phantasmalrift | open post!

open post!

Who: Aiden and YOU... and you, and you, and--
What: Suddenly, Aiden is taking on a female form that he never wanted nor asked for! Also book and music and a message for the resident thieves (+Shido).
When: 07/14 - 08/04 (08/05 - 08/26, OOCly)
Where: Kitchen, common area, various places outside, etc.
Warnings: Uhhh... PG-13 stuff? His clothes don't fit his female form at all, gods help him... There is almost nudity?

Femden

[ The next two weeks are probably going to be the most frustrating period of his life.

It happens, quite literally, out of nowhere. One second, he's making himself some super cold water... Then next? He's... shorter???

For anyone around as it happens, they're going to get quite the show; one second, the body they've come to know as Aiden's will shrink by about seven inches in height. And, because his hair remains the exact same length? That means it's going further down the new form's back, than before - the very obviously female form, as he realizes from the very first time he glances down.

The first time it happens, Aiden spends a moment staring down at himself in confusion, before even thinking to yank the pants back up (and thank gods the shirt he's wearing now comes to this form's knees)... After a glance around? There's no hesitation to just. Run to the apartment and spend some time trying to process what the FUCK is going on.

There's going to be a visit to the medbay. Which, in the case of this, it's honestly just something that will be happening at random, apparently. He doesn't know why it's triggered by cold stuff, but guess what he'll be trying to avoid...

Fortunately, all times after the first time, Aiden's reflexes are faster, and he's made a point of never wearing anything especially thin. For the most part, he's adjusted in a way that just has him frowning every time it happens. So, anyone around when it randomly happens (who looks confused by the sudden appearance shift), will be hearing a softer voice as Aiden sighs and rolls his eyes: ]

I still don't fucking know.

book + music

[ Regardless of the random, weird body swap stuff happening, Aiden still finds time to do some of the things he's growing to enjoy during downtime. Did you know he can play guitar now?

Well, now you do. He's not super skilled, just yet, but he doesn't suck??? He sounds about like what... someone might expect of a person who very sparingly practiced for a year? Far from pro level, and he's still trying to figure out what sounds flow best together, but... hey. He's actually having fun, and that's what matters, right?

Alternatively, he's reading a book. The cover is of someone with black hair, who has a very gender-neutral appearance, and is holding onto a redheaded young lady. The young lady is seemingly screaming and looking to be attacking someone off-camera, while the former is clearly desperate in their attempts to stop her. The title is covered by Aiden's hand.

Strangely, while Aiden appears to be very into the story he's reading (incredibly fast, in the way that might give the impression he's almost skimming), the look on his face is unreadable - maybe a bit... too neutral. ]

closed: PTs + Shido + Minato + Ignis???
07/18 (08/09, OOCly)

[ The Phantom Thieves and Phantom Thieves associates will be getting pulled aside whenever he sees any of them. His expression is serious, and it's clear there's something on his mind: ]

Got a minute?

[ By midday, if he hasn't found one of the above people, he will be sending a message to the rest of the group (it should be easy to figure out who it is, given his chosen name is the username): ]

I gave Morgana my name.
You all can decide what to do, going forward; you have my permission.

[ It's... short and sweet, and pretty damn formal... but he's a nervous wreck right now. Which is part of why he will be looking for Ignis for a moment. If he can't find the guy, he'll be sending him a message, too, asking if it's okay if they talk for a moment. Or maybe... cook together, again. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He takes the cup with a nod of gratitude, then gets himself some coffee before settling in, blowing it once before taking a sip, apparently rather unfazed by how hot the coffee is.

In the back of his mind, he's... a bit worried... it's not because of how he reacted to Aiden's new power, is it?]

[ He's actually going to stare at Masayoshi for a moment, since??? holy fuck???? ]

I, uh...

[ There's a moment where he's just going to be running his thumb along the rim of the cup. It takes him a while to actually brave speaking. ]

... I made my decision about... the Palace.

Edited 2018-08-17 03:39 (UTC)

[He just raises a single eyebrow in response. What?

