[ ...Honestly, that tracks. It could be someone else entirely, of course, but while Ren's seen usernames that feel like they could belong to people he knows ("Justice", for one) they've never immediately called him by name without being told.
He's not certain he's ever actually used his name on the network, actually. It just hasn't come up.
And it's entirely in keeping with how Akechi is to just spring this on him out of nowhere - if anything, Ren's simply surprised Akechi didn't pop out of the shadows of his apartment to demand information or something. ]
Of course, Akechi. You okay?
[ ...But he's being just as oddly casual, besides the obvious and extremely genuine concern about the other boy's wellbeing.
...Of course the "oddly casual" could just be his usual mode of texting: sometimes he'll be a bit more loquacious, but usually he's pretty brief even if he's quick to respond. ]
About as well as I could, given the circumstances.
[ Circumstances being... what? Being plucked out of his home that had turned into a fake reality to begin with? Dropped on nameless sex island without much of an explanation? The looming knowledge that in one day's time, he was to either disappear or be forever trapped in an even worse fate-- one that Ren had inadvertently wished for? Maybe.
Or maybe it's just the cat ears. Who knows. Certainly not Ren, if Akechi can help it. ]
But, I'll be brief. This is the one answer I don't seem to find anywhere, and though I don't have much hope you'll be able to provide, I have to ask: do you know how we ended up here?
[ Look, he'd probably be interested in the cat ears but he's far more interested in Akechi himself. Ren hasn't seen him in months, and he has no idea what happened after everything. Of course logic said Akechi was probably dead but -
Well. He didn't like to think about that. ]
I'm afraid "how" is beyond me and the only "why" we have is "to save this world with sex".
[ Which has a lot of "hows" to it, as well. He's not about to dance around that, though, because it's pretty obvious. It's not like their robot overlords hide what they want everyone to do or anything.
There's a whirring "..." as he actually chooses to type some more, though. Chatty! ]
I don't think it has anything to do with what was happening back home.
[ Yes, Ren, he has realized that much-- honestly he might have been a fake detective, but he was still capable enough to track his username down in the network, so do give him a little credit to figure out the obvious, okay? ]
I see. I can at least say I'm glad to not be trapped in someone else's disturbing idea of happiness.
[ Perhaps not as disturbing as Maruki's world, where Ren's idea of happiness would have him trapped in a place of easy camaraderie and friendly rivalry and a clean criminal record in which Akechi had never tried to kill him at all, but hey. Ren can take that to mean this weird sex island, and they can continue to pretend there isn't anything very wrong about that wish, not a single grudge to keep. ]
I assume you don't know the way out either? Questionable taste as you may have, even you shouldn't genuinely enjoy this ordeal.
[ Haha...is that something he should apologize for? Perhaps. But it's not like Ren can control what would make a utopia for him. He's intelligent enough to take the double meaning, but...
...he can't bring himself to say sorry for his dearest wish for reality, even if he had given it up. ]
I haven't been able to find a way out.
I have learned of other Persona users here.
[ He clearly doesn't mean anyone they know; there wouldn't be any point to specifically inform Goro of that. Ren assumes since he was tracked down, Kasumi's existence is also something the detective knows about...
[ Look, even Akechi isn't so emotionally stunted as to demand an apology for that; people feel how they feel, and no matter how senseless it is, Ren's wish is not something he had consciously decided on. The choice to give up on it, however, was, and Akechi can at least appreciate that.
But because people do feel how they feel, he can't be blamed for still holding a bit of a grudge, either. ]
Disappointing, but not unexpected. I suppose even you have limitations, after all.
[ Because, oh, isn't he special. The one with the special powers and the special bonds that powered up his special, multiple Personas, special enough to take down a god. So yes, in many ways, he is. But to Akechi?
Well. He does at least mean considerably more to him than "Kasumi," who he quite frankly didn't bother to check for-- much like any of the other Phantom Thieves. ]
What about these other Persona users, then? Anything noteworthy?
[ ... Ren. You can't possibly expect Akechi to take up Morgana's role, he's far too big to fit in a bag. ]
"Risette" is a navigator, eh? I suppose that could be useful, if she'll cooperate.
