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[He's super duper nosy. He's a protag, after all.]

I see...

[It's interesting. Akechi needed to learn how to do it for himself... since there wasn't anyone he could ask. To Minato, it's familiar--isn't that why he learned how to cook?

Because he didn't have anyone else who would cook for him...]

Thanks for telling me. I was just wondering.

[ These stupid protags and their being nosy! They have to stop doing this!! ]

Hmm, it's no trouble. [ He dismisses the thanks with a smile, and for once, he's not being nice just for the sake of pleasing anyone, either; if anything, talking about he essentially raised himself, how he had to work hard to achieve everything he has... it makes him feel rather proud of himself, for a moment.

It's just not enough to offset the terrible decisions he's made later on. ]

Ah, but I see you're doing a good job with that sleeve! You learn fast, Arisato-kun.

[Akechi should be proud of what he accomplished!!! ... Until the murder.

The murder is something to be less proud of. But it's fine. Minato doesn't know about that. Instead... he flashes Akechi a small smile, grateful.]

This sort of thing is familiar... I'm used to working with my hands, I guess.

[He's kind of a jack-of-all-trades in a rude sort of way.]

But it really is because your instructions were so clear and comprehensive.

[ Yeah, he's not... exactly proud of the murder thing, it's just. Too late to go back now. ]

Well, I'm glad. [ A small laugh. ] I suppose it must be because I taught myself how to do it, so it's easier to explain it to a fellow rookie.

[ No fancy terminology or anything! So he'll continue to supervise Minato's work, though in all honesty, it doesn't look like he's going to need much help at all. He's got the hang of it pretty fast. ]

So, you're used to working with your hands, huh? What other skills do you have, if you don't mind my asking?

I don't mind, but...

[He looks contemplative for a moment as he makes careful stitches--he does occasionally make one that's uneven, and he's fastidious enough that he always undoes it to retry.

But.

His expression is almost a little sheepish as he responds to Akechi's question. He's not...used to talking about himself...]

... I guess I've done a lot of school clubs and things. Kendo, and music club... I can play piano and a bit of violin. [And student council and sewing club as Akechi already knows, but student council isn't really a "hands" activity.] I'm an okay cook, too.

[Another of those Necessities Skills.]

Oh?

[ Hearing Minato just list his skills like that, Akechi gets distracted from the task at hand, a pair of eyebrows arching up. ]

That is, indeed, quite a lot of clubs, and an incredibly varied set of skills to have. You're rather impressive, Arisato-kun!

[ The power of Persona protags, probably! ]

[Indeed!!! It's all part of Persona protag life. But he shakes his head quickly anyway.]

That's not... no, it's not like that. I just was given the opportunity to try them, so... I was glad to give it a try.

[He's not that impressive...!!]

Anyone would be able to with the same opportunities--

[Oh. He was so distracted by Akechi's words that he pricked his finger with the needle. Oops.]

[ Aw, that's sort of cute, seeing Minato try to act all modest about it-- and unlike Akechi, he does sound rather genuine about it, too. ]

That is a nice way of thinking, but there is such a thing as aptitude, you do realize? There is nothing wrong with acknowledging your own talents.

[ ... although maybe he should. Pay more attention to what he's doing instead of trying to deflect Akechi's praise, maybe?? ]

A-ah, Arisato-kun, your hand..!

[He doesn't know how to consider himself talented, Akechi, don't do this to him... honestly the pricked finger is almost a bit of a relief so they don't have to focus on Minato's abilities anymore.

He lifts his finger away from the fabric quickly to keep his blood away from it, and then sticks his finger quickly into his mouth.

Eh.

After that, he tugs his finger out to look at it.

Hm....]

It's okay, it's just a tiny prick.

[ He will do this to him, they are not done with this talk yet, young mister!! But they can save it for later because Minato is... doing a thing that he really shouldn't be doing, come on, boy, don't suck on a bloody finger... ]

Tiny prick or not, this needle is old and somewhat rusty, so it has likely been contaminated. At the very least, we should have it properly cleaned up and bandaged...!

[ This might be hard to do without a healing spell, though. Do they even have any soap left...? ]

[Oh my god Akechi....... Minato blinks slowly, and honestly he's a little touched. So much concern for his well-being over something like this...

Still, there's no reason for him to hide his powers here, not anymore. He's seen so many weird things at this point that he just shrugs a little, and:]

I'll use a healing spell later. That way, it won't get infected.

Thank you though, Akechi-san. For worrying about me like that.

[ We don't have any tetanus shots available, Minato, he is concerned!! But: ]

Wait, a... healing spell?

[ Okay, no obviously Akechi isn't a stranger to the concept of healing spells, but... Minato? Could it be...? ]

Arisato-kun, are you also someone with special skills...?

[That just gets a bit of a shrug and a nod, as he inspects his finger. It's almost done bleeding, he thinks...he can almost go back to the sewing.]

Ah... I guess so? It's weird still to call it "special skills" like that, but... a lot of other people have weirder, so I don't really see the point in hiding it anymore.

I have a Persona, like a few other people here. [Har]

[ Har, indeed. ]

A Persona...?

[ But rather than this big reveal, it's the little bit that follows that actually catches his attention: "like a few other people here." Even assuming Minato knows about Akira and Yusuke, that's only two others, but... does that mean there are even more?

