entranceway | 003 💀 text/action

Hey, Sakamoto Ryuji here.

I can't be the only one with ass kicking on the brain after that invisible dog bullshit. What's the consensus on fighting instructors around here? Did that turn out to be a thing?

If anyone's got the time show a few moves and still taking requests, I got one of my own. I'd appreciate a few tips if you feel like sharing. I'm talking about the badasses that know what they're doing, not just the make it up as you go kind (like me). Hate to say it, but the stuff we're facing in events is a little different from what I'm used to.

Dunno what I could trade for it, but I learn fast! And I'll think of something. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

PS: And if you're looking for Akira, don't worry. Nothing bad happened to him. He just went home. Sorry.

_{[The last bit is the real crux of the message and also the thorn in its side; bundling it in with the request lessens the sharp prick of it. Not by much, but some.]}

I | Exercise facilities + outer grounds

_{[Anyone with an eye for blond phantom thieves can usually spot Ryuji adhering to a runner's training schedule, a carry-over from home. Indoors in the weight room, outdoors on the grounds, casual long distance jogs, short distance drills--he's at it most days, alternating between staving off boredom and building on his strength.

Usually time following an event are cool down days, a period to let himself recover from the trial of the week. Not this time. He keeps his foot jammed on the gas pedal with the restlessness energy of someone who has something he has to face but is taking every detour to avoid it. The request for some self-defense pointers had been practical--if the Tartarus event taught him anything (and the Asgard event before that, and the zombie event before that), he could use them--but it's also fuel for the avoidance fire.

Usually there's room for a chat in between squats on the beach or a friendly wave on a run, but don't take it personally if he seems a bit standoffish today. He's distracted, brows set in a flat line, viciously pouring energy into his routine with a nice, healthy contempt for the ground or the horizon, whatever he happens to be staring at.

If someone catches his eye, though, he'll forcibly relax, offering a smile. It comes a beat too late to be effortless, but that's hardly out of place, right? They've all been through a lot coming out the other side of the event meat grinder.]}

II | Training center

_{[Futaba. Morgana. Iwai. Yusuke. Ann. Makoto. Haru... Akira. How could he have thought this place felt small? With all of the people most familiar to him--people he'd shared the burden of events with, sat across the breakfast table with, lived with in the case of his two best friends--gone to fuck knows where, Wonderland feels infinitely massive and empty. He could handle this together. Alone, it's... it's hard. Harder than he imagined.

There's still Akechi, and isn't that the height of irony, to be the last man standing with Akechi Goro, out of everyone. He hesitates a while with phone in hand, Akechi's name in the To: field, but his hands aren't interested in sending more messages.

They want to make fists. They want to break.

Those in the training center will be privy to Ryuji, uncharacteristically stoic and grim-faced, slipping on a pair of gloves and squaring off with a punching bag with a frenetic violence to match. Either that punching bag insulted him, or someone didn't burn off quite enough energy climbing stairs in Tartarus.

The flurry is broken up only by a wince after a particularly hard punch. Peeling off his glove reveals a streak of red from split knuckles. Apparently someone also doesn't know when to quit.]}

Fuck

_{[Any gym rats handy with bandaids...? Alternatively, maybe you see him taking himself and his bloody hands for a walk to the clinic for something to wrap them with. He's probably not the only needing aftercare after that doozy of an event, even if his most recent war wounds are fresher.]}

III | Kitchen

_{[The thought of going back to his empty room in his empty section of hallway throbs worse than his bandaged knuckles. Suddenly it's like his first day in Wonderland all over again, not knowing what to do or where to park himself in a strange, unwelcoming environment.

He ends up in the kitchen, hungry but not really, searching the fridge and cupboards with a listless indecisiveness. He's probably standing in your way as you go to grab something--and will continue to stand in your way until prompted, or he notices you.]}

_{[And he'll slide to the side to let you get to your business, smile apologetic.]}

IV | Wildcard

_{[Ryuji'll be going about business as usual in Wonderland post-event, so feel free to come up with your own starter around the mansion and/or elsewhere! Or hit me up for a different one if you're not feeling the locations/prompts.]}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's true for her. Sometimes I think you give me too much credit. She raised a real shit, you know.

_{[His amused tone is purely joking. Her willingness to assume the best of him and his family says more about her than it does them, in Ryuji's opinion. Unconditional kindness of the kind Sayaka hands out is rare, and she seems to have an endless supply of it, believing in the best after escaping the worst of conditions.

From carbon under high pressure come diamonds. From hardship, strength. They've both crawled out of dark places to be here--and despite being the last thief standing, it's not so lonely standing in the light as it could be.]}

You're only as good as your friends. I'm glad we met, too.

_{["Nice," though... Don't get him wrong, it's nice to be thought of as a nice boy and not a vulgar boy, but...

Tbh, he liked it better when they were at the pool and she was calling him manly and hot (did she ever say that, Ryuji, did she?) but ehhh, she's making him a meal so he'll let it slide this time.]}

Geez, you! I think you need to give yourself more credit than that.

[That causes her to laugh and if her hands weren't so messy she would have given him a playful smack for that comment.

Despite everything that he's gone through, she could tell that he's grown up so much since then. It amazed her how kind he could be after all the hardships he's been through. He's a huge inspiration to her. Even with all the terrible things that's happened in Wonderland, she was truly happy to be here and meet such a wonderful young man.

A hint of pink begins to flush on her cheeks when he reciprocates her words. She couldn't be any happier to hear that.]

How's the meat coming along? The pan should be ready to cook them whenever you are!

Good to go! Anythin' else, chef?

_{[He loaded the beef onto a plate and carried it over to where the pan was ready and waiting to work its magic on their lunch.]}

Is it uncomfortable for ya if I ask what she was like? Your mom.

_{[He hadn't had to with Yusuke; the full story having to do with the circumstances of his mother's death had been unfairly put on display thanks to Madarame. Yusuke might've understood what it's like growing up trying to do right by your father more than he can.]}

Did she like to sing, or does that come from your dad's side? Or are you just one of them surprise prodigies?

_{[Said with a half-cocked smile as the meat slips into the pan and begins to sizzle.]}

I think we should be good! The rice should be finished cooking soon, so all we have to do is brown up the beef, make the curry stew and we'll be good to go!

[Because she was totally ready to eat. As soon as the beef his the pan, she could hear the sounds of sizzling and it was only making her grow even more hungry. Hopefully her tummy would embarrassingly growl in front of him...]

Not at all! To tell you the truth, I was so young that I honestly can't remember her. But from what I heard through dad, I have no doubts that she was a kindhearted lady.

[With a spatula in hand, she begins to move the beef around in order for each side to be evenly cooked. At his question, she looks up at him with a reassuring smile.]

Hmm, I don't believe either of my parents are into singing! Unless you count lullabies. [She laughs a little at that.] My dad worked a lot, so I was home alone for most of my child. I saw some idols on tv and watching them made me really happy and helped me get through my loneliness.

So, I wanted to do the same! I'm sure there are others out there who were just as lonely as I was, so I thought that by becoming an idol, I could help others who are in need, just like how those girls made me happy.

_{[To his own distant surprise, his stomach wakes up and takes a look around at the offerings with some interest. It is starting to smell mouth-wateringly good, the familiar aroma of Japanese spices--the likes of which he might've found in his kitchen at home any day of the week--settling his nerves with a home-spun comfort.]}

Did you get to see photos of her?

_{[Idly, he wonders which parent she takes after more, if her inheritance is a priceless physical resemblance, if not talents like Yusuke.

He can't decide if looking like someone you don't remember is better or worse than not bearing any resemblance to them at all. Ryuji's fortunate; his looks are a fair mix of both sides, he can pretend to be more his mother's child if he wants to.]}

Bein' an only child and havin' no one around to ask for homework help when you get stuck 'cause someone's late at work sucks ass--I know how that goes.

_{[But Sayaka's explanation of how she'd decided to pursue a future as a performer brings an amused smile to his lips--not because it was funny, but because it, like the smell of cooking curry, was familiar.]}

So that's why you wanted to be an idol. You and the Phantom Thieves have more in common than you think.

_{[They, too, had been watching and wanting and dreaming of giving back the freedom they'd been given, hadn't they?]}

I did! She was really pretty. I got my hair color from her.

[Luckily for Sayaka, she was happy to declare that both of her parents looked really nice. If she had to choose, she would say that she resembles her mother on the looks department. But she did have her father's work ethics.]

Right? I can totally relate to that! It's difficult when you have a problem you can't solve but there's no one around to ask.

[While she wouldn't have wished anyone else to be an only child, it felt nice to be able to relate to Ryuji on an intimate level like this. From their first meeting, she never would have guessed that they would have so much in common. Each and everyday, she felt like they were growing closer.

She wasn't a hero like Ryuji and his friends, so it was really reassuring to hear such a kind thing from someone whom she considered to be a hero. There was no way she could pull off the stunts they could. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't exactly change the hearts of people.]

I'm honored to hear that. [Before she finishes her sentence she quickly glances around their surroundings to make sure that no one else was nearby. The coast was clear and Sayaka giggles before speaking in a hushed whisper.] Especially from the Phantom Thief himself.

_{[An image starts to pull together in his mind--an older version of Sayaka with a spill of long, dark hair. Maybe she'd shared the same warm smile, just a little more aged around the corners.]}

Do you ever think... I mean, Wonderland can bring back people who've died, right? _{[Said to the pan, as he gives it a little shake to move the meat around.]} Do you ever wonder if people who've been gone a really long time could show up, like my dad or your mom?

_{[Anyone could wash up on these shores anytime...

A part of him admits to wishing his immediate friends would come back so they could be a united team, but he's not sure how he feels about the idea on a broader scale. It opens the door to the past in a way it shouldn't be opened.

He allows that curl of a smile to return at her conspiratorial whisper.]}

Wonderland's one and only. That makes it extra legit.

003 💀 text/action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject