimura is a hated figure in her life, and either need to deduce where he
is based on their understanding of him, or based on whatever facts they can
gather.

Deja Vu Note: Any instance of colored text is an opportunity for a Deja Vu
insight, if you feel your character was a part of the Innocent Sin events.
This is entirely opt in, and doesn't preclude you from deciding differently
later.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Rumormongers have spread it everywhere already. There's a crisis at the GOLD Gym, with a member there barricading themselves into one of their many workout rooms.

No one has yet called the police, because, they're not certain if there's actually a crime going on here. And if there isn't, then they might just say 'This sounds like a civil matter' and leave.

However, there is ''someone'' on a scene. The famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) Second Coming of the Detective Prince. Currently he's standing near the door, a hand upon his chin as he contemplates the desperate speech of the woman inside.

"Hurry..." Rasps a woman's voice behind the door "It's my time of Joka... before I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO MUCH!"

"Serizawa-san... let's talk about this. I'm certain you don't want for this to escalate. Is there any chance you might let me inside, so we can work this out between us?"

Instead of a real answer, he gets a frustrated noise inside, like a suppressed scream, "LISTEN TO ME!" She shouts, "IF YOU DON'T BRING- IF YOU DON'T BRING-" It devolves into inarticulable words, as employees looking on begin to gossip.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

"Makimura-san..." Akechi repeats as he turns around to face them, "Do you mean Youichi Makimura...? I believe I've heard of him. While technically not wanted for arrest- he reportedly scams women out of their savings with offers of marriage."

Pause.

"Do you happen to know where the individual in question might be found?"

"Uh. We can't really give that out about our customers... even for a guy like him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?"

He may be the Second Coming of the Detective Prince, but that doesn't mean he couldn't use a hand, right? After all, it's not like he seems to have time to get a warrant for the information, or the assistance of the police...

And while one can't know what's happening to Ulala Serizawa behind those closed doors, it certainly sounds like nothing ''good'' could come of just letting this happen.

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh! What's going on? I thought I heard--"

It's after school on a Thursday. Maria, still in her school uniform, is just standing there with her bag slung over one shoulder.

"Sempai!" she calls out, waving a hand over her head before charging onwards towards Akechi. "Hi! Are you signing up for the gym, too?"

Because that's what she was doing. Signing up for the gym.

People might have to backtrack a little bit, just long enough for Maria to get the shape of things (oh, and the giggling from within the boxing gym might also paint her a picture).

She's a more serious Maria by the time things are through.

"She's kind of like me..." Maria muses, her eyes closed in thought as she thinks it over. "...but you think you can help her? If we find this Makimura guy? And bring him here? And then she won't change!"

Pause.

"Okay! I'm on it!" She makes a fist.

Pause.

"But first we have to find that guy, huh..."

A VERY, VERY LONG PAUSE.

Maria wears the blankest expression known to mankind.

"Maybe he's... ..."

NOW LOADING

"..."

"...I liked going to the zoo. There are animals there!"

thank you, maria
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thank goodness, someone is coming to Akechi in his time of need!

It's Maria.

Who is volunteering!

It's okay, there's also someone else coming to assist Akechi in his time of need!

"I don't know, I'd say my privacy's been pretty violated... He took me for a fool as well. My heart's never going to recover."

.... It's Umie Akabane, judging by the blonde hair, threaded through in a ponytail through the back of a baseball cap labeled with a cursive 'P' (for the Aoba Penguins, of course!), a sporty jacket, clear frame glasses, leggings, and sneakers.

Adjust your expectations as needed.

She shrugs. "But I never wanted him to get *hurt*. It'd be a real shame if someone found him and tried to hurt him in the name of this poor woman... She seems to be taking it even worse than I did. If it weren't for the Second Coming of the Detective Prince here, maybe I would have lost more than my heart..."

Pause. With a half smile and a wink, Umie tilts her head towards Maria in a quiet salute.

"Oh hey, Sakurai-kun. Long time, no see."

</poem>
MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Second Coming toward Time of Joka! Focus and Patra!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Time of Joka - Round 1 ================================================-
Goro Akechi Academics Success
Second Coming Focus and Patra Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Hard-2, and Mindnumbing-2
Final Conditions: Annoying-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
A familiar voice. A familiar girl, waving, waving at him. He flashes her a ten million yen smile and- "Ah, not as such. I'm investigating the 'disturbance' within."

Maria asks if they think they can help her and he nods firmly, "I believe so. I at least wish to try."

'And then she won't change!'

"... Change into what, I wonder? What would becoming a 'Joker' look like?" Akechi asks, sounding somewhat disturbed by the thought. After all, he had a personal vendetta against Tatsuya Sudou, the Joker Killer.

Maria tries to speak to the employees and one of the young adult women makes something of a confused face, then becoming second hand embarrassment, "Haha- he never struck me as much of an animal lover..."

Then a wandering UMIE appears and speaks of how she herself got ''scammed''! Ah, the power of ''L Y I N G'' which Akechi knows well!

"Yes, that's so." Akechi plays along. "However it seems he failed to turn his life around and has gone ''too far'' this time. Well, that settles this. Makimura-san must be found and brought to justice."

He turns to the employees, and flashes that winning smile of his, "Now, I understand you have to protect client privacy- but- is this man truly the type of client you want associated with your establishment? Why- his very presence here seems to be a disruption to your clientele. At this point I daresay the law would have no expectation of your gym protecting his privacy."

"Well-" The young woman stumbles over the thought of having another victim, and Akechi's logic. "-things are getting pretty wild around here. And it does sound like it's all his fault."

She looks to the other employees, and none of speak up to try and stop her.

"You didn't hear it from me, but he tried to ask me out for drinks to the Parabellum once-" She looks embarrassed, "He even knew I already had a boyfriend. He's utterly shameless!"

"I see. Well thank you for your cooperation, Miss. I promise we'll be discreet."

Now, would the Second Coming of the Detective Prince ask ''Maria Sakurai'' and ''Umie Akabane'' with him on a case?

Obviously, he's a consummate little shit stirrer who enjoys the entropy of the fairer sex at work.

"Shall we, ladies?"

</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 2: Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Challenge Level
3 -
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - |
| Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Mindnumbing - |
| Academics Down L2, and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It might take a long time, or not very long at all, but you're led to the
Parabellum, the Bar/Weapon's shop where there's a man and woman at the bar.

That's him. Somehow you know immediately.

Portrait of a Terrible Man:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/a/a6/Persona_2_IS_Maki
mura.png/revision/latest?cb=20140514131225

The man has frosted hair and a winning smile that lets him skate through
life on easy street, as he chats with the lady that looks only a few years
shy of forty.

"About the thing I asked about earlier... Were you able to collect enough?"

The Office Lady he's with downs a drink, as if to give her courage, before
turning to give him a hopeful look, "Yeah, I managed the three million you
asked for... I can count on you right?"

He rotates his drink in a slow circle, "Of course... with that I can keep my
research going. I'm guaranteed to become the Vice-President of the Academy
when it succeeds. And just think, you'll be the wife of the Vice-President."

She looks like she's still hesitating, at least until he adds, "I love you
so much..." And her expression melts, "I love you too... Maki-chan. I can't
wait to be your bride."

He's trying to scam his next victim! You can't let this stand right? You
have to interrupt this, but you also have to figure out a way to keep him
from getting so upset he doesn't cooperate- or worse yet, runs off.

Maybe the best way is to convince him that Ulala is going to kill him, and
you're here to help? But- it may be a tough sell.

How do you get him back to the GOLD Gym?

Luckily, fate is on your side, because Youichi Makimura is a consummate
coward, and knows just how scary Ulala can be when she's pissed.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Akechi wants to try. That's enough for her, Maria decides. "Right!"

Maybe it will even save her, if it comes to that.

Maria stares at Umie, uncomprehending like a bird regarding its reflection in the glass for the first time. She talks about how she had a hard time with Makimura when she dated him, which gets her some sympathy from the other ladies, whereupon Maria realizes that, wait, she knows this woman in the baseball hat--

"U--"

Maria is not /completely brainless. She claps a hand over her own mouth in the nick of time.

"Really?" says Maria, tilting her head to one side. "I liked the time I went on a date at the zoo." There really is a lot of difference between the world of 16 and the world of 20...something.

Still, from the ladies here, two of them are able to get a possible answer. To Aoba!

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER

"I didn't even recognize you," Maria comments, wrapping up a conversation with Umie as they head into the bar.

Maria, like a kid who's just walked into a candy shop, looks all around herself. "Wowww, so this is what a bar is like... Oh, but you don't drink either, do you, sempai?"

/because it's against the law/, maria/

There are adults here chatting over drinks, but among the hubbub, one particular pair stands out to Maria. She freezes like an antelope on the serengeti, her dark gaze settling on the man of the pair in particular. The description those women gave. It's--

''him''.

Maria starts forward, her gaze wide and unblinking as she advances on Makimura. He's still talking. He's saying how he'll make her the wife of the Vice-President. The women sighs and utters her sweet sentiments. It's very much something out of a movie or a drama.

"Are you Youichi Makimura?"

She's somewhat on the taller end for a girl, which in Maria's case is 5-foot, 4-inches. He's taller than that. She stares at him unblinking. "You hurt a woman really badly, you know."

And maybe that would have been one thing, if Maria hadn't also picked up a chair from a table on her way over and is currently holding it overhead.

You know, as a threat.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion'
to You Right Now.! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'And then she won't change.' It slipped by Umie when Maria said it, being that she was busy establishing her 'identity'. Akechi's next question, though natural, leaves Umie to pause.

"... Surely it's not like that..." Umie says, grimacing. "... Surely..." Just because Chizuru said so, on TV... it's not like she's seen anything, right? Correction: in Shibuya, Umie's seen nothing.

..... Of course it's happening. When have things *ever* gone right for her?

The rancid feel of those thoughts is pushed away and smoothed over by Akechi just naturally building onto her lie and using it to further seek out the clue.

'Shall we, ladies?' Umie stifles a cackle. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were enjoying this, Akechi-kun." He is, though not in the way Umie suspects.

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER!!

Umie looks aside to Maria, trying not to preen herself too obviously at Maria's compliment. "<Nice catch> back there. Honestly, I should've worn the wig." Umie sighs. "First I dye my hair, then I wear a wig that's nearly the same color as what I've dyed it from." Such is life.

Like being in a bar, and not drinking! ..... not that Umie is a drinker.

Casting a glance towards Akechi as Maria steps out of ear shot, Umie frowns. "You don't really think finding the guy'd do anything *besides* make things worse, right...?"

Before she can really think, Maria is making her move. "...!" Whether or not this is Youichi Makimura (though Umie's gut certainly says it is), Maria is walking into a potential situation here.

..... And now, so is Umie, casting a smirk over her shoulder towards Akechi as she lifts her cap off, letting her blonde hair settle around her shoulders. "I got an idea..." A little primping, and she's off.

"I told you not to go up to him." Soon enough, Umie joins Maria at her side, giving Makimura a pointed grimace. "He probably has his reasons, for leaving me without a word..."

At 5'1", Umie is slightly shorter that Maria.

She's totally using it to her advantage here.
</poem>

MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with String Theory toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm
'Lion' to You Right Now.! Focus and Find!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Haha..." Akechi chuckles awkwardly at Maria's comment, "... well I think it's a splendid setting for a date. Which is why a man such as this can't appreciate it."

Whereas- what Umie indicates, "I certainly hope not. Still, just in case- we ought to hurry."

At Umie's accusation, he manages a small grin, "Perish the thought. After all, a lady's life is very much in danger here."

Okay yes guilty as charged.

That was one interesting subway ride now, wasn't it?

"Not as such... as I'm still underage. I am quite fond of mocktails at an establishment I frequent though. Ah- non-alcoholic versions of popular mixed drinks." He explains to Maria- and it certainly does sound like the way a straight-laced Detective Prince might prepare himself for adulthood... unlike actual teen rebels who just drink underage.

So what then is his Will of Rebellion?

From a distance, at the bar, he observes the man, his gaze becoming sharper as he hears those words- it reminds him uncomfortably much of Shido and his Mother- the idea of a woman being in love with a man, who was merely using her.

Umie asks him an important question, and he gives her a serious look, "To be frank, I think bringing him might allow us access to her without escalating things to the police deciding to take matters into their own hands. If they show up- then Serizawa-san may not make it out of this alive." He imparts grimly- and perhaps Umie can understand well why he thinks this is a distinct possibility.

When Maria stalks up with ''intent''. He doesn't even attempt to stop her. Especially when Umie charges after.

"I do believe this man is about to have the worst day of his life." He murmurs to himself, "A consequence that's been long in coming."

In fact, he decides to let the girls handle this one- while he instead just stands between their position and the door.

If indeed he's as cowardly as he suspects he is, Makimura might just try to run. But he won't get far with him standing there.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You
Right Now.! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Round 2 -
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Charm Failure
String Theory Focus and Find Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-1, Bothersome-2, Box-0, Mindnumbing-1,
Mindnumbing-2, and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1, Mindnumbing-1, and Scary-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"See?" she says, to the world at large as Akechi agrees with her.

It's just that Makimura is not that kind of guy. "Oh..." says Maria. "So he's a jerk."

Worse than her own ex, it seems!

"Ehh?? That's a wig?" Maria gasps, surprised by this latest of revelations from Umie. "Wow... I never would have guessed. I wonder if I should get a wig, then my grandma would stop asking me if I'm going to grow mine out." She pauses, thinking this one though. "Oh, wait, but it wouldn't get long enough overnight, would it..." She sighs. Getting enough wigs of steadily increasing sizes is probably really expensive, too...

"Mocktails... huh, that makes sense. I've heard of those, but I haven't had one, right? Ehehe, I guess, we're not supposed to drink..." she giggles, grinning like a cat who's been caught stealing the milk.

But there's Makimura more urgently, and he has to be corralled.

Fortunately, Maria is here. She's equipped with a bar (well, restaurant) chair. Makimura looks up at the chair, still raised overhead. "Uh," he says.

Maria continues to stare at him, intent. Her arms start to shake.

Into this moment intrudes Umie. Umie, who could easily pass as a high-schooler herself in the moment.

The woman looks at Umie. Then she looks at Maria, brandishing a chair. Then she looks back at Makimura.

"Babe, no, you've got it wrong! I haven't seen her a day in my life! She's trying to get between us," he implores his latest beau-- er, target. "And I don't think I've seen the other one, either--"

This is when Maria, with Akechi watching, hits Youichi Makimura with the chair. He goes down like a lead brick. The woman with him screams and runs for the exit. Maria meanwhile squares up to hit the downed adult man with the chair again.

"Stop!" shouts the gun-loving bartender, who of course hasn't missed this at all, "What are you, a barbarian? Put that down at once, young lady!"

Maria turns towards the gun-loving bartender, chair still overhead. She glances up at it and goes, "Oh, okay." Just like that she sets it back down.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, miss. There's no room for these sorts of antics in this establishment."

SOON

The three of them are outside again, plus Makimura. Victory?
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 3: You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., Scary - Guts |
| Down L1, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

One way or another, Makimura is in your protective custody. And he's
quickly getting on everyone's nerves by trying to chat up the guys to
convince them he's the real victim here, whereas he's trying to outright
flirt with the girls despite the situation he's in.

When you try to take him outside though.

"Ah man- nature calls! I'm not going to run away, promise. Just hold on for
a minute then I'll come with you."

Escorting him to the only tiny restroom at the bar, you wait. And wait. And
wait. Until finally someone checks and-

Yep, that window to the alley sure is open. So much for his promises.

Quick! You've gotta figure out where he went! A puddle in the back alley
gives you the advantage of a few tracks to figure out what direction he
went, or you can ask some intelligent questions of passersby about this very
distinct looking man.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Oh, nono, this is dyed." Umie lifts up a few tendrils of blonde hair, frayed to perfection. "Just that my wig's the same color as my undyed hair." Umie pauses a moment, however, remembering the distorted reflections of Maria's family members in her Kingdom. Maria must really have to deal with a lot of comments like that from her own family members, huh...

"Drinking isn't really all that it's cracked out to be." This word of wisdom from the Adult of this party, the 20 year old who is calling on.... one night of experience. She shrugs. "Mocktails are better, anyway. Aside from the calories, you don't have to worry about having too many." Or worry about the possibility you'd find yourself thinking Mai-chan's prodding excellent inspiration for how to spice up an otherwise boring night.

Akechi, however, would never have to worry about unleashing another side of himself. Or Maria, for that matter, as she..

.... knocks Makimura over with a chair.

Umie has to admit, that was pretty impressive. ER, THAT IS ".... Oh no, that was such a bad idea, don't. Ah, how horrible."

ONE EXPLUSION FROM A BAR LATER

Umie's eyelashes lower, her voice hitching upwards, just so, to indicate a sort of vulnerability as she peers up towards the somewhat conscious Makimura. "I'm so sorry... I mistook you for someone else." She claps her hands in front of her. "Please, let me make it up to you! But we really should get you looked at, too..."

Makimura frowns, unconvinced, given the appearance of Maria right there. "She's... right there."

"I mean, she'll have to file a report, so..." Umie looks up. "Please, I beg you, don't try to get money out of her because she assaulted you! With so many witnesses, she'll have no case against you!"

Maybe it's the head trauma talking, but Makimura... seems to accept this. "I... guess?"

However, a man's heart (and brain) are flighty, and given to flights of indecision.

As they get in front of Wild Duck, Makimura does an impressive pee walk. "... U-uh, so. I really need to use the little boy's room?"

Umie, looking at him from over her shoulder, can't maintain whatever sort of 'identity' she has in the face of such wording. ".... really." How does he get women to fall for him if he's talking like that?!

It's not like people can be amazingly sauve and attractive in personal one to one communication. You know, like that person Umie Akabane made out with sitting on the floor of her own kitchen because he said some nice words to her. _DESPITE BEING AN NWO AGENT_.

ONE PEE BREAK LATER

"..... Nothing says we have to put ourselves in danger for his sake if he gets his ass pummeled by his ex, right?" Umie grumbles, below her breath. "No law against it. None. Absolutely *none*."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Ohhh," says Maria, seeing daylight at last. So that's what's up with Umie's hair! And the wig. "Okay!" she smiles back. Question, answered!

Umie, though, does opine that drinking's not all it's cracked up to be. "Huh," says Maria. "Do you think so?"

Even Maria's not about to, er, openly reveal that she might have had a nip or two, underage. it's fiiiine

AND THEN THEY GOT KICKED OUT OF A BAR

Maria, guileless, looks over the wounded Makimura. "You're not dizzy, right?" she asks, as if she hadn't just hit him with a chair. "I think that bump should go down in a few days! Oh, but," and she glances at Akechi, as if she weren't parsing at all the fact that Umie is suggesting that Makimura might want to tag along with them all to press charges ''against Maria'', "we need you! That lady needs you!"

That lady wants to kill him, actually.

"You'll come with us, right?"

Akechi's case may be the better argument.

In any case, they don't get far before Makimura insists that he has to use the gentlemen's room, and it's not like they can go back to the bar. Fortunately, there's a fast food joint here. Maria helps by buying a soda. She ultimately drains it most of the way by the time someone checks on Makimura and finds out he ran away.

"What? He ran away? Just like that?" She frowns. "That wasn't very nice of him. I didn't hit him that hard..."

Investigating the alleyway, she soon finds that there are footprints. "Oh! He went that way!" she points out to the others. "I bet I could be a good detective." Pause. "Oh, I bet if I start running, I can catch up!" ...It's been minutes, he could be anywhere.

Too late, Maria's already doing stretches.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Marvelous form." Akechi murmurs to himself as Maria hits him with the steel chair and as the gun-loving bartender calls them out, Akechi steps forward. "We'll just show ourselves out."

Umie and Maria keep pressing, trying to feed him a story- before, Akechi plays on his cowardice, using his best boy next door interview voice, "You're a popular man today. It's not every man who earns the attention of two beautiful women- haha-"

It's a small chuckle, because he's fondly remembering the steel chair, "Now I'd ask that you don't do anything foolish- you see, Ulala Serizawa is looking to take your life for your misdeeds."

It's not exactly fully a lie! It's just also not entirely the truth. They don't ''know'' that for sure.

"Now, the police don't believe a protection detail is warranted, but on my honor as a Detective, you have my word that I'll prevent her from ending your life."

Injure? Maim? Well- he never promised that! Just that he won't let her ''kill'' him.

He asks to go to the little boy's room though, and Akechi stares at him, "Mm-hm. I'll remind you to not do anything foolish-"

Cut to VERY SHORTLY after.

This is the face Akechi is making: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/638807528437980158/

"-why do I even bother saying anything." As he glances aside at Umie, "Yes, if she kills him now- I'd say it's his own fault for escaping our custody."

Maria though says he didn't even hit him that hard and Akechi sweatdrops, "Ah Sakurai-san. If I ever upset you, please let me know so I can make amends."

For no reason. No reason whatsoever.

Akechi examines the bathroom- the open window, the side street. "I'm going to go see if I can find an eye witness as to which way he was heading."

But at the alleyway! "Sakurai-san wai-" He marvels, like startled at the display before him as she just tears off, with the speed of a track star, "-well- I have her number, so I'll call her before she gets up halfway up Katatsumuri." He asides to Umie."

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

"You don't say. He really said he'd be dating you a few years from now?" Akechi says, grinding his teeth, as he speaks to a twelve year old still in her school uniform. Who shrugs, and says. "Yeah, but he's way too old. Like- ew. Plus guys like that aren't my type."

"Haha... I'm glad to hear you say that. And which way was he headed?"

"Well I can tell you- but before you go... Could I have your autograph?"

"Of course- let me just get out my pen."

Should Akechi succeed with his investigative technique, he might glance Makimura trying to melt into a crowd, and lock eyes with him.

Kill Bill Ironside Siren - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOy6hqzfsAs

When of course- he runs after that, he continues at a leisurely gait, like a persistence predator slowly stalking his prey.

Of course- Makimura is very ''cunning'' prey.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Round 3 =================-
Goro Akechi Proficiency Failure
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Failure
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 3
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Ineptitude-2, Mindnumbing-1, Reaper-0,
Scary-1, and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Ineptitude-1 and Stupor-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> If there is something slightly more alluring to the idea of women being interested in Makimura, it's someone who, being rather well-liked and charming to ladies himself, is acknowledging Makimura's clear advantage here. "Well, you know how it is!" Makimura says...

... as if he and Akechi were ever one and the same.

But even that won't be enough to appease the man. Akechi may be an honorable detective (after all, he plays one on TV!), again, Maria is *right* there, and she *did* hit him with a metal chair.

Umie'd never do that.

Maria is not only useful with chairs, she's also an excellent runner, as demonstrated...

SHORTLY AFTER IN THE ALLEYWAY!

"You'd think she'd stop?" Umie looks to Akechi... and ponders. "Actually. you know what... she probably would." An Akechi text is an Akechi text, after all.

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

Akechi catches a glimpse of Makimura trying to blend into the crowd.

It's glimpse that the little girl is none the wiser of, and honestly? Good for her. "..... Ohoh! Could you sign this for my best friend? She watches all your TV appearances. She's your biggest fan!!" Alas, how can you say no to such a sweet smile, Akechi? Especially after she had to deal with the idea that she'll soon enough be considered prey for men like Makimura... if not already.

There really is no bottom to this pit, is there?
</poem>

MONAD: Goro Akechi has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 4: The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Understanding |
| Conditions: Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down |
| L2, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., and Stupor |
| - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It takes a while to find him, but Makimura's left quite a trail. You find
yourself ultimately outside the Clair De Lune, a fancy restaurant in Narumi
Ward, Sumaru City. A restaurant now, at a place like this?

You quickly spot him once you enter. He's at a table with another woman.

"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite
of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns,
straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it
at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you
back as soon as I get home..."

You can see his wallet on him. /It's right there/. One option clearly is to
just take it from him and show her. The other, well, surely you have enough
evidence by now to point out what sort of man he is.

Be careful! This is the upscale side of town. It'd be very easy for your
actions to be misinterpreted.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Akechi looks to Umie as she asks 'You'd think she'd stop?' and raises an eyebrow. Then smiles and nods after. "Yes I suspect you're right."

-=-=-

And then Akechi gets accosted by a fan. "Of course I-"

"Wait- that guy over there? Isn't that Goro Akechi!?"

"No way! It's Akechi-kun!"

He's gonna be here for a while. This is only right and just - to punish him for his arrogance.

SEVERAL DOZEN SIGNATURES LATER

Akechi picks up his phone and calls Umie and Maria one by one. "I believe I saw Makimura-san making a break for the train station. Given which station it is- I believe he's headed to the Narumi Ward. Shall we go check it out for ourselves?"

Now if Makimura were smart, he'd keep riding- but- the Narumi ward is what is known as a 'target rich environment' for a man like him.

They find him at the Clair De Lune at of course, a table with a a rich ingenue-
"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns, straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you back as soon as I get home..."

Akechi looks sideways to Maria and Umie- "How unsurprising. I have an idea- but first, I have to-"

The Maitre'd, Garcon Soejima- clears his throat. "Ahem. Do you have a reservation?"

What Akechi ''doesn't'' get a chance to say is that he needed to distract the Maitre'd. "Ah beg pardon, my name is Goro Akechi, perhaps you've heard of me?" "Ah! Oui! The Boy Detective-"

Well, at least he's now distracted enough that Maria and Umie can approach- but how are they going to manage that?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Where was Umie during Akechi's hour of need?

"*pant* *pant* *pant*..." Outside of a supernaturally enabled area, Umie is not a runner.

She's just about to haul out her phone to text Maria and Akechi when the latter beats her to the punch. Taking a moment to still her breathing, she answers, like she hadn't tried to run after a man and then get lost.

..... the streets sure look real different when there's lots of people on them...

A CLAIR DE LUNE LATER

"... He wastes no time," Umie grumbles behind the two. "His wallet's right there, even... He's really shameless. Akechi-kun--"

Ah, the curse of fame. But thankfully, this was a part of the plan.

Umie notably tries to act first, before Maria can.

If there's one thing the Badb and the blonde are incredibly skilled at, it's pointing their finger at someone and reciting their doom.

"... I can't believe you left me alone on that train platform... I confessed and everything..." She clasps a apricot nailed hand over her mouth. "... You... you should have told me you wanted the relationship to be open... I'm sure my parents will understand. They *did* like you..."
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Can you do this? toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria gives chase!

Indeed, there she goes... She certainly used to be a track star.

Is sometimes one given to wonder how Maria has survived this long, living like this? It's a valid question.

At least she does eventually answer her phone. "I couldn't find him," she chirps, as if she hadn't just run a distance in her school uniform of all things.

There's a pause, as Akechi, once he's free of his fan club swarm, provides her with some useful information. "Really! Narumi? That's for rich people," she says. "I'll meet you there!"

But where would a man escaping a couple of teenagers and an Umie go in Narumi Ward? Is there somewhere safe from frightning children (and one young adult)? Apparently, the answer is 'meeting his date at a fancy restaurant'.

Even Maria takes a moment to just stare at him at the table. "Wow. Adults are strange, huh," she whispers, peering at Makimura and his date. "His wallet's right there!"

First, though, they have to lose the Maitre'd. This is where Akechi fits in! And secondly... Maria looks at Umie. Who is pointing at Makimura and continuing her act from before. Maria tilts her head to one side.

"...Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?" says Maria, who is barely a level one Rogue, as these things go.

BUT NEVERTHELESS

She stretches out her hands, cracking her fingers, and rolling her shoulders. While the Maitre'd and Makimura are both distracted, then! ...Maria moves in for the kill. Which is to say, she tries to steal Makimura's wallet right out of his pants pocket.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine
and Dash! Specialty!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Round 4 -
Goro Akechi Proficiency Success
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Proficiency Failure
Can you do this? Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Hard-2, Ineptitude-1, Ineptitude-2, Reaper-0, and
Stupor-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1 and Ineptitude-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Really? I'm shocked. You took off after him so quickly." Was Akechi's response to Maria saying she couldn't find him...

NOW

Makimura freezes at Umie's entrance, while the woman with him looks confused, "Maki-chan. Who is this woman?" Makimura, used to thinking on his feet clears his throat and says, "Look- I told you about my crazy obsessive Ex right? That's her- she's been stalking me everywhere."

He looks towards Umie, and tries to say firmly, "Babe, I told you. It's over. We haven't been together for over a year now."

Meanwhile, Maria gets his wallet, and holds it up, as the woman gawks suspiciously, "Isn't that your wallet?" Makimura seems panicked for a moment, "Did you pick my pocket at the station or something!? These chicks are crazy! I'm calling the cops-!" Which is when Goro Akechi grabs a chair and hauls it up right beside him, plopping down.

"Ma'am, I'm afraid that this man is a consummate scam artist. If you'll just call this number later- I'll explain everything, you have my word."

As he holds out a business card with both hands, before turning to Makimura sliding a hand to his side. "Now then, let's have a chat." The man freezes, because there's something cold and metallic poking into his side.

It just so happens to be a spoon he purloined off the table, but he doesn't need to know that.

"A-Alright! Alright you got me! She's just- she's a demon when she's mad, man! Look you're a guy too right? Can't you give me a break-hrk!"

That's the sound he makes as the woman who's with him throws a tea saucer at his face. "I can't believe I trusted you! You- you lech!" Who then begins to storm out as he massages his cheek and calls, "Babe wait!"

Garcon Soejima clears his throat. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask all of you to leave. You're disturbing the other guests."

Akechi looks sheepish, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, sir. Sakurai-san, why don't you see to the bill, before we go?" "That's my money!" Makimura protests. "Oui- and it was also your meal." Garcon Soejima notes, as Makimura sighs.

PLACES THEY HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT OF: 2

</poem>
MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 5: Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Challenge Level 4 =================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., Chest - Add 2 |
| Item/Money/Gear., Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency |
| Down L2, Scary - Guts Down L1, and Stony - Understanding Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You finally got this fraudster back to the GOLD Gym. But there's one
problem. No matter what you say to Ulala behind the door, all you hear is
laughing! This is getting really bad.

The employees mention that there's a key to the room, but they don't have
it. They think one of the female employees had it last, but she's not on
today.

To the woman's locker room you go! There's only one problem.
There's currently a panty thief digging through her locker, holding up a
pair of her unmentionables in absentia.

As he sees himself caught, he has a deer in the headlights look in his eyes,
before sputtering out. "H-Hey it's not what it looks like."

It's exactly what it looks like. The key might still be in the locker, but
do you really want to take the chance that a guy who breaks into private
places wouldn't take the opportunity to grab a key?

He's trying to make a break for it. You can already see that in his eyes.
And if he gets out of the Locker Room or manages to call for help, he can
spin it any way he wants!!

You can either deal with this by force, or you can let it slide, in exchange
for the peaceful handover of the key.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Base!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Automap!
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Round 5 ====================================-
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Failure
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Boss-0, Chest-0, Hard-1, Ineptitude-1, Scary-2, and
Stony-2
Final Conditions: Scary-1 and Stony-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 6: Is That the Mafia or is Ulala Just Happy To See Me? - Challenge Level 1 -
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Withdraw - Complication ensues. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You get the key!

This day has been incredibly exhausting. Not only have things gone wrong at
every turn trying to keep this guy in check, but you're worried a police
report or two may have been filed against /you/. You're completely wiped
out, but you at least have the means to reach Ulala.

"H-Hey I'm not going in there." Makimura asks nervously as you get closer to
the door. "It's obvious you can't protect me from her! She's a real demon
when she's mad!"

Makimura tries to make a run for it. You're going to have to physically
restrain him and take him downstairs. "Help! Murder! MURDER! SOMEBODY CALL
THE COPS! Please- please I can't go in there! My face is my livelihood man!
Have mercy!"

There's a strange moment wherein you see four foreign men wearing changshans
walk in, spy this scene, before then standing by, milling about in the
lobby. Are they onlookers? Or something else? Odd... there's no time to look
into it.

The door opens to the gym Ulala has barricaded herself into unlocks, and
after some brute force- the barricaded objects part.

Which is when that horrible feeling arises. That tinnitus in your ears, the
pounding of a hideous heartbeat. The world flashes into a photonegative,
everything just feels wrong.

And there Ulala is, in her green dress, covered in spiderwebs, hunched in
the corner, facing away, trembling. Do her hands look... paler?

Whatever is going on- a sense of dread hits you. Something bad is about to
happen, and you're not sure you're prepared to face it.

TO BE CONTINUED
OOC Note: Receiving this card means you start the fight with the Critical
Down effect. If you'd like to investigate the men in the changshans that are
spying on you, please submit a request to staff.

Final Loot: 1 Item, 1 boxes of Money, and 2 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?'

"A lock is just a barrier with a cheat called a key?" Umie says automatically, the more experienced one compared to Maria, as she glances at Akechi, who is more experienced than the two of them together.

ONE SERIES OF TERRIBLE ADVENTURES LATER

Ulala is laughing. They went all around the ward tracking this slimeball of a human being, and she's *laughing*.

".... well at least one of us seems to be having fun." Umie's given up on her glasses, shakily collapsing them down and shoving them in a pocket. ".... Akechi-kun, you'll be able to handle any reports against us, right?"

ha ha ha she's not a minor, EVERYTHING MAY GET PUT ON HER RECORD

Except.

Umie feels it, in the air. Something that burrows behind her teeth and sticks of ichorous decay. She sways slightly, placing a hand to her temple.

No, no, this isn't great at all. Maria can't be drawn into another conflict. And with those familiar men in changshans lurking about...

".... Akechi-kun. Could you escort Sakurai-san out?"

.... is what she barely gets out, before Ulala enters, and shows them all that this is no laughing matter.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
The fact that she's laughing, Akechi if anything looks disturbed, as he puts a hand upon his chin, contemplating the matter. "We may be out of time..." He says, gravely.

"Given that I caught him in the commission of several felonies-" (Yes that meal was large enough to be felonious-! The amount matters!) "-it would ordinarily be a simple matter. Unfortunately we're dealing with Sumaru City's finest." Akechi sighs, "Yes, I'll take care of it."

He's going to get chewed out by Sae later, he knows it.

However, that's when he catches a glimpse of the men in changshans. Akechi's eyes narrow. "Yes I believe that would be prudent... this way-"

ULALA'D

TO BE CONCLUDED
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-06-04: The Gang Considers Letting a Man Die

2026-06-06T05:01:14Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: The Gang Considers Letting A Man Die'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Goro Akechi]], [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:Yumezaki Ward, Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' June 04, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''There's no better way to summarize this than what was said here: "We got thrown out of two places, and had probably three separate police reports written about us which we'll have to have Akechi field."''

----

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 1: Time of Joka - Challenge Level 3 =============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

There's a crisis going on at the GOLD Gym. One Ulala Serizawa, who
frequently makes use of the punching bags at the establishment has locked
herself into a room, and barricaded the door.

"Hurry..." Her voice rasps behind the door. "It's my time of Joka... before
I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO
MUCH!"

She doesn't answer to anyone who tries to reason with her to let her inside,
only demanding again and again, the one she hates the most. The employees
are standing around, discussing to themselves in hushed tones.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

Makimura. Even if you haven't met him, not only does it sound familiar. It
sounds correct. Yes, Ulala Serizawa must hate him for what he's done.

It doesn't take much to get a little more information. 'Youichi Makimura' -
a young man who's popular with the ladies, but only dates them to scam them
out of their money after a fake marriage proposal.

What's more difficult is trying to get more information out of them.

"Uh. We can't really give that out to our customers... even for a guy like
him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?

That's a bit of a problem. Either you can be understanding of their position
and try to get /some/ details out of them, or you can figure out another way
to locate the guy.

OOC Note: The Party with Maya Amano in it instead gets a similar phone call
from Ulala, rather than starting at the gym. They already understand
Makimura is a hated figure in her life, and either need to deduce where he
is based on their understanding of him, or based on whatever facts they can
gather.

Deja Vu Note: Any instance of colored text is an opportunity for a Deja Vu
insight, if you feel your character was a part of the Innocent Sin events.
This is entirely opt in, and doesn't preclude you from deciding differently
later.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Rumormongers have spread it everywhere already. There's a crisis at the GOLD Gym, with a member there barricading themselves into one of their many workout rooms.

No one has yet called the police, because, they're not certain if there's actually a crime going on here. And if there isn't, then they might just say 'This sounds like a civil matter' and leave.

However, there is ''someone'' on a scene. The famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) Second Coming of the Detective Prince. Currently he's standing near the door, a hand upon his chin as he contemplates the desperate speech of the woman inside.

"Hurry..." Rasps a woman's voice behind the door "It's my time of Joka... before I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO MUCH!"

"Serizawa-san... let's talk about this. I'm certain you don't want for this to escalate. Is there any chance you might let me inside, so we can work this out between us?"

Instead of a real answer, he gets a frustrated noise inside, like a suppressed scream, "LISTEN TO ME!" She shouts, "IF YOU DON'T BRING- IF YOU DON'T BRING-" It devolves into inarticulable words, as employees looking on begin to gossip.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

"Makimura-san..." Akechi repeats as he turns around to face them, "Do you mean Youichi Makimura...? I believe I've heard of him. While technically not wanted for arrest- he reportedly scams women out of their savings with offers of marriage."

Pause.

"Do you happen to know where the individual in question might be found?"

"Uh. We can't really give that out about our customers... even for a guy like him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?"

He may be the Second Coming of the Detective Prince, but that doesn't mean he couldn't use a hand, right? After all, it's not like he seems to have time to get a warrant for the information, or the assistance of the police...

And while one can't know what's happening to Ulala Serizawa behind those closed doors, it certainly sounds like nothing ''good'' could come of just letting this happen.

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh! What's going on? I thought I heard--"

It's after school on a Thursday. Maria, still in her school uniform, is just standing there with her bag slung over one shoulder.

"Sempai!" she calls out, waving a hand over her head before charging onwards towards Akechi. "Hi! Are you signing up for the gym, too?"

Because that's what she was doing. Signing up for the gym.

People might have to backtrack a little bit, just long enough for Maria to get the shape of things (oh, and the giggling from within the boxing gym might also paint her a picture).

She's a more serious Maria by the time things are through.

"She's kind of like me..." Maria muses, her eyes closed in thought as she thinks it over. "...but you think you can help her? If we find this Makimura guy? And bring him here? And then she won't change!"

Pause.

"Okay! I'm on it!" She makes a fist.

Pause.

"But first we have to find that guy, huh..."

A VERY, VERY LONG PAUSE.

Maria wears the blankest expression known to mankind.

"Maybe he's... ..."

NOW LOADING

"..."

"...I liked going to the zoo. There are animals there!"

thank you, maria
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thank goodness, someone is coming to Akechi in his time of need!

It's Maria.

Who is volunteering!

It's okay, there's also someone else coming to assist Akechi in his time of need!

"I don't know, I'd say my privacy's been pretty violated... He took me for a fool as well. My heart's never going to recover."

.... It's Umie Akabane, judging by the blonde hair, threaded through in a ponytail through the back of a baseball cap labeled with a cursive 'P' (for the Aoba Penguins, of course!), a sporty jacket, clear frame glasses, leggings, and sneakers.

Adjust your expectations as needed.

She shrugs. "But I never wanted him to get *hurt*. It'd be a real shame if someone found him and tried to hurt him in the name of this poor woman... She seems to be taking it even worse than I did. If it weren't for the Second Coming of the Detective Prince here, maybe I would have lost more than my heart..."

Pause. With a half smile and a wink, Umie tilts her head towards Maria in a quiet salute.

"Oh hey, Sakurai-kun. Long time, no see."

</poem>
MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Second Coming toward Time of Joka! Focus and Patra!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Time of Joka - Round 1 ================================================-
Goro Akechi Academics Success
Second Coming Focus and Patra Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Hard-2, and Mindnumbing-2
Final Conditions: Annoying-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
A familiar voice. A familiar girl, waving, waving at him. He flashes her a ten million yen smile and- "Ah, not as such. I'm investigating the 'disturbance' within."

Maria asks if they think they can help her and he nods firmly, "I believe so. I at least wish to try."

'And then she won't change!'

"... Change into what, I wonder? What would becoming a 'Joker' look like?" Akechi asks, sounding somewhat disturbed by the thought. After all, he had a personal vendetta against Tatsuya Sudou, the Joker Killer.

Maria tries to speak to the employees and one of the young adult women makes something of a confused face, then becoming second hand embarrassment, "Haha- he never struck me as much of an animal lover..."

Then a wandering UMIE appears and speaks of how she herself got ''scammed''! Ah, the power of ''L Y I N G'' which Akechi knows well!

"Yes, that's so." Akechi plays along. "However it seems he failed to turn his life around and has gone ''too far'' this time. Well, that settles this. Makimura-san must be found and brought to justice."

He turns to the employees, and flashes that winning smile of his, "Now, I understand you have to protect client privacy- but- is this man truly the type of client you want associated with your establishment? Why- his very presence here seems to be a disruption to your clientele. At this point I daresay the law would have no expectation of your gym protecting his privacy."

"Well-" The young woman stumbles over the thought of having another victim, and Akechi's logic. "-things are getting pretty wild around here. And it does sound like it's all his fault."

She looks to the other employees, and none of speak up to try and stop her.

"You didn't hear it from me, but he tried to ask me out for drinks to the Parabellum once-" She looks embarrassed, "He even knew I already had a boyfriend. He's utterly shameless!"

"I see. Well thank you for your cooperation, Miss. I promise we'll be discreet."

Now, would the Second Coming of the Detective Prince ask ''Maria Sakurai'' and ''Umie Akabane'' with him on a case?

Obviously, he's a consummate little shit stirrer who enjoys the entropy of the fairer sex at work.

"Shall we, ladies?"

</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 2: Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Challenge Level
3 -
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - |
| Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Mindnumbing - |
| Academics Down L2, and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It might take a long time, or not very long at all, but you're led to the
Parabellum, the Bar/Weapon's shop where there's a man and woman at the bar.

That's him. Somehow you know immediately.

Portrait of a Terrible Man:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/a/a6/Persona_2_IS_Maki
mura.png/revision/latest?cb=20140514131225

The man has frosted hair and a winning smile that lets him skate through
life on easy street, as he chats with the lady that looks only a few years
shy of forty.

"About the thing I asked about earlier... Were you able to collect enough?"

The Office Lady he's with downs a drink, as if to give her courage, before
turning to give him a hopeful look, "Yeah, I managed the three million you
asked for... I can count on you right?"

He rotates his drink in a slow circle, "Of course... with that I can keep my
research going. I'm guaranteed to become the Vice-President of the Academy
when it succeeds. And just think, you'll be the wife of the Vice-President."

She looks like she's still hesitating, at least until he adds, "I love you
so much..." And her expression melts, "I love you too... Maki-chan. I can't
wait to be your bride."

He's trying to scam his next victim! You can't let this stand right? You
have to interrupt this, but you also have to figure out a way to keep him
from getting so upset he doesn't cooperate- or worse yet, runs off.

Maybe the best way is to convince him that Ulala is going to kill him, and
you're here to help? But- it may be a tough sell.

How do you get him back to the GOLD Gym?

Luckily, fate is on your side, because Youichi Makimura is a consummate
coward, and knows just how scary Ulala can be when she's pissed.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Akechi wants to try. That's enough for her, Maria decides. "Right!"

Maybe it will even save her, if it comes to that.

Maria stares at Umie, uncomprehending like a bird regarding its reflection in the glass for the first time. She talks about how she had a hard time with Makimura when she dated him, which gets her some sympathy from the other ladies, whereupon Maria realizes that, wait, she knows this woman in the baseball hat--

"U--"

Maria is not /completely brainless. She claps a hand over her own mouth in the nick of time.

"Really?" says Maria, tilting her head to one side. "I liked the time I went on a date at the zoo." There really is a lot of difference between the world of 16 and the world of 20...something.

Still, from the ladies here, two of them are able to get a possible answer. To Aoba!

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER

"I didn't even recognize you," Maria comments, wrapping up a conversation with Umie as they head into the bar.

Maria, like a kid who's just walked into a candy shop, looks all around herself. "Wowww, so this is what a bar is like... Oh, but you don't drink either, do you, sempai?"

/because it's against the law/, maria/

There are adults here chatting over drinks, but among the hubbub, one particular pair stands out to Maria. She freezes like an antelope on the serengeti, her dark gaze settling on the man of the pair in particular. The description those women gave. It's--

''him''.

Maria starts forward, her gaze wide and unblinking as she advances on Makimura. He's still talking. He's saying how he'll make her the wife of the Vice-President. The women sighs and utters her sweet sentiments. It's very much something out of a movie or a drama.

"Are you Youichi Makimura?"

She's somewhat on the taller end for a girl, which in Maria's case is 5-foot, 4-inches. He's taller than that. She stares at him unblinking. "You hurt a woman really badly, you know."

And maybe that would have been one thing, if Maria hadn't also picked up a chair from a table on her way over and is currently holding it overhead.

You know, as a threat.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion'
to You Right Now.! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'And then she won't change.' It slipped by Umie when Maria said it, being that she was busy establishing her 'identity'. Akechi's next question, though natural, leaves Umie to pause.

"... Surely it's not like that..." Umie says, grimacing. "... Surely..." Just because Chizuru said so, on TV... it's not like she's seen anything, right? Correction: in Shibuya, Umie's seen nothing.

..... Of course it's happening. When have things *ever* gone right for her?

The rancid feel of those thoughts is pushed away and smoothed over by Akechi just naturally building onto her lie and using it to further seek out the clue.

'Shall we, ladies?' Umie stifles a cackle. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were enjoying this, Akechi-kun." He is, though not in the way Umie suspects.

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER!!

Umie looks aside to Maria, trying not to preen herself too obviously at Maria's compliment. "<Nice catch> back there. Honestly, I should've worn the wig." Umie sighs. "First I dye my hair, then I wear a wig that's nearly the same color as what I've dyed it from." Such is life.

Like being in a bar, and not drinking! ..... not that Umie is a drinker.

Casting a glance towards Akechi as Maria steps out of ear shot, Umie frowns. "You don't really think finding the guy'd do anything *besides* make things worse, right...?"

Before she can really think, Maria is making her move. "...!" Whether or not this is Youichi Makimura (though Umie's gut certainly says it is), Maria is walking into a potential situation here.

..... And now, so is Umie, casting a smirk over her shoulder towards Akechi as she lifts her cap off, letting her blonde hair settle around her shoulders. "I got an idea..." A little primping, and she's off.

"I told you not to go up to him." Soon enough, Umie joins Maria at her side, giving Makimura a pointed grimace. "He probably has his reasons, for leaving me without a word..."

At 5'1", Umie is slightly shorter that Maria.

She's totally using it to her advantage here.
</poem>

MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with String Theory toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm
'Lion' to You Right Now.! Focus and Find!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Haha..." Akechi chuckles awkwardly at Maria's comment, "... well I think it's a splendid setting for a date. Which is why a man such as this can't appreciate it."

Whereas- what Umie indicates, "I certainly hope not. Still, just in case- we ought to hurry."

At Umie's accusation, he manages a small grin, "Perish the thought. After all, a lady's life is very much in danger here."

Okay yes guilty as charged.

That was one interesting subway ride now, wasn't it?

"Not as such... as I'm still underage. I am quite fond of mocktails at an establishment I frequent though. Ah- non-alcoholic versions of popular mixed drinks." He explains to Maria- and it certainly does sound like the way a straight-laced Detective Prince might prepare himself for adulthood... unlike actual teen rebels who just drink underage.

So what then is his Will of Rebellion?

From a distance, at the bar, he observes the man, his gaze becoming sharper as he hears those words- it reminds him uncomfortably much of Shido and his Mother- the idea of a woman being in love with a man, who was merely using her.

Umie asks him an important question, and he gives her a serious look, "To be frank, I think bringing him might allow us access to her without escalating things to the police deciding to take matters into their own hands. If they show up- then Serizawa-san may not make it out of this alive." He imparts grimly- and perhaps Umie can understand well why he thinks this is a distinct possibility.

When Maria stalks up with ''intent''. He doesn't even attempt to stop her. Especially when Umie charges after.

"I do believe this man is about to have the worst day of his life." He murmurs to himself, "A consequence that's been long in coming."

In fact, he decides to let the girls handle this one- while he instead just stands between their position and the door.

If indeed he's as cowardly as he suspects he is, Makimura might just try to run. But he won't get far with him standing there.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You
Right Now.! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Round 2 -
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Charm Failure
String Theory Focus and Find Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-1, Bothersome-2, Box-0, Mindnumbing-1,
Mindnumbing-2, and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1, Mindnumbing-1, and Scary-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"See?" she says, to the world at large as Akechi agrees with her.

It's just that Makimura is not that kind of guy. "Oh..." says Maria. "So he's a jerk."

Worse than her own ex, it seems!

"Ehh?? That's a wig?" Maria gasps, surprised by this latest of revelations from Umie. "Wow... I never would have guessed. I wonder if I should get a wig, then my grandma would stop asking me if I'm going to grow mine out." She pauses, thinking this one though. "Oh, wait, but it wouldn't get long enough overnight, would it..." She sighs. Getting enough wigs of steadily increasing sizes is probably really expensive, too...

"Mocktails... huh, that makes sense. I've heard of those, but I haven't had one, right? Ehehe, I guess, we're not supposed to drink..." she giggles, grinning like a cat who's been caught stealing the milk.

But there's Makimura more urgently, and he has to be corralled.

Fortunately, Maria is here. She's equipped with a bar (well, restaurant) chair. Makimura looks up at the chair, still raised overhead. "Uh," he says.

Maria continues to stare at him, intent. Her arms start to shake.

Into this moment intrudes Umie. Umie, who could easily pass as a high-schooler herself in the moment.

The woman looks at Umie. Then she looks at Maria, brandishing a chair. Then she looks back at Makimura.

"Babe, no, you've got it wrong! I haven't seen her a day in my life! She's trying to get between us," he implores his latest beau-- er, target. "And I don't think I've seen the other one, either--"

This is when Maria, with Akechi watching, hits Youichi Makimura with the chair. He goes down like a lead brick. The woman with him screams and runs for the exit. Maria meanwhile squares up to hit the downed adult man with the chair again.

"Stop!" shouts the gun-loving bartender, who of course hasn't missed this at all, "What are you, a barbarian? Put that down at once, young lady!"

Maria turns towards the gun-loving bartender, chair still overhead. She glances up at it and goes, "Oh, okay." Just like that she sets it back down.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, miss. There's no room for these sorts of antics in this establishment."

SOON

The three of them are outside again, plus Makimura. Victory?
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 3: You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., Scary - Guts |
| Down L1, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

One way or another, Makimura is in your protective custody. And he's
quickly getting on everyone's nerves by trying to chat up the guys to
convince them he's the real victim here, whereas he's trying to outright
flirt with the girls despite the situation he's in.

When you try to take him outside though.

"Ah man- nature calls! I'm not going to run away, promise. Just hold on for
a minute then I'll come with you."

Escorting him to the only tiny restroom at the bar, you wait. And wait. And
wait. Until finally someone checks and-

Yep, that window to the alley sure is open. So much for his promises.

Quick! You've gotta figure out where he went! A puddle in the back alley
gives you the advantage of a few tracks to figure out what direction he
went, or you can ask some intelligent questions of passersby about this very
distinct looking man.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Oh, nono, this is dyed." Umie lifts up a few tendrils of blonde hair, frayed to perfection. "Just that my wig's the same color as my undyed hair." Umie pauses a moment, however, remembering the distorted reflections of Maria's family members in her Kingdom. Maria must really have to deal with a lot of comments like that from her own family members, huh...

"Drinking isn't really all that it's cracked out to be." This word of wisdom from the Adult of this party, the 20 year old who is calling on.... one night of experience. She shrugs. "Mocktails are better, anyway. Aside from the calories, you don't have to worry about having too many." Or worry about the possibility you'd find yourself thinking Mai-chan's prodding excellent inspiration for how to spice up an otherwise boring night.

Akechi, however, would never have to worry about unleashing another side of himself. Or Maria, for that matter, as she..

.... knocks Makimura over with a chair.

Umie has to admit, that was pretty impressive. ER, THAT IS ".... Oh no, that was such a bad idea, don't. Ah, how horrible."

ONE EXPLUSION FROM A BAR LATER

Umie's eyelashes lower, her voice hitching upwards, just so, to indicate a sort of vulnerability as she peers up towards the somewhat conscious Makimura. "I'm so sorry... I mistook you for someone else." She claps her hands in front of her. "Please, let me make it up to you! But we really should get you looked at, too..."

Makimura frowns, unconvinced, given the appearance of Maria right there. "She's... right there."

"I mean, she'll have to file a report, so..." Umie looks up. "Please, I beg you, don't try to get money out of her because she assaulted you! With so many witnesses, she'll have no case against you!"

Maybe it's the head trauma talking, but Makimura... seems to accept this. "I... guess?"

However, a man's heart (and brain) are flighty, and given to flights of indecision.

As they get in front of Wild Duck, Makimura does an impressive pee walk. "... U-uh, so. I really need to use the little boy's room?"

Umie, looking at him from over her shoulder, can't maintain whatever sort of 'identity' she has in the face of such wording. ".... really." How does he get women to fall for him if he's talking like that?!

It's not like people can be amazingly sauve and attractive in personal one to one communication. You know, like that person Umie Akabane made out with sitting on the floor of her own kitchen because he said some nice words to her. _DESPITE BEING AN NWO AGENT_.

ONE PEE BREAK LATER

"..... Nothing says we have to put ourselves in danger for his sake if he gets his ass pummeled by his ex, right?" Umie grumbles, below her breath. "No law against it. None. Absolutely *none*."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Ohhh," says Maria, seeing daylight at last. So that's what's up with Umie's hair! And the wig. "Okay!" she smiles back. Question, answered!

Umie, though, does opine that drinking's not all it's cracked up to be. "Huh," says Maria. "Do you think so?"

Even Maria's not about to, er, openly reveal that she might have had a nip or two, underage. it's fiiiine

AND THEN THEY GOT KICKED OUT OF A BAR

Maria, guileless, looks over the wounded Makimura. "You're not dizzy, right?" she asks, as if she hadn't just hit him with a chair. "I think that bump should go down in a few days! Oh, but," and she glances at Akechi, as if she weren't parsing at all the fact that Umie is suggesting that Makimura might want to tag along with them all to press charges ''against Maria'', "we need you! That lady needs you!"

That lady wants to kill him, actually.

"You'll come with us, right?"

Akechi's case may be the better argument.

In any case, they don't get far before Makimura insists that he has to use the gentlemen's room, and it's not like they can go back to the bar. Fortunately, there's a fast food joint here. Maria helps by buying a soda. She ultimately drains it most of the way by the time someone checks on Makimura and finds out he ran away.

"What? He ran away? Just like that?" She frowns. "That wasn't very nice of him. I didn't hit him that hard..."

Investigating the alleyway, she soon finds that there are footprints. "Oh! He went that way!" she points out to the others. "I bet I could be a good detective." Pause. "Oh, I bet if I start running, I can catch up!" ...It's been minutes, he could be anywhere.

Too late, Maria's already doing stretches.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Marvelous form." Akechi murmurs to himself as Maria hits him with the steel chair and as the gun-loving bartender calls them out, Akechi steps forward. "We'll just show ourselves out."

Umie and Maria keep pressing, trying to feed him a story- before, Akechi plays on his cowardice, using his best boy next door interview voice, "You're a popular man today. It's not every man who earns the attention of two beautiful women- haha-"

It's a small chuckle, because he's fondly remembering the steel chair, "Now I'd ask that you don't do anything foolish- you see, Ulala Serizawa is looking to take your life for your misdeeds."

It's not exactly fully a lie! It's just also not entirely the truth. They don't ''know'' that for sure.

"Now, the police don't believe a protection detail is warranted, but on my honor as a Detective, you have my word that I'll prevent her from ending your life."

Injure? Maim? Well- he never promised that! Just that he won't let her ''kill'' him.

He asks to go to the little boy's room though, and Akechi stares at him, "Mm-hm. I'll remind you to not do anything foolish-"

Cut to VERY SHORTLY after.

This is the face Akechi is making: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/638807528437980158/

"-why do I even bother saying anything." As he glances aside at Umie, "Yes, if she kills him now- I'd say it's his own fault for escaping our custody."

Maria though says he didn't even hit him that hard and Akechi sweatdrops, "Ah Sakurai-san. If I ever upset you, please let me know so I can make amends."

For no reason. No reason whatsoever.

Akechi examines the bathroom- the open window, the side street. "I'm going to go see if I can find an eye witness as to which way he was heading."

But at the alleyway! "Sakurai-san wai-" He marvels, like startled at the display before him as she just tears off, with the speed of a track star, "-well- I have her number, so I'll call her before she gets up halfway up Katatsumuri." He asides to Umie."

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

"You don't say. He really said he'd be dating you a few years from now?" Akechi says, grinding his teeth, as he speaks to a twelve year old still in her school uniform. Who shrugs, and says. "Yeah, but he's way too old. Like- ew. Plus guys like that aren't my type."

"Haha... I'm glad to hear you say that. And which way was he headed?"

"Well I can tell you- but before you go... Could I have your autograph?"

"Of course- let me just get out my pen."

Should Akechi succeed with his investigative technique, he might glance Makimura trying to melt into a crowd, and lock eyes with him.

Kill Bill Ironside Siren - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOy6hqzfsAs

When of course- he runs after that, he continues at a leisurely gait, like a persistence predator slowly stalking his prey.

Of course- Makimura is very ''cunning'' prey.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Round 3 =================-
Goro Akechi Proficiency Failure
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Failure
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 3
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Ineptitude-2, Mindnumbing-1, Reaper-0,
Scary-1, and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Ineptitude-1 and Stupor-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> If there is something slightly more alluring to the idea of women being interested in Makimura, it's someone who, being rather well-liked and charming to ladies himself, is acknowledging Makimura's clear advantage here. "Well, you know how it is!" Makimura says...

... as if he and Akechi were ever one and the same.

But even that won't be enough to appease the man. Akechi may be an honorable detective (after all, he plays one on TV!), again, Maria is *right* there, and she *did* hit him with a metal chair.

Umie'd never do that.

Maria is not only useful with chairs, she's also an excellent runner, as demonstrated...

SHORTLY AFTER IN THE ALLEYWAY!

"You'd think she'd stop?" Umie looks to Akechi... and ponders. "Actually. you know what... she probably would." An Akechi text is an Akechi text, after all.

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

Akechi catches a glimpse of Makimura trying to blend into the crowd.

It's glimpse that the little girl is none the wiser of, and honestly? Good for her. "..... Ohoh! Could you sign this for my best friend? She watches all your TV appearances. She's your biggest fan!!" Alas, how can you say no to such a sweet smile, Akechi? Especially after she had to deal with the idea that she'll soon enough be considered prey for men like Makimura... if not already.

There really is no bottom to this pit, is there?
</poem>

MONAD: Goro Akechi has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 4: The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Understanding |
| Conditions: Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down |
| L2, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., and Stupor |
| - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It takes a while to find him, but Makimura's left quite a trail. You find
yourself ultimately outside the Clair De Lune, a fancy restaurant in Narumi
Ward, Sumaru City. A restaurant now, at a place like this?

You quickly spot him once you enter. He's at a table with another woman.

"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite
of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns,
straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it
at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you
back as soon as I get home..."

You can see his wallet on him. /It's right there/. One option clearly is to
just take it from him and show her. The other, well, surely you have enough
evidence by now to point out what sort of man he is.

Be careful! This is the upscale side of town. It'd be very easy for your
actions to be misinterpreted.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Akechi looks to Umie as she asks 'You'd think she'd stop?' and raises an eyebrow. Then smiles and nods after. "Yes I suspect you're right."

-=-=-

And then Akechi gets accosted by a fan. "Of course I-"

"Wait- that guy over there? Isn't that Goro Akechi!?"

"No way! It's Akechi-kun!"

He's gonna be here for a while. This is only right and just - to punish him for his arrogance.

SEVERAL DOZEN SIGNATURES LATER

Akechi picks up his phone and calls Umie and Maria one by one. "I believe I saw Makimura-san making a break for the train station. Given which station it is- I believe he's headed to the Narumi Ward. Shall we go check it out for ourselves?"

Now if Makimura were smart, he'd keep riding- but- the Narumi ward is what is known as a 'target rich environment' for a man like him.

They find him at the Clair De Lune at of course, a table with a a rich ingenue-
"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns, straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you back as soon as I get home..."

Akechi looks sideways to Maria and Umie- "How unsurprising. I have an idea- but first, I have to-"

The Maitre'd, Garcon Soejima- clears his throat. "Ahem. Do you have a reservation?"

What Akechi ''doesn't'' get a chance to say is that he needed to distract the Maitre'd. "Ah beg pardon, my name is Goro Akechi, perhaps you've heard of me?" "Ah! Oui! The Boy Detective-"

Well, at least he's now distracted enough that Maria and Umie can approach- but how are they going to manage that?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Where was Umie during Akechi's hour of need?

"*pant* *pant* *pant*..." Outside of a supernaturally enabled area, Umie is not a runner.

She's just about to haul out her phone to text Maria and Akechi when the latter beats her to the punch. Taking a moment to still her breathing, she answers, like she hadn't tried to run after a man and then get lost.

..... the streets sure look real different when there's lots of people on them...

A CLAIR DE LUNE LATER

"... He wastes no time," Umie grumbles behind the two. "His wallet's right there, even... He's really shameless. Akechi-kun--"

Ah, the curse of fame. But thankfully, this was a part of the plan.

Umie notably tries to act first, before Maria can.

If there's one thing the Badb and the blonde are incredibly skilled at, it's pointing their finger at someone and reciting their doom.

"... I can't believe you left me alone on that train platform... I confessed and everything..." She clasps a apricot nailed hand over her mouth. "... You... you should have told me you wanted the relationship to be open... I'm sure my parents will understand. They *did* like you..."
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Can you do this? toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria gives chase!

Indeed, there she goes... She certainly used to be a track star.

Is sometimes one given to wonder how Maria has survived this long, living like this? It's a valid question.

At least she does eventually answer her phone. "I couldn't find him," she chirps, as if she hadn't just run a distance in her school uniform of all things.

There's a pause, as Akechi, once he's free of his fan club swarm, provides her with some useful information. "Really! Narumi? That's for rich people," she says. "I'll meet you there!"

But where would a man escaping a couple of teenagers and an Umie go in Narumi Ward? Is there somewhere safe from frightning children (and one young adult)? Apparently, the answer is 'meeting his date at a fancy restaurant'.

Even Maria takes a moment to just stare at him at the table. "Wow. Adults are strange, huh," she whispers, peering at Makimura and his date. "His wallet's right there!"

First, though, they have to lose the Maitre'd. This is where Akechi fits in! And secondly... Maria looks at Umie. Who is pointing at Makimura and continuing her act from before. Maria tilts her head to one side.

"...Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?" says Maria, who is barely a level one Rogue, as these things go.

BUT NEVERTHELESS

She stretches out her hands, cracking her fingers, and rolling her shoulders. While the Maitre'd and Makimura are both distracted, then! ...Maria moves in for the kill. Which is to say, she tries to steal Makimura's wallet right out of his pants pocket.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine
and Dash! Specialty!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Round 4 -
Goro Akechi Proficiency Success
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Proficiency Failure
Can you do this? Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Hard-2, Ineptitude-1, Ineptitude-2, Reaper-0, and
Stupor-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1 and Ineptitude-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Really? I'm shocked. You took off after him so quickly." Was Akechi's response to Maria saying she couldn't find him...

NOW

Makimura freezes at Umie's entrance, while the woman with him looks confused, "Maki-chan. Who is this woman?" Makimura, used to thinking on his feet clears his throat and says, "Look- I told you about my crazy obsessive Ex right? That's her- she's been stalking me everywhere."

He looks towards Umie, and tries to say firmly, "Babe, I told you. It's over. We haven't been together for over a year now."

Meanwhile, Maria gets his wallet, and holds it up, as the woman gawks suspiciously, "Isn't that your wallet?" Makimura seems panicked for a moment, "Did you pick my pocket at the station or something!? These chicks are crazy! I'm calling the cops-!" Which is when Goro Akechi grabs a chair and hauls it up right beside him, plopping down.

"Ma'am, I'm afraid that this man is a consummate scam artist. If you'll just call this number later- I'll explain everything, you have my word."

As he holds out a business card with both hands, before turning to Makimura sliding a hand to his side. "Now then, let's have a chat." The man freezes, because there's something cold and metallic poking into his side.

It just so happens to be a spoon he purloined off the table, but he doesn't need to know that.

"A-Alright! Alright you got me! She's just- she's a demon when she's mad, man! Look you're a guy too right? Can't you give me a break-hrk!"

That's the sound he makes as the woman who's with him throws a tea saucer at his face. "I can't believe I trusted you! You- you lech!" Who then begins to storm out as he massages his cheek and calls, "Babe wait!"

Garcon Soejima clears his throat. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask all of you to leave. You're disturbing the other guests."

Akechi looks sheepish, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, sir. Sakurai-san, why don't you see to the bill, before we go?" "That's my money!" Makimura protests. "Oui- and it was also your meal." Garcon Soejima notes, as Makimura sighs.

PLACES THEY HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT OF: 2

</poem>
MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 5: Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Challenge Level 4 =================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., Chest - Add 2 |
| Item/Money/Gear., Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency |
| Down L2, Scary - Guts Down L1, and Stony - Understanding Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You finally got this fraudster back to the GOLD Gym. But there's one
problem. No matter what you say to Ulala behind the door, all you hear is
laughing! This is getting really bad.

The employees mention that there's a key to the room, but they don't have
it. They think one of the female employees had it last, but she's not on
today.

To the woman's locker room you go! There's only one problem.
There's currently a panty thief digging through her locker, holding up a
pair of her unmentionables in absentia.

As he sees himself caught, he has a deer in the headlights look in his eyes,
before sputtering out. "H-Hey it's not what it looks like."

It's exactly what it looks like. The key might still be in the locker, but
do you really want to take the chance that a guy who breaks into private
places wouldn't take the opportunity to grab a key?

He's trying to make a break for it. You can already see that in his eyes.
And if he gets out of the Locker Room or manages to call for help, he can
spin it any way he wants!!

You can either deal with this by force, or you can let it slide, in exchange
for the peaceful handover of the key.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Base!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Automap!
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Round 5 ====================================-
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Failure
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Boss-0, Chest-0, Hard-1, Ineptitude-1, Scary-2, and
Stony-2
Final Conditions: Scary-1 and Stony-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 6: Is That the Mafia or is Ulala Just Happy To See Me? - Challenge Level 1 -
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Withdraw - Complication ensues. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You get the key!

This day has been incredibly exhausting. Not only have things gone wrong at
every turn trying to keep this guy in check, but you're worried a police
report or two may have been filed against /you/. You're completely wiped
out, but you at least have the means to reach Ulala.

"H-Hey I'm not going in there." Makimura asks nervously as you get closer to
the door. "It's obvious you can't protect me from her! She's a real demon
when she's mad!"

Makimura tries to make a run for it. You're going to have to physically
restrain him and take him downstairs. "Help! Murder! MURDER! SOMEBODY CALL
THE COPS! Please- please I can't go in there! My face is my livelihood man!
Have mercy!"

There's a strange moment wherein you see four foreign men wearing changshans
walk in, spy this scene, before then standing by, milling about in the
lobby. Are they onlookers? Or something else? Odd... there's no time to look
into it.

The door opens to the gym Ulala has barricaded herself into unlocks, and
after some brute force- the barricaded objects part.

Which is when that horrible feeling arises. That tinnitus in your ears, the
pounding of a hideous heartbeat. The world flashes into a photonegative,
everything just feels wrong.

And there Ulala is, in her green dress, covered in spiderwebs, hunched in
the corner, facing away, trembling. Do her hands look... paler?

Whatever is going on- a sense of dread hits you. Something bad is about to
happen, and you're not sure you're prepared to face it.

TO BE CONTINUED
OOC Note: Receiving this card means you start the fight with the Critical
Down effect. If you'd like to investigate the men in the changshans that are
spying on you, please submit a request to staff.

Final Loot: 1 Item, 1 boxes of Money, and 2 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?'

"A lock is just a barrier with a cheat called a key?" Umie says automatically, the more experienced one compared to Maria, as she glances at Akechi, who is more experienced than the two of them together.

ONE SERIES OF TERRIBLE ADVENTURES LATER

Ulala is laughing. They went all around the ward tracking this slimeball of a human being, and she's *laughing*.

".... well at least one of us seems to be having fun." Umie's given up on her glasses, shakily collapsing them down and shoving them in a pocket. ".... Akechi-kun, you'll be able to handle any reports against us, right?"

ha ha ha she's not a minor, EVERYTHING MAY GET PUT ON HER RECORD

Except.

Umie feels it, in the air. Something that burrows behind her teeth and sticks of ichorous decay. She sways slightly, placing a hand to her temple.

No, no, this isn't great at all. Maria can't be drawn into another conflict. And with those familiar men in changshans lurking about...

".... Akechi-kun. Could you escort Sakurai-san out?"

.... is what she barely gets out, before Ulala enters, and shows them all that this is no laughing matter.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
The fact that she's laughing, Akechi if anything looks disturbed, as he puts a hand upon his chin, contemplating the matter. "We may be out of time..." He says, gravely.

"Given that I caught him in the commission of several felonies-" (Yes that meal was large enough to be felonious-! The amount matters!) "-it would ordinarily be a simple matter. Unfortunately we're dealing with Sumaru City's finest." Akechi sighs, "Yes, I'll take care of it."

He's going to get chewed out by Sae later, he knows it.

However, that's when he catches a glimpse of the men in changshans. Akechi's eyes narrow. "Yes I believe that would be prudent... this way-"

ULALA'D

TO BE CONCLUDED
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-06-04: The Gang Considers Letting a Man Die

2026-06-06T04:59:55Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: The Gang Considers Letting A Man Die''' *'''Cast:''' Goro Akechi, Maria Sakurai, Umie Akabane *'''Where:Yumezaki Ward, Sumaru City''' *'''OOC Date:''' June 04, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 19, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''There's no better way to summarize this than what was said here: "We got thrown out of two places, and had probably three separate police reports written about us which we'll have to have Akechi field."'' ---- (|=========== Monad - U..."

*'''Log: The Gang Considers Letting A Man Die'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Goro Akechi]], [[Maria Sakurai]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:Yumezaki Ward, Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' June 04, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''There's no better way to summarize this than what was said here: "We got thrown out of two places, and had probably three separate police reports written about us which we'll have to have Akechi field."''

----

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 1: Time of Joka - Challenge Level 3 =============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

There's a crisis going on at the GOLD Gym. One Ulala Serizawa, who
frequently makes use of the punching bags at the establishment has locked
herself into a room, and barricaded the door.

"Hurry..." Her voice rasps behind the door. "It's my time of Joka... before
I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO
MUCH!"

She doesn't answer to anyone who tries to reason with her to let her inside,
only demanding again and again, the one she hates the most. The employees
are standing around, discussing to themselves in hushed tones.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

Makimura. Even if you haven't met him, not only does it sound familiar. It
sounds correct. Yes, Ulala Serizawa must hate him for what he's done.

It doesn't take much to get a little more information. 'Youichi Makimura' -
a young man who's popular with the ladies, but only dates them to scam them
out of their money after a fake marriage proposal.

What's more difficult is trying to get more information out of them.

"Uh. We can't really give that out to our customers... even for a guy like
him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?

That's a bit of a problem. Either you can be understanding of their position
and try to get /some/ details out of them, or you can figure out another way
to locate the guy.

OOC Note: The Party with Maya Amano in it instead gets a similar phone call
from Ulala, rather than starting at the gym. They already understand
Makimura is a hated figure in her life, and either need to deduce where he
is based on their understanding of him, or based on whatever facts they can
gather.

Deja Vu Note: Any instance of colored text is an opportunity for a Deja Vu
insight, if you feel your character was a part of the Innocent Sin events.
This is entirely opt in, and doesn't preclude you from deciding differently
later.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Rumormongers have spread it everywhere already. There's a crisis at the GOLD Gym, with a member there barricading themselves into one of their many workout rooms.

No one has yet called the police, because, they're not certain if there's actually a crime going on here. And if there isn't, then they might just say 'This sounds like a civil matter' and leave.

However, there is ''someone'' on a scene. The famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) Second Coming of the Detective Prince. Currently he's standing near the door, a hand upon his chin as he contemplates the desperate speech of the woman inside.

"Hurry..." Rasps a woman's voice behind the door "It's my time of Joka... before I change... before... heehee- I need... I NEED-! HATE YOU- HATE YOU SO MUCH!"

"Serizawa-san... let's talk about this. I'm certain you don't want for this to escalate. Is there any chance you might let me inside, so we can work this out between us?"

Instead of a real answer, he gets a frustrated noise inside, like a suppressed scream, "LISTEN TO ME!" She shouts, "IF YOU DON'T BRING- IF YOU DON'T BRING-" It devolves into inarticulable words, as employees looking on begin to gossip.

"She must have used the Joker Curse on Makimura-san."

"That scammer? Poor girl- she's definitely the type he targets."

"Makimura-san..." Akechi repeats as he turns around to face them, "Do you mean Youichi Makimura...? I believe I've heard of him. While technically not wanted for arrest- he reportedly scams women out of their savings with offers of marriage."

Pause.

"Do you happen to know where the individual in question might be found?"

"Uh. We can't really give that out to our customers... even for a guy like him. It's a violation of their privacy, you know?"

He may be the Second Coming of the Detective Prince, but that doesn't mean he couldn't use a hand, right? After all, it's not like he seems to have time to get a warrant for the information, or the assistance of the police...

And while one can't know what's happening to Ulala Serizawa behind those closed doors, it certainly sounds like nothing ''good'' could come of just letting this happen.

</poem>
[OOC] Goro Akechi says, "*blu-ray about our customers... even for a guy like him."

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Oh! What's going on? I thought I heard--"

It's after school on a Thursday. Maria, still in her school uniform, is just standing there with her bag slung over one shoulder.

"Sempai!" she calls out, waving a hand over her head before charging onwards towards Akechi. "Hi! Are you signing up for the gym, too?"

Because that's what she was doing. Signing up for the gym.

People might have to backtrack a little bit, just long enough for Maria to get the shape of things (oh, and the giggling from within the boxing gym might also paint her a picture).

She's a more serious Maria by the time things are through.

"She's kind of like me..." Maria muses, her eyes closed in thought as she thinks it over. "...but you think you can help her? If we find this Makimura guy? And bring him here? And then she won't change!"

Pause.

"Okay! I'm on it!" She makes a fist.

Pause.

"But first we have to find that guy, huh..."

A VERY, VERY LONG PAUSE.

Maria wears the blankest expression known to mankind.

"Maybe he's... ..."

NOW LOADING

"..."

"...I liked going to the zoo. There are animals there!"

thank you, maria
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Thank goodness, someone is coming to Akechi in his time of need!

It's Maria.

Who is volunteering!

It's okay, there's also someone else coming to assist Akechi in his time of need!

"I don't know, I'd say my privacy's been pretty violated... He took me for a fool as well. My heart's never going to recover."

.... It's Umie Akabane, judging by the blonde hair, threaded through in a ponytail through the back of a baseball cap labeled with a cursive 'P' (for the Aoba Penguins, of course!), a sporty jacket, clear frame glasses, leggings, and sneakers.

Adjust your expectations as needed.

She shrugs. "But I never wanted him to get *hurt*. It'd be a real shame if someone found him and tried to hurt him in the name of this poor woman... She seems to be taking it even worse than I did. If it weren't for the Second Coming of the Detective Prince here, maybe I would have lost more than my heart..."

Pause. With a half smile and a wink, Umie tilts her head towards Maria in a quiet salute.

"Oh hey, Sakurai-kun. Long time, no see."

</poem>
MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward Time of Joka! Base!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Second Coming toward Time of Joka! Focus and Patra!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Time of Joka - Round 1 ================================================-
Goro Akechi Academics Success
Second Coming Focus and Patra Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Success
Academics Base Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Hard-2, and Mindnumbing-2
Final Conditions: Annoying-1 and Mindnumbing-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
A familiar voice. A familiar girl, waving, waving at him. He flashes her a ten million yen smile and- "Ah, not as such. I'm investigating the 'disturbance' within."

Maria asks if they think they can help her and he nods firmly, "I believe so. I at least wish to try."

'And then she won't change!'

"... Change into what, I wonder? What would becoming a 'Joker' look like?" Akechi asks, sounding somewhat disturbed by the thought. After all, he had a personal vendetta against Tatsuya Sudou, the Joker Killer.

Maria tries to speak to the employees and one of the young adult women makes something of a confused face, then becoming second hand embarrassment, "Haha- he never struck me as much of an animal lover..."

Then a wandering UMIE appears and speaks of how she herself got ''scammed''! Ah, the power of ''L Y I N G'' which Akechi knows well!

"Yes, that's so." Akechi plays along. "However it seems he failed to turn his life around and has gone ''too far'' this time. Well, that settles this. Makimura-san must be found and brought to justice."

He turns to the employees, and flashes that winning smile of his, "Now, I understand you have to protect client privacy- but- is this man truly the type of client you want associated with your establishment? Why- his very presence here seems to be a disruption to your clientele. At this point I daresay the law would have no expectation of your gym protecting his privacy."

"Well-" The young woman stumbles over the thought of having another victim, and Akechi's logic. "-things are getting pretty wild around here. And it does sound like it's all his fault."

She looks to the other employees, and none of speak up to try and stop her.

"You didn't hear it from me, but he tried to ask me out for drinks to the Parabellum once-" She looks embarrassed, "He even knew I already had a boyfriend. He's utterly shameless!"

"I see. Well thank you for your cooperation, Miss. I promise we'll be discreet."

Now, would the Second Coming of the Detective Prince ask ''Maria Sakurai'' and ''Umie Akabane'' with him on a case?

Obviously, he's a consummate little shit stirrer who enjoys the entropy of the fairer sex at work.

"Shall we, ladies?"

</poem>
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 2: Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Challenge Level
3 -
| Approach Options: Guts or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - |
| Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Mindnumbing - |
| Academics Down L2, and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It might take a long time, or not very long at all, but you're led to the
Parabellum, the Bar/Weapon's shop where there's a man and woman at the bar.

That's him. Somehow you know immediately.

Portrait of a Terrible Man:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/a/a6/Persona_2_IS_Maki
mura.png/revision/latest?cb=20140514131225

The man has frosted hair and a winning smile that lets him skate through
life on easy street, as he chats with the lady that looks only a few years
shy of forty.

"About the thing I asked about earlier... Were you able to collect enough?"

The Office Lady he's with downs a drink, as if to give her courage, before
turning to give him a hopeful look, "Yeah, I managed the three million you
asked for... I can count on you right?"

He rotates his drink in a slow circle, "Of course... with that I can keep my
research going. I'm guaranteed to become the Vice-President of the Academy
when it succeeds. And just think, you'll be the wife of the Vice-President."

She looks like she's still hesitating, at least until he adds, "I love you
so much..." And her expression melts, "I love you too... Maki-chan. I can't
wait to be your bride."

He's trying to scam his next victim! You can't let this stand right? You
have to interrupt this, but you also have to figure out a way to keep him
from getting so upset he doesn't cooperate- or worse yet, runs off.

Maybe the best way is to convince him that Ulala is going to kill him, and
you're here to help? But- it may be a tough sell.

How do you get him back to the GOLD Gym?

Luckily, fate is on your side, because Youichi Makimura is a consummate
coward, and knows just how scary Ulala can be when she's pissed.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Akechi wants to try. That's enough for her, Maria decides. "Right!"

Maybe it will even save her, if it comes to that.

Maria stares at Umie, uncomprehending like a bird regarding its reflection in the glass for the first time. She talks about how she had a hard time with Makimura when she dated him, which gets her some sympathy from the other ladies, whereupon Maria realizes that, wait, she knows this woman in the baseball hat--

"U--"

Maria is not /completely brainless. She claps a hand over her own mouth in the nick of time.

"Really?" says Maria, tilting her head to one side. "I liked the time I went on a date at the zoo." There really is a lot of difference between the world of 16 and the world of 20...something.

Still, from the ladies here, two of them are able to get a possible answer. To Aoba!

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER

"I didn't even recognize you," Maria comments, wrapping up a conversation with Umie as they head into the bar.

Maria, like a kid who's just walked into a candy shop, looks all around herself. "Wowww, so this is what a bar is like... Oh, but you don't drink either, do you, sempai?"

/because it's against the law/, maria/

There are adults here chatting over drinks, but among the hubbub, one particular pair stands out to Maria. She freezes like an antelope on the serengeti, her dark gaze settling on the man of the pair in particular. The description those women gave. It's--

''him''.

Maria starts forward, her gaze wide and unblinking as she advances on Makimura. He's still talking. He's saying how he'll make her the wife of the Vice-President. The women sighs and utters her sweet sentiments. It's very much something out of a movie or a drama.

"Are you Youichi Makimura?"

She's somewhat on the taller end for a girl, which in Maria's case is 5-foot, 4-inches. He's taller than that. She stares at him unblinking. "You hurt a woman really badly, you know."

And maybe that would have been one thing, if Maria hadn't also picked up a chair from a table on her way over and is currently holding it overhead.

You know, as a threat.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion'
to You Right Now.! Bravery and Focus!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'And then she won't change.' It slipped by Umie when Maria said it, being that she was busy establishing her 'identity'. Akechi's next question, though natural, leaves Umie to pause.

"... Surely it's not like that..." Umie says, grimacing. "... Surely..." Just because Chizuru said so, on TV... it's not like she's seen anything, right? Correction: in Shibuya, Umie's seen nothing.

..... Of course it's happening. When have things *ever* gone right for her?

The rancid feel of those thoughts is pushed away and smoothed over by Akechi just naturally building onto her lie and using it to further seek out the clue.

'Shall we, ladies?' Umie stifles a cackle. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were enjoying this, Akechi-kun." He is, though not in the way Umie suspects.

ONE SUBWAY CONNECTION LATER!!

Umie looks aside to Maria, trying not to preen herself too obviously at Maria's compliment. "<Nice catch> back there. Honestly, I should've worn the wig." Umie sighs. "First I dye my hair, then I wear a wig that's nearly the same color as what I've dyed it from." Such is life.

Like being in a bar, and not drinking! ..... not that Umie is a drinker.

Casting a glance towards Akechi as Maria steps out of ear shot, Umie frowns. "You don't really think finding the guy'd do anything *besides* make things worse, right...?"

Before she can really think, Maria is making her move. "...!" Whether or not this is Youichi Makimura (though Umie's gut certainly says it is), Maria is walking into a potential situation here.

..... And now, so is Umie, casting a smirk over her shoulder towards Akechi as she lifts her cap off, letting her blonde hair settle around her shoulders. "I got an idea..." A little primping, and she's off.

"I told you not to go up to him." Soon enough, Umie joins Maria at her side, giving Makimura a pointed grimace. "He probably has his reasons, for leaving me without a word..."

At 5'1", Umie is slightly shorter that Maria.

She's totally using it to her advantage here.
</poem>

MONAD: That Approach doesn't match the challenge!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with String Theory toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm
'Lion' to You Right Now.! Focus and Find!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Haha..." Akechi chuckles awkwardly at Maria's comment, "... well I think it's a splendid setting for a date. Which is why a man such as this can't appreciate it."

Whereas- what Umie indicates, "I certainly hope not. Still, just in case- we ought to hurry."

At Umie's accusation, he manages a small grin, "Perish the thought. After all, a lady's life is very much in danger here."

Okay yes guilty as charged.

That was one interesting subway ride now, wasn't it?

"Not as such... as I'm still underage. I am quite fond of mocktails at an establishment I frequent though. Ah- non-alcoholic versions of popular mixed drinks." He explains to Maria- and it certainly does sound like the way a straight-laced Detective Prince might prepare himself for adulthood... unlike actual teen rebels who just drink underage.

So what then is his Will of Rebellion?

From a distance, at the bar, he observes the man, his gaze becoming sharper as he hears those words- it reminds him uncomfortably much of Shido and his Mother- the idea of a woman being in love with a man, who was merely using her.

Umie asks him an important question, and he gives her a serious look, "To be frank, I think bringing him might allow us access to her without escalating things to the police deciding to take matters into their own hands. If they show up- then Serizawa-san may not make it out of this alive." He imparts grimly- and perhaps Umie can understand well why he thinks this is a distinct possibility.

When Maria stalks up with ''intent''. He doesn't even attempt to stop her. Especially when Umie charges after.

"I do believe this man is about to have the worst day of his life." He murmurs to himself, "A consequence that's been long in coming."

In fact, he decides to let the girls handle this one- while he instead just stands between their position and the door.

If indeed he's as cowardly as he suspects he is, Makimura might just try to run. But he won't get far with him standing there.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You
Right Now.! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Hey Baby, my Spirit Animals are African Big Cats Because I'm 'Lion' to You Right Now. - Round 2 -
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Charm Failure
String Theory Focus and Find Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 1
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Annoying-1, Bothersome-2, Box-0, Mindnumbing-1,
Mindnumbing-2, and Scary-2
Final Conditions: Bothersome-1, Mindnumbing-1, and Scary-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"See?" she says, to the world at large as Akechi agrees with her.

It's just that Makimura is not that kind of guy. "Oh..." says Maria. "So he's a jerk."

Worse than her own ex, it seems!

"Ehh?? That's a wig?" Maria gasps, surprised by this latest of revelations from Umie. "Wow... I never would have guessed. I wonder if I should get a wig, then my grandma would stop asking me if I'm going to grow mine out." She pauses, thinking this one though. "Oh, wait, but it wouldn't get long enough overnight, would it..." She sighs. Getting enough wigs of steadily increasing sizes is probably really expensive, too...

"Mocktails... huh, that makes sense. I've heard of those, but I haven't had one, right? Ehehe, I guess, we're not supposed to drink..." she giggles, grinning like a cat who's been caught stealing the milk.

But there's Makimura more urgently, and he has to be corralled.

Fortunately, Maria is here. She's equipped with a bar (well, restaurant) chair. Makimura looks up at the chair, still raised overhead. "Uh," he says.

Maria continues to stare at him, intent. Her arms start to shake.

Into this moment intrudes Umie. Umie, who could easily pass as a high-schooler herself in the moment.

The woman looks at Umie. Then she looks at Maria, brandishing a chair. Then she looks back at Makimura.

"Babe, no, you've got it wrong! I haven't seen her a day in my life! She's trying to get between us," he implores his latest beau-- er, target. "And I don't think I've seen the other one, either--"

This is when Maria, with Akechi watching, hits Youichi Makimura with the chair. He goes down like a lead brick. The woman with him screams and runs for the exit. Maria meanwhile squares up to hit the downed adult man with the chair again.

"Stop!" shouts the gun-loving bartender, who of course hasn't missed this at all, "What are you, a barbarian? Put that down at once, young lady!"

Maria turns towards the gun-loving bartender, chair still overhead. She glances up at it and goes, "Oh, okay." Just like that she sets it back down.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, miss. There's no room for these sorts of antics in this establishment."

SOON

The three of them are outside again, plus Makimura. Victory?
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 3: You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, |
| Mindnumbing - Academics Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., Scary - Guts |
| Down L1, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

One way or another, Makimura is in your protective custody. And he's
quickly getting on everyone's nerves by trying to chat up the guys to
convince them he's the real victim here, whereas he's trying to outright
flirt with the girls despite the situation he's in.

When you try to take him outside though.

"Ah man- nature calls! I'm not going to run away, promise. Just hold on for
a minute then I'll come with you."

Escorting him to the only tiny restroom at the bar, you wait. And wait. And
wait. Until finally someone checks and-

Yep, that window to the alley sure is open. So much for his promises.

Quick! You've gotta figure out where he went! A puddle in the back alley
gives you the advantage of a few tracks to figure out what direction he
went, or you can ask some intelligent questions of passersby about this very
distinct looking man.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Oh, nono, this is dyed." Umie lifts up a few tendrils of blonde hair, frayed to perfection. "Just that my wig's the same color as my undyed hair." Umie pauses a moment, however, remembering the distorted reflections of Maria's family members in her Kingdom. Maria must really have to deal with a lot of comments like that from her own family members, huh...

"Drinking isn't really all that it's cracked out to be." This word of wisdom from the Adult of this party, the 20 year old who is calling on.... one night of experience. She shrugs. "Mocktails are better, anyway. Aside from the calories, you don't have to worry about having too many." Or worry about the possibility you'd find yourself thinking Mai-chan's prodding excellent inspiration for how to spice up an otherwise boring night.

Akechi, however, would never have to worry about unleashing another side of himself. Or Maria, for that matter, as she..

.... knocks Makimura over with a chair.

Umie has to admit, that was pretty impressive. ER, THAT IS ".... Oh no, that was such a bad idea, don't. Ah, how horrible."

ONE EXPLUSION FROM A BAR LATER

Umie's eyelashes lower, her voice hitching upwards, just so, to indicate a sort of vulnerability as she peers up towards the somewhat conscious Makimura. "I'm so sorry... I mistook you for someone else." She claps her hands in front of her. "Please, let me make it up to you! But we really should get you looked at, too..."

Makimura frowns, unconvinced, given the appearance of Maria right there. "She's... right there."

"I mean, she'll have to file a report, so..." Umie looks up. "Please, I beg you, don't try to get money out of her because she assaulted you! With so many witnesses, she'll have no case against you!"

Maybe it's the head trauma talking, but Makimura... seems to accept this. "I... guess?"

However, a man's heart (and brain) are flighty, and given to flights of indecision.

As they get in front of Wild Duck, Makimura does an impressive pee walk. "... U-uh, so. I really need to use the little boy's room?"

Umie, looking at him from over her shoulder, can't maintain whatever sort of 'identity' she has in the face of such wording. ".... really." How does he get women to fall for him if he's talking like that?!

It's not like people can be amazingly sauve and attractive in personal one to one communication. You know, like that person Umie Akabane made out with sitting on the floor of her own kitchen because he said some nice words to her. _DESPITE BEING AN NWO AGENT_.

ONE PEE BREAK LATER

"..... Nothing says we have to put ourselves in danger for his sake if he gets his ass pummeled by his ex, right?" Umie grumbles, below her breath. "No law against it. None. Absolutely *none*."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
"Ohhh," says Maria, seeing daylight at last. So that's what's up with Umie's hair! And the wig. "Okay!" she smiles back. Question, answered!

Umie, though, does opine that drinking's not all it's cracked up to be. "Huh," says Maria. "Do you think so?"

Even Maria's not about to, er, openly reveal that she might have had a nip or two, underage. it's fiiiine

AND THEN THEY GOT KICKED OUT OF A BAR

Maria, guileless, looks over the wounded Makimura. "You're not dizzy, right?" she asks, as if she hadn't just hit him with a chair. "I think that bump should go down in a few days! Oh, but," and she glances at Akechi, as if she weren't parsing at all the fact that Umie is suggesting that Makimura might want to tag along with them all to press charges ''against Maria'', "we need you! That lady needs you!"

That lady wants to kill him, actually.

"You'll come with us, right?"

Akechi's case may be the better argument.

In any case, they don't get far before Makimura insists that he has to use the gentlemen's room, and it's not like they can go back to the bar. Fortunately, there's a fast food joint here. Maria helps by buying a soda. She ultimately drains it most of the way by the time someone checks on Makimura and finds out he ran away.

"What? He ran away? Just like that?" She frowns. "That wasn't very nice of him. I didn't hit him that hard..."

Investigating the alleyway, she soon finds that there are footprints. "Oh! He went that way!" she points out to the others. "I bet I could be a good detective." Pause. "Oh, I bet if I start running, I can catch up!" ...It's been minutes, he could be anywhere.

Too late, Maria's already doing stretches.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Marvelous form." Akechi murmurs to himself as Maria hits him with the steel chair and as the gun-loving bartender calls them out, Akechi steps forward. "We'll just show ourselves out."

Umie and Maria keep pressing, trying to feed him a story- before, Akechi plays on his cowardice, using his best boy next door interview voice, "You're a popular man today. It's not every man who earns the attention of two beautiful women- haha-"

It's a small chuckle, because he's fondly remembering the steel chair, "Now I'd ask that you don't do anything foolish- you see, Ulala Serizawa is looking to take your life for your misdeeds."

It's not exactly fully a lie! It's just also not entirely the truth. They don't ''know'' that for sure.

"Now, the police don't believe a protection detail is warranted, but on my honor as a Detective, you have my word that I'll prevent her from ending your life."

Injure? Maim? Well- he never promised that! Just that he won't let her ''kill'' him.

He asks to go to the little boy's room though, and Akechi stares at him, "Mm-hm. I'll remind you to not do anything foolish-"

Cut to VERY SHORTLY after.

This is the face Akechi is making: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/638807528437980158/

"-why do I even bother saying anything." As he glances aside at Umie, "Yes, if she kills him now- I'd say it's his own fault for escaping our custody."

Maria though says he didn't even hit him that hard and Akechi sweatdrops, "Ah Sakurai-san. If I ever upset you, please let me know so I can make amends."

For no reason. No reason whatsoever.

Akechi examines the bathroom- the open window, the side street. "I'm going to go see if I can find an eye witness as to which way he was heading."

But at the alleyway! "Sakurai-san wai-" He marvels, like startled at the display before him as she just tears off, with the speed of a track star, "-well- I have her number, so I'll call her before she gets up halfway up Katatsumuri." He asides to Umie."

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

"You don't say. He really said he'd be dating you a few years from now?" Akechi says, grinding his teeth, as he speaks to a twelve year old still in her school uniform. Who shrugs, and says. "Yeah, but he's way too old. Like- ew. Plus guys like that aren't my type."

"Haha... I'm glad to hear you say that. And which way was he headed?"

"Well I can tell you- but before you go... Could I have your autograph?"

"Of course- let me just get out my pen."

Should Akechi succeed with his investigative technique, he might glance Makimura trying to melt into a crowd, and lock eyes with him.

Kill Bill Ironside Siren - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOy6hqzfsAs

When of course- he runs after that, he continues at a leisurely gait, like a persistence predator slowly stalking his prey.

Of course- Makimura is very ''cunning'' prey.

</poem>
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Specialty!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Academics toward You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom!! Base!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== You Can't Order Me not to Use the Bathroom! - Round 3 =================-
Goro Akechi Proficiency Failure
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Failure
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 3
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Ineptitude-2, Mindnumbing-1, Reaper-0,
Scary-1, and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Ineptitude-1 and Stupor-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> If there is something slightly more alluring to the idea of women being interested in Makimura, it's someone who, being rather well-liked and charming to ladies himself, is acknowledging Makimura's clear advantage here. "Well, you know how it is!" Makimura says...

... as if he and Akechi were ever one and the same.

But even that won't be enough to appease the man. Akechi may be an honorable detective (after all, he plays one on TV!), again, Maria is *right* there, and she *did* hit him with a metal chair.

Umie'd never do that.

Maria is not only useful with chairs, she's also an excellent runner, as demonstrated...

SHORTLY AFTER IN THE ALLEYWAY!

"You'd think she'd stop?" Umie looks to Akechi... and ponders. "Actually. you know what... she probably would." An Akechi text is an Akechi text, after all.

SHORTLY AFTER ON STREET LEVEL

Akechi catches a glimpse of Makimura trying to blend into the crowd.

It's glimpse that the little girl is none the wiser of, and honestly? Good for her. "..... Ohoh! Could you sign this for my best friend? She watches all your TV appearances. She's your biggest fan!!" Alas, how can you say no to such a sweet smile, Akechi? Especially after she had to deal with the idea that she'll soon enough be considered prey for men like Makimura... if not already.

There really is no bottom to this pit, is there?
</poem>

MONAD: Goro Akechi has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 4: The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Challenge Level 4 -
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Understanding |
| Conditions: Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down |
| L2, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, Reaper - Add 1 Fatigue., and Stupor |
| - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

It takes a while to find him, but Makimura's left quite a trail. You find
yourself ultimately outside the Clair De Lune, a fancy restaurant in Narumi
Ward, Sumaru City. A restaurant now, at a place like this?

You quickly spot him once you enter. He's at a table with another woman.

"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite
of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns,
straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it
at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you
back as soon as I get home..."

You can see his wallet on him. /It's right there/. One option clearly is to
just take it from him and show her. The other, well, surely you have enough
evidence by now to point out what sort of man he is.

Be careful! This is the upscale side of town. It'd be very easy for your
actions to be misinterpreted.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Akechi looks to Umie as she asks 'You'd think she'd stop?' and raises an eyebrow. Then smiles and nods after. "Yes I suspect you're right."

-=-=-

And then Akechi gets accosted by a fan. "Of course I-"

"Wait- that guy over there? Isn't that Goro Akechi!?"

"No way! It's Akechi-kun!"

He's gonna be here for a while. This is only right and just - to punish him for his arrogance.

SEVERAL DOZEN SIGNATURES LATER

Akechi picks up his phone and calls Umie and Maria one by one. "I believe I saw Makimura-san making a break for the train station. Given which station it is- I believe he's headed to the Narumi Ward. Shall we go check it out for ourselves?"

Now if Makimura were smart, he'd keep riding- but- the Narumi ward is what is known as a 'target rich environment' for a man like him.

They find him at the Clair De Lune at of course, a table with a a rich ingenue-
"I'm so glad you were able to get here in time for our date, even in spite of that terrible traffic jam," the woman gushes, all lovey-dovey.

Oh no. Another one!

"As am I," Makimura says smoothly, all charm and smiles. Then he frowns, straightens, and pats himself down. "--My wallet! Oh no, I must have left it at home... My apologies, darling, but could you cover tonight? I'll pay you back as soon as I get home..."

Akechi looks sideways to Maria and Umie- "How unsurprising. I have an idea- but first, I have to-"

The Maitre'd, Garcon Soejima- clears his throat. "Ahem. Do you have a reservation?"

What Akechi ''doesn't'' get a chance to say is that he needed to distract the Maitre'd. "Ah beg pardon, my name is Goro Akechi, perhaps you've heard of me?" "Ah! Oui! The Boy Detective-"

Well, at least he's now distracted enough that Maria and Umie can approach- but how are they going to manage that?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Where was Umie during Akechi's hour of need?

"*pant* *pant* *pant*..." Outside of a supernaturally enabled area, Umie is not a runner.

She's just about to haul out her phone to text Maria and Akechi when the latter beats her to the punch. Taking a moment to still her breathing, she answers, like she hadn't tried to run after a man and then get lost.

..... the streets sure look real different when there's lots of people on them...

A CLAIR DE LUNE LATER

"... He wastes no time," Umie grumbles behind the two. "His wallet's right there, even... He's really shameless. Akechi-kun--"

Ah, the curse of fame. But thankfully, this was a part of the plan.

Umie notably tries to act first, before Maria can.

If there's one thing the Badb and the blonde are incredibly skilled at, it's pointing their finger at someone and reciting their doom.

"... I can't believe you left me alone on that train platform... I confessed and everything..." She clasps a apricot nailed hand over her mouth. "... You... you should have told me you wanted the relationship to be open... I'm sure my parents will understand. They *did* like you..."
</poem>

MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Can you do this? toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

<Pose Tracker> Maria Sakurai has posed.
<poem>
Maria gives chase!

Indeed, there she goes... She certainly used to be a track star.

Is sometimes one given to wonder how Maria has survived this long, living like this? It's a valid question.

At least she does eventually answer her phone. "I couldn't find him," she chirps, as if she hadn't just run a distance in her school uniform of all things.

There's a pause, as Akechi, once he's free of his fan club swarm, provides her with some useful information. "Really! Narumi? That's for rich people," she says. "I'll meet you there!"

But where would a man escaping a couple of teenagers and an Umie go in Narumi Ward? Is there somewhere safe from frightning children (and one young adult)? Apparently, the answer is 'meeting his date at a fancy restaurant'.

Even Maria takes a moment to just stare at him at the table. "Wow. Adults are strange, huh," she whispers, peering at Makimura and his date. "His wallet's right there!"

First, though, they have to lose the Maitre'd. This is where Akechi fits in! And secondly... Maria looks at Umie. Who is pointing at Makimura and continuing her act from before. Maria tilts her head to one side.

"...Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?" says Maria, who is barely a level one Rogue, as these things go.

BUT NEVERTHELESS

She stretches out her hands, cracking her fingers, and rolling her shoulders. While the Maitre'd and Makimura are both distracted, then! ...Maria moves in for the kill. Which is to say, she tries to steal Makimura's wallet right out of his pants pocket.
</poem>

MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Warm-Up Stretches toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine
and Dash! Specialty!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and
Dash! Specialty!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== The Moon is Beautiful Isn't It? I'm so Happy I Could Dine and Dash - Round 4 -
Goro Akechi Proficiency Success
Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Proficiency Failure
Can you do this? Specialty Fatigue: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Proficiency Success
Warm-Up Stretches Specialty Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Hard-2, Ineptitude-1, Ineptitude-2, Reaper-0, and
Stupor-1
Final Conditions: Hard-1 and Ineptitude-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 0, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Really? I'm shocked. You took off after him so quickly." Was Akechi's response to Maria saying she couldn't find him...

NOW

Makimura freezes at Umie's entrance, while the woman with him looks confused, "Maki-chan. Who is this woman?" Makimura, used to thinking on his feet clears his throat and says, "Look- I told you about my crazy obsessive Ex right? That's her- she's been stalking me everywhere."

He looks towards Umie, and tries to say firmly, "Babe, I told you. It's over. We haven't been together for over a year now."

Meanwhile, Maria gets his wallet, and holds it up, as the woman gawks suspiciously, "Isn't that your wallet?" Makimura seems panicked for a moment, "Did you pick my pocket at the station or something!? These chicks are crazy! I'm calling the cops-!" Which is when Goro Akechi grabs a chair and hauls it up right beside him, plopping down.

"Ma'am, I'm afraid that this man is a consummate scam artist. If you'll just call this number later- I'll explain everything, you have my word."

As he holds out a business card with both hands, before turning to Makimura sliding a hand to his side. "Now then, let's have a chat." The man freezes, because there's something cold and metallic poking into his side.

It just so happens to be a spoon he purloined off the table, but he doesn't need to know that.

"A-Alright! Alright you got me! She's just- she's a demon when she's mad, man! Look you're a guy too right? Can't you give me a break-hrk!"

That's the sound he makes as the woman who's with him throws a tea saucer at his face. "I can't believe I trusted you! You- you lech!" Who then begins to storm out as he massages his cheek and calls, "Babe wait!"

Garcon Soejima clears his throat. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask all of you to leave. You're disturbing the other guests."

Akechi looks sheepish, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, sir. Sakurai-san, why don't you see to the bill, before we go?" "That's my money!" Makimura protests. "Oui- and it was also your meal." Garcon Soejima notes, as Makimura sighs.

PLACES THEY HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT OF: 2

</poem>
MONAD: Umie Akabane has drawn a new Challenge!

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 5: Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Challenge Level 4 =================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Boss - Add 1 Fatigue on failure., Chest - Add 2 |
| Item/Money/Gear., Hard - Understanding Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency |
| Down L2, Scary - Guts Down L1, and Stony - Understanding Down L2 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You finally got this fraudster back to the GOLD Gym. But there's one
problem. No matter what you say to Ulala behind the door, all you hear is
laughing! This is getting really bad.

The employees mention that there's a key to the room, but they don't have
it. They think one of the female employees had it last, but she's not on
today.

To the woman's locker room you go! There's only one problem.
There's currently a panty thief digging through her locker, holding up a
pair of her unmentionables in absentia.

As he sees himself caught, he has a deer in the headlights look in his eyes,
before sputtering out. "H-Hey it's not what it looks like."

It's exactly what it looks like. The key might still be in the locker, but
do you really want to take the chance that a guy who breaks into private
places wouldn't take the opportunity to grab a key?

He's trying to make a break for it. You can already see that in his eyes.
And if he gets out of the Locker Room or manages to call for help, he can
spin it any way he wants!!

You can either deal with this by force, or you can let it slide, in exchange
for the peaceful handover of the key.

(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Base!
MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Bird's Eye View toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Automap!
MONAD: Maria Sakurai has acted with Go Loud toward Panty Raids!? In MY Gym?! Bravery and Focus!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== Panty Raids!? In MY Gym? - Round 5 ====================================-
Goro Akechi Guts Failure
Guts Base Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umie Akabane Guts Failure
Bird's Eye View Automap Fatigue: 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Sakurai Guts Success
Go Loud Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Boss-0, Chest-0, Hard-1, Ineptitude-1, Scary-2, and
Stony-2
Final Conditions: Scary-1 and Stony-1
-================================================= Party Result: Failure ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 1, Money: 1, Gear: 2
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

(|=========== Monad - Ulala's Day of Joker: Find the Con Artist! ===========|)
-==== Round 6: Is That the Mafia or is Ulala Just Happy To See Me? - Challenge Level 1 -
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Withdraw - Complication ensues. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

You get the key!

This day has been incredibly exhausting. Not only have things gone wrong at
every turn trying to keep this guy in check, but you're worried a police
report or two may have been filed against /you/. You're completely wiped
out, but you at least have the means to reach Ulala.

"H-Hey I'm not going in there." Makimura asks nervously as you get closer to
the door. "It's obvious you can't protect me from her! She's a real demon
when she's mad!"

Makimura tries to make a run for it. You're going to have to physically
restrain him and take him downstairs. "Help! Murder! MURDER! SOMEBODY CALL
THE COPS! Please- please I can't go in there! My face is my livelihood man!
Have mercy!"

There's a strange moment wherein you see four foreign men wearing changshans
walk in, spy this scene, before then standing by, milling about in the
lobby. Are they onlookers? Or something else? Odd... there's no time to look
into it.

The door opens to the gym Ulala has barricaded herself into unlocks, and
after some brute force- the barricaded objects part.

Which is when that horrible feeling arises. That tinnitus in your ears, the
pounding of a hideous heartbeat. The world flashes into a photonegative,
everything just feels wrong.

And there Ulala is, in her green dress, covered in spiderwebs, hunched in
the corner, facing away, trembling. Do her hands look... paler?

Whatever is going on- a sense of dread hits you. Something bad is about to
happen, and you're not sure you're prepared to face it.

TO BE CONTINUED
OOC Note: Receiving this card means you start the fight with the Critical
Down effect. If you'd like to investigate the men in the changshans that are
spying on you, please submit a request to staff.

Final Loot: 1 Item, 1 boxes of Money, and 2 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'Picking a pocket is like picking a lock, right...?'

"A lock is just a barrier with a cheat called a key?" Umie says automatically, the more experienced one compared to Maria, as she glances at Akechi, who is more experienced than the two of them together.

ONE SERIES OF TERRIBLE ADVENTURES LATER

Ulala is laughing. They went all around the ward tracking this slimeball of a human being, and she's *laughing*.

".... well at least one of us seems to be having fun." Umie's given up on her glasses, shakily collapsing them down and shoving them in a pocket. ".... Akechi-kun, you'll be able to handle any reports against us, right?"

ha ha ha she's not a minor, EVERYTHING MAY GET PUT ON HER RECORD

Except.

Umie feels it, in the air. Something that burrows behind her teeth and sticks of ichorous decay. She sways slightly, placing a hand to her temple.

No, no, this isn't great at all. Maria can't be drawn into another conflict. And with those familiar men in changshans lurking about...

".... Akechi-kun. Could you escort Sakurai-san out?"

.... is what she barely gets out, before Ulala enters, and shows them all that this is no laughing matter.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
The fact that she's laughing, Akechi if anything looks disturbed, as he puts a hand upon his chin, contemplating the matter. "We may be out of time..." He says, gravely.

"Given that I caught him in the commission of several felonies-" (Yes that meal was large enough to be felonious-! The amount matters!) "-it would ordinarily be a simple matter. Unfortunately we're dealing with Sumaru City's finest." Akechi sighs, "Yes, I'll take care of it."

He's going to get chewed out by Sae later, he knows it.

However, that's when he catches a glimpse of the men in changshans. Akechi's eyes narrow. "Yes I believe that would be prudent... this way-"

ULALA'D

TO BE CONCLUDED
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-06-01: Broken Lid

2026-06-05T04:38:16Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Broken Lid''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Kurou Ryouhara *'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya''' *'''OOC Date:''' June 01, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 18, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Kurou has been working hard at school, so Umie sees no better way of rewarding this than with a home-cooked meal of nikujaga. However, her attempt at giving Kurou a taste of normalcy is tested by the demons the two of them carry.'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed...."

*'''Log: Broken Lid'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya'''
*'''OOC Date:''' June 01, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 18, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Kurou has been working hard at school, so Umie sees no better way of rewarding this than with a home-cooked meal of nikujaga. However, her attempt at giving Kurou a taste of normalcy is tested by the demons the two of them carry.''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It started with the consideration Umie had, when Shiryuu was over. Of all the things Kurou would likely appreciate, 'a home-cooked meal' may be especially high on that list.

The consideration never got further than that, because Shiryuu and Umie started making out on the kitchenette floor (UNINTENTIONALLY) and yeah.

>> hey how do you feel about nikujaga sometime? you've been working hard with your studies
>> we can also get takeout, whatever you feel like

Umie had considered some senbei jiru, but she'd have to go out of her way for the hotpot crackers, and even if she settled for more widely available Nanbu Senbei crackers, not everyone *likes* dealing with crackers in their hotpot. (... Plus, it wouldn't taste like Obaachan's.)

She can still make nikujaga. In fact, she'll still make it on another night, if Kurou opts for takeout instead.

The plastic bag crinkles as she sets it on the only available counter space. As Umie puts her hair up into a ponytail and rolls up her sleeves, she frowns as she considers the logistics of how to handle this. Right, she can sort and chop the vegetables first, then...

The process flows smoothly, as all things do when she's thinking off the cuff, all until...

"... Tch, this knife's dull as hell..." Umie pops the side of her thumb into her mouth as she goes to the bathroom for a bandaid.

Eh, a little bit of iron won't hurt anybody, right?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
The difficulty of someone like Kurou is that you can't ask him a question and get an answer if he doesn't know what it is. But Umie remains wise in the way of handling ninja, and comes to an answer without having to ask.

>> nikujaga?

One is left to wonder what the minutes long '...' means until Kurou finally answers.

>> I would like that

Tragically, seeing his face in the moment would probably not have been any more enlightening, given Kurou's nature.

There is no need to take any detours on the way to Akabane's apartment, he decides. No, it would be better to be back sooner than later. But while the lure of a warm meal may expedite his arrival, it is not enough to dull his own edges -- unlike Umie's kitchen knife. He returns in his usual way: as unobtrusive and quietly as possible.

That might be how he seems to suddenly in the kitchen once Umie returns to it, already mirroring her kitchen preparation by having copied her hairstyle in gathering his own into a full ponytail instead of a half one.

There is a whetstone on her counter that wasn't there before. Kurou sharpens the blade with practiced precision.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Nikujaga *is* pretty much comfort food; it's hardly something you'd just buy at someplace to eat.

Like something your mom would make... for... you.

Umie stared at the three little dots as Kurou thought, her own thoughts moving in a river that slowly flowed towards an ocean of deep despair. Sure, her mom didn't cook much when they came to Sumaru City, but before that, it was a staple because it was so easy to make.

But Kurou's situation is so much different. Should she explain, or let him come to his own understanding?

Thankfully, in that time, Kurou responds, and Umie breathes easy.

Now, as Kurou comes into the kitchen, he'll hear the sound of water running in the bathroom at the other side of the kitchenette wall. A carrot is on a chopping board, half chopped, with a dull, cheap knife just smugly lying there at the scene of its own crime.

No matter; a quick wash, dry, and a bandaid, and Umie's back in the kitchenette, startling slightly at Kurou's sudden appearance, but adjusting quickly. That is simply how a Kurou is. "You don't have to--"

Wait, no. Umie considers, slipping a strand of blonde hair back behind her ear. "Would you like to help?" umie he is sharpening that knife, that may be a yes

But asking seems to be the better option, letting him feel welcome even if it's a small space. "If you can chop these potatoes into chunks, that'll speed things up." She considers, tapping a finger to her chin. "Hm... what else do I need to get out... oh! A drop lid! I know I have one stashed away someplace..."

Getting out a stool, she stands on it and peers into the small storage cabinet, reaches in. ".... Rightttt..." Reaaccch. "Here!" The wooden lid comes tumbling out as it's dislodged from its forgotten corner, flopping down to the ground. "Gh!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A smug knife that is about to be corrected for its crimes in swift decisiveness. Clearly, Kurou has wasted no time ensuring the edge is sharp, for the carrot remains just as it was, half cut, not rolled even a fraction of a centimeter from where it was last left.

"A dull knife is more dangerous, Akabane-sa--... ah..." Kurou pauses, glancing over his shoulder and gaze slowly fixating onto Umie's bandaged finger. It dips a little before he returns to his task. His motions are no less measured, but there is something just slightly lingering about the sharpening stroke. Is... is the knife being ''punished''?

But when it comes to being asked directly to help, Kurou gives Umie a little but firm pair of nods, his pupils growing a fraction in his interest.

"It will be done," he says, and his focus is immediately onto the potatoes. He takes only a moment to consider their shape and, judging via the size of the carrot pieces, determines the ideal measure of a chunk and gets to work.

It could never be said Kurou isn't skilled with a blade. Though, potato gives much easier than flesh...

Thankfully, his alert shoots back up as Umie's elongated speech suggests a moment of strain.

The wooden lid tumbles, but does not hit the ground...

... because Kurou whirls around and stabs it in the air, against the nearest wall.

He stops, looking from lid to Umie, and with a speed that might be described as ''sheepish'', slowly priest the blade from the lid and offers it back to Umie.

At least he didn't stab it all the way through...

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Hearing Kurou speak up about the knife's dullness nets him a half-grin from Umie, as she considers the bandaid on her finger. "Maybe it's angry that I haven't used it that much... in another life, it could have been the blade of a samurai. But now, it's been recycled into a cheap knife I got out of a bin."

(Nnh. Umie can also see that her nail is chipped; she's going to have to fix that later.)

Looking up from her nails towards Kurou 'punishing' the knife, Umie doesn't comment, despite how tempting it'd be, considering her mild amusement. Kurou isn't Shiryuu; his earnest, direct nature must be treasured for what it is, not teased.

"Get the eyes out too--" Umie starts, then corrects. Kurou likely gets what she means, but still, she has to make sure she clarifies. "The... buds. The skin's okay, though. I think it adds a bit of earthiness."

Kurou's watchfulness over Umie's condition is rewarded; when the lid tumbles out, it is expertly dealt with (though thankfully not all the way through, for her landlord's sake).

Turning on her stool, she considers the lid, and the newly sharpened knife being given a chance at redemption for its past crimes.

Seeing Kurou's sheepish correction, Umie cracks up as she gets down from the stool. "It's fine, it's wood." She *does* peer at the spot on the wall where the lid was pinned against, but finding no mark, gives Kurou a thumbs up. "We're clear. Even out of a supernatural domain and you're this fast? You make me jealous, Kurou-kun."

Okay, a little teasing is okay. As a treat.

"How are you on onions?" Umie gets out an onion from the plastic bag. "I also managed to snag from snow peas. Your choice on which ones you want to handle."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Patience is a valuable lesson," Kurou says, though is it to Umie, or her knife at this point? Knives almost certainly have a soul to someone like Kurou.

And if it has been patient to be wielded, it is being wielded now. The edge is corrected into sharpness, and it is put to use striking its foes (vegetables) and not its master (Umie). The second she mentions eyes, Kurou immediately and deftly scoops out at the divets to ensure all scrap of sprouting is expunged from their meal.

The skins remain, in all their earthiness and nutrients.

Then he interrupts his role as sous chef to attack a pot lid.

His eyes regain some light as Umie determines no true harm done, and he pauses before clumsily mirroring back her thumbs up. This sounds like they can still make nikujaga today.

As for his reflexes, though...

"If you wish to hone you reflexes, there are a number of drills I can assist you with."

Umie has likely spent enough time with Kurou to understand the sincerity in that offer. Kurou is attentive to make dangerous... but teasing is still one that sails overhead, never to be seen again.

"Onions," Kurou confirms, prepared to accept the vegetable for butchery-- er, chopping.

He could not face Shiryuu later if he let Umie suffer the stings of sulfenic acid.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Kurou does get it, decimating the eyes with a frightening level of skill (not really, Umie's just glad she doesn't have to cut them out herself).

The drop lid, however... it is dealt with just as efficiently. Seeing the light return to Kurou's eyes, Umie lets out a small cackle.

"It's okay. I get like that too, during the Dark Hour. It's always good to be safe than sorry."

At Kurou's offer, Umie briefly considers. That *would* be a good idea; her proficiency's been getting dull lately as she's leaned more on her magic, as opposed to her skills in hand to hand combat... "I'd like that, as long as it doesn't get in the way of your studies." Or work, but Umie... can't bring herself to treat that casually.

It'll only be a matter of time before the two of them have to face off against one another in battle. She and Kurou promised each other they'd take it seriously, but as she goes on, can she really?

.... She has to. Not just for herself, but for the people Kurou is also fighting.

"... Pick a night," she adds, after a moment of thought. "I'll make sure to be around."

That, at least, is sincere, even if teasing has its own fun when done with Kurou, especially as it's led to a new bit of potential bonding.

"Alright. Use the sink if the fumes get to you." Umie, waiting for Kurou to turn her way, offers the onion out.

Surely there's still a risk he'd cry from the fumes, being that it's just a bodily reaction, but so many things remain in the dark, for Umie.

What makes Kurou Kurou? Is it fair to ask him, as he's having a piece of hard-earned normalcy?

She hesitates a moment in thought, then places her idle hands to work in destringing the snow peas. "Didn't you say something about Amamiya-kun coming over?" she asks, instead, in lieu of a proper topic. "You two get along pretty well."

Soon enough, it'll be time to begin cooking. Getting done with the beans, Umie gets out a pot and sets it on the burner.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Better safe than sorry. Kurou nods simply, quietly, and returns back to his brutally efficient cutting.

"Such drills will be important for me as well," he says, without needing to pause to focus on his task. But then he ''does'' pause for a moment, looking over toward her. "... It will not interfere, but... Akabane-san. Added protection to your life is more important than studying."

It seemed... important to say, somehow.

It is also part of his work that Umie be watched and safeguarded, but that muddles the issue of what 'work' means to Kurou. He is a shinobi. That work is the life that he lives, and its principles the ones he lives by. If there is a contradiction, he has yet to encounter it.

Will such an inevitable battle be that contradiction? So far, Kurou has expressed nothing but the confidence that it will be fine. Two blades will hone each other for future battles, including the ones where they stand next rather than across.

Is it that simple? This is a boy who does not even know enough of normalcy to realize he craves it, let alone ask for it.

"Tuesday."

It could be any night, but Kurou finds himself compelled by a sense to let the nature of today linger before leaping into it. (... For a day. It is still Kurou.)

He nods to the sink in acknowledgment before cutting into the onion -- far slower than he had the potato. Kurou must be more cautious with this one, for it will meet aggression with aggression. Is everything a battle? ''Yes.''

"Yes. I was finally able to make him the tea I promised." Kurou stills again with his thoughts before the blade in his hand continues, refusing to chop while his thoughts are not clear. "He listens well, but speaks little. I... know how that is. I hope he has spaces where he can speak."

Could Kurou provide such a space? The idea is not without warmth, but it is not as important it be Kurou as it is that Ren have such a space at all.

What Kurou can provide is chopped vegetables, cleanly and evenly cut, and neatly sorted upon the cutting board rather than getting new receptacles for each. That this lowered his available cutting space overtime, evidently, didn't stop him.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie would be lying if she said that Kurou's words didn't make her feel some admiration for his dedication, as well fondness for how he applies himself to it. She gives him a smile.

..... But still, Umie Akabane can't let it stand.

There are times when Umie would have been blunt, pointing out that this arrangement will end someday, and he owes it to his future self to take advantage of what he has in the here and now. On the other hand, It feels painful to remind someone like Kurou of that, like reminding someone enjoying the sight of sakura blossoms that one day they will wither. Someone like Kurou likely knows that sense of impermanence better than Umie.

A kintsugi bowl was once a bowl. Now it is that bowl, but changed.

Instead, Umie combats it with another sharp blade of logic. "By improving yourself, you become better at the things you need to do. That includes your mind." Apricot pink nails stand out against the green of the snow peas as she sorts through them. "It's important to me, too."

That felt important for Umie to say in the moment, though she's unaware that a similar feeling moved Kurou.

"But a night or two... or even three? I think it'd help us both. So. Tuesday, then? Sounds good." .... oh god what is she inviting, he just stated a night just like that

As Kurou recollects Ren's visit, Umie grins as she finishes de-stringing the snow peas. "I'm glad. I shouldn't be the only one who gets to benefit from your tea-making skills."

There was a time and place where Umie had every intention of using that drop lid. She was going to cook her own meals every day, and save money. She'd make friends, work hard, and never look back. Then, Umie actually looked at some apartments, the price ranges, and how many of them didn't even have kitchens. It was the first splash of cold reality she was going to recieve, of many.

Now, the lid will be used, injury and all, and Umie thinks it just makes the lid more *hers*, for it will always remind her of this moment. One battle, hard won, but not through her efforts, but Kurou's.

"He's a lot more quiet than I was at his age." _Umie, you're like three years Ren's elder_ "He's always more interested in hearing what we have to say than vice versa." Her eyelids lower, as she begins heating the cooking oil.

The oil begins to sizzle; with some chopsticks, she begins putting in the sliced thin pieces of beef. "I hope so too. It's no fun, to feel isolated."

The beef cooks, and she stirs it around. "He seems to be surrounded by good friends, though."

And Kurou? "Have you got any friends you've made at Kasaugayama? They're a pretty colorful bunch."

She looks up, adding, "I'll need the onions in a sec, when you're ready with them."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Perhaps knowing you won't always be able to admire the sakura blossoms makes it all the more important not to spend that time lamenting their transitory nature. Or perhaps Kurou's unable to fathom the concept of true stability.

It's only ever been a thing that breaks. The bowl is changed... but, by some miracle, still gets to hold water.

Studying as important to improve the mind. Kurou, again, takes one of his brief pauses to let the thoughts flow through. They also have to keep their minds sharp for surviving the hour that isn't and the places that aren't.

"... It will not interfere," he repeats, a little quieter for the new gravity of it.

His eyes lighten some to have a night confirmed. Or even two or three. They will be able to be stronger, for all they must survive.

It is good, to be able to survive.

Food is part of survival, too. But eating dinner in front of the TV changes food. Having coffee at a cafe changed it, too. Even Ren had said something similar about Kurou's tea, and Umie, too: that even his own discerning mother might appreciate it, because it was his.

And this nikujaga...

He can't remember the last time he was so excited to have a meal.

"You listen well too." Perhaps that is why she and Ren get along with one another themselves...?

He watches as the meat cooks, and for some reason feels like he's going to remember the sizzling for a long while.

But Ren, quiet as they are, surrounded by friends... Kurou gives a blink of what constitutes surprise for him. "... That makes sense." It ''does'', but to be aware of it is a sudden moment of recognizing where he and Ren suddenly differ greatly. Ren has a much easier time with such things.

And now he's being called out on it.

"Ah..." Kurou hesitates, remembering the confrontation with Thorn Boss and her gang over the time he spent as Tsubasa's warden. Hostility and even fights aren't uncommon, but...

"No. Hirano-san is from Gekkoukan, and Amamiya-san is Shujin." Kurou's head tilts toward the side as he readies the onions. "... I never asked Niko-chan."

Truthfully, he suspects she might have a different situation. Maybe she went to Kasu once before...?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'It will not interfere.' "Then..." Umie begins, sensing the quiet in Kurou's voice, "should I call you sensei, then? Or shall I go with <teacher>?"

It's a tone that may fly over Kurou's head, playful, smug, delighting in the contrast and unexpected switchup of roles.

To Shiryuu, it's one liable to drive him up a wall, in more than one way. Thankfully, here, she's doing it not to do the same to Kurou, but express a certain protective care for her 'roommate'.

The things they do for one another, even if they're simple acts...
She thinks of the tea, or the white band of silk threads on Shiryuu's wrist.

'Because it was from you.'

Home-cooked food was something Umie craved the more her family drifted apart, unable to conciliate the differences between the multiple realities each of them faced, and the lies sold. The Order was a generous, caring organization that paid for all of Umie's medical expenses following ____.

'You listen well too.'

Umie looks up, surprised. "I think I talk more than I listen, most times." She gives Kurou a half-grin. "But with so many interesting people around me... how can I not?"

Hirano-san. Hirano-san. There's Yoko Hirano, but there could be more than one, right, even at the same school? "... Yoko Hirano-san, by chance?"

And... Niko-chan.

The onions clash in with the beef, making the sizzle heighten in volume. Surely not Niko, from Strega... but would someone like Kurou have even more reasons to befriend someone like that? "Okay, the potatoes and the carrots, next," she says, instead. "Get 200 millimeters of water, next."

Not Niko. _Not Niko_.

".... There's... someone in Strega, named Niko," she says, quietly, as the ingredients are placed in, like the mirin, and the sake, along with the water.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou easily shakes his head at the idea Umie should grant him a title for his efforts (that what it is, right?). "I meant what I said that it is more akin to mutual practice."

The way she's saying it, though... ah, is this one of those situations he is supposed to respond differently, and let her have her fun...?

There is a wisdom to Umie that Kurou recognizes, but does not have enough of his own to properly define. The 'fun' is part of it. The other...

"But your talking is like listening."

Even he recognizes that might be something of a nonsensical statement. It, nevertheless, feels true to Kurou. Umie Akabane is someone who will say something because she listened and is responding to what she heard. And Umie Akabane is someone who will say something because she heard what he didn't say.

Kurou confirms the Hirano is Yoko with a soft and simple, "Mm." She herself said they were friends, so they must be. It's convenient for his own assignment to watch after her.

But the matter of Niko-chan...

Dinner's symphony continues, joined by new smells that mix and mingle together as Kurou watches. His fascination is communicated by the intensity of his attention, broken only by Umie asking for the water to fetch.

Stega, Umie says, and nothing about Kurou's manner changes as he rises up from confirming the water's measurement to the bottom curve of its meniscus.

"I see," he says. Strega. ''That'' makes sense. The pieces fall together with uncomfortable ease. And Niko still sought his help, despite being with Strega. That's telling, too.

"Hm. That may complicate our promise to each other. But it will not break it."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'But your talking is like listening.'

Because it's from Kurou, it makes sense. "...." She gently chews on this thought in her mind.

Whether it was flooding the Phantom Thieves with as much useful wisdom as she could think up, or arguing with Shiryuu, or chatting and sharing memories with Tamaki...

Deciding to cook for Kurou, because she realized that would likely be the thing he'd respond to the most.

"Like your silence is like talking," she says back, turning the worlds back around. "Amamiya-kun's, too," she adds, to cycle back to that point, as well as Kurou's concerns.

The water is poured in, forming the base of the broth that follows, with the sugar, the dashi, the soy sauce, the sake. Slowly, it builds to a boil, where the trusty drop lid is grabbed. "Okay, this should fit just right inside..."

Thankfully, unlike her finger and the lid's entrance, this goes smoothly.

As the drip lid is put in and the heat is lowered to a low setting, Umie nods with a self-satisfied smirk "So, about twenty minutes, and it should be ready. The snow peas shouldn't take long..." Wait. One burner. "We'll just do that at the end."

So. Not only does Kurou know a Yoko, he also knows a Niko.

With the flavors of the vegetables and meat slowly harmonizing, Umie lets out a sigh, letting herself consider the matter. "... I guess it's.... not that much different from me and Shiryuu...." She waves a hand vaguely, trying to encapsulate the complex matter of her relationship with the onmitsu. "Though that is... maybe not what is going on here..." Stop trying to ship Kurou with someone, Umie!

.......... wait, why did she assume Niko and not Yoko, is that saying something about her

"I'm just assuming here. Not every Niko is the Niko I know from Strega. Was she..." She gestures vaguely, trying to indicate some physical indicators of Niko that she can remember. "About... your age? Maybe a little older?" How old *is* Niko, anyway. "Did she carry an Evoker with her?" Why would someone show that off to people blindly, even someone from Strega?! "Did she mention her friends being a thin pale guy with pale hair? Or a scarecrow looking guy in a hoodie? Or a redhead in a lolita dress? Or... a guy who carries around bombs?" WHO DESCRIBES THEIR FRIENDS THIS WAY, UMIE

please help her out, Kurou
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A silence that is like talking...

"... Is it?" Kurou considers this. Ren's silence still feels different from his own. There is a power in it that Kurou does not think he shares. But is there ''a'' power in it, at all...?

Water bubbles and boils until the sound of it is muffled under the lid and quieted into a simmer. Twenty minutes. That is hardly any time at all.

It is, unexpectedly, suddenly something like forever.

"You and the shirogarasu...?" Kurou says, his attention wandering back from a dinner future to the conversational present.

Does the assumption say something about Umie, or something about Kurou?

Kurou starts to nod at Niko being his age, with an Evoker. But his head stills, and he blinks slowly at Umie's description of other members of Strega. They never discussed the company Niko keeps otherwise.

"... She is very... pink." Her hair is pink. Her skeleton costume was pink. That's not, necessarily, an overwhelming amount of pink. But Niko ''feels'' pink. "She likes scary movies and dancing."

Is this helping?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Like communication," Umie explains, as she adjsuts the burner to encourage boiling. "Sometimes it's the things we don't say that say the most."

Like cooking, or the times when Umie looks at Shiryuu, wondering what he's thinking about, if anything at all. "Like how you and Amamiya-kun get along, even if you two aren't saying that much."

... Or how Mai-chan's silence was sometimes more of a curse than her presence, even when she began to exert more of a cynical, sarcastic tone that found itself taking root in Umie herself.

(... Don't think about Mai-chan, Umie Akabane.)
(Don't notice the tiny pale fingers slipping up between the space between the metal pot and the wooden lid.)
(Pompom, pompom, goes the palm against the underside of the lid. Let her out, let her out.)

Chopsticks cruelly stab that space, briefly flipping the opposite side of drop lid upwards, flicking droplets of hot boiling water into the air against unwary skin, if Kurou isn't careful.

Stab, stab. Umie looks up, casually wiping a bit of cooling water off her cheek. "You okay? Sorry if I splashed you there." She smirks, as she taps her chopsticks in the air in demonstration. Taptap. "A piece of carrot was going to escape~"

It was nearly enough to draw Umie away from what Kurou says, on the subject of her and Shiryuu.

"The Shirogarasu?" The white crow...? Wait. "Makes sense, with how he's wearing white all the time... But... yeah. I think it's safe to say... we're in a, uh, relationship?"

..... Why is there a question mark at the end of that sentence, Umie Akabane

The subject of Niko, however, Umie takes much more seriously, as Kurou begins to lay out those clues. An Evoker, about his age, and... very pink. ... Umie doubts Kurou is talking about Yukari, and Evokers are rare for someone to just have.

"That's her," Umie says, with a sigh. "... Just... be careful, okay? If she is, in fact, who I'm assuming she is..." Then what? Tell him to break off his friendship with someone who may not have any, outside of Strega? What does Umie even know about Niko? And again, wouldn't Umie be a giant hypocrite to just say that, when she's doing the same thing associating with Shiryuu and Kurou?

"What is the promise you mentioned? If you don't mind telling me."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou taps his finger to his lip as he is left to chew on that idea further. As a shinobi, it is important to hide information well and keep secrets. To be 'seen' by a foe would be dangerous. However, to be 'seen' by someone like Umie... or to enjoy silence with Amamiya...

"I do not make sense to many people." He is self aware of that much. "... I do not want to not make sense to you."

Even with so many things about him still deeply tucked away.

(Even with so many things about Umie still deeply tucked away, trying to crawl from under the pot lid, begging to be free.)

Kurou straightens with a flinch as the chopsticks strike, and the way he pivots and brings up his covered arm to catch the droplets with all the gravity of poisonous acid is fluid in its reflex.

"... I am fine," he tells her, but his eyes are on a drop upon Umie's cheek before she wipes it away. Kurou curls his fingers in, nails against his palm, before he finally pulls his eyes back to the pot.

A 'relationship', Umie calls it. Kurou blinks at her again. What else... would it be...? (Kurou, are you getting the nuance here at all, or...)

"Yes. You have said you like him just as he is. And you are important to him." To be protected above all else. But... Kurou isn't supposed to say that.

Wait, so does he get it?? Or doesn't he?!

As for Niko, Kurou does not contest the need for care. "I understand." It is a delicate situation... it always was, but more than he realized. But what he told Niko remains true, regardless of the rest of the situation.

"... She and I are the same. Changed. She thinks we can be okay again. I... am not sure. But I will help her try."

What that entails is not yet clear.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> '... I do not want to not make sense to you.'
"Ooh, double negative," Umie says right back, with an amused half-grin, before continuing with a softer tone. "You make sense to me, Kurou-kun."

There's a lot she doesn't know about Kurou: his past, what created the way he is now, the nature of the Ryouharas and what makes them who they are, but Kurou, the quiet boy who makes tea, someone who became lost when Shiryuu seemed to be dead and gone, who reached out to her when she felt similarly lost.

But is it because Umie doesn't know Kurou's entire past that allows her to falsely think that? Would she say the same if she knew?

In spite of that, and the restless skeleton that lurks in his soul, Kurou is kind, just as, in spite of the shrieking crow in hers, Umie still works at a konbini, biting her tongue like any proper worker would when a customer is rude.

Are either of them fine, in any way?

Kurou's actions mostly sneaky past Umie's awareness, due to how focused she was on punishing that offensive 'carrot', but now that she has her attention on him... Was the way he flinched a result of his training, or something else? She can't keep looking at him and still act like it was a casual gesture, as guilty as she's beginning to feel. "You and I are... people, with things inside us. Not the same things, but deep things. We've adapted, in our own ways."

Kurou may be more true to that sense than Umie is; despite him having more context, she still complusively acted like nothing had happened at all.

".... He is important to me." Kurou may not get it, but it may not be something he needs to 'get', when he gets the gestures behind it all. "But in a different way than you are important to me." She'll say that, and see where that leads Kurou.

'She and I are the same. Changed.'

.... oh. _OH_. That's... what it's about, isn't it? Yoko was different, if in a harmless, sweet way, while Niko... is Niko. Kurou wouldn't see a reason to treat either of them with anything but kindness.

He and Niko connect in that way. "It's easy for us to drag others with us, when we think there's an answer. I'd let Shiryuu know, just in case, if that happens."

Slipping the pot off the burner, she puts on some water to boil for the snow peas, slipping them in to boil for a few minutes. "You have a deep kindness in you, Kurou-kun. I'll trust it, in regards to Niko."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A double negative from Kurou is fairly rare, for someone who tries to choose his words carefully and clearly (and often, through this, achieves the opposite -- but that's neither here nor there). His brow scrunches to have it pointed out, unaware it was born of his own focus on something he felt more deeply than usual he needed to avoid.

"Oh. It is."

Kurou, drawn to kintsugi, clearly yearns to piece broken shards back together. But if he has shattered, he has not yet spoken of the fall of his past, or the crash at the bottom. Perhaps it was more of a tumble down a long staircase.

But the skeleton refuses to be buried, and does not have to be fine to prowl the night.

Kurou's gaze dips as Umie compares the two of them. "... Yes," he agrees. "It seems so."

Umie Akabane is a kind and warm person. It does not seem fair if she has also had to fall and crash.

"Mm. I think you are important to me differently than you are important to him," Kurou notes easily. So ''does'' he get it...? He is back to watching the pot, eyes dilating in his growing anticipation despite the gravity of their conversation.

But Niko. She is like him, and he is like her. It feels almost like... a coin, flipped on its head. One who cannot smile. One who smiles too much. A skeleton with a permanently grinning skull. A daughter of strife with an empty stare.

"... I would like it if she were right," Kurou admits. But he nods to Umie. "I do not intend to keep secrets from him." This issue may come along with what Kurou decides is a secret and what isn't.

Accused of kindness, Kurou's eyes lose focus. He absently presses his thumb into his palm, and turns it to run the nail gently over his skin. A blade is neither cruel nor kind. It strikes with pragmatism toward a goal.

"I do not think that is true. It is people like you and Niko-chan have been kind to me."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie really shouldn't laugh, when Kurou's brow scrunches, so she instead pushes it behind a grin. She understands a little of why his wording was the way that it was; Kurou is many things, but when it comes to words, he is not careless.

To say this instead of something more direct means that there is a reason.

"But it makes sense." Within the whole that is Kurou, that she's seen, in this space where she is relaxed, and not guarded.

'It seems so.' That, too, is an intentional choice.

There are massive differences between them, Umie reflects. As distant and uncommunicative as her own mother is, Umie's mother is not in prison. Umie could, at any time, pick up the phone and call her. (And yet she doesn't, nor does her mom call her.)

Umie has a basis of normalcy that has persisted, despite everything Umie's done to subvert it.

She needs to be aware of it, and how these moments that she extends to Kurou may mean, to him.

"Yes. It's like that." Kurou seems to understand that much, at least, and it may be all he really needs to understand.

Kurou voices a want without being asked; Umie pauses, registering how important that is, from someone like Kurou. "For her, or for you both?"

The accusation of kindness may have been a step too far, and its existence may be due to the difference between the two of them, Umie thinks in hindsight.

Maybe she'll take a cue from Ren, instead of telling Kurou how he should feel.

"... Why do you think that?" The tone in intentionally neutral, as she puts the snow peas in a bowl of chilled water, and lifts up the drop lid, testing the potatoes and carrots with her chopsticks. Satisfied with how soft they are, she adds, "Could you get out two bowls? I think we're done."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou does not always understand why Umie smiles -- or even laughs, though she resisted today -- but it is part of what makes up Umie's warmth. It is better, when people can smile and laugh how they want to, when they want to.

Regardless, he still made sense, and Umie still understood. So even imperfect speech is not rendered incoherent when someone is listening...

A mother from a ninja family who makes herbal tea and that Kurou worries he will not impress. Whether that is Kurou's own insecurity or one handed to him has yet to be seen. Even this moment of a home cooked meal, meaning so much to him, obscures -- for now -- if it's because normalcy was broken, or because normalcy is foreign.

Shiryuu and Umie seem normal enough to him, at least.

More important than the ''what'' is the intensity. And Shiryuu's feelings for Umie are clearly very, very intense. Yet Kurou still remains plagued by the instinct he's not supposed to say that out loud to him or to Umie...

So. It's 'different' for now. And that's good enough.

As to his own wants...

"... Both." Yet he looks to his nails, pushing at the cuticle and chipping at the older polish. They're blue for now. But he'd been thinking of trying gold. Like kintsugi...

Whatever uncertainties and hesitations have entered his thoughts do not find a way to piece themselves together. Instead, there is the matter of kindness. Why does he think that?

"Kindness is a luxury. But I do not mind, as long as a bloody knife can keep other hands clean."

His demeanor makes a subtle shift as Umie declares dinner is done, eyes alike and body quick to fetch bowls. So quick that if Umie should glance back to the pot, it may seem as if Kurou has materialized with the dishware, his eyes gone nearly puppy-like again.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Why does a blackbird laugh? What is the meaning of 'a blackbird smile'?
What is a shirogarasu?

So much of Kurou is a mystery, but unlike a mystery of a lock, Kurou is a person. If the past several months have taught Umie anything, the matters with which Persona Users have to deal with, no matter a Kurou or a Katsuya or a Tamaki, they are as delicate and individual as Umie's own.

Of course, that Umie may present some mystery to Kurou itself, as well as to the nature of what her relationship with Shiryuu is, is something Umie hasn't realized.

She is, after all, a normal, boring adult (she does not actually believe this!!).

'Both.' Umie's chopsticks lower. How like Kurou...

"I hope so, too." Her eyelashes lower as she looks towards the pot. "Maybe that's why they're all looking towards that thin, pale guy for guidance: her and that bomb guy, or any of the others."

She makes a decision, as she taps an apricot nail against the countertop. "If you need help, or need me to feed information to a group, let me know. I'll want to respect my alliances with different groups, but sometimes... you need someone who at least knows how to appear 'normal' to get information."

As for kindness...

It's not as cruel a response as it could be, in some ways. What can she say to that, and to that face? Smugly say that killing is wrong, just because Joker was effective in making an impression on her? Only a coward would let herself be influenced so easily, when matters like that sometimes are far more complex.

If people where in danger, what would justify her own inaction, especially if it meant someone else would keep their hands clean?

And there Kurou is, with bowls in hand, with a look that stands opposite what subjects they were just talking about.

Umie smiles. "Let's eat, then, eh?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Is it possible that the world is a place where Kurou understands Umie and Shiryuu's relationship better than the two of them...? It can be an absurd reality, but surely that must be too much.

Kurou's eyes set back on Umie with a quickness of surprise. He hesitates, but makes his own decision as he nods. He is to protect Umie, but... Umie has her own things to protect, as well. "... Thank you. That may prove necessary. Niko-chan would have sought my help if Strega's guidance was providing what she needed."

Strega may prove an enemy on multiple fronts. But that's fine by Kurou.

Kindness... Kurou is not one for unnecessary cruelty, but that does not kindness make. Tending to the material needs of a prisoner, delivering a swift death to a foe, or testing the conviction of those who must face greater foes...

None involved would see him as kind. Kurou has no inclination to think they should.

To make Umie does not completely withdraw into herself after a brush with the NWO, or to see Niko restored to the self she misses, or to play skeleton hero for terrified children... that must be something different.

But those thoughts seem to all but evaporated as he stands before Umie, bowls in hand, with yearning for nikujaga in his eyes.

''Let's eat,'' she says, and Kurou nods emphatically.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-05-17: Rain for Two

2026-05-24T21:58:07Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Rain For Two''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Shiryuu Ryouhara *'''Where:''' Umie's Apartment, Shibuya *'''OOC Date:''' May 17, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' November 10, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Despite everything that happened in Aoba Park the night before, ordinary life can and must go on. Thankfully, it comes its own benefits: mundane routines, old friends, and unexpected bonds, like the one she has with Shiryuu Ryouhara, who s..."

*'''Log: Rain For Two'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
*'''Where:''' Umie's Apartment, Shibuya
*'''OOC Date:''' May 17, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' November 10, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Despite everything that happened in Aoba Park [[2026-05-16: Revelations: Persona|the night before]], ordinary life can and must go on. Thankfully, it comes its own benefits: mundane routines, old friends, and unexpected bonds, like the one she has with Shiryuu Ryouhara, who should be her enemy. Unfortunately, the two of them just can't be trusted to keep from descending into terrible, wonderful mischief.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Yesterday, Umie dealt with Tatsuzou Sudou's right hand man, someone that seemingly came back from the dead. A walking corpse, constructed like an fleshy, eyeless automaton, full of gaps and cracks where blood, far, and muscle would be. An avatar of a 'god'-- her 'god', for all intents and purposes.

Kotodama, wild cards. Arcana. Mechanisms and games that go far beyond her head, a chess board too large to understand. All of them, pawns, and she, simply acting like she had any chance of overcoming the thing that possesses her soul. What should have felt like a victory over another one of those massive shadows is now spent refusing to look at anyone's faces, shame and despair infusing her every thought.

..... And then, she had to go work at her retail job the next morning. This morning, Umie dealt with an elderly woman who complained that she should be honoring her one day expired coupon because that was a policy about people over the age of 65 and older somethingsomething blah blah blah.

..... It's times like this she could really go for Ren being there, if just to shoot him a covert look of 'you heard that, right??' while reinforcing the policy of respecting your elders, blahblahblah because she's an adult, and they're on camera. However, Ren was not there today, which isn't unusual in the slightest, given the nature of their job. He is a normal teenager, after all, and is not, in fact, recovering from being stabbed many times by Black Mask.

"So what did he do then?" Umie clicks open the door to her apartment, holding her phone in her other hand. "Toki, you seriously said that to him? Really. Uh-huh?" Shoes are taken off, aail goes on the counter, and a look is cast around. Kurou is not here, which means...!!

b a t h t i m e

Chatchatchatchat. "Uh oh. Really? Yeah." Jacket is taken off, uniform sloughed off, replaced by sweats as Umie shifts her phone from one ear to the other. "Uh huh. That much? Sure, but how is that going to work with... oh yeah? Right." The bathroom door is cast aside with all the drama of an opera's first act. "Really, yeah?" Door closed. "And then?"

Sweats taken off. "Yeaaahhh. That sounds like a hassleee... Sheesh... your day's been way more stressful than mine." And it's the truth, technically. Running a business *is* stressful. How does Toki do it?

"Listen, when you go home, draw yourself a hot bath, and just relax. Remember the bath oils I gave you for your birthday? Use some of that. Takes the stress right off." .... Which is what Umie is doing now, in fact, finding it in the tiered caddy by the sink. "That's what I'm going to do in fact. Yeaaaahhh, you caught me. Was it the echo? ... What, you think I was going to do *that* on the phone with you? I have *class*. Yeah."

Water is turned on. "I'll let you go. Been a loonnnngggg couple of days," Umie says, with a performative yawn for her friend's benefit over the phone. "Catch you later."

*click*

And Umie submerges herself, letting the water get just below her nose. "brblbrblburblburbl," goes her mouth, under the water.

Just normal, boring adult things.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
WHOP.

The late autumnal chill cuts through the tiny apartment mercilessly, a brisk temperature belying the otherwise perfectly comfortable afternoon. The rolling breeze cuts in through the window, leaving the sash to rattle audibly in its sill against the wind, opened far further than it should be.

That's when a set of sneakers can be seen, padding past the door and across the living room, for their owner to politely shut the window, pressing it closed with two hands, a small bag dangling from the crook of his arm.

He'd been busy, organizing the tightening of supervision over the Ijuuin in the wake of recent events. Investigating things that shouldn't be investigated, if one were to listen to the bride -- not that Shiryuu ever made it a habit to listen to anyone trying to warn him from anything.

Telling the shihaisha of the Ryouhara clan that something is dangerous is like telling the storm that the earth is dry. Shiryuu alone makes the decision of what to avoid and not to avoid -- it is, in fact, this ill world's luck he doesn't decide to annex this so-called Blacksite entirely.

First, he has to find it.

But then, his spies had informed him of some sort of situation occurring during the Dark Hour. Unfortunately, he has other uses for Shuuhei, Kouhei and Kurou, so the space between hours remains an infuriating blind spot. But several people were involved, it's said, and ..

...enter now.

He hadn't seen Akabane in some time, and the way he moves though her kitchen it's very clear he's not taking a deep interest in her immediate affairs, the slight pause and tilt of the head. His hearing is sharp; aside from the conversation, the boy can easily hear the water running while her bath is drawn.

Attacking her to test her reflexes while her guard is down is tempting, but no. That wouldn't turn out well.

In the kitchen now, he checks the fridge. Severe, critical glance. A tiny sound made with his teeth, and the boy slides the cloth bag off of his arm, the sleeve of his haori dropping to its full drape as he takes a glass bottle of apple juice and a loaf of wrapped shokupan from the bag and sets it on the counter absently. "Mmm," he decides cryptically.

Really, Ryouhara gives the kitchen his approval quietly, folding his arms grimly across his chest once he adds bread and milk to it. But then the shinobi pauses, as he hears something.

"Hey...what are you bubbling about in there?"
His hearing is very sharp.
"Akabane, stop drowning. Don't make me come fetch you."

Shiryuu, all business, has no concept of 'hello.' If she drowns, she just got back from work, right? It would be absolutely part-timer related.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Several people were involved, and, judging by Umie's behavior, she likely was involved as well. And even if she wasn't, well, she was likely involved in *something else*. That is the way of Umie Akabane, serial nosy person.

But, as Shiryuu may agree, one person's 'nosy' is another person's 'preventative surveillance'.

The fridge, likely thanks to Kurou's good influence, is in great condition. Healthy, nonexpired foods are packed into the tight space, just like how the apartment isn't a mess, but organized and clean.

Shiryuu can be confident in making any assessment that he may make in how his and Kurou's influence have helped Umie be a proper adult, in an apartment that *doesn't* have clothing strung about, or paint water just out in the open, ready to be accidentally drunk instead of some much healthier fruit juice or tea.

Sinking back into the tub, Umie completes the ritual of 'blowing bubbles in the bath water' and relaxes back, unaware of the danger that is stalking her apartment. ....Well, that, or she's not commenting.

Hearing a voice, Umie perks up.

Ah. Shiryuu is here. Umie should have known he'd visit, regardless of whether or not there was an altercation.

"I'm taking a bath," Umie says, amusement somehow finding its terrible way into her voice in spite of how hard she tries to act annoyed.

She debates. Stay in the nice warm tub and soak, or go out and be with her 'bond'?

'Don't make me come fetch you.' She lifts up a foot out of the water, wiggling her toes. Hm. Hmhmhmmm.

"You promise?"

Shiryuu's sharp ears may detect the hint of a widening blackbird's smile in those two words.

"Hey." And like that, it's like nothing had happened.

"Do you happen to know what a Kimon Tonkou is?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It's literally only preventative surveillance when you have spies to assign. That's the benefit of being the person in charge. Or so Shiryuu would assert.

He spends some time considering the kitchen before making his call. To be fair, the grey-haired boy doesn't claim any influence over the kitchen -- that would be exclusively Kurou's attention to detail straightening the devil's life out with the benefit of Ryouhara clan discipline and self-restraint.

'Discipline and self-restraint' take on an entirely new meaning where it concerns Shiryuu.

"IIy," the boy grouses wordlessly, immediately taking a severe outlook on the matter of Umie's reply. A formerly smooth and authoritative voice tightens down into a full protest. "You can't just ... freely invite someone in when the situation is ... like that," he complains!

She can hear the little snap of silk outside the washroom, the sound of wind being beaten as the boy's haori gets very animated very quickly. The blackbird is almost assuredly getting censured by the boy's better nature. Quite a lot, by the sound of it. Odds of how involved the boy is?

If he were still pointed towards the counter, Shiryuu could have cut the shokupan into slices with his bare hands.

The sound of his haori dies down with a notable -flumph.- ".... it's not fair," Shiryuu settles on. "If you're dying, it's fine, but..."

She's clearly not dying!!
"...you're not allowed to drown, anyway." the boy remarks.

Unfortunately, with Umie not dying and the place being fairly put away for once, there's nothing for Shiryuu to fixate on, a situation that leaves the lord of all shinobi under the steel moon standing awkwardly in a kitchen with nothing to be upset about. Wait, what was that sound? Was she getting out of the bath?? No, she just got in it, that would make no sense.

Oh, she asked him a question. Thank heavens.

"...ihh?" Kimon Tonkou? ".... It's an ancient technique, isn't it?" He's heard of it. Barely. The boy scratches his temple, folding the red bundle of his sword down under an arm so he can untie it from the back of his obi, as if the notion had just reminded him. "Something syncretized from Chinese history. I didn't grow up in the Akayaten, so I wouldn't know... there's a page in our manual that talks about a ninkou, Kimon. But the last person who saw one probably died in the 1800s."

What is an Akayaten? Well, Shiryuu's not paying attention, so he wouldn't know to explain what they call the Ryouhara complex in Iizuna, or why growing up there would have been important for the purposes of more completely answering the question.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'You can't just ... freely invite someone in when the situation is ...'

"I wouldn't know. I've never been able to get to this point," Umie coyly quips right back, then pauses, thinking on her wording.

Never been allowed? No. She disallowed herself, because there was always something there, waiting to complicate things. Just the existence of that barrier was enough.

And she wasn't the Umie Akabane she is now, taking on the mantle of someone who challenged and poked back when things pressed beyond that barrier. She was certainly easier to date, back then. Boys liked her, but for the same reasons they liked other schoolgirls: she was very pretty, acceptably guarded, did well at school, had ordinary hobbies. Liked holding hands and the rush of a relationship, maybe even kissed a few.

Then, she'd drift off, or they'd drift off of their own thankful volition, saving Umie the trouble.

Is that what someone like Minako is going through, right now? What about Yukari, or Hitomi, or any of the other number of SEES members? Mitsuru, even... would someone like her even date?

Even if they didn't have a nagging, teasing manifestation of what infected their soul...

.....

She's not allowed to drown.

"Shiryuu."

If she says that question aloud, unchanged, it'll feel like one of those questions that happen randomly in romantic comedies.

Instead she listens to him talk about Kimon Tonkou, letting herself smile as she tries to decipher his response. "... Ninkou... that's those things your family does, right? Special techniques."

"And Akayaten... is that a temple? Could you tell me about it?"

It's not the question she wanted to ask earlier, but she wants to hear him talk more.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
'I wouldn't know,' she says. "Iih?" Genuinely confused, it takes Shiryuu the space of an eyeblink to sort out his feelings on the matter: Vexed. The boy is officially out of space to think on it, his head wrapping around the ideas presented thereafter.

"....Why do you ask about those old things?" he shoots back, quickly, hands laid flat on the red bundle he's laid across the counter. Fingertips play at the edges, at the pretty purple braided cord keeping the bag secured snug around the sheathed blade. Carrying it in public would invite too much attention, but like this...

"'Ninkougakujutsu,'" the boy clarifies. "A method of tying miracles to the world. An art created by the genius, Ikou Ryouhara. A ninkou is the material manifestation of the will of Ryouhara in the natural world, that's all. The Akayaten is one such ninkou. It's...beautiful. The clan's compound, where I was born. It is..."

The word, the concept, is audibly hard to imagine for him.
"...our home."

He sounds uncomfortable with that idea, that last, instead busying himself with the tying and retying of that ornamental cordage, with the sage-o wrapping around the sword's sheath, exposed with a tug of the bag. "Anyway, the manual, the place, to say any more would be..."

It would be dangerous, he thinks. He's already told her previously it's on Iizuna, in Nagano, already a questionable decision, he thinks. But the nature of ninkou, 'that manual,' and this... to know any more, she would have to be..

Shiryuu pushes the thought out of his head with some effort, trying to find the words to follow the question earlier -- ostensibly the real reason why he's here. Instead, he finds himself fixated on other things entirely.

"...What's that mean, anyway... 'you've never been able to get to this point?'" He cinches the sword bag shut again, snugging tight the cordage about the bag's fold over the hilt with determination. "...is our.." Another audible struggle. "... is it not going to your liking?"

There are some things they are very far apart on, he's painfully aware. A little dark thought trickles through the back of his mind. Perhaps it was all him, in the end. Will it still have color, a year from now? Or will it be like everything else ...

..black and white.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "You're probably already aware that something happened the other night at Aoba Park, given how many people were there."

There should be an explanation here, in the silence that follows. Too many seconds pass to make her next sentence feel natural, even if Shiryuu had audibly answered her back.

"... The giant shadow was apparently making some kind of death cult, and everyone got to see what happens, when someone is exposed to the Dark Hour, without a Persona. One of the most terrible things to learn about, if you think about it too hard. And, well, when you got something like that making a giant stench in the middle of Sumaru City, the Order's going to come in and yell 'no, that's mine', and, by god, it was *terrible*."

"Usually, any relationships I have of this kind can't ever go this far," she starts in, with a relaxed tone. The bath helps, feeling like a little cocoon she can safely be in, while still interacting with the outside world.

Unfortunately, by that same token, she can't see Shiryuu's reactions or realize what effect her words are having, outside of his tone of voice, or the noises Shiryuu makes as he walks around her apartment.

".... It's too dangerous."

'Is it not to your liking?' She should answer him directly, she thinks.

She doesn't, because the two stark words don't hold the meanings she wants.

Black and white.

".... I thought of you, last night. As something that night showed me, with not even a word just how insignificant I am, and how nothing I did, or ever will do, will ever be more important than the moment I was given over to 'Him'."

Mai-chan was just a colorful drape thrown over an abyssal god. Each word was all Umie, translating what her psyche could never understand. Every word in that voice, the childish laughter, the spiteful, sometimes coaxing words were just that possession further driving in those stakes, like a growling, guttural noise cast through a computer filter to become words. To make the obscene seem friendly, and to twist her younger self to find things more appealing, and to drive her away from things that would draw her away.

That darkness.... that was 'Him'. .... Or was it? Is that just another mask?

".... I figured, hey, if being forever possessed by a force domineering my very soul was inevitable, then it meant I could push it to a later date. <Pro-cras-i-nate>." Such a sinful word, in a Japanese society.

She never married the two thoughts together, did she?

"... What I'm saying is..." Reddish brown eyes stare at the ceiling.

".... It'd be a shame, to never kiss you again, Shiryuu. Or hear your heartbeat. Or fight with you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"You do have a way of finding all of the worst messes," the boy reflects, chagrined. There is a note of fondness in his voice -- but only just so, lest his bond think the Shirogarasu gone soft even in this, an unforgivable condition.

