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

[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.

[afailedmurder]

[Akechi is also poking at his phone]

As expected, prices are reasonable out here. Perhaps I should stay at a ryokan...

[tookyourheart]

Sounds nice. If there's rooms available, go for it.

[Their coffees arrive! Ren also ordered a glass of water with a straw, so Morgana can sneak out of the bag to take a sip every now and again.]

[afailedmurder]

I think I will, at least for tonight. I could use some relaxation.

[takes a sip of his coffee]

Hmm... are you sure you wouldn't rather come stay with me?

[tookyourheart]

[it's tempting...]

You sure you want us to tag along and ruin your private relaxation time?

[afailedmurder]

["us"]

I don't mind. Though is Morgana a fan of hot springs?

[tookyourheart]

No way! No water for me, thanks.

[...So Morgana says, angrily sipping water from a straw.]

Morgana can wait in the room. I just don't want to leave him wandering around a town he doesn't know yet.

[afailedmurder]

You'd really come, wouldn't you? Your parents must not give a single shit.

[tookyourheart]

[siiips his coffee, no comment]

I'd still have to let them know, but they'd let me.

[afailedmurder]

In that case, you should join me. We can finally settle the score...

[turns the phone to show him a photo from the website of two guys in yukata playing ping pong]

[tookyourheart]

[peers at the phone, deadpans:]

I see... The battlefield for our fated rematch.

[inside the bag, Morgana is rolling his eyes]

[afailedmurder]

[sorry cat, it's flirting(?) time]

Imagine being defeated in your own hometown.

[tookyourheart]

I might have to leave again from the shame.

[afailedmurder]

Then you'd better take it seriously. I don't intend to show any mercy.

[tookyourheart]

I've prepared long and hard for this day... in the batting cages.

[kitty is now audibly groaning from the icky flirty vibes] Ping pong and baseball aren't the same thing!

[afailedmurder]

Huh. Do you have batting cages around here? A multi-event tournament would be more telling than any one individual game.

[tookyourheart]

Maybe there's one at the local sports centre? I never tried batting until I moved to Yongen, to be honest.

[afailedmurder]

Of course. Well, we can concentrate on ping pong for now.

[one more drink of coffee in the cup. He zones out for a moment staring at it]

[tookyourheart]

[Watching him, he asks wryly after a moment:]

Is the coffee that bad?

[It's an invitation to talk, if he wants to.]

[afailedmurder]

The coffee's fine. I'm the only hot mess here.

[knocking back that last bit]

[tookyourheart]

Hah. Well, now you have time to clean up the mess.

[The hot part can stay, though. Ren likewise chugs through the rest of his coffee.]

[afailedmurder]

Do you really think that's possible?

[mostly sounding bitter, but there might be a genuine question in there somewhere]