TAKE OFF YOUR MASK.

akira kurusu of persona 5 thieved by ren. heavily sel + priv. dash-only.

[rasengnn]

[vowthief]

@hackthief​ continued from x.

    Blinking tiredly, Akira does little else but stare at Futaba from beneath sleep-glued eyes, mouth fallen into a little ‘o.’ They reach up. Rub the sleep away. “Heard someone rummaging around.” In short: you woke me up. Futaba may be a master of stealth, but Akira’s a light sleeper ( unless the world of the velvet room called her away ; in which case they were essentially dead to the world ).

    Finally feeling a little more conscious, Akira stands a little straighter and goes to perch on one of Leblanc’s barstools. “...Are you looking for your hoodie?” It’s a blase inquiry as he watches Futaba continue to scour the area. He’d actually taken it upstairs for safekeeping, but it was kind of fun to watch her turn the store upside down...............Sojiro would have a heart attack.

[quotemadness]

The worst thing in the world can happen, but the next day the sun will come up. And you will eat your toast. And you will drink your tea.

Rhian Ellis (via quotemadness)

[retrodynamics]

fluff chain

[vowthief]

I feel like I need to make a disclaimer that my name just. Happens to be Ren. I literally picked it the day before ATLUS announced Joker’s name in the anime was going to be Ren and then I was like, “well, this is my fate now i guess”

[vowthief]

s-ubtlety‌:

ʜᴇ ɢᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴜsɪᴄᴀʟ ᴄʜᴜᴄᴋʟᴇ, & ʜɪs ᴇʏᴇs ᴡᴇʀᴇ sᴜᴅᴅᴇɴʟʏ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ʟᴏᴠᴇʟʏ ᴀs sᴇᴇɴ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇᴠɪsɪᴏɴ. “ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ɴɪᴄᴇ. “ ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ‘ᴛᴡᴀs ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ᴀ ᴘᴏʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴀᴄᴛ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴀᴋᴇᴄʜɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴇғᴏʀᴍ ᴏᴠᴇʀ & ᴏᴠᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ᴜᴘᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴛʜᴀᴛ sᴇᴇᴍɪɴɢʟʏ ғᴀᴜʟᴛʟᴇss & ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ɪᴍᴀɢᴇ, ᴅᴇsᴘɪᴛᴇ sʜᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀɴʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀᴋɪʀᴀ ᴋᴜʀᴜsᴜ ——- ʜɪs ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴛᴀʀɢᴇᴛ & ᴏɴʟʏ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ.  “ sᴇᴇᴍs ʙᴜsʏ ᴀs ᴜsᴜᴀʟ, ʜᴜʜ? “ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛʟʏ, ᴀᴋᴇᴄʜɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴄᴜᴛᴛɪɴɢ sᴏᴍᴇ ‘ʟᴏᴏsᴇ ᴇɴᴅs’ ʙᴜᴛ, ᴊᴜsᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪs ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ᴄᴏɴsᴛᴀɴᴛʟʏ ᴅʀᴇᴡ ʜɪᴍ ɪɴ. ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪᴛ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏʏ? ᴏʀ ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘs ᴏᴡɴ ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀ ʟᴏɴᴇʟɪɴᴇss? ʜᴇ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛʟʏ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ & ʏᴇᴛ, sᴏᴍᴇʜᴏᴡ ʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴄᴀʀᴇʟᴇss, sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ᴄʟᴏsɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀғᴇ́ ᴅᴏᴏʀ ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ʜɪᴍ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ǫᴜɪᴇᴛ ʀɪɴɢ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀʙᴇʟʟ.

