personavelvetroomdr

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Pew Pew

[The thing about being somewhere new is that usually, you were supposed to be able to use it as a fresh start. This... is not that. This is a place full of faces he knows - his own face, and Akechi's - and especially with the way the Mona who'd seemed like he was from his other life had reacted to him... it's giving him flashbacks of his record being leaked in Shujin. He keeps almost saying the wrong thing to people, too, used to everyone already knowing.

It's a while after all of that, and he hasn't risked going anywhere near Leblanc. He's scouted around a few places, though, and now he's wound up here at the arcade, playing a vicious game of Gun About. What can he say? It's good for getting rid of all that stress, without risking anyone walking in on him slaughtering shadows in a non-Joker-like way.

That said, even this isn't quite... right. He's too focused, for one thing. A bit too accurate. Nowhere near showy enough, either.

Poke him anyway?]

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Not Naoto Shirogane. More precisely, I should have said the Second Coming of the Detective Prince.

[For a brief moment, there's a sharp smile. It's brief, though - as much as Akira enjoyed the thrill of it, those are hardly good memories.]

You have? [Oh, interesting.] I've met the real one a couple of times, under different circumstances. Never seen the Velvet Room any different, though. I will say you're right to be wary. You don't want to try going up against him unprepared.

[He can still remember trying the first time, not having any idea what was going to happen, and being erased from existence in a painful way, not knowing if his team were still alive afterwards when he woke up in the Velvet Room... at least the second time, he'd had a small idea of what to expect.]

"A foe than can..." [He's just echoing Akechi at first, and then he looks up.] Not mental shutdowns, or- no, if you're both... it wouldn't be... [can't be rampages without call of chaos, no Loki, no Satanael] then who...

[He has an idea, but he doesn't like it.]

Ah, so that would be... me? Hm.

[He is technically the successor of the Detective Prince, but he's yet to make a more public debut, with Naoto fearing that the publicity might be too much for him and with the urgency of his undercover op.

Still, a frown tugs at his lips. This is a lot to consider, and... "mental shutdown."]

I've already heard from the Ren here that in other worlds, someone uses an assassin in the Metaverse. But there have been no Metaverse-related fatalities. Only sudden changes in behavior, allegiances, and in some cases identity. Wakaba Isshiki suffered severe memory loss and entered a depressive state, but she was the earliest known victim, which suggests that whoever used such abilities was less refined.

We also know there's a "nice Mister" who pays visits to Mementos and gives Jose snacks. It's... troubling.

If your Ren is the leader of the Phantom Thieves, I'd say that normally would have been your role.

[He would feel bad about telling Akechi about that, but they're in a place with different versions of himself. He's bound to find out sooner or later.]

Someone does, yeah. [He's not telling who. Or who that is.] But, no fatalities? They- [He freezes. He hates when he's right.] Maruki.

[Where he's from he's tentatively on... not the worst of terms with the man. They have an understanding, similar as they are in moving forward, and in knowing that if Maruki tried anything again, Akira wouldn't hesitate to mobilise. But hearing about this- Akira's voice drops in pure anger as he puts the pieces together.]

Fuck.

[He doesn't mean to swear, but it comes out rather abruptly. A deep, contorted glare takes form.]

That fucking counselor... We had our suspicions, of course. It wasn't hard for Futaba-chan to trace Yoshizawa-san's medical history, and the timing of her visits to Takuto Maruki's practice aligned well with the gap between the accident and her attending Shujin.

Suzui-san was only the icing on the proverbial cake. An 'accident'? Quitting the volleyball team of her own volition? A likely story.

[The swearing is something Akira's used to from his Akechi, so it doesn't bother hm. He does listen as the complaints pile on.]

I've experienced him using his abilities on a much larger scale, but what you're talking about sounds a lot different from- any of that. [He shakes his head.] I'm not familiar enough with your timeline, your world, to theorise clearly on the details when they might differ from mine, but... those things hardly sound like coincidences.

I can say this: if it is Takuto Maruki, then he has been at this for roughly two years. Isshiki-san was the first recorded case, as she was transferred to a specialized research facility under the Kirijo Group, who have long since dealt with matters of a cognitive nature.