He seems fond and familiar. Even if he takes a spot in the middle of the so-called kitchenette, sliding down the sparse cabinetry to set on the floor heavily, a long sigh trickling out just underneath his breath, a handful of grey hair to keep the strands out of his eyes as he leans back, the low sling of his torso letting his head rest just underneath the line of the counter. His sword still sits there, laid across the length of the counter. The length of the daito and its packing makes the space seem smaller than it is.

'It's too dangerous.' The words he left unspoken are spake, the lilt of her voice coloring them instead of his own. The context -- of secrets, of their bond to one another -- varies, but the meaning remains entirely the same. The boy doesn't pursue the cursed notion in the back of his mind, letting it fall by the wayside like a ribbon as she invokes belonging to something without a name.

Who, truly, can that thing be? Shiryuu has no mooring or real understanding to think of it in any terms other than that which he already knows -- the ghost of that ancient warlord...

Shiryuu doesn't know why it bothers him.

"...you don't belong to anyone," the young man says, a idle braid of heat cinching his voice restlessly. "It's like..."

"'Gravity.'"

The word is plucked out of the ether, without any context or preconception. "All around us... a great force conspires to remind us of our mortality. It holds us to earth, reminds us of the weight of armor, of silk, of the burden of living. We think that because of its omnipresence that it's some inescapable rule, or incontrovertible law..."

"....but then, why is it so simple to blow a leaf into the air?"

He worries at the ties securing his pants. "If things like 'gravity' are so insurmountable, then why can a bird do it trivially? What explains the lift of a sword into the air? The storm? The night sky, and everything that exists above the moon?"

Shiryuu shakes his head slowly, discarding a hand from his hairline to lay across his knee. His mind strays along the intimacies of her admission. "I ... thought about you too." Then, when Yua said something along the lines of the same.

Her kiss. The feel of her hands in his. The way she smiles so fearlessly.

"...There are greater forces than venal gravities," the boy thinks.
"No matter how deep it goes, you're not doomed, not without my consent."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'You do have a way of finding all of the worst messes.' "Speak for yourself," Umie purrs fondly into the humid air, checking out a crack in her nail. "I didn't make an enemy of the Phantom Thieves."

She shouldn't sound so fond, when she says it, given how she regards the Phantom Thieves, and regards Joker and Mona as trustworthy friends-- if to a point.

Her eyelids lower, her lips following in a frown in turn. Joker and Mona have figured out she hears voices, just like Sudou did. How can they even trust her anymore?

Should she be trusted? Can she even trust herself, or what she sees or feels?

... Even if it's a feeling, that she feels for someone else on the other side of that wall?

Even if it feels warm, when she holds onto it, listening to Shiryuu's words?

LIke gravity, water droplets falling from the curl of a tendril of hair, into the waters below.

"Adversity. For every sun, there must be a moon."

But then, she thinks, continues on that thought, why is it so simple to fall in...?

.... Goddamn it. Goddamn it. The boy is being unbearably smooth. Why can't he be like this when they're around others? Ren must think she's nuts, putting up with someone so grumpy.

....

..... Maybe he is then, too, but it's just never about subjects like this, that make her heart beat a little faster and make her wish to abandon her warm cocoon of a bathtub.

"... Then you'll chase me across the sky as well?"

The water shifts, as she gets up. It's not going to be drained yet; she can always go back to it, depending how long this takes.

Sometimes the moon has to chase the sun. Or is it the other way around? Is she the sun, and he the moon?

Is she the rabbit or the fox? A rabbit certainly doesn't dry herself off and go to the fox, dressed in sweats, which Umie, after putting on other garments, is slipping on.

Her hair is toweled off, but still wet, as the door opens.

She glances around, seeing Shiryuu on the floor, and sits down besides him, letting her head fall against his shoulder, if he allows it.

"You can't just say things like that and get away with it, Shiryuu..." she murmurs, almost like a threat, if she wasn't sitting there besides him, her breath soft.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A harsh, sharp scoff. The Phantom Thieves. "It's unfortunate," he allows. "But ..if they want to spit into the storm, they're welcome to do it," the grey-haired Ryouhara opines, cavalier. "They should be counting their blessings that I don't decide to make them my enemy in return..."

The boy is, in a rather circumspect fashion, pointing out that he has no specific quarrel with the Thieves no matter what their bearing is towards him. Things would be proceeding very differently if Shiryuu took any particular umbrage -- luckily, the matter seems to shell him, the boy shifting body weight in slow, uneasy surrender.

He honestly sounds more nettled about the insufferable Akabane's riposte than the idea of having to fight the Thieves.

One is normal to him. The other...

One arm joins the other, and the grey haired boy rests his chin between his crossed arms, breathing out a warm puff of air to soothe his nerves about other matters entirely, far heavier matters. Even his mind couldn't quite connect the affairs of Akabane and Ijuuin, and that interminable gloom that seems to follow them around like a funeral procession.

Will he chase her? "If it's what's needed," Shiryuu replies without looking towards the washroom, his brow set, his eyes sharply forward. If he has to, he'll find out what that doom is, and he'll cut it, the same as any other obstacle.

"If it's what you want."

Shiryuu does seem to make an important distinction.
"I don't... think you should put a free bird in a cage," he considers, as if searching for the right connection, as if mulling over what he would do.

A flash of his first day, learning the estate in Akita as a child.
"...Hopefully, you open the window," he decides.

It's enough to distract him, ebough that he isn't paying attention with those sharp ears of his. So it does make a little more sense when the boy responds with alarm when Akabane comesc out of the washroom, light spilling out to alert im. "!"

"H--hey, wait, what are you doing, I said a window, n-ot--"

It might sound good when the young man says it, but no matter how determined he is, he's not really going to be ready for -- "Y-your hair's not even -- you're going to catch a cold in this weath --"

Determination gives way to confusion and alarm in fast respect. He cycles through this and about six other dire protests in rapid fire as Akabane decides to come over ('hey you didn't have to, you were supposed to be enjoying--') and sit on the floor ('th-the floor isn't okay for you!!') next to him ('wh, what? what did I say?') in sweatpants ('...th, i guess that's fine though..')

By the time she's settled in, Ryouhara's surrendered (lost all knowledge of) the point he was trying to make entirely. Having long since lifted his head from his arms, he only relaxes to breathe outward. Sword. Long. Sigh. She can feel the pensive tension drain out of the boy, quite possibly despite himself as she leans closer.

Instead of fighting her off and putting her back in the bath to finish enjoying herself like he rightfully should, the boy uncrosses an arm, to let Akabane's hair drip over his haori behind him.

The boy surrenders the tiniest welcome of a kiss at her hairline, turning just so, just slightly.

"...you know that water's going to be cold after awhile, right?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'But ..if they want to spit into the storm, they're welcome to do it.' The corners of Umie's lip turn up in a smile. "That's why I like them." Like a heartbeat of a collective rebellious spirit, springing from nothing like cherry blossoms.

But in the same way, they could disappear, if the Order properly focused on them.

She's not sure of the extent of Shiryuu's mettlings, or really understand why, but it makes her wonder: is she even worse than Shiryuu, for just letting it continue?

... Then again, it's not like she's particularly trustworthy, even to herself. It's clear from Kandori, at least, that her situation is specific to her and her alone.

'If that's what's needed.'

To be left alone, unseen, unpercieved. Wouldn't that be a part of what she...

'If that's what you want.' Umie catches the second half of Shiryuu's sentence.

.... No, being alone was never what she wanted. Coming home to a lonely apartment, crying in her pillow, the way she looked at her cell phone, knowing her parents would never call just to check on her. Not only that, they couldn't. It was all by design, in order to free herself.

'I don't... think you should put a free bird in a cage.'

Now she comes home to Kurou, and tea, and ask how he was doing. He still needs to be rewarded for those grades... she couldn't figure out what to do, but maybe it's as simple as a meal. Not from Big Bang Burger, but... done here. A homemade meal.

Because this bond comes from people like Kurou and Shiryuu, it didn't feel like a cage. it was Umie, forcing her way into Shiryuu's.

Just like she does now.

The gremlin leans into Shiryuu with a cheeky, indulgent smirk, then presses her still damp face against his shoulder like a stray cat just let in from the rain. "Then you'll just have to keep me warm, won't you~" she murrs into him, letting herself settle against his scent (which is getting wet, she could have done a better job of toweling off), and the sound of his voice (his protests). The way his body relaxes, and the feel of that tiny kiss at her hairline.

The water might get cold. "... And you might leave," she answers back. "It'd be too dangerous to leave that to chance, hmm?"

The mundane trials of daily life, and a visit from Shiryuu. What more could she ever ask for, to cleanse the worries of that day?

.... And what of Shiryuu?

"So what's an Akayaten or a Kotodama, then?" Well he's just going to have to deal. "They just sound like the sorts of things you do."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
The dauntless wind of silk finds its way about her -- the boy is not as animated, hardly the gremlin hellbent on drying off using -his clothes- as opposed to the perfectly good towels he's fairly sure she owns. She's a girl, right? They all have a bunch of towels. Why, then, is he starting to get damp? It's an inexcusable situation...

But these are questions Shiryuu might ask, ideas he might express if he were inclined to be more animated. Instead, the drape of his haori settles over the troublemaker's back, a hand finding its way to the narrow of her waist. She's on his shoulder, so he can't quite reach much further -- a practical affair that Ryouhara seems ill intent on fighting.

"W-- well," Shiryuu shoots back oh-so-eloquently, lifting his eyes to the ceiling. "I guess I could do that ... warm .. you.. up??" He tries to focus. The vibration of her voice is nesting somewhere in the small of his back with every word. "I know some ways, I mean. -- Not like that. Ah... the ways I'm referring to, that is. Not that I don't know anything. -- listen, I'd guess I'm okay, but that's not what we're talking about."

Authority. Shiryuu's fallback plan is foolproof.

It's something of a benefit that she seems to have more questions. It's well after a bit of awkward silence that Ryouhara blinks. "Ehhh?"

Beautiful. He'd described the Akayaten as beautiful before, as a ninkou. But what is it? "It's a building in Nagano, a location where the four crows meet. But ... it's not a safe place for outsiders."

There is always the lingering question of 'his responsibility,' what gives the boy trepidation. A question is not just a question, though she may be full of them. Shiryuu is painfully aware that there are answers that could curse a person forever. As someone who is his 'rival,' who consorts with those whom have claimed him as enemy, is it really okay for her to have that information? Would it do more harm than good?

Speaking of information...

The boy's eyes narrow, eyelids shuttering once and twice in quick, concerned succession. "Kotodama? What did you get into out there?" he wonders openly, shifting his weight just so that he might draw her a touch closer -- the boy is serious, no matter how damp his sweater's getting. "The idea of Kotodama's something different entirely."

That's a harder one to explain. In truth, the only reason he knows is...

"...I'm looking into it. It's a mechanism involving the rumors of the city. I don't use it, but..."

The rest, left deliberately unsaid. There are many levers that Shiryuu has only just now begun to pull after a life spent in the dark, but there is obviously something about the subject that gives the boy pause. He looks away, reminded of something better left to ghosts.

".... hey."

The idea of ghosts reminds him of something she'd said. "... I wouldn't leave, you know."
Shiryuu is still not looking directly at Umie.

"...you're my responsibility now."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It feels luxurious, being so selfish for once, letting herself enjoy the simple company of someone she's grown deeply attached to, despite every reason she has to do the opposite.

The right answer would have been to never entertain the thought of forming a connection to someone who's an enemy. To consider all of the Order her enemy, and to enact revenge on them, as she said to Akechi. They've been the cause of everything, after all. The Kirijo Group may have been an outlier, but that could have still been the Order's fault. They've just hidden their tracks, like they always do.

So why did a young man decide, against all reason, that she was worthy of anything other than derision? To deal with her anger, jeering, and paranoia, and all the poison she lobbed at him for simply being there, as the Enemy. She didn't even treat her newfound fellow 'veterans' that well; one fit of the massive shadow's delirium was enough to make her turn against them, despite how gracious they were to her. And to keep standing while everyone else fell that night... that couldn't have been by chance, either.

'She could still be saved'. 'Full of sin.' Coward.

Eventually, they'll come to know what she did that night, years ago, and they'll all hate her. Forbidden knowledge, gained by forbidden means... There is only one way someone would know what happens to a person when they're exposed to the Dark Hour.

What was indulgence becomes something else, as she holds onto Shiryuu, lost in that centralized flow of thoughts, all around her. Like the haori, around her shoulders, and the hand, that finds the narrow of her waist.

And in turn, her thoughts go pleasantly blank, just enjoying the simple feeling of being touched, and touching someone else. 'I know some ways--' "Mmn. I bet there's ninkou for that." 'Not that I don't know anything. --Listen, I'd guess I'm okay--' "Usually you say you're perfect, not 'okay'." Umie says, having lost the thread of his words.

Wait. ...UH "What were we talking about, again?" Drip, drip. Umie's hair, blonde creeping into the barest hint of dark brown roots along the natural part along the center of her head, drips mercilessly against Shiryuu's haori, smelling faintly of yuzu fruit, from the bath oil.

It's honestly sort of fun to hear a little bit about Shiryuu. "... Sounds like a dreary place, if it's not safe for people to visit." Perhaps it's always been Umie's curse to seek out and ask about cursed things, and then be dragged down by the things she finds, no matter how innocent they seem.

Last night has not one of those nights, however. Too many questions are left behind, and Umie's mind is still unable to settle on answers, finding every theory a hot stovetop ready to burn her fingers.

"I didn't get into anything," Umie lies. "It's just a word." Like 'Arcana'. That she knows, if in the abstract. Archaic? Mystery? "... Wait, rumors? Like... something caused by rumors?" But what is that something, then?

The blackbird seeks her curse again, and again, though Shiryuu manages to strike an end to it with his silence.

And, with that, offering a crumb of something even more valuable than something forbidden, even if it may be the most cursed thing of all: something to treasure. "...." Umie is struck dumb by the way her heart beats just a little faster, regardless of the last part of Shiryuu's statement.

She could... let herself think that this is something that's safe for her to have, that it won't be torn away from her.

".... You'll chase me, if I want it," she echoes in a soft murmur, attaching his earlier words to that statement.

No, she can't just be passive in this.

".... I'll chase you too. If I need to," she quietly affirms.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu has never been explicitly uncomfortable with touch.

It's not a frequent sensation for him, truthfully -- touching Shirogarasu is a punishable offense in the clan, and most people are not fast enough beside, nor enjoy his 'acceptance' to the respect where he even would take up that kind of bond with them. But, that's not to say that no one ever has.

The days in Sendai were short, and the nights were mercilessly long.

He has to wonder if those ruthless nights were the same as this, the way 'that boy' holds her close, even as she soaks him almost all the way through with her haste, the way she causes him -so- many yuzu-scented problems.

Speaking of.

"A--ah???" the shihaisha starts when Umie suggests ninkou. "Y-- even if there was, that's not what miracles are for...! You'd get trapped! Or -- I can't kiss it better if it gets burned off!"

The boy's grip is -buried- in Akabane's sweatshirt at this point as he gives her an alarmed shake. Back and forth. Wobble wobble. "Akabane! Don't burn anything I can't reattach off...!"

It's literally the quietest, mildest protest one person has ever levelled against anyone else. But it's so firm. Such is the importance of ninkou safety.

The boy settles. Eventually. Enough to puff strands of silver hair out of the way. He's very quiet, for a minute.

'What were we talking about again?' The boy frowns in consternation, reminded that they were, indeed, talking about something.

"...Ieeehh... it's not like I'm ... that kind of person..." Shiryuu finally manages, sometime after Umie interrogates his suspicious lack of ... broadcast proficiency. His lips are pressed in a tight, thin line.

*bonk* "Hrmph." His head rests against hers, in surrender. Ostensibly, he's not shaken her very far from his haori, though he still claims fistfuls of Umie-adjacent situation, as if the boy forgot to have an off switch.

Eyes slide down to the floorboards, his glance dropping. He'd said the Akayaten was beautiful, but her opinion weighs on him. Part of him riles to protest, but...

...wouldn't that be cruel?

"I suppose you're right," the grey-haired boy concedes quietly. "Just a word, is all. But it's said that words have power, if enough people believe in them. Most of all in Sumaru. Or so it's said. Isn't it like the human heart, having power over ideas?"

The boy lifts a hand, pressing it gently into the fabric over Akabane's heart. He can feel it when her heartbeat goes. Like a plover just before the dive. "If it matters enough, an idea can have power too," the boy thinks.

She's into something, he's not so naive to be unaware. But...
"... I wonder what happens when the chase ends."

Did that boy in Sendai wonder the same?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There's more than one way that one becomes acquainted more with long, sleepless nights than brutally short days.

One could place those days in Sendai alongside days spent in a town that no longer exists, or a transitory city that never mattered, due to what happened afterward.

One could compare and contrast, and find the logic and clues that lead until now, where two crows sit on the vinyl flooring of the kitchenette, one dripping hastily untoweled moisture against the other, gripping each other close.

There's passing voices in the hallway, a college student making their way to their form with a friend, their words drifting off outside the edge of the two birds' hearing. The whirr of the small fridge, turning on. The quiet thump of something above. Sounds of normalcy, of mundane life.

Then, a silence, but one that is equally as mundane.

It would take nothing to shatter it; a siren coming close and stopping, a sharp noise of fire or a bullet. It is persistant in its insistence that it is resilient, but fails to truly do so.

Just one of life's many hilarities, just like the one that causes Shiryuu to shake Umie over things they don't name...

.... or how it inspires that little blackbird smile on Umie's lips. "Oh? Are you suggesting I'd be better at it, mm?"

Ninkou safety is important, Umie Akabane!!

What were they talking about, again?

.... Maybe it was how cute it is, when Shiryuu puffs his hair out, just like that. Little things like that, forming the druze crystals on a geode, imperfect and beautiful.

Like the way their heads meet, natural silvery grey against hair that had no business being any other color than dark brown, as nature intended. Or how he has handfuls of Umie's sweatshirt, the grey material soft and worn in his hands.

How cruel would it be? To give Umie that knowledge. Whether it's to correct her on how beautiful a place is that she could never safely visit, or...

Other things.

"... Rumors can make a thing become real, even if it's just a word. Sumaru City has always been like that, as long as I could remember." Maybe, whatever it is that fuels the Mark? Maybe it's just a rumor too, one of many.

Such ponderings can only be dangerous, if allowed to sit too long. Umie is into something, as she always is.

It's only natural to have to press that reset button, whether by intention or through Shiryuu's own meanderings, like he does now.

With his fingers pressed onto the fabric, Shiryuu can hear Umie's heartbeat easily enough, as well as how it begins to pick up in tempo.

'... I wonder what happens when the chase ends.' Umie's eyelids lower, her mouth opening slightly.

".... What do you want to happen?" she asks, just above a whisper.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"!!! You reprobate..."

Shiryuu's lips purse -- he's absolutely not feeding into bunned depravity right now. "If you think I'll just let you get away with causing trouble as you like, you'd better think again," the shihaisha warns her.

"....it's like you're aching to be in trouble with me," he thinks.

It's easy for the boy to forget where he's put his hands, the feel of the napped blend of ostensibly warm fabric balled in his grip, so lost is he in the sensation of her quickening heartbeat under his palm, the spread of fingertips along her collarline.

Those fingertips curl. Now, head-to-head, the boy can share a single breath with her, the citrus scent of yuzu and the bathwater weaving inextricably along the scents of the street and the rain. Layers are shed, and the boy's words are smaller, to fit neatly into that space.

"It was used a long time ago in our clan," he admits, and the subject does not appear to be a kind one to him -- like so many others. "It's dangerous," he tells her, as if warning her. "Would ... something real even matter, in the end?"

The question hangs open like a wound in the sky. What even is the dividing line between 'real' and 'unreal'? Would they even know? If something simply is, how would you tell? Was it always real, and would that power give someone the ability to simply uncover it? Is the entire world a lie?

Perhaps he was never meant to survive the knife.

It's hard for a mind to turn away from that kind of thinking, what is and isn't, when no reasonable mooring exists to determine the contours of such a liquid concept. There had been many Rumormongers he'd put to task for the exact reason of finding out, but...

... to date, none had returned to him.

A small blink is the only betrayal of exactly how far the boy had spun, and how far his mind has to return, with the meeting of their eyes. It would be easy to think more -- to let his rational mind break up the rational world. But it's something very irrational that holds his attention now. Tactile, and the keyed warmth that they share, the scent of her and the sound of her whisper in her ear.

Though he might stray far from the moment, there is something about the little vex that keeps tugging him back. It's all too easy to lose his sense of self in the conspiracy of gazes. Is it what that 'bond' means?

A smile appears, unsure, watery, broken only for a moment as if itself a guilty confession. Damn her. "I..."

The boy sighs low, dark and distant. Truthfully, the only thing that isn't at question is a matter of his talent. It doesn't take an awful lot to lift her knee under his, to politely hook her leg around his own and tug her in close, even as the boy leans back. He cedes her just enough space that she might could worm free if she tried -- but his claim is undeniable, and snug, tucking her thigh into a leg lock as he reluctantly removes his hands.

"....I guess you do want to be chased," the boy thinks aloud, as he slides out of his haori.

Fine, he surrenders.

Seeing more than the shihaisha's wrists is an uncommon occurrence. And yet -- the grey pile of silk settles in a dampened halo around their hips as the boy unceremoniously reaches to his waistline, and strips off his thick wool sweater. Somewhat bizarrely, it doesn't mean much -- the boy still has yet another layer on underneath it, a snug-fitting tank buttoned at the neckline and what looks to be a light ballistics vest snugged around his midsection revealed.

It's hard to tell in any other circumstance -- Shiryuu is actually rather lithe, core built in long, sleek, hawkish lines as he strips off the heavy wool layer, spinning it over his head around a wrist. If she's paying attention, she'll see the bangle around his left wrist before it disappears into his sweater, and a familiar cord tied around the right. If she hasn't escaped yet, the onmitsu will lay his arms across her shoulders, bracketing the troublemaker -very- close to him.

The boy wears a jade magatama necklace, fitted very close to his neck.

"It's an unfair question to ask..." Shiryuu thinks, dutifully. He'll pull his sweater off the rest of the way, somewhere behind her. "What I want, that is.."

His lips are inches from her own. He's very distracted with her.

...and then she'll feel her hair being tugged, bundled up into his sweater as he ties the dense wool into a makeshift towel around her head. His sleeves will end up as her rabbit ears -- he's alarmingly good with knots.

But the onmitsu never actually means to concede her any more space. He is very content to sit inside of the makeshift pretzel with the little vex, claiming the crow's share of all of her, arms around and relaxed.

"I think," the boy mulls in grim satisfaction, "this is a good start."

He doesn't specify exactly what he means by that.
Not much time left for any of it, not when the boy closes the last few inches between their lips, and the light between them is occluded entirely by a kiss.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
The scent between them arrives somewhere in water: translating places and experiences, the distant secrecy of streets and the sacred, smaller space of a bath.

It's the perfect space, for a warning, albeit one that arrives too late. Umie, as usual, has messed with something she shouldn't have.

"I tried using it, once," she relates. "After Sudou attacked. I wanted to protect the people that worked there, and it just backfired." Her eyelids lower. "... Like Amamiya-kun." Even if she didn't know him as well back then, he seemed like he at least *wanted*, in some way, to offer some help. She managed to throw him off the trail before he could suspect that much, but it remained a small point in his favor.

To protect the normalcy of people like him and others there she's grown fond of... it felt like a good idea at the time.

... She should have realized good intentions were rarely good enough, especially for someone like her.

She could have lost herself there in those thoughts, but when Shiryuu's fingers curl inwards, those thoughts scattered like petals in the wind, intentionally flowing alongside Shiryuu in his musings.

'Would ... something real even matter, in the end?' "Are you afraid we'll disappear if we ever tried to figure it out?" Umie asks plainly-- too plainly, like it's a question she's had to pursue.

Is that what kotodama is? A question of what is real.
What belongs to the rational, and what belongs to the irrational.

To find an answer... may be the sort of forbidden knowledge that could hurt a person, just by knowing, if it's enough to do this to Shiryuu.

...

Is this what a bond means? Like seeing that watery, unsure smile and feel such affection for it, because it was from him.

Or how their positions change with a simple positioning of his leg, barely using any unneeded force. If there was ever any question that Shiryuu was going too far, or that Umie was uncomfortable, the ever widening coy smile and the way that it reaches into those impish eyes should help answer that question, or her single cackle.

"I do," Umie murmurs in reply. "When I want to be." Her lower eyelids raise, overshadowed by lowering eyelashes, as she sees those two familiar bracelets on each of Shiryuu's wrists. "And sometimes, I like to be the one who's chasing, too~"

She doesn't escape. No way does she ever want to, right now, as he sheds that sweater--

"....... don't you ever overheat yourself, wearing things like that?" Umie balks at the ballistics vest. "Can't manage things like that outside a supernatural-type zone very easil--"

If Shiryuu ever wondered what sound Umie would make if he ever manipulated those hair buns... he'd be out of luck, because Umie's hair is down, right now. However, he gets to hear the sound Umie makes when that down hair is held back up in what is likely the most expensive method of toweling up wet hair, ever.

One of the rabbit ears flop over one eye, causing Umie to blow it aside, much like Shiryuu did earlier. "... Did the wet hair really bug you that much?" she says, flatly, but not without its fair share of amusement over Shiryuu's problem-solving prowess.

They're... very close. They have been, this entire exchange.

This... is a good start. But to what?

Before Umie has a chance to act on that, Shiryuu beats her to it.

His kiss is answered by Umie's fingers, curling gently through his hair, as she leans in and loses sense of herself inside that first kiss.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Would they still exist? The question lands like a brick in a pond, and it openly gives the boy pause and cause to consider. Eyes turn harder and less willing to admit to any sort of weakness. The Shirogarasu would never openly admit that kind of fear -- it would be unseemly.

It would just be like her, he reflects, to protect the part timer. She was always doing things like that, endangering herself to look after the children. A hundred questions and frayed anxieties occur to Ryouhara, and part of him is fast urged to warn her away from being foolhardy, from putting everything on the line.

"...not surprising."

She was always doing things like that, he reflects, frustrated.
To look after the children.
That heat burns warm, and Shiryuu doesn't exactly know when vexation turns to endearment.

"...mmnh," he manages, tangled up somewhere in his own determinations. He doesn't have it in him to say, but neither is he so driven so as to insist he has an answer to it as an invincible agent of the night, as he is wont to do. No, she is not tangled up with that person -- it would make things easier, simpler. Instead, his stormy mood rolls over.

What he's afraid of losing is the same thing he struggles to avoid losing his own focus in. With a curl of the leg, they're pulled together tightly -- what would be a firm leglock is something a little less simple, faced eye to eye with Umie as Shiryuu drapes sleeveless arms over her.

"Does a sword?" he replies easily, or attempts to. "I don't recall that ever being a rule..." Who said that simple armor requires supralunar power? Only training, and though the layered soft vest is not -hardened- with plate against ballistic attack like Nahara has insisted more than once it should be, training with the added layers is something he's done since he was small.

Rightfully, he should explain that it's simply another of his ninkou, that his training is excellent, that it's lighter than it looks. But truthfully, the boy is lost when he pulls her closer and she _smiles._ It's like a lotus in full bloom, and it'd be an extraordinarily dense boy to miss the sentiment. Rightfully, he should say a lot. Rightfully.

"ah... it's only a little warm sometimes," he admits instead.

The young man shifts nigh-imperceptibly as he rallies into something involving comfort, and both tones of his brown eyes look down between them to avoid the intimacy. A sharp, bemused smile is almost entirely hidden with the electric awareness he has of her breathing, her voice in that moment. Hands slide from around her shoulderline to resting on her shoulders, the warm press of metal at one wrist a contrast against the silken cord at the other.

'Did the wet hair really bug you that much?' she asks, and Shiryuu remains solidly elusive on that point. "I liked it," he remarks noncommittally, even avoiding cracking a smile at the crowbunny. "But you were getting me all wet," he points out instead. "It feels better like this, doesn't it...?"

And then they kiss and the moment warms up, chasing a heat unfettered in the soft, dark, sweet sounds that follow. She takes a fistful of his hair as if in revenge. Instinctively, the onmitsu's touch shapes her, taking sharp, firm hold of the crow's hips, dangerously low on her waist. He follows the rhythm of her breath, and the ambition of his warmth.

It's a good start. To everything that happens after that.

And that.

And that...
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-23: The Old Guard (And Then Some)

2026-05-22T04:06:22Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: The Old Guard (and Then Some)''' *'''Cast:''' Eriko Kirishima, Maki Sonomura, Masao Inaba, Tamaki Uchida, Umie Akabane *'''Where: Narumi Ward, Sumaru City''' *'''OOC Date:''' April 23rd, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 29th, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''With concerning events as of late, Eriko sets up a meeting for all those involved in the SEBEC incident, as well as Umie Akabane, a fellow normal, boring adult who happens to have a Persona.'' ----..."

*'''Log: The Old Guard (and Then Some)'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Eriko Kirishima]], [[Maki Sonomura]], [[Masao Inaba]], [[Tamaki Uchida]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where: Narumi Ward, Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 23rd, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 29th, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''With concerning events as of late, Eriko sets up a meeting for all those involved in the SEBEC incident, as well as Umie Akabane, a fellow normal, boring adult who happens to have a Persona.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Sumaru City's Narumi Ward is the newest part of Sumaru City, only being built in the last ten years. It is home to many things- but residential living is not one of them.

The closest thing it has is Hotel Pleiades, a five star hotel by the bay. The place for the rich and wealthy traveler, Hotel Pleiades is outside the budget of most Sumaru residents, and the restaurants and retailers within the hotel often are too. Even the omnipresent Satomi Tadashi pharmacy chain doesn't have a presence here.

So for Eriko to ask that people meet her at the Pleiades seems very out there for her. Especially when she says to ask at the front desk for a 'Matsuoka'.

When someone does, they are escorted to an elevator, where there is a brief encounter with what must be hotel security- a quick once over with a metal detector and a pat down and they're cleared to enter- with a security guard to accompany them to the penthouse.

(Umie gets two security guards. Fascinating!)

When they are allowed into the penthouse, however, it's not Eriko greets them but a large, muscular man wearing a suit pants, a white dress shirt and a vest. And he doesn't greet them so much as glare, assessing everyone who enters.

Apart from that, the penthouse is nice- and for those in the know, laid out like a situation room. Multiple computers and TVs, server racks, radio scanners- oh, and security. Lots of security.

After an uncomfortably long time, The last person to be allowed in is Eriko herself?

"I'm sorry for the delay, everyone!" Eriko says, but there's a tinge of frustration on her face as she enters- and one might notice she's wearing indoor shoes already. "Ah, one more moment."

Eriko approaches the much taller man. "This wasn't necessary, Matsuoka-san. These are my comrades- and his too."

Matsuoka looks to her slightly deferentially, but still fiercely. "Security is my role, ma'am. My job is to see what the two of you might miss- be it due to biases or carelessness."

Eriko frowns, but she can't deny the point, frustratingly. "Is everyone here then?" There's some anxiousness in her voice right now, even if she tries to hide it.

"Yes. He sends his apologies."

That, at least, lets Eriko breathe a bit. She can tell why Matsuoka might be cagey- there are unknown factors here, even if most of the group can probably connect the dots on who they're talking about.

"Well, in that case," Eriko says, before turning back to those gathered on the comfortable couches provided by the Pleiades- though Eriko herself stays standing.

"We're overdue to touch base, I think. About the Joker Killer and about the Crawling Chaos. Any questions before we start?"

It's easy to see that Eriko is focused on keeping her composure right now. After all it's really the first time talking about it all with outsiders- and what it means.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
It is pretty unusual to be asked to go to a hotel like ''this''. But Maki trusts Eriko, and so when asked, she shows. ...She dresses up a little, though. If she's going to be somewhere like ''this''...

The average 'nice' isn't good enough. Instead of her usual black and white, tonight's colors are burgundy and pale yellow. She was ''not'' the first here.

She closes her eyes, focusing on Resonance, as she gets a feeling about...

Well. They open again once the front desk answers her call. The elevator, the security...

Hmmm.

She knows Elly is here, at least. That's what counts. But she's growing more distant as they go 'up'... Curious.

Maki is pleasant. The security get 'hellos' and 'thank yous' because she's nice like that. And then, when they're let in to deal with the security, and it's uncomfortably long...

A glare, hm?

Maki sits quietly on a couch, and waits. She is serene, somehow, despite all of this. Mark is here too, after all.

"Elly-chan," Maki says warmly when Eriko shows up. "I don't mind a little extra scrutiny. But it does tell me what whatever you had to discuss is ''very'' important."

Her good cheer fades when Eriko mentions the Crawling Chaos, though. She looks down, her short hair moving with her.

"..."

"So 'his' Persona--that entity--is back."

"...Are we sure that the Joker Killer is gone?" she asks. "That's my question."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem>
Masao 'Mark' Inaba knew that there was no escaping discussing this when Tatsuya Sudou invoked a very dangerous name, full-throated, and was (as far as he knew) the only man on the zeppelin who fully grasped what that meant.

Sure, you got weird anomalies like that intense kid in the bright red clothes and then that cartoonish-looking Man in the Black Mask (whose menace and threat was anything ''but'' cartoonish, given the hostage situation), but when you were one of a handful of Persona-users that fought and survived a man that invoked the name of a dangerous Persona that overtook its wielder, well...

...If he had to be honest, he wouldn't have expected that Eriko would've had some manner of access to a ritzy place like this, unless she's managed to have better luck getting in touch with they-both-know-who than he has.

There is an awkward period of time where Masao, unnaturally ''early'' to all of this, finds the time filled with Matsuoka staring him down and not at all being receptive to questions or small talk. The tension abates - gradually - as more familiar people filter in, though not without trepidtation. Is this a good idea?

...Well, the big man hasn't thrown her out, or him for that matter, so...

The confirmation that '(someone going unnamed) sends his apologies' has Masao just internally going 'huh, he has his hands that full, does he.' Being a resident assistant must be even more of a hassle than working in a dry cleaner if he can't make it here now, of all times...

Masao's made himself about as comfortable as he can be on the couch, leaning forward, elbows on knees, just all 'yeah, this is happening,' wearing far more tension in his body language than Maki is. He admires her quiet strength with all of this.

'So 'his' Persona--that entity--is back.'

"That guy - Sudou - was real clear 'bout that name," Masao confirms. "To Maki's question about whether the Joker Killer ''is'' gone...

"Unless they were really puttin' on some theater there, nah... he got beat to hell and back, and then a Man in a Black Mask shot him. The guy wasn't at all gentle 'bout his final moments," Masao waves a hand.

"We all fell in the water and had to swim all the friggin' way back to shore. There wasn't any other place to swim to. That Zeppelin went down in flames. Whole thing was like a movie set..."

That whole series of events still weighs on him now, in just how outlandish the scenario was - up to and including their survival.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Perhaps third to arrive, middle of the pack like she usually is, it isn't Tamaki's first visit to Hotel Pleiades. Last time, she and Eriko enjoyed a meal together at the restaurant, Clair de Lune -- much to Tamaki's starry-eyed delight at the time. She knew that Eriko was capable of getting a reservation to the restaurant, but ...

It comes as another shock to her middle-class self when she realizes that this conversation is happening in the hotel's penthouse. As Matsuoka guides her to the elevator and hotel security checks her person, realization dawns, and in wide-eyed surprise she quietly and repeatedly stammers "E-eh?" while she glances around in daze. How? Why? What??? Huh?????

Sight of the Velvet Room's doors manages to dampen her sense of awe and amazement. The memory of someone playing piano music bubbles up in her mind again, shoving a certain familiar pharmacy chain's earworm out of her head for the time being.

(The most onerous part of her security check comes in assessing the contents of her bag. A variety of writing implements, notepads, snacks, drinks, medicines, bandages, recording device, lotion, makeup, personal grooming supplies ... to start. It's all very mundane stuff, there's just a lot of it.)

Still somewhat reeling from being in such an establishment, she nods at the other two once she arrives. She's overly polite, like she isn't sure of how to act in this situation. "Sonomura-san. Inaba-san. How are you both?" She does smile slightly more genuinely when her fencing club alum finally shows up after a delay. "Eriko-chan."

Tamaki winces a little bit when Eriko says they're 'overdue' -- in her own case and in her own estimation, by several years. Better late than never, she supposes.

She shakes her head. Initially, she asks, "No questions currently, but I imagine I'll think of some as we go."

She goes very still at Maki's question, then after several moments, she hesitantly turns her head to face her old classmate. "I, uh ... I was inches away from him when it happened. I'm no coroner, but I'm pretty sure. People don't survive holes in their chest that large, Awakened or not." Out of habit, she idly rubs one of the coins on her choker.

"... 'His' Persona, though?" Tamaki raises an eyebrow and folds her arms. "The painter from a few weeks ago? Or ... one from a few years ago?"

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> .... Two security guards, huh.

Standing at a smidge under 5'1", Umie adjusts the pink windbreaker over her turtleneck, which conspicuously has generous enough sleeves to cover both wrists.

'Look at them, treating you like you're the enemy...' A quiver of a wince is all that Umie gives, to betray the presence of the exact reason those two guards are even there.

Instead, she looks from one to the other. "My, my, Uchida-san, look, they're concerned about my personal safety..."

Umie knows the real reason-- or, at least, understands at least one of many.

She notably doesn't do anything else beyond a comment, remaining quiet as they come into the lush apartment, after all the security checks. Both Tamaki and, to a limited degree, Masao, make the part of Umie's mind feel a little less like it wants to leap out out the door and run screaming out-- after all, these are friends. She looks from Eriko and Maki, understanding from people's comversations with one another who is who.

"I think I should introduce myself, before we get any further," she says, taking off her coat. "I'm Umie Akabane, normal, boring part-timer who moonlights as a nosy person with a Persona." She waves a hand. "I may have some information regarding some of this, but some of you may already understand how I'm connected."

A pause, as she invites herself to a seat. "Unless you didn't, and in that case, ha ha ha, I'm in trouble."

She spares a short look at Tamaki for a moment. "Sudou mentioned that name back when he tried to come after Tsubasa Seki-san, as well. First time I heard it."

So how do these people know this name, and what's their history?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
If it helps, Matsuoka, for all his deference to Eriko, seems to glare just as fiercely at her- disapprovingly, one might add.

"I'm sorry for all the misdirection, Maki-chan," Eriko says, ignoring Matsuoka's glare with her own powerful aura. "Tamaki, Mark, Maki-can, I'm sorry for the misdirection, but Mr Matsuoka is right. Given what we're up against, security is important. Mundane and otherwise." Though Mark can draw the correct conclusion there- even if Eriko can't invoke the name out loud with Matsuoka trying to stare a hole through the back of her head.

"...I wish that were confirmation enough, given the circumstances," Eriko says, after a few minutes silence of thinking. The fact that Eriko is not being chipper- even accounting for the death of a serial killer- about a potentially supernatural occurrence is worrying in and of itself.

Matsuoka, however, interrupts. "First things first- everything Kirishima says stays in this room. Doubly so for anything involving the SEBEC incident or the NWO. If this is breached, you *will* answer to me." He is glaring especially at Umie there, and Eriko seems more than a little uncomfortable with it. "Mishima-" He looks to one of the suited people, a non-descript man with black hair in a black suit sitting at one of the radio scanners, headphone covering one ear- though Tamaki might be able to tell how cultivated that non-descriptness is, one PI to the other.

"We're clear for bugs and scanners." He says, before turning back to his equipment.

"Good," Matsuoka says with the closest thing to approval that anyone here hgas seen from the large man. "Yamai?" This time, he looks to a woman sitting at a desk, a computer in front of her that she's not actually using except to pretend she's typing at it. If you look, there's just an excel spreadsheet and a minesweeper window open- though now that you're aware of her, there's a tremendously weak resonance coming from her that only Maki and maybe Umie could detect easily. It's not for anti-navigator reasons, entirely- she just hasn't honed her persona much, but as a detection focused navigator, she's good at it.

"The only resonances within our radius are the ones Kirishima-san identified to me, Matsuoka-san."

Matsuoka nods. "Let me know the second either of those changes."

"Got it, boss." "Understood, Matsuoka-san."

It's then that Matsuoka looks to Eriko. "You can begin, Kirishima."

Eriko nods after a moment. "I fear things might be a little... jumping back and forth for you, Ms Akabane. But Tamaki is vouching for you, and I've seen you working together- so I'm going to trust Tamaki's trust in you. There are things that most of of us know that you don't... as well as things Mark and I know that Tamaki and Maki-chan don't. Not in full, at least." Indeed, a look of pain crosses Eriko's face as she says that. Both for the truth's she hasn't told Maki-

And the memory of her first best friend, who is and isn't with them.

Eriko takes in a deep breath. "First things first, I know most of you have heard of the NWO- the New World Order. A conspiracy, ostensibly led by Foreign Minister Tatsuzou Sudou- father of the Joker Killer. My... investigative partner," Eriko looks to Matsuoka, who grunts but nods, "and I have identified two more aspects of the NWO, and that's what lead to us meeting up and working together."

Yes, Mark, he IS that hard to get in touch with.

"My lead has to do with, well, fortune telling. Wang Long Fortune Telling, to be precise. I have reason to believe that Chizuru Ishigami is a part of the conspiracy, and a so is the entirety of Wang Long Fortune telling." Eriko frowns. "You see, Wang Long Fortune Telling appears to have a history going back to China and Hong Kong, and possible use in the Sengoku Period." Eriko pauses, and THIS time it's for dramatic effect, she's getting some of her chipperness back. "Or so rumour says, anyway." Oh there's a cheeky smile on her face, that's the Elly you know and love.

"However, I don't think those records existed before the rumours. Whether they're traditional forgeries or a result of the rumours, I can't say- but I do think that the NWO is using Ms Ishigami's fame and reputation to spread information and rumours. It does make her recent TV appearance rather fascinating, does it not?"

Eriko starts pacing, musing out loud. "More fascinating is the effect of other fortune tellers in the city and Tokyo at large. Did you know that the Sumaru Genie seemed to have lost her powers totally until she shifted to Wang Long, and most magazines have given up on Horoscopes to simply use Wang Long instead. Of the few fortune tellers using other methods, the only one I can think of still going is Shinjuku's Holy Maiden, and she seems to be struggling- only getting negative readings for people, poor thing. I've been doing some tests, you know, and sometimes it feels likes the star readings shift to match Wang Long-"

Matsuoka clears his throat, pointedly, and Eriko stops.

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry. The second issue has to do with a man named Hisataka Shinjo." Eriko frowns, and seems to slow down. "...My investigative partner has reason to believe that some of us know this man. We don't have a proper visual yet, unfortunately. The man is secretive beyond belief, no photos exist of him despite him being Tatsuzou Sudou's secretary. But..." Eriko pauses again. There's something she doesn't want to say-

And Matsuoka beats her to it. "...My employed believes the man to be none other than Takahisa Kandori, former head of the Mikage-cho branch of the Saeki Electronics and Biological & Energy Corporation."

With the bandaid pulled off, Eriko gives Maki a pained, sympathetic look. "...Creator of the DEVA system, architect of the SEBEC Incident, the user of the persona 'Nyarlethotep'." A look to Mark. "A god we killed with our own hands, our own personas, in that other world. A man I was certain was dead."

Matsuoka's glare feels even heavier right now. He means what he says about this information not leaving this room. Even without a Persona, there's a dangerous aura coming off the large man.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
"It's fine," Maki says, and looks calmly to Matsuoka. "He has good reason to be secretive, I'm sure."

Then she looks to the others. Eriko mentions... hmm.

Maki listens to Mark relate the story. Tamaki saw it, too. "I see..."

"But that's not enough, in this case."

The SEBEC incident and the NWO are secret. Maki shakes her head. "I have more reason than most to keep the SEBEC incident a secret," Maki says. "If my involvement gets out, I can look forward to being sent to a lab. I assure you, I want that even less than you do."

Maki does detect that resonance. She thinks of it...

Hmmm.

Sensing other PErsona-users, then.

"I've heard of them," Maki says of the NWO. "...Mm." Two aspects. And...

"The entire thing...? Of Wang Long Fortune Telling. "That's... disturbing," Maki admits.

Hisataka Shinjo. The secretive man.

"What!?"

Maki stands up outright, eyes wide--perhaps no one here has seen her composure break ''this'' hard. And if even them... not often.

"Kandori-san..."

"It can't..."

"I..."

"I don't know what to say."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> Umie introduces herself - the real wild card in all of this. Tamaki was at least present in Mikage-cho during the SEBEC incident, and already a veteran Persona-user and a PI. Umie, however... Masao rubs the back of his head. If she's here because she has important enough information they're willing to risk a breach, then...

"Tch," he looks to the side about the whole time the Joker Killer went after Tsubasa. They were really put through the wringer. (He's more worried about their well-being than the fact Elly, Shinobu, and himself nearly met their end to someone in gothic lolita dress wielding an axe. He's just like that.)

"...Yeah," Masao concedes in monosyllable to the whole of the need for secrecy, and Matsuoka's incredibly firm insistence about the level of secrecy in play here.

They're as clear as they can be, on multiple fronts, and Eriko takes point on the investigations. She's... really been thorough. Her and That Guy Who Will Not Be Named Because The Big Man Will Kick His Ass.

"Hisataka Shinjo?" Masao asks out loud. Hisataka. That's a funny coincidence, when you reverse that--

'...My employed believes the man to be none other than Takahisa Kandori,'

5tMasao starts to rise up with a start. Maki beats him to it, and how - he startles and actually falls right back onto the damn couch like it were a cartoon gag, because the break in her composure is ''very'' noticeable, exponentially more startling, and entirely relatable all at once.

"You're shittin' us," Masao says, incredulous - even angry. He stands back up after another minute, pointing to himself, and then to Elly, "we both fought that guy! Elly, myself, and..." And... okay yeah he's sure Matsuoka's glare is not merely incidental when he's about to run down the list of everyone who was there. He shakes his head. "We saw his Persona take him over, we beat ''that'', and... and... we all saw that man die." He's repeating what Elly just said, in more vulgar vernacular, to emphasize what she said is correct and thus hearing that he's ''around'' is just... what.

...

He looks over to Maki, as he trails off to silence. He bows his head, closes his eyes, and decides... yeah, no, he's not going to take a wager on that. He knows where this is going.

"...Hey," he steps forward, to Maki. "I'm... I'm kinda speechless, too," rubbing the back of his head again. "Shit. I... we're all here for you, yeah?" He gestures to open his arms up, as if to offer a hug.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki twitches her eyebrow again. Why the misdirection? Who's this 'he' who has reason to be secretive?

Well, who ''else'' can afford a place like this ''and'' was also present for the SEBEC incident? Someone who Tamaki at first had reason to suspect, but who Maki places her trust in.

Tamaki taps a finger in a crook of her folded arms and fixes her own frosty gaze at Matsuoka. "I have reason to believe that Akabane-san has valuable insight into the nature of this 'Nyarlethotep' entity. I greatly appreciate your willingness to include her in this discussion." Tatsuya, Umie, herself ... and her fellow St. Hermelin alumni. Most of those are present to break their silence. "I understand the caution, but we also stand a better chance if we pool our knowledge and resources."

She places a hand over her chin and widens her eyes fully while still locked onto Matsuoka with a knowing look. This is to send a message. "What's that saying about harmony and perfection and all that?"

Tamaki doesn't say the full motto out loud, but she means 'Two in harmony surpass one in perfection.' The same motto that the Nanjo and Kirijo Groups adhere to also applies to herself and Umie ... and possibly other Persona-users who aren't present. Tamaki's throwing their own ideals right back in the face of their suspicion.

Nothing leaves this room. And yet, she pipes up, "Just one question: what's the protocol to follow if the information may help others who aren't present?" Of all people present, it's Maki that she looks towards. "I had Kashihara-kun in mind, for instance. Perhaps." She read their report of their investigation of the Purple Mirror Rumor, so she knows that Maki's acquainted with the student.

Everyone else's suspicion lies on Umie. In addition to her feelings on cooperation in general, this is also in part Tamaki's attempt to redirect it to herself as someone with one foot in either camp of the group currently assembled.

She briefly flits her eyes to give Mishima and Yamai a once-over. Professionals in their own right. Little wonder Eriko hasn't employed Kuzunoha's services, ''apprentice'' PI that she is. These matters are outside of her current pay grade. (She ''is'' taking mental notes, mind you ...)

Tamaki simply nods at mention of the NWO and the father-son Sudou duo. So far, nothing new ...

Chizuru Ishigami's involvement is news to her, though. She squints and chews on the inside of her cheek. Mention of the Sengoku period causes her to glance in Umie's direction, then Eriko's cheerful clarification that rumor has it causes Tamaki to give her a sardonic smile. "That's an interesting hypothesis, to say the last."

Other fortune telling methods seem to be failing now. "Please fill me in more on that sometime later, Eriko," she insists after Matsuoka's not-so-subtle stage direction.

Hisataka Shinjo, supposedly actually the late Takahisa Kandori. She quietly stares in stunned silence at Matsuoka. The dead can be raised? Hope flickers in her heart, but --

Maki's outburst takes precedence. That's not a good thing. This isn't a power she should use for her own selfish ends. She steps back to let those more familiar with Maki provide her comfort -- coincidentally closer to Umie.

Still, she does have one question. "... are Personas wholly unique to Persona-users? You may have killed a man, but ..."

'The Joker never dies!'

Steeped in the Rumor circuit as she is, she adds this insight: "... it's more difficult to kill an idea."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Matsuoka's glare at Umie is met with a calm, studying gaze, though a man of Matsuoka's level of experience may be able to read past it to the nervous person underneath. (Mishina would notice it as well, when Umie's resonance surfaces, like a prairie dog peeking from a hole, before shrinking back down. Confirmation, for Mishima's purposes.)

A second pauses, and Umie nods, something in her shoulders beginning to release some idiom of tension. "Uchida-san. It's okay." She shoots her a small grin of appreciation. "He's right to be careful. The Order has members just about everywhere, of all types, as the Joker Killer case has revealed."

It's only when Matsuoka directs his attention to the woman sitting at a desk that Umie realizes just what she was there for, as she confirms their resonances. A moment of focus on Umie's part, and she confirms what's already become very obvious by Mishima's words: a Persona User, if very faint.

They're in good hands, Umie decides.

At Eriko's admittance, Umie gives her a nod, her gaze a touch more gentle than before. "It's okay. Thanks for inviting me. I'll try to help where I can." They're fellow veterans, after all; she knows what it's like, having to fill in the blanks by yourself. ... or, likewise, withholding some facts until you know what someone should know. "Keeping us in the shadows is how the Order works. The more scared we are, the less likely we're able to connect all the pieces we've gathered with each other."

But really, what would they know that Umie doesn't? She's been doing this for years, and--

Oh. Well, there's that. "Wait." Umie's eyes widen. "So that's why..." She groans, flopping back into her chair. "Here I was thinking the connection was with 'Joka'... I guess the connection was a red herring, all over again. It was never about the Joker Killer, but the rumors that spread over it. So Wang Long's connected to the NWO through Ishigami-san?" Strike one. Well, at least Umie's not *surprised*.

Neither is Umie the only one to catch that part about the Sengoku period; she shares a look with Tamaki and nods. "... It's funny that you mention records seeming to not exist..." Umie begins, deep in thought, before Eriko drops another bombshell.

Well, for everyone else, that is. "... Hisataka Shinjo?" The name brings nothing to Umie's mind; she tilts her head. He must have come in after she drifted off; and even then, Umie wouldn't know *everyone*, especially that high up. How many of those faces she saw as a child are still alive? Would she even recognize them a decade later?

"Takahisa Kandori..." Umie frowns, nodding as Eriko reveals the rest. Plugging in what Tamaki told her, and adding to that Masao and Maki's reaction... "What evidence do we have that they're the same person?" she asks. "If he has a resonance, maybe that can confirm it, but that'll depend on whether he can mask it or not, and even then, it's a moot point if he's not been in public."

If she's not connected, then, maybe that could be to everyone's advantage here.

"So Nyarlathotep is a Persona of this man all of you... I see." Certainly heavier than whatever she was doing, around that same time. "Did that Persona look anything like what Joker Killer was summoning? His was far different from any Personas I've encountered-- not that I've encountered that many."

"That may have been the reason for the Joker Killer in the first place. Whether the Order intended this to be the outcome or if they're simply taking advantage of the situation with Ishigami-san's TV appearance... I'm not sure."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Matsuoka gives Maki a 'hmph'. It would be easier if a certain Young Master were being more security conscious. Unfortunately...

Eriko does give a worried look to Maki, when she mentions what she can look forward to. "...We won't let that happen, Maki-chan. Not now, not ever." She looks to Mark again, even though she knows his response already. "None of us would." Even Ayase would probably come out of her happy home life if she heard such a thing. "I'm reluctant to say as much as I have, even with just Tamaki and Mr Matsuoka, but I think we need to know what we're up against."

Matsuoka's glare fixes on Tamaki, and there's a shift in his body language. He's reassessing her, both as a threat and an investigator. "I am already taking a risk bringing Akabane-san in. At this point, I will not allow information to be shared further unless my employer overrides me directly. Not even if Kirishima-san insists." Matsuoka frowns further though, as Tamaki shows off her own chops in a discreet manner.

"Let me make something clear- the sum total of people involved in this effort are my employer and the people in this room. Even the security downstairs has limited information and they report directly to me. No other organizations that anyone here may be connected have anything to do with this. Not even your employer at the Kuzunoha Detective Agency, Uchida-san. This group is independent. Entirely so. In terms of sharing further information- don't. Not without my express approval. When that situation changes, I will inform you. Understood?"

Matsuoka turns his attention to Umie. She's connected to the Order in a way even Matsuoka didn't expect. "I see. I will keep that in mind, Akabane-san." He's reassessing her, too- more as a threat than anything else.

Eriko nods again, to Maki's read on Wang Long. "...As far as I can tell, yes. It's suspicion so far, though, and I still haven't had a chance to encounter her directly." Tamaki asks about Eriko's methodology, and she smiles. "Of course! As soon as we have the chance."

But Umie puts things together, about Wang Long. "...Precisely. And because of how Sumaru works... there's a strong chance that that will change how the Joker curse worked."

Mark and Maki, however, have the reaction Eriko suspected, and as Mark offers the hug, Eriko is already moving, wrapping Maki in her arms tightly. "I'm sorry, Maki-chan. I wasn't sure but... I have every reason to trust him..." She looks to Mark again, and holds up a single finger to indicate things to him properly, but only for a second. "My investigative partner wouldn't suggest such a thing if he weren't fairly certain, and..." Eriko lets out a sigh, not letting go of Maki. "...And I had my suspicions, when we first encountered the Joker Killer. When he used that persona on Jun... I thought I felt Kandori's presence. It wasn't until we entered the Sanitorium that I was sure but... that was the same resonance. It's the same Nyarlethotep. I don't know if he was masking his presence by mingling it with Kandori's resonance but..." She sighs. "Unfortunately, I can't have Maki double check for me, can I?"

Umie wants proof, and Matsuoka speaks up again. "...We have not found any yet. Anyone who has tried to investigate Shinjo has disappeared. Which is why I have advised not poking your heads into this mess-"

Eriko shoots Matsuoka a glare of her own. "How ''wonderful'' of you to have such a liberty, Mr Matsuoka." There's an edge, an anger to her voice. "We don't have that choice. Not after what happened. Especially him. You of all people should know that."

For once, Matsuoka is silent due to someone else, and not his own volition. Mark can understand that anger too well- he was there to see the reason. Indeed, part of Eriko's own anger might be to blunt Mark's- but they're both quite empathetic people, in the end.

"...I don't know." Eriko says, after a moment. "Some resonances feel similar, but not identical, and Personas can change. Nike became Nike again, and so did Ogun, but..." Eriko pauses again, finally releasing Maki, if she's ready for the hug to stop.

"Our leader... he could use multiple personas, the way that young man and woman from SEES and Ms Amano can. Some of the ones they've used are the same as his were."

Now it's Eriko's turn to feel a sting. "...But, we haven't seen him in years."

Eriko lets out a long, slow sigh. "...Mark, Tamaki and I are survivors of the SEBEC Incident. Maki was involved but... she wasn't there. And Tamaki was focused on defending our school." She hates saying this out loud, but it's overdue. "And Takahisa Kandori helped to create that world, building on science developed by Maki-chan's ''mom''." ...Should she just say it? She looks to Maki, for permission, or for her to say it herself, before keeping going on another topic. "Kandori had become a god in earnest, in that world. And he seemed... bored? Nihilistic, hopeless? Like there was nothing for a god to do. And then we battled him, and he lost control of his Persona- if all it is was a persona. I'm not even convinced of that anymore. A persona is a part of our soul, but the Crawling Chaos feels... foreign. It took over Kandori's body, but he was aware during it. It... turned him into a monstrosity. All that was left of him was his torso, and he... didn't live long after that, when we thought we had killed Nyarlethotep." Eriko pauses. "...There was a totem on his corpse, but... Only Reiji had any connection to it and he refused to touch it, so we left it there. I assumed it must have returned to where the rest of that world did, but..." Eriko shakes her head. "...Kandori had a shadow in that place too- though I don't know if it was simply a memory of him or like..." Another pause, a pained avoidant look at Maki. "...like Mai and Aki, and... our friend."

It's Eriko's turn to look a little shaky now. "He helped us a little, when the school was taken over by the Night Queen, Nyx, and absorbed into her in the end." Eriko looks exhausted. The Snow Queen, and the SEBEC Incident. How many people died...? It was a wonderful time, and in some ways an awful time, but making it real, saying it out loud like this... it scares her. It scares her that all the secrecy, all the sacrifices made for them, have just gone to waste.

It's more difficult to kill an idea, Tamaki says, and Eriko nods. "...That might be why they spread the rumour. It's clear that Tatsuya Sudou was slipping his leash. If he's no longer the Joker... he can't come back. But that still doesn't explain Kandori."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
"I know," Maki says gently when Eriko reassures her. "But those are part of the stakes for me--and I think that might reassure Matsuoka-san in ''my'' case, at least."

Independent organization... and don't share information.

"The people I'd share with are pretty much already here," Maki admits. "Except one. ...Who, I think, already knows." She looks meaningfully between Eriko and Matsuoka. "But I won't ask right now."

Mark may be angry, but--Maki is something else. As Mark says they're here for her, Maki hears it--and Eriko wraps her into a hug.

Maybe next time, Mark.

"They definitely killed the man," Maki says. And strangely, she does say 'they', not 'we', when she answers Tamaki. "But the 'idea'..."

"But his ideas were over. He gave up."

She hugs Eriko back. "I see... The same resonance. It must be, then."

Maki indeed can't double check. As it happens.

"No, you can't."

But Matsuoka speaks up. Hmm.

"I have to know," Maki says simply of poking their noses in. "No matter what... I have to know. if it's him--and if it is, how. And more improtantly, ''why''."

"''This'' is my responsibility," Maki says firmly. "...And it's ''my'' responsibility. He couldn't have done what he did without me. ...What ''we'' did."

Eriko starts to explain. "...Kandori-san helped create that world--specifically, he helped ''me'' to create that world, for his own benefit. I'm the one who turend Mikage-cho into... what it was."

She lets go of Eriko, and walks partyway across the room, no longer concerned with staying in one place.

"I don't know," Maki says softly. "The Night Queen... I don't know much. I don't remember. I was focused.... on something else."

"I know at least that I have to get involed, now," she says of Sudou and Joker and Kandori. "I won't stand on the sidelines."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There's so, so many reasons for Matsuoka to be suspicious. Unfortunately, Umie's assumptions of which reasons those are may have further implicated herself. ..... typical Chariot logical approach, great job, Umie Akabane!!!

... However, by the same token, Matsuoka and his assistant have shown themselves to be competent, which will only help Umie feel just a little more safe.

"Before, you'd call the number, and the Joker would target whoever you named. The rumor would allow him access to teleportation, which allowed him to get out without anyone knowing, but only for that initial try," Umie recollects. "Which was usually all he needed, unless someone intervened. If the intention was to spread fear, that likely was by design; anyone who survived would just spread the rumor further." She frowns. Like her, in fact, trying to get the word out in order to try to stop the next killing.

Tilting her head towards Eriko, Umie shifts forward on her seat, her half-covered right hand going towards the woven red charm bracelet on her left, the tiny bell making a minute jingle as her fingers fiddle with it, her outward expression calm.

... No. Don't reveal all your cards yet, Umie thinks. See what they know first, rather than confirm their suspicions about you more than you already have. She looks towards Tamaki, wondering what she will say.

Multiple Personas. "Mmn. I noticed that too," Umie says, eyelashes lowering midway. "I used to try to ask about it, but everyone who has that ability is understandably tight-lipped. Maybe it's just a matter of having the right spark." Maybe, this friend of theirs did similar, to avoid endangering their friends.

Maybe, this friend wanted to move on and have a normal life, after 'what happened', as Eriko touches on. Just what is the event that connects all these threads together?

Umie didn't have to wait that long, as Eriko recollects the events of the SEBEC Incident. "... I see," Umie says, softly, a faint grimace running along one edge of her lips. "So... like a cognitive dimension? Just artificially created..." Could Mementos be like that, as well? Or Tamaki's earlier brush with yet another dimension and a certain 'God King' of her own.

How much has gone on, while Umie was in her little bubble pretending she was actually doing something every night?

'It took over Kandori's body, but he was aware during it. It... turned him into a monstrosity.' It brings to mind Akechi's comments about the woman he was helping in his investigation, that led him to Umie in the first place. Didn't he say something about the skin on her hand, seeming stretched and strange...? ... But Kandori was a god.

Umie turns to look back towards the door, then hesitates, studying the expressions on everyone in that direction. Her resonance emerges from hiding, just for a moment, before melting away.

.... She mimes the motion of rolling her shoulders, like she was simply stretching a muscle.

Maki's interjection is what brings Umie back *out* of her thoughts; she glances back at Maki with a muted look of surprise.

".... Sonomura-san..." She shouldn't be this surprised, given what Tamaki's hinted around, but still...

How can Umie be this cowardly, when Maki is willing to be so direct with her own involvement...?

"... This was... around one to two years ago, right?" she broaches, carefully. "If Uchida-san was there, and we're about the same age..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> Luckily, Maki has good friends around her. Masao stands there for only a fraction of a second with arms out, before seeing that Eriko's there for her. It eases that much, but not on the whole aspect of they-can't-say-but-know-who being certain that guy is still kicking.

Eriko, occult expert who identified Nyarlathotep to begin with, would know. A hand goes to his hip idly from where he stands, head bowed, shaking it as if to go for the unspoken 'what the hell, I don't believe it,' but he knows better than to bet on that.

"...Far as I care, wouldn't complain if there were a bunch of Persona-users that could use Susano-o," he says to Tamaki about the idea about whether or not a Persona is truly unique to someone. "It's like she said, my Persona's Ogun again."

Eriko largely handles the more difficult, technical questions and answers about the whole of it. He braces for the matter-of-fact discussion from Eriko about all that's happened - and tension runs through him as things they all previously agreed to keep in complete secrecy finds itself unraveling by circumstance.

He's paying more attention about the Night Queen business. No wonder it felt like everyone looked a little sharper, felt a lot stronger, and more prepared for what lay ahead when he saw them again.

"Yeah, I, uh... wasn't there for that either," Masao says of the Snow Queen incident, in solidarity.

"...I don't think anybody's talked about Kandori like that, but," Masao shakes his head, "it's not as if any one of us were willin' to gossip about it."

He listens to Umie explain that whole process, and he's just still incredulous about the depth of how strange all this is. When Umie is looking back to Masao's expressions, it's tense, it's angry, it's frustrated.

"...Yeah, in the big picture, wasn't all that long ago," he confirms for Umie, if not the exact passage of time, "we were all just startin' to figure out what life was about to look like after high school."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki initially stands firm under Matsuoka's withering glare, but at Umie's own insistence that he's right to be careful, she ultimately flinches first and relents, now taking the posture of hesitant -- but earnest -- compliance. "Understood. I'm glad I asked up-front. You know what to look out for, too, since I was wholly transparent." That was her ''entire'' hand that she had tipped just moments ago!

It also helps that he presented qualifiers: 'express approval', 'when that situation changes', etc. She asked what the protocol is and got her answer. She gives Matsuoka an apologetic bow. "Thank you for giving us the privilege to be present here. I promise to not take it for granted."

She may have to break an earlier promise, though. ''Sorry, Jun, telling you will have to wait'', she thinks ... but he's still relevant here. "Funny you should mention the Sengoku era in relation to Wang Long. There's a shrine near the sanitarium dedicated to some -- supposedly -- historical figures which bear a strong resemblance to several people who the Joker Killer took an interest in." She closes her eyes and tilts her head to one side in frustrated thought. "But -- assuming the NWO is behind some rumors about Wang Long -- the NWO and Tatsuya Sudou were at odds with each other, so it's strange that there's that overlap in the first place."

Tamaki gives Umie a glance after Eriko comments on how the nature of the Joker curse may soon change. Umie had even asked the KDA to spread a rumor to slightly change how its protection works herself, though Tamaki refrains from just blurting that out and instead visibly hesitates from speaking. "Wouldn't be the first time it's gone through such a permutation," is all she lets on.

Eriko's 'investigative partner', symbolized by what Tamaki takes to mean a '#1' finger gesture, was the one who thinks this Kandori figure is still up and about as Shinjo. Kei sounds pretty certain, and knowing how strongly the others seem to trust him is enough for Tamaki to be confident in the information for now. "I'm interested in hearing the evidence, too, Akabane-san, but I think it's safe to take Eriko at her word for now." Tamaki quietly regards Eriko after she restates that she felt Kandori's Resonance at the sanitarium, and she turns her thoughts over in her head ...

... only for it to be cut short by the exchange between Eriko and Matsuoka, and she backs up with wide eyes and a taut frown while she waits for the awkward tension in the room to dissolve. ''Something'' happened there, and she's not touching that with a ten-foot pole.

Maya and the Misatos ... "There's more than just them, but it's all a bit beyond me. I used to be able to change mine, but it took ..." Ego death, if not outright death in a long bygone place and time. "... substantial effort. And I can't anymore. That ''is'' getting off-track, though; what puzzles me is how the Resonance was the same across at least two people. That does lend credence to the idea that they were taken over by some common force -- external or not."

It ''is'' news to her that they can change even for people like Mark and Eriko. Ogun is Ogun again. "... huh. So I might not be stuck with Arianrhod forever?"

'We haven't seen him in years.' The way Eriko says those words hits Tamaki sideways. She can relate. ... At least Naoya returned her practice sabre to her.

Another part of her wonders how much resemblance Hazama's Resonance would have bore to Sudou's and Kandori's.

'Tamaki was focused on defending our school.' She snorts and waves a hand. "Aw, don't make it sound so noble. I was being selfish and didn't want to go deep into another supernatural incident so soon." She ''was'' there for the Snow Queen incident, but ... she pushes her index fingers together. "You all ended up having to rescue me anyway, so some good I was."

If she were privy to Eriko's inner thoughts, she would protest them more directly. "... thanks, though. I'm back in the fray now. I did what I could, you did what you could. That's enough."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Maybe Tamaki played her whole hand, but Matsuoka can understand hardball in the circumstances. He can also respect someone accepting a loss gracefully. "Thank you for your understanding, Uchida-san. I can appreciate that someone else here is being a professional."

Eriko seems whimsically immune to the daggers being stared into the back of his head.

Umie explains the details of the Joker Rumour, and Eriko nods. "It's hard not to see the Joker Killer as a means to an end, but if the end is simply fear, I don't know why yet. Perhaps you might have some other ideas, Ms Akabane?"

Tamaki invokes a shrine to supposedly historical figures. "Oh, how fascinating! Maybe we should go back up there some time and investigate, I'd love to know more! ...Do you think the zombies are still there or has it become a normal nature hike again?" Still, there's a more cogent thought. "...We don't yet know how much the rumours change reality... or history. The History Boom came rather out of nowhere, didn't it? And so many records are coming from that it makes one wonder if that's connected- but it's just as true Japan is full of history. And, admittedly, I was still overseas when people started talking about Kiyotada Sumaru, and the records seem to back things up..." Which may just mean they can't change records.

"...He wasn't so tight lipped, I admit," Eriko says, of the person they knew. "I assume it had to be Philemon's doing, but our leader didn't know much more than we did." Eriko sighs a little, remembering that late night conversation, when they were all locked in the school by Hanya's... 'well-meaning' interference. A glance to Tamaki, who looks to be a bit pained from her own feeling. "...So your method wasn't the same as theirs, then? That makes sense. From what you've been comfortable telling me so far, your experience was... pretty rough itself." She extends her hand to squeeze Tamaki's shoulder, a little grounding gesture. Yes, Eriko IS touchy feely, but she's also worried about her friend.

"Hmm... I don't know about Michael, given his duties, but I might feel a bit betrayed if Nike were off adventuring with someone else and not even telling me." Indeed, her heart hasn't felt the need for the Right Hand of God for some time. She doesn't tend to need the righteous sword these days... with a few exceptions. "That's right!" Eriko says, with a smile. "...Maki's Persona is different from the other two we knew then, as well. Still, when ours changed... they left us with a memento." Eriko reaches into her handbag and pulls out her totem- a spell card depicting a contract with ancient lettering. It's only when she holds it that the power coming off it is obvious- a remnant of the power of the Persona it once held. "The Judgement Contract between myself and the Archangel Michael. Most of us who went through that have our own." She slips it away, and... it's gone from anyone's register. That Spell Card, that Totem, can't be used by anyone else. It's a part of Eriko.

"That seems all the more reason to keep a low profile for you, Sonomura-san. You seemed to all be doing well enough at living normal lives until recently." Matsuoka isn't intending to stick the knife in or anything, if anything it seems a straightforward observation.

Matsuoka doesn't give anything away, but Eriko at least gives a small nod to Maki- as far as she's concerned, hiding Matsuoka's employer from Maki and Mark is mostly a pantomime.

"...He seemed broken, by the end. It was far more personal for some of us than others, but... he seemed more than ready to accept his death, and the death of his ideals." Eriko frowns. "...Once he achieved godhood, it was almost like he wanted to lose." Eriko can catch Masao's tension though, and she offers him a smile that shows her own worry. She's not exactly okay with it either, but the decision feels like it was made for them.

Eriko knows Maki enough to know that she couldn't shy away. "...Are you sure?" Eriko asks, despite knowing the answer. "You don't have to. You're a victim of that machine as well."

Maki explains, and Eriko lets her move to do so. When Umie makes an assumption, Eriko explains further. "Mikage-cho, the other Mikage-cho we were sent to... that was the world of Maki's heart." She looks to Mark now, and then Tamaki. "...And now we've seen them with our own eyes, there's a strong similarity to that other Mikage-cho and that dollhouse. That horrid palace, too." Eriko sighs. "It's part of why when the Phantom Thieves of Heart emerged, my investigative partner and I went on alert." She's not sure, but something about it seemed... familiar. After all, they were able to see one very lonely and wounded heart change too.

"...Nearly four years ago now," Eriko says, as if she doesn't remember the exact date and time down to the second her Persona awoke. "When we were at St Hermelin High School." ...About the same age the members of SEES are, for example.

"...She wasn't with us, for that part," Eriko says, of the Night Queen. "...She should explain the full deal of that too, given Tamaki was there too but hasn't gotten the whole story. "...Selfish or not, there were plenty of people trapped there without Personas- and after what happened with Ayase and Kenta, it was good to have someone who could make sure that everyone else was safe." Eriko sighs. "...And what happened in the Hypnos Tower was due to Miss Hirose's grief. You don't fault Kenta and Tsutomu for being taken to the Nemesis Tower. And I rather enjoyed the trip from the Thanatos Tower to Tartaurs, even if Yukino enjoyed it a lot less."

Aaaand Eriko realize she's skipped a whole bit. "...My apologies. The Night Queen... ostensibly it was a Persona as well. The Persona of Tomomi Fujimori- a girl from Miss Saeko's year who passed away when playing the role of the Snow Queen. Our school had a curse, in addition to everything else. A prop for the school play that had taken the lives of multiple students- and when we discovered and shower Miss Saeko, she tried to prove the curse wasn't real. Unfortunately, it was..."

Eriko sighs. "...There were three other ghosts tied to that mask, girls who had killed themselves under it's influence. And each of them had a Persona, and a tower they ruled over. There was Kumi Hirose and Hypnos, who put many of the students into a dream state, Yuriko Yamamoto and and Thanatos, who ruled a tower of give and take and finally Michiko Matsudaira and Nemesis, who was a woman obsessed with beauty. Hirose, Yamamoto and Fujimori all managed to find peace... Matsudaira was more... forcefully dealt with."

...They were rather unkind to poor Hirose, back then. Maybe it was necessary, but still...

"There were also shadows of Maki and Kandori, as I said, who seemed to serve the Night Queen, if not entirely willingly. When we found all the shards of the demon mirror, we were able to drive the Night Queen out... and in turn it became independent and became Nyx, the Night Queen. "...In some ways, it was as terrifying as Kandori himself. We came out stronger for the experience... but it was a fierce, brutal battle nonetheless."

That's when Eriko gets that glint. "...Still, it is rather an interesting coincidence, is it not? These mysterious towers over our school, and now there's a mysterious tower over Gekkoukan High... Even the name, Tartarus. I do wonder if they're connected somehow..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maki Sonomura has posed.
<poem>
Maki looks thoughtfully at Umie, as her Resonance spikes with a sensation not unlike a pinprick of fear. She sees it, too, the way the world swirls darkly around Umie for a moment.

"..."

She doesn't comment immediately. Instead, she considers the rest. And she looks back at Mark. "Heh," she says to Mari and Susano-o. "I wonder? It'd be interesting if I found someone with the same 'face' as me. I hope it wouldn't be like wearing the same dress to a party..." A nod to Eriko. "Right. The 'other me' had her own mask."

She pauses; Matsuoka does speak sense, and Maki nods. "I was," she says. "But... I can't ignore this, even if it would be safer. I appreciate your concern--but I must."

She nods to Eriko, when asking if she's sure. "I'm absolutely sure. Besides... I can't live with not knowing why."

The rumors of the Sengoku period are interesting. "Weird..."

But the nature could change? Hmmm....

"Right," she says of Kandori, more seriously. "I don't know of any rumors about him..."

"Almost four now," Maki confirms for Umie. "We are all pretty close to the same age, aren't we?"

Maki looks with a little concern at how Tamaki relates her old ability--after all, they had a talk. But--

The world of her own heart...

"We'll have to look into it," Maki says. "Of it being connected. There's a lot that i thought we could let slip by... that we really can't, anymore."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Tamaki's change in how she regards Matsuoka draws Umie's lips tight. A-ha ha hah, she was definitely leaving Tamaki out to dry there, wasn't she? Whoops.

She collaborates with Tamaki on the mention of Sengoku era. "Right. It doesn't seem to be planted; we encounted an elderly man that was trying to find it, in fact." No, that's a lie. Umie wouldn't know if a shrine was fake or not. The reason she knows it's not just been recent is... "It was a shrine to Fuyou, a martial arts master from that era. Before that, he went by the name Junnosuke Kuroda." Jun had recently questioned Umie's chosen method of dealing with such strange coincidences-- that is, to dismiss them as delusions. What if it's just a way for her to not look at them directly? "He used to be a servant of Tatsunoshin Suou, who served under Kiyotada Sumaru, the warlord Sumaru City is named after. The two of them tried to make an assassination attempt on Sumaru's life along with one other."

"... Lady Maihime." Another spike of anxiety, for Maki, if she's able to notice.

ha ha ha ha oh Tamaki, you had a front row seat on Umie screwing up what little protection everyone had unintentionally. Clearly, Umie had the right intentions, but rumors don't play well with good intentions, do they? "... I wouldn't put it past the Order to just take something advantage of something that's convenient. It's not like this... whatever it is, minds whatever the heck is going on."

Whatever is fueling Masao's own expression is complicated; again, Umie looks at Tamaki. Instead of commenting on that, she goes to the other topic at hand: Personas. "So Personas can change over time, as well as change back, huh. I guess it'd make sense, since they change in incremental ways. Badb certainly couldn't do all the things I'm able to do now, so.... maaaybe there is some wisdom in socializing with people, just maybe?" She smirks at that, shrugging. It's not like demons were challenging her in a way that made her grow as a person-- at least, in not the same way.

"I mean, I wasn't there for any of it, Inaba-san," Umie says, with a shrug, almost as a sort of... strange form of comforting? "So I'm hearing it all for the first time."

.... So why is she even here? ha ha ha oh no she'll have to say something, won't she?

"Four years ago, huh." She settles back against her sofa chair, crossing her arms. "And Joker Killer, by his own admission, gained his Mark about ten years ago, when he set that orphanage on fire, and--" Wait, what else happened? "Something else, too, right...?" It feels like there was something else.

"But maybe that strange Persona of his wasn't around then, or it was different. No one would have known." She pauses and shakes her head. ".... No, no, that's not it..." But it's not as if Mai-chan was there always, right?

.... right...?

But her Persona is Badb, not... whatever that thing is. It's fully Umie's.

"... I guess, one of the reasons I'm here is... I'm a veteran, like all of you. I mostly just cleared the streets of my neighborhood of shadows." She casually places an elbow on the back of her chair. "So all of my experience has just been with demons and keeping to myself."

Because she was a coward.
....

"Fear is what makes rumors work, right?" she says, returning to Eriko's earlier question. "Though, if Wang Long is a construct, would that be why people in their time of Joka are noticable? Maybe it's the power of belief that we're seeing."

Correction: something that *Umie* is seeing.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> On cue as Eriko shares her memento, Masao digs about his person and pulls out what seems like an innocuous container of water - but it is so clear and clean as if to suggest what he's pulled out is some manner of empty receptacle instead.

"Yep! Just as she says!" With that same youthful, wide, mischievous smile he was known for. "This Purified Water is like that, for me and Susano-o!" That air of youthful fowardness fades as he puts it back into the same sense of 'place.' "...Really had to dig that deep when we were facin' down the late Joker Killer," he exhales. Felt good to stop him, less good to watch a broken young man just... end, like that.

"...Seriously, though, Uchida-san," he shakes his head, "not like you're the only one who ran into trouble and needed bailin' out. No shame in that." The whole police station capture, and... it still hurts to think about what happened to the people there he became familiar with on a nickname basis.

But now... the present.

"Tch, yeah, you're not wrong," he says to Eriko, "and the way one of those Palaces collapsed - the one belonging to a real creep, Kamiya, there was an earthquake that felt way too much like the one that happened when... that whole incident began."

Also he was sprinting for his life while screaming all manner of chained obscenities after a runaway cat-bus in out-and-out mortal terror. He's going to leave that part out. That part is not as important.

"That curse was real, huh," is all he can say to the legend of that cursed mask and just hearing the whole of it in this much detail now. He's going to consider it a blessing that Uesugi didn't goad him into a bet over ''that''. But he is listening about mysterious towers over in Gekkoukan too, and... at least Kasugayama High in his neighborhood doesn't have that*. Those kids really have it rough enough there already.

(* If you think of the bomb shelter as an inverted underground tower, then...)

Masao shakes his head at some of all that's being said, but where Maki shows her resolve to be involved, he's silent for a bit about the strength she's found in the years that followed her classmates' ordeals - and hers, too. He presses his lips together, and nods.

"Yeah, none of this shit's goin' away, and... already met a bunch of kids havin' their lives turned upside down by all of this." The Joker Killer's attempt on Seki's life and their best friend, for one. "It's a lot to have to deal with on top of what we're already all goin' through as grown-ups now, yeah? But... I'm not gonna let anyone hang to dry like that."

After all, he's here now! Somehow this idea sticks out to him a lot more than it feels like it ought to?

Still... historical coincidences, Umie correcting him on presences, and... the talk about Sudou having been involved with this kind of thing in some form for ten years.

Ten years of just... being like that. Who else, Masao has to internally wonder. Who else is being left to be broken like that?

"Is everyonbe just gonna believe what they're told about on TV?" He asks, incredulous about it. He stops, thinking about it, looking to Matsuoka, and then to the rest, and then...

He slumps over. "Just sayin' it out loud like that... they are, aren't they."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki flashes Matsuoka a smile. Don't worry, Umie, she still landed on her feet! About her professionalism in comparison to ''someone else'', though, "Hey, it's easier for me to be more professional when I've got a little bit more emotional distance from some history here." She flicks her eyes towards her other three old classmates. "Keep that in mind, alright?"

Eriko muses about the road to the sanitarium. "I don't know about zombies, but odds are that it's still a supernatural space. Areas touched by rumors like that tend to remain like that for some time, like underneath Kasugayama High School ..."

Umie beats her to explaining Kiyotada Sumaru's link to that very same shrine. "We don't yet know about how rumors can change established history or to what extent, no." She turns to Maki. "You worked with a student the other day when investigating the case for our agency, right? Junnosuke Kuroda certainly resembles his name. Tatsunoshin Suou is eerily similar to Tatsuya Suou, who Kashihara-kun is close to. And it's Maihime's surname of Amano that makes me think of one local reporter, Maya Amano."

Tamaki smiles wanly at Eriko's contact and waves a hand. "Sure, but there's no use dwelling on it. I'm more interested in hearing about what you all experienced." She listens to Eriko's explanation, then places a hand over her necklace and looks over at Mark. "... You too. I can fill you in on what happened at my old school sometime."

She had a front seat to Umie's meddling -- and was an active and willing participant, at that! It's not like she knows any better herself!

'Once he achieved godhood, it was almost like he wanted to lose.' Tamaki thinks back to her own experiences and recalls a specific sight ...

The antechamber to where the Deity Emperor resided was a grayscale version of the school, its layout turned twisted and mazelike, devoid of any students and faculty, any vibrancy and joy. Two boxes remained near the entrance, their contents symbolizing his mental state and outlook on life: both boxes were empty and hollow. He had taken everything he could, but still had nothing he wanted.

She half-closes her eyes and lets her head slightly turn down. "... yeah, that rhymes. I've seen that countenance in someone else. Some kind of self-destructive nihilism." As for the common link being Nyarlathotep, though, well ... the jury's out on that one. She honestly can't seem to remember.

Tamaki doesn't vocalize much of a response to Eriko and Mark's comfort about her reticence to be more involved in the Snow Queen incident, but she does give them both an assenting nod. "I might be too hard on myself, yeah, but ... still can't help thinking I could have done more."

Nothing what's said in here can leave this room, so when Eriko gets to explaining about the Snow Queen incident, rather than jot down notes like she usually does, Tamaki stares at her intently, committing everything she can to memory. Mention of Tartarus does cause her to speak up, pointing out what happened ten years ago that might be what Umie was having trouble pinpointing. "... Gekkoukan's Tartarus has been there for ten years, for what it's worth. From what I heard, it's been like that ever since an old Kirijo Group facility exploded where the school is today. The one you encountered may be the more recent one." She taps her finger on her cheek and looks up. "Depends on that mask's history, I guess."

Maki's statement about not being able to let things slip anymore causes an unsettling feeling that Tamaki has long tried to suppress to rise up in her again: the notion that she's not as disconnected from these events as she'd like to believe, that what happened at Karukozaka ''is'' part of the same grand tapestry as everything else. The parallels are becoming more and more clear to her -- the ideal worlds, the shadow selves, the same outlook held by Hazama and Kandori -- and she spent all this time convinced that this was an isolated incident.

Mark's comment seems to reinvigorate Tamaki's spirit, and she gives Umie a meaningful glance in turn. "Yeah. I took my break to recuperate, but these days, I'm trying to be the person who I felt like I needed back then."

Unfortunately, Tamaki flatly replies, "Yes," to Mark's question about just how gullible the public is. To counter his apparent defeatism, she raises a finger and grins. "But! Two can play at that game."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
Eriko smiles at Maki's joke about someone with the same face, but there's a tinge of sadness to it. After all, she knew several people with the same face as Maki. Some younger, some the same... some monstrous. One she misses more than the rest, for all she loves the best friend she has now.

It's not a matter of choice for Maki, and Matsuoka frowns disapprovingly but doesn't say any more. Tatsunoshin Suou, Junnosuke Kuroda and Maihime Amano... Eriko frowns slightly. "...Junko Kuroda is Jun's mother's stage name," Eriko says, to fill in the blank for Tamaki and the others. "She's Brown's cohost on SumaSumaSumaru, so occasionally I work with her. It's hard to say it's coincidence there."

Umie raises the reason she's here. "...Were you working alone, Ms Akabane?" Eriko's genuinely curious- she can't imagine how hard it would be to be a solo persona user, after the bonds she made with her friends. It must have been a different experience... "I hope you won't feel you need to do that any longer."

Mark compares the collapse of the palace to the start of the SEBEC Incident. She only caught the aftermath of the hospital, after all.

"Lots of curses are real, Mark. Some are just worse than others."

Eriko nods, though, with Mark's resolve. "Exactly. We had adults who were prepared to put themselves on the line for us, they deserve the same. If we can help them, it's worth it." ...She really should touch base with Yukari again now...

Matsuoka frowns at Tamaki again. "That's why I'm here. Hopefully you can keep that emotional distance."

''...yeah, that rhymes.''

Eriko, having heard bits and pieces now, can put two and two together. It's probably for the best that Tamaki recused herself, even if she thinks herself a coward.

"Mmm," Eriko says, about the Kirijo group facility. "Well, I have been wanting to explore it myself. I might even have a contact! It could just be using the same name, of course."

"Fear...?" Eriko frowns, for a moment. "How interesting... I had assumed it was just public interest... Fear is a good motivator for popularity, though... I am planning to try and get a chance to have a word with Ms Ishigami herself, but I haven't been able to get work in the right place and time lately... It might take a little time to get the opportunity, and my investigative partner is chasing his own leads..."

Still, Eriko finally takes stock- they've been talking for a while, and the sky is turning red.

"...Well, I think we've been at this long enough, don't you? We should probably take a break, don't you think. We can even get room service!" Eriko pauses.

"Don't worry about the cost, I can expense it to my investigative partner."

Matsuoka gives Eriko one of those looks, and she just smiles back sweetly.

(It will absolutely be getting expensed. It probably won't even be one of the most expensive expensed meals to the penthouse this week.)
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2025-08-11: Watered Down

2026-05-10T02:10:30Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Cutscene:''' '''Watered Down'''
*'''Cast:''' Hodai Tabe (NPC), [[Umie Akabane]] (Mentioned)
*'''Where:''' An Apartment in Sumaru City
*'''OOC Date:''' August 11th, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' June 24th, 2012
*'''Summary''': When the answer to your problems is just a phone call away, why not try it out for yourself?
----
<poem>
Hodai Tabe was not having a great day.

Despite him trying to keep it under wraps, eventually, his supervisors learned of the 'Chick-tan' mascot costume incident at the Sumaru Hyakumanzeki Festival, weeks ago. While Umie Akabane, the former employee he brought in to wear the mascot costume, was the one responsible for ruining it, Hodai neglected to have a watcher there to free her, when the costume's cooling function backfired.

That's what the report said, anyway. It wasn't his fault that he couldn't find anyone available on such short notice. If that little idiot hadn't ripped open the costume in front of all those kids, they wouldn't have a company's PR department breathing down his bosses' necks.

Dressed in a tank top and shorts, Hodai wedged himself in front of the lone fan in his apartment, staving off the summer heat as he scrolled the internet for job offerings. The glass of water on the floor desk grew slick with condensation, as if commiserating with the equally sweaty young man. The midday heat was barely alleviated by the cool evening air as the hours passed with nothing to show for it, save for a refilled glass of water as his search continued.

At some point his browser tabs went elsewhere, as lead after lead led to dried up sources. The wealth of misfortune broke the young man down; sure, he could tread water for a little bit, but it wasn't _enough_. He wanted *results*.

He's seen Umie walking about Sumaru City, even after she's told him she had moved. The way she smiled to herself, a skip in her step, was different from the quiet high school graduate he had tried to help from time to time. There were naturally rumors in the breakroom that he was trying to snatch up the girl as some sort of workplace sweetheart, but she wasn't his type. He had watched her blossom, waiting for that magic age when she could move away from her dipshit parents.

And she had, the little bird flying away to pretend at being an adult, while workers like him had to still pay the rent and give up their dreams of being anything more than just another cog in the machine.

The glass of water was replaced with a stronger liquid, now, something that eased the bite of his frustration and aimless searching. The red background of the Phan-site made him feel like he was back in high school himself, and he felt juvenile for it. You just put someone's name in and what? They have a change of heart, somehow?

Hodai didn't want *that*. Adult problems needed adult solutions. Strega? No, he wasn't a murderer. He just wanted someone who'd listen, and make everything right again. He didn't want to think, he'd done enough thinking for the day.

There was a third option. However, a phone call, in this day and age? It felt good. It felt... indirect.

What harm was there in saying a name to the other end of a phone?
</poem>
[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

Umie Akabane

2026-05-04T23:05:18Z

Tanyuu: /* NPC Relationships */

{| class="toccolours" cellspacing="2" style="width: 15%; float: right; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align: left; font-size: %110"
! colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5">'''Umie Akabane'''
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" |[[File:Umieplaceholder.png|300px]]
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font-size: 110%;" |<span style="color:#F3F2D5">'''IC Information'''</span>
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Full Name:
|Umie Akabane (赤羽烏実枝)
|-
! style="text-align: left;" |Arcana:
|Chariot
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Gender:
|Female
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Age (Birthdate):
|20 (April 2nd, 1992)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Hair Colour:
|Brown (dyed Ash Blonde)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Eye Colour:
|Reddish Brown
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Height:
|5'1" /155 cm
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Residence:
|Shibuya, Tokyo
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Workplace:
|Triple Seven (among others)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Job:
|Clerk (among others)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Role:
|Focus
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" style="background:#82837C; border: 2px #a70029 solid; font-size: 110%;" |<span style="color:#F3F2D5">'''OOC Information'''</span>
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Source:
|Persona 2 (OC)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Groups:
|Adults
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Player:
|[[User:Tanyuu|Tanyuu]]
|-
|}

'''"Looks like you're in for a rough night."'''

Umie Akabane is a seemingly unremarkable person who works various side jobs, a konbini clerk being one of them. A lover of strange snack foods and supernatural gossip, her dry humor disguises many minor mysteries about the young woman. Thumbsleeves in summer, a knack for seeing bad luck on the horizon, and her sudden appearance in Shibuya could make a more curious person wonder where she came from, or if she's connected with a masked girl who pops up from time to time in various supernatural affairs. Then again, aren't there many like that running around nowadays?

==Background==

<poem>Thisisfinedog.gif</poem>

==Persona==
<poem>''“The red-mouthed Badbs will cry around the house,
''For bodies they will be solicitious.”''</poem>

Part of the Morrigan, Badb is the battle crow, a war goddess who uses confusion and fear to turn the battle in her favor. Her appearance before a battle is a bad omen, and she has appeared in the guises of an elderly woman or a washerwoman to foretell a hero's impending death.

== Abilities ==
Umie has nothing to say about the future, but the present (and the past) is another story. Let an unwilling oracle lie to you and look at the shadows the words cast: you might find something you were on the edge of understanding, or be led further astray.
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 40%;"
|+
|'''Given to:'''
|Tsuyoshi & Kyouka Akabane
|-
|'''(IC) Date:'''
|??/??/2003
|-
|'''Contents:'''
| '' A child lies, on the edge of two breaths.''
'' A razor's edge at the sacred junction,''

'' By first snow, the time for change had come and gone.''
|-
|'''Thoughts:'''
|She just wanted them to notice her. At what point did it become <s>more than a game</s>?
|}
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable" style="width: 40%;"
|+
|'''Given to:'''
|Tatsuzou Sudou
|-
|'''(IC) Date:'''
|??/??/2003(?)
|-
|'''Contents:'''
|''??????''
|-
|'''Thoughts:'''
|Why did she let it get this far? Didn't she enjoy the attention she got afterwards? <s>Maybe she deserved what happened next.</s>
|}
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable" style="width: 40%;"
|+
|'''Given to:'''
|Goro Akechi
|-
|'''(IC) Date:'''
|6/22/2012
|-
|'''Contents:'''
|<poem>''A young man in red. Holding a young man with the soft smile.''
''Don't remember. Stop it. Don't remember.''
''In June, the spider lilies bloom blood red in the fields.''
''A man hangs from the branch, caught between decision and action,''
''A blackbird cries in the tree, who hears it?''
''Who is there? Who is it, with that face?''
''Black butterflies fill the school hallways.''
''It is just the beginning.''</poem>
|-
|'''Thoughts:'''
|It was supposed to stop. She's <s>not</s> an oracle.
|}

== Relationships ==
<nowiki/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Name
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Address
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Info
|-
|[[Ren Amamiya]]
|Amamiya-kun
|0. Fool
|★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''You tried to look out for me that day. Hopefully you'll never get burnt for that kindness.''
|-
|[[Ren Amamiya|Joker]]
|Detective-san
|0. Fool
|★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Keep it up and I'll call you Joker in no time.''
|-
|[[Tsumugi Kujaku]]
|Kujaku-san
|0. Fool
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''.... Badb won't be enough to hide me. For the rest, I'll need your skills.''
|-
|[[Makoto Niijima|Queen]]
|Motorcycle-san
|II. High Priestess
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''I really wish I had that kind of conviction back then...''
|-
|[[Yusuke Kitagawa|Fox]]
|Fox-san
|IV. Emperor
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|'''''Seriously''', where is everyone getting these masks and outfits??''
|-
| [[Shinjiro Aragaki]]
|Aragaki-kun
|V. Hierophant
|★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''It's supposed to hurt, when you connect to others. But it's worth it.''
|-
|[[Ann Takamaki|Panther]]
|Red-san
|VI. Lovers
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''It's okay to be a little scared.'' ''I was too.''
|-
|[[Yukari Takeba]]
|Takeba-san
|VI. Lovers
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''... Did I just endanger a high school student with forbidden knowledge?''
|-
|[[Masao Inaba]]
|Inaba-san
|VII. Chariot
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Sorry for dumping info on you like that, but you needed to know.''
|-
|[[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
|Bridge Ninja-san
|VII. Chariot
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Okay, shoge is polished. Can you stop attacking my friends now?''
|-
|[[Goro Akechi]]
|Akechi-san
|VIII. Justice
|★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''I feel sorry for the poor soul you decide to be your rival. Can you at least ask them first?''
|-
|[[Goro Akechi|uh?????]]
|Black Mask Sniper Guy???
|VIII. Justice??
|uh what
|''what in the '''everloving fuck'''''
|-
|[[Katsuya Suou]]
|Katsuya-san
|VIII. Justice
||★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Sometimes I'm jealous, but it's probably easier to wish you had a sibling than to actually deal with having one.''
|-
|[[Julian Marlowe|Vesper]]
|Vesper-san
|X. Fortune
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''I'll have you know that trial and error is a perfectly reasonable way to figure things out!''
|-
|[[Shinobu Shimizu]]
|Shimizu-san
|XII. Hanged Man
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''I think you probably know my name now. It's fine.''
|-
|[[Eikichi Mishina]]
|Mishina-san
|XIII. Death
|★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''He might not know everything that's going on, but he has heart and showmanship. That counts.''
|-
|[[Kurou Ryouhara]]
|Umbrella-kun
|XIII. Death
|★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Tell your boss to give you a proper umbrella next time!!''
|-
|[[Myunghon Yeo]]
|Merry-san
|XV. Devil
|★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''If there's something out there stalking us, let them watch. We'll give them something to remember.''
|-
|[[Mio Kazama]]
|Nun-san
|XVI. The Tower
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''what''
|-
|[[Yoko Hirano]]
|Hirano-san??
|XVIII. Moon
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''uh''
|-
|[[Akari Hoshi|Ixquic]]
|It's... Pick....-san??
|XVIII. Moon
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''You're really enthusiastic. I feel a little jealous...''
|-
|[[So-young Park]]
|Park-san
|XIX. Sun
|★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Okay, I definitely like the way you think.''
|-
|[[Tatsuya Sudou]]
|Old Maid-san
|XIX. Sun
|<s>☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆</s>
|''How many lives have you ruined, and how much has it been because of 'Him'?''
|-
|[[Tatsuya Suou]]
|Takkun
|XIX. Sun
|★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Sorry, but you're going to need my help, whatever it is you're trying to do.''
|-
|}

=== NPC Relationships ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 75%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Name
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Address
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Arcana
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Social Link
! scope="col" style="background:#a70029; border: 2px #82837C solid; font size: 110%;" | <span style="color:#F3F2D5"> Info
|-
|Tatsuzou Sudou
|Asshole
|IV. Emperor
|<s>☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆</s>
|''You smiled when it happened.''
|-
|Tsuyoshi & Kyouka Akabane
|Dad and Mom
|V. Hierophant
|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''My parents. I'd rather not talk about them.''
|-
|Maihime?
|Mai-chan
|I̷I̶Λ̵X̶˙̶ ̵ɹ̸ɐ̴ʇ̸S̴
|★̷͙͌̀☆̴̦̝̃͊★̷̢͍͑̋★̸̬̿̕☆̴̡̇͝☆̶̢̇★̸̬̿̕☆̶͈̞̋̂★̷̢͍͑̋☆̶̨̓̀☆̴̦̝̃͊
|''Y̶͈͙͗̓̕͜ő̷̗̀̕ͅȕ̴͈͙̮͊͑'̷̤̿͑̊v̷̰̞͉̽ę̷̉ ̷̨͇̺̕b̴̢̤͇̈e̶̯͆̎͝ë̵̠́̆n̷̞̆̚ ̷̢͖͇̇̔͝m̷̬̱̜͂ȏ̶̙̟̦r̶̉̎͜e̶͛ͅ ̸̧̒c̸̬̏h̷͖͈͑a̸̞̻̅̿t̵̬̣̋͋͗t̶̡̘͑̓̿y̵̥͑̌̾ ̸͔̳̘̅͒ḽ̴̟͖͑̀͘ȁ̶͎̭̏̓t̴̯̉͐̓e̸̫͙̫͊̇̈́l̴͓̔̑̅y̸̛̘̤͘.̸̡̣̟̏̽͝''
|-
|Mothman
|Taro-kun
|XVIII. Moon
|★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''I still miss him.''
|-
|Toki Murasaki
|Toki-chan
|XVIII. Moon
|★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|''Senpai, how are you the one with the business degree?''
|-
|Syuusei Honjou
|.....
|XIX. Sun
|<s>☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆</s>
|''Your princess is in another castle. Stop messing with my life.''
|-
|}

== Soundtrack ==
Powerless Sounds - [https://youtu.be/erYx7UmBMSU?si=kV3lw48EiKTmmsre Oblivion] '''Keep Moving'''

Giga - [https://youtu.be/6JEdJWwcIyk?si=UlZko-jExxQ6fp3D Play] '''<nowiki/>'Mai-chan''''

Teddyloid - [https://youtu.be/uDSTfUcz1Fw?si=HMVZJIY1QR8xr3A0 Desperate] '''Strategy'''

Ado - [https://youtu.be/9dKZeL2UbUM?si=gkV1_VGrxlgAOvGS Episode X] '''Failure is Not an Option'''

Zutomayo - [https://youtu.be/Atvsg_zogxo?si=w3xkP2dnJ_ZcCAQ0 Study Me] '''Figure Me Out'''

Giga - [https://youtu.be/UhH7D7ue4Fc?si=xbdMbMJBAfO3VpNR Beyond the Way] '''Find A Way'''

Minami - [https://youtu.be/WpRcRYoHqxE?si=c6zeqNG5TurKm7lG Drop] '''Disillusion'''

Poe - '''[https://youtu.be/iy9KpprZRJA?si=RhioILKU3_wHP_8P Control]'''

Joanna Jones - '''[https://youtu.be/W1YrGOIQBRc?si=wEcsTGeUaoxg-rdp Trouble Ahead]'''

Riko Azuna - [https://youtu.be/iBYQYf7CjmQ?si=OrJVrljy6FH3knfl White Out] '''Mirror'''

Ado - [https://youtu.be/oxt9wBzxhK4?si=zOlyTCRoWoQwfyin I'm a Controversy] '''Obligatory Gag Track'''

= Logs and Cutscenes =

==Season 1==

===Logs===
<div style="column-count: 3;">
{{#dpl:
|category = logs&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no logs on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}
</div>

===Cutscenes===
<div style="column-count: 3;">
{{#dpl:
|category = cutscenes&season 1
|linksto = {{PAGENAME}}
|ordermethod = title
|columns = 3
|rowcolformat=width=50%
|suppresserrors = yes
| addcategories = true
| mode = userformat
| format = ,,\n* [[%PAGE%]],
|noresultsheader=There are no cutscenes on this wiki that {{PAGENAME}} participated in.
}}
</div>

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Focus]]
[[Category:Cardboard Dragon]]

Le Chat Marron

2026-04-29T01:55:13Z

Tanyuu:

The Chat Marron is a butler cafe in in Akihabara. Started by Toki Murasaki, it is the second business the entrepreneur as created, the first being the Pretty Pixie, a popular maid cafe started in Sumaru City's Yumezaki Ward. Having moved on from the the maid cafe business, Toki means to make her new venture as successful as her last!

==Menu==

The cafe is all ages; no alcohol is served. The feel is vaguely Old World European, which is reflected in the decor and menu. The menu consists of sweet and savory pastries as well as desserts. Drinks mainly are tea, served in fine porcelain cups, as well as some fancy mixed drinks (again, nonalcoholic). The food quality is great, and reviews will mention the quality exceeds how varied the butlers can be in terms of quality.

==Employment==

Speaking of butlers, that is the theme of cafe! While a standard butler's uniform can be provided (done in the reddish brown and white themes of the cafe), workers are allowed to have their own, as long as it fits the theme (coughcough Toki can't afford to have every size on hand coughcough). Any sex/gender is allowed to be a butler, as originally, this was going to be a dansō (ie women crossdressing) cafe!

The cafe allows for part-timers; each can and are encouraged to come up with their own name and identity, which can be changed at any time. If a worker can't think of one, Toki will definitely help. If you take her up on it, it will likely be very extra, flowery, and full of things that Toki thinks sound fancy, including erroneous French words. Proceed at your own risk.

Customers can ask for whoever is on staff at the time, provided they are not busy already. The general policy is that customers are often referred to as 'ojou-sama', 'danna-sama', or 'bocchama'.

.... Eventually Toki will relent and have an occasional Maid day, but like with butlers, any sex/gender is allowed.

==Articles==
<blockquote>New Cafe: Le Chat Marron TOKYO TIMES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Tuesday, October 30th, a new cafe opened in Akihabara, called Le Chat Marron. What makes it unique is what its owner has referred to as an 'Old World European' style, with fancy butlers to match. Riding the recent trend of danso (crossdressing) themed establishments, though, in an added twist, the butlers can be either male or female.

Noted restaurant entrepreneur Toki Murasaki managed to make waves in Sumaru City's Yumezaki Ward with the Pretty Pixie, a maid cafe that opened back in 2010. With its blue, white, and black theme, its elegant appeal attracted a wide client base of gothic lolita enthusiasts before being sold over to its current owner, former fashion model-turned-restaurateur Kako Honma.

"Maids are over for me," Murasaki said in a recent interview. "I'm looking for newer horizons. Everyone wants someone to serve them with a bit of elegance and refinement. With the Pretty Pixie I found myself caring more about the outfits than the actual menu, so here, I'm doing the opposite! Also, there are butlers. I think butlers are really mysterious and cool."

The menu shall serve a variety of tea cakes, pastries, and drinks, all non-alcoholic. Tea is the primary focus, much like with Pretty Pixie, but Murasaki hopes to push into new territory like with the 'Eau de Nil', a matcha-infused milk tea with boba pearls, and, later this spring, the 'Lucky Charlotte', a mixed fruity drink topped with fresh berries.

The cafe will join the likes of similar venues, such as Alice's Apron, but Murasaki isn't worried. "I don't think we serve the same clientele," she says, smiling.</blockquote>

==Trivia==

* There is a public secret rivalry with the dansō host club down the way. Since the rival host club is all women cosplaying as men, Toki thought that having both men and women butlers would provide an edge to her business. .... Toki also has a secret crush in the owner.
* Toki is [[Umie Akabane]]'s former senpai and school pal. To this day, Umie is mystified how someone like her not only has a business degree, but somehow manages to have a decent business sense, despite her cloudcuckoolander nature.

[[Category: Locations]]

Le Chat Marron

2026-04-28T02:20:53Z

Tanyuu:

The Chat Marron is a butler cafe in in Akihabara. Started by Toki Murasaki, it is the second business the entrepreneur as created, the first being the Pretty Pixie, a popular maid cafe started in Sumaru City's Yumezaki Ward. Having moved on from the the maid cafe business, Toki means to make her new venture as successful as her last!

==Menu==

The cafe is all ages; no alcohol is served. The feel is vaguely Old World European, which is reflected in the decor and menu. The menu consists of sweet and savory pastries as well as desserts. Drinks mainly are tea, served in fine porcelain cups, as well as some fancy mixed drinks (again, nonalcoholic). The food quality is great, and reviews will mention the quality exceeds how varied the butlers can be in terms of quality.

==Employment==

Speaking of butlers, that is the theme of cafe! While a standard butler's uniform can be provided (done in the reddish brown and white themes of the cafe), workers are allowed to have their own, as long as it fits the theme (coughcough Toki can't afford to have every size on hand coughcough). Any sex/gender is allowed to be a butler, as originally, this was going to be a dansō (ie women crossdressing) cafe!

The cafe allows for part-timers; each can and are encouraged to come up with their own name and identity, which can be changed at any time. If a worker can't think of one, Toki will definitely help. If you take her up on it, it will likely be very extra, flowery, and full of things that Toki thinks sound fancy, including erroneous French words. Proceed at your own risk.

Customers can ask for whoever is on staff at the time, provided they are not busy already. The general policy is that customers are often referred to as 'ojou-sama', 'danna-sama', or 'bocchama'.

.... Eventually Toki will relent and have an occasional Maid day, but like with butlers, any sex/gender is allowed.

==Articles==
<blockquote>New Cafe: Le Chat Marron Mon Apr 27 2026 19:25:45
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Monday, April 27th, a new cafe opened in Akihabara, called Le Chat Marron. What makes it unique is what its owner has referred to as an 'Old World European' style, with fancy butlers to match. Riding the recent trend of danso (crossdressing) themed establishments, though, in an added twist, the butlers can be either male or female.

Noted restaurant entrepreneur Toki Murasaki managed to make waves in Sumaru City's Yumezaki Ward with the Pretty Pixie, a maid cafe that opened back in 2010. With its blue, white, and black theme, its elegant appeal attracted a wide client base of gothic lolita enthusiasts before being sold over to its current owner, former fashion model-turned-restaurateur Kako Honma.

"Maids are over for me," Murasaki said in a recent interview. "I'm looking for newer horizons. Everyone wants someone to serve them with a bit of elegance and refinement. With the Pretty Pixie I found myself caring more about the outfits than the actual menu, so here, I'm doing the opposite! Also, there are butlers. I think butlers are really mysterious and cool."

The menu shall serve a variety of tea cakes, pastries, and drinks, all non-alcoholic. Tea is the primary focus, much like with Pretty Pixie, but Murasaki hopes to push into new territory like with the 'Eau de Nil', a matcha-infused milk tea with boba pearls, and, later this spring, the 'Lucky Charlotte', a mixed fruity drink topped with fresh berries.

The cafe will join the likes of similar venues, such as Alice's Apron, but Murasaki isn't worried. "I don't think we serve the same clientele," she says, smiling.</blockquote>

==Trivia==

* There is a public secret rivalry with the dansō host club down the way. Since the rival host club is all women cosplaying as men, Toki thought that having both men and women butlers would provide an edge to her business. .... Toki also has a secret crush in the owner.
* Toki is [[Umie Akabane]]'s former senpai and school pal. To this day, Umie is mystified how someone like her not only has a business degree, but somehow manages to have a decent business sense, despite her cloudcuckoolander nature.

[[Category: Locations]]

Le Chat Marron

2026-04-28T00:34:55Z

Tanyuu:

Le Chat Marron

2026-04-28T00:25:49Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "The Chat Marron is a butler cafe in in Akihabara. Started by Toki Murasaki, it is the second business the entrepreneur as created, the first being the Pretty Pixie, a popular maid cafe started in Sumaru City's Yumezaki Ward. Having moved on from the the maid cafe business, Toki means to make her new venture as successful as her last! ==Menu== The cafe is all ages; no alcohol is served. The feel is vaguely Old World European, which is reflected in the decor and menu. Th..."

Persona & Shadow Ideas

2026-04-26T21:18:11Z

Tanyuu:

This list is for ideas for Personas, Shadows, or whatever else is needed for a named supernatural entity, along with keywords to make it easier to search using Ctrl+F.

Keep in mind that the keywords are a loose guide and will very likely carry inaccuracies, and that this is ''not'' a comprehensive list; if we listed every possible concept here, it'd be way too long! Use it as a starting point, inspiration, or completely disregard in favor of your own ideas.

There is no guarantee that any of these are not already being used, or picked as someone's idea for an eventual second Persona. However, there are often parallels in history, literature, folklore, and mythology, as well as alternative spellings and interpretations.

'''Disclaimer:''' ''Several entries here are from active religions, established texts, historical figures with living relatives, etc.'' Be mindful and do your research; you may learn something new.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 98%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Tags
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok Wild Bill Hickok]
| Historical
| United States, 1837–1876
| Cowboy, Theater, Gambler, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accolon Accolon]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Knight, Duel, Death, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlys Achlys]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Sorrow, Mist, Death, Witch
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ae-oyna-kamuy Ae-oyna-kamuy]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ainu
| Hero, Craft, Smoke, Fire, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asherah Asherah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ancient Semitic
| Mother, Consort, Sex, Fertility, Lioness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%ABdon Aëdon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greek
| Nightingale, Mother, Murder, Envy, Mourning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atargatis Atargatis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| North Syrian
| Fertility, Water, Dove, Fish, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace Ada Lovelace]
| Historical
| England, 1815–1852
| Mathematics, Computing, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lono Lono]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Fertility, Agriculture, Water, Music, Peace
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yem%E1%BB%8Dja Yemọja]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá
| Water, Moon, Creation, Motherhood, Protection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshun Oshun]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá, Fon
| Water, Fertility, Purity, Love, Sensuality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%BB%8Cya Ọya]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá
| Wind, Thunder, Children, Afterlife, Warrior
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medb Medb]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Queen, War, Beauty, Sex, Jealousy, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aengus Aengus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Swan, Youth, Love, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Brinvilliers Madame de Brinvilliers]
| Historical
| France, 1630–1676
| Murder, Poison, Torture, Crime, Conspiracy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahalya Ahalya]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Beauty, Sex, Curse, Liberation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%ADfe Aífe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Warrior, Duel, Chariot, Horse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81ine Áine]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Summer, Sun, Wealth, Fire, Sovereignty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aion_(deity) Aion]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Cycles, Time, Zodiac, Eternity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkorokamui Akkorokamui]
| Folklore/Legend
| Ainu
| Giant, Octopus, Healing, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala_(odinala) Ala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Odinani
| Crescent Moon, Underworld, Morality, Fertility, Creativity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan-a-Dale Alan-a-Dale]
| Folklore/Legend
| Robin Hood legend
| Knight, Minstrel, Love, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberich Alberich]
| Folklore/Legend
| German
| Strength, Ring, Guardian, Dwarf
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Cagliostro Alessandro Cagliostro]
| Historical
| Italy, 1743–1795
| Occult, Magic, Adventure, Alchemy, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alf_and_Alfhild Alfhild]
| Literature
| ''Gesta Danorum,'' by [[wikipedia:Saxo_Grammaticus|Saxo Grammaticus]]
| Warrior, Princess, Pirate, Disguise
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyosha_Popovich Alyosha Popovich]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Knight, Agility, Trickster, Disguise, Mockery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightingale_the_Robber Nightingale the Robber]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Crime, Bird, Forest, Whistling
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amirani Amirani]
| Folklore/Legend
| Georgian
| Hero, Metal, Punishment, Dragon, Loss
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampelos Ampelos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Satyr, Love, Grapes, Star, Death, Fate
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angitia Angitia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Italic
| Snakes, Magic, Witchcraft, Medicine
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bonny Anne Bonny]
| Historical
| Unknown, ???-1720?
| Pirate, Crime, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Read Mary Read]
| Historical
| England, ???-1721
| Pirate, Crime, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ao_Guang Ao Guang]
| Folklore/Legend
| Chinese
| Dragon, King, Storms, Water
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Rokuj%C5%8D Lady Rokujō]
| Literature
| ''Genji Monogatari'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murasaki_Shikibu Murasaki Shikibu]
| Mistress, Jealousy, Murder, Revenge, Ghost
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiramis Semiramis]
| Historical, Legend
| Armenian
| Ruler, Queen, Warfare, Sorcery, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aranyani Aranyani]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Forests, Animals, Bells, Dancing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithuriel Ithuriel]
| Literature
| ''Paradise Lost'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton John Milton]
| Angel, Spear, Truth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jophiel Jophiel]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Fire, Sword, Beauty, Art, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maalik Maalik]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Guardian, Fire, Hell
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raziel Raziel]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Secrets, Mystery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyaza Samyaza]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Lust, Fallen Angel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalchiuhtlicue Chalchiuhtlicue]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Water, Rivers, Fertility, Storms, Ocean
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormwood_(Bible) Wormwood]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Star, Bitter Water, End Times
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Buffalo_Calf_Woman White Buffalo Maiden]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lakota
| Prophet, Cloud, Beauty, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sosondowah Sosondowah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Iroquois
| Hunter, Elk, Love, Song, Bird, Separation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim%C3%B3n Maximón]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Maya
| Light, Dark, Trickster, Revenge, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q%CA%BCuq%CA%BCumatz Gukumatz]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Kʼicheʼ Maya
| Serpent, Water, Wind, Feathers, Sky
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabrakan Cabrakan]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Maya
| Earthquakes, Crocodile, Arrogance, Mountains, Violence
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arke Arke]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Messenger, Betrayal, Punishment, Torn Wings
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baigujing Baigujing]
| Literature
| ''Journey to the West'', attrib. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Cheng%27en Wu Cheng'en]
| Demon, Shapeshifting, Skeleton, Deception
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batara_Kala Batara Kala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Javanese, Balinese
| Death, Light, Earth, Time, Luck
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathsheba Bathsheba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Consort, Lust, Beauty, Queen
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedivere Bedivere]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| One-Armed, Excalibur, Spear, Beauty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellerophon Bellerophon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Horse, Hero, Hubris, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benkei Benkei]
| Historical
| Japan, 1155–1189
| Warrior, Monk, Strength, Loyalty, Drifter, Duel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benten_Koz%C5%8D Benten Kozō]
| Literature
| ''Aoto Zōshi Hana no Nishiki-e'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawatake_Mokuami Kawatake Mokuami]
| Thief, Disguise, Scheme, Atonement
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhima Bhima]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| ''Mahabharata'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasa Vyasa]
| Hero, Strength, Loyalty, Mace, Bow
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhramari Bhramari]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Bees, Hornets, Wasps, Insects
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Kid Billy the Kid]
| Historical
| United States, 1859–1881
| Outlaw, Crime, Murder, Gunfighter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bart_(outlaw) Black Bart]
| Historical
| United States, 1829–1888(?)
| Thief, Crime, Gold, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica Boudica]
| Historical
| British Isles, reigned AD 60-61
| Queen, War, Poison, Defeat
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradamante Bradamante]
| Literature
| Renaissance epic poems
| Knight, Lance, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunhild Brunhild]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic heroic legend
| Warrior, Queen, Beauty, Deception, Love, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%A2n_the_Blessed Brân the Blessed]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Giant, King, Decapitation, Diplomacy, Revenge, War, Cauldron
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunjil Bunjil]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Australian Aboriginal
| Hero, Eagle, Ocean, Order, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunzi Bunzi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Kongo
| Serpent, Water, Rain, Harvest, Sunset
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blodeuwedd Blodeuwedd]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Beauty, Artificial, Affair, Murder, Punishment, Owl
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C7%80Kaggen Mantis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| San
| Trickster, Praying Mantis, Shapeshifter, Bull Eland
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach Cailleach]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Gaelic
| Hag, Creation, Winter, Storms, Queen, Cattle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rackham_(pirate) Calico Jack]
| Historical
| England, ????-1720
| Pirate, Deposal, Deception, Affair, Trial, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calon_Arang Calon Arang]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese/Balinese
| Witch, Widow, Mother, Curse, Magic Scroll
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camma Camma]
| Literature
| [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch Plutarch]'s writings
| Love, Beauty, Virtue, Murder, Milk, Honey, Poison, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cangjie Cangjie]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Inventor, Eyes, Inspiration
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Ahab Captain Ahab]
| Literature
| ''Moby Dick'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Melville Herman Melville]
| Ocean, Whale, Revenge, Captain, Fanaticism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiopeia_(mother_of_Andromeda) Cassiopeia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Queen, Arrogance, Vanity, Punishment, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Annis Black Annis]
| Folklore/Legend
| English
| Bogeyman, Witch, Cannibalism, Claws
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bricriu Bricriu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Hospitality, Trickster, Poet
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca%C3%ADlte_mac_R%C3%B3n%C3%A1in Caílte mac Rónáin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Speed, Animals, Storyteller, Harp, Bewitchment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceridwen Ceridwen]
| Folklore/Legend
| Welsh
| Magic, Witch, Mother, Magic Cauldron, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cernunnos Cernunnos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Celtic
| Antlers, Fertility, Wild Beasts, Underworld
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaac Chaac]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mayan
| Rain, Thunder, Lightning, Agriculture
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamunda Chamunda]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Cremation, Wine, Fierce, Drum, Trident, Bones
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandraghanta Chandraghanta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Third Eye, Warrior, Grace, Courage, Wolf, Crescent Moon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e Chang'e]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Moon, Beauty, Rabbit, Nostalgia, Solitude
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne Charlemagne]
| Historical
| France, 748–814
| Emperor, Unification, Conquest, Reign
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiyou Chiyou]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| King, Deposal, War, Chaos, Demon, Violence, Protection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABj%C5%8D-hime Chūjō-hime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japanese
| Persecution, Noble, Escape, Nun, Abandonment, Miracle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Duval Claude Duval]
| Historical
| France, 1643–1670
| Highwayman, Chivalry, Romantic, Crime, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cikap-kamuy Cikap-kamuy]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ainu
| Owl, Tears, Gold, Silver, Knowledge, Prosperity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clytemnestra Clytemnestra]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Sacrifice, Queen, Mother, Grudge, Affair, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comte_de_Rochefort Comte de Rochefort]
| Literature
| ''d'Artagnan Romances'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Dumas Alexandre Dumas]
| Scar, Spy, Messenger, Insult, Duel, Reconciliation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_of_St._Germain Count of St. Germain]
| Historical
| Europe(?), 1712–1784
| Science, Arts, Alchemy, Philosophy, Immortality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote_(mythology) Coyote]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Navajo (& others)
| Rain, Trickster, Ill Omen, Appeasement Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakuwaqa Dakuwaqa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Fijian
| Shark, Guardian, Duel, Deal, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damocles Damocles]
| Folklore/Legend
| Greco-Roman
| King, Fortune, Anxiety, Hubris, Weight, Fear
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delilah Delilah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| One-Sided Love, Sex, Bribe, Scheme, Betrayal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damarwulan Damarwulan]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese
| Prince, Role Reversal, Beauty, Love, Imprisonment, Rescue, Hero
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Boone Daniel Boone]
| Historical
| United States, 1734-1829
| Pioneer, Frontier, Hero, Military, Hunter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daragang_Magayon Magayon]
| Folklore/Legend
| Philippine
| Beauty, Rescue, Love, Envy, Ransom, War, Sorrow, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah Deborah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Prophecy, Judge, Date Palm, Fortune, Peace
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djedi Djedi]
| Literature
| Westcar Papyrus, attrib. Unknown
| Magic, Prophecy, Resurrection, Miracles
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinadan Dinadan]
| Literature
| Prose ''Tristan'', attrib. Unknown, Arthurian
| Knight, Pragmatism, Cynicism, Foil, Skepticism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido Dido]
| Historical, Literature
| Greco-Roman writings
| Love, Murder, Wealth, Scheme, Escape, Founding, Queen, Pyre
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Div-e_Sepid Div-e Sepid]
| Literature, Legend
| ''Shahnameh'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsi Ferdowsi]
| Demon, Leader, Revenge, War, Strength, Magic, Hail
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Juan Don Juan]
| Literature
| Various Works
| Lust, Wealth, Youth, Murder, Hell, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkeyskin Donkeyskin]
| Literature
| "Donkeyskin", by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Perrault Charles Perrault]
| Princess, Escape, Disguise, Love, Ring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deirdre Deirdre]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Beauty, Fate, War, Tragedy, Love, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donn Donn]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Dead, Phantom, White Horse, King
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kelley Edward Kelley]
| Historical
| England, 1555–1598
| Occult, Scryer, Angels, Alchemy, Imprisonment, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egl%C4%97_the_Queen_of_Serpents Eglė]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lithuanian
| Snake, Sea, Trickery, Marriage, Tests, Homecoming, Murder, Sorrow
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_of_Astolat Elaine of Astolat]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| One-sided Love, Heartbreak, Water, Boat, Lily, Shame
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine Eleanor of Aquitaine]
| Historical
| France, 1137-1204
| Queen, Power, Wealth, Rumor, Love, Imprisonment, Legacy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enyo Enyo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Eye, Tooth, Strife, War, Discord
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eopsin Eopsin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Korean
| Storage, Wealth, Snakes, Weasels, Toads
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erichtho Erichtho]
| Literature
| Various European works
| Witch, Necromancy, Prophecy, Poison
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlang_Shen Erlang Shen]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese, Daoism
| Water, Justice, Warrior, Hunting, Truth, Demonhunter, Spear
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlik Erlik]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Turkic
| Underworld, Death, Plague, Bear, Judge, Darkness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89ta%C3%ADn Étaín]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Sun, Love, Transformation, Fly, Previous Life, Swan
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fereydun Fereydun]
| Folklore/Legend
| Persian
| King, Hero, Victory, Justice, Generosity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_King Fisher King]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| King, Guardian, Injury, Curse, Healing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahut Dahut]
| Folklore/Legend
| Breton
| Princess, Wickedness, Lust, Murder, Devil, Keys, Flood, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forseti Forseti]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Justice, Reconciliation, Mediation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer Franz Mesmer]
| Historical
| Germany, 1734-1815
| Astronomy, Patron, Illusion, Hypnosis, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigg Frigg]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Marriage, Prophecy, Motherhood, Clairvoyance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuamnach Fuamnach]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Witch, Jealousy, Magic, Scheme, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabija Gabija]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lithuanian
| Fire, Hearth, Shapeshifter, Cat, Stork, Rooster, Guardian, House
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambrinus Gambrinus]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| King, Beer, Brewing, Joviality, Happiness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gan_Ning Gan Ning]
| Historical
| China, 170s-220
| Pirate, Change, Warrior, Service, War, Loyalty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariwara_no_Narihira Ariwara no Narihira]
| Historical
| Japan, 825–880
| Courtier, Poet, Affairs, Beauty, Love, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashiya_D%C5%8Dman Ashiya Dōman]
| Historical
| Japan, Heian period
| Onmyōji, Rival, Duel, Magic, Defeat, Exile, Hex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banzuiin_Ch%C5%8Dbei Banzuiin Chōbei]
| Historical, Literature
| Japan, 1622–1657
| Justice, Common Good, Protection, Warrior, Swordsman
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denrinb%C5%8D_Raikei Denrinbō Raikei]
| Historical
| China, Ming Dynasty
| Martial Artist, Traveler, Ninja, Swordsman, Hermit
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Jing%C5%AB Empress Jingū]
| Historical, Literature
| Japan, 169-269(?)
| Queen, Revenge, War, Invasion, Controversy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Boy_(Japanese_folktale) Mamichigane]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japan
| Exile, Dance, Contest, Love, Poison, Death, Resurrection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C5%ABma_Kotar%C5%8D Fūma Kotarō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, ????-1603
| Leader, Band, Ninja, Giant, Demon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhari_(Mahabharata) Gandhari]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| ''Mahabharata'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasa Vyasa]
| Wife, Solidarity, Blindfold, Advocate, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennu Bennu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Bird, Sun, Creation, Rebirth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_Felix Bulla Felix]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 205–207 AD
| Leader, Bandit, Luck, Crime, Disguise, Charity, Redistribution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anansi Anansi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Akan
| Spider, Trickster, Stories, Knowledge, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greuceanu Greuceanu]
| Fairy Tale
| Romanian
| Sun, Moon, Quest, Rescue, Shapeshifting, Ogre, Trick
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimhild Grimhild]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Evil, Queen, Sorceress, Scheme
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachikazuki Hachikazuki]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Bowl, Beauty, Hidden, Stepmother, Prince, Love, Jewels
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuz%C5%8Dsu Hakuzōsu]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Fox, Shapeshifter, Priest, Disguise, Ruse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_von_Trotha#Significance Hans Trapp]
| Historical, Folklore
| Germany, 1450–1503
| Feud, Robber Baron, Black Knight, Bogeyman, Spirit
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herla Herla]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic
| Leader, Wedding, Trick, Wild Hunt, Wanderers, Spirits
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpocrates Harpocrates]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hellenistic
| Roses, Silence, Secrets, Hope, Confidentiality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut Hatshepsut]
| Historical
| Egypt, 1505–1458 BC
| Ruler, Queen, Prosperity, Erasure
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitocris Nitocris]
| Historical(?), Literature
| Egypt, Sixth Dynasty
| Ruler, Queen, Revenge, Banquet, Flood, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6%C3%B0r Hodur]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Blindness, Tricked, Arrow, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1li Váli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Purpose, Prophecy, Survival, End Times, Vengeance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaivi Beaivi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Sun, Spring, Sanity, Fertility, Solstice, Reindeer, Butter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belet-Seri Belet-Seri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Scribe, Underworld, Binding, List of the Dead
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetongue_Lizard Bluetongue Lizard]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Warlpiri
| Trickster, Fire, Sorcerer, Kangaroo, Killing, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great Catherine the Great]
| Historical
| Poland, 1729–1796
| Marriage, Affair, Empress, Arts, Coup, Rebellion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_de_Berry Charlotte de Berry]
| Historical(?), Literature
| England, 17th c.
| Love, Disguise, Blackmail, Death, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicomec%C5%8D%C4%81tl Chicomecōātl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Nourishment, Bounty, Maize, Livelihood, Flowers, Death, Sun
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cl%C3%ADodhna Clíodhna]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Queen, Banshees, Love, Beauty, Song, Bird
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C5%8D%C4%81tl%C4%ABcue Cōātlīcue]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Pregnancy, Birth, Moon, Stars, Snakes, Claws, Skulls
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comte_Arnau Comte Arnau]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Catalan
| Cruelty, Lust, Punishment, Fire, Horse, Dogs
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agathon Agathon]
| Historical
| Greece, c. 448–400 BC
| Poet, Beauty, Cross-dressing, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eos Eos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Dawn, Morning, Sex, Kidnapper, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudrun Gudrun]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic hero legend
| Queen, Rivalry, Murder, Scheme, Revenge, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullveig Gullveig]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Violence, Speared, Burnt, Resurrection, Seer, Prophecy, Gold
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heh_(god) Heh]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Infinity, Primordial Waters, Eternity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Cornelius_Agrippa Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa]
| Historical
| Germany, 1486–1535
| Scholar, Physician, Law, Religion, Occult, Knight
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellawes_(sorceress) Hellawes]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Sorceress, Revenge, Curse, One-sided Love, Sorrow, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Every Henry Every]
| Historical
| England, 1659-1696 (disappeared)
| Pirate, Evasion, Mutiny, Notoriety
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongsim Gongsim]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Korean
| Princess, Illness, Shamanism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebeard Bluebeard]
| Fairy Tale
| French
| Wealth, Marriage, Mystery, Curiosity, Discovery, Violence, Rescue
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredegund Fredegund]
| Historical
| France, 529-597
| Queen, Feud, Cruelty, Jealousy, Murder, Assassination
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_of_Bingen Hildegard of Bingen]
| Historical
| Germany, 1098–1179
| Scholar, Mystic, Nun, Visions, Writing, Spirituality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidari_Jingor%C5%8D Hidari Jingorō]
| Historical(?), Folklore
| Japan, 1596–1644(?)
| Art, Sculpting, Acting, Carpentry, Amputation, Beauty, Creation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hervor Hervor]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Viking, Disguise, Summoning, Cursed Sword, Murder, Curse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi%CA%BBiaka Hiʻiaka]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Hula Dancing, Chant, Sorcery, Medicine
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hine-nui-te-p%C5%8D Hine-nui-te-pō]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Māori
| Night, Underworld, Red, Death, Obsidian
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraga_Gennai Hiraga Gennai]
| Historical
| Japan, 1729-1779 or 1780)
| Scholar, Rōnin, Science, Writing, Inventor, Electricity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dj%C5%8D_Masako Hōjō Masako]
| Historical
| Japan, 1157–1225
| Nun Shogun, Rebellion, Elopement, War, Political Power
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frau_Holle Frau Holle]
| Fairy Tale
| Germanic, German
| Dark Grandmother, Winter, Children, Spinning, Weaving, Christmas
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_Oriente La Signora del Gioco]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italian
| Inquisition, Witch, Religious Leader, Resurrection, Occult
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Tadakatsu Honda Tadakatsu]
| Historical
| Japan, 1548–1610
| Samurai, Lord, Invulnerability, Antlers, War, Spear, Sword
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horagalles Horagalles]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Thunder, Sky, Lightning, Rainbow, Weather, Ocean, Rules
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hou_Yi Hou Yi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Archery, Immortality, Sun, Monster Hunter, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu%C4%93huecoy%C5%8Dtl Huēhuecoyōtl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Music, Coyote, Trickster, Dance, Sex, Shapeshifter, Deception
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitaca_(goddess) Huitaca]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Muisca
| Arts, Dance, Music, Rebellion, Magic, Moon, Beauty, Punishment, Owl
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_(mythology) Hyacinth]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Prince, Beauty, Love, Bow, Lyre, Death, Sorrow, Remembrance, Flower
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iago Iago]
| Literature
| ''Othello'', by Shakespeare
| Soldier, Advisor, Scheme, Manipulation, Deception, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypatia Hypatia]
| Historical
| Egypt, c. 350 to 370–415 AD
| Philosophy, Astronomy, Math, Teacher, Counselor, Upheaval, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikky%C5%AB Ikkyū]
| Historical
| Japan, 1394–1481
| Philosophy, Monk, Poetry, Rebel, Vagabond, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iktomi Iktomi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lakota
| Shapeshifter, Spider, Trickster, Red, Wisdom, Mischief
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmarinen Ilmarinen]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Blacksmith, Immortal, Metal, Inventor, Creation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama_Killa Mama Quilla]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Inca
| Moon, Marriage, Menstruation, Silver Tears, Eclipse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphis Iphis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Gender, Love, Wedding, Transformation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_and_Iseult Iseult, Tristan]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Princess, Healing, Betrothal, Love Potion, Affair, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issun-b%C5%8Dshi Issun-bōshi]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japan
| Small, Warrior, Adventure, Love, Magic Hammer
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagonet Dagonet]
| Literature
| Arthurian legend
| Fool, Jester, Knight, Coward, Sanity, Murder, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyarri Iyarri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hittite, Luwian
| Plague, War, Archery, Arrows, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumo_no_Okuni Izumo no Okuni]
| Historical
| Japan, 1578-1613
| Entertainment, Shrine Maiden, Kabuki, Theatre
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_o%27_Kent Jack o' Kent]
| Folklore/Legend
| English, Welsh
| Wizard, Deal with the Devil, Trickery, Earth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jael Jael]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Prophecy, Hospitality, Trick, Murder, Nail, Violence
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jambavan Jambavan]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| King, Bears, Strategy, Physician
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fitzpatrick_(outlaw) James Fitzpatrick]
| Historical
| United States, 1748–1778
| Punishment, Defection, Highwayman, Redistribution, Gentleman
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Tregeagle Jan Tregeagle]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 17th c.
| Deal with the Devil, Power, Murder, Punishment, Impossible Tasks
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_l%27Ours Jean de l'Ours]
| Folklore/Legend
| French, Various
| Bear, Cane, Journey, Underworld, Betrayal, Revenge, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Henri_Latude Jean Henri Latude]
| Historical
| France, 1725–1805
| Writer, Ruse, Imprisonment, Multiple Escapes, Capture, False Identity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_de_Valois-Saint-R%C3%A9my Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy]
| Historical
| France, 1756-1791
| Thief, Adventure, Scheme, Diamond, Imprisonment, Escape, Charisma
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeon_Woo-chi Jeon Woo-chi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Korea, 14-15 c.
| Sorcerer, Trickster, Wine, Marble, Fox, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiutian_Xuann%C3%BC Jiutian Xuannü]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| War, Sex, Longevity, Mystery, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_the_Wad Joan the Wad]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Cornish
| Fairies, Queen, Torch, Trick, Good Luck, Water, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingwei Jingwei]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Death, Transformation, Bird, Perseverance, Impossible Task
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rann John Rann]
| Historical
| England, 1750-1774
| Highwayman, Silk, Charisma, Fashion, Flowers, Dance, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahina Kahina]
| Historical, Folklore
| Algeria(?), early 17th c.-703(?)
| Warrior, Queen, Leader, Soothsayer, War, Destruction
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaihime Kaihime]
| Historical
| Japan, 1572-17th c.
| Warrior, Bravery, Beauty, Strategy, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanaloa Kanaloa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Octopus, Squid, Underworld, Magic, Rebellion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [[wikipedia:Kanjirottu_Yakshi|Chiruthevi]]
| Folklore/Legend
| South Indian
| Courtesan, Beauty, One-Sided Love, Blackmail, Murder, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannagi Kannaki, Kovalan]
| Literature
| ''Cilappatikaram'', attrib. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilango_Adigal Iḷaṅkō Aṭikaḷ]
| Love, Affair, Forgiveness, Miscarriage of Justice, Revenge, Curse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Ferrers Katherine Ferrers]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 1634–1660
| Fortune, Marriage, Ruin, Highwaywoman, Crime, Speculation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat%C5%8D_Danz%C5%8D Katō Danzō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1503–1569
| Ninja, Sorcery, Skill, Test, Plot, Defection, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juraj_J%C3%A1no%C5%A1%C3%ADk Juraj Jánošík]
| Historical, Folklore
| Slovakia, 1688-1713
| Highwayman, Leader, Group, Redistribution, Chivalrous, Violent Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaveh_the_Blacksmith Kaveh the Blacksmith]
| Literature, Folklore
| ''Shahnameh'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsi Ferdowsi]
| Blacksmith, Loss, Revenge, Uprising, Resistance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakami_Gensai Kawakami Gensai]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1834–1872
| Swordsman, Diplomacy, Assassin, Speed, Repentance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keong_Emas Keong Emas]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese
| Princess, Kidnapping, Transformation, Snail, Widow, Helper, Family
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyamura_Rokusuke Keyamura Rokusuke]
| Literature
| Various plays
| Farmer, Humility, Virtue, Mistaken Identity, Revenge, Strength, Samurai
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khamlangba Khamlangba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sanamahism
| Iron, Mining, Metalworking, Hunting, War, Peace, Prosperity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilili Kilili]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sumerian
| Demon, Owl, Windows, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintar%C5%8D Kintarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Hero, Child, Mountain, Gold, Hatchet, Strength, Bear, Koi
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirigakure_Saiz%C5%8D Kirigakure Saizō]
| Literature, Folklore
| Japanese
| Ninja, Accidental Fortune, Fog, Illusion, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kivutar Kivutar]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Ailment, Pain, Rock, Compassion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyohime Kiyohime]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| One-sided Love, Deception, River, Transformation, Dragon, Bell, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dga_Sabur%C5%8D Kōga Saburō]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Warrior, Cave, Betrayal, Trap, Treasure, Transformation, Dragon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kashin Koji Kashin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Magician, Priest, Exile, Punishment, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokopelli Kokopelli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hopi, Zuni, Various others
| Flute, Fertility, Agriculture, Music, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komatsuhime Komatsuhime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1573–1620
| Warrior, Family, Challenge, Choice, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshchei Koshchei]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Immortality, Treasure, Egg, Sleep, Music, One-sided Love, Villain
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuebiko Kuebiko]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Scarecrow, Wisdom, Knowledge, Agriculture, Immobility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kullervo Kullervo]
| Literature
| ''Kalevala'', complied by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_L%C3%B6nnrot Elias Lönnrot]
| Trauma, Magic, Slave, Rage, Revenge, Pride, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutkh Kutkh]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chukotko-Kamchatkan
| Raven, Creation, Trickster, Magic, Light, Fire, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvasir Kvasir]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Teacher, Knowledge, Wisdom, Blood, Honey, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Voisin La Voisin]
| Historical
| France, 1640-1680
| Fortuneteller, Poisoner, Sorcery, Wealth, Murderer, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Godiva Lady Godiva]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, died between 1066-1086
| Charity, Pity, Appeal, Taxation, Dare, Naked, Horse, Spring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Macbeth Lady Macbeth]
| Literature
| ''Macbeth'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare William Shakespeare]
| Plot, Scheme, Husband, Guilt, Madness, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_of_the_Lake Lady of the Lake]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Fae, Magic, Enchantress, Betrayer, Helper, Water
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Tri%E1%BB%87u Lady Triệu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Vietnam, died 248 AD
| Warrior, Resistance, Rebel, Leader, Elephant
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Caihe Lan Caihe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Immortality, Flowers, Garden, Gender, Youth, Innocence, Music
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigong Leigong]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Thunder, Punisher, Drum, Mallet, Chisel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemmink%C3%A4inen Lemminkäinen]
| Literature
| ''Kalevala'', complied by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_L%C3%B6nnrot Elias Lönnrot]
| Hero, Underworld, Black Swan, Mother, Resurrection, Bee, Honey
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohengrin Lohengrin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian legend, Literature
| Knight, Boat, Swan, Protector, Anonymous, Taboo
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_John_Silver Long John Silver]
| Literature
| ''Treasure Island'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Louis_Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson]
| Pirate, Courage, Treachery, Cunning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Mandrin Louis Mandrin]
| Historical
| France, 1725–1755
| Highwayman, Rebel, Tax, Redistribution, Revenge, Injustice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loviatar Loviatar]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Death, Disease, Wolves, Raven
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucrezia_Borgia Lucrezia Borgia]
| Historical, Legend
| Italy, 1480–1519
| Politics, Marriage, Affair, Secrecy, Poison, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutung_Kasarung Lutung Kasarung]
| Folklore/Legend
| Sundanese
| Curse, Exile, Monkey, Lesson, Humility, Love, Magic, Helper
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci Fibonacci]
| Historical
| Italy, 1170–c. 1240–50
| Math, Numbers, Travel, Scholar
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Khwarizmi Al-Khwarizmi]
| Historical
| Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan, 780–850
| Math, Astronomy, Geography, Equations
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes René Descartes]
| Historical
| France, 1596–1650
| Philosophy, Science, Math, Scholar
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes Archimedes]
| Historical
| Italy, 287–212 BC
| Math, Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, Inventor
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Elder Pliny the Elder]
| Historical
| Italy, 23/24–79 AD
| Naturalist, Writing, Author, History, Lava, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messalina Messalina]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 17/20–48 AD
| Conspiracy, Power, Lust, Politics, Wrath, Accusation, Erasure
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Pompadour Madame de Pompadour]
| Historical, Folklore
| France, 1721–1764
| Society, Health, Patron, Charisma, Beauty, Arts, Sickness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevali%C3%A8re_d%27%C3%89on Chevalière d'Éon]
| Historical
| France, 1728–1810
| Gender, Diplomat, Spy, Espionage, Secrecy, Exile
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maeda_Toshimasu Maeda Toshimasu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1543–1612
| Samurai, Giant, Strength, Arts, Gang
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magu_(deity) Magu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Hemp, Beauty, Long Fingernails, Caves, Immortality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maid_Maleen Maid Maleen]
| Fairy Tale
| ''Jungfer Maleen'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_M%C3%BCllenhoff Karl Mullenhoff]
| Princess, Love, Tower, Escape, Impersonation, Escaping Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbariccia Barbariccia]
| Literature
| ''Inferno'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_Alighieri Dante Alighieri]
| Demon, Guard, Duty, Seriousness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleagant Maleagant]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Abductor, One-Sided Love, Blackmail
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahamayuri Mahamayuri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Buddhist
| Wisdom, Rain, Peacock, Lotus, Poison Treatment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mami_Wata Mami Wata]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| parts of Africa
| Mermaid, Water, Snake Charmer,
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manann%C3%A1n_mac_Lir Manannán mac Lir]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Gaelic
| Ocean, Warrior, Otherworld, Mist, Invisibility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezumi_Koz%C5%8D Nezumi Kozō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1797–1831
| Thief, Hero, Redistribution, Selflessness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ono_no_Komachi Ono no Komachi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 825–900(?)
| Mystery, Beauty, Poet, Love, Haughtiness, Old Age, Melancholy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A6mundr_fr%C3%B3%C3%B0i Saemundr froedhi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Iceland, 1056–1133
| Scholar, Deal with the Devil, Escape, Forbidden Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moremi_Ajasoro Moremi Ajasoro]
| Historical, Folklore
| Nigeria, 12th cen.
| Queen, Heroine, Sacrifice, Slave, Spy, River, Loss
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ui Māui]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Polynesian
| Hero, Trickster, Fire, Sun, Cleverness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medeina Medeina]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Forest, Trees, Animals, Hare, Wolf
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melino%C3%AB Melinoë]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Underworld, Madness, Nightmares. Saffron
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melion Melion]
| Literature
| ''Melion'', author unknown
| Knight, Love, Ring, Werewolf, Affair, Persecution, Revenge, Mercy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melusine Melusine]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| Mermaid, Lamia, Water, Well, Curse, Secret
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menestratus_(Thespiae) Menestratus], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleostratus_(mythology) Cleostratus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Love, Same Sex, Offering, Dragon, Substitute, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurybarus Eurybarus], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcyoneus_(son_of_Diomos) Alcyoneus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Love, Same Sex, Offering, Beast, Substitute, Rescue
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meng_Po Meng Po]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Oblivion, Memory, Reincarnation, Soup
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menw Menw]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Magician, Invisibility, Shapeshifter, Bird, Poisoned
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meretseger Meretseger]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Cobra, Silence, Tombs, Guardian
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millalobo Millalobo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chilote
| Mermaid, Sea Lion, Ocean, Animals
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohini Mohini]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Enchantress, Madness, Beauty, Immortality, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momotar%C5%8D Momotarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Peach, Youth, Hero, Dumpling
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morana_(goddess) Morana]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Revival, Death, Rebirth, Nature, Dreams, Winter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moryana Moryana]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Ocean, Wind, Beauty, Calm, Wild Hair, Storms
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mug_Ruith Mug Ruith]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Druid, Blindness, Magic, Storms, Sun, Vehicles
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrddin_Wyllt Myrddin Wyllt]
| Folklore/Legend
| Welsh
| Bard, Trauma, Madness, Forest, Prophecy, Wanderer
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninazu Ninazu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Underworld, Snakes, Vegetation, Warrior, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javert Javert]
| Literature
| ''Les Misérables'', by Victor Hugo
| Black and White, Law, Authority, Isolation, Outsider
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanahuatzin Nanahuatzin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Humility, Sacrifice, Sun, Blood
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada Narada]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Travel, Musician, Storyteller, Wisdom, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertem Nefertem]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Lotus, Beauty, Lion, Good Luck
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti Nefertiti]
| Historical, Legend
| Egypt, 1370-1330 BC
| Queen, Sun, Power, Wife
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occhiali Occhiali]
| Historical
| Italy, 1519-1587
| Slave, Rise, Privateer, Admiral
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Water_Lily_legend Naiá]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Tupi-Guarani
| Moon, Mountains, Kiss, Star, Obsession, Drowning, Water Lily
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uchek_Langmeitong Hayainu]
| Folklore/Legend
| Meitei
| Parental Cruelty, Obedience, Tears, Bird, Feathers, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicnevin Nicnevin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Scottish
| Witch, Fae, Queen, Magic, Hag
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninurta Ninurta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Farming, Healing, Law, Hunting, Scribes, War
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niobe Niobe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Mother, Pride, Hubris, Punishment, Loss, Petrification
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_(mythology) Nu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Abyss, Cosmos, Reality, Water, End Times, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [[wikipedia:Guy_of_Gisbourne|Guy of Gisbourne]]
| Folklore/Legend
| Robin Hood legend
| Assassin, Rival, Love Triangle, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Tyler Wat Tyler]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 1320–1381
| Tax, Father, Assault, Revenge, Rebellion, Leader
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Corbeddu_Salis Giovanni Corbeddu Salis]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 1844–1898
| Crime, Cave, Reform, Peacemaker, Wisdom, Redistribution, Betrayal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilal_Khan Dilal Khan]
| Historical, Folklore
| Bangladesh, 1585-1666
| Cobra, Ruler, Redistribution, Fairness, Law
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietro_della_Vigna Pietro della Vigna]
| Historical, Literature
| Italy, 1190–1249
| Scholar, Diplomat, False Accusation, Imprisonment, Punishment, Blinded
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okada_Iz%C5%8D Okada Izō]
| Historical
| Japan, 1838–1865
| Samurai, Assassin, Bodyguard, Capture, Torture, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%BB%8Cbatala Ọbatala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yoruba
| Sculptor, Humanity, Wine, Protector
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ois%C3%ADn Oisín]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Poet, Warrior, Marriage, King, Return, Time, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olifat Olifat]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Micronesian
| Trickster, Jealousy, Exile, Heaven, Chaos, Escape, Fire, Tattooing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(mythology) Orion]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Giant, Assault, Punishment, Hunting, Scorpion, Death, Stars
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Twardowski Pan Twardowski]
| Folklore/Legend
| Polish
| Deal with the Devil, Soul, Clause, Wealth, Fame, Moon, Spider
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenope_(siren) Parthenope]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Siren, Song, Failure, Ocean, Drowning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Clifford Paul Clifford]
| Literature
| ''Paul Clifford'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bulwer-Lytton Edward Bulwer-Lytton]
| Double Life, Criminal, Gentleman, Love, Arrest, Trial, Revelation, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedrolino Pedrolino]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Comic, Trickster, Disguise, Mischief
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin Harlequin]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Cleverness, Agility, Wit, Trickster, Devil
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_(stock_character) Columbine]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Cleverness, Love, Intelligence, Support, Disguise, Gossip
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierrot Pierrot]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Suffering, Love, Fool, Sadness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaramouche Scaramouche]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Villain, Pride, Cowardice, Boastfulness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta Perchta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Germanic
| Spinning, Beasts, Christmas, Multiple Forms, Punishment, Reward, Taboo
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perun Perun]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Fire, Sky, Lighting, War, Thunder, Oak, Rain, Law, Fertility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaethon Phaethon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Light, Good, Gender, First-born, Primordial, Egg, Day
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanes Phanes]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Giant, Assault, Punishment, Hunting, Scorpion, Death, Stars
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_Piper_of_Hamelin Pied Piper of Hamelin]
| Folklore/Legend
| German
| Music, Rats, Nonpayment, Revenge, Children
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pier_Gerlofs_Donia Pier Gerlofs Donia]
| Historical, Folklore
| Netherlands, 1480–1520
| Farmer, Rebel, Leader, Pirate. Strength, Bravery, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipa_Jing Pipa Jing]
| Literature
| ''Fengshen Yanyi,'' attrib. to [[wikipedia:Xu_Zhonglin_(novelist)|Xu Zhonglin]]
| Jade, Musical Instrument, Seduction, Evil, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daji Daji]
| Historical, Folklore
| China, 1076-1046 BC
| Fox, Evil, Impersonation, Excess, Violence, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pkharmat Pkharmat]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Nakh
| Love, Pity, Fire, Theft, Defiance, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porphyrios_(whale) Porphyrios]
| Historical, Folklore
| Turkey, mid 6th cent.
| Whale, Fear, Purple, Violence, Breached
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prende Prende]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Albanian
| Dawn, Love, Beauty, Fertility, Health, Spring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Iron_Fan Princess Iron Fan]
| Literature
| ''Journey to the West'', attrib. [[wikipedia:Wu_Cheng'en|Wu Cheng'en]]
| Fan, Wind, Swords, Beauty, Villain, Immortal, Wife
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Wanda Princess Wanda]
| Historical, Folklore
| Poland, 8th cent.
| Unverified, Invasion, Leader, Beauty, Proposal, Refusal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puss_in_Boots Puss in Boots]
| Fairy Tale
| European
| Trickster, Cat, Helper, Fae, Rags to Riches, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Elphame Queen of Elphame]
| Folklore/Legend
| Scottish, English
| Fae, Queen, Witch, Devil, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Hearts_(Alice%27s_Adventures_in_Wonderland) Queen of Hearts]
| Literature
| ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Carroll Lewis Carroll]
| Monarch, Anger, Playing Cards, Roses, Red, Croquet
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Sheba Queen of Sheba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Bounty, Gifts, Questions, Exchange, Council
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raijin Raijin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Lightning, Storms, Thunder, Drums, Aggression
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A1n Rán]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Sea, Water, Net, Abductor
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Niejta Rana Niejta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Sun, Green, Spring, Fertility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynard_the_Fox Reynard]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| Fox, Trickster, Deception, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhiannon Rhiannon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Ruler, Strategy, Magic, Generosity, Marriage, Loss, Accusation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishyasringa Rishyasringa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu, Buddhism
| Deer, Horns, Seer, Chastity, Hermit, Temptation, Rain
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Roy_MacGregor Rob Roy MacGregor]
| Historical
| Scotland, 1671–1734
| Rebel, Outlaw, Hero, Loss, Feud, Battle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Devil Robert the Devil]
| Folklore/Legend
| Norman
| Bandit, Knight, Crime, Violence, Heritage, Redemption, Denial, Saint
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostam Rostam]
| Historical, Legend
| Persian
| Paladin, Panther, Beast Slayer, Invincibility, Loss, Betrayal, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadko Sadko]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Adventure, Bet, Wealth, Ocean, Sacrifice, Music, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1ga_and_S%C3%B6kkvabekkr Sága]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Seer, Ocean, Gold, Mystery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saho-hime Saho-hime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, ??-25 BC
| Empress, Consort, Brother, Premeditated, Reversal, Guilt, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin Aladdin]
| Fairy Tale
| Middle Eastern
| Adventure, Magic, Fortune, Rags to Riches, Trickery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urashima_Tar%C5%8D Urashima Tarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Fisherman, Rescue, Sea Turtle, Reward, Ocean, Royalty, Time, Test, Old Age
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampati Sampati]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Bird, Brother, Selflessness, Sacrifice, Loss, Enlightenment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaki_Rui Sasaki Rui]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, mid 17th cen. BC
| Divorce, Teacher, Martial Arts, Gender, Fighting, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukemochi Ukemochi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Food, Bounty, Gender, Fox, Offense, Death, Seeds
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X%C5%8Dchipilli Xōchipilli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Flower, Beauty, Youth, Love, Sexuality, Music, Dancing, Art, Writing, Games
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaria_(daughter_of_Heracles) Macaria]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Inheritance, Refugee, Prophecy, Courage, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurystheus Eurystheus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| King, Judge, Fear, Indignity, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minos Minos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Tyrant, Punishment, Death, Judge, Scholar, Law
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirona_(goddess) Sirona]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Celtic
| Healing, Springs, Snakes, Eggs
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedna_%28mythology%29 Sedna]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Inuit
| Sea, Marine Animals, Amputation, Filicide, Death, Underworld, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenobia Zenobia]
| Historical, Legend
| Syria, c. 240-after 274 AD
| Widow, Queen, Regent, Politics, Rebel, Defeat, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juana_Gal%C3%A1n Juana Galán]
| Historical
| Spain, c. 1787-1812
| Guerrilla Fighter, Rebel, Leader, Baton, Iron Pan
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6tz_von_Berlichingen Götz von Berlichingen]
| Historical
| Germany, 1480-1562
| Knight, Mercenary, Poet, Amputation, Prosthetic, Military
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Barton Elizabeth Barton]
| Historical
| England, 1506-1534
| Visions, Prophecy, Politics, Religion, Rumors, Imprisonment, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Laveau Marie Laveau]
| Historical, Legend
| United States, 1801-1881
| Herbalist, Midwife, Occult, Nurse, Religion, Activist, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphigenia Iphigenia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Offense, Deer, Punishment, Wind, Prophecy, False Promise, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoichi_the_Earless Hoichi the Earless]
| Folklore, Legend
| Japanese
| Blindness, Minstrel, Lute, Demand, Ghosts, Trick, Protection, Flaw, Amputation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxelana Roxelana]
| Historical, Legend
| Ukraine, c. 1505-1558
| Slave, Harem, Concubine, Freedom, Marriage, Politics, Rags to Riches, Love, Diplomacy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suleiman_the_Magnificent Suleiman the Magnificent]
| Historical, Legend
| Turkey, c. 1520-1566
| Monarch, Empire, War, Reform, Change, Law, Arts, Culture
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi The Three Magi (Balthazar, Caspar, & Melchior)]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Kings, Gifts, Astrology, Scholars, Wisdom, Travel, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumaean_Sibyl Cumaean Sibyl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Prophecy, Knowledge, Price, Underworld, Longevity, Guide, Deal, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bacon Francis Bacon]
| Historical
| England, 1561–1626
| Science, Library, Knowledge, Arrest, Judge, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tala_(goddess) Tala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Tagalog
| Morning, Evening Star, Constellations, Guidance, Danger
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileana_Simziana Ileana Simziana]
| Fairy Tale
| Romanian
| Daughter, Disguise, Battle, Princess, Rescue, Request, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashihime Hashihime]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Loneliness, Jealousy, Bridges, Transformation, Demon, Fear, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guede_Nibo Guede Nibo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Haitian Vodou
| Beauty, Youth, Violence, Death, Psychopomp, Dandy, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumuzid Dumuzid]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sumerian
| Agriculture, Shepherd, Consort, King, Punishment, Underworld, Seasons
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81whaki Tāwhaki]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Māori
| Beauty, Lightning, Thunder, Flood, Hero, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanhoe Ivanhoe]
| Literature
| ''Ivanhoe: A Romance'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Scott Walter Scott]
| Disinheritance, Love, Quest, Tournament, Disguise, Knight
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tep%C4%93y%C5%8Dll%C5%8Dtl Tepēyōllōtl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Jaguar, Sun, Caves, Earthquakes, Echoes, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_l'Olonnais François l'Olonnais]
| Historical
| France, 1630-1669
| Pirate, Shipwreck, Massacre, Survival, Blood, Cruelty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonhart_Fuchs Leonhart Fuchs]
| Historical
| Germany, 1501-1566
| Physician, Botany, Plants, Medicine, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates Socrates]
| Historical
| Greece, 470-399 BC
| Philosophy, Rebel, Scholar, Crime, Punishment, Hemlock, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Berry_Lowry Henry Berry Lowry]
| Historical
| United States, 1845-1872 (Unknown)
| Outlaw, Robbery, Murder, Revenge, Redistribution, Folk Hero
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egill_Skallagr%C3%ADmsson Egill Skallagrímsson]
| Historical, Folklore
| Iceland, 904-995
| Anti-hero, Poetry, Sorcery, Violence, Rage, Revenge, War
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoarashi_Okinu Yoarashi Okinu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1845-1872
| Geisha, Poison, Beauty, Mistress, Murder, Arrest, Decapitation, Untruth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(wife_of_Justinian_I) Theodora]
| Historical
| Turkey(?), 490-548
| Prostitution, Actress, Love, Rags to Riches, Empress, Equality, Bravery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odile_of_Alsace Odile of Alsace]
| Historical, Religion
| France, 660-720
| Rejection, Eyes, Sight, Monastery, Resurrection, Healing, Saint
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Bai Li Bai]
| Historical
| Kyrgyzstan, 701-762
| Poetry, Nature, Friendship, Politics, Exile, Escape, Change
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spearfinger Spearfinger]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Cherokee
| Monster, Witch, Finger, Knife, Livers, Stone, Thunder, Shapeshifting, Disguise
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_Grandmother Spider Grandmother]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hopi, Navajo
| Spider, Old Woman, Medicine, Wisdom, Guidance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%93ccizt%C4%93catl Tēcciztēcatl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Moon, Pride, Hesitation, Punishment, Rabbit, Seashell, Butterfly
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide_jewels#Tamatori-hime Tamatori-hime]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Ocean, Diving, Pearl, Dragon, Music, Blood, Sacrifice, Family
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A1nh_Gi%C3%B3ng Thánh Gióng]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Vietnamese
| Iron, Horse, Sword, Temple, Heaven, King
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaquin_Murrieta Joaquin Murrieta]
| Historical, Legend
| Mexico, 1829-1853
| Rebel, Outlaw, Bandit, Redistribution, Gold, Prejudice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabir_ibn_Hayyan Jabir ibn Hayyan]
| Historical, Legend
| Iraq/Iran, died c.806-816
| Scholar, Alchemy, Chemistry, Writer, Science, Magic, Religion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharina_Henot Katharina_Henot]
| Historical
| Germany, 1570-1627
| Mail, Witch, Sorcery, Influence, Conspiracy, Injustice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yennenga Yennenga]
| Historical, Legend
| Ghana, fl. 12th century
| Warrior, Hunter, Disguise, Beauty, Princess, Escape, Love
|}

[[Category: Theme]]

Persona & Shadow Ideas

2026-04-26T20:56:18Z

Tanyuu:

This list is for ideas for Personas, Shadows, or whatever else is needed for a named supernatural entity, along with keywords to make it easier to search using Ctrl+F.

