2025-10-10: Akechi Saves The Day
- Log: Akechi Saves The Day
- Cast: Tsubasa Seki, Goro Akechi
- Where: Konan - Police Department
- OOC Date: 10-10-2025
- IC Date: Tue, July 24, 2012
- Summary: Tsubasa's been held in police captivity for days; they're not doing well. Luckily, their finest ally, Akechi, has finally managed to negotiate their release... and when he learns that Tsubasa is Phoenix, he's able to help them understand the supernatural world on top of saving their ass in the real one. What a guy!
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
It took some arguing, with the hospital, to release Tsubasa back to police custody; even now they've cleared up the infection that had taken hold from those undertreated burns, they were concerned with Tsubasa's dressings. But given they just need to be changed by a practitioner every few days...
Well, on Tuesday, Tsubasa was transferred back to Konan's police department to be held like anyone else.
They know better than to pick at those dressings, at least, even if that shit is really bugging them. Like even beyond the pain it just gets really itchy, you know?? Tragically, there's no television in a holding cell, so they are if anything even more agitated, knee bouncing against the cold floor. It's got to be afternoon now, but it's hard to tell just how much time has actually passed in a place like this. So, a whole week suffering through this garbage, huh.
(They wonder how everyone's going with those exams... wonder if the Boss is okay.)
Worst part is, they still didn't let them put their binder on. Said it'd get caught on the dressings on their arms and shoulders.
Bastards.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
And all of a sudden, foot steps, before an officer appears outside the cell door. "Get up." The door opens in short order, clanking by, as the guy cuffs them then leads Tsubasa to an interrogation room.
If they're resistant or defiant, they might get an extra shove or two.
But when they enter the interrogation room, they'll see the smiling face of Goro Akechi. "You did follow protocol in their retrieval, I take it?" He says, as the Officer grunts without any firmer commitment than that as they sit Tsubasa down, then hook their cuffs on the table attachment.
"Really, there's hardly any need for that."
"It's protocol." The officer snaps at him. "Ah."
And then, he leaves the room, which Tsubasa might find a touch unusual since Goro Akechi was supposed to be escorted around by a supervising officer.
Then again, perhaps they're behind the one way mirror, watching. Either way, he folds his hands, his briefcase upon the table.
"I had your dressings and treatments delivered. As well as your physician's instructions on the wound care."
He leans back, "They weren't about to transfer you back after the 'fuss' we raised before. You'll have to handle them on your own from now on."
He gives them a serious look, "I'm guessing conditions haven't improved for you as much as I'd like to think."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Hnh," Tsubasa looks up, at the guard, their eyes beneath their furrowed brow a touch dull. ... they don't resist. They get up, just as ordered, and even hold out their hands obligingly to be cuffed.
They know the score by now. They even know to put their hands on the table, so they can hook the cuffs to it.
It's always so fucking cold in here, huh.
... at least someone dug up some clothes from the lost and found by now, so they're in a hoodie and sweatpants instead of what they were wearing to bed.
"... so I'm stayin' here, huh," is what Tsubasa reads through the lines. There's something horribly resigned to the way they say it, as if they've already burned through what little hope they had. "It's been... y'know... not great..."
They look down, at the chains. After a moment, they gather their strength and jump straight to: "Do you know when they're gonna charge me...?"
Because of course if they're still holding them -- if Akechi's talking about what will happen from now on -- Katsuya and Akechi can't have been successful in convincing these people they were the victim in all this.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi listens to Tsubasa, not interrupting. Waiting for them to finish their account of their miserable circumstances. There's a solemn look on his expression as he begins to answer, "Well..."
The word is drawled out, enough that Tsubasa might think it's bad news, before he breaks into a smile, "... they're not. Going to charge you that is. As I told them, there's no prosecutor who's willing to stake their reputation on a case where my witness account differs from their investigative conclusions."
What a troll! Even as delivering good news, but Tsubasa might be too relieved to notice. "They've been stringing things along... when it comes to your release. If it is as you say with your father... it's possible that it was at his request to delay your release. I imagine as 'punishment' for tarnishing his reputation."
He places a hand on his chin, "Unfortunately I have no proof of that. The upper echelons of this place are concealing any affiliation with him quite well."
...
Akechi then smiles again, "Actually this is more like an 'exit interview' before you're officially released... now you're quite certain you had nothing to do with the Arson that I witnessed you take no role in whatsoever, other than as victim of the true perpetrator?"
Akechi winks at them, as if to say 'I'm not actually serious here.'
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Well... of course it's bad news. Why wouldn't it be? Tsubasa's going to rot in jail for the next fifty years, probably. Should've asked Shinobu how to make a shank. Whatever, they'll figure it out --
Then Akechi gets to 'they're not' and Tsubasa just fixes him with this look which is really aghast and then disbelieving before it gets to relief.
