[Prologue, Tuesday: Nico]

[doublecrows]

[Akechi doesn't spend too much time mulling over the tapestries, but he is there long enough to read through each one more than once. which is a pretty good time to catch him for conversation, actually!]

['sup Nico, this detective kid is free to be approached at any time, even though he looks kind of distracted staring at his own profile]

Did they have to put it so. . . bluntly?

Comments

[resumed]

[Like. Hard same, Akechi. Nico's definitely not thrilled with his own profile but there's something about Akechi's that's caught his attention. It's why he's subtly shifting over bit by bit until he's standing closer, looking up at the other tapestry with a inquisitive look.]

I don't think they care about hiding our secrets so much as their own. [Which is unfortunate.] But you're right. They could have been a little more subtle about food blogging.

[...look. He knows you can't just charge right into a conversation with a stranger about something as big as monster-summoning. He's not Percy (he's not Will, especially) and he's prone to making people nervous but. He'll try.]

[doublecrows]

[. . . BLESS YOU, NICO]

[Akechi just. blinks a few times, like he isn't really sure where to go with this? before he responds with nonchalance]

It's a shame. I'm not sure how I feel about everyone hear knowing my most mundane hobby.

Soon, they'll all be asking me about my favorite food.

[resumed]

Wouldn't that be the time to tell them that a blogger never tells? [The internet is still a wild, weird world but whatever. Akechi's receptive to what he's saying and that's good enough for him.] I'm a little surprised you wouldn't put biking as even more mundane though.

[doublecrows]

[a light chuckle, hand resting against his chin]

Biking takes me across the city, where I meet new people and new sights every day. I suppose food blogging takes me to new restaurants and dishes, but it's a far less strenuous activity.

Sometimes I combine the two, though!

[resumed]

I never really got into bike-riding but it kind of sounds like a nice way to travel. [Or, at least, a way that's easier to make a quick getaway.] The dining hall can conquer up whatever food you want. Now that the secret's out you could continue writing here if you wanted.

[doublecrows]

And perhaps turn my blog into a journal? You seem to be filled with good ideas, Di Angelo.

[yeah he totally read Nico's profile. just casually pointing that out by using his name even though they haven't met yet!!]

It'd certainly be one way to pass the time.

[resumed]

[He's not fast enough to hide the quick look of surprise, but okay. He should have expected that given he's also been reading everyone's profiles.]

I don't see why not. I can't think of anything more important we have to worry about. [It's a joke that isn't even meant to be a joking tone, it's just flat-out sarcasm wrapped in a calm delivery. The battle royale isn't something he wants to get into, but here they are.]

...do you think everything that's written up there is true? [The other tapestries, he means, in addition to his own and in addition to Akechi's.]

[doublecrows]

[well, Nico's sarcasm actually gets an apologetic, sympathetic smile from Akechi]

If mine is true, and if yours is true, then I can only deduce that the others are true as well. Some of the information might be worded in a deliberately misleading way, but that doesn't preclude the information from being correct.

[resumed]

[It's just how he is, sorry about him. On the other hand, he raises his eyebrows a bit.]

There are some things on mine that I wouldn't really call correct...[But his eyes flicker back to Akechi's tapestry.] Can I ask you a question about yours then?

[doublecrows]

[arches a brow at Nico in return, clearly wanting to ask about that. and he will, once he answers Nico's inquiries first]

Of course. I don't have anything to hide.

[resumed]

[That's fair.]

Thank you. [First and foremost. If there's anything Nico's learned especially lately it's that he can't really snub people and their attempts.] The monster that you can summon. What exactly is it?

[doublecrows]

[bingo. that's exactly what he thought Nico was going to ask him about. luckily, he's already explained it to a few others. he's ready]

Do you know what a "persona" is, Di Angelo? The simple definition of the word will suffice.

[resumed]

Persona. [Give him a second to mull that over.] Like a facade. Or an alter ego? [How does this equate to a monster, he doesn't get it.]

[doublecrows]

A facade and an alter ego. A mixture of both.

Now, imagine if someone had the ability to manifest that facade into a physical being. One with magical powers to help that person fight against other monsters.

That's the ability I have.

[resumed]

[Frankly that sounds terrifying but you do you, Akechi. Being able to manifest a facade into a physical being...he wonders what his would look like even if he has a feeling he knows what powers would come with it. That, too, is a scary thought.]

That's...really cool. [It's a little like awe and a little like uncertainty but it's also...magic? At the end of the day he's still 14 and likes to hear about other things that seem impossible.] What kind of magical powers? What's it look like?

[doublecrows]

[HADES, OBVIOUSLY]

[and Akechi perks up, because he loves!! talking about himself!!]

My Persona takes the form of Robin Hood, the legendary thief of Sherwood Forest. He's clothed in white and carries a bow with him to shoot down the unjust and corrupt. It's inspiring, really!

As for his abilities, I specialize in light and dark-based magical spells. Curse and bless, respectively.

[resumed]

[And then Nico never summoned his Persona again, the end. But of course he does. Somehow this makes sense.