But there were others, beginning soon after. Politicians suddenly favoring certain parties they had never associated with before. Sudden business dealings benefiting wealthy conglomerates such as Okumura Foods. Defendants in trials who'd once insisted on innocence suddenly declaring their own guilt...

[He folds his arms, eyes sliding shut for a moment as he reflects with clear disdain in his words.]

It makes Yoshizawa-san such an anomaly. The most prolific cases were so high profile that she was not even remotely on my radar until Futaba-chan informed me that she was, in fact, Sumire Yoshizwa. And she has no palace, so we can't "save" her the way we did with Isshiki-san.

[He knows that Akechi's talking about Maruki- everything is pointing toward that man.

But- at the same time. Roughly two years. Wakaba. Politicians. Okumura. And these people weren't - going based on only what he'd heard just now - even dead.

It's all close enough, and differences or not, he looks like Akechi, sounds like him, and he...

...on the outside, it might look like he's saddened and upset by what he's hearing, fist clenched on the machine's gun holsters while the other machines make their bright noises in the background.

On the inside, this is just a fear - previously irrational - of Akechi looking at him with the same self-righteous justice as any of the others.]

[This is clearly a lot to absorb. Akechi can tell there's something going on in this Akira's head. The clench of the fist, the look on his face...

Hm. Perhaps this was a bit heavy to discuss in an acrade of all places.]

Apologies. I imagine you didn't come here to get bombarded with baggage from a whole other reality.

[He breathes. Looks up, and smiles. Or, he tries to. It doesn't reach his eyes.]

Don't worry about me. I'm fine. My reality's dealt with all of this already, after all.

Perhaps, but I know other realities are... different. I can be off putting learning about those differences.

[He's a detective. It's partially his job to notice the little tells in how people react, though obviously it's not his place to pry. He's off duty.]

Just as off putting to be around so many familiar faces, but they aren't the ones you "know."

I can imagine it's the same for others... and the other way around, too.

[If anyone found out anything more than surface-level about what he'd done-]

I'm sure to some, the differences aren't what's off-putting. Like you say, familiar faces.

[He's no longer looking directly at Akechi as he says it, instead looking at the Gun About screen, hand on the wired-in gun he'd put down.

The irony is that it isn't that it's Akechi that's bothering him; it's that this Akechi is so... well adjusted. He can't help but worry that the main point of connection isn't there. And yet, he's still Akechi.]

It's certainly weird how it's almost all us. I think Morgana may be the only exception so far.

[Hmmm, he steps closer to the arcade cabinet.]

Perhaps a little competition could help blow off some steam?

[He looks like he could use it.]

Knowing the Velvet Room, it almost makes sense, actually.

[Even Morgana isn't excluded in that. A bunch of Wildcards from different timelines and universes, and Hope in the form of a cat.]

Thought you'd never ask.

[He twirls the arcade gun in his grip, body language relaxing significantly, and turns his focus back at the screen.]

Really now? Is there something about Morgana I'm missing?

[Though he can suspect something or other, with how Morgana seemed to stalk him for a while before taking him into the Metaverse.

Well, for now, he'll grab the opposing gun and shift into a comfortable position. This should be interesting.]

It's easy to overlook him.

[Game is starting. Set. Go. And he's in focus mode. His voice goes a little detached as he's zeroing in on targets rather than engaging in civil conversation.]

That's actually kinda the point.

[Morgana is a small moving target, hard to hit and easy to hide. That really is the point. He actually told Igor he approved this time around - and got a few odd looks for it.]

The element of surprise is a useful tool.

[Nothing wrong with that. Akechi's just as focused, eyes narrowing to a squint as he fires at his targets. There's a certain finesse that's probably be expected from any version of Akechi. While he hasn't killed people, a laser gun was his weapon of choice in the TV world, and his enjoyment of games like darts have certainly helped with his precision.]

[After Akechi says that, he catches one of the targets in the back, for extra points.]

The only way to get through a palace without getting yourself killed is by not triggering off the security. Only way to do that is to get them before they get you... or not get seen at all.

