[Voice / Open RL]

[unknownrival]

Scared me half to death... Honestly, what on earth got into him? And why should I even care?! I shouldn't have worried in the first place, I just thought that he might be a nuisance to someone else... He probably already is a nuisance to everyone else, I'm certainly not special.

If anyone needs me, I'll be laying some spirits to rest. Tatsumi, I'll try not to be too noisy when I return, so you can go ahead and rest.

[Anyone looking for Issei will find him wandering the halls praying at ghosts. It doesn't seem to do much, but he hasn't been attacked yet either, so...]

Comments

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

Naoto also was wandering about the halls, with Yamato-Takeru () in tow. She had run into a few of the more violent spirits not too long ago, so it seemed wise to just keep her Persona evoked for a while longer. Just in case.

She happened upon Issei and stopped, her Persona looming ominously behind her.

"Issei! Are you all right? I thought I heard a scream..."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Issei blinked. "Ah, from me? That was a bit ago, and the harm that seemed imminent at the time didn't come to pass. Thank you for your concern. And you? Have you been having difficulty?"

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

"Mmm... Not too much, since I have Yamato-Takeru with me. And Kamina. We're lodging together in the same cabin. A lucky break, rooming with a Shinigami on a haunted ship, right?"

She chuckles a bit, pleased with her good fortune. Her Persona remains silent and continues to loom ominously.

"So, what happened to you earlier? Did you run into any vengeful spirits?"

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"Ah, no, nothing of the sort. I found Greed moping and decided to determine what was wrong in case it was a danger to anyone else. In the process he nearly smashed my face in." Issei grumbled again. "I should have known better than to try. It's good that you've not been harmed."

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

The look of shock on Naoto's face is almost comical.

"You're kidding! Right? I mean, Greed... Mr. Nice Guy... Why would he do such a thing?"

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't call him nice even when he's acting normally," Issei complained loudly. "But physically violent usually isn't his style. He's more of an annoyance than anything else."

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

"...Point taken. But you're right about one thing: he isn't one to allow himself to be provoked. I wonder what could have happened to him...?"

She falls silent, pondering. Yamato-Takeru also appears pensive. He folds his arms over his chest, mimicking Naoto's posture.

"Do you suppose maybe he had a run in with some spirits?"

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"That could explain the sudden moodiness. He seemed confused about who I was. ...At least, I think so." Issei strokes his chin in thought.

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

Naoto quirked an eyebrow. "Confused? In what way?"

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"'I like you but not you.' The most bizarre thing, honestly," Issei huffed.

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

"Hm..."

Naoto pondered the meaning of those words, turning them over in her mind. Her brows furrowed. The wheels were turning in her mind. Now, if she could just make the connection...

"I like you... but not you," Naoto said softly. "Almost as if he doesn't believe that you're really..."

And then it clicks. Her eyes widen in horror. "Oh shit."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Issei raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Have you puzzled out some meaning behind his words? Do share."

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

She clapped a hand over her eyes, sighing out a single word: "Envy."

Yamato-Takeru's yellow eyes narrowed a bit and he made a non-committal grunt.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

After a moment to puzzle that out, Issei shuddered. "I'd punch myself too, if I thought I were Envy. It's not difficult to imagine him annoying Greed, or anyone for that matter."

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

"That's just great. We're trapped on a haunted ship with a shapeshifting psychopath."

Naoto gave Issei a sidelong glance while her brain entertained the possibility that she could very well be speaking to said psychopath... But the thought passed as quickly as it had surfaced. Yamato-Takeru continued to glare down at the monk.

"We should probably... warn everyone. At least if everyone is aware of the situation, it might make it more difficult for Envy to maintain his current disguise..."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Issei nodded. "The idea has some merit. Do you want to make the announcement, or will I do it? You have more experience with him, unfortunately." He sighed. "Honestly, I hate having to question others' credibility like this."

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

"As do I..." Naoto said softly. "But being a detective makes one naturally suspicious of others. It's how we apprehend criminals."

She pulled out her phone. "I'll go ahead and do it. It's my job to look out for everyone on the community, isn't it?"

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"Monks aren't very good at judging others," he replied with a soft smile. "Mm, I most likely should be equally as concerned for everyone's welfare, but you're better at your job than me..."

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

Naoto's brows creased as she frowned.

"Damn. I think my phone just died. Or it could just be interference from all the supernatural activity."

She sighed. "Perhaps its best if I investigate this matter more thoroughly. Would you mind telling me where you last saw Greed? I should like to get an eye-witness testimony from him, if I could."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"He was out on the deck, near the railing." Issei gestured in one direction. "I wish you more luck with that than I received."

[truthinfortune.livejournal.com]

"Right." Naoto made her way to the door. She paused before exiting, turn to wave to Issei. "Thanks for the tip!"

And with that, she left to go find the greedy Homunculus.