[open] and sugar we're going down swinging

[twostringsonebow]

WHO: Goro Akechi & You
WHERE: Places
WHEN: Throughout October
WHAT: Nightmares and Fogmares
WARNINGS: fuckin p5 spoilers for at least two of these, verbal abuse for one, bullying in the same... others will be added i guess

Nightmare - No Escape
[The only people who'd recognize this even vaguely would be those from Team Peter Pan, and that's because it's a large sand-carpeted cavern; if one were to ever make it outside, it looks like a skull, but unfortunately that won't be probable at the moment.

This room in particular is... odd, shall we say. Wall to wall with stuffed trophies of large fish and mermaids, sharks and any variety of sea creature, as well as a large crocodile. There's a parrot sitting on its head, humming some tune that changes mid-note, and Goro's studying the croc. He's dressed as a pirate. Even with a sword.

... It was a special time then.

Anyway, there's a general sense of Unease, like there's someone watching you two, and some might notice the eyes of the trophies following the investigation; it's... concerning, obviously, but Goro doesn't seem to realize anything's wrong.]

Either we reach inside it, or we gut it. Which do you think would be best?

[There will be two different outcomes, so please note clearly which is being done. You also have a sword. Enjoy.]

Nightmare - Fight Me (P5 Spoilers)
[It's not a particularly noteworthy room you find yourself in, there's the sounds of machinery and water rushing along outside the metal walls, but it's large and there's a dark figure clutching their side, black and red smoke clinging to their form.]

Stop... looking at me like that. [Even if you're not. Even if there's not exactly an expression on your face, apparently there is to him.] I don't need-- your pity, [he hisses, pupils small and eyes unseeing.]

I just need you to die already!

[It's a raw, hoarse scream, and-- well, like it or not, you're now trapped in battle with someone who definitely can not tell the difference between whoever he'd been fighting and who he is now.]

Nightmare - School..?
[No matter if you're familiar with Japanese schooling or not, it's clearly a grade school (elementary for those unaware). The desks are smaller. There's hiragana reminders on the walls. Rules and a chalkboard reminding everyone of their homework. Even if you don't know Japanese, you can clearly understand what's written on it as well as a desk Goro's sitting at.

Know it all!

Smartass.

Weirdo!

You should just stay home.

Who'd want to be friends with someone like you?

Things like that. There's more adult-sounding whispers slightly muffled by the closed doors, but they become louder like waves on a shore, in and out.

I hear his mother was a mistress. What a poor child, having a wretch of a mother like that!

And no father either; it's no wonder he acts out the way he does.

She should've just given him up. It would've been better for her, and it isn't like his future is bright anyway.

No one'll want a boy like that.

Goro seems largely unaffected by the writing, by the voices, humming softly as he reads a book. If approached or otherwise called out to, he'll startle slightly and look over, curiosity fading into a tighter smile.]

Everyone else is at lunch. I don't usually have guests here, [because this is a nightmare he's had before, both growing up and resurfacing every now and then as it does,] but I suppose the company is a nice change.

[And yes, there's a bento box in your possession, though Goro... notably has nothing around him to suggest lunch to be had.]

Fog - The Most Dangerous Game (P5 Spoilers)
[Even before the nightmares Goro had sleepless nights, liked to wander or ride his bike down to the shore to relax, so it's just habit that he slips out of the apartment he, Silver, and Elizabeth share and

wow, that is quite the invasive fog. It sets him on edge because he hates horror games (as much as he likes horror as a genre, for movies and scary stories) and this? This is just the same as it, raises the hair on the back of his neck, but he moves on anyway. It's fine. It's just some stupid fog, it's nothing weird despite the fact there's faces on walls and spooks about and

there's the sound of footsteps not his own. They keep even pace with him, which wouldn't be too bad (someone else could be out here too), but it worsens his thoughts regardless. And catching a glimpse of his stalker only confirms the feeling of fear he has.

So maybe you're strolling. Maybe you've made bad decisions too. It can be anywhere at all, though most notably at the parks and in the forest, that you see Goro Akechi... wearing an outfit that his friends and co-workers wouldn't say he'd ever had in his lifetime. There's also a pistol hanging from his hand, an odd looking cylinder that some might recognize as a silencer connected at the shooting end, and the voice he has is hollow and a little sardonic.]

Always hiding, aren't you? Running away. It's not like he'd expect any different from you, just like he saw through your little plan. Our Captain is so, so smart.

[It's a jarring difference. You can try to interact with this Akechi, or see the real Goro hiding a few paces away, behind anything that'll give him cover: benches and slides for the parks, trees and shrubbery for the forest, stuff like that. The echo flowers in the forest will repeat the strange Akechi's words like a game of telephone.]

