ic inbox.

[messianic]

pls hit Minato up with anything at any time, I love surprise inbox messages

Comments

[survivaltricks]

[a breathless laugh, but it's without humor]

The Tower exists for a reason, doesn't it?

[and he throws is dart! ANOTHER BULLSEYE]

[messianic]

[Whoaaaaa.

Minato claps!!]

... Anyway. My turn to ask a bit more about your Journey? I'm really curious too.

[survivaltricks]

Mmmhm. Fair is fair-- ask whatever you'd like to ask.

[he says while dancing a dart across his knuckles. what the fuck is that proficiency, Akira]

[messianic]

[... yeah hey what the fuck. Minato admires that skill for a moment, before he catches himself, blinking.]

Can you tell me about your teammates?

[He just... wants to hear about Akira's precious team!]

[survivaltricks]

[another laugh, but! this one is genuine]

You're not going to ask me what I meant when I said there was a little more to our summoning than just our masks?

[HE, LIKE. NEVER GOT THAT PART. because I forgot]

[messianic]

[...]

Well... you didn't elaborate. So I didn't want to press it if you weren't interested in talking about it.

But if you are... [HE'S LISTENING]

[survivaltricks]

[a light laugh]

I wasn't avoiding it on purpose. We just kind of strayed a little bit from the point. . .

[but anyway!]

. . . in the cognitive world, Palaces distort the entire area they have influence over. This includes Shadows, or anyone from the outside world who just might wander into the Palace.

Our masks do more than just house our Personas. They protect us from the distortions of the Palace. They're a manifestation of our. . . internal will of rebellion, if you will.

[messianic]

[Huh.......]

What would happen if you didn't have a mask...? What would... being distorted look like...?

[survivaltricks]

[. . .]

[taking aim with his dart again]

The first time I stumbled into a Palace without my Persona. . . the Shadow in charge almost killed me.

I was powerless to defend myself. Powerless to take a stand against him.

[messianic]

[Hmmm...]

I see. So your mask represents your will of rebellion, but also your ability to rebel too.

It's both at the same time, huh?

[survivaltricks]

. . . exactly.

[a small huff]

I'll have to show it to you sometime. I get a pretty cool outfit change and everything.

[messianic]

[Oh snap.]

... A cool outfit change...? Why would you need an outfit change?

[survivaltricks]

It's aesthetic.

[that's it that's the answer]

[messianic]

[...what]

Oh... I see. [he does not see]

Well... it does sound very interesting. I'll look forward to seeing it happen in person someday.

[survivaltricks]

You'll understand when you see it.

[and, like. you know. when Akira mentions the phantom thief thing]

[messianic]

I guess so...

Well, in the meantime--will you tell me about your team now?

[survivaltricks]

Mmm.

[yes yes, good, he really did want to talk about his team!! he just also didn't want to stray too far away from the topic at hand before he started gushing]

Person by person, or as a whole?

[messianic]

Hmmm... whatever comes more naturally to start is fine with me.

[He's just curious! And learning about people is always his favorite part.]

[survivaltricks]

[. . . honestly? it's the group as a whole that comes to him more naturally, simply because. . . all of them occupy a similar space in his heart]

They're my family. I can't put it any more strongly than that.

[tilts his head towards Minato, and yes he still has two darts left but no he isn't yet aiming to throw them]

When I needed them the most, they were there for me. I owe all of them my life.

[messianic]

[That...sounds achingly familiar, but in the best sort of way, and it makes Minato smile warmly.]

... They sound like amazing people. And I'm sure they feel the same way about you.

It makes me really happy to hear you have people like that by your side.

[survivaltricks]

[Akira mirrors that smile, just as warm, just as fond]

I'm really lucky to have them in my life. I don't. . . know where I'd be if I hadn't met them.

[miserable and depressed, probably. back to the beginning, as he was when he first boarded that train to Tokyo]

What about your team?

[messianic]

... Honestly? I'd describe them in much the same way.

They gave me a family... and a place to belong. Without them, I would be a different person than I am today.

[Without them, he never would've been able to do what needed to be done.]

They're all the most incredible people I've ever met.

[survivaltricks]

[there's a pause before Akira asks his next question, which he knows is a strange one, but. . . perhaps Minato, of all people, will understand]

What arcana did they represent?

[messianic]

First, the Fool.

[Contentedly, softly.]

And...when we found our way and made our decisions, then they were Judgement.

[... because Minato's team as a whole got two whole arcanas.]

[survivaltricks]

. . . hn?

[that seems to surprise him, tough only mildly so]

Your team as a whole had an arcana?

[he was totally asking for each member separately, not them as a whole!!]