Thread Continuations

[sleight_of_hand]

For the things that no longer belong in open communities, or can't be continued in thread for various, more innocent reasons.

Otherwise known as the "Appreciating Dio's Muscles Memorial Log".

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[lempereur]

Yusuke sees himself in Ryuji's reaction. He bottled those feelings up until they exploded instead of punching a wall, but he can relate to that urge. He can relate to the anger, the feeling that there has to be something that he's missing, if everyone else around him is so eager to put such horrible things behind them, because the murderers are trying. As if today's good intentions could ever speak louder than the lives lost. Either he was crazy, or everyone around him was, but it was obvious to him what everyone else thought: that Yusuke not being willing to invite them into the fold was a pain in everyone's ass.

Akechi has proven himself to him now. It wasn't quick or easy, but the thought of working with him doesn't make his blood boil as it once did. They're not close, they may never be, but the killer is working toward redemption. Wouldn't it be better, if hearts can change of their own will, rather than be forced to?

He stands from the couch to go to Ryuji, leaving his sketch book on the cushion behind him. Akira beats him there, so he stands back with his arms crossed, not wanting to crowd him.

"It is okay to be angry, Ryuji. I was angry for a long time. Ultimately, it is up to Akechi to prove himself to you, not for any of us to tell you that this is how it is and expect your approval."

[cognitivism]

He doesn't flinch.

All things considered, he expected someone to punch him -- he expected the violence like an explosion the more he talked. It doesn't help him when he could hear the breaking of bone next to his head, but he knows it's not his place to help fix his hand. He doesn't have the trust for that yet, and he doesn't expect he will.

Goro never expected trust from anyone.

"You don't have to trust me." He says quietly, ignoring Adachi's entrance. They need to settle this first. "It's not like I expect you to simply accept my past actions considering they have not yet happened for you."

He takes a deep breath. "My actions... are ultimately my own. As much as I was a weapon, I still pulled the trigger and I paid the price for it."

"If I had made the same mistakes in this life as I did the last-- I would have learned nothing."

If nothing else, perhaps it would help Ryuji know he did not survive their last encounter.

[imaphantomthief]

Holy shit, Adachi really does have a Persona. For a moment it’s so distracting it feels surreal. If the throbbing in his hand isn’t enough to ground him, the fact that as soon as Adachi opens his mouth some clueless shit spews out again does. Ryūji snorts quietly, but then Akira is suddenly talking right beside him. He jumps a little, still on edge and not expecting that. Sometimes Akira seems sneaky even when he’s probably not trying to be.

There’s something uncomfortable about the reassurance. Probably that not-so-sneaky glance at Akechi. Then again, is it really a surprise? They must be close, given that slip with address Akira had made earlier. The question Akira asks Ryūji is hard to answer, though. Go to hell comes to mind, but does he even need to say it? It’s pretty obvious by now, isn’t it? He feels a little faint anyway. It’s too bad Ann isn’t here. Sure, she’d be calling him names right now, but she would probably patch him up afterwards.

The movement from Yūsuke is a surprisingly welcome distraction. Ryūji still doesn’t really know what to make of the guy, but at least he knows his story. Plus, he owes him a pair of pants and stuff. They’ve been figuring things out, kind of. Or at least trying to learn how to relate now that everything is so messed up.

He’s about to ask Yūsuke some kind of follow up to that information, like why he’s over it maybe, when Akechi speaks. There’s a moment where Ryūji is irrationally irritated by his voice, not even his words. Risking it and glancing up at him spikes his anger again, but what’s he supposed to do about it with a busted hand and a bunch of people still trying to talk him down anyway? He thinks, absurdly, that something about Akechi annoys him. Aside from all of the actual awful things he’s already admitted to, is he just an annoying guy too? No way. The thought is so ridiculous it’s almost funny. Except there’s nothing funny about any of this.

