2026-09-04: Prison Break

• Log: Prison Break
• Cast: Hana Fukami, Tsubasa Seki, Yusuke Kitagawa, Ren Amamiya, Katsuko Yoshinaga, Goro Akechi, Shinobu Shimizu, Remi Ryuuja, Umie Akabane, Kasumi Yoshizawa, Julian Marlowe, Katsuya Suou
• Where: Red Light District - Main
• OOC Date: September 04, 2026
• IC Date: Friday, January 04, 2013
• Summary: <Summarize!>

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(|======================== Red Light District - Main =========================|)
-===================================================== Tokyo/Shinjuku Ward ====-
It's said if you go out the wrong side of Shinjuku Station, you lose a whole    
day. Go out the correct side though, and you still might find yourself on the   
wrong side of town. Even walking into Shinjuku's Red Light District subjects you
to endless barkers and touts, looking for opportunities to pull tourists and    
young women alike into places where they might get scammed and exploited by the 
predators of this place.                                                        
                                                                                
Neon signs glare offering disorienting guidance to businesses stacked upon one  
another. All the vices of the city are available in smoky bars where one might  
forget their dreams at the bottom of a glass, or take offers of companionship in
shady host or hostesses clubs.                                                  
                                                                                
Be careful. As smart as you are, wiser people than you have lost everything     
here.                                                                           

AS: Kazusa Motojima has readied for combat as Mina Harker! She is now fully healed!
AS: Kazusa Motojima has readied for combat as Mina Harker! She is now fully healed!
AS: Roger has readied for combat as Kamapua'a! He is now fully healed!
AS: Katsuya Suou has readied for combat as Helios! He is now fully healed!
AS: Ren Amamiya has readied for combat as Arsène! He is now fully healed!
AS: Remi Ryuuja has readied for combat as La Maupin! She is now fully healed!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga has readied for combat as Edmond Dantes! She is now fully healed!

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.

BGM: The Revolution In Your Heart - Persona 5 Tactica OST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn4_IP64Hfk

A call for help has been issued from Studio 4. But why would one go to Studio 4 to hear it?

Probably because of the strange, Shadow-like creatures who have been emerging from that place into Shinjuku. Some are small, three fourths of a person's height; some are much larger, taller than even a tall human. All are dressed in shirtsleeves and suspenders, like exaggerated versions of local security forces from long ago, ready to fight.

Fight they have; a number have kidnapped people, according to the terrified reports of people on the site who have been hiding from them. Fighting through them to their source will take effort, but thankfully Personas are accessible in this space for now.. Why? ...Well, that's a good question, but the area sure feels creepy. Strangely, it's distinct from how the Mark typically feels; it's a different kind of awful.

Thus, here is your battlefield: the parking lot of a Tokyo TV studio. The power is only just coming back on after an earlier blackout. The sun is high over the city at this hour, and there are buildings in all directions. The lot itself is full of cars; sedans, trucks, vans, some marked with 'Tokyo TV' and some personal, all in neat little lines. ...Well, mostly in neat little lines; a couple have been turned over, wrecked by the powerful muscles of the Legionnaires--the proper name for these strange beings.

Before your eyes, a group of the smaller Legionnaires bundles a janitor off through a strange door. Then, the bigger Legionnaires line up.

They fight tactically, with strategies that use the environment and proximity to one another. If you get surrounded, you may well lose--it'll take brains as well as brawn to handle these.

OOC: Feel free to montage fighting the Legionnaires, emphasizing using cover and terrain to overcome their superior numbers. They fight with their fists; the small ones with single attacks, and the big ones with big, area-of-effect slams. Neither use magic. Also, feel free to make up employees or guests of the studio to rescue! Finally: please make your way through the door at the end of your pose!

AS: Yusuke Kitagawa has readied for combat as Goemon! He is now fully healed!

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    "Wha'... th' fuck?" Phoenix asks their team -- as Phoenix -- in the studio. "Those... Legionnaires?"

    From the shadows, they strike, greatsword cleaving down onto the massive foes. By and large, these battles are pitched and quick -- and though Phoenix strikes from behind, they struggle far more with stopping to properly assess the situation.

    For instance, when they see one tall and broad weatherman trying to fight off a group of those monsters -- and he's stuck trying to wrestle one of the little guys off his camerawoman, not quite able to throw it off despite the bulk of his muscles, before one of the large Legionnaires squares up to take a swing at him. "RAAAAAHHHHH --" ensures that the massive ground-pounding swing of that massive creature doesn't connect with Teruo Shinoda's flesh, but he gets to see a massive, circuit-like stock chart of a greatsword swinging in front of him to meet it instead.

    "Run!" Phoenix barks, clad in their orange feather-hooded cloak, ninja robes beneath it with saroshi wrapping at their ankles, wrists, and belly. Their face is obscured by a dark grey witch's-hat mask, but the intensity of their blue eyes, behind it, is difficult to miss.

    ... but while they take out that big guy, two of those little guys working together to pincer-attack Phoenix while they're wrenching their greatsword out of the ground is another matter.

    Good thing they're not alone --

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

Phoenix is among the loudest members of their team - both in spirit and in garb - and so it behooves them to let them take the lead in a situation like this. While their blazing cloak and hollering draw the attention of the Legionnaires, the other Thieves can work around the aggro drawn and take advantage of it.

To wit: As Phoenix faces down the larger Legionnaire, and two smaller ones creep up behind them to get the drop on the firebrand, there is the silken hiss of a second blade being drawn, and then Fox strikes, blade slashing darkly quick to cut at the two smaller Shadows and drive them away, as he steps up into the space they occupied. "I'll watch your back, Phoenix," he replies curtly, turning to do just that with black katana at the ready.

AS: Kasumi Yoshizawa has readied for combat as Cendrillon! She is now fully healed!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    "Seems so," Joker replies to Phoenix, eyes narrowing behind their domino mask. Another Kingdom... First Maria, now--whoever's voice it was emanating from this space. It sounded a little familiar, like they'd heard it before...
    
    With their grappling wire, they're able to get higher ground easily, then snipe Legionnaires from their blind spots so their friends can move in to take them out, which Fox helps Phoenix do to great effect. Because of this high ground, they're also able to spot a woman with shorter blue hair wandering in--no, not wandering; there's too much purpose to her for this to be an accident. A cluster of the smaller Legionnaires move to swarm her, and Joker grapples to a parking lot light to swoop down and grab her by the waist to carry her to safety, atop a large van.
    
    "This place is dangerous. Leave this to us," Joker tells her, reaching out an arm to block any Legionnaires that would go after her even now. "Escape while you can."
    
    "But I'm looking for someone. Emisa Higa--my gi--m-my best friend," the woman argues, frightened but clearly not to be deterred. "She's short, with red hair, and I know she came this way!"
    
    Joker masks their surprise. They do know that name--which means this must be... "Rest assured, we won't abandon her," they tell her. "The best you can do for her now is get yourself to safety."
    
    Miyako Akimoto looks like she wants to argue the point--but she looks down at the parking lot and the Persona Users wreaking havoc on the monsters. She shakes her head slowly, dazed... "I-I'll trust you," she stammers, then slips down on the other side of the van to run for the perimeter.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.

Shinjuku was not Grim's usual hunting ground. Outside of her occasional jaunts there to pick up odds and ends - and pop into the theatre if time permitted - there was little of interest there for her. But she'd heard worrying things about Studio 4, and with her own senses put on edge by something she could not quite describe - something that pricked at her animal instincts, and instilled in her the gut feeling that there was something wrong - Grim couldn't help but feel somewhat curious about what awaited her there. Thus, rifle and hammer in hand, she vanished into Mementos to make her way over.

Moving like a shadow through the night, Grim stole past whatever hordes she could. Slipping into rooms and alcoves, she cross-referenced whatever maps she could see with the one she drew in her mind, until she could form even a semi-accurate assessment of the Legionnaires' patrol paths. She counted herself fortunate that others seemed to be causing a ruckus and distracting some of their number, but cursed when it seemed her luck was not to last. Some hapless individual - an intern, by the looks of it, or some junior crew member - had not the stealth nor the level-headedness she'd approached with, and had been backed into a corner by no few of their number.

Before one of the larger ones could pound them into the floor, the dull *thwip* of a suppressed rifle filled the air, followed by the collapse of a lumbering giant.
"Move." Grim commanded the shaking individual. Another few shots rang out from the shadows, each from a different angle, all while Dantes carved away at the backs of those Legionnaires foolish enough to be distracted by the volley. Though shocked, the crew member was not so stunned that they could not recognise an opportunity to flee, and they bolted towards the exit without any more prompting.

With the individual gone and the horde's attention focussed on her, Grim was quick to make her escape. With a twitch of her finger, she fired a round into a nearby fire extinguisher, detonating it in a cloud of thick gas. Dantes shielded her with cloaking magicks, and by the time any of the enemies could see past that dense fog, Grim had vanished towards the door at the far end of the floor.

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.

As it so happens, there's a guy who hangs around TV Studios quite often. Right now, for example, he's around a corner, overhearing several Legionnaires as they drag a woman off, kicking and screaming. "NO! Please Stop!" She sobs, as one of the Legionnaires replies, "Stop struggling. You're being invited to an audition you know. It's a great honor!"

Goro Akechi couldn't help but be a little surprised by these events, as he stood against the wall, hand on his chin, "This defies everything we know about Kingdoms... up until now- they were merely isolated inner worlds, wholly focused on a singular captive."

He spent some time in rumination, before cocking his head sideways in consideration, "Could it be...?" Then after a pause, "...No, it's too early to jump to conclusions." He finally decides. "Still... if 'that world' were to be invoked... who knows what could happen?"

It's a theory he has little evidence for, besides his own knowledge of Cognitive Psience and vast experience with the supernatural, but in this instance, he thinks it's a solid 'working theory'.

Turning around on his heel, he begins to move down the hallway as blue fire consumes the 'boy next door' look of the Detective Prince, instead taking on the role of the Princely Band Major, wearing a Tengu Mask. As for the woman, he does not rescue her. After all, what happens when they get into that Kingdom will be a new data point for him.

Holding up his laser pistol for a quick check, he was finally ready for what came next, "Let's get to work."

-=-=-

A lone figure stands atop a ledge on the side of the TV studio building, lining up a shot to the center of Joker's forehead with that laser pistol, then, closing one eye, he pulls the trigger.

Joker will see a flash of light, right before a laser beam grazes only the tippy tips of several of the hairs on the right side of their head.

Flashing past them to strike a Legionnaire in the chest, center mass, who had just begun climbing up the front of the van behind them- their climb interrupted, and turned into a fall as they slump down and dissolve into ichor.

"Don't get too distracted saving the girl." He quips, before then doing a front flip from his perch down into the parking lot, landing with a click of his shoes, "That you forget to watch your back. Though I suppose that's what I'm here for." He adds with a cheerful lilt to his tone.

His expression then grows more grave. "Something is very wrong here. By all accounts... this shouldn't be happening." He says, before turning to look towards the studio building again.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

Something has been happening at Studio 4. That much is obvious from that strange sensation emanating from it - and that call for help. Shinobu doesn't know what, but that's what she's here to find out. And what she finds is...

"...Damn. That's a lot of 'em." Shinobu mutters, look at the scene from afar. The parking lot has been turned into a battlefield - one full of Shadow-like creatures...

She's reminded of the ones everyone fought in Maria's Kingdom, just with a different theme - but what are they doing out here?

...Well, whatever the case - she isn't just about to let them do as they please.

