Third Semester – 'Friendly' Rivalry

Akechi wore a scowl as he climbed the stairs into Penguin Sniper. As far as he was concerned this was nothing more than a waste of time, a childish exercise at a childish person's request, and that was under normal circumstances. Now, with the entire world on the cusp of being eternally controlled by some high-handed wannabe Messiah, even the notion was beneath entertaining for even an instant.

So why was he here? Why, when there were at least a half-dozen more productive things he could be doing tonight?

Well, the answer was obvious: it was only because Ren had asked. Anyone else, perhaps even Sae-san, would've been ignored at best. Still, the question of why remained. What made him so special?

Finally reaching the doorway proper, yet another question ran through his mind: just who is that little girl in blue? She sat at the bar next to Ren, smiling and chatting like they were old friends, with Morgana purring in her lap as she stroked his back. Why none of the other patrons saw the ensemble as at all bizarre he was willing to chalk up to Maruki's machinations.

Akechi recalled that Ren had called this child his guide, one who can somehow create new Personas at his request. If it weren't for Ren's word and his own experiences within the Metaverse, Akechi might've laughed in his face. Hell, even with that context it was hard to believe. Still, he had to admit that there was something off about her, something that gave her away as more than just some child. As he closed the distance, catching the trio's attention, he realized what it was: her bearing. He knew children and their reaction to the unfamiliar; no normal girl of her apparent age would look at a tall, clearly upset man looming over her the way she was.

He knew that look all too well, in fact, having witnessed it many times during his tenure as an investigator. It was the smallest things that gave it away: the way her expression solidified into one of stoic examination, or that her eyes subtly scanned every inch of his face before settling on his own with yet greater focus, as if they were the key to understanding him completely. And then…

And then she nodded to herself and returned her attention to Morgana. It was a nod of understanding, Akechi realized. In that second or two she'd found whatever she was looking for, or so she believed. Her confidence in this, bordering on arrogance, made his stomach turn.

Sucking in a deep, calming breath through his teeth, he looked at Ren and asked, "Why is she here? I thought we were having a match."

Morgana rose into a stretch. "Hello to you, too, Akechi. Lady Lavenza wanted to join in, is all."

"That doesn't answer the question of why."

"If I may interrupt," said Lavenza, prompting Morgana to move with a choice pat, "I merely wished to study the bearer of a stagnant Wild Card with my own eyes. The Trickster speaks so highly of you that the curiosity became too much to bear." She gestured vaguely to the lounge, noting its various games and trappings, before facing Akechi with a less penetrating gaze. "Would you humor me?"

Akechi met her with a searching gaze of his own; stoking his frustration, he found her to be near-impenetrable, as if he were staring at the back of her head or even a blank wall. Shoving that to the back of his mind he said, "Ren here has explained your Velvet Room and the Arcana somewhat. But being that you're a clearly a well-versed denizen of the Metaverse, I don't see how a party game will show you anything you don't already know."

Lavenza nodded and hopped down from her stool. "A fair and astute observation. Truthfully this is a rare occasion, to have two Wild Cards active at once. With my master's permission, I would like to compare and contrast the two of you while I have the opportunity; 'strike while the iron is hot', so to speak."

Stroking his chin in thought, he offered, "In that case, why not merely have a spar? It'd be quicker, good training, and certainly enough to answer your questions."

That left the girl thinking. Lavenza opened her mouth to speak, hesitated, then briefly regarded Ren and Morgana before again facing Akechi. "That won't be necessary, I'm afraid. I'm well aware of your prior exhibition within Mementos, as well as your encounter within Masayoshi Shido's Palace. Those events in mind, the only way another such exercise would be of any use is if it were to the death, which would be a nothing but a detriment to the victor under the present circumstances. Therefore," she gestured to the billiards table, her stoic face breaking into an eager smile, "might I suggest the ritual of weighted ball-clubbing? Speaking from experience, a bout of healthy competition can double as a fruitful learning experience for all participants." Again, as if she hadn't just reopened the wound of his single greatest failure, she sent him that same smile. "What do you say?"

Ren, leaving Morgana to rack the balls, approached Akechi as he grabbed a stool for his bag. "Well?"

"Whose idea was this, really?" Akechi asked with an even gaze.

"Lavenza wanted to meet you; I picked the venue."

"You spoil her," he said with a sigh, though he did move to get his own cue while Lavenza moved her stool to the table. "You have such a weakness for young girls."

He shrugged. "I owe her. She's been a huge help since I got here."

Akechi shook his head in exasperation. "That's like you, I suppose. Maybe I can get some of my own questions answered." He approached the table, his cue held tight. "I'll be going all out, then. I expect you don't mind?" he asked.

