#wordcount: 2000-2500 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

duhragonball · 8 months

Text

The Punt Trick

I've been kind of inactive lately because I'm doing a writing project this month and I sort of fell behind on it. My morale was kind of low this past week, but I managed to turn things around this weekend by writing 5280 words, which is more than a quarter of the goal. Not too shabby, so I want to capture how I did it.

Historically, I've been able to write a lot more than 5k in a single day, but I can't do it consistently. It really depends on what I'm writing, and if it's something I already have laid out pretty well in my head, the words will flow. The problem I've been having in August 2023 is that my plot is well laid out, but I'm struggling to put down the words. I know what to do but I'm less clear on how to do it. So it's been slow going.

Basically, I made an hourly schedule for the rest of the month, detailing how many words I would write. I've tried stuff like that before, but the trick this time is that I made the wordcount assignments very small. I didn't think it would help very much, but it turned out to make a big difference.

For years, I would write numbers on a calendar, like "Oh, I'll write 2000 words on Tuesday, and then I'll do 2500 words on Thursday!" and then it'll be 11:48pm on Thursday and I'm 4000 words behind schedule for some reason.

I've tried making it more granular, but that would mean doing things like "At 6pm I'll write 1000 words, and then at 8pm I'll write another 1000 words! Easy!" But then it'll be 7:55pm and I won't have the first thousand done, which just demoralizes me further for the next thousand.

This time, I just decided "to hell with it" and assigned myself 500 words per hour. This turns out to be much more realistic. When I'm doing well, I can bang out 500 words in twenty minutes, but when I'm struggling (like this month), 500 words can take me... about an hour. Well, more like thirty minutes, which is great because if I procrasinate for half of the time alotted, I still have time to get the goal met.

And 500 is small enough that it's easy to overshoot. So chances are that I'll clear the goal with a little more than I needed, which makes the next hour easier to tackle, and so on.

And now that I've had this productive weekend, the schedule I've laid out for tomorrow will be even lighter. Monday I'm doing 250 words for each hour, which is probably too lax, but that just means I'll finish ahead of schedule. The important thing is that I'm not just vaguely declaring my intent to write 1500 words after I get home from work. Normally, I can do that pretty easily, but that confidence turns into procrastination, and I'll put it off until 10:30 at night, and then one thing leads to another and I blow it off completely. With this system, I have to start at 6pm, because it's not about getting 1500 by midnight, it's about getting 250 every hour for six hours.

This is something I really, really need to keep in mind for the future, because even when my writing goes well, I'll still run into spells where it doesn't, and this seems like an effective way to break the logjam. And it might also be handy for smaller projects, which I could break down into even smaller chunks, like 100 words, or even less.

I suppose what inspired me to try this was when I kept looking up at my word-counter and expecting to see some big numbers, and ending up with something dinky like "83" or "112". But with what I'm doing now, those are actually pretty good signs of progress. Chain a few of those together, and I can actually get somewhere.

I'm not sure if this would be helpful for others, but it definitely seems to be working for me, so if you're reading this and you find yourself stuck with your writing, give it a try.

#writing #gonna finish this christmas special before december if it kills me #not sure if it'll be any good but at least it'll be written #and that's the first step

4 notes · View notes

sunjoys · 5 months

Text

our wordcount limit for this essay is 2000 - 2500 and considering last years essays were 1000 & 1500 (so far for my course it seems i only have 2 essays/year. pity!) and i was hyped bc i struggled sosososososo much with 1000/1500 except like. 2000 is not that much. 500 words is like an extra paragraph to a 1500 word essay. i think ive done too much research

#tearing my hair out over titus and fascism and ??? bc ppl have SO MUCH TO SAY abt taymor's titus and i chose this to be specifically abt #fascism in the production design #and every article abt taymor's titus just doesnt bring up fascism except to cite this one article #and its like okay ive READ that article pls someone say smth else abt it #anyway its cool ive found things. its a comparative essay w richard iii (loncraine) also btw and theres less conflicting articles there #thank god #anyway time to start planning and drafting. 2000 words is nothing why did i spend so much time on research

1 note · View note

yusuke-of-valla · 3 years

Text

The Best Laid Plans (Are Not Thought of in Half A Second)

[a/n]: I finally wrote that hurt/comfort! This was supposed to be like 500 words but it got away from me.

Set vaguely in some period during Strikers before Zenkichi joins because I’m not that far into the game

TW: concussions, falling off of high places, descriptions of injuries that get healed via Persona magic

AO3

“Mine, mine, mine!” the High Pixie giggles, the desires it’s stolen floating around its head. The Phantom Thieves try to cut a path towards it, but the horde of other shadows just won’t stop coming. It doesn’t help that the cramped rooftops of the Shibuya jail don’t leave a lot of room to maneuver.

Yusuke grunts, parrying shadows left and right. Just when he’s cleared through enough of them to have a second to breathe, he spots a shadow lunging towards Ryuji, who's too busy fending off three other shadows to notice.

At first Yusuke tries to summon Goemon, but he’s met with a gnawing hole in his mind as he realizes he can’t remember how.

Forget spell, fantastic.

The shadow trips Ryuji with it’s baton, tripping him. It’s about to charge a spell, so Yusuke grits his teeth and runs forward to tackle it before it can get another hit in.

The good news is he does cause the shadow to stumble, and it’s attack just misses Ryuji.

The bad news is the shadow stumbles backwards.

Over the edge of the building.

And it pulls Yusuke down with it.

Yusuke feels the shadow dissolve right before he crashes into the ground.

Everything hurts.

Well, Yusuke thinks, struggling to force himself onto his back, at least the shadow’s dealt with.

Spots dance in Yusuke’s vision, and each breath is accompanied by a sharp pain in his chest. He thinks he can just make out the sound of someone screaming, but that might just be the ringing in his ears.

I think I’ll just wait for the others, is the last thought that crosses his mind before Yusuke passes out.

Ryuji just barely clocks Yusuke straight up tackling a shadow, and is about to thank him for the save when Futaba screams and Ryuji realizes:

Oh.

There’s no more roof there.

The battle seems to slow down as everyone stares at the part where Yusuke went over the side.

The first to move is the High Pixie.

“Mine!” it squeals, swooping down and scooping Yusuke up under one arm. He’s barely moves and is pretty banged up. “All mine!” The shadow starts to fly off, and that snaps the rest of the Phantom Thieves into action.

“Um, I think the fuck not.” Ann shouts, quick to wrap her whip around the shadow’s leg.

Sophia follows suit, using her yo-yos to help pull the shadow and Yusuke back towards them. The High Pixie pouts and with a flick of its hand launches the back with a gust of wind.

Ann goes down hard, and Morgana stays back to heal her while Akira starts leaping across rooftops after the shadow, Sophia, Ryuji, and Makoto right behind him. Unfortunately, the High Pixie is fast, and keeps. Eventually they’re stopped by another group of shadows and forced to deal with that.

“Shit,” Akira pants, once the enemies are taken care of and the High Pixie is nowhere in sight. “Oracle can you-”

“No. I can’t pick up the shadow or Yu- Fox.” Futaba says.

“...Alright, we’ll head back to the crossing and see if you can pick up a signal from there, or Mona can sniff out the desires.

Futaba nods stiffly, then starts walking away, fists clenched. Akira and Ryuji share a look, and Ryuji sprints after her. “You ok?”

“Nothing’s happened to me.”

“You know this place is huge, don’t beat yourself up for losing them.” Futaba keeps pushing forward and Ryuji jogs to stand in front of her. “Fox’ll be fine, ok?” he says, patting her on the shoulder.

Futaba stops. “I hope you’re right,” she mutters before pulling away.

