(Open) Lonely Daze

[lotophagia]

Ren, the sleepy one in his pajamas (though he has grabbed some glasses now, he feels weird walking around without them at this point), has no idea what to do about his situation. He still feels somewhat dazed, but now there's this sense of... hopelessness weighing on his shoulders now that he remembers what happened. That he knows that he failed as a leader.

His eyes are somewhat hazy as he just wanders Tokyo, head somewhat lowered. He's conflicted about going to Leblanc again. The last time he was there, he ended up going to his room and sleeping for... well, a very long time. But it's all he wants to do, it feels like. It's easier than facing his failure. Facing reality.

...

...He's not sure where Arsene is. Perhaps he's gone, having faded away with his Will of Rebellion. After all, he can't make up his mind. He couldn't decide on a path to take, and that's perhaps worse than making a choice.

...What's he supposed to do?

Option 1:Inokashira Park is a lovely place. It's always good to go there, relax, and clear your head, and Ren does just that. He sits at a bench, watching as the cognitive people go by, and he just... tries to relax. Tries not to think about it all. It's hard not to think about his failure, but the cool air and bright scenery helps a little. He takes it in, as much as he can.

Option 2:He manages to work up the nerve to search for Akechi, specifically the one known as Dove, and heads to Jazz Jin. The atmosphere is painfully nostalgic, feeling as though it's been ages since he was here last. He steps in, and awkwardly sits at the table he and Akechi usually would sit at. What's Akechi doing now, he wonders...? Is he all right...? Is he happy...? He hopes Akechi's happy, at the very least. After all, if he had chosen to fight Maruki, then Akechi would have...

Option 3: A trip to Shibuya would usually get his brain going. He'd always be checking out the stores, trying to find something useful or cool, or eating at Big Bang Burger or working part time or... well, anything, really. The place has so much to offer, and it's lively. It almost makes him feel alive again. For now he just walks through the streets of Shibuya, wandering without a particular destination in mind.

Comments

2

[mirrorgirl]

To the surprise of probably no one Hannei was lingering at Jazz Jin again. So she noticed when someone she didn’t recognize walks in.
She also notices how they seem a bit out of it.
Hm
Hm hm hm
Well, she’s got nothing better to do. Let’s figure out what’s going on here!
She walks over Ren’s table and smiles.
“Hiya! Can I get you something to drink?”
The server role seems to be one she’s taken to while here. Though to be fair bartenders tend to know how to find information, she’s gotta learn the tricks of the trade!

[lotophagia]

Ren doesn't notice Hannei approach at first, but he snaps out of his thoughts when Hannei speaks up. He blinks, straightening up, and looking at her.

Huh... She doesn't look familiar at all. Who is she...?

"Huh? Oh, sure... I'll take..."

He pauses. Honestly? He kind of just went with what Akechi recommended because he wasn't particularly married to the idea of any of the drinks. He kind of just stuck to it afterwards.

"...Give me what Akechi would order, if you know him. If you don't, surprise me, I guess."

He still seems a bit distracted as he says that, almost seeming a bit down as he says it. He still wishes he could see his Akechi... or at least find this 'Dove' he was told to talk to.

...Though... considering what he double-checked about him on the board... He could be... No, surely he's not... What are the chances they'd both be here? Would Igor bring his Akechi to the Velvet Room?

He's actually not sure.

[mirrorgirl]

She blinks once. Then nods.
“Alrighty! Be right back” and she jogs to the bar to make a drink she knows Akechi likes to order.
Hers at least, but hey maybe they all have similar taste!
She occasionally glances at Ren, trying to see if she can spot anything of note.

…
Yeah she’s talking to him. She can make up a reason to start a conversation with this guy.

[lotophagia]

Well, the guy looks like he's basically just gotten out of bed... or he's ready for bed, one of the two. He looks tired and/or depressed with a side of confused to help with it. You might also get the sense there's a lot going on in his head as he just kind of stares at the wall while waiting for his drink.

"..."

...He doesn't even distract himself with a phone or anything. Seriously, where's his phone? Does he not have one?

"...Everyone..."

...He can't help but just feel trapped in a pit of quiet, tiring remorse.

[mirrorgirl]

Hm…
Well.
She’s definitely curious now.
With the drink done (and not looking too bad if she says so herself) she brings it over to Ren.
Then in a remarkably bold choice she sits across from him, likely in Akechi’s spot, and tilts her head.
“So, do you always look like you just crawled out of bed or is this an off day for you?”

Her tone is probably a bit mean but… well she doesn’t know this guy. She can risk being a bit pushy.

[lotophagia]

Wow, she's bold. Ren actually kind of respects it.

"...The answer's sort of both. Showed up here while I was asleep."

He takes a sip of the drink, and...

"Not bad. Just as good as the ones back home. You made this?"

[mirrorgirl]

The tilts her head, then folds her hands together to rest her chin on.
“Well, if nobody’s told you yet, this place is full of congintions. You can just walk into a clothing store and take whatever you need so you look less like a mess” she waves a hand, then smirks sharply.
“Or maybe you can grab a hairbrush?”

She sits up a bit, “oh! Really? Thanks” she smiles a bit, really taking the compliment. “I made it myself, learned from the best.”

[lotophagia]

Really, she's going to diss him like that? Ugh. He guesses it's deserved, but...

"Just haven't had the energy for it... I grabbed my glasses, at least. Swiped those on the way here. You know that glasses shop over by Penguin Sniper?"

He puts a hand in his hair as he thinks on her comment on it though.

"...My hair's always been like this. Never been the type to go through a long hair care routine or anything."

