[Prologue, Friday: Monika]

[doublecrows]

[he isn't really looking for anyone when the hullabaloo surrounding the very first murder calms down, but Akechi is easy to find nevertheless. he's in the kitchen, seated at the counter, with a fresh cup of coffee cradled between gloved fingers. he blows on same, eyes distant]

[COME BOTHER A DETECTIVE]

Comments

[unromanceable]

... Akechi-kun?

[ She'd been looking for someone else here-- but he's just as welcome a sight. Monika will move into the kitchen, her expression somber. ]

I didn't think I'd find you here. Are you alright?

[doublecrows]

[her voice jerks him back to reality, and he acts on instinct, flashing her a smile]

Of course. [he adds a purposefully rueful not to it a moment later] As much as I hate to say it, I'm no stranger to death.

[unromanceable]

[ ...

wordlessly she simply takes a seat beside him at the counter. another few moments pass quietly. ]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Akechi-kun...you shouldn't force yourself to smile.

[doublecrows]

[he waves a hand]

Isn't now the time a detective should smile the most? For those hurting?

[what a perfectly practiced heroic response]

[unromanceable]

[ Monika gazes at him, her eyes wandering across his features like there's some hidden answer to be found there. There's a sympathetic furrow in her brow, and...

... carefully she'll inch her hand closer to his, to shyly and gently tangle their ring and pinkie fingers together. ]

That may be true, but even the most amazing detectives could use someone to support them the way they support everyone else.

1/2

[doublecrows]

[. . .???]

[?????????]

[???????????????????????]

[what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck????]

[he stiffens, every muscle in his body tensing at that contact, even though it's buffered by the layer of his gloves. for the briefest of moments, the mask falls away to an expression akin of a cornered animal ready to bolt]

[doublecrows]

[and then he's back on point, laughing awkwardly and gently, just as a charming but slightly nerdy detective prince should, as he pulls his hand away]

I-- assure you, Monika-san, that I'll be okay. [smile!!] I am trained to handle these sorts of situations, after all.

1/2

[unromanceable]

[ ........ ]

[unromanceable]

[ There's no way she imagined that, just now. But, why...?

... well ...

If he wants to pretend that didn't just happen, she'll go along with it. ]

... I just want you to know there's someone on your side to support you if you ever need it. Have you ever thought about writing before?

[doublecrows]

[bless u Monika]

Thank you.

[he settles down a bit now that there's a fair amount of distance between them again]

And I have, though admittedly most of my writing is on my food blog. Are you suggesting something else?

[unromanceable]

I am! One of the things we did during the literature club was write poems, and then show them to each other the next day. ... not that you need to show me any poems you write, ahaha! I just mean that poetry can be a really great form of self-expression. I write all the time when I'm stressed out or needing a release. It helps me organize my thoughts, and cope with what I'm feeling.

[doublecrows]

Poetry. . . I have to admit, I've never fancied myself a poet. I'm not sure it'd be one of my, ah. . . strengths?

[unromanceable]

Just remember a poem can be anything you want it to be. You can follow a meter, or write freestyle. Poetry is like a painting where your medium is words. There's no right or wrong way to do it so long as you feel like you're expressing how you feel.

Of course we don't all have the same coping mechanisms. But for someone as thoughtful and eloquent as you are, Akechi-kun... I feel like expressing your thoughts in words could really help you.

[doublecrows]

[n o]

[why does he feel such a strong knee jerk reaction against this?? maybe because it has to do with feelings??? feelings are gross???]

I wouldn't even know where to begin. . .

[unromanceable]

Ahaha!

[ She brings up her hands to loosely cover her mouth, fingers curling. ]

It's pretty cute when you're caught off-guard, Akechi-kun. Don't feel like you have to, or anything like that. I just wanted to suggest it.

[doublecrows]

Oh, well. Thank you, although I have to admit that compliment is a bit embarrassing.

[AT LEAST HE IS USED TO TAKING BEING CALLED "CUTE" IN STRIDE]

I'll keep it in mind. Though your suggestion makes me wish this manor had a library, so I could study up on some poetry before attempting to write any myself.

[unromanceable]

If it would make you feel more comfortable, I could show you some of my poetry. Though I'd need somewhere to write it down, haha!

[doublecrows]

[a chuckle!]

Again, the existence of a library would be ideal for that. But. . . if you want to write down some of your poetry for me, I'd be happy to read it.

[unromanceable]

... would you really do that for me? If you do, you have to promise you'll be honest about what you think, okay?

[ she's a bit pink in the face, excited. ]

[doublecrows]

Perfectly honest it is! But I'll make sure to be constructive with my criticism, even though I doubt I'll have much of it if someone as experienced as you wrote those poems.

[unromanceable]

I wouldn't want it any other way!

[ ... ]

You know, there was someone I knew back home... I don't think he ever really understood my poems. I feel like you would, though!

[doublecrows]

Well, as much as I enjoy reading, I can't call myself a literature buff. But I suppose that's because most of what I read is German philosophy.

[PRETENTIOUS]

[unromanceable]

Oh? I try to read philosophy books, but I also try to read lots of different things so I can experience all kinds of perspectives. You should tell me all about what you've read sometime! I'd love to hear.

[doublecrows]

Would you?

[eyes her curiously, before he nods, placing his mug of coffee down to steeple his fingers thoughtfully]

Are you familiar with Hegel?

[unromanceable]

Hmmm...

[ She looks thoughtful, rolling her eyes skyward as she thinks. ]

He developed "absolute idealism," didn't he?

[doublecrows]

That's correct.

[pleased and impressed]

The theory that the subject, or human consciousness, can only interact with the object, the world, should that subject have its own unique sense of identity.

But he is also one of the philosophers most associated with the concept of the "zeitgeist.'

[unromanceable]

Identity and the zeitgeist...

[ A small laugh. ]

You really don't keep it simple! So what was it that drew you to him?

[doublecrows]

Yes, that's right. I suppose you could say I have a particular interest in theories relating to personal identity and how they interact with the world. As well as taking same and comparing it to the predominate "defining spirit or mood" during a period of history.

[he sounds so academic. this is also me bullshitting German philosophy. why did I do this to myself]

[unromanceable]

[ I TRIED TO SAVE US. BUT NOW WE'RE DOOMED TO WIKIPEDIA ]

Mmm... I don't mean to make assumptions or anything like that, but I feel like your tapestry mentioned something about the psyche?

[ she's rather understating the issue ]

[doublecrows]

[THIS IS MY FAULT, WAILS]

It-- [oh. oh] The. . . part about summoning a monster from my head?

[unromanceable]

Aha... that part, yeah.

[doublecrows]

[he can't help but chuckle]

It's all right. Many others have already asked me about my Persona. I can explain it to you too, if you'd like?

[unromanceable]

Please! I'm sorry, but I really can't help being curious!