"Go ahead," Ren said.

"I'd prefer that, actually," said Lavenza. "Please don't hold back on account of my appearance."

"And it's safe to assume that you know how to play?" Akechi asked. His celebrity smile was out in full force, this time serving only to underline his blatantly antagonistic, mocking tone.

"I do indeed." she said, matching him beat for beat with her own false graciousness. "As well, I believe that the common rules are designed around pairs. Shall you and I have the first round to prove my mettle?"

"Only if they," he sent a pointed look to Ren and Morgana, "can manage not to baby you."

"Their assistance will not be necessary, Wild Card." Her face twisted into a light scowl as she produced a gold coin from her dress pocket. "Now, choose."

While those two handled the coin toss, Morgana returned to his bag. Grinning coyly at Ren, he said, "Looks like my win, Joker."

Ren blinked twice, then returned the grin. "I guess. What'll it be, fatty tuna?"

Morgana's eyes shone with glee, only for it to be extinguished with a sudden furrowing of his brow. "You'd think, but I was thinking something like a new collar. An update to my look, y'know?"

He didn't answer right away, instead memorizing the image of Lavenza stood on a stool trying to chalk a pool cue longer than she was tall. Once that was squared away he looked back at Morgana and said, "So something in red, maybe?"

"Not everything black needs red accents, you know. Besides, it'll clash with my eyes."

"C'mon, trust me."

The harsh clatter of the balls breaking cut off Morgana's retort and returned their attention to the game. Akechi was rising from his strike, smirking as the nine ball sunk into a middle pocket. The remainder scattered into the usual loose, random assortment, with the 8-ball stopping dangerously close to a corner pocket.

"Stripes, then." Taking a deep breath, Akechi leaned over the table and took aim once more. With the cue ball having settled near the center, it was a simple matter to strike the ball such that three more stripes were arranged in a vague cluster at one end of the table while leaving the cue ball a fair distance away from most solids. "All yours."

"Very well." She didn't take aim right away; instead her eyes scanned for each solid in turn, falling on each for a few seconds before moving on. That was a parting shot just now, meant to stymie her, and it worked like a charm. From where the ball sat near a corner pocket, she'd need to strike it with extra strength to ensure it hit any worthwhile targets while also keeping it from being launched off the table outright. Still, she had several options: the easiest would be to focus on the scant solitary solids scattered around the tabletop and sink a few from there.

Finishing her analysis with a firm blink, Lavenza brought her cue to bear with a flourish, bridging it against her right hand with what could pass for practiced ease. Her yellow eyes narrowed in concentration as she took aim. Once, then twice did the cue's tip near the ball, then…

"A question, Lavenza."

With a crack like a gunshot, the cue ball flew to its target, crashing into the five-ball and sending it spinning into a middle pocket. Allowing herself a proud smirk, Lavenza straightened up and nodded to Akechi. "By all means. We are here to learn about one another, after all."

"Then to start," Akechi began, himself planning out his next few moves, "that title you used: 'Wild Card'. What does that refer to, exactly? Ren was a bit vague on the topic."

"A fine opening question," said Lavenza, stepping down from her stool. After a moment to reposition it and resume her perch, she once again took aim. Once, twice, and then…

And then she dropped her stance entirely, instead rising to regard Akechi properly. "You mentioned that the Trickster had explained the Arcana in some detail. Assuming that you know the very basics, the title of Wild Card refers to one with the potential to harness the power of multiple Arcana by forging bonds with their bearers. Most useful is the ability to contain multiple Personas within oneself, granting one potentially infinite power."

Bolstered by the chance to show off her knowledge, she again took aim, her eyes shining with self-gratification. Surely a spin shot would be the perfect closer to such masterfully given exposition! Her cue lashed out with unnatural strength, for a second appearing more at home on a medieval battlefield than a pool table. Still, the cue ball went spinning, all right, straight into the eleven-ball, sending it straight into a corner pocket.

Lavenza stared at the tabletop in stoic silence, her grip on her cue tightening until the wood groaned. "Ah."

"Infinite power, you say?" Akechi asked through a chuckle. He circled the table, searching for the best angle from which to launch his next series of moves. "Having been on either side of that power, I can't quite deny it. So where do you come in, as his… let's say weapons dealer?"

"My duties as an Attendant are not restricted to supplying him with weaponry," Lavenza said, eyeing Akechi with mounting irritation. She continued, "As one who rules over power, I am to monitor and aid the Trickster's growth, as well as ensure that he is making adequate use of the Velvet Room via tasking him with the creation of Personas with specific abilities. Further, I often act as a liaison between my master and my Trickster." She sent a sweet smile Ren's way. "A 'friendly face', if you will."

