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IC INBOX: isleofavalon

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[ Akira's had a tough time finding Yusuke which is somewhat fitting for an artist who's unchained by any conventions. Still, he can't help but worry a little—perhaps that's the reason why he's lurking around the museum in Camelot. It just feels like this place will draw Yusuke in sooner or later.

It looks like that hunch was a good call because Akira finally notices his friend. The thing is, he's been bored for a while and he's currently standing behind a photo stand-in featuring a princess and a knight with a castle in the background. ]

Sir Yusuke! [ Yes, Akira has stuck his face where the princess is. ] I've been looking for you.

[Yusuke hadn't intended to cause any worry, but he assumed if there was going to be some kind of group meeting or if anyone needed to contact him, the others would be able to track him down... somehow? He's not sweating the details when he's been so distracted.

In the meantime he's been keeping busy, exploring Camelot and enjoying the vast well of inspiration such an otherworldly place offered. So of course a museum, one of his natural haunts, would be a good place to find him.

He's looking at an old sculpture of a dragon, sketchbook in hand, when the voice calling his name startles him out of his drawing.]

Oh! Akira! [Then he looks at what he's standing in...] I must say, that dress looks resplendent upon you.

You're making me blush, Yusuke.

[ There's a tint of light pink on Akira's cheeks actually, though it might have more to do with that he's happy to see his friend safe and sound. ]

I was wondering when you're going to discover this place. Sorry for interrupting you, though.

[ It's impossible not to notice the sketchbook in Yusuke's hand, even though it's nothing surprising to see him carrying one. Also, for some reason, Akira doesn't move an inch, almost like it's perfectly normal to carry on with the conversation while he's behind a photo stand-in. ]

Do you mind if I hang out with you today?

The interruption is a welcome one, not to worry. It is good to see you.

[Yusuke also sees nothing weird about talking to Akira's head on a princess body, so he's just going to continue.]

I would enjoy spending time with you. I had just been acquainting myself with the history of the artwork in this land... Has a particular piece here caught your eye? [Maybe not, but it doesn't occur to him that Akira had been looking for him the whole time.]

[ Nothing to see here, just two boys talking. ]

I've noticed that they're really into portraits, especially of their king.

[ Maybe it's because the theme of the exhibition he's visited the other day while looking for Yusuke was no one else than king Arthur himself. ]

But since you're here...I hope the people of Camelot are ready for your art.

[ They might not be, but that doesn't matter. Akira will enable Yusuke to pursue his artistic dreams. ]

Actually, I am quite fascinated by his portraiture myself. Until recently, any artists' depictions of him were merely that -- depictions borne from the artist's imagination alone. They had never seen the man. And yet now he has returned... How would these artists compare those countless images produced to the real man in the flesh?

[He's about to continue on his rambling tangent, but ah -- Akira had already moved on with the subject.]

It should be interesting to see how my art is received, and how my art in turn is influenced by this place. But of course, we should also keep sight of our true objectives here.

[ While he's made a remark that changed the subject, Akira is an enabler and he definitely wants to hear Yusuke's thoughts on the matter. ]

I guess some of them would ask for a chance to redo their portraits, especially if they don't resemble the king that much. Still...shouldn't they stay true to the image of him in their hearts? Even if it's different from the real person, I think it's interesting.

[ Various artists may perceive their ruler in different ways just like all people do. Akira has to admit there's something particularly captivating about that. ]

I can't picture you losing sight of our true objective, honestly.

I wonder if they're disappointed that their idealised vision of a knightly king of old does not match up to their present reality...

[Or perhaps all that art was able to preserve the essence of his character after all. Maybe he'll pester some art-minded locals who might have an opinion on the matter later.]

And I'll do my best not to, though it would be a waste not to learn from our experiences while we're here. Would you not agree?

It must have been a disappointment for some to an extent. I can imagine some people painting a portrait of the king just to get their artworks exhibited here.

[ Motivations are pretty important, after all. ]

Yeah. I wish the whole time freezing didn't happen back home, but we can't do much about it until we get down to the source of the problem.

[ Akira takes a moment before stepping back from the photo stand-in and murmuring a question: ]

Can you tell me the last thing you remember from back home?

What I remember? Let's see... We had taken you back to your hometown and then went our separate ways. I admit, I thought I was tired from the journey and having a very vivid dream when I first arrived here.

[The Metaverse was gone, after all, and this experience has been strange even by Yusuke's standards.]

You took me all the way there? How?

[ At first, Akira gets a little distracted by how fun that sounds, even if it's a little bittersweet, too. It doesn't change the fact that, it's not quite how he remembers it. ]

Do you remember Maruki-sensei?

[ Being straightforward about it might be his best bet. ]

We hired a minivan not unlike the Monacar, and Makoto drove us all together.

[Maruki... the name makes him raise his eyebrows in evident recognition.]

Akechi explained the circumstances around him, but I admit I am quite perplexed. Could it really be true, that one man obtained the power of the God of Control? That is not what I remember at all.

[And to top it all off--] Maruki lied to me, and claimed not to know me when we first met.

That sounds fun.

[ His smile looks somewhat apologetic; it sounds like a fun memory, even it if involved parting ways with his friends for some time. ]

He did? [ Oh no, he can imagine how that went. ] I don't know what he told you, but dealing with Maruki-sensei was a pain.

[ In more ways than one. ]

That's weird, though. Maybe he didn't want to creep you out.

[ Or something worse—Akira just doesn't want to assume that from the start. ]

[It's a shame Akira doesn't seem to remember their little trip. There was plenty of bickering on the car ride as always, but it was definitely fun, too.]

He obviously recognised me, but then claimed he mistook me for someone else. I find it unsettling that someone who seems so friendly can tell such barefaced lies.

[It's par for the course for the kind of adults they're used to dealing with, but all the same...]

He must have been a powerful enemy. Does he have a Palace?

He is, well...

[ It's hard to talk about it. From his point of view, Maruki has realized what he has done, come to terms with it and everyone has moved on. Yet here they are, to witness the history to repeat itself, here of all places.

Yusuke's observations are as sharp as always, however. ]

Unfortunately, he's really good at hiding things. [ Who would have expected a goofy counselor to turn out this way in the first place? ] And he is powerful. Really powerful.

[ Dropping the alternative reality bomb feels like a bit too much here. ]

He had a palace. [ Akira shakes his head. ] Maybe still do, but not here. I hope so, at least. He has his heart in the right place despite everything, just...I feel like he might be up to something.

I suppose it is possible to have a Palace without necessarily being evil, as we discovered.

[Futaba being the prime example, and -- to a lesser extent -- Sae Niijima, too.]

If you say he could be up to something, I believe you, but what are his motives? What could he want here that he couldn't achieve in our world?

I feel like he wants to do the same thing again. He won't hesitate to force his idea of happiness onto other people, taking their freedom away while at it. I am not sure how he's going to do it without his powers, though.

[ Technically, they've been told that their powers were taken away and that it applies to everyone. What if there is some way to regain them, however? Akira frowns, not even bothering to hide his concern. ]

I wonder...can we change his ways without stealing his heart?

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