Well. He's going to habe to investigate this later, but for now: ]

What exactly do you mean?

[ Better make sure he's not lying about it, before deciding on his next course of action. ]

Hm...

[Minato's contemplative for a moment, trying to think of how to describe it, before settling on:]

An aspect of my soul given form, that I can use as a "mask to face hardships with"...? Something like that, I think, is probably the best way to describe it.

[ Well, yes, of course he knows that, but Minato isn't aware of the fact so he's going through unnecessary information. His choice of words does give him a little more credibility (really, mask metaphors? very appropriate.) but Akechi still needs more solid evidence before even considering taking the next step. ]

So you call upon your soul, and it manifests into a physical power, correct? [ Maybe he sounds a little too knowledgeable, but at the same time, it doesn't sound like a far-fetched conclusion to make, based on what Minato has revealed. ] That sounds... fascinating, really.

[ A pause, and he brings a hand to his chin, eyes averted in what seems to be a rather bashful act. ] I understand this may be very forward of me, but... would you mind showing me how that works? Detectives have a terrible habit of being too curious, haha...

[... And for the first time, Minato looks a bit uncertain. He pauses with his stitching, brow furrowing a little as he looks down at the cloth on his lap.

... He's seen plenty of people summon their Personas without resorting to the means he has to. In fact, with Mitsuru gone, he's the only one now who has to use an Evoker.

Everyone else has another method. A less alarming method. But Minato--]

... I don't mind, exactly, but it's usually alarming for people to see.

[He says that softly, eyes down. (It's funny--more and more, he's been made to feel rather ashamed of his own summoning method here.)]

It might be better if you turn around first...? [He doesn't expect that to work, but he has to try.]

[ It's Akechi's turn to narrow his eyes, head tilted slightly sideways in confusion. What could possibly be so alarming about masks? Sure, there was a good amount of bleeding upon the first awakening, but once that was over--

Wait. Could it be that there were different summoning methods...? ]

If that will make you at ease, I could. [ He can compromise on that, at least. ] But, I assure you I can handle it. As a detective, I have seen plenty of alarming incidents, in my line of work.

[ Well. Maybe not only as a detective. ]

[Yeah... Even though Akechi says that, if Minato can take any opportunity to not shoot himself in the head in front of his friends, he will. So he nods quietly, expression ruefully apologetic.]

If you don't mind.... that'll make it easier on me.

[ Oh, well. Akechi is still going to be curious but, assuming this is really true,he'll have plenty of chances to witness Minato's very special Persona summon. ]

Very well. [ A nod. ] If that is all it takes, it is a simple enough request.

[ And just like that, he spins on his heels and turns his back on Minato. He won't even cheat and peek, promise! ]

[Bless you, Akechi. As soon as Akechi's back is to him... Minato drags in a slow breath, and takes his Evoker out from under his blazer. He flicks it to his temple, and pulls the trigger.

There's no gunshot, but there is the sound of faint shattering glass, and then there's Orpheus floating over his shoulder.]

... You can look now. This is my Persona. [One of them, anyway.]

[ The sound of shattering glass does make him that bit more curious, but he honors his word and waits until Minato gives him the okay to look.

Once he does turn around, there's some genuine surprise in his features-- not so much at the fact that Minato was saying the truth, but more so, at the Persona hovering above him. It's not one he remembers having seen before-- and he had seen, and fused, a fair number of them. ]

So this is your Persona... [ He comes a little closer, inspects the figure with some mild interest. He wonders what it's called. ] That is truly impressive.

[ He turns back to face Minato, and then: ] You really were saying the truth, weren't you?

[ There's more to his smile than just his usual pleasantries, a hint of secrecy that's eager to come out in the open-- so much, that it maybe slips through his choice of words. After all, how could an Ordinary Boy tell that truly was a Persona? ]

[... Hm. Yeah, that's an interesting response to it. Minato tilts his head quietly, expression more contemplative than anything, and Orpheus slowly fades away as Minato no longer needs him.

... But as for Akechi, well... that hint of secrecy, that look on his face, the way Akechi referred to Orpheus without a beat of hesitation or stumbling over the word Persona--]

Yes, of course.

... You know more about them than you're saying, though, right, Akechi-san?

[ His smile widens. ] I always knew you had a sharp sense of attention to details, Arisato-kun.

[ Without another word, he takes a hand to his face, and suddenly everything will probably make more sense to Minato. The mask materializes first, long and red like blood, and in a flash, his entire outfit shifts to something more reminiscing of royalty, all white with details in red and gold. ]

Come forth, Robin Hood! [ Next, it's time for his Persona to make an appearance, all large and bulky and proud, hovering above his figure. ]

You were correct: I do know more about Personas than I had previously made you believe. And the reason for that is... because I have the same powers as you.

[ Hah. ]

[... Oh.

Yeah.

It does make a lot more sense now. When he sees Akechi materialize the mask, then he knows--this is like Yusuke and Akira's summoning, right? He supposes that makes sense, in a way.

It's so...

... Dramatic.

But it makes Minato smile a little to himself too, peering at Robin Hood curiously.]

... Huh.

[Huh!!]

Robin Hood looks very impressive, Akechi-san.

[That story's familiar too--steal from the rich to give to the poor, right? A noble thief...?]

Edited (names...) 2018-06-11 18:49 (UTC)

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