Her eyes track a group on the move - a swarm of smaller Legionnaires escorted by a larger, stronger-looking one. And in the middle of the group, bound up like prisoners, are a group of people - judging by their outfit, Shinobu assumes they must be caterers that were just supposed to be delivering food to the station staff...

She frowns, considering the situation - and looks up.

The sun is pretty bright - and there are a lot of headlights. She frowns thoughtfully, an idea forming in her head. If creatures like this are out here, then maybe...

Time to put on a little lightshow.

"Lachesis!" Shinobu calls out. And sure enough, Shinobu comes to her call. A series of weaker Kouha spells race out at Lachesis's command, aiming for the headlights. Between the sun and the spells reflecting off of the vehicle headlights, the area is briefly lit up with a bright FLASH.

Shinobu immediates moves to take advantage of it, drawing her staff from her duffel bag and leaping into the fray. She lashes out with a spin, striking out at the dazed and blinded Legionnaires and sending them crashing to the ground.

She draws a knife from her pocket, then, shifting her staff to one hand as she hurries to free the captured caterers.

"C'mon, get out of here - tell everyone you can to stay away from this place, alright?" Shinobu says hurriedly. The shadow of a Shadow looms over her.

"L-Look out!" One of the caterers cries. The taller Legionnaire, recovered from the flash, stands over her, massive fists raised to bring them down upon her and his captives - and Shinobu snaps her fingers.

Lachesis levels her staff, balancing it on her hands, and centers the Legionnaire between them. Purifying seals race up from the ground and in a flash of bright light, the Legionnaire vanishes.

"Th-thank you... But the others -" One of the caterers starts, glancing toward the mysterious door. Shinobu shakes her head.

"...Right. I'll check it out. You all just get as far away as you can." She says - and then she races off.

As she does, she can see that there are other people here, too.

"Looks like they went in here. I'm going on ahead!" Shinobu calls out - and vanishes through that strange door.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

Tsurugi hadn't been here to play hero. No, indeed, she had been here for a far different purpose. She'd taken up her position at a different spot than the Bride, ready to cut off an escape if their target managed to get away.

And so, she was here, when everything went... a bit sideways.

She wasn't sure exactly what happened in that Kingdom just yet, but she sure was certain of what was coming out--and how it felt different than the Mark. (She hates that she knows enough to tell the difference, but there's no changing that now.)

If Yumi had her Navigator Link up, Tsurugi encouraged her to retreat and regroup, and for Scion to stay with her, while indicating she would go investigate further.

Hatsuya Wakayama could wait. The situation needed to be contained, first. Tsurugi pulled her Evoker free from her thigh holster.

"La Maupin."

The Legionnaires had numbers and tactics. Tsurugi and La Maupin had speed and unerring coordination. With wind-boosted speed, a black-suited woman and a red-straightjacketed Persona charge through the hallways of the studio to get outside. Coming upon a line of the larger Legionnaires Tsurugi takes the lead, running ahead. With a shout, she runs one through with her rapier, before yanking it free. Without looking, she whirls backwards, jamming her main gauche into the throat of a second.

A third and forth raise their fists high overhead, reeling up for a massive attack--and without looking Tsurugi dives away, rolling over the hood of a car to take shelter before two waves of lethal force surge outwards.

And from a different car La Maupin comes leaping into the air, diving into the empty space of the attack just as it subsides to cut both down with a single whirling attack before even touching the ground.

Tsurugi stands up, and the two keep moving, baiting, circling, and flanking targets with seemingly little hesitation. Here, a gout of flame turns several smaller Legionnaires to a crisp before they can reach a woman, there, a two Legionnaires are skewered in tandem to force them to drop a janitor. And where the Legionnaires fall Tsurugi only does one thing. Points, and says "Run."

Finally, she approaches the door, and without hesitating she charges in.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    ----EARLIER----

    There are places where one expects the ebb and flow of the supernatural to shift.

    _Shinjuku is not one of them_.

    The moment the Badb feels it opening, Umie--

    --has to wait until her shift is done, and *then* she stops what she is doing and goes to investigate.

    A stop at her apartment, and then...

    -----NOW----

    A hand-sized hoop on a length of black rope, loops around the head of one of the taller creatures. The owner of that weapon hops on top of a shorter specter, using it as a handy step to leep onto a second, and then, onto the upper back of her prey, slashing with the bifrucated blade that is tied on the opposite side of her weapon.

    A familiar spray of wispy ash blonde hair peeks from underneath a white hood, straying over a red paper maiche half mask overlaid with matching pieces of patterned origami paper. The beauty mark under the corner of her right eye, the red finger nails clutching the 'shoulder' of her prey, lips crooked in a wide frown...

    It's Umie Akabane.

    ".... This doesn't feel like the Mark..." she murmurs, distracted, as the tall being begins to fall flat.

    She looks up, hearing a familiar voice: Phoenix. In turn, there's Fox, and...

    Her gaze is in turn distracted by the Tokyo TV logo on a nearby building, close to where the kidnapped janitor is being brought through, which is echoed on the many, many vans.

    "Bad luck... Like..." A second shadow-y creature grabs onto the young woman in the white coat, until that same woman reacts akin to a feral cat, teeth flashing as she bites into the thing's wrist, twisting her body around to land the heel of her sneaker square against its jaw.

    'Something is very wrong here. By all accounts... this shouldn't be happening.'

    "Prince-san!" Umie garbles, now upsidedown, spitting out whatever muck lingering in her mouth, "I think I got the--" *kick, kick, KICK*

    It's not great to hold a conversation when you're trying to jam your heel into a shadow being's face. She's dropped like a pile of wet clothes, springing back up as her opponent is briefly distracted by the light of Shinobu's Persona.

    The blade cuts neatly across its neck; Umie gathering the length of rope in her opposite, half-covered hand. "It's bad luck," she continues. "There was a TV personality that had it stuck to her when I met her, a few days ago. She likely got it from something in here, but..."

    Does bad luck spread, like a disease? "This is *Shinjuku*, not Sumaru!"

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    Also here is Kasumi Yoshizawa! With her connections in the TV industry, she's been hearing the rumours regarding Studio 4 with increasing curiosity. Thus, she decides investigate things on her own.

    The young woman arrives clad in her Thief attire, looks surprised to see the Phantoms too. "Joker-senpai! Everyone! Please, allow me to help!" Codename: Belle calls out to her fellow masked allies.

    The gymnast unsheathes her rapier, and infuses it with light. Then, she charges the nearest legionnaire! She baits the smaller one into striking a car, only to dash around and use the opening to poke him full of holes! "Gotcha!"

    Although... As the redhead examines the situation, she realizes that trying to go one by one will take far too long. And at that... The shadows are leaking into the real world?? Now that's troubling...

    But there's no more time to fret! It seems like many are moving towards the strange doorway, and so Kasumi will be no different. Darting from car to car, and using her rifle to pick off select legionnaires on her way through the crowd!

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

Another day, another case. ...Is something that Julian Marlowe can't usually say, given that he has a day job that often needs to be given priority. It's a different story during Winter Break, that gives him lots more free time to devote to looking into supernatural events of note. Shadow-like creatures pouring out in the streets outside of the Dark Hour definitely qualifies as one of those. And so...

The initial arrival of Vesper on the scene was without fanfare this time, having opted for the stealthy way in. Sticking to the shadows, as well as the commotion already in progress, both aided in there being no eyes on him until now. He might have continued to observe for a moment longer, had his observations not discovered something that drastically changed the situation. Or rather, someone.

Suddenly, a large shadow is cast onto a far wall, the light of the sun dramatically framing the Supernatural Investigator's gentlemanly form. As he planned, it is that shadow that draws the attention of the small Legionnaires in the general vicinity away - a quick Marin Karin later, and chaos descends into their ranks as they start fighting among themselves.

Meanwhile, Vesper all too calmly walks over to a certain car, brand new fancy umbrella resting on his shoulder. He waits a short moment, before clearing his throat. "The immediate threat has been handled, it's safe to come out now."

A head of red hair slowly raises from behind the vehicle, eyes peeking cautiously for reassurance that the monsters are indeed gone, before the roughly 5-foot tall woman fully rights herself. She lets out a breath of relief, before her demeanor changes to one of confidence. "...Thanks. I had it handled though."

Vesper nods calmly. "Of course. Might I suggest you make yourself scarce in case they return?" To which the fiery-haired woman replies, "I can't do that! Hana's in there! I've got to get her out before--"

The click of Vesper's umbrella being planted on the ground interrupts. "Hana... Fukami Hana-san, I presume?" With a gracious bow, he suggests, "Allow me to seek her out on your behalf. Fear not, your friend is in good hands."

After a moment of hesitation, the woman - the very Emisa Higa sought by Miyako - decides to relent, if not without a mutter of denial in regards to the word 'fear'. Once Vesper is certain she won't follow, he proceeds onward, joining the gathering group as their battle is winding down, heading straight for the door as they clearly have things handled around there.

And, as is often the case, bringing the tension down a level simply by virtue of how uncannily calm he is in doing so. "This certainly is another sticky wicket we find ourselves in, is it not?"

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    Did you know?

    From within Mementos, in times of need, it's possible to get from one place to another at the speed of thought, so to speak. All you need to do is be in the right place--

    Lights flash at the train station. Something terrible is happening. One need only take the effort to step beyond, then board the train speeding towards danger.

    --at the right time.

    A moment ago, there was no one there.

    In the blink of an eye, now there stands none other than Katsuya Suou, still freshly on leave with pay from the Konan Police Department. "What in the world?" he utters, taking in both the phenomenon of his current surroundings and the abject chaos taking place.

    Is the studio building under attack?

    Well, yes. But are those people?

    Well, no. He's familiar enough with the closeness of his Persona in certain supernaturally-charged places to know the difference by now. Those things are clearly not humans, and they're not demons, and they're acting with rather more intention than he's used to seeing from Shadows. Perhaps they're cognitions, but Katsuya, with no prior experience of anything like this at all is admittedly at a loss here.

    Not that there's time to consider the mechanics of the current situation, either.

    "Unhand her at once! Abduction is a serious crime!" he shouts, just about throwing himself at one of those creatures. It's currently hefting a woman of about his age who, if he had to hazard a guess, is probably a receptionist for one of the offices here. In spite of her flailing, it's still managed to get a good grip on her and in spite of his attempts to go at it hand to hand, it's not working particularly well.

    "Helios!"

    At least not until he brings superior 'fire'-power into the mix. The Legionnaire, not that he knows it as such, catches alight, loosening its grip on the woman who is able to then struggle free.

    "Run!" he informs her, an order of which she's more than happy to oblige. "Get clear and call the--"

    Here is where Katsuya pauses, and notices finally more than a few familiar faces in the crowd (including Akechi, in his princely attire, and a masked young lady he assumes is Umie).

    "--leave it to us!"

    "Shimizu-san!" he shouts, falling in aside her as he moves to strike at a Legionnaire that doesn't have a captive. "What's going on?!"

    Because he's got absolutely no idea, other than it being clearly supernatural in origin.

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.

"Damn it!" Teruo Shinoda calls, when Phoenix tells him to run. But he knows he can't do anything but get the others to safety. "If you see Hana Fukami," he says, "Protect her! Promise me! Tell her I'm looking for her!" Then, he picks up the camerawoman, getting her to her feet, and runs with her for the exit.

A hapless intern saved by Grim makes it out, too.

