21.
3.22.16
More than an hour had passed before they'd come to the point where they could sit down and think this through again. Yosuke was stretched on the low couch, one ankle hooked over an armrest. Rise perched on the edge of the coffee table. Souji and Yukiko had appropriated two of the four armchairs. Chie sat cross-legged on the floor while Kanji leaned cross-armed against the hearth. Naoto paced.
"You say that the outlet in Teddie's room bled before or around the time of his disappearance?" Naoto reviewed. Yosuke nodded. "What about the other outlets? Did all of them bleed?"
Yosuke tipped his head back as he thought. "Definitely mine, the one in Souji's room...and the living room one. We didn't notice anything from the others, though I guess they might have."
"Well, we only saw one bleeding in the Kirijo place," Souji said. "We'd've noticed sooner if all of them were bloody."
They had already run Internet searches using various phrases. None had been helpful, which argued wounded wall appliances were not as yet an international phenomenon. And the longer they'd combined their sevenfold brainpower, the more bizarre the theories became. When Chie had mentioned aliens for the third time, Naoto told everyone to be quiet and try to regain their rationality.
"The walls are too thin for anyone to hide a bleeding corpse," Yosuke said before anyone could suggest it. "Besides, given the placement of the outlets, there'd have to be three different bodies. You think we'd notice the smell."
"With you guys?" Chie said. "What's one more smell?"
There was a snrk from Yukiko. Chie sighed and looked at the ceiling. They waited Yukiko's giggle-spurt out. She was tired, so it lasted longer than usual.
"Maybe we all should just turn in," Rise said. She rubbed at one eye. "It feels kind of stupid going to bed this early, but..."
"I think we should all be grateful we have safe places to sleep." Chie ended on a yawn. "Thanks again, Naoto-kun."
Naoto blinked, startled out of thought. "Of course. It's - the least I can do." She smiled tentatively, though there was something grim in it. "For my friends."
They shook themselves or stretched, then stood, shuffling off in various directions to their rooms. Most of them.
"Naoto-kun?"
Naoto looked over. "Yes?"
"I feel like I don't pull my weight enough, not being a fighter," Rise said. Her heavy theatrical makeup, put on four days ago, was streaked with dirt and sweat, her hair limp. Her fans wouldn't have known her. "If you need scans, just let me know. Day or night-" she punched her fist up "-Risette will be there!"
Naoto's smile came more easily. "Thank you. But please, get some rest." Rise waved and jogged down the hall after Chie and Yukiko. Naoto turned to go, then realized she still wasn't alone. She looked over her shoulder. "Kanji-kun?"
Kanji hadn't moved from the hearth, but at the sound of Naoto saying his name, his head jerked up. "What about the Kirijo Group?" he said. He glanced around and saw that no one else was there.
"What about it?" Naoto asked, turning to face him.
"Well, uh, if the whackassed sockets've only appeared at senpai's place and the Kirijo place, and we know senpai isn't causing it, doesn't it follow that the Kirijo people might be?" He looked at her apprehensively.
Naoto folded one arm on her stomach, cradling the other elbow. "It's possible, though there's no hard evidence to suggest it." She sighed. "So much of this is conjecture. I ask myself, what do The Dorm and the Kirijo residence have in common? Persona-users both lived there. But no other Persona-users have reported-" she felt idiotic even saying the words in tandem "-bleeding outlets in their houses."
"Well..." Kanji said slowly, "Souji-senpai and Yosuke-senpai are different from other Persona-users. Neither has a Persona. Right now."
Naoto looked up at him. "Yes, that's true. But...Souji-senpai said this began last week, days before any of us received our flowers." White asphodels, she reminded herself. And Junpei Iori had claimed Kirijo possessed a Persona, though she had denied it. What did that mean? "Teddie's presence in the house may have some effect. He's a Shadow, after all. Though that still doesn't account for the bleeding to start so suddenly. And...this is all assuming the outlets are connected to our Personas. Which we have no reason to believe," she ended glumly. Linking the outlets to their Personas would at least have given them a clue. There was no point snatching at theories without evidence.
After mulling it over a few moments more, she shook her head. "We need to rest. Good night, Kanji."
"Right." He glanced up the hall. "This way?"
"Yes." She turned and paused, not looking back. "This is me paying you back, I suppose."
"What d'you mean?"
"You let me sleep at your place." She hesitated. "I hope your cat's all right." Then she walked quickly away, down another corridor. Kanji watched her go and took a deep breath. If there was some clever remark he could've made to keep her there a bit longer, he didn't know it.
