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

[foolishjustice]

And there are enough differences that we can't be certain what we know of their skills still apply. We can't even be sure those versions of us are still the Wildcards.

[hairpincurves]

And since that's the one we're most curious about, we're not going to see any more from it, I can almost guarantee it.

[foolishjustice]

That would be how our luck tends to work, wouldn't it?

[hairpincurves]

Exactly how it does, yes. Man, now that question's gonna haunt me for ages, I just know it.

[foolishjustice]

And with my luck, I won't even run into that timeline while traveling worlds.

[hairpincurves]

Boo... then we really will be left wondering about it.

[foolishjustice]

I wish I'd been able to use my own senses, then I'd have an idea of how to find it.

[hairpincurves]

If only we would be so lucky to see it again...

[Sigh.]

[foolishjustice]

I suppose we can still hope...

[hairpincurves]

If it does turn up, it'll be when we least expect it, I can tell you that much.

[foolishjustice]

At least it would be an interesting surprise?

[hairpincurves]

That it would...! I wonder if we'll get to see any other especially interesting ones...

[foolishjustice]

And if they'll be strictly 'interesting' in the good sense, from now on...

[hairpincurves]

... Yeah, I imagine we won't be so lucky.

[foolishjustice]

I have my doubts, myself. Though, my first vision wasn't a bad one.

[hairpincurves]

Oh? What was it?

[foolishjustice]

Another timeline where Sae-san took me to Leblanc herself, instead of just directing me toward it...before that one talk show, even. That was how that version of me met that version of Akira, though it seems like he'd seen him around somewhere before.

[hairpincurves]

Maybe on the train or something? That'd be my best bet...

[foolishjustice]

Most likely, we do transfer at the same station. Still, I'm a little envious...that version of me knew his version of Akira before his birthday.

[hairpincurves]

I am too, I have to admit...

[It would've been nice to do something small for her Akechi's birthday, even if she didn't know the detective too well...]

[foolishjustice]

Maybe that's the same timeline where Sae-san was sulking in Leblanc after the mistaken assumption...

[hairpincurves]

It could be!

[foolishjustice]

I wonder...if that changed anything.

[hairpincurves]

... [She silently leans against him a bit.]

You're only going to make yourself sad if you dwell on it, you know.

CW: murder, implications of police brutality

[foolishjustice]

I know...I just can't help but wonder if there's a version of me that made the right choice without intervention.

[He steps out of the Metaverse into the real hallway, scoffing as reality reasserts itself. There's no visible difference, but checking his phone confirms he is back in the real world. Down the hall, there's a single guard in front of his target's room, and he walks up to the older officer with a practiced, meek smile.

"Would you mind accompanying me? He might just be a teenager, but I'm a little nervous being alone with a murderer."

The officer agrees and they enter the room together, only for Akechi to snatch the guard's gun and use it to shoot him. The guard falls, dead, and Akechi turns his attention to Akira, beaten, bruised, and looking thoroughly shocked.

"Did you really think your little trick would fool me?" The memory of Akechi asks, his tone cold as he draws a silencer from his pocket and attaches it to the gun.

The barrel is pointed at Akira's face by the time the other teen responds, "This isn't at all how I wanted this to go...but I'm at least glad the last thing I see is you."

Akechi snarls, hand tight on the gun. "Liar! You don't give a shit about me!"

"That's not true." Akira's voice is firm as he meets Akechi's eyes, still supporting his head with one hand.

Akechi's voice, in contrast, shakes as he struggles not to shout at the top of his lungs. "You tried to trick me!"

"Only because I had to. But you don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do." Akechi's voice has dropped, tone now firm, but pained. "It's you or me at this point."

"Then help fake my death." Akira struggles to lift his head as he looks at Akechi, eyes pleading.

The suggestion takes Akechi aback, and his aim wavers. His voice, too, is uncertain. "The other Phantom Thieves would never accept me. I can't risk them getting in my way now..."

The scene fades, resuming in the back of a car. Sae is driving, and Akira leans against Akechi's shoulder. He's unconscious, but breathing steadily, and Akechi's arm is wrapped around him to hold him steady during the long drive back, as Sae talks to Sojiro on speakerphone.]