Confidants. Contracts with people who share my aesthetics. They'd give me something, and I'd help them out in return.
[so, like. people to help him in this thief business!!]
Not that I was in it for the quid pro quo arrangements, though. My Confidants are my friends, too.
[his important people!! people he'd destroy the world to save if he had to!! . . . well he might not go that far after fighting to save the world, but you know how it goes]
So it really is different... but mostly the same. At base, I think it's the same idea. They're your friends and important people, and you helped them overcome hardships, right?
[So...!! Close enough.]
I'm missing a few of them. I still remember the people that they used to be, but... it's like the link itself was just totally removed.
I think so. I think my bond with them is still intact. It's just that now... they don't fulfill my Star, or my Strength, for example.
It's like that part was taken away.
[He props his chin on his hand.]
I haven't figured out yet how to approach getting them back... if I should establish new links or somehow try to get them to fulfill those old mysterious requirements... it's a work in progress.
[interesting. . . it's kind of unsettling how this place can so easily rip away the blood oaths he and Minato worked so hard to form, though. Akira isn't sure he likes it]
. . . I don't think it hurts to try whatever you can, but I think the way you get them back is going to be similar to the way everyone else gets something back, too.
[Akira doesn't response right away, but that's because he orders a drink-- a mocha java coffee brewed black. and when it appears on the counter, he picks up the mug and nurses the warmth between too hands as he takes sip]
[Minato wasn't going to get anything, but honestly? Akira's coffee sounds and smells pretty amazing so. He'll get a coffee of his own, black, and nurse that as he contemplates Akira's words.]
... Whatever you want to share.
I guess... whatever you want me to know about... your Persona Journey, and your team, and the people you met and the things you experienced.
I know that's pretty vague, but I don't think there's a right or wrong way to talk about this stuff.
[Akira had been prepared to futz the details a bit-- for the sake of his own comfort and protecting the identities of his team-- but. . . that painful sincerity wins him over]
[he huffs out an amused noise, and nods]
If there's anything one learns when they become a Persona user and gain access to the Metaverse-- to the raw and unfiltered existence of human desires and cognition-- it's that humans are greatly flawed.
. . . some moreso than others. Wouldn't you agree?
[... That's quite the place to start. Though when Minato thinks about it... isn't it true that something would have to be wrong for a Persona to be necessary in the first place?
... So slowly, he nods. He may love people as a whole, but he knows better than anyone just how messed up they can be as well.]
That's true... [The "Metaverse" is a new one to him, but the way Akira briefly explains it makes it plenty clear. Something... not too far off from the Dark Hour, probably where Akira did his work.]
Sometimes, humanity can be really flawed.
[that's what makes it so great when they overcome those flaws.]
[Akira doesn't share Minato's love for humanity in general. he has seen too many layers of society's flaws (and been a victim to those abusing their power within said society) to love the people around him]
[but that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in them. in their potential to be better-- to forge a better future for himself, his thieves, and those who come after him. it may sound contradictory, but to Akira? it makes perfect sense]
[Akira tilts his chin up a bit, gaze distant as he stares at the back wall]
What would you do if you were given the opportunity to make the villains of the world atone for their crimes? If you could change their corrupt hearts so they stop stepping on and taking advantage of the weak?
... Nothing, right? He wouldn't do anything at all if he was given that power. But that's why this isn't his Journey--it's Akira's. Minato is a different sort of person, who faced something entirely different.
If Akira was given this power... it was surely for a reason.
So slowly, but more thoughtfully than anything, his response is a simple:]
[Akira says that without shame, even knowing that the implications of him having and utilizing such a power are pretty serious. he tilts his chin up and meets Minato's gaze firmly, with the sort of conviction only a man who knows he is following his heart wears]
It's how everything started out.
A shitty high school volleyball coach, known for physically abusing his male students and sexually abusing the females.
Someone who hurt a student so badly that she jumped off of school rooftop.
