Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 17

Chapter 17: The Everyday Odyssey
January 13, 2029
"*sigh* Is this really necessary?" Mimi asked. A cuff-like device was affixed to her ankle by Rose.
"It's for keeping you from stepping foot into the Metaverse. Just in case you're thinking of double-crossing us. Or at this point would it be double-double-double-crossing?" Rin replied.
"It's invisible to all non-Persona users. So you won't need to worry about being mistaken for a criminal." Rose said.
"Sheesh. You really think after that scene last week I'd just go back to drinking the Kool-aid?" Mimi asked.
"You kidnapped a newborn and tormented us all with visions, Aimi. This after spying on us on behalf of our enemies. To readily allow you to continue on without consequence would be foolish." Rose retorted.
"On that note...you promised us information. Let's start with the thing that's been bothering me the most. How were you given a Persona? We already know that Kit Lin-mae didn't get hers the normal way." Rin questioned.
"Boy, we're at the point where there's a 'normal' way to get magic powers, huh?" Mimi joked.
"Answer the question." Rose said firmly.
"Okay, okay, jeez. Just trying to lighten the mood. I honestly don't know how to really explain it. The way The Master does it...he uses some kind of mirror." Mimi said.
"A...mirror." Rin uttered.
"Yeah. A mirror. But it wasn't a normal-looking one. It was kinda big, and round...and it looked really old. Ancient, really. He has you look straight into it for a little bit. And then...the reflection changes. Its eyes turn yellow. Once that happens, he tells you to place your hand onto the mirror. I did, and my hand...just went through it. It felt like I was sticking my hand into a lake. Then...something grabbed my hand. I could see my reflection. It looked horrified. It started to dissolve, and I felt something inside me changing. I pulled out my hand. My reflection looked normal again. And that was it. Just like that, I had these powers. The Master wouldn't explain it. He'd just say something vague like 'You have received a gift from the universe'. So freaky." 
"And where was this?" Rose asked.
"No idea. He'd teleport us there once to get our powers. We used a button to open up portals to the base, but he never told us where it was. Place looked like a temple. Lots of wood and stone. Old-looking statues everywhere."
"And what about this 'Master'? Who is he?"
"No clue."
Rose and Rin both looked frustrated.
"Look, I'm telling you what I know. Guy was all about secrets. Never showed his face, or said his name, nothing. Always went on about how personal connections were a hindrance to completing our mission."
"And you just went along with this." Rin said.
"I told you I was in a bad mindset. He promised me power, he gave me power. Couldn't argue with that."
"How big of an organization is it? Who else do we need to worry about?" Rose asked.
"It's...big. I'm unsure about any specific size, but it's gotta be in the hundreds. Maybe even thousands. Most of them are low-level henchdudes with barely any power behind them. Then there's peeps like me or Viper that were given powers, but aren't privy to too many of the Master's schemes. And then...there are his elites. The ones that got the best power sets, and get the most info from the bossman. They call themselves the Theban Six."
"Theban? As in Thebes, in Greece?" 
"Y'all are the culture nuts, you tell me. All I know is, these are The Master's best generals. The biggest fanatics. And just like the boss, they stay fairly well-hidden. I've only ever seen one of them. Dude goes by Creon."
"Creon...like the King of Thebes in Antigone. What can you tell us about him?" Rin asked.
"Guy doesn't say a whole lot. But I could sense the power coming from him. He's scary. Really, really scary. Like, he isn't far off from you guys in terms of spiritual strength. My advice? Keep training your runts up. Because if I could take them out with the paltry power I've got, someone like Creon could tear them to shreds without a second thought. And he wouldn't have a reason to let them live. And keep this in mind: there's five more like him. All of them are like me, just going about normal business until the Master calls them up. That's everyone in Death's Hand, really. You could walk past them on the street, sit next to them on the train, sell them something, and never know what they're really up to. Think about it. Your enemy is someone who can do horrible things in the dead of night, then go to work the next day like nothing."
"You've heard of 'a wolf in sheep's clothing', right? Well, there's a whole lot of sheep walking around Tokyo. Who knows how many of them are wolves."
Rin and Rose looked at each other. "A mirror that can force Personas to form...and an army slithering in darkness, boasting generals equal in strength to ourselves. Certainly a frightening prospect." Rose said.
