2025-08-22: Karaoke Meeting

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<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    It's a good thing to get together with your friends to blow off some steam before doing something big. It's even better if there's someone possibly joining the group and you want to make sure they're on the same page as everyone else. Morgana might vouch for Haru--and Ren might have a good experience with Haru, both in and out of costume--but The Phantoms don't take action unless it's unanimous.
    
    So a suggestion has been posed that they all do karaoke together. It's a good way to unwind and have fun and also have soundproof privacy for them to talk about very serious things. Ren's all for it. He's already used it once with someone else--even if neither of them ever sang a single song.
    
    The stage is alight. Drinks and snacks are ordered and plated on the table in between the couches where everyone is or may be seated. They've got at least an hour of time to themselves.
    
    Morgana thus hops up to sit on the back of one of those couches, right over Ren's left shoulder. "A-HEM," he coughs into one paw. "So now that we're all settled in, it's time to properly introduce ourselves!" He gives an encouraging nod to Haru. "This is Beauty Thief--Haru Okumura! She's a kindhearted young lady who awoke to her Persona when she tried to come to my aid and got drawn into Mementos by a Shadow. I've been training her on the side, and she shows a lot of promise! She has some circumstances of her own going on--but I'll let you explain that yourself, Haru." He looks around at the group. "Now it's your turns!"
    
    Ren catches Haru's eye and smiles at her. "I'm Ren Amamiya... but you already knew that. In the Metaverse and other places like that, my codename's Joker." He looks around at the others. "Once we're all introduced, I've got some news to share... so let's make sure Haru-san really does want to join first." He looks back at Haru, silently encouraging her to speak up. 

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Ryuji is soooo down with Karaoke. Maybe more than the meeting. The blonde already has a microphone and is prodding it as he waits for his turn. He looks over as Morgana as he introduces Haru, smirking as he looks over at Haru. "Sure, sure. You didn't tell us she was such a babe though. Hey there."

 When it's his turn to introduce himself, he takes the mic, holding it up as he poses flamboyantly. "It is I, The Phantom Thieves' dashing bruiser code named Skull....But you can call me Ryuji Sakamoto during r&r." He points his finger to the sky, trying to look cool.

He looks kinda cringe.

"Right so who is singing first? Is it me? Please say it's me!"

He looks around the room, waiting for a signal to delight with his musical talents...which he has none. While he waits, he grabs a drink and sips on it, bouncing a little in anticipation. 

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

Haru isn't often one for karaoke, but honestly, she could really use it after that harrowing experience at Kamoshida's Palace. She'd fought well, but it'd taken a lot out of her, especially since she hasn't been used to defending against attacks. Besides that, she finally gets the opportunity to meet the 'friends' Morgana was talking about.

"Greetings," Haru waves to the group, when Morgana introduces her. She comes off as a lot more withdrawn, even more polite than usual, outside the Palace. "I'm Haru Okumura... those of you who attend Shujin may recognize me as your 'Senpai', but please feel free to just call me Haru." She smiles, but Ryuji's reaction catches her off guard. "U-um..." There's a bit of a glint in her eye. If this was the Metaverse, Ryuji would probably be in danger. "Please refrain from saying things you don't really mean~" She settles on that. "It's nice to meet you, though."

"And yes... the Shadow was actually my fiance, which probably tells you that he isn't a very good person." Haru explains with a shake of her head. "That's how I awakened to my Persona. When I learned about a group of Phantom Thieves, changing people's hearts through magical means... I thought that it might be related." She ruffles her hair with her hand. "And when I saw Kaneshiro's Palace, it made me think about my father's own practices." Anyone who keeps up with the business world might know of Okumura and his shady business practices. "So I came to a decision. I'd like to join your group... on one condition."

"I'd like to change my father's heart." She declares. "Deep down, I don't want to believe he's a bad person, but between the way he runs Okumura Foods and the marriage he arranged me too, I know he can be better. If I have that power... I want to use it, even if it's selfish." She explains. "Especially since it's far more than just my father. So... will you have me?"

If she does join, though... "So you're Joker. Such a cool name~ I guess we really are accomplices now." And then she looks to Ryuji, who flirted with her literally immediately. "And you're Skull. There was certainly an effort to sound cool~" She laughs. Something about his energy is kind of endearing. "I suppose I'd need something better than Beauty Thief. No one seemed all too impressed with it..." 

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.

"Okay karaokeeeeee~!"

This, of course, was Ann Takamaki's enthusiastic endorsement of the Very Serious Meeting Gameplan.

It's also what she announces, very seriously, as she swings the doors to the karaoke booth open wide, a big, delighted grin on her lips and hands triumphantly planted on her hips.

So yeah.

Ann likes karaoke.

Literally one of the only place where she can belt out her favorite foreign pop songs without everyone looking at her like she's a weirdo.

Still dressed in her school uniform, Ann flops back into one of the couches with a brief, twintail-flipping bounce of impact. Hands over her head, she stretches out with a delighted, "mmmm~!" as she gets herself nice and cozy.

"So, this place does foreign songs right?" is her first most important question of the meeting. "Wait, let me take a look at the song list."

She's in the middle of grabbing the tablet for perusal when Morgana makes his announcement, and Ren makes his introductions. She smiles, about to do the same --

--and then Ryuji cuts in as only Ryuji can.

Ann's expression flattens. She - very calmly - gathers the tablet --

--and then just kinda casually elbows Ryuji right in the ribs as she's leaning back into her seat, the sudden elbow nudge attack only matched in its casual abruptness by how she instantly turns a beaming and apologetic smile Haru's way next.

"Sorry, he's kinda a dweeb, but he's harmless," she tries to reassure, before offering up a wave of her own. "I'm Ann Takamaki. Oh! Um, Panther in the Metaverse. I've seen you around school before, right?" Her expression softens in that 'how to put this politely' kind of way as Haru talks about her code name.

"It was -- kind of surprising?" she offers, scratching her cheek. No, that still sounds bad. "But if you're gonna join us, you definitely need a better one. Something simple, and like... evocative? Maybe like--"

Wait. Is Ryuji trying to call dibs?? Ann's attention IMMEDIATELY PIVOTS.

"No way! It's totally me!" She frowns. "Once I--" and starts feverishly scrolling through her options, "--find a song--!"

Sorry Haru. She was so close to giving the perfect code name, she just knows it!

Still -- she's mid-way through her heated race to the finish line to find the perfect song before Ryuji can when something clicks with her. She pauses. Her head snaps up, eyes going wide.

"Wait. You want to change your dad's heart?? Wait wait -- Okumura Foods, as in, -that- Okumura Foods??" She doesn't bring up the accusations directly -- she doesn't want to make things awkward for Haru. Like.

"Wait wait wait -- fiance?!"

Mostly. Some things Ann just can't help. 

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

Ah, karaoke! A place where the youth of Japan get to try their hand at capturing the sublime delights of enka ballads.

... That's what it is, right? Yusuke's never been able to afford it. By the time he's situated himself, Ann and Ryuji are already squabbling over who gets dibs on the first song. He's almost so distracted by the sudden noise that he misses the way Haru's cheerful response to Ryuji flirting with her carries an edge.

