personavelvetroomdr | (no subject)

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A.

It's finally happened.

Crow has quite possibly lost it.

At least, that's one way to explain his handiwork at the Diet building today. Somehow, some way, he's meticulously spray painted an image of Masayoshi Shido picking his nose while smiling like an idiot with his tongue sticking out. How long did it take him? Good question. What inspired him to make something so childish? Also a good question!

But as he finishes his handiwork, he takes a step back, turns around, pulls off his face mask, and takes a whiff of the air facing away from the paint fumes. He pulls up the pair of goggles he'd donned, resting them against his forehead.

"Well, that was a lot of effort for very minimal returns."

But perhaps he can make something of it...

B.

After finishing his grand display, Crow decides to do the only sensible thing. He puts up posters everywhere, inviting people to behold a new art piece at the National Diet. Why? Because he can. Because, quite frankly, he has lost control of his life and was told to unwind.

So here he is. Unwinding. Un-freaking-winding.

C.

After some time, Crow decides it's time for a grand finale. He's made sure the area is clear first, a task made easier with Hiro's navigation abilities. He even invited Raven along for the ride... and now...

Raven holds his Evoker to his temple. "Is it time?"

"Just a moment." Crow raises his own Evoker, while Hiro leaps back and raises his left palm.

And then, with the pull of a trigger, Raven's Robin Hood, Hiro, and Crow's Loki all unleash Megidolaons at the building.

Feel free to behold their artistry. Or question their life choices. That's fine, too.

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Crow nods along. "I'm familiar enough with the broad strokes. I suppose it's to be expected when you live with one of your 'Black Mask' counterparts." Though it wasn't just Magpie, really.

Enough people with a similar trajectory. The standard story. The beaten path.

"A satyr, though... Interesting. Though it begs the question of how you all blend in with more mundane society."

"Normal people can't see our true appearances, though there are exceptions. Chihaya Mifune, I'm not sure if you've ever met her, but she's a fortune teller with real psychic powers. She was able to see through me but didn't mind me being a vampire.

Boss and Sae-san can see our actual appearances now too, though it required them being in the Metaverse briefly. And we did even have them see Morgana in his actual form so they could understand him."

There's also Takemi and Lala-san, but both of them aren't human. They aren't persona users though.

"Your counterpart also had a special bead bracelet that not only allowed him to hide his appearance from other monsters and not just humans, but also allowed his wings to go through objects so people didn't accidentally run into them. He even let me try it on briefly when he blackmailed us."

Sadly it couldn't mimic warmth or a heartbeat.

Edited 2024-09-01 03:41 (UTC)

"I suppose it's convenient for blending in, though I'm not surprised to hear Mifune-san is more perceptive than most." He rubs his chin in thought. Wings... now that would be a fascinating prospect.

To fly, to soar...

"I remember when I was younger, I always wondered what it'd be like to fly. Of course, since I obtained Personas, I was able to experience it through other means. The blackmail is... unfortunate, but I can't say I'm surprised, given Magpie's past."

He's changed. Crow would like to think he's better now, but he was on a familiar path, no doubt.

"Well if I'm in the Metaverse, I can fly in bat form. It is pretty fun, and it was useful for Kaneshiro's palace, with spotting all the cameras. Morgana said the only reason I can do that is because of people's cognition of vampires turning into bats."

Yet it doesn't include mists or other lesser known vampire powers. Oh well.

He nods at that. "We did suspect him though we weren't sure about him being the Black Mask. Though he did claim the reason he was hiding his appearance, from even other monsters, was that he was afraid of being 'framed'. Because the Black Mask he saw was also a Crow Tengu."

Which in hindsight was such a terrible lie. Guess that was the best he could come up with for that one.

"Honestly we figured based on what Kaneshiro's shadow said...The Black Mask was either a Crow Tengu or a Harpy."

Edited (last edit) 2024-09-06 05:16 (UTC)

"I suppose that's not quite as bad as 'delicious pancakes.' As I understand it, that's a fairly common pitfall for my counterparts."

Not him, but his is an entirely different life. The Shujin uniform ought to convey that much, really.

"Oh he had made that slip-up too, even before we found out he wasn't human. It just made him all the more suspicious, so we weren't completely surprised when he turned out to be the Black Mask after all."

Ren does notice the uniform. A part of him has always been curious as to what his Akechi would look like as a Shujin student. Now he knows. Kinda.

"At least during Maruki's reality, he stopped bothering to hide his true appearance from us. Even if it took a little getting used to it in the 'real' world."

"Ah, Maruki's reality... I suppose it only makes sense, after everything." Crow gazes off into the distance, thinking of Sparrow. "Time will tell how it manifests in my reality. At the very least, neither Joker nor myself intend to die."

He looks down at the ring on his finger. "We've too much to live for, and my life is hardly just my own." Hiro, as well, hinges on him living. Such is the way of a Persona, really.

"I'm sure as long as you all reject his reality and stand up against him, you'll be able to overcome things."

After all, the Phantom Thieves have been able to save the world twice, and stand up against a god. Ren can't imagine that the Phantom Thieves in Crow's reality is any different.

He then notices the ring as well. "Is that a promise or wedding ring on your finger?"

18 is rather early to get married but some people decide to marry rather young.

"Oh, it's a promise ring. Hard to marry when gay marriage is still illegal." For how long? It's difficult to say. He'd like to imagine things changing...

But not while Shido is vying for prime minister. "Though, I suppose by all accounts, we're living a fairly domestic life here. We even have a houseful of children under our care."

"Unfortunately." Granted Ren being forever physically 16 would make legal marriage for him impossible anyway. Gay or straight.

