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2026-06-07: Do (Not) Disturb

Ayu — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:11:24 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:11, 23 September 2026
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	Yeah. We'll go with that.		Yeah. We'll go with that.

	A girl loitering by the entrance approaches the path that Ren is one. The two of them spot each other at the same time. Ren of course recognizes her; they might not if they hadn't seen her since that one time they did a shift at Cafe Chagall together, but since then they helped rescue her from the ~~Doll~~ Corporation ''and'' from the Joker Killer. It's actually nice to see she's doing well, and they smile to see her.		A girl loitering by the entrance approaches the path that Ren is one. The two of them spot each other at the same time. Ren of course recognizes her; they might not if they hadn't seen her since that one time they did a shift at Cafe Chagall together, but since then they helped rescue her from the Dollhouse Corporation ''and'' from the Joker Killer. It's actually nice to see she's doing well, and they smile to see her.

	Then she calls them Curly-kun.		Then she calls them Curly-kun.
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	Ren does remember Cherry. They have no reason to believe she is Maria Sakurai, thanks to the subtle effects of the Will of Rebellion. Maybe one day they'll learn. The rest of the Kingdom, though... yes, they definitely remember that too--including when Maria's Shadow called them cute. It was weird and flattering at the same time.		Ren does remember Cherry. They have no reason to believe she is Maria Sakurai, thanks to the subtle effects of the Will of Rebellion. Maybe one day they'll learn. The rest of the Kingdom, though... yes, they definitely remember that too--including when Maria's Shadow called them cute. It was weird and flattering at the same time.

	It's fine that she doesn't have any shame. Ren's just glad she didn't insist on 'Curly-kun.' They thought there was a real possibility of that. They nod once, remembering the version of 'Granny' that existed in the ~~Doll~~ Corporation and refraining from commenting on that part. "It is," they say instead. Spending money is very important when you have no parental support. (Besides getting set up at a prestigious school and finding (and paying for) room and board for them, but Ren doesn't think of that as 'parental support'--just their parents doing their due diligence so they don't look like the bad guys. They do not trust they won't get kicked out for good when they go home and they weren't magically transformed into an obedient and diligent son.)		It's fine that she doesn't have any shame. Ren's just glad she didn't insist on 'Curly-kun.' They thought there was a real possibility of that. They nod once, remembering the version of 'Granny' that existed in the Dollhouse Corporation and refraining from commenting on that part. "It is," they say instead. Spending money is very important when you have no parental support. (Besides getting set up at a prestigious school and finding (and paying for) room and board for them, but Ren doesn't think of that as 'parental support'--just their parents doing their due diligence so they don't look like the bad guys. They do not trust they won't get kicked out for good when they go home and they weren't magically transformed into an obedient and diligent son.)

	Maria approaches. This is fine--no really, it actually is fine--though Ren maintains a poker face when she goes out of her way to assure him she's not dating Akechi. Her describing him as a detective, ''kind of'', almost makes them snort with laughter, but they manage to hold that back, too. "So you know him really well, huh?" they remark. They're a little dubious about the 'he's really nice' part, but it's not like Akechi's incapable of treating others kindly. Stranger things have happened. "Do you know if he's in school today? If not, do you know where his homeroom is? I figure I'll ask his teacher about it."		Maria approaches. This is fine--no really, it actually is fine--though Ren maintains a poker face when she goes out of her way to assure him she's not dating Akechi. Her describing him as a detective, ''kind of'', almost makes them snort with laughter, but they manage to hold that back, too. "So you know him really well, huh?" they remark. They're a little dubious about the 'he's really nice' part, but it's not like Akechi's incapable of treating others kindly. Stranger things have happened. "Do you know if he's in school today? If not, do you know where his homeroom is? I figure I'll ask his teacher about it."

2026-09-19: For Their Peace of Mind

Ayu — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:07:28 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:07, 23 September 2026
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	*'''OOC Date:''' September 19, 2026		*'''OOC Date:''' September 19, 2026
	*'''IC Date:''' January 12, 2013		*'''IC Date:''' January 12, 2013
	*'''Summary''': ''Considering how few of The Phantoms realized Akechi knows Ren is Joker, Ren makes a point of confirming with him who he believes or at least suspects he knows.''		*'''Summary''': ''Considering how few of The Phantoms realized Akechi knows Ren is Joker, Ren makes a point of confirming with him who else he believes or at least suspects he knows is on the team.''

	----		----
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	</poem>		</poem>

	~~================================ The Phantoms ================================~~
	~~Message: 12/19 Author: Ren Amamiya Thu Sep 17 2026~~
	~~(IC) Important Updates 11:00:22~~
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------		------------------------------------------------------------------------------

			<poem>
			'''The Phantoms'''
			Message: 12/19
			Author: Ren Amamiya, Thu Sep 17 2026
			(IC) Important Updates

	So everyone knows, Morgana has been going through some things lately, and that came to a head a couple days ago when he blew up at me, Ryuji, Ichika, and Hibari. He said our deal's off and he's leaving the group, but in an "I'm just saying this in the heat of the moment" kind of way, but also in an "I've been sitting on some problems for a long time and I've had it" kind of way. A lot of things were said on both sides that I hope we're all regretting now.		So everyone knows, Morgana has been going through some things lately, and that came to a head a couple days ago when he blew up at me, Ryuji, Ichika, and Hibari. He said our deal's off and he's leaving the group, but in an "I'm just saying this in the heat of the moment" kind of way, but also in an "I've been sitting on some problems for a long time and I've had it" kind of way. A lot of things were said on both sides that I hope we're all regretting now.

	~~OOC: [[https://www.velvetroom.wiki/index.php/2026-09-14:_Dealbreaker]]~~

	I managed to find him the next day outside a new Palace in Odaiba with Yoshizawa, but he refused to talk or come back to Leblanc with me. Instead, he said he's partnering up with her to explore that Palace and get his memories and human body back, and she agreed. As long as he's with Yoshizawa, I'm sure she'll make sure he's okay, at least, so I took my bows at that point. I'm not giving up on him yet, though.		I managed to find him the next day outside a new Palace in Odaiba with Yoshizawa, but he refused to talk or come back to Leblanc with me. Instead, he said he's partnering up with her to explore that Palace and get his memories and human body back, and she agreed. As long as he's with Yoshizawa, I'm sure she'll make sure he's okay, at least, so I took my bows at that point. I'm not giving up on him yet, though.

	I have that Palace in my Meta-Nav now, by the way, but for some reason, it won't show the name. I don't know why, or how they got in to begin with. I managed to sneak in while the way opened for Morgana and Yoshizawa, and from what I overheard, it sounded like neither of them made it happen either. We can check it out later if need be.		I have that Palace in my Meta-Nav now, by the way, but for some reason, it won't show the name. I don't know why, or how they got in to begin with. I managed to sneak in while the way opened for Morgana and Yoshizawa, and from what I overheard, it sounded like neither of them made it happen either. We can check it out later if need be.

	~~OOC: [[https://www.velvetroom.wiki/index.php/2026-09-15:_Two_Cracked_Hearts]]~~

	Yoshizawa did at least give me some info on Nagisa-kun's Homunculus. Apparently, he's bent on literally bloody revenge against a few people, and Makoto's one of them. She gave me the link to his Atelier too, so when we're ready, we'll be able to take it on and help get rid of him before he can hurt anyone. Makoto, this affects you the most, so I'll have you take point on this one. Let me know if there's anything you need.		Yoshizawa did at least give me some info on Nagisa-kun's Homunculus. Apparently, he's bent on literally bloody revenge against a few people, and Makoto's one of them. She gave me the link to his Atelier too, so when we're ready, we'll be able to take it on and help get rid of him before he can hurt anyone. Makoto, this affects you the most, so I'll have you take point on this one. Let me know if there's anything you need.

	((Ren includes the AtelierNetwork.jp link that allows one to enter Shinichi Nagisa's Atelier. We can now ICly run that Monad. Makoto will be handling scheduling for this!))		((''Ren includes the AtelierNetwork.jp link that allows one to enter Shinichi Nagisa's Atelier. We can now ICly run that Monad. Makoto will be handling scheduling for this!''))

	As for Studio 4, Fukami-san's Kingdom, Futaba, Hibari and I managed to find some information at the last second, right before we were driven out of there. Hopefully we can use it to help Fukami-san and the rebellion there out.		As for Studio 4, Fukami-san's Kingdom, Futaba, Hibari and I managed to find some information at the last second, right before we were driven out of there. Hopefully we can use it to help Fukami-san and the rebellion there out.

	OOC: ~~[[https://www.velvetroom.wiki/index.php/2026-09-16:_Troubleshooters]]~~ Futaba, Hibari and I ran that Monad, and established that there were others there and we split up, but didn't specify any names. If you want to say you were there too, please feel free!		(OOC: Futaba, Hibari and I ran that Monad, and established that there were others there and we split up, but didn't specify any names. If you want to say you were there too, please feel free!)
	~~==============================================================================~~		</poem>

	~~================================ The Phantoms ================================~~
	~~Message: 12/21 Author: Ren Amamiya Tue Sep 22 2026~~
	~~(IC) On Who Akechi Knows 14:53:27~~
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------		------------------------------------------------------------------------------

			<poem>
			'''The Phantoms '''
			Message: 12/21
			Author: Ren Amamiya, Tue Sep 22 2026
			(IC) On Who Akechi Knows

	I asked Akechi who he believes or at least suspects is a member of The Phantoms besides me. After making sure no one was listening in, then assuring me this is only written in a personal notebook he keeps on his person at all times that's encrypted with a personal cipher no one else uses:		I asked Akechi who he believes or at least suspects is a member of The Phantoms besides me. After making sure no one was listening in, then assuring me this is only written in a personal notebook he keeps on his person at all times that's encrypted with a personal cipher no one else uses:

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	Obviously I didn't confirm or deny anything, and I kept my phrasing plausibly deniable. At most, I asked him why he thought Mona was a Shadow, which is when he explained his reasoning. I don't know if he's right or not, but he seems convinced he is. With this, we should all be on the same page, but let me know if you have any questions.		Obviously I didn't confirm or deny anything, and I kept my phrasing plausibly deniable. At most, I asked him why he thought Mona was a Shadow, which is when he explained his reasoning. I don't know if he's right or not, but he seems convinced he is. With this, we should all be on the same page, but let me know if you have any questions.
	~~==============================================================================~~		</poem>

	[[Category:Logs]]		[[Category:Logs]]
	[[Category:Season 1]]		[[Category:Season 1]]
	[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]		[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-19: For Their Peace of Mind

Ayu — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:02:41 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: 2026-09-19 For Their Peace of Mind''' *'''Cast:''' Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi *'''Where:''' Back Alleys - Leblanc Cafe *'''OOC Date:''' September 19, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 12, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Considering how few of The Phantoms realized Akechi knows Ren is Joker, Ren makes a point of confirming with him who he believes or at least suspects he knows.'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed. <poem> A ring chimes on Goro Akechi's phon..."

New page

*'''Log: 2026-09-19 For Their Peace of Mind'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Goro Akechi]]
*'''Where:''' Back Alleys - Leblanc Cafe
*'''OOC Date:''' September 19, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 12, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''Considering how few of The Phantoms realized Akechi knows Ren is Joker, Ren makes a point of confirming with him who he believes or at least suspects he knows.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
A ring chimes on Goro Akechi's phone, with an oh-so-familiar ring tone he chose for a certain special someone a good while ago, well before they started dating. If he didn't ever ignore their calls before--barring that one period of time when he did so on purpose to set them up for a response to a challenge they issued him--surely he isn't going to now.

When he does, it's of course Ren's voice on the other end. "Hey," they say warmly, a bit of an echo to their voice. Speakerphone. "I got to see you twice yesterday. Lucky me."

They're in their attic room, seated at their desk, at present. Their homework is set to one side right now. Rather than doing that, they're painting their nails--thus the speakerphone. No need for concern, though. Boss is busy with customers downstairs and Ren has Drake Adventure on to play music in the background to fuzz their soft conversation.

"You have time to talk right now? I wanted to discuss... that thing we didn't have a chance to talk about yesterday in Ikebukuro."

In other words, the idea Ren had about what Goro could do to help smooth things over between Ren and the rest of The Phantoms.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
On this Saturday evening, Akechi's phone buzzes discreetly. In part because he has it silenced, currently. That doesn't mean it's still not personalized for Ren. When it's Ren, it's a series of short, long, short buzzes- morse code for 'R'.

"Hm." He checks his phone, "Excuse me, Sae-san, but I should take this. It's from a client of mine."

She gives him a suspicious look as she peers up from the case file that's been disassembled all over her desk, "Your eyes lit up a little too much for it to be just a client." Which causes Akechi to start a little, then chuckle, with that faux affable smile, "Well- you're not wrong. It's actually one of my favorite 'regulars'- you see I'm working a case for them right now and-"

Sae rolled her eyes at him trying to cover it up, "Do you think I'm stupid? You don't have to lie to cover up you're involved with someone right now. Call her back and let that be the end of it tonight so we can get some actual work done."

"Ah. Well- since I can't convince you otherwise- I think I'll do just that."

He says as he walks away, embarrassed, to call 'her'.

"You must have gotten a great New Year's Fortune." He says when either he picks up, or calls back very shortly after Ren starts calling. "Though, perhaps your luck has rubbed off on me. Because I could say the same about coming across you a second time so shortly after our date..."

He's smiling, genuinely smiling at least. "Ah- yes, I recall that you were saving it for later. What's on your mind? There's nothing going on right now that can't be put off a while longer."

Sae did give him permission after all, and while a prolonged call might risk her wrath- permission meant he could indulge her a little.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"You'd think," Ren replies. "Just 'kichi'--a normal amount of good luck." Not even chuukichi or daikichi! "Maybe that means we get to have a normal kind of future together."

That'd be nice, wouldn't it? They don't think that'll happen, and they're not even sure they'd enjoy a 'normal' future, but the fantasy of it has a certain allure.

After all, right now, they don't know if they have any future at all.

"Hmmm, how long is 'a while'?" they tease, smile growing as they apply the polish--white, from a clearance sale at Body Chop. They plan on letting it dry, then painting on black dots for a dice pattern. "I won't keep you too long, though. If I let you indulge me, I'll end up keeping you for hours."

Ren knows that whatever Goro's doing right now, it probably is important, after all. As much as they enjoy the buzz of being even more important than that, they don't want to get too greedy.

"So... you know about me, of course. You suspected it from the very start," they continue, seriousness staining their voice. It's a matter-of-fact statement. "We suspected you suspected, but once you and I stopped pretending, it didn't occur to me to confirm it with them." A touch of dryness: "From my point of view, it was just so obvious."

Back to being matter-of-fact. "So... for their peace of mind, can you tell me everyone you think you know, or even just suspect? Please."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"Haha- well, I certainly wouldn't turn that down if that's the decision made by the whims of fate." He says with a bittersweet smile, after all, nothing will be left up to fate in the end.

Just himself.

It would be nice though, and so he does think about it. "Time enough. So don't worry about keeping me overlong. I'll let you know if we begin to push it..."

He's not about to tell them that Sae Niijima is waiting for him to be done or else it might be cut ''very'' short.

Then Ren asks a question. And he- "Hold on for one moment." As he takes his phone away from his ear, looks around, then moves closer down the hallway, all the while tapping into an app that will prevent anyone from recording this call without either of them knowing.

"... There. I merely wished to make certain nobody could potentially be listening in. It's safe for me to speak now."

A pause, then.

"Just so you're aware, what I'm about to say is only written in a notebook of mine encoded in such a way that there's no written cipher. This notebook is kept on my person at all times- so there's no other copy that exists."

He doesn't even need to take it out, in order to say it, though he does count on the fingers of one hand as he ticks them off one by one, "Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Haru Okumura, Ichika Kawase, Tsubasa Seki- which you already are aware I know- and on the list, but not confirmed is Kasumi Yoshizawa."

There's a pause.

"I know one other individual codenamed 'Oracle' has joined you as of late, but I have nothing but theories as to their identity. Then there is the Shadow with the codename 'Mona' that has been with your group since the start."

There's a prolonged pause here, "Naturally I don't expect you to confirm any upon this list, nor should you. But hopefully that grants your group the peace of mind they desire."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Ren smiles to themself when Goro takes the time to make absolutely sure they won't be overheard. They'd kept their phrasing vague because they couldn't be sure of that, but it's just like him to make absolute certain of it.

They make a noise of acknowledgement when he explains about his notebook. Briefly, they wonder if he's started using that fountain pen they got him to write in it, or if it'd feel weird to him to write his case notes about the Phantom Thieves with a pen gifted to him by their leader. They decide not to ask--not least which because he lists off a very precise list of names without hesitation.

It is sobering to hear the names of their friends and teammates come out of Goro's lips like this. It's exactly what they requested, but still. They say nothing about Kasumi or Oracle, but when Mona comes up--

"Shadow?" they echo, eyes widening. They have to bite back the urge to explain that Mona's human; it might be better if Goro doesn't know about his curse... Still, Ren very much wants to know: "What makes you think that?"

Goro at least acknowledges he isn't looking for confirmation. Ren chuckles faintly. "I wasn't planning on confirming or denying anything," they reply. They're not sure it'll give anyone any peace of mind, but they do appreciate his forthrightness. So: "Thank you Goro."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
'Shadow?'
'What makes you think that?'

Now that has Akechi stand up a little straighter against the wall, as if incredulity hit him. "Wait- you mean to tell me..."

Another pause. Of course, Ren didn't say too much, but much can be extrapolated even from a question.

"Allow me to start over. I'm rather certain based on the shape he takes in the Metaverse that he can't be human. I once did a test with a life stone left near his path to see if he'd react- so I don't believe he's a demon either. But even besides that test-"

Then after another pause.

"-given his ability to transform into a vehicle, it implies a certain fluidity of form- which Demons do not possess, only Shadows. Even if I weren't certain at a glance, then- I have little doubt by process of elimination alone."

Then after giving it a moment's thought, "That he has a Persona, he's not a ''typical'' Shadow- I should clarify. Indeed, he's closer to a human's Shadow from all I've seen- than a Shadow in the Metaverse insomuch as he lacks the hostility or negative traits that humans would prefer not to look at within themselves- which I believe is a function of him possessing a Persona."

He could add knowledge from Cognitive Psience- from the New World Order's purloined notes from the Kirijo on the implications of having a Persona.

Having a Persona is extraordinary enough, given that it ''is'' the power of the Shadow harnessed- and all that implies of a Shadow having one.

"I hope that answers that to your satisfaction." Before he says softly, "And... you're welcome, Ren."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"..."

Ren doesn't know what to make of all that, but it sure is a well-reasoned argument. It makes sense too, if you don't know that humans can be cursed into Shadow form. They wouldn't believe it either if Morgana hadn't told them.

...though, thinking on it more, they only have Morgana's word that he used to be human, and with his amnesia, even he isn't actually certain of that...

Isabeau seemed certain Mona was a Shadow too, in retrospect. She had the same hostility to him as she does to that Roger guy. Maybe she's following the same line of logic Goro has, but...

Ren resists the urge to clutch their forehead. Their nails are still wet. God, though, if they're both right and Morgana actually is a Shadow somehow... But wait, then why would he turn into a cat in the real world? Why would he be able to enter the real world at all? ...It's because he has a Persona, isn't it? But how does a Shadow awaken to a Persona in the first place...? Based on what happened with Futaba, wouldn't it ''become'' the Persona itself?

God. They just don't know. There's so much they don't know, and they can't even talk to Morgana about it now.

They miss him.

"I get your logic now," they reply softly, which is a way of avoiding having to admit they aren't satisfied at all. That's not Goro's fault, though. "By the way, about Fukami-san..." (because that is an excellent change in topic right now) "...I met her while I was working an evening shift at a place in Shinjuku called Bar Crossroads." They can't help but smile at that, and that reflects in their tone: "You should come see me there sometime. I'll be sure to pay special attention to you."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
Of course Akechi can't know all the feelings Ren is going through over the phone. He isn't there to see it. It's just, small sounds, little tells. Enough to understand they're upset.

He has to tell himself it's not at him...

"I'm sorry- but if I said anything out of line- let me know, and I'll be more careful going forward."

Then again, he hasn't actually brought it up in the first place, as if it were 'taboo' to outright ASK about the Phantom Thieves.

Or perhaps it's merely a Detective's Pride, that he has to figure it out on his own, that he cannot ask their Leader, even if they are dating.

He understands Ren won't talk about it, but- if a subject is off limits, well, he can try to respect that as long as he can.

"Oh?" He actually seems a little surprised, but in his voice is more than that- recognition.

"I know of the establishment, believe it or not. Perhaps its merely coincidence, but while I can't know every bar in Tokyo, certainly, I know of most friendly to a certain- clientele."

Without saying 'The Queer Population' he definitely implies it at least. "I had no idea you were working there, actually. I'll be sure to swing by one night while you're on shift."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"No... No, you're fine. I asked," Ren reassures him. They ''are'' upset to a certain degree, but it certainly isn't at Goro.

It's just... complicated. For so many reasons they can't tell him.

So it's good for both of them that there's a friendlier topic for them to broach. Ren chuckles faintly. It is a funny coincidence--assuming of course it isn't because Goro has been tracking their activities for a long time, which Ren isn't so head-over-heels for him to not think of. Goro says he didn't know they worked there, though, so they'll choose to believe him.

"Great. Then I'll be sure to let you know," they reply. "Now I'd better let you go for now. I need to finish my homework, anyway." (More like they need to start it. They won't say that part. At least they got their laundry done earlier...) "Talk to you later, Goro. And take care of yourself out there."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>
"You did, but that doesn't mean it wasn't upsetting." He points out, though he doesn't question further as he knows that Ren won't talk about it.

Believe it or not- this was not from Akechi following Ren around. He genuinely had no idea that Ren worked there. In the same sense he had no idea she was working at the maid cafe.

"By all means. Even if I can't drink anything alcoholic... well, I'm sure I'll find ways to entertain myself with you there~"

He teases, just lightly, before, "Of course, I'll talk to you soon, alright? Have a good night."

-=-=-

"All finished?"

"It was quite the productive call."

Sae-san gives him a look like she definitely doesn't buy ''that''. "Don't say a word about it. I had enough in my own high school years to have to listen to ''that'' kind of talk all over again."

Akechi smiles, chuckling lightly, "Well- it wasn't like that really. Would you believe me if I told you that we were discussing the identities of the Phantom Thieves?"

Sae stared at him for a moment, then growled, "Get serious. We have a long night ahead of us--"

Akechi could only sigh, with a knowing smile.

</poem>

================================ The Phantoms ================================
Message: 12/19 Author: Ren Amamiya Thu Sep 17 2026
(IC) Important Updates 11:00:22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So everyone knows, Morgana has been going through some things lately, and that came to a head a couple days ago when he blew up at me, Ryuji, Ichika, and Hibari. He said our deal's off and he's leaving the group, but in an "I'm just saying this in the heat of the moment" kind of way, but also in an "I've been sitting on some problems for a long time and I've had it" kind of way. A lot of things were said on both sides that I hope we're all regretting now.

OOC: [[https://www.velvetroom.wiki/index.php/2026-09-14:_Dealbreaker]]

I managed to find him the next day outside a new Palace in Odaiba with Yoshizawa, but he refused to talk or come back to Leblanc with me. Instead, he said he's partnering up with her to explore that Palace and get his memories and human body back, and she agreed. As long as he's with Yoshizawa, I'm sure she'll make sure he's okay, at least, so I took my bows at that point. I'm not giving up on him yet, though.

I have that Palace in my Meta-Nav now, by the way, but for some reason, it won't show the name. I don't know why, or how they got in to begin with. I managed to sneak in while the way opened for Morgana and Yoshizawa, and from what I overheard, it sounded like neither of them made it happen either. We can check it out later if need be.

OOC: [[https://www.velvetroom.wiki/index.php/2026-09-15:_Two_Cracked_Hearts]]

Yoshizawa did at least give me some info on Nagisa-kun's Homunculus. Apparently, he's bent on literally bloody revenge against a few people, and Makoto's one of them. She gave me the link to his Atelier too, so when we're ready, we'll be able to take it on and help get rid of him before he can hurt anyone. Makoto, this affects you the most, so I'll have you take point on this one. Let me know if there's anything you need.

((Ren includes the AtelierNetwork.jp link that allows one to enter Shinichi Nagisa's Atelier. We can now ICly run that Monad. Makoto will be handling scheduling for this!))

As for Studio 4, Fukami-san's Kingdom, Futaba, Hibari and I managed to find some information at the last second, right before we were driven out of there. Hopefully we can use it to help Fukami-san and the rebellion there out.

OOC: [[https://www.velvetroom.wiki/index.php/2026-09-16:_Troubleshooters]] Futaba, Hibari and I ran that Monad, and established that there were others there and we split up, but didn't specify any names. If you want to say you were there too, please feel free!
==============================================================================

================================ The Phantoms ================================
Message: 12/21 Author: Ren Amamiya Tue Sep 22 2026
(IC) On Who Akechi Knows 14:53:27
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I asked Akechi who he believes or at least suspects is a member of The Phantoms besides me. After making sure no one was listening in, then assuring me this is only written in a personal notebook he keeps on his person at all times that's encrypted with a personal cipher no one else uses:

- He listed Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, Ichika, and Tsubasa with confidence.
- He listed Oracle and Mona without confidence--no real-life names, just the codenames.
-- He said he has theories on Oracle's identity but didn't share specifics.
-- He thinks Mona's a Shadow, not a human, because of how he can transform.
--- Looking back on when we fought in Futaba's Palace, I think Wild Hunt thinks he's a Shadow too.
- He suspects Yoshizawa's a member but doesn't know for sure.
- He didn't list Hibari/Mujina at all.

Obviously I didn't confirm or deny anything, and I kept my phrasing plausibly deniable. At most, I asked him why he thought Mona was a Shadow, which is when he explained his reasoning. I don't know if he's right or not, but he seems convinced he is. With this, we should all be on the same page, but let me know if you have any questions.
==============================================================================

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-17: The Stars and Our Light

Ayu — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:57:01 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: 2026-09-17 The Stars and Our Light''' *'''Cast:''' Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi *'''Where:''' Red Light District - Main *'''OOC Date:''' September 17, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 11, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Ren and Akechi go on a date to the planetarium. Akechi, noticing that something is troubling Ren, does his best to be supportive, but there remain dark feelings in his heart...'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed. <poem> It's a stressful ti..."

Show changes

2026-09-15: Violets and the Wind Named Amnesia

Ayu — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:45:52 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: 2026-09-15 Violets and the Wind Named Amnesia''' *'''Cast:''' Kasumi Yoshizawa, Morgana (NPCed by Ren Amamiya) *'''Where:''' Kichijoji - Main *'''OOC Date:''' September 20, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 10, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Kasumi brings Morgana back to her empty home and introduces him to her sister. Morgana doesn't know what to say. They talk about Mona's friction with The Phantoms and the life of the one named Sumire Yoshizawa.'' --..."

New page

*'''Log: 2026-09-15 Violets and the Wind Named Amnesia'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Kasumi Yoshizawa]], [[Morgana]] (NPCed by [[User:Ayu|Ren Amamiya]])
*'''Where:''' Kichijoji - Main
*'''OOC Date:''' September 20, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 10, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''Kasumi brings Morgana back to her empty home and introduces him to her sister. Morgana doesn't know what to say. They talk about Mona's friction with The Phantoms and the life of the one named Sumire Yoshizawa.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
On their way back home, Kasumi heard Morgana out. The spats with Sakamoto-senpai, and not even getting a chance to confess to "Lady" Ann. Although she's doubtful on whether Ann would return those feelings... Kasumi, a lover of magical girl anime, is sympathetic with not even being able to share ones feelings. To be treated as lesser, even when you're with friends, it's awful.

Kasumi unlocks her door and allows Morgan in, as she shakes her umbrella. "I'm home!" She calls on instinct to the empty house. It takes her a moment to remember, and she shakes her head in silent reprimand. Then, she forces a smile. "Make yourself at home, Morgana. Let me grab you some milk."

The Yoshizawa home is exceptionally neat and tidy, and modern. It'd be difficult to imagine it being occupied, if the occupant wasn't right there. Or, the family photos. Kasumi with a brown haired, near identical looking girl (her sister?), takes up the vast majority of them with tiny beaming faces. She heats up a small pot of milk, then starts on her own dinner. "Oh! We have some fish. Do you have any preferences?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Morgana has posed.
<poem>
Morgana's fights with Ryuji have definitely been a long-running thing--just about as long as they've known each other. It eased off for a while after Ichika and Tsubasa joined the team, since Morgana likes them and they're in a throuple with Ryuji, but it didn't ''stop''. With Ryuji taking the opportunity to make fun of him on a topic that Morgana feels particularly insecure about when it comes to him...

But those parts, Morgana didn't go into. He didn't go into how he'd been feeling useless and looked down on for a while--how he doesn't usually take the front lines and just gets used for his ability to transform into a van, and how with actual Navigators in the group, he feels like he can't even do anything about finding Treasures. Just the fight, and to a lesser extent how he's long quarreled with Ryji, and how he'd been trying to confess to Ann only to miss his chance twice and get mocked for it.

He's at least more subdued talking about it than he was raging about it the other day. He doesn't feel proud of how he behaved, even if he's not willing to admit it. Kasumi's kindness and sympathy helps soothe his ego, but a nagging part of him insists relying on that only makes him more pathetic.

So while he's looking forward both to that milk and to getting out of the rain, he doesn't rush inside. He does look around, and marvels at how tidy the place is. Spotting the framed photos, he hops up onto the piece of furniture where they're set. The Yoshizawa sisters... They really do look a lot alike, hair color aside. Morgana inspects the photos for a moment longer, then looks up when she calls her question.

"Tuna," he replies. "But don't worry about it too much, Yoshizawa. I'll take whatever you've got to spare."

It's not hard to tell from his tone that he's still feeling down.

