15strangers | (no subject)

Entry tags:

*round 2,
*week 2

(no subject)

WEEK 2

[The unfortunate death, and subsequent execution, has no doubt weighed on everyone's minds since. The dam has burst, and now, the idea that someone may kill another in this place is not just a possibility anymore. It is reality, and a very terrifying reality at that.

Yet, there is a strange side effect to the murder's aftermath. When the Titled go to sleep on Saturday evening, they will dream, even if they don't normally do so. When they wake up, their dream stays with them, and a thought comes to everyone. A realization.

Their dream had been a memory they lost. Now, they have it back, as if they had never lost it.

Nor is that the only change. They also feel just a little more confident in their power. Confident enough that they find that their ability has evolved to become stronger. Whether that's a good or a bad thing, well...

Soon enough, too, the Titled's phones start pinging, and when they open up their LIME app, they receive a simple message:]

Your Mall Map has been updated!

[And indeed, those who go to check the Food Court will find an elevator on the eastern end which leads to a brand new wing that had previously been obscured by the barrier.

Dio and Wake's information is also slightly different from before on the LIME app, but...maybe it's best not to think about it. Last week had been...disheartening.

Hopefully, this week will be better, right? Surely, this week, temptation won't win out again....right?

Well.

There's only one way to find out.

Welcome to Week 2, Titled.

There are thirteen strangers in this place.

This week's crab is Dungeness.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[His smile vanishes at the distance Akira keeps between them. He'd been planning to greet his boyfriend affectionately, but...this tension reminds him far too much of their discussion the evening after the trial.]

My first trip into the Metaverse as a member of the Phantom Thieves.

[A pause, a nervous tug at one of his gloves.]

But I think maybe I should be asking what you remembered, instead.

[ There's actually a soft, visible flinch at seeing that reaction. He... hadn't meant to worry him or anything. It wasn't anything he'd been thinking about at the time... but...

He does blink at what Goro's memory is, only for his expression to dim at the latter part. ]

... Ah...

[ ... He leans forward, his forehead resting against Goro's upper arm, hands curling around the lower part of the arm. ]

I remembered someone's death...

[ It's said with a quiet voice, his arms actually sliding around Goro's as he release a quiet breath.

His hands curl to firmly grip the fabric. ]

Haru's dad.

[Oh. No wonder. His hand reflexively goes to grab his stomach, and if Akira looks up he'll notice that Goro is visibly ill. But...Akira is more important. He moves his hand from his stomach to Akira's shoulder, moving so that he can rest his own forehead on top of his boyfriend's head.]

...I'm sorry. Shido insisted on using you as scapegoats for killing President Okumura to prevent him from entering politics.

I...do hope that you didn't actually believe it had been your fault.

[ Unfortunately, he's going to miss that look. Not that he needs to see it, because he does remember the way Goro had been, just telling him about everything during their last serious talk... ]

I thought I'd screwed up somewhere, and that I'd led the team into killing Haru's father. He was scum, yeah, but...

[ No... stop. There's no point piling on the guilt, right now -- Goro's already beating himself up. After a quiet, albeit heavy, exhale, he shakes his head. ]

... I never forgot that it happened. [ It... was just... ] It's more that I never actively dwelled on the aftermath.

[ But, he doesn't want to talk about this anymore. It won't help anything. He can't get started on Operation: Figure Out Better Ways to Deal With Shido without the full team, and a lowered morale will affect their chances of getting out of there.

Some guilt continues tugging at him. After the pause, he shifts so he's at an angle to wrap his arms around the opposite form. ]

... Is it too late to ask for details on your memory?

[The best scapegoat is one who thinks they actually did do it...he knows that's why Shido arranged it that way, and it makes him sick. Not that there's anything about his father that doesn't make his stomach turn.

He pulls Akira into a tight hug when he feels the arms around him, even managing a faint smile. His memory...at least it's a good one.]

It actually had nothing to do with my father. I joined for Sae-san's sake. I've...suspected for a while now that she had a Palace, the stress of the expectations put on her have been causing her to change from who she was when we met.

I still don't remember the moment I joined your group, but I probably suggested her as a target to save her from her own distorted vision of justice. Her Palace is located at the courthouse, which doesn't come as a surprise. It did take us a little while to figure out what it is, but not long enough that we didn't have time to scout once we found it. Unsurprisingly, Robin Hood is the Persona I demonstrated, since at the time I didn't want to show you my full power.

[Now that he's getting into talking about actually being in the Palace as part of the team, his tone is getting more animated, almost excited.]

We're calling me Crow, by the way. The outfit I wear as one of the Phantom Thieves is mostly white, so I thought it would be a good idea to use a codename you wouldn't think of just from looking at me.

[ He relaxes a bit as he feels those arms tightly pulling him closer. For just a brief moment, discreetly, his forehead nuzzles against Goro's neck. There's really... no chance in hell he's giving up on believing he can help guide the older teen onto a better path...

He will find a way to stop Shido...

As he listens to those words, a small smile eventually surfaces. Just a couple of sentences in, he's pulling back, head tilting just a bit as that smile turns fond -- then he hears that codename...

The fond look doesn't fade, and he even gives a soft chuckle. ]

I'm glad you joined us... [ small nod ] And I can't say I'm surprised it was for her.