"Seriously?" They ask, as if Akechi is just yanking their figurative andor literal chain. But no--!!
"H--holy shit..." They bury their head in their hands, trying to get a hold of themself following the rapid reintroduction of hope into a hopeless space. "I been eatin' myself for days, man... my father did that...?"
It's more than a plausible explanation, given everything he's done.
"Y'... ya really stuck up for me, huh?" They realise, lowering their hands (clank, clank) to look at Akechi again -- before they bow their head. "Thanks, man... shit, I owe ya one..."
They take a great, shuddering breath, and shake their head. "I didn't do shit," they insist on their innocence, again. "They just wanted to kill me, man... that's it."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"I'm quite serious." He says with a broad smile.
"I figure it must be, unless the officers have a grudge against you in their own right... which is also, strikingly possible."
Think of all the Officers who hate Tsubasa for not being a girl. For not acting up to the Japanese standard of femininity. For not just being Tsubaki and being instead the person that sits before him.
He seems like he's contemplating that. "Well, I couldn't leave the matter half-settled." Akechi says to them as they say he really stuck up for him, that they owe him one. Like he's merely being humble.
"When the SIU asserted jurisdiction, it meant that their prosecutors would be taking the case. I had a coworker of mine review the case and they declined to charge, even filing a complaint for their 'shoddy police work'."
What he doesn't say is that Sae Niijima declined to charge the case about four days ago - but hey, four days ago, today? Who can even remember such things when your life is so very busy.
"It was the least I can do for someone who suffered a terrible injustice, at the hands of our system."
Akechi hits a button on his phone, sending a text he'd already pre-written. "Well then, I think it would be quite unnecessary for you to stay here any longer, don't you agree?"
The door opens, and that same cop from earlier trundles in, roughly grabbing the cuffs, and unlocking them.
"We'll be watching you. Step out of line again..."
"Are you saying they stepped out of line this time officer?"
They grunt, as if being non-committal before he then says, "You can escort them to get their things, right?" Akechi smiles, "Certainly." He doesn't mention technically he's supposed to be escorted around.
-=-=-
Soon enough, Tsubasa is being handed a tub of their things, the delivered dressings, the silver sulfadiazine cream, and of course, their binder.
"There, now that that's settled... would you like a ride anywhere in town? I have a car waiting outside."
Of course he could have told Ichika they'd be being released today, but that might take away from their gratitude! Now the focus is on his effort, and only his effort.
Including having a car waiting, something their father would never do for them.
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
... well, Tsubasa can't deny that most of these cops hate them, too. Still... the SIU was mad about it, huh.
"Guess they're kinda big shots... they'd be mad at just grabbin' low hangin' fruit," Tsubasa tries to reason through it, still looking as if all their horrors were hollowed out and suddenly replaced with everything being fine?!
"Y--yeah," they nod, and they're remarkably restrained in their agreement: "It ain't been fair."
... but then, they would be scared to speak with any kind of fire to their voice after having been in police custody for this long.
"Yeah," they say, again, and quickly. The cop comes in and gives them the use of their hands back properly, which means they're able to hug themself under the guise of folding their arms.
"Hnh," Tsubasa offers a noncommital grunt. They scowl, deeply, as if it could cover up the way they flinched at that reprimand. They don't want it to be so obvious that they're frightened... even when they're scared out of their mind.
... so it's a huge relief, really, when Akechi sticks up for them again, even if they're not feeling brave enough to add their own sass.
Indeed, they speak very little when the officer's here at all.
...---...
Luckily, that tub also includes their phone -- which was evidence, when they found it in the safehouse, but has evidently been excluded as such now Tsubasa isn't the prime suspect any more.
... the only time their father brings his car around for them is when he wants some privacy, so Akechi is bound to be ten steps up.
"Can ya jus'... take me home?" Tsubasa asks, shifting, uncomfortably, on a foot. "Uh -- I can tell ya where it is, so..."
(Tsubasa doesn't realise that their residence -- a thing they tend to keep secret from the people who know them out of shame -- is just common knowledge in their case files.)
That means a drive to the bad part of Hirasaka -- and a walk up to a shoebox apartment. Akechi will have to duck, coming in, because the stairs up to the loft cut over the front door; the room for their shoes is just a little square to the side of the front door.
Obviously, it's a sardine can. There's a table crammed in by the stairs -- and it, too, is covered with figures and notes, just like the wall of crazy they recovered from the safehouse, notes which will have mysteriously disappeared now the police have relinquished the home back to its owner -- with a single chair, and there's a microwave and a kettle and a dripping kitchen sink crammed in under the loft, alongside a bathroom with the world's tiniest shower. (Actually, that's probably the best thing this place has going for it; most of these apartments would expect someone to go to a public bathhouse.) The place has obviously been searched, of course, though they at least made some effort to put things back in place. ... no dog, presently, though there is a dog bowl in the kitchen.
"Tch..." Tsubasa puts the tub down on the table, and takes a long breath, trying to hide the fact that they're really emotional right about now.
"You, uh... want some coffee or somethin'? Milk's probably fucked by now, tho'..."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi looks at Tsubasa as they ask that, "Are you certain?" He asks, but doesn't press if they insist. "Of course. ... My driver can find it."
The bad part of Hirasaka reminds Akechi of the worst parts of Shinjuku growing up. It has a comforting familiarity.
Even if his image clashes now as a Detective Celebrity, there's an honesty in the grime that one would never find in the mirror, as he is now.
He ducks, carrying his briefcase with him, before they follow them up into the sardine can, crouching in to observe the scrawl on the wall and the empty dog bowl.
As a detective, one can learn a lot by how people live, but for right now, he doesn't learn anything new... to be honest.
"I'll take a coffee." Before he smiles, "Black of course." The milk is after all likely spoiled, and he's not even going to bother asking if they have sugar.
He sits down, certainly not acting like he's too good for that, though he did a quick check he wasn't sitting on anything that might ruin his pants or his suit.
"Freedom must not feel much like freedom, I suppose, after what you just went through." He asides, "I suspect they'll be looking for an opportunity to take you in."
It's almost absent, like it's a foregone conclusion, before he then asks something else entirely, "... Now that you're outside the police station and away from anyone who might be listening in. What do you remember of the fight with the Joker Killer?"
It's asked so casually. He can't put it all together, even if he hopes for a certain outcome, he has none of the pieces to do so.
And yet, he asks all the same, as if the person themself might offer up some clues. He is after all, a Detective, and cannot ignore a mystery that's right in front of him.
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Y--yeah," Tsubasa decides, though they feel a little better that Akechi thought to ask. "Jus'... don't expect much."
Tsubasa does keep sugar, as it happens -- sugar is pretty easy to keep -- but they're used to black coffee, too. They check the kettle before they fill it with water, and Akechi might recognise a bug check even if they don't call attention to it; luckily, someone thought to empty it out while they were here picking up Lance, so it hasn't been attacked. ... they still rinse it out before filling it with water for the boil, though.
Luckily, the chair is clear. There's a jacket hanging over the back, but nothing on the seat.
"Ain't like I ain't used to lookin' over my shoulder," Tsubasa sighs, at least trying to keep their composure about it. Luckily, they can occupy themself washing a pair of mugs (they keep two, and only two, notably) while the water's boiling. "Jus'... reelin' a bit. I ain't known what was happenin' with me since the attack, man... guessin' 'bout it's been... rough."
They're still trying to act like they're tough, but they apparently trust Akechi enough to share something of how hard it's been, at least.
They bring over two mugs of black coffee, and what might surprise Akechi is that as far as instant coffee goes, it's actually quite nice. ... because, of course, Tsubasa stole it; if they're going to be a thief either way, they might as well take something worth stealing. Tsubasa sits themself down on the stairs, and the way they do so is quite practiced -- as if they're used to doing things this way.
... well, it's not like there's many other places to sit in here.
"Uh... we figured we'd go check out the exhibit since it was on, y'know?" Tsubasa starts, looking down at their coffee. "They didn't let pets in, so a bunch've the gang went over to another part've the park to play with Lance, but me an' the Boss went in... plus one've her new boys, uh, Suzuku-kun." Tsubasa sounds a little uncertain about him, so they must not know him well. "Looked around inside, but the scenery was a drag, so we were gettin', an'..."
Tsubasa pauses, for a moment. "... there was... a fire," they say, slowly. "I ran out, but... there were all these monsters 'n shit, an' this guy with a bag on his head, the Joker Killer... an' this girl I knew, Niko-chan, but she was -- she stopped me from runnin'. She was with him. I thought my father sent 'em, but... but he said it was my mom."
Another pause. If their breath is a bit ragged, no it isn't. They take a sip of coffee, as if they meant to do that. "Even the Joker Killer pitied me, though, man... told me I could ring him then and there and put mom on the choppin' block to save my ass. But I wouldn't do it... stupid, huh?" They chuckle, but it's a dry and lifeless thing. "So he threw me in the exhibit... this art house thing... locked the gates. I..." Tsubasa blinks, a touch rapidly, their shoulders tightening as they take another stern breath.
"Everyone thinks this guy in a phoenix costume saved me," Tsubasa says, looking a touch ashamed to admit it. "But... look... truth is, some weird-ass shit happened in there, nothin' I can explain for shit... an' I got the power to bust the whole place open. By the time I figured out no one knew who I was, I realised... I weren't supposed to let it slip." Which is a little lie, but that much is fine, they figure. "But... look, man, I'd be in jail by now if it weren't for you, right...? An'... an' yer tryin' to figure it all out... I'd be shootin' myself in the foot if I lied to you too. Yeah?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi definitely recognizes a bug check. He spent the first six years of his life in a damp basement after all.
