video/action;

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji is sitting on the front stoop of the inn, looking around at the snow. His expression, while typically neutral, also shows a combination of excitement and pensiveness. He offers a tiny smile to the video feed.]

I think Kanji and I have to take responsibility for this event. It shouldn't be bad, though. Unless someone else's memories are mixed in, this was just a nice vacation.

[He falls silent for a couple of seconds, distracted, then addresses the network again.]

Would anyone mind helping me figure out what word we lost this time? I need to write it down.

Comments

video.

[eatsyourscience]

I'm glad. He's a good guy.

video.

[sketchedout]

He was quite kind. You're from Inaba as well, then?

video.

[eatsyourscience]

[He shakes his head.] I lived there for a year with my uncle and cousin, but I'm not from there.

video.

[sketchedout]

[ huh, that sounds kind of familiar-ish. ] I see. I've never been there myself, but I've seen pictures. It's rather scenic.

video.

[eatsyourscience]

Of Inaba?

[He's a bit surprised by that, but it's not hard to make the leap to the most obvious conclusion: Yusuke may be from the same world as him, like Ann and Akechi.]

Do you know Takamaki Ann and Akechi Goro?

video.

[sketchedout]

[ He nods in response, thinking nothing of it. ]

Yes. Ann is a good friend of mine, and Akechi and I are familiar.

video.

[eatsyourscience]

Do you have a Persona?

[That is clearly the logical follow up question.]

video.

[sketchedout]

[ goddamnit. ]

I beg your pardon?

video.

[eatsyourscience]

Takamaki and Akechi both have them. I thought you might, too, since you know them.

[A beat.]

I use them, too.

video.

[sketchedout]

[ He looks a bit hesitant for a moment, like he's uncertain of what to say, exactly.

But if he knows about Ann . . . ]

Yes.

video.

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji offers a small smile.]

That means we're from the same world.

video.

[sketchedout]

[ It's probably the equivalent to holding one's hand out for a stray dog to sniff at and determine if you're friendly or not. Yusuke still seems wary, even at the smile, but it doesn't last. Whatever tension was there seems to loosen up soon enough and he nods again. ]

So it would seem. Is that strange?

video.

[eatsyourscience]

Only a little. I think you're from what's the future for me. It's 2016 for you, right?

video.

[sketchedout]

Yes, that's right. It's not 2010 for you, is it? There is someone else who . . .

[ His voice trails off. It's strange, being so open about it. He already feels like he's said too much. ]

video.

[eatsyourscience]

You mean Minato? [He shakes his head.] I'm from 2012.

video.

[sketchedout]

Further along then, but . . . still behind, in a manner of speaking. I see.

video.

[eatsyourscience]

[Behind isn't the word Souji'd have used, but it is appropriate, temporally speaking.]

It feels like each of us saves the world for the people who come after us.

video.

[sketchedout]

Should I be thanking you, then?

[ It's not a snide remark, but an actual, sincere question. ]

video.

[eatsyourscience]

You don't need to. We wanted to do it. [And they'd had to do it.]

I bet it'll be the same for you.

video.

[sketchedout]

Perhaps, yes.

[ It's a cagey answer, and he knows it's a cagey answer, but he can't help it. ]

video.

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji'll let it slide. Kind of.]

I don't know much about what's going on at home for all of you. I've just heard a little about the Metaverse and palaces.

video.

[sketchedout]

Perhaps asking Morgana would be for the best. He's something of an expert on the subject.

[ Passing the buck to Mona? Maybe. But he's usually the one to take the lead on this sort of thing anyway. ]

video.

[eatsyourscience]

The cat? I haven't met him yet.

[And it is imperative that he do so. Because cats.]

video.

[sketchedout]

It is extremely hard to miss him once you start looking for him. Perhaps try looking near something shiny.

[ Morgana really did like treasure . . . ]

video.

[eatsyourscience]

Something shiny. I'll keep that in mind.

[A beat.]

Why is it hard to miss him, though?