[Open Intro] This might as well happen at this point.

[tricksterfiend]

It has been such a long time since Ren has seen this particular shade of blue.

He could never forget what it looked like, not even after years of being denied access to it. Though the Minister of the Cathedral of Shadows wears a similar shade, and he has often wondered whether Mido is related to the Velvet Room at all, the Cathedral, and its perpetual shroud of darkness, was never quite the same. He thought he'd never see it again, after everything.

No such thing as never in eternity, apparently. Though, upon further inspection, this Velvet Room is a little different from the one he's used to. Not a prison, for one.

"Awww shit brother, the hell was that?" Hell Biker appears from thin air with the sound of a revving motorcycle, "we were there one moment- then boom! I'm back in the void! Good thing I don't need no pretty boys to summon me, ey?"

Hell Biker cackles, but he does make Ren realize one thing: where is Naoki? Naoki makes use of the Cathedral of Shadows too, and it is similar enough to the Velvet Room...

A mystery to solve later. He likes to have Naoki nearby, but he's fine on his own, too. It's an annoyance at best.

In the middle of the room sits a familiar face, who belts out a familiar greeting. Ren hasn't heard it in so long. It's somewhat nostalgic, and when Igor's explanation is done, Hell Biker hums next to him, eyeing Igor.

"Well, you heard Bug-eyes McNose over there! I'm off to explore," he says, revving his engine like a maniac. "See ya!"

And, with that, Hell Biker blasts through the second door in the room, letting out a loud 'yee-haw' before he's gone, and the door repairs itself from the damage Hell Biker caused. Ren shakes his head, used to the Fiend's shenanigans, before pondering over what to do. He considers asking Igor for more information -his explanation was vague as hell- but decides that Igor has always been cryptic, and unlikely to divulge any more.

He notices the board off to the side, and figures that's as good a place to start as any. It is- informative, that's for sure, finding himself surprised by some of the information on it... but also, not really. What else did he expect? Weird, magical bullshit is just an everyday occurance, and he sighs. 

Now what?

1. He lingers around the Velvet Room a bit longer, continuing to read the conspiracy board. Perhaps he missed something.
2. Tokyo feels familiar as he steps through its door, inhaling the city air that he grew to love so much. It's... almost a little overwhelming, to be here again. In a place where he had both the best year of his life... and experienced the very horrors that shattered his humanity. He tilts his head, upwards, flicks out his tongue, and closes his eyes, sensing out if the layout is the same as he remembers it... and if anyone's nearby.
3. Inaba was once his hometown. The fresh smell of the country is a breath of fresh air, one that Ren can't say he hasn't missed. With his new demonic senses, it is double as intense, but it's not unpleasant. Following his old (almost forgotten) memories, he wanders towards the hill overlooking the town... and it really is nearly the same as the place he remembers growing up in. It's bittersweet; an echo of a simpler, more naive time. He doesn't know if he misses it or not. Probably not.

Comments

3

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken had just intended to take a short stroll outside, for fresh air, when suddenly he feels something unfamiliar and wrong.

Curious, he investigates, and sees in a nearby street someone... well, clearly a new face, with a lot of tatoos and yellow eyes. They somewhat look like the few Rens he had seen? Well, considering his own situation and how he currently looked, he wouldn't judge.

He approaches the new person in order to greet them.

Re: 3

[tricksterfiend]

Death, Ren's senses tell him, and he snaps to attention, piercing yellow eyes flicking towards what his senses tell him to be Death itself instantly. He's not scared. He's faced strong foes before, even without Naoki, and he can always rely on his allied demons.

(His instincts surge with excitement at a powerful foe to fell, but he pushes them down to analyze the situation first.)

A small child is approaching him. Weird, blackened scars mar his skin, one eye hollow and red. There's something inherently hostile about him, likely related to him smelling and tasting of the essense of Death.

Ren's tongue flicks out of his mouth briefly, on instinct, to get a better taste of the air. His tattoos pulse with blue-green light as he stretches his senses. He does not feel an incoming attack.

"... Hello," he greets, rather awkwardly, not knowing what else to say. The Death-child is not attacking. For now.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Well. Weird guy, for sure, but he didn't seem hostile.

"Hi! Are you new here? I've never seen you before."