While more Legionnaires try to corner Fox, he's able to cut through them, too. The catering team is able to escape in the same few moments, after Shinobu rescues them--them, and others. Tsurugi rescues a janitor in the clutches of a few Legionnaires, though the group may wonder at her motives. Umie has an idea of what's going on...

And Vesper has another rescue handled. While Emisa is reluctant, she does leave it in Vesper's hands. His calm makes the diference int he end--as does Katsuya's when he rescues another woman.

All paths lead to the strange door in the parking lot: that's where the Legionnaires have taken their captives. Shinobu is the first through, but Kasumi isn't far behind. All questions can be answered here, it would seem.

Through the door is a little world: Studio 4 stretches out ahead. In the horizon, beautiful paintings of trees and a horizon mark the boundaries of this world, and closer, there are brown buildings; a house here and there, a two-story office there. There are sets, outdoor-style sets that simulate settings far from here.

And, of course, there are the Legionnaires. Big ones, small ones, some carrying little drums with which they buff the others--they're all over the place. The Producer's Security is out in force. But they are not the only group in battle here: a number of strange Shadow-creatures, rebels in various outfits (nice suits, shirtsleeves like their bosses) in a rainbow of colors. The Rebels are fighting the Legionnaires in the streets.

Between them, occasionally used by either side, are mindless Shadows, little Mayas--blobs with arms and legs--and stranger shapes like those found in Tartarus. There are also various demons, from Taskhasa fish-demons to Kinnara horse-headed musicians to succubi and incubi, all taking advantage of the chaos.

And in the center there is a large building, the largest of all, five stories high, marked as the heart of Studio 4.

...But the smaller studio you're near is already starting to crumble, a hole in the wall from which people are coming out--people in need of rescue! They include not only more of the little Shadow people who seem in so much trouble, but also real, living and brething and bleeding humans.

Not everyone arrives at the same time, but there is plenty of room to help even for latecomers; one can assume there are plenty of people to help... not least, from the falling debris!

"Don't let up!" a broad man in his early 30s says--rather than a Shadow, he looks just like a normal person. He's not that tall, but he is a big presence. "Rescue the prisoners, and push back the Producer's muscle!"

"Got it, Captain Kato! We'll do our all!" The Rebels cheer, and redouble their efforts.

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    It's only a moment--Joker half-turns to watch Miyako flee, make sure she makes it out of here safely. When they start to turn back, the Legionnaire has almost reached them--
    
    A flash of red light. Some stray strands of their dark hair burn away as that Legionnaire falls to the asphalt and dissolves into ichor.
    
    Joker already knows who they'll see when they turn. They scoff at Akechi's theatrics outwardly, but he'll see that tiny smile playing on their lips--and recognize the fondness in their eyes, even with that mask in place.
    
    "I'd be in dire straits indeed if I had to rely on you every time to save me, Detective," they quip back.
    
    Their expression turns grim as they hop nimbly down to join him. They've only encountered one Kingdom so far, but it really is bizarre to see Legionnaires spilling out into the real world like this. As Umie indignantly declares, this is Shinjuku, not Sumaru.
    
    A certain TV personality, though... At this point, there's no question in Joker's mind who that could be, even without Vesper going to a hiding Emisa's aid, then naming Hana Fukami by full name. They nod once to Akechi, then as Umie addresses him, they turn further when they see Shinobu and others heading through a certain door. That includes a certain Persona-using cop, but that's a problem for later. Joker's main priority here is to find and save Hana.
    
    "There," they state, gesturing over their head at it while nodding firmly to Fox and Phoenix--and while they don't look at Akechi, he's sure to hear them. Kasumi, or rather Belle, arrives, and they nod to her too with a crooked smile. "Let's go."
    
    As they too rush for that strange door with the others, they quip to Vesper, "Indeed."
    
    And on the other side...
    
    ...is another world, (un)naturally. This too is Studio 4, and Joker frowns to see it once they reach it with everyone else--involving much sneaking and dashing, considering all the fighting in the streets. That's before they spot that it's not just Rebels escaping, but also actual humans.
    
    Captain Kato. Joker shoots Phoenix and Fox a knowing look, before drawing their firearm again to shoot those falling pieces of rubble out of the sky and away from those trying to escape!
    
    "Captain Kato, was it? Allow us to assist you," they tell the broad man smoothly.

[OOC] Yusuke Kitagawa says, "*blu-ray strike that last"

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    There is the silken hiss of a subtle blade, and -- "Sick," Phoenix grins, as they turn and see the Shadows driven back. They plant their knee next to their blade, and heft, upwards, once, twice, before that thunderous slab of steel rocks out of the earth and up onto their shoulder. "Knew I could count on ya!"

    Teruo's reluctant to leave without -- Hana? -- though, and Phoenix's gaze shifts to him, sharply. "I promise," they say. "I know her. I'll find her. Get outta here!" To their teammates, they explain: "Fukami-san hosts a show 'round here... she's gotta be somewhere nearby!"

    They'll follow Joker to that door -- suspicious as they may be of the Prince watching their back -- and out into the world of Studio 4, with Belle and Fox...

    Phoenix nods to Joker, sharply, and the once, when they meet their eyes. "Yeah," they say, to Captain Kato. "We're with ya."

    But as they charge forward to cleave through one of those pieces of debris before it can fall on a woman, they realise: "-- wait a sec, is that a fuckin' Demon?"

    Gawking, they double-take, pointing to Shinobu and then to the Succubus. "Yo, uh, Shimizu-san, that's a Demon, right?! I ain't nuts?!"

    "Oh, you noticed!" Succubus bubbles, as she swans up to them. "Well, I'd hope you have a few nuts, little man --"

    "Okay I don't got time to get inta that," Phoenix snaps, a touch too quickly, as they smack the Succubus away with the flat of their blade. "But this ain't Sumaru, man! What th' fuck!"

    They haven't even noticed the Mindless Shadows, yet, but mostly because they get distracted from having a conniption by needing to swing that massive slab of a sword at another threat.

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.

"Haha-" He chuckles at Joker's reply, "-given how often it happens, I suppose I should add 'Reliable-kun' to my list of titles." He says, with a teasing wink.
 
There's no question in Akechi's mind who that could be either. After all, there is a common factor in all with the Will of Rebellion.
 
"Sergeant." He says, with a mimed salute using a gloved hand, "I have some experience with these creatures, if you'd follow me, I'll explain as best as I can."
 
A beat.
 
"Needless to say, this should not be happening."
 
Indeed, this is illustrated in short order as they enter- somewhere else as they come upon Mindless Shadows- Mayas, Takshasa, Kinnara. "The plot thickens..." He murmurs, as he regards the array of them, before taking off with the others towards Studio Four, in a blur of motion behind cover.
 
When they come upon the crumbling studio his own laser is drawn, raising it to fire upon some falling rubble, as he joins in saving people with the others.
 
"They likely have more captives besides- further within..." He notes, when Captain Kato appears, he shares that knowing look with Joker as well, before glancing towards Katsuya, "You can trust this man when it comes to offering our assistance. Think of him as- an agent of justice within this world."
 
Not place.
 
World.
 
What have they all gotten themselves into this time?
 
That's when one of the tiny Takshasa turns on Akechi and charges up a beam that would look like it belongs on a Shounen anime, with how wide a swath the 'PHOTION CANNON' carves.
 
With drawn Saber, he splits that beam on the edge, dispersing it before it can do greater harm. "Sorry- while that was quite impressive... I don't have time to indulge you with a drawn out fight."
 
Right as he spits the fish on his blade, watching it flop around, before dissolving.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

"Suou!" Shinobu calls back as Katsuya calls out to her. What's going on? "It's kinda complicated, but I'll try to keep it quick. These things... they're a type of Shadow called a 'Legionnaire'. When we saw 'em last, it was in a sort of supernatural place called a 'Kingdom' - seems like they're based around keeping someone trapped... but I dunno why they're out here. It didn't happen last time - much less them dragging other people in..."

Did it just not have the opportunity to happen...? She shakes her head. Right now, there's a more pressing matter at hand.

"Well... only one way to find out what's goin' on, right?" She says.

She heads through the door - and finds herself in a land of studios and outdoor sets, with a distant horizon looking very much like a matte painting.

But there's too much going on now to observe it - chaos has broken out. Legionnaires, Rebels, and somehow even demons fighting amongst each other.

She looks toward Phoenix. The Phantom Thieves are here too, she notes.

"...No, I see 'em too. This didn't happen last time, either." Shinobu replies. Their question is a good one. What's happening here? She turns her attention back toward the Captain.

"Let's talk after this!" She calls toward Captain Kato, then looks toward Katsuya. "The little guys are alright. And him..."

Akechi explains the situation - Captain Kato is an 'agent of justice'...

"...Yeah, that about sums it up. Alright, let's move!" Shinobu rolls her neck, and then charges. A section of wall starts to fall over toward a group of wounded Rebels... and Shinobu plants her staff into the ground as she runs, using it as a makeshift pole-vault to propel her toward the wall with a flying kick to send it toppling the other way instead.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.

Grim had grown used to the supernatural by that point in time. With how often she ventured out on hunting trips and treasure hunts, mere Shadows were not enough to faze her. Nor did the gathering of Persona users seem to catch her out - whether by fate or otherwise, it seemed like them congregating and clustering in one area or another was a regular event. What did manage to leave her furrowing her brow and tightening her lips beneath that silver half-mask was the transition between the waking world and the cognitive realm.

Mementos was one thing, but to step through the door to what was supposed to be an ordinary studio, and reappear into another realm entirely... It took her a little while to take it all in, her eyes slowly scanning from left to right. Doing so gave her ample time to analyse the situation, her gaze catching on every detail of everything there, be it parts of the environment that stood a chance of serving as cover, or the the myriad Shadows that warred amongst themselves before her very eyes.

So, when the studio began to crumble, Grim noticed immediately.
"Place's falling apart. We need to move if we want to save them.." She said, speaking to nobody in particular. None she recognised, at least. She had no clue who the red-haired girl was, nor the assorted thieves, or the straight-laced officer or any other users gathered there. But the boisterous one - the one whose gender was a complicated subject, if she had interpreted their dialogue with the succubus correctly - seemed to have some idea of what, on a broader scale, was *supposed* to be happening there.

Grim made her way across to the gathered Thieves, though her approach was not nearly as quick as she would have liked. She wasn't fast or strong enough to snatch people out of the way of falling debris, or act as a shield against the gathered hordes. But she had a rifle, she had range, and a clear line of sight. So it was that, every few seconds, a bright flash could be seen amidst whatever patches of gloom were present in the area, accompanied by the hiss of a suppressed rifle... then followed by a larger target dropping to the ground.

"If Demons aren't supposed to be here, then what *is?*" Grim said, the moment she was within range of Phoenix - or, really, any that was inclined to speak with her. Some errant enemy came barrelling towards her, but the expertly-forged head of a warhammer crashed down on it before it could reach arm's length. Grim glanced at where the thing had once stood, and even with her face obscured by shadow and a silver half-skull, a palpable sense of disdain emanated from her. "Matter of fact, where are we?"

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

"This is most peculiar," Fox remarks as they step through that eerie threshold, and from 'the studio' enter 'The Studio'.

Crumbling debris and falling rocks catch the Thieves' attention, and as Joker and Phoenix turn their intent on protecting those attempting to escape, Fox tugs at his mask in a splatter of blood and cobalt flame. "Goemon!"

The towering ronin strides forth out of that icy flame, planting his massive pipe to hold up the hole in the wall before bracing against the crumbling edifice with impossible, supernatural strength.

