i guess i can sorta understand it from a game design perspective, like it’s probably best to force players to get acquainted with persona fusion and acquisition, but it’s such bullshit that your starter persona sucks ass and doesn’t have a full skill table past like level fucking five. why put that bitch on all the marketing material, give it a dope as fuck design, make it really important to the theming of the game, and then all but force you to say good riddance like 2 hours in? that’s stupid? that’s stupid as fuck?

Arc Plays: Persona 5 Strikers

we're back, baberinos

Hello, my name is Arcturus, you may call me Archie, so begins our fourth liveblog. For the liveblogs of Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal, please see the pinned post.

I'm going into this knowing:

a. I have never played a Musuo game ever so that'll be interesting.

b. This takes place in the Persona 5 Vanilla ending, so no Akechi dodging the bullet of fate and no Maruki to come in and steal my fucking heart. Alas.

c. ALLEGEDLY this game is surprisingly good for being a genre-shifted spin-off done with Koei Tecmo.

d. yo this main title theme is a jam

I'm not buying your JackCoin, Atlus, go away.

MAN these games LOVE to start in medias res huh? I respect it. Our beloved boy is flipping and jumping along the rooftops of a city and being chased by a helicopter shadow. I ADORE the design of this gunship guy, with just a hand holding the gattling gun.

It feels like a bit of a in-joke between the game and the player to have Joker do a flying leap onto this helishadow to rip its mask off. HE HAS THE ONE MOVE, OKAY, IT'S ALL HE HAS.

Joker on Halloween needs to be tied up like a werewolf at the full moon or else he will just run around town ripping people's masks off.

Oooh I'm gonna need to remember to install a better font.

But ONCE AGAIN JOKER IS THE BAIT. He is always the bait. HE ONLY HAS THE ONE ROLE OKAY IT'S ALL HE HAS.

Cops are demons, got it. The only difference between MegaTen and IRL is that in MegaTen you can negotiate with them.

MUSUO SURE IS DIFFERENT FROM TURN BASED BATTLE HUH. Oh my god this is gonna take a grip to get used to, but the ability to summon Arsene on the fly is pretty sweet. So far, Joker is the only Persona MC who seems to have a more than surface-level relationship with his persona, and I really dig that. The others are just a bit of winkyface foreshadowing (Orpheus) or a dude who becomes super important late in the game with no build up (Izanagi). Arsene feels much more personal.

is this a ROAD TRIP GAME? are we going on a ROAD TRIP? also i love you, Yusuke, it's fucking the middle of summer and you STILL are in full pants and a fucking knee-length elegant coat.

Speaking of Yusuke, I am concerned. Can Sojiro just adopt him already???? Is anyone making sure Yusuke isn't fucking dead while Reverie and Morgana are gone? christ.

you look so much like a Chaz. you look like you were in an acoustic band from 1992 to 1995. you look like you have five piercings in each ear but use none of them because your stuffy cop job. you look like you do a half windor knot because you don't know how to do a proper one.

ANYWAY PLOT DUMP: It's the summer after the Phantom Thieves' whole big thang, and all of a sudden, people seem to be having changes of heart? Like, a finance minister suddenly confessed to documents tampering, three councilmen confessed to bribery and resigned, etc.

I love how he's "Bearded Man" but that's like barely a beard. Anyway, his name is Inspector Hasegawa.

lmao a full investigation of Reverie's life, please refer them to my liveblog, I got 'em covered. lemme save y'all time and sum up:

REVERIE'S CHILDHOOD: idk he lived in a small town or something and was just a kid

SHIDO THING: fuckhead Shido framed a fucking teenager for assault and subsequently threatened his entire future because y'all's politicians are morally bankrupt fuckwits and the stigma on criminals in japan is outrageous and the whole public record thing is yikes

MOVING TO TOKYO: everyone was awful all the time and treated Reverie like shit and you're all lucky to still have in-tact tires bc I would have been slashing them personally

METAVERSE: Reverie got in touch with his inner scene kid/drama student and turned into a phantom thief and did some shit that was frankly concerning ethically-speaking until the world nearly ended.

PAN-GALACTIC YARGLEBARGLE: big cup. catboy knock cup off table. world saved.

AKECHI: oh my god we don't have the time to summarize this shit

MARUKI: i miss him

A BOY AND HIS CAT: Reverie and Morgana went back to unnamed-small-town to restart their lives.

Boom, you're welcome.

Also wouldn't Sae have all the information these fools need? where is Sae. oh right she's a defense attorney now right. that's neat.

Ann, reknowned hater of Morgana, reaches out and rubs Morgana's head. With malice aforethought, I presume.

Okay okay I'll lay off.

thanks dad bye dad love you dad you're the best dad, dad.

boogie woogie woogie.

Everyone hangs out in the old attic and catches up. Futaba is doing well adjusting to school, and Haru is in college for business but seems to be trying to take every Ag class they will let her.

so like do you wanna lay you head in Reverie's lap and talk about it, Yusuke?

The crew decides to kick off summer with a barbecue, because nothing is more fun than being in 92F degree weather and then standing around a fucking fire, right?

oh no

OH HELL NO

WELL THREE CHEERS FOR CONSISTENT CHARACTERIZATION, YOU ARE ALL STILL AS DUMB AS A BOX OF PARTICULARLY DIM ROCKS

IS THAT FUCKING META

listen, I am a person who refuses to allow any google assistant or siri or what the fuck ever in my home. there are no listening devices allowed. my phone is set up to only listen to me when i physically press a button to allow it to hear me. this is madness.

There are no other options. Reverie Vantas the Fifth rides again!

The main persona of each Wild card/protag hangout, in their human-Shadow form. Thanatos comes as if Hes Minato’s Main persona but never takes Human form.

The reason is that Orpheus is Shy and also Mute so he likes his Boyfriend to do most of the socializing while he just hides in Thanatos’s robe/Jacket.

This is hot ass, but for something easy to put not too much thought into, it turned out pretty well! Thanks for sending the ask <3

          "Is it just me, or does Thanatos seem kinda weird." Izanagi no Okami whispered to Apollo, a persona colored in cherry red and white, with golden, robotic hands and the face of his user. An old user with brown hair and split bangs by the name of Tatsuya Suou.           "He does admittedly seem odd, but I thought this was normal for him." The creature admitted with a shrug, Izanagi, though, shook his head,           "I mean, granted, he doesn't come to these little meetings too often. But, this is a little too weird for him." And as he spoke, the silver-haired, golden-eyed persona watched the creature in question.

Thanatos, though, was just sitting across from them on the floor of empty cafe they sat in. If anyone minded the hulking persona sitting in the walkway of the restaurant, the workers didn't have the backbone to complain. So, he was left alone to sit and coo or whisper to himself while petting a spot on his chest as if it were a kitten. Which, it admittedly could've been.         "I think he's hiding something." Arsene finally spoke, sitting beside Izanagi no okami in the diner booth, eyeing Thanatos' weird behavior and making Apollo snort,         "What? You don't go out in public and coo to yourself?" In turn, making the ebony-haired mix of Akira and his personal creature glare at him.         "Hey! don't be a douchebag, he's right. Thanatos is definitely holding something under his coat. Maybe it's a cat." Izanagi said, trying to stop Arsene from stabbing the brunette with his knife heels under the table or launching himself at the brunette. "But, how exactly do we go about asking? I know he's in retirement and all, but he's still a well-used, powered up persona. I don't exactly want to fight him."

The others seemed to agree, because after that they fell silent and simply watched their companion's weird behavior. Though, eventually, Arsene wormed his way out of his spot and spoke, "Thanatos, not to be rude, but...what do you have in your coat?" And in response, the large being just stared back at him with a face that lacked any human features and was framed by the gleaming metal jaws of his odd helmet. "What do you mean?" He asked, his voice the only human sounding aspect about him."Look dude, we all see you being weird. What are you hiding? A cat?" Again, the creature just looked at him, then, began unbuttoning his shirt.

However, instead of a pack of cats, a dog, or maybe a whole basket of stolen breadsticks being revealed, the tall creature showed the black-haired persona a...chibi of a different persona entirely.

After a moment of Arsene's bewildered staring, Apollo and Izanagi no okami got up to look as well. Once again falling into a moment of silence before the tall, silver-haired persona asked, "Why- who is that?" "It's Messiah!" Thanatos chirped simply, fishing the chibi out of his coat before he could hide in his armpit and showing the snow-white creature to the gang. Which, allowed Arsene to see that he was, in fact, almost entirely white save for the dark, midnight blue hair that covered one eye and his blue-grey eyes. "Why is...Messiah hiding in your coat? and why is he so small?" He finally asked, and the bigger persona shrugged, "He does this to hide. He doesn't like social interraction." and as if he hadn't heard him, Izanagi no okami, with a big smile, chirped, "We match! Can I hold him? Does he bite?"

Naturally, the answer to that was a slightly annoyed 'no' and thanatos put the little creature back in his coat after that. But, that didn't stop the whole get together from being sidetracked for the rest of the time they had to hang out.

Top 5 persona designs? Can be ones for a specific character or just any of the ones the wildcards use :]

I've actually answered this one before but I'm lazy and don't tag my asks so I can't be bothered to find it ┐(´ー｀)┌

But I haven't done just the wildcards' personas so:

1 - Arsene, he was number one on my other list so of course he'd be number one here. I can't remember what I said last time so I'll just summarise: Gender

2 - Orpheus, both versions are great but I prefer the male one just because I like the colour blue and I dunno I prefer the shorter hair for them. But I mean, their attack animation is them whacking the enemy with their harp, what's not to love?

3 - Izanagi, who doesn't love Izanagi? He's so cool. I love the mask and the coat and the sword and he knows how to play the bass so I mean... Bonus.

4 - Satanael, c'mon... How could I not put him on the list. The only reason he's so low is because you only get him right at the end of the game and that's not fair. But the cutscene is badass as hell, and once again: Gender

5 - Artemis, I like Apollo too but there's just something so cool about Artemis. I think it's how she's so elegant but the vibe she gives off is the early nineties vision of what the future would look like and ngl I find that kinda neat.

Although, writing this list has made me realise that I really don't know what the P1 cast's personas look like... Were they ever given official artwork? I'm probably gonna have to look it up and refresh my memory since it has been a few years since I last played P1

top 5 favorite persona designs? :)

OHHHH MAN YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME THEY'RE ALL SUPER COOL-

okay, I'm gonna exclude the SMT demons and any personas from Trinity Soul from this, as they may clutter the list up quite a bit! But as for personas we all (hopefully) know and recognize...

5. Kaguya/Kaguya Hime

I tried finishing up the Aeon social link while playing P4G as soon as possible just to get this sick-ass persona. I've always been intrigued with the tale of the moon princess Kaguya, so seeing her be represented in the form of a persona was super cool!

4. Chronos

I'll admit: I haven't played Persona 2(I've actually just watched my bf play it lmao) and I don't think Kaneko's persona designs are as iconic and well-known compared to Soejima's? But Chronos in particular I really love. The monochrome-ish black and white color scheme paired with gold is a beautiful combination that highlights Chronos's role as a time god.

3. Raoul

I know a ton of people love Arsene's design on its own, but Raoul is a whole step up and improvement on it in almost every aspect, in my opinion. Easily my favorite out of the third-tier persona designs in P5, and it HAS to be locked behind DLC!? Shame on you ATLUS, shame on you.

2. Maia

I can't even explain how much I love this design. Normally I'm not one for hot pink-ish colors, but Kaneko absolutely nailed it with Maia! When I was first looking into the P2 duology, I thought Artemis was Maya's initial persona rather than Maia, purely because I thought Maia's design was that much cooler.

(Some honorable mentions: Psyche, Konohana Sakuya, Carmen, Izanagi-no-Okami, Orpheus, and Yamaoka)

Thanatos

C'mon. How can I not love Thanatos's design. What is there to even say. It's amazing. The dark color scheme, the sick-ass coffins surrounding it, the helmet-like mask covering it up resembling some kind of skull--it's all here to show you that this is the ultimate persona of the death arcana, and it's coming for your ass. Easily one of if not the best persona design Soejima has made.

I was going to reblog the post with all of the headcannons I have for P3-P5, but I realize now how fucking *many* there are, so they each get their own asks. Starting with P3:

Minako plays piano, and in turn Minato plays violin.

Minato has autism.

Koromaru is a secret alarm clock, and if anyone in the dorm has yet to wake up by the time nearly everyone else is up he has permission to go into their rooms and jump on them.

Yukari reads and writes fanfiction.

The entire school knows Aigis is probably a robot, but anyone who questions it is shushed by Mitsuru.

Akihiko probably sells protein powder like drugs lets be honest.

Fuuka hacks into the schools database regularly just for fun and Minako once told her to change the nurses name to "Mr.Egg" and then never tell anyone. No ones noticed to this day.

Aigis is warm like a human, she was designed to be like that :)

Ryoji is a tumblr sexyman. I will not be elaborating further.

I have this concept that Wildcards can talk to their personas, even in the real world, but no one else really can. Other personas and persona users use vibes to communicate.

Orpheus is patient and kind of quiet, Orpheus is a chatterbox compared to Izanagi, and Arsene is a strong believer in "be gay do crime". Hes also a suspect in arson. They're all probably Theater kids but different flavors of theater kid.

The more Aigis becomes human, the less she can understand Koromaru verbally. She still gets the vibes and stuff, she just has to take a guess at what he means.

