bottlecaplogs | (no subject)

WHO: Goro Akechi, various quest partners, and an OPEN prompt for Conspiracy Cracking
WHAT: December quests!
WHEN: Throughout December
WHERE: Various
WARNINGS: Persona 2 weirdness may come up.

A. Ghosts of Teatimes Past (Ren and Maya)

With Maya safe in Bottlecap Bay and among the Oran Berries, how could Akechi pass up an opportunity like this? Not only that, but it's an opportunity for Ren to mingle with another Persona user, and one from long before them. While Akechi has... misgivings with the elitism within the Lum Berries, he can't deny that the Archives present a vital resource. That they wish to document the experiences of outsiders is merely the cherry on top. Not to mention, the Archives provide a reprieve from the cold.

So, once he, Ren, and Maya are adequately positioned to tell their tales, Akechi glances between the two. "Well then. Who would like to start?" He could, of course, but he might as well give the others their opportunity. Either would make a more organic starting point.

B. Snow Place and Home (Mayaka)

Akechi... isn't particularly fond of the cold, particularly in his current form. For that reason, he's bundled up with a plaid scarf, a wool sweater, and his Safety Goggles for good measure. Does he look ridiculous? Well, yes. He's round and small. It comes with the territory. However, he has a job to do, and unlike Mayaka, lacks large claws to make the task more manageable.

So, while they step out to tackle the snow, he hovers in the air and squints.

"...I suspect I may be able to cut through the piles with well-aimed attacks. That could theoretically carve a path, or otherwise maneuver the snow into more manageable piles."

C. December, First (Shoka)

It's funny. Akechi has helped in quests regarding Noelle before, yet the two still aren't especially close. Nonetheless, he is a detective, and he's worked with Shoka enough times to readily offer his assistance. After all, it's clear the quest is important to her, just as Noelle is.

A tiny ghost of a smirk lines his beak as the two take to the town. It's chilly, so obviously he's bundled up with a scarf, sweater, and his Safety Goggles. He'd be a fool not to.

"Before we begin, is there anything you recall regarding Noelle-san's sister? Every detail counts."

D. Holiday Hotpot (Kris)

As Ren's partner and rival, Akechi couldn't simply ignore his and Firoza's quest request, but who could he trust to find the proper ingredients? Whose senses and intuition would be enough to optimize their efforts and yield the greatest haul?

...Well, one way or another, here he is with Kris, foraging through the forest. Thankfully, work with Ren on their own request made it clear that they have a distinguished palate. Not everyone would care so much for the finer varietes of moss, after all.

Though, hot pot and moss don't exactly go hand in hand, so Akechi peers through the greenery, scanning for signs of interesting fruit, nuts, or herbs.

"Your senses are undoubtedly sharp. Do any particular scents pique your interest?"

E. Conspiracy Cracking (OPEN)

It's Akechi's first quest, which means it's important that he make a good impression. That means ensuring that his and Ren's room is tidied up, organized, and spacious enough for visiting teams who wish to share their findings. Those who enter will see various odds and ends. A nicely made bed with warm, fluffy blankets, some assorted furniture, a scratching post, a sort of perch for the two of them, along with miscellaneous trinkets and personal belongings (even some Tenna swag)...

But Akechi was very deliberate in hiding and caching the food. Moreover, there are some festive little decorations. Blame Ren.

Either way, Akechi will greet thoses who bring their findings cordially, ready to jot down every little detail with his full attention.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I'm good with either," Ren says with a hum. He wouldn't have minded going first, but Maya spoke before him. "Lots could be fun- though, I have to admit, I'm curious what stories you've got for us, Maya-san."

That is to say... Akechi and him probably have very similar stories, unlike Maya. He's very curious! A Persona user from before their time... he wants to know more!

"Not to mention, Ren hasn't heard nearly as much as I have." He cracks a knowing sort of smirk. "And there's always room to learn more, of course..."

So yes, Maya. Please do enthrall them with your stories.

"Naturally!" Maya smiles at them both, settling herself in to talk. Ah, here come the nerves… But it'll be fine! She just has to figure out where to start. Although- she's been wondering about that…

Well. Probably not the Alaya Shrine, in truth- maybe when their old memories seem relevant. Although that's still a bit personal…

The rumours make the most sense, then. That's what everyone noticed.