Fox, meanwhile, pulls an assault rifle from nowhere, and as Phoenix smashes the Succubus away from them follows up by firing a triple burst into the demon's form.

"The Producer?" He murmurs, aside, to Joker, as his grey eyes scan the battlefield.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

Tsurugi will not concern herself with what the others might think of her motives. Indeed, her aims have often seemed mercurial.

Tsurugi and La Maupin charge through, gales of wind trailing in their wake. Tsurugi skids to a stop, both weapons at the ready as she scans the scene. Paintings, outdoor sets, and a studio. Shadows and Demons both. Behind her fencing mask, Tsurugi's eyes narrow. Where did you come from...? She knows, at least, where they didn't come from. "Yes," is her terse answer to Phoenix's inquiry about those being demons.

... Tsurugi may be the last person they want to hear from.

And two types of forces she can identify, locked in a battle... curious. Her eyes dart around the battlefield, scanning to take in the situation as quickly as possible--

But the presence of prisoners ultimately draws her attention. She's less concerned with the Shadows--but the humans take her interest. "Magarula!"

Tsurugi starts to run forward even as La Maupin lifts their hand. A burst of wind explodes in midair, catching some of the falling debris in a chaotic, whirling mess of tumbling winds.

Tsurugi herself throws herself into battle with these so-called 'Producer's Men', her rapier and main gauche flashing as she dances in and out of battle, circles, and leaps, striking without hesitation.

Once the debris is sufficiently neutralized, La Maupin will join her a moment later, and soon their blades will light with gouts of flame in rapidfire motion. And they're no less discriminate about tackling any Shadows or Demons they cross paths with, either.

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

Vesper has a way of looking like he knows what he's doing, in most situations. Once he steps through that door, though... he doesn't bother to hide the surprise in what can be seen of his expression. This is something new to him, he's fairly sure. There is a certain Palace-like vibe to it, but... well for one thing, those don't usually have an open door policy, as it were. One that goes both ways, even. That, and they tend to be orderly inside, far from the chaos that's happening in here.

"My word," is all he initially manages. He'll need a moment to take it all in. Observation is key, after all. As is listening to what others are saying. One can learn a lot simply by paying attention. What this place is, who has previous experience with it... and most importantly, the rules under which one should operate here. Clearly those will be quite different from those in a Palace.

A wall comes down, and his eyes widen. Actual people were held captive here? Not hesitating, he brings a hand to his mask, summoning his, "PERSONA!" This time, Raffles provides Shade Revel - protection and increased speed to the fleeing former captives both.

The immediate priority handled, he takes his cue from Joker's pledge to assist the side of the Rebels, presuming that the Phantom Thieves would know the proper way to act here. Led by an 'agent of justice', according to the one in the long-nosed mask. Good enough for him.

Leaping into the fray, he picks his targets carefully - weaker, isolated foes, seeking to cut off attempts to regroup, that he can pick off with a few simple maneuvers from his umbrella that may call fencing to mind. Perhaps it is no coincidence, that as the action winds down, he ends up standing by Tsurugi's side.

"Fancy meeting you here," he remarks, without judgement in his tone.

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    Kasumi enters through the strange doorway, and is left struck at the strange environment Studio 4 turned out to be. If she wasn't careful, she'd think that they're shooting on location today. But on closer inspection, it's all different sets.

    "Woah..." Belle breathes. "It's beautiful!"

    But not all's well! She can see a war going on, with Shadows and Demons duking it out on the main stage. A Captain Kato seems to the leader, and much of her comrades are better equipped for that conversation than Kasumi is.

    Instead, she sees the falling debris. "You won't get a chance!" She tears her mask off, and Cendrillon is summoned, launching slashing attacks tearing up the debris. Then, she goes to help out the people caught in the debris, helping up one particularly hurt camera operator she recognizes. "Hurry, and get out of here, Watanabe-san!"

    The man gives a confused look as some masked woman who knows his name saves him. "R-right!" He decides not to worry about it, and another worker before trying to run.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    "Vesper-san! Katsuya-san!" Umie greets, while upsidedown.

    A few minutes later, now right side up with the dissolving shadow behind her, she watches the three Phantom Thieves (and co.) enter the door that Shinobu had gone through earlier. Spitting out another bit of bit of Shadowstuff, Umie wipes her mouth with the back of her sleeve. "... I guess we're going this way, then..."

    She'll at least act like she's not actively vibrating at the chance to open that door and seize ahold of this new mystery, be as it may.

    --------

    Amid the chaos, the Badb's shriek rings over the field. Select demons begin to bicker or turn on their own, or chaotically turn on whatever is nearby, not wary of how their back is turned, allowing a Rebel or two to get a critical hit in. The source is, as always, Umie, arriving a little late, but not too late to intervene.

    Then, with just a flash of white and red, there's just nothing that needs to be noticed at all: just something unimportant, like a bird, easily lost and unmemoriable as long as something else draws at one's attention.

    ....until that bird is trying to use a larger bird to deflect away a piece of debris, and it's Umie again.

    The bleeding man in the suit screams and shrinks back from the sudden display, as the short half-masked blonde looks his way, gives him a mischevious grin, and wiggles her fingers in greeting. "C'mon, is that any way to greet the person who selflessly saved you?" She points towards the larger group. "Go that way. Don't worry, with luck, you won't remember anything tomorrow."

    Seeing the straggler get reunited with the others, Umie moves.

    --------

    She can gain a sense of the battlefield, more or less, by Badb's senses, but it only shows as far out as where the dangers lie.

    "It's just like that place Sakurai-san was trapped in." The girl in the white jacket drops in from an overhanging piece of architecture. "But like Shimizu-san said, there were no demons in that one. Maybe we just didn't see any, or... something *really* went wrong." She holds up a finger. "Like bad luck."

    What 'bad luck' means is... undefined.

    "As for where we are," she continues, for Grim's question, "Well, for one thing, it's definitely not winter here." Umie gathers the rope of her kyoketsu-shoge a little more tightly as she (quite rudely) interrupts the conversation. "... At least, it's trying not to be."

    They're like backgrounds used in a play, marking the horizon is supposed to set, unlike the cyber city of Maria's...

    "So this is all likely centered around someone, if we're following the same pattern. But who?"

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    "So it is you, Akabane-kun!"

    This shouldn't be happening, Akechi confirms, at which Katsuya nods. "I see-- then, we must put an end to it quickly!" He's been around enough to realize that if something 'shouldn't be happening' according to the more experienced members of their collective community... something has truly gone awry.

    (Akechi had told him that he'd only awoken a few months before he had to this power in the past, though. How much experience do any of them actually have...?)

    "'Legionnaires'? As in, ancient Rome?" Katsuya wonders aloud, looking at the creature anew. He pauses, only to shake his head. "No, never mind that. How long have they been here? Do you know how many people might be missing?"

    Keeping 'someone' trapped, though. Did they find their target and they're seeking additional victims, or are they still hunting for their would-be prisoner?

    One name arises as a possible person of interest, someone who needs to be found. Fukami. He can pick up snippets of conversation among some of the people here acting as rescuers. "Hana Fukami," he repeats. He knows that name, but can't seem to place from where. It's Phoenix who jogs his memory. "Fukami-san, from 'Flower Talk'? That's right, the show would be recorded from here!" He has seen her show once or twice, now that he thinks about it, on those days he's off from work and busy at his apartment during the day... "Was she captured already?"

    But it's that door there that stands out. Something doesn't quite feel right, a reverberation that seems to almost flow from it to him through his Persona. Something that's more uncanny that the supernatural-tinged reality they currently exist within. It must be from there that this incident stems from, Katsuya decides. Yet, it's also someplace that Mementos could only bring him towards and not into...

    As much as he'd prefer to leave a message with his other allies, it doesn't seem that he has the time (if cellphone reception even works here anymore, that) to contemplate that freely. He pushes on, towards Studio 4, and passes through the threshold into another reality.

    Well.

    There are demons here. And Shadows, he realizes, spotting the presence of more than a few others he recalls from Mementos or the Dark Hour.

    Here, in this place, Katsuya draws his gun. Somehow, it hadn't exactly seemed like a good idea for him to do that in the real world, considering the fragile nature of his current situation and his uncertainity about what was going on. With so many hostile elements here, though, the calculus has shifted.

    And there are people to save, he realizes. Prisoners, as the man with the large presence declares. "So they're the ones those things captured?"

    The Legionnaires, that is, as Shinobu had identified them.

    Akechi identifies Captain Kato to Katsuya as his more-or-less counterpart within this space. "I see. Then, he is something like a cognition?" He can't get focused on 'world'. Not just yet.

    Not when masonry is collapsing. "Helios! Protect them!" he declares, sweeping his unarmed hand forward towards the fleeing prisoners. His Persona, appearing anew in a blaze of blue flame, glides towards the back of the escapees to throw its hands out. A hexagonal barrier appears between them and the crumbling wall: it should keep it at bay.

    "If you have experience in this, I will trust you, Shimizu-san!" Not all of the beings here are their enemies.

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.

"Huh?" Kato turns to Joker, surprised. "Well, if you want to help, far be it from me to say no!" He grins broadly. "There's a lot of people who'd rather go their own way, it seems!"

He looks to Phoenix, too. "It is," he agrees. "I don't know what Demons are doing here; they just showed up all of a sudden, along with a bunch of little Shadow creatures." Not, one assumes, the Rebels or the Producer's men.

The Succubus in question does not try her luck again after she gets a triple burst of gunfire for her trouble.

But this strange World... Well. It contians fish with photon cannons. So there's that. There's also Shinobu, cahrging to the wall even as Akechi vaporizes chunks of it elsewhere to stop the ruined pieces of wall from tumbling down on people.

Goemon, meanwhile, protects another with an entire wall, thanks to Fox's quick thinking. And Kato answers, "The Producer rules this studio with an iron fist. He decides what shows get made, who staffs and stars in them, and what happens to everybody 'left over'. I was a director, once... But I couldn't stand the way he treats people a minute longer. His 'vision' of how people should act, of what art we should make--it isn't the only one!"

"These Rebels agree with me, and seek to overthrow his tyrannical reign. ...The problem is that since we started opposing him, he's been locking up anyone who doesn't go along with his wishes--or just tries to perform in ways he doesn't like."

Observation may well be key. But between Vesper and Belle's efforts, more people are rescued, including the camera operator Watanabe, who thanks Belle without realizing who she is and runs off. Finally, the last pour out as Katauya and Helios's barrier prtotects them from the rest of the rubble. While the central Studio is intact... this one here is done for.

Explanations are exchanged. Umie rescues another, and talks about bad luck...

And a person. Who might it be? Well...

As it happens--there is neither time nor cellphone service, no. But, the rescued people include not only the Rebels but ordinary workers at the studio--actors, newscasters, production assistants, crew... There are a lot of them who are in need. But there's one in particular who may stand out: a dark-haired woman in a gray men' s suit with a black tie. She is a little different from how she usually looks--she's missing her makeup--but to those who know her she is unmistakably Hana Fukami.

She stumbles out with the rest, looking around, afraid and out of energy. "What..?" Her voice is familiar, too, but a little lower than usual, which could just be her gloom. "Who are all of you people?"

Kato reaches out to Hana, in particular, since she seems so worried. "It's all right," he says. "You don't want to be captured again, yes? Come with us."

"A-all right..." Hana seems dubious. Also miserable.

"Let's get out of here," Captain Kato advises. "Follow me!"

And when the group is a safe distance away, at a hidden hideout in the 'woods' of one of the sets...

