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[He's so... calm. Composed? So this is without question a different Akechi.

Well, all right. He takes his chin in hands, a very subtle furrow in his brow. Perhaps he's just lived a more pleasant life.]

No cameras that I'm aware of. As for why and how this is possible... think multiverse theory. This place is a nexus drawing in people from across time and space. There are actually a few of "us" here, for instance.

[Again, that glimmer of uncertainty, there and gone in less time than it takes to blink. He just nods, as if all of this makes perfect sense to him.]

Hm. Very well, then. [... but then he touches his chin a second time.] That blue place I was in before? The, ah, gentleman with the nose—he said something about that, I think.

[He's not sure?]

...Are you all right?

[The "I think" coupled with that brief glimmer... hm. It's more than a little concerning.]

You say you think- so do you not fully recall what transpired back there?

Of course I remember. [Such big, pretty eyes. Kind of vacant, but perhaps he's not too bright?.] I stepped onto the train, and then I was in the blue room. The Velvet Room, was what he called it—Igor, yes?

I admit it's a little strange. [It's very strange. And again, he glances down, a little wrinkle appearing between his eyebrows.]

Yes on both fronts. His name is Igor, and that was the Velvet Room.

[Still... that wrinkle. A little something beneath the vacant stare. Hm.]

Do the words Persona, Phantom Thieves, or Metaverse mean anything to you?

[... and his eyes widen, like truth—or at least a furious madman with a serrated sabre—is about to climb out of them to shame mankind....

Then he blinks, shakes his head, and it's gone. The gentle smile returns.] No, I'm sorry, this is is all very interesting—[he does not say this as if it's interesting]—but I'm meeting a friend.

It's been nice talking to you. Very strange that we look so similar. I suppose that's the many-worlds theory for you. Take care.

[He waves, and turns to head in the direction of Leblanc.]

[He follows, partially because he has nothing to do, and partially because that was a reaction.

This does not bode well. Not in the slightest.]

Which friend? There's a chance they might not have been brought here. Many of us are without our loved ones.

[He draws to a halt. That's an unpleasant thought. Kind of like an itch at the back of his neck.]

Ah, Haru Okumura? I suppose if you're me, you must know her. [Haru is his very good friend. They have so much in common.]

Yes, we go to the same school. A pity about her father, however. He's dirtied his hands with shady business practices and neglected his daughter as well.

[It's a test. Like casting a line to catch a fish. Will he take the bait?]

[The glimmer, by now, is predictable—as is the blink that erases it.] I'd say your world must be quite different. That, or you're trying to upset me.

[Why would someone do that? He has no idea. But he's never known Haru to feel neglected, not in all the time they've known each other, which was... well, it's as long as Akechi can remember.]

You say you go to the same school?

[...Something is definitely wrong here. He could ignore a few odd glimmers as coincidence, but this is consistent.

It's... concerning.]

Yes, we're both at Shujin. I transferred as part of an undercover mission to investigate what the press are calling "cognitive anomalies"- or rather, strange cases of cognition very abruptly, and sometimes quite starkly, changing.

For instance, Sumire Yoshizawa believing that she is Kasumi Yoshizawa, when the latter has passed away. I have been told that these instances may be linked to a man named Dr. Maruki.

[Does this cause any of those "glimmers" as well?]

[And it's a giveaway, of course. Because this time, the glimmer's not a glimmer. His lips part, and he stares into Akechi's eyes as if he's hit a roadblock, and he stares....]

I really have to go. [Again, he turns on his heel, and heads briskly off.]

[He waffles. Does he let him go, or does he follow?

Hm.]

Where will you go? Okumura-san isn't here. Honestly, most of the people here are other versions of us or Ren- or perhaps you know him as Akira Kurusu. Morgana is present, and a boy named Naoya Toudou, as well as my world's Dr. Maruki.

Otherwise, there are only cognitions. Facsimiles of real people.

[Ren's name makes him hesitate, but again, it's Maruki's that brings him to a standstill, with that odd, processing look in his eyes.]

... Ren's here? [He comes out with it, eventually. But he was heading to Leblanc. Of course Ren should be here....

He pinches his nose.] I have to say, this is a little confusing.

Not the Ren either of us know, I suspect. This is a Ren who is not a Phantom Thief, nor does he live or work at Leblanc. He's... friendly, but has lived a difficult life.

[But he's from a "Ren Timeline." That is most interesting. Is there some significance to that? Food for thought.]

[The glimmer for "Phantom Thief" is barely there; he mutters.] Talking to you is giving me a headache. Are you just going to follow me?

[He doesn't like the idea of Ren being alone. Ren is... well, he's difficult to see, sometimes.]

This world can be very unpredictable. It may seem familiar on the surface, but it'd be irresponsible of me to turn a blind eye. After all, I'm rather well versed in this realm.

[It's not even entirely dishonest. Something is off with this Akechi. It's worrisome.]

[He blows air through his lips, tapping a finger on the side of his case. "unpredictable" doesn't sound too worrisome; he doesn't have much of a sense of danger. But he reaches a decision.]

Very well. Would you like to join me at Leblanc? Perhaps Ren will be there, or Okumura-san, and we can put all of this to bed. Or, at a minimum, we can get a nice cup of coffee.

Fair enough. Just be mindful- there may be a "cat" on the prowl, and he may find our presence alarming.

[He'll go ahead and let this other Akechi lead, to give him some sense of control. It's the least he could do, really.]

A cat? [Again, the glassy little laugh, as if he has no idea what Akechi is getting at—which he doesn't.] Well, Yongen is full of them. I doubt that will pose us too much of a problem.

[He doesn't notice he's being allowed to lead. Nor does he seem too concerned about an unknown quantity walking behind him. When they reach Leblanc, the door is open, but when he steps inside... there's nobody there.]

Boss? [He sounds uncertain.] Ren? Is anyone here?

Boss isn't here, I'm afraid. I believe one of the Rens- well, he goes by Akira- lives here, but he must be out right now.

[He follows the other inside, sighing at the lonely atmosphere. This place should be warm. Welcoming. A home away from home.]

We can still sit down if you'd like, but I understand if you'd rather go elsewhere. Jazz Jin wouldn't be the worst place to chat.

[But no; he blinks, and the moment seems to have bounced off him—not unlike a certain other of them, actually. But that one doesn't mean it. He peers at Akechi as if he's said something strange.]

Not at all. We may be the first here, but that's not to say others won't arrive. It would be better if they didn't find the place empty, don't you think?

[And, setting down his case, he takes a seat in one of the booths, as if he's done it a thousand times. He almost sounds normal.] Shall I summarise?

That's if they show up. I've been here almost a month, and I've yet to see many of my friends and family.

[But he sits all the same, across from the other.]

Go ahead and summarize.

[He folds his hands on the table, as if it's nothing more than something to do.]

Very well. This place looks like Yongen, but it's not. The place back there is known as the Velvet Room. It's inhabited by a strange-looking gentleman named Igor, who logic suggests at least knows why we are here. Your presence supports the theory that the many-worlds hypothesis is in play.

Also, none of my friends are here. I'm quite alone. [He frowns. Like that's the most objectionable part of it all.]

Edited 2023-09-07 02:15 (UTC)

Alone in some regards but not others.

[Hmm... This is a difficult path to tread. There is clearly something off with this Akechi, but he is also torn from his home. From people he cherishes. He seems... disappointed, to say the least.]

All of us have been pulled from our homes, just like you. We all have left people behind. Though many of us share the same faces, we are still distinct individuals whose lives differ enough that it isn't quite a house of mirrors.

I wouldn't say it's inherently comforting, but what I am saying is there are people with whom you could learn to confide in.

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