Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies, and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
8/21
Hakuno grimaced as Tae finished stitching up her leg. "Seriously kid, this is the third time I've seen you, I have half the mind to call them now. But… Because Akira brought you here, I won't ask too many questions. But I will need you to sign a few forms."
"Sorry about this." She truly was, they didn't have a clue that Persona User-inflicted wounds hurt and stayed as actual wounds in the real world. But there goes her idea of taking some time and doing some fighting drills against each other for their eventual clash with them.
She has a feeling that even if the whole group fought him… there was still a chance for them to lose unless she used a Command Seal.
But this should spur their drive to figure out the reason behind the Black Mask and their identity… and if need be… She is willing to be the one to stomp out another dream. She would not pin that Sin on any of the rest of them.
Akira's belief that it was Akechi was now brought into question, the manic glee was incredibly different than the Second Detective Prince's outward Persona, and without more proof, it wouldn't be right to blame him directly.
But it was something to keep track of He had heard Morgana, meaning he had some ties to the Metaverse, directly or indirectly like she was. Hakuno made a note to have Futaba work on something that could track him without him finding out.
Regardless whenever they go into the Metaverse again they will have to stay cautious. She will have to be more stringent when she crafts her Mystic Codes, maybe she could find someplace at that Temple where they got access to her Palace to use, although talking with the Priests would be… interesting.
The doctor rolled her eyes, before bopping the top of Hakuno's head with her clipboard, "Alright, fill out the forms and if I ever have to treat you again I'm going to call your parents alright? Come back next week to get the stitches removed. Stay off your leg and don't over-exert yourself. If it starts to look inflamed or the stitches come out, come and see me immediately."
Hakuno begrudgingly nodded. Takemi whacked her head with her clipboard, "I'm serious, a bit further and you could've nicked a blood vessel. I'm going to ream out that boy if you kids don't take care of yourselves."
"I understand. We will… do my best."
Morgana's tail wrapped around her leg as she exited Tae Takemi's clinic while she only somewhat limped towards Sojiro's house, the wound still ached slightly, and the numbing Tae had given her was starting to wear off.
"So that was the Black Mask huh… We were completely outmatched." It was… true, they had many more years in the Metaverse. She had checked her phone, Akira had already given everyone a heads-up that they were going to have a meeting tomorrow.
"Next Time we see him… I'll use a Command Seal and…"
"You only got two of them left right?" Hakuno nodded, she never found out what happened when you lost all Three. She never had to, the last sole seal connecting her to Nero and Tamamo dissolved with her Artificial Life in the Moon Cell. She was mildly concerned that a Palace could spring from her again if she used her last one, but… she would do it if it meant they got to survive.
Perhaps she would even awaken a Persona of her own… Something that would represent herself truly and not the Spirit of Vengence.
Entering the alley leading towards Sojiro's home her eyes landed on the older man as he leaned against the door. His eyes lingered on something in one of his hands as a thin trail of smoke came out of his mouth.
"Are you part of them too?" Hakuno wasn't sure how to answer that before Sojiro pointed towards Morgana, the hand holding a Calling Card. "I already spoke to Futaba and Akira… you kids are sure you want to continue this? It's hell you kids are practically in, you can always stop now you know?"
"Morgana… can you keep an eye out?" Morgana gave her a nod before disappearing into the darkness, "Yes," She frowned, "How much do you know?"
Sojiro put out his cigarette, "Kids told me about the magic land your group goes to, the reason you got hurt. I can put two and two together you know? All of you have a connection to the 'heart theft' stuff, and this is what, the second time you got hurt that Akira 'couldn't explain'?"
"None of us had a choice, while we could stop now… It wouldn't be so easy." She could, it would be so easy to stop fighting. She didn't have as much riding on the line, her sense of Justice wasn't as strict as hers, and she seemed to attract Anti-Heroes and focused on survival… they wanted to solve all injustices in the world. But, she stayed to help her friends, wouldn't protecting her closest people be something Nero or Tamamo wanted her to do?
It was not like she could sit around and do nothing while Futaba was stuck in a twisted mockery-
A finger snap, "Oy, don't go all daydreamy on me. Seriously you kids are all troublemakers," The lighthearted way he said that was comforting, "Although can I ask you the same thing as my kids? If you kids get in a fight you can't win back out what you kids are doing ain't a game. You kids can't do much if people go after you in the Real World."
Hakuno gave a light shrug, "We can… kind of?" She trusted Sojiro enough, "I… am slightly different, due to personal reasons and if need be… I can summon my Persona in the real world. It's taxing, but…"
Sojiro sighed, "Alright, well just… try and stay safe then, try not to bite off more than you can chew. That… Nijima girl has a good head, at least that boy…" He grunted, "Geez… what did I do to get such troublesome kids."