"Dude," Yosuke whispered from the other side of the room, leaning against the wall. "She slept at your place?"
"You must get tired, senpai," Kanji said without looking over. "From all the running you do." And by the time he'd turned, Yosuke was already tearing back up the hallway.
3.23.16
Why youngsters insisted on staying up half the night, Masaru Shirogane no longer understood. And he did not regret the loss of that knowledge. They never knew the sunrises they missed.
"Yakushiji," he said as he came downstairs for his early breakfast, "when they are awake, please tell the three young men to come see me. I would have some words with them." Yakushiji bowed. "But let them all sleep for the time being. They have a lot to recuperate."
It was almost noon by the time the three of them graced his study, entering as a unit, packed together. It would have been amusing if not for the crisis hanging over their heads. He pushed that thought away - that wasn't what he intended to talk about. "Please, sit." He gestured to the several chairs. He remained behind his desk. He'd heard all of their names often enough from Naoto, and she'd described them sufficiently that he could have identified each without an introduction. Hanamura was tall, a bit weedy, a bit unprepossessing, but he had that nervous energy that yielded excellent results when trained. Tatsumi, scarred and pierced, looked beyond disreputable, elbows on knees as he scanned warily around the room. Seta was the most composed, making eye contact when Shirogane turned his way. There was a dignity about him that Shirogane couldn't place - perhaps it was simply maturity. Seeing them in a line, Shirogane reflected (gloomily) that he couldn't recollect Naoto ever mentioning one boy over the others. It would have been comforting to know his own granddaughter's thoughts. Still, he could glean some information here.
"I've met Naoto-kun's female friends on several occasions," Shirogane said by way of opening, "so I'm glad I finally have a chance to meet you as well." He didn't miss the wide-eyed look Hanamura shot in Seta's direction, though Seta appeared to. "Yosuke, Souji, I understand you two are attending university together." They nodded while Tatsumi shifted in his chair. "What are your goals?"
"Ah - well." Hanamura cleared his throat. "...I-I'm taking a history course...Math. That is..."
Seta stepped smoothly in as Hanamura trailed off. "I'm thinking of entering the diplomatic service, seeing more of the world. Yosuke is considering a journalistic career."
"Yeah," Hanamura said more readily. "On TV, if I can swing it. Someone's got to clear up all the junk they put out."
Shirogane nodded, pleased enough. Handsome young men, ambitious, dreadfully in need of haircuts. But what did Naoto think? He turned his attention to the one in the middle. "And you of course will inherit Tatsumi Textiles. You do excellent work." He gestured to the tie he was wearing, a birthday gift from Naoto several years back.
Tatsumi cleared his throat, looking at his hands. "Th-thanks." Hard to believe such an exterior was capable of such exquisite workmanship, but he had seen stranger things.
So far, no clear evidence of interest on their side. Shirogane leaned back in his chair and lobbed the first bombshell. "Naoto-kun speaks fondly of you three. I'm sure you know her well enough to realize how exceptional that is."
A pinched, worried look tightened Hanamura's eyes and forehead. Tatsumi glanced up at him, then down. Seta's demeanor didn't change. Shirogane mentally shelved those reactions to be analyzed later. He decided he'd give them some room to maneuver. "How do you find the estate? I hope that you're comfortable."
"It's great," Seta said while Hanamura vigorously nodded and Tatsumi nodded once.
"Thank you. I understand that you are not here at your leisure," Shirogane went on, "but if you have time, please avail yourself of any of my household's amenities."
Marked interest from Hanamura at that - his eyes nearly lit up. Then, seeing Shirogane's notice, he hunched down, very much in the manner of someone who didn't want to be questioned. Hot tub, Shirogane guessed, deducting a point from Hanamura.
"I want to thank you on Naoto's behalf for your support," Shirogane said, his tone shifting to a more sincere note. "Making friends does not come easily to her, and at times like these... She will not say it, but she cannot do this alone..." He let the statement hang. Hanamura was watching him, bracing. Tatsumi had straightened out of his slouch. Seta had simply nodded. They'd been on the rack long enough, Shirogane decided. Best leave them some composure. "Well, then," he said, rising. "I suggest we proceed to lunch. Come."
Hanamura popped to his feet. Tatsumi and Seta stood rather more calmly. Hanamura, as far as Shirogane could tell, was terrified of being accused of something, and he deducted three more points. Tatsumi and Seta either weren't interested, weren't aware of what was going on, or simply handled themselves better under pressure. As they left the office, Shirogane docked several points from Tatsumi, one for each piercing. Seta certainly seemed acceptable, but...bland. He whacked off five points.
