[ ic // demi voicetesting ]

[unfoggedlotus]

Man, whatever happened to a good night's sleep? Is the first thought that crosses Ren's mind. One moment he's tossing and turning in bed, trying to get to sleep, and the next he's staring up to the ceiling of the Velvet Room. He closes his eyes after he processes the bare minimum to get his location down. Can't a guy go a week without getting dream-DM'd by the fake-powers-that-be?

It's not entirely fair, he knows. He's just feeling blergh because Goro hasn't texted him back for a few hours and he was starting to get worried when Morgana batted the phone out of his hand and said he'd come home when he wanted to. But. Well. If he really had to do something in the realm of the subconscious involving chains tonight, he'd really rather be in Goro's dreams.

Maybe the chains would even be fun for once.

He lets himself stew for a few moments before shaking himself out of it. Might as well see what the "wardens" and "Igor" have in store for him this time. Ren grumbles to himself only a little bit as he opens his eyes again, and...

...What?

Ren blinks, taking in his surroundings with wide eyes. This is definitely the Velvet Room. There's the desk, the structure is vaguely similar, and he. Well. He just sort of knows it. The vibes are incredibly Velvet Room. 100% blue, 100% weird music, 100% cognitive prison.

Except.

There's no prison decor. He isn't even in a cell. There are a few doors scattered around. Peeling himself off the floor, he realizes he isn't in a prison uniform (he's in his daytime clothes) and there aren't shackles wrapped around him either. And the weird music isn't grating in his chest like the world's worst rendition of Prison Hallway Salsa silently beamed into his soul, it's just kinda...smooth. Jazzy. Soothing. A bop.

The Velvet Room actually feels...

...Nice?

...He doesn't buy it. (Something in him wants to, though.)

Ren turns around a few times, trying to find answers. What's going on here?

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

What's this? Another curly haired, glasses wearing person that is probably an Akira but might not be? Akechi was about to try poking around Iwatodai for fun, but the sight of this stranger draws him in. Not pale enough to be the vampire. Too confused to be an established resident.

Pulling out his notepad, he clears his throat and says, "Pardon me, but for the sake of science, inquiring minds must know. Are you Ren Amamiya or Akira Kurusu?"

[unfoggedlotus]

...Okay, tonight's just a list of the weirdest firsts the universe could think to throw at him, isn't it? Ren turns and suddenly there's a small guy who looks like his boyfriend might've at that age asking him questions in a very Akechi way. He clears his throat and adjusts his glasses. "Oh. I'm Ren Amamiya."

[fogboundcrow]

"What." He squints at his notes, brow furrowing. "You're Ren Amamiya, but you wear glasses... You're an anomaly that breaks the pattern." He pauses. "I mean no disrespect. This must all be very confusing to you, dragged to a world with all those doors leading to fake, cognitive versions of places throughout Japan. You probably are aware of Personas and... presumably the Metaverse? That seems to be normal for versions of you that are this age."

[unfoggedlotus]

"Yeah. I have personas. And know the Metaverse." He's still not fully trusting of this place, but... "The doors do what now?"

[fogboundcrow]

"They lead to versions of Tokyo, Inaba, Iwatodai, Mikage-cho and... some other place, which I still haven't properly investigated in full. There's also access to the TV world in Inaba, which probably doesn't mean anything to you unless by some ungodly chance you're familiar with a version of me that spent many of his formative years in Inaba... which would have some rather striking implications."

Hmm. Is it possible? He'll find out soon enough. The odds are slim, though. Very, very slim.

[unfoggedlotus]

Life comes at you fast, but information out of the mouth of an excited Akechi comes at you faster. Ren's head spins a bit. "Version of you? You're Goro Akechi, right?"

[fogboundcrow]

"Yes. And I just so happen to be from Inaba myself, having flawlessly obtained the power to enter the TV world by shaking hands with a gas station attendant who in all likelihood is some manner of trickster deity." He tips his chin up, very proud of that fact. "But there are other Akechis. So many. I suppose, then, I can only ask if you are familiar with an Akechi just a bit older than you who wears a Shujin Academy uniform with a black turtleneck and matching gloves?"

It's a question for science. Inquiring minds must know.

Of course, Ren's boyfriend has probably told the story of the gas station attendant with far less pride and far more nostalgic embarrassment for how reckless hew as at that age.