[ There's a with us that goes unsaid because, well, there's a part of Akechi who does see Ren as an ally of sorts. He's just not about to admit it out loud. ]
Although I don't see much need for a navigator, to begin with. The Metaverse isn't accessible, is it?
No, but our abilities do seem to be. She was scanning for enemies for me and supplying me with weak points. This was a little earlier when there was an incursion.
[ He's not fighting right now or anything...actually he's sprawled on his bed in his meticulously tidied home base. He doesn't have a lot of Things yet but he's always been handy at cleaning. ]
But I don't know if adding her and her friend to the group chat makes sense...which reminds me.
[ He adds Akechi to the group chat which hasn't gotten much use since it's been just two since Yusuke left before they had news to share.
He's apparently going to simply continue treating Akechi like an ally very blatantly. ]
Oh! Great! That makes me really happy that you'd do that for me.
I was wondering if you'd be up to joining me at the gym to do some stretches and exercises? Like we used to do back home before we arrived here, that is.
Great! I'm on my way now so I'll wait for you outside once I arrive!
[ True to her word, Kasumi is indeed there and waiting for Ren when he does get there. Dressed in a tanktop and sweatpants - even if not her usual ones - she's definitely ready to get back into the swing of things, if only for the small comfort of something familiar she's accustomed to. ]
[ It took a second for her to take in what he was wearing before a small laugh escaped her. Not out of anything negative, but more out of surprise and good natured amusement. ]
Hello, Senpai! I'm actually doing pretty good today.
[ Maybe it was just because it's been a bit since she'd seen him and a lot has happened since their arrival here. So seeing him here now is uplifting in a way she can't quite put a finger on. ]
How about you? This place certainly is a far cry from home so I hope you haven't had too hard a time adjusting to it.
[ Kasumi turned a bit, figuring they could head over to a place nearby in the gym to get started but figuring out what spot would be best was also key. It was then that she let off a soft hum and looked back to him, eyes bright. ]
It's a little difficult at times but I'm adjusting somewhat. Where i'm staying seems good enough for now as it's out of the way and I haven't had any problems yet.
[ She hadn't meant to be so vague but she didn't wanna worry her senpai any. ]
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text; un:crow DROPKICKS IN HERE
[ aka hello, Ren, guess who's 1. still alive somehow and 2. somehow on this island and 3. somehow acting oddly casual about it? ]
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He's not certain he's ever actually used his name on the network, actually. It just hasn't come up.
And it's entirely in keeping with how Akechi is to just spring this on him out of nowhere - if anything, Ren's simply surprised Akechi didn't pop out of the shadows of his apartment to demand information or something. ]
Of course, Akechi. You okay?
[ ...But he's being just as oddly casual, besides the obvious and extremely genuine concern about the other boy's wellbeing.
...Of course the "oddly casual" could just be his usual mode of texting: sometimes he'll be a bit more loquacious, but usually he's pretty brief even if he's quick to respond. ]
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[ Circumstances being... what? Being plucked out of his home that had turned into a fake reality to begin with? Dropped on nameless sex island without much of an explanation? The looming knowledge that in one day's time, he was to either disappear or be forever trapped in an even worse fate-- one that Ren had inadvertently wished for? Maybe.
Or maybe it's just the cat ears. Who knows. Certainly not Ren, if Akechi can help it. ]
But, I'll be brief. This is the one answer I don't seem to find anywhere, and though I don't have much hope you'll be able to provide, I have to ask: do you know how we ended up here?
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Well. He didn't like to think about that. ]
I'm afraid "how" is beyond me and the only "why" we have is "to save this world with sex".
[ Which has a lot of "hows" to it, as well. He's not about to dance around that, though, because it's pretty obvious. It's not like their robot overlords hide what they want everyone to do or anything.
There's a whirring "..." as he actually chooses to type some more, though. Chatty! ]
I don't think it has anything to do with what was happening back home.
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I see. I can at least say I'm glad to not be trapped in someone else's disturbing idea of happiness.
[ Perhaps not as disturbing as Maruki's world, where Ren's idea of happiness would have him trapped in a place of easy camaraderie and friendly rivalry and a clean criminal record in which Akechi had never tried to kill him at all, but hey. Ren can take that to mean this weird sex island, and they can continue to pretend there isn't anything very wrong about that wish, not a single grudge to keep. ]
I assume you don't know the way out either? Questionable taste as you may have, even you shouldn't genuinely enjoy this ordeal.