But, he acknowledged to himself as they entered the dining room, it made no difference what he thought. As for Naoto, he honestly didn't know if she gave such matters any consideration. During her brief time at Yasogami, she'd received dozens of love notes, all from girls, all of which she'd destroyed in one way or another, unread. And, given her stance against dresses, swimsuits, yukata and appearing in any obvious way that might attract male notice, she didn't seem to want a boyfriend. He had no qualms with Naoto's masculine demeanor; he'd known from the start that it would protect her as well as encourage people to take her more seriously. Besides, it suited her. And there was no reason Naoto had to involve herself in romantic entanglements. But, he thought wistfully, it would be a sad thing if the Shirogane line died out on such a brilliant individual. It would be sadder still if she passed over something she truly wanted. But then, she was only twenty. Still quite young.
Shirogane inwardly shook his head at himself. He could discuss it with her, but she wouldn't appreciate it. Better to leave that for another time. He swallowed, facing the knowledge that with Naoto rushing into danger, there might not be another time. It was knowledge he'd had to face several times over the years, and it never got easier.
The girls were already in the dining room when they entered. Shirogane studied Naoto as she glanced at each of the young men. He didn't see any marked change in her expression. Discouraging, that.
3.23.16
Naoto had fallen asleep at work, but at least she had made it into bed. She'd parted with Kanji mind too full of new questions to rest. So while she'd taken the time to change into her pajamas and sit cross-legged on her bed, she'd also opened her laptop and begun researching, starting with white asphodel.
She woke curled on her side, lying on the top cover, her head halfway to the nearest pillow, the mechanical chrome mobile she'd made for herself (not because she needed a mobile, but because she wanted to make it spin; and flash) hovering over her. Several pulp fiction novels (American, British and Japanese - also some old Tom Swifts) were scattered on her bedside table, under the goose neck lamp. Her tool box had been unceremoniously tucked under the table, out of the way of her feet; a stack of criminology texts had slumped into the old tank that had once housed a pet tarantula; and all of the model robots on her shelf needed dusting. Her laptop was open, the screen darkened by inactivity. Knees drawn up close, she muzzily reached over and tapped. Two screens, opened side by side, met her eyes, and she automatically began to reread, still rousing herself.
White asphodel... Honored by the ancient Greeks to symbolize mourning and the safe passage of souls into Elysium...
...A region of the underworld offered to those who had distinguished themselves honorably in life, said by some sources to be ruled by Kronos. Its gates were surrounded by fields of poplars and white asphodels, the latter being given to the dying to hasten their journey to the Elysian fields.
Elysian fields...Elysium...Elysion. Naoto sighed and pulled herself upright. It had been hard enough to accept evidence from an urban legend such as the Midnight Channel, but turning to ancient Greek mythology for clues? She closed those windows, as well as the ones which dealt with Kronos, the father of the Greek pantheon; the ancient Greek concept of honor; and poplars. They'd given her ideas, but no solid theories.
What do our Personas have to do with death and the afterlife? And then, a word came unbeckoned to her mind: ghosts. She considered that a moment. But none of the legends she'd skimmed had spoken of spirits leaving the Elysian fields. Only the unhappy souls, those bound in Tartarus, tried to escape.
Tartarus... She blinked, remembering her online research about Personas, the comments made by Jin. Had he said something about an underworld? Yes, she'd seen one such post, but she'd assumed he was being dramatic and metaphorical. Perhaps it meant something else?
Naoto yawned, stretched, glanced at her wall clock (which she'd made when she was ten; each number flashed on its hour). 11:21? It argued that Grampa thought there was no immediate danger, letting her sleep in like this, but still-! She jumped out of bed, running to her large closet.
She found the girls lounging in the sitting room. "What should we do?" Chie asked. "Go down and ask for a late breakfast or wait for lunch?"
"Lunch will be served soon." Naoto glanced around. "Where are the boys?"
"Haven't seen them." Rise yawned. "Maybe I should take a run around the estate. You think that'd wake me up?"
They went downstairs, but the boys weren't long to follow, attended by Grampa himself. Naoto noticed him study her - probably trying to see if she looked better for a night's sleep. Well, she would have, if she hadn't waited until four in the morning to actually fall asleep, and then only by accident. She gave him a slight smile in return. If he tried to stop her from pursuing Kirijo, she had no idea what she'd say or do.
The boys looked...tense, especially Yosuke, who seemed determined not to look anywhere remotely in her direction. What had been going on? She studied Yosuke for a moment, searching for clues, then noticed Grampa was watching her. She raised her eyebrow, but there was no graceful way to ask him just what was going on. At least not there.
