Work might be a little sloppy and/or updates staggered. I was hospitalized yesterday for chest pains. It wasn't a heart attack or anything life-threatening, but I have to go see a doctor to rule out neurological and autoimmune diseases like MS and Parkinson's. Thanks for reading! I'm writing because I want to! Don't worry! I'm all laid up right now at home.
-Raoul
---
"So you need something that will show laser lights to prevent yourself from being caught by surprise, huh?" Iwai raised his eyebrow.
"Laser tag things," Ren said noncommittally.
"Uh-huh. Sure." Iwai chuckled. "Well, if you come by once in a while and help me around the shop, I can give you access to the special menu."
"Name's Akira. It's a pleasure to be working with you, Iwai."
"Ha! Looks like you caught the drift already." Iwai laughed and wiped his eyes.
"Alright, kid. Give me a call when you're ready to start. Let me find something for ya." Iwai nodded. "It ain't gonna be cheap, though."
"Hey, you gotta make a profit."
"You're goddamned right."
Time froze.
"I am thou. Thou art I. Thou hast established a new bond. It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity. With the birth of the Hanged Man Persona, thou hast obtained the blessing that leads to freedom and new power."
Time resumed. But Iwai had left while Ren zoned out. It must have looked like he fell into thought.
A few minutes later, Iwai came back.
"Alright, kid. Let's see your haggling skills."
---
"Ren, that guy is definitely bad news!!!" Morgana shivered as they left Untouchable.
"Don't worry." Ren chuckled. "It will be fine. I won't do anything too crazy."
"Naoto would beat me to death," he added with hollow eyes.
"Another sister?" Morgana asked curiously as they weaved through the packed station. It was still rather early in the afternoon, so Ren was considering how to spend the day. Yesterday was... intense.
"She's your sister now too," Ren added casually, causing Morgana's ears to perk in surprise.
'They weren't joking?' he thought as he absentmindedly absorbed that fact.
"She's a member of the force," Ren continued, not noticing Morgana's emotional shock.
"Wait, if that's the case—" Morgana snapped back to the present and said with furrowed brows.
Ren had sat down at the station and was people-watching while talking.
"She is a detective, and Inaba is outside her jurisdiction," Ren said. "It isn't her fault, as much as I'm sure she blames herself. I should talk to her soon."
"Ren, you're at the end of your rope as it is. Do something for yourself today," Morgana gravely told him.
"I'll be—"
"No!" Morgana snapped.
Ren just smiled. He had made so many friends lately. Found so many secrets in the world. Life was very interesting for him. Dancing on the edge of a knife, that life was exciting to him.
"Well, I am a little tired."
---
"MAIDS, MAIDS, MAIDS, MAIDSSSSSS!" Ryuji cheered.
Ren, Ryuji, and Morgana were hanging out near the gym. Ren had given Ryuji a call and asked to hang out, and the Chariot did his thing as usual. Just said, "See ya in Shibuya." Which made Ren laugh. More video game jokes.
Ren had assumed they were going to work out as usual. But—
"MAIDSSSSSS."
"Jeez, dude, fine." Ren struggled to say while laughing. "You need to find a location, though, because I am not sending one to Lebla—"
"Already taken care of!" Ryuji nodded sagely. "I wouldn't do you or Boss dirty like that."
Ryuji spun on his heel and pointed vaguely in the direction of Yu's apartment.
"A family friend is moving, and I told them I'd help clean up the empty apartment," he said with a grin.
"You're really into this, huh?" Morgana said in extreme exasperation.
"It appears he is," a calm voice rang out nearby.
"Fuck!" Ryuji jumped.
"What the hell? Why do all of your friends from home move so fast?!"
"I'm not that fast. You're just loud and not paying attention," Yu said as he patted Ryuji's shoulder with a grin.
"That's what I'm talking about! You were just next to Ren!!" Ryuji groaned.
Ren had activated his Third Eye immediately to glance at Yu. His aura was overwhelming. Ren had to force his eyes closed and return to his normal senses. The Third Eye was second nature to him at this point. He always kept it faintly active without even meaning to.
But Yu was way too blinding and powerful.
However, he had two Tarot cards above his head. The Star, and one that Ren could see but not understand. Before he could dwell on it, Yu turned to Ren and said, "Margaret is in Tokyo. We both need to talk to you about the Velvet Room later."
?!!?!
"Margaret has information about it?" Ren furrowed his brows. How?
"Do you think your attendants are the only ones who come from the room?" Yu asked.
Ren's jaw dropped. The woman who had been with Yu occasionally was related to the Velvet Room.
"The twins' sister?" Ren muttered.
"Go enjoy your maids." Yu chuckled as he walked away.
The street was buzzing the whole time. Nobody noticed the group talking.
Except for a lithe black cat on a nearby building.
"Kids will be kids, I guess," she started before her eyes abruptly widened. "Did that guy notice?!"
How?!
She was shocked and focused on the man.
"He's definitely looking at me!" Yoruichi was truly stunned.
"Gotta tell the hat. That guy is strong," she muttered.
No human should be able to see that far away. She was wondering if she should have remained in her normal form. Normal humans couldn't perceive her that way unless she wanted to be perceived.
'I just like exploring as a cat,' Yoruichi pouted as she walked toward the center of the roof and vanished.
Yu had watched her vanish.
---