[ A gentle smirk is given. ]

I'm curious to know what your attire looks like... [ Gaze shifting to the side, he gives a quiet sound of contemplation... ] Maybe they'll give someone yours, too.

[ That sure is an implication that someone received his Metaverse attire. ]

What were the codenames for everyone else?

You've forgotten that, too?

[A brief frown, as he shakes his head. His smile comes back quickly enough, at least.]

You're Joker, Sakamato-san is Skull, Kitagawa-san is Fox, Takamaki-san is Panther, Nijima-san is Queen, Morgana is Mona... [His smile falters as he gets to the last two names.] Okumura-san is Noir, and Futaba-chan is Oracle.

[ Ah... Joker?

Guess that makes sense with the whole "Wildcard" aspect thrown in. He's quickly trying to memorize each codename, though his attention is grabbed by that faltering.

With his expression softened, he rests a hand on Goro's with a thoughtful expression. ]

Can't say I'm surprised at all by those...

[ A quiet, breathed out chuckle before his expression softens a bit more. He leans to brush a kiss over Goro's cheek. ]

Thank you.

[He wraps his hand around Akira's, tilting his head into that cheek kiss.]

You're welcome.

[...]

So, did you mean to imply that you've gotten a real world version of your Phantom Thief clothes here?

[ Ah... ]

Yeah. I...

[ There's a dimming of his expression, and then he's glancing away. ]

Archus-san actually ended up getting it.

[ A soft sigh that eases into a soft chuckle, though there's no humor to it. ]

I feel kind of... dumb, letting it just sit there.

Ah...I can see why that might make it uncomfortable to think about.

It's a shame, though. It looks very good on you.

[ He glances at his boyfriend with a soft blink. There's a pause, and then a small smile tugs at one corner of his lips. ]

Does it?

[ Well, there is one method he could use to get over the feelings. He releases a soft hum... ]

I wonder how it'd look on you...

[See this face, Akira? This face looks like Christmas came early.]

I have envied it since the moment I saw you as Joker. Not that I dislike my own outfit as Crow, but I do like yours better.

[ And his expression melts into something fond, a warm smile finally tugging at his lips. ]

Let's go then.

[ He'll be standing and holding out a hand for Goro. It's waiting in his room, after all. ]

[He takes that hand to pull himself to his feet, taking one extra step forward and into a kiss. Is he going to do this every time they're about to leave somewhere private? ...Probably as long as they keep their relationship a secret.]

[ The kiss has him laughing softly as he presses into a kiss, eyes closing as he slides his other hand to the back of Goro's head. He interlocks their fingers, a smile lingering even as he's pulling away from the kiss.

Gently, he tugs Goro along to the door. There's an air of hesitance in how he releases his boyfriend's hand so they can leave. ]

[He gives a soft smile at that hesitation. It's nice to know Akira hates to keep that distance between them as much as he does.]

At least our rooms are pretty close together.

[ There's a hint of sheepishness at being completely called out like that... and one hand lifts to brush through his hair. ]

Lucky us, huh?

[ He gives a soft smile. Once they're inside his room, he doesn't let himself hesitate before walking over to crouch in front of the drawer where it's being kept.

After pulling the outfit out, he holds it out for Goro, a small smile on his lips. ]

[He takes the outfit, smoothing the cloth over as he examines it. He's...very glad they're about the same size, right now.]

You weren't planning on watching me change, were you?

[Despite the chiding tone and hint of a blush, the look in his eye is teasing. He is a little flustered by the idea, but...it doesn't really bother him.]

[ Something in his expression soften as he watches it. Heh...

He really likes it that much, huh? ]

Hm?

[ Total innocence over here... until there's a very soft tug at one corner of lips. ]

Are you planning on canceling those plans?

Hmm...I guess I can let you get away with it.

[He's still a little pink, but he doesn't make any effort to hide or otherwise show real discomfort as he changes out of his mall clothes and into Akira's Thief outfit. It's not the perfect fit of Crow's garb, but neither is it uncomfortably snug. He leaves the mask off for now, as he adjusts the gloves and coat.]

How do I look?

[ Well, he's known he enjoyed wearing that outfit, but there was never really a chance to properly see himself in it. He's known he finds Goro Akechi attractive. He's known these things, and yet...

... Needless to say, Goro's not the only one blushing.

His eyebrows lift a tiny bit after he hears that question. He wasn't lost in thought? Not at all. He's cool. Totally. ]

Distracting...

[ Damn it, face. Behave??

A small, almost sheepish chuckle slips out, and then he moves forward to kiss Goro's cheek. ]

Keep it. [ A kiss to his forehead. ] It's yours.

Distracting, huh? Is there something else you were trying to focus on?

[He drapes his arms over Akira's shoulders in a loose hug.]

I think I might be insulted.

[ ... Ah, so you're going to challenge him, are you? ]

Self-control.

[ It's in a soft tone with a playful air to it, but... three guesses as to whether or not he's serious.

His hands slide down, fingers gently fidgeting with the jacket in places, until said hands settle on Goro's hips. A small kiss is brushed over the corner of his boyfriend's lips. ]

How does it feel?

[Ah. His face turns a bit redder, but he's not exactly moving away.]

It's a little snug, but I didn't expect it to fit as well as my own Thief outfit. It's not small enough to be uncomfortable.