Keep in mind that the keywords are a loose guide and will very likely carry inaccuracies, and that this is ''not'' a comprehensive list; if we listed every possible concept here, it'd be way too long! Use it as a starting point, inspiration, or completely disregard in favor of your own ideas.

There is no guarantee that any of these are not already being used, or picked as someone's idea for an eventual second Persona. However, there are often parallels in history, literature, folklore, and mythology, as well as alternative spellings and interpretations.

'''Disclaimer:''' ''Several entries here are from active religions, established texts, historical figures with living relatives, etc.'' Be mindful and do your research; you may learn something new.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 98%; text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Tags
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok Wild Bill Hickok]
| Historical
| United States, 1837–1876
| Cowboy, Theater, Gambler, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accolon Accolon]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Knight, Duel, Death, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlys Achlys]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Sorrow, Mist, Death, Witch
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ae-oyna-kamuy Ae-oyna-kamuy]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ainu
| Hero, Craft, Smoke, Fire, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asherah Asherah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ancient Semitic
| Mother, Consort, Sex, Fertility, Lioness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%ABdon Aëdon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greek
| Nightingale, Mother, Murder, Envy, Mourning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atargatis Atargatis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| North Syrian
| Fertility, Water, Dove, Fish, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace Ada Lovelace]
| Historical
| England, 1815–1852
| Mathematics, Computing, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lono Lono]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Fertility, Agriculture, Water, Music, Peace
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yem%E1%BB%8Dja Yemọja]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá
| Water, Moon, Creation, Motherhood, Protection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshun Oshun]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá, Fon
| Water, Fertility, Purity, Love, Sensuality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%BB%8Cya Ọya]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yorùbá
| Wind, Thunder, Children, Afterlife, Warrior
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medb Medb]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Queen, War, Beauty, Sex, Jealousy, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aengus Aengus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Swan, Youth, Love, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Brinvilliers Madame de Brinvilliers]
| Historical
| France, 1630–1676
| Murder, Poison, Torture, Crime, Conspiracy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahalya Ahalya]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Beauty, Sex, Curse, Liberation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%ADfe Aífe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Warrior, Duel, Chariot, Horse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81ine Áine]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Summer, Sun, Wealth, Fire, Sovereignty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aion_(deity) Aion]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Cycles, Time, Zodiac, Eternity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkorokamui Akkorokamui]
| Folklore/Legend
| Ainu
| Giant, Octopus, Healing, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala_(odinala) Ala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Odinani
| Crescent Moon, Underworld, Morality, Fertility, Creativity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan-a-Dale Alan-a-Dale]
| Folklore/Legend
| Robin Hood legend
| Knight, Minstrel, Love, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberich Alberich]
| Folklore/Legend
| German
| Strength, Ring, Guardian, Dwarf
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Cagliostro Alessandro Cagliostro]
| Historical
| Italy, 1743–1795
| Occult, Magic, Adventure, Alchemy, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alf_and_Alfhild Alfhild]
| Literature
| ''Gesta Danorum,'' by [[wikipedia:Saxo_Grammaticus|Saxo Grammaticus]]
| Warrior, Princess, Pirate, Disguise
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyosha_Popovich Alyosha Popovich]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Knight, Agility, Trickster, Disguise, Mockery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightingale_the_Robber Nightingale the Robber]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Crime, Bird, Forest, Whistling
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amirani Amirani]
| Folklore/Legend
| Georgian
| Hero, Metal, Punishment, Dragon, Loss
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampelos Ampelos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Satyr, Love, Grapes, Star, Death, Fate
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angitia Angitia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Italic
| Snakes, Magic, Witchcraft, Medicine
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bonny Anne Bonny]
| Historical
| Unknown, ???-1720?
| Pirate, Crime, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Read Mary Read]
| Historical
| England, ???-1721
| Pirate, Crime, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ao_Guang Ao Guang]
| Folklore/Legend
| Chinese
| Dragon, King, Storms, Water
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Rokuj%C5%8D Lady Rokujō]
| Literature
| ''Genji Monogatari'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murasaki_Shikibu Murasaki Shikibu]
| Mistress, Jealousy, Murder, Revenge, Ghost
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiramis Semiramis]
| Historical, Legend
| Armenian
| Ruler, Queen, Warfare, Sorcery, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aranyani Aranyani]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Forests, Animals, Bells, Dancing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithuriel Ithuriel]
| Literature
| ''Paradise Lost'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton John Milton]
| Angel, Spear, Truth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jophiel Jophiel]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Fire, Sword, Beauty, Art, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maalik Maalik]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Guardian, Fire, Hell
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raziel Raziel]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Secrets, Mystery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyaza Samyaza]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Lust, Fallen Angel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalchiuhtlicue Chalchiuhtlicue]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Water, Rivers, Fertility, Storms, Ocean
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormwood_(Bible) Wormwood]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Angel, Star, Bitter Water, End Times
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Buffalo_Calf_Woman White Buffalo Maiden]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lakota
| Prophet, Cloud, Beauty, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sosondowah Sosondowah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Iroquois
| Hunter, Elk, Love, Song, Bird, Separation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim%C3%B3n Maximón]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Maya
| Light, Dark, Trickster, Revenge, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q%CA%BCuq%CA%BCumatz Gukumatz]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Kʼicheʼ Maya
| Serpent, Water, Wind, Feathers, Sky
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabrakan Cabrakan]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Maya
| Earthquakes, Crocodile, Arrogance, Mountains, Violence
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arke Arke]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Messenger, Betrayal, Punishment, Torn Wings
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baigujing Baigujing]
| Literature
| ''Journey to the West'', attrib. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Cheng%27en Wu Cheng'en]
| Demon, Shapeshifting, Skeleton, Deception
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batara_Kala Batara Kala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Javanese, Balinese
| Death, Light, Earth, Time, Luck
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathsheba Bathsheba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Consort, Lust, Beauty, Queen
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedivere Bedivere]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| One-Armed, Excalibur, Spear, Beauty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellerophon Bellerophon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Horse, Hero, Hubris, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benkei Benkei]
| Historical
| Japan, 1155–1189
| Warrior, Monk, Strength, Loyalty, Drifter, Duel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benten_Koz%C5%8D Benten Kozō]
| Literature
| ''Aoto Zōshi Hana no Nishiki-e'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawatake_Mokuami Kawatake Mokuami]
| Thief, Disguise, Scheme, Atonement
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhima Bhima]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| ''Mahabharata'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasa Vyasa]
| Hero, Strength, Loyalty, Mace, Bow
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhramari Bhramari]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Bees, Hornets, Wasps, Insects
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Kid Billy the Kid]
| Historical
| United States, 1859–1881
| Outlaw, Crime, Murder, Gunfighter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bart_(outlaw) Black Bart]
| Historical
| United States, 1829–1888(?)
| Thief, Crime, Gold, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica Boudica]
| Historical
| British Isles, reigned AD 60-61
| Queen, War, Poison, Defeat
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradamante Bradamante]
| Literature
| Renaissance epic poems
| Knight, Lance, Disguise, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunhild Brunhild]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic heroic legend
| Warrior, Queen, Beauty, Deception, Love, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%A2n_the_Blessed Brân the Blessed]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Giant, King, Decapitation, Diplomacy, Revenge, War, Cauldron
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunjil Bunjil]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Australian Aboriginal
| Hero, Eagle, Ocean, Order, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunzi Bunzi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Kongo
| Serpent, Water, Rain, Harvest, Sunset
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blodeuwedd Blodeuwedd]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Beauty, Artificial, Affair, Murder, Punishment, Owl
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C7%80Kaggen Mantis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| San
| Trickster, Praying Mantis, Shapeshifter, Bull Eland
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach Cailleach]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Gaelic
| Hag, Creation, Winter, Storms, Queen, Cattle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rackham_(pirate) Calico Jack]
| Historical
| England, ????-1720
| Pirate, Deposal, Deception, Affair, Trial, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calon_Arang Calon Arang]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese/Balinese
| Witch, Widow, Mother, Curse, Magic Scroll
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camma Camma]
| Literature
| [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch Plutarch]'s writings
| Love, Beauty, Virtue, Murder, Milk, Honey, Poison, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cangjie Cangjie]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Inventor, Eyes, Inspiration
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Ahab Captain Ahab]
| Literature
| ''Moby Dick'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Melville Herman Melville]
| Ocean, Whale, Revenge, Captain, Fanaticism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiopeia_(mother_of_Andromeda) Cassiopeia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Queen, Arrogance, Vanity, Punishment, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Annis Black Annis]
| Folklore/Legend
| English
| Bogeyman, Witch, Cannibalism, Claws
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bricriu Bricriu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Hospitality, Trickster, Poet
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca%C3%ADlte_mac_R%C3%B3n%C3%A1in Caílte mac Rónáin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Speed, Animals, Storyteller, Harp, Bewitchment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceridwen Ceridwen]
| Folklore/Legend
| Welsh
| Magic, Witch, Mother, Magic Cauldron, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cernunnos Cernunnos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Celtic
| Antlers, Fertility, Wild Beasts, Underworld
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaac Chaac]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mayan
| Rain, Thunder, Lightning, Agriculture
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamunda Chamunda]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Cremation, Wine, Fierce, Drum, Trident, Bones
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandraghanta Chandraghanta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Third Eye, Warrior, Grace, Courage, Wolf, Crescent Moon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e Chang'e]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Moon, Beauty, Rabbit, Nostalgia, Solitude
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne Charlemagne]
| Historical
| France, 748–814
| Emperor, Unification, Conquest, Reign
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiyou Chiyou]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| King, Deposal, War, Chaos, Demon, Violence, Protection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABj%C5%8D-hime Chūjō-hime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japanese
| Persecution, Noble, Escape, Nun, Abandonment, Miracle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Duval Claude Duval]
| Historical
| France, 1643–1670
| Highwayman, Chivalry, Romantic, Crime, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cikap-kamuy Cikap-kamuy]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Ainu
| Owl, Tears, Gold, Silver, Knowledge, Prosperity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clytemnestra Clytemnestra]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Sacrifice, Queen, Mother, Grudge, Affair, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comte_de_Rochefort Comte de Rochefort]
| Literature
| ''d'Artagnan Romances'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Dumas Alexandre Dumas]
| Scar, Spy, Messenger, Insult, Duel, Reconciliation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_of_St._Germain Count of St. Germain]
| Historical
| Europe(?), 1712–1784
| Science, Arts, Alchemy, Philosophy, Immortality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote_(mythology) Coyote]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Navajo (& others)
| Rain, Trickster, Ill Omen, Appeasement Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakuwaqa Dakuwaqa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Fijian
| Shark, Guardian, Duel, Deal, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damocles Damocles]
| Folklore/Legend
| Greco-Roman
| King, Fortune, Anxiety, Hubris, Weight, Fear
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delilah Delilah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| One-Sided Love, Sex, Bribe, Scheme, Betrayal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damarwulan Damarwulan]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese
| Prince, Role Reversal, Beauty, Love, Imprisonment, Rescue, Hero
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Boone Daniel Boone]
| Historical
| United States, 1734-1829
| Pioneer, Frontier, Hero, Military, Hunter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daragang_Magayon Magayon]
| Folklore/Legend
| Philippine
| Beauty, Rescue, Love, Envy, Ransom, War, Sorrow, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah Deborah]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Prophecy, Judge, Date Palm, Fortune, Peace
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djedi Djedi]
| Literature
| Westcar Papyrus, attrib. Unknown
| Magic, Prophecy, Resurrection, Miracles
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinadan Dinadan]
| Literature
| Prose ''Tristan'', attrib. Unknown, Arthurian
| Knight, Pragmatism, Cynicism, Foil, Skepticism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido Dido]
| Historical, Literature
| Greco-Roman writings
| Love, Murder, Wealth, Scheme, Escape, Founding, Queen, Pyre
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Div-e_Sepid Div-e Sepid]
| Literature, Legend
| ''Shahnameh'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsi Ferdowsi]
| Demon, Leader, Revenge, War, Strength, Magic, Hail
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Juan Don Juan]
| Literature
| Various Works
| Lust, Wealth, Youth, Murder, Hell, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkeyskin Donkeyskin]
| Literature
| "Donkeyskin", by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Perrault Charles Perrault]
| Princess, Escape, Disguise, Love, Ring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deirdre Deirdre]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Beauty, Fate, War, Tragedy, Love, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donn Donn]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Dead, Phantom, White Horse, King
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kelley Edward Kelley]
| Historical
| England, 1555–1598
| Occult, Scryer, Angels, Alchemy, Imprisonment, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egl%C4%97_the_Queen_of_Serpents Eglė]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lithuanian
| Snake, Sea, Trickery, Marriage, Tests, Homecoming, Murder, Sorrow
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_of_Astolat Elaine of Astolat]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| One-sided Love, Heartbreak, Water, Boat, Lily, Shame
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine Eleanor of Aquitaine]
| Historical
| France, 1137-1204
| Queen, Power, Wealth, Rumor, Love, Imprisonment, Legacy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enyo Enyo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Eye, Tooth, Strife, War, Discord
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eopsin Eopsin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Korean
| Storage, Wealth, Snakes, Weasels, Toads
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erichtho Erichtho]
| Literature
| Various European works
| Witch, Necromancy, Prophecy, Poison
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlang_Shen Erlang Shen]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese, Daoism
| Water, Justice, Warrior, Hunting, Truth, Demonhunter, Spear
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlik Erlik]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Turkic
| Underworld, Death, Plague, Bear, Judge, Darkness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89ta%C3%ADn Étaín]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Sun, Love, Transformation, Fly, Previous Life, Swan
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fereydun Fereydun]
| Folklore/Legend
| Persian
| King, Hero, Victory, Justice, Generosity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_King Fisher King]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| King, Guardian, Injury, Curse, Healing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahut Dahut]
| Folklore/Legend
| Breton
| Princess, Wickedness, Lust, Murder, Devil, Keys, Flood, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forseti Forseti]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Justice, Reconciliation, Mediation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer Franz Mesmer]
| Historical
| Germany, 1734-1815
| Astronomy, Patron, Illusion, Hypnosis, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigg Frigg]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Marriage, Prophecy, Motherhood, Clairvoyance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuamnach Fuamnach]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Witch, Jealousy, Magic, Scheme, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabija Gabija]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lithuanian
| Fire, Hearth, Shapeshifter, Cat, Stork, Rooster, Guardian, House
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambrinus Gambrinus]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| King, Beer, Brewing, Joviality, Happiness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gan_Ning Gan Ning]
| Historical
| China, 170s-220
| Pirate, Change, Warrior, Service, War, Loyalty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariwara_no_Narihira Ariwara no Narihira]
| Historical
| Japan, 825–880
| Courtier, Poet, Affairs, Beauty, Love, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashiya_D%C5%8Dman Ashiya Dōman]
| Historical
| Japan, Heian period
| Onmyōji, Rival, Duel, Magic, Defeat, Exile, Hex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banzuiin_Ch%C5%8Dbei Banzuiin Chōbei]
| Historical, Literature
| Japan, 1622–1657
| Justice, Common Good, Protection, Warrior, Swordsman
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denrinb%C5%8D_Raikei Denrinbō Raikei]
| Historical
| China, Ming Dynasty
| Martial Artist, Traveler, Ninja, Swordsman, Hermit
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Jing%C5%AB Empress Jingū]
| Historical, Literature
| Japan, 169-269(?)
| Queen, Revenge, War, Invasion, Controversy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Boy_(Japanese_folktale) Mamichigane]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japan
| Exile, Dance, Contest, Love, Poison, Death, Resurrection
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C5%ABma_Kotar%C5%8D Fūma Kotarō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, ????-1603
| Leader, Band, Ninja, Giant, Demon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhari_(Mahabharata) Gandhari]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| ''Mahabharata'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyasa Vyasa]
| Wife, Solidarity, Blindfold, Advocate, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennu Bennu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Bird, Sun, Creation, Rebirth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulla_Felix Bulla Felix]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 205–207 AD
| Leader, Bandit, Luck, Crime, Disguise, Charity, Redistribution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anansi Anansi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Akan
| Spider, Trickster, Stories, Knowledge, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greuceanu Greuceanu]
| Fairy Tale
| Romanian
| Sun, Moon, Quest, Rescue, Shapeshifting, Ogre, Trick
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimhild Grimhild]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Evil, Queen, Sorceress, Scheme
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachikazuki Hachikazuki]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Bowl, Beauty, Hidden, Stepmother, Prince, Love, Jewels
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuz%C5%8Dsu Hakuzōsu]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Fox, Shapeshifter, Priest, Disguise, Ruse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_von_Trotha#Significance Hans Trapp]
| Historical, Folklore
| Germany, 1450–1503
| Feud, Robber Baron, Black Knight, Bogeyman, Spirit
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herla Herla]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic
| Leader, Wedding, Trick, Wild Hunt, Wanderers, Spirits
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpocrates Harpocrates]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hellenistic
| Roses, Silence, Secrets, Hope, Confidentiality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut Hatshepsut]
| Historical
| Egypt, 1505–1458 BC
| Ruler, Queen, Prosperity, Erasure
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitocris Nitocris]
| Historical(?), Literature
| Egypt, Sixth Dynasty
| Ruler, Queen, Revenge, Banquet, Flood, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6%C3%B0r Hodur]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Blindness, Tricked, Arrow, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1li Váli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Purpose, Prophecy, Survival, End Times, Vengeance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaivi Beaivi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Sun, Spring, Sanity, Fertility, Solstice, Reindeer, Butter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belet-Seri Belet-Seri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Scribe, Underworld, Binding, List of the Dead
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetongue_Lizard Bluetongue Lizard]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Warlpiri
| Trickster, Fire, Sorcerer, Kangaroo, Killing, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great Catherine the Great]
| Historical
| Poland, 1729–1796
| Marriage, Affair, Empress, Arts, Coup, Rebellion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_de_Berry Charlotte de Berry]
| Historical(?), Literature
| England, 17th c.
| Love, Disguise, Blackmail, Death, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicomec%C5%8D%C4%81tl Chicomecōātl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Nourishment, Bounty, Maize, Livelihood, Flowers, Death, Sun
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cl%C3%ADodhna Clíodhna]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Queen, Banshees, Love, Beauty, Song, Bird
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C5%8D%C4%81tl%C4%ABcue Cōātlīcue]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Pregnancy, Birth, Moon, Stars, Snakes, Claws, Skulls
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comte_Arnau Comte Arnau]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Catalan
| Cruelty, Lust, Punishment, Fire, Horse, Dogs
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agathon Agathon]
| Historical
| Greece, c. 448–400 BC
| Poet, Beauty, Cross-dressing, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eos Eos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Dawn, Morning, Sex, Kidnapper, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudrun Gudrun]
| Folklore/Legend
| Germanic hero legend
| Queen, Rivalry, Murder, Scheme, Revenge, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullveig Gullveig]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Violence, Speared, Burnt, Resurrection, Seer, Prophecy, Gold
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heh_(god) Heh]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Infinity, Primordial Waters, Eternity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Cornelius_Agrippa Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa]
| Historical
| Germany, 1486–1535
| Scholar, Physician, Law, Religion, Occult, Knight
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellawes_(sorceress) Hellawes]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Sorceress, Revenge, Curse, One-sided Love, Sorrow, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Every Henry Every]
| Historical
| England, 1659-1696 (disappeared)
| Pirate, Evasion, Mutiny, Notoriety
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongsim Gongsim]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Korean
| Princess, Illness, Shamanism
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebeard Bluebeard]
| Fairy Tale
| French
| Wealth, Marriage, Mystery, Curiosity, Discovery, Violence, Rescue
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredegund Fredegund]
| Historical
| France, 529-597
| Queen, Feud, Cruelty, Jealousy, Murder, Assassination
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_of_Bingen Hildegard of Bingen]
| Historical
| Germany, 1098–1179
| Scholar, Mystic, Nun, Visions, Writing, Spirituality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidari_Jingor%C5%8D Hidari Jingorō]
| Historical(?), Folklore
| Japan, 1596–1644(?)
| Art, Sculpting, Acting, Carpentry, Amputation, Beauty, Creation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hervor Hervor]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Viking, Disguise, Summoning, Cursed Sword, Murder, Curse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi%CA%BBiaka Hiʻiaka]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Hula Dancing, Chant, Sorcery, Medicine
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hine-nui-te-p%C5%8D Hine-nui-te-pō]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Māori
| Night, Underworld, Red, Death, Obsidian
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraga_Gennai Hiraga Gennai]
| Historical
| Japan, 1729-1779 or 1780)
| Scholar, Rōnin, Science, Writing, Inventor, Electricity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dj%C5%8D_Masako Hōjō Masako]
| Historical
| Japan, 1157–1225
| Nun Shogun, Rebellion, Elopement, War, Political Power
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frau_Holle Frau Holle]
| Fairy Tale
| Germanic, German
| Dark Grandmother, Winter, Children, Spinning, Weaving, Christmas
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_Oriente La Signora del Gioco]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italian
| Inquisition, Witch, Religious Leader, Resurrection, Occult
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Tadakatsu Honda Tadakatsu]
| Historical
| Japan, 1548–1610
| Samurai, Lord, Invulnerability, Antlers, War, Spear, Sword
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horagalles Horagalles]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Thunder, Sky, Lightning, Rainbow, Weather, Ocean, Rules
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hou_Yi Hou Yi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Archery, Immortality, Sun, Monster Hunter, Love
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu%C4%93huecoy%C5%8Dtl Huēhuecoyōtl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Music, Coyote, Trickster, Dance, Sex, Shapeshifter, Deception
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitaca_(goddess) Huitaca]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Muisca
| Arts, Dance, Music, Rebellion, Magic, Moon, Beauty, Punishment, Owl
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_(mythology) Hyacinth]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Prince, Beauty, Love, Bow, Lyre, Death, Sorrow, Remembrance, Flower
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iago Iago]
| Literature
| ''Othello'', by Shakespeare
| Soldier, Advisor, Scheme, Manipulation, Deception, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypatia Hypatia]
| Historical
| Egypt, c. 350 to 370–415 AD
| Philosophy, Astronomy, Math, Teacher, Counselor, Upheaval, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikky%C5%AB Ikkyū]
| Historical
| Japan, 1394–1481
| Philosophy, Monk, Poetry, Rebel, Vagabond, Lust
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iktomi Iktomi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Lakota
| Shapeshifter, Spider, Trickster, Red, Wisdom, Mischief
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmarinen Ilmarinen]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Blacksmith, Immortal, Metal, Inventor, Creation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama_Killa Mama Quilla]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Inca
| Moon, Marriage, Menstruation, Silver Tears, Eclipse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphis Iphis]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Gender, Love, Wedding, Transformation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_and_Iseult Iseult, Tristan]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Princess, Healing, Betrothal, Love Potion, Affair, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issun-b%C5%8Dshi Issun-bōshi]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japan
| Small, Warrior, Adventure, Love, Magic Hammer
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagonet Dagonet]
| Literature
| Arthurian legend
| Fool, Jester, Knight, Coward, Sanity, Murder, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyarri Iyarri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hittite, Luwian
| Plague, War, Archery, Arrows, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumo_no_Okuni Izumo no Okuni]
| Historical
| Japan, 1578-1613
| Entertainment, Shrine Maiden, Kabuki, Theatre
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_o%27_Kent Jack o' Kent]
| Folklore/Legend
| English, Welsh
| Wizard, Deal with the Devil, Trickery, Earth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jael Jael]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Prophecy, Hospitality, Trick, Murder, Nail, Violence
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jambavan Jambavan]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| King, Bears, Strategy, Physician
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fitzpatrick_(outlaw) James Fitzpatrick]
| Historical
| United States, 1748–1778
| Punishment, Defection, Highwayman, Redistribution, Gentleman
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Tregeagle Jan Tregeagle]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 17th c.
| Deal with the Devil, Power, Murder, Punishment, Impossible Tasks
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_l%27Ours Jean de l'Ours]
| Folklore/Legend
| French, Various
| Bear, Cane, Journey, Underworld, Betrayal, Revenge, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Henri_Latude Jean Henri Latude]
| Historical
| France, 1725–1805
| Writer, Ruse, Imprisonment, Multiple Escapes, Capture, False Identity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_de_Valois-Saint-R%C3%A9my Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy]
| Historical
| France, 1756-1791
| Thief, Adventure, Scheme, Diamond, Imprisonment, Escape, Charisma
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeon_Woo-chi Jeon Woo-chi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Korea, 14-15 c.
| Sorcerer, Trickster, Wine, Marble, Fox, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiutian_Xuann%C3%BC Jiutian Xuannü]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| War, Sex, Longevity, Mystery, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_the_Wad Joan the Wad]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Cornish
| Fairies, Queen, Torch, Trick, Good Luck, Water, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingwei Jingwei]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Death, Transformation, Bird, Perseverance, Impossible Task
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rann John Rann]
| Historical
| England, 1750-1774
| Highwayman, Silk, Charisma, Fashion, Flowers, Dance, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahina Kahina]
| Historical, Folklore
| Algeria(?), early 17th c.-703(?)
| Warrior, Queen, Leader, Soothsayer, War, Destruction
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaihime Kaihime]
| Historical
| Japan, 1572-17th c.
| Warrior, Bravery, Beauty, Strategy, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanaloa Kanaloa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hawaiian
| Octopus, Squid, Underworld, Magic, Rebellion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [[wikipedia:Kanjirottu_Yakshi|Chiruthevi]]
| Folklore/Legend
| South Indian
| Courtesan, Beauty, One-Sided Love, Blackmail, Murder, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannagi Kannaki, Kovalan]
| Literature
| ''Cilappatikaram'', attrib. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilango_Adigal Iḷaṅkō Aṭikaḷ]
| Love, Affair, Forgiveness, Miscarriage of Justice, Revenge, Curse
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Ferrers Katherine Ferrers]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 1634–1660
| Fortune, Marriage, Ruin, Highwaywoman, Crime, Speculation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat%C5%8D_Danz%C5%8D Katō Danzō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1503–1569
| Ninja, Sorcery, Skill, Test, Plot, Defection, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juraj_J%C3%A1no%C5%A1%C3%ADk Juraj Jánošík]
| Historical, Folklore
| Slovakia, 1688-1713
| Highwayman, Leader, Group, Redistribution, Chivalrous, Violent Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaveh_the_Blacksmith Kaveh the Blacksmith]
| Literature, Folklore
| ''Shahnameh'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsi Ferdowsi]
| Blacksmith, Loss, Revenge, Uprising, Resistance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakami_Gensai Kawakami Gensai]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1834–1872
| Swordsman, Diplomacy, Assassin, Speed, Repentance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keong_Emas Keong Emas]
| Folklore/Legend
| Javanese
| Princess, Kidnapping, Transformation, Snail, Widow, Helper, Family
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyamura_Rokusuke Keyamura Rokusuke]
| Literature
| Various plays
| Farmer, Humility, Virtue, Mistaken Identity, Revenge, Strength, Samurai
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khamlangba Khamlangba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sanamahism
| Iron, Mining, Metalworking, Hunting, War, Peace, Prosperity
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilili Kilili]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sumerian
| Demon, Owl, Windows, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintar%C5%8D Kintarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Hero, Child, Mountain, Gold, Hatchet, Strength, Bear, Koi
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirigakure_Saiz%C5%8D Kirigakure Saizō]
| Literature, Folklore
| Japanese
| Ninja, Accidental Fortune, Fog, Illusion, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kivutar Kivutar]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Ailment, Pain, Rock, Compassion
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyohime Kiyohime]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| One-sided Love, Deception, River, Transformation, Dragon, Bell, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dga_Sabur%C5%8D Kōga Saburō]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Warrior, Cave, Betrayal, Trap, Treasure, Transformation, Dragon
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kashin Koji Kashin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Magician, Priest, Exile, Punishment, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokopelli Kokopelli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hopi, Zuni, Various others
| Flute, Fertility, Agriculture, Music, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komatsuhime Komatsuhime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1573–1620
| Warrior, Family, Challenge, Choice, Wisdom
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshchei Koshchei]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Immortality, Treasure, Egg, Sleep, Music, One-sided Love, Villain
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuebiko Kuebiko]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Scarecrow, Wisdom, Knowledge, Agriculture, Immobility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kullervo Kullervo]
| Literature
| ''Kalevala'', complied by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_L%C3%B6nnrot Elias Lönnrot]
| Trauma, Magic, Slave, Rage, Revenge, Pride, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutkh Kutkh]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chukotko-Kamchatkan
| Raven, Creation, Trickster, Magic, Light, Fire, Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvasir Kvasir]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Teacher, Knowledge, Wisdom, Blood, Honey, Poetry
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Voisin La Voisin]
| Historical
| France, 1640-1680
| Fortuneteller, Poisoner, Sorcery, Wealth, Murderer, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Godiva Lady Godiva]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, died between 1066-1086
| Charity, Pity, Appeal, Taxation, Dare, Naked, Horse, Spring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Macbeth Lady Macbeth]
| Literature
| ''Macbeth'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare William Shakespeare]
| Plot, Scheme, Husband, Guilt, Madness, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_of_the_Lake Lady of the Lake]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Fae, Magic, Enchantress, Betrayer, Helper, Water
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Tri%E1%BB%87u Lady Triệu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Vietnam, died 248 AD
| Warrior, Resistance, Rebel, Leader, Elephant
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Caihe Lan Caihe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Immortality, Flowers, Garden, Gender, Youth, Innocence, Music
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigong Leigong]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Thunder, Punisher, Drum, Mallet, Chisel
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemmink%C3%A4inen Lemminkäinen]
| Literature
| ''Kalevala'', complied by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_L%C3%B6nnrot Elias Lönnrot]
| Hero, Underworld, Black Swan, Mother, Resurrection, Bee, Honey
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohengrin Lohengrin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian legend, Literature
| Knight, Boat, Swan, Protector, Anonymous, Taboo
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_John_Silver Long John Silver]
| Literature
| ''Treasure Island'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Louis_Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson]
| Pirate, Courage, Treachery, Cunning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Mandrin Louis Mandrin]
| Historical
| France, 1725–1755
| Highwayman, Rebel, Tax, Redistribution, Revenge, Injustice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loviatar Loviatar]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Finnish
| Death, Disease, Wolves, Raven
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucrezia_Borgia Lucrezia Borgia]
| Historical, Legend
| Italy, 1480–1519
| Politics, Marriage, Affair, Secrecy, Poison, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutung_Kasarung Lutung Kasarung]
| Folklore/Legend
| Sundanese
| Curse, Exile, Monkey, Lesson, Humility, Love, Magic, Helper
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci Fibonacci]
| Historical
| Italy, 1170–c. 1240–50
| Math, Numbers, Travel, Scholar
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Khwarizmi Al-Khwarizmi]
| Historical
| Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan, 780–850
| Math, Astronomy, Geography, Equations
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes René Descartes]
| Historical
| France, 1596–1650
| Philosophy, Science, Math, Scholar
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes Archimedes]
| Historical
| Italy, 287–212 BC
| Math, Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, Inventor
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Elder Pliny the Elder]
| Historical
| Italy, 23/24–79 AD
| Naturalist, Writing, Author, History, Lava, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messalina Messalina]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 17/20–48 AD
| Conspiracy, Power, Lust, Politics, Wrath, Accusation, Erasure
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Pompadour Madame de Pompadour]
| Historical, Folklore
| France, 1721–1764
| Society, Health, Patron, Charisma, Beauty, Arts, Sickness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevali%C3%A8re_d%27%C3%89on Chevalière d'Éon]
| Historical
| France, 1728–1810
| Gender, Diplomat, Spy, Espionage, Secrecy, Exile
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maeda_Toshimasu Maeda Toshimasu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1543–1612
| Samurai, Giant, Strength, Arts, Gang
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magu_(deity) Magu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Hemp, Beauty, Long Fingernails, Caves, Immortality
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maid_Maleen Maid Maleen]
| Fairy Tale
| ''Jungfer Maleen'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_M%C3%BCllenhoff Karl Mullenhoff]
| Princess, Love, Tower, Escape, Impersonation, Escaping Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbariccia Barbariccia]
| Literature
| ''Inferno'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_Alighieri Dante Alighieri]
| Demon, Guard, Duty, Seriousness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleagant Maleagant]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Abductor, One-Sided Love, Blackmail
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahamayuri Mahamayuri]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Buddhist
| Wisdom, Rain, Peacock, Lotus, Poison Treatment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mami_Wata Mami Wata]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| parts of Africa
| Mermaid, Water, Snake Charmer,
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manann%C3%A1n_mac_Lir Manannán mac Lir]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Gaelic
| Ocean, Warrior, Otherworld, Mist, Invisibility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezumi_Koz%C5%8D Nezumi Kozō]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1797–1831
| Thief, Hero, Redistribution, Selflessness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ono_no_Komachi Ono no Komachi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 825–900(?)
| Mystery, Beauty, Poet, Love, Haughtiness, Old Age, Melancholy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A6mundr_fr%C3%B3%C3%B0i Saemundr froedhi]
| Historical, Folklore
| Iceland, 1056–1133
| Scholar, Deal with the Devil, Escape, Forbidden Knowledge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moremi_Ajasoro Moremi Ajasoro]
| Historical, Folklore
| Nigeria, 12th cen.
| Queen, Heroine, Sacrifice, Slave, Spy, River, Loss
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ui Māui]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Polynesian
| Hero, Trickster, Fire, Sun, Cleverness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medeina Medeina]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Forest, Trees, Animals, Hare, Wolf
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melino%C3%AB Melinoë]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Underworld, Madness, Nightmares. Saffron
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melion Melion]
| Literature
| ''Melion'', author unknown
| Knight, Love, Ring, Werewolf, Affair, Persecution, Revenge, Mercy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melusine Melusine]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| Mermaid, Lamia, Water, Well, Curse, Secret
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menestratus_(Thespiae) Menestratus], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleostratus_(mythology) Cleostratus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Love, Same Sex, Offering, Dragon, Substitute, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurybarus Eurybarus], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcyoneus_(son_of_Diomos) Alcyoneus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Love, Same Sex, Offering, Beast, Substitute, Rescue
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meng_Po Meng Po]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chinese
| Oblivion, Memory, Reincarnation, Soup
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menw Menw]
| Folklore/Legend
| Arthurian
| Magician, Invisibility, Shapeshifter, Bird, Poisoned
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meretseger Meretseger]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Cobra, Silence, Tombs, Guardian
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millalobo Millalobo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Chilote
| Mermaid, Sea Lion, Ocean, Animals
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohini Mohini]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Enchantress, Madness, Beauty, Immortality, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momotar%C5%8D Momotarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Peach, Youth, Hero, Dumpling
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morana_(goddess) Morana]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Revival, Death, Rebirth, Nature, Dreams, Winter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moryana Moryana]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Ocean, Wind, Beauty, Calm, Wild Hair, Storms
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mug_Ruith Mug Ruith]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Druid, Blindness, Magic, Storms, Sun, Vehicles
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrddin_Wyllt Myrddin Wyllt]
| Folklore/Legend
| Welsh
| Bard, Trauma, Madness, Forest, Prophecy, Wanderer
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninazu Ninazu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Underworld, Snakes, Vegetation, Warrior, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javert Javert]
| Literature
| ''Les Misérables'', by Victor Hugo
| Black and White, Law, Authority, Isolation, Outsider
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanahuatzin Nanahuatzin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Humility, Sacrifice, Sun, Blood
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada Narada]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Travel, Musician, Storyteller, Wisdom, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertem Nefertem]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Lotus, Beauty, Lion, Good Luck
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti Nefertiti]
| Historical, Legend
| Egypt, 1370-1330 BC
| Queen, Sun, Power, Wife
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occhiali Occhiali]
| Historical
| Italy, 1519-1587
| Slave, Rise, Privateer, Admiral
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Water_Lily_legend Naiá]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Tupi-Guarani
| Moon, Mountains, Kiss, Star, Obsession, Drowning, Water Lily
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uchek_Langmeitong Hayainu]
| Folklore/Legend
| Meitei
| Parental Cruelty, Obedience, Tears, Bird, Feathers, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicnevin Nicnevin]
| Folklore/Legend
| Scottish
| Witch, Fae, Queen, Magic, Hag
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninurta Ninurta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Mesopotamian
| Farming, Healing, Law, Hunting, Scribes, War
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niobe Niobe]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Mother, Pride, Hubris, Punishment, Loss, Petrification
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_(mythology) Nu]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Egyptian
| Abyss, Cosmos, Reality, Water, End Times, Gender
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [[wikipedia:Guy_of_Gisbourne|Guy of Gisbourne]]
| Folklore/Legend
| Robin Hood legend
| Assassin, Rival, Love Triangle, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Tyler Wat Tyler]
| Historical, Folklore
| England, 1320–1381
| Tax, Father, Assault, Revenge, Rebellion, Leader
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Corbeddu_Salis Giovanni Corbeddu Salis]
| Historical, Folklore
| Italy, 1844–1898
| Crime, Cave, Reform, Peacemaker, Wisdom, Redistribution, Betrayal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilal_Khan Dilal Khan]
| Historical, Folklore
| Bangladesh, 1585-1666
| Cobra, Ruler, Redistribution, Fairness, Law
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietro_della_Vigna Pietro della Vigna]
| Historical, Literature
| Italy, 1190–1249
| Scholar, Diplomat, False Accusation, Imprisonment, Punishment, Blinded
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okada_Iz%C5%8D Okada Izō]
| Historical
| Japan, 1838–1865
| Samurai, Assassin, Bodyguard, Capture, Torture, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%BB%8Cbatala Ọbatala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Yoruba
| Sculptor, Humanity, Wine, Protector
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ois%C3%ADn Oisín]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Irish
| Poet, Warrior, Marriage, King, Return, Time, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olifat Olifat]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Micronesian
| Trickster, Jealousy, Exile, Heaven, Chaos, Escape, Fire, Tattooing
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(mythology) Orion]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Giant, Assault, Punishment, Hunting, Scorpion, Death, Stars
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Twardowski Pan Twardowski]
| Folklore/Legend
| Polish
| Deal with the Devil, Soul, Clause, Wealth, Fame, Moon, Spider
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenope_(siren) Parthenope]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Siren, Song, Failure, Ocean, Drowning
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Clifford Paul Clifford]
| Literature
| ''Paul Clifford'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bulwer-Lytton Edward Bulwer-Lytton]
| Double Life, Criminal, Gentleman, Love, Arrest, Trial, Revelation, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedrolino Pedrolino]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Comic, Trickster, Disguise, Mischief
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin Harlequin]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Cleverness, Agility, Wit, Trickster, Devil
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_(stock_character) Columbine]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Cleverness, Love, Intelligence, Support, Disguise, Gossip
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierrot Pierrot]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Suffering, Love, Fool, Sadness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaramouche Scaramouche]
| Literature
| Commedia dell'arte
| Villain, Pride, Cowardice, Boastfulness
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta Perchta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Germanic
| Spinning, Beasts, Christmas, Multiple Forms, Punishment, Reward, Taboo
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perun Perun]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Slavic
| Fire, Sky, Lighting, War, Thunder, Oak, Rain, Law, Fertility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaethon Phaethon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Light, Good, Gender, First-born, Primordial, Egg, Day
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanes Phanes]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Beauty, Giant, Assault, Punishment, Hunting, Scorpion, Death, Stars
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_Piper_of_Hamelin Pied Piper of Hamelin]
| Folklore/Legend
| German
| Music, Rats, Nonpayment, Revenge, Children
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pier_Gerlofs_Donia Pier Gerlofs Donia]
| Historical, Folklore
| Netherlands, 1480–1520
| Farmer, Rebel, Leader, Pirate. Strength, Bravery, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipa_Jing Pipa Jing]
| Literature
| ''Fengshen Yanyi,'' attrib. to [[wikipedia:Xu_Zhonglin_(novelist)|Xu Zhonglin]]
| Jade, Musical Instrument, Seduction, Evil, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daji Daji]
| Historical, Folklore
| China, 1076-1046 BC
| Fox, Evil, Impersonation, Excess, Violence, Execution
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pkharmat Pkharmat]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Nakh
| Love, Pity, Fire, Theft, Defiance, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porphyrios_(whale) Porphyrios]
| Historical, Folklore
| Turkey, mid 6th cent.
| Whale, Fear, Purple, Violence, Breached
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prende Prende]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Albanian
| Dawn, Love, Beauty, Fertility, Health, Spring
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Iron_Fan Princess Iron Fan]
| Literature
| ''Journey to the West'', attrib. [[wikipedia:Wu_Cheng'en|Wu Cheng'en]]
| Fan, Wind, Swords, Beauty, Villain, Immortal, Wife
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Wanda Princess Wanda]
| Historical, Folklore
| Poland, 8th cent.
| Unverified, Invasion, Leader, Beauty, Proposal, Refusal
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puss_in_Boots Puss in Boots]
| Fairy Tale
| European
| Trickster, Cat, Helper, Fae, Rags to Riches, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Elphame Queen of Elphame]
| Folklore/Legend
| Scottish, English
| Fae, Queen, Witch, Devil, Shapeshifter
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Hearts_(Alice%27s_Adventures_in_Wonderland) Queen of Hearts]
| Literature
| ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Carroll Lewis Carroll]
| Monarch, Anger, Playing Cards, Roses, Red, Croquet
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Sheba Queen of Sheba]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Bounty, Gifts, Questions, Exchange, Council
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raijin Raijin]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Lightning, Storms, Thunder, Drums, Aggression
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A1n Rán]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Sea, Water, Net, Abductor
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Niejta Rana Niejta]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sami
| Sun, Green, Spring, Fertility
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynard_the_Fox Reynard]
| Folklore/Legend
| European
| Fox, Trickster, Deception, Escape
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhiannon Rhiannon]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Welsh
| Ruler, Strategy, Magic, Generosity, Marriage, Loss, Accusation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishyasringa Rishyasringa]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu, Buddhism
| Deer, Horns, Seer, Chastity, Hermit, Temptation, Rain
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Roy_MacGregor Rob Roy MacGregor]
| Historical
| Scotland, 1671–1734
| Rebel, Outlaw, Hero, Loss, Feud, Battle
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Devil Robert the Devil]
| Folklore/Legend
| Norman
| Bandit, Knight, Crime, Violence, Heritage, Redemption, Denial, Saint
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostam Rostam]
| Historical, Legend
| Persian
| Paladin, Panther, Beast Slayer, Invincibility, Loss, Betrayal, Tragedy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadko Sadko]
| Folklore/Legend
| Russian
| Adventure, Bet, Wealth, Ocean, Sacrifice, Music, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1ga_and_S%C3%B6kkvabekkr Sága]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Norse
| Seer, Ocean, Gold, Mystery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saho-hime Saho-hime]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, ??-25 BC
| Empress, Consort, Brother, Premeditated, Reversal, Guilt, Fire
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin Aladdin]
| Fairy Tale
| Middle Eastern
| Adventure, Magic, Fortune, Rags to Riches, Trickery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urashima_Tar%C5%8D Urashima Tarō]
| Fairy Tale
| Japanese
| Fisherman, Rescue, Sea Turtle, Reward, Ocean, Royalty, Time, Test, Old Age
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampati Sampati]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hindu
| Bird, Brother, Selflessness, Sacrifice, Loss, Enlightenment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaki_Rui Sasaki Rui]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, mid 17th cen. BC
| Divorce, Teacher, Martial Arts, Gender, Fighting, Marriage
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukemochi Ukemochi]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Food, Bounty, Gender, Fox, Offense, Death, Seeds
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X%C5%8Dchipilli Xōchipilli]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Flower, Beauty, Youth, Love, Sexuality, Music, Dancing, Art, Writing, Games
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaria_(daughter_of_Heracles) Macaria]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Inheritance, Refugee, Prophecy, Courage, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurystheus Eurystheus]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| King, Judge, Fear, Indignity, Revenge
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minos Minos]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Tyrant, Punishment, Death, Judge, Scholar, Law
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirona_(goddess) Sirona]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Celtic
| Healing, Springs, Snakes, Eggs
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedna_%28mythology%29 Sedna]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Inuit
| Sea, Marine Animals, Amputation, Filicide, Death, Underworld, Mermaid
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenobia Zenobia]
| Historical, Legend
| Syria, c. 240-after 274 AD
| Widow, Queen, Regent, Politics, Rebel, Defeat, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juana_Gal%C3%A1n Juana Galán]
| Historical
| Spain, c. 1787-1812
| Guerrilla Fighter, Rebel, Leader, Baton, Iron Pan
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6tz_von_Berlichingen Götz von Berlichingen]
| Historical
| Germany, 1480-1562
| Knight, Mercenary, Poet, Amputation, Prosthetic, Military
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Barton Elizabeth Barton]
| Historical
| England, 1506-1534
| Visions, Prophecy, Politics, Religion, Rumors, Imprisonment, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Laveau Marie Laveau]
| Historical, Legend
| United States, 1801-1881
| Herbalist, Midwife, Occult, Nurse, Religion, Activist, Magic
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphigenia Iphigenia]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Offense, Deer, Punishment, Wind, Prophecy, False Promise, Sacrifice
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoichi_the_Earless Hoichi the Earless]
| Folklore, Legend
| Japanese
| Blindness, Minstrel, Lute, Demand, Ghosts, Trick, Protection, Flaw, Amputation
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxelana Roxelana]
| Historical, Legend
| Ukraine, c. 1505-1558
| Slave, Harem, Concubine, Freedom, Marriage, Politics, Rags to Riches, Love, Diplomacy
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suleiman_the_Magnificent Suleiman the Magnificent]
| Historical, Legend
| Turkey, c. 1520-1566
| Monarch, Empire, War, Reform, Change, Law, Arts, Culture
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi The Three Magi (Balthazar, Caspar, & Melchior)]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Abrahamic
| Kings, Gifts, Astrology, Scholars, Wisdom, Travel, Star
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumaean_Sibyl Cumaean Sibyl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Greco-Roman
| Prophecy, Knowledge, Price, Underworld, Longevity, Guide, Deal, Punishment
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bacon Francis Bacon]
| Historical
| England, 1561–1626
| Science, Library, Knowledge, Arrest, Judge, Crime
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tala_(goddess) Tala]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Tagalog
| Morning, Evening Star, Constellations, Guidance, Danger
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileana_Simziana Ileana Simziana]
| Fairy Tale
| Romanian
| Daughter, Disguise, Battle, Princess, Rescue, Request, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashihime Hashihime]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Japanese
| Loneliness, Jealousy, Bridges, Transformation, Demon, Fear, Murder
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guede_Nibo Guede Nibo]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Haitian Vodou
| Beauty, Youth, Violence, Death, Psychopomp, Dandy, Sex
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumuzid Dumuzid]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Sumerian
| Agriculture, Shepherd, Consort, King, Punishment, Underworld, Seasons
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81whaki Tāwhaki]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Māori
| Beauty, Lightning, Thunder, Flood, Hero, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanhoe Ivanhoe]
| Literature
| ''Ivanhoe: A Romance'', by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Scott Walter Scott]
| Disinheritance, Love, Quest, Tournament, Disguise, Knight
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tep%C4%93y%C5%8Dll%C5%8Dtl Tepēyōllōtl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Jaguar, Sun, Caves, Earthquakes, Echoes, Trickster
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_l'Olonnais François l'Olonnais]
| Historical
| France, 1630-1669
| Pirate, Shipwreck, Massacre, Survival, Blood, Cruelty
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonhart_Fuchs Leonhart Fuchs]
| Historical
| Germany, 1501-1566
| Physician, Botany, Plants, Medicine, Science
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates Socrates]
| Historical
| Greece, 470-399 BC
| Philosophy, Rebel, Scholar, Crime, Punishment, Hemlock, Death
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Berry_Lowry Henry Berry Lowry]
| Historical
| United States, 1845-1872 (Unknown)
| Outlaw, Robbery, Murder, Revenge, Redistribution, Folk Hero
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egill_Skallagr%C3%ADmsson Egill Skallagrímsson]
| Historical, Folklore
| Iceland, 904-995
| Anti-hero, Poetry, Sorcery, Violence, Rage, Revenge, War
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoarashi_Okinu Yoarashi Okinu]
| Historical, Folklore
| Japan, 1845-1872
| Geisha, Poison, Beauty, Mistress, Murder, Arrest, Decapitation, Untruth
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(wife_of_Justinian_I) Theodora]
| Historical
| Turkey(?), 490-548
| Prostitution, Actress, Love, Rags to Riches, Empress, Equality, Bravery
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odile_of_Alsace Odile of Alsace]
| Historical, Religion
| France, 660-720
| Rejection, Eyes, Sight, Monastery, Resurrection, Healing, Saint
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Bai Li Bai]
| Historical
| Kyrgyzstan, 701-762
| Poetry, Nature, Friendship, Politics, Exile, Escape, Change
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spearfinger Spearfinger]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Cherokee
| Monster, Witch, Finger, Knife, Livers, Stone, Thunder, Shapeshifting, Disguise
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_Grandmother Spider Grandmother]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Hopi, Navajo
| Spider, Old Woman, Medicine, Wisdom, Guidance
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%93ccizt%C4%93catl Tēcciztēcatl]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Aztec
| Moon, Pride, Hesitation, Punishment, Rabbit, Seashell, Butterfly
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide_jewels#Tamatori-hime Tamatori-hime]
| Folklore/Legend
| Japanese
| Ocean, Diving, Pearl, Dragon, Music, Blood, Sacrifice, Family
|-
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A1nh_Gi%C3%B3ng Thánh Gióng]
| Myth/Folk/Belief
| Vietnamese
| Iron, Horse, Sword, Temple, Heaven, King
|-
|}

[[Category: Theme]]

2025-08-12: Stolen Lives

2026-04-21T17:45:04Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Stolen Lives'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Tatsuya Sudou]], [[Yusuke Kitagawa]], [[Ann Takamaki]], [[Makoto Niijima]], [[Morgana]] (played by Ren)
*'''Where: ''' An Alleyway in Shibuya
*'''OOC Date:''' August 12, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' June 24, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''A call is made to the Joker Killer, and he goes on the hunt: this time in Shibuya, where circumstances allow for the former king to glance at a vision that reminds him of what he's lost.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
The letter is inconspicuous at first glance: a plain, standard issue envelope that was laid on the sales counter at some point, its carrier anonymous and unnoticed. Flipped over, it displays a colorful mismatch of fonts, each letter clipped from a magazine or newspaper and pasted on.

'TO: UMiE AkaBAnE'

"Aoki-san, you still need me to fill in tomorrow night, right?" Adjusting the top of her red uniform as she steps behind the counter, Umie chats back with the slightly older co-worker disappearing through the back doors. After Aoki's reply, Umie grins. "Yeah, it's fine." She adjusts the pins in her two hair buns. "You covered for me earlier, remember? Fair's fair."

The fingertips that flip over the envelope may not be the first, if Ren (or Morgana, somehow) had tried to examine it before Umie came in for her shift. "... Huh."

"...!" If Ren or Morgana are nearby, they'd also feel the reaction: the sudden blip of resonance appearing from out of the blue with a grim intensity, like a lightbulb shorting out in one swift burst of light. It's unmistakably Umie, and on top of that, she's highly disturbed.

The envelope falls to the floor as Umie ducks behind a display of wrapped pastries by the cash register, opening the folded letter to read over garishly arranged text.

'Dear Soon to be Dead Umie Akabane, I don't know where, I don't know when, but I will find you, I will kill you, and I will enjoy it, signed Joker Killer'

The resonance dims, like a slowing heartbeat, before climbing to an even higher summit.

To any customer that comes in at that moment, they'd see just a cashier, staring at the letter with a blank, banal expression, eyes distant. It'd take someone more observant to notice the slight tremble of her red-nailed fingers, or how the fingers begin to crease the paper.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
For all that Ren is aware that Umie's a Persona User, he doesn't have a reason to rifle through her personal mail--especially when they're both on the job.

He's busy re-stocking the shelves when it happens: that blip of resonance, like a storm surge through the store, emanating from Umie. He pauses and looks up in time to see Umie duck behind the pastries and the envelope drift to the floor.

"..." Glancing at his workload, Ren slips closer to the register counter and gingerly picks up the envelope. The cut-and-paste letters don't inspire confidence, any more than that dip and climb of Resonance does.

"Akabane-san?" he says quietly, slipping around the counter. His eyes dip to her fingers, trembling as they crinkle the letter she's reading. Even so, he offers her the envelope. "You dropped this..."

Once he has her attention, regardless of whether she takes the envelope back or not, his gaze darts to the letter, trying to see what has her so shaken.

"Is everything okay?" he asks as he does so.

It's all nosy of him, he knows, but some serious alarm bells are ringing in his head. This isn't something he can pretend to not notice.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Already, that resonance is disappearing like passing raindrops on a dry sidewalk, leaving no evidence it was even there to begin with.

'Akabane-san?'

Umie's head snaps up towards Ren with a sharp look, like a ready knife that just as quickly is pulled back from an unintended target. "... Oh, Amamiya-kun." Her gaze flicks to the side, apologetic.

Umie stills the instinct to snatch that stupid envelope from Ren with a swift swipe of her hand; instead, she politely tugs it out from his grip.

'Is everything okay?'

Ren Amamiya: a co-worker who seemed to be all around a nice person, whose avoidance of certain topics in their occasional chitchat suggested to Umie that he was someone who kept his personal life private, even in casual conversations. In other words, he was a normal teenager. He wanted no trouble. He, and everyone in this store, are people who *need* no trouble. They're just ordinary people, and she's the one who carelessly let trouble follow her back.

"It's just a rude prank," she lies through her teeth, trying to fold the letter away from his eyes.

She can't help the soft smile that bleeds through, however, recognizing the initiative in his words and actions. He didn't need to be concerned about her. He could have pretended he saw nothing and been on his way.

"You know... being curious like that could get a person into trouble." She dips her head, hushing her voice for Ren to hear alone. "... But maybe that's why I find you a likable person, Amamiya-kun."

She folds the letter and pushes it into the pocket of her pants. "I need to get out of work, just in case. Gotta report this to the proper authorities, and all that jazz."

Umie's lying; why would she want to get out of work immediately, if she says it's just a prank?

She also doesn't see that parts of the glued together words have come undone from the bottom portion of the letter as she folds it; with her eyes on Ren, there was no chance she'd see the words fall to the floor as she attempts to brush by him to the back room.

Will kill you
I wil enjoy it
Joker Kill r

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
No evidence but what Ren sensed--and there's no denying what he sensed just then. Too sharp and too intense for it to be just his imagination, and too familiar to what he encountered that day in the Metaverse to be someone else, he knows it was her.

It could just be a "rude prank." Depending on just how rude it is, maybe it could've prompted a reaction like that. But...

"Oh--thanks," he murmurs, offering her a small smile back. He doesn't argue with what she has to say. He recognizes she's trying to avoid getting him caught up in whatever just happened. He simply watches her, stepping back out of her way as she shoves the letter in a pocket and leaves for the back room.

Something falls from her pocket, maybe dislodged from the sharp motion. His eyes follow the cut-and-paste words to the floor, and when he reads them, his pulse jumps.

He's not supposed to mess with his phone on the store floor. He has to focus on his work. All the same, when he returns to the shelves he was stocking, cut-out words untouched so Umie can let herself think they were unnoticed, he takes a moment to furtively pull his smartphone out and send a few messages to a certain group chat.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Ren answers Umie's smile with one of his own just before he steps aside. As terrible as retail can be, it's never been... unpleasant, working here. It's nice, even, in those times she gets to chat. Certainly more foot traffic that she's used to, but everyone's just trying to get through their day. It solidifies her resolve: she'll handle it, and all of them will be none the wiser.

Just like always.

Glancing back towards the counter in case anything was left, she finds the words that slipped from her pocket; with a covert glance towards Ren (who seems to be none-the-wiser by ducking back into work), she picks up the leftover evidence and stuffs it into her pocket.

There's some cover inadvertently created when Umie talks to their boss in the back; from the awkward words back and forth, the lies, the apologies, the promises, it's clear she's *not* letting their boss know about the letter, which has made things harder on her, and easier on Ren as attention is brought to her.

The clock is already ticking, when, finally, after promising to make up with a string of night shifts, she wears their boss down. Umie isn't completely concerned; she has time. While nothing rules out the Joker Killer coming after her during the day, his past attacks, from her research with Shinjiro, point to them being tied with the supernatural, like with the attack on Kasugayama High. He(?) would attack during the Dark Hour, then. He'd likely use that... power. He'd never expect it to be used against him, if it came down to it, right? But before that, she should think of other measures...

She needs to get her weapon, some supplies, and oh. Right. She needs to call people. Whipping out her phone as she opens the door to the back alley, she scrolls through her contact list. Katsuya? Yes. Shinjiro? Yes. Tatsuya? .... All Umie could think about is how he held that Kasaugayama student, like he was scared that that young man would evaporate out of his arms. (As well as the other things that happened, but her mind is currently not touching that with a ten foot pole.)

It's okay. She has this all figured out.

It'll be alright.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It's convenient that Umie goes into the back to talk to the boss and takes a good long while into talking them into letting her leave early today. It means Ren has time to go outside to "sweep the entryway" (actually get Morgana's attention and let him know to follow Umie when she leaves).

Maybe it's an unnecessary concern. She's a Persona User; she has Persona User friends. Ren knows this about her. At the same time, it's just not in his nature to see someone clearly in trouble and not at least try to do something to help.

Now it's just a matter of seeing if he and his friends can converge on her location in time to help her against the ''evil'' Joker.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
It had started the moment Umie had stepped outside, phone in hand; Morgana would have had only minutes to get into position after Ren let him know to follow. The chase begins with a chaotic din of resonance, perhaps familiar to anyone who's felt the Mark used in their presence, though, with it coming from the Joker Killer himself, the conductor may have some different tricks up his sleeve for this act.

After another burst of alarm from Umie's resonance, Morgana would see the splash from her footfalls as she runs, her original plan hastily abandoned in favor of another: running away. Away from the crowd, away from Triple Seven, further into the alleyways. It's for a good reason: whatever is coming is going after Umie exclusively, she reasons.

Think. Think. Ah. Umie has plans. Let's run down them, shall we?

=Plan #1=: It comes to her, naturally: Badb's return affords Umie more than the small boost in reflex and other generalities. Her resonance cloaked itself already; it's just another step to use Badb's conceptual mein to cloak herself. It buys time, just enough to think Umie has a chance. (Unfortunately, that may complicate Morgana's task, but there's more than one way to track a target down, and Umie's no Phantom Thief.)

=Plan #2=: Get enough distance between her and Joker Killer, and call someone on her phone. Unfortunately, that's why her right hand is bleeding right now, and her phone, with its red good luck charm, is on the ground, tossed aside with a strike of the Joker Killer's weapon. Ah, he's playing with her. Great.

=Plan #3=: "I have a Sevens Badge too!" Whether or not the rumor would work outside of Sumaru City isn't tested, because she *doesn't*, and lying didn't work. She threw her work badge at the Joker Killer as a distraction and ran when it seemed to not make much of a difference.

=Plan #4=: Umie's treasure trove of status effects do not seem to work for long and that's *bullshit*. Seriously, why can't they work when you need them the most?! And Dark? Oh, Dark. You are so useful, but this is the last person it'd work on.

=Plan #5=: Water. Aqua works. Good, this is an advantage. Too bad she didn't think of it when she _had her phone_, and besides that, the moment she attacks is the same moment her shroud is blown.

=Plan #6=: Try to double back and find her phone. Ah, that'd be great, but she's gotten a few more healthy slashes since then, and the old surgical scars over her heart are beginning to remind her that she was never, ever meant to be a long-distance marathon runner.

......

=Plan.... 6? Or was it 8?=: She was going to.... do something. Did she see something? Sense something? Is someone else out there?

A child-like voice, like the tinkling of bells, distracts Umie. '... You're out of ideas... which is why you're about to die, still wearing your Triple Seven uniform.'

She's going to die _still wearing her Triple Seven uniform_.

'... It's too bad you can't fight back any other way~'

She sees the memory of Akechi's face, framed in the glow of late afternoon. Behind him was an outline of a hand, drawn in chalk, with the shape of something wrapped on it like the shadow of someone else's own, forever intertwined. 'The next time I saw her, she was no longer with us. Nothing of what was left of her was recognizable, except...'

"Teleportation... goddamn... cheating... *son of a--*" Umie gasps, as she falls into the mud.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
The Old Maid had it all planned, he was simply going to wait for the prey to leave her job and then immediately stuff her into a supernatural hole. Still the voice did say that she was like him, so maybe, just maybe it was worth giving her a test. Maybe she could be another him. Yes, perhaps she could be the start of the new circles of masked people, or whatever the voice called it. A whole team of masked people going into the supernatural world and committing crimes that no one could explain.

That is of course why he sent the letter, it was a part of the test, how would she respond to it all after all. After that he simply watched from a roof top, pacing back and forth as if a lion at the zoo, waiting for one of those idiot kids to oh there she is. Sudou spots his prey stepping out of her place of work and Sudou frowns as she steps into the rift into the supernatural. For a moment he had hoped for something more. Looking at his shadow, "Yeah yeah we can't all start off like the Joker." At that point Sudou steps off the roof and disappears.

Since he stepped off the roof, he has been terrorizing Umie, toying with her, showing up no matter which way she turns. He tried to warn her though when he first showed up, he even gave a light bow before telling her "Don't run, not when we are playing lions. You know what runs? FOOD runs!" Since then he has given chase. Finally though it appears the chase is over as he appears in front of the now muddy Umie.

"Well I guess he was wrong about you, you're nothing like me."
</poem>
AS: Tatsuya Sudou has readied for combat as Old Maid! He is now fully healed! Ready for 4 opponents!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Morgana left as soon as Ren explained the situation to him. Ren still has to finish up his shift--he can't just leave early, especially not when Umie just did--but Morgana is... I mean, ''looks like'' a cat, so he can prowl where he pleases. Good thing, too: Umie is jumped almost immediately after she leaves. The supernatural space that the Joker Killer creates means Morgana becomes Mona--and Ren can feel that space get created thanks to his own supernatural sensitivity, which means he can send another text to his friends saying that actually, this is happening ''now''.

Mona jumps from shadow to shadow as the Old Maid stalks Umie. It burns him up inside not to go immediately to her aid, but this is a dangerous enemy--''the'' Joker Killer. He can't risk Umie's life by jumping out recklessly and making sure the others don't know where to find her. The best thing he can do is keep a close eye.

But soon it becomes clear that playtime is reaching its end. Mona will have a quick-and-dirty explanation of what's going on for Fox and Panther when they arrive-- "That maniac with the paper bag on his head is the Joker Killer, and he's out to kill that woman, Umie Akabane! We've got to stop him!" --and then it is immediately go time.

And by 'go time,' one means 'make a cool and flashy entrance to grab the evil Joker's attention.' They ''are'' phantom thieves, after all. They've got to do this with ''style''.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
<poem>Today is going to be a strange one, even by the standards of Yusuke Kitagawa's short time as the Phantom Thieves' 'Fox'.

Summoned to Shibuya by an urgent text from their leader, Yusuke is only a short way down the street from Scramble Crossing when he feels the wave of nausea. Grimacing, he ducks into an alleyway, in part so that he doesn't gracelessly lose his lunch in the middle of the street (meagre as said lunch was), in part so that nobody sees the blue flame flickering across his body, leaving him in his Fox guise.

Relieved that he's not going to throw up, Fox makes haste towards Triple Seven, in time to rendezvous with Panther and Mona; a quick briefing, and he nods, hastening in the direction Mona guides them.

====== ======

Of all things to happen in this kind of twisted space, the sound of a gunshot was likely among the least expected. Perhaps even less expected is that the shot is empowered, blue light helping it punch through the man in the paper bag's supernatural resilience.

Atop the very rooftop Sudou abandoned, Fox lowers his assault rifle, the glowing woodcut-painting of Goemon towering over him, the stern ronin glaring fiercely down at the Joker Killer. "Halt, villain!" He yells out. "The Phantom Thieves have come, to steal your prey from you!"
</poem>

AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Pierce skill Single Shot on Tatsuya Sudou!

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
<poem>
"W-wait. We're what?!"

This had been Ann Takamaki's alarmed question for her phone as she stares at the messages sent off in the Phantom Thieves' group DM. Unfortunately, phones can not actually respond to startled demands in this particular day and age, no matter how dismayed it may be, and so the blonde Shujin Student just belted out a little curse and flurried out a message with the swift dance of opposable thumbs:

> Wait. we're what?!

But there's no time to complain. No time to even think. Someone's life is in danger -- someone needs their help. NOW.

Already in Shibuya, Ann tries to tell herself she's ready as she grabs firm hold of her purse and starts sprinting in the direction provided.

She's not. Not at all. Not for something like -this-. Not in the real world, especially!!

"Oh no oh no oh no--!!"

But... that doesn't stop her, even for a second.

~ <3 ~

There's something viscerally frightening, being in the presence of a real killer.

That isn't to say Ann -hasn't- been in the presence of murderers. Unfortunately, she has. Kamoshida nearly got Shiho killed -- whether she chose to jump or not, he was the one who gave her the push, and that blame lies wholly with him. Madarame killed Yusuke's mother through deliberate inaction, just to steal her prize work -- to say nothing of whatever deaths might have been caused by his neglect and exploitation.

And Kaneshiro... well, he's a criminal. He -has- to have been involved in death somehow, directly or indirectly. (Probably indirectly, Ann assumes, which is just the gut feeling she got looking at the guy.)

But someone who deliberately, purposefully, ''personally'' takes a life? It's something you can only understand in the abstract--

"H-- HEY! You!"

--until you're suddenly face to face with it.

There's a slight hitch in that voice when it cuts through the air just behind the Old Maid. It's not nearly as dramatic or as steeled as the one preceding it; it sounds more like someone trying to convince themselves they're unafraid, then actually -being- unafraid. And yet--

"DANCE, CARMEN!"

-- and yet it doesn't stop the violent talon of pure, broiling flame that lashes across the distance between the Joker Killer and his intended victim, intending to intercept him just before he can reap his prize. In the distance, a young woman with platinum blonde hair, dressed in the red leathers of a classical cat burglar, stares him down -- one hand on an intricate whip, the other on the glowing cat's mask she wears. Behind her, Carmen looms, a large tongue of flame from her cigar dwindling down towards embers as she grinds her heel into the love-struck man beneath her.

Panther's eyes narrow. She has no idea -why- they're able to use their Personas here, but she's quietly breathing the largest sigh of relief over it. She wasn't sure her bear mace was going to cut it, here.

"Back off, you creepy Jason knockoff!"

So much so she frankly does not care that no one is going to understand that mad awesome diss.

(seriously though what kind of movies were her parents letting her watch as a kid)

</poem>
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Fire skill Agi on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Block Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 78 Pierce damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Single Shot. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 48 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Agi. Resist!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
In Mona's defense, it was completely the correct call. He'd have no way of knowing it, but if he had come out, Umie's weakness for furry vaguely Mothman-sized things might have circumvented her survival instincts.

Besides, Umie would've chosen the same route, if it meant setting up a proper assault. Maybe.

'Well I guess he was wrong about you, you're nothing like me.' "... I'm glad... you're just as disappointed in how things... are turning out," Umie spits into the mud, heaving herself onto her elbows.

She had just promised Tatsuya she'd help him, yesterday. If he hears about this, he'll blame herself. And Katsuya... likely the same, because he's been working on this case. Shinjiro, definitely. (Akechi? She's sure he'll live with his disappointment on a lead disappearing.) Think, Umie, think, be the tutor-sensei they all need right now!

RIght. There's one final, final plan. It's a long shot, but it just might work. ".... It took you way too long... they're here!!" She's pointing a shaky left hand behind Joker Killer. The plan? Redirect his attention, get away while he's looking.

..... Wait. Was that a gunshot? It may be the blood loss talking, but yes, there is someone, and that person looks... vaguely heroic, even if she chafes under the choice of words. Prey? _Prey_?! Keep it together, Umie, you're hallucinating. (But yeaaah, that mask looks about right.)

Umie attempts to push off her elbows onto her hands. Just back away, and...

And now, a second person. Fantastic hair, sets off the red really well. (_Umie, FOCUS_.) Umie can hear some element of fear in her voice, and why not? This is--

'Back off, creepy Jason knockoff!' Umie sputters a laugh. Someone charging into a situation like this? That's an underdog.

She likes those.

Umie points her left fingers outwards. "Badb! Go---k!" It's alright if Umie's voice cracks; Badb unfurls from her kneeling position, a proud grey humanoid woman in a hooded shawl of deep grey and dark red. With a slit smile, it gestures towards Panther, granting her a boon of a temporary shield.

Yes, Umie, give the wrong person Shroud. But it's not like you knew Joker Killer is a fire type.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Recovery skill Shroud on Ann Takamaki!

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
Sudou looms over the girl, his smile hidden by the bag as he raises his sword, "Well let's just put an end to this and maybe in the real timeline you will be more worthy. " As he is about to stab it into Umie to see if she has candy inside of her what sounds like a crack of thunder echos the sky as The Old Maid stands there before stumbling back.

It felt like he got punched. No not a punch, more like something stabbed him. A bullet? Was he shot? Do people do that in the supernatural... His thought is interrupted as fire tries to hurt him, or maybe come on to him. The source of the fire has left it unclear. Sudou tilts his head a bit perplexed from the source. "Phantom...thieves?"

Sudou stares at Fox and Panther for a long moment, before looking at Umie, "I know we were having a moment and everything but are you seeing these Feathermen wanna-be's too or is it just me?" Suddenly his mark has a Persona creature with her and he chuckles. "Ok that's cute, you and the two cosplayers here think you can stand up to me. " Reaching to the bullet hole, he puts his fingers into the bullet hole and with a little fumbling around and a grimace hidden by the paper bag he retrieves Fox's bullet. "Now I'm interested."

The bullet falls to the ground as The Old Maid raises his sword and strikes the air sending blades of wind out towards Umie and Fox. Then he points his sword to Panther, "So you like to play with fire!" A ball of fire appears in his hand before he launches it at Panther. "Lets see who burns first!" His declaration breaks down into a cackle of enjoyment.

Mona goes unnoticed.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Slash skill Vortex Slash on Umie Akabane and Yusuke Kitagawa!
AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Fire skill Blaze on Ann Takamaki!
AS: Block Worst! Umie Akabane takes 67 Slash damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Vortex Slash.
AS: Take! Ann Takamaki takes 57 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Shroud.
AS: Eclipse added!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Ann Takamaki takes 55 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Blaze. Resist!
AS: Blast added!

AS: Counter Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 63 Slash damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Vortex Slash.
AS: COUNTER! Tatsuya Sudou takes 21 Slash damage in return for his attack!

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
<poem>
Sundays are often rather uneventful days for Makoto Niijima. Get the house tidied, do the week's grocery shopping, maybe make a visit to Jinbocho if time allows (this week it definitely doesn't), finish any outstanding homework (unfortunately necessary this week), extra study for mock exams and on a normal Sunday, preparing dinner for herself and Sae.

For the last few weeks, however, Makoto's been eating alone at night the past few weeks.

So right now, she's standing in the kitchen, trying to work up the motivation to cook a meal just for herself. Sure, there had been plenty of nights where Sis had to work late, her total absence while working on the Kaneshiro case has been... difficult.

Upsetting, even.

The beeping of her phone pulls her out of her own head, and she walks over to the counter to pick it up- and stares at the messages briefly. The Joker Killer...?

Even a week ago, Makoto would have paused, suggested calling the police or anything else. She'd think about the consequences, what other options there would be, she'd way the risk.

Today, it takes no thought of all.

>On my way.

-----

It took a little longer to make it to Shibuya from Shinjuku than expected, and while the others had met up with Mona, Makoto had managed to find Ren just getting off his shift, and that meant they were heading towards the target together- and suddenly, it feels like they cross an arbitrary threshold and it shifts. It's not Makoto anymore. She can feel the cold steel of her mask upon her face. She doesn't know how or why she can use her Persona now. But there will be time to analyze it later. Instead, she feels a sharp smile come to her lips as she turns her head to Joker. "Let's ride."

----

The cackle of the Joker Killer might find an unexpected interruption in the roar of a motorcycle engine- and the roar of something living, breathing, enjoying her freedom. Queen rides through the Shibuya in a way she never could have before. Johanna responds to her intent as much as her steering, and she can ride through somewhere that should be as crowded as Shibuya central in a way no normal person could. The wind in her hair is a thrill- and so is the chase.

"There!" She yells to her passenger, as she spots Panther and Fox facing off against a man who has murdered thousands. That nuclear flame of rage burns in her chest as much as they burst out of Johanna's exhausts.

She is notably not decelerating as she screeches around the corner, adjusting her angle to line up with the murderer.

"Now's your chance to get off." She says, the one warning she gives Joker (the good one) before she guns it towards the Joker Killer (the bad one), Johanna's fury going full speed at the threat.
</poem>

AS: Tandem! Makoto Niijima has used the Strike skill Vajra Strike on Tatsuya Sudou!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
As Fox and Panther move in to decisively take the heat off of Umie, Mona leaps down next to her, scimitar in one... paw? How exactly does he hold that blade...? (Some things are better not to question too deeply.) "So ''you're'' the infamous Joker Killer, huh? Somehow I thought you'd be more dignified, but I guess this is as much as anyone can expect from a bloodthirsty murderer! You won't be claiming this life today! ''Zorro''!"

And that's how a very small cat-looking creature summons a Persona in the shape of a large man, who raises up a rapier and calls down healing energies on Umie. It's not going to cure every single one of her wounds, but it'll at least ensure she doesn't bleed out while trying to fend off her attacker. It brings her to baseline, one might say.

A good thing, considering the Old Maid hasn't given up on cutting her down.

~ * ~

Ren meanwhile rushes out of Triple Seven the instant his shift is over, not even stopping to accept his pay for the day ("I'll come back for it later!"). This means he leaves still in uniform, but it also means that he meets up with Makoto with not a moment to spare. There is a shift--a nauseating line in reality--and the both of them transform, blue fire burning their masks and costumes onto them.

He smirks back. Looks like he gets to ride with her first, for all Panther enthused about it before him.

~ * ~

The roar of Johanna's engine is a thrill as Joker holds on to Queen from behind her. No need to ask where; he spots Panther and Fox as Queen points them out.

"More's the pity," he quips, just before he kicks a leg up and leaps off the back of Johanna. As he somersaults in mid-air, he activates the grappling hook wire on his left wrist. It catches onto the side of a building and lets him swing in from the other side of Queen. As she accelerates her Persona into the Joker Killer, Joker opens fire with his handgun, punctuating his wired flight. Partway through his arc, he disengages the wire and sails upwards, kicks off a wall, and somersaults again to nail a three-point landing in between Umie and the Old Maid. He rises up slowly, dark eyes intense behind his back; his gun is gone, replaced by a rainbow-colored knife. He smirks, taps that blade on his shoulder--and gestures at the Old Maid to 'come get some.'

What's the point in being a phantom thief if you aren't going to be as extra as possible?
</poem>

AS: Weapon! Ren Amamiya has used the Pierce skill Makaronov Shot on Tatsuya Sudou! 3 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
<poem>"''Feathermen wanna-be's''???"

Whoops, Fox, you said that out loud.

"Excuse ''you'', sir, these are ''bespoke'' designs, borne from our souls to armour against your wickedness!"

He would likely espouse further on the differences between the themed, shared designs of a given Featherman season versus how each of the Phantoms' Wills of Rebellion shrouds them against the supernatural - but the man in the paper bag mask pulls the ''bullet'' out of his ''head'', and even that gives Fox some pause.

Pause enough for the serial killer to move like a blur with his sword, waves of sharp air filling the distance between them.

Grimacing, Fox throws away his rifle (it disappears in a puff of blue fire) and in a moment's thought he's drawing a blade of his own - a black blade that seems to drink in the light Goemon emits, to clash with those razor waves, and deflect some of them back at the Joker Killer.

It's an exchange that, he won't lie, he comes off worse for.

Fortunately, there is another loud sound in the air - a roaring engine.

Fox's grimace turns into a smirk as the cavalry arrives, and as Johanna barrels towards the Joker King, he approaches from the other direction, tearing at his mask in a spray of blood and cognitive flame. "GOEMON! CUT HIM DOWN!"

The incongruous woodcut-ronin manifests again, great kiseru pipe plunging down towards Sudou as Fox lunges in with his own katana, opening up with a flurry of blows from both Phantom Thief and Persona alike.
</poem>

AS: Tandem! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Slash skill Dual Slice on Tatsuya Sudou! 3 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
<poem>
He's pulling a bullet.

Out of his head.

"Wh -- are you seriously some slasher monster?!"

Behind the panther's facade, Ann visibly pales. This is beyond their ken -- all of them, really. Fighting strangeness in the Metaverse is one thing -- there's a layer of extra-reality to Palaces and Mementos that helps Ann, at least, to absord the disturbing nature of their spaces to some degree.

But this is the real world. Or at least, some degree of it.

"FOX! LOOK OUT--"

And seeing -that- happen -here- gives her the distinct impression that they might be out of their league, here.

Her warning comes too late. Yusuke's quick reaction spares him from the worst of what the Joker Killer has to offer, but still -- he's not looking good. Nor is Umie, barely choking out a sound as she... summons her own Persona? Ann's eyes go wide.

"Wait, for real--?!"

She barely gets it out before the temporary salve Umie offers is immediately countermanded by the unstable conflagration that is Tatsuya Sudou. "Oh crap--!" Panther, to her credit, reacts quickly; or at least, her subconscious does. On her way towards Umie, the leather-clad Phantom Thief is already pivoting the second she hears Sudou address her. Her gloved palm snaps -out- like a STOP motion -- and in front of her manifests Carmen, the frills of her rose-like dress swooping up like a matador with their cape.

As if in direct response, one of those love-lorn servants of the fuschia femme fatale LEAPS in front of the gout of flame like a secret service man diving in the path of a bullet, heart eyes lighting up in delight for having protected its mistress.

The force of it though, the heat of it as it buffets against the wall of her soul -- it's -still- enough to make Panther recoil with a grimace, one arm lifting to shield her face from the licking tongues of flame directly in front of her.

"This is -so- not good--" she hisses to herself--

Which is just about when the cavalry arrive.

"Joker!" Panther exclaims as the duo make their EXTRA SPECIALLY EXTRA ENTRANCE. "Queen!!" Her eyes light up. So COOL--

Ann doesn't spend any time fawning though (or at least, not anymore than is reflexive when people are doing SUPER COOL MOTORCYCLE FLIPPY GUN STUNTS IN FRONT OF YOU); soon enough she's back to sprinting towards Umie, eyes narrowed. The Old Maid wanted a firefight.

But she's got higher priorities right now.

"Come on, Carmen!"

And as Umie struggles back onto her feet -- she'll see that fuschia woman gripping the vine leashes of her servants tight as their eyes light up and healing magic emanates off them, suffusing Umie with a tender warmth. Is she -- squeezing the love out of them--??

It's a stark contrast to the genuine concern coming from Panther as she stops in front of Umie and leans down, offering a hand and a warm, confident smile.

"Hey -- it's okay," she assures, firmly. "We're not gonna let that bastard get you."

</poem>
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Recovery skill Dia on Umie Akabane!
AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 73 Recovery healing from Ann Takamaki's Dia.
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 83 Strike damage from Makoto Niijima's Vajra Strike. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 10 Pierce damage from Ren Amamiya's Makaronov Shot.
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 9 Pierce damage from Ren Amamiya's Makaronov Shot.
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 27 Pierce damage from Ren Amamiya's Makaronov Shot. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 31 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Dual Slice.
AS: Avoid Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 18 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Dual Slice.
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 31 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Dual Slice.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Phantom thieves? ".... You're... kidding." Umie stares out at Panther, and then Fox. She's feeling delirious now, but that's probably why she's laughing, mud dripping from her chin as her head bobs with the motion.

She looks up, her face and tone completely flat now. "Nope. Just your imagination." Her smile sprouts there, ever widening until mirrors the one on Badb. "Haahhh. Stressful day?"

Two people, plus her. It took more at Kasugayama, but they don't need to *beat* him, they just need to *survive*.

"Keep focused or you're going to lose the advantage... uh... Red-san!" The nicknames can't all be winners, but Umie doesn't want to be the reason their advantage is lost.

It's at that point, when Umie hears the sound of a motorcycle, that she feels the wounds on her body healing. Umie looks at her right hand, and then back to the emerging Mona, then gets up on her feet. Wait, no, that was a Persona, so.... It couldn't be. Still, her protective instincts are triggered. ".... Thank you. Uh, stay by me, please," she says, oddly polite.

Even if her wounds are healed, she's knows better than to try anything tricky, and besides, when the Old Maid sends out blades of wind out at her, she keeps by Mona, throwing up her hands up to try to take on the blow.

... Carmen's display of 'love' is odd, but, considering her own Persona's... tendencies, Umie gives a grateful nod back, unable to think of a proper quip.

After a moment, all Umie can find is simple: "Thank you," she says, giving Ann a slanted grin back, as well as quiet dip of her head towards the whip-wielding young woman for her help. "Fox-san, helping you next!" Oh, that's what Panther called him, right? Well, that makes it easier. She points to him now. "Badb! Shroud!"

Badb is still in the air as Queen pulls in, drawing a gasp from the muddy convenience store clerk. "... How?! Your-- but!!"

Queen. ... Joker?!

That's... Joker, landing in that same three-point crouch. No longer Mask-san.

"Detective-san." Blink, blink. "... You were a Phantom Thief the entire time. Huh." (Umie, _why would he tell you he was one?!_) "... And yeah, this is the Joker Killer," she says, attempting to project a more serious tone, "Teleportation, has a sword... Water works, I think. Seven Sisters badges... might." What element is a badge? "Get me out of this and you and your friends get information. Deal? We'll figure out the logistics later."
</poem>

AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Recovery skill Shroud on Yusuke Kitagawa!
AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Shift! Ren Amamiya can use another Weak skill this round!

AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 56 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Shroud.
AS: Eclipse added!

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
Sudou wasn't about to let up from all of the attacks, not when things were only getting started. That is until a motorcycle comes riding in, "I must have missed the part where people just bring things like motorcycles into the world. This place is a place of serenity and peace not a place for you to..." Sudou's crazy rant is silenced and replaced with an "Ooof" as the motorcycle hits him and despite bracing himself he still rolls backward while taking more bullets embedding themself in his body. He really is starting to feel like guns need to be outlawed in the supernatural.

Still he doesn't stay down, as he climbs to the feat, the fox one and his Persona is charging in and The Old Maid works to parry and evade the slashes until he is able to break back and keep all five or six of them in his line of sight. Despite all this Sudou was enjoying himself, this was fun, he hadn't had a fight like this since he met up with Strega in that horrible statement.

That is until a name is shouted, "Joker where?" Sudou's attention is diverted as he looks around until he tracks who the one in red is talking about. "You? They call you Joker? And you went and gathered a whole team of masked people?!" The killer intent behind the mask is all but palpable, "You damn poser!" The killer intent shifts and twists in this pocket of the supernatural and takes on a life of its own as The Old Maid's sword erupts into black flames.

"You dare try to steal my life! My real life!" Waves of heat and hatred flow off the Joker Killer through the alley. Sudou charges toward the supposed Joker shouting as he does, You are not the Joker, the Joker is not free yet. He will be though, and I will hand him each of your masks." The black flame sword comes crashing down at Joker as The Old Maid works very hard to make him mince meat.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Recovery skill Burning Spirit on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Take! Tatsuya Sudou takes 73 Recovery healing from Tatsuya Sudou's Burning Spirit.
AS: Atk_Up added!
AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Fire skill Heat Wave on Ann Takamaki, Umie Akabane, Yusuke Kitagawa, and Makoto
Niijima!
AS: Tandem! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Fire skill Dark Fire Slash on Ren Amamiya! 2 Hits!
AS: Block Best! Umie Akabane takes 65 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Heat Wave.
AS: Avoid Best! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 31 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Heat Wave. Eclipsed!
AS: Eclipse removed!
AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 98 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Dark Fire Slash.
AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 90 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Dark Fire Slash. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Makoto Niijima takes 56 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Heat Wave. Resist!
AS: Block Worst! Ann Takamaki takes 85 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Heat Wave. Resist!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Panther!" Joker calls back to his friend. He smiles at his back as she goes to join Mona in protecting Umie. Between the two of them, they should be able to keep her safe while the rest of them take the Joker Killer on.

Which is good, because between her and Fox, it's clear the Joker Killer is living up to his name. He's out for blood and doesn't care who gets in his way... The information Umie provides gets her a crisp nod.

"Deal," Joker tells Umie. He isn't about to explain that he was going to do his damnedest to get her out of this with or without any information in return. Information is still good to have, for everyone's sake.

The Old Maid zeroes in on Joker and calls him a poser. "What?" Who's stealing his real life. "What." And he's going to hand him to the real Joker--Joker has nothing to say to this, and that's because the Old Maid is charging in at him with sword aflame. Even moving as nimbly as he can, the sheer proximity of the Old Maid's sword is enough to lick and crackle at his coat dangerously. Joker has no idea what he's talking about, but it's unmistakable that he wants to kill him for, apparently, also being called Joker.

He snarls in pain as he's forced backwards, weaving out of the way of a direct hit but taking bad damage all the same. "Get back!" he calls to Umie, sweeping his free arm around. His white mask goes up in blue flame, and he covers his face with a red-gloved hand...

"Persona!" he calls, just before a great masked fiend with black wings arises. They wave a clawed hand, and energy seeps at the Old Maid, potentially slowing his movements and making it more difficult to land critical hits.

This is before the dark Persona leers at him with a wicked smile--which might sap the Old Maid's hostility some, or might well make it even worse. "Queen! Show us what you've got!" Joker calls, meanwhile--she's the team's new tactician, and with Umie's support, now is the best possible time for her to strut her stuff.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Almighty skill Sukunda on Tatsuya Sudou!
ARCANA: Ruin: Ren Amamiya gains 1 Limit!

AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Almighty skill Evil Smile on Tatsuya Sudou!

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
<poem>
The fact that the Old Maid can take a Johanna going full speed and only get sent rolling is already concerning enough- that he gets back up and withstand Fox's assault and Joker's full barrage is even more concerning. No wonder the police haven't been able to stop him-

Umie's warning echoes out, and Queen takes note. He can teleport, and he might be weak to water. That's... a bigger problem. But even more worrying of all is that wave of flame and hate that Queen can feel. That burning hatred crashes against her, and it stings even as she's able to brace herself for impact, Johanna helping soften a blow that might have killed a normal human.

"...Stealing your life?" Queen frowns, but only has a moment to do so before the black flame sword cuts into Joker, with all the Old Maid's rage manifest. "JOKER!" She yells, and Johanna skids to a halt in a long 180, and she drives straight for their leader, launching off the bike shaped Persona and flipping mid air to land next to him, her Persona coming to a halt next to her. "Diarama!" She calls, manifesting Johanna's healing magic toward him- but Joker says to show them what she's got...

Fine. She can do that. "Panther!" She yells, slipping into the role Joker requested. "Pin him down as best you can, give him as little room to maneuver as possible! Fire, bullets, whatever it takes!" The Joker can teleport, but hopefully it's harder under fire. "Fox... when Panther makes an opening, freeze him and carve him up like an ice sculpture! Don't give him room to move!"
</poem>

AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Recovery skill Diarama on Ren Amamiya!
AS: Makoto Niijima spends Limit on Shift! Ann Takamaki can use another Weak skill this round!

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
<poem>
The sight of Umie summoning up that Persona User leaves Panther with so many questions. Was the Joker Killer targeting Persona Users?? Was the whole rumor thing just a red herring this whole time?! Wait --

Does 'Joker Killer' mean he kills Jokers?!

-- no that's stupid but STILL Ann thinks she's onto something here.

Detective Princing isn't so hard, that Goro Akechi should get off his high horse!

Right now, though, the myriad questions flying through Ann's thoughts are tabled in the face of making sure Umie's still -alive- to ask questions. As Carmen's healing spell finishes itself out, Ann turns her attention back towards the Old Maid -- just in time to see him ranting, and igniting his blade in -black- flames.

The things he's saying -- they're so confusing.

"Oh god," Panther says aloud for no one's benefit, despite Umie's proximity, "this guy's completely insane--!"

Because, like. Umie probably doesn't need to hear this right now!

"Hey, look out--" Panther, at least, has Umie's safety first and foremost on her mind -- as that rippling wave of heat comes, the whip-wielding cat burglar tries to -lunge- between Umie and all that force; it might give her the precious time she needs, but as for Ann--

"ggAH!" The yelp that comes from her is palpable; even that innate resistance to passion's primal flame does little for the sheer, unhinged HEAT that exudes from Sudou, knocking her clear off her feet until she hits ground in a smoking bounce. A single rebound sends her twisting with surprising flexibility through the air (thanks, cognitive world), until she is landing in a three-point stance, skididng across the earth. "Ugh... ow... --Joker!! Watch out--!!"

But the Joker Killer is still coming after him like a man obsessed. Ren manages well enough -- but Ann is still scrambling when she hears Makoto's voice, that commanding tone providing her some manner of clarity within the firestorm of Sudou's insanity.

"R-right!" Eyes narrow behind their mask. And Ann unfurls her whip as she drags herself back up onto her feet.

"... Fine. You want to fight fire with fire, you psycho?! Let's see how you like the heat!!"

Ann grips her mask with one hand. The whip CRACKS in the other. And summoned by her fiery fury, Carmen manifests before Sudou; heeled foot digging into the back of one of her servitors head, she yanks his thorny rose-vine leash -back-. Magic RIPS out with the motion -- and all that protection Sudou's power gave him to the very fires he loves so much?

It's all gone.

"LET'S DANCE!"

Carmen draws a deep pull of her cigar.

And when she exhales, it BILLOWS outward in a plume of fire, rippling towards Sudou and -past- him. It'll burn if it manages to hit, but more importantly --

-- it IGNITES a fence of the very flames he was so resistant to before, trying to fence him in, to shepherd him into a corner--

"FOX! NOW! GET THAT CREEP!"

-- for the coup de gras.

</poem>
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Almighty skill Fire Break on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Fire skill Agi on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Ann Takamaki: Blast removed!
AS: Ann Takamaki spends Limit on Shift! Yusuke Kitagawa can use another Weak skill this round! SP +10!

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
<poem>"Well. I suppose you wouldn't be a supervillain serial killer without a tentative grasp on sanity."

'the real Joker'... Curious. He's also reacting to the fact that they all wear masks...?

You can practically see the large cartoon question mark appear over Fox's head at the paper-bag-man's ranting, but there's no time to think about it - he's having fire hurled at him! He ducks away, the tip of the tail latched to his waist needing a roll to put out, and stands up, singed but focused.

Fortunately, the Phantom Thieves are a ''team'', and their next objective is to steal their enemy's momentum. Joker saps the Killer's reflexes, and Queen steps into her role as their tactician. Fox nods once, and settles into a kendo ready stance, forcing his breathing to calm.

The Joker Killer is encircled by a ring of flame that Carmen has rendered him suddenly vulnerable to, and Fox grins. "Goemon, strike!" The phantasmal ronin inhales, and breathes out a wave of ice that coalesces around Sudou, blowing out the flames trapping him to trap him in ''ice'' instead.

Then Fox moves, blade flashing with cold intent and snowflakes trailing in its wake. One. Two. Three.

He sheathes the blades, and as it ''clicks'' home in its scabbard...

The ice shatters.
</poem>

AS: Yusuke Kitagawa spends Limit on Psych!
AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Water skill Bufu on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Tandem! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Slash skill Blade and Brush on Tatsuya Sudou! 3 Hits!
AS: Yusuke Kitagawa: Psych removed!
AS: Yusuke Kitagawa cancels 3 attacks on Tatsuya Sudou.
AS: Tandem! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Water skill Frigid Wrath on Tatsuya Sudou! 3 Hits!
AS: Take! Tatsuya Sudou takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Sukunda.
AS: Spd_Dn added!
AS: Take! Tatsuya Sudou takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Evil Smile.
AS: Sick added!
AS: Take! Tatsuya Sudou takes 0 Almighty damage from Ann Takamaki's Fire Break.
AS: Fire_Break added!
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 74 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Agi. Weak!
AS: Haze added!
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 121 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Bufu. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Avoid Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 49 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Frigid Wrath. Weak!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 73 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Frigid Wrath. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Avoid Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 59 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Frigid Wrath. Critical Hit! Weak!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "..." Come to think of it, Tatsuya (Suou) said similarly strange things, like 'this time'. Strange little slips that she later roughly attributed to the Mark.

But Joker said it too: 'in the real timeline', bringing up old, bad memories. (Thankfully, not of another world.)

What exactly is the Mark?

"That name's important to him, for some reason. Use it to your advantage. He doesn't have his Strega allies with him; you guys have as good a chance as any to make this a fight he'll remember."

Forgive Umie; she's still so overwhelmed by the stylish theatrics of this group she can't even be cynical about it. Instead, she feels... inspired. "... Make him rue the day he step foot in Shibuya," she hisses, anger raising in her voice at a low volume as she draws back, prompted by Joker's hand. "... and maybe he'll run and tell that *asshole* who called him on me that his heart's _not even worth the attention_."

Oh, Umie. If only if it were that simple. You've got the wrong person to send out that message, and the wrong person who called.

But she's on a roll. "... So. Yeah. I'm going to help these nice people beat you back out of Shibuya, and when I get back in tip top shape, I'll more directly help my friends _chase you out of Sumaru City_." She snaps a finger in the air, adding, in a singsong tone, "Look forward to it, _Old Maid-san_! Come to me, Badb!"

Some of this is her own frustration, but just as much, people like Shinjiro, and Tatsuya. But a lot of it? The Phantom Thieves themselves. All the questions of ethics, and how the Phantom Thieves could easily fall to corruption themselves are furthest from her mind right now.

(Wait, Umie, you are not supposed to be trying to draw aggro here.)

No, _she is_.

Because Panther's right there, taking the brunt for her, and Umie *hates it*. "Go, Panther-san!"

</poem>
AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Recovery skill Shroud on Ren Amamiya!
AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Shift! Ann Takamaki can use another Weak skill this round!

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
The Old Maid is lost in rage and that blinds him to many things. For example that this is a well organized crew for example, or that despite some of these attacks not doing things he is slowing down and making him lose some of his rage. He doesn't even notice the fact that fire is hot, that is until that damn red persona that keeps trying to show off how in control she is by stepping on the patriarchy covered in fire. Who knew fire could be so hot, fortunately the Fox mask comes in to help cool him off, and Sudou knows one thing. Water has never done him a damn good.

The Joker Killer stumbles a bit as he tries to run from Fox boys attacks but just can't get away. They hurt in ways that Sudou wasn't ready for and as he stumbles back. One thing is true, Sudou is bleeding, a lot.

The Old Maid just stands there for a moment, like some Jason rip off, as he gathers himself. Then he begins to speak again, " Yeah yeah, I know. I know damn it. I just...just look at them and the name and... I know he isn't him. I know that, I know who that is. I just...all this. " There is a deep sigh as he seems to regain some composure. "Yeah you are right. Play it cool."

The killer intent isn't gone, its just refined. The burning blade is still burning but the flames are smaller. Looking at the Fox and the poser, he swipes his sword quickly, lashing out with blades of air again to if nothing else hold them at bay. That is when he charges forward, with a wink given to carmen through the paper bag, he runs right past the red cat girl to the motorcycle chick.

"Healing is now a punishable offense!" Sudou raises his sword and slashes with the heated blade at Makoto before turning towards the original target. "Don't think that excludes you either." A break and a mad dash as he charges at Umie before leaping into the air driving his sword forward.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Slash skill Vortex Slash on Ren Amamiya and Yusuke Kitagawa!
AS: Tandem! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Fire skill Burning Slash on Makoto Niijima!
AS: Weapon! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Pierce skill Stab at Thee on Umie Akabane!
AS: Tatsuya Sudou: Loses 8 SP from Sick! Sick removed!
AS: Block Best! Umie Akabane takes 79 Pierce damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Stab at Thee.
AS: Counter Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 127 Slash damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Vortex Slash. Critical Hit!
AS: COUNTER! Tatsuya Sudou takes 34 Slash damage in return for his attack!
AS: Counter Best! Makoto Niijima takes 72 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Burning Slash. Resist!
AS: Poison added!
AS: COUNTER! Tatsuya Sudou takes 68 Fire damage in return for his attack! Weak!
AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 93 Recovery healing from Makoto Niijima's Diarama.
AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 54 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Shroud.
AS: Eclipse added!
AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 68 Slash damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Vortex Slash.

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
As much as he appreciates Queen and Panther's concerned shouts of warning, Joker does not have the space to call back to them while fending off the Old Maid's attempts to straight-up skewer him. The healing energy of Johanna's Diarama lets Joker breathe out a cool, refreshed breath of relief. Queen keeps a cool head while she's at it, directing the others with a plan to counter this killer.

He does not think that he kills Jokers, but there sure as hell is something weird going on here. What's all this about a true Joker and people with masks? But--while all of them have noticed that, there's precisely nothing they can do about it right now.

Still, as Panther and Fox deliver their one-two punch, Joker grins, however grimly. Carmen's power lets her break the Old Maid's resistance to fire and turn up the heat on him, while Fox launches himself in with freezing fury.

It is, no pun meant, very cool.

Umie's mentioning something about 'Strega allies.' Joker doesn't know what that's about, nor about who (she assumes) called the Old Maid on her, but the main takeaway is that this guy could be an ''even worse'' fight than he is right now. That's sobering.

So is the Old Maid staggering back and seeming to regain some composure by talking to someone who... isn't there. Who isn't visible? He shouldn't be able to talk to someone long-distance in a space like this... should he? Joker realizes he has no idea, and that gets his guard up.

It's well-timed. The Old Maid comes at him swinging, and thanks to the shroud of darkness that Umie calls down from Badb onto his form, he manages to evade another direct hit. A very good thing, when 'a direct hit' probably would have meant getting gutted.

"Oh no you don't," he growls when the Old Maid goes after the healers. Something shifts in his mask, and the blue flames shatter as, instead of that dark-winged fiend, he calls up-- "Ame-no-Uzume!!"

A Japanese-looking woman covered in fans and cloaks dances up into existence. She sashays to one side, snapping one of her fans upwards, and waves upon waves of nuclear fire pour down on the Old Maid, taking advantage of the weakness Panther instilled in him earlier. Fitting, since she represents the bond they share-- for all that her attack is meant to give Queen the space she needs for a counter-attack against the Old Maid.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Fire skill Trio Freila on Tatsuya Sudou! 3 Hits!
AS: Ren Amamiya spends Limit on Shift! Makoto Niijima can use another Weak skill this round!

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
<poem>
Makoto is very occupied with tactics and Ren's injuries, and doesn't have time to focus on who or what the Old Maid is talking to- but she can hear the rage at her, the Joker Killer declaring that Healing Is Forbidden, and coming at her with his sword. The flaming blade slices at Makoto, and she moves. If her hands were empty and the sword weren't on fire, she could try for a sword catch.

With that not an option, she hurls a punch at the Old Maid's blade, her tekko smashing into it as it comes toward her, blunting the impact so it only slices at her other shoulder, the hateful flames of the Joker Killer clashing with the nuclear fires of Johanna. It hurts, sure, but it also makes Queen angry. She throws another punch, aiming to knock the Old Maid's sword out of the way before rushing in with a rapid combo of punches toward his gut, before Joker provides her an opening with fires similar to Johanna's. It'sd the opening she needs, as she launches into a high backflip to land back on Johanna, giving herself what she hopes is enough distance.

Fox has taking a hit, and a bad one too. If he takes another like that...

"Johanna, Rakukaja!" She calls, extending her hand toward Fox, letting the barrier of blue light surround and fortify him, before turning her eyes to the Old Maid.

"You're really pissing me off, you ''murdering trash''!" She lets out a roar of defiance. "If you like fire so much, then burn to ash! FREILA!"

Her own powerful burst of nuclear fire joins in the trio sent by Joker, revving Johanna's engine to empower the blast with her anger.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Fire skill Freila on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Makoto Niijima: Loses 54 HP from Poison!

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
<poem>
Fading fire lapping its dwindling embers around her, Panther draws deep, steadying breaths as the exertion of this life-or-death struggle start to build up in her. She feels the cold of Yusuke's aftermath dancing at her flushed cheeks, and a smile dares to bloom on pink lips.

"Heck yeah, F--" she begins to cheer -- only to see the Old Maid still there, paper bag and all like some sort of grim mockery of their own masks, just.

Standing there.

"--ox--?"

Bleeding. Smoldering. But still -standing-.

And -talking to himself-.

There's something seriously wrong with this guy, and Ann's not entirely sure it's completely to do with mundane, everyday reasons. What is going on here...?

Of course, this is about when Umie starts taking the immortal zombie bag man to task with an untold amount of shit-talk. Sky blue eyes fluttering in a blink, Panther looks Umie's way as she cheers her on; despite everything, she manages a grin, rubbing the back of her head. "Aheh, you better believe it! But, you know, he -is- a crazy serial killer, are you sure you should be--"

And this is exactly when he rips right past Ann and her Persona with a cheeky wink and a flash of steel.

It's so fast. It's so -fast-. She just smells the stale stench of air left in his smearing wake. Her mind is still catching up with what just happened by the time he's upon Queen. There's no time to even shout; not even trust that Makoto can protect herself. By the time she begins--

"Wa-- Qu--"

he's already turned his attention on Umie.

"--NO!"

He lunges. She's too late. She knows it. Her teeth grit, she spins in the direction he's rushed off to, even as she snaps one gloved hand Yusuke's way. The snaring -yank- of a rose-thorn leash sends one of those besmitten servitors of Carmen swinging past Yusuke's orbit, the heart-shaped flashes of his eyes providing what healing it can for the onslaught he's endured. As for the rest?

"HEY! You weird scumbag! Look here!"

Ann unfurls that whip. Umie's hammering of his nerves got his attention. It's like a bull in the arena--

"I don't know who the heck you're talking to, but you heard the lady! You're getting out of Shibuya! Take your gross horror movie fetish--"

Carmen leans down, tapping the tip of her cigar to Ann's whip. And the entire weapon -ignites- in flames as Ann -dashes- for Sudou.

"--and your weird Joker obsession--"

One crack of the whip -- two. The flaming lash snaps down across the killer's shoulder, then whipcracks across his bagged face, the burning length seeking to snare there and then -yank- to unsettle his footing.

"--and get the hell out of Shibuya!"

Blue gaze livid, Ann snaps off a two-fingered salute, and ducks--

--whereupon Sudou might see Carmen behind her, already winding up to hurl a -tremendous- blaze of flames, narrow and white-hot, direct at the Joker Killer to match the torrent that Ren's Persona wields.

"There's only one Joker that matters here, and it sure isn't whatever crap you've come up with!"

</poem>
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Recovery skill Dia on Yusuke Kitagawa!
AS: Weapon! Ann Takamaki has used the Fire skill Feel the Heat on Tatsuya Sudou! 2 Hits!
AS: Ann Takamaki: Eclipse removed!
AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 72 Recovery healing from Ann Takamaki's Dia.

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
<poem>Again, Fox strikes the whirlwind that Sudou kicks up, attempting to turn the razor-air back on their enemy... and again he comes the worse off in the exchange, this time bodily slammed against the wall of the alleyway as his black kogatama clatters to the ground.

He coughs, mask cracked and chipped, as he picks himself back up, grabbing his blade again. "Not... Finished..." he pants, reaching up to tear the damaged mask away in another spray of blue flame and blood. "GOEMON! ONCE MORE!" His persona gestures, and waves of vividly blue water crash into Sudou, swirling and pooling like that iconic woodcut the ''Great Wave''.

Wary on account his exhaustion, Fox assumes a guarding stance while their enemy is dealing with the Thieves' renewed offensive. The sight of his muse in spectacular array fills him with new strength, though, as Carmen dances to soothe his aches and rain hellfire upon Sudou.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Water skill Double Aques on Tatsuya Sudou! 2 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
'But, you know, he -is- a crazy serial killer, are you sure you should be--'

It may as well be the scent of blood in the air; Umie and Badb are one in intention and spirit, wanting to push and push and push at a weakness. As the Joker Killer comes at her, there's something dark on Umie's right wrist and upper hand; it's hard to see through the mess of blood, mud, and cut fabric.

Even if someone were to look at that moment and even see it as something more than just a shadow, what else could it be but something else that'd be just as mundane? She has no cognitive armor; just the possibly luck-stated Triple Seven uniform.

(The Joker Killer himself may be a different story.)

The look on Umie's face shows that she knows it could have gone a lot differently. "...." Their personas afford them so much grace, just by existing. ".... Panther-san. Are you okay?"

The shift in Personas so close by Umie draws her attention; while she's inadvertently been in battle with Fools before, it wasn't close enough for her to notice it, before.

.... How? That's... a different persona...? How is that even possible?

It also snaps her back into the right mindframe; this isn't a normal battle. She nearly died.

They came to protect her, and she *needs to act like it*.

"Badb," comes her command, more subdued, softer, as she focuses now towards the one with the unorthodox Persona: Makoto. "... I have a bad feeling..."

That dread that begins to creep up in Umie's chest; she's not sure if it's her own paranoia, or something else she's sensing in the air.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Recovery skill Shroud on Makoto Niijima!
AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 56 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Shroud.
AS: Eclipse added!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 50 Fire damage from Ren Amamiya's Trio Freila. Weak!
AS: Blast added!
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 56 Fire damage from Ren Amamiya's Trio Freila. Weak!
AS: Blast added!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 50 Fire damage from Ren Amamiya's Trio Freila. Weak!
AS: Blast added!
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 102 Fire damage from Makoto Niijima's Freila. Weak!
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 73 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Feel the Heat. Weak!
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 110 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Feel the Heat. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 92 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Double Aques. Weak!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 82 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Double Aques. Weak!
AS: Tatsuya Sudou is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
These brats just kept coming. Over and over they kept coming, it was worse because of that damn smoke or whatever that made the burning burn more. It hurt so much.

Then of course they all decided to use fire as if they were trying to make a point about how bad fire was. In a way he even welcomes fox boys water based attacks. The cool nature seems to ease the burning. However it leaves him feeling ice cold, that could also be as a result of blood loss.

Taking a deep breath the The Old Maid raises his sword and large swirls of magic, more then he had shown to this point, seems to be gathering. That is until the wind created by magic blows a piece of cloth into Sudou's face.

Sudou looks at it, looks at Umie's uniform for a moment before saying, "Well fuck." Suddenly all the magic is gone. It's as if Sudou just pulled the plug on whatever he was doing. "You won't always have this around though." He crumbles up the emblem and throws it at Umie before he simply turns around and walks away from the fight.

Not another word is said as he walks towards a corner full of shadows. He tosses the bird to the group and then simply disappears into the shadows.
That's it...

Fight over...

Everyone go home.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
And just like that, the fight is over.

Joker stares at the Old Maid and the bird he throws as he walks off into the darkness. There is no logical connection to him for what just happened. He turns his stare to the cloth that the Old Maid had thrown back at Umie.

Then it occurs to him that if that guy somehow made a supernatural space, and he's leaving, they're all about to change into their street clothes right in front of Umie.

"The show's over," he announces to his friends. "Everyone, scatter." He locks eyes with Umie for a brief moment. "We'll call on you later."

And with that, he unleashes his grappling wire to latch it onto an overhang above. He's pulled up in a flash and vanishes an instant later.

...Ren Amamiya will be back at Triple Seven a little later to collect his pay and also his not-a-cat.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
<poem>The Old Maid looms, dread power roiling around him. Fox tenses, trying to steady his stance, but the point of his blade is wavering, and --

-- and then he stops?

The malefic serial killer simply... flips them a rude gesture and disappears?

"..."

Fox doesn't know what to make of that - it's only when their leader calls out the scatter order that he realises what Joker has - that their cognitive disguises are about to discorporate.

With a stoic nod, Fox sheathes his blade and leaps back up to the rooftop in a blur of shadows, before vanishing.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Or... maybe not. Well, that's enough bravery for today. As Joker said, the show's over.

Get it together, Umie, before you start making that goofy grin like you're a little kid. These are--

..... how old are these people? She'd have no way of knowing, why'd she assume--?!

"Better get going. This zone the Joker Killer's created is only going to last for so long. We'll play it by ear."

There's the sound of sirens in the distance; something must have finally caused someone to call in.

This'll need to be reported.

WAIT, SHE SHOULD--

"Thank you--" Oh no.

Damn it Umie, act like a proper adult for once!!
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-04-19: Per Aspera

2026-04-21T01:28:20Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: ... Per Aspera''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Ren Amamiya, Morgana (played by Ren) *'''Where: Mementos Entrance''' *'''OOC Date:''' April 19, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 27, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''... So Joker goes to Mementos along with Mona. After some investigation, they are surprised by Umie on their way coming back, who is very happy to share some information. However, whatever Umie says may not be as important as the things she doesn't say.''..."

*'''Log: ... Per Aspera'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Morgana]] (played by Ren)
*'''Where: Mementos Entrance'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 19, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 27, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''... So Joker goes to Mementos along with Mona. After some investigation, they are surprised by Umie on their way coming back, who is very happy to share some information. However, whatever Umie says may not be as important as the things she doesn't say.''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Heavy thoughts require equally heavy activities to wash them back.

Umie doesn't *immediately* make her way to her preferred restroom; with the risk of Ren following her, perhaps to tell her something, or somehow be happening to see her when she tries to slip away, Umie takes no chances.

That is, except for the chance that Ren may also be secretly a Persona User, as well as having had much more proper guidance in the matter of sneaking around.

Or, alternatively, being a Persona User who is also used to slipping into Mementos in their own way, for their own reasons.

A quick stop at her apartment to grab her small dufflebag, a change of clothing, a quick pick me up, and Umie is back out the door, tapping the toebox of her right sneaker against the floor as she locks her door, the keys disappearing into her jacket.

=====

Those same red and white sneakers pad across the vein-y floors further in past the entrance, with a second of attention paid to the left strap of her mask, detangling a strand of ash blonde hair from being pulled into the rubber tie. The change in outfit is still spartan: black leggings, a red turtleneck tunic, and a padded hooded windbreaker, white lined with black, that is zipped up just beyond her chest height.

"...! Right." She draws out her half gloves from her dufflebag and slips them on, flexing her fingers until the fit is perfect, and gives another test of her mask, this time red with white lace over one eye.

Then. "Badb." The pale hooded woman draws herself out from Umie's self, extending red taloned fingers as Umie gathers a clearer view of enemies on the field. "Mmn."

SHe begins walking forward, a slow smile on her face as she charts her way further within. "... Just how deep should I go, this time..." She *could* gather information.

Or she could revel in seeing just how far she can push herself.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Morgana, meanwhile, knows where Ren is and is ready and lounging outside for them when they leave. Ren lets him back into their bag, and they've taken off for Shibuya Station while Umie's on the way to her apartment.

"Just a quick warm-up," they tell their companion when they tap the Meta-Nav. "To get ready for tomorrow."

~ * ~

Going as far as they can go is quick and easy when they have a set of wheels. They confirm that the lowermost door still won't open, and don't linger there--just in case. Instead, they and Mona hang out briefly at the nearest train stop bench.

"If these doors open because the Phantom Thieves gain more notoriety, then the next Palace ought to be enough to push us over the edge," Mona remarks.

"Even if the only person who knows about it is Alibaba?" Joker asks.

"W-well... It's more like... getting more people to have faith in us? Even if it's just the one?"

Mona doesn't sound sure, but then, he ''is'' working against his amnesia. They nod once. "Let's hope you're right."

~ * ~

By the time that Umie's charting her way in, she'll be able to sense the two Phantom Thieves making their way out, having already finished their 'warm-up.' The current levels of Mementos have nothing new in particular for either of them, floor randomization aside, and so as she descends, Joker and Mona ascend, the former with hands tucked in the pockets of their dapper longcoat.

"Umie Akabane," Joker states, a touch of surprise in their deep voice, when they spot her. "What a coincidence."

"Oh, it's you," Mona says, padding up next to him. "How's it been?"

(Joker ''especially'' couldn't be Ren Amamiya because Ren went home and Joker has clearly been plumbing the depths of Mementos with one of their friends, and never mind the catbus.)
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> What is a disadvantage to Umie turns out to be an advantage for Ren and Morgana, the two of them having plenty of time to wander in while Umie takes time to prepare for what is a solo jaunt through a space more dangerous than Shibuya or some parts of Sumaru City during the Dark Hour.

The preparation is worth it, however; the duffle bag contains many amenities that work well with Umie's abilities, as well as extra supplies for just about everything else.

Ren Amamiya and Joker are clearly two different people, in Umie's mind. The fact that Joker and Mona are walking up just lends more credence to it, if the thought ever passed Umie's mind to begin with.

The thought that they'd be here is also something that didn't cross her mind, as she looks equally as surprised for a moment. She recovers quickly.

"Fall weather makes a person restless," Umie supposes aloud, with a grin. "Good to see you, Joker-san, Mona-san."

How has it been?

She shrugs, huffing a slow sigh. "Phoenix-san's likely filled you in, but in case you didn't know... The one known as the Joker Killer, aka the Old Maid, aka Tatsuya Sudou... he's dead."

Umie finds no joy in her voice, though she can't say she's exactly sad over it, either.

"Black Mask-san killed him, just as he was going to pass into custody."

That doesn't exactly answer Joker's question, but like many things, it's just a roundabout way of avoiding the question. "What about you guys?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Joker quirks a smile back. "The cooling season is perfect for sneaking around in masks and costume."

That smile fades, though, at the mention of the death of Tatsuya Sudou. They nod once.

"We heard," Mona replies gravely. "The one in the black mask killed him, yeah?" Umie confirms that with a little extra detail. He makes a low 'hmmm' noise. "It's hard to say I'm sorry to see him gone, but... it ''is'' frustrating he didn't see true justice."

Joker bows their head. "...Indeed."

Maybe Umie doesn't ''precisely'' answer the question, but that's fine. She reflects it back at them, and they look up with a shrug. "Ah, the usual. Stealing hearts, taking names... You know how it is. Speaking of Phoenix--you spoke with them by now, did you not?"

No need to specify about what. They've heard from Phoenix about it too, if mostly in passing, but they'd like to hear what Umie has to say as long as they're here.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Of course." Umie chuckles. "Don't tell me you're leaving. It's not even a proper evening yet!"

It's a vibe the three now share in, despite coming at it from different corners. With Joker's most recent visit with Umie as Ren being so recent, the differences in how Umie acts with them as Joker, versus them as Ren, may be more clearly defined.

There's the same approximate level of fondness in that greeting, given how Umie regards both as friends she'd trust, despite the limits of both their connections.

In Umie's mind, the distinction is clearly defined: Ren Amamiya is a teenager that has no business in the supernatural. Joker is someone whose identity is unknown, but their character is present in their actions, words, and deeds. Someone whose past is secret and future must be protected, and someone who is an equal, but lacking past and future.

Mona being the one to ask helps the transition back into that dim topic. "Yes." Her eyelids lower. "He dragged it out, instead of sniping from afar. Not that he *could*, given we were all in the Zeppelin, but he definitely made sure Sudou had time to suffer."

She grits her teeth. "I could have done without feeling sorry for the asshole... but I guess Black Mask-san needed to tell us all how we're going to be next, if we don't dance to the Order's tune. Holding a child hostage..."

The Persona Users didn't need to feel that.

The reflected question is taken neatly; Umie laughs. "Good, good. That's what I like to hear, but don't wear yourself thin, eh?" She shakes her finger--

Ah, she's getting concerned... about Joker and Mona?

Then again, Umie reflects, in that brief pause, her finger in the air, she's always been, since the group became real to her.

The next question brings Umie back to that quiet mood. She nods. "Yes."

Her expression is neutral now, as she reflects back to the conversation, and how she swore she'd fix things for Phoenix, both to Phoenix themselves and to Hyousuke.

"I've done what I could," she says, after a moment of reflection, sitting down on the steps. "He's determined to be your enemy, so, don't deny him a good fight. He can take it."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"My apologies. We've five more parties to attend after this, and they simply ''cannot'' start without us," Joker quips. It ''is'' a more clearly defined difference, but that doesn't bother them. If anything, it's interesting to see this different side of her. Maybe one day, Umie will be able to marvel at this different side of them.

The topic turns to the Black Mask, and Mona hisses--that is, sucks a breath in through his teeth. "That's vicious. Which is in character for him," he remarks.

Joker, though, holds a hand to his chin. "He dragged it out? Why?"

"Uh... Because he's a maniac who enjoys violence?" Mona suggests, tail undulating.

"To be sure, but this was on an airborne vehicle with a crowd of Persona Users. Would it not have been more prudent to get the job done as quickly as possible so he could make his escape cleanly?"

Mona kitty-frowns, but looks back at Umie. "Well, Umie? What's the impression you had?" His eyes narrow when she brings up the hostage, but clearly Phoenix told them about that part two; neither of them is surprised.

Joker and Mona both smile at Umie's teasing concern--and so it's obvious when she stops to think about it. It's equally obvious that they've noticed, the way the two of them look at her, but they leave space for her to say or not say what she pleases.

"Why is he determined to be our enemy?" Joker asks quietly. "And if he works for the New World Order, why did he try to pressure Phoenix into picking a fight with them?"

Due to a misunderstanding, Joker at least thinks Phoenix isn't ''still'' being coerced, but the fact remains that Shiryuu did try to do that.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "And your dance card's already filled up, on top of it? Then I'll have to curse my luck," Umie retorts back, her voice singsong as she plays along.

One day, the truth underneath the charade will come through, but Joker is no Cinderella (no, that's someone else), and their masks aren't simply decoration, but a matter of life and death.

Phoenix and Vesper, after all, were the only ones that Black Mask couldn't threaten directly.

'Does the prodigal daughter really have to ask,' he had said to Umie.

"To ensure people just how the Order can strip them of anything they hold close," Umie says, bitterly. "And to establish that he is more powerful than a serial murderer."

Mona has a point, however, as Umie considers it. "It's the first time I've seen him that close; compared to other agents I've encountered, I don't think I've seen anyone with that level of enjoyment in their work. They may enjoy their powers, especially if it was because of the Order that they got them, but beyond that, it's a ball and chain."

She taps a finger on left upper arm as she considers, lips frowning. "Then again... maybe he is in that group... He took particular delight in telling Sudou that his 'Voices' betrayed him. He *was* there on behalf of Sudou's father, however, that much he claimed."

A slow breath, as she settles down on the steps. "Tatsuzou Sudou locked him away after his previous crimes, ten years ago. I'm surprised it's taken this long for him to deal with Sudou directly, but I'm completely sure no love was lost."

A small grimace falls on Umie's face at the name. "I may have some additional information on Black Mask, though, if you really want to dig deeper. Beware, though. This guy's on another level."

She has no idea just how well Joker knows this fact.

As for Shiryuu? Umie gathers the possibilities on how to respond in front of her.

She trusts Joker to take and listen to what she says, as well as make his own judgment on what's best.

"... He has a weird way of looking at things. It's a ball and chain situation between the Ryouharas and the Order, sure, but getting the Phantom Thieves involved... I objected strongly to that." Umie's right hand goes for a red charm bracelet that isn't there, on her left wrist.

"I think... it's a means to strengthen Phoenix, though I'd argue that being together as you are is doing a much better job than whatever he's trying."

She looks at Joker. "Don't tell Phoenix this, unless you feel you have to. They're just as paranoid as I am about things, even moreso."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"...I see. So he wanted to make a point." Joker mulls on this for a while longer...

...meaning Mona akes up the slack. "From what we've seen of him, he ''does'' seem to revel in his work. As for Sudou Jr., he could teleport, and it was a while before anyone knew for certain who he really was. His father might not've realized he was running in and out of his cell at will for a while. On top of that, it sounds like the NWO made a few attempts before the Black Mask finally got him." At least one that the Phantoms know of, and who knows how many more they don't?

"What are these 'Voices'?" Joker wonders, slipping their hands into their pockets. The warning that the Black Mask is on a level is met with a lack of any expression, though Mona shoots them a glace. "We'll keep that in mind. Rest assured, anything more you can tell us will be put to good use."

The Black Mask isn't the only dangerous NWO operative, though. Joker's eyes narrow as Umie explains Shiryuu's situation. She objected strongly, but he still didn't back down... He might well be of a similar mind as Kurou, then, and hate changes of heart themselves. But... if he wants Phoenix to grow stronger... ...that actually aligns with some things Kurou said to Ren about the Phantoms.

"''Just'' Phoenix? Why them?" Joker asks. It's possible that they're just the only one Shiryuu was able to snare, but what they've heard previously gives them the impression he has an interest in them in specific. They glance at Umie's wrist, but there's nothing there. Hm.

"And what d'you mean by a ball and chain situation?" Mona adds. "Exactly what ''is'' their relationship?"

"...assuming you can safely tell us that," Joker chimes back in. They frown when Umie asks them not to tell Phoenix, but they nod once, slowly. That 'unless you feel you have to' will do a lot of heavy lifting, no doubt.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Yep." It was all to make a point. "Just like when we first saw him."

The moniker of 'Sudou Jr.' is charming, in its own macabre way. Her lips twist in a sideways grin, as Umie leans her head on one palm. "Sudou Jr. suuure could," Umie says, her tone falling a touch sardonic. "But that's a good thing to bring up. I think it's rumors that even enabled it-- specifically, the way rumors work in Sumaru City. As for not realizing... his dad did, most likely. Consider Tsubasa Seki-san's case. The police were more ready to arrest _Seki-san_ than consider anything that happened, despite all the witnesses. At least with my case, it was very clear that I was...." Her voice goes flat. "Just some hysterical woman with a tattoo. There were no witnesses, after all..."

She smiling at the hidden humor, in that.

"The Voices are..." She breathes in, as she considers just *how* to answer. "The Joker has the Mark. This much, I've confirmed since telling you that, as well as showing my own. There's..."

Her fingers reach inside her jacket, subtlely, trying to fumble for that terrible fragment hidden inside the pockets of her jacket. Touching it merely replaces the dread with some unseen and unknown Other. ".... Those are... what call him to do things. He's had them, likely as long as he's had the Mark." The rest of it is... not something Umie will indulge in, as her heart feels that much more fragile as she feels that shard.

She draws her hand back, masking her need to wipe the sweat from her forehead with an adjust of her mask.

Just as well the conversation change. "... I can't say beyond just speculation," she says, in regards to Phoenix. At least, without giving too much away. "I think Ryouhara-san sees something in Phoenix; maybe he knows who Phoenix is underneath the mask. Though..." Umie considers, glancing down with her hand against her chin. "Even if a Mask-san is in a supernatural area," she thinks aloud, for Joker and Mona's benefit, "it doesn't mean you guys are always in your Masked forms. It's possible he knows who Phoenix-san really is."

Seeing Joker's frown, Umie smirks, though the words that follow don't match. "You're a leader. I don't expect you to put my needs above your group's. But I trust you not to do something out of blind loyalty, either. Take what I say to you as you will."

Even if Joker makes a 'wrong' decision in Umie's eyes, she trusts that there'd be some logic behind it. And also, in this case, it's not purely for Umie's needs, but Joker's, to keep Phoenix from seeing Joker as somehow part of an overall conspiracy by listening to Umie. That is Umie's own logic, as flawed as it may be.

"Their relationship... he's kept me out of it, so I can't tell you." It does plant a seed in Umie's mind; maybe, she can learn exactly what it is. "He doesn't like being under the Order; he probably wasn't the one who made the call. I dont know if you met him or not, but he doesn't take things like that lightly."

What else?

"I won't keep you much longer, but I'll give you one thing about Black Mask. Something only a few others know," Umie says, willing her smile to grow as sharp, in defiance of how fallable and fragile her insides feel at that moment, as she places her fingers around the piece inside her jacket once again.

She draws out the crystalline piece, as small as some ornamental piece of quartz. "This is what Black Mask used to kill Sudou. The Voices didn't 'betray' anyone," as much as Umie would wish their ilk would go away, privately, "He's found something that can make it go away. Shadows and demons... they don't like it either."

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Umie makes a good point about how the police tried to pin Sudou's Aoba Park arson on Tsubasa. That still doesn't guarantee anything, considering their dad is himself in the NWO; it might've been the excuse he wanted to try to get them under heel. Joker naturally doesn't mention that part. At this point, it doesn't matter anyway. For now, they just nod.

Then Umie explains about the Voices--and how they're connected to the Mark, like what she has. There's an obvious implication there that dawns on Joker and Mona's masked faces.

"Umie, you..." Mona starts to say; he chooses to let that trail off.

"...." Joker and Mona share a grave glance, but say nothing on Umie's supposition that Shiryuu knows Phoenix's true identity. They know for a fact that he and Kurou both do. They might have used Tsubasa to lure the rest of the Phantom Thieves out into the open, but only Kurou showed up for that fight... Somehow, The Phantoms impressed him, but that's probably not enough for Shiryuu himself, especially if he has no plans to back down.

Still, as far as Joker knows (an important quantifier), they haven't gone after Tsubasa again--surely Tsubasa would tell everyone if they had. As long as the Ryouharas don't pick another fight, Joker's content to leave it alone for now, aside of course from keeping an eye on them as Ren. The Phantoms have more important things to worry about.

"I shall indeed," they reply. "Thank you for telling me what you could, Umie Akabane."

A shard of crystal emerges from Umie's jacket pocket, cradled in her hand. Mona leaps up onto Joker's shoulder, and the two of them lean in to get a closer look as Umie explains. They share another glance. This is definitely the same crystal that Phoenix retrieved and handed over to Mona to inspect. Joker leans back and nods again at the information.

"I'd love to know how he got his mitts on something like that," Mona says. "Add that to the list of mysteries about this creep."

Joker gives Umie a thoughtful look. If that crystal makes the 'Voices' go away, and she has 'Voices' of her own... However, they decide not to question her about that directly, at least not for right now. She's already signaled that she's ready to move on, and they need to get going too.

"Fair hunting for tonight, then, Umie Akabane," they say. "We shan't keep you any longer either."

"Take care down there," Mona adds. The two of them move to head on upwards and let Umie plunge deeper.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Indeed, the matter is finished, as far as the Sudous are concerned.

What matters more is the part she leaves unsaid on what's left. Umie says nothing to confirm or deny, her gaze connecting with Joker and Mona's.

She leaves them there for a long, painful moment, a sullen, bitter part of her psyche looking for confirmation of something.

There is nothing, but does that really mean anything? She offered up the clues; if they choose to see her differently, that is their prerogative.

This is part of letting anyone further in, and a timely part, as well.

The switch to Phoenix is one that doesn't feel quite so unwelcome. Glancing to Mona as he perches on Joker's shoulder, Umie shrugs. "Easiest answer is 'the Order', but he seemed pretty proud of it." Her fingers close over it as she pockets it. "It's not great, holding it, so I'm going to recommend you don't try to hold a shard yourself, if either of you come across one--"

Joker gives her a thoughtful look, and Umie, despite herself, finds her lips growing into a lopsided smirk. "Perhaps that's enough excitement for you two, mmn? You got a few parties to crash, while the night's still young." She looks down to Mona, with some softness. "You take care too, Mona-san. You too, Joker-san."

Maybe next time--

Mmn, no, leave it there, Umie Akabane.

Instead, she gives the two of them a casual wink and a salute, beginning her descent downwards anew.

Except, when she gets to the bottom of the stairs, when she thinks she's out of earshot. ".... Just keep being the Phantom Thieves. That's all I'll ever ask for."
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-18: Ad Astra

2026-04-21T01:26:19Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Ad Astra...''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Ren Amamiya *'''Where: Big Bang Burger, Shibuya''' *'''OOC Date:''' April 18, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 27, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Ren's hard work has paid off, which requires some sort of celebration in Umie's mind. Unfortunately, it's not much of a celebration if you're working *at* the place being used to celebrate, but Ren's a good sport about it. While some subjects remain as mysterious as the night sky,..."

*'''Log: Ad Astra...'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Ren Amamiya]]
*'''Where: Big Bang Burger, Shibuya'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 18, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 27, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Ren's hard work has paid off, which requires some sort of celebration in Umie's mind. Unfortunately, it's not much of a celebration if you're working *at* the place being used to celebrate, but Ren's a good sport about it. While some subjects remain as mysterious as the night sky, the two have plenty to chatter about, including a certain annoying detective prince. What will either of them do for the rest of the day? Definitely not going to Mementos, that's for sure...''

----

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> ===THAT MORNING===

>> Hey, did you find out how you did on your exams?

It would be terrible of Umie to not follow up with her fellow co-worker, after that study session with Kurou. (She'll need to check with Kurou as well, but that can wait until he gets back from his day.)

Looking in the mirror as she carefully taps some concealer over a scratch on her cheek, Umie looks over her face for any other recent signs of her jaunt through the Dark Hour.

Her phone dings, but this time, it's as an alarm: she'll need to start getting ready to leave for her shift.

===A LITTLE BIT AGO===

It's a cool, clear, breezy late October day once Umie gets off her shift. Tugging the the orange and red scarf around her neck and stifling a shiver, she checks her phone, and texts Ren back.

>> How about we meet at the BBB then?

If he's already there... well, why not? She breathes into cupped hands, and considers, for a moment, just how much of a coincidence that is.

The thought simply passes to the backburner of her mind, as the sound of the crosswalk alerts her it's her time to cross the street.

===NOW===

".... Oh."

Peeking into the fine establishment, it comes to the blonde, whether it's through the sight of a familiar curly-haired teenager working in full uniform, or something that occurs to her, far later than it really should have.

This is yet another of Ren's many jobs.

She pauses, looking back down at her phone, and looking back up with a lopsided smile, as she walks up to get in line.

He never seems to give himself much of a break, does he? Maybe that's what his parents expect of him, on top of grades.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
===THAT MORNING===

>> Yeah, I'm in the top third. :)

The smily face is more than Ren usually does, but they're quite pleased with themself. It's not just an improvement compared to last time; it's arguably the best grade they've ever gotten on an exam, ever. It doesn't beat out Makoto's or (likely) Akechi's grades, but it makes them feel good about themself that they can match up to them--at least do well enough not to embarrass them--if they try.

They still don't like the stifling structure of school or exams, but with the recent new study habits and strategies they've been learning, it's easier to work within that framework and do the parts of learning that they enjoy.

Umie suggests they go out somewhere that afternoon to celebrate. They say sure, once they're off work. What they don't mention: they've picked up a new part-time job, and it is ''crucial'' that they get at least one shift in.

They need that authorization.

===A LITTLE BIT AGO===

The weather is really perfect right now: not too hot, not too cold, a nice breeze on a darkening night.

Ren Amamiya is not getting to enjoy any of it.

Umie texted him recently where he is. They got the briefest moment to text back:

>> @ the bbb

before the demands of the job called him back.

Thankfully, their shift will be over soon, but until then...

===NOW===

"Welcome to Big Bang Burger, open twenty-four hours a day because there's no day or night in space!"

So Ren declares smiling a customer-service smile to the person at the front of the line as Umie enters, bowing in welcome before standing up straight i their bright yellow uniform with red BIG BANG BURGER visor and half-tie. Lower down, they're also wearing a star-spangled red waist apron, black slacks and shoes.

"Due to the popularity of the Big Bang Challenge, we are offering another campaign this month! At night, the Big Bang Challenge will cost our intrepid travelers a meager fee of only 500 yen! We're currently offering what we call the Big Bang Challenge! Why don't you take it? The universe awaits!"

Even though they're still smiling, there is a certain robot cadence to that spiel, like they've already repeated it a dozen times already and they're just going through it to go through it.

"Otherwise, thanks to the autumn season, we're also currently offering the Moon Burger, which is our Big Bang Burger with a delicious fried egg on top! What can I get for you today?"

Smile, smile.

...At least once Umie gets to the front of the line, she'll have a chance to either cut off the spiel or just say immediately what she wants, because Ren does indeed repeat this for every customer. Boss's orders, no doubt.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> The text from Ren comes just as Umie is ready to slip out the door.

That's.... a smilie face. Umie has a private cackle to herself, sharing in a little of Ren's understated joy.

(... selfishly, that is. Top third for her was just a signal that she had to try harder, back when she was in school.)

>> Sounds good. I'd be a terrible work senpai if I encouraged you to skip a shift.

She would have asked where, but that was more time that she didn't have, if she wanted to get to her own shift sufficiently on time.

======

Umie is a creature of the earlier October weather; her pink windbreaker is proving to not be up to the task compared to the sadly ruined light grey one she often wore. But there is something about how crisp the air is, even deep into Shibuya. It's not freezing, at least. Perfect scarf weather.

(She is definitely not wearing any of Shiryuu's coats that he keeps throwing on her, sadly, even if they plenty warm, aka 'the latest technology', or whatever he means when he says that.)

The two bunned devil is definitely in a cheerful mood as she gets to the front of the line, her eyes alit in an impish twinkle, joined by a smile that is just sharp enough. "My, my. You're doing well, Amamiya-kun," she says, in order to bite through that robotic spiel she knows so well. "The Moon Burger, was it? I think I'll have that."

Once payment is made, she says, "No rush. I just got off work, so I'm probably going to chill out in a booth until you're off."

She'll have to think of something else to celebrate, but first, she needs to eat. She can't think on an empty stomach!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
If they were still living at home, maybe it would be. Ren doesn't have any illusions that anything they do would ever be good enough for their parents. But that's not something they're going to talk about unprovoked.

When Umie reaches the front of the line--which, thank god, is also the end of the line, currently--Ren drops the customer service smile and sighs, shoulders slumping. "If it looks like it, that's good enough," they reply. They draw themself back up then and dip into the bow anyway, then nod at her order. "It's pretty good, I have to admit."

They'll accept her payment. "Your order will be right out, Akabane-san." They glance at a clock on their side of the station. "...and me along with it. Once my replacement gets here, I'll finally be off." They meet her eyes. "See you soon."

The pink ''is'' a change from the gray. It looks pretty good on her, though. Makes them feel better about maybe wearing more pink on their side... Right now, their nail polish is still standard black--even if they've since added a glittery overcoat to make it look like the stars.

About fifteen minutes later, Ren does indeed arrive with Umie's order, including a Moon Burger for themself. (Even after having seen how the sausage is made, Ren is not immune to the allure of seasonal items--especially for fall, their favorite season.) They've changed out of their uniform, which has been stuffed into their shoulder bag, and they sag into the seat opposite hers.

"I'm so tired," they declare as soon as they sit. "This job is brutal." They halfheartedly grab a French fry and dip it in ketchup. "...How're you and the Ryouharas doing, Akabane-san?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There's been a subconscious current to Ren's tendencies and mannerisms that made Umie suspect his parents were strict, but, on the other hand, how much is that Umie using her own experiences to fill in the blanks of Ren's own life?

And even if they are strict, Umie supposes, did it mean he needed someone to worm their way into his own privacy? To breach that secrecy, if at all, would mean being careful; a human isn't some Dark Hour demon wandering around the streets of Sumaru City.

Not to mention, Ren is a normal teenager, and you are supposed to similarly be the normal, boring adult, _Umie Akabane_.

"Alright, then add one exhausted shift worker onto my order, then," she quips. "See you."

====

As Ren approaches, Umie looks up from her Moon Burger, grabbing a napkin to wipe some of the yolk from her mouth. "Amamiya-kun." A pause, as Umie notices the sparkle of Ren's nails in the light, as they sit down. "Ahhh... Did you change up your nails? I like the glitter overcoat." She displays her own: apricot orange, a color they've seen her wear before. "I thought it fit the season. Halloween is soon, after all~"

Not that it really changes anything on Umie's end, as she looks for clues through a newly discovered desert of information.

Every day is one day off being an April Fool.

"I bet," Umie says, grimacing. "Fast food is brutal; I'll take retail over it anyway." She sips from her drink. "The pay must be good, though..."

How are her and the Ryouharas...

Umie smirks. "I'm waiting to hear how Ryouhara-kun's doing, but if you're any indication, he's probably doing just as well. As for the other." She waves a hand nonchalantly. "He's still him."

Ren may perceive it in the way she looks aside with a softness to her gaze; as much as she tries to hide it, there's a fondness there. "If he bugs any employees of the Triple 7, I'll have to be on my guard."

"What about you and yours? Told anyone yet about the good news?"

'Your family', she wanted to say, but this felt... safer.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Umie noticing their nails does immediately help Ren perk up. "A little," they say, holding out their hands to show off their nails. "It's still black, just with an overcoat." They smile, fondness crinkling the corners of their eyes. "I like the stars." Which provides a mundane enough excuse for why they started working this job, perhaps. They observe Umie's apricot nails and nod their approval. "Nice. I like that too," they say, and don't mention that Halloween is also their birthday.

Is the pay good? ...Let's not discuss that one, maybe. That's not the real reason Ren's doing any of this, anyway. No need to go into that.

"The Triple Seven's also tough, but here..." Ren shakes their head and glances over their shoulder towards the order counter, where their shift relief--a female employee--now stands to take people's orders. Somewhere in the back is the manager, barking orders. "...well, let's not get into it," they conclude diplomatically.

They already knew this would be a tough job, thanks to Haru. It still took them by surprise ''how'' tough, but they can suck it up for as long as they need to.

They look back at Umie as she replies about the Ryouharas. Not all that informative, but there's only so much she'd tell a 'normal' teenager. At the least, it sounds like there's no change--including to Umie's feelings. They nod once and dig into their own Moon Burger. Because of that, fortunately, when she asks, they have their mouth full.

"Hrrmmmrhhr," they reply at first without parting their lips. A moment of chewing and a sip of grape Manta later, and they say, "Sojiro-san knows. He's pretty pleased. My friends... well, our grades are pretty all over the place."

No mention of family.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "The stars, huh..." She looks beyond Ren to the logo and theming of the fast food joint around them.

When her eyes travel back to Ren's, wrinkling with a certain amount of mischief, Umie adds, "I'm beginning to see why you chose this place." A pause, and Umie adds, "Aside from the fact that they pay you when you come in and work."

As Ren seemingly comes to defend their choice of work, Umie chuckles, dabbing a fry into her ketchup. "No wonder you're tired."

While Ren's cover as a perfectly normal teenager restricts what information Umie would give away, it has its boons in being a perfect excuse for why they're here, working. Umie, of all people, has no reason to suspect any ulterior motives; Ren's array of part time jobs put Umie to shame, especially when he has school on top of it all.

Ren's endearing attempt at an answer nearly causes Umie to choke on her soda; she coughs a laugh into her her napkin.

"So...sojiro-san?" Umie asks, as she recovers. It only takes a second before her own memory catches up. "Oh! Don't tell me." She holds up her index finger. "Leblanc, right? He must be a pretty neat guy, keeping an eye on his employees like that." There's no suspicion in Umie's words, either, considering what she's doing right now.

"With a shooting star in the midst, I figure Takamaki-san and Sakamoto-san can only benefit, in time." She has a bite of her burger.

No mention of family. She chews, considering. It's just after a hard shift, and, it'd be bad form to be asking right during a moment when he should be, by all means, relishing in his success. But too bad, she's already--

.... No.

This is not a demon, or some supernatural matter where breaking a few eggs is just Umie's custom.

"... My folks were strict as hell, too," she says instead, after a sip. "... Whether your family is or isn't, it's great to see your hard work pay off." She offers Ren a small grin.

Speaking of stars. "Laying that aside, you know why Seven Sisters is named the way that it is, right?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Getting paid is a good thing," Ren agrees solemnly, nodding once. They restrain a smile when she chokes, recovers, and laughs.

Their array of part-time jobs is at least more jobs they have ''available'' to work at; some of them they work far less frequently than others. They haven't done a shift at Cafe Chagall or Ore no Beko in ages, for example, while they're seen at Triple Seven or Bar Crossroads far more frequently, while Untouchable is basically an on-request job, and Leblanc, well... they ''live'' at Leblanc. Speaking of which...

"Yeah--" Ren pauses when Umie indicates she wants to guess; when she does correctly, they nod again. When she betrays that she doesn't realize that Sojiro is their guardian and that they live in Leblanc's attic, they mentally pause. ...Another personal thing they haven't shared with a friend, huh. Maybe Minako was right to get upset at them... They really do keep secrets a lot.

They decide not to tell her anyway. They trust ''her'', but they wouldn't want that information getting back to the Ryouharas, and she'd have no reason to keep it from them when she thinks they're a) a normal student b) Kurou's (budding?) friend.

"I don't know about that. Neither of them like to study. Well, I don't either," they admit. "But study partners make it easier for me. I don't think it ever gets any either for either of them." Chomp, chew, chew, chew. For a moment, they're both quiet as they both eat their dinner. Ren takes another sip of their drink too.

Umie brings up her strict parents. Ren glances at her. "...Yeah. Thanks."

She didn't ask, so they don't have to say.

The question she ''does'' ask gets another small smile out of them. "The Pleiades," they reply promptly. "It's obvious from the school sigil on the uniform." They don't know that many Sevens students, but the one they ''do'' know, they spend a pretty significant amount of time with.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Umie *sees* that smile that's trying to get through, Ren! She knows it!

What a proper teenager, to try to respect their elders.

... Especially when it's one with secrets to keep, which may be why Umie feels such a pressure to respect Ren's, despite her nosiness and general busy-bodying otherwise.

Ren has no secrets, but why should she hold him to another standard because he has none? Few teenagers are open books, Persona User or no, and she was no different.

.....

(Little does Umie know the whole dam of secrets Ren is keeping, on top of being a Persona User.)

"I don't know that many people that really like studying, especially when it's not something they're interested in," Umie says, lighting tapping a finger against the table as she eats another fry. "You and Ryouhara-kun seemed to really hit it off well, though; if you ever need another study buddy next time, you're welcome to ask him. You guys have each other's number now, right?"

That apartment was warm, in a way Umie could finally see.

Starry skies... does Ren ever see them, where he was from?

All of Umie's nights lacked stars, or were green.

She ponders this, as she finishes her burger, finally feeling comfortable with the silence.

At Ren's acknowledgement, there's a small nod, a form of shorthand to note what neither Umie or Ren would normally discuss.

Nothing more needs to be said, just a grin as Umie manually moves the topic along.

"<Correct.>" The fact that he specified the school uniform... "Uniform, hm~" Her eyelids lower a touch, as she picks up her last fru. "You should tell Akechi-kun, sometime. I can see him trying to play it off, but I'd like to think he'd see your rise in grades and see you as a proper rival."

Even in a Big Bang Burger... the Badb smiles!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Ren Amamiya might well love secrets. They certainly love secrets more than they love their own family.

"Right," they confirm; they'd gone out of their way to make sure they and Kurou exchanged phone numbers. "I'll do that. He actually make history sound interesting."

And while that's not the only reason Ren will keep in touch with Kurou, it is true. They do actually enjoy his company, for all that they're always keeping in the back of their mind that he's the enemy. Hell, if they can do that for Akechi, why not him too?

Starry skies... They were always present in nights over their hometown, especially on field trips up into the mountains. It's the one thing about home they miss--something that pierced clean through their heart last summer. For as much as they enjoy city life, that's one thing they wish they could enjoy more often.

But it's okay. There's the planetarium, and... there's overnight trips to the outskirts of the Tokyo metropolitan area, where nature abounds.

"He expects me to've gotten good grades already, actually," they reply. "We were talking about it after midterms were over."

A proper rival, huh... Ren pauses in eating to lean their chin on one hand and stare into space for a moment. Considering what he told them that night, is a 'rivalry' still how he views their relationship...?

Even now, they still don't know quite how to define what the two of them are.

"What brings that up?" they add, looking back at her as they grab a couple more fries. "Just making conversation?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ren's mention of history causes Umie to pause, realizing just what the Ryouhara name meant.

"Mmn," she conceeds. "The two of them have that quirk, though Ryouhara-kun is not as overdramatic about it." As Shiryuu, that is.

The way Kurou looked at Shiryuu that rainy day, when Umie forced him to define how Kurou was related to him... In her mind, she contrasts it with the look he had when Shiryuu left.

It's insidious, how she almost shares that with Ren, letting him in just a little further into her feelings.

She trusts Ren, and she trusts Kurou. She even trusts Shiryuu. It's the world and the dark connections that bind the Ryouharas and her together that she does not trust. A young man like Ren, if he somehow got in the middle of things...

The fry stills in her hand at the thought of it. In encouraging this, as innocent as it is, is she not putting Ren in danger?

If Black Mask paid Ren a visit...

'He expects me to've gotten good grades already, actually.'

She looks up, briefly startled, then settles back, chuckling. "He said that, huh? To have him think that of you..." Her lips slide into a lopsided grin. "I don't think he's the sort to make that admittance lightly."

A careless comment brings Ren to think on it. Umie, meanwhile, takes a moment to reconsider if she's overstepped in her teasing.

Hm. "Possibly, but I do think he looks for people he can relate to." Loneliness, she and Ren had once identified it as. "Detectives like Sherlock Holmes may have 'friends', but they'd probably called them by different names." Pause. "... I guess Holmes would be considered a friend..." She frowns. ""Rival' feels like something he'd say, when 'friend' doesn't work."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
''I bet,'' Ren thinks. A secret ninja clan? Yeah, there's definitely a lot of history that's got to be there. Meanwhile, Shiryuu being more overdramatic than Kurou is just par for the course. A collective ten or twenty minutes of interacting with him has made that painfully clear.

Though even if Shiryuu were normal about it, Kurou's so inexpressive that he'd still be more dramatic. That's something Ren and Kurou have in common, really... though Ren has a feeling that the reasons why aren't the same.

Either way, it is true that there's a risk in Ren getting more involved with this--but Ren sees it as ''less'' of a risk than it otherwise might be. Tsubasa was captured and tortured despite encountering Shiryuu as a Persona User. As long as Shiryuu ''doesn't'' know Ren is one, and Umie continues to stand up for them, Ren suspects that any violence will be confined to, for example, getting tied upside-down to the ice machine, or whatever ridiculous thing it was Shiryuu had threatened them with that first encounter.

...If the Black Mask paid Ren a visit, though... that would definitely be interesting in the Chinese curse sense of the word.

"He seems to think more of me than most," Ren agrees, keeping their expression neutral to not betray how their chest squeezes. "I guess I'm entertaining."

It wouldn't even be the first time he'd said something like that, though; he'd made a similar assumption during the summer finals. It had aggravated Ren back then too--and also inspired them to work harder, so their grades ended up mediocre rather than as bad as Ann's or Ryuji's.

Loneliness. That's certainly true. And it's true, too, that the two of them called each other friends to the other's faces for the first time recently. The two of them are just... more than that. Less than that? ''Something'' other than that. That's the part that's hard to define.

"A rival's someone you think can match you, or someone you want to beat," Ren replies. "There's a lot of friendly rivalries in media--two people competing against each other while respecting and valuing each other. Akechi's the kind of person who doesn't believe in easy relationships..." For reasons that are not theirs to share. "I guess a rivalry would feel more sincere to him."

To say nothing of the deeper feelings Akechi has for them. ...that they might just have back. That's still hard to think about too, though it's no longer something veiling itself from their conscious mind. They've been growing fonder and fonder of him for a while now... maybe since that fateful battle in Mementos. Maybe since well before then.

Their gaze is still distant, their expression neutral. With them dating Makoto right now, things are too complicated to smile like Umie had over Shiryuu.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> If there is one thing about Shiryuu that Umie can (somewhat) appreciative, it's that he is rather straightforward in how he presents himself. Supernatural, or droll mundane reality, he's the same Shiryuu.

Kurou, on the other hand... has secrets, but likely only that way one could discover them is knowing what to ask.

Like a lock.

Or an umbrella, offered to someone because you're too irritated at being encountered again, at your workplace.

Like how Akechi did the same, that first time they definitely, truly met.

Entertaining, is it...

Umie chuckles. "He'd probably say the same of me, but I think, for you? It's in a different way." She again, finds herself wanting to say more, but even that, with Akechi having nothing to do with the NWO, is dangerous. He said as such, when she revealed more than she realized, straight to him.

They're all just lonely, aren't they? Separated by having Personas, and having to deal with things they couldn't say to anyone. Akechi was younger than she was, if he encountered Sudou when that orphanage burnt down.

Hearing Ren explain draws Umie's attention. Unlike then times when she started up with a quip, or tried to commandeer the topic, she draws to a quiet lull, listening back as Ren thinks aloud. ".... He's seen things that would make it hard to go back to thinking about relationships in a conventional way," she admits.

It'd be okay to admit that, and mean his detective work, not something necessarily supernatural.

And Ren's expression....

It feels... familiar, in a way.

"What's on your mind, Amamiya-kun." It's not a question, but the soft delivery narrows it out being a demand.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
One would hope there's more than one thing Umie appreciates about Shiryuu, if she's fallen in love with him. Her feelings are her own business, though--it's not like Ren would know what she sees in him either way. Kurou... Clearly that's an entirely different issue.

Ren blinks over at Umie. Entertaining in a different way? It would be easy to assume they already know, but-- "What do you mean?" As far as they can tell, Umie's also relatively close to Akechi. If she has an insight into his thought processes, their first instinct is that they want to know about it--especially vis-a-vis them. This isn't (just) about how ''they'' feel; it's about their principles, their ideals, the future of the Phantom Thieves.

They're no longer as wary as they once were of Akechi, but that doesn't mean that wariness is ''gone''. They know they have to continue to be careful, no matter how much closer they've gotten and continue to get.

Their eyes lid when she remarks on what Akechi's seen. ''That'', they don't need to question at all. He's shared enough about himself and his past for them to already know. As much as he tries to project himself as the perfect boy-next-door Detective Prince on TV, he just isn't that person. He's so damaged. That's part of what keeps luring Ren in; it makes him intriguing. It makes them want to know more and more.

What's on their mind, though?

"...That I'm incredibly ready for the weekend." They pick their burger up again. "I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow." Chomp. They've got to get their calories in while they can; they've still got another train before they get home, and then there's taking their nightly bath, and doing homework, and reaching out to Lala about the change to their next shift, and calling Makoto about their next date, and reviewing their calendar to decide when the Phantoms will next explore Futaba's Palace, and...

Ren's schedule is busy indeed. They don't even need to lie about what's on their mind, because there's so much on it at all times.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'What do you mean?' Ren asks. Umie gives him a casual, closed mouth smile.

"We're on either sides of his age, but I'm also an adult. I'm part of the establishment that derides him for being too young, and that sees his youth as making him somehow 'inferior' to some older man with white hair who may have never had to struggle the same way he's had to," she murmurs, thoughtfully. "It took me forever to feel okay with calling him 'Akechi-kun' because of it. I didn't want to convey that I took him lightly."

It rides dangerously close to the reason she and Akechi met in the first place, but something in Ren's voice made her consider sharing just a little more.

This part, she can give.

"You, on the other hand, are not an adult." In Umie's mind, there's also the consideration that they're both male, but--

".... Also, Akechi-kun and I in the same room is like seeing two birds bicker at each other." She sips from her drink. "And he's usually the one that wins. It's sweet, sometimes, that he'd consider me someone worth pranking like he does. Other times, it's annoying. Hardly the sort of perfect detective prince he portrays himself as on TV." She shrugs. "There's no attraction between either of us, so that may be part of it."

"You two, meanwhile," she continues. "... I sense a different connection."

Magnetic, maybe? Or is that Umie's own prejudice speaking?

(She's already low-key shipping Akechi and Joker, but _that's her secret pasttime, thank you very much, she can imagine whatever she wants_)

Ren answers with something mundane, and Umie laughs. "Ahh... Perfect. You *better* sleep in. Work Senpai says so!"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Umie says that she's an adult. Ren falls silent. ...Yeah. Yeah, that's true, isn't it. She might be ''barely'' an adult, but in Japanese society, 'child' and 'adult' are treated like binary switches, like Dr. Maruki said. It's... kind of reassuring to hear that Umie's aware of that on some level and acts accordingly.

"...Yeah. We're both teenagers, still--and in high school." Akechi will graduate at the end of the year, but... Ren won't be too far behind him. What's that year and change when Akechi's twenty and Ren is nineteen going to look like...? Though that's still a couple more years in the future. Who knows where any of them will be by then.

They look up when Umie describes what her relationship with Akechi is actually like, though. They quirk up a smile. "Pranking, huh? ...You two might be better friends than you think. I wouldn't say he ''pranks'' me, necessarily--" that one time in Maria's Kingdom that he jumped down and landed on Joker aside, "--but he likes to annoy me too. And I like annoying him back, I guess. Maybe that's the kind of relationship he's most comfortable with--someone he can be kind of a jerk to without worrying about if he's going to be judged or they're going to ditch him."

It would sure fit in with everything Akechi's told them about his past. Being alone and rejected due to his parental situation, even by actual biological family--getting into fights, to the point that he outright enjoys violence now. Desperate to put on a polished surface that everyone will love, yet only willing to accept love from those who see the real him.

Those he dares to show the real him to in the first place.

Umie mentions there's no attraction between her and Akechi. Ren's already perfectly aware of that, so they don't remark on that. But... 'a different connection,' she says... "...What kind?"

They're kind of morbidly curious how it looks from the outside.

They chuckle at Umie's encouragement, though. Yeah, they'll need that rest for when they return to Okumura's Palace tomorrow with Mona and get past the authorization door. They've got a trap to plan and set. "Will do, Work Senpai," they say amiably before working on polishing off the rest of their dinner.

Maybe, before they take the train home after this, it might be worth it to stop into Mementos real quick first...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A year ago, Umie was counting the days to her 20th birthday, when the world opened up to her. Adulthood, however, brought with it a worse sense of self-inflicted loneliness, silent expectations, a quiety continuations of the problems she had before, and an empty ache that she was still suppressing some part of herself.

The problems of her late teens were still there, while the world looked and judged her for the things she couldn't control, all while the ghost of her childhood, dressed in red patterned silk, cruelly told her everything she wanted to hear, in order to weave her way back into Umie's mind and thoughts.

Is it any wonder, that she and Akechi act the way they do when they release themselves from the burden of 'sharing information'?

"You think so?" Umie chuckles. "I admit, it's fun, trying to rise to his level. He's always one step beyond me, it seems like." Hearing he likes to prank Ren as well feels comforting, somehow; perhaps, he feels better able to express it with someone more similar to his age and position in life, even without the mask of the Dark Hour.

Ren then hits on that reason, drawing restrained, but not unwelcome, bit of surprise from Umie. "... I think you're right." Though that streak of something darker in Akechi showed through when dealing with Sudou.

How much do either of them truly know him, and, in Umie's case, how much of it is her inflicting the detective prince with her own feelings of loneliness and fear?

What is the difference between Akechi's relationship between her and Ren, if she sets aside the obvious reasons that she can't say?

She thinks on this, as a certain restlessness begins to creep into her manner.

Is it 'synthesis', as Shiryuu would call it? What is that word, in this context?

"Connection. Neither of us have really shared our backgrounds directly, but I..." Hm, how to term this, without giving Akechi away? She doesn't know what Ren knows, even if she's assuming some of it. "... Feel like he's had expectations placed on him that I didn't. My own family is..." Her lips settle into a prim line. "Moderately well-off. That leaves me with... certain advanatages, let's just say, even if I have no intention on taking them. An absence of an advantage like that is different from choosing not to take them. And, as a woman... what is expected of me is different than him, as well, regardless of what I choose to do with that role."

This is heavy to give to a high schooler, even someone as perceptive as Ren. As if making up for it, Umie shrugs. "Honestly? I think he likes wiping that smug smile off my face, and I enjoy trying to engage with him."

She smirks. "Just like I enjoy giving you a bit of Work Senpai treatment~" She settles back into her seat, looking out the window, briefly, that restlessness still in her eyes.