Almost. His brow arches, impressed, as he bows in greeting. "I am Yusuke Kitagawa. Unlike the rest of our team, my schooling is at Gekkoukan. On missions, I take the codename 'Fox'."

Haru explains her conditions for joining the team, and Yusuke adopts a Thinker's pose, sitting back in the booth and resting his chin on a fist in turn supported on his knee. "I see. Unfortunately, we're in the middle of a mission at present, dealing with Junya Kaneshiro's exploitation of the youth culture of Shibuya. That said... I am sure we can at least investigate the situation."

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    When was the last time Makoto had been to a Karaoke place? Never, probably. That makes today a novel experience. It also means she has no particular karaoke excitement to distract from the particulars of the fact that the Karaoke is a cover for discussing business. As such, while Ann and Ryuji fight for the microphone, Makoto is seated on one of the couches. It is, at least, relatively secure.

    More secure than, say, a mall passageway. Panther.

    Still, her eyes are definitely on the new arrival to the group. She has seen Haru around the school- they're both third years, after all. But in the years they've been at Shujin, Makoto never really had reason to talk to her. After all, she wasn't causing problems or ever seemed to need to talk to the student council.

    "It's nice to meet you, Okumura-san. Your assistance in Kaneshiro's palace was greatly appreciated. I'm Makoto Niijima, but in the metaverse, call me Queen."

    She definitely doesn't realize what she said there.

    She does frown at Ryuji's introduction, but Ann seems to have him handled and expertly. It means Makoto can focus on Haru's situation for now. A shadow of someone can lure people into Mementos...? Her situation sounds awful.

    And then Haru mentions her desire to change her father's heart, and Makoto's breath catches for a moment, and she doesn't notice the way she starts worrying at her lower lip, and Makoto looks away from Haru for a second.

    Suppose you had the ability to change hearts right now... and decided to use it upon, just for the sake of argument... Sae-san. Let us pre-suppose you had the best of intentions for doing so... and even an outcome that in the eyes of society would be considered 'good'. Perhaps even... 'just'.

    "Are you certain that's the approach you want to take, Okumura-san?"

    Makoto is looking at her seriously, while Yusuke explains why they can't deal with it right this second. Certainly, Makoto's voice sounds conflicted... 

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Ryuji immediately hits on Haru. Ren shoots him an alarmed look and shakes his head quickly, gesturing a line across his throat--nope, Haru can and does take care of herself, with support from Ann's elbow jab. Rest in pieces, Ryuji.
    
    "Yes, don't pay any mind to that lunkhead, Haru," Morgana chimes in, giving her a sympathetic look and Ryuji a dirty one. Fortunately, Haru still needing to say her piece keeps him from immediately picking a fight with Ryuji.
    
    Ren sets his hands down on his thighs and slouches forward as he istens. He'd heard about the fiancé situation already (thus the neck slash gesture), but the stuff about her father is new. He isn't at all familiar with the business world. He doesn't even know Haru's dad owns Big Bang Burger. He can, however, relate to having a bad dad relationship and wishing one could do something about it--for all that Makoto seems to have an immediate negative reaction to the prospect. Ren looks at her sidelong in concern. He doesn't quite understand that reaction, but it's clear that she's uncomfortable with the prospect. He looks back at Haru.
    
    "It might be selfish, but that doesn't mean it's not worth doing," he says to Makoto as much to Haru. "At the same time, I don't know enough about your father to say I agree with changing his heart, and The Phantoms only change hearts if it's a unanimous agreement." He nods to Yusuke, who brings up another very good point--that they've got to deal with Kaneshiro first anyway. "I'm fine with investigating once we're done our current mission. Still, if we can't guarantee you your condition, does that mean you won't help us with Kaneshiro? It's fine if you won't. We all have our own principles, and I won't ask you to compromise on them just so we can get a little extra firepower."
    
    He grins as she speaks of them being accomplices, and joins in with her laughter. For all he just said, he does like her vibe and energy too, both here and back in Kaneshiro's Palace. That grin turns sheepish when Haru talks about a better codename. "If you want to run ideas past us, we can workshop it."
    
    "Go for it," he asides to Ryuji of singing first. He glances at Ann, then adds, "But only if you've got a song queued up already."
    
    But... it seems like Ann does recognize Haru's dad. Okumura Foods? Ren glances around the room. Does anyone else recognize the name? (In fairness, if someone said Big Bang Burger, he'd totally understand.)
    
    "One thing we can do right away to investigate is see if he has a Palace at all," he says, pulling out his smartphone. It's not just for this--he has something else in mind--but this is good to confirm first anyway. "I'm guessing if you want to change his heart, you already confirmed that, though. Can you tell us his keywords?"

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Ryuji doesn't notice the glint. He is a simple boy who is smitten for the moment. He merely nods along. "Haru, got it mmhmm." He nods along with the words.

 What he does catch is the remark about the 'effort' to look cool. He blinks for a moment. "Hey..." He wonders if he over did it or something.

Nah, he made a good impression.

 He takes one in the ribs. "HEY! What's the big idea?! I'm trying to put on that Ryuji charm! You jelly or somethin'?" He gives Ann a look that a brother might give his sister during a spat. When she realizes he already has the mic, he grins devilishly, raising a hand to his face as he laughs mockingly. "Oh, my -dear- Ann. I had the song picked out since this morning! Gotta get with it if you want to be in show biz." What Ryuji knows about show business is anyone's guess. He laughs again before looking back to Haru as she gets into her fiancé. He raises a brow. "The hell does your old man think setting you up with a guy like that? Oughta have his head examined...I mean I don't have any problem with looking into your old man after our current gig. As Yusuke mentioned, we're dealing with that Kaneshiro jackass."

 "OH do I?!" Ryuji grins widely at Ren. It is a wonder how he knows this song's call number by heart. Do you really want to know?

He quickly presses them into the remote, taking his place in front of the screen. He clears his throat, smiling widely.

Ryuji starts, "Every night in my dreams..." He slides up to Ren, making eye contact and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I see you, I feEeEeEllll youuuuu..." He moves away, working the audience with his very tone deaf performance, ignoring any judgement. "That is how I know you, go oooooon..."

 One very harrowing performance later, Ryuji really goes for it, belting out the last part with no sense of surrender. For better or worse.

 "Yoooooooou'rrrrrrre heeeeeeeerrrrrreeeeee, there's nooooooooothing I fear!! And I know that my heart will go oOoOoOoOoooon!!! We'll stay foOoOoOoOoOreverRRRRRRRRRR this way!!! You are safe in my heart and my heart will go on and onnnnnnn!" He opens his arms, breathing heavy as he waits to hear his adoring public. 

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Takamaki-san, Kitagawa-san, and Nijima-san. If I recall, we fought together in the Palace... I was quite impressed by your teamwork." She smiles. When says she's seen her as school, Haru nods. "It seems most of us are classmates at Shujin Academy. I may not be as reliable of a Senpai as our student council president here, but I do hope we'll work well together~" She smiles. That's not a slight at Makoto, by the way.

Haru giggles a bit when Ann immediately elbows Ryuji for daring to flirt with her. So that's the dynamic they have here. But overall, the Phantoms are understandably a bit skeptical - not of her, necessarily, but of their capacity to change Okumura's heart. Yusuke - or Fox, as he goes by - points out that they already have business with Kaneshiro, while Joker asks if they'll have her help if they can't fulfill her condition.