"So what's your family like?" he asks before she can remark on it--though nothing stops her from saying something after. "You guys seem like you've really got your lives together, that's for sure. This place is spotless. Ren..."

He trails off then. ''Ren can never keep up with the dust in their attic room, even with a maid service,'' he was about to say--well, maybe not the last bit, since that's supposed to be a secret--but suddenly he doesn't want to talk about them. He looks away instead. "Uh, never mind."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
Kasumi absolutely gets it. She's not going to push for more, not right now at least. Having spats with someone, and not being able to share their feelings... Even that, is disappointing.

It hurts, doesn't it? Feeling you need to be above being comforted or listened to. Kasumi understands.

The house is spotless, and even the furniture lacks a lot of regular wear and tear. Morgana leaps up onto a dresser as Kasumi takes off her shoes, putting her Shuujin jacket onto the coat rack, and putting her school bag onto a nearby surface. She notes as Morgana takes a look at the photos posted up, and leaves to the kitchen to start on food.

"Tuna! Understood!" Kasumi can hear the sadness creeping in, but she hopes that food will help even a little bit. She produces a package to place on the counter, as she decides on sushi.

"Hm?" Kasumi walks back over, to look at what Morgana was looking at. "My family? Well... I don't really know what to say." She says with a little laugh, to give herself time to think. "They're kind. Just busy. My father works as the director for ''Good Morning Japan!'', and my mother's a producer." She points towards a photo of her father and mother.

Kasumi notices the trail off and doesn't really want to press... Instead, she decides to open up. "Want to meet my sister? I guess she's the only one here then, other than me."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Morgana has posed.
<poem>
It does hurt. Maybe one day, Morgana will let himself be vulnerable enough to express it.

As impressive as the spotless house is, it starts to subtly paint a picture of emptiness the closer Morgana looks. It's not just clean, it lacks the signs of the wear and tear of daily living. At least someone takes care of the dust ''here'', but there's a subtle warmth that just isn't there.

It makes him sad for Kasumi this time. She's cheerful enough when she agrees to tuna, but when she comes over... They're 'busy.' "They sound like it, with jobs like that," Morgana says.

But then she offers to introduce him to her sister. "Huh? But--" He cuts his surprise off. Maybe she has a newborn sister or something. Wait, but would even busy working parents leave a baby home alone? Confused, he decides to reply, "Sure. I ought to pay my respects if I'll be staying here for now. Uh... Anything I should know first?"

He'll hop up onto her shoulder if she lets him; otherwise, he hops down to the floor and follows her wherever she leads.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
For Kasumi, it's normal. She doesn't feel like she can, or should complain about it. It's her beloved family, after all. "Right? They're away on a remote shoot right now." Kasumi says. Awful to leave their daughter after a hard loss, isn't it? Kasumi...would probably disagree.

She can see the mistake made... And it kills Kasumi a little bit inside. "You'll...understand when you see, okay?" She goes into the kitchen for a moment to grab some Meiji Chocolate and introduces Morgana to the living room.

The living room is pretty impressively modern with a big flat screen TV. The layout is similar to a western style house, with two couches and a couple coffee tables. There's a fair few shelves and bookcases, filled with different books, movies, shows, including a sizable magical girl section. What Kasumi goes to however, is a smaller cabinet to the side. The butsudan. She sits in front, onto the pillow and beckons Morgana over. "Here. It's... Not as good the real thing, but, well... Meet my younger sister, Sumire." In the center of the open facing cabinet is a photo of Sumire, smiling for the camera. She has her hair done up in a ponytail, with a distinctive red ribbon, along with a mole on her cheek.

Facing towards the portrait now, Kasumi has a sad smile on her face as she places the chocolate on the little offering plate. "Hey, Sis. Here, meet Morgana. He's a...friend of Amamiya-senpai's, that I'm taking care of for now." She says, only to pause for a moment. She then looks to Morgana with a little, self-conscious giggle. "I know it's silly and all. It's supposed to help." Does it help? Having a constant reminder in your living room? At least the cabinet can be shut when not in use.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Morgana has posed.
<poem>
It depends on how long ago that loss was. Unfortunately, life doesn't stop even for death, and the youngest Yoshizawa isn't the only one in the family mourning.

Morgana barely knows about any of that, though--only that Kasumi did lose her sister and that she's been fighting to fulfill the dream both of them had. He has no memories of being human, and for all that he's determined to get them back, that doesn't help him in the moment. The butsudan is unexpected, and so is being introduced to a photograph draped on either upper side with black ribbon. Morgana's never encountered this aspect of Japanese society before, and so he's left floundering for a moment.

All he can say is: "oh."

Having absolutely no idea what to do or say here, Morgana bows his head awkwardly to the photo of the one called Sumire. She's definitely the other girl from the dresser photos, with that brown hair and bright smile. She seems like she was a vivacious person.

Kasumi giggles a bit and explains. "Oh," he repeats, on slightly surer footing now--but only slightly. "I, uh... Sorry. I have amnesia, so I'm not familiar with this..." Whatever this is. He looks back at the photo. "Is this a local custom or something? I probably wasn't from around here when I was human."

''When I was human.'' It's said to convince himself as much as anything else. He's been having a recurring nightmare--one as recently as last night, when he was sleeping at the Meiji Shrine--of forming out of a puddle of darkness and staring at himself with golden eyes, like a Shadow's. It happens only rarely, and surely it's just a nightmare (he knows Ren's had plenty of ''those'' too), but it contributes to him feeling unsettled right now.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
Kasumi doesn't really know how to prepare someone for it, so she couldn't, really. She does smile a little as she watches Morgana awkwardly bow. "It's a Japanese buddhist tradition. In Shinto, I believe, family members places a photo on a higher shelf with the ''kamidana''." She explains. "We're not really that spiritual, but after... Well, my parents refound it, I guess." The loss was a shock, and it's still being felt.

"Well, Morgana isn't a Japanese name..." Kasumi thinks on it for a bit. "Isn't it from England, actually? I think they cremate their dead, or bury them, and visit their graves..." Kasumi at least, takes Morgana seriously at his word. "I wonder how you got to Japan then. Maybe it's easier to travel through the Metaverse?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Morgana has posed.
<poem>
"Oh, I see," Morgana says. It's all he can say, really. The Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine, so it makes sense that they wouldn't have a butsudan there--and (while he's not aware of it) as part of the saying goes, you die a Buddhist.

Kasumi's completely right that Morgana isn't a Japanese name, of course. "I'm not sure. Ren--" a slight hesitation, before he just continues, "found a book a while back about English folklore and Arthurian legend, and it included a famous figure named Morgana, or Morgan le Fay. But she was a woman, and I'm a man!" he suddenly insists with heat.

Look, it doesn't matter what Ren said about how you don't need to be a man to be in love with a woman. He doesn't need more of an identity crisis going on, okay?

"Hmmm... I mean, if I were human, I'm sure I came to Japan in a normal way. By plane or boat or something," he replies. "You ''can'' travel through the Metaverse, but that's more for doing supernatural things, and only as long as there's a supernatural space. It's not like the only Persona Users in Japan are Japanese, either. There's the Wild Hunt, and who knows who else is out there?"

He pauses. This still feels weird, but now in a different way. Kasumi tried to 'introduce' him to her sister, and he just keeps talking about himself. "So, um... i-is it okay if I ask more about your sister? Like, uh... what kind of stuff did she like, besides gymnastics?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
Kasumi does smile a little as Morgana opens up some more about Ren. "I believe you." She says with a little laugh, as Morgana firmly affirms his gender identity. "There's many names that are unisex. Like Akira." For some reason, the name just came to her. "Morgan was was powerful, wasn't she? It's a fine name to share." She says as she gently, but firmly, reassures Morgana on the strength of his name.

For some reason, Kasumi didn't consider Morgana being a human when he arrived in Japan. "Ooh, that makes sense! So, you must've gotten cursed while you're in Japan... That must mean the secret is somewhere here!" It. Might be net-zero new information, but at least the rest of the world just got crossed out? Still, Kasumi seems a little excited about the progress... Wo else is out there? It's curious to think about. (Although, Kasumi can't say she knows who the Wild Hunt are.)

Morgana asks more about Sumire. Kasumi looks away for a bit. "We did everything together. Gymnastics, shows, books, even clothing... I think there's probably two of everything in this house." She says in wistful remembrance. "I think the only difference was her cooking ability. I've gotten better at it now, but... Sumire was always the cook between the two of us."

Kasumi pauses for a moment as she remembers something unpleasant. "...As we got older, we started arguing a lot more, actually. I guess we had a lot of trouble understanding each other. I... I really wish we got the chance to talk again, like old times, once more..."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Morgana has posed.
<poem>
"Or like Ren. Yeah, I guess you're right," Morgana says, smiling a little as only a not-a-cat can. "She was a force to be reckoned with, so there's no shame in sharing a name with her."

Kasumi grows excited when she follows the logic to its conclusion, and Morgana's tail undulates. It's hard not to get bolstered by her spirits. "Yeah. I know I was exploring Mementos and other Palaces when I got cursed, though I don't know why or exactly what ones. Or rather, I don't remember. That was before I met Ren and the others, so..." He raises a paw to his chin as a sudden thought occurs to him. "Maybe I was after Ruin...?"

For all that the Wild Hunt are all non-Japanese Persona Users, Morgana isn't going to try going to them for answers, though. Even if he were still a member of the Phantom Thieves and all that'd imply (and it makes his chest clench to think of that), they seemed especially hostile towards him for some reason. No thanks.

"Oh, did you hear? We started calling the one in the black mask 'Ruin.' Ren decided on it," Morgana adds. He's getting more comfortable bringing them up now, it looks like. "Even the one in the black mask accepted it."

He'll have to mull on that a while longer. For now, it feels like a shard of hope, and that's something. He turns the topic back to Sumire, and gives Kasumi a concerned look when she looks away. Still, he lets her decide to answer or not, and when she does, he listens. "You two must've been incredibly close," he observes. No wonder she wants to make their dream come true.

When she mentions that they'd been arguing more, though, his ears sink. He's got an uncomfortable feeling of what she must've been reminded of when he and Joker were arguing. It isn't the same, but...

"I'm sorry," he offers awkwardly. It's not just condolences.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
"Exactly!" Kasumi nods in agreement. "See?~ It's not a bad thing at all.~"

"Ruin?" Kasumi repeats as a question. Then, she gets an answered. Black Mask, huh? "That's interesting." She says with a nod. "I wonder why they'd identify with Ruin then...?" Still! Morgana's guess makes Kasumi wonder. "If that were the case, why wouldn't Ruin have killed you back then...? Maybe you were too powerful?" She's definitely heard of that sort of thing happening in fiction!

The topic goes back to Kasumi and Sumire. "We were." She nods, as she looks towards the portrait of her sister. Complicated feelings bubble up in that gaze. But it's gone in an instant.

Kasumi shakes her head when Morgana apologizes. "It's not your fault, Morgana." She says, as she can sense that it isn't just condolences. Although, she hesitates, not sure how much she should be sharing of her ulterior motives, but... "It's... Another chance, you know? If you need space for a bit, then you should get it. Like Motojima-senpai and Oosaki-senpai." She pauses, wondering if she's ready to ask the question. "Do you...think you'll forgive Senpai, eventually, Morgana?" She asks gently.

Suddenly, a phone rings! "Oh! That'll be my dad." Kasumi gets ready to stand- but gives Morgana a little bit of pets before she'll goes. "I'll be right back." She hops up, closes the cabinet, and turns on the TV to whatever channel it was on.

Then, she leaves to pick up the phone. "Hey dad! Yeah, I'm alright. Just about to start dinner. Oh, a senpai asked me to take care of a cat for them for a bit. Mhm. Yeah? Thanks, Dad...."

Soon, a platter of sushi will be served, and they can spend the rest of the evening rolling down.

</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Morgana has posed.
<poem>
"Beats me. Probably because he's a ruiner," Morgana quips. Kasumi speculates on why Ruin didn't kill him when he was still human, as opposed to cursing him; Morgana can only make a thoughtful, troubled noise. He admits, it doesn't seem like his style, but...

He hesitates when Kasumi asks if he'll ever forgive Ren. That's a difficult question, not least because he knows in his heart of hearts that Ren was doing as much as they could--that he was lashing out at an easy target because his pride was wounded, because he knows Ren would've taken it seriously. If anything, will ''Ren'' ever forgive ''him''?

"I..."

Fortunately or unfortunately, Morgana never has to commit to an answer. Kasumi's father calls, interrupting the conversation, and she goes off to answer after turning on the TV.

By the time she returns, Morgana has it turned to the news and is watching studiously rather than thinking about the compatriots he shucked off like so much refuse. ...He'll accept the sushi regardless. Kasumi really is nice, huh?
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

User:Ayu

Ayu — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:34:14 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 23 September 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	'''Staff Name:''' Naganaki Shrine (retired).		'''Staff Name:''' Naganaki Shrine (retired).

	'''Alts:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Jun Kashihara]], [[Yanagi Nagisa]].		'''Alts:''' [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Jun Kashihara]], [[Yanagi Nagisa]]. Sometimes NPCs [[Morgana]]. Temped [[Ken Amada]].

	Usually available weekends and from around 5-7 EST onward on weekdays.		Usually available weekends and from around 5-7 EST onward on weekdays.

2026-09-17: Contents Of The Heart

Bel — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 02:39:09 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: Contents Of The Heart''' *'''Cast:''' Kanae Fuyuki, Isabeau Fontaine *'''Where:''' Shinichi's Atelier *'''OOC Date:''' September 17, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 11, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Kanae and Isabeau infiltrate Shinichi's Atelier. The horrors within go beyond bickering, and they fundamentally differ on some important matters. Nevertheless, they work together. CW: Horror, gore, misogyny.'' ---- MONAD: A party led by Kanae Fuyuki has begun th..."

New page

*'''Log: Contents Of The Heart'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Kanae Fuyuki]], [[Isabeau Fontaine]]
*'''Where:''' Shinichi's Atelier
*'''OOC Date:''' September 17, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 11, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''Kanae and Isabeau infiltrate Shinichi's Atelier. The horrors within go beyond bickering, and they fundamentally differ on some important matters. Nevertheless, they work together. CW: Horror, gore, misogyny.''

----

MONAD: A party led by Kanae Fuyuki has begun the event Shinichi's Atelier: Cinvat Mikage-Cho.

(|============= Monad - Shinichi's Atelier: Cinvat Mikage-Cho ==============|)
-==== Round 1 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: In These Halls, Terror |
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor |
| Arcana., and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjYxvF-J7Fo

Drip.
Drip.
Drip.

You appear in what looks like a darkened school hallway. Shine some light on
a bulletin board though and you can see that this is actually Our Lady of
the Holy Stoat Middle School, in the town of Mikage-Cho.

But it looks like it's been abandoned for months. The only light on down the
hallway flickers pathetically every so often, the classroom doors won't
open, and even if forced open, one runs into a great barricade of debris
behind each of them.

With whispers and whimpers behind them, shushes and calls for quiet. One may
see why in short order. Flegmat Humors wander these halls, mumbling, their
forms taking the shape of huge sickly Oni with unkempt purple manes,
dragging clubs behind them. Dog-headed ones half their size flanking them.
They look like demons- demons from that time, but warped, as if to fit some
half-remembered watercolor of them.

If you listen to their mumbles long enough, you may pick out the words for
'Filial Piety' and 'Divine Punishment' at least, as they wander the
labyrinthine halls, eyes glassy. If one enters their field of vision, then
they freeze, then begin to charge, screaming expletives and swinging their
clubs wildly.

In order to get past them, you must expertly navigate these halls through
the occasionally posted, confusing floor plans, keeping out of sight.

Of course, you could just fight them, but that'd be an exhausting slog, and
energy you can't afford to expend here at the beginning.

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

<Pose Tracker> Kanae Fuyuki has posed.
<poem>
Go to the internet cafe, log into the site, and...

Once more, Kanae Fuyuki and Isabeau Fontaine stride into a dungeon. Once more, the Hunters hunt. ...But this time, it's different; their relationship is different, for one. And their relationship to the owner of this Atelier is very different.

Kanae draws her hat down, and narrows her eyes at what she sees, at the drip drip dripping of this place.

A darkened school hallway... a bulletin board. "...Guess it's a Christian school," Kanae comments. But the abandoned look--the flickering lights...

Whispers, shushes, calls for quiet. Kanae sees an Oni--and darts around a corner. Demons... but warped.

"Sight lines," Kanae comments. "If we can see them, they can see us. We need to get around them--use our other senses."

"...Bet I can stay quieter," she murmurs.

She's not going to fight. She's going to use her brain.

Though her gunblade is at the ready... Just in case.
</poem>

MONAD: Kanae Fuyuki has acted with Film Talk toward In These Halls, Terror! Smarts and Efficient!

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"Why are we back in ''middle school?''", is the first thing Isabeau asks -- in French, naturally.

Didn't you know?

She was living in Mikage-Cho, during the incident...

In her longcoat, slung over one arm, she scowls. "Catholic," she corrects her, sharply. "Saint Hermelin isn't really a ''Christian'' name. And these flyers..." She scowls, as she examines them. "... they don't describe any activities we ''had.''"

'We?'

"Bah," she snorts, when Kanae points out sight lines. "The most basic of the basic tenets... of course I won't forget! If this is anything like it was -- follow ''me.''"

Isabeau doesn't ''need'' a floor plan, after all... if she attended this school herself.

</poem>
MONAD: Isabeau Fontaine has acted with Trapper's Tactics toward In These Halls, Terror! Focus and Patra!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== In These Halls, Terror - Round 1 ======================================-
Kanae Fuyuki Academics Success
Film Talk Smarts and Efficient Fatigue: 0 Morale: 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isabeau Fontaine Academics Success
Trapper's Tactics Focus and Patra Fatigue: 0 Morale: 2
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Ineptitude-2, Shuffle: Wand-0, and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Ineptitude-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Kanae Fuyuki has posed.
<poem>
Kanae is also speaking in French, for Isabeau's benefit. She uses it often enough at home, these days. But Isabeau corrects her; Catholic rather than Christian. It seems a fine distinction to Kanae, but it's ''right'', so she doesn't argue it. "Right." Pause. "...Hm. Makes sense, though--this is like, some sort of twisted reflection, isn't it? It's made up of Shinichi's impulses, not the real place."

But, as it happens--the floor plan is the same. Isabeau knows, and Isabeau leads the way. Kanae, as it happens, ''is'' even quieter--so she wins that one.

...But Isabeau also knows the way, and as a result...

"...So you went here too," Kanae comments softly when they're out of danger. "Did you know him?"
</poem>

MONAD: Isabeau Fontaine has drawn a new Challenge!

(|============= Monad - Shinichi's Atelier: Cinvat Mikage-Cho ==============|)
-==== Round 2 - Challenge Level 2 ===========================================-
| Card: The Future Promise I Walked By, Missing |
| Approach Options: Academics or Charm |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, |
| and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

Once out of the school, a little origami angel-spirit floats towards you to
get your attention. Those familiar will recognize it as a part of Peacock
Silk Navigator Yanagi Nagisa's Persona, Giselle. Once it has your attention,
it floats away, appearing and disappearing, to guide you in a certain
direction.

Soon enough, it brings you to Yanagi herself, resplendent in her
brilliantly-colored Transmutation with her rainbow skirts, sunset pink hair,
and peacock green eyes. She smiles at you as her needle-limbed Persona
pirouettes behind her, and points towards a particularly thick patch of fog.

"Over there is St. Hermelin High School. Use it for a secret passage to the
core of this Atelier," she tells you.

So you go... but the fog doesn't lighten any. In fact, it gets only thicker
and colder... until...

"HEE-HO!" "HEE-HO!" "HEE-HOHOHO, WE GOT 'EM NOW, BOYS!"

Several misshapen Jack Frost Humors leap up to surround your group and
freeze the ground beneath your feet solid!! The slick footing makes it near
impossible to fight back effectively as they swoop in to attack--but the
suddenness also means it's not an even freeze. If you can identify a solid
enough launching point, maybe you can use the ice in your favor to make a
hasty getaway. Otherwise, maybe you can (ahem) /snow/ these Frosts by
complimenting them on how sneaky their ambush was?

Either way, afterwards, one of those little origami spirits floats down
before you and unfolds into animation paper that displays the following
message:

/Sorry, the high school was a lie. Good luck! <3/

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

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"I don't know if he remembers me," Isabeau scowls. "They decided I was a 'Witch' out here... so I can't account for sticking in his head. The ''fake'' doesn't know, certainly. But there was a gas leak, three... I suppose now it's four years ago? You know how these stupid people insist on using ''gas'' to heat everything? Back then, the high school had a really serious gas leak... everyone who was around got messed up. Tchah, even my step-grandmother... if he wandered into the high school, maybe his ''head'' was cooked. It would ''explain a lot.''"

But there -- Kanae will have to introduce the spirit, because ''Isabeau'' tries to ''stab it.'' "Do not ''sneak up on us!''" She chastises Yanagi, in stilted Japanese, as if that were ''her fault.'' But the high school -- "... bah, his head ''was'' very cooked?" She wonders, and then adds, to the woman, sharply: "Think not of that."

In they go, through the fog... as it clings to their skin, sinking in through the layers of Isabeau's vest and coat, causing her to only make the situation ''worse'' with fogged breath spiralling through the chill.

But the cold isn't just in the air... it's in the ground. "Trap!" Isabeau barks -- in French, again -- as that chorus of HEE-HO echoes through the air; her warning may well let Kanae leap free, as she does, in the tiny window they have before ''all'' the ground freezes.

"Kill them!" She declares, and cares not for what label the Humour is plastered with as she does. 'Friendly' Humours are as easily killed... and ought to be. Running? No.

''Violence.''

Though it's violence she needs to be constantly thinking about, with the slippery footing...

And so, the origami spirit appears again, and --

"I'LL SHOVE THIS SPEAR STRAIGHT UP YOUR --!!"

Luckily, she snaps this in French, so it's probably unintelligible.

</poem>
MONAD: Isabeau Fontaine has acted with Trapper's Tactics toward The Future Promise I Walked By, Missing! Focus and
Patra!

<Pose Tracker> Kanae Fuyuki has posed.
<poem>
A 'witch'... Kanae doesn't show sympathy; it's the wrong time, and it would just annoy Isabeau. A 'gas leak' though gets Kanae to lift an eyebrow. "Right,' she says. "...I guess."

Kanae throws her hand out in front of Isabeau. "Hold on," she says. "It's not an enemy--and you couldn't hit it anyway."

It seems familiar to her... and when they reach Yanagi, there they go. "Secret passage, huh...?"

Kanae nods. "Thanks."

Kanae keeps her weapon at the redy as they go, because the fog is getting worse by the moment. The chill doesn't bother her, but the lack of visibility does--until suddenly Isabeau barks ''trap'', and Kanae leaps free.

"Isabeau!" ...But there's no getting Isabeau out of her rage. Kanae considers a moment--

Well, Leshy resists Ice anyway.

So Kanae takes her position afar, watching a moment as isabeau fights. It might seem that Kanae has left Isabeau to die, for a bare moment.

Only a moment. "VALKYRIE!" Kanae shouts, and ''slams'' down into the ice, shattering it around her.

Her Persona appears, and her blades cascade all around, inflicting panic on the Jack Frosts. Or, well... 'Jack Frosts'.

"Keep them off of me," Kanae directs Isabeau, "And I'll take them all down!"

A shattering of the walls between identities, and Kanae crushes her gold dust again. "OROBAS!"

The flames dance through at the horse-demon's command. "..I saw an action movie with a sequence on ice."

When they get the note...

"She's got an angle," Kanae says to forestall Isabeau's anger, to help mollify her. "Let's find out what it is."
</poem>

MONAD: Kanae Fuyuki has acted with Film Talk toward The Future Promise I Walked By, Missing! Smarts and Efficient!

(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== The Future Promise I Walked By, Missing - Round 2 =====================-
Kanae Fuyuki Academics Success
Film Talk Smarts and Efficient Fatigue: 0 Morale: 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isabeau Fontaine Academics Success
Trapper's Tactics Focus and Patra Fatigue: 0 Morale: 4
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Ineptitude-1, and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Stupor-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================-
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
Kanae retreats, but that's just fine; the monsters have revealed themselves, and now fall to her spear, and all is good in creation. "COME!" She hollers, as the Jack Frosts squark "HOO?!", not expecting their snacks to turn around and bite ''back.'' She has to wrap her legs around a glassless inner window to bend backwards and ''stab'' one of those horrible little creatures with her spear collapsed to a knife; she shoves the grip into her mouth, as she presses her hands to the ground, feeling through her protective gloves for the place where the ice is thinner against the join of the wall, and ''grips'' it as she pushes herself up into a vicious handstand which sends her off to the other side of the hall -- one leg braced up against the wall as the other slides into the place where the slippery floor joins it.

There, Kanae summons her courage -- to hear Isabeau tell it -- and burst in with panic and flame. "... all right," she snarls, as she shoves her knife back in its holsters for a moment. "It's time! Mielikki!"

''Isabeau,'' as it happens, uses ''drugs.'' Crushing a bronze vial in a hand, that waspish, vexing fairy rises, to weave the protection of the forest around Kanae. Two of the Jacks Frost (if we use both pluralisations we can maximise how wrong we are!) try to pincer her, only to be consumed in Orobas' flame -- and a ''third'' doesn't even manage to get through his, "ULTIMATE ICE PIERCING ICICLE ATTACK--!!" before the horse takes ''him'' down, too.

The last of those Humours, afflicted by Valkyrie's ''panic,'' scrambles down the hall -- and it's too slippery for Isabeau to pursue. Once they're out of the arena, at least, the ground becomes a little more ''stable...''

"You're not bad when you actually try," Isabeau supposes, shrugging a shoulder. "Perhaps movies are good research material..."

But Kanae insists Yanagi has an ''angle,'' as Isabeau expands her spear to brandish it at the spirit, and Isabeau snaps back: "She can have ''this'' angle if I have anything to say about it!" A wave of that spear indicates just how sharp that angle is. "Bah... but you want to know what she's on about? ''Fine.''"

Isabeau scowls, as she stalks forward. "Are you sure that's even Nagisa-san...? The one ''I'' met was actually ''helping'' us..."

... there she goes, using honourifics again.

</poem>
MONAD: Kanae Fuyuki has drawn a new Challenge!

(|============= Monad - Shinichi's Atelier: Cinvat Mikage-Cho ==============|)
-==== Round 3 - Challenge Level 3 ===========================================-
| Card: To Gamble on Your Future, Know What You Are Willing to Lose |
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Academics |
| Conditions: Bless - +1 to Group Roll (Per Character), Ineptitude - |
| Proficiency Down L2, Shuffle - Draw 1 Minor Arcana., Stupor - Academics |
| Down L1, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-

While traveling the cognitive Mikage-Cho, you pass through the Atelier's
version of the Mikage Sun Mall. The exterior is dilapidated, and within,
most of the stores have been looted and burned out. Hostile Humors lurk, but
there's one storefront that's still solid and thus defensible: the chain
casino, Judgment 1999. You sneak in to wait for a chance for the enemies to
thin and pass through the mall.

As you wait, you see inside that most of the gambling machines are broken,
save one: Code Breaker. In this game, you guess numbers for prizes, and the
more you guess correctly, the better the prize you get. But beware, for if
you fail to guess /any/ numbers correctly, you'll have to fight through a
swarm of Coleric Humors to flee the mall...

Use your smarts to calculate the odds. Otherwise, luck is also a skill!

OOC: The "numbers" are based on total successes vs. failures, including the
overall success/failure! The prizes can be items, money, weapons, or armor,
based on your preference; feel free to use this to justify an upgrade.
Contact Shinichi's player for a guideline of what you might win, or else
just go for money.

If everyone succeeds, you win a super premium prize! If there are more
successes than failures, you get a good prize! If there's an equal number of
successes to failures, you get a decent prize! If you get more failures than
successes, you get a mediocre prize! And if everyone fails, well... Better
hope you don't...

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

<Pose Tracker> Kanae Fuyuki has posed.
<poem>
Kanae would say, instead, that she was analyzing the enemy's capabilities. Their lack of area attacks meant that she could afford to switch to an ice-weak Persona, knowing Isabeau's defensive capabilities.

Is she really willing to trust her life to that girl...?

Jacks Frost are jacked up. "Heh," Kanae says, and her mask shatters again as she returns her Persona to Leshy--her baseline. "They can be. ...But when I can work with a group, my flexibility goes a long way."

Still, Isabeau mentions an angle--but... hmm. "No, I'm not," Kanae admits. "But I suspect it was. ...Well, whatever. We'll find out one way or another. It's Shinichi who matters to us right now."

Pause. "It's weird when you use honorifics," she comments, then turns on her heel and keeps walking.

Cognitive Mikage-cho stretches on ahead, and Kanae spots a mall. Being a red-blooded teenage girl, she is interested. She glances in... "Hmm. Might be something useful in here," she comments, still in French--and then steps inside. She sneaks through. "We can use that one as a defense point..."

But soon: Code Breaker. "...Numbers for rpizes, huh..."

Kanae glances at Isabeau. "Let's do it. I might be able to get a new Persona out of this."

Why not? It's possible.

"I've seen tons of heist movies--the trick is to count what you see, and what's not there, because they don't always re-use it. So, if we can calculate..."

Let's find out!
</poem>

MONAD: Kanae Fuyuki has acted with Film Talk toward To Gamble on Your Future, Know What You Are Willing to Lose! Smarts
and Efficient!

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-22: Seeking Justice

Bel — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 01:08:33 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: Seeking Justice''' *'''Cast:''' Hana Fukami, Ren Amamiya *'''Where:''' Red Light District - Main *'''OOC Date:''' September 22, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 13, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Joker comes to check on Hana, but rather than the silent look they intended, it becomes a conversation. They discuss rebellion--and what it means to both of them.'' ---- (|======================== Red Light District - Main =========================|) -=================..."

