[ the mechanics make enough sense to him, at least - he doesn't question the idea of a realm just outside of reality that has both permanent and not-so-permanet effects on its inhabitants. Morgana listens intently, looking troubled, at least as much as he's capable while in this form. ]
... So you went to a place like a Palace in your dreams, and while you were there, you had to kill each other?
[ he knows it's not actually a Palace, but it seems like the best point of comparison. It's a pretty bleak story, if it's true. Imagining Akira in that situation by himself is depressing. ]
Joker... How did you get out? If I had known, I would have come to save you.
[ he considers taking care of him and the others in the Metaverse to be his responsibility, even if he doesn't act like it. ]
Everything I did was to keep you and the others from being brought in to play that game. Or... see those things.
[there were too many of those things, and the things he did aren't ones he's proud of, so he just closes his eyes and shakes his head.
magilou can explain how they got out, he guesses. akira can only be adamant about the fact that he definitely did not want the phantom thieves to be there.
especially after what happened to the other phantom thief who was.]
[Akira's words earn him a silent stare from Magilou. perhaps it's because she knows the truth behind them, but. . . she thinks even someone out of the loop like Morgana could pick up on the subtext]
[she turns her attention back to the cat shortly afterwards. Akira will talk about it when he's ready; there's no rush at all]
Five people on that island were given specific instructions to murder. Kill at least one person each week, or the volcano will erupt and everyone will die.
[a small sigh]
That was a lie.
The way to "win" the game was to kill off each and every one of those five people. And that's what we did-- not this guy and I, personally, but the other thirty-seven of us.
[ the movie comparison was apt, because this definitely sounds like someone's murder mystery screenplay. If Morgana didn't know better, he'd assume it was made up. But it's not like Akira to play tricks on him - and even if he doesn't know who this girl is, he seems to trust her, and thus, so does Morgana.
His insistence on keeping Morgana "safe" is so typically him that it kind of annoys him. ]
So you'd rather just suffer alone? We're a team, you know! Helping each other is what good teammates do. [ he has to say it - his sensibilities won't allow otherwise. But he can understand the gravity of the situation. He has to assume what Magilou is saying is exactly what happened; he looks back to her, ears flicking back in unease. ] ... You had five people get murdered?
Mmm. Yeup. It wasn't as though we knew who those five were until about five weeks into the game. They claimed a lot of victims before they were caught.
[. . . and. . .]
Not to mention there were people killing for their own reasons, separate from that group of five.
[she doesn't look at Akira when she says that; she isn't giving him away until he's ready]
[ he hopes that his (apparently) being so close to this girl at least means she was there to support him. He knows how Akira always tries to take everything on by himself... ]
33?! You saw that many people die?! [ his fur stands on end a little, and he glances back and forth between the two of them for a second, as if looking for the punchline. It doesn't come, of course. They've dealt with crimes of all shapes and sizes, at this point, but certainly nothing like mass murder on this level. It's way out of their league. Certainly out of a lone Joker's league. ] ... Are you serious?
[ is he okay? no, he's definitely not okay. He can't just ask that. But what can he do? What does he even say to something like this? He's no good at this sort of thing in the first place... He gives Magilou a look of disbelief, then turns to Akira, concerned. ]
[it's a lot, morgana. and akira knows that. so he just nods his head solemnly, shifting his gaze.]
Everyone's alive now. [that was the condition of winning the game, after all.
but "okay," is not what he'd call it. not for himself, at least. plenty of others were fine once the illusion was broke and they knew they'd get home safely. for akira, though—well, the nightmare he can recall akira waking up from was the start of his trying to move on from those traumatic experiences.
[Magilou links her hands behind her back and rocks to the side, nodding in affirmation]
Alive, awake, very unlikely to go through the same thing again. Small comforts, right?
[now she looks at Akira, whom she knows is still struggling with this. despite it being a dream, despite it all being a very distant memory. people like Magilou-- selfish people, who closed their hearts off to such things so long ago-- could very easily move on without issue. but people like him, good people, who still didn't know how to come to terms with the actions took during the game?]
[that was a lot harder]
[she takes a step forward, towards Akira, and gently bumps her shoulder against his. that's a motion she's learned from him]
[ at least their deaths weren't permanent - it's a step above the Metaverse in that regard. It would feel callous to say that. Morgana is used to looking after Akira, but this is so far outside his wheelhosue that he's not sure what he should say. What can someone say in response to a story like that? ]
Akira... [ he looks up at him again, ears wilting. ] ... Damn it. Why do these things always happen to you? You never did anything wrong, but it's like the world is your enemy!