"Perhaps 'on one condition' was a dramatic way to put it." She admits, with a slight smile, before it turns into a frown at the thought of Kaneshiro's crimes. "Kaneshiro's greed isn't something I can ignore, either, after all." It's endangered many women in Shibuya, and if he's hiring murderers like the Joker Killer to do his dirty work... "I'd like to help you with your infiltration, if you'll have me." But when Makoto asks if she's certain... Haru thinks about it for a moment.

"Well, for starters," Haru looks to Ren. "My father is the CEO of Okumura Foods, most known for Big Bang Burger... it's a popular restaurant chain, but I'm sure you've heard the stories about its gross malpractice and horrific workplace abuse. Frankly, as his daughter, I found it concerning myself... but he's always shut down my questions." She explains, as for the 'why' he might have a Palace. She looks to Ann, next, when she asks about her fiance. "Yes. It seems his plans for me are to marry me off to a politician's son. I did not have a choice in the matter, and he has become increasingly controlling as of late." ...Which is probably why she awakened a Persona at the presence of his Shadow.

"I've thought hard about this, and I genuinely don't see any other way out. I want my father to become the man he was before again. So yes... I think I am certain, Nijima-san." She nods, resolutely. If she's turned down, there's a good chance she will try to infiltrate the Palace herself, with maybe only Morgana's help. However, without a marriage date set, it's not urgent just yet. "Until then... I'll do what I can to support your own operations."

As for the key words... "It must be the Okumura Foods HQ building. As for the theming... well, Kaneshiro's Palace was a bank, was it not? My father has always had an obsession with the stars, in constantly expanding his interests upwards... he has a dedicated spacecraft model collection after all. Could it be 'outer space'?" 

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.

"What would you know about showbiz?? H-hey--!"

This would be Ann, making a doomed play for the microphone. Some might call it stealing. Ann also would call it stealing. They're Phantom Thieves, it's their noble pursuit!

Sadly, as she gets onto her knees on the couch and makes her mighty lunge for the microphone - for herself, for her friends, for the reputation of this entire establishment! - it all ends in tragic failure as Ryuji pivots towards the screen and her hand swipes empty air.

"Wagh!"

The shame of her defeat is for all to witness as, overextended and balanced destroyed, Ann lets out a wide-eyed, inelegant squeak as she collapses over the top of the sofa, just -barely- managing to not completely bowl herself over.

Yes, this is the acrobatic Panther of Kaneshiro's Palace. Fear her multitudes.

"... ughhh... I failed..."

Ann just kinda stays there, flopped in defeat, regretting all of her choices in life that led her to this exact moment, until the conversation pivots back to Haru; the blue-eyed Second Year glances over her shoulder at the second (potential!) sempai of the team, lashes fluttering in a blink. Ren mentions the rules of their group (Organization? Organization sounds so sketchy though (or SUPER COOL, like THE VILLAINS' INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF EVIL)), and as he does, Ann gradually pushes herself up by the palms into a (reversed) kneeling position, pulling a few platinum locks behind her hair as she offers a follow up.

"That's just how we operate," she confirms. "But it's not like we can just ignore a scuzzy fiance or... errr, your dad."

Ann scratches her cheek, frowning.

"... Sorry. This is probably a sensitive subject for you, huh...?"

Haru, at least, provides helpful clarity for Ren - and, potentially, the others. "Mm," she exhales. "I read a bit about it all. I actually had a job or two for Okumura Foods -- er, not Big Bang Burger though. I bet they do everything in-house there." Or use -stock photos-, like -certain other mega franchise food chains we won't mention-.

Her gaze hoods as Haru relates the situation, and her lack of information even -she- has. If even his daughter is being shut out of the truth -- isn't that super shady? And besides which--

"Seriously?" she asks on the matter of Haru's fiance. Sky blue eyes instantly narrow. "That's just -so- foul! What a scumbag! I can't even--"

She's about to peel off on an angry rant here which would possibly be very awkward considering Haru is still, in fact, the scumbag's daughter --

-- when Ryuji starts butchering Celine Dion, drowning out at least half of that rant before it comes to a harrowing end.

Ann Takamaki, well acquainted with the works of Celine Dion, being how she is of <Foreign Ancestry>, suddenly pales.

"Oh my god."

It's like her entire world is being turned upside-down. Everything has lost meaning. Tone and key no longer matter. All has been consumed by madness.

Which might explain why, as Ryuji turns to regard his adoring fans, one of sad adoring fans is once again half-slumped against the back of the couch once more, palms to ears, expression grave.

"... I was so close to stopping this..."

That's almost like applause. Right?? 

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

Oh no, Ryuji's had this planned since they started. A frisson of alarm crosses Yusuke's face as the other boy steps up with the mic - and then the performance begins.

== insert aural horrors here ==

By the end of Ryuji's enthusiastic assault on their ears, Yusuke's expression has become alarmingly stony. "Astounding, Sakamoto-san. Never before would I have thought to describe a chorus of baboons as 'harmonious', and yet in comparison to that debacle, such a word seems obvious."

He shudders, viscerally, before returning his attention to Ren and Haru. "... Reprehensible," he murmurs, on the subject of the arranged marriage.

Haru then says she wants the father she remembers back, and Yusuke's expression turns... distant. It appears as though it's dissociative, but Ren will recognise at as similar to the expression he wears when sitting in Leblanc, gazing at the Sayuri. Is it a kind of yearning, perhaps?

"... Your support with our Kaneshiro mission will be appreciated," he manages to conclude, albeit distantly. 

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    Makoto, who blackmailed the Phantoms into changing a mafia boss' heart for her own stupid reasons, is weirdly hesitant about Haru coming to them to with, honestly, good reasons? It's perhaps a startling shift for the Phantoms advisor, but it's there either way. She does, this time, notice Ren glancing at her. She shakes her head briefly, as if to communicate 'it's nothing, don't worry', before turning her eyes back to Haru. Especially since that means she can avoid meeting Ren's eyes as he talks about the selfishness and worth of such an activity. And that is replaced with a bit of a blush as Haru compliments her reliability. "I don't know that many people share your opinion..."

    Still. Business! "Amamiya-kun is right, we need to know more about the situation before we can act." -Even if Ryuji is already game.

    Haru lays out that she's prepared to keep working with them, for now, and what her stance is toward her father. No, it seems Haru has thought this through, and she can answer Makoto's question with a confidence that Makoto lacks. "I see. You're not doing this lightly, we can say that much." Makoto frowns, seemingly in thought. "Kaneshiro has to be our priority for now, unfortunately. We're working against the clock. But once he's dealt with..." There's definitely sympathy in Makoto's voice, as she speaks. Like she can understand a little. "I'd be open to Okumura-san's proposition. This doesn't sound like something we can ignore, and Okumura-san took a bold risk proposing it to us, even with Morgana's support. And given her support against Kaneshiro so far, it feels like a fair deal to offer our support back."

    While Ann launches to try and save all of them from their coming fate, Makoto manages to shift left slightly and make sure Ann has a clear landing point. She's helping? "Are you alright, Takamamki-san?"