"You took in Futaba."
He barked out a laugh, "You got me there… Just… try and keep my daughter safe." Hakuno's eyes trailed on the older man's, there was a lot more that he was hinting at, a possible chance he might know more about their situation than he was letting on.
But, they all have their secrets, "Of course. Futaba is my dear friend."
8/22
"Futaba, I'm fine, I don't need help walking to Leblanc." She felt her cheeks warm as Futaba used her meager strength to act as a crutch. She didn't even need a crutch when she left Takemi's last night.
"Y-yes you do! Akira said the Goth Doctor told him." Akira did what? Why would he do that? Admittedly it wasn't a long walk to Leblanc and it did feel better for her not to walk on it… She sighed as she found herself giving in.
"Alright, then wrap your arms like this…" Futaba eeped as Hakuno shifted their arms position, She could have sworn she heard Morgana's snicker but couldn't see the hide nor hair of the not a cat.
"After the meeting, want to watch some anime?" It's been a long time since Futaba's invited her to just relax. Usually, it was just her showing up at her house and they had actual plans.
"Maybe Ann could join us?" Ann had been pretty insistent on taking her home later, it would be a nice bonding activity for Ann and Futaba.
Hakuno felt Futaba shift, while she nodded, "That's fine. Totalllly fine."
Explaining what happened in the Metaverse didn't take long, they weren't in the Metaverse for too long, and… the fight was the more important part. Although seeing Ann's tears and feeling the palpable anger come off the blonde was worrying.
"Why did you three go in alone?" Hakuno frowned, "If Akira hadn't managed to get there in time…" The Party composition admittedly was strange but…
"I've gone in there by myself in the past... I was doing my best to not use one... but if he pushed harder I would have used a Command Seal… when we encounter him again I will."
"That's not the point!" Hakuno's eyes stared into her bright blue eyes, "He could have killed you. All of you."
"Avenger would have handled him."
"You think?" Hakuno tilted her head as Ryuji spoke up, "If he was as strong as you say, Akira could only get him off your back because he was taken off guard. Sorry bro." Akira shrugged.
Seeing the conversation was starting to change Ann's eyes stared into hers and she could just tell that the matter wasn't dropped and they would talk about it later. Although… from her perspective things are fine. She is alive.
As long as she is alive and breathing… then what does it matter if she gets hurt doing her best to live? It's what has kept her alive in the first place.
"I know Amatsu-Mikaboshi isn't strong enough, the Twins yelled in my ear about summoning him…but I need him to get a bit stronger for a recipe." Recipe? Hakuno shelved that thought as Makoto's ruby eyes gleamed as she stared at Hakuno.
"Going by what we know, he might actually survive your Noble Phantasm, comparing his power from Futaba's readings to what it gleamed from Futaba's Palace… he might be able to output the same level." Hakuno frowned at Makoto's analysis.
"He wouldn't." She didn't think she saw the Black Mask's full power, but… if he could survive a Noble Phantasm then… "He can't." Avenger's flames burned the Soul… it should have a stronger effect on a Persona… At full power...
Right?
And if not… what chance did they even have? They were nowhere near the power of a Heroic Spirit, it might be possible in a few years but for now...she had to hope it would be enough.
"At least, we now have full proof he has access to Mementos, we will have to be more cautious on our further expeditions." Yusuke pointed out, "Do you two have any clues on how to find him next time?" His eyes lazily dragged over to Morgana perched behind Futaba.
"No… it's like he was just not there I could see him kind of but I couldn't…" Morgana snarled, "Next time I will be able to! Just watch!"
"I'm not so sure." Futaba kicked her legs on Akira's bed, "His voice constantly changed and Necro could barely pick up the signs of an attack until after they left his Persona, which I couldn't gleam anything from." She was incredibly bitter, "Necro hypothesized it might be a skill or ability unique to his Persona an innate illusion spell probably."
"We should warn Haru about entering as well, she would be a sitting duck for him." Morgana yawned, "Maybe next time we can include her in our talks if she gets the time to join us." It would make sense to keep her updated about the dangerous situations they are in…
And seeing nods all around everyone else agreed as well.
"But… that brings up can someone evil have a Persona?" She frowned, "Wouldn't it make more sense that he used something else? Like Hakuno whose Persona is a Servant?" Ryuji's point was good, it would explain its esoteric nature and power.
But if he was diving into Palaces and Mementos for the last few years that would also make sense, she hasn't been blind to the growth of everyone's Personas.
"Whether or not it is a Persona doesn't matter," Yusuke pointed out, "And… if a Persona is our true self, our rebellious will against the world, then it would make sense for someone with darker intentions to summon one."
"So from now on, unless it's an absolute emergency none of us are going into the Metaverse without the entire team, understood?" Hakuno felt them all staring at her was a bit much, but she nodded.