And the thing is...he believes in him. He's at least familiar with the tale of Robin Hood and while he's always a little iffy about some laws that get broken, a Persona that takes on the embodiment of such a man is a little impressive. He's also pretty aware of the contradictory nature of Akechi's abilities and wonders about those, too, but he nods along.]

So your facade is...someone who would take from the people who don't need it and help others who are unfortunate. Cursing the rich and blessing the poor, or something like that. [That's...really cool.] I bet you'd have a ton of hit points. [A pause.] But you can't summon him here, can you?

[doublecrows]

You're right; I do. I suppose that makes me a "tank," in standard RPG terms.

[ohoho. how witty]

And you're right; I can't. He could only be summoned in specific circumstances back home, anyway. And those circumstances absolutely don't exist here.

[resumed]

[He wants to ask what those circumstances are. He has so many other questions, but he can recognize he's been asking quite a bit and decides to give Akechi a bit of a breather for the moment.]

That seems to be the case with several people here. Abilities that don't work anymore, I mean. Nobody seems to know how this castle's blocking everyone. But maybe that isn't the most important thing we should be looking into.

[He glances up at him again.] Thank you for answering.

[doublecrows]

I do think it's at least one thing we should be looking into. Their ability to suppress our powers means they're incredibly strong.

[and that is a little?? terrifying??? but his expression softens]

You're welcome. As I said, I have nothing to hide.

[resumed]

And incredibly unwilling to let anyone have a chance to overthrow them. [A quiet, cynical part of him says that everyone has something to hide but he doesn't bring it up. Akechi answered enough and Nico looks back at his own tapestry again.]

Does that mean I can come back to you again if I have further questions?

[doublecrows]

It does. So long as I can ask you questions in return, Di Angelo.

[quid pro quo! answers for answers]

[resumed]

[A h.]

...I guess so. But I'm not sure I'll have answers you're looking for, depending on the question. [Fire away, Akechi. He's not sure where this is going but he'll allow it should he choose.]

[doublecrows]

You have a Stygian iron sword.

[oh. straight for the good stuff]

How did you acquire such a unique weapon?

[resumed]

[Oh. The sword, huh? He's not entirely surprised and Riordan never friggin tells us but he shrugs a little.]

I picked it up in my travels a few years ago. [Mostly true.]

[doublecrows]

From the river Styx?

[he knows what Stygian means!!]

[resumed]

...yes. [Goddamnit. But sure, fine, so he knows that part.] It was easy enough.

[doublecrows]

That sounds like quite the journey. I'd be interested in hearing about it sometime, if you wouldn't mind retelling it.

You must be very impressive to have retrieved a weapon from a notoriously dangerous place.

[resumed]

[Haha he definitely minds, sorry Akechi. But he shrugs a little.]

It's not that dangerous for me. And it's not that dangerous if you know what to look for. It's not that impressive of a story to tell.

[doublecrows]

[sorry he's a nosy asshole!!]

It may not seem impressive to you, because you lived it. But to someone like me, who has never made a journey so dangerous, that's a completely different story.

[resumed]

[Give him a moment to think of how to angle this.]

Does that mean you believe it's true? That places like the Styx exist.

[doublecrows]

[another quirk of a brow]

It's less a matter of whether I believe in it or not and more a matter of knowing better than to deny what is right in front of me. Regardless of how it may interact with my personal beliefs.

[resumed]

[He'll mimic the look at least. Like. Yes, true, but he's met enough people who still can't quite wrap their heads around the things they see or hear. Mist or not, he's interested how this applies to the castle.]

You're the only person so far who's even asked about the sword and recognized where it would have come from. Interesting thing to pick up on, too. But you could see why I would be interested in your Persona then.

[doublecrows]

I can.

[smile smile smile]

Which may be part of the reason I answered honestly. One has to give something to get something, yes?

[resumed]

Like an equal trade? I think so. I'd like to believe people would be interested in balance but that's not always the case. [Thanks Dad.] Were there other reasons to answer honestly then?

[doublecrows]

I already gave you the other reason. I have nothing to hide, and I'm not ashamed of sharing my abilities.

[resumed]

[A contemplative look.]

Just curious. And just making sure. People are bound to keep some things to themselves, so the extra confirmation's nice. That's all.

[doublecrows]

[a head tilt]

That's true. Not every secret is worth sharing. Not every secret is something that can be shared. But mine are all out in the open, so feel free to ask anything.

[almost anything]

[Akechi talks more than he walks, after all]

[resumed]

I'll keep that in mind going forward. I think we're going to have a lot of time to get to know each other. All of us.

[doublecrows]

Indeed. Whether we like it or not.

[that sounds so ominous]

[resumed]

[...that. That does sound ominous, what the fuck Akechi. It's then that Nico takes the cue and nods, taking a step back.]

Right. I should go find Reyna...but we can talk later if you'd like.

[doublecrows]

I think I would like that, Di Angelo.

Until next time, then?

[resumed]

[A thin, uneasy smile.] Until next time.

[Al obviously I want new PCs in the future plz and thank you, but for now Nico's going to head off.]