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[foolishjustice]

Moshi moshi!

Comments

[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.

[foolishjustice]

[Robin's expression is unmoving, but he kneels down to be closer to a human eye level. His voice, much like Loki's, sounds as if it could be coming from Goro's throat, but pitched deeper and more awe inspiring.]

It's good to meet you directly. Loki has been doing far too much of the talking, since you arrived.

That shouldn't be an issue anymore. I don't think I'm going to lose control of him again.

[makejapangreat]

[He quietly takes in the Persona, and can't help but give a small smile at the words. Perhaps just a bit hesitant, but genuine.]

All things considered... it's flattering that you would say that.

[Shido's done so much more damage to Goro than he's ever done good. Years of damage, a lifetime of damage... One he can never pay back, but will keep trying for as long as he exists.]

[foolishjustice]

I say it because it needs to be said. The vengeance you have been a victim of is a warped mockery of justice.

Robin was...born from my Shadow back when I still had some form of optimism.

[makejapangreat]

Justice... [He gives a small smirk.] Back when you still had it? If you didn't have it anymore, I doubt you'd be where you are today.

[His gaze slides from his son back to Robin.] Perhaps it was warped. But I have done a great deal of damage.

[foolishjustice]

[He tugs awkwardly at his bangs, not quite looking at Shido.]

...I might have learned some sort of middle ground between my original naivety and the cynicism I developed after seeing so many Palaces.

That warped brand of justice has caused its own damage.

[makejapangreat]

[He gives a little smile at Goro, then looks to Robin again. Something of a weak chuckle escapes him, and he gently shakes his head.]

A warped brand of justice that would have never been there in the first place, were it not for me. The things I put Goro through... [His jawline tenses slightly, and he drops his gaze.] I've really no right to call him my son.

[foolishjustice]

[Just a moment, Shido, as the Persona stares at you for a moment. Then he reaches over and delivers a swat to the head that looks severely held back, but still amounts to a solid bonk.]

You've deprived him of a father his entire life, do you really want to take away the chance he has now? Just when he's started to hope?

R-Robin! That's enough!

[Time for Goro to turn bright red. He doesn't even think to simply return the Persona to mask form.]

[makejapangreat]

[Shido stumbles a bit, hand coming up to touch the side of his head as he stares at Robin in alarm. He's just outright staring for a moment, and after a second, he falteringly responds:]

B..but... I...

[foolishjustice]

But you can't see through the actions of distorted justice to the true nature of the damage? Consider his actions toward you, since Incendia.

[Goro's going to just. Facepalm, here.]

[makejapangreat]

[His gaze softens to more subtle surprise at that, and drops, brow furrowing slightly.

Goro has been... nothing but good to him since Incendia. Has wanted nothing of Shido except, perhaps, his recognition and love. Goro...

Goro no longer holds any malice for him in his heart... at all...

The one who's punishing him for past deeds is himself, isn't it? But... isn't this exactly the sort of thing he said to Aiden? Punishing oneself is selfish. He understood it, then, but now it's really hitting home.

Perhaps... he ought to start to forgive himself as well.

He takes in a breath, and lets it out. And then another, deeper, calmer. He holds his eyes closed for a moment, then opens them, looking up at Robin.]

To deprive my son of a father for any longer is the last thing I want to do.

[He looks over, then comes over to Goro, standing next to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulder.]

No more letting the past define our relationship.

[He gives a gentle squeeze, looking at his son fondly.]

[foolishjustice]

[He peeks out from behind his hand at the words, then leans slightly into the one armed hug.]

Right. We're both on second chances here, so no matter whether or not we feel like we deserve them...it would be an insult to the people offering them if we kept living in the past.