synthneon | · CALL ME OUT (WINTER) ·

(( Continued from here. ))

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[ "Can you catch me?"

Oho. Ever since this young man showed up, the world that weaves between others, that ties them all to Smash, got even more interesting. A power like his, like any of the Phantom Thieves, was one not many had ever witnessed before. There is a part of him that wonders... He summoned forth that manifestation to aide him in battles' past. Arsene. Yet there were murmurings...

What other powers did he hide behind that mask? Cloud wasn't battle hungry- yet he was far from opposed to a good challenge. And Joker's done more than enough to prove his worth. He crouches down as well, preparing himself to spring, knees bending as flicks of fiery blue dance off parts of his body. ]

When you're this close? [ A beat. ] I'd rather show you.

[ Only so much space to move in an average-sized bedroom, after all. Still enough floor space for a good tussle though. ]

! Hmph-!

[ He stomps forward, closing that distance with a wide crescent swing of his sword. ]

[ Joker has to admit that he hadn't expected to find himself in the strange world he did. The signs on the roads had said 'Midgard'--is this another world along the echo lines of Smash? Or is it something more? Joker isn't sure, but he'll make sure to ask once he's done saying hello to Cloud in the appropriate manner.

Joker can't help the smirk on his face.

Then he slides do the side to avoid the swing. He jumps up just enough to barely miss the blade. His hand shoots out for his grappling hook, pulling him over Cloud's head and behind him on the bed. It's a risky maneuver. One back swing and Cloud will hit him with that sword.

Which is why he spins the dagger and moves to quickly put it up against the swordsman's back. Hopefully, it's fast enough. ]

[Nyx had been used to the chaos and the madness. He always tripped into something, always fought, always saved, always something or other that called his name.

He'd wondered if the Palaces called his name. People he knew well showed their true colors and their twisted fantasies so easily, as if there were no other way to be. The instincts deep in his heart had been right all along. Some part of him reveled in the notion of knowing the truth.

He gradually became better at navigating Palaces. Once a soldier, always a soldier, right? Nyx even took a shine to his strange new outfit, all ribbons and leather and furs bristling in motion. What once had been a struggle to survive became second nature to win. He and Fenrir, together, ripped enemies apart with claws and knives.

They almost never saw him coming.

Nyx, now in the Palace of a former general, senses a presence beyond his own. Not malevolent, but not benevolent either. His metal mask and bandanna cover his face completely, a truly faceless entity crawling in the dark towards a target. But this presence isn't a target.

He had no name for himself in these places. He was usually alone.

Was.

Nyx snaps to a corner, vaults himself onto an elevation. Just who would he see here? He'd find out soon enough.]

[ With the collapse of Yaldaboth and everything regarding the Navi, the Phantom Thieves thought the book was closed. Corruption would always be there. Yet, with no way into the Metaverse, how could they step in when they were needed? It was a constant conversational point in their group texts as they had gone their ways. Haru and Makoto to college, Akira himself went back home. Yet the Thief Conversation was always open and they were always speaking with one another.

Which made him wonder how he was standing back in the Metaverse with Morgana again in a new Palace. The hordes of Shadows shifted outside, but they were quiet. None of them reacted to the presence of the Phantom Thieves, despite how widespread the world knew them.

So... how were they able to find a palace here? ]

[Nyx moved quietly, towards the newcomer, towards someone who is most definitely not a Shadow.

A boy, with a cat.

A boy in a trench coat and a mask, with a humanoid cat.]

Can't say I know you.

[Well. Not personally.

News of the Phantom Thieves had faded into a living legend, an urban myth. Nyx had followed them closely, after all. He had to follow them. While they operated publicly, he operated quietly. The Phantom Thieves made for a fantastic diversion.

But to see the leader now, in the flesh?

Something was off. If a Phantom Thief was here...

Nyx moved closer, dropped onto the floor quietly. All he knew was meeting here in a Palace was a bad idea.]

You don't look too happy to be here.

[Or maybe he was, hard to tell.

He held up his hands and showed both of his knives.] I'm not looking for a fight here. Just trying to figure out how you got here.

[Besides the obvious methods, of course.]

[ The voice takes Joker by surprise, but Mona's ears had already picked up the movements. The two turn to look at the source of the voice. Joker shifts into a quick stance. Slightly defensive as well as offensive. Just until he can get a better read on their apparently guest.

The guest that seems to be in what they'd think would be a thief set up. ]

Neither do you.

[ Joker glances around them. The shadows haven't changed their behavior. ]

The only way you get into the Metaverse.

[ And, now it's time to test the other intruder. ]

[Nyx laughs lightly as he draws the bandanna away from his face. The purple and silver cloth settles around his neck and reveals an easy, confident smile.]

