tabularasa_rp | (open) can't hold on or life won't change

[There's a bit of a strangled noise, like someone's stepped on a cat as the back of Akechi's neck flushes a deep red.]

If I may ask, [he bites out, fingers splayed out open on the table as if wishing he claws to scratch it with,] This is the second time you've made such an assumption about me. Why?

[What aspect of his personality makes Blue think he's inferior to Ren in any way? So he can fix it immediately.]

(Ren only raises a brow - he surely soundproofed their room to the best of his abilities, so he's certain that Blue is just poking for a reaction... Which is why he really wants to laugh when Akechi makes that sound and the words that come after them.

Well, they have moods, but Akechi tends to be the bottom... Even if in intent, because they haven't gone where Blue's head is at. Why is Akechi so pressed about this?)

Huh?

[Blue pauses in arranging the glasses, giving Akechi a look of confusion- as if he's asking something with an absolutely obvious answer, and it's just suddenly dawned on Blue that maybe something is missing between their understanding, here....]

Hmmm...

[Instead of answering right away, Blue chooses himself a glass and sets to mixing a quick drink (because he needs it, maybe), as he muses over what to do with this predicament.] Well, it's a shame because Ren-chan's right here, but I guess I'll out and say it anyway. Sorry, Ren-chan; nothing personal.

You mean, what, taking it up the Feebas? Why is it that you think that's something bad? [Blue pours a splash of vodka into his glass, following up a start of a juice base, and then gives it a quick bit of syrup.] --Oh, I get it, you must think it's like, 'losing' or whatever to be the one taking it, right? I guess when I was a brat I probably thought something like that, too. I always imagined myself on top until a-- certain age, heh.

[Blue comes out from around the back of the bar and flops into a stool, crossing one leg over a knee and sipping his drink.] But, the truth is, you have a lot more power when you're the one that can deny him action. You get what I mean, right? Ren-chan's probably that stubborn type, so it's the path of least resistance-- uh, no pun intended-- right?

[He grins- lecherously- and then glances at Ren again.] Sorry, I'm gonna make your life harder, but it's only fair. He's your rival, after all!

[Siiiiip.]

~~Kil~~
Wh
~~But I just~~

[ How do you find words when there's a knot of fear in your stomach and a swirl of confusion in your mind? And Ren... ]

I'm on my way, Senpai.

[ It doesn't matter how tired she is. Not anymore. ]

This place is so weird.

[He's probably said that a few times in Ren's hearing, but, well. It hasn't stopped being true, yet.]

We should have more 'meetings'. [Because yeah, he's assuming Ren means it was a party.] How many people were here at first?

(Later, he will regret being so happy that Izumi didn't see anything Persona related, but as of now, he's grateful that it helps him feel a bit more open towards Sumi, he can definitely see that smirk, Izumi!

Ren intended to be in the background, only here as a way to encourage Sumi to meet and interact with the others, so he was already on another thought when he was addressed.)

Huh? In a way. (Ren laughs at the comparison, shaking his head just a little.) Showing her around the Void.

(Out of sight and out of mind with the mushroom penis. May it ever cross paths with them.

Ren knew that her taking her break meant they wouldn't see each other as often as they'd been until then. It would defeat the purpose of leaving if she just visited him all the time...

So at her question, Ren hums as he sticks his hands into his pockets.)

Everyone's still a little shaken, I think. (And he imagines she is as well. Sure they've got silly things from one another, but it couldn't have just been that.

Onto other news, being his neighbour, she probably can tell Akechi going in and out of his room much more often than before. Him moving in is due to injury and he's not explaining that one himself, so, he's continuing on the same thought.) I feel like we're just waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Those don't die either.

(Odd choice of words, then, Zack!! Ren's still asking about you.)

We had an invasion not long ago.

If you can get enough people interested.

(A challenge for you, Noct!

Ren just thinks you're a good person and you're not alone in the Void, there are a lot of other good people! Maybe it helps him with adapting and getting to know everyone and everything.)

I can't know for sure, but around the same amount.

Edited 2020-10-27 20:36 (UTC)

For real? Monsters don't die? What the hell happened?

[Now his curiosity is perked. He wants to know about this if only to protect his friends should it happen again.]

The little robots just decided to attack everything a while back.

(Ren himself doesn't know the details, sorry, Zack. All he knows is that he stood his ground and fought them off Heavenly Blanc. If Zack has good observation skills, he'll see the faint outline of a dagger inside his jacket.)

The world hasn't learned about death yet, it seems.

(It's been routine by now to spend a while with Leo in the music room, and slowly but surely, Ren is actually getting the hang of how the notes sound on the piano. How to move the thin, long fingers on the black and white keys, probably an easy song or two can easily be played at this point.

But it's a break now instead of a lesson, the same fingers now mindlessly strumming guitar chords, not a melody or a song and much more a series of random notes with no apparent rhythm while he rests.