    She certainly agrees with everyone else's assessment of 'scumbag'. Makoto can't even imagine the idea of an arranged marriage forced on her, especially given it seems the man sucks so bad he has a Shadow wandering mementos.

    And then Ryuji lets out the caterwaul of doom, and Makoto just sort of stares as this all goes down, eyes wide. What. What? What??

    "Sakamoto-kun... Please never do that again." There is an air of implied violence in that seemingly polite statement. 

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Ann loses the struggle for the microphone and collapses over the back of the soda. Ren barely--just barely--holds back a snort of laughter. He at least offers her a consoling shoulder-pat as she pouts.
    
    Ryuji apparently has had his song picked out since this morning. "Huh. I didn't know you liked karaoke that much," Ren comments, sitting upright to listen.
    
    Then the performance begins. It includes a tender shoulder touch, direct eye contact, and a total lack of staying on key.
    
    If this were an anime, a sweatdrop would be sliding down the side of Ren's head right now.
    
    Ryuji finishes up and spreads his arms, panting as he awaits his accolades. Ren, in turn, looks at Ann, clutching her ears, expression haunted.
    
    "It's your turn now," he says, as if nothing at all had happened.
    
    Sometimes that's the only way you can move past a tragedy (travesty).
    
    Haru explains about her father. "Oh!" Ren utters, at last recognizing the brand name Big Bang Burger. Who hasn't heard that one? There's a branch in Shibuya that's incredibly flashy. Ren has naturally dropped in to eat on more than one occasion. The bad stories... get her a bit of a blank look. "I've... heard rumors, but people will tell all kinds of horror stories about big chains. I didn't take them seriously," he admits. He glances at Ann and her experience with Okumura Foods.
    
    But... so he set up an engagement for Haru without even asking her. Ren's eyes narrow. That part he hadn't heard either. He's aware of omiais and how people use them to meet potential marriage material, but this sounds several steps beyond that. "That's definitely distorted," he murmurs, voice low. Morgana nods, furry face twisted with disgust. On that, at least, they can all unanimously agree right away.
    
    She wants her kind father back... Ren glances at Yusuke. That distant look on his face is indeed familiar. What happens if it turns out that Haru's father has been distorted for as far back as Madarame was--that there is no kind father to get back? That could be incredibly cruel... But Haru agrees that she'll still help with Kaneshiro, that he still needs to be dealt with. Ren nods.
    
    "That about sums it up," he says to Makoto. "Then let's see what the Meta-Nav has to say."

    Ren holds up his smartphone; the voice input of the Meta-Nav is clear on its screen. "Okumura, CEO of Okumura Foods," he enunciates.
    
    The app pings. "Hit found," a mechanical female voice says.
    
    Ren gives everyone in the room a grim look. They all understand what that means. He holds his phone out to Haru, and she suggests--
    
    Okumura Foods HQ building.
    
    *Ping*. "Hit found."
    
    Outer space.
    
    *Ping*. "Palace found. Navigation ready."
    
    Ren sucks in a breath through his teeth and pulls his phone to his face. "...Well. That settles that much, at least." He pulls his phone down for a moment, frowning; then he hits the 'back' button. "We'll take a look once we've dealt with Kaneshiro. But there's someone else I want to check, too." He catches Makoto's eye and gives her a slight nod.
    
    "I was talking to Niijima-san the other day, and she mentioned something that's been bothering me. Right before she called me into the Student Council office to try to pressure me to talk, Akechi interrogated her--and implied he knew that Principal Kobayakawa had told her to get dirt on us. The thing is, only she and the Principal knew about that. It's possible Akechi figured it out from seeing her tailing me, but... I have a hunch I want to test."
    
    Ren holds up his smartphone again. "Goro Akechi," he enunciates.
    
    "No hits found," the Meta-Nav's tinny voice says.
    
    Ren nods like this is what he figured. Then he says, "Principal Kobayakawa of Shujin Academy."
    
    It pings again--but this time, the tinny voice says, "Hit found."
    
    Ren sits back, expression grimly satisfied. "I'm going to cut straight to the point," he says, looking around at everyone. "I think Akechi's a Persona User--and he found out what Niijima-san was doing by asking the Principal's Shadow about it. Once we're done with Kaneshiro and we've taken a look at Haru's dad's Palace, I want us to poke our heads into the Principal's Palace and confirm if I'm right or not. What do you guys think?"

    They'll need to figure out Kobayakawa's distortion first, of course--but Ren's confident that they can figure that out before long. Maybe even right now, if Makoto has any ideas. 

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Ryuji is oblivious. "Stopping what? You jealous?" He grins, handing over the mic to Ann. "Try following -that-"

Bless his heart.

Ryuji slumps into the couch, spreading his legs and arms over one section all his own.

He grins slowly fades as he listens to what Yusuke says, narrowing his eyes. "Ey! You think you can do better? I bet you don't have any rhythm like I do." Then Makoto strikes, making his frown deepen. He sulks, crossing his arms as he looks around the room. "Come on! Heart has to count for something! Come on, back me up, Ren!" He looks to his friend for some support, finding only horror. The blonde's face sinks, grumbling before he lets out a "YOU GUYS SUCK!"

 After stitching his pride back together, Ryuji slouches in his seat, listening to the meeting. "That detective creep? Guess that makes sense. But the Principal too? Is our school just lousy with shitty adults or something. Kawakami-sensei next?" He sighs thinking about everything. "So what order are we doing this in? If her old man and the Principal have palaces, which do we focus on first? I guess we have keywords for one but isn't the Principal going to keep coming at us until we deal with that?" 

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

Despite the heavy subject manner of the conversation, Haru can't help but crack a smile at Ryuji's... really good performance. Even if everyone else tears into him.

"There's no need to mince your words, I feel," Haru says to Ann. "It is scumbag behaviour." She agrees. "But I understand your group's hesitation, as well. The Phantom Thieves are becoming increasingly well known... but it'd be a rather large escalation on your part, to move from changing the hearts of targets primarily based in Tokyo, to someone who operates around the world." She considers. "It's a difficult decision to make, for sure."

For now, their focus is on Kaneshiro, and that's more than reasonable. His crimes do need to be stopped, before more people's lives are endangered. Haru looks to Yusuke, who seems to withdraw a bit when she speaks of how she misses the person her father used to be. She wonders if there's something there. "I appreciate it," She nods, to Yusuke, and then Makoto. "Milady and I will do our best!" She smiles. It means she'll need to come up with a codename even sooner, but she thinks she has an idea...

Ren gets to business, and checks the Meta-Nav himself. She was right - on all counts. Her heart sinks a little, despite it being 'good news', because she has a hard time imagining what his Palace will be like. She pushes that feeling back for now. If the Phantom Thieves are willing to help her on this, it won't have to be that way. "...Thank you," She nods to Ren. But there's someone else he wants to check?

Goro Akechi, who does not pull up a Palace. "Do you mean that Goro Akechi? Th second Detective Prince?" Haru tilts her head. Another Persona user, this one a celebrity. He could either make a great ally, or a fearsome rival. As for the Principal... she can't say she's surprised to learn that after everything that's been happening at Shujin. If they could change his heart, that might make things easier for her classmates... But he mostly stays quiet here, without much of an idea of how to go about it herself. 

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.

"-Wow-."