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...he can't bring himself to say sorry for his dearest wish for reality, even if he had given it up. ]
I haven't been able to find a way out.
I have learned of other Persona users here.
[ He clearly doesn't mean anyone they know; there wouldn't be any point to specifically inform Goro of that. Ren assumes since he was tracked down, Kasumi's existence is also something the detective knows about...
Surely he's not special, right? ]
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But because people do feel how they feel, he can't be blamed for still holding a bit of a grudge, either. ]
Disappointing, but not unexpected. I suppose even you have limitations, after all.
[ Because, oh, isn't he special. The one with the special powers and the special bonds that powered up his special, multiple Personas, special enough to take down a god. So yes, in many ways, he is. But to Akechi?
Well. He does at least mean considerably more to him than "Kasumi," who he quite frankly didn't bother to check for-- much like any of the other Phantom Thieves. ]
What about these other Persona users, then? Anything noteworthy?
[ Please don't bore him with peons, okay. ]
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How familiar are you with pop idols?
[ This is actually relevant but may also be wasting Akechi's time. It's fine. ]
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I have a working knowledge of media celebrities. I do hope you're going somewhere with this, though.
[ Don't!! Waste his time!! ]
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The other day "Risette" was my navigator.
[ Ren...
...still sees Goro as an ally, whatever Goro thinks of the matter. ]
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"Risette" is a navigator, eh? I suppose that could be useful, if she'll cooperate.
[ There's a with us that goes unsaid because, well, there's a part of Akechi who does see Ren as an ally of sorts. He's just not about to admit it out loud. ]
Although I don't see much need for a navigator, to begin with. The Metaverse isn't accessible, is it?
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[ He's not fighting right now or anything...actually he's sprawled on his bed in his meticulously tidied home base. He doesn't have a lot of Things yet but he's always been handy at cleaning. ]
But I don't know if adding her and her friend to the group chat makes sense...which reminds me.
[ He adds Akechi to the group chat which hasn't gotten much use since it's been just two since Yusuke left before they had news to share.
He's apparently going to simply continue treating Akechi like an ally very blatantly. ]
But it may be worth getting to know them.
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Group chat, what no. He didn't ask for this, Ren cease this nakama bullshit immediately!! ]
You do realize there's no point to this, yes? It's not like you can carry out your Phantom Thief activities without access to the Metaverse.
[ Apparently, Akechi doesn't consider the possibility that a group chat could be used for... chatting... what a novel concept... ]
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text; un: scarletgymnast; backdated to 8/23
It's been a while since I've seen you. Are you busy?
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I was wondering if you'd be up to joining me at the gym to do some stretches and exercises? Like we used to do back home before we arrived here, that is.
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[ So his dance pants. ]
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Would you like to meet me at the gym or somewhere else so we can go there together?
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[ True to her word, Kasumi is indeed there and waiting for Ren when he does get there. Dressed in a tanktop and sweatpants - even if not her usual ones - she's definitely ready to get back into the swing of things, if only for the small comfort of something familiar she's accustomed to. ]
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Hey, Kasumi. How are you today?
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Hello, Senpai! I'm actually doing pretty good today.
[ Maybe it was just because it's been a bit since she'd seen him and a lot has happened since their arrival here. So seeing him here now is uplifting in a way she can't quite put a finger on. ]
How about you? This place certainly is a far cry from home so I hope you haven't had too hard a time adjusting to it.
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[ He hopes so, or they'll have to move into the same vicinity so he can be sure, okay... ]
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[ Kasumi turned a bit, figuring they could head over to a place nearby in the gym to get started but figuring out what spot would be best was also key. It was then that she let off a soft hum and looked back to him, eyes bright. ]
It's a little difficult at times but I'm adjusting somewhat. Where i'm staying seems good enough for now as it's out of the way and I haven't had any problems yet.
[ She hadn't meant to be so vague but she didn't wanna worry her senpai any. ]
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[ In any way, since he's worried about her even without knowing non-vague details... ]
Though you seem to be settling in well. [ If she's keeping up with gymnastics. ]
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