[unfoggedlotus]

...Yep, that's Goro Akechi, alright. A bit of fondness flickers in his chest.

"Well, yeah. It's not like he goes to Shujin naked." Even if that would be more fun. Actually...scratch that thought. He remembered the weird comments the math teacher made that one time.

[fogboundcrow]

"...And are you perhaps dating?" This is an urgent question that demands urgent answers. For science! His eyes have already widened with the realization that he might be onto something huge. Something crucial! He hastily texts Magpie.

And then, immediately, Ren receives a phone call. Funny how that happens.

[unfoggedlotus]

The theme song to Featherman: Justice For All! rings out across the room. It takes Ren less than two seconds to pick it up, jamming his phone up against his ear.

"Goro?" He asks, immediately. He's gonna say something else, probably, but the words escape him.

[fogbornphantom]

"Ren!" He sounds startled, to say the least. "You're here. You're actually here. I..."

The younger of the two Akechis watches this and finishes his text to Magpie. This is an interesting development, to say the least.

Shit. This is the man he'll one day date.

[unfoggedlotus]

"Goro?" Something deep inside his chest unwinds at the sound of his boyfriend's voice, and his own words come out in a rush. "Yeah, I'm here. Where are you? Where are we? This seems like the Velvet Room, but it's not..."

[fogbornphantom]

"I..." Give him a moment. This is a lot. So sudden. It's been two months, and he's actually here. Really, truly here. "Stay put. I'll be there soon. We can... I don't know, sit down at Jazz Jin? Or if you prefer somewhere else, that's fine, too. Whatever you'd like, darling. I'm yours."

Raven continues watching this. So that's it, then. This is the elusive Ren Amamiya he's heard so much about...

[unfoggedlotus]

Woah, he can hear the desperation in Goro's voice. That's...not good. "I'm here, honey. Not moving an inch," he promises. Jazz Jin is tempting, but he can tell just by Goro's voice that they need something else. "Why don't we go somewhere quieter? Actually...what even is here? The other Akechi here told me the doors led to different places, but I missed most of the locations..."

Keep him talking, he thinks. Talking is good for anxious Akechis, he's learned. Helps them feel more in control of the situation.

[fogbornphantom]

"We could go somewhere in Inaba. There's a lovely view at the top of the hill. It might even be nostalgic for you, being somewhere in the countryside." Just talking to Ren is grounding. Steadily, his voice calms. It won't be much longer now... "I'll be coming from the door that leads there. It's the fourth one, clockwise."

Raven shoots another text out, eying Ren with interest. "It sounds as though you two will need your privacy. ...Honestly, I encourage it. He's been blatantly pining for you for two months."

[unfoggedlotus]

"Inaba sounds fantastic, honey," he soothes, trying to project as much reassurance as he can through the call. "Clockwise from where? What point in the room is noon?"

Then, the little Akechi speaks, and the words crash into him all at once--

"Two months?" Ren yelps, baritone squeaking. "I saw you, like, five hours ago!"

[fogbornphantom]

"...Well, that's reassuring. I was a bit concerned that my absence would be felt and that you all would try something reckless to track me down. Kirijo-san would probably have turned all of Tokyo upside down just to find me."

A few hours is certainly less worrisome. That he can manage. It means his family isn't worried. It means he hasn't missed any classes. It means... many things. Thank goodness.

"The Velvet Room was always strange with its relation to time. This place is no different, and—"

Dun, dun, dunnnn... dour number four opens, and out walks an all too familiar Akechi. He may look slightly tired, though. He was in such a rush, he didn't think to put on any makeup to conceal those subtle dark circles. "It really is you."

Akechi gulps, pocketing his phone for now. He moves closer, starting slow, but gradually picking up speed. "Ren!"

Do pardon the sudden embrace. Also pardon the thirteen year old watching this all unfold. "...As I said, he's been entirely hopeless without you."

[unfoggedlotus]

"Goro!" Ren opens his arms with a wide grin, catching his tired-looking boyfriend as he runs into him. Oof, he's just as solid as ever. One hand wraps itself around Goro's waist, and the other is on the back of his neck, both gently rubbing him, soothing, soothing. "I was getting worried. Mona had to knock my phone out of my hands so I could go to sleep. Then I woke up and I was here."

