personavelvetroomdr | Entries tagged with joker/ren/akira

All seems well in the Velvet Room. It's a moment of calm, uninterrupted by someone having a breakdown or evil children blowing people up. For once, there is nothing going on, and it appears to be normal day of spring...

... Or is it?

A: An April fool!

Wild somehow looks both way too suspicious and like just your regular, everyday Ren, carrying around a closed bag. His eyes have a mischievous glint, but then, don't they always? He stops to chat with people here and there as he mills about the Velvet Room and the connected towns and cities. Nothing seems off about the way he talks or moves... but if you've talked to him today, you may find yourself with a paper saying "fool" taped to your back. How the hell did he pull that off? Or perhaps, you caught him in the act.

Will you confront him?

B: Network

Uh, everyone? You may want to have a look at this. I don't think it's anything to worry about for now, but I'm not sure what to think, so I figured it'd be better to share it and ask for opinions. I never thought I'd see something like it in this place...

[OOC: Second Prank spoilers just in case: The link goes to a rick roll lmao.]

wicked_plan

Ren finds that he's slowly getting settled in his new situation.

He's developed somewhat of a routine; some days, Frog or Trickster (there's a girl version of him!) mans the counter at Leblanc, other days, he does. When he doesn't, he'll go find something to do or someone to hang out with; Akechi has been his main choice, of course, but he's found many of the residents here, versions of himself included, fun enough to talk to. If all else fails, there's always the Metaverse, and he can blow off some steam fighting Shadows.

(With their fight against Joker and Crow coming up, Ren has to keep himself sharp, after all.)

His barely established routine seems to be falling apart already, though. Usually, today'd be a day that Frog mans the counter, but, as he has been since yesterday, he's nowhere to be found.

Who he does find when he comes downstairs, however, is the Morgana that resides here, sitting on the counter (God, Boss would hate that, but he isn't here, so). Ren likes Morgana; even if he's not his own Morgana, the differences are minute enough that it almost feels like talking to his own. It doesn't quite soothe the ache of absence, but it's nice to have him around, and he can tell Morgana feels similarly.

Today, however, something's off. Even in his cat form, Ren can instantly tell the worried edge in his body language and face. Ren had a feeling, but it really looks like there's trouble brewing of sorts.

"Morgana?" Ren says, sitting down on one of the stools near the not-cat. "Frog's not here today either, huh..."

captainkurusu

I. In the Velvet Room

The sight of an Akira in a long black coat and a high-necked gray vest is no rarity around these parts, but the one currently studying the conspiracy board is different. He has gold earrings, for one thing, and his clothes have a different style: hand-sewn wool and linen, not the slick, modern leather of Metaverse garb. His casual, hands-in-pockets slouch as he studies the conspiracy board, however, should look familiar to almost anyone.

Well. Anyone who knows an Akiren, anyway.

At the sound of anyone approaching him, Captain Akira turns sharply, his right hand flying to the hilt of the cutlass hanging from his belt. Depending on who he sees, he’ll say one of the following things:

If the character approaching him is an Akiren, his eyes widen briefly in surprise. Then he puts his hands on his hips, studying his double with interest. “You look oddly familiar, somehow,” he quips. “I’m afraid I can’t place you, though.”

If the character approaching him is an Akechi, the choked syllable “Go–” escapes him before he can stop it. Then he cuts himself off, smiling in apology. “Excuse me. I mistook you for someone else.”

If the character approaching him is anyone else, he nods a polite greeting and points at the conspiracy board. “Did you write this?” he asks cheerfully. “ ‘For mine own part, it is Greek to me.’ ”

Whether the character he addresses recognizes the quote or not, Akira’s puzzled expression translates its meaning clearly: Hey. What the hell is this?

II. In Tokyo

Tokyo is the last place Akira ought to set foot in--so of course, it’s the first place he does. To his disappointment, the city beyond the door is all but unrecognizable, full of bright lights and strange buildings and marvels Akira can’t begin to puzzle out. Even so, a vague familiarity remains, an instinct leading him deeper and deeper into the urban sprawl.

Any character passing through Shibuya can find Akira just off of Center Street, standing outside the door to Untouchable with a bemused expression on his face. He runs a hand through his messy hair and sighs, turning to smile at whoever is watching him.

