[open] I am me

[feale]

Who: Kasumi Yoshizawa + you?
What: catch-all for January!
Where: various places around the Void
When: during January
Content Warnings: Persona 5 Royal spoilers in the thread with Parsee, and any other marked threads!

1. resolution
(after the New Year's Party)

[ Despite having helped out with the party, it's still a little strange to Yoshizawa that they're celebrating a "new year" at all. Time has been largely stable since her arrival in the Void, so she knows that for her part, she's only been here a few months... and when she was taken from home, it was March. So it's weird, a little.

Still, it's probably good for them to have some kind of system to track dates, right? And starting with January 1st makes more sense than starting anywhere else, especially given the fact that everyone seems to remember different days as being their last back at home.

It's her first new year since her life changed so drastically, and so something about the tradition of making resolutions speaks to her more than ever, this time around. Fresh starts, or something like that.

So as the party winds down, Yoshizawa can be found sitting at one of the tables in Heavenly Blanc, neatly-written kanji and kana lining the napkin in front of her, the girl adding more to it with each careful stroke of her pen, her brows furrowed in focus.

If she's approached, she'll look up in surprise, offering a shy smile to whomever is joining her. ]

U-Um, are you planning on making any resolutions too?

2. kichijoji

[ It's not just that Senpai and Akechi-san have already made the move to living somewhere in the newly-appeared place that's kind of Kichijoji. Like a few other places around the Void, the place feels something like home, much more than the apartments do. Plus, something about having two entire floors to herself speaks to her. She loves helping Ren out in the Heavenly Blanc, but for someone who loves cooking as much as she does, she can't help but daydream of a small stall where she can "sell" food for the other people who are living here.

It's not like they don't already have a lot of restaurants and the like, but...

Habit has her standing, arms at her sides, considering one of the shopfronts in front of her with a tilted head, as if goods line the outside just like they would back home. She's lost so deeply in her own thoughts that passersby won't even be greeted as they normally would, and any efforts to get her attention will result in her jumping, startled, before she bows. ]

I— I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there.

3. gym

[ In the Aoba Shibumenosaki Underground Academy gym, Yoshizawa is a completely different person - not unfamiliar to anyone who met her within the depths of the Mementos nightmare, but certainly unlike the girl who usually walks around the Void. Dressed in the academy's sports uniform (of course in a striking red), she can usually be found completing routines on the floor, practicing kickboxing or fencing (always versus nothing but the air in front of her), or occasionally using one of the machines to work up a proper sweat. A look of serious focus can always be seen on her face, and people who join her will be met with little more than a brief nod - at least until she's finished what she's currently doing.

Maybe this is how you find her, focused on the workout, or maybe you come across her when she's finished, sitting down against one of the walls and perhaps watching anyone still working out, hair wet from the showers and falling over her shoulders, a container full of food in her lap and chopsticks in one hand.

And it's not just you: that container of food really does seem to be far too big for someone as small as her... ]

4. wildcard

[ want to do something but don't like any of the prompts here? you can hit me up at denouements if you want, or just post something here! ]

Comments

Gym

[bazooker]

[Meanwhile, Haru was much focused on doing the treadmill right now. She wasn't sure how much stronger or fit she was now she wasn't focused on battling shadows anymore. While she might not be as fit as some of her teammates, she knew she had to keep up her fitness should she ever go back home.

It was until after her run that she realized there was someone else in the gym with her]

Yoshizawa-san? Is that you? [Despite how sweaty she was, she just had to go up and see her friend!]

[feale]

[ It's probably the worst place for anyone to run into Yoshizawa, if she's honest. When she arrives at the gym, it's always with a particularly singular mindset, and it isn't until her workout is done with for the day that the girl stops to look at whoever else might also be working out. It's for that reason that she's able to join Haru in the gym without even noticing the older girl there, setting herself up on one of the exercise bikes as a warm-up.

She's humming when Haru's voice cuts through, and after a moment, she glances up with a brief, half-distracted smile. ]

O-Oh! Okumura-senpai! Yes, it's me. I'm sorry I didn't notice you!

[bazooker]

[As she was wiping the sweat from her face, she dared not to get too close to the younger of the two. The last thing she wanted was for her to feel grossed out!]

No it’s okay! Would you mind if I joined you? I do believe I might need a cool down after running for so long!

[feale]

[ Yoshizawa nods her approval. Of course, she has no way of knowing what Haru is thinking, but with as much exercise and working out as she herself does, she is certainly not bothered by a little (or a lot!) of sweat. And so she has no qualms about agreeing with the other joining her. ]

Please be my guest, senpai! I'm just warming up, so our paces should match well!

[bazooker]

[With that, the girl just hopped right onto the bike. Despite how tired she was, she wanted to make sure she kept up with Yoshizawa's pace!]

Yes, let's keep going! [She said before attempting to pedal her way through] But has everything been okay with you? How have you been handling the Void lately?

here come the p5r spoilers!