And now to address the, uh...very much not-an-elephant in the room. Ren turns to the smaller Akechi. "What, no sympathy for the reunited couple?" He jabs back, lighthearted. "Or is someone just jealous?"

[fogbornphantom]

He relaxes at the touch, going limp in his boyfriend's arm. Just... casually pressing his forehead to Ren's, steadying his breathing. His eyes tear up a little, and he nods along. Just taking in the sound of his voice...

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I..." Give him a moment. "Please let this be real."

Raven rests a hand on his hip. "What do I have to be jealous of? He is me. Which means that by proxy, you're my future boyfriend."

[unfoggedlotus]

"It's real. I'm real. You can stop worrying about that, honey. I know how much you like to," he soothes, nuzzling him back.

"Mmm...don't get too ahead of yourself." He can tell this little guy has a lot in common with his boyfriend, but like. His head already hurts enough from the infodump, he feels like he just pulled an all-nighter with no coffee, he has a boyfriend to comfort... "You can get me caught up on the time paradoxes later."

Right now, he's having a nice moment with his boyfriend who's nearly crying in his arms. Not a lot can reduce an Akechi (or, well, his Akechi, he guesses) to tears, and for as long as two months is, some part of him's surprised that was able to do it. The hand wrapped around Goro's waist comes up to wipe his tears away. No mascara or anything wipes off when he does, which is definitely something considering how preened Goro likes to keep his appearance. His undereyes feel sore and tender to Ren.

Nuzzle, nuzzle. "Are you staying somewhere? We can cuddle up and go back to watching the Featherman reruns you wanted to show me."

[fogbornphantom]

"Ren. Darling. My Joker..." He nuzzles back, just basking in the affection. It's been so long. "My love..."

Ren asked a question, didn't he? Right. A place to stay. Featherman. Hm. It sounds nice. Comfortable. A viable option, but...

"There is a place, yes, but I'm not alone there. He is under my care, and, well..." In comes the sheepish laughter. "How do you feel about kids?" It's said half-jokingly, but it's best they address this soon rather than later. It'll help them prepare for whatever comes next.

[unfoggedlotus]

"Goro. My Crow, my tuft of feathers, my sweet songbird," he coos, laying it on thick and genuine for the tired, craving creature in his arms. "It hasn't been that long for me, but I'm sorry you had to go through that."

A moment for Goro to respond, then Ren takes a moment to process what Goro says. "Not leaving anyone in need behind? That's my Akechi," He grins, placing a peck on his nose. "I was expecting a ring first, but if I said I was surprised, I'd be lying." Pat, pat, pat. Nuzzle, nuzzle, peck. "The hill? You can tell me more there."

This Velvet Room might be nice, but he still doesn't like Velvet Rooms. Like, on principle.

[fogbornphantom]

Oh, the way his heart flips at those soothing words. It melts into a little puddle. Two months without Ren. Two months without all this love...

He reaches up to gently brush his thumb over Ren's cheek, and then he quickly plants a soft kiss on his lips. "Yes. We should give them time to prepare." He sends Raven a quick glance, a quiet 'thank you,' and sends a text to the group chat. Once that's done, he reluctantly pulls back, but in exchange, he'll take one of Ren's hands in his, intertwining their fingers. "It shouldn't be long. All I have to do is think of the location, and it'll take us there."

So, when Ren is ready, he'll lead him to the Inaba door. Just as promised, they should arrive on the hill overlooking Inaba.

[unfoggedlotus]

The kiss is almost enough to distract him from what his boyfriend said.

...Prepare? For what? He's curious. It's also a little ominous, but unlike "Igor", Goro being ominous is less "hehehe I'm trying to screw you over" and more "I solved the murder mystery three chapters into the book and I forget not everyone can do that".

"Reminds me of a magic carpet ride," Ren grins, taking the lead and stepping out into Inaba. "Gonna whisk me off into the sunset, o genie?"

[fogbornphantom]

"If that is what you wish." Hey, look at that. It's a little smirk. His voice still sounds a bit wistful, though. Like reality hasn't fully set in. "Ah... where would you like to sit? There's the table, the bench..."

It's Ren's choice. He'll go with whatever makes him happy. That's important.