I want to see Tanaka get punched by Yukari

Minako is a blackmail master. Shes got dirt on every confidant she has and is ready to use it at a moments notice.

Theodore loves kids.

On the contrary, Elizabeth loves teenagers. She thinks theyre strange. She wants to study them like bugs.

Theo might have some issues and permanent scaring after getting pushed around so much by his siblings.

Thanatos gets bullied by the other personas in the compendium and you will not tell me otherwise. But like, its lighthearted bullying. The only one actually bullying him would probably be Orpheus, but he gets that right after getting torn apart by him once lol.

Mitsuru needs to try dino nuggets.

Shinji needs to make dino nuggets.

Minato's favorite food is chocolate. He will fight you over it too.

The only straight members of the dorm are Koromaru (dog) and Junpei.

Okay this list is getting kind of long so I leave you with a question: Could Nyx Avatar possibly be negotiated with? Like, hes a shadow and all that and I think Joker would be insane enough to try.

MAN THANKS FOR SHARING THIS IS A LOT BUT I LOVE ALL OF THEMM!

They are so cute, I will react to my favorites but I'm gonna say they are truly wholesome and I love how most of them focus mostly on them kids being kids, Its just something I love a lot since especially the p3 cast, doesn't get to be kids and have fun :')

Fist I want to have a concert with Minako and Minato playing respectively violin and piano (and Minato having autism so true so true)

YUKARI READING FANFICTION PLEASE QBWGWH I WHEEZED. Mitsuru being overprotective its adorable, maybe she doesn't want Aigis to feel self concious about it and Aigis being warm and hugable

Pls do elaborate on Ryoji being a Tumblr sexyman (but yeah it's true)

MINAKO BLACKMAILING AND THEODORE BEING A MALEWIFE AND LOVING KIDS AWWW mayhap he babysit the Justine and Caroline (but also I can see he might not enjoy being pushed around his siblings too)

And Elizabeth wanting to study teenagers so true

ALSO CAN I SAY I DO LOVE THE HC THAT WILDCARDS CAN TALK TO THEIR PERSONA I THINK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIMES, Imagine them just resting after a long day fighting shadow and venting to them, because in the end who can understand you more then your literal soul

(I do love how you gave them personas a Lil personalities as well, with Thanatos being bullied by Orpheus lol)

Mitsuru and Shinjiro DESERVE CHICKEN NUGGETS PLEASE HAVEN'T THEY BEEN TROUGH ENOUGH

P3 Cast is a fruit basket and they are so fruity that the only straight member is a dog (and Junpei)

ALSO I WOULD LOVE TO EXPAND on that question but for personal reason I had to take a Long break from p3 and I haven't reached Nyx part at all, but when I do I would really love to analize it and respond (though, I don't mind spoilers at all since I got spoiled like 90% of the big stuff in p3)

Those sly fuckers at Nickelodeon lied to us all for sixteen years - the ‘P’ in ‘DP’ is actually for ‘Persona’!

(click for better quality)

(This is what has been stewing in my brain for literal months after I delved head-first into the Persona series, but didn’t have the self-esteem to do anything more than lurk in the background of all my fandoms because I’m too anxious to actually finish any piece of fanart I start. Originally it was supposed to be a simple concept sketch/doodle I just coloured in, but then I got waaaay too carried away with the shading, and welp…the art ended up in this crappy uncanny valley of “looks like it should be more than just a sketch because of the shading, but still has the crappy dirty sketch lines because I’m too bad at drawing clean line art to try doing proper lines and I just left the sketch in”. I couldn’t even fix the sketch colour - I tried at least twenty times, but everything I tried looked worse over the course of the whole picture…oof.)

I’ve actually been alternating between playing Persona 4 Golden (and finishing my near-abandoned New Game+ of Persona 3 Portable) to try and finish this pile of hot shit.

I originally had ideas for an AU storyline of DP with Danny in the position of each protagonist, but then I decided that since the latter Persona games are a trio and we have a trio of main characters right here, why not let each one get to be the Wild Card of their own story? I based it all on parallels I saw between the three of them and Personas 3-5.

So here’s some Danny-Sam-Tucker Persona Wild-Card shenaniganery…plus two…it’s basically Persona Q2 if you add in Dani.

Danny is the Wild Card of Persona 3, because Persona 3 is all about life and death, and the main characters activate their powers by confronting death; Danny got his powers by becoming half-ghost, and essentially half-dying, so it makes sense. Also, the thematic colour of Persona 3, blue, matches Danny’s colour theme already.

Tucker is the Wild Card of Persona 4 because of the theme of identity and technology becoming intertwined; so much of Tucker’s life revolves around technology. Also, the main characters in P4 enter the RPG aspect of the game by entering a world inside the TV. I thought, if Danny can enter a world inside a computer or video game, why not let Tucker have his own special flavour of that? P4′s thematic colour is also yellow, just like Tucker’s.

Sam is the Wild Card of Persona 5 due to its central topic of rebellion against society for the sake of one’s own ‘personal justice’; that has Sam written all over it, honestly. She tried to get Danny to use his powers for her moral agenda several times throughout the show, so what if we just gave her her own powers to do that herself, and see what happened? Although Sam’s main thematic colour is black, I think the red of Persona 5 still fits her reasonably well (and black is also prevalent in Persona 5′s visuals as well).

Rather than designing them original Personas, I decided to instead work with the parallels I saw between Danny, Sam and Tucker and each Persona game and change the design of each game’s canon Initial Persona to see if I could make them suit the trio, so Danny has his own version of Orpheus, Tucker his own Izanagi, and Sam her own Arsene.

(Also, yes, that is a Dark Dan version of Thanatos…it just worked too well, okay?)

loki appreciation agenda continues because i am speculating on the reasons why goro can change outfits. this is a super speculation-heavy post on goro’s outfit-changing abilities based on theories that loki was created through experimentation to force goro to awaken a second persona, and i don’t think i can necessarily “prove” anything in this post, but the lore on how personas work surprisingly checks out so it’s plausible if nothing else.

anyway, i think goro has two different outfits because he awakened to his “first” persona, twice.

explanation under cut:

(FIRST of all, i know there’s doylist explanations for why certain characters get new outfits and others don’t. this is a watsonian explanation because i have goro akechi brainworms and i cannot stop thinking about my boy.)

the basic premise is that your outfit is something you get when you have the will to rebel. outfits manifest when you’re in a palace that sees you as an enemy, thus activating your rebellious spirit to tell them to suck a dick.

that rebellious spirit comes from a moment of resolve: knowing that you don’t want to die, knowing what it is that you fight for, and knowing whose ass you want to beat. usually, then the character manifests a mask, hears the voice of their persona inside them, and they rip it off.

the will of rebellion also typically triggers a character awakening to their first persona. i’m going to call it the starter persona.

insofar as i can tell, a starter persona is a very specific type of persona that comes from a very specific type of phenomenon:

the manifestation of your resolve/will of rebellion

the persona you get when you awaken to your persona-using abilities for the first time

the first form of your persona

a persona that is unique to you and your soul

theoretically a persona that comes from within you, rather than an external source (e.g. shadow negotiations or the velvet room)

a persona gained under extreme duress marking a drastic resolve in oneself

a starter persona is not:

an evolved edition of your starter persona due to a moderate change in yourself (second-tier/third-tier awakening)

a new persona gained through capturing a shadow (akira’s new personas)

a new persona gained through fusing pre-existing personas (velvet room)

when a second-tier persona occurs, or a new persona is gained through shadow capture or fusing, a new outfit is not gained, because outfits come with the starter persona only.

so my theory is that robin hood and loki are both “starter” personas, even though loki was gained ostensibly way, way after goro had awakened to his general ability to summon personas. loki is not a persona that was gained through shadow negotiations or the velvet room, and loki is not an evolved form of robin hood, since robin hood and loki coexist and first-tier personas disappear when they turn into second-tier personas. 

loki is basically as if goro underwent his first awakening, but a second time, and that’s why there’s a separate outfit for him, in the same way that all the phantom thieves get an outfit when they awaken for the first time.

and now i’m going to go into way too much detail about how starter personas are a very hyper-specific phenomenon that are different from the wild card ability to gain multiple personas and are also different from second-tier awakenings:

CASE ONE: wild cards

wild cards demonstrate very well that starter personas are unique in that they’re created from within a persona user, whereas other personas that wild cards can wield must come from outside sources. and even for wild cards who have six jillion personas, they really only have one starter persona (and in akira’s case, one accompanying outfit). 

i think it’s alright to assume there’s something unique about arsene in relation to akira, in the same way that izanagi is unique to souji or orpheus is unique to minato. every other persona that these wild cards get have to be gotten from either capturing shadows in the wild, or from fusing captured shadows in the velvet room. they’re personas that are found from outside of the wild card, and then taken in to become one of the wild card’s masks.

by contrast, arsene, izanagi, and orpheus seem to come from “within” the wild cards, in the same way that any non-wildcard undergoes an awakening to pull a persona from inside themselves. arsene, izanagi, and orpheus aren’t gained through capturing a pre-existing shadow or fusing pre-existing shadows. so even though akira and other wild cards can wield multiple personas, all of them only have one starter persona.

i’d theorize that, although wild cards have the ability to wield many different masks, the other personas are more like impermanent additions to the general ability to wield multiple personas, which comes with the starter persona. (arsene and izanagi in particular seems really stick around even when you fuse him away, especially since arsene comes back in a second-tier awakening as satanael and izanagi as izanagi-no-okami.)

(NOW THAT I’VE SAID THAT, according to persona lore, all personas come from the sea of the soul! i did not forget. when i’m making the distinction between a persona that comes from “within” a persona user and a persona that has to be found externally, i mean that all shadows/personas ultimately come from the vast sea of the soul/collective unconscious that connects all human beings, but these personas get obtained through different ways: starter personas seem to be summoned from the sea of the soul entirely internally, whereas other shadows have to be summoned from the sea of the soul from either finding them in palaces, mementos, or the velvet room.)

akira, obviously, does not get a new outfit every time he gets a new persona, although that would have been cool as fuck. the outfit happens only when the starter persona is awakened--the persona from within akira, rather than a persona he acquired from the outside.

CASE TWO: general persona users and second tier awakenings

normal persona users don’t have the ability to find external shadows and make them into their own persona. normal persona users have only their starter persona which they got from within themselves, in the same way arsene is unique to akira, and are born from a moment of internal resolve. their personas are all “internal affairs,” so to speak.

normal persona users also have the option of a second-tier awakening, though. second-tier awakenings involve only the starter persona, a new resolve in the character, and again seem to be a persona that comes from “within.” so it seems a bit like the persona user has “awakened” a second time. it’s certainly an entirely internal event, requiring no additional personas obtained from palaces, mementos, or the velvet room.

but the second-tier persona is not an entirely new starter persona. second-tier personas are just their pre-existing already-awakened starter personas changing into a slightly different persona with the same abilities. second-tier personas inherit all the stats and abilities from the first as well, a bit as if it’s just the starter persona in a different form. so although the phantom thieves “awaken” a second time, it’s not so much an awakening so much as it is just an evolution of a pre-existing persona.

this makes sense in terms of the “personas manifest as a will/resolve to rebel” logic, too. it’s not necessarily that they manifested an entirely new resolve to rebel; their pre-existing resolve to rebel just evolved, changed, or was reaffirmed.

there’s also a visual cue for this: awakening a starter persona is a whole fucking deal involving a stressful situation, thinking you’re going to die, usually having to face some asshole in your life who abused you, hearing voices, screaming, manifesting your mask and ripping your face off. second-tier awakenings don’t involve this lmao. god could you imagine if it did. it’d actually be so funny tbh

second-tier awakenings, also, seem to be a phenomenon specific to “starter” personas, or personas obtained from within. you wouldn’t see a persona that akira got from a shadow negotiation evolve in the same way that arsene evolves into satanael, or carmen evolves into hecate, or izanagi evolves into izanagi-no-okami. you could argue that “high pixie” is a second-tier of “pixie,” but there’s no way to make pixie have new resolve and evolve into high pixie like a pokemon; pixie would have to be fused with some other persona to create high pixie. personas obtained through external means have to be fused with other personas, or absorb the life force of other personas through executions. 

anyway, to get back to the point about goro’s two-outfit deal, second-tier awakenings also don’t get you new outfits. which makes sense if we assume that outfits come with obtaining a starter persona, since second-tier awakenings are just your starter persona evolving and is not actually an event in which you obtain an entirely new starter persona.

CASE THREE: haru and sumire

weird fact i forgot until i wrote this meta!! but both haru and sumire are cases of people who got their outfits and a “semi-awakening” to their personas, that then led to a period of not quite being able to actually summon their persona. so, from what we can understand, their will to rebel is there, just not solidified enough to manifest a persona.

morgana, our resident lore expert, tells us that when haru has her outfit but not her persona, milady is more or less there already, just confused due to conflicted feelings about haru’s father, and therefore can’t fully take shape. so she can sort of summon milady, but just not in an effective way that can deal battle damage.

personally i think this is just the atlus writers creating a reason to have haru in the palace in cute clothes without having her go through an awakening, so that she could awaken later for full dramatic effect. but since morgana went to such lengths to explain the mechanics of it and tell us that milady is technically already there, it’s a really interesting case study that demonstrates outfits are not something that are specific to having a starter persona, but doesn’t guarantee that that persona can be summoned.

the same thing happens to sumire: she gets her outfit sometime in october, and for some reason can use cendrillon up until she remembers that she’s sumire and not kasumi. then she winds up in a state like haru’s, where she has an outfit, has the will to rebel, and technically even has cendrillon, but she just can’t summon cendrillon. then she has to go through the whole song and dance of ripping her face off to awaken to cendrillon (which might be kasumi’s soul depending on the interpretation of the scene). and of course, from there her starter persona can have a second-tier and third-tier awakening to vanadis and ella.

but it looks like the same case as haru, ultimately: she technically had cendrillon, but wasn’t able to use it or manifest it because her resolve was jank as fuck with all her identity issues.