Grampa took her aside after lunch, which had been more lively than last night's dinner, though still not up to the team's standard. "Come to my study before dinner," he told her, "and we'll discuss the case. Until then, relax as much as you can."
She raised both eyebrows. "What were you discussing with the boys?"
"Commonplaces," he replied. Naoto kept her eyebrows raised. Grampa smiled fondly down at her.
3.23.16
After an afternoon of "relaxing" with her friends - discussing bizarre posies, robotics corporations, Personas, and researching Greek mythology - Naoto was more than ready to talk things over with her grandfather. He'd held himself aloof from her investigation thus far, and she hoped he'd have a better perspective. And maybe it was childish, but she sometimes believed she thought better in his study. She sat in the overstuffed, threadbare armchair closest to the desk; her legs couldn't comfortably touch the ground, so she tucked them under her. Shirogane finished writing a letter and set it aside, sliding his chair around to face her. "What do you plan on doing next?" he asked.
Naoto would have liked him to start off by offering suggestions, but he hadn't babied her since she was seven. "I would say the first step is finding Kirijo. But as she appears to have vanished into thin air, I suspect that any attempts to track her would end in failure. I've already devoted considerable time to researching the Kirijo Group's records for the past twenty years, and, as I told you, there is a blank spot in the mid-nineties I find suspicious. Add to that the placement of at least four Persona-users in the same Port Island dorm, gathered under the group's eye. To say nothing of automata capable of evoking. It seems that the Kirijo Group has devoted much of its recent activity to the study of Personas."
Shirogane steepled his fingers and interrupted her train of thought. "I recall you saying that Personas are inherently identical to Shadows, only disciplined by individuals with sufficient ego."
"Yes."
"Have you seen any Shadows?"
Naoto hesitated. "No. Not that I know of. The ghosts...Rise-chan would have been able to identify them as Shadows, but she's certain they're something else."
"You've also said the Personas require an altered state of mind - such as the TV World - to access."
"So I believe, yes."
"I think we must conclude that you are currently in an altered state of mind." Shirogane talked over her protest. "You were unable to evoke until you received those flowers, which Kirijo confirmed were sent by herself. Now, right now, you could summon your Persona at will. Ergo, the Kirijo Group has some capability of altering-" words failed even him there, and he gestured around the room "-our world. These asphodels engendered your abilities, therefore the flowers' mere presence is sufficient to alter reality. It is perhaps not the only explanation, but it is logical."
Naoto slowly made and released her fists, using the motion to steady herself. "After all that's happened, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. But I didn't want to think I had an enemy with that kind of power." Her voice was shaking. "What can we do?"
"You can't know," Shirogane answered, "until you study your enemy further. What could be the source of the group's power?" He watched her. "You know more about this than I, Naoto-kun. Remember everything you saw."
"Well..." Naoto winced. "There are the bleeding electrical outlets." She didn't even wait for him to look blankly at her, she just explained as succinctly as she could.
Shirogane rubbed his chin. "We only know of those outlets existing in the Kirijo residence and this dorm. Which is...the last place your friend Teddie was definitely seen?"
"Yes, it-" She looked up quickly. "Are you implying there's some connection between Teddie's disappearance and the Kirijo Group's vanishing?"
"Both from houses with this odd phenomenon. But this is assuming Teddie was last in the house before he vanished."
"I-" Naoto clenched her hands again. "I want so badly to believe we have a theory, but - damn, are we just obscuring the truth with all these guesses?"
"It seems likely you can't find the Kirijo Group," Shirogane said steadily. "I recommend you use this respite to search for Teddie. You may find more connections."
"And there's no reason for Kirijo to guess we'd go to a college campus," Naoto replied. "I-" She caught her breath. "I hope you're right." She hesitated, then let herself lean forward and hug her grandfather. She'd hugged him often when very young, but after she'd become a professional detective, she'd felt she had to hold off from all such childish displays of affection. Only in the past few years had she started hugging him again.
Shirogane kissed her cheek and released her; though he smiled, he seemed sad. "My girl, I worry I've prodded you into further danger." He looked her up and down. "In your absence, I'll pull some strings and see what else I can learn of the Kirijo Group."
It was the closest he'd come to saying goodbye, that he might not see her again. "Thank you." Naoto blinked back tears - those were still unwelcome.
He used one finger to trace the fine curve of her jaw, so like his dead son's. "I admire your friends," he said, changing tact. "I know you prefer working alone, but I'll feel better knowing they're with you."