"I can imagine..." He says, in sympathy to their situation, rough is certainly an understatement.
Akechi doesn't mind terrible black coffee, in fact he kind of prefers it in some instances to brace himself. What he's surprised is that it's pretty good for instant coffee. He takes a sip.
"Lance. Ah we met the last time I visited your boss. I do rather enjoy her company."
After all, loyal, and so so stupid to anyone who will give her pets and food. That is a dog after all.
However, he listens more than talks, nodding every so often, taking sips of his coffee. Then when they start describing the Joker and Niko, he stops, putting it down.
Especially when they speak upon the offer.
"No, I don't think it's stupid at all. Family is not a place where reason dwells."
Akechi says, his eyes falling. His mother, she loved him despite him ruining her life. He's rather certain it's his fault she took her life.
Tsubasa keeps talking, and- there it is, the moment it clicks. And there's a smile, because in that moment, he understands his own abilities all the more.
He had been experimenting with them. "That power would be the power of Persona...?" He prompts, with a smile, "Incredible... so it was you that saved yourself. You have my admiration, Seki-san. Few can come into powers such as that on their own."
Akechi brings the coffee cup up to his lips, then puts it down, "Just so you know, I'm a Persona User as well. And I suspect - given what I saw, felt, that I have similar powers to your own." He says so affably, "It's fortunate that you confided me this, as now I can warn you. In supernatural spaces, your identity is well protected by the Mask you wear. It's not unlimited, however. The more you identify yourself as 'Tsubasa Seki' and others refer to you in this way, the more that protection will diminish... like my own has."
He says, as if relaying some profound secret, "I've been a Persona User for nearly eight months, and I wasn't aware of this. Over time, it has dwindled away to nothing, so little that most can tell I'm Goro Akechi with a single glance."
This is a lie, but since it's a lie nobody can reveal to Tsubasa, it's fine~
"I recommend a pseudonym while in that form, to protect your identity with that degree of anonymity. As it stands... even though I'm a Detective, and the facts were right in front of me that the person I saw had to be you-"
He meets Tsubasa's eyes to punctuate this, "-the protection is so strong, that I could not connect those facts together until you told me just now."
He doesn't know that Ichika has told them already of course, but even then, he suspects his explanation is more comprehensive.
"Either way, I congratulate you for surviving, and taking your first steps into this new world." He looks down, "I only wish that it had been a more celebratory occasion for you afterwards."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Yeah," Tsubasa nods, when Akechi recognises Lance. "She's a good dog. Hope she's okay..."
(She's fine, she's vacationing at the Cardboard Dragon and making friends with all the patrons.)
"Uh? You know it?" Tsubasa blinks, head jerking up when Akechi says the word Persona, with surprise. Their surprise only builds as he praises them for doing it on their own... is that how it was?
Everyone was trying to protect them, but... they guess it's true they were in that building alone.
Tsubasa is just as surprised to hear him offer them advice -- advice just like Ichika's, though he explains a little more. "The more I tell people, huh... wait, so it's you, too?!" They're shocked to hear it; they certainly couldn't tell Akechi was anyone other than Akechi. "Holy shit... how's that happen?"
They've accidentally asked a deeply important question. They don't realise in the slightest, because they're too busy being shocked at the coincidence.
Even Akechi wouldn't have been able to tell if they hadn't told him?!
"Y--yeah," they say, looking down to their own coffee. "Thanks, man... I ain't really had time to think that much 'bout it since... I was on the run, then they grabbed me, y'know? It's stupid, like... I got this power to do somethin' 'bout it, now, but... in the real world, I still ain't got shit." They take a breath, and shake their head. "... fuckin' sucks, but... I ain't changed my mind or nothin'. I refused to die when everythin' went up around me a second time... even if it's just a spite thing, fuck, I'm gonna live."
Tsubasa takes a sip of coffee, which is, in fact, just the kind of bracing they need right now. (Of course they keep around a drink to kick their own ass.) "I really did go down in that fire and just get right back up... so maybe 'Phoenix' is the right word," they suppose, swinging back around to his advice about pseudonyms.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"I suspect she's fine." He suspects that because he's meticulously checked the Dog Pound records for Tosa Inu, so he could head that off.
One has to be careful since, they're quick to euthanize in Japan.
"Yes, are you surprised?" Akechi says with that smile their way, but 'how's that happen?' "Well... that's a rather difficult question. In our respective cases... I suspect it was because we suffered grave injustices within our lives, and resolved to 'rebel' against some facet of society that wronged us."
He says, as he expresses solidarity, as if the institutional injustice against them is definitely not his fault, for he has also suffered a grave injustice.
"This resolution allowed us to awaken to the power of Persona once we entered a supernatural space."
It's far more complex than this, he knows. After all, he's read all of Wakaba Ishiki's research, some of the Kirijo Group's, even some of Shinjo's memos to his other scientists.