“ ᴏɴ ᴀ sᴇʀɪᴏᴜs ɴᴏᴛᴇ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ, ɪ’ᴍ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ɢʟᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ’s ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴏғ ᴜs ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ. “ ʜᴜʜ. ᴅɪᴅ ʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ sᴀʏ ɪᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ʟᴏᴜᴅ? “ ɪ ᴍᴇᴀɴ, ɪᴛ’s ᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ’s ᴅᴀʏ ᴛᴏᴍᴏʀʀᴏᴡ & ʏᴏᴜ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʜᴏᴡ ɢɪʀʟs ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴀ ʙᴏʏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴅᴏᴇsɴ’ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ. ʜᴇʜᴇ ~ “ ᴡᴇʟʟ, ᴛʜɪs ᴇxᴄᴜsᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ᴛʀᴜᴇ & ᴀs sᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴀʀʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏᴘᴜʟᴀʀ ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ ᴏғ ‘ sᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ‘,  ᴀᴋᴇᴄʜɪ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ʜᴀɴᴅғᴜʟ ᴏғ ᴄʜᴏᴄᴏʟᴀᴛᴇs ᴀs ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴀs ʟᴏᴠᴇ-ʟᴇᴛᴛᴇʀs ʙᴜᴛ, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴇxᴄᴜsᴇs. ᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ’s ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ.

ᴛʜᴜs, sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀʀ, ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴅᴇᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇᴅ ʜɪs sɪʟᴠᴇʀʏ ʙʀɪᴇғᴄᴀsᴇ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏᴏʟ & ғɪɴᴀʟʟʏ sᴀᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ, ᴄᴀsᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴄʀᴏssɪɴɢ ᴀ ʟᴇɢ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴇᴠᴇʀ sᴏ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ sᴍɪʟᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴀᴋɪʀᴀ ʜɪᴍsᴇʟғ. “ sᴀʏ… “ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴏɴʟʏ ʙʀɪɢʜᴛᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴀs ʜᴇ sᴀɪᴅ, “ —– ᴅᴏ ’ ʏᴏᴜ ’ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ, ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘs? “

    Akira’s movements are methodical, already getting to work on Akechi’s usual drink. Coffee has become second-nature for them; an extension of their hand. For a moment Akira wonders if this is what Sweeney Todd felt like when rejoined with his razor, but then he immediately remembers the rest of the musical’s content...and promptly dismisses the thought.

    The doorbell jingles amicably, closing behind Akechi and sealing the two off from the streets. Akira places the drink on a saucer and then sets it on the countertop, pushing it out with two fingers for the brown-haired boy. “Enjoy,” he comments, smiling warmly from beneath thick-rimmed glasses.

“I mean, it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, and you know how girls can be when a boy they like already doesn’t have a date, hehe.”

    Ah --------- no wonder Ryuji had been so antsy this last week. The pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Recognition flashes across Akira’s face, a quiet, ‘ohhhhh,’ escaping their lips into espresso-scented air.

    “Say...do you have a date, perhaps?” And there’s that award-winning smile Akira’s gotten used to seeing on TV. Used to seeing Akechi pronounce his hatred of the Phantom Thieves. Of him. Their interactions have grown so comfortable ------------ it can be hard for Akira to remember that they are not on the same side.

    Embarrassed, Akira can only shake his head, hands waving in front of them. “No, no, no...I had honestly forgotten about it until you brought it up.” Plus, his reputation at school meant people were more often afraid of him than anything else. Akira becomes somewhat aware of their ears turning red. So they redirect the conversation and lean forward on their elbows, curiously eyeing Akechi. “What about you, Mr. Detective Prince ? Surely there’s someone out there who’s caught your eye.” It’s Akira’s turn to flash a mischievous grin.

[vowthief]

@s-ubtlety​ (For Akechi!)

    The familiar jingle of Leblanc’s doorbell inclines Akira to crook their head up from the countertop, curiously facing the entrance. Of course, it’s Akechi--somehow it’s always Akechi, striding into the cafe with his briefcase, eyes aglow, face permanently screwed into a kind smile. It’s odd, Akira thinks, how friendly they have gotten despite his disdain for the Phantom Thieves. Living a double life is exhausting at times, and never is it more apparent than when these two collide.

    “Usual?” Akira offers, expression visibly brightening at the sight of their friend. Fingers reach to adjust their glasses. The other hand gestures for Akechi to take a seat at his usual spot at the bar. Not like anyone else would be sitting there.

[vowthief]

@friigidus​

    Akira works his way up to the house of Olivier Armstrong, arm reaching out to rap lightly at the door. A confident knock resounds through the wood, echoing off of his eardrums and into his skull. A basket rests in the crook of their elbow with some freshly picked vegetables; time has shown that giving people food is often a good way to introduce yourself and win favor with them.