"The day's still young, though... It'd be a good day to do some running around, later..." Ren's not the only one, thinking about Mementos, it seems.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
''It's fun, trying to rise to his level...''

"...Yeah," Ren murmurs, shutting their eyes as they smile faintly. With affection, they add, "He's so annoying."

Thesis and antithesis come together to form synthesis, to paraphrase Hegel. Maybe Shiryuu's a philosophy fan too?

They look at Umie anew when she explains--dancing around what she knows of Akechi and giving hints of her own background (that Akechi already casually revealed to Ren). They understand what she's doing--they'd do the same in her position--and so they don't interrupt. The expectations of the haves vs. the have-nots, of women vs. men... It ''is'' a heavy topic. It'll linger on Ren's mind too for a while.

But for now, it's time to wrap up dinner and part ways. ''For now''.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-08: Shrimply Delicious

2026-04-12T03:50:41Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Shrimply Delicious'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Shinjiro Aragaki]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:''' Hagakure Ramen, Tatsumi Port Island
*'''OOC Date:''' April 08, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 22, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Shinjiro invites Umie out to catch up over delicious tempura shrimp at Hagakure Ramen. While Umie is reluctant to reveal much about herself, she's more interested in hearing about Shinjiro's resolve to live and make future plans, in spite of his diagnosis.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>Shinjiro's had a heck of a week after the crash of the Sumaru zeppelin and the death of Tatsuya Sudou. He's mostly kept to himself, attempting to process his feelings, but he does need to start talking to the people he cares about and not only get help in doing so, but maybe help them as well. Besides, mysteries never end around here.

Therefore, he texted Umie, inviting her to Hagakure Ramen. The chef is someone he knows personally, having learned a lot about cooking here, and he's grabbed a quiet back booth so they have room to talk if necessary.

He's in his coat and beanie, having placed an order for tempura shrimp for the two of them, his favorite indulgence, which he texted about ahead of time. It hasn't come out yet.

When Umie reaches the booth, Shinjiro's lost in thought, though he'll snap out of it once he spots her, a casual two-finger wave. "Yo. Doing okay?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> The mysteries definitely never end. No sooner did Sudou die than the force within him sprout up, insinuating that things would only continue due to the fear that had been spread.

As for what could be happening next, Umie has no clue. Maybe another person will become the next Joker Killer; perhaps that is the true cost of the Marks. Sudou had a Mark, so...

Though, did he get his before or after the fire? What is the truth? Will she become the next Joker Killer?

.... There's nothing she can do about it, for now. Maybe, keeping the fragment will help.

"... I wanted to make you another cake, but mid-terms rammed into me," Umie groans, as she flops into the booth seat opposite Shinjiro. "Lots of shifts to make up, and we're only beginning to get back to normal now." The studying part Umie won't talk about, as that's the part she doesn't mind. Watching Ren and Kurou study while she made tea with Shiryuu was weirdly one of the warmest moments she's felt, in a long while.

Her outfit is slightly different: a pink windbreaker to beat out the mid-fall chill, over a simple white baseball tee, with cuffs that extend past the jacket with a hole to poke each thumb through. Her hairbuns, having been pinned into place after her shift, sag slightly.

"What about you?" She leans on her wrist. "How does it feel, now that he's gone?" Her grin turns slightly sharp. "Be truthful with me, Shinji-kun."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"You don't need to do that," Shinjiro comments about the cake immediately. "Fuck, my grades probably suck right now." A sigh. "I studied a bit, but I've had a shitty-ass month, more than just Sumaru."

A pause. He should probably tell her upfront, since he's still sore and healing. "Strega's tactician ambushed me during the day, put me in the hospital. Jin Shirato. Wanted revenge for hurting one of his members fighting Sudou. It's a whole load of shit. Checked out and immediately got into a burning museum based on a hunch. My luck, right?"

A sigh, before actually answering Umie's question. He looks a bit uncomfortable. "I don't know. Empty? I didn't want him to die. But even if he hadn't, it's... there's something hollow about all of this. He's gone, but he was just a symptom of the actual problem. Shitty people doing shitty things to young people and then getting away with it while we have to take the consequences. He didn't deserve to die like that. No one does."

An exhale. "Your turn."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "There's always finals," Umie says. "And there were a number of other SEES members there, right? I doubt they were having a great time either."

But Shinjiro in particular... Umie grimaces sympathetically. "What the heck? Don't they know you're a part of SEES now? Might as well kick a hornet nest and see where it gets them." Even if SEES doesn't strike Umie as particularly reactive, due to their foundations. "And then..." She groans. "I've seen people in their time of Joka with better luck than you, at this point..." Its a well-meaning joke, given their investigations in Sumaru City.

Turns out, 'Joka' had nothing to do with Joker, no matter how much Umie tried to force the question early on, when there were no leads to go on. They just sounded the same.

Glancing at that unease on Shinjiro's face, Umie sighs.

Ah, Umie, you did it again. It was Shinjiro, after all, who was one of the first to go stand by Sudou's side. "Sorry, that was shitty of me. It's really not that simple at all. You did good, going over there so he wouldn't die alone."

Whatever complications she has pale in comparison to Shinjiro's. She nods, listening. "Yeah. Two things can be right, at the same time. Left to rot away from the public eye, instead of seeing proper justice... who's to say he would have gotten the help he needed, but..."

She trails off, looking at her nails, painted apricot orange: a zesty fall color. "I don't know who could have helped him. He may have been one of the first who was Marked, as far as we know... and it seems his powers were all just a means to an end."

No one was coming to help or stop him. No one could, either.

Her turn, Shinjiro says.

Instead of actually answering, Umie turns to information, instead.

"I've done some investigation into one of the fragments of that bullet our masked hitman used. Apparently, to seems to maybe block out the force behind the Mark, but a friend of mine--" ha ha ha Shiryuu Ryouhara, but she's sure as hell not saying that in front of the guy who was attacked by him "--has reasons to believe it's dangerous in its own right. Maybe, like... a poison, that deals with another poison."

She knows she can't hold it for very long without feeling uncomfortable, but is that because of the Mark, or something else? "Aside from that, demons just start rambling about 'yellow-blue', and don't even *try* to show it to Shadows of any kind. They go dangerously still just looking at it, then, just go nuts."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"That's true." Shinjiro sighs, though, and raps his knuckles against the table as the shrimp and menus are delivered, along with waters. "That's the thing. We can't act. Shirato threatened Amada, said he knows his route home." The boy whose life he ruined and yet has to protect.

But about Sudou... "I don't know if he could have ever been different. But... as I saw him die, I wondered, 'will this be me someday?'. And I didn't want to leave him at that."

Umie answers with intel instead of actually answering, and Shinjiro frowns, but listens. "It was blocking out the Mark, not the Persona? I gave the one I recovered to Kirijo to see if she could do anything with it, figure out what it was. If the conspiracy has it, then I'm really not worried about it accidentally ending up in corp hands, you know?"

"Yellow-blue... like, green?" Shinjiro muses. "Ugh. I don't know what to do going forward. This is all a mess."

And then, he takes a shrimp, dips it in the sauce, and eats it. "Okay, enough deflecting. How are you *feeling*? You get to have time to vent too, you know."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
"..." As soon as Umie hears Amada is threatened... "... That's... that kid, right?" She makes a face. "That's just low..."

She ponders. "Though... this is just if you guys retaliate right back, right?" She sighs, shaking her head as the food and drinks arrive. "I hate to say it, but it's probably for the best. They have more experience with retaliation than SEES does... It'll just cause a closed loop of escalating violence. And right now, I'd imagine they'll be less active without Sudou to prime the area for supernatural phenomena." She sips her water. "If you think about it.. I'd say you already did retaliate: by trying to ensure Sudou was stopped."

The choice of words is intentional: 'stopped' didn't mean 'dead'. If it weren't for Black Mask... But would anything have been able to stop Sudou from escaping?

"It won't be like that. I promise," she says, softly. "You're not a lone wolf anymore."

Will that really make him feel any better?

Shinjiro asks the right question. Umie stated a fact, but never said *how* she even knew. "I mean... if you meant that weird Persona he had, I'd assume so." No, Shinjiro has a point. If the bullet did do that, assuming what she's found out, is it really as simple as 'hold fragment, Mark is blocked'? It's not like Umie can test it.

Or explain further.

It is, indeed, all a mess.

She takes a shrimp after Shinjiro takes the first one, gaze looking up, then back down.

"What is there even to say that hasn't been already said?" she murmurs, dipping the shrimp and eating it, following it with a sip of water. "We both had the Mark, and there's likely a few people who'd probably think I'm liable to do the same shit if they found out about mine. Maybe they're right, but not if I'm in my right mind."

Umie can see her, in the reflection of her glass as she sets it down: rich red silk, pale skin, and black hair, distorted to the barest suggestions of who it is, but she sees it.

She refuses to acknowledge it, beyond that initial doubletake. After all, she knows it won't show up for Shinjiro.

And indeed, it won't, for Shinjiro. There will just be Umie, glancing down at her glass and then back up, before she lifts it to drink again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"...yeah," Shinjiro replies. "I don't think he knows our connection, but that just makes it worse. He threatened a kid because he's an 'easy' target."

"...we'll have to see what she wants to do. Kirijo's the leader, after all." He sighs, trapped as he feels, until Umie says he's not a lone wolf anymore. But he leaves that hanging.

"I wonder... if it had shot me or someone else, would my Persona also be blocked? We don't want to find out."

Umie expresses her worry in her own way. "You're not like him. You get to choose who you'll be, not some mark on your skin. If he's responsible for his actions, so are you for yours, and so far, I think you've done your best."

An exhale, as he circles back. "I hope someone will think I have, too."

Dhinjiro stares into his own water. "...I told Aki that I'm dying. SEES knows now, too, after..."

He looks up to Umie, waiting so she's not drinking. "...they learned I had traded information to Strega, before I returned to the group. I did it for my meds and the evoker I bought, gave names of Persona Users I knew. Nothing... useful, really, but I still did it. I didn't tell anyone about Amada, they wouldn't understand, but...

"Even if they're upset, they didn't reject me. Even Kirijo and Aki told me they wouldn't give up on me, that they'll help me. It's... worse than being rejected, in a way. Knowing that I have to fight, now, when I was so ready to give up. But I want to live."

A short beat. "I want to live so badly. I need to try. But Uchida at the detective agency, she told me I should maybe consider looking into a street food permit or something. She'd help me. That scared me too, that I could just... be a human again. Be alive."

He looks at the shrimp again, but doesn't take one.

"I'd already written myself off as dead."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "I doubt it. Even if he did, it wouldn't change the fact that it's a low blow." Umie taps a finger on the table. "Tell you what. If you need any help protecting him, let me know. I'm not like Yamagishi-san or Kawase-san, but in a pinch, I can at least be *something*."

In spite of what it seemed like to many when everyone was trying to figure out what these strange unique powers were, Umie's abilities, while strong enough to enable her survival, aren't like people like them, or, on the other side of the coin, people like the Bride. All these years, and yet...

No wonder the Order never went after her, then.

As for the fragment? "I don't know." Umie grimaces. "What's for certain is that guy wanted us to know it was him, and what he was willing to do to all of us, if we became worth the price of a bullet to take us down." There's a bitterness underlying the last part of that sentence, the occasional tap of her nail against the counter growing insistent.

.... and then, she reaches for another shrimp. "I know. I'm not like him."

She was molded another way, wasn't she? To have someone by your side for years and years, prodding you, being your friend, declaring they were the only one who truly knew you...

The shrimp lingers in her hand. "You think so, huh."

The topic turns to Shinjiro, letting Umie focus back on him. "You did, and you will," she says, simply, the shrimp popped finally in her mouth. "100." She gives him a wry smile. "You wouldn't think me a liar, would you?"

He's told Aki that he was dying.

"... I see." Umie nods, her expression softening. "You did the right thing, telling him. And SEES... I take it, they've come to their own individual acceptance too."

The news about Strega, Umie already knows, but SEES now knowing it... "You did the right thing. People can't come in and expect everyone to be perfect saints, just because that's the way they want the world to be. They have to know the risks, and that someone like you would understand, if theirs follows similar behavior."

It's worse than being rejected.

Umie grins. "Isn't it weird, how that goes...? Maybe because rejection is a simple step. Being accepted... well, now you have to turn the page, and see that it's blank." She gestures towards Shinjiro with another shrimp. "And now... you have to fill it yourself."

Shinjiro wants to be alive. To be human. It's the thing she's been wanting to hear from Shinjiro, all this time.

"And... it sounds like you want to, as well."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"...I appreciate that. You ever see him out there, keep an eye on him? ...that goes for all of them. I know, I know, they're not your responsibility, but... SEES is full of good people. Better than I've ever been."

An exhale, as Shinjiro trips on a bad habit. He pops a shrimp into his mouth to distract from it.

"I do. If you weren't, you wouldn't care about someone like me. You're a good person, or at least, you're trying to be."

He takes a sip of his water. "I dunno, you seem like a trickstery sort. They lie, don't they?" He teases to deflect the point, before moving in. "SEES... they're handling it the best they can, I think. I should have never kept it from them, but it feels like a deep shame, resting inside me."

"...I do." Shinjiro tells Umie, as she tells him about blank pages and how he wants it, too. "...yeah. I really do. I want to have the life I thought was lost to me. I know I've thrown away a lot, but if they can do something, if they won't give up on me, neither can I... even if some days that's harder to believe than others, I *have* to believe it. I can't run away anymore."

He glances aside to call the server, who's been giving them space due to their conversation. They should probably order actual meals.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie nods, on the subject of Ken. "I will. Then again, I'd do it for any nine year old kid I'd see in danger." Did Shinjiro ever say Ken had a Persona? If he did, that'd be even younger than than she was.

...

It'd be easier to say, to Shinjiro extending it to all of SEES, that Umie would. But, for better or worse, she doesn't, instead giving Shinjiro one of her playful little smiles.

"I don't know," she murmurs. "I've already told you this, but a group of SEES managed to keep me from..." The sentence lingers, as she realizes she and Shinjiro are doing the same thing, if in different ways.

Her smile turns into a smirk. "No copying~" She knows he wasn't. It's been there inside him, long before they ever met each other.

"You could say that," Umie says, on the subject of being a trickster, before popping a sauce-laden shrimp into her mouth. "Can't help," she starts, after swallowing it down, "if my Persona leads me astray."

Which is bullshit, of course, and her smile proves that, though it softens as the topic changes. "Everyone's learning as they go. Especially SEES."

Especially them, if Tamaki's words about what caused the Dark Hour are true.

"As someone who has no strict allegiances to any one group, I'm better suited to help than some, though beware if my methods become messy," she warns. "But I don't see complications that *could* come up."

Why even bring it up at all then, _Umie Akabane_?

Some things aren't as straightforward as Umie would like them to be. Others...

"Move forward and grab it, with all you can, Shinji-kun." ... are much easier. "Especially if it's food. Imagine just how much business you'd make, being an Awakened food vendor, when the Dark Hour hits. It's not like we can jump into a burger joint and pick up something to go."

Shinjiro looks aside to the server, and Umie chuckles. "Right, we should order something, shouldn't we? The tempura shrimp does sound good..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"He's eleven," Shinjiro playfully corrects. "Good kid, though... he deserves better than what I've given him."

He sighs, but as Umie starts on SEES, and then scolds him about copying... "How do we know you aren't copying me? Like senpai, like kouhai, you know?" oh no he's back on that bullshit. But it's proof that he's doing a little better in the moment after venting, at least, with the help of her smirks.

"You can't solve things without a little mess," he says with a melancholic smile. He thinks he's messy as fuck, after all.

"What, do you expect me to carry a burner around in the Dark Hour? Carry my dingy little cart into Mementos and sit at the side of the station feeding human and Demon alike?" He's joking. Probably.

"You sure like those shrimp, huh? They're my favorite. Liked them since I was a kid. I'm probably just going to get my usual ramen. Everything here's good though, no joke."

He's glad he can have an outside friendship like this. Even if both he and Umie are damaged people, it just makes it better they've been brought together as friends.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-08: Shrimply Delicious

2026-04-12T03:50:09Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Shrimply Delicious''' *'''Cast:''' Shinjiro Aragaki, Umie Akabane *'''Where:''' Hagakure Ramen, Tatsumi Port Island *'''OOC Date:''' April 08, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 22, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Shinjiro invites Umie out to catch up over delicious tempura shrimp at Hagakure Ramen. While Umie is reluctant to reveal much about herself, she's more interested in hearing about Shinjiro's resolve to live and make future plans, in spite of his diagnosis.''..."

*'''Log: Shrimply Delicious'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Shinjiro Aragaki]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:''' Hagakure Ramen, Tatsumi Port Island
*'''OOC Date:''' April 08, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 22, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Shinjiro invites Umie out to catch up over delicious tempura shrimp at Hagakure Ramen. While Umie is reluctant to reveal much about herself, she's more interested in hearing about Shinjiro's resolve to live and make future plans, in spite of his diagnosis.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>Shinjiro's had a heck of a week after the crash of the Sumaru zeppelin and the death of Tatsuya Sudou. He's mostly kept to himself, attempting to process his feelings, but he does need to start talking to the people he cares about and not only get help in doing so, but maybe help them as well. Besides, mysteries never end around here.

Therefore, he texted Umie, inviting her to Hagakure Ramen. The chef is someone he knows personally, having learned a lot about cooking here, and he's grabbed a quiet back booth so they have room to talk if necessary.

He's in his coat and beanie, having placed an order for tempura shrimp for the two of them, his favorite indulgence, which he texted about ahead of time. It hasn't come out yet.

When Umie reaches the booth, Shinjiro's lost in thought, though he'll snap out of it once he spots her, a casual two-finger wave. "Yo. Doing okay?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> The mysteries definitely never end. No sooner did Sudou die than the force within him sprout up, insinuating that things would only continue due to the fear that had been spread.

As for what could be happening next, Umie has no clue. Maybe another person will become the next Joker Killer; perhaps that is the true cost of the Marks. Sudou had a Mark, so...

Though, did he get his before or after the fire? What is the truth? Will she become the next Joker Killer?

.... There's nothing she can do about it, for now. Maybe, keeping the fragment will help.

"... I wanted to make you another cake, but mid-terms rammed into me," Umie groans, as she flops into the booth seat opposite Shinjiro. "Lots of shifts to make up, and we're only beginning to get back to normal now." The studying part Umie won't talk about, as that's the part she doesn't mind. Watching Ren and Kurou study while she made tea with Shiryuu was weirdly one of the warmest moments she's felt, in a long while.

Her outfit is slightly different: a pink windbreaker to beat out the mid-fall chill, over a simple white baseball tee, with cuffs that extend past the jacket with a hole to poke each thumb through. Her hairbuns, having been pinned into place after her shift, sag slightly.

"What about you?" She leans on her wrist. "How does it feel, now that he's gone?" Her grin turns slightly sharp. "Be truthful with me, Shinji-kun."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"You don't need to do that," Shinjiro comments about the cake immediately. "Fuck, my grades probably suck right now." A sigh. "I studied a bit, but I've had a shitty-ass month, more than just Sumaru."

A pause. He should probably tell her upfront, since he's still sore and healing. "Strega's tactician ambushed me during the day, put me in the hospital. Jin Shirato. Wanted revenge for hurting one of his members fighting Sudou. It's a whole load of shit. Checked out and immediately got into a burning museum based on a hunch. My luck, right?"

A sigh, before actually answering Umie's question. He looks a bit uncomfortable. "I don't know. Empty? I didn't want him to die. But even if he hadn't, it's... there's something hollow about all of this. He's gone, but he was just a symptom of the actual problem. Shitty people doing shitty things to young people and then getting away with it while we have to take the consequences. He didn't deserve to die like that. No one does."

An exhale. "Your turn."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "There's always finals," Umie says. "And there were a number of other SEES members there, right? I doubt they were having a great time either."

But Shinjiro in particular... Umie grimaces sympathetically. "What the heck? Don't they know you're a part of SEES now? Might as well kick a hornet nest and see where it gets them." Even if SEES doesn't strike Umie as particularly reactive, due to their foundations. "And then..." She groans. "I've seen people in their time of Joka with better luck than you, at this point..." Its a well-meaning joke, given their investigations in Sumaru City.

Turns out, 'Joka' had nothing to do with Joker, no matter how much Umie tried to force the question early on, when there were no leads to go on. They just sounded the same.

Glancing at that unease on Shinjiro's face, Umie sighs.

Ah, Umie, you did it again. It was Shinjiro, after all, who was one of the first to go stand by Sudou's side. "Sorry, that was shitty of me. It's really not that simple at all. You did good, going over there so he wouldn't die alone."

Whatever complications she has pale in comparison to Shinjiro's. She nods, listening. "Yeah. Two things can be right, at the same time. Left to rot away from the public eye, instead of seeing proper justice... who's to say he would have gotten the help he needed, but..."

She trails off, looking at her nails, painted apricot orange: a zesty fall color. "I don't know who could have helped him. He may have been one of the first who was Marked, as far as we know... and it seems his powers were all just a means to an end."

No one was coming to help or stop him. No one could, either.

Her turn, Shinjiro says.

Instead of actually answering, Umie turns to information, instead.

"I've done some investigation into one of the fragments of that bullet our masked hitman used. Apparently, to seems to maybe block out the force behind the Mark, but a friend of mine--" ha ha ha Shiryuu Ryouhara, but she's sure as hell not saying that in front of the guy who was attacked by him "--has reasons to believe it's dangerous in its own right. Maybe, like... a poison, that deals with another poison."

She knows she can't hold it for very long without feeling uncomfortable, but is that because of the Mark, or something else? "Aside from that, demons just start rambling about 'yellow-blue', and don't even *try* to show it to Shadows of any kind. They go dangerously still just looking at it, then, just go nuts."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"That's true." Shinjiro sighs, though, and raps his knuckles against the table as the shrimp and menus are delivered, along with waters. "That's the thing. We can't act. Shirato threatened Amada, said he knows his route home." The boy whose life he ruined and yet has to protect.

But about Sudou... "I don't know if he could have ever been different. But... as I saw him die, I wondered, 'will this be me someday?'. And I didn't want to leave him at that."

Umie answers with intel instead of actually answering, and Shinjiro frowns, but listens. "It was blocking out the Mark, not the Persona? I gave the one I recovered to Kirijo to see if she could do anything with it, figure out what it was. If the conspiracy has it, then I'm really not worried about it accidentally ending up in corp hands, you know?"

"Yellow-blue... like, green?" Shinjiro muses. "Ugh. I don't know what to do going forward. This is all a mess."

And then, he takes a shrimp, dips it in the sauce, and eats it. "Okay, enough deflecting. How are you *feeling*? You get to have time to vent too, you know."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
"..." As soon as Umie hears Amada is threatened... "... That's... that kid, right?" She makes a face. "That's just low..."

She ponders. "Though... this is just if you guys retaliate right back, right?" She sighs, shaking her head as the food and drinks arrive. "I hate to say it, but it's probably for the best. They have more experience with retaliation than SEES does... It'll just cause a closed loop of escalating violence. And right now, I'd imagine they'll be less active without Sudou to prime the area for supernatural phenomena." She sips her water. "If you think about it.. I'd say you already did retaliate: by trying to ensure Sudou was stopped."

The choice of words is intentional: 'stopped' didn't mean 'dead'. If it weren't for Black Mask... But would anything have been able to stop Sudou from escaping?

"It won't be like that. I promise," she says, softly. "You're not a lone wolf anymore."

Will that really make him feel any better?

Shinjiro asks the right question. Umie stated a fact, but never said *how* she even knew. "I mean... if you meant that weird Persona he had, I'd assume so." No, Shinjiro has a point. If the bullet did do that, assuming what she's found out, is it really as simple as 'hold fragment, Mark is blocked'? It's not like Umie can test it.

Or explain further.

It is, indeed, all a mess.

She takes a shrimp after Shinjiro takes the first one, gaze looking up, then back down.

"What is there even to say that hasn't been already said?" she murmurs, dipping the shrimp and eating it, following it with a sip of water. "We both had the Mark, and there's likely a few people who'd probably think I'm liable to do the same shit if they found out about mine. Maybe they're right, but not if I'm in my right mind."

Umie can see her, in the reflection of her glass as she sets it down: rich red silk, pale skin, and black hair, distorted to the barest suggestions of who it is, but she sees it.

She refuses to acknowledge it, beyond that initial doubletake. After all, she knows it won't show up for Shinjiro.

And indeed, it won't, for Shinjiro. There will just be Umie, glancing down at her glass and then back up, before she lifts it to drink again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"...yeah," Shinjiro replies. "I don't think he knows our connection, but that just makes it worse. He threatened a kid because he's an 'easy' target."

"...we'll have to see what she wants to do. Kirijo's the leader, after all." He sighs, trapped as he feels, until Umie says he's not a lone wolf anymore. But he leaves that hanging.

"I wonder... if it had shot me or someone else, would my Persona also be blocked? We don't want to find out."

Umie expresses her worry in her own way. "You're not like him. You get to choose who you'll be, not some mark on your skin. If he's responsible for his actions, so are you for yours, and so far, I think you've done your best."

An exhale, as he circles back. "I hope someone will think I have, too."

Dhinjiro stares into his own water. "...I told Aki that I'm dying. SEES knows now, too, after..."

He looks up to Umie, waiting so she's not drinking. "...they learned I had traded information to Strega, before I returned to the group. I did it for my meds and the evoker I bought, gave names of Persona Users I knew. Nothing... useful, really, but I still did it. I didn't tell anyone about Amada, they wouldn't understand, but...

"Even if they're upset, they didn't reject me. Even Kirijo and Aki told me they wouldn't give up on me, that they'll help me. It's... worse than being rejected, in a way. Knowing that I have to fight, now, when I was so ready to give up. But I want to live."

A short beat. "I want to live so badly. I need to try. But Uchida at the detective agency, she told me I should maybe consider looking into a street food permit or something. She'd help me. That scared me too, that I could just... be a human again. Be alive."

He looks at the shrimp again, but doesn't take one.

"I'd already written myself off as dead."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "I doubt it. Even if he did, it wouldn't change the fact that it's a low blow." Umie taps a finger on the table. "Tell you what. If you need any help protecting him, let me know. I'm not like Yamagishi-san or Kawase-san, but in a pinch, I can at least be *something*."

In spite of what it seemed like to many when everyone was trying to figure out what these strange unique powers were, Umie's abilities, while strong enough to enable her survival, aren't like people like them, or, on the other side of the coin, people like the Bride. All these years, and yet...

No wonder the Order never went after her, then.

As for the fragment? "I don't know." Umie grimaces. "What's for certain is that guy wanted us to know it was him, and what he was willing to do to all of us, if we became worth the price of a bullet to take us down." There's a bitterness underlying the last part of that sentence, the occasional tap of her nail against the counter growing insistent.

.... and then, she reaches for another shrimp. "I know. I'm not like him."

She was molded another way, wasn't she? To have someone by your side for years and years, prodding you, being your friend, declaring they were the only one who truly knew you...

The shrimp lingers in her hand. "You think so, huh."

The topic turns to Shinjiro, letting Umie focus back on him. "You did, and you will," she says, simply, the shrimp popped finally in her mouth. "100." She gives him a wry smile. "You wouldn't think me a liar, would you?"

He's told Aki that he was dying.

"... I see." Umie nods, her expression softening. "You did the right thing, telling him. And SEES... I take it, they've come to their own individual acceptance too."

The news about Strega, Umie already knows, but SEES now knowing it... "You did the right thing. People can't come in and expect everyone to be perfect saints, just because that's the way they want the world to be. They have to know the risks, and that someone like you would understand, if theirs follows similar behavior."

It's worse than being rejected.

Umie grins. "Isn't it weird, how that goes...? Maybe because rejection is a simple step. Being accepted... well, now you have to turn the page, and see that it's blank." She gestures towards Shinjiro with another shrimp. "And now... you have to fill it yourself."

Shinjiro wants to be alive. To be human. It's the thing she's been wanting to hear from Shinjiro, all this time.

"And... it sounds like you want to, as well."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"...I appreciate that. You ever see him out there, keep an eye on him? ...that goes for all of them. I know, I know, they're not your responsibility, but... SEES is full of good people. Better than I've ever been."

An exhale, as Shinjiro trips on a bad habit. He pops a shrimp into his mouth to distract from it.

"I do. If you weren't, you wouldn't care about someone like me. You're a good person, or at least, you're trying to be."

He takes a sip of his water. "I dunno, you seem like a trickstery sort. They lie, don't they?" He teases to deflect the point, before moving in. "SEES... they're handling it the best they can, I think. I should have never kept it from them, but it feels like a deep shame, resting inside me."

"...I do." Shinjiro tells Umie, as she tells him about blank pages and how he wants it, too. "...yeah. I really do. I want to have the life I thought was lost to me. I know I've thrown away a lot, but if they can do something, if they won't give up on me, neither can I... even if some days that's harder to believe than others, I *have* to believe it. I can't run away anymore."

He glances aside to call the server, who's been giving them space due to their conversation. They should probably order actual meals.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie nods, on the subject of Ken. "I will. Then again, I'd do it for any nine year old kid I'd see in danger." Did Shinjiro ever say Ken had a Persona? If he did, that'd be even younger than than she was.

...

It'd be easier to say, to Shinjiro extending it to all of SEES, that Umie would. But, for better or worse, she doesn't, instead giving Shinjiro one of her playful little smiles.

"I don't know," she murmurs. "I've already told you this, but a group of SEES managed to keep me from..." The sentence lingers, as she realizes she and Shinjiro are doing the same thing, if in different ways.

Her smile turns into a smirk. "No copying~" She knows he wasn't. It's been there inside him, long before they ever met each other.

"You could say that," Umie says, on the subject of being a trickster, before popping a sauce-laden shrimp into her mouth. "Can't help," she starts, after swallowing it down, "if my Persona leads me astray."

Which is bullshit, of course, and her smile proves that, though it softens as the topic changes. "Everyone's learning as they go. Especially SEES."

Especially them, if Tamaki's words about what caused the Dark Hour are true.

"As someone who has no strict allegiances to any one group, I'm better suited to help than some, though beware if my methods become messy," she warns. "But I don't see complications that *could* come up."

Why even bring it up at all then, _Umie Akabane_?

Some things aren't as straightforward as Umie would like them to be. Others...

"Move forward and grab it, with all you can, Shinji-kun." ... are much easier. "Especially if it's food. Imagine just how much business you'd make, being an Awakened food vendor, when the Dark Hour hits. It's not like we can jump into a burger joint and pick up something to go."

Shinjiro looks aside to the server, and Umie chuckles. "Right, we should order something, shouldn't we? The tempura shrimp does sound good..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
<poem>"He's eleven," Shinjiro playfully corrects. "Good kid, though... he deserves better than what I've given him."

He sighs, but as Umie starts on SEES, and then scolds him about copying... "How do we know you aren't copying me? Like senpai, like kouhai, you know?" oh no he's back on that bullshit. But it's proof that he's doing a little better in the moment after venting, at least, with the help of her smirks.

"You can't solve things without a little mess," he says with a melancholic smile. He thinks he's messy as fuck, after all.

"What, do you expect me to carry a burner around in the Dark Hour? Carry my dingy little cart into Mementos and sit at the side of the station feeding human and Demon alike?" He's joking. Probably.

"You sure like those shrimp, huh? They're my favorite. Liked them since I was a kid. I'm probably just going to get my usual ramen. Everything here's good though, no joke."

He's glad he can have an outside friendship like this. Even if both he and Umie are damaged people, it just makes it better they've been brought together as friends.
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-05: From One Freelancer to Another

2026-04-07T06:42:34Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: From One Freelancer to Another''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Julian Marlowe *'''Where: Triple 7, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo''' *'''OOC Date:''' April 05, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 20, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Following the death of the Joker Killer, Sudou Tatsuzou, more questions arise. For a supernatural investigator like Vesper, it'd be foolish to not strike while the iron's hot, and thankfully, Umie is easy enough to find. Even better, Vesper's actions in..."

*'''Log: From One Freelancer to Another'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Julian Marlowe]]
*'''Where: Triple 7, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 05, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 20, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Following the death of the Joker Killer, Sudou Tatsuzou, more questions arise. For a supernatural investigator like Vesper, it'd be foolish to not strike while the iron's hot, and thankfully, Umie is easy enough to find. Even better, Vesper's actions in general have given Umie reason to take a few risks of her own, in order to see what Vesper may find on his own.''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It is strange, to think of a world without the Joker Killer in it. Nighttime shifts will still be dangerous, thanks to the NWO and its occasional agent, but at the very least, she wouldn't have to worry about a serial killer coming to resume what he started.

.... even if he started calling her 'sister' near the end.

It makes the daytime lighting of the Triple 7 no less obscenely bright for this time of day (or night), or makes her no more or less sleepy without one less possible nighttime visitor.

And, as always, the Dark Hour happens, like clockwork. Any sparse late night customers transmogrify into coffins, as does the fellow staffer mopping the floors, the mop propped up against the solid surface of the coffin's lid.

It's dead quiet, and dark, save for the familiar light of the green moon, always luminous, always there for her as long as Umie's had a Persona.

Umie wastes no time.

A can of soda sits on the counter, along with a half eaten nikuman, placed atop some old flyers to keep any grease or liquid from leaking onto the clean surface below.

An apple-shaped egg timer ticks away, as Umie yawns, eyeing a shadow blithely wandering between the coffins outside. "Better not come in here," she mumbles quietly into a yawn, idly itching her covered right wrist. The pink and light green sleeve of her uniform didn't extend as far as she'd like, so half thumbsleeves have had to work instead.

'Thin blood' was her excuse, as it's always worked as long as she didn't make a fuss of it beyond a doctor's note.

A part of her misses the demons that'd pop into her shifts at Sumaru City, somewhat, even if their natures made any dealings a coin flip.

Dealing with a shadow in a small space, meanwhile... not so fun.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
Julian Marlowe has been by this particular Triple 7 several times in the past. Not his usual go-to for groceries, but it is only about a 15-minute walk away from where he lives, so at times it can be a place of, well, convenience. Thus, it wasn't needed to do any sort of investigation into a known place of work of one Umie Akabane. Only to surreptitiously confirm her schedule.

Not by actually coming by today, of course. Even if it appears to take no effort at all to hide his identity, he's not about to put it to the test by needlessly leaving possible clues of a possible relation between him and a certain Supernatural Investigator.

Even if recent events have had him painfully aware of the limits of working alone. But that's something to consider later. For now... Umie will be receiving an unexpected answer to her mumblings.

"...Is this a bad time?"

Suddenly, Vesper is just standing there, just inside the store. Did he even come through the door that he's standing in front of? He didn't make a single sound, if so. Whatever the case may be, he obviously heard that 'better not come in here', and lifts his bowler hat, the masked gentleman bowing in apology. "I would not care to be rude, Akabane-san. Although, I would appreciate if we could have a word. Perhaps a spirited conversation would somewhat alleviate your boredom?"

At least it's not someone who wants to fight her this time. Presumably. If Vesper's air of preferring to keep combat to a last resort wasn't just one he's been putting on all this time.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There have likely been times Umie and Julian have met face to face, outside his guise of the concerned teacher. However, unlike the store, she's not here 24/7, and it's just as likely they've been like ships in the night, passing without comment.

Umie wouldn't have thought anything of it, aside from a comment or two about how his students were doing.

However, even if she couldn't pierce the mask of Vesper's Will of Rebellion, someone else looking for clues very well might.

'Is this a bad time?'

Umie can sometimes be hard to sneak up on; a honed, concentrating, fully-rested Umie Akabane can be a force to be reckoned with.

This is not one of those times. All it takes is a look down to her meat bun, a casual pursuing of a magazine (as best as she can in the low light) and suddenly, Vesper is there.

Umie's instincts kick in before her recognition; her hat is in her hand and about to be thrown like the world's worst projectile before she realizes who it is, a nanosecond before she is about to throw her baseball cap as a distraction.

"Vesper-san," Umie murmurs, frozen in mid-throw, before her body relaxes. "No, please, I don't mind at all." She threads her blonde ponytail through the back of her hat, and adjusts it onto her head. "Welcome to the Triple 7. How may I help you?" she then says in her best customer service voice, with the addition of a knowing, impish smirk.

"Oh, I should mention." She motions to the egg timer. "When this goes off, you have fifteen minutes, give or take, to slip away."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
It's a busy life in the city. Everyone has their own business to attend to, and Julian hasn't exactly sought to stick out any more than he does naturally, not one to engage in too much smalltalk or indeed a social life. As much as he loves to talk to and about his students, it's hard to say what other interests he might even have. Unless one happened to spot him taking a jog around the neighborhood, perhaps, that's one other thing.

Vesper, though. Everyone at all familiar with Vesper knows what he's all about. Just Showing Up Suddenly is absolutely part of his idiom. As is being a paragon of calm and collectiveness, his bearing not showing the slightest bit of alarm in the threat of being cap-pelted. Had that happened, he wouldn't have argued that that's fair.

The only visible part of his reaction is the slight smile, and the only audible part his pleasant chuckle at being welcomed in that way. "Service with a smile, indeed. No food or drink for me tonight however, my business is with you, not your establishment."

He glances over to the timer, adding a nod. "I appreciate your foresight, and your consideration. Then, I'll not mince words and get straight to the point, if you don't mind. I'd feel rather disingenious by claiming to be here in anything but a professional capacity."

That established, he slowly steps further into the store, eventually stopping at a respectable distance from the counter, umbrella planted on the floor in front of him. "...I won't claim to have been surprised, seeing you there on the zeppelin." He was more surprised that a working zeppelin was there to begin with, but he'll not digress. "The matter of what you were doing there is your own business, I'll not ask for clarification. However..."

He looks down for a moment, pulling down the brim of his hat before continuing. "You said something of concern back there. I believe your words were along the lines of... having 'dealt with this' for as long as the Joker Killer - Tatsuya Sudou - had, without having given in?" ...He'd use the exact words, but she used the word 'shit' in there, obviously Vesper is too classy to repeat that part. Not that it matters, what matters is, "Would you mind elaborating on that?"

He did hear that 'sister' bit too, of course. But he doesn't make a habit of putting too much stock into the words of serial killers. This matter is precisely interesting to him only because of Umie's own admissions.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'My business is with you, not your establishment.'

Umie is quick to hide any suspicion or trepidation behind a wry smile. "My, my," Umie tsks. "Here to exchange information? I'm more than willing to do so, for a fellow 'freelancer'." Working alone has its disadvantages, for sure. Even Umie's 'freelance' status can be tentative nowadays compared Vesper, given her tendency to be found working alongside many groups. The Badb always finds her way to where fields lay stamped low by conflict.

As for the Umie Akabane, her brain is going through *several* possible reasons why Vesper is here, many of which would be uncomfortable subjects.

"Of course." Her expression stays neutral, giving nothing away. "I appreciate the compliment, but I admit it's more for me. It'd look bad for me to be eating on the job, eh?" .... Or making little origami creations, which have led to a passive-aggressive note about 'loitering during breaks' after several were discovered hidden in odd areas around the back rooms.

'I won't claim to have been surprised, seeing you there on the zeppelin.' "Me and a good percentage of people we both know in passing," Umie quips, with a half-smile. She leans against a stool she's brought over, folding her arms.

There it is.

"...." Umie's expression dims. She heaves a sigh. "Right. That."

She should have realized this would be a possibility. To lose control, in front of so many people... she had hoped everyone would be too focused on the Joker Killer himself to pay attention to her antics.

Giving Vesper a critical eye, she considers quietly in the space of a few quiet ticks of the eggtimer.

"I suppose it's not something I can afford to keep secret anymore, especially in light of what happened after Sudou died." Umie takes a drink of her soda. "So. What do you know about 'Marks'? Other than a name, of course." A swell guy like Masao need not be sullied by this mess.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
To exchange information... one might say that, Vesper supposes. He had more of an interrogation in mind, or whatever he could come up with to make that sound a bit more polite. But it's not as he wouldn't mind answering a question or two in return, in so far as he's able without giving too much of the game away. 'Freelancers' do what they must, indeed.

Even so, this is still a matter of choice. Refusal to answer would be its own form of information, which he'd be willing to accept and simply take his leave. He wouldn't be much of a gentleman if he got pushy about these things. Calm and polite to a fault, at all times.

"Far be it from me to dictate or criticize the way you do your job," he responds in his own neutral tone. "But I suppose one does not have the luxury of avoiding such from all others." That's the polite way of saying that he's glad he's not working in a place like this.

But yes, it certainly is true that a great many found themselves gathered together in that zeppelin for their own respective reasons. He could guess at those reasons for some, and while Umie is not among those, that's not something he cares to pry into. He just always keeps his eyes and ears open for matters of particular interest. And he certainly caught that one matter in regards to Umie.

Not something she much cares to speak of, he can easily tell, and had already guessed. With a hand gesture, he offers, "I do apologize if I'm prying into a painful matter with my line of questioning. But I could hardly call myself a Supernatural Investigator if I let slide something which seemed to imply that... the matter of the Joker Killer might not be settled just yet."

Translation: you're not at risk of becoming a crazy serial killer too, are you, Umie? That would be a bad thing. Vesper couldn't blame anyone for keeping secrets... unless they could very directly prove dangerous to themselves and others.

Resting both hands on the handle of his umbrella, he lowers his gaze down slightly. "'Marks', is it? I would to have to say... dreadfully little of reliable substance. I have reviewed a number of claims that included the term, but I make a habit of taking stories that I haven't personally verified with a trusted source with a considerable helping of salt." Who would just believe everything they read on the internet?

"...Which brings me to you." With a casual flick of the wrist, his umbrella flies up, spins around once, and lands to neatly dangle off his right arm. With a smile he means to be reassuring, he continues, "I couldn't begin to guess at your motivation for getting involved with these matters, but unless I am sorely mistaken in my character-judging ability... I don't believe you to be a liar, Akabane-san. Not 'when the chips are down', as it were. There's plenty of reasons to despise a man like Tatsuya Sudou, but when you spoke those words... that sounded to me like taking personal offense."

With a slight shrug, he concludes, "Do correct me if I am at all off base here. Either way, you can rest assured, anything you choose to tell me in regards to these 'Marks' or anything else, I will both believe your words and keep them in strict confidence."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'But I suppose one does not have the luxury of avoiding such from all others.' Umie chuckles. "Flexible hours have their downsides."

"Mmn, no, I get it. There's been situations where I was on your side of similar conversations. It can't be helped, when all of us have secrets." However, given she's had time to see and understand a little of what Vesper is about... that is key to what happens here.

"... Especially when you and I are both suspecting, and looking into, the same thing. I doubt this is the end of it all; I have unconfirmed reasons to believe this may in fact be the beginning." She adds a lopsided smile to that, now that the initial dread as been broached and walked past. Like anticipating a shot, and then realizing the rest of the day is yours.

She leans forward on her stool, placing her elbows on the flyer-covered space of the counter. "The matter was personal from the get-go. I may have told you this, but I was nearly one of the Old Maid's victims, if it weren't for some well-meaning Persona-Users in the area. My abilities weren't enough to get away from a man impowered by rumors."

She could have stopped there, and Umie even considers it, for a second, before she glances down at the woven red charm bracelet on her wrist, lucky bell included. "But it didn't stop there. What empowers him, beyond rumors, is the Mark. For some reason, he is especially able to use it, seemingly without consequence, if there are actually any at all. The power behind that Mark seems to go by the name..."

"Nyarlathotep. Like from H.P. Lovecraft's work." For all the drama the pause gives the name Umie says, nothing of note seems to happen.

(From the corner of Umie's eye alone, a decorative temari ball bounces down the aisle to the right of Vesper, bouncing higher and higher, until it springs past the sauvely dressed 'Mask-san' and onto the counter. It pings around from there, scattering paper and cigarette containers. Things leak. Electronics ring. Lights spark. It's a cacaphony of noise and maliciously playful destruction, growing louder until-)

Umie's head seems to unlock from whatever stiff position she had just taken in the past few moments, jerking to look over at a noise that was not there to begin with. There is, of course, nothing there. No mess, no lights. Everything is just so; her senses confirm the same reality as Vesper would see.

As if to make up for that lapse, she looks back at Vesper, and clears her throat, focusing on the casual, graceful movements of Vesper's hold on his umbrella.

Not a single word of his was interrupted; Umie nods. "That's for the best. You can't believe everything you read online, nowadays..." Her calm mein is forced, masking over the fast pace of her heart and the minute shake of a hand, which she stills against her drink.

'.... Which brings me to you.' Umie takes another drink of soda, forcing air through her nose as she sets the can down, focusing on the flick of his umbrella. "... Right. One of Sudou's attacks hit me the wrong way. I've already apologized to one person for attacking them. It was... not a great moment." Everyone looked like Sudou's face, to her. Was that due to the attack itself, or her own Mark reacting?

Vesper's assurance that everything would remain confidential is taken in, and considered over.

"I also have one of those Marks. As do several others, mostly connected to the Order. His 'Voices' also plague me, in some form, and have done so, for many years." She casts her gaze downwards. "Take that to mean what you will."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
She's got him there. Julian may have steady hours - and the voluntary overtime he keeps putting in - but he couldn't argue it's less than ideal for those times when he really wishes he had more time to devote to the supernatural side of things. Still, he cares too much about both the job he applied for and the one he ended up falling into to give up either of them, at this point.

Now, there's a whole masquerade going on, and for good reason. He does rather suspect he'd be on the far less comfortable opposite end of conversations like this if people knew of his identity. He'd really rather avoid that, but... one day, he may have to decide to place his trust in someone. And hope that he doesn't make a mistake.

"...Indeed," is all he says, on the confirmation of his suspicions that this isn't over yet. He can't quite manage a smile, right away. It's sobering to think about. How much difference can they really make? The smile only comes when he thinks about the individual lives he managed to make a positive difference in. That's exactly why he can't stop.

He places a hand on his chin, when Umie details having been targetted at one point. "I was aware of your looking into the man, but that particular personal element..." A simple matter of self-preservation, then? He can't believe that would be all there is to it. Which Umie soon confirms. The Mark, and...

There's that name again. The Joker Killer had spoken it too. And just like then, it makes the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He doesn't know why exactly, but from the first time he heard it, he got the sense of it being a name that should not be spoken. He won't be repeating it.

Especially not he looks as if Umie is suddenly far away for a second, for no apparent reason. "Akabane-san?" he ventures, right before she snaps back to full attention. Any psychologist would find such signs of concern. But... that's not who is he right now, so he doesn't pry further.

"Determining which are promising leads and which are figments of a particularly inventive yet overactive mind... one could make a day job out of merely that," he notes on The Internet, conversationally enough. Hopefully, keeping his level of annoyance from showing too much. So much time lost on wild goose chases... not ideal by any means.

He, too, saw what Sudou did at that time. He was able to stay calm, until he could discern the real Sudou from the fakes. And he, too, wonders if Umie's different experience was in part due to some kind of similarity.

And there it is. So that's the true of the Mark. It appears as though these Voices had an actual source, all along. He might have been a bit too hasty in dismissing them as the ravings of a madman. He is silent in thought, for a short time, before he slowly shakes his head.

"I make a habit of keeping my conclusions to a minimum, without having all the facts in front of me. For now, I can only conclude that a great misfortune has befallen you, and for that you have my sympathy. Putting your earlier words in context, this also means that you have resisted this influence for many years, and for that you have my respect." He removes his hat and places it at his chest, as a show of this, before returning it to its proper position.

"...Naturally, I also have concerns. Being aware will aid in being more prepared, but I should hope a solution can be found. One that... needs not be unfortunate." He gaze travels down, considering 'the Order'.

"It seems that an eventual confrontation with this New World Order will be unavoidable. I rather suspect that the one in the Black Mask has an association as well. He gave me the distinct impression of..." He seems to struggle for a moment. The way he scratches his chin seems to indicate embarrassment, as he can't find the word for it.

"...In English, one would speak of a <Cleaner>. One who cleans up evidence of misdeeds, to prevent them from being traced back to their true source."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There's an advantage to Julian's job; few can ever say they've have the trajectory of their life changed by a cashier.

The masquerade of night can be a mask in itself, regardless of whether they wear one on their face. For that, and many other reasons, Umie could never completely stop.

It's freedom.

"When I knew he had the Mark, I felt I was personally obligated to intervene, for many reasons." Helpfully, she asides, "That feeling you get, when he was messing around? That's what happens when the Mark's power is used." She'll make sure Vesper is prepared, now that there's no going back. "If I were to use mine, you'd feel the same thing. I'm sure someone's figured out some way to obscure it, but it's not like summoning a Persona."

It's a sort of practiced look, reluctant, almost like she was doing the 'wrong' thing is looking to the side, towards absolutely nothing.

The faint grimace in the lines of her young face are the only marker of Umie's disappointment in herself for giving into some unknown temptation.

The summary Vesper presents, short and sweet, cause Umie to pause. Slowly, she brings up her hands, and lightly claps. "All that, from just what you know?" She gives the gentleman a sly grin. "Maybe it's a bit of bias there, to have my efforts acknowledged, but you definitely have the chops of a proper investigator. So, yes. <Correct>, on all counts."

"... And while I appreciate the words of sympathy..." Umie waves a hand. "It is what it is. In a way, you're looking at the best case scenario. Sudou... as far as I can estimate, he was the first to be Marked, if I took what he told me at face value." She pauses. "Well, one that was alive, at the time. There's been one case of a woman who was Marked, but she had a nasty habit of being dead. Who knows how long she's had it." She pops a piece of the nikuman into her mouth, a bit of casual theater to offset just how much this factoid disturbs her, at her core. A drink of her soda, and she continues, ever polite.

"I'd imagine," she says, with a Badb's open smile, "there's many who develop the same nasty habit--"

... Perhaps, it's why the Black Mask knew what to do.

The disturbing thought stops her. ".... Perhaps, that's what happened to that woman..." Maybe the odd marks Akechi had found were due to whatever tactic Black Mask used to conceal the assassination, to make sure the death raised no suspicion. "My first meeting with him was from far away-- you may've been there. He was trying to assassinate a shadow in a Palace. There, I imagine he did it to make a point."

"... As for the Mark, the Order may have had one solution: a bullet. Sudou simply took more to make him stay down; that, or this 'force' got what it wanted." She glances up at Vesper. "Fear. There's no better fuel for rumors to spread. All it'll take is one spark."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
It kind of feels to Julian as if circumstances are trying to force a choice upon him, in regard to which way he truly wants to save lives. Perhaps refusing to make that choice is stubborn and impractical, even selfish, in chasing his own satisfaction - his own freedom.

He pushes that thought aside, once again, focusing on the matter at hand. It's good to know what the use of the Mark feels like, much as he'd prefer not to feel that way again. "...The matter of cost, that you mentioned earlier, and the need to resist. I presume those would be related to why you choose not to use its power freely. You need not go into detail there, on my account. I was merely verifying the facts, it is not my wish to dig deep into what is, ultimately, a personal matter. Though if a way to be of direct assistance should be required... well, you do have my card."

He's not ''just'' an investigator, in the end. The times and places he tends to show up do give away that much - he doesn't want to just know about problems, he wants to solve them if he can. As much as Umie wrestles with her own problems, he does believe they're not dissimilar in that regard.

Crossing his arms, he lightly taps his foot, as Umie goes into greater detail. "Yes, well... I'm not too much of a believer in things simply being as they are, can't be helped and whatnot. That's in large part why I choose to investigate matters like this. No one should need feel as if certain matters are hopeless."

So the Mark even makes little distinction between alive or dead. This is rapidly becoming more alarming. The Black Mask feels comparatively more grounded, which may be a strange thought to have but here we are. "Junya Kaneshiro," he readily recalls. "To make a point... perhaps, meaning to miss his shot at that time? Hmmm." The movements of this New World Order are intricate indeed, assuming there is indeed an affiliation there.

He frowns, at the mention of fear, visible through the narrowing of the blue eyes behind the mask. "Ultimately, much of the world's evil is done through preying on fear. It was my hope that the Joker Killer's removal would remove a great source of it, but..." Perhaps that too was more intricate than he thought.

He brings up a hand to straighten his already perfectly straightened tie, then bows at the waist. "You have given me much food for thought today, Akabane-san. For that, you have my thanks. If there is aught I can do of assistance in turn..." He leaves the offer hanging, free to be picked up, or not.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "To be honest?" Umie shrugs. "I don't know what'll happen. Sudou and those in the Order that have theirs seem to use theirs freely, with no consequence. I don't want to give you the wrong impression."

There's reasons to believe that they are different than her, or Tatsuya Suou. Sudou's powers and Persona were remarkably different, and the agents had the Order in common. Most likely, they take whatever consequences there are into account, if any.

Something that feels so *wrong* can't be good to use heedlessly.

'No one should need feel as if certain matters are hopeless.' A snap of surprise flits across Umie's face. "... We *do* seem to have some things in common..." She smirks, casually tapping an index finger against the counter three times. "You just may have found yourself an ally, Vesper-san." If he had some out and said that the first or second time they chatted, she would have filed it for later, but not believe him until his actions spoke for themselves.

Now, she's willing to believe what he says.

Junya Kaneshiro. "That's the guy." She nods; that makes this easier. "It's possible, don't you think?" She leans forward, splaying her hands outward. "A regular sniper would have fled at the first missed shot, or else, calculate the risks they were willing to take. He just stood there, and let everyone see him, as if to say 'that's right, I could have killed any of you'."

That hate that radiated off of the Black Mask... just what sort of person is he?

So much of the world's currency is dealt in fear, it seems, Umie thinks.

"Perhaps, if I had been more open, that hope would have been put to rest," the blonde concedes, nodding. "But the Order has already thrown agents at me. It may be a matter of time before they send someone to try to take my life, rather than simply 'convince' me to play nice." A month ago, she may have brazenly displayed her lack of fear, but now, a very un-Badb-like worry creases the girl's face. "You should be careful, as well. Your mask is your shield against them; they can't threaten those around you if they don't know who you are. Just your life."

Vesper bows. Umie looks to the timer.

"I'll volunteer something more. It'll only take a minute." She shifts back in her seat. "Consider this a gift from one freelancer to another."

It's merely justification, and Umie feels she can't dress it anymore than she has without feeling like she's insulting Vesper's intelligence.

She holds up her right hand, covered the same as her left, the cloth kept in place by a loop of fabric around the thumb.

"You're going to need to see what it looks like."

With the cloth slipped off, a black tattoo of a strange hand peeks out from beneath the uniform, standing out against pale skin that has rarely seen the sun, and the cheery motifs of the uniform. Rolling back her right sleeve, she exposes it in full: a coiled, possessive black hand, grabbing around that wrist. In the inside is the outline of a shadow, and the three inverted dots, as if there was supposed to be a face there, but something went tipsy-turvy, leaving it upsidedown. The lines are a little too perfect, the black too unnatural. But, through someone's mundane eyes, that's all they'd see; a tattoo, on a blonde-haired girl.

That would be enough, in polite Japanese society, to condemn her by itself.

"Me having a Mark does not leave this room." Umie frowns. "There are many, many well-meaning people who'd see me as the next Joker Killer, if they knew. And the Order? It knows that already."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
No one becomes a vigilante without reason. It does seem as if what Vesper thought to see in Umie was fully accurate, the way she responded to the notion of bringing hope to the hopeless. Everything she's been telling him only strengthened his suspicion that she knows what it's like to hit rock bottom. He may not have mentioned ever having had a rough time of it himself, but it's an easy inference to make that it takes one to know one.

With a calm smile, he briefly lifts his hat. "If those words spoke to you at all, then I do believe I would welcome an alliance. Although..." With a quick flick of the wrist, he briefly points his umbrella in Umie's direction. "...I believed that much already. I'm rather selective in my contacts, I do not hand out my card to just anyone."

After all, if it was a matter of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', he wouldn't be so worried about the Black Mask's actions. Not that he's given the impression of someone interested in being anyone's friend, as Umie rightly points out. "He made an even greater show of believing himself untouchable this time. Rather than a warning, it seemed more like a challenge." Which is interesting. Making a game out of one's assigned tasks is often a sign of dissatisfaction. He can't help but start psychoanalysing already.

But, it certainly seems as if Umie already has enough to worry about. When that worry is extended to him, Vesper slowly shakes his head. "I appreciate your concern, however... I know enough of the criminal underworld to realize how little value one man's life has, in the eyes of those who live in the shadows. Were I concerned about that, I would never have stuck out my neck in the first place."

He gestures at Umie. "But you seem far more deeply embroiled in these matters than I, and through no fault of your own." That's only partially based on what he knows to be true, but it's what he's chosen to believe. "The fact that you continue to resist and live on speaks to your strength. If you would consider me an ally, I could not in good conscience seek to avoid all risk to myself, in the investigations to follow."

Umie proves her lack of aversion to risk once more, in her volunteering of one more pertinent bit of information... in the form of the Mark itself. Though he remains perfectly still and silent throughout, he takes in every detail from afar, his mask hiding whatever changes in expression happen as a result. This feels like a pretty big display of trust, and he'll treat it as such, with another deep bow, hat in hand.

"I'll not forget the favor, Akabane-san. Whatever I might learn in regard to this matter, I promise you - you will be the first to know." He inclines his head once more, at the stated demand. "Of course. Even without the promise I made earlier, I would never betray a trusted source of information. That would make my job quite a bit more difficult, would it not?"

Of course, the only reason he even learned of it is because of what Umie said herself, but he won't be so rude as to directly point that out. ...Again. Instead, he glances at the timer. Fifteen minutes would be plenty of time, but maybe he shouldn't push it. "Perhaps it's time to take my leave," he states his intentions. "Whichever actions you choose to take from here, I wish you the best of luck, Akabane-san. And should your actions continue in the current direction... I'm certain we'll meet again, sooner rather than later."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie laughs. "Good point." She's kept his earlier words to heart, even, placing his contact information up there with telling people she has a contact with the Phantom Thieves, as roundabout as it is.

Showing that you know someone can be as dangerous as being that person, as Umie's found out very recently with Shiryuu.

"Yes," Umie agrees, on the subject of Black Mask. "Rather efficient, killing your target and making everyone know you're not someone to be messed with. Rather good memory too, to be able to hit so many people with facts tailored to them, save for Mask-sans like you and Phoenix-san." She considers, tapping a finger to her chin. "His Persona, too... Did you notice the distortions in the air, before and during his escape? If that was his Persona, his ability to mask his tracks likely go way beyond mine-- not to toot my own horn here."

There are many people whose abilities go far beyond what Umie can do, Umie knows that much, but this is something entirely different.

Thinking a moment longer on Vesper's words, however... "... A challenge, huh... I suppose, if the source of his powers is experience, I wonder if part of that is loneliness. I've yet to find an agent that seems to genuinely enjoy their position, so it makes me wonder what drives him to go that extra mile." She frowns, thoughtfully, tapping a finger on the counter. "It'd be a cruel fate for anyone he thinks will serve what he's looking for..."

It's definitely not a role she'd want to fill, nor would she wish it on her worst enemy.

Vesper really seems to be genuine in what drives him-- not that there's been really any doubt before. She grins. "Then I will do my best on my end to keep things that way for you, if I'm ever tempted to throw a someone who seems to be in distress your way. We can only afford to be so trusting these days--" She stops, as Vesper reaffirms his duty.

For a second, she's stunned. A second more, and she clears her throat. "What a proper gentleman you are, Vesper-san. Then, it's settled. Don't be surprised if I feed a bit of intel from time to time on your line, if there's possibly some trouble about to start." She taps her head. "I'm particularly attuned towards looking for it, after all. Just... not in a classic navigator's sense." The Badb is specific in its duties and drives, after all.

As for the Mark, showing it was a definite a show of trust, but one that plays another role, as well.

"If you see that Mark anywhere, in any way, let me know."

Covering her own up, she slides the sleeve back on, and looks back at the egg timer. "... Yeah, it's better not to be caught unaware." She grins. "If you need to pick up a snack or something another time, you know where to go, eh? .... that is, if I'm on night shift. You'll be out of luck, otherwise."

She shrugs. "But that's the Dark Hour in general, so what else would be new, eh?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
Hm. Umie noticed something he didn't there, Vesper has to admit, bringing a hand to his chin. "I confess I wasn't paying the closest of attention to the man's means of egress." The moment of crisis shifted his immediate attentions elsewhere. Though he should've known it was in some way fancy. Not like his own way of escaping the zeppelin was exactly typical. Dramatics seem to come with the territory of those in masks, which only seems fitting.

Still... even though the Black Mask had nothing personal on him, he was correctly judged to find a personal threat to another's family upsetting. He can't afford to underestimate this opponent. As such, where it comes to the challenge...

"You have the right of it, I believe. I would highly advise against overtly accepting any direct challenges, in general. It would be folly to give away the advantage through consenting to play by rules set forth by another." ...Vesper recommends cheating, in other words, though he probably would phrase it differently. More gentlemanly.

On that subject, Vesper lets out a pleasant, modest bit of laughter. "But of course. I could hardly expect better from others, if I myself were incapable of that much." He raises a single gloved finger. "But only towards those deserving of such. I prefer to stay civilized, either way, but I am also a firm believer in equal repayment." Totally not meant to be threat of any sort, just an affirmation of his principles. He won't make any deals with obvious villains, as he hopes his past actions have made clear.

With what he intends to be his final bow, he asserts, "Most appreciated, Akabane-san. I freely admit that it is not always easy to stay abreast of 'trouble'. I'd not been nearly as prepared for the situation at the museum as I would have liked. Assistance in that area would be greatly beneficial to me." With a gesture at the still-visible Mark, he adds, "Naturally, understanding your personal interest, I will inform you of matters I come across that involve that aspect." Even though he wouldn't be surprised to find Umie already involved. She does have the talent and inclination.

Turning away, he calmly heads for the exit, not concerned with making a particularly dramatic one this time. Sometimes it's fine to just use the door like a normal person. As he makes to leave, he chuckles at the mention of snacks. "I try to be better prepared than that."

When his hand comes back into view, he displays a small, coin-shaped piece of chocolate, before using his thumb to flip it upwards, then deftly catching it in his mouth. He doesn't look back again, simply raising his hand in parting greeting as he heads out the door.

He may be a bit of a showoff, but Vesper likes chocolate as much as anyone. Nothing could be more identifiable, right?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "What, you *weren't* paying attention to an assassin just as the zeppelin we were all in began to make its inevitable trek towards crashing into the ocean?" Umie quips, with a sharp, but well-meaning little smile. "Especially as even he was confused what the source of the commotion was? Tsk, tsk." She waves a finger.

In other words, Vesper was looking at the more important issue, ie the one where all of them don't go crashing in a fiery ball of disaster.

.. Umie was just glad she learned how to swim before she turned eleven.

".... I only accept the challenges of people I like, thankfully," Umie continues. "Especially if they're ones I give them." She's a lonely person too, after all, but she doesn't foresee any other similarities that may arise.

Thankfully, neither Vesper or Umie see themselves as villains. But neither do many villains, either...

WIth Vesper's agreement, Umie nods. "Alright then. Please, feel free to drop by whenever you see me on duty." Her tone turns wry. "... It'll keep me on my toes." Oh, how she wishes an hour's nap was enough, but the Dark Hour does not abide by such rules.

At the final show of dramatic chocolate showmanship, Umie laughs, and claps her hands in a gentle show of appreciation. "Well, then. Best be on your way, then, before I tempt you into doing another trick for my amusement."

If Vesper and Joker haven't properly met yet, Umie imagines the two of them would get along, given each other's own brand of theatrics and showmanship. It would be foolish to say they were the same; both have their distinct charms.

But that can always be for another time.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-03: Because It's From You

2026-04-07T06:09:40Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Because It's From You'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 03, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Kurou needs a study buddy. Why not Ren? They need snacks. Why not go get them? There's four cups of tea. Why leave so soon?''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
>> Hey
>> Kurou Ryouhara-kun was wondering if you wanted to study together?

Ah, no, Umie thinks, in the aftermath of sending that last text. That'll sound weird, like she's trying to manage him.

>> He doesn't have your number, no big deal if you got plans

Umie grins triumphantly. There. Now Ren won't feel obligated, either way.

======

With all that settled, Umie dips her head to take a quick scan of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the amount of appropriately study-necessary snacks and drinks are low; Umie looks up to Kurou. "I'm going to stop by the Larson's down the way. If Amamiya-kun gets here before I do, just let him in." Checking her phone to check the weather, Umie makes a face and grabs her rainjacket. "I'll be quick."

The frosted sliding windows, while amazing for privacy reasons, come with a major drawback: you can't really get a sense of the weather. (Though, to be fair, with the other apartment building a narrow alley's width away, it's anyone's guess what the weather would be.)

With the weather turning cooler, they've rarely been open; the apartment, as small as it is, is far better suited for keeping warm as long as they're kept shut, with the space heater turned on whenever Umie is there. Due to the layout being longer than it is wide, most of the warmth is concentrated in the living area than the hallway, with the kitchenette (done in cheery yellow tiles) situated in between.

The main area is a small couch and a table, with a TV mounted on the wall. While the white walls sit more or less empty of any decor, a painting hangs centered over the couch, being of a random spatter of paint across the stretched canvas, with a little 'WHIRLWIND - RHYTHM' print stamped into the texture. There's a clothing rack for Umie's clothes to the side. A smaller crafts table is set into the far corner nearby the windows, where a strange mobile of hangers sits empty, connected to a long painted over hook for some long forgotten device. The table itself is covered in newspaper and a crafting mat, with a narrow thin small shelving unit there to house various paint supplies. A sliding door to the bathroom next to the kitchen.

It'd be so much tighter if it wasn't kept mostly clean; it'd make sense to Umie why Kurou considers it a 'warm' place.

What was a previously overcast day will soon turn rainy, however, making Umie's decision to only step out in her rainjacket a remorseful one as the rain begins to strengthen.

Whether Ren is able to beat the rain will be a matter of timing; Umie, stuck in the line at Larson's, looks out the sliding doors with a grimace of determination.

A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, least of all her!!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
On the way out of Shujin Academy for the day, Ren gets a text from Umie. They furrow their eyebrows at it, and Morgana pops up out of their bag to take a look in time for the second text to come in.

"Kurou Ryouhara... wants to study with you?" Morgana murmurs, peeking over at his protege.

"Kind of last second. There's only one day of exams left," Ren murmurs back.

"Hmm... It could be a trap. Even if he doesn't know your true identity, he could've found out you're friends with Tsubasa. What're you gonna do?"

Ren considers it for a moment, then texts Umie back:

>> OK. Where to?

~ * ~

"I'll keep an eye out from out here. Good luck in there," Morgana says from where he's hopped down from Ren's bag in the alleyway Umie's apartment window opens into.

Ren nods. The rain hasn't started yet, but it's only a matter of time. Timing-wise, it helps that they came here straight from school; it's along the way, after all. "You sure you'll be okay out here?"

"Getting caught in the rain isn't my ''favorite'' thing," Morgana admits, "but I like it way better than getting caught by ninjas." His furry face sets with determination. "Don't worry. I've got your back, Ren."

They smile slightly, briefly, then turn to leave the alley. Morgana will be left to parkour up the side of the building and keep an eye out from above while Ren heads to the front and makes their presence known, whether by pressing a buzzer or knocking or however it works for Umie's apartment. Hopefully Kurou will let them in before they have to open up their umbrella.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is thanks to the wisdom and mercy of the shirogarasu that Kurou does not have to juggle his shinobi tasks with his studies... but that does not mean the studies are simple. Not if he wants to excel in them, as he has promised to do. Previously, he had a respectable showing, but...

For Kurou, merely 'respectable' is not enough. Not if he wants to allow himself to earn the prestigious mochi sticker he has set aside for himself.

(And also, it is important to be the sort of shinobi who would lose a minimal amount of fingers.)

As Umie has tried to point out many times before, studying together is an effective tactic, and with the final push of exams underway, there is no tactic that can be overlooked. Tea, Kurou decides, is something he can make toward the end of the study sessions: that way, Umie may be able to benefit from a cup herself.

"Oh. As predicted..." Kurou muses to himself as it seems Ren has arrived before her return. He opens the door and seeing the darkness of the clouds outside, does not linger with excessive formalities as he might otherwise be wont to do.

"Welcome, Amamiya-san. Please come in. You may sit where you like."

His own study materials -- a spiral notebook, a single pencil, and a cracked open textbook, each perfectly in parallel to one another -- are laid out over the table, with his schoolbag and its other texts and notebooks peeking out of it. Kurou's face isn't particularly ''animated'', to put it mildly, but there is a fatigue worn upon it with a tension in his brow etching his determination to push past it. He has failed to touch up his nail polish recently, and it does not quite meet the cuticle.

"I hope you did not find my request disruptive. My intention is that we will both gain the strength we need to subdue our respective final challenges."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a good reason for Ren to be wary; for all he knows, it could be a setup for an ambush, and, being the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he'd be a prime person to target.

Morgana may find the apartment notably easy to get to from the alleyway: a jump on the dumpster, a few footholds, andddd well, the windows are locked, unless you knew the secret method of lifting up on the window pane, and then jiggling it out with your wider human arm span and--

Yeah. At least he'll be there? And he'll have a clear view of a short woman in a pink rainjacket on the other side of the street, hurrying over to the crosswalk... at just at the right time a car whizzes through a puddle at just the right angle, launching a magnificent wave of water over her and another unlucky onlooker. Seriously, it's like the car casted an Aqua spell.

Umie, however, just continues on! The snacks must be there!! She promised.... no one, actually, and Kurou'd likely not mind, but Ren is not a secret Ryouhara ninja!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The apartment door opens. Kurou invite them inside. "Thanks," they reply, and enter.

The vibe doesn't ''seem'' off, Ren notes as they take a look around. Study materials, a lived-in-but-regularly-cleaning sort of amount of mess... They look back at Kurou, and he may be inexpressive, but he does seem tired.

"You're fine. I was just a little surprised," they reply. "I study better with a partner, too."

They pull their own study materials out and lay them on the table, then set down their bag next to the chair they seat themself on. "The last day for us over at Shujin Academy is sort of general questions. Make sure we've been paying attention in class, sort of thing," they remark, looking up at Kurou. "What about for your school?"

If Kurou is doing this earnestly, then that means he cares about scoring well on his exams. If that's the case, then he must have an idea of what he's being tested ''on''.

Outside: Morgana settles in on the window sill and peeks in from outside. It's started raining, and unfortunately he lacks human arms to jiggle the window with, but at least he's got a good view of what's going on inside and out.

This includes Umie getting splashed by a car as she walks up the street. Morgana sweatdrops. Poor Umie...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is to Kurou's discredit that he never considers when his actions might be considered an ambush or a trap. This is because he would like to think that he would never be announcing one, even if deception, and that anyone he intended to give a last surprise would never see it coming.

Today, he is genuinely focused on studying.

"Kasugayama has a similar structure, from my understanding," Kurou tells Ren. He glances down, sighing. "... Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution, so I can't claim full confidence, nor deny the possibility of trick questions..."

Kurou may have been told what he's being tested on, but that does not mean he necessarily ''believes'' it, and only has the previous exam period as an example. That's hardly a pattern. Expecting to be deceived about what he's being tested on might be an odder behavior if Ren did not already know Kurou's line of 'work'.

He rubs at his temple idly, his gaze wandering with his struggling thoughts.

"... There was even some psychology material..."

With a shake of his head, he focuses back on them.

"What about you? We will need to cover both of our weaknesses."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
They'd never feel him coming until it's too late.

The boy arrives like the fall wind and rain, little more than a grey blotch against the skyline, nimble, silent, and armed. He arrives somewhere between now and then, somewhere in the blotch of parasols that flare open as the overcast turns into a drizzle, though little peeks of his white silk haori flick beyond the umbrella he carries.

It's not all he carries, a little crossbody bag under his haori, into the band of which a long red bundle has been tucked.

Another plastic bag produced, the parasol shaken neatly, and tucked into it, to be tucked in against the red bag. The boy's shoes -- getting slightly older now, a pair of expensive collector's edition Nike -- are soundless in the halls as he makes his way upstairs, the glide of his sleeves in the still air as he disappears into the dark of the complex's hallways.

The lightest whisper of his aura creeps in from beyond the raw edges of the apartment door, as the shihaisha of all Ryouhara approaches, a look of cold ambition across the otherwises indiscriminately, oppressively neutral mien of his face. The lock is not at all an impediment to him.

That would be the end of things, wouldn't it?

No, hardly; Shiryuu never actually makes it to Umie's doorstep. He stops at the edge of the doorway, practicing what to say. "'Akabane, long time no see,'" he starts thoughtfully. Hm. Not natural. It would be good to set a powerful precedent for Kurou. "'Akabane, the night comes for you!'" ..ugh, no, she doesn't seem like the type. Plus, if it's too much she'll think of a good comeback and he would have to resort to subduing her....somehow. Come on, Ryouhara, think. Don't let the female win.

"...iehh?" He looks up from his thought a moment later.
The next words are the thunder of genuine silver-haired distress, now actually audible from inside.

"AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> See, you may think the storm has come, but in reality, the storm is still coming. Even from Mona's vantage point, he would be clueless.

That is how ninjas work, after all.

*squish* *squish* *squish* *squish*

Triumphant as she gets to the elevator, Umie jams her hand into her purse to feel for her keys, her other hand holding up the dripping plastic bag as she peeks inside. "...."

Well, the snacks are dry, at least.

A chipped nail presses the call button for the elevator- she's not feeling up for going up the stairs today, no matter how good it may be for her stamina.

=======

The triumph leaks out of Umie with all the aplomb of a slow, sad mute trombone, as she stands there by the practicing Shiryuu, like some.... pink... raincoat-ed killer??

'AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!'

"Nice to see you too," she says with a flat, lopsided smile, as she puts the key into the lock and opens the door. ".... I got some snacks, uh, give me a sec, Kurou, your..." She looks to Shiryuu, as if trying to remember their relation to each other. "... cousin? How are you related again?"

REN, RUN. IT'S CLEARLY A SETUP. MAYBE.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu ''does'' enter the building without drawing Morgana's attention. Perhaps it was while he was distracted with parkouring up to Umie's apartment window; perhaps Shiryuu's just that good. Perhaps it's some of both. Either way, Morgana won't be able to give Ren a warning about him.

'Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution...'

"..."

Yeah, it's a good thing that Ren already knows they're talking to a ninja. They ''do'' wonder how he got enrolled if he has no previous schooling, but Kasugayama does have a reputation for not caring. Maybe that's explanation enough.

Trick questions are a lot easier to understand. It really depends on the teacher. Speaking of which: "We've had some of that this year too. Psychology, I mean," Ren remarks. That's thanks to Dr. Maruki, though. "Assuming it's like the first term's exams, I think as long as I review my notes, I'll be okay."

They rest their cheek on one hand. Weaknesses, huh... "I'm not really great at history or social studies, though. They're pretty boring." Especially when 'social studies' is synonymous with 'political stuff.' "What about you?"

This is approximately when a shout erupts from the hallway outside the apartment. Ren raises their head to stare in subdued alarm. ...They recognize that voice.

The next moment, a key undoes the front door lock, and Umie walks in, soaked. The silver-haired youth in the white coat is out there in the hall behind her.

"......"

Ren keeps their mouth shut. They want to know how Kurou and Shiryuu are related to each other too, actually.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
There are ways to fabricate a history of education. None of these ways are likely to matter that much to Kasugayama High. Even trying to do well on his exams may not be considered typical Kasu student behavior.

But here Kurou is, in a high school he ought to be unqualified for by virtue of the system's requirements, doing his best to ace his exams. Surely even ninja children require education, though. So why is this all new to Kurou...?

As Ren relays his own weaknesses, Kurou's demeanor perks up. "History I may be able to assist with --" That's about as far as he gets into that line of thinking before his attention is in sync with Ren's own to outside the apartment.

Instead of alarm, Kurou's own eyes seem to have the smallest beginnings of a sparkle for their surprise guest.

That sparkle evaporates abruptly to see Umie's drowned pixie form. "Akabane-san, are you all right?" he asks, first thing, before grabbing a towel from the kitchen. He looks down at it, then back up at her. She is going to need a bigger towel...

But there's a question: how are Kurou and Shiryuu actually related?

...

Kurou looks directly at Shiryuu, deferring to him to set the designation.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Aaaaah, you're going to catch your death of co--"

Shiryuu was thoroughly intending to let Umie really have a piece of his mind this time. She's always playing out in the rain, getting soaked. It's not like endurance training, she has a thin constitution and could catch pneumonia ...

'Nice to see you too.' then she smiles.

The onmitsu doesn't say anything, locked with mouth quirked open in a state of mute annoyance and deep, unabiding confusion. Did she just move him out of the way? She absolutely did, didn't she? What was he going to say? This is completely unconscionable.

"....." Shiryuu sighs, sword-long, as he finally lifts his chin, stepping quietly inside just enough to divest Umie of her varying burdens as Kurou gets the towels. It is very clear that if he doesn't take her bags he's going to dry her hair, and once that happens, there's literally no telling what all else.

Now he is well weighted. Even so, the intensity with which Shiryuu is fretting on the other side of the bags is intense, little more than a grey mop swishing back and forth on the other side. ".....cousins is fine," he states, mildly offput.

A brown eye peers around the bag at Ren, finally realizing they're here. Is his situational awareness really that bad??

"a...ah. it's you."
A look is shot. Don't spill even a single bean, you.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> While Umie had set up that question in case Ren was there, she hadn't thought beyond that. That much is clear when the door opens, and she's surprised to see the curly-haired unassuming young man there. "Oh hey! Sorry about that." She casts a glance towards Shiryuu, as if giving him a silent warning in case he decides to just barrel inside. "They're studying."

"Oh, you two know each other?" Eyes focus on Ren momentairely, sharing a subtle twinkle of amusement. Is that a hint of mischief there? "Ah, Amamiya-kun, you should have said something! Shiryuu can be shy sometimes..."

Which may look weird to say, as Umie finds her burden lightened. "O-oh," she says, broken out of her secret little jab at Shiryuu for threatening her co-worker. "Oh, hey, you don't need to..." Drip, drip. The edges of Umie's coat channel drops of collected rainwater onto the no-nonsense low pile carpeting of the hallway.

While the rain has let up slightly, it hasn't stopped.

Shiryuu *did* come here, for her, after they chatted about bonds, and she does really miss him. It's just that there's things they need to talk about, and Umie needs to talk to him!!

And, to left him in, after the trouble he put Ren through...!

No matter. Shiryuu's taking the snacks, while Kurou is grabbing a kitchen towel. "Don't worry, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Looking back towards Shiryuu, her gaze softens a touch; she directs him in with a jerk of her chin. "Maybe you can help. Amamiya-kun's a co-worker of mine. He's a great worker, quiet, but don't let him fool you. Sometimes he can be a bit of a mischief-maker himself."

Taking off her jacket, and hanging it in the open hallway closet Umie slips out of her slopping wet shoes. Walking into the main room, she grabs a sweater and some sweatpants. "Augh... I'm going to go change in the bathroom really quick. You three behave, okay?" ... not that she won't just hear it past the door.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
'Cousins is fine,' Shiryuu says, which indicates to Ren that 'cousins' is ''not'' what they are but he doesn't care enough to correct her.

On top of that tidbit, he seems to be fussing over Umie all the way into the apartment, to the point that he doesn't notice them until they're all well inside the apartment. He's really obsessed with her, huh...

They glance at Kurou as he approaches with that too-small towel, then look back at Umie. They catch the Look that Shiryuu shoots them and return it with a bland lack of expression that betrays none of what they're thinking.

They already hinted Umie into awareness anyway.

They meet her sparkling eye and give her a non-committal shrug. "Shouldn't you dry off, Akabane-san?" they say. When she describes them to Shiryuu in turn as a 'bit of a mischief-maker,' Ren can't ''quite'' help a slight smile. As she goes off to the bathroom with a change of clothes, they watch her go; then they look at Shiryuu and Kurou.

Then they focus in on Kurou. "You were saying about history?" they prompt. All considered, they suspect he ''could'' make the subject very interesting indeed.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Cousins. This is the easiest way to explain their family relations, really. Kurou suspects that he and Shiryuu do not actually share a grandparent, and after a fashion, even a family-family (as opposed to a shinobi family) may use the term broadly as specifics become too entangled. Their actual relationship is that of shihaisha and subordinate, but to be called cousins -- not mutually exclusive with the truth -- still puts a shine in Kurou's eyes that is getting worse the longer he is considering it.

It is, after all, still a family-family term.

Oh. Do Shiryuu and Ren know one another? As Umie brings up the possibility, Kurou, too, looks between the two of them with his subtle brand of curiosity.

The wrong place at the wrong time. "Then let us correct it," Kurou offers, as Shiryuu takes her burden. Umie has that covered, making her move into the bathroom to change. He hesitates, gaze straying to the kitchen.

"Maybe I should make tea..." he ventures. They're supposed to be studying, but he doesn't want Umie to catch a chill and get sick. Plus, Shiryuu is visiting. It's Ren, thankfully, who reminds him of his purpose here with studying, and Kurou finds their gaze now instead.

"I would not call it my favorite subject... that still belongs to biology. But history is similarly alive... like an organism with many moving parts. If it is 'boring', perhaps we can find a different perspective that better illuminates the greater whole for you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"You two-bunned demon -- I'm not shy -- !" Shiryuu objects in all immediacy after Umie introduces him in such a friendly context, though now he's quite literally holding the bag, so his objections are forced to trebuchet over the top, a singlee defiant sprig of dingy grey hair wagging with the force of his declaration.

He does not, however, seem to be thinking about where to put the bag, and is definitely not giving it back while putting on a solid information suppression campaign. "I'm -- not a mischief -- what! It's you who are the --" Shiryuu is scandalized right up until Umie is gone.

Right up until she is gone.

"-- if I have to be, I'll become the overlord of mischief," Shiryuu threatens. "Tengu will look to me for advice, and monkeys will avert their heads in shame. You'll absolutely not give me that cool look of studious indiference again, part timer, or I'll have your hair dyed purple," he informs Ren in not even a second's worth of wasted time. "I have no mercy for you," he adds, hushed.

Then he pauses thoughtfully.
"... except during midterms," he allows.

"Become a strong academic power for Kurou to match his wits with, and I'll overlook your catty nature. But ... you're forbidden to teach him any of your part-timing ways. I'm still responsible for my family."

This all would be much better if he wasn't still carrying the bag, and Ren could actually see his eyes to tell how dead serious he is.

"....oh.."

Finally Shiryuu seems to notice, setting down the sack nearby. "No," he tells Kurou, when he thinks about tea. "I'll get to it. Instead, use these to strengthen your bodies for the coming trial," he finally says, scratching his temple. He's looking off in the direction of the bathroom. I guess she did say...

"If you have any academic need," the shihaisha finally decides with a imperious lift of his chin, "my resources were and are as limitless as the night sky." He's fetching a sheaf of napkins, so that he can get to his knees, tying up his haori sleeves so he can fold the paper and use both hands to blot the wet out of the carpet before it starts to smell strange. Strange little ceremony, all truth told.

Odds are he's just coping.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
'You two-bunned demon--' Umie's lips split in a merry, open smile, as she walks in. "I missed you too~" she says, singsong, before remembering that Ren is here.

But also, _Ren is here_. Surely, Ren would forgive her for a bit of friendly violence, as long as he gets to remain free and involved as an innocent bystander?

.... oh right she might catch a cold

Shutting the sliding panel door shut, Umie barely gets started when she hears Shiryuu talking. And going on. Something about Tengu, and monkeys, and 'no mercy'--

"No bullying Amamiya-kun," Umie flatly warns from the bathroom. She's listening, though when the hairdryer comes out, it's a little bit harder to do so.

...... But only for a moment.

It clicks off, only for Umie to add a punctuated, "I mean it, Shiryuu." This, regardless of how grey haired young man is handling Ren.

When she hears the faintest suggestion of words and tone that agree with her, the hairdryer turns back on.

Soon enough, the door opens, and Umie emerges like a butterfly from a non-Homunuculus-type cocoon: an oversized grey sweatshirt that hangs over her waist, sweatpants, socks and slippers, and her toweled off blonde hair in a ponytail.

In other words, the most comfortable grey butterfly.

"Are you all comfortable?" she asks moving to the kitchenette. "... Oh Shiryuu, it's fine," she murmurs, with some fondness. "I'll put a towel down." She looks for the snack bag and, opening it up, reveals some chips, a few cans of soda. Something savory, something sweet, something just good comfort food. "I should've put these in the fridge..." She sets them put by the two, and looks to Shiryuu. "I'll help you make tea. You make better tea than I do, after all." It'll also get him off the floor.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
And while Shiryuu might not care enough to correct Umie, Kurou seems deeply happy to be labeled a 'cousin,' if that shine in his eyes is any indication. It... kind of makes Ren sad to see. The implications break their heart a bit. (At least Shiryuu does call him 'family' later?)

It's undermined by Shiryuu yelling at Umie about how he is NOT shy, then at Ren about mischief, mercy, and midterms. (And part-timing, but that doesn't start with an M.)

Ren raises their eyebrows at him. Shiryuu continues to be an absurd human being. At least Umie has their back... She doesn't seem at all threatened by him, either. It's bizarre to watch. It's probably just as well Shiryuu's still holding that bag.

Tea ''would'' be a good idea, even if it is a distraction from studying. Ren really shouldn't let themself get distracted either. Fortunately, Kurou suggests something intriguing: that history is akin to a living organism. Ren's own dark eyes light up some.

"That'd be great. I used to think math was boring too, but then Akabane-san got me to thinking of it like a puzzle. It's not ''fun'', exactly, but I enjoy it a lot more than I used to," they reply. They look over at the kitchen, then at Kurou. "Tea sounds like a good idea. Now that we've got a plan, we can start in earnest once we've got something hot to drink."

...which apparently Shiryuu (and Umie!) will handle instead of Kurou. Ren's not sure how they feel about that, or about this ninja overlord getting on his hands and knees to clean up the carpet, but of the bag of snacks, they say, "Thanks."

They'll accept the chips and soda from Umie upon her glorious comfy return with a nod of gratitude and acknowledgement of their own comfort, and share with Kurou as the two of them sit back down, Ren flipping the pages of their notes until they get to the history section. "Tell me your perspective," they prompt him, looking over at Kurou.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou once again watches the interactions between Umie and Shiryuu with a slight squint. There is something he should pick up on here, but he is not quite sure yet what it is. Shiryuu cares for her deeply, he knows that. And Umie for him. He knows that, too. So why would they need to obfuscate...? Perhaps it is a form of play...?

Like crows rolling down a snowy windshield...

He forgets about this as Shiryuu goes off about becoming the overlord of mischief, and Kurou's eyes shine a little again with his admiration for his shihaisha. (And, indeed, Ren may see the family mention being especially affecting.) At least until...

"Part-timing...?" Kurou echoes, looking to Ren and back to Shiryuu, uncomprehending of this forbidden knowledge.

Regardless, Shiryuu and Umie take up the task to make tea instead, so Kurou can focus on his studies. Kurou bows deeply before nodding. "I will," he agrees of Shiryuu's 'command', resolute. "And I will surpass my previous score. That is a promise."

To Ren, Kurou gives a smaller, apologetic bow. "I would like to make you tea myself sometime, but this will have to wait until after we have suitably dealt with our exams."

He returns to his seat at the table, pausing as Shiryuu points out the other resources. "... You already do much for me," Kurou says in a quiet earnestness. "I do not wish to overburden you."

For, as far as Kurou is concerned, that is something Shiryuu does far too much. The line between 'obedience' and 'true loyalty' is still a difficult one to navigate...

... Ah, but history. Kurou peers over at Ren's notes to get an idea of what their exams stand to cover.

"Yes. The lesson usually takes the point of view of political actors, but if we instead consider it from the angle of..." Kurou begins, trying to shift the approach to something that may be a more interesting narrative than the one Ren's been given until now.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
The boy has literally no actual full sentences to say to Umie Akabane.

"Ch--" She's threatening Shiryuu from the bathroom, all the while with Ren in the background subduing him with their eyebrows. Shiryuu would absolutely respond in kind and engage in a tense eyebrow struggle for dominance with the aloof part timer, but Akabane turned off the hairdryer, a detail the sharp-eared onmitsu doesn't miss.

"Part-timers need laws and structure to avoid becoming delinquents," Ryouhara complains mildly at the closed door, though he is absolutely not saying it loud enough for Akabane to hear. She doesn't need to hear his absolute authority to feel its force, like the way the sun warms a house. Or so he insists in his own head.

"You're lucky Akabane has compassion," Ryouhara says, enigmatic and bitter in equal sum. He's not looking back at Ren, the three leaves of the Ryouhara symbol plain across the back of his haori.

What was it she said to him?
It just now occurs to him he was too distracted to say anything back.

Ryouhara takes all of it out on the carpet until stopped. "Most buildings in this area do not ventilate well," he counters, folding over the sheaf of napkins to blot more, pressing down with both hands. "You all could become victimized by black mold. I won't stand for it."

He looks up, once he realizes Umie is back. .... and then, sharply, he looks again.

Cowed, the boy settles back on his knees, resting on the backs of his heels, with his hands folded primly in his lap. He sighs. At this angle, Ren can tell he wears a _thick_ wool sweater underneath that haori. Both of his wrists are adorned, his left with a rather severe-looking bangle that does not at all seem like it was purchased, and a white cordage bracelet around his right, delicately braided and hand-wound, with a jade charm fixing the end so it doesn't fall past his wrist.

"...Kurou."

Shiryuu's eyes are closed while he sits.
"Do not concern yourself overmuch with my limitations. I have none."

If Shiryuu is aware that Kurou is sparkling, he doesn't say anything about it. Instead, the boy kips up onto the balls of his feet. Sneakers removed and stored carefully, Ryouhara looks back at Akabane suspiciously, finally digesting her offer to help, and her implied compliment.

"...You should be resting too," he remarks flatly, face the lightest shade of red before depositing the damp napkins in the wastebasket, deliberately not looking directly at her. "... mmnh." Yes, that's the correct sound to handle her. Regardless, the boy gives consent by not actively stopping her when he gathers supplies and washes his hands.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A puzzle. Umie's eyelids lower slightly, secretly touched that she had that impression on someone else.

.... especially considering that the last person she tutored was _Tatsuya Suou_.

She also notes the shine in Kurou's eyes, lingering on them as she realizes what she may have just enabled (or enabled further). She tries not to puff up with pride at her accidental overreach of authority over the _great shihaisha_.

"It'll give another reason to come over. I'll even give you guys some space," Umie then adds, with a sideways grin. "Though it *does* keep me on my toes to have the expectation of people coming over. Got to keep my place tidy..." She turns her head to try to share an amused glance with Shiryuu, considering the mess it was before.

As Shiryuu gets the carpet cleaned, Umie works on the tea instead, getting out the kettle and the tea leaves, as well as four cups for all of them.

Subtly, she steals a glance over the two, as Ren asks Kurou his perspective, smiling slightly as she turns back to her preparation. Ren was always good at that; at his age, Umie was walled off, save for her friends. It feels now like she's having to catch up, in order to understand people around her.

The exchange between Kurou and Shiryuu, too, is not missed, Umie's lips still curved in a soft smile as Shiryuu assures the polite shinobi, in his own way.

"If you're concerned about my health, then we should get to making tea to calm my fragile nerves," Umie quips at Shiryuu now. "See? I got everything out for you."

It's only until they begin preparing and the two students are seemingly deep into their studies that Umie begins to talk directly to Shiryuu.

"By the way," she murmurs, beneath her breath; while she thinks Ren (and Kurou!) can't hear, it's impossible in this small space to keep too many things secret. "... I need to talk to you about something. Not now, but soon." Her fingers stop her eyes looking to the angle of Shiryuu's face to get a sense of whether or not he's listening. "Let's not use Jogashima Park, this time."

A hint-- it's something serious, but not something she wants to go that direction, either.

"I need to figure something out with you," she adds, softly; remembering how he tried to 'assure' Kurou moments earlier.

To preserve her moments of peace with the Ryouharas, as well as to give Phoenix their own, Umie will have to figure out what Shiryuu is thinking, and express to him how she feels. Not everything has to be a kiss of a blade or of passion; the grey inbetween is what she seeks, for the good of all involved.... which may include Ren now, in a way, possibly?

..... nah, Ren'll be fine, he's just a normal person.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu asserts that part-timers need structure to avoid turning into delinquents, albeit not so loudly that Umie will hear from the bathroom. Ren peers at him again for a moment before they look over at Kurou. "Part-time work. Work done for a limited amount of time. That's what Akabane-san and I do at the Triple Seven," they explain. With a straight face, they wonder, "Are you not allowed to work after school?"

Kurou's probably too busy working for Shiryuu and/or the NWO to have any time for part-timing, and Shiryuu doesn't seem to have the best grasp on what part-timing is in the first place...

Ren watches the interaction between Kurou and Shiryuu. If nothing else, Kurou seems to really care about his 'shihaisha,' and the implication that he cares back might just be keeping him on his tether. Whether Shiryuu actually does care back... that's harder for Ren to get a read on. It's easy to boss someone around and ''say'' you do it because you care about them.

It seems more obvious to them that Shiryuu cares about--or maybe the better term's "is affected by"--Umie in some fashion or another. A man who calls himself the overlord of all ninjas surely doesn't get on his knees to clean a carpet for just anyone, black mold or no. And, sure enough, Shiryuu tells Ren it's lucky Umie has compassion. In other words, if not for her influence, he wouldn't be so merciful on them...

But Ren keeps that thought to themself, though they do briefly twiddle a lock of their bangs as they consider it. They do slip their hands back into their pockets and take in the details of Shiryuu's garb when he leans back on his heels. It's a very interesting look he's got. Ren's not an expert on fashion--something they'd like to change at some point--but none of his accessories seem store-bought. Local goods, maybe? Or made by his clan, even?

"You want me to come over again?" Ren remarks to Umie, purposefully misunderstanding her comment. He half-turns to Kurou. "I guess we ought to exchange phone numbers, then, so she doesn't have to arrange play dates for us."

As little as Ren trusts the Ryouharas, they understand they're now in an excellent position to keep an eye on them thanks to Umie. ...And they do want to try Kurou's tea sometime. They give him a slight, brief smile. "Another time."

But now it's time to return to studying as Umie and Shiryuu take care of the tea. (Snacks can wait.) Settling back in at the table, Ren nods as Kurou starts suggesting that alternate framework. "Hmm... How about from counter-culturalists? Like rebels or freedom fighters?" they suggest. (They're not trying to start anything or even guide him down the path that rocks. They just think rebels are way cooler than kings or queens. Of course, that's not likely to be what they'd get tested on, so it might not help their exam scores anyway--but it might help them, ahem... change their cognition of their studies.)

Over in the kitchen, near one of those frosted windows... a pointed ear twitches. Outside, Morgana leans a little closer. As a 'cat,' his hearing is sharp, but the window ''is'' shut and the rain provides extra background noise, and Umie's keeping her voice down besides. How much of her private conversation with Shiryuu might he overhear, if any?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Yes, crows rolling down the windshield or tugging at one another's tail feathers... Play is also an important wisdom.

Shiryuu and Ren have their own friction together, and it may be telling that Kurou reacts little beyond his own questions. This is Shiryuu, and how Shiryuu carries himself is normal to Kurou. But that Shiryuu acquiesces to Umie's compassion in the matter is a seed to planted in Kurou's mind for later.

Ren explains a part time job in detail, and Kurou nods slowly, brow knit as pieces together new understanding. "I see. My awareness of the concept has proven superficial... I did not realize there was a deeper philosophy attached. Akabane-san and Amamiya-san have much to adapt to..."

Is Kurou not allowed to work? He shakes his head to reject the notion. "No, but I do not think I am someone suited to the 'part time' approach." The way of a shinobi is to live it fully, and this is why Kurou considers to be his job. (Though isn't Shiryuu, despite his insistence, ensuring that Kurou is 'part time' enough to commit to his studies and bonds? Nobody worry, Kurou himself has not pieced this logic together.)

At his name, Kurou looks to Shiryuu with full attention. It does not matter that Shiryuu is on the ground, and Kurou is not: Shiryuu remains his shihaisha, and the respect never leaves Kurou's bearing. Shiryuu reassures him. It is not the first time. Whatever Kurou needs, Shiryuu is not so weak to be threatened by it.

And not for the first time, Kurou feels a hesitation at the idea that threatens on traitorous. Surely Shiryuu is so powerful, but...

... But Akabane-san shares her warmth with him, too. Maybe that is a good start, and enough for Kurou to refocus on his studies.

Kurou, ultimately, bows his head. "I understand."

As much as Kurou has that sparkle in his gaze for Shiryuu's presence, the same silent glimmer of happiness appears as Ren 'misunderstands' Umie. Kurou gets out his own phone for the number exchange: a battered thing with a cracked screen and faded stickers on the back of its green, silicone protective casing. There is a chain dangling from it -- whatever charm it had has evidently broken off.

"Yes. Before I forget..."

Studying, though, must continue, for that is their sacred task. Kurou trusts his shihaisha and Akabane-san with the tea, easily refocusing. "An advantageous interest," he remarks of Ren's desire for a more ''rebellious'' lens. "We can paint outlines around history based on what events and customs motivated the actions of such figures, and even further in how history responded to them."

He believes this, genuinely, from a purely pragmatic place: if Ren lacks interest in the biographical information of political leaders, they can learn what those leaders were doing based on those who opposed them, and tackle their exams from this angle instead.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu would have a different perspective. The qualities and moorings of 'synthesis' are not so readily tucked into neat boxes like 'part time' and the delineation between studies and missions. It is a torturously simple perspective, not yet clear.

It may in fact, never be, as long as the shihaisha is busy being distracted.

"Hrnh. The restoration.." the boy muses quietly, catching words every so often from the conversation in the main room. He whips his hands dry in the basin rather than dirty another towel, movements crisp and sharp. To his merit, he's trying to follow along, monitoring the two in the main room for any signs of potential part-time unionizing or anything to that nature.

It is absolutely not simple while trying to look around Akabane and listen to only a certain percentage of what she says, for concerns of being scandalized yet again. Protective measures, Ryouhara. Right?

Something something 'calm my fragile nerves.'

Wait, what was he doing again?

"...iih?" the grey-haired onmitsu blinks, energy pensive as he notices everything's already been laid out. "....aah.."

The shinobi turns to face Umie. ".... thank you.." he says, holding her eyes for just a second or two.

"but I thought ...Jogashima was .. okay?" he asks, confusion bordering on mild alarm. No, that's not what she's talking about, he reminds himself. The onmitsu's head tilts, as he takes up a knife. It's a peculiar step, cutting the loose leaf jasmine, taking a moment to press down on the stem with the flat of the knife. Not too much. Just enough to speed up the process, when he tamps and shakes the bundle into the infuser. Mindful, for at least a second or two, of the process.

"Ah, but.." His voice drops, when the full shape of the far darker topic settles with him. The young man manages to wrangle his attention span to something far more important than the tea at hand.

"... should we be trying to," he thinks aloud.
"Akabane... there are a lot of dangerous elements at play."

He has no idea there's a cat listening to him, with his attention far more occupied than it really ought to be.

"--ow!"
He tried to pick up the boiling water again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's as quiet and unassuming to an onlooker as the menaingful look Umie and Shiryuu share, devoid of any of their earlier squabbling and ruckus. A quiet 'thanks' from Shiryuu, and a pleased smile from Umie, and the moment has passed.

Ren comment comes a second later after the moment has ended, timed expertly well whether accidentally or intentionally. Umie looks over her shoulder, shooting Ren a smirk, before answering, "Ahhh, what kind of work senpai would I be, to not offer my wealth of space to someone in need of quiet?" Umie teases with a lopsided grin.

At four people, it's managable for a social gathering, but it's hardly meant for more than one person. Just how do two people live here? (Answer: one of them is a Kurou.)

With the two students absorbed into their studies, Umie fully turns her attention to Shiryuu and their covert conversation.

As if the rain gods had seen Morgana's effort to hear, the rain begins to lessen; while not completely gone, it will be easier for the 'cat's' sharp ears to overhear what Ren may not, though how much and what parts may vary.

"Jogashima was..." A blush of heat blooms on Umie's face. "Definitely fine. We should go there again, sometime."

She quiets, watching Shiryuu prepare the tea. It's so much more complicated that the teabags, but it comes out so nicely...

Dangerous elements at play, he says, as he works with the knife.

"So dangerous that you can't listen to me?" she offers.

She give Shiryuu a meaningful pause, giving a covert glance over her shoulder towards Ren and Kurou before looking back. "... We'll talk about it later."

In contrast to Shiryuu's handling of the leaves-- "The pad's right here." She offers it to Shiryuu, with a sideways grin. "Guess we know the water's done~"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' an important wisdom--especially when that mischievous play balances out one's image as a harbinger of death and doom. Maybe that's why a certain someone else ends up with the codename Crow...

But that's neither here nor there right now. Particularly since that moment passes observed by all and commented upon by none. For Ren's part, they roll their eyes good-naturedly at her teasing. "One who knows how much she talks," they quip back, smiling slightly at her too.

"It's not really a philosophy..." Ren tells Kurou, then stops while wondering if this is something they can make him understand. This is especially so given what he says about the 'part time' approach. It doesn't occur to Ren either that, as a high school student, Kurou ''is'' functionally a part-time ninja; they just nod slowly. "...Yeah, you seem like the fully-committed type."

Maybe, as they get to know Kurou better, Ren will notice this contradiction. As it stands, the two of them have phone numbers to exchange (Ren's own phone is a two-year-old smartphone model in an industrial steel-style case) and historical lenses to scrutinize.

"Oh?" they reply, then nod thoughtfully at his explanation. That ''does'' sound more interesting. "Let's do it." And so the two of them can review the subject and revise Ren's notes accordingly...

...Kurou seems happier now too, again based on that shine in his eye.

Ren glances up when Shiryuu yells "ow!" from the kitchen. From what they can see, he tried to pick up the boiling water. If this were an anime, a large bead of sweat would be rolling down the side of their head.

Is this really the coldblooded monster who tortured and terrorized Tsubasa...? Then again, they could ask the same question of Kurou over here... Ren may not ''like'' Shiryuu, but they must admit, his contradictions make him an intriguing figure.

At this rate, Ren and Umie are going to need to form a support group.

At least the rain's letting up. That's good for Morgana's fur ''and'' his ears. Those ears twitch a bit. Jogashima...? It sounds like those two have a different understanding of whatever happened there... But what are these dangerous elements they're talking about?

...Seems like they won't be talking about them much more. Which makes sense, given the mixed company.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A Kurou is a creature that knows how to take up very little space. When he had his own apartment, he felt his space become bigger. But somehow, sharing this space with Umie has felt even a little bit bigger than that.

Serious discussions going on to the side is not something Kurou is attuned to. Even if he was, he would pay it little mind. That is not his assigned task for the moment, and his trust for Shiryuu is one that doesn't think to question any of his and Umie's whispering.

Not a philosophy...? "But it surely requires its own approach and mindset..." Even the idea that something should not be overthought is something Kurou has the power to overthink. He might be doing it right now. But he does not firmly with Ren's assessment. That is something he can accept with pride.

Right now, his commitment is fully invested in shifting the perspective of Ren's history notes. It might mean covering unintended material, but Kurou trusts the negative space's ability to let Ren demolish their exams.

''Let's do it,'' and, like a command, Kurou methodically cascades into notebook opening, textbook referencing, phone typing fervor. His ears nearly seem to burn in the warm atmosphere of Umie's apartment.

Where Kurou's formal education has suffered, and while his social understanding is... ''lacking'', to put it mildly, his ability to ''get'' information surfaces. Using Ren's notes, he's able to cross reference figures and bring up research material with expedience, and instead of the political machinations of queens and kings, begins penning notes on the responses for those who contested them.

Yet his focus on the objective of it remains intact as he speaks to Ren aloud of his findings and their function: it might be easy to meander into a tangent of interesting information, but this is about the test's questions and finding the solution Ren needs to better absorb the answers.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The onmitsu is currently nursing his burned fingertips by flicking the infuser in a hand, shuffling the fine-diced leaves in the basket to fluff them for maximum surface area. Otherwise known as, completely ignoring the problem. Flick flick. The boy does this in a strange, ritualistic two-handed fashion. He's intensely focused, as if trying to get each shred arranged in the basket exactly to his liking. Little wafts of the sweet scent begin permeating the air. Agh, oh no.

Any more and he'll ruin it. The _shihaisha's_ nerves are considerably more at ease when Akabane concedes at least one point. That leaves the other.

'We'll talk about it later.'
Not listening to her... the thought sticks with the grey-haired boy a moment. "...the Indigo," he proposes, quietly. "Maybe the rooftop this time..."

Shiryuu meets the bunned devil's crooked smile for awhile. Long enough for the moment to become awkward. Finally he blinks, accepting the pad with a numb, blank expression, finally noticing his fingertips still ache. "...." The infuser lifts, holding it in three fingers while he presses the remaining two between his lips to soothe, his bracelet falling down his wrist. "Mnh," he grouses, noncommittally. He returns to the water, handling it gently enough to get it onto the pad, and to set the infuser just so in the hot water. It has to brew only for so long. Long enough to get cups.

It's easy to forget things, here, in this space. Yes, in that, there is a certain 'warmth' that the young man slowly becomes aware of, somewhere between his subordinate exchanging phone numbers with the accursed but powerful part-timer, and the tea he and Akabane make. Umie might notice when Shiryuu's attention breaks, when his eyeline finally raises off of what he's doing -- off of her.

The shirogarasu is watching Kurou quietly out of the corner of his eye, making sure not to interrupt. Absently he's setting out cups. The young man's written face is a studious neutral, unsmiling, unwavering, as his focus sharpens.

One ... two ... three. The fourth is considered. It's set aside, back behind a door. The rain's stopping..

And just like that, the dream ends for the shirogarasu.

"It would be unconscionable to interrupt any further," the shihaisha decides quietly, eyes closing. The tea doesn't take long to brew -- a few minutes -- nor does it take overlong, with the appropriate attention paid, to pour it.

Now, and only now, is there the sense that Ryouhara's attention might be anywhere near sharp enough to notice they are being spied on. Luckily, the young man's attention only shifts lightly towards the window.

"... I'll leave it in your hands, for now," the young man says.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Seems both Ren and Umie's lives have their share of crows in them. Odd, given their liking of uncomplicated, straightforward people...

.... ah, well, there's that love of complicated people, too. That's probably the culprit.

'One who knows how much she talks.' There's the ol' Amamiya mischief, there. Umie's eyes sparkle slightly in the back and forth, but, as befitting a proper senpai, she holds back her next remark, shooting Ren a blackbird's grin. "Save that energy for your studies, Amamiya-kun~"

This may be the strangest, most indirect way Umie has helped the Phantom Thieves, all without knowing a single thing. Ren gets a rare look into the other side of Shiryuu, someone only a few of the Phantom Thieves have actually seen, with the benefit of her being there to ensure Shiryuu's... Shiryuuness doesn't inflame itself to dangerous levels.

"Alright. Let's do that," she says quietly to Shiryuu. "Until then, how about you..." She follows Shiryuu's gaze to Kurou and Ren.

She shares a grin then, with Shiryuu, almost smugly as she indicates Ren with her chin.

'See?' she says, without saying anything at all.

However.

The rain has let up, and the spell is over, evident in the lack of the fourth cup. "...." Umie's expression saddens a touch at Shiryuu's admission. ".... Tonight, then. No fair for you to come all this way." They'll talk about something, either way.

Her fingers stray over Shiryuu's for a discreet second, and she lets them go, with a cheeky smirk, as she pours the tea. "You're always welcome to change your mind, of course," she offers, taking over for the tea. "Thank you for stopping by; it was good to see you."

That is the last bit of intel Ren will find: the way Umie and Shiryuu regard each other, and how it turns from one moment to the next.

......... They'll definitely need that support group, won't they?

Coming over with the tea cups, Umie sets down one before Kurou and Ren, going back to have some of her own. "I would've used the teabags, if it was me. You two are extremely lucky." She gives the two young scholars a discreet wink. "I'll need Kurou to teach me sometime... I don't have the patience to do it properly, though."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
One can like uncomplicated, straightforward people ''and'' contradictory, messy people. Cats vs. dogs is a false dichotomy.

"Fiine," Ren says mildly to Umie. They ''did'' come here to study, whether that's their books or the ''two'' ninjas they ended up encountering here.

Not a philosophy, but--an approach and mindset? Ren considers this. Considering all the part-time jobs they've got (eight at last count; they're just collecting them at this point), they have to imagine it'd ''have'' to compared to a single full-time job.

So: "That much is true," they concede. "If there ''is'' a philosophy, I don't know about it. I just clock in when I've got time for a shift and collect my pay at the end of it."

It's fascinating to watch Kurou throw himself into research. Ren thinks they can understand how he's managing at high school despite no previous schooling (allegedly). "What subject do ''you'' have trouble with?" they prompt so they can do something while Kurou's doing this for them.

And the fact that Kurou's focused on what will actually show up on the exams is ''a lot'' for them. Ren enjoys reading and learning. It's the structure of school itself that chafes on them. Having what's functionally a cheat sheet to remember what will appear on those exams, as opposed to falling down a rabbit hole of interesting but irrelevant information, will make them that much easier for Ren to conquer. They might even end up in the top third this time around...!

For all that Morgana might be spying, at least he can only hear some of it--the roof of the Indigo? where is that?--and certainly can't see what Shiryuu does with that fourth cup. Ren, too, is sufficiently caught up in studying that they don't notice either. For better or worse, that moment belongs to Shiryuu and Umie alone.

They only look up when Umie serves the tea that she and he prepared. "Thanks," they say, and ''now'' glance past her at Shiryuu. It seems like he's going to leave early, huh... ...well, that's fine too. These things take time, and thanks to a misunderstanding on their part, they don't realize that a clock is still ticking on Tsubasa and the task Shiryuu's trying to force them to complete.

"Is Ryouhara-san," as opposed to the 'Ryouhara-kun' that is Kurou, "that good at making tea?" they wonder, and reach for their cup to take a sip and taste for themself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou could understand that, for he likes both cats and dogs very much. (Kurou may not know what anyone were talking about.)

Ren goes on to describe what Kurou, unfortunately, begins to parse as their philosophy on the matter of work. It's good he does not know there are ''eight jobs'' being described: it would only encourage him. "I see... A dedication of time you have, so long as they make it worth spending..." He nods slowly like this is enlightening him to something.

It might be. He always considers the time he gives the shirogarasu worth spending.

But his meandering mind goes much quicker with a target. Ren asks after Kurou's own weaknesses, and Kurou looks to his textbooks. "I struggle with Literature... and essay questions only add to the difficulty..."

One might imagine Kurou having unusual takes and interpretations on texts while struggling to communicate any of it.

His focus only breaks from Ren once tea is served. But there are only three cups.

"Ah --" Kurou barely utters it before he quiets, watching Shiryuu in an uncertain silence. But it would be rude to ignore Umie any longer, and Kurou gives a small start back to the tea he's been served. He wraps his fingers around the cup to feel the heat.

He does not frown, but he looks at the surface with a weight of something like loneliness. Yet it does not feel right to Kurou to call the feeling gnawing at his chest entirely his own.

"... I do not mind. But... 'The fact that it's from you' is the most important thing," he echoes of something Umie told him once, when he wondered aloud if his mother would like his tea. "Isn't that right?"

Kurou takes a single, slow sip, lingering with the taste and aroma for several moments.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Yes," Shiryuu thinks absently. Fondly, when no one else is paying attention. "She does talk a lot, doesn't she.."

The thought is adrift, long belated and long cooling on the windowsill upon which Shiryuu's attention is focused. After taking a moment to carefully bag the leaf, wipe everything down and rinse the infuser, the young man steps away from the kitchenette, slowly pulling loose the cordage at his haori sleeves so they drop slack around his wrists again as Akabane takes the cups out and over to Kurou and Ren. It leaves the older Ryouhara to consider his hand for the moment. Not the one that was burned -- the one that held the pad a moment ago. A thumb runs over the first two fingertips thoughtfully under eyes that are two different shades of brown.

'It was good to see you.'
"... I .." Shiryuu starts to say something, but it's lost to a split-second look just past Umie's shoulder.

Then, his hand disappears beneath the sleeve of his haori, and it was like they were never there.

"...Second only to inimitable Kurou," Shiryuu acknowledges Ren in the background, as he steps through the living space, checking the painting on the wall for straightness as he goes. Mostly, it's an excuse not to have to look at anything or anyone other than the window. "Tea is a matter of timing, and precision. But there is another X-factor that cannot be quantified readily." He nods to Kurou simply, without looking. 'The fact that it's from you.' ".... it's something like that," he guesses absently.

As would be expected, Shiryuu's technical ability is par excellence. The tea has been, despite his injuries making it, perfectly steeped and measured, the hot water at just the right temperature. It is mildly sweet, and it is fragrant. More robust than light, because his intentionality is heavy-handed. But -- it will differ from something made by Kurou. Even the tea-bags that Umie threatens all of their delicate sensibilities with.

For those with an excellent, unfettered taste, they will understand where the feeling goes numb for the grey-haired young man. Where warmth ends and .. nothing starts.

He is polite enough. "Kurou... please show this person the full power of three hundred years of Ryouhara academics." A glance lifted to Ren. "Enjoy it fully and without discretion. But..."

"....no part-timing," he reminds them, severely.

Umie gets the last, long second of his eyes.
"...Akabane."
Faced with saying something, anything, the young man visibly breathes outward, evicting all of the air in his chest, to make room for a fresh fill of his lungs, easing his own carefully managed discomfort.

".... be seeing you."
He will, to his credit, at least leave quietly without further incident.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ren's reply gets an unexpected chortle through Umie's hand. Ahh, a relaxed Ren and Kurou is a sight to see.

Too bad she'll likely need to not be present for more of it to happen, but that's just the way friendships are able to bloom: naturally.

And sometimes violently, without intention.

Shiryuu's own contribution, perhaps, may only have Mona as company, for how well he hides it from the rest of them.

".... It's a discipline of flexibility," Umie contributes. "I may not have the ability to do this forever, but those late night shifts mean I can have time for..." Pause. "Things like this."

For the Dark Hour, and Mementos, and all the things that drive the part of her that was so eager to get out of her shift. But also this. She can just say that, and no one will think anything of it.

Kurou, seeing the three tea cups, draws a soft sound of sympathy, as she realizes where his eyes draw to.

He's hungry for that connection, isn't he? And why not, considering Shiryuu is the only one...

But this itself may be Shiryuu's gift, Umie realizes. To give Kurou that room to be Kurou, and not simply Kurou Ryouhara, the one who swore loyalty to his shihaisha.

"The tea *is* different between the two," she says, picking up on Ren's question. "I'll never say which is better, but..."

'The fact that it is from you'. Umie gives the words a solid nod. "Yes. I never ask, but whenever he comes ho-- here, from school, Ryouhara-kun makes me tea." She looks down at the cup, the corners of her lips fighting to keep from twisting up in joy. "Any time I don't get home in time, I feel bad, because I know he's made tea for me. But on the days I come in, and it's been a rough day, there's tea. And even if there's none, there's the memory of it, and I make myself some."

It's hard to convey, without leaning too hard on it; Kurou is supposed to be a teenage boy, with teenage dreams and aspirations; not someone obliged to make someone giving him a place to stay something to drink. However, Umie senses there is a joy in it for him, like expressing a feeling his face and manner is unable to convey.

It's something Umie's very unused to, when it came to her own home: thoughtfulness.

'Akabane.'

Now, it's Umie's turn; eye straying towards the window, she selfishly wishes the rain would come back, so he'd feel like staying here was no longer a bother to the rest of them.

No answer comes, which Morgana is likely thankful for, at the very least.

Looking over her shoulder at Shiryuu, her gaze lingers a touch. She nods. "Be seeing you, Shiryuu."

'You can still stay', she wants to say.

It's when Shiryuu leaves that Umie digs into a bag of cheese puffs, munching a few. Munch, munch, munch minch.

"Don't mind him, Ren. He's a Sagittarius," Umie says, taking another sip of tea from her teacup.

As if that explained anything, _little Miss Aries_.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
In fairness, Ren only works those jobs at their convenience. Some of them they haven't worked in a solid while, like Cafe Chagall or Ore no Beko. Hell, they only still work at Triple Seven because they get to see Umie there--a benefit for more than just her scintillating personality. Either way, it does seem like Kurou grasps the gist, and they nod in acknowledgement. Umie has a good contribution too.

Literature, though, huh... "That's a tough one. A lot of literature is up to interpretation. I'm pretty good at that subject, though, so let's go over that next," Ren replies. After all, it's not really something one can do on the side.

''The tea ''is'' excellent,'' Ren reflects as they drink and Shiryuu explains. They glance at Umie when she seconds that the two of them make tea differently. The technical prowess, despite Shiryuu burning his fingers, is clearly there. But... Maybe a year ago, Ren wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. However, after drinking cups of the Boss's coffee nearly every day since April, they ''do'' have a sense of when there's something else there. 'The fact that it's from you,' as Kurou puts it. As Umie expands upon that with her story about how Kurou manifests it.

Ren glances at the two of them, then sips the tea again as he considers Shiryuu and ''his'' tea's lack of that X-factor. How he's choosing to leave, even though both Umie and Kurou clearly want him to stay.

"Thank you for the tea," they say politely. They hold their tongue about the part-timing.

Umie might try to dismiss his behavior as the antics of a Sagittarius, but it's pretty clear to them it goes far deeper than that.

Once the three of them have finished their drinks, they and Kurou can return to studying--and Umie to snacking--in earnest.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, a fortuitously complimentary situation..." Kurou notes of Ren's strengths to his weaknesses. So this is the power of a study partner...

Kurou sips at the tea with a cherishing pace, not merely as one who appreciates the subtleties of Shiryuu's proficient blend, but... hm. The 'X-factor' Shiryuu finds himself missing...

Kurou does not say what he thinks it is, but his gaze wanders to where Umie keeps her cups. The absence of the fourth...

What if it had rained a little longer...?

"...I like it," he says of Shiryuu's tea, not quite to Shiryuu, but 'at' him with the way it quietly spills into the air. "No part-timing," Kurou echoes, with more firm intent, as someone who understands what it is Shiryuu means by such words. He will give his all to this, because that is the opportunity his shihaisha wants him to have.

How to give his shihaisha the opportunity for a 'fourth cup'... that is a more difficult question.

But Kurou's posture perks up with Umie describing her appreciation for the tea. "Please do not feel badly for such days, Akabane-san. If it is there when you need it, that is enough."

Much as Kurou tries to make the tea last, no cup is infinite. Soon, he and Ren will return to their studies to defeat the final day of exams.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-03: Because It's From You

2026-04-07T06:07:54Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Because It's From You'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 03, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Kurou needs a study buddy. Why not Ren? They need snacks. Why not go get them? There's four cups of tea. Why leave so soon?''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
>> Hey
>> Kurou Ryouhara-kun was wondering if you wanted to study together?

Ah, no, Umie thinks, in the aftermath of sending that last text. That'll sound weird, like she's trying to manage him.

>> He doesn't have your number, no big deal if you got plans

Umie grins triumphantly. There. Now Ren won't feel obligated, either way.

======

With all that settled, Umie dips her head to take a quick scan of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the amount of appropriately study-necessary snacks and drinks are low; Umie looks up to Kurou. "I'm going to stop by the Larson's down the way. If Amamiya-kun gets here before I do, just let him in." Checking her phone to check the weather, Umie makes a face and grabs her rainjacket. "I'll be quick."

The frosted sliding windows, while amazing for privacy reasons, come with a major drawback: you can't really get a sense of the weather. (Though, to be fair, with the other apartment building a narrow alley's width away, it's anyone's guess what the weather would be.)

With the weather turning cooler, they've rarely been open; the apartment, as small as it is, is far better suited for keeping warm as long as they're kept shut, with the space heater turned on whenever Umie is there. Due to the layout being longer than it is wide, most of the warmth is concentrated in the living area than the hallway, with the kitchenette (done in cheery yellow tiles) situated in between.

The main area is a small couch and a table, with a TV mounted on the wall. While the white walls sit more or less empty of any decor, a painting hangs centered over the couch, being of a random spatter of paint across the stretched canvas, with a little 'WHIRLWIND - RHYTHM' print stamped into the texture. There's a clothing rack for Umie's clothes to the side. A smaller crafts table is set into the far corner nearby the windows, where a strange mobile of hangers sits empty, connected to a long painted over hook for some long forgotten device. The table itself is covered in newspaper and a crafting mat, with a narrow thin small shelving unit there to house various paint supplies. A sliding door to the bathroom next to the kitchen.

It'd be so much tighter if it wasn't kept mostly clean; it'd make sense to Umie why Kurou considers it a 'warm' place.

What was a previously overcast day will soon turn rainy, however, making Umie's decision to only step out in her rainjacket a remorseful one as the rain begins to strengthen.

Whether Ren is able to beat the rain will be a matter of timing; Umie, stuck in the line at Larson's, looks out the sliding doors with a grimace of determination.

A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, least of all her!!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
On the way out of Shujin Academy for the day, Ren gets a text from Umie. They furrow their eyebrows at it, and Morgana pops up out of their bag to take a look in time for the second text to come in.

"Kurou Ryouhara... wants to study with you?" Morgana murmurs, peeking over at his protege.

"Kind of last second. There's only one day of exams left," Ren murmurs back.

"Hmm... It could be a trap. Even if he doesn't know your true identity, he could've found out you're friends with Tsubasa. What're you gonna do?"

Ren considers it for a moment, then texts Umie back:

>> OK. Where to?

~ * ~

"I'll keep an eye out from out here. Good luck in there," Morgana says from where he's hopped down from Ren's bag in the alleyway Umie's apartment window opens into.

Ren nods. The rain hasn't started yet, but it's only a matter of time. Timing-wise, it helps that they came here straight from school; it's along the way, after all. "You sure you'll be okay out here?"

"Getting caught in the rain isn't my ''favorite'' thing," Morgana admits, "but I like it way better than getting caught by ninjas." His furry face sets with determination. "Don't worry. I've got your back, Ren."

They smile slightly, briefly, then turn to leave the alley. Morgana will be left to parkour up the side of the building and keep an eye out from above while Ren heads to the front and makes their presence known, whether by pressing a buzzer or knocking or however it works for Umie's apartment. Hopefully Kurou will let them in before they have to open up their umbrella.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is thanks to the wisdom and mercy of the shirogarasu that Kurou does not have to juggle his shinobi tasks with his studies... but that does not mean the studies are simple. Not if he wants to excel in them, as he has promised to do. Previously, he had a respectable showing, but...

For Kurou, merely 'respectable' is not enough. Not if he wants to allow himself to earn the prestigious mochi sticker he has set aside for himself.

(And also, it is important to be the sort of shinobi who would lose a minimal amount of fingers.)

As Umie has tried to point out many times before, studying together is an effective tactic, and with the final push of exams underway, there is no tactic that can be overlooked. Tea, Kurou decides, is something he can make toward the end of the study sessions: that way, Umie may be able to benefit from a cup herself.

"Oh. As predicted..." Kurou muses to himself as it seems Ren has arrived before her return. He opens the door and seeing the darkness of the clouds outside, does not linger with excessive formalities as he might otherwise be wont to do.

"Welcome, Amamiya-san. Please come in. You may sit where you like."

His own study materials -- a spiral notebook, a single pencil, and a cracked open textbook, each perfectly in parallel to one another -- are laid out over the table, with his schoolbag and its other texts and notebooks peeking out of it. Kurou's face isn't particularly ''animated'', to put it mildly, but there is a fatigue worn upon it with a tension in his brow etching his determination to push past it. He has failed to touch up his nail polish recently, and it does not quite meet the cuticle.

"I hope you did not find my request disruptive. My intention is that we will both gain the strength we need to subdue our respective final challenges."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a good reason for Ren to be wary; for all he knows, it could be a setup for an ambush, and, being the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he'd be a prime person to target.

Morgana may find the apartment notably easy to get to from the alleyway: a jump on the dumpster, a few footholds, andddd well, the windows are locked, unless you knew the secret method of lifting up on the window pane, and then jiggling it out with your wider human arm span and--

Yeah. At least he'll be there? And he'll have a clear view of a short woman in a pink rainjacket on the other side of the street, hurrying over to the crosswalk... at just at the right time a car whizzes through a puddle at just the right angle, launching a magnificent wave of water over her and another unlucky onlooker. Seriously, it's like the car casted an Aqua spell.

Umie, however, just continues on! The snacks must be there!! She promised.... no one, actually, and Kurou'd likely not mind, but Ren is not a secret Ryouhara ninja!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The apartment door opens. Kurou invite them inside. "Thanks," they reply, and enter.

The vibe doesn't ''seem'' off, Ren notes as they take a look around. Study materials, a lived-in-but-regularly-cleaning sort of amount of mess... They look back at Kurou, and he may be inexpressive, but he does seem tired.

"You're fine. I was just a little surprised," they reply. "I study better with a partner, too."

They pull their own study materials out and lay them on the table, then set down their bag next to the chair they seat themself on. "The last day for us over at Shujin Academy is sort of general questions. Make sure we've been paying attention in class, sort of thing," they remark, looking up at Kurou. "What about for your school?"

If Kurou is doing this earnestly, then that means he cares about scoring well on his exams. If that's the case, then he must have an idea of what he's being tested ''on''.

Outside: Morgana settles in on the window sill and peeks in from outside. It's started raining, and unfortunately he lacks human arms to jiggle the window with, but at least he's got a good view of what's going on inside and out.

This includes Umie getting splashed by a car as she walks up the street. Morgana sweatdrops. Poor Umie...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is to Kurou's discredit that he never considers when his actions might be considered an ambush or a trap. This is because he would like to think that he would never be announcing one, even if deception, and that anyone he intended to give a last surprise would never see it coming.

Today, he is genuinely focused on studying.

"Kasugayama has a similar structure, from my understanding," Kurou tells Ren. He glances down, sighing. "... Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution, so I can't claim full confidence, nor deny the possibility of trick questions..."

Kurou may have been told what he's being tested on, but that does not mean he necessarily ''believes'' it, and only has the previous exam period as an example. That's hardly a pattern. Expecting to be deceived about what he's being tested on might be an odder behavior if Ren did not already know Kurou's line of 'work'.

He rubs at his temple idly, his gaze wandering with his struggling thoughts.

"... There was even some psychology material..."

With a shake of his head, he focuses back on them.

"What about you? We will need to cover both of our weaknesses."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
They'd never feel him coming until it's too late.

The boy arrives like the fall wind and rain, little more than a grey blotch against the skyline, nimble, silent, and armed. He arrives somewhere between now and then, somewhere in the blotch of parasols that flare open as the overcast turns into a drizzle, though little peeks of his white silk haori flick beyond the umbrella he carries.

It's not all he carries, a little crossbody bag under his haori, into the band of which a long red bundle has been tucked.

Another plastic bag produced, the parasol shaken neatly, and tucked into it, to be tucked in against the red bag. The boy's shoes -- getting slightly older now, a pair of expensive collector's edition Nike -- are soundless in the halls as he makes his way upstairs, the glide of his sleeves in the still air as he disappears into the dark of the complex's hallways.

The lightest whisper of his aura creeps in from beyond the raw edges of the apartment door, as the shihaisha of all Ryouhara approaches, a look of cold ambition across the otherwises indiscriminately, oppressively neutral mien of his face. The lock is not at all an impediment to him.

That would be the end of things, wouldn't it?

No, hardly; Shiryuu never actually makes it to Umie's doorstep. He stops at the edge of the doorway, practicing what to say. "'Akabane, long time no see,'" he starts thoughtfully. Hm. Not natural. It would be good to set a powerful precedent for Kurou. "'Akabane, the night comes for you!'" ..ugh, no, she doesn't seem like the type. Plus, if it's too much she'll think of a good comeback and he would have to resort to subduing her....somehow. Come on, Ryouhara, think. Don't let the female win.

"...iehh?" He looks up from his thought a moment later.
The next words are the thunder of genuine silver-haired distress, now actually audible from inside.

"AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> See, you may think the storm has come, but in reality, the storm is still coming. Even from Mona's vantage point, he would be clueless.

That is how ninjas work, after all.

*squish* *squish* *squish* *squish*

Triumphant as she gets to the elevator, Umie jams her hand into her purse to feel for her keys, her other hand holding up the dripping plastic bag as she peeks inside. "...."

Well, the snacks are dry, at least.

A chipped nail presses the call button for the elevator- she's not feeling up for going up the stairs today, no matter how good it may be for her stamina.

=======

The triumph leaks out of Umie with all the aplomb of a slow, sad mute trombone, as she stands there by the practicing Shiryuu, like some.... pink... raincoat-ed killer??

'AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!'

"Nice to see you too," she says with a flat, lopsided smile, as she puts the key into the lock and opens the door. ".... I got some snacks, uh, give me a sec, Kurou, your..." She looks to Shiryuu, as if trying to remember their relation to each other. "... cousin? How are you related again?"

REN, RUN. IT'S CLEARLY A SETUP. MAYBE.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu ''does'' enter the building without drawing Morgana's attention. Perhaps it was while he was distracted with parkouring up to Umie's apartment window; perhaps Shiryuu's just that good. Perhaps it's some of both. Either way, Morgana won't be able to give Ren a warning about him.

'Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution...'

"..."

Yeah, it's a good thing that Ren already knows they're talking to a ninja. They ''do'' wonder how he got enrolled if he has no previous schooling, but Kasugayama does have a reputation for not caring. Maybe that's explanation enough.

Trick questions are a lot easier to understand. It really depends on the teacher. Speaking of which: "We've had some of that this year too. Psychology, I mean," Ren remarks. That's thanks to Dr. Maruki, though. "Assuming it's like the first term's exams, I think as long as I review my notes, I'll be okay."

They rest their cheek on one hand. Weaknesses, huh... "I'm not really great at history or social studies, though. They're pretty boring." Especially when 'social studies' is synonymous with 'political stuff.' "What about you?"

This is approximately when a shout erupts from the hallway outside the apartment. Ren raises their head to stare in subdued alarm. ...They recognize that voice.

The next moment, a key undoes the front door lock, and Umie walks in, soaked. The silver-haired youth in the white coat is out there in the hall behind her.

"......"

Ren keeps their mouth shut. They want to know how Kurou and Shiryuu are related to each other too, actually.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
There are ways to fabricate a history of education. None of these ways are likely to matter that much to Kasugayama High. Even trying to do well on his exams may not be considered typical Kasu student behavior.

But here Kurou is, in a high school he ought to be unqualified for by virtue of the system's requirements, doing his best to ace his exams. Surely even ninja children require education, though. So why is this all new to Kurou...?

As Ren relays his own weaknesses, Kurou's demeanor perks up. "History I may be able to assist with --" That's about as far as he gets into that line of thinking before his attention is in sync with Ren's own to outside the apartment.

Instead of alarm, Kurou's own eyes seem to have the smallest beginnings of a sparkle for their surprise guest.

That sparkle evaporates abruptly to see Umie's drowned pixie form. "Akabane-san, are you all right?" he asks, first thing, before grabbing a towel from the kitchen. He looks down at it, then back up at her. She is going to need a bigger towel...

But there's a question: how are Kurou and Shiryuu actually related?

...

Kurou looks directly at Shiryuu, deferring to him to set the designation.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Aaaaah, you're going to catch your death of co--"

Shiryuu was thoroughly intending to let Umie really have a piece of his mind this time. She's always playing out in the rain, getting soaked. It's not like endurance training, she has a thin constitution and could catch pneumonia ...

'Nice to see you too.' then she smiles.

The onmitsu doesn't say anything, locked with mouth quirked open in a state of mute annoyance and deep, unabiding confusion. Did she just move him out of the way? She absolutely did, didn't she? What was he going to say? This is completely unconscionable.

"....." Shiryuu sighs, sword-long, as he finally lifts his chin, stepping quietly inside just enough to divest Umie of her varying burdens as Kurou gets the towels. It is very clear that if he doesn't take her bags he's going to dry her hair, and once that happens, there's literally no telling what all else.

Now he is well weighted. Even so, the intensity with which Shiryuu is fretting on the other side of the bags is intense, little more than a grey mop swishing back and forth on the other side. ".....cousins is fine," he states, mildly offput.

A brown eye peers around the bag at Ren, finally realizing they're here. Is his situational awareness really that bad??

"a...ah. it's you."
A look is shot. Don't spill even a single bean, you.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> While Umie had set up that question in case Ren was there, she hadn't thought beyond that. That much is clear when the door opens, and she's surprised to see the curly-haired unassuming young man there. "Oh hey! Sorry about that." She casts a glance towards Shiryuu, as if giving him a silent warning in case he decides to just barrel inside. "They're studying."

"Oh, you two know each other?" Eyes focus on Ren momentairely, sharing a subtle twinkle of amusement. Is that a hint of mischief there? "Ah, Amamiya-kun, you should have said something! Shiryuu can be shy sometimes..."

Which may look weird to say, as Umie finds her burden lightened. "O-oh," she says, broken out of her secret little jab at Shiryuu for threatening her co-worker. "Oh, hey, you don't need to..." Drip, drip. The edges of Umie's coat channel drops of collected rainwater onto the no-nonsense low pile carpeting of the hallway.

While the rain has let up slightly, it hasn't stopped.

Shiryuu *did* come here, for her, after they chatted about bonds, and she does really miss him. It's just that there's things they need to talk about, and Umie needs to talk to him!!

And, to left him in, after the trouble he put Ren through...!

No matter. Shiryuu's taking the snacks, while Kurou is grabbing a kitchen towel. "Don't worry, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Looking back towards Shiryuu, her gaze softens a touch; she directs him in with a jerk of her chin. "Maybe you can help. Amamiya-kun's a co-worker of mine. He's a great worker, quiet, but don't let him fool you. Sometimes he can be a bit of a mischief-maker himself."

Taking off her jacket, and hanging it in the open hallway closet Umie slips out of her slopping wet shoes. Walking into the main room, she grabs a sweater and some sweatpants. "Augh... I'm going to go change in the bathroom really quick. You three behave, okay?" ... not that she won't just hear it past the door.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
'Cousins is fine,' Shiryuu says, which indicates to Ren that 'cousins' is ''not'' what they are but he doesn't care enough to correct her.

On top of that tidbit, he seems to be fussing over Umie all the way into the apartment, to the point that he doesn't notice them until they're all well inside the apartment. He's really obsessed with her, huh...

They glance at Kurou as he approaches with that too-small towel, then look back at Umie. They catch the Look that Shiryuu shoots them and return it with a bland lack of expression that betrays none of what they're thinking.

They already hinted Umie into awareness anyway.

They meet her sparkling eye and give her a non-committal shrug. "Shouldn't you dry off, Akabane-san?" they say. When she describes them to Shiryuu in turn as a 'bit of a mischief-maker,' Ren can't ''quite'' help a slight smile. As she goes off to the bathroom with a change of clothes, they watch her go; then they look at Shiryuu and Kurou.

Then they focus in on Kurou. "You were saying about history?" they prompt. All considered, they suspect he ''could'' make the subject very interesting indeed.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Cousins. This is the easiest way to explain their family relations, really. Kurou suspects that he and Shiryuu do not actually share a grandparent, and after a fashion, even a family-family (as opposed to a shinobi family) may use the term broadly as specifics become too entangled. Their actual relationship is that of shihaisha and subordinate, but to be called cousins -- not mutually exclusive with the truth -- still puts a shine in Kurou's eyes that is getting worse the longer he is considering it.

It is, after all, still a family-family term.

Oh. Do Shiryuu and Ren know one another? As Umie brings up the possibility, Kurou, too, looks between the two of them with his subtle brand of curiosity.

The wrong place at the wrong time. "Then let us correct it," Kurou offers, as Shiryuu takes her burden. Umie has that covered, making her move into the bathroom to change. He hesitates, gaze straying to the kitchen.

"Maybe I should make tea..." he ventures. They're supposed to be studying, but he doesn't want Umie to catch a chill and get sick. Plus, Shiryuu is visiting. It's Ren, thankfully, who reminds him of his purpose here with studying, and Kurou finds their gaze now instead.

"I would not call it my favorite subject... that still belongs to biology. But history is similarly alive... like an organism with many moving parts. If it is 'boring', perhaps we can find a different perspective that better illuminates the greater whole for you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"You two-bunned demon -- I'm not shy -- !" Shiryuu objects in all immediacy after Umie introduces him in such a friendly context, though now he's quite literally holding the bag, so his objections are forced to trebuchet over the top, a singlee defiant sprig of dingy grey hair wagging with the force of his declaration.

He does not, however, seem to be thinking about where to put the bag, and is definitely not giving it back while putting on a solid information suppression campaign. "I'm -- not a mischief -- what! It's you who are the --" Shiryuu is scandalized right up until Umie is gone.

Right up until she is gone.

"-- if I have to be, I'll become the overlord of mischief," Shiryuu threatens. "Tengu will look to me for advice, and monkeys will avert their heads in shame. You'll absolutely not give me that cool look of studious indiference again, part timer, or I'll have your hair dyed purple," he informs Ren in not even a second's worth of wasted time. "I have no mercy for you," he adds, hushed.

Then he pauses thoughtfully.
"... except during midterms," he allows.

"Become a strong academic power for Kurou to match his wits with, and I'll overlook your catty nature. But ... you're forbidden to teach him any of your part-timing ways. I'm still responsible for my family."

This all would be much better if he wasn't still carrying the bag, and Ren could actually see his eyes to tell how dead serious he is.

"....oh.."

Finally Shiryuu seems to notice, setting down the sack nearby. "No," he tells Kurou, when he thinks about tea. "I'll get to it. Instead, use these to strengthen your bodies for the coming trial," he finally says, scratching his temple. He's looking off in the direction of the bathroom. I guess she did say...

"If you have any academic need," the shihaisha finally decides with a imperious lift of his chin, "my resources were and are as limitless as the night sky." He's fetching a sheaf of napkins, so that he can get to his knees, tying up his haori sleeves so he can fold the paper and use both hands to blot the wet out of the carpet before it starts to smell strange. Strange little ceremony, all truth told.

Odds are he's just coping.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
'You two-bunned demon--' Umie's lips split in a merry, open smile, as she walks in. "I missed you too~" she says, singsong, before remembering that Ren is here.

But also, _Ren is here_. Surely, Ren would forgive her for a bit of friendly violence, as long as he gets to remain free and involved as an innocent bystander?

.... oh right she might catch a cold

Shutting the sliding panel door shut, Umie barely gets started when she hears Shiryuu talking. And going on. Something about Tengu, and monkeys, and 'no mercy'--

"No bullying Amamiya-kun," Umie flatly warns from the bathroom. She's listening, though when the hairdryer comes out, it's a little bit harder to do so.

...... But only for a moment.

It clicks off, only for Umie to add a punctuated, "I mean it, Shiryuu." This, regardless of how grey haired young man is handling Ren.

When she hears the faintest suggestion of words and tone that agree with her, the hairdryer turns back on.

Soon enough, the door opens, and Umie emerges like a butterfly from a non-Homunuculus-type cocoon: an oversized grey sweatshirt that hangs over her waist, sweatpants, socks and slippers, and her toweled off blonde hair in a ponytail.

In other words, the most comfortable grey butterfly.

"Are you all comfortable?" she asks moving to the kitchenette. "... Oh Shiryuu, it's fine," she murmurs, with some fondness. "I'll put a towel down." She looks for the snack bag and, opening it up, reveals some chips, a few cans of soda. Something savory, something sweet, something just good comfort food. "I should've put these in the fridge..." She sets them put by the two, and looks to Shiryuu. "I'll help you make tea. You make better tea than I do, after all." It'll also get him off the floor.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
And while Shiryuu might not care enough to correct Umie, Kurou seems deeply happy to be labeled a 'cousin,' if that shine in his eyes is any indication. It... kind of makes Ren sad to see. The implications break their heart a bit. (At least Shiryuu does call him 'family' later?)

It's undermined by Shiryuu yelling at Umie about how he is NOT shy, then at Ren about mischief, mercy, and midterms. (And part-timing, but that doesn't start with an M.)

Ren raises their eyebrows at him. Shiryuu continues to be an absurd human being. At least Umie has their back... She doesn't seem at all threatened by him, either. It's bizarre to watch. It's probably just as well Shiryuu's still holding that bag.

Tea ''would'' be a good idea, even if it is a distraction from studying. Ren really shouldn't let themself get distracted either. Fortunately, Kurou suggests something intriguing: that history is akin to a living organism. Ren's own dark eyes light up some.

"That'd be great. I used to think math was boring too, but then Akabane-san got me to thinking of it like a puzzle. It's not ''fun'', exactly, but I enjoy it a lot more than I used to," they reply. They look over at the kitchen, then at Kurou. "Tea sounds like a good idea. Now that we've got a plan, we can start in earnest once we've got something hot to drink."

...which apparently Shiryuu (and Umie!) will handle instead of Kurou. Ren's not sure how they feel about that, or about this ninja overlord getting on his hands and knees to clean up the carpet, but of the bag of snacks, they say, "Thanks."

They'll accept the chips and soda from Umie upon her glorious comfy return with a nod of gratitude and acknowledgement of their own comfort, and share with Kurou as the two of them sit back down, Ren flipping the pages of their notes until they get to the history section. "Tell me your perspective," they prompt him, looking over at Kurou.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou once again watches the interactions between Umie and Shiryuu with a slight squint. There is something he should pick up on here, but he is not quite sure yet what it is. Shiryuu cares for her deeply, he knows that. And Umie for him. He knows that, too. So why would they need to obfuscate...? Perhaps it is a form of play...?

Like crows rolling down a snowy windshield...

He forgets about this as Shiryuu goes off about becoming the overlord of mischief, and Kurou's eyes shine a little again with his admiration for his shihaisha. (And, indeed, Ren may see the family mention being especially affecting.) At least until...

"Part-timing...?" Kurou echoes, looking to Ren and back to Shiryuu, uncomprehending of this forbidden knowledge.

Regardless, Shiryuu and Umie take up the task to make tea instead, so Kurou can focus on his studies. Kurou bows deeply before nodding. "I will," he agrees of Shiryuu's 'command', resolute. "And I will surpass my previous score. That is a promise."

To Ren, Kurou gives a smaller, apologetic bow. "I would like to make you tea myself sometime, but this will have to wait until after we have suitably dealt with our exams."

He returns to his seat at the table, pausing as Shiryuu points out the other resources. "... You already do much for me," Kurou says in a quiet earnestness. "I do not wish to overburden you."

For, as far as Kurou is concerned, that is something Shiryuu does far too much. The line between 'obedience' and 'true loyalty' is still a difficult one to navigate...

... Ah, but history. Kurou peers over at Ren's notes to get an idea of what their exams stand to cover.

"Yes. The lesson usually takes the point of view of political actors, but if we instead consider it from the angle of..." Kurou begins, trying to shift the approach to something that may be a more interesting narrative than the one Ren's been given until now.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The boy has literally no actual full sentences to say to Umie Akabane.

"Ch--" She's threatening Shiryuu from the bathroom, all the while with Ren in the background subduing him with their eyebrows. Shiryuu would absolutely respond in kind and engage in a tense eyebrow struggle for dominance with the aloof part timer, but Akabane turned off the hairdryer, a detail the sharp-eared onmitsu doesn't miss.

"Part-timers need laws and structure to avoid becoming delinquents," Ryouhara complains mildly at the closed door, though he is absolutely not saying it loud enough for Akabane to hear. She doesn't need to hear his absolute authority to feel its force, like the way the sun warms a house. Or so he insists in his own head.

"You're lucky Akabane has compassion," Ryouhara says, enigmatic and bitter in equal sum. He's not looking back at Ren, the three leaves of the Ryouhara symbol plain across the back of his haori.

What was it she said to him?
It just now occurs to him he was too distracted to say anything back.

Ryouhara takes all of it out on the carpet until stopped. "Most buildings in this area do not ventilate well," he counters, folding over the sheaf of napkins to blot more, pressing down with both hands. "You all could become victimized by black mold. I won't stand for it."

He looks up, once he realizes Umie is back. .... and then, sharply, he looks again.

Cowed, the boy settles back on his knees, resting on the backs of his heels, with his hands folded primly in his lap. He sighs. At this angle, Ren can tell he wears a _thick_ wool sweater underneath that haori. Both of his wrists are adorned, his left with a rather severe-looking bangle that does not at all seem like it was purchased, and a white cordage bracelet around his right, delicately braided and hand-wound, with a jade charm fixing the end so it doesn't fall past his wrist.

"...Kurou."

Shiryuu's eyes are closed while he sits.
"Do not concern yourself overmuch with my limitations. I have none."

If Shiryuu is aware that Kurou is sparkling, he doesn't say anything about it. Instead, the boy kips up onto the balls of his feet. Sneakers removed and stored carefully, Ryouhara looks back at Akabane suspiciously, finally digesting her offer to help, and her implied compliment.

"...You should be resting too," he remarks flatly, face the lightest shade of red before depositing the damp napkins in the wastebasket, deliberately not looking directly at her. "... mmnh." Yes, that's the correct sound to handle her. Regardless, the boy gives consent by not actively stopping her when he gathers supplies and washes his hands.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A puzzle. Umie's eyelids lower slightly, secretly touched that she had that impression on someone else.

.... especially considering that the last person she tutored was _Tatsuya Suou_.

She also notes the shine in Kurou's eyes, lingering on them as she realizes what she may have just enabled (or enabled further). She tries not to puff up with pride at her accidental overreach of authority over the _great shihaisha_.

"It'll give another reason to come over. I'll even give you guys some space," Umie then adds, with a sideways grin. "Though it *does* keep me on my toes to have the expectation of people coming over. Got to keep my place tidy..." She turns her head to try to share an amused glance with Shiryuu, considering the mess it was before.

As Shiryuu gets the carpet cleaned, Umie works on the tea instead, getting out the kettle and the tea leaves, as well as four cups for all of them.

Subtly, she steals a glance over the two, as Ren asks Kurou his perspective, smiling slightly as she turns back to her preparation. Ren was always good at that; at his age, Umie was walled off, save for her friends. It feels now like she's having to catch up, in order to understand people around her.

The exchange between Kurou and Shiryuu, too, is not missed, Umie's lips still curved in a soft smile as Shiryuu assures the polite shinobi, in his own way.

"If you're concerned about my health, then we should get to making tea to calm my fragile nerves," Umie quips at Shiryuu now. "See? I got everything out for you."

It's only until they begin preparing and the two students are seemingly deep into their studies that Umie begins to talk directly to Shiryuu.

"By the way," she murmurs, beneath her breath; while she thinks Ren (and Kurou!) can't hear, it's impossible in this small space to keep too many things secret. "... I need to talk to you about something. Not now, but soon." Her fingers stop her eyes looking to the angle of Shiryuu's face to get a sense of whether or not he's listening. "Let's not use Jogashima Park, this time."

A hint-- it's something serious, but not something she wants to go that direction, either.

"I need to figure something out with you," she adds, softly; remembering how he tried to 'assure' Kurou moments earlier.

To preserve her moments of peace with the Ryouharas, as well as to give Phoenix their own, Umie will have to figure out what Shiryuu is thinking, and express to him how she feels. Not everything has to be a kiss of a blade or of passion; the grey inbetween is what she seeks, for the good of all involved.... which may include Ren now, in a way, possibly?

..... nah, Ren'll be fine, he's just a normal person.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu asserts that part-timers need structure to avoid turning into delinquents, albeit not so loudly that Umie will hear from the bathroom. Ren peers at him again for a moment before they look over at Kurou. "Part-time work. Work done for a limited amount of time. That's what Akabane-san and I do at the Triple Seven," they explain. With a straight face, they wonder, "Are you not allowed to work after school?"

Kurou's probably too busy working for Shiryuu and/or the NWO to have any time for part-timing, and Shiryuu doesn't seem to have the best grasp on what part-timing is in the first place...

Ren watches the interaction between Kurou and Shiryuu. If nothing else, Kurou seems to really care about his 'shihaisha,' and the implication that he cares back might just be keeping him on his tether. Whether Shiryuu actually does care back... that's harder for Ren to get a read on. It's easy to boss someone around and ''say'' you do it because you care about them.

It seems more obvious to them that Shiryuu cares about--or maybe the better term's "is affected by"--Umie in some fashion or another. A man who calls himself the overlord of all ninjas surely doesn't get on his knees to clean a carpet for just anyone, black mold or no. And, sure enough, Shiryuu tells Ren it's lucky Umie has compassion. In other words, if not for her influence, he wouldn't be so merciful on them...

But Ren keeps that thought to themself, though they do briefly twiddle a lock of their bangs as they consider it. They do slip their hands back into their pockets and take in the details of Shiryuu's garb when he leans back on his heels. It's a very interesting look he's got. Ren's not an expert on fashion--something they'd like to change at some point--but none of his accessories seem store-bought. Local goods, maybe? Or made by his clan, even?

"You want me to come over again?" Ren remarks to Umie, purposefully misunderstanding her comment. He half-turns to Kurou. "I guess we ought to exchange phone numbers, then, so she doesn't have to arrange play dates for us."

As little as Ren trusts the Ryouharas, they understand they're now in an excellent position to keep an eye on them thanks to Umie. ...And they do want to try Kurou's tea sometime. They give him a slight, brief smile. "Another time."

But now it's time to return to studying as Umie and Shiryuu take care of the tea. (Snacks can wait.) Settling back in at the table, Ren nods as Kurou starts suggesting that alternate framework. "Hmm... How about from counter-culturalists? Like rebels or freedom fighters?" they suggest. (They're not trying to start anything or even guide him down the path that rocks. They just think rebels are way cooler than kings or queens. Of course, that's not likely to be what they'd get tested on, so it might not help their exam scores anyway--but it might help them, ahem... change their cognition of their studies.)

Over in the kitchen, near one of those frosted windows... a pointed ear twitches. Outside, Morgana leans a little closer. As a 'cat,' his hearing is sharp, but the window ''is'' shut and the rain provides extra background noise, and Umie's keeping her voice down besides. How much of her private conversation with Shiryuu might he overhear, if any?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Yes, crows rolling down the windshield or tugging at one another's tail feathers... Play is also an important wisdom.

Shiryuu and Ren have their own friction together, and it may be telling that Kurou reacts little beyond his own questions. This is Shiryuu, and how Shiryuu carries himself is normal to Kurou. But that Shiryuu acquiesces to Umie's compassion in the matter is a seed to planted in Kurou's mind for later.

Ren explains a part time job in detail, and Kurou nods slowly, brow knit as pieces together new understanding. "I see. My awareness of the concept has proven superficial... I did not realize there was a deeper philosophy attached. Akabane-san and Amamiya-san have much to adapt to..."

Is Kurou not allowed to work? He shakes his head to reject the notion. "No, but I do not think I am someone suited to the 'part time' approach." The way of a shinobi is to live it fully, and this is why Kurou considers to be his job. (Though isn't Shiryuu, despite his insistence, ensuring that Kurou is 'part time' enough to commit to his studies and bonds? Nobody worry, Kurou himself has not pieced this logic together.)

At his name, Kurou looks to Shiryuu with full attention. It does not matter that Shiryuu is on the ground, and Kurou is not: Shiryuu remains his shihaisha, and the respect never leaves Kurou's bearing. Shiryuu reassures him. It is not the first time. Whatever Kurou needs, Shiryuu is not so weak to be threatened by it.

And not for the first time, Kurou feels a hesitation at the idea that threatens on traitorous. Surely Shiryuu is so powerful, but...

... But Akabane-san shares her warmth with him, too. Maybe that is a good start, and enough for Kurou to refocus on his studies.

Kurou, ultimately, bows his head. "I understand."

As much as Kurou has that sparkle in his gaze for Shiryuu's presence, the same silent glimmer of happiness appears as Ren 'misunderstands' Umie. Kurou gets out his own phone for the number exchange: a battered thing with a cracked screen and faded stickers on the back of its green, silicone protective casing. There is a chain dangling from it -- whatever charm it had has evidently broken off.

"Yes. Before I forget..."

Studying, though, must continue, for that is their sacred task. Kurou trusts his shihaisha and Akabane-san with the tea, easily refocusing. "An advantageous interest," he remarks of Ren's desire for a more ''rebellious'' lens. "We can paint outlines around history based on what events and customs motivated the actions of such figures, and even further in how history responded to them."

He believes this, genuinely, from a purely pragmatic place: if Ren lacks interest in the biographical information of political leaders, they can learn what those leaders were doing based on those who opposed them, and tackle their exams from this angle instead.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

Shiryuu would have a different perspective. The qualities and moorings of 'synthesis' are not so readily tucked into neat boxes like 'part time' and the delineation between studies and missions. It is a torturously simple perspective, not yet clear.

It may in fact, never be, as long as the shihaisha is busy being distracted.

"Hrnh. The restoration.." the boy muses quietly, catching words every so often from the conversation in the main room. He whips his hands dry in the basin rather than dirty another towel, movements crisp and sharp. To his merit, he's trying to follow along, monitoring the two in the main room for any signs of potential part-time unionizing or anything to that nature.

It is absolutely not simple while trying to look around Akabane and listen to only a certain percentage of what she says, for concerns of being scandalized yet again. Protective measures, Ryouhara. Right?

Something something 'calm my fragile nerves.'

Wait, what was he doing again?

"...iih?" the grey-haired onmitsu blinks, energy pensive as he notices everything's already been laid out. "....aah.."

The shinobi turns to face Umie. ".... thank you.." he says, holding her eyes for just a second or two.

"but I thought ...Jogashima was .. okay?" he asks, confusion bordering on mild alarm. No, that's not what she's talking about, he reminds himself. The onmitsu's head tilts, as he takes up a knife. It's a peculiar step, cutting the loose leaf jasmine, taking a moment to press down on the stem with the flat of the knife. Not too much. Just enough to speed up the process, when he tamps and shakes the bundle into the infuser. Mindful, for at least a second or two, of the process.

"Ah, but.." His voice drops, when the full shape of the far darker topic settles with him. The young man manages to wrangle his attention span to something far more important than the tea at hand.

"... should we be trying to," he thinks aloud.
"Akabane... there are a lot of dangerous elements at play."

He has no idea there's a cat listening to him, with his attention far more occupied than it really ought to be.

"--ow!"
He tried to pick up the boiling water again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's as quiet and unassuming to an onlooker as the menaingful look Umie and Shiryuu share, devoid of any of their earlier squabbling and ruckus. A quiet 'thanks' from Shiryuu, and a pleased smile from Umie, and the moment has passed.

Ren comment comes a second later after the moment has ended, timed expertly well whether accidentally or intentionally. Umie looks over her shoulder, shooting Ren a smirk, before answering, "Ahhh, what kind of work senpai would I be, to not offer my wealth of space to someone in need of quiet?" Umie teases with a lopsided grin.

At four people, it's managable for a social gathering, but it's hardly meant for more than one person. Just how do two people live here? (Answer: one of them is a Kurou.)

With the two students absorbed into their studies, Umie fully turns her attention to Shiryuu and their covert conversation.

As if the rain gods had seen Morgana's effort to hear, the rain begins to lessen; while not completely gone, it will be easier for the 'cat's' sharp ears to overhear what Ren may not, though how much and what parts may vary.

"Jogashima was..." A blush of heat blooms on Umie's face. "Definitely fine. We should go there again, sometime."

She quiets, watching Shiryuu prepare the tea. It's so much more complicated that the teabags, but it comes out so nicely...

Dangerous elements at play, he says, as he works with the knife.

"So dangerous that you can't listen to me?" she offers.

She give Shiryuu a meaningful pause, giving a covert glance over her shoulder towards Ren and Kurou before looking back. "... We'll talk about it later."

In contrast to Shiryuu's handling of the leaves-- "The pad's right here." She offers it to Shiryuu, with a sideways grin. "Guess we know the water's done~"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' an important wisdom--especially when that mischievous play balances out one's image as a harbinger of death and doom. Maybe that's why a certain someone else ends up with the codename Crow...

But that's neither here nor there right now. Particularly since that moment passes observed by all and commented upon by none. For Ren's part, they roll their eyes good-naturedly at her teasing. "One who knows how much she talks," they quip back, smiling slightly at her too.

"It's not really a philosophy..." Ren tells Kurou, then stops while wondering if this is something they can make him understand. This is especially so given what he says about the 'part time' approach. It doesn't occur to Ren either that, as a high school student, Kurou ''is'' functionally a part-time ninja; they just nod slowly. "...Yeah, you seem like the fully-committed type."

Maybe, as they get to know Kurou better, Ren will notice this contradiction. As it stands, the two of them have phone numbers to exchange (Ren's own phone is a two-year-old smartphone model in an industrial steel-style case) and historical lenses to scrutinize.

"Oh?" they reply, then nod thoughtfully at his explanation. That ''does'' sound more interesting. "Let's do it." And so the two of them can review the subject and revise Ren's notes accordingly...