"So for all your grandstanding, all your flowery talk and dress," Akechi began, leaning over to prepare a shot into the cluster he'd arranged earlier, "you're little more than a glorified secretary." He punctuated his statement with a choice shot into the cluster, scattering the one- and three-balls to opposing walls while the seven-ball slid into a pocket. Straightening up with a smug smirk he asked, "Is that correct?"

Morgana stared at him, his eyes wide with shock. Ren, trying to catch his chortling, ended up coughing into his drink and splattering his glasses with the liquid.

Lavenza wasn't quite so subtle. Her brow was harshly furrowed, and even under the ambiance of the club her cue could be heard splintering in her hands. "I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing to be so upset about,"Akechi said, lining up another shot. "It's simply the truth. If most of your duties are in service of others, then you're a servant, plain and simple. It's just an observation." With ease, he sunk the three-ball into a wall pocket before making his way over to strike at the one-ball from a better angle. As he moved, he made a show of crossing Lavenza's line of sight and stopping just short of too close for her comfort, largely for the sake of indulging in the raw offense betrayed by her posture and expression.

Still riding that high, he decided to show them what a proper spin shot looked like. It'd be a simple demonstration: with proper execution he'd have the six-ball pocketed with ease. He'd done it a thousand times after all; it wasn't much of an exaggeration to say he could pull it off in his sleep. So with well-practiced, near-unconscious movements he lined up his shot and was primed to strike in seconds.

"Then you are a failure."

It was a small comment, barely even muttered under Lavenza's breath from at least a foot away. Even so, it was enough to ruin his shot completely, turning an expert spin into a novice grazing strike that hardly moved the cue ball at all.

None of that mattered to Akechi; in fact, as he righted his posture, he found that little else mattered besides that dolled-up child beside him. "What?" he asked, the one word filled with every ounce of the raw malice he brought to battle. Though he wasn't even looking at her, the mere tone of his voice would've tempted most sane men to drop the topic entirely. Maybe then the game might've continued without further incident.

Alas, Lavenza was no mere mortal. Utterly unfazed, she said, "The saying goes that we are what we repeatedly do. You, Goro Akechi, failed to accomplish any of your objectives in life. No affection, no vengeance, no peace. If I am naught but a servant, you are nothing but a failure." As she spoke, she stared daggers at the back of his head, daring him to reply.

He didn't disappoint, turning to face her with the tense, sleek movements of a hunting predator being the only indication of his fury. With the same calm tone as ever, he replied, "Then we're both failures. I've been told that you and your mighty 'Master' were reduced to relying on a mere human and his pet to save them. An embarrassing display for one who 'rules over power', don't you think?"

Having been watching their exchange with increasing tensity, Morgana leaned out of his bag with his hair standing on end. "Alright, that's-" His reply was reduced to incoherent sputtering as Ren's hand came down on his head. Quick to shake him off, he glared up at his stone-faced leader. "Are you just gonna watch this!?"

"Morgana, please," Lavenza said. Her anger had faded from her face somewhat, replaced with shame. "He's not wrong in that my predicament was unbecoming of my station. My siblings surely would not have been defeated by the God of Control, nor would they be forced to rely on their Guest as I had. However," her own fury returned with a vengeance as a withering glare burning with otherworldly might, "it's because my components and I were able to place our faith in him that the Ruin was thwarted. You, however, though beaten and broken at his feet, still chose to reject the offer of redemption. For that you paid the ultimate price."

For a long, tense moment Akechi met her judgmental gaze with his own hateful sneer. It had been a long time since he'd wanted to strike a child, but this girl had brought him back there in record time, not least because he was near-helpless to do anything about it. For one, her information was accurate, save some minor details; for another, she'd closed off a valuable angle of attack by owning her own failure. Still, he was by no means finished. "You speak as if that's something to be ashamed of. Throughout my entire life I've held fast to my goals and my methods. I would've thought that someone such as yourself would be more appreciative."

Lavenza once again gave him that searching look before offering a slight nod and saying, "True, you've survived the rigors of the collective unconscious for two years entirely alone; that is quite the accomplishment." This time her brow furrowed with stern disapproval. "However, my disappointment lies in your allowing the power of the Wild Card to stagnate. Its true power is rooted within the bonds between souls, but you chose to spend that time entrapped by your own hatred and grief. Had you followed the Trickster's example and allowed even one positive influence into your life, I believe that it wouldn't have ended in such tragedy."