SO BASICALLY: 

what i’m getting at is that the outfits come from awakening to a starter persona only. 

a starter persona is, as shown above, a hyper-specific phenomenon in which you pull a persona out of your soul, as opposed to capturing an external shadow and adding it to your pre-existing persona abilities, or transforming your pre-existing persona into a new one. awakening your "first” persona is a thing that happens only when you dig up all the weird sediment from your soul when you think you’re going to die, generally. starter personas come from a moment of internal resolution, and the resulting persona seems to be unique to that person and the circumstances of the persona’s awakening.

really, it’s such a theatrical ordeal, too. like i mentioned before, starter personas get obtained through this WHOLE fucking ritual involving stress, hearing the voice of your persona inside you, manifesting your mask, ripping your face off, manifesting your outfit, etc, etc. (i think it’s fairly important to note that ripping the mask off is the first instance of the larger outfit showing up, too; the mask itself, the outfit, and the starter persona seem to come hand in hand.)

we already know that loki is not a second-tier awakening of robin hood, because robin hood co-exists with loki. we also know that loki is not a persona gained through shadow negotiation or fusion, because external personas that are gained through those methods don’t come with an outfit.

so it really looks like goro just manifested the internal will to rebel, and the accompanying new outfit and entirely new persona, twice.

this, actually, fits really well with the medical experimentation thing, since starter personas, the will to rebel, and the outfit seem to come from stressful situations, where the persona user, in an attempt to not die, pulls a new persona out of their soul from no external source. if the featherman game is implying what i think it is, shido’s scientists and maybe wakaba were trying to force a persona out of goro with stress and trauma, in the same way that you’d manifest a persona for the first time. these scientists were not handing him shadows to turn into personas, like how the wild card is intended to be used. these scientists were not trying to transform robin hood into a new form, like how a second-tier awakening is supposed to work. they were inducing the same conditions that you’d need to awaken a persona for the first time.

it also makes sense from an in-universe perspective, because i’m assuming that, since goro and these cognitive psientists didn’t know jack shit about the metaverse at the time, goro just told them what he knew about persona awakenings: he awoke to robin hood under duress, he reached into his soul, found robin hood there, did a bunch of yelling, pulled off his face, BAM. robin hood. so the scientists said, well, if you wanna see a phenomenon a second time, you might as well recreate the conditions from the first time, right? make him pull off his face again and see what happens.

that would explain how loki is unique to him, in the same way that arsene is unique to akira, or any of the other personas are unique to their phantom thieves. it would explain why there’s an accompanying outfit to go with loki as well--it’s literally an entirely different “first” awakening, as if he manifested the ability to summon a persona twice, rather than just adding on new personas to his pre-existing ability. and it also explains how he has two unique personas that are separate from each other.

it also explains why he never seems to, say, use robin hood while in the black mask outfit, and why he never uses loki while in the white crow outfit. it’s not a cosmetic choice; the outfit is tied to the persona he’s using at the time. the outfit is tied to the separate awakening, and the separate “first” persona that was generated from that awakening. (EDIT: goro does actually use loki very briefly while still in the white crow outfit during his boss battle, although presumably loki is not “fully” summoned because loki is blacked out/colored strangely/vaguely see-through.)

(meanwhile, hereward doesn’t get a new outfit to match him because he’s a tiered transformation awakening. a pre-existing power gets transformed. hereward even existing is also good evidence that robin hood and loki are “starter” personas rather than personas gained through external means, since shadows obtained through mementos/palaces/velvet room don’t get tiered evolutions.)

which is a really interesting bastardization of the wild card ability, if that’s actually what happened. because he’s a wild card with the ability to wield multiple personas, he was able to awaken for the “first” time twice and wield two different personas, but in an extremely corrupted way, not at all the way that wild card abilities are intended to be used.

and i know that this is all just speculation at this point, but it does make hereward look a little bit like goro managed to finally fuse together the two “corrupted” halves of his wild card ability into a singular, whole persona. something or other--growth can only occur when thesis and antithesis synthesize? ...something like that.

anyway i’ve never felt so much like matpat in my life.

Awakening: Minato

Minato did not like trying to work with either the Investigation Team or the Phantom Thieves. Narukami was too open and carefree, and Kurusu was snarky and almost straight up rude. Like it or not though, all of them were in this together, and Minato would have to put up with them. Admittedly he did have to stifle a laugh when Kurusu almost fell through the window. So much for the elegant boy. 

“I’ll go first.” Sure, he wasn’t as strong or agile as Narukami or Kurusu, but at least he had a brain. The other two didn’t openly object, so Minato clambered up on the windowsill and stepped in. 

His breath caught in his throat. This new world on the other side of the window was spiralling with black and white, and he felt almost out of place in the absence of color. Minato gazed around a bit in this new environment before he stuck his head back through the window, motioning for the others to follow. 

Once everyone was within the window, Minato fell in a group with the rest of S.E.E.S. The others talked among their own group as well, everyone completely unsure of what to even think in this new place. Minato talked to Mitsuru, trying to figure out where the hell they actually were. 

“Do you think this is a place we could summon Personas?” Junpei held out his Evoker, the sleek gun reflecting the white colors of the area. Minato looked at it and took out his own. He couldn’t even remember the last time he used it. Though he had to admit, he wasn’t even sure if it would work for him anymore. 

“What the hell is that?” Sakamoto shouted, looking at three dark blobs that crept towards the group at a slow pace. The beasts were the same black and white as the place, however the patterns on them are far more angular than the area’s smooth spirals and swirls. “Are they Shadows?”

Kurusu ran in front of the Thieves, reaching up for his face. How strange. Minato wasn’t sure why he reached up in such a manner, but Kurusu seemed almost, frustrated after the motion. He watched as Kurusu shook a bit, a snarl edging his voice. 

“Do I not have it anymore? Am I not rebellious as I was?” Kurusu stared down the blobs, and Minato noticed how his eyes were taking on a strange red tint mixed with the normal gray. “Can I even summon a Persona here?” Kurusu seemed to be doubting himself, despite standing up to the monsters. Minato watched as he reached up again, this time only to pull at the curly hair that fell in his face. He was shaking, more than before, as suddenly his eyes went wide. 

“Kurusu!” Shirogane’s voice was filled with concern, but none of the Phantom Thieves made a move to help him. Not even Sakamoto, who was so obviously Kurusu’s best friend. In fact, he didn’t even flinch when Kurusu let out a sharp, pain filled cry. What on earth have these people been through? Shouldn’t they help him? Minato could feel his chest tighten, and despite the fact that he would openly admit he didn’t like Kurusu, he felt the urge to go after him. He took a step, but Sakamoto held up his hand.  

“Don’t interrupt him.” Sakamoto’s gaze swept over everyone else, warning them that it’s a bad idea to even approach the suffering boy. Kurusu fell to his knees, clutching his head in both hands. Tears streamed down his face from the pain as screams shook his frame. “I watched this once before.” Sakamoto looked at Kurusu, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “It hurt like that for me too.” 

With a loud shout, Kurusu’s arms fell to his side. He spoke softly, his words drawn out. “P….er...son...a…” Minato crept forward a little, peering into his...mask? A simple white eye mask with black spikes around the eyes. Where the hell did that come from? Kurusu smoothly slid to his feet, his gray eyes sweeping across the three blobs who had stopped advancing because of the odd behavior. A laugh echoed from his throat as Kurusu reached up, his fingers gripping at the mask over his eyes. He struggled with it for a moment, before a horrifyingly grotesque sound ripped through the air. Minato was frozen in place, but a few others made shrieks of panic as blood spurted from the side of Kurusu’s face. He was ripping the mask off his face with a loud shout of pain.

“What the…” Minato shook in fear. Kurusu tore the mask from his face completely and threw it to the ground, blood spinning through the air. It dripped down his face as a tornado of blue fire and wind whipped around him. Minato held his arms up as winds buffeted everyone, hot and intense. A deep, resonating laugh filled the room, vastly different from Kurusu’s own. When he looked up again, Kurusu wasn’t wearing the school uniform anymore, instead bearing a long black coat over a gray bodice, loose black pants, and pointy black boots. A pair of bright red gloves completed the ensemble, but the logistics of Kurusu’s outfit wasn’t the most pressing matter. The tall, winged demon that stood right behind him would have startled Minato if it wasn’t obviously Kurusu’s Persona. 

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Sakamoto burst into the same flames with a loud whoop, his outfit changing to a black fabric and gray steel pirate outfit. His gloves were bright yellow, and the fluttering tie around his neck was the same red as Kurusu’s gloves. A glinting steel skull mask covered half of his face, and a part of Minato felt that he had seen it before. The rest of Thieves followed suit, bursting into blue flames and changing into strange outfits. And the masks… My god, who are these people? 

Sakamoto walked up to Kurusu, completely ignoring the winged demon behind him. “Welcome back, Joker. It’s been a while.” The demon dissolved away, and the mask around Kurusu’s eyes returned. Joker? 

“This is really touching and all, but there’s still blob monsters there!” Satonaka, er, Chie as she asked to be called, pointed at the black and white monsters. Kurusu pulled off his mask, but right before the demon appeared again, Narukami ran forward. 

“I’m not letting you have all the fun, Kurusu!” Narukami pulled those thick glasses from his jacket and put them on. “I have a Persona too. Izanagi!” Nothing happened. Narukami growled and shouted again, but still nothing. Minato watched as he closed his eyes. Narukami was shaking, gritting his teeth. “No, my… My other self…”

“You just need to defeat your Shadow!” Kurusu looked at Narukami with an accusatory look, as if it was that easy. 

“It doesn’t work like that, Akira. Not for us anyway.” Hanamura kept his eyes trained on Narukami. “He has to make peace with his other self.” This was so different from the absolute airhead Minato was used to him being. There was something almost intelligent in the way Hanamura spoke about summoning Personas.

“If Kurusu can overcome his Shadow, I can make peace with mine.” Narukami smiled, his mouth almost in a grimace with determination. Minato watched as he held up a blue card, one that seemingly came out of nowhere. Making peace with your inner demon sounded easy, but he knew how hard it was to pull that trigger on his Evoker. He knew how hard it was to just accept death. Minato pulled the smooth gun from its holster on his hip, his thumb running over the letters of S.E.E.S. He could put it to his head, easy. But pulling the trigger?

“Per...son...a…” Narukami whispered quietly, a grin forming on his face. The card blazed to life in his fingers as he crushed it, a loud cry leaving him as the blue flames around him glinted in his glasses. “Izanagi!” A tall, cloaked figure rose to life behind Narukami, its glowing golden eyes glaring down on the blobs. It screeched and crackled with electricity, swinging the polearm at the monsters. 

“That’s right, partner!” Hanamura pulled out a pair of orange glasses and put them on. Minato noticed that they had the same colorful stripes on the side that Narukami’s did. The rest of the Investigation Team did the same as well, putting on various styles of glasses, all with those colorful stripes. 

Kurusu walked over to Narukami, a smirk on his face. “Izanagi, you said? My Persona is Arsene.” Sakura was bouncing up and down around the two, jabbering about how strong Izanagi was and how he could probably beat Arsene. 

Minato clutched his Evoker. He was strong too, he had to be. His hands shook, the lights glinting off the smooth metal. If people were talking he couldn’t hear them, a storm of thoughts pounding in his head. I don’t want to die. No of course he didn’t, he hadn’t wanted to die since last winter. But here he was, his fingers wrapped tightly around his Evoker. He couldn’t stand to get rid of it, but he never dared to pull the trigger. He could feel himself growing weak against his own mind. The gun started to slip from his fingers until he heard Mitsuru whisper to him softly. 

“You can be afraid.”

You can be afraid.

Minato’s hand moved to his head, the gun gleaming between his fingers. His index finger ran over the letters before shifting to the trigger. You can be afraid. As long as you just act. As long as you’re still yourself. You can be afraid. He stopped shaking, confidence overpowering him. “Pers…” 

You can be afraid. 

“..so…” 

You have the power to act. 

“...na…!” 

You’re yourself and that’s what matters.

With a loud bang, Minato pulled the trigger on the Evoker. Lights and flames spiraled around him as the power filled his entire being. Just because he was afraid of death didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to face it head on. “Orpheus!” The Persona blazed to life behind Minato, fire sparking around him. He felt a smile spread wide on his face, gazing over everyone. The shock on their faces was like oxygen to him, filling him with pride. 

I’m strong.

tii Oh shit OH SHIT. Wild Cards v Nyarlathotep!! LEGO!

Thieves in Inaba Part 97

The Wild Cards stare down Deathbringer with unshaking determination. Sho lets out a mocking laugh.

“Give up? Hell no! This shit’s just getting fun.”

Nyarlathotep nods. “Very well then. Become one with the sea!”

The five go after the Crawling Darkenss, splitting up in different directions as they try their hardest to overwhelm thier oppenent. Ren and Akechi firing off shot after shot as Sho and Yu swipe at him. 