New page

*'''Log: Seeking Justice'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hana Fukami]], [[Ren Amamiya]]
*'''Where:''' Red Light District - Main
*'''OOC Date:''' September 22, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 13, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''Joker comes to check on Hana, but rather than the silent look they intended, it becomes a conversation. They discuss rebellion--and what it means to both of them.''

----

(|======================== Red Light District - Main =========================|)
-===================================================== Tokyo/Shinjuku Ward ====-
It's said if you go out the wrong side of Shinjuku Station, you lose a whole
day. Go out the correct side though, and you still might find yourself on the
wrong side of town. Even walking into Shinjuku's Red Light District subjects you
to endless barkers and touts, looking for opportunities to pull tourists and
young women alike into places where they might get scammed and exploited by the
predators of this place.

Neon signs glare offering disorienting guidance to businesses stacked upon one
another. All the vices of the city are available in smoky bars where one might
forget their dreams at the bottom of a glass, or take offers of companionship in
shady host or hostesses clubs.

Be careful. As smart as you are, wiser people than you have lost everything
here.

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
It's nighttime at Studio 4, and the whole world--kingdom--is humming with anticipation. Night is ''new'' for this place; time hasn't passed here quite like it has in the real world. It's only been a few days, to hear the Cognitions tell it, rather than the time that has passed for everyone else.

Hana is currently sitting in 'her' booth in the corner of the cafe, having just finished a meal. She still has coffee! She's writing in some kind of notebook...

But the Cognitions are abuzz; something is going to happen soon.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The time dilation in this Kingdom has been interesting, as is the new onset of night. Joker didn't notice this in the Dollhouse Corporation, but they were also in and out for business. They'll have to be careful not to overstay their welcome here...

For now, they're just poking their head into the cafe where the rebel base is. Hana had been surrounded by quite a crowd last time, and she'd gained a fighting spirit, but they'd like to see how she's doing while she's alone. ...They're alike, after all. Joker feels a bit protective of her.

They don't intend to linger. When they enter, they move to get another cup of mediocre coffee and hang out to discreetly watch what's going on, the tails of their coat billowing as they stride across the room. Once they're done, they'll leave. That's the plan, anyway.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
While Joker is a thief, and very sneaky--the woman at the bar is ''not''. "Hi there, hon. What can I get you?" she asks of Joker, and that commotion prompts Hana to look up...

By the time Joker has their coffee, Hana chimes in, "Hey, Joker. Why don't you come and sit with me for a little while?"

"I have a few things I'm curious about."

The plan may be altered. Or not. Either way, Hana looks a little tired, but definitely in better spirits than before; she's in pink, which is always a good sign for her, and she's set down her pencil.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Joker considers Hana for a second before nodding once. "Very well."

If they want to see how she's doing, they'll do that even better with a conversation. The fact that she's wearing pink is a good sign too. They cross the room again and seat themself opposite her with legs crossed, taking a sip of their coffee and setting it down.

"What is it you're curious about, Hana Fukami?" they ask, meeting her eyes with their intense, masked gaze.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
"Great."

Hana's notebook, if Joker looks, has a sketch of the Producer's office floor--the layout gotten through the hard work of one of the teams here--and some ideas for assaulting it. But Hana herself might be enough to focus on, because she focuses on ''Joker''.

"Your clothes," she says simply. Then she explains, "First: they have an old-fashioned, rakish masculinity to them, but without the macho approach tht would often go with it in the modern times. They're stylish, but not ''just'' stylish; they specifically seem suited to a thief and a gentleman... But maybe not just a man? There's a little bit of androgyny to your attire and features, too, especially with the mask."

Pause.

"But it's not just fashion; i'm curious ''why'' you wear them. Why you wear the mask, when so many of these others just... show their faces plainly."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Joker's expression remains poker-still at first. Their clothes, though? As she explains, they understand more--until she notes they have a certain androgyny to them. That gets a smile out of the phantom thief as they shut their eyes.

"That detective, Goro Akechi, could tell you much about it. You'll note he did away with his mask the last time we were all here," they reply. "In short, it's because of something called the Will of Rebellion." They meet Hana's gaze again, now serious. "When a certain type of Persona User awakens, we don't acquire just a Persona; we also gain a mask and a costume that symbolizes the form our rebellion takes."

They quirk a slight half-smile. "On top of being stylish, they also protect our identities. Without me telling you--or without you knowing me intimately--you'd never guess who I truly am. It suits a phantom thief like me well, no?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
"Ahh. He tells me he's been on my show," Hana says warmly. "I've appreciated his forthrightness--even if, yes, he has a mask he isn't using..."

But they meet Hana's eyes, and Hana looks right back. "Rebellion," she says. "...There's a lot to rebel against in this world, I think."

"That does make sense. It would be very helpful--there are people and things out there you wouldn't want knowing who you are." Pause. "...I'm not sure why I know that; I can't remember what those things are. But I'm sure it's true. I'm just as sure that I want to oppose them."

Her memory, it would seem, is not perfectly restored.

"...Akechi-kun made me think of my 'justice'," she explains. "And it's an interesting turn of phrase... But I think I've found it. Of course, who knows?" She gives a wan smile. "I might fail when I'm tested. I hope not."

"...So your rebellion is like this," she muses. "...A gentleman thief can't be one in a vacuum; they," and she does use 'they', after that smile, "must have not only things to steal, but people to be good to."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Joker of course knows that Akechi has been on Flower Talk. They don't say this. It wouldn't suit the leader of the Phantom Thieves to be ''that'' familiar with Goro's comings and doings. Thus, maintaining that poker face, they reply, "Is that so?"

There ''is'' a lot to rebel against. They nod once. They calmly take in her comment on wanting to keep an identity hidden. Given what she was saying the other day, it has felt clear that her recall is imperfect at best. Still, it's progress.

"He's good at making people think," they reply. "I pray you don't fail either, though. You seem a stronger soul than that."

It could simply be a general 'they.' Knowing Hana, though... "Indeed. We, The Phantoms, respond to the cries of those oppressed by ones the law cannot or will not condemn. That is ''our'' Justice."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
"Indeed. Of course, he's apparently quite popular... I believe it. He has an obvious charisma. I hope I get my memories back, when this is all over. It's... awkward, knowing that many of you have met me but I don't know ''you''."

"Thank you. I appreciate that. I just have to remember what's at stake. ...I want to be able to keep my head up high, and know that I did my best."

It could! But it isn't. "I see..." The Phantoms sound familiar, too. "I'm glad. That's a necessary role. ...There are so many the alw cannot or will not reach. I have such a story myself, though... it's my own fault that the law couldn't step in, in this case. ...''Would'' they have helped me? I don't know. But I didn't give them the chance."

"...Regardless, I admire that. I'll cheer you on. For me..."

"I want to strike back," she says. "At those who would force others into the boxes they demand."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"They call him the Detective Prince. Quite a title for someone not yet out of high school, hmm?"

Joker doesn't remark on whether they know Hana already or not. They simply nod in response to her gratitude.

They raise their head a bit when she talks about how she didn't give the law a chance to help her. "Oh?" This they don't know about, genuinely--though they think they have a few of the pieces based on the other day's group discussion.

"Thank you," they respond in kind--and then grin when she says she wants to strike back. "You've a will to rebel yourself, it seems," they quip. "Hold fast to it, Hana Fukami."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
"Hmm. A Prince... his outfit is like that. I wonder... if these outfits reflect your 'will', is he a Prince because he gives off that air? Or does he look like a prince because that's what's expected of him?"

Hmm.

"Yes. ...It's a long story, but I was attacked for being gay--as a man, back then. Because it was my fiancee's brother, they asked me not to press charges... and because none of us wanted the story getting out, I agreed."

"I'm not so naive as to think that the police would always support someone like me. ...But I'll never know. Neither the police nor anyone else saw 'justice' done."

But a will herself... Hana smiles. "I will," she says. "I'll do my best."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Who can say?" Joker says cryptically, lifting their coffee cup.

At the very least, they've got a much better idea of why than most.

Hana explains what happened. They listen with intent seriousness. So that's it. She had indeed mentioned her fiancé's brother the other day, and how he hated her for believing she'd led his sister on. That must be part of why. They nod once.

Personally, Joker has their doubts that the police would have taken Hana's side. However, this case seems a lot more cut-and-dry than theirs was, if he committed assault against her and his family asked her not to press charges. ''Don't press charges'' is another way of saying ''We think you could win.''

...Of course, there's also the fact that in the Japanese legal system, whoever attacks first is usually the winner. Something else their time in court taught them.

"Then I'll support you with all I've got," they reply decisively, rather than get into all that. "So shall we all."
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-21: Something On Her Mind

Bel — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 01:08:13 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: Something On Her Mind''' *'''Cast:''' Hana Fukami, Shinobu Shimizu, Katsuya Suou *'''Where:''' Red Light District - Main *'''OOC Date:''' September 21, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 13, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Shinobu and Katsuya come to check in on Hana, and they end up having a talk about the things they saw--and what justice might have to say about the Producer.'' ---- (|======================== Red Light District - Main =========================..."

New page

*'''Log: Something On Her Mind'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hana Fukami]], [[Shinobu Shimizu]], [[Katsuya Suou]]
*'''Where:''' Red Light District - Main
*'''OOC Date:''' September 21, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 13, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''Shinobu and Katsuya come to check in on Hana, and they end up having a talk about the things they saw--and what justice might have to say about the Producer.''

----

(|======================== Red Light District - Main =========================|)
-===================================================== Tokyo/Shinjuku Ward ====-
It's said if you go out the wrong side of Shinjuku Station, you lose a whole
day. Go out the correct side though, and you still might find yourself on the
wrong side of town. Even walking into Shinjuku's Red Light District subjects you
to endless barkers and touts, looking for opportunities to pull tourists and
young women alike into places where they might get scammed and exploited by the
predators of this place.

Neon signs glare offering disorienting guidance to businesses stacked upon one
another. All the vices of the city are available in smoky bars where one might
forget their dreams at the bottom of a glass, or take offers of companionship in
shady host or hostesses clubs.

Be careful. As smart as you are, wiser people than you have lost everything
here.

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
The Kingdom, Studio 4, is quiet tonight. It resembles evening, here, and it is abuzz with possibility--the cafe where the Rebels stay tight with anticipation of the coming assault. Hana Fukami, in a nice (if dated) pink dress, has just sat down in the corner booth, with a cup of weak coffee and a sigh.

The Cognitions of the Rebels are all around, but Kato is out at the moment. The cafe itself is off-white with plenty of greenery.

In the real world, it's night-time by now, but time has passed strangely here; it will remain night until the time of the coming assault.

Hana looks tired... But also different, from how she'd looked before, somehow. Less lost.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>When they return to it, evening has fallen over the Kingdom. Shinobu notices the change immediately - she doesn't think she recalls the time of day ever changing before... Has something happened?

Certainly, ''something'' must have - because the cafe is abuzz with activity...

She approaches the counter to request a coffee - and then once she retrieves it she approaches the table Hana sits at, sliding into one of the chairs.

"Hey, Fukami-san. Hope this seat ain't taken. We're back." Shinobu says. 'We', because she isn't here alone. "How've you been? ...You look good."

It's less about her physicality, though she does like her dress, and more about that look in her eyes, of one who is less lost than before...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
It's quiet back here. Katsuya, for one, isn't certain if that's meant to bode ill or not. Sometimes, silence is merely silence. But other times...

It's not difficult for either of them to locate Hana. She's alone in the back room with a cup of coffee and an overall demeanor that suggests that she's had better days.

A coffee wouldn't go over poorly, he's thought to himself and like Shinobu, has gone to go get exactly that for himself. ...That, and a handful of sugar packets, apparently, which he surreptitiously (or at least thinks he is) adding to his cup when he thinks Shinobu isn't looking.

"Indeed, we've met some some success," he reports, coffee in hand.

Katsuya pauses, though.

"Is there something on your mind? I would not mind listening," he says, waiting for the opening to take a seat himself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Hana's also added sugar to her coffee, but she doesn't fear being found out!!

...She notices the two of them approaching. "it isn't," Hana answers of the seat, and then she smiles. "Sure," she says. it's a little wan, but it is indeed a smile. "Thank you..."

"I'm a bit better than I was," she says. "But planning strategy is hard work, too."

"Please, sit," she says to both of them, when Katsuya offers to listen. "I think... yes, there is."

"So some of the others came, yesterday." Not yesterday in the real world, but yesterday here. "And they made me remember some things. Realize some things. And I've decided... to try to help the Rebels."

"It's not entirely altruism," she admits. "I'm ''angry'' with the Producer, for what he's doing--to me, and to them. ...I mean, I'm not sure they're..." She gestures to a Cognition who doesn't quite look human. "But still, they've been kind to me."

"But now that I've gotten over that initial burst of anger.. I'm worried. The people I care about are next in line, if I fail. And if my strategies go wrong... Everyone, including you and your friends, is in danger, if they still come to help."

"I'm not sure what to do about that feeling... About being afraid. I want to help, but..."

"Well, I should ask too. What did you find, out there? Did you find a route to him?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Katsuya goes for some sugar packets. Shinobu pretends not to look when he adds them to his coffee.

Shinobu smiles when Hana assures them that the seat isn't taken.

"Cool." She offers, and nods. "No problem."

Planning strategy is hard work... So that's what's going on.

"...Yeah, I bet it is." Shinobu acknowledges. She takes a seat as Hana indicates, then looks toward Katsuya briefly as he asks if there's something on her mind. As it happens, yes, there is.

Shinobu looks back toward Hana, listening as she explains how some of the others came to her yesterday. She remembered some things - realized some things, and decided to try to help the Rebels.

"Hey, that's awesome." Shinobu says - and when she says that she's ''angry''... "Hell yeah. Get mad."

That's ''one'' way of encouraging someone...

...but it's more complicated than that, it seems, and Shinobu frowns as Hana continues. The people she cares about are next in line if she fails, and if her strategies go wrong everyone is in danger... She's not sure what to do about being afraid, and wants to help...

She asks, then, what they found. If they found a route to the producer. Shinobu reaches into her coat, pulling out a key and setting it on the table.

"Got an elevator key. Supposedly, it should take us right to 'im." Shinobu confirms. But as for what they've learned... "...Well."

She massages the back of her neck. It's awkward to say it, since it's dragging up her history, but...

"...We learned what he has planned next for you. He's gonna try to blackmail you with your ex." Shinobu explains. "Sounds like he wants to use the Demons and Shadows to scare you, too."

She leans back in her chair.

"...Anyway, don't worry about us." She says with a shrug. "We came here knowing it'd be dangerous. That's just the risk of doing anything that matters."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Alas for Katsuya, Hana has a few advantages over him on that front.

"Then, I would be glad to listen." He glances at Shinobu, once, and then when Hana does invite them to have a seat, he does precisely that. He sets down the cardboard cup onto the table with care, checking its temperature in passing with the back of his hand. Often, they can be too hot to drink right after brewing, but...

How odd. It seems like it's already the perfect temperature. Is that a result of this being a 'supernatural space'? If it really is controlled by Hana's thoughts, to some extent, then...

But that's not what he remarks upon. Rather--

"I see. So that's the conclusion you've come to? I think..." He pauses. He doesn't look at Shinobu this time, even when she encourages that sort of anger.

At last he says: "I think it's the right decision."

Even if she's now worried about what happens next.

At that, Katsuya shakes his head. "Please, there is no need to worry about us, Fukami-san. We decided to assist you. Therefore, the responsibility for that decision... falls upon us. That being said," he adds, fidgeting a moment with his sunglasses, "I understand your concerns. If I were in the same situation, I would think the same." Feel the same, at that.

"Therefore... I suppose I cannot think it is 'bad' that you're concerned." She can't exactly pitch in herself, as these things stand. And...

But what did they find?

"We have secured a route. We were able to encourge a group of the Rebels to overtake some of the guards and, yes." He glances at Shinobu and nods. "If the others are successful as well, I think we will have no trouble. That being said..."

He glances away from Hana. The language used in that recording... even if it was true, there was no need to...

"The enemy... is planning on resorting to blackmail," he says at last, again reaching up to just touch the bridge of his sunglasses. "I am sorry. This is not easy to..." He looks at Shinobu, nods, then glances away again.

"It is... as she says."

He's out of his depths here, isn't he...
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Awesome, Shinobu calls it, and Hana smiles faintly. "Thank you," she says. And--get mad. It's better than it was before, for sure--she takes the encouragement in that spirit, and she ''is'' mad.

But Katsuya is glad to listen. ...The mystery of the coffee hasn't occured to Hana; she does, though, listen when katsuya says it's the right decision, at length, and she smiles. "That's reassuring," she says.

"A key..."

And--

"Mm. That's... true. Your actions aren't mine. You've made your own choices, the same as I have. But it's like you say; I'm still going to be concerned. ...If I keep that in mind, though, maybe I can make it manageable."

"Blackmail, then... That makes sense, but I sstill don't like it." She sighs. "Well, I'm glad you had success. But, given how I've heard from the others how the Producer's been talking about me, you may have questions."

"...My ex. Having been engaged to a woman... You might guess that previously I lived as a man," Hana explains. "Our parents introduced us. There were complicated factors involved in our relationship... but in the end, given my history with men, her brother decided that I was using her--that I intended to continue seeing men behind her back, and use her for cover. The fact that it wasn't true was irrelevant; he attacked me."

"I..." She sighs, and then sips her coffee.

"You shouldn't blame the police," she says first. "His family begged me not to press charges, and we all agreed to keep it quiet; the police were barely involved. ...While the police aren't always friendly with 'alternative lifestyles'.. I can't help but be reassured that you're here, Suou-san. Since you don't seem the type to come down on me for that."

"Regardless, they're right. It's a good thing to blackmail me with. Both for the story being somewhat... disgraceful, and the fact that I still am afraid of that man. ...But..."

"...Right now, it makes me angry," she says. "You see..."

"That's why Producer Matsumoto--or, the... real one? I'm not sure--fired me. He found out what had happened and decided the potential press was bad for him. ...Now he's mad I found another way into the business."

"...Thank you, for the warning. But that's the shape of it. That's why they'd be able to blackmail me."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Shinobu nods as Hana thanks her. She looks toward Katsuya as he considers Hana's decision... and as he ultimately decides that she's made the right decision. He does reassure her, too... and admits to understanding her concerns.

Shinobu massages the back of her neck. She supposes she ''would'' still be worried - it'll take more than some encouragement to make that go away...

She meets Katsuya's glance again as they tell Hana what the Producer has planned for her. And Hana... doesn't seem surprised.

"...Yeah. I knew." Shinobu confirms with a nod. She knew before she arrived here... but she doesn't know how much she now knows or remembers. She listens as she tells her story, and grimaces.

"...Asshole." She mutters, about the brother - but doesn't interrupt further as she continues. Hana is relieved that Katsuya is here...

Shinobu glances toward him, interested in his take. She looks back, then.

"...Yeah. I can see how it'd be, uh... effective." She admits, massaging the back of her neck. But Hana explains ''why'' it makes her so angry - the actions of the real Producer Matsumoto.

"Seriously? What a scumbag. It's not good enough to run you out of ''one'' studio?" Shinobu seethes. "No ''wonder'' this place is so... like This under his thumb."

She shakes her head.

"...What're you gonna do, now that you know?" She asks.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
<poem>
Just because something is the right decision doesn't mean that it will be easy. Often the reverse, Katsuya has found, often to his dismay, is the case. Indeed, his current situation is also a result of what he'd thought had been the right thing to do.

(And even so, he'd still do it again.)

Speaking to that, he nods, then remarks, "What is right isn't necessarily easy," he tells her, shaking his head. "Likewise, I do not want to pretend that whatever happens next will be simple to resolve. Nevertheless... I do think it is necessary and correct." Turning her back on such matters, even if she could... what would happen next? Would something else wind its way in here? Would it represent some sort of 'undoing' of what she has and holds dear?

"I don't think," he tells her instead, because musing over such things won't bring him any easy or useful answers, "that it is wrong to be concerned," he tells Hana, shaking his head. "Regardless, perhaps it is possible to have such concern while understanding it is... not of your own control."

Not of her own control. Or, not of his own control, either, he considers in silence. That's... true, but he's about as ready and able to accept it as she is...

Perhaps it's in his nature to worry, and hers as well.

But they speak of blackmail, and Hana remarks that the others brought up such things as well--

"I... see," Katsuya says slowly, as if turning over such a thought in his head even as she brings up her past life and her 'ex'. The woman she had been engaged to. At that point, she would have been 'he', and... perhaps with that in mind, he can see 'why' the woman's brother would have reacted like that. 'Why', yes, but...

"There's no excuse to resort to violence like that," says Katsuya, glancing at Shinobu as she swears. He's not even thinking in the moment of the time he'd punched a panty-thief over the honor of the women who used the changing room at GOLD. Perhaps he'll think about it later.
Of course, the fact also remains that in this case, it ''wasn't true''.

But she goes on to say that she didn't press charges, and nothing came of that in the eyes of the law. "I see... no, thank you, but... unfortunately, you are correct." Even at his station, there are those among the other officers who disparage such 'lifestyles' and take an older view of how people ought to get on. "The fact is that people are living their lives as they wish, and that the world changes with each generation. Holding onto the past simply because it was the past... there are good things about the past, that's true, but..." He shakes his head. "Pretending that the world isn't moving on is simply denial. We have to accomodate the ways in which people want to live, so long as they are lawful."

One might get the impression that 'lawful' means something different to him than 'is strictly written into the legal code' as such.

But more to that, that story is why the Producer, the real one, had fired her. "So that's the reason why... I am sorry."

So now what, Shinobu more or less asks.

"If it's already known what his attempt will be... perhaps we can do something about it. Even in a place like this, blackmail or extortion, whatever the motivation of reason, is against the law," Katsuya says, his expression grim. "I may not be able to act as an officer in the 'real world', but in a place like this..."

Is it right?
What is 'right', when someone else is already breaking the law?

"Perhaps, it has a chance," he allows, setting such concerns now aside.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
<poem>
Hana watches Shinobu, too--she's reassured by her as well, but it's harder to pin down ''why'' she knows Shinobu is so reliable, when she doesn't remember meeting her outside this place at the moment. It's easier to pin it down for katsuya.

But it would be... effective. "Mm..." Hana nods. "Yes, I understand what you're saying. I don't know what it means to defeat 'him' here either... But..."

She at least can get what Katsuya is saying. "Right. For things we can't change... it's important to remember that worrying a little is fine, but we shouldn't let it consume us. Something like that?"

She remembers a few things, now.

Katsuya turns it over--but as she gambled, he doesn't give her trouble. "Thanks," she says. "Maybe we were wrong for each other from the beginning... But it's not how I'd have preferred to find it out." With violence.

And, well, "...I thought so. I've known a lot of police officers--even the once who indulge in 'alternative' matters themselves tend to go back to work and decry it to others. But maybe as the world moves on we'll see more like you--more like the ones who want to protect everyone, not just those who 'behave'."

Lawful... Well, ''most'' of her life is lawful. The laws just haven't caught up to some of the things she wants... But she does get the impression he doesn't limit himself to the statutes on the books.

"Right," Hana agrees with Shinobu's seething. "I guess he thought I'd make a good student for him until that. he really has helped a lot of careers... But I won't subject myself to that anymore."

What now? "That's a good question..."

Katsuya has some to say about it. She considers. "...The 'real' world is so far gone," she says. "I wonder what it'll take, to help it?"

"Still, I'll certainly give you your shot at him, Officer. As for me..."

"Well, my first step is getting there. I don't know what this place wants out of me, but if I can find out, i can make sure he never gets it."

"And then..."

"...Well, if I get out of here, I think..."

"I think no matter what, I can't give in. Even if it risks everything."

"So that's that."
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

Arcana System

Bel — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:17:44 GMT

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2026-09-21: Dark Boon

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:17:06 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: ''' Dark Boon *'''Cast:''' Yua Ijuuin, Miho Ijuuin, Yuuki Hoshizora, Misato Fushihara *'''Where:''' Aoba General Hospital *'''OOC Date:''' Mon, Sep 21 2026 *'''IC Date:''' Sat Jan 12 2013 (Dark Hour) *'''Summary''': ''Yua invited Yuuki and Magus to come back during the Dark Hour, promising to explain everything... and she does, alongside her wife, Miho. For all their gratitude, they cannot stay their hand in battle... but Yua, at least, won't..."

New page

*'''Log: ''' Dark Boon
*'''Cast:''' [[Yua Ijuuin]], [[Miho Ijuuin]], [[Yuuki Hoshizora]], [[Misato Fushihara]]
*'''Where:''' Aoba General Hospital
*'''OOC Date:''' Mon, Sep 21 2026
*'''IC Date:''' Sat Jan 12 2013 (Dark Hour)
*'''Summary''': ''Yua invited Yuuki and Magus to come back during the Dark Hour, promising to explain everything... and she does, alongside her wife, Miho. For all their gratitude, they cannot stay their hand in battle... but Yua, at least, won't be fighting anyone anytime soon.''

----

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

OST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am6rArVPip8 Florence + The Machine - What The Water Gave Me

Yua instructed Yuuki and Magus to return during the Dark Hour... but ''which'' Dark Hour?

Perhaps she meant this very night... as Saturday turns to Sunday.

Aoba General Hospital stands stark and imposing, against a backdrop of sick green air. Thankfully, without power, they're able to open the doors without needing ''key cards'' -- were they designed to make sure people could escape if the power failed? Through the halls are coffins, flat in beds and in front of computers on wheeled standing desks; as they get up the neonatal intensive care unit, disturbingly, there are a lot of ''baby coffins...''

The events of the day were so prolonged that it's not even ''strange,'' really, the way the head of Yua's bed is still elevated as if she were talking to someone. (There'll be no adjusting it until the lights come back on; the bed is powered.) Now that green light filters through everything, she must stay quite still; the pumps which were feeding medication into her body no longer function, though the passive drains at least do. And while, by and large, the metaphysics are forgiving towards that...

"Owww..."

... one may still be ''injured,'' in the Dark Hour, and Yua cannot help but suffer new insults even still as she is.

So explains the tall, shadowy figure, plague mask and coat obscuring her features, whose book of profane truths flutters as she invokes Dia down onto the woman in the bed. There -- that's Faust, the Persona of one of the Order's powerful agents--!

And Yua's voice, as she reaches for the woman by her bed, and says, "... thanks, Mimi..."

Mimi... Mi... Yu...?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

Miho is here, of course. She would be nowhere else, right now--but that's not an explanation for what she's doing, at the moment. She has dressed again, though in sleeping clothes, fancy pajamas for the night-time in green. Yua is injured...

Miho stands with mist about her, her Persona Faust being the one to invoke Dia below. Miho is the one summoning her.

And she does so intently. "Of course," Miho says to Yua, with a small smile.

"I would do no less."

...If one looks ''very'' closely, there's a pipe by the bed in roughly the same size as a sword.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
<poem>

Yuuki came as asked.

Time has made her worries about her teacher magnify. She managed to find Misato and ensure she was safe. But now, she has to wonder: what is Ijuuin-sensei wrapped up in? What is she doing? Why is she doing this? That shadowy group...

They've been nothing but trouble.

She was worried about Magus, too. Magus is a student of hers. Does that mean Yuuki knows her? Is--is she going to be upset with Yuuki, for her finding out that much?

She waits for Magus near the entrance. She lifts a hand in a small wave. "...H-Hi. I'm not sure what to expect. But..."

Her eyes close.

"Let's go."

Up they go -- past rooms with coffins, even baby coffins -- until they reach Yua's room. Yuuki knocks, once, on the door. Then she opens it up.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Yua had requested they see her in the Dark Hour, so that she could explain herself. Magus is still suspicious of her. ...But she's certain ''Yuuki'' will go to see her. So she is, in that case, obligated to go as well.

...Though even if she weren't, that all-consuming desire to know ''why'' may have drawn her here anyway.

She meets Yuuki at the front door of the hospital, and responds to that wave with a nod of acknowledgment. ...She doesn't ''seem'' upset, at least - but she might be holding it in, given everything.

"...I don't know either. But there's one way to find out." She replies.

She floats through the halls of Aoba General Hospital. It has a very different feeling, when the world has gone dark and the beds are filled with coffins of all sorts of shapes and concerning sizes.

She tries not to look.

And so, they arrive at Yua's room. Yuuki opens the door, and Magus enters.

"We've arrived, as requested." She announces - and looks between the occupants of the room. Yua is expected - but there's a familiar, shadowy figure... The Persona, Faust, belonging to the one known as the Groom, Miyu.

...And there's only one other person in the room.

Magus recognizes her immediately, of course. She's always been a fan of sports, even if her injury prevented her from competing seriously. Miho Ijuuin, the gold medalist fencer... Someone she respected from afar, in a way, even if she's never met her. 'Mimi', as Yua had called her.

"...Miho Ijuuin. Then, you are the Groom?" Magus asks. ...And pauses for a moment, to process this. "'Bride', and 'Groom'... I thought you were cousins."

She doesn't sound offended by this - only surprised.

She does notice the pipe. She doesn't take offense to its presence. It'd be foolish for her to go unarmed when meeting with an enemy.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"Mimi's always taking care of me," Yua murmurs, squeezing her hand. That hand, in Miho's, has a needle and tubing coming out of her wrist; on her left hand, it's installed in the back of her hand.

A little scrutiny will reveal the source of the discrepency between them -- because there's a terrible ''burn'' on the back of her right hand.

"Ah, they're here...?" Yua wonders, as -- "nnh" -- she turns to the opening door. There, as it opens, they see them: Miho in her nightclothes, Yua in a hospital gown... Miho made ''sure'' she was tied up in back after the last time she got to hold him, of course, so she's still ''decent,'' though perhaps one had best not pull down the blankets on her bed.

"That's the story," Yua explains, softly, when Magus recognises ''Miho'' -- and what they say they are. "Since I was unable to join Mimi's family register the way we normally do... I married her cousin, and so took her name in this way. But Mimi is my ''seishitsu,''" her wife, but that's a word from the Edo period, the word which described his ''main'' wife, his official wife, his wife in ''court''... back when men would take several. "And Hiroki is her son and mine... I carried him, but it was her egg an a donor man from Okinawa who made him. This, we do beneath the law," because there ''is'' no sperm donor bank in Japan, "because our love is destined, without regard for the inequities of this world."