Wildcard
[TAKE A LOOK AT MY PLOTTING COMMENT FOR ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO DO, which includes nightmares/fogmares not listed here! And normal things too, like him catching Zs on campus and stuff. And anything else you want to do. hmu there or @ sundrymunity i don't mind let's rock.

also: if you want to inflict a nightmare onto him feel free to, i'll take that as well!]

Comments

no escape!

[kagepuro]

[Ayano hurriedly huddles behind Goro's tall frame. This is all a little Too Freaking Spooky for her and she just honestly can't deal with the unsettling feeling washing over her. Gingerly placing her hands on either of the boys shoulders, she gets on her tiptoes to peek in front of them from behind him.]

I don't want you to lose your arm, Goro...I don't think you should put your hand in there.

...

And I'm definitely not putting my hand in there! [She sinks back down off her toes.]

I think we only have one option, and it's the gross one...

[twostringsonebow]

[... It would be pretty bad to lose an arm here. He'll gently pet her head, comfortingly with a smile. The staring definitely doesn't seem to bother him for whatever reason.]

There should only be stuffing inside, Ayano. But you should back up a little just in case it decides to fall our way. I'll handle it.

[kagepuro]

Ah, okay...Thank you...[For some reason she almost calls him sir. Ayano then nods and does as instructed, clenching her fists and pumping them up and down as she watches him.]

Y-You can do it, Goro!

the most dangerous game is enstars goro do you not understand

[adoringpast]

[ it just so happens that sena is out and about tonight as well due to sleeplessness and those bizarre nightmares he's been having. the fog is getting hard to get through the park, so all sena can do is use the flashlight from his phone to guide himself through this.

then he hears a much familiar voice, though he's never heard akechi sounding this dark before. he turns around and is face to face with the duplicate - not that he knows that it is just a dupe. nor the fact that he's holding a silenced pistol in his hand due to the heavy fog. ]

Akechin? What are you doing here? It's getting late, you know?

oh fuck yes

[twostringsonebow]

[Akechi stares at him for a moment, as if working through something, and his smile seems to widen. Seems to, because there's... no other indication about it.]

I'm looking for myself. Would you care to join me?

[Though it's obvious he doesn't care if Sena does or not.]

[adoringpast]

Yourself? What the hell are you even talking about? Is this one of your weird questions again?

[ because goro tends to muse about odd shit so this is nothing out of the ordinary for sena... yet. ]

Anyways, we have to get out of here. The fog's getting thicker - where do you even live anyway?

school..? this is awful peace why

[elevelvetor]

[ This... isn't a type of school she's familiar with, and she doesn't know what the words on the desk say and does at the same time. Dream logic is weird, and Goro's just sitting there. Elizabeth smiles faintly when she catches his attention with a tap on the shoulder, and she sets the bento in front of him. ]

Then let's make the best of it, shall we? You and I can share this. [ ........ ] Though I have no idea what's in it.

[ she doesn't do bentos goro she's lost. ]

because i love my son

[twostringsonebow]

[Oh. This... is not how it usually goes. He stares at the box wondering if it'll disappear if he touches it, and the whispers ebb forward again.

What a kind girl, taking pity on him.

Ha! Hasn't anyone taught her better? Gifted children shouldn't interact with ones like him.]

There's probably any number of things, [he says, gingerly hooking the chair in front of him for Elizabeth to sit in.] Vegetables and small sausages. Egg rolls. Rice, of course, and maybe some chicken karaage. You'd like that. It's essentially fried chicken.

[... He still seems hesitant to touch the box, which now has the characters across his desk climbing up it slowly.]

[x] doubt

[elevelvetor]

It all sounds very appetizing... [ Elizabeth pauses, staring at the characters, then brushes at them like they're just bugs attempting to ruin a picnic. Let her pull up a chair too, they'll sit together—well, it's as easy as turning the one in front of him around... ]

Everyone's quite noisy, aren't they? [ It's lightly conversational, but she's shooting a glance at the door. What horrible things—isn't it up to her who she talks to? ] I suppose that's expected in a school, though... really, I never noticed. I often read instead.

idk why I thought I wouldn't pick the one called fight me

[feistytrader]

[What an ugly outfit.

Maybe that's not the first thing that should be coming to mind here, but it is; it's a stark contrast to anything he could imagine Goro wearing, the belt straps all point in one direction he really wishes they wouldn't, and he sort of wants to punch that mask clean off of his face. But what's more important is probably the red and black smoke; that's not normal, and whether it's strangeness because of the dream or... Whatever the hell this setup is isn't particularly clear.