"That goes without saying." Rin replied. "Thanks for the information, Mimi. I'll have to get my students prepared, and quickly."
"Reiterate that they need to stay in groups. I fear what might occur if they're caught alone."
"Right. I'll try to keep things normal for them otherwise. Between the school dance next month, the trip to Spain after that...*sigh*. This certainly isn't how I envisioned this first year going."
"Hey, so...I can still go out with this thing on my leg, yeah?" Mimi asked.
"Don't worry. You'll be able to attend nursing school without any problems. Although, if you attempt to teleport...you may find yourself without a leg." Rose replied.
"W-wait, what? She's just joking, right?"
"I doubt it. She doesn't joke a lot." Rin replied. The two women left, leaving Mimi to ponder whether or not it was a joke.
---
Kenji walked out of the market, cursing to himself.
"Sweet and sour turnips, she says. She has to be spiting me. Unless she has a few hormones left over. That, or her taste in food has always been this Lovecraftian. And isn't she fit enough to be doing her own shopping now? Unbearable. Bloody unbearable." he griped. "Although, given that she now possesses full range of movement, disobeying her would be much more..." Kenji shuddered.
As he made his way down the road, something caught his eye. "Over there, isn't that..." He saw Sahir, seated at a café table across the street. Seated across from him was a girl, garbed in pink, her dark hair tied back by a pink ribbon. 
"Oh, would you look at this...proper gossip material." Kenji said to himself. He pulled out his phone and began texting.
Elsewhere, Kitty was having lunch with Max, Carrie and Natalia. "...and that's why I'll never go near an Animal Crossing game ever again." Kitty said.
"I never realized eggs could be so terrifying." Carrie replied.
Kitty got a message on her phone. "Ep, hold on." She checked. The message was from Kenji.
"I have some nice, sugary tea for you, Katherine."
Kitty rolled her eyes, and began messaging back.
"Something the matter, Kitten?" Carrie asked.
"It's Kenny. He says he has eyes on Kicks, and that he's talking to...a girl."
"Um...how's that different from normal?" Natalia asked.
"I mean he's talking talking. Like, sitting down and having a conversation. And the girl doesn't look annoyed at all, so that would mean he isn't trying any dumb seduction stuff." Kitty replied.
"Hunh. So that's why he's been more chipper than usual." Max added.
"Any idea who the girl is?" Carrie asked.
"That's what I'm trying to pry from Kenny...WHAT THE WHAT?!" Kitty reeled in surprise at the photo sent by Kenji.
"What the he--OH JESUS!" Max looked over and immediately looked away. Before Kitty could show Carrie and Natalia, Kenji deleted the picture.
"WRONG ONE." read his ensuing message.
"Gods above, Kenny, what is wrong with you..." Kitty griped, blushing.
She got another message, this time a picture of Sahir and the girl. "Well, moving past that...that...anyone recognize her?" Kitty asked.
"Nope." Max replied.
"Can't say that I have." Carrie said.
"Um...hm. The bow looks familiar. Feels like I've seen her walking through the hallway, but I'm not totally sure." Natalia answered.
"Welp, only one thing to do." Kitty called up Kenji.
"Look, I need you to forget about that first picture, that was taken in private--"
"Kenny, just shut up and never talk about it again. I need you to tail Kicks."
"Not happening. I have to finish gathering more nightmarish sludge for the valkyrie. I won't pull double duty as your errand boy, Katherine."
"Ugh, fine. Tell me where you're at. We'll do it ourselves."
"Hold on a sec! Don't go wrapping us up in your scheming!" Natalia protested.
"Too late." Max sighed.
"Hehehehe...thanks, Kenny. Your contributions to the Naruki Tea Fund will not go unrewarded." Kitty said, a mischievous grin on her face and a glint in her glasses. She hung up the phone.
"Oh, dear." Carrie uttered.
A short while later, the group (sans Kitty) were observing Sahir and the girl from within an alley. "This is ludicrous. Why can't we just go up to them like normal?" Carrie asked.
"You know how Kitty is. Always wanting to be sneaky and stealthy. Even when it makes no sense." Max replied.
"Certainly don't need whatever disguise she's cooking up..." Natalia added.