Katsuya could be right; on the other hand, Kato looks and breathes and feels to resonance sense like an ordinary person... albeit one who can fight without a Persona here. That's pretty strange.

But Hana can be spoken to once they stop. Indeed, she looks around, still wearing that gray suit, to the others, having chatted along the way.

"...You can't mean to keep fighting," she says. "I heard what happened--we got out of there, thanks to all of you, but Producer Matsumoto..." A name. "He's too strong. You can't stand up to him. It's crazy to try."

The place they're in is a little cafe, ordinary. There's snacks, and more little guys running the registers. It's kind of old-school...

Most of the Cognitive prisoners have left already, but the ordinary people are following along.

There is, as it happens, a Door nearby...

"We do," Captain Kato says. "Until all of the workers are free of the Producer... Our mission isn't finished."

"All of you--you've been a big help. ...Honestly, we might not have managed it without you. But I know this isn't your fight."

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    'I'd hope you have a few nuts, little man--'
    
    Joker suppresses a cough, especially when Phoenix claps back, but it's a very near thing. Phoenix is right, though--now that they're paying closer attention to the enemies, that is a Demon, or rather several Demons. Between them and the Mindless Shadows, the enemies are remarkably varied. More and more oddities...
    
    Akechi knows the most of all, doesn't he? But Joker does catch and share that look with him too. He cooperated with them, Phoenix, and Umie in Maria's Kingdom, after all. Their gaze goes past him, though, at a certain tiny fish, and their eyes widen as they suck in a breath to warn him.
    
    However, Akechi's already on it. That immense laser fires upon him, only for him to split it in twain with his laser sword, then spear the fish like dinner.
    
    My boyfriend is so cool, they think with affectionate pride. Maybe 'Reliable-kun' is a good nickname for him.
    
    He's not the only cool one, though. All of them join forces to protect those fleeing from the prison, until all of them--including Hana Fukami herself--are rescued. They look at her with concern, but don't approach. There's no reason for Joker of the Phantom Thieves to know who she is.
    
    Instead, they murmur to Fox of 'the Producer,' "Guessing that's the--"
    
    By coincidence, that's when Grim approaches, asking about the situation. Joker glances at her, cutting themself off, but this is good time to underscore and add to what Shinobu's already said. "A type of Shadow called a Legionnaire," they reply, raising their deep voice to be generally heard. "They serve the Sovereign," what they'd been about to say to Fox, "that tyrannizes this cognitive world, which is called a Kingdom."
    
    Their masked gaze turns across the others, including Vesper and Belle, to land back on Captain Kato, the 'agent of justice.' "...And he must be the leader of the rebels that oppose them."
    
    Sure enough, Kato confirms exactly who the Sovereign is and his stakes in opposing him. Joker nods, slipping their hands into their coat pockets.
    
    Umie wonders just who this Kingdom is centered on. Joker's eyes settle on her. "Hmm... I wonder?"
    
    ...However, from there, Kato leads them all back to the rebel hideout. Hana protests the rebellion, and names the Producer as Matsumoto. Joker glances at her, but this time they remain silent, choosing to watch and listen, not just to them but to everyone gathered. When Captain Kato offers his thanks, they incline their head to him in acknowledgement. The claim that this isn't their fight, though, gets a shake of the head.
    
    "Think of us as meddlers," they reply, smirking slightly, as they tilt their head back towards Fox and Phoenix, the two people they can speak for here. "We love to pick fights with tyrants."

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    Blam, blam! Succubus has made her last innuendo, as Phoenix salutes Fox. "Ain't that a TV thing?" They guess, to him, as he wonders about the Producer. Luckily, Kato has more of an answer.

    They see La Maupin, too, and their eyes narrow behind their witch's hat mask. "You up to somethin'?!" They demand, of her; they recognise her, from that terrible night where they and Hyousuke saw a man die for the first time. Vesper, though, greets her without judgement, and... they at least know Vesper is reliable. "You think she's cool, Vesper?" They ask him -- still a touch suspicious, but at least more open to his assessment.

    (They don't question Akechi in the same way, because, well -- he is helping.)

    Umie suggests it's bad luck, and Phoenix frowns, behind their mask. "Was somethin' up with her? She seemed normal when I met her... like, it was just yesterday?"

    To Katsuya, they say: "It's supposed to jus' be th' one 'prisoner'... but they stealin' everyone now?!"

    Kato says that the Demons just showed up -- and Phoenix double-takes as they see the Mayas, too. "Whoa. That's... fuckin' weird."

    Then -- there's Hana! "Yo, Fukami-san!" Phoenix says, stepping up -- once the group's gotten away, of course, because they know that Kato's probably got a good idea about fighting in a place like this. Now, she doesn't know a strange feathered ninja, but -- "Met a weatherman real keen to save you. C'mon... don't ya wanna get outta here?"

    Of course they're here to help, too -- but they let Joker speak for them, on that note. They're the leader, after all!

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

Many of the assembled wonder why the Legionnaires are invading the real world to kidnap other people. Fox folds his arms, thinking, and turning to look at Kato as he explains about the Producer. "... What is the Producer's latest project?"

He looks around the group while waiting for his answer, acknowledging those he recognises, including Belle. Others are less familiar to him, but they've all been drawn to this congitive crisis for one reason or another.

Finally, of course, his attention rests on Joker as their leader.

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.

Perhaps, as Joker thinks that, Akechi looks back- winking at him again. They already agreed how they'd conduct themselves when 'Masked Up', but a little teasing and flirtatious tension doesn't cross that line they set.

(It's true Tsubasa -- HELPING! Also maybe flirting a little. But at least he's not being a prick to Phoenix openly.)

Akechi's eyes linger on Belle again for a time, as if scrutinizing who she is, but doesn't linger there. After all, he isn't trying to be some creep, nor does he want to be perceived as one.

"Something like that." Akechi says to Katsuya, though in a low enough tone that perhaps he might consider it 'impolite' to say so. "Though something more as well. It's- complicated. Rest assured, he is supposed to be here. Whereas the Producer- is not."

Captain Kato explains how the Producer has been locking up those who oppose him- or performs in ways he doesn't like. "I see. So that's how it is... Fukami-san is forced to conform here as well."

Akechi does ask him one question though, "Captain... do you happen to know how these strange Shadows and Demons came to this world?" He inquires, though perhaps does not necessarily expect him to know the answer.

Soon enough, fortunately do they find-

"Ah. It's good to see you again, Fukami-san." He greets her, though, as he evalutes her, he looks to the others and makes a note, "I suspect she remembers little of her time before here. Sakurai-san didn't either before..." His eyes flit up to the sky, as if looking for a flying Pink Cockatoo overhead.

Hana though indicates that they can't stand up to the Producer, "Hmm. She doesn't yet believe in our abilities. It's understandable that she wouldn't." After all, she's captive in 'this place'. At the idea that this isn't their fight, Akechi listens to Joker call themselves meddlers.

"An apt descriptor..." He smirks, before looking towards Captain Kato, "... however, I assure you, that this is our fight. Even if Fukami-san weren't held captive here... The Legionnaires of this world have invaded our own. The simplest resolution would be for us to overthrow the Producer... but..."

But that depends on more than their strength, he doesn't say. It depends upon a certain person with them.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

"No idea - but I don't think it's been long." Shinobu replies to Katsuya with a shake of her head.

Shinobu looks toward Umie as she presents a theory. Maybe they just didn't see any, or maybe something went really wrong...

"...Maybe. It was just the one time, so... maybe that was the weird one. Who knows." Shinobu considers thoughtfully with a frown. They're diving into uncharted territory - there isn't much to go off of besides their own experiences...

Joker adds to her explanation, and Shinobu nods along with it. They add some things she didn't explain, too.

There's also... Tsurugi. Shinobu catches sight of her and grimaces - but... she's fighting the Legionnaires. What's her angle? She frowns - but Vesper seems to be keeping an eye on her, so she'll trust him for now.

Katsuya says an overheard name aloud. Hana Fukami...

"...Shit, that's right, she'd be here too." Shinobu says through gritted teeth. After their last talk she'd like to think she's a friend, so the idea that she got caught up in all this...

She nods, though, as Katsuya says he'll trust her. And so, they get to work. And as they work, she listens to Kato's explanation. The Producer... so that's the boss around here. She frowns, though, as he speaks of the boss's vision. Dictating how people should act and what kind of art they should make... That's the kind of person that irritates her the most.

"Ugh. I hate him already." Shinobu complains.

Together, they rescue as many people as they can.

"Good work." Shinobu says. She looks around at all of the people that have been rescued - and sure enough, though she looks different...

"Fukami-san! Are you alright?" Shinobu asks.

She follows the others to the hideout Captain Kato leads them to.

Producer Matsumoto... So that's his name. She listens as he and Hana talk.

...And, ultimately, Kato says it isn't their fight.

Shinobu shakes her head.

"It wasn't. But then his thugs started rounding people up. So now it is our fight." She replies with a shrug. She looks toward Akechi, nodding as he makes the same point. And amidst all this, there must be someone in need of help... She looks toward Hana.

"Yeah, he's strong... But if no one challenges him, he's going to keep doing things like this." She says, then looks back toward Kato. "...So, let us know how we can help."

"Suou, are you in, too?" Shinobu asks.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.

Grim paused a moment upon hearing Umie's remark, turning a little to face her as she considered her answer. There was no indicating what she was thinking, however. Body still, eyes shrouded, and mouth covered, anything that could have expressed emotion was covered up or otherwise suppressed. When she eventually did speak, it was in a somewhat flat tone.
"...Come to think of it, do spaces like these even *have* seasons?" She'd not been awakened nearly long enough to know for certain, and hadn't had anyone teach her the ins and outs of how it all worked. It was, somehow, a genuine question.

However, it was also one that Grim wasn't given to dwell on. Akechi singled out Kato as someone that could be trusted - or, at the very least, whose interests aligned with the group's - and Joker's testimony only served to back up that claim. Grim nodded slowly, giving silent acknowledgement of what Joker said, before returning her gaze to the battle and the captives.
"Shadows? Like Mementos?" She peered over the battlefield, then to Kato, then to any of the Demons that yet remained. "...Seems weird that they're crossing over, then. Should watch our backs - no telling what let them in, or drew them here."

Grim prided herself on her ability to piece together a situation, but doing so required that she actually had pieces to assemble. With such little information and experience to go off, she was - and she hated to admit it - on the backfoot. For now, she supposed that it was best to exercise caution. Follow along and work with Kato and his rebels, since that was what everyone else seemed content to do, but keep an eye out for anything strange in the meantime. Hana's sudden appearance in the middle of the middle of things was definitely something Grim considered strange.

"...Fukami-san? From 'Flower Talk?'" Grim questioned, speaking quietly to Umie now rather than the Thieves. While Joker certainly seemed willing to fill her in on what was transpiring, they'd taken the lead to speak on behalf of their own group, and seemed quite busy organising that. Better to catch up with them later, she supposed, and try to establish an alliance with someone else while she had the chance. "Would've thought she'd leave with the rest of the staff." A slight edge of bemusement tinged Grim's speech, but otherwise, she seemed eerily calm in the aftermath of a hard-fought win.

It was Hana's remark that drew something resembling actual, strong, emotion out of Grim, though. Still suppressed, but a mote less so than usual.
"Nobody's invincible." She said tersely, turning her hooded head quickly to face Hana. "He'll fall. We just need to figure out how to make it happen." As her response drew to a close, a faint hint of conviction could be heard tinging Grim's speech, and she inclined her head forwards a hair as well. "Besides. If he's as bad as you say, then he needs to be brought to justice." She spoke so matter-of-factly that it was as though she'd said that water was wet, or the sky was blue. It was a simple fact to her - if he was a villain, judgement would need to be passed, and a sentence delivered.

