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]

[Meanwhile Ren has a less-than-heartwarming family reunion, unpacks his belongings (or at least, the few he brought in a bag, the rest due to arrive in a separate delivery), shows Morgana around the house after introducing him to his parents... There's a lot to be done, and it's finally after dinner that Ren manages to shoot Akechi a text.]

On my way.

[Time for the moment of truth to see if Akechi will keep to his word, anyway.]

[afailedmurder]

[Akechi fell asleep on the floor, so he doesn't return that text.]

[But he is here.]

[tookyourheart]

[Arriving at the ryokan but... still no Akechi reply?

Maybe he should try calling him before he bothers the staff. Please don't have your phone on silent.]

[afailedmurder]

[gropes around for the phone]

[picks it up and peers at it, noticing it's Joker]

[groggily debates whether to answer]

[suddenly remembers exactly why he should answer and gets so worked up about it that he fumbles the phone entirely]

[by the time he's picked it back up, it's stopped ringing]

[OH NO]

[tookyourheart]

[Is he being ignored? Rude.

He asks at the reception area if anyone fitting Akechi's description has checked in (he might've used a pseudonym, after all), but he's turned away with the reasoning they can't compromise the privacy of guests.

Disgruntled, he heads back outside, and tries calling one more time.]

[afailedmurder]

[Akechi is also trying to call! And bursting out the front door in his yukata.]

[tookyourheart]

[The line's engaged. Seriously? Maybe he really is being ghosted--

--Which is right when Ren spots him running out in a yukata.]

Akechi?!

[afailedmurder]

[...]

[...]

[...]

...I was taking a nap.

[tookyourheart]

[Surprise quickly turns to incredulity, which then turns to barely-withheld laughter.]

You? Nap? Since when?

[aren't workaholics allergic to that sort of thing]

[afailedmurder]

[already embarrassed + being teased = technical damage]

I can nap!

[tookyourheart]

Just because you can doesn't mean you do. Although you might be less cranky if you made it a habit.

[He's laughing outright for a once-more hit. Sorry, Akechi.]

So can I come in, or should I leave you to go back to your beauty sleep?

[afailedmurder]

[pauses to battle the kneejerk impulse to send him packing]

...Just shut up and come in.

[tookyourheart]

Yessir.

[following him inside! and leaving his shoes in the foyer, now that the staff are chill with him entering]

[afailedmurder]

There's an extra yukata in the closet.

[along with the futon he never actually laid out before taking his "nap"]

[tookyourheart]

Thanks.

[Ren notices the unused futon and has to stifle another laugh, or Akechi really might lose it. He undresses quickly and puts on the yukata.]

It's nice in here. I can see why you were so relaxed.

[afailedmurder]

I was simply tired.

[grabbing a floor cushion to sit on]

[tookyourheart]

Exhausted from a life on the run?

[Finishes dressing, then moves to join Akechi.]

[afailedmurder]

Something like that.

I wonder if anyone's even looking. Everyone seems to think I'm dead.

[tookyourheart]

Shido's fan club must've had a hand in covering it up. Same as what happened to me.

[Ironic as it is to see the playbook Akechi used turned against him.]

[afailedmurder]

Most likely. It would still be prudent to adopt a new identity.

[tookyourheart]

Herlock Sholmes? ...Garo Okechi?

[afailedmurder]

[tookyourheart]

Left speechless by my cool and mysterious suggestions, I see.

[afailedmurder]

There's no need to go crazy with it. I'll just change my surname again.

[tookyourheart]

Any ideas so far?