(no subject)

[undyingcrow]

[A message appears on the network one morning, not long after a certain Ren appears.

Not long after it goes up, some parts are edited out.]

Attention, "Crow" and "Joker."

With the arrival of my Ren, we formally challenge you over your precious codenames. Let us prove to you that we are the ones worthy of the titles, while you are mere variations from a simpler, happier world. despite the power you wield.

You may have seniority within this space, but we were forged in the fires of our hardships and have emerged on the other side of Maruki's reality.

You two have likely grown soft from your domesticity. Perhaps you'll find us worthy opponents after all this stagnation. They say the spirit of competition can bring out one's best and their worst.

[Is it bold to proclaim the challenge over the network? Yes. But he'd have it no other way, really. Everyone deserves to know how serious they are.]

As for the rest of you, I'd like to start a little bonding exercise.

Tell me something about yourself, and I'll tell you something about me in turn. Won't that be fun?

[It should be a simple way to start and prove that he's just as capable of "bonding" as Ren is.]

[ooc: Original parts of the message in strikethrough, with the edits after, if you want your character to have seen the original version.]

Comments

[vessel_ken_amada]

Crow has done a whole lot for this place, and he deserves whatever codename he wants, your ruffled feelings notwithstanding.

If you disagree, fight me. See how it goes.

[minipancake]

Yeah!

[Locked, to Ken:]

Don't take them too seriously. They're just being stupid.

Answer to locked comment

[vessel_ken_amada]

I know that it's not really serious... It feels like I've been running short on patience lately.

locked, especially from evil baby

[minipancake]

It's only to be expected with everything that's going on.

Maybe we should factor in some relaxation for you. A pizza night or a bath night or something.

[vessel_ken_amada]

I understand where you're coming from, but... can I really afford to do that?

[minipancake]

You *have* to do that, Ken.

If you wear yourself to the wire, aren't you just making yourself weaker for the fight?

[vessel_ken_amada]

I do need *some* rest, but... I'm making myself sleep some nights. Isn't that enough?

[minipancake]

[Okay, what the hell? Wagtail is putting his foot down, pronto.]

*Ken*!

This is no good. You need sleep. *Every night*. And you need food. And you need to relax.

Being strong isn't just about your physical state. It's about your mental state too. Even I know that.

[vessel_ken_amada]

We don't know how much time we have left! I can't afford to take it too easy. We have to race against a clock we can't even see, and every hour I'm not working towards a training setup for the team is an hour closer to our loss.

This is all my fault in the first place. It doesn't matter if I get hurt a little.

[minipancake]

But you aren't just hurting yourself. You're hurting the team.

You're making yourselves less able to beat him, not more.

[vessel_ken_amada]

I understand what you are saying, but the priority right now is that I draw out my true power.

Look. Once training actually starts, I'll take more care of myself, all right? I understand your points. But right now, I can't afford to lose time...

[minipancake]

What happens if you collapse? Don't say you can't.

What happens if you push yourself too hard and can't help the others, Ken?

[vessel_ken_amada]

That's why I said I still sleep from time to time. Don't worry, I know my limits.

[minipancake]

I wish I believed you. But okay.

[He's not getting anywhere. Maybe Raven will listen to him...]

[undyingcrow]

Well, it seems we've ruffled our share of feathers.

Not that I'm one to back down from a challenge.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Wait, you're actually taking me up on my offer? It was more supposed to me a threat than a challenge, you know...

But if you want to be humiliated, be my guest. I'll even let you name the place.

[undyingcrow]

I understand that you're powerful in your own right, but I'm one of the few Akechis present here who actually faced Maruki at full power.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Again, if you're so confident, name the place, and I'll be there.

[The next part of the message is locked to Karasu only.]

Maybe then you'll understand why we're freaking out so much about that other Ken Amada.

locked from this point on

[undyingcrow]

All the more reason to make it official, then.

Let's keep it to Mementos. It's the most familiar to me.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Works for me. I'll be there whenever you want to do this.

[undyingcrow]

I believe I owe my Ren a rematch first, but I can put you on the list.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Sure. Just text me when you're ready.