social_linked | Meet, greet and eat

Meet, greet and eat

(To be perfectly honest, Cornelius didn't expect to find other persona users outside of himself and Guzma. The head of the Skull gang was a stroke of luck, but to have found so many others who can tap into that power and help fight off the shadows...it's a welcome relief.

Not to mention the large, large expansion to Cornelius' circle of friends.

So what's a rich kid to do when he's happy to have an extended circle like this? Throw down. A bunch of money to get everyone nice and fed for a day. He arranged for a catered picnic and invited his fellow persona-users and any friends they wanted to bring along. There's a bit of something for everyone, so pizzas, sandwiches, whatever, really. It's a large, open space, too, of anyone's in the mood for playing around. Just like the food, there's plenty of options there.

Cornelius would be lying if he said he wasn't thrilled to have so many people to hang out with. He just hopes they'll have fun while they're here.)

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Well, the guy that owns the place found out he's half-French after going on a tour of Europe with his two daughters. He's the one who bakes everything here and he's... shit, he's amazing!

His chocolate croissants are outta this world, his cheese danishes are warm and flaky, and his berry tarts are from his family's farms north of here, so all the cherries, peaches n' apples n' stuff's all in the circle, yeah?

His apple fritters. ...I know you ain't much for sweets, but his apple fritters...

I see...

[That's interesting. And with a connection like that, his business would likely remain a little longer than most. Fresh fruits for ingredients were something that could be appreciated.]

... I suppose I'll have to give these apple fritters a try then.

[He held his hands apart for size emphasis.]

Awesome! But they're like, big as a car... we'll split it. On second thought, I dunno if I could survive a cappuccino. Pot of tea?

Er... but I think that's enough from me, honestly. What's goin' on with you lately?

Oh. For some reason, I assumed they would be smaller, but I don't oppose splitting one. [She tapped her chin, considering her options.] ... Yes, I think a pot of tea will do for now. I don't intend on staying up too late tonight.

Hm... there hasn't been much beyond the Inaba Copycat cases. However, it's beginning to cause an issue with some police ignoring other incidents that may come up.

[He scratched his head.]

Somethin' like this'd be high-profile, yeah? I can see why it's takin' up extra manpower... plus, I can imagine how much cred old man Dojima got after the original case.

[He frowned.]

I know I should get over it n' all, but... I can't shake the idea that they want a piece of the 'pie'. Plus...

[He lowered his head and his voice.]

The big gangs around here are involved too. Goin' missing, I mean. The Skulls are on our side... I think... but ya figure if the gangs are all tied up tryin'a save their own asses, the cops wanna put a stop to 'em as well.

That's essentially what's going on. If they could be the ones to crack the case in Tokyo, of all places, they're almost guaranteed for a promotion, or at least, a boost to their reputation.

[A clamor to fame over work was shameful in her eyes, and her tone said that much.]

The officers here can have a one-tracked mind. They're not prepared or willing to cooperate with the gangs here.

I don't blame 'em. That Skull boss guy... He's a dick. [He made a face, but relaxed and sighed.]

I swear, you and Dojima... you're the only two who didn't get to where you were so people would lick your fuckin' boots or so someone would pet your head. You guys care about people, everybody goin' missing, everybody gettin' hurt.

I imagine that makes things harder for ya, huh? Tryin'a... keep people focused, in a sense.

Well, that's not entirely true. Part of me did get here with that ambition originally because of... everything. [He's seen her dungeon; he knew her feelings.] It took going through everything to remind me why I was a detective.

... It does, but having you and knowing these new users are here keeps me grounded. In turn, I can make sure they work.

[His face darkened.]

Heh... I-I don't exactly peg myself as a type to be any kinda 'rock', but they always said Tatsumis got the hardest heads in Japan! That's gotta be good for somethin', right?

[He reached out, palms upright.]

But seriously... it's good to hear stuff like that. You do the same for me, y'know? My head wants to burst or I gotta have a late night busting shadows until my damn dogs hurt, but... but that don't mean shit if it means I can help everybody. If I can help you.

Mmm, I would say it is.

[Looking at his palms, she placed her hands within his momentarily.]

Yes... and I'm glad we can do this. I just wish I could be there a little more for you.

[He lowered his head, the smile sheepish.]

Naw, don't worry about it. I miss ya, but technology's gotten real badass, y'know? You're a phone call away and it's fun thinkin' up little voicemail messages to leave behind if you're too busy to pick up.

I like to think I come up with sizzlers. ...Er, if- if it ain't too much. I'm pretty sure ya don't use speaker phone...

[He paled.]

Y-... y-ya don't use speaker phone, do ya!?