But their attacks do next to nothing, even when Minato tries to join in to strike it just isn’t enough. 

“The hell?! We should be kicking your ass right now!” Sho yells in frustration, diving to strike once more only to be knocked aside by a hard scythe swing. 

“Your power comes from your relations, sever those and you’re as helpless as your captured comrades. It is a flaw in the way your gifts were bestowed.” Nyarlathotep states. 

“It’s no flaw…” Yu objects, going in to exchange strikes with the god. “All humans…no…all living beings on earth benefit from the bonds they form. Whatever is put into the relationship is also taken out.”

“Whatever the reason for meeting, or to what end…living beings depend on one another for survival.” Akechi adds. “I tried to distance myself from those bonds, and as a result I never felt like I was alive.” 

“And it doesn’t matter how the hell you get it either!” Sho adds, summoning Tsukuyomi. “Fighting, or just lame ass talking. Whatever you do, it’s gonna happen.”

“Even in dire circumstances like this, we are not alone.” Minato summons Orpheus. “We still have one another, and even if the bond is still growing..it’s strong enough to overcome you.”

“You shoulda killed us when you had the chance, dumbass.” Ren laughs, summoning Arsene. “Hey Akechi, remember what you did on the arc?”

“Are you sure you want me to do that? It’s extremely risky.” 

“I’ll take any risk at this point.” Yu states. “Whatever you’re planning I agree with it. IZANAGI!”

Akechi sighs and nods. “If you have enough faith in me, then very well. LOKI!”

“What foolishness are you planning now? Whatever it is, it won’t work.”

“Oh I’m sure it will work just fine.” Akechi smirk. “Do it.”

Red shadowy mist envleoops the five, as they all smirk. Nyarlathotep is taken aback a bit. 

“So you choose to loose any bit of sanity you have in a futal attempt to defeat me? Very well then.”

“DIE!”

The five charge at Nyarlathotep, exchanging blow after blow in rapid succession. No more talk, no more words at all they all are dead set on winning this. 

 They manage to knock the scythe out of his hands with a collective strike, as it clatters to the ground the Arcana cages start to break open one by one.

Yu kicks it far away with Izanagi going to destroy it before going straight to impaling the god, which is followed quickly by the rest. 

As the others are freed slolwy, the thieves look at the five with horror. 

“That light…” Yusuke remarks. “It’s the same light that enveloped Akechi back on the Arc.” 

With the bonds being freed slowly, the power from the five is restored with each freed person. 

“He’s still struggling though..” Yosuke points out. “We should help them, but…is it even safe to approach in that state?” 

Futaba shakes her head, “They might attack us. All we can do, is keep any would be shadows away from them.”

Nyarlathotep kicks them off, shadow mist bleeding from him immensely. 

“Still moving, even with that.” Haru remarks, holding her hand to her chest. 

“Just die already.” Ren states, as Arsene casts Egaon,

The hooded figure attempts to doge the oncoming strike, but can’t. Maou has regained control of the body.

“Humans will prevail, Nyarlathotep. I’ll see to it that they do!”

“DAMN YOU!”

With one last collective strike from the five, their weapons sink into the chest of the god as black mist shoots out from all sides. 

And it all goes…to white.

They find themselves, in the Velvet Room as a very pleased Igor claps. 

“Very well done. I see our faith has yet to be misguided.”

They look around, but notice that Minato’s blade is still stuck in Maou’s chest. With Minato unmoving. 

“Why isn’t he movin’ toothpick nose?” Sho asks, leaning over to poke him only for Akechi to pull his arm away.

“His time with you, is limited.” Theodore states, opening up the Grimore as Elizabeth looks down. “Do you recall Nyarlathotep’s mention of…the Fall?”

“Yeah, wasn’t it some sort of world ending event?” Ren asks, arms crossed.

“Correct, Trickster.” Lavenza nods. “Minato…is the seal that prevents such an event.”

“But, that means he can’t be with his friends right?” Yu asks, a bit saddened. “It’s not fair for anyone to have to deal with this. Especially when Mitsuru and the others finally got to see him again!”

From within another space, Minato finds himself in a white void…with two figures standing before him. Ryoji…and Maou. 

“So…we managed to push them away…right?” He asks, sadness in his voice.

Ryoji nods, sharing his friend’s sadness. “Yeah. That means…it’s time to go back.”

Maou walks up to them, shaking his head. “It’s not right.”

“What do you mean? This burden was placed on me ever since that day, I’ve come to accept it as the way life was heading for me.” Minato states, but while he tries to be convening his tone is anything but certain.

“I can see it in your eyes. You wish to stay with them. Your friends, new and old.” Maou is stern as he speaks this. 

“…you might be right. I abandoned my friends once before. And now that I have even more…it just means it’ll hurt worse to leave them. But what can be done about it?” 

“….I can take your place. Temporally.”  Maou offers.

Ryoji looks skeptical. “How do you plan to do that? You don’t have the same strength of will to hold out Eurbirs long enough for him to pass on naturally.”

“He granted me a lot…when we worked together. My soul holds a lot more strength then it did. I am, of course,  speaking to the both of you right before the bridge to the Sea of Souls after all.”

“But why would you even take my place? Weren’t you trying to kill us not but a while ago?” Minato looks him in the eyes. 

“That…is why I wish to do this. To repent for all that my selfish desires brought upon your loved ones…and the rest of the world.”

Minato is silent. If he agrees, he can finally be with his friends, his family. 

“What’s your choice going to be Minato?” Ryoji asks. 

“I accept.” He smirks at Maou. 

“Thank you…for allowing me to this…” He bows before he walks off with Ryoji…vanishing before the white area around Minato becomes blinding.

i'd be intrigued to hear ur p5 arsene thoughts, if u have time to put them in a post

IM DONE THE GAME so spoilers under the cut

i feel like arsenes relationship/awakening was way more personal than orpheus (p3) or izanagi (p4) - the whole contract binding plus personality of arsene makes him seem more like a separate entity and/or partner in crime to joker rather than a “piece” of him ??

i also love that in order for the contract w/ arsene to be forged akira literally had to become a shadow (yellow eyes) and accept this true self!!!!!!!! i feel like p5s take on it was really refreshing as it wasnt straightforwardly the “distorted self”; to accept arsene was to become that distortion

ofc i got incredibly choked up when ur forced to gullotine him..i actually skipped the cutscene the first time around EVEN THO ARSENE REASSURES YOU i just felt v sick :-(

IM NOT EVEN ONTO THE ENDGAME BATTLE YET GOD just, god when arsene reappears and you realize you’ve been harboring the literal god of demons the whole time who was stepping in to defeat another god

AND THE FACT THAT JOKER FINALLY BECOMING HIS TRUE SELF, BROADCASTING THE THIEVES TO THE WORLD AND NOT HIDING BEHIND HIS MASK (HIS MASK!! DISAPPEARS!!) IS WHEN ARSENE IS FREED..FROM HIS CHAINS..LITERALLY..to become satanael.... when his heart was finally unclouded arsene was also...released.... 

HONESTLY i think joker was just like. awed by the power he held, and would miss it… the feeling of satanael behind him, and he can’t even handle the idea of mementos and phantom thievery going away, because he misses arsene like a limb?? BECAUSE HE WAS?????????? [flatline noises]

anyway. i really like their partnership and even tho i think akira is emotionally obtuse and bad @ expressing himself he would feel like empty and numb for a long time not being able to summon arsene again T_T__T_T_T hence kaiyaku (ending a contract)

I want to know if you actually used Arsene throughout P5, as out of my six friends it seems to be a collective idea that Arsene sucks.

Yeah, Arsene is one of those weird cases of gameplay and story not lining up. Like, you feel like you’re supposed to keep Arsene with you throughout the whole game, but his stats are based around being accessible very early on, which means that he gets outclassed pretty quickly. MegaTen games in general place a lot of emphasis on shuffling around and not getting too attached to any one Persona/demon, so it’s business as usual gameplay-wise, but it still feels off. Orpheus and Izanagi were the same way in P3 and P4 - it makes me wonder why they never thought to implement improved versions that you could fuse later on (not counting the ultimates which are pretty much just final boss setpieces).

@audinobutt:  Omg Yu did nothing wrong you leave him alone Dx *shots fired*

I know, I know!!  It’s just... that’s exactly what always weirded me out about him.

Minato is Orpheus, given a chance to leave the land of the dead, knowing he’s eventually going to look back and that everything will fall apart.  He’s packing as much living as possible into his limited time, trying to make an impression on the world.  It makes sense that he’d want to be all things to all people.

Akira is Arsene Lupin, the gentleman thief who operates outside the law.  Akira didn’t earn his record, but he chooses to embrace his origin story rather than let it keep him down, and by the time of the game-opening video he clearly loves being that guy. So it also makes sense that he’d want to be all things to all people (even though you get a fair amount of options to make him sound like a snarky little punk).  A gentleman thief ought to steal hearts.

Yu is Izanagi, the creator god, from the very beginning.  He is all things to everyone because he’s... inherently pretty great I guess?  Wow what a guy. 

this is old feat loki having been dead p2

.