But to the words that follow, his brow furrows a little, though his gaze softens in contemplation. He gives a gentle nod as encouragement.]

[ OKAY...

... Okay.

He can do this... ]

After... everything I've done, lately... [ jawline clenching ] I don't- want to hurt anyone!

[ There's just a hint of desperation, combined with a ton of fear, in his gaze as he looks to Masayoshi now. ]

[....... ah... that expression, combined with those words... he's genuinely struck by how terrified Aiden looks.

He responds quietly.]

I know you don't.

[He gently pats the spot on the couch next to him.]

[ There's some hesitation... but he very quietly walks over and sits down next to Masayoshi. ]

... I didn't want it to come to- that... but...

[ He gives a wry smile, eyes closing as his brow tenses. ]

After I told Morgana my real name, I actually regretted it. For just a moment, I considered telling him... "never mind, forget it!" and then... my mind briefly jumped to the idea of threatening him into secrecy. That's-...

[ His shoulders lift in a way that looks like he's drawing into himself just a little. ]

-not okay. I'm even more worried now about what'll happen to you guys if you go in there...

[Shido shakes his head gently.]

Aiden, I had done everything I could to fortify my Palace against the Phantom Thieves. You remember what I said during that meeting. I even... [He draws in a breath, expression twitching slightly.] I tried to have Akira killed, in the physical world.

They thwarted that and every defense I had, and in the end, were still able to change my heart.

Though, it is also true that only a fraction of them are here.

[He folds his hands together, looking at the ground for a moment...]

... I worry more for you, honestly.

[ His brow tenses... ]

Why me?

[ That's probably a really stupid question, all things considered. He gives a wry smirk at himself. ]

... Do you think- there'd be hope for me, without this as an option?

Yes. [There's no hesitation.] You underestimate yourself, Aiden. You've a strong sense of what's right, and you self-correct. It's true that you may lose your temper or believe what isn't true, but...

[His brow draws together.]

You have been through a terrible lot, and there is no person that can endure hardship after hardship after hardship without... [He struggles for the words a bit...] without realizing that there's a pattern and trying to anticipate that, while perhaps not realizing that they may have the circumstances of that pattern wrong.

You're a good person who's been forced into terrible things. And that's changed you. But the good person, that... core of a good person... it's still there. Anyone can see that.

[ He blinks softly at the words... ]

A good person...?

[ He wants to argue against it. The thoughts are there - they're always there, aren't they? But, he shoves it all down, forcing it all to the same place he usually forces those kinds of thoughts. ]

I chose to join the hunters, because I wanted revenge for my parents. [ exhaling heavily ] That isn't the same as being forced, though I... will admit I had no clue what I was getting into. The contract came with a lot of fine print; I was sixteen... and angry at the entire world.

[ One hand presses to the back of his neck now. ]

So, you still confuse me when you say things like that.

[He asks a simple question:]

Do you believe my son is a good person?

... A much better person than I could ever be.

He chose to work for me. Like you, he also had no clue what he was getting into. And yet that does not change the fact that he willingly offered his services to me.

[He takes another sip of his scalding coffee.]

By your logic, not accounting for regret and willingness to do right, now... he would be a terrible person indeed. As would I.

[ He's releasing a huff-like sigh at that, clearly bristling a little. Stop poking holes in his logic!!!

Also, he's... going to reach out and touch the cup? Then, he's giving Masayoshi a slow shake of his head. ]

Just how are you able to drink something that hot...?

[ Yep, that sure is him stalling for a moment. But, it's only for a moment, and he does eventually give Masayoshi's shoulder a very gentle push - it's not enough to jostle the coffee even a little. ]

... Fine, fine. [ a sigh ] I get what you're trying to do.

[Shido gives a mild shrug, taking another sip as he waits for Aiden to speak. When he does, he sets the coffee down gently for a moment.]

If you don't give yourself a chance, of course you're not going to improve. Do you believe a child... or any sane person would continue to do the right thing if they were only ever punished for not being enough?

You've been through so much... Things aren't going to just snap completely one way in a day, or a week, or a month, or maybe even a year. Humans are creatures of habit, and true change... takes time.