[a sharp exhale, because he knows this is a pretty heavy topic of discussion]
. . . someone whose crimes would never have become public if the Phantom Thieves hadn't stolen his heart and made him confess them all to the world.
[... They are serious, but Minato's never been the sort of person to judge anyone, and this is no different. Something about the concept of changing someone's heart is a little discomfiting for him, someone who has always wanted to see people change on their own.
But it sounds like Akira did what he did for a very good reason. How can he blame him for that? They're different people, different leaders, and had different methods. And Akira... Akira saved so many people, he's sure.]
... It started because you wanted to protect people... right?
Because you wanted to help protect people who couldn't protect themselves.
[Minato gets it in one, and Akira lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding]
We fight on behalf of the people for whom no one else will fight. We give courage to those who are too afraid to speak up against those in power above them.
[. . .]
I'm not going to say that we're blameless, or that we're completely innocent, or that we aren't crossing some lines ourselves. But-- [another sharp exhale]
If those who do have power won't bring men like that asshole teacher to justice, then that's why the world needs us.
[Minato takes a slow breath in... and nods. It's not his place at all to judge what Akira's doing as right or wrong. It's what Akira feels he has to do, and that in and of itself has merit.
Besides... how can he not have faith in Akira's passion and certainty?]
... I see. So that's why you and your team took up arms to fight Shadows...
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survivaltricks) wrote2009-12-07 02:45 pm
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no subject
Confidants. Contracts with people who share my aesthetics. They'd give me something, and I'd help them out in return.
[so, like. people to help him in this thief business!!]
Not that I was in it for the quid pro quo arrangements, though. My Confidants are my friends, too.
[his important people!! people he'd destroy the world to save if he had to!! . . . well he might not go that far after fighting to save the world, but you know how it goes]
no subject
So it really is different... but mostly the same. At base, I think it's the same idea. They're your friends and important people, and you helped them overcome hardships, right?
[So...!! Close enough.]
I'm missing a few of them. I still remember the people that they used to be, but... it's like the link itself was just totally removed.
no subject
How does that work, exactly? If you still remember them, isn't the bond still technically there?
no subject
It's like that part was taken away.
[He props his chin on his hand.]
I haven't figured out yet how to approach getting them back... if I should establish new links or somehow try to get them to fulfill those old mysterious requirements... it's a work in progress.
[He doesn't sound too concerned though.]
no subject
[interesting. . . it's kind of unsettling how this place can so easily rip away the blood oaths he and Minato worked so hard to form, though. Akira isn't sure he likes it]
. . . I don't think it hurts to try whatever you can, but I think the way you get them back is going to be similar to the way everyone else gets something back, too.
Maybe. . . ?
no subject
Maybe... but there's no guarantee that it's not specialized to each of us.
How are you planning on getting back your Personas...? I haven't seen the Velvet Room around, so...
no subject
I don't know.
[Akira admits, and his brow furrows as he slumps backwards in his chair]
There aren't any Shadows here, so it isn't as though I can negotiate with them to join my team and just fuse the ones I lost. . .
no subject
... But maybe that's okay.]
It's alright.
[Oh?]
It'll come to you, I'm sure. After all, by now... at this point, getting new Personas is pretty natural to you, right? [Being a Wild Card, and all.]
So it's only a matter of time before you figure out how to do it here, too.
no subject
[gets Akira to pause for a moment as he blinks at Minato in surprise. but it's only for a moment before he huffs out an amused noise]
I feel like that same logic applies to you and your social links, actually.
no subject
Yeah... you might be true. I'm not too concerned about it... what happens will happen with it.
[... Way too chill about not having all of the pieces of himself..??]
But let me know if there's anything I can help with with your Personas.
no subject
[SAID THE POT TO THE KETTLE!! which is why Akira is more amused than accusatory]
But that offer goes both ways. If I can help with your social links, just let me know.
[a playful fingerguns]
Quid pro quo.
no subject
Mm, well... I guess I'm just pretty sure that it'll go alright somehow.