Actual Toaster: Robin: *he ENTERS* Heyy, have any of you seen Loki? I doubt you know who he is, but he's short, blond, has really long hair that he keeps braided... Like it's long to the point where it's almost to the floor. Uh, he's fair skinned, bright green eyes? Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Haven't seen, only heard of. *he looks up from his sheet music* Has something happened? Actual Toaster: Robin: Well, I'm just hoping he's not where I think he is! Feeling Punch: Orpheus: If that's here, then I can't help you. Too large to bother Actual Toaster: Robin: Oh, no, I was just worried he might be in the Palace again! Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Good luck there, either. Actual Toaster: Robin: Thanks for the advice, though! I'll leave you alone. *and he Exits* Feeling Punch: *what shall you do next, robin* Actual Toaster: Robin: *go the next room over!* Feeling Punch: *progress is not made* Actual Toaster: Robin: *ok how about the NEXT room* Feeling Punch: *someone is there but* Actual Toaster: Robin: *who it be* Feeling Punch: *its minato* Actual Toaster: Robin: Heyy, have you seen Loki? Short guy, long blond hair that he braids, almost reaches the floor long? Bright green eyes? Feeling Punch: Minato: Uh? Nnnno, sorry. Actual Toaster: Robin: Damn. I'll keep looking, then, thanks for the help! Actual Toaster: Robin: *ONWARDS TO THE NEXT ROOM* Feeling Punch: *just mink! and a coffin. she's sitting on the coffin. with a pillow. nbd* Actual Toaster: Robin: Heyy, have you seen Loki? Short, blond, really long braided hair, green eyes? Feeling Punch: Minako: Nope, sorry! Actual Toaster: Robin: Shhhoot. That means he IS where I think he is. probably. Actual Toaster: Robin: Thanks for the help, though! *off to find lupin* Feeling Punch: *arsene seems to be out right now* Actual Toaster: Robin: *OUT WHERE THIS IS IMPORTANT* Feeling Punch: *NOT HERE, I DONT KNOW* Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Arsene] Have you seen Loki? is he with you by chance ? Feeling Punch: Arséne: [Text: to Robin] Non, non, busy, was hoping you'd know Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Arsene] I think I know where he is then, since I haven't seen him since 3 this morning Feeling Punch: Arséne: [text: to robin] Do get him, then. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Arsene] Im not going into the Palace alone !! Do you think I want to die !! Feeling Punch: Arséne: [text: to robin] Fair enough Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Arsene] & if youre busy there is no point in bothering, Ill just wait for him to show up at 3am again Feeling Punch: *robin is back to square one* Actual Toaster: Robin: hmm. Actual Toaster: Robin: *ok back to that guy who knew what the palace is. white hair dude. yep* Feeling Punch: Orpheus: No luck? Actual Toaster: Robin: Absolutely none! Which means he is in the Palace. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Good luck. Actual Toaster: Robin: I don't think I have a death wish. Not yet, anyway Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Then what are you going to do about it? Actual Toaster: Robin: ... I don't know. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I see. Actual Toaster: Robin: I mean, I guess I could go get him, but then I have to fight him. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: And that'd work out how? Actual Toaster: Robin: Prooobably badly! Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Time to not do that. Actual Toaster: Robin: considering he can hit my weakpoints. And... I can't hit his! Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Fair enough. Actual Toaster: *timeskip* Feeling Punch: *Minato goes on a snack run! It's popcorn day! ... And then he trips. He mourns some of his fallen popcorn, eats it because he doesn't fucking care, and then looks at what he tripped on* Actual Toaster: *hi goro. wait, what?* Feeling Punch: Minato: *uhhh* Actual Toaster: *i dont think hes awake rn so* Feeling Punch: Minato: *uhhhh. he solves this problem by holding the popcorn bag with his mouth, and picking up "goro"- and not bridal style* Actual Toaster: *easy enough* Feeling Punch: *and then he drags his ass to the room he was in- which was where Orpheus is. he migrated at some point* Feeling Punch: *And Orpheus proceeds to message Robin. At least twice.* Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Orpheus] whqt Feeling Punch: Orpheus: [text: to Robin] Your skill with the english language is intriguing! Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Orpheus] foubnd wyho Feeling Punch: Orpheus: [text: to Robin] Loki. I was going to joke your mother, but that would be uncouth of me. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Orpheus] hewre Feeling Punch: Orpheus: [text: to Robin] Kitchen, here. Wake up, first, then come. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Orpheus] wok cwell wehre are yvou Feeling Punch: Orpheus: [text: to Robin] jhkjghs Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Orpheus] okg. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: [text: to Robin] When you've finished having your temporary fit of dyslexia, please respond in plain english. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Orpheus] its not dyslexnia i jusht woke ugp Feeling Punch: Orpheus: [text: to Robin] I said plain english. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Orpheus] Thou art truly an asshole. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: [text: to Robin] Thank you. Actual Toaster: *robin doesnt text back, so I think its safe to assume hes on the way* Feeling Punch: *hooray* Actual Toaster: Robin: *and he enters* I hope you're aware you woke me up for this. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I figured it was important enough to warrant so. Actual Toaster: Robin: I suppose. Do you want me to take him off your hands then? Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I'd think you should, seeing nothing is being done about him. *he looks at Minato, who's gone back to eating popcorn and typing something up* Actual Toaster: Robin: *he sighs* Alright, well, thanks. *he tosses loki over his shoulder* Good night, then. Feeling Punch: *this proceeds to happen at least 3 more times. Thanatos trips on Loki at least two of these times. Minato loses his fruit punch the third, and he's had enough* Actual Toaster: Robin: This is getting ridiculous. Feeling Punch: Minato: I lost my drink.. Actual Toaster: Robin: Give him here, and if he goes to the Palace again tomorrow I'm personally going to kick his ass. Feeling Punch: Minato: That's how you die. Actual Toaster: Robin: I don't care at this point. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I'm going to watch and play music over your dead body. Actual Toaster: Robin: That's fine. Just don't die. Feeling Punch: Minato: Way ahead of you. Actual Toaster: Robin: Ah. *and he goes out, loki in tow* Feeling Punch: *now theyre at palace land. mink and thanny have come along* Actual Toaster: Robin: Try to avoid the demons, yeah? Feeling Punch: Minato: If course. Actual Toaster: Robin: Great, let's go. I don't think he'll be that hard to find. Feeling Punch: *he proceeds to be very difficult to find until they find the trail of dead demons* Actual Toaster: Robin: He could at least clean up. *he is carefully avoiding the bodies. this is nasty.* Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I've already had the mental image of Izanagi's face if he saw this. Actual Toaster: Robin: I haven't even told him. I don't think he needs to be worrying about his adopted son even more. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Oh, fair enough. Actual Toaster: Robin: Now where is he?... Feeling Punch: *i dont know, he's your dude, you tell me* Actual Toaster: *the answer is. shapeshifted into goro, in the black mask outfit, over there. slaughtering a demon.* Feeling Punch: Orpheus: ah Actual Toaster: Robin: *and he nocks an arrow and takes aim at loki. he lets loose and... misses...* Feeling Punch: Orpheus: You made your grave, now lie in it. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: How exciting. Actual Toaster: Robin: What, you're just going to throw me under the bus? Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I'm not fighting him. Actual Toaster: Loki: *IIIII HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE PANIC VOIIIICE* Feeling Punch: *.... it's fucking nothing* Actual Toaster: Loki: *ok thats cool. death parade time* Feeling Punch: Minako: You look worried! What'd that do?? Actual Toaster: Robin: It's a buff... We can't affect it, either. Feeling Punch: Minako: Drat.. Actual Toaster: Robin: On the upside, it also lowered his defense!... Actual Toaster: Loki: *agidyne. fuck you robin* Feeling Punch: *Orpheus sits down and quietly begins playing. Thanatos decides it's party time and steps up to the plate* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he completely forgoes magic and lunges for thanny's face. oh, those are clawed gloves* Feeling Punch: Thanatos: *his reply is to charge Hell's Gates. at point blank* Actual Toaster: Loki: *nope. sword gettin jammed RIGHT into ur face. kinda* Feeling Punch: Minako: *ouCH* Feeling Punch: *the charge is cancelled. Thanny drops like a rock. Mink swallows a bead at the same time* Actual Toaster: Robin: *hes just. silently screaming. fair enough* Actual Toaster: Loki: *and he puts his foot on thanny's face so he can pull his sword out of thanny's goddamn skull* Feeling Punch: *thanny doesn't do anything. he's dead* Actual Toaster: Loki: *and he lunges at robin. robin's silent screaming is now actual screaming as he rolls to the side and shoots at loki. he just barely misses loki and just hits loki's cape. in other words, he accomplished Nothing* Feeling Punch: *Thanny slowly gets up, and casts Die for Me. card soldiers from the sky.* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he turns his attention to the cards instead of robin. i hope these shitty paper men like swords* Feeling Punch: *there's a lot of them! have fun, loki* Actual Toaster: *i dont think thats phasing loki any* Feeling Punch: *fight them all, loki* Actual Toaster: *he sure is* Feeling Punch: *Meanwhile, Orpheus is still playing. He may or may not be using Lullaby at this point* Actual Toaster: Loki: *and now that there are no more shitty paper people, its back to attacking robin. robin has managed to put some space between himself and Loki, so he promptly uses Kougaon. this barely phases loki, though, so he just keeps goING* Feeling Punch: *Minako, completely ignoring Minato's warning, runs and jumps onto his back. Friendship hug, but more offensive* Actual Toaster: Loki: *and he drops down onto mink* Feeling Punch: Minako: Hey, you big oaf! Actual Toaster: Robin: H-hey, wait, he's- *before he can fiNISH, loki shapeshifts into a (large) snake and wriggles away from mink, before returning to his previous appearance* Feeling Punch: Minako: Oi, get back here! *she gets back up, and picks her naginata up* Don't make you pin you again! Actual Toaster: Loki: *he'll get back there, alright, bY LUNGING TOWARD HER* Feeling Punch: *And Minako swings at Loki like a baseball bat* Feeling Punch: Minako: Home run! Actual Toaster: Loki: *he stumbles, but then goes to swing at mink anyway* Feeling Punch: *Minako hops back! Thanatos screams from behind Loki. Loki wins Thanatos jumping on him. Bye* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he stays. up. for a grand total of like five seconds before being crushed under thanny. rip* Feeling Punch: Thanatos: *he just. puts his head on his hand. and gives Orpheus this expectant look. Orpheus gets up to move in* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he's just. screaming. thrashing. trying to get out from under thanny* Feeling Punch: *Thanny just looks at him* Actual Toaster: Loki: *GET OFF OF MEEEE* Feeling Punch: *nope.* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he slowly stops struggling, and. then passes out.* Feeling Punch: Thanatos: ... Finally. *he rolls off of Loki* Actual Toaster: Robin: That was... more terrifying that I anticipated... Feeling Punch: Thanatos: I'm not apologizing. Actual Toaster: Robin: Please never make that sound again. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: Get used to it. Actual Toaster: Robin: No way! Feeling Punch: *Thanatos smirks! but you can't see it* Actual Toaster: Robin: Who's... carrying him? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: No one. *he produces his coffin, and dumps Loki on it* Actual Toaster: Robin: ... Is that safe? It seems like he'll roll off... (and that's creepy) Feeling Punch: Thanatos: It's always worked. Actual Toaster: Robin: you underestimate his ability to be difficult. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: He'll be in the coffin if he is. Actual Toaster: Robin: I'm inclined to say that's safest. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: Would you want to wake up in a coffin? *but, he produces the rest of it and dumps him in* Actual Toaster: Robin: Well, no, but like I said. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: Whatever. lets go. Actual Toaster: Robin: Okay, okay, fine, let's go. Actual Toaster: Robin: Oh, yeah, thanks for the help... Feeling Punch: Minako: You're welcome! Actual Toaster: Robin: *so he goes!* Feeling Punch: *and they follow Robin back. Rest stop!* Actual Toaster: Robin: I can, uh, take him now. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: Go ahead. *he opens the coffin. Loki has not died.* Actual Toaster: Robin: *he looks a bit weirded out, but, he grabs loki (who has since reverted back and is still unconscious) and goes to dump him on a bed. specifically goro's. he comes back a couple minutes later* What do you four plan on doing?... Feeling Punch: Minako: We'd leave, but two've us have a bit of a headache... Do you mind if we stick around for a bit? Actual Toaster: reason robin took a while; loki latched onto him. robin had to find a replacement. loki now has stuffed animal Actual Toaster: Robin: Oh, certainly. If you need anything just ask! Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Minato wants to know if he can steal food. Actual Toaster: Robin: Sure, just dont eat everything. Feeling Punch: Minato: I'll try not to. Actual Toaster: Robin: Sounds fine. *and he goes and flops down onto the couch* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he finally gets up and is. Confused. So he sits bolt upright, and then realizes where he is. two seconds later he realizes his chest hurts. he ignores it and goes out of the room, rubbing his ribs (and still holding on to the stuffed animal robin dropped on him)* Feeling Punch: *these two children are eating all of his food. a robot over there. creepy coffin. it's empty* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he. Squints. he doesnt remember going out drinking. wtf* Feeling Punch: Minako: ... Oh! You're up finally! Actual Toaster: Loki: "Finally"?... Feeling Punch: Minako: You've been passed out since last night! Actual Toaster: Loki: I don't remember going drinking Feeling Punch: Minako: Oh, you didn't! Actual Toaster: Loki: ... ??? Feeling Punch: Minako: You went berserk? Thanny and Orph had to take you down! Actual Toaster: Loki: Well, I recall the first bit. Actual Toaster: Loki: But. What. Feeling Punch: Minako: Not the fight? Nobody hit you on the head... Actual Toaster: Loki: I. Don't really remember anything after the going berserk part. Feeling Punch: *Minako explains the fight! Minato doesn't help.* Actual Toaster: Loki: Ah. I'll have to apologize for that then, I guess Feeling Punch: Minako: It's okay! You weren't in control! Actual Toaster: Loki: ......That was, um, self induced. Feeling Punch: Minako: ... Huh? Actual Toaster: Loki: I, uh, did that to avoid having to think about some...things that happened. Feeling Punch: Minako: ... Oh! *she puts her poptart down. and smacks Minato's hand away* You probably don't wanna talk about it? Actual Toaster: Loki: Nah, not really. It's kinda... *he waves his hand* Feeling Punch: Minako: Oh, no, that makes sense! *she shrugs a little* Actual Toaster: Loki: It was just stress relief, really. Feeling Punch: Minako: I don't know.. You seemed pretty stressed.. Actual Toaster: Loki: Hardly. Feeling Punch: Minako: Hey.. C'mon, sit down, eat something! Actual Toaster: Loki: Maybe later. Feeling Punch: Minako: Noo! You really should! Actual Toaster: Loki: I'll eat later, don't worry about it! Feeling Punch: Minako: Toooo late! Actual Toaster: Loki: No, really, kid, don't worry about it. Feeling Punch: Minako: All right, how about you eat something before my persona decides you're next in line for Tartarus? :D Actual Toaster: Loki: I'm good. Feeling Punch: Minako: ... Minato, do something to help here! Feeling Punch: Minato: .... Threat, threat, Thanatos ripping your head off, threat, threat, etc Actual Toaster: Loki: How convincing. Feeling Punch: Minato: Food is good. *he goes to grab Mink's poptart. his hand is almost stabbed by a fork* Actual Toaster: Loki: Hm, well, I'll take your word for it. Feeling Punch: Minato: Just don't take her food. Actual Toaster: Loki: *and he goes into the kitchen and gets down a cup. He exits and returns a few moments later with a bottle of whisky. loki....* Feeling Punch: Minako: That's not food! Actual Toaster: Loki: Never said it was. Feeling Punch: Minako: Go get food! Actual Toaster: Loki: Later. *and he leans against the counter and considers his cup for a minute. he decides not to be nasty and just pours out like half a glass, then adds some water to it* What are you so worried about, kid? Feeling Punch: Minako: You! :Dc Actual Toaster: Loki: *He raises an eyebrow and takes a sip of his drink* Actual Toaster: Loki: Why? Feeling Punch: *Mink goes to answer, but she's bumped by Minato* Actual Toaster: ? Feeling Punch: Minato: She's concerned. Good luck, you'll never hear the end of it. Actual Toaster: Loki: *He puts his drink down* Why? I'm fine. Actual Toaster: Robin: That's a- Actual Toaster: Loki: Didn't ask you. Feeling Punch: Minako: It's obviously a lie! Actual Toaster: Loki: Obviously? Feeling Punch: Minako: Obviously! Actual Toaster: Loki: And what makes it obvious to you? Heeeeeeeeerrrreeee's Actual Toaster! Feeling Punch: Minako: .... Thanny says you look like shit, for one, and you're probably not fine. Most people aren't! Actual Toaster: Loki: I just woke up. Feeling Punch: Minako: Okay, sorry- Looked like shit. Actual Toaster: Loki: When? Feeling Punch: Minako: Yesterday? Actual Toaster: Loki: Looked like shit after I'd been fighting for several hours? Yeah, that tends to happen. Feeling Punch: Minako: And why were you doing That?? Actual Toaster: Loki: Does it matter? Feeling Punch: Minako: I'd like to know? Actual Toaster: Loki: Why? Actual Toaster: Loki: It doesn't really matter, now does it? It killed time, so I did it. Feeling Punch: Minato: Thrilling. Sounds absolutely exciting. Feeling Punch: Minato: Is the Palace always full of demons like that? Actual Toaster: Loki: I'd say it's normal. Feeling Punch: Minato: Huh. Okay. Actual Toaster: Robin: Not clustered together like that. Feeling Punch: Minato: I was told they only did that when they detected an intruder.. Actual Toaster: Loki: *He picks up his drink and swirls it around in the glass before taking a sip* I can control the Palace completely. Feeling Punch: Minato: Great, can you make it easier to navigate? Actual Toaster: Loki: What do you mean easier to navigate? You aren't going there. Feeling Punch: Minato: I have been there. Actual Toaster: Loki: Once or twice, maybe. Feeling Punch: Minato: I was brought by Sheepy and Arséne, and definitely more than once. Actual Toaster: Loki: Well, no, that's not really something I can do. Feeling Punch: Minato: Then you wouldn't have complete control, huh? Actual Toaster: Loki: I probably could. Actual Toaster: Loki: But that's too much effort. *he has another sip of his drink* Feeling Punch: Minato: I thought I was lazy.. Actual Toaster: Loki: Surprise, I have you beat. Feeling Punch: Minato: Cool. Actual Toaster: Loki: You have a strange sense of what's cool. Feeling Punch: Minato: Whatever. *he makes a second attempt for mink's poptart. success?* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he has another sip of his drink but doesn't comment on this* Feeling Punch: Minako: C'mon, buddy, y'gotta do better than wrecking yourself to ignore your feelings! Actual Toaster: Loki: I'm not wrecking myself. Feeling Punch: Minato: Passing out in random places at 3 am is bad for your health. Actual Toaster: Loki: It was only a few times. Feeling Punch: Minato: I tripped on you two of those. ... Actual Toaster: Loki: 's unfortunate. Actual Toaster: Loki: That all you have to say on the matter, though? Feeling Punch: Minato: I'm not going to pin you down and force you to do other things. That's Minako's job. Actual Toaster: Loki: How about we don't at all? Feeling Punch: Minato: Don't tell me that. Actual Toaster: Loki: Fine. *he looks to mink.* Feeling Punch: Minako: fight me Actual Toaster: Loki: No. *he has another sip of his drink* Feeling Punch: Minako: Why not? Actual Toaster: Loki: What does that accomplish? I already hurt. Feeling Punch: Minako: Did I say literally? Actual Toaster: Loki: You may as well've. Feeling Punch: Minako: *she goes to grab the last poptart. it is absent* .... I was going to shove that poptart into your mouth, but apparently not. Actual Toaster: Loki: *and he looks to min* My hero. Feeling Punch: Minato: I feel my own death impending. Actual Toaster: Loki: Rest in piss. Feeling Punch: Minato: That, too. Actual Toaster: Loki: Have fun. *he takes another sip of his drink* Feeling Punch: Minato: I absolutely would. Do you want this wall to be crimson or maroon? Actual Toaster: Loki: Eh? Feeling Punch: Minato: Because I'll be dead, and probably pinned to that wall. Actual Toaster: Loki: Do it outside. I'm not cleaning up your mess. Feeling Punch: Minato: *he briefly wonders if the palace self-cleans* Actual Toaster: Robin: That's your problem?... Actual Toaster: Loki: What would you like me to say? Actual Toaster: Loki: "I'll gladly clean up after you"? Actual Toaster: Robin: No! Actual Toaster: Robin: This is when you'd say something like how doing something like that is illegal! Actual Toaster: Loki: *He scoffs* Not my business. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Raphael] If you are not busy would you mind offering advice ?? Actual Toaster: someone tried to log into my twitter again. Feeling Punch: Raphael: [text: to Robin] I'm not! What's up? ^^? Feeling Punch: raph knocks rocks off his desk, its texting time Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Raphael] Its in regards to Loki... hes been drinking (among other things !!) instead of dealing with his issues . Any clue on if theres anything I can do to help him out ? Feeling Punch: Raphael: [text: to Robin] oooh... Not that, for one. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Raphael] I dont imagine alcohol would be helpful in this but Im not so sure I can take it away from him ... Feeling Punch: Raphael: [text: to Robin] Is it a lot? Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Raphael] hes standing in the kitchen with a bottle of whiskey ... but hes not drinking from the bottle and hes not drinking it straight Feeling Punch: Raphael: [text: to Robin] That's not as bad. Is he doing this constantly? Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Raphael] he will yes ! Hes been switching between drinking and fighting (I think) from what Ive seen so far ... He will do one for a few days and then switch to the other Feeling Punch: Raphael: [text: to Robin] Make him stop avoiding his own grief. That's the first step to coping, and he's nowhere near it. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Raphael] Any suggestions on how to go about that ? Feeling Punch: Raphael: [text: to Robin] Yes, but it'll be a lengthy paragraph.. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Raphael] I dont mind ! I can wait a bit if you need . Feeling Punch: *raph sends multiple links to websites, and a massive textblock worthy of a nobel prize* Actual Toaster: Robin: *he makes sure to read Everything, texts raph a thank you, and then gets up and takes the booze away from loki.* You two didn't eat all our snacks, didja? Feeling Punch: Minako: Nope! Just the poptarts! Actual Toaster: Robin: Then I'll put poptarts on the shopping list. Actual Toaster: Loki: *hes trying to get his booze back. alas, robin is taller than him and put it up on a shelf he cant reach.* Feeling Punch: Minato: It's gone now. Actual Toaster: Loki: Oh, be quiet. Actual Toaster: Robin: I think you've had enough to drink for the week, anyway. Actual Toaster: Loki: It was only one glass, come on- Actual Toaster: Robin: *he gives loki this Look* Feeling Punch: Orpheus: At that rate, you'll outdrink the god of wine. Actual Toaster: Robin: I wouldn't be surprised if he already has. He spent all Monday doing nothing but drinking... Feeling Punch: Orpheus: If I had kidneys, they'd be hurting in sympathy. Actual Toaster: Robin: I think I have that part covered for you. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: How kind of you. Actual Toaster: Loki: Give me back my alcohol already. Actual Toaster: Robin: you can't drink your pain away you idiot Actual Toaster: Loki: Wh- what are you implying? Actual Toaster: Robin: You are terrible at coping. Feeling Punch: Minato: Ouch. Actual Toaster: Robin: I don't think getting hammered and passing out on the couch is coping Feeling Punch: *Orpheus does not add his two cents, which would have been "It's not. Trust me, I know."* Actual Toaster: Loki: Shut up, I'm doing fine. Actual Toaster: Robin: I don't need Izanagi to tell me that was a lie Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Ouch. Actual Toaster: Robin: *He rolls his eyes* Whatever. But you aren't drinking any more. Actual Toaster: Loki: *He puts his hands on his hips and huffs* Actual Toaster: Robin: Don't make me get your mum. I will. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: oooo​ooooooo Actual Toaster: Loki: And I'll actually kick your ass, you sodden biscuit Actual Toaster: Robin: Go eat something. Actual Toaster: Loki: No. Actual Toaster: Robin: Then go to bed. Actual Toaster: Loki: How about I leave instead? Feeling Punch: Minato: Nope. Banned. Actual Toaster: Robin: No, because you'll go drink somewhere else or go somewhere I can't mention because there are children present. Feeling Punch: Minato: ... We're both legal age, Robin. Feeling Punch: Minato: We get it, he's going to go to a strip club, get drunk, and get laid. Actual Toaster: Robin: You don't have to be so blunt! Feeling Punch: Minato: Whatever. Actual Toaster: Robin: And I was talking about somewhere, er, worse than that. But anyway! Actual Toaster: Loki: *He makes an annoyed sound before giving up and going to his room to sleep.* Feeling Punch: Minato: Nice progress. Actual Toaster: Robin: Thank you, I suppose. Feeling Punch: Minato: Maybe we should leave handling him to you. Actual Toaster: Robin: I've got help, I'm not doing it alone. Haha... Feeling Punch: Minato: Oh? Actual Toaster: Robin: I've been asking Raphael for help where I need it. Feeling Punch: Minako: Oh! I'll let the expert handle it, then! Actual Toaster: Robin: 'S probably for the best. Actual Toaster: Robin: Admittedly, I'm about ready to just leave Loki with him... Actual Toaster: Robin: It's that or Izanagi. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: He probably wouldn't appreciate that. Actual Toaster: Robin: Well, I've had it up to here. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: And you'll be much better if left alone? Actual Toaster: Robin: Why wouldn't I be? Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I was only asking. Actual Toaster: Robin: Maybe not better off, but less stressed. I like people, but it's nice to not be babysitting someone who can't cope with their own grief. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Fair enough. Actual Toaster: Robin: Maybe I will do that.. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Or maybe just restrict alcohol until he learns to behave. Actual Toaster: Robin: "Restrict alcohol"... I don't even know where he got that whiskey. I got rid of everything else. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: Oh. I'm sorry, then. Actual Toaster: Robin: Now I want to dump him on Izanagi even more. Feeling Punch: Orpheus: I'm unsure if that will help much. Actual Toaster: Robin: Well, he's not my problem anymore? Feeling Punch: Orpheus: *he shrugs* Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] Do you want to babysit Loki in my place ?? Im getting a bit fed up with him !! Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] Aw, do I have to? Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] Would it really not help ?? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] I mean, I can try..? But.... I'm no good at dealing with grief, assuming that's what the problem is. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] Id think hed be better off with someone he can actually tolerate Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] Perhaps. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] Perhaps ?? Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] Do you need me to drop him off ? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] Preferably. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] ok. I will drop him off when we do not have people over. I think one of them is still asleep behind the couch Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] That tells me all I need to know about who is over there. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] I cant say I blame him for wanting to be asleep but why behind the couch ! Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] He likes his privacy. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] he has a coffin... Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] Yes. Yes he does. Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] the coffin would be more private than behind the couch ! Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] Okay, true Actual Toaster: Robin: [text: to Izanagi] if Loki does anything stupid Im apologizing in advance Feeling Punch: Izanagi: [text: to Robin] Accepted in advance. Actual Toaster: Robin: *he looks up at mink* Is, uh... Thanny going to want to eat when he gets up? Feeling Punch: Minako: Probably! Actual Toaster: Robin: What should I make? Or does it not matter? I was going to make soup.. Feeling Punch: Minako: I don't think it matters! Actual Toaster: Robin: Soup it is Actual Toaster: Robin: *and he goes into the kitchen to actually Cook* Feeling Punch: *bye robin* Actual Toaster: *So, kids, what now?* Feeling Punch: *i don't know!* Actual Toaster: *well then shall we skip?* Feeling Punch: *yes, please* Actual Toaster: *skiiip* Actual Toaster: Robin: Hey, you wanna go get Thanny up? Feeling Punch: Minako: Yeah! *she gets up, and leans over the top of the couch* Hey, grumpy! Geeeeet up! It's past 7! Feeling Punch: *thanny groans* Actual Toaster: Robin: There's food? Actual Toaster: Robin: Do you want to eat? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: .... I suppose. Feeling Punch: *Thanatos exits from behind the couch, by climbing over the couch. Thanatos. Why?* Actual Toaster: Robin: Don't do that Feeling Punch: Thanatos: Too late. Actual Toaster: Robin: Fine, don't do it in the future. Feeling Punch: *and thanny takes his helm (and cloth) off his head! look, robin, hes a person, like us!* Actual Toaster: Robin: *AAA WTF* Actual Toaster: Robin: *wh. whAT THE FUCK* Feeling Punch: Thanatos: *he says nothing, but he's actually very pleased that someone is afraid of him. finally.* Actual Toaster: Robin: *AAA WTF* Feeling Punch: Minako: Thannnnnn-nyyy! I'm steallling thiiiis! *she puts his helm on* How do you wear this?? Actual Toaster: Robin: *he decides hes going to get loki up* Feeling Punch: Thanatos: ... why must you do this? Actual Toaster: *robin returns a few minutes later with loki over his shoulder. loki looks half-dead* Feeling Punch: Orpheus: but is he alive Actual Toaster: Robin: Yeah Feeling Punch: Thanatos: .... If he wasn't... Actually, no. I get the very distinct feeling his soul would taste like trash. Actual Toaster: Robin: I Actual Toaster: Robin: Wh-what? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: .... You heard me just fine. Actual Toaster: Robin: hOW do you make a decision like that?? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: *he shrugs* Not that hard. Actual Toaster: Robin: ????? Feeling Punch: Orpheus: .... I'm gonna tell him. Actual Toaster: Robin: What? Feeling Punch: Orpheus: He's Death, you know that, right? Actual Toaster: Robin: .... Actual Toaster: Robin: ...No? Feeling Punch: *thanny, meanwhile, sulks into the kitchen. bye* Feeling Punch: Orpheus: You do now. Actual Toaster: Robin: You don't just drop that sort of information on someone all casual-like! Actual Toaster: Loki: *he pushes himself up and smacks robin* Keep it down. Feeling Punch: Minato: *he looks at Robin for a moment* Well, I'll shut up now, then. Actual Toaster: Robin: What? Feeling Punch: Minato: Nothing, I can't just drop this info all casual. We need to be friends for you to unlock my tragic backstory. Actual Toaster: Robin: ...Okay, then. Actual Toaster: *Loki, meanwhile, has resumed his corpse impression. its pretty convincing* Feeling Punch: *gdi loki* Actual Toaster: Robin: Well, now. Feeling Punch: Minato: We should leave now, I feel like. Actual Toaster: Robin: Sounds about right. I'm dropping this one off with Izanagi. Feeling Punch: Minato: Oh, okay. Actual Toaster: Robin: Whenever you're ready, then. Feeling Punch: *and they leave!* Actual Toaster: *Robin also leaves!* Feeling Punch: *hooray?* Actual Toaster: *he and mink talk about bows and shit. its exciting. either way, robin drops loki off with izanagi. like just. plop.* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ... why Actual Toaster: Robin: I said I was dropping him off! Feeling Punch: Izanagi: .... Okay, true. Actual Toaster: Robin: Your problem now. *and he exits* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: .... Hello, Loki. Actual Toaster: Loki: .. yo. Feeling Punch: *izanagi awkwardly pats Loki's shoulder* Actual Toaster: Loki: thanks. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: I'm sorry, I'm no good at this.. Actual Toaster: Loki: that's okay, I'm not very good at this either. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: .... Do you want a cat? Actual Toaster: Loki: im good Feeling Punch: Nakajima: *he looks up from his laptop. he's in the corner of the room* You look like shit. Actual Toaster: Loki: I quit caring a while ago. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: You sound like shit. Actual Toaster: Loki: *he picks his face up to give Nakajima a Look* Feeling Punch: Nakajima: ... Wow, you really do look like shit. Actual Toaster: Loki: Self care is finishing a bottle of whiskey in a day Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Your brain is a mushy pile of shit, and dead cells. Actual Toaster: Loki: You're probably right. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: ... You're just going to take this? Actual Toaster: Loki: yup. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: .... This isn't fun anymore. Actual Toaster: Loki: I don't have the energy to, kid. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Then stop being shitty. Actual Toaster: Loki: *he drapes an arm over his eyes* Easier said than done. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ... Would you like something to eat, Loki? Actual Toaster: Loki: Depends on if I can keep it down, really. ... I haven't eaten since.. I think saturday, now...? Actual Toaster: Loki: Unless alcohol counts..? *i think that was a very feeble attempt at humor* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: .... Are you trying to die? Actual Toaster: Loki: Maybe a little. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Stop that. Actual Toaster: Loki: *he grunts* I'll consider it. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: No, you will. Actual Toaster: Loki: Will I? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Yes. Actual Toaster: Loki: ah. Alright, then. Actual Toaster: Loki: If you say so. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: And I do say so. Actual Toaster: Loki: I could go on. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Yes, you could. Actual Toaster: Loki: I don't think I will, though. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: *he looks over again, but doesn't comment* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he noticed.* ...Yes, Nakajima? Feeling Punch: Nakajima: If you die, I'm going to install windows ten onto your dead body. Actual Toaster: Loki: Good luck with that, kid. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Thanks. It's not hard to do.. Actual Toaster: Loki: You're aware my body will decompose, yes? Feeling Punch: Nakajima: It'll function about as well as windows ten. And about as well as you are now. Actual Toaster: Loki: 's a fair point. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Unpatched, untested windows ten. At this point, I'd be more okay with you being hentai material than what you are now. Actual Toaster: Loki: I can't tell if you're insulting me anymore. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Assume yes. Actual Toaster: Loki: Well, if it's hentai material you want, go find Nyarlathotep. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: .... They sound ​trustworthy Actual Toaster: Loki: Oh, yeah, definitely. Go rile him up. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: You do it. Actual Toaster: Loki: I don't feel like it. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: No shit. Actual Toaster: Loki: Are you trying to annoy me, or something? Feeling Punch: Nakajima: No, of course not. Actual Toaster: Loki: Really. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: if I was, you'd have to kill me. Actual Toaster: Loki: Maybe not kill. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Why not? Actual Toaster: Loki: More trouble than it's worth. Actual Toaster: Loki: And where are you getting the idea I'd kill you, anyway?... Feeling Punch: Nakajima: I couldn't think of anything else. Actual Toaster: Loki: So you are trying to rile me up, hmm? Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Darn, my evil plot has been found out. Actual Toaster: Loki: What are you trying to get out of me, kid? Feeling Punch: Nakajima: A better reaction than this. Actual Toaster: Loki: Didn't I explain this already? I don't have the energy to fight with you. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Gee. Wonder why. Actual Toaster: Loki: *he raises an eyebrow* Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Never mind. *back to laptop* Actual Toaster: Loki: No, now I'm curious. What? Feeling Punch: Nakajima: *he doesn't reply* Actual Toaster: Loki: *he throws a pillow at nakajima* Feeling Punch: Nakajima: *he doesn't seem fazed by the sudden pillow* Actual Toaster: Loki: Explain yourself, you shithead. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: No. Actual Toaster: Loki: Yes. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: Maybe when you're alive Actual Toaster: Loki: I'm about as alive as I'll be for a while. Feeling Punch: Nakajima: hmph. Actual Toaster: Loki: So? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ... Perhaps we should work on that. Actual Toaster: Loki: And what do you suggest? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Finding something to do? Actual Toaster: Loki: Ah. I don't really care... I'm tired. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Fine.. Actual Toaster: Loki: Fine? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: I'm not going to force you to eat right now. Actual Toaster: Loki: Fine by me. Actual Toaster: Loki: I'm not really that hungry, anyway. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: So I've observed.. Actual Toaster: Loki: Heard, more like. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ... Same thing. Actual Toaster: Loki: I disagree. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: I'm still not arguing with you. Actual Toaster: Loki: I wasn't saying it to be argumentative. Actual Toaster: Loki: Do I look like Nakajima to you? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: You could if you wanted to. Actual Toaster: Loki: Yeah, but that would be specifically shapeshifting to look like him. Actual Toaster: Loki: So that doesn't count. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: .. Fine. Actual Toaster: Loki: That's it? Just fine? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Yes. Actual Toaster: Loki: Aalright then. Actual Toaster: Loki: If you say so. Actual Toaster: Loki: If you don't mind, though, *he rolls onto his side* I'm going to sleep. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Go ahead. Actual Toaster: *and so sleep loki does. how exciting.* Feeling Punch: *except it wasnt* Actual Toaster: Loki: *well, he's awake, he's not sure what woke him but he Is up. So he goes to roll over and figuratively pisses himself. hi, thanny* Feeling Punch: Thanatos: ... Ah. So you are alive. Actual Toaster: Loki: What kind of greeting is that?... Feeling Punch: Thanatos: ... The kind given when I almost mistook you for deceased. Actual Toaster: Loki: "Almost mistook"? That's one hell of a mistake. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: .... You don't seem to understand. Actual Toaster: Loki: *he. takes a second to think about that. and then very weakly just* I'd hope I'm close to death, you're standing right next to me... Actual Toaster: Loki: It's... not? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: *he sits down next to Loki. his tone of voice seems a bit softer* Not even close, Loki. Actual Toaster: Loki: But my summoner died. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: It does not matter. Actual Toaster: Loki: What... what do you mean it doesn't matter..? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: He may have passed on, yes, but you were not intended to follow- Nor was Robin Hood. Actual Toaster: Loki: But I thought he was the only thing keeping me here..? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: That would seem to be incorrect. Actual Toaster: Loki: I.. thank you. I mean that genuinely- thank you for telling me, I just.. Actual Toaster: he needs a minute Feeling Punch: Thanatos: .. Of course. You thought you had to be with him? Actual Toaster: Loki: I did... Philemon didn't even just imply it, he outright told me... Feeling Punch: Thanatos: That's what he tells everyone. Actual Toaster: Loki: Is it..? Feeling Punch: Thanatos: If I recall correctly, yes. Actual Toaster: Loki: I had no idea. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: If he was correct, you did die as you should have. Actual Toaster: Loki: I suppose that's true, yes... Feeling Punch: Thanatos: You'd better do something, before I have to come back to you. Actual Toaster: Loki: I, uh, figured as much. I'll work on that. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: Good. Actual Toaster: Loki: Thanks again for telling me. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: Of course. Actual Toaster: Loki: Take care, then.. Feeling Punch: Thanatos: You, as well. *he stands up, and leaves* Actual Toaster: Loki: *okay, okay. what fuckin time is it* Feeling Punch: *3 am or some shit* Actual Toaster: Loki: *okay. gameplan. I go shower. I dont care that it's 3am. im going to shower. and then eat something small. toast. and then back to bed. take some medicine.* Feeling Punch: *excellent plan!* Actual Toaster: *so that plan gets carried out!* Actual Toaster: Robin: *he enters!!* Whatever you two did with Loki, keep doing it. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ... What? Actual Toaster: Robin: He actually started looking after himself again. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ...? *he looks to Nakajima, who shrugs* Good for him, but... Neither of us did anything of use.. Actual Toaster: Robin: Apparently not. Actual Toaster: Robin: Because he's eating again. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: *he looks downright puzzled* Actual Toaster: Robin: I don't get it either, but... Actual Toaster: Robin: Apparently you did something right? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: *he shrugs* Actual Toaster: Robin: Maybe he just needed to not be pestered into doing so... Feeling Punch: Izanagi: That's a faint possibility. Actual Toaster: Robin: I can't think of anything else. Actual Toaster: Robin: Unless you have any other ideas?... Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Have you actually asked him? Actual Toaster: Robin: Didn't wanna bother him. He seemed very focused. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Fair enough.... Actual Toaster: Loki: Did I. Actual Toaster: Robin: *he jumps like 6 feet in the air* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Ah, good morning. Are you feeling better? Actual Toaster: Loki: Little bit. Moving's a bit rough. *he sits in front of the coffee table and sets his bowl of oatmeal down* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: I can understand that. Actual Toaster: Loki: I won't be feeling my best for a while, I think, but that's my own fault. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: What caused such a change of behavior? Actual Toaster: Loki: Did you know that Thanatos' helm is incredibly startling in low lighting? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: What?? Actual Toaster: Loki: *He doesn't look up from his oatmeal* I said, "did you know that Thanatos' helm is incredibly startling in low lighting"? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: No, no, I heard you just fine. Actual Toaster: Loki: Then why the what? Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Do we get an explanation of why you encountered him? Actual Toaster: Loki: He woke me. *he has a spoonful of his oatmeal.* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: *he looks. concerned* Actual Toaster: Loki: *... nagi, I think you'll have to ask him for further details because i dont think he'll give u them unless you ask. he seems more interested in his oatmeal* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ... *he decides to wait until AFTER Loki eats* Actual Toaster: *that is fair. Loki eats the rest of his oatmeal in silence.* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: *he has finished washing his dishes by this point* Are you done? Actual Toaster: Loki: I am, yes. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: Hand your bowl over, then. Actual Toaster: Loki: *so he does* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ... Would you like to share your encounter with Thanatos now? Actual Toaster: Loki: Well, like I said, he woke me. Actual Toaster: Loki: I don't believe that was his intent. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: *he narrows his eyes* And..? Actual Toaster: Loki: *He exhales* Izanagi, he's peaceful death, what do you think? He mistook me for dead. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: *he almost drops the bowl* Actual Toaster: Loki: If he hadn't woke me when he did, I probably would be dead. So I decided I better wise up and start looking after myself, at the very least. It won't bring Muffins back, sure, but neither would moping. Feeling Punch: Izanagi: ..... *he nods* Actual Toaster: Loki: It's the least I can do, really... Feeling Punch: Izanagi: I'm glad you've realized that. Actual Toaster: Loki: I still.. wish things didn't have to happen like... like the way they did. If only.. if only he'd accepted the chance to start over... Actual Toaster: Loki: But.. *he wipes his eyes with his arm* Feeling Punch: Izanagi: It didn't. Actual Toaster: Loki: .. Yeah.