...Kurou seems happier now too, again based on that shine in his eye.

Ren glances up when Shiryuu yells "ow!" from the kitchen. From what they can see, he tried to pick up the boiling water. If this were an anime, a large bead of sweat would be rolling down the side of their head.

Is this really the coldblooded monster who tortured and terrorized Tsubasa...? Then again, they could ask the same question of Kurou over here... Ren may not ''like'' Shiryuu, but they must admit, his contradictions make him an intriguing figure.

At this rate, Ren and Umie are going to need to form a support group.

At least the rain's letting up. That's good for Morgana's fur ''and'' his ears. Those ears twitch a bit. Jogashima...? It sounds like those two have a different understanding of whatever happened there... But what are these dangerous elements they're talking about?

...Seems like they won't be talking about them much more. Which makes sense, given the mixed company.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A Kurou is a creature that knows how to take up very little space. When he had his own apartment, he felt his space become bigger. But somehow, sharing this space with Umie has felt even a little bit bigger than that.

Serious discussions going on to the side is not something Kurou is attuned to. Even if he was, he would pay it little mind. That is not his assigned task for the moment, and his trust for Shiryuu is one that doesn't think to question any of his and Umie's whispering.

Not a philosophy...? "But it surely requires its own approach and mindset..." Even the idea that something should not be overthought is something Kurou has the power to overthink. He might be doing it right now. But he does not firmly with Ren's assessment. That is something he can accept with pride.

Right now, his commitment is fully invested in shifting the perspective of Ren's history notes. It might mean covering unintended material, but Kurou trusts the negative space's ability to let Ren demolish their exams.

''Let's do it,'' and, like a command, Kurou methodically cascades into notebook opening, textbook referencing, phone typing fervor. His ears nearly seem to burn in the warm atmosphere of Umie's apartment.

Where Kurou's formal education has suffered, and while his social understanding is... ''lacking'', to put it mildly, his ability to ''get'' information surfaces. Using Ren's notes, he's able to cross reference figures and bring up research material with expedience, and instead of the political machinations of queens and kings, begins penning notes on the responses for those who contested them.

Yet his focus on the objective of it remains intact as he speaks to Ren aloud of his findings and their function: it might be easy to meander into a tangent of interesting information, but this is about the test's questions and finding the solution Ren needs to better absorb the answers.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The onmitsu is currently nursing his burned fingertips by flicking the infuser in a hand, shuffling the fine-diced leaves in the basket to fluff them for maximum surface area. Otherwise known as, completely ignoring the problem. Flick flick. The boy does this in a strange, ritualistic two-handed fashion. He's intensely focused, as if trying to get each shred arranged in the basket exactly to his liking. Little wafts of the sweet scent begin permeating the air. Agh, oh no.

Any more and he'll ruin it. The _shihaisha's_ nerves are considerably more at ease when Akabane concedes at least one point. That leaves the other.

'We'll talk about it later.'
Not listening to her... the thought sticks with the grey-haired boy a moment. "...the Indigo," he proposes, quietly. "Maybe the rooftop this time..."

Shiryuu meets the bunned devil's crooked smile for awhile. Long enough for the moment to become awkward. Finally he blinks, accepting the pad with a numb, blank expression, finally noticing his fingertips still ache. "...." The infuser lifts, holding it in three fingers while he presses the remaining two between his lips to soothe, his bracelet falling down his wrist. "Mnh," he grouses, noncommittally. He returns to the water, handling it gently enough to get it onto the pad, and to set the infuser just so in the hot water. It has to brew only for so long. Long enough to get cups.

It's easy to forget things, here, in this space. Yes, in that, there is a certain 'warmth' that the young man slowly becomes aware of, somewhere between his subordinate exchanging phone numbers with the accursed but powerful part-timer, and the tea he and Akabane make. Umie might notice when Shiryuu's attention breaks, when his eyeline finally raises off of what he's doing -- off of her.

The shirogarasu is watching Kurou quietly out of the corner of his eye, making sure not to interrupt. Absently he's setting out cups. The young man's written face is a studious neutral, unsmiling, unwavering, as his focus sharpens.

One ... two ... three. The fourth is considered. It's set aside, back behind a door. The rain's stopping..

And just like that, the dream ends for the shirogarasu.

"It would be unconscionable to interrupt any further," the shihaisha decides quietly, eyes closing. The tea doesn't take long to brew -- a few minutes -- nor does it take overlong, with the appropriate attention paid, to pour it.

Now, and only now, is there the sense that Ryouhara's attention might be anywhere near sharp enough to notice they are being spied on. Luckily, the young man's attention only shifts lightly towards the window.

"... I'll leave it in your hands, for now," the young man says.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Seems both Ren and Umie's lives have their share of crows in them. Odd, given their liking of uncomplicated, straightforward people...

.... ah, well, there's that love of complicated people, too. That's probably the culprit.

'One who knows how much she talks.' There's the ol' Amamiya mischief, there. Umie's eyes sparkle slightly in the back and forth, but, as befitting a proper senpai, she holds back her next remark, shooting Ren a blackbird's grin. "Save that energy for your studies, Amamiya-kun~"

This may be the strangest, most indirect way Umie has helped the Phantom Thieves, all without knowing a single thing. Ren gets a rare look into the other side of Shiryuu, someone only a few of the Phantom Thieves have actually seen, with the benefit of her being there to ensure Shiryuu's... Shiryuuness doesn't inflame itself to dangerous levels.

"Alright. Let's do that," she says quietly to Shiryuu. "Until then, how about you..." She follows Shiryuu's gaze to Kurou and Ren.

She shares a grin then, with Shiryuu, almost smugly as she indicates Ren with her chin.

'See?' she says, without saying anything at all.

However.

The rain has let up, and the spell is over, evident in the lack of the fourth cup. "...." Umie's expression saddens a touch at Shiryuu's admission. ".... Tonight, then. No fair for you to come all this way." They'll talk about something, either way.

Her fingers stray over Shiryuu's for a discreet second, and she lets them go, with a cheeky smirk, as she pours the tea. "You're always welcome to change your mind, of course," she offers, taking over for the tea. "Thank you for stopping by; it was good to see you."

That is the last bit of intel Ren will find: the way Umie and Shiryuu regard each other, and how it turns from one moment to the next.

......... They'll definitely need that support group, won't they?

Coming over with the tea cups, Umie sets down one before Kurou and Ren, going back to have some of her own. "I would've used the teabags, if it was me. You two are extremely lucky." She gives the two young scholars a discreet wink. "I'll need Kurou to teach me sometime... I don't have the patience to do it properly, though."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
One can like uncomplicated, straightforward people ''and'' contradictory, messy people. Cats vs. dogs is a false dichotomy.

"Fiine," Ren says mildly to Umie. They ''did'' come here to study, whether that's their books or the ''two'' ninjas they ended up encountering here.

Not a philosophy, but--an approach and mindset? Ren considers this. Considering all the part-time jobs they've got (eight at last count; they're just collecting them at this point), they have to imagine it'd ''have'' to compared to a single full-time job.

So: "That much is true," they concede. "If there ''is'' a philosophy, I don't know about it. I just clock in when I've got time for a shift and collect my pay at the end of it."

It's fascinating to watch Kurou throw himself into research. Ren thinks they can understand how he's managing at high school despite no previous schooling (allegedly). "What subject do ''you'' have trouble with?" they prompt so they can do something while Kurou's doing this for them.

And the fact that Kurou's focused on what will actually show up on the exams is ''a lot'' for them. Ren enjoys reading and learning. It's the structure of school itself that chafes on them. Having what's functionally a cheat sheet to remember what will appear on those exams, as opposed to falling down a rabbit hole of interesting but irrelevant information, will make them that much easier for Ren to conquer. They might even end up in the top third this time around...!

For all that Morgana might be spying, at least he can only hear some of it--the roof of the Indigo? where is that?--and certainly can't see what Shiryuu does with that fourth cup. Ren, too, is sufficiently caught up in studying that they don't notice either. For better or worse, that moment belongs to Shiryuu and Umie alone.

They only look up when Umie serves the tea that she and he prepared. "Thanks," they say, and ''now'' glance past her at Shiryuu. It seems like he's going to leave early, huh... ...well, that's fine too. These things take time, and thanks to a misunderstanding on their part, they don't realize that a clock is still ticking on Tsubasa and the task Shiryuu's trying to force them to complete.

"Is Ryouhara-san," as opposed to the 'Ryouhara-kun' that is Kurou, "that good at making tea?" they wonder, and reach for their cup to take a sip and taste for themself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou could understand that, for he likes both cats and dogs very much. (Kurou may not know what anyone were talking about.)

Ren goes on to describe what Kurou, unfortunately, begins to parse as their philosophy on the matter of work. It's good he does not know there are ''eight jobs'' being described: it would only encourage him. "I see... A dedication of time you have, so long as they make it worth spending..." He nods slowly like this is enlightening him to something.

It might be. He always considers the time he gives the shirogarasu worth spending.

But his meandering mind goes much quicker with a target. Ren asks after Kurou's own weaknesses, and Kurou looks to his textbooks. "I struggle with Literature... and essay questions only add to the difficulty..."

One might imagine Kurou having unusual takes and interpretations on texts while struggling to communicate any of it.

His focus only breaks from Ren once tea is served. But there are only three cups.

"Ah --" Kurou barely utters it before he quiets, watching Shiryuu in an uncertain silence. But it would be rude to ignore Umie any longer, and Kurou gives a small start back to the tea he's been served. He wraps his fingers around the cup to feel the heat.

He does not frown, but he looks at the surface with a weight of something like loneliness. Yet it does not feel right to Kurou to call the feeling gnawing at his chest entirely his own.

"... I do not mind. But... 'The fact that it's from you' is the most important thing," he echoes of something Umie told him once, when he wondered aloud if his mother would like his tea. "Isn't that right?"

Kurou takes a single, slow sip, lingering with the taste and aroma for several moments.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Yes," Shiryuu thinks absently. Fondly, when no one else is paying attention. "She does talk a lot, doesn't she.."

The thought is adrift, long belated and long cooling on the windowsill upon which Shiryuu's attention is focused. After taking a moment to carefully bag the leaf, wipe everything down and rinse the infuser, the young man steps away from the kitchenette, slowly pulling loose the cordage at his haori sleeves so they drop slack around his wrists again as Akabane takes the cups out and over to Kurou and Ren. It leaves the older Ryouhara to consider his hand for the moment. Not the one that was burned -- the one that held the pad a moment ago. A thumb runs over the first two fingertips thoughtfully under eyes that are two different shades of brown.

'It was good to see you.'
"... I .." Shiryuu starts to say something, but it's lost to a split-second look just past Umie's shoulder.

Then, his hand disappears beneath the sleeve of his haori, and it was like they were never there.

"...Second only to inimitable Kurou," Shiryuu acknowledges Ren in the background, as he steps through the living space, checking the painting on the wall for straightness as he goes. Mostly, it's an excuse not to have to look at anything or anyone other than the window. "Tea is a matter of timing, and precision. But there is another X-factor that cannot be quantified readily." He nods to Kurou simply, without looking. 'The fact that it's from you.' ".... it's something like that," he guesses absently.

As would be expected, Shiryuu's technical ability is par excellence. The tea has been, despite his injuries making it, perfectly steeped and measured, the hot water at just the right temperature. It is mildly sweet, and it is fragrant. More robust than light, because his intentionality is heavy-handed. But -- it will differ from something made by Kurou. Even the tea-bags that Umie threatens all of their delicate sensibilities with.

For those with an excellent, unfettered taste, they will understand where the feeling goes numb for the grey-haired young man. Where warmth ends and .. nothing starts.

He is polite enough. "Kurou... please show this person the full power of three hundred years of Ryouhara academics." A glance lifted to Ren. "Enjoy it fully and without discretion. But..."

"....no part-timing," he reminds them, severely.

Umie gets the last, long second of his eyes.
"...Akabane."
Faced with saying something, anything, the young man visibly breathes outward, evicting all of the air in his chest, to make room for a fresh fill of his lungs, easing his own carefully managed discomfort.

".... be seeing you."
He will, to his credit, at least leave quietly without further incident.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ren's reply gets an unexpected chortle through Umie's hand. Ahh, a relaxed Ren and Kurou is a sight to see.

Too bad she'll likely need to not be present for more of it to happen, but that's just the way friendships are able to bloom: naturally.

And sometimes violently, without intention.

Shiryuu's own contribution, perhaps, may only have Mona as company, for how well he hides it from the rest of them.

".... It's a discipline of flexibility," Umie contributes. "I may not have the ability to do this forever, but those late night shifts mean I can have time for..." Pause. "Things like this."

For the Dark Hour, and Mementos, and all the things that drive the part of her that was so eager to get out of her shift. But also this. She can just say that, and no one will think anything of it.

Kurou, seeing the three tea cups, draws a soft sound of sympathy, as she realizes where his eyes draw to.

He's hungry for that connection, isn't he? And why not, considering Shiryuu is the only one...

But this itself may be Shiryuu's gift, Umie realizes. To give Kurou that room to be Kurou, and not simply Kurou Ryouhara, the one who swore loyalty to his shihaisha.

"The tea *is* different between the two," she says, picking up on Ren's question. "I'll never say which is better, but..."

'The fact that it is from you'. Umie gives the words a solid nod. "Yes. I never ask, but whenever he comes ho-- here, from school, Ryouhara-kun makes me tea." She looks down at the cup, the corners of her lips fighting to keep from twisting up in joy. "Any time I don't get home in time, I feel bad, because I know he's made tea for me. But on the days I come in, and it's been a rough day, there's tea. And even if there's none, there's the memory of it, and I make myself some."

It's hard to convey, without leaning too hard on it; Kurou is supposed to be a teenage boy, with teenage dreams and aspirations; not someone obliged to make someone giving him a place to stay something to drink. However, Umie senses there is a joy in it for him, like expressing a feeling his face and manner is unable to convey.

It's something Umie's very unused to, when it came to her own home: thoughtfulness.

'Akabane.'

Now, it's Umie's turn; eye straying towards the window, she selfishly wishes the rain would come back, so he'd feel like staying here was no longer a bother to the rest of them.

No answer comes, which Morgana is likely thankful for, at the very least.

Looking over her shoulder at Shiryuu, her gaze lingers a touch. She nods. "Be seeing you, Shiryuu."

'You can still stay', she wants to say.

It's when Shiryuu leaves that Umie digs into a bag of cheese puffs, munching a few. Munch, munch, munch minch.

"Don't mind him, Ren. He's a Sagittarius," Umie says, taking another sip of tea from her teacup.

As if that explained anything, _little Miss Aries_.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
In fairness, Ren only works those jobs at their convenience. Some of them they haven't worked in a solid while, like Cafe Chagall or Ore no Beko. Hell, they only still work at Triple Seven because they get to see Umie there--a benefit for more than just her scintillating personality. Either way, it does seem like Kurou grasps the gist, and they nod in acknowledgement. Umie has a good contribution too.

Literature, though, huh... "That's a tough one. A lot of literature is up to interpretation. I'm pretty good at that subject, though, so let's go over that next," Ren replies. After all, it's not really something one can do on the side.

''The tea ''is'' excellent,'' Ren reflects as they drink and Shiryuu explains. They glance at Umie when she seconds that the two of them make tea differently. The technical prowess, despite Shiryuu burning his fingers, is clearly there. But... Maybe a year ago, Ren wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. However, after drinking cups of the Boss's coffee nearly every day since April, they ''do'' have a sense of when there's something else there. 'The fact that it's from you,' as Kurou puts it. As Umie expands upon that with her story about how Kurou manifests it.

Ren glances at the two of them, then sips the tea again as he considers Shiryuu and ''his'' tea's lack of that X-factor. How he's choosing to leave, even though both Umie and Kurou clearly want him to stay.

"Thank you for the tea," they say politely. They hold their tongue about the part-timing.

Umie might try to dismiss his behavior as the antics of a Sagittarius, but it's pretty clear to them it goes far deeper than that.

Once the three of them have finished their drinks, they and Kurou can return to studying--and Umie to snacking--in earnest.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, a fortuitously complimentary situation..." Kurou notes of Ren's strengths to his weaknesses. So this is the power of a study partner...

Kurou sips at the tea with a cherishing pace, not merely as one who appreciates the subtleties of Shiryuu's proficient blend, but... hm. The 'X-factor' Shiryuu finds himself missing...

Kurou does not say what he thinks it is, but his gaze wanders to where Umie keeps her cups. The absence of the fourth...

What if it had rained a little longer...?

"...I like it," he says of Shiryuu's tea, not quite to Shiryuu, but 'at' him with the way it quietly spills into the air. "No part-timing," Kurou echoes, with more firm intent, as someone who understands what it is Shiryuu means by such words. He will give his all to this, because that is the opportunity his shihaisha wants him to have.

How to give his shihaisha the opportunity for a 'fourth cup'... that is a more difficult question.

But Kurou's posture perks up with Umie describing her appreciation for the tea. "Please do not feel badly for such days, Akabane-san. If it is there when you need it, that is enough."

Much as Kurou tries to make the tea last, no cup is infinite. Soon, he and Ren will return to their studies to defeat the final day of exams.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-03: Because It's From You

2026-04-07T06:07:16Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Because It's From You'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 03, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Kurou needs a study buddy. Why not Ren? They need snacks. Why not go get them? There's four cups of tea. Why leave so soon?''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
>> Hey
>> Kurou Ryouhara-kun was wondering if you wanted to study together?

Ah, no, Umie thinks, in the aftermath of sending that last text. That'll sound weird, like she's trying to manage him.

>> He doesn't have your number, no big deal if you got plans

Umie grins triumphantly. There. Now Ren won't feel obligated, either way.

======

With all that settled, Umie dips her head to take a quick scan of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the amount of appropriately study-necessary snacks and drinks are low; Umie looks up to Kurou. "I'm going to stop by the Larson's down the way. If Amamiya-kun gets here before I do, just let him in." Checking her phone to check the weather, Umie makes a face and grabs her rainjacket. "I'll be quick."

The frosted sliding windows, while amazing for privacy reasons, come with a major drawback: you can't really get a sense of the weather. (Though, to be fair, with the other apartment building a narrow alley's width away, it's anyone's guess what the weather would be.)

With the weather turning cooler, they've rarely been open; the apartment, as small as it is, is far better suited for keeping warm as long as they're kept shut, with the space heater turned on whenever Umie is there. Due to the layout being longer than it is wide, most of the warmth is concentrated in the living area than the hallway, with the kitchenette (done in cheery yellow tiles) situated in between.

The main area is a small couch and a table, with a TV mounted on the wall. While the white walls sit more or less empty of any decor, a painting hangs centered over the couch, being of a random spatter of paint across the stretched canvas, with a little 'WHIRLWIND - RHYTHM' print stamped into the texture. There's a clothing rack for Umie's clothes to the side. A smaller crafts table is set into the far corner nearby the windows, where a strange mobile of hangers sits empty, connected to a long painted over hook for some long forgotten device. The table itself is covered in newspaper and a crafting mat, with a narrow thin small shelving unit there to house various paint supplies. A sliding door to the bathroom next to the kitchen.

It'd be so much tighter if it wasn't kept mostly clean; it'd make sense to Umie why Kurou considers it a 'warm' place.

What was a previously overcast day will soon turn rainy, however, making Umie's decision to only step out in her rainjacket a remorseful one as the rain begins to strengthen.

Whether Ren is able to beat the rain will be a matter of timing; Umie, stuck in the line at Larson's, looks out the sliding doors with a grimace of determination.

A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, least of all her!!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
On the way out of Shujin Academy for the day, Ren gets a text from Umie. They furrow their eyebrows at it, and Morgana pops up out of their bag to take a look in time for the second text to come in.

"Kurou Ryouhara... wants to study with you?" Morgana murmurs, peeking over at his protege.

"Kind of last second. There's only one day of exams left," Ren murmurs back.

"Hmm... It could be a trap. Even if he doesn't know your true identity, he could've found out you're friends with Tsubasa. What're you gonna do?"

Ren considers it for a moment, then texts Umie back:

>> OK. Where to?

~ * ~

"I'll keep an eye out from out here. Good luck in there," Morgana says from where he's hopped down from Ren's bag in the alleyway Umie's apartment window opens into.

Ren nods. The rain hasn't started yet, but it's only a matter of time. Timing-wise, it helps that they came here straight from school; it's along the way, after all. "You sure you'll be okay out here?"

"Getting caught in the rain isn't my ''favorite'' thing," Morgana admits, "but I like it way better than getting caught by ninjas." His furry face sets with determination. "Don't worry. I've got your back, Ren."

They smile slightly, briefly, then turn to leave the alley. Morgana will be left to parkour up the side of the building and keep an eye out from above while Ren heads to the front and makes their presence known, whether by pressing a buzzer or knocking or however it works for Umie's apartment. Hopefully Kurou will let them in before they have to open up their umbrella.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is thanks to the wisdom and mercy of the shirogarasu that Kurou does not have to juggle his shinobi tasks with his studies... but that does not mean the studies are simple. Not if he wants to excel in them, as he has promised to do. Previously, he had a respectable showing, but...

For Kurou, merely 'respectable' is not enough. Not if he wants to allow himself to earn the prestigious mochi sticker he has set aside for himself.

(And also, it is important to be the sort of shinobi who would lose a minimal amount of fingers.)

As Umie has tried to point out many times before, studying together is an effective tactic, and with the final push of exams underway, there is no tactic that can be overlooked. Tea, Kurou decides, is something he can make toward the end of the study sessions: that way, Umie may be able to benefit from a cup herself.

"Oh. As predicted..." Kurou muses to himself as it seems Ren has arrived before her return. He opens the door and seeing the darkness of the clouds outside, does not linger with excessive formalities as he might otherwise be wont to do.

"Welcome, Amamiya-san. Please come in. You may sit where you like."

His own study materials -- a spiral notebook, a single pencil, and a cracked open textbook, each perfectly in parallel to one another -- are laid out over the table, with his schoolbag and its other texts and notebooks peeking out of it. Kurou's face isn't particularly ''animated'', to put it mildly, but there is a fatigue worn upon it with a tension in his brow etching his determination to push past it. He has failed to touch up his nail polish recently, and it does not quite meet the cuticle.

"I hope you did not find my request disruptive. My intention is that we will both gain the strength we need to subdue our respective final challenges."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a good reason for Ren to be wary; for all he knows, it could be a setup for an ambush, and, being the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he'd be a prime person to target.

Morgana may find the apartment notably easy to get to from the alleyway: a jump on the dumpster, a few footholds, andddd well, the windows are locked, unless you knew the secret method of lifting up on the window pane, and then jiggling it out with your wider human arm span and--

Yeah. At least he'll be there? And he'll have a clear view of a short woman in a pink rainjacket on the other side of the street, hurrying over to the crosswalk... at just at the right time a car whizzes through a puddle at just the right angle, launching a magnificent wave of water over her and another unlucky onlooker. Seriously, it's like the car casted an Aqua spell.

Umie, however, just continues on! The snacks must be there!! She promised.... no one, actually, and Kurou'd likely not mind, but Ren is not a secret Ryouhara ninja!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The apartment door opens. Kurou invite them inside. "Thanks," they reply, and enter.

The vibe doesn't ''seem'' off, Ren notes as they take a look around. Study materials, a lived-in-but-regularly-cleaning sort of amount of mess... They look back at Kurou, and he may be inexpressive, but he does seem tired.

"You're fine. I was just a little surprised," they reply. "I study better with a partner, too."

They pull their own study materials out and lay them on the table, then set down their bag next to the chair they seat themself on. "The last day for us over at Shujin Academy is sort of general questions. Make sure we've been paying attention in class, sort of thing," they remark, looking up at Kurou. "What about for your school?"

If Kurou is doing this earnestly, then that means he cares about scoring well on his exams. If that's the case, then he must have an idea of what he's being tested ''on''.

Outside: Morgana settles in on the window sill and peeks in from outside. It's started raining, and unfortunately he lacks human arms to jiggle the window with, but at least he's got a good view of what's going on inside and out.

This includes Umie getting splashed by a car as she walks up the street. Morgana sweatdrops. Poor Umie...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is to Kurou's discredit that he never considers when his actions might be considered an ambush or a trap. This is because he would like to think that he would never be announcing one, even if deception, and that anyone he intended to give a last surprise would never see it coming.

Today, he is genuinely focused on studying.

"Kasugayama has a similar structure, from my understanding," Kurou tells Ren. He glances down, sighing. "... Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution, so I can't claim full confidence, nor deny the possibility of trick questions..."

Kurou may have been told what he's being tested on, but that does not mean he necessarily ''believes'' it, and only has the previous exam period as an example. That's hardly a pattern. Expecting to be deceived about what he's being tested on might be an odder behavior if Ren did not already know Kurou's line of 'work'.

He rubs at his temple idly, his gaze wandering with his struggling thoughts.

"... There was even some psychology material..."

With a shake of his head, he focuses back on them.

"What about you? We will need to cover both of our weaknesses."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
They'd never feel him coming until it's too late.

The boy arrives like the fall wind and rain, little more than a grey blotch against the skyline, nimble, silent, and armed. He arrives somewhere between now and then, somewhere in the blotch of parasols that flare open as the overcast turns into a drizzle, though little peeks of his white silk haori flick beyond the umbrella he carries.

It's not all he carries, a little crossbody bag under his haori, into the band of which a long red bundle has been tucked.

Another plastic bag produced, the parasol shaken neatly, and tucked into it, to be tucked in against the red bag. The boy's shoes -- getting slightly older now, a pair of expensive collector's edition Nike -- are soundless in the halls as he makes his way upstairs, the glide of his sleeves in the still air as he disappears into the dark of the complex's hallways.

The lightest whisper of his aura creeps in from beyond the raw edges of the apartment door, as the shihaisha of all Ryouhara approaches, a look of cold ambition across the otherwises indiscriminately, oppressively neutral mien of his face. The lock is not at all an impediment to him.

That would be the end of things, wouldn't it?

No, hardly; Shiryuu never actually makes it to Umie's doorstep. He stops at the edge of the doorway, practicing what to say. "'Akabane, long time no see,'" he starts thoughtfully. Hm. Not natural. It would be good to set a powerful precedent for Kurou. "'Akabane, the night comes for you!'" ..ugh, no, she doesn't seem like the type. Plus, if it's too much she'll think of a good comeback and he would have to resort to subduing her....somehow. Come on, Ryouhara, think. Don't let the female win.

"...iehh?" He looks up from his thought a moment later.
The next words are the thunder of genuine silver-haired distress, now actually audible from inside.

"AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> See, you may think the storm has come, but in reality, the storm is still coming. Even from Mona's vantage point, he would be clueless.

That is how ninjas work, after all.

*squish* *squish* *squish* *squish*

Triumphant as she gets to the elevator, Umie jams her hand into her purse to feel for her keys, her other hand holding up the dripping plastic bag as she peeks inside. "...."

Well, the snacks are dry, at least.

A chipped nail presses the call button for the elevator- she's not feeling up for going up the stairs today, no matter how good it may be for her stamina.

=======

The triumph leaks out of Umie with all the aplomb of a slow, sad mute trombone, as she stands there by the practicing Shiryuu, like some.... pink... raincoat-ed killer??

'AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!'

"Nice to see you too," she says with a flat, lopsided smile, as she puts the key into the lock and opens the door. ".... I got some snacks, uh, give me a sec, Kurou, your..." She looks to Shiryuu, as if trying to remember their relation to each other. "... cousin? How are you related again?"

REN, RUN. IT'S CLEARLY A SETUP. MAYBE.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu ''does'' enter the building without drawing Morgana's attention. Perhaps it was while he was distracted with parkouring up to Umie's apartment window; perhaps Shiryuu's just that good. Perhaps it's some of both. Either way, Morgana won't be able to give Ren a warning about him.

'Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution...'

"..."

Yeah, it's a good thing that Ren already knows they're talking to a ninja. They ''do'' wonder how he got enrolled if he has no previous schooling, but Kasugayama does have a reputation for not caring. Maybe that's explanation enough.

Trick questions are a lot easier to understand. It really depends on the teacher. Speaking of which: "We've had some of that this year too. Psychology, I mean," Ren remarks. That's thanks to Dr. Maruki, though. "Assuming it's like the first term's exams, I think as long as I review my notes, I'll be okay."

They rest their cheek on one hand. Weaknesses, huh... "I'm not really great at history or social studies, though. They're pretty boring." Especially when 'social studies' is synonymous with 'political stuff.' "What about you?"

This is approximately when a shout erupts from the hallway outside the apartment. Ren raises their head to stare in subdued alarm. ...They recognize that voice.

The next moment, a key undoes the front door lock, and Umie walks in, soaked. The silver-haired youth in the white coat is out there in the hall behind her.

"......"

Ren keeps their mouth shut. They want to know how Kurou and Shiryuu are related to each other too, actually.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
There are ways to fabricate a history of education. None of these ways are likely to matter that much to Kasugayama High. Even trying to do well on his exams may not be considered typical Kasu student behavior.

But here Kurou is, in a high school he ought to be unqualified for by virtue of the system's requirements, doing his best to ace his exams. Surely even ninja children require education, though. So why is this all new to Kurou...?

As Ren relays his own weaknesses, Kurou's demeanor perks up. "History I may be able to assist with --" That's about as far as he gets into that line of thinking before his attention is in sync with Ren's own to outside the apartment.

Instead of alarm, Kurou's own eyes seem to have the smallest beginnings of a sparkle for their surprise guest.

That sparkle evaporates abruptly to see Umie's drowned pixie form. "Akabane-san, are you all right?" he asks, first thing, before grabbing a towel from the kitchen. He looks down at it, then back up at her. She is going to need a bigger towel...

But there's a question: how are Kurou and Shiryuu actually related?

...

Kurou looks directly at Shiryuu, deferring to him to set the designation.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Aaaaah, you're going to catch your death of co--"

Shiryuu was thoroughly intending to let Umie really have a piece of his mind this time. She's always playing out in the rain, getting soaked. It's not like endurance training, she has a thin constitution and could catch pneumonia ...

'Nice to see you too.' then she smiles.

The onmitsu doesn't say anything, locked with mouth quirked open in a state of mute annoyance and deep, unabiding confusion. Did she just move him out of the way? She absolutely did, didn't she? What was he going to say? This is completely unconscionable.

"....." Shiryuu sighs, sword-long, as he finally lifts his chin, stepping quietly inside just enough to divest Umie of her varying burdens as Kurou gets the towels. It is very clear that if he doesn't take her bags he's going to dry her hair, and once that happens, there's literally no telling what all else.

Now he is well weighted. Even so, the intensity with which Shiryuu is fretting on the other side of the bags is intense, little more than a grey mop swishing back and forth on the other side. ".....cousins is fine," he states, mildly offput.

A brown eye peers around the bag at Ren, finally realizing they're here. Is his situational awareness really that bad??

"a...ah. it's you."
A look is shot. Don't spill even a single bean, you.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> While Umie had set up that question in case Ren was there, she hadn't thought beyond that. That much is clear when the door opens, and she's surprised to see the curly-haired unassuming young man there. "Oh hey! Sorry about that." She casts a glance towards Shiryuu, as if giving him a silent warning in case he decides to just barrel inside. "They're studying."

"Oh, you two know each other?" Eyes focus on Ren momentairely, sharing a subtle twinkle of amusement. Is that a hint of mischief there? "Ah, Amamiya-kun, you should have said something! Shiryuu can be shy sometimes..."

Which may look weird to say, as Umie finds her burden lightened. "O-oh," she says, broken out of her secret little jab at Shiryuu for threatening her co-worker. "Oh, hey, you don't need to..." Drip, drip. The edges of Umie's coat channel drops of collected rainwater onto the no-nonsense low pile carpeting of the hallway.

While the rain has let up slightly, it hasn't stopped.

Shiryuu *did* come here, for her, after they chatted about bonds, and she does really miss him. It's just that there's things they need to talk about, and Umie needs to talk to him!!

And, to left him in, after the trouble he put Ren through...!

No matter. Shiryuu's taking the snacks, while Kurou is grabbing a kitchen towel. "Don't worry, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Looking back towards Shiryuu, her gaze softens a touch; she directs him in with a jerk of her chin. "Maybe you can help. Amamiya-kun's a co-worker of mine. He's a great worker, quiet, but don't let him fool you. Sometimes he can be a bit of a mischief-maker himself."

Taking off her jacket, and hanging it in the open hallway closet Umie slips out of her slopping wet shoes. Walking into the main room, she grabs a sweater and some sweatpants. "Augh... I'm going to go change in the bathroom really quick. You three behave, okay?" ... not that she won't just hear it past the door.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
'Cousins is fine,' Shiryuu says, which indicates to Ren that 'cousins' is ''not'' what they are but he doesn't care enough to correct her.

On top of that tidbit, he seems to be fussing over Umie all the way into the apartment, to the point that he doesn't notice them until they're all well inside the apartment. He's really obsessed with her, huh...

They glance at Kurou as he approaches with that too-small towel, then look back at Umie. They catch the Look that Shiryuu shoots them and return it with a bland lack of expression that betrays none of what they're thinking.

They already hinted Umie into awareness anyway.

They meet her sparkling eye and give her a non-committal shrug. "Shouldn't you dry off, Akabane-san?" they say. When she describes them to Shiryuu in turn as a 'bit of a mischief-maker,' Ren can't ''quite'' help a slight smile. As she goes off to the bathroom with a change of clothes, they watch her go; then they look at Shiryuu and Kurou.

Then they focus in on Kurou. "You were saying about history?" they prompt. All considered, they suspect he ''could'' make the subject very interesting indeed.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Cousins. This is the easiest way to explain their family relations, really. Kurou suspects that he and Shiryuu do not actually share a grandparent, and after a fashion, even a family-family (as opposed to a shinobi family) may use the term broadly as specifics become too entangled. Their actual relationship is that of shihaisha and subordinate, but to be called cousins -- not mutually exclusive with the truth -- still puts a shine in Kurou's eyes that is getting worse the longer he is considering it.

It is, after all, still a family-family term.

Oh. Do Shiryuu and Ren know one another? As Umie brings up the possibility, Kurou, too, looks between the two of them with his subtle brand of curiosity.

The wrong place at the wrong time. "Then let us correct it," Kurou offers, as Shiryuu takes her burden. Umie has that covered, making her move into the bathroom to change. He hesitates, gaze straying to the kitchen.

"Maybe I should make tea..." he ventures. They're supposed to be studying, but he doesn't want Umie to catch a chill and get sick. Plus, Shiryuu is visiting. It's Ren, thankfully, who reminds him of his purpose here with studying, and Kurou finds their gaze now instead.

"I would not call it my favorite subject... that still belongs to biology. But history is similarly alive... like an organism with many moving parts. If it is 'boring', perhaps we can find a different perspective that better illuminates the greater whole for you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"You two-bunned demon -- I'm not shy -- !" Shiryuu objects in all immediacy after Umie introduces him in such a friendly context, though now he's quite literally holding the bag, so his objections are forced to trebuchet over the top, a singlee defiant sprig of dingy grey hair wagging with the force of his declaration.

He does not, however, seem to be thinking about where to put the bag, and is definitely not giving it back while putting on a solid information suppression campaign. "I'm -- not a mischief -- what! It's you who are the --" Shiryuu is scandalized right up until Umie is gone.

Right up until she is gone.

"-- if I have to be, I'll become the overlord of mischief," Shiryuu threatens. "Tengu will look to me for advice, and monkeys will avert their heads in shame. You'll absolutely not give me that cool look of studious indiference again, part timer, or I'll have your hair dyed purple," he informs Ren in not even a second's worth of wasted time. "I have no mercy for you," he adds, hushed.

Then he pauses thoughtfully.
"... except during midterms," he allows.

"Become a strong academic power for Kurou to match his wits with, and I'll overlook your catty nature. But ... you're forbidden to teach him any of your part-timing ways. I'm still responsible for my family."

This all would be much better if he wasn't still carrying the bag, and Ren could actually see his eyes to tell how dead serious he is.

"....oh.."

Finally Shiryuu seems to notice, setting down the sack nearby. "No," he tells Kurou, when he thinks about tea. "I'll get to it. Instead, use these to strengthen your bodies for the coming trial," he finally says, scratching his temple. He's looking off in the direction of the bathroom. I guess she did say...

"If you have any academic need," the shihaisha finally decides with a imperious lift of his chin, "my resources were and are as limitless as the night sky." He's fetching a sheaf of napkins, so that he can get to his knees, tying up his haori sleeves so he can fold the paper and use both hands to blot the wet out of the carpet before it starts to smell strange. Strange little ceremony, all truth told.

Odds are he's just coping.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
'You two-bunned demon--' Umie's lips split in a merry, open smile, as she walks in. "I missed you too~" she says, singsong, before remembering that Ren is here.

But also, _Ren is here_. Surely, Ren would forgive her for a bit of friendly violence, as long as he gets to remain free and involved as an innocent bystander?

.... oh right she might catch a cold

Shutting the sliding panel door shut, Umie barely gets started when she hears Shiryuu talking. And going on. Something about Tengu, and monkeys, and 'no mercy'--

"No bullying Amamiya-kun," Umie flatly warns from the bathroom. She's listening, though when the hairdryer comes out, it's a little bit harder to do so.

...... But only for a moment.

It clicks off, only for Umie to add a punctuated, "I mean it, Shiryuu." This, regardless of how grey haired young man is handling Ren.

When she hears the faintest suggestion of words and tone that agree with her, the hairdryer turns back on.

Soon enough, the door opens, and Umie emerges like a butterfly from a non-Homunuculus-type cocoon: an oversized grey sweatshirt that hangs over her waist, sweatpants, socks and slippers, and her toweled off blonde hair in a ponytail.

In other words, the most comfortable grey butterfly.

"Are you all comfortable?" she asks moving to the kitchenette. "... Oh Shiryuu, it's fine," she murmurs, with some fondness. "I'll put a towel down." She looks for the snack bag and, opening it up, reveals some chips, a few cans of soda. Something savory, something sweet, something just good comfort food. "I should've put these in the fridge..." She sets them put by the two, and looks to Shiryuu. "I'll help you make tea. You make better tea than I do, after all." It'll also get him off the floor.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
And while Shiryuu might not care enough to correct Umie, Kurou seems deeply happy to be labeled a 'cousin,' if that shine in his eyes is any indication. It... kind of makes Ren sad to see. The implications break their heart a bit. (At least Shiryuu does call him 'family' later?)

It's undermined by Shiryuu yelling at Umie about how he is NOT shy, then at Ren about mischief, mercy, and midterms. (And part-timing, but that doesn't start with an M.)

Ren raises their eyebrows at him. Shiryuu continues to be an absurd human being. At least Umie has their back... She doesn't seem at all threatened by him, either. It's bizarre to watch. It's probably just as well Shiryuu's still holding that bag.

Tea ''would'' be a good idea, even if it is a distraction from studying. Ren really shouldn't let themself get distracted either. Fortunately, Kurou suggests something intriguing: that history is akin to a living organism. Ren's own dark eyes light up some.

"That'd be great. I used to think math was boring too, but then Akabane-san got me to thinking of it like a puzzle. It's not ''fun'', exactly, but I enjoy it a lot more than I used to," they reply. They look over at the kitchen, then at Kurou. "Tea sounds like a good idea. Now that we've got a plan, we can start in earnest once we've got something hot to drink."

...which apparently Shiryuu (and Umie!) will handle instead of Kurou. Ren's not sure how they feel about that, or about this ninja overlord getting on his hands and knees to clean up the carpet, but of the bag of snacks, they say, "Thanks."

They'll accept the chips and soda from Umie upon her glorious comfy return with a nod of gratitude and acknowledgement of their own comfort, and share with Kurou as the two of them sit back down, Ren flipping the pages of their notes until they get to the history section. "Tell me your perspective," they prompt him, looking over at Kurou.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou once again watches the interactions between Umie and Shiryuu with a slight squint. There is something he should pick up on here, but he is not quite sure yet what it is. Shiryuu cares for her deeply, he knows that. And Umie for him. He knows that, too. So why would they need to obfuscate...? Perhaps it is a form of play...?

Like crows rolling down a snowy windshield...

He forgets about this as Shiryuu goes off about becoming the overlord of mischief, and Kurou's eyes shine a little again with his admiration for his shihaisha. (And, indeed, Ren may see the family mention being especially affecting.) At least until...

"Part-timing...?" Kurou echoes, looking to Ren and back to Shiryuu, uncomprehending of this forbidden knowledge.

Regardless, Shiryuu and Umie take up the task to make tea instead, so Kurou can focus on his studies. Kurou bows deeply before nodding. "I will," he agrees of Shiryuu's 'command', resolute. "And I will surpass my previous score. That is a promise."

To Ren, Kurou gives a smaller, apologetic bow. "I would like to make you tea myself sometime, but this will have to wait until after we have suitably dealt with our exams."

He returns to his seat at the table, pausing as Shiryuu points out the other resources. "... You already do much for me," Kurou says in a quiet earnestness. "I do not wish to overburden you."

For, as far as Kurou is concerned, that is something Shiryuu does far too much. The line between 'obedience' and 'true loyalty' is still a difficult one to navigate...

... Ah, but history. Kurou peers over at Ren's notes to get an idea of what their exams stand to cover.

"Yes. The lesson usually takes the point of view of political actors, but if we instead consider it from the angle of..." Kurou begins, trying to shift the approach to something that may be a more interesting narrative than the one Ren's been given until now.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The boy has literally no actual full sentences to say to Umie Akabane.

"Ch--" She's threatening Shiryuu from the bathroom, all the while with Ren in the background subduing him with their eyebrows. Shiryuu would absolutely respond in kind and engage in a tense eyebrow struggle for dominance with the aloof part timer, but Akabane turned off the hairdryer, a detail the sharp-eared onmitsu doesn't miss.

"Part-timers need laws and structure to avoid becoming delinquents," Ryouhara complains mildly at the closed door, though he is absolutely not saying it loud enough for Akabane to hear. She doesn't need to hear his absolute authority to feel its force, like the way the sun warms a house. Or so he insists in his own head.

"You're lucky Akabane has compassion," Ryouhara says, enigmatic and bitter in equal sum. He's not looking back at Ren, the three leaves of the Ryouhara symbol plain across the back of his haori.

What was it she said to him?
It just now occurs to him he was too distracted to say anything back.

Ryouhara takes all of it out on the carpet until stopped. "Most buildings in this area do not ventilate well," he counters, folding over the sheaf of napkins to blot more, pressing down with both hands. "You all could become victimized by black mold. I won't stand for it."

He looks up, once he realizes Umie is back. .... and then, sharply, he looks again.

Cowed, the boy settles back on his knees, resting on the backs of his heels, with his hands folded primly in his lap. He sighs. At this angle, Ren can tell he wears a _thick_ wool sweater underneath that haori. Both of his wrists are adorned, his left with a rather severe-looking bangle that does not at all seem like it was purchased, and a white cordage bracelet around his right, delicately braided and hand-wound, with a jade charm fixing the end so it doesn't fall past his wrist.

"...Kurou."

Shiryuu's eyes are closed while he sits.
"Do not concern yourself overmuch with my limitations. I have none."

If Shiryuu is aware that Kurou is sparkling, he doesn't say anything about it. Instead, the boy kips up onto the balls of his feet. Sneakers removed and stored carefully, Ryouhara looks back at Akabane suspiciously, finally digesting her offer to help, and her implied compliment.

"...You should be resting too," he remarks flatly, face the lightest shade of red before depositing the damp napkins in the wastebasket, deliberately not looking directly at her. "... mmnh." Yes, that's the correct sound to handle her. Regardless, the boy gives consent by not actively stopping her when he gathers supplies and washes his hands.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A puzzle. Umie's eyelids lower slightly, secretly touched that she had that impression on someone else.

.... especially considering that the last person she tutored was _Tatsuya Suou_.

She also notes the shine in Kurou's eyes, lingering on them as she realizes what she may have just enabled (or enabled further). She tries not to puff up with pride at her accidental overreach of authority over the _great shihaisha_.

"It'll give another reason to come over. I'll even give you guys some space," Umie then adds, with a sideways grin. "Though it *does* keep me on my toes to have the expectation of people coming over. Got to keep my place tidy..." She turns her head to try to share an amused glance with Shiryuu, considering the mess it was before.

As Shiryuu gets the carpet cleaned, Umie works on the tea instead, getting out the kettle and the tea leaves, as well as four cups for all of them.

Subtly, she steals a glance over the two, as Ren asks Kurou his perspective, smiling slightly as she turns back to her preparation. Ren was always good at that; at his age, Umie was walled off, save for her friends. It feels now like she's having to catch up, in order to understand people around her.

The exchange between Kurou and Shiryuu, too, is not missed, Umie's lips still curved in a soft smile as Shiryuu assures the polite shinobi, in his own way.

"If you're concerned about my health, then we should get to making tea to calm my fragile nerves," Umie quips at Shiryuu now. "See? I got everything out for you."

It's only until they begin preparing and the two students are seemingly deep into their studies that Umie begins to talk directly to Shiryuu.

"By the way," she murmurs, beneath her breath; while she thinks Ren (and Kurou!) can't hear, it's impossible in this small space to keep too many things secret. "... I need to talk to you about something. Not now, but soon." Her fingers stop her eyes looking to the angle of Shiryuu's face to get a sense of whether or not he's listening. "Let's not use Jogashima Park, this time."

A hint-- it's something serious, but not something she wants to go that direction, either.

"I need to figure something out with you," she adds, softly; remembering how he tried to 'assure' Kurou moments earlier.

To preserve her moments of peace with the Ryouharas, as well as to give Phoenix their own, Umie will have to figure out what Shiryuu is thinking, and express to him how she feels. Not everything has to be a kiss of a blade or of passion; the grey inbetween is what she seeks, for the good of all involved.... which may include Ren now, in a way, possibly?

..... nah, Ren'll be fine, he's just a normal person.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu asserts that part-timers need structure to avoid turning into delinquents, albeit not so loudly that Umie will hear from the bathroom. Ren peers at him again for a moment before they look over at Kurou. "Part-time work. Work done for a limited amount of time. That's what Akabane-san and I do at the Triple Seven," they explain. With a straight face, they wonder, "Are you not allowed to work after school?"

Kurou's probably too busy working for Shiryuu and/or the NWO to have any time for part-timing, and Shiryuu doesn't seem to have the best grasp on what part-timing is in the first place...

Ren watches the interaction between Kurou and Shiryuu. If nothing else, Kurou seems to really care about his 'shihaisha,' and the implication that he cares back might just be keeping him on his tether. Whether Shiryuu actually does care back... that's harder for Ren to get a read on. It's easy to boss someone around and ''say'' you do it because you care about them.

It seems more obvious to them that Shiryuu cares about--or maybe the better term's "is affected by"--Umie in some fashion or another. A man who calls himself the overlord of all ninjas surely doesn't get on his knees to clean a carpet for just anyone, black mold or no. And, sure enough, Shiryuu tells Ren it's lucky Umie has compassion. In other words, if not for her influence, he wouldn't be so merciful on them...

But Ren keeps that thought to themself, though they do briefly twiddle a lock of their bangs as they consider it. They do slip their hands back into their pockets and take in the details of Shiryuu's garb when he leans back on his heels. It's a very interesting look he's got. Ren's not an expert on fashion--something they'd like to change at some point--but none of his accessories seem store-bought. Local goods, maybe? Or made by his clan, even?

"You want me to come over again?" Ren remarks to Umie, purposefully misunderstanding her comment. He half-turns to Kurou. "I guess we ought to exchange phone numbers, then, so she doesn't have to arrange play dates for us."

As little as Ren trusts the Ryouharas, they understand they're now in an excellent position to keep an eye on them thanks to Umie. ...And they do want to try Kurou's tea sometime. They give him a slight, brief smile. "Another time."

But now it's time to return to studying as Umie and Shiryuu take care of the tea. (Snacks can wait.) Settling back in at the table, Ren nods as Kurou starts suggesting that alternate framework. "Hmm... How about from counter-culturalists? Like rebels or freedom fighters?" they suggest. (They're not trying to start anything or even guide him down the path that rocks. They just think rebels are way cooler than kings or queens. Of course, that's not likely to be what they'd get tested on, so it might not help their exam scores anyway--but it might help them, ahem... change their cognition of their studies.)

Over in the kitchen, near one of those frosted windows... a pointed ear twitches. Outside, Morgana leans a little closer. As a 'cat,' his hearing is sharp, but the window ''is'' shut and the rain provides extra background noise, and Umie's keeping her voice down besides. How much of her private conversation with Shiryuu might he overhear, if any?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Yes, crows rolling down the windshield or tugging at one another's tail feathers... Play is also an important wisdom.

Shiryuu and Ren have their own friction together, and it may be telling that Kurou reacts little beyond his own questions. This is Shiryuu, and how Shiryuu carries himself is normal to Kurou. But that Shiryuu acquiesces to Umie's compassion in the matter is a seed to planted in Kurou's mind for later.

Ren explains a part time job in detail, and Kurou nods slowly, brow knit as pieces together new understanding. "I see. My awareness of the concept has proven superficial... I did not realize there was a deeper philosophy attached. Akabane-san and Amamiya-san have much to adapt to..."

Is Kurou not allowed to work? He shakes his head to reject the notion. "No, but I do not think I am someone suited to the 'part time' approach." The way of a shinobi is to live it fully, and this is why Kurou considers to be his job. (Though isn't Shiryuu, despite his insistence, ensuring that Kurou is 'part time' enough to commit to his studies and bonds? Nobody worry, Kurou himself has not pieced this logic together.)

At his name, Kurou looks to Shiryuu with full attention. It does not matter that Shiryuu is on the ground, and Kurou is not: Shiryuu remains his shihaisha, and the respect never leaves Kurou's bearing. Shiryuu reassures him. It is not the first time. Whatever Kurou needs, Shiryuu is not so weak to be threatened by it.

And not for the first time, Kurou feels a hesitation at the idea that threatens on traitorous. Surely Shiryuu is so powerful, but...

... But Akabane-san shares her warmth with him, too. Maybe that is a good start, and enough for Kurou to refocus on his studies.

Kurou, ultimately, bows his head. "I understand."

As much as Kurou has that sparkle in his gaze for Shiryuu's presence, the same silent glimmer of happiness appears as Ren 'misunderstands' Umie. Kurou gets out his own phone for the number exchange: a battered thing with a cracked screen and faded stickers on the back of its green, silicone protective casing. There is a chain dangling from it -- whatever charm it had has evidently broken off.

"Yes. Before I forget..."

Studying, though, must continue, for that is their sacred task. Kurou trusts his shihaisha and Akabane-san with the tea, easily refocusing. "An advantageous interest," he remarks of Ren's desire for a more ''rebellious'' lens. "We can paint outlines around history based on what events and customs motivated the actions of such figures, and even further in how history responded to them."

He believes this, genuinely, from a purely pragmatic place: if Ren lacks interest in the biographical information of political leaders, they can learn what those leaders were doing based on those who opposed them, and tackle their exams from this angle instead.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

Shiryuu would have a different perspective. The qualities and moorings of 'synthesis' are not so readily tucked into neat boxes like 'part time' and the delineation between studies and missions. It is a torturously simple perspective, not yet clear.

It may in fact, never be, as long as the shihaisha is busy being distracted.

"Hrnh. The restoration.." the boy muses quietly, catching words every so often from the conversation in the main room. He whips his hands dry in the basin rather than dirty another towel, movements crisp and sharp. To his merit, he's trying to follow along, monitoring the two in the main room for any signs of potential part-time unionizing or anything to that nature.

It is absolutely not simple while trying to look around Akabane and listen to only a certain percentage of what she says, for concerns of being scandalized yet again. Protective measures, Ryouhara. Right?

Something something 'calm my fragile nerves.'

Wait, what was he doing again?

"...iih?" the grey-haired onmitsu blinks, energy pensive as he notices everything's already been laid out. "....aah.."

The shinobi turns to face Umie. ".... thank you.." he says, holding her eyes for just a second or two.

"but I thought ...Jogashima was .. okay?" he asks, confusion bordering on mild alarm. No, that's not what she's talking about, he reminds himself. The onmitsu's head tilts, as he takes up a knife. It's a peculiar step, cutting the loose leaf jasmine, taking a moment to press down on the stem with the flat of the knife. Not too much. Just enough to speed up the process, when he tamps and shakes the bundle into the infuser. Mindful, for at least a second or two, of the process.

"Ah, but.." His voice drops, when the full shape of the far darker topic settles with him. The young man manages to wrangle his attention span to something far more important than the tea at hand.

"... should we be trying to," he thinks aloud.
"Akabane... there are a lot of dangerous elements at play."

He has no idea there's a cat listening to him, with his attention far more occupied than it really ought to be.

"--ow!"
He tried to pick up the boiling water again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's as quiet and unassuming to an onlooker as the menaingful look Umie and Shiryuu share, devoid of any of their earlier squabbling and ruckus. A quiet 'thanks' from Shiryuu, and a pleased smile from Umie, and the moment has passed.

Ren comment comes a second later after the moment has ended, timed expertly well whether accidentally or intentionally. Umie looks over her shoulder, shooting Ren a smirk, before answering, "Ahhh, what kind of work senpai would I be, to not offer my wealth of space to someone in need of quiet?" Umie teases with a lopsided grin.

At four people, it's managable for a social gathering, but it's hardly meant for more than one person. Just how do two people live here? (Answer: one of them is a Kurou.)

With the two students absorbed into their studies, Umie fully turns her attention to Shiryuu and their covert conversation.

As if the rain gods had seen Morgana's effort to hear, the rain begins to lessen; while not completely gone, it will be easier for the 'cat's' sharp ears to overhear what Ren may not, though how much and what parts may vary.

"Jogashima was..." A blush of heat blooms on Umie's face. "Definitely fine. We should go there again, sometime."

She quiets, watching Shiryuu prepare the tea. It's so much more complicated that the teabags, but it comes out so nicely...

Dangerous elements at play, he says, as he works with the knife.

"So dangerous that you can't listen to me?" she offers.

She give Shiryuu a meaningful pause, giving a covert glance over her shoulder towards Ren and Kurou before looking back. "... We'll talk about it later."

In contrast to Shiryuu's handling of the leaves-- "The pad's right here." She offers it to Shiryuu, with a sideways grin. "Guess we know the water's done~"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' an important wisdom--especially when that mischievous play balances out one's image as a harbinger of death and doom. Maybe that's why a certain someone else ends up with the codename Crow...

But that's neither here nor there right now. Particularly since that moment passes observed by all and commented upon by none. For Ren's part, they roll their eyes good-naturedly at her teasing. "One who knows how much she talks," they quip back, smiling slightly at her too.

"It's not really a philosophy..." Ren tells Kurou, then stops while wondering if this is something they can make him understand. This is especially so given what he says about the 'part time' approach. It doesn't occur to Ren either that, as a high school student, Kurou ''is'' functionally a part-time ninja; they just nod slowly. "...Yeah, you seem like the fully-committed type."

Maybe, as they get to know Kurou better, Ren will notice this contradiction. As it stands, the two of them have phone numbers to exchange (Ren's own phone is a two-year-old smartphone model in an industrial steel-style case) and historical lenses to scrutinize.

"Oh?" they reply, then nod thoughtfully at his explanation. That ''does'' sound more interesting. "Let's do it." And so the two of them can review the subject and revise Ren's notes accordingly...

...Kurou seems happier now too, again based on that shine in his eye.

Ren glances up when Shiryuu yells "ow!" from the kitchen. From what they can see, he tried to pick up the boiling water. If this were an anime, a large bead of sweat would be rolling down the side of their head.

Is this really the coldblooded monster who tortured and terrorized Tsubasa...? Then again, they could ask the same question of Kurou over here... Ren may not ''like'' Shiryuu, but they must admit, his contradictions make him an intriguing figure.

At this rate, Ren and Umie are going to need to form a support group.

At least the rain's letting up. That's good for Morgana's fur ''and'' his ears. Those ears twitch a bit. Jogashima...? It sounds like those two have a different understanding of whatever happened there... But what are these dangerous elements they're talking about?

...Seems like they won't be talking about them much more. Which makes sense, given the mixed company.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A Kurou is a creature that knows how to take up very little space. When he had his own apartment, he felt his space become bigger. But somehow, sharing this space with Umie has felt even a little bit bigger than that.

Serious discussions going on to the side is not something Kurou is attuned to. Even if he was, he would pay it little mind. That is not his assigned task for the moment, and his trust for Shiryuu is one that doesn't think to question any of his and Umie's whispering.

Not a philosophy...? "But it surely requires its own approach and mindset..." Even the idea that something should not be overthought is something Kurou has the power to overthink. He might be doing it right now. But he does not firmly with Ren's assessment. That is something he can accept with pride.

Right now, his commitment is fully invested in shifting the perspective of Ren's history notes. It might mean covering unintended material, but Kurou trusts the negative space's ability to let Ren demolish their exams.

''Let's do it,'' and, like a command, Kurou methodically cascades into notebook opening, textbook referencing, phone typing fervor. His ears nearly seem to burn in the warm atmosphere of Umie's apartment.

Where Kurou's formal education has suffered, and while his social understanding is... ''lacking'', to put it mildly, his ability to ''get'' information surfaces. Using Ren's notes, he's able to cross reference figures and bring up research material with expedience, and instead of the political machinations of queens and kings, begins penning notes on the responses for those who contested them.

Yet his focus on the objective of it remains intact as he speaks to Ren aloud of his findings and their function: it might be easy to meander into a tangent of interesting information, but this is about the test's questions and finding the solution Ren needs to better absorb the answers.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The onmitsu is currently nursing his burned fingertips by flicking the infuser in a hand, shuffling the fine-diced leaves in the basket to fluff them for maximum surface area. Otherwise known as, completely ignoring the problem. Flick flick. The boy does this in a strange, ritualistic two-handed fashion. He's intensely focused, as if trying to get each shred arranged in the basket exactly to his liking. Little wafts of the sweet scent begin permeating the air. Agh, oh no.

Any more and he'll ruin it. The _shihaisha's_ nerves are considerably more at ease when Akabane concedes at least one point. That leaves the other.

'We'll talk about it later.'
Not listening to her... the thought sticks with the grey-haired boy a moment. "...the Indigo," he proposes, quietly. "Maybe the rooftop this time..."

Shiryuu meets the bunned devil's crooked smile for awhile. Long enough for the moment to become awkward. Finally he blinks, accepting the pad with a numb, blank expression, finally noticing his fingertips still ache. "...." The infuser lifts, holding it in three fingers while he presses the remaining two between his lips to soothe, his bracelet falling down his wrist. "Mnh," he grouses, noncommittally. He returns to the water, handling it gently enough to get it onto the pad, and to set the infuser just so in the hot water. It has to brew only for so long. Long enough to get cups.

It's easy to forget things, here, in this space. Yes, in that, there is a certain 'warmth' that the young man slowly becomes aware of, somewhere between his subordinate exchanging phone numbers with the accursed but powerful part-timer, and the tea he and Akabane make. Umie might notice when Shiryuu's attention breaks, when his eyeline finally raises off of what he's doing -- off of her.

The shirogarasu is watching Kurou quietly out of the corner of his eye, making sure not to interrupt. Absently he's setting out cups. The young man's written face is a studious neutral, unsmiling, unwavering, as his focus sharpens.

One ... two ... three. The fourth is considered. It's set aside, back behind a door. The rain's stopping..

And just like that, the dream ends for the shirogarasu.

"It would be unconscionable to interrupt any further," the shihaisha decides quietly, eyes closing. The tea doesn't take long to brew -- a few minutes -- nor does it take overlong, with the appropriate attention paid, to pour it.

Now, and only now, is there the sense that Ryouhara's attention might be anywhere near sharp enough to notice they are being spied on. Luckily, the young man's attention only shifts lightly towards the window.

"... I'll leave it in your hands, for now," the young man says.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Seems both Ren and Umie's lives have their share of crows in them. Odd, given their liking of uncomplicated, straightforward people...

.... ah, well, there's that love of complicated people, too. That's probably the culprit.

'One who knows how much she talks.' There's the ol' Amamiya mischief, there. Umie's eyes sparkle slightly in the back and forth, but, as befitting a proper senpai, she holds back her next remark, shooting Ren a blackbird's grin. "Save that energy for your studies, Amamiya-kun~"

This may be the strangest, most indirect way Umie has helped the Phantom Thieves, all without knowing a single thing. Ren gets a rare look into the other side of Shiryuu, someone only a few of the Phantom Thieves have actually seen, with the benefit of her being there to ensure Shiryuu's... Shiryuuness doesn't inflame itself to dangerous levels.

"Alright. Let's do that," she says quietly to Shiryuu. "Until then, how about you..." She follows Shiryuu's gaze to Kurou and Ren.

She shares a grin then, with Shiryuu, almost smugly as she indicates Ren with her chin.

'See?' she says, without saying anything at all.

However.

The rain has let up, and the spell is over, evident in the lack of the fourth cup. "...." Umie's expression saddens a touch at Shiryuu's admission. ".... Tonight, then. No fair for you to come all this way." They'll talk about something, either way.

Her fingers stray over Shiryuu's for a discreet second, and she lets them go, with a cheeky smirk, as she pours the tea. "You're always welcome to change your mind, of course," she offers, taking over for the tea. "Thank you for stopping by; it was good to see you."

That is the last bit of intel Ren will find: the way Umie and Shiryuu regard each other, and how it turns from one moment to the next.

......... They'll definitely need that support group, won't they?

Coming over with the tea cups, Umie sets down one before Kurou and Ren, going back to have some of her own. "I would've used the teabags, if it was me. You two are extremely lucky." She gives the two young scholars a discreet wink. "I'll need Kurou to teach me sometime... I don't have the patience to do it properly, though."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
One can like uncomplicated, straightforward people ''and'' contradictory, messy people. Cats vs. dogs is a false dichotomy.

"Fiine," Ren says mildly to Umie. They ''did'' come here to study, whether that's their books or the ''two'' ninjas they ended up encountering here.

Not a philosophy, but--an approach and mindset? Ren considers this. Considering all the part-time jobs they've got (eight at last count; they're just collecting them at this point), they have to imagine it'd ''have'' to compared to a single full-time job.

So: "That much is true," they concede. "If there ''is'' a philosophy, I don't know about it. I just clock in when I've got time for a shift and collect my pay at the end of it."

It's fascinating to watch Kurou throw himself into research. Ren thinks they can understand how he's managing at high school despite no previous schooling (allegedly). "What subject do ''you'' have trouble with?" they prompt so they can do something while Kurou's doing this for them.

And the fact that Kurou's focused on what will actually show up on the exams is ''a lot'' for them. Ren enjoys reading and learning. It's the structure of school itself that chafes on them. Having what's functionally a cheat sheet to remember what will appear on those exams, as opposed to falling down a rabbit hole of interesting but irrelevant information, will make them that much easier for Ren to conquer. They might even end up in the top third this time around...!

For all that Morgana might be spying, at least he can only hear some of it--the roof of the Indigo? where is that?--and certainly can't see what Shiryuu does with that fourth cup. Ren, too, is sufficiently caught up in studying that they don't notice either. For better or worse, that moment belongs to Shiryuu and Umie alone.

They only look up when Umie serves the tea that she and he prepared. "Thanks," they say, and ''now'' glance past her at Shiryuu. It seems like he's going to leave early, huh... ...well, that's fine too. These things take time, and thanks to a misunderstanding on their part, they don't realize that a clock is still ticking on Tsubasa and the task Shiryuu's trying to force them to complete.

"Is Ryouhara-san," as opposed to the 'Ryouhara-kun' that is Kurou, "that good at making tea?" they wonder, and reach for their cup to take a sip and taste for themself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou could understand that, for he likes both cats and dogs very much. (Kurou may not know what anyone were talking about.)

Ren goes on to describe what Kurou, unfortunately, begins to parse as their philosophy on the matter of work. It's good he does not know there are ''eight jobs'' being described: it would only encourage him. "I see... A dedication of time you have, so long as they make it worth spending..." He nods slowly like this is enlightening him to something.

It might be. He always considers the time he gives the shirogarasu worth spending.

But his meandering mind goes much quicker with a target. Ren asks after Kurou's own weaknesses, and Kurou looks to his textbooks. "I struggle with Literature... and essay questions only add to the difficulty..."

One might imagine Kurou having unusual takes and interpretations on texts while struggling to communicate any of it.

His focus only breaks from Ren once tea is served. But there are only three cups.

"Ah --" Kurou barely utters it before he quiets, watching Shiryuu in an uncertain silence. But it would be rude to ignore Umie any longer, and Kurou gives a small start back to the tea he's been served. He wraps his fingers around the cup to feel the heat.

He does not frown, but he looks at the surface with a weight of something like loneliness. Yet it does not feel right to Kurou to call the feeling gnawing at his chest entirely his own.

"... I do not mind. But... 'The fact that it's from you' is the most important thing," he echoes of something Umie told him once, when he wondered aloud if his mother would like his tea. "Isn't that right?"

Kurou takes a single, slow sip, lingering with the taste and aroma for several moments.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Yes," Shiryuu thinks absently. Fondly, when no one else is paying attention. "She does talk a lot, doesn't she.."

The thought is adrift, long belated and long cooling on the windowsill upon which Shiryuu's attention is focused. After taking a moment to carefully bag the leaf, wipe everything down and rinse the infuser, the young man steps away from the kitchenette, slowly pulling loose the cordage at his haori sleeves so they drop slack around his wrists again as Akabane takes the cups out and over to Kurou and Ren. It leaves the older Ryouhara to consider his hand for the moment. Not the one that was burned -- the one that held the pad a moment ago. A thumb runs over the first two fingertips thoughtfully under eyes that are two different shades of brown.

'It was good to see you.'
"... I .." Shiryuu starts to say something, but it's lost to a split-second look just past Umie's shoulder.

Then, his hand disappears beneath the sleeve of his haori, and it was like they were never there.

"...Second only to inimitable Kurou," Shiryuu acknowledges Ren in the background, as he steps through the living space, checking the painting on the wall for straightness as he goes. Mostly, it's an excuse not to have to look at anything or anyone other than the window. "Tea is a matter of timing, and precision. But there is another X-factor that cannot be quantified readily." He nods to Kurou simply, without looking. 'The fact that it's from you.' ".... it's something like that," he guesses absently.

As would be expected, Shiryuu's technical ability is par excellence. The tea has been, despite his injuries making it, perfectly steeped and measured, the hot water at just the right temperature. It is mildly sweet, and it is fragrant. More robust than light, because his intentionality is heavy-handed. But -- it will differ from something made by Kurou. Even the tea-bags that Umie threatens all of their delicate sensibilities with.

For those with an excellent, unfettered taste, they will understand where the feeling goes numb for the grey-haired young man. Where warmth ends and .. nothing starts.

He is polite enough. "Kurou... please show this person the full power of three hundred years of Ryouhara academics." A glance lifted to Ren. "Enjoy it fully and without discretion. But..."

"....no part-timing," he reminds them, severely.

Umie gets the last, long second of his eyes.
"...Akabane."
Faced with saying something, anything, the young man visibly breathes outward, evicting all of the air in his chest, to make room for a fresh fill of his lungs, easing his own carefully managed discomfort.

".... be seeing you."
He will, to his credit, at least leave quietly without further incident.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ren's reply gets an unexpected chortle through Umie's hand. Ahh, a relaxed Ren and Kurou is a sight to see.

Too bad she'll likely need to not be present for more of it to happen, but that's just the way friendships are able to bloom: naturally.

And sometimes violently, without intention.

Shiryuu's own contribution, perhaps, may only have Mona as company, for how well he hides it from the rest of them.

".... It's a discipline of flexibility," Umie contributes. "I may not have the ability to do this forever, but those late night shifts mean I can have time for..." Pause. "Things like this."

For the Dark Hour, and Mementos, and all the things that drive the part of her that was so eager to get out of her shift. But also this. She can just say that, and no one will think anything of it.

Kurou, seeing the three tea cups, draws a soft sound of sympathy, as she realizes where his eyes draw to.

He's hungry for that connection, isn't he? And why not, considering Shiryuu is the only one...

But this itself may be Shiryuu's gift, Umie realizes. To give Kurou that room to be Kurou, and not simply Kurou Ryouhara, the one who swore loyalty to his shihaisha.

"The tea *is* different between the two," she says, picking up on Ren's question. "I'll never say which is better, but..."

'The fact that it is from you'. Umie gives the words a solid nod. "Yes. I never ask, but whenever he comes ho-- here, from school, Ryouhara-kun makes me tea." She looks down at the cup, the corners of her lips fighting to keep from twisting up in joy. "Any time I don't get home in time, I feel bad, because I know he's made tea for me. But on the days I come in, and it's been a rough day, there's tea. And even if there's none, there's the memory of it, and I make myself some."

It's hard to convey, without leaning too hard on it; Kurou is supposed to be a teenage boy, with teenage dreams and aspirations; not someone obliged to make someone giving him a place to stay something to drink. However, Umie senses there is a joy in it for him, like expressing a feeling his face and manner is unable to convey.

It's something Umie's very unused to, when it came to her own home: thoughtfulness.

'Akabane.'

Now, it's Umie's turn; eye straying towards the window, she selfishly wishes the rain would come back, so he'd feel like staying here was no longer a bother to the rest of them.

No answer comes, which Morgana is likely thankful for, at the very least.

Looking over her shoulder at Shiryuu, her gaze lingers a touch. She nods. "Be seeing you, Shiryuu."

'You can still stay', she wants to say.

It's when Shiryuu leaves that Umie digs into a bag of cheese puffs, munching a few. Munch, munch, munch minch.

"Don't mind him, Ren. He's a Sagittarius," Umie says, taking another sip of tea from her teacup.

As if that explained anything, _little Miss Aries_.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
In fairness, Ren only works those jobs at their convenience. Some of them they haven't worked in a solid while, like Cafe Chagall or Ore no Beko. Hell, they only still work at Triple Seven because they get to see Umie there--a benefit for more than just her scintillating personality. Either way, it does seem like Kurou grasps the gist, and they nod in acknowledgement. Umie has a good contribution too.

Literature, though, huh... "That's a tough one. A lot of literature is up to interpretation. I'm pretty good at that subject, though, so let's go over that next," Ren replies. After all, it's not really something one can do on the side.

''The tea ''is'' excellent,'' Ren reflects as they drink and Shiryuu explains. They glance at Umie when she seconds that the two of them make tea differently. The technical prowess, despite Shiryuu burning his fingers, is clearly there. But... Maybe a year ago, Ren wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. However, after drinking cups of the Boss's coffee nearly every day since April, they ''do'' have a sense of when there's something else there. 'The fact that it's from you,' as Kurou puts it. As Umie expands upon that with her story about how Kurou manifests it.

Ren glances at the two of them, then sips the tea again as he considers Shiryuu and ''his'' tea's lack of that X-factor. How he's choosing to leave, even though both Umie and Kurou clearly want him to stay.

"Thank you for the tea," they say politely. They hold their tongue about the part-timing.

Umie might try to dismiss his behavior as the antics of a Sagittarius, but it's pretty clear to them it goes far deeper than that.

Once the three of them have finished their drinks, they and Kurou can return to studying--and Umie to snacking--in earnest.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, a fortuitously complimentary situation..." Kurou notes of Ren's strengths to his weaknesses. So this is the power of a study partner...

Kurou sips at the tea with a cherishing pace, not merely as one who appreciates the subtleties of Shiryuu's proficient blend, but... hm. The 'X-factor' Shiryuu finds himself missing...

Kurou does not say what he thinks it is, but his gaze wanders to where Umie keeps her cups. The absence of the fourth...

What if it had rained a little longer...?

"...I like it," he says of Shiryuu's tea, not quite to Shiryuu, but 'at' him with the way it quietly spills into the air. "No part-timing," Kurou echoes, with more firm intent, as someone who understands what it is Shiryuu means by such words. He will give his all to this, because that is the opportunity his shihaisha wants him to have.

How to give his shihaisha the opportunity for a 'fourth cup'... that is a more difficult question.

But Kurou's posture perks up with Umie describing her appreciation for the tea. "Please do not feel badly for such days, Akabane-san. If it is there when you need it, that is enough."

Much as Kurou tries to make the tea last, no cup is infinite. Soon, he and Ren will return to their studies to defeat the final day of exams.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-03: Because It's From You

2026-04-07T06:06:46Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Because It's From You'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 03, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Kurou needs a study buddy. Why not Ren? They need snacks. Why not go get them? There's four cups of tea. Why leave so soon?''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
>> Hey
>> Kurou Ryouhara-kun was wondering if you wanted to study together?

Ah, no, Umie thinks, in the aftermath of sending that last text. That'll sound weird, like she's trying to manage him.

>> He doesn't have your number, no big deal if you got plans

Umie grins triumphantly. There. Now Ren won't feel obligated, either way.

======

With all that settled, Umie dips her head to take a quick scan of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the amount of appropriately study-necessary snacks and drinks are low; Umie looks up to Kurou. "I'm going to stop by the Larson's down the way. If Amamiya-kun gets here before I do, just let him in." Checking her phone to check the weather, Umie makes a face and grabs her rainjacket. "I'll be quick."

The frosted sliding windows, while amazing for privacy reasons, come with a major drawback: you can't really get a sense of the weather. (Though, to be fair, with the other apartment building a narrow alley's width away, it's anyone's guess what the weather would be.)

With the weather turning cooler, they've rarely been open; the apartment, as small as it is, is far better suited for keeping warm as long as they're kept shut, with the space heater turned on whenever Umie is there. Due to the layout being longer than it is wide, most of the warmth is concentrated in the living area than the hallway, with the kitchenette (done in cheery yellow tiles) situated in between.

The main area is a small couch and a table, with a TV mounted on the wall. While the white walls sit more or less empty of any decor, a painting hangs centered over the couch, being of a random spatter of paint across the stretched canvas, with a little 'WHIRLWIND '''' RHYTHM' print stamped into the texture. There's a clothing rack for Umie's clothes to the side. A smaller crafts table is set into the far corner nearby the windows, where a strange mobile of hangers sits empty, connected to a long painted over hook for some long forgotten device. The table itself is covered in newspaper and a crafting mat, with a narrow thin small shelving unit there to house various paint supplies. A sliding door to the bathroom next to the kitchen.

It'd be so much tighter if it wasn't kept mostly clean; it'd make sense to Umie why Kurou considers it a 'warm' place.

What was a previously overcast day will soon turn rainy, however, making Umie's decision to only step out in her rainjacket a remorseful one as the rain begins to strengthen.

Whether Ren is able to beat the rain will be a matter of timing; Umie, stuck in the line at Larson's, looks out the sliding doors with a grimace of determination.

A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, least of all her!!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
On the way out of Shujin Academy for the day, Ren gets a text from Umie. They furrow their eyebrows at it, and Morgana pops up out of their bag to take a look in time for the second text to come in.

"Kurou Ryouhara... wants to study with you?" Morgana murmurs, peeking over at his protege.

"Kind of last second. There's only one day of exams left," Ren murmurs back.

"Hmm... It could be a trap. Even if he doesn't know your true identity, he could've found out you're friends with Tsubasa. What're you gonna do?"

Ren considers it for a moment, then texts Umie back:

>> OK. Where to?

~ * ~

"I'll keep an eye out from out here. Good luck in there," Morgana says from where he's hopped down from Ren's bag in the alleyway Umie's apartment window opens into.

Ren nods. The rain hasn't started yet, but it's only a matter of time. Timing-wise, it helps that they came here straight from school; it's along the way, after all. "You sure you'll be okay out here?"

"Getting caught in the rain isn't my ''favorite'' thing," Morgana admits, "but I like it way better than getting caught by ninjas." His furry face sets with determination. "Don't worry. I've got your back, Ren."

They smile slightly, briefly, then turn to leave the alley. Morgana will be left to parkour up the side of the building and keep an eye out from above while Ren heads to the front and makes their presence known, whether by pressing a buzzer or knocking or however it works for Umie's apartment. Hopefully Kurou will let them in before they have to open up their umbrella.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is thanks to the wisdom and mercy of the shirogarasu that Kurou does not have to juggle his shinobi tasks with his studies... but that does not mean the studies are simple. Not if he wants to excel in them, as he has promised to do. Previously, he had a respectable showing, but...

For Kurou, merely 'respectable' is not enough. Not if he wants to allow himself to earn the prestigious mochi sticker he has set aside for himself.

(And also, it is important to be the sort of shinobi who would lose a minimal amount of fingers.)

As Umie has tried to point out many times before, studying together is an effective tactic, and with the final push of exams underway, there is no tactic that can be overlooked. Tea, Kurou decides, is something he can make toward the end of the study sessions: that way, Umie may be able to benefit from a cup herself.

"Oh. As predicted..." Kurou muses to himself as it seems Ren has arrived before her return. He opens the door and seeing the darkness of the clouds outside, does not linger with excessive formalities as he might otherwise be wont to do.

"Welcome, Amamiya-san. Please come in. You may sit where you like."

His own study materials -- a spiral notebook, a single pencil, and a cracked open textbook, each perfectly in parallel to one another -- are laid out over the table, with his schoolbag and its other texts and notebooks peeking out of it. Kurou's face isn't particularly ''animated'', to put it mildly, but there is a fatigue worn upon it with a tension in his brow etching his determination to push past it. He has failed to touch up his nail polish recently, and it does not quite meet the cuticle.

"I hope you did not find my request disruptive. My intention is that we will both gain the strength we need to subdue our respective final challenges."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a good reason for Ren to be wary; for all he knows, it could be a setup for an ambush, and, being the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he'd be a prime person to target.

Morgana may find the apartment notably easy to get to from the alleyway: a jump on the dumpster, a few footholds, andddd well, the windows are locked, unless you knew the secret method of lifting up on the window pane, and then jiggling it out with your wider human arm span and--

Yeah. At least he'll be there? And he'll have a clear view of a short woman in a pink rainjacket on the other side of the street, hurrying over to the crosswalk... at just at the right time a car whizzes through a puddle at just the right angle, launching a magnificent wave of water over her and another unlucky onlooker. Seriously, it's like the car casted an Aqua spell.

Umie, however, just continues on! The snacks must be there!! She promised.... no one, actually, and Kurou'd likely not mind, but Ren is not a secret Ryouhara ninja!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The apartment door opens. Kurou invite them inside. "Thanks," they reply, and enter.

The vibe doesn't ''seem'' off, Ren notes as they take a look around. Study materials, a lived-in-but-regularly-cleaning sort of amount of mess... They look back at Kurou, and he may be inexpressive, but he does seem tired.

"You're fine. I was just a little surprised," they reply. "I study better with a partner, too."

They pull their own study materials out and lay them on the table, then set down their bag next to the chair they seat themself on. "The last day for us over at Shujin Academy is sort of general questions. Make sure we've been paying attention in class, sort of thing," they remark, looking up at Kurou. "What about for your school?"

If Kurou is doing this earnestly, then that means he cares about scoring well on his exams. If that's the case, then he must have an idea of what he's being tested ''on''.

Outside: Morgana settles in on the window sill and peeks in from outside. It's started raining, and unfortunately he lacks human arms to jiggle the window with, but at least he's got a good view of what's going on inside and out.

This includes Umie getting splashed by a car as she walks up the street. Morgana sweatdrops. Poor Umie...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is to Kurou's discredit that he never considers when his actions might be considered an ambush or a trap. This is because he would like to think that he would never be announcing one, even if deception, and that anyone he intended to give a last surprise would never see it coming.

Today, he is genuinely focused on studying.

"Kasugayama has a similar structure, from my understanding," Kurou tells Ren. He glances down, sighing. "... Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution, so I can't claim full confidence, nor deny the possibility of trick questions..."

Kurou may have been told what he's being tested on, but that does not mean he necessarily ''believes'' it, and only has the previous exam period as an example. That's hardly a pattern. Expecting to be deceived about what he's being tested on might be an odder behavior if Ren did not already know Kurou's line of 'work'.

He rubs at his temple idly, his gaze wandering with his struggling thoughts.

"... There was even some psychology material..."

With a shake of his head, he focuses back on them.

"What about you? We will need to cover both of our weaknesses."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
They'd never feel him coming until it's too late.

The boy arrives like the fall wind and rain, little more than a grey blotch against the skyline, nimble, silent, and armed. He arrives somewhere between now and then, somewhere in the blotch of parasols that flare open as the overcast turns into a drizzle, though little peeks of his white silk haori flick beyond the umbrella he carries.

It's not all he carries, a little crossbody bag under his haori, into the band of which a long red bundle has been tucked.

Another plastic bag produced, the parasol shaken neatly, and tucked into it, to be tucked in against the red bag. The boy's shoes -- getting slightly older now, a pair of expensive collector's edition Nike -- are soundless in the halls as he makes his way upstairs, the glide of his sleeves in the still air as he disappears into the dark of the complex's hallways.

The lightest whisper of his aura creeps in from beyond the raw edges of the apartment door, as the shihaisha of all Ryouhara approaches, a look of cold ambition across the otherwises indiscriminately, oppressively neutral mien of his face. The lock is not at all an impediment to him.

That would be the end of things, wouldn't it?

No, hardly; Shiryuu never actually makes it to Umie's doorstep. He stops at the edge of the doorway, practicing what to say. "'Akabane, long time no see,'" he starts thoughtfully. Hm. Not natural. It would be good to set a powerful precedent for Kurou. "'Akabane, the night comes for you!'" ..ugh, no, she doesn't seem like the type. Plus, if it's too much she'll think of a good comeback and he would have to resort to subduing her....somehow. Come on, Ryouhara, think. Don't let the female win.

"...iehh?" He looks up from his thought a moment later.
The next words are the thunder of genuine silver-haired distress, now actually audible from inside.

"AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> See, you may think the storm has come, but in reality, the storm is still coming. Even from Mona's vantage point, he would be clueless.

That is how ninjas work, after all.

*squish* *squish* *squish* *squish*

Triumphant as she gets to the elevator, Umie jams her hand into her purse to feel for her keys, her other hand holding up the dripping plastic bag as she peeks inside. "...."

Well, the snacks are dry, at least.

A chipped nail presses the call button for the elevator- she's not feeling up for going up the stairs today, no matter how good it may be for her stamina.

=======

The triumph leaks out of Umie with all the aplomb of a slow, sad mute trombone, as she stands there by the practicing Shiryuu, like some.... pink... raincoat-ed killer??

'AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!'

"Nice to see you too," she says with a flat, lopsided smile, as she puts the key into the lock and opens the door. ".... I got some snacks, uh, give me a sec, Kurou, your..." She looks to Shiryuu, as if trying to remember their relation to each other. "... cousin? How are you related again?"

REN, RUN. IT'S CLEARLY A SETUP. MAYBE.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu ''does'' enter the building without drawing Morgana's attention. Perhaps it was while he was distracted with parkouring up to Umie's apartment window; perhaps Shiryuu's just that good. Perhaps it's some of both. Either way, Morgana won't be able to give Ren a warning about him.

'Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution...'

"..."

Yeah, it's a good thing that Ren already knows they're talking to a ninja. They ''do'' wonder how he got enrolled if he has no previous schooling, but Kasugayama does have a reputation for not caring. Maybe that's explanation enough.

Trick questions are a lot easier to understand. It really depends on the teacher. Speaking of which: "We've had some of that this year too. Psychology, I mean," Ren remarks. That's thanks to Dr. Maruki, though. "Assuming it's like the first term's exams, I think as long as I review my notes, I'll be okay."

They rest their cheek on one hand. Weaknesses, huh... "I'm not really great at history or social studies, though. They're pretty boring." Especially when 'social studies' is synonymous with 'political stuff.' "What about you?"

This is approximately when a shout erupts from the hallway outside the apartment. Ren raises their head to stare in subdued alarm. ...They recognize that voice.

The next moment, a key undoes the front door lock, and Umie walks in, soaked. The silver-haired youth in the white coat is out there in the hall behind her.

"......"

Ren keeps their mouth shut. They want to know how Kurou and Shiryuu are related to each other too, actually.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
There are ways to fabricate a history of education. None of these ways are likely to matter that much to Kasugayama High. Even trying to do well on his exams may not be considered typical Kasu student behavior.

But here Kurou is, in a high school he ought to be unqualified for by virtue of the system's requirements, doing his best to ace his exams. Surely even ninja children require education, though. So why is this all new to Kurou...?

As Ren relays his own weaknesses, Kurou's demeanor perks up. "History I may be able to assist with --" That's about as far as he gets into that line of thinking before his attention is in sync with Ren's own to outside the apartment.

Instead of alarm, Kurou's own eyes seem to have the smallest beginnings of a sparkle for their surprise guest.

That sparkle evaporates abruptly to see Umie's drowned pixie form. "Akabane-san, are you all right?" he asks, first thing, before grabbing a towel from the kitchen. He looks down at it, then back up at her. She is going to need a bigger towel...

But there's a question: how are Kurou and Shiryuu actually related?

...

Kurou looks directly at Shiryuu, deferring to him to set the designation.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Aaaaah, you're going to catch your death of co--"

Shiryuu was thoroughly intending to let Umie really have a piece of his mind this time. She's always playing out in the rain, getting soaked. It's not like endurance training, she has a thin constitution and could catch pneumonia ...

'Nice to see you too.' then she smiles.

The onmitsu doesn't say anything, locked with mouth quirked open in a state of mute annoyance and deep, unabiding confusion. Did she just move him out of the way? She absolutely did, didn't she? What was he going to say? This is completely unconscionable.

"....." Shiryuu sighs, sword-long, as he finally lifts his chin, stepping quietly inside just enough to divest Umie of her varying burdens as Kurou gets the towels. It is very clear that if he doesn't take her bags he's going to dry her hair, and once that happens, there's literally no telling what all else.

Now he is well weighted. Even so, the intensity with which Shiryuu is fretting on the other side of the bags is intense, little more than a grey mop swishing back and forth on the other side. ".....cousins is fine," he states, mildly offput.

A brown eye peers around the bag at Ren, finally realizing they're here. Is his situational awareness really that bad??

"a...ah. it's you."
A look is shot. Don't spill even a single bean, you.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> While Umie had set up that question in case Ren was there, she hadn't thought beyond that. That much is clear when the door opens, and she's surprised to see the curly-haired unassuming young man there. "Oh hey! Sorry about that." She casts a glance towards Shiryuu, as if giving him a silent warning in case he decides to just barrel inside. "They're studying."

"Oh, you two know each other?" Eyes focus on Ren momentairely, sharing a subtle twinkle of amusement. Is that a hint of mischief there? "Ah, Amamiya-kun, you should have said something! Shiryuu can be shy sometimes..."

Which may look weird to say, as Umie finds her burden lightened. "O-oh," she says, broken out of her secret little jab at Shiryuu for threatening her co-worker. "Oh, hey, you don't need to..." Drip, drip. The edges of Umie's coat channel drops of collected rainwater onto the no-nonsense low pile carpeting of the hallway.

While the rain has let up slightly, it hasn't stopped.

Shiryuu *did* come here, for her, after they chatted about bonds, and she does really miss him. It's just that there's things they need to talk about, and Umie needs to talk to him!!

And, to left him in, after the trouble he put Ren through...!

No matter. Shiryuu's taking the snacks, while Kurou is grabbing a kitchen towel. "Don't worry, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Looking back towards Shiryuu, her gaze softens a touch; she directs him in with a jerk of her chin. "Maybe you can help. Amamiya-kun's a co-worker of mine. He's a great worker, quiet, but don't let him fool you. Sometimes he can be a bit of a mischief-maker himself."

Taking off her jacket, and hanging it in the open hallway closet Umie slips out of her slopping wet shoes. Walking into the main room, she grabs a sweater and some sweatpants. "Augh... I'm going to go change in the bathroom really quick. You three behave, okay?" ... not that she won't just hear it past the door.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
'Cousins is fine,' Shiryuu says, which indicates to Ren that 'cousins' is ''not'' what they are but he doesn't care enough to correct her.

On top of that tidbit, he seems to be fussing over Umie all the way into the apartment, to the point that he doesn't notice them until they're all well inside the apartment. He's really obsessed with her, huh...

They glance at Kurou as he approaches with that too-small towel, then look back at Umie. They catch the Look that Shiryuu shoots them and return it with a bland lack of expression that betrays none of what they're thinking.

They already hinted Umie into awareness anyway.

They meet her sparkling eye and give her a non-committal shrug. "Shouldn't you dry off, Akabane-san?" they say. When she describes them to Shiryuu in turn as a 'bit of a mischief-maker,' Ren can't ''quite'' help a slight smile. As she goes off to the bathroom with a change of clothes, they watch her go; then they look at Shiryuu and Kurou.

Then they focus in on Kurou. "You were saying about history?" they prompt. All considered, they suspect he ''could'' make the subject very interesting indeed.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Cousins. This is the easiest way to explain their family relations, really. Kurou suspects that he and Shiryuu do not actually share a grandparent, and after a fashion, even a family-family (as opposed to a shinobi family) may use the term broadly as specifics become too entangled. Their actual relationship is that of shihaisha and subordinate, but to be called cousins -- not mutually exclusive with the truth -- still puts a shine in Kurou's eyes that is getting worse the longer he is considering it.

It is, after all, still a family-family term.

Oh. Do Shiryuu and Ren know one another? As Umie brings up the possibility, Kurou, too, looks between the two of them with his subtle brand of curiosity.

The wrong place at the wrong time. "Then let us correct it," Kurou offers, as Shiryuu takes her burden. Umie has that covered, making her move into the bathroom to change. He hesitates, gaze straying to the kitchen.

"Maybe I should make tea..." he ventures. They're supposed to be studying, but he doesn't want Umie to catch a chill and get sick. Plus, Shiryuu is visiting. It's Ren, thankfully, who reminds him of his purpose here with studying, and Kurou finds their gaze now instead.

"I would not call it my favorite subject... that still belongs to biology. But history is similarly alive... like an organism with many moving parts. If it is 'boring', perhaps we can find a different perspective that better illuminates the greater whole for you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"You two-bunned demon -- I'm not shy -- !" Shiryuu objects in all immediacy after Umie introduces him in such a friendly context, though now he's quite literally holding the bag, so his objections are forced to trebuchet over the top, a singlee defiant sprig of dingy grey hair wagging with the force of his declaration.

He does not, however, seem to be thinking about where to put the bag, and is definitely not giving it back while putting on a solid information suppression campaign. "I'm -- not a mischief -- what! It's you who are the --" Shiryuu is scandalized right up until Umie is gone.

Right up until she is gone.

"-- if I have to be, I'll become the overlord of mischief," Shiryuu threatens. "Tengu will look to me for advice, and monkeys will avert their heads in shame. You'll absolutely not give me that cool look of studious indiference again, part timer, or I'll have your hair dyed purple," he informs Ren in not even a second's worth of wasted time. "I have no mercy for you," he adds, hushed.

Then he pauses thoughtfully.
"... except during midterms," he allows.

"Become a strong academic power for Kurou to match his wits with, and I'll overlook your catty nature. But ... you're forbidden to teach him any of your part-timing ways. I'm still responsible for my family."

This all would be much better if he wasn't still carrying the bag, and Ren could actually see his eyes to tell how dead serious he is.

"....oh.."

Finally Shiryuu seems to notice, setting down the sack nearby. "No," he tells Kurou, when he thinks about tea. "I'll get to it. Instead, use these to strengthen your bodies for the coming trial," he finally says, scratching his temple. He's looking off in the direction of the bathroom. I guess she did say...

"If you have any academic need," the shihaisha finally decides with a imperious lift of his chin, "my resources were and are as limitless as the night sky." He's fetching a sheaf of napkins, so that he can get to his knees, tying up his haori sleeves so he can fold the paper and use both hands to blot the wet out of the carpet before it starts to smell strange. Strange little ceremony, all truth told.

Odds are he's just coping.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
'You two-bunned demon--' Umie's lips split in a merry, open smile, as she walks in. "I missed you too~" she says, singsong, before remembering that Ren is here.

But also, _Ren is here_. Surely, Ren would forgive her for a bit of friendly violence, as long as he gets to remain free and involved as an innocent bystander?

.... oh right she might catch a cold

Shutting the sliding panel door shut, Umie barely gets started when she hears Shiryuu talking. And going on. Something about Tengu, and monkeys, and 'no mercy'--

"No bullying Amamiya-kun," Umie flatly warns from the bathroom. She's listening, though when the hairdryer comes out, it's a little bit harder to do so.

...... But only for a moment.

It clicks off, only for Umie to add a punctuated, "I mean it, Shiryuu." This, regardless of how grey haired young man is handling Ren.

When she hears the faintest suggestion of words and tone that agree with her, the hairdryer turns back on.

Soon enough, the door opens, and Umie emerges like a butterfly from a non-Homunuculus-type cocoon: an oversized grey sweatshirt that hangs over her waist, sweatpants, socks and slippers, and her toweled off blonde hair in a ponytail.

In other words, the most comfortable grey butterfly.

"Are you all comfortable?" she asks moving to the kitchenette. "... Oh Shiryuu, it's fine," she murmurs, with some fondness. "I'll put a towel down." She looks for the snack bag and, opening it up, reveals some chips, a few cans of soda. Something savory, something sweet, something just good comfort food. "I should've put these in the fridge..." She sets them put by the two, and looks to Shiryuu. "I'll help you make tea. You make better tea than I do, after all." It'll also get him off the floor.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
And while Shiryuu might not care enough to correct Umie, Kurou seems deeply happy to be labeled a 'cousin,' if that shine in his eyes is any indication. It... kind of makes Ren sad to see. The implications break their heart a bit. (At least Shiryuu does call him 'family' later?)

It's undermined by Shiryuu yelling at Umie about how he is NOT shy, then at Ren about mischief, mercy, and midterms. (And part-timing, but that doesn't start with an M.)

Ren raises their eyebrows at him. Shiryuu continues to be an absurd human being. At least Umie has their back... She doesn't seem at all threatened by him, either. It's bizarre to watch. It's probably just as well Shiryuu's still holding that bag.

Tea ''would'' be a good idea, even if it is a distraction from studying. Ren really shouldn't let themself get distracted either. Fortunately, Kurou suggests something intriguing: that history is akin to a living organism. Ren's own dark eyes light up some.

"That'd be great. I used to think math was boring too, but then Akabane-san got me to thinking of it like a puzzle. It's not ''fun'', exactly, but I enjoy it a lot more than I used to," they reply. They look over at the kitchen, then at Kurou. "Tea sounds like a good idea. Now that we've got a plan, we can start in earnest once we've got something hot to drink."

...which apparently Shiryuu (and Umie!) will handle instead of Kurou. Ren's not sure how they feel about that, or about this ninja overlord getting on his hands and knees to clean up the carpet, but of the bag of snacks, they say, "Thanks."

They'll accept the chips and soda from Umie upon her glorious comfy return with a nod of gratitude and acknowledgement of their own comfort, and share with Kurou as the two of them sit back down, Ren flipping the pages of their notes until they get to the history section. "Tell me your perspective," they prompt him, looking over at Kurou.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou once again watches the interactions between Umie and Shiryuu with a slight squint. There is something he should pick up on here, but he is not quite sure yet what it is. Shiryuu cares for her deeply, he knows that. And Umie for him. He knows that, too. So why would they need to obfuscate...? Perhaps it is a form of play...?

Like crows rolling down a snowy windshield...

He forgets about this as Shiryuu goes off about becoming the overlord of mischief, and Kurou's eyes shine a little again with his admiration for his shihaisha. (And, indeed, Ren may see the family mention being especially affecting.) At least until...

"Part-timing...?" Kurou echoes, looking to Ren and back to Shiryuu, uncomprehending of this forbidden knowledge.

Regardless, Shiryuu and Umie take up the task to make tea instead, so Kurou can focus on his studies. Kurou bows deeply before nodding. "I will," he agrees of Shiryuu's 'command', resolute. "And I will surpass my previous score. That is a promise."

To Ren, Kurou gives a smaller, apologetic bow. "I would like to make you tea myself sometime, but this will have to wait until after we have suitably dealt with our exams."

He returns to his seat at the table, pausing as Shiryuu points out the other resources. "... You already do much for me," Kurou says in a quiet earnestness. "I do not wish to overburden you."

For, as far as Kurou is concerned, that is something Shiryuu does far too much. The line between 'obedience' and 'true loyalty' is still a difficult one to navigate...

... Ah, but history. Kurou peers over at Ren's notes to get an idea of what their exams stand to cover.

"Yes. The lesson usually takes the point of view of political actors, but if we instead consider it from the angle of..." Kurou begins, trying to shift the approach to something that may be a more interesting narrative than the one Ren's been given until now.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The boy has literally no actual full sentences to say to Umie Akabane.

"Ch--" She's threatening Shiryuu from the bathroom, all the while with Ren in the background subduing him with their eyebrows. Shiryuu would absolutely respond in kind and engage in a tense eyebrow struggle for dominance with the aloof part timer, but Akabane turned off the hairdryer, a detail the sharp-eared onmitsu doesn't miss.

"Part-timers need laws and structure to avoid becoming delinquents," Ryouhara complains mildly at the closed door, though he is absolutely not saying it loud enough for Akabane to hear. She doesn't need to hear his absolute authority to feel its force, like the way the sun warms a house. Or so he insists in his own head.

"You're lucky Akabane has compassion," Ryouhara says, enigmatic and bitter in equal sum. He's not looking back at Ren, the three leaves of the Ryouhara symbol plain across the back of his haori.

What was it she said to him?
It just now occurs to him he was too distracted to say anything back.

Ryouhara takes all of it out on the carpet until stopped. "Most buildings in this area do not ventilate well," he counters, folding over the sheaf of napkins to blot more, pressing down with both hands. "You all could become victimized by black mold. I won't stand for it."

He looks up, once he realizes Umie is back. .... and then, sharply, he looks again.

Cowed, the boy settles back on his knees, resting on the backs of his heels, with his hands folded primly in his lap. He sighs. At this angle, Ren can tell he wears a _thick_ wool sweater underneath that haori. Both of his wrists are adorned, his left with a rather severe-looking bangle that does not at all seem like it was purchased, and a white cordage bracelet around his right, delicately braided and hand-wound, with a jade charm fixing the end so it doesn't fall past his wrist.

"...Kurou."

Shiryuu's eyes are closed while he sits.
"Do not concern yourself overmuch with my limitations. I have none."

If Shiryuu is aware that Kurou is sparkling, he doesn't say anything about it. Instead, the boy kips up onto the balls of his feet. Sneakers removed and stored carefully, Ryouhara looks back at Akabane suspiciously, finally digesting her offer to help, and her implied compliment.

"...You should be resting too," he remarks flatly, face the lightest shade of red before depositing the damp napkins in the wastebasket, deliberately not looking directly at her. "... mmnh." Yes, that's the correct sound to handle her. Regardless, the boy gives consent by not actively stopping her when he gathers supplies and washes his hands.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A puzzle. Umie's eyelids lower slightly, secretly touched that she had that impression on someone else.

.... especially considering that the last person she tutored was _Tatsuya Suou_.

She also notes the shine in Kurou's eyes, lingering on them as she realizes what she may have just enabled (or enabled further). She tries not to puff up with pride at her accidental overreach of authority over the _great shihaisha_.

"It'll give another reason to come over. I'll even give you guys some space," Umie then adds, with a sideways grin. "Though it *does* keep me on my toes to have the expectation of people coming over. Got to keep my place tidy..." She turns her head to try to share an amused glance with Shiryuu, considering the mess it was before.

As Shiryuu gets the carpet cleaned, Umie works on the tea instead, getting out the kettle and the tea leaves, as well as four cups for all of them.

Subtly, she steals a glance over the two, as Ren asks Kurou his perspective, smiling slightly as she turns back to her preparation. Ren was always good at that; at his age, Umie was walled off, save for her friends. It feels now like she's having to catch up, in order to understand people around her.

The exchange between Kurou and Shiryuu, too, is not missed, Umie's lips still curved in a soft smile as Shiryuu assures the polite shinobi, in his own way.

"If you're concerned about my health, then we should get to making tea to calm my fragile nerves," Umie quips at Shiryuu now. "See? I got everything out for you."

It's only until they begin preparing and the two students are seemingly deep into their studies that Umie begins to talk directly to Shiryuu.

"By the way," she murmurs, beneath her breath; while she thinks Ren (and Kurou!) can't hear, it's impossible in this small space to keep too many things secret. "... I need to talk to you about something. Not now, but soon." Her fingers stop her eyes looking to the angle of Shiryuu's face to get a sense of whether or not he's listening. "Let's not use Jogashima Park, this time."

A hint-- it's something serious, but not something she wants to go that direction, either.

"I need to figure something out with you," she adds, softly; remembering how he tried to 'assure' Kurou moments earlier.

To preserve her moments of peace with the Ryouharas, as well as to give Phoenix their own, Umie will have to figure out what Shiryuu is thinking, and express to him how she feels. Not everything has to be a kiss of a blade or of passion; the grey inbetween is what she seeks, for the good of all involved.... which may include Ren now, in a way, possibly?

..... nah, Ren'll be fine, he's just a normal person.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu asserts that part-timers need structure to avoid turning into delinquents, albeit not so loudly that Umie will hear from the bathroom. Ren peers at him again for a moment before they look over at Kurou. "Part-time work. Work done for a limited amount of time. That's what Akabane-san and I do at the Triple Seven," they explain. With a straight face, they wonder, "Are you not allowed to work after school?"

Kurou's probably too busy working for Shiryuu and/or the NWO to have any time for part-timing, and Shiryuu doesn't seem to have the best grasp on what part-timing is in the first place...

Ren watches the interaction between Kurou and Shiryuu. If nothing else, Kurou seems to really care about his 'shihaisha,' and the implication that he cares back might just be keeping him on his tether. Whether Shiryuu actually does care back... that's harder for Ren to get a read on. It's easy to boss someone around and ''say'' you do it because you care about them.

It seems more obvious to them that Shiryuu cares about--or maybe the better term's "is affected by"--Umie in some fashion or another. A man who calls himself the overlord of all ninjas surely doesn't get on his knees to clean a carpet for just anyone, black mold or no. And, sure enough, Shiryuu tells Ren it's lucky Umie has compassion. In other words, if not for her influence, he wouldn't be so merciful on them...

But Ren keeps that thought to themself, though they do briefly twiddle a lock of their bangs as they consider it. They do slip their hands back into their pockets and take in the details of Shiryuu's garb when he leans back on his heels. It's a very interesting look he's got. Ren's not an expert on fashion--something they'd like to change at some point--but none of his accessories seem store-bought. Local goods, maybe? Or made by his clan, even?

"You want me to come over again?" Ren remarks to Umie, purposefully misunderstanding her comment. He half-turns to Kurou. "I guess we ought to exchange phone numbers, then, so she doesn't have to arrange play dates for us."

As little as Ren trusts the Ryouharas, they understand they're now in an excellent position to keep an eye on them thanks to Umie. ...And they do want to try Kurou's tea sometime. They give him a slight, brief smile. "Another time."

But now it's time to return to studying as Umie and Shiryuu take care of the tea. (Snacks can wait.) Settling back in at the table, Ren nods as Kurou starts suggesting that alternate framework. "Hmm... How about from counter-culturalists? Like rebels or freedom fighters?" they suggest. (They're not trying to start anything or even guide him down the path that rocks. They just think rebels are way cooler than kings or queens. Of course, that's not likely to be what they'd get tested on, so it might not help their exam scores anyway--but it might help them, ahem... change their cognition of their studies.)

Over in the kitchen, near one of those frosted windows... a pointed ear twitches. Outside, Morgana leans a little closer. As a 'cat,' his hearing is sharp, but the window ''is'' shut and the rain provides extra background noise, and Umie's keeping her voice down besides. How much of her private conversation with Shiryuu might he overhear, if any?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Yes, crows rolling down the windshield or tugging at one another's tail feathers... Play is also an important wisdom.

Shiryuu and Ren have their own friction together, and it may be telling that Kurou reacts little beyond his own questions. This is Shiryuu, and how Shiryuu carries himself is normal to Kurou. But that Shiryuu acquiesces to Umie's compassion in the matter is a seed to planted in Kurou's mind for later.

Ren explains a part time job in detail, and Kurou nods slowly, brow knit as pieces together new understanding. "I see. My awareness of the concept has proven superficial... I did not realize there was a deeper philosophy attached. Akabane-san and Amamiya-san have much to adapt to..."

Is Kurou not allowed to work? He shakes his head to reject the notion. "No, but I do not think I am someone suited to the 'part time' approach." The way of a shinobi is to live it fully, and this is why Kurou considers to be his job. (Though isn't Shiryuu, despite his insistence, ensuring that Kurou is 'part time' enough to commit to his studies and bonds? Nobody worry, Kurou himself has not pieced this logic together.)

At his name, Kurou looks to Shiryuu with full attention. It does not matter that Shiryuu is on the ground, and Kurou is not: Shiryuu remains his shihaisha, and the respect never leaves Kurou's bearing. Shiryuu reassures him. It is not the first time. Whatever Kurou needs, Shiryuu is not so weak to be threatened by it.

And not for the first time, Kurou feels a hesitation at the idea that threatens on traitorous. Surely Shiryuu is so powerful, but...

... But Akabane-san shares her warmth with him, too. Maybe that is a good start, and enough for Kurou to refocus on his studies.

Kurou, ultimately, bows his head. "I understand."

As much as Kurou has that sparkle in his gaze for Shiryuu's presence, the same silent glimmer of happiness appears as Ren 'misunderstands' Umie. Kurou gets out his own phone for the number exchange: a battered thing with a cracked screen and faded stickers on the back of its green, silicone protective casing. There is a chain dangling from it -- whatever charm it had has evidently broken off.

"Yes. Before I forget..."

Studying, though, must continue, for that is their sacred task. Kurou trusts his shihaisha and Akabane-san with the tea, easily refocusing. "An advantageous interest," he remarks of Ren's desire for a more ''rebellious'' lens. "We can paint outlines around history based on what events and customs motivated the actions of such figures, and even further in how history responded to them."

He believes this, genuinely, from a purely pragmatic place: if Ren lacks interest in the biographical information of political leaders, they can learn what those leaders were doing based on those who opposed them, and tackle their exams from this angle instead.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

Shiryuu would have a different perspective. The qualities and moorings of 'synthesis' are not so readily tucked into neat boxes like 'part time' and the delineation between studies and missions. It is a torturously simple perspective, not yet clear.

It may in fact, never be, as long as the shihaisha is busy being distracted.

"Hrnh. The restoration.." the boy muses quietly, catching words every so often from the conversation in the main room. He whips his hands dry in the basin rather than dirty another towel, movements crisp and sharp. To his merit, he's trying to follow along, monitoring the two in the main room for any signs of potential part-time unionizing or anything to that nature.

It is absolutely not simple while trying to look around Akabane and listen to only a certain percentage of what she says, for concerns of being scandalized yet again. Protective measures, Ryouhara. Right?

Something something 'calm my fragile nerves.'

Wait, what was he doing again?

"...iih?" the grey-haired onmitsu blinks, energy pensive as he notices everything's already been laid out. "....aah.."

The shinobi turns to face Umie. ".... thank you.." he says, holding her eyes for just a second or two.

"but I thought ...Jogashima was .. okay?" he asks, confusion bordering on mild alarm. No, that's not what she's talking about, he reminds himself. The onmitsu's head tilts, as he takes up a knife. It's a peculiar step, cutting the loose leaf jasmine, taking a moment to press down on the stem with the flat of the knife. Not too much. Just enough to speed up the process, when he tamps and shakes the bundle into the infuser. Mindful, for at least a second or two, of the process.

"Ah, but.." His voice drops, when the full shape of the far darker topic settles with him. The young man manages to wrangle his attention span to something far more important than the tea at hand.

"... should we be trying to," he thinks aloud.
"Akabane... there are a lot of dangerous elements at play."

He has no idea there's a cat listening to him, with his attention far more occupied than it really ought to be.

"--ow!"
He tried to pick up the boiling water again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's as quiet and unassuming to an onlooker as the menaingful look Umie and Shiryuu share, devoid of any of their earlier squabbling and ruckus. A quiet 'thanks' from Shiryuu, and a pleased smile from Umie, and the moment has passed.

Ren comment comes a second later after the moment has ended, timed expertly well whether accidentally or intentionally. Umie looks over her shoulder, shooting Ren a smirk, before answering, "Ahhh, what kind of work senpai would I be, to not offer my wealth of space to someone in need of quiet?" Umie teases with a lopsided grin.

At four people, it's managable for a social gathering, but it's hardly meant for more than one person. Just how do two people live here? (Answer: one of them is a Kurou.)

With the two students absorbed into their studies, Umie fully turns her attention to Shiryuu and their covert conversation.

As if the rain gods had seen Morgana's effort to hear, the rain begins to lessen; while not completely gone, it will be easier for the 'cat's' sharp ears to overhear what Ren may not, though how much and what parts may vary.

"Jogashima was..." A blush of heat blooms on Umie's face. "Definitely fine. We should go there again, sometime."

She quiets, watching Shiryuu prepare the tea. It's so much more complicated that the teabags, but it comes out so nicely...

Dangerous elements at play, he says, as he works with the knife.

"So dangerous that you can't listen to me?" she offers.

She give Shiryuu a meaningful pause, giving a covert glance over her shoulder towards Ren and Kurou before looking back. "... We'll talk about it later."

In contrast to Shiryuu's handling of the leaves-- "The pad's right here." She offers it to Shiryuu, with a sideways grin. "Guess we know the water's done~"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' an important wisdom--especially when that mischievous play balances out one's image as a harbinger of death and doom. Maybe that's why a certain someone else ends up with the codename Crow...

But that's neither here nor there right now. Particularly since that moment passes observed by all and commented upon by none. For Ren's part, they roll their eyes good-naturedly at her teasing. "One who knows how much she talks," they quip back, smiling slightly at her too.

"It's not really a philosophy..." Ren tells Kurou, then stops while wondering if this is something they can make him understand. This is especially so given what he says about the 'part time' approach. It doesn't occur to Ren either that, as a high school student, Kurou ''is'' functionally a part-time ninja; they just nod slowly. "...Yeah, you seem like the fully-committed type."

Maybe, as they get to know Kurou better, Ren will notice this contradiction. As it stands, the two of them have phone numbers to exchange (Ren's own phone is a two-year-old smartphone model in an industrial steel-style case) and historical lenses to scrutinize.

"Oh?" they reply, then nod thoughtfully at his explanation. That ''does'' sound more interesting. "Let's do it." And so the two of them can review the subject and revise Ren's notes accordingly...

...Kurou seems happier now too, again based on that shine in his eye.

Ren glances up when Shiryuu yells "ow!" from the kitchen. From what they can see, he tried to pick up the boiling water. If this were an anime, a large bead of sweat would be rolling down the side of their head.

Is this really the coldblooded monster who tortured and terrorized Tsubasa...? Then again, they could ask the same question of Kurou over here... Ren may not ''like'' Shiryuu, but they must admit, his contradictions make him an intriguing figure.

At this rate, Ren and Umie are going to need to form a support group.

At least the rain's letting up. That's good for Morgana's fur ''and'' his ears. Those ears twitch a bit. Jogashima...? It sounds like those two have a different understanding of whatever happened there... But what are these dangerous elements they're talking about?

...Seems like they won't be talking about them much more. Which makes sense, given the mixed company.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A Kurou is a creature that knows how to take up very little space. When he had his own apartment, he felt his space become bigger. But somehow, sharing this space with Umie has felt even a little bit bigger than that.

Serious discussions going on to the side is not something Kurou is attuned to. Even if he was, he would pay it little mind. That is not his assigned task for the moment, and his trust for Shiryuu is one that doesn't think to question any of his and Umie's whispering.

Not a philosophy...? "But it surely requires its own approach and mindset..." Even the idea that something should not be overthought is something Kurou has the power to overthink. He might be doing it right now. But he does not firmly with Ren's assessment. That is something he can accept with pride.

Right now, his commitment is fully invested in shifting the perspective of Ren's history notes. It might mean covering unintended material, but Kurou trusts the negative space's ability to let Ren demolish their exams.

''Let's do it,'' and, like a command, Kurou methodically cascades into notebook opening, textbook referencing, phone typing fervor. His ears nearly seem to burn in the warm atmosphere of Umie's apartment.

Where Kurou's formal education has suffered, and while his social understanding is... ''lacking'', to put it mildly, his ability to ''get'' information surfaces. Using Ren's notes, he's able to cross reference figures and bring up research material with expedience, and instead of the political machinations of queens and kings, begins penning notes on the responses for those who contested them.

Yet his focus on the objective of it remains intact as he speaks to Ren aloud of his findings and their function: it might be easy to meander into a tangent of interesting information, but this is about the test's questions and finding the solution Ren needs to better absorb the answers.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The onmitsu is currently nursing his burned fingertips by flicking the infuser in a hand, shuffling the fine-diced leaves in the basket to fluff them for maximum surface area. Otherwise known as, completely ignoring the problem. Flick flick. The boy does this in a strange, ritualistic two-handed fashion. He's intensely focused, as if trying to get each shred arranged in the basket exactly to his liking. Little wafts of the sweet scent begin permeating the air. Agh, oh no.

Any more and he'll ruin it. The _shihaisha's_ nerves are considerably more at ease when Akabane concedes at least one point. That leaves the other.

'We'll talk about it later.'
Not listening to her... the thought sticks with the grey-haired boy a moment. "...the Indigo," he proposes, quietly. "Maybe the rooftop this time..."

Shiryuu meets the bunned devil's crooked smile for awhile. Long enough for the moment to become awkward. Finally he blinks, accepting the pad with a numb, blank expression, finally noticing his fingertips still ache. "...." The infuser lifts, holding it in three fingers while he presses the remaining two between his lips to soothe, his bracelet falling down his wrist. "Mnh," he grouses, noncommittally. He returns to the water, handling it gently enough to get it onto the pad, and to set the infuser just so in the hot water. It has to brew only for so long. Long enough to get cups.

It's easy to forget things, here, in this space. Yes, in that, there is a certain 'warmth' that the young man slowly becomes aware of, somewhere between his subordinate exchanging phone numbers with the accursed but powerful part-timer, and the tea he and Akabane make. Umie might notice when Shiryuu's attention breaks, when his eyeline finally raises off of what he's doing -- off of her.

The shirogarasu is watching Kurou quietly out of the corner of his eye, making sure not to interrupt. Absently he's setting out cups. The young man's written face is a studious neutral, unsmiling, unwavering, as his focus sharpens.

One ... two ... three. The fourth is considered. It's set aside, back behind a door. The rain's stopping..

And just like that, the dream ends for the shirogarasu.

"It would be unconscionable to interrupt any further," the shihaisha decides quietly, eyes closing. The tea doesn't take long to brew -- a few minutes -- nor does it take overlong, with the appropriate attention paid, to pour it.

Now, and only now, is there the sense that Ryouhara's attention might be anywhere near sharp enough to notice they are being spied on. Luckily, the young man's attention only shifts lightly towards the window.

"... I'll leave it in your hands, for now," the young man says.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Seems both Ren and Umie's lives have their share of crows in them. Odd, given their liking of uncomplicated, straightforward people...

.... ah, well, there's that love of complicated people, too. That's probably the culprit.

'One who knows how much she talks.' There's the ol' Amamiya mischief, there. Umie's eyes sparkle slightly in the back and forth, but, as befitting a proper senpai, she holds back her next remark, shooting Ren a blackbird's grin. "Save that energy for your studies, Amamiya-kun~"

This may be the strangest, most indirect way Umie has helped the Phantom Thieves, all without knowing a single thing. Ren gets a rare look into the other side of Shiryuu, someone only a few of the Phantom Thieves have actually seen, with the benefit of her being there to ensure Shiryuu's... Shiryuuness doesn't inflame itself to dangerous levels.

"Alright. Let's do that," she says quietly to Shiryuu. "Until then, how about you..." She follows Shiryuu's gaze to Kurou and Ren.

She shares a grin then, with Shiryuu, almost smugly as she indicates Ren with her chin.

'See?' she says, without saying anything at all.

However.

The rain has let up, and the spell is over, evident in the lack of the fourth cup. "...." Umie's expression saddens a touch at Shiryuu's admission. ".... Tonight, then. No fair for you to come all this way." They'll talk about something, either way.

Her fingers stray over Shiryuu's for a discreet second, and she lets them go, with a cheeky smirk, as she pours the tea. "You're always welcome to change your mind, of course," she offers, taking over for the tea. "Thank you for stopping by; it was good to see you."

That is the last bit of intel Ren will find: the way Umie and Shiryuu regard each other, and how it turns from one moment to the next.

......... They'll definitely need that support group, won't they?

Coming over with the tea cups, Umie sets down one before Kurou and Ren, going back to have some of her own. "I would've used the teabags, if it was me. You two are extremely lucky." She gives the two young scholars a discreet wink. "I'll need Kurou to teach me sometime... I don't have the patience to do it properly, though."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
One can like uncomplicated, straightforward people ''and'' contradictory, messy people. Cats vs. dogs is a false dichotomy.

"Fiine," Ren says mildly to Umie. They ''did'' come here to study, whether that's their books or the ''two'' ninjas they ended up encountering here.

Not a philosophy, but--an approach and mindset? Ren considers this. Considering all the part-time jobs they've got (eight at last count; they're just collecting them at this point), they have to imagine it'd ''have'' to compared to a single full-time job.

So: "That much is true," they concede. "If there ''is'' a philosophy, I don't know about it. I just clock in when I've got time for a shift and collect my pay at the end of it."

It's fascinating to watch Kurou throw himself into research. Ren thinks they can understand how he's managing at high school despite no previous schooling (allegedly). "What subject do ''you'' have trouble with?" they prompt so they can do something while Kurou's doing this for them.

And the fact that Kurou's focused on what will actually show up on the exams is ''a lot'' for them. Ren enjoys reading and learning. It's the structure of school itself that chafes on them. Having what's functionally a cheat sheet to remember what will appear on those exams, as opposed to falling down a rabbit hole of interesting but irrelevant information, will make them that much easier for Ren to conquer. They might even end up in the top third this time around...!

For all that Morgana might be spying, at least he can only hear some of it--the roof of the Indigo? where is that?--and certainly can't see what Shiryuu does with that fourth cup. Ren, too, is sufficiently caught up in studying that they don't notice either. For better or worse, that moment belongs to Shiryuu and Umie alone.

They only look up when Umie serves the tea that she and he prepared. "Thanks," they say, and ''now'' glance past her at Shiryuu. It seems like he's going to leave early, huh... ...well, that's fine too. These things take time, and thanks to a misunderstanding on their part, they don't realize that a clock is still ticking on Tsubasa and the task Shiryuu's trying to force them to complete.

"Is Ryouhara-san," as opposed to the 'Ryouhara-kun' that is Kurou, "that good at making tea?" they wonder, and reach for their cup to take a sip and taste for themself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou could understand that, for he likes both cats and dogs very much. (Kurou may not know what anyone were talking about.)

Ren goes on to describe what Kurou, unfortunately, begins to parse as their philosophy on the matter of work. It's good he does not know there are ''eight jobs'' being described: it would only encourage him. "I see... A dedication of time you have, so long as they make it worth spending..." He nods slowly like this is enlightening him to something.

It might be. He always considers the time he gives the shirogarasu worth spending.

But his meandering mind goes much quicker with a target. Ren asks after Kurou's own weaknesses, and Kurou looks to his textbooks. "I struggle with Literature... and essay questions only add to the difficulty..."

One might imagine Kurou having unusual takes and interpretations on texts while struggling to communicate any of it.

His focus only breaks from Ren once tea is served. But there are only three cups.

"Ah --" Kurou barely utters it before he quiets, watching Shiryuu in an uncertain silence. But it would be rude to ignore Umie any longer, and Kurou gives a small start back to the tea he's been served. He wraps his fingers around the cup to feel the heat.

He does not frown, but he looks at the surface with a weight of something like loneliness. Yet it does not feel right to Kurou to call the feeling gnawing at his chest entirely his own.

"... I do not mind. But... 'The fact that it's from you' is the most important thing," he echoes of something Umie told him once, when he wondered aloud if his mother would like his tea. "Isn't that right?"

Kurou takes a single, slow sip, lingering with the taste and aroma for several moments.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Yes," Shiryuu thinks absently. Fondly, when no one else is paying attention. "She does talk a lot, doesn't she.."

The thought is adrift, long belated and long cooling on the windowsill upon which Shiryuu's attention is focused. After taking a moment to carefully bag the leaf, wipe everything down and rinse the infuser, the young man steps away from the kitchenette, slowly pulling loose the cordage at his haori sleeves so they drop slack around his wrists again as Akabane takes the cups out and over to Kurou and Ren. It leaves the older Ryouhara to consider his hand for the moment. Not the one that was burned -- the one that held the pad a moment ago. A thumb runs over the first two fingertips thoughtfully under eyes that are two different shades of brown.

'It was good to see you.'
"... I .." Shiryuu starts to say something, but it's lost to a split-second look just past Umie's shoulder.

Then, his hand disappears beneath the sleeve of his haori, and it was like they were never there.

"...Second only to inimitable Kurou," Shiryuu acknowledges Ren in the background, as he steps through the living space, checking the painting on the wall for straightness as he goes. Mostly, it's an excuse not to have to look at anything or anyone other than the window. "Tea is a matter of timing, and precision. But there is another X-factor that cannot be quantified readily." He nods to Kurou simply, without looking. 'The fact that it's from you.' ".... it's something like that," he guesses absently.

As would be expected, Shiryuu's technical ability is par excellence. The tea has been, despite his injuries making it, perfectly steeped and measured, the hot water at just the right temperature. It is mildly sweet, and it is fragrant. More robust than light, because his intentionality is heavy-handed. But -- it will differ from something made by Kurou. Even the tea-bags that Umie threatens all of their delicate sensibilities with.

For those with an excellent, unfettered taste, they will understand where the feeling goes numb for the grey-haired young man. Where warmth ends and .. nothing starts.

He is polite enough. "Kurou... please show this person the full power of three hundred years of Ryouhara academics." A glance lifted to Ren. "Enjoy it fully and without discretion. But..."

"....no part-timing," he reminds them, severely.

Umie gets the last, long second of his eyes.
"...Akabane."
Faced with saying something, anything, the young man visibly breathes outward, evicting all of the air in his chest, to make room for a fresh fill of his lungs, easing his own carefully managed discomfort.

".... be seeing you."
He will, to his credit, at least leave quietly without further incident.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ren's reply gets an unexpected chortle through Umie's hand. Ahh, a relaxed Ren and Kurou is a sight to see.

Too bad she'll likely need to not be present for more of it to happen, but that's just the way friendships are able to bloom: naturally.

And sometimes violently, without intention.

Shiryuu's own contribution, perhaps, may only have Mona as company, for how well he hides it from the rest of them.

".... It's a discipline of flexibility," Umie contributes. "I may not have the ability to do this forever, but those late night shifts mean I can have time for..." Pause. "Things like this."

For the Dark Hour, and Mementos, and all the things that drive the part of her that was so eager to get out of her shift. But also this. She can just say that, and no one will think anything of it.

Kurou, seeing the three tea cups, draws a soft sound of sympathy, as she realizes where his eyes draw to.

He's hungry for that connection, isn't he? And why not, considering Shiryuu is the only one...

But this itself may be Shiryuu's gift, Umie realizes. To give Kurou that room to be Kurou, and not simply Kurou Ryouhara, the one who swore loyalty to his shihaisha.

"The tea *is* different between the two," she says, picking up on Ren's question. "I'll never say which is better, but..."

'The fact that it is from you'. Umie gives the words a solid nod. "Yes. I never ask, but whenever he comes ho-- here, from school, Ryouhara-kun makes me tea." She looks down at the cup, the corners of her lips fighting to keep from twisting up in joy. "Any time I don't get home in time, I feel bad, because I know he's made tea for me. But on the days I come in, and it's been a rough day, there's tea. And even if there's none, there's the memory of it, and I make myself some."

It's hard to convey, without leaning too hard on it; Kurou is supposed to be a teenage boy, with teenage dreams and aspirations; not someone obliged to make someone giving him a place to stay something to drink. However, Umie senses there is a joy in it for him, like expressing a feeling his face and manner is unable to convey.

It's something Umie's very unused to, when it came to her own home: thoughtfulness.

'Akabane.'

Now, it's Umie's turn; eye straying towards the window, she selfishly wishes the rain would come back, so he'd feel like staying here was no longer a bother to the rest of them.

No answer comes, which Morgana is likely thankful for, at the very least.

Looking over her shoulder at Shiryuu, her gaze lingers a touch. She nods. "Be seeing you, Shiryuu."

'You can still stay', she wants to say.

It's when Shiryuu leaves that Umie digs into a bag of cheese puffs, munching a few. Munch, munch, munch minch.

"Don't mind him, Ren. He's a Sagittarius," Umie says, taking another sip of tea from her teacup.

As if that explained anything, _little Miss Aries_.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
In fairness, Ren only works those jobs at their convenience. Some of them they haven't worked in a solid while, like Cafe Chagall or Ore no Beko. Hell, they only still work at Triple Seven because they get to see Umie there--a benefit for more than just her scintillating personality. Either way, it does seem like Kurou grasps the gist, and they nod in acknowledgement. Umie has a good contribution too.

Literature, though, huh... "That's a tough one. A lot of literature is up to interpretation. I'm pretty good at that subject, though, so let's go over that next," Ren replies. After all, it's not really something one can do on the side.

''The tea ''is'' excellent,'' Ren reflects as they drink and Shiryuu explains. They glance at Umie when she seconds that the two of them make tea differently. The technical prowess, despite Shiryuu burning his fingers, is clearly there. But... Maybe a year ago, Ren wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. However, after drinking cups of the Boss's coffee nearly every day since April, they ''do'' have a sense of when there's something else there. 'The fact that it's from you,' as Kurou puts it. As Umie expands upon that with her story about how Kurou manifests it.

Ren glances at the two of them, then sips the tea again as he considers Shiryuu and ''his'' tea's lack of that X-factor. How he's choosing to leave, even though both Umie and Kurou clearly want him to stay.

"Thank you for the tea," they say politely. They hold their tongue about the part-timing.

Umie might try to dismiss his behavior as the antics of a Sagittarius, but it's pretty clear to them it goes far deeper than that.

Once the three of them have finished their drinks, they and Kurou can return to studying--and Umie to snacking--in earnest.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, a fortuitously complimentary situation..." Kurou notes of Ren's strengths to his weaknesses. So this is the power of a study partner...

Kurou sips at the tea with a cherishing pace, not merely as one who appreciates the subtleties of Shiryuu's proficient blend, but... hm. The 'X-factor' Shiryuu finds himself missing...

Kurou does not say what he thinks it is, but his gaze wanders to where Umie keeps her cups. The absence of the fourth...

What if it had rained a little longer...?

"...I like it," he says of Shiryuu's tea, not quite to Shiryuu, but 'at' him with the way it quietly spills into the air. "No part-timing," Kurou echoes, with more firm intent, as someone who understands what it is Shiryuu means by such words. He will give his all to this, because that is the opportunity his shihaisha wants him to have.

How to give his shihaisha the opportunity for a 'fourth cup'... that is a more difficult question.

But Kurou's posture perks up with Umie describing her appreciation for the tea. "Please do not feel badly for such days, Akabane-san. If it is there when you need it, that is enough."

Much as Kurou tries to make the tea last, no cup is infinite. Soon, he and Ren will return to their studies to defeat the final day of exams.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-03: Because It's From You

2026-04-07T06:05:30Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: Because It's From You'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 03, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Kurou needs a study buddy. Why not Ren? They need snacks. Why not go get them? There's four cups of tea. Why leave so soon?''

----
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
>> Hey
>> Kurou Ryouhara-kun was wondering if you wanted to study together?

Ah, no, Umie thinks, in the aftermath of sending that last text. That'll sound weird, like she's trying to manage him.

>> He doesn't have your number, no big deal if you got plans

Umie grins triumphantly. There. Now Ren won't feel obligated, either way.

======

With all that settled, Umie dips her head to take a quick scan of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the amount of appropriately study-necessary snacks and drinks are low; Umie looks up to Kurou. "I'm going to stop by the Larson's down the way. If Amamiya-kun gets here before I do, just let him in." Checking her phone to check the weather, Umie makes a face and grabs her rainjacket. "I'll be quick."

The frosted sliding windows, while amazing for privacy reasons, come with a major drawback: you can't really get a sense of the weather. (Though, to be fair, with the other apartment building a narrow alley's width away, it's anyone's guess what the weather would be.)

With the weather turning cooler, they've rarely been open; the apartment, as small as it is, is far better suited for keeping warm as long as they're kept shut, with the space heater turned on whenever Umie is there. Due to the layout being longer than it is wide, most of the warmth is concentrated in the living area than the hallway, with the kitchenette (done in cheery yellow tiles) situated in between.

The main area is a small couch and a table, with a TV mounted on the wall. While the white walls sit more or less empty of any decor, a painting hangs centered over the couch, being of a random spatter of paint across the stretched canvas, with a little 'WHIRLWIND '''' RHYTHM' print stamped into the texture. There's a clothing rack for Umie's clothes to the side. A smaller crafts table is set into the far corner nearby the windows, where a strange mobile of hangers sits empty, connected to a long painted over hook for some long forgotten device. The table itself is covered in newspaper and a crafting mat, with a narrow thin small shelving unit there to house various paint supplies. A sliding door to the bathroom next to the kitchen.

It'd be so much tighter if it wasn't kept mostly clean; it'd make sense to Umie why Kurou considers it a 'warm' place.

What was a previously overcast day will soon turn rainy, however, making Umie's decision to only step out in her rainjacket a remorseful one as the rain begins to strengthen.

Whether Ren is able to beat the rain will be a matter of timing; Umie, stuck in the line at Larson's, looks out the sliding doors with a grimace of determination.

A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, least of all her!!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
On the way out of Shujin Academy for the day, Ren gets a text from Umie. They furrow their eyebrows at it, and Morgana pops up out of their bag to take a look in time for the second text to come in.

"Kurou Ryouhara... wants to study with you?" Morgana murmurs, peeking over at his protege.

"Kind of last second. There's only one day of exams left," Ren murmurs back.

"Hmm... It could be a trap. Even if he doesn't know your true identity, he could've found out you're friends with Tsubasa. What're you gonna do?"

Ren considers it for a moment, then texts Umie back:

>> OK. Where to?

~ * ~

"I'll keep an eye out from out here. Good luck in there," Morgana says from where he's hopped down from Ren's bag in the alleyway Umie's apartment window opens into.

Ren nods. The rain hasn't started yet, but it's only a matter of time. Timing-wise, it helps that they came here straight from school; it's along the way, after all. "You sure you'll be okay out here?"

"Getting caught in the rain isn't my ''favorite'' thing," Morgana admits, "but I like it way better than getting caught by ninjas." His furry face sets with determination. "Don't worry. I've got your back, Ren."

They smile slightly, briefly, then turn to leave the alley. Morgana will be left to parkour up the side of the building and keep an eye out from above while Ren heads to the front and makes their presence known, whether by pressing a buzzer or knocking or however it works for Umie's apartment. Hopefully Kurou will let them in before they have to open up their umbrella.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is thanks to the wisdom and mercy of the shirogarasu that Kurou does not have to juggle his shinobi tasks with his studies... but that does not mean the studies are simple. Not if he wants to excel in them, as he has promised to do. Previously, he had a respectable showing, but...

For Kurou, merely 'respectable' is not enough. Not if he wants to allow himself to earn the prestigious mochi sticker he has set aside for himself.

(And also, it is important to be the sort of shinobi who would lose a minimal amount of fingers.)

As Umie has tried to point out many times before, studying together is an effective tactic, and with the final push of exams underway, there is no tactic that can be overlooked. Tea, Kurou decides, is something he can make toward the end of the study sessions: that way, Umie may be able to benefit from a cup herself.

"Oh. As predicted..." Kurou muses to himself as it seems Ren has arrived before her return. He opens the door and seeing the darkness of the clouds outside, does not linger with excessive formalities as he might otherwise be wont to do.

"Welcome, Amamiya-san. Please come in. You may sit where you like."

His own study materials -- a spiral notebook, a single pencil, and a cracked open textbook, each perfectly in parallel to one another -- are laid out over the table, with his schoolbag and its other texts and notebooks peeking out of it. Kurou's face isn't particularly ''animated'', to put it mildly, but there is a fatigue worn upon it with a tension in his brow etching his determination to push past it. He has failed to touch up his nail polish recently, and it does not quite meet the cuticle.

"I hope you did not find my request disruptive. My intention is that we will both gain the strength we need to subdue our respective final challenges."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a good reason for Ren to be wary; for all he knows, it could be a setup for an ambush, and, being the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he'd be a prime person to target.

Morgana may find the apartment notably easy to get to from the alleyway: a jump on the dumpster, a few footholds, andddd well, the windows are locked, unless you knew the secret method of lifting up on the window pane, and then jiggling it out with your wider human arm span and--

Yeah. At least he'll be there? And he'll have a clear view of a short woman in a pink rainjacket on the other side of the street, hurrying over to the crosswalk... at just at the right time a car whizzes through a puddle at just the right angle, launching a magnificent wave of water over her and another unlucky onlooker. Seriously, it's like the car casted an Aqua spell.

Umie, however, just continues on! The snacks must be there!! She promised.... no one, actually, and Kurou'd likely not mind, but Ren is not a secret Ryouhara ninja!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The apartment door opens. Kurou invite them inside. "Thanks," they reply, and enter.

The vibe doesn't ''seem'' off, Ren notes as they take a look around. Study materials, a lived-in-but-regularly-cleaning sort of amount of mess... They look back at Kurou, and he may be inexpressive, but he does seem tired.

"You're fine. I was just a little surprised," they reply. "I study better with a partner, too."

They pull their own study materials out and lay them on the table, then set down their bag next to the chair they seat themself on. "The last day for us over at Shujin Academy is sort of general questions. Make sure we've been paying attention in class, sort of thing," they remark, looking up at Kurou. "What about for your school?"

If Kurou is doing this earnestly, then that means he cares about scoring well on his exams. If that's the case, then he must have an idea of what he's being tested ''on''.

Outside: Morgana settles in on the window sill and peeks in from outside. It's started raining, and unfortunately he lacks human arms to jiggle the window with, but at least he's got a good view of what's going on inside and out.

This includes Umie getting splashed by a car as she walks up the street. Morgana sweatdrops. Poor Umie...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is to Kurou's discredit that he never considers when his actions might be considered an ambush or a trap. This is because he would like to think that he would never be announcing one, even if deception, and that anyone he intended to give a last surprise would never see it coming.

Today, he is genuinely focused on studying.

"Kasugayama has a similar structure, from my understanding," Kurou tells Ren. He glances down, sighing. "... Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution, so I can't claim full confidence, nor deny the possibility of trick questions..."

Kurou may have been told what he's being tested on, but that does not mean he necessarily ''believes'' it, and only has the previous exam period as an example. That's hardly a pattern. Expecting to be deceived about what he's being tested on might be an odder behavior if Ren did not already know Kurou's line of 'work'.

He rubs at his temple idly, his gaze wandering with his struggling thoughts.

"... There was even some psychology material..."

With a shake of his head, he focuses back on them.

"What about you? We will need to cover both of our weaknesses."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
They'd never feel him coming until it's too late.

The boy arrives like the fall wind and rain, little more than a grey blotch against the skyline, nimble, silent, and armed. He arrives somewhere between now and then, somewhere in the blotch of parasols that flare open as the overcast turns into a drizzle, though little peeks of his white silk haori flick beyond the umbrella he carries.

It's not all he carries, a little crossbody bag under his haori, into the band of which a long red bundle has been tucked.

Another plastic bag produced, the parasol shaken neatly, and tucked into it, to be tucked in against the red bag. The boy's shoes -- getting slightly older now, a pair of expensive collector's edition Nike -- are soundless in the halls as he makes his way upstairs, the glide of his sleeves in the still air as he disappears into the dark of the complex's hallways.

The lightest whisper of his aura creeps in from beyond the raw edges of the apartment door, as the shihaisha of all Ryouhara approaches, a look of cold ambition across the otherwises indiscriminately, oppressively neutral mien of his face. The lock is not at all an impediment to him.

That would be the end of things, wouldn't it?

No, hardly; Shiryuu never actually makes it to Umie's doorstep. He stops at the edge of the doorway, practicing what to say. "'Akabane, long time no see,'" he starts thoughtfully. Hm. Not natural. It would be good to set a powerful precedent for Kurou. "'Akabane, the night comes for you!'" ..ugh, no, she doesn't seem like the type. Plus, if it's too much she'll think of a good comeback and he would have to resort to subduing her....somehow. Come on, Ryouhara, think. Don't let the female win.

"...iehh?" He looks up from his thought a moment later.
The next words are the thunder of genuine silver-haired distress, now actually audible from inside.

"AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> See, you may think the storm has come, but in reality, the storm is still coming. Even from Mona's vantage point, he would be clueless.

That is how ninjas work, after all.

*squish* *squish* *squish* *squish*

Triumphant as she gets to the elevator, Umie jams her hand into her purse to feel for her keys, her other hand holding up the dripping plastic bag as she peeks inside. "...."

Well, the snacks are dry, at least.

A chipped nail presses the call button for the elevator- she's not feeling up for going up the stairs today, no matter how good it may be for her stamina.

=======

The triumph leaks out of Umie with all the aplomb of a slow, sad mute trombone, as she stands there by the practicing Shiryuu, like some.... pink... raincoat-ed killer??

'AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!'

"Nice to see you too," she says with a flat, lopsided smile, as she puts the key into the lock and opens the door. ".... I got some snacks, uh, give me a sec, Kurou, your..." She looks to Shiryuu, as if trying to remember their relation to each other. "... cousin? How are you related again?"

REN, RUN. IT'S CLEARLY A SETUP. MAYBE.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu ''does'' enter the building without drawing Morgana's attention. Perhaps it was while he was distracted with parkouring up to Umie's apartment window; perhaps Shiryuu's just that good. Perhaps it's some of both. Either way, Morgana won't be able to give Ren a warning about him.

'Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution...'

"..."

Yeah, it's a good thing that Ren already knows they're talking to a ninja. They ''do'' wonder how he got enrolled if he has no previous schooling, but Kasugayama does have a reputation for not caring. Maybe that's explanation enough.

Trick questions are a lot easier to understand. It really depends on the teacher. Speaking of which: "We've had some of that this year too. Psychology, I mean," Ren remarks. That's thanks to Dr. Maruki, though. "Assuming it's like the first term's exams, I think as long as I review my notes, I'll be okay."

They rest their cheek on one hand. Weaknesses, huh... "I'm not really great at history or social studies, though. They're pretty boring." Especially when 'social studies' is synonymous with 'political stuff.' "What about you?"

This is approximately when a shout erupts from the hallway outside the apartment. Ren raises their head to stare in subdued alarm. ...They recognize that voice.

The next moment, a key undoes the front door lock, and Umie walks in, soaked. The silver-haired youth in the white coat is out there in the hall behind her.

"......"

Ren keeps their mouth shut. They want to know how Kurou and Shiryuu are related to each other too, actually.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
There are ways to fabricate a history of education. None of these ways are likely to matter that much to Kasugayama High. Even trying to do well on his exams may not be considered typical Kasu student behavior.

But here Kurou is, in a high school he ought to be unqualified for by virtue of the system's requirements, doing his best to ace his exams. Surely even ninja children require education, though. So why is this all new to Kurou...?

As Ren relays his own weaknesses, Kurou's demeanor perks up. "History I may be able to assist with --" That's about as far as he gets into that line of thinking before his attention is in sync with Ren's own to outside the apartment.

Instead of alarm, Kurou's own eyes seem to have the smallest beginnings of a sparkle for their surprise guest.

That sparkle evaporates abruptly to see Umie's drowned pixie form. "Akabane-san, are you all right?" he asks, first thing, before grabbing a towel from the kitchen. He looks down at it, then back up at her. She is going to need a bigger towel...

But there's a question: how are Kurou and Shiryuu actually related?

...

Kurou looks directly at Shiryuu, deferring to him to set the designation.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Aaaaah, you're going to catch your death of co--"

Shiryuu was thoroughly intending to let Umie really have a piece of his mind this time. She's always playing out in the rain, getting soaked. It's not like endurance training, she has a thin constitution and could catch pneumonia ...

'Nice to see you too.' then she smiles.

The onmitsu doesn't say anything, locked with mouth quirked open in a state of mute annoyance and deep, unabiding confusion. Did she just move him out of the way? She absolutely did, didn't she? What was he going to say? This is completely unconscionable.

"....." Shiryuu sighs, sword-long, as he finally lifts his chin, stepping quietly inside just enough to divest Umie of her varying burdens as Kurou gets the towels. It is very clear that if he doesn't take her bags he's going to dry her hair, and once that happens, there's literally no telling what all else.

Now he is well weighted. Even so, the intensity with which Shiryuu is fretting on the other side of the bags is intense, little more than a grey mop swishing back and forth on the other side. ".....cousins is fine," he states, mildly offput.

A brown eye peers around the bag at Ren, finally realizing they're here. Is his situational awareness really that bad??

"a...ah. it's you."
A look is shot. Don't spill even a single bean, you.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> While Umie had set up that question in case Ren was there, she hadn't thought beyond that. That much is clear when the door opens, and she's surprised to see the curly-haired unassuming young man there. "Oh hey! Sorry about that." She casts a glance towards Shiryuu, as if giving him a silent warning in case he decides to just barrel inside. "They're studying."

"Oh, you two know each other?" Eyes focus on Ren momentairely, sharing a subtle twinkle of amusement. Is that a hint of mischief there? "Ah, Amamiya-kun, you should have said something! Shiryuu can be shy sometimes..."

Which may look weird to say, as Umie finds her burden lightened. "O-oh," she says, broken out of her secret little jab at Shiryuu for threatening her co-worker. "Oh, hey, you don't need to..." Drip, drip. The edges of Umie's coat channel drops of collected rainwater onto the no-nonsense low pile carpeting of the hallway.

While the rain has let up slightly, it hasn't stopped.

Shiryuu *did* come here, for her, after they chatted about bonds, and she does really miss him. It's just that there's things they need to talk about, and Umie needs to talk to him!!

And, to left him in, after the trouble he put Ren through...!

No matter. Shiryuu's taking the snacks, while Kurou is grabbing a kitchen towel. "Don't worry, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Looking back towards Shiryuu, her gaze softens a touch; she directs him in with a jerk of her chin. "Maybe you can help. Amamiya-kun's a co-worker of mine. He's a great worker, quiet, but don't let him fool you. Sometimes he can be a bit of a mischief-maker himself."

Taking off her jacket, and hanging it in the open hallway closet Umie slips out of her slopping wet shoes. Walking into the main room, she grabs a sweater and some sweatpants. "Augh... I'm going to go change in the bathroom really quick. You three behave, okay?" ... not that she won't just hear it past the door.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
'Cousins is fine,' Shiryuu says, which indicates to Ren that 'cousins' is ''not'' what they are but he doesn't care enough to correct her.

On top of that tidbit, he seems to be fussing over Umie all the way into the apartment, to the point that he doesn't notice them until they're all well inside the apartment. He's really obsessed with her, huh...

They glance at Kurou as he approaches with that too-small towel, then look back at Umie. They catch the Look that Shiryuu shoots them and return it with a bland lack of expression that betrays none of what they're thinking.

They already hinted Umie into awareness anyway.

They meet her sparkling eye and give her a non-committal shrug. "Shouldn't you dry off, Akabane-san?" they say. When she describes them to Shiryuu in turn as a 'bit of a mischief-maker,' Ren can't ''quite'' help a slight smile. As she goes off to the bathroom with a change of clothes, they watch her go; then they look at Shiryuu and Kurou.

Then they focus in on Kurou. "You were saying about history?" they prompt. All considered, they suspect he ''could'' make the subject very interesting indeed.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Cousins. This is the easiest way to explain their family relations, really. Kurou suspects that he and Shiryuu do not actually share a grandparent, and after a fashion, even a family-family (as opposed to a shinobi family) may use the term broadly as specifics become too entangled. Their actual relationship is that of shihaisha and subordinate, but to be called cousins -- not mutually exclusive with the truth -- still puts a shine in Kurou's eyes that is getting worse the longer he is considering it.

It is, after all, still a family-family term.

Oh. Do Shiryuu and Ren know one another? As Umie brings up the possibility, Kurou, too, looks between the two of them with his subtle brand of curiosity.

The wrong place at the wrong time. "Then let us correct it," Kurou offers, as Shiryuu takes her burden. Umie has that covered, making her move into the bathroom to change. He hesitates, gaze straying to the kitchen.

"Maybe I should make tea..." he ventures. They're supposed to be studying, but he doesn't want Umie to catch a chill and get sick. Plus, Shiryuu is visiting. It's Ren, thankfully, who reminds him of his purpose here with studying, and Kurou finds their gaze now instead.

"I would not call it my favorite subject... that still belongs to biology. But history is similarly alive... like an organism with many moving parts. If it is 'boring', perhaps we can find a different perspective that better illuminates the greater whole for you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"You two-bunned demon -- I'm not shy -- !" Shiryuu objects in all immediacy after Umie introduces him in such a friendly context, though now he's quite literally holding the bag, so his objections are forced to trebuchet over the top, a singlee defiant sprig of dingy grey hair wagging with the force of his declaration.

He does not, however, seem to be thinking about where to put the bag, and is definitely not giving it back while putting on a solid information suppression campaign. "I'm -- not a mischief -- what! It's you who are the --" Shiryuu is scandalized right up until Umie is gone.

Right up until she is gone.

"-- if I have to be, I'll become the overlord of mischief," Shiryuu threatens. "Tengu will look to me for advice, and monkeys will avert their heads in shame. You'll absolutely not give me that cool look of studious indiference again, part timer, or I'll have your hair dyed purple," he informs Ren in not even a second's worth of wasted time. "I have no mercy for you," he adds, hushed.

Then he pauses thoughtfully.
"... except during midterms," he allows.

"Become a strong academic power for Kurou to match his wits with, and I'll overlook your catty nature. But ... you're forbidden to teach him any of your part-timing ways. I'm still responsible for my family."

This all would be much better if he wasn't still carrying the bag, and Ren could actually see his eyes to tell how dead serious he is.

"....oh.."

Finally Shiryuu seems to notice, setting down the sack nearby. "No," he tells Kurou, when he thinks about tea. "I'll get to it. Instead, use these to strengthen your bodies for the coming trial," he finally says, scratching his temple. He's looking off in the direction of the bathroom. I guess she did say...

"If you have any academic need," the shihaisha finally decides with a imperious lift of his chin, "my resources were and are as limitless as the night sky." He's fetching a sheaf of napkins, so that he can get to his knees, tying up his haori sleeves so he can fold the paper and use both hands to blot the wet out of the carpet before it starts to smell strange. Strange little ceremony, all truth told.

Odds are he's just coping.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
'You two-bunned demon--' Umie's lips split in a merry, open smile, as she walks in. "I missed you too~" she says, singsong, before remembering that Ren is here.

But also, _Ren is here_. Surely, Ren would forgive her for a bit of friendly violence, as long as he gets to remain free and involved as an innocent bystander?

.... oh right she might catch a cold

Shutting the sliding panel door shut, Umie barely gets started when she hears Shiryuu talking. And going on. Something about Tengu, and monkeys, and 'no mercy'--

"No bullying Amamiya-kun," Umie flatly warns from the bathroom. She's listening, though when the hairdryer comes out, it's a little bit harder to do so.

...... But only for a moment.

It clicks off, only for Umie to add a punctuated, "I mean it, Shiryuu." This, regardless of how grey haired young man is handling Ren.

When she hears the faintest suggestion of words and tone that agree with her, the hairdryer turns back on.

Soon enough, the door opens, and Umie emerges like a butterfly from a non-Homunuculus-type cocoon: an oversized grey sweatshirt that hangs over her waist, sweatpants, socks and slippers, and her toweled off blonde hair in a ponytail.

In other words, the most comfortable grey butterfly.

"Are you all comfortable?" she asks moving to the kitchenette. "... Oh Shiryuu, it's fine," she murmurs, with some fondness. "I'll put a towel down." She looks for the snack bag and, opening it up, reveals some chips, a few cans of soda. Something savory, something sweet, something just good comfort food. "I should've put these in the fridge..." She sets them put by the two, and looks to Shiryuu. "I'll help you make tea. You make better tea than I do, after all." It'll also get him off the floor.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
And while Shiryuu might not care enough to correct Umie, Kurou seems deeply happy to be labeled a 'cousin,' if that shine in his eyes is any indication. It... kind of makes Ren sad to see. The implications break their heart a bit. (At least Shiryuu does call him 'family' later?)

It's undermined by Shiryuu yelling at Umie about how he is NOT shy, then at Ren about mischief, mercy, and midterms. (And part-timing, but that doesn't start with an M.)

Ren raises their eyebrows at him. Shiryuu continues to be an absurd human being. At least Umie has their back... She doesn't seem at all threatened by him, either. It's bizarre to watch. It's probably just as well Shiryuu's still holding that bag.

Tea ''would'' be a good idea, even if it is a distraction from studying. Ren really shouldn't let themself get distracted either. Fortunately, Kurou suggests something intriguing: that history is akin to a living organism. Ren's own dark eyes light up some.

"That'd be great. I used to think math was boring too, but then Akabane-san got me to thinking of it like a puzzle. It's not ''fun'', exactly, but I enjoy it a lot more than I used to," they reply. They look over at the kitchen, then at Kurou. "Tea sounds like a good idea. Now that we've got a plan, we can start in earnest once we've got something hot to drink."

...which apparently Shiryuu (and Umie!) will handle instead of Kurou. Ren's not sure how they feel about that, or about this ninja overlord getting on his hands and knees to clean up the carpet, but of the bag of snacks, they say, "Thanks."

They'll accept the chips and soda from Umie upon her glorious comfy return with a nod of gratitude and acknowledgement of their own comfort, and share with Kurou as the two of them sit back down, Ren flipping the pages of their notes until they get to the history section. "Tell me your perspective," they prompt him, looking over at Kurou.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou once again watches the interactions between Umie and Shiryuu with a slight squint. There is something he should pick up on here, but he is not quite sure yet what it is. Shiryuu cares for her deeply, he knows that. And Umie for him. He knows that, too. So why would they need to obfuscate...? Perhaps it is a form of play...?

Like crows rolling down a snowy windshield...

He forgets about this as Shiryuu goes off about becoming the overlord of mischief, and Kurou's eyes shine a little again with his admiration for his shihaisha. (And, indeed, Ren may see the family mention being especially affecting.) At least until...

"Part-timing...?" Kurou echoes, looking to Ren and back to Shiryuu, uncomprehending of this forbidden knowledge.

Regardless, Shiryuu and Umie take up the task to make tea instead, so Kurou can focus on his studies. Kurou bows deeply before nodding. "I will," he agrees of Shiryuu's 'command', resolute. "And I will surpass my previous score. That is a promise."

To Ren, Kurou gives a smaller, apologetic bow. "I would like to make you tea myself sometime, but this will have to wait until after we have suitably dealt with our exams."

He returns to his seat at the table, pausing as Shiryuu points out the other resources. "... You already do much for me," Kurou says in a quiet earnestness. "I do not wish to overburden you."

For, as far as Kurou is concerned, that is something Shiryuu does far too much. The line between 'obedience' and 'true loyalty' is still a difficult one to navigate...

... Ah, but history. Kurou peers over at Ren's notes to get an idea of what their exams stand to cover.

"Yes. The lesson usually takes the point of view of political actors, but if we instead consider it from the angle of..." Kurou begins, trying to shift the approach to something that may be a more interesting narrative than the one Ren's been given until now.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The boy has literally no actual full sentences to say to Umie Akabane.

"Ch--" She's threatening Shiryuu from the bathroom, all the while with Ren in the background subduing him with their eyebrows. Shiryuu would absolutely respond in kind and engage in a tense eyebrow struggle for dominance with the aloof part timer, but Akabane turned off the hairdryer, a detail the sharp-eared onmitsu doesn't miss.

"Part-timers need laws and structure to avoid becoming delinquents," Ryouhara complains mildly at the closed door, though he is absolutely not saying it loud enough for Akabane to hear. She doesn't need to hear his absolute authority to feel its force, like the way the sun warms a house. Or so he insists in his own head.

"You're lucky Akabane has compassion," Ryouhara says, enigmatic and bitter in equal sum. He's not looking back at Ren, the three leaves of the Ryouhara symbol plain across the back of his haori.

What was it she said to him?
It just now occurs to him he was too distracted to say anything back.

Ryouhara takes all of it out on the carpet until stopped. "Most buildings in this area do not ventilate well," he counters, folding over the sheaf of napkins to blot more, pressing down with both hands. "You all could become victimized by black mold. I won't stand for it."

He looks up, once he realizes Umie is back. .... and then, sharply, he looks again.

Cowed, the boy settles back on his knees, resting on the backs of his heels, with his hands folded primly in his lap. He sighs. At this angle, Ren can tell he wears a _thick_ wool sweater underneath that haori. Both of his wrists are adorned, his left with a rather severe-looking bangle that does not at all seem like it was purchased, and a white cordage bracelet around his right, delicately braided and hand-wound, with a jade charm fixing the end so it doesn't fall past his wrist.

"...Kurou."

Shiryuu's eyes are closed while he sits.
"Do not concern yourself overmuch with my limitations. I have none."

If Shiryuu is aware that Kurou is sparkling, he doesn't say anything about it. Instead, the boy kips up onto the balls of his feet. Sneakers removed and stored carefully, Ryouhara looks back at Akabane suspiciously, finally digesting her offer to help, and her implied compliment.

"...You should be resting too," he remarks flatly, face the lightest shade of red before depositing the damp napkins in the wastebasket, deliberately not looking directly at her. "... mmnh." Yes, that's the correct sound to handle her. Regardless, the boy gives consent by not actively stopping her when he gathers supplies and washes his hands.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A puzzle. Umie's eyelids lower slightly, secretly touched that she had that impression on someone else.

.... especially considering that the last person she tutored was _Tatsuya Suou_.

She also notes the shine in Kurou's eyes, lingering on them as she realizes what she may have just enabled (or enabled further). She tries not to puff up with pride at her accidental overreach of authority over the _great shihaisha_.

"It'll give another reason to come over. I'll even give you guys some space," Umie then adds, with a sideways grin. "Though it *does* keep me on my toes to have the expectation of people coming over. Got to keep my place tidy..." She turns her head to try to share an amused glance with Shiryuu, considering the mess it was before.

As Shiryuu gets the carpet cleaned, Umie works on the tea instead, getting out the kettle and the tea leaves, as well as four cups for all of them.

Subtly, she steals a glance over the two, as Ren asks Kurou his perspective, smiling slightly as she turns back to her preparation. Ren was always good at that; at his age, Umie was walled off, save for her friends. It feels now like she's having to catch up, in order to understand people around her.

The exchange between Kurou and Shiryuu, too, is not missed, Umie's lips still curved in a soft smile as Shiryuu assures the polite shinobi, in his own way.

"If you're concerned about my health, then we should get to making tea to calm my fragile nerves," Umie quips at Shiryuu now. "See? I got everything out for you."

It's only until they begin preparing and the two students are seemingly deep into their studies that Umie begins to talk directly to Shiryuu.

"By the way," she murmurs, beneath her breath; while she thinks Ren (and Kurou!) can't hear, it's impossible in this small space to keep too many things secret. "... I need to talk to you about something. Not now, but soon." Her fingers stop her eyes looking to the angle of Shiryuu's face to get a sense of whether or not he's listening. "Let's not use Jogashima Park, this time."

A hint-- it's something serious, but not something she wants to go that direction, either.

"I need to figure something out with you," she adds, softly; remembering how he tried to 'assure' Kurou moments earlier.

To preserve her moments of peace with the Ryouharas, as well as to give Phoenix their own, Umie will have to figure out what Shiryuu is thinking, and express to him how she feels. Not everything has to be a kiss of a blade or of passion; the grey inbetween is what she seeks, for the good of all involved.... which may include Ren now, in a way, possibly?

..... nah, Ren'll be fine, he's just a normal person.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu asserts that part-timers need structure to avoid turning into delinquents, albeit not so loudly that Umie will hear from the bathroom. Ren peers at him again for a moment before they look over at Kurou. "Part-time work. Work done for a limited amount of time. That's what Akabane-san and I do at the Triple Seven," they explain. With a straight face, they wonder, "Are you not allowed to work after school?"

Kurou's probably too busy working for Shiryuu and/or the NWO to have any time for part-timing, and Shiryuu doesn't seem to have the best grasp on what part-timing is in the first place...