“This place has changed a great deal since I saw it last,” he jokes. “Then again, I was a bit preoccupied the last time I was here.”

seekerofjustice

Across Tokyo, a certain duo can be found doing various different things...

Dove walks alongside Jinx (His world's Ren) with a smile, turning to him with a somewhat curious look on his face. Jinx eyes him slightly from the side, not turning his head yet.

After all, it all feels so... so wrong, Dove smiling at him like that and it being entirely sincere. He had grown accustomed to and respected the Akechi he came to know before the world had changed. Even after everything that happened, he still can't believe he's gone...

...No. He can't think like that. He promised he would try to help him regain his memory. He has to try, even if he has his doubts. He wants to see the old Akechi again, and... he wants to know if he's right. If their world really can be fixed.

Soon enough, Dove speaks up, snapping Jinx out of his thoughts.

"Well, where do you have in mind for our first destination?"

Oh. Right. Where to go first. Let's see...

--

Option 1: Jinx takes Dove to the first place that comes to mind... that being Penguin Sniper over in Kichijoji. It's a simple choice of location, being they bonded a fair amount over playing pool there. Dove finds himself approaching the pool table, gently placing a hand on it as he turns to face Jinx.

"...I vaguely remember this. I switched hands after I got a break ace."

Jinx blinks at that, rubbing the back of his head a bit. So... he really does remember some things? That's... good. He thinks? Or maybe it's bad, he's not even sure anymore...

"Yeah. I noticed because we shook hands before. At the TV station."

Dove pauses, raising a finger to his chin in thought.

"...The TV Station... It was where we first met, I believe... I don't remember you there, but..."

For now the two are just standing there, taking up space. Not playing a game or anything. The air is awkward and tense.

Option 2: The aquarium is the next place to visit, as Jinx decides that visiting Jazz Jin will be later in the evening. Dove finds himself looking up at the variety of sea life with a quiet respect as Jinx begins speaking again.

"You remember anything?"

Dove shakes his head, turning to look back at Jinx.

"No, I can't say I recall anything... What happened here?"

Jinx can't help but be a little disappointed, but... well, he can't expect Dove to remember everything. If he did, then they wouldn't be here at all, most likely.

"You invited me here. Said you got tickets from a co-worker. We... ran into a friend of mine."

Dove pauses, trying to think back on it. He's trying to dig deep into his memories, through the headache that's arising.

"...I..."

The air between them is incredibly awkward as Jinx averts his eyes as Akechi tries to think.

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.

willowandoak

( You're about to view content that the poster has marked as potentially inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

fogbornphantom

[It's morning in the Dojima house, and it's clear something is amiss. That morning, Crow descends the stairs not only with Ren, but his Shadow as well.

Ren himself looks as though he's hardly gotten any sleep. The two Akechis guide him over to the couch. Crow's Shadow stays beside Ren, while Crow makes his way to the kitchen.

Those who live there or those inclined to visit may be in for a surprise. Usually Ren is in brighter spirits than this.]

willowandoak

((cw: hallucinations, panic, the general poor mental state of someone with a Palace))

( you made me climb then you shut the gate )

fogboundcrow

This is it! Raven's chance to help the younger Ren experience his powers as a Persona user. They can fight together. Explore together. It's going to be great.

But the Metaverse is too unpredictable, and the Dark Hour fairly dangerous. So, naturally, the TV world is the best bet.

Thus, Raven leads his young compatriot to the Junes Electronics Department. How convenient that there's a little rack of glasses near the flatscreen TVs with a cute Teddie cutout nearby.

Raven glances at the selection. "You'll want to take one of these before we step inside. It'll help you see through the fog."

thedevilinyourdetails

The bar Crossroads, tucked away between Shinjuku's neon lights and bustling streets, is now open for business under its new owner: Akira Kurusu, more commonly known as Ace or Spades. Perhaps you've been invited, and already know where your destination lies; perhaps you've stumbled across it, brought here by nothing more than your own two feet and what you would term "happenstance". In either case, the door of Crossroads is now before you, menus promising cocktails, mocktails, and a somewhat-subdued escape from the outside world.

> Visit Crossroads?