[ being angry is a lot easier than being sad for Morgana. He could apologize, but it wouldn't help a thing - instead, he channels his feelings into frustration and action. Magilou's actions towards Akira don't go unnoticed, but he can hardly ask about that now. ]
It's good you're safe, but we need to find a way to make sure that never happens again! If the Metaverse can be that dangerous, it's our job to stop it. I'll figure something out.
[magilou's gesture helps a bit; he knows she's doing her best in her own way for his sake—she's trying, and it counts for a lot.]
I don't know why. Low luck stat, I guess.
[it's a weak joke, and he knows it. either way, akira shakes his head.]
It's not something that can be stopped in the Metaverse. It wasn't the Metaverse at all—it might have been easier if it was.
[not that he really wants to discourage morgana here, but what he dealt with existed on such a different scale.] At least in the Metaverse, we can use our Personas.
[something he wasn't able to do on murder island, yaaay.]
. . . in hindsight, perhaps not asking about the nature of the dream, who was benefiting from our performance, and how they managed to get us all there anyway was probably ill advised.
[so now they literally. can't do anything to keep it from happening again. and from the way Hal spoke? it sure did happen a lot]
What? So we're going to let them get away? They might do it again, you know!
[ it's their job to stop this kind of thing! Or his and Akira's job, at least. He looks back and forth between the two of them, serious. People's lives are in danger - there has to be some clue they can chase after. Maybe they could find something in Mementos, or... something.
(The real root of the matter is that Morgana doesn't know how else to comfort Akira other than trying to solve the problem through phantom thievery - he's trying his best, in his way.) ]
It's not about letting them get away. I just have no idea how we'd find them. What happened to us was in a dream, with people from so many worlds that aren't anything like this or the Metaverse.
[it's okay, mona.
as okay as it can be.]
When I woke up from that nightmare, it was like no time passed at all here. There probably aren't traces of them—Magilou being here is the only thing I have to prove it even really happened.
[ well, that shuts him down pretty soundly, and just like that, he's out of good ways to help. Morgana looks defeated - and uncomfortable, and a little sad. This whole situation is much worse than he'd imagined; he thought that Akira had maybe gotten into a fight with one of their friends or something, not... witnessed tens of murders. ]
... Well, if everyone's all right, I guess it's okay, but... I don't like it. [ a pause. ] ... Are you all right, Akira?
[ it's lame, but it's the only other thing he can think of to say. He can listen. He really wants to ask about Magilou, and who she is, and what the heck she means when she says "worldhopping," but he just can't leave his best friend in this state. ]
[yeah, Akira's story is far from finished. . . but the other parts? the parts about his role, about the people he killed, about Haru, about how the Chiefs purposefully held her wellbeing over his head to get him to participate? she'll only tell that with explicit permission]
[she cants her head to the side to regard Akira with an even expression, but says nothing]
... We're here for you, you know. You were on your own in that place, but it's not like that here. You're our leader, so you should rely on us.
[ he won't press any more information out of Akira on his own; he's not the type. But the two of them do everything together, and Morgana wants him to know that they can carry this burden together, too. He sits down on his haunches on the counter, tail curled around his body, and looks up at his human friend with those blue eyes that are just a little too clever for a cat. When he's ready.
Until then... his gaze shifts to Magilou, and he twitches his whiskers. ]
I know, Morgana. And I'll tell you everything, because you should know what happened.
[...] In a few minutes.
[he'll get back to it, really and honestly. it's a declaration of intent; if nothing else, morgana and magilou both with probably make sure he stops stalling eventually.
[AHA!! as soon as Akira refers to her by her proper title, Magilou props her hands on her hips, squares her shoulders, and gives Morgana the sharpest smile she can manage]
That's right. ☆ Only the most feared witch on this side of the universe! Fresh from a three year stay in the isolated island prison of Titania, I am back to wreak havoc and chaos wherever I go!
[at least she isn't giving Morgana the long, fake name along with her introduction]
Island prison... ? What kind of shady character did you bring back with you?
[ A WITCH WHO WAS IN PRISON FOR THREE YEARS?? they're a bunch of thieves, so they probably can't talk, but havoc and chaos also aren't their goals, so?? He tilts his head at Magilou, then stands up, taking a few steps down the counter to peer at her. ]
... You've been coming here a lot... And you've been spending a lot of time with him. I can tell. Are you two actually...?
You know I've been in jail twice, right... we're all shady characters.
[morgana, please! they're all shady!]
She's... like us in a lot of ways, prison or not.
[an outcast, an outsider. someone who doesn't quite fit in and has a reason to be wary about other people. so akira just sighs softly, faintly amused.] A lot happened with us over those five weeks.