Now, I won't tell you what to do or not do, in regards to a Change of Heart. That's your decision to make. But also, all of us are your friends, here. You don't have to threaten anyone into secrecy because we want to work with you so we can help you.

And doing that sort of thing, thinking about threatening someone into secrecy, doesn't make you a bad person. [His gaze softens.] It just means you're frightened.

[ Without hesitation: ]

I'm not human.

[ But... then he's flinching, holding a blink, trying his hardest to keep it together. It's not working out the way he'd like it to. ]

And I'm not... frightened.

But you were, once. Either way, no matter what you are, it's still difficult to change.

[He observes Aiden quietly at that last part, then gives a slight nod.]

I know. It's not something that's easy to admit. Not even to yourself, let alone others.

But you're safe here, Aiden. You're safe with— [Ah. That's quite a falter. He blinks hard for a moment...] with your friends.

[ That... sure is a falter, and Aiden stares at him for a moment... ]

... I'm still not used to that word.

[ He wants to point it out, to ask what Shido meant... to say... and yet...

All he can think about, suddenly, is the chair flying across the floor. He holds a blink, forcing a gentle breath. ]

Do you really believe, then... that it's okay to be afraid? Even when... you're with a person you trust?

[His lips briefly thin at that question, and he lets out a bit of an unsteady breath. He's going to reign in that swell of guilt he feels, even if it takes some serious concentration and effort to do so...]

Well... in fact, it wouldn't surprise me if we were more frightened with the people we care about than with those we don't. Because we would never consider opening up to the latter.

To be afraid is to realize that we're in an imperfect world... [He... can't meet Aiden's eyes at all while speaking.] ... and to know that we've all known each other for a terribly short amount of time. And in such a short time... it's truly difficult to know if you know the other person well enough to determine that they'll react favorably.

So it's not only okay, but perfectly reasonable to be afraid.

[ That guilt slams into him just a bit, and it takes a... bit... for him to snap out of it. ]

... You think so?

[ He gives a somewhat wry smirk... ]

Fear isn't a reasonable emotion, but I suppose I can understand what you mean.

[ And he's just going to go quiet for a moment, his hand firmly pressing against the back of his neck - almost hard enough that his nails are digging into the skin a bit. ]

I haven't had many people I'm close with, in my lifetime. It's frustratingly difficult to compare things you're lacking in experience for at least one of said things with.

[There's no hiding the surprise as Shido looks back to Aiden and outright stares for a moment... There's. So much confusion and disbelief in that gaze?]

Aiden...

[He closes his eyes briefly, brow tensing, before he lets out a breath and opens them again.]

I do think so. Especially when that person, at one point, reacted poorly. That sort of thing isn't easy to forget, after all.

[ His brow tenses a little in a way that's indicative of his own confusion. ]

... But, in the end, all people react poorly, at some point in their lives. It's in the nature of every being with emotions.

[ It's after that, he releases a tense breath. ]

Still... what happened doesn't- change that you're important to me now.

[... this is the first time in a long time that anyone's explicitly called Shido important to them, and... even though Akira's already insinuated it, and Goro's expressed it... it still floors him.

He's quiet for a long moment, before he finally says, his voice soft:] ... thank you. I'll try my best to be a person who's deserving of that.

... and furthermore, if I ever lose my temper like that again, I want you to know you've nothing to fear from me. [He gives a soft breath, then, giving a small, wry smirk.] Aside from the fact I'm sure you could readily overpower me... [He shakes his head, smirk disappearing.] I would never try to harm you. Ever.

[ He blinks softly at the words... ]

That's-... [ glancing away ] ... It wasn't about being afraid of you.

It's- the memories. I used to piss off a lot of people... but especially the leader. [ one hand presses to the back of his neck ] Needless to say, they all taught me how to be perfect during missions.

I figured that it wasn't. But it still deserved to be said.

[His gaze softens greatly.]

No one expects perfection of you here. [A small smile.] We're just happy to have Aiden, exactly as he is.

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