personavelvetroomdr | The Silence After the Storm

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The Silence After the Storm

The Ken Amada who made certain threats, whom Igor didn't bring to the Velvet Room and didn't welcome, has been permanently contained within his other-world self. Many of the Velvet Room residents mobilized in the effort to neutralize the threat he posed, and now, in the moments after the devastating battle that sealed Ken away, perhaps you have business to conclude.

Maybe you're a fighter, left in the rubble the battle made of its surroundings—or maybe you were a noncombatant this time, left behind to wonder what's happening or prepare for the aftermath. Maybe you linger around the battle site, or maybe you have other things to do.

Or maybe you didn't survive. Maybe you're one of the glowing forms slowly coalescing in front of Igor's desk in the Velvet Room over the course of the subsequent half hour. Igor presides over them gravely, with no sign of his usual smile. Near his desk sits a box of snacks, familiar to anyone who's used the operation's training room.

[[ooc: This post is a general catch-all for the aftermath of the battle! It's backdated to February 26, the day Ken got got.]]

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There's a rigidness to the way Goro moves, bitterness etched into his features. His footsteps are heavy, just a step away from stomping, fists locked up tight. "I should have been stronger."

He should have done more.

He needs more Personas. He needs to be more.

It doesn't take a genius to read the helpless frustration, the disappointment in himself that radiates off Goro. Ren acts quickly despite his fatigue, pulling Goro in by the shoulder.

"Hey," he says, smiling slightly, "you were awesome back there. They're lucky to have had you."

And it's true; despite only having Hereward, Goro dished out some serious damage. He couldn't have done it alone, of course- none of them could have. He was so scared when Doomada pulled out that Enduring Soul, so scared of losing him, they sustained such heavy damage-

"We did it," he murmurs, distracting himself. "He's gone."

"Yet I'm not the one who pulled off impressive feats with a diverse array of Personas." He wasn't like Crow or even Raven. That a child could so effortlessly outclass him...

He doesn't break away from Ren's touch, but that edge to his voice remains. "He's gone, but the next time a thread arises, I need to be better."

Oh, Goro...

"Okay, but you were impressive without a diverse array of Personas. You kicked ass, and Hereward was amazing. You were amazing," he says, before his face grows serious. "If you want it, I'll help you. I'll teach you how to recruit Personas, how to make them stronger."

He leans back against Igor's desk, and grins playfully. It's so much harder than it should be, because he's genuinly tired, and his emotions are in disarray, but for Goro- of course.

"Who knows? You may even be able to beat me after that."

Goro could bicker. He could put up walls, shun Ren's "pity"...

But, damn it. It's Ren. He's much too sincere to resort to pity. No doubt he means everything he says.

Some of the tension fizzles out of him, shoulders slumped. "I will defeat you." It's more halfhearted than usual. "...But I suppose some additional guidance wouldn't hurt."

"I'll hold you to that," Ren hums, smile softening, and exhaling.

It's plain to see that they're all tired. He's hesitant about leaving the Velvet Room, because what if someone needs his help still...? So, instead, he moves himself until he's next to Goro, leaning a little into him. It's not much- just a tiny gesture.

He's here if Goro needs anything. He'll always be.

Edited 2025-03-12 17:01 (UTC)

Damn it.

It would appear that it falls upon his shoulders to take initiative, so fine. Have it your way, Ren.

"We're going to my apartment." Ren needs rest too, and the Velvet Room is hardly a comfortable place to rest.

Ren blinks, turning to Goro.

"But..." he turns to the rest, to the still recovering bodies and people. "What if..."

They need him to heal someone?

They need him to help?

They need him tod do something?

There's hesitance on his face, but after a moment too long, he exhales.

"Okay," he murmurs. Goro needs him, too. Everyone... will probably be fine if he goes with him, right? Right? Right.

He still looks hesitant as he slides his hand into Goro's, glancing around at everyone still waiting for the last few dead to revive.

"There are others. You've done enough." So Goro accepts Ren's hand, tugging him toward the Tokyo door. Once they step through, they arrive outside the apartment complex.

It won't be long now.

But what if there's more I could do? goes unsaid. A large part of him does still want to protest, to stay, but... Goro needs him too, he tells himself. He's been burning the candle at both ends for too long, today. He could keep going if needs be (of course), but maybe... just focusing on his Goro is fine too.

He lets Goro tug him into the Tokyo door, and into the apartment complex. He doesn't even realize how out of it he is until suddenly, they're in Goro's condo... oh.