[feale]

[ It's been a while since she's had someone to chat to properly while working out. The person she probably works out with the most nowadays is Ren, and most of their chatting is saved for after the workout, over a coffee or meal. But before the Void, before the Phantom Thieves, before the mess with her cognition, back when she and Kasumi used to work out together, she and her twin would chat almost the whole time. It's kind of nice to have someone with whom she can do that again!

Her pace doesn't slow, even as she turns her head to look at Haru as she talks. ]

I think I'm still in the process of becoming used to the way things work here, if I'm honest. It's so different from home, and it's always changing so much! Now there's a place that looks kind of like Kichijoji.. have you seen it, senpai?

kichijoji

[kimihiros]

(he's moved here as well, taking a store and upstairs for his own should his powers return. maybe, just maybe, his home comes to the void but for now, he has decided to take matters into his own hands.

he's only out for a quick trip to the market, properly dressed in a kimono before he sees the red headed girl looking straight into his welcoming space. he frowns, as she's not exactly coming in, but she's not just walking around either. spacing out, huh?)

Yoshizawa-chan? Are you alright?

[feale]

[ It takes her a moment, but Yoshizawa snaps to, her bow of apology especially natural given the lovely kimono that Watanuki is wearing. It takes another full few seconds for her to register anything past the fact that he's here - the question, for example - and then she nods, and bows again, an embarrassed expression written over her features. ]

Y-Yes, I'm alright. I'm just... I suppose I'm daydreaming a little.

[ There's a momentary pause before she continues on, admitting: ]

I was considering moving from my current apartment to one here... but I'm not sure.

[kimihiros]

(it's not the first time the girl seemed out of his world, lost in one of theirs. their first meeting told him as much. mugetsu perks up from kimihiro's shoulder, squeaking happily to greet their acquaintance.)

We have. Seems that there is more movement here as of late.

(it's a good neighborhood, but honestly, he's just happy to be alone and in control of his surroundings. he couldn't even smoke in his apartment without feeling bad.)

Would you like to see how it is inside?

[feale]

[ Her embarrassment makes way for happiness when she notices Mugetsu there too, and she offers him a little wave, promising herself that she'll pet him later like last time.

Watanuki's offer, however, is met with a somewhat more anxious glance. ]

I, um. Do you think it's okay?

[ Does he think it's okay to look inside? She regrets the question as soon as it leaves her lips, a hint of red splashing itself over her cheeks. ]

What I mean is, I— I wouldn't want to impose!

[kimihiros]

(he sure thinks it's okay when he was the one who invited in the first place! but he's not going to nag her, it's fine. he just gives her a smile, much like a merchant would before opening the door behind him.)

It's fine. It's already decorated too, so you can have some insight of what it could look like.

(he leaves the shoes in the reception, sliding the Japanese-style division for her to go through into the living room. there's a small kitchen on a corner, teaset and alcohol bottles decorating it, but most visibly is a small table in the center, three chairs as he never expects too much company.)

[feale]

[ She blinks. And then blinks again.

Oh. Oh. Someone has already moved into this place. Watanuki has already moved into this place. She was just standing there staring at someone's home, not just an empty shop.

Whoops.

Her cheeks are even redder as she looks around the place, leaving her shoes in the entrance with his. Despite the limited amount of things they have available to them in the Void, he's made the place look comfortable and like home. ]

O-Oh. Watanuki-san, it's lovely in here...!

Resolution

[bridge_princess]

Ehhhhh?

[She was seated in the chair opposite her, trying to look relaxed and failing miserably. Honestly, she was never very good at being all that calm or sedate about anything. Always a little fidgeting and nervous, this one. Looking up at Sumire, she shrugged.]

I actually hadn't thought about it. Things are so unpredictable here that I don't really know if I could do something like self improvement here really?

P5R spoilers! ♥

[feale]

[ Her smile in response to the admission is something bright and warm, and the girl is quick in the way she slides a napkin over to Parsee, holding the pen out in offer a moment later. Of course, the spirit may choose not to take it - and that's okay too! But nonetheless, Sumire will explain her thoughts on the matter: ]

I think that sometimes, an unpredictable situation is the best one to work on our self improvement. It allows us to practice against all sorts of good and bad things. If we were in a perfect situation, it would make the improvement easier, of course, but I then there's a risk of it all falling apart when you suddenly come up against something tricky. At least, that's what I think.

[ She indicates her own napkin. ]

It doesn't even have to be something big or complex. Every bit of improvement is made with small steps!

[bridge_princess]

Well... I mean... I guess I could resolve to try and listen more instead of assuming I know what people are trying to say.

[Which sounded like some kind of bog standard 'how not to be a terrible person' kind of thing to say, but really with her, this was almost a triumph. She was twirling the pen, thinking about it. She could also resolve to figure out what her feelings were in general besides jealous...

...

One thing at a time. She wasn't making the Suez Canal overnight here.]

So, what about you? What's your resolution?

[feale]

[ Parsee's potential resolution brings a bright smile to Sumire's lips. To others, it might sound like something bog-standard, sure, but she really did mean what she just said - any little bit of improvement is still a step in the right direction. Nor does it sound to her like Parsee is a terrible person for making assumptions... to her, it just sounds sad.