"Congratulations either way."

That gets a slight eyebrow raise. "Oh yeah? Any related to you, or just deciding to adopt some?"

He might have missed some details since the board is quite large at this point. So some details are bound to be missed. Maybe a second board should be made.

"If by related you mean almost entirely different versions of Joker and me, then I suppose you could say that." It is rather funny how that turned out, but there's still a fondness to his smile. "I suppose the good news is that another version of me is staying with us, not to mention my Shadow, so it's not as though we're alone in our endeavors."

That does get a chuckle out of him.

"Oh that's cute."

Though the mention of his shadow surprises and confuses him. "Your shadow? Did you lose your persona?"

He doesn't seem like he has a palace given his behavior.

"Not quite. Technically he's a Persona, but he spent such a long time as an independent Shadow that he developed an ego, so when he isn't in battle, it's the form and identity he resonates with the most."

Hmm... Come to think of it, where is hero? Shouldn't he and Raven be getting back by now?

"We have been trying to encourage him to embrace his individuality, though it's still a work in progress."

"Huh."

Ren had no idea that could be possible. But then again, there's Morgana. Though in his case, he was created by the real Igor.

"Yeah that's not something you can rush. He could try different hobbies to see if there's something he's interested in." He's not sure what, but hopefully with them, Hero can learn to be himself.

"We're working on it. I think the difficulty is that in addition to being born of my formerly repressed emotions, he started acting as a body double for me once I was able to summon him in reality. His idea, but when you're acting as someone else in public, it hardly encourages individuality..."

Nearby, the sound of footsteps and chatter closes in.

"I understand this has been a long time coming, Raven, but it'll be much more satisfying with an audience."

"Perhaps, but this is about catharsis! The spectacle is just a cherry on top."

And so a thirteen year old Akechi in a Featherman T-shirt approaches with another, older Akechi with distinct yellow eyes.

Raven, of course, looks up at the new Ren, already reaching for his chin. The ears, the eyes... all distinct. "Another newcomer, I see..."

"That does sound like a problem."

Ren turns his head to notice the other two. He had expected Hero, but the younger Akechi is a slight surprise. Is he the one that got yelled at?

He nods. "I showed up on the day of that party."

It was certainly a way of being introduced to this place, even though he only talked with a couple people.

"Ah." Raven goes quiet for a moment. The party... "That must have been an awkward introduction."

"...Very awkward." Hiro averts his eyes, adjusting one of his sleeves.

Crow blows a small sigh. "Well, it's in the past, and we've said all we can to the relevant parties."

"I heard a little bit of what happened, and that asshole had no right at yell at you like that."

If he had been at that part of the room where it happened, Ren would have stepped in. But that's all he'll say on that.

"And I did look at the board beforehand, though at the rate it's going, you might need to make two boards. It was a lot to take in." Granted if Hiro doesn't wanna take that suggestion, then that's fine.

Raven brings a hand to his chin, pondering this. "A second board would be fairly optimal. I suppose it's a question of whether I migrate some of the information over or use it as a blank slate..."

Hiro chuckles at the enthusiasm. "I'm sure whatever you decide will be lovely." That bright voice really is closer to the Detective Prince, but with an odd sincerity to it.

Crow cracks a wry smile at Raven as well. "Oh dear. It appears you've given him ideas."

Raven scowls, though it looks rather silly on his more boyish features. "Hey!"

Edited (wrong icon xD) 2024-09-08 23:00 (UTC)

That Detective Prince-like voice certainly brings some memories back, though it feels much more sincere this time. Even before they found Akechi out, Ren could tell from the very beginning that it was an act.

"Whoops." Though Ren says that with a grin. Fangs fully visible even if either of them had noticed earlier. He's clearly not sorry.

"Well it might be necessary if more and more people come here."

Even if some people that have shown up have since left.

Raven looks at those fangs. He looks long and hard. "Oh, another vampire. It's been a while."

Crow's smirk remains firmly in place. "Careful, or he might launch into a series of questions to determine how much of vampire fiction is applicable to your world."

Ren doesn't mind his fangs being stared at. It's not the first time and it won't be the last.

"I don't know everything, but I can give you some stuff that isn't true. I still have a reflection, crossing water isn't a problem for me, I don't need to be invited in to go into someone's house, churchs and crosses also aren't a problem either. I'm fairly sure being splashed with holy water wouldn't have an effect on me. Garlic...well I've more or less forced myself to build up a slight tolerance. At least enough that eating curry doesn't make me wanna throw up anymore."

It was rough at the start, and it was hard to hide it from Sojiro. Though he had a vague idea that his stomach didn't react well to his curry, even if he didn't realize why. And once Sojiro found out the truth, then he stopped putting garlic in the curry and helped prove some animal blood for him.

Raven nods along, taking mental note of everything. "Clearly, being out during the day isn't an issue either. Interesting to hear that garlic applies where religious symbolism and objects do not... Do you happen to find yourself more nocturnal?"

Crow keeps quiet, letting Raven continue with his impromptu interrogation. It's very much like Raven to poke and prod like that.

"Kind of? I was always kind of a night owl, but I do find myself finding it easier to work on things at night. I lost count of how many times Morgana would have to remind me to go to bed."

Considering that Ren had to pretend to be a normal human student, as well as keeping under the radar given his former criminal record.

Crow snickers, finally offering input. "Ha... That's Morgana for you. He would have hated the Midnight Channel."

Thankfully, with the joint custody he shares with Ren, there are times he gets more wiggle room. Sometimes, Morgana is simply Ren's burden.

...Not that he's necessarily a burden.

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vampirethief - 2024-09-25 22:02 (UTC) - Expand

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