"Okay, Kids Next Door, I'm back! Time to take our battle stations!" The three turned around to look at Kitty, and their jaws dropped.
"What in the name of Laurence Fishburne's tooth gap is that?!" Max asked.
Kitty was dressed in a dark morphsuit resembling an ape, and was wearing a gorilla mask. She had on a beanie hat and wore the boots she had been wearing previously. She wore her glasses over the mask.
"Eh? Not bad for just scrounging around, right? No one'll see anything wrong here." Kitty said.
The three looked at each other. "Either of you want to fill her in?" Max asked.
"She's your girlfriend." Carrie replied.
Max sighed. "Okay, Kitty. I'm not trying to sound mean or imply anything, but...there are two things very wrong with your disguise. One, it's drawing way too much attention to you. You'll stick out like a sore thumb. Two, and again, I'm not implying anything here..."
"Kitten...look at Sahir. Could you think of any reason why spying on him while looking like that might be...problematic?" Carrie asked.
"Aw, come on, what could be so bad about dressing like a..." Kitty stopped. It suddenly dawned on her. "...oh. I see the problem." she uttered defeatedly.
"Me and Natalia are going to politely walk up to them. No need for subterfuge. Or...questionable disguises." Carrie said.
"Kay...just let Sparky stay here. I need help...getting this thing off."
"Oh...okay. A hero never shirks his duties to those in need..." Max said, blushing.
"Let's just go..." Natalia uttered, and she and Carrie walked away.
"...I'm not making out with you in the gorilla suit, Sparky." Kitty said.
"W-what?! I didn't even say anything!"
"But you were thinking it, you dirty doof. Now get this stupid thing off me..."
The two girls walked over to Sahir and his companion. "Ah, Sahir! What a surprise." Carrie said convincingly.
"Well, well, well, this must be my lucky day. Didn't expect to run into two of my main maidens today." Sahir said.
"Friends of yours, Sahir-san?" the girl asked.
"Oh, I forgot about introductions. These two are my classmates."
"How wonderful. I am Sakuya Tsumomo. I'm a first-year at the Academy. A pleasure to meet you both." She bowed.
"My my, how very proper. My name is Carrie, and my friend here is--"
"Natalia-san, yes? The Seamstress of Brugge." Sakuya said.
"Huh? You know who I am?" Natalia asked.
"Well, of course. I commissioned you for a jacket a couple of months ago. It's the one I'm wearing right now, actually."
"Oh...oh! That's why I recognized you. Jeez, I really do get in another zone when I'm working if I can't even recognize my own handiwork."
"It's quite alright, I'm sure we all live busy enough lives where we can't remember everything. For those of us that need to remember lines, that can prove difficult."
"Remember lines? Are you in the theater club, Sakuya?" Carrie asked.
"Oh, yes. I'm a backup dancer for the club. It's the main reason I'm here."
"Then you must know our friend, Barbara."
"Oh, do I ever. A rarity at this level, she is. A wonderful dancer, an angelic singer, and a captivating beauty. As sure a bet to be a star as anyone. Knowing that we have her for four years has our director clamoring for the future."
"That's our Barb, alright. Makes anything and anyone better just by being near them. That spirit of hers is contagious." Natalia replied.
"It truly is. I would be privileged to be even half the performer she is."
"Aw, don't sell yourself short. You're a pretty good dancer yourself. The Academy scouting you is proof enough, yeah?" Sahir asked.
"I suppose you're right about that."
"Hey, Care. Weren't you guys supposed to be with Maxie and Kitty today?" Sahir asked.
"Oh, right. Well, we were up until a little while ago. But, Kitty was reminded of a certain game releasing today, so they went off to go buy it. They were positively going ape over it." Carrie explained.
"Yeah, that sounds like our Kitty Cat. Ah, shoot! Sakuya, we've gotta bolt. The movie's in about 20 minutes. Sorry to cut this short, ladies, gotta run." Sahir ran off.
"And there he goes. Well, I can't let him go too far. It was lovely meeting you both." Sakuya said.
"Same to you. Let's chat again when you have the time." Carrie replied. Sakuya bowed, and went off to pursue Sahir.
"Oh, she seems adorable. I'm glad he met someone so down-to-earth." Carrie said.
