[OPEN] If he fits, he sits.

[makejapangreat]

Who: Shido & You
What: Catch-all for the month
When: Various times after the intro and before the next Fissure
Where: Around~

The Plague.
[As it turns out, getting maimed by a rogue Persona on top of having to worry over a bunch of teenagers who are less than great at taking care of themselves can take its toll. All the stress accumulates until his body practically gives out on him... Just a couple days after they've returned, Shido is starting to feel unwell. It's not enough to keep him in his apartment, but as the day progresses it rapidly becomes clear that he is not very well at all... he's clammy, pallid, very warm to the touch and rather lethargic.

Or maybe you've already become aware of Shido's sickness and you're dropping into his room to check on him or deliver a meal? Shido will be mostly bedridden for a week, and he'll be sleeping a lot of the sick off, but company is still appreciated.

... what are those noises, though? (Small spoiler for FFIX in the link!)]


Gwok, Gwok.
[After Shido is done with his second brush of death (not really), there is something making peculiar noises (see link above) in Keystone Station... And those who investigate (and those that don't) will find themselves face-to-face with a bug roughly the size of a tennis ball. Or they will find themselves face-to-face for maybe a couple of seconds, at least, before it attempts to jump on their head.

Alternately, you may run into Shido with this creature either sitting on his shoulder or head as he reads in the library or tries to make food (usually a dessert of some sort?). You might catch him batting at it with a hand, shooing it away, in which case it jumps off... and then jumps right back on after a few seconds, at which he gives an exasperated sigh.

Why do these things keep happening to him.]


Panthera Leo.
[If he's going to start using this ability on expeditions, he may as well start using it a little more regularly around the premises— just so people get used to seeing a lion and won't think he's a creature to be dealt with. He isn't just standing around this time, but actively walking around at a relaxed pace— unless he's outside, in which case you may catch him running (and, at times, taking a rather hilarious tumble). You also might catch him in the common room, just... lying inside, big cat loaf style, of a big cardboard box and looking rather content.

If you've seen his lion form before, you may notice that he's accumulated a couple more scars— one on his back, a slash from a searing hot blade; and one on his chest that is less visible due to his mane but still apparent to the discerning eye: a nasty burn in the shape of a broadsword's blade...

At some point, he puts up a Network Post (un: Masayoshi Shido).]

For those who aren't aware, the lion you see around the station is me. For those who may feel threatened, you have no need to fear.

Additionally, I'm hoping to start practicing fighting in this form. If you're offering to help, please be sure you can handle a some few-hundred pound beast with claws and crushing jaws.

[The response to network can be handwaved if so desired, and we can skip straight to your character tangoing in a dangerous dance with Shido in his lion form, or to the aftermath! His stamina's gotten pretty good, but it's still probably nothing compared to some of you veterans, and he's obviously out of breath by the end of it...

Curiously, if you happened to be able to notice during the brawling, no matter what the temperature is outside, the temperature around Shido is a rather cozy 75°F or thereabouts.]

Comments

[meowna]

Oh? Hey.....

[That sure is a box. A really big box. Really big boxes are almost the best kind of box there is--they're second only to really tiny boxes you can barely fit into.

Morgana takes a running start and jumps, snagging the top of the box with his front paws. A bit of scrabbling, and he's up and over the edge, pouncing down inside--and straight down onto a lion loaf. Nice soft landing!

(Shido, did you honestly think you wouldn't be sharing your box with at least one or two of the other cats in the station? Especially with it out in the common room like this?)]

[makejapangreat]

[The lion jumps a little at the sudden weight dropping onto him, ear swiveling around, followed by his head in an attempt to see the new member of the box.

He gives a little lion grunt of greeting, though he can't actually see Morgana through his magnificent mane.]

[meowna]

Hi there~

[Just gonna act like he totally knew Shido was in here all along--read as: casually climb up onto his head, lean down, and lick his nose.]

[makejapangreat]

[And that gets a happy little awroo in response, head bobbing up slightly. Shido's found his happy place, and it's a big cardboard box.]

the plague

[coagmentatio]

[ He notices how unwell Masayoshi looks, and it's actually... without any hesitation at all, he reaches up to touch his forehead. ]

You're sick.

[ Just like that, his expression tenses. There's no hesitation with this, either: ]

Come on, to the room. [ JUST... TUGGING HIM ALONG NOW, TO MASAYOSHI'S ROOM ] I'll bring you some soup and juice.

[ No arguments; he doesn't care that he's supposed to be resting, because he was about to make himself some food, anyway! ]

Would you be okay with me putting something in the doorway, so I'll be able to just carry everything inside? And... if you want, I can hang out in the room, after I've had time to eat my own dinner.

[makejapangreat]

I am...?

[Belatedly, he reaches up to touch his own forehead... before he's grabbed?? Unfortunately, the sudden movement causes him to stumble and nearly fall straight into Aiden???]

[coagmentatio]

[ There's no actual chance of falling with Aiden, though. He could lift two of Masayoshi, easily?

So, he's going to be keeping him steady, with ease. ]

Very, even.

Lion time at the network, un; carnivac

[anarchia]

Is there really anyone more qualified for this than me?