She wasn't shy about saying as much to Kato once they'd settled in either.
"You won't last without help." Grim said bluntly. Her hands, tipped in silver talons, were folded across her chest, her weapons having long since been stowed. "And if he's as vile as you say, then I want justice done. Besides, he-" she nodded briefly to Akechi- "Has the right of it. He made it our fight when his minions attacked our world. We're putting an end to him."

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

When Phoenix demands to know if she's up to something, Tsurugi glances over their way. "... Yes. I am halting the advance of these so-called 'Producer's Men.' Aid me or see to the prisoners."+

Unlike Vesper, Tsurugi (and La Maupin) are not selective or targeted in the least, attacking with overwhelming (but well-coordinated) force. And when the fighting stops, and she winds up by Vesper, she simply nods. "Yes. Fancy that." Said as flat and stoically as ever.

She offers no explanation or justification for her actions.

But there is one captive there that is of particular interest to Tsurugi. Her eyes narrow behind her mask as she spots Hana... She does not like what this implies.

When Captain Kato calls for them to get out of there, Tsurugi simply says, "I will cover our escape." And she and La Maupin will do just that.

But she does follow along with the others, in the end. There is a dark chuckle as Hana insists they can't keep fighting. She can do little else, after all. After a pause she intones, "... that suit is ill-fitting on you."

What a weird, random thing to say.

Tsurugi turns their head slightly as Joker raises their voice to explain about the Kingdom, noting the terms for her own reference. That's useful information.

And Akechi provides a few more tidbits that Tsurugi notes for later. Several people have noted the odd presence of Demons and Shadows--Tsurugi won't bring up the usage of the Mark that occured shrtly before everything began.

She crosses her arms, leaning against a wall. No snack for her; she'd have to take off her mask to eat it. "How do we remove the door in the parking lot?" is her only question. She had a mission, after all, and having Shadows--Legionnaires--prowling about will only endanger it.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    Legionnaires, like ancient Rome, indeed. Katsuya's picking up things very quickly, even connecting the dots over Kato. Umie nods to Katsuya. "Like a cognition, yes," she says, trying to remain out of earshot of Kato, much like Akechi. "But... something different, too. There was one in the last 'Kingdom' that seemed more aware that something wasn't completely there. I guess, 'self-awareness', in a sense."

    Glancing towards Phoenix, Umie frowns, nodding to them and Grim in confirmation. "The very same. I came across her a few days ago. I could feel it-- the best way I could describe it is 'bad luck', but not in the Wang Long sense like it was with Sakurai-san. Just... a sense that something would *g*o wrong, or that something *was* 'wrong'."

    She says this, as in the background, a Maya flops around in the last moments of sentience before dissolving.

    Maybe it's better to ask 'what *hasn't* gone wrong'. Tsurugi is even here, though that Umie is willing to overlook, for now, giving her a quiet frown.

    She's so focused that she's likely one of the last to recongize Hana there, only realizing who it is when everyone begins calling her by name.

    "Fukami-san...?" Umie pauses, then straightens a little further. That's right, Hana wouldn't know her, not even if someone said her actual name.

    While Umie was a lot less precious in her handling of that other man that got separated, knowing a name and pinning an identity to that name mellows the bite of Umie's attitude by a hefty amount. "With luck, you won't remember any of this. But in short, we'll get you and everyone else out."

    Glancing aside to Joker, Umie pauses, and nods. "... Maybe we got here just in time. If that person's here..." If this Kingdom is attached to a person, maybe, it'll dissolve the kingdom if they manage to leave.

    It may not be that easy, however. 'He's too strong. You can't stand up to him. It's crazy to try.'

    Umie tilts her head towards Hana. ".... How long have you thought that, Fukami-san?" she asks quietly, her eyelids lowering a touch.

    Fukami-san is forced to conform here as well, Akechi said. 'I suspect she remembers little of her time before here.'
    Bad luck...

    "You can walk through that door, right now, if you like. You'll forget all this ever happened," she says. "But you haven't even tried, yet." She says it softly as an observation, rather than an accusation. After all, something in Hana's words is hitting close to home.

    'That suit is ill-fitting on you.' Umie looks over her shoulder at Tsurugi, and slowly, gives her a blackbird grin. "I've seen some women carry it very well," she offers, "but I agree. Doesn't 'suit' her at all."

    IT WAS TOO SHINY AND JUST LYING THERE

    She turns now, to Kato, as Joker describes their crew as 'meddlers'.

    That grin splits wider, as she taps a finger to her chin, one eye closing in a casual wink towards Kato. "Ehhh.... you're going to need me if you have all these demons and shadows running around. I happen to have a lot of experience with them."

     hopefully no one will speak up here about her saying 'experience' and not 'expertise'

    "The demons might have some intel we can use, for one."

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

Vesper would have been fine with simply exchanging those few words with Tsurugi. It really communicated everything necessary already. But since Tsubasa wants to know whether she is 'cool', he'll address that matter further, with a sidelong glance to Shinobu.

"In a sense of the word," Vesper decides. "I'm not certain about every sense of the word. Though it is a fact that our mutual acquaintance here did assist, this time. I see no reason to decline assistence rendered freely, regardless of motivation."

In less fancy terms, Trust is a big word, but he doesn't consider it a requirement to work with somebody. It's that Enemy Of My Enemy thing, infighting helps no one. Though naturally, "Should the situation change, our respective stances and actions are of course free to change accordingly. I trust this is acceptable to all involved?"

Vesper proceeds to listen with keen interest to Joker's explanation of the terms used to describe the various elements within this, as one such term defines, 'Kingdom'. Similar to a Palace indeed... if perhaps more expansive, and evidently not kept under complete control. He nods, to underscore his understanding of the situation.

"Which leaves the question of how all this came to be, exactly. Why the aggression, I wonder, the taking of prisoners. This 'Sovereign' seems a particularly brazen sort of Ruler. A rather peculiar sort of desperation, for one in a position of supposed strength."

He can't help himself, it's the sort of thing he's used to trying to analyze. If no one knows the answer, then he'll have plenty to mull over later.

Hana's appearance quiets him, for a time. Even from just the one meeting, it's plain to see that something is very wrong here. Amnesia, so it seems from the remarks of others... but there's likely more going on here that he isn't entirely sure of yet. Best to put some thinking into that as well, before saying anything that might be unwittingly unhelpful.

The next sound from Vesper comes in the form of a soft chuckle, at the descriptor Joker gives the lot of them. "Far from the first time I have been deemed a 'meddler'. I doubt it will be the last, so long as incidents such as this continue to occur."

That being the case... he straightens his tie, as he continues, "As others have pointed out, innocent bystanders have gotten embroiled in this struggle. That alone is enough to warrant our 'meddling'." Thus he counsels Kato, "It would behoove you to direct our meddling constructively. Organize a team effort, rather than risk us blindly going our seperate ways towards achieving the goal in a suboptimal manner."

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    With the chaos over at the moment, and a decision to retreat and regroup made, Kasumi sheathes her blade. She returns a nod with Yusuke, and is pretty content to tag along the thieves for the rest of the time.

    She does catch the gallant, princely boy with the red mask. She tilts her head a little, wondering if they know each other in the real world? Then, it clicks. Akechi-san?! With the Phantom Thieves?!

    It might not be the time now, but Kasumi does find some later to walk beside Akechi for a moment. "Akechi-san? You're here too?" She asks pleasantly. Then, she quickly raises her mask to reveal her identity as Yoshizawa. Then, back down, so no one else knows. "You're working with the Phantom Thieves now, Akechi-san?"

    As the group begins to move out, Kasumi can't help but take glances towards Fukami Hana-san. She's famous!! Possibly up there, competing with Good Morning Japan! in terms of talk shows... This experience must be really frazzling. She sort of hopes to get a chance to talk with Hana later.

    The Producer... "What kind of a person is the Producer like?" Kasumi asks, opting to focus on knowledge gathering. "What is he doing that's caused this rebellion...?"

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    It hasn't been long, Shinobu thinks. "That's good," Katsuya remarks, frowning nonetheless.

    Just one prisoner. "Even holding one person unlawfully as prisoner... that can't be permitted," he remarks, shaking his head at Phoenix's comment.

    "Ah," he says at Akechi's tone, himself a man chastened. "I see." Like that, but perhaps he shouldn't just say that...

    But something similar, as Umie confirms. "Good, at least some of you have seen something like this before." This way, at least even if things are happening that shouldn't be, they still have some way to feel their way forward in the dark.

    So even the Shadows aren't supposed to be here. That's... well, interesting, Katsuya supposes, in those moments between his arrival in this 'world' and the action required of him in the midst of all this chaos and fighting.

    That's without question Hana Fukami, but... it's also not the presentation of herself that he's used to. "Are you alright, Fukami-san?" he asks, certain in the moment that her capture has more than a little to do with that. Who are they? "We're..." He glances over at the rest of them. "Here to help," he settles for in this moment of moments. "The captain is correct, we should not stay here. Captain," he says, addressing Kato directly, "is there a safe place for us to retreat to?" He assumes it's not possible for all of them to simple 'escape', just like that. Places like this have rules, and even if some of the rules are being violated-- well, it's not as if he has any idea which apply and which do not.

    Indeed, there is just such a place.

    It's strange, though, as they find a moment to breathe here amidst an abandoned 'set'. Katsuya holsters his gun, then takes a closer look at Kato, and while he'd be the first to say he has no special talent for such a thing, it's also true that Kato does feel like he's a normal person and not precisely like a cognition or even another Persona-user.

    But fighting things like that as a regular person shouldn't be possible. ...Should it?

    It's towards Hana that his attention turns next. "Fukami-san," he says, "Could you help us to understand what's happened here? You speak of a Producer Matsumoto, and then there are all those abducted people and the Legionnaires, but..." He shakes his head. "I am sorry. I do not understand what is happening here, just yet. What interest does the producer have in you? And why is it that the captain here is fighting against him?"

    He glances at Akechi. "'Conform'?"

    That door. That door is the way out. And while it's true that perhaps the easiest thing would be to have Hana walk out of here, would that solve anything? Or would this happen again?

    Shinobu has an important question for him. Is he 'in'?

    He seems if anything briefly caught aback by that question. "Well..." He pauses. "Yes," he decides. "If the producer is holding Fukami-san against her will, then that can't be allowed. On top of that, there's all the other abductions, attempted or otherwise." He nods, then extends his hand to the captain and daytime host alike. "I will help you."

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.

"This way, Sergeant," Captain Kato replies to Katsuya in the moment. Hana looks at Katsuya next. "Huh? Oh, I... I'm not doing great," she admits, though she does still use feminine speech, as it happens--despite her clothes. "Being a wanted criminal apparently doesn't help the ego."

"I don't," Captain Kato answers Akechi. "They just showed up and started attacking both sides. ...Or just walking around doing whatever the felt like, in the case of the demons."

Meddlers, Joker calls them. "Is that so?" Kato is older-looking than maybe every one of the Persona-users here, but he doesn't seem to mind help from the Youth.

What is the Producer's latest project? "Greatness Nurtured: A Showcase," Kata says sourly. "He's making a show about all the 'great men' he's mentored and put into better positions. Hearing this, Hana frowns. "...Not like I counted," she mutters. "He only..." She blinks. "That's odd. I remember now. He fired me..."