A breath, "... we are..." she starts, and then stops, with a wince, looking to Miho in the dark.

She'll have to explain.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"I always will." But--they are here, Yua understands, and Miho too turns towards the door. She sees yuuki and then Magus after that; an ordinary-seeming girl, and a warrior in plain sight. "That's correct," Miho answers Magus with a nod. Then she looks to Yua, first.

That is the story. She explains it well enough.

"Should you reveal us to the others, we ask that you keep the nature of our relationship to yourselves. ...it is better that way."

A pause. "But yes. Through my dreams, I have seen it; our love was destined, in some form or another... and to my fortune, Yua decided it would be a romantic love."

"This is our child. I will do anything to safeguard Yua and Hiroki..."

"...And as you have done so, I owe you a debt."

"What questions would you ask of us? That can be the beginning of my repayment. The basics..."

"Are that Yua was taken by a conspiracy, and in finding her, I cannot leave--for she cannot leave. Thus, I will oppose you and your friends, for her sake, until I find a way to overcome them completely."

"That is my 'truth'."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
<poem>

It's so hard to tell what Magus is thinking and feeling, with her mask. That mask keeps Yuuki from doing more than reading the hint of an expression by her lips and eyes. While she is better than she used to...

But she can't, right now. She practically radiates anxiety as they make their way onward.

"That's--''oh''."

Yuuki's eyes widen with surprise. She looks at Miho with some recognition -- the name came up in the Olympics and she followed it. And, when she was told to call 'Mimi,' that makes everything clearer. Her mouth opens, then closes.

She is also the Groom. Someone dangerous, who has also worked with Yua in their missions. Yuuki swallows.

"...Hi," she says.

She falls quiet as Yua explains. She looks from Yua to Miho, and her eyes widen a little. They're married. Something that... that isn't really possible, for someone like them -- or someone like Yuuki, either.

"D-Destined?" she asks. "I, um... I'm glad that you found each other. And... and, um. That Hiroki-kun is okay. ...He's okay, right?"

Yuuki swallows -- and she quiets, as Miho explains what her truth is. She lifts a hand, fingers balled into a fist, resting it over her heart. Bright blue hair sways with her head, as she looks at Miho, then at Yua.

"Why... why can't she leave?" Yuuki asks.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
That's the story, Yua says... which means there's more to it than that. Magus listens how she explains - the channels they've gone through in order for Yua to take Miho's name, and to be able to have a child together.

They do it beneath the law, because their love is destined.

"...How fortunate, to have love destined for you." Magus remarks. She can't help a little jealousy creeping into her voice. That they've been able to find something that she feels excluded to her, through channels that would be unavailable to her...

...And a little frustrated, too, that the first adults she meets that are like her are also her enemy. There's a lot she'd want to ''ask'', but... it's not safe.

...That, and it'd be a little embarrassing with Yuuki ''right there''.

"...But. Very well - I'll speak no word of your connection. But I cannot promise they won't make the same conclusion I have." Magus says. It's as good as saying that she intends to inform people about this. Her word, at least, is true. She can offer that much respect, at least.

She does look toward Yuuki, though, as she asks about Hiroki.

"...Yes. How is he?" She asks.

Miho would do anything to safeguard Yua and Hiroki... and because they did, she owes them a debt. A debt she intends to repay in part by asking questions.

She looks toward Yuuki as she asks the question that was in her mind. Magus nod.

"...You are strong. I've seen your skill for myself. And you would not be able to make it this far if you weren't cunning, as well. What stops you?" Magus asks.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"A thing more secret than our horrors still... this wretched world," Yua scowls, though she doesn't argue ''against'' Miho urging them to keep their relationship secret. "Damn it all."

... does that mean there's a world where people like them can live freely? She hears the jealousy in Magus's voice, and looks to her with compassion.

But -- Hiroki! "Mm," Yua smiles, a touch pained, when Yuuki and Magus ask if Hiroki is okay. "Nn, he's..." She's reaching over to the photo they printed out for her, on one of those bedside tables which swings around ''onto'' the bed for lunch; Miho will have to be the one to actually retrieve it and step forward to show it to them, though.

There, the nurses took a photo of a tiny, tiny baby, against what must be Miho's breast, because the skin is imperially pale like ''hers'' rather than dark like his; he has Miho's eyes, though, pale vivid hazel, and the little bits of hair on his head are green like hers, too.

There are tubes and lines running into and out of him, but... he looks as healthy as a baby ''can'' look, when they come out ten weeks early.

"... when they took me, they ensured my dependence on a pair of substances only they can make," Yua explains, glancing down. "It is not... so different to the stories of any woman trafficked. Many times, they are forced into addiction, so they can be more easily controlled... the only difference for me is that it is nothing so pedestrian as ''heroin.'' You saw it, yes? When... Gretchen was angry. The situation overwhelmed me, so I needed more of that drug... in order to be any use at all. This one, and that one..."

She takes a breath, as she reaches up to her face. "... one forgives my sins, and the other cleanses my soul of those which pour in... through this entry," and she releases the tight clasp on the eyepatch, sliding it up to reveal a black ''Mark,'' pouring out from inside her eyesocket, inside her ''skull,'' black fingers and thumb grasping at the area around her eye. An eye -- with three ''pupils?!'' -- each black and inert, without the invocation of her Mark to incense them.

"They ensured I would receive this... and that I would be dependent on them for aid with it, for with me they have committed their most base transgressions, to carve and examine their gift. That's why I do not invoke sin as the Old Maid did... and it is why I cannot leave as he did, either."

Because of that freaky eye... she needs the Order's drugs...?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"Hello," Miho greets Yuuki somewhat more formally. "Thank you," she says. "And yes, destined. ...My dreams told me of the world in which we were together. In this world, it was possible it would be different... but not that we would part."

"He's all right." Miho reaches to Yua, rises, and moves to show the picture to the two. Then... She looks to Yua, and nods. "See?"

But 'destined'... "Yes. It is a rare privilege, such a destiny. Do not think I take it lightly."

Yua explains further. The reason she can't leave... And Miho waits through it, frowning. "What they did is unconscionable, and they have done similar to others. I have been able to free few, to take them under my wing. ...But a recent incident freed more. Not all, though."

She pauses. "I have a power that Yua does not--but I did not receive it as the others did. ...I do not know why it can be given..."

A shake of her head. "But yes, Magus. I am powerful, and I am cunning. But I lack the knowledge and skill to synthesize these medicines. ...If I were able to return this world to its true state, it would become unnecessary--but I do not know how."

"...and, of course, all of you would oppose it, regardless. The Old Maid tried to bring about the world's former shape through violence and chaos... And in failing, proved to me that it is not so simple as blood."

"Regardless," she says, "So long as Yua is trapped, I will not leave her. And thus far, my power is insufficient to conquer the entire Order."

"...But this is the Mark of my power." Miho rolls up her left sleeve, and dshows the sinuous shapes of dark 'ink' on her skin. It is elaborate... and unsettling to look on.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
<poem>

"Yuuki Hoshizora," Yuuki says, with a short bow.

Yuuki's bright green eyes drift towards Magus. She hears a hint of jealousy, and that -- that makes her wonder for a second. She swallows, before she looks back at the two adults. She can think of things she would ask...

But it would be revealing a lot about herself. And, besides, Magus is ''right'' here. And...

She can't really commit to something. Not with her parents in such danger.

Yua explains more. Hiroki is -- well, he's clearly born early. Yuuki doesn't know a lot about childbirth or pregnancy, but she knows that he looks considerably tiny. "Ah..." She trails off. "I'm so glad he's okay."

And then Yua explains how they control her. She nods, in regards to Gretchen. "I'd wondered, Ijuuin-sensei..." She trails off for a moment. And then she gasps, as the eye patch is pulled back -- showing grasping fingers. She feels her fingers tighten at her side.

She swallows, her neck thick. "How--how awful. That they've done such a thing."

Yuuki hesitates as Miho shows her Mark, too. She swallows, as she looks between the two of them. "The world's... true state?" she asks. "I--um. I... we do have to oppose you. We can't... can't let the things that we've seen happen. But..."

She frowns, as she considers. "...I wish I knew a way so you'd both be free of that. What they've done is unforgiveable."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Magus meets Yuuki's brief glance. She realises that even saying that much might be telling - has she guessed...?

...Well. For right now...

She's quiet, as Yua curses the world. More secret than their horrors... It says something, she thinks, that ''this'' is the most dangerous secret they must keep. This world is cruel, in some ways - Magus acknowledges that.

A frown crosses her face at Yua's pain smile. That isn't... the most encouraging response - but Miho assures them that he's alright, and shows them the picture.

She can't tell from looking, but he certainly ''looks'' alright...

"...Ah, I see." She remarks. Her tone becomes hesitant, but she does admit... "...Yes, I'm glad, too. I will... wish for his continued health."

She might be fighting his parents, but... she's not going to carry a grudge against a ''baby'', who's done nothing to deserve it.

As for why they are some bound to the conspiracy... Yua explains.

It's a more mundane explanation than she's expecting - even if the specific method is far from it. A pair of substances that only they can make, that Yua is dependent on. An understanding frown crosses her face, as Miho lays it on the table. For all her power and cunning, it is crucial knowledge and skill that she lacks... and those, I imagine, the ones responsible guard jealously.

"...I see. So any freedom you ''do'' find in the short-term would short-lived... If one could even call that freedom. I cannot say I understand what you mean by 'forgiving your sins', but... it's cruel, what they've done to you." She nods her agreement with Yuuki, folding her arms in front of her beneath her cloak. "Who did this to you?"

But it seems like it's what allows her to use her Persona. But also...

Magus stares, as Yua slides her eyepatch up and reveals a black Mark. Surprise crosses Magus's face.

The world's true state...

"We would." Magus confirms, as Yuuki does. "I don't know what you believe the 'true state' to be. But though we may share a common enemy in this Order - so long as you serve them, regardless of the reason, I shall do my utmost to crush their and your ambitions."

She casts a hand out of her cloak, clencing it tight to emphasize her words before drawing it back in.

"...What is this Mark you bear? It feels... ''wrong''. I feel ill just looking at it." Magus asks. She pauses and hesitates for a moment. She looks away, looking a little embarrassed. ...It feels a little childish to ask, but... "...Does it hurt?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

Yua smiles, to hear them relieved to see Hiroki. "It's all right," she assures them, seeing a touch of scepticism -- though with Magus, she's somewhat guessing. (It's hard to tell, behind that mask.) "Agony wreathes me not for his soul, but the hole whence he came. He is well." ''She'' might not be, though...

"I am honoured to be bound to Mimi," Yua says, in turn, as she reaches for her hand. "No matter how many of these false worlds confuse us, always will I find her."

They ''have'' done it to others, though. Certainly, the Old Maid bore a Mark much like this. Though... did he receive it as Yua did, or...?

Her three-point gaze does soften -- at least on the side of her face which ''isn't'' profane, though it's difficult to look at the left side of her face and see anything but what cannot be seen -- to see the horror which crosses over the girls' faces, to see their Marks.

"My left eye sees the truth," she tries to explain, to Magus, "but in this way I am -- confused. What I speak does not always make sense... forgive me. At times what is true is too strong for the mind to inherit plain. That's why I must cover it when both my feet are planted firmly in our existence... to know what is, when it cannot be, is a curse that would shatter me."

She takes a breath, and names the source of her horrors, since Magus asked ''who:'' "The Powers that Be... those titans you call the 'New World Order'."

The very people she's fighting for, now... however unwillingly.

"To serve the 'New World' is anathema to me, who knows the goodness which has been covered by the lie of ''this'' world, let alone the ''next.'' Those such as me will never reach their heaven... my hands are choked with sin. Their ambitions do not lie with ours... but I can offer you no quarter, on the battlefield, even so. Become strong, and turn us aside, if you are able."

She shakes her head, though, looking to Miho, as Magus asks for an ''explanation'' of the Mark... as she, for her part, reaches up to grasp the clasp of her eyepatch and pull it back down, to fasten it over her eye again. Out of sight, out of mind, huh...?

"It's all right," she says, soothingly, instead. "It only hurts when I invoke it." ... is that really fine?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"A pleasure to meet you," Miho replies politely to Yuuki. They clearly have ''some'' kind of connection, the two of them, deeper than having happened to have been at the same place at the same time. But what? She couldn't say, for now.

"Thank you," Miho says to Yuuki, and then Magus. "He has a long road ahead of him, but the doctors assure us he will walk it... so to speak." He won't be walking anytime soon. But eventually!!

"It is awful," she agrees. "And cruel." Yua explains; the New World Order. As for opposition...

"I respect it," Miho says simply. "The world in my dreams is one in which some of your friends may hve never been, or never met you; you have no way of knowing if it is better, or worse, than what you have now, what you wish to protect. ...And indeed, there are things in this world that I would try to protect..."

A pause. "Do your best," Miho says. "If you cannot defeat me, who wishes not your death, then you will not be able to defeat them, who would kill you and think nothing of it."

"I don't know a way either," she admits to Yuuki. "if I did, I would have seized it."

"...But it is as Yua says; I will forgive you if you have difficulty understanding her, for now. I will explain. First... there are three 'worlds' in play. The True World, that one in my dreams--the original form of our world, which is... different, from what it is now. Then there is our current world; changed, and in some ways for the worse. Then, there is ''their'' future, the World they would bring about... which has no place for you or me. These three are all distinct."

"...There are those who tell me that the True World may have been presented to me darkly, but I have never known my dreams to lie. ...It is difficult."

"As to the Mark... My own I received when I gained my Persona. It allows me to break the 'rules' of the world--to summon my Persona without a supernatural space. Or rather.. to force the world into such a supernatural state. Demons also appear with its use. It was given me by the man in my dreams, but..."

"There are others with similar Marks, given to them by the Order. I do not know why mine is the same. But mine is potent, indeed."

She reaches over to squeeze Yua's hand. "It does not hurt me, though it is... inconvenient, as anything resembling a tattoo would be. Not only the gifted can perceive it."

She stops and then adds, "...But Yua's mark is unique. It summons no demons; it does not seem to give her power, only insight. It is... quieter. Strange..."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
<poem>

"I'm... I'm really glad for that," Yuuki says. "When he's ready, I--um--I'd like to meet him."

Did Yuuki guess about Magus's feelings? She meets Magus's glance -- but her expression reveals nothing. And, really, with the horrors that they're hearing about...

Yuuki is becoming preoccupied. She nods in agreement with Magus, at calling it cruel. She listens to Yua -- and some of it is hard to follow. Yuuki is a person of facts and figures; someone who likes things to be firmly true or false. What she describes...

She finds it hard to wrap her head around.

"I... I think I understand. And--and what you both want isn't this New World Order," she says. She hesitates. "But... but you were forced into those things. What someone does to you, that--that shouldn't define you, Ijuuin-sensei."

She doesn't look at Magus when she says it. She doesn't know.

She looks at Miho, then -- and she blinks her eyes. She feels a pang of something at the mention of the original form of the world. A 'true' world. She can't put her finger on why, but the idea bothers her on some level.

"I-I see," she says. "It's... it's hard to wrap my ahead around. Parallel worlds, almost."

When Magus asks if the Mark hurts, Yuuki blinks. She glances sideways -- and then, pointedly, at the ground. "I... um. I wondered too."

She swallows. "It... it did give me a strange feeling, to look at Ijuuin-sensei's Mark." She looks down. "A way that... that yours did, Ijuuin-san."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Yua assures them that it's alright. Magus studies her. She says, in a way, that he is well... and so does Miho. There's a long road ahead of him, but he will walk it.

"Good." She replies. ...Unlike Yuuki, she doesn't ask to see him. A part of her wants to... but she feels like she shouldn't. Even if she did, would she be able to meet with him? It's only safe for her here in the Dark Hour. And surely, only a coffin would be there to meet her.

Miho respects their decision, and speaks of the world in her dreams.

"...I see. Then I cannot allow that. For all its hardships, I have seized what I have in this world through my own strength. I cannot allow anyone to take that from me." Magus decides - and nods. "Then I will demonstrate my resolve, next we meet on the field of battle."

Yua explains her Mark. Her left eye sees the 'truth' - but the truth is overwhelming.

"...That explains it." She says, perhaps insensitively.

Yua names their foe - the Powers that Be, the New World Order...

The New World, it seems, is different from the true, original world they desire. Magus listens thoughtfully, then glances toward Yuuki as she admits that it's hard to wrap her head around.

"...Yes." Magus admits, too. "But I know enough to know that I must reject both of them."

Yuuki admits that she wondered if it hurts, too - and Magus feels a ''little'' relieved that it wasn't just her.

Miho explains her own Mark next, how it allows her to summon her Persona and causes demons to appear...

"You say a man gave it to you?" Magus questions. It doesn't hurt her, though. Inconvenient...

"These 'Marks'... I can only imagine whatever would grant such a thing could only mean you ill." She remarks. "It would seem they interfere with your life."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"Come in the day, if you like," Yua smiles, to Yuuki. To Magus, she adds: "Ah... I'd invite you, but... you understand?" The mask, you see.

Miho says that there are things in this world she would protect, though, and... "... what is good in this world," Yua says, darkly, "I will bring with me to the truth, and damn the rest."

... Miho might be the scarier one, between them, but is ''Yua'' the one with more extreme views...?

"I received my Persona... another way," and perhaps that explains the difference, between Yua's revolver-like Evoker and Miho's sharp gestures. "At the border between life and death... when I saw it, then I knew. But there are many similarities between our Marks, though Mimi was gifted hers and mine was thrust upon me by the Order," she adds, recognising the similiarities Yuuki felt in how ''bad'' it feels to look upon them. "This is still true, though mine was profaned."

But they ''do'' interfere with her life... and even now, as Yua sags, against the bed. She holds on long enough for Miho to offer an explanation, but soon enough, she has to speak up... "mouuuu... Mimi... I'm tired..."

... and so, it falls to her ''seishitsu'' to see the children out, so Yua can rest.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

It's definitely more art than science, this foretelling of the True World. But then, that's Miho; she may seem only to care about the material, but there are other things...

"It's fair," she says. "To have difficulty. I know it well, because I have had these dreams since I was younger than you are now." But it felt strange, did it? Miho is thoughtful.

"Very well," Miho says again. "Then fight for what is yours. I will wait to see it."

But it explains it. The truth... yes.

"A man, who resembles me," Miho confirms. "As if I were him. ...He has been in my dreams, for these years."

Yua, though--Yua speaks darly, and Miho looks at her for a moment. Then--

They do interfere. "...Mine saved my life," Miho explains. "The Order's operatives sought to run me off the road, and then kill me with their guns. ...But instead, I summoned my Persona, and they burned."

"Then, the Mark allowed me to infiltrate the Order... and here we are today."

"But that is all for now," as Yua says she is tired. "Thank you again. I hope that this knowledge is of use to you. Come; let's go."
</poem>

2026-09-20: Miho's Precarious Hours

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:16:31 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: ''' Miho's Precarious Hours *'''Cast:''' Yua Ijuuin, Miho Ijuuin *'''Where:''' Aoba General Hospital *'''OOC Date:''' sep 20 2026 *'''IC Date:''' Sat Jan 12 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Miho rushes to Yua's side, at the birth of her son, and finds herself in the position of sheltering him while Yua hangs in the balance. By the end, though, she has both of them in hand... though Yua's still falling apart.'' ---- Category:Logs Category:Season 1 Categ..."

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2026-09-19: Born from a Wish

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:16:08 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: ''' Born from a Wish *'''Cast:''' Yua Ijuuin, Yuuki Hoshizora, Misato Fushihara *'''Where:''' Mt. Katatsumuri / Mementos *'''OOC Date:''' sep 19 2026 *'''IC Date:''' Sat Jan 12 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Yua goes on a walk by the base of Mt. Katatsumuri, bored of Aoba Park... but soon after she runs into Misato and Yuuki, labour pains kick in, and she realises she needs to help herself. With no options, she reveals herself to Yuuki -- and to Magus, who a..."

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2026-09-16: Mama Murderer

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:15:42 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: ''' Mama Murderer *'''Cast:''' Yua Ijuuin, Shinobu Shimizu *'''Where:''' Aoba - Penthouse *'''OOC Date:''' 2026-09-16 *'''IC Date:''' Thu Jan 10 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Yua invites Shinobu over after realising she's too tired to stay out... but amidst the cookies she's gotten for her, she ends up cracking and confessing to the murder of Natari, alongside managing to say her name for the first time. Shinobu can't find it in herself to condemn it, when she..."

Show changes

2026-09-16: Tea and Rice Cakes

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:14:50 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: ''' Tea and Rice Cakes *'''Cast:''' Yua Ijuuin, Goro Akechi *'''Where:''' Tokyo TV *'''OOC Date:''' 2026-09-16 *'''IC Date:''' Thu Jan 10 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Akechi brings Yua tea and rice cakes while checking in on her... and, surreptitiously, her experiences with the Kingdom.'' ---- Category:Logs Category:Season 1 Category:Season 1, Episode 2 <Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed. <poem> Yua is at Tokyo TV -- the scene of the..."

New page

*'''Log: ''' Tea and Rice Cakes
*'''Cast:''' [[Yua Ijuuin]], [[Goro Akechi]]
*'''Where:''' Tokyo TV
*'''OOC Date:''' 2026-09-16
*'''IC Date:''' Thu Jan 10 2013
*'''Summary''': ''Akechi brings Yua tea and rice cakes while checking in on her... and, surreptitiously, her experiences with the Kingdom.''

----

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

Yua is at Tokyo TV -- the scene of the crime, as it happens, because Miho's unit was called to extract a man with Yua's subtler powers here just recently. (That's the true source of the blackout... and the 'terrorists' who supposedly kidnapped Hana, who in fact were incited through that strange power. Sadly, they didn't manage to extract the ''true'' target.) Of course, she's here as ''Yua,'' today -- as she has been a few other times, between then and now, when she's visited to deliver baked goods to Hana's loved ones.

... the difference ''today,'' of course, is that this is the first time Yua's ventured outside since the catastrophic assault on Blacksite Revelation. She's in her usual outside clothes, of course -- which are now a ''long-sleeved'' leotard and black ''tights'' to match, beneath that sheer skirt; her long hair is wrapped up in that tight bun, her makeup's all neatly done -- if, to a keen eye, ''recently touched up.''

Despite the effort she's put in, she looks particularly tired, as she takes a seat on a bench at a quiet corner of the street outside and pulls out her phone... perhaps her recent misadventures are ''why.''

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>

People come and people go down the street. Of course most people wouldn't recognize a pregnant woman. And most men would think better of making a pass at one, especially one ''this'' pregnant.

Perhaps, Yua thinks sitting here will prevent her from being bothered.

Perhaps.

Footsteps stop in front of her, and Yua sees- "You look like you could use this more than I." -a tea latte of some sort, with a stopper indicating it hasn't been drank from yet.

"It's said that anything beneath two hundred milligrams is safe in pregnancy."

What kind of a man just knows these things? Well, more a boy really, or a young man. It's Goro Akechi, of course- he's going to make some wife very happy one day, being this knowledgeable and engaged in her pregnancy.

"This as well. I insist."

And in his hand is a small bag of rice cakes.

"Seeing as your husband isn't around, I feel it's only natural that I make certain your needs are taken care of, sensei."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

Yua taps out some messages -- first to Shinobu, of course, because she'd wanted to go out to afternoon tea with her but she was ''far'' too ambitious with her outside plans and she really just needs to go back ''home,'' and then...

... but before she can finish contacting her ''driver,'' a latte appears in her reduced field of view. Yua blinks, looking up from her phone, to the tea, to -- "Oh! Akechi-kun!" Her expression brightens, when she sees him. "Ahh, did you get that for me? Really, I couldn't -- ah, you're sure? Mm, okay!" She tucks her phone away in her handbag (suspiciously large enough to hold some bulky items, though there's surely ''not'' a revolver evoker hidden beneath a false panel at the bottom), to free up her hands to receive ''rice cakes and tea.'' "You're such a thoughtful young man...!"

She smiles, as she pops the bag on her lap to open up the tea. "Please, sit with me!" She invites him, and of course it's not improper because he's still a ''young'' man and Yua would sooner kidnap him to her nest to roost on him like a broody hen. (More to the point, he's not an ''assertive'' lesbian.) "Ah, Kimi-san's very busy with work right now, so I was coming to visit Yakoaki myself... her friend was kidnapped back during that awful business, so I ought to make sure she's okay, you know...?"

She sips the tea, and -- "It's delicious," Yua smiles, to him. "Don't worry, thanks to my medicines, eating's not so bad now!" She's downplaying it a lot; when it was ''so bad,'' she was having to get ''needles'' put in her to put ''food'' in her ''blood,'' so her present state of not being able to try her baked goods this morning because her stomach insisted on ''bland foods only'' really seems fine in ''comparison.''

... but it is at least ''easier to manage'' now they've figured out what balance of medications work to mitigate it.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>

"For myself, actually. I just got out of an interview at the Station. It just happened to be coincidence that I was heading in a direction that took me just past you."

He smiles affably, because while certainly he could take credit- that would mean he was spying on her, and that sounds creepy.

Even as a Detective, there's something that goes 'Maybe not' on the inside when it comes to admitting to following a pregnant woman.

"Oh? Well if you're certain." He says, before putting his briefcase down, and sitting down beside her, gloved hands folding in front of him.

"Ah yes, during that terrible affair..." He looks off distantly, before resting a hand on his chin, like he's contemplating Kingdoms in general, including them appearing in the real world.

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear it. I'm told nausea isn't quite as large a factor after the first trimester, but I imagine it's always still a concern."

Which is in part why the rice cakes, because it's easy on the stomach without being too bland.

"From what I understand for some women it can be quite tricky, including frequent hospitalizations during that time."

Which he brings up, only to poke right at that time when Yua was 'being treated'- because he's bit of an ass. Just a smidge.

"On that note... might I ask if you've seen a Pink Cockatoo about?" He manages a smile and a chuckle, "An odd question- but I've been hired to try and recapture her by her trainers. You see, she escaped from a TV set here during filming..."

A lie of course, but it's the kind of white lie one can attribute to just 'not wanting to talk about Fight Club' ie. the Supernatural.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"Oh!" Yua gasps. "Of course, you appear here quite a bit, don't you? You're such a busy bee...!"

But so long as he doesn't ''admit'' to following her, that's fine, isn't it?

"Please," Yua invites him, again, smiling. (It sounds so different to the pleas she issued, when the Black Mask broke into their home... though, is it really ''that'' different...?) "I was just about to call my driver... but I'd love to chat! I don't get out as much as I used to... oh, on that, I'm sorry we had to pause lessons," she adds, kindly. "My doctor says that the third trimester could be the toughest time for me... so I had to put in leave a little early. I'm afraid it's getting a little too difficult to dance in my condition..."

She sounds a little sad, to say it, but that's something else understated.

Still -- it's just a little while. Just a few months. She can make up for the training deficit of a few months, right...?

Speaking of things which are terrible: Hana's kidnapping. "It was awful," she agrees, softly. "I can't believe terrorists would be so bold as to attack a broadcaster like that... mouuu, but Kimi-san does tell me the world outside Japan is getting rather frightening."

She smiles, though, when Akechi speaks on his knowledge of nausea. "I'm afraid I'm kind of... a hypernemesis gravitas!" Hyperemesis gravidarum. Why does she need to make her medical conditions cute. "So the sickness didn't really go away for me... I've had to get treatments, and even go to hospital, mm. It can be a little scary," she admits, downcast, "but I have a lot of people supporting me, so I'm okay."

She sips at her tea, and nibbles at a rice cake, and is taken entirely off course by -- "Eh?" Yua blinks, her eye widening as she looks to Akechi. "I-I, um -- oh! But aren't cockies white? I saw one at the zoo once, it was all white... with a big yellow crest! I... I'm sure I'd remember if I saw a special pink cockatoo!" Yua laughs it off, nervously.

She has, of course, seen a special pink cockatoo.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
<poem>

Exactly. Plausible Deniability is important- it's also what makes him an asshole.

"Haha, well- you're not wrong that my schedule is quite packed." He says with a chuckle. His expression changes with the 'Please' just subtly, before he sits down, trying to keep his feelings on that phrasing of invitation neutral.

He nods at that, "No no- there's nothing to apologize for. Doing what's best for your unborn child is what truly matters."

It is an incontrovertible fact about most women, in Goro Akechi's mind. Enough that a woman who wouldn't- has something broken about them.

Placing sentiment for a child above all else, no matter the consequences... is simply the way of the world.

"Yes, well... I certainly have my own theories on the nature of her captors. You see... I don't believe they were terrorists from outside this country at all." He laces his fingers together, "It's no secret that our nation has had a greater shift towards traditionalism in recent years. To the point where even a trans-woman who was acting as expected of her, might just be targeted by such elements."

Akechi says it with a troubled expression, "It might have been merely to 'send a message' so to speak, on the fate of those whose presence challenges our new... 'status quo'."

Her misspeaking the word causes a smile from him, "Well it is true that you do not lack for 'gravitas'." He says with a light tease in his tone. "Even when vomiting uncontrollably, I suspect."

Apparently he does find it cute, but he's gotta poke fun at it. "Yes, I can imagine so, even with modern medicine- it wasn't so long ago that such conditions could be a death sentence. The things that can happen with certain electrolyte imbalances are frightening enough... and in our country such things are rarely taken so seriously."

He looks sideways towards Yua, smirking, "If I'm ever mildly 'upset' at one of my colleagues, its common enough that I'm told that I must lack calcium in my diet... due to past pseudoscience that's accepted currently as fact. Still- I'm glad you're getting the support you need."

As Yua gets taken off guard, he does chuckle again, "Well, yes, most are. This one is a variant of the Australian Galah Cockatoo, where pink plumage is common."

