voice/action

[phanther]

[Voice]

Hello?

[The voice is that of a teenage girl, cautious but at least trying to show willing in this strange new place. There's a pause, then, as though she hasn't fully figured out what she really wants to say - does she mention where she was supposed to be? Does she mention the Shadows?

Eventually, she finds her voice again.]

Um...this is kind of new to me so I'm not really sure where to start. I got the welcome message and the map and all but...is there anything else I should know?

[That should be broad enough to get something helpful, she hopes.]

[Action - Genessia City]

[Considering she'd been gearing up to head into the deepest depths of Mementos last she remembers, Ann's really not sure what to make of all this. She's in her regular clothes, so wherever she is she's not considered a threat right now at least, but she's not sure whether that should be comforting or worrying.

Still, she's not going to figure anything out by staying in one place so she figures she should at least go to check out where she's supposed to be staying right now. She's aware it could also be a trap, but so long as she goes into it expecting that, maybe it'll lead to some useful information.

At least, that was the plan. It's not that she doesn't know how to follow a map but when a girl stumbles across a mall, she can't be blamed for wanting to take a look around, right? Even if she can't really buy much, just the act of looking should be enough to help calm her down. And once she's done with the mall, she has to see what else is around, right?

And so she can be found looking in various store windows, lingering longer when she spots a cute outfit she can't help but want. The real danger, though, is when she reaches a bakery with a range of desserts that's just begging to be sampled.]

I shouldn't...but just one couldn't hurt, right?

[She's not addressing anyone in particular but that's not to say she goes unheard, either...]

Comments

[phanther]

I'm sure someone would be happy to take over that role.

[Though she knows it wouldn't be the same. Sojiro was someone they'd all grown fond of over the time they'd gotten to know one another, when he'd proved himself willing to protect a bunch of kids wanting to do the right thing - not to mention all he'd done for Futaba.

Her smile turns a little sheepish at his reminder of what she'd sworn back home, something that she'd forgotten for how overwhelming this new place was right now.]

I mean, that's true, I did. I guess it's just a little daunting having to start over again.

[redreigning]

Hopefully it won't be for too long... ( his shoulders hunch in a little, not so much a shrug as it is that hunched over look he has when he walks sometimes, to make himself smaller ) not gonna lie, I was pretty unsure of myself too when I got here ( it takes him a moment to allow a genuine little smile, a soft look of relief ) but then I found out you guys were here too, and when we're all together--

( we can do anything might be the terribly cheesy thing that's about to spill from his mouth, but he catches himself at the last moment, as if a thought just struck him. ren laughs quietly at himself and cages his forehead in his hand. )

Together. Right. ( duh. of course. he lower his arm and looks to ann again. ) Hey, I just came up with something. Are you interested in a potentially stupid idea?

( i mean, when have any of their ideas not fallen squarely into that category... )

[phanther]

Huh. I would never have thought that. I guess you always have been pretty good at playing it cool.

[Whereas she has made no secret of the fact that the only reason she's not freaking out about all of this is because most of her friends are here and she knows she can depend on them.

Akechi, not so much. But she'll take him over potential threats she doesn't know.

She cocks her head to the side as he mentions coming up with something interesting, and she can't help but tease in response.]

That depends. Are we talking Ryuji stupid, Yusuke stupid or you and Makoto stupid?

[Which usually means not stupid at all, at least in comparison.]

[redreigning]

It's an entirely new brand of stupid. ( he stops walking, and it ann stops with him, he'll take a little breath before he tells her: ) What if, when you get the modeling up and going, we got a place together? ( pause. he hopes she doesn't think he's like. uh. ) Not like...ah, you know...it just might be easier to figure this place out, if we try to stick together. ( his gaze flicks away. HE'S SURE ANN KNOWS HE DOESN'T MEAN IT. IN SOME ULTERIOR WAY. but it doesn't strike him how awkward it'd feel to bring it up until it's actually out of his mouth - he'snever lived with anyone but his parents and then he upgraded to a cat. but he does think it's a good idea. ) Um, so ( fiddling with his fringe ) is it stupid?

[phanther]

[Ann does stop, if only because she's almost intrigued at to what this brand of stupid is all about. Even if she hadn't, she'd have stopped at the rest because that is a question with many layers attached.

That said, it's Ren. Someone else and she might have questioned their motives but she's comfortable around him enough that she can trust he doesn't mean anything strange by it - heck, if she could trust spending the night in the same room as him, Ryuji and Mishima in Hawaii, is this really such a big step from there?

And besides. She's not used to living entirely alone, even if she is used to being away from parents. This is a little different, but it may also serve another purpose down the line if the Phantom Thieves need a base again.

And so she shakes her head, smiling softly.]

Not at all. I mean, if you're okay with it and assuming we can afford somewhere big enough.

[No sharing-same-bedroom this time around.]

[redreigning]

( ren isn't exactly a coloring book of emotions, but relief is easy enough to read when his guard down. that, and, smiles - which ann is a more-frequently-than-most recipient of when it comes to him. ) I'm okay if you're okay. ( living together! it's. terrifying. but also a little exciting and definitely the - despite his earlier comment - smart thing to do. he wants them to stick together, as much as possible, and with her agreement lightening his demeanor, ren finds it in himself to joke again. ) I don't think space will be an issue. Put me in the closet.

[phanther]

You're not living in a closet.

[Joke or not, Ann's not going to stand for that one. If they're doing this then they need to be fair with it, and especially given that she's aware he'll probably be contributing more towards rent.]

If we're doing this, we do it properly. Even if it means we have to wait.

[In the meantime she can probably figure out something else to tide her over. Not like she doesn't still have most of the month left to save up at least a little.]