phonetasmal | UN: Probablecaws

[Some people might have noticed Goro's had his hair tied up with a black ribbon since his birthday. The more observant might have also noticed a topaz stud in his right ear since that same date. Now both things are clearly visible when he appears on screen, with an expression as though he's mulling something over.]

A lot of us have been here for several months now, and some of us have been in other unfamiliar worlds for longer...that sort of thing can have an impact, and change your outlook in ways you could never expect. It's changed my entire future...no, given me one, when the path I was on before would have destroyed me.

So, I've been wondering. Has anyone else here changed in ways that they expect to influence what they do with their lives when they go back home? And, if so...have any of those people had to put real thought into what it is they want to do, because their previous long-term plans aren't...something they can do anymore, for whatever reason?

If you don't want to share, that's perfectly alright. This is just a bit of...academic curiosity, really.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ah— he was... busy with what Shido demanded of him as well as his celebrity life, wasn't he? Something flickers in his expression, then, but he presses on.]

Then let's look at it from another angle. There are problems within our society and world. Which do you find the most pressing?

[Don't forget his real job! He just had way too much going on for one person.]

...The condition orphans live in. One more person at an overcrowded orphanage wouldn't do much good, but I've already decided that if I ever end up in a position where taking care of children is feasible, I'm going to foster. If I can't improve the system, I can at least get some kids out of it.

[Oh... there's a brief moment where a look of surprise passes over Shido's face, but then it's gone.]

Working at one may not do much help, no, but I don't doubt you could sway the influence of much of the population if you worked at it. You were known as the Charismatic Detective, were you not? You should know that charisma is an extremely powerful tool. If you kept working on that, you could become an indispensable advocate for orphans.

Perhaps with my current reputation, but my popularity is fickle. At the height of the Phantom Thieves' popularity, I was hated for criticizing them, despite having expressed reasonable concerns for how little I knew at the time. It's swung back in the other direction now, but once I confess the full truth, I'll be amazed if I'm not despised. Besides, it was never the real me people respected.

[He takes a deep breath.]

Yes, it's... true. Whatever popularity you had is likely to be useless.

And the way you presented yourself may not have been real, but make no doubt, Akechi, that you do still retain that charisma. You know how to articulate yourself, and when you're passionate about something, it comes through in the way that you present yourself naturally. You're persistent and resilient.

For awhile, it may be best to lay low, and familiarize yourself intimately with whatever knowledge you need to make your point. People are indeed fickle, and within a few years, they'll have moved on from what happened. They're much more likely to remember my name than yours when considering... what happened.

If you are patient, work hard, and are honest in what you do and who you are... [A small smile.] Then I've no doubt that you will draw people to you and your cause effortlessly.

[He stares for a moment as Shido lays out the ways his people skills are very genuine, then ducks his head in a failed attempt to hide a small smile. His free hand reaches up to tuck his bangs behind his ear, awkwardly, as if he just needs something to do with it.]

A public advocate for the less fortunate...I did plan on staying out of the spotlight for at least a while either way, but maybe eventually. I'll definitely need to do something about the fact that I won't age, but it's not a bad thought.

[His eyebrows raise at him mentioning that he won't age, but... that makes sense, doesn't it? He's just.. a soul now...

He draws in a breath, looking over for a moment in thought, before his gaze returns to Akechi.]

Shapeshifting alters your appearance, and you already have some experience in that. Perhaps... it'd be possible to learn how to alter your appearance so that you seemed older? Given that I saw someone here finely alter the size of their wings... I imagine similar concepts would apply for tuning your physical appearance.

I'm planning on seeing if I can learn some sort of disguise magic from Ursula-san or Meridies-san. Makeup should also be able to help for a little while...and, of course, I can get some leeway out of claiming I age gracefully. There are people who get mistaken for teenagers well into their twenties.

Heh... then it seems you have it all figured out, don't you?

[He considers something quietly.]

If you did decide to go the path of being an advocate, I... could advise you in the way of politics and law.

[It's said a little hesitantly, knowing just how much of a loaded gun (heh) his profession is. But if Akechi allowed him to do this, he could... finally use it to help people like he wanted to so long ago. Use it in a way that... he, personally, would never have the chance to.]

[To his credit, there's only a faint wrinkling of his nose at the suggestion?]

I'm not exactly fond of politics, and I've already done personal research into our country's political structure, besides. But...I'll admit, most of my knowledge of law is of the criminal variety, I suppose I will need to know more civil law if I'm going to make arguments on others' behalf.

[He breathes out, relaxing a little.]

It... will help, at least, if people feel like you have a solid grasp of exactly what needs to change. The more detailed you are, the more legitimate you appear. Granted... it would be difficult, and you would certainly need help. Politics is... very messy business... and money is, well, disgustingly powerful.

If you do choose to go that route, it will be an uphill battle the entire way.

So was becoming a detective. If I gave up because something was difficult, I wouldn't be called the Detective Prince or Crow.

That's true. I'll teach you everything I know, then. [He presses his mouth into a thin line as his gaze draws away for a moment.] Including the less scrupulous things. It helps to know what tactics your opponents will use so you know what to look out for... and even turn it against them and to your favor.

I'm already familiar with many of the underhanded tactics people use. I've been in a number of Politicians' Palaces, and I've mentioned to you how talkative people's Shadows are.

[A pause and he rubs the bridge of his nose.]

Honestly, I think it says something that so many politicians even have Palaces in the first place.

That's true, but perhaps a refresher won't hurt. If I'm going to go over things with you, then I ought to be thorough.

And it's... [He draws in a breath, then lets it out in a sigh.] It certainly has a way of bringing out the worst in people.

UN: Probablecaws

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject