(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."

[mirrorgirl]

Hannei tilts her head slightly, but hums.
“Well, if you don’t mind convenience store coffee you can steal a cup or three there.”
Is this some sort of narcolepsy? Chronic exhaustion? Something else?
Hm.

Oh but she’s more than happy to poke fun at akechi. Not like he’s here to stop her. “He cares a lot about it! And while I get it sometimes it just feels excessive. He has a whole routine!” She gets the appeal of makeup but with his long akechi spends on his some days she starting to think it’s a bit overrated

[lotophagia]

He lets out a scoff-like chuckle at that.

"Trust me, when you've had Boss's coffee, you won't be going back to the store bought stuff..."

He can't help but enjoy the bit about poking fun at Akechi though. It kind of makes him feel like he's back home, chatting with friends.

"A whole routine? Tell me more."

[mirrorgirl]

“Hm, I’ve never had Boss’s coffee so I’ll have to take your word for it” she isn’t even sure who boss is but apparently his coffee is good.
Maybe she should find where this boss is so Akechi can get some better coffee. He keeps complaining about the stuff he has!

Ohhh boy she has a mischevious little grin as she rests a hand against her cheek.
“It’s a whole thing! He’s got so many products in his bathroom, he gets fussy when I touch them. And then he nags me about using a two in one shampoo. It works for Futaba and i don’t appear on tv so what’s the issue? And then the makeup! He puts so much effort into that no makeup look! One time I stole a concealer because I wanted to try it out and he got so mad! He did actually teach me how to apply it afterwards but still! He’s so particular about his immage.” Some days she just wants to ruffle his hair to get a reaction out of him.
Maybe because Futaba also thinks it’ll be funny.

[lotophagia]

Oh man, that sounds like him all right... but the way Hannei is talking, it sounds like she and Akechi are rather close... and not only that, but she knows Futaba, too?

"Hahaha... Yeah, I can see it. He's so particular."

But he lifts his head up a bit, looking right at Hannei.

"...Sounds like you guys are close. Akechi was never one to have friends in my world, but it seems like it's different for yours."

[mirrorgirl]

She blinks once.
Oh.
She keeps forgetting akechi doesn’t have many friends.
Whoops.
“Well… I mean I won’t say he doesn’t have any friends. But he doesn’t have many.” She shrugs.
“He found me, and we made a deal so I stuck around. And futaba….” Oh, how does she explain this without going into that ordeal.

“Well, I found her and after some stuff she ended up being friends with Akechi. They also made a deal but we mostly watch featherman together. Futaba-Chan is cool” she teaches her about memes and stuff!

“Though uh, other than us he has maybe…” she pauses a moment, and counts on her fingers. “There’s Muhen-San, Yanagi-San, Sumire probably? I think he’s close with a coworker Sae? I haven’t met her much.. oh! And Shiho! I haven’t met her but apparently they meet up sometimes?”
Huh, well he isn’t a friendless looser. That’s probably better than most akechi if Ren is to be believed. Hannei shrugs.
“Though I think they’re his friends, but he’s weird about admitting he has friends so I’m not sure what he calls them.” They seem like friends to her.

[lotophagia]

Wow, sounds like he has a lot of friends in their world, even if he won't admit it.

"...Glad he has them. Really. In mine he... didn't have anybody, I don't think. Other than me, Sae, and maybe Sumire? I don't think he was connected to anyone at all."

...It was a lonely way for him to live. Awful, he imagines. Working for Shido, having no one to turn to, being consumed by that hatred and misery...

Isn't that reason for Dove to stay as he is now, apparently? Happy?

...He's not sure... He can't... He can't figure it out...

[mirrorgirl]

…oh
That’s a bit sad.
Hannei frowns. And then she wonders where akechi would be if he hadn’t found her.
And the thought of him having to go against Shido alone makws her frown harder.
“… Well Im glad he has you at least.” She tilts her head a bit.
“… I can only speak for my Akechi, what I’ve seen anyway, but… It’s hard for him to make friends, so the ones he does have really stick with him. Im willing to bet yours is similar in that sense.”
Is that reassuring? She doesn’t know this Ren’s akechi so she can’t say for sure.

[lotophagia]

Honestly? He's not sure what Sae thinks of Akechi at this point. Sumire's been sticking by him though. And as for himself...

"...Yeah. We've been sticking by him."

...At least, they were trying to. Now? Now it's hopeless.

His head lowers a bit.

[mirrorgirl]

… okay maybe they need to change topics this seems to be depressing him. Hannei to honestly so uhhhhhhhhhhh.

“So phantom thieves. Funny story, I’ve never heard of them! Have you?” Hannei asks, quickly switching to a overly sweet smile and wide eyes that blink in obvious curiosity.

Smooth. Totally natural way to change the subject. You’re doing akechi so proud Hannei. … Look if it works it’s not stupid!

[lotophagia]

"...The Phantom Thieves? Yeah, I've heard of them."

He knows them very well. Or... well, he did know them, he guesses.

"They fought to give people courage. To change the hearts of criminals. It was hard, but they kept at it. To make a difference."

Sure, it had its ups and downs, and it was a stressful time, but they helped people... and they settled things that needed to be settled.

"...Not sure what they're up to now..."

Probably living fanciful, happy lives, he guesses. Lives without him.

[mirrorgirl]

“They sound like superheroes” hannei hums. But oh, they change hearts? Hm. Well. Better let Akechi know that. Hannei tilts her head, she probably could ask about their targets, prepare for the potential future. But… “we’re they your friends?” She asks instead

[lotophagia]

"...Yeah. Yeah, they were."

Now? He doesn't know. None of them seemed to try to wake him up. The only person he knows that tried to wake him up at all is Akechi, and perhaps Sumire.

"Things might be different now. I'm not sure..."

[mirrorgirl]

She blinks once. Oh this is another topic that’s upsetting him. Man she sucks at this. “Can you tell me about them? From what I’ve heard it’s likely I’ll be running into them back home soon” you know, possibly as enemies. Best do recon early right? Does this even count??

[lotophagia]

Tell her about them... Should he? Should he really linger on them any longer?

"...There's only two Phantom Thieves still active in my world, from what I've heard. Akechi and Sumire. Don't know the details. Everyone else just kind of... stopped, I guess."

He doesn't know the whole story, but he gets a pit in his stomach every time he thinks about it. They were supposed to stop when it was all over and done with, but not like this...

[mirrorgirl]

She tilts her head, taking in this information.
And then, maybe to lighten the mood, she leans forward a bit and loudly whispers like she’s sharing a secret.
“Sumi-Chan becomes a phantom thief? That’s so cool!” She grins, a hint of mischief. She doesn’t know the girl super well, but she’s one of the last people she’d think would get into something like thievery.
Maybe that makes her the perfect thief!
Akechi being one isn’t as surprising. She’d need to find out more though, to see if she should consider looking into more help.