2025-10-23: Untied Is Another Word For Alone
- Log: Untied is Another Word For Alone
- Cast: Umie Akabane, Reiya Aomori
- Where: Actually Outside Umie's Apartment (this time), Shibuya, Tokyo
- OOC Date: October 23, 2025
- IC Date: July 30, 2012
- Summary: After being released from the hospital after the events of Who Holds Your Chains, Umie goes into the Dark Hour to find some relief, and encounters Reiya instead, who has some questions for her. In the conversation that follows, the two trade questions and answers, though whether Reuya succeeded in his task remains to be seen.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
After the 'gas explosion' at the Triple 7, a certain Umie Akabane has been missing. Well, 'missing', as anyone who's paid enough attention would see 'one person injured' in the news report, figure out the general timing, and..
.... realize it's only been one day at most since the 'gas leak', so she could very well still be in the hospital, or at home, recovering.
And yet, that very Dark Hour, after Umie had been released with explicit instructions on how to care for herself at home, a shadow (lower case, not a Shadow, or the other kind of Shadow, or the other type of Shadow) steals out from the apartment complex where Umie Akabane lives.
It's someone... unrecognizable, their hood pulled over their head, and a red and white painted mask. To his ability to sense resonance, she'd be 'invisible', in the same way someone Unawakened would naturally be, leaving the person a mystery, or, worse, someone in immense danger.
Depending on whether Reiya's invested enough time to understand how Umie's shrouding and abilities work, he may not see through it, but unlike those who bear the mask as a sign of their rebellion, there's easier ways to--
"Badb."
Well, now, all Reiya needs to do is know who Umie's persona is, or have observed Umie enough to recognize their resonance. The grey robes of the Badb float over the person's as if in an otherworldly miasma, red gloves stretched over delicately formed clawed fingers, coupled with bone white skin.
And then, it's as if she's slowly 'disappeared' from view again, only to have the spell broken by Reiya's own eyes.
If he's going to make a move, it better be now, before the person catches wind of him.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Missing! Reiya is paying enough attention to notice that. He's also paying enough attention to recognize her Resonance from the times she's been around Shinjiro, though he doesn't use that term. And he has been watching. But now, it's time to do more than only observe. It's time...
To talk.
"Umie Akabane-san," comes a masculine voice from the shadows, Reiya announcing himself first before stepping out into the light where Umie can see him.
"Associate of Shinjiro Aragaki. Enemy of the Joker Killer."
"...My name is Reiya Aomori. I am a member of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad."
"And I have questions."
He has his hands up, at the moment, but that doesn't have to mean anything. He at least appears to not want to fight.
"I can offer payment--in the form of other answers, or money."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
It's time... to talk.
At the mention of her name, in an action that is purely muscle memory, Umie draws her weapon. There's a flash of a blade and rope, followed by the hoop at the other end of her kyoketsu shoge, all coming from a secret pocket sewn into her jacket.
As her hands move, the ever present thumbsleeves are still there, still innocent enough considering it's a fashion statement of sorts. However, no matter what time or place Reiya's caught Umie, no matter how hot it's been outside, she's never lacked them.
(That is, unless Reiya's been the sort to peek into her apartment window when it's been open to let in air, then, he may see a peek of something dark on Umie's right wrist on a night or two when she's forgotten to wear them.)
Either way, Umie's clearly a paranoid type of person in surroundings like these, which is likely why Reiya is approaching her like he currently is, hands up, assuming a stance of nonviolence.
Her bifurcated blade pointed towards Reiya, Umie takes a few steps back. She's already regretting her choice of sneakers; nice as they may be, they're literally a gift from an NWO agent, as strange as Shiryuu's reasoning may be.
At least Umie's listening.
".... SEES," Umie says, after a moment. What was the Kirijo heir's name again? Mizuru? Mitsuku? Mitsuri? Mitsuru. "Mitsuru Kirijo's group, right?"