Her nervousness causes the smile to vanish off his face and-

"My my. Is everything alright? You suddenly seem quite nervous, over such a mundane thing. Could it be that you've actually seen one after all and aren't being exactly forthright?"

...
...
...
...

"Just kidding." He says with a wide grin, "Haha...! I'm only pulling your leg. The question's almost ask themselves. Call it 'Detective's Habit.'"

Jerk.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

Say it isn't so! He's a ''nice young man!!''

"That's right," Yua smiles, when Akechi mentions Hiroki's safety. "It's all for Hiroki, after all!"

That's a little more complicated, when you're actually carrying the weight, but... even if Yua wouldn't give her life for him to be born, she's still giving up an awful lot. Even with Miho...

Yua frowns, though, as Akechi talks about a different story, too. "But the police said they were terrorists," she points out, gently. "Surely if it was something coming from inside the country, they'd have said so...? Really... I'm really sure that the conservatives didn't have anything to do with this." Is she just saying that as a conservative policeman's wife...?

... well, it's not as if she can tell a normal boy like Akechi that she's never had dealings with such an odious cockatoo, and she's sure she'd remember her being mentioned at one of thier function dinners.

The boot of the nation can't be working with a ''bird.''

She does blush, though, when Akechi talks about vomiting so ''bluntly.'' "E-eh-- y--yes," she stammers, looking down at her rice cake. "If I don't eat enough, I need to have these awful milkshakes to make up for it... s-so don't worry, I'm still healthy!"

And then -- ''galah!'' "Oh, that's a silly word!" Yua giggles, unwittingly comprehending the slang of far off shores in the process. "What a silly-billy bird that must be..."

Except, of course, her efforts to be cute are interrupted ''rudely'' by Akechi's incisiveness. "--eh? I was nervous? No, just -- um --" Would she have spit it out?! Luckily, Akechi assures her he's ''joking'' before she can, and her cheeks puff up. "Mooouuu! Meanie!!"

Even when she's mad, she's so cute...

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> The Lovable Akechi-kun has posed.
<poem>

Yes. *wink* He's such a nice *wink wink* young man.

"Did they now?" Akechi asks, as if to raise skepticism towards that account. "Not if they prize public order, as a greater good than safety."

He remarks, "Though forgive me, I do forget you're married to a police officer... you see, the police and I have often been at odds over the various corruption scandals I've uncovered within their departments." Though he then adds, "No I wouldn't say that the Conservatives are... necessarily behind this."

A beat.

"Though that does not mean their policies have nothing to do with such acts." He has a theory as to what force is behind Kingdoms, but he doesn't actually have enough evidence to connect it.

If the Metaverse is the result of Distorted Desire- then Kingdoms must be something else... still, he's getting ahead of himself.

Correction. The Boot of the nation does not ''know'' they're working with a bird.

"Ah, my sympathies, they do sound truly horrendous." As he remarks on the milkshakes, "Still the things one does for love..."

That's not necessarily connected, but he still says it anyway, given what his mind is focused upon. "I'm glad to hear you're doing well, nevertheless."

What a silly-billy bird?

Akechi does arch an eyebrow, "Well, the crew did say she was quite the mischievous character..." As he recalls his past encounter with this bird, glowering some.

As she calls him a meanie though, he all but cackles in the moment, "Ahahaha-! You're so cute when you're teased, it's quite the incentive to keep doing it, even if it's rather awful of me."

Well at least she's certain he's not hitting on her when he's calling her cute.

"Still, if you do happen to see one- you can always give me a call." As he hands her a business card that he slides out of his pocket, "I intend to see this case through, no matter what."

He's gonna KILL that bird if it's the LAST THING HE DOES!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"But Kotoba wasn't doing anything wrong," Yua protests, which gives lie to the idea that she agrees with her husband in all things despite never having spoken an ill word against him. When it comes time for ''that,'' though -- Yua shakes her head. "Kimi-san is an honourable man," she lies. "He'd never do anything corrupt!"

Just recently, he helped do terrible things to Katsuya's career... and thanks to his bragging, she knows all about it.

But she can't be such a liar about the ''impacts.'' "Mm, it does... make it easier for things to be harder for her," Yua allows, delicately. "Maybe if the state got involved, it would make things even worse, too..."

... because it's true, isn't it? Yua isn't quite sure why Jerri was so upset at her, but it had ''something'' to do with her powers.

What if that means... there's really no hope for Hana, even if people realise she's missing like 'that'...?

"Don't worry," Yua smiles, to Akechi, when he sympathises over her awful yucky milkshakes. "Moms are tough!"

Don't give her a gun don't give her a gun don't give her a -- WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE SUMMONS HER PERSONA WITH A GUN

"Mm, I'm... sure it's like that," and Yua's cheer falters, a little, as she insists Jerri ''must'' be mischevious, but she's at least a good enough actor to ''mostly'' pretend.

But he teases her, and she pouts, "Mooouuuuu..."

Akechi gives her a business card, though, and Yua -- looks a little baffled, for a moment, before she takes it with her tealess hand. (THAT'S STILL WRONG!) "Do you... talk to a lot of people your age about your cases...?" She wonders, quietly, as she tucks it away in her bag.

It's not impossible some of Akechi's friends have Persona... Miho and Remi weren't able to find Hana, but what if...?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> The Lovable Akechi-kun has posed.
<poem>

"Would politicians even label prizing public order over safety as corrupt... if the truth would result in a panic that might cost more lives?" He prompts, "Even the common man might argue over whether such a thing is corrupt or not. We live in a different world from the politicians who exert control over our fates."

That part is true, he knows it well from hanging around his Father all the time. "Yes, just so." He agrees to what she allows.

Akechi suddenly has an urge to hand Yua over his gun, huh. He's quite strong in the schadenfreude.

"I'm not so certain of that myself, by accounts I've received so far." He says mildly, of Jerri being mischievous. "The crew has affection for their animal- but it seems most do not share their opinion."

He's still grinning over the tease, when she asks him a question, "Not so much, truly. However... it is in the case that I am often hired by individuals of my age group for... smaller things. To see if a boyfriend is faithful, to find a lost pet- to determine the responsibility for certain incidents in our schools."

There is a shrug, like it's no big thing, "Most cases are... tedious to be perfectly honest, but that is the majority of Detective Work. Still, it does give me the chance to sometimes speak of my work to others."

In essence... Akechi's friends? BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU PUT A PLURAL ON IT!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"It is a different world," Yua agrees, mildly.

It's better, she thinks, if he doesn't know how much.

"Birds can be very rude," she allows, of Jerri's temperament. "I think it's because they're so smart...? Or just bossy... a seagull once stole my sandwich right out from my hand!" Yua huffs, before she pauses, thoughtfully.

"... but I like geese," she decides, at length. "And swans. They're very fierce! Hmm... I guess that means I like ducks, too...? Even though a simple duck is much gentler... oh, and crows are smart, but they're very cute! Did you know that if you make friends with a crow, he won't swoop you?"

Yua's thoughtfulness turns to ''concern,'' hearing Akechi downplay his social circle. "Ah, Akechi-kun... I know you're very busy, but try to make some time to see your friends, okay...? A little gossip is normal for a teenager. If you go through life so seriously, you'll forget you're young at all..."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> The Lovable Akechi-kun has posed.
<poem>

It's better, he thinks, if she doesn't know how much he actually knows.

"A whole sandwich? Remarkable... usually one thinks of Seagulls as going for much smaller targets, but as your own experiences tell us- that's not quite true. There's nothing they would not snatch, with the right opportunity..."

She speaks of Geese, and Swans, and Ducks. "Ah yes, fierce is actually something of an understatement I'd say. There are accounts of Swans breaking grown men's arms in two. And a whole gaggle of Geese... well... I hesitate to say in current company."

As if he were merely being considerate of Yua's condition. "Haha... I did. Actually, would you believe I had a recent case I solved involving a crow?" He grins, "A woman thought she was being stalked by an ex-boyfriend, as she kept finding sharp pieces of metal on her doorstep. Well- it turns out, she befriended a Crow, and did not realize it was giving her gifts."

Technically HE HAS NOT ACTUALLY TOLD THAT WOMAN YET, he's left her on the hook- but Yua doesn't need to know that.

He's solved it, that's what is important!

Then Yua tells him he should take time to see his friends, a little gossip being 'normal' for a teenager. And well, he doesn't quite smile at the thoughtfulness behind the gesture.

"I am making more time for socializing... as of late, but..." He hesitates, then finally says, "... well, let us just say it is difficult to find friends that do not wish to take advantage of my status."

It's not quite the truth, but not a lie either- so too does it circle back to how they met, with his accusation that she might be doing the same as a teacher.

"As it stands I only have, ah- a singular friend, I'm embarrassed to admit." And it's more that he's their 'boyfriend' than friends in that way.

"And even then there's only so much I can say about certain cases and remain professional."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

Yua isn't telling him that it was a sandwich cut into ''quarters'' with the ''crusts'' cut off, of course, but that's just because she thinks that's the normal way sandwiches should be configured. "I think seagulls would steal the whole eatery if they could," Yua declares, boldly. "Though... I don't know why they like chips so much. Eeegh, they're so greasy... and chewy when they're not supposed to be, and then too sharp, and then sometimes chewy AND sharp in the same chip... it's wrong!"

YUA DOESN'T LIKE HOT CHIP?!

Okay so THAT'S why she's a villain.

"Mm, mm, that's right! With a single sweep of their wings...!" Yua waves a hand, merrily, as she describes the qualities of the ''swan.'' "Swans are so graceful and strong and big... just like Mimi!" Big is also a positive qualifier, to Yua. How mysterious...

But Akechi talks about solving a Crow Mystery, and Yua's legs swing, under the bench, as she nibbles a rice cake and listens. "Oh, that sounds scary... but I'm sure the crow was trying to be nice! Hmm, hmm... I wonder if crows are smart enough to understand if you tell them you'd like a different gift...? Maybe if you were really happy when you got something you liked better..."

Yua doesn't even ''think'' that Akechi would leave that poor woman on the hook, as it happens. She ''definitely'' doesn't know how much he knows. She trusts him! He's a lovely young man!!

But... an isolated one, too. "Mouuu..." Yua says, sadly, grasping her tea in both hands for a moment. "It's really not fair on you to make you have to think about that stuff when you're young, and keeping secrets, and stuff... but it's hard, right? Mimi told me about how it was having lots of fans and not many friends... I don't really know about it myself, but I heard it's hard. Hey!" She realises, straightening up. "I bet ''Mimi'' would know what to say, though! Mm, mm... you should talk to Mimi about that stuff, Akechi-kun! Yeah, that's a great idea!"

How does she just -- emit a little shining sun as she speaks? Okay, it's a figurative portrait, but that's still got to be illegal somehow.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> The Lovable Akechi-kun has posed.
<poem>

"May I share something with you?"

Akechi leans over as if to confide a singular fact.

"I'm not the biggest fan of fries either."

He'll eat it, because he'll eat most things. He's just not a big foodie in reality, and he hides this from everyone out there as he'd just seem like weird.

This is how you know he TOO is the villain.

"It does make sense that you'd find them graceful- their imagery is oft associated with ballet, after all."

He does put a hand to his chin, "Perhaps the two of you should dance a Pas de Deux... together one day. Though, what am I saying?" He chuckles as he peels the hand from his chin, "I do know that it's done by two men on occasion but- two women would be looked upon with disfavor by most audiences."

He nods with a smile, "Indeed, I'm certain of the same. The crow simply does not understand how such an act might look, unless they were seen placing their gifts there in the first place."

He does consider the question, then... "I think perhaps with enough prompting. They are smart creatures, and do seem in tune with at least the positive or negative emotions of those around them. Still- it would be challenging."

Her mourning of him having to consider such things, well- there's something of a thin smile on his face, as he looks away.

"It's a lesson I learned long before I was a celebrity, Ijuuin-sensei. As you may know- I grew up in Foster Care. You learn quickly that most of your caregivers care little about you beyond the paycheck."

There's an odd look that he gives Yua's way, before he leans back, crossing his arms, "Oh? And she has a great many friends? By all accounts I would expect she faced the same problems..."

And more besides, given some other facets of who she is.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
<poem>

"Oh, thank goodness! Someone finally understands...!" Yua ''thinks'' Akechi does, anyway. ... she really ''did'' love food, you know? Before... well, everything.

"But Mimi dances with me all the time," Yua protests, when her hopes of a ''pas de deux'' are squashed by ''social norms.'' "It's not that weird... it's just dancing!"

Well, sure, technically speaking.

"Then I hope she's able to meet her crow! Maybe she could put on a performance... 'I Want To Be Your Crow'! Mm, that would surely call it out!" Yua, those tickets are fake. "Then, she can tell it how she feels!"

Still... Akechi didn't have a crow, did he. "Mm..." Yua hums, frowning with concern. "I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for you, Akechi-kun. But... you survived, and so long as you're alive, you can find people who matter to you," she urges him, gently.

"Mimi's got friends from searching, and from her team and stuff... but that's what I mean!" She goes on, shaking her head. "Mimi knows how hard it is... so I bet Mimi could say much smarter stuff! My head's all full of cotton balls, so I'm not sure..."

She pauses, biting her lip. "Oh," she realises, as she actually stops to take ''inventory'' of herself. "Oh, I'm really feeling rather faint... I'm sorry, dear, but I think I had ought to summon my car and head back home." Her smile is a touch strained, as she dips her head in apology. "I should really be able to help you more, but my health's been a little poor... please excuse me, Akechi-kun."

If he wants to help her ''to'' the car, of course, she won't protest; he's a very responsible young man, after all.

And the Yua has become tired... just like she said in her text message.

</poem>

2026-09-21: A Map for the Atelier

Talnora — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:45:42 GMT

Immediate regrets.

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*'''Log: A Map for the Atelier'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Kazusa Motojima]], [[Isabeau Fontaine]]
*'''Where:''' Kazusa's Studio, Electric Town - Main
*'''OOC Date:''' September 21, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' Sunday, January 13, 2013
*'''Summary:''' ''Isabeau surprises Kazusa at her studio, bringing information about Shinichi's Atelier. But the conversation quickly turns contentious, and ends with Isabeau storming off.''

----

(|=========================== Electric Town - Main ===========================|)
-========================================================= Tokyo/Akihabara ====-
A sacred place for otaku, not just within Japan but worldwide. Here, it's so
mainstream to be a geek that it circles back to being cool again. That is,
unless you harass the staff of the businesses here whose job requires them to be
a part of this culture, or the cosplayers who work so hard at their costumes
that it's practically a second job for them.

Arcades and gaming shops alternate with manga stores full of merch that's so
pricy as to make any broke fan envious. Collectors line the streets for the
chance to trade for the rarest gachapon finds. Maid cafes and popups with menus
designed to profit off the latest hits in the weekly manga collabs and/or old
favorites from two decades ago cater equally to tourists and locals alike.

Anywhere on earth may be a heaven or hell depending on who you are, but that may
be truer than most places for Akihabara.

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Kazusa, for all her prior mean girl ways, often tends to prefer to keep a low profile. Doubly so these days, with the threat posed by Shinichi's Homunculus now made clear. She's done her best to keep things together at class, where she has to sit in the same classroom as the threat, but in her private moments she's been jumpy, nervous, and on-edge.

And she's been looking over her shoulder a lot in public, as well.

Still, if one were to go ''looking'' for her, those in the Persona User community might have an advantage. Especially those who helped deal with Kazusa's Homunculus. And ''especially'' especially anyone claiming to have excellent tracking skills.

There's several old concrete buildings a short distance away from Akiba that used to be warehouses but have been renovated into apartments. And in a certain one, on the top floor, in a corner unit... is a studio.

Kazusa took a circuitous route to get here today, and having gotten in and put her things down, she's trying to relax and get her mind into something productive, but... she's not made much progress yet.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
Knock, knock. "Motojima!" Beat. "Motojima-san," as if remembering. "I am me."

She probably meant 'it is me', which is just another reason, aside from a voice that couldn't be missed, that that's Isabeau Fontaine. She has ''not'' kept a low profile; rather, she has kept ''an eye on Shinichi,'' as school's started.

This hasn't always gone well for her. Don't worry about it.

She is, at least, knocking at the ''door,'' in her jeans and knit jumper. Perhaps she's not ''trying'' to freak her out.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Kazusa would be ''extra'' freaked out to see ISabeau at her window. Being on the fifth floor and all. Still, Kazusa jumps at the sudden sound, fumbling with her canned coffee before taking it firmly in hand. "Wha-!?"

She whirls around to face the door, and then there's a heavy sigh as she processes who it must be.

When Kazusa opens the door, she's not dressed as she normally is. Her hair is up in a messy bun affixed by two pencils, she's wearing a pair of blue light glasses, along with an oversized pink hoodie, purple sweatpants, and pink house slippers. "Fontaine-san," she says with a hissed voice. "Get in here before you let the whole district know where I am!"

She steps back. By the door is an unfinished concrete area, a genkan, and a tiny step up is finished concrete that makes up the rest of the studio loft. Along the left is a closet, bathroom, and a small kitchenette area, in front of it a round wooden table, and in the corner a folding table with some calligraphy and ikebana supplies. (Those are new, from the last time Isabeau was here.)

The loft takes the corner directly to the right--up above isn't a bed or a futon but cardboard boxes. Beneath it is Kazusa's desk, a mood board on the wall, and several bookshelves stacked filled with manga, DVDs, games, and reference books.

"What are you even doing here?" she demands. "And were you followed?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"Do not ''panic,''" Isabeau chastises her, harshly, as she steps inside. "And do not speak of me as if I am ''amateur.'' I will leave this moment if your will is to disrespect me so."

She folds her arms, as she leans against the wall. "I come to tell you of the hospital," she says, sternly. "Kanae... san and I, already have scouted its grounds. Of the ones which say they are harmless, those Shadows are girls and women, twisted to ill ends. Of the ones which say they do harm, they are orderlies and doctors, but first they are torturers. Force led us forward, but the sight of vivisection is like to affect you. Prepare yourself now to succeed."

No 'hello'?

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
"I'm not panicking!" snaps the mildly panicking KAzusa. "I'm being ''cautious''." She stares at Isabeau for a moment. Is ''that'' all it would take to get her to leave?

It's tempting... but Kazusa sighs and steps inside after locking the door. "Well you're here now you may as well come in. Do you want something to drink?"

Kazusa slips the classes off and pockets them, then crosses her arms. "... The... hospital? We already took the Thread there," she says with a frown. "Why would you be..."

"Harmless... Shadows. Right, the... the..." Kazusa snaps her fingers for a moment. "Sanguins. Wait--the Atelier is a hospital?"

"Doctors and..." Kazusa frowns. And then she recoils. "Wh-- wait are you ''serious''? What kind of messed up hospital has--" She turns away, to try and hide the unease on her face. "... W-well... thanks for the heads-up. I ''do'' can't be done with this Homunculus soon enough."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
Isabeau does not answer her desire for beverages. She's busy with ''operational dialogue.'' What a jerk!

"The ''Atelier'' hospital," Isabeau clarifies, tersely. "It is in ''Mikage-cho,'' or some memory of it... though the Atelier ''starts'' in the middle school. Ah, here," she slings off her backpack, and pulls out a thin folder, "I have sketched the layout of this for your reference. You are fortunate I attended this myself, before I came to Tokyo."

There, Isabeau has sketched out what she remembers of places in Mikage-cho -- like the middle school, and the mall -- as altered by the strange decay of the Atelier. There are still plenty of places marked 'as recalled'... where one may have to place large 'X's to indicate paths no longer traversible.

"The surrounds are all run down," she explains, "but it is the hospital where the worse horrors are. They carve pieces from those girls... and terminate the women who would work alongside them. Be cautious of the long, spindly doctors... these Shadows are more difficult to kill than the others. Though," she adds, "they all may be killed."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
That's fine. Kazusa can save her drinks for herself.

"I don't know the Atelier was a hospital," Kazusa says with an exasperated sigh. "But fine, whatever. Middle school--seriously?" She frowns as she hears the name Mikage-Cho. "Wasn't there that... that earthquake, right? Something about a chemical accident?"

She does lean in to look at the map. "... You're from the area? When did you move to Tokyo?" That question, at least, is a little less accusatory. "Hang on." Kazusa goes to pick up her phone from her desk (and locks the computer screen) before coming back to take a picture, for reference.

"Spindly doctors... must be the Melancs... Well, assuming the layout doesn't change... this... could be helpful." She's a little surprised to be saying that.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"It was a gas leak," Isabeau explains, curt. "I never will understand ''you people'' and your obsession with gas heating. How many will die before you will embrace modernity?"

(She's referring to the fact that Japanese homes have no central heating, which means that space heaters are a universal constant -- and kerosene is a popular power choice for them. ''Kazusa probably has one running right now.'')

"Bah... anyway, I moved to Tokyo only last year," she says, shaking her head, fingers drumming on her broad arms. "When I found my father, you see. Unfortunately, my reputation followed me... it is no matter. Let them think witchcraft if they will."

She shrugs a shoulder, as she adds: "Melanc, Sanguine, it matters not to me. A monster is a monster. Kanae-san still is blinded, though... take care with her. She is too attached to the ones which do not fight back."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
The apartment is an old concrete building. It is not the best insulated place, no. At 'you people' Kazusa rolls her eyes. "My space heater isn't going to cause any issues in a ''concrete building'', hello."

Last year. And her reputation followed her. "... right." Kazusa knows a thing or two about reputations... and how quickly they can sour.

Kazusa arches an eyebrow. "Oh, so you're flat out admitting you don't study your prey, then? Not exactly what I expected from a 'hunter'. You know they all have different roles in the Atelier or... whatever. Do you seriously just go through places like that and kill everything that crosses your path?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
Isabeau does not bother arguing with Kazusa over the perils of ''gas'' in a ''concrete building,'' save a withering look.

As for her reputation... it was never sweet to begin with.

"Do not insult me," she snaps, instead, despite the fact that ''she'' just insulted Kazusa's ''whole country.'' "I am ''aware'' of the delineations. I simply do not regard them with ''merit.'' A Shadow is a beast which was always meant to be ''subconscious'' -- unseen. Where they are viewed and spoken with, they are abominations, risen to harm the host with secrets never meant for human view."

She pauses, and unfolds a hand, gesturing to Kazusa: "I ask you: why does Nagisa-san's Atelier feature these misogynistic visions? An 'Atelier' is an expression of the human mind... it is from ''him'' these doctors and their vivisections came from, not the Homunculus who invaded him. No?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Kazusa's was never sweet, either. But it did offer a type of protection. A lot less so, now, though.

"Oh, my mistake. You know the differences and then just choose to ignore them. Sounds like reaaaal smart hunting there," Kazusa says with a scoff. "Yeah, and what do you think ''we're'' doing when we go into someone ''else's'' Atelier, huh? The whole place is like, tied to the person's subconscious, or... however it works. But you don't go burning the whole place down, do you?"

Beat. Kazusa narrows her eyes. "... You don't do that, right?"

"His mind or his Atelier or whatever makes all the Humor Shadows. But the Homunculus takes control of the... Melancs, so they can go attack other shadows. Given how the Homunculus operates, I'm inclined to blame ''him'', not Nagisa-san."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"Your childish sarcasm does not paint you as experienced as you believe," Isabeau scowls, with Kazusa under her skin more than she'd admit. "The subconscious we see when we attend these places -- Atelier, Palace, Foraine -- in all cases, we should not ''see'' them. It is not ''normal'' to walk in these places."

She goes on: "You must use force to put down what threatens to consume a person's soul, or the poison will slowly consume them. I regret that I have not yet been able to locate the person who that wretched pig came from, let alone that peacock... I am sure they wither and die as those things enforce existence on creation."

Isabeau gestures, again. "Melanc, Melanc, Melanc. Let us put the orderlies and doctors aside! The girls -- the girls, made for the surgery table, designed to suffer. The nurses, twisted into base feminine subjugation, bent and bowing to her betters. You will explain this in your philosophy."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Kazusa is trying to be a better person. But she's not perfect yet. And Isabeau, well... "You're right. What do I know? I'm honestly amazed you didn't just run into the Atelier by yourself." Little does she know.

"You know not everything in the Atelier is harming the person, right? They're just--part of how the place works." Beat. "I think, anyway. Roger-san explained it all but I still doesn't at my best back then." Maybe she should ask for a refresher.

... Maybe she should stop avoiding him.

"What would you even do if you found out who they came from? You can't get back in if there's no Homunculus."

The nurses. "I don't-- how am ''I'' supposed to know! I haven't seen them yet. Maybe the other Humors are just--forcing them to obey, or something, I don't know. It's not like I've been in any Ateliers yet besides my own."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"I would, as I have," Isabeau answers, plainly. "I conquered yours alone... but I did not like to see Kanae-san approach ''this'' on her own."

Translation: Kanae insisted on coming with her this time.

"The harm is done in the viewing ''itself,''" Isabeau says, again, her patience wearing thin. "As you say, with no invader, there is no entry. ''There should be no entry to that place.''"

But Kazusa sounds frustrated, and Isabeau scowls. "You are ''supposed to know'' by ''listening to those with more experience,''" she bristles, "as I have tried to do, to come here and prepare you. If all you wish to do is to tell me how little I know, there is no more for me to do in this place. I wish you luck as you go forward in your optimism, gently urging him to death in your hunger to befriend the parts of him no woman was meant to touch."

With this, Isabeau turns, to stalk towards the door.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Another arched eyebrow. "You did. Why does that not surprise me. At least Kanae-chan has some sense."

"I'll probably be happy to never set foot in that place as soon as we get that Homunculus out of there." Does that mean they actually agree on that point?

"''Your'' version of experience is to just, indiscriminately attack everything in sight just because you think it's a threat, whether it is or not. Do you really want me to go through a creepy hospital and waste all my energy on everything that crosses my path?"

'The parts of him no woman was meant to touch.' "''Ew''. Why did you have to-- t-to phrase it like ''that''!"

Kazusa presses her palm to her forehead to forestall another headache and then calls out, "WAit, wait. Dammit. Look-- ''Thank you'' for bringing the information, okay? You don't-- you don't have to go."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
<poem>
"Hmph," Isabeau scowls, when Kazusa insults her capacity yet again. How many countless times, in this very conversation...

"As you should not. ... yes, it is better to meet these things with force, to press them back into the shadows from they come."

She stumbles over the viewing, insists Isabeau does not have to go, and Isabeau looks over her shoulder, her expression harsh.

"I do, in fact. You have made it abundantly clear you wish to speak to anyone else. Someone 'with some sense', was it? I am do 'reaaaal smart hunting,'" she mockingly echoes Kazusa's own sarcasm, "and I do not understand that your building with concrete would not have problems with ''gas leaks,'' hello! What was it you said, I flat out admit I do not study my prey? Or that I was surely ''followed,'' and would alert the Homunculus to your foxhole?"

The door opens, as she issues, sharply: "Good ''DAY,'' Motojima."

Slam!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Kazusa just stares as Isabeau leaves. There's not even really anything she can say. She did just say all of that stuff--some of it, she hadn't ''meant'' as an insult, it had just been a panicked reaction.

... but some of it she had.

"I--"

Slam!

She slumps against the counter of the kitchenette, then her whole body sags. Her arms come up to hug herself, before she stares at the ground with a complicated mixture of emotions. "... Ugh. Why did I ''do'' that?" She really didn't want to be alone right now.

So much for trying to be a better person.
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-22: For Both Our Sakes

MrGuy — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:03:34 GMT

Created page with "*'''Cutscene: For Both Our Sakes''' *'''Cast:''' Hyousuke Suzuki *'''Where:''' Kasugayama Boys' Dorms *'''OOC Date:''' 2026-09-22 *'''IC Date:''' Tue Sep 22 *'''Summary''': ''Hyousuke can brook no more delays. If he is to find a place for himself and Pudding to live, there's only one person he can turn to for help.'' ---- <poem>The phone was a simple chunk of plastic. No more than a few grams, and small enough to sit comfortably in the palm of Hyousuke's hand, the..."

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*'''Cutscene: For Both Our Sakes'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Hyousuke Suzuki]]
*'''Where:''' Kasugayama Boys' Dorms
*'''OOC Date:''' 2026-09-22
*'''IC Date:''' Tue Sep 22
*'''Summary''': ''Hyousuke can brook no more delays. If he is to find a place for himself and Pudding to live, there's only one person he can turn to for help.''

----

<poem>The phone was a simple chunk of plastic. No more than a few grams, and small enough to sit comfortably in the palm of Hyousuke's hand, the device was nothing remarkable. There were not even any decorations to speak of, unless one were to count the various scratches scattered across the outer shell. Yet, when Hyousuke held it before him, the thing felt as though it weighed enough to collapse his hand. Even taking it out of his pocket felt like a Herculean task, and that was to say nothing of using the thing.

It felt like a lead weight when he dragged his hand out with it clutched between his fingers. His muscles strained, and his mind raced, telling him to set the thing down and forget the call ever had to be made. There was a moment's deliberation, and he let it slide back into its confines, a slight rustle accompanying his disappointed sigh. He'd lost count of how many times the ritual had been carried out that day alone, never mind how many times he'd repeated it ever since he'd resolved to call his brother.

It would have been easy to forgo making the call. He could just ignore the man's presence, as his brother had every year he'd been forced to live with his parents. He could have just decided to forge his own path, with his own strength, and his own ambition, not relying on the help of others. He could simply put the phone away, and avoid the awkwardness of breaking the months-long silence between them with a request for help rather than reconciliation. But something kept making him pick up that phone and, against his better judgement, try and try again.

Pudding was, of course, oblivious to the effect it had on Hyousuke. He was a dog, after all. He was oblivious to a lot of things - the emotional ramifications of his presence and the effect it had on the Suzuki family's interpersonal dynamics was just the tip of the iceberg. But that did not stop him from affecting such things anyway. He wandered blithely over, padding along the dorm room's floor with his tail wagging slowly from side to side, a toy clutched between his teeth until he came to a stop at Hyousuke's feet.