Akechi was again reduced to silent staring as he bit back the reflexive comeback on the tip of his tongue. After successfully pushing his temper to something manageable, he realized that, essentially, she was blaming him for his own lot in life. That understanding brought a smile to his face as he stood up and returned his cue to its holder. "I'm done."

"Oh?" Lavenza asked, her judgmental gaze falling away into mild shock. "Do you forfeit?"

"I'm done entertaining this nonsense," he said without bothering to look at her. Instead he approached Ren, matching his scowl against the other boy's stoic stare. "Try to think next time you call me. Don't forget: I am not one of your little followers. I have no interest in playing your games." Without giving Ren the chance to reply, Akechi turned and left.

A bit later, the remaining trio was wrapping up with a game of darts. That is, Ren and Morgana played darts while Lavenza sat at the counter nursing a soda. Really, she wasn't doing that much; it was more accurate to say that she was staring sadly into the bottle in her lap, still as a statue if not for the occasional blink or sigh.

"You're up; finish strong," Ren said, offering his cat a high-five after a successful ninety-five-point turn. Leaving Morgana to finish the game, he moved to lean against the countertop next to Lavenza. "What's the matter?"

She set her drink on the counter, then loosed a final sigh and looked up at him. "Trickster, I must apologize for my behavior tonight. You went out of your way to arrange a meeting between myself and the other Wild Card only for my temper to render your efforts worthless." She hopped down from her stool and bowed to him at the waist. "Please accept my deepest apologies, Ren Amamiya."

He blinked in mild surprise, then allowed himself a slight smirk. "You can be honest. It's just me and Mona here."

She straightened up and stared at him, her eyes darting every which way as she chose her words. Then she screwed her eyes shut and stamped her foot, saying, "He's a creep! I tried to be nice but from the start he insisted on antagonizing me! And that look on his face, as if I didn't belong here!" Ignoring the looks from the other patrons, she leapt onto her stool to look Ren in the eyes. Wagging her finger at him like a scolding mother, she continued, "I think I should've fought him after all. Heck, I'd take all three of you! Maybe then that fake Wild Card would know who he's messing with!"

Ren let her go on ranting, though he did lean away a bit. When she'd petered out and resumed her seat, he asked, "Feeling better?"

"Yes," she said sharply, crossing her arms with a huff. She deflated quickly enough and turned around to rest against the counter. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be insulting your friends, but…" She flexed her hands, raking her nails over the wood finish. "I don't know how you put up with him."

He stared at her in silence, then reached over and laid a comforting hand on her head, which had her staring up at him with wide eyes and a full-face blush. Pretending to ignore that, he said, "You're forgiven. Akechi has that effect on people."

Lavenza sent him a grateful smile in return, though she did move to remove his hand. Holding it tight in hers she said, "Thank you, my Trickster. Once again you've treated me to another useful eye-opening experience."

"Oh yeah?"

"Indeed." She sat up and took an earnest sip of her drink before continuing. "As you're surely aware, I am the youngest Attendant." She paused for a bit to allow Ren his show of faux-astonishment. "Therefore, I am more often than not the subject of my sisters' disdain. The eldest would call me clumsy; to the next-youngest I am a meddler." She smiled to herself. "It's refreshing, I suppose, being the greatest power in the room for a change."

Ren chuckled a bit at that. "I'll say. The twins sure loved playing warden."

That sent a shiver up her spine. "Quite a bit too much, I think. Back to the other Wild Card, I found it a struggle to keep myself in check dealing with him. Had I so much as considered speaking to either of my sisters that way…" Lavenza went quiet, her features settling into a thousand-yard stare.

"…Megidolaon?"

"For everyone." Regaining her composure with another sip, she went on, "As a silver lining, I believe I've come to appreciate you more, both as a Guest and a friend. With a proper point of comparison, I can safely say that I am a truly fortunate Attendant."

"Guess I'm a lucky Guest, then," Ren said, watching Morgana finally land the game-ending shot. "I'd be a dead man if not for you." He started at sudden movement against his back, finding Morgana slinking into the space between them with a cheeky, expectant smirk. Returning the look, he ran his hand down the cat's back, drawing a pleased purr from him. "You two, that is. Thank you both."

"It's the least I could do, really," said Morgana, basking in the attention, though not for too long before he shook off Ren's hand. "Hey, we should start making our way back home. I bet Lavenza can't be away for much longer either."

"That's true, I'm afraid," Lavenza said before proceeding to down the rest of her drink and gather her tome from the countertop. She then hopped down from her stool and, with a winsome smile toward each of her companions, said, "Let us be off."