What I Fear Most: Yu

“Oh, so you all do have Personas. Our master was right.” A gruff voice echoed through the place, bringing Yu back from gawking at Arisato and the Persona summoned with the gun in his hands. They all turned to the new person who had just appeared while they were summoning. Kurusu pulled his mask off his face, his gray eyes threatening. The new person was tall and build strongly, wearing a cloak of black and white squares layered atop each other in a chaotic pattern. His face was covered in a flat black mask with an odd oval symbol across the front. “Our master does hate to be disappointed.”

“Who the hell are you?” Sakamoto glared at the newcomer, clutching his bat. Yu hefted his long sword, the white lights glinting threateningly onto the man. The man laughed, the monsters at his feet surging back to life. Yu instantly bent into a fighting stance, his grip tightening on the sword hilt. As he looked around, he saw that everyone else was ready to fight. 

“You’re all so angry. Just give in to our master’s will and everything will be fine.” The man’s eyes almost glowed behind the mask. The monsters at his feet lunged forward, taking the forms of three feline like creatures. “Just let these Shadows absorb you and we’ll be on our way.”

“Like that’ll happen. Arsene!” That Persona of Kusuru’s blazed to life in a grand flourish. What a showoff. Yu lunged forward too, Izanagi raising his polearm to slash through the Shadows. Arisato popped himself in the head again, his Persona Orpheus ready to unleash a hellstorm upon their enemies. 

“Izanagi!” A white hot bolt of lightning slammed into the Shadow closest to Yu, arcs of electricity crackling over its body. Yu didn’t wait to see if it would get back up or if the other two were dealing with the other Shadows, instead racing forward and slashing through the knocked down Shadow. It dissolved into nothing, filling Yu with satisfaction. He turned to see the other two Shadows dissolve under the weapons of Arisato and Kurusu. The cloaked man stumbled backwards, though his voice was angry instead of fearful.

“You’ll regret not giving in when you had the chance!” The man stumbled away, vanishing into the black and white lights. Yu sighed as Izanagi returned to him, sheathing his sword away. He wanted to run after the man but he wasn’t as used to his Persona as before. His swing was weak too, as he hadn’t been working out as much ever since the last case of the Investigation Team. 

“That was close. You guys all need to practice more, I could feel how weak all your swings were from here.” Yu turned to see what was making the irritating noise and ended up face to face with a strange cat-monster. 

“I’ll show you how strong my swing really is, you monster.” Arisato walked up next to Yu and glared at the thing in front of them. Kurusu rolled his eyes and crouched next to the thing, placing his hand upon its head. 

