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[foolishjustice]

Moshi moshi!

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[foolishjustice]

[At first, it seems like the movement only put him on edge...but then he backs up slightly as his nerves win out briefly against his determination. With a little more distance back, though, he huffs and shakes his head. It's just a little movement, he's not going to let that scare him off at this point. Not when he's made so much progress!

After taking a little while to steel himself, he tentatively inches back to where he'd been standing before. Back to the closest he's ever been, the fear swells up again and immobilizes him for several seconds, before he clenches his fists and pushes it aside. He's not going to give into this...not when he has proof he's improving.]

[makejapangreat]

[He's made a remarkable amount of progress in a short time, no doubt owing to his fierce stubbornness. Shido feels a ridiculous swell of pride within him... He ought to find some way to reward his son when they're done. His tail gives a gentle flick on the ground as he stills again.]

[foolishjustice]

[He's already closer than he's gotten before. As he manages to get his nerves further under control, he decides to try taking another few steps forward.

It's a mistake.

At first, he just edges back as the proximity ramps his anxiety up. But after only a moment of standing still, the anxiety turns to panic and he scrambles backwards again before coming to a shaking stop. He doesn't...he doesn't want to give up here. Not when he's made progress, not when he's doing so well! But the fear isn't going down, his mind is already supplying him with memories of pain and helplessness.

In a desperate attempt to calm himself, he lets a flash of blue fire wash over his mask as he switches Personas to Robin Hood. But even with Fortify Spirit bolstering his mental resilience, it's not enough. He can't get it out of his mind, can't separate out the reasons he couldn't protect himself from what's happening here.

After a few seconds, that feel far longer in his panicked state, he manages to stammer out a single word.]

E-enough...

[makejapangreat]

[He's listening carefully the entire time, and when he hears that word, he immediately changes back to his human form and gets up. Instinctively, he moves towards Goro, and reaches out with a hand to grab his shoulder to ground him.]

It's alright.

[foolishjustice]

[With Shido back in human form, and Robin Hood still helping to steady him, the hand on his shoulder is more enough to draw his attention away from thoughts of his death. It may be telling how detached from the present he was, though, that he starts heavily at the touch.]

Right...

[There's a hint of a waver to his voice, which he steadies by clearing his voice.]

I guess...that's it for today.

[makejapangreat]

[Ah, that jump... For a brief moment, Shido looks a little startled himself, a flash of worry coming over his expression... but he lets his hand remain there.

Despite that, he offers a smile to Goro.]

You've made an incredible amount of progress. I'm very proud of you, G...

[Ah. He sure did almost just say that, huh.

Awkward. Pause...

Awkward cough.]

So, um, how about those drinks?

[foolishjustice]

[He raises an eyebrow at the cut off word, then shakes his head as he holds out a cup full of cold coffee.]

You don't have to be bedridden to call me that, you know.

[makejapangreat]

[He blinks for a moment, looking at him quietly, before he raises his hand to take the cup.]

... right.

[He regards Goro quietly for a moment, then starts to raise his unoccupied hand above Goro's head, hesitates, and withdraws it. But...]

... I really couldn't ask for a better son than you, Goro.

[foolishjustice]

[Oh. That. That's not something he expected to hear? Ever? His whole face turns a shade of red that leaves his mask looking pale in comparison...which is only highlighted when he pulls it down to try to cover his blush.

The first few sounds that make their way out of his mouth can only be described as a verbal keysmash, before he clamps his mouth shut. Somehow, his face manages to turn even redder, with the blush now creeping down his neck and under the collar of his shirt. Maybe...maybe if he stares at the ground, Shido won't be able to see how red he's turning?]

I-I, well...um...I mean...

[...He may need a moment to reboot.]

[makejapangreat]

[Oh.

Well.

Goodness. He... wasn't anticipating this strong of a response??? Hm.

He just smiles gently, and now? That hand is coming up to gently pet Akechi's head. He knows he's said he doesn't want to be treated like a little kid, but...

... well, maybe that's exactly why he should be treated like one? He grew up far too quickly, after all...]

[foolishjustice]

[All he manages in response is flustered sputtering, as he raises a hand to weakly wave at the offending head pat. It's pretty clear his heart isn't in it, though.]

[makejapangreat]

[He gives a gentle chuckle, and sips his drink, clearly pleased.]

[foolishjustice]

[You know what? He's going to just. Rub his hands over his face. Maybe that'll make the blush go down?]

You're finding this much too entertaining, aren't you, father?

[makejapangreat]

[He gently ruffles his hair before pulling away. There's that word again— a word he never expected to hear...]

I was simply telling you the truth.

["Maybe."]

[foolishjustice]

[He quickly reaches up to fix his bangs, face still the same spectacular red. It seems he's still too flustered to speak reliably, since the only sound he makes is a flustered groan.]

[makejapangreat]

[Alright, he'll give you a moment, Goro. In the meanwhile, he'll drink his coffee and glance over at the lamps... and then look around.]

Hm...

[It's then that the bug suddenly springs from the grass and on top of Goro's head.]

Ah, there it is. [He'd half-expected it to run off, but nope.]

[foolishjustice]

[When he feels something shift on his head, he thinks at first that it's just a breeze rustling his hair. When Shido points out the bug, he glances around briefly before reaching up to where he felt his hair move...bug?]

[makejapangreat]

[The bug's wings flutter slightly when Goro's hand touches it, but it otherwise tolerates the touching pretty well.]

So you like insects?

[foolishjustice]

[The distraction, at least, seems to be helping him recover his composure. He gives a slight nod at the question, then holds his hand to the top of his head to see if the bug wants to crawl onto it.]

I find them fascinating to watch. I actually have an ant farm back home, and I've managed to find another one here.

[makejapangreat]

[The bug seems rather content with its place on Goro's head, at the moment.]

I suppose they can be interesting.

[Shido reaches over and gives the bug a little tap on the back, causing it to move into Goro's hand.]

[foolishjustice]

I'll admit, I've always enjoyed the things most people consider creepy or spooky.

[He lowers his hand so he can actually get a good look at the bouncy little friend.]

I'd love to study Shadows, too, but ones that appear in Palaces or Mementos don't remember much about what they really are...and it's not easy to even talk to them unless I have the Palace ruler's authorization to be there.

[makejapangreat]

[His gaze flicks up to Goro curiously.]

What do you mean, what they really are?

[foolishjustice]

Between my own observation and what I've learned from Akira, Shadows and Personas are two expressions of the same thing. Shadows in Palaces and Mementos believe they belong there, but someone with the power of a Wildcard can remind them of the truth. They belong to something called the Sea of Souls. Given the other Jungian concepts involved in the Metaverse, I'm assuming they mean the collective unconscious, which would make them Shadows shared between humanity as a whole.

Ah, before I keep rambling, I should probably ask if you know anything about Jungian psychology.

[makejapangreat]

[He studies Goro quietly for a moment, before taking in a breath and finally nodding.]

I do. As a matter of fact, for awhile I studied it rather religiously.

[Back when he was... that man, seeking to use the knowledge to his advantage, to do what he'd rationalized as protecting himself. . .

He might be staring rather hard at the oglop in Goro's hands.]

[foolishjustice]

Then I don't have to explain the basic concept of a Shadow. A Persona is created when someone makes contact with their Shadow, overcoming the natural urge to deny it, and forms an agreement. Most people can only have one at a time, but Wildcards can carry multiple Personas within ourselves and make agreements with Shadows that don't reflect a specific person.