cognitivism | ➵IC Contact

Oh?

[ He has to shove Justine back a little bit when he notices the kitten. The very same kitten that he was considering adopting back in Heropa. How was it possible that it was here on his doorstep?

He can't help but crouch down with a smile, reaching out cautiously. ]

Hello, little fella. How did you get here?

[Yuri glances at his hand and swivels his ears towards the sound of his voice, but otherwise doesn't move.]

I walked. [He looks up again to gauge Akechi's reaction, ears tilting back hesitantly.] I thought it was time we had a real talk.

W-What?

[ It took him a moment, stunned by the fact that this cat just talked to him. He tilts his head, looking him over a moment. Something about that voice was familiar but...]

Ah, I see. Well then, come in. Mind Justine. She's friendly, I promise.

[ He moves aside, opening the door to allow him inside. ]

[Well, this is going much easier than he'd expected. And there's even another cat!! He'd nearly forgotten that Akechi had one; what a treat! He slips inside, staying near Akechi's legs for the moment in case Justine decides she doesn't actually want another cat in her house, and keeps his ears perked for the other cat.]

Don't worry, I love cats. She won't bother me at all.

I'm not used to her yet, if I'm honest. It's nice having... something in the apartment I suppose.

[ Not that he would actually admit that being alone was tormenting him, but Justine was such a patient cat. He was grateful for it. He glances down towards his new feline "friend" with a sigh. ]

So, you have come to talk. Why not make yourself at home. [ A small pause. ] Would you like a drink?

[ This wasn't an awkward conversation at all. If it wasn't for the fact Morgana could talk he would think he was going crazy. ]

Maybe some water...

[He sits delicately at Akechi's feet and cranes his head back to look up at him, the tip of his tail twitching with some kind of nervous energy.]

Uh. Do you know who I am yet? I...guess we should get that part out of the way first.

Of course.

[ It doesn't take him long to retrieve water. He simply grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and a bowl should Yuri decide to drink out of it like a cat. He won't judge.

Okay maybe a little judging.]

Yuri. The blond boy from the party. I'm not entirely sure of your relationship but you seem very close to Yusuke and... I believe his name was Otabek.

[ It took him a bit, but he had to be certain before he tried to name him. ]

Oh, good. You figured it out pretty quick.

[With the difficult part out of the way, Yuri transforms back into himself with a brief pulse of light. He might like cats, but he doesn't actually want to eat or drink like one.]

I... I thought after the party— I mean, since Yusuke and the others seemed to trust you... [A lot in Akira's case.] I don't know what I think yet, but I guess it didn't seem right to keep you in the dark.

You will find that I am much more quick witted then the rest of the Phantom Thieves.

[ He didn't mean it to be a slight, but it was the truth. Despite their ability to deceive him, he was quick to assess their strengths and weaknesses, knowing full well what he'd be up against in the end. He offers him the water bottle, before taking a seat on the couch. ]

Don't be fooled. They don't trust me. [ How naive. ] They simply are tolerating me until I do something to have them act.

[ It made him uneasy, but it was the truth wasn't it? They were just waiting for him to make a mistake. He crosses his legs, watching Yuri carefully. ]

So are you doing this with an intention to spy on me, or were you simply passing by to meet with your friend as we share the same flat?

[Yuri frowns and picks up the water bottle, but doesn't drink from it. If the Phantom Thieves didn't trust Akechi, then why had Akira practically dragged him to the sleepover? Why had Futaba reassured him when he and Akechi had to kiss in the game? It didn't make a lot of sense.

Then again, neither did the idea that he was here to spy.]

You're not that sharp if you think showing up on your doorstep and letting you know who I am means I'm here to spy on you, idiot. I came by because I wanted to actually talk to you.

If I want to see Otabek I'll just fucking call him.

Then what do you want to discuss? I promise to be transparent but I reserve the right to decline to answer questions I deem too personal.

[ He had a point -- if he was a spy he was a terrible one. He was grateful for the olive branch but for what reason was he extending it? What was his end game here?

No, he should be trying to work on trusting people. This could be good for him. ]

[He shrugs stiffly and fidgets with the water bottle, turning it end over end.]

I don't know... I want to know why everyone's willing to give you this second chance, but I don't know what to ask to figure that out.

If I am honest? I'm not entirely sure myself. My crimes are not something to forgive or even allow a second chance despite the lack of physical evidence on my part.

[ He has contemplated this for a while. ]

What have they told you about me? Perhaps we should start there.

I only know that you're a killer, and what I heard in that coffee shop.

[It...really wasn't a lot. Enough to be aware of the basics and to know that Akechi, at least, seemed to be more honest than Adachi. It was a small point in his favor.]

