[OPEN] [NETWORK]

[the_flower_karasu]

 I'll try not to be too verbose, but I cannot guarantee this...

To be blunt; while I find myself curious at the fact that I'm not the only Akechi here, apparently, I still find it hard to trust you all here. Sure, some of you look like people I know, sound like people I know, and most likely even know people I'm familiar with. But that just makes it all the more difficult. You are not the people I know, and I suffer no delusions otherwise. 

But, I'm also persona absens in...my home world, as it were, and have no place that I could theoretically return to, even if I desired as such. So, while my trust in you is lacking, I'm willing to interact. For now...

And I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm Gogo Akechi, 3rd Year, Amateur Detective and former hitwoman for one Masayoshi Shido. I'm not sure if any of the various Jokers and/or Phantom Thieves that end up here don't already know this, but honesty is better in these situations. So, I'm sorry if this is your first time knowing I was the 'One in the Dark Armor'~

One thing I would appreciate it someone explaining exactly what this place is. Igor was frustratingly vague on the matter, and I think it better to hear from someone my age...

Comments

[the_flower_karasu]

[Gogo almost blinked in shock... Just what was the energy this particular Akechi was exuding, even across a screen?]

You can call me...Yubari, I guess? If it pleases you?

My first impression tells me that this place is like some sort of nexus. Is this accurate?

[seekerofjustice]

Yubari-san, then. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

Calling this place a nexus would be an apt description, I believe. Many of us are from different worlds and periods of time, and Igor never seems to cease bringing in more people.

I believe it's best to think of it as a sort of cognitive space, with how our own memories and expectations can shape certain aspects of the cityscapes here.

[the_flower_karasu]

What about the Velvet Room part of this nexus? I don't believe I have ever been near such an area, and I've only ever seen my version of Joker enter such a place through a blue door. It's...not the prison he describes it as...

So, is it like a crystal, building on itself as more people enter, with the Velvet Room as the crystal seed?

[despite her shortness with Dove earlier, she kept asking questions. It was something Gogo liked to do, after all...]

[seekerofjustice]

A 'prison'? I've heard some of the people here speak of it as such, but for it to be considered that by a version of him that has never been here is a new piece of information to me.

The Velvet Room, a prison... It has never seemed to be one during his time here, and yet... could that be what Ren saw it as from the very start...?

But to clarify, I wouldn't say it adds to itself as more people enter. It only gets more additions when Igor deems it fit, at least from what I gather. If you would consider this place a prison, then it would be best to view him as the warden. He's the one that makes certain our surroundings and facilities are running smoothly.

[the_flower_karasu]

A prison warden seems fitting, at least to me. One wonders who gave him all this power and why he's doing such a thing, but it does explain a lot. Thank you.

[Not that she would even consider this, because she had no place to do so, considering she was dead, but...]

Can people who end up here leave?

[seekerofjustice]

You're welcome, Yudari-san. I'm glad to be of help however I can.

I don't believe anyone here knows much of anything about Igor himself, I'm afraid. His assistants might, but I'm afraid I don't see them around very often.

As for people being able to leave, I've seen people return after being gone for a period of time. From what I understand there's no way to leave whenever you desire, but you should eventually return home when Igor determines it's time... whenever that would be.

Dove just... answers. He's just happy to help. Surely there has to be something to him though?

[the_flower_karasu]

He gets to decide? What gives him the right? Did a higher God give him power? It squicks me out, to be perfectly frank...

[Still, it was unlikely to ever be relevant to her.]

I think I've asked all these questions I wanted to ask about this place, for now...

I'd like to know you a little better, Dove. Where did you come from...?

[He was so polite, it almost frightened her.]

[seekerofjustice]

Dove has to take a few seconds wondering what 'squick' means.

Not only that though, but she's curious about him... How to explain? Where to begin?

I should probably preface this by stating that the world I'm from isn't like most of the others'. At least, according to everything I've deduced.

There is no pain, no sorrow, no anger, no fear. Nothing but quiet contentment. There used to be so much more, that much I'm beginning to realize. Unfortunately, my world as it is now has long forgotten how it should be.

[the_flower_karasu]

"You...can't be serious."

[She could feel a vague sense of nausea and disgust well up from within her. She could very well surmise what this version of her was: A version that lost to Maruki, who had their agency stripped and was propped up as a neutered version of themself.]

"You've been deeply wronged. At least, I think so."

[She was not going to pity this version of her, nor was she going to assume that he didn't want or need help. She was going to give him what Maruki didn't. So, even if it made her sick to her core, she would not interfere more unless she was explicitly asked]

[seekerofjustice]

Unfortunately, I'm one hundred percent serious.

'Deeply wronged', she tells him. 'He's a victim', Raven has told him before. It still feels so strange, as though there's a degree of separation from him and what has happened. It's just... what he knows. He knows there more to it than that, and he knows his life is a lie. But yet what is he supposed to say or do when everyone tells him he's a victim?

He never knows. He just feels... hollow, he guesses. Even a bit sad. He wishes it wasn't the case. But also, he's afraid of what the other side of the coin is. What that other life behind the veil is. Has he been wronged? Has he been saved? He always tries to tell himself it's the former, but there's always a tiny part of him trying to whisper the latter.

I believe you're right about that. I'm taking action to correct it, and to return my world to what it once was. Admittedly it's been an uphill battle, but I can't quit now. I need to return everything to the way it once was.