[Her outfit gets a curious look, but... His gaze lingers on her face when he approaches her, taking note of how tired she looks.]
In theory, Brilith-san has the experience to help you should anything go wrong. In practice... [... Hm.] Are you in any condition to fight right now? She should know that you'll only run into trouble if you're not at your best.
I don't have a choice at this point. [It's dull, almost mechanical.]
I'll have to make due with what I have, and trust that my teammates will be there to cover for my shortcomings.
...I'll be okay. There's... [An inhale, a harsh swallow. There's a piece of cooking twine at her neck, just barely visible around her collar - and past her shirt, by her breastbone, sits a familiar pair of horn rimmed glasses which she refuses to touch.] --There's more at stake here than just my comfort, regardless.
The glasses get a bit of a surprised look once he sees them, before there's a flicker of understanding...? Her current attitude is high-key concerning, however. The longer she speaks, the more it shows on Akechi's face — his eyebrows furrowing as he watches her.]
... Luna, did something happen between the two of you? [Because, of course, that's his immediate assumption. That Brilith hecked it up.] You weren't like this the last time we spoke.
[... He looks like he really wants to push. But ultimately, her personal affairs are none of his concern.]
Just don't allow it to become a distraction once you depart.
[Less severe than the way he would have said that maybe one, or two weeks ago. More of a... concerned reminder than anything else. He won't tell her not to die, because that will likely devolve into an argument. So with that, he drops it and move on.]
Yes. It's not what I prefer, but we plan to depart on Thursday.
[They sure as screwed either way, but he huffs out a laugh.]
We'll be alright, Luna. Phoenix-san is the odd man out... but there's no need for concern. If the house tries to cheat, I have a way of returning anything it may throw at us.
[Her expression locks up a bit at the name, but she lets herself relax.]
Only the basics, I'm afraid. That the existence of the space known as the Metaverse was made up of human perception of the universe we know, and that corrupt individuals unwillingly could affect locations in the Metaverse. I believe he called those sorts of locations Palaces.
He said he was part of a team that specifically infiltrated these Palaces, but the, um... the details weren't explained at the time. How one even traversed between the two locations by a phone app didn't seem to be understood, either.
[...? He takes note of that expression, but without proper context, Akechi doesn't know what to make of it. Hm.]
Mm, it's not a bad explanation — if you're a novice who knows nothing about that space. [He means Akira. It's fine.] The Metaverse is a world of cognition. Humanity's true, disgusting nature roams free within it. Most people have a counterpart that lives in that world. We call them shadows. If you find a person's shadow, you can learn all kinds of dirty secrets from them — or, you can even manipulate their human counterpart without lifting in the real world. Shadows are the true self that is suppressed. A side of one's personality they don't want to see.
[This is apparently relevant, because—]
But, Akira and I are different. We embraced our true selves. I suppose you could say we learned how to weaponize our shadows as a result of that decision. That power is what we refer to as a Persona.
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week six, tuesday morning.
... Will your group be departing soon?
no subject
She's out in the garden, wearing something far different than usual. She's... tired. Oddly tired.
She'll turn to acknowledge him with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.]
Yes. Later this afternoon, I'm afraid. Brilith was insistent we leave sooner rather than later, despite my arguments against it.
I... don't know how to feel about it.
no subject
[Her outfit gets a curious look, but... His gaze lingers on her face when he approaches her, taking note of how tired she looks.]
In theory, Brilith-san has the experience to help you should anything go wrong. In practice... [... Hm.] Are you in any condition to fight right now? She should know that you'll only run into trouble if you're not at your best.
no subject
I'll have to make due with what I have, and trust that my teammates will be there to cover for my shortcomings.
...I'll be okay. There's... [An inhale, a harsh swallow. There's a piece of cooking twine at her neck, just barely visible around her collar - and past her shirt, by her breastbone, sits a familiar pair of horn rimmed glasses which she refuses to touch.] --There's more at stake here than just my comfort, regardless.
no subject
The glasses get a bit of a surprised look once he sees them, before there's a flicker of understanding...? Her current attitude is high-key concerning, however. The longer she speaks, the more it shows on Akechi's face — his eyebrows furrowing as he watches her.]
... Luna, did something happen between the two of you? [Because, of course, that's his immediate assumption. That Brilith hecked it up.] You weren't like this the last time we spoke.
no subject
I... just made a personal mistake. That's all. I'll be okay. [Her tone doesn't budge.]
I think it might be better to just focus on the task at hand right now.
no subject
[That? Isn't reassuring? It is the opposite of reassuring, as a matter of fact.]
Then, was it with someone else? There's no need to cover for them if something happened. It's obviously bothering you.
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Has your group decided when they'll be going?
no subject
Just don't allow it to become a distraction once you depart.
[Less severe than the way he would have said that maybe one, or two weeks ago. More of a... concerned reminder than anything else. He won't tell her not to die, because that will likely devolve into an argument. So with that, he drops it and move on.]
Yes. It's not what I prefer, but we plan to depart on Thursday.
no subject
Do you plan to be the last ones entirely, then?
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I believe that's the idea. The rearguard, so to speak.
no subject
[Not like their safety isn't in danger either way but y'know.]
no subject
We'll be alright, Luna. Phoenix-san is the odd man out... but there's no need for concern. If the house tries to cheat, I have a way of returning anything it may throw at us.
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What do you mean? Did you get another item? [WHY ARE YOU EVEN NOW SO SKETCHY, AKECHI....]
no subject
[PEOPLE ASKED FOR ITEMS, NOT POWERS...]
no subject
[uh]
That.... wouldn't have anything to do with your world's Metaverse, would it?
no subject
[Ding, ding, ding!]
If you know of that other world, I assume it's because Akira spoke to you about it. How much did he tell you?
no subject
Only the basics, I'm afraid. That the existence of the space known as the Metaverse was made up of human perception of the universe we know, and that corrupt individuals unwillingly could affect locations in the Metaverse. I believe he called those sorts of locations Palaces.
He said he was part of a team that specifically infiltrated these Palaces, but the, um... the details weren't explained at the time. How one even traversed between the two locations by a phone app didn't seem to be understood, either.
no subject
Mm, it's not a bad explanation — if you're a novice who knows nothing about that space. [He means Akira. It's fine.] The Metaverse is a world of cognition. Humanity's true, disgusting nature roams free within it. Most people have a counterpart that lives in that world. We call them shadows. If you find a person's shadow, you can learn all kinds of dirty secrets from them — or, you can even manipulate their human counterpart without lifting in the real world. Shadows are the true self that is suppressed. A side of one's personality they don't want to see.
[This is apparently relevant, because—]
But, Akira and I are different. We embraced our true selves. I suppose you could say we learned how to weaponize our shadows as a result of that decision. That power is what we refer to as a Persona.