Simply that I murdered people? Well that's simply the tip of the iceberg.

[ He takes a deep breath, wondering where to begin. ]

Did they tell you that it started when I was fifteen? I learned I could summon a Persona and ran to the first person I knew who would appreciate it -- the man who groomed me into a murderer.

[For a long moment Yuri can only stare blankly at him. Knowing Akechi was a murderer was one thing. Being reminded that he was just another kid, and one who'd been led onto this path by someone he trusted, on the other hand, left a sick knot in his stomach and dried out his mouth. He finally takes a sip of that water.]

They...no. They didn't mention any of that. ...What kind of sick fuck taught you—that?

[ It takes him a moment to respond. The thought that his father had been behind so much of his actions, propping him up, telling him that this was the right path to take for the good of the country -- for the good of him -- caused bile to rise in his throat.

In the end, he still was the one who pulled the trigger in the cognitive world. Anything he says now is a poor excuse for his actions. ]

My father. [ It comes out quiet at first, his hands balling into fists to conceal his rage as best he can. ] I suppose at the time he didn't realize I was his son. I was, after all, simply his bastard in the way of his political gain until he realized I could use the Metaverse as a stepping stone to become Prime Minister.

That's... unfortunately not even scratching the surface.

What the fuck... [His fucking father? The knot in Yuri's stomach twists, and for a few uncomfortable moments he's sure he's going to be sick right there.]

That's—it's fucking sick no matter who you were to him, but that's— Holy shit.

[He opens his mouth like he wants to say something else, but there really aren't any words left in him. What is there to say about a situation that twisted?]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I.. lost control of myself, and in the end I was approached by a cognitive version of myself that proved that my father saw me only as a weapon to be disposed of.

[ He tries to relax his hands, before looking over to him. ]

My final act was to make sure the Phantom Thieves escaped to change his heart. I know my actions were wrong -- I have no excuse -- but if anyone could make sure he paid for his crimes... it was them.

Your final... [He couldn't possibly mean what Yuri thinks he means, right? There's no way... He doesn't realize he's squeezing the water bottle until a splash of water bursts from the top and over his hands.]

Uh— I...sorry. Even if what you did was awful, that's... That's fucking shit.

It's no excuse, I admit to that.

[ He pauses, taking a deep breath. After everything was said and done, he can't say he doesn't regret anything he's done. He regrets going to Shido in the first place, losing his vision of Justice in the name of petty revenge. ]

I'm afraid I don't know if I lived through the encounter. It is...complicated.

Has Kitagawa-san ever explained why the Phantom Thieves started?

Saying it's complicated is kind of... [Were there even words to say how much of an understatement that was? He leaves the statement incomplete rather than trying to search his weak vocabulary for the right phrase.]

He probably did, but there's been...a lot going on. [For a long time, at that.] I forgot it if he did say anything, so I'll listen to your explanation for it too.

...yeah.

[ He appreciates what Yuri is trying to say, despite being unable to find the right words. That was the most difficult thing about this situation: there was never a good word to use. ]

It was to change the hearts of corrupt adults that abuse their power. Their first target was a high school teacher who sexually assaulted female students and abused the team he coached -- it came out very quickly he was likely the reason for a young woman to attempt suicide.

It was their sense of rebellion that lead them into the Metaverse, that gave them their Persona.

[ That much he understood. To take back what Adults have ruined. To prove that they are worth it, and the world deserves better than those with twisted desires. His own sense of justice was lost to the whims of someone who used him, was he just as bad as the adults he hates?

Why did they even bother with him? ]

I hope that helps your understanding to some extent. Their "victims", so to speak, were those who held power and abused those below them. Their targets removed the agency of those around them... thus the Phantom Thieves of Hearts were born.

[ H O L Y S H I T ]

[Yuri had known they were changing the hearts of criminals, and he'd understood the vague concept of criminal as "Bad People" who were hurting others, but he hadn't considered just how awful the gritty details of it might be. He turns a sickly shade of gray while the information about the teacher—and the implications about the caliber of criminals they faced in general—sinks in.]

It...yeah. It helps. [A shaky breath.] They're doing work even more important than I thought.

You are close with Kitagawa-san, are you not? I'm surprised he hasn't told you much. If you want the details of their endeavors I would be happy to explain.

[ Close was an understatement. He noticed his reaction to him when he kissed Yuri, he realized something more was going on. He didn't dare assume, but it was a little obvious. ]

Would you like some more water?

[ He noticed his expression, trying to at least be a better host before the soft mew from Justine. He smiles softly, rubbing her head before he returns his gaze to Yuri ]

Or you could hold Justine. She is a lap cat, apparently.

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