But really, thanks. If there's anything, I'll let you know.
[Honestly!]
For now, though... I guess I'm more curious about your team and Persona experiences.
no subject
[Akira doesn't response right away, but that's because he orders a drink-- a mocha java coffee brewed black. and when it appears on the counter, he picks up the mug and nurses the warmth between too hands as he takes sip]
[. . .]
[not bad. . . but not Leblanc, either]
Where should I start? From the very beginning?
no subject
... Whatever you want to share.
I guess... whatever you want me to know about... your Persona Journey, and your team, and the people you met and the things you experienced.
I know that's pretty vague, but I don't think there's a right or wrong way to talk about this stuff.
no subject
You'll return the favor then, right?
[he's pretty sure Minato is the type of person who gives as much as he takes, but hey. doesn't hurt to ask, right?]
no subject
Akira, you can ask me anything, and I'll do my best to answer for you.
Regardless of what you're comfortable sharing yourself.
no subject
[Akira had been prepared to futz the details a bit-- for the sake of his own comfort and protecting the identities of his team-- but. . . that painful sincerity wins him over]
[he huffs out an amused noise, and nods]
If there's anything one learns when they become a Persona user and gain access to the Metaverse-- to the raw and unfiltered existence of human desires and cognition-- it's that humans are greatly flawed.
. . . some moreso than others. Wouldn't you agree?
no subject
... So slowly, he nods. He may love people as a whole, but he knows better than anyone just how messed up they can be as well.]
That's true... [The "Metaverse" is a new one to him, but the way Akira briefly explains it makes it plenty clear. Something... not too far off from the Dark Hour, probably where Akira did his work.]
Sometimes, humanity can be really flawed.
[that's what makes it so great when they overcome those flaws.]
no subject
[but that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in them. in their potential to be better-- to forge a better future for himself, his thieves, and those who come after him. it may sound contradictory, but to Akira? it makes perfect sense]
[Akira tilts his chin up a bit, gaze distant as he stares at the back wall]
What would you do if you were given the opportunity to make the villains of the world atone for their crimes? If you could change their corrupt hearts so they stop stepping on and taking advantage of the weak?
no subject
... Nothing, right? He wouldn't do anything at all if he was given that power. But that's why this isn't his Journey--it's Akira's. Minato is a different sort of person, who faced something entirely different.
If Akira was given this power... it was surely for a reason.
So slowly, but more thoughtfully than anything, his response is a simple:]
... Is that what you did?
no subject
[Akira says that without shame, even knowing that the implications of him having and utilizing such a power are pretty serious. he tilts his chin up and meets Minato's gaze firmly, with the sort of conviction only a man who knows he is following his heart wears]
It's how everything started out.
A shitty high school volleyball coach, known for physically abusing his male students and sexually abusing the females.
Someone who hurt a student so badly that she jumped off of school rooftop.
[a sharp exhale, because he knows this is a pretty heavy topic of discussion]
. . . someone whose crimes would never have become public if the Phantom Thieves hadn't stolen his heart and made him confess them all to the world.
no subject
But it sounds like Akira did what he did for a very good reason. How can he blame him for that? They're different people, different leaders, and had different methods. And Akira... Akira saved so many people, he's sure.]
... It started because you wanted to protect people... right?
Because you wanted to help protect people who couldn't protect themselves.
no subject
[Minato gets it in one, and Akira lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding]
We fight on behalf of the people for whom no one else will fight. We give courage to those who are too afraid to speak up against those in power above them.
[. . .]
I'm not going to say that we're blameless, or that we're completely innocent, or that we aren't crossing some lines ourselves. But-- [another sharp exhale]
If those who do have power won't bring men like that asshole teacher to justice, then that's why the world needs us.
no subject
Besides... how can he not have faith in Akira's passion and certainty?]
... I see. So that's why you and your team took up arms to fight Shadows...
[...]
It must've been hard.