    When the door opens, they stand a little straighter. The woman the house belongs to is all business and no party, her face a rigid set of lines. Good thing Akira has no sense of authoritarian fear.

    “Hi. I’m Akira Kurusu.” They hold out the basket of vegetables, a quiet offering. “Freshly picked.” And that’s all they say.

[vowthief]

@hackthief​

    Going to arcades with Futaba is a mistake.

    She always blew Akira out of the water, no matter what game they played, one player or two player, and it was starting to grate on their nerves. Not that he wants her to go EASY ON HIM ---------- that would severely damage the Phantom Thief’s pride -- but it would be nice if he could win at least ONE match. Just one! Is that really so much to ask for?

    Another match at Gunslinger;Stratos lost and Akira lets out a long, over-dramatic groan, keening forward to rest her head against the console. “Why!?! Every time! I don’t get it!”

[vowthief]

Short starter call round two >:)

[vowthief]

Fun fact: Akira is very easily attached to people despite being so quiet and their tendency to be a smart-ass. I know people make fun of the Persona series (esp. 4) for the first SL/confidant unlocking the “x character will now take a fatal blow for you in battle,” skill but that’s essentially how Akira treats other people.

One wouldn’t expect him to be so easy to befriend with how quiet and witty they can be, but it’s really easy!

[vowthief]

i contemplated the sun’s yolk on my window sill. it entered my room rather rudely, hitting the right lens of my glasses so that i was momentarily blinded. in my blindness, i realized that i, too, could touch the heavens with a crimson-laden finger. and why not? i’ve spent my whole life gambling with luck as my opponent, the cruel ace smiling gleefully down at me.

no more. i’m the joker in your card deck; fate is my weapon.

joker / akira kurusu / ren amamiya of persona 5 thieved by ren. ind. heavily sel. priv. oc + crossover friendly.

[vowthief]

eternal-refrain‌:

♚ ━━━━   She giggled at his observations about the ruler of the Koopas. Only the gang from the Mushroom Kingdom seemed to regard Bowser and his family as normal. Everyone else was busy trying to figure out what sort of amalgamation they were. Zelda had her Rupees on a combination of a dragon and a turtle, but it didn’t look likely that anyone was getting an answer.

                “ That’s the kicker, is it not ?  Mario always comes to her rescue, but she refused to marry him as well !  While I admire her independence, I hope Mario isn’t too broken up about it. ”

                For whatever reason, Zelda was shocked that Joker knew of the fragment of the Triforce that resided in her. It was fair play to assume that her divine wisdom and lofty status would make her above petty gossip, but if there was anything that this union of fighters could prove, it was the potential pettiness of those of high esteem. The princess, unlike most people who liked to chatter on about things, had good intentions. She didn’t do so to perpetuate false information, she was just prone to getting carried away.

                “ It appears Peach is not the only princess being talked about. Yes, my realm and my people mean everything to me. I’d easily lay down my life to ensure their safety. The Triforce gives me abilities and understanding that a mortal should not possess; however, not being a true goddess prevents me from knowing as much as some of the other deities here. Since discovering Lorule, I’ve been curious to learn more about other realms. ”

                Her opener had succeeded. It was time for her to relay the rumor she heard about him. There were a lot of theories about who Joker was behind his mask, so Zelda wanted to provoke a reaction from him using one of the ones that seemed most likely. His whole crew looked flashy and kept their identities a secret, meaning there was no shortage of buzz about them.

                “ I heard that you were already branded as a criminal before dawning that mask and changing people’s hearts. No wonder you’re so careful not to get caught. ”

    Joker nods idly at Peach’s sentiment, gloved finger reaching to press at their lips and mull it over. Mario seemed nothing if not resilient, and despite being a lowly plumber, he had managed to rise above the rest, the first one to catch the eye of Master Hand... no, Joker’s learned to look BEYOND THE MASK .

    Leaning back in his chair, Joker tilts her chin up towards the sky and analyzes the cool sky above the two of them, wisps of cloud clinging to azure desperately, begging not to be erased by the wind. “Seems reasonable,” he returns when she speaks of Lorule and her curiosity regarding other realms. It would only make sense that she throw herself so willingly into this pocket universe, or whatever it was.