Current Location: Crossroads, Shinjuku

youngestdawn

Title Also what regrets do you have I ate too much dinner Also also would you still like me if I was an egg

Current Mood: curious

tricksterfiend

It has been such a long time since Ren has seen this particular shade of blue.

He could never forget what it looked like, not even after years of being denied access to it. Though the Minister of the Cathedral of Shadows wears a similar shade, and he has often wondered whether Mido is related to the Velvet Room at all, the Cathedral, and its perpetual shroud of darkness, was never quite the same. He thought he'd never see it again, after everything.

No such thing as never in eternity, apparently. Though, upon further inspection, this Velvet Room is a little different from the one he's used to. Not a prison, for one.

"Awww shit brother, the hell was that?" Hell Biker appears from thin air with the sound of a revving motorcycle, "we were there one moment- then boom! I'm back in the void! Good thing I don't need no pretty boys to summon me, ey?"

Hell Biker cackles, but he does make Ren realize one thing: where is Naoki? Naoki makes use of the Cathedral of Shadows too, and it is similar enough to the Velvet Room...

A mystery to solve later. He likes to have Naoki nearby, but he's fine on his own, too. It's an annoyance at best.

In the middle of the room sits a familiar face, who belts out a familiar greeting. Ren hasn't heard it in so long. It's somewhat nostalgic, and when Igor's explanation is done, Hell Biker hums next to him, eyeing Igor.

"Well, you heard Bug-eyes McNose over there! I'm off to explore," he says, revving his engine like a maniac. "See ya!"

And, with that, Hell Biker blasts through the second door in the room, letting out a loud 'yee-haw' before he's gone, and the door repairs itself from the damage Hell Biker caused. Ren shakes his head, used to the Fiend's shenanigans, before pondering over what to do. He considers asking Igor for more information -his explanation was vague as hell- but decides that Igor has always been cryptic, and unlikely to divulge any more.

He notices the board off to the side, and figures that's as good a place to start as any. It is- informative, that's for sure, finding himself surprised by some of the information on it... but also, not really. What else did he expect? Weird, magical bullshit is just an everyday occurance, and he sighs.

Now what?

He lingers around the Velvet Room a bit longer, continuing to read the conspiracy board. Perhaps he missed something.
Tokyo feels familiar as he steps through its door, inhaling the city air that he grew to love so much. It's... almost a little overwhelming, to be here again. In a place where he had both the best year of his life... and experienced the very horrors that shattered his humanity. He tilts his head, upwards, flicks out his tongue, and closes his eyes, sensing out if the layout is the same as he remembers it... and if anyone's nearby.
Inaba was once his hometown. The fresh smell of the country is a breath of fresh air, one that Ren can't say he hasn't missed. With his new demonic senses, it is double as intense, but it's not unpleasant. Following his old (almost forgotten) memories, he wanders towards the hill overlooking the town... and it really is nearly the same as the place he remembers growing up in. It's bittersweet; an echo of a simpler, more naive time. He doesn't know if he misses it or not. Probably not.

phantomlotus

Shibuya of the Tokyo area looks as it usually does, with cognitions of all kinds walking all around, in the shops, and who knows where else.

However, there's someone that may stand out among them... That being one Ren Amamiya-- current codename Trickster. She's carrying a duffel bag filled to the brim with... books?

She actually has a small smile on her face as she walks through the city. Let's see, where next...? There's no way she's just settling with the bookstore. No, she needs to see what else will just show up here.

So she stops, and looks around, considering her options.

Option 1: You find her at the DVD rental place, digging through every single DVD there with a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Wasn't expecting this... Huh." she mumbles to herself as she stashes some of the random DVDs into her already crammed bag. What the heck is she up to?

Option 2: She's staring up at the movie theater, seeming a bit lost in thought. She's debating going on in and watching a movie, but really, it's boring going in and watching a movie alone. She looks almost a bit distracted, thinking back on something...

citylightswondergirl

Ann Takamaki is no stranger to waking up in strange places. She can't remember the last time she had a proper home after all. The empty apartment of the Tokyo Nightscape she had commendeered wasn't all that 'homey' no matter what she had done. The life sapped out of it like everything else there.