But Goro- dream Goro? Whoever this is- isn't wrong, exactly; he looks up at him with a good deal of concern, then immediately realizes his mistake upon hearing his words and hardens his expression.]

Yeah? What good is that going to do?

HONESTLY.

[twostringsonebow]

I'll be alone again... just like I have been. I've been fine on my own. I don't need you, I don't need anyone!

[There's a flicker of a strange creature above him as he spits the words out, and it makes a full appearance as it spins a long brightly burning sword and brings it down with the intention of cleaving Silver; thankfully, it seems to glitch out and land just short, but there's a heat in this nightmare that's not unlike the light laser saber Silver finds in his hands, something he'd seen rifling through Goro's unpacked boxes in revenge for not helping out.

... It lights up and has a very intense heat, he also will find the ray gun he'd taken at his side. manifest sneasel as a persona i guess that sounds fun.]

[feistytrader]

[Anything he could think to respond with gets rapidly cut short as a sword very nearly drops down right on him. Alright, he can reason with Goro later, right now he needs to focus on not dying. Fortunately, he has Goro's weapons, for some reason--! Because he knows exactly how to use a sword or a gun.

He is so screwed. But he fumbles to let out the sword in all its beaming light glory and stands defensively while searching around for options or exits.

It was unlike anything I've ever felt in my life, Silver. I felt powerful, I was invincible, I was-- I was so alone, so terrified of their pity, I hated them and Akira and myself so much--]

Like hell you don't! you wouldn't be such a crybaby about it if it didn't mean anything to you!

[Silver, you really might want to watch your words before you absolutely die-]

no escape

[sketchythief]

[ This room is definitely eerie. He's not sure if he's ever seen this many animal heads in one room before. Daisuke stares at one of them as he moves, trying to see if the eyes are following him for sure. Honestly, Goro's pirate outfit is the least weird thing in this room. ]

I can... do it, the gutting I mean.

[ He looks down at his own sword. Hell if he knows how to use it. Maybe it'll be like gutting a fish when he's cooking... except with a sword.

... ]

[twostringsonebow]

Are you certain? I don't mind doing it... I did it once, after all.

[And he likes Daisuke better than he ended up like Bakhura so. We're fine. But Goro'll step back a bit, fiddling with the hem of his blouse.]

[sketchythief]

It'll be like doing that to a fish, right? So... I think I'll be okay.

[ Regardless of having it done once, Daisuke would like to think it isn't a particularly fun activity for Goro, so... why not just step up to the plate?

Daisuke walks up to the crocodile and starts cutting it with his sword, using it as if it's a long kitchen knife.

... It's kinda working. ]

i want to fight goro akechi

[maskreant]

[ AND DO A SEPARATE FOG THING LATER? Don't rob me of this, Peace. He actually hasn't had this as a nightmare—his sleepless nights are filled with other things, but he doesn't question it at all. He remembers this room, the sounds, and this outfit he's adorned in. He's almost too comfortable in this situation.

Unfortunately, Akira is looking at this tattered self with some pity. It's painful to see Goro like this. Gripping onto his dagger, he can feel his heart waver, but there's this determination running through his veins. ]

Would that make you happy?

[twostringsonebow]

[GO AHEAD I DON'T MIND GIVE ME TWO THREADS. At that, Goro laughs, startled and very much halfway to hysterics. He can't even stop once it settles, curling his clawed hands into fists around his sword.]

Why wouldn't it? Once you're dead, I won't be hurt anymore. Talking to you... becoming so comfortable, letting me think I had something normal--

[It's not clear if he means their other life or this one, considering his issues concerning the two mixing, but the Persona Akira at least knows as Loki flares to life and Goro glares hatefully at Akira, eyes only for him. It's a familiar sort of look, the one that usually preceded that strong attack of his, Loki's blade burning brighter with every word.]

Lies, lies, lies! The person I was... no, the person I am, there's no place in the world for that! You're just pretending, just like everyone else!

[maskreant]

[ Later, shhh. It sounds so lonely... And he knows it would only make Goro lonelier, that the regret and the pain will only increase. That striking look of senseless hatred pierces him and forces him to fall silent. This is the first time he's experiencing this as himself rather than Joker. It's unbearable to watch, but he can't tear his eyes away. Even with the sound of scalding blade and the presence of this Persona sends waves of nostalgia.

Do they really need to do this again? Akira reflexively switches to Yoshitsune, hoping that resisting physical attacks will help him in this endeavor. He can see there's no use of replying and engaging in battle is the only way to calm him down, but he merely... Walks. On over. No fear. ]

School

[strawberrypunch]

[Ah...