I’ll try not to be hurt that I wasn’t your first point of call.

[makejapangreat]

To be fair, I'm not sure how well claws and teeth will stand up to metal.

[anarchia]

Did you forget the part where I turn into a wolf?

Well, people HAVE said he looks like a plague doctor in his mask...

[foolishjustice]

[Some time after Shido gets shooed to his room to rest, his bedroom door slides open and in walks Goro...except, something is maybe a bit off? He's still wearing the skirts and makeup, but something in his mouth and eyes doesn't look quite as much like his mother as usual. His hair is maybe a little darker, too. Still, it's not so different as to make him unrecognizable, the overall shape of his face hasn't changed.]

Aiden told me you were sick. Have you eaten recently?

[makejapangreat]

[Shido, quite frankly, feels like utter crap...

He isn't sure what it is he's come down with, but he's been sapped of his energy, his body aches, everything just... sucks. When he hears the door open, his head lolls over, and then he blinks a couple of times and squints.]

...Goro? [... ah. He blinks at his slip, but pushes on.] You look different.

[foolishjustice]

I've been working on learning how to use magic to change my appearance.

[He crosses the room, pulling a thermometer out of his inventory as he goes.]

But, you didn't answer my question. Have you eaten anything recently?

[promittere]

What...?

[He's not exactly spooked, but the appearance of the...the bug? is enough to startle Ignis. It's small and quick enough he doesn't register its approach until it's too late, and he nearly drops the book he's holding (a braille copy of a cook book, because of course it is) when it jumps into his hair.

He raises his hand, trying to brush it away, because that's just rude.]

Where did you come from?

[makejapangreat]

[Said bug hops off of his head... before hopping right back on! New friend!!]

Ignis.

[A simple greeting from Shido as he approaches him, then tilts his head to observe the hat bug.]

I see the bug's found you.

[promittere]

[?!?!?!]

Shido.

[His head turns, tracking Shido's path down the hall as he tries to dislodge the bug from his hair again.]

Is it a friend of yours?

[beguiledcard]

[ Why bother with network when you remember where you last saw the person! He's going to approach Shido ]

Well, you know what I'm capable of. [ vague hand wave ] I'm able to resist physical damage with some of the Personas, even against supernaturally powerful beings... so why not see how that would stand up to a lion?

[makejapangreat]

... I suppose that might work. And... it would be good practice for you as well.

[They've run into flaming hell hounds before, so... there's definitely a chance of them running into some sort of big cat creature.]

... very well. [A nod as he starts moving to go outside.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He nods and follows! ]

Want to have lunch together after this?

sometime on tail end of sick!!!

[biddentodance]

[Minato's been pretty under the weather since returning from Incendia. He has, however, been good - mostly sticking to his room and resting, aside from trips out for food when a certain fussy bird hasn't brought food to him.

Resting does not mean sleeping, though. He'll get to that in a bit, right now he's looking for Shido. He heard Shido was sick, too, so when he finds him...wait. He's in his room.

It's locked, and aren't these soundproof...? He wouldn't hear him knock...but Minato also doesn't want to just.... Hope he runs across Shido??? He....isn't sure what to do. Commence awkwardly standing outside a door.]

[coagmentatio]

[ He's finally managed to recover from his own... whatever-that-was, but that really just means having more time to tend to other sick people.

One of which happens to be standing outside Masayoshi's room, right now. There's a soft blink as Aiden lifts his eyebrows and walks over to the door. ]

Ah, decided to check on him?

[ Welp. Don't mind as Aiden reaches over to casually unlock the door now, and then holds it open enough for Minato to have three dialogue options presented before him:

> Knock now that he can hear you.
> "Why do you have his code memorized?"
> Walk right on in. ]

[biddentodance]

[Oh... You know that deer-in-headlights feel you get when you're interrupted mid-awkward-fret? Yeah, that's about right. He freeze.]

Uh...yeah. [> Knock! Manners are important. Hi Shido you have guests.]

not too long before festival maybe???

[beguiledcard]

[ He doesn't want to do this.

Even so, he doesn't hesitate to suggest they go somewhere more private - Shido's room should work for this? Even when they're in a private place, though, he sort of looks a little... lost on where to begin. ]

Okay, so... maybe I- wanted to be less angry than I really feel.

[ There's a hint of frustration in his expression. ]

What are you hoping to get out of this, Shido?

[makejapangreat]

[Akira's already distinctly on edge, and there's something there that reminds him of when he first came to this world...

He does end up taking them to his room, where the zen gardens still rest on the table— not that he's entirely certain that they'll be of help at the moment...

He glances over at Akira, and it might be apparent that... Shido is probably just as tense as Akira is. Even taking a breath doesn't help much...

W-well, might as well take a seat, at least...?]

... you'll have to be more specific, Akira.

[beguiledcard]

[ His jawline tightens considerably, and he's immediately forcing himself to relax. Guess who's having a moment of backpedaling on this whole damn idea? The thought of letting everything out is not a comfortable one, especially with Shido sitting there, looking... nervous? ]

Everything... but mainly this, right now.