(open) bet you thought you'd seen the last of me

[forethinking]

Who: Ren and YOU!!
What: His return to the Void after his canon update
Where: Everywhere, we know how I roll, I'll probably update this forever
When: OOCLY, around the 10th of December!
Content Warnings: 100% Persona 5 Royal Spoilers will happen BUT I will put it in the comment subject if anything comes up.

Comments

[forethinking]

He didn't want people to suffer as he has.

(The wishes of a man who hasn't come to terms with his grief. Pain is important - it shapes us, molds us, and it's part of who we are at the end of the day. While the motivation was somehow noble, it was not his place to take away something so necessary, so inherent of living.)

[starshower]

I mean, it sounds nice when you say it like that, but...

[She thinks she knows what he means.]

... If I suddenly never had all those struggles I did, I don't think I'd be as strong as I am now, you know? You know what they say: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

[Tifa breathes a laugh at how cheesy that sounds having said it out loud.]

Some people think they're heroes... trying to help... and don't realize that they're just hurting others.

[forethinking]

That's exactly it.

(And Ren smiled the brightest one he had. Tifa would make such a great Phantom Thief, if she so wished.)

We stopped him.

[starshower]

That was gonna be my next question...

[What he did with that information was important. It's a difficult choice to make, to be sure, and one that someone so young shouldn't have to make, but she's glad that he chose the correct path.

Tifa beams at him, proud, and flings an arm around his shoulders to pull him in close, and gives his hair a gentle ruffle, trying to make light of what could end up being a dreadful conversation.]

Look at you, going out and saving the world!

[forethinking]

(It's rare that someone gets that kind of close to him, besides the Phantom Thieves, so for a second there's surprise before laughter emerges, shaking his head to put the mess that is his hair back in place as he wraps an arm around Tifa. A hug, if he's allowed.

What a good adopted mom.)

Not just me. It was a group effort.

[starshower]

[He's definitely allowed. It isn't often either of them get the chance to do this, if ever, so it's a welcome gesture. Tifa's hold is warm but firm, with all of the love she has to give poured into it.]

You guys should come help save mine next.

[If only, right?]

[forethinking]

It's something I have given some thought before.

(By that, he means that literally every time she talks about a bad person in her world, he's seething in his seat, craving justice in her behalf.)

I'd love to make them repent.

[starshower]

Guess I'll just have to work extra hard for both of us.

[Take Shinra down twice over, for her and on the Phantom Thieves' behalf.]

Anyway... Enough about that! I'm glad you made it back okay.

[Assuming he wants to be back here!]

[forethinking]

You'd be a great Phantom Thief.

(He finally words his thoughts, and he couldn't look prouder when he gazes over at her. Good Tifa, great mom.)

I'm good. Shall we proceed our training?

(It's been a while.)

wrapping!

[starshower]

And I'd be honoured to be one.

[Whatever it means to be a Phantom Thief, it lines up pretty well with her own motivations, some of which she's kept close to herself since she joined AVALANCHE, but they're there, simmering until she gets the chance to get back at Shinra for everything they've done.

With that, she jumps to her feet and offers a hand to him.]

Thought you'd never ask. Hope you're not too rusty.