DUNGEON - BELLMARE ENCLAVE (BELLMARE MOUNTAINS, PT 2)

[phantasmods]

The shadows are starting to grow very long as you crest his particular ridge - it's not night yet, but it will be soon. In the shadows of the afternoon, with a tall mountain already blocking the sun, lies a snow-covered valley that is different from the ones you've come across thus far in your investigation.

This valley is home to a town, and unlike all the settlements you've seen so far - Incendia, the Telovia mining town, and the manor - it's very much active. There are actual people in the streets, visible from above, going through their days on snow-free streets, bundled up against the cold.

Those of you who asked were told of the handful of people who didn't go into the slumber of stasis as the Fissure conditions of the world grew worse and worse, instead isolating themselves and trying to continue living their lives as they could. Now, it seems, you've found exactly such a group.

Welcome to the Bellmare Enclave, and enjoy your stay.

[[OOC: Welcome to part 2 of the dungeon! For the most part, interaction with the town's NPCs can be handwaved as described on the main information post. Worth noting are the following major things: The Bellmare Enclave isn't expecting visitors, though the people are generally friendly to the new arrivals. They don't know about the time dilation effect of their Fissure - to them, it's only been about eighteen years since the Slumber Plan was put in place and they withdrew from the world. And finally, by a similar token, they have no idea how far the Fissures outside of their own have grown - while it's not uncommon for them to find odd objects from time to time, they'll assume that the characters are just arrivals from other places within their own world, rather than outsiders, until told otherwise.]]

Comments

[byanyother_name]

That depends on what kind of life he had in the human world... But most likely not. Still, there was more than a little of my life when it wasn't survival I killed for, Goro.

[foolishjustice]

And if that version of you is human, then he's as young as he looks. It's...entirely possible that was the first time he'd considered something worth killing for.

[byanyother_name]

Perhaps... Strange to think of myself that way. I can hardly remember a time when there was so little blood on my hands.

[foolishjustice]

You've...had a long life, in a very unforgiving world. I don't think it's so odd that a version of you who lived in a world where lethal conflict is discouraged would be more innocent.

[byanyother_name]

I suppose that's true...

["I think this has to be the last one for today," Kurama tells Goro, the reddish light of Mementos pulsing around them even at the safe station. Goro is wearing Robin Hood's costume this time. He reaches out and takes Goro's hands in each of his, silver against white. "Principality."

One set of clasped hands flares with light.

"Take-Minakata."

The other side follows suit. Goro's mask disappears in a puff of flame. The light flows from Goro to Kurama until Kurama goes limp and Goro catches him with one arm. The light condenses and shifts to shine through his chest. It pulses sharply brighter for a moment before Goro lays his other hand against Kurama's chest and pulls free a mask. A new mask. Kurama gasps sharply before he starts to laugh, clinging close to Goro.

"What? Why are you laughing?" Goro sounds distinctly worried, like he's fairly sure he isn't going to like the answer he gets.

"Kushinada-Hime got a burst! Kurusu is your Lovers Arcana, that's amazing, that's the funniest thing that's happened in weeks~"

"I'm going to drop you!" Goro hisses, face turning red all the way to the tips of his ears.]

[The actual, present Kurama's eyes are wide and shocked by the time the vision ends.]

[foolishjustice]

[He blinks, looking about as shocked as Kurama. He's never seen it in person, but he knows the concept well enough to have an idea of what's going on.]

Was that...Persona fusion?

[...Now he can't help but be envious of his other self.]

[byanyother_name]

It...seems to have been. Perhaps not so human, after all.

[Kurama shakes his head a little, looking puzzled. Just what sort of world is it that they're seeing?]

[foolishjustice]

And...Lovers? Both versions of Akira-kun are my Justice Confidant, and Akira-chan is Strength. I don't actually have a Lovers...

[byanyother_name]

Truthfully, the fact that you don't have one is amusing in itself, all things considered.

[Kurama considers the blank wall for a long moment.]

We don't know how much my presence has changed in that world. Aside, apparently, from you being a fully functional Wildcard much sooner...

The Arcana of your Confidants is determined by the nature of your relationship with them, isn't it? What they represent to you?