She certainly understands what it feels like to make those kinds of assumptions, to second-guess what others would say enough that she would shut herself off from listening.

And if Parsee's being honest with her, she can be honest in return. So with a smile, she holds out the napkin for the other to see. A number of resolutions are written over and over, but the one there most frequently, in darkest pen, reads:

"This year, I am happy being the person I am. Yoshizawa Sumire." ]

[bridge_princess]

[She tapped at the table. That was confirmation of what Akechi had told her. Ok, so Violet was Yoshiawa. She'd picked up on the description and the situation. It was pretty likely after all. But still, nice to have the confirmation, but what was there on the little paper, it made her grin a bit grimly.]

You know, I bet people who don't know any better probably think that one's easy. It's not actually nearly as easy as it sounds on the surface, is it?

[feale]

[ She nods, a serious, determined look on her face. There are very few people who understand the whole truth of her statement, although it's not surprising that there are people able to empathize with it. After all, it's like the others have told her - everyone has their own difficulties to deal with. Hers just happened to be focused around trying to become someone else entirely.

She smiles up at Parsee. ]

Certainly not. It takes a lot of work and effort to learn to be happy as who we are. I have a long way to go, but... This is the next step!

1. Resolution

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Kaiba had lasted much longer at this party than he intended to, especially since they literally just had a large social gathering in the previous month. Still, things like these were a method to gain intel- arguably this was less profitable in that department than the first void party but there was no way to know that beforehand.

When he noted the red-head he briefly wondered what she was doing but she supplied that information immediately]

You know.. there is paper for that kind of thing.

[Not that there was any in the vicinity currently, but still. Then to answer her question]

I don't see the point in resolutions.

[feale]

[ As usual, Kaiba seems incredibly gruff - whether it's a mark of getting used to it or just her own good mood from the party, though, Yoshizawa responds with a quick smile, brandishing the napkin at him. ]

That may be true, but there's nothing in this immediate area, Kaiba-san! I wanted to start writing now.

[ The next comment, however, gets a tilt of her head, a curious expression written over her features. ]

You don't? Why?

[ It's not a challenge, far from it. It's simple, honest curiosity. ]

Gym

[symbolofstrength]

When is this world going to start having athletic clothes in his size? He wasn't trim enough to fit into the jerseys provided even when he was a teenager himself. So the only thing he can do to dress for a workout is to shrug off his labcoat, neatly folding it up and setting it aside with his decidedly non-athletic footwear, maybe unbutton the top button or two of his shirt.

Then he starts messing around with the free weights... gosh, that weight seems awfully big for a man his age to be picking up so effortlessly. Not to the point of being Superman or anything, but it's a bit surprising. He pauses when he glances up and meets her eyes by chance, though; but before long, he gives her a friendly smile and nod.

His smile only grows further when his gaze drops to the food in her lap, though it's a nostalgic one with a far-off look in his eyes; it seems that she's reminding him of someone.

[feale]

She's busy enough tucking into the food that she doesn't immediately notice the man in the gym; in fact, it's only once she hears the clatter of the equipment moving around that she looks up. The expression on her face when she sees the older man is one of surprise - not just because she's not as alone as she thought, but also because... well, surely that weight should be too heavy for him! And yet he seems perfectly able to manage it before he puts it down, only then meeting her eyes with a smile and nod that is politely returned, the upper half of her body bending over her food in a seated bow.

It's his expression that shifts in the next moment, and Yoshizawa feels a tug of sadness. Careful not to upset her food, the girl rises to her feet, the bento box held in both hands as she approaches him.

"U-Um, sir? Would you like something to eat? O-Or, if you're, um, planning to work out now, I could always m-make something for you after...!"

[symbolofstrength]

It's his turn to be surprised, as he waves off her offer; he certainly didn't mean to imply he wanted her food! The thought of taking food from a young person's mouth, of feasting while they go hungry... it's revolting.

"No, no, that's alright! If I want something, I can get it myself. It's just..." And his eyes take on that far-off, fond look again.

"You reminded me of someone from home, that's all."

[feale]

Of course, she has no way of knowing what the man is thinking, but she didn't offer her food simply because it looked like he wanted it, or anything like that. Rather, there was a sadness to him that cut to her core, and somehow food seemed like it would make the situation better.

As far as she's concerned, food always makes things better.

She shakes her head in response to his comment, and for now slides the cover onto the box to keep the food fresh, although she still holds it in both hands.

"I'm sorry...! Are you alone here?"

[symbolofstrength]

When you've been around as long as he has, regrets and losses tend to pile up here and there. Still, he manages to keep them at bay with his cheerful attitude most of the time. He takes a seat on a nearby bench before nodding, this one a fair bit more subdued than the last.

"As far as I know. There's no one here I recognize from home, anyway." Oh, sure, there are other trainers, other people who know what Pokemon are... but he doesn't know any of them, doesn't think that they're from the version of the world he knows.