Calling the Old Man Out

[foolishjustice]

[Goro has barely been seen since getting back from the Fissure, only leaving his room briefly to eat a couple times a day, coffee in hand and looking half asleep. Now, though, he seems to finally be properly awake...at approximately 8PM.]

Good...erm, evening, I suppose. I’m sorry I’ve been so absent lately, that Fissure must have taken more out of me than I thought.

But, now that I’m recovered, there’s something important I need to tell everyone. The last batch of new arrivals included a man named Masayoshi Shido. He’s my father, and a truly despicable man, who has had numerous people killed for his own convenience or benefit. He even had my mother killed to cover up the scandal of my birth.

[Here he holds up a phone, showing a picture of Shido...with what looks like avocado and cheese smeared on his face and a shrimp up his nose, wearing the most tiredly Done expression as he reaches for the offending crustacean.]

I injured him in the forest in retaliation for the things he’s done to me, one of my boyfriends, and countless others, but don’t mistake him for someone who deserves your pity. He’s physically not much of a threat, but he is a skilled schemer and manipulator, and-

[ Which is the moment that the video will shake, and a very brief flash of a familiar face (spoiler: Akira’s) can be seen. Off-screen, he’s gently pressing a kiss to Goro’s cheek, whispering that he loves him. Don’t mind the view of a ceiling for a moment, guys - it’s a nice ceiling, at least?

… He’ll properly make it up to Goro, later, if he can? For now, though, he gently brushes the fingers of one hand through his boyfriend’s hair. Akira’s face can properly be seen, after he takes a quiet breath. He looks… well, how most would remember? Only with a bit more of a tiredness to it, maybe.

Though, that’s not taking away from how serious he looks as he speaks. ]

... and, while Goro is right about all of that, there is one more detail I feel should be taken into account. Shido isn’t a good person, but he’s well-aware of that now. He’s done unforgivable things, but his eyes were opened to all of it after his ass was kicked.

[ JUST SAYING… ]

Anyway, nobody has to worry about him. Besides, he knows if he tried anything, he’d have to answer to all of us from his world, and then some.

[ JUST SAYING... ]

[This is the point where Goro takes his tablet back, looking a bit huffy.]

It’s true, he isn’t likely to be a threat now. But he absolutely doesn’t deserve anyone’s kindness or sympathy.

Comments

[matchmakes]

Then perhaps I ought to join you instead? I have been in the library all day...

[foolishjustice]

I wouldn't mind that. I was planning on going for a run outside, if you'd like to meet me on the plain.

[Not by the cliff, though. He...doesn't think he can run with someone near a long drop, anymore.]

text -> action

[matchmakes]

Sounds like a plan. I'll see you shortly!

[And it won't take him long to get there, at least.]

[foolishjustice]

[It takes Goro a little longer to get down there, since he has responses to deal with...but really, that just makes him more in need of clearing his head. At least the rain has cooled things down a bit, even if it means the grass is still wet.]

Ah, it must have rained while I was asleep...do you think we should go down to the beach, so we don't slip on wet grass?

[matchmakes]

[Even if it's cooled down a bit, Robin's pretty glad he left his coat in the library...]

Yeah, probably. I'm not really in the mood for faceplanting into wet grass...

[foolishjustice]

Do you want me to fly you down the cliff? It would be easier than navigating the caves.

[matchmakes]

Flying, huh... Well, I have missed that sort of thing. I'd appreciate it.

[foolishjustice]

I always enjoy a chance to stretch my wings, myself.

[And he means literal wings, as with a flash of light, a pair of gigantic crow wings, each about the size of the rest of his body, unfolds from his back.]

[matchmakes]

[He lets out a low whistle, clearly impressed.]

I'm almost jealous. If I could fly by my own power, I would...

[foolishjustice]

[He spreads the feathers out, the pure white standing out stark in the darkness. It's pretty clear he's showing off.]

It is one of my favorite powers. Technically, I don't even need the wings out to fly, but I think it's more fun this way.

[matchmakes]

If I had the wings, I'd use them too. Unfortunately, I normally have to rely on my wyvern if I'd like to take to the skies...

[Man, he misses Melady.]

[foolishjustice]

I'd offer to teach it if I could, but unfortunately, it's part of being what I am now.

[matchmakes]

Mm, that's alright. Having a mount has its own appeal... Melady's been my partner for many a battle, I trust her as much as I do my human comrades.

[He can't quite help the fond smile.]

I'm a little jealous that my sister managed to come here with her pegasus, too.

[foolishjustice]

I've never had anything like that...the closest is my Personas, and they're really just fragments of my own psyche.

[matchmakes]

There's nothing quite like it, admittedly. Maybe if Melady turns up in one of these Fissures I can introduce you to her, if you'd like. I feel like she'd probably like you.

... Fragments of your psyche? How does that work?

[foolishjustice]

Are you familiar with Jungian psychology? The concept of the different aspects of the mind, the Id, Ego, Superego, and Shadow?

[matchmakes]

I can't say I am. One of my friends mentioned something about psychology at some point, but for the life of me I can't recall the context.

[He, uh, might have been unintentionally tuning her out because when Miriel starts on a topic...]