Which explains the mention of Shinjiro Aragaki.
".... Alright. But I'm keeping my weapon out. Just in case you're not who you say you are." Umie's stance relaxes, just a little, as she idly swings the ring in the end of one finger. "As for payment, we'll first have to figure out if I even want to answer your questions, Aomori-s--" She makes a slight face. Surely, that surname was picked because she has a positive association with it! "... Aomori-san," she repeats, in a flatter tone.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Reiya is a spy but he's not a PEEPER. He has not seen the Mark.
Her paranoia is pretty clear, and Reiya looks to the blade and back up to Umie's face. Of course, it's deceptive in a way; he's still dangerous without a weapon, and could pull a weapon in an eyeblink. But it at least shows the appearance of intent.
"That is correct," Reiya confirms of SEES.
"Sure," Reiya allows of her keeping her weapon out. "Though... who else would I be?" he wonders. "Do you know many people who pretend to be members of SEES?"
He pauses. "Fair enough."
"What are your intentions as regards Shinjiro Aragaki?" he asks first. "And what is your connection to the Joker Killer?"
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Already, without either Reiya or Umie knowing, Reiya has outclassed Shiryuu in not being a dirty dirty home privacy invader.
(Then again, that also puts him above Umie as well. Whoops.)
What Umie is aware now, however, thanks to her encounters with the likes of Shiryuu, is how quickly a weapon can come to a person's hand, even faster than her own.
However, Reiya's matter-of-fact personality does help him a little here as well, even if that, in itself, may be an illusion.
"Anything's possible for someone willing to lie," Umie answers, simultaneously confirming she likely knows none, while also confirming the possibility of it existing.
'What are your intentions as regards Shinjiro Aragaki?' The question manages to throw Umie off guard, despite Reiya presenting no evidence of him being anything other than someone here on behalf of SEES.
Her weapon lowers, her brows furrowing together. "... My intentions? Can't say I have any except for the guy to cheer up some. Why do you ask? Is he in trouble?"
There's a note of concern that bleeds through in her last two sentences, but it's quickly erased as Reiya moves on. "He attacked me. I take those things personally."
It's a bit of an understatement, Umie thinks, but it'll do.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"No," Reiya says. "Many things are impossible. Lying only makes some things possible."
Yes. Reiya does say that. But he does take that information for what it is; she doesn't have one.
She is off-guard, and Reiya sees that. He hasn't presented any evidence about it, but...
"Hmmm. He is very gloomy," Reiya agrees. And then, "Yes," Reiya answers simply. "But no more than usual, so far as I know." Dealing with Strega is definitely trouble. "But that's fine. I believe you."
Pause. "Hmm. Yes, that's also fair. The Joker Killer does that to people."
"I've seen you around a lot... You seem more experienced than most Persona-users. And Shinjiro Aragaki is affiliated with a lot of troublesome people."
"I wanted to know if you were one of them."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
'Many things are impossible. Lying only makes some things possible.'
Umie gives Reiya an impish half-smile. "If you were to tell me that an impossibly tall tower rises out of a high school every Dark Hour several months ago, I'd say you're a liar. Yet the tower exists, and then does not exist, each and every day."
Reiya's assessment threatens to crack Umie's calm mask with a snerk. Shinjiro *is* a gloomy gus, after all. Instead, with a dip of her chin, as she continues that smile, she flips the the blade around in one way in a playful manner, bringing it back.
(In reality, her arm was beginning to feel tired.)
Her answers are hitting their marks, besides, though Umie has to remind herself that he's the one who came to her, not the other way around. This isn't a situation where she's trying to invite information in without giving much back in return.
Reiya's comment on her experience draws a prideful glint to Umie's gaze. "Ah, so this is a matter of you needing some help? I'm more than willing to play the senpai role to another person~"
'And Shinjiro Aragaki is affiliated with a lot of troublesome people.'