There's a coffee bottle on the floor, next to him where he's sitting, and he only stops the movement to pour some to the other man.)

Here.

[ ooooh, sumi's keeping up with his questions. that's a plus! too bad it's not enough of a plus to make up for the fact she chose mozart. that gets a furrowed brow from leo that remains for the duration of her answers.......

... fortunately, he recovers from his salt. partially. ]

Mgggggrr... I mean, I can't be mad that you're being honest! It says something that you didn't pick the super obvious bait I laid out riiiiight in front of you. Life isn't like a video game, we can still be friends even if you choose the answer that gives you one music note or heart or whatever instead of three...!

[ what

is he saying. but yeah sumi sure got just a ♪ from a guy who usually gives ♪♪♪ ]

Ahh, sorry, sorry! I should be talking with you, not at you! Le'see... a gymnast, huh? Wanna show me some moves? Like Ren said, I'm the Void's musical genius -- but I'm also an idol, y'know, so I'm always looking for some inspiration for choreography and stuff.

[ She smiles in response, a little unnerved by his smirk, but not complaining about it either. And she's quiet when the question is asked of Ren, letting him answer before she nods her own reply. ]

Yes, because I'm new here, Senpai is showing me around. There's a lot to take in...

[ Too much, if she's honest. There are so many places, so many people... She's not sure how she's ever meant to get used to a place such as this. But she has to - she can't allow herself to rely on him forever, can she?

She takes a deep breath. ]

Sena-san, I feel like I'm trying to catch up, here... Will you tell me a little about yourself?

where are you right now? i'm on my way.

[ She's not going to push for more info right now, because she may be a little bit of an airhead, but also... she knows what 'gone' means, too. So, she's already started to make her way to their designated meet up place. ]

Go straight ahead and make the first turn.

You looked passionate.

(Simple enough, isn't it? Ren wasn't going to take that from him!

He sees no reason to explain it further, so instead, he does what he is invited to do, walking towards the other and letting his eyes take note of the instruments... And he does snort a little when he hears 'surprise'.

Leo, there was no surprise there.....!!

Ren sits, a little out of his element for now. For now!)

How are we doing this? (Should he take notes???

Leo, Ren wasn't great at school......)

On my way.

[ And, true to her word, moments later she appears, immediately heading towards Ren and reaching out to pull him into an embrace. ]

What genre of movie?

[it's not, obviously, but this is at least vaguely entertaining, now]

(Ann arrives, and Ren hasn't moved. If anything, the most he has done was to wipe the tears off his face and manage to keep his nose from running. She needn't pay attention to see the blood staining his v-neck, or even the gore behind him that he can't be bothered to do something about right now.

He hates that she'll see it, but Ren doesn't feel like he can move. Akechi's head lies comfortably on his lap while Ren's thumb caresses the hold skin of the back of his hand.

At least this time he can mourn it and he doesn't actually have to break down over a toy in public after repressing it for a while. Not that Ann knows that he has, anyways. He leaves out a confused huh? before he can process that it's her, holding him.

He doesn't know what to say, much less what to do. Rationally, he expected this to be the reaction she'd have, given how sensitive she is and how worried she must be. Given their talk at the beach, how much she stressed that she would like to be more present in his life, to be there for him in times of need.

He just hasn't ever asked for it, even with all the pain of the past year still weighing on his shoulders.

So, for a second, Ren freezes, his brain scrambled to the point he doesn't even know if he should let her in or simply move on - change back into Joker and return to his leader posture, deal with this when things are less pressing, less frightening to the others. Sort this out with himself alone, as he tends to resort to... But that would mean he'd break his word, would it not? He had promised her he'd be better for her.

So, after painfully long seconds, Ren wraps an arm around the thin waist and brings her close.

He's miserable.)

Sounds like something similar to Not-so-Hot Betsy.

... I forgot to return it.

[ The fact that Joker is no longer Joker but Ren, in Mementos, is sign enough for her of the sadness and despair she already knows he must be feeling. It's why she'd been so quick to make her way over, drop to her knees next to him, and wrap him up in a hug. The gore doesn't bother her, his sadness is what bothers her. Akechi, unmoving, bothers her.

She's quiet for a moment, as Ren wraps his free arm around her to pull her close in return, and she reaches her own free hand over to gently cup Akechi's cheek for a moment. He's gone, yes, but it feels wrong to ignore him. And she is genuinely sad, it's a sickening feeling that twists in the pit of her stomach, because this was supposed to be the second chance that they really both deserved. Their happily ever after sort of deal, because home is so uncertain.

She moves her hand from Akechi's cheek after a moment, and instead brings both hands to Ren's cheeks to wipe gently at any remaining tears. ]

I'm so sorry... what happened? Are you injured?

Guess you'll never be able to show your face in Blockbuster ever again.

What the hell is Not-So-Hot Betsy?

A drama. Very charming.

(open) can't hold on or life won't change

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deep talks & music notes- leo

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