He dropped the toy at Hyousuke's feet and looked up. Eyes wide and tongue lolling out, Pudding panted expectantly at his new master, gold fur gleaming in the weak sunlight filtering in through the window. Hyousuke's smile matched those pale rays when he sank to one knee in front of his pet, and it remained when he reached out to lightly brush his palm across Pudding's head.
"I know boy, I'm trying. It's just... It's hard, you know?" He said. Pudding didn't know, but he could infer that his master was not feeling well, and sought to remedy that with a series of vigorous licks and the rubbing of his head into Hyousuke's palm.

"Hey, easy now, we still haven't gone out yet. You don't want to get tired before we even get to the park, do you?"
Hyousuke laughed as he finished speaking, and ruffled Pudding's fur once more. The little dog barked once in excitement, recognising the sounds coming from Hyousuke's mouth as ones that precluded a walk, but not hearing the word outright left its excitement capped somewhat. Nevertheless, his master wanted to do something that he enjoyed very much, and he made no attempt to hide how he felt, nudging into Hyousuke’s hand and leg and panting in anticipation.

Hyousuke looked down at Pudding. Briefly, he wondered what it would be like to live in such blissful innocence. To be oblivious to the troubles of the world, and to how he was abandoned and left for dead... It was a kind of innocence, he supposed. Something worth preserving, at least in this one, singular, creature. Besides, he'd made a promise. He would take care of Pudding, come what may. No matter how much time, money, or effort he needed to expend, that dog deserved to have the kind of life that he himself had been denied.

The phone still felt heavy as he slowly tapped the numbers in. The shaking as it rang almost made him drop the thing. But he had to - if not for his sake, then for his new friend's.
</poem>

[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

Arcana System

Bel — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:07:39 GMT

Reactions: Counter Update Again

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 21 September 2026
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
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	*'''+Avoid''' - Attempts to defend via speed and evasion. Affected by Agility. Can also be performed with '''+evade'''.		*'''+Avoid''' - Attempts to defend via speed and evasion. Affected by Agility. Can also be performed with '''+evade'''.
	*'''+Block''' - Attempts to defend via toughness or parrying. Affected by Vitality. Can also be performed with '''+guard'''.		*'''+Block''' - Attempts to defend via toughness or parrying. Affected by Vitality. Can also be performed with '''+guard'''.
	*'''+Counter''' - Uses attack to try to defend; can reduce damage significantly, ~~with~~ a ~~chance of returning some damage as~~ backlash. Affected by Strength or Magic, as well as by Agility, Vitality, and Luck. Can also be performed with '''+repel'''. Costs 8 SP per hit countered.		*'''+Counter''' - Uses attack to try to defend. While it can reduce damage significantly, it won't always; if any damage is left over from what is reduced, it is added to a guaranteed backlash. Affected by Strength or Magic, as well as by Agility, Vitality, and Luck. Can also be performed with '''+repel'''. Costs 8 SP per hit countered.
	*'''+Take''' - A final reaction which reflects 'no contest' to the attack. This is typically used for heals and buffs. If you wish to fail a roll deliberately, use the /fail switch on one of the other reactions, rather than +take. '''+accept''' is another alias for +take.		*'''+Take''' - A final reaction which reflects 'no contest' to the attack. This is typically used for heals and buffs. If you wish to fail a roll deliberately, use the /fail switch on one of the other reactions, rather than +take. '''+accept''' is another alias for +take.

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	*'''Spd_Up''': Avoid and Counter reactions reduce damage more. 20 BP, 8 SP.		*'''Spd_Up''': Avoid and Counter reactions reduce damage more. 20 BP, 8 SP.
	*'''<Element>_Wall''': Affinity changes as follows: Weakness becomes Neutral, Neutral becomes Resist. Resist is unchanged. Can apply to Recovery attacks as a debuff. Almighty Wall is not allowed. 30 BP, 12 SP, 0.015% hp (For Recovery Wall).		*'''<Element>_Wall''': Affinity changes as follows: Weakness becomes Neutral, Neutral becomes Resist. Resist is unchanged. Can apply to Recovery attacks as a debuff. Almighty Wall is not allowed. 30 BP, 12 SP, 0.015% hp (For Recovery Wall).
	*'''Reflect_Magi''': Boosts the Counter reaction against Magical attacks significantly in damage reduction and backlash Benefit exists to a smaller extent on Avoid/Block against Magical. 40 BP, 16 SP.		*'''Reflect_Magi''': Boosts the Counter reaction against Magical attacks significantly in damage reduction and backlash, guaranteeing at least some backlash. Benefit exists to a smaller extent on Avoid/Block against Magical. 40 BP, 16 SP.
	*'''Reflect_Phys''': Boosts the Counter reaction against Physical attacks significantly in damage reduction and backlash. Benefit exists to a smaller extent on Avoid/Block against Physical. 40 BP, 16 SP.		*'''Reflect_Phys''': Boosts the Counter reaction against Physical attacks significantly in damage reduction and backlash, guaranteeing at least some backlash. Benefit exists to a smaller extent on Avoid/Block against Physical. 40 BP, 16 SP.
	**''These two flags are mutually exclusive and cannot be set on the same attack. Adding one will remove the other.''		**''These two flags are mutually exclusive and cannot be set on the same attack. Adding one will remove the other.''
	*'''All_Up''': Places Atk_Up, Crt_Up, Def_Up, and Spd_Up on the target. 70 BP, 32 SP.		*'''All_Up''': Places Atk_Up, Crt_Up, Def_Up, and Spd_Up on the target. 70 BP, 32 SP.

2026-09-20: The Ramen Boy and the Night Princess

Talnora — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:19:11 GMT

You get three guesses and the first two don't count.

New page

*'''Log: The Ramen Boy and the Night Princess'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Kazusa Motojima]], [[Ryuji Sakamoto]]
*'''Where:''' Electric Town - Main
*'''OOC Date:''' September 20, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' Saturday, January 12, 2013
*'''Summary:''' ''Ryuji's food vlogs need... a little bit of help, to put it kindly. Kazusa offered Ryuji the phone number of a video editor, and now Ryuki has arranged to meet the mysterious 'NightPrincess' in person. Who could this mystery editor be?''

----

(|=========================== Electric Town - Main ===========================|)
-========================================================= Tokyo/Akihabara ====-
A sacred place for otaku, not just within Japan but worldwide. Here, it's so
mainstream to be a geek that it circles back to being cool again. That is,
unless you harass the staff of the businesses here whose job requires them to be
a part of this culture, or the cosplayers who work so hard at their costumes
that it's practically a second job for them.

Arcades and gaming shops alternate with manga stores full of merch that's so
pricy as to make any broke fan envious. Collectors line the streets for the
chance to trade for the rarest gachapon finds. Maid cafes and popups with menus
designed to profit off the latest hits in the weekly manga collabs and/or old
favorites from two decades ago cater equally to tourists and locals alike.

Anywhere on earth may be a heaven or hell depending on who you are, but that may
be truer than most places for Akihabara.

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Some time ago, Kazusa happened upon Ryuji in Akiba and tried to apologize for how she reacted to him over summer break.

'Tried', since, her apology was immediately derailed by Ryuji responding that he was already seeing someone, causing Kazusa to snap and make the apology while flustered.

... It's probably fine.

She'd also let on that she knew about his food review videos, and casually commented that he could use an editor, and had even offered the phone number of someone she knew that was up to the task.

The fact that it was ''her'' phone number can just be a fun little surprise that comes out later.

But ''now'' they've finally made arrangements to meet, appropriately enough, at a ramen shop in Akiba. And Kazusa... is here in ''disguise''. Partly so she doesn't scare off Ryuji immediately, and partly because she has a serial killer out to get her and would rather obfuscate her trail as much as possible.

But the person Ryuji only knows as 'NightPrincess' ''did'' tell Ryuji how to identify her, though, and in a corner table in the back there she is: a girl about his age in a black beret, with dark green hair ( a wig), and glasses, wearing a long, dark green coat, a wrm cream-colored sweater over a longer dark brown dress, black tights, and ankle boots.

She's glancing anxiously out the window as she waits. There's a laptop bag on the seat next to her.

The shop itself is nice, though seems a bit quiet for this time of day--which might be why Kazusa picked it.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>Ryuji is eager to meet his new editor. In truth, video production had slowed somewhat due to a combination of things. Work was a big one. He had been slacking even in some of his stuff with the other side. So an editor was going to help a lot.

Ryuji arrives to the Ramen place; he had insisted on this shop due to it being within walking distance from the model shop. He was dressed in a white shirt and some baggy pants--basically what he wore under the apron at work. It also worked for when he had to change at the cafe.

Along with his messenger bag and water bottle, he scans the area for "Night Princess". He spots the green haired girl in the corner and smiles to himself. He had almost expected it was going to be Kazusa knowing his luck. But that's insane. Why would his life be that crazy?

That said he needed the help so it was time to meet this mystery editor.

Ryuji sits down, squinting at her face. Huh. She looked familiar but he didn't know anyone with green hair. "Hey! I'm Ryuji aka Ramenboy83. Thanks for meeting me here. I had to come straight from work. So you wait here long?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Kazusa, meanwhile, does not have a job to worry about--though she has plenty ''else'' to worry about, as it happens. But she does have a lot of computer experience and experience with artistic tools (even if video editing in particular is something she's still learning.)

Surely, if it was going to be Kazusa that Ryuji was meeting, Kazusa would have just ''said'' so, right? Right??

''Is'' she familiar? If one were to look past the glasse sthey might take note of the mystery girl's purple eyes...

'NightPrincess' sits up as she spots Ryuji, trying to keep a calm demeanor. "Hello," she says carefully. "It's nice to meet you. I'm NightPrincess." No first name given. That's probably fine. She shakes her head. "No, I haven't been waiting too long."

She puts a hand on her laptop bag. "... do you want to start with business or with lunch?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>Exactly. Ryuji was safe from the mean girl. For now.

He notes the glasses, thinking about the people who he knows with glasses. Only Futaba came to mind and this one wasn't...Futaba. Also she didn't have green hair.

Noting she wants to remain anonymous, Ryuji nods and thinks for a second. "I'll call you NP. Probably better than saying the whole thing all the time. Might be embarrassing. You can call me Ryuji since we're gonna be working together." He grins to himself nodding. "Oh, lets do lunch first! It will help us get to know each other and plus I'm starving, man!"

He looks at the menu and strokes his chin. "Man this place has added some new stuff. Hopefully they didn't change the menu too much. They had a good flavor last time I was here."

He looks over the menu. "So you know Kazusa, eh? She's....interesting."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Neither NightPrincess nor Kazusa has ever met this Futaba. That Kazusa knows of, at least.

Though if Ryuji knows his glasses... maybe he can spot that these aren't prescription. Just ordinary blue light glasses one might wear to protect themself roma computer monitor.

"NP..." NightPrinces considers that for a moment and then nods. "If you want." But then Ryuji freely offers the use of his first name and NP can't help but smirk a little. "You'd go that familiar that quickly, huh...? I'll call you RB."

She looks at a menu herself. "... given the subject of your videos, I thought it would be appropriate." She does pause as Ryuji mentions Kazusa. "... you could say that. What do you know about her?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>Ryuji doesn't know a thing about prescription glasses...even if he rocks a pair of costume glasses in some videos. They made him look and feel smarter so that about about what he knew of glasses.

He laughs when she mentions going that familiar, shrugging his shoulders. "Eh, I guess you're doing me a solid so I'm feeling pretty open about this. Like you're gonna see a lot of me so I figure why not? RB is fine too. Whatever is comfortable for ya...Just so we're clear it's got nothing to do with you being a girl. I get kinda weird due to one of my jobs and not wanting to give my girlfriend the wrong idea." He scratches the side of his nose as he looks down at the menu. He orders a bowl of the Ramen with Pork Belly, getting some extra pork belly on the side.

"It is very appropriate! I really just started it since I love coming to these places so I got a lot of experience with different types of Ramen." Ryuji leans against the table, nodding like he's reinventing sliced bread.

"Kazusa is kinda the mean girl in my class who I have a habit of running into. Honestly, it's kinda weird I keep running into her. That said she's alright. I think she means well or is starting to...Still I got a bad rep around school so she could make that more of a pain. Like I could care less about all that popularity stuff but it gets too loud and I start hearing from people who want to take down the delinquent."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
NightPrincess definitely doesn't know anythinga bout costumes. Nosiree. But it's fine. The truth will come out at some point.

"We haven't agreed to work together," NP points out. "... this is to see if we'd be a good fit." There's a flash of irritation as Ryuji brings up the girlfriend, ''again'', and NightPrincess has to visibly take a deep breath to try and calm herself. "... don't worry. This is strictly a business arrangement."

"... but what job is that?" NightPrincess asks, feigning ignorance.

Sliced bread is perfetly fine how it is, but NightPrincess laughs softly. "They say to write what you know, right? Or I suppose it's vlog what you know, in this case."

NightPrincess orders the curry ramen for herself, but doesn't get anything extra on the side.

Well, she can't exactly argue with that characterization of Kazusa. "Mmm. Must be hard escaping from a reputation like that." She doesn't specify whether she means Ryuji's or Kazusa's. "... so, what are your goals for your channel?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>"Cool. Cool. Just wanted that to be clear since I was getting chummy." Ryuji smiles and nods. "Don't worry I can be a pretty persuasive guy when I want to be. You're gonna love the Let's Eat series."

The next question stops Ryuji dead. He sighs and laughs nervously. "Eh. It's kinda embarassing but I guess you can call it a service job in Akiba. I'm sure you can figure it out based on that." He laughs nervously, thanking whatever higher power that this girl didn't look like anyone he knew at school.

"Exactly! I know Ramen and food in general. Like only thing I know more about is fitness and that has it's own complications." He laughs awkwardly.

"Yeah. It is." Ryuji nods, deciding she means him cuz it was pretty hard being the school bad boy at times. Kazusa just had to hide being into fighting games or whatever, right? He taps his fingers on the table, thinking for a moment as the monkey in his brain considers the next question. "Goals? I guess to hit something like 1,000 subscribers or something. Is that high enough?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Don't worry, Ryuji. NightPrincess is ''definitely'' not interested in you that way, even if she can't fully explain it to herself yet.

But as for persuasive. "... I'm sure you can be," she says, neutrally. "But I ''am'' familiar with your current videos," she notes.

"Oh, I see... well, if it's embarrassing you don't have to talk about it," NightPrincess offers, even though she totally knows what it is.

Fitness... "Oh, does it?" She, of course, knows all the gossip about w3hat happenesd. How could she fail to know the gossip about what happened. She'd spread some of it.

As it happens, she has her own complicated feelings about fitness.

"...Still, food is something a lot of people like..."

'Or whatever', yes. There was also that rumor about about her being caught out in cosplay over the summer, too... and not to mention all the ''new'' rumors that have come up around Shinichi's Homunculus.

Is that too high? NightPrincess shrugs a little. "Probably not. If you'd said something like a million, ''that'' would probably be too much... but 1000 could be doable. What are your current challenges with video production, at the moment?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>"Thanks. Yeah. Its definitely not the kind of thing I want being common knowledge." Ryuji nods, completely oblivious about a number of things here.

"Yeah...I got injured due to a...fight and now I can't run at my peak levels. I used to be pretty good." He actually feels a little sad that that part of his life might be over. For now, he mentally shoves those feelings away.

"Exactly! Plus you can get a lot of unique stuff at smaller shops like this. Some people might not know about it. Like there's the place in Sumaru with the Banana Ramen. That might be a common story now but its something that at one point was pretty unique."

Ryuji has mostly strong armed himself through the Shinichi Homunculus stuff...still feeling weird around those things during school hours. It was like sitting in the cage with a tiger or something. Still, he is going to have to deal with that sooner or later.

"Heh. I'd love to get to a million someday if possible...But I'd say the biggest challenge is the editing. I tend to work too quick so I make mistakes that make my work come off sloppy? Kinda might also need someone to help me organize it more. Maybe access to some music and effects. I love the star wipe but I've been told there are other wipes too."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Kazusa saw Ryuji at his 'embarrassing' job. She has her own 'embarrassing' hobbies. She can at least show enough grace not to needle him further.

She was even supportive then, too! In her own way. She's trying.

But she's at a loss for words when she hears Ryuji talk about the fight. It takes her a moment to muster a "... I'm sorry to hear that."

"Tokyo and Sumaru are very dense cities. There can be lots of smaller shops that are only known to locals..." NightPrincess observes, feeling more on solid ground. "... I've heard about that. Is it any good? It doens't seem like it should work..."

Kazusa is trying to tough it out but it's been taking a toll on her. She hasn't stopped taking the occassional glance out the window, for instance.

Oh thank goodness. He's heard about other wipes already. "Let's start with 1000, for now." She nods. "I've noticed that. ... No offense." A small nod. "We can examine your workflow... and there are options for royalty-free or low-cost music, too." A small smile, at the end. "... there are, but... if you use them sparingly, the star wipe could be... part of a signature style? Like..."

NightPrincess reaches into her bag to pull out a sketchbook and does a very rough sketch. Several different squares in a row, with arrows facing left to right. In the first one is the words 'Let's Eat' and the last one 'Credits' with a bunch of squiggly lines underneath. "Maybe... a star wipe into the video--" There's a star drawn over the arrow from the title screen into the start of the video, followed by another one over the arrow between the last two. ".. and one out into the credits? Like you're wiping into and out of the video?"

She turns the sketchbook around so Ryuji can see.

"... what's your current process like? What kind of camera and software are you using?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>"Exactly! Plus with the bigger shops popping up, it can be hard to find the really good stuff." Ryuji nods before offering. "It's pretty damn good. Like a little weird when you first try it but it grows on you."

"Cool. 1000, it is...Heh. I guess I go a little heavy on it but it does look pretty cool." It really doesn't but Ryuji is not an editor. He was just piling things on because he thought that is what you did. "Examine my work flow...Uhh I pretty much just go off the top of my head and film my experience. Do I need to do more than that?" He tilts his head in confusion.

The confusion grows when he is asked about his equipment, pulling out his phone. "I uh record off of my phone? I got a pretty good program with my computer so thats what I'm using mostly. Like I realize it's a very bare bones set up but it's worked so far." He stops as he feels like he's digging a hole that might cost him this deal. He holds up a hand. "But! I can probably afford to get some new equipment with this job!"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
"Mmm... Bigger shops... that's true. Highlighting smaller shops could be a good niche, if you need one..." That might be the corporate family in Kazusa peeking through a little. It's fine. "I'll remember that," she says of the Banana Ramen.

Pretty cool. "Mmm, maybe..." It doesn't, but Kazusa is trying really hard not to just... well, be her normal self.

She pauses when Ryuji says he goes off the top of his head. "I-- Well, that's... still a process, I suppose," she allows. "... we may need... ''some'' kind of process if we're going to work together. I can't exactly take your phone every time you need to make a new video..."

Oh no. This might be more work than she initially thought. But on the other hand, she can't exactly say she's ''surprised''.

A program with his computer. That about lines up with what she expected. "... it's fine. That's something we can work out. I won't ask you to spend more money on equipment, but if you think you can afford it I won't exactly argue..." she tries to say this with a good-natured laugh, but it's a little strained.

She's starting to realize just what she's getting into, but she's determined to preservere.

"... did you bring the files for one of your old videos like I asked you to?" NightPrincess starts to pull a laptop from her bag, opening it up. It's pretty high-end, actually. "... it'll help me get a better idea of what I'll be working with."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>"Yeah. That does work." Ryuji says of his 'niche'. Plus the smaller shops tended to let him film because they were often too old to know any better.

"Yeah. I can develop some kind of process. How hard could that be?" He says, not completely understanding what he's getting into. It could be done if he used the internet to figure out some film theory or processes.

He notes the laugh, scratching the back of his head as he laughs sheepishly. "Yeah...I'll look into what works. I mean I can get a good set up since I'm pretty serious about making this into something. Let me know if you have any suggestions." He asks, not knowing that NightPrincess is loaded so probably has a very different view on equipment prices than he does.

Ryuji reaches into his bag and produces a thumb drive with both raw footage and some edited clips on it. "I guess you can see the footage from recorded and after I take out the bits I like. I'm just bad a clipping stuff as you can see."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
That would certainly be a plus, though Kazusa hadn't been thinking of it from that angle.

"Don't... worry about it. We'll figure something out. I don't exactly have a process yet either." She might understand the basics of video editing, but this isn't exactly a regular activity for her, either... not that she'll admit it outright.

''Someone'' has to look like they know what they're doing, after all.

If she has any suggestion. She has a ''lot'' of suggestions. "Let's circle back to that later," she says instead. "I'll do some research, first, before I recommend anything."

She takes the thumb drive and plugs it in, then loads up Debut. She opens the file explorer and starts sifting through the clips as she loads them up. "Mmm... hmmm mm-hmm. Don't worry about it. This program lets me select things very precisely."

She's practiced a little bit, but it's still unfamiliar and a little slow going at the moment. Under her breath she's muttering, "So this should... and I think... and if I adjust... adjust the gain... deltet this... run a filter..."

She fishes out a pair of headphones to listen to something, then turns the laptop towards Ryuji and offers him the headphones. "Okay, this is a really quick job, but... would you like to take a look?"

By basic she means basic. There's no fancy effects yet, and the b-roll doesn't have any sound. But she's actually managed to erase the b-roll's background noise, and she's cut the other clips cleanly to avoid any embarrassing mishaps with mirrors and dancing.

"All you have to do is hit space."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>Ryuji nods when she says she'll research some options. It was stuff like that that made him trust her input, cupping his chin in thought.

He watches the process eagerly, finding it to be much quicker than HE works. So while Kazusa was struggling, Ryuji was watching her work with amazement. Just a difference in perspective.

He takes the headphones and holds one of the speakers up to his ear, without putting them completely on. He presses space and is completely silent as he watches the footage. "Ooo. This is incredible! It almost looks like a pro did it! It's so much cleaner than I can make it too." He holds out the headphones to her, grinning. "So do I gotta beg you to continue to work on this. Cuz I might need to at this point."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
Hold onto that thought about trust, Ryuji. You might need to rethink that assessment in a moment.

If this were a drawing Kazusa would be truly in her element. but working with an audience, with slightly unfamiliar software, was a lot more nerve-wracking than she wanted to let on.

And there is a quiet, pensive tension as she turns the laptop and headphones over. "Well, it ''is'' Professional software... it has the right tools for this kind of work."

She takes the headphones and the laptop back, shaking her head. "You don't have to beg, but... there's something you should know." And she looks a little pensive again as she pulls the beret off, along with the glasses. The wig stays on, but maybe without the other things breaking up her face, ''who'' she is might start to become a little clearer. (The wig took a fair bit of effort, she's not removing it on a whim.)

Kazusa clears her throat, and lets her voice take on its usual sharper edge, though it's a bit more subdued still. "... we've met before. And before you agree to work with me, well..."

She's trying to remain cool and aloof, but there's a quiet tension in her posture. She's about to say it, but she's giving Ryuji enough time to maybe figure it out.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>Ryuji nods, looking at the computer again. "I mean yeah but like---you use those professional tools so well. I bet if I tried it would look pretty shitty." He offers as he watches her.

"Hmm?" He watches as she takes things off. It doesn't become clear right away but he does get it in a moment. The blonde eyes widen as he looks at Kazusa in horror. "Oh come on! This has to be a joke at this point!"

After a moment, he scratches his head and looks up at her again. He wants to say a lot but he can't find the words before just sighing. "Alright. Shock is over. I really need the help to make this something so...could you please help me, Motojima? NP? Whatever you want me to call you for this...In exchange, I can uhhhh....well what would you want? " He is kinda hoping she doesn't ask him to deal with that Shinichi guy. Like as creepy as a Homunculus is, he sorta did feel bad for the guy so beating him up was kinda out of the question. Plus it wasn't like she knew about his identity as Skull. Heh, with all these secret identities, Ryuji was pretty good at keeping secrets in his opinion. He didn't understand why the Phantoms gave him so much shit.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
"... I had to learn how to use it, like anybody else." Okay so she's familiar with the suite of programs already, it's fine.

Kazusa sighs. "It's... not a joke. Annnd I'm sorry for the disguise. I wasn't trying to ''fool'' you, exactly, just... show you that I meant business." By deciving him. That tracks.

"... how do you think I happened to have an editor's phone number ready so fast?"

"You can call me Motojima or NP," Kazusa says with a small shrug. "I'll help. That's kind of the point of all of this, after all." She's ''not'' going to ask Ryuji to help fight the Homunculus. She tried to ''keep'' him from helping during that confrontation in the hallway, after all, to keep him from getting hurt by the supernatural.

Another shrug. "Honestly? I don't really want anything much. I just have some very simple terms. First, you don't tell anybody about this. You breathe a word of this at school and I'll deny it. Second, I want to be credited in the videos as NightPrincess. Maybe with a website link if I set one up. And third, I don't get on camera. I'll edit, I'll help with planning and maybe even filming, but I'm strictly behind the camera and behind the scenes."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
<poem>Ryuji grumbles as she explains herself. He feels kinda dumb for not catching that Nightprincess was her. Then again, he has had his mind on other things so maybe it was understandable he missed this. Yeah. That is how he is recovering from this.

He listens to her agreement and conditions, nodding. "Fine. It's not like I want the trouble either so you got a deal. I'll work on getting better at capturing everything and you work your magic. Easy enough."

"That said, just come to me next time? I'm gonna start wondering if you're gonna crawl out from under my bed or somethin'." He smiles some but sees that posture and look, prompting him to smile less.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
<poem>
It's not like Kazusa went all-out either, but... she was kind of concerned Ryuki would just turn right around if he spotted her sitting in the booth.

"Deal. I'll keep this under wraps, too." She nods. "We can work on the filming side of things together. I meant what I said about researching new camera options--but only if you really want to."

"Hmph." Kazusa squares her shoulders as she sits upright. "Just because we're working together on your videos doesn't mean I need to go crawling around under your bed, Sakamoto-san. Don't be absurd." Oh, ''that'' sounds more like her. But after a moment she nods. "... but I'll remember that. No more disguises."
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

Arcana System

Bel — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:07:14 GMT

Reactions: Counter updates

2026-08-20: A Torch Borne For The Lost

Strangehat — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 07:30:37 GMT

Created page with "*'''Cutscene: The Torch Borne For the Lost''' *'''Cast:''' Shiryuu Ryouhara, Kouhei Ryouhara *'''Where:''' The Inscrutable Region, Mizunagi *'''OOC Date:''' 2026-08-20 *'''IC Date:''' Sometime between Dec 30th and the new year.. *'''Summary''': After forever, the shihaisha of Ryouhara takes a young man through the winding, twisting labyrinths of the disappeared ship, Mizunagi, to gather one of their fallen own who was left behind. But it was not just one that died o..."

New page

*'''Cutscene: The Torch Borne For the Lost'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Shiryuu Ryouhara]], Kouhei Ryouhara
*'''Where:''' The Inscrutable Region, Mizunagi
*'''OOC Date:''' 2026-08-20
*'''IC Date:''' Sometime between Dec 30th and the new year..
*'''Summary''': After forever, the shihaisha of Ryouhara takes a young man through the winding, twisting labyrinths of the disappeared ship, Mizunagi, to gather one of their fallen own who was left behind. But it was not just one that died on the shihaisha's watch, something he is going to be reminded of by the one with the right to hold the biggest grudge of all.''
----

<poem>

"...Don't throw away your father's legacy so needlessly."

The shihaisha watched the twisting, worming path ahead, trapping him between the past and the unknown, tumultuous future. His half-lidded gaze was impassive, his hands folded underneath the drape of his haori.

He spoke without looking back, without looking back at the boy behind him. It may have been foolishness to believe that Shiryuu was unaware of his heart. As much as the Akita pureblood seemed completely disconnected from the realities of his crimes, the rare moment of insight seemed almost absurd. But Shirogarasu had the devil's luck, and the devil's eye beside.

It was hard for Kouhei not to bridle against the warning, hard for him not to lift his sword right then and there. It was an abominable crawl across the upper deck. Before them was a still, felled form, wearing a black gi. Evidence of another crime -- the price paid for the shihaisha's mad, treasonous obsession with breaking away from their lords.

The air was still damp from the flooded holds below, where the moisture seeped upward through the deck by its endless mechanical reconfiguration. Even as he watched, deckboards and railing shifted restlessly as part of some abhorrent mechanism, driven by some cruel god's spring. The younger Ryouhara felt the same way, having fought through no end of mechanical horrors to escort the comparably defenseless shihaisha to the summit of the ship.
The shihaisha had left his ninkou Bankasoujin on the ship when ecaping with Kurou and the girl, leaving him only one of the clan's simple blades at his side. Without the ability to channel the full extent of his supralunar power, the field had been leveled between them.

He was waiting, Kouhei told himself. For the right moment. The right opportunity. The machines and psychosis spaces on the ship made it hard to get a clean shot at his father's killer, and Kouhei had no intention of dying for Shiryuu by getting distracted, not like Zakuro had. But soon, the older Ryouhara would be within reach of his full power again. The window was closing.

Time did not seem to pass in the same way on the ship as it did everywhere else. Or perhaps it was simply that physics worked differently here. Zakuro laid in place right where he fell, with the light from above shining off of the bright splotch of red still on the deck. There wasn't an ounce of decay, as if time had just forgotten to pass. It's not where he originally fell according to their cartography, but the body had been shifted to the skyward-oriented bow of the ship through unknown means. It was as if the ship itself were jealously holding hostage the memory of the man in black had shooting down their clan brother like a dog.

It could have been Shuuhei, Kouhei reminded himself, while watching the way the shihaisha knelt by the ashen-grey figure that used to be their family. Silken strands of hair had snaked through seams in the deck beneath Zakuro, emerging from the pool of blood to wind crimson-dipped locks at crossed angles about the body. The sleek, glassy tresses were as smooth and shining as any woman's, in a mindlessly abominable fashion. In a haphazard way, the taut bindings cinching Zakuro to the deck could barely resemble a botched kanji: enclosed on three sides, with a bright black saltire in the middle crossing his shoulders and chest. An evil symbol of misfortune, it felt like the boat was trying to pass judgment. The shihaisha examined the way the hair slithered around his fingertips, before he cut the questing strands short with the kodachi he carried.