Ren watches the interaction between Kurou and Shiryuu. If nothing else, Kurou seems to really care about his 'shihaisha,' and the implication that he cares back might just be keeping him on his tether. Whether Shiryuu actually does care back... that's harder for Ren to get a read on. It's easy to boss someone around and ''say'' you do it because you care about them.

It seems more obvious to them that Shiryuu cares about--or maybe the better term's "is affected by"--Umie in some fashion or another. A man who calls himself the overlord of all ninjas surely doesn't get on his knees to clean a carpet for just anyone, black mold or no. And, sure enough, Shiryuu tells Ren it's lucky Umie has compassion. In other words, if not for her influence, he wouldn't be so merciful on them...

But Ren keeps that thought to themself, though they do briefly twiddle a lock of their bangs as they consider it. They do slip their hands back into their pockets and take in the details of Shiryuu's garb when he leans back on his heels. It's a very interesting look he's got. Ren's not an expert on fashion--something they'd like to change at some point--but none of his accessories seem store-bought. Local goods, maybe? Or made by his clan, even?

"You want me to come over again?" Ren remarks to Umie, purposefully misunderstanding her comment. He half-turns to Kurou. "I guess we ought to exchange phone numbers, then, so she doesn't have to arrange play dates for us."

As little as Ren trusts the Ryouharas, they understand they're now in an excellent position to keep an eye on them thanks to Umie. ...And they do want to try Kurou's tea sometime. They give him a slight, brief smile. "Another time."

But now it's time to return to studying as Umie and Shiryuu take care of the tea. (Snacks can wait.) Settling back in at the table, Ren nods as Kurou starts suggesting that alternate framework. "Hmm... How about from counter-culturalists? Like rebels or freedom fighters?" they suggest. (They're not trying to start anything or even guide him down the path that rocks. They just think rebels are way cooler than kings or queens. Of course, that's not likely to be what they'd get tested on, so it might not help their exam scores anyway--but it might help them, ahem... change their cognition of their studies.)

Over in the kitchen, near one of those frosted windows... a pointed ear twitches. Outside, Morgana leans a little closer. As a 'cat,' his hearing is sharp, but the window ''is'' shut and the rain provides extra background noise, and Umie's keeping her voice down besides. How much of her private conversation with Shiryuu might he overhear, if any?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Yes, crows rolling down the windshield or tugging at one another's tail feathers... Play is also an important wisdom.

Shiryuu and Ren have their own friction together, and it may be telling that Kurou reacts little beyond his own questions. This is Shiryuu, and how Shiryuu carries himself is normal to Kurou. But that Shiryuu acquiesces to Umie's compassion in the matter is a seed to planted in Kurou's mind for later.

Ren explains a part time job in detail, and Kurou nods slowly, brow knit as pieces together new understanding. "I see. My awareness of the concept has proven superficial... I did not realize there was a deeper philosophy attached. Akabane-san and Amamiya-san have much to adapt to..."

Is Kurou not allowed to work? He shakes his head to reject the notion. "No, but I do not think I am someone suited to the 'part time' approach." The way of a shinobi is to live it fully, and this is why Kurou considers to be his job. (Though isn't Shiryuu, despite his insistence, ensuring that Kurou is 'part time' enough to commit to his studies and bonds? Nobody worry, Kurou himself has not pieced this logic together.)

At his name, Kurou looks to Shiryuu with full attention. It does not matter that Shiryuu is on the ground, and Kurou is not: Shiryuu remains his shihaisha, and the respect never leaves Kurou's bearing. Shiryuu reassures him. It is not the first time. Whatever Kurou needs, Shiryuu is not so weak to be threatened by it.

And not for the first time, Kurou feels a hesitation at the idea that threatens on traitorous. Surely Shiryuu is so powerful, but...

... But Akabane-san shares her warmth with him, too. Maybe that is a good start, and enough for Kurou to refocus on his studies.

Kurou, ultimately, bows his head. "I understand."

As much as Kurou has that sparkle in his gaze for Shiryuu's presence, the same silent glimmer of happiness appears as Ren 'misunderstands' Umie. Kurou gets out his own phone for the number exchange: a battered thing with a cracked screen and faded stickers on the back of its green, silicone protective casing. There is a chain dangling from it -- whatever charm it had has evidently broken off.

"Yes. Before I forget..."

Studying, though, must continue, for that is their sacred task. Kurou trusts his shihaisha and Akabane-san with the tea, easily refocusing. "An advantageous interest," he remarks of Ren's desire for a more ''rebellious'' lens. "We can paint outlines around history based on what events and customs motivated the actions of such figures, and even further in how history responded to them."

He believes this, genuinely, from a purely pragmatic place: if Ren lacks interest in the biographical information of political leaders, they can learn what those leaders were doing based on those who opposed them, and tackle their exams from this angle instead.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

Shiryuu would have a different perspective. The qualities and moorings of 'synthesis' are not so readily tucked into neat boxes like 'part time' and the delineation between studies and missions. It is a torturously simple perspective, not yet clear.

It may in fact, never be, as long as the shihaisha is busy being distracted.

"Hrnh. The restoration.." the boy muses quietly, catching words every so often from the conversation in the main room. He whips his hands dry in the basin rather than dirty another towel, movements crisp and sharp. To his merit, he's trying to follow along, monitoring the two in the main room for any signs of potential part-time unionizing or anything to that nature.

It is absolutely not simple while trying to look around Akabane and listen to only a certain percentage of what she says, for concerns of being scandalized yet again. Protective measures, Ryouhara. Right?

Something something 'calm my fragile nerves.'

Wait, what was he doing again?

"...iih?" the grey-haired onmitsu blinks, energy pensive as he notices everything's already been laid out. "....aah.."

The shinobi turns to face Umie. ".... thank you.." he says, holding her eyes for just a second or two.

"but I thought ...Jogashima was .. okay?" he asks, confusion bordering on mild alarm. No, that's not what she's talking about, he reminds himself. The onmitsu's head tilts, as he takes up a knife. It's a peculiar step, cutting the loose leaf jasmine, taking a moment to press down on the stem with the flat of the knife. Not too much. Just enough to speed up the process, when he tamps and shakes the bundle into the infuser. Mindful, for at least a second or two, of the process.

"Ah, but.." His voice drops, when the full shape of the far darker topic settles with him. The young man manages to wrangle his attention span to something far more important than the tea at hand.

"... should we be trying to," he thinks aloud.
"Akabane... there are a lot of dangerous elements at play."

He has no idea there's a cat listening to him, with his attention far more occupied than it really ought to be.

"--ow!"
He tried to pick up the boiling water again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's as quiet and unassuming to an onlooker as the menaingful look Umie and Shiryuu share, devoid of any of their earlier squabbling and ruckus. A quiet 'thanks' from Shiryuu, and a pleased smile from Umie, and the moment has passed.

Ren comment comes a second later after the moment has ended, timed expertly well whether accidentally or intentionally. Umie looks over her shoulder, shooting Ren a smirk, before answering, "Ahhh, what kind of work senpai would I be, to not offer my wealth of space to someone in need of quiet?" Umie teases with a lopsided grin.

At four people, it's managable for a social gathering, but it's hardly meant for more than one person. Just how do two people live here? (Answer: one of them is a Kurou.)

With the two students absorbed into their studies, Umie fully turns her attention to Shiryuu and their covert conversation.

As if the rain gods had seen Morgana's effort to hear, the rain begins to lessen; while not completely gone, it will be easier for the 'cat's' sharp ears to overhear what Ren may not, though how much and what parts may vary.

"Jogashima was..." A blush of heat blooms on Umie's face. "Definitely fine. We should go there again, sometime."

She quiets, watching Shiryuu prepare the tea. It's so much more complicated that the teabags, but it comes out so nicely...

Dangerous elements at play, he says, as he works with the knife.

"So dangerous that you can't listen to me?" she offers.

She give Shiryuu a meaningful pause, giving a covert glance over her shoulder towards Ren and Kurou before looking back. "... We'll talk about it later."

In contrast to Shiryuu's handling of the leaves-- "The pad's right here." She offers it to Shiryuu, with a sideways grin. "Guess we know the water's done~"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' an important wisdom--especially when that mischievous play balances out one's image as a harbinger of death and doom. Maybe that's why a certain someone else ends up with the codename Crow...

But that's neither here nor there right now. Particularly since that moment passes observed by all and commented upon by none. For Ren's part, they roll their eyes good-naturedly at her teasing. "One who knows how much she talks," they quip back, smiling slightly at her too.

"It's not really a philosophy..." Ren tells Kurou, then stops while wondering if this is something they can make him understand. This is especially so given what he says about the 'part time' approach. It doesn't occur to Ren either that, as a high school student, Kurou ''is'' functionally a part-time ninja; they just nod slowly. "...Yeah, you seem like the fully-committed type."

Maybe, as they get to know Kurou better, Ren will notice this contradiction. As it stands, the two of them have phone numbers to exchange (Ren's own phone is a two-year-old smartphone model in an industrial steel-style case) and historical lenses to scrutinize.

"Oh?" they reply, then nod thoughtfully at his explanation. That ''does'' sound more interesting. "Let's do it." And so the two of them can review the subject and revise Ren's notes accordingly...

...Kurou seems happier now too, again based on that shine in his eye.

Ren glances up when Shiryuu yells "ow!" from the kitchen. From what they can see, he tried to pick up the boiling water. If this were an anime, a large bead of sweat would be rolling down the side of their head.

Is this really the coldblooded monster who tortured and terrorized Tsubasa...? Then again, they could ask the same question of Kurou over here... Ren may not ''like'' Shiryuu, but they must admit, his contradictions make him an intriguing figure.

At this rate, Ren and Umie are going to need to form a support group.

At least the rain's letting up. That's good for Morgana's fur ''and'' his ears. Those ears twitch a bit. Jogashima...? It sounds like those two have a different understanding of whatever happened there... But what are these dangerous elements they're talking about?

...Seems like they won't be talking about them much more. Which makes sense, given the mixed company.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A Kurou is a creature that knows how to take up very little space. When he had his own apartment, he felt his space become bigger. But somehow, sharing this space with Umie has felt even a little bit bigger than that.

Serious discussions going on to the side is not something Kurou is attuned to. Even if he was, he would pay it little mind. That is not his assigned task for the moment, and his trust for Shiryuu is one that doesn't think to question any of his and Umie's whispering.

Not a philosophy...? "But it surely requires its own approach and mindset..." Even the idea that something should not be overthought is something Kurou has the power to overthink. He might be doing it right now. But he does not firmly with Ren's assessment. That is something he can accept with pride.

Right now, his commitment is fully invested in shifting the perspective of Ren's history notes. It might mean covering unintended material, but Kurou trusts the negative space's ability to let Ren demolish their exams.

''Let's do it,'' and, like a command, Kurou methodically cascades into notebook opening, textbook referencing, phone typing fervor. His ears nearly seem to burn in the warm atmosphere of Umie's apartment.

Where Kurou's formal education has suffered, and while his social understanding is... ''lacking'', to put it mildly, his ability to ''get'' information surfaces. Using Ren's notes, he's able to cross reference figures and bring up research material with expedience, and instead of the political machinations of queens and kings, begins penning notes on the responses for those who contested them.

Yet his focus on the objective of it remains intact as he speaks to Ren aloud of his findings and their function: it might be easy to meander into a tangent of interesting information, but this is about the test's questions and finding the solution Ren needs to better absorb the answers.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The onmitsu is currently nursing his burned fingertips by flicking the infuser in a hand, shuffling the fine-diced leaves in the basket to fluff them for maximum surface area. Otherwise known as, completely ignoring the problem. Flick flick. The boy does this in a strange, ritualistic two-handed fashion. He's intensely focused, as if trying to get each shred arranged in the basket exactly to his liking. Little wafts of the sweet scent begin permeating the air. Agh, oh no.

Any more and he'll ruin it. The _shihaisha's_ nerves are considerably more at ease when Akabane concedes at least one point. That leaves the other.

'We'll talk about it later.'
Not listening to her... the thought sticks with the grey-haired boy a moment. "...the Indigo," he proposes, quietly. "Maybe the rooftop this time..."

Shiryuu meets the bunned devil's crooked smile for awhile. Long enough for the moment to become awkward. Finally he blinks, accepting the pad with a numb, blank expression, finally noticing his fingertips still ache. "...." The infuser lifts, holding it in three fingers while he presses the remaining two between his lips to soothe, his bracelet falling down his wrist. "Mnh," he grouses, noncommittally. He returns to the water, handling it gently enough to get it onto the pad, and to set the infuser just so in the hot water. It has to brew only for so long. Long enough to get cups.

It's easy to forget things, here, in this space. Yes, in that, there is a certain 'warmth' that the young man slowly becomes aware of, somewhere between his subordinate exchanging phone numbers with the accursed but powerful part-timer, and the tea he and Akabane make. Umie might notice when Shiryuu's attention breaks, when his eyeline finally raises off of what he's doing -- off of her.

The shirogarasu is watching Kurou quietly out of the corner of his eye, making sure not to interrupt. Absently he's setting out cups. The young man's written face is a studious neutral, unsmiling, unwavering, as his focus sharpens.

One ... two ... three. The fourth is considered. It's set aside, back behind a door. The rain's stopping..

And just like that, the dream ends for the shirogarasu.

"It would be unconscionable to interrupt any further," the shihaisha decides quietly, eyes closing. The tea doesn't take long to brew -- a few minutes -- nor does it take overlong, with the appropriate attention paid, to pour it.

Now, and only now, is there the sense that Ryouhara's attention might be anywhere near sharp enough to notice they are being spied on. Luckily, the young man's attention only shifts lightly towards the window.

"... I'll leave it in your hands, for now," the young man says.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Seems both Ren and Umie's lives have their share of crows in them. Odd, given their liking of uncomplicated, straightforward people...

.... ah, well, there's that love of complicated people, too. That's probably the culprit.

'One who knows how much she talks.' There's the ol' Amamiya mischief, there. Umie's eyes sparkle slightly in the back and forth, but, as befitting a proper senpai, she holds back her next remark, shooting Ren a blackbird's grin. "Save that energy for your studies, Amamiya-kun~"

This may be the strangest, most indirect way Umie has helped the Phantom Thieves, all without knowing a single thing. Ren gets a rare look into the other side of Shiryuu, someone only a few of the Phantom Thieves have actually seen, with the benefit of her being there to ensure Shiryuu's... Shiryuuness doesn't inflame itself to dangerous levels.

"Alright. Let's do that," she says quietly to Shiryuu. "Until then, how about you..." She follows Shiryuu's gaze to Kurou and Ren.

She shares a grin then, with Shiryuu, almost smugly as she indicates Ren with her chin.

'See?' she says, without saying anything at all.

However.

The rain has let up, and the spell is over, evident in the lack of the fourth cup. "...." Umie's expression saddens a touch at Shiryuu's admission. ".... Tonight, then. No fair for you to come all this way." They'll talk about something, either way.

Her fingers stray over Shiryuu's for a discreet second, and she lets them go, with a cheeky smirk, as she pours the tea. "You're always welcome to change your mind, of course," she offers, taking over for the tea. "Thank you for stopping by; it was good to see you."

That is the last bit of intel Ren will find: the way Umie and Shiryuu regard each other, and how it turns from one moment to the next.

......... They'll definitely need that support group, won't they?

Coming over with the tea cups, Umie sets down one before Kurou and Ren, going back to have some of her own. "I would've used the teabags, if it was me. You two are extremely lucky." She gives the two young scholars a discreet wink. "I'll need Kurou to teach me sometime... I don't have the patience to do it properly, though."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
One can like uncomplicated, straightforward people ''and'' contradictory, messy people. Cats vs. dogs is a false dichotomy.

"Fiine," Ren says mildly to Umie. They ''did'' come here to study, whether that's their books or the ''two'' ninjas they ended up encountering here.

Not a philosophy, but--an approach and mindset? Ren considers this. Considering all the part-time jobs they've got (eight at last count; they're just collecting them at this point), they have to imagine it'd ''have'' to compared to a single full-time job.

So: "That much is true," they concede. "If there ''is'' a philosophy, I don't know about it. I just clock in when I've got time for a shift and collect my pay at the end of it."

It's fascinating to watch Kurou throw himself into research. Ren thinks they can understand how he's managing at high school despite no previous schooling (allegedly). "What subject do ''you'' have trouble with?" they prompt so they can do something while Kurou's doing this for them.

And the fact that Kurou's focused on what will actually show up on the exams is ''a lot'' for them. Ren enjoys reading and learning. It's the structure of school itself that chafes on them. Having what's functionally a cheat sheet to remember what will appear on those exams, as opposed to falling down a rabbit hole of interesting but irrelevant information, will make them that much easier for Ren to conquer. They might even end up in the top third this time around...!

For all that Morgana might be spying, at least he can only hear some of it--the roof of the Indigo? where is that?--and certainly can't see what Shiryuu does with that fourth cup. Ren, too, is sufficiently caught up in studying that they don't notice either. For better or worse, that moment belongs to Shiryuu and Umie alone.

They only look up when Umie serves the tea that she and he prepared. "Thanks," they say, and ''now'' glance past her at Shiryuu. It seems like he's going to leave early, huh... ...well, that's fine too. These things take time, and thanks to a misunderstanding on their part, they don't realize that a clock is still ticking on Tsubasa and the task Shiryuu's trying to force them to complete.

"Is Ryouhara-san," as opposed to the 'Ryouhara-kun' that is Kurou, "that good at making tea?" they wonder, and reach for their cup to take a sip and taste for themself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou could understand that, for he likes both cats and dogs very much. (Kurou may not know what anyone were talking about.)

Ren goes on to describe what Kurou, unfortunately, begins to parse as their philosophy on the matter of work. It's good he does not know there are ''eight jobs'' being described: it would only encourage him. "I see... A dedication of time you have, so long as they make it worth spending..." He nods slowly like this is enlightening him to something.

It might be. He always considers the time he gives the shirogarasu worth spending.

But his meandering mind goes much quicker with a target. Ren asks after Kurou's own weaknesses, and Kurou looks to his textbooks. "I struggle with Literature... and essay questions only add to the difficulty..."

One might imagine Kurou having unusual takes and interpretations on texts while struggling to communicate any of it.

His focus only breaks from Ren once tea is served. But there are only three cups.

"Ah --" Kurou barely utters it before he quiets, watching Shiryuu in an uncertain silence. But it would be rude to ignore Umie any longer, and Kurou gives a small start back to the tea he's been served. He wraps his fingers around the cup to feel the heat.

He does not frown, but he looks at the surface with a weight of something like loneliness. Yet it does not feel right to Kurou to call the feeling gnawing at his chest entirely his own.

"... I do not mind. But... 'The fact that it's from you' is the most important thing," he echoes of something Umie told him once, when he wondered aloud if his mother would like his tea. "Isn't that right?"

Kurou takes a single, slow sip, lingering with the taste and aroma for several moments.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Yes," Shiryuu thinks absently. Fondly, when no one else is paying attention. "She does talk a lot, doesn't she.."

The thought is adrift, long belated and long cooling on the windowsill upon which Shiryuu's attention is focused. After taking a moment to carefully bag the leaf, wipe everything down and rinse the infuser, the young man steps away from the kitchenette, slowly pulling loose the cordage at his haori sleeves so they drop slack around his wrists again as Akabane takes the cups out and over to Kurou and Ren. It leaves the older Ryouhara to consider his hand for the moment. Not the one that was burned -- the one that held the pad a moment ago. A thumb runs over the first two fingertips thoughtfully under eyes that are two different shades of brown.

'It was good to see you.'
"... I .." Shiryuu starts to say something, but it's lost to a split-second look just past Umie's shoulder.

Then, his hand disappears beneath the sleeve of his haori, and it was like they were never there.

"...Second only to inimitable Kurou," Shiryuu acknowledges Ren in the background, as he steps through the living space, checking the painting on the wall for straightness as he goes. Mostly, it's an excuse not to have to look at anything or anyone other than the window. "Tea is a matter of timing, and precision. But there is another X-factor that cannot be quantified readily." He nods to Kurou simply, without looking. 'The fact that it's from you.' ".... it's something like that," he guesses absently.

As would be expected, Shiryuu's technical ability is par excellence. The tea has been, despite his injuries making it, perfectly steeped and measured, the hot water at just the right temperature. It is mildly sweet, and it is fragrant. More robust than light, because his intentionality is heavy-handed. But -- it will differ from something made by Kurou. Even the tea-bags that Umie threatens all of their delicate sensibilities with.

For those with an excellent, unfettered taste, they will understand where the feeling goes numb for the grey-haired young man. Where warmth ends and .. nothing starts.

He is polite enough. "Kurou... please show this person the full power of three hundred years of Ryouhara academics." A glance lifted to Ren. "Enjoy it fully and without discretion. But..."

"....no part-timing," he reminds them, severely.

Umie gets the last, long second of his eyes.
"...Akabane."
Faced with saying something, anything, the young man visibly breathes outward, evicting all of the air in his chest, to make room for a fresh fill of his lungs, easing his own carefully managed discomfort.

".... be seeing you."
He will, to his credit, at least leave quietly without further incident.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ren's reply gets an unexpected chortle through Umie's hand. Ahh, a relaxed Ren and Kurou is a sight to see.

Too bad she'll likely need to not be present for more of it to happen, but that's just the way friendships are able to bloom: naturally.

And sometimes violently, without intention.

Shiryuu's own contribution, perhaps, may only have Mona as company, for how well he hides it from the rest of them.

".... It's a discipline of flexibility," Umie contributes. "I may not have the ability to do this forever, but those late night shifts mean I can have time for..." Pause. "Things like this."

For the Dark Hour, and Mementos, and all the things that drive the part of her that was so eager to get out of her shift. But also this. She can just say that, and no one will think anything of it.

Kurou, seeing the three tea cups, draws a soft sound of sympathy, as she realizes where his eyes draw to.

He's hungry for that connection, isn't he? And why not, considering Shiryuu is the only one...

But this itself may be Shiryuu's gift, Umie realizes. To give Kurou that room to be Kurou, and not simply Kurou Ryouhara, the one who swore loyalty to his shihaisha.

"The tea *is* different between the two," she says, picking up on Ren's question. "I'll never say which is better, but..."

'The fact that it is from you'. Umie gives the words a solid nod. "Yes. I never ask, but whenever he comes ho-- here, from school, Ryouhara-kun makes me tea." She looks down at the cup, the corners of her lips fighting to keep from twisting up in joy. "Any time I don't get home in time, I feel bad, because I know he's made tea for me. But on the days I come in, and it's been a rough day, there's tea. And even if there's none, there's the memory of it, and I make myself some."

It's hard to convey, without leaning too hard on it; Kurou is supposed to be a teenage boy, with teenage dreams and aspirations; not someone obliged to make someone giving him a place to stay something to drink. However, Umie senses there is a joy in it for him, like expressing a feeling his face and manner is unable to convey.

It's something Umie's very unused to, when it came to her own home: thoughtfulness.

'Akabane.'

Now, it's Umie's turn; eye straying towards the window, she selfishly wishes the rain would come back, so he'd feel like staying here was no longer a bother to the rest of them.

No answer comes, which Morgana is likely thankful for, at the very least.

Looking over her shoulder at Shiryuu, her gaze lingers a touch. She nods. "Be seeing you, Shiryuu."

'You can still stay', she wants to say.

It's when Shiryuu leaves that Umie digs into a bag of cheese puffs, munching a few. Munch, munch, munch minch.

"Don't mind him, Ren. He's a Sagittarius," Umie says, taking another sip of tea from her teacup.

As if that explained anything, _little Miss Aries_.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
In fairness, Ren only works those jobs at their convenience. Some of them they haven't worked in a solid while, like Cafe Chagall or Ore no Beko. Hell, they only still work at Triple Seven because they get to see Umie there--a benefit for more than just her scintillating personality. Either way, it does seem like Kurou grasps the gist, and they nod in acknowledgement. Umie has a good contribution too.

Literature, though, huh... "That's a tough one. A lot of literature is up to interpretation. I'm pretty good at that subject, though, so let's go over that next," Ren replies. After all, it's not really something one can do on the side.

''The tea ''is'' excellent,'' Ren reflects as they drink and Shiryuu explains. They glance at Umie when she seconds that the two of them make tea differently. The technical prowess, despite Shiryuu burning his fingers, is clearly there. But... Maybe a year ago, Ren wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. However, after drinking cups of the Boss's coffee nearly every day since April, they ''do'' have a sense of when there's something else there. 'The fact that it's from you,' as Kurou puts it. As Umie expands upon that with her story about how Kurou manifests it.

Ren glances at the two of them, then sips the tea again as he considers Shiryuu and ''his'' tea's lack of that X-factor. How he's choosing to leave, even though both Umie and Kurou clearly want him to stay.

"Thank you for the tea," they say politely. They hold their tongue about the part-timing.

Umie might try to dismiss his behavior as the antics of a Sagittarius, but it's pretty clear to them it goes far deeper than that.

Once the three of them have finished their drinks, they and Kurou can return to studying--and Umie to snacking--in earnest.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, a fortuitously complimentary situation..." Kurou notes of Ren's strengths to his weaknesses. So this is the power of a study partner...

Kurou sips at the tea with a cherishing pace, not merely as one who appreciates the subtleties of Shiryuu's proficient blend, but... hm. The 'X-factor' Shiryuu finds himself missing...

Kurou does not say what he thinks it is, but his gaze wanders to where Umie keeps her cups. The absence of the fourth...

What if it had rained a little longer...?

"...I like it," he says of Shiryuu's tea, not quite to Shiryuu, but 'at' him with the way it quietly spills into the air. "No part-timing," Kurou echoes, with more firm intent, as someone who understands what it is Shiryuu means by such words. He will give his all to this, because that is the opportunity his shihaisha wants him to have.

How to give his shihaisha the opportunity for a 'fourth cup'... that is a more difficult question.

But Kurou's posture perks up with Umie describing her appreciation for the tea. "Please do not feel badly for such days, Akabane-san. If it is there when you need it, that is enough."

Much as Kurou tries to make the tea last, no cup is infinite. Soon, he and Ren will return to their studies to defeat the final day of exams.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-04-03: Because It's From You

2026-04-07T06:04:31Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Because It's From You''' *'''Cast:''' Ren Amamiya, Kurou Ryouhara, Umie Akabane, Shiryuu Ryouhara *'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo''' *'''OOC Date:''' April 03, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 19, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Kurou needs a study buddy. Why not Ren? They need snacks. Why not go get them? There's four cups of tea. Why leave so soon?'' ---- compulsively<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed. >> Hey >&..."

*'''Log: Because It's From You'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo'''
*'''OOC Date:''' April 03, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 19, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Kurou needs a study buddy. Why not Ren? They need snacks. Why not go get them? There's four cups of tea. Why leave so soon?''

----

compulsively<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
>> Hey
>> Kurou Ryouhara-kun was wondering if you wanted to study together?

Ah, no, Umie thinks, in the aftermath of sending that last text. That'll sound weird, like she's trying to manage him.

>> He doesn't have your number, no big deal if you got plans

Umie grins triumphantly. There. Now Ren won't feel obligated, either way.

======

With all that settled, Umie dips her head to take a quick scan of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the amount of appropriately study-necessary snacks and drinks are low; Umie looks up to Kurou. "I'm going to stop by the Larson's down the way. If Amamiya-kun gets here before I do, just let him in." Checking her phone to check the weather, Umie makes a face and grabs her rainjacket. "I'll be quick."

The frosted sliding windows, while amazing for privacy reasons, come with a major drawback: you can't really get a sense of the weather. (Though, to be fair, with the other apartment building a narrow alley's width away, it's anyone's guess what the weather would be.)

With the weather turning cooler, they've rarely been open; the apartment, as small as it is, is far better suited for keeping warm as long as they're kept shut, with the space heater turned on whenever Umie is there. Due to the layout being longer than it is wide, most of the warmth is concentrated in the living area than the hallway, with the kitchenette (done in cheery yellow tiles) situated in between.

The main area is a small couch and a table, with a TV mounted on the wall. While the white walls sit more or less empty of any decor, a painting hangs centered over the couch, being of a random spatter of paint across the stretched canvas, with a little 'WHIRLWIND '''' RHYTHM' print stamped into the texture. There's a clothing rack for Umie's clothes to the side. A smaller crafts table is set into the far corner nearby the windows, where a strange mobile of hangers sits empty, connected to a long painted over hook for some long forgotten device. The table itself is covered in newspaper and a crafting mat, with a narrow thin small shelving unit there to house various paint supplies. A sliding door to the bathroom next to the kitchen.

It'd be so much tighter if it wasn't kept mostly clean; it'd make sense to Umie why Kurou considers it a 'warm' place.

What was a previously overcast day will soon turn rainy, however, making Umie's decision to only step out in her rainjacket a remorseful one as the rain begins to strengthen.

Whether Ren is able to beat the rain will be a matter of timing; Umie, stuck in the line at Larson's, looks out the sliding doors with a grimace of determination.

A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, least of all her!!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
On the way out of Shujin Academy for the day, Ren gets a text from Umie. They furrow their eyebrows at it, and Morgana pops up out of their bag to take a look in time for the second text to come in.

"Kurou Ryouhara... wants to study with you?" Morgana murmurs, peeking over at his protege.

"Kind of last second. There's only one day of exams left," Ren murmurs back.

"Hmm... It could be a trap. Even if he doesn't know your true identity, he could've found out you're friends with Tsubasa. What're you gonna do?"

Ren considers it for a moment, then texts Umie back:

>> OK. Where to?

~ * ~

"I'll keep an eye out from out here. Good luck in there," Morgana says from where he's hopped down from Ren's bag in the alleyway Umie's apartment window opens into.

Ren nods. The rain hasn't started yet, but it's only a matter of time. Timing-wise, it helps that they came here straight from school; it's along the way, after all. "You sure you'll be okay out here?"

"Getting caught in the rain isn't my ''favorite'' thing," Morgana admits, "but I like it way better than getting caught by ninjas." His furry face sets with determination. "Don't worry. I've got your back, Ren."

They smile slightly, briefly, then turn to leave the alley. Morgana will be left to parkour up the side of the building and keep an eye out from above while Ren heads to the front and makes their presence known, whether by pressing a buzzer or knocking or however it works for Umie's apartment. Hopefully Kurou will let them in before they have to open up their umbrella.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is thanks to the wisdom and mercy of the shirogarasu that Kurou does not have to juggle his shinobi tasks with his studies... but that does not mean the studies are simple. Not if he wants to excel in them, as he has promised to do. Previously, he had a respectable showing, but...

For Kurou, merely 'respectable' is not enough. Not if he wants to allow himself to earn the prestigious mochi sticker he has set aside for himself.

(And also, it is important to be the sort of shinobi who would lose a minimal amount of fingers.)

As Umie has tried to point out many times before, studying together is an effective tactic, and with the final push of exams underway, there is no tactic that can be overlooked. Tea, Kurou decides, is something he can make toward the end of the study sessions: that way, Umie may be able to benefit from a cup herself.

"Oh. As predicted..." Kurou muses to himself as it seems Ren has arrived before her return. He opens the door and seeing the darkness of the clouds outside, does not linger with excessive formalities as he might otherwise be wont to do.

"Welcome, Amamiya-san. Please come in. You may sit where you like."

His own study materials -- a spiral notebook, a single pencil, and a cracked open textbook, each perfectly in parallel to one another -- are laid out over the table, with his schoolbag and its other texts and notebooks peeking out of it. Kurou's face isn't particularly ''animated'', to put it mildly, but there is a fatigue worn upon it with a tension in his brow etching his determination to push past it. He has failed to touch up his nail polish recently, and it does not quite meet the cuticle.

"I hope you did not find my request disruptive. My intention is that we will both gain the strength we need to subdue our respective final challenges."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a good reason for Ren to be wary; for all he knows, it could be a setup for an ambush, and, being the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he'd be a prime person to target.

Morgana may find the apartment notably easy to get to from the alleyway: a jump on the dumpster, a few footholds, andddd well, the windows are locked, unless you knew the secret method of lifting up on the window pane, and then jiggling it out with your wider human arm span and--

Yeah. At least he'll be there? And he'll have a clear view of a short woman in a pink rainjacket on the other side of the street, hurrying over to the crosswalk... at just at the right time a car whizzes through a puddle at just the right angle, launching a magnificent wave of water over her and another unlucky onlooker. Seriously, it's like the car casted an Aqua spell.

Umie, however, just continues on! The snacks must be there!! She promised.... no one, actually, and Kurou'd likely not mind, but Ren is not a secret Ryouhara ninja!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The apartment door opens. Kurou invite them inside. "Thanks," they reply, and enter.

The vibe doesn't ''seem'' off, Ren notes as they take a look around. Study materials, a lived-in-but-regularly-cleaning sort of amount of mess... They look back at Kurou, and he may be inexpressive, but he does seem tired.

"You're fine. I was just a little surprised," they reply. "I study better with a partner, too."

They pull their own study materials out and lay them on the table, then set down their bag next to the chair they seat themself on. "The last day for us over at Shujin Academy is sort of general questions. Make sure we've been paying attention in class, sort of thing," they remark, looking up at Kurou. "What about for your school?"

If Kurou is doing this earnestly, then that means he cares about scoring well on his exams. If that's the case, then he must have an idea of what he's being tested ''on''.

Outside: Morgana settles in on the window sill and peeks in from outside. It's started raining, and unfortunately he lacks human arms to jiggle the window with, but at least he's got a good view of what's going on inside and out.

This includes Umie getting splashed by a car as she walks up the street. Morgana sweatdrops. Poor Umie...
Shiryuu Ryouhara has arrived from Central Street - Main.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
It is to Kurou's discredit that he never considers when his actions might be considered an ambush or a trap. This is because he would like to think that he would never be announcing one, even if deception, and that anyone he intended to give a last surprise would never see it coming.

Today, he is genuinely focused on studying.

"Kasugayama has a similar structure, from my understanding," Kurou tells Ren. He glances down, sighing. "... Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution, so I can't claim full confidence, nor deny the possibility of trick questions..."

Kurou may have been told what he's being tested on, but that does not mean he necessarily ''believes'' it, and only has the previous exam period as an example. That's hardly a pattern. Expecting to be deceived about what he's being tested on might be an odder behavior if Ren did not already know Kurou's line of 'work'.

He rubs at his temple idly, his gaze wandering with his struggling thoughts.

"... There was even some psychology material..."

With a shake of his head, he focuses back on them.

"What about you? We will need to cover both of our weaknesses."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
They'd never feel him coming until it's too late.

The boy arrives like the fall wind and rain, little more than a grey blotch against the skyline, nimble, silent, and armed. He arrives somewhere between now and then, somewhere in the blotch of parasols that flare open as the overcast turns into a drizzle, though little peeks of his white silk haori flick beyond the umbrella he carries.

It's not all he carries, a little crossbody bag under his haori, into the band of which a long red bundle has been tucked.

Another plastic bag produced, the parasol shaken neatly, and tucked into it, to be tucked in against the red bag. The boy's shoes -- getting slightly older now, a pair of expensive collector's edition Nike -- are soundless in the halls as he makes his way upstairs, the glide of his sleeves in the still air as he disappears into the dark of the complex's hallways.

The lightest whisper of his aura creeps in from beyond the raw edges of the apartment door, as the shihaisha of all Ryouhara approaches, a look of cold ambition across the otherwises indiscriminately, oppressively neutral mien of his face. The lock is not at all an impediment to him.

That would be the end of things, wouldn't it?

No, hardly; Shiryuu never actually makes it to Umie's doorstep. He stops at the edge of the doorway, practicing what to say. "'Akabane, long time no see,'" he starts thoughtfully. Hm. Not natural. It would be good to set a powerful precedent for Kurou. "'Akabane, the night comes for you!'" ..ugh, no, she doesn't seem like the type. Plus, if it's too much she'll think of a good comeback and he would have to resort to subduing her....somehow. Come on, Ryouhara, think. Don't let the female win.

"...iehh?" He looks up from his thought a moment later.
The next words are the thunder of genuine silver-haired distress, now actually audible from inside.

"AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> See, you may think the storm has come, but in reality, the storm is still coming. Even from Mona's vantage point, he would be clueless.

That is how ninjas work, after all.

*squish* *squish* *squish* *squish*

Triumphant as she gets to the elevator, Umie jams her hand into her purse to feel for her keys, her other hand holding up the dripping plastic bag as she peeks inside. "...."

Well, the snacks are dry, at least.

A chipped nail presses the call button for the elevator- she's not feeling up for going up the stairs today, no matter how good it may be for her stamina.

=======

The triumph leaks out of Umie with all the aplomb of a slow, sad mute trombone, as she stands there by the practicing Shiryuu, like some.... pink... raincoat-ed killer??

'AKABANE, why do you look like a drowned pixie!!'

"Nice to see you too," she says with a flat, lopsided smile, as she puts the key into the lock and opens the door. ".... I got some snacks, uh, give me a sec, Kurou, your..." She looks to Shiryuu, as if trying to remember their relation to each other. "... cousin? How are you related again?"

REN, RUN. IT'S CLEARLY A SETUP. MAYBE.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu ''does'' enter the building without drawing Morgana's attention. Perhaps it was while he was distracted with parkouring up to Umie's apartment window; perhaps Shiryuu's just that good. Perhaps it's some of both. Either way, Morgana won't be able to give Ren a warning about him.

'Though I did not attend as a first year at this or any other institution...'

"..."

Yeah, it's a good thing that Ren already knows they're talking to a ninja. They ''do'' wonder how he got enrolled if he has no previous schooling, but Kasugayama does have a reputation for not caring. Maybe that's explanation enough.

Trick questions are a lot easier to understand. It really depends on the teacher. Speaking of which: "We've had some of that this year too. Psychology, I mean," Ren remarks. That's thanks to Dr. Maruki, though. "Assuming it's like the first term's exams, I think as long as I review my notes, I'll be okay."

They rest their cheek on one hand. Weaknesses, huh... "I'm not really great at history or social studies, though. They're pretty boring." Especially when 'social studies' is synonymous with 'political stuff.' "What about you?"

This is approximately when a shout erupts from the hallway outside the apartment. Ren raises their head to stare in subdued alarm. ...They recognize that voice.

The next moment, a key undoes the front door lock, and Umie walks in, soaked. The silver-haired youth in the white coat is out there in the hall behind her.

"......"

Ren keeps their mouth shut. They want to know how Kurou and Shiryuu are related to each other too, actually.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
There are ways to fabricate a history of education. None of these ways are likely to matter that much to Kasugayama High. Even trying to do well on his exams may not be considered typical Kasu student behavior.

But here Kurou is, in a high school he ought to be unqualified for by virtue of the system's requirements, doing his best to ace his exams. Surely even ninja children require education, though. So why is this all new to Kurou...?

As Ren relays his own weaknesses, Kurou's demeanor perks up. "History I may be able to assist with --" That's about as far as he gets into that line of thinking before his attention is in sync with Ren's own to outside the apartment.

Instead of alarm, Kurou's own eyes seem to have the smallest beginnings of a sparkle for their surprise guest.

That sparkle evaporates abruptly to see Umie's drowned pixie form. "Akabane-san, are you all right?" he asks, first thing, before grabbing a towel from the kitchen. He looks down at it, then back up at her. She is going to need a bigger towel...

But there's a question: how are Kurou and Shiryuu actually related?

...

Kurou looks directly at Shiryuu, deferring to him to set the designation.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Aaaaah, you're going to catch your death of co--"

Shiryuu was thoroughly intending to let Umie really have a piece of his mind this time. She's always playing out in the rain, getting soaked. It's not like endurance training, she has a thin constitution and could catch pneumonia ...

'Nice to see you too.' then she smiles.

The onmitsu doesn't say anything, locked with mouth quirked open in a state of mute annoyance and deep, unabiding confusion. Did she just move him out of the way? She absolutely did, didn't she? What was he going to say? This is completely unconscionable.

"....." Shiryuu sighs, sword-long, as he finally lifts his chin, stepping quietly inside just enough to divest Umie of her varying burdens as Kurou gets the towels. It is very clear that if he doesn't take her bags he's going to dry her hair, and once that happens, there's literally no telling what all else.

Now he is well weighted. Even so, the intensity with which Shiryuu is fretting on the other side of the bags is intense, little more than a grey mop swishing back and forth on the other side. ".....cousins is fine," he states, mildly offput.

A brown eye peers around the bag at Ren, finally realizing they're here. Is his situational awareness really that bad??

"a...ah. it's you."
A look is shot. Don't spill even a single bean, you.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> While Umie had set up that question in case Ren was there, she hadn't thought beyond that. That much is clear when the door opens, and she's surprised to see the curly-haired unassuming young man there. "Oh hey! Sorry about that." She casts a glance towards Shiryuu, as if giving him a silent warning in case he decides to just barrel inside. "They're studying."

"Oh, you two know each other?" Eyes focus on Ren momentairely, sharing a subtle twinkle of amusement. Is that a hint of mischief there? "Ah, Amamiya-kun, you should have said something! Shiryuu can be shy sometimes..."

Which may look weird to say, as Umie finds her burden lightened. "O-oh," she says, broken out of her secret little jab at Shiryuu for threatening her co-worker. "Oh, hey, you don't need to..." Drip, drip. The edges of Umie's coat channel drops of collected rainwater onto the no-nonsense low pile carpeting of the hallway.

While the rain has let up slightly, it hasn't stopped.

Shiryuu *did* come here, for her, after they chatted about bonds, and she does really miss him. It's just that there's things they need to talk about, and Umie needs to talk to him!!

And, to left him in, after the trouble he put Ren through...!

No matter. Shiryuu's taking the snacks, while Kurou is grabbing a kitchen towel. "Don't worry, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Looking back towards Shiryuu, her gaze softens a touch; she directs him in with a jerk of her chin. "Maybe you can help. Amamiya-kun's a co-worker of mine. He's a great worker, quiet, but don't let him fool you. Sometimes he can be a bit of a mischief-maker himself."

Taking off her jacket, and hanging it in the open hallway closet Umie slips out of her slopping wet shoes. Walking into the main room, she grabs a sweater and some sweatpants. "Augh... I'm going to go change in the bathroom really quick. You three behave, okay?" ... not that she won't just hear it past the door.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
'Cousins is fine,' Shiryuu says, which indicates to Ren that 'cousins' is ''not'' what they are but he doesn't care enough to correct her.

On top of that tidbit, he seems to be fussing over Umie all the way into the apartment, to the point that he doesn't notice them until they're all well inside the apartment. He's really obsessed with her, huh...

They glance at Kurou as he approaches with that too-small towel, then look back at Umie. They catch the Look that Shiryuu shoots them and return it with a bland lack of expression that betrays none of what they're thinking.

They already hinted Umie into awareness anyway.

They meet her sparkling eye and give her a non-committal shrug. "Shouldn't you dry off, Akabane-san?" they say. When she describes them to Shiryuu in turn as a 'bit of a mischief-maker,' Ren can't ''quite'' help a slight smile. As she goes off to the bathroom with a change of clothes, they watch her go; then they look at Shiryuu and Kurou.

Then they focus in on Kurou. "You were saying about history?" they prompt. All considered, they suspect he ''could'' make the subject very interesting indeed.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Cousins. This is the easiest way to explain their family relations, really. Kurou suspects that he and Shiryuu do not actually share a grandparent, and after a fashion, even a family-family (as opposed to a shinobi family) may use the term broadly as specifics become too entangled. Their actual relationship is that of shihaisha and subordinate, but to be called cousins -- not mutually exclusive with the truth -- still puts a shine in Kurou's eyes that is getting worse the longer he is considering it.

It is, after all, still a family-family term.

Oh. Do Shiryuu and Ren know one another? As Umie brings up the possibility, Kurou, too, looks between the two of them with his subtle brand of curiosity.

The wrong place at the wrong time. "Then let us correct it," Kurou offers, as Shiryuu takes her burden. Umie has that covered, making her move into the bathroom to change. He hesitates, gaze straying to the kitchen.

"Maybe I should make tea..." he ventures. They're supposed to be studying, but he doesn't want Umie to catch a chill and get sick. Plus, Shiryuu is visiting. It's Ren, thankfully, who reminds him of his purpose here with studying, and Kurou finds their gaze now instead.

"I would not call it my favorite subject... that still belongs to biology. But history is similarly alive... like an organism with many moving parts. If it is 'boring', perhaps we can find a different perspective that better illuminates the greater whole for you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"You two-bunned demon -- I'm not shy -- !" Shiryuu objects in all immediacy after Umie introduces him in such a friendly context, though now he's quite literally holding the bag, so his objections are forced to trebuchet over the top, a singlee defiant sprig of dingy grey hair wagging with the force of his declaration.

He does not, however, seem to be thinking about where to put the bag, and is definitely not giving it back while putting on a solid information suppression campaign. "I'm -- not a mischief -- what! It's you who are the --" Shiryuu is scandalized right up until Umie is gone.

Right up until she is gone.

"-- if I have to be, I'll become the overlord of mischief," Shiryuu threatens. "Tengu will look to me for advice, and monkeys will avert their heads in shame. You'll absolutely not give me that cool look of studious indiference again, part timer, or I'll have your hair dyed purple," he informs Ren in not even a second's worth of wasted time. "I have no mercy for you," he adds, hushed.

Then he pauses thoughtfully.
"... except during midterms," he allows.

"Become a strong academic power for Kurou to match his wits with, and I'll overlook your catty nature. But ... you're forbidden to teach him any of your part-timing ways. I'm still responsible for my family."

This all would be much better if he wasn't still carrying the bag, and Ren could actually see his eyes to tell how dead serious he is.

"....oh.."

Finally Shiryuu seems to notice, setting down the sack nearby. "No," he tells Kurou, when he thinks about tea. "I'll get to it. Instead, use these to strengthen your bodies for the coming trial," he finally says, scratching his temple. He's looking off in the direction of the bathroom. I guess she did say...

"If you have any academic need," the shihaisha finally decides with a imperious lift of his chin, "my resources were and are as limitless as the night sky." He's fetching a sheaf of napkins, so that he can get to his knees, tying up his haori sleeves so he can fold the paper and use both hands to blot the wet out of the carpet before it starts to smell strange. Strange little ceremony, all truth told.

Odds are he's just coping.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
'You two-bunned demon--' Umie's lips split in a merry, open smile, as she walks in. "I missed you too~" she says, singsong, before remembering that Ren is here.

But also, _Ren is here_. Surely, Ren would forgive her for a bit of friendly violence, as long as he gets to remain free and involved as an innocent bystander?

.... oh right she might catch a cold

Shutting the sliding panel door shut, Umie barely gets started when she hears Shiryuu talking. And going on. Something about Tengu, and monkeys, and 'no mercy'--

"No bullying Amamiya-kun," Umie flatly warns from the bathroom. She's listening, though when the hairdryer comes out, it's a little bit harder to do so.

...... But only for a moment.

It clicks off, only for Umie to add a punctuated, "I mean it, Shiryuu." This, regardless of how grey haired young man is handling Ren.

When she hears the faintest suggestion of words and tone that agree with her, the hairdryer turns back on.

Soon enough, the door opens, and Umie emerges like a butterfly from a non-Homunuculus-type cocoon: an oversized grey sweatshirt that hangs over her waist, sweatpants, socks and slippers, and her toweled off blonde hair in a ponytail.

In other words, the most comfortable grey butterfly.

"Are you all comfortable?" she asks moving to the kitchenette. "... Oh Shiryuu, it's fine," she murmurs, with some fondness. "I'll put a towel down." She looks for the snack bag and, opening it up, reveals some chips, a few cans of soda. Something savory, something sweet, something just good comfort food. "I should've put these in the fridge..." She sets them put by the two, and looks to Shiryuu. "I'll help you make tea. You make better tea than I do, after all." It'll also get him off the floor.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
And while Shiryuu might not care enough to correct Umie, Kurou seems deeply happy to be labeled a 'cousin,' if that shine in his eyes is any indication. It... kind of makes Ren sad to see. The implications break their heart a bit. (At least Shiryuu does call him 'family' later?)

It's undermined by Shiryuu yelling at Umie about how he is NOT shy, then at Ren about mischief, mercy, and midterms. (And part-timing, but that doesn't start with an M.)

Ren raises their eyebrows at him. Shiryuu continues to be an absurd human being. At least Umie has their back... She doesn't seem at all threatened by him, either. It's bizarre to watch. It's probably just as well Shiryuu's still holding that bag.

Tea ''would'' be a good idea, even if it is a distraction from studying. Ren really shouldn't let themself get distracted either. Fortunately, Kurou suggests something intriguing: that history is akin to a living organism. Ren's own dark eyes light up some.

"That'd be great. I used to think math was boring too, but then Akabane-san got me to thinking of it like a puzzle. It's not ''fun'', exactly, but I enjoy it a lot more than I used to," they reply. They look over at the kitchen, then at Kurou. "Tea sounds like a good idea. Now that we've got a plan, we can start in earnest once we've got something hot to drink."

...which apparently Shiryuu (and Umie!) will handle instead of Kurou. Ren's not sure how they feel about that, or about this ninja overlord getting on his hands and knees to clean up the carpet, but of the bag of snacks, they say, "Thanks."

They'll accept the chips and soda from Umie upon her glorious comfy return with a nod of gratitude and acknowledgement of their own comfort, and share with Kurou as the two of them sit back down, Ren flipping the pages of their notes until they get to the history section. "Tell me your perspective," they prompt him, looking over at Kurou.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou once again watches the interactions between Umie and Shiryuu with a slight squint. There is something he should pick up on here, but he is not quite sure yet what it is. Shiryuu cares for her deeply, he knows that. And Umie for him. He knows that, too. So why would they need to obfuscate...? Perhaps it is a form of play...?

Like crows rolling down a snowy windshield...

He forgets about this as Shiryuu goes off about becoming the overlord of mischief, and Kurou's eyes shine a little again with his admiration for his shihaisha. (And, indeed, Ren may see the family mention being especially affecting.) At least until...

"Part-timing...?" Kurou echoes, looking to Ren and back to Shiryuu, uncomprehending of this forbidden knowledge.

Regardless, Shiryuu and Umie take up the task to make tea instead, so Kurou can focus on his studies. Kurou bows deeply before nodding. "I will," he agrees of Shiryuu's 'command', resolute. "And I will surpass my previous score. That is a promise."

To Ren, Kurou gives a smaller, apologetic bow. "I would like to make you tea myself sometime, but this will have to wait until after we have suitably dealt with our exams."

He returns to his seat at the table, pausing as Shiryuu points out the other resources. "... You already do much for me," Kurou says in a quiet earnestness. "I do not wish to overburden you."

For, as far as Kurou is concerned, that is something Shiryuu does far too much. The line between 'obedience' and 'true loyalty' is still a difficult one to navigate...

... Ah, but history. Kurou peers over at Ren's notes to get an idea of what their exams stand to cover.

"Yes. The lesson usually takes the point of view of political actors, but if we instead consider it from the angle of..." Kurou begins, trying to shift the approach to something that may be a more interesting narrative than the one Ren's been given until now.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The boy has literally no actual full sentences to say to Umie Akabane.

"Ch--" She's threatening Shiryuu from the bathroom, all the while with Ren in the background subduing him with their eyebrows. Shiryuu would absolutely respond in kind and engage in a tense eyebrow struggle for dominance with the aloof part timer, but Akabane turned off the hairdryer, a detail the sharp-eared onmitsu doesn't miss.

"Part-timers need laws and structure to avoid becoming delinquents," Ryouhara complains mildly at the closed door, though he is absolutely not saying it loud enough for Akabane to hear. She doesn't need to hear his absolute authority to feel its force, like the way the sun warms a house. Or so he insists in his own head.

"You're lucky Akabane has compassion," Ryouhara says, enigmatic and bitter in equal sum. He's not looking back at Ren, the three leaves of the Ryouhara symbol plain across the back of his haori.

What was it she said to him?
It just now occurs to him he was too distracted to say anything back.

Ryouhara takes all of it out on the carpet until stopped. "Most buildings in this area do not ventilate well," he counters, folding over the sheaf of napkins to blot more, pressing down with both hands. "You all could become victimized by black mold. I won't stand for it."

He looks up, once he realizes Umie is back. .... and then, sharply, he looks again.

Cowed, the boy settles back on his knees, resting on the backs of his heels, with his hands folded primly in his lap. He sighs. At this angle, Ren can tell he wears a _thick_ wool sweater underneath that haori. Both of his wrists are adorned, his left with a rather severe-looking bangle that does not at all seem like it was purchased, and a white cordage bracelet around his right, delicately braided and hand-wound, with a jade charm fixing the end so it doesn't fall past his wrist.

"...Kurou."

Shiryuu's eyes are closed while he sits.
"Do not concern yourself overmuch with my limitations. I have none."

If Shiryuu is aware that Kurou is sparkling, he doesn't say anything about it. Instead, the boy kips up onto the balls of his feet. Sneakers removed and stored carefully, Ryouhara looks back at Akabane suspiciously, finally digesting her offer to help, and her implied compliment.

"...You should be resting too," he remarks flatly, face the lightest shade of red before depositing the damp napkins in the wastebasket, deliberately not looking directly at her. "... mmnh." Yes, that's the correct sound to handle her. Regardless, the boy gives consent by not actively stopping her when he gathers supplies and washes his hands.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> A puzzle. Umie's eyelids lower slightly, secretly touched that she had that impression on someone else.

.... especially considering that the last person she tutored was _Tatsuya Suou_.

She also notes the shine in Kurou's eyes, lingering on them as she realizes what she may have just enabled (or enabled further). She tries not to puff up with pride at her accidental overreach of authority over the _great shihaisha_.

"It'll give another reason to come over. I'll even give you guys some space," Umie then adds, with a sideways grin. "Though it *does* keep me on my toes to have the expectation of people coming over. Got to keep my place tidy..." She turns her head to try to share an amused glance with Shiryuu, considering the mess it was before.

As Shiryuu gets the carpet cleaned, Umie works on the tea instead, getting out the kettle and the tea leaves, as well as four cups for all of them.

Subtly, she steals a glance over the two, as Ren asks Kurou his perspective, smiling slightly as she turns back to her preparation. Ren was always good at that; at his age, Umie was walled off, save for her friends. It feels now like she's having to catch up, in order to understand people around her.

The exchange between Kurou and Shiryuu, too, is not missed, Umie's lips still curved in a soft smile as Shiryuu assures the polite shinobi, in his own way.

"If you're concerned about my health, then we should get to making tea to calm my fragile nerves," Umie quips at Shiryuu now. "See? I got everything out for you."

It's only until they begin preparing and the two students are seemingly deep into their studies that Umie begins to talk directly to Shiryuu.

"By the way," she murmurs, beneath her breath; while she thinks Ren (and Kurou!) can't hear, it's impossible in this small space to keep too many things secret. "... I need to talk to you about something. Not now, but soon." Her fingers stop her eyes looking to the angle of Shiryuu's face to get a sense of whether or not he's listening. "Let's not use Jogashima Park, this time."

A hint-- it's something serious, but not something she wants to go that direction, either.

"I need to figure something out with you," she adds, softly; remembering how he tried to 'assure' Kurou moments earlier.

To preserve her moments of peace with the Ryouharas, as well as to give Phoenix their own, Umie will have to figure out what Shiryuu is thinking, and express to him how she feels. Not everything has to be a kiss of a blade or of passion; the grey inbetween is what she seeks, for the good of all involved.... which may include Ren now, in a way, possibly?

..... nah, Ren'll be fine, he's just a normal person.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Shiryuu asserts that part-timers need structure to avoid turning into delinquents, albeit not so loudly that Umie will hear from the bathroom. Ren peers at him again for a moment before they look over at Kurou. "Part-time work. Work done for a limited amount of time. That's what Akabane-san and I do at the Triple Seven," they explain. With a straight face, they wonder, "Are you not allowed to work after school?"

Kurou's probably too busy working for Shiryuu and/or the NWO to have any time for part-timing, and Shiryuu doesn't seem to have the best grasp on what part-timing is in the first place...

Ren watches the interaction between Kurou and Shiryuu. If nothing else, Kurou seems to really care about his 'shihaisha,' and the implication that he cares back might just be keeping him on his tether. Whether Shiryuu actually does care back... that's harder for Ren to get a read on. It's easy to boss someone around and ''say'' you do it because you care about them.

It seems more obvious to them that Shiryuu cares about--or maybe the better term's "is affected by"--Umie in some fashion or another. A man who calls himself the overlord of all ninjas surely doesn't get on his knees to clean a carpet for just anyone, black mold or no. And, sure enough, Shiryuu tells Ren it's lucky Umie has compassion. In other words, if not for her influence, he wouldn't be so merciful on them...

But Ren keeps that thought to themself, though they do briefly twiddle a lock of their bangs as they consider it. They do slip their hands back into their pockets and take in the details of Shiryuu's garb when he leans back on his heels. It's a very interesting look he's got. Ren's not an expert on fashion--something they'd like to change at some point--but none of his accessories seem store-bought. Local goods, maybe? Or made by his clan, even?

"You want me to come over again?" Ren remarks to Umie, purposefully misunderstanding her comment. He half-turns to Kurou. "I guess we ought to exchange phone numbers, then, so she doesn't have to arrange play dates for us."

As little as Ren trusts the Ryouharas, they understand they're now in an excellent position to keep an eye on them thanks to Umie. ...And they do want to try Kurou's tea sometime. They give him a slight, brief smile. "Another time."

But now it's time to return to studying as Umie and Shiryuu take care of the tea. (Snacks can wait.) Settling back in at the table, Ren nods as Kurou starts suggesting that alternate framework. "Hmm... How about from counter-culturalists? Like rebels or freedom fighters?" they suggest. (They're not trying to start anything or even guide him down the path that rocks. They just think rebels are way cooler than kings or queens. Of course, that's not likely to be what they'd get tested on, so it might not help their exam scores anyway--but it might help them, ahem... change their cognition of their studies.)

Over in the kitchen, near one of those frosted windows... a pointed ear twitches. Outside, Morgana leans a little closer. As a 'cat,' his hearing is sharp, but the window ''is'' shut and the rain provides extra background noise, and Umie's keeping her voice down besides. How much of her private conversation with Shiryuu might he overhear, if any?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Yes, crows rolling down the windshield or tugging at one another's tail feathers... Play is also an important wisdom.

Shiryuu and Ren have their own friction together, and it may be telling that Kurou reacts little beyond his own questions. This is Shiryuu, and how Shiryuu carries himself is normal to Kurou. But that Shiryuu acquiesces to Umie's compassion in the matter is a seed to planted in Kurou's mind for later.

Ren explains a part time job in detail, and Kurou nods slowly, brow knit as pieces together new understanding. "I see. My awareness of the concept has proven superficial... I did not realize there was a deeper philosophy attached. Akabane-san and Amamiya-san have much to adapt to..."

Is Kurou not allowed to work? He shakes his head to reject the notion. "No, but I do not think I am someone suited to the 'part time' approach." The way of a shinobi is to live it fully, and this is why Kurou considers to be his job. (Though isn't Shiryuu, despite his insistence, ensuring that Kurou is 'part time' enough to commit to his studies and bonds? Nobody worry, Kurou himself has not pieced this logic together.)

At his name, Kurou looks to Shiryuu with full attention. It does not matter that Shiryuu is on the ground, and Kurou is not: Shiryuu remains his shihaisha, and the respect never leaves Kurou's bearing. Shiryuu reassures him. It is not the first time. Whatever Kurou needs, Shiryuu is not so weak to be threatened by it.

And not for the first time, Kurou feels a hesitation at the idea that threatens on traitorous. Surely Shiryuu is so powerful, but...

... But Akabane-san shares her warmth with him, too. Maybe that is a good start, and enough for Kurou to refocus on his studies.

Kurou, ultimately, bows his head. "I understand."

As much as Kurou has that sparkle in his gaze for Shiryuu's presence, the same silent glimmer of happiness appears as Ren 'misunderstands' Umie. Kurou gets out his own phone for the number exchange: a battered thing with a cracked screen and faded stickers on the back of its green, silicone protective casing. There is a chain dangling from it -- whatever charm it had has evidently broken off.

"Yes. Before I forget..."

Studying, though, must continue, for that is their sacred task. Kurou trusts his shihaisha and Akabane-san with the tea, easily refocusing. "An advantageous interest," he remarks of Ren's desire for a more ''rebellious'' lens. "We can paint outlines around history based on what events and customs motivated the actions of such figures, and even further in how history responded to them."

He believes this, genuinely, from a purely pragmatic place: if Ren lacks interest in the biographical information of political leaders, they can learn what those leaders were doing based on those who opposed them, and tackle their exams from this angle instead.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

Shiryuu would have a different perspective. The qualities and moorings of 'synthesis' are not so readily tucked into neat boxes like 'part time' and the delineation between studies and missions. It is a torturously simple perspective, not yet clear.

It may in fact, never be, as long as the shihaisha is busy being distracted.

"Hrnh. The restoration.." the boy muses quietly, catching words every so often from the conversation in the main room. He whips his hands dry in the basin rather than dirty another towel, movements crisp and sharp. To his merit, he's trying to follow along, monitoring the two in the main room for any signs of potential part-time unionizing or anything to that nature.

It is absolutely not simple while trying to look around Akabane and listen to only a certain percentage of what she says, for concerns of being scandalized yet again. Protective measures, Ryouhara. Right?

Something something 'calm my fragile nerves.'

Wait, what was he doing again?

"...iih?" the grey-haired onmitsu blinks, energy pensive as he notices everything's already been laid out. "....aah.."

The shinobi turns to face Umie. ".... thank you.." he says, holding her eyes for just a second or two.

"but I thought ...Jogashima was .. okay?" he asks, confusion bordering on mild alarm. No, that's not what she's talking about, he reminds himself. The onmitsu's head tilts, as he takes up a knife. It's a peculiar step, cutting the loose leaf jasmine, taking a moment to press down on the stem with the flat of the knife. Not too much. Just enough to speed up the process, when he tamps and shakes the bundle into the infuser. Mindful, for at least a second or two, of the process.

"Ah, but.." His voice drops, when the full shape of the far darker topic settles with him. The young man manages to wrangle his attention span to something far more important than the tea at hand.

"... should we be trying to," he thinks aloud.
"Akabane... there are a lot of dangerous elements at play."

He has no idea there's a cat listening to him, with his attention far more occupied than it really ought to be.

"--ow!"
He tried to pick up the boiling water again.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's as quiet and unassuming to an onlooker as the menaingful look Umie and Shiryuu share, devoid of any of their earlier squabbling and ruckus. A quiet 'thanks' from Shiryuu, and a pleased smile from Umie, and the moment has passed.

Ren comment comes a second later after the moment has ended, timed expertly well whether accidentally or intentionally. Umie looks over her shoulder, shooting Ren a smirk, before answering, "Ahhh, what kind of work senpai would I be, to not offer my wealth of space to someone in need of quiet?" Umie teases with a lopsided grin.

At four people, it's managable for a social gathering, but it's hardly meant for more than one person. Just how do two people live here? (Answer: one of them is a Kurou.)

With the two students absorbed into their studies, Umie fully turns her attention to Shiryuu and their covert conversation.

As if the rain gods had seen Morgana's effort to hear, the rain begins to lessen; while not completely gone, it will be easier for the 'cat's' sharp ears to overhear what Ren may not, though how much and what parts may vary.

"Jogashima was..." A blush of heat blooms on Umie's face. "Definitely fine. We should go there again, sometime."

She quiets, watching Shiryuu prepare the tea. It's so much more complicated that the teabags, but it comes out so nicely...

Dangerous elements at play, he says, as he works with the knife.

"So dangerous that you can't listen to me?" she offers.

She give Shiryuu a meaningful pause, giving a covert glance over her shoulder towards Ren and Kurou before looking back. "... We'll talk about it later."

In contrast to Shiryuu's handling of the leaves-- "The pad's right here." She offers it to Shiryuu, with a sideways grin. "Guess we know the water's done~"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' an important wisdom--especially when that mischievous play balances out one's image as a harbinger of death and doom. Maybe that's why a certain someone else ends up with the codename Crow...

But that's neither here nor there right now. Particularly since that moment passes observed by all and commented upon by none. For Ren's part, they roll their eyes good-naturedly at her teasing. "One who knows how much she talks," they quip back, smiling slightly at her too.

"It's not really a philosophy..." Ren tells Kurou, then stops while wondering if this is something they can make him understand. This is especially so given what he says about the 'part time' approach. It doesn't occur to Ren either that, as a high school student, Kurou ''is'' functionally a part-time ninja; they just nod slowly. "...Yeah, you seem like the fully-committed type."

Maybe, as they get to know Kurou better, Ren will notice this contradiction. As it stands, the two of them have phone numbers to exchange (Ren's own phone is a two-year-old smartphone model in an industrial steel-style case) and historical lenses to scrutinize.

"Oh?" they reply, then nod thoughtfully at his explanation. That ''does'' sound more interesting. "Let's do it." And so the two of them can review the subject and revise Ren's notes accordingly...

...Kurou seems happier now too, again based on that shine in his eye.

Ren glances up when Shiryuu yells "ow!" from the kitchen. From what they can see, he tried to pick up the boiling water. If this were an anime, a large bead of sweat would be rolling down the side of their head.

Is this really the coldblooded monster who tortured and terrorized Tsubasa...? Then again, they could ask the same question of Kurou over here... Ren may not ''like'' Shiryuu, but they must admit, his contradictions make him an intriguing figure.

At this rate, Ren and Umie are going to need to form a support group.

At least the rain's letting up. That's good for Morgana's fur ''and'' his ears. Those ears twitch a bit. Jogashima...? It sounds like those two have a different understanding of whatever happened there... But what are these dangerous elements they're talking about?

...Seems like they won't be talking about them much more. Which makes sense, given the mixed company.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
A Kurou is a creature that knows how to take up very little space. When he had his own apartment, he felt his space become bigger. But somehow, sharing this space with Umie has felt even a little bit bigger than that.

Serious discussions going on to the side is not something Kurou is attuned to. Even if he was, he would pay it little mind. That is not his assigned task for the moment, and his trust for Shiryuu is one that doesn't think to question any of his and Umie's whispering.

Not a philosophy...? "But it surely requires its own approach and mindset..." Even the idea that something should not be overthought is something Kurou has the power to overthink. He might be doing it right now. But he does not firmly with Ren's assessment. That is something he can accept with pride.

Right now, his commitment is fully invested in shifting the perspective of Ren's history notes. It might mean covering unintended material, but Kurou trusts the negative space's ability to let Ren demolish their exams.

''Let's do it,'' and, like a command, Kurou methodically cascades into notebook opening, textbook referencing, phone typing fervor. His ears nearly seem to burn in the warm atmosphere of Umie's apartment.

Where Kurou's formal education has suffered, and while his social understanding is... ''lacking'', to put it mildly, his ability to ''get'' information surfaces. Using Ren's notes, he's able to cross reference figures and bring up research material with expedience, and instead of the political machinations of queens and kings, begins penning notes on the responses for those who contested them.

Yet his focus on the objective of it remains intact as he speaks to Ren aloud of his findings and their function: it might be easy to meander into a tangent of interesting information, but this is about the test's questions and finding the solution Ren needs to better absorb the answers.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

The onmitsu is currently nursing his burned fingertips by flicking the infuser in a hand, shuffling the fine-diced leaves in the basket to fluff them for maximum surface area. Otherwise known as, completely ignoring the problem. Flick flick. The boy does this in a strange, ritualistic two-handed fashion. He's intensely focused, as if trying to get each shred arranged in the basket exactly to his liking. Little wafts of the sweet scent begin permeating the air. Agh, oh no.

Any more and he'll ruin it. The _shihaisha's_ nerves are considerably more at ease when Akabane concedes at least one point. That leaves the other.

'We'll talk about it later.'
Not listening to her... the thought sticks with the grey-haired boy a moment. "...the Indigo," he proposes, quietly. "Maybe the rooftop this time..."

Shiryuu meets the bunned devil's crooked smile for awhile. Long enough for the moment to become awkward. Finally he blinks, accepting the pad with a numb, blank expression, finally noticing his fingertips still ache. "...." The infuser lifts, holding it in three fingers while he presses the remaining two between his lips to soothe, his bracelet falling down his wrist. "Mnh," he grouses, noncommittally. He returns to the water, handling it gently enough to get it onto the pad, and to set the infuser just so in the hot water. It has to brew only for so long. Long enough to get cups.

It's easy to forget things, here, in this space. Yes, in that, there is a certain 'warmth' that the young man slowly becomes aware of, somewhere between his subordinate exchanging phone numbers with the accursed but powerful part-timer, and the tea he and Akabane make. Umie might notice when Shiryuu's attention breaks, when his eyeline finally raises off of what he's doing -- off of her.

The shirogarasu is watching Kurou quietly out of the corner of his eye, making sure not to interrupt. Absently he's setting out cups. The young man's written face is a studious neutral, unsmiling, unwavering, as his focus sharpens.

One ... two ... three. The fourth is considered. It's set aside, back behind a door. The rain's stopping..

And just like that, the dream ends for the shirogarasu.

"It would be unconscionable to interrupt any further," the shihaisha decides quietly, eyes closing. The tea doesn't take long to brew -- a few minutes -- nor does it take overlong, with the appropriate attention paid, to pour it.

Now, and only now, is there the sense that Ryouhara's attention might be anywhere near sharp enough to notice they are being spied on. Luckily, the young man's attention only shifts lightly towards the window.

"... I'll leave it in your hands, for now," the young man says.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Seems both Ren and Umie's lives have their share of crows in them. Odd, given their liking of uncomplicated, straightforward people...

.... ah, well, there's that love of complicated people, too. That's probably the culprit.

'One who knows how much she talks.' There's the ol' Amamiya mischief, there. Umie's eyes sparkle slightly in the back and forth, but, as befitting a proper senpai, she holds back her next remark, shooting Ren a blackbird's grin. "Save that energy for your studies, Amamiya-kun~"

This may be the strangest, most indirect way Umie has helped the Phantom Thieves, all without knowing a single thing. Ren gets a rare look into the other side of Shiryuu, someone only a few of the Phantom Thieves have actually seen, with the benefit of her being there to ensure Shiryuu's... Shiryuuness doesn't inflame itself to dangerous levels.

"Alright. Let's do that," she says quietly to Shiryuu. "Until then, how about you..." She follows Shiryuu's gaze to Kurou and Ren.

She shares a grin then, with Shiryuu, almost smugly as she indicates Ren with her chin.

'See?' she says, without saying anything at all.

However.

The rain has let up, and the spell is over, evident in the lack of the fourth cup. "...." Umie's expression saddens a touch at Shiryuu's admission. ".... Tonight, then. No fair for you to come all this way." They'll talk about something, either way.

Her fingers stray over Shiryuu's for a discreet second, and she lets them go, with a cheeky smirk, as she pours the tea. "You're always welcome to change your mind, of course," she offers, taking over for the tea. "Thank you for stopping by; it was good to see you."

That is the last bit of intel Ren will find: the way Umie and Shiryuu regard each other, and how it turns from one moment to the next.

......... They'll definitely need that support group, won't they?

Coming over with the tea cups, Umie sets down one before Kurou and Ren, going back to have some of her own. "I would've used the teabags, if it was me. You two are extremely lucky." She gives the two young scholars a discreet wink. "I'll need Kurou to teach me sometime... I don't have the patience to do it properly, though."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
One can like uncomplicated, straightforward people ''and'' contradictory, messy people. Cats vs. dogs is a false dichotomy.

"Fiine," Ren says mildly to Umie. They ''did'' come here to study, whether that's their books or the ''two'' ninjas they ended up encountering here.

Not a philosophy, but--an approach and mindset? Ren considers this. Considering all the part-time jobs they've got (eight at last count; they're just collecting them at this point), they have to imagine it'd ''have'' to compared to a single full-time job.

So: "That much is true," they concede. "If there ''is'' a philosophy, I don't know about it. I just clock in when I've got time for a shift and collect my pay at the end of it."

It's fascinating to watch Kurou throw himself into research. Ren thinks they can understand how he's managing at high school despite no previous schooling (allegedly). "What subject do ''you'' have trouble with?" they prompt so they can do something while Kurou's doing this for them.

And the fact that Kurou's focused on what will actually show up on the exams is ''a lot'' for them. Ren enjoys reading and learning. It's the structure of school itself that chafes on them. Having what's functionally a cheat sheet to remember what will appear on those exams, as opposed to falling down a rabbit hole of interesting but irrelevant information, will make them that much easier for Ren to conquer. They might even end up in the top third this time around...!

For all that Morgana might be spying, at least he can only hear some of it--the roof of the Indigo? where is that?--and certainly can't see what Shiryuu does with that fourth cup. Ren, too, is sufficiently caught up in studying that they don't notice either. For better or worse, that moment belongs to Shiryuu and Umie alone.

They only look up when Umie serves the tea that she and he prepared. "Thanks," they say, and ''now'' glance past her at Shiryuu. It seems like he's going to leave early, huh... ...well, that's fine too. These things take time, and thanks to a misunderstanding on their part, they don't realize that a clock is still ticking on Tsubasa and the task Shiryuu's trying to force them to complete.

"Is Ryouhara-san," as opposed to the 'Ryouhara-kun' that is Kurou, "that good at making tea?" they wonder, and reach for their cup to take a sip and taste for themself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou could understand that, for he likes both cats and dogs very much. (Kurou may not know what anyone were talking about.)

Ren goes on to describe what Kurou, unfortunately, begins to parse as their philosophy on the matter of work. It's good he does not know there are ''eight jobs'' being described: it would only encourage him. "I see... A dedication of time you have, so long as they make it worth spending..." He nods slowly like this is enlightening him to something.

It might be. He always considers the time he gives the shirogarasu worth spending.

But his meandering mind goes much quicker with a target. Ren asks after Kurou's own weaknesses, and Kurou looks to his textbooks. "I struggle with Literature... and essay questions only add to the difficulty..."

One might imagine Kurou having unusual takes and interpretations on texts while struggling to communicate any of it.

His focus only breaks from Ren once tea is served. But there are only three cups.

"Ah --" Kurou barely utters it before he quiets, watching Shiryuu in an uncertain silence. But it would be rude to ignore Umie any longer, and Kurou gives a small start back to the tea he's been served. He wraps his fingers around the cup to feel the heat.

He does not frown, but he looks at the surface with a weight of something like loneliness. Yet it does not feel right to Kurou to call the feeling gnawing at his chest entirely his own.

"... I do not mind. But... 'The fact that it's from you' is the most important thing," he echoes of something Umie told him once, when he wondered aloud if his mother would like his tea. "Isn't that right?"

Kurou takes a single, slow sip, lingering with the taste and aroma for several moments.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Shiryuu Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>

"Yes," Shiryuu thinks absently. Fondly, when no one else is paying attention. "She does talk a lot, doesn't she.."

The thought is adrift, long belated and long cooling on the windowsill upon which Shiryuu's attention is focused. After taking a moment to carefully bag the leaf, wipe everything down and rinse the infuser, the young man steps away from the kitchenette, slowly pulling loose the cordage at his haori sleeves so they drop slack around his wrists again as Akabane takes the cups out and over to Kurou and Ren. It leaves the older Ryouhara to consider his hand for the moment. Not the one that was burned -- the one that held the pad a moment ago. A thumb runs over the first two fingertips thoughtfully under eyes that are two different shades of brown.

'It was good to see you.'
"... I .." Shiryuu starts to say something, but it's lost to a split-second look just past Umie's shoulder.

Then, his hand disappears beneath the sleeve of his haori, and it was like they were never there.

"...Second only to inimitable Kurou," Shiryuu acknowledges Ren in the background, as he steps through the living space, checking the painting on the wall for straightness as he goes. Mostly, it's an excuse not to have to look at anything or anyone other than the window. "Tea is a matter of timing, and precision. But there is another X-factor that cannot be quantified readily." He nods to Kurou simply, without looking. 'The fact that it's from you.' ".... it's something like that," he guesses absently.

As would be expected, Shiryuu's technical ability is par excellence. The tea has been, despite his injuries making it, perfectly steeped and measured, the hot water at just the right temperature. It is mildly sweet, and it is fragrant. More robust than light, because his intentionality is heavy-handed. But -- it will differ from something made by Kurou. Even the tea-bags that Umie threatens all of their delicate sensibilities with.

For those with an excellent, unfettered taste, they will understand where the feeling goes numb for the grey-haired young man. Where warmth ends and .. nothing starts.

He is polite enough. "Kurou... please show this person the full power of three hundred years of Ryouhara academics." A glance lifted to Ren. "Enjoy it fully and without discretion. But..."

"....no part-timing," he reminds them, severely.

Umie gets the last, long second of his eyes.
"...Akabane."
Faced with saying something, anything, the young man visibly breathes outward, evicting all of the air in his chest, to make room for a fresh fill of his lungs, easing his own carefully managed discomfort.

".... be seeing you."
He will, to his credit, at least leave quietly without further incident.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ren's reply gets an unexpected chortle through Umie's hand. Ahh, a relaxed Ren and Kurou is a sight to see.

Too bad she'll likely need to not be present for more of it to happen, but that's just the way friendships are able to bloom: naturally.

And sometimes violently, without intention.

Shiryuu's own contribution, perhaps, may only have Mona as company, for how well he hides it from the rest of them.

".... It's a discipline of flexibility," Umie contributes. "I may not have the ability to do this forever, but those late night shifts mean I can have time for..." Pause. "Things like this."

For the Dark Hour, and Mementos, and all the things that drive the part of her that was so eager to get out of her shift. But also this. She can just say that, and no one will think anything of it.

Kurou, seeing the three tea cups, draws a soft sound of sympathy, as she realizes where his eyes draw to.

He's hungry for that connection, isn't he? And why not, considering Shiryuu is the only one...

But this itself may be Shiryuu's gift, Umie realizes. To give Kurou that room to be Kurou, and not simply Kurou Ryouhara, the one who swore loyalty to his shihaisha.

"The tea *is* different between the two," she says, picking up on Ren's question. "I'll never say which is better, but..."

'The fact that it is from you'. Umie gives the words a solid nod. "Yes. I never ask, but whenever he comes ho-- here, from school, Ryouhara-kun makes me tea." She looks down at the cup, the corners of her lips fighting to keep from twisting up in joy. "Any time I don't get home in time, I feel bad, because I know he's made tea for me. But on the days I come in, and it's been a rough day, there's tea. And even if there's none, there's the memory of it, and I make myself some."

It's hard to convey, without leaning too hard on it; Kurou is supposed to be a teenage boy, with teenage dreams and aspirations; not someone obliged to make someone giving him a place to stay something to drink. However, Umie senses there is a joy in it for him, like expressing a feeling his face and manner is unable to convey.

It's something Umie's very unused to, when it came to her own home: thoughtfulness.

'Akabane.'

Now, it's Umie's turn; eye straying towards the window, she selfishly wishes the rain would come back, so he'd feel like staying here was no longer a bother to the rest of them.

No answer comes, which Morgana is likely thankful for, at the very least.

Looking over her shoulder at Shiryuu, her gaze lingers a touch. She nods. "Be seeing you, Shiryuu."

'You can still stay', she wants to say.

It's when Shiryuu leaves that Umie digs into a bag of cheese puffs, munching a few. Munch, munch, munch minch.

"Don't mind him, Ren. He's a Sagittarius," Umie says, taking another sip of tea from her teacup.

As if that explained anything, _little Miss Aries_.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
In fairness, Ren only works those jobs at their convenience. Some of them they haven't worked in a solid while, like Cafe Chagall or Ore no Beko. Hell, they only still work at Triple Seven because they get to see Umie there--a benefit for more than just her scintillating personality. Either way, it does seem like Kurou grasps the gist, and they nod in acknowledgement. Umie has a good contribution too.

Literature, though, huh... "That's a tough one. A lot of literature is up to interpretation. I'm pretty good at that subject, though, so let's go over that next," Ren replies. After all, it's not really something one can do on the side.

''The tea ''is'' excellent,'' Ren reflects as they drink and Shiryuu explains. They glance at Umie when she seconds that the two of them make tea differently. The technical prowess, despite Shiryuu burning his fingers, is clearly there. But... Maybe a year ago, Ren wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. However, after drinking cups of the Boss's coffee nearly every day since April, they ''do'' have a sense of when there's something else there. 'The fact that it's from you,' as Kurou puts it. As Umie expands upon that with her story about how Kurou manifests it.

Ren glances at the two of them, then sips the tea again as he considers Shiryuu and ''his'' tea's lack of that X-factor. How he's choosing to leave, even though both Umie and Kurou clearly want him to stay.

"Thank you for the tea," they say politely. They hold their tongue about the part-timing.

Umie might try to dismiss his behavior as the antics of a Sagittarius, but it's pretty clear to them it goes far deeper than that.

Once the three of them have finished their drinks, they and Kurou can return to studying--and Umie to snacking--in earnest.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, a fortuitously complimentary situation..." Kurou notes of Ren's strengths to his weaknesses. So this is the power of a study partner...

Kurou sips at the tea with a cherishing pace, not merely as one who appreciates the subtleties of Shiryuu's proficient blend, but... hm. The 'X-factor' Shiryuu finds himself missing...

Kurou does not say what he thinks it is, but his gaze wanders to where Umie keeps her cups. The absence of the fourth...

What if it had rained a little longer...?

"...I like it," he says of Shiryuu's tea, not quite to Shiryuu, but 'at' him with the way it quietly spills into the air. "No part-timing," Kurou echoes, with more firm intent, as someone who understands what it is Shiryuu means by such words. He will give his all to this, because that is the opportunity his shihaisha wants him to have.

How to give his shihaisha the opportunity for a 'fourth cup'... that is a more difficult question.

But Kurou's posture perks up with Umie describing her appreciation for the tea. "Please do not feel badly for such days, Akabane-san. If it is there when you need it, that is enough."

Much as Kurou tries to make the tea last, no cup is infinite. Soon, he and Ren will return to their studies to defeat the final day of exams.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-03-29: A Flower For Your Thoughts

2026-04-02T01:32:43Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: A Flower For Your Thoughts''' *'''Cast:''' Jun Kashihara, Umie Akabane *'''Where: Ebisu Beach, Konan Ward. Sumaru City''' *'''OOC Date:''' March 29, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 17, 2012 *'''Summary''': Meeting up the day after the events of The Lion's Roar at Ebisu Beach, Jun asks Umie about her connection to Tatsuya Suou, and, looking for advice, eventually reveals his feelings for Tatsuya Suou. While Umie still keeps some secrets close, her encourage..."

*'''Log: A Flower For Your Thoughts'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Jun Kashihara]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where: Ebisu Beach, Konan Ward. Sumaru City'''
*'''OOC Date:''' March 29, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 17, 2012
*'''Summary''': Meeting up the day after the events of The Lion's Roar at Ebisu Beach, Jun asks Umie about her connection to Tatsuya Suou, and, looking for advice, eventually reveals his feelings for Tatsuya Suou. While Umie still keeps some secrets close, her encouragement towards Jun is a completely different matter.''''

----

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
The autumn waves lap quietly on the shores of Ebisu Beach. One can see the burnt wreckage of the Aerospace Museum easily from here--smell it, too. It was only yesterday that it was destroyed, after all.

Jun quietly watches it from the sand where he stands. It's after school--midterms were not canceled, though make-ups were assigned for those who missed them yesterday--and his uniform has been washed and dried and pressed, but he's still quite exhausted from what happened yesterday. It's just fortunate that he's so consistent with his studies; even if his grades dip as a result of this, he'll still make top ten if not top, period.

That's not really on his mind, though. Not right now. That instead is the meeting that Umie agreed to after he reached out to her by phone after everyone split up for the night yesterday. Jun doesn't know how many people he can talk to about Tatsuya, but... she'd given him her phone number before and encouraged him to reach out to her if he needed help.

This is something he needs help on, though it probably isn't what Umie had meant. Given the familiarity with which she calls him 'Takkun,' Jun hopes she can help him anyway.

Somewhere overhead, seagulls cry as they wing past...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> If there was ever a reason Umie gave her phone number to anyone at all, it'd be for moments like these.

But for Jun especially, there are things she may be able to help with, on many fronts, even if it's just to listen.

With her usual windbreaker burnt, the distinctive pale grey has been replaced by a pink zip-up jacket, rippling against the ocean wind as she walks to join Jun.

"Kashihara-kun." With none of yesterday's adrenaline spiking her general mood, Umie's tone shares a little of the tiredness Jun feels. Nothing in that face suggests she feels put upon by Jun's request, however.

First things first. "How are you holding up?" She tucks a blonde hair behind one ear. Her usual red charm bracelet chimes on her left wrist with the motion, hanging over the cloth that covers both wrists. Now that cooler weather is here, it may not even register as unusual, to anyone.

Granting Jun a lopsided grin, Umie notes, "Nasty time to have something like this happen, with midterms and all. But... I suppose it can't be helped."

All there is is the sound of the waves, and the laughter of seagulls.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
At the sound of her approach, soft footfalls on the sand, Jun turns to face Umie. She might or might not notice that his school uniform's breast pocket is empty--bereft of the yellow iris he usually keeps there. He doesn't have the lilac he'd been using as a weapon recently either, but that he left behind on the zeppelin. A flower for Sudou's grave.

Ironic, that, considering how much he hated him. That's something else to talk about--maybe to Umie, maybe to someone else. Jun will have to see how far along they get on the topic of Tatsuya first. One trauma at a time.

"Oh... I could certainly be better. But I could also be worse," he replies, brushing his long side bangs back. He nods assent when she remarks on the timing of midterms; that's one reason why it could be better. "Thank you for coming out here on such short notice, Akabane-san. I'm sure you've got things you're wrapped up with too. I hope you're holding up all right, too." He pauses. "Pardon me for jumping straight to the point, but I wanted to ask... you're fairly close to Tatsuya, aren't you? You called him 'Takkun.' I can't imagine he'd accept a nickname like that from a stranger or someone he disliked... How well do you know him and what he's going through right now?"

And--by proxy--how much does she know about ''him'' and the connection he had--has--with the two Tatsuyas? But Jun doesn't ask that one outright.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie notes the lack of flower in Jun's pocket. Perhaps, there was a meaning to a lack of a flower, as well? Or, maybe, Sudou's last words made an association Jun was getting over.

Or maybe, Jun's mentally exhausted.

It *is* ironic, given everything that Sudou put Jun through, that he was one of the first people to go to his side, along with Shinjiro.

And she, one of the last.

Umie's lips purse, but say nothing. One trauma at a time.

Nodding at Jun's answer, Umie says, "Good." With a wry smile, she adds, "You've been having to deal with a lot, so it's good to have a sense of humor about it." Well, as much as acknowledging 'could be better' is, anyway. "I don't mind. I was in the area anyway, looking for clues." The nature of the force behind the Joker Killer's booming words... but what is there to find?

How is Umie?

She grins, pleased as Jun jumps to the point.

Umie's lopsided grin turns a touch mischievous, for a moment. "I doubt he really accepted it either, at the time." Her face then relaxes to a more neutral mien. "I tutored him when he was a freshman. We had some friend circles in common, and it seemed like a good fit." She turns to regard the tide, her hands slipping into her pockets.

"He was a different person then. A little cocky, rebellious, hated his older brother. Not the person he is like, now." She frowns. "It may seem like I'm really close, but to tell you the truth, I lost touch about the time I graduated." Her eyelids lower slightly. "It was last June, when I happened to meet Katsuya-kun again, and he asked me to see if I could find Takkun."

"When I did manage to track Takkun down, it was clearly still him, but... he had a Persona, for one. Secondly, he didn't seem to remember me at all. Not that... we were best buddies, but..." She shakes her head and stops, in order to let Jun have a word.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
Shinjiro was one of Sudou's first victims; Jun, one of his most recent. There's something there for the two of them to talk about at some point, but that too is for another day.

A sense of humor, huh... Jun supposes he ''did'' smile at her and Katsuya scolding Akechi for being so reckless. It really was a relief to see him alive and well, especially considering there was absolutely nothing Jun or anyone could do to help him. Jun respects his bravery, but honestly, doesn't he know there are people out there who care about him? ...But that's neither here nor there right now.

"Clues, hm..." Jun half-turns back towards the ocean, lapping at the shore. It's long since swallowed up the zeppelin whole. "Are there even any clues left to find at this point...?"

Still, he's not going to tell her she shouldn't. The currents here ''do'' favor washing up on Ebisu Beach--something that no doubt helped get everyone to shore alive yesterday. He looks back at Umie and listens to her explanation. When she mentions that he was a 'different person,' he touches his chin in thought, eyebrows furrowed. So Tatsuya had a Persona by then, and like with Akechi, he didn't remember Umie...

"And when was the last time you saw him before this past June?" he wonders, lifting his face. Not knowing how old Umie is, he doesn't know how long ago she graduated.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> That silly detective prince, thinking he could do that and no one would notice...! Who'd do such a stunt by themselves?

Ha ha ha... ha...

As Jun looks towards the grey blue-green of distant waves, Umie's lips mark the silence with a small sound.

And then, she speaks. "... There are. Just... not with Sudou anymore. You heard that voice, after all... the fear's been spread." She shifts from one bent leg to the other, the sand cracking beneath that foot. "I never paused to consider that was the point of all of it..."

What's next?

Umie turns to Jun, her lips slanting at an angle that could be read as guilty, in certain light. "Just before my graduation, about... over a year ago." .... Ah, Jun is wondering just how old she is. "I was a senior, when he was a freshman."

"I'm a Scarlet Dragon, if that tells you anything," she notes, with a wry grin.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
The fear's been spread... The Joker will never die... That was the message left behind in Tatsuya's voice, yet sounding so unlike him. Was that Sudou's intent? Or yet another manipulation by Nyarlathotep, the Voice(s) that had been pulling his strings? Impossible to say at this point. Jun nods slowly all the same. Umie's right.

"We should be cautious about any kind of rumors or news reports spread next about the Joker Killer. No doubt they'll take advantage of that fear to enact some new horror," Jun replies. "Though what anyone would want to do with that, I can't even fathom..."

Over a year ago... That would be in March, so just about a year and a half. And in that gap, Tatsuya changed completely. Based on what Akechi said, it seemed like he stopped coming to school at the start of the year, which closes the time frame further... Jun sighs and rubs his temples. Should he be thinking this over? There's something more important he should be asking about...

"Hm? Ah, Wang Long fortune-telling." Jun smiles. He's not as into that as he is astrology or other forms of fortune-telling, but it's so similar to astrology he's at least familiar with it. "Let me think--a Scarlet Dragon is born in April, yes? That means you must be either an Aries or a Taurus. Based on your bold, meddlesome personality, I'm guessing you're an Aries, born in early to mid-April."

Of course, that could just be because she's a Scarlet Dragon. But a Scarlet Dragon is basically the same as an Aries, all told.

"The reason I ask so much about Tatsuya is because... well..." Jun averts his eyes, smile fading. "You're aware that Sudou-san wanted me to help him bring about a 'correct' version of reality, yes? How much about ''that'' do you know...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie nods. "Right. Not only that, the Order may use it as well to their advantage." Ironic, for the only party to be directly named to be the one that shouldn't be referred to at all. However, the other, Nyarlathotep...

She should be used to it, the concept of 'the voices' and 'Him'. .... It should be obvious to her, who Mai-chan is. But...

She doesn't want to think about it.

She'd rather immerse herself in the weave of.... fortune-telling?

Umie grins smugly, lifting an index coral orange nail. "<Bing-o.> On both counts." Perhaps it's not so odd, for a person in Sumaru City, even one like Umie, to be into such things. "April 2nd, to be exact. Perhaps I would have had a different time of things, had I been born a day earlier... but I'm not so sure the moniker of an 'April Fool' suits me..."

But as much as Umie would like to play the cynic, perhaps she's as much of a fool as any, to want to bask in the innocent light of ignorance... rather than face the truth of things.

But for Jun... no, a fool is not what he needs, at all.

Her expression grows gentle.

"No, you deserve to know. Takkun and I worked together for a while, despite all that I said. We have certain things in common, and... I wanted to see him safe as anybody. But he holds onto this guilt he shouldn't have, for someone that must have Awakened recently. And his powers... he's one of the most powerful people I know."

A 'correct' version of reality. Umie breathes in, letting it out in a soft sigh. "... Yes. 'Correct', in his mind. For some reason, he and Takkun share that idea, but while Sudou wanted to achieve it, Takkun wanted to fight against it."

How much does Umie know?

"I know about the forces possibly behind that, but Takkun himself was tight-lipped. He saw me as..." She pauses, looking Jun over, then, eventually, she decides. "He saw me as much of a victim of all this as everyone else. He just didn't know where I fit in to all of this."

Yet, again, Umie hesitates. "Kashihara-kun, I'm going to be direct with you. The more you get involved in this, the more you may run the risk of being in danger by the Order. WIth Sudou gone, it may be possible that the threat of that won't be as overt, but... there's a reason why Takkun largely works alone. You saw that assassin; he was making a point, with his actions: we could be next."

"All it takes is one of us being a little too inconvenient."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
'He's holding onto this guilt he shouldn't have, for someone that must have Awakened recently'... Jun bows his head for a moment. A strength that surpasses what should be reasonable for the amount of time he's been Awakened--yes, Akechi said that too. And Umie's aware of the conflict that the two Tatsuyas had about the 'correct' reality. Jun raises his head again.

"So you're like Uchida-san. Tatsuya was," is?, "working with her too. I happened to run into him there once. All considered, I assume you also work with her..."

Jun touches his chin again. He saw Umie as a victim too, but didn't know how she fit in, despite having known her previously, and apparently quite well... It really is strange. With Akechi, he thought it might make sense; just because someone attends the same school as you doesn't mean you know who they are, even if they're popular. But Tatsuya apparently had a personal relationship with Umie.

But then Umie loops back around to the threat all of this poses. Jun's beautiful features turn grim as he looks back up at her. He doesn't know how the Order figures in to all of this either, especially if they were and are against ''both'' Tatsuyas, but the one in the Black Mask clearly was willing to kill all of them if they got in his way.

"I'm sure Tatsuya would prefer it if I didn't get involved. Unfortunately, fate keeps insisting on dragging me into things anyway," Jun says, tone resigned as he shrugs his shoulders. "At least now I have the power to protect myself and others." He bows his head. "But... let's set that aside for the moment. That's not what I wanted to discuss, anyway.

"...Akabane-san. One of Sudou-san's powers was to create an alternate pocket reality where things like Demons and Shadows could manifest." He looks back up at her. "What if this is a more minor version of what this Nyarlathotep can do--making an entire other reality, perhaps one where time moves differently? I..." He averts his eyes. "It's clear to me that I have some kind of connection with Tatsuya and Sudou-san, but I don't remember it. I have no intention of remembering it, either; I trust Tatsuya, and he opposed it.

"But... I have a feeling as though we shared such an alternate reality, somehow. This reality somehow came to an end, and I've forgotten it, but Tatsuya and Sudou-san remembered. Sudou-san was trying to... merge it, perhaps, with this one, while Tatsuya was trying to keep it separate. I'm not sure exactly why, but the way Sudou-san described my alternate self, Jun Kurosu..." He shudders. "I don't think it was a good place."

It's still a bit of a weak theory, in Jun's own mind. There's a lot of holes that he can't explain and that he will not try to explain. Argeiphontes may provide him some protection from this other reality, but he doesn't want to risk breaking that protection by delving ''too'' deeply into this. Still... it's an important piece of context to why he asked Umie to talk tonight. Because...

"Akabane-san. Please keep this strictly between us--''especially'' don't tell Suou-san--but... I think... Tatsuya and I... had a relationship. While we were experiencing this alternate reality," Jun says quietly, color rising in his cheeks. "He protects me because he loved... maybe still loves... this other version of me. But that version of me doesn't exist anymore... so I'm not 'his' Jun. Not anymore. Possibly not ever." He looks away. "I already had the sense that any love between us wouldn't come to fruition. To think that it ''did'' blossom, only to wither because we exist a step apart... It--hurts."

Did Jun ask Umie out here for... supernaturally star-crossed love advice?

(He did.)
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Yeah," Umie confirms, on the subject of Tamaki. "We met through Takkun, actually. We're become good friends since then, since it's rare to find people with experience with Personas." That, and Tamaki has a harmonized outlook on life that carefully meters out the logic and emotion Umie's own lacks.

It's all rather strange, indeed, for many reasons. Umie's managed to come up with her own theories, but the picture Jun has isn't the complete one. So much of what ties her to Tatsuya is still vague, since, by pointing what lies in common between them, she gives another secret of Tatsuya's away.

There is also the grim matter of her leading someone further into a reality (no pun intended) that has dealt its fair share of scars on people like Tsubasa, Umie, and many others.

'Unfortunately, fate keeps insisting on dragging me into things anyway.' The blonde lets out a single cackle, her gaze breaking from that solemn mask to an impish sparkle. "You know, you *do* have a point there."

Wait, that wasn't what he needed to discuss?

Umie stills, nodding for him to continue. "Mind if I sit? I've been on my feet for hours."

.... well, regardless, she's sitting down now, taking off her jacket to reveal a thin red sweater underneath, the cuffs long enough to extend well over her wrists. Draping the jacket against the ground, she sits on it, letting out a huff.

It makes it easier to take in what Jun says next. For a moment, Umie is confused, placing hand next to her chin in thought.

..... Ah. "Technically...." No, that'll get him off topic. There's an importance in his words that Umie dare not budge off-course. She urges him on with a dip of her head. "... Keep going."

Jun Kurosu...
Junnosuke Kuroda.

She says nothing of this, simply nodding again to further encourage Jun on. "I promise, I won't tell Suou-san a thing."

And then.... ah.

So this is what it looks like...
... when someone is in love.

Given how her own heart has felt in Shiryuu's presence, and how, in spite of everything that should make her feel otherwise...

".... It does, doesn't it..." Her eyes take in Jun with a somber half-understanding, as well as a need to support that exceeds whatever simple similarities she finds. These are two different people, but the feeling of that chasm, and doubt...

"Maybe this is why it's just as painful for Takkun. He's fighting against something he'd technically want." She shoves aside her own theories of 'delusion' and 'rumor manipulation' aside. "... And, by feeling love for you, he'd further tie himself to a reality he doesn't feel like he belongs in."

She thinks. "But it was your love for him that made you seek a new direction, isn't it? One none of us even outlined as possible, or even thought of. Whether you're *his* Jun or not... I think his heart includes you too." But maybe... it's not about that, but the chasm itself. She'll let Jun have the next word.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
That explains a lot. Tatsuya, for all that he's trying so desperately to fight all on his own, has a talent for bringing people together, doesn't he... Jun smiles warmly to think of it, which means he also smiles at Umie and Tamaki being good friends.

That smile broadens into a grin, however wry, when she bursts out into a cackle. "It sounds as though you have plenty of experience with the whims of fate yourself."

Umie asks to sit. "Oh--not at all," he replies, and indeed sits on the sand next to her. They're far enough from the surf to not get themselves wet, though they'll need to dust off their bottoms later.

'Technically...' "Hmm?" But Umie doesn't interrupt after all, and instead prompts him to keep going. "...This is of course only a hypothesis based on the information I have," he adds. "I don't know how close to the truth I am. Honestly, it's for the best that I'm ''not'' that close, and that I don't ever get that close."

He, too, has noticed the similarities between 'Jun Kurosu' and 'Junnosuke Kuroda.' Which implies that, on top of himself and the Tatsuyas, Maya Amano--Maihime Amano--might be involved in all of this somehow too...

But he really has no idea how or why that could be. If he doesn't, then he ''really'' shouldn't pursue that one. Maybe he should stop associating with her too, but she's such a wonderful person, and he feels so calm and happy in her company...

Regardless, Umie promises she'll keep this a secret. And soon enough, she understands what Jun is ''really'' trying to say.

He meets her eyes when she commiserates and suggests a possibility on Tatsuya's side. The red in his cheeks deepens, and he nods once on the matter of seeking a new direction.

Whether he's Tatsuya's Jun or not... He considers this as he hugs his knees to his chest, much like Umie had just yesterday. "I don't want to cause him any pain, though... If pursuing him will only hurt him, shouldn't I stay away? But it's not as though I only just realized this... Even knowing that, I still chased after him yesterday. If he appears again, I... don't know that I'll keep myself from chasing him. I-I don't think I want to."

It's a strange feeling for him too, knowing that he's in love. Knowing that this love must be far messier and more complicated than he has any way of knowing. Not knowing if Tatsuya could ever love him for himself as he is right now, for all that he does everything in his power to protect him. It can't help but make him gloomy.

"I hope... or rather, I'd hoped... we could at least be friends," he murmurs, gaze falling to his knees. "When we were evacuating the zeppelin, I told him I'd realized he must know a different version of me, and I offered him a gift as a token of my appreciation for everything he's done for me--and as my friendship, not as Jun Kurosu, but Jun Kashihara. He accepted it, but... he said he had nothing to offer in return."

A pause.

"...and then he pushed me off the blimp," he murmurs, eyelashes drooping.

So. Not a great sign for friendship ''or'' romance.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "You could say that," Umie admits, with a laugh. "It's been a lot more... interesting, these several months, but I appreciate the excitement." It's an understatement.

These months have been more valuable than any treasure, worth all the heartache she's gained in turn.

It's just easier to say that on this beach, when she's not staring into the void and how its range is far wider than she even imagined, as seen in people like Jun and Tatsuya.

(How long could she have hidden, anyway? Is it the Mark, or the stubborn bearer, that draws in trouble?)

She nods to invite Jun to sit down. "I think we're all stabbing around in the dark. Everything I have are just theories, I have to admit, and..." She gaze inexplicably moves to her covered right wrist.

How much have her own efforts contributed to this delusion?

"There's the events of this reality, and then there's the causes and forces behind it."

The waves crash on the shore. The wind rustles past loose hair and flips the edges of clothing.

"... The shrine I showed you, for example." .... Was she thinking about the same thing? "... It's possible that I..." It was just as much Tamaki's doing as it was Umie's, but regardless, Umie places herself in that question. "... Mmh."

It's too uncomfortable to poke at, just yet, and its relevance to Tatsuya would outline some secrets he needs to be the one to reveal, about himself.

Jun's pose is a posture Umie knows well, and as he assumes it, she ponders placing a hand on his shoulder.

Instead, she gives her ear, as before; that feels like the better choice, and the thing he wants the most. There's no context he has to waste time in explaining; she understands well enough, with what he's given.

"You seem more scared of your heart than you did when I mentioned the Order," she notes, quietly, with a tone that lacks any indication of it being humorous.

He wanted to at least be friends.

Yet Tatsuya...

"... That idiot... That stubborn stupid idiot, so determined to still take everything on himself..." she murmurs, softly, almost fondly, her own lashes lowering. "... Some guys really just are that way, when they find their hearts won't respond to their own hard logic."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
"I admit, I appreciated the excitement far less when I couldn't stand up for myself against it. Considering how long ''you've'' had a Persona, though, I can see why you say that," Jun says with wry humor. His eyes follow hers to her covered wrist, but... he has no way to understand what it is she's staring at. "At least we have a bit more information now," he offers. "Though maybe it's as you say, and Sudou-san was simply deluded... but at the very least, Tatsuya believes in some of it too. It can't be ''all'' a delusion."

Though maybe that, too, is part of the delusion. Now that Jun's fallen down this rabbit hole, it'll be harder and harder to separate reality from the effects of Kotodama. How long had that shrine been there on Mt. Katatsumuri, despite possibly reflecting a false past?

But then Umie starts to say something. Jun waits for a moment, then prompts, "You...?"

Ultimately, though, she chooses not to speak. Jun's gaze is worried, but he lets her keep her silence--for now.

He wouldn't mind a comforting hand on his shoulder. A sympathetic ear is at least as good if not better, though. Thanks to that, she points out something that hadn't fully clicked for him until now.

"You're right," Jun realizes. "I suppose in some strange way, the Order feels more like fantasy than what I've gone through with Tatsuya and Sudou-san. They're like one of the conspiracy theories my father used to believe in. Ah, he still enjoys them, but as fiction rather than something he thinks is real," Jun adds, because that was a major sticking point in his parents' marital disputes back in the day. "Thanks to that, it hasn't really sunk in that there actually is some sort of shadowy organization pulling the strings of the government. It just feels ''too'' absurd, even compared to Demons and Shadows and Rumors coming to life."

He shakes his head. That's off-topic, at least from what he wanted to discuss. "Forgive me. I distracted myself. Maybe that's all I can do right now." He looks over at her as she curses Tatsuya. Something about the way she talks about 'some guys'... "Are you... also having romantic woes, Akabane-san?" Jun considers his own question, then quickly adds, "Never mind. It's none of my business."

He sighs. "I just don't know what to do." Crisscrossing his fingers, he holds them out. "Maybe fretting about that is pointless, though. Didn't I already admit I don't want to stop chasing him?" he admits to himself. "All I can do is keep moving forward and hope I'll see him again." He makes a face. "That feels so... ''passive'', though. I wish there were more I could ''do''."

But what ''can'' he do in regards to Tatsuya? His isn't exactly a heart to be won over.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a fair point: it's been so long that Umie *didn't* have a Persona that it's hard for her to understand what it's like to be someone that lacks one at all.

It's also hard to remember what it was like to live in a world that didn't have something seemingly plucking every discordant string just so: never enough to be constant, but just enough for Umie to remember, each time she noticed it.

"... It's..." Umie considers, wrapping her arms around her knees in a relaxed grip. "Delusion is simply my word to blot it all out: the coincidences, vague phrases becoming reality, connections that seem to hint at a greater whole, things like that. I'm no stranger to it."

How many times was she the string that was plucked, to sow chaos in new soil? One didn't have to be controlled, if they were tuned already, ahead of time.

"... By acknowledging it, I become a source of it. Maybe even the denial is the deception. I can never really know. But it's worth it to at least try."

That much, she'll say, to Jun's worried gaze.

It's not like she's felt the same, towards him. He's a gentle soul, but with a hidden resolve of steel; watching him clutch his head and struggle through the pain of trying not to remember, trusting in the warnings Tatsuya and others have given him... it was hard.

Hearing about Jun's parents brings a small smile to Umie's lips. "Your dad sounds like quite the character. Maybe that's why you're a little more prepared on how to compartmentalize it. At the end of the day, you still have everyday life. Whether the Order exists or not, the world keeps turning." It still hasn't sunken in for her, Umie thinks to herself. Some part of her always wants to be the one who subverts it all, to be the one who persists in spite of everything that's thrown at her.

Instead, she finds herself marveling at the people who manage to do so around her, seemingly without any effort at all.

Jun apologizes for getting off-topic; Umie laughs. "Don't be. Between your mom in the news and your dad, your parents sound sweet." Could she feel a little jealousy?

'Does the prodigal daughter ''really'' have to ask?' retorted the man in the Black Mask, merely a day ago. (... Was that jealousy, or merely a subtle show of his knowledge, without giving away another one of her secrets?)

'Are you... also having romantic woes, Akabane-san?'

She regards Jun with a twinkle in her eye and a curl of one end of her lips. "It's a complicated mess and it's better if you don't ask~" she replies, her tone singsong, "...but, I admit, it makes me understand a little of where you're coming from."

It's more important to Umie, in this moment, to give Jun an ear, especially when he may not have anyone else he could really mention this to.

"To love someone is scary, especially when doing so means you have to move forward. But, like you mentioned to me earlier, I think you're bound to keep showing up for one another. And along the way, you may discover things he needs to understand how to move forward, himself."

Sea spray coats the air, sent forth by a gust of wind winding its way from the waters beyond.

"Someone told me, that a bond is how a person is connected to the world, and through that bond, they are connected to the world." That person is Shiryuu, she reminds herself.

No one has to know. But what does need to be known is how important Jun's place may be, as passive as it may feel to him.

"Takkun is trying to take on everything without connecting to the world he's in. Eventually, it'll catch up to him; someone will need to be there to catch him so that he doesn't fall. Be it me, or Uchida-san, Mishina-kun, or anyone else he has some form of connection to, it's the only way he'll survive that curse that we all have-- the one that connects us to Sudou, and to the force that tries to use us."

"That's a part that isn't fair of me to reveal, and it's not one Takkun'll likely reveal himself, but if you connect the dots... you may understand it yourself, and why your own direction may be important."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
Jun thinks he understands what Umie means by her explanation of 'delusion'--and not in a good way. It's a way of shutting her eyes and plugging her ears, of pulling the blankets over her head when her room looks scary at night. It hasn't been so long for Jun since childhood that he's forgotten how that feels, for all that he never really could ignore it. Indeed, one day he lost his temper and confronted it headlong, and that ended up changing the trajectory of his life for the much, much better.

"It's worth it to try pretending what's going on isn't real?" Jun thus asks, frowning. But it does sound like Umie is somewhere in between on the matter too, and maybe even has good cause, so he's actually sincere when he adds, "How is that working out for you?"

The mood does lighten when Umie compliments his father, though--or at least, Jun chooses to take it that way. "He's a passionate, intelligent man. No doubt you remember him from when you were a student at Sevens--Kashihara-sensei, the World History teacher."

It is true, though. He still has his everyday life--and his parents ''are'' sweet. Jun's smile warms at the compliment. "I love them both very much, and I'm glad we can all live happily together," he says. The week that he was kidnapped by Sudou put that in danger, but his mother and father accepted Katsuya's explanation, and they're moving forward too, if a bit more jittery than before. Jun's thankful that they both love him enough to worry about him and to give him space to live freely. Not everyone's so fortunate.

Something about the phrase ''the world keeps turning'' sits poorly by him, though. Just for a moment. Then his other self stirs within him, and Jun dismisses the thought.

Besides, Umie's admitting to romantic woes. Jun makes a small noise. "I won't ask, in that case--but if you ever feel like talking about it somewhere that I might happen to overhear, I wouldn't mind," he replies. He doesn't expect she will, but at least the offer is open.

To love someone ''is'' scary. Jun gazes back out at the ocean as the breeze tousles his black hair. Umie's description of bonds is quite poetic, and that helps comfort him. You don't need to chase after someone to be there for them. Sometimes, you can simply think warmly of them and accept the moments that your paths cross for what they are.

"I suppose I can't help Tatsuya by moping about and being clingy, either--not to mention how much I've been obsessing about 'Jun Kurosu' and the 'Other Side' since yesterday," he muses. "I promised him I wouldn't remember what I've forgotten. Argeiphontes represents the strength of that promise. What sort of friend would I be if I reneged just because I felt a little lonely?"

He huffs a little sigh all the same, but it's not so forlorn now. "I'll put those parts out of my mind again. Whatever Tatsuya thinks of me, or any other version of me, I know how I feel about him. I ''will'' support him, no matter what. He's done so much for me... It's the least I can do in return."

Jun can be secure in that much, at least... especially now that Argeiphontes protects him from the mass bulk of déjà vu.

Even so, he bows his head; shadows hide his one visible eye from view.

"...But... Akabane-san... do you think it's still all right to love someone who can't reciprocate...?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> 'It's worth it to try pretending what's going on isn't real?' And, more pointedly... how exactly is it working for her?

".... Not great," Umie admits with a weary glance. "I'm never sure if, by acknowledging something, I'm just helping it come into being. Like that shrine. Was sharing that something I was primed into doing?"

But that is also saying too much, or, perhaps, placing the blame on something too eager to enable Umie's own flawed thoughts.

As Jun points out just who his father is, Umie's eyes widen slightly in recognition. She softly palms a partially covered hand to her forehead. "It was right in front of me the entire time. I never thought to connect the dots." Likely, because she'd never expect his son to go to Kagusayama High at the time, but that was a less worldly, experienced Umie Akabane.

It *does* bring up an important question. ".... Don't take this the wrong way, but..." Pause. No, asking someone *how* is not really relevant as much as: "... You know what? Screw that question. How has it been for you, in Kasugayama High?" There's plenty of people she knows that go to it, one of which is... oddly, her roommate. (But that's another story for another day~)

For all that outside forces have tried to ruin Jun's life, it brings Umie some comfort to see that Jun's home life hasn't been upended by it all. "I'm glad. Having to keep your Persona a secret, on top of everything else, is really rough, and you've had rudely intrude in on your regular life." She chuckles. "The worst I've ever had to explain away was an injury Trish couldn't heal." Or, well, wouldn't. It was hard to say, when that damn fairy jacked up her prices.

That moment Jun looks uncomfortable, Umie frowns, about to say something before it seems to pass.

Besides, Jun is already offering to hear her romantic woes, and Umie's cheeks briefly flush. "... N-no, I wouldn't inflict that on my worst enemy, right now." Especially right now...

"... But thank you, Kashihara-kun."

Even if Umie's relationship is held under wraps for Jun's own sanity (and safety, besides), that doesn't mean the fruits of it are held just as secret.

There's a fondness hidden in the words as she says them, like recounting a tender, precious moment.

"I don't really see you as clingy. You're going through your emotions too, right? It's probably just as new for him, navigating this situation." She gestures forward loosely, with a hand. "It's not like there's advice columns you could read for advice. 'The person I fell in love with is in love with another version of me'... It feels like a sci-fi movie." Her eyelashes lower. ".... a really romantic one, I admit."

Jun's resolution, meanwhile... It brings a soft smile. ".... There we go... that sounds like a proper direction to take."

But that question at the end, as he looks down...

".... I believe it is, if you are able to allow them the space to decide what their feelings are towards you, even if they may not come your way." Gently, she places a hand on Jun's shoulder. "It's worse to deny yourself that feeling, even if you feel heartbreak because of it. It's how we learn about ourselves." What was it, that Masao said? "To be our true mind."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
"I suppose it's difficult at best when we live in a city where rumors can come true," Jun admits back. "You don't ''want'' to contribute to the phenomenon, but you should remember that you can't stop their spread all on your own. According to the Kuzunoha Detective Agency, a rumor needs to meet a certain threshold of people talking about it before it will come true. Sharing that shrine, by yourself, to just two people, shouldn't have an effect on anything." He pauses. "...Right?"

He ''is'' still new at this, and Umie has literal years of experience over him. Is she paranoid, or is he the one misunderstanding?

He laughs a little when she facepalms. "Just because we have the same name doesn't mean we're family necessarily," he agrees amiably. "In terms of my looks, I take after my mother much more than my father, so I understand your surprise." He patiently waits for her to express her confusion about his school, a slight, amused smile on his lips. "It's been just fine, thank you. I admit it was hard at first--I did get bullied in my first year--but I learned a few moves that allowed me to gain others' respect. It's a fascinating school, really. I've learned so much more there than I would have at a more 'respectable' place like Seven Sisters--which is precisely why I chose to attend there."

''Obviously'' with his grades, and a much more loving and supporting upbringing with a father who teaches there, he would have made the Seven Sisters entrance exams easy. For someone who had an interest in potentially becoming a teacher like his father, though, the more troubled youth of Kasugayama have provided a unique set of lessons. It's thanks to that that Jun has locked in on that life path as of this school year.

Keeping secrets from his parents ''is'' hard, though. Regret flits across Jun's expression. He only nods, though. "At least now you're an adult living on your own. I imagine that makes it much easier to handle your business," he remarks.

Sure enough, Umie turns down his offer. That's an interesting way of phrasing it. Still, he accepts her response with a nod. It's not as though he has any advice he could offer in return, anyway... He's the one coming to ''her'' for help.

And... she does help. She affirms his feelings and reassures his insecurities while pointing out that this is not exactly something he could look up on the internet for an answer. "I don't know for sure that he ''loves'' any version of me. It just feels that way to me, and I'm hardly unbiased," he murmurs, averting his eyes as he brushes his bangs back. "It could simply be wishful thinking."

After all, even if it hurts to think that Tatsuya only loves Jun 'Kurosu,' in some ways, isn't it sweeter to believe he loves ''a'' version of him rather than none at all? Just as Umie says: it's a very romantic sci-fi concept. Jun's eyelashes flutter closed.

He has his resolve now, after getting a chance to talk through his feelings and get them out in the air. But is it really good to decide to love someone who isn't going to love ''him'' back, either way?

He looks over at Umie as she touches his shoulder. It's a comfort--almost as much as her words. His expression gentles as he smiles. "...Yes. You're right. This ''is'' my true mind. It may hurt, but there's no shame in that."

Slipping his hands to his sides, Jun leans forward to rise to his feet. "Thank you for coming out here to speak with me, Akabane-san. I feel a lot better now." He gestures towards the Seaside Mall, within easy view of the beach. "Would you like to get something to eat at the Jolly Roger? My treat." His smile broadens. "Think of it as my gratitude for your encouragement."

That way, too, Umie can get off her feet ''and'' get something in her stomach without having to walk too much further.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Is Umie paranoid, or is Jun misunderstanding?

It can be both, very easily.

"... You're right." About the information Kuzunoha gave, that is. "It's the parts that sneak around that that make me nervous."

Explaining why the shrine feels off would mean admitting to Maihime-- that is, _Umie's_ Maihime.

Umie's detour allows her a far better answer than she would have likely found otherwise. Bullying, though... "I wonder if it got worse or lessened when that other school's roster was added, not too long ago..." she wonders, idly. "But I imagine a bit of excitement never hurt anyone..." No, she's not talking about two populations of students of different genders being introduced to each other.

No, that sharp little smile is just purely because she knows how some of those new students likely ensured they had their spot at the metaphorical table.

Ah, she's getting distracted; like a switch, Umie's attention turns to Jun. "... That aside, I think I see what you mean. Even when I first really met you, you stood up to me in your own way. I appreciated it; I couldn't reveal all the reasons I was there for, so I looked terribly suspicious." She smirks. "I'm not entirely sure why anyone would find me suspicious, at all~"

It was to try to gain information on Tsubasa, wasn't it? How strange, that it feels like so much longer ago than it really is. "You seek your own path in life. That's respectable."

And something she was content not to do at all at his age, Umie thinks, for all she pretended she was some rebel at night.

"It does," Umie says, "but it comes with different challenges. You have to make sure you cultivate your bonds to other people, or you'll drive yourself into a rut with how disconnected you feel." Umie clears her throat. "That was not directed at you specifically, of course. Kasugayama has at least two that I know of." Eikichi and... Kurou.

..... Is it wrong of her to imagine Jun getting along with Kurou?

Anyway. Jun points out that Tatsuya may very well may not *love* any version of Jun. Love *is* a strong word, after all... "It seems that way to me, but maybe I just like the idea of you two being a couple," she admits, in a singsong fashion. "But I think you have the right attitude to be cautious. You're definitely important to him, but that importance can be due to many things, and he's not being entirely great with expressing his feelings, right now."

For reasons that are... incredibly legitimate, given how unsure Umie herself feels over simple things like forgotten little shrines and similar names. How much is this force, be it Nyarlathotep or whatever, dictating how Tatsuya is and feels?

But Jun doesn't have that to hold him back. "It's important, I think, that you're remembering that these feelings come to you as 'Jun Kashihara's' feelings. Takkun may not feel the same freedom to make that distinction, which is why he holds himself back. It's to protect you, Jun Kashihara, as it is to protect Jun Kurosu."

She really wishes she had the freedom to call Shiryuu, right now, and indirectly show him how grateful she is at this moment to be able to speak to Jun's own feelings of love and indecision. It's hardly the same, but...

... No, she just wants to be able to spend time with him again. But it really would be bad to just do that, when there's the matter of... damn it, Shiryuu!!

(Damn it, Jun!!!)

"Glad I could at least listen. I admit, my own romances at your age were a lot more flat, but that was--" .... due to Mai-chan "... due to having very little time to really think about things like that." She certainly wouldn't have been as thoughtful as Jun, she thinks, with a small grin.

"... It's usually against my credo to accept something like that, buuttt..." she says, as she gets up and shakes the sand from her coat, "... as an acknowledgement that you are my equal as a Persona User, somethingsomething, sure. I accept."

She'll definitely be getting something on the cheaper side, however.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-03-31: A Warning

2026-04-01T01:21:35Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: A Warning'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hyousuke Suzuki]], [[Umie Akabane]]
*'''Where:''' Hirasaka Ward
*'''OOC Date:''' 2026-03-31
*'''IC Date:''' Thu Oct 18
*'''Summary''': ''Hyousuke and Umie once more run into each other during the Dark Hour. He takes a far less subtle approach than during their last meeting, and their conversation quickly becomes a pointed warning.''

----
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
The ascent up the museum, and the fight aboard the zeppelin, were both still fresh in Hyousuke's mind. He could still feel the fires lapping at his skin, the sword carving into his flesh, his body searing with the explosion that ripped into his torso, and the meteoric descent into the fathomless depths of the ocean as the zeppelin became a mass of fire and metal hurtling into the blue below. His muscles still ached from the swim ashore, and his ears still rung from the screaming of the children he'd carried with him to safety. He'd only just begun to recover, and any of the things he'd gone through would have been cause enough to take the night off and relax.

But peace, such as it was for men like him, felt wrong. Some remnants of frantic strength still lingered in his muscles, and sparks of manic energy pricked at his mind like needles, demanding that he get up and do something. So it was that, when night descended upon Sumaru, and the supernatural influence of the Dark Hour devoured the world, Hyousuke did not choose to rest or shelter. He ventured out, a shotgun strapped to his back and his fists clenched in preparation for a fight, determined to work off his energy *somehow.*

He found himself at a park before long. It was a simple and modest thing, little more than some green stretches divided by meandering footpaths, the occasional tree providing shade against whatever sunlight still made it through the October gloom. He stopped at its edge, peering around, occasionally stopping to focus on one specific spot. A rustling bush, a shifting tree, even something as minute as a shadow twitching under the moon's pale and yellowed light - he beheld and focussed on them all. He was the very image of a hound told to guard or seek, waiting with tensed muscles for some unseen threat.

Whether that meant he was unaware of anything creeping up on him, or so vigilant that to do so would be an onerous task, wasn't clear.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke isn't the only one with nervous energy to spare.

"Yellow-blue... yellow-blue!!" A chipmunk-like demon, standing at about waist-high, gibbers incoherently at the sight of something clasped in the young woman's palm, sparkling in the green light.

"... Well, that's... different," murmurs Umie, eyes narrowing behind the half-mask: a simple matte red this time, with Umie having little energy to think of some creative design.

"Yellow-blue, yellow-blue!!" cries the Ratatoskr as they scamper off haphazardly into the unnatural night, leaving the hooded woman behind.

"I can't hear or feel her, either..." Umie glances at the fragment, closing her fingers around it and pressing it inside a hidden pocket in her pink windbreaker. "It feels uncomfortable to hold it, though... and... do I really..."

She looks up sharply, sensing a resonance of another Persona User nearby. "...." Looking towards the presence's direction and focusing, she frowns.

Pondering for a moment whether or not she'd like to call out to Hyousuke, she opts not to.

She really doesn't want to deal with difficult questions, right now, and it's likely he may not even realize she's here, in the first place.

Still, she doesn't make any effort to really disguise or slip away; wouldn't that make her seem even more suspicious?
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
A slight ache in the body. A tension in the muscles. The feeling of exertion - of pushing towards one's limits, but not quite against them. That was the mark of Hyousuke's resonance. He'd not even attempted to hide it, either not thinking to, or simply not caring enough to try. Either way, it did not seem to distract him from his task, and he kept his eyes firmly forward, barely blinking beneath the mirrored gold of his visor. For the longest while, Hyousuke remained silent, a statue carved from purples and golds, striking a rich contrast against the muted pallor of the Dark Hour.

Eventually, he lifted his head to the air, like a hound catching a scent on a breeze. He turned only a little, but when he spoke, it was clear that there was only one person he could have addressed.
"If you're gonna attack me again, could you at least do it to my face this time?" Hyousuke said. Loud enough to be heard, quiet enough not to call attention to himself, his tone was placid with a joking lilt to it. Anyone that knew him well would have clocked it as fake, however, and the smile he held beneath the mask was hollow to match.
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
Paranoid people like Umie Akabane, meanwhile, have had time to fill into the role given them. A constant need to avoid being perceived by forces outside their control, and nearly a decade of settling into more passive ways of doing so, leads to a case like Umie's: a person, hiding in plain sight, to a compulsive degree.

Until she isn't, and then, she's there, a consequence of a control that is always set to 'on' instead of when it's actually needed, leading it to slip when she's emotionally distracted, surprised, or even just tired. .... or, well, just all of the above.

At least she doesn't bother to hide once Hyousuke calls her out. "I didn't--" Oh. Wait, she did. Right. Umie's lips grimace. ".... Look, it was..." She sighs, slipping her hands into her pockets. "I'm sorry. I wasn't in my right mind at the time."

It didn't matter how much weight he placed into seeming casual, it felt wrong not to at least apologize for it, even if it calls attention to the many weird aspects of herself always left unexplained, for most.

"So I take it you got a lot of pent-up energy as well, eh?"
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
The few seconds that he kept the mask tilted towards her were some of the longest he had felt. There was no expression there, and he spoke nothing - his face was a sheer and silent wall, betraying nothing as it stared unblinking into her eyes. The silence alone might have been telling, however, for long long he let it stretch on for. In time, he turned his gaze back towards the park, and resumed his vigil over it. For what or whom? Only he could say, and he seemed disinclined to share.

"...None of us were." Hyousuke eventually said. He remembered the weight of the weapon in his hands. He remembered how he'd gripped it so tight that the skin on his knuckles had threatened to split. He remembered how easy it seemed like it would be to sweep the thing upwards, and twitch his finger down, and claim the prize that the Black Mask had stolen from under their noses. It was bad enough to have done it, he supposed, but to have come so close in front of all else gathered upon the zeppelin... It was a thought he didn't care to give much energy to, even if it allowed a sad hint of empathy.

That empathy did not mean the deed had been forgotten, though.
"I always do." He said simply to her attempt at moving past that point in the conversation. It wasn't a joking remark like the last thing he'd said. While not deathly serious, it carried a chill to it like a biting October breeze, rather than the warmth of an genuine jest, or the calm of bitter commiseration. "Especially these days. I've got a lot to think about. A lot of shit to work through. But I think you might be able to help with some of that..." Finally, he turned to face her fully, and the muscles around the mask shifted into what could only have been a stony, serious, look. "...If you don't mind answering a question for me."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
As much as Umie hated being Perceived, a contradiction lies in how Umie reacts in situations, such as this.

As Hyousuke stares Umie down, Umie, despite Hyousuke's overall appearance, matches his gaze with a casual respect, determined to maintain her position to the challenge hidden within, but not going beyond that to prove her mettle beyond that.

In other words: Umie's not going to try to taunt Hyousuke on if she can help it, and with no Sudou present, the possibilities of something going pear-shaped in this moonlit encounter has narrowed to few.

Besides...

"How are you holding up?" she asks, with a gentler tone. She can't help herself but ask, despite everything.

No one should have to deal with the possibilities of Dark Mask coming and doing the same to them, or the Mark.

'. But I think you might be able to help with some of that.'

Ah.

.... shit, she sure walked into that one.

Umie sighs, tilting her hooded head towards Hyousuke with a sardonic grin. "As long as I get to sit someplace, sure. Fire away. This night's not going to get any better."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
"...Fine. We'll go over there - I need to keep an eye on this place anyway." Hyousuke said, while looking towards a nearby bench. It was an unremarkable thing, even with its appearance warped by the grasp of the twenty-fifth hour, but perhaps unremarkable was what both of them needed right now. Unremarkable and boring were comforting, in their own ways. He moved slowly, feet tapping a steady rhythm against the slabs laid out across the ground, not once turning to face Umie after he'd finished speaking. Whether out of a lack of desire to perceive her, or simple focus on what lay ahead, he was disinclined to say.

Even when he sat, Hyousuke seemed tense. He didn't lean back into the bench, instead remaining alert, his gaze pointed towards the park proper, like he was searching for something amidst the murk beyond. He certainly didn't look to face Umie - not directly, at least - when he sat there, muscles still coiled a little, as if waiting for something to launch himself at. Even so, he continued speaking to her, even if he didn't think to look her in the eyes while he said his piece.
"I'm not as good at the subtle stuff as Uchida-san or the Thieves, so I'll just come out with it. What's your deal with the Ryouharas?"
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
"Sounds good." Umie's not planning on ditching Hyousuke, at least, even if her brain is already calculating the many routes she could take, just from her casual glance back to the bench and back at Hyousuke.

Where someone like Hyousuke is proficient at standing his ground and charging forward unimpended, Umie's skills skew the opposite direction, working up her approach until the pieces are set, and the dominos begin to fall towards a satisfying end.

And when that doesn't happen? She gets the hell away, which is more relevant here. A leap onto the back of the bench and onto the nearby fence, a dart through a nearby tree's branches, and then... ah, that's just one.

But Hyousuke is not her opponent, and Umie refuses to run away, just yet, from answers he needs to know.

She knows it's coming; he was the one who told Phoenix what he saw.

Umie lets out a long sigh as she slumps onto the opposite end of the bench. "I don't know, some of the Thieves can be real to the point, eh?"

She crosses her legs, and leans back; signalling her intent to stay put, at least.

"A very complicated one. You'll run into that eventually, Suzuki-kun; as much as we all like to categorize the world in one truth and black and white... we find ourselves dealing with people that can be more than one thing at one time."

Dark eyelashes lower; she's not looking at Hyousuke's mask, but out towards the park. "A person can accept you, even tell you that they are willing to be your enemy, if it means you surviving... and be the person who tortured another, for reasons they refuse to disclose, even when the person they told to hold true to their convictions is yelling at them."

"It'd be easier to say that one part is a lie, and the other is truth. I believe both are true."

.....

"Which leaves me in a unique situation to change things. I intend to, especially as the person that may have inspired certain changes in the first place."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
Hyousuke was a hound. He was a dogged and savage thing, willing to - as Umie had surmised - charge forward until he reached what he sought. His reaction to her answer only served as proof of that.
"He hurt my friend."
The words were spoken plainly. Flatly, even. Yet, in the stillness of the night, with only the yawning black to disturb them, the words rang out like a thundercrack, cutting right to the heart of an issue that he was either unaware of the finer points of, or simply did not care to recognise.

"Your relationship with them might be complicated, but mine isn't. They hurt Phoenix. They hurt my *friend.*" A slight growl crept into his words. A rumbling of the throat, like a thunderhead in the distance - a warning of a storm that was yet to reach them, but loomed ever closer. "I don't care what bullshit they're giving you. Anyone can *say* they're going to change. Anyone can *say* what they're doing is for your own good." There was conviction to his voice, and anger too. Not directed at her, but still burning openly, as though his words were a fire lashing out in whatever direction the wind blew its searing touch.

"They hurt. My. Friend." That delicate argument, so carefully crafted and artfully delivered, had been barrelled through like a sledgehammer through glass. He let a silence hang in the air, so thick with tension that it might as well have been fog. When he spoke, it was with more measured and restrained tone, erring more towards frustration than fury. "Phoenix and Uchida-san think you're fine, and they're smarter than me, for damn sure. So I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt on this. I'll trust their judgement and say that you getting mixed up with the Ryouharas doesn't mean you're in on whatever they're trying to do. But I don't trust them, and as long as you keep working with them? I'm sure as hell not gonna trust you either."

Hyousuke's voice was low and even, not wavering once. He'd not delivered a threat to her, nor had he given her some ultimatum - he didn't think his trust meant anything to her, given how little they'd spoken. He was not so egotistical as to hold his companionship up on a pedestal like a prize worth winning. What he'd said, if his tone was any indication, was a warning about who to trust.

And who'd trust her.
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
And what would Hyousuke think, if he knew he sat opposite someone who murdered someone else?

"Sudou hurt many people too. Black Mask likely has killed just as many, if not more, given how effortlessly he pulled off this one--"

Wait. Umie frowns, feeling the fabric where her shard rests, inside her jacket. So that's how he managed to...

She'll tuck this for later.

"Yet, we gave Sudou a peaceful death, because he was as much a victim, if even moreso."

Even Black Mask...

'I don't care what bullshit they're giving you.'

Umie's gaze turns neutral.

"...."

Another person, another role, placed on her. The helpless one. The damsel. The victim. The one with no agency. The villainess. The temptress. The one helping the Ryouharas accomplish their goals, as much as fault as everyone.

The sweet little wife, the trophy.

She can either be the one who is blameless, or the one to be blamed.

''It's always like that, isn't it?''

"I didn't say they told me they'd change. I said I'd change things myself." She gets up. "You're welcome to put your own narrative on me, but it won't fix anything."

Umie looks at Hyousuke with a brief look of confusion when he says _Phoenix_ trusts her.

Still, that anger curls in her stomach.

"Your trust is not required. I'll do what I need to do."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>
"I know men like them." Hyousuke said, his voice that same warning growl he'd used before. A low tone, its rumbling like the tremors before a quake, not that of hesitation or born from a lack of conviction. "They're gonna feed you all the things you want to hear, and when you're not useful to them any more, you're gonna wind up with a knife in your back and fuck all to show for it. I. Know." Something painful flared inside him. Some knife driving through his heart, or carving into the depths of his mind. The memory was agony, and speaking it evoked a feeling of barbs tearing at his throat. But like bile spewing forth, it came anyway.

Hyousuke rose from the bench, moving slowly, but never turning his back to her. He looked down at her with that expressionless mass of plastic strapped against his face, shielding her from the cold of his piercing gaze, or the slight snarl that his lips had begun to curl into.
"I don't need you to trust me. Hell, I don't even give a shit if you *like* me. But if those two keep going the way they are, they're gonna drag you down with them, and it's gonna take a goddamn miracle to drag you out of that hole." Again, the words stung in his throat, and poisoned the air with an acid that threatened to burn the skin off his lips. "I'm just trying to warn you before someone else gets hurt."

He moved back slowly, his eyes fixed on her, his back never turned until he was at arm's length from her.
"I'll see you around."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>

'I know men like them.'

To say 'Shiryuu isn't like that' feels like playing into the narrative laid out before her.

The context, and whether or not Shiryuu truly is or will turn out to be that person... all kept inside her, as is the things that drew them together, and the things they've lost already.

The other part, of course, is that she's unsure just how much Hyousuke knows about what Phoenix was tasked to do; while she's sure the Phantom Thieves know, such secrets are best laid with Phoenix to tell them.

.....

No, she's the one that brought ruin, in the same way a fruit brought knowledge to Adam and Eve.

They were both offered a taste of way things could be, and what they sorely lacked.

If she fell because of it, well...

Hyousuke will have plenty of company, wagging their fingers at her, most likely.

She offers no rebuttal, or denial.

'I'm just trying to warn you before someone else gets hurt.'

"Continue being there for them. I'll do what I need to, on my end."

WIth a wave, Umie walks off; unhurried, until she disappears into the shadows proper.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-03-24: The Color of Warmth

2026-03-25T22:44:26Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: The Color of Warmth'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya'''
*'''OOC Date:''' March 24, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 14, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Umie, armed with take-out, sits Kurou down for a talk. In the end, while the issue may not be resolved, Umie finds her own.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Whether Kurou had intended to tell anything to Umie, as Joker said he was bid to, if if he saw no need to (which Umie suspects may be the case here), there may not have even been many moments since then for the time to truly examine and navigate these new sets of complications.

And it's not like Umie has been the stalwart champion of justice, given that she'd come home, see the tea faithfully set out for her whenever Kurou was there, and feel like just having another night where she ignored the issue altogether and pretended Kurou was actually the cousin she sometimes pretended he was, in need of a place to stay. First it'd be recovering from Maria Sakurai's... Palace(???), trying to confront Shiryuu directly, being too emotionally spent after the events at the Sanitarium (nevermind Kurou was also likely dealing with his), rescuing Kazusa Motojima, dealing with Phoenix, and then, when she thought about it--

Oh right, she can't bring it up when Kurou needs to be studying for his midterms!

And now.... it's midterms.

Slipping out of the bathroom, Umie tugs down an oversized sweater over sweat pants, her hair up in a loose ponytail. Colder weather has definitely begun to set in; she can definitely feel it as she walked home from her shift off of Rafflesia.

On the table in front of the TV is some takeout; she had texted ahead of time to see what Kurou wanted. Slipping down with a can of soda, Umie crosses her legs and sets out the food. "How has your first day of midterms gone?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou, being Kurou, unfortunately did assume there was little to tell. Umie's connections to Shiryuu had Kurou assuming she understood much. Even without that, Kurou had assumed there was more transparency in the situation. It's an unfortunately easy mistake for someone who's entire life centers around such complications.

He said nothing, made tea faithfully, and tried to continue being a respectful and easy to live with roommate. The only small shifts to his routine came when he spotted Umie across the battlefield in the likes of the Sanitarium: then the quality tea was used, to better revitalize them both after such an exhausting situation.

It did not matter that they were on the same side. He did not ever imagine it would need be discussed.

... Unfortunately, midterms.

As Umie exits the shower, she'll find a cup of tea, made freshly enough to still have steam rising from the green surface.

He holds his own cup, staring past it, and past the TV, and through the walls and beyond Japan itself. Kurou's gaze wanders past physical space and time, and his knuckles lighten as he tightens his grip on his cup.

"Mid... terms..." he mumbles as one might whisper the name of a confounding foe.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Sometimes, that's just how things end up. Umie can't blame Shiryuu for not letting her know; by being completely unaware, there was less chance of his actions affecting Umie, should a connection be drawn between them. And it's not like they have been in public, and even been fighting, on the same side, and....

oh right, yeah, whoops, Umie hugged Shiryuu and was even at a farmer's market with him

Why did she have to develop feelings for the one person that would make her life the most complicated?

Seeing Kurou's distant expression, Umie sighs, snapping her chopsticks apart. "You can always ask me for help, you know. For studying." Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if a reaction like that is due to Kurou being Kurou, or something beyond. For now, she assumes the former. "That's what I do for Amamiya-kun, and I'm more than happy to help you too."

Opening her take-out carton, she picks out some noodles and eats, thinking a little.

Offering a muted but grateful thank you for Kurou's tea, she takes a sip.

"We also... need to talk. About... what Shiryuu did." She hesitates. "... You know that the Phantom Thieves saved my life, right? And the people you fought that night, outside the Sanitarium.... you remember her being with Amamiya-kun way back, right, during the festival?"

Pause. ".... Did you heal okay, after that?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou snaps back to this reality with Umie's chopsticks. He holds his warm cup, venturing a sip before aborting it. The only evidence of his forlorn soul is the way his pupils dilate with unfulfilled desire. His tea is still too hot for his own sensitive tongue... He sets it down, and with her return, prepared to enjoy the meal with her. He, habitually, seems to not prefer eating before she is able to sit for her own meal if they are sharing food together.

"I do not wish to intrude on you more than I already have." Kurou looks down, then takes his own share of the order to begin nibbling at his fried rice. 'What Shiryuu did' will require more specifics, and Kurou does not wish to open his mouth and spill more information than Umie has. But the Phantom Thieves, rescuing Umie...

"I see." Kurou looks up from his carton. "I wish I had known that when Amamiya-san was asking me about them..." He taps his chopsticks idly to his lip. "Though I suppose that does not change my answer of appreciating their existence."

But could he have been more enthusiastic about it? Probably not. He's still Kurou.

And that girl...

"Unicorn-san. She is an impressive combatant. I look forward to meeting her on the battlefield again."

But there was a question in there, and Kurou regards Umie for a stretch of silence as he considers Joker's words about how Umie would worry about him, if something should happen...

"... I am no stranger to pain or injury, Akabane-san. I ask that you not let such fears concern you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Yeah, this isn't you doing anything wrong with our arrangement; I told you not to bring any Ryouhara business to my doorstep, after all." Umie gingerly sips her tea, realizing, yet again, Kurou has refused to eat before she sat down.

Quiet, a good listener, respectful, keeps his head down, doesn't volunteer information about himself. .... Honestly, she could see him and and someone like Ren becoming friends.

'I wish I had known that when Amamiya-san was asking me about them...' Wait. When did Ren ask Kurou.... oh, right, he would have... since he knows where... Or maybe Kurou stopped by that Triple 7 location again while Ren was on shift. "So, you stopped by the Triple 7 again, I take it?" she asks.

That, or Leblanc... though, if it's the latter, would that indicate that Kurou sought Ren out? But if that was the case, then... is Ren in danger?

But then again, if that was the case, Ren'd already be dead.

Umie, despite herself, stifles a laugh. "Yeah, Amamiya-kun and I are fans of them." In the end, Ren's just a normal kid, Umie theorizes. So it's likely he'll be fine. "I had a positive view of them before that night, too. A group of rebels, fighting against the corruption of society..." She grins, fingers tapping against her teacup.

That could have been a nice place to veer off this path, where Kurou and Umie could tak about the Phantom Thieves, and never think again about what subject brought up.

Just like Ren has nothing to fear from Kurou, unless the wrong person wanted him dead. Then, Kurou would set his opinions aside, and do his job.

.... Like with Minako. "Unicorn-san...?" Umie blinks, then stifles yet another laugh. "You're just as good at nicknames as I am, Ryouhara-kun."

That impulse to follow that train of thought is still there, going far and away from the more difficult issues at hand.

But...

"... I know that." Umie makes a face as she sets down the tea. "It's just... there'll come a day when we'll be on opposite sides. Shiryuu's made it clear that I should stand for what I believe in, but... that same freedom isn't extended to the two of you."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou gives a sharp nod as Umie points out not bringing Ryouhara business in. He has not endangered her, to his knowledge. The Phantom Thieves are her allies, and do not appear to operate with the sort of vengefulness that would cause his association with her to endanger her. If anything, they might mistakeningly attempt to defend her from him.

There would be worse things.

"Ah, no," Kurou corrects. "I was in the area and had a 'house blend' at Leblanc." Kurou attempts his tea again, a small test at first, and then letting a longer sip before responding. "Coffee has... a pleasant aroma to it."

Don't make Umie wait on such inane comments!!

He nods with her own assessment of the Phantom Thieves. "I had concerns about their conviction, but they proved me wrong. I have high hopes about their future progress." Much as Kurou has his own personal issues, his talk with Ren helped him understand they ''were'' personal, and largely selfish. That does not make them fade, but it does leave Kurou more thoughtful on how he will advance his own goals.

It is not likely theirs will coincide, given the Phantom Thieves' usual targets, though.

"Unicorn-san," Kurou repeats. "She was able to change Persona, and became a unicorn..." There is a small sparkle in his eye as he says this. Unicorns ''are'' beautiful animals... with swords on their heads. But Umie 'compliments' his nicknames, and guilelessly nods. "Thank you."

If Umie should pivot and follow any of these trains of thought, Kurou would be none-the-wiser. He is without any visible distress, sipping and enjoying his meal as his thought get to turn away from midterms. Yet Umie's face changes, and Kurou's shoulders wilt a fraction.

"... You are not incorrect." Kurou's gaze dips briefly before his eyes find Umie's, steeled with his resolve. "But that does not change that he speaks the truth. That is what you must do, regardless."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ah, Umie, you did it again. Maybe, just maybe, Kurou went to get coffee, because Ren mentioned working there.

Umie's tilts her head, tucking a side bang behind one ear. "It really does, doesn't it? Leblanc has a nice feel to it, too." She's surprised it hasn't driven Ren up the wall when she prefers tutoring him there.

"I wonder what Amamiya-kun'd think of your tea-making abilities," she offers, again distracting herself away from the topic.

Umie lifts up her chopsticks and smiles, her eyelids lowering midway as she looks down at her food. "I wasn't sure if they really existed, to be honest. Like, maybe they just were wishful thinking among a bunch of students dealing with a really shitty situation." Her voice grows hushed. "... So when they came to my rescue, against the Old Maid... a part of me just rode on that, even if I was also scared of the Old Maid coming back to finish me off. I'm not..." She's always been the one who's had to save herself, time and time again.

You couldn't depend, or rely on anyone, outside of yourself.

"... I wish to see them succeed. So, similar to your views on them." Gathering another stick full of noodles, she slurps them up quietly. "I'll just have to double my efforts, to make up for Shiryuu's plans."

How precious, how trite. She won't make Kurou explain what happened, from his point of view; he wouldn't likely see any part of what he did as cruel or unjustified.

"Yes," Umie confirms. "She's one that can do that. Some can, and I'm not sure how, but... I think it has to do with their bonds. Or, maybe, how we're all not the same in how we access our Personas." She brings a hand to her neck, tapping a dark red nail there lightly. "Yours is like Unicorn-san's, isn't it? An Evoker." Just, without a gun, given Kurou's different mental layout.

"I know." She sighs, gazing at Kurou with red brown eyes. "I'll do it, when it comes to it. But... that doesn't mean that I'll kick you out, or that.... I blame you, directly. Even Shiryuu..."

Which...

Huh.

Her gaze lowers, her expression surprised. "I guess that, too, is part of what I believe in, even if it will likely... make me a lot of enemies I'd rather not have."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou nods slowly as if he is digesting Umie's suggestion at the same time he decides he agrees with it. "There was no one else there that day. I found it pleasant..." He pauses, looking into his tea. "... Rain would have been perfect."

That may be the midterms speaking.

"I would like to make him a cup someday. And to listen to whatever he might like to say. I spoke more than I am accustomed when I was there..." Unconsciously, Kurou touches his fingers to his throat. It had felt a little sore after, despite having coffee to wet and soothe it. Ren is an easy person to talk to.

Kurou's gaze locks onto Umie as she describes the situation with the Thieves. So it was the Old Maid who endangered her... Thanks to them, she finds herself safe. Still afraid, though, as Kurou worries some of the victims would be. It's a different situation than the change of heart... but isn't that why Shiryuu did what he did, acting on his own like that, when he should have asked Kurou...?

"You're not...?" She does not finish, and Kurou does not push beyond that. He simply nods again as she continues. "... They are fighting in a dangerous battlefield. They must hone themselves appropriately."

And time will tell whether or not they do. Kurou does not mind being a whetstone, either. Even if it means he must be occasionally cruel... for he could not throw as much cruelty at them as the world inevitably will.

Umie speaks of Wild Cards as a known factor and Kurou tilts his head to learn this. Those who, with bonds, can hold many selves in their soul... Kurou rights him as he responds about his Evoker. "Yes, I believe that is what it is called. I do not quite remember the acquisition..."

But he does have it, this ancient ninkou artifact with its Plume of Dusk.

"If you must kick me out, that is your right," Kurou assures her, voice gone quieter and softer. But to say it's also what she believes in, even if she makes enemies...

...

Kurou sets his chopsticks down gently.

"... Shiryuu-san once told me I should find a person who understands my ways, even if that person might think to kill him. You also deserve such a person. Or people. Not those who would become your enemies for what you believe in. ... There will be many enemies in this world, and maybe one day we will have to face each other. But it will not be because you are my enemy, Akabane-san."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "I can confirm." Perching her chin on an upright hand, her eyes cast past Kurou to the frosted sliding windows beyond. "It was a late summer rain, with just the right amount of thunder. The sort of day you could fall asleep to, or drink coffee. But." Her smile turns smug as she leans back in her crossed leg position, hands held palm up. "That's a similarity I have with you and Shiryuu: I'm a creature of rain."

But maybe, it's the midterms speaking for Kurou. "Though I wasn't born in Akita, like Shiryuu was." The smug bent of her grin dissolves, as her next sentence turns personal. "Are you from Akita too? Though... I assume not everyone in the family's from one area."

Nor would being born in Akita mean you like the rain, for that matter, but there's so many strange little mysteries about the Ryouharas that she couldn't help but ask.... despite her earlier decree, when Shiryuu had Kurou move in.

That's not as important to Umie, however, as realizing that Kurou may have found potential friendship with Ren. "You're welcome to use the apartment," Umie finds herself saying in her enthusiasm.

Ah, too late. She can't take it back. "... Just... give me a text, if you think I may be coming home. I can always find some errands to do." Ah, no, she should be more direct, Umie thinks. "What I mean to say is... I want you to have that ability, to invite someone over, without worrying about me coming in. Amamiya-kun's a sweetheart, but he's also very private. With one person there... he may open up a lot more."

She's trying to stop herself from smiling like a complete idiot, like she's proud of Kurou, but it doesn't stop herself from feeling that way. "Just... be careful," she murmurs instead. "You probably already account for this, but he doesn't have a Persona. Him being around me has nearly exposed him far more times than I'd like to... the sorts of things we all deal with." She sighs. "... I guess I do feel a little protective of him, in that way."

..... Damn it, Akechi, you were right, all along, if just about that one aspect.

Kurou picks up on that sentence fragment. "... I'm..." She wavers on the word, as Kurou further explains, before she chooses to be truthful. "I'm not one who's used to being saved. That is just the nature of things, when you've been on your own."

To hone themselves... ".... I see." People like Joker and Phoenix would definitely not see it like that, but Umie, with the benefit of freshly prepared tea and takeout, can see the logic.

'If you must kick me out, that is your right.' "No, I won't." Umie shakes her head. "You deserve a place to call home. And besides... I like you being here. I feel better, knowing you have a warm place to come to." She looks to the masks. ".... You probably saw it, but I wore the mask you made for me at the Sanitarium. It protected me." In more ways than one.

The way Kurou talks about Shiryuu... no wonder Phoenix found the two of them perplexing, even manipulative. The high-minded language could easily be twisted, if either of them were the type to be that way.

"Then, on that day, I ask that you extend the same process to me, when that time comes. Hone me, just like you honed the Phantom Thieves."

It would only be fair.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Umie Akabane describes a beautiful, magical moment, and with each word, Kurou's pupils grow a bit larger until his gold eyes become mostly black. His gaze loses focus as his mind's eye is a place with rain and that perfect amount of thunder. He sips his tea, and it almost tastes like coffee.

A creature of rain, indeed.

When Umie asks where Kurou's from, he hesitates, blinking back into awareness. "... I do not think so, given how our respective situations ended up. My apologies, I do not remember my childhood well."

He glances down again. It should be a simple question to answer. Surely he can remember a time he had to write his address, at least... But he sees a tiny hand pressing a pencil to paper and the words snake together into a scribble.

To be allowed to bring Ren to the apartment, though. Kurou perks back up and bows his head. He pauses as Umie reconsiders her words, then nods with more understanding. "... You provide a warm space as always." Even for Ren's preferences, too. "Thank you. I will provide ample warning and be sure to clean up after us."

It is not just the warmth of her home she wants for others, but a safety from the supernatural. Kurou nods slowly with the weight of understanding. "Should a supralunar incident occur, I will prioritize Amamiya-san's awareness and safety. Even if I have shinobi business, I respect this as the price of allowing visitation"

One can hope it won't ever get so serious as that in Umie's little apartment.

... Not used to be saved. Kurou falls silent. The nature of things, when you've been on your own. "... It is," he agrees, very quietly. He does not know what else to say, and finds himself lost admits his own silence, just as Umie had been.

But she is adamant that Kurou should have a home, and his eyes gain a small shine to them, reflecting the light of the TV more than they had moments ago. To like him being here... And the masks, too. He did see it.

"... I am glad that it was able to. A mask deserves such a purpose. And..." Kurou's brow pinches, just slightly, like the words have become difficult. "...It is... a little bit more freedom to stand for what I believe in."

Even if he cannot act directly, as she noted before.

Much as he struggles to say those words, they are themselves a distraction from an even more difficult admission to make. "And..." It is true, quite simply, and without any complication. Why should it be so difficult to say...? "... I like being here, too."

Kurou is much more at ease with her other request. It is comfortable for its familiarity and the confidence in which he can heed her request. He nods without reservation. "It will be done as you ask."

After all, honing a blade is mutually exclusive to ever needing to break it.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a part of Kurou Umie secretly enjoys, much like how she enjoys watching Shiryuu fiddle with fixing something: it's those moments that stand apart from the quiet, deadly facets they display otherwise.

A creature who likes the rain, rather than one made of it, with a past that remains as vague as fog.

"You can always refuse, you know," Umie says, raising a finger and just on the verge of giving him a playful wink... when Kurou glances down once more with the air of something that feels painfully familiar.

".... It's okay," she tries instead, her voice growing gentle. "You can't live in the past, only the present."

At Kurou's compliment, Umie gives her gold-eyed roommate a half-grin. "What, are you two going to have a party?" She chuckles. "You can't be any worse than the mess my apartment normally is, before you moved in." Or.... can they...?

She'll just have to trust Kurou's word then...!

"Thank you." Is it a bad sign, that Umie's just grown to understand and accept the word 'supralunar' as another word for supernatural without so much as a blink? .... well she can blame Shiryuu for it later!!

It feels too naked to admit that, even to someone who's likely seen and experienced much worse, such as Kurou. In spite of these things, Kurou is still sixteen, an age that should be concerned with midterms, forging friendships, understanding his identity, among other things.

... To have a warm place to be, even if it's rather small. But maybe it's because of that size that it feels that way?

A bit more freedom, to stand for what he believes in.

"You are always free to make more masks, at any time. Especially if you need to feel a little more freedom."

She smiles, getting back to her food. "Just don't let Ren get away with thinking *I'm* a Phantom Thief, if he sees them." It'd be hard to hide her little craft corner each morning, after all, and it's not like he's seen the Phantom Thieves, right? Much less, why in the world would Phantom Thieves have paper maiche masks? She gives Kurou a wink. "It'd be a cute story though, right? To be a fan, and then realize a Phantom Thief had been working with you the entire time~ he'd never see it coming."

Slurp.

"I admit, it would be nice to be able to finally stretch myself out... but I'm not sure if I'd want to handle you before I have to. You're a different person in battle..." She shrugs, shifting to drink her tea. "But... so am I."

Both the Gashadokuro and the Badb are creatures of death and vengance, after all.

"I should ask, on lighter subjects," Umie says, despite not properly broaching it, "with the weather getting colder, is there anything you need to keep warm? It got chilly here when I moved in April, and I imagine it'll be even moreso as it gets later into fall."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou shakes his head gently at the idea of refusing such a simple question, or maybe he didn't quite hear her as he tries to focus those thoughts. As she comforts him, he looks up again, and he nods. "That... is true." It lifts a small weight, and makes it feel a little less important to try and push past the haze over his mind.

A party? Kurou, worryingly, stops to consider. "... No. I do not believe Amamiya-san and I would enjoy a party between us." They are both the type who needs others to do the partying so they can quietly enjoy the atmosphere.

... It's likely the worst mess that could happen is Kurou accidentally spilling matcha powder. Though no doubt Kurou might be the type to become devastated should he spill it onto something he fears is important and could not clean it well enough.

Yet this warm, little place they share... Is this also freedom? There is a slight sparkle to Kurou's eye as Umie invites him to create more masks. Yes, it is quite likely he will end up doing just that.

"Hmm..." Kurou considers as Umie wishes to avoid being seen as a Phantom Thief. "Amamiya-san might like making masks, if he likes Phantom Thieves." A cute story, though... "In a way, you protect people much like one. So is the story already cute...?"

Nibble.

"Battle is a type of freedom itself. Especially with a Persona. There are things that can be felt in a fight that cannot be felt elsewhere." Kurou may not realize some people do not find this universal, or at least, do not find all of those feelings to be positive things. "Do not squander that freedom. I will be able to survive it."

This could easily seem a statement of overconfidence. The wording is particular: he is not claiming he will assuredly be the ''victor'', only that he will ''survive''.

Even mentioning cold weather has Kurou absently wrapping his fingers around the warmth of his teacup. At first, Kurou begins to shake his head, a polite declination readied on his lips. He stops himself, with all the times Umie has offered her help in sincere desire to see small wishes fulfilled.

It is with a kind of subtle shyness that Kurou looks back up at Umie.

"Would it be all right to... keep one of those furry throws in the living room...?"

That might be a little cumbersome, or throw off her intended decor. But to have a big, fuzzy blanket on hand to burrow into...

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There are things missing in Umie's memory, shattered like minute shards of glass across her psyche.

Plucking them and reassembling them is only an exercise in blood and tears, and yet Umie keeps doing it, like that little hand in Kurou's memory, trying to write an address.

That moment Kurou uses to consider Umie's question, though... there's some memories Umie would like to not make.

_It's always the quiet ones_!!

"Maybe you just need to throw the sort of party people like you and Amamiya-kun would enjoy," Umie muses, with a half-smile. "Though I suppose that's something that may require more than one act of hanging out together."

If it means Kurou finding some freedom in himself and his friendships, and Ren in finding another friend, well, could Umie really say no?

(.... she swears, she was not this sort of sentimental person when she was merely two years younger. Is this a sign of her senpai nature evolving?!)

"Alright. I'll make sure I keep a few prepared masks around. If you two want to paint a few, I wouldn't mind at all." Ah! Umie makes a show of crossing her arms and making a theatrical laugh, which quickly dissolves into an embarrassed snort. "Thankfully, I prefer being my own sort of menance."

Which leads to...!

".... Perhaps..." Umie pauses over the subject, like she was taking a sip of it like her tea. "That is where Gashadokuro and Badb connect. We fight in different ways, but there is a certain... joy, in how we fight." Her view of Kurou's abilities is limited; she hasn't had to be on the opposite side of a fight from him, just yet. "A young me wondered why a part of me was this dark, violent, loud, decadent thing, but as I grew older, it felt like it could be no one else but the Badb. I imagine... it's like that and Gashadokuro, for you. Something that emerges from the grave, and refuses to back down." She closes her eyes. "I will not waste your kindness, that day, even if I hope it doesn't come."