Not even to mention the works of Carl Jung.
But it's all that Tsubasa needs to know. They're 'like them'.
"You're quite welcome." He says to their thanks, and the words after, well, they hit shockingly close to home. He's lost everything several times over, but he's resolved to live. At least long enough for what he desires, "And... I suspect that's not quite true." He says, softly, when it comes to not having power in the real world.
"Check your phone, if my deductions are correct... then you may have a little surprise waiting for you, Seki-san."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Yeah... Yeo-sama's takin' care of her." And the way they address Myunghon is itself more information, really.
They exclaim, "Yeah I'm surprised dude, what the fuck!!", which might just give Akechi even more power, really. But he explains, and they frown, hearing that he's suffered just like they have. "Shit, man... so you're really just like me, huh?"
They shift their grip on their coffee mug so that they can free up a hand to rub at the back of their neck, frowning. "Guess... my folks puttin' a hit on me is pretty fucked up," they reflect, gruffly. "I did get fuckin' sick of it... so that's how it happened, huh? Man, gotta be the best result gettin' mad about shit's ever got me."
Still, Akechi suggests checking their phone, and Tsubasa pulls it out of their pocket. "Uh...?" They grunt, as they flick through it, checking the usual suspects. At a glance, it seems normal, until --
"Wait, fuck's this?" They ask, as they come across an application they definitely don't remember putting on there. "'Meta-Nav'? The cops put trackin' shit on my phone or somethin'?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"I am. Though I suspect the 'injustice' we suffered and the source of our 'resolve' is quite different." He says, as if speculating to himself, with a hand upon his chin, losing himself in thought for about five long seconds.
Before he then picks up the coffee and takes a sip. "Well. That's only a small part of the injustices you've suffered, I suspect." He says again, softly. "Still, you're correct, it was the best possible result to those circumstances. If you had not awakened... I'm not certain anyone could have gotten to you in time."
And after all, Tsubasa deserves to live for their own Justice.
As Tsubasa checks the phone, a smile forms again on his face, "Ah, and there it is. Decisive proof." He says to them, "Believe it or not - it's actually a part of awakening to this world. It only shows up for Persona Users who are like you and I."
A beat.
"Even if you were to switch phones to an older model, it would still follow you. It's your 'key' to the Metaverse."
As he takes another sip, "If you'd like to see, then..." He taps a word on his phone's notepad, then turns it around and holds it up.
Mementos
"... say this word out loud, while that app is open."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Oh... what about you, man?" Tsubasa asks, before they realise what a can of worms that is and hurry to correct themself: "S--sorry, if it's anythin' like fuckin' filicide it's gotta be fucked, I ain't -- d-don't worry 'bout it."
They duck their head, clearly embarrassed to have asked such an impertinent question, even if it's impossible to tell their face is flushed under that fake tan. (... there's no concealer in prison, though, so their scars are really standing out.)
It's also difficult to tell when they grow pale, thinking of what might have happened to them if they hadn't Awakened. "Everyone thought I died, man," they say, quietly, and the shaken nature of their tone is at least easier to pick out. "It was so fucked up... I thought I was gonna die, too... fuck, I was jus' wonderin' whether this was the same shit I'd seen last time. How it happenin' again was so fuckin' unfair... an' just for my father's promotion..." Tsubasa swallows at a lump in their throat, and swallows a big gulp of coffee to make sure it doesn't come back, either.
But Akechi has a separate explanation for the Meta-Nav, and Tsubasa's glad to focus on that, instead. "The... Metaverse...?"
Tsubasa definitely didn't know about this, before. If they had, they'd have escaped that way, wouldn't they?
They stare down at the application, and take a breath, putting their coffee down beside them on the stairs. "... Mementos," they say, after a moment to steel themself --
-- they really needed more than a moment.
Because when the entire world changes -- shifts and warps into what seems for all the world like a travel hub -- Tsubasa squarks and scrambles back, which is fitting, really, because they're in that fluffy feathery hood of theirs again. "What the fuck, man?!" They yelp, horrified. "We in Hell's train station?!"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi's eyelashes slip downward at Tsubasa's question, before smiling and saying, "There's nothing wrong with asking. Perhaps another time though? There's no need for you to deal with that right now, after the day you've had."
It's not that he's unwilling to talk about it, it's just that he has mixed, contradictory feelings about his own problems himself.
Part of him is just as scared to share, as he is elated to do so.
But they thought they were going to die, "I thought that as well..." He says, as if sobered by the comment, "... I'm pleased that it didn't turn out that way."
A nod, another nod, and then-
The world changes, and Akechi chuckles, now wearing a Tengu mask and a princely outfit, looking like he's delighted, "I'll never tire of that reaction." Like he's done this before with someone else - not just Tsubasa.