[yeah, they're ACTUALLY, but he knows magilou has her own hangup, so she can address that on her own.]
[ yeah but "island prison for three years" makes it sound like she killed a man and got put into alcatraz?! obviously, akira would never do such a thing . . . . . .
he squints up at Akira as he speaks - once again, he trusts his judgement, so he decides this girl is probably fine. Her goofy way of talking sort of reminds him of Futaba... Maybe that's why they ended up getting along. ]
I can't believe you went to some kind of crazy battle royale and came back with a new girlfriend... As expected of our Joker, I guess. Well, I won't judge you. [ Morgana licks his paw idly, eyes flicking up to Magilou. ] What's so witchy about you?
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... So you went to a place like a Palace in your dreams, and while you were there, you had to kill each other?
[ he knows it's not actually a Palace, but it seems like the best point of comparison. It's a pretty bleak story, if it's true. Imagining Akira in that situation by himself is depressing. ]
Joker... How did you get out? If I had known, I would have come to save you.
[ he considers taking care of him and the others in the Metaverse to be his responsibility, even if he doesn't act like it. ]
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[akira says that simply and quietly.]
Everything I did was to keep you and the others from being brought in to play that game. Or... see those things.
[there were too many of those things, and the things he did aren't ones he's proud of, so he just closes his eyes and shakes his head.
magilou can explain how they got out, he guesses. akira can only be adamant about the fact that he definitely did not want the phantom thieves to be there.
especially after what happened to the other phantom thief who was.]
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[she turns her attention back to the cat shortly afterwards. Akira will talk about it when he's ready; there's no rush at all]
Five people on that island were given specific instructions to murder. Kill at least one person each week, or the volcano will erupt and everyone will die.
[a small sigh]
That was a lie.
The way to "win" the game was to kill off each and every one of those five people. And that's what we did-- not this guy and I, personally, but the other thirty-seven of us.
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His insistence on keeping Morgana "safe" is so typically him that it kind of annoys him. ]
So you'd rather just suffer alone? We're a team, you know! Helping each other is what good teammates do. [ he has to say it - his sensibilities won't allow otherwise. But he can understand the gravity of the situation. He has to assume what Magilou is saying is exactly what happened; he looks back to her, ears flicking back in unease. ] ... You had five people get murdered?
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[though he really did shoulder so many burdens alone in that time—well.
he'll get to his reasons eventually. he's still not sure how he wants to tell that part of the story.]
It was more than five. Those five had to die for the game to be "won," but... in total, it was. 33.
[thirty-three people died. it was a lot, and it was brutal.
and he was one of them but hey. minor details.]
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[. . . and. . .]
Not to mention there were people killing for their own reasons, separate from that group of five.
[she doesn't look at Akira when she says that; she isn't giving him away until he's ready]
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33?! You saw that many people die?! [ his fur stands on end a little, and he glances back and forth between the two of them for a second, as if looking for the punchline. It doesn't come, of course. They've dealt with crimes of all shapes and sizes, at this point, but certainly nothing like mass murder on this level. It's way out of their league. Certainly out of a lone Joker's league. ] ... Are you serious?
[ is he okay? no, he's definitely not okay. He can't just ask that. But what can he do? What does he even say to something like this? He's no good at this sort of thing in the first place... He gives Magilou a look of disbelief, then turns to Akira, concerned. ]
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Everyone's alive now. [that was the condition of winning the game, after all.
but "okay," is not what he'd call it. not for himself, at least. plenty of others were fine once the illusion was broke and they knew they'd get home safely. for akira, though—well, the nightmare he can recall akira waking up from was the start of his trying to move on from those traumatic experiences.
sorry, mona. this isn't a fun story at all.]
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Alive, awake, very unlikely to go through the same thing again. Small comforts, right?
[now she looks at Akira, whom she knows is still struggling with this. despite it being a dream, despite it all being a very distant memory. people like Magilou-- selfish people, who closed their hearts off to such things so long ago-- could very easily move on without issue. but people like him, good people, who still didn't know how to come to terms with the actions took during the game?]
[that was a lot harder]
[she takes a step forward, towards Akira, and gently bumps her shoulder against his. that's a motion she's learned from him]
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Akira... [ he looks up at him again, ears wilting. ] ... Damn it. Why do these things always happen to you? You never did anything wrong, but it's like the world is your enemy!
[ being angry is a lot easier than being sad for Morgana. He could apologize, but it wouldn't help a thing - instead, he channels his feelings into frustration and action. Magilou's actions towards Akira don't go unnoticed, but he can hardly ask about that now. ]
It's good you're safe, but we need to find a way to make sure that never happens again! If the Metaverse can be that dangerous, it's our job to stop it. I'll figure something out.