The subtleties of the speech are lost on Ryūji, but he definitely catches the part about not having to trust Akechi. He swallows against the slightly queasy feeling getting back to his feet gives him, and manages to bite back the hiss of pain from jarring his injured hand. Fine, so he’s kind of made a mess of this stuff, but he still wants to be on eye level with Akechi. “Damn right I don’t trust you.”

“And you,” he turns to Akira next, making a move to cross his arms in front of himself out of habit and regretting it immediately. “Ah, shit! I mean. Look, I’m kinda pissed at you, too. But... I do trust you. You could’ve left me in that cell with those guys, but you didn’t. I bet everyone here has a story like that.” Yūsuke gets a quick, not very subtle nod, ‘cause they’ve talked about that a little. Haru hasn’t said as much, but... it sounds like something big happened there, too. Even Futaba has admitted her life was different before. He may not have all the details, but he knows that much. It’s something to hold on to.

Ryūji shrugs, a gesture that only gets a mild flinch of discomfort from him, and scratches his head with his good hand. “I’m not teaming up with this guy. Trust me, you don’t want me to. I’m not gonna have his back. But since justice doesn’t exist here, I guess that’s that. Unless you’re planning to tell me you’re not really a cat now.”

It’s kind of a joke. It comes out more like an accusation, but that’s just the stress of the situation. It’s directed at Yuri, of course, because no matter how many times Morgana insists he’s people he’s never actually turned into one like that guy just did.

[beautiful_monster]

"I'm not," he answers, almost automatically. It's easier to address than all of the...everything else that's being discussed. It's all understandable; painfully so. Yuri's own struggle to deal with working alongside murderers still stings, even months later and having a better understanding of how reformed they are. But Ryuji's right. They can't force the justice they know to apply in this world, so this...as uncomfortable as it is, is the best they can hope for.

"Anyway... I mean, I don't really know about everything that happened the same way you guys do. I didn't meet any of you until we met in this world, and all I know about what Akechi did is from what I've been told. But I do know it's fucked up. We all know it's fucked, so when it comes to missions..." He trails off, casting a hesitant look in Akira's direction.

"I think it's fair to say people shouldn't have to pair off with someone they've got a serious objection to. We've got enough people who can take a place with Akechi instead, don't we?" People who weren't as close to the deaths, or who'd had more time to adjust to the situation as it was here. Yuri should probably clarify that point, but it's really impressive that he's spoken as clearly as he has already.

[codeoracle]

"I think that's fair..." As much as she wishes everything could be smoothed over with a few words, she knows that what Akechi did isn't so easily fixed. They had all reached the point of understanding him after some time--after witnessing his sacrifice and finding him again here, after months of him proving himself.

"We aren't trying to force anyone to accept him. We came to that conclusion on our own after some time here...and after events back home some of us haven't seen yet..." She looks between Haru and Ryuji before focusing her gaze back on the ground. "I--I just think it's best that we're all open about where we're coming from, even if you don't understand it."

She hesitates for a moment before speaking again. "So...for now it's probably best to try and work together as a team and...work in smaller pairs with those we're comfortable with. It'll be easier that way."

[crimeboy]

Akira doesn't flinch when Ryuji looks to him, angry. He understands, completely, and he wouldn't tell Ryuji that he was wrong to be angry, at Akechi or at him. He would stand his ground though, his hands remaining in his pockets as his gaze meets Ryuji's. It was not a glare or a challenge, simply letting him say what he did, whatever he needed to.

"I think that's fine. Yuri is right, there are enough people here that there won't be any need for you to team up with anyone you don't agree with, or have misgivings about", he agreed. That was fair not only to Ryuji but to Akechi too, in all honesty. the last thing they needed were people who did not trust each other to have to rely upon each other. Akira of course would continue to work with both of them.

"Going forward, that's what we'll do. Work as a team when we need to, and if possible work in smaller groups or pairs which we all can agree to. Everyone else alright with that?" Because they were a team. Akira was the 'leader', but that didn't mean he would enforce things if other people disagreed. It was his job to lead the charge, but not to be the sole head of the organization.