[mirrorgirl]

Ah, exhaustion. That’s fair but… hm, call it a gut feeling but…
“Are you tired often? There’s a few coffee shops that are pretty good if you need the energy.” Is this chronic or is he just bad with mornings?
Something is going on here.
She blinks at the hair comment and just. Frowns. “Lucky. I’ve seen akechi spend hours on his hair just for the humidity to mess it up. He gets mad sometimes that I don’t spend enough time on my hair. But I mean if it’s fine it’s fine right?”

[lotophagia]

It's an odd question to ask, he thinks, but truth be told...

"Nowadays I am, yeah. Didn't used to be..."

Ren looks off to the side as he takes another sip of his drink.

"...Coffee would be good, but... I can't go back to my normal coffee shop."

If he goes back, he'll just want to sleep forever. Which is also what he's tempted to do all the time as of late. It's taking all his remaining willpower to not do that.

But he can't help but crack a small smile at hearing about Akechi's struggle with his hair.

"Yeah, that sounds about right... He's always been on top of that, trying to keep his appearance under control."

2

[deerinheadlights]

The Jazz Jin was a nice place to go to clear her head. The party had been a little stressful but that was probably her own fault.

She wasn't expecting to see Kurusu there. Or another Ren probably. She wasn't quite sure. He seemed...off.

Approaching, she sits down at the table with him. "Lot on your mind?" She can't help but ask.

Re: 2

[lotophagia]

...A version of Sumire? Or wait, her hair's up... Does she still think she's Kasumi or...?

"...Yeah, you can say that."

He admits with a quiet, tired chuckle. His arms are resting on the table as he looks right at Sumire.

"Came here looking for Dove, but it seems like he's not here. I was told he would have an idea of what was going on in my world, probably."

'He might be the Akechi from my world', he silently thinks to himself, but he doesn't say it out loud.

Re: 2

[deerinheadlights]

Ah, Dove's Amamiya. She knows that Dove has talked about him a little bit, but that doesn't mean that she knows how to feel about him. "I have spoken to Dove but not super recently, he told me a little bit about what happened to you."

[lotophagia]

Ren actually perks up a little at that, becoming somewhat more attentive.

"He has? That means he's..."

He is the one from his world, then...?! That means he needs to find him all the more. He needs to talk to him.

"Do you know where he is? Or could you relay the info, at least?"

He still feels so clueless, and it's frustrating.

[deerinheadlights]

"I don't know if he's told me anything that you don't already know. You weren't able to make a decision on dealing with the palace in time and Maruki put you in a coma. I know he mentioned that he and your Sumire are continuing on with Phantom Thief work I think." She relays to him.

Tapping her fingers together she looks around. "I saw him by the Diet Building but that was a while back. There's no way he's there now."

[lotophagia]

"So he and Sumire are... Wait, does that mean she remembers, too?"

So... there's hope for the rest of them to remember the real world? Even after Maruki completely changed reality to his desires? That was supposed to be impossible...

"...The Diet Building though, what was he doing there?"

Option 1

[tricksterfiend]

The stench of Maruki is all over the other Ren in Inokashira Park.

Yet, as he approaches, there's no denying the sheer sense of fatigue that comes alongside it. Something about the Ren in pajamas is familiar to him.

He decides to approach, slowly, as to not spook the other. He's... curious.

"Hey," he says, when he gets close enough, noting the glassy look in the other's eyes.

[lotophagia]

It takes a second for this Ren to notice Fiend, and when he does, he stares at Fiend in silence for a few solid seconds.

"...Hey. You're..."

Another version of him, he can tell that much.

"...Nice tattoos."

He means it. Good on him for going all out with it. Screw societal norms, just be who you want to be.

Not that he knows Fiend's true nature, of course.

[tricksterfiend]

Fiend simply... stares, for a moment, his tattoos languidly pulsing with light.

"Thanks," he says, not looking away from the other. It's not like he had a choice in getting them, but it's not like he minds anymore, either.

Something feels so off about this one. So... familiar, in a way.

"Maruki mess with you?" he asks, deadpan. The stench of him lingers, and Fiend... hates it. He needs to know.

[lotophagia]

"That obvious, huh? Yeah, hit the nail on the head."

Ren doesn't seem particularly happy though, so it's definitely not the usual actualization... No, he just seems tired. Dazed.

"...Apparently I'm asleep right now. Don't know the full story, but... I'm guessing Maruki has something to do with it."

[tricksterfiend]

... Ah.

Fiend stands there for a little while too long, eyes on Ren... before he sits down next to him. He stares out over the park, his face still set in a deadpan.

"Put me to sleep too. Maruki," he says. "I get it."

[lotophagia]

Ren quickly turns to look at Fiend, his eyes a bit wider. He looks more attentive now, the shock of it bringing him a bit more to life.

"...You too?"

But... he's so different. And how is he...?

"What, did Igor bring you while you were asleep, too, or..."

[tricksterfiend]

"No." Fiend shakes his head. "Haven't been asleep for a while."

[lotophagia]

"You... You haven't?"

Ren just kind of stares him, quietly blinking. How...? How could he have woken up? If Maruki's risen to power, then it should be impossible to undo what he's done.

It... should be impossible... Hopeless, even...

"...How'd you...?"

[tricksterfiend]

"Someone woke me up."

He briefly remembers the horror of it all, too- like he died, and came back... wrong. He doesn't think of it as wrong anymore- he's probably had this body for longer than he was ever human, but it remains etched in his mind. That initial memory.

"... Not easily. Needed to turn me. Into a demi-fiend," he glances down at his body; the markings, the horn, and the yellow eyes. "This."

He doesn't mind. He's not unhappy.