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I don't know why. Low luck stat, I guess.
[it's a weak joke, and he knows it. either way, akira shakes his head.]
It's not something that can be stopped in the Metaverse. It wasn't the Metaverse at all—it might have been easier if it was.
[not that he really wants to discourage morgana here, but what he dealt with existed on such a different scale.] At least in the Metaverse, we can use our Personas.
[something he wasn't able to do on murder island, yaaay.]
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[yep, totally piggy backing on his joke]
. . . in hindsight, perhaps not asking about the nature of the dream, who was benefiting from our performance, and how they managed to get us all there anyway was probably ill advised.
[so now they literally. can't do anything to keep it from happening again. and from the way Hal spoke? it sure did happen a lot]
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[ it's their job to stop this kind of thing! Or his and Akira's job, at least. He looks back and forth between the two of them, serious. People's lives are in danger - there has to be some clue they can chase after. Maybe they could find something in Mementos, or... something.
(The real root of the matter is that Morgana doesn't know how else to comfort Akira other than trying to solve the problem through phantom thievery - he's trying his best, in his way.) ]
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[it's okay, mona.
as okay as it can be.]
When I woke up from that nightmare, it was like no time passed at all here. There probably aren't traces of them—Magilou being here is the only thing I have to prove it even really happened.
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[Morgana probably doesn't get that, but Akira will. not that she's elaborating]
Well, until I figured out how to worldhop here, that is. Even the injuries we sustained while on that island are gone.
[the scratches on Akira's face, the gash in her arm. vanished, without a trace or a scar]
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... Well, if everyone's all right, I guess it's okay, but... I don't like it. [ a pause. ] ... Are you all right, Akira?
[ it's lame, but it's the only other thing he can think of to say. He can listen. He really wants to ask about Magilou, and who she is, and what the heck she means when she says "worldhopping," but he just can't leave his best friend in this state. ]
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but...
if nothing else, he owes it to morgana to be honest, more candid. and he knows that's what magilou wants for him, too.]
I could be worse but... I think it might be a while before I'm really "all right." But... I'm getting better.
[ maybe. probably. he probably needs to address the things that happened better but it's fine?]
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[she cants her head to the side to regard Akira with an even expression, but says nothing]
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[ he won't press any more information out of Akira on his own; he's not the type. But the two of them do everything together, and Morgana wants him to know that they can carry this burden together, too. He sits down on his haunches on the counter, tail curled around his body, and looks up at his human friend with those blue eyes that are just a little too clever for a cat. When he's ready.
Until then... his gaze shifts to Magilou, and he twitches his whiskers. ]
... So? Who's this girl? Is she an alien?
[ she's from another world, right?! ]
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[...] In a few minutes.
[he'll get back to it, really and honestly. it's a declaration of intent; if nothing else, morgana and magilou both with probably make sure he stops stalling eventually.
for now?]
A witch, actually.
[he's. completely serious abut that part.]
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That's right. ☆ Only the most feared witch on this side of the universe! Fresh from a three year stay in the isolated island prison of Titania, I am back to wreak havoc and chaos wherever I go!
[at least she isn't giving Morgana the long, fake name along with her introduction]
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[ A WITCH WHO WAS IN PRISON FOR THREE YEARS?? they're a bunch of thieves, so they probably can't talk, but havoc and chaos also aren't their goals, so?? He tilts his head at Magilou, then stands up, taking a few steps down the counter to peer at her. ]
... You've been coming here a lot... And you've been spending a lot of time with him. I can tell. Are you two actually...?
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[morgana, please! they're all shady!]
She's... like us in a lot of ways, prison or not.
[an outcast, an outsider. someone who doesn't quite fit in and has a reason to be wary about other people. so akira just sighs softly, faintly amused.] A lot happened with us over those five weeks.
[yeah, they're ACTUALLY, but he knows magilou has her own hangup, so she can address that on her own.]
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Oh my! A lady doesn't kiss and tell.
[YOU'RE NOT A LADY MAGILOU]
And a witch is strictly prohibited from speaking of matters of the heart, anyway. Witch's Code, Section 17, Line 183. Look it up.
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he squints up at Akira as he speaks - once again, he trusts his judgement, so he decides this girl is probably fine. Her goofy way of talking sort of reminds him of Futaba... Maybe that's why they ended up getting along. ]
I can't believe you went to some kind of crazy battle royale and came back with a new girlfriend... As expected of our Joker, I guess. Well, I won't judge you. [ Morgana licks his paw idly, eyes flicking up to Magilou. ] What's so witchy about you?
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1/of like. idk. morgana why.
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okay done now i'm so sorry
i'm love magilou
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