[EVENT] On the first day of Christmas...

[vrdr_mods]

Winter has been drawing in for quite a while, and even here, Christmas is inescapable. What's going on?

The day before

Snow is falling... all around. It's a freezing cold evening, and the air is still—except for the blizzard outside. Will you stay home in the warmth, watching the snow fall and the frost form on the windows? Or will you head out into the whirling night? Visibility is next to nothing, but you'll probably be fine... as long as you don't go too far.

The next day

Snow has fallen! It lies everywhere you look, inches-deep, from Tokyo to Mikage-cho. The air is still, and the sky is a clear, wintry blue. Doesn't look like it's going to warm up any time soon. But that means a snow day. You'll be fine, as long as you wrap up warm. Do you want to make a snowman sledge, skate or ski? Waterways are frozen solid, and if you can get to the right store, you'll find the equipment you need. Or maybe you want to keep it closer to home, with snowmen tea-tray sleds and snow angels? Just try not to kill any rivals or near-rivals with a snowball.

Snow also drifts gently from the ceiling of the Velvet Room, fading before touching the floor. Festive, unseen sleigh bells clash unnervingly with the usual elegiac piano melody. Igor watches on with his trademark knowing smile—the festivities are just beginning....

In Iwatodai Mall, Inaba Shopping District, and Station Square, there are Jack Frosts around the place, along with chilly-looking Pixies, Onmoraki, and many other assorted demons. They have large sacks, or toolboxes, or planks of wood; they work merrily in hard hats, and whisper and giggle amongst themselves, and watch you as you pass. What could they be up to?

Christmas trees now stand in all the open spaces, hung about with baubles and lights. Illuminations are up, too, on every building, across every street, between streetlamps, you name it. More urban areas, like Tokyo or Sumaru, are as dazzling as you'd expect. But it isn't just the real world—all cognitive zones are suddenly hung with countless tiny lights as well. Probably not a good sign.... then again, the inhabitants seem strangely reluctant to fight you.

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

"Rationally, I know that's true. I have been happy here. I have... friends. A safe, comfortable home. Perhaps even..."

Family? He trails off, slightly uneasy. It's a big thing to think about.

[cybermask]

She kneeled down to be just a little lower than him. It might help him feel more comfortable. "Rational and feelings are two different things. They don't work together in your brain often they work against each other. You can't control your feelings, you can't control that you are still in 'have to stay alive' mode when that's all you've ever known."

She knew some of that from reading her mom's work, it wasn't something she just knew or studied. It was also something she had a lot of struggles with.

[fogboundcrow]

"True. Emotions aren't so easily controlled, but it's irritating as fuck." He huffs. So annoying. Stupid feelings warring with his logic. "Frankly, I'm not sure how Crow manages to stay so composed, given everything he's juggling at any given second."

[cybermask]

"I agree they are irritating. and in all honesty he's probably faking." she shrugged. "It's easier to pretend." That she knew from her brother and herself. She hid behind the screen. She made a name for herself that wasn't her own. There was her, then there was Glitch. It was also possible he was more healed but that couldn't be true in their line of work.

[fogboundcrow]

"I think some of it is genuine, and he has had time to grow, but I know that's not all there is. I remember how miserable he was before Ren came here, even if he'd hide it as much as possible."

But now that Ren is here, it's better. He knows that, and yet Crow still takes on so many burdens. "Clearly he needs more people to badger him into enjoying himself."

[cybermask]

"I agree, he needs to take care of himself..." Her thought trailed off. "I can block his phone from receiving texts." She joked.

It was mostly a joke but if anyone close to Goro asked her to, it would only take her a moment.

[fogboundcrow]

"Okay, but consider hacking his phone so that every message he sends has a cute cat kaomoji forcibly inserted."

It would be delightfully silly. That mischievous smirk suggests this may not be a joking suggestion.

[cybermask]

"OH now, that's something I can easily do. Should it be random?" Her brain was already starting to figure out the code.