'Don't throw away your father's legacy so needlessly,' he'd said.

It lent the words that followed the taste of poison, to Kouhei.

The shihaisha straightened, appearing cold and serene as if he'd never said anything at all. Those words of warning hung in the air, his back still facing Kouhei. The short sword clicked back into its sheath, hung at the front of his belt with cordage to make room for the empty saya that still hung at his side. "You can't see the moon from here," the grey-haired young man thought calmly. "But it exists, even so."

"...maybe it's the same, for all of those who came before."

Middling poetry. The gall was too much for the younger shinobi to bear. The guard plates on the backs of his sleeves tightened until he could hear the rivets click to the end of their tolerances for fitment. The outburst that followed was entirely involuntary, the result of months of dutiful compliance, of holding back. "Those are just the words of a scoundrel," Kouhei spat. "Words from a person who decided to do whatever he wanted! Who threw away our lives! There's no justice in that!"

The shihaisha didn't turn towards him. For a moment, a small, immature part of Kouhei flinched, thinking he may have already been killed. His father had told him the young man at the highest step of the clan was merciless, cold, and killed in an instant.

No. There were forces much, much more powerful than him, Kouhei reminded himself.

The grey-haired man's voice fell to an obvious hush when he tilted his chin down, his eyes settling on the body before them. "... you're right," the shihaisha contemplated. "There can be no forgiveness for those who throw away people's lives before their own."

The words didn't bring Kouhei any peace. Hypocrisy never could. Only action. Emboldened, he pointed at the symbol at the shihaisha's back, their clan symbol. As if he'd betrayed it. "Then what's your excuse? What's heaven's judgment for you!?"

And then, the older shinobi sighed. It was a quiet, diminutive sound, as he looked up to the cavern above, and the single stab of light emanating from above.
"...You're a misfortunate child..."

When Shiryuu turned to finally face Kouhei, his eyes were only pale paintings behind the darkness of his bangs. "I was born in a different light from you," the young man began solemnly. "Where you've endured the darkness of our endeavors and the miseries of our ambitions, I've lived a shining life. In that light, the amount of blood between us is more different than it is alike. To its extent, that difference between us is so vast that it's not just 'blood' but also 'power.' It is because of that difference that I have to hold all reins. And because of that, if it comes to something like excusing myself... I wouldn't be that callous."

The shihaisha was placid, flat and calm as he pointed out what should have been painfully obvious the whole time. It didn't matter whether he was behind him, or in front of him, whether he was trained or whether he was armed and Shiryuu was not. If he drew his sword....

Kouhei never finished the thought, as Shiryuu cut it short.

"...And so I implore you again. Live a full life. Get excellent grades, cherish your bonds and your family. Become strong, become exemplary. Keep that man in your heart. Don't throw this life away so carelessly."

No. What does it all mean, if traitors can just get away with doing as they please? "It's all so easy for you to say, 'savior from Akita,'" Kouhei bit back, spitting the title like it was bitter dirt. "You'd say different, if it were your father, if it were your brother, if it were your sister, if it were your mother--!"

He tried. Tried to get the savage, infuriatingly facetious little blonde runaway to distract the grey-haired tyrant long enough for the situation to take care of itself. But the shihaisha had the devil's own luck, and avoided getting killed by a hair -- instead, Zakuro died. It left it up to him. Dauntless, Kouhei drew his blade with a flash, holding it in front of his face as if whispering an oath before it and the shihaisha. "...If you're a savior," he declared, "then I'm an avenger, the tenchuu that even you must face."

Kouhei forced steel to his nerves. It was the reason the Order retained the services of the Ryouhara, as the hands in the dark who could do the things no one else could. And yet, despite reaching out to decide his own fate, the boy was stunned to see the silver-haired man do nothing in kind.

He did not respond in kind; that man merely shook his head.
"...no, you're not."

Instead of making any reasonable argument, the shihaisha reached into his haori, looking away. Instead of a weapon, he drew a flat piece of coal-smudged origami, a bisectional envelope blazoned with ink marks over its mottled surfaces. Junenhouin, a ninkou made to annihilate other ninkou. Its flames were measurably hotter than even most other fire ninkou, and the white crackle of the pincer-shaped ignition envelope as the shihaisha opened it was dazzing.
Like a flare dropped from the sky, the igniting flame fell onto Zakuro's body, the white sparks and coruscating trails of flame immolating hair, cloth and flesh all the same. The scent of the reactants overpowered the scent of the burning body with an acrid, bitter smell. It was part of the plan -- they were going to burn Zakuro to the deckboards here, and then gather his ashes to return them.

Now only a silhouette in front of that fire, the young man was solemn and quiet as he watched. That flame meant different things to the two of them, but what little fight Kouhei had dissipated in the face of the clan's loss. Shiryuu watched the flame impassively.

"You are... a memorial to everyone who ever cared for you."

It was hard to tell if he had it in him. If he ever did. He couldn't kill him here, not on this mission, not this way. The fittings of his katana made a soft sound as Kouhei reluctantly lowered his blade, the oath spoken over it seeming to settle and curl, like an avid, hungry viper. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that Shirogarasu and his pet blonde played on, while his father grew cold in the ground and Zakuro burned in front of them. "...I won't forgive what you've done," the dark-haired boy promised breathlessly.
"No matter what you say to me, no matter what they say about you. I'll protect my brother from you and avenge everyone. Even if I have to eat the shadows out from the foundations beneath you, I'll find a way."

Shiryuu stayed there, watching the fire burn.

"...good."

</poem>
[[Category:Cutscenes]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-18: The Seed of Rebellion

Bel — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 03:58:02 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: The Seed of Rebellion''' *'''Cast:''' Hana Fukami, Goro Akechi, Umie Akabane, Isabeau Fontaine, Kazusa Motojima, Ren Amamiya, Misato Fushihara, Katsuko Yoshinaga *'''Where:''' Red Light District - Main *'''OOC Date:''' September 18, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 11, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Studio 4 in Shinjuku has taken a few attempts to secure routes to the Producer's Office by now, and Kato is consolidating the information and bes..."

Show changes

2026-09-17: Let’s Make a Deal

MrGuy — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 22:12:34 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: Let’s Make a Deal''' *'''Cast:''' Katsuko Yoshinaga, Misato Fushihara *'''Where:''' Tokyo/Kichijoji *'''OOC Date:''' 2026-09-17 *'''IC Date:''' Fri Jan 11 2013 *'''Summary''': ''After a long and gruelling search, Katsuko finally finds the book she's been hunting for. Unfortunately, so does Misato.'' ---- (|============================= Kichijoji - Main =============================|) -========================================================= Tokyo/..."

New page

*'''Log: Let’s Make a Deal'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Katsuko Yoshinaga]], [[Misato Fushihara]]
*'''Where:''' Tokyo/Kichijoji
*'''OOC Date:''' 2026-09-17
*'''IC Date:''' Fri Jan 11 2013
*'''Summary''': ''After a long and gruelling search, Katsuko finally finds the book she's been hunting for. Unfortunately, so does Misato.''

----

(|============================= Kichijoji - Main =============================|)
-========================================================= Tokyo/Kichijoji ====-
When people list their most desirable places to live in Tokyo, Kichijoji nearly
always tops the list. Minutes away from scenic Inokashira park, the district
itself feels warm and inviting with its billboard of a chibi mascot happily
dining at the entrance to Sanpo Road, the main thoroughfare.

People line up here for a quick lunch with quality street food and''or finer
dining at the cafes alike, while shuttered alleys light up at night with open
air bars and izakayas. Entertainment is easy enough to find here, as businesses
eschew aggressive barkers for more welcoming signs, drawing people in. More
discerning customers know exactly where to look for some of the more hidden gems
among the clubs of Tokyo.

Even the monks outside the local Buddhist temple seem part of the experience,
offering people the opportunity for quiet meditation away from the rat race of
daily life.
(|============================================================================|)

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
<poem>
Katsuko wasn't an uncommon sight in Tokyo bookshops. She was an avid reader, after all - the shelf in her bedroom packed with political thrillers and detective novels was a testament to that, as well as the few potboilers she'd packed into her bag on account of them being cheap and seeming reasonably interesting. However, she *was* an unusual sight in the older, dustier, bookshops dotted around Tokyo. Finding them was hard enough, after all, and finding something good in them was a gamble at times. Far better was it, she reckoned, to go somewhere that she knew carried things she would be fine with reading.

However, major bookstores near her tended to carry one of three varieties of books: Classics, bestsellers, and high-profile new releases. If one wanted to find even a single entry into an obscure series from the eighties - let alone the entire collection - one had to rummage through the shelves of every store they could gain entry to. Thus, Katsuko found herself striding in through the door of some dusty little bookshop tucked away into a corner of Kichijoji that seemed almost abandoned. Few people milled through the street of even that hub of activity, and she'd have thought the store abandoned if it weren't for the older man poring idly over some paperback propped up on his desk.

Dressed in a wheat-brown longcoat over a cream turtleneck jumper, Katsuko dealt with all the normal formalities of greeting the shop's apparent owner and asking after the third instalment in the 'Daughters of Foxes' series, then proceeded to the shelves once it was clear that he didn't know whether or not he even had *any* of the books in that series present. She lamented that things wouldn't be so easy, but supposed that such was to be expected. She just hoped that nobody else had snatched it up before she had the chance...
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Tokyo is pretty far for Misato to travel on a whim, at least on a school day. Not that she has anything against a trip that conveniently takes her away from home for most of the day, but it's usually something she saves for when she needs it...

This counts though, she thinks. For today, Misato is here on a Mission. She's after a very particular book - and unfortunately for her, it's old enough that the only way to find it is by making her way store by store through second-hand bookstores. She's narrowed her search down to a few likely candidates... and her search today brings her to a certain bookstore in Kichijoji.

She stands out a little in this store - surrounded by muted tones, she practically shines like the sun in bright yellow track jacket with white accent lines down the side. A similarly yellow ribbon ties her hair back in a short ponytail.

And right now... she's holding a book on her hands, with a pleased look on her face.

She's standing in front of a very specific shelf - the same shelf hosting the bookstore's period drama section... And the cover - the cover art is unmistakable...!
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
<poem>
Katsuko, in stark contrast to Misato's brilliant hues, was the very epitome of neutral. Though it was underscored by grace - in part due to how she carried herself - the black tone of her long hair and the charcoal grey of her trousers did not leave her striking a particularly vibrant image. However, while she might have looked a little dull when browsing the shelves, life seemed to run through her like the shock of a lightning bolt when she caught the cover of her desired book out of the corner of her eye.

It was just a shame, then, that it was in someone else's hands.

Unable to keep a slight note of hopefulness out of her normally flat and unassuming tone, Katsuko closed the distance until Misato was at just about arm's length, and spoke to her.
"Excuse me," she said, trying to sound as neutral as humanly possible, "Are you going to buy that? I've been looking for it everywhere." Despite her best efforts, Katsuko bore a striking resemblance to a cat doing its level best to beg - or steal - food from the table. She blinked slowly, waiting for a response, eyes darting down to the book's cover every few seconds or so.
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Misato's admiration of her find is broken when she hears a voice from nearby. She looks up and over to the other girl as she approaches her with a question. She hears that neutral tone... but also see that expression that fails to mask that Want.

So, someone else was on the hunt for this exact same book too, was she...?

"Everywhere? Gosh, you must be pretty determined..." Misato acknowledges. "But... yes, I am. I've been looking all over for it, too."

She taps a finger against the cover, shifting the book under one arm... as if taking it protectively under her wing to reduce temptation.

"But, goodness... I'm surprised anyone else has even ''heard'' about this series, much less went looking for it..." She comments.
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
<poem>
So, it wasn't idle curiosity that had drawn the stranger's eye. Katsuko had tried to assure herself that the treasure she'd sought for so long would not be snatched out from under her at the last moment, but there the stranger was, declaring that she'd been in exactly the same position. Her lips tightened a little as she began to consider what the best response was, or how she could try and weasel the book out of her grasp, but another thought began to cross Katsuko's mind as well.

"...You've read more of Nakashima's work as well?"
Rather than seem irate that the very thing she'd been searching for was about to vanish into the ether, Katsuko was simply as surprised as Misato. It didn't manifest quite so openly - her voice was level, and her expression barely changed - but it was just strong enough an emotion that anyone could have seen the change if they squinted hard enough. Katsuko blinked once, looked from the book back up to Misato, and continued on. "What did you think of the first two? I did not expect the subplot about Reina and her friend to be as intriguing as the court drama, but Nakashima is remarkably skilled to have written both so well."

Katsuko put an unusual - if still slight - amount of emphasis on the word 'friend' when speaking of the main character.
If she had a reason for doing so, she remained tight-lipped about it.
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Misato watches Katsuko carefully, assessing this girl she doesn't know. What is her interest in this series? There's multiple levels of appeal to it... so which one is she drawn to? She considers that question, too, and wonders if she's planning something... but what she gets instead is a question. It's a small surprise - but Misato recovers quickly.

"I have!" She answers brightly. ...It seems that she isn't the only one surprised... it's hard to see at first, but she's fairly good at reading people. She 'hm's thoughtfully to herself as Katsuko puts forth the question. She hears the emphasis on 'friend'.

"Actually, that subplot is the reason I first started reading them..." Misato explains. "I think their friendship is quite wonderful."

She laughs, just slightly.

"I didn't expect to be so taken by the court drama, though! I find the way Reina navigates the tenuous relations between the various members of the court to be quite fascinating." She says.
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
<poem>
Katsuko blinked slowly in response to Misato revealing the reason she'd started reading in the first place. Was it her recognising some kind of implication? A simple coincidence that she'd made that gesture when Misato had finished speaking? It was unclear just from watching, and Katsuko seemed disinclined to reveal a thing. W hat she did do clearly was acknowledge what Misato said after, nodding once - but firmly - before responding.
"She seems to have a talent for playing people against each other. Nobody ever seems to suspect that a woman of her station can be so clever, let alone deadly."

She let the statement hang in the air a little, giving it time to stew in both their minds, before continuing.
"I'm worried about Kyoko, though. Reina can't keep her out of this forever. It's only a matter of time before someone tries to get to her through Kyoko." Katsuko said it rather matter-of-factly, for someone that hadn't read more than the first two instalments. It was as if she knew more about schemes and political plays than she let on. Or maybe she just read a lot of espionage thrillers.
Either was possible.

"...Kyoko seems smart as well, though. Perhaps she has plans of her own."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Misato lets it pass without acknowledgment. If there's anything deeper to it... she isn't about to say that just yet. Instead, she considers what Katsuko says next.

"Mm-hm, mm-hm! It's fascinating, isn't it? Planting words like little seeds so that they sprout when it's most advantageous to her. It's fascinating to read back and see when she put the ideas into their heads and how long it took for them to come into play." Misato agrees. ...It's kind of dark when she puts it that way, but she still sounds as cheery as ever.

Katsuko expresses her worry for Kyoko, though, and Misato nods thoughtfully. She does catches the implication in her tone. If she got into this for the court drama and the scheming... maybe she's seen similar plots unfolding before.

"That's true, but... I think Kyoko is stronger than most people give her credit for. People underestimate her, but I think that's how she prefers it." Misato comments - and then nods. "Yes, exactly."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
<poem>
Dark as it was, Katsuko couldn't help but agree. Nodding again - slowly, this time, and only slightly inclining her head - she took in the rest of what Misato said, before offering her own opinion on things.
"Both of them seem to be underestimated. It makes me wonder how they'll manage to maintain their plans if they ever manage to acquire the power they seek. Once people begin to expect them, I expect things will get far more dangerous for them." Again, she let the statement hang in the air for no reason at all, before blinking and looking back at the book.

"I would need to read the next book to figure that out, of course. But it seems that's the only copy either of us have found after extensive searches." Katsuko didn't hide her displeasure at the fact. Granted, it only manifested through a minute shift in expression and tone, but it was there for any that listened closely enough. Then, she had an idea, and some semblance of light flickered into her eyes. "...Tell me. Would you open to making a deal?"
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
It looks like they're on the same page. Misato listens thoughtfully as Katsuko agrees with her... but also states how she expects things to play out.

"Mm-hm, mm-hm!" Misato agrees cheerily, and nods. "I'm real curious, too..."

The thought of danger, though, doesn't deter her at all.

"Yes, it's exciting, isn't it~?" Misato agrees brightly. "I don't ''mind'' a story goes completely smoothly, but it's nice to see how they react to the obstacles in their path. A character's best traits don't really come out until they've been tested, wouldn't you agree?"

...But as Katsuko says, she'd need to read the next book to figure that out.

"Of course~." Misato agrees - but doesn't seem to even consider handing it over, even when she sees that slight shift. And then... Katsuko makes a suggestion.

"A deal, hm? Now that's intriguing~..." Misato comments thoughtfully. "What are you proposing?"
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
<poem>
Katsuko was quick to make her offer, a subtle confidence creeping into her voice as she spoke. Her posture reflected it as well, straightening and solidifying a little while she made her address.
"I have a lead on the fourth volume. A reliable one at that - they're willing to hold it for me if they have it. If they have it, or if I find it, I will buy it before anyone else can, and I will lend it to you upon request. However, if you want me to lend it to you..."

Katsuko glanced down at the volume in Misato's hands.
"...I will need you to loan me the third when you are finished with it. And if you spoil anything, the deal is off." Katsuko's face remained as still as stone, while her expression was utterly impenetrable. Thus, it was nearly impossible to tell if she'd made a joke, a serious statement, or both at the same time. Regardless, she had been deadly serious about the deal. "So? What do you say? We lend each other the books, and neither of us has to go without."
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Katsuko explains - she has a lead on the fourth volume... a reliable one. Misato can't hide the interest on her face. She's not going to admit it out loud - but she actually ''has'' been looking into further entries in the series, too, but hasn't found any leads on them yet.

"Oh, you have?" Misato wonders thoughtfully. She makes a show of thinking about it - and then Katsuko explains what ''she'' wants in return. And her request is... a pretty fair one, actually.

"Hm... okay! That seems pretty reasonable." Misato agrees - but then raises a finger dramatically. "But! I'm gonna to have to hold ''you'' to that, too! No spoilers under pain of death!"

She pauses, and then laughs.

"...Or, at least, I'll be ''very'' sad." She adds - and then extends a hand. "I think you've got yourself a deal, miss...?"
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
<poem>
"Cross my heart." Katsuko solemnly promised. Again, it was difficult at best to tell if she'd joked, made a pithy response in confirmation, or both. Regardless, she didn't seem inclined to spoil Misato on the details of the story, and *was* inclined to reach a hand forward for a firm - though short - shake. "Katsuko Yoshinaga." She said, introducing herself quite plainly, but efficiently. "Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"
At the same time, Katsuko pulled out her phone, making no attempt to hide that her thumb was poised to enter a number.
</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
<poem>
Misato nods, an uncharacteristically serious expression - at least compared to her demeanor so far - crossing her face... but she can't hold it for long, because she breaks into laughter soon after. She shakes Katsuko's hand, pleased.

"Misato Fushihara! Nice to meet you~." She offers with a wink.

Her other hand is already moving to present her phone with a flourish so they can exchange numbers. If they're going to do this they'll need to be able to contact each other, after all...
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-16: Kaitou Saint Prince, Skeleton Hero, and Some Gremlin Rando Save the Day

Tanyuu — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:10:54 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:10, 18 September 2026
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	"Nothing is ever as black and white as those in charge would like to claim," she says, opting for a truthful perspective. "Demons seem weird and frightening because they present a different view on morality than what people are used to." She crosses her legs. "Ask yourself this: who benefits from you thinking this way? To think of rebels as uniformly 'bad' and the producer as uniformly 'good'... the answer is clear to me."		"Nothing is ever as black and white as those in charge would like to claim," she says, opting for a truthful perspective. "Demons seem weird and frightening because they present a different view on morality than what people are used to." She crosses her legs. "Ask yourself this: who benefits from you thinking this way? To think of rebels as uniformly 'bad' and the producer as uniformly 'good'... the answer is clear to me."

	She shrugs. "If you want to live in a world of black and white, it's your life. However, at some point, when you find yourself in the category of 'black', those lies you've told yourself aren't going to be so comforting, will they?"		She shrugs. "If you want to live in a world of black and white, it's your life. However, at some point, when you find yourself in the category of 'black', those lies you've told yourself aren't going to be so comforting, will they?"
	</poem>		</poem>

	MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Blackbird's Bite toward Newsfloor: Political Guests! Bravery and Focus!		MONAD: Umie Akabane has acted with Blackbird's Bite toward Newsfloor: Political Guests! Bravery and Focus!
	~~[OOC] Umie Akabane says, "bluray: delete that extra indent"~~

	<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.		<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.

2026-09-17: Reasons

Talnora — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:42:52 GMT

Ririka's really wanting to get at this one, for some reason...

Show changes

Kanae Fuyuki

Bel — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:24:50 GMT

Special Skills

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	* '''Film Talk''' - An Academics approach. Kanae has a great love of the cinema, especially Japanese cinema but also French. ...Other movies are good too; nobody likes a snob!		* '''Film Talk''' - An Academics approach. Kanae has a great love of the cinema, especially Japanese cinema but also French. ...Other movies are good too; nobody likes a snob!
	* '''Tennis Ace''' - A Proficiency approach. Kanae is a fine athlete and great at tennis especially--this approach relies on running, jumping, and especially hitting things from a distance.		* '''Tennis Ace''' - A Proficiency approach. Kanae is a fine athlete and great at tennis especially--this approach relies on running, jumping, and especially hitting things from a distance.
	* '''~~Rivalry~~''' - A Guts approach. ~~Kanae pumps herself up by setting herself in opposition to someone else.~~		* '''Wild Side''' - A Guts approach. Aren't you tired of being nice?

	=Relationships=		=Relationships=

2026-09-16: Kaitou Saint Prince, Skeleton Hero, and Some Gremlin Rando Save the Day

Tanyuu — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:09:37 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 17 September 2026
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
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	MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Lot: Sitcom Situation! Base!		MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Guts toward Lot: Sitcom Situation! Base!
	~~Goro Akechi says, "There."~~

	<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.		<Pose Tracker> Kurou Ryouhara has posed.
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	He claps his gloved hands quietly in respect and awe. He is listening. He is learning.		He claps his gloved hands quietly in respect and awe. He is listening. He is learning.
	~~respect and awe for her ability to spin that into something more eloquent.~~

	"... If you set such rules, you cannot be surprised if others should play by them..." he murmurs of Umie's thoughts. It is a simple, but core belief of Kurou's personal philosophy. People often make rules thinking they are exempt from them. They are not.		"... If you set such rules, you cannot be surprised if others should play by them..." he murmurs of Umie's thoughts. It is a simple, but core belief of Kurou's personal philosophy. People often make rules thinking they are exempt from them. They are not.
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	(\|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====\|)		(\|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====\|)
	~~[OOC] Kurou Ryouhara says, "bluray * a line got away from me there, delete the bit after "he is learning.""~~

	<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.		<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

2026-09-16: Kaitou Saint Prince, Skeleton Hero, and Some Gremlin Rando Save the Day

Tanyuu — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:52:12 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: Kaitou Saint Prince, Skeleton Hero, and Some Gremlin Rando Save the Day''' *'''Cast:''' Umie Akabane, Goro Akechi, Kurou Ryouhara *'''Where:''' Hana's Kingdom: Studio 4 *'''OOC Date:''' September 16, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 10, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Hana Fukabi has nothing to fear, since Kaitou Saint Prince and Skeleton Hero are here to save the day! Also, some gremlin princess? Geez, guys, fit a genre for your show or get out!'' ---- (|===..."

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Hana Fukami

Bel — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:22:01 GMT

NPC Relationships

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	\| Sa-chan		\| Sa-chan
	\| {{Arcana\|Moon}}		\| {{Arcana\|Moon}}
	\| ~~Close Friend~~		\| Partner
	\| 28/F. A secretary at TTV, Emisa is secretly dating Miyako. She's given Hana a lot of support, and is close with her despite the fact that Hana is dating her ex-boyfriend.		\| 28/F. A secretary at TTV, Emisa is secretly dating Miyako. She's given Hana a lot of support, and is close with her despite the fact that Hana is dating her ex-boyfriend.
	\|-		\|-
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	\| Ya-chan		\| Ya-chan
	\| {{Arcana\|Sun}}		\| {{Arcana\|Sun}}
	\| ~~Friend~~		\| Partner
	\| 27/F. A stuntwoman at TTV, Miyako is a good friend to Hana, though she was Teruo's friend first. Has tried unsuccessfully to get Hana into more active hobbies.		\| 27/F. A stuntwoman at TTV, Miyako is a good friend to Hana, though she was Teruo's friend first. Has tried unsuccessfully to get Hana into more active hobbies.
	\|-		\|-

Advancement Application

Bel — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:05:02 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:05, 17 September 2026
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	==Unlock Sourcing==		==Unlock Sourcing==
	We do want a general sense of where you're getting your unlocks. This can be as vague as 'I opened a rare chest in a dungeon' or as specific as 'I secured a supply of Skill Cards from the Time Count/Demon Painter/~~Cardboard Dragon~~', for example.		We do want a general sense of where you're getting your unlocks. This can be as vague as 'I opened a rare chest in a dungeon' or as specific as 'I secured a supply of Skill Cards from the Time Count/Demon Painter/Dungeons', for example.

	==Unlock Details==		==Unlock Details==

2026-09-13: Unyielding Wish

Ayu — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 17:08:54 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:08, 17 September 2026
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	... "It was stiff competition." Kasumi can allow.		... "It was stiff competition." Kasumi can allow.

	However... The topic of food comes up. "Sure." Kasumi accepts the offer with a smile. "I'~~ll let my dad know I'll be going with you~~, okay?" She has an imagine of a younger her, going out for ice cream after practice. Maybe the small things can help.		However... The topic of food comes up. "Sure." Kasumi accepts the offer with a smile. "I can't tonight, but soon, okay?" She has an imagine of a younger her, going out for ice cream after practice. Maybe the small things can help.

	</poem>		</poem>

			[[Category:Logs]]
			[[Category:Season 1]]
			[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

2026-09-16: Troubleshooters

Ayu — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:58:14 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: 2026-09-16 Troubleshooters''' *'''Cast:''' Ren Amamiya, Futaba Sakura, Hibari Aoki *'''Where:''' Red Light District - Main *'''OOC Date:''' September 15, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 10, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''The Phantom Thieves investigate Hana Fukami's Kingdom.'' ---- MONAD: A party led by Ren Amamiya has begun the event Hana's Kingdom: Studio 4. (|==================== Monad - Hana's Kingdom: Studio 4 ====================|) -==== Round 1..."

Show changes

2026-09-15: Two Cracked Hearts

Ayu — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:54:14 GMT

Created page with "*'''Log: 2026-09-15 Two Cracked Hearts''' *'''Cast:''' Morgana, NPCed by Ren Amamiya, Kasumi Yoshizawa *'''Where:''' Aoyama-Itchome Station *'''OOC Date:''' September 16, 2026 *'''IC Date:''' January 10, 2013 *'''Summary''': ''Two miserable souls cross paths at a certain construction site in Odaiba. Ren happens to catch up just in time to see Kasumi and Morgana disappear into a new Palace and follow after.'' ---- <Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed. <poem..."

New page

*'''Log: 2026-09-15 Two Cracked Hearts'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Morgana]], NPCed by [[Ren Amamiya]], [[Kasumi Yoshizawa]]
*'''Where:''' Aoyama-Itchome Station
*'''OOC Date:''' September 16, 2026
*'''IC Date:''' January 10, 2013
*'''Summary''': ''Two miserable souls cross paths at a certain construction site in Odaiba. Ren happens to catch up just in time to see Kasumi and Morgana disappear into a new Palace and follow after.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Daybreak, Thursday, January 10th...

Morgana emerges from the Meiji Shrine building where he'd spent a near-freezing night after Ren and the others had given up on chasing him into the woods. Now that he's had time for his temper to cool, the reality of his situation has sunk in. He's really cut ties with Ren and the others.

He doesn't feel good about it. In fact, he feels awful. He can't possibly come crawling back now, though. It would be too humiliating. Everyone's got to be disillusioned at best, disgusted at worst--and once she hears about it... Lady Ann will hate him for sure.

He really is alone now.

"I-it's fine. They really weren't doing me any good," he tells himself out loud, forcing heat into his voice. "Who needs them?! I'll find another Palace all on my own, and I'll figure my curse out--all on my own!"

And so he bounds back into the forest, away from the shrine and back towards the gloomy-skied city.

----

Afternoon...

The last bell rings. Ren grabs their bag and is out the door like a shot. Now more than ever they're grateful for their unpopularity at school; no one tries to stop them, no one tries to chat them up. Ann already knows the situation at this point and encouraged them to find Morgana, and Mishima's not difficult to dodge.

They don't leave school grounds immediately, though. There's one thing they do need to do first before they head out, and that's visit a certain underclassman on the first floor.

As they pass a classroom on the way to Kasumi's locker, they hear some giggling behind the door. They note it but don't think too much of it. As they approach, they offer her a subdued, sympathetic look.

"Yoshizawa, hey," they murmur in greeting. "How're you doing after yesterday?" They step a little closer, leaning in to murmur, "And I didn't want to bring this up last night, but if you've got any news about ''that'' from Motojima-san..."

''That'', of course, being Shinichi Nagisa's Homunculus. Ren and the other Phantoms certainly can't ask her for the link to his Atelier directly, but lucky for all of them, Kasumi decided to reveal herself to her after she decided not to join The Phantoms officially. It's still not the best timing, but better to rip the bandaid off now after what happened with Makoto.