They meet back up with Ann, Morgana, and Haru, and all head to the crossing.

“I’m picking up the desires!” Morgana announces. “I think the smell’s coming from Maruku City.”

They leap from car to car across the crossing until they’ve arrived. Once they reach their destination, Futaba perks up.

“Got it,” Futaba announces. “I think the shadow made a nest at the top of the keep.”

“Do you have a read on Fox?” Makoto asks.

“...Yeah.” Futaba says. “He’s not worse than he was before he fell, at least.”

“Good job Oracle,” Akira says.

“We should try and draw the shadow’s attention,” Makoto suggests. “That way someone can grab Yusuke while it's occupied.”

Akira nods. “Queen, you, Panther, and Noir are with me. Once we have its attention, the rest of you guys grab Fox and get him out of the line of fire. Skull can take the lead.”

Everyone nods, then the two groups split up. Akira’s group sneaks around the base of the keep, out of sight. The High Pixie is floating around the top, pleased with itself. Once it’s in position, Akira shoots.

The High Pixie is instantly caught off guard, and before it gets the chance to call for backup, Haru follows up, knocking the shadow to the ground. While they go all out attacking the shadow, the others race up the steps of the keep.

.Pennants, broken decorations, a skateboard, some stolen desires, and a bunch of other random knick knacks are scattered around. Yusuke’s lying on the ground looking much paler than usual. Ryuji notices Futaba’s shoulders relax when Sophia and Morgana start to heal him up.

Yusuke’s eyes flutter open as the color comes back to his face. “Where...”

“You got nabbed by that shadow after your swan dive.” Futaba explains, kneeling down next to him.

“O...k…?” Yusuke starts to sit up, but Futaba stops him.

“Don’t. You’ll hurt yourself more.”

“Did you have to be so loud?”

“Excuse me? You do not get to complain about your rescue.”

Yuuske just groans, closes his eyes, and lies back down.

“Uggh. Stupid Inari. Mona, Sophie, heal him again so Skull can carry him.” Futaba says. They do, and Yusuke’s breathing starts to get better. Ryuji picks him up carefully, and with some help from Futaba and Sophie, get Yusuke onto Ryuji’s back.

“My head hurts…” Yusuke mutters, laying his head on Ryuji’s shoulder.

“Well, that will happen when you dive over the side of the building.”

“‘S just… trying to help.”

“I know, and I appreciate it, but for now let’s get you out of here.” Not wanting to risk Yusuke falling off Ryuji’s back and taking another fall, they back head down the steps. More shadows have shown up while the others fought the High Pixie, so Morgana clears the way for Futaba, Ryuji, Yusuke while Sophie covers their backs.

Once they’re a safe distance from the keep Ryuji sets Yusuke down on the ground.

“Ok. You’re safe now.” Futaba says, taking a deep breath. “So seriously, what were you thinking?”

“Do you have to be so loud?” Yusuke mutters.

“I’m not being loud.”

“Are you sure?” Yusuke replies, squeezing his eyes shut.”My ears are ringing.”

“Oracle, step aside for a second?” Sophia asks. Futaba does, and Sophia neals down next to Yusuke. “What is your name and how old are you?”

“17 years old.”

“Do you know where you are right now?”

Yusuke blinks. “The… Shibuya Jail?”

“What year is it?”

Yusuke frowns. “I’m not…”

Sophia nods. “Ok, I’ve got it. Based on his symptoms, Fox has a concussion.”

“Concussion…” Yusuke repeats. “Alright, I’ll just take a nap then-”

“No sleeping!” Futaba snaps.

Yusuke winces.

“Sorry,” Futaba says, quieter. “But I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to sleep with a concussion.” She pulls out a soda and hands it to Yusuke. “C’mon, try and have something to drink.”

“Thanks.”

The sound of the High Pixie being defeated rings out, and soon enough the rest of the team joins them.

“Are you alright?” Haru gasps as soon as she sees Yusuke.

“Not so loud, please. Concussion.”

“Sorry!” Haru whispers.

“You’re fine.”

“He has a concussion?” Makoto asks, kneeling down next to Yusuke.

Sophia nods. “Most likely. He has demonstrated several symptoms, such as headaches, a ringing in his ears, dilated pupils, and disorientation.”

“Healing spells haven’t worked?”

“We’ve used a bunch and he hasn’t gotten better.”

“Could be because it’s a head injury, and those are weirder than just healing a cut or something,” Futaba suggests. “Or it could be that Yusuke was so banged up there’s a limit to what can be healed at once.”

Makoto sighs. “Fair enough, it’s not like we’ve ever had to treat a concussion in the Metaverse before. We should take him to a hospital.”

“Sounds good,” Akira says, watching the desires the High Pixie had stolen return to their owners. “We’re done here anyway.” He and Ann help Yusuke up, and they leave the Metaverse.

Several hours later, Futaba’s pacing is the only noise in the RV. “What is taking them so long?!”

They were crowding the ER, so Makoto stayed in the hospital to answer their questions while everyone else went back to the RV.

“Makoto said Yusuke’s gonna be fine.” Akira says, petting Morgana. “They just have to wait for Zenkichi.” According to Makoto, the doctor confirmed Yusuke had a concussion and should be observed for the next 24 hours, but they wouldn’t let him out of the hospital without a parent or guardian. So, they’d called up Zenkichi.

“Maybe it got worse somehow! That happens you know, someone looks like they’re fine, and then suddenly they’re not.”

“Futaba, there’s no need to get so worked up,” Haru says.

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you saw what I saw!” Futaba snaps. “Necronomicon showed me all of Yusuke’s vitals, I knew exactly what happened to him after he fell. He broke pretty much everything.” Futaba shudders. “One nudge in the wrong place and a rib could pierce a lung or something, if that hadn’t happened already. He had a hip fracture too, do you know how bad those can be? He might never have walked again before Morgana and Sophia healed him, and even after all of that he wasn’t even healed all the way! If we hadn’t gotten there in time-”

Futaba pulls off her glasses and wipes her eyes.

“Futaba,” Ann says, pulling her into a hug. “It’s gonna be ok. Yusuke’s walking, he’s breathing fine, and he just needs to rest, ok? We were able to find him quickly because you picked up his signal.”

“Not to mention you stopped him from hurting himself more when we found him.” Ryuji adds. “Yusuke’s gonna be fine, and he’s gonna be fine because you were there to help him. We just gotta hold on, ok?”

“I didn’t realize I worried you so much, Futaba.”

Everyone turns to see Yusuke, Makoto, and Zenkichi standing in the doorway.

“Yusuke!” Futaba pulls away form Ann and grabs a bag from the hospital gift shop. “That was so stupid of you,” she says, pushing a “Get Well” Mothman plush into Yusuke’s arms.

“Sorry.”

“Well, I mean, you did save Ryuji’s butt so you don’t have to be too sorry.”

“Yeah dude, I totally appreciate that,” Ryuji agrees.

“I just wished you saved him using your Persona instead of, you know, yeeting yourself off a roof.” Futaba points out.

“I couldn’t, I was hit with a forget spell.” Yusuke pouts.

“You could've used your gun.”

Yusuke doesn’t say anything.

“Did you seriously forget about your gun?”

“I forgot we were on a roof, Futaba, clearly I forgot about a lot of things.” Yusuke says, hugging the Mothman plush defensively. “I’m really sorry though. I tried to help and only created more problems for all of you, and now you’ll be shorthanded-”

Morgana jumps onto the table in front of Yusuke. “Hey none of that. Let us worry about you for a few days, ok?”

“Yeah dude,” Ryuji says. “I say, let’s just blame the shadow and it’s weird desire to hoard things, and go out to eat instead.”

“Um, maybe a loud, bright, busy, restaurant isn’t the best place to take the concussed teenager?” Zenkichi points out.

