OPEN POST: Ren Amamiya (Joker) - Persona 5

[tookyourheart]

henlo friends it's that time again, toss in a prompt/starter/idea so we can thread

I've played and completed Royal, but I would prefer to remain unspoiled for Scramble!

Comments

[tookyourheart]

I wasn't really a cafe guy before Leblanc, but I know a place a couple of blocks from the station. I can you the way, since it's on the way home for me anyway.

[afailedmurder]

I'd appreciate that.

[a pause]

By the way... do you still have the app on your phone?

[tookyourheart]

[checking his phone, just in case, now that Akechi is mysteriously here]

Nope. Do you?

[afailedmurder]

[doesn't need to look]

No.

[tookyourheart]

Mine disappeared after we defeated Maruki, the same as everyone else. The Metaverse is gone for real this time.

[afailedmurder]

I see. Well, that's not unexpected...

[tookyourheart]

Look at it this way: now that it's gone, no one else can abuse it.

[afailedmurder]

We don't strictly know that it's gone, only that we're no longer permitted access.

...I suppose it doesn't much matter either way. It's out of our hands now.

[tookyourheart]

Yeah. Whatever the case, if something else comes up, we can deal with it as it happens.

[pulls up the blind, peeking out the window] Looks like we're almost there.

[afailedmurder]

[ok, subject change. probably for the best]

I'm curious to see it. I haven't spent much time outside of the city.

[tookyourheart]

It's a lot quieter than Tokyo, but maybe you'll like the change of pace.

[Or hate it, we'll see. He pulls his bag up onto his lap in preparation for leaving, and there's a sleepy complaint from inside: 'Just five more minutes...']

[afailedmurder]

[picking up his metal briefcase. does he look a little nervous?]

You'll have to show me what you do for fun.

[tookyourheart]

Before you ask, there's bars, but no jazz club, sorry. [At least, none that he knows of, and it wouldn't hold a candle to Kichijoji anyway.

The train is slowly pulling in to the station, so Ren gets to his feet.]

There's a shopping mall, a cinema, a little concert venue, a bowling alley attached to an arcade... [He stops and thinks.] Actually, I thought of somewhere you might like.

[afailedmurder]

I didn't expect there would be...

[Sliding out of his spot and into the aisle, blocking the space so Ren can do the same.]

But I'm interested in anything you have to show me. Lead the way.

[tookyourheart]

[Slips out of the seats, careful not to disturb the sleepy cat in the bag too much. Would suck to get busted for cat smuggling at the last minute.]

We'll stick with the cafe for today, but tomorrow onwards I can show you the place. You cycle, right?

[afailedmurder]

I do, yes. Though I didn't bring any of the relevant equipment.

Actually, I brought very little. I'll have to buy some clothes if I stay longer than a couple of days.

[tookyourheart]

My dad has a bike we can borrow, and my old one should still be there. [Hopefully his parents didn't go nuts and throw out tons of his stuff while he was on probation...]

And I can show you where the mall is for clothes. Are you okay for money?

[Time to disembark, whew. His parents haven't bothered to meet him at the station, so he'll go right ahead and lead the way off the platform.]

[afailedmurder]

Yes, I should be fine. I withdrew a fair amount of my savings.

[Walking alongside him.]

Are your parents not coming to meet you?

[tookyourheart]

Nah. They said they have some errands to run before I get home, but I can guess the real reason.

[Shrugs. At which point, there's rustling in the bag, so Ren unzips it, and out pops Morgana.]

Fresh air at last! --Wait, is that Akechi?

[afailedmurder]

Do they—

[interrupted by Morgana]

It's me.

[tookyourheart]

But how?!

[Ren just shakes his head.]

We'll figure that out later. For now, we're grabbing a coffee.

[Morgana seems to accept that much without complaint, at least, and settles for peeking around at everything as they emerge from the station.]

[afailedmurder]

[to Morgana:]

I don't know that your continued presence in the real world makes significantly more sense than mine...

[looking around as he walks]

[tookyourheart]

People wanted me around, so I stayed around, even if I'm just a cat now. Maybe it's the same?

[Ren looks puzzled, leading then across the street and down the few blocks toward the cafe.] If we see Lavenza again, we can ask her.

[afailedmurder]

[frowning, unsure of what to say to that]

I suspect the question would be easily answered enough if my own memory of events were more reliable...

But it doesn't much matter. Here I am.

[tookyourheart]

And here we are.

[Ren turns a corner, and the cafe is right there. It looks more modern and trendy than Leblanc, and is reasonably busy, thanks in part to its proximity to the station. Morgana disappears back into Ren's bag.

Once they're seated and placed their orders, Ren pulls out his phone.]

I'll text my parents and let them know I'll be back a little late.