( OPEN ) are_we_there_yet.mp3

[maskreant]

WHO: the infamous nasty crimeboy, Akira Kurusu, and you!
WHERE: ALL OVER RECOLLE
WHEN: during our darkest month of the year, January
WHAT: We punch the dome, we hit the tunnels, and we check out the hub! I'll be using this as a catchall for some other things, but why not make it open, right?? Plot with me at aftertaste or hei#2323 on discord if you have something specific in mind!
WARNINGS: possible Persona 5 spoilers

this is definitely not dome town

[ Akira's curiosity is unfortunately piqued by the sudden darkness, but what kind of person wouldn't find this strange and unsettling? There's a saying that curiosity kills the cat and that may very well be the case right now. He nicked the dome with his dagger and took a nasty shock... If only Yoshitsune or Kohryu was equipped, then he could have been saved.

You may find him passed out in the cold by the edge. Rest in peace, Akira. ]

where's my cat bus?

[ The subway isn't foreign to Akira, but it's surprising how long Recolle has gone without it... But America was a bit behind when it comes to public transportation aside from some small yet impacted places. You may find him snooping around the ENTRANCE (A), fiddling with his bangs as he does so (is this suspicious), before heading him by himself. On other days, he may go with other people.

If you decide to join him and they get far enough, Akira points out an abandoned SUBWAY CAR (B) in the distance. Which car will they find?

CAR 1 — He thinks it's worth investigating, looking through these personal belongings with no issues. Don't mind if he tries on some hats from the old era.
CAR 2 — He lies down on a bed and rates it on a 10-point scale. Eight times out of ten, he will ask your character to try it.
CAR 3 — He's suspicious of the food and doesn't plan on eating anything (yet), but he pitches that maybe your character should try some. For science.
CAR 4 — Oh, boy. Here are some choices to watch from Akira, though he doesn't... Seem comfortable if either of the last two play. If you would like a different memory, go ahead and pick from his regain list.

MEMORIES

🍔

BIG BANG BURGER (VIDEO)
Akira Kurusu decides to head to Big Bang Burger and take on their cosmic challenge.

🚪

LOST THE GAME (1:26:56-1:29:00)
Akira is brought to the velvet room and sentenced to death for losing the game. He's left to his twin executioners.

🔒

FRAMED (QUICK SCENE, VIDEO)
Akira intervenes what seems to be a quarrel between a drunkard and a woman. The man falls on his own and threatens to sue him.

CODE BY TESSISAMESS

CAR 5 — While it may seem better to book it, Akira decides to practice his skills on the skeleton car. Catch him by chance showing off... He's the type to climb on the car, scale its limbs, and be in the middle of danger. If you were with him since the beginning of the descent into this craziness, it doesn't change how reckless he is. With one slip, he may be crushed—a metal arm finally smacks him several feet back.

This is fine. He stays in the crater he made for himself, discerning what exactly happened. There's no groan or sign of fatigue in his movements as he picks himself up, but the car is preparing its charge.

When they reach the HUB (C), you're right to assume he's going to take pictures of everything... Including a selfie that they've found something. Hooray! High spirits. Keep up the morale. After the fun is through, he mentions how surprising it is to have this system. ]

wildcard

[ you do you ]

Comments

[maskreant]

I can see still, so you can follow me—[ He doesn't mind, but right when he offers his services he heard that squeak...

And he sees the army of rats scurrying towards them. Their outlines showed them barings their fangs, ready to go into battle. ]

Well. There are a lot of rats. Maybe even a sea of them.

[long_live_the_queen]

Ugh. [It's a very eloquent response.] Thought I liked animals before this.

[That vector hummed louder--and smashed its fist on the floor in front of the nearest one's nose, startling the rats back. But they were only momentarily deterred, charging right back in.]

[maskreant]

They don't know any better.

[ He can't find it in himself to annihilate all of the rats, but they are standing in their way. Best if they just scared them off—looks like they're on the same page?

A blue flame ignites in the darkness behind them for a split second before a myriad of bullets shoot past them. It hits none, but the shattering noise startles a good portion. Some are still there, frozen in place...

Before they are back to charging at them. ]

It... Kind of worked?

[long_live_the_queen]

...I know.

[It was the one thing holding her back, their being animals. Strange animals. If they were people this would be an easier decision.

Lucy twitches at the sound of shattering and gunfire behind her, but none of the bullets were for her.

It didn't stop the rats for long, though. A vector swept across the first rank of them, sweeping the creatures back--and again, more forcefully, when they returned. A few hit the walls with considerable force and unsettling thuds, not getting up very quickly. If at all.

That left the rest, close enough to swarm within range of Akira's flashlight.]