synthneon | · CALL ME OUT (WINTER) ·

[ Dual daggers. Interesting.

Joker eases into a far more relaxed stance. Mona is still at his side, unsure, but Joker can tell that the other man doesn't mean any harm. Yet. ]

There hasn't been much of a reason for us lately.

[ Then, Joker nods to the area around him. They had taken out the corrupt officials they needed to. Although, the greater public isn't aware of the manipulative god that was pulling the streams. There had been no need for the Thieves after he had been taken care of. Now, though... ]

What are you looking for?

Evidence.

[Because he doesn't know what exactly to look for in this place. Nyx isn't personally involved with the Palace ruler, which makes it more difficult to know where to go, what to find, for the most part.]

I need to find something that I can take back with me and use as evidence for a full hearing. I can't take the Treasure, not yet. There are too many people I need to make sure are safe first.

[A safety net, to be sure. While the general will predictably confess, there are others around him that may work quicker. Nyx needs to be sure that anyone in his radar is kept far away.]

[ "Evidence"?

He does his best not to seem surprised or taken back by that. It's vague, could mean anything... and be associated to anyone. Joker simply narrows his eyes ever so slightly. He is hoping the other Palace intruder isn't a foe -- ]

You may not be able to bring anything with you from here.

[ Mona nods, crossing his paws. ] "He's right. Most things here won't take on a tangible form. So, you must be looking for something that is in the real world.

If I can find it here, I can find it in the real world. I can't go around pretending I know where to find it out there.

[If he can find what, or how, the documents are guarded, or in what form they take, it could give him a clue as to how and where to find it in reality.]

There's some papers out there that mean a lot, but I have no idea where to start. If it's that important to the ruler, then I'll be able to see a connection I might not see when I'm back in the real world.

[Nyx sighs lightly.]

Or so that's the idea.

"So, a mirror then."

[ Interesting. Then again, they were able to find the version of Saiyuri in the Palace and in the real world as well...

Joker gives a nod. He's decided. They'll help one another. An uneasy hesitance truce until they know one another better. ]

Alright. Where do you want to start?

We'll survey the area here as much as we can before going further in. The items might be closer to the Treasure, but I'm not risking casualties.

[As much as he knows the Phantom Thieves were skilled in their own right, he's never had to work with anyone. Nyx operates by stealth, taking odd routes and bypassing large swaths of security measures.

This time... it's different. Besides the new ally, there are people out there depending on him. A wrong turn, a sideways step. and it might be game over.]

"Oho, he's cautious. It's pretty smart for someone who is trying to copy the Phantom Thieves!"

[ Joker let out a sigh at Mona before shaking his head. He half turns then, eyes dancing from one spot to another to find the best hiding place. ]

There are patrols that come by here every few minutes. We'll need to get up high. They're blind to aerial attacks.

I'm right here, you know.

[Nyx laughs, of course, but really.

He scans the area quickly. Fenrir would make quick work of the patrols, no doubt, but it's not optimal.]

We can try that way.

[He points to a series of columns and archways, a little difficult but not impossible to navigate. It could take them to the first level of the roof if they're careful.]

[ The Phantom Thief merely shrugs at how Mona treats others. It's something they all get used to. If the temporary members of the Thieves end up sticking around.

He nods to where the man points. With a flick of his wrist he launches his grappling hook. Joker easily scoops up Mona as he is pulled through the air to the top of thee column. It's a tight fit, but, he manages to keep his balance. ]

[Nyx, unfortunately, doesn't have anything as neat as a grappling hook.

He does, however, have something a little... flashier.]

Fenrir!

[Less than solid, more than smoke, a shape instantly appears and sweeps up Nyx. He's gone, just for the moment, and he reappears just a few feet shy of the column. He lands with a slight wobble as he regains his balance.]

Every time.

[He signals to Phantom Thief before he starts clearing the path forward and above. It's quiet, so far at least.]

[ That makes Joker's eyes widen and his eyebrows raise. Not that the latter notion can be seen under his mask. Mona, instead, is the one that is more visibly reacting to the large--- is it a Persona? --shape lifts the potential ally up to their level.

That's ... new.

He nods and starts to go along the lines of the pillars up top. A few hops, a few strides. His eyes go up to the building that still looms overhead. ]

How is security so low still?

I haven't poked my head in the wrong place yet.

[Sort of true. Moving with Fenrir made it easier to navigate undetected. Still... he had a point.]

Know anything about sedation on Palaces?

[Maybe they're drunk? Asleep? Medicated? Nyx can't call himself smart enough to know the nuances.

They press on, reaching the first roof, half made of glass and brightly lit from the inside. This Palace seemed as if it were a mansion-sized greenhouse. The general spoke often enough about "growing the right minds" and "weeding out the unlucky."

If the situation weren't dire he'd almost find it funny.]

[ Joker gives the man a smirk from over his shoulder. Smart. Maybe he's a bit more talented at this than he first thought. ]

Sedation isn't something I have to worry about.

[ He shakes his head. ]

Usually there's something distracting the palace owner.

Then we'll call it a good thing for now.

[He surveys what he assumes is the main garden, full of statues and an impossible fountain sitting in the center. The shadows here take the forms of gardeners and, strangely, nymphs. Maybe he's more delusional than Nyx imagined.

Something about that fountain though...]

Can you see what's in the center of that?

[He points specifically to a strange object. It appears to have a solid form, but from his angle Nyx can't puzzle out what it could mean.]

[ He wishes nypmhs were a strange thing. But, after seeing what was hiding inside of Kamoshida's Palace? Nothing is really surprising ever to him now. Except maybe the level that people are willing to sink. It seems too just go down down down... ]

Not from here.

[ Joker turns his head to Mona. ]

Stay here, I'll be right back.

[ Then with almost cat like agility, he is bouncing off the top of some pillars that adorn the garden. He even slinks down behind one of the statues as a pair of nymphs pass. ]

[He barely had a chance to argue before the young man was off.

Alright then.]

Fenrir.

[His Persona doesn't materialize, not quite. He stays hidden, oscillating between solid and shape. What one can clearly see are a pair of great golden eyes hovering just behind Nyx. They say nothing and watch, ready to strike as they cautiously inch closer.

As it is, both of them have their eyes trained on the nastier-looking nymphs. They can provide cover, should he need it.]

[ Huh. He can control how strong his persona is -- or has he not fully awakened?

Once the nymphs have passed, Joker peaks his head around. With a glance over he dashes to the shadowed part of the fountain. He looks around at everything before standing up. There's a statue that the water is coming from. It looks... off. Maybe loose? ]

[Nyx hazards to move closer, and some part of him is tempted to just cause a scene. Too bad the stealth of his Persona doesn't extend further than himself.

There are, at least, a few solid quick exits he's mapped out. Nyx keeps inching closer, wondering how keen these nymphs are.

Well. Why not.

He rips off a sizable chunk of foliage and hurls it far from the young man and himself. It doesn't quite land where Nyx had wanted it to go, but it's close enough. The nymphs, on extreme alert, immediately leave their posts to investigate. Quiet as a shadow, Nyx drops down next to the other.]

That's a few minutes' time, if we need it.

· CALL ME OUT (WINTER) ·

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