'That sure sounds like you, Umie-chan~' Mai-chan's voice whispers in Umie's mind.
"I can't say I've been the best senpai. Surely, all this Dark Hour adventuring has got to mess around with a teenager's sleep cycle, eh? As for troublesome, I can't say I'd be able to claim that. I'm surprised he's not the one who finds me troublesome, for all the nagging I do to him."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"And yet it does, and I would not have been lying." Pause. But, she does smile, and that seems to be good enough for her. When she returns her ewapon, Reiya does not immediately move. Indeed; it doesn't change much, except that he lowers his hands after a moment, and continues to converse.
"Any Persona-user active for some time is interesting," Reiya says. "I don't yet know that I need your help. But if I do, I will be a proper student."
But not the best... Hmm. "True," Reiya agrees with a teenager's sleep cycle. But, "I havne't spoken to him about it. We..."
She considers.
"Are comrades, not friends."
SEES, in a nutshell, for many of them.
"But if you're trying to care for him, then that's fine. I was hoping to gain more information about his other associates... But ruling you out as a problem is good, too."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Reiya's earnest, blunt nature is...
...
.... adorable. Like she just wants to reach out and pull and mold his cheeks. AUGH, why does she keep having this reaction to people like this?! It ruins the cool image she keeps trying to project! "You'll have to be, or otherwise," she says, leaning in with a widening grin, "it will reflect on all of SEES." Yes, Reiya, you will represent SEES' honor, if she takes you on as a student!
(Don't worry, she'll likely be too concerned that Reiya will find out that she's been making everything up as she goes along to actually take him on as an actual student, should that unfortunate day every occur.)
'We are comrades, not friends.'
"It's a good distinction to have," Umie says, beginning to relax further. With her chin, she motions to the stairs leading to the entryway further inside, as she ties the shoge around her waist, positioning the blade so that she can hook the hoop onto it. "Let's sit down. Standing outside like this for too long will make us more noticeable to any shadows around in the area."
"His other associates?" Umie asks, idly. "I thought SEES *was* his associates." Whether Reiya chooses to sit down or not, Umie does, leaning back to look up at the green sky. "SO I take it these are the 'troublesome associates' you're trying to figure out?"
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Reiya would not apprpove.
"Of course," Reiya answers, without so much as blinking. "But that's only if I require your tutelage. For now, we are acquaintances."
Reiya will find that out one day. But, a good distinction...
It can be, anyway. "All right."
Reiya moves to sit down, glancing from side to side to ensure there aren't any Shadows on the prowl here right now.
Then, "It's a distinction that's true. I am sure he dislikes me."
He doesn't share his own feelings. Ninja privilege....
"SEES are some," he says. "But there are others. Others with acces to Evoker technology. Yes, they are the ones."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Reiya would not approve, but Umie's desire to do so only deepens as he continues. AUGH, he's too adorable!
(Is this the gap mo-- no, it doesn't count if someone happens to be a teenager but is this serious.)
"Of course," Umie says, at Reiya's distinction. "We've only met a few minutes ago, officially. There's been even fewer minutes where I considered you as someone who *isn't* here to attack me."
There's a pause, as if part of Umie expected Reiya to suddenly come at her as she said that. Almost... daring him to.
Yet nothing about the young man suggested this; for someone who came out of the shadows, he's surprisingly forthright in his interactions.
Red brown eyes take a moment to study Reiya as he looks side to side before sitting down; he must not be a navigator type, but with Fuuka, it's not as if they're in need of ones who only dabble in it, like Umie.
"What makes you say that, Aomori-san? He's still new." This much she reveals herself as knowing, though Minako's comments have given Umie some insight as well. "A person like that... him joining SEES wasn't an easy decision." She skips the distinction of 're-joining', thankfully; that would reveal too much of what she knows. "Though..." she considers.
"Is you coming to me your own curiosity, or are you here on behalf of someone else?" Whether she agreed to any terms or not, Umie's blending in her own questions, constantly trying to further understand Reiya.