Ann turns big blue eyes slowly towards her fellow Phantom's way as he launches one of his most brutal All-Out Attacks yet. Even by Ann's standards, its killing power is immense. She even -winces- a bit!

"Jeez. Things like that been what the phrase 'straight for the jugular' was made for, Yusuke," she grimaces. A second passes. "... I mean, I guess it had to be said, for all our sakes..."

Did it, though.

Still; Makoto wonders if she's alright. And after her 'polite' 'request' to Ryuji--

Ann perks up just a little bit, as if part of her mighty power has been restored.

"Hee. I mean, I'll recover!" she guesstimates. "... eventually."

Still, with -that- taken case of, Ann finally pushes herself back into a (backwards) upraised position; legs folding under her, she half-turns towards the rest of those gathered as the discussion turns towards serious topics. Hands on the selection tablet, Ann's brows furrow, pink lips pressing into a thoughtful line even as Haru assures her that what she was saying was not only alright -- it was simply true.

"Mm," Ann voices. "Still, though. ... I can't imagine how rough that must be for you, senpai. Even if your dad doesn't have a Palace..."

It's unacceptable.

Unforgiveable.

Un--

*ping*

Hit found.

"No way--"

She shouldn't be surprised, honestly. At this point, it's mostly just a kneejerk reaction. Blue eyes widen as she turns more fully in her seat - careful not to intrude on Makoto's space anymore than she already has - and, hands planted on the tops of her thighs like an anchor point, she leeeeeans in towards Ren and his phone with a wondering stare. Okumura checks out. Okumura Food checks out. And...

Outer space.

*ping*

"Wh--"

She looks from side to side. And once again, -just for good measure-.

"Wait. Seriously? Outer space?" Why is no one else freaking out about that? "Wh-what kind of Palace does your dad even have?!"

It's okay. She'll do the acceptable amount of panicking, -for all of them-.

There's only -so much- she can do, however, when infiltrating said Palace isn't even something they can necessarily -do- right now. Haru all the same offers her aid against Kaneshiro, and for that, Ann offers a grateful smile. "Thanks, Okumura-senpai." It feels a little bit odd, calling her that, in light of everything, but, well. Awkward or not, Ann's parents raised her right! Technically! Okay it may have been more like a series of live-in housekeepers but still--

"So, Kaneshiro's stupid flying piggy bank first," she summarizes. "-Then-... we figure out what to do about this."

It seems so much. Perhaps too much, too fast.

Ann banishes her doubts in favor of perusing the song selection list as Ren shifts subjects. Finally, she finds something. Her eyes widen. Her expression alights! "Oo!" she all but squeals with delight! "This is -perfect-! Wait, though -- hrmmm--"

Ann looks at the song. She looks slowly at Makoto. At the song. At Makoto. At the song. At --

This keeps going for like five or more cycles until she leans in towards the student council president and whispers,

"Heyyyyy, Nijima-senpai -- your English is pretty good, right??"

Whatever the answer to -this- ominous question is, Ann finds herself distracted as Ren brings forth the latest topic. Principal Kobayakawa, and...

"Wait. Goro Akechi? That Detective Prince _alsoran_? He's seriously a Persona User too??"

Well no. They have to find confirmation first. But if he is... that's seriously bad for them, isn't it...?

*NOTE: Ann's only real reaction to learning the principal has a Palace is the angriest roll of her eyes in the world and a spat out, "Of -course- he does."

She is the world's complete lack of surprise on the matter of -that- jerk having a Palace. 

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    As Ren pulls out the Meta-Nav, Makoto watches as Haru suggests the keywords and the Metanav pings. She really does know her father, huh? Another frown emerges on Makoto's face. "It's confirmed, then. We could start infiltrating immediately after we deal with Kaneshiro, in that case." It would make their next choice easier.

    And then Ren casts a look at Makoto, and she blinks. Didn't Ren discount that possibility...? Or did he just not want to raise it with the two of them alone. Her frown becomes even more intense, and a deeper worry sinks in. Kobayakawa having a palace is almost unsurprising, but Akechi-kun being a persona user...

    "It would add up, but then... that means Sis has a persona user on her side as she's investigating us." This changes her calculus. A normal investigation would never find them, but a supernatural investigation...? "I know that her relying on Akechi-kun is unorthodox, but... I can't imagine her being able to believe in that world and the metaverse, but if she does..." Makoto blanches a bit. It was one thing to be up against Sae with an inalienable advantage, but if she's a persona user...

    Well. Makoto has never beaten her sister. Not in aikido, not in an argument, not in anything.

    She shakes her head. "Though if Sis knew, if she had evidence, she'd be acting on it. Maybe Akechi-kun hasn't told her...? If he approached her at the wrong time, the best case scenario is her dropping his assistance." Makoto shakes her head, and leans back into the couch. "...We're going to have to be more careful in the metaverse from now on, as well as the real world. Especially you, Sakamoto-kun. And we need to work out a code name for Okumura-san." Makoto looks at Haru again, trying to recall Beauty Thief's outfit. "You kind of give off the vibe of an executioner, with that axe, and there was a character named Milady in the Three Musketeers. Maybe something French, like 'Madam Guillotine'?"

    Still, other concerns are brought back to her. "...I don't think so. Principal Kobayakawa is pretty desperate. He might keep trying, but I don't think he has any other resources beyond me at this point. I wasn't even permitted to involve the rest of the Student Council in the investigation. He even told me I was the only one he could rely on- right after obliquely threatening my recommendation letter and academic career." Makoto's frown ever deepens. "...Honestly, it seems like he's always acting like he's at risk of losing everything. Maybe the school? Shujin Academy." She tries toward the Metanav. (After all, she wasn't there for Kamoshida's palace. "I can't think of anything in his office to give it away, though. It's mostly trophies and academic awards in there..."

    She realises, in her momentary panic (that she sure didn't show much of on the outside, that Haru is out of the loop. "...Yes. Goro Akechi. Despite being in high school, he's a consultant for the police and the prosecutor's office. Right now, he reports directly to my older sister, District Prosecutor Sae Niijima, who has been assigned the Phantom Thieves case, among others. She might be on Kaneshiro's case too, but she doesn't talk to me about work." Another memory comes unbidden. "And... When Akechi-kun approached me at the mock exams, we talked about targets the police couldn't catch. Like organized crime." Had she come up with that on her own, or had Akechi-kun nudged her onto it?

    "Is outer space that strange compared to a bank that's a UFO?" Makoto is genuinely asking, in this case. Is it? Could it be? Ann you've been through three of these now.

    Ann, however, introduces a new complicated factor. "I mean, it's decent. I could probably manage a conversation, if need be. Why?"

    No, Ann, she does not realize where this is going. Look at her, blinking innocently without realizing she's a deer in the headlights. 

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

Yusuke recovers from his weary wondering as Ren starts inputting keywords into the Meta-Nav. As the others react in alarm to 'outer space', he gives it some consideration. "I see. Space: The final frontier. Reached by climbing ever higher, on more and more explosive power, in a desperate attempt to break free of Earth's clutches... yes. A passionate madness indeed."

There is a brief aside as Makoto suggests a codename for Haru, and Yusuke shakes his head. "Too long. I think we should be aiming for, at most, three syllables, for quick callouts in combat."