Fair enough.

[With a flourish, he sheathes his kukris, leaves his hands out at his sides and visibly away from the holsters at the small of his back.]

I thought your team had disappeared for good. Haven't heard much about you in a while.

[No, the shadows haven't become more hostile, but Nyx doesn't trust it all the same. Prime opportunity to scout, sure, but to stay longer with two intruders is asking for trouble.]

I need to find something before we get out. Think you're willing to help for now?

[ 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.

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servitor - 2020-05-10 15:42 (UTC) - Expand

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[Mementos has always been an odd place, let's be real here. Spooky shadows creeping all along the subway, a maze that seems to go deeper and deeper as time passes in society's consciousness, new requests that seem to ask more and more of a certain group as they dangle between normal and an abnormal life. It's not really so weird then, that Morgana talks about something feeling different about Mementos lately, and Futaba confirms it once the Phantom Thieves fall into the Metaverse once more. It could be the weather, it could be the season they're in, a number of things seem to change all the time.

But this time is... different. Because the deeper the group goes, the less and less Shadows they see. Part of the time Oracle and Mona observe that the enemies on the floor vanish in certain areas, but when the group gets there, there's nothing to be seen. It's an almost unsettling feeling, as if the cause of this was aware of them following it.

Somehow, the team's gotten separated the deeper they've gone, and now Joker's the closest one to finding out who this perpetrator is. As it stands, he isn't too hard to find- the sound of gunshots end up ricocheting easily enough on this floor, and if Joker's fast enough, he'll arrive just in time to see a certain white-haired dumbass suplex an Oni.

Let it be known that Nero is a man of odd and incredible things, and fighting like a wrestler and doing Stupid Shit(TM) tends to be his MO.

With the Oni disposed of, it's not too difficult to notice that he's got company, so up goes the revolver in one hand. Its aim is at Joker, but it's more Nero being cautious than actually attempting to fire- and, well. Joker's not exactly who he's expecting? What a weird look.]

...Cute mask. [He was expecting another demon, and while he's still on edge, it's clear to him that this weirdo in a mask isn't one at all. Almost looks like a kid, really. Nero lowers his gun and gives a scoff, brushing a hand across his chin in thought.]

You get lost going to a cosplay shoot, kid? [A pause.] Wait- don't tell me this is some weird-ass furry convention.

[Like he's one to talk, this dumbass standing in the fucking Metaverse like it's no big deal. FINISH HIM.]

[ At first, Joker sticks to the wall of the battle arena he finds himself in. Usually people within Mementos are either Shadows - stereotypical gold eyes included. Or, on the rare chance, they were Persona users who had masks to donate the marking of a thief.

The young man in front of him (though, older than Joker) seemed like a normal person. One that admittedly could see him, despite merging into the shadows. So, Joker stands up and walks into the light to observe him more. Coat, gun, and ...a mechanical arm?

It seems almost like something out of a video game.

Joker cocks his head to the side just a bit and smirks at the comment of the mask. ]

I don't see fursuits. [ Joker rarely talks, but, he will when he needs to. ] Unless yours is invisible.

[To the other's credit, it's not as if Nero's got eyes in the back of his head. He can only feel Joker rather than see him, and it's not a huge giveaway that he's there. Had he been without his newly awakened powers, he wouldn't have even realized anything beyond the shadows making him feel uneasy.

But then the guy speaks, and the devil hunter rolls his shoulders a little, snorting back a laugh.]

It'd be a shitty fursuit if it was invisible, I'll say that much. [Nero, why are you even commenting on this.] Tell that to whatever these things are, though. A lot of them like talking my ear off.

[Especially the ones that felt somewhat like demons. It's weird- he no longer has the reaction in his arm, but the twinge of a demon recognizing another still makes itself known, even in a weirdass place like this.

Still, there's a question about all of this he still has.]

I've been to a lot of odd places, but this doesn't look like the underworld. Not any demons that I know of around.

[Look, he was fighting a pack of demons in Redgrave and the ground caved in, dropping him through a portal of some kind that led to here. Wherever here is. It's not the first time it's happened and it definitely won't be the last.]

Maybe you'd be embarrassed for having the fursuit.

[ He kneels down, just in case he needs to spring over the other man's head. He's already taken a headcount of the Shadows in the area. A few are in the other room. Hopefully they won't draw their attention.

Interesting that the man with the mechanical arm has no idea what these things are. How did he stumble into the metaverse...? ]

You could call them demons. Shadows is more appropriate.

· CALL ME OUT (WINTER) ·

· [PERSONA] akira kurusu/joker

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let me know if you want anything changed!

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look at this punk

beautiful gorgeous punks (no self, dont do this smash au with dante dad---)

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sorry for the long delay... work right now is so draining