There are others he associates with, ones with access to Evoker technology. Umie frowns, her mind naturally going to the NWO. Who else has she seen with Evoker technology?
.... Strega...?
But that'd make just as little sense. Why would he associate with those mercenaries?
Just what sort of Evoker did he give her, when he was arrested?
"Aomori-san," Umie begins. "Could you show me your Evoker?" To get ahead of possible suspicion, she adds, "I admit, I've never made myself familiar with what the SEES one looks like."
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"True," Reiya says. "You did clearly have that impression." A pause. "I don't intend to, as it happens. I don't believe that you're a threat to our mission or operations at this time."
Reiya has stealth abilities, but not navigation abilities like Fuuka's; he is somewhat better with resonance than most of SEES... but that really isn't saying very much.
"Because I've told him what I think of him based on his own statements. People don't usually like it when you do that."
A pause. "No, it wasn't," he agrees. "But he clearly had his reasons, despite his strong reasons for staying away in the past."
She pauses. "I am here of my own volition. I operate on behalf of SEES, but have no specific orders to check up on you or Aragaki-san."
This is true, but not the whole truth. That said...
"Yes," Reiya answers. He pulls it from a hidden holster under a jacket, and extends it in his hand towards Umie. "I would prefer to keep it. But you may examine it in my hand." He shows one side, then another.
"Do not try to open it."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Umie.... is clearly not a threat.
Nonono, Umie, don't do it. Don't quip here. This is a super serious shinobi(?) and--
"I appreciate the vote of confidence."
That could have been a lot worse, but Umie's only bothered to look down from the sky once she decided to study Reiya's motions just before he sat down.
"You're not one to hold back, sounds like." She gazes at Reiya, her eyelids lowered halfway, considering him again. "But it sounds like you've made peace with taking on that role in your life." Very different from the sorts of SEES members Umie's come across so far.
Few teenagers would exhibit traits like these, but how many normal teenagers go out and deal with demons and shadows every night?
How many of those would do it for a unselfish cause, like SEES seems to have?
"Yes," Umie agrees, on Shinjiro having his own reasons, though she doesn't confirm that she knows those reasons.
Those are secrets, after all.
... And Reiya just might inadvertently help her figure out a few more.
"My, my, so something about me caught your eye, hm~?" She smiles mischeviously, unable to stop herself from teasing this poor serious, serious young man. "I'm sorry, but despite how I look, I *am* older than you, so I must refuse. But I appreciate your bravery in approaching me at this time of night."
She's not being serious.
That much may be clear as she instantly drops the tone and smile when Reiya shows her his Evoker, looking on it with a level of seriousness needed. "No, it's fine. I'm not interested in holding it." Who knows how it'd interact with her Mark.
Just seeing the sides is enough to confirm her unasked question: the one she held *was* different. She tries to keep her expression neutral. "All of them carry that logo, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
"You are welcome."
A compliment??? Maybe.
"I can hold back in my personal life," he says. "I do not hold back in this life. The stakes are too high."
He is pretty different. But then, he's a ninja! ...She might even suspect that, considering that she's met others. Still... Secrets.
Reiya tilts his head at Umie. "No," he says. "You are attractive, but you are an adult. It would be inappropriate to pursue you. ...Besides, I'm not looking for that kind of thing right now."
Oh. She was kidding.
Hmm. Oh well. "Good," he says of holding it, and there... the question.
"All of SEES's Evokers do," Reiya confirms. "But there are others that exist. ...Others, not kept by the Kirijo Group."
"They concern me."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Reiya's serious aura only brings out the worst in Umie, and unfortunately, it's not the gremlin kind of worst, or the brat kind of wurst. (Or worst.)
But his seriousness in regards to life, referring to it in terms of 'stakes' and 'not holding back', is taken far more soberly, as she quietly nods.
