Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. A new chapter is here. I know I said in my last chapter that I wanted to redo my old story which was originally called Between Two Worlds or Memoirs of the Papillon by trying to give my main female protagonist a name, but I've been stuck for a long time on that. I've also been working on other stories, but also had to deal with real life events as well.
Akiko had nearly slept in on a Saturday morning. Normally, anybody would love to sleep in on the weekend. Not her, because she had an appointment to keep with her boyfriend. She hurried to Shibuya station's underground walkway, locating the usual spot where her boyfriend always stands. It had become apparent that it's Yusuke's favorite place to stand.
From what he told her, the station is always full of people, and it serves as the perfect spot for people watching. He longed to learn more about the human heart and has a hard time grasping it when unable to reach the truth of, in his own words, pure beauty. She couldn't blame him, after years of living as a shut-in pupil under the tutelage of a cruel man, it could leave one unfamiliar with how social interactions and other things work in reality.
Yusuke was very glad to see her, especially when he informed of her today's plans. In order to capture the contents of the heart of mankind, he decided on visiting Mementos. Why, she had asked him? His answer was desire emanates from such a place is the root of humanity. Yusuke's not wrong on that part, since it is the Palace of the general public.
He does have a strange yet unique perspective on things. Normally, Akiko would've suggested a lovely landscape or a dream world. But she decided to support him on this one, just to make sure no harm comes to her boyfriend if he's going to Mementos alone.
Together, they used the app and teleported to the darkened, eerily silent underground subway station. Fortunately, nobody saw or noticed them vanishing into thin air.
Such a distorted realm teeming with Shadows, which Joker made strictly clear they need to be wary of their surroundings just in case a Shadow does catch them off guard, was not a good place to find inspiration in. Fox was clearly fascinated with the aspect of his little discovery, astonished over what he deems the physical embodiment of the human heart's desires and what brought forth the beauty of his mother's legacy can also create morbid fabrications.
He began sketching away at the massive, swirling vortex ahead of them, where they stood at a good distance from. Fox had an idea of what he wanted to draw. Recalling what he saw in Madarame's Palace, the art realm in which the kitsune thief had so much faith in was badly distorted by greed and unchecked desires.
That's when the true ugliness of the world opened his eyes. Ever since then, Fox's paint brush has been stayed by crippling hesitation. In other words, he was locked in a slump. Wondering if pure beauty truly exists and can Madarame's depravity taint such beauty. Doubt clouded his mind the more he struggles to find a reason to paint again.
Joker considered his words carefully. Honestly, while she truly wanted to help him figure it out, she has yet to find suitable answers to difficult questions. Despite correctly figuring out the masterpieces in Madarame's exhibition were not created by the man himself, she was no expert in the art division.
"What's the matter? Have you been overcome by an urge to draw?" Fox's deep baritone voice breaks her out of her thoughts.
Joker had been patient and silent throughout his art session, tuning out everything he said. That is until he recently poked her arm and spoke to her. "Ah, I'm sorry. It seems I was lost in thought. However, you do need to hurry it up. We can't be here long." The longer they stayed, chances are a Shadow will ambush them.
Fox's eyes narrowed firmly behind the mask. "Please, do not rush me. I only need a little more time." He stares at his surroundings, studying the gloomy atmosphere intently. "Hm, the lingering uncertainty present in this place seems to be sharpening my senses. I feel a revelation approaching."
It wasn't long before the wild animal within him is unleashed. One minute, Fox is sincerely focused on his work. And the next, he begins to smile and laugh loudly. His baritone voice ricochets off the walls. "Ahahahaha, yes! Inspiration has struck! That must be it! Such brilliant composition! Ah, my heart races!"
"Glad to hear it..." Joker just happens to gaze downward and saw how fast Fox's tail is wagging. He was like an overexcited puppy, eager to receive a treat or a new toy. That thought made her smile and chuckle.
The moment comes to an abrupt end when a Shadow did appear out of nowhere. Several piles of viscid rotting meat all snarling like a group of predators, ready to attack and kill.
"Hmph! How inelegant!" Fox drops his sketchbook and pencil instantly, unsheathing his sword with a surprisingly amount of annoyance and irritation. "You wish to carry out your distorted will, foolish Shadow? I shall cut you down for interrupting my work!"
He summons Goemon to come at his command. Joker bellows for Lamia for assistance as well. With their combined attacks of fire and ice, their Personas vanquished the disgusting piles of vomit in a split second. They were defeated as swiftly as they had come.
Though Joker was relieved to have gotten rid of the enemy, she was also angry. "I warned you this would happen! You could be sketching whatever captured your interest at a park or an aquarium or someplace else!"
Fox lowers his head, embarrassed. "It seems I've become too passionate..." he looks up at her with an apologetic gaze, "but while I understand your concern, I wanted to get a better understanding of the human heart by capturing its darkest contents on paper."
Joker sighed. "I know..." She couldn't stay mad at him forever.
"Still, I'm glad you're here. You have my thanks. You're like Dora."
"Huh? Who's Dora?"
"I was referring to Pablo Picasso's wife," Fox explained. "Picasso was just recovering from an artistically unproductive slump himself, until he met Dora. He was completely fascinated by her beauty and theatrical behavior. Dora Maar was not only his muse, but also a French photographer, painter, and poet. She educated Picasso about the cliché verre technique, a complex method that combines photography and printmaking. She played a role in encouraging his political awareness, which culminated in the famous anti-war painting, Guernica."
Joker's cheeks glow a slight pink. "Uh, well... I'm just a girl who likes to help people in need, but thank you." Now that she thought about it, she did inspire Fox to hire her as his muse when he was going through a rough time, fascinated by her beauty and character. Would she be the one to educate him on the human heart? Play a role in encouraging his love for art? Yes, she most definitely would do it.
"Well, there aren't many who are willing to deal with my... eccentricity." Then, Fox stares at a strange card his girlfriend had picked up earlier. Apparently, it had been left behind by one of the monsters they recently fought. "By the way, what's in your hand?"
"It's just a blank card," she replies with a mere shrug. "I don't know what those Shadows were doing with it, but it's worthless."
"Whenever I see blank paper, I have the urge to draw something on it. May I?"
Nodding, Joker gives it to him. She watches him draw with passion, mumbling random words as he did so. When he was done, he proudly displays what he drew on the card and she smiled.
"What do you think? Not bad, wouldn't you say? Soon enough, my slump will be a thing of-" Fox's words come to an abrupt halt when the card starts to glow. It goes from an ordinary card to an actual skill card, the word recarm written on the front.
"That's an amazing power!" Joker awed. "You know what? This will be useful. If we can get more blank cards, you could duplicate skill cards for our team to use."
"Indeed." Inspired, Fox nods in agreement to her idea. Then, another idea crosses his mind. "Darling, would you mind helping me further? If I can overcome this slump, I should be able to aid our group like earlier, perhaps even more so. I know... Why don't we act as the thieves we are and strike a deal?"
"Sure, I'll be counting on you!" Joker nods, affirmatively.
"Yes, you can rely on me." Fox takes her hand in his own and brings up to his lips where he plants a small kiss on her knuckles. He picked up the pencil and sketchbook he had dropped earlier when they had been attacked, tucking them safely back inside bag. "We've done enough for today; I've completed a rough sketch. I'll finish this back at the dorm. I'll contact you once it's done."
"Okay. But why rush back to the dorm now when we've got a full free day ahead of us? Do you want to go someplace for lunch?"
"Yes, I'd like that. I recommend trying this place called Big Bang Burger. I've never eaten there, but I've heard their burgers are quite delicious."