Ryuji challenges him to do better, and Yusuke... smiles, coldly. "As a matter of fact, I do think I can do better - but I will allow Takamaki-san first dibs, since she clearly has an idea." 

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Ann leeeeans in towards Ren, and he tilts his phone so she can look too. It's right there on the screen.
    
    She, quite reasonably, starts to freak out at the prospect of a Palace themed on outer space. He, in turn, like a freak, grins wolfishly. What kind of Palace does Haru's dad have? "A really cool one," he replies. Passionate madness indeed, Yusuke.
    
    ...
    
    at least it's not a casino so he won't be getting his gambling freak on
    
    right???
    
    But Haru says she understands the group's hesitation to expand their scope so quickly, and Ren shakes his head. "That isn't why. At least, it isn't for me. Changing someone's heart is big, drastic, life-changing move, and you said yourself you want to do it for selfish reasons. Based on what I've heard so far, I think I'll probably end up agreeing to it--but I want to make absolutely sure that it really is the only way." His eyes narrow. "When I overhear people on the street fretting about if Akechi's right and we're just vigilantes going on a power trip, I want to know in my heart, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they're wrong."
    
    "Just because someone has a Palace, it doesn't necessarily mean they're evil--just that their view of reality is distorted," Morgana adds. He puts a comforting paw on Haru's shoulder, eyes softening. "Maybe, once you see what your father's Palace is like, everything else will make sense." His gaze firms with resolve. "...And maybe even get an idea of how to reach out to him in the real world."
    
    ...Morgana's not really convinced of that, but he'd like to console her anyway. This is her father they're talking about. It would be nice, for her sake, if her father could be reasoned with.
    
    Still, Ren smiles at Haru and nods acknowledgement at her words of gratitude. "Thank you too."
    
    As for Akechi--
    
    "That's the one," he says. He fails to hold back a snort of laughter at Ann's description of him as the alsoran. "We don't know for sure yet. We only know he doesn't have a Shadow in Mementos. That could mean that, despite being a giant smug asshole, he isn't distorted--or it could mean that he has a Persona. That's why I want to make sure." He looks over at Ryuji. "Obviously we're finishing up Kaneshiro first. As for Okumura-san and the Principal--there's no reason we have to change either of their hearts right away. We can take our time, investigate their Palaces, confront their Shadows, and make up our minds from there." He quirks a smile at Ryuji. "It'll be a nice change of pace to have a heart we don't need to scramble against the clock to change, huh?"
    
    (Never mind that this only happened with Madarame after they started investigating him--but Ren wholly agrees with Ann's eyeroll and spat reaction about Kobayakawa. Of course he does. Ren is likewise 0% surprised, and he has had a total of one meaningful interaction with the man.)
    
    "Madame Guillotine is cool, but Yusuke's right--we should make it short and easy to say," Ren says to Makoto. "But some kind of French codename does sound good. Very classy." He flashes Haru a smile. "It would suit you." He doesn't offer any suggestions yet--there's one that comes to mind, but Cagliostro is not short and easy to say. Makoto doesn't have any good ideas on what Kobayakawa's distortion could be, and he shakes his head. "It's okay. We'll take some time to think on it once Kaneshiro's dealt with." 

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Ren takes a deep breath. That brings him to the next set of things he needs to discuss. It's a lot, but... after that, everyone will be able to go ahead and sing and have a good time. (Even if Ann seems to have Makoto in her sights... and Ryuji's performance was... well, he had fun, and that's what counts?) "On that note...
    
    "The other night, I met with Umie Akabane-san as Joker to hear out the info she said she had for us. She told me that the Joker Killer's also known as the 'Old Maid,' and the allies she mentioned he had are these guys called Strega. We've met them; they're the guys we fought in Kaneshiro's Palace along with that guard Shadow and the 'Old Maid' himself. Akabane-san also mentioned another group called the NWO. Apparently they're a nasty crew, they're looking into supernatural phenomenon, and they know who she is. I got the impression she was a part of them and tried to leave, but they've still got their hooks in her, so she's going to keep needing help--but we need to be careful too, so we should avoid letting on to her who we really are.
    
    "Speaking of which, the guy that fought alongside Akabane-san and Yusuke... he's a cop. Officer Katsuya Suou," Ren continues. "I don't know how many Persona User cops there are, but talking to Akabane-san, I got the impression that he might be an outlier. We should be careful around him too, though.
    
    "She also mentioned someone named Myunghon Yeo, the owner of this store in Sumaru called the Cardboard Dragon, and how both of them were working with them too. I checked that place out next, and it looks like it's a legitimate business. More to the point, when I dropped in with Morgana, two other Persona Users that fought with us in the Palace that day were working there along with Yeo-san." He looks at Yusuke. "One of them was even one of those Persona Users you ran into during the extra hour in Sumaru City. Her name's Shinobu Shimizu." He folds his hands under his chin, elbows on his knees, and looks at the others. "It turns out, Kaneshiro's not just scamming high school students; he's also trying to buy up land in Sumaru, and Yeo-san's shop is part of that. Those other Persona Users we ran into... I don't know if it's true for all of them, but at least some of them want to protect that store."
    
    "Obviously, we didn't reveal ourselves to them, and it's not like we're going to clue them in on our fabulous heists," Morgana pipes up. "But I think we can trust that they want the same thing we do, and if they show up again, they can help us fight Shadow Kaneshiro and whatever other slimeballs he hires to help him out."
    
    "So since we know all that now, I think we need to take decisive action," Ren says. "In short, I want to send the calling card out tonight." 

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

"... Perhaps I was a little harsh," Yusuke admits as Ann comments on his own putdown, and bows his head towards Ryuji. "Passion is as important as execution, and I didn't mean to slight yours. I apologise."

Shujin's principal, it is quickly revealed, has a Palace of his own. Yusuke grimaces. "Something about the oppressive atmosphere at your school made that feel almost inevitable." That's right, they had to smuggle him in the other day... was that really enough for him to get a sense of how Shujin is?

There is, however, more to discuss - Ren's meeting with Umie as Joker, and the intelligence he's gathered. Yusuke sits up straighter, attention fully focused now. "The NWO... a large group investigating the supernatural?" He frowns deeply. "... is that a connection, perhaps?" To the suited men who were forcing another Persona user to fight on their behalf. "Is that them, or some other force?"

He notes that down, before moving on. Myunghon Yeo... "The Cardboard Dragon. If Kaneshiro's interests expand beyond Shibuya, and he's threatening property in Sumaru City, should one of us make contact officially? It might be difficult to do that in the extra hour if the store is closed, though..."

And then Ren says it. Yusuke sits up even straighter. "Understood." He digs out a notebook, and starts scratching characters into the paper. "'Kaneshiro Junya-dono'..."

oh he's going to be absorbed in this and forget his turn on the mic, isn't he 

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Ryuji just watches the group, grumbling to himself. Maybe he overdid it? He recalls back when the track team went to karaoke they'd pump each other up. Didn't matter how they did. Of course he wasn't Celine Dion. (NO ONE WAS EXCEPT -HER-) Still this was a new group of friends, tensions happen. New things as they get used to each other. Next time use your head, bro. Maybe let Ann go first? Nah, that was too far. She could wait.