"Long as it keeps him from hitting on us all the time, I'm fine with it." Natalia added.
The girls went back to the alley to find Kitty still in the suit, with Max now wearing the mask. "...It's stuck." Kitty said, blushing.
"Oh, dear. Suppose you'll have to walk home like that..." Carrie replied.
"So how'd the scouting mission go?" Max asked.
"The girl seems really nice. She's part of the theater club with Barbara. She's even wearing one of my hoodies." Natalia answered.
"We should ask your sister about her the next time we see her. I'd like to know how this little meeting came to be." Carrie added.
"Welp, guess we can do that now. I got this suit from the auditorium. Time for the walk of shame..." Kitty uttered.
---
The four made their way to the school theater. "What in the world...?" Max pondered as the group looked towards the stage.
Kibō was lying on the ground, breathing heavily. "That's it...no more...I'll be thinner than a twig at this rate..."
"You can't seriously be done already. How are you going to keep up with me at the dance next month if you can't even make it through one practice?" Barbara asked, puffing her cheeks.
"You might want to...start thinking of backup partners...I'll probably just end up...stepping on your feet anyway..."
"I'll have none of it. You can't leave me high and dry in the middle of a formal dance! Aren't you my knight in shining armor?"
"Um, Barb? Is Keeb alright?" Natalia interrupted.
"Hm? Oh, hey guys! You caught us in the middle of practice. What's u--um. Kitty?" Barbara said.
"Don't say it, Barbie." Kitty muttered, still garbed in the gorilla costume.
"Okay, I won't. Changing room's in the back."
"Appreciate it." Kitty started towards the back.
"Last I saw, there were some bananas in the break room." Barbara said cheekily. Kitty didn't say anything or turn around, merely raising her middle finger as she walked through the door.
"While we wait for our ever-charming Kitten to get changed..." Carrie began. "We actually wanted to ask you something, Barbara."
"Oh, sure. Ask away."
"Yes, please...ask away...for as long as you can...manage..." Kibō uttered while panting.
"It would seem that Sahir has a new companion. Said companion is apparently a member of the theater club. We were hoping you'd know something about her. Just to know that there's no cause for concern."
"One of the theater girls? Hunh. I hadn't heard anything. You know who it is?"
"Yes, we just spoke with her. Sakuya Tsumomo was her name."
"Tsumomo...oh. I know who that is. You don't have anything to worry about. She's very down-to-earth, and polite. Almost...maid-like." Barbara put a hand to her face. "I literally just realized how they met. She works part-time at a maid café."
"Aw, yep, say no more. That fills a whole bunch of holes." Max said.
"He really is as predictable as the sunrise." Natalia added.
Kitty returned from the changing room. "Let's go." she said bluntly.
"Did you have any trouble, Kitten?" Carrie asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it. C'mon. Only way to salvage today is to find Kenny so I can ruin his mood."
The four walked out of the theater. "Barb...you know more than you're letting on." Kibō said. "That Sakuya girl...didn't you say she's the one who--"
"It's not for me to discuss, Keeb. If she and Sahir are getting along then why should I step in? Alright, that's enough of a breather, mister." Barbara clapped her hands. "Come on now, clearly we have a lot to work on."
"...as you wish."
---
"Y'all ever realize that...whenever we eat something like a fish or a chicken or whatever that...we're actually eating a corpse? Like, it's keeping us alive...but we're eating something dead. We get life...by consuming death. Woah." Tan mused. He was leaning against the counter of the flower shop. 
Rose blinked a few times, unsure of how to respond. "Quite." she deadpanned.
"Don't tell me you got another order in for those 'self-reflection' fruits." Rin groaned.
"Can't help it, Sis. This thing makes my brainwaves go in ways I didn't think were possible. It's like my mind's floating in the void of the universe..."
"It's floating in some kind of void..." Rose uttered.
"I mean, think about it...I'm 32 years old. Never been in a long, committed relationship. Will there be anyone left to look upon my deeds? Will anything I've done even be worth looking back on? Perhaps I'll die unloved..." A shadow dropped over Tan's eyes.
"Ugh." Rin grumbled.
"Please promise that you won't eat or bring one of those things to the wedding. The last thing we need is our guests becoming morbidly depressed." Rose asked.