"Think of it as... the hub for a portion of the 'Collective Unconscious'. It's a space that we all exist within on a metaphysical level. Here, you can find most everyone's 'Shadow' in the Jungian sense. Some would say it is the 'Palace' of everyone's hearts. Though it is more accurate to say, that you can only reliably locate those who are 'distorted' in some way."
He says, rubbing his chin, as if speculating on whether that title came from, "Particularly despicable people that you cannot find here are often within Palaces, discreet dimensions that you can access with the Meta-Nav. Though the process is... a bit different."
Trains come - of people apathetically getting on, before the trains get off. "Here you can also travel... mostly anywhere, that the supernatural is active."
This is a whole lot to take in. "Also, I like your attire. It rather suits you." He says, complimentary.
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Sure," Tsubasa nods, and it might be a graceful out he's offering them, but they'll take it either way.
... it probably would be a lot, if it's anything like what happened here. But Akechi's glad they didn't die, and that... means a lot.
Tsubasa really needs people who'd actually give a shit about that, given their own mother decided they had to go.
"You -- wait, that's you?!" Tsubasa points at Akechi and his Tengu mask, plainly shocked. Luckily, he told them he is like them, so they at least knew to anticipated it. "Whoa..." They pull their hand back, as they look back and forth, and then back to Akechi. "Sweet mask, dude."
Tsubasa's is a witch's hat in dark grey shades instead of anything birdlike, but that's what the hood is for!!
Akechi explains the hub, though, as Tsubasa stares at the crowds flowing into the train. "So, like... those people...?" They ask, still quite gobsmacked. "Uh..."
Tsubasa pauses, looking around, suspiciously. "Y'don't reckon my parents are here... right?" They ask, a touch nervously.
"... but man, if I'd known about this, I coulda gotten out. Like, you can seriously jump in here from anywhere just through your phone?" Having a get out of jail free card really sounds too good to be true. "An'... where's the supernatural active, anyway? I mean, I guess those rumours are really true, but... like... ain't everywhere supernatural durin' Hell Hour?"
It's called the Dark Hour, Tsubasa.
They at least take a moment to turn around and look at themself. "Hell yeah," they grin, for the first time in -- well, probably days, really. "This shit kicks ass. I'm like some kinda bird ninja. 'Cept -- hey!" They snap their fingers, as they realise something. "I had that giant kickass sword last time, where'd that go?!"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Aha... I'm glad it meets your approval. I'm rather fond of it myself." He says, all affable smiles, but as Tsubasa mentions the people. "Shadows. They get on the train deeper into Mementos, but no one knows quite what happens next."
His hand is on his chin, as the train doors shut, the windows gleaming, as the train takes off in a rush.
"While you're on a train with them, they'll never go to their final destination. So it's quite unobservable."
Their parents? Akechi looks away. "It's... quite likely, or they might have a Palace of their own. Every person has a Shadow, and they are particularly distorted."
He ruminates on this point, "I recommend not searching for them... the Shadow represents our most extreme self, unchained from the niceties of polite society. It... would not be a pleasant experience. Quite likely they would attack you."
His eyes drift sidelong, "And if the Shadow is killed, then... the person will perish soon after in what is known as a..." His eyes meet Tsubasa's, under the Witch Hat, and hood as he says in a grave tone, "... Mental Shutdown. It means that a Persona User has killed their Shadow."
Where is the Supernatural active? That's a good question. "Well, Mementos and Palaces are active all the time... otherwise. Sumaru City has a great many incidents where these spaces are created by selfish individuals for their own ends, like our Joker Killer. And yes, there is the 'Hell Hour'." He smiles, and chuckles, "... Though, more seriously, it's known as the Dark Hour. That time is quite dangerous, as most everyone without a Persona becomes a Coffin. Pulling them out of one will often mean their death, so you must be very careful."
Certainly he's telling them these to caution them against accidents, right? After all, if they made a mistake it would be a true tragedy.
And a deliberate action? Well that would be delightful, but one must take responsibility for their own actions.
Their delight at this causes him to chuckle again, "I'm glad it agrees with you. In time it'll become far more comfortable..." How's it happen? "... well, you think of brandishing it and-"
Bam, there's a Saber of Light in his hand. "-it manifests as a part of your image of 'rebellion' or 'resolution'. Whichever one would prefer. Though... first you must possess the weapon in the first place. It need not be real." Akechi says as he manifests the ray gun, and points it upwards at a diagonal at the ceiling, letting a laser beam fire, "This for example in reality is a high quality model. Here however...? It is just as deadly as any real firearm."
He then asks with a smile, "Was the sword something you awakened with, or did you find it on site?"
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Shadows are... us?" Tsubasa asks, because they evidently haven't read any Jung. Every person has a Shadow...
