Private communications

[foolishjustice]

Moshi moshi!

Comments

[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?

[makejapangreat]

[Shido gives a small 'heh', coupled with a small, wry smirk.]

You give me too much credit.

[foolishjustice]

So, you don't even get to the point where nightmares are relevant? Is it something on your mind, then?

[makejapangreat]

It's— [He hesitates a moment, some conflict in his eyes.] I've... not been much help on expeditions. I was hoping... perhaps dedicated study and practice would help bridge that gap.

[foolishjustice]

Study and practice is helpful, but too much is bad for your health. Besides, based on...

[The fact that he was able to make Loki put in effort to chase him.]

What I saw in Incendia, you're doing remarkably well for someone who isn't used to a dangerous lifestyle.

[makejapangreat]

I wouldn't call what happened there anything to be proud of.

[He shakes his head.]

I tried to shock your Persona to hold it off, and it didn't even blink. And eventually, it did catch up to me.

[foolishjustice]

Loki is a powerful Persona, and I have a lot of stamina for him to draw from. In fact, he's my highest level Persona, even my first one wouldn't have been able to do much more than slow him down.

[makejapangreat]

[Highest level... like a game. He isn't truly surprised due to Cognitive World, and all... He shifts a little and gives a bit of a sigh.]

I appreciate what you're trying to do, Goro. Really.

[foolishjustice]

...Maybe you need a point of comparison. So far, you've only seen Loki and my healer Persona. You don't really have a baseline for the kind of power gap I'm talking about.

[makejapangreat]

[His gaze flicks back up to Goro, quietly considering... and after a moment, he gives a hesitant nod.]

Very well. [A pause.] Do you need me to hold the bug?

[foolishjustice]

It might be for the best. The fire is only a visual effect, but it would probably scare it.

[Bug offered!]

[makejapangreat]

[Shido gently shuffles it onto his hands, then steps back and nods.]

[foolishjustice]

[Conveniently, he already has the right Persona set. He brushes his fingers over his mask, which dissolves into blue fire.]

Robin Hood!

[The Persona that appears radiates strength in its build and stance, but it's definitely different from Loki. There's no malice, or even really anger to the way it moves...just assurance. And, relevant to Goro's point, it isn't moving nearly as fast as Loki did.]

This is my oldest Persona, and my second strongest. Even he can't match Loki in terms of speed and strength.

[makejapangreat]

[He just barely manages to resist the urge to tense when those flames erupt, when his son's outfit changes. It's... definitely a forced kind of calm, with repeated reassurances in his head that he had nothing to fear, Goro no longer held malice towards him...

And then there it is. Robin Hood. He knew it wasn't going to be Loki, but... seeing a Persona that is definitely not Loki... does help some actual calm find its way to him. It's a stark contrast to the other Persona.

He hasn't even noticed that the bug has already fled from his hands, though his hands automatically lower since there's no weight, no tickle on his palm. This Persona somehow feels...

Safer. So it's... a part of Goro, is it?]

... hello.