“Good point,” Makoto says. “Guess you can get us take out then.”

“Are you-” Zenkichi sighs. “Fine, alright. What do you want?”

“I could go for some yakisoba,” Yusuke says.

“I want sushi!” Morgana adds.

“I’m feeling like nikuman, actually,” Haru adds.

“You know what? Just text me your orders,” Zenkichi says. “Call if you need anything else. But you kids stay safe ok? I have no clue what happens when you do your whole... thing , but you know, don’t get yourselves killed?”

“Gotcha!” Akira says.

Once Zenkcihi leaves, Futaba turns to the group. “Now, it’s on to Operation: Take Care of Inari.”

Yusuke looks up from his Mothman plush. “You don’t have to do that, I can handle myself.”

“Nope. Part of being on a team means you have to put up with us looking after you.”

The rest of the Thieves nod in agreement, and Yusuke sighs. Looks like there’s no fighting this.

“Fine,” he says, smiling.

They eventually agree on settling down to watch a movie— Yusuke’s choice— and eat their dinner on the floor of the RV in the middle of a large pillow fort.

“Thank you..” Yusuke says under his breath, leaning into his blanket and his friends’ warmth.

#alto writes #persona 5 #p5s #wordcount: 2000-2500 #hurt/comfort #injuries tw #sad art boi hours #yes this goes with the picture i drew

15 notes · View notes

cosmicloveoftheages · 3 years

Text

For question 5 and 6, please refer to the “The Case of BAE Systems” pdf. Wordcou

For question 5 and 6, please refer to the “The Case of BAE Systems” pdf. Wordcount: total of 2000-2500 words. The word count indicated after each question is orientative. Cover, Table of Contents, References and Appendix are excluded of the total wordcount. Font: Arial 12,5 pts. Text alignment: Justified. The in-text References and the Bibliography have to be in Harvard’s citation style.

View On WordPress

0 notes

qualityhomeworkanswers · 4 years

Text

Business & Finance homework help

BCO321 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (2CH/3ECTS) MIDTERM ASSESSMENT, due on 23 AUGUST 2020 by 23h59CEST Task Identity and discuss the components and elements of strategic management as part of the Strategic Management Model (Gluck and Jaunch, 1984). Based your discussion on the ‘Strategic Management Model’ reading provided in the link below.

Click to access sm2.pdf

Formalities: • Wordcount: 2000 – 2500 words

View On WordPress

0 notes

0-q-0 · 7 years

Text

the character limit from the ask feature isn't enough for this goddamn Petition(tm)

Needless to say, I am a fan, let’s get that out of the way. So if I ever sound rude, it’s just because you keep putting yourself down and refuse to believe in yourself I have to resort to drastic measures.

I’ve been reading your tags and I’ve noticed you seem….resentful(??) of the fandom or at least have gotten tired of it and want to leave

pls clarify you’re giving me a heart palpitations

i seem to notice a pattern of ‘before September’? (maybe you’re embodying FAaC!Harry Hart too much here idk?)

if that’s true you won’t be doing Parts 2,3,4,5,+ of FAaC!?!

Regarding you wanting to focus on your original work in order to make money but sOMEHOW humbly denying people’s interest, there were these tags: “#i want to keep the fanon me away from my original works #maybe?? #seCRET IDENTITIES???”

ummm???????? should we be offended?

why don’t you just take advantage of your fans and advertise through an established audience? You wanna make money let them help you stupid spud

i literally see people asking to give you money, asking for your paypal, your nonexistent Patreon.

jUST. DO. IT.

Your dumb ass: …I’d like to try Patreon but it just feels…too cheeky. Like…who on earth do I think I am to ask people to pay me money every month, if that makes sense?

Listen…..I’ve seen plenty of people try and sweet talk you asking(demanding) for the next chapter–let those fuckers pay for your time and fucking effort.

If they can’t give you what you deserve then they need to keep their whiny ass mouths shut

You average, what, 20-27k per chapter? Good writing with dedicated links to visuals and music? You research plenty dude. That’s fucking obvious. And you have real ass responsibilities on top of that. (I mean, i don’t know what the hell they are, you’re fucking secretive as fuck–you some spy or some shit??? but in seriousness, you know what? I can feel you stressing through the screen)

You scared of getting in trouble? Fanartists make money??? Why can’t you? Writing is art and you’re definitely an artist.

STOP MAKING EXCUSES

Main point is: I want to keep reading your work, I want to know what happens, I don’t want to lose you. Selfish? Yep. I’m not rich by any means, but if a bunch of us contribute a baseline of what, 1-5 dollars or whatever that translates into your currency???? I can’t be the only one who feels this way.

Would you stay if you got enough money to get you through in RL?

Erm…very long response under the cut

I really don’t know what to say let me just stare at this blinking cursor before i rant

I’m??? Shooketh?

To clarify: Yes I intend to leave. Before the Kingsman sequel comes out. In September. Yes, that means no to 2, 3, 4, 5+++ of FAaC.

I even intend to leave my main tumblr as well just because I know no matter how I blacklist it, it will ultimately find its way to me.

I’m tired. I’m tired of falling so terribly deep in love with something that will never be real/canon. I’m tired of making people in love with something that will never be real/canon, making them invested, subconsciously urging them to stay on in that fantasy world of consumerism that makes those creators more money, those creators who will make money off of them and never deliver what the characters deserve.

Basically, I’m sick of being queerbaited, unintentionally or not. And I’m sick of writing of something that will blatantly do everything it can to make it straight–maybe joke about queerness here and there because

Hey, We’re Cool™ We tolerate Queerness ™ In fact, the character we said was gay has a female love interest this time but!!! idk we’ll make up to it somehow. Does it really matter? You’ve been stuck in your fandom and fanfiction anyway and you’ll continue to try and satisfy yourself with that instead and make us money anyway.

Maybe I’m too attached–As you can see from my fucking stupid almost 500k amount of work–But this makes me sick. It legitimately does. It keeps me up at night and it makes me nauseous, churning my stomach and making my eyes water and taking my breath away—because i’m stupid.

Point 2: Concerning the tags of me saying I wish to separate my original work and my fanon work and whether or not you should be offended.

Probably.

I want it separated. If you ever find my works in the wild, you may think it’s similar but move on with your life vs. If you knew it was me and started to read it, you’d somehow think it was Hartwin in an AU

that’s a bit offensive tbh.

i mean yes it’s a political royal bodyguard university shakespearean spy thriller, but???

Point 3: Yes, it’s also about giving too much and not getting much in return. I know I’m not owed anything, let’s get that clear. It’s fanfiction. Plenty of people make it without getting much back.

But you’ve pointed it out yourself, the effort, my chapter wordcount averages, the research I do–all of these things I do on my own terms for the integrity of the stories I make. That’s important to me, that’s something I will not be satisfied with if I ever compromise on it.

It’s starting to take a toll on me, worse than it has been for the past 2 years. Again, personal real life happenings. Yes, top secret–as you’ve mentioned. I have plenty of responsibilities and the world has been getting worse. I need to make a living, in addition to said responsibility.

Let’s just say for example that I go to uni/training institution. I need to focus on that.

I also need to get a more stable job that pays enough to enable my survival

The free time that I will have left, if plausible, I intend to spend on an original work/interpretation that will have two people who, let’s just say, would burn the world for each other and slowly come to realise that. It will be canon.

It won’t be something I have to wait for hopelessly and be disappointed at when the sequel comes along, a franchise with several writers who may not be in sync, several writers who may have no intention or bravery to allow these people to be together.

Point 4: I do not want to take advantage of people. Realistically, the amount of people who’d contribute won’t be enough. I think??