This was different though. A shade of color she hadn't quite seen before. Striking blue against her red catsuit. "The velvet room?" She echos the words said to her by the strange man. He doesnt' feel like a shadow. He feels almost familiar. The name scratches at the back of her mind, something Akira might have mentioned to her when she asked about his Persona once upon a time. Was this something to do with that? He mentions bonds and she perks up in longing to see her friends again. That's really what seals the deal.

She moves before her thoughts begin to process it all. Always having been a take action first figure it out later kind of girl. A thrum of excitement to see something new, or perhaps old, again. Anything but the inescapable night. She takes a running leap past a board that mentions something about multiple instinaces of....Goro Akechi?? She doesn't have time to think about what the celebrity has to do with this before she finds herself landing in..

1. Tokyo in all it's brilliant sunlight. Ann almost goes blind from the brightness of it, covering her eyes and her fingers find her Panther mask missing. She feels suddenly exposed and vunerable without it, too easily seen, like shes in a spotlight. She crouches down into herself to take a deep breath.

2. Iwatodai. At least that's what the signs says at the train station shes standing at. She tries to recall where she's heard the name before. Somewhere in Japan but she's never visited it personally. She stands under the shade of the station overhang, eyeing the world around her. There's a real setting sun in the sky she almost hurts her eyes looking at it and a moon rising at the other horizon.

3. The Samegawa riverbank. She picks herself up from the dirt and grass. White tights of her school uniform ripped from the fall. She misses her catsuit already, it was made of a lot tougher stuff. It's early evening and warm. Cicadas are singing and the tallest buidling around in a fishing shack down by the river. She's....never been to the countryside before. It's emptier than she had imagined it might be.

gorobo

[OOC: Locked to the users tagged in the post!]
Raven's message had been... curious, to say the least.

Falcon's still not sure what to make of it; he clearly hurt Raven quite a lot, and nearly killed him- a child- over bad-mouthing Shido. Not that he could help it, but still...

Perhaps he wants to pledge his eternal loyalty to Shido-san this time! We did show what a great man Shido-san was, after all!

... Right. Not likely.

Really now, he'd rather get this over with as quickle as possible. He doesn't even know why this couldn't have been done over text, but he's already agreed to meet up in Shibuya. Not that he could really refuse; no schedule means no excuse means no reason to politely decline. Any info he gains could be useful for Shido-san!

The trains here are strange, and before he knows it, he's arrived in Shibuya station, stepping out alongside a sea of cognitions, carefully avoiding bumping into one; a habit he's gotten quite good at, since he is a little... more sturdy than the average human. He allows himself to follow them as they go out to the streets, before he finds a quieter corner to himself. His scanners don't pick up sight of Raven quite yet- maybe the boy has yet to arrive.

With his ever-polite smile painted on his face, he leans against the outer wall of the station entrance. Raven probably won't be long- or maybe he set up Falcon, and is making him wait for nothing. Not undeserved, really- but that's a rather mean-spirited reading of the situation. He knows himself, he's not the type to do that, even if Raven is... a child. He doesn't think he'd do that, didn't seem the type either.

For now, all he can do is wait, so he does. He has nothing to lose from doing so, after all.

willowandoak

content warnings: drug misuse, self-harm (both very mild/mentioned). (Also, Ren is going to develop a Palace in the no-longer-so-distant future so this is generally not a lighthearted post.)

So maybe Ren's had a few things going on lately. What about it? It's none of your business, and it's not a big deal. He's fine, actually. Back off.

( that last good man grace who has left me at last )

fogoflies

Have you ever wondered what's up with that gas station attendant who sometimes shows up in Inaba's shopping district on rainy days? He's as cheery and smiley as most cognitions. You might even be forgiven for mistaking him as one of them. After all, he only really shows up around the gas station.

But you see, "Izaya Sagiri" has gotten kind of bored of just doing his usual schtick. So, remarkably, he's decided to move.

First, he can be found in the Velvet Room, where he's engaging in a staring contest with Igor. Just standing there, a gas station attendant, smirking as he tries to out-stare Igor and Igor has no choice but to watch him. He howls with laughter. "Man! No wonder your eyes are so bloodshot. Do you ever blink?"