He offers a polite smile to accompany his words. He is a bit tired today, but that's no reason not to make an effort!

[tricksterfiend]

Death-child greets him in turn, and he tilts his head. Still not hostile. Almost... friendly? It certainly conflicts with the feeling he gives off.

"I am," he says. He tries to wrench his face into a polite smile himself, but it quickly drops back into a deadpan. "I just got here."

3

[fireandfaith]

Inaba isn't a place Ann spends a lot of her time--she gets bored when there's nothing to do, and unless other people happen to be around, there sure is a whole lot of nothing to do in Inaba--but sometimes she likes to wander along the Samegawa and just sit at the riverbank. Think deep thoughts. Doze a little, maybe.

Eventually, though, all thoughts run to their ends, and she pushes herself up from the ground. She's damp, and stiff, but feels at peace. Letting this peace settle over her shoulders, she starts heading back in the direction of a Velvet door with no real sense of urgency, vaguely wondering if she'll encounter anyone else out and about on her way back to Tokyo.

Re: 3

[tricksterfiend]

Ren smells her before he sees her, familiar scent in the air, and his breath catches in a way it hasn't done in so very long. Lovers, a long forgotten voice whispers in his mind, and he stalls, feet coming to a halt. He hadn't sensed her coming. He couldn't, somehow.

Then, she rounds the corner, and his eyes widen a fraction. Blonde pigtails, cheerful face, shimmering turquoise eyes.

A flash of that face with hollow eyes, covered in blood. A puppet trying to prevent its own death as he cut loose its strings.

He pushes the memory away, licking his lips on instinct- it's too late to avoid her, she's already seen him. Is she the girl he bonded with? The girl who fought at his side, that one year? Or is she the puppet that replaced her? Or is she someone else entirely? The board indicated it was possible, after all.

The flash of surprise comes and goes, and his face is quick to fall back into its usual, carefully neutral expression. He doesn't say anything as she approaches.

He doesn't know what he'd say to her, anyway.

[fireandfaith]

Ann isn't as startled as she could be, to lay eyes on the person before her--clearly an Akira or a Ren, once she gets past the vibrant lines of black and luminescence to actually take in his face; she's absolutely met weirder in her time here. In terms of looks, at least...from how completely, unnaturally still he goes as she gets closer, his face a mask of blank neutrality, she's pretty certain he isn't human.

Well. Her mantra since arriving here applies: that's still no reason to be rude.

"Heya," she greets. "In the interest of politeness, are you an Akira? Or a Ren?

[tricksterfiend]

Oh fuck she talked to him. Why didn't he expect her to talk to him.

Still, he doesn't move, and his expression doesn't change, merely taking in her words. There's a moment of pause, before he answers.

"... Ren." His voice is a low deadpan. "Ann." Wait, does he have first-name privileges with her? He tries his best to remember human social rules. "Takamaki. Hey."

2

[seekerofjustice]

It really is similar to the Tokyo he knew, isn't it? The majority of people surrounding the area aren't real... but up ahead there is someone. A somewhat familiar presence, actually.

Dove can be seen stepping out of a nearby shop, carrying a couple of bags. He hasn't quite noticed Ren yet, considering he's a bit further away, but he's beginning to approach Ren's position pretty quickly.

Dove seems pleasant enough, at least... though perhaps that's odd in and of itself.

Re: 2

[tricksterfiend]

Ren senses the approach of a real human being. One of the other people dwelling in this realm, then. Should he greet them? He's... not too sure, so he waits.

Then, the smell hits him, and his mouth opens slightly to make sure, taking in the scent. That familiar cologne, a just barely there hint of typical bodily musk, sweat, familiar-

Despite the board informing him that there were many Akechis, he didn't think he'd run into one so soon. His long-dead feelings flicker to life, an excitement that has nothing to do with his demonic nature, for once.

Then, Akechi comes into view, and his hopes shatter.

Pleasant. Too pleasant. His expression is all wrong. He can sense something off about him, a hint of-

-Maruki.

An involuntary growl leaves his throat that Akechi can certainly hear, even from where he's at, rumbling up from his chest, tattoos pulsating and claws flexing dangerously. He narrows his eyes at the Akechi as he approaches; he's not quite the same as the puppet he cut down with his own hands, the boy whose dream was to be free of any control. Not as... lost. He doesn't feel the same.

He needs to investigate. Maybe this Akechi can yet be saved.

He tries to force his body to relax, to be more approachable for a human, but he's all but forgotten how to do that. He exudes danger as the Akechi notices him.

"Akechi. Hello."

Re: 2

[seekerofjustice]

Akechi wasn't expecting to be approached, but he turns to see what looks to be... Ren? He looks so different though, those markings...

He snaps out of his stupor quickly enough when Ren speaks though, and he offers an almost sheepish smile in response. It's so... so wrong for such a smile to be on Akechi's face, but he's trying his best.

Even in the face of the danger, which his eyes slightly sharpen in response to, he chooses to go into this without hostility... not that he can fight back without his Personas if something does happen.

"Amamiya-san... Or is it Kurusu-san? Apologies, I'm not in your way, am I?"

He asks that with a smile, but the look in his eyes indicates he's not oblivious. He can sense the hostility.

[tricksterfiend]

Well. At least this Akechi recognized him, and didn't immediately start going on and on about how great life is. He's too pleasant though, too... fake. It's off.

He seems to have recognized the danger, however, though he doesn't cower. Good. He shouldn't. Akechi wouldn't.

"What does the name 'Maruki' mean to you?"

Ren doesn't even acknowledge this Akechi's question, direct as he would be with a demon. Human niceties be damned, he's on a hunt for information. To cut this Akechi loose, or not to... he'll find out soon enough.

HELL INVASION HELL INVASION

[herewardbound]

He'd actually been meaning to come by and put something up on the board, really. Some additional notes on shit he'd encountered-

But as was becoming typical for this place, there was another newcomer. A... Ren? With some very distinct tattoos.

Interesting.

He announced his presence by shutting the door a little harder than he normally would've done. After the last time, he wasn't exactly keen on startling somebody and getting potentially attacked. "Morning. New in town, or have we somehow just missed each other?"

HELL YEAH HELL YEAH HELL YEAH

[tricksterfiend]

The slamming of the door is unecessary; Ren had already sensed him before he announced himself. His head snaps from the board to the newcomer- demon, his senses tell him. No back attack, though, so he won't attack, either. The hair is familiar, so is the beak, and it almost surprises him.

Almost, but not quite.

The board had informed him, after all. Goro Akechi. Phoenix. An emotion flickers to life in his chest- longing, horror. A long dead love? Regret, maybe.

His face, however, remains impassive. Neutral and bored. His tongue flicks out of his mouth, tasting the air. Smells like Hell. Akechi is a demon, just like him. Almost like him. It's. Different? Different.

"... Akechi," is the first word that actually leaves his mouth, and despite the deadpan, it's more... brittle, than usual. "Phoenix? Just got here. Hey."

At least the new body makes it easier not to think about the last time he saw Akechi's human body.

[herewardbound]

His eyes widened, slightly, when the other turned around.

Everything was familiar, save the ink- but the eyes. The tongue. The hallmarks of humanity lingered, but- he was reminded of shadows- no. Of Renée, before she'd embraced mortality. Not quite the same shade of gold, but... similar.

"That's me. You look like you're having a time of it, even setting aside the isekai bullshit."

[tricksterfiend]

Phoenix looks surprised at him, but that's okay. He didn't expect Akechi to become a demon, either, even in death- though really, he should've known. It's fucking Akechi. Most humans just go to the Sea of Souls. Some end up in the Labyrinth of Amala. Others become food for demons, and others yet end up as demons themselves.

Looks like Phoenix has had a time of it, too. Is having a time of it. Hard to say.

"Mm. Yes," he shrugs, picking at his own claw. There's some old blood underneath it. "I had a time. Did some stuff. Slayed some gods and demon lords. Now I'm here. You know how it goes."

Then, blunt as he's used to between demons, "you smell like Hell. How're things down there?"

1

[unfoggedlotus]

Y'know.

After. Months. Of living here.

You'd think I'd get used to weird shit happening, Ren thinks, in stops and starts. There's a flaming trail of that black tire stuff cars leave behind when they squeal. It's like...30 cm away from him. The heat from the flames licks at his face.

