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[ 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)

[ Sure, Minato, pulling off a mask and changing outfits is a lot more dramatic than shooting yourself in the head, absolutely. ]

Thank you. [ The usual polite smile is back into place, but maybe it's just a tad bit smug this time, just a little. ] An outlaw, but a hero of justice, in his own right... If I'm supposed to be a rebel, then I'm glad this is the kind of Persona that best represents me.

[ Well. It's not a lie-- there is still a part of him that is like Robin Hood. But the strongest influence, the real him... that is definitely Loki. ]

Ah, but you never told me what your Persona is called, Arisato-kun.

[Yeah but the p5s enjoy it, let's be real here.]

... Oh, you're right.

[He didn't even realize.]

Mine's Orpheus.

[T...tragic Greek myths... it's fine, probably.]

I can definitely see how Robin Hood would suit you, though. [haha he knows so little]

[ So little, indeed. Still, Akechi smiles at that-- it means his disguise is working, like it should. ]

I'm glad you think so.

[ But, Minato's Persona is also very... interesting. ]

Still, Orpheus, huh...? [ Hmm. ] The one whose sorrow moved everything living or not in this earth, in hopes to bring his beloved Eurydice back from the dead... I have to wonder, how that would suit you.

[... Oh. Well... Minato looks contemplative at that, smiling a little, but bittersweetly.

It's... a Lot, to be sure.]

I don't know if that's the part of the legend I'm supposed to represent.

[But going to the underworld--to Tartarus--to try to save people...that's valid.

(And losing to death, in the end, is also valid.)

... But he just shakes his head.]

It's kind of obscure though, I think. Even I'm not entirely sure how it's supposed to be tied to me always.

[ Hmm... If that's not the part that Minato is supposed to represent, the options that are left are... indeed very obscure. Bordering on dark, perhaps. Not very much like the Minato he's come to know so far.

Well. He supposes everyone keeps secrets, after all. ]

Well, from my experience with other Persona users, there is always a connection. If you can't figure it out now, I'm sure it will come to you, at some point. Until then, it will just be one more fun mystery to solve.

[ Fun... sure........ ]

[ha... haha...

Note to self: maybe keep the other personal Personas of his to himself for awhile, because... that'll make the connection really obvious to someone as sharp as Akechi in a really bad way.]

... True enough. I guess it doesn't really matter right now. It's kind of nice to know you've got a Persona too, Akechi-san. It's nice that...there are more people around here that understand them.

[ POSSIBLY... Although that might be a little hard to do if they're ever in battle, and Minato needs to quickly switch to something more effective... ]

Yes, I agree. [ And there's that easy, plastic smile back, always so agreeable-- when in reality, any and all other Persona users are a threat to his plans. Time to keep an even closer eye on Minato... ]

Although, in my case, there were already several other people to my knowledge that also had access to a Persona...

[ Well. According to his Ace Detective narrative, anyway. ]

[Yeah, then he'll be in trouble, won't he... but for now, Minato's entirely oblivious to Akira's thought processes here.]

Is that right...?

[Minato looks more curious than anything at that.]

Do you mean the ones here who summon their Persona like you do, with the mask and costume?

[And the rest of Akira's team, too.]

[ Good, stay oblivious, Minato.

But the mention of other Persona users who summon like him does get a slight arch of his brows. Akira had told him he and especially Yusuke hadn't been all that secretive about their identities, but this is still the first person that Akechi has seen admit they know of the others. ]

Oh? So they have revealed themselves to you, as well? That's rather surprising. They were a lot more cautious about their identity, back in Tokyo.

[ Because, you know. Criminals!! ]

Mm... they were pretty cautious about it, but...

[Minato's good at getting these things out of people.]

Because you're Phantom Thieves, right? You can't be super obvious about it with that in mind. It makes sense.

[Minato's Helping.]

[ These sneaky Persona Protags and their sneaky ways!! ]

That is correct. [ He nods. ] The Phantom Thieves are wanted for a number of criminal activities, but more recently, they have been charged with murder-- wrongly so, of course. Regardless, because there is no way to be sure who among the people currently in this place may have heard of them before, exercising caution with regards to their identities was the best course of action.

[ A pause, and he offers a placating smile. ] I hope you won't take this as a lack of trust, however, and that you can understand the position they are in.

[...charged with murder??? What? What sort of thing could possibly have happened to make that happen...? He blinks at Akechi at that, but...]

Oh... no, I'm not offended or anything. A lot of people have a lot of different circumstances coming into this place.

[So many circumstances that he could only guess at.]

I'm grateful you told me about your Persona, but I wouldn't have been offended if you hadn't. In a place like this... I think it's a little dangerous to judge everyone by my own experiences, when I have no idea what anyone else has been through.

[There is such a wide, wide variety of people, of worlds and experiences and things they've dealt with...]

... Well, that's just how I feel about it, anyway.

[ Akechi-- or rather, the "Black Mask." That's what happened. But shh. ]

Thank you. You truly are a very understanding person, Arisato-kun.

[ Apparently, enough that he doesn't even question the fact the Phantom Thieves have been (falsely, according to Akechi) accused of murder. Doesn't act repulsed, suspicious, or even scared at all. Is he really just that kind? Or... could it be that he just trusts his own powers enough to believe he could stop them, if they were to become a threat?

Minato Arisato... Really, what kind of person - and Persona user - are you? ]

But, I must admit, it feels nice to have at least one other person know about this secret. Perhaps we can even share some of our experiences? I'm certain there's a lot I could learn from you.

[What could it be, honestly...]

I wouldn't mind that at all. [An easy nod from him!] We should stick together, right? As Persona users, and as friends.

[So it just makes perfect sense.]

Besides, it'd be interesting to learn how our experiences are different.

[ Well, that was fairly easy. ]

Yes, I agree. Our different experiences might be particular helpful when dealing with a quest int he future.

[ And with another flash of light, the gaudy outfit is gone, and he's back to being Goro Akechi, the absolutely ordinary teenage detective. ]

However, for now perhaps we should resume the task that originally brought us here? Or was that all you wished to learn?

Hm... I think this is good for now. I'll keep practicing until I've got this down.

[That all said--]

And remind me to make it up to you someday. Eventually, I'll think of something I can teach you in return.

[For now, he thinks this was a pretty productive meeting.]

There is no need for that-- though if that is what you wish, I will not stop you.

[ And yes, there is... definitely a lot he can learn from Minato, like a good wildcard senpai. But for now, he'll help Minato with picking up the materials he brought along. ]

Thank you for today, Arisato-kun. I've had quite some fun-- and it was a very enlightening meeting, too.

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messianic - 2018-06-26 15:57 (UTC) - Expand