But when Akechi explains just what that is, Tsubasa's voice trembles as if all the blood had drained from their voice. "What, like... they're not holdin' back? Fuck, man..." They take a step back, clasping their hand to their chest. "... fuck, I wouldn't wanna meet my Shadow."
Tsubasa's Shadow, as it happens, is ten times as pissed off as they are. They also knew they were a they long before Tsubasa ever did. And they were mad about that, too!
They don't have much time to dwell on that, though, because Akechi explains Mental Shutdowns to them. "... so you can just... kill people in here, and no one even knows what happened in the real world? Tch... fucked up, man... must not be many Persona Users, or we'd be hearin' 'bout ten times as many of those things. 'Least that means I know my folks don't got powers like this..."
Tsubasa, of course, naturally assumes that at least a good chunk of people with supernatural powers also have the capacity to kill people. ... they just don't have a very optimistic view of humanity.
But... the Dark Hour! "Oh, yeah," Tsubasa rubs at the back of their hood, awkwardly. "The Dark Hour. Right." They did know that! But explaining how they know that is hard to do without betraying Ichika's trust. "So that's another way to jus', like, kill people for free... man, this whole supernatural thing really is Hell. Man, I'm gonna need to get a grip on my temper, this shit feels way too easy..."
They're deeply unnerved by the idea they might get mad and do something they might not be able to take back. It's probably bad that they're even worried about in the first place, though...
But -- bam!! Akechi demonstrates magicking the weapon into existence, and Tsubasa kind of slashes their hand out and --
-- hurriedly has to get the other one to join it so they don't get weighed down into the earth. This sword is HEAVY.
"That's so fuckin' cool," Tsubasa says, their face lighting up in fascination. "But I mean, I didn't have a sword or nothin', jus'..."
They tilt their head, thinking. "Uh, I'd stashed a craft knife on me that day?" They venture, uncertainly. "Y'know, jus' in case I get jumped by a whole gang... everyone gets way less brave when they reckon they might get stabbed. But... would some dinky shit like that really turn into this? This shit is sick as hell, man, look at this!"
Tsubasa turns to the side and wrenches the sword up in a wide arc, and it goes sailing down into the ground with a meteoric thunk.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi says nothing at first to Tsubasa's fear of what a version of themselves not holding back would be like, like he's lost in thought, before eventually. "I suspect it would be quite the unpleasant experience... yes." He says, speculatively.
The truth is, he knows exactly where Tsubasa's Shadow was, and where it is right now. Though he's hardly going to say that.
Goro Akechi, the Detective Prince, isn't supposed to know that Personas are the Shadows armored in narrative.
"Indeed so... and that's why that phenomenon is something our country's leaders can't find the cause of... because it is a form of supernatural murder."
Before he smiles at the idea their folks could have powers, "Yes that would be quite unlikely. They're almost certainly either here... or within a Palace of their own."
As for the Dark Hour. "It is quite easy, in fact, I believe you've met some of the individuals that take advantage of it for their own gain." He looks Tsubasa in the eyes, "Do you remember the attack on the 'Death Boss' at Kasugayama High? Several of those that were with the Joker Killer are part of a group named 'Strega' that murders people supernaturally for their own self-satisfaction. That includes your acquaintance, Niko... who was also there that day, outside."
He's telling them this for the sake of informing them of course! Naturally! It's a good reason to do it, not to rile them up.
Akechi side steps Tsubasa's swing, which even though it's not his way, with a sword that large, one has to be careful!
He says with a smile, "It is quite fearsome! Almost like you could cut me in half with a single strike." He says cheerfully, like he's unserious about that happening.
"Well. It's possible that your self-image simply caused it to change as well to something more fitting. I've only heard of that happening during one's Awakening, as indeed... most of us do not carry weapons on us. However, from now on - if you wish to improve it, you'll need to either find real weapons, or quality model blades. The higher quality, the better. Though..."
He says with a smirk, "... I should mention that Mementos and Palaces are filled with treasure chests one could loot. Inside you might come across something that suits you just as well."
Okay that probably sounds way better, given that - treasure! "This includes a modest amount of yen, so it's quite possible to eke out a living, the more skilled you become in traversing this place."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Jus'... gonna hope I don't run into me," Tsubasa decides, decidedly uncomfortable with the idea.
They're not a very good person, so they really don't want to see what they look like when they're not keeping a lid on it.
Equally uncomfortable is the idea of supernatural murder. "So, like... that Revenge Request website? That's how they get 'em...?" Tsubasa double-takes, staring at Akechi, when they register another fact he just told them. "Wait a sec, Niko-chan was attackin' Kasugayama too?! What the fuck!"
They're still using her preferred address while they're furious at her, of course. They're not a monster.
"They call shit like this like, horse-killin' swords, man..." Tsubasa says, clearly impressed as they look down at their greatsword. "... uh, not like I wanna go 'round killin' horses, tho'. Horses are probably cool." Tsubasa will not feel that way when they actually meet one. Akechi explains how improving it works, though, and Tsubasa blinks. "Wait, so like... that work for anythin'? Can I bring, like, an airsoft in here and get a real-ass gun?" Akechi has a ray gun, it's clearly possible!!