Ugh maths why would you make me do this–but i need to prove a point.

Lowest average salary per month in the field I’d be working on: £1500-1900

You said dollars, I’m assuming you meant American. so that would equal to about $2000-2500

Currently there’s about 1.2k FAaC subscribers. That means they’re somewhat interested in the story, that doesn’t mean they’re interested in me.

I get plenty of views from FAaC, but do I get the same or even half of that ratio on comments/feedback? No, I don’t.

That’s telling enough, isn’t it?

I’ve got around 100 subscribers to my ao3

Even on the off-chance that all of those 100 people give me 1 dollar each, that’s 100 dollars a month.

As much as I want to cease existing, I’m already here and dying would cost money. That’s the world we live in. 100 dollars wouldn’t even be 10% of funeral/cremation costs.

Conclusion: Would you stay if you got enough money to get you through in RL?

Unless some miracle happens to even reach the baseline of £1500/$2000 per month–But I’m sorry, that’s just not realistic. I don’t like getting my hopes up.

Despite your straightforwardness, you genuinely sound like you care and I appreciate that.

Thank you for reaching out to me with your concerns

#this is a very long reply which is why im banking on nobody reading it #lmao #replies #anon #submission #about me #psa #septembergate

10 notes · View notes

yusuke-of-valla · 3 years

Text

like rats fleeing a sinking ship, pt. 7

intermission iii

<-Previous Next->

AO3

After parting ways with the others at the train station, Ann and Shiho ride up to Ryuji’s house. Despite everything, it’s almost nostalgic. They haven’t taken the train to Ryuji’s together since middle school, and Ann can’t help but smile at the memory of them getting set up to play games in Ryuji’s room or the way she’d always trail behind Shiho and Ryuji when they decided to race to the front door.

They just walk up to the door this time, and Shiho keeps glancing around them as they approach Ryuji’s apartment. No one stops to take note of them, however, and eventually they can hear footsteps approaching the door.

“Look, I already told you I haven’t- Oh!” Ms. Sakamoto’s eyes widen when she sees the two of them. “Ann, Shiho. Come in, quickly.”

She ushers them inside and sits them down at the kitchen table. “Can I get you girls something to drink?”

“No we’re fine. We’re not going to stay long,” Ann says.

“Ah, alright.” Ms. Sakamoto takes her own mug and sits down across from them, tapping her fingers against the mug. “So, how is Ryuji?”

Ann and Shiho share a quick look.

“That’s what we came to ask you, actually,” Shiho says. “He didn’t tell you where he was going?”

Ms. Sakamoto’s shoulders slump. “No. He thought it would be safer if I didn’t know.”

“Did he tell you anything, anything at all?”

“I mean, you know Ryuji. He got an idea of a place he could go and practically ran out the front door, before I told him to at least sneak out the fire escape. All he said was that you’d meet up with him. I assumed that meant you had a safe house or something.”

Ann shakes her head. “No, we don’t.”

“But don’t worry,” Shiho adds quickly, “we know he hasn’t been arrested. And Ryuji’s always been tough, he’s fine.”

Ms. Sakamoto takes a deep breath. “Yes, you’re right.”

After that, Ms. Sakamoto insists that Ann and Shiho take a bag of cookies with them and they say their goodbyes. They slip into a nearby alleyway and Shiho groans as she slumps against a building.

“Well this is just great. We’re back to square one.”

Ann hums. “I mean, not completely. We know it’s somewhere Ryuji thinks we’ll know he’ll be so he probably decided to hide in a place that was very… Ryuji.”

Shiho bites her lip and tries to think. “I mean, I can think of a ton of places that are very ‘Ryuji’ but not exactly ‘hide out from the cops appropriate’.”

“Well, i mean our first couple of meeting places were the school rooftop and the accessway tunnel in Shibuya.”

“Wait, like, in public?” Shiho asks.

“Yeah. I think at some point Yusuke or Makoto called it a ‘refuge in audacity,’ like it’s so insane a place to hold secret meetings that no one would bother to look there.”

“Huh.” Shiho crosses her arms. “Was that your intention when you picked it out?”

“No,” Ann says, pouting, “and don’t give me that look. We didn’t exactly get caught because we were meeting in the accessway.”

“Isn’t that how Niijima-senpai found out about you?”

“No, she found out about us because we were talking at school and didn’t know she was eavesdropping. And Akechi found out about us because he saw us in the Metaverse so that doesn’t even count. The accessway was a super convenient meeting spot and it worked, so shut up.” Ann gives Shiho a playful shove, and Shiho laughs.

“Alright, so we can’t rule out Ryuji’s hiding spot just because it seems too obvious. So should we just check around every place he’d hang out?”

Ann nods. “So the beef bowl shop, the sports store, the gym…

“The arcade?”

“Ooh yeah, we should check the one in Akihabara too since we need to go there anyway.”

“Alright then, let’s go. We’re burning daylight.”

-_-_-_-

Haru gets off the train in Kanda and gawks at the church. She’s heard Yusuke and Akira describe it, but she hasn’t been able to go herself before. It’s a gorgeous building.

She spots a girl in a Kosei uniform staring at a shogi board.

“Um, excuse me, are you Hifumi Togo?” Haru asks after quietly approaching her. There are only a few elderly patrons there as well as the priest at the front of the building.

Hifumi looks up at her. “Yes, is there something I can help you with?”

“Well, my friend Akira said you’re a good Shogi teacher and I’ve been meaning to learn.”

Hifumi’s eyes widen. “Yes, I am. Would you like to join me for a game?”

Haru nods and takes the seat next to her.

Hifumi arranges the pieces. “So, is there anything i can do to help?”

“I don’t suppose you’ve heard about Yusuke Kitagawa?”

Hifumi furrows her brow and moves one of her pieces. “Well, the rumor goes, he disappeared into thin air.”

“What does that mean?”

“He tends to stay after school in the art room very late so when the notice went out, a bunch of officers showed up at the school building proper and his dorm. He was in the art room, and the police shooed everyone else still in the school away from the building before going to collect him. But apparently someone heard from their brother who overheard the janitor talking about how Kitagawa was nowhere to be seen when the police opened the door to the art room. They tore the building apart, apparently, but he’d disappeared into thin air.”

“And no one’s heard anything since?”

“No.”

Haru closes her eyes and counts her breaths. When she opens them again, Hifumi is watching her with concern.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m just concerned,” Haru says. Tears are starting to well up in her eyes. “It’s just, I don’t know where half of my friends are, and they’ve done so much for me when I was practically a stranger, and what did that get them? They were led into a complete trap by going after my father, and now Shido wants to finish the job.” Haru’s nails bite into her palms. “I keep trying to stay calm and telling myself it’ll be fine, but then I think of all the reasons it isn’t and-”

Hifumi slams a piece down on the board. “Enough of that. You have to stay strong. If you accept defeat, then you’re sure to lose. You have to keep your chin up, no matter what. You can still win this. I know it’s not obvious but I’ve heard people in school talking. They may not be numerous, but there are people who still believe in the Phantom Thieves, including myself. You can’t wallow in despair while there’s still something you can do.”

Haru blinks. “Oh.” She wipes her eyes. “Yes, of course. You’re right. I’m sorry to unload that on you, I was just-”

“You’re fine. I know we’ve just met under less than ideal circumstances, but like I said I believe in your cause. If you need someone to talk to, I’ll be here.”

“Thank you, Togo-san.”

“Well you can call me Hifumi for one thing. And for another, I want to help in any way that I can. Any friend of Akira’s is my friend.”

“Thank you, Hifumi.” Haru stretches out her hand. “By the way, I’m Haru Okumura.”

They finish up their games and Hifumi writes down her number for Haru for when Haru can safely use a phone again, and they part ways.