Well, it's not every day you nearly get run over by a...Hell Biker?

What the fuck.

After...several long moments of staring at the tire tracks, heart thudding in his chest, he forces himself to look up. Hello, new person at the conspiracy board? Why did your persona(?) nearly drive into Ren?

Re: 1

[tricksterfiend]

There is a human here.

Ren doesn't pay much attention to humans, nowadays. They usually scream when they see him, and if they don't, that's almost always an indication they've got some weird shit going on, be that being cultists, worshipping demons (hilarious), or hoping to enter a contract. They're idiots; Ren's not going to obey them, even if they offer their souls or whatever. They do make a good source of Magatsuhi, though. Mm.

This human doesn't scream, even if Ren can hear his heart thudding loudly in his chest. Ren isn't sure what to make of his smell. It's... familiar. He can't place it.

When he's done reading the board, he turns around the face the human, and- oh.

Yeah, okay. Now he understands why the smell is familiar- that's himself. One that's still human. Awkward. He doesn't blink as he meets the other Ren's eyes (hidden behind glasses and grey and human), raising an eyebrow. Oh, he's supposed to greet him, isn't he? Right, right, human.

"Hey."

[unfoggedlotus]

"Hi," Ren manages to say back. "Uh...nice tats? I like the whole...glowy thing you got goin' on."

3

[fogboundcrow]

Raven rather likes the hill. It's a pleasant place to read and decompress. Today seemed like it was going to be like any other...

But footsteps pry his attention from his book, and...

What.

Is that a Ren? A shirtless Ren. A shirtless, yellow-eyed Ren with strange tattoos.

With all the tact and grace he can muster, he says, "Rather a bit early to be walking around shirtless, isn't it?"

Perhaps in summer, but now?

Re: 3

[tricksterfiend]

Well. He did sense a young human up there, and the smell did inform him it might've been someone familiar, but... yeah. Okay. That's Akechi. As a baby. The board said something about that.

If he's surprised, it doesn't show on his face, but he does come to a halt, making eye contact with- Raven, was it? He's so. Small. For an Akechi.

And then Raven makes a comment about his shirtless status. He briefly looks down at himself, like he's surprised by that fact (he's not), before he looks back up again. He did, however, forget that humans tended to care about that sort of stuff. Oh well.

He gives Raven a shrug.

... Should he put on a shirt? Ugh. That's so inconvenient, though. Unlike his magically indestructable sweatpants, shirts just kinda shred during battle.

"They never stay on," is what he ends up saying. What a greeting.

[fogboundcrow]

"I see." Huh. That's an oddly specific reason for it, implying that this other Ren is inclined to involve himself in situations that lead to the destruction of clothing. "And just shirts? If you're involving yourself in high stakes situations, one would think that all manner of clothing is at risk."

Unless he has magic pants.

But if so, why only pants? Why not armor? Or something that covers everything? Is it because he wants to show off those tattoos?

2

[tricksterviolet]

When Fiend reaches the top of the hill, he finds he's not the only one there. There's a girl that may seem familiar... Sumire, but her hair isn't up in a ponytail or ribbon.

No, her hair is down, and blowing in the breeze as she looks down on the town, standing there as she takes in the sight of it.

"Ah..."

It's such a lovely little town, she's grown quite fond of it during her time here...

She hasn't seemed to notice Fiend yet, just taking in the sight of Inaba.

Re: 2

[tricksterfiend]

Well. Well.

He's not sure who he expected when he sensed someone up here, but it wasn't Sumire. Hair down, just like he remembered right before-

Hm. Well. She seems to just be enjoying the sights. That's... fine. That's what he's here for too, anyway.

Wordlessly, he walks up to the top of the hill, next to her, and promptly plops down onto the ground to be a little more comfortable while he looks down on the town.

The breeze really is nice.

Re: 2

[tricksterviolet]

Sumire nearly jumps.

"H-Huh? Ren-senpai?"

She wasn't expecting to see him here, to say the least... or expecting to see his tattoos, given she's looking at him with rather wide eyes.

"I-I mean... It's a lovely view, isn't it...? Inaba is such a pretty place, I would love to visit when I return home..."

She awkwardly looks away, and back to the scenery... She's feeling shyer than usual all of a sudden...