catchall for inaba

[justfists]

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Sunday, Week 3, post execution

[justfists]

[she is extremely shaken after that death. but totally open to chatting, ofc.

Find her near the fireplace, staring into the flames]

[dereban]

[ Yeah, that death was... not great for any of them, especially given that he said that it's "his win". That grin was not good, not to mention that Cinque was crying and crying and she could not honestly take it--

She doesn't want to think about it.

So she just takes this as a distraction. This is fine. ]

Y- ... Yo. [ SHE'S TRYING. ]

[justfists]

Oh, Inaba.

Would you like to join me?

[she snaps a calm smile on]

[dereban]

Sure. I wanted to talk, anyway. About... what happened during the trial, a little bit. If you want to.

[justfists]

Oh...

[her face drops a little bit at that, and she pulls her knees into her chest.]

Of course.

[dereban]

I'm. . . not going to say anything about the whole. [ hand gestures ] Thing about the Barghest reveal since I've already talked Kurusu's ear off about that. But I did want to apologize for looking suspicious during the trial, and ah--

[ He hesitates for a moment and then gives her a more serious look. ]

I want to work with you guys to stop all of this. If you'll trust me.

[justfists]

[she pauses, and smiles at the offer.]

... You should talk his ear off more, though, honestly, it was my fault. So perhaps your ire should be directed at me. I ended up coming off way too suspicious, and in a moment of weakness, admitted knowledge I shouldn't have.

But... Of course. I want all of us to work together as much as possible, to save the possessed.

[dereban]

He already got what he deserved, but I'm more concerned about him than I am mad at anyone, really, and more importantly... I think I can actually trust you guys.

Since I have a role, too.

[justfists]

[she looks-- well. extremely surprised, and in fact turns more fully towards Inaba]

Admitting that's extremely dangerous.

[dereban]

I know. I'm very aware of it. But we're playing a dangerous game already, and there's no way that I could possibly guarantee that anybody is safe unless they're already dead. It's a risky move on my part, sure, but I won't sit around either.

Especially not when everyone else is trying so hard.

I don't usually put my trust in people easily, and I know this could end up backfiring on me, but I want to think that this is the right choice.

[justfists]

Inaba...

Thank you.

[she looks a little relieved that she'd trust her, and smiles.]

We need to work together, somehow. If we're all on the same page, there isn't a chance the monsters can hide.

And more importantly, we need to figure out what the right way to free those possessed is.

[dereban]

You're welcome. Don't make me regret telling you this.

[ There's a small, but sad smile. ]

We fucked up this time, but there's a silver lining. I'm going to see if I can't ask the staff for some books to research... and I've been keeping in close contact with the Apprentice, too. Seems like a lot of shit is gonna go down tomorrow.

[justfists]

He's a good person. I... know we can trust him.

[she says that more firmly at the end. and then locks eyes with Inaba]

Did you discuss strategy with Akira? How you can work together?

Thursday, week 5

[justfists]

I’m sorry Inaba, I thought Akira might’ve explained about the Phantom Thieves. It’s... a little weird, still, to be so open about it.

What part would you like to know first?

[dereban]

It's not something you need to apologize for, so don't apologize for that.

I guess I should ask "why steal hearts" part first.

[justfists]

I appreciate that.

I... think it’s worth explaining how they started, because I was skeptical at first as well. After all, it sounds like the end result is just manipulation to force someone to confess their crimes, rather than just... going through the proper channels.

At least, that was what I thought after they’d stolen the heart of one of the teachers at our school.

But it was more that the channels in place to protect students from his abuse had instead come to protect him. There wasn’t any other choice.

So, that’s always been a factor in whose heart we decide to steal.

[dereban]

Why is everyone's worlds so fucked up? Anyway, I'm pretty sure I understand it, at least. It's kind of like unclogging a faucet that wasn't supposed to be clogged in the first place.

I think my next question would be "how does it work"? I know it probably has to do with abilities, but I can't help but be a little curious, given that I have no powers of my own.

[justfists]

Mm. I don't know, I wish we hadn't needed to... but...

Well, anyway. That part is a little more difficult to explain. We're essentially changing their cognition by stealing the twisted desire of their hearts? And we're able to access their hearts by using something called the "metaverse navigator."

[dereban]

You say it's difficult, but I actually understood all of that.

Basically their perception is changed in a positive matter, right?

[justfists]

Oh! Yes, exactly. I'm glad that made sense. Some people pick up on it faster than others.

[dereban]

Unfortunately, I pick up on strange things pretty easily.

I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

[justfists]

We're in a strange situation, so... I'd assume it was a good thing, honestly.

But part of going into their hearts means infiltrating their palaces. Think... A mental RPG dungeon, tied to each person. Sometimes there are locked treasure boxes, which we've always let Akira handle. That's the only reason we seem more thief-like than we actually are.

[dereban]

That's true. I guess "adaptability" is necessary for things like this.

Do the treasure boxes actually have things inside them? Like, actual usable items?

[justfists]

Yeah! I got my latest set of brass knuckles from my sister's palace, actually.

[dereban]

That's actually pretty neat.