"So, to start! I'm from Sumaru City, working for Kismet Publishing." She tilts her head for a moment, wondering if they'll recognise the city, but she'll continue on regardless. "For this story, we'd heard there were strange things happening at Seven Sisters High- rumours of a curse, and a game where you could call your own phone and have your wish granted. Yukki and I- Yukino Mayuzumi; she's been taking photographs for me- went to investigate and interview students. The principal would also have been a good subject, but- as someone with their wish granted, he'd decided his loyalties lay there. It wasn't very helpful! But it was in the school we realised we were all Persona users."

Realising Yukino had had that power like her guardian had been a shock- a pleasant enough one, but she wonders how they didn't realise. …well, she hadn't known Maia was one, before that.

Yeah, that sounds like the start of a Persona journey, alright.

"So you all already were Persona users, huh?" Ren hums, interested. Considering he and his entire group had awakened sometime during the year, that's different. "I... think Seven Sisters High sounds familiar? I can't put my finger on it, though."

Maybe one of the school's sport clubs competed against them once? Hard to say. That said, he is interested in the whole curse and calling yourself thing.

"So someone had the power to grant wishes in the real world..." That's a step removed from a certain therapist, certainly. His eyes narrow, as he runs the names through his head... Seven Sisters, in Sumaru City.

Wasn't there a particularly large scandal in the 90's in Sumaru?

"I recall reading that the Foreign Minister at the time had some shady dealings in Sumaru City, though I confess that the files seemed more vague than I would have liked. What I find more intriguing is that you discovered your shared Persona abilities at a school, rather than in a parallel reality, such as the Metaverse."

Maya makes a 'half-half' gesture with one hand. "Sort of! Maia had been helping me out for years, but she didn't need to manifest for that. So for a long time, I assumed she was a guardian angel. But Yukki awoke to hers three years ago, so she knew."

Well- even if they don't know details, the connection's there! "It's a little out of the way, I guess! But it's a good place, if you do come our way."

The Foreign Minister? Maya frowns, trying to recall the name- that's not her field (for now), but she must have heard the name… It's just not coming at the moment. "I don't recall us dealing with him," she says, shaking her head. That's… maybe that's something that happens after they get back? "Maybe our story can still shed some light on that. The reports on SEBEC incident were pretty vague, too, but I think Yukki's friends knew more… We just didn't get much chance to talk about it. It could be parts were taken out because they thought people wouldn't believe it." She's not sure her boss will believe some of what they've been through.

Parallel realities… Maya shakes her head. "I don't think we stepped into a parallel reality at any point!" Xibalba… probably doesn't count? She's pretty sure they travelled there physically. "It wasn't just about being there- that was just where we ended up being attacked! But there was another part to it- the Persona Game." But she's not sure they've heard of it.

Ren blinks.

"The... Persona game?" he asks almost immediately. "What's that?"

Also, they've... really never been to anything like the Metaverse? Huh? He thinks for a moment, glancing at Akechi, then back at Maya. "Does it have anything to do with how you summon your Personas, then? We can't summon outside the Metaverse."

If playing a game is enough to gain access to Personas outside the Metaverse, that's... extremely interesting (and concerning) information.

"...Yes, please elaborate." Because, really, 'Persona Game' seems significant, somehow, yet unlike anything Akechi had ever heard of before. Never mind that it seems she and the others also apparently could use Personas outside the Metaverse. Something that would be rather useful in theory, if terribly risky.

His gaze sharpens as he tries to make sense of all this information. "Still, I wouldn't be at all surprised if prior incidents were kept from the public. If the information was more widespread, I doubt Shido would have needed Wakaba Isshiki's research to pursue his plans, for instance."

Maya nods. "The game itself is pretty simple. You form a square, or circle, depending on how many people are participating. Then, one person calls 'Persona, Persona, come here' and goes forward, tapping the next person. They go to the next person, doing the same, until everyone has moved into a new position. Then…" She hesitates, and raises one hand, awkward now. "…well! We didn't get our Personas immediately- that happened when we were in need."

She blinks and tilts her head, recalling what it feels like to draw on their power. "I'm… not sure! When I called for Maia that day, she answered, and manifested to fight." She mimics her summoning position, one hand in the air. "Are there other ways of summoning?" The Metaverse again… It's hard to make a comparison, when she hasn't experienced it.

Unless- "The Metaverse- is that like the rift between consciousness and unconsciousness?" If they don't know about the Persona Game- maybe they haven't met Philemon? But- he's the one who grants the power- isn't he?

(…that raises questions about the Masked Circle executives, but that can wait for later, with any luck.)

"That's… possible," Maya agrees, folding her arms. "It'd be of interest to a lot of people, and there were definitely those interested in SEBEC…" Who were bought by- someone? She'll remember in a moment, she's sure.