Tatsuma is a quiet kid. Part of it is due to the lack of socializing as a child, himself; although that was more because he so often moved, there wasn't much opportunity for it, especially when he learned quickly that it wasn't much worth it to try when 'home' was only that for a scant year at the most.

However.

What he lacks in social skills, he makes up in observance, and none of the scene before him, nor the whispers from outside escape his notice. It isn't hard to put it all together, not after growing so accustomed to reading situations from the outside. And seeing Goro so accustomed to all of this, too, well...

That's telling in its own right.]

You don't have lunch?

[He does, for some reason.]

[twostringsonebow]

[Tatsuma's voice is still a largely unfamiliar one, but his faces are better; he feels a sudden shock of self-consciousness at the other finding out about his lack of lunch and glances at the one Tatsuma holds, then flicks his gaze back down at his book.]

... I let someone else have it. They needed it far more than I did.

[One of the many sort of lies he'd explained away things with. The amount of things he's "lost" or "left behind" are innumerable, and you would've mistaken him as a rather clumsy child with the bruises he gained from "roughhousing" with the others his age.]

[strawberrypunch]

[Tatsuma hums quietly to himself, looking down at the lunch in his hands. And then, after only a short few seconds, he sits himself in the desk in front of Goro's setting it down on the other boy's desk.]

This isn't mine, so you can have it.

[It's honest enough; his own parents definitely wouldn't have prepared something like this.]

Let's go wiiiith fog

[gunsandveggies]

[There's a reason why Haru's on her moped. She knew she wouldn't get home before the fog rolled in, but it's easier to escape when she's got something that's faster than her pursuers. It's proven useful, even if the sounds of them yelling after her still reach her. At least they're not grabbing her.

It's so thick that she barely notices someone in her path until she's almost run him down. Her eyes widen, and then she's squeezing the handles tightly, the moped equivalent of slamming on the brakes, and cringes while turning her head away, bracing for impact.

It's an impact that never comes, and it makes her sigh in relief a few seconds after she's come to a stop. She lifts her head, and... is surprised by who it is.]

Goro...? [She sounds a bit unsure. His expression is... off. His clothing is off. Everything's off. Regardless, she shakes her head and climbs off the moped.] Are you okay?! I'm sorry, I almost...!

excellent choice

[twostringsonebow]

[Goro turns towards her at the sound of her voice, no sooner, and the way he stares at her doesn't have a trace of recognition until it does; he shakes his head, voice off in that lilting way.]

It's my fault for being in the middle of the road during such a night. You aren't hurt, are you?

[Amused, if a word's put to it. So that's another friend. Interesting.]

FOG

[maskreant]

[ So... Akira is very, very concerned about this situation right now. First of all, there are two Goros (this should be his wet dream, but it isn't). Second of all, he's pretty damned sure that the other one is not a Shadow. Shadows are raw, full of emotion whether bright or dark. Something is awfully off, too. It's the way it talks... The dead look of hollow gaze; he's certain it looks down at them., that Captain looks down at them. He finds it hard to believe that it's supposed to represent someone—void of any depth.

Here he is, hiding with Goro behind this shrub. It's just one apparition, not even that much taller than him, but they're ducking for cover. Maybe it's the resonating echo flowers that make the cognitive Akechi seem deadlier than he possibly is. Whenever it speaks, he feels himself holding his breath. Whenever it steps closer, his heart stills.

When he thinks the fog surprise wandered off, he gently nudges Goro and whispers: ]

... What is that?

[ They were going to get on a bus, ferry to safety, yet they're here. He has some knowledge of how cognition works, but nothing extremely detailed and concrete. Not that he would stumble upon that conclusion himself. He has trouble imagining anyone seeing Goro like this. Though he's prying for questions, he's still scouting on high alert through the leaves. These things can reappear out of nowhere. ]

[twostringsonebow]

[Goro's always caught somewhere between great fear and burning anger with this one. He knows... vaguely that he's faced it before, in his other life, but there was no context for it; hearing him talk now, the echo flowers murmuring the same, he's glad that's all he got. Goro lets out a low exhale once the footsteps soften, hand loosening on the sword he'd started to bring out.]

I don't know, but... it's obviously me. I recall fighting him once, though there wasn't anything more to it.

[He hates that Akira's bearing witness to it though, just like he hated it with Sena and Haru. Body aching from previous encounters, he turns around to keep an eye on their backs. Akira'll notice a subtle gathering of fog in one place the moment he does.]

... He knows a lot more than I do. About the other me. And he's been ordered to kill me, but I don't know who his captain is nor what plan he always brings up is.