"Failure is never an option," is her murmured agreement. "Whether we find freedom or another form of misery in this hour, the danger's the same."
The tone is a far cry from the tone she uses next.
Umie's grin only grows cheekier as Reiya takes her words at face value. Aughgh, he's adorable!! "Indeed. But I appreciate the compliment." His further comments, however, are given a quiet pause. "It's good to know what you want from life and relationships, especially when you're at this age."
Umie may have set out teasing Reiya, but it comes with a bit of support for his chosen path, for better or worse.
... As well as a bit of quiet respect.
"They'd concern me too," she says, taking another winding road to get back tom the question she wants to get answered. She narrows her eyes. "These are clearly not just something that works on a cognitive level, or else it wouldn't be this important to treat them the way they're treated." Or could they be? What makes someone who uses an Evoker different from someone with a mask (and not the kind she wears now), or someone like those who've played the Persona Game?
Or, for that matter, people like her?
'That's the question it all comes down to, isn't it? But you'll never get the answers you want, Umie-chan. Not unless you want everyone to know all of you~'
What makes an Evoker an Evoker? If it's a matter of looking a fake gun in the eye and accepting your death... then there'd be no need to worry about other Evokers, right?
"Only people who need that push to summon their Persona are the ones who'd be able to use them, right?"
She's doing it again, she thinks. She's trying to pick at a mystery that doesn't concern her.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
Mmm, bratwurst...
"Freedom is not always a good thing. The absence of something holding you down--some call it 'freedom', and are glad for it. ...But 'untied' is another word for 'alone'."
That tone!! She's definitely kidding around, but Reiya remains stonefaced about it. "Of course," he says. But, good to know what you want? "...If you don't know what you want, you can't pursue it. If you don't know what you don't want, you can't reject it."
But they are concerning. "They are not," Reiya confirms. "They are rugged enough, but they are still advanced technology, and should not be tampered with--or put in the wrong hands."
Hmmm....
"Correct," Reiya answers. "I don't recommend trying to use one if you summon your Persona in a different way."
Pause.
"...To my knowledge there are no studies on what would happen. I just think it's probably a bad idea."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Just who is this person, if they talk like this? For someone to see freedom as not always a net positive, especially at this young man's (apparent) age...
It definitely makes Umie look at him for a long moment; if he were older than her, her reaction would be more cross, but as someone younger than her (she assumes)... What kind of life would someone be living to think like that?
'Untied is another word for 'alone'.'
It hits at something in Umie, alright, even if Reiya isn't holding any weapons.
The fact that Umie says nothing may be a response in itself.
"Is it that easy, though?" she says, to the next, brown eyes studying him through the holes of that makeshift mask. "Wouldn't that be something that's true of Aragaki-kun?" Kun, she titles him as, despite the height difference. "To not know if he really wanted to join SEES or not.. yet he rejected it, for so long. People spend their lives pursuing the means to discover what they want from something, especially life itself."
She says 'Aragaki-kun', but then, 'people'. But also, in general. She hasn't accepted Shinjiro's possible death as definite just yet.
She doesn't want to, because it feels like it's admitting defeat.
Reiya recommends not using one if she summons her Persona a different way. "Ah? What might happen?" she asks, that impish smile on her face again, before he answers.
And then, a moment later, "... I don't intend to." Not even when it was in her hands, or when she was wrapping it up just so there'd be no accidental firings of the Persona summoning death gun.
Just what was that thing, then?
"I've seen other Evokers; I can confirm that. Through an organization that has its nose in everything," much like Umie!, ".... and Strega. Though..." She frowns. "Does SEES know who Strega is, exactly?"
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
It does hit something. But that wasn't Reiya's intent. He just said what he thought was true.
"Yes," Reiya replies easily on the ease of rejection and acceptance. "It's the knowing that's the hard part. To know your situation, to know yourself..." he trails off. "I agree. People have more trouble with that. ...But once you know, it's just a matter of having the courage to pursue it."
