cognitivism | ➵IC Contact

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.

He has, but it wasn't... I mean—I didn't know anything about that teacher.

[He glances down at the nearly empty water bottle he's still holding and then up again, shrugging vaguely.]

...The cat might be better. If she doesn't mind sitting with a stranger.

She is very friendly. I am grateful that she's rather easy going.

[ He nods, before he moves to lift Justine off the ground and set her in Yuri's lap. She's content, turning in a circle before curling up. ]

Do you have questions about their targets then?

[Yuri turns his attention to the cat as soon as she's settled down. It does look like petting the animal is helping to relax him. He's still bothered by the topic, brows drawn together and frowning, but he's not as pale or tense as he was a moment ago.]

...No. No, I think I get just how bad their targets are now. Were, I guess. The actual monsters of society.

It's a slippery slope, however. If they continued to enter the Metaverse and target those they deemed monsters, where do they draw the line? I was openly critical of them despite what I was doing behind the scenes.

I still feel that way, but they had their rules, their lines in the sand.

[ He takes a deep breath, returning to his seat. ]

It's difficult to say what they intend to do now.

Do you want to help them?

[Yuri moves to scratching lightly at the base of Justine's ears, frowning uncomfortably for a long moment before he finally looks up with a shrug that's meant to make him look unaffected. It definitely doesn't do that.]

Yeah, I'm going to. Supposed to. I've got some training to do to catch up to the rest of them so I can help without getting in the way first.

If you need any assistance with that, I am more then happy to help -- if you wish my help that is.

[ He doesn't expect Yuri to take him up on his offer. Goro couldn't help but assume he would be brushed off, that his training would be with the other Phantom Thieves, that they would never have any sort of mutual trust.

Yuri knew Yusuke. Yuri probably knew all the venom that came from that association. Why should he assume otherwise? ]

I think Yusuke would have a heart attack if I took you up on that. And I've got a lot of trainers already...

[Between Viktor, Yusuke, and Magnus it was a wonder he hadn't been told to cut himself some slack yet. Probably because they didn't all know about each other yet.]

Ah, then good luck in that.

[ He's not wrong though. ]

Then at least allow me to provide you information when you feel like they are hiding something from you. Things about the past, their work, or their skills -- I don't have much to hide.

You and I are both outsiders among the Phantom Thieves. [ He looks at his hands, the words escaping him before he was able to stop them. ] They may promise honesty, but there is always something to hide.

Are you sure that's not just because you're a murderer?

[...Look. Yuri only has so much tact, and he's used up a lot of it in this conversation already.]

What kind of stuff are you saying they'd hide anyway?

[ Deep breaths. Seriously Yuri? Seriously? He shoots him a glare before he turns from him. ]

They've been through a lot. I can't tell you what they'd hide but it's always a possibility. You can't be that short sighted.

[Yes, seriously. Akechi is earning some points with him for not snapping at him about the jab. It's a nice change from dealing with Adachi.]

Yeah, I get they've been through a lot. But if they don't tell me something, I think... [He frowns, unsure how to explain exactly what he's thinking in words. He might be hurt if the Thieves kept something from him, but he wouldn't begrudge them their secrets. He certainly had plenty of things he didn't like to talk about either.]

I guess I just think they'll tell me what's important when I need to know it.

I suppose the best advice I can give is to continue being there for them. Trust is a rather large thing with them.

I hope you keep it.

[ And hopes he can earn it. What was he going to do if he didn't? ]

Who the fuck wouldn't have a big thing with trust after everything people have put them through? I'm not going to do anything to fuck it up with them.

[Not if he could help it, anyway.]

Of course not.

[ He was terrible at this sort of thing. Why was he even trying? Why did he bother? He takes a deep breath. ]

I think we're done here, then.

Yeah, I guess.

[He shifts to pick up the cat so he can set her aside and...pauses, looking intently at Akechi for a few long beats.]

...Thanks for actually talking to me. And for that offer.

You're welcome, Yuri.

[ A small pause. ]

My door is always open. You can visit any time.

Maybe I will.

[Maybe just for Justine, if nothing else. He gives the cat one more fond scritch before setting her gently aside.]

You should come meet my Potya some time. She spent most of the sleepover hiding, so you might've missed her. [A pause.] And just ignore Viktor if he tries to give you trouble. He can't complain when he hangs out with Adachi all the fucking time.

Is Potya good with other cats? I could bring Justine sometime. She enjoys going on walks and is very social.

I know she doesn't mind them, but she's never really been around one for long before. I don't have a lot of chances to bring her around other cats since I'm always training or traveling at home.

➵IC Contact

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject