personavelvetroomdr | Stealth Mission (Locked to minipancake)

It was embarrassing, the way that multiple children embarrassed Karasu when he declared his challenge. In hindsight, he should have expected it. It was a public challenge, where everyone could see it. He did so specifically to make his intentions clear and to make an impact.

Which he did, obviously. Just not the impact he desired.

Goro Akechi has endured more defeats than he'd care to admit, and some damning ones, at that. Pancakes, spicy takoyaki... yet somehow, being verbally pummeled by a thirteen year old ranks above all the rest.

But it is what it is, and he can do little but move forward, anticipating his next move. His first stop? Daidara Metalworks, naturally. Untouchable's wares are useful enough in the Metaverse, but why pass up the opportunity to test a real saber? As he steps inside, he examines the various swords and katana with one hand beneath his chin.

He hears the door subtly shut behind him, but initially pays it no mind. Still, he'd be a fool to completely lower his guard, so he's listening all the same.

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"I suppose I could." This seems like a good time for a bite, just to look like he isn't uneasy about the prospect. "Admittedly, I've kept my distance after our initial encounter."

"You didn't like him?" Going by what he heard, they hadn't got on well at all.

...Is that what he got out of it?

Karasu heaves a heavy sigh. "I wasn't ready to unpack everything he represents."

Ah. He digs into his beef bowl, which is now almost cold. It seems like Karasu has adjusted to unpacking quite a bit, in the intervening months.

"So," he tries, hesitantly, "... you feel about us like I feel about the little kids? Aki-chan, and Hawk?"

"Well, that depends on how you feel." He's not a telepath. He can't say with certainty. "But Raven and Crow... they're the lucky ones. The what-ifs made manifest."

Hm. No, that's not quite how he feels. Not that Hawk, at any rate, is lucky.

He frowns, thinking. "I'm lucky," he says. "Kirijo-san needed what I know. But I was meant to be like Magpie. I was meant to be like you."

Another soft grunt of laughter slips out of him. "How funny. Kirijo-san recently became my benefactor as well."

He sits bolt upright, staring; he didn't expect that at all.

"Do you trust her?" In other words, should he, Wagtail, trust her.

"I don't trust easy. Evidently, however, she's the sort who'd rather you form your own opinions than simply take her at face value." So, there's that. He'll let Wagtail decide for himself.

"So you do trust her." The look he's giving Karasu becomes more shrewd; becomes older somehow. "If you didn't, you would have told me."

"Now, I didn't say that." Still, there's an unspoken lack of distrust. "I'm... decidedly undecided. Given the choice, working under her 'Shadow Operatives' seemed the more pragmatic approach. I can avoid prison, live a relatively normal life, and keep an eye out for these strange, new Persona users and assess their threat level."

Of course, as confidently as he says that, there's the slightest, most subtle hint that it's not so clear-cut. Perhaps even a part of him wants it to be legitimate.

"Did you get caught, then?" If he was supposed to go to prison, that is. Wagtail's not sure how he feels about that.

"I turned myself in, even if my claims weren't taken especially seriously." Everything about the Metaverse was a difficult sell, after all, not to mention that Shido had taken full credit.

Briefly, he looks to the cognition and asks for two to-go bowls. It seems appropriate.

... yeah, they have been kind of neglecting the food, huh? He looks sideways, a little bashfully. "Thanks."

(He did what?)

"It seemed rather a shame to let it go to waste, even if you already have several other bowls to share with your housemates."

The cognition leaves for a moment to fetch the bowls. It won't be long, though.

"I wasn't going to let it go to waste." An injured note creeps in; imagine wasting food. Especially something as good as Aiya's.

He looks at Karasu for another, longer moment. "Could they even have arrested you? I mean, didn't you do everything with your Personas?"

"Correct. And now the Metaverse no longer exists in an accessible form. However, I do know the ins and outs of Shido's conspiracy. I know the names and faces of those still loyal to it."

He snorts. "I'm still a potential hazard. Kirijo-san saw an opportunity to put that knowledge to productive use, using her resources and to offer me a chance at atonement."

That's a tricky one. Did Karasu really turn himself in because it was the right thing to do? No, whispers a little voice inside him, a voice that sets something inside him at ease; he did it to get our father.

"You mean she wanted to know what you know." Very blunt, this, for a kid who lives under her wing. "Or—to be able to use what you can do."

"That was my initial suspicion, and I haven't entirely disputed it. Shido also used flattery and... opportunities to keep me in his good graces."

But... he heaves a heavy sigh.

"Yet so many of her Shadow Operatives cherish her as a friend. She's so outspoken about atoning for her family's sins."

Shido never experienced guilt until it was thrust upon him.

"She said." This last is less certain. He becomes hesitant.

"Ken said she could be trusted. My Ken, I mean. He lives at the Iwatodai dorm with me. And Haru-san likes her. I mean, she really likes her. And as for Crow..."

Crow had insisted Mitsuru-san would help him. And, to all appearances, she has. Dr Sonomura had begun to pick apart the wall of mistrust that surrounds him, in their short time together. But, perhaps led a little by Magpie, Wagtail thinks Crow is just a little naïve.

"Do you not trust Crow's judgment?" It's not an especially pointed question. It's just interesting to pick up on that hesitance.

"Of course I do." Perfectly even, without hesitation, looking Karasu right in the eye; a flawless lie. He trusts Crow as much as he trusts any adult, which is not entirely.

Flawless, certainly, but Karasu is Goro Akechi. If anyone could tell... "It's all right if you don't. I won't tell him."

He holds Karasu's eye for a long moment, defiant, then deflates, looking down. "I trust him to do what he thinks is the right thing. He's come through for me and the others, over and over."

But. But, but, but.

"Even so, you're allowed to have doubts. You're allowed to remain skeptical, when this turn in your life is still so recent." And maybe he hasn't heard that yet. Maybe he needs to hear it.

Karasu's voice is soft, subdued. No edge, no judgment.

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