Still...
The impish smile on her face gets a stern shake of his head. "Good," Reiya answers, and puts away his Evoker. Just what was it?
"I see," he says. "Thank you."
A pause. "...Not to my knowledge, no."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Sometimes, being blunt means some of your words become missiles.
It's nothing personal, however; like a bruise hidden under clothing, sometimes simple nudges are enough to remind you that it's there.
And that is how an Umie is, and she's quite used to it.
And it gives Umie another bit of insight into Reiya, as well. "I see." She leans a hand on an upraised palm, finally turning her gazed to look up at the sky above, framed by the buildings that box them in on two sides.
"It's a question SEES should ask themselves, if they want to figure out how and why these Evokers are popping up," she says, idly. "Who makes them, and how? And to do that... you're going to have to grab one of them and see."
Why is it so dangerous? An object just there for the placebo effect can't be dangerous by itself, unless it's due to the secret that it's a placebo that makes it operate the way that it does.
"Strega operates with a website, much like the Old Maid-- or the Joker Killer, as he's usually called, operates with a phone call." The similar example of the Phantom Thieves' 'Phansite' feels a little too wrong to compare it too, for reasons that are entirely nothing to do with the fact that she keeps insisting on using the name 'Old Maid' to address the Joker Killer! Not at all!
"Which is how I even know they exist-- that is, that they seem to like helping out the Old Maid in his attacks. If you're concerned about the Evokers, you'll have to find out how they got them, or even worse, if they made them themselves."
Umie would have no idea of why that last bit would be impossible, and that, at least, is something that shows she knows nothing about how they truly work.
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
A little more insight. It's enough for now, but a question SEES should ask? "Yes," he says. "...Hmmm. Simply having it may not be enough. I imagine that we'll need to talk to members of this Strega ourselves, if we're to gain any information. And that may or may not be something they'd allow."
But why is it dangerous? Hmmm.
"I see... The 'Revenge Request'." He's heard of this much. "And they are assisting him..." This isn't new information to SEES, but Reiya takes it all the same.
"Yes," Reiya agrees, then he moves to rise to his feet.
"Thank you for the conversation, Akabane-san."
"I may return. ...But now that we've spoken, it may be at a time we're less likely to meet in violence."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
It may not be something they'd allow, yes. "Yeah, I can't offer much help there but to tell you <good luck>." She taps a finger on her chin. "Though, it seems some of them have a habit of befriending people." That much she was able to glean from the Aoba Park incident, as Niko seemed to have tried to befriend Tsubasa. "So it may not be as difficult... if you approach them a certain way. Especially *specific* members, but those may be the most dangerous in the long run, eh?"
But Umie doesn't realize that SEES and Strega may be at odds with each other in their goals, if they've been able to form them. But likewise, Reiya may not have realized that this could be a possibility, even if it's likely an extremely dangerous one.
"I'm glad to turn some things back into questions," Umie says, looking to Reiya as he rises to his feet. She'll have some questions herself, for Shinjiro, even if she's sure of where his reasons may be. If he needed to get an Evoker, where else would he turn? Compared to the NWO, Strega would feel like a safer choice.
She gets up and stretches, wincing as a few pull at some muscles that are still tender. "Now then. Do you need any help getting to the station? I'm sure you'll be fine, but I'd be a terrible host if I didn't offer a safe way to get back, wouldn't I?"
<Pose Tracker> Reiya Aomori has posed.
<poem> "That's fine," Reiya says. Befriending people? Hmmm. "I see," Reiya says. "We'll find out."
Reiya is certain they are. Murdering people in the Dark Hour is the opposite of protecting people from supernatural matters.
"Certainly."
He shakes his head at the offer. "That will not be necessary," Reiya says. "I did not visit your home, so you do not have to feel obligated as host."
"Take care."
Reiya steps back, and walks away.
If Umie blinks, he's gone. ....If she doesn't, he's still gone after turning the corner.