This is something The Phantoms ''need'' to know, for the protection of their own.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
Kasumi's day has been pretty painful. She's spent all of it on edge, dreading the possibility if she'll be called into the 'guidance' office to receive the bad news. The waiting is possibly worse than the news itself...

The results of her competition has been on the tip of her all of her classmate's tongues. "I can't believe she still came to school..." "Doesn't she have any shame?" "Even an elephant would have more grace!" It's humiliating, and why she tries to not pay attention to the rumours.

By the time school ends, the usually cheerful Kasumi is utterly downcast, reflecting the weather. "Of course it's raining..." She mutters to herself, as she searches her lockers on the first floor. She struggles to find something, and gets surprised by someone calling her name. Kasumi jumps, looking up. "Oh! Senpai, you scared me..."

Ren asks how Kasumi's been doing, and Kasumi bites her lower lip. "I've been better." She says, in an attempt to minimize herself. Maybe, if she says she's okay, she really will be okay. "...Oh, of course!" A beat. "I-if you want to talk about it... I was going to go to Odaiba. There's a place there that I like to go when I'm down, and we could talk about it there..." Kasumi looks back towards her cubby. "I'm missing my umbrella though... I really don't know where it could've gone..."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"Sorry," Ren tells Kasumi. "Didn't mean to startle you."

She seems even more in her own head than ever right now. They get why, but... they glance into her locker--just enough of a peek to see that there's no umbrella inside. None on her, either. When she says her umbrella is missing, it's something they've already noticed. They hear the giggling in the classroom at their back intensify. "..."

So they offer her a slight smile and their own umbrella. "Here. You can borrow mine," they reply. "Odaiba, right? Text me the exact location and I'll catch up to you once I find another."

They'll wait for Kasumi to leave, then step around the corner. Presently, a trio of first years exit the classroom. One of them is holding what Ren recognizes to be Kasumi's umbrella--and definitely not just one that looks like hers, because between the three of them, they've got four in hand.

"Awww, that's no fun. Some boy gave her a new one," one of the girls pouts.

"That's ''precious'' Yoshizawa-san for you. The guys are all gaga over her, even now," says the second, rolling her eyes as she folds her arms, two umbrella hands sticking over her shoulders.

"Ugh, he was cute, too," the third huffs. "Kind of familiar, though. There was something about a curly-haired guy in glasses, wasn't there?"

The first girl stares at her. "Wait a second... isn't that... the legendary criminal transfer student?! The guy who deals drugs on the side and breaks the arms of anybody who crosses him?!"

The third girl gasps. "No way!! I heard--I-I heard he even killed somebody, but no one can prove it because he dropped the body to the bottom of a river...!"

The second girl shudders. "S-seriously?! N-no, that can't be right! What would a creep like that be doing with a goody-two-shoes like Yoshizawa-san?!" She lowers her voice and leans in to whisper, "A-anyway, I heard the Student Council President tamed him with love...!"

The other two girls gasp, eyes sparkling...

...that is, until a shadow falls over the three, and a hand gently but firmly pulls the second umbrella up and out of Girl 2's grasp.

Slowly, degree by degree, the three first years stare up and over their shoulders.

Ren glowers down at them, Kasumi's umbrella now leaning on their shoulder. "..."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA," they delicately respond, just before scarpering.

They sigh and shake their head, ignoring the stares this draws from everyone else in the hallway. Without further ado, they head out of school, picking up their pace to catch up with Kasumi.

They will, too, at the train station--but only just in time to barely slip onto the train to Odaiba. Kasumi's in another train car. Ah well... If they just watch carefully for where she gets off, they can reunite with her there.

---

At Odaiba, afternoon...

Morgana's been hunting around the city all day. He's stolen a few hot treats along the way--if everyone's going to think that's what he is, why not act the part? He just has to get his human body back. ''That'll'' show 'em...!

During that time, though, he sensed a certain feeling in the air: a Palace. It wasn't very distinct, so he can't be quite sure, but after circling around the area, he's finally reached a certain construction site in Odaiba. Seated on the fence surrounding it, he eyes it suspiciously.

This seems to be the place, but how to get inside...? For now, he hops down the other side of the fence, just out of sight of any humans who happen to pass by.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
"Oh! A-are you sure...?" Kasumi accepts the umbrella, but hesitates for a moment. She flinches lightly at the giggling from the other classroom. Then, clings it to her chest with a nod. "Thank you, Senpai..." She says a little softly. She closes her locker, and starts walking out.

Left in ignorance of where her umbrella is, Kasumi walks through the rain, grumbling lightly to herself. She tries to open up her phone now too, but in the rain, but the humidity might have it on the fritz.

Yet another pain. Kasumi gets off at the train station in Odaiba and starts making her way to that construction site. "I'm so useless..." Kasumi mutters to herself. "I used to win so effortlessly. Why am I struggling now?"

She can see the construction site in view now. "I'm just burdening Amamiya-senpai, Motojima-senpai, and even Dr. Maruki... Coach Hiraguchi must be so ashamed of me, too." She lets out a groan, as she reaches the wall. "I'm supposed to be ''the'' Kasumi Yoshizawa too..."

To the side, she overhears some garish looking students. "Ugh, you got us totally lost!" One says. "Where are we supposed to be, anyways?" The other scratches his head. "I dunno. Some kinda community center? Or a research lab?" "How am I supposed to know?!" The gal exclaims. "Come on, let's try this way!"

Kasumi looked at them for a moment, and rolls her eyes once they're looking away. "It's not a lab, it's a stadium..." She then narrows her eyes, as she spots a tuft of black fur. "Huh, is that... Morgana? Morgana!" She rushes to catch up with the agile not-a-cat! "Morgana, why are you here alone in the freezing r-Wha?!"

''Metanav Activated''

Reality shifts around the two... And perhaps a third!

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
With the afterschool crowds and the rain the way they are, Ren only just barely manages to catch sight of Kasumi getting off at the correct stop in time to get off themself too. By then, there's enough people in between them and her that they can't easily catch up. That's fine; they're headed to the same place, so they decide not to sweat it. They open up Kasumi's umbrella for themself, now that the rain's getting harder, and walk towards where they saw her go.

At the stadium in progress, Morgana's deciding on the best method of egress in this construction site when--

'Morgana? Morgana!'

They jump, not unlike a nervous cat--but he knows that voice, and turns to see, "Yoshizawa! What're you doing here?"

It's as much a relief as an alarm when the Meta-Nav activates, considering what Kasumi had been in the middle of asking. Morgana doesn't have a good answer for that, and whatever's about to happen will be a fine distraction.

Ren's not that far behind Kasumi, though, and when they see the telltale signs of the blur of reality around her--when they see a certain black cat on the fence--they break into a sprint, reaching the edge just in time to

---

"I knew it! This ''is'' a Palace!" Mona utters, leaping wide-eyed into the air when, before him and Belle, there's suddenly a brilliant white building before them. "But... whose Palace is it?" He stares up at Belle next. "Hey, that was your Meta-Nav, right, Belle? How'd you know about this place?"

The shadows are long in this area. If a certain person in a black coat hugs to the edge of them for a while longer, surely that's just fine.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
Reality shifts into the Metaverse, as the rain stops falling and snow melts into pavement. Just beyond the walls of the construction zone turns into trees, and a brilliant white spire just after. "Woah!" Kasumi's eyes widen she sees a Palace manifest over reality.

'How'd you know about this place?' Morgana asks.

"I-I don't know!" Kasumi replies. "I've never been here before..." How could this have happened? "You knew there was a Palace here, Mona...? That's incredible!" She says happily>

Forgetting for a moment about her deal with Amamiya-senpai, or perhaps deciding to get the layout to share the news with Joker in a bit, Kasumi runs along the wall. She reaches a fence in the wall, and there they can get a better vantage point. "Mona, over here! It's beautiful, isn't it...?" She takes a moment to admire the impossible architecture. Then, she wonders. "What does it look like to you...? Palaces are all themed, aren't they?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
"What? So you ''didn't'' activate it?" Mona utters, taken aback by this news. This is weird--it shouldn't be like this! He can get in on his own without that app, but even he needs to know a name, at least. Belle's heaping of praise gets a smile out of his kitty face, though. "Hehe~ Aren't I, though?" he boasts. "That's just one of my many talents!"

Even as he says it, though, the words taste like ash in his mouth. It's one of his many talents, but The Phantoms are full of so many amazing people, does anything he can do stack up in comparison...?

He doesn't have time to feel sorry for himself, though--not with Belle running along the perimeter of the Palace and finding a new vantage point. "Hey, wait up!" he utters before chasing after her. Belle--no, not even Belle, ''Kasumi'' lacks experience compared to him. He's got to look out for her. That's what a gentleman would do!

...if his old companions would even think of him as a gentleman anymore...

"It ''is'' beautiful," he admits when he gets a better look at the gleaming, towering structure. "It's so brilliantly white, it's a little eerie. What kind of distortion produces a place like this?"

What's it look like, though? Mona considers this as he folds his paws. "Hmmm... Now that you mention it, it's hard to tell. Other Palaces have been obvious--a castle, a pyramid, even a wedding reception hall. But this is sort of... what ''is'' this? A community center? That can't be right, though..."

His tail undulates as curiosity starts to overcome him. A Palace this mysterious has ''got'' to have loads of secrets hidden inside. Maybe even the secret of his missing memories! "I'll just have to take a closer look and see for myself!" Mona declares aloud. He pauses (pawses), then looks over at his new companion. He hesitates; then: "...You coming with, Belle?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
"I didn't! I...''don't'' think I did, at least..." That begs the question, doesn't it? Just who's Palace is this? She only gets a moment to think about it, as Mona starts boasting. Kasumi giggles, and crouches down to pet Morgana. "Mhm.~ Very well done.~" She says, earnestly.

There's really no time to feel sorry for yourself! Kasumi thinks thoughtfully about what kind of distortion would give birth to a place like this... And is coming up with nothing. Is it good that she can't understand? Or another one of her failings?

'A community center', Mona posits, and a connection suddenly clicks in. "It can't be... A research lab?! But why?! This is supposed to be a stadium?" Who would see this as a ''research lab''??

Mona leaps towards exploring, and Kasumi smiles a little. "Sounds like a plan!" She says, jumping herself up too. She hops up over the fence, and goes running with Morgana towards the facility!

As they pass the trees and enter the elevator up, they enter strange, sizeable room of pure white. Going up the stairs results in them finding another elevator that's locked, and a series of bulletin boards. Going around the elevator will require a grappling hook, so Belle instead goes to the bulletin boards posted with posters. "What are these...? Health... Happiness?" She scans them for any identifying information, and is coming up with empty.

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Belle pets Mona! He 'mreeowrs~' in pleasure!

He hates himself a little more afterwards.

"Huh? A research lab?" Mona utters, blinking over at her. He frowns, folding his paws anew. "That's one heck of a distortion if you're right. I really don't see how you get from Point A to Point B there. Then again, that's the point of a distortion. Who'd see a school as a castle--or as a war bunker, for that matter?"

She takes him up on investigating together, though, and if there's relief in Mona's smile, surely that's Kasumi's imagination. "Let's go, then!" And the two race onwards towards that strange white facility!

... A black shadow follows them at a respectable distance...

The inside of the facility's pretty, too. So bright and clean, it makes Joker's eyes hurt--but Joker isn't here right now, are they? Mona, who ''is'' here, inspects the locked elevator, frowning at the angles of egress and how this would be ''so simple'' to circumvent if Joker were here with their grappling hook. "Darn it!" he hisses.

But Belle's checking something else out. "Huh? What's up?" Mona hops over and checks out the posters too. "Huh... This isn't your typical Palace fare, that's for sure," he comments. "I could see 'health' if it's supposed to be a research lab--maybe it's medical research--but what's 'happiness' got to do with it?"

Being an amnesiatic not-a-cat, clearly Mona has little use for ''mental'' health. Maybe Kasumi, who has a therapist of her own, could shed some light on the matter, though.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
You're so real, Mona...

"Right? I guess humans really are weird if they can get a war bunker from a school..." Kasumi agrees. She really wonders though. It feels so strange.

Definitely just her imagination. Why would the great Mona need to be relieved?~

It's a dead end right away... At least they can scope the place out at least a little bit.

"Happiness... Maybe it's something about mental health?" Kasumi only really visited Dr. Maruki once, so... "Living Well... Choose Kindness... Actualization... You matter... Free Mental Health Check?" She looks back to the elevator. "I don't think it's open yet? Maybe we should go back to fill Joker-senpai in on this..."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
The more of the posters Morgana reads, the less they make sense. Futaba ''did'' prove that having a Palace doesn't mean one is a bad person, just has a distorted view, not that he didn't know that already, but... what kind of distortion would lead to all this? It's baffling... but it's also fascinating, somehow. Even this kind of personality can be 'warped.'

"That ''would'' explain why it's based off a construction site," Mona admits of the place not yet being open. "But then why would it be here in the first place?"

The mention of Joker makes him flinch, though. "N-no! I mean--no," he replies, this time firmly. "They've got their hands full with other stuff, so we're working separately. No need to fill them in right now."

It's more or less the truth.

On the way out, though, once the two descend the initial elevator, a few footsteps sound behind their back. Mona stops.

"...I had a feeling you might be skulking around here," he says, voice hardening.

Joker's gaze on him is steady, though they do give Belle a glance of acknowledgement. "Mona... Let's talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about. Don't you have more important things you should be doing?"

"You're important too."

Hearing that, Mona wavers and hangs his head. It's an opportunity for Belle to get a word in edgewise.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
It's baffling indeed... Kasumi really tries to think hard about it, but... Her head starts to hurt. And a feeling in the back of her head to stay away. It makes her feel a little sick.

Kasumi nods in agreement. It being a construction site would make sense... "I don't know... It's impossible to tell."

Joker's got their hands full? That doesn't sound right... "Are you sure...? I don't think they would mind..." But, maybe Mona would know Amamiya-senpai better? And she'd just be a burden on them once again...

They leave the elevator, and they have a few footsteps behind them. Kasumi goes for her blade, thinking that it's a shadow. But Mona knows who it is, and Belle whirls to see Joker. "Ah! Senpai-"

Kasumi stops, picking up on the mood. It's feeling tense. She's not totally sure what to say here... "Did, uh... Did something happen between you two? Please don't fight..." Uh... Kasumi's struggling to think of something to say. "Um... Mona felt out the Palace, Senpai! I mean, we can't find a way in, but..." It's a little stressful...

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Mona knows Joker wouldn't mind. That's something about them that irritates him right now. To Belle, though, he just says firmly, "Sure I'm sure."

He might feel ashamed about how he acted last night, but that doesn't mean he didn't mean anything he said, either. He just wishes--

...well, never mind.

Joker looks back at Belle. "...Yes. But I don't know if I should share the details."

Mona folds his paws defensively. "Hmph! Why don't you go ahead and tell her?" he says, tone challenging. It's as much to hear how Joker describes what happened as it is a dare, though.

Joker pauses at that. That gives Kasumi a chance to talk about the Palace and the dead end they encountered. "...I see. We'll have to check it out more later. I don't know whose this is, but we ought to keep an eye on it." They rub the side of their neck. "I just saw space warp around you two and rushed in. I'd appreciate an explanation, if either of you have one to give."

Mona's tail coils as he lifts his head. "Hmmm... So you don't know either, huh?" He turns around. "That's just perfect, then! Me and Belle will figure out this Palace on our own, at our own pace. You don't have to get involved, Joker!"

Joker grimaces a little. "Mona..."

Mona, seeing that expression, looks away--towards Belle. A metaphorical light bulb flashes over his head. "Th-that's right! Belle's my new partner now!" he decides. "I was getting tired of that dusty old attic, anyway! Got it? I'm not going ''anywhere'' with someone who doesn't keep their end of a deal!"

"I..." Joker shuts their eyes, mouth pulling into a flat, pained line. "...if that's what you want."

Mona looks away. "It is," he stubbornly insists, as much to himself as to anyone else.

"Then... I'll bow out here." Joker looks to Belle. "...Before I go, though. You had some news about Nagisa-kun's Homunculus to share?"

Mona doesn't look back at them, but his ears do perk.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
Be careful for what you wish for, Mona. Something resonates within the palace. Somthing unknown to either of the intruders..

Kasumi is.. Well, left to the side a little as the two fight... It's private, huh?

Though... Kasumi watches them go back and forth, and she gets a terrible feeling like she's seen all this before. Ren wants an explaination, and Kasumi chimes in. "I really don't kno-" Kasumi gets cut off. 'That's just perfect, then! Me and Belle will figure out this Palace on our own!' "Eh?" Kasumi tilts her head, needing a second to process.

'Belle's my new partner now!' "Ehhhhhhhh?!" Kasumi lets out a surprised noise. And yet. There is something about the idea that ''is'' deeply appealing.

''S..y...way... ...umi...sh...za...''

"I'll do it, Mona!" Kasumi exclaims! "We'll solve it together!"

"Ah!! Yes!!" Kasumi clues in. She really should've done it earlier... She explains what Motojima-senpai explained to her earlier. "He's even taken photos of people he has grudges with... Motojima-senpai's worried that he's going to get revenge on them, somehow."

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
At the very least, Joker isn't going to be the one to explain it here and now. They don't want to put Belle in the middle--though they know she's not in a better position not knowing anything at all, either.

They're surprised to see her decide to go along with Mona so rapidly, even with that initial shock. They're not sure how to feel about that. They decide not to argue it. Mona already made his wishes clear. Though...

Still, there remains the matter of the Homunculus. Joker's expression is grim when Belle passes on the news. "I see. I'll be sure to warn Queen. And you said you've got the link to get us into that Atelier, right?" They nod over their shoulder. "Let's get out of here and handle that." They pause and look back at Mona. "...If that's all right with you."

"H-hmph. Who do you think I am?" Mona huffs, which does not actually say anything.

Joker takes it to be a yes, though. Soon enough, the three of them leave the Palace, and reality wobbles back to the real world...

It'll be a moment's effort for Ren and Kasumi to exchange umbrellas and Atelier links. Once it's over, they give her a nod of thanks, then look back at Morgana.

"...If either of you need anything, you know how to find me," they say quietly.

Morgana doesn't answer.

They sigh noiselessly, then look back at Kasumi. "Sorry to put you in the middle of this," they murmur. "Thanks for the help, too. ,,,You two take care of yourselves."

Ren turns to walk away. There's still time to catch up with the others in Shinjuku to help with exploring Hana's Kingdom... If they can't do anything further about Morgana, then at least they can do something about that.

Morgana remains seated under Kasumi's umbrella. The sidewalk's still wet, but at least he's not getting actively rained on. He still doesn't look at Ren, though his ears are pointed their way. Once they're gone, Morgana finally looks--in their direction, then up at Kasumi.

"Sorry about that too," he says, subdued. "We can meet up here again some other time, if you want."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
<poem>
There's a lot of reasons she jumped so fast on it... Most of all, she's been watching Motojima-senpai and Oosaka-senpai not talk to each other. Maybe some space is best?

And... Kasumi couldn't save her relationship with her own sister. Maybe a different path can save Mona's and Ren's.

Kasumi nods. "Of course, I can get you the link back in reality." ...Kasumi looks back to Morgana. Is this really okay...?

Kasumi awkwardly carried Morgana in her arms, with her umbrella and everything... Morgana can't exactly go inside her bag just yet, he's wet! "I'll take good care of Morgana, Senpai." She's already intending of sharing hourly photos, daily updates... Or is that a little much and contradictory with giving them a little space? Oh, she doesn't know at all...

In any case, she can't really say 'I really want this to be temporary too," with Morgana right there, so... "I'm really sorry, Senpai." She says, a little shyly.

They split, and Kasumi starts heading home.. "It's alright. I just, um... Go there when I'm feeling a little depressed, sometimes." A beat. "It might be nice to have you around, too. My parents left on a work trip today." She stritches a little behind Morgana's ears, and shakes her head. "Never mind that. I'll get you some milk at home, okay?"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
<poem>
Morgana had meant that he and Kasumi would split here, and that he'd find his own place to stay while they're working together--so when she instead simply carries him with scritches and an assumption that they're both heading back to her place, he perks, already feeling a little better.

Especially with the offer of milk. He'll have to teach her how he likes it, too. Ren isn't... that is, they can't... he means, "...Okay."
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 2]]

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	Limit Actions are a way of turning the tide of a battle in one's favor. They spend the Limit resource to achieve effects that could not typically be done through attacks or reactions. Notably, some Limit Actions can be used '''regardless of turn order'''. The limit actions to which one has access vary depending on character attributes. Antagonists and bosses have a different set of Limit Actions from standard characters. Limit Actions include the following:		Limit Actions are a way of turning the tide of a battle in one's favor. They spend the Limit resource to achieve effects that could not typically be done through attacks or reactions. Notably, some Limit Actions can be used '''regardless of turn order'''. The limit actions to which one has access vary depending on character attributes. Antagonists and bosses have a different set of Limit Actions from standard characters. Limit Actions include the following:

	*'''Help Up''' - Removes Omen or one Ailment from target character (never yourself). On or off your turn. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All.''		*'''Help Up''' - Removes Omen or one Ailment from target character (never yourself). On or off your turn. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All.'' Usable anytime.
	**''Priority'': In order, it will remove: Omen, Pain, Bomb, Charm, Exhaust, Poison, Panic, Rage, Sick, Blast, Bind, Paralyze, and Haze.		**''Priority'': In order, it will remove: Omen, Pain, Bomb, Charm, Exhaust, Poison, Panic, Rage, Sick, Blast, Bind, Paralyze, and Haze.
	*'''Shift''' - Grants one ''bonus action'' to target character (never yourself). On or off your turn. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All.''		*'''Shift''' - Grants one ''bonus action'' to target character (never yourself). On or off your turn. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All.'' Usable anytime. The extra attack may be used off-turn.
	*'''Recover''' - Converts Bonus Actions to Limit, at a rate of 1:2. Will clear all bonus actions. Costs '''0''' Limit. ''All''.		*'''Recover''' - Converts Bonus Actions to Limit, at a rate of 1:2. Will clear all bonus actions. Costs '''0''' Limit. ''All''. Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Exploit''' - Grants yourself one Bonus Action. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All''.		*'''Exploit''' - Grants yourself one Bonus Action. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All''. Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Psych''' - Enhances this round's attacks. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All''.		*'''Psych''' - Enhances this round's attacks. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All''. Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Brace''' - Enhances your defenses against all attacks this round. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All''		*'''Brace''' - Enhances your defenses against all attacks this round. Costs '''2''' Limit. ''All'' Usable anytime.
	*'''Medicine''' - Heals yourself by up to 75 HP, depending on your current TP. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All''.		*'''Medicine''' - Heals yourself by up to 75 HP, depending on your current TP. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''All''. Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Blood''' - Grants the Blood status to self, which increases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Blood''' - Grants the Blood status to self, which increases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss'' Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Aegis''' - Grants the Aegis status to self, which decreases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Aegis''' - Grants the Aegis status to self, which decreases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss'' Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Favor''' - Grants the Favor status to self, which increases outgoing and decreases incoming damage. Mutually exclusive with Blood and Aegis. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Favor''' - Grants the Favor status to self, which increases outgoing and decreases incoming damage. Mutually exclusive with Blood and Aegis. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss'' Should be used on your turn.
	**'''Note''': Aegis, Blood, and Favor are meant to be used ~~at the beginning of one's~~ turn~~, not in the middle of the round~~.		*'''Salve''' - Removes one ailment from self. Costs ''2'' Limit. ''Boss'' Should be used on your turn. Imposes penalties if used more than once per round.
	*'''Salve''' - Removes one ailment from self. Costs ''2'' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Broad''' - Allows one to attack up to 4 targets with one attack, regardless of Area flags. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss'' Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Broad''' - Allows one to attack up to 4 targets with one attack, regardless of Area flags. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Reach''' - Allows an Area attack to reach up to 30 targets. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss'' ''(Note: Please do not fight 30 people. Also, Reach only applies to attacks that have the Area flag, not those that are temporarily Area thanks to Broad.)'' Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Reach''' - Allows an Area attack to reach up to 30 targets. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss'' ''(Note: Please do not fight 30 people. Also, Reach only applies to attacks that have the Area flag, not those that are temporarily Area thanks to Broad.)''		*'''Break''' - Grants the Break status to self and grants 3 Limit to self. The Break status grants a Bonus Action to each target attacked while it lasts. This is meant to encourage 'all-out attacks', and is a fine way to end a last round. Costs '''0''' Limit. ''Boss'' Should be used on your turn.
	*'''Break''' - Grants the Break status to self and grants 3 Limit to self. The Break status grants a Bonus Action to each target attacked while it lasts. This is meant to encourage 'all-out attacks', and is a fine way to end a last round. Costs '''0''' Limit. ''Boss''

	==== Exclusive Limit Actions ====		==== Exclusive Limit Actions ====
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	=== Reactions ===		=== Reactions ===
	*'''+Avoid''' - Attempts to defend via speed and evasion. Affected by Agility. Can also be performed with '''+evade'''.		*'''+Avoid''' - Attempts to defend via speed and evasion. Affected by Agility. Can also be performed with '''+evade'''. High-risk, high-reward.
	*'''+Block''' - Attempts to defend via toughness or parrying. Affected by Vitality. Can also be performed with '''+guard'''.		*'''+Block''' - Attempts to defend via toughness or parrying. Affected by Vitality. Can also be performed with '''+guard'''. Consistent mitigation.
	*'''+Counter''' - Uses attack to try to defend. While it can reduce damage significantly, it won't always; if any damage is left over from what is reduced, it is added to a guaranteed backlash. Affected by Strength or Magic, as well as by Agility, Vitality, and Luck. Can also be performed with '''+repel'''. Costs 8 SP per hit countered.		*'''+Counter''' - Uses attack to try to defend. While it can reduce damage significantly, it won't always; if any damage is left over from what is reduced, it is added to a guaranteed backlash. Affected by Strength or Magic, as well as by Agility, Vitality, and Luck. Can also be performed with '''+repel'''. Costs 8 SP per hit countered.
	*'''+Take''' - A final reaction which reflects 'no contest' to the attack. This is typically used for heals and buffs. If you wish to fail a roll deliberately, use the /fail switch on one of the other reactions, rather than +take. '''+accept''' is another alias for +take.		*'''+Take''' - A final reaction which reflects 'no contest' to the attack. This is typically used for heals and buffs. If you wish to fail a roll deliberately, use the /fail switch on one of the other reactions, rather than +take. '''+accept''' is another alias for +take.

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	*'''Aegis''' - Grants the Aegis status to self, which decreases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Aegis''' - Grants the Aegis status to self, which decreases incoming and outgoing damage. Mutually exclusive with Aegis and Favor. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''
	*'''Favor''' - Grants the Favor status to self, which increases outgoing and decreases incoming damage. Mutually exclusive with Blood and Aegis. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Favor''' - Grants the Favor status to self, which increases outgoing and decreases incoming damage. Mutually exclusive with Blood and Aegis. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''
			**'''Note''': Aegis, Blood, and Favor are meant to be used at the beginning of one's turn, not in the middle of the round.
	*'''Salve''' - Removes one ailment from self. Costs ''2'' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Salve''' - Removes one ailment from self. Costs ''2'' Limit. ''Boss''
	*'''Broad''' - Allows one to attack up to 4 targets with one attack, regardless of Area flags. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''		*'''Broad''' - Allows one to attack up to 4 targets with one attack, regardless of Area flags. Costs '''3''' Limit. ''Boss''
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	*'''+Avoid''' - Attempts to defend via speed and evasion. Affected by Agility. Can also be performed with '''+evade'''.		*'''+Avoid''' - Attempts to defend via speed and evasion. Affected by Agility. Can also be performed with '''+evade'''.
	*'''+Block''' - Attempts to defend via toughness or parrying. Affected by Vitality. Can also be performed with '''+guard'''.		*'''+Block''' - Attempts to defend via toughness or parrying. Affected by Vitality. Can also be performed with '''+guard'''.
	*'''+Counter''' - ~~Refuses defense in order~~ to ~~return~~ damage ~~to the attacker~~. Affected by Agility, Vitality, and Luck. Can also be performed with '''+repel'''.		*'''+Counter''' - Uses attack to try to defend; can reduce damage significantly, with a chance of returning some damage as backlash. Affected by Strength or Magic, as well as by Agility, Vitality, and Luck. Can also be performed with '''+repel'''. Costs 8 SP per hit countered.
	*'''+Take''' - A final reaction which reflects 'no contest' to the attack. This is typically used for heals and buffs. If you wish to fail a roll deliberately, use the /fail switch on one of the other reactions, rather than +take. '''+accept''' is another alias for +take.		*'''+Take''' - A final reaction which reflects 'no contest' to the attack. This is typically used for heals and buffs. If you wish to fail a roll deliberately, use the /fail switch on one of the other reactions, rather than +take. '''+accept''' is another alias for +take.

	Each reaction has three possible states:		Each reaction has three possible states:

	*''Success'' - The most favorable result. Reduces the most damage, ~~or returns the most~~ damage ~~in the case of~~ Counter.		*''Success'' - The most favorable result. Reduces the most damage, and has a better chance of returning damage on Counter.
	*''Neutral'' - A moderate result. Reduces some damage, ~~or returns some~~ damage ~~in the case of~~ Counter.		*''Neutral'' - A moderate result. Reduces some damage, and has a small chance of returning damage on Counter.
	*''Failure'' - The worst result. Takes the most damage, ~~or returns the least~~ damage ~~in the case of~~ Counter.		*''Failure'' - The worst result. Takes the most damage, and likely fails to return any damage on Counter.

	Stats impact both one's rate of success and base damage reduction from attacks for a given reaction. Reaction modifiers are also affected by certain abilities and statuses. More on that in [[#Passives\|Passives]] and [[#Effects\|Effects]].		Stats impact both one's rate of success and base damage reduction from attacks for a given reaction. Reaction modifiers are also affected by certain abilities and statuses. More on that in [[#Passives\|Passives]] and [[#Effects\|Effects]].