They brighten up when Akechi mentions loot, though. "Okay, an' you're tellin' me stealin' from the well of everyone's souls or whatever don't got consequences?! Shit, man, I been doin' that this whole time! Crime does pay!!" If they can get cash from this place, that would solve, like, several of their problems right there?!
(At least the ones related to being too ugly to hire.)
"Well, shit, sounds like a great time to --" Tsubasa gets approximately five steps into Mementos before wavy blue lines weigh them down more than that sword does, and they sink to a knee. "Ugh... why'm I so fuckin' tired? C'mon, man..." Adventuring while being 'Tired' isn't even a mechanic any more, Tsubasa!! Still...
Tsubasa at least manages to straighten up, after a moment. "... uh... maybe... maybe I better do that shit later," they figure, a touch embarrassed. "Still... thanks for explainin' how all this shit works, man. Izbushka na Kur'ih Nozhkah didn't give me a manual or nothin'. Uh..." They start, looking around. "So how... how you get out, anyway?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Yes... you couldn't tell because you were trapped inside. She and one of her compatriots were posted at the front of the school to delay your rescue. They went so far as using a land mine even, upon a particularly powerful Persona User."
He did survive though, quite handily. Which is delightful to him.
Horse-Killing Swords, "Aha... I never suspected that was the case. Instead it is more likely a reflection of your rage against the injustices of this world."
Tsubasa is simply a particularly big - big - sword. Some may call it brutish, but he wouldn't. Indeed... it just means their rage requires a powerful weapon to reflect it.
"Just so. An airsoft gun would become a real firearm within a supernatural space. The more real it looks, the better."
He then smiles at their statement of 'stealing shit'. "Well it's hardly stealing when it's just lying around to be found in here... perhaps in Palaces it'd be a little different, but I hardly think a Ruler is in any position to accuse us of stealing an item that within a Palace has no actual monetary value... unless of course, it causes harm to the person."
In other words, he doesn't consider it stealing at all unless it causes harm. Tsubasa however becomes tired rapidly, which he expected as well, "Well, for starters, you're quite fatigued from your long ordeal in lockup... but even then, you are new to navigating supernatural spaces."
Akechi smiles as he says, "Once you build up enough stamina through exposure and experience, you'll be able to stay in here for hours at a time." Look at him! He looks like it's not even affecting him at all! Then again they've been mostly standing here.
"You're quite welcome. Once you informed me of your awakening, it was the least I could do for you... and I know very well how difficult it can be to navigate this on one's own."
He owes them far more than an explanation of the supernatural, for his crimes against them. "Ah. That's simplicity itself. We just walk this way." He turns around towards the 'doors' as if marking the part where 'indoors' becomes 'outdoors'. As Tsubasa and him push them open and walk through...
... Tsubasa will recognize it as a nearby bus station in Hirasaka. "And here we are. I hope you found our brief jaunt to the Metaverse enlightening."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Shit... I never knew." Tsubasa's expression darkens, as they wonder if she knew.
... she might not have cared, though, given her whole vibe...
"I mean," Tsubasa says, "I am, like, real mad." They're so angry, they're forced to look like shit.
Wait, no, that was the imprisonment.
"The more real it looks, huh..." Tsubasa hums, thoughtfully. "Right! I'll go ask the Princess where she buys her airsoft gear, she's gotta have some good leads!"
(Because of course the most delicate member of Ichika's gang is into airsoft shooting. Shizuko doesn't like being hurt, she has no such compunctions about hurting other people.)
"So it's finder's keepers!" Tsubasa concludes, cheerfully...
... but they're just not in any fit state to find anything aside from the floor, right now. Akechi helpfully explains that it's the space itself, and Tsubasa grunts, as they straighten up. "So... I gotta put the time in, huh... fair 'nuff." They might be lazy academically, but they're not allergic to putting effort in.
Besides, this is at least crime-adjacent. Even if Akechi insists no one owns what's in there!
"Guess you had to figure this shit out on your own, huh...? Damn... you're seriously good, my dude." Tsubasa already knew he was pretty good, of course, but they regard him with new respect knowing that he faced down all these horrors alone. He's on the Boss's level!!
(No, that's a compliment, Akechi.)
And they get to marvel again when they just walk out the doors, and --
"Hey, I know this stop!" Tsubasa exclaims, pointing to some graffiti they painted on not a fortnight prior. (Still not cleaned off. Thaaat's Hirasaka!) "Man, that's really somethin'... thanks, Akechi-san. I really owe ya one. Aight, I'll be gettin' back..."
... and somehow they'll manage to make it back home without stumbling into even more trouble, which is really the biggest revelation of the afternoon.