   A criminal? There’s a twinge to Joker’s shoulder, but the displeasure fails to make its way up into his mouth, mask carefully disguising the emotion. “Hm...I wonder.” It’s a non-answer. Perfectly framed to do nothing more than irritate Zelda. Who the hell is spreading rumors ------- ? the truth of the sentiment cuts down to their core, fizzling out and delineating into their nervous system. “I am very careful.”

   And to turn the conversation back on the princess: “Have you been to any other realms other than this one and...” what had she called it? “Lorule?” Joker wonders further about the Metaverse and if that qualifies as an entirely separate world or if it was just an aspect from the one he hails from. It didn’t exist here, apart from the small fragment of Mementos Master Hand let them fight on. And even then, how did THAT work? So many questions...

[worldformula]

i might delete this later bc its a doodle rather than finished work but lol [insert voice actor and similar character dynamics joke here]

[boldplan-deactivated20200412]

                        𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐌 𝐎𝐅 𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒,       four unforgiving walls of steel and stone and eerie bluish glow,   she had foreseen his arrival long before it came to fruition —–   and as such,   found herself wholly unsurprised when he did finally grace the cell with his presence   /   a fluttering of lashes for the otherworldly to come into full focus.   she smiles at him,   gloved fingers drumming softly on the cover of her compendium in the same breath.   make no mistake:   he is welcome here,   always.              ❛     time seems not to be on your side,   dear trickster;   a most unkind game indeed,   and one you’ve no choice but to play.   that must be why you are here,   isn’t it?   you need assistance.   tell me:   what can i do?    ❜  

&  :          @vowthief​​  ,     the aria of the soul is fervent,   and without end .

[vowthief]

    When Akira’s eyes slide open, his first instinct is to reach for his glasses; fake they may be, they’ve become something of a comfort object. But immediately they are made aware that they are, in fact, not actually awake. A blue ceiling. Blue walls. Bars on the cell.

    I’m back here, then.

    “Time seems not to be on your side, dear trickster;” elicits Akira to face Lavenza, black curls falling into their eyes. All Akira can do is shake her head; “a most unkind game indeed, and one you’ve no choice but to play. That must be why you are here, isn’t it? You need assistance. Tell me: what can I do?”

    The words rest on Akira’s lips: give him back, but of course they know that Lavenza can’t do anything to help those who are dead. Slowly, a hand reaches to the edge of the bed and pushes him off and into a slumped stand.

    “...Why can’t you come with us?” They ask instead, and regret churns through their chest, “We--no, humanity needs someone like you.” No one else should have to die in blindness ; Akira is tired of people closing their eyes to the truth. So people like Akechi don’t have to suffer anymore. So no one lives for revenge anymore.

    “Lavenza...join the Phantom Thieves.” A pause, then, “Please.”

[ginkoseed]

you did your best

[vowthief]

@earngalar​

    Despite growing up in Goldenrod City, Akira is continuously blown away with how MASSIVE Galar is, and especially Wyndon, with its sprawling set of cobblestone streets, branching out from the clock tower like the roots of a tree. People in Galar, however, are extremely different from Kantonians. Everyone seems way more in a rush here. But they’re also nicer and easier to approach than their Kanto counterparts.

    Adjusting their backpack with an idle hand, Akira lets out a long and somewhat disgruntled sigh, back aching. Turning to Lil, Akira’s about to point at a bench to sit down when an announcement from a large television makes them stop, turning to look up at the monitor.

“THE PHANTOM THIEVES OF HEARTS HAS MADE A MOVE IN UNOVA, ANNOUNCING THAT THEY WILL WORK ALONGSIDE THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TO HELP DISMANTLE THE REMNANTS OF TEAM PLASMA ACROSS THE REGION”

    There’s barely even a reaction from the Phantom Thieves’ Joker; instead they adjust their glasses with a deft movement and then turn back to Lil. “Have you heard of them?” Ok, maybe it’s kind of a selfish question, but it was nice to feel recognized by other people...... at once they can understand how Lil must’ve felt when he didn’t immediately place her as Champion.