The shine in her eyes when she opens them admits the other side of that wish: that the Badb in her awaits the day, as well.

There will come a day that Umie will have to come to terms with the cruelties Shiryuu and Kurou have visited on Phoenix and the Phantom Thieves that came to rescue them, but for now, this will have to do, especially as a part of Umie's heart melts at seeing Kurou admit to wanting something.

She asks the question that may have changed so many things, in Shiryuu's eyes.

"What color?" Maybe it will be green or maybe blue, this time, but she'll want to hear it in Kurou's own voice.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Blurry, foggy memories. He does not try very often himself. They are washed away and darkened. He is not sure getting back what lies on the other side of most of them would be satisfying. It is the simple questions that get him.

"... A tea party," Kurou considers aloud, with an entirely straight face. By now, Umie's probably used to him not being a typical teenage boy.

Maybe a tea ceremony is more accurate to Kurou's imagination, who is not, himself, imagining himself at a garden table serving tea to stuffed animals. Rather, this mental image shall be inflicted on those who observe.

Umie offers masks, and Kurou's brow furrows again. "... Mask party." Does that... count as a party...? It may well to someone with Kurou's subdued nature. He leaves his struggling party thoughts to see Umie become theatrical, and Kurou claps his hands together in near silence as a show of wonder.

His sincerity can be awfully childish, this one.

... And it can be brutal, as Umie notes of Gashadokuro. Umie understands the joy, too. Umie and Badb, Kurou and Gashadokuro... He nods. "Yes. Gashadokuro and I... we will not rest. Not until our task is seen through."

A given task in that moment -- in this moment, a promise to hone a blade -- or the task he would stake his life on? Would Kurou himself be self-aware enough to know? Either way, the shine in Umie's eye promises that, though they may not wish such a future... they will find a joy in it.

For now, his capacity for cruelty is pushed aside because... fuzzy blanket.

To be prompted to go as far as to choose the ''color'' of such a thing strike Kurou dumbfounded for a small moment. It should not really matter, like the umbrella. Except... perhaps, like the umbrella, it does?

"... Dark red."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Indeed, Kurou is not a typical teenage boy, but that's likely what made her comfortable with the idea of letting her share an apartment together.

A tea party, or a mask party.

"Sounds like a great idea, either way."

It'd be interesting to see what these two move towards, and what they come up with.

Though Umie almost feels embarrassed when Kurou claps for her performance. "... Aha... ah.... You don't have to clap..." It wasn't a serious attempt, Kurou!!

"Your task..." If only Umie could say hers is that direct; it feels more like a reaction to a situation.

She opens her mouth, wanting to ask what his task is, but decides to let that topic sit, for another time.

There are more important matters to attend to, like fuzzy blanket colors.

"A-ha. Have I convinced you it's a good color?" Umie raises her fingernails and wiggles them. "... I'm going to have to switch to using up another one of my bottles of polish, though, so if I can find a blanket in that color, it'll be a good way to remember it..."

Alas, her other bottles of nail polish must be used up before she dare buys another; with newfound freedom comes financial responsibility. (... well, after a few months, it did, anyway, after Umie was forced to consider how much nail polish could actually cut into her tight budget.)

"I'll be on the lookout, though if you see what you want in a store someplace, let me know." She considers. "Or, better yet... I bet Shiryuu knows a few stores. He's a better shopper than I am when it comes...." She ahems, dipping her voice to try to match Shiryuu's tones: "...to the latest technology."

please don't clap kurou she deserves nothing
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-03-24: The Color of Warmth

2026-03-25T22:40:17Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: The Color of Warmth''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Kurou Ryouhara *'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya''' *'''OOC Date:''' March 24, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 14, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Umie, armed with take-out, sits Kurou down for a talk. In the end, while the issue may not be resolved, Umie finds her own.'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed. <poem> Whether Kurou had intended to tell anything to Umie, as Joker said he was bid to, if i..."

*'''Log: The Color of Warmth'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]]
*'''Where: Umie's Apartment, Shibuya'''
*'''OOC Date:''' March 24, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 14, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Umie, armed with take-out, sits Kurou down for a talk. In the end, while the issue may not be resolved, Umie finds her own.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Whether Kurou had intended to tell anything to Umie, as Joker said he was bid to, if if he saw no need to (which Umie suspects may be the case here), there may not have even been many moments since then for the time to truly examine and navigate these new sets of complications.

And it's not like Umie has been the stalwart champion of justice, given that she'd come home, see the tea faithfully set out for her whenever Kurou was there, and feel like just having another night where she ignored the issue altogether and pretended Kurou was actually the cousin she sometimes pretended he was, in need of a place to stay. First it'd be recovering from Maria Sakurai's... Palace(???), trying to confront Shiryuu directly, being too emotionally spent after the events at the Sanitarium (nevermind Kurou was also likely dealing with his), rescuing Kazusa Motojima, dealing with Phoenix, and then, when she thought about it--

Oh right, she can't bring it up when Kurou needs to be studying for his midterms!

And now.... it's midterms.

Slipping out of the bathroom, Umie tugs down an oversized sweater over sweat pants, her hair up in a loose ponytail. Colder weather has definitely begun to set in; she can definitely feel it as she walked home from her shift off of Rafflesia.

On the table in front of the TV is some takeout; she had texted ahead of time to see what Kurou wanted. Slipping down with a can of soda, Umie crosses her legs and sets out the food. "How has your first day of midterms gone?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou, being Kurou, unfortunately did assume there was little to tell. Umie's connections to Shiryuu had Kurou assuming she understood much. Even without that, Kurou had assumed there was more transparency in the situation. It's an unfortunately easy mistake for someone who's entire life centers around such complications.

He said nothing, made tea faithfully, and tried to continue being a respectful and easy to live with roommate. The only small shifts to his routine came when he spotted Umie across the battlefield in the likes of the Sanitarium: then the quality tea was used, to better revitalize them both after such an exhausting situation.

It did not matter that they were on the same side. He did not ever imagine it would need be discussed.

... Unfortunately, midterms.

As Umie exits the shower, she'll find a cup of tea, made freshly enough to still have steam rising from the green surface.

He holds his own cup, staring past it, and past the TV, and through the walls and beyond Japan itself. Kurou's gaze wanders past physical space and time, and his knuckles lighten as he tightens his grip on his cup.

"Mid... terms..." he mumbles as one might whisper the name of a confounding foe.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Sometimes, that's just how things end up. Umie can't blame Shiryuu for not letting her know; by being completely unaware, there was less chance of his actions affecting Umie, should a connection be drawn between them. And it's not like they have been in public, and even been fighting, on the same side, and....

oh right, yeah, whoops, Umie hugged Shiryuu and was even at a farmer's market with him

Why did she have to develop feelings for the one person that would make her life the most complicated?

Seeing Kurou's distant expression, Umie sighs, snapping her chopsticks apart. "You can always ask me for help, you know. For studying." Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if a reaction like that is due to Kurou being Kurou, or something beyond. For now, she assumes the former. "That's what I do for Amamiya-kun, and I'm more than happy to help you too."

Opening her take-out carton, she picks out some noodles and eats, thinking a little.

Offering a muted but grateful thank you for Kurou's tea, she takes a sip.

"We also... need to talk. About... what Shiryuu did." She hesitates. "... You know that the Phantom Thieves saved my life, right? And the people you fought that night, outside the Sanitarium.... you remember her being with Amamiya-kun way back, right, during the festival?"

Pause. ".... Did you heal okay, after that?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou snaps back to this reality with Umie's chopsticks. He holds his warm cup, venturing a sip before aborting it. The only evidence of his forlorn soul is the way his pupils dilate with unfulfilled desire. His tea is still too hot for his own sensitive tongue... He sets it down, and with her return, prepared to enjoy the meal with her. He, habitually, seems to not prefer eating before she is able to sit for her own meal if they are sharing food together.

"I do not wish to intrude on you more than I already have." Kurou looks down, then takes his own share of the order to begin nibbling at his fried rice. 'What Shiryuu did' will require more specifics, and Kurou does not wish to open his mouth and spill more information than Umie has. But the Phantom Thieves, rescuing Umie...

"I see." Kurou looks up from his carton. "I wish I had known that when Amamiya-san was asking me about them..." He taps his chopsticks idly to his lip. "Though I suppose that does not change my answer of appreciating their existence."

But could he have been more enthusiastic about it? Probably not. He's still Kurou.

And that girl...

"Unicorn-san. She is an impressive combatant. I look forward to meeting her on the battlefield again."

But there was a question in there, and Kurou regards Umie for a stretch of silence as he considers Joker's words about how Umie would worry about him, if something should happen...

"... I am no stranger to pain or injury, Akabane-san. I ask that you not let such fears concern you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Yeah, this isn't you doing anything wrong with our arrangement; I told you not to bring any Ryouhara business to my doorstep, after all." Umie gingerly sips her tea, realizing, yet again, Kurou has refused to eat before she sat down.

Quiet, a good listener, respectful, keeps his head down, doesn't volunteer information about himself. .... Honestly, she could see him and and someone like Ren becoming friends.

'I wish I had known that when Amamiya-san was asking me about them...' Wait. When did Ren ask Kurou.... oh, right, he would have... since he knows where... Or maybe Kurou stopped by that Triple 7 location again while Ren was on shift. "So, you stopped by the Triple 7 again, I take it?" she asks.

That, or Leblanc... though, if it's the latter, would that indicate that Kurou sought Ren out? But if that was the case, then... is Ren in danger?

But then again, if that was the case, Ren'd already be dead.

Umie, despite herself, stifles a laugh. "Yeah, Amamiya-kun and I are fans of them." Ren's just a normal kid, Umie theorizes. "I had a positive view of them before that night, too. A group of rebels, fighting against the corruption of society..." She grins, fingers tapping against her teacup.

That could have been a nice place to veer off this path, where Kurou and Umie could tak about the Phantom Thieves, and never think again about what subject brought up.

Just like Ren has nothing to fear from Kurou, unless the wrong person wanted him dead. Then, Kurou would set his opinions aside, and do his job.

.... Like with Minako. "Unicorn-san...?" Umie blinks, then stifles yet another laugh. "You're just as good at nicknames as I am, Ryouhara-kun."

That impulse to follow that train of thought is still there, going far and away from the more difficult issues at hand.

But...

"... I know that." Umie makes a face as she sets down the tea. "It's just... there'll come a day when we'll be on opposite sides. Shiryuu's made it clear that I should stand for what I believe in, but... that same freedom isn't extended to the two of you."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou gives a sharp nod as Umie points out not bringing Ryouhara business in. He has not endangered her, to his knowledge. The Phantom Thieves are her allies, and do not appear to operate with the sort of vengefulness that would cause his association with her to endanger her. If anything, they might mistakeningly attempt to defend her from him.

There would be worse things.

"Ah, no," Kurou corrects. "I was in the area and had a 'house blend' at Leblanc." Kurou attempts his tea again, a small test at first, and then letting a longer sip before responding. "Coffee has... a pleasant aroma to it."

Don't make Umie wait on such inane comments!!

He nods with her own assessment of the Phantom Thieves. "I had concerns about their conviction, but they proved me wrong. I have high hopes about their future progress." Much as Kurou has his own personal issues, his talk with Ren helped him understand they ''were'' personal, and largely selfish. That does not make them fade, but it does leave Kurou more thoughtful on how he will advance his own goals.

It is not likely theirs will coincide, given the Phantom Thieves' usual targets, though.

"Unicorn-san," Kurou repeats. "She was able to change Persona, and became a unicorn..." There is a small sparkle in his eye as he says this. Unicorns ''are'' beautiful animals... with swords on their heads. But Umie 'compliments' his nicknames, and guilelessly nods. "Thank you."

If Umie should pivot and follow any of these trains of thought, Kurou would be none-the-wiser. He is without any visible distress, sipping and enjoying his meal as his thought get to turn away from midterms. Yet Umie's face changes, and Kurou's shoulders wilt a fraction.

"... You are not incorrect." Kurou's gaze dips briefly before his eyes find Umie's, steeled with his resolve. "But that does not change that he speaks the truth. That is what you must do, regardless."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Ah, Umie, you did it again. Maybe, just maybe, Kurou went to get coffee, because Ren mentioned working there.

Umie's tilts her head, tucking a side bang behind one ear. "It really does, doesn't it? Leblanc has a nice feel to it, too." She's surprised it hasn't driven Ren up the wall when she prefers tutoring him there.

"I wonder what Amamiya-kun'd think of your tea-making abilities," she offers, again distracting herself away from the topic.

Umie lifts up her chopsticks and smiles, her eyelids lowering midway as she looks down at her food. "I wasn't sure if they really existed, to be honest. Like, maybe they just were wishful thinking among a bunch of students dealing with a really shitty situation." Her voice grows hushed. "... So when they came to my rescue, against the Old Maid... a part of me just rode on that, even if I was also scared of the Old Maid coming back to finish me off. I'm not..." She's always been the one who's had to save herself, time and time again.

You couldn't depend, or rely on anyone, outside of yourself.

"... I wish to see them succeed. So, similar to your views on them." Gathering another stick full of noodles, she slurps them up quietly. "I'll just have to double my efforts, to make up for Shiryuu's plans."

How precious, how trite. She won't make Kurou explain what happened, from his point of view; he wouldn't likely see any part of what he did as cruel or unjustified.

"Yes," Umie confirms. "She's one that can do that. Some can, and I'm not sure how, but... I think it has to do with their bonds. Or, maybe, how we're all not the same in how we access our Personas." She brings a hand to her neck, tapping a dark red nail there lightly. "Yours is like Unicorn-san's, isn't it? An Evoker." Just, without a gun, given Kurou's different mental layout.

"I know." She sighs, gazing at Kurou with red brown eyes. "I'll do it, when it comes to it. But... that doesn't mean that I'll kick you out, or that.... I blame you, directly. Even Shiryuu..."

Which...

Huh.

Her gaze lowers, her expression surprised. "I guess that, too, is part of what I believe in, even if it will likely... make me a lot of enemies I'd rather not have."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou nods slowly as if he is digesting Umie's suggestion at the same time he decides he agrees with it. "There was no one else there that day. I found it pleasant..." He pauses, looking into his tea. "... Rain would have been perfect."

That may be the midterms speaking.

"I would like to make him a cup someday. And to listen to whatever he might like to say. I spoke more than I am accustomed when I was there..." Unconsciously, Kurou touches his fingers to his throat. It had felt a little sore after, despite having coffee to wet and soothe it. Ren is an easy person to talk to.

Kurou's gaze locks onto Umie as she describes the situation with the Thieves. So it was the Old Maid who endangered her... Thanks to them, she finds herself safe. Still afraid, though, as Kurou worries some of the victims would be. It's a different situation than the change of heart... but isn't that why Shiryuu did what he did, acting on his own like that, when he should have asked Kurou...?

"You're not...?" She does not finish, and Kurou does not push beyond that. He simply nods again as she continues. "... They are fighting in a dangerous battlefield. They must hone themselves appropriately."

And time will tell whether or not they do. Kurou does not mind being a whetstone, either. Even if it means he must be occasionally cruel... for he could not throw as much cruelty at them as the world inevitably will.

Umie speaks of Wild Cards as a known factor and Kurou tilts his head to learn this. Those who, with bonds, can hold many selves in their soul... Kurou rights him as he responds about his Evoker. "Yes, I believe that is what it is called. I do not quite remember the acquisition..."

But he does have it, this ancient ninkou artifact with its Plume of Dusk.

"If you must kick me out, that is your right," Kurou assures her, voice gone quieter and softer. But to say it's also what she believes in, even if she makes enemies...

...

Kurou sets his chopsticks down gently.

"... Shiryuu-san once told me I should find a person who understands my ways, even if that person might think to kill him. You also deserve such a person. Or people. Not those who would become your enemies for what you believe in. ... There will be many enemies in this world, and maybe one day we will have to face each other. But it will not be because you are my enemy, Akabane-san."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "I can confirm." Perching her chin on an upright hand, her eyes cast past Kurou to the frosted sliding windows beyond. "It was a late summer rain, with just the right amount of thunder. The sort of day you could fall asleep to, or drink coffee. But." Her smile turns smug as she leans back in her crossed leg position, hands held palm up. "That's a similarity I have with you and Shiryuu: I'm a creature of rain."

But maybe, it's the midterms speaking for Kurou. "Though I wasn't born in Akita, like Shiryuu was." The smug bent of her grin dissolves, as her next sentence turns personal. "Are you from Akita too? Though... I assume not everyone in the family's from one area."

Nor would being born in Akita mean you like the rain, for that matter, but there's so many strange little mysteries about the Ryouharas that she couldn't help but ask.... despite her earlier decree, when Shiryuu had Kurou move in.

That's not as important to Umie, however, as realizing that Kurou may have found potential friendship with Ren. "You're welcome to use the apartment," Umie finds herself saying in her enthusiasm.

Ah, too late. She can't take it back. "... Just... give me a text, if you think I may be coming home. I can always find some errands to do." Ah, no, she should be more direct, Umie thinks. "What I mean to say is... I want you to have that ability, to invite someone over, without worrying about me coming in. Amamiya-kun's a sweetheart, but he's also very private. With one person there... he may open up a lot more."

She's trying to stop herself from smiling like a complete idiot, like she's proud of Kurou, but it doesn't stop herself from feeling that way. "Just... be careful," she murmurs instead. "You probably already account for this, but he doesn't have a Persona. Him being around me has nearly exposed him far more times than I'd like to... the sorts of things we all deal with." She sighs. "... I guess I do feel a little protective of him, in that way."

..... Damn it, Akechi, you were right, all along, if just about that one aspect.

Kurou picks up on that sentence fragment. "... I'm..." She wavers on the word, as Kurou further explains, before she chooses to be truthful. "I'm not one who's used to being saved. That is just the nature of things, when you've been on your own."

To hone themselves... ".... I see." People like Joker and Phoenix would definitely not see it like that, but Umie, with the benefit of freshly prepared tea and takeout, can see the logic.

'If you must kick me out, that is your right.' "No, I won't." Umie shakes her head. "You deserve a place to call home. And besides... I like you being here. I feel better, knowing you have a warm place to come to." She looks to the masks. ".... You probably saw it, but I wore the mask you made for me at the Sanitarium. It protected me." In more ways than one.

The way Kurou talks about Shiryuu... no wonder Phoenix found the two of them perplexing, even manipulative. The high-minded language could easily be twisted, if either of them were the type to be that way.

"Then, on that day, I ask that you extend the same process to me, when that time comes. Hone me, just like you honed the Phantom Thieves."

It would only be fair.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Umie Akabane describes a beautiful, magical moment, and with each word, Kurou's pupils grow a bit larger until his gold eyes become mostly black. His gaze loses focus as his mind's eye is a place with rain and that perfect amount of thunder. He sips his tea, and it almost tastes like coffee.

A creature of rain, indeed.

When Umie asks where Kurou's from, he hesitates, blinking back into awareness. "... I do not think so, given how our respective situations ended up. My apologies, I do not remember my childhood well."

He glances down again. It should be a simple question to answer. Surely he can remember a time he had to write his address, at least... But he sees a tiny hand pressing a pencil to paper and the words snake together into a scribble.

To be allowed to bring Ren to the apartment, though. Kurou perks back up and bows his head. He pauses as Umie reconsiders her words, then nods with more understanding. "... You provide a warm space as always." Even for Ren's preferences, too. "Thank you. I will provide ample warning and be sure to clean up after us."

It is not just the warmth of her home she wants for others, but a safety from the supernatural. Kurou nods slowly with the weight of understanding. "Should a supralunar incident occur, I will prioritize Amamiya-san's awareness and safety. Even if I have shinobi business, I respect this as the price of allowing visitation"

One can hope it won't ever get so serious as that in Umie's little apartment.

... Not used to be saved. Kurou falls silent. The nature of things, when you've been on your own. "... It is," he agrees, very quietly. He does not know what else to say, and finds himself lost admits his own silence, just as Umie had been.

But she is adamant that Kurou should have a home, and his eyes gain a small shine to them, reflecting the light of the TV more than they had moments ago. To like him being here... And the masks, too. He did see it.

"... I am glad that it was able to. A mask deserves such a purpose. And..." Kurou's brow pinches, just slightly, like the words have become difficult. "...It is... a little bit more freedom to stand for what I believe in."

Even if he cannot act directly, as she noted before.

Much as he struggles to say those words, they are themselves a distraction from an even more difficult admission to make. "And..." It is true, quite simply, and without any complication. Why should it be so difficult to say...? "... I like being here, too."

Kurou is much more at ease with her other request. It is comfortable for its familiarity and the confidence in which he can heed her request. He nods without reservation. "It will be done as you ask."

After all, honing a blade is mutually exclusive to ever needing to break it.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> It's a part of Kurou Umie secretly enjoys, much like how she enjoys watching Shiryuu fiddle with fixing something: it's those moments that stand apart from the quiet, deadly facets they display otherwise.

A creature who likes the rain, rather than one made of it, with a past that remains as vague as fog.

"You can always refuse, you know," Umie says, raising a finger and just on the verge of giving him a playful wink... when Kurou glances down once more with the air of something that feels painfully familiar.

".... It's okay," she tries instead, her voice growing gentle. "You can't live in the past, only the present."

At Kurou's compliment, Umie gives her gold-eyed roommate a half-grin. "What, are you two going to have a party?" She chuckles. "You can't be any worse than the mess my apartment normally is, before you moved in." Or.... can they...?

She'll just have to trust Kurou's word then...!

"Thank you." Is it a bad sign, that Umie's just grown to understand and accept the word 'supralunar' as another word for supernatural without so much as a blink? .... well she can blame Shiryuu for it later!!

It feels too naked to admit that, even to someone who's likely seen and experienced much worse, such as Kurou. In spite of these things, Kurou is still sixteen, an age that should be concerned with midterms, forging friendships, understanding his identity, among other things.

... To have a warm place to be, even if it's rather small. But maybe it's because of that size that it feels that way?

A bit more freedom, to stand for what he believes in.

"You are always free to make more masks, at any time. Especially if you need to feel a little more freedom."

She smiles, getting back to her food. "Just don't let Ren get away with thinking *I'm* a Phantom Thief, if he sees them." It'd be hard to hide her little craft corner each morning, after all, and it's not like he's seen the Phantom Thieves, right? Much less, why in the world would Phantom Thieves have paper maiche masks? She gives Kurou a wink. "It'd be a cute story though, right? To be a fan, and then realize a Phantom Thief had been working with you the entire time~ he'd never see it coming."

Slurp.

"I admit, it would be nice to be able to finally stretch myself out... but I'm not sure if I'd want to handle you before I have to. You're a different person in battle..." She shrugs, shifting to drink her tea. "But... so am I."

Both the Gashadokuro and the Badb are creatures of death and vengance, after all.

"I should ask, on lighter subjects," Umie says, despite not properly broaching it, "with the weather getting colder, is there anything you need to keep warm? It got chilly here when I moved in April, and I imagine it'll be even moreso as it gets later into fall."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou shakes his head gently at the idea of refusing such a simple question, or maybe he didn't quite hear her as he tries to focus those thoughts. As she comforts him, he looks up again, and he nods. "That... is true." It lifts a small weight, and makes it feel a little less important to try and push past the haze over his mind.

A party? Kurou, worryingly, stops to consider. "... No. I do not believe Amamiya-san and I would enjoy a party between us." They are both the type who needs others to do the partying so they can quietly enjoy the atmosphere.

... It's likely the worst mess that could happen is Kurou accidentally spilling matcha powder. Though no doubt Kurou might be the type to become devastated should he spill it onto something he fears is important and could not clean it well enough.

Yet this warm, little place they share... Is this also freedom? There is a slight sparkle to Kurou's eye as Umie invites him to create more masks. Yes, it is quite likely he will end up doing just that.

"Hmm..." Kurou considers as Umie wishes to avoid being seen as a Phantom Thief. "Amamiya-san might like making masks, if he likes Phantom Thieves." A cute story, though... "In a way, you protect people much like one. So is the story already cute...?"

Nibble.

"Battle is a type of freedom itself. Especially with a Persona. There are things that can be felt in a fight that cannot be felt elsewhere." Kurou may not realize some people do not find this universal, or at least, do not find all of those feelings to be positive things. "Do not squander that freedom. I will be able to survive it."

This could easily seem a statement of overconfidence. The wording is particular: he is not claiming he will assuredly be the ''victor'', only that he will ''survive''.

Even mentioning cold weather has Kurou absently wrapping his fingers around the warmth of his teacup. At first, Kurou begins to shake his head, a polite declination readied on his lips. He stops himself, with all the times Umie has offered her help in sincere desire to see small wishes fulfilled.

It is with a kind of subtle shyness that Kurou looks back up at Umie.

"Would it be all right to... keep one of those furry throws in the living room...?"

That might be a little cumbersome, or throw off her intended decor. But to have a big, fuzzy blanket on hand to burrow into...

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> There are things missing in Umie's memory, shattered like minute shards of glass across her psyche.

Plucking them and reassembling them is only an exercise in blood and tears, and yet Umie keeps doing it, like that little hand in Kurou's memory, trying to write an address.

That moment Kurou uses to consider Umie's question, though... there's some memories Umie would like to not make.

_It's always the quiet ones_!!

"Maybe you just need to throw the sort of party people like you and Amamiya-kun would enjoy," Umie muses, with a half-smile. "Though I suppose that's something that may require more than one act of hanging out together."

If it means Kurou finding some freedom in himself and his friendships, and Ren in finding another friend, well, could Umie really say no?

(.... she swears, she was not this sort of sentimental person when she was merely two years younger. Is this a sign of her senpai nature evolving?!)

"Alright. I'll make sure I keep a few prepared masks around. If you two want to paint a few, I wouldn't mind at all." Ah! Umie makes a show of crossing her arms and making a theatrical laugh, which quickly dissolves into an embarrassed snort. "Thankfully, I prefer being my own sort of menance."

Which leads to...!

".... Perhaps..." Umie pauses over the subject, like she was taking a sip of it like her tea. "That is where Gashadokuro and Badb connect. We fight in different ways, but there is a certain... joy, in how we fight." Her view of Kurou's abilities is limited; she hasn't had to be on the opposite side of a fight from him, just yet. "A young me wondered why a part of me was this dark, violent, loud, decadent thing, but as I grew older, it felt like it could be no one else but the Badb. I imagine... it's like that and Gashadokuro, for you. Something that emerges from the grave, and refuses to back down." She closes her eyes. "I will not waste your kindness, that day, even if I hope it doesn't come."

The shine in her eyes when she opens them admits the other side of that wish: that the Badb in her awaits the day, as well.

There will come a day that Umie will have to come to terms with the cruelties Shiryuu and Kurou have visited on Phoenix and the Phantom Thieves that came to rescue them, but for now, this will have to do, especially as a part of Umie's heart melts at seeing Kurou admit to wanting something.

She asks the question that may have changed so many things, in Shiryuu's eyes.

"What color?" Maybe it will be green or maybe blue, this time, but she'll want to hear it in Kurou's own voice.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Blurry, foggy memories. He does not try very often himself. They are washed away and darkened. He is not sure getting back what lies on the other side of most of them would be satisfying. It is the simple questions that get him.

"... A tea party," Kurou considers aloud, with an entirely straight face. By now, Umie's probably used to him not being a typical teenage boy.

Maybe a tea ceremony is more accurate to Kurou's imagination, who is not, himself, imagining himself at a garden table serving tea to stuffed animals. Rather, this mental image shall be inflicted on those who observe.

Umie offers masks, and Kurou's brow furrows again. "... Mask party." Does that... count as a party...? It may well to someone with Kurou's subdued nature. He leaves his struggling party thoughts to see Umie become theatrical, and Kurou claps his hands together in near silence as a show of wonder.

His sincerity can be awfully childish, this one.

... And it can be brutal, as Umie notes of Gashadokuro. Umie understands the joy, too. Umie and Badb, Kurou and Gashadokuro... He nods. "Yes. Gashadokuro and I... we will not rest. Not until our task is seen through."

A given task in that moment -- in this moment, a promise to hone a blade -- or the task he would stake his life on? Would Kurou himself be self-aware enough to know? Either way, the shine in Umie's eye promises that, though they may not wish such a future... they will find a joy in it.

For now, his capacity for cruelty is pushed aside because... fuzzy blanket.

To be prompted to go as far as to choose the ''color'' of such a thing strike Kurou dumbfounded for a small moment. It should not really matter, like the umbrella. Except... perhaps, like the umbrella, it does?

"... Dark red."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Indeed, Kurou is not a typical teenage boy, but that's likely what made her comfortable with the idea of letting her share an apartment together.

A tea party, or a mask party.

"Sounds like a great idea, either way."

It'd be interesting to see what these two move towards, and what they come up with.

Though Umie almost feels embarrassed when Kurou claps for her performance. "... Aha... ah.... You don't have to clap..." It wasn't a serious attempt, Kurou!!

"Your task..." If only Umie could say hers is that direct; it feels more like a reaction to a situation.

She opens her mouth, wanting to ask what his task is, but decides to let that topic sit, for another time.

There are more important matters to attend to, like fuzzy blanket colors.

"A-ha. Have I convinced you it's a good color?" Umie raises her fingernails and wiggles them. "... I'm going to have to switch to using up another one of my bottles of polish, though, so if I can find a blanket in that color, it'll be a good way to remember it..."

Alas, her other bottles of nail polish must be used up before she dare buys another; with newfound freedom comes financial responsibility. (... well, after a few months, it did, anyway, after Umie was forced to consider how much nail polish could actually cut into her tight budget.)

"I'll be on the lookout, though if you see what you want in a store someplace, let me know." She considers. "Or, better yet... I bet Shiryuu knows a few stores. He's a better shopper than I am when it comes...." She ahems, dipping her voice to try to match Shiryuu's tones: "...to the latest technology."

please don't clap kurou she deserves nothing
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-03-09: A Lonely Shrine's Secret

2026-03-14T20:17:50Z

Tanyuu:

*'''Log: A Lonely Shrine's Secret'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Jun Kashihara]], [[Tamaki Uchida]]
*'''Where:''' Mt. Katatsumuri
*'''OOC Date:''' March 09, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 07, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Umie and Tamaki meet up with Jun at Mt. Katatsumuri, to look for an old, tiny shrine to Master Fuyou. On the way, Tamaki and Umie give Jun some tips, but there's something that one of the two is withholding information on...''

----

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> The overcast weather of Saturday has given over to a sunny clear day, making the mountain perfect for hiking. The sanitarium and the immediate surroundings are cordoned off for now, due to the recent 'gas leak', but enough time has passed that Mt. Katatsumuri has become open again, due to it being prime time to see the beginning warm shades of fall.

When Jun reached out to either Umie or Tamaki, word was passed around from one to the other. For someone who has, on many occasions, simply shown a curious person a thing, landmark, or most likely very dangerous phenomenon herself, Umie strangely didn't want to do this one by herself.

So here Umie is, exiting the bus stop, her newly washed duffle bag slung over one shoulder. Her guise is likewise very casual: a pair of comfortable jeans and a comfortble grey heather hoodie, with dark red woven half gloves. Adjusting one of her usual blonde buns, both gathered at the bottom of her head than the top, she taps the front sole of her red sneakers against the dirt path in a nervous tell of her actual mood.

"You'd think people'd be staying far away," Umie quietly comments to Tamaki and Jun whenever they arrive, as some hikers walk by out of earshot. "But I guess having to come across unexpected phenomenona is just part of the charm."

And besides, it's a nice day, as long as you don't get turned into a zombie.

"According to the map, the shrine is about the midpoint; if we had made a left over here..." She points at the unfolded pamphlet, which shows a general layout of various landmarks and hiking trails. "If we hadn't come around this way," she begins, tapping a dark red nail to a point further down, "We would've come across it, looks like."

She looks up. "Shall we go?" She looks to Jun. "Ah, if you weren't clued in by my earlier comment, if we run into trouble, you'll find we'll be able to, uh, summon our 'helpers'--" she's keeping an eye on those hikers to make sure they don't overhear "--but, we didn't have *that* much trouble."

It'd be a good time for a pleasant chat!! Ha ha ha anything but to actually talk about the really creepy connotations this all has ha ha hhaaaaaa
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' a beautiful afternoon to go on a stroll through Mt. Katatsumuri. Jun isn't much of one for hiking, being rather un-athletic, but a nature walk is a nice backdrop for the conversation he's about to have with Umie and Tamaki. Hyousuke had advised him to reach out to the latter in regards to gaining experience with his Persona, so Jun had called right after, and that led to an agreement to meet up at Mt. Katatsumuri to research something Umie and Tamaki had discovered--or need to discover--just the other day.

Jun's wearing comfortable shoes, dark slacks and a green pinstriped button-up shirt, light and breezy yet also capable of keeping in warmth with its long sleeves. In his breast pocket, there's a purple anemone. In hanakotoba, it means, 'I will trust you and wait.'

He leaves the bus stop with Umie and Tamaki, looking around at the path ahead of them and at the nearby hikers. "I suppose there's no dissuading some people," he murmurs back. "That's a good thing. We can't progress as a society if we only ever do as those in charge tell us to. I hope they don't get themselves hurt in the process, though."

In other words, it's fine if they go hiking, just don't get too close to the sanitarium...

Jun looks at the pamphlet and the point Umie points out. He nods at her question and at her warning. He almost hopes for trouble. As he told Hyousuke, he needs to gain experience with his 'helper.'

"So, I'm a little unclear, still," he says as the three of them start walking. "What about this shrine did you think would be relevant to me? I'm not a very religious person, I'm afraid." He trusts that there ''is'' something, it's just not obvious to him what it would or could be.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki arrives to the mountain trail in a wine-red long-sleeved blouse worn over a forest green blouse, paired with beige slacks and running shoes. As usual, her rokumonsen choker is on prominent display.

She has some experience in the matter that Umie comments on, and she shakes her head. "There will always be rubberneckers to some degree. Part of rumor control is knowing how to redirect their attention if necessary."

Like keeping a bunch of high school students safely contained in shelter at St. Hermelin. ''You must have just been daydreaming.''

The map draws her gaze. "I see ... shame about the trail signs at the time, then. We had some trouble making our way through anywhere because of that."

At Umie's explanation to Jun, Tamaki nods and turns to the latter. She has a number of burning questions for him, but those can -- and must -- wait. "You ''are'' pretty new to all this ... Has anyone given you a crash course on the subject yet? It's a lot to adjust to, and we can fill you in sometime." (Hyousuke's suggestion was right on the mark, it seems -- she didn't even need prompting!) "The two of us are slightly unusual in that we've had several years to get accustomed to it, you see."

As for Jun's own pressing question, she turns to Umie and gives her a meaningful glance. After the events at the sanitarium, "I'm not really a religious person either," says the rokumonsen-bearer. "How do I put this ..? -- You'll see the resemblance soon enough."

Given talk of other worlds and remembering, this might not be the best idea. On the other hand, this may be a chance to cut through delusion ... provided that's even what it is in the first place.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie's eyes look over the purple anemone in Jun's pocket, then up to Jun himself. "Kashihara-kun. Glad you could make it." Is that... hanakotoba? Come to think of it, wasn't there other times he has had flowers on his person?

A question for later, maybe.

"... Mm." Umie's eyelids lower a touch at Jun's words, noting the circumstances. Yes, if he simply did as others told him to, would he have taken ahold of his fate? Or Tamaki, for that matter. To someone who seemingly 'woke up' with a Persona, it's something to think about, to see something from another side of the 'barrier'. "You're right. We wouldn't. But also, maybe it'd be a good idea for me to take a few hikes, now and then, eh?" She bobs her head towards Tamaki, with a half grin, as she halfway folds up her map so that only the panel with the relevant detail is displayed. "And yeah. Most people have Awakened recently, maybe within the past year at most. If you're not one for hiking, or... even if you are, depending on how your Persona is, you may notice a difference as we go up."

Yet, when Jun asks his question, Umie shares that look towards Tamaki, then back. "It's..." Umie's lips turn, distractedly glancing back towards the trail, and back at her map, all for instinctive want of a distraction. "... I'm not... particularly religious, either." Hopefully, this shrine will be small enough that she *won't* feel...

Maihime Amano, Junnosuke Kuroda, and Tatsunoshin Suou. Even if the guide was just having a laugh at their expense... there'd be no way those names would be so similar. Well, except for Junnosuke's, but...

Tamaki comes in handy, in this situations. "Yeah." She begins up the trail, looking back. "Those signs'll likely be a lot easier to see, right now.

..... and further in?

".... Jun, this may be a weird stretch, but... The surname Kuroda. Is it familiar to you, in any way?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
Jun always has flowers on him, really. Whether his school uniform or his street clothes, he habitually has a flower of some kind in his breast pocket. Considering how he wielded a lilac as a weapon against Sudou, though, Umie could just be noticing. That sort of thing stands out.

"I've spoken with Suou-san," that is, Katsuya Suou; Jun calls the younger brother just Tatsuya, "and Akechi-kun, and of course you know Suzuki-kun advised me to reach out to you... but we spoke more about Sudou-san and Tatsuya than anything else," Jun tells Tamaki. Well, Hyousuke also suggested he go learn martial arts from Mutou-sensei, which was kind of him, but Jun doesn't really like exercise... not that he wanted to tell Hyousuke that and seem ungrateful.

The news that Tamaki and Umie both have ''years'' of experience gets a pair of widened eyes, though--especially since Umie clarifies most Persona Users around have only awoken within the past year or so. "Oh, really? Then Suzuki-kun really did point me in the right direction." He bows his head. "Anything either of you could let me know or advise me on, I'd deeply appreciate. I already know that I shouldn't try to train on my own."

He straightens up in time to see that Look that Tamaki and Umie exchange. His eyes flick down towards the rokumonsen when Tamaki claims not to be religious, but he doesn't say anything. Instead, he nods at the suggestion that he simply wait and see. He understands sometimes things are just like that.

A difference, though, huh... "I'm not much of one for exercising. I prefer intellectual pursuits over physical ones," he says, a touch apologetically. "I've got enough knowledge of martial arts to be able to defend myself, though I wouldn't call myself a martial artist. Beyond that..."

He trails off; this gives Umie time to ask about the name Kuroda. Jun stills for a second, before he moves on. "Not... exactly. But it does sound similar to my mother's maiden name, Kurosu." He pauses. "...Why do you ask?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
The first time Tamaki saw Jun, she took stronger notice of his tendency to wear flowers ... but she's seen him often enough to know that the flowers are, in fact, simply a constant feature on Jun's person -- though which one he's chosen today may still be a surprise.

She had sidestepped commenting on Jun's earlier remark about how a little bit of rebellion is good now and then. She chimes in after Umie. "I literally would not be standing here if I had done as I was told." Her tone is matter-of-fact; no, she will not elaborate.

Katsuya, Akechi, and Hyousuke. A bit of a green collection, at least by Tamaki's estimation. "That makes sense. Even without your ... ''circumstances''," meaning the dream that must remain a dream, "this isn't stuff that the average joe should get wrapped up in. Those fights are outright deadly without the protection that a 'helper' affords."

Well ... she may not elaborate more about herself, but she'll talk a little more about others. "Yeah. Five years ago for me. This is the third 'wave' that I've noticed. Myself, then later some of my high school classmates, and now you and the others." After a beat, she turns to Umie and remembers. "Correction: fourth. Akabane-san predates even myself."

Tamaki clears her throat and covers her neck when she realizes Jun took notice of her choker. She covers her mouth and snickers mischievously, knowing she was 'caught' on something. " -- yeah, I know how that sounds wearing this. Do you have something that serves as a focus for your 'helper'? Well, this is mine."

As she was known at St. Hermelin, Tamaki 'Muscle Freak' Uchida grins at Jun's disdain for exercise. "Ahahaha! Aw, c'mon! The physical and intellectual can overlap sometimes! Fencing gets compared to chess, for instance. If you do target practice with those flowers, you're still using your brain when you take aim, aren't you?"

"Well, that's the extent of the resemblance you have to one of the figures in question, so far as I'm aware. If it were you in isolation, this wouldn't be as much of a concern. However ..." Tamaki curls a finger over her chin as she continues walking. "Once is a coincidence. Twice is happenstance. But three times ..."

Tamaki shrugs and decides to see if they're four-for-four. "What about the surname 'Fuyou'? Does that ring a bell at all? In a historical context, mind you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "RIght, right, but, as you point out, we have Personas," Umie quips over her shoulder, the outermost edge of her smile growing a touch sharp. "And I haven't died yet, so I *must* be doing something right."

FLASHBACK TO: Umie putting her hand in a suspicious statue's open mouth, as just _one example_

SPEAKING OF THAT. "Ah, Suzuki-kun? He's quite the pistol, isn't he...?"

Umie seems to puff up slightly as Tamaki points out how she predates even Tamaki. Is that... pride? (Yes, it's pride.) Given that Umie looks to be the same age as Tamaki at best? "Ehhh. I just have a lot of experience with chatting with demons and being chased by shadows."

At the mention of 'circumstances', however, Umie places a finger close to her chin. "... By the way, Kashihara-kun. How have you been hanging in there, yourself? An Awakening by itself isn't exactly... a walk in the park, you could say," she starts walking up the trail and pausing to look back at the map, "but everything else you went through, on top of that..." Perhaps better not to continue down that path; Jun may want to avoid thinking about it as well. "... Also," she then says, changing the subject, "have you heard at all from Takk- er, Tatsuya-kun?" Maybe also a bad thing to ask, in light of what nearly happened, but concern marks her gaze.

The talk of physical and intellectual overlap brings a memory of Umie's own. "Eh, I was a 'doctor's note' kind of girl, in high school, so sports wasn't my forte either. But during the Dark Hour... different story." An understatement, to be sure. "Okay, here's our turn. Should be coming up."

Indeed-- as Umie thinks about it, the clearer the details become, when she reviews the flowers she's seen Jun wear... and use, even. ".... They... have a meaning, don't they? The flowers." She turns, pointing to the anemone in Jun's pocket.

There's a place she's going with this, aside from 'going further up the trail'. "Areas that you can summon your Persona also relate to how you defend yourself-- you've probably found that out, in the battle at the Sanitarium. The language of the things you use, even if they're made of day-to-day items, will speak louder." Though... Tamaki mentioning her choker as a 'focus'...

".... You mean, for weapons?"

There's a swhish of a breeze through the reddening canopy above, as Umie's eyes stay on the choker, thinking. ".... Oh, right. It's... just up here, guys. I guess, it's just a small place. No wonder that guide was looking for it..."

Indeed, there's a clearing up ahead, consisting of an old sign and a wooden offering box, serving as a sort of small shrine to someone's memory. Theold sign reads: 'This shrine is for the founder of the Gouketsu School of martial arts. Master Fuyou. Master Fuyou's original name was Junnosuke Kuroda, and he served under Tatsunoshin Suou.'

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
Jun chuckles when Tamaki weighs in on not doing as one's told. "Good for you, Uchida-san." He sobers. The reason for his current flower is the same reason why he continues, "Of course, there ''are'' cases where it's prudent to do as you're told... It's just something one shouldn't do blindly."

He sighs at the deadly nature of fights without a 'helper.' Doesn't he know it. If Sudou hadn't specifically wanted him alive, he doesn't think he'd have survived everything he's gone through up 'til now to even make it to Awakening.

Suzuki-kun, a pistol? ...Jun thinks he understands what Umie means by that. Not that he was in a place to have broad focus in either of the last two Persona fights he was in, but he ''did'' notice that Hyousuke has a particularly violent style of fighting. But then, it's hard to blame him, after seeing the kind of enemies that showed up at the Morimoto Sanitarium.

"Three waves in five years?!" Four, actually, but if Umie Awoke before Tamaki did, it still counts. "That's staggering... I could never have imagined that so many..." He glances around. "''Unusual'' things have happened in places I'd never seen until now." He looks at Umie curiously. "How much experience ''do'' you have, Akabane-san?" But first she asks him how ''he's'' been doing, and he gives her a faint smile. "Not as badly as you might fear. Awakening to Argeiphontes has helped in a number of ways. I ''have'' been tired since then, but... I'm here, aren't I?"

His eyelashes droop at the mention of Tatsuya. "...Not since he helped rescue me from Sudou-san this past Wednesday. But I'm sure he's all right. Sudou-san asked Suou-san to pass a message on to him, so he must be alive and... more or less well." When Umie points out their turn, he follows without remark.

He looks back at Tamaki as she snickers and covers her neck. "A focus? I don't think so..." But even as he says it, something comes to mind. Jun reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver lighter engraved with the text: ''The most precious things cannot be seen.'' If either Umie or Tamaki have read it, it's a quote from ''The Little Prince''. "...Do you happen to mean something like this? It was a gift from my father, and I carry it with me wherever I go. It helps keep me calm. When I was imprisoned by Sudou-san, it anchored me, just the tiniest bit, to sanity." It was still a very close thing by the end... but it might have made a difference by the very end.

Either way, he soon tucks it back into his pocket. He shrugs affably when Tamaki laughs at him. "Oh, I understand what you're saying." He smiles back. "But I'd still rather not get sweaty if I can help it. The scent of my flowers shouldn't be forced to compete." He glances down at his, fingers rising to caress its petals, as Umie points it out. "Yes. It varies depending on whether you're using Victorian or Japanese flower language, but each flower has a secret meaning. In hanakotoba, a purple anemone means..." He smiles fondly as his lashes flutter briefly shut. "'I will trust you and wait.'"

The language of the things he uses... Jun touches his chin. If it were just flowers, that'd be one thing, but if she's applying this to just about anything, he's not sure he follows. He's not sure ''Umie'' follows, given her own confusion about what Tamaki means by a 'focus.' He glances between the two and keeps his silence.

Three times... That seems ominous to Jun, and that concern reflects on his beautiful features. At least the next name is new to him; he takes a moment to think about it, just to be sure, then shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. Who is that supposed to be?"

But before an answer can come, the wind blows through the canopy and whispers through the leaves. Jun looks up--it's a beautiful yet eerie sound--but then looks forward as the three of them enter the clearing and approach a small wooden Shinto shrine. His gaze is questioning... until they get close enough to read the sign. Master Fuyou... So that's who he is. But his original name...

"Junnosuke Kuroda... and Tatsunoshin Suou," Jun reads aloud, troubled. Now he sees what Tamaki was talking about. "Sudou-san was saying I should go by the name Jun Kurosu... Is this related to that...?"

But if it is, why is 'Junnosuke' the servant of 'Tatsunoshin'? Sudou always made it sound as though he should be a rabid beast. ...Then again, Sudou is far from a reliable narrator. Jun wonders what Tatsuya would have to say about this...

He shakes his head. "We shouldn't try to ask Tatsuya about this. He wouldn't tell us anyway--no doubt for our own good," he says softly.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki nods in agreement and smiles at Jun in return, hoping to provide some levity. "You get it, you get it. Hence 'a little bit' of rebellion. In either case, act with intention!"

"Mmm. Suzuki-kun has a good heart, but he's stubborn. Reminds me of someone else we all know, at least in that regard." Whoever could she mean? "He shows up at the Agency fairly frequently to report on defeated Rumor Demons, too."

Mention of Jun's fellow classmate reminds her of something that may put another appearance of hers into perspective. "Ohhhh. Kashihara-kun, by the way: the shelter underneath Kasugayama High? Absolutely riddled with Demons. I hear they come out at night, too." Tamaki holds up a finger and clarifies a further point. "But! Don't tell Marlowe-sensei; he'd be in danger if he ventured in. You might be able to tell who is and who isn't Awakened, there's a sensation that ... ''often'' accompanies it."

At least three waves in five years. While she didn't catch what Eriko and Mark had discussed after the fight, she ''did'' catch onto the fact that in Sudou's room, Eriko mentioned that Kandori had died ... yet apparently, Nyarlathotep lives on. They might not be as distinct as described.

Umie's description of Awakenings as 'not a walk in the park' causes Tamaki to sputter. "Yeah, mine sure wasn't." To Jun, she offers, "Well, if it helps any, I take it as reassurance that we're not alone. Using your Persona will tire you out, so it's important to get proper rest -- we've got enough hands to give the folks who need it a bit of a break. Give someone else a ring to fill in and they likely will!"

She bites the inside of her cheek at Tatsuya's name. "... Stubborn kid."

yeah that's probably who she meant

Tamaki's expression grows distant and wistful when Jun describes what purple anemone means. Her hand idly clasps tighter around her choker.

"Huh? Eh? Weapons?" Tamaki blinks at Umie in confusion, wide-eyed. "No, those are different." After listening to ''her'' explanation, she snaps her fingers and points. "That ''is'' true, admittedly. The sword I use is just the sabre I once used in fencing practice for sport. Here -- "

She rummages around in her sports bag to bring out the aforementioned weapon, manufactured by a sporting goods company, blunt under normal circumstances -- while faded, the logo is plainly visible on the underside of the bell guard. (There ''are'' some aftermarket additions in the form of pink and yellow stones set on the pommel and hilt, but those surely couldn't serve any practical purpose, right ..?) "Outside of places like this, this won't cut or pierce a damn thing, buuut in here, because it convincingly looks like a sword and people think of swords as sharp, sooooo I've managed to go through suits of armor like it was a hot knife going through butter. The same principle applies generally; for example, model guns, or the confidence you wield your flowers with."

She peers over at Jun's lighter when he brings it out. Her expression remains pensive while he explains, then she nods conclusively when he finishes. "Yeah, if it's that important to you, ''that'', on the other hand, is likely your focus. Mine's ... well, a reminder of a debt that I owe, let's say."

While she has a guess about Umie's, she gives her an out. "For some others, it's their masks. Regardless, an 'anchor' is a good way of describing it."

Is 'Kurosu' related to 'Kuroda'? Tamaki gives a shrug. "Maybe not directly, but it's hard to say at this juncture. Who knows if it's even legitimate?" She presses her hands together and lowers them forward. "How much do you know about how Rumors work in Sumaru City?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Three waves in five years. "Surprised me too," Umie ponders, tapping a nail to her chin. "It would have been easy for me to believe everything was relatively recent. Still, the number of us that have experience going back further than a year is still very small." She directs her gaze to Tamaki. "Except for those Hunters we encountered a few times, but it's unclear how long they've been Awakened, especially when they may be operating under the same assumptions I've made up until recently." goddamn stuck-up snobs, even passing on their self-importance to that kid...

Jun asks a completely logical question, given what Tamaki outlined. Yet, there's a pause from Umie, as she considers, her eyes looking back and pondering the path below the two of them for a moment.

Akechi did warn about explaining too much, but that would be in regards to Gozen, right? This is perfectly harmless, Umie decides, especially if it may explain to Tamaki just why Umie was so surprised to learn that the Dark Hour was a result of something Kirijo Corp did.

"2003," she says, capping it with a casual shrug of her shoulders, though she shoots a wry smile at Tamaki over her laugh over Umie's understatement of how an Awakening can go.

What's important to Umie, however... '... but... I'm here, aren't I?' It's hearing how Jun is handling. The words tick a necessary box for for Umie, whose eyes shine impishly, coupled with an impish smile. ".... Ah. That's the spirit, right there."

Tatsuya, however, is a different matter. "... Damn it... he's laying low again." Jun has faith Tatsuya is well; Umie wishes she could be so gracious. He's the only one with a Mark not under the thumb of the NWO. What the Mark means, and what lies behind it... (Given Tatsuya's comments about 'him', it's easy to assume he, too, has a voice that tells him so many, many complicated, devilish little things.)

As Jun brings out his lighter, Umie's sneakers pad the dirt path, the short blonde coming in for a closer look, managing to read the quote on the side as it catches the dappled forest light. "... What a precious thing to have..."

She wishes she had something like that.

The ugly little envious thought is briefly set away by the power of flower language, as Jun shares, and explains. 'I will trust you and wait.' "The most precious things cannot be seen.' indeed," Umie breathes softly, seeing the way Jun closes his eyes.

"... Then, I'll have faith in him too, then," Umie says, instead, with a soft smile, remembering the potted plant in her own apartment.

Tamaki explains the concept of resonance, and Umie, distracted from her thoughts, nods. "You... probably don't remember my comment pertaining to it way back, Kashihara-kun, but you may notice now, if you concentrate: there's a difference, between me and Uchida-san." Namely, where there is a resonance for Tamaki, there is none for Umie herself. "Some people are able to disguise this 'sense', whether intentionally, or automatically, and even more... like with that Bride that attacked us outside the Sanitarium."

Masks. Umie lets out a laugh, but catches on. "Yeah. It's a bit of a pain, having to make your own, but it *does* mean I get to accessorize." She wiggles her nails close to her face, ala 'jazz hands'. "But I'm not a proper Mask-san-- those people you'll see, every once in a while."

A symbol of a debt owned. A lighter, that centered its owner. Come to think of it, it was the mask that Kurou made for her, and touching the edges of those paint strokes, that centered Umie at the sanitarium. ".... Could it be the bonds that these symbolize..." she murmurs, softly, half to herself, but not caring if Tamaki and Jun overhear.

But the shrine... well, that's another matter entirely. Tamaki, as always, rounds up to the point of the matter: that of rumors. "... There was a third name, that the guide mentioned: Princess Mai-ch-- Maihime Amano."

She opens her mouth--

".... yeah, better to explain, before we go further," she says, instead, with a muted clearing of her throat.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, he told me about those bounties you offer. I don't have a particular need for extra money, though, so I'll leave them to him--he said he needs to save up," Jun tells Tamaki. "That said, I ''am'' interested in gaining experience with my Persona... I don't particularly ''want'' to fight, but--" He frowns, expression darkening. Sudou had said that to enforce one's will on others, one needs to have power and the willingness to use it. Not that Jun's generally willing to hear him out, but ironically, he had a point. He won't be able to count on ''other'' supernatural menaces wanting to keep him alive, which means he needs to gain the strength to stop them as necessary. "--I understand its necessity," he softly concludes.

His eyes widen at the news about the demons in the air raid shelter. This is both shocking and completely un-shocking. He can only nod at the warning not to tell Marlowe-sensei. "A sensation...? I haven't noticed it yet, but perhaps I'm simply too new. I'll try to concentrate on that."

And indeed, when he focuses on it as Umie instructs, he ''does'' sense something from her and Tamaki both--something distinct and unique to each of them. It's a strange sensation... That's something else he'll have to practice with. For now, he nods at the news that using a Persona is tiring--so it's not just him, or the fact that he's so new. He'll have to keep that in mind going forward, too--including how not everyone will give off that sense.

2003, though--that's almost ten years ago! Jun's shocked stare says it all. "Hunters?" he echoes--but then shakes his head. "No, you'd better tell me about them later. For now, I'll accept that there's a small but significant number of extra-experienced Persona Users."

He smiles at her own mischievous approval. Not that he needs it, but it's nice to have. "Thank you," he says of his lighter. He's glad, too, that Umie's faith in Tatsuya is--ignited? restored?--by his own. Hearing that he can have that kind of influence on others just by being true to himself is also heartening. "He is, but I'm sure he has good reason for it. We'll meet again, sooner or later."

He sees Tamaki's gaze grow distant when he relates the meaning of the purple anemone. Is there someone she loves who's far away from her too right now...? Jun's gaze turns sympathetic, but he holds his tongue. The same goes for the 'debt' she references. He's curious, but it sounds like the sort of thing she'd rather not go into right now.

But Tamaki explains more about weapons and how that's separate from a focus, and he considers the blunted saber she pulls out of her bag. "How interesting... I'll have to keep that in mind," he muses. The things he could do with enough confidence... He smiles.

"I see. It does feel right," he says of his lighter being his focus/anchor. But... the bonds they symbolize? Jun blinks at Umie, but doesn't remark. His lighter definitely represents the bond he has with his father... Instead, he echoes, "'Mask-sans'?" He thinks back to his rescue, and something clicks. "Do you mean like those Phantom Thieves?"

As for rumors: "I understand that they will sometimes come true, but I don't really understand how or why. I don't tend to listen to rumors anyway--I'm openly gay, you see, so I've learned to tune them out," he explains. (This might confirm a lot about his behavior with Tatsuya. Stubborn indeed.) "I suppose now that I have the power to do something about it, I'll have to change that."

Umie shares the third name before Jun has a chance to ask. With this one, he immediately sees the link. "Maihime Amano... Maya Amano-san? But why her?" he utters, eyes wide. He ''does'' feel very comfortable and at ease around her, and when they first met, it didn't feel like the first time, but...

He suddenly gets a bad feeling.

Is she also involved in whatever forgotten shared past he has with Tatsuya and Sudou? And if she is... He furrows his eyebrows and gestures at the sign. "Are you suggesting that this shrine and the history it references are themselves the products of rumors?" If that's true, what does that mean for the rest of them?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki nods along with Umie. "I've told Akabane-san here before that I've wanted to be the person I would have liked to have when I was first unceremoniously thrust into the deep end."

At Jun's reply regarding rumor demons, Tamaki slumps forward with a tired expression on her face. "I mean the money's one thing, but it's really ... helping the community ..." Helping lighten her own workload, more like.

As for the Wild Hunt -- well, she gets along with Vivienne just fine! But discussion of them is for later. "I don't know all that much about them ... other than that they've also contributed to taking down Rumor Demons."

She initially remains skeptical about Tatsuya 'having a good reason' to lay low; the look on her face is absolutely dour. Then she remembers the nature of what Jun's been put through, and her expression mollifies. "Here's hoping."

Even if she waits forever, she may not ever be able to pay the debt back. It may be all she can do to pay it forward to others. 'Being the person she could have used' and all that. She very much does not want to get into it, and wordlessly gives Jun a warm nod when he repeats how a focus can represent bonds. Same in her case.

"We do mean the Phantom Thieves by that, yes," Tamaki confirms. "There's more, but they take all shapes and forms. You get the gist for now."

What was it that Tamaki had said before, Umie? To get a song out of your head, replace it with a different one?

She'll get to rumors in a bit, but first:

Jun's gay, but that's something Tamaki knew from his mother's advocacy, at ''minimum''. "... I'm not so open about myself in that regard. I'd all but given up ... but I'm rethinking that after what your mother had said, and as well as ... some ''other'' people I've become acquainted with recently, including the Bride and Groom from last night." Tamaki lowers her head. "Poor girls."

Tamaki holds up a finger as she explains. "I mention it only as a possibility. In this environment, it's hard to know what to trust as the product of rumor-made-reality or reality as it originally was." With a grin, she presses her hands together and bounces on her heels. "Unless you were the one that spread it, of course! That's one of the services that the Kuzunoha Detective Agency provides -- " tamaki are you launching into a ''sales pitch''

She clears her throat and returns to a more sober cadence of speech, abandoning her ad copy affectation. "But we had nothing to do with this, so ... I can't say for certain. We're trying to understand why and how." 'And not just trying to make a quick buck' is the unstated promise.

It's something that's long been on her own mind. Can't make a rumor about something if people don't know about it in the first place. Sealed away, preserved in layers of amber. As long as that power exists, however, that still puts it in danger.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Fighting is just one side of the coin," Umie says, with a shrug, at Tamaki tries to defend the Kuzunoha Detective Agency's honor. "A lot is just trying to convince some random demon to stop occupying a standing freezer. You may be just as useful there as in fighting; demons tend to be fascinated by things we may not even consider." She looks to Tamaki. "Life stones are a good thing to keep on you. Trinkets, as well. I... well, kumihimo bracelets have been a useful item for me. Fortune telling, information... trades in general."

Jun may seem a little overwhelmed, but he seems to managing. "We're just eager when it comes to giving information; you're doing good," she says, nodding in agreement with Tamaki. "There wasn't anyone to tell us these things when we Awakened, and these things can be the difference between life and death. We're still learning, as well." She saw that brief wide-eyed look, from Jun.

Jun mentions the Phantom Thieves. Umie nods, along with Tamaki. "Those are the most notable ones, yeah. But don't assume everyone who has such a mask is one. The ways a person can summon their Persona are varied." ..... in many ways.

Jun explains how he's tuned out rumors due to his orientation; it makes sense. "Well, *I'm* rooting for you two." She holds a hand to her chin, considering. "... He needs someone like you." (She only says that, of course, because she knows Tatsuya's feelings for Jun are just as true.)

(She notably also doesn't say anything about herself. Shiryuu can be *her* secret, for now, even if she'll probably blab about it to Tamaki at some point.)

Maihime Amano...

Umie frowns. "... I don't know, but the gist of the story is... Kuroda, Suou, and Amano-- that is, the ones in this story, tried to assassinate a cruel warlord named Kiyotada Sumaru. Amano was killed during the attempt, and Suou ordered Kuroda to burn down the castle, with him and Sumaru still trapped inside. Kuroda regretfully did so, and changed his name. His ghost waits for the day it can get revenge, which... well, that's just the way those things usually go, eh?"

".... It's been my theory that what holds Sudou and Takkun hostage is a something trying to make a story a reality," she says, with a hushed voice, as if telling a deep secret. "It nearly got you, as well. Maybe this is the seed of it, or a branch." Her eyes focus on the anemone in Jun's pocket. "Maybe a flower, to extend the metaphor. But... I don't know. There seems to be a force behind it all, and..."

The trees rustle with a cold, fall wind; while it had done so, many times, passing on the pleasant scent of earth and dry leaves, this wind alone seems to echo in Umie's ears alone.

Like a warning.... or, perhaps, a dare, to say more. After all...

"... We... need to find out what, for Takkun's sake. But we need to be careful, or we'll just add to a fire we can't put out."
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-03-09: A Lonely Shrine's Secret

2026-03-14T20:16:55Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: A Lonely Shrine's Secret''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Jun Kashihara, Tamaki Uchida *'''Where:''' Mt. Katatsumuri *'''OOC Date:''' March 09, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' October 07, 2012 *'''Summary''': ''Umie and Tamaki meet up with Jun at Mt. Katatsumuri, to look for an old, tiny shrine to Master Fuyou. On the way, Tamaki and Umie give Jun some tips, but there's something that one of the two is withholding information on...'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Umie Ak..."

*'''Log: A Lonely Shrine's Secret'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Umie Akabane]], [[Jun Kashihara]], [[Tamaki Uchida]]
*'''Where:''' Mt. Katatsumuri
*'''OOC Date:''' March 09, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 07, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''Umie and Tamaki meet up with Jun at Mt. Katatsumuri, to look for an old, tiny shrine to Master Fuyou. On the way, Tamaki and Umie give Jun some tips, but there's something that one of the two is withholding information on...''

----

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> The overcast weather of Saturday has given over to a sunny clear day, making the mountain perfect for hiking. The sanitarium and the immediate surroundings are cordoned off for now, due to the recent 'gas leak', but enough time has passed that Mt. Katatsumuri has become open again, due to it being prime time to see the beginning warm shades of fall.

When Jun reached out to either Umie or Tamaki, word was passed around from one to the other. For someone who has, on many occasions, simply shown a curious person a thing, landmark, or most likely very dangerous phenomenon herself, Umie strangely didn't want to do this one by herself.

So here Umie is, exiting the bus stop, her newly washed duffle bag slung over one shoulder. Her guise is likewise very casual: a pair of comfortable jeans and a comfortble grey heather hoodie, with dark red woven half gloves. Adjusting one of her usual blonde buns, both gathered at the bottom of her head than the top, she taps the front sole of her red sneakers against the dirt path in a nervous tell of her actual mood.

"You'd think people'd be staying far away," Umie quietly comments to Tamaki and Jun whenever they arrive, as some hikers walk by out of earshot. "But I guess having to come across unexpected phenomenona is just part of the charm."

And besides, it's a nice day, as long as you don't get turned into a zombie.

"According to the map, the shrine is about the midpoint; if we had made a left over here..." She points at the unfolded pamphlet, which shows a general layout of various landmarks and hiking trails. "If we hadn't come around this way," she begins, tapping a dark red nail to a point further down, "We would've come across it, looks like."

She looks up. "Shall we go?" She looks to Jun. "Ah, if you weren't clued in by my earlier comment, if we run into trouble, you'll find we'll be able to, uh, summon our 'helpers'--" she's keeping an eye on those hikers to make sure they don't overhear "--but, we didn't have *that* much trouble."

It'd be a good time for a pleasant chat!! Ha ha ha anything but to actually talk about the really creepy connotations this all has ha ha hhaaaaaa
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
It ''is'' a beautiful afternoon to go on a stroll through Mt. Katatsumuri. Jun isn't much of one for hiking, being rather un-athletic, but a nature walk is a nice backdrop for the conversation he's about to have with Umie and Tamaki. Hyousuke had advised him to reach out to the latter in regards to gaining experience with his Persona, so Jun had called right after, and that led to an agreement to meet up at Mt. Katatsumuri to research something Umie and Tamaki had discovered--or need to discover--just the other day.

Jun's wearing comfortable shoes, dark slacks and a green pinstriped button-up shirt, light and breezy yet also capable of keeping in warmth with its long sleeves. In his breast pocket, there's a purple anemone. In hanakotoba, it means, 'I will trust you and wait.'

He leaves the bus stop with Umie and Tamaki, looking around at the path ahead of them and at the nearby hikers. "I suppose there's no dissuading some people," he murmurs back. "That's a good thing. We can't progress as a society if we only ever do as those in charge tell us to. I hope they don't get themselves hurt in the process, though."

In other words, it's fine if they go hiking, just don't get too close to the sanitarium...

Jun looks at the pamphlet and the point Umie points out. He nods at her question and at her warning. He almost hopes for trouble. As he told Hyousuke, he needs to gain experience with his 'helper.'

"So, I'm a little unclear, still," he says as the three of them start walking. "What about this shrine did you think would be relevant to me? I'm not a very religious person, I'm afraid." He trusts that there ''is'' something, it's just not obvious to him what it would or could be.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki arrives to the mountain trail in a wine-red long-sleeved blouse worn over a forest green blouse, paired with beige slacks and running shoes. As usual, her rokumonsen choker is on prominent display.

She has some experience in the matter that Umie comments on, and she shakes her head. "There will always be rubberneckers to some degree. Part of rumor control is knowing how to redirect their attention if necessary."

Like keeping a bunch of high school students safely contained in shelter at St. Hermelin. ''You must have just been daydreaming.''

The map draws her gaze. "I see ... shame about the trail signs at the time, then. We had some trouble making our way through anywhere because of that."

At Umie's explanation to Jun, Tamaki nods and turns to the latter. She has a number of burning questions for him, but those can -- and must -- wait. "You ''are'' pretty new to all this ... Has anyone given you a crash course on the subject yet? It's a lot to adjust to, and we can fill you in sometime." (Hyousuke's suggestion was right on the mark, it seems -- she didn't even need prompting!) "The two of us are slightly unusual in that we've had several years to get accustomed to it, you see."

As for Jun's own pressing question, she turns to Umie and gives her a meaningful glance. After the events at the sanitarium, "I'm not really a religious person either," says the rokumonsen-bearer. "How do I put this ..? -- You'll see the resemblance soon enough."

Given talk of other worlds and remembering, this might not be the best idea. On the other hand, this may be a chance to cut through delusion ... provided that's even what it is in the first place.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Umie's eyes look over the purple anemone in Jun's pocket, then up to Jun himself. "Kashihara-kun. Glad you could make it." Is that... hanakotoba? Come to think of it, wasn't there other times he has had flowers on his person?

A question for later, maybe.

"... Mm." Umie's eyelids lower a touch at Jun's words, noting the circumstances. Yes, if he simply did as others told him to, would he have taken ahold of his fate? Or Tamaki, for that matter. To someone who seemingly 'woke up' with a Persona, it's something to think about, to see something from another side of the 'barrier'. "You're right. We wouldn't. But also, maybe it'd be a good idea for me to take a few hikes, now and then, eh?" She bobs her head towards Tamaki, with a half grin, as she halfway folds up her map so that only the panel with the relevant detail is displayed. "And yeah. Most people have Awakened recently, maybe within the past year at most. If you're not one for hiking, or... even if you are, depending on how your Persona is, you may notice a difference as we go up."

Yet, when Jun asks his question, Umie shares that look towards Tamaki, then back. "It's..." Umie's lips turn, distractedly glancing back towards the trail, and back at her map, all for instinctive want of a distraction. "... I'm not... particularly religious, either." Hopefully, this shrine will be small enough that she *won't* feel...

Maihime Amano, Junnosuke Kuroda, and Tatsunoshin Suou. Even if the guide was just having a laugh at their expense... there'd be no way those names would be so similar. Well, except for Junnosuke's, but...

Tamaki comes in handy, in this situations. "Yeah." She begins up the trail, looking back. "Those signs'll likely be a lot easier to see, right now.

..... and further in?

".... Jun, this may be a weird stretch, but... The surname Kuroda. Is it familiar to you, in any way?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
Jun always has flowers on him, really. Whether his school uniform or his street clothes, he habitually has a flower of some kind in his breast pocket. Considering how he wielded a lilac as a weapon against Sudou, though, Umie could just be noticing. That sort of thing stands out.

"I've spoken with Suou-san," that is, Katsuya Suou; Jun calls the younger brother just Tatsuya, "and Akechi-kun, and of course you know Suzuki-kun advised me to reach out to you... but we spoke more about Sudou-san and Tatsuya than anything else," Jun tells Tamaki. Well, Hyousuke also suggested he go learn martial arts from Mutou-sensei, which was kind of him, but Jun doesn't really like exercise... not that he wanted to tell Hyousuke that and seem ungrateful.

The news that Tamaki and Umie both have ''years'' of experience gets a pair of widened eyes, though--especially since Umie clarifies most Persona Users around have only awoken within the past year or so. "Oh, really? Then Suzuki-kun really did point me in the right direction." He bows his head. "Anything either of you could let me know or advise me on, I'd deeply appreciate. I already know that I shouldn't try to train on my own."

He straightens up in time to see that Look that Tamaki and Umie exchange. His eyes flick down towards the rokumonsen when Tamaki claims not to be religious, but he doesn't say anything. Instead, he nods at the suggestion that he simply wait and see. He understands sometimes things are just like that.

A difference, though, huh... "I'm not much of one for exercising. I prefer intellectual pursuits over physical ones," he says, a touch apologetically. "I've got enough knowledge of martial arts to be able to defend myself, though I wouldn't call myself a martial artist. Beyond that..."

He trails off; this gives Umie time to ask about the name Kuroda. Jun stills for a second, before he moves on. "Not... exactly. But it does sound similar to my mother's maiden name, Kurosu." He pauses. "...Why do you ask?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
The first time Tamaki saw Jun, she took stronger notice of his tendency to wear flowers ... but she's seen him often enough to know that the flowers are, in fact, simply a constant feature on Jun's person -- though which one he's chosen today may still be a surprise.

She had sidestepped commenting on Jun's earlier remark about how a little bit of rebellion is good now and then. She chimes in after Umie. "I literally would not be standing here if I had done as I was told." Her tone is matter-of-fact; no, she will not elaborate.

Katsuya, Akechi, and Hyousuke. A bit of a green collection, at least by Tamaki's estimation. "That makes sense. Even without your ... ''circumstances''," meaning the dream that must remain a dream, "this isn't stuff that the average joe should get wrapped up in. Those fights are outright deadly without the protection that a 'helper' affords."

Well ... she may not elaborate more about herself, but she'll talk a little more about others. "Yeah. Five years ago for me. This is the third 'wave' that I've noticed. Myself, then later some of my high school classmates, and now you and the others." After a beat, she turns to Umie and remembers. "Correction: fourth. Akabane-san predates even myself."

Tamaki clears her throat and covers her neck when she realizes Jun took notice of her choker. She covers her mouth and snickers mischievously, knowing she was 'caught' on something. " -- yeah, I know how that sounds wearing this. Do you have something that serves as a focus for your 'helper'? Well, this is mine."

As she was known at St. Hermelin, Tamaki 'Muscle Freak' Uchida grins at Jun's disdain for exercise. "Ahahaha! Aw, c'mon! The physical and intellectual can overlap sometimes! Fencing gets compared to chess, for instance. If you do target practice with those flowers, you're still using your brain when you take aim, aren't you?"

"Well, that's the extent of the resemblance you have to one of the figures in question, so far as I'm aware. If it were you in isolation, this wouldn't be as much of a concern. However ..." Tamaki curls a finger over her chin as she continues walking. "Once is a coincidence. Twice is happenstance. But three times ..."

Tamaki shrugs and decides to see if they're four-for-four. "What about the surname 'Fuyou'? Does that ring a bell at all? In a historical context, mind you."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "RIght, right, but, as you point out, we have Personas," Umie quips over her shoulder, the outermost edge of her smile growing a touch sharp. "And I haven't died yet, so I *must* be doing something right."

FLASHBACK TO: Umie putting her hand in a suspicious statue's open mouth, as just _one example_

SPEAKING OF THAT. "Ah, Suzuki-kun? He's quite the pistol, isn't he...?"

Umie seems to puff up slightly as Tamaki points out how she predates even Tamaki. Is that... pride? (Yes, it's pride.) Given that Umie looks to be the same age as Tamaki at best? "Ehhh. I just have a lot of experience with chatting with demons and being chased by shadows."

At the mention of 'circumstances', however, Umie places a finger close to her chin. "... By the way, Kashihara-kun. How have you been hanging in there, yourself? An Awakening by itself isn't exactly... a walk in the park, you could say," she starts walking up the trail and pausing to look back at the map, "but everything else you went through, on top of that..." Perhaps better not to continue down that path; Jun may want to avoid thinking about it as well. "... Also," she then says, changing the subject, "have you heard at all from Takk- er, Tatsuya-kun?" Maybe also a bad thing to ask, in light of what nearly happened, but concern marks her gaze.

The talk of physical and intellectual overlap brings a memory of Umie's own. "Eh, I was a 'doctor's note' kind of girl, in high school, so sports wasn't my forte either. But during the Dark Hour... different story." An understatement, to be sure. "Okay, here's our turn. Should be coming up."

Indeed-- as Umie thinks about it, the clearer the details become, when she reviews the flowers she's seen Jun wear... and use, even. ".... They... have a meaning, don't they? The flowers." She turns, pointing to the anemone in Jun's pocket.

There's a place she's going with this, aside from 'going further up the trail'. "Areas that you can summon your Persona also relate to how you defend yourself-- you've probably found that out, in the battle at the Sanitarium. The language of the things you use, even if they're made of day-to-day items, will speak louder." Though... Tamaki mentioning her choker as a 'focus'...

".... You mean, for weapons?"

There's a swhish of a breeze through the reddening canopy above, as Umie's eyes stay on the choker, thinking. ".... Oh, right. It's... just up here, guys. I guess, it's just a small place. No wonder that guide was looking for it..."

Indeed, there's a clearing up ahead, consisting of an old sign and a wooden offering box, serving as a sort of small shrine to someone's memory. Theold sign reads: 'This shrine is for the founder of the Gouketsu School of martial arts. Master Fuyou. Master Fuyou's original name was Junnosuke Kuroda, and he served under Tatsunoshin Suou.'

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
Jun chuckles when Tamaki weighs in on not doing as one's told. "Good for you, Uchida-san." He sobers. The reason for his current flower is the same reason why he continues, "Of course, there ''are'' cases where it's prudent to do as you're told... It's just something one shouldn't do blindly."

He sighs at the deadly nature of fights without a 'helper.' Doesn't he know it. If Sudou hadn't specifically wanted him alive, he doesn't think he'd have survived everything he's gone through up 'til now to even make it to Awakening.

Suzuki-kun, a pistol? ...Jun thinks he understands what Umie means by that. Not that he was in a place to have broad focus in either of the last two Persona fights he was in, but he ''did'' notice that Hyousuke has a particularly violent style of fighting. But then, it's hard to blame him, after seeing the kind of enemies that showed up at the Morimoto Sanitarium.

"Three waves in five years?!" Four, actually, but if Umie Awoke before Tamaki did, it still counts. "That's staggering... I could never have imagined that so many..." He glances around. "''Unusual'' things have happened in places I'd never seen until now." He looks at Umie curiously. "How much experience ''do'' you have, Akabane-san?" But first she asks him how ''he's'' been doing, and he gives her a faint smile. "Not as badly as you might fear. Awakening to Argeiphontes has helped in a number of ways. I ''have'' been tired since then, but... I'm here, aren't I?"

His eyelashes droop at the mention of Tatsuya. "...Not since he helped rescue me from Sudou-san this past Wednesday. But I'm sure he's all right. Sudou-san asked Suou-san to pass a message on to him, so he must be alive and... more or less well." When Umie points out their turn, he follows without remark.

He looks back at Tamaki as she snickers and covers her neck. "A focus? I don't think so..." But even as he says it, something comes to mind. Jun reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver lighter engraved with the text: ''The most precious things cannot be seen.'' If either Umie or Tamaki have read it, it's a quote from ''The Little Prince''. "...Do you happen to mean something like this? It was a gift from my father, and I carry it with me wherever I go. It helps keep me calm. When I was imprisoned by Sudou-san, it anchored me, just the tiniest bit, to sanity." It was still a very close thing by the end... but it might have made a difference by the very end.

Either way, he soon tucks it back into his pocket. He shrugs affably when Tamaki laughs at him. "Oh, I understand what you're saying." He smiles back. "But I'd still rather not get sweaty if I can help it. The scent of my flowers shouldn't be forced to compete." He glances down at his, fingers rising to caress its petals, as Umie points it out. "Yes. It varies depending on whether you're using Victorian or Japanese flower language, but each flower has a secret meaning. In hanakotoba, a purple anemone means..." He smiles fondly as his lashes flutter briefly shut. "'I will trust you and wait.'"

The language of the things he uses... Jun touches his chin. If it were just flowers, that'd be one thing, but if she's applying this to just about anything, he's not sure he follows. He's not sure ''Umie'' follows, given her own confusion about what Tamaki means by a 'focus.' He glances between the two and keeps his silence.

Three times... That seems ominous to Jun, and that concern reflects on his beautiful features. At least the next name is new to him; he takes a moment to think about it, just to be sure, then shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. Who is that supposed to be?"

But before an answer can come, the wind blows through the canopy and whispers through the leaves. Jun looks up--it's a beautiful yet eerie sound--but then looks forward as the three of them enter the clearing and approach a small wooden Shinto shrine. His gaze is questioning... until they get close enough to read the sign. Master Fuyou... So that's who he is. But his original name...

"Junnosuke Kuroda... and Tatsunoshin Suou," Jun reads aloud, troubled. Now he sees what Tamaki was talking about. "Sudou-san was saying I should go by the name Jun Kurosu... Is this related to that...?"

But if it is, why is 'Junnosuke' the servant of 'Tatsunoshin'? Sudou always made it sound as though he should be a rabid beast. ...Then again, Sudou is far from a reliable narrator. Jun wonders what Tatsuya would have to say about this...

He shakes his head. "We shouldn't try to ask Tatsuya about this. He wouldn't tell us anyway--no doubt for our own good," he says softly.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki nods in agreement and smiles at Jun in return, hoping to provide some levity. "You get it, you get it. Hence 'a little bit' of rebellion. In either case, act with intention!"

"Mmm. Suzuki-kun has a good heart, but he's stubborn. Reminds me of someone else we all know, at least in that regard." Whoever could she mean? "He shows up at the Agency fairly frequently to report on defeated Rumor Demons, too."

Mention of Jun's fellow classmate reminds her of something that may put another appearance of hers into perspective. "Ohhhh. Kashihara-kun, by the way: the shelter underneath Kasugayama High? Absolutely riddled with Demons. I hear they come out at night, too." Tamaki holds up a finger and clarifies a further point. "But! Don't tell Marlowe-sensei; he'd be in danger if he ventured in. You might be able to tell who is and who isn't Awakened, there's a sensation that ... ''often'' accompanies it."

At least three waves in five years. While she didn't catch what Eriko and Mark had discussed after the fight, she ''did'' catch onto the fact that in Sudou's room, Eriko mentioned that Kandori had died ... yet apparently, Nyarlathotep lives on. They might not be as distinct as described.

Umie's description of Awakenings as 'not a walk in the park' causes Tamaki to sputter. "Yeah, mine sure wasn't." To Jun, she offers, "Well, if it helps any, I take it as reassurance that we're not alone. Using your Persona will tire you out, so it's important to get proper rest -- we've got enough hands to give the folks who need it a bit of a break. Give someone else a ring to fill in and they likely will!"

She bites the inside of her cheek at Tatsuya's name. "... Stubborn kid."

yeah that's probably who she meant

Tamaki's expression grows distant and wistful when Jun describes what purple anemone means. Her hand idly clasps tighter around her choker.

"Huh? Eh? Weapons?" Tamaki blinks at Umie in confusion, wide-eyed. "No, those are different." After listening to ''her'' explanation, she snaps her fingers and points. "That ''is'' true, admittedly. The sword I use is just the sabre I once used in fencing practice for sport. Here -- "

She rummages around in her sports bag to bring out the aforementioned weapon, manufactured by a sporting goods company, blunt under normal circumstances -- while faded, the logo is plainly visible on the underside of the bell guard. (There ''are'' some aftermarket additions in the form of pink and yellow stones set on the pommel and hilt, but those surely couldn't serve any practical purpose, right ..?) "Outside of places like this, this won't cut or pierce a damn thing, buuut in here, because it convincingly looks like a sword and people think of swords as sharp, sooooo I've managed to go through suits of armor like it was a hot knife going through butter. The same principle applies generally; for example, model guns, or the confidence you wield your flowers with."

She peers over at Jun's lighter when he brings it out. Her expression remains pensive while he explains, then she nods conclusively when he finishes. "Yeah, if it's that important to you, ''that'', on the other hand, is likely your focus. Mine's ... well, a reminder of a debt that I owe, let's say."

While she has a guess about Umie's, she gives her an out. "For some others, it's their masks. Regardless, an 'anchor' is a good way of describing it."

Is 'Kurosu' related to 'Kuroda'? Tamaki gives a shrug. "Maybe not directly, but it's hard to say at this juncture. Who knows if it's even legitimate?" She presses her hands together and lowers them forward. "How much do you know about how Rumors work in Sumaru City?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> Three waves in five years. "Surprised me too," Umie ponders, tapping a nail to her chin. "It would have been easy for me to believe everything was relatively recent. Still, the number of us that have experience going back further than a year is still very small." She directs her gaze to Tamaki. "Except for those Hunters we encountered a few times, but it's unclear how long they've been Awakened, especially when they may be operating under the same assumptions I've made up until recently." goddamn stuck-up snobs, even passing on their self-importance to that kid...

Jun asks a completely logical question, given what Tamaki outlined. Yet, there's a pause from Umie, as she considers, her eyes looking back and pondering the path below the two of them for a moment.

Akechi did warn about explaining too much, but that would be in regards to Gozen, right? This is perfectly harmless, Umie decides, especially if it may explain to Tamaki just why Umie was so surprised to learn that the Dark Hour was a result of something Kirijo Corp did.

"2003," she says, capping it with a casual shrug of her shoulders, though she shoots a wry smile at Tamaki over her laugh over Umie's understatement of how an Awakening can go.

What's important to Umie, however... '... but... I'm here, aren't I?' It's hearing how Jun is handling. The words tick a necessary box for for Umie, whose eyes shine impishly, coupled with an impish smile. ".... Ah. That's the spirit, right there."

Tatsuya, however, is a different matter. "... Damn it... he's laying low again." Jun has faith Tatsuya is well; Umie wishes she could be so gracious. He's the only one with a Mark not under the thumb of the NWO. What the Mark means, and what lies behind it... (Given Tatsuya's comments about 'him', it's easy to assume he, too, has a voice that tells him so many, many complicated, devilish little things.)

As Jun brings out his lighter, Umie's sneakers pad the dirt path, the short blonde coming in for a closer look, managing to read the quote on the side as it catches the dappled forest light. "... What a precious thing to have..."

She wishes she had something like that.

The ugly little envious thought is briefly set away by the power of flower language, as Jun shares, and explains. 'I will trust you and wait.' "The most precious things cannot be seen.' indeed," Umie breathes softly, seeing the way Jun closes his eyes.

"... Then, I'll have faith in him too, then," Umie says, instead, with a soft smile, remembering the potted plant in her own apartment.

Tamaki explains the concept of resonance, and Umie, distracted from her thoughts, nods. "You... probably don't remember my comment pertaining to it way back, Kashihara-kun, but you may notice now, if you concentrate: there's a difference, between me and Uchida-san." Namely, where there is a resonance for Tamaki, there is none for Umie herself. "Some people are able to disguise this 'sense', whether intentionally, or automatically, and even more... like with that Bride that attacked us outside the Sanitarium."

Masks. Umie lets out a laugh, but catches on. "Yeah. It's a bit of a pain, having to make your own, but it *does* mean I get to accessorize." She wiggles her nails close to her face, ala 'jazz hands'. "But I'm not a proper Mask-san-- those people you'll see, every once in a while."

A symbol of a debt owned. A lighter, that centered its owner. Come to think of it, it was the mask that Kurou made for her, and touching the edges of those paint strokes, that centered Umie at the sanitarium. ".... Could it be the bonds that these symbolize..." she murmurs, softly, half to herself, but not caring if Tamaki and Jun overhear.

But the shrine... well, that's another matter entirely. Tamaki, as always, rounds up to the point of the matter: that of rumors. "... There was a third name, that the guide mentioned: Princess Mai-ch-- Maihime Amano."

She opens her mouth--

".... yeah, better to explain, before we go further," she says, instead, with a muted clearing of her throat.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
"Ah, he told me about those bounties you offer. I don't have a particular need for extra money, though, so I'll leave them to him--he said he needs to save up," Jun tells Tamaki. "That said, I ''am'' interested in gaining experience with my Persona... I don't particularly ''want'' to fight, but--" He frowns, expression darkening. Sudou had said that to enforce one's will on others, one needs to have power and the willingness to use it. Not that Jun's generally willing to hear him out, but ironically, he had a point. He won't be able to count on ''other'' supernatural menaces wanting to keep him alive, which means he needs to gain the strength to stop them as necessary. "--I understand its necessity," he softly concludes.

His eyes widen at the news about the demons in the air raid shelter. This is both shocking and completely un-shocking. He can only nod at the warning not to tell Marlowe-sensei. "A sensation...? I haven't noticed it yet, but perhaps I'm simply too new. I'll try to concentrate on that."

And indeed, when he focuses on it as Umie instructs, he ''does'' sense something from her and Tamaki both--something distinct and unique to each of them. It's a strange sensation... That's something else he'll have to practice with. For now, he nods at the news that using a Persona is tiring--so it's not just him, or the fact that he's so new. He'll have to keep that in mind going forward, too--including how not everyone will give off that sense.

2003, though--that's almost ten years ago! Jun's shocked stare says it all. "Hunters?" he echoes--but then shakes his head. "No, you'd better tell me about them later. For now, I'll accept that there's a small but significant number of extra-experienced Persona Users."

He smiles at her own mischievous approval. Not that he needs it, but it's nice to have. "Thank you," he says of his lighter. He's glad, too, that Umie's faith in Tatsuya is--ignited? restored?--by his own. Hearing that he can have that kind of influence on others just by being true to himself is also heartening. "He is, but I'm sure he has good reason for it. We'll meet again, sooner or later."

He sees Tamaki's gaze grow distant when he relates the meaning of the purple anemone. Is there someone she loves who's far away from her too right now...? Jun's gaze turns sympathetic, but he holds his tongue. The same goes for the 'debt' she references. He's curious, but it sounds like the sort of thing she'd rather not go into right now.

But Tamaki explains more about weapons and how that's separate from a focus, and he considers the blunted saber she pulls out of her bag. "How interesting... I'll have to keep that in mind," he muses. The things he could do with enough confidence... He smiles.

"I see. It does feel right," he says of his lighter being his focus/anchor. But... the bonds they symbolize? Jun blinks at Umie, but doesn't remark. His lighter definitely represents the bond he has with his father... Instead, he echoes, "'Mask-sans'?" He thinks back to his rescue, and something clicks. "Do you mean like those Phantom Thieves?"

As for rumors: "I understand that they will sometimes come true, but I don't really understand how or why. I don't tend to listen to rumors anyway--I'm openly gay, you see, so I've learned to tune them out," he explains. (This might confirm a lot about his behavior with Tatsuya. Stubborn indeed.) "I suppose now that I have the power to do something about it, I'll have to change that."

Umie shares the third name before Jun has a chance to ask. With this one, he immediately sees the link. "Maihime Amano... Maya Amano-san? But why her?" he utters, eyes wide. He ''does'' feel very comfortable and at ease around her, and when they first met, it didn't feel like the first time, but...

He suddenly gets a bad feeling.

Is she also involved in whatever forgotten shared past he has with Tatsuya and Sudou? And if she is... He furrows his eyebrows and gestures at the sign. "Are you suggesting that this shrine and the history it references are themselves the products of rumors?" If that's true, what does that mean for the rest of them?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki nods along with Umie. "I've told Akabane-san here before that I've wanted to be the person I would have liked to have when I was first unceremoniously thrust into the deep end."

At Jun's reply regarding rumor demons, Tamaki slumps forward with a tired expression on her face. "I mean the money's one thing, but it's really ... helping the community ..." Helping lighten her own workload, more like.

As for the Wild Hunt -- well, she gets along with Vivienne just fine! But discussion of them is for later. "I don't know all that much about them ... other than that they've also contributed to taking down Rumor Demons."

She initially remains skeptical about Tatsuya 'having a good reason' to lay low; the look on her face is absolutely dour. Then she remembers the nature of what Jun's been put through, and her expression mollifies. "Here's hoping."

Even if she waits forever, she may not ever be able to pay the debt back. It may be all she can do to pay it forward to others. 'Being the person she could have used' and all that. She very much does not want to get into it, and wordlessly gives Jun a warm nod when he repeats how a focus can represent bonds. Same in her case.

"We do mean the Phantom Thieves by that, yes," Tamaki confirms. "There's more, but they take all shapes and forms. You get the gist for now."

What was it that Tamaki had said before, Umie? To get a song out of your head, replace it with a different one?

She'll get to rumors in a bit, but first:

Jun's gay, but that's something Tamaki knew from his mother's advocacy, at ''minimum''. "... I'm not so open about myself in that regard. I'd all but given up ... but I'm rethinking that after what your mother had said, and as well as ... some ''other'' people I've become acquainted with recently, including the Bride and Groom from last night." Tamaki lowers her head. "Poor girls."

Tamaki holds up a finger as she explains. "I mention it only as a possibility. In this environment, it's hard to know what to trust as the product of rumor-made-reality or reality as it originally was." With a grin, she presses her hands together and bounces on her heels. "Unless you were the one that spread it, of course! That's one of the services that the Kuzunoha Detective Agency provides -- " tamaki are you launching into a ''sales pitch''

She clears her throat and returns to a more sober cadence of speech, abandoning her ad copy affectation. "But we had nothing to do with this, so ... I can't say for certain. We're trying to understand why and how." 'And not just trying to make a quick buck' is the unstated promise.

It's something that's long been on her own mind. Can't make a rumor about something if people don't know about it in the first place. Sealed away, preserved in layers of amber. As long as that power exists, however, that still puts it in danger.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "Fighting is just one side of the coin," Umie says, with a shrug, at Tamaki tries to defend the Kuzunoha Detective Agency's honor. "A lot is just trying to convince some random demon to stop occupying a standing freezer. You may be just as useful there as in fighting; demons tend to be fascinated by things we may not even consider." She looks to Tamaki. "Life stones are a good thing to keep on you. Trinkets, as well. I... well, kumihimo bracelets have been a useful item for me. Fortune telling, information... trades in general."

Jun may seem a little overwhelmed, but he seems to managing. "We're just eager when it comes to giving information; you're doing good," she says, nodding in agreement with Tamaki. "There wasn't anyone to tell us these things when we Awakened, and these things can be the difference between life and death. We're still learning, as well." She saw that brief wide-eyed look, from Jun.

Jun mentions the Phantom Thieves. Umie nods, along with Tamaki. "Those are the most notable ones, yeah. But don't assume everyone who has such a mask is one. The ways a person can summon their Persona are varied." ..... in many ways.

Jun explains how he's tuned out rumors due to his orientation; it makes sense. "Well, *I'm* rooting for you two." She holds a hand to her chin, considering. "... He needs someone like you." (She only says that, of course, because she knows Tatsuya's feelings for Jun are just as true.)

(She notably also doesn't say anything about herself. Shiryuu can be *her* secret, for now, even if she'll probably blab about it to Tamaki at some point.)

Maihime Amano...

Umie frowns. "... I don't know, but the gist of the story is... Kuroda, Suou, and Amano-- that is, the ones in this story, tried to assassinate a cruel warlord named Kiyotada Sumaru. Amano was killed during the attempt, and Suou ordered Kuroda to burn down the castle, with him and Sumaru still trapped inside. Kuroda regretfully did so, and changed his name. His ghost waits for the day it can get revenge, which... well, that's just the way those things usually go, eh?"

".... It's been my theory that what holds Sudou and Takkun hostage is a something trying to make a story a reality," she says, with a hushed voice, as if telling a deep secret. "It nearly got you, as well. Maybe this is the seed of it, or a branch." Her eyes focus on the anemone in Jun's pocket. "Maybe a flower, to extend the metaphor. But... I don't know. There seems to be a force behind it all, and..."

The trees rustle with a cold, fall wind; while it had done so, many times, passing on the pleasant scent of earth and dry leaves, this wind alone seems to echo in Umie's ears alone.

Like a warning.... or, perhaps, a dare, to say more. After all...

"... We... need to find out what, for Takkun's sake. But we need to be careful, or we'll just add to a fire we can't put out."
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2026-03-07: Wild Dance

2026-03-08T23:13:25Z

Tanyuu: Created page with "*'''Log: Wild Dance''' *'''Cast:''' Tatsuya Sudou, Yua Ijuuin, Miho Ijuuin, Remi Ryuuja, Kurou Ryouhara, Minako Arisato, Jun Kashihara, Yukari Takeba, Katsuya Suou, Masao Inaba, Shinobu Shimizu, Maya Amano, Hitomi Mandai, Hyousuke Suzuki, Eikichi Mishina, Moriko Kumamoto, Eriko Kirishima, Umie Akabane, Julian Marlowe, Tamaki Uchida *'''Where:''' Morimoto Hospital, Mt. Katatsumuri, Sumaru City..."

*'''Log: Wild Dance'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Tatsuya Sudou]], [[Yua Ijuuin]], [[Miho Ijuuin]], [[Remi Ryuuja]], [[Kurou Ryouhara]], [[Minako Arisato]], [[Jun Kashihara]], [[Yukari Takeba]], [[Katsuya Suou]], [[Masao Inaba]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]], [[Maya Amano]], [[Hitomi Mandai]], [[Hyousuke Suzuki]], [[Eikichi Mishina]], [[Moriko Kumamoto]], [[Eriko Kirishima]], [[Umie Akabane]], [[Julian Marlowe]], [[Tamaki Uchida]]
*'''Where:''' Morimoto Hospital, Mt. Katatsumuri, Sumaru City
*'''OOC Date:''' March 07, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' October 06, 2012
*'''Summary''': ''The Patient has escaped, and now rules over the blood-soaked halls of the Morimoto Sanitarium. However, the New World Order has come to clean up this mess and see about making a change of leadership.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
<poem>
WVOOP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RARotEaobh0

There's that sickening sensation again. The world changes, perception blurring into photonegative hues. A scent like iron. Images flash, like that eye upon the cell room wall. They are fleeting, forgotten the moment they appear.

the Maia Maiden's heart stops with it
what then remains is a paradise on earth

Hear the Siren's call, ringing in your ears. The Director's office awaits, a heavy door, into an office with creaky hinges. Once it squeaks open, that scent grows stronger, more obvious now.

Because there are several bodies just lying in puddles of their own blood on the floor.

-=-=-

A man with a scar on his face wearing a white changshan was frowning, as he stood in the parking lot of the Morimoto Sanitarium, beside his luxury vehicle, and flanked by two men in red changshans, brandishing firearms.

Suddenly his smart phone rang. Answering it and putting it to his ear, the man on the other end of the line stated, "I have your new orders-" Which is when Yung Pao interrupted him, "How many of my men have been sacrificed to this foolishness?"

"As many as I require," replied the aged voice of the Silver Lion. "We never expected them to complete this mission by themselves. They were fodder, to prevent more 'specialized' agents from being worn down in a protracted fight against my fool of a son's summoned lackeys."

"You sacrificed my men for that!?"

"No. You did." The voice on the phone replied immediately, "For the sake of your brother's life, you willingly sent them to their deaths. And if you want him back, you won't take that tone with me again."

Yung Pao's grip immediately tightened around his phone, threatening the screen, "What are your orders now, then?"

"Stand by and watch what happens next. ... I may require you to make more sacrifices before this ends."

-=-=-

Baofu is ready to enter the office himself, when he sees something out of the corner of his eye; instead walking up to the nearby view of the outside. There's a single glimpse of a scarred man on his cell phone, beside his car.

The scarred man looks up, and their eyes meet. From a distance, the scarred man's lips move, and those men with him stand at the ready with their submachine guns.

It's impossible to see Baofu's eyes, but his expression contorts into one of fury. Then wordlessly as the others begin to enter, does he sprint off back towards the stairs.

He doesn't even tell the others what is more important than what's inside that office as he departs.

Penguin Sniper has left for Staff Lounge.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
Beyond the sturdy mahogany doors of the warden's office, is a sight to behold. Let's ignore how many bodies this office can fit, as things being bigger on the inside is completely up the alley of weird things that happen around Sudou. What one may not be able to ignore is that there are two dead bodies, one charred beyond identification. the other being gnawed on by a hellhound. A pool of blood is in the center of the room, the source is the warden himself impaled to the ceiling by the Joker Killer's janky homemade sword. The Joker Killer himself is in the corner, with the paper bag pulled up half way over his face as he shaves in the mirror. The Joker Killer lets out a sigh as he puts down the straight razor.

Taking a moment he walks behind the warden's desk and ...pauses . He turns to look outside for a moment as an audible TSK is heard from behind the mask. Taking a moment he turns back and looks at the office occupants. "You lot, you ruin my attempt to get Jun on the right track. You barge into my summer vacation home. You kill my zombie friends, you let my pets run free AND you lot, didn't bring me any new toys to break. " Taking a moment to examine the group before he adds, "But you lot, you went into my room." He bangs his hand on the desk for a moment, "No respect!"

The Joker Killer reaches up and removes the paper bag and drops it onto the desk, which lands on the desk with a heavy thud. The blond hair Tatsuya Sudou looks out across the group, "Surprise~. " Sudou deadpans to the group, he is under no illusion that the group had no idea who has been making their life miserable for the last few months. Sudou reaches into the paper bag and from it pulls a very nice looking Claymore, one of those outlandishly large Claymores like one may see in a fantasy movie, or anime. The pommel is intricately designed, with a squid-like skull in the center of the pommel, the tentacles forming the hand guards. As Sudou holds this large sword with one hand, he too looks like something out of a cartoon.

Placing the sword down next to him, he begins to neatly fold the bag, as he does he says"When I wore this bag,I talked like the Old Maid, I thought like the Old Maid, I reasoned like the Old Maid. Now that it is removed, I shall put the ways of the Old Maid behind me." He takes the paper bag and sets it inside the warden's desk. Then he hefts the sword up into the air and walks around the desk. "Here is what is going to happen. I am going to leave now, I am not going to disappear, to walk behind a potted plant, I am simply going to walk past each of you, down the stairs and leave. Then you are all going to go out and tell them all that the unstoppable, unkillable Joker Killer is Tatsuya Sudou. "

A smile appears on his face before he adds, "That Tatsuya Sudou has been escaping from a locked cell constantly and murdering people before returning back to his cell. The warden was none the wiser. " A quick glance up at the impaled Warden before Sudou finishes, " So I am going to count to 3 and you lot are going to move out of my way. One..."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
Stepping into the carpark from the forest is a Bride, though this is a poor place for a wedding. In a grey wedding gown, protective tactical flak jacket layered atop it, she at first looks like a soldier to be wed; but look a little closer, and the ''belly'' of that bulletproof vest is curved to allow for more room at her midsection. She wears a dozen veils and fascinators; only her painted lips are visible, behind the thinner layers of her longest veils. She wears long gloves, up to her elbows; boots, beneath the hem of her dress.

"Stand back," she advises the scarred man, Yung Pao, who wisely elects to give her space.

And she is not the one Baofu is searching for, as he runs past her, Evoker lifting up to her face with the delicate movements of a dancer.

She does not care to reach beyond the perimeter she has established, as she invokes: "Gretchen." Sick red light emanates from her, as red flames fleck from the eye she shoots, beneath her veils.

The top of that white-frocked maiden is far taller than Yumi, who stands only as tall as her midsection. A mask covers Gretchen's face, and dozens upon dozens of jewels are slung about her person. More pressingly is her vast embrace: the iron jail bars of a cell are driven, horizontal, through her arms, allowing her to cage her User in her arms.

With the invocation of her Persona, the Anti-Navigator, Yumi, spreads her trap across the hospital. That stubborn afternoon fog works agonisingly well, with the way light dims in the space; as well as a memory.

Inside the hospital, the walls grow dark and inhospitable -- confusingly ''unfamiliar.'' You may have found your way through the three floors before, but now -- now it is as if every door is a mystery, and the darkness which seethes in the halls makes it difficult to tell how long they are, if they even end at all...

... and there are markings, on the walls, where once there were none. Stained and rust-red in places, darker in others -- handprints, sprays, splatters. This place does not welcome them, the blood, rust, and rot suggests; here, there are dangers they cannot know. Even the decorations the halls used to have become strange, text indistinct as if viewed through a dream, the angles just slightly ''incorrect.''

Room #303, needless to say, is worse. Let us dwell on it no longer, and leave it, now, as a terrible presence behind you...

Outside, in the parking lot, there are no walls to press in against everyone. That dim lightning, in the indistinctness of the fog, instead creates a terrible sense that being out here is being in an ''island'' of solid ground surrounded by nothing kind. The few cars stranded here are more angular, now, more ''unfriendly'' in their construction, seeming to possess of themselves jagged edges and rust. It's not clear, stepping into that carpark, where the line of the forest even ''is'' -- though the looming, horrific threat of the Sanitarium rises, no matter where one treads. As if breathing; as if alive. As if malevolent, omnipresent...

You'll always come back here.

You'll always be trapped here.

Tatsuya Sudou...

She knows where you are. She knows where you're hiding. And from the sky, massive diamonds fall down, each larger than a man. They lodge themselves in the concrete, into the sides of the hospital; it is a targeted assault, one designed not to crush her enemies, but to provide a quick route ''down'' for the assailants she knows are moving into the Director's Office at that moment.

... of course, the trick about providing a stable platform like that is, ''anyone'' could use it. One might need to clamber from diamond to diamond if they weren't confident ''jumping,'' but it's a much safer way down than just leaping three stories...

((OOC: This pose contains important setting data, even if you're not fighting Yua! You have been arena trapped, and cannot flee from this battle. The scene of the fight is the parking lot; please move your characters out into it by the end of your poses, with or without an attack to your baddie as your pose prefers!))

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
From behind the group approaches a Groom, dressed in her black armored vest and owl-like mask. She is tall, six feet tall, with a long hood covering her hair and the rest of her face behind the mask. And in her hand is a scarlet-hilted sabre, its grip and hilt in the shape of a sinuous dragon, its blade shining steel.

Her eyes aren't visible, but the weight of her scrutiny falls easily on Tatsuya Sudou, he who has been called the Old Maid. "Tatsuya Sudou," the woman says, her voice distorted by the Bride's strange power. The monochrome woman lifts her blade to point it at him, the blade's tip gleaming in the low light of the room.

"That isn't going to happen," she tells him. "...You've failed to bring about the world you sought. No more will the lion's roar echo far and wide."

She brings her blade up in salute. "Faust!"

A plague-masked woman appears in a swirl of red light; past the gathered, past Sudou himself, the Groom's Persona dives--and ''whirls'', ''slamming'' into the wall with the force of tons, shattering brick and plaster to let the gloom outside in. The Groom herself is there an instant later, leaping and somersaulting forward to ''body check'' Tatsuya Sudou in an effort to knock him out directly into the parking lot.

She will follow. But is it a good idea to let the New World Order act unopposed?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
When the Groom appears, a moment later so does another woman, appearing in the blink of an eye and with a flutter of wind. She stands about 5'6", and one might mistake her for a fencer, except instead of being in all white she is in all black, from her boots all the way up through the suit to her gloves and her fencing mask, which is all black and hides her face.

On one hip is a rapie in a black scabbard, on the opposite thigh a holster with a heavy revolver made of dark metal.

She lets the Groom do the talking, standing, silent, with her arms crossed as she watches the assembled Persona Users.

There is a turn of her head as Faust is summoned, a silent nod as the Miyu darts past the Persona Users to tackle Sudou to the outside.

When that happens she is suddenly in the office, too, standing between the assembled Persona Users on one side and Miyu and Sudou on the other. She calmly pulls that revolver and lifts it to her head. Her voice is deadly calm as she says, "Persona."

Next to her rises a tall figure--androgynous and impossible to gender. They are draped in a red leather straight jacket with gold studs running down the front, the arms left unopen--a strangely fitting attire, considering the location. The rest of their attire, however, is atypical for the setting. A tattered, feathered hat and a chipped blade clutched through the sleeve of the straightjacket.

In tandem the two turn towards the hole in the wall, ready to leap out after the others. But Tsurugi looks back over her shoulder to the assembled Persona Users, and if her voice weren't so flat and stoic it might be taunting for what she says next. "We will handle this. You will not be required."

User and Persona jump, deftly leaping from diamond shard to diamond shard to get to the parking lot.

The fastest way to get someone to do something is to tell them not to do it, right?
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou is here. His approach is a subtle thing, difficult to spot not because of anti-navigation, but because of his own trained silence and adherence to shadow. He waits several paces behind the Groom, and does not speak to announce himself.

He wears no mask. He does not hide who or what he is from those who do see him. He is Kurou, a boy of seventeen dressed in casual street wear, with freckled skin and long, black hair streaked in vivid blue.

But what does not move is harder to spot, and the only motion Kurou makes as the others speak is in the tightening of his knuckles around the hilt of his tsurugi-style blade. His eyes, like warm gold, do not tear away.

Sudou falls, and Kurou launches into action. He barely makes a sound, even now, not even calling his Persona yet to dash, jump, and roll to the ground with his intent to get close enough to ensure that at least ''someone's'' blade makes it through Sudou's throat.

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
<poem>
The world blurs, but...

It doesn't blur quite the way it does for others. Minako doesn't have a feeling of deja vu; doesn't have a sensation of ''wrongness'' and familiarity. The Siren's call rings in her ears, though, and the smell of blood hits her nose. She looks up. "Careful--"

And Baofu is off. She looks after him, and then back into the room -- where the warden is impaled, and at the Joker Killer. Her blood runs cold for a moment -- and then her eyes widen.

"We--we're not just moving aside for--" Minako's protest is cut short by the sudden shift in the hospital. The way the walls change, the way it goes darker. Sudou leaps out -- and Minako shouts and follows. "SEES! Move!"

She leaps -- from platform to platform. Then, a final leap that seems too high. Her Evoker comes to her head and she cries out: "Persona!"

Linos, resplendant in gold and with a crimson scarf fluttering, appears -- grabs Minako's hand -- and then tosses her. She lands, skids over the concrete, and comes face-to-face with Kurou Ryouhara.

"Who..." She looks at him with crimson eyes, which then narrow. She looks at the Groom, the Bride, and then Remi. Then, she looks back at Kurou. "...I'm giving you one chance. We've got to stop him, here and now."

She swings out her naginata, pointing it for him. Red light flashes up, shooting around her, as Linos hovers behind her. "So step aside!"

</poem>
AS: Persona! Minako Arisato has used the Almighty skill Tarukaja on Minako Arisato!

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
Being brand-new as a Persona User--but not quite so new to the supernatural in general--Jun Kashihara has considerably more of a grasp on how to handle the matter of his long-time stalker. No one had quite told him that the Morimoto Sanitarium is where Tatsuya Sudou has been based all this time, but after returning home and hearing about that awful accident there--and how even reporters are being turned away--Jun had a hunch that ''something'' important is going down. Thus, he'd take a trip up the side of Mt. Katatsumuri to investigate.

He hadn't meant to necessarily sneak into the sanitarium. He is going there by himself, after all--and who knows just how close to the truth the news has hewed? No, he meant to just get close enough to take a peek, get the lay of the land.

That was before he spotted all the corpses. Sensed the presence of many, many other Persona Users.

It would've been sensible for him to simply turn around and head back home, but Jun Kashihara forged an oath with his alter ego to keep his forgotten past locked away--''not'' to turn his eyes away from the truth. It'd been about then that the Death Boss, Eikichi Mishina, had shown up, and after a brief explanation of what Jun was doing there, the two of them agreed to head deeper inside together, so each of them can watch the other's back. It felt... right, somehow, anyway.

But before either of them could actually enter, they both felt a sickening presence at the fetid heart of the sanitarium, vision inverting colors like a photonegative. Both of them know it well: the Old Maid. Tatsuya Sudou.

Not only that... but the sound of ''back-up troops'' arriving at the front of the building.

"Eikichi-kun, we've got to hurry," Jun murmurs to his companion, brown eyes fixed with determination. "We both need to settle things with Sudou-san."

Sneaking around to the front, both of them see the Tien Tao Lao's leader and a woman in bridal regalia, just in time for a black-haired stranger to chase off the Taiwanese mafia man and the Bride to pull a gun on herself. Jun gasps sharply, but his reaction time isn't quick enough to stop her from pulling the trigger. What happens next is fully unexpected: a cage of a Persona materializes around her, and the world goes absolutely wrong, turning into a maze of horrific proportions with suddenly jagged cars forming its perimeter.

Jun clutches his arms in sudden, silent panic. That feeling of being trapped... Hasn't he had enough of that?

Now, at least, though, he has his Persona--and a friend. He takes several deep breaths, steels his nerves, and shares a sharp little nod with Eikichi.

Fortunately, Jun and Eikichi are already outside--which means they can immediately join the fight, rather than getting lost inside. The wall above ''shatters'', and out falls none other than Tatsuya Sudou, having finally discarded his paper bag 'mask,' followed by a... woman...? dressed as a groom. A clear pair for the Bride...

"It's him!" Jun utters, tensing--but that Groom is attacking him. Not only them, but that crowd of Persona Users descends, some he recognizes, some he doesn't. Jun stares warily at the diamond steps that allows them to join everyone else in the parking lot. Between the crowd and their hellish new surroundings-- "What in blazes is going on?"

It's an open-ended question. Even if Eikichi has more experience than him in Persona-related matters, Jun doesn't expect him to know either. Since it's like that, he takes a deep breath, stands tall, and strides forward to properly join the parking lot crowd. Though he has plenty of friends and acquaintances here, his eyes lock on in particular to Maya and Katsuya--Katsuya of course helped him home after his kidnapping and spoke to him about everything afterwards with Akechi, and Maya... well, Jun just feels attached to her for reasons he can't name, much less understand. However, after he nods to both of them, he focuses in on Sudou, whatever state he's in after the Groom's attack--to say nothing of the rapid approach of any other Persona Users.

"Sudou-san. You disposed of your 'mask,' I see," Jun says coldly. "I almost miss it. By comparison, that paper bag is a slightly less hideous sight." He raises the sprig of lilac that serves as his weapon, elegantly arching it across his chest. The pale purple of its petals complement the teal of his school uniform and the yellow of the lily in his breast pocket. "I've come to help put a stop to your monstrous ambitions. Prepare yourself!"

In a spinning circle of light, Argeiphontes appears above him, all white and black and gold. He raises his spaceship caduceus in a mirror of Jun's gesture with his own floral weapon, and the green of swift winds spirals up around Jun, Eikichi, Katsuya and Maya to speed their movements and make them more of a match for the Old Maid, now exposed.
</poem>

AS: Take! Minako Arisato takes 0 Almighty damage from Minako Arisato's Tarukaja.
AS: Atk_Up added!
AS: Persona! Jun Kashihara has used the Almighty skill Masukukaja on Eikichi Mishina, Maya Amano, Katsuya Suou, and Jun
Kashihara!
AS: Support: Jun Kashihara gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Jun Kashihara takes 0 Almighty damage from Jun Kashihara's Masukukaja.
AS: Spd_Up added!
AS: Take! Eikichi Mishina takes 0 Almighty damage from Jun Kashihara's Masukukaja.
AS: Spd_Up added!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>Yukari Takeba hates this entire experience. There's death all around them, with very few survivors. And even before it ends, the government is already acting to cover it up.

Because one corrupt politician doesn't want anything ''embarrassing'' about him to get out. What a joke.

She can't help but think of the Kirijo Group, even with better intentions, was it really enough? Now that she's here though, this place has thoroughly not just creeped her out, terrified her.

Why does she feel like she's encountered some of this before?

marking the end and a new beginning

She had been in something of a daze, as Eriko explains, "The Crawling Chaos? Nyarlathotep? What kind of names are those?" She asks, looking more and more uncomfortable. "Can we... just move on?" She asks, as she rubs an opposite arm. And when they do, things get worse. A pulse. Between each heartbeat, a rush of noise and flashes.

ideals
dreams
a loveless existence
firefirefirefirefirefirefirefirefirefirefirefire

A searing spike of pain in her skull. She can't even grasp this sensation of Deja Vu. There are no memories to reach for. Nevertheless, there is the idea that she's felt this before, many times before. The idea that she's on loop, going in circles, repeating the same thing.

There's no rational reason for it.

an eye staring
watching you

Nothing about this makes sense. Nothing.

call master joker
callcallcallcallcallcallcallcall
make a wish

Inside they go.

mask
leo taurus scorpio aquarius

And there he is. Here there's a sense of Deja Vu yet again, but that doesn't make sense! He talks and as creeped out as she is.

"You really can't take anything seriously, can you? Even when you're killing people... why would we ever respect you for that?" He details though how he's planning on getting away, even starting to count down. "Uhhhh. Why would we ever let you do that?"

Dance with Night Wind - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiFeu9m9Mvo

Then the walls become dark, inhospitable, unfamiliar. "Wait what's happening!? Are you doing that?" Yukari looks around wildly as the scenery changes, suddenly uncertain. The imagery different in a way that yanks her emotions back in the opposite direction.

"You're seeing this right?" She asks Minako, shocked before 'SEES! Move!"

Diamonds are forever. Objects of such value, used for such strangeness as a platform. Perhaps they're not so much forever after all. They're here just as long as they should be, just like everyone else, as she leaps at Minako's command.

Down
Down
Down

She follows to the 'Other' parking lot with uncertain steps in the midst of the horror. There they are, the Groom. The Bride. "You're... those cop-killers from the beach." She knows they're NWO, but... "Lion's roar?" She blinks, and it's like a slap to the face, "What do you know about that? Why do you know about that?!"

More are there too. "And you- you're from the warehouse!" She says angrily, towards the rapier wielding figure. Then there's Kurou, and- well, he doesn't so much as announce himself as leap straight towards Sudou's throat.

It couldn't happen to a nicer guy, and yet.

"You're really here to kill him!? ... His father really did send you to do it..."

Yukari turns towards the bride. And rather than has an episode of 'Deja Vu' instead has a little ''whiplash'' as there's definitely been a change from last time she encountered her. "Wait- are you ''pregnant''?" As she looks towards the rest of the NWO, "Did all of you bring a pregnant woman to your fight against a SERIAL KILLER? What is WRONG with you!?"

A press of the Evoker to her forehead, as she pulls the trigger, "Come- Io!" As her Persona appears, the bovine coffin ridden by the fey girl in chains, she lifts her hands to the heavens and...

Suddenly tries to slow down the bride and the groom.

"How can you people be this messed up!?"

</poem>
BLU-RAY: csys output is missing for Yukari Takeba.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem> The world feels like, in an instant, that it's flipped upside down. 'His' presence is unmistakable now. "#501... he's still here," Katsuya says, narrowing his eyes. "He must be in the Director's office. This time, he won't escape." He hopes, this time, that can be true.

He smells blood. The source is not hard to find: one, impaled to the ceiling. The other, being chewed on by one of Sudou's demons. He's reminded of the discussion earlier regarding the probable source of the wounds on the bodies downstairs. He'd guessed on prior experience that it was likely a hellhound.
And he realizes, then, that Baofu is no longer with them. But there's no longer any time to do anything except exchange an alarmed glance with Maya, is there?

After all, ''he'' is right here before him.

"#501, or should I say--"

The mask is cast aside.

"...Tatsuya Sudou," Katsuya finishes. His hand rests on his holstered gun, as if in anticipation of the other man's next move. He shakes his head. "No. This has gone far enough. You're not getting away from me again. You're under arrest! Surrender yourself right now!"

It should be said that even Katsuya has had the vague sense that there was something wrong about this place, even before now. Even before room #303. The sense that the world has not only inverted itself but twisted inwards is palpable: it had been Wrong before. Now it is ''Wrong''. "What is--" He turns his attention away from Sudou, towards the room around them, as if trying to pinpoint its source.

"What is-- happening--"

rust, rot
shadows on shadows

Something slams into the side of the building; the foundation shudders and he can feel a structure that was built to stand against an earthquake strain. Another follows soon after: the jolt serves drops him to his knees.

Another person is here.

A... woman, some part of his mind parses, in spite of her attire. A Persona-user. As he scrambles to his feet, he's just in time to see her do it: she brings forth her Persona, grinding through the wall and windows with an awful sound that's only punctuated by the gentle chime of falling glass. Into that jagged hole goes Sudou, even as he rushes towards the pair, and it's as he reaches the opening there in the wall that he realizes what it was that hit the building. "What..." he utters, staring at the diamonds embedded in the wall. Then he shakes his head.

"Wait! Sudou!"

And he runs, taking the makeshift staircase all the way down to the ground level.

He's not alone down there. While there's no sign of Baofu, he sees another familiar face. "Kashihara-kun?! But this is--" He shakes his head. "No, never mind! We must stop him before he escapes again!" he says, of Sudou, however he might be in the wake of that fall. Katsuya assumes that won't be enough to stop him: not after everything else so far. And then his gaze falls on Eikichi.

Katsuya's expression here says it all.

"Be careful," he tells Eikichi and Jun after that moment's hesitation. "Amano-kun is one of Sudou's intended targets." To that end--

"Persona--!" he calls out, summoning Helios in a burst of blue flame. A defensive barrier settles in around Maya, as if to protect her if now is the time that Sudou decides to collect on that 'deferred' kill from Seven Sisters months ago.

</poem>
BLU-RAY: csys output is missing for Katsuya Suou.

AS: Take! Yua Ijuuin takes 0 Almighty damage from Yukari Takeba's Masukunda.
AS: Spd_Dn added!

AS: Take! Maya Amano takes 0 Almighty damage from Katsuya Suou's Rakukaja.
AS: Def_Up added!
AS: Take! Maya Amano takes 0 Almighty damage from Jun Kashihara's Masukukaja.
AS: Spd_Up added!

AS: Take! Miho Ijuuin takes 0 Almighty damage from Yukari Takeba's Masukunda.
AS: Spd_Dn added!

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> Masao heard those words from Eriko, and his eyes widen. He can't unhear what she said, and he can't unsee what she's seeing, and...

"You're shittin' me." Beat. "You're not shittin' me..."

...There'll be time for plenty of exasperation along the way to the Warden's Office. Tatsuya Sudou's emanations as a powerful Persona-User have his heart pounding... but his mouth is already running.

"Shut it!!" He dares mouth to the day's most infamous serial killer. "You killed Hannya!" He actually takes a step forward... before some sorrow wells. "We hated each others' guts back then, but, if it weren't for him," by accident and not at all by his intention given the very funny event involving some unflattering graffiti caught on a camera that Hannya had to spin into something positive with deeply clenched teeth, "wouldn't have ever gotten to study art in New York... and y'know, he had someone who still loved him, too..."

"It's time for payb--"

He gets cut off, unceremoniously, by a Groom. The expression on his face is full of 'aw, what' and 'I was airing grievances first(-ish),' as Faust somewhat sidelines him in their movement to the wall they slam open and eventually see Sudou tackled right out.

"Tch," he can only spit as the strange but somewhat familiar feeling of a space that feels... entrapping, inescapable, settles as he runs to the edge of the busted wall to see... massive diamonds as foot- and hand-holds? "Hey! They're gettin' away down there!!" He calls, signaling to Eriko and Tamaki as he makes his way down...

Not all that gracefully, slipping and falling at basically the very last step, suffering nothing but a momentary hit to his dignity. Doesn't matter if he looks silly up at the front. After all...

"Ogun!" He calls, gesturing with a drawn ornate, gaudy, diamond-studded axe. "Let's get funky."

Ogun, a trailblazer from the culture that reveres him, descends down as a thin line of colors that stretches out horizontally into that familiar grass-clad, brown-suited form above a blue column of light above Masao, raising their spear on high and swinging it down like one might an axe, to cleave.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Masao Inaba has used the Slash skill Cleave on Miho Ijuuin!
AS: Counter Neutral! Miho Ijuuin takes 117 Slash damage from Masao Inaba's Cleave. Critical Hit! Counter Slash!
AS: COUNTER! Masao Inaba takes 85 Slash damage in return for his attack!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Shinobu glances Baofu's way as he hurriedly departs, but her focus remains on the warden's office. Whatever they're feeling, it's coming in here... She gets her staff ready, bursting through the door the moment it's open.

And inside - more corpses... and a familiar silhouette.

"...You're here. Guess that's no surprise." She comments. He talks about their offenses and Shinobu rolls her neck, leveling her staff at him. "'No respect'. Yeah. I get that a lot."

And then he ''removes his mask'', drawing out a sword far too big from its container from within it.

"...So that's what you look like." Shinobu says. "Good. Let's put all fakery behind us. ...But, nah. That's not the way this is gonna go."

It isn't - but not because of what she thinks. The world shifts and darkens, drawing in on itself, becoming hostile - and the building rocks, as ''something'' slams into its side. Is that him, or...?

"Shit!" Shinobu curses - and suddenly, there are more people here. The Groom on one side, and Tsurugi on the other. The Groom bodychecks Sudou, knocking him right out of the window. Tsurugi, meanwhile... assures them that they're 'no longer needed'.

Agents of the NWO... Not here for them, but for Sudou. Shinobu grits her teeth, backs up - and then breaks into a ''run'', chasing after Tsurugi. She leaps out the window, chaining parkour jumps down the helpful diamond platforms -

- until the last, where she sends herself flying right toward Tsurugi.

"HEADS-UP!" Shinobu shouts. She aims to land foot first with a falling kick, before bringing her staff down. She jumps back, her staff at the ready. "You know, I'm conflicted. On one hand, I don't give a damn what happens to ''him''. But on the other... the idea of letting you all do what you want ''really'' pisses me off."
</poem>

AS: Weapon! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Strike skill Crushing Drop on Remi Ryuuja! 2 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Shinobu Shimizu gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
<poem>
Hitomi is perceptive, but she's not *sensitive* - which is why she had kept her poop in enough of a group to get some semi-concrete evidence of whatever it was that was happening in Room 303.

But even so. It gets to you. The smell of blood. That strange tension. Hitomi's face is drawn and tightened by tension even before -- even before they see HIM. They see the son of the Prime Minister. He is nobody in particular to Hitomi, and if he had been simply a victim or a target of some political intrigue, she might have sympathized with Tatsuya Sudou.

These potentialities do not last long. Hitomi doesn't answer Sudou. She's starting to hyperventilate, shallowly breathing through her mouth. She wants to throw up. She's mentally counting how many dead bodies she's seen tonight and the number is too large, too damn large. She's a tiny scrap tossed on these winds.

She's going to die. They're all going to die. The very land they're standing on has become hostile. This is an alien presence, something worse than the horror of the attack on the dorm. Hitomi fumbles in the dark for something to grasp onto, some hope, some faith, some other power. It's beyond -

'SEES! Move!'

Hitomi's feet and legs move. All paths lead towards horror and death. Hitomi finds something. As she sees the impossibly enormous diamonds that have been embedded into the sides of the sanatorium, it's like switching the lens setting in a camera and -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZqCbPXyusI

The weight falls off of Hitomi's heart, but she does not laugh. Everything spreads out in front of her, thrilling but intent. She steps forwards and picks her way down, sliding and dropping several times. She does not match Minako's leap, and so she doesn't back Minako Arisato *herself* up, despite the salvation of that command.

Climbing down diamonds to a parking lot is enough to let that whirling brain settle down. To focus. Take stock. Mostly a lot of tiny things - how is she doing? Not that hurt, miraculously. She's exerted her Persona a few times thus far, so that's not at the top of the line, but at least she's warmed up.

Hitomi lands in a crouch with an 'uff' still near the wall, and she looks up, and the person she knows who is nearest to Hitomi is Yukari, and so it is that Hitomi is on Yukari's side. She steps forwards, and says in what is, all things considered, a very level voice - ragged, kind of, urgent, maybe somewhere near or subsequent to an emotional collapse - but reasoned.

"Yukarichi..." not her name, but at least in the right direction. Hitomi reaches into her hip pouch them as she strides forwards even as Io is evoked. Hitomi doesn't pull an Evoker, Hitomi doesn't *have* an Evoker, but Hitomi does have something in her hand.

Hitomi draws back and *hurls* it, whipping the whatever-it-is towards the enormous jeweled figure of Gretchen and the cradled form of Yua. She throws it like she's trying to skip a stone across a lake. The objects fly forwards on a low sharp trajectory, hit the ground and ricochet up tumbling towards Yua.

When they hit they explode.

Having done this, Hitomi turns her head a little. "I'm kind of freaked out, but... Who's pregnant?" The tone is like she's being asked for a spare pencil in the middle of class, for the third time today.

</poem>
AS: Weapon! Hitomi Mandai has used the Strike skill Exploding Sixes on Yua Ijuuin! 3 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Hitomi Mandai gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
That awful sensation crawls up Maya's spine again. The bruise on her chest aches just as it had when she had stared at the poem inside of Sudou's room. For a moment, she thinks she'll lose her footing, but somehow, she remains upright and the feeling fades -- just in time for her to watch Baofu race out of the room.

"Baofu-san! Where are you going?"

She doesn't get an answer -- but even if she did, Maya isn't sure she'd hear it. Not with everything going on.

"Katsuya-san!" she yells, loud enough to be heard over the din. He's on the move immediately and Maya leaps onto the first platform after him. She lands on unsteady feet, but once she regains her balance, the subsequent jumps come easier.

Maya never thought she'd do something like this for a story... but at this point, it's for more than a story!

"Jun-kun!" she shouts as she lands behind Katsuya. "Where did you come from?" And... "Who's your friend?" There's something strangely familiar about him, too...

Whoops, probably not a good time for a conversation!

"Thanks!" she says instead, in thanks for the protective spells. Then she directs her attention back to Sudou.

It's strange seeing him without a mask. "It's time for you to surrender to Katsuya-san!"

And just in case he needs some encouragement...
</poem>
AS: Weapon! Maya Amano has used the Pierce skill Cover Shot on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Pressure: Maya Amano gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvOMVgXbRMI

Hyousuke had followed that strange, disquieting feeling all the way to the office. He'd charged in without a second thought, glad for the mask shielding his face from all that cared to glance at him. He didn't even know what kind of an expression he'd pulled. Anger, perhaps? Frustration? Maybe even fear. It was difficult to say, and his focus was entirely dedicated to taking out the Joker Killer before he escaped again. Flanked by a creaking mass of bronze, shield and spear brought to bear without hesitation, he only stopped his advance when he saw blonde hair tumbling from the mask's confines.

"Eat shit." Was his response, stifled first by clenched teeth, then by the mask's surface. Stalking forward, his every step heavy enough to thud out into the office like a thunderclap, he did his best to ignore the warden's skewered corpse. He saw it, and his eyes flickered to it, but he could not afford to be distracted. He could not - at such a critical juncture - allow old wounds to open themselves, and distract him from the fight to come. "I don't care who you are. This ends no-"

A familiar figure interrupted the proceedings, and Hyousuke backed up a step, instinctively creating enough distance for his Persona to shield him. He wished desperately to fight them. Every muscle in his body yearned to surge forward, heaving rending metal and bludgeoning fists into everyone that dared to oppose his will. But the walls... the walls seemed to close in on him. They seemed to speak to him, darkening and reddening and marking themselves, the Bride's power leaving its mark on every crack and crevice of that accursed lair. His muscles tightened, and his guard rose, as if waiting for a blow that would never come. He was silent, he was defensive, and he was waiting.

The blow came, but not for him. Amidst the Bride's warping and twisting of reality around them all, he scarcely had time to process that blink-fast strike, or the instinctive leap that followed. Hyousuke ran out through that same hole, descending like a lightning bolt into the parking lot. He heard no command from any leaders, he saw no signal, and thought nothing of the meteoric force with which he impacted the ground. He was like a hound in pursuit, finally catching a scent and letting countless hours of training guide his every movement.

By the time that he was conscious again, Hyousuke had cannoned forward into the fray. The rage-blindness cleared from his vision, and there before him was a face he recognised. Only vaguely - only from passing by it in Kasugayama's halls - but he knew enough about them that the anger sparked up in him once more.
"YOU!" He bellowed at Kurou, bringing Achilles to the fore, a great wall of metal to shield the allies he'd not even noticed he had. "What the hell are you doing here?!" No thoughts of opsec and secrets entered his mind. It was only luck and habit that kept him from mentioning names, or declaring bloody vengeance. But it did not stop his aggression. That honour fell to Minako, and her decidedly more level head.

He was like a leashed attack dog, waiting to strike. Muscles wound like springs, teeth bared in a vicious snarl, eyes focussed like white-hot daggers - a single provocation, and his strength would be levelled at Kurou. But for now, he made a show of force.
"Move. I'll deal with you later. That piece of shit over there is *ours.*" With the demand made, a command was given to Achilles, and the mighty general heaved his shield into the air. His divine invincibility flowed outwards as a strengthening energy, seeping into Moriko and Minako, lending them his strength for the trials to come... and to show Kurou that this was not a battle to be taken lightly.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
<poem>Seeing Jun empowered by the mystical tomfoolery that is Persona, Eikichi is a little worried for the second prettiest boy at school. I mean coming from the FIRST prettiest at Kasugayama, that was high praise.

Still this was the time to settle his score with the Joker Killer. To help others settle theirs as well.

The Death Boss walks with his heavy bag, following Jun with his heavy guitar case. He stops besides his friend and starts grinning when he sees Sudou.

Eikichi looses the strap on his guitar case strap, continuing to grin at Sudou. Suddenly, removes a microphone with a small speaker attached. It was a handheld karaoke device. Eikichi clicks it on and lets out a ...impressive and powerful high note. He purses his lips and adds, "By the way, you look like shit, Sudou. I like the old look better. I didn't have to look at yer ugly mug."

Eikichi looks over at Katsuya, still holding the mic. This is the most innocent boy in Sumaru, Officer Suou. You can't help but love his boyish charm. "I got this, officAAAAAAAAA" There's that high note again.

Eikichi turns back to Sudou, grinding his teeth before speaking up again. "I brought the microphone to work on vocal exercises because YER NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO GIVE MY PRACTICE UP!"

Eikichi purses his lips into the mic and blows. This is to build up breath control. He looks very into it.

Meanwhile, Rhadamanthus appears in front of Eikichi and attempts to send a torrent of water at Sudou.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Recovery skill Invincible General on Hyousuke Suzuki, Minako Arisato, and
Moriko Kumamoto!
AS: Pressure: Hyousuke Suzuki gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Invincible General.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added!
AS: Persona! Eikichi Mishina has used the Water skill Aqua on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Eikichi Mishina regains 8 HP from Regenerate!
AS: Block Best! Yua Ijuuin takes 2 Strike damage from Hitomi Mandai's Exploding Sixes.
AS: Block Neutral! Yua Ijuuin takes 22 Strike damage from Hitomi Mandai's Exploding Sixes. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 39 Strike damage from Hitomi Mandai's Exploding Sixes. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Worst! Remi Ryuuja takes 89 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Crushing Drop. Critical Hit!
AS: Counter Best! Remi Ryuuja takes 80 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Crushing Drop. Critical Hit!
AS: COUNTER! Shinobu Shimizu takes 46 Slash damage in return for her attack!
AS: Tatsuya Sudou has readied for combat as Old Maid! He is now fully healed! Ready for 4 opponents!

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>Behind the visor obscuring her face, Moriko's eyes go from the body, to the figure, to the surrounding devastation and back again. Adjusting her grip on the bisentou. Minako beats her to the reply. Moriko still tries to get a bit in though, "Ain't happening." Then the warning. You know, and the guy jumping out.

Following just behind. Bouncing platform to platform, she pulls the trigger at the last. The fox bouncing along behind her for a few steps before jerking its head up. The earthen spike blunted and assisting her jump so that she lands.. mostly in one piece with the heavy thud of boots and a faint grunt.

Pushing herself up with the polearm, she drawls, "Hope you got a plan." though it might be to herself, her persona, the other two with her or even the greater cosmos at this point.

She had been avoiding looking through the different words and paintings at this point. Something told her she shouldn't linger too long there. It made her head hurt either way.

Working her fingers, she knocks the polearm against her helmet, then steps forward and takes a not disimilar stance to Minako, using an adjacent weapon of sorts. She tilts her head Minako's way and mutters to both her and any others in the very near immediate vicinity, "Just tell me what the call is."

"Past or through, we're stopping him." the biker pipes up as Hyousuke joines the two. "Out of the way."

The evoker goes under the chin of her helmet and she summons Otohime Gitsune again. The regally dressed fox watching the other figure. Faint ghostlights tracking movement. Hopefully making it easier for the three to track him.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Eikichi Mishina has used the Water skill Aqua on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Eikichi Mishina regains 8 HP from Regenerate!
AS: Take! Moriko Kumamoto takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Invincible General.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added!
AS: Persona! Moriko Kumamoto has used the Almighty skill Tarunda on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Ruin: Moriko Kumamoto gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 59 Water damage from Eikichi Mishina's Aqua. Weak!
AS: Paralyze added!
AS: Take! Kurou Ryouhara takes 0 Almighty damage from Moriko Kumamoto's Tarunda.
AS: Atk_Up removed!
AS: Weapon! Maya Amano has used the Pierce skill Cover Shot on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Pressure: Maya Amano gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"The Crawling Chaos. Nyarlethotep. ...It's still alive. It didn't die with Kandori."

That was the last thing Eriko sad before the crushing aura of wrongness crashed down on room #303. There was no more time to investigate the room. Something was there, and it was time to leave or fight- and Eriko has chosen to stay and fight. She has to know, now. Why was that Persona involved? How does a Persona survive the death of it's wielder?

"Even I wouldn't be flippant about this, Mark." Eriko responds to Mark, her voice deadly serious. She knows why he asks, though- it would be so much better if she was. "It's the name of a very powerful, very dangerous and very cruel Persona. If it's here..." The fact that that's all she gives Yukari is probably a sign of how serious this is to her. She does not go into detail about the Cthulhu Mythos or the power of modern mythology. She just keeps moving- too many people sacrificed too much

As such, she's among the first making for the Warden's office- a Warden, not a head Doctor. ...Maybe Phoenix's rage makes a touch more sense now.

The Joker Killer gives his speech, and while she tries to track him, she has other questions- "Tell me! How do you know about Nyarlethotep!? Answer me-"

Later, she will feel a pang of guilt that she didn't even think about Hannya in this moment, that she didn't consider he deserved to be avenged, after all that talk of not being the people who decide who lives or dies. Right now, she has something greater on her mind.

And then... a different wrongness, a familiar maze, and the Joker Killer has launched himself outside. "...This is Gretchen's work," Eriko announces to the room- and those who were there to save Sojiro Sakura might realize what she means. "We can't leave now. Not until we defeat her. If you run... you'll just be at her mercy."

But there is someone else between her and the Bride- a Groom, and when she hears the name, Eriko can easily put two and two together- and Mark launches himself at that chosen opponent, and Eriko follows. "Got it! Nike, grant protection!" She salutes with her epee, and the light of Rakukaja falls toward Mark- his survival, today, is one of her priorities. That horrible deja vu feeling still hasn't left. "Tamaki, can you support us?"

Eriko leaps down after Mark, leaping from crystal to crystal.

'wheeeeee' thinks a part of her that isn't being too loud right now

"...The magician who deals with devils," Eriko says. as she lands in front of Miho- the Groom- and her eyes lock onto her. "The man who tried to make Gretchen join him in damnation, and whose soul was only saved because she refused and chosed to die instead." Her eyes glance toward the Bride, then back to the Groom. "...I hope for your sakes your story and his are not so intertwined."
</poem>

AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 23 Pierce damage from Maya Amano's Cover Shot.
AS: Persona! Eriko Kirishima has used the Almighty skill Rakukaja on Masao Inaba!
AS: Pressure: Eriko Kirishima gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 0 Almighty damage from Eriko Kirishima's Rakukaja.
AS: Def_Up added!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> ------BEFORE-----

'The Crawling Chaos. Nyarlethotep. ...It's still alive. It didn't die with Kandori.' Yukari isn't the only one dealing with the after effects of seeing what was in that damned room.

Outside room #303, there was a placeholder here, represented by a simple blackbird. Except, it's not truly a blackbird, but a signal for people to look elsewhere, because this space is not important. Temporarily, there was someone hunched over the woven basket holding the trunk of a fake plant, making muted retching sounds. Let us not dwell on this, as it's a blackbird again, and there's more important matters to look at, and seek.

And in their wake, there is a white crow with blue eyes here, in front of the ordinary blackbird. The former delivers a message, and, with that, the meager blackbird is a girl again, a hand reaching out to grasp the illusion, half expecting to feel the softness of feathers underneath her fingers.

(She could wear gloves, and it would be more practical, but for all the reasons Umie Akabane claims, the truest one is that she is, at heart, a tactile person.)

She lifts her half mask to wipe her tears, making no comment as Baofu walks past her, on his way out towards his own bid to deal with demons of his own past.

------NOW------

Some of the group has earlier asked who else would be sent, on top of the Tien Tao Lien.

If Umie had thought longer on it, she would have said 'them', and pointed to the people who'd be outside, in the parking lot, in the future. But that Umie lay in the past, and could not see into the future, and the future Umie, with her future knowledge, had not happened yet. Present Umie, instead, feels the walls distort and shift, and knows who has come.

( https://youtu.be/RiQxOkNF7mA?si=bntTzk4QbjRm2OOx )

With a shriek of the Badb, the masked Umie Akabane has entered the field of battle, distorting the whims and wiles of her opponents! Which.... number one, for now.

Because Umie got distracted, as evidenced by how her sneakers slow from a determined, steadfast bolt through the doors of the sanitarium to a light jog, her head briefly turned, making a worried glance towards Kurou while she keeps the line of her mouth a neutral line. If the illusion of the mask was ever going to hold in Kurou's mind, it'd have a hard time with the familiar mask she wears, being that it's the one Kurou made for her. Her eyes travel to Hyousuke, and she recongizes the fury. Well, possibly. There's still a chance Hyousuke doesn't know, and he's just angry because the NWO and Sudou are here.

All the more reason to fight the person that is most certainly keeping them here: the Bride. (Who... is pregnant, according to Yukari? Umie wasn't paying attention.)

"We can work around that," she says, glancing to Hitomi and Yukari. "She's the one putting up the field. No one's going to get in or out until she's unconscious."
</poem>

AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Almighty skill Hooded Smile on Yua Ijuuin!
AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit!
AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate!

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
"...Two..." Sudou glares at the group before he feels the presence of a relative and just like the annoying relative who doesn't call they have started to get their peanut butter in his chocolate. The world is topsy and turvy and not in the way that he likes, that is to say when he is doing it. Before he can attempt to exert any control over the situation the groom arrives.

Out the window he goes and smashes into the warden's car, sword and all. He lays there for a moment before he pulls himself out of the taco of meddle that the car has become. "Three" Sudou reaches back and cuts the broken car in to two pieces as the eyes on the sword light up with dark flames. "PERSONA!"

The Joker Persona rises up behind Sudou, as the killer accepts the use of the persona for the first time. His eyes move to catch the attention of those calling out to him. "Ma-ya, Jun, even you wanna be heavy metal boy, maybe even you Mr. Law and Order. Last chance. In fact. "Sudou takes a deep breath and shouts, roars perhaps, " Anyone who wishes to remember the way things should be. All you have to do is turn on everyone else and help me!"

Perhaps it is in response, perhaps it is just poor timing but the torrent of water washes over him and stumbles him back followed by a bullet grazing his arm. "So be it. We will do things the hard way."

Sudou takes from his trench coat a bottle of alcohol and hands it to his persona, the Joker takes a large swig of the bottle before spraying forth black fire. The persona sprays the fire out as a wave towards those who have caught his attention.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Dark skill Black Dragon Breath on Jun Kashihara, Katsuya Suou, Eikichi Mishina,
and Maya Amano!

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
Julian Marlowe isn't here, of course. He's never been anywhere near here. As for the Supernatural Investigator, Vesper... he so far ''also'' hasn't been seen today by anyone here. And he definitely didn't get hopelessly lost on the way to the Sanitarium. That's one advantage of going there by himself, no one can prove any of these things happened.

He did, however, manage to get close enough to get caught in the Bride's web. Truly the pinnacle of irony, that this ability for once actually helps someone get to where he wanted to go in the first place. The terribly unpleasant sensations that this comes with aren't exactly ideal, yet also... not entirely unfamiliar. This choking feeling of being trapped with no way out... regardless of how many times it comes back to haunt him, it never gets any easier, does it? He never did learn to live with it, only to hold back the tears.

The scene that he so happens to stumble into is a chaotic one, though Vesper does have the advantage of arriving from an unexpected direction. It allows him a brief moment to quickly survey the situation, taking stock of the many Persona Users gathered - trapped - in this horrid space. Several of which are familiar to him. Kasugayama students naturally draw his special attention, causing him to take notice of Jun Kashihara's newly found abilities... as well as the presence of Kurou Ryouhara among the aggressors.

But this is hardly the time to focus on such things. He only half knows what's going on, but he has a decent enough impression of the lines that have been drawn. He'll just have to do what he can to assist. In his own way, of course. And so...

"Begging your pardon for the intrusion..."

Suddenly there's this guy in a fancy grey suit sauntering his way into the scuffle between Remi and Shinobu, politely lifting his bowler hat in greeting. Right before bringing a hand to his stark white opera mask, which glows blue as he calls, "Raffles!"

The iron-masked half cricket player, half gentleman Persona appears behind Vesper, making his allegiance clear with a quick wave of its diamond-tipped cane, sending a wave of weakness Tsurugi's way. While its summoner calmly continues to address Shinobu. "Shimizu-san, if I've remembered correctly? Might you catch me up on the situation here?"

As ever, there's no need to explain his presence, or the timing of it. A Gentleman always arrives exactly where and when he means to.
</poem>

AS: Avoid Best! Maya Amano takes 33 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Black Dragon Breath. Weak!
AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Almighty skill Tarunda on Remi Ryuuja!
AS: Nerve Up! Jun Kashihara's SP +8!
AS: Avoid Worst! Jun Kashihara takes 68 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Black Dragon Breath.
AS: Mind Up! Yua Ijuuin's SP +8!
AS: Take! Yua Ijuuin takes 0 Almighty damage from Umie Akabane's Hooded Smile.
AS: Charm added!
AS: Block Worst! Eikichi Mishina takes 102 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Black Dragon Breath. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Are they really going to kill him? Kurou does not answer Yukari's shocked question, because he is too busy trying to kill a man.

His dash comes to an abrupt and sudden halt before Minako Arisato. The only indication of surprise on his otherwise stoic face is in the slight lift of his brows as he regards her, her naginata, and then her face again.

"I see," he says, softspoken. "Then... demonstrate."

Kurou immediately seeks to test her skill with that weapon of his by coming at her with his own blade, weaving to strike and slash in rapid succession.

''YOU'', someone calls, and Kurou turns toward Hyousuke. He stares back, unflinching... only to slowly point to himself in silent inquiry that such a heated bellow is for him. What is he doing here? That is a fair question.

"Assassination," he answers, because at this point it's hardly a secret. Move. Kuoru does not, even as Hyousuke claims Sudou. "... Then earn it."

The chain attached to the hilt of his sword flies out as Kurou seeks to latch the claw of it onto Hyousuke and use the chain and blade together to restrict his arms to better make his strikes.

Moriko joins in the demand, and with it, she turns her Persona against him to bathe him in ghostlight. Kurou's eyes sharpen.

"...You have already chosen ''through''. Gashadokuro."

In a swift and fluid motion, he recoils his chain to hold in his hilt-hand, freeing the other to grab his scarf. He yanks it taught, and a mechanism activates as a halo of needles hidden in the fabric launches into his own throat. He does not flinch or hiss with pain -- he convulses, and a colosssal skeleton Persona rises under Moriko's feet.

Gashadokuro, grave dirt pouring from teeth made of the jagged bones of other human remains, bites down.

Across the battlefield, Kurou spots Umie Akabane. He knows it is Umie because he knows that mask. Because it is the mask he painted. Even on the battlefield, Kurou's eyes sparkle with emotion.

</poem>
AS: Weapon! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Slash skill Hachiju Hachiya on Minako Arisato! 3 Hits!
AS: Pressure: Kurou Ryouhara gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Slash skill Defy Earth on Hyousuke Suzuki! 2 Hits!
AS: Persona! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Strike skill E A T on Moriko Kumamoto!
AS: Take! Remi Ryuuja takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Tarunda.
AS: Atk_Dn added!
AS: Block Neutral! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 15 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Defy Earth.
AS: Haze added!
AS: Avoid Best! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 5 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Defy Earth.
AS: Block Best! Katsuya Suou takes 33 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Black Dragon Breath.
AS: Take! Minako Arisato takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Invincible General.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added!

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
It's just like the Death Boss to take all this supernatural awfulness in stride. Maybe the microphone and vocal practice gives him the focus he needs to shake the brain-churning feelings of the bizarre labyrinth that's formed around them off. Jun gives him a look of respect--how could he not, when Eikichi's always so focused on his dreams?--before turning his focus on Katsuya and Maya. There's a lot going on, so many other battles pitching around the five of them--with people he knows!--but when it comes to Personas, Eikichi's the senpai here. He needs to follow his example and keep it together.

"Fully agreed, Suou-san," he calls back to Katsuya. "This is precisely why Eikichi-kun and I came here." His own beautiful face twists with equal parts anger and concern when he hears that Maya is also one of Sudou's targets. Like that look Katsuya gives Eikichi, his face says it all.

But Maya asks more explicit questions, and the anger melts away in favor of worry when he looks her way. "This is Eikichi Mishina, a schoolmate of mine. He was also targeted by the Old Maid once upon a time. We came here after hearing about the rumors about the Morimoto Sanitarium, thinking we might find out more about Sudou-san--and got caught up in all this." He gestures with his lilac-bearing hand at the 'walls' of the dimensional maze. "As fellow victims of his, Amano-san, let us all work together to put a stop to his reign of terror!"

Speaking of whom, Sudou lurches up from the car he smashed in his landing to make a 'final' offer for them to join him. Jun's sneer is positively derisive. "Never," he enunciates. "There is only one Tatsuya for me!"

The JOKER Persona, which had terrorized him into near-madness once upon a time, spews black flames at Jun and his friends. He raises his arms reflexively to shield himself, and Argeiphontes swoops down to redirect the attack away from him. It means the aspect of Hermes shatters in its wake, which does its own sort of damage to Jun--but so be it.

"Hnngh... Per... Persona..." Jun rasps, clutching his chest. This is his first true battle; all the school bullies he's shaken off before now, literally, are toothless puppies compared to this. Even so, he concentrates, and Argeiphontes reappears, twirling in place above him. Katsuya said that Maya is another one of Sudou's targets, and something about her makes Jun worry in particular for her safety. Once again, his Persona raises his caduceus, but this time sweeps it towards Maya to raise up a shield to protect against further magic.
</poem>

AS: Avoid Neutral! Minako Arisato takes 24 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Hachiju Hachiya. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Best! Minako Arisato takes 6 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Hachiju Hachiya.
AS: Avoid Neutral! Minako Arisato takes 17 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Hachiju Hachiya.
AS: Persona! Jun Kashihara has used the Almighty skill Makarakarn on Maya Amano!
AS: Support: Jun Kashihara gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
Tamaki scarcely has any time to react to what Eriko had mentioned about Nyarlathotep. If it's something she and ''Mark'' recognize, that must have been from the Mikage-cho incident. Indeed, Eriko confirms it by speaking Kandori's name. The revelations have raised even more questions, but the most she can manage right now is a surprised, "Wait, what -- " in tandem with Masao's 'You're not shittin' me ...' before:

Everything goes wrong all at once. The world quakes. Escape routes are cut off.

The Groom intercepts the Joker Killer.

"Right behind you!" she shouts as she trots down the ad hoc rock stairway, herself. After she glances around the parking lot, she steps back in surprise as she spots the Knight and Bridge, both familiar faces to her. While one of their number escapes her notice entirely, her eyes narrow as she stands upright and points her sabre at the Groom. She hasn't dropped into a fighting stance yet -- this is a salute.

"I've met the other two, but we haven't had the pleasure, it seems." Tamaki draws her blade back and shakes her head. "We're not letting you put the Old Maid in the discard pile."

She's not going to let Tatsuya Sudou get swept under the rug like an inconvenient problem. Not like Ideo. With a newfound confidence surging through her, she grasps her choker and defiantly stares down the Groom. "We're doing it our way."

Tamaki calls back to Eriko's request for support with, "On it!" Arianrhod bursts through blue flames.

"Heaven calls! Earth calls! The people call!" The wing-armored goddess holds her broadsword aloft as prisms of light shine down on Tamaki, Eriko, and Mark. Tamaki drops into proper fencing stance and announces, "The world calls for us to make things right!"

</poem>
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Recovery skill Per Aspera on Tamaki Uchida, Eriko Kirishima, and Masao Inaba!
AS: Tamaki Uchida takes 45 damage from Stress!
AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Per Aspera.
AS: Atk_Up and Inner_Strength added!
AS: Take! Maya Amano takes 0 Almighty damage from Jun Kashihara's Makarakarn.
AS: Reflect_Magi added!

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
"Tatsuya Sudou will escape no longer," Yumi promises, when they worry at his fleeing. "In my web he dwells. Ah, and you... and ''you''..." Her tone grows a touch more strained, as her veiled gaze passes over the schoolchildren. Jun, Hyousuke, Minako, Moriko... all the youths she teaches, in those dance classes she holds at the schools. "Endure," she urges them, "or perish with him."

They should not let them do as they please, she thinks, hearing Shinobu's rage. And yet...

"My Groom knows the world which must be," Yumi illustrates, for Yukari. "She is so 'Chosen', to receive the words and vistas of perfection. And in her I believe," she insists, a touch grave. "For I hear the truth of it."

"Wrong," the Bride echoes, as Yukari approaches her. "False testimony witnessed by this court of fools. Incorrect. There is nothing good here; no right placement nor alignment."

She clasps one hand over her other wrist, where she holds her Evoker. "No. I should not be here," she says, finding more sense to say it. "But this lock and key is mine. So have I come, by my own will. You have seen Sake-san's..." A light softness, to her voice, a touch of regret, and she shakes her head. "... Tatsuya Sudou is a man who is adept at moving within supernatural spaces. Now he knows not where to move. Now will he die."

Io's winds whip up, and Gretchen clasps her hands together, trapping Yumi in the jail of her arms. The winds batter at the bars, flutter at her dress -- and there is a slight ill tinge to the Persona, as it sinks a little, but the woman standing at her skirts seems unharmed.

(To be sure, Yumi ''does'' feel heavier, too... but Yumi feels heavy all the time, now.)

"It was not by our hand that his death was written," she advises Yukari, when she asks how they can be so messed up. "Still will we transcribe it."

Another of her students lands, then, with a little ''huff.'' Hitomi, she knows, is not the ''most'' physically adept student... but she has always tried her best, in class. She reaches into her pocket, and tosses out -- dice? They clatter against the bars of the jail cell, having, apparently, the luck (was it luck?) not to go straight through; the explosion rocks the bars, blows back Gretchen's dress, but --

-- the woman inside that cell remains unshaken, by what batters its bars.

Badb shrieks, though, and Gretchen's masked face turns towards her. "Ah," Yumi smiles, her lips ''just'' visible beneath her veil. "You have come to me. Good. I will spare you, if I can." And why is her voice so warm, as she addresses the woman in her mask?

It is not just the friendliness the Badb invites her to, but Umie could be forgiven for giving into that delusion.

"Let us dance," she invites Umie, as she twirls, Gretchen swaying in turn -- only to stagger, a little, as she completes her revolution. "Oh -- I am a little slower..." Sukunda might not affect Gretchen's ''blocking,'' but it sure does get her ''psyche'' down.

"And fall!" She invites, then, as Gretchen's arms fan open to gesture to Hitomi and Yukari. More of those massive gemstones fall, into their space, great diamonds each worth a devil's ransom.

"Pray, turn them aside," she calls to her allies, as Gretchen's waters clutch around them and leave them stronger. "Our target is Tatsuya Sudou--!"

</poem>
AS: Persona! Yua Ijuuin has used the Almighty skill Dance With Me on Umie Akabane!
AS: Yua Ijuuin takes 45 damage from Stress!
AS: Charm results in party damage! Yua Ijuuin takes 90 damage!
AS: Ruin: Yua Ijuuin gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Yua Ijuuin has used the Earth skill Mamagnara on Hitomi Mandai and Yukari Takeba!
AS: Persona! Yua Ijuuin has used the Recovery skill Rousing Wave on Miho Ijuuin, Remi Ryuuja, Kurou Ryouhara, and Yua
Ijuuin!
AS: Yua Ijuuin: Charm removed!
AS: Take! Yua Ijuuin takes 0 Recovery healing from Yua Ijuuin's Rousing Wave.
AS: Atk_Up added!

<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
<poem>
"We'll figure out what the hell's happening later!" Minako calls to Yukari, just after she leaps. The change in environment unnerves her -- but sometimes, all she can do is rush ahead and figure it out later.

As she faces Kurou, she hesitates -- and it's Hyousuke's sudden anger, which cools a ''little'' that makes her glance sideways at him. "Do you know this guy?" she asks. It sounds like he does; it sounds like it's personal, too.

Moriko asks her what the call is. "If he tries to stop us, we go through him."

Which he seems poised to require. Minako's eyes widen as Kurou's katana comes in. She just steps to the side -- the blade cuts across the sleeve of her jacket, away from the armband, before her naginata spins up. It catches the katana's second strike, and then the third slashes across her side, leaving another cut in the fabric.

She hisses in pain, then lunges forward. She strikes with the haft of her naginata, the pole swinging around for Kurou's cheek. "Linos!"

And then her Persona is suddenly ''there'', and she swings her harp back. The huge weapon sweeps out, and follows Minako's strike up with one of its own.

</poem>
AS: Tandem! Minako Arisato has used the Strike skill Dual Smash on Kurou Ryouhara! 2 Hits!
AS: Block Worst! Hitomi Mandai takes 233 Earth damage from Yua Ijuuin's Mamagnara. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Bind added!
AS: Avoid Worst! Yukari Takeba takes 149 Earth damage from Yua Ijuuin's Mamagnara.
AS: Bind added!
AS: Take! Remi Ryuuja takes 0 Recovery healing from Yua Ijuuin's Rousing Wave.
AS: Atk_Dn removed!
AS: Take! Kurou Ryouhara takes 0 Recovery healing from Yua Ijuuin's Rousing Wave.
AS: Crt_Up added!
AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 0 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Per Aspera.
AS: Atk_Up and Inner_Strength added!

<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
Katsuya mentions Sudou's escape. Miyu--Miho--answers him as she touches down, "If you arrest him," she says, "He won't survive to trial. It is too late for that now."

The cop-killers from the beach, Yukari says. "It is so." And she asks how she knows.

"'The seven Pleiades set the frozen time free. Wild dance, shadowed festival, foreign song ensue. As flames of expiation light the heavens...'"

Miyu recites it for Yukari, even as Yukari asks. "What was will be. What will be was. ...The truth will always out."

But Mark calls on Ogun. Ogun's spear cleaves down towards the Groom--and she ''takes'' it on the hsoulder, red flames bursting out as her Persona defends her. In the same moment she lunges, ''hacking'' across the Persona's form with a deft maneuver. "Hup--"

"So, he killed someone dear to you. I apologize that I can't leave you to your vengeance--I have my own task."

She looks to Eriko,k next. Eriko, who movs to protect Mark, and immediately updates a certain calculus thus in Miho's mind. Then shne speaks of Faust...

"It is true that I am dissatisfied withthe dross of this world," Miho says. "But 'God' is not my enemy."