She looks then to Phoenix. "A weatherman?" she wonders, her expression blank. "I..." She hesitates. "I'd love to leave, but..."

"I'm sorry," Hana says. "I don't know any of you. I've lost my memory. ...I barely remember anything, though it seems like sometimes things come back..."

"Are we friends?" she wonders to Akechi and Phoenix and Joker especially.

Kato nods, thoughtful. "So they've escaped... Well, I can't leave my people here--they need me--but I can try to stem the tide at the source." He nods to Shinobu. "Well, if all of you want in, that works for me! We could really use the help!"

"Let me introduce us properly. We're the Rebel Union of Studio 4!"

Pause. "...But I can't believe you all come from another world." A pause. "I don't know how you'd remove the door on 'your' side... But the door here, I think, leads back to your world. You should probably take your people back."

"...Door?" Hana wonders dully. Then she looks at Shinobu. "I mean, that's true, but..."

Tsurugi says her suit doesn't fit well on her. "..." Hana glances to the side. "It's... what i'm supposed to be wearing. Isn't it?"

It is unmistakably a mens' suit, not least because it isn't particularly tailored to her body. She looks glum about it. ...It doesn't help that she's hiding her still-pink nails, though she has taken off the accessories.

"What door?" she asks Umie again. And how long? "...I don't know." She looks to Katsuya again. "I'm sorry, I don't really know what's happening, either. The Producer's is my old boss. he fired me a while back, when... Ah, when I had my 'accident'," she says, but it's in that tone that suggests there's more to it. "I guess he doesn't like that I'm trying to move on with my career... It seems like even trying was a bad idea."

"Expeience, huh? Well, experience makes a difference," Kato says. Then he looks to Kasumi; Hana doesn't seem to recognize her either, though indeed they may have met before. Flower Talk! is new and popular! But... as to what kind of person the Producer is, "He acts personable enough, while he's getting his hooks in someone. He wasn't even always a bad boss. The trouble is this: he's extremely fixated on his own image... and on everyone else as extensions of same. He'll mentor people, and often they go on to success--but the instant one of them goes against his will, he cuts them off and sabotages what remains of their career."

Then Kato nods to Vesper. "You're right," he says. "Since you're willing to work with us, I can do just that."

"Today, they're too on-alert, and our forces are exhausted. You're not wrong," he says to Grim. "We won't be able to end it ourselves today. But assuming you're up to it... My suggestion is that small groups--no more than five or so--infiltrate the Studio with the object of getting to the top of the main building. If we can secure a route to the Producer's office, we can confront him directly as a group."

He reaches out to shake Katsuya's hand. "That's a good enough reason for me. Thanks, sir. With all of you, we can do this!"

Hana looks to katsuya again, too, and hesitantly shakes his head. "...Thanks," she says. "I don't know if you aall can do anything, but... I guess I can't convince you not to try."

Meanwhile: Someone will have to lead the former prisoners out to their own world; indeed, if they're lucky, most of them will forget this ever happened... or, well, remember something a little different. A hostage situation maybe, or other crimes. But others may wish to stay and talk to Kato and Hana some more, and the door will still be there later for them.

Kato says, "So, once you get your people home... Please come back, and keep your promises. We'll be counting on you!"

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.

Grim nodded in acknowledgement.
"Then I'll return with backup. Mark my words - we'll end this, one way or another." With that, Grim turned on her heel and stepped away, her long, flowing, coat trailing behind her as she stepped silently through the door. She moved as quickly as she did quietly - time was of the essence, after all.

<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.

"A magnum opus," Fox mutters. "He wants an audience."

At the words 'secure a route' he shares a wry look with Joker. "Well, I think we ought to grant him that wish, no?"

<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.

    Akechi slips Joker that wink over his shoulder, and Joker simply smirks back. It's a shooting star of a moment, there and gone in the twinkling of an eye, but shooting stars hold special meaning for the two of them, don't they?
    
    They smirk back at him again and his talk of apt descriptors, though this time they sweep into a theatrical bow as if to thank him for the compliment. When they rise, though, they're deadly serious. It is exactly as Akechi says, something Shinobu, Grim and others chime in on. The Phantoms would get involved at this point no matter what, but the fact that this Kingdom is spilling over into the real world adds extra incentive.
    
    "Indeed," they say to Grim accordingly, both of Shadows and of the need to watch their backs.
    
    Hana, missing her memories as she is, asks if they're friends. "We are your allies," they reply.
    
    Fox brings up a good question. If the Producer has a specific objective in mind, it could go a long way towards explaining how and why he's able to invade the real world. Joker hold their chin in thought as he describes both the Mindless Shadows and Demons just arriving and running amok, and the Director's 'show'... when Hana says she remembers he fired her. Hm. Judging by that look she gives Phoenix in regards to Teruo, and even more so her look in reaction to Tsurugi's comment on her ill-fitting suit, they're beginning to get a sense of her internal timeline.
    
    This is one hell of a nefarious Kingdom, they think, jaw clenching. All the worse that it's meant, as Fox observes, for an audience. Disgusting.
    
    Phoenix's vocal suspicions towards Tsurugi--and checking for Vesper's buy-in on her--draw their attention that way. They, too, look at Vesper for confirmation. Not that The Phantoms haven't fought alongside shady characters or outright enemies before, but it's good to know where they stand.
    
    Vesper's position is essentially the same, with an extra fluidity. "It is to me," they reply, then glance back at Phoenix and Fox to check to see where they stand on the matter. This is something they won't speak for the two of them on.
    
    Neither do they have answers or insight for Vesper's musings. They only know Hana some, and this Matsumoto not at all beyond what they've heard so far.
    
    Tsurugi's question about the door brings Joker's attention back to Kato. They do take a moment to aside to Umie, "I'm a bit more concerned about that pink cockatoo." Akechi's not the only one taking the time to eye the skies.
    
    Umie's wicked pun does draw another brief smirk out of them, at least. It fades when they note Belle--Kasumi--talking to Akechi. Hmm.
    
    Kato officially introduces himself and his rebels. "A pleasure to formally meet you," they reply. "I am called Joker, and these--" they gesture to their fellow Phantom Thieves, "are Fox and Phoenix. We three are members of The Phantoms, Thieves of Hearts."
    
    They smirk back at Fox on securing a route. For all the oddness so far, this part's just like before with Maria's Kingdom. "It's showtime."
    
    As for the rest... they'll have to do their own introductions, if they don't commit to seeing the prisoners to the real world or otherwise leaving to get more help. Sorry, folks.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

Shinobu meets Vesper's glance. The way he puts it... ...Well, she supposes that's accurate enough. She can accept that, for now.

She asks Katsuya if he's in - and after a moment, he agrees. Shinobu nods.

"Great." She replies.

She listens as the others speak. She makes a face as Kato speaks of the Producer's latest project... and frowns thoughtfully when Hana says she's lost her memory. She massages the back of her neck awkwardly.

"I see... Sorry 'bout that." She offers. So, then... it is her, like everyone seemed to be suspecting. She's the one they need to help.

"Great." She replies to Kato with a smile and a nod. He introduces his group - the Rebel Union of Studio 4... "Shinobu Shimizu. Pleasure to be workin' with you."

She goes quiet, though, as she listens to Hana - notes her response to the inquiry about the suit, and to her own question... and her history with the Producer.

...It's a difficult position. Shinobu's frown deepens.

But for now, she looks back toward Kato as he outlines a plan.

"Works for me." She replies with a nod. And with that, she rolls her neck. Like he said, there's not much they can do today, so...

"Alright - for now, let's get these people home. I bet they're exhausted." Shinobu says, gesturing with her thumb to the door out of the Kingdom.

"...But don't worry. We'll be back - you've got my word." Shinobu says. The words are meant for Hana just as much as they are for Kato.

<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.

A twinkling in his own eye, a chuckle at Joker's theatrical bow- "And so very proud of it as well."

For what it's worth, Akechi is at least patient with Katsuya on the point. After all, he demonstrated in the past he was willing to treat cognitions as though they were not sentient beings.
 
But this seems to be different, in some strange way.
 
"I'll be happy to explain more as soon as it wouldn't disrupt the current proceedings, Sergeant."

It's not long after though that Belle approaches him, walking alongside him, and he gives her a curious look, "Why yes- I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. Your code name would be...?"
 
When she tips her mask, his eyebrows shoot up underneath his own as he mouths the word soundlessly before closing his mouth and-
 
Then says to her in hushed tones, "It's rather complicated. Let us just say we're not... enemies, for now. That isn't to say I'm entirely convinced that their methods are- compatible with my Justice."
 
He could tell her more, but he's not even certain what her own relationship is to the Phantom Thieves right now, and thus- he's not certain he should say more.
 
Captain Kato answers him, when it comes to the demons and Shadows, "I see, so then it is an event we could label as 'abnormal' even to the denizens of this world." He muses aloud, seeming to contemplate the implications of this.
 
However, Hana inquires about their relationship, and Akechi answers her, "We're merely acquaintances. When I'm not fighting Legionnaires-" As he lifts his own Tengu Mask, letting it vanish into blue fire, "I'm a celebrity Detective that makes frequent television appearances. My name is Goro Akechi, Fukami-san. You hosted a show- which I've made guest appearances on several times."
 
As he establishes their relationship, not embellishing, "I do believe you had a favorable impression of me, however, it would behoove you not to necessarily take my word on that. There are some who could use your current state of amnesia to take advantage of you to their own ends." He warns.
 
And when Joker brings up that Pink Cockatoo, "Case in point- do not trust a talking pink Cockatoo named Jerri- she only means you ill. But don't worry, so long as you're with us, we'll protect you from her machinations."
 
Akechi considers Captain Kato's plan, and nods, "That is certainly more likely to succeed. We have to assume that agitating Shadows here works much like Palaces... and thus smaller infiltration groups would be much more effective.
 
'It's showtime.'
 
"Pun entirely intended." He accuses, with yet another smirk.

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

In spite of his initial intentions, when Hana starts to ask questions, Vesper can't manage to simply keep silent. Were he in that position, without memories, he can only imagine he'd appreciate any straws to grasp in regard to his identity. He can't exactly claim they're friends, but what he can say...

"You're famous, Fukami-san. Many would know you from TV, if nothing else."

Best to keep it at that, he thinks. It's an important part of her identity, relevant to the situation... and hopefully, the notion of having been successful will allow for some small measure of comfort while they try to sort this out. Hopefully he'll have a better idea about the best words to use for those purposes after due investigative diligence.

A plan is made, but not for today, which suits him fine. It's been a day full of surprises. And the surprises haven't ended yet. Because there is an unmasking, the former long-nosed mask wearer introducing himself by name. And what a name it is. Speaking of TV fame, the Detective Prince himself is here in person...?

To most, this would probably be reassuring. Vesper, instead, suddenly feels as if his mask might not be enough to protect his identity. Not that he gives any outward indication of his unease. And his excuse for departing moments later is sensible enough, it's what he'd likely had chosen to do anyway.

"Then, for today, I will see to the well-being of the former prisoners," Vesper says as he turns to leave. Reassuring one particular red-haired secretary may be a bit of a challenge. Trying to talk Emisa out of getting involved any further when he isn't in the company of Hana... yeah, that will probably take some doing. But someone has to. Best it be the one used to giving people good counsel.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

Tsurugi may seem out of place here. But she seems completely oblivious to the glances of those like Umie. Or at least, unbothered.