Haru feels better on the train ride back, so much so that she doesn’t notice the boy in a Shujin uniform staring at her, at first.

But, when she gets off the train in Shibuya, she catches the boy following her. Instead of making the connection back to Yogen-Jaya, she walks around the Underground Mall to try and lose him. Eventually she does, but it’s only a moment of respite before she sees a police officer heading towards her.

Haru moves quickly, sprinting up the stairs into Station Square, and tries to get lost in the crowd. She slips down another set of stairs and tries to calm down, in case someone passes by.

She hears some commotion and pokes her head out to see more officers walking by and coming closer.

“Listen to me! I saw who you’re looking for. The Phantom Thief-”

Haru holds her breath and starts looking for a way out.

“-just went towards Central Street.”

Haru stops and turns towards the man who was talking. He’s clearly a politician who was campaigning in front of her hiding spot. The cops nod to him and run off, followed by a crowd of onlookers.

Haru waits for a few minutes, when the man says, much softer, “Are you alright dear?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you. I take it you’re Mr. Yoshida?” Haru asks. “A friend of Akira’s

The man gives a sheepish smile. “Well, yes. How is Kurusu doing?”

“We’re all holding it together the best we can,” Haru replies.

“I’m so sorry all of this is happening to you, to think people would actually believe the Phantom Thieves would kill someone, and be so quick to turn against a group of children. It’s shameful.”

“Well, not everyone’s turned against us. Thanks, you really saved me there.”

“Happy, to help. Now hurry along, before you get caught again.”

Haru waves to Yoshida and walks back to the train station, where she bumps into Ann and Shiho.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Haru asks.

“We’re still looking for Ryuji,” Shiho says. “We’re about to check Akihabara.”

“I’ll go with you, but we’ve gotta be quick. I was just recognized.”

Ann and Shiho nod, and they head onto the train. On the ride over they fill Haru in on what happened with Ryuji’s mother.

In the arcade, a boy with a red hat and blue letterman jacket spots them, his eyes widening instantly.

“Crap, I think we just got recognized,” Ann mutters.

Before they can leave, the boy sprints over to them. “Hey. You’re the Phantom Thieves, right?”

“No,” Shiho says, blocking his view of Ann, “I think you’ve gotten us mistaken for someone else.”

“Nah, I’m pretty sure you’re them. Listen, I think I saw your friend walk by here a little while ago.”

“Are you sure?” Haru asks.

“Almost positive.”

“Can you show us where?” The boy nods, and leads them out of the arcade. “I just saw them pass by a little while ago.”

“Let’s split up,” Ann says, and they split down the middle, checking the nearby alleyways.

“Ryuji, are you here?” Ann whisper-shouts. Ryuji doesn’t poke his head out, but someone else does.

“Makoto?” Ann, gasps.

“Shh, there were cops prowling around here earlier.” Makoto pulls her into the alleyway, then a giant hug. “I’ve been so worried about you guys.”

“Us too, but hold on.” Ann goes back to the mouth of the alleyway and waves Haru, Shiho, and the kid over.

“Ann what is it- Makoto?” Haru doesn’t waste a second wrapping Makoto in a hug.

“Suzui?” Mishima steps out from behind Makoto.

Shiho grins. “Helping out too, huh Mishima?”

“Yeah.”

“How are the others?” Makoto asks.

“Well we’ve met up with Akira, Akechi, and Morgana, and they’re getting help. Luckily Akira has a lot of friends in different places,” Haru says.

“We’re planning on securing the route to Shido’s Treasure tomorrow,” Ann says.

“Cutting it close on Sae and Sojiro’s trial date, but when haven’t we?” Makoto says with a smile. “Alright, we meeting the others?”

Shiho nods. “We should be getting back to Yogen-Jaya soon, actually.”

“So, the Phantom Thieves are gonna go after Shido next?” Mishima asks.

“Awesome,” the kid says.

“Oh, I’m sorry, we never got your name,” Ann realizes.

“Shinya Oda. I’m a friend of Akira’s. He totally you guys were the Phantom Thieves before anyone else.”

“I’m pretty sure I knew first,” Mishima says. “I mean I am the Admin of the PhanSite.”

“Really? That’s cool so you’re like Mission Control?”

“Yeah, sorta.”

“We have to go,” Ann says. “Mishima, Shinya. Are you going to be ok?”

“Yeah, totally,” Shinya says.

Mishima nods, “Don’t worry, we won’t say anything to anyone.”

“Thank you,” Haru says, “we seriously couldn’t have gotten by without you guys.”

“If you wanna thank us, then kick Shido’s butt for us.” Shinya says.

“Yeah, what he said.”

They say goodbye to Shinya and Mishima, then rendezvous with the others back at Takemi’s office, the sun having set.

Akira and Akechi introduce them to Kasumi properly, and the two groups fill each other in on what everyone else found.

“He just said ‘we’d know where he is’?” Morgana asks once Shiho and Ann finish explaining what happened with Ryuji’s mom.

“Apparently,” Shiho says.

Ann twists one of her pigtails around her finger. “We’ve been trying to figure out what’s a Ryuji place to go but we haven’t had any luck.”

“Maybe it’s less a matter of us trying to think of where Ryuji would go,” Makoto suggests, “and more Ryuji going someplace he thinks we would go.”

“And where would that be?” Akechi asks.

Akira closes his eyes and thinks for a moment. Then it hits him.

“I think I know where he is,” Akira says. “If I’m right, then we can all meet at the Diet Building tomorrow,” he shouts as he’s running off.

“Akira, where are we going?” Morgana asks from the bag.

The train isn’t going nearly fast enough, and Akira sprints down Central Street to the familiar sign of Untouchable. When he gets inside, Iwai is the only person there.

“Iwai, has my friend been here at all?” Akira asks, slamming his hands on the counter.

Iwai frowns. “Geez kid, calm down, you’ll draw way too much attention.” He tilts his head behind him. “Back room.”

Akira practically leaps over the counter, causing Morgana to yelp, and rushes towards the back room.

In the hallway, he practically runs face first into Ryuji.

“Akira!”

“Ryuji!” Akira gives him a massive hug.

Ryuji laughs. “Took you long enough dude.”

Morgana pokes his head out of Akira’s bag. “You’ve just been at Untouchable this whole time?”

“Yeah. Figured we’d be going after Shido at some point, and that meant getting weapons, plus I knew Iwai hates cops so it seemed like the perfect place.”

“This kids been eating all of my ration bars,” Iwai calls from the front.

“Heh, sorry,” Ryuji calls back. “But seriously, Iwai’s been super cool. Especially since I kinda showed up like a crazy person. Kaoru’s cool too, he’s been playing cards with me to help me not go insane coped up back here. Oh, also I’ve been learning about guns and shit while I’m here.”

“Glad to hear you’re doing well, then.” Morgana says. “We were all starting to get worried about you.”

“Aww, miss me Mona?”

“Not more than anyone else.” Morgana snaps.

Ryuji laughs again and Akira feels so much better hearing it. Ryuji’s confidence has always been infectious.

“So, wanna fill us in on what happened to you?” Morgana asks.

“Sure.”

#alto writes #on the run au #ann takamaki #shiho suzui #haru okumura #hifumi togo #toranosuke yoshida #shinya oda #makoto niijima #mishima yuuki #wordcount: 2000-2500 #queuety and vice

15 notes · View notes

yusuke-of-valla · 4 years

Text

like rats fleeing a sinking ship, pt. 3

intermission i

A/N: “intermission,” basically just means I couldn’t get a Whumptober prompt in there.