"Should he see the cats or just who receives the texts?"

[fogboundcrow]

"...Just the recipients. It'd be hysterical for him to have no idea."

The fact that she's humoring this is already earning her points. Excellent. Most excellent.

[cybermask]

She pulled out her phone, and started typing on it. "I can't do it now, I'd need my computer, but I can make the code now. Do you have a separate phone?"

She certainly liked the idea of him being so confused around people texting him confused reactions.

[fogboundcrow]

"Perhaps it should be an emergency measure. Right now, he's not doing terribly, but should it get out of hand, I believe it would be wise to have a sort of... trigger, I suppose?" Nonetheless, he takes out his own phone to show Crow's number. "Crow has a different phone, although he does still have a version of my phone that he sparingly uses. I believe the only times he's used it here was to tease Magpie and me."

[cybermask]

She nodded. "I'll code it into his phone, and set a trigger on mine. That way you can just tell me when."

She was happy to hear he had his own phone and wouldn't be affected. Though if Crow had a version of his number too then there might be a loophole that he would be all to keen to. Oh well she could figure that out later.

[fogboundcrow]

"Excellent. I believe Crow deserves a bit more shenanigans to keep him on his toes, anyway. He may be the strongest Persona user here, so perfect and leader-like, but that's all the more reason to add a little spice to his life..."

Oh yes. The playful bounce to his words says all. You are already so intriguing, Futaba.

[cybermask]

She totally planned to turn it on before he requested, but he didn't need to know that. It would be a fun surprise for everyone. "I think he does. Just something to trip him up every so often. Harmless and good for the... soul I guess?"

"Any other ideas for him? Or others for that matter. Even better if I haven't met them yet."

[fogboundcrow]

"Hmm... If you ever see the 'pleasant' Akechi, he may be fun to prank. Just to see how much it takes to fluster him, because Sparrow is just so cheery most of the time."

Hmm... He contemplates this, chin in hand. "But nothing too mean. Hawk would be sad if he got genuinely upset."

[cybermask]

"I'll have to think of something." she hummed. She had only heard of the pleasant Akechi from Rose before. She didn't think she'd meet him but maybe she would. A lighthearted thing would be best.

[fogboundcrow]

"Perhaps something else involving kaomoji and bad puns? Perhaps birds. Nothing that insults his character, but something to keep him on his toes."

Though what that would look like is... hm. Well, she can probably figure it out.

[cybermask]

She hummed, thinking. Her foot tapping as she did. "I'll try and figure something out. It'll take me a bit though." She didn't have an exact idea but she could make a list and narrow it down.

[fogboundcrow]

"You can't rush art." Raven nods, and oh, he's grinning now. This has so much potential. So much glorious potential. "Ah, but I suppose a proper introduction is in order. You've probably already heard of me, but I'm Raven, the curator of the conspiracy board among other things."

[cybermask]

She smiled, "Futaba Akechi." She greeted. "Since there's a Sakura here I should probably introduce my last name too." The conspiracy board good to know.

[fogboundcrow]

"Oh." Um. Give him a moment. Futaba Akechi has implications. Many implications. "...Is that why Crow added a note about a version of you being our sister?"

[cybermask]

"Yes, I guess it would be." she hummed. "I live with Goro, he took me in after mom died." She really wasn't sure why her name surprised him so much.

[fogboundcrow]

"My condolences. I know well what it's like to lose a mother..." He wilts a little at that. It's nothing new for him. He's heard a thing or two, and yet... "It's good to hear that you weren't alone."

[cybermask]

She wasn't about to be a bad influence. She poked his shoulder. "Perk up, You aren't alone either." She gave him a smile trying to help him cheer up.

[fogboundcrow]

"Well, obviously. Even setting aside the present company, I live with three other children right now, as well as Crow and his boyfriend." Though he plays it off like it's no big deal and even smirks, the sentiment's still appreciated, at least. He just can't make that too apparent.