Private communications

[foolishjustice]

Moshi moshi!

Comments

[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.

[makejapangreat]

[Shido's gaze remains fixed on the oglop, and after a moment it's occurred to him that Goro's said some things, but nothing really registered... He blinks and his gaze flicks up to the teen, looking just a tad caught.]

I... see. [He doesn't.]

[foolishjustice]

[...Okay, that's definitely. Odd. He frowns, tilting his head in concern.]

Is something wrong?

[makejapangreat]

[The smile he gives is a little strained.] Admittedly, I've... been having a bit of trouble sleeping again, lately.

[foolishjustice]

Do you want to borrow my Mothman doll? I know it's...a little childish, but the wool inside makes it hard not to fall asleep.

[makejapangreat]

A toy? [He looks... confused... but gives a hesitant nod.] And you don't need it?

[foolishjustice]

I've been sleeping...better, lately. Well enough that I can manage without it for a few nights.

[makejapangreat]

I'm... afraid my problem's been something of a long term one.

[foolishjustice]

[He reaches up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind his mask with a thoughtful frown.]

Well...a short reprieve is better than nothing. At the very least, it would be a few days your exhaustion isn't getting worse.

[makejapangreat]

[There's a moment of conflict in his eyes, and Shido is hesitating... but he ultimately nods.]

Yes, that's true. It will be nice to be able to sleep a bit more easily than I have been...

[foolishjustice]

[That hesitation catches his attention, and he gives Shido a suspicious look.]

Shido. What's wrong?

[makejapangreat]

[... fuck. He really... shouldn't be lying to his own son... His brow tenses and he looks away.]

... my reasons for not being able to fall asleep may not be just due to insomnia.

[foolishjustice]

[...He thinks he can make a guess as to why.]

Nightmares?