TW: mentions of being shot

<-Previous Next->

AO3

After a bit of arguing, Akira gives his bag to Haru with Morgana inside it, and takes Akechi with him to Crossroads. If given the choice, Akira would have preferred leaving Akechi at Takemi’s apartment to rest, but over the last three days since the notice for the Phantom Thieves’ arrest went out, Akechi has proven that he will refuse to sit still even if it’s for his own health, so he’s coming with Akira.

Akira lets Akechi get a seat on the train and stands up, watching the people on the train mutter amongst themselves. The news bulletin is giving updates about the “dangerous thieves at large.”

“...my aunt had a change of heart before she collapsed...”

“I heard they’ve given mental shutdowns to children too...”

“...put her name on the PhanSite. I hope Shido catches those thieves before something happens to her. She may be a bitch but I don’t want her to die.”

“So quick to turn on their supposed heroes,” Akechi mutters.

Akira hums.

Crossroads is empty when they arrive, save for Ohya and Lala, as usual.

When the door opens, Ohya perks up, her eyes going from Akira, then quickly settling on Akechi. “What’s he doing here?”

“He’s on our side,” Akira says. “Shido doesn’t like him either.”

“Sweet. The enemy of my enemy and all that.”

“I suppose you boys aren’t here for a social visit?” Lala asks, pouring them each a glass of water.

“I’d really like this to be, but we can’t.”

Ohya sits up. “Right. It’s not great.”

“Sources don’t have a lot of info?”

“It’s not that. The ones I can get in touch with are happy to talk about how their search for the Phantom Thieves won’t rest until they’re dealt with and explaining some of their procedures like setting up checkpoints in and out of the city. They’re also teaming up with some tech company to monitor phones and texts.”

“Lovely,” Akechi says, “things we could’ve already deduced. Do you have anything that isn’t coming from propagandists?”

“You can tell a lot from what people don’t say as much as what they do. They’re talking a big game, but only have Sakura-san’s arrest to back it up so it’s safe to say they haven’t gotten anyone else. They’re focused on the major areas, the subway, Central Street. Stuff like that. And they’re being flooded with tips, so even though people are happy to turn you in, they also don’t have time to go over everything.”

“So the mob’s working against them,” Akira says.

“Right,” Ohya winks. Then she gives Akechi a pointed look. “And I still have some inside info. Like apparently Shido’s been fighting with this one government agency for awhile now, blocking funding and access for them. They’re called the “Shadow Ops,” and Shido is putting a lot of effort into getting them out of the way.”

“And how is that helpful to us now?" Goro asks.

“Enemy of my enemy,” Akira suggests.

“Well if we can figure out how to get in touch with them that’ll be fine, but it’s still more trouble than it’s worth.”

“What is your problem?" Akira snaps.

“My problem is we’re wasting time! You’re supposed to be the leader yet you can’t conceive of the bigger picture.”

“Akechi you’ve been shot.”

“Stop pretending you’re holding back for my sake,” Akechi says, rolling his eyes. “We could go into the Metaverse right now and get this healed. You just can’t do anything without your ragtag bunch of misfits around to sing your praises.”

“Then why don’t you go.” Akira asks. “Why haven’t you left? Is it because after we played you like a damn fiddle and you were betrayed by your boss you realized you might not be as strong or as clever as you thought?”

Akechi crosses his arms and glares at Akira. “Fine. You’ve got me. I don’t think I can take Shido on my own. I could use your help. Yours. But the others are superfluous, we don’t need them.”

“The others have saved my life on more than one occasion, and they’ve saved yours before too. One week, and we go in and fight like hell, but since you need me and you kinda owe me for that little ‘attempted murder incident’, we’re doing it on my terms when we’ve found as many members of my team as we can.”

“Does the thought cross your mind that gathering them all in one place might just be putting them in more danger?”

“I have to know they’re safe.”

They stare daggers at each other.

Akechi gives in first, getting up with a huff. “If you have any useful information, Ohya-san then please let me know. Until then I’ll be waiting outside.” He strides out the door, and lets it slam shut behind him.

“I’m sorry about that,” Akira says to Ohya and Lala, who he’s just realized heard that entire conversation.

“No problem. You okay, kid?”

“I’m fine. Any other news?”

“Not really. I can tell you that the police have the big public areas covered, but I doubt you’ll be going to any concerts any time soon.”

“Nah. But seriously thank you, this’ll help us plan our movements.”

“Stop by tomorrow, I’ll see if I have anything new for you.”

“Actually, do you mind if one of my friends does it? She’s closer at the moment.”

“Sure, just tell me what to look for.”

Akira gives Haru’s description, thanks Lala again, then heads out.

“Are we done?” Akechi asks.

“One more stop in Shinjuku.” Akira leads Akechi a few blocks down to Chihaya’s booth.

“Akira! It’s good to see you!” Chihaya says.

“Hey Chihaya. We’re here for a reading.”

“Do you know everyone in this city?” Akechi mutters.

Chihaya lays out the cards in front of them. “Do you need a specific reading?”

“Can you give me a reading that’ll tell me where my friends are?”

“I’ll do my best!” Chihaya says. She flips the cards over one by one, and there’s a familiar sensation like something snapping. Even Akechi seems caught off guard by it. Chihaya looks at the spread and frowns. “Hesitation will be your undoing, but don’t be reckless. And I’m not sure about the nine of swords, something to do with Gemini?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Akira sees the way Akechi’s eyes widen at that, then he quickly cools his expression again.

“That’s all I can see,” Chihaya says.

“Thank you.” Akira says, getting up.

Akechi walks back towards the train station quickly, and Akira trails behind. He pauses at the sight of a familiar blue prison door.

“Hey inmate!” Caroline says. “You wanna go in?”

Akira considers it, but shakes his head. He doesn’t want to see Igor right now. “Hey, Caroline, how much do you know about stuff that’s going on. You obviously know more than I do.”

“Well duh! How’re we supposed to help with your rehabilitation if we’re as clueless as you?”

“Then do you know where my friends are?”

Caroline’s grin fades. “W-we couldn’t tell you that even if we did know!”

“Alright, thanks.”

“What are you waiting for?” Akechi calls.

Akira waves at Caroline, and runs to catch up with Akechi.

~_~_~_~

After parting ways with Akira and Akechi, Haru at least takes a little joy in the familiar weight of Morgana in her bag. When they arrive in Aoyama-Itchome, Haru hangs back in an alleyway as Morgana pops his head out of the bag.

“Alright, wait until there aren’t as many students leaving, then slip around the back way there.” Morgana says, helping Haru slip in the same way Akira had been getting up to the roof to meet her while he’s presumed dead.

Her first stop is her vegetable garden. Despite everything, her babies have been growing pretty well.

“It’s too bad we can’t bring the whole thing,” she says picking the tomatoes and pulling up the carrots.

“We can see about starting a garden at Takemi’s,” Morgana offers. “There’s one windowsill that gets a lot of really nice sunlight, even in the winter. I like to take naps there, but I’m willing to give it up for your vegetables.”

“Aw, thank you Mona-chan,” Haru gives him a pat on the head before bagging up the rest of her vegetables. “You’re up next.”

Haru slips out the back and heads back to the alley, watching the school until Morgana comes out, Kawakami trailing behind him.

“Hey, slow down kitty, I’,- Okumura?” Kawakami stares at Haru taking in her new hair and clothes. “So that is Kurusu’s cat?”

Haru smiles and picks Morgana up, helping him back into the bag. “Yeah, he’s a very smart little guy.”

“So does that mean Kurusu’s alright, at least?”

“Yes. But we still need to find the others.”

“Any way I can help?”

“Do you have Shiho Suzui’s address?”

Kawakami’s eyebrows furrow in confusion, then she seems to understand. “Oh yes, I suppose that makes sense. I should be able to get it. Hold on.”