She looks next to Tamaki. "I am Miyu, the Groom to the Bride Yumi. And you must stop me if you wish to save him... though I wonder why you would. He would murder you without a second thought."

The call of Heaven, Earth, and the people shines Tamaki's presence. Miyu nods to her, and salutes with her sabre. "So that is your way..."

"But Heaven is flawed, swordswoman. This world is false. Only the Truth can set uss free."

Miho starts forward, and Faust raises her hands. Suddenly, columns of light blast down at Mark and Eriko, which turn into sizzling, surging nuclear flames that ''explode'' into blue light.

"You are experienced combatants," Miyu senses, her mask's gaze settling on Mark, Eriko, and Tamaki in turn. "I can sense that..."

She cuts the air with her sword, adopting a masterful fencing stance. "But I am no novice!"

She challenges Tamaki's fencing stance immediately, aggressively advancing on her with her dragon blade with a strike, strike, ''slice''--

She does not go for the vital organs, but for disabling.

Then, "Faust! Shield me from witchcraft!" Faust waves her gloved hand, and a barrier of magic shines into being around Miyu, green hexagons briefly shining through the air and fading into almost nothing.

Miho is guarding against magic! Use physical attacks!
</poem>

AS: Take! Miho Ijuuin takes 0 Recovery healing from Yua Ijuuin's Rousing Wave.
AS: Atk_Up added!
AS: Persona! Miho Ijuuin has used the Fire skill Mafreila on Masao Inaba and Eriko Kirishima!
AS: Pressure: Miho Ijuuin gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Miho Ijuuin has used the Slash skill Sabre Advance on Tamaki Uchida! 2 Hits!
AS: Persona! Miho Ijuuin has used the Almighty skill Spell Guard on Miho Ijuuin!
AS: Take! Miho Ijuuin takes 0 Almighty damage from Miho Ijuuin's Spell Guard.
AS: Magi_Safety applied!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Tamaki Uchida takes 80 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Sabre Advance. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Best! Tamaki Uchida takes 39 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Sabre Advance. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Kurou Ryouhara takes 53 Strike damage from Minako Arisato's Dual Smash. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Kurou Ryouhara takes 34 Strike damage from Minako Arisato's Dual Smash.
AS: Take! Eriko Kirishima takes 0 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Per Aspera.
AS: Atk_Up and Inner_Strength added!
AS: Block Neutral! Masao Inaba takes 122 Fire damage from Miho Ijuuin's Mafreila. Critical Hit!
AS: Blast added!
AS: Avoid Best! Eriko Kirishima takes 58 Fire damage from Miho Ijuuin's Mafreila.
AS: Blast added!
AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Almighty damage from Yua Ijuuin's Dance With Me.
AS: Recovery_Wall and Spd_Dn added!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
~Earlier~

"... But you make it sound like..."

She trails off, as the thought occurs to her that 'The Persona is acting on its own.'

What a disturbing idea.

~Back to Now~

"What do you mean 'world'?" She asks the Bride, seeming more and more weirded out, is 'this' place 'The Other Side'? Her words however confuse her all the more, "Are you okay? You seem pretty... all over the place..."

Whereas Miho recites more of, "That's from that weird poem on his cell wall...!" The one that made her feel like...

"How do ''you'' know it?"

Yukari turns her head at Hitomi calling her Yukarichi- just in time to see her rearing back for a throw of. "Wait don't!" The hurled objects explode, and she points abruptly at the bride, "She is! Be-" Then she sees the figure of Gretchen ward off the dice fully, "-careful? Oh... her Persona is like Lucia." Well that explains things for her, especially as Umie contextualizes that this 'effect' is coming from her?

"Alright then target the upper half of her Persona. ''Not her''!" She barks this in a commanding way at both Umie and Hitomi.

The Bride declares for them to dance, just as gemstones are flung at them, and Yukari's eyes go wide as Io floats down to interpose herself. The Gem plows into her, sending her careening into the wall of the parking lot, her Persona shattering instantly into shards not unlike glass.

"Nngh-" The migraine like pain of a Persona break shoots through her psyche, and she puts her evoker back to her forehead, "-Help us!"

A shattering noise, the Persona emerges again, newly formed and summoned as she spreads her arms wide, and healing energy flows through herself, Hitomi and with a quick glance to one of the Groom's targets, Tamaki as well.

The Persona then gestures at Gretchen and winds pick up, slamming into Gretchen's upper half, trying to loosen her grip upon the Bride.

"We don't have to do this!" A beat, "It really can't be good for the baby!"

Well she's actually probably right about this one.

</poem>
AS: Persona! Yukari Takeba has used the Recovery skill Naiad Mediarama on Hitomi Mandai, Yukari Takeba, and Tamaki
Uchida!
AS: Support: Yukari Takeba gains 1 Limit!
AS: Yukari Takeba: Bind removed!
AS: Yukari Takeba regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 117 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Naiad Mediarama.
AS: Take! Yukari Takeba takes 117 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Naiad Mediarama.
AS: Eriko Kirishima spends Limit on Shift! Tamaki Uchida can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Yukari Takeba spends Limit on Exploit! Yukari Takeba can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Yukari Takeba has used the Wind skill Magaru on Yua Ijuuin!
AS: Mind Up! Yua Ijuuin's SP +8!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 72 Wind damage from Yukari Takeba's Magaru.
AS: Haze added!

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
Tsurugi and (the unnamed) La Maupin make it down easily enough, the Persona User landing in a neat crouch onto the parking lot's surface, before elegantly stnding up. Chaos is already breaking out, and she seeks out Sudou.

Yukari asks them what is wrong with them, bringing a pregnant woman to battle a serial killer. Tsurugi does not reply, but Miho might feel Tsurgui's attention ficker onto her for the barest of a fraction of a moment.

She hasn't forgotten what happened in that storage unit.

There is no time to ponder this as Shinobu comes crashing down on her, foot extended. In her momentarily distracted state, the kick connects bodily, sending her crashing to the ground with a silent grunt.

But when the staff comes down a moment later, it is La Maupin that responds instead, charging into the staff to lash out with their own rapier as Tsurugi kips up to her feet.

She turns towards Shinobu after that, her presence hostile and implacable. Her voice is still stoic. "What I want is irrelevant. Accept that today our goals are aligned."

But Vesper makes his appearance, and Tsurugi feels her grip on her rapier slackening as that wave of weakness washes over her. "So be it."

Sudou shouts for those who wants to remember to turn on each other. No, there is little chance of her doing that here. She has her orders, and that is all there is to it.

Gretchen--and Yumi--send waters to strengthen, reminding them of their target. "Tsurugi grits her teeth and tightens her grip on her blade. "Understood," she responds.

"Persona," she says simply. La Maupin turns towards them, its own grip tightening and all at once it bursts forward, lashing out wildly at the two Shinobu and Julian as they dart back and forth.

Then the draw back, and Tsurugi calls, "Fly, swift winds! Masukukaja!" La Maupin raises their rapier, and winds burst from the feet of herself, Miho, Yua, and Kurou, wrapping around them to make their movements faster.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Remi Ryuuja has used the Slash skill Blade of Fury on Julian Marlowe and Shinobu Shimizu! 3 Hits!
AS: Persona! Remi Ryuuja has used the Almighty skill Masukukaja on Remi Ryuuja, Miho Ijuuin, Yua Ijuuin, and Kurou
Ryouhara!
AS: Take! Remi Ryuuja takes 0 Almighty damage from Remi Ryuuja's Masukukaja.
AS: Spd_Up added!
AS: Take! Kurou Ryouhara takes 0 Almighty damage from Remi Ryuuja's Masukukaja.
AS: Spd_Up added!
AS: Block Neutral! Shinobu Shimizu takes 33 Slash damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blade of Fury.
AS: Block Best! Shinobu Shimizu takes 18 Slash damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blade of Fury.
AS: Block Worst! Shinobu Shimizu takes 52 Slash damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blade of Fury.
AS: Take! Hitomi Mandai takes 117 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Naiad Mediarama.
AS: Take! Miho Ijuuin takes 0 Almighty damage from Remi Ryuuja's Masukukaja.
AS: Spd_Dn removed!
AS: Take! Yua Ijuuin takes 0 Almighty damage from Remi Ryuuja's Masukukaja.
AS: Spd_Dn removed!
AS: Avoid Best! Julian Marlowe takes 10 Slash damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blade of Fury.
AS: Avoid Worst! Julian Marlowe takes 58 Slash damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blade of Fury.
AS: Avoid Best! Julian Marlowe takes 13 Slash damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blade of Fury. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer. Hyousuke - or, rather, what little of him remained that was calm enough to piece together a coherent thought - supposed that he should have seen the rather curt response of 'assassination' coming. What else was the blade at Sudou's throat for? He had little time to reflect upon it, however, as Kurou's claw launched towards him. It was a sharp thing, and moved quickly, but his mind and the general moved faster. In a fraction of a blink, he heaved that monstrous wall of bronze around, and forced the blade to scrape off of Achilles' shield. For all his speed, however, it wasn't quite enough to keep it from scraping at his brow, however, and the sudden force was enough to send him reeling for all of a moment.

Knocked off-balance - even if just for a heartbeat - he instinctively moved to dodge the strike levelled at him afterwards. Hyousuke weaved, and the sword glimmered harmlessly through the air, serving only to nick at his skin as he surged in to confront his foe.
"Yeah." He snarled at Minako. His roiling hatred was not directed at her, but there was no stopping the venom that suffused every noise he made. Even his footsteps seemed to be steeped in vicious fury, with the sight of Kurou alone being enough to turn him into some manic beast. "He's done some bad shit to some good people."

The details were sparse, but they were hardly his to reveal. That aside, he could make the excuse that none of them could afford distractions in the middle of a fight, if pressed for them. For all the violence Sudou and Kurou though to inflict, the thought of Tsubasa and Ichika being disappointed in him was a far scarier prospect. Despite Minako speaking to him, and a growing feeling of dizziness stemming from that claw's strike, Hyousuke heard another voice off to the side. The Bride's. There was no mistaking it - not after the first times he'd heard it.
"You want to fight me that bad?" He spat, not even sparing a glance at her from past the visor. "Wait your goddamn turn."

With all addressed, and his mind clearing just enough to focus for another strike, Hyousuke called Achilles to the fore. He creaked into position, the Persona's heavy armour straining into position, before Hyousuke commanded him forward.
"You want us to cut through you to get to him that bad?! Fine!" He called out, heaving his own feet forward to close the gap, and bear bronze against bone. "Achilles! TEAR HIM APART!" Achilles' sword gleamed arced through the air, trailing reflected light as it descended upon Kurou like a headsman's axe.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Slash skill Savage Rend on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Pressure: Hyousuke Suzuki gains 1 Limit!
AS: Counter Worst! Kurou Ryouhara takes 26 Slash damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Savage Rend. Counter Slash!
AS: Atk_Dn added!
AS: COUNTER! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 10 Slash damage in return for his attack!
AS: Avoid Worst! Moriko Kumamoto takes 56 Strike damage from Kurou Ryouhara's E A T.

<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
<poem>
Hitomi squints for a moment at what Yukari says. Peering at the hard-to-distinguish form of - "Huh," she says. "Wild. Geez, fine, don't get up my ass about it --"

About not blowing up a pregnant woman??

Hitomi's had a long day.

Umie is with them. The masked figure gets a glance from Hitomi but she does not question matters further. Perhaps she doesn't put her 'faith' in her the way she does in Yukari, but we're not here for doctrinal dissertations. "So that's how it is," Hitomi muses out loud.

"They're kind of in a tight spot, aren't they? Going to have to resort to shock and awe in order to reach their 'win conditions,'" Hitomi says as she pushes her glasses up her nose. But the Bride is speaking to them. Breathing heavily, Hitomi answers, "That's interesting... because I don't know if you noticed, but there's something *incredibly* wrong about this place..."

Hitomi might have been going somewhere with that, but it is she who is smote a moment later; an immense weight of carbon smashes down, glittering with beauty as it bodies Hitomi, throwing her sprawling with a "guh!" To add to the indignity, her glasses fly off.

Hitomi's attention bifuricates on the one hand. Hitomi...

... feels a sort of farcial defeat here, a sense that she ought to laugh at herself. This is ridiculous. They've faced a poker's hand of horrors tonight and this last one, these peculiarly sympathetic feminine figures (she isn't even sure if they're humans or demons), have at a single blow hit her. She bets she broke her ankle or something. This is where the luck runs out, Hitomi thinks. This is where the streak ends. It was always gonna end someday. At least I...

That's true. Hitomi does think that. But...

... reaches for her glasses, a determined groping in the dirty and dark chaos of the parking lot. She's able to find them, her hand only shaking a little as she finds them. Green light flashes... but it's familiar.

The pain is eased.

"Heehh... thanks... That's another one I owe you," Hitomi says to Yukari as she heaves herself back upright, staggering for a moment before righting the ship, cheeks puffing out as she centers herself and lets her eyes flick towards the looming height of Gretchen. Then a little lower, to the Bride-proper.

"You know there were people here, don't you? Not just the gangsters, but people in the hospital," Hitomi says to her. It's perhaps slightly accusatory but it does lack a lot of the dudgeon you might expect. (and Yua might notice it is, somehow, more sweet and perky than the usually-harried Hitomi of dance classes.)

Hitomi's hand makes a subtle pass in the air and pulls out a thin blue card.

"What were you going to do about them?" The card is flipped then, and a Grecian statue of marble with some ahistorical Japanese touches manifests, gazing with unpainted eyes towards Gretchen. A moment later, there comes a shriek-whack-THOOM of a burst of fire, aimed, indeed, towards the upper part of the Persona.

</poem>
AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Agilao on Yua Ijuuin!
AS: Hitomi Mandai: Bind removed!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
He had heard what Eriko had said, before they had approached the Director's office. Before this world went to hell. Later, perhaps, Katsuya will remember that. Right now, this isn't the time for it.

He won't survive to trial, Miyu (Miho) tells him. "So you say..." he tells her, narrowing his eyes. "Then I shall have to be careful."

He moves past her, towards Jun and Eikichi, and thus also towards Sudou.

"...So you are here with Kashihara-kun?" he asks, of Eikichi. "I... see. In that case, I suppose we have no choice," he says, turning towards Maya. "I think we can trust him," he tells her. You know, in spite of how Eikichi looks.

He notes the same thing as Yukari as others say 'Gretchen' is the source of this obfuscating presence here. Is she--
She is, as Yukari confirms, leaving Katsuya to only look on, stunned. "But she's..." he utters.

It's then that Sudou, surviving his fall as Katsuya had assumed, addresses them all, and he's forced to shift his attentions. No matter who they are, or if the NWO sent them, Sudou remains his responsibility. "I'll leave the rest of them to you!" he calls out, his hand again on his holstered firearm.

"Absolutely not," he tells Sudou, as the serial killer makes his offer.

(He considers, briefly, what Jun has said, but now is not the time to dwell on it. Again, that is.)

Darkness rushes towards him like an angry dragon; there, standing in its path stands Helios, the sun. He can feel most -- but not all -- of the spell break against his Persona; what remains washes towards him but this, he can manage.

"Amano-kun, Kashihara-kun," he starts, then glances towards Eikichi. "Mishina-kun." Fortunately, Jun gave him his ''name'' or this would have been awkward. "We must finish this quickly, if we can. Let's try fusing a spell. Follow my lead!" The Demon Artist had mentioned such a thing might be possible.

And to that end--

"Helios!" he calls, his Persona conjuring a flame as the first step of this process. It streams upwards to await the addition of the second and third components.
</poem>

AS: Katsuya Suou has initiated a fusion spell! The spell still requires 2 Weak attacks and Water/Any Magical! Anyone can
join!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Her attack receives an immediate counter. With her momentum carrying her, it's difficult to avoid La Maupin's stab - she can only shift her body to try and mitigate the damage, hissing through clenched teeth.

"See, that's where you're wrong." Shinobu replies with a shake of her head, as she stabilises. "Sure, maybe the ''end result'' is. But our 'goals' sure as hell aren't the same. I don't know why whoever's pulling your strings wants to off him, but it stinks."

It's about this time that a man in a suit strolls his way into the battlefield - right ''into'' the fight. She'd be more perplexed by that if this was the first time she'd seen him. She nods back.

"That's right." She confirms. "And you're... Vesper, right?"

She adjusts her grip on her staff, focusing on Tsurugi for a moment. How to summarise this quickly without distracting herself for too long...

"We came here to find out what's goin' on... and what we ''found'' was a whole bunch of bodies, and a name. Tatsuya Sudou, son of Tatsuzou Sudou... ''he's'' the Joker Killer." She says, nodding Sudou's way for emphasis. "Someone wants him dead now - and they're here to finish the job."

She shakes her head.

"There were a handful of survivors, but... everyone else is dead." She concludes.

She looks back toward Tsurugi.

La Maupin advances, and Shinobu readies her staff. It lashes out wildly and Shinobu does her best to deflect them, parrying its blade before one manages to catch her in the shoulder. She backpedals, rolling her shoulder experimentally in its socket. Still good enough to fight, at least.

"Lachesis, soften her up!" Shinobu calls out. Lachesis rises behind her at her call, staff at the ready. She holds it between her hands, centering Tsurugi between them as she takes her measure. There's a ''pulse'' - and if it takes hold, Tsurugi may find herself feeling suddenly more fragile as Shinobu rushes forward.

She ''knows'' she's fast, and she knows she can be faster still. She benefitted from that on their first meeting herself, after all. She sweeps her staff out in a pair of wide arcs, to remove as much space to dodge as she can.
</poem>

AS: Shinobu Shimizu spends Limit on Exploit! Shinobu Shimizu can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Almighty skill Strike Break on Remi Ryuuja!
AS: Weapon! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Strike skill Sweeping Strike on Remi Ryuuja! 2 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Shinobu Shimizu gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
'I wonder why you would. He would murder you without a second thought.' Tamaki's smile falters as Miyu mentions this. "You may be right about that. For now, just know that I've found myself in a similar situation before. The answer I came to then is the same now."

Phoenix was right, after all. Tamaki never said they were ''incorrect''. "He's a person subject to the cruelty of others. Your presence here is proof of that, is it not? The more you try and beat down those who stand out from the crowd, the more they're likely to lash out and find some measure of control in their own life. It's the same for us all, just ..." Her gaze briefly drifts to Sudou, then back to the Groom. "To varying extents."

Tamaki laughs as Miyu says the world is false. "I invoked more than Heaven, though, didn't I? And true, the world is false; if it weren't so, perhaps we wouldn't be subjected to the cruelties which shape us. A symphony of different voices, compensating for each others' flaws."

Steel meets steel as the Groom advances to immediately apply pressure on Tamaki. The Groom's a world-class fencer, and Tamaki's a hobbyist, at best. It's all she can do to keep up her defense.

If it weren't for Yukari's assistance, she might not still be standing. Tamaki calls out to the SEES archer, "I owe you one!"

''If you ''must'' go against an Olympic-tier fencer, don't play her in fencing -- play her in chess, instead. She's eager for a swordfight; use that as the bait and support your team like Eriko suggested. Hide your true intent.''

This isn't a one-on-one duel; Tamaki shores up the gaps in her own defenses with a series of parries and feints from Arianrhod. They need information, first and foremost.

"Time for a ''proper'' introduction. Arianrhod!" Despite the fact that she had just implored Faust to 'protect her from witchcraft,' Arianrhod casts a spell, anyway: a pair of slashes in the air form a golden X and sail towards the Groom.

... while that's keeping her occupied, along with pressure from Eriko and Masao, Tamaki flashes a Skill Card. They're in this for the long haul; Masao and Eriko feel the warmth of a Media descend on them.

</poem>
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Light skill Cross-Reference on Miho Ijuuin!
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Recovery skill Media on Tamaki Uchida, Eriko Kirishima, and Masao Inaba!
AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 113 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
AS: Take! Eriko Kirishima takes 113 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 118 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
AS: Counter Worst! Miho Ijuuin takes 108 Light damage from Tamaki Uchida's Cross-Reference. Weak!
AS: COUNTER! Tamaki Uchida takes 36 Slash damage in return for her attack!
AS: Tamaki Uchida's Weakness Scan! Miho Ijuuin is weak against Light!

<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
<poem>The first blow is from "wanna be". Eikichi's jaw just drops. The nerve!

The second blow is the black fire engulfing him momentariy. Eikichi lets out a pained yell into his mic, feeling his legs slightly buckle and put him in a quasi-crouch as he forces himself to keep standing.

He growls through gritted teeth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riLKbpNpAS8

Eikichi stands up and grins again. "Hey that's pretty good Sudou." He suddenly points at Sudou with his free hand, speaking into the mic like one of those idols before striking a pose. "I'm guessing my psychological offensive isn't working on someone as dumb as you, eh Sudou? Whats the matter? Some Kasu trash is telling you how fuckin' much of an insignificant loser you are...Don't even have the iconic look anymore."

Eikichi's eyes briefly look over to Jun when he is introduced to...Eikichi's head starts to hurt when he looks at the woman. The Death Boss winces for a moment before he's just fine. "Heh, pretty good simple starter but there are many more courses to the meal that is mois!" Then it is mentioned what this woman's job is. OPPORTUNITY! "Oh? You're from COOLEST? I'll need to reach out after we're done...Nothing creepy. I'm a -taken- rock star." No sense of irony in his voice.

Eikichi's smile fades when he looks back at Sudou. Why did this prick piss him off so much? The Death Boss clicks his tongue and tilts his head as he considers whats next. More water? Yeah. Thats the ticket. Rhadamanthus begins to charge a more powerful attack. Eikichi's head turns when Katsuya mentions Fusion attacks. He nods, redirecting his attack into the Fusion spell. "Alright, man, lets do thissssssss!!!" Eikichi calls into his microphone, his voice booming.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Katsuya gives Eikichi the ocular patdown and assures Maya that he's all clear. It's hard for her not to smile a little at that, even in spite of their present situation.

"Oh, someone did a feature on your band for Coolest!" Maya says with a spark of realization, as though they aren't in the midst of combat. Still... she doesn't get the feeling that's where she recognizes him from...

But there's no time for that! Sudou launches an attack at all of them, and though Maya tries to evade the attack, it still clips her. Thanks to everyone else, though, it doesn't hit nearly as hard as she feared it would.

Thanks, everyone!

"'How things are supposed to be?'" she repeats. "How are things supposed to be, exactly?"

What was Sudou fighting for?

Maya doesn't await an answer. Instead, she gives the others a nod. She's all in.

"Iris!"
</poem>

AS: Maya Amano has joined Katsuya Suou's fusion spell! The spell still requires 1 Weak attacks and Water! Anyone can
join!
AS: Block Best! Yua Ijuuin takes 16 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Agilao.
AS: Eikichi Mishina has joined Katsuya Suou's fusion spell! The spell is ready!
AS: Persona! Maya Amano, Katsuya Suou, and Eikichi Mishina has used the Water skill Bane Splash on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Maya Amano: Fast Heal! Def_Up and Spd_Up removed!
AS: Eikichi Mishina: Spd_Up removed!
AS: Eikichi Mishina regains 8 HP from Regenerate!

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> "FFf--!" Masao recoils visibly as Ogun is struck with a return blow unexpectedly, both Persona and wielder flinching in tandem as the Groom shows but a taste of her strength and mastery in that moment. He staggers back some towards Eriko and Tamaki before he can steady himself in a crouch and subsequent rise.

He can feel Nike's protection and Arianrhod's blessing convene upon hm as he cracks his neck. Eriko in particular for a moment, some time ago, acted like she was seeing him for the very first time after forever, in... some... fashion, or another. He hadn't ever seen her look that shocked as far as he can remember.

...Well, he's here for her and the rest now, in a time and place where he can do that, and that's what's important.

"'Dear' is kinda pushin' it," he admits. But he's still not going to overlook Hannya's murder despite it being, well, Hannya. The counter-slash is enough to shut him up and not shout over things like 'this world is false,' which is good, because Masao's the kind of guy that if angry enough will shout over important exposition and not stop.

Nuclear flames manifest, and Masao braces with axe raised and another arm firmly placed against himself as he gives a death glare that doesn't last when even a solid defense of will leaves him scalded and looking a little more brightly reddish-orange than usual.

Miyu sees them for who they are, for their experience (...give or take ten or fifteen levels on one specific friend here). Masao huffs, flexing out an arm as Media settles against present (not at all trivial) aches.

"Well, what you see is what you get," he smiles widely (under the respirator he has yet to take off), "and what you're gettin'..." He throws his free hand up. "Is this! Ogun!" The Persona re-appears again in that column of light. "Hit 'em!"

He does, wobbling back and forth before ''hurling'' himself forward in a wide flat strike of their arm. There's no witchcraft here - just a guy clearing the way.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>The skeletal figure is faster than the biker had anticipated. Moriko is... once more glad she showed up on her bike today though. The jagged bone puncturing the leather, but not as bad as it could have been even if it about takes her off her feet. She forces her balance with her bisentou. Even if she's grimacing behind the visor. "Yeah. Through works." There's a grimace that forms. That is a myth she knows. That is also a thing for later contemplation. It does inspire her to take a wild guess as she mutters, "If you need a Shinto charm..." Trailing off as she pulls her evoker back to her chin. Hers is, at the very least, reminiscent.

She readjusts her stance, "Always have." A reply to Yua. Not that she recognizes her immediately. The trigger is pulled then. Head jerking aside as the fox makes her appearance again. Twisting partially around Moriko in an almost protective manner. Glaring at her opponent as motes of light trail, then suddenly plunge towards him.

"I think he made that choice for us Arisato." Her drawl's very pronounced at this point. Not bothering in the slightest to suppress it. Eyes on Kurou the whole time, "Watch your feet. " as she shifts, swinging her own polearm out defensively.

She'd have thoughts on someone suggesting they have the guide to the way the world should be. That's also a later problem.

Hyousuke's definitely showing both a side she hadn't seen before and a reason to really lean into it. "I'll trust you on that-" She calls out to Hyousuke. "We'll take him down, but you're explaining it later."

She looks less than happy not being the one trying to help punch. She also knows that magical support IS probably the right call right now.

She does press. Applying pressure
</poem>

AS: Persona! Moriko Kumamoto has used the Light skill Kouha on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Ruin: Moriko Kumamoto gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 209 Water damage from Katsuya Suou's Bane Splash. Weak!
AS: Masao Inaba spends Limit on Psych!
AS: Persona! Masao Inaba has used the Strike skill Heavenly Hit on Miho Ijuuin!
AS: Masao Inaba: Psych removed!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Miho Ijuuin takes 121 Strike damage from Masao Inaba's Heavenly Hit. Safety! Magical damage reduced!0

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Water joins fire, and water joins water: fire forms the nucleus around which its elemental opposites spin, gathering power in their antipodal force. It is water that falls as a deluge for Sudou, a great wave pinpointed upon one single target.
</poem>

AS: Avoid Best! Kurou Ryouhara takes 26 Light damage from Moriko Kumamoto's Kouha. Weak!
AS: Haze added!
AS: Take! Remi Ryuuja takes 0 Almighty damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Strike Break.
AS: Strike_Break added!
AS: Block Neutral! Remi Ryuuja takes 25 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Sweeping Strike.
AS: Block Worst! Remi Ryuuja takes 38 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Sweeping Strike.

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"...We can explain it later," Eriko says, her voice pained. "I just... need to check with Maki-chan first..."

Across the battlefield, she sees an unexpected face- Junko Kurosu's son, Jun Kashihara, who was attacked by the Joker Killer. "...Is that why you were so obsessed with him?" Eriko asks out loud, mostly to herself. He has a Persona too, it seems... But what would Nyarlethotep want with the boy?

"That poem," Eriko responds, as the groom recites it. "...Have you been into his room? If you have, why wait until now?" And if she hasn't... how does she know that stanza giving her such agonizing Deja Vu.

And that powerful counterslash on Ogun looks vicious. "Mark!" Eriko shouts, worried, that's a lot of damage. She's already off kilter, and the deja vu gets worse- especially when Tamaki too is targeted by Miyu's sabre. "Tamaki, please, be careful!"

When the fire comes for her though, Eriko feels the way the air heats and is already moving. Blue flame washes over where she was, but the worst of it misses her while only a little touches her, as Nike's winds safeguard her from flame. The gold and onyx garter on her left leg glints in the flame, catching the blue flame's light majestically- even if now is not the time to appreciate the artisan's work.

Yumi and Miyu, the Bride and Groom. A terrifying pair- still, a thought occurs to Eriko, and and odd one. "Bride and Groom, but not Husband and Wife?" Eriko replies, thoughtful a moment. "Then I take it your wedding ceremony is yet to happen...?" Or... is it like Gretchen and Faust, where the suitor's intentions are rejected because of the taint on his soul?

Eriko is not a sabre fencer, epee is her style, but she can see her skill with the blade- and Eriko moves to rise her blade alongside Tamaki. "...I can tell. You're dangerous- you wouldn't have gone after him if you weren't. Unfortunately, we can't let you kill him yet. He has answers we need." Eriko pauses for a moment. "Of course, if you'll just give us half and hour, I'm not entirely sure I'd mind letting you do what you want with him after- but I don't think that's a deal you or my friends will take."

Look, Eriko's a nice person- but it would be a lie to say she doesn't have a dash of ruthlessness.

With her Epee positioned beside Tamaki, Eriko waits for an opening for Miho to commit, and when she does, she moves- her time in fencing club with Tamaki prepared her for fighting sabre fighters, if not ones as skilled as Miyu. Epee cares not for tageting zones or right of way, it cares for defending yourself, waiting for an opportunity-

And striking the moment you see an opening, as Eriko thrusts forward with her rapier, a silver thing, one continuous piece of metal, like the one wielded by the Emperor Shadow, straight towards Miho's masked face.
</poem>

AS: Weapon! Eriko Kirishima has used the Pierce skill Stop-Thrust on Miho Ijuuin!
AS: Pressure: Eriko Kirishima gains 1 Limit!
AS: Counter Neutral! Miho Ijuuin takes 60 Pierce damage from Eriko Kirishima's Stop-Thrust. Safety! Magical damage
reduced!0
AS: COUNTER! Eriko Kirishima takes 27 Slash damage in return for her attack!
Unescaped comma in final arg of ANSI by #457. This behavior is deprecated.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
If only, Yukari. "It's... not just a weird poem the Joker Killer wrote," Umie says to Yukari. "Otherwise..."

From the sounds of it, Yukari caught where Umie herself has looking towards. While it's possible Miyu had sighted it before, that doesn't erase Umie's own uneasy feeling of familiarity. Deja vu, maybe? Or is it just the way it scratches that same terrible itch in her brain?

And as for Kurou--

Ah, no, scratch that (no pun intended). Hyousuke, Minako, and Moriko are capable fighters, but they don't understand how Kurou is built. Hell, even Umie's not sure; she's only fought alongside him once.

The people fighting her current roommate may be in more danger than Kurou himself is in.

"Don't talk to me about 'sparing'... I've never been a part of _your group_." The field of cloying lies is trumpeted right back at Umie, draining her initial push. She's getting distracted; while she knows Yukari better than Hitomi, seeing the SEES member fumble for her glasses.

Are they doing the right thing? They have Sudou in this cage, and if they work together...
_Screw that_, she wants them gone as much as Sudou.
But she's pregnant, right?

Too late, Umie is already acting like a complete hypocrite.

The Badb, now as the portent of doom, the ghostly gleaming flesh of her arm exposed as she points towards the Bride, potentially with child.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem>
If only, Yukari. "It's... not just a weird poem the Joker Killer wrote," Umie says to Yukari. "Otherwise..."

From the sounds of it, Yukari caught where Umie herself has looking towards. While it's possible Miyu had sighted it before, that doesn't erase Umie's own uneasy feeling of familiarity. Deja vu, maybe? Or is it just the way it scratches that same terrible itch in her brain?

Or... Yes. Miho was chosen. Perhaps like Umie herself, is-- "Bullshit!!" Umie cries.

And as for Kurou--

Ah, no, scratch that (no pun intended). Hyousuke, Minako, and Moriko are capable fighters, but they don't understand how Kurou is built. Hell, even Umie's not sure; she's only fought alongside him once.

The people fighting her current roommate may be in more danger than Kurou himself is in.

"Don't talk to me about 'sparing'... I've never been a part of _your group_." The field of cloying lies is trumpeted right back at Umie, draining her initial push. She's getting distracted; while she knows Yukari better than Hitomi, seeing the SEES member fumble for her glasses.

Are they doing the right thing? They have Sudou in this cage, and if they work together...
_Screw that_, she wants them gone as much as Sudou.
But she's pregnant, right?

Too late, Umie is already acting like a complete hypocrite.

The Badb, now as the portent of doom, the ghostly gleaming flesh of her arm exposed as she points towards the Bride, potentially with child.
</poem>

AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Shock Noise! Fire_Break applied to Yua Ijuuin!
AS: That attack doesn't seem to match one on your list.
AS: That attack doesn't seem to match one on your list.
AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Bad Moon Rising on Yua Ijuuin!
AS: Umie Akabane takes 45 damage from Stress!
AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit!
AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Nerve Up! Yua Ijuuin's SP +8!
AS: Take! Yua Ijuuin takes 0 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Bad Moon Rising.
AS: Omen added!

<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
To Yukari Miho retorts, "The Oracle. He's not the only one who has Seen the Other Side... the True World. But his methods are doomed to fail, as he is doomed now to die." Miho does not answer Remi's look. Instead she says to Yukari next, "The Bride has no choice. It is not something from which I can protect her..."

"But you could always remove yourself from our path."

Tamaki, though... Tamaki counters. "So, it is a personal choice. So be it."

Remi supports Miho as does Yua, both of them empowering her. Hoewever...

Tamaki parries, and then does something that isn't swordfighting: she calls on Arianrhod. The spell does keep ehr occupied, and Miho tries to ''cut'' through it--but it batters past her defenses anyway, leaving her forced to step-step-step back to keep her balance. "Gh," she murmurs. "...So be it."

"You did invoke more than Heaven... it seems you both understand and do not. That symphony is not enough--she and I cannot be free until the world is Changed."

Mark says that 'dear' is pushing it. "So? Then 'connected." Eriko has a question for her, too. "I have not been into his room. I know the ways of the Oracle because I have Seen them in my dreams. Do you wish to know the next stanza?"

Bride and Groom, Eriko says. "...We cannot marry until the world is changed. Surely you know this country's laws."

Eriko suggests half an hour... and here's where Mark comes in. he swings at her again with his Persona, Ogun clearing the way, and Miho dives, unable to entirely avoid the attack but able to get her feet under her a moment later again.

"Alas," Miho says to Eriko as she wobbles her way back to a stable stance after Mark's attack, "I am not at liberty to grant your wish. Would that we could ally on this matter."

Elly goes for it--and when the Groom sees her opportunity to counter, Elly takes ''hers'' to go for the mask. A great ''line''; is carved in her mask, but it doesn't break fully--her face is not revealed.

"...I underestimated you," she decides. "I will not do so again."

She lifts her hand, and in a rush of red light, Faust appears to stare down Ogun--and lifts her hand, some strange sigill in the air to fill Mark and his Persona with joy--so much joy that he will have a hard time fighting for exhaustion.

In the meantime, Miyu advances on both sword-wielders, clashing blade to blade, steel to steel. Thrust, parry, riposte--and then a ''hack'' with a glowing red blade, magical itsself, aginsst each torso. She does not ahve to followthe rules; this is not sport.

Healing light sparkles down on ''Yua'', then, as Faust wwaves her hand one more time. Not much... but some.

"My Bride!" Miyu calls. "Stand strong!"
</poem>

AS: Miho Ijuuin spends Limit on Broad!
AS: Persona! Miho Ijuuin has used the Almighty skill Hapirma on Masao Inaba!
AS: Pressure: Miho Ijuuin gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Miho Ijuuin has used the Slash skill Black Card on Eriko Kirishima and Tamaki Uchida! 3 Hits!
AS: Persona! Miho Ijuuin has used the Recovery skill Dia on Yua Ijuuin!
AS: Miho Ijuuin: Broad removed!
AS: Miho Ijuuin's Magi_Safety tactic expires on Miho Ijuuin!
AS: Take! Yua Ijuuin takes 104 Recovery healing from Miho Ijuuin's Dia.
AS: Avoid Worst! Tamaki Uchida takes 125 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Black Card. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Tamaki Uchida takes 53 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Black Card.
AS: Avoid Best! Tamaki Uchida takes 38 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Black Card. Critical Hit!
AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 0 Almighty damage from Miho Ijuuin's Hapirma.
AS: Exhaust added!

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Water weaves around Kurou at Gretchen's call, and he breathes in deeply, stretching his neck to one side before regarding his foes. Remi's winds join, and he taps the toe of his foot to the ground in a quickened bounce.

Minako and Linos respond as he requests, first the naginata's shaft and then the harp, ''smashing'' against Kurou as his deflections with his blade can only mean so much against the strength of a Persona. He he stands his ground in the face of it -- if you do not count the way the force of impact pushes him against it, friction kicking up dust from his skidding shoes.

He looks at her, sword still poised by his own cheek to protect it, less than an inch away.

"... Good," he says, though his subdued manner may not fully express how impressed he is.

Ironically enough, extrapolating on Hyousuke's words is not ''Kurou's'' place to explain either. He has agreed on a few different levels to not go spreading information about Tsubasa around. Even if he hadn't verbally agreed, it would not be in his nature to be so careless with such secrets.

But he does appreciate that look in Hyousuke's eyes. "... Hm," Kurou notes, with what might be a vexing lack of emotion under the circumstances. "I am not uninterested, but... you seem even more eager...?"

That's about all Kurou has the space to speculate on before Achilles descends. Kurou pushes through the attack, scraping sword against sword with the determination to land a strike at the cost of forcing his way through.

It leaves him with a bright red line across his cheek.

Moriko's instinct about Shinto charms is correct: the light of Kouha throttles Kurou and his Persona with a trembling from the boy and rattling bones from the skeleton. She comments that he made the choice for them. "...You selected your target," he reminds her. "Commit."

As he must do himself.

"Gashadokuro," he murmurs, and his Persona rises behind him in perfect silence unfitting its size. Only the upper half of its body is visible, and it still looms well above Kurou as it stares down the trio with burning eye sockets. Eerie winds sweep through the battlefield with a disquieting sense of vulnerability.

It brings the illusion that light has dimmed, and Kurou's eyes all the brighter within it, in the same way a predator's gleam in the night. Shadow engulfs the chain of his weapon, and he dashes through the darkened atmosphere at Minako, Hyousuke, and Moriko with spinning blows of his chain that no longer catches any light to provide better warning. He lets it go, and it moves of its own accord like a serpent that seeks to bite through them with spectral fangs as its final strike.

</poem>
AS: Kurou Ryouhara spends Limit on Exploit! Kurou Ryouhara can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Almighty skill Ayashii Silence on Minako Arisato, Hyousuke Suzuki, and Moriko
Kumamoto!
AS: Pressure: Kurou Ryouhara gains 1 Limit!
AS: Tandem! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Dark skill Mayonaka Serpent on Minako Arisato! 3 Hits!
AS: Tandem! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Dark skill Mayonaka Serpent on Hyousuke Suzuki! 3 Hits!
AS: Tandem! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Dark skill Mayonaka Serpent on Moriko Kumamoto! 3 Hits!
AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 0 Almighty damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Ayashii Silence.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up removed!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 28 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent.
AS: Avoid Worst! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 43 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent.

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
The flames die down and the Joker stares at Jun, not Sudou the persona itself stares at Jun as if it was a spurned lover. Then it turns to look at Argeiphontes and the jealousy is obvious.

Sudou turns and looks at Eikichi, "Oh you were late, you missed out on the whole putting away the old maid, yada,yada, yada. A few weeks ago I'd have rap battle'd you into the ground, now, well now you simply are beneath me." He is ignoring the threat of Katsuya's silly fusion spell.

This was a mistake as Sudou is struck from the side by a powerful focused attack mixed together that strikes him in the side and knocks him off his feet. With a groan Sudou stands up, "Damn, note to self fusion spells hurt. "

Steadying himself he looks at "Ma-ya. Well first off there are aliens. Second, it is suppose to be Jun who is in charge, not me. I was simply standing in for things, but well here we are. " Sudou continues to talk but the ground under Maya suddenly erupts in flames as Joker works it's magic

Sudou moves toward Jun, "Jun, Jun, Jun ,Jun, don't you see. I am the Tatsuya for you. I always have been. I always will be." The eyes of a predator stare at Jun as the Joker leans down and tries to simply touch Kashihara, as if that touch may spread whatever Sudou is talking about.

Stepping back he shakes his head, " But I think it's to late for us Jun." Turning back to Katsuya, " Why not just help them. Why are all of you defending me if I am a monster. People came to kill me. Isn't that easier for you Katsuya. Don't worry I won't let them kill me so easily." Sudou smiles as the wounds on his body slowly heal in real time.

Turning back he looks at Eikichi, "Oh yes you. I almost forgot about you." A ball of black flames is thrown at Eikichi, it seems safe enough, producing no heat. Comes highly recommended by Sudou to touch it.
</poem>

AS: Avoid Worst! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 62 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent. Critical Hit!
AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Fire skill Inferno on Maya Amano! 2 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Tatsuya Sudou gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Dark skill A Nyarly Touch on Jun Kashihara!
AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Recovery skill Inhuman Regeneration on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Take! Tatsuya Sudou takes 149 Recovery healing from Tatsuya Sudou's Inhuman Regeneration.
AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Fire skill Cursed Flame on Eikichi Mishina!
AS: Tatsuya Sudou: Paralyze removed!
AS: Avoid Best! Maya Amano takes 50 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Inferno. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Best! Maya Amano takes 30 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Inferno.
AS: Mind Up! Jun Kashihara's SP +8!
AS: Avoid Best! Jun Kashihara takes 15 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's A Nyarly Touch.
AS: Pain added!
AS: Take! Eikichi Mishina takes 0 Fire damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Cursed Flame.
AS: Fire_Break added!
AS: Take! Minako Arisato takes 0 Almighty damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Ayashii Silence.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up removed!
AS: Block Best! Minako Arisato takes 27 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent. Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Minako Arisato takes 73 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Minako Arisato takes 55 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent. Weak!
AS: Eriko Kirishima spends Limit on Shift! Tamaki Uchida can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Eriko Kirishima takes 50 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Black Card.
AS: Avoid Worst! Eriko Kirishima takes 122 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Black Card. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Eriko Kirishima takes 76 Slash damage from Miho Ijuuin's Black Card. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
Vesper nods in turn, to confirm his identity to Shinobu. Though striking an all too casual figure, he's very much keeping an eye on Tsurugi in turn while he considers the situation as described. The identity of the Joker Killer... that much isn't a surprise.

"Indeed... that matches my deductions." He absolutely didn't figure that out on his lonesome, but it sounds more impressive when you put it that way, doesn't it? He didn't have a clue what exactly he would be walking into here otherwise, so that part, he's just going to stay silent on. 'Press your strengths, do not admit your weaknesses.' Words to live by, so he was taught.

The way Shinobu chooses to phrase it, 'someone' wanting the Joker Killer dead... that prompts a chuckle from the Masked Gentleman. "I wager that a great many do. But I understand your meaning."

Tsurugi chooses this moment to empower herself and her fellows, then aggress with her Persona. When Vesper moves this time, it's with urgency and alacrity, evading the incoming blades with precise hops and twists. While he didn't come out entirely unscathed, a brief grimace is all he'll give away before returning to his previous stoic bearing, returning to the previous topic in the same calm tone as before.

"I wager the woman in bridal regalia is responsible for trapping us here... and I have reason to believe her affiliated with the New World Order. Which means..."

He doesn't actually say what it means. They have a fight on their hands, after all. Instead, what he says is, "Let's even the odds!" So saying, his mask glows, and his Persona emits a wave of darkness, briefly obscuring him and Shinobu from view, then lingering about them like a protective cloak. Vesper's eyes then turn to Tsurugi's presented weapon.

"Ah. Fencer, are you? In that case..."

With a twist of Vesper's right arm, the handle of the umbrella dangling off of it smoothly slips into his hand. He briefly points the tip skyward, before lowering it towards Tsurugi. "En garde."

Not exactly the most practical choice for a fencing weapon. It may indeed come off as a mocking gesture, at first. However... Vesper's stance following that maneuver is picture-perfect, not something an amateur would easily imitate. Sufficient warning that this man does indeed have a measure of professional education where it comes to this fighting style, before he proceeds to demonstrate.

With deft movement, he seeks to claim advantage through a series of aggressive thrusts. He'll need to lean on the element of surprise for an early edge, as he highly suspects he's not going to win in a straight up duel. He only recently started polishing up those skills again, having been out of practice for a lengthy period of time. Most likely, anyone carrying a weapon like that will manage to outpace him before long. Which makes this, ultimately, a temporary distraction.
</poem>

AS: Julian Marlowe spends Limit on Exploit! Julian Marlowe can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Almighty skill Shade Revel on Shinobu Shimizu and Julian Marlowe!
AS: Defense: Julian Marlowe gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Julian Marlowe takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Shade Revel.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added!
AS: Weapon! Julian Marlowe has used the Strike skill Umbrella-Fu on Remi Ryuuja! 2 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
Tsurugi might be looking at Miyu, but Yumi bids everyone to look beyond her. Where this fault lies...

It is not, the Bride suggests, with the killing hand.

La Maupin's winds make her feel less ''heavy,'' though, and she nods, to her Knight. "Fight well!" She calls, to her, in support.

Miyu introduces herself properly, though, and Yumi places a hand to her cheek. "Ah, the confusion has led me to rudeness," she says, with apology. "I am Yumi, the Bride... Miyu's Bride!" 'Mi and yu', 'Yu and mi'... maybe that's a sign waved at a fencing meet which Maya saw, now and then, in her youth.

But who would remember something like that?

"This world is wrong," Yumi advises Yukari, gravely. "In this place my son will never be safe. In this world my son can never be free. I must... ensure our place. I must--!" How much choice does she have, really?

Winds batter at Gretchen, and she clasps her arms shut again, to trap the Bride in that cell. Yumi's hand presses to the ceramic plate, protecting her abdomen. "... I know," she says, her voice a touch choked. "My duty to manage that stress, yet each day I cry, and I fail him! Do you not think -- I would not do this if -- the Powers that Be did not require it? But if my Groom fails here, she will suffer it! If my Knight fails here, she will suffer it! If that attendant of Night fails here, he will suffer it! Blame them not; the fault is mine. Yet were I to stay home, do you not think the Powers that Be know where I rest?"

(Oh, and Katsuya's worried, too... a little more shame settles on her shoulders, as she realises that.)

Hitomi points out how wrong this place is, though. "... correct," she replies, when Hitomi recovers, bowing her head to her. "What is mine is not soft, or good, or kind. What I hide within myself is cruel and frightening and labyrinthine, chthonic and grave. Nothing good is kept here. But... nothing good was, far before my entry."

There were people here. "I sensed them," she confirms, "there, within, but no so deep as the screaming. I feel regret. These scars they will carry. But they are not our targets; they we need not kill. Would that they are left to weep tomorrow." She pauses, and tilts her head. "I sensed Persona Users alongside those without," she adds, after a brief pause. "You should not tell the likes of me your ambitions... but I do not pray for your failure in this."

(Does that mean the people who went back downstairs to take care of the survivors are there to protect them...? What a relief...)

The card is flipped, and a statue rises, and fire consumes Gretchen's face and chest; her dress flutters, with the force of the flames.

"Ah..." Yumi sighs, as she catches what Eriko has to ask about their ceremony. "... in our better world, our reception will be marvellous."

No. Umie is not Chosen, like Miyu is.

Rather, Umie is far closer to Yumi...

"Please," Yumi urges her, gently. "Do not worry. I will not demand of you the truth. I will allow you to veil yourself. To other places, go. You must be a lovely woman... for these fangs I blame you not. But I see your conviction burns, burns you to ash... I am sorry to cause you such vitriol. I am sorry to make you hate me so."

The Badb points, to her, and she shakes her head, sadly.

"I am sorry, my dear. I was doomed long before you spoke your omen unto me. So long as this world turns... I am doomed."

She turns to Hitomi, then, and smiles, to her. "Badb has weakened me to flames," she advises her, her voice still soft. "Now will I burn, by your leave. I do not wish to startle you, so this truth I will tell you with no demand."

Yumi shakes her head, turning back to Umie. "I will hurt you, now," she warns her. "But you will not die. Gretchen?" At her urging, the Persona opens her arms, gesturing to Umie as spires of darkness rise from the earth to trap her in a shadowy cage -- which collapses down over her, after a moment. She is left ''physically'' free... but she may feel the weight of those chains, keeping her down, anyway.

And to Hitomi, she says: "You fear the earth, I saw. Were I here to strike you, this would I do. But for you --" -- more darkness rises up, but more in the form of wispy ''miasma,'' Stagnant Air which leeches at her.

"You," she adds, to Yukari, "who worries for me so, I would know your ways. Tell me the truth!" And Yukari has a terrible sense of being ''seen'' as Yumi takes her existence into herself, breathes as Yukari breathes, hurts as Yukari hurts.

Miyu's healing settles over Yumi -- though its effects are diminished, thanks to the Badb's anger. "For now," she calls, to her, "I am well, but... but to claim this place entire, I..." She's faltering; perhaps the people fighting her can exploit that."

</poem>
AS: Persona! Yua Ijuuin has used the Dark skill Chthonic Cage on Umie Akabane!
AS: Yua Ijuuin takes 45 damage from Stress!
AS: Ruin: Yua Ijuuin gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Shinobu Shimizu takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Shade Revel.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added!
AS: Persona! Yua Ijuuin has used the Dark skill Stagnant Air on Hitomi Mandai! 3 Hits!
AS: Persona! Yua Ijuuin has used the Almighty skill Possession on Yukari Takeba!
AS: Yua Ijuuin takes 45 damage from Stress!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Remi Ryuuja takes 18 Strike damage from Julian Marlowe's Umbrella-Fu.
AS: Avoid Worst! Remi Ryuuja takes 37 Strike damage from Julian Marlowe's Umbrella-Fu.

AS: Take! Yukari Takeba takes 0 Almighty damage from Yua Ijuuin's Possession.
AS: Yua Ijuuin's Strength Scan! Yukari Takeba resists Wind!
AS: Yua Ijuuin's Weakness Scan! Yukari Takeba is weak against Elec!
AS: Yua Ijuuin's Support Scan! Yukari Takeba has passive skills Break Limit, Invigorate 1, Peerless Skill, Recovery
Boost, Skill Card Affinity, Team Player, and Wind Boost!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Umie Akabane takes 68 Dark damage from Yua Ijuuin's Chthonic Cage. Critical Hit! Resist!
AS: Bomb added!
AS: Block Worst! Hitomi Mandai takes 61 Dark damage from Yua Ijuuin's Stagnant Air. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Worst! Hitomi Mandai takes 51 Dark damage from Yua Ijuuin's Stagnant Air.
AS: Block Neutral! Hitomi Mandai takes 32 Dark damage from Yua Ijuuin's Stagnant Air.

<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
<poem>
Minako frowns, but she nods at Hyousuke. "All right, then. We're with you." Even if he seems angry -- and she wonders ''what'' exactly Kurou did to make him so mad -- she has to focus on her opponent, and that makes it straightforward enough.

Moriko, she decides, might be right. She looks at Kurou as he skids away from her -- and sees his sword raised, guarding where she tried to hit him. "Why are you doing this?" she asks. "That guy -- the Old Maid -- he's bad news, but... his own father is trying to kill him!"

She pays a quick glance at Moriko and Hyousuke. Then, her breath catches -- and she hisses as the chain, wreathed in darkness, swings and strikes at her like a serpent. The blows hit Minako -- she deflects one with the haft of her naginata. The other two slam ito her, pitching her back into Linos.

No, ''through'' Linos.

The Persona shatters into so much blue glass, as the SEES co-leader hits the ground with a ''CRACK''. A literal crack; her breathing comes harder and pain shoots across her side like fire with a broken rib. Minako stands, haggardly, and lifts up her Evoker. She puts it to her temple and fires -- blue light and glass exploding from the other side of her head.

"Unicorn!"

Then, she holds a hand up into the air. White and green light explodes out like a ring, washing over Hyousuke and Moriko both -- and her. The pain in her side dulls, to a bearable level. Then, Minako looks right at Kurou.

Unicorn fully takes form, then; a white-coated horse, with a golden horn coming off its forehead. Hooves strike the earth, without noise. But the light it summons is quite right. A column of light slams down from the very heavens for both Kurou and his skeletal Persona.

</poem>
AS: Minako Arisato spends Limit on Exploit! Minako Arisato can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Minako Arisato has used the Light skill Hama on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Persona! Minako Arisato has used the Recovery skill Media on Minako Arisato, Hyousuke Suzuki, and Moriko Kumamoto!
AS: Support: Minako Arisato gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Minako Arisato takes 106 Recovery healing from Minako Arisato's Media.
AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 106 Recovery healing from Minako Arisato's Media.
AS: Avoid Worst! Kurou Ryouhara takes 188 Light damage from Minako Arisato's Hama. Weak!

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
The Bride may recognize Jun, but Jun certainly doesn't recognize her. He doesn't even realize he's been recognized with her face hidden the way it is. There is body language, of course, but he's far too caught up in dealing with Sudou to take in that sort of nuance in this chaotic an environment. At least, thanks to Umie, he can understand that she and her Persona Gretchen are what made the current environs. Seeing is not the same as comprehending, after all. ...Though when Yukari shouts about Yumi being pregnant, his eyes widen briefly in surprise.

Jun doesn't remark on how Katsuya only says he and Maya can trust Eikichi after Jun has effectively vouched for him. He's aware of how Eikichi looks (''fabulous'') and how it might be off-putting to someone more... straight-edged, shall we way.

Eikichi takes quickly to Maya, at least. Not that that's surprising to Jun. She has a certain natural, comforting charm to her, on top of her beauty. But Eikichi is taken and says so directly. Good for him and for his girlfriend.

Less so for the Persona that shares Tatsuya Suou's face. The JOKER stares at Jun, and the way he does so just makes his skin crawl. At least this time he can handle JOKER's appearance--hell, its very presence--without feeling like he's about to go mad.

It does give him a bit of heartache, though... Ironic, considering the way it looks at Argeiphontes.

Maya herself, though... makes the mistake of asking how things are supposed to be. One of those things is that Jun is supposed to be in charge. He scoffs, eyes narrowing; after that week of being in Sudou's dubious care, he was already well aware of that much, but it draws his contempt all the same. "Don't bother asking him that," Jun warns her. "Anything ''he'' would consider 'how things should be' isn't a world state anyone should desire."

Katsuya calls to everyone to join him in a spell fusion. Maya and Eikichi both follow suit to magnificent effect. "Well done, everyone!" Jun declares, smiling at his companions as their powers combine and drop a deluge down on Sudou. He had no idea spell fusion was possible--though of course he wouldn't, having awakened to his Persona all of three days ago. "Keep it up. I'll continue to lend you my support!"

Sudou approaches Jun himself then. He frowns at him anew. "You are not. But I won't bother arguing with you about it. Your delusions are too much for me," he declares.

The JOKER leans in to try to touch him. Jun raises his chin to stare him down until it seems like he might stroke his face--

And then Argeiphontes swoops down behind Jun and SLAPS the other Persona's hand away.

"Don't touch me," Jun says icily, flicking at his cheek as if to rid himself of a bit of grime. It's ''painful'' grime, though--for all that it doesn't leave a physical mark, it burns where it only barely grazed his skin. Anything more than that, and Jun would be in a much worse state, and he knows it. But he takes care not to let on about that outwardly. He can't afford to show weakness to this man. "You're right about one thing: it's far too late for you."

Light whorls outwards from the golden-armored Persona as Argeiphontes casts another spell. This time, it's directed at Sudou and the JOKER Persona--a Dormina, to draw them into a soporific state, if not outright slumber for but a crucial moment. He doesn't give the question of why they're trying to take him in rather than let the others kill him outright the dignity of a response. (Besides, Katsuya is the police officer here, not him. Jun just wants to see this through and make sure Sudou can't hurt anyone else ever again.)
</poem>

AS: Persona! Jun Kashihara has used the Almighty skill Dormina on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Jun Kashihara takes 90 damage from Pain!
AS: Jun Kashihara: Fast Heal! Pain removed!
AS: Take! Tatsuya Sudou takes 0 Almighty damage from Jun Kashihara's Dormina.
AS: Sick added!

AS: Take! Moriko Kumamoto takes 0 Almighty damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Ayashii Silence.
AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up removed!
AS: Avoid Best! Moriko Kumamoto takes 9 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Best! Moriko Kumamoto takes 9 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Best! Moriko Kumamoto takes 7 Dark damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mayonaka Serpent.
AS: Take! Moriko Kumamoto takes 106 Recovery healing from Minako Arisato's Media.
AS: Jun Kashihara spends Limit on Shift! Eikichi Mishina can use another Weak skill this round! They both receive 8 SP
and 30 HP!
AS: Jun Kashihara spends Limit on Shift! Maya Amano can use another Weak skill this round! They both receive 8 SP and
30 HP!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
"Then what is it!?" She asks Umie, somewhat frantic in the heat of battle, from this wild day of so many emotions being torn this way and the next.

'The Oracle. He's not the only one who has Seen the Other Side... the True World.'

"What do you mean he's some ''Oracle''? He's just- crazy!" Perhaps that's a defense mechanism, denial after all. "Is ''this'' the Other Side?"

'Wild. Geez, fine, don't get up my ass about it --'

Hitomi then sees Yukari Takeba's expression as she glower at her with some disappointment. "Say what 'it' is aloud and maybe you'll rethink that one."

Unfortunately, this is perhaps the worst sort of fight for Hitomi, as the party healer, she has to know everyone's weaknesses to compensate.

'Heehh... thanks... That's another one I owe you,'

"Don't mention it." 'I owe you one!' "... Just don't get yourself killed, alright?" That one is likely to both of them.

It is a good question that Hitomi asks. What were they going to do about them.

The answer she predicts is already making her a little queasy.

'Don't talk to me about 'sparing'... I've never been a part of _your group_.'

"... Why are you putting it like that?" She asks Umie, quietly. Perhaps, sometimes, too skeptical for her own good.

'This world is wrong,'
'In this place my son will never be safe.'
'In this world my son can never be free.'

In many ways Yukari Takeba cannot understand what the Bride and Groom are going through. But there is one thing she understands.

"And so you put yourself and especially HIM in mortal peril!? What is wrong with you?!" She shouts back at her with a certain rising heat, "Sure it isn't the world you wanted, it isn't for anyone! But right now you're not doing what's ''best'' for him! This is just your own selfishness!"

Over and over she says she's doomed for the way the world is, and she gets a disquieting feeling. "Neither will you. You're going to ''live'' in ''this'' reality." Yet, she explains that she's failing him because some powers that be require it. "So is it really about a /better world/? Because it sounds like you're just putting the what some guy wants ahead of him!"

And indeed, there is the weight of that burden upon her.

What's a little more?

'You'
'who worries for me so, I would know your ways.'
'Tell me the truth!'

And perhaps she gets an answer from a look around the chaotic field. "My ways?" A look at the people around her. One by one by one, with that Evoker to her forehead.

And then she pulls the trigger. Io redirects, and to each person she looks at, comes a flow of healing, not unlike a fresh breeze on a warm day.

It goes from an eccentric model she met, to a competent Detective she admires, to an adult who always looked out for her and then to her teammates again... even despite the moment of tension from earlier.

"...I don't know about the world you think your son needs, but you both live in this one. And he needs you to be ''here'' for ''him''."

And then she asides to Hitomi, "(Be sure to go easy on her this time.)"

</poem>
AS: Persona! Yukari Takeba has used the Recovery skill Media on Hitomi Mandai, Eriko Kirishima, Tamaki Uchida, and
Shinobu Shimizu!
AS: Support: Yukari Takeba gains 1 Limit!
AS: Yukari Takeba regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Yukari Takeba spends Limit on Shift! Hitomi Mandai can use another Weak skill this round! They both receive 8 SP
and 30 HP!
AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 100 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Media.
AS: Take! Shinobu Shimizu takes 104 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Media.
AS: Take! Hitomi Mandai takes 100 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Media.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
Shinobu correctly points out that their ''goals'' aren't the same. "To deny us is to empower him," Tsurugi says in a voice that is far too calm for the pitched battle around them. "It is not my place to question what I must do."

Shinobu summarizes, and... Tsurugi stays silent. She offers no corrections, but neither does she offer any denials.

Tsurgi ''is'' fast, as Shinobu notes, and yet she can't resist that pulse of weakness that shudders through her, feeling herself become less solid. The sweep of the staff is designed to catch her, and she brings up her rapier to guard the first strike, but the second one catches her under her guard, squarly in the stomach.

She wheezes for just a moment, and then straightens up, seemingly unpained.

Vesper does not make a conclusion about who may or may not be affiliated with the NWO--which is fine because Tsurugi would not confirm it if he had. Tsurugi is, indeed, a fencer, but she does not use the same kind of weapon as Miyu does--her rapier is not for sport fencing: Vesper may or may not recognize it as having more of a historical bent.

When he calls 'En garde', Trugi simply says, flatly, "Prêts."

She notes the footwork, and she brings up her own blade to match, her footwork also speaking to training and many hours of practice. He may not expect to win a long confrontation, but while the first strike is blocked the second strikes true, connecting even as Tsurugi attempts to sidestep it. Her body jerks back for a moment and she freezes, but she does not go to clutch the space.

"... so you are skilled," she notes simply.

Yumi bids her to fight well, and Tsurugi nods. "Stay safe," is her response. Well, as safe as she ''can'', considering.

But introductions have been made, and without any fanfare Tsurugi simply says, "Tsurugi." She may as well be pointing out the presence of a weapon. (Sadly, by introducing herself, she is doing just that. Her codename is not the kindest.) But at least Vesper has a name to go with the fencing woman.

Tsurugi's eyes scan between her opponentsk opponents, and she holds out her rapier to the side. La Maupin mirrors her motion, and the two blades touch--flames erupt from the length of La Maupin's blade, flowing down the first blade and then up the other. As one they surge forward, weaving a complicated series of steps as their flaming blades woosh and strike out at both Persona users, leaivng trails of fire in the air...

"Now!" shouts Tsurugi--and the flames on both blades burst as rippling winds tear the flames apart, and now their continued strikes are laced with the power of the winds as they dart among the two Persona Users.

"A man must die this day!" she shouts as she goes, her voice suddenly heated with fervor. "'Twould be better it done quickly-- do not keep us from our task!"
</poem>

AS: Remi Ryuuja spends Limit on Broad!
AS: Tandem! Remi Ryuuja has used the Fire skill Firebrand on Shinobu Shimizu and Julian Marlowe! 3 Hits!
AS: Tandem! Remi Ryuuja has used the Wind skill Blastbrand on Shinobu Shimizu and Julian Marlowe! 3 Hits!
AS: Remi Ryuuja: Broad removed!
AS: Block Best! Shinobu Shimizu takes 7 Fire damage from Remi Ryuuja's Firebrand. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Shinobu Shimizu takes 13 Fire damage from Remi Ryuuja's Firebrand.
AS: Block Best! Shinobu Shimizu takes 7 Fire damage from Remi Ryuuja's Firebrand. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Best! Shinobu Shimizu takes 4 Wind damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blastbrand.
AS: Block Worst! Shinobu Shimizu takes 38 Wind damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blastbrand. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Worst! Shinobu Shimizu takes 38 Wind damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blastbrand. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
A faint trail of light returns to Tamaki after the golden X connects with Miho. Tamaki's hairs stand on end as she receives the telltale signal of information on the Groom's vulnerabilities. No wonder she wants to defend against 'witchcraft'. Her shield remains up, but it has to fall sooner or later.

Tamaki almost responds to the Groom's retort about the symphony, but it's what she says next to Eriko that rattles her. The country's laws in that regard were enough cause for her to ''give up''. She grits her teeth and casts her gaze down to the ground, clearly pained by the topic, herself. "I'm well aware. We had -- no, have the same fight. As I said before, you were also subject to the cruelties of the world."

She lunges forward with a feint of her of her own, locking blade against blade and pushing back against the Groom's advance to make sure her opponent can clearly hear above the din: "You're not going to get that world by killing him."

With a smirk, she calls out to the side, " -- now's your moment, Inaba-san!" That shield is enough to ward off a full-on assault from herself and Eriko, but Mark's the bruiser of the bunch. Tamaki flashes him a thumbs-up after she sees (and feels) him land that hit with Ogun.

It's a fine line for Tamaki to tread as she tries to keep the Groom's focus on her. Sabre isn't exactly a discipline oriented towards defensive play, and rounds last a matter of seconds, at most. This isn't a bout on the strip. There's no scoring system, no judge, no safety in a bloodless sport. Under those circumstances, biding her time would be foolish.

It's no different under ''these'' circumstances, either. Tamaki soon pays for that foolishness with a cut to her torso as gouts of blue flame spew out from herself and Arianrhod. "Ahh -- !" She was cut once, then grows wiser with the second and third, the initial hack serving as a wake-up call to her senses. Immediately, she scrambles for that same Skill Card to heal their damage with another "Media!"

(Her reaction to Eriko's ruthlessness is plain on her face -- she very much would take issue with that 'thirty minutes' offer.)

And yet -- in the face of that terrifying onslaught, Tamaki spies that Faust's shield is down and sees their moment and proclaims, "For as flawed as Heaven may be, you still fear it!" She nods to Eriko and Mark, especially hoping that the former catches onto her drift: she's weak to light. "All of us, together now! Let us heed their call!"

An illusory pool of water forms underneath the Groom and Faust, the full moon visible in the reflection below even if it isn't present in the sky. The eyes of Heaven are on Miyu, now; she may be able to feel it, to hear the same calling that Tamaki does.

Arianrhod slashes the air twice again, but this time, the golden X waits for a moment longer. Tamaki's Persona remains poised to perform a third strike ...

</poem>
AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on Exploit! Tamaki Uchida can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Recovery skill Media on Eriko Kirishima, Tamaki Uchida, and Masao Inaba!
AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 111 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
AS: Tamaki Uchida has no more TP available for healing!
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Almighty skill Light Break on Miho Ijuuin!
AS: Ruin: Tamaki Uchida gains 1 Limit!
AS: Tamaki Uchida has initiated a fusion spell! The spell still requires 2 Weak attacks and Light/Any Magical! Anyone
can join!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
There's something about what Eriko's remarking on that almost, ''almost'' cuts at the palpable mystery about Mikage-cho. Masao had refused to talk about it. The official record was silent. So what is it that happened there, and why? Questions, alas, will have to wait.

What ''is'' Sudou fighting for? All he knows is, if Akechi is right, his brother is on the other side of it. Whatever Sudou wants is something that Tatsuya absolutely does not want. And even if he doesn't understand what it is that his brother is trying to do at all, he...

He'll trust Tatsuya on this one. Even if it weren't Sudou on the other side, he thinks, he would trust Tatsuya. Almost certainly...

It's supposed to be Jun who is in charge, Sudou states again. "Don't be ridiculous," he tells Sudou, drawing his firearm at last. He directs the gun towards the ground, reading himself to take advantage of the next opening. "He's an ordinary highschool student, not a murderer like you!"

To be fair, it wasn't just Jun's say-so, though that was the majority of it. Looking at Eikichi, he can't help but think that in spite of his... appearance, the kid isn't really a bad sort. And even if he's finding his mannerisms a little odd (look at Katsuya again and say anyone is surprised by this), he... can't deny his dedication.

...In a fight, at that.

Why not just let them do it? Why not turn and leave? "Of all the... of course you don't understand! My duty is to enforce the law, not to look the other way!" It's an action that ''Baofu'' would probably advise, he thinks, and the thought makes him grit his teeth.

"Amano-kun. He's right. I don't know that Sudou can be trusted," Katsuya warns.

But Sudou doesn't attack ''him''. Instead, he attacks the people Katsuya, as a police officer, wants to protect.

"--Sudou! Leave them alone!" The handgun lifts and in that moment, Katsuya takes the shot.
</poem>

AS: Hyousuke Suzuki spends Limit on Exploit! Hyousuke Suzuki can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Weapon! Katsuya Suou has used the Pierce skill Handgun - Suppression Fire on Tatsuya Sudou! 2 Hits!
AS: Katsuya Suou: Fast Heal! Spd_Up removed!
AS: Block Neutral! Julian Marlowe takes 13 Fire damage from Remi Ryuuja's Firebrand.
AS: Block Best! Julian Marlowe takes 7 Fire damage from Remi Ryuuja's Firebrand. Critical Hit!
AS: Counter Neutral! Julian Marlowe takes 39 Fire damage from Remi Ryuuja's Firebrand.
AS: COUNTER! Remi Ryuuja takes 19 Fire damage in return for her attack! Weak!
AS: Block Best! Julian Marlowe takes 4 Wind damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blastbrand.
AS: Block Worst! Julian Marlowe takes 25 Wind damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blastbrand.
AS: Counter Worst! Julian Marlowe takes 74 Wind damage from Remi Ryuuja's Blastbrand. Critical Hit!
AS: COUNTER! Remi Ryuuja takes 8 Wind damage in return for her attack!
AS: Take! Eriko Kirishima takes 100 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Media.
AS: Take! Eriko Kirishima takes 118 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
AS: Take! Miho Ijuuin takes 0 Almighty damage from Tamaki Uchida's Light Break.
AS: Light_Break added!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>"Goddamn right I'm eager." Hyousuke spat. He hissed a little as a blade scored a mark across his arm to match the one on Kurou's cheek, but he did not falter. Whether it was adrenaline numbing the pain, or sheer determination pushing him forward and forcing him to work through it, Kurou's counter stopped him for little more than a blink. Instead, it was his teammates that gave him some slight degree of pause. Though Minako seemed to accept his explanation at its face - for now - Moriko pressed, and the part of Hyousuke that still managed to cling onto a semblance of coherence winced. He would grant her as much information as he could - and Minako too, if she deigned to press for it too - but he knew that there was only so much he could reveal.

"When we're out of here." He said, not quite brushing Moriko off, but speaking firmly enough - and with enough of a growl to his tone - that there could be little doubt he did not wish to talk about it at present. There was also the matter of just how much information he was at liberty to reveal, and Hyousuke wondered just what could be said without incurring his friends' ire. A single misplaced thought risked revealing their identities against their will, after all.. Rage and adrenaline scoured those thoughts from his mind for the time being, however, as he threw himself back into the fray. "For now, we-"

The light faded, and stole Hyousuke's words as surely as it did his vision. A predator stalked through the dark, its eyes pinpricks of light amidst the black, but they were met with his own in kind. A single, glaring, streak of gold that burnt with the intensity of a pyre - the glowering of a snarling, snapping, hound. It was that bestial instinct that had him surging out of the way of the first blow, as though he felt the air part around it, or heard the metal carving towards him. It sliced through fabric as surely as flesh, but the wound was minor, and caught only his arm.

He was not so lucky with the other two.

The first crashed into his side, beating the wind from his lungs in a cry of pained shock. He remained standing, retreating with Achilles raised in front of him, but the serpentine chain lashed against him with force enough that he felt something tear. Hyousuke stood, but staggered, his mind still in a haze as he tried to align himself again. He could not fall - he would not. He refused to fall in the endless black, to someone he had yet to take his own pound of flesh from. He would. Not. Fall.

Fists clenched, feet shifted into a stance, and his eyes focussed once more, Hyousuke summoned both his strength and his Persona. Pain shot through his body like lightning, and arced through his veins as he tried to keep himself ready for whatever was levelled at him, but it did not break him.
"You think that's gonna be enough to keep me down?" He snapped, conviction propping him up as strength fought back the ache in his muscles. "Piss off." Suddenly, his wounds - the worst of them, at least - began to stitch themselves shut, and pain receded like the tide. Some fading remnants of it lingered, but Minako had restored him, and for that he was grateful.

"Thanks!" He called out, not facing her nor using her name, but making sure his voice was loud enough to cut through the noise. "Now... let's make this asshole pay." Achilles once more raised his shield, but not to defend. Instead, he surged forwards, a blinding blur that cannoned into Kurou. A wall of sheer metal crashed towards him, then stole back as quickly as it had moved in, shield raised to defend. Another light descended upon the group, but not the Unicorn's healing rays. It was the golden boon of the pantheon, lending the three their protection, while Hyousuke readied himself for whatever came to pass next.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Strike skill Stunning Blow on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Pressure: Hyousuke Suzuki gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Recovery skill Pantheon's Boon on Hyousuke Suzuki, Minako Arisato, and Moriko
Kumamoto!
AS: Hyousuke Suzuki: Haze removed!
AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Pantheon's Boon.
AS: Magi_Safety applied!
AS: Counter Best! Kurou Ryouhara takes 17 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Stunning Blow.
AS: Crt_Up removed!
AS: COUNTER! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 10 Strike damage in return for his attack! Resist!

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
Without Sudou with them -- and alive -- Maya doubts they'll get any answers to their questions. And Sudou's answer leaves Maya with even more.

"Aliens?" Maya barely has a second to get the words out when she's engulfed in flames. Twice. It really feels like this has been happening a lot lately.

She is relieved that she summoned Iris. These attacks don't hit as hard as they do when she's under Maia's protection.

...Maia...

Maya blinks. Through the noise and chaos, she's able to catch a few scraps of dialogue from the other teams fighting, but they catch her so off-guard that she isn't sure she's really heard them correctly.

Maya will have to find out what's going on from the others later. Her ears had to be tricking her, right?

...right?

Maya finds herself nodding at everything Katsuya says -- he's right, there's no way Jun-kun could be like him!

"If you resent standing in for Jun so much, why don't you stop what you're doing?"

Maya, too, takes aim with her gun, trying to injure, not kill.
</poem>

AS: Maya Amano spends Limit on Exploit! Maya Amano can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Weapon! Maya Amano has used the Pierce skill Cover Shot on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Weapon! Maya Amano has used the Pierce skill Lead Story on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Weapon! Maya Amano has used the Pierce skill Lead Story on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 54 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Handgun - Suppression Fire.
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 54 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Handgun - Suppression Fire.

<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
<poem>There's that jaw drop again. Eikichi was being written off as a joke....by the fucking Joker Killer! The blue haired punk just stares, feeling his own trick being used against him. How -dare- he! "Why, you....You son of a--"

The Death Boss feels his fists curl tight as he fights the urge to charge forward and punch the smug bastard in the face. He clicks his tongue again before growling under his breath.

He smiles when the fusion attack hits Sudou, nodding. "Nice! Time to let this asshole have it."

When Sudou's Persona attempts to touch Jun, Eikichi sees red. The Death Boss takes in a breath, putting the mic away surprisingly. Eikichi moves to stands in between Jun and Sudou/Joker. He takes in a sharp breath through his nose, feeling the encouragement from Jun as he begins to sing a note. It ascends. Higher...and higher....and oh god. It's so high. How was he doing this? Was he some sort of magical singing boy? If there is any glass on Sudou, it might be broken.
</poem>

AS: Avoid Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 11 Pierce damage from Maya Amano's Cover Shot.
AS: Block Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 46 Pierce damage from Maya Amano's Lead Story.
AS: Block Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 31 Pierce damage from Maya Amano's Lead Story.
AS: Persona! Theurgy! Eikichi Mishina has used the Light skill Insanely High Note on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Eikichi Mishina regains 8 HP from Regenerate!
AS: Block Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 147 Light damage from Eikichi Mishina's Insanely High Note. Critical Hit!
AS: Charm added!
AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 123 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>"So, what? Am I supposed to just let you? Sorry. Not gonna happen." Shinobu replies to Tsurugi with a shake of her head. She says it isn't her place to question what she must do... Shinobu frowns, just slightly. "...Yeah. I know. But just 'cause ''you'' can't doesn't mean ''I'' won't. One of us has gotta."

Vesper doesn't seem particularly surprised by the revelations, meanwhile. Matches his deductions, huh? Just how much does he know? Shinobu's glance lingers on Vesper briefly - but he smirks, as his comment.

"...Yeah, fair point." She replies. But he gets it, so now that they're on the same page, that makes things easier. She nods, too, as he draws conclusions about who's manipulating this space. "Right on the money there, too."

Vesper provides support. A wave of darkness issues forth, covering her protectively. And he isn't the only one - even through the darkness and the gloom, there's a refreshing, invigorating breeze.

"Thanks. I owe you." Shinobu says, offering Vesper and Yukari both a grateful nod. She looks back toward Tsurugi, then as she prepares to attack. Tsurugi and La Maupin both take up their swords - and together the two of them conduct a devastating dance of wind and flame. It's all Shinobu can do to keep up, gritting her teeth as she tries to deflect their swords with her staff, wincing with each elementally-infused slash that gets through her guard. If it weren't for Vesper's cloak of shadows and Yukari's healing, she doubts she would've gotten through it in one piece.

"Not gonna happen." Shinobu replies, standing firm. She can hear the heat in her voice. "If your task's gotta be done quick, guess you gotta go through me fast."

It's a risky maneuver, trying to draw the ire of someone who usually seems so taciturn. But that's why Lachesis is here, materializing behind her. Her staff is leveled at Tsurugi once more. But when she takes her measure ''this'' time, the pulse seems to attempt to draw out that emotion further...

...And, under the cover of fury, bestow a weakness unto her, to make her sword arm feel heavier, and make it harder to react.

Shinobu has no intention of giving her time to realise that either as she races forward. She dodges to the side at the last moment, thrusting her staff rapidly toward Tsurugi's midsection.
</poem>

AS: Shinobu Shimizu spends Limit on Exploit! Shinobu Shimizu can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Almighty skill Goading Break on Remi Ryuuja!
AS: Weapon! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Strike skill Jab Flurry on Remi Ryuuja! 3 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Shinobu Shimizu gains 1 Limit!
AS: Moriko Kumamoto spends Limit on Shift! Minako Arisato can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Take! Remi Ryuuja takes 0 Almighty damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Goading Break.

<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
<poem>
At Yukari's words, Hitomi makes a grimacing face. If it wasn't for the fact that they were battling powerful supernatural enemies - other humans, yet - she might have gone for the full 'I'm frustrated' mrgmrmgr face. As it is, all she can really do is concede the point. It may be something Hitomi will reflect upon later...

... if there is a later.

'It's not just a weird poem the Joker Killer wrote.'

Hitomi's eyes flick towards Umie at that revelation.

From the look on her face, she's not shocked. There's a reason she hasn't actually started laughing yet. Her eyes flick back to their enemy. When's it going to come? They're speaking, fighting, supporting each other.

In a sense, Hitomi thinks to herself: They're on the same footing. We're drawing our strength from our cooperation too.

Except, that they aren't. The Groom says that there's more to it. There's a poem. It's some kind of a prophecy. This isn't the true world. Hitomi's brow furrows slightly at that. The world is wrong. In this place, the Bride's son will never be safe, or free. She's doing this for - for -

Hitomi stands there while this happens. Loose, ready to move perhaps, but not running around. She tends to conserve energy when possible. And there is something about what the Bride is saying that rings... is it true? Or is it more like something echoed strangely?

But the Bride has a truth for her, and a surprisingly merciful one. Dark miasmae rise up around her, and Hitomi recoils, the darkness clinging and cold. Hitomi sways and staggers again, hissing in breath which means she inhales some of it which just means that darkness can seep deeper and--

-- ? --

When it fades, Hitomi is swaying, but Yukari's Persona is supporting her again. Twice she's put her trust in Hitomi, and her faith, too. Are there operational reasons, mechanical things? Maybe you could say that, but it doesn't feel quite like that. Hitomi's eyes swim for a moment, and then turns towards Yua.

Hitomi raises a hand...

And loosely points towards the Bride. "''Radical honesty,''" Hitomi says. "You're signalling positive intentions and sacrificing your advantage. It's persuasive, you know? I... I really feel like you believe what you say," Hitomi says, now clapping her hands, "it might even be true! Relatively true," Hitomi concludes, which may stop Yukari from having a conniption.

Her hands clasped together, Hitomi rocks her head forwards slightly, her eyes turning up to look towards the Bride: "And it means you've got one fewer things to worry about. Your cognitive load is reduced... and once you've established your pattern, you've got an immense leverage that most people don't think of."

Hitomi's clasped hands flatten out, palms together. She turns in a somewhat sinuous way, coming further upright. "When you made that prediction... you can probably tell I'm difficult, huh? That I'd immediately try to do something else. Maybe you'd have been able to bluff me out, even with radical honesty. It's a powerful strategy..."

Another thought begins as Hitomi's hands come up before her in a namaste-like pose. Her palms haven't spread apart yet. "But... I have to think about the people who are precious to me too, you know. You're 'between me and them.' Don't have any regrets about your strategy, alright?"

Yukari again. Hitomi glances at Yukari and nods. "Right," she says, looking back to Yumi, "the top," and then she spreads her hands apart and there was a blue card between them which flicks along in her left hand, Hitomi's arms sweeping as if she's encompassing the entire sanitarium and perhaps all of the lands of Japan and the seas of Asia behind her, as Tyche manifests again. Tyche's gesture is similar, and the statue *does* for a single moment seem to move as both Hitomi and the Persona look towards Gretchen and Yumi alike.

There is a sound like a rippling chain of firecrackers. It is the ignition of a baker's dozen of skyrockets, oriented downwards. Streaking in bursts of hot yellow-white they close in, each of them wailing and screaming as the soupy air of the sanatarium rips apart in their passage. Bursting spangles of red and gold light, all of them centering -- it must be said -- on the *upper* portion of Gretchen.

The barrage ends... and Hitomi snaps up her right hand, which has the blue card in it for a shining moment, Tyche seeming to blink for a moment into a subtle different posture, before the barrage is followed up by a pair of bursting fireballs, again aimed towards the upper half of the anti-Navigator Persona!

"Yukari," Hitomi says - over the explosions - "Don't you think it'd be fun to be a mistress?"

</poem>
AS: Hitomi Mandai spends Limit on Psych!
AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Explosion of Fortune on Yua Ijuuin! 3 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Hitomi Mandai gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Double Agi on Yua Ijuuin! 2 Hits!
AS: Hitomi Mandai: Psych removed!

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>"Never had a problem leaning into it." Moriko replies to Kurou's commit statement. She beckons with her free hand, a 'come on' gesture. Waving her bisentou somewhat erratically. The biker then twists the spear back around defensively. The battlefield skeleton looms behind Kurou, staring down at them with an eerie vibe.

He swings at them, tossing the chain around cloaked in shadow. Each blow ducked or rolled into. Each blow bruising, painful, but far less severe than they could have been. To the point she tries to catch the chain with the haft of her polearm, clearly ready to yank- but she's unsuccessful.

She steps forward when Minako goes down. "Stay behind me." She states flatly, only breaking her line of sight to Kurou to tell her that. Then she shifts her stance, holding her hand back to help Minato, spear tucked under one arm towards their opponent and evoker in hand. This is less than ideal.

It's fine.

"Least you didn't say if." to Hyousuke. "You lose when you think it's out of sight." She glances his way for a moment as well. Though any further was interrupted by an attack.

This is met with one of her own, "Go figure." She pulls the trigger of the evoker. Her head jerking back. Holstering it to twist and present the spear forward. Both hands on the grip and ready. Even as the fox makes it's presence known again. Glaring once more at Kurou, though the light this time seems to come from on high and grow in intensity. Trying to drown that shadow out. After, she lifts the blade. Ready for the followup.

Her own opinion on the killer, his circumstances and what's going on can be saved for later. "Why the old maid though." Sounding briefly confused, muttering to herself.
</poem>

AS: Take! Moriko Kumamoto takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Pantheon's Boon.
AS: Magi_Safety applied!
AS: Persona! Moriko Kumamoto has used the Light skill Hama on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Ruin: Moriko Kumamoto gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Worst! Kurou Ryouhara takes 129 Light damage from Moriko Kumamoto's Hama. Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 99 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Explosion of Fortune. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Yua Ijuuin takes 74 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Explosion of Fortune. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Yua Ijuuin takes 74 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Explosion of Fortune. Critical Hit!
AS: Mind Up! Yua Ijuuin's SP +8!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 90 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Double Agi. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 43 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Double Agi.
AS: Avoid Best! Remi Ryuuja takes 13 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Jab Flurry. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Remi Ryuuja takes 16 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Jab Flurry.
AS: Avoid Neutral! Remi Ryuuja takes 36 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Jab Flurry. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> 'You did invoke more than Heaven... it seems you both understand and do not. That symphony is not enough--she and I cannot be free until the world is Changed.'

"Hold up-- yeah, that, connected, goin' with that," Masao says when he has the opportunity to interject far later in the exchanges. This opportunity comes later as immense, overwhelming joy - like sunshine, out a little tiny two-frame animation window - has him laughing because... he had a thought! A good one.

The spell predated upon it at the best (worst) time.

"Friggin'... you don't gotta 'Change' the world! Hey," he raises his free hand. "...I studied in New York, and... y'know what? Just last year, just... no, really, listen, just last year! They're cool with it there! They passed a law that could let two guys or girls marry."

Land of the free, as the propaganda would say. (Masao's time in New York was ''incredibly'' charmed. Happiest time of his life!)

"...Who's to say that can't happen here one day, huh? Times're changin'... these years aren't gonna stay lost!" Long as they can keep their head above water through these years, anyway, the economy sucks. Wow, we're doing this to stop these people from doing in a horrible guy they're probably about to do in, why is he in such a ''good mood'' right now, what the hell. He can't even muster a desire to lift that axe to hit someone...

Luckily, Tamaki and Elly are much more sharply focused in terms of what needs to be done, and as a wash of calming, healing energies wash about him anew, he gets the call from Tamaki to fall in line - all of them together.

"We're all gettin' funky, huh... let's do it to it-- haha," it's hard to focus, but a flick of his hand is enough to bring Ogun again, whom kicks out a leg as he conjures a floating mass of purple spheres with yellow ring emanations to loudly hover towards the direction of that golden X to join powers.
</poem>

AS: Masao Inaba has joined Tamaki Uchida's fusion spell! The spell is ready!
AS: Eriko Kirishima has joined Tamaki Uchida's fusion spell! The spell is ready!

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
Jun's word cut deep and make him feel sick , or perhaps it is Argeiphontes magic. Either way he shakes his head, "We could have done great together Junie. I won't kill you though, I will simply make you watch. Watch what you could have been a part of. "

Gun fire rains upon Sudou from Maya and Katsuya, he is forced to take evasive manuevers until eh grab a car door to try to hide behind. Unfortunately dodging bullets is easier said then done and then of course, what car doors these days are actually bullet proof. Especially supernaturally enhanced bullets. Fortunately Sudou is ok being a holy man. The bullets stop and Sudou drops the car door. "Jun Kashihara has declined the throne. The real Jun would of thought you all beneath him and gladly wiped you all away."

Turning to Katsuya Suou stares at him, "Mr. Poe-lease-Man, listen up as I need you to do me a couple of favors. As you breathe your last breath, pass on a message to your brother. As I finish things here today with you, I will finish with him at the aerospace museum. He'll know the one. "

Shouting loudly enough for the others to hear, "To the people who are pawns of my father, please let him know the following. I am going to pay him a visit very very soon. In fact it's the very next thing I plan to do. "

That is when a startly high note penetrates Sudou's ears and he is forced to cover them. "Dear Nyarly, that is horrible. No wonder you never go on to achieve great things." Sudou says but he can't hear anything except the ringing, so he says it louder then he obviously means to

Sudou puts aside the ringing ears as he takes the Claymore he hasn't used today. In fact some might be wondering why he was carrying around dead weight, a dark aura appears around Sudou and his Persona as he moves himself so that the four opponents of his are before him. The dark aura moves from around him to around the sword and then Sudou simply slashes it through the air. A dark aura precedes the slash as those who may suffer from it will feel that before the attack actually hits. The attack is one that cuts all in it's path, cars, rubble, what have you fall in half to the cut. To those humans who may be in the path, this is the type of attack that triggers that inate fear between fight and flight. That this single blade may be able to cut their very soul.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Almighty skill Burning Spirit on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Charm results in party damage! Tatsuya Sudou takes 90 damage!
AS: Take! Tatsuya Sudou takes 0 Almighty damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Burning Spirit.
AS: Atk_Up and Crt_Up added!

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
"The lion's roar echoes far and wide''Five skulls glow in the depths of the earth''The holy cross shines high up in the sky." Eriko responds, when Miyu asks if she wanted to hear the next stanza. "I've already seen it." ...And again, that deja vu. That stubborn feeling she's read those words before, that there's some meaning she should undertand from them, but doesn't.

"Ah, right," Eriko looks a bit awkward at why they are Bride and Groom, rather than partners. (Also Husband would have been an awkward term maybe? Look. Eriko assumed that if one is the Groom, one would be the husband. Just because she's had queer friends doesn't mean she gets it. Indeed, the way Tamaki seems pained by it too makes Eriko glance to her with concern. And Mark- who was there at the time, reprises a fact about her other hometown. "That's right. Back there, that wouldn't be a problem... Still, I'm not sure the path you're building with bodies will get you the change you want."

Elly catches a slash along her side, but her counterthrust works- and hopefully it rattles the Groom some. Eriko casts back a smile. "A pity, I wouldn't mind if you did!" Ah. She's starting to have fun again, even in the seriousness of the situation.

Miyu shows how much she chooses not to underestimate Eriko again, as the slashes come for her- she tries to use her epee to have the strike glance, but she underestimates the benefit the weight of her blade gives her. Miyu is much stronger than her physically, especially when aided by her Persona. The second strike catches Eriko clean and brutally, that red blade's aura cutting her, and Eriko cries out in pain, even as she manages to step back enough that the final strike- though strong- does not finish the job. "Ah..." There is definitely blood seeping through her outfit, it's going to need repairs. Any deeper and that cut might have been lethal- it would have been to the unawakened. "And here I thought I might have a favourable matchup. Still, I've no intention on giving up." She shoots a quick glance to Tamaki- a show of trust, and faith. "Well... we never trained for this scenario, did we?"

And yet, that's why she's waiting for Tamaki's next action. Indeed, she smiles at the look on Tamaki's face. "As I thought. My friends are good people."

Better than she is, with her horrid obsession.

Two waves of healing wash over her, one from Yukari and one from Tamaki, and they are much needed as she stands up. "'"Thank you!''" Eriko calls out to both in English, before she hears Tamaki's chant, and seems to understand immediately.

She smirks at Mark. "I think I can handle getting funky for once." Which sure is a thing to say coming from Eriko's often dignified voice.

"Of course, if you don't care for Heaven, perhaps Hades will accept you. Tell me, do you think yourself bound for Elysium or Tartarus?" She smiles, and salutes again as she calls her persona. "Nike, oh Goddess of Victory, cast your judgement on our battle!"

As Arianhod's slash holds in the air, Nike's turbines flare to life, and light energy starts to fill the cross, the Titanium Angel "On your mark, Tamaki!"
</poem>

AS: Tatsuya Sudou spends Limit on Exploit! Tatsuya Sudou can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Tandem! Theurgy! Tatsuya Sudou has used the Dark skill Blade of Nyarlathotep on Jun Kashihara, Katsuya Suou, Maya
Amano, and Eikichi Mishina!
AS: Aggression: Tatsuya Sudou gains 1 Limit!
AS: Tatsuya Sudou: Loses 8 SP and TP from Sick!
AS: Avoid Worst! Maya Amano takes 308 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Blade of Nyarlathotep. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Best! Eikichi Mishina takes 109 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Blade of Nyarlathotep.
AS: Avoid Best! Jun Kashihara takes 76 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Blade of Nyarlathotep. Critical Hit!
AS: Take! Minako Arisato takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Pantheon's Boon.
AS: Magi_Safety applied!
AS: Block Worst! Katsuya Suou takes 271 Dark damage from Tatsuya Sudou's Blade of Nyarlathotep. Critical Hit!
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida, Masao Inaba, and Eriko Kirishima has used the Light skill Alpha Blaster on Miho Ijuuin! 2
Hits!
AS: Masao Inaba: Exhaust and Blast removed!
AS: Eriko Kirishima: Blast removed!

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
Though Vesper offers no judgment, he does frown behind his mask, at the notion of following instructions unquestionably. A sad state of affairs, though one he can't be entirely surprised by, given the apparent affiliation. Probably little point in debating it, especially in the middle of a fight.

"The pleasure is mine," he responds by way of saying no thanks is owed. Even if their ways of communicating and going about handling things are just about entirely opposite, he doesn't have any issue working with Shinobu on this. He's seen enough in the past to feel that their interests are likely to align.

Although it doesn't show on what little can be seen of his face, there is a measure of satisfaction in that 'still got it' moment, managing to score a point against someone who knows what they're doing with a blade. Under different circumstances, he might stop to admire Tsurugi's more closely - he does appreciate its design. Alas, as it is...

"My humble thanks," he responds to the compliment, and since he didn't speak it directly himself earlier, he confirms his identity as, "Vesper." He knows a codename when he hears one, clearly he is on that same wavelength.

Unfortunately, that gambit doesn't quite proceed the way he hoped. Tsurugi has the presence of mind to not be goaded into a lengthy duel, instead doing what Vesper hoped to avoid and involving her Persona. Elemental blades are not so easily parried, but Julian's umbrella isn't as ordinary (but exactly as fancy) as it looks. He actually manages to makes a decent effort of it, until he chances to mark a few as 'return to sender'. Leaving himself open for even a second costs him, his protective magic unable to protect him from being buffeted and knocked back by the winds.

Landing in a crouch, Vesper now uses his umbrella to lean on as he catches his breath. 'A man must die this day', is the simple stated motivation for the actions here today. He clears his throat, as he straightens back up.

"I would not presume to argue the point. However... I appear to not be the only one who has misgivings in regards to your motivations. I don't suppose you would care to explain the need for your personal involvement in this matter?"

Speed is quickly becoming the name of the game, so that being the case... Vesper extends a hand forward, commanding his Persona, "Raffles! Bind and hold fast!" In response, the dark tendrils that form the Persona's right half slam down into the ground, disappearing into it. A movement later, a shadowy miasma appears underneath Tsurugi, from which spring similar shadowy appendages, seeking to latch on and restrict movement.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Dark skill Blackroot Curse on Remi Ryuuja! 2 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
Kurou feels the ''why'' of it is implicit in the next request he has of Minako: "Tell me why he should not die today, or use actions to determine it isn't so."

What Kurou's own desire in this perhaps remains unclear. He asserts little more of his intentions beyond his own actions to meet them in combat. He strikes through Linos, but then...

"Another," Kurou notes. "... And a mask of an untameable heart..." So this one has more than one Persona...

... His eyes do glitter slightly at the sight of this particular choice. Or is that just Unicorn's light reflecting in them? Whether he admires the horsie-beast or not, that column of light hits both him and his massive Persona, the latter shattering as Kurou reels.

He rises, wiping his face with the armwarmer covered heel of his hand. "Very good," he says, and though the emphasis is a simple one, there is weight behind it.

Kurou points makes an esoteric set of hand signs, then points two fingers toward the center of Minako's forehead. "However... you said 'one chance'. Play by the rules you set."

Gashadokuro's gaze burns behind him and its maw opens, and there is a haunting sense that any light that comes to her aid will be devoured.

Hyousuke promises to tell his companions 'when they're out of here'. "No. You will seek permission from who would you speak of before you utter a word." He looks to them. "And you should not consent to listen until he does." Is Kurou really in position to be giving that kind of lecture to anyone...?! (And is anyone here in the mood to believe he cares that much about an enemy's secrecy?)

More important than words is Achilles' shield, charging into Kurou with vehicular force. In his own determination, Kurou does not get out of the way. He meets it, slamming into it despite the unfortunate sound it makes when he meets it alongside Gashadokuro's headbutt, to try send some of that kinetic force back into Hyousuke and his Persona, however futile.

Moriko has another blow against the undead with Hama's light. Kurou stumbles into a kneel as he experiences a second Persona Break in quick succession. It is something that ought to wind him, and make it difficult to resummon his Persona.

Kurou breathes deep. He pulls back to his feet, and he steadies his blade before him, chain coiled in the same grip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk1UqObbpLo

He drops the chain into his other hand, and does not call for Gashadokuro.

Kurou charges the three of them as a whirlwind of violence that dual wields chain and blade together, if not the occasional kick. He moves like a dancer, unceasing in his choreography and willing to use that chain to lasso, bind, and yank back in those who try to evade his assault.

</poem>
AS: Kurou Ryouhara spends Limit on Exploit! Kurou Ryouhara can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Almighty skill Ohakamairi on Minako Arisato!
AS: Pressure: Kurou Ryouhara gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Almighty skill purity on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Take! Kurou Ryouhara takes 0 Almighty damage from Kurou Ryouhara's purity.
AS: Rage added! Atk_Dn removed!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara spends Limit on Blood!
AS: Weapon! Kurou Ryouhara has used the Slash skill Mutual Fate: Michizure on Minako Arisato, Hyousuke Suzuki, and
Moriko Kumamoto! 3 Hits!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara takes 45 damage from Stress!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara: Haze removed!
AS: Take! Minako Arisato takes 0 Almighty damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Ohakamairi.
AS: Recovery_Wall added!
AS: Avoid Best! Minako Arisato takes 21 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Safety! Magical
damage reduced!0
AS: Block Best! Minako Arisato takes 40 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Critical Hit! Safety!
Magical damage reduced!0
AS: Avoid Worst! Minako Arisato takes 103 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Safety! Magical
damage reduced!0
AS: Nerve Up! Remi Ryuuja's SP +8!
AS: Avoid Worst! Remi Ryuuja takes 67 Dark damage from Julian Marlowe's Blackroot Curse. Critical Hit!
AS: Paralyze added!
AS: Avoid Best! Remi Ryuuja takes 10 Dark damage from Julian Marlowe's Blackroot Curse. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> "There's a... similarity, in an ability I have," Umie carefully says, tilting her head towards Yukari. "To have it is to be a part of 'something', whether you want it or not, and to talk about it directly spreads the delusion it festers further out. Like a high school rumor." Or rumors in general, at least in Sumaru City.

The answer neatly obfuscates the topic of the NWO veiled within Umie's outburst. Umie may think she's like Miyu, but Yumi knows better in those straying glances and worrying smiles. Umie's had experience veiling it, but in the end, she's like Yumi.

And maybe, that's where Umie cannot stand Yumi's apologies and 'radical honesty', as Hitomi puts it far more elegantly.

Yumi warns Umie, and manifests them into reality. Umie tries to shift backwards with a leap back, but by the time her sneakers hit the pavement, they feel weighted, like her soul has become that much more dense with the weight of the Bride's acknowledgement.

Umie swallows, trying to find the scythe in her soul to bleed into her smile, but it simply comes off weak. "Like I keep saying... it's an illusion. We say these things because it furthers the idea that another world can exist: a perfect one, that can exist if we just do all the right things. It's no better than the belief of the Order, of a 'sinless world', or Old Maid's, of a 'world where everything is as it should be'."

Umie touches a dark red nail to the corner of her chaotic mask, adjusting it; it serves as a reminder, as well as a center, even if it comes with the knowledge of its creator being the same as the boy who fights so resolutely for the NWO. "How many people are you all willing to sacrifice? How long are you willing to work for the same organization that created the problems we suffer under?"

Yukari's words and directness may as well be a healing wind, alleviating the heaviness of Yumi's cage and chains on Umie's soul.

"How will you keep your child from being sucked into the same machine that made you, Bride-san?!"

There, it exists: the rough edge of a nail that needs to be painted, the papercut that stains the finger red, the squint of crow before it leaps into flight.

A thread, that has not been mended.

Umie smiles, and, with a pained gasp, laughs, as Badb erupts from her.

"Scarlet fire cleanses the lion's throat,
a dance of death cast in shadow.
Reset the clock, let the bone pieces fall across the board.
From a child's respite blooms a wretched flower."

Like Yukari (and Hitomi??) have done, the babe to be in Yumi will be shielded from the Badb's shrieking delight; the barbs of those brambles may as well be the ones at the edge of Sleeping Beauty's castle, serving as a warning and a symbol, rather than directly call to the pain of the warrior's field.

'Don't you think it'd be fun to be a mistress?' asks Hitomi. Umie sputters from her temporary daze, hood slipping down as she coughs into her hand. Closing one eye and squinting with the other as she tries to balance the act of 'not coughing on her own spit', she tries to eye Hitomi and Yukari skeptically.
</poem>

AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Exploit! Umie Akabane can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Tandem! Theurgy! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Garden of the Crow on Yua Ijuuin! 3 Hits!
AS: Umie Akabane takes 150 damage from Bomb and Stress!
AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit!
AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 31 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Garden of the Crow. Block Dark!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 31 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Garden of the Crow. Block Dark!
AS: Block Worst! Yua Ijuuin takes 46 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Garden of the Crow. Critical Hit! Block Dark!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
(Let's get funky. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MHMuuEkGic Blood, Sorrow, and Bile - Christa Lee ft. Jami Lynne - Get In The Car, Loser! Original Sound Version)

As she hears Masao and Eriko add their commentary, the burden in Tamaki's heart lightens. As she hears how her adversary in front of her desires the exact same thing she does, her own lost resolve steels itself again.

Something that had remained long-dormant in her becomes unsealed once more.

She won't be outdone. No more indecision!

Ogun's magic serves as the catalyst and goes first, smashing open the floodgates. The twin arcs forming the X speed towards the Groom and Faust, one empowered by Eriko, the other by Tamaki.

"This is a warning to all under heaven! Do you hear it ring?"
</poem>
AS: Avoid Worst! Miho Ijuuin takes 157 Light damage from Tamaki Uchida's Alpha Blaster. Weak!
AS: Haze added!
AS: Avoid Worst! Miho Ijuuin takes 212 Light damage from Tamaki Uchida's Alpha Blaster. Critical Hit! Weak!

AS: Block Worst! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 100 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Critical Hit!
Safety! Magical damage reduced!0
AS: Block Best! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 31 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Safety! Magical
damage reduced!0
AS: Block Neutral! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 65 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Critical Hit!
Safety! Magical damage reduced!0

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
That's Jun's stance on the matter too: he trusts Tatsuya, and even without Sudou being a monster, the fact that what he wants is something Tatsuya vehemently opposes is all the reason Jun needs to oppose it too. As much as he wishes he could remember him... he'll uphold the promise he made to him, that Argeiphontes now enforces.

The dream will stay a dream.

Jun appreciates Katsuya and Maya's faith in him, too. The three of them don't know each other ''well'', but Jun respects and likes both of them, and it would hurt if either of them took anything Sudou said about him seriously. He flashes them both a warm smile, and then to Eikichi as he steps forward to take up a defensive spot between him and Sudou, much like Tatsuya had the other day--which shifts to a cold glare back at Sudou himself.

"I ''am'' the real Jun. That's all I have to say on the matter," he declares, as much to him as for everyone else's benefit.

He has no doubt that Sudou will spare him, though--just as he has no doubt he'd force him to watch him murder everyone else. The very thought fills him with a glacial fear that no amount of Persona power can erase. Jun knows it's no idle threat--that only the prospect of getting Jun to join his side ever stayed his hand against anyone. Now that he no longer has that tiny bit of leverage...

"The Aerospace Museum?" he echoes in a mutter, eyebrows furrowing. Does he mean over in Konan Ward? And if Tatsuya might appear there... Jun's heart lifts at the thought, despite the very real danger they're all in. It lifts even higher than that note Eikichi sings. (It's a very good thing Jun doesn't wear glasses...)

Sudou swings that claymore at last. Darkness manifests around it and sweeps out from the blade, its wielder and his Persona, into the four opposing him. Jun shouts, "Watch out--!" But it's too little, too late. What words could defend against such massive force? Jun is lucky that Eikichi is standing in his defense; it makes it easier for him to move out of the blast's direct path and Argeiphontes to move into it to protect him.

He screams in pain as it strikes all the same. His Persona shatters, and it feels like a part of his soul is shattering with it--perhaps because, on some level, that's literally true. Pain wracks through him, unspeakable and nigh immeasurable.

But it doesn't kill him. Sudou told the truth about that.

"Gghh... ugh... E-Eikichi-kun... Suou-san... Amano-san..." he rasps, pushing himself up by his fists from where he scraped the ground. He leans forward to look up, his now-disheveled bangs covering part of his left eye in addition to his right. Both of them widen at the carnage that Sudou's one attack has left in its wake. "No...!!"

Fury transforms Jun's beautiful features as he presses himself upwards. "How dare you... I won't let you kill them!! I won't allow you to force me to stand by and watch anymore!!" He staggers upright and lifts his flower-wielding hand. "Argeiphontes, let us go to their aid!!"

The plane-faced Persona arises once more, arms folded in front of himself. A soothing energy is born from Jun and blows across Eikichi, Maya and Katsuya as a healing wind, taking a portion of their pain and wounds away with it.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Jun Kashihara has used the Recovery skill Media on Eikichi Mishina, Katsuya Suou, Maya Amano, and Jun
Kashihara!
AS: Support: Jun Kashihara gains 1 Limit!
AS: Jun Kashihara: Fast Heal! Spd_Up removed!
AS: Take! Jun Kashihara takes 77 Recovery healing from Jun Kashihara's Media.
AS: Take! Eikichi Mishina takes 77 Recovery healing from Jun Kashihara's Media.
AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 82 Recovery healing from Jun Kashihara's Media.

<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
<poem>
"I'm fine, Kumamoto-san. Don't worry," Minako says. Her voice is still pained; a broken rib ''hurts'', after all. The light of Hyousuke's Persona washes over her -- shielding her for a moment. She spins her naginata in one hand, then she looks back towards Hyousuke.

He looks angry. She sucks a breath in, then she shakes her head. "Hey, don't let him get to you!"

Her eyes turn back to Kurou. "All the people he's killed... I'm not going to argue wanting him dead," she says. "But--his dad killing him--it hides what happened from everyone. I That isn't right!"

Mitsuru, at least, told them the truth. It's a difference that stands out, compared to this."

Then, she stammers -- Gashadokuro's gaze causing a sickly feeling of something being ''wrong''. A moment later, Kurou is on them. Chain and blade spin out, and Minako has to bob -- and weave -- past one swing of the the chain, then block the blade with her naginata. The chain hits her after that.

She stumbles, rolls, and comes up. Her Evoker goes to the side of her head and she pulls the trigger. "LINOS!"

Her Persona returns, swirling to life. Minako leaps -- and Linos catches her with one hand. She is sent flying up into the air, swinging her naginata around. Linos floats there, golden form hovering and red hair and scarf blowing backward.

She holds her hands out at her side. Then, a sphere of pulsating, trembling blue flame forms. Linos thrusts her hands into it -- and it hurtles off, before exploding just before impacting with Kurou. Aquamarine nuclear fire blasts out towards him; the parking lot is lit up with a blinding white glow, for a moment.

And then Minako comes down, not a moment later. Her naginata strikes straight down for Kurou as she crashes down for him. "If it's all the same--" She hits the ground, then swings her naginata around.

The blow comes with the blunt end -- aimed at driving Kurou back, towards Hyousuke.

"--A parent shouldn't do that, even for a bastard like him!"

</poem>
AS: Minako Arisato spends Limit on Shift! Hyousuke Suzuki can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Minako Arisato has used the Fire skill Frei on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Tandem! Minako Arisato has used the Fire skill Threnody on Kurou Ryouhara! 2 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Minako Arisato gains 1 Limit!
AS: Minako Arisato: Atk_Up removed!
AS: Jun Kashihara spends Limit on Shift! Katsuya Suou can use another Weak skill this round! They both receive 8 SP and
30 HP!
AS: Counter Neutral! Kurou Ryouhara takes 311 Fire damage from Minako Arisato's Frei. Critical Hit!
AS: Blast added!
AS: COUNTER! Minako Arisato takes 41 Fire damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Counter Best! Kurou Ryouhara takes 148 Fire damage from Minako Arisato's Threnody.
AS: COUNTER! Minako Arisato takes 37 Fire damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Counter Best! Kurou Ryouhara takes 148 Fire damage from Minako Arisato's Threnody.
AS: COUNTER! Minako Arisato takes 37 Fire damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Moriko Kumamoto takes 83 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Weak! Safety!
Magical damage reduced!0
AS: Avoid Best! Moriko Kumamoto takes 46 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Weak! Safety!
Magical damage reduced!0
AS: Avoid Worst! Moriko Kumamoto takes 127 Slash damage from Kurou Ryouhara's Mutual Fate: Michizure. Weak! Safety!
Magical damage reduced!0

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
Yumi is gripped by the truth of Yukari's healing breeze, the vulnerabilities within her stratosphere to electrical disturbance; a girl with a soul full to bursting with her passions, yet weighted by guilt too large for her profile. Her resourcefulness, her adaptivity... she becomes it, in those moments.

"He is no madman," Yumi assures Yukari, when she insists that Sudou is ''crazy.''

Though of what Side this is, she is mum.

(Well, she's mum, anyway... HEYYYY, that's a DAD joke!)

"Many things," Yumi responds, sadly, when Yukari asks what is wrong with her. "More is wrong than right. I do not claim I am not broken, child. Yet if I denied them, they would kill us both."

She pauses, delicately.

"They have tried."

Still, she can perhaps ''hear'' the tears, in her eye. "You are right, of course. I am selfish. To have him at all was the height of selfishness... I ruined both our lives with my wishes. Yet -- I only wished -- to leave my Groom with a family, before I..."

Her voice hitches, though Yukari can see she's still trying to smile, under there. "I cannot live in this reality," she corrects her, tearful. "Only in the next. But if this world is to stay... he will stay with her. Hate me as you will... hate me, because I cannot see as she sees! Hate me for my doubt! Hate me for my fear, for my caution and my recklessness both! But know this: it is his soul which now drives me to tear this world down for the next!"

Masao says that times are changing, though. "Times change for you," she says, darkly, and still stained by those tears. "For you who are not bound by the demands of history and convention, for you who must not obey laws distant to the common life of this country! Each time I turn, a new rule, a new demand, and would I know of them?! I could not! We are sacrificed to the altar of ''appearances,'' and all they say is how charmed it must be! The bones of before are bigger than we are, and now they are under our skin! But my flesh was carved from different sand, and I am far enough away as I am! I cannot go further! What will ''change'' will not ''change'' for us!"

She's getting more and more unhinged, there in that cage of hers.

Hitomi suggests it's radical honesty, and Yumi -- laughs? It's not a cruel sound; it's honestly the kind of giggling one might expect from something unexpected. "Hahaha... you're so cute!" In another tone, this might sound threatening, but the way she says it -- the way she says it, it's much like how mothers to be go nuts over adorable children. (That might be worse! Hitomi's a ''teenager,'' after all.) "I hadn't thought of it like that... you see, I'm lying about very much, right now. Very, very much. But you're still a ''little'' right... you aren't our targets, so I'm trying to be gentler to you. I hate being sent to ensure a man's death... it's no better than stabbing him through myself." Here, Katsuya might feel her gaze on him, for a moment. "But... do I have a pattern? I cannot trace it, with my fingertips. It fragments, stops, and starts... I lose myself so easily."

She giggles, again, as she reflects on Hitomi's ''difficulty.'' "Ahh, you're someone who sees the threat in every corner... I'm really fond of people who are switched on like that!" It reminds her of someone really special... "... but, of course, I'm the threat, aren't I? Forgive me, it's a little disrespectful... but no, I'm not trying to trick you. I am Sybilline; to illustrate weaknesses has become my nature, though I am first to blind their sight. It is because you are fighting for your dear friends that I speak thus."

She spreads a hand. "I do not blame you. What an ignoble position, to be forced between a killer and his death."

The fire comes.

Does the statue move, or is the treachery of images betraying her again? Yumi can't say; what she knows is that Hitomi embraces the world in her gesture, and Tyche's firecrackers blast into Gretchen's face and shoulders. One, two, five, ten; her mask splits, but somehow, the Persona manages to survive the terrifying firestorm, until the last spark.

At which point... she shatters.

"Gretchen!" Yumi cries, and for a moment, she is distraught, beside herself now she's no longer beside herself; she brings her Evoker to her eye, again, or at least to the place where her left eye must ''be'' beneath all those veils. "Come back to me! COME BACK! ''PERSONA!''"

The flames which erupt from the side of her face are red.

The energy which flares up, around her...

It isn't blue. It's supposed to be blue. Why isn't it blue?

Why does she Summon with such horrible, angry, forboding ''red'' light?!

"Yes... you are like us," Yumi confirms, to Umie, calmer when Gretchen appears again around her. "Ah, but it isn't safe for me to describe you too much... it's all right," she says, again. "I will not ask. What I do not know, I cannot say."

Umie, though, says that it's an illusion... and Yumi sighs, shaking her head. "You turn away," she says, and forgives her, in her tone. "It's all right. Perhaps you were as sin-black as we, before you chose to leave... and now you must convince yourself that all those truths are nothing. I'll not blame you for what you must do to survive. Your life is very complicated, isn't it? It must be... that dear young man, he would not be attracted to simplicity, I think."

Yumi tilts her head, thoughtfully, as she considers the rest of Umie's words. "Willing... what an interesting word you've chose. This, I cannot tell you. I feel I could sacrifice anything... but my Groom assures me I am far too gentle. Am I just... frustrated with my own helplessness...?" She wonders, looking up. "... but the question I answer is not the question you have asked. There is the world we seek, and theirs... my desires, and theirs. You would speak of the sacrifices I make for the Powers which control society, that Be? Of this, whatever they require."

She's already explained why.

"He will not escape that machine," she confirms, for her, with sorrow. "Not so long as this world turns. Nor can you, not truly... but I think it is wonderful you have made yourself a small enough target to pretend."

The words drag themself, pained, from her throat, and Yumi bears witness. "Speak, Sybil," she urges her. "This is the power owed you."

And so the Badb's thorns tear at the edges of Gretchen; she will find her particularly inured to them, practiced in their defence. That darkness does not strike Gretchen through the core...

... but Umie spoke a prophecy, minutes before.

The Omen rises, now, above her; with a clash, it strikes Gretchen through the heart. And so it is not Umie's present carefulness but her prior ''anger'' which shatters the Persona, a second time, as Yumi shrieks to see her ruined. Two Persona Breaks in a row are hard on anyone, but --

"Gretchen!" Yumi cries, as she brings her Evoker to her head, and pulls the trigger.

Yukari -- and perhaps, through her experience with SEES, ''Hitomi'' -- will recognise the impotent ''click'' of an Evoker which cannot draw any more will from the soul of its wielder.

"Gretchen... Gretchen...!" Yumi cries, sinking down to the ground, as around her the wrongness of the arena fades. Rust and gloom is replaced with the normal facade of the Sanitarium; the area is still foggy, but it grows lighter, as Yumi's Anti-Navigation can no longer be sustained with her capacity.

It is now possible to escape the Sanitarium!

"Message, message, a message? A messenger? Sake-san, I --" Yumi draws a ragged breath, clutching her chest, as she recalls Sudou's request. "No -- we have to kill you --"

But is that mission more important than her safety?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>
Mark will accept 'connected', it would seem. And what else he says...Yua has started to falter, and Miho look towards her in alarm. "We must finish this quickly!" Miho calls to the Bride.

"Crazy," Miho answers Yukari. "The typical refrain for those who understand greater things. You dismiss what you do not understand, what is outside your experience, and call yourselves 'sane' for knowing who to cast out! You are fools!" A pause. "No. He ''knows'' the Oracle--he is not the Oracle himself. And this... This is 'This Side'," she says. "The 'Other Side' is what was and must be. ...At least, parts of it. I cannot rule out that he was shown something else..."

But Yukari... well. "Naive girl," Miho calls to her, "When you are older, you will understand the pressure this world exerts on women. ...''if'' you grow to be older."

But Tamaki... Tamaki understnds, it would seem. Though they cannot see Miho's face, her expression gentles briefly. "Then you comprehend," she says. "At least this much."

Media comes again. Unlike some, Miho does not complain. ...It is natural for them to want to help each other. But Mark has another point, and Miyu turns towards him. "True," she says. "In that place, it can be done. In many places, it canbe done. But are we to leave our shores behind forever? ...You don't know how deeply the rot runs. No, there is much to say it will not 'change' by itself,, nor by any temporal power."

Miho could be Yua's husband from some perspectives! But while she's butcher than most she ''does'' prefer being a woman. But the path they'rebuilding with bodies... "Maybe not," Miho says. "But I know no other. Speak to me a sweet magic to correct the world, and perhaps we can be friends."

As flawed as Heaven may be...

Tamaki exploits the vulnerability of Faust's nature, and Miyu returns to a ready stance. "I know fear," she admits. "...The fear of losing those precious to you. The certainty that if you do not act, you ''will''. I believe you know it, as well."

"So be it!"

She tries to shore up her defenses as the light hangs in the air.

The floodgatess open, and those twin arcs rush towards Miho. She hears that warning...

She attempts to ''dodge'' the first and then the second, sidestepping once, lunging for the next--but she can't. The light slams into Faust and shatters the Persona, leaving the Groom on one knee, drawing in difficult breaths.

"...I hear it," she says. "And I..."

"Where am I bound...?" Miyu questions in the aftermath of the attack, still smoking. "I care not, so long as my Bride is with me. Yumi..."

Miho rises to her feet and looks to the three veterans before her. "I know no path but that of my dreams. ...So we will meet again."

Yumi has had much to say herself. To Umie, to Masao... to Hitomi, and Yukari. But never has Miyu taken her attention completely off of herl. and when that pophecy strikes and shatters Gretchen--

"NO!" Miyu calls, and turns her back to the others, ''sprinting'' across the battlefield towards Yumi. She has favored an arm the entire battle, used just her right--but now she uses both, cradling Yumi as she sinks down. "I will protect you," she says. "From this much, at least."

She turns her head to the others. "It is time!" she shouts to Kurou and Remi. "We withdraw! Our target yet lives, but..."

She looks to Sudou, "He knows, now, that we can trap him. It is a matter of time, yet."

The Groom picks up the Bride bodily, and starts away.

...It's certainly ''possible'' to attack her from behind, if her allies don't defend her.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Miho Ijuuin has used the Recovery skill Ally Guard on Yua Ijuuin!
AS: Pressure: Miho Ijuuin gains 1 Limit!
AS: Miho Ijuuin: Atk_Up removed!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
It's very much like how Tatsuya had done it, when Eikichi moves to intercede. He... hasn't seen something like that happen another time before this, has he?

"What are you talking about?" he says to Sudou, lowering his weapon to point at the ground again. "Tatsuya's not here!" At the... Aerospace Museum? "The one in Konan? What are you plotting?!" he demands, staring at Sudou as if he could lay him low with his eyes alone.
Alas, even his brother, though he comes close, doesn't actually have ''that'' sort of power.

He's still acting like he's going to get out of this. "Sudou! Don't think that you can get away!" Katsuya insists, just as there's a very terrible, very loud noise. "What in the--"

Oh. It's Eikichi. He's... not sure in the moment what to think about this at all.

Truth be told, Katsuya had forgotten about that sword, wondering if it were more prop weapon than the real thing. That alone should have given him pause, though: a fake weapon can become real in a supernatural space. He's seen this for himself. The problem is, the weapon he uses is very real wherever he is. So it's hard sometimes to unlearn what he 'knows' and remember that...

But he's remembering it now, drawing himself up as that dark aura gathers around Sudou, as it bleeds towards the blade. "What-- no, look out!"

He feels pressure. He feels the terrible urge to get away, to run. Yet, as an officer, surely he cannot simply...! Helios rushes to intercede, trying to catch the blade in its hands. For just a moment it holds and
his Persona shatters into pieces. Sudou's blade proceeds in a single, brutal cleaving arc.

It feels, in the moment, how Katsuya imagines dying must be. Even lying here, he's not sure in the space of time that follows where his body begins and ends. Yet, he's still alive: with a groan, he pushes himself up as Jun calls out his name. "I'm-- here," he says, because the thing he wants to say is clearly a lie. "Amano-kun-- everyone--" A healing wind rises and it's all he needs to give him the energy to get back on his feet again, to regard again his, their opponent. Another attack like that... they can't take another attack like that.

"I'm sorry," he says, and to whom he's speaking is not apparent in the moment. "But I won't let them die. Sudou! That's enough!!"

And he raises his firearm and once again, takes the shot. Blue flames burn in the summoning that follows. "Persona--!"

Twin flames, as if heedless to Sudou's own resistance to the same are cast forth, one after the other. As Helios drops back towards Katsuya to itself draw its own gun, Katsuya is stuck by the crawling sense that someone is watching, but looking away now isn't possible, is it?

He'll mark well the parting of the spiritual pressure from Gretchen's user in the moments thereafter, itself a harbinger of the second terrible possibility tonight:

That the Joker Killer, Tatsuya Sudou, escapes, and as promised, heads to the Aerospace Museum.
</poem>

AS: Katsuya Suou spends Limit on Exploit! Katsuya Suou can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Weapon! Katsuya Suou has used the Pierce skill Handgun - Suppression Fire on Tatsuya Sudou! 2 Hits!
AS: Persona! Katsuya Suou has used the Fire skill Double Agi on Tatsuya Sudou! 2 Hits!
AS: Persona! Katsuya Suou has used the Pierce skill Torrent Shot on Tatsuya Sudou! 3 Hits!
AS: Take! Yua Ijuuin takes 0 Recovery healing from Miho Ijuuin's Ally Guard.
AS: Full_Cover applied!
AS: Block Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 88 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Handgun - Suppression Fire. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Neutral! Tatsuya Sudou takes 44 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Handgun - Suppression Fire.
AS: Avoid Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 8 Fire damage from Katsuya Suou's Double Agi. Resist!
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 57 Fire damage from Katsuya Suou's Double Agi. Resist!
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 31 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Torrent Shot. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Best! Tatsuya Sudou takes 21 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Torrent Shot.
AS: Block Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 61 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Torrent Shot.

<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
<poem>
After Sudou gives his next answer, Maya comes to the conclusion that it's not worth asking any more questions right now... he's not going to give them the answers they're looking for.

What Katsuya said earlier was true; they couldn't trust what Sudou was saying. But Maya was sure that even if everything else he said about tonight was a lie, what he was saying about the Aerospace Museum was true.

Maya turns to look at Katsuya. ''If'' Sudou escaped... ''If'' they could find some way to deliver this message to his younger brother... maybe the two of them could have that brotherly heart-to-heart Maya wishes for them.

But then Sudou attacks, cleaving through Iris as if she were nothing more than glass.

Pain jolts through Maya's body like a lightning bolt; the sparks of pain stretch out endlessly, the pain only intensifying when they touch. And they do, again, and again, and again.

It's all she can think about for a full 30 seconds. All other awareness petered off so that she couldn't feel the cracked gravel beneath her or taste the stale air around her. The pain was all that existed in those moments, and the lack of distraction made the pain all the more else.

It's Jun's words that pull her out of it. She can't even make out what he was saying; all she could recognize was the sound of his voice. I've got to do something, she thinks. The others... They were going through this pain too and she couldn't let them be hurt like this again. She _wouldn't_.

She hears Katsuya's voice join the fray as she slams her knuckle into the ground to push herself upright; she feels the impact of that too. She even sees Eikichi -- the boy who so eagerly wanted to talk to her later -- still grounded. She might not be able to get up any further than she has already, but she's still going to give it her everything.

"Iris!" she calls out, and she returns with a flourish, seemingly revived by Maya's desire to protect the others.
</poem>

AS: Maya Amano spends Limit on Exploit! Maya Amano can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Take! Maya Amano takes 77 Recovery healing from Jun Kashihara's Media.
AS: Persona! Maya Amano has used the Elec skill Zionga on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Ruin: Maya Amano gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Maya Amano has used the Recovery skill Media on Katsuya Suou!
AS: Maya Amano: Reflect_Magi removed!
AS: Block Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 201 Elec damage from Maya Amano's Zionga. Critical Hit!
AS: Paralyze added!

<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
<poem>As Eikichi's masterful note ends, he hears Sudou's commentary, prompting a heavy frown as he feels his fist ball tighter. HOW DARE HE?!

The Death Boss grinds his teeth as he moves to deal with Sudou's fluid movements. The punk swings his guitar case around, using it to block the incoming strikes. Each strike shakes Eikichi as he feels the impact strike. "I don't amount to anything eh? Must be pretty close to whats gonna happen with you...If you're so damn tough, why do you need to harass Kashihara so damn much? Guy isn't a fighter...actually, you're ignoring the guy who can actually put up a fight...Gotta say that's coward shit, Tatsuya Sudou." Thats right Eikichi knows your name. He's getting his stink all over it.

Rhadamanthus roars to life again as it begins to charge up an attack. The Death Boss slouches in his stance as he looks at Maya and Katsuya.

Eikichi's Persona finally finishes shaping the sphere of water, sending the more powerful water attack toward Sudou.

</poem>
AS: Persona! Eikichi Mishina has used the Water skill Aqua on Tatsuya Sudou!
AS: Aggression: Eikichi Mishina gains 1 Limit!
AS: Eikichi Mishina regains 8 HP from Regenerate!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
<poem>
"A 'similarity'?" She asks, eyeing Umie as she tries to explain, for now at least, "What do you mean? Like 'a Rumor'?" It's difficult for her to assess the connection here, she's not certain of where to even start.

"All you owe me is to stay standing!" Yukari Takeba calls back to Shinobu, trying not to make a big deal out of it. She has her pride. She doesn't like to just say out loud...

'I just don't want the people around me to die.'

'Thank you!'

Luckily her English is at least good enough to understand that! "'"You welcome!"'"

Pause.

"I mean- "'"You're! You're!"'"

WHY DID SHE DO THAT AND EMBARASS HERSELF!?

Yukari ''does'' not in fact have a conniption over what Hitomi says, she has so many other things to have one over right now! Target rich environment!

"The top." She echoes, when Hitomi goes to work. She takes a breath and- exhales once it's over. Which is why the question takes her entirely off guard.

"Wha-AT!?" She blurts out, taken completely flat-flooted by this. "Why would you even ask that!? Of course I don't think it'd be fun to be some guy's mistress!"

Look, unfortunately Hitomi, her Mother has ''been'' the Mistress of a few guys. Which means you just hit one of Yukari Takeba's 'icks' so to speak.

'A parent shouldn't do that, even for a bastard like him!'

She closes her eyes as what Minako says, perhaps that's why this whole thing bothers her so much.

'He is no madman,'

"Isn't he!? Who murders like this? If he were one of you I could at least think someone was ordering him to do it!"

'Crazy, the typical refrain for those who understand greater things'

"What do you call any of this then!? He's killing just because someone CALLS HIM ON THE PHONE! And calls himself a ''hero''!"

'Naive girl,'
'When you are older, you will understand the pressure this world exerts on women.'

"You think I ''don't''!? You think I haven't seen it? I just REFUSE to live my life BOWING to that pressure! I won't!"

'Many things'
'More is wrong than right.'
'I do not claim I am not broken, child.'
'Yet if I denied them, they would kill us both.'

"Then come with us!" She asks, "If that's what's going on, I won't claim to know everything- but we can at least try to help!"

'I cannot live in this reality. only in the next. But if this world is to stay... he will stay with her.'
She doesn't really understand, not all of it, she only gets a feeling of foreboding, "And what if that kills you ''and'' him!? You're already risking both of yourselves for something that sounds... crazy! You're here risking your ''own'' son to kill the son of someone else!? I don't get why you think this is the only way!"

The Bride calls upon Gretchen, and there is a ''click''. And she looks at her in ''pity'' as she cries out. Only looking around in alarm as everything changes, before sighing in relief.

"You need to stop. You're really going to hurt yourself trying to summon a Persona like that right now."

She steps forward, like she intends to just ''take'' her Evoker away. But the Groom rushes to her aid, and she stops, quickly holding her Evoker up to her forehead.

As they retreat she almost pulls the trigger, almost, out of sheer frustration, then lets her arm fall to her side before whispering softly, "... In what world is this protecting her?"

She's not sure it is in this one, or the next.

</poem>
AS: Avoid Worst! Tatsuya Sudou takes 219 Water damage from Eikichi Mishina's Aqua. Critical Hit! Weak! Avoid Water!
AS: Paralyze added!

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
Shinobu won't just let her. Tsurugi stares at her, face hidden behind her fencing mask. "... then tell me, will you do the deed yourself?" But ''one'' of them has to question Tsurugi's orders...

Tsurugi is silent for a moment, before she nods. "You have the freedom to do so."
She ''is'' normally taciturn--but though she loathes the physical act of her task, she is, nonetheless, compelled to do it. And to be kept from it...

She shudders, as Lachesis tries to draw out more anger and that weakness. Only of the latter of those works. Unfortuantely for Shinobu... Tsurugi is always angry.

And she's always trying to restrain herself, because she must still complete her orders. The conflicting demands placed on her... it's a delicate balance.

But Shinobu isn't done yet, and she follows with a series of blows--Tsurugi uses her enhanced speed to try and move and dodge out of the way, deflecting the staff blowws with her rapier--the first two she parries but the third lands a solid hit right in the chest. It knocks her back, sends her down to a knee.

And yet, there is no pained gasp, no shocked outcry. Only a calm motion of her hand to her chest, as if checking for an injury she cannot simply ''feel''. And then she rises again.

It might be a bit creepy to see her so stoic about ''injury''... and it's not the first time.

p Tsurugi might studi more of Vesper's footwork and skill if she had the time (the umbrella... not so much. Though she will respect what it can do in his capable hands.)

There is a simple, almost imperceptible nod given at the offered codename of 'VEsper.'

And likewise, she takes the 'return to sender' hits Julian offers with a similar level of complaint. She may be vocal in her desire to fulfill her orders, but otherwise carries them out with silence, when possible.

Julian asks for an explanation. Tsurugi tilts her head at him. "... There are men who hold my leash. Where the hound is commanded, it must go." So by 'men' she /probably doesn't mean either the Bride or Groom... and /probably/ not Kurou, since she doesn't appear inclined to take orders from him as such.

But otherwise the explanation is simple. She has orders. She cannot go against them.

But despite her lack of complaint with the wounds she's received, she must still be taking some damage, as the tendrils erupt from below her to strike at her. The first one lands a solid hit, smacking her hard, which she takes without complaint. But she is also shoved out of the wqy, and that and her speed let her leap clear of the second attempt.

But she is haggard by this encouner, and she knows her target still lives. She is looking between the Shinobu and Vesper, coldly considering. "... I must end this." She pulls something from a pouch on her hip. "Loading--" she starts to announce.

And then the wrongness around them vanishes, and the tenses. Her gaze instantly snaps over to Yumi, and the tension in her fingertips where she is clutching the cartridge is perhaps the only physical sign of her anger. Her tension.

But perhaps also the spike in her Resonance, that right now seems so strongly of implacable steel might also tell that story.

That click. The two Persona Breaks--she was listening,always listening, even as she conducted her own battle.

"You are right to be wary," she inteones quietly, putting away the cartridge, putting away her rapier. "Of their motivations. But we have no choice but to follow the path set out before us."

"... they will not still their hand for the vulnerable among us."

Whatever ''that'' means they might be able to fill in the blanks, but she won't say it directly. Instead, in a burst of wind, she and La Maupin take off across the battlefield in fast, loping strides.

She ''will'' cover Miho's back, as she reaches a hand up to the sky. "Come, gales and storms!" La Maupin raises their rapier, and multiple fierce wind spells erupt around them to form a barrier to help cover their retreat.

Whoever dares to brave them will surely meet her steel. Her rapier, after all, will still work once they have cleared the supernatural space.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Tatsuya Sudou has posed.
<poem>
Sudou stares at Jun, "Only those with power and the willingness to use it have the right to allow delcare what they will and won't allow. You can allow nothing.

Sudou looks at Katsuya, "None of you believe me. Even those that hear him don't believe. So I am tired and don't want to waste energy convincing you. Instead I will simply leave you with a stolen quote. All this has happened before and all of this will happen again. I will make sure of it. " The threat is given before Katsuya starts to unload as much as he can and Sudou takes bullets to the chest. The monster begins to try to avoid the flames, but is pinned down by more gun fire.

Lightning falls and Sudou holds up a sword of metal to block the lightning, to get a lesson in conductivity. It stuns him for a moment which really makes avoiding the blast of water harder to avoid.

"I am wet, I am grumpy, and I taste lightningy" Sudou grumbles as he feels the cage leave, "Oh it looks like it is closing time. " Sudou walks toward where Katsuya is and looks at him for a moment, "The locks on my cell are still good. How do you plan to hold me? Katsuya you should resolve what you are willing to do before we meet again. If you are lacking in conviction maybe you should hand off the responsibility to someone else." Sudou casts a glance towards Umie, "My little sister would pull the trigger." Sudou laughs before he steps into a shadow as if it was a pool of water and sinks into nothing.
</poem>

AS: Hyousuke Suzuki spends Limit on Exploit! Hyousuke Suzuki can use another Weak skill this round!

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>The reverberating blow of a skull battering against a stalwart shield barely registered - Hyousuke stood against it with grim determination, unfeeling or uncaring. What truly hurt him, and cut him deeper than any blade, was the insinuation that he would so brazenly spill his friend's secrets without any manner of safeguard, or consideration for their feelings.
"Are you fucking with me?!" He shouted at Kurou. He didn't seek an answer, and did not wait to hear one before continuing. "You think I'd just say whatever shit I want?! That I wouldn't put my friends first?!" The mask did nothing to keep his voice in check. What little it managed to stifle all but bludgeoned its way out regardless, filling the air with bellowed indignation.
So incensed was he by such thoughts, that he failed to consider if any information shared was too much, despite how desperately he needed Moriko and Minako to trust his rage.

A lashing chain cut off whatever he opened his mouth to say, changing it into a startled cry as he tried to rip his hand free. His focus was shaken for a moment, but a moment was all that was needed for the first strike to carve into his flesh like a butcher's knife. Blood arced as it was wrenched from torn skin, then leaked down his chest as thick rivulets.
"You're fucking delusional!" He called out, his strained voice more a way to vent his pain than respond to Kurou. Achilles raised his shield in defence of his wielder, but even the general's might could only take so much, and the second blow shattered his Persona like glass.

Sent reeling by the shock to his mind, Hyousuke staggered back onto his heels, and his balance left him again. It was only through a miracle that his mind and his muscles shifted, the memory of hours-long training sessions moving him on instinct rather than active thought. He stepped into Kurou's kick and stifled its power in a blink, then raised his leg to block the rest. The onslaught was over, and Hyousuke was torn and bloodier for it - but he still stood, and he was still alive, through nothing but spite and determination.

"If you think.. for one fucking second... that I'd do that to the people I care about?" His voice was low. Eerily so. Speaking but one word seemed a Herculean task for him, and to form a sentence entire had his voice straining by the end. "Then you don't know a damn thing about me."
The beast rose from behind him, its eyes of crimson glaring out from the black abyss beneath its helm. Like some great and terrible machine, he creaked to life, rising to his full height and readying his shield as Minako's blow impacted against Kurou. Then, he struck.

Achilles struck forth with that god-forged shield first, heaving it forward into Kurou with whatever strength Hyousuke could force into his form. Then the spear came, its legendary edge thrust down at Kurou like a bolt from the blue. But it was not the end. It was a wild and savage pair of blows, backed by the clamorous clanking of metal armour, but Hyousuke's rage could not be contained to just his Persona, and the boy himself surged forward like screaming lightning. His muscles screamed at him to stop, and to rest - he'd exerted himself as far as he could, and the wounds he'd taken threatened to tear his tendons apart with every mote of strain put upon them.

Two blows. The first was a savage left hook, aimed low and sent streaking through dark air like a comet into Kurou's side. The second was a vicious straight, his right beating like a forgehammer into Kurou's form. Then, as quickly as he had stepped in, Hyousuke leapt back, jaw clenched and eyes forward. His breaths were heavy, his fists were tight, and his arms felt leaden, but still he stood, a shield and a sword for the allies that needed him. But something else came into view - and spoke to the very depths of his soul.

It felt like a curse was lifting. Like weight had been taken from his shoulders, and a rope tied around his lungs was loosened enough for him to finally breathe. Darkness began to recede, vision began to return, and he began to speak.
"Your friends are leaving." He said, catching Yua and Miho's exit from the corner of his eye, but not daring to take his own gaze from Kurou. "You gonna join 'em? Or are we finishing this here?" He wanted to finish things. He wanted to hurt Kurou. He wanted to BREAK him. But he was running on fumes, and he couldn't die here. Not while there was work left unfinished.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Strike skill Shield Slam on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Pressure: Hyousuke Suzuki gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Pierce skill Pelian Spear Strike on Kurou Ryouhara!
AS: Weapon! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Strike skill Chained Strikes on Kurou Ryouhara! 2 Hits!
AS: Hyousuke Suzuki's Magi_Safety tactic expires on Hyousuke Suzuki, Moriko Kumamoto, and Minako Arisato!
AS: Counter Worst! Kurou Ryouhara takes 98 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Shield Slam.
AS: COUNTER! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 5 Strike damage in return for his attack! Resist!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Counter Best! Kurou Ryouhara takes 209 Pierce damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Pelian Spear Strike.
AS: COUNTER! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 111 Pierce damage in return for his attack!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Counter Best! Kurou Ryouhara takes 92 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes.
AS: COUNTER! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 28 Strike damage in return for his attack! Resist!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Counter Worst! Kurou Ryouhara takes 169 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. Critical Hit!
AS: COUNTER! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 8 Strike damage in return for his attack! Resist!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
<poem>Moriko looks back, dubious, but accepting it for now. There's only so much you can do, especially with a threat front and foremost. Eyes go forward again. "Just be careful. I don't want to have to-" She trails off. "That's a terrible thought." with a shake of her head. She does adjust the grip on her spear, fingers easing and shifting though.

"I think of everything we've seen he's got it coming-" she agrees. "Burying it isn't the right call." Still in agreement.

Kurou suggests that one of them is cheating. "Ain't trying if you're not." Is her only reply to that. Though she's not entirely sure if she grasped his take, or the exact meaning behind it. That's for later too.

"See, that just makes me want to beat it out of you instead." She's doing alright. Was, up until the attack. Even then there will be a defiant look about her. "And if I wanted your opinion on the matter, I'd have asked you, not him. Shut it."

She about turns her head to do something stupid, but catches herself.

"You are definitely giving at least a rundown Suzuki-" She turns her head towards Hyousuke, though by this point Kurou has begun the onslaught and anything else she might have had on the matter is interrupted by the slashing of the blade. Even with the world starting to return to- less horror? At least no air raid sirens went off as the world shifts to just foggy-ish.

The first slash is met with her persona fading away in a spray. Slicing against her arm as she rolls, trying to get it caught against some of the hidden bits of protection in her leather jacket. The second is more successful. Stopping the worst of it with the haft of her polearm, but she's slow on the third and earns herself a vicious slice. Knocking her back onto one knee. Teeth clenched as she does a grunt of pain. "Aah." She mutters, "Screw it. Back where that thing belongs" And pulls her evoker from one last time. Head jerking back and to the side before strugglign to her feet. The persona appearing, before bounding forward, sinking into the earth, trying to bury the assailant and his bones under crashing shards of rock and earth. Lashing out as much as anything!

Just don't worry that she's moved her hand to hold that slash through her coat closed.
</poem>

AS: Persona! Moriko Kumamoto has used the Earth skill Riotous Gryva on Kurou Ryouhara! 3 Hits!
AS: Ruin: Moriko Kumamoto gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
<poem>
The maze breaks, and the Groom carries the Bride off. As Maya sends her own Persona's healing energy back around the sub-group, Jun watches them go, then breathes a little easier as the space clears.

There's much left to do, but they've made it through for now. He'll tend to Eikichi, Maya and Katsuya in a moment, then take a cursory look around at everyone else. After that... it's probably best that they all leave.
</poem>

AS: Counter Best! Kurou Ryouhara takes 60 Earth damage from Moriko Kumamoto's Riotous Gryva. Resist!
AS: Paralyze added! Blast removed! Explosion! 75 damage!
AS: COUNTER! Moriko Kumamoto takes 10 Earth damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Counter Worst! Kurou Ryouhara takes 88 Earth damage from Moriko Kumamoto's Riotous Gryva. Resist!
AS: COUNTER! Moriko Kumamoto takes 0 Earth damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Counter Neutral! Kurou Ryouhara takes 74 Earth damage from Moriko Kumamoto's Riotous Gryva. Resist!
AS: COUNTER! Moriko Kumamoto takes -0 Earth damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Kurou Ryouhara is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>"That I can do." Shinobu says, as Yukari says that the only thing she owes is to stay standing. If that's what's being asked of her, then...

Tsurugi stares back. Her face is hidden, but she can practically feel the eyes on her. That question...

"...If that's what it comes down to. Then yeah, I'll do it." Shinobu says. "Better me than any one of these kids."

If it comes down to a fight to the death, then better she take that burden on herself - her, or one of the other adults.

She nods, as Tsurugi says she has the freedom to question her orders, and presses the attack - and Tsurugi is driven to one knee, but without a gasp, or any sign that she was even hurt. Shinobu frowns.

"...Are you the type who just keeps going until you break?" She asks. Is she going to have to find out? Does Tsurugi even have a choice?

Vesper's retaliation is pretty fierce, and Tsurugi seems pushed. Shinobu spots her drawing something -

"Watch out!" Shinobu warns, bracing herself And then -

The attack doesn't come. Instead, the wrongness around them vanishes. Space returns to normal - or as 'normal' as ''this'' place can ever be, after what's been done here.

They're right to be wary...

"...Yeah. They seem like the type." Shinobu notes. Tsurugi and La Maupin take off - and it looks like Sudou is gone, too.

Shinobu 'tsks', shaking her head. She jams her staff into the ground, taking a moment to lean against it.

"...Damn. They all got away." She mutters.

...It might be for the best. After everything that's happened, they'll all need a moment to regroup and recover. Mentally, and not just physically.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
<poem>
'You're so cute!'

Hitomi's face perks up and she tilts her head to the side at the compliment. "Haha! Thank you, that's so kind of you... I can see why all of this is really difficult for you. But..."

"To me," Hitomi says, "they're not threats."

what does that mean

But then came the bombardment. The Persona is smashed into nothingness and Hitomi's head tilts forwards, her eyes lifting up. Yumi has greater problems, but she is being given a focused, almost blankly predatory stare-at by Hitomi. Then again, perhaps that's just how her face is laid off.

Red fire, Hitomi thinks. I'm almost jealous.

But then she's speaking to the third who's joined them. Hitomi takes the opportunity of the divided focus to step slightly nearer to Yukari (DESPITE JUST SAYIN ALL THAT SHIT A MOMENT AGO) without looking away. Her eyes flick to Yukari for a moment. They might have to blindside a pregnant woman. But then --

Thorns smash, bursting, ripping, and something ELSE strikes against Gretchen for the second time and Hitomi's lips part with an 'oh!' of appreciation, that blank-eyed predatory look turning into complete and innocent delight. And the world...

... feels...

It feels...

It feels like they won. It feels like they're still alive. It feels like they're not trapped in a nightmarish hell-hole, the twisted remnants of some rapacious and grinding conspiracy that none of them knew nor asked for, but which remained completely fine with their complete obliteration. The secrets of the Joker Killer, Yumi's desperation.

Miyu picks up the Bride.

Hitomi balances on a knife's edge - and calls back, "No regrets!" to the departing Miyu - or rather, to Yumi, in the Groom's arms.

She has gotten close enough to hear Yukari. Hitomi exhales hugely. "You're a good person, you know that?" she says, turning her head to look at Yukari. "You don't hesitate. I wish more people were like you." It's said quite conversationally, and after that Hitomi looks around -- and yet, she had been looking for that man, that Joker Killer, the guy who she saw exactly once for about twelve seconds one death-defying escape ago.

Hitomi spots him just as he disappears into shadow. Her head cants to the side about eight degrees, then rights itself.

Then she looks to Umie. "Thank you!" Hitomi says, raising her right hand to give some kind of weird little salute to her. "Without you we couldn't have done it. I didn't catch your name - Yukari," at least she didn't drop the cutie name again, "do you know her?"

Despite this bright dialogue, Hitomi is, quietly, swaying. She is probably going to flop on the ground once the adrenalin wears off.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
<poem>
In the face of Hyousuke's retorts, Kurou's head tilts. Is he fucking with Hyousuke.

"... No?"

There is the slightest lilt of a question. The answer ''is'' no, but that's not the first time Kurou's been accused of that sort of behavior. He cannot help but feel his words are being extrapolated for meaning he didn't intend them to have.

This is why he prefers action.

His action, sadly, is violence.

In the fury of Kurou's assault, he seems heedless to the damage that comes his way. He ''leaps'' into Frei for the chance to keep striking back at her despite the immense power behind her conviction. He meets her blade with his own, pushing past her superior range for scraps of continued pressure.

It is Minako that has the upper hand and strikes him back toward Hyousuke's postioning in the end.

"You are right," Kurou concedes of a parent and child relationship. "... But does your own desire for his fate change, because of a cruel guardian, unicorn-san?"

Hyousuke continues to carry offense for what Kurou had said. "No. I do not know you," Kurou affirms even in the bloodshed. That's actually why he ''had'' said it, but... hm. That probably won't make Hyousuke less angry to say.

That anger does provide the violence and the action Kurou demanded though, should he complain? Blade and chain meet fist and spear. Achilles ''pins'' Kurou in place, and Hyousuke gets the satisfaction of his strikes landing. Something cracks and it wasn't (necessarily) his own knuckles.

Moriko tells Kurou to shut it, and he obliges in favor of raw combat. Earth comes for him to finish off what Minako and Hyousuke had started: to bury the restless dead. She can sense the way the bones resist being buried... and can watch as Kurou ''claws'' his way from the dirt and earth with a gasp for breath on the other end. He should not be standing after all of that, and yet...

But Yua cries for Gretchen, and Kurou feels the atmosphere shift. He looks up abruptly to the way he Sanitarium defogs some, and becomes ''lighter''. Kurou tenses while he struggles to keep himself standing, but Miho calls for retreat before Kurou must make a call of his own.

Kurou looks back to the three he faces. "... You have asserted your conviction. Walk it to its conclusion without remorse."

He coils the chain of his weapon again, and if they do not watch carefully, they may fail to see exactly the path he takes as he makes his retreat.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
<poem>
'Are we to leave our shores behind forever?' "... I'm guessing neither of you are foreigners?" Tamaki shakes her head. "Ironic, isn't it, that the Ministry of Justice recognizes such marriages as long as one partner isn't from here?" Despite everything, despite tension of the moment, she chuckles nervously. "Doesn't do any of us good right now, it looks like."

'You don't know how deeply the rot runs.' 'Speak to me a sweet magic to correct the world...' There's some skepticism visible in Tamaki's expression -- she ''almost'' retorts with 'Do ''you?''' -- but this isn't exactly the time to hold a debate over history. The stray glance she gives to her allies more familiar with the States betrays her thoughts in that regard.

Mention of 'the fear of losing those precious to you' causes Tamaki's blood to turn absolutely frigid. She's afraid of loss, sure --

It's a little different in Tamaki's case -- they weren't taken from her. They left, and in the face of their respective reasons, she stepped back to let them do as they will. That was the only way to escape the World of Envy all that time ago; she had to relinquish her hold. On the other hand, the world itself is actively trying to crush both the Bride and Groom underfoot.

Tamaki never got to that much more distant hurdle. She relents in her attack and gently adds, "It is as you say. I concede that I only understand so much."

''Crash! Boom! Bang!'' goes the performance of the symphony consisting of Eriko, Mark, and Tamaki's abilities.

Tamaki affords the fleeing Bride and Groom the same mercy she had demonstrated before. There's no need to attack them while their backs are turned. "Iiiii'm good to let them go, how about you two?"

... In fact, she intends to compassionately help hasten along their retreat. She hopes they interpret it as a gesture which indicates that they are not ''diametrically'' opposed.

Finally, she turns her attention back to the other groups in the aftermath of the conflict, tending to anyone who might need some assistance. "I've got first aid kits still. Amano-san? Suou-san?"

</poem>
AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on X Soul! Fire_Wall applied to Miho Ijuuin!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
That's right. The door to Sudou's room had still been locked from the outside when they got there. How does he plan to hold Sudou...? How does he plan to protect him from assassination, before he goes to trial? How does he plan to make the charges stick, at that?

It... won't work. Can't work, however he looks at it. But what are the alternatives here? As a public servant, execute someone without trial? It's one thing if it happens while defending himself or another, but...

"Enough!" he shouts at Sudou instead, when he says that Katsuya's lacking in conviction. "I won't let--"

He starts forward, realizing that in spite of his pronouncements, Sudou is making his escape. "Wait, Sudou!"

It falls on deaf ears. Nor is he fast enough. Tatsuya Sudou is already gone. And here they stand in the parking lot of a sanitarium that has now truly seen hell.

Where is Baofu, Katsuya thinks fleetingly, as he holsters his gun once it becomes clear that Sudou, along with the NWO group that was apparently sent here to kill him, are done. No, that doesn't matter, he decides, and he pulls out his phone. He... needs to report this. That something's happened at the sanitarium, at least...

"I'm calling emergency services," he says, and that may be the cue others need to get out of here.

Tamaki then offers the first aid kits. Katsuya, for the first time, takes himself in. "That... may be a good idea."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
<poem>
It's a good thing Vesper's expressions are hard to read due to that mask of his, or it might have shown just how surprised he was to hear Shinobu's words. 'Better me than any one of these kids.' He couldn't have described his motivations better himself.

...Not that he would. That's Julian's motivations. Vesper is someone else.

The explanation he receives from Tsurugi is as expected. He rather hopes that isn't the whole truth, considering the sad alternative of there truly being no more to it than that. A life of nothing but following instructions is no life at all, in his estimation.

Yet stated plainly like this, with full awareness of the situation, there's only one thing a leash could mean. Leverage. There is a reason here, beyond what he can see.

Or perhaps he can see it after all. As it turns out that, while Shinobu's warning prompted him to brace for whatever might be coming next, Tsurugi seems to choose to abandon her course. Considering the timing of it, the very moment the cage falls away, that gives Vesper a strong suspicion as to what the additional words that follow mean. That was fortunate.... and interesting. Given this, Vesper sees no cause to persist, his Persona vanishing as he plants his umbrella on the ground in front of him.

"...After all, a hound is a social animal, and may choose to prioritize the pack above all else."

No need to say any more, in his estimation. He just tips his hat as a sign that he's not going to do anything to keep anyone from leaving. Certainly not after the Joker Killer already has, that likely leaves little reason for anyone to remain.

"Not a victory, but no defeat either, I would say," he comments on the situation. "We'll have our chance yet, on our own terms."

He tips his hat to Shinobu as well, saying, "It's been a pleasure, Shimizu-san," before he turns to casually stroll back the way he came. Leaving just as he arrived, by himself, with the confident bearing of someone who planned things this way all along.

Even if his thoughts at the moment are more like, 'surely I won't get lost again on the way back... right?'
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
<poem>Hyousuke stood and faced Kurou. His breaths were heaving, his body was broken, his mind was racing, but he was the one left standing at the end. He said nothing to Kurou as he vanished into the night, fleeing with his allies, and remained silent until he was certain that they had all left the premises. Slowly, he cast his gaze to each side, forcing his eyes to shift around through nothing more than the scraps of willpower he still had left.
"They're gone...?" He asked tentatively, before letting out a long, low, breath. "Good, that's g- GH!"

The adrenaline's effects had finally begun to creep away, and the full weight of Kurou's counter-assault made itself known. He crumpled onto one knee with a sharp cry of pain, and it was only luck that kept him from calling to the ground outright.
"Shit..." He grunted, mostly to himself. "Asshole got me good..." He struggled upwards. Every inch he clawed back was agony, and every staggering step he took left him groaning from the strain. But he could not linger. Not in a place like this. "One of you... mind helping?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
<poem> Masao's artificially induced elation starts coming to a cease as the influence of Faust and their power wanes from the collective shared powers of him and his friends in one great fusion of light (and gravity) - but what is said in turn before then. Just... the idea of leaving their shores, from a place they'd call home forever just to... get to have what they want.

"Tch." There's not much to say to that. He loved New York, he'd stay there for the rest of his days if he could... but returning to Japan felt like coming home, even if it was moving to a whole new city in the process.

There's not much he can say to that, as matters involving their entrapment start to give way. The shouting that they're withdrawing, but their target 'yet lives.'

'Iiiii'm good to let them go, how about you two?'

"...He really did friggin' get away, didn't he," Masao grouses. He takes a moment to look to Elly, as Tamaki moves to start coordinating the distribution of first aid, walking over to her to raise a hand up to her shoulder, if he allows.

"...I don't think I'd ever seen you that rattled," he says. "Just, uh... weird as it is," he smiles brightly under the respirator, "I'm here, yeah?"

Beat.

"Okay maybe that wasn't a reassurin' thing a few years ago, but..." He exhales. He's never really seen or heard Elly be so frightened, and he can't look away from that. Good friends don't do that! In time, he'll disengage to make another pass to look for survivors now that demons (probably) aren't bearing down on them as much.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
<poem> In Yumi, Umie sees the similar tactics she's used, particularly when she's hated on herself. It's not great, to trigger a mirror that directs its glass surface to you when you least expect it.

What's not great either is when Yua says next, as she mentions a certain 'dear young man'. "_Leave him out of this_," she growls, almost protectively. Of course, there'd be complications to that blissful decision, to follow her heart instead of her anger.

How like her.

Umie glances back towards Yukari, who levels her blunt wit at Miyu, and rightfully so. She nods in positive affirmation, meanwhile quietly dodging Yukari's questions for further clarifications.

'... but I think it is wonderful you have made yourself a small enough target to pretend.' There was a barb in Yumi's words that pierces where her earlier words didn't. "...Maybe you should stop _feeling sorry for yourself_ and do something _here_, in this world," says the hypocrite. "Stop making excuses for yourself and put your words to action, instead of telling us to hate you!!"

She looks back towards Kurou and his opponents again, half expecting to feel concern for those he's against, but the tables... have strangely turned.

Too many things are happening at once, and Umie feels like she's the one about to finally give in.

The veil of the Bride lifts, and it's a beautiful feeling, a blessing that removes the need to say anything, or feel anything, as long as they all retreat, *retreat*. *Please*.

No, not you, Sudou

"..._Shut the fuck up_," she hisses at Sudou as she misunderstands his words, hand quivering as she points a finger at the serial killer, walking away. "My prophecy's still in effect!!"

'I'll witness your death.'

(Nevermind this is exactly what Sudou meant, if more directly.)

Miyu is leaving with Yumi, and Kurou also seems to be leaving, though he'll likely be hurting, when they meet up at her Sumaru apartment. Umie should leave too, before--

SUDDEN CONGRATULATIONS?? "...U-uh... you're... welcome..." Umie briefly flashes a helpless look towards Tamaki's general direction, and looks back to Hitomi. ".... Mitsuhide." Nevermind Yukari can correct and/or tell Hitomi Umie's name later. "Takeba-san... well, ah, we've... worked earlier, a time or too.

QUICK.

"Uchida-san." Umie points towards the weaving Hitomi. "I think she's about to fall over."

_the power of an oracle, everyone_
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Eriko Kirishima has posed.
<poem>
'Where am I bound...? "I care not, so long as my Bride is with me. Yumi...'

Of all the things Miyu has to say, that one seems to strike at her. "You say that... but don't you care where your Bride ends up?" Eriko's voice sounds... pained. "When you love someone that much... don't you owe it to them that you drag them down somewhere horrible?"

that's what you deserve, when your love is twisted so

That little bit of joy Eriko had seems to have drained out of her. "I don't see any reason to chase after them right now." Eriko says, quietly. "...And besides. I don't want to force someone to make the choices you make when someone you love that much is that threatened."

What could she be possibly be talking about?

"...He did. I won't say it's fine but... I don't think he's the sort who can stop himself from causing more chaos... and maybe that poem will give us some sort of indication of what he wants..."

Mark, though... Mark finds her easy to see through her. Even if he didn't get to see those moments on their first journey that truly shook her to her core, and Elly sags a bit, and her voice drops to a whisper.

"...That thing... It shouldn't be here, right?" Eriko leans against her old friend in a way that she's sure that many people here will misinterpret, even as Tamaki takes charge of helping people. Whatever. Masao gets it, at least, with that shared second culture.

Her voice is a whisper, desperate not to be overheard, switching to English. "''...We killed it. We killed him. Didn't we?''"

She lets out a long sigh. "''I'll need to call Kei. We should tell Maki too...''"

After all, if Nyarlethotep is independent of Kandori... then, was it part of the creation of the DEVA system? Of that other world? Would he still have an interest in Maki now that her world is long collapsed.

"...I don't like this, Mark. I feel like something terrible is coming."

But it could just be Deja Vu.
</poem>
[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]