"You should rest, Ren." He brings Ren over to the couch, offering him the remote if he needs it. "I'll put a kettle on for some tea."

He may not be a great cook, but tea is easy enough. Some chamomile may help relax them both.

"Ah, but I can-"

But Goro's already gone, in his kitchen, and Ren slumps into the couch. He shouldn't... he should be the one taking care of Goro. He was the one on the frontlines, not Ren...

... well, maybe he can relax, just for a moment, and take over for Goro afterwards.

It doesn't take long to put the kettle on to boil, and then Goro returns, looking Ren over.

"You've doted on others for as long as I've known you. When was the last time someone returned the favor?"

Ren blinks. Then again. It's... something he doesn't really accept from others easily. He doesn't need it, really- he's much happier doting on others than the other way around. He knows Goro won't be satisfied with that answer, though, so he shrugs.

"Uh, I'm not sure. People do me favors all the time," he says, scratching the back of his head. He also knows that's not what Goro asked, but it's the best answer he can give without making it into a whole... thing.

"Anyway- you were the one on the frontlines, why don't you sit down for a moment? Let me grab some mugs for us."

He doesn't give Goro a chance to protest, getting up and swiftly passing him by to grab mugs, and checking on the kettle. It's fine- he's tired, but he can dote on his rival.

"Favors aren't the same thing, and you know it." So, no, he's not sitting down. he's following Ren into the kitchen and fetching the tea bags from a cupboard. "You won't win so easily."

"Win? Goro, this isn't about-" Ren says, but cuts himself off with a sigh. "You must be tired, too. I shouldn't let you do all the work."

The kettle turns off, signaling the water has boiled, and Ren puts the mugs down, turning to Goro with a smile, hiding his tiredness.

"Just leave this to me, okay?"

Goro does not, however, relinquish the tea bags. In fact, he rushes over, placing them in the mugs. "I am not going to yield. You should relax."

Edited 2025-03-18 21:10 (UTC)

It's not supposed to be a competition, but Ren knows a losing battle when he sees one. He heaves a sigh, but doesn't protest.

"Okay. Uh... I'll be around if you need me?"

Goro just needs to put the water in the mugs, and let the tea seep. Ren... guesses he can leave this to him. He'd like to just take care of Goro, but... alright. Okay. He can let Goro take care of this.

Still, he doesn't go back to the couch, simply leaning against a kitchen chair, and waiting for his tea. He can't wait to just... rest, together with Goro.

"So you finally surrender." Pleased with himself, Goro grabs the kettle and pours it into the mugs, watching the steam rise. "Hmm... I suppose you'll have to borrow some of my clothes tonight, but that shouldn't be an issue."

They are roughly the same height, after all, and he hardly wants to rush back to Leblanc just to grab Ren's pajamas.

Ren rolls his eyes.

"Indeed. I surrender," he deadpans, and bows, "I am in your capable hands, o prince of doting."

He's never too tired to tease Goro, though. He pulls himself upright again, perking up a little when Goro mentions borrowing his clothes. It's such a simple thing, but... for some reason, it makes Ren happy. He gives Goro a dopey grin, before his eyes flick to the tea.

"Sure," he says, "I guess we could use a shower too, huh."

Man, he doesn't feel like taking a shower though. He'd almost rather just pass out on the couch in a minute, but then again, if Goro's gonna lend him pajamas, he... shouldn't get into them like this, sweat from both fear and exertion still clinging to him. He'll be all crusty in the morning, too.

While steam keeps rising from the mugs, Akechi brings one over to Ren. Briefly, he glances in the direction of the bathroom. "As the guest, you're welcome to shower first. I can gather a change of clothes once we're finished with our tea."

There. More doting. Ren will have to live with it.

Usually, Ren would protest- it's Goro's home, after all, and he can wait a little longer, but... he's tired. He really, really is tired. And Goro's so insistent, and Ren knows exactly how stubborn he can be, and usually he'd delight in out-stubborning him, but...

He takes a sip of the mug. He should let the bag seep longer, probably but it's more about getting something warm in him, rather than pure flavor.

"I'll leave some warm water for you," he hums, "promise."

"Good. I'd have to take drastic measures if you left me with cold water."

How serious of a threat is this? It's hard to tell with the playful edge to his words.

"Nooo," Ren fake-whines, "don't kill me I'm too sexy."

Though he's quick to huff out a laugh, unable to keep up the facade.

"How humble." With his mug in hand, he waves Ren back over to the couch. "And just think, you'll get to sleep in a proper bed for once."

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