Kawakami walks back into the school, and ten minutes later comes out with a sheet of paper. One has an address on it, the other has a phone number.

“Here you go. And if you need anything, give that number a call and ask for Becky. I’ll know it’s you and be right over.”

“I can’t ask you to get more involved in this,” Haru says.

Kawakami laughs. “I’m already neck deep in the Phantom Thieves business. You’ve helped me and so many others, and more importantly, you’re my students. It’s my job to make sure you’re all safe.”

Haru holds the sheet of paper to her chest. “Thank you. Your support means more than you know.”

“Let me know if you need anything.”

Haru grabs a tourist map from the train station and follows the address Kawakami gave them. The Suzui residence is a nice small house near one of the smaller parks.

“Ready to go Haru?”

“Yep.”

Haru knocks on the door, and a middle aged man opens it. “Hello, who are you?”

“I’m here to return your cat!” Haru says, holding Morgana up to the man’s face.

“We don’t ha-” Morgana leaps out of Haru’s arms and runs into the house.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Haru says.

The man curses. “Stay here,” he says, running after Morgana.

There are more voices, and then…

“Morgana?”

“Lady Ann! So you are here!”

“Ann!” Haru calls, running in the direction of the voices. She finds an open door leading downstairs, and the man from earlier is there, along with Ann, Morgana, and a girl who must be Suzui, who immediately steps in front of Ann protectively.

“Who are you,” Suzui demands.

“Shiho! It’s fine, this is Haru,” Ann says, “she’s part of the team.”

“Haru Okumura?” the man— Suzui’s father, probably— asks.

“Yes, we’re so sorry for the disturbance,” Haru says.

Mr. Suzui waves her off, and then pinches the bridge of his nose. “It’s fine, I guess. Would you like some tea Okumura-san? You and Ann probably have a lot to catch up on.”

“That’d be great, thanks!” Ann says. Haru nods as well, and Mr. Suzui heads back upstairs. Once he’s gone, Shiho shuts the door and Ann gives Haru a hug. “Good to see you! I thought you booked it for the countryside!”

“A little misdirection on my part. It’s a bit of a story.”

“We have so much to tell you!” Morgana says.

“I’m sure.” Ann says, picking him up.

“So, I’m guessing this is the famous Morgana?” Suzui asks.

Morgana perks up. “Oh? You told her about me?”

“How could I not,” Ann laughs, “I mean you’re kinda important to the whole story.”

“I’m important!”

“Wow, you can really understand him?” Suzui asks, stepping closer.

Haru nods. “Yes. How much has Ann told you?”

“Everything, pretty much,” Ann says. She and Suzui share a look, before Suzui pulls up some bean bag chairs.

“C’mon, sit. I’m sure things must have been crazy for you guys.”

“That’s a bit of an understatement,” Haru laughs. “But do you want to tell your story first?”

Ann nods.

#alto writes #on the run au #wordcount: 2000-2500 #persona 5 #goro akechi #akira kurusu #haru okumura #morgana #ann takamaki #shiho suzui #ichiko ohya #chihaya mifune

11 notes · View notes

yusuke-of-valla · 4 years

Text

[A/N]: I finally wrote a thing based on this post!

TW: Injury, Character death (but it’s not any of the PT), just Yusuke not having a good time in general.

Also on AO3

For what must be the twentieth time today, Yusuke curses his luck as he dodges a shadow’s attack.

It was a restless day in Tokyo, which obviously meant changes in Mementos. There were hordes of shadows stalking the tunnels today, and a particularly bad ambush had left the Phantom Thieves scattered.

Then, to make matters worse, the Reaper just had to show up and chase him until Yusuke was forced onto a lower floor than the others.

From the snippets of conversation Yusuke managed to pick up via Necronomicon, it seemed like the others had managed to regroup and were looking for him. He just has to try his best to hold out until then.

Yusuke chuckles to himself. Easier said than done.

A fire spell comes dangerously close to striking his face.

‘F-x… there?... -ing!”

“Oracle? Oracle? Can you hear me?” Yusuke barely has time to catch his breath as he ducks under razor-sharp claws. “Hurry, please.”

Because the universe has decreed he’s to suffer today, the shadow that’s cornered him uses fire attacks, is immune to ice, and barely looks bothered by Yusuke’s physical attacks.

The shadow swings at him again, and Yusuke’s just a bit too slow this time. It slashes his leg and Yusuke drops to one knee. Seizing the opportunity, the shadow casts a fire spell that hits him square in the chest, throwing him backwards.

Yusuke crashes into the wall behind him, then clatters to the ground like a rag doll.

‘F-x! H-d on… -ease! We’r… -st there!”

Yusuke tries to get up, but he can't. His whole body is screaming. The shadow fades in and out of focus as it comes closer to deal the final blow.

Then, suddenly stops its advance and lets out a blood curdling scream. It takes a moment for Yusuke’s vision to become clear enough that he can make out a figure in red that must have attacked the shadow.

“Ann?” he mumbles.

"Yusuke? Yusuke, are you alright?"

That voice…

The figure in red comes closer to him, close enough that he can make out their face. Aside from the yellow eyes, it’s the same one that lurks in the deepest part of his memory.

"Mom?" Yusuke mutters.

“Yes darling, it’s me. I’m here.” His mother’s voice is soothing.

There’s a sound of static in his ears.

“Sorry.” Yusuke mumbles

“...Fox!”

Yusuke feels tears rolling down his face. He doesn’t think he can stay awake.

Hands start running through his hair. “It’s alright sweetheart, you can sleep now. I’m right here, I’ll take care of you.”

Try as he might, Yusuke can’t keep his eyes open any longer, and succumbs to the darkness.

The first thing Yusuke’s aware of is someone laying him down on the ground.

“If you little brats want to try and take my son from me, then I will happily rip you apart.”

Slowly his mind starts working again, and the pieces of what happened start to slip into place.

“You wanna go? Fine.”

The relief Yusuke feels when he realizes he’s actually alive can’t be properly described— though it will certainly make for a good painting later—, but it’s very quickly drowned out when with confusion when he opens his eyes and sees his mother.

For a second Yusuke wonders if he’s still hallucinating, but the pain in his leg and chest where he was burned convinces him it’s real. Yusuke turns over— the pain’s not anywhere near as bad as before, but moving still isn’t pleasant— and sees the rest of the Phantom Thieves ready for a fight.

Yusuke’s head still feels foggy. Vaguely he realizes that the Phantom Thieves must have found him with his mother, and assumed she was the shadow who attacked him. So this is all just a misunderstanding.

Wait.

No.

His mother is dead. So that means…

This probably isn’t her.

Right?

Because why would his mother be in Mementos?

Makoto unleashes a nuclear attack that his mother(?) brushes off with ease. In turn she uses her own burst of red energy— it doesn’t look like curse, but it’s not exactly as though Yusuke’s in the best headspace to recognize spells right now— which knocks Makoto clean off of her bike.

“No. Mother, don’t.” Yusuke says. He tries to stand up, but his leg does not like that.

“Fox!” Ann shouts at the same time his mother(?) says “No sweetie, you’re still hurt.”

They turn to each other and scowl. His mother starts(?) towards in his direction but Ryuji cuts her off with a lightning bolt.

“No one is taking my son from me.” his mother growls.

“I don’t know what your problem is, lady, but you’re not keeping him down here!” Futaba shouts.

Ann summons a fireball and launches at his mother, and without thinking, Yusuke reaches out.

“Stop!”

A wall of ice goes up between his mother(?) and the Phantom Thieves.

Everyone’s attention returns to him as Yusuke crawls over to the wall and leans against it to half pull, half-push himself back on his feet. “Alright. Everyone just stop. Mother, these are my friends, there’s no need for you to fight them.”