[foolishjustice]

It is. That's why Akira-kun and Akira-chan are different Arcana, and why Sae-san is Judgment to Akira, but Chariot to me.

[byanyother_name]

Then the only logical conclusion is that something is different in this Goro Akechi's relationship with Akira Kurusu that makes Lovers more suited than Justice.

[foolishjustice]

Lovers typically represents...a conflict or choice between two things...

[He trails off, eyes widening.]

It's usually about the other person's situation, but...

[byanyother_name]

But a bond between two Wildcards is somewhat less easily categorized...

[foolishjustice]

And...if that version of me was still bound to have to choose between that bond and his revenge...

[byanyother_name]

I would think that choice is almost inevitable given your circumstances...

[Fragments of vision flicker by in broken pieces, incomplete but telling.

"Aren't we the enemy? The unknown danger your targets whispered about... Persona users who kill. Are you trying to tell us that doesn't matter to you?"

Kurama's (Lash's) voice is carefully neutral, carefully empty. Joker's is not. Joker's is fierce and strained as his hand covers his face.

"Would I be trying this hard to get through to you both if it did?!"

Flicker. Jump.

Lash and Joker sit on a safe room couch on either side of Goro in his Black Mask costume. Goro gives a weary sigh, squeezing Akira's hand but talking to Kurama.

"... What... do you suppose would happen to you, if I was gone...?"

Kurama looks almost surprised by the question. "I had assumed I would die either shortly before or after you, in whatever retaliation ensued after his death. My place is at your side and I'm known to be your partner."

Goro shifts a little and sighs again. "I meant...if I were to go to jail."

Kurama's eyes are dark and his lips press together tightly for a moment. "....I suppose I would visit you regularly, and see what I could do about the remaining threats, but otherwise return to making my way in the Metaverse as I did before. That world everyone considers real..... it only became mine because of you."

"An answer I expected..." The smile Goro gives is strained... and he glances to Akira after a moment. "I still don't believe in happy endings... but, I... do want Kurama to be able to believe in miracles."]

[foolishjustice]

Ah...

[It's...very different from his vision of another him talking to Akira in that outfit. Peaceful, contemplative...the Goro Akechi of that timeline is even doing a passing impression of stability. And...considering measures to survive his sentencing, if not to reduce it.]

...I suppose without the responsibility of a Composer, he wouldn't have the motivation to try to avoid a life sentence.

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama's eyes linger on how close the three boys are sitting before the image vanishes entirely. He doesn't even bother trying to hide the pain that creeps across his expression and into his voice.]

Is that how you feel, then, Goro? Your duty is the only thing that provides you with that motivation?

I don't know what that world's future holds, but I would like to think, before the end, that this Goro Akechi finds those who love him to be enough motivation to find a way.

[foolishjustice]

Not anymore, no. Now I...really do have things to live for. But...

[He reaches up to cup Kurama's cheek in one hand.]

People to live for. But at that point...he seems uncertain. If not for what you and Akira did at my trial, it would have taken me more time to understand that people care about me, enough to fight for me. I don't think he would fully believe it yet. Not enough to overcome the part of him that likely thinks he deserves that punishment, or that...he doesn't deserve happiness.

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama nuzzles into Goro's hand, eyes closing briefly. The hurt eases away and he nods a bit.]

Perhaps. It's hard to tell when any of these things are happening, but I hope they have enough time to convince him otherwise.

[foolishjustice]

They...might. I'm sure it would be painful for them to watch him wither in a cell.

[He'd always considered assassination a better outcome than life imprisonment...]

[byanyother_name]

Or to lose him entirely.

[Kurama sighs and shifts closer to Goro, leaning against him.]

I...never would have expected a timeline like this.

[foolishjustice]

Neither would I. I thought what world people were native to was a constant.

[There are a lot of questions he'd like to ask, but...he knows Kurama doesn't have the answers.]

[byanyother_name]

As did I... But it seems we were both incorrect.

[There's something subtly pained to the way Kurama looks at the place the visions have been playing out before he shakes his head and turns away.]

Perhaps we should...keep moving.