[The game targets are brightly animated and loud - different enough from anything real it doesn't trigger anything off.]

Don't I know it? I had the "pleasure" of Kamoshida's security jumping up very abruptly during my first trip to his palace with Morgana. I suppose reawakening to a high level Persona would set off some alarms.

[The lack of realism is frankly welcome. He's never understood the appeal of games where you kill human targets. Where is the fun in that?

The escapism? The removal from real world consequences?

Regardless, he continues firing, taking careful aim and watching the enemy movements carefully.]

[He misses his shot the moment Akechi says he'd reawakened, and to a high-level Persona. But... he'd even said before, he's not the right Akechi. He'd have recognised him if he were.]

I hope you made a mess of the place.

[Akira's less 'careful aim' and more 'reflex.' He fixes himself quickly.]

I would've had more fun if I didn't have to chase my version of you and Sakamoto-kun down a few days later. The security level was so high...

[He takes a few shots.]

That I effectively had to abuse my strongest techniques and still wound up winded due to the lack of preparation and appropriate SP restoratives. But I suppose that did lend itself to Ren's awakening.

[Damn Ren, looking so cool and attractive as fire blazed around him and he tore off his mask, grinning wildly as his face trickled with blood and he looked so alive...

Ah, shoot! He's missed a shot now, too. Damn Ren, making him so stupid...]

That sounds like quite the adventure you had. If I know myself and Ryuji... [loud noises, as he gets a good shot] we probably gave you quite the runaround.

[Pew pew. His score's still better than the average player, even as he keeps talking. Normally, talking about the Thieves, he'd keep more distance, but... he's just relaxed enough with Akechi talking about it like that, that he forgets.]

I've not had the opportunity to see your awakening, back home. Must've missed it.

[By years? Months? He's not sure. He wishes he could've seen it, though.]

I had to do damage control and call the school, claiming we were all feeling ill. Then I had to rely on Makoto to retrieve our assignments.

[No 'Niijima-san,' suggesting a bit more familiarity, or perhaps even comfort. But then, he has known her for years at this point.

It's impressive to compete with someone so adept in the game. Akechi's able to follow along easily enough, keeping a decent pace between shooting targets and casual conversation.]

My first awakening was pitiful and the result of a lot of stupid choices. My awakening in the Metaverse was much more flattering, but it had the unfortunate side effect of terrifying Kamoshida's Shadow. But, well, it's Kamoshida. I think he deserved a little terror in his life.

Makoto did that? Around the time I know Kamoshida was dealt with, she was still the teacher's pet.

[Akira doesn't find Akechi's skill weird at all; he'd be more off-balance if he wasn't as good.]

Oh, definitely. If it weren't for the security level, I wouldn't call that 'unfortunate.'

[Ha. He can remember freaking the man out with Arsène. From what he's been told, Robin Hood had much the same effect.]

My first awakening was- well, I thought it was cool at first. [He... actually misses a shot - and then the next isn't up to standard - at the memory coming back.] I get what you mean about stupid choices. Reality hits fast.

Oh, she was, but I had shown signs of fatigue prior from my earlier escapades in the Metaverse. It was easy for her to believe we were ill, and we'd all recently been in contact with each other. And what sort of student council president would she be if she let her fellow students fall behind?

[Pew, pew. He takes some more shots, calm, relaxed, and even rolling his shoulders back.]

'At first.' Interesting choice of words there.

[It suggests there's a story behind it, but he doesn't want to press too hard.]

Lucky you. You're right, though - if it'd been true, she'd have had to listen. Sounds better than just running back in late and getting told off for it.

[He's not clarifying who that happened to. Clearly it wasn't him. It was, but he's sure it was Akechi too, from the sound of it.]

Isn't anyone's? It's... [He actually slows down, to think about his words more in between shots.] ...harder when there's no one with you. You're on your own. You only have yourself to rely on.

[It's easy to just - assume that even if he's not the same Goro Akechi, he'd at least be able to understand that part. He doesn't have to say how it happened, or what happened next.]

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