"I would never consider doing something so awful on one of the most wonderful days of my beloved sister's life. To do so would reflect terribly upon our family's honor. You would probably be better off banishing me from the clan altogether."
"I am...strongly considering it." Rin replied.
"Tan...isn't your break over? You should probably return to your shop." Rose said.
"Ah, you are correct. You are as wise and attentive as always, my dear future sister-in-law. Please excuse me. I shall return to my quarters to brood." Tan somberly exited.
"Good heavens. Where does he even find those fruits?" Rose asked.
"Some family secrets are better left unrevealed." Rin replied. "In any case...he did remind me of the millions of things left to do. We haven't even set a date yet."
"It needn't be anything over-the-top. So long as it's among loved ones, I'll be satisfied."
"At the very least we should start airing out the details. I'm just happy things are far more lenient nowadays. A few years ago we couldn't have even dreamed of marriage, or adoption for that matter. Aha...ahahahaha."
"Something wrong?"
"I just...it still hasn't fully sunk in. We're actually getting married. Our lives really have become relentlessly eventful."
"That they have. I couldn't imagine this a year ago. This is why I didn't wish for anything on New Year's Day. Every wish I've had for the past nine years...ahaha. It's already come true."
"Hehehe...oh, Rose..." Rin started blushing.
The door opened. Kenji stood holding a bag, with a morose look on his face. "Greetings, Professor. And to you as well, Ms. Rose. Forgive my untimely intrusion. Mrs. Mirai has provided your lunch." he said with a downtrodden tone.
"Oh, um, thanks, Kenji. Is...is something wrong?" Rin asked.
"I have simply come to realize how tiny and inconsequential my existence truly is. Surrounded by so many talented and hopeful classmates, I could not possibly hope to achieve the heights they are surely destined for."
"Oh for the love of...did a man with tribal tattoos on his arms give you a fruit?"
"A wise and educated guess, Professor. A man with musculature far exceeding my own was kind enough to gift me an exotic fruit. It is far more than a louse like me deserves."
"Uh-huh. Rose, wait here with him. I have an older sibling to smack." Rin walked out the door.
"Have I caused a disruption, Ms. Rose? I wholeheartedly apologize from the bottom of my heart. I do not wish to disrupt your business further. I shall wait in the corner and skulk to myself." Kenji moped.
Rose groaned. "Not a day without excitement..."
---
"Ya sure you don't wanna come with?" Kitty asked. The four were on the first floor of the girls' dorms.
"Positive. The two of you should have some time to yourselves. No need for us to tag along all day." Carrie answered.
"Suit yourselves. C'mon, Sparky. Let's go find some bleachers to make out behind while we do all sorts of drugs." Kitty said, putting on a ditzy voice.
"I'm good, thanks." Max bluntly replied.
Carrie and Natalia went inside their dorm. "Ugh, hanging around with Kitty wears me out. It's like she's allergic to acting normal." Natalia groaned.
"She's just one of those 'unique spirits' the Professor always talks about. Frankly, she keeps things interesting." Carrie replied.
"I guess...hm?" Natalia took notice of something on the counter. It was a yellow-colored package. "Personally delivered inside our room? Must be urgent...it's addressed to me." Stuck on the box was one message: "From Yannick and Sophia van Damme. To our little Danish." "Oh, it's from my parents! Let's see what we've got..."
"Strange...do they always put their full names when addressing you in mail?"
"There is danger here."
"Hm...? That voice just now..." Carrie wondered.
"And there's a card. 'Here's a riddle we heard the other day: What was in one piece five minutes ago, and in 572 pieces five minutes from now?' Um...what?" Natalia puzzled.
"Fortune is unkind. Move quickly, before she is lost!"
Carrie noticed the box subtly shaking. "Natalia. Get away from the box."
"W-why? What do you think's wrong with--"
The box began shaking violently. Carrie acted quickly, lunging and tackling Natalia away as the box suddenly erupted in a cascade of blue fire. The force of the blast caused the door to the dormroom to violently fly off its hinges.
The card, singed by the blast, slowly fell to the ground. On the back, the answer to the riddle.
"'The answer: YOU! Signed, with love...the Sphinx of Thebes.'"