61. dictated, action

[foolreversed]

[the first day he tried to hide.

Stay inside his room all day. Not speak to anyone. Let it pass. Once he figured out from the journals what was going on, all he had to do was wait it out right?

It wasn't so much that he was ashamed or guilty of what he saw all over his hands; he had regrets but he didn't really need stains to remind him of how he mucked up his entire life like this, when he already thought about it every day.

It was the idea of other people seeing. Other people finding out. He talked all big to Rise a few weeks ago about how he didn't care if the truth came out anymore, but having it presented like this was a bit much.

But... after the first day he began to think. Everyone else has marks like this too, right? And if he was serious about not caring who knew anymore then he should... probably own up to that.

So out of his room he goes.]

[for the moment you can find Adachi in the castle lobby. He isn't trying to hide his hands, so the blood covered palms are out for everyone to see, along with the weird, rope burn like marks on his wrists. He has the journal out, and his pet Shadow decided to follow him along.

He speaks kind of absently and awkwardly, as if trying to figure out how to best get to his real intent]

Man, I really dodged a bullet when I moved back to the castle huh... Earthquakes were regular back home, but they're still pretty scary...

...I'm going to go out to the town. Check out just how bad my old apartment got it. Maybe... do other things... [he doesn't want to outright say "help" or anything, that embarrasses him ok]

If anyone wants to join me, I'll be waiting in the lobby for a little while. [a pause] I won't judge anything I might see.

[there's an emphasis on that last part. He doesn't care what your stain says about you right now, he's got it no better.]

Comments

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru is heading down down to the lobby while putting leather gloves on, she is thinking about heading to town again to help out. As usual, she has her sword and revolver with her, just in case, and that she felt a presence of a Shadow in the castle around a month ago, but she couldn't find it anywhere.

The Shadow isn't too powerful and her Persona's scanning ability isn't as great as Fuuka's to accurately pinpoint it's location. Regardless, Mitsuru just made it to the lobby. Her eyes narrowed when she sensed the Shadow again. She turned her attention to where it was, and she saw Adachi in there. Wat do?]

[foolreversed]

[the shadow in question at that moment flies its way up to Adachi's shoulder, causing him to turn his head towards him and lift a hand up.]

What, you want to be petted now? With my hands like this? You're crazy, you know that boy? [but he pets it anyway, to which Blacky makes those screechy happy Shadow sounds

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW MITSURU ADACHI IS CLEARLY TALKING TO THIS THING!!]

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru walked toward Adachi, slowly and cautiously. She eyed the black blob and her ear definitely picked up a familiar sound]

Tohru, may I ask what is that thing you are playing with? If I'm not mistaken, I believe I just saw a Shadow with you.

[Mitsuru has her hand on her gun]

1/2

[foolreversed]

[Adachi jumped; not just because of Mitsuru's voice BUT WHOA SUDDENLY BLACKY JUST SCURRIED DOWN HIS NECKLINE AND INTO HIS SHIRT SCREAMING, WTF?????

He reels around, clearly caught off guard and trying to shield the front of his shirt with his arms.]

Wh-What!? N-N-No!! I don't know what you're talking about! H-He's just a pet the castle gave me a-and--

[foolreversed]

[wait a minute. He pauses]

Wait... how do you know what a Shadow is...?

[Adachi you blabbermouth omg]

[luxe_can_kill]

I'm a Persona-user myself.

[hard_talker]

I'm heading down there, too, so I can see Nora - you want some company for the walk?

[foolreversed]

Oh! Yeah I'd like that actually. To be honest it'd... probably be a lot more comfortable with you.

[because at least Mark already knows ahhhhhhh thanks bro ; A;]

[hard_talker]

Yeah, it's cool. [he knows what he means, especially after having talked to Chie] Where should I meet you?

[princelyspirit]

[She had seen Zelos' post about volunteering, and how it's better to help out the city than to sit around and mope. And... well, she could use the distraction. So, when she sees Adachi's post, it seems like a golden opportunity.]

...I'll be there. I mean, anything's better than staying cooped up inside the castle, right? Just, one thing - who should I keep an eye out for? I only came to Paradisa a few days ago, so there's not a whole lot of people I recognize yet.

[foolreversed]

[oh this

sounds like a cute girl

a cute girl who's new

...not what he was expecting BUT HE'LL TAKE IT. TSUNDERELY OFFERING RELIEF AID = TOTAL CHICK MAGNET, WHO KNEW?]

Um, you'll want the guy in a dark grey hoodie. I've got a little... black "pet" too. Although don't be expecting an animal.

...Name's Adachi, by the way.

[princelyspirit]

[Not an animal? What, is it another monster? Well... she shouldn't be too surprised by stuff like that anymore. Whether she likes it or not, weird's the new normal around here.]

Thanks, Adachi. And I'm Tenjou, Utena Tenjou. I'll be down in a few minutes, alright?

[It's not long before Utena makes her way down to the lobby, hands stuffed in her pockets. Her old school uniform has been switched out for a pair of jean shorts and an oversized sweater - all the better to hide her hands with - and despite her optimistic tone earlier, her posture is tense and stiff. While her stains aren't as drastic and gruesome as others, she's still not eager to show them to the world.

Then, she sees Adachi. She straightens up and is just about to wave, before she shoves her hand deeper in her pocket. Oops... Well, he said he wouldn't judge, right? So, it doesn't matter either way. Shoving her worries aside, she smiles as she steps up to him.]

Hey, you're the guy from the journals, right? It's me, Tenjou. I'm sorry we had to meet like this, but... well, I guess it can't be helped. From what I hear, this sort of thing is pretty normal around here.