 When Yusuke acknowledges his challenge, he just stares for a moment before shaking his head. "Yeah man, knock 'em dead. It's about having fun. Thought you knew that."

 He lets out a deep sigh and lets it go, looking up at the ceiling as he listens to the rest of the meeting. "A cop? Seriously? That's the last person who should have a Persona considering what we're doing. What's next? A freakin' dog?! Maybe a bird! Like in that one manga! That would be hella sweet. Can we get a Persona using animal like in Bobo's Strange Journey?"

"It's all good man. I went a little too wild with it." Ryuji looks up and smiles. 

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

"It's so much like my father," Haru nods, as Yusuke artistically ponders the meaning behind a Palace in outer space, with a shake of her head. "Always keeping his head in the stars without a care for that which is below him." It'd be nice to send him back down to Earth she thinks. When Ren says it sounds 'really cool', Haru can't disagree. "I must admit, fighting in space is quite a thrilling prospect." She says. "Though, I'm quite looking forward to the bank heist as well. It's a classic for a reason~" She smiles, when Ann thanks her for offering to help with Kaneshiro.

As for the codename, Makoto pitches an idea. "Madam Guillotine, hmm? Hehe..." She laughs. "It seems I was able to sufficiently strike fear in the enemy Shadows, at least~." She agrees with Yusuke, though, she needs something a little more snappy. "How does Noir sound? It sounds more in line with everyone else's names... and it has a classy, elegant vibe, don't you think?" She suggests. "Besides that, it has a little more of a villainess, or dark heroine feel to it, right? Reminds me that I'm on the dark side of the law when I'm doing this." That's perhaps the most thought anyone here's put into their codename, but don't tell Haru that.

She considers Ren's words too, about how changing a heart is a drastic move. "Unfortunately, there's little I can do about it by my own power. Arranged marriages are legal in this country, and socially acceptable too. I don't really have... a court case to stand upon here." She explains. "If I could convince him, I'd try it in a heartbeat. Maybe I'll find a way how if I see just how his heart is distorted." She nods, at what Morgana says.

Next, the explanation about Akechi. "That is quite troubling..." She nods, understanding the power the prosecution office holds, especially if they're currently investigating the Phantom Thieves. "He doesn't seem like such a bad person, but I'd like to avoid making trouble with him if he can call a Persona, too." The other intel Ren provides, Haru can't say as much about... they're names she doesn't quite know, even if there's familiarity with a few of them thanks to Kaneshiro's Palace. She keeps it all in mind, as she's sure it'll be helpful later.

"I'm not too fond of the police myself," She agrees with Ryuji, with a simple smile. 

<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.

... I want to know in my heart, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they're wrong.

"... Mm," Ann murmurs. Her eyes hood as they glance towards the well-used floors of the karaoke booth, her teeth fretting gently at her lower lip. Does she need to prove that they're right? Does she need to be acknowledged by the people, to have Akechi and all his accusations proved wrong?

... Even after she's overcome her internal doubts over Akechi's claims, she's still not sure about that much. She knows in her heart what they're doing is right. That people who couldn't save themselves - people like her - are benefitting from their actions, just as much as she was.

... But does it matter, if the world doesn't see it that way? ...

She's lost in thought for a long while after this. She only really stirs when the matter of Haru's codename comes up, blue eyes shuttering out a blink. "Huh?" she wonders, glancing at Makoto, and then Yusuke.

"... Yeah, Yusuke's right. It's gotta be short and sweet, and pack a stylish punch," she says firmly, which is -her- reason for erring towards short; Yusuke's is far more practical, really, which, much more commendable. "And -- it's really gotta capture the person's essence!"

Somehow, she manages to keep herself from noting 'DESTROYER' is a three-syllable word here.

"For Okumura-senpai... French is good. She's got that... Musketeer look going on, and she's so sweet, but also kinda mysteriously dangerous...?"

Noir, Haru suggests. And Ann's eyes light up.

"Ooh! That's perfect! Heh heh, you and Queen are totally gonna strike the fear of god into that piggy bastard~."

How

how can she say something so bloodthirsty so cheerfully

Maybe she has more in common with Haru and Makoto and Ren and Ryuji and Yusuke and -pretty much all of them- than she thinks.

Still -- Ann has a -plan-. A plan that is - perhaps fortunately for Makoto - a bit waylaid as Ren brings up the other topics he wishes to cover. She's wiggling with exciteable anticipation in her seat, -ominously-, fingers steepling excitedly along the tablet surface as she listens attentively. And she -is- listening attentively. You can tell, because:

"Oh crap," she gasps, eyes wide, "I totally called it! I knew that guy was a cop! Heh heh, I feel a bit like a detective now too!"

Yes. She intuited from context clues like Katsuya shouting 'YOU'RE UNDER ARREST' and citing legal violations and police codes and basically walking around wearing a giant sign saying 'HOW DO YOU DO FELLOW PERSONA-USERS I AM YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD COP-CHAN!'

she still feels proud about it though, dammit

The rest, though? It's all extremely and rapidly overwhelming to Ann. Her brows furrow, lips tugging into a frown as she looks Ren's way. "... Wow, this whole thing is... -way- more complicated than I thought." She thought it was just them. And yet... it's an entire world unto itself. "Strega? The NWO? ... I'm not sure I get exactly what that is but... it sounds dangerous." Her nose crinkles with her consternation. "You're right. We should be careful."

Myunghon Yeo. Cardboard Dragon. Umie Akabane. Their world is getting exponentially bigger. Ann suddenly feels like the fish that left its small pond and discovered the ocean. Still...

"... Maybe next time I'm around Sumaru, I'll swing by? If it's useful, we should make use of it, right? ... Oh, but maybe it'd be suspicious if I dropped by too. ... Mm. Maybe I should go incognito...?"

oh

oh god

oh god no--

Still. It's a thought that's tabled. Ren makes his suggestion and Ann, lost in a world of troubled thoughts and exciting prospects, suddenly draws back to reality with a firm nod.

"Of course," she says, immediately and without hesitation. "It's now or never. We gotta hit that jerk hard and make sure he pays every last drop he's scammed off of people like us."

People like us. A number that keeps growing. It's daunting but... exciting, isn't it?

It's with that in mind that she finally, at long last, queues up that song on the screen. It's only after Makoto's weighed in on everything that she'll find Ann suddenly taking hold of her wrist with a grin. Conversational at English?

"C'mon. It's our turn!"

Good enough for her!

Which is exactly how Makoto will be dragged to the stage front and center in a whirlwind of SHEER ENTHUSIASM, Ann placing the mic between them, offering a helpful, "You're the second part!" in a little whisper as dreamy, fantastical intrumentals pick up...

"Iiii can show you the world~. Shining, shimmering, splendid~!" o/`

Oh no.

Look. It was one of her favorite movies as a kid! Don't judge her!!

she's actually -pretty good- too; it's unclear if that makes things better or worse--

"A whole neeeew wooooorld~!" 

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    yes, joker, who could possibly have a palace based on a casino, what a ridiculous idea

    It's in that moment that reminds her *why* he's the leader, that earnest, straightforward ability to stick to his beliefs and the need to know it for himself. It's admirable. It's... probably part of what allowed her to believe in the Phantoms' justice, even if she didn't realize it yet. And maybe it's what convinced her she could be on the side of justice.

    She also seems to be listening very intently to Morgana's statement about distortions vs evil. She frowns, but... "Morgana's right. Maybe there's something in the Palace that could help you understand what happened, or why." There's something very heartfelt in that hope, as Makoto's own eyes flick briefly to the not-a-cat's face, then back again.

    Makoto is not really sure how things got to this point, but it's clear that things maybe went a little too far with Ryuji. She looks a touch awkward now, trying to work it out. Maybe it was just... everyone at once? (Makoto is also new to the group, and, honestly, new to having friends.) "Sorry." She manages.

    Makoto, however, listens to the information on Umie. "...Suou-san called him '501' too, didn't he?" Makoto frowns, remembering a brief comment from the fight. "Still, that's twice we've had to deal with the Joker Killer now... Maybe whoever hired Strega knew about us because of him...?" Makoto doesn't sound confident in her theory, though.

    Ryuji does tear into the fact that cops shouldn't have personas, and Makoto feels... conflicted. Especially as Haru confirms she's not a fan of police either. (At least she liked Madam Guillotine.)

    "...I was actually thinking about that," Makoto says, when Officer Suou was brought up. "Like I said... I know him too. He knew my dad, I think. Or at least, knew him enough to turn up at his funeral." Makoto frowns. "...It might be risky, but I was thinking it might be worth my leaning on the connection, with Joker's okay." She shrugs. "I mean... I'm already living with the person chasing us, it's not like talking to a Detective will make put me at any more risk there. And I'm still the model honor student in everyone's eyes. Maybe I can find out something about what he knows? After everything's dealt with with Kaneshiro."

    Ann, meanwhile, offers to 'investigate' the cardboard dragon, which is totally outside of Makoto's wheelhouse. "...He's a greedy pig, and property is an organized classic. Of course he wants to expand. Like we saw in his palace, nothing is enough for him."

    "Noir.... it suits you. Elegant, but with an air of menace." Oh no she *definitely* blushes when Ann mentions them striking fear into Kaneshiro. "...It would be nice to see him begging for his life." Makoto admits, a little more casually than she hopes. She does notice Ann getting enthusiastic next to her. What for...

    That gets the comment of the Calling Card. "...We just need to make him see it. He won't use the same club as before, that place is burnt to him, and just approaching his men won't go any better than the first time." Makoto frowns. She could deliver it to him under the pretense of giving him the payment, but...

    That idea disgusts her, and she doesn't have three million yen anyway.

    "...unless it doesn't matter if he's the first person to see it, as long as he knows?"

    Maybe Makoto has an idea- but at that point, Ann grabs her. "Huh?" Oh no she forgot that Karaoke was for Karaoke!! Not just for planning! Makoto is dragged a little awkwardly to the stage, confused- especially as she's sharing the mic. (She has no idea what is coming.) "The second part?"

    The. Green lyrics, then?

    Oh no.

    By the time Makoto's part comes up, she is beet red and flustered, and she only barely knows how the chorus goes. A few things are very clear: First, Makoto is not a confident singer. Second, Makoto's English is fine, but not to Ann's level. Third, she is definitely over her head.

    "A whole new world... A dazzling place I never knew..."

    She looks at Ren, with a desperate look in her eyes.

    'Help me' it seems to scream.

    It's okay, Ryuji. Now everyone can tease Makoto about her performance instead... 

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    "I... didn't double-check the store's hours," Ren admits to Yusuke of the Cardboard Dragon. "But I think we could still make it happen. I snuck a Phantoms card in Akabane-san's bag to call her out to a meeting during the extra hour. We could do that with Yeo-san too, and one of us could talk to them that way." He looks around at the group. "By day, it sells books and card games. I picked up a book while I was there. If any of you are interested in that, you could go as you normally are to take a look for yourselves; you can say you're a friend of mine and came by after I mentioned what a cool place it is to you." And it is a cool place, objectively speaking. ...to a book nerd like Ren, anyway. "Anyone who isn't... can go say 'hi' as a Phantom Thief."
    
    so please please please ann do not go incognito do not try to seduce them with your acting wiles PLEASE
    
    Yusuke wonders if the NWO might be connected to those suited men. Ren frowns, then nods once. "It could be. We should keep an eye out for that." He looks around at the others. "Yusuke told me about an incident a short while back where he was caught in Sumaru City during that extra hour, and he ran across some men in suits raiding a business, backed up by a Persona User. We can talk about the details later, though. There's too much about that we still don't know."
    
    Plus Yusuke needs to hyperfocus on the calling card right now and can't be called upon to share his sketches.
    
    Ren laughs a little as Ryuji complains about a Persona User cop. (Thankfully he and Yusuke smoothed things out on their own. It did seem tense for a moment there, but they're all friends, and sometimes friends clash.) "Maybe one day we'll get a Persona-using animal," he agrees amiably.
    
    The camera zooms in on Morgana, whose sour expression makes it clear he doesn't know whether to be affronted or pleased.
    
    Ren, meanwhile, notes how distant Ann gets for a moment--right after what he said. It's not very typical of her to get lost in thought... but Ren is relieved of the need to think of a way to ask her what's the matter when she comes back around for codename talk. He puts a mental bookmark in that for later. He does grin sharply at Ann's delight in the prospect of making Kaneshiro get what's coming to him, though.
    
    To Makoto, he nods. "It's possible. Something I've been concerned about is exactly who hired Strega to show up. I don't think we know enough to make a deduction on that, though. We'll just have to see who shows up to defend Shadow Kaneshiro tomorrow." ...which is a hell of a thing to say, but then he adds, "And we'll make sure we've got a Plan B in case it goes wrong." Which they'll discuss later, after karaoke!
    
    Makoto suggests she talk to Katsuya. Ren nods again. "No, it makes sense. Go for it." Better her than him, for sure. She also suggests that maybe it doesn't matter if Kaneshiro's the first to see the calling card, as long as he does see it, and Ren turns thoughtful. "Hmmm... Good thinking. Let's talk about that more, too..." But not right this second, because--
    
    "Noir, huh..." Ren smiles slowly at Haru. "That means 'black,' right?" (He knows a little French.) "That sounds perfect." Classy and thoughtful, too. More and more he can see why Morgana saw so much potential in her. It's reassuring to see--and it means Noir really does capture her essence, as Ann said.
    
    He sobers when Haru explains she doesn't have much recourse for pushing back against an arranged marriage, though. "I see... I'm really sorry to hear that." If his dad ever tries to pull that on him, he might just run away from home. Ren doubts, as someone male-passing, they'll ever have to deal with that, though. That's why they add, "We'll help you figure out something, Haru-san--change of heart or not. That much, I promise."
    
    For now, though, Ann is dragging Makoto up to the stage--and singing a song likely all of them know, because Paladdin, tale of a desert knight who makes a wish to win the heart of a princess, is a Destiny classic that was long since dubbed into Japanese. Ren grabs a drink and sits back to enjoy the show--though when Makoto shoots him a desperate look, he mouths, It's okay, you're not alone.
    
    As Ryuji already proved, karaoke isn't about sounding good; it's about sounding terrible, together. Besides, they'll all put on a far more amazing show tomorrow, after all. Together.

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