But that's not all. Just for a little added fun, he's elected to visit Iwatodai during the Dark Hour, where he can be found splashing in puddles of blood and chatting it up with the coffins. Yes, really. He's so happy and content despite the eerie green moon above.

Oh, and as for Tokyo... he's going on and off the subways. Multiple times, in fact, as he tries to see if anyone 'real' notices him.

What a weird guy.

phantomlotus

Well. This wasn't what Ren was expecting, leading up to Valentine's Day. A visit to the Velvet Room was certainly unexpected, and even more unexpected is the fact that it's not a prison. In fact, for half a second she wonders if it's because she no longer views herself as a prisoner.

...Or does she? It's hard to say.

All the same she hears what Igor has to say, and as per usual it leaves her with more questions than answers. She knows better than to press though, and figures she'll learn more if she just checks it all out herself.

But that just begs the question... Where to go from here? Multiple doors, the board...

No one can say she never had a sense of curiosity and adventure as she takes her first steps into this peculiar version of the Velvet Room...

--

Option 1: Ren does, in fact, walk towards the board and begins to read it. Her eyes can't be seen through the gleam on her glasses, but you can still practically see the question marks appearing over her head at all of the information on the board.

Option 2: Ren immediately heads straight for one of the doors, and is about to step in without a second thought. This place is meant to be explored, and she was never one without a sense of curiosity and adventure. Which door is it? Thankfully it's not the one with the demons within it.

Option 3: Ren goes through the Tokyo door, and finds herself in the middle of Shibuya, surrounded by the eerily smiling cognitions. She seems tense as she walks along, apparently not prepared for it.

seekerofjustice

Akechi quietly blinks, taken somewhat off guard by his arrival in what seems to be the Velvet Room. It's quite different from the one he's used to, that's for sure. Where are the tall, grandiose curtains leading to the rows of seats belonging to a nonexistent audience? The ones that practically tell him to step onto center stage to await the spotlights, as though he has transcended beyond the role of understudy, only to become the star performer of the mystery placed before him?

After the initial shock, he finds himself touching around the sides of his head around eye level... There's nothing there. Fair enough, he would have remembered if there was.

It occurs to him instantly that this is a physical Velvet Room. It's nothing like the VR headset he's been restricted to when it comes to visiting the one he's used to. This is a real, physical place... Igor is here before him not as a digital being stuck without his full power, but as an existence on the same plane as him. There's also no Lavenza in sight, which surprises Akechi. After all, she was the one that helped him become aware of the altered state of the world.

It's all so curious. Truly curious.

Not to mention the multiple doors, and what seems to be a board covered in various notes. Honestly, it seems like something from a conspiracy theorist, at least from this distance.

He considers approaching the board first, but for the moment he seems to be taking in his situation in considerable thought.

--

Option 1: His eyes linger on the conspiracy board, and he begins stepping towards it. Whatever is on it, it must be important...

Option 2: He steps towards the doors, and stops. He's hit the crossroads, and he has to sort through just where to begin...

Option 3: He remains firmly in place, a vague look of confusion on his face as he takes in his surroundings with a sharp eye. Better to gauge than to act carelessly, after all...

flightpen

Ren hasn't seen the Velvet Room in a while.

There was at time when he was in here every week, fusing Personas to Caroline's acerbic commentary or listening to Yaldabaoth mutter ominous words of praise. It was different in January, like a lot of things, but the point is that it's gone now. He's not even sure Lavenza and Igor survived what happened.

And yet here he is, in what's recognizably the Velvet Room. But it's changed. It's not a prison anymore, even though this would be the best time for it; Ren's heart is in chains. What was it Akechi said to him? Your heart is free. Maybe back then.

Never mind that. Igor, if it is Igor, is unforthcoming. Make bonds—as if Ren can make bonds when people can't even have a meaningful conversation. He'll be returned to the moment he left—as if he wants to go there. His friends are happy, Akechi is alive, and Ren, like Maruki himself, stands outside the world. When he tries to press, Igor gets cryptic and nonsensical, and that's so fucking familiar lately that Ren doesn't bother to keep trying.

You might find him in the following situations:

( let me rob them of you now )

[[ooc: This is the Ren from

pheasantboy's universe.]]