The Phantom Thieves share a look.

“Fox,” Ryuji says slowly, “I’m sorry but- you know- that ain’t.”

His mother(?) starts to glow with the same red energy as before. “What are you suggesting?”

“Stop it!” Yusuke snaps. “Just… everyone please.” Yusuke tries to focus, leaning more against the wall. There has to be a way to work this out.

Yusuke turns to his mother(?) first. “If you’re really my mother then let me ask you something.” Yusuke racks his brain. What would only his mother know?

“Yusuke, you don’t trust me?” his mother(?) asks. The energy surrounding her fades slowly, and she looks like she’s trying not to cry.

“I would very much like to,” Yusuke insists, “but given how this place works, you’re more than likely an unusually hostile figment of my cognition I created when I thought I was going to die.”

Although, would something from his cognition attack his friends? Maybe she’s a shadow that’s using his cognition to create a disguise? Except, why then didn’t she kill him?

She still looks upset, but nods. “Alright, do what you must.”

They all stare at him expectantly.

Yusuke breathes in. Alright, something only his mother would know. Yusuke racks his brain for snippets of his earliest memories.

“Do you need some help?” His mother(?) asks, after he still hasn’t said anything.

“No, I’ll think of something.”

“You used to love ketchup and macaroni and cheese!” She offers.

“It doesn’t count if she comes up with the question.” Ryuji shouts.

“I know.” Yusuke says.

“Sorry, sweetheart, I was just trying to help.”

“I know, thank you.” Yusuke says. He looks at her. He’s not sure how to read her expression.

Her expression…

“Alright,” Yusuke says, “here’s one: what is the true meaning behind the Sayuri?”

“The Sayuri?” she repeats, tilting her head to the side and brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “I’m sorry, what are you talking about?”

Yusuke blinks. That’s... not the answer he was expecting. “Your final piece.” Yusuke clarifies slowly.

Her face lights up. “Oh that, it’s an-” Suddenly she cuts off, and frowns. “It was a piece I made for you, since I knew I would have to leave you soon. I ended up leaving you sooner than expected thanks to Ichirayusai, of course, and I never got the chance to name it. I’d obviously hope that my son would name it in my stead when you were old enough, so Yusuke, why did you choose that name for it?”

“I didn’t.” Yusuke says. “Madarame named it.”

She starts laughing. “Oh really? Did he now? Why?”

Yusuke bites his lip.

What is going on?

She can’t be a being purely from his cognition because then she’d recognize the name Sayuri.

But she also knows that Madarame left her to die, which no one except him, Akira, Ryuji, Ann, and Morgana know about.

If she somehow got that information from one of them, then she’d know about the Sayuri.

So that means...

This actually is his mother?

“Why did he name my painting for you, Yusuke?” his mother asks again, shaking Yusuke from his thoughts.

“He wanted to pass it off as his own.” Yusuke says. “He even painted over me, to make the piece more alluring.”

“He WHAT?!” Her roar shakes the entire tunnel, and cracks start to appear along Yusuke’s ice wall.

“B-but, he’s been brought to justice!” Yusuke says quickly. He doesn’t remember every seeing his mother this angry. “Thanks to my friends,” Yusuke points to the Phantom Thieves, “we made him confess his crimes, and he’s currently in prison. So as I said before you don’t need to fight them, everything’s fine. We can all get along.”

His mother’s face softens again, more like he remembers. “Oh Yusuke, my son. The light of my life. You don’t understand. People will make you think they’re your friends. Offer you a place to stay, even a home, pretend to care about you, and then right when you’re at your highest moment, they’ll rip it out from under you for their own gains.”

The other Phantom Thieves brace themselves.

“Mother, I know what he did to you was awful, but my friends aren’t like that.” Yusuke says desperately. There has to be a way to avoid this fight.

His mother laughs. “Yusuke, you’re so sweet. I’m happy you want to trust people, really. But it’s a mother’s job to protect her child when the child doesn’t understand how the world works.”

With that, she snaps her fingers, and the wall of ice separating her and the Phantom Thieves shatters.

The Ryuji opens his mouth to cast a spell, and in a split second, Yusuke’s mother picks him up and throws him 20 feet down the tunnel, where he bounces before skidding to a stop.

“Skull!” Yusuke shouts. He tries to move towards the fight, but his body is working against him today, and he only manages to stumble forward before sinking to the ground.

“Dance, Carmen!” Ann calls out. Fire launches towards his mother, but she’s completely unfazed. With a wave of her arm, red energy crashes into Ann, sending her to the ground.

“Milady!” Haru’s persona unleashes a wave of bullets on his mother, and that actually seems to slow her down.

“She’s weak to gun skills!” Futaba announces.

Akira gives a nod, and he, Morgana, Makoto, and Haru rush his mother while she’s still dazed from the bullets.

When they’re done, his mother is still standing, but she’s even angrier than before.

With an inhuman scream she unleashes a shock wave of red energy that knocks the others to the ground, and even manages to push Necronomicon backwards.

Akira’s the only one who’s managed to dodge. The rest of Phantom Thieves are scattered on the ground, someone groaning, some distressingly still.

Akira pulls out his gun, but his mother’s too fast. In the blink of an eye, she’s smacked the gun out of Akira’s hand and single-handedly lifts him up by the neck.

Akira’s gun skids over to the ground.

It lands right in front of Yusuke.

“Mother, please.” Yusuke begs.

Akira gasps as his mother tightens her grip on his neck. “This is for your own good, Yusuke, I’m sorry.”

“Me too. I’m so sorry.” Yusuke says. “I love you, mom.”

Yusuke picks up Akira’s gun.

He pulls the trigger.

He closes her eyes and doesn’t look at her face, terrified that it’s the same look of betrayal she wore when she collapsed to the ground and Madarame didn’t call for help.

“I’m sor-” Yusuke says, but suddenly, the pain is back, just as screaming hot as before, and Yusuke doesn’t fight it as the darkness overtakes him once again.

. .

Even in the dark, Yusuke can recognize the ceiling of Leblanc’s attic. It’s the middle of the night, and when he turns his head he can see what must be Akira sleeping on the couch he himself had used months ago. Yusuke shifts a little, and his arm brushes by something small and warm sitting on top of the comforter.

“You’re awake!” Morgana says.

“What happened?” Yusuke asks, focusing on the ceiling.

“After you passed out, we got back to the real world as quickly as possible. Akira called Takemi over, and she bandaged up your wounds. You took a real beating, so you’re going to be on bed rest for the next couple of days. How are you feeling?”

“I’d feel a lot better if it had all been a dream.” Yusuke says softly.

Silence settles on the room.

“I’m sorry.” Morgana says.

“Do you think it really was her?” Please, please tell me I was wrong, is the part he doesn’t say aloud. Let it be some wicked shadow who was trying to toy with him for the worst reasons.

“I think,” Morgana says, moving closer so that he’s closer to Yusuke’s face. “Hypothetically, if someone died, but they had powerful enough emotions at the time of death, then their shadow could linger on through sheer force of will. And given the circumstances behind her death, that could’ve been her.”

“Oh.”

“But, if that was her, then that means the two strongest things she felt at the time of her death were anger at Madarame’s betrayal, and a desire to protect her son.” Morgana says. “And I think that’s admirable.”

Yusuke doesn’t say anything, just absently starts petting Morgana.

“We’re here for you, you know.” Morgana says.

“I know.” Yusuke says, thankful Morgana either can’t see or is choosing to ignore the tears coming down his face. “Thank you.”

#alto writes #yusuke kitagawa #persona 5 #whump #angst #a little hurt/comfort #wordcount: 2000-2500 #ask to tag

54 notes · View notes