“I know he doesn’t look like it, but this is Morgana. It’s good to know you’ll be able to understand him in the real world too.” Sarcasm edged Kurusu’s voice, along with some kind of hostility. Yu narrowed his eyes at Morgana, who returned the glare right back. “I’m surprised his cognitive form is what shows up here though.”

“Cognitive?” 

Kurusu stood back up and tucked his hands into his pockets. “It’s hard to explain. I think we should leave for today and come back later. It’s clear we aren’t-”

“I don’t think you should be telling us what to do.” Yu fixed his gaze on Kurusu, who returned the piercing stare from behind his mask. He didn’t want to admit that he also thought they should rest, but the way Kurusu was so commanding angered him. “The Investigation Team takes orders from me. So we’ll be heading back through that window.” Yosuke muttered out a “sorry” as he walked by the Phantom Thieves, following Yu as he walked back to the window. 

Once back inside Yosuke’s room, Yu slumped against the wall. Why do I feel so weak? His muscles ached and his head was pounding with vehemence. He held his hand up over his eyes. Yu was so focused on his headache that he didn’t pay mind to the Phantom Thieves and S.E.E.S. slipping back through the window. There were a few words exchanged, but after that all that was left in the room was the Investigation Team. 

“Yu, partner, you ok?” Yosuke rested a hand on Yu’s shoulder. His head had stopped pounding and gone down to a dull ache, but there was still soreness in his limbs. “Jeez, I didn’t even do much and I feel exhausted. I think I got Jiraiya back though.” 

Yu looked up at Yosuke. He smiled softly despite his exhaustion. “Yeah. Yosuke, I think I’m going to sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that he went to his room and flopped down onto his bed, exhausted. His gray eyes swept over the dark city through the window, the bright lights so innocent and free. How amusing. Yu chuckled to himself. No one down there knew about the window, the world behind it, or the three groups and their terrifying power. There was someone out there, someone who was filled with malicious intent to kill. 

He rolled over onto his back, gazing up at the ceiling. Makoto had apologized for Kurusu, but the way he acted like he was in charge… it didn’t quite sit well with him. And Arisato was so rude and headstrong… He didn’t like them, either of them. But he was stuck here anyway. 

Yu didn’t remember when he went to sleep, but when he woke up, the day was bright. The tall buildings of Shibuya soared on either side of him, almost too tall. How did I get here? He started walking down the street, people around him making way for the tall boy. A strange force pulled him towards a shadowy part of the street, the bustling crowd thinning out as he got closer and closer. The lights got dimmer and dimmer, though his eyes were adjusting to the bleak light. There was no one near him.  

Something brushed against his leg. Yu looked down to see a black and white object right next to him, and as he looked at it, it became clear that the thing was wrapped in the same cloak that the person from the window world was wearing. A cold chill raced down his spine as he nudged the thing over. It was bare chested, and that same oval symbol that was on the window looked like it had been branded there. Yu started shaking. Oh god no. The hood was pulled over the face, and while Yu didn’t want to pull it off he reached down and yanked it free. 

He couldn’t stop shaking as his eyes frantically searched the face and its agonizingly familiar features. Oh god no. 

The light brown hair was messy and a little burnt, but Yu recognized the color easily. Only one eye was open, and despite how it was glazed over, the dark brown was so familiar. Yu fell to his knees, panic lashing across every single nerve. His hands shook as he reached out to grab the large black and orange headphones from around Yosuke’s neck. The corpse’s other eye opened as many many voices all spoke as one. 

“We’ll all die…. It’s your fault.You could have saved us. But you can’t. We’ll all, we’ll all, we’re dead and it’s your fault Yu Narukami!” 

Yu sat bolt upright in his bed, a shout leaving him as he resurfaced from the nightmare. “Yosuke!” He panted, the voice of dead Yosuke still fresh in his mind. He was shivering feverishly, despite how warm he felt. What the hell was that nightmare? He had a lot of nightmares after dealing with Ameno-Sagiri and Izanami, but this was so different from those, especially with the robes and the symbol. 

“Yu?” There was a knock at the door. He breathed a sigh of relief at hearing Yosuke’s voice. He slowly got out of bed and opened the door. “Yu, dude, you look like hell. I heard you scream my name.”

“Ah, yeah. I had a bad dream. I’m fine, I promise.” He wasn’t sure if that was the entire truth though, considering how shaken he still was. It’s just my nerves. I’ll be fine later. Yu gave Yosuke a reassuring smile. “We were given the day off today, right?” A part of him wanted to meet with S.E.E.S. and the Phantom Thieves, but his pride didn’t want to admit the Investigation Team needed help. 

Yosuke nodded. “Yeah…” He looked a little sheepish. “Yu, after you left, Ryuji, er, Sakamoto came by my room. He was asking if you were ok. I told him you were tired and we ended up talking.” Yu couldn’t deny the spark of animosity towards Kurusu’s partner, though he knew it wasn’t Sakamoto’s fault. “He said that Sakura looked more into the murders and talked to Naoto and Kirijo. Apparently they always have that symbol we saw on the window. The snake.”

Yu frowned. He wanted to solve this thing himself, but if even Naoto was talking with the others he guessed he had to as well. “We should probably meet up in that room and talk. I’ll apologize for just up and leaving…” 

Yosuke shook his head. “The Thieves have already left to go find their informant in Shibuya. Ryuji invited me along but I said that I’d wait for you. Naoto went with them.” Yu chewed on the inside of his lip. It made perfect sense that they’d have an informant, though he thought that Sakura would have been the provider. 

“Fine. We can go scope out Shibuya.”

Thieves in Inaba: Kou and Daisuke put their heads together to escape! Will they succeed? Or do you think the Persona group will find them first?

Thieves In Inaba Part 36

Heat…and the sound of water moving. Kou starts to open his eyes slowly, only to find himself in a steam filled room. Holding his head and breathing heavyly due to the steam, he starts to look around.

“Where…am I?” He suddenly winces and holds his left ankle. It’s hurting like hell, as if he just had a dog bite him. “Ngh!” 

A door slides open on the other side of the room as a humanoid figure starts to walk to Kou. Due to the steam however, it’s hard for the basketball player to tell if it’s friend or foe. 

“You’re awake.” It says, voice echoing though the room as it continues to walk to him. 

“W-who are you?!” He reaches for something to defend himself with, finding a mop to be his only weapon. 

“Come on man, it’s me.” The figure breaks through the steam, revealing it to be Daisuke. Kou gives a sigh of relief. 

“Were you holed up in that room over there then?” He asks, struggling to stand up with his bite. 

“Yeah. This place doesn’t look a thing like Amagi…so where did those wolf things bring us?” The two look around and sigh. 

“It’s too hot in here, it’s obviously a Sauna but…why would we be here?” Kou mumbles. “Well..we should try to get out of here. Who knows how many of those people got hurt. We need to get back there.”

“But you’re hurt aren’t you? We shouldn’t try to push it.” Daisuke looks at his friends injury with deep concern. 

“There’s a chest right there.” Kou points. “Maybe it has something in it?”

Walking carefully, Kou opens it to find medicine and a ball of some sort. The duo seem confused. 

“Random medicine in a random place….do you think it’s safe?” Daiskue asks as Kou looks it over. 

“It says…apply to injury as needed..results work instantly…” 

“I don’t trust it, that’d mean it’s like…magic medicine. Isn’t that impossible?”

Kou looks at his friend with a tired expression. “We were kidnapped by shadowy wolf monsters, dragged to a crazy sauna and we found out that a bunch of people we went to high school with might have some sort of supernatural powers. I’m willing to trust a lot more crazy crap right now.”

With that, he applies the medicine to his injury as it heals it completely. The duo just had to make their escape now.

“What would be the best way to break out of here, man?”  Kou is already picking up the mop again, leaving Daisuke confused. “Uh, did you hear me?”

“Yeah, I did. But all these doors are super weak right? If we can break them down, then we can break outta here.” He readies his mop to throw it like a Javelin. 

With careful aim he throws it…only to miss entirely. 

“Why don’t you try the ball?” Daisuke throws it to him and Kou catches it with ease. 

“Worth a shot I guess..” Again with careful aim, he throws the ball and it crashes through the door with ease, giving them access to a hallway.

“YES!” 

“Let’s hang on to this ball, it might be a better weapon then that lame ass mop.” 

The two make their way through the Sauna, hiding from shadows patrolling the area as they go along. But the way to the ground floor from where they were was going to be a long trek, especially since the heat of the sauna was getting to them both..

Elsewhere in the TV World, a hold up is taking place. Ren has Akechi at gunpoint as the other members of his group stand with them, ready to back him up. 

“Talk. Why are you here, and how the hell did you make it out of Shido’s Palace?” Ren’s eyes are intense and serious, a stark contrast to his normal cocky mannerisms as Joker. 

Akechi returns the demand with a small sigh, pulling back enough of his shirt to reveal several gunshot wounds. 

Naoto looks closely, and her eyebrows raise. “These shots all missed the heart by a very small margin….”

“Exactly. I was all prepared to die at that moment, but somehow…someway..I didn’t.” He fixes his shirt as he speaks. 

Mishima wavers a bit, unsure if he should lower his weapon or not. “So you survived  several gunshots, yet you didn’t make your appearance back in Tokyo?”

“Had I made my status of being alive public, I would have been hunted down and killed before I could testify against Shido, I hope you realize this.” Akechi shakes his head. 

“…lower your weapons everyone.”

“Well, if this scary as shit interrogation session is over, can we move on to our first dungeon?” Youske asks. “Yo Rise, have you pinpointed anyone in any of them yet that seem to be alive?” 

“Yes actually.” She responds, her persona already in use to track movement. 

“Awesome! Which one?”

“The Sauna.” 

The color from Yosuke’s face drains…as does Yu and Kanji. None of them look too keen on heading in there.

“Ahaha…on second thought…Ren is there anything else you need to question Akechi on? I don’t mind if we-” 

“Oh will you just grow a pair?” Adachi rolls his eyes. 

Minato sighs, shaking his head, “Let’s just go. Be prepared to be in there for a long time everyone…” 

The group moves out, immediately greeted by the heat and steam. They all have trouble navigating the area. Eventually getting themselves lost.

“Yo, didn’t you all like…go through this shit already? Why the hell are we lost then?!” Ryuji quietly yells. 

“One: this place brings back uncomfortable memories, Two: it’s been a few years, and Three: this place changes it’s layout every time!” Yosuke responds at the same volume.

“Hmm…so it’s like Mementos…” Ren nods as he looks around. 

But as the group tries to get their bearings, a shadow roars nearby. 

“Yeah, take this!” 

Yu looks up to the source of the voices. “Is that…Kou?” Yu draws his Katana from it’s seethe. “Let’s move!” 

The group runs to the source, finding Kou and Daisuke fighting eight shadows…but they both look worn out from the over exertion and the heat. 

“Yu? How…did you get here?” Kou asks, clearly close to dropping. 

“It’s a long story but, why don’t you take five? We’ll take over from here.” With that the Shadows engage the Persona users in combat. 

The sports duo watches as they all fight, amazed when Yu summons Izanagi to cut through a shadow with ease. 

“Man…these guys act like this is nothing…” Daisuke observes. “How’d they even get these powers huh?” 

Akechi cuts clean though a shadow with his sword. “Please, these shadows aren’t even worth my time.” 

“Yo Crow! Why don’t you try to take control of a shadow?” Ryuji calls out, blocking a few strikes.

“I can try…COME, LOKI!” He attempts to take control of a shadow, but suddenly grabs his chest in pain. “Ngh! W-What the hell?” 

Mishima shakes his head. “Seems he can’t for some reason.” The new persona user fires a shot at a shadow, missing it. 

“We don’t have time to rely on abilities that aren’t instant. We’re running the risk of loosing our civilians here!” Mitsuru states. “Just keep fighting the old fashioned way and we’ll be fine.”

The fighting rages on, with more Shadows appearing to assist along the way, getting stronger and stronger each time. 

“This isn’t getting us anywhere!” Ren dropkicks a shadow in annoyance. “What can we do to speed this up?!”

Yu suddenly has an idea. “Ren, Minato…remember our sparing match earlier?” The other two look to him as he smirks, returning the expression. 

“We’re in a tight area…so this could be risky…but let’s try it.” Minato laughs a bit. 

The trio begin to summon their main Persona at the same time.

“Orpheus!”

“Izanagi!”

“Arsene!”

At once, Fire lightning and curse fuse into one attack, striking the shadows down and paralyzing them. This leaves them open for addional attacks by the rest.

“I’ll be damned…seems you kids aren’t useless after all.” Adachi laughs as he finishes a few shadows off. 

Soon the hallway is shadow free. But Kou and Daisuke passed out during the conflict. Mishima runs to them and checks them, looking for any sort of injuries.

“Are they…okay Yuki?” Youske asks, kneeling down beside them.

“Heat exhaustion…who knows how long they’ve been in here. Fighting..running…it’d tire anyone out in these conditions.” He tries to lift Kou up, and manages to just barely. 

“We’ll need to get them somewhere safe to treat them…” Naoto states. “The training hall is the only safe place we have however….” 

“We’ll need to make that our home base for now…” Makoto sighs, standing near Akihiko as he lifts Daisuke up. 

“Mona? Can you be our transport back?” Ren asks. 

The cat simply nods in response as they all start to head out of the steamy bathhouse. 

But a presence is following them as they head out. Minato looks behind himself briefly. 

“….”