But Umie offers an observation in retort to her comment. Tsurugi inclines her head just enough to show that her attention is on Umie. "... Yes, I'm sure you have. Please, continue to make jokes at this woman's expense."

She knows Hana's name, of course. She just can't let on that she does. (Even though her comment may have already shown she recognizes the incongruity in play.)

Since Vesper chooses to elaborate on if she is 'cool', Tsurugi also has something to add, for Phoenix's benefit. "I have no objectives that sit at cross-purposes with yours, this day." This day.

But should the situation change, so can their stances and actions. "That is acceptable to me." Vesper probably wasn't asking you, Tsurugi. But at least she's realistic about her standing?

Partial amnesia... and Hana was fired. That's concerning. Did that happen in the real world, as well? Something to investigate. But the title of that project... hmm.

And no answer on how to remove the door, but the one here likely leads outside. "I see."

Tsurugi's mask covers her face, of course, but even so, Hana might get the sense that Tsurugi's full attention is focused on her for a moment. "... is it?" is all she asks, in response to Hana's comment. A slight tilt of her head. "... then hadn't you best remove the nail polish?"

So the firing was a while ago... and this 'Producer' doesn't want to let her move on... more things to investigate. Though sadly, this sort of behavior does not surprise her, anymore.

But there is a plan... to take small teams, and scout for a path. Tsurugi doesn't vocalize her support for this plan openly. But she is keeping it in mind.

And some names are given. "Tsurugi." PResumably, that's her name. Or at least, her codename.

She pushes herself up from the wall. "I am going to go interrogate the demons for information." She'll leave 'escorting the prisoners' to the others, it seems, as she makes her way out.

<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.

    Tsurugi is... helping? At least for today? Phoenix is suspicious, but they leave it at, "Keepin' an eye on you." Vesper at least seems to think she's legit, so... "Sure, works," they shrug a shoulder, following Joker's agreement, when he asks whether that's acceptable.

    And when Umie describes Hana's bad luck, they frown, beneath their mask. "Bad luck, huh..."

    Yeah, they think, the suit doesn't really fit.

    "... hey," they ask Hana, when she says she doesn't remember. "You, uh... you in university, Fukami-san?"

    Their voice lowers, as they aside, to Joker: "... she told me she figured her shit out in uni." Her gender shit, one presumes. "If she forgot..."

    They feel a dull pit, in their stomach, as Tsurugi points out the nail polish -- and push it aside, glad for the excuse to thump their chest in silent salute as Joker introduces them.

    "We'll come back," they promise, though for today -- they'll retreat.

    It's a complicated situation...

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

Phoenix expresses that they're keeping an eye on her. Tsurugi pauses just before she steps out the door to look over her shoulder at the Phantom Theif. "... Prudent."

... Does she approve?

Does that mke things better or worse?

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    He glances at Akechi and nods. "Yes. I understand." They have other things to talk about, besides, when next they're able to talk in private. He has some bad news for Akechi about the Konan Department and their efforts there.

    "I'm sorry to hear that," he starts to say to Hana.

    Then she says that she's a wanted criminal, effectively. At this, Katsuya vehemently shakes his head. "No, that is most certainly not the case, Fukami-san!" he tells her, suddenly animated for some reason. "The producer has no legal right to hold you, whatever you may or may not have done. No, your being held here is unlawful in the extreme!"

    "I wonder," he muses, fidgeting a moment with his sunglasses. "Was it the appearance of the demons and Shadows that caused the change in behavior, for some reason?" Could that do it? "It appears to be the unexpected factor here. Or, is their appearance here instead a symptom of something else..." Did something else happen that caused them to invade? It certainly seems they're not 'supposed' to be here.

    The producer fired her? He appears to mull this over. For that matter, though--

    "Your... memory?" He looks at the others expectantly. "Is that normal?" Or is it another casualty of whatever it is that's happening here?

    It's what she's supposed to be wearing.

    Katsuya, taking another moment to look her over confirms that it is indeed a men's suit. "If the cut were different," he muses, only to then fall silent, perhaps aware that he's quickly treading into uncertain territory. He knows one thing about Hana Fukami, after all...

    Fortunately, when he asks about the producer, that gives him and opening to move away from that sort of more-awkward topic. "So he's aiming to stop you by abducting you?" That's, without question, a crime, even if he's also very much aware by now that what they're dealing with aren't 'real' people. It's not her real producer by any means. Yet...

    Kato gives a little more context. "Then, this is an act of sabotage," he surmises. That's also a crime... on top of several counts of abduction. He glances at the man in the fox mask. "An audience... is that what it was about?"

    "If we have no choice but to confront him, then... we will do that." A direct assault, as discussed, is just no good: by contrast, if they can find the routes in and secure them, they could then bring a larger group to handle the man more directly. But securing the route won't be easy, and certainly not possible as a crowd, lest they draw too much attention.

    "It seems direct enough. But will it really be that easy?" he muses, thinking the matter over.

    With that, he takes Kato's hand. "Of course. I could do no less," he tells him. To be fair, Katsuya has been given a 'gift' of exceptional amounts of free time now. So long as he doesn't draw the attention of his superiors too much, surely he can do something. And something certainly needs to be done here.
    You know, in between the continued investigations into the very things he was explicitly told to stop investigating on pains of losing his badge outright.

    "We should retreat for now, and think about what needs to be done," he says folding his arms over his chest. "I think we should also let the others know," he tells Shinobu.

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    "Ehehe.~" Kasumi lets out a light giggle as she has Akechi at a disadvantage. "Just call me Belle when we're like this." She taps her mask back down. "I think I can get the gist." Kasumi glances from Akechi, to Joker with a Look. Then, she furrows her face a little, catching Joker's look. Huh?

    In any case. She really does have an idea! "You're deciding for yourself, huh? I'll be interested to see hear what you come up with then, Akechi-san. I'm not apart of the Phantom Thieves either. They just saved me, and I got this power." She offers as her own explanation.

    "This... is actually what I had meant earlier. By the world being bigger than I thought it was." Belle says. "Although... I really don't know what kind of world this place is, either." She lets out a laugh.

    "Ah, I'm probably talking your ear off, huh, Akechi-san?" Kasumi laughs a little awkwardly. She does genuinely like Akechi, and is finding him easier to talk to now that they share a secret. "Let's give it our all in solving this, Akechi-san!"

    More pressingly, and back to the round table meeting... 'he cuts them off and sabotages what remains of their career.'

    "That's awful!" Kasumi gasps! "How could he do such a thing?! That's unacceptable!" Her mind goes straight to her father, the director of Good Morning Japan. If he did something like that, then...! "I for one, would be happy to help!"

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    'I trust this is acceptable to all involved?' A year ago, and it wouldn't have been, definitely. Instead, Umie just nods to Vesper.

    To Katsuya now, she gives a slight grin. Even in this situation... One person being held against their will is enough.

    Ren mentions a certain pink bird. Umie nods. "... Huh... I suppose if the pattern holds, that thing'll show up as well. Just what *is* that thing, anyway..." ... aside from 'one more thing to worry about', that is.

    As for Hana, Katsuya's concern over whether the pattern would happen again is correct-- but Umie has her own theory, on top of it all. Hana hasn't made a move towards that door, after all. If Akechi's assessment that she's the 'prisoner' is correct, then it may that Hana can't go out that door at all, whether due to not seeing it, or her own damned cognitive amnesia...

    A weatherman. Phoenix's mention prods at Umie's memory. ".... That's..."

    Oh no. Oh no. Maybe it's the warm memory of her own recent date with Shiryuu that makes Umie's blood run cold, but really, who wouldn't find some cruelty in depriving someone of the memory of someone they were dating? Like snuffing whatever candles of whatever threads of hope that could inspire a person...

    ".... Why are these places so cruel..."

    '...But I can't believe you all come from another world,' Kato says. "Then think of us all as coming from another studio wanting to lend our support, if that helps." She smirks--

    Names. Names? Names. She could use 'Mitsuhide', but that's Tamaki's codename! You don't share codenames around like that, it's like sharing passwords!

    "..... Let's just use Kokoro for now," Umie says, unceremoniously. It's fine. Hana is not going to remember, if she can't remember the name of the person she's dating.

    Fox proposes that the intention is an audience, for a magnum opus. "Well, if that's the case, we'll have to write some delightfully scathing reviews." This *is* a TV studio, after all.

    'Please, continue to make jokes at this woman's expense.' "I wasn't." Umie folds her arms, her expression neutral as she looks at Remi. "However," she continues, her tone dropping quickly to a flat, unfriendly hiss, "I think your criticism is better reserved for your bosses than me." It will be a few minutes later, when Tsurugi kneels before Hana and points out her nail polish, that Umie will regret her flash of anger, but until then, she'll hold it, and hold it tight.

    It'll burn brighter before the words of Hana's story.

    A man, unable to accept a woman trying to 'move on'. A decent enough man who expressed his violence in indirect ways, slicing a person's future with a thousand cuts...

    The ill-fitting suit, even if Umie hasn't realized the true context, still feels like an apt metaphor for what's going on. This was someone who was looking for ways to cheer up even when dealing with stress.

    ".... You can't let him win." Katsuya mentioned sabotage, referring to the Producer, but it feels like this entire realm is trying to do that-- save for Kato-san and the rebels.

    'It's showtime.' She gives a soft smirk at Joker's catchphrase. Pun intended, indeed.

    It all began with rumors about a bunch of meddlers, didn't it? If simple rumors served as a spark to Umie's restlessness, perhaps the same could be true here.

    "If you need examples of what it means to fight back, watch everyone here," she encourages, looking at Hana. "Something took the memory of the things precious to you and is trying to take your identity. But they haven't won, yet. Kato-san believes it's right to fight back, and I think so too.."

<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.

"I agree," Kato says to Belle, at it being unacceptable.

Though the 'jokes' do come... Tsurugi points out that Hana should remove her nail polish, and Hana's shoulders sink. She looks down at her hands, uncomfortable. "I know, but..." Clearly she finds the idea undesirable. Hana, too, asks a question. "Mm? ...No, I..."

"Ah, right. I graduated. That's something." She remembers another thing! "...I'm not sure why i thought I could..." She looks at her nails again, on one hand. "Well, they had a change of clothes at the office," she settles on. "And I thought I should take it."

But Akechi has advice. "Oh..." She already has a show. That seems familiar. "I see. Well, i have no reason to doubt you," she admits. But then... Hm. "I've met that bird..."

She's uncomfortable, remembering. But Joker says that they're her 'allies', and maybe that is good. And Katsuya--"I-it is?" she asks. "I mean... of course it is! It makes no sense I'd be.. held here..."

Does it? "Thank you, though. ...It's nice to know someone thinks that way."

Maybe if the suit's cut were different it would work; women can look great in suits! As it stands... this look doesn't suit her at all."

"Right," Hana answers of the Producer's plan. And then Kato nods to Katsuya. "Right. He's criminal by any definition. ...I don't know if he just wants an audience, or if he needs more cast members and crew; our Union refuses to act in his shows anymore, or work on them either, after all."

"It won't be easy," Kato assures Katsuya. "But you all seem reliable. I'll count on you!" Then he looks to Umie thoughtfully. "Kokoro, huh? Well, you are in a mask."

As for Hana, she hesitates, looking to the group. "...Well, I won't expect much," she says to Joker and the others. "But come back and tell me what happens when you try, all right? Promise me you'll be careful." She looks at Umie, still uncomfortable. "I'll watch. But I'm not saying I'll do anything else. I don't want to get hurt again."