The Twins would be upset, but she could always see them in Shibuya. "Oh, and Hakuno, the Twins asked for your number, hope you don't mind me giving it to them."
She shrugged, it didn't matter too much, she trusted the little ones. Maybe she should take them out for some sweets to thank them?
8/23
UNKNOWN-Hakunon-UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN- IS THIS WORKING? THIS IS CAROLINE IS THIS HAKUNO?
UNKNOWN- I am here as well, how quaint our Inmate truly did give us a wonderful gift.
Hakunon- Yes it is working and yes this is Hakuno, your 'inmate's' Seeker.
UNKNOWN- CORRECTION YOU ARE THE SEEKER.
UNKNOWN- How does one delete a message? And get those cute little names? Oh, I think the Inmate programmed some in…
Tsunline- YOU DID NOT READ THAT.
Kuutine- What do these names mean Seeker?
Hakunon- Ask Akira. Come to my apartment, we are going out for sweets.
Tsunline- ACCEPTABLE WE WILL BE THERE SHORTLY
"They are soooo cute!"
"HAKUNO PLEASE!"
"Please let me down."
Ann was squeezing the Twins, she was lucky to have successfully evaded their 'talk' that she was planning today, having the twins be visible to her was by far the smartest idea she had had in a while.
"Bear with it for a few more moments, she will get tired."
"Mabufudy-"
And with that, the twins were released, Ann nervously scratching the back of her head, "Sorry about that~" Caroline and Justine smoothed out their uniforms and sent glares towards her cousin.
"Don't ever treat us like children."
"Caroline, perhaps we should show them the gulf of power between us soon?" Justine's eyes were cold, uncaring. But Hakuno could notice her slight smirk, Ann's face got slightly pale.
"Come on, the place Akira recommended is close by." She hadn't ever heard of the shop before, but the Ahnenrbe Cafe was recommended by one of his friends. Something about amazing baked goods? They didn't sell Anmitsu but focused more on Pies and a nice calming atmosphere.
It took a while to find the shop, it wasn't listed on the internet and Akira had only vague directions. Caroline's stomps of irritation and Justine's annoyed glare finally lessened as they found the small Cafe in a dark alley off of Shibuya.
The shop vaguely reminded her of Leblanc as they approached it, it had a nice homely feel. An older gentleman with sunglasses on stood behind the counter and seemed genuinely surprised when they walked in.
"Welcome. Come and take a seat." Hakuno gave the man an appreciated nod as Ann came up close.
"Is… this like Leblanc's sister cafe?" Hakuno shook her head, probably not? It would be strange for Akira not to mention if it was.
"Normally I would have my waitresses serve you, I much prefer being in the back, but alas they had a 'special event' that required their immediate assistance." The man shrugged, "But enough about me what would you four lovely ladies have today?" He handed the four of them small menus to look over.
"Hakuno…" Caroline was pointing at the blueberry pie while Justine's eyes lit up at the picture of the strawberry pie. Ann's eyes practically glowed at the picture of the death by chocolate crepe.
Hakuno gave a small smile, and the prices were cheap for Tokyo, "A slice of Blueberry, a slice of Strawberry, your 'death by chocolate' and I'll take a…"
"Some anmitsu right?" Hakuno blinked, the gentleman was looking in her direction with a pad in his hand, "Always wanted to try making it again." How did he know what her favorite was? It wasn't even something listed… "Ah don't mind me, you just remind me of a guest that once asked for it, he was the only one that ever asked for it, so I took it off the menu. You vaguely look like him too, if you squint."
Huh, strange.
"That… would be nice."
"Great." He smiled at them, "I'll be back in a few." He quickly walked behind the counter and disappeared into the back.
"That was weird." She agreed with Ann's mumble.
"This is a … strange place," Justine added, Now that she thought about it, had the twins ever been to Leblanc? Perhaps one of them should invite them over sometime soon… "Is this what you humans call 'Hip and Cool'?"
Ann stifled a giggle as she nodded, "Yep of course." Justine nodded before writing it down on her clipboard.
"Ugh. it's taking so long…" Caroline's head smacked onto the table, "That Pie…" Hakuno rolled her eyes, it had barely been a few minutes.
"Here you four go." She didn't even hear him approach, "A Blueberry pie for Caroline, a Strawberry pie for Justine, our famous 'Death by Chocolate Crepe' for Miss Ann, and a serving of Mitsumame for Hakuno." She nodded as he handed out each sweet.
It was amazing.
Author's Note: Well, actually have nothing really to note, hopefully, everyone has a good week! And yes it was that 'Ahnenebre' just… nothing crazy happened. Sometimes things just work out for Hakuno.
Anyways cya next time!