I like your messages. They're... attempts for the most part.

[It's fun having him try to have flirty lines. She wouldn't do any better, but it's the thought and attempt.]

Your messages are my personal business. I wouldn't have them on speaker phone.

[Attempts! He made a choked sound and lowered his head further. Those books didn't do him any good!]

G-good, I'm glad... ahh, I guess I gotta work on the whole 'sizzle' thing. But if they were funny, at least, that works out because I'm helping somehow.

[Though he forced his head back up, his glasses had skewed.]

Y'wanna know my rough drafts? ...Feather Condor lines taken outta context. Yeah. I'm a lost freakin' cause, Naoto.

[Sorry, Kanji. She would say those books... suck.]

I think the 'sizzle' might work better in other places.

[Looking him in the eye, her eyes gleamed and she chuckled.]

I figured. How could I miss lines from Feather Condor?

O- oh. [Oh my.]

[Well, he'll go ahead and put in that order before he decided he needed to soak his head under a sink faucet. Splitting the apple-filled treat, and a couple of drinks. They weren't much for the whole candle-lit fancy dinners, were they? Too stuffy. Plus, she'd shown him just how much better it was to sip at a wine quietly in the privacy of one's own home with company. Kanji agreed that was a hell of a lot better. He thought fondly of those nights.]

Y-yeah, y'know, gotta go with the familiar. Regular messages, then.

[He paused.]

You, uh... y'got anywhere to be in the immediate? Like- like tomorrow, or... stuff like that.

[She watched him leave to take their order... and then followed him as he headed to the bathroom. Whoops, she said something again to make him need to cool off. Probably the part about private business... But it was true; messages from him were none of her co-workers' business.]

Indeed. There's nothing wrong with something familiar.

[She blinked.]

Ah... no. I'm off tomorrow.

[He took a moment to fix himself up. He'd dried off, but damn it, he needed to make sure his hair was okay. Didn't need to look like he fell out of bed...]

I, ah... I recorded that show, in case ya missed some of it. I... i-it's like... well...

[A breath, he held up a finger for just a moment. C'mon, you're a goddamn adult, learn to have the balls of one!]

I'm askin' if ya wanna stay the night! Watch the show, have some drinks, do- do whatever. Take a load off.

[Surprised, her eyes opened a little wider, but then she smiled.]

I'd love to. I haven't had the opportunity to catch up.

G-great! I didn't watch any of it so I wouldn't get ahead, but... shit, after you explained some of the smaller plot points to me I'm hooked. S'been torture, but that just means there's more ta see instead of waiting for Sunday nights.

[And there's the order. Fritter and drinks! Kanji took to pouring for the both of them.]

And I'm... runnin' my mouth, sorry.

I didn't mean to purposely torture you. Still, we'll catch up in no time.

[That was... IF they only watched all day. Ah, the fritter and tea looked delicious.]

Don't be. I want to hear your thoughts and opinions, Kanji.

[He chuckled and set to the fritter to break it up for them.]

Man, y'sure? Funny thing is, I wanna hear 'em too, now that I can actually form thoughts n' stuff again. This college is no joke, and I didn't think there was so much to art... design, sure, but art. I even learned how dye does what it does, enough that I think I might know Ma's secret without her tellin' me.

But I feel, like... I feel smart. The tests make me sweat like hell, but the professors don't treat me like shit, neither. Not like the Yasogami teachers did. I mean, it's 'cause they didn't know what I was like years back, but it's nice to feel like another one'a the guys, y'know?

[Of course she was sure. In fact, she was currently very intent on listening with a faint smile. She was always glad and proud to hear that Kanji was happy with school. It was much different compared to his years at Yasogami.]

I'm sure it is. The teachers back at Yasogami were... they didn't want to try anymore honestly.

[He served her first before serving himself, still ever so conscious as if he were hosting something in his own home. Can't break the habits of a Japanese man, can ya?]

It kinda makes me wonder if they ever thought about retirement. I mean, are they still there teachin'? Was it just to me, or do they just not give a single crap anymore? Much as I'd hate seein' 'em again, I might be doin' some future students a favor...

[No, they probably could not, but she thanked him for serving her first still.]

I'm sure they considered. Some teachers are passionate about their jobs, but for others, it's only a paid occupation and they have no other means of income. That's only the reality of it.

[He sighed.]

Ya think you'd wanna love teachin' people... I love the classes I run. But I guess I also get to call my own hours, not needta deal with school budgets or any'a that crap.

Huh.. I got a question: If ya didn't follow your parents and get into detective work, what wouldja be doin'? Like... what's another passion you'd take up in a heartbeat? 'Cause I know you. You'd never settle into a paid occupation.

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