(closed) take your heart

[forethinking]

Who: Phantom Thieves of Hearts and Associates
What: Discussing some Phantom Thievery that may or may not entail destroying Mementos. :) :) :) :)
Where: Kichijoji - Ren&Akechi's apartment
When: January 24th
Content Warnings: Prooooobably Persona 5 Royal spoilers all over.

(He doesn't want it leaking in the leyline, so instead, he tracked down the members of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, as well as Yoshizawa. The message was simple enough - the need for a meeting, at 8pm later that same day. At the settled time, Ren awaits at home, having coffee ready for the visits when he hears the first knock.

Opening the door, the first thing they'll see is Ren's large smile, like he's been waiting for this moment for months. Time to come back.)

Comments

[simulatio]

[Unlike their old meetings in the fall, Akechi's not just standing awkwardly in the corner, knowing he's unwanted. He's taken a seat to the right of the head of the table, entirely intentionally signifying that he's their leader's right hand. Because he's an asshole. Try as he might (and he doesn't try very hard, truthfully), a satisfied smirk hovers over his lips.

He nods a greeting when the others come in, settled back comfortably in his chair with a cup of coffee on a saucer in hand. All the greetings and other assorted pleasantries, he'll leave to Ren for now.]

[bazooker]

[When Ren asked for a meeting, Haru knew it was something serious. Why else would he go through the trouble of contacting her in person when there was another way to do so?

As soon as she saw Ren's huge smile, she couldn't help but giggle.]

I see you're in a good mood today. I'm glad to see that.

[menaretrash]

[ Upon Ann's arrival, she's quick to greet everyone with friendly hugs, which means Akechi is not left out, either. He may not get up, and she doesn't care -- she just wanders over and loops her arms loosely around the poor man's neck from behind before she goes to take a seat, crossing her left leg over her right. ]

So, what's up?

[forethinking]

(He nods to Haru, he definitely is in a great mood. He's missed this and the idea of drawing out the Void seems rather exciting in itself. When Ann hugs him, he even lifts her from the ground a little bit, playful as ever.)

We had an idea.

[simulatio]

[Akechi doesn't expect to receive a hug, so he doesn't get up. That leaves him awkwardly freezing when she wraps her arms around his neck, going very still with surprised confusion before gently patting her arm at a bit of a loss. The relief when she releases him is immeasurable, but also, it's weird how nice something as simple as being included feels. Being shown even the smallest amount of affection.

Pathetic how much he enjoyed something that small.]

A theory, [he corrects, reclining back in his seat again now that he's no longer in danger of being hugged.] But let's wait for Yoshizawa-san, shall we? No need to ruin the surprise.

[feale]

[ Yoshizawa isn't far behind the others - in fact, it's a mere moment after Akechi says her name that she steps into the apartment that he and Ren share. A sharp contrast to Haru's giggle and Ann's all-round hugs, the youngest member of the group is serious, bowing deeply to the others once the Thieves' leader lets her in. ]

I am sorry I'm so late!

[simulatio]

[At least someone knows how to act. Akechi gives her a nod and tilts his head to indicate the seat next to him.]

You're right on time, in fact. Now, shall we dispense with the pleasantries and get to the point? Ren.

[He raises an eyebrow, clearly expecting the other boy to do the explaining. That's his job as the leader, isn't it?]

[forethinking]

(He smiles, offering Sumi an arm as to symbolize a hug before he nods towards Akechi. Fine, grump.)

Akechi hurt Mementos and heard something scream. I heard it too. We're thinking about attacking Mementos.

[bazooker]

[As Haru listened to Ren, she just looked back at Akechi and then the rest of the group.]

Is that what happened? [And somehow, she wasn't too surprised that this happened. And yet, there was a part of her that was a little happy about this.]

Then it doesn't seem any different from what we're use to.

[simulatio]

Don't you think that's a bit overly-simplistic?

[Ren... Akechi sighs through his nose and sets down his coffee cup on its saucer, crossing his arms and bringing a hand to his lips as he appraises the group.]

It's highly likely that harming Mementos is what caused the earthquakes above ground. Mementos itself struck back and forced me out, which is why I believe it's of the utmost importance for us to find out what it's trying to protect.

[forethinking]

(That was JUST his opening statement, Akechi!!! So he's just glaring at the other before he takes a seat at the table.)

What do you guys make of it?

[menaretrash]

Hold up, something screamed? That's... creepy.

[ Ann shifts a little in her seat, frowning. ]

I don't know if attacking it is such a good idea. What if we do something that puts the other people in the Void in jeopardy? For all we know, it'll take it's wrath out on them. Or this entire place could collapse on itself.

[feale]

[ With a small smile and a nod, she takes the offered seat next to Akechi, her attention focusing on Ren - and her smile fading fast as the two explain the experience the detective had in Mementos and their belief that the earthquakes were a direct result.

Not to mention... a scream? A chill works its way down her spine at the thought.

Only when Ann speaks does she look back up, her concern written onto her features. ]

I— I think I agree with Takamaki-senpai. There are so many people living here. What if we did something that ended up hurting others?

[simulatio]

When has that ever stopped this group in the past?

[Everything from their career changing hearts to ripping apart the twisted reality Maruki had wanted to trap them in -- all of it had collateral damage, some obvious, some less-so. He lets that statement linger before continuing,]

As I told Ren earlier, this is the first concrete evidence we have of our being able to directly provoke a response. It would be foolish, if not irresponsible, to ignore it.

[forethinking]

I agree, but I too am thinking about the overall security. If we are to do this, and something draws the Void out, we need to be ready. I've been hearing chatter about the Void changing others.

(Espio, to be more exact.)

I don't think we should do it immediately, but I think it's worth pursuing.

[bazooker]

We will have to be careful. If we are to look into this, we need to make sure that it doesn't continue to hurt others.

[As Haru listened to everyone, she did have to wonder what the Void was going to do. Ren was right, they shouldn't attack right away but still...]

[menaretrash]

In the past, it was different. We knew more about what we were dealing with -- here? It's an entirely different world filled with entirely different people and possible outcomes.

[ She hums, drumming her fingers against the table as the others speak. ]

If this is something we're going to do, we need to let everyone know. That way, they can prepare for whatever might come, if there's any preparation for something like that.

[feale]

[ Knew what they were dealing with? If she's honest, the same cannot really be said of Yoshizawa. Of the group, she's easily the least experienced, the one who understands the least of how the Metaverse worked. She only ever completed one mission with them... and part of that mission involved their saving her in the first place. As such, it's hard for her to feel like she has much of a say, compared to them. And yet... She glances across at Akechi, a frown creasing her brows. ]

I still agree with Takamaki-senpai. You know already that I didn't agree with the Phantom Thieves' original purpose, Akechi-san. And I would argue that this is even more dangerous. I am not suggesting that we ignore it, but to just attack it when we think that it is what caused the earthquakes is what I would consider to be irresponsible. People could be seriously hurt, unless we give them proper warning...

[ Even if they give them proper warning. ]